00:00 – Mishaal Rahman: Android Auto might quickly allow you to place widgets in your automotive’s dashboard.
00:03 – C. Scott Brown: And Android 17 may allow you to use Google Maps in your cellphone’s all the time 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 just lately discovered proof that Google is engaged on a serious growth to the Android Auto dashboard expertise. The corporate may allow you to quickly add widgets straight out of your cellphone onto the dashboard, supplying you with much more alternative over what data you wish to see at a look.
00:34 – C. Scott Brown: And in the meantime, we’ve noticed clues that the following main model of Android, most likely to be generally known as Android 17, will let apps combine together with your cellphone’s AOD. So, apps will have the ability to present you specialised minimal interfaces that mean you can view key data 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, . It’s sort of straightforward to hyperfocus on the unhealthy facets, however after all, most customers will most likely be simply advantageous, however if you’re 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 cellphone and is colloquially generally known as the Pixel man, yeah, , typically it hurts speaking about these items.
01:29 – Mishaal Rahman: Properly, earlier than we discuss concerning the unhealthy information, let’s begin off with some fairly excellent news. So, we found just lately that Google is engaged on bringing dwelling display widgets to Android Auto. So, we discovered proof our Authority Perception staff, as traditional, AssembleDebug in collaboration with Adamya, who wrote up this text on our web site, saying that Google is creating a brand new function code named Earth within the Android Auto utility. And this can mean you can actually add widgets to the house display of your Android Auto dashboard. So this can create a cut up display view with the widget showing on one aspect of the dashboard. And so as to add a widget, you’ll must go to the Android Auto app. There’ll be a — it’s not going to be known as customise Earth as it’s proper now on this demo as a result of it’s nonetheless in growth — however by means of this settings app within the Android Auto in your cellphone, you’ll have the ability to add widgets, you’ll have the ability to scroll by means of the widgets that you’ve got put in and choose a widget to be displayed on the Android Auto dashboard. And as for what it’ll appear like, we now have some consultant screenshots right here. We see we added the Spotify widget. That is the Google Clock widget, you may see it’s sort of comically outsized, sort of reduce off the timer and the beginning and cease button. You additionally see you will have the music, YouTube Music Turntable widget that truly suits fairly properly. Clearly nonetheless a piece in progress. You see we now have the Gemini widget right here on the left, Google Calendar, surprisingly suits fairly nicely regardless of how cramped it’s. Google Climate, and one other widget that notably in the event 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 mean you can really launch full functions. You’re solely allowed to launch specialised functions. So, Scott, do you utilize Android Auto every day? Like what do you consider this function? What do you consider widgets coming to the house display?
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 most likely folks considering 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 principle space of the Android Auto display the place your maps, , 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 in addition way more customizable. I adore it. I’m tremendous enthusiastic about this. I feel that is going to be one thing that’s going to make, , driving in my automotive really feel extra like an expertise that I curate as a result of proper now Android Auto is pretty restrictive on what, , your display appears to be like like and what, , data you may have at a look. You recognize, for instance, with the present widget setup, I can have my music participant on the underside as an alternative 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, , possibly a photograph. We haven’t seen a widget for Google photographs, however that looks like one thing that could possibly be fairly simply thrown in there. Possibly only a scrolling, , each one minute it refreshes and it simply reveals an image of, , household and associates and stuff like that. Like that’s cool. Like that makes your driving expertise way more private to, , to you the driving force. So yeah, I’m all for this. I feel that if assuming that it may be executed correctly. Proper now it’s a scorching mess, however, , 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 rather a lot higher than this. However yeah, if they’ll refine it, I feel that is superior.
05:07 – Mishaal Rahman: However I imply, on the flip aspect, like there’s a great 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 below a particular variety of classes and comply with a sure sort of template that Google gives for builders. You may’t simply arbitrarily launch any app in your cellphone in your Android Auto dashboard. And the apps they’ll’t look nonetheless they wish to. They must look a really particular approach in order that whenever you use it, customers are fairly acquainted between functions. Music apps, they give the impression of being mainly similar between Spotify, between YouTube Music, between no matter different music participant you utilize and no matter navigation app you utilize appears to be like fairly comparable on the Android Auto dashboard. And clearly, the rationale 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, , within the playlist? The place’s the button to truly swap functions? You actually don’t wish to be messing with stuff when you’re actively driving. So, , there’s a great cause why it’s fairly restricted, however including arbitrary app widget assist may complicate issues as a result of widgets are designed to be not used on the cellphone, proper? I imply, on the automotive proper now since you’re utilizing widgets in your cellphone and builders didn’t primarily intend so that you can put these in your Android Auto dashboard. However the best way this function is being developed proper now lets you put any widget that you really want in your Android Auto dashboard. So I’m slightly involved about that. What do you assume?
06:38 – C. Scott Brown: I feel there’s loads of leeway right here for some flexibility. In my view, Google has been far too restrictive with what works with Android Auto. You recognize, you’re proper within the sense that there are plenty of security issues to bear in mind and it shouldn’t simply be a free for all. You recognize, however I feel Google’s been for the previous, , no matter, 5, 10 years has been on the other finish of the spectrum and being far too secure. You recognize, for instance, if I’m parked in entrance of my accomplice’s job ready for her to come back out in order that she will be able to get, , within the automotive and I can drive her dwelling, , why can’t I watch a YouTube video on my display, ? Like clearly, I shouldn’t have the ability to watch YouTube movies whereas the automotive 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 have the ability to watch a YouTube video throughout these conditions? The software program can already inform whenever you’re in movement and never in movement. You recognize, you may’t textual content enter into Google Maps when you’re driving as a result of it’s unsafe. So you may solely use voice instructions. So it already is aware of in the event 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, , for instance, I could possibly be linked to the automotive and driving alongside on my own, but when my accomplice’s within the automotive with me, she could possibly be linked to Android Auto and , doing her personal factor along with her personal cellphone, however there’s no delineation between that. Android Auto has no idea of who’s linked to, , the Android Auto system and who’s primarily utilizing it. It’s simply, , it’s linked and it’s not. So I feel security is paramount, however on the identical time, I do assume there’s plenty of leeway that Google may take and it began to try this. You recognize, I feel that you would be able to now play video games in case your automotive is parked. There are a restricted choice of video games that work with Android Auto. So Google is getting higher at this, nevertheless it’s transferring very slowly and intentionally, which is nice. Completely perceive and completely respect that. You wish to be extra secure than sorry in the case of folks driving of their vehicles. No query. However yeah, like, , there’s loads of room for growth right here. Some may argue that the concept I had of getting like a rotating set of images exhibiting up in your dashboard. Some may argue, nicely, that’s unsafe as a result of that’s a distraction. Now you’re that picture as an alternative of the highway. Proper. However then different folks may argue that that’s in no way unreasonable and that individuals have posted notes and images and, , issues dangling from their mirror and air fresheners and who is aware of what else, their cellphone, , mounted to their display enjoying who is aware of what. You recognize, I’ve undoubtedly seen drivers driving together with YouTube movies enjoying on their cellphone that they’ve mounted onto their sprint. That’s additionally utterly unsafe. So I feel that we must always give slightly 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 stability there and Google wants to search out it.
10:07 – Mishaal Rahman: Proper, however , additionally this function isn’t finalized but. Prefer it could possibly be very nicely the case proper now that solely proper now throughout growth, Google is permitting you so as to add any utility, any utility widget to the Android Auto dashboard simply so Google can really take a look at what a wide range of widgets appear like. And after they really go to launch this function, they may 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 mainly certifying that, okay, this widget is appropriate. We wish to enable our widget to be proven on the Android Auto dashboard. That’s doubtlessly a method they may have their cake and eat it too. You recognize, they may open up Android Auto to third-party app widgets which might be at present solely out there in your cellphone display, but additionally give builders the management and the piece of thoughts that, , their utility widget received’t doubtlessly be proven in an unsafe method on, , your automotive dashboard.
