Information Weekly is our column the place we spotlight and summarize a number of the week’s high tales so you may make amends 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 important 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 take 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
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 function with the iOS 18 beta.
X person Dhinak noticed this and posted a prolonged thread breaking down its availability and current options. The primary look reveals 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 person states that higher-quality audio information, pictures, and different types of media might be shared through these chats.
Nevertheless, it seems Apple has numerous 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 applied 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 “Preferred,” adopted by their textual content in quotes.
Replying to a particular 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-Cellular and AT&T networks in the meanwhile.
YouTube cracks down on premium subscription loopholes
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YouTubers worldwide acquired 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 with a purpose to rating cheaper charges by making the most of regional pricing loopholes.
As an instance the value distinction, a Premium subscription prices Rs.129 ($1.54) monthly in India, whereas it usually prices $13.99 within the US. Some use YouTube Premium for a fraction of the price of their house market. Though the subscription labored fantastic after the preliminary VPN trick, Google appears to pay attention to 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 now have methods 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 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 Supervisor. Google is now permitting enrolled testers to have single-step sign-in capabilities by means of biometrics like facial recognition, fingerprint, or display 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 needs 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. Assist for 16KB pages, predictive again animations, and assist for Personal Areas are gadgets to maintain a watch out for.
Android 15 Beta 3 is rolling out now to all enrolled testers and supported units. These with a Pixel cellphone can verify the units which might 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 is able to hit the U.S. market on June 25.
The video provides us a fast take a look at the Razr units that may function orange and blue colorways. It additionally appears like a vegan leather-based backing is predicted on the units. The teaser continues, briefly exhibiting a number of extra colorways for its 2024 Razr telephones, equivalent to pink and possibly a coffee-brown choice.
It needs 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 customers can seize each units concurrently.
Some leaks counsel that Motorola is upgrading its new foldables with a much bigger cowl display. 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 measurement 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 Primary 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. Nevertheless, 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.
It is very important notice that customers cannot “straight join the brand new plan” by means 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 monthly plan that provides the person entry to Audiobooks wiith15 hours of audiobook listening time.
The Primary Household plan prices $16.99 monthly, which, for some cause, is not talked about within the submit however is seen for Spotify subscribers.
These are a number of the largest tales from this week. In the meantime, listed here are another tales which might be value catching up on:
