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The Kid's wearable Fitbit Ace LTE comes with a long list of specs, including its resistance to water. It can take on some water, but what's its limit? from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/WoAzLkY

It’s hard to put a price on fast and widespread Wi-Fi across your entire home, but it’s fantastic to see a record 37% off whatever that price usually is. That’s what Amazon is delivering today, with the two-pack of the TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro Wi-Fi 6E mesh router system down from $350 to just $219.99 for the first time. TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro Wi-Fi 6E Mesh System (2-Pack) for $219.99 ($130 off) from Android Authority https://ift.tt/SF5hZQ7

Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority Sources claim TikTok is working on creating a clone of its recommendation algorithm that would operate independently of its Chinese counterpart. The work is part of a plan to show US lawmakers that the US business is independent of its Beijing-based parent company. TikTok denies that it is splitting its source code. A new report claims that TikTok is working to create an independent clone of its source code in an attempt to stay in the US. However, TikTok is denying the report, calling it “misleading” and “factually inaccurate.” Back in April, a bill was passed and signed into law that requires Beijing-based parent company ByteDance to divest its ownership stake in TikTok to keep the short-form video platform in the US. The bill stems from bipartisan concerns about TikTok’s connection to China and the platform’s influence on its users. To stay in the US without having to sell its business, TikTok has been exploring ways to appease ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcRq6SUsPDc Nanoleaf is no stranger to RGB lighting in unique form factors. Its line of light panels basically defined the category, and it has since expanded to everything from traditional lightbulbs to ceiling-mounted skylights, making it a go-to brand for smart home goods. While Nanoleaf has made lightstrips in the past, its newest strip offers a slew of new features that Nanoleaf — and most of its competitors — has never offered before. I’ve been using it in my home for about a week and, I gotta say, I’m in love with it. Unfortunately, this new lightstrip has a doozy of a name: the Nanoleaf Essentials Matter Smart Multicolor HD Lightstrip. For the sake of convenience, I’ll be trimming that down to just HD Lightstrip throughout most of this review! from Android Authority https://ift.tt/e7ScZuD

Population: One is launching a new Phoenix Royale mode designed to help level the skill level playing field, but it's not the only VR battle royale in town. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/rfVpdKe

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Marques Brownlee visited one of Apple’s durability testing facilities, where iPhones and other devices are subjected to drops, water pressure, and more. Apple monitors the impact on its devices using dedicated slow-motion cameras and other advanced equipment. The company claims that by making iPhones less repairable, it increases their overall durability. Whenever Apple releases a new iPhone , a bunch of YouTubers rush to buy a few and then proceed with torturing them on camera. While they claim that these videos are meant to demonstrate the iPhones’ durability , their tests are often conducted unscientifically. A series of short videos now gives us a look inside Apple’s own durability testing facility, where the real studies occur. I recently got to visit some Apple labs where they durability test new iPhones before they come out, and learned a few things ( THREAD) from Android Authority https://ift.tt/YGPe4cJ

Mobile chipset development continues to advance at a brisk pace, bringing us superior gaming performance, accelerating the latest AI features , and more power-efficient PCs. Arm, one of the companies charting the course, has announced its 2024 selection of CPU and GPU cores to power these growing use cases. Some (but not all) of 2025’s next-generation top-tier smartphones will be powered by Arm’s newly announced cores. Arm has been giving out fewer details on its CPU and GPU technologies in recent years, but let’s examine the announcements in closer detail to see what we can expect. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/obGpjrO

It’s that time of year again. Arm has revealed a new line of CPUs and GPUs that could power your flagship Android phone in 2025. What does this mean for your next phone, though? Join us as we dive into these new announcements and demystify them. Want a deeper dive into Arm’s latest technologies? Then we’ve got a dedicated CPU and GPU article for you as well. But here are the key points worth knowing. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/KcjuSN4