All proper, so transferring on to the following story. So Google is doubtlessly engaged on a brand new function known as Min Mode in Android 17 that can mean you can present full display utility experiences on the all the time on show. So this may be a brand new developer API, a brand new developer function that lets apps create their very own minimal persistent interfaces to point out on the AOD. Consider it as turning your entire AOD right into a devoted extremely low energy display for only a single app. So it’s designed to stop display burn-in in case you’re fearful about that by shifting pixels round separately. And on account of operating within the AOD mode, which is an extremely low energy state, it saves battery life, but additionally lets you see extra glanceable data, , with out having your full display turned on and every thing else operating. So for instance, you might use this for Google Maps, which is one use case that Google is already making ready so as to add assist for. You might have this low energy energy saving mode for Google Maps operating in your AOD in order that when you’ve got an extended highway journey and also you’re fearful about Google Maps wolfing down your battery life as a result of it’s, , operating your GPS, operating on cellular knowledge, it’s utilizing your display on the identical time, then you might have this low energy mode operating permitting you to see the following flip and the following flip and the following flip after that at a look, however with out utterly destroying your cellphone’s battery life. So Scott, , what do you consider this new AOD function? I do know just like the AOD on Pixel telephones specifically, I assume, , you’re the Pixel man and also you’ve used Samsung telephones earlier than. And as compared, the AOD on Pixel telephones has been admittedly fairly lackluster. However slowly however absolutely, Google’s including increasingly options and it appears to be like like they’re, , prepping for some main adjustments 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, nevertheless it’s been very late. It’s late to the sport. I feel Google has for no matter cause thought that the AOD was only a, , not tremendous necessary. And , such as you stated, Samsung has been doing rather a lot higher of a job with the launch of the Galaxy S24, Samsung introduced, , lock display 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 what Apple’s doing with their AODs now and saying, wow, we could possibly 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 essentially up the AOD sport. And such as you stated, to Google’s credit score with the Pixel, the launch of the Pixel 10, , the Pixel 10 Professional and the Professional XL have the power to have lock display wallpapers, which is admittedly cool. However yeah, why why not the Pixel 9? Why not the Pixel 8, , like these telephones additionally assist, they’ve the {hardware} to do all the time on shows that may present wallpaper and different data, however, , for no matter cause, Google hasn’t executed that. So sure, so Google’s obtained plenty of room to develop right here. And this looks like an enormous deal. Like this looks like 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 reveals that Google is lastly taking this critically and beginning to develop actually progressive concepts for it that can set it other than the group. However yeah, I imply, this is sort of a traditional conundrum. Such as you’re driving alongside, let’s say you’re in a automotive that doesn’t have Android Auto and you’ve got your cellphone identical to propped up on slightly, , cellphone 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 must be on, , at full brightness draining your battery needlessly when you might 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, , full energy OLED brightness for navigation. So this appears nice. The query is like the place else may it go? Like what different issues may we do? And identical to off the highest of my head, like, , 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, that doesn’t must 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 fee and what not. And that may be a sport changer. Now as an alternative of going for a motorcycle journey, , for a two-hour bike journey and coming dwelling and being like, wow, I misplaced, , 40% of my battery as a result of it was at full brightness your entire time. Now I come again dwelling and it’s solely 10% gone, , like sport changer. So I feel there’s plenty of room for cool issues right here.
