AC News Weekly
News Weekly is our column where we highlight and summarize some of the week’s highlights to keep you up to date with the latest tech news.
This is Android Central’s news weekly, your favorite source for a quick summary of the week’s top tech stories. Here we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.
It’s been raining leaks this week, with Samsung’s Unpacked event just a few weeks away. We look at the Galaxy Watch FE launch, Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Unpacked data leaks, Android adds defenses against charging station hackers, Pixel devices get feature updates and Google renews its warranty policy.
The first ever Samsung Fan Edition Watch is here
Read more here.
On Thursday (June 10), Samsung announced its first-ever budget Galaxy Watch FE, which the company says is “stylish and durable” but comes with the health-tracking features consumers need.
The watch is available in one size, 40mm, and has a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display. The wearable is almost identical to the Galaxy Watch 4, except it features sapphire glass. It also has a BioActive Sensor that helps users keep track of their health and fitness.
The company says the sensor will provide “actionable” tips to stay active throughout the day. Other features include Irregular Heart Rhythm Alert (IHRN), which alerts the user to potential Afib symptoms, and the ability to perform a quick EKG. The Galaxy Watch FE (Bluetooth) will be available on June 24 for $199.99, and its LTE variant will be available later this year for $249.99.
Spoiler alert: Samsung leaks ahead
Read more about the Galaxy Z Fold 6 leak here and the Unpacked event here.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Samsung dropped hints about the upcoming Unpacked event; Friday came with its own set of leaks for the company. For starters, the full specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 have been leaked and Smartprix has blown the lid off with screenshots revealing that the device will retain the 6.3-inch bezel-less display of its predecessor, but in terms of aspect ratio (22:9). ) and resolution (2,376 x 968) on a possible wider external screen.
The device will reportedly have a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and retain 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The Z Fold 6’s camera system also mirrors the setup on the Galaxy Z Fold 5. The leak suggests it will have the same triple rear camera: 50MP main sensor (f/1.8), 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2) and 10MP telephoto (f /2.4) with 3x optical zoom. The front cameras also appear unchanged, with a 10MP sensor (f/2.2) on the display cover and a 4MP sensor (f/1.8) below the inner display.
That’s not all. We also took a look at the countdown to the Unpacked event. Leaker Evan Blass shared a GIF on his X account that looks like Samsung’s official countdown. It shows that the event is set for July 10 at 10:00 PM KST. As Samsung is a major sponsor of the Paris Olympics, the launch of the Galaxy foldable devices is expected to happen at the same time.
No more hacking charging stations for Android 15 users
Read more here.
Google is adding a new feature to Android 15 that works to block data transfers at public charging stations.
Mishaal Rahman found a new security feature for Lockdown mode in the latest Android 15 beta. This feature protects your device from a hacker tactic called “juice jacking,” which uses USB charging cables to sneak in malware, run unauthorized commands, install unwanted apps, or corrupt your data .
Juice jacking is a risk that every Android user can face due to the wide availability of USB charging ports. This cyber attack uses the phone’s single port to transmit power and data. Using a compromised public station can allow hackers to install malware, steal personal data, or take full control of your phone.
To enable this protection, beta users should hold down the power button and select “Lockdown” from the Power menu (if your settings allow it). One tap activates a digital shield around your data.
Pixel devices are getting new updates
Read more about updating your Pixel phone here and watch here.
This week, Pixel devices received a slew of updates. Google is bringing some useful features to its Pixels for users like display port support. With a USB-C cable, Pixel users can now watch movies and shows on a larger secondary display, similar to screen mirroring.
Pixel phone users now enjoy the “Find While Power Off” feature through the Find My Device network, which will help users locate their Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro even when they’re turned off, away from the user for a few hours. Next, in the “Recent” tab of the Phone app, users can find an unknown caller, tap the number, then tap “Search.” The search will start from there and will provide all the relevant information users need about this unknown phone number.
Some camera improvements are also coming to Pixel users. The company says the new feature will allow Pixel owners to find “the best moment from your photo in HDR Plus with a single shutter.” This is intended for the user to select the best shot.
Users will also receive an update that brings more detailed summaries to the Pixel Recorder app, along with the Gemini Nano AI model appearing as a developer option for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a.
The Pixel watch wasn’t left behind either; they got some updates too. The popular car crash detection feature that was only available on Pixel phones is now available on Pixel Watch 2 with the latest feature. Pixel Watch 2 users can now call 911 if they are involved in a serious car accident. Second, both Pixel Watch models can link their Paypal account to the wallet app. Google is also bringing a home app for Wear OS 3 and a higher-powered smartwatch. It allows users to easily and quickly access their smart home devices from their wrist.
Google is renewing its warranty policy for screens
Read more here.
Google has announced a new extended warranty for Pixel 8 devices that addresses the vertical line and flickering issues that surfaced in November. The tech giant has announced on its Pixel phone help page that some Pixel 8 phones are experiencing display issues, prompting them to extend their warranty. If users have a problem with the Pixel 8 screens, you are covered for three years from the date of purchase of the device.
However, it is important to note that not everyone will qualify for an extended warranty. Google or an authorized service partner will run a diagnostic check using your device’s serial number to determine eligibility. Pixel 8 owners whose devices don’t qualify for the extended warranty may still be covered by Google’s standard limited warranty if they experience similar display issues.
Those were some of the top stories this week. In the meantime, here are some other stories worth catching up on: