Android Auto is borrowing a key new Apple CarPlay feature

[ad_1] 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 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 newest information and leaks surrounding the Android working system.

00:18 – Mishaal Rahman: So, we not too long ago 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 instantly out of your cellphone onto the dashboard, providing you with much more selection 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 referred to as Android 17, will let apps combine along with your cellphone’s AOD. So, apps will be capable to present you specialised minimal interfaces that will let you view key data at a look. And lastly, we’ve received some extra dangerous information for cell players who're contemplating shopping for the Pixel 10.

00:59 – Mishaal Rahman: It seems like we’re simply getting dangerous information after dangerous information after dangerous information on the Pixel 10, you understand. It’s sort of straightforward to hyperfocus on the dangerous points, however in fact, most customers will most likely be simply effective, 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 cellphone and is colloquially referred to as the Pixel man, yeah, you understand, generally it hurts speaking about these items.

01:29 – Mishaal Rahman: Effectively, earlier than we speak in regards to the dangerous information, let’s begin off with some fairly excellent news. So, we found not too long ago that Google is engaged on bringing residence display widgets to Android Auto. So, we discovered proof our Authority Perception workforce, as typical, AssembleDebug in collaboration with Adamya, who wrote up this text on our web site, saying that Google is growing a brand new function code named Earth within the Android Auto utility. And it will will let you actually add widgets to the house display of your Android Auto dashboard. So it will create a cut up display view with the widget showing on one facet of the dashboard. And to be able to add a widget, you’ll must 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 growth — however by this settings app within the Android Auto in your cellphone, you’ll be capable to add widgets, you’ll be capable to scroll by 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 like, we have now 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 lower 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 have now the Gemini widget right here on the left, Google Calendar, surprisingly matches fairly effectively regardless of how cramped it's. Google Climate, and one other widget that notably when 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 will let you truly launch full purposes. You’re solely allowed to launch specialised purposes. So, Scott, do you utilize Android Auto each 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 pondering to themselves, wait a minute, Android Auto already helps widgets. So what the widgets that work at the moment 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, you understand, would often be. So far as we all know, the taskbar widgets aren’t going away. They’ll live on, however these are rather more indepth and in addition rather 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 understand, 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 understand, your display appears to be like like and what, you understand, data you may have at a look. You understand, 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, you understand, possibly a photograph. We haven’t seen a widget for Google pictures, however that looks like one thing that could possibly be fairly simply thrown in there. Possibly only a scrolling, you understand, each one minute it refreshes and it simply reveals an image of, you understand, household and buddies and stuff like that. Like that’s cool. Like that makes your driving expertise rather more private to, you understand, 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 understand, 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 will refine it, I believe that is superior.