16:04 – Mishaal Rahman: Yeah, it’s a really intelligent function, however , as is common with anytime Google introduces some sort of new developer function, 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 function in a brand new Android model. Take for instance, Stay Updates. That was an enormous a part of Android 16 and it’s reside now. Like there’s plenty of gadgets that assist it. Properly, not that many gadgets, however gadgets operating Android 16 assist this function, however what number of functions are you able to rely that truly assist Stay Updates? There’s Google Maps. Not many. There’s the Google App for like sports activities scores and just 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 Stay Updates and who’s planning to assist it? And that’s a function that’s out there like that doesn’t require any sort of {hardware} assist, whereas this new, , AOD Min Mode requires not solely assist for gadgets which have AOD, which plenty 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 machine to have a selected AOD implementation. Say possibly the AOD has to assist a sure refresh fee, possibly like 30Hz, as an alternative of like simply 1Hz or possibly it requires a sure degree of colour data or possibly it requires, I don’t know, one thing else that requires that limits this function to solely sure new gadgets. Like take for instance, if that is one thing that solely the Pixel 11, the following yr’s Pixel 11 can do, what number of functions will really assist this? I guess no one exterior 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, , and that I don’t know. Like I feel Google locking options to Pixels will not be new. You recognize, like there are many options that you simply can’t get on another cellphone aside from a Pixel. You recognize, Now Taking part in being one of many options that simply, , 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 sources and time into creating what looks like on the outset, a really, very cool function after which locking it solely to Pixel telephones, it’s not precisely unparalleled. So it’s potential, yeah, that Google’s not involved about extensive adoption of those options as a result of it’s going, , it’s planning on locking it to Pixels alone. That wouldn’t clarify what you’re speaking about with Stay 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 dealing with as what Apple did with the Dynamic Island. You recognize, prefer it’s not fairly so horny, , as a result of like your Stay Replace showing on the very high of the cellphone popping out of the Dynamic Island after which going again in like that has like a intercourse attraction to it that that, , that the Android one doesn’t have.
19:04 – Mishaal Rahman: I like that you simply say intercourse attraction. I’m unsure I’d ever use that time period to explain, however I do know what you imply. Like evaluating on the Pixels, like you will have that little chip within the high left nook that has like what, seven characters and possibly an icon. It appears to be like actually bland, actually plain.
19:21 – C. Scott Brown: It’s not pretty much as good. Yeah, it’s not because it doesn’t provide you with that serotonin rush that iPhone customers get when, , their sports activities rating or no matter, , pops out of the highest they usually’re like, ooh, that’s cool. Take a look at that, , and that simply doesn’t occur. So, yeah, so I feel that may be a part of it, however yeah, ultimately, it’s most likely simply right down to Google, , doing what it all the time does, which is right here’s a cool function after which actually transferring on. Like they don’t do something to encourage adoption. At the least I haven’t heard something. Possibly there’s developer communications that they’re, , the place Google’s straight speaking to particular builders. Clearly, I wouldn’t learn about that, but when that’s occurring, it’s definitely not occurring on a big sufficient scale that someone in my place would hear about it.
20:09 – Mishaal Rahman: I feel 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 have 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 operating Android 16, for instance, for it to truly be well worth the effort and time it takes to assist Stay Updates for example of a function. However this is applicable to mainly each new Android function. You recognize, there’s simply not sufficient incentive for builders to hurry out and go and assist the most recent Android options that Google releases yearly. You recognize, as soon as it reaches a sure crucial mass and that model of Android turns into extensively out there past simply the most recent and best {hardware}, then there’s an incentive so as to add assist for it, however I feel that’s most likely the rationale why we don’t see plenty of new Android options on plenty of gadgets. However even then, yeah, even then, if Google have been to solely launch this function and solely Google Maps have been to be using it, I nonetheless assume it might be a sport changer. Like I nonetheless assume it might be an incredible function to have.
21:13 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah, no, 100% agree that this may be a sport changer function. 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’s sufficient saturation with Android 16, we’re already into Android 17 they usually have an entire new bunch of stuff that they must work on. So Google doesn’t have the benefit that Apple has the place, , the following day after the most recent iOS launch drops, , tens of millions and tens of millions 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 so as to push the builders to do it, Google has to entice them. And that might simply be monetarily. That would simply be like in the event you develop your app and it incorporates a Stay Replace function that we expect is cool, we’re going to provide you an enormous money sum. Like I do know that feels 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 someone on the iPhone will likely be extra interested in coming over to Android, Google has to simply accept that that is the truth of the scenario. It’s been no matter, 15 years, prefer it’s time to simply 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 all the time going to be on the level the place builders make all their stuff for iPhones after which, , 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 enjoying discipline, it’s going to want to simply accept that it’s going to must make it way more attractive 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 feel that one thing like this function, it is a nice concept. That is an superior concept that has actual world implications for customers, saving them battery life, giving them data that they want at a glanceable scenario and making higher use of a really underutilized Android function, which is the all the time on show. So that is one thing that’s very robust, a success, like proper now I’m it and I’m like, it is a hit. It is a hit function 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 following factor, that’s a waste. That’s a wasted alternative. So I actually hope Google begins to see how the sport works and begins enjoying the sport by the principles. However we’ll see.
