News Weekly: Green bubbles just got better, a Samsung rollable phone, and more

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, Apple launched iOS 18 with RCS assist for higher texting with Android gadgets, Samsung could also be getting ready to launch a rollable cellphone in 2025, Put on OS is getting some unique well being options, the Meta Quest 3s worth might have simply leaked, and we get a have a look at what Android Automotive 15 will convey.

RCS on iOS 18 makes texting higher

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This week (Sept. 16), Apple launched iOS 18 on eligible iPhones. With it comes assist for RCS, which has been supported on Android for a while now. In consequence, texting between iOS and Android customers will get a bit higher, with typing indicators, higher-quality media, higher group texting, and extra.

In fact, the expertise is not good, with options like end-to-end encryption lacking (though it is supported between Android gadgets), and that is probably as a result of Apple went with the GMSA model of RCS, which is totally different from what Google implements on Android gadgets. Nonetheless, GSMA states it is engaged on bringing cross-platform E2EE and different options, which ought to additional enhance the texting expertise.

Now, there’s much less cause to complain about inexperienced bubbles (however you understand they may anyway).

Samsung might lastly give us a rollable cellphone

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Samsung has proven off rollable ideas earlier than, however the newest rumor suggests the corporate might lastly be able to convey one to market. In keeping with The Elec, Samsung is reportedly switching instructions and focusing its efforts on getting the rollable gadget prepared for a launch probably through the second half of 2024. That places the gadget launch roughly across the similar time because the Galaxy Z Fold 6 successor.

There is not a lot recognized concerning the gadget, nevertheless it might unfurl to greet customers with a 12.4-inch show with an under-display digital camera.

In keeping with The Elec, Samsung probably feels some form of manner about Huawei launching the primary tri-fold cellphone, the Mate XT. Samsung probably desires to beat everybody else to the rollable end line (one thing we anticipated from LG years in the past).

Put on OS will get a lift for well being knowledge

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You might have heard of Masimo, the corporate that nearly bought the Apple Watch banned for infringing on patents associated to blood oxygen monitoring. Properly, the corporate is taking its tech elsewhere and partnering with Google to assist develop a brand new reference platform for Put on OS watches to make the most of Masimo’s biosensing expertise.

In keeping with Masimo, Put on OS OEMs can be free to design their telephones nonetheless they need, whereas Masimo will design and take a look at the inner parts for well being monitoring/sensing. This additionally consists of the companion app, though it is unclear how this can be dealt with.

Nonetheless, the partnership ought to assist increase Put on OS well being monitoring and should even encourage extra OEMs to step in and be a part of the platform. Following the current Apple lawsuit, the timing of the partnership is suspect, however we’re not complaining.

The Quest 3s may very well be cheaper than anticipated

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Meta Join 2024 kicks off on September 25, and we predict the corporate to launch some new {hardware} on the occasion. One gadget we hope to see is the Meta Quest 3s, which is able to probably be a less expensive, extra accessible model of the present Meta Quest 3. We weren’t certain how less expensive it could be, however now we might have an concept, due to an Amazon leak.

In keeping with the picture, the Meta Quest 3s might begin at simply $299, which is $200 cheaper than its flagship sibling. The picture additionally exhibits what the Quest 3s might appear to be, that includes the same general design however with two units of three particular person lenses on the entrance. We additionally anticipate the gadget to be powered by the identical Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 for higher efficiency, though it can probably function Fresnel lenses as a substitute of pancake ones, which is prone to hold prices down.

If that is to be believed, a $299 worth level for a more moderen VR headset would probably do nicely, particularly forward of the vacations, for anybody nonetheless desirous to get their arms on a Quest VR headset however not desirous to get the older Quest 2.

A glimpse at Android Automotive 15

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Android Automotive is Google’s built-in automobile infotainment system, and because of Android 15, it is anticipated to get a giant replace later this 12 months. Google revealed options arriving within the system on its AOSP web page, which customers might discover useful on their subsequent drive.

Amongst these additions is the flexibility to attach private Bluetooth headsets to your automobile, which may very well be good to have for passengers or whereas parked whilst you take heed to music or get pleasure from a YouTube video. One other helpful function is a persistent hotspot, which might permit riders to attach their gadgets whereas on a number of journeys.

Android Automotive can also achieve an Android Auto function with a homescreen dock, which might permit customers to pin apps for sooner entry.

Learn extra about what’s anticipated within the subsequent main Android Automotive replace, which is predicted in some unspecified time in the future this 12 months. Nonetheless, it is value noting that OEMs can be free to implement the options they see match of their gadgets.

These are a number of the largest tales from this week. In the meantime, listed below are another tales which can be value catching up on: