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Credit: Google Android Auto could be Gemini’s next home, as we’ve spotted several clues that indicate Google is working on integrating its AI assistant into the service. Gemini integration within Android Auto could take the form of Gemini Live. Gemini Live needs a subscription to Google One AI Premium tier but does not require any specialized hardware. Gemini is the next generation of Google’s digital assistant, now more powerful than ever, thanks to AI. Irrespective of where you stand on the Google Assistant vs Gemini debate, Google is marching forward with Gemini integration across its apps and services, replacing Google Assistant functionality with Gemini’s AI smarts. If you ever wished to get Gemini in your car, here’s some good news: Gemini could soon be available on Android Auto. In the latest Android Auto v12.8.143544, we’ve spotted several clues that indicate it could be next in line for Gemini support. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/r2aqnk6

California has sent a bill to the governor for signing that makes companies responsible for the terrible things people will do with AI. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/wSg2CRE

I’ve always had what could probably be described as a foolish belief in the Google Pixel series. Ever since my college roommate returned from Christmas break with a Pixel XL in its Really Blue finish, I thought Google would eventually have the best Android phone around. A bold hope, I know — Google seems to kill off its best products just as they reach their peak — but I believed it nevertheless. Sure, there have been stumbling blocks and one-off features, but I think my faith has finally paid off. The Pixel 9 Pro XL might be the best Android phone I’ve ever used, and it’s Google right down to the core. Google finally perfected its design from Android Authority https://ift.tt/XBvTkMI

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority WhatsApp could soon add a new chat filter to help users quickly sift through their inboxes. The filter is related to another in-development feature that will let users generate custom lists to organize their contacts and groups. It will narrow down chats and groups based on the contacts and groups included in user-generated lists. WhatsApp seems to be working on an update for its Chat Filters feature, which rolled out to users earlier this year. The feature currently supports Unread, Favorites, and Groups filters, but the instant messenger could soon add another one to the mix. The upcoming filter is related to another in-development feature that will let users create custom lists to organize their contacts and groups. According to WABetaInfo , WhatsApp will automatically add a filter chip next to the existing filters as soon as a user generates a custom list. This filter will share its name with the list, and selecting it w...

Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority The tool that can move playlists from Apple Music to YouTube Music can also be used to do the opposite. To transfer playlists, you’ll need an active YouTube Music account and an Apple Music subscription. You won’t be able to transfer shared playlists that you didn’t create. Earlier this week, Apple published a support document that revealed that Apple Music and iTunes Match subscribers could transfer their playlists over to YouTube Music with a new tool. At the time, it seemed like the tool was a one-way street, but now it looks like that’s not the case. First spotted by 9to5Google , Google has published its own support page detailing how YouTube Music users can transfer playlists over to Apple Music. The process uses the same “Data Transfer Project” tool as Apple is using to do the reverse. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/DTjZbBG

The Pixel 8 series arrived in late 2023 bringing an improved SoC, a new camera sensor, and more. For those hanging on to the now three-year-old Pixel 5, is it time to finally upgrade? We take a closer look in this Google Pixel 5 vs Pixel 8 comparison. Editor’s note: This article was first published on October 10, 2023. The post was most recently updated on August 29, 2024 in  order to reflect the fact the Pixel 9 series has since launched, as well as update a few other details that have changed since this versus originally debuted. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/5zdnu64

Best Buy is back with $200 off the capable Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, or you can save even more when you let them activate it for you. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/9AVsrDt

The Instant Hotspot feature in Microsoft’s Phone Link app is no longer exclusive to Samsung phones. The feature, which lets you quickly connect your Windows PC to the Internet using your phone as a mobile hotspot, is now available on some OnePlus phones. So far, we’ve spotted it on a OnePlus Open and OnePlus 12. Having long since given up on its own mobile OS ambitions, Microsoft has shifted focus towards making Android phones work better with Windows PCs. One of the principal ways it’s making this happen is by introducing new cross-device features through the Phone Link app. Although the app is available for any Android device through Google Play, some of its best features are only available on select devices. Phone Link’s Instant Hotspot feature, for example, has been exclusive to Samsung phones since it was introduced in late 2022. Recently, though, Microsoft has quietly dropped that exclusivity. Microsoft introduced Instant Hotspot in the Phone Link app back in October 20...

Google Contacts 4.39 prepares a small change to how contacts are displayed. By sliding names over to the left, Contacts could free up space for longer entries. App updates don’t have to be game-changing to be worth doing, and for as much as we might like to see devs delivering bold new features every chance they get, the reality of app maintenance tends to be a lot more restrained. While some of that definitely involves adding new functionality, it feels like many changes are more of the “tweaking the UI” variety. There’s good reason for that, as nailing the subtleties of an app’s interface can really take a lot of fiddling to get right. Today we’re checking out some of the latest efforts along that line when it comes to Google Contacts . Contacts has seen a solid amount of attention from Google so far this year for app that’s not getting an injection of flashy new AI features. Those changes have included both feature updates, like adding new interaction to the Contacts widget ...

Credit: Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority A new leak may have revealed the dimensions of the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 6 “Slim.” The official name of the “Slim” could be the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. The leaker alleges that the Special Edition is superior to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in almost every category. Although Samsung has already released the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6, it’s believed the company still has one more foldable to release before the end of the year — the Galaxy Z Fold 6 “Slim.” Back in July, a leak revealed that the new foldable could be between 10-11mm thick when folded. A new leak, however, may have shed even more light on the dimensions, as well as some additional details. Reputable leaker Evan ( Evleaks ) Blass took to X (formerly Twitter) to share some information on Samsung’s rumored foldable. According to the tipster, the official name of the device could be the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/7VhE1wK

The Google Pixel 9 is shiny and fresh, but some big issues are making people look forward to the next iteration already. Here's what we know and what you should expect. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/Zw3K2dL

Many users have expressed concern about the default installation of Windows 11 , describing it as “bloated” due to the inclusion of numerous unnecessary features and applications. While popular ISO images available for download offer a debloated version of Windows 11, these come with inherent risks. You never truly know what you’re downloading. A safer and more reliable approach is using Microsoft’s official ISO file and tools to customize and streamline your Windows 11 installation as you prefer. In this article, I will guide you through the process of creating a debloated version of Windows 11 using Microsoft’s official resources. This method ensures that you maintain control over what gets installed on your system, enhancing security and performance. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/qT01ozi

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority Google Photos users are running into an issue with their shared albums. When trying to access shared albums on desktop, they are greeted by a 500 error. Users are also reporting that images are still in Google Photos, but some of their shared albums are missing/inaccessible Not millions, but billions of people rely on Google Photos to store their captured memories. As such, it would be a big problem if something went wrong with the service for whatever reason. Unfortunately, it appears that’s happening now as a number of reports are popping up about an issue preventing users from accessing old shared albums on desktop. Multiple reports have appeared on Google’s help page , IssueTracker , and on Reddit about an issue facing Google Photos. The issue in question appears to be causing some users to run into a 500 error when attempting to access their shared albums when visiting on desktop. Even well-known tipster Evan Blass (a.k.a...

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Update, August 27, 2024 (12:02 PM ET): We’ve updated this PlayStation 5 Pro rumor hub with the latest rumors around the release date. Original article: On November 15, 2013, Sony launched the PlayStation 4. Three years later, almost to the day, Sony launched an upgraded version known as the PlayStation 4 Pro. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 5 launched on November 12, 2020. If you do the math, that means it’s been almost four years since we saw the PS5 console launch. Does that mean we can expect a Sony PS5 Pro to launch soon? from Android Authority https://ift.tt/b3FPgJ5

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Verizon might be one of the biggest carriers in the US, but it’s far from the only option out there. In fact, many carriers operate independently but utilize Verizon’s extensive network. One of these options is US Mobile, and it has increasingly become one of my favorite alternatives to Verizon . US Mobile is unique in that it’s the only prepaid carrier offering a choice of all three major networks. While US Mobile has technically offered T-Mobile and Verizon for a while, switching between carriers wasn’t always easy once you made your initial choice. That has now changed. Not only do you get access to T-Mobile and Verizon, but you can also access AT&T , and switching between the networks is quite simple, which I’ll discuss later in this post. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/goWU9LB

Credit: Scott Adam Gordon / Android Authority Telegram’s co-founder and CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in France this weekend, and now his detention has been extended. France can extend it even further — up to 96 hours, which it just might do. Although no formal charges have been announced against Durov, he is likely detained due to Telegram’s reputation as an app used extensively by criminals. On Saturday, the co-founder and CEO of Telegram , Pavel Durov, was arrested at Le Bourget airport outside of Paris, France. French officials working on behalf of the country’s Office Mineurs (OFMIN, focused on the protection of minors) took Durov into custody based on accusations that Durov fails to curb illegal activity on Telegram, including the exploitation of children, fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and promotion of terrorism. Now, anonymous sources speaking with Agence France-Presse  (via Yahoo News ) say that France has apparently extended Durov’...

