00:00 – Mishaal Rahman: Samsung might lastly give its subsequent flagship Galaxy S26 the charging velocity improve we’ve at all times wished.
00:05 – C. Scott Brown: And Android is coming into a brand new period of extra frequent characteristic updates, however will your cellphone truly get them?
00:12 – Mishaal Rahman: I’m Mishaal Rahman.
00:14 – C. Scott Brown: And I’m C. Scott Brown and that is the Authority Insights Podcast the place we break down the newest information and leaks surrounding the Android working system.
00:23 – Mishaal Rahman: So Scott, you and I, we’re each cellphone reviewers. We now have had entry to a ton of various Chinese language telephones, however for the longest time they’ve at all times blown Samsung, Apple, and Google out of the water with regards to charging speeds. However that hole might quickly lastly begin be closing due to a charging velocity improve that Samsung is engaged on for its subsequent flagship units.
00:43 – C. Scott Brown: And talking of the following flagship units from Samsung, the Galaxy S26 is predicted to ship with Samsung’s newest One UI 8.5 out of the field, which we’re anticipating shall be primarily based on Android 16 QPR2. Google simply launched QPR2 this week and with it, we’ve entered a brand new period of frequent Android updates or no less than extra frequent than they’ve been previously. This may very well be an enormous deal.
However you already know what else is an enormous deal? Android coming to PCs. Nicely, finally coming to PCs. There are nonetheless a variety of unanswered questions on Google’s Android on PC working system, however we lastly know the solutions to a few of them, together with its potential identify, which is form of complicated, however I’m enthusiastic about it.
01:29 – Mishaal Rahman: Proper. However earlier than we transfer on to the Android PC information and the QPR2 stuff, let’s circle again to the Samsung charging information as a result of it’s fairly an enormous deal as a result of for the longest time, Samsung telephones have been caught to comparatively gradual charging speeds topping out at 45W for the Extremely mannequin for the previous couple of years now and 15W wi-fi charging speeds for lots of their units. However now due to an evaluation of leaked One UI 8.5 software program from our staff at Android Authority, we’ve found proof that Samsung is engaged on a brand new Tremendous Quick Charging 3.0 replace, probably for the Galaxy S26 Extremely that may allow the cellphone’s rumored 60W wired charging speeds. And concurrently, they’re additionally engaged on a brand new Tremendous Quick Wi-fi charging improve presumably additionally for the Galaxy S26 Extremely that may allow 25W wi-fi charging speeds.
So Scott, Samsung for the longest time has been calling their charging Tremendous Quick Charging. However in mild of how briskly competitor units can attain by way of whenever you use their proprietary chargers, it sort of feels prefer it’s deceptive or they’re simply form of leaping the gun a bit calling it Tremendous Quick Charging. How do you are feeling about these rumored upgrades? Are they an enormous deal or is it only a nothingburger?
02:53 – C. Scott Brown: I feel it’s an enormous deal simply within the sense that this can be a huge deal for the US. Chinese language producers, such as you stated on the high, have been making quick charging telephones for a very long time now. And 60W will not be nothing. It’s form of insulting for Samsung to be like Tremendous Quick Charging and nonetheless not even near what OnePlus has been providing for the previous 5 years. That’s somewhat weird. However nonetheless, Samsung doing that is going to push everybody else to do that in the US. Google and particularly Apple will not be capable to simply be like, oh, nobody does that in the US so subsequently it’s not an enormous deal, no person desires this. Samsung’s going to do it, individuals are going to speak about it. It’s going to be an enormous deal. If Samsung is sensible, they’re going to make it an enormous a part of their advertising marketing campaign and that’s going to push all the opposite firms to comply with swimsuit. So by Samsung taking this step it may very well be that the times of getting a smartphone for $800 or extra and getting no matter, 25W charging speeds or no matter it was a couple of years in the past, these days may be over due to Samsung taking this leap.
04:05 – Mishaal Rahman: Why do you suppose they’ve waited so lengthy to do that? As a result of clearly the expertise has been there for a very long time now, however why 2025 is the yr after we’re lastly seeing producers break the 45W wire charging velocity?
04:20 – C. Scott Brown: Nicely for Samsung, all of it comes again all the way down to the Galaxy Notice 7. The exploding Galaxy Notice 7 was the blackest mark on Samsung’s most up-to-date historical past. Actually its historical past of smartphones. Even the Galaxy Fold with the show peeling off, even that wasn’t practically as detrimental to Samsung’s fame because the Notice 7. Folks nonetheless in feedback on YouTube movies and stuff like that, they’ll nonetheless reference the explosions of these telephones. So yeah, I completely perceive why Samsung can be trepidatious about pushing issues too far with regards to charging speeds.
