Google is rolling out an update to Quick Share for Windows which fixes a handful of issues, improves performance, and strangely removes the desktop shortcut.

Samsung has gotten a lot better about quickly releasing new Android updates, but it sounds like Android 15 will break that streak as the company has confirmed that the update won’t arrive until 2025.

Rant incoming:

This was spurred by having just read https://www.androidpolice.com/google-tv-streamer-questions-answered/ , particularly this bit:

When I asked directly, a Google representative told me they couldn't confirm which chipset powers the Google TV Streamer — essentially, Google declined to answer.

I've been noticing an increasing trend by device makers to not disclose the SoC their devices run on. I've been seeing it with e-readers, network routers, media streamers, etc.

It's incredibly frustrating to have devices actively exclude important information from their spec sheet and even dodge direct questions from tech news reporters. Reporters shouldn't have to theorize about what chip is in a released device. It's nuts.

If you're wondering why this infomation is important, it can be for several reasons. SoC vendor can have significant impact on the real world performance and security of a device. It also carries major implications for how open a device is as SoC vendors can have dramatically different open source support and firmware practices.

I've had to resort to inspecting the circuit board photos of FCC filings way too much lately to identify the processors being used in devices. And that's not a great workaroud in the first place as those photos are generally kept confidential by the FCC until months after the device releases (case in point the Google Streamer).

According to prolific Chinese leakster Digital Chat Station, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is substantially more expensive than its MediaTek counterpart.

DCS says the Dimensity 9400 can be had for about $155, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 costs a whopping $190. These are orientative prices, by the way, some smartphone makers may be able to negotiate significantly better amounts based on how many they order.

The Snapdragon is over 20% more expensive, and for a lot of devices that could make a difference in their very pricing. The two upcoming SoCs are both rumored to be absolute beasts in terms of performance, easily surpassing any other chipset that's ever been made for Android devices.

The new dessert codename reflects the change in Android’s build process that made Google start the lettering over again.

Pre Order 10/18-10/24 (in Korea)

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/20241961

Can picking the wrong charger damage your expensive new smartphone purchase? Here's the facts you need to know.