Android

How Android “Listens” to You with Ultra Low Power Sensors (w/ Kieron Quinn)

The Sensor Hub is a low-level piece of hardware that's critical for features needing continuous sensor data, like the Pixel's Now Playing and car crash detection. Here's how it works.

David Ruddock
March 4, 2024

April 3, 2026

Ever wondered how Android can just listen and identify a song at any time? Or how your phone can tell you've been in a car crash? Using an obscure Android resource that interacts with ultra low power sensors, Google has created powerful always-on integrations. But why aren't other Android devices taking advantage of this?

About the Podcast

Android Bytes (powered by Esper)

A weekly show that dives deep into the Android OS

Android Bytes (powered by Esper) is the podcast that dives deep into the engineering and business decisions behind the world’s most popular OS. 

Android powers over 3 billion devices worldwide and is the platform of choice for over a thousand companies. You’ll find Android on smartphones, tablets, watches, TV, cars, kiosks, and so much more. How does Google architect Android to run on so many form factors, and how do companies fork AOSP to make it run on even more devices? These are the kinds of questions the Android Bytes podcast considers each week.

Join cohosts Mishaal Rahman and David Ruddock, two journalists with extensive knowledge covering the Android OS platform and ecosystem, as they speak to system architects, kernel engineers, app developers, and other distinguished experts in the Android space.

Get in touch with us at Esper if you’re looking to use Android device management for GMS or non-GMS devices — we have the experience you need.

Our music is “19” by HOME and is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

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David Ruddock

David's tech experience runs deep. His tech agnostic approach and general love for technology fueled the 14 years he spent as a technology journalist, where David worked with major brands like Google, Samsung, Qualcomm, NVIDIA, Verizon, and Amazon, reviewed hundreds of products, and broke dozens of exclusive stories. Now he lends that same passion and expertise to Esper's marketing team.

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