05:07 – Mishaal Rahman: However I imply, on the flip facet, like there’s an excellent 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 underneath a selected variety of classes and comply with a sure sort of template that Google supplies for builders. You may’t simply arbitrarily launch any app in your cellphone in your Android Auto dashboard. And the apps they will’t look nevertheless they wish to. They must look a really particular manner in order that whenever you use it, customers are fairly acquainted between purposes. Music apps, they give the impression of being mainly an identical 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 related 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, you understand, within the playlist? The place’s the button to really swap purposes? You actually don’t wish to be messing with stuff whilst you’re actively driving. So, you understand, there’s an excellent cause why it’s fairly restricted, however including arbitrary app widget help may complicate issues as a result of widgets are designed to be not used on the cellphone, proper? I imply, on the automobile 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 way in which this function is being developed proper now means that you can put any widget that you really want in your Android Auto dashboard. So I’m somewhat 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 understand, you’re proper within the sense that there are a number of security issues to bear in mind and it shouldn’t simply be a free for all. You understand, however I believe Google’s been for the previous, you understand, no matter, 5, 10 years has been on the other finish of the spectrum and being far too secure. You understand, 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 get, you understand, within the automobile and I can drive her residence, you understand, why can’t I watch a YouTube video on my display, you understand? 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 persons 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 understand, you may’t textual content enter into Google Maps whilst you’re driving as a result of it’s unsafe. So you may solely use voice instructions. So it already is aware of when 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 understand, for instance, I could possibly be related to the automobile and driving alongside on my own, but when my companion’s within the automobile with me, she could possibly be related to Android Auto and you understand, doing her personal factor together with her personal cellphone, however there’s no delineation between that. Android Auto has no idea of who's related to, you understand, the Android Auto system and who's primarily utilizing it. It’s simply, you understand, 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 may take and it began to try this. You understand, I believe that you may now play video games in case your automobile is parked. There are a restricted collection of video games that work with Android Auto. So Google is getting higher at this, nevertheless it’s shifting 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, you understand, 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 displaying up in your dashboard. Some may argue, effectively, that’s unsafe as a result of that’s a distraction. Now you’re taking a look at that picture as an alternative of the highway. Proper. However then different folks may argue that that’s in no way unreasonable and that folks have posted notes and pictures and, you understand, issues dangling from their mirror and air fresheners and who is aware of what else, their cellphone, you understand, mounted to their display enjoying who is aware of what. You understand, I’ve positively seen drivers driving together with YouTube movies enjoying on their cellphone that they’ve mounted onto their sprint. That’s additionally fully unsafe. So I believe that we must always give somewhat 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 search out it.

10:07 – Mishaal Rahman: Proper, however you understand, additionally this function isn’t finalized but. Prefer it could possibly be very effectively 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 truly take a look at what a wide range of widgets appear like. And after they truly go to launch this function, they might truly 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 suitable. We wish to enable our widget to be proven on the Android Auto dashboard. That's doubtlessly a method they might have their cake and eat it too. You understand, they might open up Android Auto to third-party app widgets which can be at the moment solely obtainable in your cellphone display, but in addition give builders the management and the piece of thoughts that, you understand, their utility widget gained’t doubtlessly be proven in an unsafe method on, you understand, your automobile dashboard.

All proper, so shifting on to the following story. So Google is doubtlessly engaged on a brand new function referred to as Min Mode in Android 17 that can will let you present full display utility experiences on the all the time on show. So this is likely to be a brand new developer API, a brand new developer function that lets apps create their very own minimal persistent interfaces to indicate 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 forestall 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 in addition means that you can see extra glanceable data, you understand, with out having your full display turned on and every thing else operating. So for instance, you possibly can use this for Google Maps, which is one use case that Google is already making ready so as to add help for. You possibly can have this low energy energy saving mode for Google Maps operating in your AOD in order that in case you have a protracted highway journey and also you’re fearful about Google Maps gobbling down your battery life as a result of it’s, you understand, operating your GPS, operating on cell knowledge, it’s utilizing your display on the identical time, then you possibly can 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 fully destroying your cellphone’s battery life. So Scott, you understand, what do you consider this new AOD function? I do know just like the AOD on Pixel telephones particularly, I assume, you understand, 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 certainly, Google’s including an increasing number of options and it appears to be like like they’re, you understand, prepping for some main adjustments within the subsequent launch. Like what do you consider Google’s total 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 believe Google has for no matter cause thought that the AOD was only a, you understand, not tremendous necessary. And you understand, such as you mentioned, Samsung has been doing lots higher of a job with the launch of the Galaxy S24, Samsung introduced, you understand, 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 truly accepting that folks 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 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 recreation. And such as you mentioned, to Google’s credit score with the Pixel, the launch of the Pixel 10, you understand, the Pixel 10 Professional and the Professional XL have the power to have lock display wallpapers, which is actually cool. However yeah, why why not the Pixel 9? Why not the Pixel 8, you understand, like these telephones additionally help, they've the {hardware} to do all the time on shows that may present wallpaper and different data, however, you understand, for no matter cause, Google hasn’t accomplished that. So sure, so Google’s received a number 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 severely and beginning to develop actually modern concepts for it that can set it other than the group. However yeah, I imply, this is sort of a basic 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 cellphone identical to propped up on somewhat, you understand, 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 have to be on, you understand, at full brightness draining your battery needlessly when you possibly can simply have 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 understand, 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, you understand, possibly one thing like a health app, which might be an analogous sort of factor. Like if I’m driving my bike and I've my health stats on my display, that doesn’t have to be full brightness, full shade. That would simply be a black and white factor that refreshes each 15 seconds or one thing displaying me my coronary heart charge and what not. And that may be a recreation changer. Now as an alternative of going for a motorcycle trip, you understand, for a two-hour bike trip and coming residence and being like, wow, I misplaced, you understand, 40% of my battery as a result of it was at full brightness your entire time. Now I come again residence and it’s solely 10% gone, you understand, 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 function, however you understand, as is common with anytime Google introduces some sort of new developer function, the query is, will anybody truly 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 stay now. Like there’s a number of gadgets that help it. Effectively, not that many gadgets, however gadgets operating Android 16 help this function, however what number of purposes are you able to rely that truly help Stay Updates? There’s Google Maps. Not many. There’s the Google App for like sports activities scores and not too long ago Google Pockets, though like I haven’t seen any screenshots of that truly out within the wild but, however other than Google apps, who truly helps Stay Updates and who's planning to help it? And that’s a function that’s obtainable like that doesn’t require any sort of {hardware} help, whereas this new, you understand, 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 machine to have a specific AOD implementation. Say possibly the AOD has to help a sure refresh charge, possibly like 30Hz, as an alternative of like simply 1Hz or possibly it requires a sure stage of shade 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 12 months’s Pixel 11 can do, what number of purposes will truly help this? I wager 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, you understand, and that I don’t know. Like I believe Google locking options to Pixels will not be new. You understand, like there are many options that you just can't get on every other cellphone aside from a Pixel. You understand, Now Taking part in being one of many options that simply, you understand, 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 growing what looks like on the outset, a really, very cool function after which locking it solely to Pixel telephones, it’s not precisely remarkable. So it's doable, yeah, that Google’s not involved about huge adoption of those options as a result of it’s going, you understand, 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 don't 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 understand, prefer it’s not fairly so horny, you understand, 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, you understand, that the Android one doesn’t have.

19:04 – Mishaal Rahman: I really like that you just 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 might 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 nearly as good. Yeah, it’s not because it doesn’t provide you with that serotonin rush that iPhone customers get when, you understand, their sports activities rating or no matter, you understand, pops out of the highest and so they’re like, ooh, that’s cool. Have a look at that, you understand, and that simply doesn’t occur. So, yeah, so I believe that is likely to be a part of it, however yeah, in the long run, it’s most likely simply right down to Google, you understand, doing what it all the time does, which is right here’s a cool function after which actually shifting on. Like they don’t do something to encourage adoption. Not less than I haven’t heard something. Possibly there’s developer communications that they’re, you understand, the place Google’s instantly 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 someone in my place would hear about it.

20:09 – Mishaal Rahman: I believe to their credit score, there’s solely a lot they will 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 way in which Android is distributed, there simply aren’t at the moment sufficient gadgets operating Android 16, for instance, for it to really be well worth the effort and time it takes to help Stay Updates for instance of a function. However this is applicable to mainly each new Android function. You understand, there’s simply not sufficient incentive for builders to hurry out and go and help the newest Android options that Google releases yearly. You understand, as soon as it reaches a sure vital mass and that model of Android turns into extensively obtainable past simply the newest and best {hardware}, then there’s an incentive so as to add help for it, however I believe that’s most likely the rationale 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 function and solely Google Maps have been to be using it, I nonetheless suppose it could be a recreation changer. Like I nonetheless suppose it could be an incredible function to have.

21:13 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah, no, 100% agree that this is able to be a recreation changer function. However yeah, I imply, what you simply talked about to me opens up a really lengthy and intense dialog about Google’s must 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 and so they have a complete new bunch of stuff that they must work on. So Google doesn’t have the benefit that Apple has the place, you understand, the following day after the newest iOS launch drops, you understand, hundreds of thousands and hundreds of thousands of iPhones are already on that. And that makes the builders be like, oh cool, I've this huge swath of gadgets I can work with. And Google doesn’t have that benefit. So to be able to push the builders to do it, Google has to entice them. And that might simply be monetarily. That would simply be like when you develop your app and it incorporates a Stay Replace function that we expect is cool, we’re going to present 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 someone on the iPhone will probably be extra interested in coming over to Android, Google has to just accept that that is the truth of the scenario. 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 all the time going to be on the level the place builders make all their stuff for iPhones after which, you understand, 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 subject, it’s going to want to just accept that it’s going to must make it rather more engaging for builders to come back in. So yeah, anyway, this can be a bigger dialog that we don’t must have about this. However yeah, I believe that one thing like this function, this can be 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 taking a look at it and I’m like, this can be a hit. This can be a hit function that's going to be very, very thrilling for Android customers. And if Google simply form 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 foundations. However we’ll see.

24:11 – Mishaal Rahman: Effectively, talking of enjoying the sport, you understand, a number 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 companion, 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 major 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 combined 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 common body charge is comparable between the 2 gadgets. However very importantly, the cellphone attracts considerably extra energy, generally providing worse efficiency, which implies that you worsen battery life when you’re gaming on the Pixel 10 versus the Pixel 9. And in the case of emulation, which is, you understand, one thing that a number of fanatics 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 major 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 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 anticipate. So it simply doesn't carry out practically in addition to it may. So, Scott, I do know you’ve talked about these subjects lots and as being the Pixel man, you most likely gotten a number of questions from Pixel followers, ought to they purchase the Pixel 10 in the event that they’re a cell gamer? And what do you need to say to these individuals who ask that sort of query?

26:27 – C. Scott Brown: So you must outline who a cell gamer is, you understand? My dad is a cell gamer, you understand, he has a few video games on his cellphone and he performs them, you understand, 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 understand, by folks like me or whoever, you understand, they aren't the viewers that Google goes after anymore. And I believe that that’s form of a tricky tablet to swallow for lots of pixel customers, particularly ones who've been with Pixels for, you understand, years and years now. Google doesn’t actually wish to concentrate on them anymore. Google goes after the usual default common Android client, and that individual 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, you understand, Wordle. Like, you understand, that’s what they’re doing. They usually’re actually not emulating previous consoles. I believe what Google has accomplished 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 cellphone, and once I say recreation, I imply like hardcore recreation, whether or not that be emulation or intense cell 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 virtually as excessive because the Snapdragon processors, the drivers aren’t nearly as good and there’s all these, you understand, incompatibilities with issues or no matter. So simply get a Snapdragon. Like that’s sort of what Google is saying. Clearly, it’s not truly saying this. There hasn’t been like a press launch or something, however Google is mainly 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 trouble? Why trouble investing in GPU positive factors? Why trouble making Genshin Affect work higher? Why trouble 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 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 concentrate on, you understand, making an AOD factor that reveals Google Maps in black and white. Like we’re going to concentrate on issues that our customers truly will care about, or let me rephrase that, let’s concentrate on issues that the consumer that we wish to purchase our telephones truly cares about. And yeah, I believe that’s simply enterprise. So yeah, I don’t actually thoughts this Creativeness driver scenario. Granted, I believe Google may have it each methods. You understand, 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 help and all these different issues and making it extra aggressive. However that’s some huge cash, that’s a number of sources, 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 are able to’t do all of it. So as an alternative 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 may not like that, however Google I believe has accepted that reality 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 offended about that and you may be upset about that and you may say that Google sucks for that and all that and that’s effective. However you may’t argue why the technique exists, why Google is doing it as a result of it makes excellent 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 understand, sells its telephones in, you understand, Google will not be doing a number of heavy advertising and marketing in China, for instance. They don’t even promote a Pixel there. They’re not doing a number of heavy advertising and marketing in Southeast Asian international locations the place cell gaming is definitely enormous. They’re doing a number of advertising and marketing principally in Western Europe, within the Americas. So like in there, the shiny new AI options matter extra to shoppers than, you understand, higher efficiency in Genshin Affect. So it is smart why Google is so closely targeted on bettering AI options, digital camera options, digital camera capabilities with Tensor, nevertheless it’s nonetheless somewhat disappointing that, you understand, 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 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 understand, one of many final selections you need to get when you’re in search of a flagship cellphone and also you wish to do cell gaming, the Tensor-powered Pixels ought to be on the underside of your checklist. Like that’s a tragic reality 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 understand, 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 understand, arguably Pixels do some issues higher than Samsung can and Samsung is catching up in ways in which, you understand, Google’s already had options earlier than Samsung, however nonetheless that’s not likely an indictment on the chip itself. That’s identical to, you understand, Google’s prowess as a machine studying firm profiting from the {hardware} they’re given regardless of its underperformance in areas like CPU and GPU, like focusing closely on bettering the machine studying points and the digital camera efficiency, you understand, issues that matter to most shoppers, however a number of shoppers wish to recreation on their cellphone. So it’s a disgrace that, you understand, that’s no more of a precedence for Google proper now.