The rising cost of living and the reliance on internet connections during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the creation of the Affordable Connectivity Program back in 2021. This program provided a $30 monthly subsidy for internet service from a participating ISP and a one-time $100 credit towards the purchase of a computer, tablet, or phone. Although the plan was primarily aimed at providing home internet, the subsidy could even apply to many cellphone plans as well. Unfortunately, as the program was not intended as a long-term solution, its funding has since run dry and stopped taking members, though the FCC agreed to foot the bill through May of 2024 to give the program time to find new funding if possible. Keep in mind this was only a partial funding, so the majority of those who signed up saw their discounts jump down from $30 a month to just $14. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/uzS3UY6

With the tech spotlight now firmly on Apple’s latest lineup of tablets, we’re finally starting to see some meaty discounts on previous iterations. The offer that caught our eye was a big 33% price drop on the 10th Gen iPad . When you combine the existing discount with clipping the on-page Amazon coupon, you can get the 10.9-inch device for just $299.99. Apple iPad (10th Gen, 64GB, Wi-Fi) for $299.99 ($150 off) from Android Authority https://ift.tt/Ad1tVc3

A new Instagram ad showcases a Meta Quest 3 UI we've never seen, leading us to believe the big UI update is just around the corner. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/9rquLUZ

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority T-Mobile announced it plans to acquire most of US Cellular in a $4.4 billion deal. The deal includes the regional wireless carrier’s customers, stores, and about 30% of its spectrum assets. US Cellular customers can choose to stay on their current plan or switch to a T-Mobile plan. T-Mobile and US Cellular announced on Tuesday that they are entering into an agreement. The deal will result in T-Mobile acquiring most of US Cellular. In a press release , US Cellular announced that it has entered into an agreement with T-Mobile to sell its wireless operations and select spectrum assets for $4.4 billion. The deal is said to include cash and “up to approximately $2 billion of assumed debt.” Up to $100 million of this cash is contingent on certain financial and operating metrics being met between signing and closing the deal, according to US Cellular. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/e03HVXj

Best Buy has cut the price of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro LTE IN HALF for Memorial Day, offering a great deal on a smartwatch with superb battery life. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/qvICNK7

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Meta will use your data to train its AI models unless you explicitly opt out. Opting out, however, is a very convoluted process, which appears intentional in minimizing the number of users who don’t contribute to data scraping. We have steps included for opting out, but set aside a while to complete them. It seems you can’t turn around without hearing about something related to AI these days. Being the latest buzzword, every large tech company is racing to get its feet in the AI waters, with sometimes hilarious (and scary) results, such as Google’s recent AI Overview snafus . The problem with generative AI, though, is that models need to train on something, and that invariably ends up being data created by you, me, and everyone you know. Case in point: Meta is now scraping Facebook posts to train its AI model. While this isn’t surprising on its own, what is surprising is just how difficult Meta is making it for users to opt o...

Samsung hit all the right notes with the introduction of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE range . A few of the premium features of the Tab S9 series that many wouldn’t miss were sacrificed to deliver a more affordable Android tablet to those not looking to spend the best part of $1,000 on their next device. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus still wasn’t cheap at $600, but you can now score it at a record-low price of just $479 in this excellent Memorial Day discount. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus $479 ($121 off) from Android Authority https://ift.tt/Hr6dg8h

It is May 27, and as Chipolo and Pebblebee both told us, their Google-compatible Airtag alternatives are shipping today. The two Chipolo Bluetooth trackers were the first to reach my home today, so I’m focusing on them in this hands-on, but you can check our guide to learn more about the differences between Chipolo and Pebblebee’s trackers . The two should behave very similarly. Also, keep in mind this is a very quick and raw first impression from setup to available options. I haven’t had time to “lose” these trackers in the wild and try to find them just yet. I’ll be reviewing them extensively and comparing them with Pebblebee’s trackers, Apple’s Airtags, and Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag 2 later. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/KpegJM5

