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This week in Android: Google Stadia review, One UI 2.0 beta hands-on, and more!
This week saw the release of Google Stadia, although only Pro subscribers have access until some time in 2020. While it does deliver on the basic premise of cloud gaming, confusing messaging, missing features, limited launch titles, and extreme data use marred its initial rollout. Time will tell whether or not the service gains popularity once it’s more widely available, or if Microsoft’s xCloud or other cloud gaming services will overshadow it next year.
In other news, we got our hands on the Samsung One UI 2.0 beta, which is the enhanced version of the One UI Android skin that launched with the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 lineups. Samsung’s Galaxy S11 lineup isn’t far off either, with recent renders showing an impressive five-camera setup and Note-style punch hole.
On the review side, this week we published our reviews of the aforementioned Google Stadia, as well as the Fossil Hybrid HR smartwatch and Razer Junglecat Android controller.
Here are the top 10 Android stories of the week
- Google Stadia review: This is the future of gaming, if you have the data for it — Google Stadia is Google’s take on the future of gaming, powered by the cloud. But does it live up to the hype?
- Fossil Hybrid HR review: Beautifully flawed — Don’t buy the Fossil Hybrid HR for its fitness features — buy it because it’s a beautiful hybrid smartwatch.
- Samsung One UI 2.0 beta hands-on: A subtle Android 10 update for Galaxy phones — We had a look at what Samsung has in store for the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 with One UI 2.0.
- Razer Junglecat review: Nintendo Switch-like game controllers for Android — The Razer Junglecat is a solid $99 Android controller that adds a Nintendo Switch-like feel to mobile gaming.
- Google’s reputation is becoming its biggest problem — Google’s reputation threatens to derail all the tremendous work it’s doing.
- Sorry Stadia, I’m backing xCloud to be the big player in the cloud gaming wars — Why I’m betting on Red(mond).
- How are smartphone cameras becoming so good in low light? — The latest flagship smartphones take amazing pictures in the dark. Just how are they doing it?
- A unified kernel won’t necessarily solve Android fragmentation — Google is eyeing up a generic Linux kernel for Android, but even that won’t fix Android’s fragmentation issues.
- HTC shouldn’t go all-in on nostalgia and expect it to be a long-term solution — HTCis right to think of the nostalgia play, but there’s more to it than that.
- Apple AirPods Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM3: Noise-cancelling showdown — May the quietest earbuds win.
Learn more on the Android Authority Podcast
This week we published two episodes of the podcast. In the first, host Adam Doud was joined by reviewer David Imel to talk about Google Stadia!
In the second episode, hosted by Joe Hindy while Adam is out sick, we talked about the week’s news, including Stadia’s botched launch, John Legere’s retirement from T-Mobile, and more!
Want to receive the weekly podcast on your device? Subscribe using your favorite player below!
Who wants to win a OnePlus 7T?
This week, we’re giving away two brand new OnePlus 7T smartphone. Enter this week’s Sunday giveaway for your chance to win!
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