Android Auto is borrowing a key new Apple CarPlay function

[ad_1] 00:00 – Mishaal Rahman: Android Auto could 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 telephone’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 immediately out of your telephone onto the dashboard, supplying you with much more alternative over what data you need to see at a look.

00:34 – C. Scott Brown: And in the meantime, we’ve noticed clues that the subsequent main model of Android, most likely to be generally known as Android 17, will let apps combine along with your telephone’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 unhealthy information for cellular avid gamers who're contemplating shopping for the Pixel 10.

00:59 – Mishaal Rahman: It looks like we’re simply getting unhealthy information after unhealthy information after unhealthy information on the Pixel 10, . It’s type of straightforward to hyperfocus on the unhealthy elements, however in fact, most customers will most likely be simply high quality, however in case you are actually into gaming, you may need some disappointments with the Pixel 10.

01:16 – C. Scott Brown: As a man who runs a YouTube channel centered on the Pixel telephone and is colloquially generally known as the Pixel man, yeah, , typically it hurts speaking about this stuff.

01:29 – Mishaal Rahman: Nicely, earlier than we discuss in regards to the unhealthy information, let’s begin off with some fairly excellent news. So, we found just lately that Google is engaged on bringing residence display screen widgets to Android Auto. So, we discovered proof our Authority Perception crew, as standard, 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 may will let you actually add widgets to the house display screen of your Android Auto dashboard. So this may create a break up display screen view with the widget showing on one facet of the dashboard. And with a view 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 telephone, you’ll be capable to add widgets, you’ll be capable to scroll by means of the widgets that you've put in and choose a widget to be displayed on the Android Auto dashboard. And as for what it’ll appear like, we have now some consultant screenshots right here. We see we added the Spotify widget. That is the Google Clock widget, you'll be able to see it’s type of comically outsized, type of reduce off the timer and the beginning and cease button. You additionally see you've gotten the music, YouTube Music Turntable widget that really suits fairly properly. Clearly nonetheless a piece in progress. You see we have now 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 case you attempt to faucet on any of the widgets proper now, it fails to launch the app as a result of Android Auto doesn’t will let you truly launch full purposes. You’re solely allowed to launch specialised purposes. 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 screen?

03:14 – C. Scott Brown: So I do use Android Auto on a regular basis. and I do need 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 primary space of the Android Auto display screen the place your maps, , would normally 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 likewise 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, , 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 screen appears to be like like and what, , data you'll be able to have at a look. You understand, for instance, with the present widget setup, I can have my music participant on the underside as a substitute of seeing a bunch of apps after which I can have the maps above it. However yeah, if I wished a calendar, if I wished, , possibly a photograph. We haven’t seen a widget for Google photographs, however that looks like one thing that may very well be fairly simply thrown in there. Possibly only a scrolling, , each one minute it refreshes and it simply exhibits an image of, , household and buddies and stuff like that. Like that’s cool. Like that makes your driving expertise rather more private to, , to you the motive force. So yeah, I’m all for this. I believe that if assuming that it may be executed correctly. Proper now it’s a sizzling 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 will refine it, I believe that is superior.

05:07 – Mishaal Rahman: However I imply, on the flip facet, like there’s motive 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 selected variety of classes and comply with a sure type of template that Google supplies for builders. You may’t simply arbitrarily launch any app in your telephone in your Android Auto dashboard. And the apps they will’t look nevertheless they need to. They must look a really particular means in order that while you use it, customers are fairly acquainted between purposes. Music apps, they appear principally equivalent 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 need 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 really change purposes? You actually don’t need to be messing with stuff when you’re actively driving. So, , there’s motive 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 telephone, proper? I imply, on the automotive proper now since you’re utilizing widgets in your telephone and builders didn’t primarily intend so that you can put these in your Android Auto dashboard. However the way in which this function is being developed proper now permits you to put any widget that you really want in your Android Auto dashboard. So I’m just a little involved about that. What do you suppose?

