00:00 – Mishaal Rahman: Android Auto could quickly allow you to place widgets in your automobile’s dashboard.
00:03 – C. Scott Brown: And Android 17 might allow you to use Google Maps in your telephone’s at all times on show.
00:08 – Mishaal Rahman: I’m Mishaal Rahman.
00:09 – C. Scott Brown: And I’m C. Scott Brown, and that is the Authority Insights Podcast the place we break down the most recent information and leaks surrounding the Android working system.
00:18 – Mishaal Rahman: So, we lately discovered proof that Google is engaged on a significant enlargement to the Android Auto dashboard expertise. The corporate may allow you to quickly add widgets immediately out of your telephone onto the dashboard, providing you with much more alternative over what info you wish to see at a look.
00:34 – C. Scott Brown: And in the meantime, we’ve noticed clues that the subsequent main model of Android, in all probability to be often called Android 17, will let apps combine along with your telephone’s AOD. So, apps will be capable to present you specialised minimal interfaces that help you view key info at a look. And lastly, we’ve obtained some extra unhealthy information for cellular avid gamers who’re contemplating shopping for the Pixel 10.
00:59 – Mishaal Rahman: It seems like we’re simply getting unhealthy information after unhealthy information after unhealthy information on the Pixel 10, you realize. It’s sort of straightforward to hyperfocus on the unhealthy elements, however after all, most customers will in all probability be simply positive, however in case you are actually into gaming, you may need some disappointments with the Pixel 10.
01:16 – C. Scott Brown: As a man who runs a YouTube channel centered on the Pixel telephone and is colloquially often called the Pixel man, yeah, you realize, typically it hurts speaking about this stuff.
01:29 – Mishaal Rahman: Properly, earlier than we speak concerning the unhealthy information, let’s begin off with some fairly excellent news. So, we found lately that Google is engaged on bringing house display screen widgets to Android Auto. So, we discovered proof our Authority Perception crew, as common, AssembleDebug in collaboration with Adamya, who wrote up this text on our web site, saying that Google is growing a brand new characteristic code named Earth within the Android Auto software. And this may help you actually add widgets to the house display screen of your Android Auto dashboard. So this may create a break up display screen view with the widget showing on one facet of the dashboard. And with the intention to add a widget, you’ll need to go to the Android Auto app. There’ll be a — it’s not going to be referred to as customise Earth as it’s proper now on this demo as a result of it’s nonetheless in improvement — however by way of this settings app within the Android Auto in your telephone, you’ll be capable to add widgets, you’ll be capable to scroll by way of the widgets that you’ve put in and choose a widget to be displayed on the Android Auto dashboard. And as for what it’ll appear to be, we’ve some consultant screenshots right here. We see we added the Spotify widget. That is the Google Clock widget, you possibly can see it’s sort of comically outsized, sort of reduce off the timer and the beginning and cease button. You additionally see you might have the music, YouTube Music Turntable widget that truly matches fairly properly. Clearly nonetheless a piece in progress. You see we’ve the Gemini widget right here on the left, Google Calendar, surprisingly matches fairly nicely regardless of how cramped it’s. Google Climate, and one other widget that notably in case you attempt to faucet on any of the widgets proper now, it fails to launch the app as a result of Android Auto doesn’t help you really launch full functions. You’re solely allowed to launch specialised functions. So, Scott, do you utilize Android Auto each day? Like what do you consider this characteristic? What do you consider widgets coming to the house display screen?
03:14 – C. Scott Brown: So I do use Android Auto on a regular basis. and I do wish to make clear that there are in all probability folks pondering to themselves, wait a minute, Android Auto already helps widgets. So what the widgets that work at present in Android Auto solely seem on the taskbar. So only for readability, these are widgets that seem in the primary space of the Android Auto display screen the place your maps, you realize, would often be. So far as we all know, the taskbar widgets aren’t going away. They’ll live on, however these are way more indepth and likewise way more customizable. I adore it. I’m tremendous enthusiastic about this. I believe that is going to be one thing that’s going to make, you realize, driving in my automobile really feel extra like an expertise that I curate as a result of proper now Android Auto is pretty restrictive on what, you realize, your display screen appears like and what, you realize, info you possibly can have at a look. You already know, for instance, with the present widget setup, I can have my music participant on the underside as a substitute of seeing a bunch of apps after which I can have the maps above it. However yeah, if I needed a calendar, if I needed, you realize, possibly a photograph. We haven’t seen a widget for Google images, however that looks as if one thing that may very well be fairly simply thrown in there. Possibly only a scrolling, you realize, each one minute it refreshes and it simply exhibits an image of, you realize, household and associates and stuff like that. Like that’s cool. Like that makes your driving expertise way more private to, you realize, to you the driving force. So yeah, I’m all for this. I believe that if assuming that it may be executed correctly. Proper now it’s a scorching mess, however, you realize, clearly that’s why it’s not out. Like they’re nonetheless engaged on it. However yeah, however hopefully by the point it does come out, it’ll be one thing lots higher than this. However yeah, if they’ll refine it, I believe that is superior.
05:07 – Mishaal Rahman: However I imply, on the flip facet, like there’s cause why you’re fairly restricted in what you are able to do within the Android Auto dashboard. Proper now builders are solely allowed to launch apps that match beneath a particular variety of classes and observe a sure sort of template that Google gives for builders. You possibly can’t simply arbitrarily launch any app in your telephone in your Android Auto dashboard. And the apps they’ll’t look nonetheless they wish to. They need to look a really particular manner in order that whenever you use it, customers are fairly acquainted between functions. Music apps, they give the impression of being principally similar between Spotify, between YouTube Music, between no matter different music participant you utilize and no matter navigation app you utilize appears fairly related on the Android Auto dashboard. And clearly, the explanation they do that’s for security since you don’t wish to be fiddling round with the touchscreen determining, oh, the place’s the button to hit go subsequent within the, you realize, within the playlist? The place’s the button to really change functions? You actually don’t wish to be messing with stuff when you’re actively driving. So, you realize, there’s cause why it’s fairly restricted, however including arbitrary app widget help might complicate issues as a result of widgets are designed to be not used on the telephone, proper? I imply, on the automobile proper now since you’re utilizing widgets in your telephone and builders didn’t primarily intend so that you can put these in your Android Auto dashboard. However the best way this characteristic is being developed proper now lets you put any widget that you really want in your Android Auto dashboard. So I’m a bit of involved about that. What do you suppose?
06:38 – C. Scott Brown: I believe there’s loads of leeway right here for some flexibility. For my part, Google has been far too restrictive with what works with Android Auto. You already know, you’re proper within the sense that there are a number of security considerations to remember and it shouldn’t simply be a free for all. You already know, however I believe Google’s been for the previous, you realize, no matter, 5, 10 years has been on the other finish of the spectrum and being far too protected. You already know, for instance, if I’m parked in entrance of my companion’s job ready for her to come back out in order that she will be able to get, you realize, within the automobile and I can drive her house, you realize, why can’t I watch a YouTube video on my display screen, you realize? Like clearly, I shouldn’t be capable to watch YouTube movies whereas the automobile is in movement. That’s extraordinarily unsafe. However there are tons of instances that individuals are sitting of their vehicles ready for one thing to occur and why not be capable to watch a YouTube video throughout these conditions? The software program can already inform whenever you’re in movement and never in movement. You already know, you possibly can’t textual content enter into Google Maps when you’re driving as a result of it’s unsafe. So you possibly can solely use voice instructions. So it already is aware of in case you’re driving or not driving. So there ought to be tons of alternatives for issues to work whenever you’re not driving. There’s additionally the case of the passenger, you realize, for instance, I may very well be related to the automobile and driving alongside on my own, but when my companion’s within the automobile with me, she may very well be related to Android Auto and you realize, doing her personal factor together with her personal telephone, however there’s no delineation between that. Android Auto has no idea of who’s related to, you realize, the Android Auto system and who’s primarily utilizing it. It’s simply, you realize, it’s related and it’s not. So I believe security is paramount, however on the identical time, I do suppose there’s a number of leeway that Google might take and it began to do this. You already know, I believe you can now play video games in case your automobile is parked. There are a restricted choice of video games that work with Android Auto. So Google is getting higher at this, but it surely’s transferring very slowly and intentionally, which is nice. Completely perceive and completely respect that. You wish to be extra protected than sorry on the subject of folks driving of their vehicles. No query. However yeah, like, you realize, there’s loads of room for improvement right here. Some might argue that the concept I had of getting like a rotating set of images exhibiting up in your dashboard. Some might argue, nicely, that’s unsafe as a result of that’s a distraction. Now you’re taking a look at that photograph as a substitute of the highway. Proper. However then different folks might argue that that’s by no means unreasonable and that individuals have posted notes and pictures and, you realize, issues dangling from their mirror and air fresheners and who is aware of what else, their telephone, you realize, mounted to their display screen taking part in who is aware of what. You already know, I’ve positively seen drivers driving together with YouTube movies taking part in on their telephone that they’ve mounted onto their sprint. That’s additionally fully unsafe. So I believe that we should always give a bit of bit extra credence to folks’s personal definition of their private security than being tremendous restrictive. In order that I don’t know. I really feel like there’s a wholesome steadiness there and Google wants to seek out it.
10:07 – Mishaal Rahman: Proper, however you realize, additionally this characteristic isn’t finalized but. Prefer it may very well be very nicely the case proper now that solely proper now throughout improvement, Google is permitting you so as to add any software, any software widget to the Android Auto dashboard simply so Google can really check what quite a lot of widgets appear to be. And once they really go to launch this characteristic, they might really implement some sort of restrictions the place the Android Auto app solely permits widgets which have a sure sort of tag. And this tag is one thing that solely the developer can add, sort of principally certifying that, okay, this widget is suitable. We wish to permit our widget to be proven on the Android Auto dashboard. That’s doubtlessly a technique they might have their cake and eat it too. You already know, they might open up Android Auto to third-party app widgets which can be at present solely obtainable in your telephone display screen, but in addition give builders the management and the piece of thoughts that, you realize, their software widget received’t doubtlessly be proven in an unsafe method on, you realize, your automobile dashboard.
All proper, so transferring on to the subsequent story. So Google is doubtlessly engaged on a brand new characteristic referred to as Min Mode in Android 17 that can help you present full display screen software experiences on the at all times on show. So this could be a brand new developer API, a brand new developer characteristic that lets apps create their very own minimal persistent interfaces to point out on the AOD. Consider it as turning all the AOD right into a devoted extremely low energy display screen for only a single app. So it’s designed to stop display screen burn-in in case you’re nervous about that by shifting pixels round one by one. And because of working within the AOD mode, which is an extremely low energy state, it saves battery life, but in addition lets you see extra glanceable info, you realize, with out having your full display screen turned on and all the pieces else working. So for instance, you may use this for Google Maps, which is one use case that Google is already making ready so as to add help for. You could possibly have this low energy energy saving mode for Google Maps working in your AOD in order that you probably have an extended highway journey and also you’re nervous about Google Maps gobbling down your battery life as a result of it’s, you realize, working your GPS, working on cellular information, it’s utilizing your display screen on the identical time, then you may have this low energy mode working permitting you to see the subsequent flip and the subsequent flip and the subsequent flip after that at a look, however with out fully destroying your telephone’s battery life. So Scott, you realize, what do you consider this new AOD characteristic? I do know just like the AOD on Pixel telephones specifically, I suppose, you realize, you’re the Pixel man and also you’ve used Samsung telephones earlier than. And compared, the AOD on Pixel telephones has been admittedly fairly lackluster. However slowly however absolutely, Google’s including increasingly options and it appears like they’re, you realize, prepping for some main modifications within the subsequent launch. Like what do you consider Google’s general progress on AOD on Pixel telephones?
12:54 – C. Scott Brown: I imply it’s been nice progress, but it surely’s been very late. It’s late to the sport. I believe Google has for no matter cause thought that the AOD was only a, you realize, not tremendous vital. And you realize, such as you mentioned, Samsung has been doing lots higher of a job with the launch of the Galaxy S24, Samsung introduced, you realize, lock display screen wallpapers in your AOD show, which was an enormous factor. And however actually, Apple has been the one which’s because it began really accepting that individuals needed AOD, it’s been ramping up and doing all these cool issues. And I really feel like lots of people are taking a look at what Apple’s doing with their AODs now and saying, wow, we may very well be doing the identical factor, why aren’t we? And so I really feel like Google is feeling the warmth from each from each instructions, from each Samsung and Apple to actually up the AOD recreation. And such as you mentioned, to Google’s credit score with the Pixel, the launch of the Pixel 10, you realize, the Pixel 10 Professional and the Professional XL have the power to have lock display screen wallpapers, which is actually cool. However yeah, why why not the Pixel 9? Why not the Pixel 8, you realize, like these telephones additionally help, they’ve the {hardware} to do at all times on shows that may present wallpaper and different info, however, you realize, for no matter cause, Google hasn’t achieved that. So sure, so Google’s obtained a number of room to develop right here. And this looks as if an enormous deal. Like this looks as if one thing that nobody has. Apple, Samsung, like I haven’t seen something like this in any respect. So that is actually cool. So I’m actually excited for this as a result of it exhibits that Google is lastly taking this severely and beginning to develop actually modern concepts for it that can set it other than the gang. However yeah, I imply, this is sort of a traditional conundrum. Such as you’re driving alongside, let’s say you’re in a automobile that doesn’t have Android Auto and you’ve got your telephone identical to propped up on a bit of, you realize, telephone cradle in your sprint and also you’re utilizing that to navigate round a spot you’ve by no means been earlier than. Why does the display screen should be on, you realize, at full brightness draining your battery needlessly when you may simply have or not it’s a black and white factor that refreshes as soon as each 30 seconds or one thing like that. Such as you don’t want this, you realize, full energy OLED brightness for navigation. So this appears nice. The query is like the place else might it go? Like what different issues might we do? And identical to off the highest of my head, like, you realize, possibly one thing like a health app, which might be an analogous sort of factor. Like if I’m using my bike and I’ve my health stats on my display screen, that doesn’t should be full brightness, full colour. That would simply be a black and white factor that refreshes each 15 seconds or one thing exhibiting me my coronary heart price and what not. And that will be a recreation changer. Now as a substitute of going for a motorcycle journey, you realize, for a two-hour bike journey and coming house and being like, wow, I misplaced, you realize, 40% of my battery as a result of it was at full brightness all the time. Now I come again house and it’s solely 10% gone, you realize, like recreation changer. So I believe there’s a number of room for cool issues right here.
16:04 – Mishaal Rahman: Yeah, it’s a really intelligent characteristic, however you realize, as is common with anytime Google introduces some sort of new developer characteristic, the query is, will anybody really use it? As a result of as we’ve seen time and time once more, Google releases a brand new characteristic in a brand new Android model. Take for instance, Dwell Updates. That was a giant a part of Android 16 and it’s stay now. Like there’s a number of gadgets that help it. Properly, not that many gadgets, however gadgets working Android 16 help this characteristic, however what number of functions are you able to rely that truly help Dwell Updates? There’s Google Maps. Not many. There’s the Google App for like sports activities scores and lately Google Pockets, though like I haven’t seen any screenshots of that truly out within the wild but, however other than Google apps, who really helps Dwell Updates and who’s planning to help it? And that’s a characteristic that’s obtainable like that doesn’t require any sort of {hardware} help, whereas this new, you realize, AOD Min Mode requires not solely help for gadgets which have AOD, which a number of Android telephones do have, however as well as, we don’t know if there’s any further constraints past that. Like we don’t know if there’s a requirement for instance for the system to have a specific AOD implementation. Say possibly the AOD has to help a sure refresh price, possibly like 30Hz, as a substitute of like simply 1Hz or possibly it requires a sure degree of colour info or possibly it requires, I don’t know, one thing else that requires that limits this characteristic to solely sure new gadgets. Like take for instance, if that is one thing that solely the Pixel 11, the subsequent 12 months’s Pixel 11 can do, what number of functions will really help this? I wager no one outdoors of like Google Maps, which is the use case we’ve already seeing. In order that’s a priority that I’ve.
17:42 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah, you realize, and that I don’t know. Like I believe Google locking options to Pixels is just not new. You already know, like there are many options that you just can not get on some other telephone apart from a Pixel. You already know, Now Enjoying being one of many options that simply, you realize, pops up the highest of my head. All of the calling options on pixels like Direct My Name and Maintain For Me and so the thought of Google investing a bunch of cash and assets and time into growing what looks as if on the outset, a really, very cool characteristic after which locking it solely to Pixel telephones, it’s not precisely remarkable. So it’s doable, yeah, that Google’s not involved about extensive adoption of those options as a result of it’s going, you realize, it’s planning on locking it to Pixels alone. That wouldn’t clarify what you’re speaking about with Dwell Updates. Clearly, that’s simply confounding. Like I do not know why the very first thing that pops in my head, why folks why builders haven’t embraced it as a result of it’s not as ahead going through as what Apple did with the Dynamic Island. You already know, prefer it’s not fairly so attractive, you realize, as a result of like your Dwell Replace showing on the very prime of the telephone popping out of the Dynamic Island after which going again in like that has like a intercourse attraction to it that that, you realize, that the Android one doesn’t have.
19:04 – Mishaal Rahman: I like that you just say intercourse attraction. I’m unsure I might ever use that time period to explain, however I do know what you imply. Like evaluating on the Pixels, like you might have that little chip within the prime left nook that has like what, seven characters and possibly an icon. It appears actually bland, actually plain.
19:21 – C. Scott Brown: It’s not nearly as good. Yeah, it’s not because it doesn’t provide you with that serotonin rush that iPhone customers get when, you realize, their sports activities rating or no matter, you realize, pops out of the highest they usually’re like, ooh, that’s cool. Have a look at that, you realize, and that simply doesn’t occur. So, yeah, so I believe that could be a part of it, however yeah, ultimately, it’s in all probability simply all the way down to Google, you realize, doing what it at all times does, which is right here’s a cool characteristic after which actually transferring on. Like they don’t do something to encourage adoption. No less than I haven’t heard something. Possibly there’s developer communications that they’re, you realize, the place Google’s immediately speaking to particular builders. Clearly, I wouldn’t find out about that, but when that’s occurring, it’s actually not occurring on a big sufficient scale that any person in my place would hear about it.
20:09 – Mishaal Rahman: I believe to their credit score, there’s solely a lot they’ll do. Like they do present documentation, they do have movies and code labs and samples and issues that builders can take a look at, however finally it’s as much as builders whether or not they wish to do it. And simply due to the best way Android is distributed, there simply aren’t at present sufficient gadgets working Android 16, for instance, for it to really be well worth the effort and time it takes to help Dwell Updates for example of a characteristic. However this is applicable to principally each new Android characteristic. You already know, there’s simply not sufficient incentive for builders to hurry out and go and help the most recent Android options that Google releases yearly. You already know, as soon as it reaches a sure important mass and that model of Android turns into extensively obtainable past simply the most recent and best {hardware}, then there’s an incentive so as to add help for it, however I believe that’s in all probability the explanation why we don’t see a number of new Android options on a number of gadgets. However even then, yeah, even then, if Google have been to solely launch this characteristic and solely Google Maps have been to be using it, I nonetheless suppose it might be a recreation changer. Like I nonetheless suppose it might be an incredible characteristic to have.