32:57 – C. Scott Brown: 100% agree, you understand, 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 folks 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 understand, like that’s what’s so bizarre to me. Like, you understand, if a cellphone firm got here out and made a cellphone and it was designed for the aged, you understand, 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, you understand, saying like, hey, you understand, this isn't as difficult. This can be a cellphone that’s excellent in your explicit 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 offended 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 understand, each single Chinese language producer is utilizing Snapdragon and on at the least considered one of their telephones, you understand. There are the Crimson Magic telephones which can be particularly designed for the gaming group, you understand, which have specs up the wazoo and so they’re low-cost, you understand, less expensive than a number of different telephones that you may get. Get a kind of. Get a Snapdragon-powered Galaxy cellphone, you understand, like that cellphone is obtainable proper now. You possibly can get final 12 months’s Galaxy S24 Extremely for a whole bunch of {dollars} off and play actually each recreation at virtually the max body charge 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 trouble me. It’s the anger again in direction of it. And in order that’s what weirds me out. However you understand, for me, I’m identical to, yeah, Google’s making a advertising and marketing choice and it’s possibly the mistaken choice, it is likely to be the best choice, nevertheless it’s making a choice and it’s rolling with it and that’s its prerogative. So when you don’t prefer it, don’t purchase the cellphone.

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 cell gaming, I believe it’s simply the psychological side 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 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 may have gotten this different cellphone that’s higher at gaming although I'd 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 understand, they really feel like, oh, I’m spending $1,000. I ought to be capable to get one of the best {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 machine. And I believe that’s most likely one of many the explanation why persons 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 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 could simply be a easy change for them, proper? Prefer it wouldn’t actually have an effect on something, which clearly it could, it could change a number of issues. However that’s sort of the logic that I believe lots of people have after they get upset by this choice.