06:38 – C. Scott Brown: I believe 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 understand, you’re proper within the sense that there are numerous 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, , no matter, 5, 10 years has been on the alternative finish of the spectrum and being far too protected. You understand, for instance, if I’m parked in entrance of my accomplice’s job ready for her to return out in order that she will be able to get, , within the automotive and I can drive her residence, , why can’t I watch a YouTube video on my display screen, ? Like clearly, I shouldn’t be capable to watch YouTube movies whereas the automotive is in movement. That’s extraordinarily unsafe. However there are tons of instances that persons are sitting of their automobiles 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 while you’re in movement and never in movement. You understand, you'll be able to’t textual content enter into Google Maps when you’re driving as a result of it’s unsafe. So you'll be able to solely use voice instructions. So it already is aware of in case you’re driving or not driving. So there must be tons of alternatives for issues to work while you’re not driving. There’s additionally the case of the passenger, , for instance, I may very well be linked to the automotive and driving alongside on my own, but when my accomplice’s within the automotive with me, she may very well be linked to Android Auto and , doing her personal factor together with her personal telephone, 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 believe security is paramount, however on the identical time, I do suppose there’s numerous leeway that Google may take and it began to do this. You understand, I believe that you may now play video games in case your automotive is parked. There are a restricted number of video games that work with Android Auto. So Google is getting higher at this, but it surely’s shifting very slowly and intentionally, which is nice. Completely perceive and completely respect that. You need to be extra protected than sorry in terms of folks driving of their automobiles. No query. However yeah, like, , there’s loads of room for growth right here. Some may argue that the concept that 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 a substitute of the street. Proper. However then different folks may argue that that’s by no means unreasonable and that folks have posted notes and images and, , issues dangling from their mirror and air fresheners and who is aware of what else, their telephone, , mounted to their display screen enjoying who is aware of what. You understand, I’ve positively seen drivers driving together with YouTube movies enjoying on their telephone that they’ve mounted onto their sprint. That’s additionally utterly unsafe. So I believe that we must always give just a little 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 may very well 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 truly check what a wide range of widgets appear like. And after they truly go to launch this function, they may truly implement some type of restrictions the place the Android Auto app solely permits widgets which have a sure type of tag. And this tag is one thing that solely the developer can add, type of principally certifying that, okay, this widget is suitable. We need to enable our widget to be proven on the Android Auto dashboard. That's doubtlessly a technique they may have their cake and eat it too. You understand, they may open up Android Auto to third-party app widgets which might be at the moment solely obtainable in your telephone display screen, but in addition 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 shifting on to the subsequent story. So Google is doubtlessly engaged on a brand new function known as Min Mode in Android 17 that can will let you present full display screen 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 all the AOD right into a devoted extremely low energy display screen for only a single app. So it’s designed to stop display screen burn-in in case you’re apprehensive about that by shifting pixels round separately. And because of operating within the AOD mode, which is an extremely low energy state, it saves battery life, but in addition permits you to see extra glanceable data, , with out having your full display screen turned on and all the things else operating. So for instance, you can use this for Google Maps, which is one use case that Google is already making ready so as to add assist for. You would have this low energy energy saving mode for Google Maps operating in your AOD in order that you probably have an extended street journey and also you’re apprehensive about Google Maps gobbling down your battery life as a result of it’s, , operating your GPS, operating on cellular knowledge, it’s utilizing your display screen on the identical time, then you can have this low energy mode operating permitting you to see the subsequent flip and the subsequent flip and the subsequent flip after that at a look, however with out utterly destroying your telephone’s battery life. So Scott, , what do you consider this new AOD function? I do know just like the AOD on Pixel telephones particularly, I suppose, , you’re the Pixel man and also you’ve used Samsung telephones earlier than. And compared, the AOD on Pixel telephones has been admittedly fairly lackluster. However slowly however absolutely, Google’s including an increasing number of 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 total progress on AOD on Pixel telephones?

12:54 – C. Scott Brown: I imply it’s been nice progress, but it surely’s been very late. It’s late to the sport. I believe Google has for no matter motive thought that the AOD was only a, , not tremendous vital. 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 screen 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 wished 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 may very well be doing the identical factor, why aren’t we? And so I really feel like Google is feeling the warmth from each from each instructions, from each Samsung and Apple to essentially up the AOD recreation. 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 screen wallpapers, which is basically 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 motive, Google hasn’t performed that. So sure, so Google’s received numerous 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 exhibits that Google is lastly taking this severely and beginning to develop actually revolutionary concepts for it that can set it aside from 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 telephone identical to propped up on just a little, , telephone cradle in your sprint and also you’re utilizing that to navigate round a spot you’ve by no means been earlier than. Why does the display screen have to be on, , at full brightness draining your battery needlessly when you can 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 type of factor. Like if I’m using my bike and I've my health stats on my display screen, that doesn’t have to be full brightness, full shade. That might 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 will be a recreation changer. Now as a substitute of going for a motorcycle experience, , for a two-hour bike experience and coming residence and being like, wow, I misplaced, , 40% of my battery as a result of it was at full brightness all the time. Now I come again residence and it’s solely 10% gone, , like recreation changer. So I believe there’s numerous 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 type 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 dwell now. Like there’s numerous units that assist it. Nicely, not that many units, however units operating Android 16 assist this function, however what number of purposes are you able to depend that really 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 really out within the wild but, however aside from Google apps, who truly helps Stay Updates and who's planning to assist it? And that’s a function that’s obtainable like that doesn’t require any type of {hardware} assist, whereas this new, , AOD Min Mode requires not solely assist for units which have AOD, which numerous Android telephones do have, however as well as, we don’t know if there’s any extra 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 a substitute 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 units. Like take for instance, if that is one thing that solely the Pixel 11, the subsequent 12 months’s Pixel 11 can do, what number of purposes will truly assist this? I guess no one outdoors of like Google Maps, which is the use case we’ve already seeing. In order that’s a priority that I've.

17:42 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah, , and that I don’t know. Like I believe Google locking options to Pixels shouldn't be new. You understand, like there are many options that you just can not get on another telephone aside from a Pixel. You understand, Now Enjoying 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 concept of Google investing a bunch of cash and assets 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 unprecedented. So it's attainable, 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 going through as what Apple did with the Dynamic Island. You understand, prefer it’s not fairly so attractive, , as a result of like your Stay Replace showing on the very high of the telephone popping out of the Dynamic Island after which going again in like that has like a intercourse attraction to it that that, , 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've gotten 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 offer you 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 believe that may be a part of it, however yeah, in the long run, 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 shifting on. Like they don’t do something to encourage adoption. No less than I haven’t heard something. Possibly there’s developer communications that they’re, , the place Google’s immediately speaking to particular builders. Clearly, I wouldn’t learn about that, but when that's taking place, it’s actually not taking place on a big sufficient scale that any individual 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 have a look at, however in the end it’s as much as builders whether or not they need to do it. And simply due to the way in which Android is distributed, there simply aren’t at the moment sufficient units operating Android 16, for instance, for it to really be definitely worth the effort and time it takes to assist Stay Updates for instance of a function. However this is applicable to principally each new Android function. You understand, 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 understand, as soon as it reaches a sure vital mass and that model of Android turns into extensively obtainable past simply the most recent and best {hardware}, then there’s an incentive so as to add assist for it, however I believe that’s most likely the rationale why we don’t see numerous new Android options on numerous units. However even then, yeah, even then, if Google had been to solely launch this function and solely Google Maps had been to be using it, I nonetheless suppose it might be a recreation changer. Like I nonetheless suppose it might be an incredible function to have.