The Polar H10 is considered the gold standard for heart rate accuracy, and when it works perfectly, it lives up to that. But an arm strap is a better fit (figuratively and literally) for a lot of athletes. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/e0Pg9wA

Everyone has a favorite browser, whether it’s a standard pick like Firefox or a security-focused one like DuckDuckGo or Brave. And, when you settle on a good browser , you tend to stay there for a long time, perfecting your settings to make it feel like home. But when you get comfortable, you start to ignore the new features that might pop up on another browser, possibly making it a better option for you. I know I’m guilty of that, sticking to Chrome as I bounce from one Android review to another. More recently, though, I’ve been trying out Apple’s Safari on an iPhone 15 to see how well it pairs with the MacBook Air I use every day, and I’ve noticed a few things. There’s definitely room for Google to add to its browser, and here are four things it should pull from Apple. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/WgOo1x5

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority A reliable leaker suggests Meta could launch the Meta Quest 3S in September. Allegedly, this would be a cheaper version of the Quest 3, launched last year. Meta might ship it without controllers as a cost-cutting measure, although that is less likely. Although Apple had high hopes for its ultra-premium Vision Pro XR headset , the consumers have spoken: they want headsets for gaming, primarily, and want them to be under $1,000 — so the Vision Pro has been an abject failure. To its credit, Meta got the message on this recently by allegedly canceling its own ultra-premium headset that would have competed with the Vision Pro. Now, the long-rumored cheaper model of its most recent XR machine could be around the corner. The Meta Quest 3S, as its alleged name suggests, would be a pared-down version of the successful Meta Quest 3 , which launched in June last year. This leaked information comes from Mark Gurman’s recent Power On newsl...

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority A leaker suggests a Xiaomi 15 Ultra could land in January 2025. This would directly compete with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is also expected in the same month. This suggests the “Ultra” phone isn’t going anywhere next year. For a few years now, the best Android phones have often had the word “Ultra” in the name. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra () is one of the best phones you can currently get. There have even been rumors that Apple could rebrand its “Pro Max” iPhone to an “Ultra” this year, meaning we could see an iPhone 16 Ultra. We’ll find out whether that’s true or not in September. Meanwhile, leaker Yogesh Brar suggests we could see at least one other “Ultra” phone soon: the Xiaomi 15 Ultra . In a post on X, Brar says this phone could debut in January 2025 and launch at Mobile World Congress a few weeks later. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/QLBW0UJ

The Google Pixel 9 has a new Adaptive Touch feature that’s enabled by default. Adaptive Touch automatically adjusts your Pixel 9’s touch sensitivity based on various factors. For example, it boosts the sensitivity when your fingers are wet or when you apply a screen protector. The Google Pixel 9 series just debuted less than two weeks ago, and we’re still finding new aspects about the phones that Google didn’t tell us about. That isn’t too surprising, considering the Made by Google keynote lasted about an hour and twenty minutes, with twenty of those minutes being spent on Google’s AI services rather than the new hardware. Even so, we thought we already knew everything there was to know about the Pixel 9’s display, but as it turns out, it still had one more trick up its sleeves: Adaptive Touch. Tucked under Settings > Display > Touch sensitivity is a new Adaptive Touch feature. When Adaptive Touch is enabled, “touch sensitivity will automatically adjust to your enviro...

I don’t like black phones. That has always been and will always be my personal hill to die on. So, if you see me with a black phone in my hands, you should know I had no other choice. That’s why the early Android days were very disappointing to me. I was coming from the world of colorful Nokia Lumias and I found nothing but drab grey and black Android phones . After my dark grey HTC Desire Z, I went for a white Samsung Galaxy S3, then a white LG G3, a nice reprieve from the darkness of the tech world. And over the years, I slowly started embracing the awesome new colors that were coming to Android phones. But there’s one color where I unconsciously drew the line: pink. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/LAy6cot

Credit: Telegram An early beta of Android 15 offered active noise cancelation (ANC) and spatial audio controls baked right into the new volume control panel. However, Google then removed these features, leading us to believe it might not land with the full, stable launch of the OS. Now, via an issue tracker page for the problem, it appears the features will come back when Android 15 is stable. Way back in March, we told you about how we found evidence that Android 15 could have a newly designed and collapsible volume panel with even more controls. While the overall design of the panel stuck around in future beta launches of the operating system, two controls vanished: active noise cancelation (ANC) and spatial audio. At the time, it wasn’t clear why Google took these controls away. Even today, using Android 15 QPR1 beta 1, these controls are missing. Now, we have evidence that Google is bringing these features back, but not until Android 15 becomes stable. According t...

Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 will show some Quick Settings tiles expanding as you press and hold. The interface tweak helps communicate which tiles expand into full-screen settings. Patience is the name of the game when it comes to Android 15 , and while we usually expect to see the platform’s latest major release make its debut with the year’s new Pixel phone, the Pixel 9 launched with last year’s Android 14. As we wait for Google to make its finishing touches, developers are already hard at work on Android 15’s first major update, and yesterday we saw the company release Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 . As more and more users try it out, we’re learning about all the changes within, and right now we’re checking out one of the subtler tweaks QPR1 delivers. Google’s always thinking about Android’s UI, and the way the interface reacts and responds to our input. Even little things, like the shape of a button, or the way an on-screen element moves, can influence our understanding about how a de...

Update: August 23, 2024 (11:36 AM ET): We’ve updated our Galaxy S24 FE hub with news that the device has appeared on the FCC website with a few details on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and wireless charging support. Original article: Samsung might be better known for its high-end flagships, but it has also produced quite a few budget-minded Android phones in recent years. One of the more intriguing alternatives to a Samsung flagship is its “FE” series, formerly known as “Fan Edition” phones. These phones typically offer specs and performance similar to the mainline Galaxy S series but at much more aggressive prices, thanks to concessions like a polycarbonate body and a few minor spec downgrades. With the next FE on the horizon, here’s everything we know about the Galaxy S24 FE. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: At a glance from Android Authority https://ift.tt/RX5t9Wg

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority One of the first things we noticed about the new Google Pixel 9 series is that its design bears more than a trifling resemblance to the Apple iPhone . This isn’t a design choice Google likely made by mistake and may be part of a strategy to lure iOS users over to Android. A quote from Google senior vice president Rick Osterloh hinted at this approach last week. Discussing where Pixel buyers were coming from, the Google exec explained: from Android Authority https://ift.tt/NZXq705

Twitch is increasing the price of Tier 1 and gift subscriptions on its mobile app to $7.99 per month. The price adjustment will affect both Android and iOS users. Subscriptions are expected to renew at the new price on November 1 automatically. Seemingly following in the footsteps of other streaming giants, Twitch is rolling out a price hike for Tier 1 and gift subscriptions on its mobile app. This change will affect both Android and iOS users in over 40 countries.  Twitch already increased the price of its monthly Tier 1 subscription from $4.99 to $5.99 in July for web users (via The Verge ). The upcoming price adjustment, which is expected to take effect in October, will raise the cost of the Tier 1 subscription all the way up to $7.99, which is a rather steep increase for the company’s mobile users. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/2StLNCs

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority For a limited time you get can Mint Mobile with up to five lines, while only paying for a single line! During this 3-month promotion period, you’ll effectively pay $3 per line, though pricing will increase after that. Be aware that Mint requires you to pay for at least three months in advance, with its best long-term discounts applying to 12-month plans. Now that the dust has settled, Mint Mobile is officially part of the T-Mobile family, so it’s not too surprising that the Uncarrier is taking advantage of Mint’s reputation for low pricing to take a jab at its competitors. T-Mobile took to its official news portal to reveal a new Mint Mobile promotion that “throws AT&T and Verizon customers a lifeline” amid recent price increases. All you have to do is switch from either carrier to Mint Mobile . The new promotion allows your family to switch to Mint Mobile and add up to four additional lines for free for the first three m...

Amazon’s Echo Show 8 Photos Edition is losing its digital picture frame mode. After September 23, the smart display will basically just be a normal Echo Show 8. Owners will retain access to their 25GB of Amazon Photos storage. Digital photo frames were some of the first non-TV screens to really find purchase in our living spaces, and while a single-purpose device like that feels a bit quaint in 2024, we still enjoy viewing pics saved in the cloud with Photo Frame on a Google Nest display . That’s far from your only option, though, and just last fall, Amazon introduced its Echo Show 8 Photos Edition, a “photo-forward” special edition of the company’s smart display. Now, less than a year later, Amazon is letting owners know about a big change that’s about to seriously impact functionality. Amazon debuted the Echo Show 8 Photos Edition last September, priced $10 more than the regular $150 Echo Show 8. The main hook for the Photos Edition was that its ambient screen would display...

