Android Circuit: OnePlus Pad 3 Revealed, e/OS/3 Updated, Android's Photoshop Mobile Arrives
2024's Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
Taking a look back at this week's news and headlines across the Android world, including Galaxy Z Fold 7 details, Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro release dates, Phtoshop Mobile released, parental controls for e/OS/, OnePlus Pad 3 revealed, Nothing Phone (3) launch date, Google Photos' AI search paused, and Android 17 dates.
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.
Samsung's summer Galaxy Unpacked event has been all about its foldable phones for many a year. 2025 will be no different, with the presumptively named Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 expected. Samsung is being coy about what exactly is being launched, but the company started the teaser trailers this week. A Fold form factor is definitely on its way, but perhaps with an exciting change:
"The Fold 7 isn't directly named, but the blacked out teaser image clearly shows a Galaxy Fold silhouette. Digital Trends also received a press image with the file name 'Galaxy-Z-Fold7-Z-Flip7-Pre-tease-Bartype_1920x1080.gif.' As I say, the existence of the Fold 7 isn't a surprise, but the early teaser and the heavy hint of a bigger display is. It's worth saying that the press images I received had no revealing file names."
(Forbes).
Also due for a summer release is Google's flagship Pixel smartphones. The Pixel 10 family may get an early preview with some influencers, but for the rest of the world, the schedule is almost identical to last year:
"Initial reports suggested an event on Aug 13, but signs now point to a Made By Google event one week later… The event will now take place on Wednesday, Aug 20, with the announced hardware going on retail sale on Thursday, Aug 28. While plans may change, Google is expected to announce four new handsets."
(Forbes).
Adobe's Photoshop Mobile is now available for Android devices. Bringing much of the functionality of the desk-bound original (including layering, masking and the popular Firefly-powered Generative Fill) . The Photoshop Mobile app is free to download, but some advanced features require a subscription through Adobe's Creative Cloud:
"The idea behind Photoshop Mobile, seen in the months it's been on the iPhone, is that it enables open-ended creativity, so that you can start Photoshopping wherever inspiration strikes – no more having a blinding flash of creativity on the subway, say, and being unable to do anything about it until you can get to your computer."
(Forbes).
Built on he Android Open Source Project, and with a focus on privacy, the third version of popular alternative e/OS/ was released this week with several new features. One of the more interesting ones, parental protection, sits nicely alongside the privacy features:
"For those with kids in the house, /e/OS 3.0 introduces refined parental controls that give guardians more control over app installations and screen time. Plus, apps rated as "PG" will now require a security code to install, giving guardians an extra layer of control over what their children can access. The security code can also be enabled for other applications on a device."
(Its Foss News).
While it was late to the Android tablet game, OnePlus has established itself as one of the leading innovators in the space. The latest iteration is the OnePlus Pad 3, and it leans heavily into the multimedia experience:
"Measuring less than six millimeters thin, OnePlus Pad 3 has been developed with an all metal unibody design that ensures its super strong and bend resistant. It also features eight symmetrically placed speakers - four woofers and four tweeters - to give a truly immersive audio experience, while the newly redesigned rear camera, which has been moved from a central position to the corner, gives the OnePlus Pad 3 a fresh look for 2025. "
(OnePlus.com).
Under the tagline 'Come to Play', Nothing Tech has confirmed the launch date for its next flagship smartphone. The Nothing Phone (3) actually launches after the Nothing Phone (3a) which arrived in march this year. There's no hints from the company on the phone' tandout features, but CEO Carl Pei has confirmed that Nothing's first Over-The_ear headphones will launch at the same event:
"London-based technology company Nothing has announced today that it will unveil its highly anticipated true flagship smartphone, Phone (3), on 1 July at 18:00 BST. "
(Nothing.community).
Google is pausing one of it current AI features due to poor user experiences. No doubt 'Ask Photos' will return, but for now the enhanced search function has been switched off.
"Google is pausing the rollout of its AI-powered 'Ask Photos' feature within Google Photos, which has been slowly expanding since last fall. 'Ask Photos isn't where it needs to be,' wrote Jamie Aspinall, a product manager for Google Photos, in a post on X responding to criticism, citing three factors: latency, quality, and user experience."
(The Verge).
Android 16 is arriving earlier than expected this year, with a rollout before the end of June expected. That tweak to the schedule looks to be a success as the early plans for Android 17 line up:
"You won't have to wait that long to try out Android 17, though. With Android 16, Google released the first Developer Preview in November. If the company sticks to this release plan, we expect the first Android 17 Developer Preview builds to be released in November 2025."
(Android Authority).
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!
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