21:13 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah, no, 100% agree that this might be a recreation changer characteristic. However yeah, I imply, what you simply talked about to me opens up a really lengthy and intense dialog about Google’s have to closely put money into ensuring builders implement these options. Such as you’re simply saying, builders may say to themselves, okay, there’s not sufficient saturation but with Android 16, so I’m simply going to place this off. However by the point there may be sufficient saturation with Android 16, we’re already into Android 17 they usually have an entire new bunch of stuff that they need to work on. So Google doesn’t have the benefit that Apple has the place, you realize, the subsequent day after the most recent iOS launch drops, you realize, thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of iPhones are already on that. And that makes the builders be like, oh cool, I’ve this extensive swath of gadgets I can work with. And Google doesn’t have that benefit. So with the intention to push the builders to do it, Google has to entice them. And that would simply be monetarily. That would simply be like in case you develop your app and it incorporates a Dwell Replace characteristic that we expect is cool, we’re going to offer you an enormous money sum. Like I do know that seems like pay-to-play or no matter, however on the identical time, like if Google desires builders to get on board and make Android be a viable various to iOS. And in different phrases, make it in order that any person on the iPhone might be extra interested in coming over to Android, Google has to just accept that that is the fact of the state of affairs. It’s been no matter, 15 years, prefer it’s time to just accept that that is how it’s and we have to play the sport or else we’re by no means going to get to the purpose the place we’re at all times going to be on the level the place builders make all their stuff for iPhones after which, you realize, as soon as they determine that out, then they’ll possibly toy round with Android. Like if Google desires it to be a extra even taking part in area, it’s going to wish to just accept that it’s going to need to make it way more engaging for builders to come back in. So yeah, anyway, it is a bigger dialog that we don’t have to have about this. However yeah, I believe that one thing like this characteristic, it is a nice concept. That is an superior concept that has actual world implications for customers, saving them battery life, giving them info that they want at a glanceable state of affairs and making higher use of a really underutilized Android characteristic, which is the at all times on show. So that is one thing that’s very sturdy, successful, like proper now I’m taking a look at it and I’m like, it is a hit. It is a hit characteristic that’s going to be very, very thrilling for Android customers. And if Google simply kind of lets it out after which identical to says, okay, cool guys, after which goes on to the subsequent factor, that’s a waste. That’s a wasted alternative. So I actually hope Google begins to see how the sport works and begins taking part in the sport by the foundations. However we’ll see.
24:11 – Mishaal Rahman: Properly, talking of taking part in the sport, you realize, a number of Pixel followers are hoping that Google Pixel 10 will begin taking part in video games higher within the close to future as a result of proper now, after Google switched to a brand new GPU companion, Creativeness Applied sciences and likewise a brand new silicon producer TSMC, folks have been sort of actually hopeful that the Tensor G5 could be a big leap ahead for Pixel efficiency. However sadly, in our personal testing and in consumer testing, folks have discovered that the real-world gaming and emulation efficiency has been fairly underwhelming. and in some circumstances even worse than the Tensor G4-powered Pixel 9 collection. So we ran some testing, our Robert Triggs ran some testing, in-depth efficiency testing over on the secondary Android Authority channel and we discovered that gaming efficiency has been a blended bag to say the least. The Pixel 10 Professional XL isn’t a transparent winner over the Pixel 9 Professional XL. Like whereas it does do higher in Genshin Affect, it performs worse in Asphalt Legends. Nevertheless, it has some noticeable choppiness even when the common body price is comparable between the 2 gadgets. However very importantly, the telephone attracts considerably extra energy, typically providing worse efficiency, which signifies that you worsen battery life in case you’re gaming on the Pixel 10 versus the Pixel 9. And on the subject of emulation, which is, you realize, one thing that a number of fans love to do, they wish to play retro console video games on their telephones, it’s principally a catastrophe is what we concluded with the Pixel 10. So for larger finish console emulators just like the GameCube, the Wii, and so on., the Pixel 10 is a big step backward from the Pixel 9. So the brand new Creativeness GPU in it’s the weak hyperlink in our opinion as a result of the telephone not solely throttles due to the brand new GPU, but in addition due to the driving force it makes use of, prefer it doesn’t help a number of options that the emulators come to count on. So it simply doesn’t carry out practically in addition to it might. So, Scott, I do know you’ve talked about these subjects lots and as being the Pixel man, you in all probability gotten a number of questions from Pixel followers, ought to they purchase the Pixel 10 in the event that they’re a cellular gamer? And what do it’s important to say to these individuals who ask that sort of query?
26:27 – C. Scott Brown: So you might want to outline who a cellular gamer is, you realize? My dad is a cellular gamer, you realize, he has a few video games on his telephone and he performs them, you realize, like he’s a gamer. He does it. And I believe that individuals who go to Android Authority and take heed to podcasts like ours and and go to YouTube and watch a lot of tech movies, you realize, by folks like me or whoever, you realize, they aren’t the viewers that Google goes after anymore. And I believe that that’s kind of a tricky tablet to swallow for lots of pixel customers, particularly ones who’ve been with Pixels for, you realize, years and years now. Google doesn’t actually wish to give attention to them anymore. Google goes after the usual default common Android client, and that individual doesn’t care about taking part in COD or taking part in Asphalt Legends and even taking part in Genshin Affect. They care about taking part in Sweet Crush, they care about taking part in, you realize, Wordle. Like, you realize, that’s what they’re doing. They usually’re actually not emulating previous consoles. I believe what Google has achieved right here is simply drawn a line within the sand and been like we don’t care about this. Like we all know that if you wish to recreation in your telephone, and once I say recreation, I imply like hardcore recreation, whether or not that be emulation or intense cellular video games like COD or no matter, you’re going to get a Snapdragon anyway. Like that’s what you’re going to go for. You’re not even getting a MediaTek. Like regardless that MediaTek processors benchmark virtually as excessive because the Snapdragon processors, the drivers aren’t nearly as good and there’s all these, you realize, incompatibilities with issues or no matter. So simply get a Snapdragon. Like that’s sort of what Google is saying. Clearly, it’s not really saying this. There hasn’t been like a press launch or something, however Google is principally saying, if you wish to recreation, don’t purchase a Pixel. Do what you have been going to do anyway, which is purchase one thing with a Snapdragon processor inside. And so if Google is saying that, if we simply assume that that’s what Google’s precise plan is, why hassle? Why hassle investing in GPU beneficial properties? Why hassle making Genshin Affect work higher? Why hassle making emulation higher on the pixel? It simply doesn’t care. It’s like so yeah, so I believe that what Google is doing is delineating its assets correctly. It’s saying we don’t care about this. That purchaser is just not going to purchase our telephone anyway. So we’re simply not going to spend any cash or time fixing it. And as a substitute, we’re going to give attention to, you realize, making an AOD factor that exhibits Google Maps in black and white. Like we’re going to give attention to issues that our customers really will care about, or let me rephrase that, let’s give attention to issues that the consumer that we wish to purchase our telephones really cares about. And yeah, I believe that’s simply enterprise. So yeah, I don’t actually thoughts this Creativeness driver state of affairs. Granted, I believe Google might have it each methods. You already know, Google might go for each markets by simply making Tensor G5 or Tensor G6 and G7 and all these different ones higher with higher GPUs and higher driver help and all these different issues and making it extra aggressive. However that’s some huge cash, that’s a number of assets, that’s a number of focus, that’s a number of R&D. It’s lots that Google must do and I believe Google’s identical to we will’t do all of it. So as a substitute of attempting to do all of it, we’re going to do what we all know we do higher and do extra of that. And folks won’t like that, however Google I believe has accepted that truth and it’s identical to, we don’t care anymore. If you happen to don’t need it, there’s one other telephone for you out right here. And yeah, that’s sort of how I really feel about the entire state of affairs. However I’ll admit because the Pixel man and because the man who’s defending Google on this state of affairs, I’ll admit that there’s a world the place Google might have it each methods. It’s simply not investing in that world and you’ll be indignant about that and you’ll be upset about that and you’ll say that Google sucks for that and all that and that’s positive. However you possibly can’t argue why the technique exists, why Google is doing it as a result of it makes good sense as soon as you consider it. So, yeah.
30:49 – Mishaal Rahman: Yeah. I imply particularly within the markets the place Google primarily, you realize, sells its telephones in, you realize, Google is just not doing a number of heavy advertising in China, for instance. They don’t even promote a Pixel there. They’re not doing a number of heavy advertising in Southeast Asian international locations the place cellular gaming is definitely enormous. They’re doing a number of advertising principally in Western Europe, within the Americas. So like in there, the shiny new AI options matter extra to shoppers than, you realize, higher efficiency in Genshin Affect. So it is smart why Google is so closely centered on enhancing AI options, digicam options, digicam capabilities with Tensor, but it surely’s nonetheless a bit of disappointing that, you realize, they’re placing gaming on the again foot as a result of it’s an enormous enterprise. It’s an enormous a part of Google’s enterprise too. Like they make an astronomical amount of cash from in app purchases by way of the Play Retailer, like particularly on the gaming facet. They make a lot cash from that. So the truth that their very own telephones are, you realize, one of many final decisions it is best to get in case you’re in search of a flagship telephone and also you wish to do cellular gaming, the Tensor-powered Pixels ought to be on the underside of your checklist. Like that’s a tragic truth proper now. Like the truth that your go-to default is Snapdragon. And the truth that Snapdragons aren’t slouches at AI efficiency both. You already know, Qualcomm does a number of work to allow their chips to do a number of highly effective AI processing. You see a lot of the Samsung Galaxy AI options on the Snapdragon and the Exynos variations of these chips, these options can all run on-device utilizing the Snapdragon chip. They usually can do a number of highly effective AI options identical to Pixels can. You already know, arguably Pixels do some issues higher than Samsung can and Samsung is catching up in ways in which, you realize, Google’s already had options earlier than Samsung, however nonetheless that’s probably not an indictment on the chip itself. That’s identical to, you realize, Google’s prowess as a machine studying firm making the most of the {hardware} they’re given regardless of its underperformance in areas like CPU and GPU, like focusing closely on enhancing the machine studying elements and the digicam efficiency, you realize, issues that matter to most shoppers, however a number of shoppers wish to recreation on their telephone. So it’s a disgrace that, you realize, that’s no more of a precedence for Google proper now.
32:57 – C. Scott Brown: 100% agree, you realize, it’s a disgrace that Google is just not as centered on this as possibly it ought to be. However the factor that upsets me, as soon as once more, because the Pixel man, is that individuals get so upset about this. Like they really feel prefer it’s a private assault in opposition to them that Google is just not making telephones for them. You already know, like that’s what’s so bizarre to me. Like, you realize, if a telephone firm got here out and made a telephone and it was designed for the aged, you realize, it’s tremendous huge, the textual content on it’s astronomically massive. It’s quite simple. It solely does a specific amount of issues, no matter. I’m saying this as if I’m making this up, these telephones exist. And folks purchase them for his or her aged mother and father, you realize, saying like, hey, you realize, this isn’t as difficult. It is a telephone that’s good to your specific state of affairs. Right here you go. I don’t see folks on YouTube feedback going like, what the hell? Why can’t I play Genshin Affect at 120 frames per second. Like, however for Pixels they do and it’s simply so weird to me how indignant and like attacked folks really feel about Google’s methods. And to me, all Google is saying is there are such a lot of telephones on the market for you. There are such a lot of telephones that run the Snapdragon. There are, you realize, each single Chinese language producer is utilizing Snapdragon and on not less than one in all their telephones, you realize. There are the Purple Magic telephones which can be particularly designed for the gaming group, you realize, which have specs up the wazoo they usually’re low-cost, you realize, less expensive than a number of different telephones you can get. Get a type of. Get a Snapdragon-powered Galaxy telephone, you realize, like that telephone is obtainable proper now. You could possibly get final 12 months’s Galaxy S24 Extremely for a whole lot of {dollars} off and play actually each recreation at virtually the max body price in comparison with the Galaxy S25. There are such a lot of choices for you. Why do you get so upset about this? That’s what drives me loopy. Like the truth that this occurs doesn’t actually hassle me. It’s the anger again in direction of it. And in order that’s what weirds me out. However you realize, for me, I’m identical to, yeah, Google’s making a advertising resolution and it’s possibly the flawed resolution, it could be the appropriate resolution, but it surely’s making a call and it’s rolling with it and that’s its prerogative. So in case you don’t prefer it, don’t purchase the telephone.
35:17 – Mishaal Rahman: I imply I believe I even have a proof or a possible clarification for why there are individuals who get so upset by it. Like even when they don’t significantly care about cellular gaming, I believe it’s simply the psychological facet of it. Say you’re spending $1,000 on the Pixel 10 Professional, proper? And you’ve got the selection between that or just like the iPhone 17 Professional. And say like each you’re getting the $1,000 mannequin and also you’re doing a comparability, proper? Like say doubtlessly the iPhone could be higher at gaming, proper? However you don’t even actually recreation, however you’re spending $1,000 and you’ve got the selection between these two telephones and also you spend and you purchase the Pixel 10 Professional. I believe folks sort of really feel like, okay, I’m spending $1,000. I might have gotten this different telephone that’s higher at gaming regardless that I would doubtlessly recreation sooner or later. I don’t actually do it a lot now, however they sort of really feel like they’re lacking out. Like they’re getting scammed. You already know, they really feel like, oh, I’m spending $1,000. I ought to be capable to get the perfect {hardware} for the cash that I’m paying. They usually really feel like they’re not getting that with the cash they’re spending proper now on the system. And I believe that’s in all probability one of many the reason why individuals are so upset they need the perfect worth for cash even when they’re getting all the pieces they need. They really feel like they might have gotten extra, so that they’re upset at not getting extra. They’re like, why wouldn’t Google simply use a Snapdragon chip? Like they suppose it might simply be a easy change for them, proper? Prefer it wouldn’t actually have an effect on something, which clearly it might, it might change a number of issues. However that’s sort of the logic that I believe lots of people have once they get upset by this resolution.
36:45 – C. Scott Brown: So I’m glad you introduced this up as a result of that is one thing that I really addressed in a video that I made for my very own channel, which you’ll take a look at at C. Scott Brown and on YouTube. And a Porsche 911 will price you $150,000. And a tricked out Sprinter van can even price you $150,000. Now, clearly a Porsche 911 and a tricked out Sprinter van are fully completely different automobiles for fully completely different functions. And one will go, you realize, 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds and the opposite will go to 0 to 60 in a minute. So that they’re very, very completely different automobiles that price the identical amount of cash. Nobody of their proper thoughts goes to purchase a sprinter van and say to themselves, oh man, I assumed this was going to go 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds. as a result of it’s a Sprinter van, as a result of that’s what you’re shopping for. You’re shopping for a car that may transport your loved ones, transport your sleeping luggage, your tents, your bikes and all that stuff and you’ll sleep in it, you realize, like that’s what you’re shopping for. And so one might argue that Google must do a greater job of selling the Pixel line and being way more clear about why you’re shopping for a pixel as in comparison with, you realize, one other smartphone. However the argument that you just’re spending X quantity of {dollars} on smartphone A, so due to this fact it ought to do all the pieces that the opposite smartphone that prices X quantity of {dollars} does, that’s a horrible argument as a result of there are such a lot of conditions during which that’s simply not true. You already know, like I might purchase a $10 million house right here the place I stay in Marine County, California, and a $10 million house right here goes to appear to be, you realize, a pleasant place, a very nice home. But when I spend $10 million on a house in rural Alabama, I’m going to have a compound the place I might home a whole lot of individuals as a result of it’s a completely completely different state of affairs. So yeah, nobody is complaining. I imply individuals are all complaining concerning the housing disaster, however for the sake of this dialogue, nobody is pondering of their proper thoughts that purchasing a $10 million house in level A and shopping for a $10 million house in level B are the identical. They’re not the identical. And so, yeah, the Pixel and the Galaxy and the Pixel and the iPhone, these are all very completely different telephones that every one price the identical amount of cash, however you’re getting various things for them. And, you realize, that to me makes good sense. So actually simply each time I hear these arguments, I’m like, these don’t maintain weight. Like the underside line is that in case you don’t desire a Pixel, then don’t purchase a Pixel. Like that’s the backside line. And in case you don’t desire a Galaxy…
39:33 – Mishaal Rahman: Like if cellular gaming and retro console emulation are your primary priorities, just like the stuff you wish to do the huge such as you need to spend so much of time doing that in your telephone, then yeah, the Pixel’s not for you. But when it’s not, if it’s someplace towards the decrease backside of your checklist, then I don’t see why it’s an issue choosing up a Pixel.
39:49 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah, you realize, and the identical factor for the iPhone. Like, you realize, if retro console emulation is your bag, just like the iPhone continues to be not going to be nearly as good for that as a Snapdragon-powered telephone might be, you realize, for a number of causes which I don’t want to enter right here. The emulation, you realize, folks listening will know what I’m speaking about, however yeah, like nobody, nobody who’s a critical console emulator, you realize, emulation fiend with their telephones goes to purchase an iPhone to do it. They usually know that. But the iPhone prices simply as a lot as, you realize, so I don’t know. Prefer it actually simply comes down to purchase the telephone you wish to purchase and let folks purchase the telephones they wish to purchase. If somebody says, I’m going to purchase an iPhone, you realize, don’t actually yell at them due to it, you realize, and if somebody says I’m shopping for a Pixel, don’t yell at them. Like simply say be like, that’s superior, bro. Get the telephone that you just wish to get, you realize. You already know, to me it’s identical to that. Why can’t it simply be like that?
40:53 – Mishaal Rahman: I want, you realize, why can’t all of us simply get alongside? Yeah, yeah, severely. You bought an iPhone buddy, you bought a Pixel buddy, simply let’s be #BestPhonesForever.
41:01 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah, completely. #BestPhonesForever. So, yeah, anyway, so going again to the precise subject of what we’re discussing right here. Like, I believe that Google is prioritizing in the best way that it desires to prioritize with these drivers and this lack of GPU energy and going with the Creativeness system as a substitute of one thing higher. I believe that it’s all deliberate. You already know, it’s not one thing that Google was like, oh, that is cheaper or or no matter, who cares, nobody’s going to note, you realize, like I don’t suppose that was it. I believe Google made a deliberate alternative and was like, we’re going to go together with a weaker GPU and we’re going to not care a lot about supporting that GPU. One factor that’s floating round proper now could be that there’s like a driver replace within the works and this mystical driver replace goes to make the GPU throughout the Pixel 10 collection higher. And you realize, possibly that’s occurring, possibly it’s not, however we requested Google about this immediately. We despatched them a message and mentioned like, that is what we’ve been listening to. We’re actually enthusiastic about this. What do you bought? And Google didn’t even reply. And if Google actually had this occurring and actually had this like, you realize, factor within the works that was going to make its GPU system lots higher on the Pixel 10, why it might simply instantly not inform us. It might be like, yeah, we completely have this coming. That is going to be huge information. Please purchase a Pixel 10 so you may get it. The truth that it didn’t try this and actually didn’t even say something leads me to consider that even when this driver does come out within the close to future, it’s not going to be a recreation changer as a result of like I mentioned, I actually don’t suppose Google cares about this in any respect. So, you realize, I wouldn’t wait. I believe that the GPU on the Pixel 10 does all the pieces it must do for the consumer that Google goes after with it. and nothing extra.
42:55 – Mishaal Rahman: Yeah, ready for that legendary driver replace to repair all the pieces. It seems like cope to me, however you realize, we’ll have to attend and see. It’s one thing we’ll need to ultimately hopefully get an replace within the close to future and you realize, discover out for ourselves whether or not it really fixes issues.
43:08 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah, and keep tuned as a result of if that does occur, then you realize Rob Triggs right here at Android Authority goes to be throughout that. He’s going to be evaluating like, you realize, what it appeared like earlier than the driving force replace, what, you realize, he loves that sort of stuff. So, so positively keep tuned. If that does occur, we’re going to have all the information that you may ever wish to know.
43:25 – Mishaal Rahman: Oh yeah, he developed some shiny new instruments to check all that stuff and you’ll wager he’s going to be utilizing it to its most extent.
43:33 – C. Scott Brown: Have you ever ever met Rob?
43:35 – Mishaal Rahman: No, not in individual really.
43:36 – C. Scott Brown: Oh man, he’s the best man and he’s so sensible and identical to he’s precisely what you suppose. He’s like very comfortable spoken and simply tremendous, tremendous clever, however then tremendous humorous. Like when he, you realize, begins speaking and will get comfy and he’s simply hilarious and a extremely, actually nice man. He’s a particular asset to the Android Authority crew. Simply superb, superb work. If you happen to’re listening to this and also you haven’t checked out Robert Triggs’s work at Android Authority, test it out in case you’re a knowledge nerd or simply wish to know extra about how your telephone works. He’s simply superb. So verify him out.
44:11 – Mishaal Rahman: All proper. And that’s all the pieces we’ve obtained for you this week. You could find hyperlinks to all of the tales talked about on this episode down within the present notes and you could find extra superb tales to learn over on androidauthority.com.
44:21 – 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 observe us in every single place on social media at Android Authority, and you’ll observe me personally on Instagram, Bluesky, and my very own YouTube channel @CScottBrown.
44:38 – 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 most recent information on Android, observe me on X, Threads, Mastodon, or Telegram @MishaalRahman. Thanks for listening.
