The Weekly Authority: Sayonara S23 price hike!

⚡ Welcome to The Weekly Authority, the Android Authority newsletter that breaks down the top Android and tech news from the week. The 228th edition is here with all the Galaxy S23 news, the death of Google Stadia, a pesky Pixel 7 bug, streaming service fatigue, and more…

🌄 January feels like such a long month, but I took some time off mid-week to take a stroll up one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful hills, with good company, good coffee, and, for once, good weather!

Speaking of January, it’s a great time to think about changing your cell phone carrier. With so many providers and plans out there to choose from, it feels like a bit of a minefield! That brings us nicely to our sponsor this week.

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Popular news this week

Samsung:

Earlier this week, it looked like the Samsung Galaxy S23 could see a price hike, but we’ve got good news, as US pricing leaks!
With Samsung Unpacked just a couple of weeks away, Samsung exec teases two Ultra products: we know one’s the Galaxy S23 Ultra, but could the other one be an Android tablet or a Galaxy Book with Ultra in its name and possibly stylus integration?
Galaxy S23 could be using slightly tweaked version of Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: Could be called Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy.
And we got all the specs worth knowing in a Galaxy S23, S23 Plus leak, and Galaxy S23 Ultra specs blowout.
Check out this leaked 200MP Galaxy S23 Ultra camera sample.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 design change might finally take care of that crease. And new images show off Samsung’s 360 degree hinge that could come to the Fold 5.
Meanwhile, rumors that Samsung could ditch the Galaxy S24 Plus are building steam, but that might be the right move for the company next time around.
And Samsung opens up its self-repair program to the Galaxy S22 series and PCs.
Also: The company also unveiled a 5G-connected Galaxy Book2 Go with Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3.
Plus: Samsung shows off foldable phone display that can bend inwards and outwards.

Google:

Pixel 7 bug sees phone freeze when watching fullscreen YouTube and YouTube TV.
Google Podcasts has stopped appearing in Search results: A sign of things to come?
Panicked Google to unveil over 20 AI products, including a Pixel wallpaper maker.
YouTube could soon become your free cable operator.
And Smart Reply disappears from Google Voice nearly a year after it was introduced.
Google Messages raises its limit for end-to-end encrypted group chats to 100 members.
Also: The Gaming Preferred toggle for Nest Wifi in the Google Home app disappears with Stadia.

OnePlus:

It started out as the enthusiasts’ choice, but it’s now lacking a clear identity, and OnePlus is no longer as attractive as it once was. Is OPPO intentionally trying to ruin the brand?
And the OnePlus 11 might get a downgrade in the US with regard to charging speeds.

Social media:

From ex-Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg to Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom, here are some tech bigwigs Elon Musk may consider for the Twitter CEO position.
And Elon Musk heads to court over Tesla tweet: The tweet from 2018, in which Musk said he had secured funding to take Tesla private for $420 per share (which never happened), has been deemed “false and reckless” by the judge.
Meanwhile, Twitter has changed its developer terms to ban third-party clients, a week after banning third-party clients.
Also: Discord is paying for teens to give each other compliments.

Space:

Newfound alien planet has nuclear fusion ongoing in its core: Exoplanet HD 206893 c is thought to be about 13 times more massive than Jupiter.
SpaceX launched 51 Starlink internet satellites on Thursday after delays.
And NASA prepares next steps in development of future large space telescope.

Elsewhere:

T-Mobile suffered another data breach, with 37 million accounts affected, though supposedly financial info, social security numbers, and government IDs weren’t exposed.
A foldable and rollable phone may sound futuristic, but one company imagines how it would look.
Fitbit’s ending Pandora and Deezer support on Sense, Versa 2/3 in March.
Speaking of, Fitbit step and heart rate data is appearing in Google Fit.
Microsoft plans to integrate AI tools like ChatGPT into all of its products.
While we’re on Microsoft, the company could axe 11,000 employees this week.
As states like California are phasing out the sale of new fossil fuel-powered cars, Wyoming wants to halt the sale of new electric vehicles entirely by 2035.
Airbus is testing out autonomous flying tech in some of its planes, including autonomous taxiing and takeoff and landing.
Also: Boston Dynamics’ latest Atlas video demos a robot that can run, jump and now grab and throw.
Plus: 2022 saw smartphone shipments drop to 10-year lows.

Movies/TV

The Last of Us scores HBO’s second-biggest premiere in more than a decade: 4.7 million people in the US tuned in to watch. Hands up if you can’t wait for episode two this weekend!
For more weekend viewing inspo, check out our pick of the best new streaming movies this week, including comedy thriller Vengeance and South Korean Netflix Original Jung_E.
Fed up with streaming subscriptions? Just check out these free movies on YouTube instead.
Sony’s new tech could block sideloading piracy apps on Android TV.
The Google Home app’s new TV remote adds volume and play controls.
That 90s Show is now streaming, but is it worth the watch? Thoughts from a That 70s Show fan.
From Extraordinary Attorney Woo to Little Women, this piece looks at the surge of female-led K-dramas in South Korea and global streaming services.
And the Sundance Film Festival returned in person for the first time in two years, running until January 29 in Park City, Utah.
It looks like Netflix’s ad plan has tanked: The streaming service is set to report its slowest quarterly revenue.
In other Netflix news: Sharing your Netflix password is going to cost you extra soon.
And Netflix founder Reed Hastings steps down as co-CEO.