36:45 – C. Scott Brown: So I’m glad you introduced this up as a result of that is one thing that I truly addressed in a video that I made for my very own channel, which you'll be able to try at C. Scott Brown and on YouTube. And a Porsche 911 will value you $150,000. And a tricked out Sprinter van may also value you $150,000. Now, clearly a Porsche 911 and a tricked out Sprinter van are fully completely different autos for fully completely different functions. And one will go, you understand, 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 autos that value the identical amount of cash. 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, you understand, like that’s what you’re shopping for. And so one may argue that Google must do a greater job of selling the Pixel line and being rather more clear about why you’re shopping for a pixel as in comparison with, you understand, 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 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 understand, like I may purchase a $10 million residence right here the place I stay in Marine County, California, and a $10 million residence right here goes to appear like, you understand, 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 bunch of individuals as a result of it’s a completely completely different scenario. So yeah, nobody is complaining. I imply persons are all complaining in regards to the housing disaster, however for the sake of this dialogue, nobody is pondering of their proper thoughts that purchasing a $10 million residence in level A and shopping for a $10 million residence 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 value the identical amount of cash, however you’re getting various things for them. And, you understand, that to me makes excellent sense. So actually simply each time I hear these arguments, I’m like, these don’t maintain weight. Like the underside line is that when you don’t desire a Pixel, then don’t purchase a Pixel. Like that's the backside line. And when you don’t desire a Galaxy…

39:33 – Mishaal Rahman: Like if cell gaming and retro console emulation are your primary priorities, just like the belongings 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 checklist, then I don’t see why it’s an issue selecting up a Pixel.

39:49 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah, you understand, and the identical factor for the iPhone. Like, you understand, if retro console emulation is your bag, just like the iPhone remains to be not going to be nearly as good for that as a Snapdragon-powered cellphone will probably be, you understand, for a number of causes which I don’t want to enter right here. The emulation, you understand, folks listening will know what I’m speaking about, however yeah, like nobody, nobody who's a critical console emulator, you understand, 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 understand, 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, you understand, don’t actually yell at them due to it, you understand, 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 just wish to get, you understand. You understand, to me it’s identical to that. Why can’t it simply be like that?

40:53 – Mishaal Rahman: I want, you understand, why can’t all of us simply get alongside? Yeah, yeah, severely. You bought an iPhone good friend, you bought a Pixel good friend, simply let’s be #BestPhonesForever.

41:01 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah, completely. #BestPhonesForever. So, yeah, anyway, so going again to the precise matter of what we’re discussing right here. Like, I believe that Google is prioritizing in the way in which 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 believe that it’s all deliberate. You understand, 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 understand, like I don’t suppose that was it. I believe Google made a deliberate selection and was like, we’re going to go along 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 understand, possibly that’s occurring, possibly it’s not, however we requested Google about this instantly. 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 understand, factor within the works that was going to make its GPU system lots higher on the Pixel 10, why it could 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 do 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 recreation changer as a result of like I mentioned, I actually don’t suppose Google cares about this in any respect. So, you understand, I wouldn’t wait. I believe 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 seems like cope to me, however you understand, we’ll have to attend and see. It’s one thing we’ll must ultimately hopefully get an replace within the close to future and you understand, discover out for ourselves whether or not it truly fixes issues.

43:08 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah, and keep tuned as a result of if that does occur, then you understand Rob Triggs right here at Android Authority goes to be throughout that. He’s going to be evaluating like, you understand, what it regarded like earlier than the driving force replace, what, you understand, 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 possibly can ever wish to know.

43:25 – Mishaal Rahman: Oh yeah, he developed some shiny new instruments to check all that stuff and you may 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 truly.

43:36 – C. Scott Brown: Oh man, he’s the good man and he’s so sensible and identical to he’s precisely what you suppose. He’s like very gentle spoken and simply tremendous, tremendous clever, however then tremendous humorous. Like when he, you understand, begins speaking and will get comfy and he’s simply hilarious and a very, actually nice man. He’s a particular asset to the Android Authority workforce. 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 when you’re an information nerd or simply wish to know extra about how your cellphone works. He’s simply superb. So test him out.

44:11 – Mishaal Rahman: All proper. And that’s every thing we’ve received for you this week. Yow will discover hyperlinks to all of the tales talked about on this episode down within the present notes and you 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 in every single 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 day trip about Android. If you wish to sustain with the newest information on Android, comply with me on X, Threads, Mastodon, or Telegram @MishaalRahman. Thanks for listening.