21:13 – C. Scott Brown: Yeah, no, 100% agree that this might 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 spend money on 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 a complete new bunch of stuff that they must work on. So Google doesn’t have the benefit that Apple has the place, , the subsequent 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 units I can work with. And Google doesn’t have that benefit. So with a view to push the builders to do it, Google has to entice them. And that might simply be monetarily. That might simply be like in case 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 seems like pay-to-play or no matter, however on the identical time, like if Google needs builders to get on board and make Android be a viable various to iOS. And in different phrases, make it in order that any individual on the iPhone might be extra drawn to coming over to Android, Google has to just accept that that is the fact of the state of affairs. It’s been no matter, 15 years, prefer it’s time to just accept that that is how it's and we have to play the sport or else we’re by no means going to get to the purpose the place we’re 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 needs it to be a extra even enjoying area, it’s going to want to just accept that it’s going to must make it rather more attractive for builders to return in. So yeah, anyway, it is a bigger dialog that we don’t must have about this. However yeah, I believe 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 state of affairs 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 sturdy, successful, 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 type of lets it out after which identical to says, okay, cool guys, after which goes on to the subsequent factor, that’s a waste. That’s a wasted alternative. So I actually hope Google begins to see how the sport works and begins enjoying the sport by the principles. However we’ll see.

24:11 – Mishaal Rahman: Nicely, talking of enjoying the sport, , numerous 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 likewise a brand new silicon producer TSMC, folks had been type of actually hopeful that the Tensor G5 could 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 instances even worse than the Tensor G4-powered Pixel 9 sequence. So we ran some testing, our Robert Triggs ran some testing, in-depth efficiency testing over on the secondary Android Authority channel and we discovered that gaming efficiency has been a blended bag to say the least. The Pixel 10 Professional XL isn’t a transparent winner over the Pixel 9 Professional XL. Like whereas it does do higher in Genshin Affect, it performs worse in Asphalt Legends. Nevertheless, it has some noticeable choppiness even when the typical body fee is comparable between the 2 units. However very importantly, the telephone attracts considerably extra energy, typically providing worse efficiency, which signifies that you worsen battery life in case you’re gaming on the Pixel 10 versus the Pixel 9. And in terms of emulation, which is, , one thing that numerous lovers love to do, they wish to play retro console video games on their telephones, it’s principally a catastrophe is what we concluded with the Pixel 10. So for increased finish console emulators just like the GameCube, the Wii, and many others., 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 telephone not solely throttles due to the brand new GPU, but in addition due to the motive force it makes use of, prefer it doesn’t assist numerous options that the emulators come to count on. So it simply doesn't carry out practically in addition to it may. So, Scott, I do know you’ve talked about these subjects rather a lot and as being the Pixel man, you most likely gotten numerous 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 a must to say to these individuals who ask that type of query?

26:27 – C. Scott Brown: So it is advisable outline who a cellular gamer is, ? My dad is a cellular gamer, , he has a few video games on his telephone and he performs them, , 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 numerous tech movies, , by folks like me or whoever, , they aren't the viewers that Google goes after anymore. And I believe that that’s type of a troublesome tablet to swallow for lots of pixel customers, particularly ones who've been with Pixels for, , years and years now. Google doesn’t actually need to give attention to them anymore. Google goes after the usual default common Android shopper, 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, , Wordle. Like, , that’s what they’re doing. They usually’re actually not emulating previous consoles. I believe what Google has performed right here is simply drawn a line within the sand and been like we don’t care about this. Like we all know that if you wish to recreation in your telephone, and once I say recreation, I imply like hardcore recreation, whether or not that be emulation or intense cellular video games like COD or no matter, you’re going to get a Snapdragon anyway. Like that’s what you’re going to go for. You’re not even getting a MediaTek. Like despite the fact that MediaTek processors benchmark virtually as excessive because the Snapdragon processors, the drivers aren’t nearly as good and there’s all these, , incompatibilities with issues or no matter. So simply get a Snapdragon. Like that’s type 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 principally saying, if you wish to recreation, don’t purchase a Pixel. Do what you had 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 positive factors? Why hassle making Genshin Affect work higher? Why hassle making emulation higher on the pixel? It simply doesn’t care. It’s like so yeah, so I believe that what Google is doing is delineating its assets correctly. It’s saying we don’t care about this. That purchaser shouldn't be going to purchase our telephone anyway. So we’re simply not going to spend any cash or time fixing it. And as a substitute, we’re going to give attention to, , making an AOD factor that exhibits Google Maps in black and white. Like we’re going to give attention to issues that our customers truly will care about, or let me rephrase that, let’s give attention to issues that the consumer that we need 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 state of affairs. 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 assist and all these different issues and making it extra aggressive. However that’s some huge cash, that’s numerous assets, that’s numerous focus, that’s numerous R&D. It’s rather a lot that Google must do and I believe Google’s identical to we will’t do all of it. So as a substitute of attempting to do all of it, we’re going to do what we all know we do higher and do extra of that. And other people may not like that, however Google I believe has accepted that truth and it’s identical to, we don’t care anymore. Should you don’t need it, there’s one other telephone for you out right here. And yeah, that’s type of how I really feel about the entire state of affairs. However I'll admit because the Pixel man and because the man who's defending Google on this state of affairs, I'll admit that there's a world the place Google 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 high quality. However you'll be able to’t argue why the technique exists, why Google is doing it as a result of it makes good sense as soon as you concentrate on it. So, yeah.

