# This Week in Google and Android: Essential Stories to Catch Up On
Welcome to this week’s **Google/Android News Summary**, where we deliver the most important updates, leaks, and announcements that are influencing the tech landscape. From significant smartphone revelations to issues with smart home devices, here’s what you should be aware of regarding the latest happenings in the Android ecosystem.
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## **1. OnePlus 13R Renders Surface Before Launch**
Only days ahead of its official announcement, the **OnePlus 13R** has been revealed through what seems to be authentic renders. The images, released by insider Arsène Lupin, display two color options—silver and space gray—with a stylish, flat rear panel and curved displays.
Confirmed to launch on **January 7**, the OnePlus 13R will feature a **Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor**, a **6,000mAh battery**, and a slender design. This mid-range smartphone has been heavily promoted by OnePlus, with the leaks providing insight into what to expect. The device will be introduced alongside the premium **OnePlus 13**, marking a much-anticipated occasion for Android fans.
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## **2. Samsung Introduces Two New Devices to the U.S. Market**
Samsung revealed that the **Galaxy A16 5G** and **Galaxy Fit 3** will officially debut in the U.S. on **January 9**.
– **Galaxy A16 5G**: This budget-oriented smartphone comes equipped with a **6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED screen**, **90Hz refresh rate**, and **800 nits brightness**. Powered by the **Exynos 1330 chip**, it guarantees six generations of One UI and Android OS updates. The smartphone also features a **50MP primary camera**, **5MP ultrawide**, and **2MP macro lens**, complemented by a **5,000mAh battery** and **25W rapid charging**. Priced at **$199**, it delivers fantastic value.
– **Galaxy Fit 3**: Following its debut in other markets, this fitness tracker is arriving in the U.S. for **$59.99**. It offers features such as **heart rate tracking**, **stress monitoring**, **sleep quality evaluation**, and **fall detection**. With **IP68 resistance**, over 100 customizable watch faces, and three color variants, it’s a solid addition to Samsung’s wearable offerings.
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## **3. Meta Quest Update Leads to Holiday Troubles**
The **Meta Quest v72 update** became a disaster for numerous users over the holidays. Reports indicate that it rendered multiple **Meta Quest 2**, **Quest 3**, and **Quest 3S** headsets unusable, displaying error messages like “Your device is corrupt. It can’t be trusted.”
Meta offered a workaround requiring a hard reset and manual flashing of the previous update, but it wasn’t effective for everyone. The company has since resolved the problem and is providing **replacement headsets** for those affected. While the issue has been rectified for most, it was a challenging way to kick off the year for Meta’s VR ecosystem.
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## **4. Net Neutrality Faces Legal Challenges**
In a pivotal judgment, a federal appeals court has obstructed the **FCC’s net neutrality regulations**, asserting that the agency does not have the power to enforce such rules on internet service providers (ISPs).
The absence of net neutrality may allow ISPs such as Comcast to prioritize their own services (like Peacock) over rivals like Netflix, which could slow speeds for non-affiliated platforms. This ruling could have extensive consequences for internet equity and user freedom, rekindling discussions on the influence of ISPs in shaping online experiences.
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## **5. Google Home and Nest Devices Encounter Issues**
This week, Google’s smart home ecosystem faced challenges as **Google Home** and **Nest speakers** ceased to respond to fundamental commands such as weather inquiries. Though the devices showed correct information on their displays, voice assistants struggled to interpret requests, causing user dissatisfaction.
Google has since addressed the problem, although the underlying cause is still being investigated. Both the **Nest Hub** and **Nest Hub Max** are operating normally again, but the incident underscores the intermittent reliability issues associated with smart home technologies.
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## **Other Noteworthy Updates**
Here are some additional stories worth catching up on:
– **One UI 7 Feature**: Samsung’s latest One UI update includes a feature that might encourage users to remain loyal to Samsung devices. [Read more](https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/this-one-ui-7-feature-might-make-you-want-to-only-use-samsung-devices).
– **Galaxy S25 Speculations**: Leaks indicate that the **Galaxy S25** range could adopt a design reminiscent of the iPhone. [Read more](https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/the-galaxy-s25).
