The official news today begins with Google and Pixels but not for the reasons you would expect. It looks like many people are having problems with their Pixel 3 devices. Users on Reddit and other forums complain about how their devices bricked overnight, and they’re unable to turn them back on or do anything with them. Most of the devices immediately enter Qualcomm’s Emergency Download Mode once you turn them on, which prevents users from installing custom ROMs, meaning they can’t even get a bootloader to run on it. Apparently the issue might have something to do with a recent security patch or, with the Snapdragon Chips’ framework, or even a hardware issue but it’s all speculation at the moment. So far Google hasn’t provided any statements on the matter and we don’t know if they’re working on a solution but, it’s best not to update your phone if it’s still working fine as of right now.
And since we’re on the topic of older smartphones like the Pixel 3, let’s talk about the EU’s latest efforts to let you keep your smartphone for longer. According to a new report, the German government is lobbying in the EU to require smartphone manufacturers to provide at least seven years of security updates and spare parts for all their smartphones. This bill is being proposed as a way to reduce e-waste and give your smartphone more of a computer cycle where you don’t feel the need to change it often, ingallowing you to get better repair support as well. Currently, most Android phones are getting three years of security updates, but,t some flagships from companies like Samsung are getting a measly 2. Of course, Apple still supports the iPhone 6s five years later, but apparently, they’re not on board with giving their devices those extra two years. The industry advocacy group Digital Europe, which includes Apple, Google, and Samsung, wants the requirement to be set at three years. They also want to limit the spare part requirements to just displays and batteries rather than cameras, speakers, and other components like Germany proposed originally. We’ll see how this case develops, and let us know how long you think companies should support their smartphones.
Let’s shift gears to Samsung, as the company wants to change even more things about its current strategy. This year they decided to skip the Note Series to shine more light on their foldable. Even if some debate that it might still happen. They want to bring even more flagship features onto their A-Series smartphones. According to a new report from the Elec, Sammy is working on offering Optical Image Stabilization to all of their A-Series Devices expected to launch next year. So far, OIS has been limited to whatever flagships the company undertakes. At the moment, we don’t have any concrete information about them making this move other than the fact that they want to do it, but if they were to add OIS to some of their cheaper phones, it could shake things up for the market considering the starting price of some of these devices. And while we’re talking Samsung, let’s move on to their upcoming flagships for a second. We have a new report from Tron where he claims that Samsung wants to expand the Snapdragon-powered Galaxy S22 Series to more regions. It’s weird, so take it with a grain of salt, but on a tweet thread from a couple of days ago, Tron claims that Verizon is requesting Exynos, which is crazy considering the close relationship they have with Qualcomm. Still, I assume this is the reason for the expansion of Snapdragon to other regions like the rest of North America, Korea, China, and India. At the same time, Europe is still stuck with Exynos. So yes, good news to everyone in India, but if Verizon is asking for Exynos, we wonder why?
Finally, for the hottest news today, let’s talk about Apple. You knew it was coming. As yes, earlier today, the company sent out press invitations for an event on September 14th. Greg Joswiak took to Twitter to post the teaser video with the caption, “We’re California Streaming on September 14th. See you real soon.” The video then shows the Apple logo spinning next to a window on Apple Campus, and it then zooms into a lake that reminds me of the old macOS wallpapers. At this event, we expect Apple to release the iPhone 13 line, which is tipped to consist of 4 devices like last year, even with rumors of the mini disappearing. We can also expect other products like the AirPods 3 and the Apple Watch Series 7. The rumor mill also hints at the redesigned iPad mini and even the new M1X MacBook Pros; however, according to previous leaks, we’re not entirely sure about those two as they might make it to the company’s November Event Speaking of earlier leaks, a couple of weekends ago, we covered a new report from Jon Prosser on the dates for the new iPhones, and since he was spot on with the date for the press invitations and the events, it looks like pre-orders will start on the 17th with the new iPhones being available on stores on the 24th. To give you guys a little recap, some of the upgrades we expect with the iPhone 13 include a smaller notch, 120Hz LTPO displays, some slight improvements to the camera, and a new A15 chip. The Apple Watch is reportedly getting a squared-off design with slimmer bezels on display but no new sensors. The AirPods are finally getting a new plan to look more like the Pros but still no ANC, which will only make sense if they drop the price given where the market is going.
