The new Chromecast seems to be on its way and Samsung is working on the Galaxy S24 FE. This is the most important Android news of the week.
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‘Finally: Google is working on a new Chromecast with Google TV (4K)’
Google has been selling the Chromecast with Google TV and Chromecast with Google TV (HD) for a while now and we are secretly ready for a new version. The ‘regular’ model in particular, with 4K support, could use an upgrade. We can actually expect this soon, according to the generally well-informed reports 9to5Google.
A source tells the website that Google is working on a new 4K Chromecast with Google TV. As mentioned, it will succeed the current Chromecast, which is almost four years old. The device would have a new remote control, as a previous leak showed.
→ New Chromecast with Google TV (4K) coming
First HMD smartphones official: cheap and repairable
We know the Finnish HMD Global from the Nokia smartphones that the company makes, but now devices are also released under its own name. HMD unveils three budget phones in the form of the Pulse, Pulse Plus and Pulse Pro. The smartphones mainly rely on their low price and repairability.
HMD works together with the experts at iFixit and individual parts will remain available for at least five years. The Pulse, Pulse Plus and Pulse Pro run Android 14 out of the box and receive two Android version updates. Security patches roll out quarterly for three years.
→ These are the HMD Pulse, Pulse Plus and Pulse Pro
‘Google will launch a successor to Nest Hub Max and Nest Audio’
Do you think the Google Nest Hub is a useful device, but do you wish it was a little bigger? Then you can choose the Nest Hub Max, which has a 10.1-inch screen. However, unlike its smaller 7-inch brother, that device has not been updated for a long time.
That may soon change. 9to5Google discovered indications in the Google Home app that a successor to the Nest Hub Max is in the offing. It is still unclear what exactly Google will improve on the smart screen. The most recent version of the small Nest Hub introduced subtle innovations.
→ Successor Google Nest Hub Max is coming
Rumor: Samsung is working on a cheaper Galaxy S24 FE
With the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra, Samsung released its most important high-end smartphones for 2024 in January. However, the company is not done yet and is also working on the Galaxy S24 FE. According to GalaxyClub the expected phone is codenamed R12 and Samsung is busy with development.
It may take a long time before the Galaxy S24 FE sees the light of day. According to the source, the smartphone will not be released until the end of 2024 or even the beginning of 2025. Its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 FE, was also launched quite late in the Netherlands. Samsung only announced the device at the end of 2023.
→ Galaxy S24 FE is cheaper S24 alternative
Polestar Phone unveiled: car manufacturer’s first smartphone
When you think of Polestar, you probably don’t immediately think of smartphones. The company is best known as a manufacturer of electric cars. For example, we interviewed Anya Ernest about the integration of Android Automotive in the Swedish manufacturer’s cars.
Nevertheless, Polestar has now presented its first smartphone in China: the Polestar Phone. This is mainly a response to Huawei and Xiaomi’s plans to make electric cars themselves. The device should offer seamless integration with Polestar vehicles. In this way, the hope is to prevent users from switching to the competitor’s ecosystem.
→ Polestar Phone officially presented
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