Apple and Google although don’t have any excuse. Who is aware of what’s occurring with them. However with Samsung, it is smart that they’ve been so cautious. However the different a part of your query, why now? I feel Samsung is beginning to understand that it may’t simply sit again anymore. I feel for the previous possibly 10 years, Samsung has form of rested on the concept that we’re the primary smartphone producer globally, even larger than Apple, and we’re going to remain that method. So we don’t need to do something. We are able to simply coast. And the previous three, 4 years of coasting have actually confirmed that Samsung can’t do this anymore. Apple is gobbling up market share not solely right here in the US however globally now and even Google is beginning to take market share away from Samsung no less than right here in the US. So Samsung’s like, we’ve received to make issues completely different, we’ve received to begin main and being extra progressive. And yeah, I feel that this charging velocity factor is a part of that. That’s my idea anyway who truly is aware of what the true cause is however that’s what I’d suppose.
06:09 – Mishaal Rahman: Though it’s additionally a possibility for them to earn more money as a result of as everyone knows they stopped transport the charger within the field a few years in the past and really probably your current Samsung tremendous quick charger gained’t be able to delivering the utmost 60W velocity that the brand new units will help. So that you might need to exit and purchase a brand new charger with the brand new system. I imply often Samsung is fairly good about providing these discounted bundles the place in case you purchase the preorder the system you get an adjunct totally free or closely discounted so in all probability you’ll be capable to get the 60W charger for a really low value in case you preorder the brand new system however we don’t know for certain however yeah it’s in all probability going to be one other alternative for them to bundle the product with the cellphone and make some further income from promoting these chargers. Possibly who is aware of you’ll be capable to purchase a charger that works with the laptop computer but in addition delivers 60W charging speeds for the cellphone as effectively.
06:59 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah. And one other factor that’s vital to say right here is the rise within the wi-fi charging speeds. And that may very well be as a result of the cellphone helps Qi2 charging with the magnets within the again. We don’t know that for sure but, it’s all imprecise, however that enhance in wi-fi charging velocity until there’s a proprietary system concerned, which has similarities to what OnePlus does. OnePlus presents 50W wi-fi charging speeds however with a purpose to get that you need to purchase a selected wi-fi charger from OnePlus. However Samsung providing these sooner speeds may very well be associated to magnets being on the again of the cellphone. And at this level, I imply if Samsung launches a smartphone in 2026 and it doesn’t have magnets constructed at the back of the cellphone I imply like what are you even doing Samsung? Come on. Google has confirmed with the Pixel 10 sequence, Google has confirmed that that is one thing folks need. Clearly we already knew folks wished it as a result of they’ve been utilizing it on iPhone for 4 years now. And folks find it irresistible. They love snapping issues on the again of their cellphone. So it’s like if Samsung pushes the Galaxy S26 sequence and there’s no magnets, I don’t know what I’ll simply be like I’ll name Samsung myself and be like what are you doing?
08:15 – Mishaal Rahman: Mr. Roh, decide up the dang cellphone! However yeah the 25W charging velocity is attention-grabbing as a result of I’m wondering in the event that they’re going to do the identical factor that Google did the place solely one of many fashions like their highest finish XL mannequin has the quickest Qi 2.2 charging speeds as a result of for individuals who don’t know the Pixel 10 throughout the board helps Qi2 however solely the Pixel 10 Professional XL helps the quickest 25W wi-fi charging speeds which might be accessible via the Qi 2.2 customary. So we don’t know if Samsung goes to be doing the identical factor segmenting it throughout the lineup however previously that’s precisely what they’ve achieved. They’ve sometimes restricted the quickest charging speeds to their Extremely lineup. So there’s a superb probability that solely the Galaxy S26 Extremely will get each the 60W wire charging and the 25W wi-fi charging speeds however we hope that’s not the case. We hope on the very least that they create Qi2 throughout the lineup as a result of in any other case it is going to simply be an enormous mess if it’s just one system that has entry to all the brand new Qi2 equipment.
09:15 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah no I believe they’re in all probability going to do what Google did. They’re going to be like okay you get the quick charging speeds with the Extremely and you then get simply typical magnets with the remainder of them. Which I’m superb with. The Galaxy S25 or not particularly the 25 however the Extremely telephones are at all times the very best promoting telephones within the Galaxy S lineup so I really feel like most individuals can be okay with the concept that that’s reserved for the people who find themselves keen to spend all that cash. However yeah so long as there are magnets. If there’s simply magnets on the Galaxy S26 Extremely after which none for the opposite ones that’ll be a mistake.
09:50 – Mishaal Rahman: Yeah enormous bummer. Hopefully we discover out extra quickly as a result of subsequent month at the start of subsequent month is CES and Samsung sometimes has some form of teaser or announcement associated to their upcoming flagship S lineup at their CES launch occasion. They gained’t showcase the cellphone at CES however they in all probability will point out one thing in regards to the S26 lineup. However who is aware of this yr may be completely different as a result of we simply noticed the opposite day truly I assume a few days in the past for these of you listening on Saturday Samsung unveiled the trifold and there are rumors that they could present it off at CES so possibly they could have one thing extra to point out us than only a teaser for the S lineup. Possibly they’ve one thing extra substantial to point out us however we’ll nonetheless have to attend a couple of weeks to seek out out as a result of CES will not be till the start of January.
10:37 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah and Samsung undoubtedly gained’t combine the 2 occasions. Samsung desires its personal occasion with the Galaxy S26 the first focus and the whole lot so there’s not going to be an excessive amount of at CES however you’re proper there may very well be teasers there may very well be data leaked not leaked however little minor issues introduced to maintain the momentum going. So we’ll see.
10:57 – Mishaal Rahman: Proper. And talking of preserving the momentum going, Google not too long ago overhauled the Android launch schedule in order that it may preserve the momentum of Android updates going extra shortly. So final yr Google truly introduced that they’re overhauling the Android launch schedule. As an alternative of getting one launch in Q3 or This autumn of the yr between August and October, Google is now releasing the main model of Android earlier in Q2. So Android 16 launched in June for that cause. And they’re additionally mixing it with one other secondary minor launch that’s occurring in This autumn of the yr. Really simply the opposite day Google launched Android 16 QPR2 and that’s the minor launch of Android that Google is speaking about.
So principally in 2025 there have been two releases of Android. There was the main launch Android 16 in June, then the minor launch Android 16 QPR2 in This autumn in December. And this can be a huge deal as a result of for the longest time in case you’re a developer and also you wished to create an software that used any of the brand new APIs or options which might be accessible to builders, you would need to wait a yr for Google to launch the following model of Android as a result of Google would solely launch one model of Android a yr that had new APIs and options for builders. However now there are two variations. You might have the main launch in June and you’ve got the minor launch in December.
And past making options APIs and developer options accessible to builders extra readily there’s additionally one other profit and it’s the {hardware} alignment. So in years previous a variety of OEMs must wait to launch their flagship units later within the yr in the event that they wished to have entry to the newest model of Android. So for instance the flagship Galaxy Z Fold and the Flip lineup, these sometimes occurred in early summer time. And due to that as a result of these launches predated the launch of the main Android launch they might at all times ship with final yr’s launch as an alternative of the present yr launch. And that form of made them appear somewhat outdated as a result of the main launch would occur shortly after, they wouldn’t get the replace for a lot of months later. However by shifting the main launch earlier within the yr, Google is now in a position to ship these main releases extra shortly to units which might be launching earlier within the yr.
So we noticed with the Pixel 10, it launched with Android 16 out of the field. Similar with the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and the Z Fold 7. These units would have launched with Android 15 if Google had not shifted the Android 16 launch ahead a few months. So this can be a huge deal and the Android 16 QPR2 launch that Google simply dropped on us this week is the primary launch that Google says is born from this new accelerated launch schedule. So Scott, I wished to listen to your ideas on this new accelerated launch schedule. Do you suppose this can be a good concept for Google to do? Is that this one thing that may truly clear up an actual downside with Android updates?
13:51 – C. Scott Brown: I can’t I imply I don’t actually have a lot of a hands-on with with what’s occurring on the planet of builders so I do know what you described as a ache level the place it’s like you already know Google says like oh we’re going to do all these items after which it’s a very long time earlier than builders truly can entry all this stuff so there may be an answer to an issue there however I can’t actually communicate a lot to it. What I can say although is what you had been referencing in regards to the cellphone launches not having the newest model of Android. It wasn’t that way back however folks might have forgotten that the Pixel 9 launched with the earlier model of Android due to this timeline downside. And that was bizarre like for the entire concept of the Pixel line was that it might be launched with the very freshest model of Android. And for the 9 sequence to launch with out it was weird. Clearly it was like what a month and a half earlier than it received it however nonetheless it was bizarre.
So yeah I feel that this complete transferring issues ahead somewhat bit goes to be useful not just for Google’s Pixel line but in addition for Samsung and for all the opposite firms that wish to have that latest model of Android. It’s additionally nice for customers as a result of most Android producers they decide the size of updates primarily based on not the yr however the model. So for instance in case you had been to purchase a cellphone as we speak that had Android 15 however then the following day received Android 16, Android 15 can be what they might assume. So that may be one improve you simply received and if all they’re promising is 4 upgrades you then’ve already misplaced one and also you’ve solely had the cellphone for a day. In order that’s clearly not nice and this helps clear up that. This helps it make it so that you simply get a cellphone, it’s going to have a really latest model of Android out of the field and you then’re going to have the ability to maintain on to that cellphone longer and make it possible for it’s getting all of the updates and getting all of the freshest options and all that. So I feel that for customers that is nice. The one factor that I’d complain about is is the identify. QPR2 like 99% of individuals are going to do not know what which means. I feel that Google must have somewhat branding powwow about what to do about that however aside from that I’m all for it. I feel that is nice information.
16:08 – Mishaal Rahman: Oh on that time they haven’t formally named it QPR2. That’s what it’s known as internally and that’s what it’s known as whenever you enroll within the beta program however like of their weblog put up they haven’t known as it Android 16 QPR2. They only name it Android 16. As a result of technically it’s prefer it’s nonetheless Android 16. However yeah that makes it complicated as a result of like how are you aware which model how does you as a person know which model of Android 16 you’re operating. Should you’re a Pixel person you’re at all times operating the newest model of Android 16. That’s simply how it’s. However in case you’re operating one other system you already know very probably you’re solely ever going to get the preliminary model of Android 16 and never Android 16 QPR1 or QPR2. There are rumors as we talked about on the high of the present that Samsung’s One UI 8.5 which the Galaxy S26 might launch with shall be primarily based on Android 16 QPR2 so that may in all probability be one of many few units to get QPR2 however aside from that it’s a toss-up whether or not or not a tool will get QPR2. Like Google stated they’re engaged on bringing they’re working with their Android companions to convey QPR2 to their units however nonetheless it’s as much as them. It’s lower than Google whether or not or not they’ll truly roll out these updates. So who is aware of.
17:17 – C. Scott Brown: I really feel like a .1 is the obvious resolution there. Android 16, Android 16.1.
17:25 – Mishaal Rahman: Or like 12L. You recognize we had the L again then. Like one thing that clearly differentiates it from the bottom quantity.
17:30 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah I feel that that’s a greater method of doing it as a result of yeah like even on the planet of Pixels like what in case you don’t improve? Like what in case you simply reject that improve? You’re operating Android 16 and also you’re on the cellphone with Google help or no matter and also you say I’m operating Android 16. They’re going to be like okay effectively I assume that you simply’re operating QPR2 however what in case you’re not? Like that doesn’t make any sense. So yeah I really feel like there’s a branding factor that they should work on there however that is Google’s been transferring quick. It is a little inside baseball however Mishaal and I had been in communication with Google earlier than this announcement was made and Google informed us a bunch of stuff after which informed us oh truly we’re not going to launch these issues and so they took a bunch of issues away. Not going to say what they had been as a result of I don’t wish to get in bother however the core concept was that it felt very very like we’re dashing this out and we’re we’re type of prepared for it but in addition we’re going to make a bunch of errors and we’re going to retract a bunch of issues so yeah I feel that if Google goes to maneuver ahead with this it’s going to need to be somewhat bit extra organized about issues and yeah the branding is an issue.
18:40 – Mishaal Rahman: I’ve a sense that that truly what you simply talked about was in all probability due to Thanksgiving vacation as a result of I feel Googlers they get your entire Thanksgiving week off and so they all got here again to work on Monday and so they like studying over finalizing the press package and so they’re like oh shoot we in all probability didn’t imply to launch this or they realized some error with it on the final minute and so they needed to pull it. Yeah that was fairly a multitude.
19:00 – C. Scott Brown: It was a multitude. Like I stated we’re not going to let you know what options had been taken away however yeah it was a little bit of a multitude so we’ll see how this goes subsequent yr. Possibly by subsequent yr they’ll have this they’ll be like okay we received this now we’ve smoothed this out.
19:16 – Mishaal Rahman: However in case you do wish to discover out what options can be found in Android 16 QPR2 I’ve this large article on Android Authority over 4000 phrases that covers the whole lot new that’s launched with the platform replace so there’s a variety of issues to learn I’d extremely advocate going over it. It could take me 20 plus minutes to truly clarify the whole lot on this podcast so I’m simply going to go away a hyperlink within the present notes to learn this text. However earlier than we transfer on I did wish to ask you.
19:42 – C. Scott Brown: Simply earlier than you I undoubtedly wish to level on the market’s some huge issues in there. There’s expanded darkish mode that makes darkish mode go throughout all apps even when they don’t have a darkish mode, there’s extra icon customizations, there’s Materials theming throughout icons even when they don’t help Materials theming. There’s a variety of stuff so in case you’re in any respect inquisitive about what’s occurring with the most recent Android model, undoubtedly learn Mishaal’s article as a result of it’s nice and it’s very thorough.
20:07 – Mishaal Rahman: Proper. Earlier than we transfer on although I did wish to pose an attention-grabbing thought level. So you already know the 2 causes that Google cited for transferring ahead the Android launch schedule was to raised align it with {hardware} launches and in addition introduce extra alternatives for Google to convey APIs to builders. But it surely’s form of attention-grabbing how there may be a hidden potential third level. So iOS releases from what I can inform they occur yearly at WWDC in June however in addition they don’t get launched till September. Three months later. Which simply occurs to align up with the discharge cadence of Android updates. So now we’ve Android 16 the principle model will get introduced and launched in June however the meat of the improve like the largest new options don’t actually get pushed out till September do you suppose that is only a coincidence or do you suppose Google is deliberately attempting to have like one thing huge to announce in June alongside iOS however then one thing larger to announce in September when iOS truly rolls out. Like do you suppose that is coincidence with these launch schedules lining up or is Google deliberately doing it so you might have one thing to compete with iOS in June and one thing to compete with iOS when it truly rolls out in September.
21:27 – C. Scott Brown: I imply yeah that’s a strong idea. It clearly Google Samsung just about everyone is at all times seeking to Apple and being like what’s Apple doing and will we emulate it and if we must always how are we going to do it. So yeah Google’s type of wanting in direction of Apple’s cadence and being like that is sensible the way in which they’re doing it’s higher than us let’s try to slowly get it to be that method. That’s definitely attainable. The one snag in there can be IO which occurs in Might and IO so far as I’m involved blows something Apple does out of the water particularly now in what we’re calling the Gemini period. I really feel like IO is an even bigger occasion that extra individuals are centered on. WWDC is rather more developer centered and it’s extra for the nerdy folks whereas I really feel like IO has some crossover to people who find themselves simply form of like expertise lovers however not precisely tremendous geeky about it. So yeah so I don’t know like how would that work so that you’d have IO and you then’d have an Android 16 or 17 announcement in June and you then’d have the precise launch it’d be bizarre however yeah it’s definitely it’s a strong idea.
22:33 – Mishaal Rahman: One other factor I wished to ask you although is do you suppose these extra frequent releases will form of kill the hype round Android updates typically? As a result of when you have so many updates in a yr individuals are going to begin caring much less and fewer about every particular person replace.
22:47 – C. Scott Brown: I don’t suppose so. Working at Android Authority for over six years nearly seven years nobody has ever on Android Authority been like man I’ve gotten too many updates this yr. They only don’t. They only need extra updates. They need extra options. They actually into updates. And I’m in updates too. Like I like getting the brand new options and bug fixes and issues that make my cellphone work higher smoother sooner no matter. So yeah I don’t suppose so I feel that there’ll at all times be pleasure for updates. Possibly if updates got here like each week then yeah folks would simply be like oh I skipped this replace as a result of no matter I’ll simply get the one subsequent week. However yeah a couple of instances a yr I feel is lots. They’ll be into it. I don’t suppose anybody’s going to get sick of updates.
23:40 – Mishaal Rahman: And excellent news for these customers as a result of from what I can inform Google does plan on sticking to this twice a yr launch cadence. They had been form of cagey after I initially requested them final yr like oh is that this one thing you’re solely doing for 2025 or are you going to be doing it for 2026 and past. However from what I can inform it does seem to be it’s going to be one thing they’re going to be doing yearly any further. Like they’re going to have a significant launch in Q2 round June after which a minor launch in This autumn round December. It looks as if that is one thing that they’re truly going to be sticking to. I feel in all probability they had been simply cagey after I requested them as a result of they didn’t desire a onerous decide to one thing like this for a few years nevertheless it does seem to be that that is what they plan to do.
24:15 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah that’s a basic you already know not only a Google maneuver however only a company maneuver. Similar to don’t commit as a result of in case you commit you then commit after which we’ve to return on what we are saying so simply be cagey. So yeah.
24:28 – Mishaal Rahman: Nicely talking of commitments it’s a little bit too late for Google to return on one thing it has stated as a result of it has a number of instances dropped teasers and confirmations that it’s engaged on bringing Android to PCs. So again in I feel it was like June or it was a few months in the past Google did an interview with TechRadar and simply out of the blue Sameer Samat’s like oh yeah we’re bringing Android to PCs. And it was like the highest line and just like the third paragraph of the article within the interview and like no person seen it till like per week later which is simply completely weird reporting proper there.
However then at Snapdragon Summit, Qualcomm and Google went on stage and so they stated yeah we’re engaged on bringing Android to PCs. In order that was like a extra official factor. It’s truly occurring. Since then we’ve been form of questioning the place precisely are they with this challenge. Are they going to do it like ChromeOS had been they centered totally on finances and low finish {hardware} and mid-range units or are they going to attempt to sort out Home windows and macOS within the premium market phase. And in addition what are they really going to be calling this working system? Is it simply going to be Android on PCs or one thing else? Are they going to name it ChromeOS or one thing else?
So we don’t have all of the solutions but however we lastly did discover some further data that might lead us down the trail to answering these questions. And that is all primarily based on a few job itemizing and a few bug stories that we found on-line final week. So we found that Google is engaged on a challenge known as Aluminium OS and that is probably the code identify for Google’s Android on PC challenge. So we confirmed this by taking a look at a job itemizing that explicitly talked about that Google is engaged on an working system known as Aluminium that’s constructed with synthetic intelligence at its core and that Aluminium is Android primarily based. So we additionally found that Google is engaged on a portfolio of Aluminium OS units that vary from the entry stage, mass premium and the premium stage in order that you already know it’ll embody many various value segments as an alternative of simply the entry stage. So this can be a change in technique from what we had with ChromeOS which was initially primarily solely centered on low finish units. There have been a few excessive finish units I feel the Chromebook Pixel was such a excessive finish system I feel it retailed for over $1000 after which there have been a few Chromebook Plus branded units which might be additionally within the premium vary nevertheless it’s by no means actually been a spotlight for ChromeOS and so they’ve by no means actually seen a lot success there. So I form of wished to ask you Scott, what are your ideas on this technique to sort out the premium phase? Do you suppose Android goes to be any extra profitable than ChromeOS has been with the premium units?
27:14 – C. Scott Brown: Finally it’s going to return all the way down to compatibility. You recognize we it’s clearly not the identical nevertheless it’s comparable with Qualcomm and Microsoft’s partnership with Home windows on Arm and Qualcomm’s chips that they’ve made for the Home windows on Arm platform. That was the largest launch ever for one thing like that. Each single main producer was on board. Asus, Acer, Dell, Microsoft itself clearly, Lenovo. Everybody all made a laptop computer no less than one with this processor inside and launched it. And a variety of them had been premium you already know close to the $1000 mark. However the issue is that you already know you’ll be able to’t play all of your video games. Plenty of artistic apps don’t work. You recognize there’s a variety of issues with it. And in order that’s what Google has to beat.
ChromeOS is nice. You recognize like ChromeOS is a superb working system. It’s quick. It’s clean. It’s principally virus free. It’s straightforward to keep up in case you’re an IT supervisor you already know sustaining a fleet of computer systems. It’s nice. It’s easy. You might flip just about any laptop computer right into a Chromebook fairly simply. It’s all there nevertheless it’s prefer it needs to be extra than simply our working system is quick and clean and lightweight and straightforward to keep up. It needs to be our laptop computer or our working system can do the whole lot your MacBook or your Home windows laptop computer can do. It may well simply do it higher with longer battery life and so on and so on. That’s what Google has to beat. And Qualcomm couldn’t do it. Or no less than it couldn’t do it you already know but. It made an enormous stride nevertheless it nonetheless wasn’t there. So yeah can Google do it? I don’t know. It’s going to be a take a look at to see. The attention-grabbing factor that’s going to occur that I wish to watch is type of from the skin wanting in is like what that is going to do for the locations that depend on ChromeOS. And people are most the preferred being instructional establishments and sure companies. You recognize that’s the place ChromeOS has been tremendous profitable. The patron market hasn’t been too tremendous into it however within the training sector it’s like enormous. And so Google messing with that may very well be an issue. So I’ll have an interest to see if Google can actually pull this off.
29:50 – Mishaal Rahman: From what I noticed within the within the job itemizing on the backside it stated that the particular person shall be tasked with creating a method for transitioning Google from ChromeOS to Aluminium with enterprise continuity sooner or later which might be an enormous deal principally getting companies to change to Aluminium with out affecting or disrupting any of their operations. Precisely how they’re going to do this is an enormous query mark.
30:12 – C. Scott Brown: That’s an enormous query mark.
30:16 – Mishaal Rahman: Are they going to be transitioning current units which I extremely doubt they’ll in all probability do. They in all probability will solely be promoting Aluminium OS on new Chromebooks. And so they in all probability shall be sustaining the prevailing model of ChromeOS for a few years to return as a result of there are some hints within the job itemizing that means that Google desires this product supervisor to create a portfolio of all their current Chromebook units together with their entry stage their Chromebook Plus and their current tiers of Chromebook units. So I feel they’re in all probability going to have two tiers of units. They’re going to have non-Aluminium ChromeOS after which they’re going to have the Aluminium ChromeOS. And as for a way they’re going to handle the advertising of those two platforms there are some concepts. I noticed a touch that counsel they could rebrand the prevailing model of ChromeOS to ChromeOS Traditional after which the brand new Android primarily based model of ChromeOS may simply be known as ChromeOS in order that there’s much less confusion. Folks simply have the brand new ChromeOS which is simply ChromeOS after which ChromeOS Traditional which isn’t primarily based on Android. So it stays to be seen precisely what they’ll do. They may additionally go the Android branding route in the event that they wish to shift the whole lot over to Android aspect. In the event that they wish to name it like Android Desktop for instance that’s one other alternative one other potential factor for them to do however who is aware of like nothing is ready in stone or it may be set in stone internally at Google however we don’t know what they’ve selected but.
31:43 – C. Scott Brown: No I imply it’s very thrilling and the potential is limitless. Android as a model is well-known all through the world. Folks already perceive what it’s. They already perceive who owns it. They already perceive all of the core features of what makes Android, Android. And to maneuver that to the laptop computer house and even presumably the desktop laptop house that may be nice. Prefer it’d be very straightforward for any individual to be just like the software program you might have in your cellphone guess what it’s additionally in your laptop computer now. Simple promote. However the issue is simply making all of it work. However we’ve seen developments and and I don’t know if we put this in our notes to speak about right here however I simply thought of it’s we’ve seen developments we’ve been following this stuff of avid gamers utilizing their Android telephones to play AAA video games via emulation layers inside ARM. And so it’s attainable. Prefer it’s there. Like it’s fully attainable so that you can say like I’ve an ARM-based machine operating Android, a laptop computer of some form and it may do something. I can fireplace up Purple Lifeless Redemption. I can fireplace up you already know the newest AAA you already know title and so long as the {hardware} can help it the software program can do it.
And if that’s what Google has in thoughts, if Google has it being just like the one working system that may do all of it, I imply that may be killer. Prefer it’d be so cool. And I’d be actually enthusiastic about it personally as a result of I’ve been a Home windows man my complete life however Microsoft is making a variety of errors over the previous yr. Copilot is a nightmare. You recognize it’s getting actually onerous to be on Microsoft’s aspect these days and so you already know if Google comes alongside and is like guess what guys you don’t have to do this anymore you’ll be able to come to over right here do the whole lot you wish to do and no matter like I’d be I’d be there in a heartbeat so and I’m additionally excited to cowl these items like somewhat bit extra of a egocentric factor however just like the laptop computer compute form of aspect of issues Android Authority has tried to do however we by no means actually been in a position to break into that market as a result of we’re not likely we don’t actually cowl that form of factor. However this could be in our wheelhouse and I’d lastly be capable to evaluation laptops and all these different issues that I by no means get to the touch so I’m actually enthusiastic about that.
34:06 – Mishaal Rahman: I imply one other factor somewhat egocentric aspect of issues is do we predict that Android consuming ChromeOS is definitely the precise factor to do? As a result of for you already know even though it’s not as profitable as Android, ChromeOS has a variety of actually nice issues going for it. Relating to product help for instance ChromeOS units blow most Android units out of the water. I feel nearly each ChromeOS system now ships with 10 years of help which is simply insane. At finest the very best Android telephones get seven years of help whereas the overwhelming majority get method lower than that. So we’re in all probability going to be shedding that if the whole lot shifts over to you already know Android as a result of simply the way in which Android is constructed it’s much less managed by Google than ChromeOS is. ChromeOS is just about a Google distribution totally even it doesn’t matter what system you truly purchase like Google is the one which develops the working system and truly distributes it on to you versus Android, Google develops the underlying working system nevertheless it’s nonetheless as much as the OEM to truly construct it, add their customizations after which ship it and ship it to your system. So there’s an enormous disparity there by way of software program help. But in addition by way of ease of use you already know folks have ChromeOS was designed from the bottom as much as be very straightforward to make use of to be principally only a browser as an working system. You recognize it’s lengthy escaped it’s lengthy been in a position to do rather more than simply act as a browser however nonetheless like it’s extremely straightforward to make use of whereas Android units are so diverse and are so full of completely different options that a few of them are simply actually onerous to get round to utilizing. So I’m form of questioning what are we shedding if ChromeOS as we all know it dies away and simply turns into the model as an alternative of the heart of the working system.
35:47 – C. Scott Brown: You’re completely proper like 100% hit the nail on the pinnacle with all that. And the updates facet is a large factor. That’s an enormous promoting level not just for customers however as soon as once more going again to these instructional establishments. They’re like okay we purchase these Chromebooks they’re low-cost they’re straightforward to keep up and we all know we’re going to get assured help for 10 years like that’s a simple funding for any enterprise or any instructional establishment to make. To not point out that the computer systems themselves are low-cost so you already know in case you give them to a bunch of children and the children drop them in a pool it’s like no matter you already know right here’s a brand new one. You recognize it’s like a MacBook you already know the place it’s like okay effectively guess what you don’t get one other laptop son. Dropping all that may be tough. However on the identical time like there may very well be advantages that might come together with that not just for Android on the PC platform but in addition Android on the cellphone. You recognize possibly Google’s long-term objective is to make Android extra like Home windows within the sense that Microsoft controls Home windows. You purchase a laptop computer from Lenovo and you purchase a laptop computer from Dell they arrive with the identical working system. Certain you already know Dell could have its preloaded applications and Lenovo could have its preloaded applications however the core underlying working system is strictly the identical throughout each of them.
You recognize is that the way forward for Android? Are we going to see 5 years from now that it’s such as you purchase an Android cellphone and it’s received Android on it. And that’s it. Like I don’t know like that may be wild. I don’t know if that’s what Google’s going for right here however I imply you’ll be able to simply think about the ramifications of it being like you already know simply simply to place it this fashion one of the widespread issues that I hear on my solo channel which is devoted to the Pixel ecosystem one of the widespread feedback I get is folks saying I want that Google made the software program and X made the {hardware}. OnePlus. Samsung. Take your decide. No matter it may be. What if Google did that? You recognize what if Google was identical to guess what everybody Android is now Android and it’s all the identical throughout all these telephones. That may be loopy. However you already know that’s clearly a pipe dream who is aware of if that’s ever going to occur nevertheless it’s like this all may be culminating on this concept of Google being like Android is now Android it’s going to be the identical throughout all this stuff and we’re going to do all this stuff with it it’s going to be the one working system that does all of it. Android is essentially the most uniquely positioned to do this. iOS couldn’t do it. Microsoft couldn’t do it with Home windows. I imply until we wish to convey Home windows Cellphone again however I don’t suppose that may go effectively.
