Android circuit: Samsung Galaxy's foldable camera, Honor Teases Magic3, the future of Surface Duo
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinA look back at seven days of news and headlines from across the world of Android, this week's Android Tour includes the device...
28/09/2021
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Looking back on seven days of news and headlines across the Android world, this week's Android circuit includes Samsung's Galaxy Foldable Camera, reviving the OnePlus Nord 2 5G, Huawei teasing the P50, the new tablet from Realme, Honor confirming Magic3 details, Wear OS 3 updates, the future of the Surface Duo and a new home for Pocketcasts.
Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many things that happened around Android in the past week (
and you can find the weekly Apple news digest here
).
The Galaxy Folding Camera
Recently released Samsung patents suggest that the next Z Flip model after the handset's expected launch next month will have a rotating camera mounted in the hinge:
"In this design, the focus is on the camera system. Samsung seems to see a chance to address the dual camera in the hinge. It should also be possible to rotate the camera, which h can be directed towards the forwards, upwards and backwards so you can take photos from different angles. From selfies to normal photo and video recordings."
(
Let's go digital
).
Conceptual image of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.
Let's go digital
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OnePlus Nord 2 5G review
OnePlus has announced the next handset in its mid-range lineup The
OnePlus Nord 2 5G
replaces last year's Nord, and if you're a fan of OnePlus history, you'll notice the similarities to the 'Flagship Killer' mythos of early OnePlus handsets. Thanks to OnePlus, I was able to spend some time with the handset this week to review it:
"It's easy to say that the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is OnePlus back to doing what it does best, especially if you've been following OnePlus since the rambling days of 2015, the invite-only system and the use of Cyanogen Mod. The business has evolved since then, and the products have evolved since then. Yet the Nord 2 delivers on that original vision, to be a true flagship killer. That OnePlus essentially disrupts itself is one of the strengths of the package. It works hard to be the best possible handset between £400 and £450."
(
Forbes
).
< p>Teasing The P50Huawei's Twitter account announced the July 29 launch date for a mysterious gold device. It's not that mysterious, given that everyone is waiting for the Huawei P50. What will be interesting is how the P50 cellphones fare in the US and Europe, given the continued inclusion on the US Entity List, prohibiting trade and services by US companies - which includes Google and its mobile services
"On July 29, we will be unveiling our newest products during the launch of HUAWEI's new flagship products. Stay tuned for more."
(
Huawei on Twitter
).
A new tablet from Realme
Realme may have just launched the Realme GT master in China and is preparing for the launch of the X9 in August, is the brand planning to launch a tablet? Following various official teases, Steve Hemmerstoffer from @OnLeaks has gathered all the information to create his own RealMe Pad renders:
"Realme Pad will have a screen measuring around 10.4 inches. Renders show that the tablet will look like a generic slab with a single protruding rear camera and flat sides; the design of this bezel is reminiscent of the 2020 iPad Pro. Realme branding can be spotted on the back, along with a straight line running through the camera module to aid in the two-tone finish as a design accent.On the front, the evenly thick bezels surrounding the screen are clearly visible, as is the single selfie shooter placed in the middle."
(via
91mobiles
).
Honor confirms new Magic3 details
Ahead of the launch of the Honor Magic3 smartphone on August 12, Honor quietly confirmed the details of the device as the days went by. As well as announcing that the Magic3 series will use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888+ system-on-chip, an official photo of the protective case revealed a prominent circular cutout on the rear of the handset; presumably for the camera island:
"AI 'fundamentally changes the photography experience,' Amon said. "It makes everyone a professional photographer." The combination with 5G is particularly powerful."...we are going to see a transformation with 5G that is bigger and deeper than what we have seen with 4G and the smartphone revolution we are experiencing today" , Amon added. You can find out more at Reuters.com."
(
GSMArena
)
(Not) updating your smartwatch
Google's Android smartphone platform may not have as much adoption as the Apple Watch, but it has been quietly powering the wrists of many users since its launch and through countless brand changes. announced at I/O earlier this year, with a note that some current smartwatches will be able to upgrade their software. The list is incredibly small - and doesn't include any watches from Samsung or Fitbit - but no upgrades will happen until the middle of next year:
In a new support page, Google has made it clear that very few currently available watches will upgrade to Wear OS 3. GPS and LTE variants of Mobvoi's TicWatch Pro 3, as well as the recently launched TicWatch E3 and upcoming devices from Fossil, will all receive new software, more or less confirming that a Snapdragon Wear 4100 is required."
(
Android Font
).
Keep Surface Duo running
What's next for Microsoft's Android-based Surface Duo? Jez Corden presents the arguments to Redmond to double down on the concept, push the hardware forward, and work hard on the software to let the vision shine:
“With a market capitalization reaching into the trillions, I find it hard to accept that Microsoft is not willing to take this device more seriously. It could become the perfect companion for all advanced Windows 10 and Windows 11 users. could replace the need many have to carry both a phone and a tablet, given its unique properties. It could be the showcase device for Xbox Game Pass and other Microsoft services. It could be all of these, and more so, if Microsoft is willing to take a chance and really bank on future releases.”
(
Windows Central
).
And finally...
Pocketcasts, one of the leading podcast apps on Android, has been acquired by Automattic, the company behind Wordpress. Expect a lot more podcast integration with Wordpress, and more updates and features coming to Pock andcasts now has a new parent:
"As part of Automattic, Pocket Casts will continue to provide you with the features you need to enjoy your favorite podcasts (or find something new). We'll explore building deep integrations with WordPress.com and Pocket Casts, making it easier distributing and listening to podcasts. We are excited to be able to continue to offer our users a multitude of ways to tell and interact with stories that matter."
(
WordPress
) .
Android Circuit takes in the latest news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Don't forget to follow me so you don't miss any coverage in the future, and of course
read the sister topic in Apple Loop
!
Last week's Android circuit can be found here
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