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority If you’re a frequent traveler, Google Translate likely takes the top spot as the single most useful app on your smartphone. Communicating abroad can be difficult, after all, especially if it’s in an alphabet you’re not familiar with. But even though Google Translate has served me well for many years, it tends to fail at the most inopportune times. The solution? Using ChatGPT instead. It may sound clunky or unnecessary, but I assure you that the difference in translation quality is worth the jump from Google Translate to an AI chatbot like ChatGPT. ChatGPT vs Google Translate: Why I’m switching for good I could bore you with an academic test comparing Google Translate and ChatGPT in two or more languages I’m familiar with. But instead, I’ll show you a couple of the many real-world instances during my travels where ChatGPT has blown Google Translate out of the water. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/2XFvZDm

Google Messages has been around for a while, but with so many improvements and new features coming down the pipe, you might be more enticed to finally use it if you haven't been already. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/3abfYw7

A potential Samsung Unpacked lineup, Sonos launches its first ever headphones, Google quickly tries to patch an error in Private Space, iFixit ditches Samsung, and Alexa could be getting an AI upgrade. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/01FLQHD

Amidst rumors of a cheaper and more expensive Galaxy Z Fold 6 model, new information reveals there is one in the pipeline for 2025. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/Cue9XV5

Should you buy the Galaxy A55 5G? from Android Authority https://ift.tt/MldZf1s

Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority YouTube Music is rolling out a new search option that allows users to identify songs by humming or singing them. Google previously introduced this feature in Google Search and the main YouTube app. It is currently showing up for Android users of the YouTube Music app. YouTube Music ‘s latest feature, hum-to-search, is here to rescue us from the torment of the forgotten song. This innovative feature allows users to identify songs by humming, singing, or playing the melody. It was initially tested as part of an experiment on YouTube and is now being rolled out to YouTube Music users on Android. (h/t: 9to5Google ) To access the hum-to-search feature, users can tap on the magnifying glass search icon in the top-right corner of the YouTube Music app. Alongside the existing microphone icon for voice search, users will now find a new waveform icon. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/DbQhRSV

Garmin has faced criticism from loyal users over bugs that have taken months to resolve. But it's not just a Garmin problem. Most fitness brands have started focusing on updating their watches with new features as much as possible, and it's leading to problems. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/LCpfUS3

The July Galaxy Unpacked event will likely unveil Samsung’s next Wear OS-powered smartwatches. However, leaked renders give us an early preview. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/WKtmQr9

The Samsung Discover summer sale may be approaching its end, but it certainly isn’t slowing down. For example, the new Samsung S61D 5.0-channel soundbar is $80 off for the first time ever in the promotion, giving you the chance to pick it up for just $269.99. Samsung S61D 5.0-Channel Soundbar for 269.99 ($80 off) from Android Authority https://ift.tt/8YWirhu

After debuting alongside the Pixel 8 series last year, Magic Editor is rolling out on older Pixel phones starting now — and it’s completely free. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/S7m254u

Credit: Damien Wilde / Android Authority The ability to transfer ownership of a community has appeared in the latest WhatsApp beta. The owner can give any member of the community primary administrative privileges and responsibilities. The person who gives up ownership will still have the status of community admin, even if they are demoted or removed from the group. A few months ago, WhatsApp began testing a feature that allowed users to transfer channel ownership. Now the app is extending that function to communities in the latest beta. Discovered by WABetaInfo , the WhatsApp team appears to be testing out a new feature for communities. The feature would grant a user the ability to hand over primary administrative privileges and duties to other community members. This feature was spotted as part of the Android 2.24.11.18 beta update. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/IWpMZvc

Meta Quest update v66 is now in testing, and one VR analyst has found a treasure trove of upcoming new features like Ray-Ban Meta AI for Quest. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/bMWyDk0

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Google has revealed how it landed on the name Gemini for its AI model. It appears astrology played a big part in coming up with the name. Inspiration was also taken from the NASA moonshot program called Project Gemini. Google first mentioned Gemini to the public during I/O 2023, which was later followed up by a launch that December. Since then, the AI model has spread throughout a vast majority of Google’s products. As a core part of Google’s business now, you may be wondering why they chose Gemini as the name. It appears there’s a two-pronged answer to that. In a blog post , Google revealed how it landed on the name Gemini for its large language model (LLM). The name was apparently half inspired by science and half by astrology. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/bmC5M3o

Credit: Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority Strings within the latest Android 15 Beta preview for the OnePlus 12 include a reference to a new Privacy Watermark feature. This feature could go live with Oxygen OS 15. This feature claims to let you add a privacy watermark to your document images to prevent their potential misuse. Separately, strings have also been spotted for an auto-pixelate feature that pixelates private information. OnePlus is participating in the Android Partner Program, as part of which the company has released an Android 15 Beta preview build that app developers and enthusiasts can install on their OnePlus 12 . While this release does not completely represent all the features that Oxygen OS 15 (based on Android 15) would be bringing to OnePlus devices, we can learn of some of the upcoming features thanks to code snippets. One such code snippet relates to Privacy Watermark, an upcoming privacy feature on OnePlus smartphones (and possibly those from O...

Android 14 was publicly launched with the Pixel 8 series back in October 2023. We’re well into the new year, and Google has begun testing the next version of Android, now up to the Android 15 Beta 2.1 . This is still only intended for early adopters and app developers, but things are coming along. In this article, we’re going to tell you everything we know (and think we know) about Android 15 so far! Fair warning, we’ve covered a lot of features in immense detail, so this article is very long. Consequently, this article has several indexes that should make it easier to navigate. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/HpwcqRi

Vivo recently launched X Fold 3 and X Fold 3 Pro phones in China, and the latter is venturing into the Indian market this year. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/AclVF5m

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Strings within the latest Android 15 Beta preview for the OnePlus 12 include a reference to a satellite mobile phone. This indicates that the company is interested in a smartphone with satellite connectivity features, though it could be restricted to China. Apple can be credited with igniting mainstream interest in smartphone satellite connectivity with the launch of the feature on the iPhone 14 series. Even though Apple has had this for over one and a half years, the adoption of smartphone satellite connectivity has been surprisingly weak on Android flagships launched outside of China. This could be changing in the future, as we’ve spotted some hints that OnePlus could be looking to bring satellite connectivity to a future smartphone. Trusted smartphone enthusiast 1NormalUsername spotted some interesting strings in the Settings app present on the latest Android 15 Beta release on the OnePlus 12 : from Android Authority htt...

The Sony Xperia 5 V was one of the most powerful compact phones released in 2023 and yet for many of us, it wasn’t even an option, as Sony chose to only launch the Sony Xperia 1 V in the United States. While there’s still a possibility that the Xperia 5 V might come to the US later, it might be too late, given the arrival of powerful new flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S24 series. It’s unclear if the US will ever see Sony’s compact flagship again, especially since we now know the Xperia 1 VI isn’t coming to the US either. Regardless, there are a few things I’d like to see improved. With that in mind, here’s my wishlist for what I’d like to see in the Sony Xperia 5 VI in 2024. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/IqolvC5

Credit: Sony Sony has officially launched the Xperia 1 VI. The Xperia 1 VI has a FHD+ OLED display, a 5,000mAh battery, and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. The new Xperia 1 will cost £1299/€1399 with pre-orders starting on May 15. It has been about a year since the Xperia 1 V launched, and right on time, Sony is releasing its successor — the Xperia 1 VI. This year, Sony took a slightly different approach to the Android phone , which may prove to be a controversial decision. We’ll get into that and more as we tell you everything you need to know about the Xperia 1 VI. Design The Xperia 1 VI comes with a similar design as previous entries in the series, but features a frosted finish back panel. However, the 2024 handset is a little shorter than last year’s model, measuring 162 x 74 x 8.2mm. This change comes at the expense of the aspect ratio, which is now 19.5:9 (previously 21:9). As was eluded to earlier, Sony made a controversial change to the new Xperia 1, and that change...

Sony ULT Wear are bass-blasting headphones with EQ options to customize that sound curve for broader appeal. Coupled with features comparable to the WH-1000XM5, they make for a compelling value proposition. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/cVjv8FY

Roughly a week ago, I unboxed the Mobvoi Home Walking Treadmill, and in the days since, I’ve unexpectedly assuaged some personal guilt. Hear me out. I have plenty of vices — caffeine, overpriced backpacks, an inability to avoid puppies despite being allergic — but like many people, one of my worst habits is turning on the TV and then acting surprised when it’s three hours later. This is compounded by the inevitable skipping of gym sessions or, really, any activity in general (not a good look for a reviewer of fitness trackers ). After my delivery man dropped a large, cumbersome package on my doorstep and I found myself unloading a lightweight treadmill in my living room, an idea occurred to me: what if I left it there? Since then, I’ve started clocking steps while streaming shows instead of simply melting into the corner of my sectional. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/46wIEsm

Motorola Razr's second leak in a week, Chat GPT-4o's debut, a Canadian intelligence director's warning against TikTok, Android and iOS unwanted tracking notifications rollout, and Sony Xperia 1 VI is here. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/IAlLKqG

Google always shows us amazing things but often has privacy as an afterthought. It can't do it this time. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/GvxYjV7

Many are (quite rightly) scratching their heads over the seemingly small differences between the Google Pixel 8 and the newer Pixel 8a . However, one of the few reasons to pick the regular Pixel 8 over the more affordable 8a is charging times. We tested it, and it takes about 100 minutes to fully charge the Google Pixel 8a. While it was charging, I did some research and discovered that the leisurely Galápagos tortoise moves, on average, at about 0.26 kilometers an hour, or 4.3 meters per minute. In the time it takes the Pixel 8a to charge, a particularly determined tortoise could finish a 400m race with a few minutes to spare. Talk about slow. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/R4bIWfu

Credit: Google Google has announced that Credential Manager will get some changes in Android 15. The sign-in experience has been simplified and passkeys will appear in Gboard. Credential Manager is coming to Wear OS when Wear OS 5 rolls out. Android already makes signing into accounts easy by auto-filling your credentials in two taps. However, Google is simplifying the process even further in Android 15 , while also bringing Credential Manager to Wear OS. This week has been filled with announcements from Google I/O and now the company has revealed changes to Credential Manager. One of those changes will simplify the sign-in experience for passkeys. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/ZDiu0dW

Your Chromecast and LG TV are set to become smart home control centers soon. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/rcjnmhv

For a limited time, Best Buy has cut up to $250 off the price of a 256GB Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus when you let them help you connect to your carrier. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/9LkIFma

Instead of sticking with the yearly release cadence for its foldable phone, the OnePlus Open 2 might not come until 2025. There are plenty of reasons why that's a good thing, even with a supposedly redesigned Galaxy Z Fold 6 around the corner. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/tZUkJVY

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority While Europe and parts of Asia have experienced a variety of excellent foldable phones , the US had limited options beyond Samsung for years. Fortunately, this is no longer the case, as 2023 brought several compelling alternatives from Google, Motorola, and, more recently, OnePlus. The OnePlus Open, launched late last year, received a reasonably solid critical reception . As the first official foldable device to bear the OnePlus name, the Open is an outstanding product and feels much more polished than one might typically expect from a first-generation device. This is largely thanks to the brand’s association with OPPO. Of course, nothing is perfect, so here’s what I’d like to see improved with the OnePlus Open 2 when it hopefully arrives later this year. Improved durability would be nice from Android Authority https://ift.tt/7b9h0OX

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority Google has announced a number of improvements to its accessibility apps on Android. This includes a Find mode in the Lookout app, improved wheelchair accessibility info, and more. Android already offers a healthy number of accessibility features, but you can never have too many options in this regard. So we’re glad to see that Google is adding more tweaks to its accessibility apps. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/EH2VYzW

Credit: Kris Carlon / Android Authority Intel announced it is launching a new PC-to-PC sharing app called Thunderbolt Share. The proprietary app allows two PCs to share a mouse, keyboard, screens, storage, and more while connected with a Thunderbolt cable. The app only works with Windows for now, but Intel is “exploring other OS opportunities.” Intel is launching a new proprietary app to improve PC-to-PC experiences. The app will allow two computers to share a mouse, keyboard, screens, storage, and more by simply linking them together with a Thunderbolt cable . Intel announced in a blog post today that it is launching an app called Thunderbolt Share. The company plans to license the app to laptop and desktop OEMs as a feature to bundle with new hardware. Once the app is installed on two computers with Thunderbolt 4 or 5, users will be able to quickly transfer files between the two devices by dragging and dropping, sync data, seamlessly share mouse and keyboard, and mor...

The ASUS 2024 Vivobook Go is an ultra-affordable laptop option for the everyday use of students and professionals, especially if you’re often on the go. It’s particularly cheap today, with a 25% Amazon discount dropping the price to just $172.30. ASUS 2024 Vivobook Go for $172.30 ($58 off) from Android Authority https://ift.tt/qzKo60f

Credit: Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority We’ve known that OpenAI is actively developing its next-gen GPT-5 language model for some time now. But earlier this week, the company surprised us with an incremental update to GPT-4 Turbo . Dubbed GPT-4o, the new model is a massive update that brings real-time voice interaction, video capabilities, and faster and more accurate responses. But flashy demos aside, GPT-4o also marks the first biggest update for free ChatGPT users in well over a year. Here’s why it’s such a big deal. What is ChatGPT-4o? from Android Authority https://ift.tt/h1ApfSV

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Visible has introduced its annual prepaid plans, allowing you to lock in a year of service and save on your monthly bill. The Visible Plus annual plan costs $395 upfront, saving you $145 over the year. The standard Visible annual plan costs $275 upfront, saving you $25 over the year. Update: May 15, 2024 (11:30 AM ET): Visible has announced that existing members now have access to the annual plans. Original article: April 15, 2024 (2:02 PM ET): Visible , the value-oriented wireless carrier, today announced the addition of annual payment plans for its Visible and Visible Plus service tiers. This expansion gives customers increased flexibility in how they pay for their cell phone service, with the potential for significant savings — particularly on the Visible Plus plan. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/B1un9fp

Verizon wants to offer more transparency, save time, and simplify tasks for employees and customers with the new set of AI tools. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/NHla5Y4

Credit: Google Google announced its Search Generative Experience (SGE) last year, bringing AI-generated summaries and answers to search queries. Now, the company has revealed that a “revamped” generative search feature is launching this week. I’m excited to announce that we’ll begin launching this fully revamped experience, AI Overviews, to everyone in the US this week, and we’ll bring it to more countries soon,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai said at the Google I/O conference today. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/04J2aZC

The 67W Anker Nano Charging Station is a one-stop solution to your workstation charging needs and comes highly rated by verified Amazon buyers at 4.8 stars. It’s 30% off in today’s deal at just $45.99, but we have reason to believe you don’t have long to capitalize on the discount. Anker Nano Charging Station for $45.99 ($20 off) from Android Authority https://ift.tt/neozYD5

Nothing has announced it is one of the Android partners in the Android 15 Developer Preview program. App developers and advanced users can install Android 15 Beta on the Nothing Phone 2a to test their app compatibility. This build includes the Glyph SDK support, Nothing wallpapers, and boot animation but is missing other Nothing OS customization. Android 15 is the flavor of the season, and we’re holding our breath to hear more from Google at Google I/O this week. Before Google makes its announcements, OEMs have begun announcing their participation in the Android 15 Developer Preview Program as an OEM partner. This program gives app developers more choices to test their Android 15 app compatibility. Tecno and OnePlus have announced themselves as partners, and now Nothing is also announcing the same, but curiously with the new Nothing Phone 2a . Nothing has announced that it is one of the Android partners offering early access to Android 15, but it is doing so through the mid...

MP3 players might sound like devices from the day of yore. However, audiophiles all agree that high-quality audio demands better gear than your everyday smartphone and earbuds. These are the best digital audio players to deliver the ultimate audio experience. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/3MR8P5T

The Google Pixel 8a vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE comparison is here with the launch of the new Pixel. Get the facts that matter without the fluff to help you decide which is best. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/74tc9zB

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority Samsung is starting to roll out One UI 6.1 to the Galaxy A54. The update is currently appearing on devices in South Korea. Other regions should follow soon after. Last week Samsung restarted its launch of One UI 6.1 to the Galaxy S22, Galaxy Z Fold 4, and Galaxy Z Flip 4. Now it appears it is the Galaxy A54’s turn, as the update has been spotted on the 2023 mid-range phone. According to Tarun Vats on X (formerly Twitter), Samsung has started rolling out the latest version of its Android skin to the A54. The update comes with build number A546SKSU4CXDC/A546SSKC4CXDC/A546SKSU4CXD1 and is headed to handsets in Korea. Just like with other rollouts, it shouldn’t be long before the update comes to other regions. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/l6uvaLD

Credit: Adam Birney / Android Authority Motorola and Lenovo devices have been banned in Germany following a patent dispute. The companies must cease selling all smartphones and laptops WWAN modules enabling wireless internet connectvity. Only third-party retailers are selling affected Motorola and Lenovo devices right now, possibly till stocks last. A German district court has ordered a sweeping sales ban on Lenovo and Motorola devices in the country. Motorola, a subsidiary of Chinese tech giant Lenovo, is now prohibited from selling all of its phones that have a WWAN or Wireless Wide Area Network module that powers mobile internet access via cellular networks. That means all Moto phones, including the latest Edge 50 lineup, will not be available to purchase in Germany. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/SwGmkcC

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority OpenAI will announce updates to ChatGPT and GPT 4 at its “Spring Updates” event today. The livestream for the announcements is set to start at 10 AM PT (1 PM ET). The company is reportedly working on a ChatGPT-powered search engine and a new multimodal assistant. As expected, OpenAI is all set to make some important ChatGPT and GPT 4 announcements later today. The company has scheduled a “Spring Updates” livestream on its own website for 10 AM PT (1 PM ET). from Android Authority https://ift.tt/TMJkqPX

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Google has quietly updated its support page to note new Google Wallet requirements. The payment app now requires Android 9 Pie or later, and Wear OS 2.x or later. This means you might want to upgrade your phone or watch if it’s very old. Google Wallet is the company’s first-party payment solution on Android phones and watches, allowing you to quickly make payments via NFC and store passes/tickets. Unfortunately, it looks like Google is phasing out support for super-old phones and watches. 9to5Google spotted an official support page that reveals Google Wallet will require Android 9 Pie or higher on Android. Furthermore, Wallet on smartwatches will require Wear OS 2.x or later. This new requirement goes into effect from June 10, 2024. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/cjGhvgX

Google Fit is headed out the door, so now Wear OS needs a new unified fitness app experience, whether it's Fitbit or something else. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/HX16OtW

Credit: Andy Walker / Android Authority In an interview, one of the leads on the Pixel team said the company designs Pixel phones specifically with cases in mind. “90% of people use cases,” said Claude Zellweger. “We’ve begun to design the product with the case together from the beginning.” Interestingly, Zellweger does not mention designing phones to simply be more durable without a case. It’s a well-known fact that the majority of smartphone owners use a protective case of some kind. While some cases offer added functionality — such as a kickstand, a place to store credit cards, or magnetic charging — the number one reason people use cases is that phones are made of glass and break easily. In a new interview with  Inverse , Google Pixel design lead Claude Zellweger discussed how the company approaches phone design, specifically regarding case usage. Interestingly, Zellweger admits that, starting with the Pixel 8 series , Google has started designing phones with c...

By now, you’ve probably seen the Rabbit R1 — the $199, bright orange, AI-powered companion gadget — all over the internet. It’s been making waves for its retro-inspired design, reasonably approachable price tag (with one colossal asterisk), and its vaunted ability to quickly answer straightforward questions. Unfortunately, you’ve probably also seen almost every reviewer under the sun roasting the Teenage Engineering-designed companion for its limited set of day-one features, app integrations that only work with a healthy dose of luck, and its tendency to get the more complicated queries completely wrong. So, which version of the Rabbit R1 is real, and which would vanish when put into a magician’s hat? Is it a capable AI companion powered by a cloud-based “Large Action Model,” or is it just specialized hardware for a platform that should be an app (and, in some ways, provably already is)? Let’s find out! from Android Authority https://ift.tt/gUy8D1L

Google has packed premium phone specs into a budget price tag and isn't going to lose any money doing it. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/fmxOv3k

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority According to a trusted industry analyst, Apple and OpenAI could be finalizing a deal to bring ChatGPT features to iOS. It is unclear if Apple’s AI features based on its own LLM would debut on iOS alongside OpenAI features. Meanwhile, a separate negotiation with Google to bring Gemini features to iOS is still ongoing. Over the past six months, Google has been hitting Gemini  hard . It seems Gemini is now in everything Google does, including the Android operating system, the most popular mobile OS in the world. Meanwhile, Apple hasn’t done that much at all with generative AI and large language models (LLM). All signs point to that changing very soon — just not through Apple itself. Over the past few months, we’ve learned that Apple has been in discussions with both Google and OpenAI (which owns ChatGPT ) about using their respective LLMs to power future features coming to iOS. Now, according to industry analyst Mark Gurman , ...

Credit: Walmart Walmart confirmed its new 4K Google TV streaming box will launch this month. The Onn Pro will go on sale for $49.88. Details about Walmart’s new 4K Google TV streaming box first emerged just last month after a listing was spotted on the Bluetooth SIG website. Since then, some people have already managed to get their hands on the device early. Now Walmart has confirmed a launch window for the Onn Pro. In a statement to 9to5Google , Walmart revealed it will be launching the Onn Pro soon. No exact date was given, but the company did say that the device will be available to everyone “this month.” It was also confirmed that the streaming box will go on sale for $49.88. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/vZQSwjl

At a time when Google is being heavily criticized for its Google Search practices, OpenAI might be readying an alternative option. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/0AETQVk

Credit: Microsoft Microsoft is testing Start Menu Companions on the latest Windows 11 beta build. These are apps that provide Adaptive Cards that will be displayed on the left or right of the Start Menu. These cards are web-centric, much like desktop widgets. Everyone seems to have a love-hate relationship with Windows. The newer versions of Windows are quite nice, but Microsoft has the habit of overdoing things often and spoiling a good thing, like the forced Copilot integration. Microsoft seems to be testing some new changes for the Windows 11 Start Menu, mainly by adding in floating widgets, in case you didn’t already have some elsewhere on your desktop. X user Albacore spotted support for “Start Menu Companions” on Windows 11 beta, build 26212 (h/t The Verge ). As the leaker describes, these companions are apps that provide Adaptive Cards that display on a floating island alongside the Start Menu. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/hU4mxK1

Google I/O 2024 is around the corner, and we expect plenty of new software, lots of AI, and maybe even some hardware announcements. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/wH1fuDs

For a limited time, Best Buy is offering the Beats Studio Pro wireless headphones for $170, along with three months of free Apple TV Plus and other Apple services. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/SAvNuxo

Google announced new and exciting features for its messages in November last year. Some of them are finally seeing the light of day. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/dSeBQGD

Something that Wear OS can boast over other Android smartwatches is its apps. We've rounded up some of the best Wear OS apps to get you started. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/gjtIUox

Credit: Mobvoi Mobvoi is launching a new smartwatch aimed at outdoor enthusiasts called the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro. The smartwatch can last up to 90 hours in Smart Mode and 45 days in Essential Mode. TicWatch’s health tracking features have been consolidated into a single app. When the TicWatch Pro 5 launched, we came away pretty impressed by solid battery life, high-quality chipset, and the inclusion of Google’s latest Wear OS software. Now Mobvoi is releasing a new version of that device aimed at outdoor enthusiasts. Today, Mobvoi announced that the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro will be the latest addition to its collection of smartwatches. This version of the Pro 5 maintains a sleek profile while introducing comprehensive improvements to its fitness features. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/NlJRgZO