Wearables dominate a busy week of Android-related bulletins in Berlin.
IFA is an annual shopper electronics present held in Berlin, Germany, which frequently serves as a launch occasion for cellular merchandise heading into the vacation shopping for season and the start of the next yr. It is one of many main occasions of any given yr for cellular tech, proper up there with the Barcelona-based Mobile World Congress.
In earlier years, IFA was dominated by the Samsung Galaxy Notice line, which has since relocated to early August. And so he previous couple of exhibits have performed host to a extra numerous set of stories in tablets, smartwatches, mid-range telephones, equipment and extra.
This yr’s occasion formally runs from Sept. 2-7, with the official media days main as much as it — so search for our protection to actually kick off from Aug. 31. The primary venue is the big Messe Berlin complicated within the west of the town, with different press conferences and gatherings all through Berlin.
IFA 2016 seems to be like being as busy as ever for Android-powered devices. Let’s check out a few of the broad developments we’re anticipating to see.
Nougat and Android Put on 2.zero
The LG V20 stands out as the first telephone delivery with the brand new Android 7.0 Nougat out of the field this September, however that does not imply some sneaky telephone makers will not have the ability to stick pre-release Nougat code on telephones or tablets forward of the V20 reveal. (Although that stated, LG appears fairly assured in truly making it to market forward of rivals.) Particularly, search for Huawei to point out off its new EMUI 5 interface, probably based mostly on Android 7.zero.
Anticipate three new Android Put on smartwatches.
The subsequent main Android Put on launch can be a serious spotlight for Android followers, with the probably arrival of a minimum of three new Android watches operating the brand new, revamped, circle-friendly OS. Current FCC leaks have all however confirmed the existence of a round ASUS ZenWatch 3. Lenovo has a press convention scheduled the place we might properly see a third-generation Moto 360. And a yr on from the Huawei Watch, the Chinese language agency may additionally have a successor ready within the wings.
Anticipate all these watches to be slimmer than their predecessors, because of the extra environment friendly Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor introduced again in February.
Samsung Gear S3
Samsung will unveil the successor to the Gear S2 on Aug. 31 at an event at Berlin’s Tempodrom concert venue. That is the identical place it took the wraps off the S2 a yr in the past. (And earlier than that, it was the place we received our first take a look at new Galaxy Notes.)
The present crop of rumors level to a different round design with a rotating bezel (no surprises there), in addition to commonplace and “Basic” variants. On the software program aspect, anticipate new health features to reinforce Samsung’s rising S Well being ecosystem.
An enormous present for Huawei
Huawei has raised its profile in Western markets significantly because the begin of 2015, and this yr the standard of its merchandise has improved dramatically, notably when it comes to software program. Along with a second-gen Huawei Watch, we might anticipate the Chinese language agency to make use of IFA to point out off its new EMUI 5 interface, which guarantees a totally overhauled design, inventory Android-style notifications and an finish to most of the software program quirks that’ve plagued EMUI four and four.1.
That is because of the work of Huawei’s new design center, and its purpose to supply software program experiences higher tailor-made to Western audiences.
In addition to a second-gen Huawei watch, anticipate revamped software program from the Chinese language agency.
So what about merchandise themselves? On the very least we might anticipate a brand new telephone to point out off this new software program, maybe a brand new member of the Huawei Mate household — a Mate S2 or Mate 9. We have seen two bigger Huawei designs doing the rounds these days — one Nexus 6P-like slab, with a digital camera “visor” up prime, and one other with a extra conventional digital camera bump housing two lenses. It is unclear which could break cowl at IFA, nevertheless one government on the Chinese language agency has apparently poured cold water on options that the Mate 9 shall be prepared in time for IFA.
(That being stated, it is unclear the place a smaller Mate S2 may match alongside the P9 Plus.)
In both case, anticipate software program enhancements to take middle stage, backed up by an improved (probably Leica-branded) digital camera setup, constructing on the strong displaying of the P9.
A brand new Sony telephone of some description
Sony simply can not help releasing telephones each six months. Even with the Xperia X and X Performance being just some months previous, there is a respectable probability we’ll see some kind of upgraded mannequin at IFA. The primary leaked photographs of the brand new Xperia mannequin, recognized by the mannequin quantity F833x pointed to a bigger mannequin with improved digital camera hardware (together with laser autofocus and dual-LED flash.) Nevertheless newer reviews recommend it’s going to be an upgraded Xperia X Efficiency variant in roughly the identical 5-inch type issue.
Sony too is among the many potential companions with new Android Put on 2.zero hardware, although we now have no particular information on any plans for brand spanking new Sony smartwatches at this yr’s IFA present.
Surprises!
IFA as an entire is about far more than a handful of telephones and watches, and we’ll certainly see bizarre new issues from manufacturers each acquainted and unfamiliar. Notably, anticipate Germany’s Telekom (T-Cellular) and Vodafone networks to point out off their new ranges from quite a lot of producers.
There’s an opportunity we might get a take a look at a few of the first Chromebooks to run Android apps out of the field. And with Android now powering numerous and assorted forms of devices, there’s an opportunity Google’s OS might present up in sudden locations.
What we’re not anticipating
- These new HTC-built Nexus telephones. Do not anticipate something till later in September, after the LG V20 — the primary telephone with Nougat out of the field — has executed its factor.
- The LG V20 itself. Though the subsequent huge factor from LG will technically debut throughout IFA, it will not be introduced publicly in Berlin. As an alternative, search for our protection of the V20’s San Francisco launch occasion.
What are you most wanting ahead to from IFA 2016? Shout out within the feedback!