Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines across the Android world, including Made By Google details, new Pixel 11 family, Pixel Watch 5 revealed, Gemini3.7 Flash launched, Galaxy Z Fold8 success, Samsung’s approach to AI, Honor Robot on sale, and third-party App Stores available in US.
Android Circuit is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Android in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Apple news here on Forbes.
Pixel 11 Pro Lights Up The Mainstream
This week saw the launch of the Pixel 11 family at the titular ‘Made By Google.’ The phones’ are moving faster towards the mainstream as the new features illustrate. The cameras pack more power, the on-board AI processing is increased, and the next-generation Tensor chipset offers all-round improvements. Yet it’s the cluster of LED lights on the rear of the machine, a new approach to the ‘alert light’ of old, that is capturing the column inches:
“On Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL, HiLight will help you stay informed without having to look at your screen. It’s a delightful addition to our Pro devices that will keep you connected, not distracted, when your phone is face down. Using colored LED lights built around the camera’s flash, HiLight will gently glow to notify you of timely, glanceable information.”
Pixel Watch 5’s New Measurements
Google also debuted the Pixel Watch 5, its latest smartwatch. There is a heavy focus on health and wellbeing. One of the standout features is blood pressure monitoring – although Google is at pains to point out that this should not be used in isolation – it offers another practical use of the wearable. Alex Lee has more at The Independent:
“he biggest new feature is that the Google Pixel Watch 5 can track blood pressure trends without an inflatable cuff. While it doesn’t actually give you a traditional blood pressure reading, and Google stresses that it isn’t a replacement for a blood pressure monitor, it uses its sensors and machine learning to spot patterns in your blood pressure over weeks and months. It then alerts you if it spots any concerning trends, such as if your blood pressure is trending upward.”
The Next Steps In AI May Not Always Be On Your Screen
While the Trevor Noah-hosted ‘Made By Google’ event brought Google’s consumer hardware to the fore, the day after the New York show, Google announced Gemini 3.7 Flash, an AI model focused on coding and agents. While it may not be forward-facing, Google is working to integrate its Gemini models into applications at every level, which will impact your experience significantly, whether you have a Pixel or another smartphone:
“Gemini 3.7 Flash delivers a noticeably improved developer experience over 3.6 Flash. It better adapts to roadblocks, clarifies intent when needed, and follows instructions with greater fidelity. It thinks more diligently, putting in more effort into multi-step planning and tool calls. A more disciplined execution means less manual oversight and fewer retries across engineering workflows.”
Samsung Finds Pre-Order Success With Galaxy Z Fold8 Family
Pre-orders for Samsung’s new foldables range continue to break last year’s records worldwide, with the UK now reporting results similar to those in other territories. The three models are all showing significant increases in pre-orders
“But there’s more: pre-orders for the non-flip models (Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra) are up by 70% compared to the Z Fold7 figures. That’s an impressive figure, even with two models in the mix, and shows that Samsung’s belief that foldables are not one-size-fits-all may be on to something.”
Samsung CEO Explains AI Approach
Over the last few years, Samsung has placed Galaxy AI at the heart of its smartphone strategy. That continues with the Galaxy Z Fold8 family. Forbes contributor David Phelan spoke with CEO TM Roh to find out more about the importance of artificial intelligence and how the South Korean company integrates this into a user’s lifestyle:
“AI will become a core and basic component of our daily lives and experiences,” Roh insisted. “This means Samsung will be able to understand customers more deeply, present more possibilities and offer richer experiences, based not only on mobile devices but across the entire Samsung product ecosystem.”
The Robots Are Dancing In China
Honor’s Robot phone is now on sale in China. Equipped with an AI-powered 4D camera that can react to its environment, track objects and people in its vicinity, and be adjusted through voice commands and subject-tracking. Yet the moving lens goes beyond recording, as GSM Arena reports:
“But the gimbal on the Robot Phone is not just for recording vlogs. It’s also a robot companion of sorts, brought to life via Honor’s Yoyo AI assistant. It can observe and even interact with your surroundings and execute tasks on its own. Honor also implemented over 100 facial expressions like nodding, peeking and it can even dance to music.”
And Finally…
Google has opened the Google Play Store to third-party app stores, allowing their clients to be discovered and installed via the standard Android installation methods. Currently, this addition is for US-based consumers only. Ben Schoon has more:
“…the first store available is Aptoide Games, a mostly game-specific store full of free and paid titles. Installing the store works more or less like any other Android app, and, once installed, there are no additional security measures required for installing apps. We tested this by downloading “Clash of Kings” from Aptoide, and it works rather seamlessly. The only additional step is accepting the “Install” prompt when it shows up after the app is downloaded.”
Android Circuit rounds up the news from the Android world every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future, and of course, read the sister column in Apple Loop! Last week’s Android Circuit can be found here, and if you have any news and links you’d like to see featured in Android Circuit, get in touch!
