The Weekly Authority: 👀 Pixel tablet data leak

⚡ Welcome to The weekly authoritythe Android Authority newsletter that breaks down the top Android and tech news of the week. The 210th edition here, featuring a Pixel tablet leak, Samsung’s beefy battery release, IFA 2022 launches, a new Mafia game and more tech news of the week.

🍁 Although it’s not officially fall, it feels good here. There’s a chill in the air, pumpkin spice lattes are back on the menu (see this issue’s Weekly Wonder), and friends keep asking me what my Halloween plans are. I don’t mind – fall is my favorite season!

Samsung:

• Samsung launches phone with 5,000 mAh battery for under $300: The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G launched on Thursday with the same battery size as the S22 Ultra, at around a quarter of the cost.
• The Samsung Galaxy S21 series also receives the latest camera update from the Galaxy S22, bringing a Galaxy Z Fold 4 camera feature to the 2021 flagships.
• And Samsung won’t ship any more dumb home appliances by the end of 2023, switching all of its TV remotes to solar power as well.
• Additionally, the Galaxy Tab S8 is the first Samsung tablet to receive the One UI 4.1.1 update based on Android 12L, now available in the US (and already available in Europe and South Korea).
• More: Samsung attacks the iPhone 14 series ahead of its launch.
• Cyberattack on Samsung compromises personal information of US users, may have revealed customer names, contact and demographic information, date of birth and product registration information.
• Finally: Samsung’s latest foldables have doubled shipments in a key region.

Sony:

• Sony announces the Xperia 5 IV: a little less phone for a lot less money – hello bigger battery and brighter screen, goodbye variable telephoto.

• Movie lovers, rejoice! US movie theaters are selling $3 movie tickets for the new National Movie Day on Saturday, September 3.
• Not in the mood for a theatrical outing? Here are the best new movies streaming this week that you can enjoy from the comfort of your couch, including the slow-burning thriller The American.
• We also have the best new TV shows to stream this week, including The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
• More than half of our readers have received storage alerts on Android TV. Isn’t it time the makers of Google TV and Android TV consider adding more internal space or storage expansion options?
• Netflix turned 25 on Monday – did you know the first DVD the company ever sent out was Beetlejuice, or that “tudum” sound we all know so well was originally going to be a bleating goat?
• And Netflix with ads could cost $7-$9 a month, could hit select markets as soon as this year.
• Speaking of which, a new report claims that Netflix will launch its ad-based plan on November 1, ahead of the new Disney Plus ad-based level on December 8, but officially Netflix says no plans have been made. .
• Speaking of which, Netflix is ​​securing worldwide streaming rights to a whole slew of classic anime including Berserk, Parasyte, Monster, and more.
• Finally: Rick and Morty Season 6 will apparently change what we think of Rick, landing Sunday at 11 p.m. ET on Adult Swim, and also available on Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream.

• A new Mafia game is in development, but no details on a title or release date yet.
• It looks like Sony is getting into mobile games with its acquisition of Savage Game Studios – the company has also announced a new PlayStation Studios mobile division.
• Meanwhile, Sony is releasing a lighter PS5 model for the second year in a row.
• Speaking of acquisitions, Detroit Become Human and Heavy Rain developer Quantic Dream has been bought by China’s NetEase, although the French game studio says it will continue to operate independently.
• The Last of Us Part 1 reviews are in: Ars-Technica says it has “enough serious upgrades to be worth a boost”, while IGN gives it the “click of approval”, calling it “an absolutely top-notch visual showcase of what the PlayStation 5 is capable of”.
• And September’s PlayStation Plus games are revealed: for PS Plus Essential subscribers there’s Need for Speed ​​Heat, Toem and Granblue Fantasy Versus, while for Extra and Premium accounts, Deathloop and Assassin’s Creed Origins land at from September 6.
• Elsewhere, Facebook Gaming is closing its app in October, although you can still find your games, streamers and groups in the Games tab of the Facebook app.
• valve says it just passed 5,000 verified and playable titles on Steam Deck.
• Speaking of, next-gen Steam Decks are coming, Valve employees confirm.
• ASUS is teasing the Dimensity 9000 Plus-powered ROG Phone 6D Ultimate gaming phone, and it’s coming very soon.
• And the Logitech G Gaming handheld leaks: a sleek Android handheld supporting Geforce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming – could we see it at IFA 2022?
• Finally: Samsung’s first OLED gaming monitor doesn’t need a console or PC.

