AC News Weekly
News Weekly is our column where we highlight and summarize some of the biggest news stories of the week so you can stay up to date with the latest tech news.
This is News Weekly from Android Central, your go-to source for a concise summary of the week’s most important tech news. This is where we take a look at the top titles that showcase the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.
There are plenty of leaks this week, with Samsung’s Unpacked event potentially just a few weeks away. We look at the Galaxy Watch FE launch, Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Unpacked date leaks, Android adds charging dock hack defense, Pixel devices get feature updates, and Google refreshes its security policy guarantee.
Samsung’s first-ever Fan Edition watch is here
Learn more here.
On Thursday, June 10, Samsung announced its first-ever budget Galaxy Watch FE, which the company says is both “stylish and durable” but comes with health monitoring features that consumers need.
The watch comes in one size, 40mm, and has a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED display. The wearable is almost identical to the Galaxy Watch 4, except that it has a sapphire crystal. It also has a BioActive sensor to help users keep an eye on their health and fitness data.
The company says the sensor will provide “actionable” tips for staying active throughout the day. Other features include Irregular Heart Rhythm Notification (IHRN), which alerts users to potential signs of Afib, and an option to perform a quick ECG. 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 in advance
Read more about the Galaxy Z Fold 6 leak here and the Unpacked event here.
Samsung intentionally or unintentionally dropped hints about its upcoming Unpacked event; Friday came with its own set of leaks for the company. To begin with, the full specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 have been leaked and Smartprix has blown the lid with screenshots revealing that the device will retain the 6.3-inch cover screen like its predecessor, but in terms of aspect ratio (22:9). ) and resolution (2376 x 968) on a possible larger external screen.
The device is said to have the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and retains 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The Z Fold 6’s camera system also mirrors the Galaxy Z Fold 5’s setup. The leak suggests it will have the same triple rear camera: a 50 MP (f/1.8) main sensor, a 50 MP (f/1.8) ultra-wide 12 MP (f/2.2) and a 10MP (f/2.4) telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The front cameras also appear unchanged, with a 10MP (f/2.2) sensor on the cover display and a 4MP (f/1.8) sensor under the internal display.
That’s not all. We also got a glimpse of the Unpacked event countdown. Leaker Evan Blass shared a GIF of what looks like an official Samsung countdown timer on his X account. It shows that the event is scheduled for July 10 at 10 p.m. Korea Standard Time (KST). Since Samsung is a major sponsor of the Paris Olympics, the launch of Galaxy foldable devices is expected to take place simultaneously.
No more charging station hacking for Android 15 users
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Google is adding a new feature to Android 15 that allows you to block data transfers at public charging stations.
Mishaal Rahman found a new security feature for Lockdown Mode in the latest Android 15 beta. The feature protects your device against a hacking tactic called “juice jacking,” which uses USB charging cables to sneak software malware, run unauthorized commands, install unwanted applications or mess up your data.
Juice Jacking is a risk that any Android user may face due to the widespread availability of USB charging ports. This cyberattack exploits the phone’s unique port for power and data transfer. 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 must hold down the power button and select “Lockdown” from the Power menu (if your settings allow it). A single click activates a digital shield around your data.
Pixel devices receive new updates
Learn more about updating Pixel phone here and look here.
This week, Pixel devices received a whole series of updates. Google is bringing useful user-facing features to its Pixels, such as display port support. With a USB-C cable, Pixel users can now watch movies and shows on a larger secondary display, almost like mirroring your screen.
Pixel users now get “Power Off Finder” through the Find My Device network which will help users locate their Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro devices, even if they are turned off, for several hours and away from the user. Then, in the Phone app’s “Recents” tab, users can find this unknown caller, tap the number, then tap “Search.” The search will start from there, providing all the relevant information users need about this unknown phone number.
Some camera improvements will also be available to you as Pixel users. The company says this new feature will allow Pixel owners to find “the best moment of your photo in HDR Plus with a single shutter.” This is intended to allow users to choose the best photo.
Users will also receive an update bringing more detailed summaries to the Pixel Recorder app, as well as the Gemini Nano AI model appearing as a developer option for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a.
Pixel watches were not left out; they also received updates. The popular car crash detection feature, only available on Pixel phones, is now available for the Pixel Watch 2, with the latest feature removed. Pixel Watch 2 users can now call emergency services if they are involved in a serious car accident. Second, both Pixel Watch models can link their Paypal account to the wallet app. Google also brings the Home app to Wear OS 3 and higher smartwatches. It allows users to easily and quickly access their smart devices from their wrist.
Google updates its warranty policy for screens
Learn more here.
Google has announced a new warranty extension for Pixel 8 devices to address vertical line and flickering issues that surfaced in November. The tech giant announced on a Pixel Phone help page that some Pixel 8 phones were experiencing display issues, prompting them to increase their warranty. If users experience a problem with their Pixel 8 displays, you get three years of coverage from the date of purchase of the device.
However, it is important to note that not everyone is eligible for the extended warranty. Google or an authorized repair partner will run a diagnostic check using your device’s serial number to see if it is eligible. Pixel 8 owners whose devices are not eligible for the extended warranty may still be covered by Google’s standard limited warranty if they experience similar display issues.
These are some of the most notable news stories of the week. In the meantime, here are some other stories worth telling: