News Weekly is our column the place we spotlight and summarize a few of the week’s prime tales so you may catch up on the most recent tech information.
This is Android Central’s News Weekly, your go-to supply for a concise roundup of the week’s most important tech tales. This is the place we delve into the highest headlines that present the most recent developments and improvements contributing to the digital panorama.
This week noticed the primary look at RCS messaging on the iPhone, YouTube is tightening its reigns on Premium subscriptions through VPN, Android 15’s Beta 3 launches, Motorola teases its upcoming foldables, and Spotify introduces a brand new primary plan.
Apple lastly teases RCS messaging
RCS involves iPhone.h/t https://t.co/X2mRxhGcr1 pic.twitter.com/LL4ATIWDzaJune 16, 2024
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RCS was barely talked about at Apple’s WWDC; nevertheless, days later, we noticed a glimpse of the messaging characteristic with the iOS 18 beta.
X person Dhinak noticed this and posted a prolonged thread breaking down its availability and current options. The first look exhibits that inexperienced bubbles are nonetheless used to establish texts from Android customers regardless of RCS—as anticipated. Apparently, Android customers can ship RCS messages to iPhone customers in particular person and group chats. Additionally, the X person states that higher-quality audio recordsdata, images, and different types of media will be shared through these chats.
However, it seems Apple has a variety of work to do in the case of RCS. Firstly, there’s a lack of E2EE (end-to-end encryption) in group chats, one thing that was carried out in Android final yr. Emoji reactions proceed to be an iPhone person factor, as solely they get to see a “correct” response to messages. If an iMessage person reacts to an Android person’s message, the inexperienced bubble person will obtain a brand new message saying “Liked,” adopted by their textual content in quotes.
Replying to a selected message continues to be a problem for each Android and Apple customers, as they do not have the choice to take action. Another factor to notice is that RCS is restricted to iPhones on T-Mobile and AT&T networks at the second.
YouTube cracks down on premium subscription loopholes
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YouTubers worldwide obtained shock cancellations of their Premium subscription final week, as the corporate appears to be going after individuals who discover methods to get cheaper premium charges of their area. A latest thread on Reddit highlighted that these cancellations have been linked to customers resorting to VPN providers as a way to rating cheaper charges by profiting from regional pricing loopholes.
To illustrate the worth distinction, a Premium subscription prices Rs.129 ($1.54) per thirty days in India, whereas it usually prices $13.99 within the US. Some use YouTube Premium for a fraction of the price of their dwelling market. Although the subscription labored positive after the preliminary VPN trick, Google appears to concentrate on this loophole and goes after these customers.
In response, Google not directly confirmed to Android Central that it is tightening its reigns and that “to supply essentially the most correct plans and presents obtainable, now we have techniques in place to find out the nation of our customers,” the spokesperson mentioned. “In situations the place the signup nation doesn’t match the place the person is accessing YouTube, we’re asking members to replace their billing info to their present nation of residence.”
Android 15 Beta 3 is right here
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Google rolled out Android 15 Beta 3 on June 18, and with it comes “Platform Stability” and enhancements to passkeys and the Credential Manager. Google is now permitting enrolled testers to have single-step sign-in capabilities by means of biometrics like facial recognition, fingerprint, or display screen lock. Previously, customers got two sub-menus: one asking a couple of “saved passkey” and one other for his or her biometrics. Users will now see one unified sub-menu detailing the service they’re signing into, a immediate for his or her fingerprint, or the choice to make use of a PIN.
Android 15 Beta 3 desires app builders to arrange their merchandise, libraries, instruments, and sport engines for Android 15. Google hopes it will put together their apps for the brand new “FLAG_STOPPED” modifications that guarantee apps do not run till a person’s guide enter is detected. Support for 16KB pages, predictive again animations, and help for Private Spaces are objects to maintain an eye fixed out for.
Android 15 Beta 3 is rolling out now to all enrolled testers and supported gadgets. Those with a Pixel cellphone can test the gadgets which can be eligible for testing and get began.
We’re flipping excited concerning the Motorola Razr 2024 launch
Psst! Some flip-worthy information is coming… pic.twitter.com/NioPU69hLQJune 17, 2024
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Motorola posted a tease for its new foldables launch this week, which can hit the U.S. market on June 25.
The video provides us a fast look at the Razr gadgets that can characteristic orange and blue colorways. It additionally appears to be like like a vegan leather-based backing is anticipated on the gadgets. The teaser continues, briefly exhibiting a number of more colorways for its 2024 Razr telephones, similar to pink and perhaps a coffee-brown choice.
It ought to be famous that Motorola put its higher-priced Razr Plus on the cabinets earlier than the cheaper Motorola Razr 2023 hit the market later within the yr. It’s unclear if the corporate will observe the identical development once more this yr or if shoppers can seize each gadgets concurrently.
Some leaks counsel that Motorola is upgrading its new foldables with a much bigger cowl display screen. It is boosting the Razr Plus 2024 to 4 inches and giving its base mannequin a bigger 3.6-inch cowl, the latter of which is identical measurement as the duvet show on the 2023 Razr Plus.
Spotify is bringing a primary plan with a brand new Family tier
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Spotify customers within the U.S. can now subscribe to a brand new Basic plan that gives all the advantages of a Premium plan with out audiobook listening time. The streaming platform not too long ago hiked its Premium particular person plan from $10.99 to $11.99 month-to-month. However, it has launched a brand new primary plan for $10.99, nevertheless it comes with some limitations.
“Enjoy the music streaming advantages of your Premium plan with out the month-to-month audiobook listening time. Starting at $10.99/month for eligible customers,” Spotify notes within the announcement put up.
It is necessary to notice that customers cannot “immediately join the brand new plan” by means of Spotify’s web site however can downgrade to the brand new plan, supplied they’re already current particular person plan customers. Spotify nonetheless has the $9.99 per thirty days plan that provides the person entry to Audiobooks wiith15 hours of audiobook listening time.
The Basic Family plan prices $16.99 per thirty days, which, for some purpose, is not talked about within the put up however is seen for Spotify subscribers.
Those are a few of the greatest tales from this week. Meanwhile, listed here are another tales which can be value catching up on: