AC Information Weekly
Information Weekly is our column, the place we spotlight and summarize a few of the week’s high tales so you may atone for the most recent 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 most recent developments and improvements contributing to the digital panorama.
This week, Apple would possibly use Gemini for its iPhone, Pixel shares proceed to develop within the U.S. regardless of a drop in gross sales, Android 15 brings satellite tv for pc connectivity, Apple will get sued for iPhone monopoly, and why the Samsung Galaxy Z fold would not unfold flat
Apple needs Gemini
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Sure, you heard that proper. Apple and Google may very well be working collectively.
Based on a current Bloomberg report, Apple is at present in talks with Google because it seems to be at bringing Gemini’s AI fashions to the iPhone. Some sources say that Gemini’s array could be built-in into Apple’s generative AI options which might be being developed for the iPhone. These new Gemini-backed capabilities will reportedly be accessible on Apple’s iOS 18, which will probably be launched later this yr.
iPhones may get AI-based picture creation, and the replace may allow options like “writing essays primarily based on easy prompts.” Apple has reportedly been testing its personal Studying Language Mannequin previously yr, reminiscent of its personal AI chatbot referred to as “Apple GPT.” Nonetheless, it seems to be like the corporate is leaning in direction of Google’s ‘extra superior’ AI mannequin.
Apple’s CEO Tim Prepare dinner stated he’s implementing Apple’s model of AI options onto the iPhone on a “very considerate foundation.”
Google Pixel appears to be a U.S. favourite
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A brand new report means that Google’s Pixel gross sales dropped by 14%, however its market share has elevated to roughly 5% within the U.S. The figures from the Worldwide Knowledge Company (IDC) inform us that in 2023, Google Pixel gadgets claimed 4.6% of the U.S. market, a rise from 3.6% in 2022. Which means that Google now has the fourth-largest market share within the nation.
Google unlocked handset gross sales are on the rise and account for 9% of whole gross sales. Nonetheless, to maintain up with Samsung (20%) and Apple (19%), Google has an extended technique to go. Based on Anthony Scarsella, Analysis Director at IDC, “Apple and Samsung proceed strengthening their maintain on the US smartphone market, with the 2 distributors combining for 74.2 p.c of the market. This represents an all-time excessive market share for the 2 distributors.”
One other Android 15 peek
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Google has launched one other sneak peek of Android 15 for builders earlier than the large open beta premiers in April. The most recent launch reveals higher methods to talk even when the machine’s alerts are weak, help for apps on the tiny screens of flippable telephones, and extra.
Probably the most distinguished characteristic that Google gave a peek into is its satellite tv for pc connectivity, which permits customers to remain linked irrespective of the place they’re. On Android 14, Google launched a characteristic that allowed your telephone to acknowledge a number of languages for audio and swap between them mechanically; with Android 15, it needs to improvise on this characteristic and provides apps the chance to run this seamlessly.
This replace focuses on making certain apps run easily fairly than including new options. Google has additionally been engaged on tightening up privateness, safety, and the general person expertise. This developer preview of Android 15 is principally for app makers getting ready for the subsequent large Android launch, which can most likely drop within the fall.
Apple will get sued for unlawful ‘iPhone monopoly’
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The U.S. Division of Justice (DOJ) sued Apple on Thursday (Mar 21) for monopolizing the smartphone market. Together with 16 different district attorneys, the DOJ is concentrating on the tech large for its “anti-competitive practices.”
The antitrust lawsuit claims that Apple takes benefit of its dominant ecosystem and monopoly energy to extract extra money from customers, builders, and others. The lawsuit targets Apple’s most-priced possessions, the iPhone and the Apple Watch, in addition to messaging, how the corporate handles cloud streaming video games, and extra.
The DOJ says that the corporate has all the time identified that this type of dominance has been threatened by different components, reminiscent of progressive merchandise and apps. And as an alternative of responding to those aggressive threats by reducing the costs of its merchandise for customers, Apple has all the time wriggled its means out by imposing a sequence of “shapeshifting guidelines and restrictions in its App Retailer tips.”
The grievance talks about how Apple has blocked cross-platform messaging, the compatibility of its gadgets with Android telephones, and the restriction of builders from creating apps that may result in developments in know-how, amongst others. They accuse Apple of knowingly bringing about methods to make clients reliant on their merchandise.
Based on The Verge, Apple responded to the lawsuit, stating that it threatened its id and the ideas that set Apple merchandise aside in fiercely aggressive markets.
Some Galaxy Z Folds aren’t unfolding flat
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Some Galaxy Z Fold customers have been reporting a peculiar concern—their telephones aren’t unfolding all the way in which. Nonetheless, one Reddit person has managed to uncover the explanation behind this. He believes that particles finds its means into the transferring a part of the hinge. To unravel the issue, all he needed to do was dismantle the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and take away particles from the hinge by hand.
Within the put up, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 person described having an more and more troublesome time opening their smartphone utterly flat. After failed makes an attempt to get Samsung to restore or substitute the Galaxy Z Fold 4, he determined to take aside the machine, revealing a set of lint, thread, and different particles trapped contained in the hinge that prevented it from opening. After placing the machine again collectively, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 was in a position to open utterly flat once more.
Managed to Open Fold 4 Flat – Proof In opposition to Samsung’s Guarantee Denial from r/GalaxyFold
This might trace at a much bigger drawback that tech corporations ought to tackle whereas making foldables. Mud, particles, and different small particles may affect the general efficiency of the machine. The problem of folding telephones not opening flat turned an essential subject across the launch of the Google Pixel Fold, which some declare isn’t in a position to unfold flat. One in every of our models at Android Central appears to be restricted to 178-179 levels fairly than the complete 180 levels.
These are a few of the greatest tales from this week. In the meantime, listed here are another tales which might be price catching up on:
