Later than normal, but considering Google released Android 13, worth talking about that, and a few of the other stories I’ve found interesting in the last couple days
Google Releases Android 13
Android 13 unexpectedly dropped on Monday of this week. Google has usually released Android versions later in August or in September, so this release is a couple weeks ahead of time. The first phones with Android 13 available are Google’s Pixel phones, with the Pixel 4 being the oldest phone to get the update.
Android 13 is about minor refinements, with few big notable features. Perhaps the most noteworthy feature of Android 13 is that apps now have to ask permission before they are allowed to send notifications to users. Hopefully this cuts down on notification overload, especially from certain games that are notoriously bad. While Android has already managed notifications very well, it usually requires users to turn off notifications once an app is installed, which is something some users will either forget to do, or not do. This is a good way to help users mange notifications, and I can’t wait.
When will phones other than Pixels get Android 13? If you own a recent Samsung Galaxy S or Z series phone, likely within 3 months. Galaxy A series phones within 6 months. But for the rest of the Android ecosystem, it really depends on the phone maker. Check you rlocal listings.
https://www.androidpolice.com/android-13-review/
Pixel 6 Phones Upgraded To Android 13 Cannot Roll Back To Android 12
With the release of Android 13, Google quietly posted a note on its Pixel support page that once Pixel 6 phones upgrade to Android 13, they will not be able to go back to Android 12. This is a departure for Google, as the company has traditionally been open and flexible with its devices dating back to the Nexus days. Pixel phones are often used for software development and the ability to install different versions of Android on the phones have been useful.
Google does have a reason for this restriction, however. The company says that a security vulnerability was found in the Pixel 6 bootloader, and that the Android 13 upgrade fixes that vulnerability. However as a consequence of that Google is not letting users downgrade the bootloader back to the vulnerable version that would allow Android 12 to be installed.
This should also serve as a reminder that while we think of Google as the company that makes Arndoid, The Pixel phones are just another Android phone.
https://www.androidpolice.com/pixel-6-6a-no-android-13-downgrade-why/
Apple Looks To Increase Revenue With More Ads In iOS
Apple, the company that doesn’t make enough money, is going to be inserting more ads into iOS, including more ads in the App Store, and ads in the Maps app. There are also rumours of ads coming to other Apple apps and services, though those are unconfirmed.
It is clear that Apple is looking for ways to keep the cash cow going, and services and ads have served companies like Google well. Now Apple seems poised to join the biggest companies in the world by blasting even more ads in our faces.
Samsung’s New Odyssey Ark Monitor Is Ridiculous And Expensive And I Kind Of Want It
A 55 inch computer monitor seems nuts. My TV is 55 inches. But the Odyssey Ark might just be crazy enough to work. This curved monster of a monitor has more than size up its sleeve. Featuring 4 inputs it allos for multiple devices to be connected, making the monitor multi purpose. The monitor can even be rotated to a portrait orientation which looks hilarious. In portrait mode it almost looks like the top part of the monitor curves over a person’s head. But the neat thing here is that the size is the equivalent to three 27 inch monitors stacked vertically, and the monitor can actualy output 3 signals from three different devices at the same time. It is a neat trick, and actually could have some practical uses.
The monitor is also so big that the controls are also on a separate remote, since you probably should sit far enough away from it to not be able to reach it.
Now, am I spending $3500 USD on this hilarious device? Nope. But I do hope I get to see one one day.