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It has been one other massive week for Google, however this time, largely for good causes. Final week, the corporate was slapped with a hefty EU antitrust fantastic simply because it started court docket proceedings for a separate antitrust case within the US. This week, although, Google scored a authorized win when the EU tossed a separate antitrust fantastic of $1.7 billion for procedural causes. Additionally: RCS has beginning touchdown on iOS, giving all us green-bubblers a greater texting expertise with our iPhone-owning buddies. Here is all the massive Google information of the week.
RCS involves iPhone with iOS 18
Apple confirmed final November that, after years of public prodding from Google, it might implement RCS messaging in iOS. Practically a yr later, it is right here: RCS messaging is now obtainable on iPhones working the most recent iOS 18, which launched Monday.
Now that the default messaging purchasers on each Android and iOS assist the extra trendy RCS, textual content conversations between Android gadgets and iPhones are getting higher. Messages despatched from exterior Apple’s proprietary iMessage nonetheless present up in inexperienced bubbles on iPhones, however the expertise is enhancing total, with learn receipts, typing indicators, and high-quality media attachments, chipping away on the long-held (albeit true) notion that the iPhone-Android texting expertise is inferior to iMessage. Android-to-iPhone RCS chats aren’t end-to-end encrypted but, however Google says that ought to be altering ultimately.
Google will get out of some EU antitrust fines
Final week, we reported that Google must pay up on a large European Union antitrust swimsuit courting again to 2017, to the tune of $2.7 billion. That saga continues to be unfolding, however this week, Google received some higher information: a separate EU antitrust fantastic, $1.7 billion levied in 2019, has been overturned by the EU Normal Court docket.
Whereas the Court docket agreed with the vast majority of the EU’s findings within the case, which is over Google’s AdSense for Search, the European Fee’s case was thrown out for procedural causes. The Fee can attraction, however hasn’t stated whether or not it intends to.
Proceedings for a separate, US antitrust swimsuit over Google’s on-line advertisements enterprise started final week.
Android 15 may hit Pixels on October 15
Android 15 is taking longer to hit secure than we anticipated it to. Whereas the most recent model hit AOSP earlier this month, it nonetheless hasn’t began rolling out publicly but. Now, Android Headlines has reported that Android 15 is ready to roll out to Pixel telephones starting on Tuesday, October 15. That date breaks with Google’s custom of pushing new Android builds on Mondays, however given the 14th is a US vacation, the fifteenth is plausible.
Google had beforehand inadvertently confirmed that Android 15 would roll out in October, so this newest report is consistent with that timeframe. Android 15 ought to make its technique to gadgets from Samsung, OnePlus, and others within the weeks and months following the preliminary Pixel launch.
Pixel 10 codenames give us a preview of subsequent yr’s lineup
Android Headlines additionally reported on codenames for the Pixel 10 collection this week. It is wanting like a repeat of this yr’s lineup, with a Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Professional, Pixel 10 Professional XL, and Pixel 10 Professional Fold deliberate. In fact, we do not but know something about these gadgets, apart from that they are in some stage of growth.
These are the reported codenames:
- Pixel 10: Frankel
- Pixel 10 Professional: Blazer
- Pixel 10 Professional XL: Mustang
- Pixel 10 Professional Fold: Rango
Circle to Search may lastly come to extra telephones
Google’s Circle to Search characteristic debuted on the Galaxy S24 collection early this yr and has since made its technique to many Pixel and Galaxy telephones, however as of but, no gadgets from different producers. That could possibly be altering quickly, although: Mishaal Rahman reported this week that Google intends to convey Circle to Search to Android gadgets from different producers starting in October.
It has been reported that the Xiaomi 14T and 14 Professional would be the first non-Google or -Samsung gadgets to get the characteristic, and Rahman factors out that Tecno has advised a number of shops that its Phantom V Fold 2 will likely be getting the characteristic subsequent month.
Pixel Watch 3 lack of pulse detection arrives… in Europe
When the Pixel Watch 3 was introduced, Google spent plenty of time on a loss-of-pulse detection characteristic that may mechanically name emergency providers when a wearer’s pulse is not detected. The characteristic was billed as coming to European markets first, and in accordance with famend Android tinkerer AssembleDebug, a brand new model of the Pixel Watch app (v 3.1.0.673374531) permits the characteristic in these markets.
We nonetheless do not know when or if the characteristic will likely be launched within the US.
Google companions with Masimo to enhance Put on OS well being tech
Apple is at the moment in a authorized scuffle with well being tech agency Masimo, who has claimed Apple infringed on its patents on pulse oximetry expertise in Apple Watch wearables, leading to a pause on US gross sales of the Apple Watch Sequence 9 and Extremely 2.
Now, Masimo has introduced that Google will accomplice with Qualcomm and Masimo to get the latter firm’s patented tech into new Put on OS watches. The partnership ought to ultimately yield extra correct blood oxygen monitoring on Put on OS watches, nevertheless it’s early days for the brand new association. We’ll be maintaining a tally of this story because it develops going ahead.