24:11 – Mishaal Rahman: Properly, talking of enjoying the sport, , plenty of Pixel followers are hoping that Google Pixel 10 will begin enjoying video games higher within the close to future as a result of proper now, after Google switched to a brand new GPU accomplice, Creativeness Applied sciences and in addition a brand new silicon producer TSMC, folks have been sort of actually hopeful that the Tensor G5 can 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. Nonetheless, it has some noticeable choppiness even when the typical body fee is comparable between the 2 gadgets. However very importantly, the cellphone attracts considerably extra energy, typically providing worse efficiency, which signifies that you worsen battery life in the event you’re gaming on the Pixel 10 versus the Pixel 9. And in the case of emulation, which is, , one thing that plenty of lovers love to do, they wish to play retro console video games on their telephones, it’s mainly a catastrophe is what we concluded with the Pixel 10. So for greater finish console emulators just like the GameCube, the Wii, and so forth., 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 cellphone not solely throttles due to the brand new GPU, but additionally due to the driving force it makes use of, prefer it doesn’t assist plenty of options that the emulators come to anticipate. So it simply doesn’t carry out almost in addition to it may. So, Scott, I do know you’ve talked about these matters rather a lot and as being the Pixel man, you most likely gotten plenty 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, ? My dad is a cellular gamer, , he has a few video games on his cellphone and he performs them, , like he’s a gamer. He does it. And I feel that individuals who go to Android Authority and hearken to podcasts like ours and and go to YouTube and watch numerous tech movies, , by folks like me or whoever, , they aren’t the viewers that Google goes after anymore. And I feel that that’s kind of a tricky tablet to swallow for lots of pixel customers, particularly ones who’ve been with Pixels for, , years and years now. Google doesn’t actually wish to give attention to them anymore. Google goes after the usual default common Android shopper, and that particular person doesn’t care about enjoying COD or enjoying Asphalt Legends and even enjoying Genshin Affect. They care about enjoying Sweet Crush, they care about enjoying, , Wordle. Like, , that’s what they’re doing. And so they’re definitely not emulating previous consoles. I feel what Google has executed 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 sport in your cellphone, and once I say sport, I imply like hardcore sport, 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 although MediaTek processors benchmark nearly as excessive because the Snapdragon processors, the drivers aren’t pretty much as good and there’s all these, , 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 mainly saying, if you wish to sport, 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 feel that what Google is doing is delineating its sources correctly. It’s saying we don’t care about this. That purchaser will not be going to purchase our cellphone anyway. So we’re simply not going to spend any cash or time fixing it. And as an alternative, we’re going to give attention to, , making an AOD factor that reveals 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 feel that’s simply enterprise. So yeah, I don’t actually thoughts this Creativeness driver scenario. Granted, I feel Google may have it each methods. You recognize, Google may 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 assist and all these different issues and making it extra aggressive. However that’s some huge cash, that’s plenty of sources, that’s plenty of focus, that’s plenty of R&D. It’s rather a lot that Google must do and I feel Google’s identical to we are able to’t do all of it. So as an alternative of making an attempt 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 feel has accepted that truth and it’s identical to, we don’t care anymore. When you don’t need it, there’s one other cellphone for you out right here. And yeah, that’s sort of how I really feel about the entire scenario. However I’ll admit because the Pixel man and because the man who’s defending Google on this scenario, I’ll admit that there’s a world the place Google may have it each methods. It’s simply not investing in that world and you may be indignant about that and you may be upset about that and you may say that Google sucks for that and all that and that’s advantageous. However you may’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, , sells its telephones in, , Google will not be doing plenty of heavy advertising in China, for instance. They don’t even promote a Pixel there. They’re not doing plenty of heavy advertising in Southeast Asian nations the