• IFA 2022: Here’s what to expect from the tech show – Through September 6, we’re expecting a lot from Huawei, Lenovo, Asus, and more (Android Authority).
• What is the difference between QLED and OLED? Which one to choose ? Even though they look alike, they are nothing alike (Android Authority).
• A new approach to car batteries could transform electric vehicles: “Automakers are devising ways to integrate a car’s fuel cells into its chassis, making electric journeys cheaper, more spacious and capable of achieving distance of 620 miles” (Wired).
• Pairwise uses CRISPR to alter the taste and flavor of staple foods: “The company genetically edits the ‘least desirable’ parts of fruits and vegetables to improve their taste” (Emerging Tech Brew).
• When UK timing systems fail, this service will save them: “Standard time is broadcast by satellite networks around the world, but their signals are vulnerable to interference. The UK is therefore building a more resistant system” (Wired).

It’s September now, and although fall doesn’t officially start until September 22, it looks like Starbucks is already ahead with its Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) game. The popular spiced fall drink first arrived in 2003 and has become a regular on the seasonal calendar every year, though it seems to arrive earlier with each passing year.

As a huge fan of all things pumpkin spice, this got me thinking. What’s the story behind this much-vaunted spice, and why do we love it so much?

• It turns out that the popular spice blend is over 200 years old – 223 years old, to be precise.
• The term generally refers to a blend of spices used to flavor pumpkin pie, including cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice.
• Spice-filled “pumpkin pie” recipes date back to the late 1700s.
• But it wasn’t until the 1930s that the pre-mixed Pumpkin Spice mix was available for purchase.
• And we still don’t know who to give credit for inventing pumpkin spice latte. It is said that Peter Dukes (who was the espresso manager of Starbucks – and yes, that’s a real job title) was the one who brought the idea to the company, alongside seasonal drinks like the peppermint mocha and eggnog pudding.
• Apparently, when developing the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the Starbucks research and development team poured espresso over pumpkin pies to determine the perfect ratio of spice, coffee, and baked milk. steam. It looks delicious.
• It wasn’t until 2015 that Starbucks started using real pumpkin in the drink.
• Turns out, the PSL wasn’t even destined to be such a hit: it debuted in just 100 Starbucks stores in Washington, DC and Vancouver, BC.
• These days, it’s hard to imagine this time of year without her.

Pay more for your PSL

If you’re craving your favorite fall drink, sad news. This year, Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back with an unprecedented price hike thanks to inflation:

• According CNNa large PSL will cost you 4% more than last year.
• That means you’ll pay between $5.45 and $5.95, depending on your location.
• But you can always get a pumpkin spice blend, coffee, and milk of your choice to make your own PSL at home.
• Picking up one of the best smart coffee makers is a good place to start, and you’ll also want to get your hands on a coffee mug warmer to make sure your drink stays piping hot.
• Take it easy with the PSL – too much caffeine could impact your sleep, although the best sleep trackers make it easy to track bedtime habits.

Technical calendar

• September 2-6: IFA Berlin
• September 6: Huawei Mate 50 series launched
• September 7 at 10:00 a.m. PT (1:00 p.m. ET, 7:00 p.m. CET): Apple’s Far Out Event
• September 10 at 9 p.m. CEST: Ubisoft Forward Showcase
• September 29: OnePlus 10T on sale
• October 6: Launch of the Pixel 7? (to confirm)
• October 13: Pixel 7 on sale? (to confirm)
• November 8: Skull and Bones release date on Xbox Series S/X, PS5, PC, Stadia and Luna
• November 9: God of War: Ragnarok is coming to PS4, PS5
• November 18: The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me is out on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X and PC

It finally happened: an AI-generated artwork won first place in a competition…

Something more: Check out this cheerful little ermine playing on a trampoline to brighten up your week.

Paula Beaton, editor.