Google’s weekly “Made By Google” showcase highlighted a suite of new Android hardware and software announcements, while Samsung reported record‑breaking pre‑orders for its latest foldable phones. The week also saw Honor introduce a robot‑styled phone in China and Google open its Play Store to third‑party app marketplaces for U.S. users.
Pixel 11 Pro brings a glowing alert system
At the core of the event, Google launched the Pixel 11 family, positioning the new devices as a step toward broader mainstream adoption. The Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL feature upgraded cameras, a more powerful on‑board AI processor, and the next‑generation Tensor chipset that promises overall performance gains.
Perhaps the most distinctive hardware addition is a cluster of LED lights surrounding the camera flash, branded “HiLight.” According to Google, HiLight is designed to keep users informed without the need to glance at the screen. The company describes it as a “delightful addition” that can notify users of timely information while the phone lies face‑down, using colored LEDs to convey alerts.
Pixel Watch 5 adds cuff‑less blood‑pressure tracking
The event also introduced the Pixel Watch 5, Google’s latest smartwatch with a pronounced focus on health and wellbeing. Among its new capabilities is a blood‑pressure monitoring feature that operates without an inflatable cuff. Google emphasizes that the watch does not provide a traditional blood‑pressure reading and should not replace a dedicated monitor. Instead, it uses built‑in sensors and machine‑learning algorithms to detect trends over weeks and months, alerting users to concerning upward shifts.
Alex Lee, writing for The Independent, notes that the watch “tracks blood pressure trends without an inflatable cuff” and “alerts you if it spots any concerning trends, such as if your blood pressure is trending upward.”
Gemini 3.7 Flash AI model targets developers
One day after the New York‑based event, Google announced Gemini 3.7 Flash, an AI model aimed at coding and agent tasks. While the model is not intended for direct consumer interaction, Google said it will be integrated across applications, affecting experiences on Pixels and other Android devices.
Google’s description of Gemini 3.7 Flash highlights a “noticeably improved developer experience” over the previous 3.6 Flash version. The model is said to adapt better to roadblocks, clarify intent when needed, and follow instructions with greater fidelity. It also reportedly invests more effort in multi‑step planning and tool calls, leading to fewer manual interventions and retries in engineering workflows.
Samsung’s Fold8 pre‑orders jump 70% over previous generation
Samsung announced that pre‑orders for its newest foldable lineup, the Galaxy Z Fold8 family, are surpassing last year’s figures worldwide. The UK market, in particular, is mirroring the strong demand seen in other territories.
Pre‑orders for the non‑flip models—the Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra—are up 70% compared with the Z Fold7 numbers. Samsung interprets this surge as validation of its “not‑one‑size‑fits‑all” approach to foldables, suggesting that offering multiple form factors resonates with consumers.
Samsung CEO outlines AI as a core ecosystem component
Forbes contributor David Phelan interviewed Samsung CEO TM Roh about the company’s artificial‑intelligence strategy. Roh asserted that AI will become “a core and basic component of our daily lives and experiences.” He explained that Samsung aims to leverage AI to understand customers more deeply, present new possibilities, and deliver richer experiences across the entire Samsung product ecosystem, not just mobile devices.
Honor’s Robot phone reaches Chinese market
Honor launched its Robot phone in China, a device equipped with an AI‑powered 4D camera capable of reacting to its surroundings, tracking objects and people, and responding to voice commands. The phone’s gimbal is more than a recording tool; it serves as a robot companion powered by Honor’s Yoyo AI assistant.
According to GSM Arena, the gimbal can “observe and even interact with your surroundings and execute tasks on its own,” and the device includes over 100 facial expressions such as nodding, peeking, and dancing to music.
Google Play Store opens to third‑party app stores in the United States
Google expanded the Play Store’s policy to allow third‑party app stores to be discovered and installed via standard Android installation methods, initially limited to U.S. consumers. The first available third‑party store is Aptoide Games, a marketplace focused on free and paid games.
Ben Schoon reported that installing Aptoide Games works like any other Android app, with no extra security steps required beyond the usual “Install” prompt. In testing, the game “Clash of Kings” was downloaded from Aptoide and functioned without issue.
These announcements collectively illustrate a busy week for the Android ecosystem, with hardware innovations, AI advancements, and expanded software distribution shaping the platform’s future.
Be First to Comment