place cellular gaming is definitely enormous. They’re doing plenty of advertising largely in Western Europe, within the Americas. So like in there, the shiny new AI options matter extra to shoppers than, , higher efficiency in Genshin Affect. So it is sensible why Google is so closely targeted on bettering AI options, digital camera options, digital camera capabilities with Tensor, nevertheless it’s nonetheless slightly disappointing that, , 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 sum of money from in app purchases by means of the Play Retailer, like particularly on the gaming aspect. They make a lot cash from that. So the truth that their very own telephones are, , one of many final decisions you need to get in the event you’re searching for a flagship cellphone and also you wish to do cellular gaming, the Tensor-powered Pixels ought to be on the underside of your listing. 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 recognize, Qualcomm does plenty of work to allow their chips to do plenty of highly effective AI processing. You see many 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. And so they can do plenty of highly effective AI options identical to Pixels can. You recognize, arguably Pixels do some issues higher than Samsung can and Samsung is catching up in ways in which, , Google’s already had options earlier than Samsung, however nonetheless that’s probably not an indictment on the chip itself. That’s identical to, , Google’s prowess as a machine studying firm benefiting from the {hardware} they’re given regardless of its underperformance in areas like CPU and GPU, like focusing closely on bettering the machine studying facets and the digital camera efficiency, , issues that matter to most shoppers, however plenty of shoppers wish to sport on their cellphone. So it’s a disgrace that, , that’s no more of a precedence for Google proper now.
32:57 – C. Scott Brown: 100% agree, , it’s a disgrace that Google will not be as targeted 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 towards them that Google will not be making telephones for them. You recognize, like that’s what’s so bizarre to me. Like, , if a cellphone firm got here out and made a cellphone and it was designed for the aged, , it’s tremendous huge, the textual content on it’s astronomically massive. It’s quite simple. It solely does a certain quantity 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 dad and mom, , saying like, hey, , this isn’t as sophisticated. It is a cellphone that’s good in your specific scenario. 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, , each single Chinese language producer is utilizing Snapdragon and on at the very least one among their telephones, . There are the Crimson Magic telephones which might be particularly designed for the gaming neighborhood, , which have specs up the wazoo they usually’re low-cost, , less expensive than plenty of different telephones that you would be able to get. Get a type of. Get a Snapdragon-powered Galaxy cellphone, , like that cellphone is offered proper now. You might get final yr’s Galaxy S24 Extremely for a whole lot of {dollars} off and play actually each sport at nearly the max body fee 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 , for me, I’m identical to, yeah, Google’s making a advertising determination and it’s possibly the improper determination, it may be the suitable determination, nevertheless it’s making a call and it’s rolling with it and that’s its prerogative. So in the event you don’t prefer it, don’t purchase the cellphone.
35:17 – Mishaal Rahman: I imply I feel I even have an evidence or a possible rationalization for why there are individuals who get so upset by it. Like even when they don’t significantly care about cellular gaming, I feel 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 can be higher at gaming, proper? However you don’t even actually sport, 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 feel folks sort of really feel like, okay, I’m spending $1,000. I may have gotten this different cellphone that’s higher at gaming although I’d doubtlessly sport 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 recognize, they really feel like, oh, I’m spending $1,000. I ought to have the ability to get one of the best {hardware} for the cash that I’m paying. And so they really feel like they’re not getting that with the cash they’re spending proper now on the machine. And I feel that’s most likely one of many the reason why individuals are so upset they need one of the best worth for cash even when they’re getting every thing they need. They really feel like they may 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 assume 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 plenty of issues. However that’s sort of the logic that I feel lots of people have after they get upset by this determination.