30:49 – Mishaal Rahman: Yeah. I imply particularly within the markets the place Google primarily, , sells its telephones in, , Google shouldn't be doing numerous heavy advertising in China, for instance. They don’t even promote a Pixel there. They’re not doing numerous heavy advertising in Southeast Asian nations the place cellular gaming is definitely large. They’re doing numerous advertising principally in Western Europe, within the Americas. So like in there, the shiny new AI options matter extra to customers than, , higher efficiency in Genshin Affect. So it is smart why Google is so closely targeted on enhancing AI options, digital camera options, digital camera capabilities with Tensor, but it surely’s nonetheless just a little 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 amount of cash from in app purchases by means of the Play Retailer, like particularly on the gaming facet. They make a lot cash from that. So the truth that their very own telephones are, , one of many final decisions it's best to get in case you’re on the lookout for a flagship telephone and also you need to do cellular gaming, the Tensor-powered Pixels must 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 understand, Qualcomm does numerous work to allow their chips to do numerous 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 numerous 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, , Google’s already had options earlier than Samsung, however nonetheless that’s not likely an indictment on the chip itself. That’s identical to, , Google’s prowess as a machine studying firm making the most of the {hardware} they’re given regardless of its underperformance in areas like CPU and GPU, like focusing closely on enhancing the machine studying elements and the digital camera efficiency, , issues that matter to most customers, however numerous customers wish to recreation on their telephone. 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 shouldn't be as targeted on this as possibly it must 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 shouldn't be making telephones for them. You understand, like that’s what’s so bizarre to me. Like, , if a telephone firm got here out and made a telephone and it was designed for the aged, , it’s tremendous massive, 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 other people purchase them for his or her aged dad and mom, , saying like, hey, , this isn't as difficult. It is a telephone that’s good in your specific state of affairs. Right here you go. I don’t see folks on YouTube feedback going like, what the hell? Why can’t I play Genshin Affect at 120 frames per second. Like, however for Pixels they do and it’s simply so weird to me how 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, , each single Chinese language producer is utilizing Snapdragon and on no less than considered one of their telephones, . There are the Purple 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 numerous different telephones that you may get. Get a kind of. Get a Snapdragon-powered Galaxy telephone, , like that telephone is out there proper now. You would get final 12 months’s Galaxy S24 Extremely for lots of of {dollars} off and play actually each recreation at virtually 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 resolution and it’s possibly the unsuitable resolution, it may be the correct resolution, but it surely’s making a call and it’s rolling with it and that’s its prerogative. So in case you don’t prefer it, don’t purchase the telephone.

35:17 – Mishaal Rahman: I imply I believe I even have a proof or a possible clarification for why there are individuals who get so upset by it. Like even when they don’t significantly care about cellular gaming, I believe it’s simply the psychological 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 could be higher at gaming, proper? However you don’t even actually recreation, however you’re spending $1,000 and you've got the selection between these two telephones and also you spend and you purchase the Pixel 10 Professional. I believe folks type of really feel like, okay, I’m spending $1,000. I may have gotten this different telephone that’s higher at gaming despite the fact that I'd doubtlessly recreation sooner or later. I don’t actually do it a lot now, however they type 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 explanation why persons are so upset they need one of the best worth for cash even when they’re getting all the things 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 suppose it might simply be a easy change for them, proper? Prefer it wouldn’t actually have an effect on something, which clearly it might, it might change numerous issues. However that’s type of the logic that I believe lots of people have after they get upset by this resolution.

36:45 – C. Scott Brown: So I’m glad you introduced this up as a result of that is one thing that I truly addressed in a video that I made for my very own channel, which you'll take a look at at C. Scott Brown and on YouTube. And a Porsche 911 will 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 utterly totally different automobiles for utterly totally 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. So that they’re very, very totally different automobiles 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 assumed this was going to go 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds. as a result of it’s a Sprinter van, as a result of that’s what you’re shopping for. You’re shopping for a automobile that may transport your loved ones, transport your sleeping luggage, 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 rather more clear about why you’re shopping for a pixel as in comparison with, , one other smartphone. However the argument that you just’re spending X quantity of {dollars} on smartphone A, so subsequently it ought to do all the things 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 wherein that’s simply not true. You understand, like I may purchase a $10 million residence right here the place I dwell in Marine County, California, and a $10 million residence 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 lots of of individuals as a result of it’s a very totally different state of affairs. 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 totally different telephones that each one value the identical amount of cash, 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 case you don’t need a Pixel, then don’t purchase a Pixel. Like that's the backside line. And in case you don’t need a Galaxy…

39:33 – Mishaal Rahman: Like if cellular gaming and retro console emulation are your primary priorities, just like the stuff you need to do the huge such as you need to spend so much of time doing that in your telephone, then yeah, the Pixel’s not for you. But when it’s not, if it’s someplace towards the decrease backside of your listing, then I don’t see why it’s an issue choosing 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 nearly as good for that as a Snapdragon-powered telephone might 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 critical console emulator, , 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, , so I don’t know. Prefer it actually simply comes down to purchase the telephone you need to purchase and let folks purchase the telephones they need 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 telephone that you just need to get, . You understand, 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, severely. You bought an iPhone pal, you bought a Pixel pal, 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 needs to prioritize with these drivers and this lack of GPU energy and going with the Creativeness system as a substitute of one thing higher. I believe that it’s all deliberate. You 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, , like I don’t suppose that was it. I believe Google made a deliberate alternative and was like, we’re going to go together with a weaker GPU and we’re going to not care a lot about supporting that GPU. One factor that’s floating round proper now'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 sequence higher. And , possibly that’s taking place, possibly it’s not, however we requested Google about this immediately. 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 occurring 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 will be like, yeah, we completely have this coming. That is going to be massive 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 recreation changer as a result of like I stated, I actually don’t suppose Google cares about this in any respect. So, , I wouldn’t wait. I believe that the GPU on the Pixel 10 does all the things it must do for the consumer that Google goes after with it. and nothing extra.

42:55 – Mishaal Rahman: Yeah, ready for that legendary driver replace to repair all the things. It seems 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 truly 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 motive force replace, what, , he loves that type of stuff. So, so positively keep tuned. If that does occur, we’re going to have all the info that you can ever need 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 individual truly.

43:36 – C. Scott Brown: Oh man, he’s the best man and he’s so sensible and identical to he’s precisely what you suppose. He’s like very gentle spoken and simply tremendous, tremendous clever, however then tremendous humorous. Like when he, , 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 crew. Simply wonderful, wonderful work. Should you’re listening to this and also you haven’t checked out Robert Triggs’s work at Android Authority, test it out in case you’re an information nerd or simply need to know extra about how your telephone works. He’s simply wonderful. So verify him out.

44:11 – Mishaal Rahman: All proper. And that’s all the things we’ve received for you this week. You could find hyperlinks to all of the tales talked about on this episode down within the present notes and you'll find extra wonderful 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 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.