Information Weekly is our column the place we spotlight and summarize a few of the week’s prime tales so you possibly can atone for the newest tech information.
That is Android Central’s Information Weekly, your go-to supply for a concise roundup of the week’s most vital tech tales. That is the place we delve into the highest headlines that present the newest developments and improvements contributing to the digital panorama.
This week noticed the primary have a 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
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RCS was barely talked about at Apple’s WWDC; nevertheless, days later, we noticed a glimpse of the messaging function with the iOS 18 beta.
X consumer Dhinak noticed this and posted a prolonged thread breaking down its availability and current options. The primary 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. Moreover, the X consumer states that higher-quality audio information, images, and different types of media may be shared through these chats.
Nonetheless, it seems Apple has loads of work to do relating to 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 consumer factor, as solely they get to see a “correct” response to messages. If an iMessage consumer reacts to an Android consumer’s message, the inexperienced bubble consumer will obtain a brand new message saying “Appreciated,” 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. One other factor to notice is that RCS is proscribed to iPhones on T-Cell and AT&T networks in the intervening time.
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 had been linked to customers resorting to VPN companies so as to rating cheaper charges by benefiting from regional pricing loopholes.
For instance the value 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 associated fee of their residence market. Though the subscription labored tremendous 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 offer probably the most correct plans and gives obtainable, we have now techniques in place to find out the nation of our customers,” the spokesperson stated. “In situations the place the signup nation doesn’t match the place the consumer 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 Supervisor. Google is now permitting enrolled testers to have single-step sign-in capabilities by way of biometrics like facial recognition, fingerprint, or display screen lock. Beforehand, customers got two sub-menus: one asking a couple of “saved passkey” and one other for his or her biometrics. Customers 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 this may put together their apps for the brand new “FLAG_STOPPED” modifications that guarantee apps do not run till a consumer’s guide enter is detected. Help for 16KB pages, predictive again animations, and assist for Non-public Areas are gadgets to maintain an eye fixed out for.
Android 15 Beta 3 is rolling out now to all enrolled testers and supported gadgets. These with a Pixel telephone can examine the gadgets which can be eligible for testing and get began.
We’re flipping excited concerning the Motorola Razr 2024 launch
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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 have a look at the Razr gadgets that may function orange and blue colorways. It additionally seems like a vegan leather-based backing is predicted on the gadgets. The teaser continues, briefly displaying a number of extra colorways for its 2024 Razr telephones, corresponding to pink and possibly a coffee-brown possibility.
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 is 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’s 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 dimension as the quilt show on the 2023 Razr Plus.
Spotify is bringing a primary plan with a brand new Household tier
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Spotify customers within the U.S. can now subscribe to a brand new Fundamental plan that provides 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. Nonetheless, it has launched a brand new primary plan for $10.99, but it surely comes with some limitations.
“Benefit from the music streaming advantages of your Premium plan with out the month-to-month audiobook listening time. Beginning at $10.99/month for eligible customers,” Spotify notes within the announcement submit.
You will need to be aware that customers cannot “instantly join the brand new plan” by way of Spotify’s web site however can downgrade to the brand new plan, supplied they’re already present particular person plan customers. Spotify nonetheless has the $9.99 per thirty days plan that provides the consumer entry to Audiobooks wiith15 hours of audiobook listening time.
The Fundamental Household plan prices $16.99 per thirty days, which, for some motive, is not talked about within the submit however is seen for Spotify subscribers.
These are a few of the largest tales from this week. In the meantime, listed below are another tales which can be price catching up on: