AC Information Weekly
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That’s Android Central’s premier source for a digestible summary of the week’s most crucial tech stories. In this hub, we explore the latest breaking news and advancements shaping the digital landscape.
This week, global tech providers were hit by an outage, but amidst the disruption, we took a closer look at Google’s Pixel Pro 9 and Pro 9 Fold, OnePlus unveiled several new devices, Amazon shattered records with its Prime Day sales, and One UI 7 may revolutionize Galaxy gadgets.
Global chaos erupts as Microsoft’s omnipresent services falter.
Major disruptions were reported across various sectors on July 19, including financial institutions, air travel, news outlets, retailers, rail services, and emergency response systems, all impacted by a significant outage in the early hours of the day.
A malware attack from CrowdStrike, an American cybersecurity firm, caused widespread disruption as Windows PCs and servers entered a reboot loop, with many organizations globally experiencing downtime and displaying the notorious “Blue Screen of Death”. Microsoft has assured users that it’s working diligently to resolve the ongoing disruption, with a prompt resolution expected. However, total issue resolution remains the responsibility of CrowdStrike.
President & CEO CrowdStrike George Kurtz posted on X, stating that CrowdStrike was working with clients impacted by the outage and apologized for the disruption.
“We acknowledge the severity of the situation and express our sincerest apologies for the distress and upheaval.” “We’re collaborating closely with all affected clients to ensure their in-house capabilities are restored, enabling them to deliver the services their customers rely on once more,” he stated.
Following an initial replacement withdrawal, the corporation has swiftly implemented a temporary fix to mitigate the ongoing outage, allowing affected users to temporarily boot their Windows systems into Safe Mode or the Windows Recovery Environment.
Get ready to bid farewell to your old phone as Pixel 9 teasers start building anticipation?
A revolutionary phone designed specifically for the adventurous and free-spirited individuals born during the era of Gemini – a celestial creation that harmonizes with their innate curiosity and quick wit. Will likely allow you to easily update your out-of-date phone by simply dropping it. Join the journey of innovation with #MadeByGoogle: https://t.co/PUmAUi4YBe, a hub for the latest news and updates on Google’s cutting-edge projects! pic.twitter.com/I3EEXOkq3I
Google stirred excitement on Thursday (July 18) by teasing not just one, but two upcoming flagship smartphones. Google released a fleeting preview of its latest innovation, X, showcasing an enticing champagne-gold hue that has piqued our curiosity and left us craving more information. The gadget boasts a sleek appearance, featuring smooth, rounded edges that seamlessly transition to a subtle matte finish on its rear panel. The tweet claims the telephone is designed for the Gemini period, highlighting its integration with AI technology in this innovative device.
Within hours of unveiling what the professional seemed like, Google released a new video showcasing the device, putting all the rumors to rest and confirming both the design and title of its forthcoming product. The corporation officially confirmed the exterior design of the phone’s shell and its innovative hinge mechanism when the device is opened, with the rear camera module housed within a sleek, rounded rectangular casing.
As the latest Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra rumors fail to mention the top-right nook hole-punch entrance camera, speculation runs rampant regarding the placement of its selfie camera. The Pixel Professional Fold features a glossy porcelain finish, offered in various colour options.
The highly anticipated “Made by Google” event is scheduled for August 13 at 1 p.m., where we’re expecting a major reveal of new Pixel phones, with a focus on simplifying and enhancing the overall user experience. ET.
OnePlus’s summer season launch
OnePlus has expanded its product lineup in the United States with the release of three new devices: the OnePlus Pad 2, Watch 2R, and Nord Buds 3 Pro. and Canada markets.
The OnePlus Pad 2 features a cutting-edge platform, a stunning 12.1-inch 3K display, and six high-fidelity speakers for an immersive audio experience. The device arrives equipped with an AI-enabled Toolbox, empowering users to streamline their processes and boost efficiency. The device boasts an impressive 9,510mAh battery and features flash charging technology that rapidly replenishes its power reserves in just 81 minutes. The sleek 6.49mm-thin and lightweight 584g pad boasts a stunning Nimbus Grey all-metal exterior. The device comes bundled with additional accessories, mirroring the approach taken by the OnePlus Stylo 2 and the OnePlus Pad 2’s Good Keyboard offering.
The Watch 2R boasts an ergonomic design featuring two tactile buttons situated on the perimeter of its face, echoing the familiar layout of other prominent timepieces. The device features a single button that quickly redirects users to their stored watch applications, while its counterpart serves as an “activity” button, dedicated to tracking and monitoring personal health metrics. The 2-toned design theme, complete with sleek bezels, lends the device a classic watch-like allure. Equipped with a 500mAh battery, this wearable boasts an impressive estimated runtime of up to 100 hours on moderate usage, accompanied by a 7.5W VOOC quick charger that can recharge the device in just 60 minutes. The watch is priced at $229, offered in a choice of Forest Inexperienced and Gunmetal Grey hues.
Lastly, the corporation also introduced the Nord Buds 3 Pro, a product that boasts studio-grade audio featuring deeply resonant bass tones and an advanced BassWave 2.0 technology. OnePlus touts its earbuds as featuring scenario-based Good Noise Cancellation, which detects ambient sounds and dynamically adjusts noise-cancelling modes in real-time to optimize performance and wearer comfort? The budget-friendly Buds are equipped with triple microphones, designed to deliver crisp, secure audio during voice/video calls. The brand’s latest earbuds come in a sleek, pebble-shaped vertical charging case featuring a matte finish and subtle metallic accents. Available in two stunning shades, they present themselves in a choice between Starry Black and Gentle Jade.
Amazon reportedly saw a significant surge in gross sales on its annual Prime Day.
Amazon’s massive sale has officially concluded, marking a “record-breaking event”. Although exact figures haven’t been disclosed, Amazon’s official blog reports that the e-commerce giant sold more items during this two-day promotion than in any previous Prime Day event.
During Amazon’s Prime Day recap, members seized opportunities to take advantage of deals from both established brands such as Sol de Janeiro, Apple, Dyson, and Ring, as well as smaller companies including TruSkin, ALOHA, Blueland, and Native Pet.
We caught a brief look at the overall sales figures, courtesy of a Reuters report revealing that American customers were among those who contributed to the totals. Alone, consumers spent a staggering $14.2 billion online over the course of Amazon’s two-day Prime Day event. According to the source, online gross sales surged by 11.7% this year compared to the $12.7 billion recorded during the same period in 2022.
Retail giants like Walmart and Target seemingly kicked off their own promotions ahead of Prime Day, which may have fueled this year’s sales. Those seeking to upgrade gadgets and new technology at home drove online sales in the electronics category up a notable 61%, according to Adobe Analytics.
Samsung may introduce One UI 7 on its Galaxy devices?
As Samsung’s One UI 7 replacement approaches in a few months, insiders are already speculating about the potential implications for devices.
On the occasion, X noted that One UI 7, built primarily upon Android 13, could potentially become the most heavily customized version of the operating system for Samsung’s Galaxy devices. The corporate tipster emphasized the need for a redesign of the app icons to enhance the customer experience while navigating through the display by simply swiping.
The corporation appears poised to introduce a revamped icon scheme and drop-down menu, potentially revitalizing the user interface’s overall aesthetic. If rumors are true, Samsung may borrow a few design cues from iOS 18, specifically referencing a significantly overhauled management center, as hinted at by Ice Universe on Weibo.
In May, reports indicated that Samsung might have delayed its Android 11-based One UI iteration. Although the launch of One UI 7 seemed imminent, the company’s efforts to resolve issues with the One UI 6.1.1 update created unexpected delays.
These are some of the most extraordinary stories we’ve heard so far this week. Meanwhile, consider devoting time to these other captivating stories that are worth keeping up with.