Gaming:

RIP Google Stadia: The service officially shut down on Wednesday but released one last game, Worm Game, and updated the Stadia controller’s software so it can be used with other devices.
Sony announced the full list of launch titles for PlayStation VR2, with more than 30 games releasing February 22 — and here’s everything you need to know about the PSVR 2 ahead of its February launch.
Beyond Good & Evil 2 still in development, claims Ubisoft.
According to the NPD Group, the best-selling video game in the US last year was Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II — Elden Ring came a close second.
And assets for some of Valve’s biggest games like Half Life 2, Portal, and Team Fortress 2 have leaked, including game modes and map prototypes never released publicly.
Awesome Games Done Quick 2023 makes $2.6 million for cancer charity.
Meanwhile, the EU votes to address loot boxes, gold farming, and gaming addiction.
Finally, a fix for Joy-Con drift? GuliKit’s drift-free Hall effect joysticks could be the answer to your woes.
Plus: The annual State of the Game Industry report revealed game developers are alarmed by harassment and threats from players, plus 65% of polled developers say their next game will be for PC, with PS5 coming in second at about half of that figure (h/t: Axios Gaming).

Reviews

SKAGEN Falster Gen 6 review: Wear OS isn’t the only problem — “Skagen’s new Wear OS watch is a nice-looking wearable, but you might want to wait to buy it.”
Motorola Moto G Play (2023) review: Limited reach — “It’s a bargain, but how affordable is too affordable?
The Muse S is intriguing, but I prefer my sleep tracking at arms length — “This headband is after your brain waves.”
Should I buy the Pixel 7 Pro or wait for the Samsung Galaxy S23? Samsung Unpacked is right around the corner, so should you hold out?

Features

I’m so fed up with streaming platforms that I’m going back to physical DVDs: “It’s time to set sail for calmer waters” (Android Authority).
What is Notion? Everything you need to know — “It’s Evernote on steroids” (Android Authority).
Inside CNET’s AI-powered SEO money machine: “Fake bylines. Content farming. Affiliate fees. What happens when private equity takes over a storied news site and milks it for clicks?” (The Verge).
Metaverse landlords are creating a new class system: “Virtual landowners have found a way to put their investments to work, but with unintended consequences” (Wired).
How much Netflix can the world absorb? “Bela Bajaria, who oversees the streaming giant’s hyper-aggressive approach to TV-making, says success is about ‘recognizing that people like having more.'” (The New Yorker).

Weekly Wonder

We’ve all survived Blue Monday for another year, but if you’re still feeling blue, your job might be to blame. Don’t worry though — you could always quit and get one of the happiest jobs on earth…

The Washington Post analyzed thousands of time journals from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ American Time Use Survey to figure out what the happiest, least stressful, most meaningful jobs in America are.
It might not surprise you to know those working in the great outdoors — namely agriculture, logging, and forestry workers — have the lowest levels of self-reported stress, and the highest levels of happiness. I guess lumberjacks really are okay.
Agricultural, logging, and forestry workers also rated their work as highly meaningful, with those working in health and social assistance coming in a close second.
What you might find startling, though, is that real estate industry workers scored second highest on the happiness scale, though they reported notably higher levels of stress than agricultural and forestry workers.
Workers in finance and insurance reported the lowest levels of happiness, with stress levels on par with those working in education.
Construction workers also reported high levels of happiness, with low levels of stress.
Bottom line? Don’t work as a teacher, educator, or in the finance or insurance industries if you’re looking for a low-stress role that brings you happiness.
Of course, what makes us happy varies for everyone, and if you love your job but it still stresses you out, there are some great ways to relax and unwind. Try meditating, play some relaxing mobile games, listen to some white noise on your Nest Audio to help you catch some Zs, or check out our practical tips on using your smartwatch to get better sleep.

Tech Calendar

January 24: Forspoken releases on PS5, PC
January 25 @ 3 PM ET: Xbox and Bethesda Developer_Direct
January 26: Razer Edge released
January 27: Dead Space launches on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
February 1 @ 1 PM ET: Samsung Unpacked (Galaxy S23?)
February 7: OnePlus 11 global launch
February 22: PSVR 2 launch date
February 27-March 2: MWC 2023 Barcelona

Tech Tweet of the Week

Something extra: Still playing Wordle? Why not try Housle? Try and guess within 5% of a house’s list price (you get six tries, with a new photo and clue for each incorrect guess). (h/t: The Hustle).

Have a great week!

Paula Beaton, Copy Editor.