Information Weekly
Is this the hub where we highlight and condense the week’s most significant stories, allowing you to catch up on the latest technological developments?
That’s Android Central’s information weekly, your one-stop source for a timely summary of the week’s top technology stories. Here are the latest advancements shaping the digital landscape, presented in a comprehensive and engaging manner.
Qualcomm recently introduced its cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, designed specifically for next year’s premium smartphones. Meanwhile, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition, boasting enhanced features and capabilities. In a significant industry move, Arm announced it will be terminating its licensing agreements with Qualcomm, sending shockwaves through the tech world. Additionally, e-reader manufacturer Boox has launched new devices, catering to book lovers’ demands for high-quality reading experiences. Furthermore, Google Messages is taking steps to combat message spam, prioritizing user experience and security.
Qualcomm is poised to revolutionize the Android smartphone landscape with its latest innovations.
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The Snapdragon Summit commenced on October 24, with Qualcomm unveiling its latest flagship processor. Dubbed the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, the processor leverages Orion-based cores to deliver enhanced power management, increased effectiveness, and a significant boost in AI processing capabilities.
The 3nm chip delivers a significant boost, boasting 45% higher CPU efficiency and 40% higher GPU efficiency compared to the already impressive Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, demonstrating notable advancements. NPU efficiency has increased by 45%, rendering the chip significantly more capable of handling complex AI tasks.
The chip reportedly offers a 44% boost in effectiveness without incorporating any effectiveness cores, and its Oryon design enables optimal performance even when such cores are not present.
The primary telephones equipped with chips will launch this month, accompanied by the Samsung Galaxy, Apple iPhone, and Google Pixel.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold SE: a device that has redefined the concept of foldable smartphones and set new standards in the industry.
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Here are we still getting used to our recent purchase of a foldable phone, when Samsung releases another innovative device that leaves us wondering if we made the right choice.
The newly released Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition boasts a reimagined design featuring larger displays, a sleeker profile, and a powerful 200MP primary camera.
The premium variant of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 boasts upgraded specifications, featuring 16GB of RAM and a substantial 512GB of internal storage – meeting our exacting demands. According to official specs on the product webpage, no S Pen support exists. While that might be a consideration for some, an additional cost is likely to be a stumbling block for others, regardless of its necessity.
While the newly released phone is impressive, its availability is currently limited to Korea alone, with no indication of its expansion to other regions. Fingers crossed that Samsung will expand the availability of this device or bring us an even better iteration without requiring a specific model variation.
Will Apple abandon Qualcomm?
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As Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite for PCs and newly unveiled Snapdragon 8 Elite for smartphones garner widespread acclaim, Arm is quietly sowing discord by stealing the spotlight.
The company, whose cores are licensed by major chipmakers like Apple, Samsung, and MediaTek, has given Qualcomm a 60-day ultimatum to comply with its architectural licensing terms. Why? Following its acquisition of Arm in 2021, the corporation has consistently leveraged Applied Sciences technologies in its operations.
A year after the fact, Qualcomm alleges that the corporation had been illicitly employing its chip architectures and blueprints following the Nuvia acquisition. Through its lawsuit, OnePlus seeks to have Qualcomm destroy any remaining Nuvia designs and is also seeking an injunction, as well as fair compensation, for alleged trademark infringement.
As recently announced, Arm has been left with no choice but to take formal action against Qualcomm, citing “utterly baseless” claims of anti-competitive behavior. Meanwhile, Qualcomm is countering by calling the move “anticompetitive,” suggesting a last-minute settlement could still be reached before anything drastic unfolds, according to Android Central senior editor Jerry Hildenbrand; however, he also notes that this may not necessarily happen?
The newly launched Boox Palma receives significant enhancements.
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As ardent admirers of the pioneering e-reader, we’re thrilled to see the company revisiting its innovative spirit with the release of a highly anticipated sequel, which brings a fresh set of improvements and enhancements. The Boox Palma 2 introduces a faster processor and innovative Boox Tremendous Refresh technology, resulting in a noticeably smoother experience for everyday tasks and seamless scrolling. The device indeed features Android 13, a notable upgrade from its predecessor’s Android 11.
The e-reader boasts a retained 16-megapixel camera, complemented by a conveniently located side-mounted fingerprint sensor that enables swift and secure unlocking of the device. You’ll also receive 6GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, and seamless access to a vast array of applications through the Google Play Store.
The Boox Palma 2 is now available for purchase, offered in a sleek white or sophisticated black finish, priced at $279.99. The highly anticipated product will hit store shelves on November 12.
Boox unveiled the Palma alongside the $499 Observe Air4 C, boasting an enhanced display with increased brightness and contrast; concurrently, the company teased the forthcoming Observe Max, featuring a 13.3-inch Carta 1300 e-ink screen with an integrated keyboard “shell” designed to evoke a laptop-like experience. Although Boox hasn’t announced a specific release date for the Max, its price tag has been set at $649, with no further details disclosed.
As Google’s SMS service continues to evolve, a lingering issue remains: spam. Despite efforts to curb this nuisance, unwanted messages persist, leaving users frustrated.
What are we doing about it?
In an effort to combat spam, Google has implemented measures such as machine learning algorithms and community-driven moderation.
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Most people despise receiving unsolicited spam messages, prompting companies to explore alternative solutions to combat this issue. Android is poised to significantly enhance its capabilities by not only detecting scams but also alerting users to potentially harmful or offensive messages.
The corporation is introducing five new features to Google Messages, along with advanced spam detection capabilities for its beta users. When the system identifies suspicious package deal offers or job postings, it will promptly alert the user and relegate them to the spam folder.
Google Messages enables users to exert greater control over messages from unknown international senders, while also alerting them to potentially hazardous links. A new device feature will proactively detect and blur images containing nudity, mirroring Google Search’s SafeSearch functionality. This feature will be optional for users aged 18 and above, but mandatory for those under 18 years old.
To bolster online security, Google is developing an identification verification feature designed to filter out spam messages from senders attempting to masquerade as acquaintances or individuals you may know. We’ll have to wait a bit longer for this, as it won’t arrive until next year.
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