38:27 – Mishaal Rahman: Yeah I feel it’s going to closely depend upon their launch technique for Android Desktop or ChromeOS with Android no matter they wish to name it. As a result of we see proper now that in case you purchase a Google TV product that the software program seems very comparable throughout all Google TV units and that’s simply because Google doesn’t actually permit a lot customization of the UI for Google TV. As a result of it’s not open supply. Like I imply it’s primarily based on the Android Open Supply Undertaking however a variety of the TV particular elements will not be accessible publicly in AOSP. Similar with WearOS. Similar with Android XR for instance. Android Automotive is completely different as a result of Google must get producers on board to truly deploy Android Automotive of their automobiles. Who is aware of in the event that they’ll do the identical factor with Android Desktop.
In the event that they’re going to totally launch the supply code for the whole lot that makes Android Desktop, Android Desktop to the general public and in the event that they’re going to permit OEMs to customise it as they see match. There may very well be upsides to it as a result of OEMs might lastly wish to they might for years have wished to have the ability to improve to customise Home windows however Microsoft simply wouldn’t permit them. Possibly they’ll wish to soar on board and do it with Android. However then again that may tick off companies who form of anticipate uniformity throughout all of the units they wish to deploy the software program to. However then once more that’s the fact they need to stay with proper now for Android on telephones. You construct software program for Android on telephones it has to work throughout many various Android skins and a few of them might behave somewhat bit otherwise which does trigger complications for builders proper now.
However on the flip aspect there are advantages to Android coming to desktop as you talked about. The convergence facet there are issues now you can do when you have Android throughout all of your units. You’ll have new AI capabilities as a result of Google is closely integrating Gemini with Android. There are additionally extra alternatives for builders and extra alternatives and options for customers as a result of Android is such an even bigger platform so individuals are attempting and experimenting with new issues. As you talked about earlier the Home windows stuff. All that exists on Android as a result of Android has such an enormous person base individuals are actually inquisitive about getting video games and Home windows video games engaged on Android. You don’t see any of that stuff engaged on ChromeOS as a result of no person actually cares sufficient to do this. However Android it’s sufficiently big for folks to care. So yeah there are a variety of upsides, some downsides however I’m personally actually excited to see Android come to PCs.
40:42 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah. I imply it doesn’t matter what I’m excited to see what occurs and I’m excited within the simply the very potential of getting an Android laptop computer and possibly disavowing Home windows 5 years from now. Like simply the thought of that’s actually thrilling. So yeah I’m very excited to lastly see what this what this all is when all of it comes collectively. And no matter it’s I hope that Google sticks with it you already know as a result of this sounds I imply simply simply within the dialogue you and I are having about this this can be a very very bold endeavor and Google has a horrible historical past of attempting these bold issues failing on step one after which simply being like throwing its arms within the air like okay we’re not going to do this anymore. You recognize see Stadia for instance. And yeah I simply hope that Google doesn’t do this with this. I hope that Google’s received a plan. I hope that it sticks the touchdown and makes this you already know its huge ambition going ahead as a result of when Google does do this that’s the way you get issues like Maps, Gmail, YouTube you already know like Google’s huge successes. Gemini clearly. Like when Google sticks the touchdown we get a number of the finest merchandise which might be literal sport changers for the expertise trade and simply humanity. You recognize like what had been we like earlier than Maps? What had been we like earlier than YouTube? Like these are sport altering merchandise and Google may have one thing like that on its arms right here if it actually can pull this off. However it’s Google so possibly it gained’t pull off.
42:15 – Mishaal Rahman: Google in case you’re listening you higher not stick this challenge within the Google graveyard. We’re placing you on watch proper right here.
42:20 – C. Scott Brown: You’re going to personally disappoint me and so Google I do know that’s actually vital to you so please.
42:29 – Mishaal Rahman: All proper and that’s the whole lot we’ve received for you this week. You will discover hyperlinks to all of the tales talked about on this episode down within the present notes and you’ll find extra wonderful tales to learn over on AndroidAuthority.com.
42:38 – C. Scott Brown: Thanks for listening to the Authority Insights podcast. We publish each week on YouTube, Spotify, and different podcast platforms. You possibly can comply with us in all places on social media at Android Authority and you may comply with me personally on Instagram, Bluesky, and my very own YouTube channel @CScottBrown.
42:56 – Mishaal Rahman: As for me I’m on most social media platforms posting day in and time out about Android. If you wish to sustain with the newest in Android information comply with me on X, Threads, or Telegram @MishaalRahman. Thanks for listening.