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 be able to 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 will even price you $150,000. Now, clearly a Porsche 911 and a tricked out Sprinter van are utterly completely different automobiles for utterly completely different functions. And one will go, , 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds and the opposite will go to 0 to 60 in a minute. In order that they’re very, very completely different automobiles that price the identical sum of money. Nobody of their proper thoughts goes to purchase a sprinter van and say to themselves, oh man, I believed 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 baggage, your tents, your bikes and all that stuff and you may sleep in it, , like that’s what you’re shopping for. And so one may argue that Google must do a greater job of promoting the Pixel line and being way more clear about why you’re shopping for a pixel as in comparison with, , one other smartphone. However the argument that you simply’re spending X quantity of {dollars} on smartphone A, so due to this fact it ought to do every thing 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 recognize, like I may purchase a $10 million dwelling right here the place I reside in Marine County, California, and a $10 million dwelling right here goes to appear like, , 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 may home a whole lot of individuals as a result of it’s a completely completely different scenario. So yeah, nobody is complaining. I imply individuals are all complaining concerning the housing disaster, however for the sake of this dialogue, nobody is considering of their proper thoughts that purchasing a $10 million dwelling in level A and shopping for a $10 million dwelling 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 each one price the identical sum of money, however you’re getting various things for them. And, , 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 the event you don’t desire a Pixel, then don’t purchase a Pixel. Like that’s the backside line. And in the event 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 cellphone, then yeah, the Pixel’s not for you. But when it’s not, if it’s someplace towards the decrease backside of your listing, then I don’t see why it’s an issue selecting up a Pixel.
39:49 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah, , and the identical factor for the iPhone. Like, , if retro console emulation is your bag, just like the iPhone remains to be not going to be pretty much as good for that as a Snapdragon-powered cellphone will likely be, , for a number of causes which I don’t want to enter right here. The emulation, , folks listening will know what I’m speaking about, however yeah, like nobody, nobody who’s a severe console emulator, , emulation fiend with their telephones goes to purchase an iPhone to do it. And so they know that. But the iPhone prices simply as a lot as, , so I don’t know. Prefer it actually simply comes down to purchase the cellphone you wish to purchase and let folks purchase the telephones they wish to purchase. If somebody says, I’m going to purchase an iPhone, , don’t actually yell at them due to it, , 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 cellphone that you simply wish to get, . You recognize, to me it’s identical to that. Why can’t it simply be like that?
40:53 – Mishaal Rahman: I want, , why can’t all of us simply get alongside? Yeah, yeah, critically. 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 feel 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 an alternative of one thing higher. I feel that it’s all deliberate. You recognize, it’s not one thing that Google was like, oh, that is cheaper or or no matter, who cares, nobody’s going to note, , like I don’t assume that was it. I feel 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’s 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 , possibly that’s occurring, possibly it’s not, however we requested Google about this straight. We despatched them a message and stated 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 happening and actually had this like, , factor within the works that was going to make its GPU system rather a lot higher on the Pixel 10, why it might simply instantly not inform us. It could 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 imagine that even when this driver does come out within the close to future, it’s not going to be a sport changer as a result of like I stated, I actually don’t assume Google cares about this in any respect. So, , I wouldn’t wait. I feel that the GPU on the Pixel 10 does every thing 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 every thing. It feels like cope to me, however , we’ll have to attend and see. It’s one thing we’ll must finally hopefully get an replace within the close to future and , 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 Rob Triggs right here at Android Authority goes to be throughout that. He’s going to be evaluating like, , what it appeared like earlier than the driving force replace, what, , he loves that sort of stuff. So, so undoubtedly keep tuned. If that does occur, we’re going to have all the information that you might ever wish to know.
43:25 – Mishaal Rahman: Oh yeah, he developed some shiny new instruments to check all that stuff and you may guess 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 particular person really.
43:36 – C. Scott Brown: Oh man, he’s the good man and he’s so good and identical to he’s precisely what you assume. He’s like very delicate spoken and simply tremendous, tremendous clever, however then tremendous humorous. Like when he, , begins speaking and will get snug and he’s simply hilarious and a very, actually nice man. He’s a particular asset to the Android Authority staff. Simply superb, superb work. When you’re listening to this and also you haven’t checked out Robert Triggs’s work at Android Authority, test it out in the event you’re a knowledge nerd or simply wish to know extra about how your cellphone works. He’s simply superb. So examine him out.
44:11 – Mishaal Rahman: All proper. And that’s every thing 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 yow will discover 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 may comply with us all over the place on social media at Android Authority, and you may comply with 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, comply with me on X, Threads, Mastodon, or Telegram @MishaalRahman. Thanks for listening.