News Weekly: Massive Apple Lawsuit, Pixel Market Share Continues to Grow, and More

This is Android Central’s News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise summary of the week’s most important tech news. This is where we take a look at the top titles that showcase the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.

This week, Apple could use Gemini for its iPhone, Pixel shares continue to grow in the US despite a drop in sales, Android 15 brings satellite connectivity, Apple is being sued for monopoly on the iPhone and why the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold does not unfold flat.

Apple wants Gemini

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Yes, you heard right. Apple and Google could work together.

According to a recent report from Bloomberg, Apple is currently in talks with Google to consider integrating Gemini’s AI models into the iPhone. Some sources claim that the Gemini Matrix would be integrated with Apple’s generative AI features being developed for the iPhone. These new Gemini-backed features would be available on Apple’s iOS 18, which will be released later this year.

iPhones could benefit from AI-based image creation, and the update could enable features like “write essays based on simple prompts.” Apple has reportedly been testing its own learning language model over the past year, such as its own AI chatbot called “Apple GPT.” However, it appears the company is moving towards Google’s “more superior” AI model.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said he plans to implement Apple’s version of AI features on the iPhone in a “very thoughtful way.”

Google Pixel seems to be one of the US favorites

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A new report suggests that Google’s Pixel sales fell 14%, but its market share increased to around 5% in the US. Figures from the International Data Corporation (IDC) tell us that in 2023, Google Pixel devices have claimed 4.6% of the market. US market, up from 3.6% in 2022. This means Google now has the fourth largest market share in the country.

Google’s unlocked phone sales are increasing and represent 9% of total sales. However, to compete with Samsung (20%) and Apple (19%), Google still has a long way to go. According to Anthony Scarsella, research director at IDC, “Apple and Samsung continue to strengthen their grip on the US smartphone market, with the two vendors together accounting for 74.2% of the market. This represents an unprecedented market share for both suppliers. “

Another preview of Android 15

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Google has released another preview of Android 15 for developers ahead of the big open beta debuts in April. The latest version introduces better ways to chat even when device signals are weak, support for apps on the small screens of foldable phones, and much more.

The most important feature that Google has talked about is its satellite connectivity, which allows users to stay connected wherever they are. On Android 14, Google introduced a feature that allowed your phone to recognize multiple languages ​​for audio and automatically switch between them; With Android 15, he wants to improvise on this feature and give apps the ability to run it seamlessly.

This update is intended to ensure that apps work properly rather than adding new features. Google has also worked to strengthen privacy, security, and overall user experience. This Android 15 developer preview is primarily aimed at app makers preparing for the next big version of Android, which will likely be released in the fall.

Apple sued for “illegal monopoly on the iPhone”

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The US Department of Justice (DOJ) sued Apple on Thursday March 21 for monopolizing the smartphone market. Along with 16 other district attorneys, the DOJ is targeting the tech giant for its “anticompetitive practices.”

THE antitrust lawsuit claims that Apple takes advantage of its dominant ecosystem and monopoly power to extract more money from consumers, developers and others. The lawsuit targets Apple’s most expensive assets, the iPhone and Apple Watch, as well as messaging, how the company handles cloud streaming games, and more.

The DOJ says the company always knew that this type of dominance was threatened by other factors, such as innovative products and applications. And instead of responding to these competitive threats by lowering the prices of its products for consumers, Apple has always managed to get away with imposing a series of “changing rules and restrictions in its App Store guidelines.”

The complaint talks about how Apple blocked cross-platform messaging, its devices’ compatibility with Android phones, and prohibiting developers from creating apps that would lead to technological advancements, among other things. They accuse Apple of knowingly implementing strategies aimed at making customers dependent on their products.

According to The edgeApple responded to the lawsuit, saying it threatened its identity and the principles that distinguish Apple products in fiercely competitive markets.

Some Galaxy Z Folds do not fold flat

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Some Galaxy Z Fold users have reported a particular issue: their phones not fully unfolding. However, a Reddit user managed to find out the reason behind this. He thinks debris got into the moving part of the hinge. To fix the problem, all he had to do was take the Galaxy Z Fold 4 apart and remove the debris from the hinge by hand.

In the post, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 user described finding it increasingly difficult to open his smartphone completely flat. After failed attempts to get Samsung to repair or replace the Galaxy Z Fold 4, it decided to take the device apart, revealing a collection of lint, wires, and other debris stuck inside the hinge that holds it. prevented them from opening. After reassembling the device, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 was able to open completely flat again.

I managed to open the Fold 4 flat – Evidence against Samsung’s warranty denial Since r/GalaxyFold

This could hint at a bigger problem that tech companies should solve when manufacturing foldable products. Dust, debris, and other small particles can impact the overall performance of the device. The issue of foldable phones not opening flat became a big topic around the launch of the Google Pixel Fold, which some say is not capable of unfolding flat. One of our units on Android Central appears to be limited to 178-179 degrees rather than 180 degrees.

These are some of the biggest stories this week. In the meantime, here are some other stories worth telling: