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Showing posts from March, 2024

What is 5G Advanced and when will it release?

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority Even though we’ve only just started taking 5G plans for granted, another cellular upgrade is already on its way. Dubbed 5G Advanced, the new technology promises not just faster data speeds, but also better reliability and power savings. And unlike 6G networks , the first smartphones with 5G Advanced support have already hit store shelves. So what exactly does the 5.5G or mid-generation 5G Advanced update mean for you and me? Let’s break it down. What is 5G Advanced or 5.5G and why do we need it? from Android Authority https://ift.tt/SdEqpGu

Garmin adds a ton of new features and bug fixes in latest beta

Garmin just loaded its top smartwatches with a ton of new features and bug fixes in a new update. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/ihS6v5k

Need running motivation? These are my favorite apps for getting outside and on PR pace

Whether you're looking for motivation to run your first 5K, hit a marathon PR pace, or just to walk enough steps every day to stay healthy, these are the apps I'd recommend. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/UaQVvMk

Best deal yet on the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus at $131 off

A holiday weekend has delivered a delicious new deal on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus , with the mid-range tablet dropping to $469 for the first time ever. We spotted that the $130 markdown is only available on the silver model of the device, which often indicates that you won’t have long to catch this record-low price. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus for $469 ($131 off) from Android Authority https://ift.tt/DQ4L2Je

News Weekly: Disney Plus gets Hulu, another Pixel 9 model leaks, and more

Disney rolls out Hulu content, Pixel 9 could get three variants for the first time, S24 gets a surprise update, Vivo launches new foldables, and Pixel 8 finally gets Gemini Nano. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/H3uKhmF

Fairphone 6 wishlist: All the features I want to see

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The Fairphone 5 represented a major step forward for the sustainable phone company. While it improved upon many of its predecessor’s shortcomings, it was far from perfect. Not only were there battery life and heat dissipation concerns, but there were also a few other areas where it fell short as an Android phone . Although its successor is still a long way off, here’s my wishlist for what I’d like to see in the Fairphone 6. Better thermals are a must from Android Authority https://ift.tt/askMFEL

5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week and all the latest app news – Android Apps Weekly

Welcome to the 528th edition of Android Apps Weekly, where we discuss the latest in mobile news and take a closer look at some of the most interesting new apps and games . Let’s jump right in and take a look at some of the biggest highlights from the last week: Have way too many old and forgotten tabs open on mobile Chrome? A string of code in Chromium suggests that Google may soon solve this problem with a new Tab Declutter feature. In short, the feature will automatically clean up older and inactive tabs that haven’t been used for a while. As someone who often has 40+ tabs open, this could be useful but I sincerely hope they introduce a way to mark special tabs that you want to keep active permanently. Google is upgrading Search with new generative AI features , designed with summer travel in mind. The new features will affect Google Shopping and Google Maps, with additions like the ability to use AI to summarize key insights for searched places and more.  A new Google Sear...

The 20 best free Android games

We all know that free Android games aren’t always free these days, but many of them are very close if you have a little patience. Most free-to-play bottlenecks occur when players get impatient. Waiting it out can usually get around those pitfalls. What we have here are the best free Android games that you should be able to play comfortably without spending a dime, and we hope you enjoy them.  For anyone who can’t handle free-to-play mechanics, check out our list of the best Android games , which includes paid titles. If you have a Netflix subscription, check out our list of the best Netflix games , which include some excellent titles without ads or additional fees. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/z4Goh7e

Ultrahuman Ring Air review: Forgettable, in a good way

Smart rings are an exciting new category with the Samsung Galaxy Ring arriving soon, but a few brands like Ultrahuman have already entered the fray. Here's how this 6-day, sleep- and fitness-tracking smart ring compares to competitors like the Oura Ring. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/VkQqHao

AAA gaming has a 3 Body Problem that only No Man's Sky can save

AAA games have been on an unsustainable trajectory for a long time, but one tool could significantly turn the industry around. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/WeSg1Jh

Apple may have delayed foldable iPhone (or iPad) launch, moved Vision Pro engineers to team

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority A new report suggests Apple is having troubles with its foldable iPhone (or iPad; no one really knows for sure what it will be). Allegedly, Apple has pushed back the launch of this foldable device to early 2027. Additionally, the report suggests Apple may have moved engineers from the Vision Pro team to the foldable team. Although Samsung led the way in the foldable phone market, many people in the tech industry won’t take foldables seriously until Apple enters the fray. Now, a new report suggests that Apple is struggling to get its foldable device off the ground and possibly has delayed it until 2027. Apple’s foldable iPhone or iPad was reported to be scheduled for the last half of 2026. Now, though, a report from Korea’s  Alpha Biz  (via  Digitimes ) suggests the first half of 2027 is the goal date. According to the report, Apple is struggling with the crease created by the foldable display, something all foldab...

Google is making your summer travels easy with AI updates to Search, Maps, and Shopping

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Google is upgrading Google Search with the ability to use generative AI to create trip itineraries for vacation planning. Google Maps is also getting upgraded with curated recommendation lists alongside the ability to use AI to summarize key insights for searched places. Google Shopping is getting personalized style recommendations and a text-to-image generator to make it easier to shop for similar products. Right in time for summer vacations, Google is upgrading Search with generative AI features. The company is also making it easier to get a list of curated recommendations in Maps and letting you shop more easily with personalized style recommendations in Google Shopping. Maps and Shopping are also getting AI features, such as summaries and text-to-image generation . Generative AI in Google Search for trip planning from Android Authority https://ift.tt/nUhxYFW

Google Pixel 9 rumors: Expected release date and what we want to see

Update: March 27, 2024 (10:32 AM ET): We have updated our Google Pixel 9 rumor hub with new renders and information about the vanilla model of the Pixel 9. The Google Pixel 8 got here last October and yet we’re already hearing rumors about what’s next from Google in 2024. Let’s jump right in and discuss everything we know about the Pixel 9. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/Zf95PiE

OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, & Xiaomi gallery apps can be integrated with Google Photos

OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, and Xiaomi have added the ability to connect their phones' default gallery app to Google Photos. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/cbLQJ5e

The iPhone 16 Pro could get Space Black and Rose colors, and here’s what they could look like

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Credit: Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority A new leak shows the color swatch Apple could follow for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The colors for the iPhone 16 Pro could be Space Black, White, Gray, and Rose. Fan-made renders based on these colors give us an idea of what the iPhone 16 Pro could look like when it launches later this year. Apple is gearing up for the production and eventual launch of the iPhone 16 series later this year, and we’re excited to see what is in store. The iPhone 15 Pro Max has been one of my favorite phones, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing an upgraded variant with the presumed AI features on iOS 18 . Apple could be looking at keeping things fresh this year, as a new leak suggests we could see some new colors for the iPhone 16 Pro lineup compared to its predecessor. According to a leaker on Weibo (spotted by ShrimpApplePro on X), the Apple iPhone 16 Pro could come in these four colors: Space Black, White, Gray, and Ro...

Ask Jerry: How do I remove malware?

Have a question about the tech in your life? If so, maybe we can get them answered! from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/zvSUdMf

Spotify breaks into the learning space, starts testing video courses

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Credit: Tech Team / Android Authority Spotify is testing video-based learning courses in the UK. The courses cover four main topics: music, creativity, business, and healthy living. The streamer has partnered with BBC Maestro, PLAYvirtuoso, Skillshare, and Thinkific. Free and Premium subscribers in the UK can trial at least two lessons per course for free before purchasing additional lessons. Have you been wanting to learn how to write a book, improve your gardening skills, or just get better at managing your time? If you live in the UK, you’ll now be able to use Spotify to learn these skills and more. The streamer has started letting UK users access video-based learning courses on its platform. Today, Spotify announced that it is kicking off a test for video-based learning courses in the UK. To do so, the company says that it has partnered with four educational course providers for this test: BBC Maestro, PLAYvirtuoso, Skillshare, and Thinkific. from Android Auth...

It’s only taken 17 years: Apple could finally offer this Android home screen feature on iOS 18

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Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority Apple will reportedly take inspiration from Android for home screen customization on iOS 18. The company could apparently let users create blank spaces and rows between app icons.  Android has offered this option since its inception back in 2008. Android and iOS have traded features with each other for a while now, and it looks like Apple could grab a feature from Android phones for the company’s iOS 18 update. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/OZfXT7K

This is the ONLY Samsung phone deal I'm buying during Amazon's Big Spring Sale

During Amazon's sale event, the unlocked Galaxy S24 Plus is getting a $150 discount for the first time ever. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/ZdxQ4uU

Max Mustard is the blissful VR rebirth of a popular 32-bit genre

Max Mustard is the reboot of the 3D platformer, adding a Saturday morning cartoon vibe and VR interactivity to revitalize an aging genre. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/PQp6Hj0

Amazon's Big Spring Sale SLASHES over 40% off the Fire HD 10 tablet (but not for long)

Amazon has slashed the price of the 64GB Fire HD 10 tablet by a whopping 42% for its Spring Sale, making it the cheapest this model has ever been. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/s0n8hdE

OnePlus Watch 2: A great smartwatch, held back by Google’s shortcomings

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Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Opinion post by Dhruv Bhutani Competition breeds innovation, but saying that the Android smartwatch market has stagnated would be an understatement. Between Fossil exiting the game and limited options from the likes of Mobvoi, the Android smartwatch market is, by and large, a two-horse race between Samsung and Google. So I was particularly excited for the arrival of the OnePlus Watch 2 as a potential contender for the best Wear OS watch crown. Despite its limitations, the watch is setting a new benchmark regarding battery life, innovative dual-OS tech, and, arguably, design. More importantly, the broader availability of this watch is very appealing. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/VK3bhNA

Sweet! The Google Pixel 8 is $200 OFF during the Amazon Spring Sale — the cheapest it's EVER been

For a limited time, you can get $200 off (almost a third of the price!) for the Google Pixel 8, as a part of the ongoing Amazon Spring Sale. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/gNMRp0O

News Weekly: Massive Apple lawsuit, Pixel market share continues to grow, and more

Apple might use Gemini for its iPhone, Pixel shares continue to grow in the U.S. despite a drop in sales, Android 15 gets satellite connectivity, Apple gets sued for iPhone monopoly, and why the Samsung Galaxy Z fold doesn't unfold flat from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/tDoLlNi

5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week and all the latest app news – Android Apps Weekly

Welcome to the 527th edition of Android Apps Weekly, where we discuss the latest in mobile news and take a closer look at some of the most interesting new apps and games . Let’s jump right in and take a look at some of the biggest highlights from the last week: We’ve finally gotten our first look at Gemini Assistant in Messenger. The upcoming feature has yet to officially roll out but that didn’t stop the folks at TheSpAndroid from getting Gemini to work on a beta version of Messenger. The new assistant will be able to help by recommending places, generating code, creating images, and much more.   Epic Games Store isn’t just heading to iOS in the near future, Epic has confirmed it will also be bringing the same Epic Games Store experience to Android. While there was already a third-party Epic app for downloading games like Fortnite, this new version will be better unified with the desktop and iOS iteration. There are no firm dates for the launch just yet. While we alrea...

Samsung will offer 8 years of OS upgrades on enterprise Galaxy Tab Active 5 tablets

Smartphone and tablet manufacturers are competing to offer the best software support, and Samsung wants to end the conversation by supporting the enterprise Galaxy Tab Active5 for eight years. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/EWqCStB

Google just changed Fitbit smartwatches in a big way, and you’re not going to like it

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Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority Google has announced it will remove third-party apps and watch faces from the Fitbit app gallery in the EU. EU users will be able to continue downloading and installing third-party apps until June 2024. Users outside of the EU will be unaffected. If you’re a Fitbit owner in the EU, Google is about to make a change that could have a big impact on how you use your device. These owners will no longer be able to download and install third-party apps and clock faces in the next few months. In a support page on the Fitbit Help Center, Google announced it will remove third-party apps and clock faces from the Fitbit app gallery for users in the EU. The company says this decision was made after “a careful assessment of the impact of new regulatory requirements.” Google doesn’t elaborate on what regulatory requirements it is referring to, but it is likely talking about the Digital Markets Act (DMA), or maybe some other regulation that was...

Android 15 makes physical keyboards easier to use

Android 15 is adding new accessibility features that make physical keyboards easier to use. These include new sticky keys, slow keys, and bounce keys settings. The update also adds preview screens that help visualize different physical keyboard layouts. Although the Android operating system can run on far more than just Android phones , the OS is most optimized for the traditional, touchscreen-enabled slab phone. In the last few years, though, Google has dramatically accelerated its efforts to enrich the Android experience on other form factors, such as smartwatches, TVs, cars, and tablets. One area that’s seen significant improvement in recent releases is physical keyboard support, which benefits not only tablets but also phones operating in desktop-like environments. In Android 14 , Google made several changes to improve physical keyboard support. These changes include modifier key remapping, touchpad gesture support, keyboard backlight support, and expanded shortcut availab...

The best Apple iPhone 15 Pro cases you can buy

The iPhone 15 Pro might be the first to use actual titanium in its housing, but don’t count on that to keep it safe from drops. To protect your investment you’ll want to slap a case on it. To help you find the right one for you, we’ve rounded up the best iPhone 15 Pro cases you can currently buy. Want to learn more? Check out our in-depth guides to the best phone cases and the best phone accessories you can buy! Wrong phone? Check out our favorite cases for the iPhone 15 , iPhone 15 Plus , and iPhone 15 Pro Max . from Android Authority https://ift.tt/X6Uu5nN

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 plunges $360 in Amazon Spring Sale

The Amazon Big Spring Sale isn’t as barnstorming as Prime Day, but there are certainly some fantastic deals if you know where to look. We spotted that the promotional event has dropped the price of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 to its best price of the year, with the foldable reduced by $360. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 for $1,439.99 ($360 off) from Android Authority https://ift.tt/myqdpFk

Pixels have more market share than ever in the US

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Credit: Damien Wilde / Android Authority A new report shows that Google Pixel market share in the United States is nearing 5%. This is an increase from the previous 3.6% held by the brand in 2022 and the measly 1% in 2021. If Google can keep up this growth, could it break the Samsung/Apple duopoly? Despite how much we and our readers love Google Pixel phones , the phones are not very popular compared to those from Apple and Samsung. A new report, though, shows that what Google is doing is working, as Pixel phones now command more US market share than ever. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) , Pixel Phones took about 4.6% of the US market share in 2023. This is up significantly from the 3.6% market share Pixels held in the US in 2022 and way better than the 1% held in 2021. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/OSgy25G

Google rolls out new way to give contacts unique ringtones

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Google is rolling out a new way to give different contacts different ringtones. The Google Contacts app now has a “Contact ringtones” option. Users will be able to add, change, or delete a contact’s unique ringtone right from the Contact ringtones page. If you want to know who’s calling you without having to look at your screen, you can set up a specific ringtone for certain contacts. However, that requires finding that contact, going into their details page, tapping on the three-dot menu, and finding the Set ringtone option. While it’s not really all that difficult to do, Google is introducing a new way to do it that some may find to be a little simpler. According to TheSpAndroid , Google is rolling out a “Contact ringtones” section in the Google Contacts app. The new section appears to be making it to the stable version (4.27.26.615093907) of the app and is located in the Fix and manage tab. If the app has been updated,...

Chrome for Android now lets you use a non-Google password manager, but there's a catch

Users are no longer restricted to Google’s password manager – but it might not be smart to switch just yet. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/0QoaTuw

The iPhone 17 could copy one of Galaxy S24 Ultra’s highlight display features

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Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority A new rumor suggests the iPhone 17 series could have a “super-hard scratch-resistant anti-reflective” display. We’ve seen a variation of this display on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which features Corning Gorilla Armor that performs better on drop tests and scratch resistance and is also shockingly good at minimizing screen reflections. One of the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s highlight features is the display. It features the new Corning Gorilla Armor, which is one of the more noticeable upgrades on the phone despite Samsung underplaying it. This new display glass is said to be not only more durable but also features a coating that reduces screen reflections massively. It appears that this new trick has caught Apple’s eyes, as the iPhone 17 could feature a similar anti-reflection coating for its display. According to a report from MacRumors quoting a lesser-known Chinese leaker , Apple has bought specialized display coating equipment from Jap...

OnePlus 12 vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Which should you buy?

If you're trying to decide between the OnePlus 12 vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro, there's more to this comparison than meets the eye. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/NfXtvYF

Samsung’s entry-level Galaxy Z Fold 6 could cost less than the Galaxy S24

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Credit: Damien Wilde / Android Authority A report claims the rumored cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 6 could cost less than $800. To lower the price, Samsung may compromise on the processor, display, and battery. The cameras are reported to have similar specifications “to the existing model,” but may have a dual camera setup. Rumors about Samsung working on two versions of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 have been swirling around for a while now. While some rumors have suggested the second book-style foldable will be an entry-level device, other rumors have suggested the opposite. A new report claims this second Galaxy Z Fold 6 will be an entry-level device and it could be surprisingly affordable. A report from the Korean outlet SisaJournal-e claims Samsung is planning to release a cheaper Galaxy Z Fold 6 this year. According to the translation, the report says the “entry-level foldable phone model is estimated to be less than $800.” This would not only be less than half the price of the G...

WhatsApp testing new authentication options for users

WhatsApp beta is currently testing new app lock options in addition to biometrics. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/Z9h8tVE

Surprise: Apple eyeing Google Gemini for iPhone’s new AI features

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority Apple is said to be in talks to adopt Google’s Gemini AI into the next version of iOS for iPhones, primarily for cloud-centric generative AI features like creating images and writing essays. The company could bank on its own homegrown AI models for OS-level AI tasks within iOS 18 and partner with a company like Google or Open AI for the cloud-centric features. The deal with Google is still in the works, so there is room for competitors and even multiple partners. We’re pretty deep into AI wars, with every company aiming to somehow use AI features in their products. We’ve seen the likes of the Google Pixel 8 series and the Galaxy S24 series successfully incorporate generative AI features in meaningful ways, giving them the edge in features. The iPhone is surprisingly missing from this race so far, but Apple has been rumored to be working on generative AI features for iOS 18. As it turns out, Apple could end up banking on Google’...

The NUU B30 Pro 5G is a budget smartphone with impressive specs

The phone will retail for $300, and it has some great specs, including a variable refresh rate. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/jT3gDle

I'd swap my Garmin Forerunner 965 for this much cheaper smartwatch in a heartbeat — if it weren't for one thing

The Garmin Forerunner 965 is the best running watch out there, but it also has tools that most people (myself included) probably don't need. The Forerunner 165 would suit people a lot better — if Garmin didn't strategically cripple it. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/taL72qv

Google is already faltering at its seven year update promise

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority Seven years of updates, as seen on the Google Pixel 8 and Samsung Galaxy S24 series, should be a stand-out selling point for the latest and greatest smartphones . In theory, it is; the old days of losing the latest Android features just two years after purchase were shameful, and up-to-date security is more important than ever now that we store virtually everything on our phones. However, Google may have bitten off more than it can chew with such long support pledges, especially when tied with the promise of regular Feature Drops. I’m sure you’ve read that Google’s Pixel 8 is at the center of recent controversy after confirming that Gemini Nano , Google’s compact model to power on-device AI, won’t be coming to the base model after making its way to the more expensive Pixel 8 Pro. That means no AI summaries or smart keyboard replies without the cloud. The reason: unspecified hardware limitations. That’s a double blow, given that Video ...

Big or little Zenfones, more people should have their hands on them

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority Opinion post by Robert Triggs While last year’s swirling rumors that ASUS’ Zenfone line was at an end turned out to be wrong, those looking critically at the new Zenfone 11 Ultra might still feel that the reports were true in spirit. The gargantuan new model certainly doesn’t look much like the almost uniquely compact Zenfone 10 . Instead, it bears more than a passing resemblance to the late 2023 gaming-focused ROG Phone 8 Pro , both inside and out. At face value, then, we’ve seen a lot of the Zenfone 11 Ultra before, and it’s hard to ignore voices that question: “Is this really a Zenfone?” This isn’t the very affordable, little but mighty flagship that’s earned a small cult following. I certainly miss the pocketability, grippy back, and smart use of the form factor, such as the fingerprint swipe gestures, that made last year’s Zenfone 10 one of the most compelling little phones on the market. from Android Authority htt...

News Weekly: Motorola launches new phones, TikTok under fire, and more

Motorola launches two affordable phones, TikTok gets a last shot at staying in the U.S., Chrome ups its security on phishing emails, the Galaxy S24 Plus a hit, and Google Messages gets custom color chats from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/2sQ90rE

Your phone's camera is even better than you thought

Phone cameras have gotten so much better in the past few years that it seems like they can get a good picture of anything. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/xdOKvn1

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s HDR playback has kinda ruined movies for me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYW_DKWHwcA The Samsung Galaxy S24 series packs arguably the best hardware specifications in the business, from a speedy processor to robust build quality. The sumptuous AMOLED display, in particular, is a long-running series highlight, but having spent a few hours watching HDR movies on my new Galaxy S24 Ultra, I’m left a bit disappointed. At first, I thought it had something to do with my movie file, so I went onto YouTube and found some HDR videos to test those too. While watching SDR content, everything looked as I would expect. However, with HDR, the picture appears dim and the highlights aren’t even that bright, despite Samsung’s claims of 2,600 nits of peak brightness. Overall, the presentation looked muted and dull. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/ZJoWKIT

Android 15 features: Everything you need to know about confirmed and leaked features

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Android 14 was publicly launched with the Pixel 8 series back in October 2023. We’re a few months into the new year, and Google has begun testing the next version of Android with the release of Android 15 Developer Preview 1 for Pixel devices. This is the first available update for Android 15 and is intended for developer use. Still, it gives us a good look at what to expect in the next major release to the Android platform. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/McaWKuv

Nothing Phone (2a) vs. Google Pixel 7a: Battle of the A team

Both the Nothing Phone (2a) and the Google Pixel 7a come in at around the same price and offer comparable feature sets, making the choice between them a difficult one. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/ZtxmIMe

Best Buy shaves $200 OFF the price of the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) — but for how long?

The 512GB configuration of the Motorola Edge Plus is $200 off at Best Buy right now, if you want a deal on a phone with top-of-the-line battery life and a beautiful design. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/WT0AtI3

Microsoft takes on ChatGPT Plus with worldwide release of Copilot Pro

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Credit: Microsoft Microsoft is expanding its subscription-based AI service, Copilot Pro, to more people around the world. Copilot Pro delivers prioritized and enhanced AI services to Microsoft web and mobile apps. More organizations and businesses will also get to access Copilot services in the coming weeks. Microsoft has announced that it’s expanding its AI service, Copilot Pro , to 222 countries. Available in eight languages, the expansion of Copilot Pro opens the door for more users to try Microsoft’s AI services via its popular suite of apps. A $20 monthly subscription to Copilot Pro provides users with access to Copilot AI features in the free Microsoft 365 web app — no need for a paid Microsoft 365 account. Copilot Pro users will also be able to take advantage of Copilot on Microsoft’s free mobile apps for iOS and Android in the coming months, Microsoft explained in an official blog post . The AI service will offer features like summarizing bodies of text in Word,...

Even the new Quest Link software can't save PCVR for me

Meta relaunched its PC Quest Link software this past week, so I gave it a try. Unfortunately, PCVR still hates me. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/MUSF8aj

Google Chrome finally rolls out a powerful way to block phishing attempts

Google just made Safe Browsing's real-time URL protection available to everyone and added extra password security features to Chrome on iOS. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/IPbHc71

Chrome is getting a new security feature on iOS before Android

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority The standard mode of Safe browsing on Chrome for desktop and iOS will now check sites against Google’s server-side list of known bad sites in real-time. This functionality will come to Android later this month. Password Checkup on iOS now flags weak and reused passwords, in addition to flagging compromised passwords. Every day more and more harmful websites pop up on the web. However, Chrome users are protected from most malware, phishing, and other cyberattacks thanks to the browser’s Safe Browsing feature. That feature is about to get a nice boost that was previously reserved for the enhanced version , but it will initially only be available for desktop and iOS. Today, Google announced that the standard version of Safe Browsing on desktop and iOS will start checking sites against the company’s server-side list of known bad sites in real-time. Before now, the standard version used a list that was stored on your device to ch...

Google Pixel Fold 2 rumors: Everything we know and what we want to see

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Update: March 22, 2024 (12:12 PM ET): We’ve updated the Pixel Fold 2 rumor hub with a rumor about the size of the foldable cover displays. Original article: There was a long trail of rumors and leaks before the Google Pixel Fold launched. By this time last year, we had already seen renders of Google’s first foldable phone and were aware of many other aspects of the phone. However, the Pixel Fold 2 has mostly remained an enigma — until now. Thanks to our sources, we finally have some details to share about Google’s second foldy boi. We’ve got the low down on the Pixel Fold 2’s specs, design, and other hardware. Read on for all the latest. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/EAG7zmP

YouTube introduces new design to make watching on TV more engaging

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority YouTube is rolling out a new interface for its TV experience. Users can now shrink the video to see information like the video description, comments, and products on the side of the screen. This functionality will also come to YouTube TV, allowing users to see Views without disrupting the viewing experience. When you watch YouTube on your TV, you’re probably less likely to do things like look at the comments. One of the reasons why may be the fact that pulling up the comments ends up blocking half of the video you’re watching. To fix that problem, YouTube is introducing a new design where interacting with videos won’t get in the way of your viewing experience. In a blog post , YouTube announced that over the next few weeks, it will roll out a new interface for its TV app. That new interface will allow users to reduce the size of the video player, providing room on the side of the screen for information like the video descript...

The best Microsoft Copilot prompts you haven’t tried yet

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority If you haven’t used Microsoft Copilot in a while, you might have not realized that the company has added several new features in recent months. Besides the rebranding exercise from Bing Chat, Copilot has also brought over many features from ChatGPT’s paid Plus tier and opened them up for everyone to use for free. So with that in mind, here are the best Copilot prompts you should try. 1. Product research from Android Authority https://ift.tt/SJiBO4z

WhatsApp may raise the limit on pinned chats soon

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority WhatsApp is working on raising the limit of chats users can pin. In beta version 2.24.6.13, users have been given the ability to pin up to five chats at a time. The feature is only available to some beta testers. WhatsApp users have had the ability to pin chats since 2017. However, the app has always restricted pinning to three at a time. But it is looking like that number may increase in the not-too-distant future. According to WABetaInfo , the latest beta — version 2.24.6.13 — of the app on the Google Play Store is letting users pin up to five chats at the top of their chats list. While two additional pins aren’t much, it’s still better than being capped at only three. The outlet speculates that WhatsApp could be considering allowing more than five pins, but mentions there’s no evidence to support this yet. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/hRrpun6

OneDrive might be getting a Pixel-style Magic Eraser tool as well (APK teardown)

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Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority Microsoft has been spotted working on a “Magic Erase” feature within OneDrive for Android. This feature could be used to remove areas and infill them with generative AI. We’ve seen similar generative AI-drive eraser functions within Google Photos and even within Microsoft’s Photos app on Windows. Every tech company is finding ways to incorporate AI into its product, with varying levels of success. Within smartphones, we’ve seen companies use their AI smarts to good use with features like Google Photo’s Magic Eraser, Audio Magic Eraser , and Magic Editor tools . Microsoft is also betting big on AI to beat companies like Google, so it should come as no surprise that the company is working on incorporating similar AI Magic Eraser-like functionality to its OneDrive application. In the latest Microsoft OneDrive v7.1 beta 1 on Android, we’ve spotted strings that indicate that Microsoft is working on adding a “Magic Erase” feature that...

OnePlus 12R receives a new update with stability improvements and more

After putting an end to the UFS 4.0 controversy, OnePlus is rolling out one of the first OxygenOS 14 updates to the OnePlus 12R. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/S2y4wk3

AT&T app update reveals add-on that prioritizes your network for a price

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority The latest update to the myAT&T app references a plan add-on called “Turbo” in the release notes. The add-on would allow users to pay for priority access to AT&T’s network during peak traffic times. AT&T claims there was “inaccurate language” in the release notes. AT&T may be working on a new paid add-on for your data plan. The add-on would give users priority access to AT&T’s network for a price. In the release notes for the latest update to the myAT&T app on the App Store, users found references to something called “AT&T Turbo.” Although the feature is not live, the update says Turbo would “provide uninterrupted network speeds during peak traffic times.” from Android Authority https://ift.tt/A2yUtfV

The Galaxy A55 and A35 are official with a security feature not found on older models

Samsung's new Galaxy A55 and A35 5G got you covered for years to come with software updates. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/qjKYdnT

Google Wallet makes adding movie tickets and boarding passes even easier 

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Google Wallet can now automatically add boarding passes and movie tickets from Gmail. The feature is live for some global movie chains and airlines. Users can now manually archive passes. Google Wallet just got a helpful update you may not have noticed yet. This update should make storing passes and tickets a little easier. In its release notes , Google announced that Google Wallet now has the ability to automatically add movie tickets and boarding passes when you get a confirmation email sent to your Gmail account. This means you no longer have to add these passes or tickets manually. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/W8gfOmJ

Google Pixel 8a rumors: Expected release date and what we want to see

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority Update, March 5, 2024 (2:58 PM ET): We’ve updated our Google Pixel 8a hub with leaked information regarding the colors, price, and storage variants. The first time Google launched an A series phone was in 2019 with the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. At the time, those were some of the best Android phones you could get for the price. Since then, Google’s released a new A series Pixel every year. One would then expect that it’s a guarantee we’ll see a Google Pixel 8a in 2024, right? Well, things might not be that simple. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/Vo6j1QJ

ChatGPT: 5 changes I’d like to see in the near future

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Credit: Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority We’re now well beyond the one-year anniversary since ChatGPT’s release. The chatbot has received numerous updates since then, which have added features like custom instructions, GPTs, and newer models like GPT-4 Turbo . But competition has also been heating up over the past year, with Microsoft Copilot and Google’s Gemini sometimes delivering better results vs ChatGPT. So even though the chatbot remains popular to this day, I believe ChatGPT could take some inspiration from the competition. To that end, here are five things I’d like to see from ChatGPT in the coming months. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/IGLYroW

Google just let the Pixel 8a cat out of the bag

Google has low-key admitted that the Pixel 8a is in the making. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/UF6XIL2

Google is breaking too many things in a rush to lead on AI

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Opinion post by Robert Triggs “Move fast and break things,” Zuckerberg’s early Facebook motto perfectly encapsulates the need to dispense with convention to pursue innovation in a quickly evolving industry. After a slow start, Google appears to have unofficially adopted the same sentiment as it rushes into the AI space. However, recent mishaps suggest that Google’s Gemini is placing too much emphasis on the “break things” part of the equation, alienating users in the process. It’s been a particularly bad few weeks for Google’s AI team. First, the company hit pause on Gemini’s image generation capabilities after it produced insensitive and historically inaccurate pictures. Whether a byproduct of intentional algorithm adjustments or simply a reflection of the early state of Google’s model, the incident was a public embarrassment. It hit Alphabet’s stock price (at least temporarily) again and even cornered co-founder Sergey Brin...