OnePlus is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of Android customization with OxygenOS. Its OxygenOS 14 beta program debuted in September 2023, boasting several new features. A quarter into the new year, OxygenOS 15 rumors are already making the rounds as Google starts testing Android 15 . Let’s dive into the rumor mill to uncover what we know so far and what we expect from this next installment. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/KcuTJfk

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority Users can now batch import their tabs from their old phone to their new phone. When tapping on the tab switcher in Chrome on your new phone, you’ll see a pop-up asking if you want to open all of your old tabs or for you to pick which tabs you want to open. This feature is working on the Chrome Beta and Dev channels, but needs to be enabled with a flag on stable. There are plenty of hassles that come with switching to a new phone . One of the smaller annoyances is losing all the browser tabs you had open on your old phone. Thankfully, at least this problem could soon be solved with a new batch import system in Chrome. While using the beta version of the Chrome browser (v128) on a new phone, one of our writers was greeted by a new pop-up. This pop-up (seen below) invites the user to transfer tabs that are open on other devices over to their new device. The user can pick which device they want to import their tabs from; they also ha...

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Update, August 21, 2024 (10:52 PM ET): We’ve updated this PlayStation 5 Pro rumor hub with a few minor new rumored details and other improvements. Original article: On November 15, 2013, Sony launched the PlayStation 4. Three years later, almost to the day, Sony launched an upgraded version known as the PlayStation 4 Pro. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 5 launched on November 12, 2020. If you do the math, that means it’s been almost four years since we saw the PS5 console launch. Does that mean we can expect a Sony PS5 Pro to launch soon? from Android Authority https://ift.tt/Cl9zJEy

Credit: Kris Carlon / Android Authority In April of 2023 T-Mobile introduced two new plans, dubbed Go5G and Go5G Plus. These plans weren’t dramatically different from the existing Magenta and Magenta Max offerings. The biggest changes were adding more hotspot data and access to killer deals previously reserved for new customers only. T-Mobile isn’t done yet, as it recently announced a third plan called Go5G Next. This new plan goes into affect today.  This new plan is almost literally identical to Go5G Plus, but it has a secret weapon that helps it stand out: yearly upgrades. In this guide, we take a look at T-Mobile Go5G Next vs Magenta and the other pre-existing T-Mobile plans. Is this finally a plan worth switching to for Magenta subscribers? from Android Authority https://ift.tt/SW0esQR

Sivga's Luan shares a lot of similarities to Meze's iconic 99 Classics, but I think it looks even better, and it has an open back design. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/7BVsAEi

Credit: Lanh Nguyen / Android Authority Samsung could switch to titanium for the backplate of the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 6 Slim. Until now, the company has used stainless steel and carbon fiber reinforced plastic for the backplates of the Z Fold line. It’s said Samsung is considering switching to titanium because the Slim model doesn’t support S Pen recognition. Titanium phones seem to be all the rage these days, at least for Samsung and Apple. Samsung has made a big deal about the Galaxy S24 Ultra being made with the material, and now reports claim the company may also use the metal for the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 6 “Slim.” According to The Elec , Samsung’s parts suppliers say the firm is making the final decision on whether to use stainless steel or titanium for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Slim’s backplate. This would be the first time the tech giant has used titanium for the backplate on any of its foldables. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/zVdknrC

The Google Pixel 8 was officially announced in late 2023 bringing quite a few improvements with it at the time, though it’s since been succeeded by the new Pixel 9 series . The Pixel 8 can often be found at a sharply discounted price these days, but it’s also pretty similar in specs to the Pixel 8a. Which of these devices should you actually buy? Good question. Let’s dive in and take a brief look at the Pixel 8 vs Pixel 8a. Google Pixel 8a vs Google Pixel 8: At a glance from Android Authority https://ift.tt/FfVkwcm

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority Google is working on bringing Pixel Screenshots integration to Circle to Search. Users will be able to save screenshots of the item they circled while using Circle to Search directly to the Pixel Screenshots app. After circling something on the screen, users will be presented with an option to save. It appears Google has no shortage of ideas on how it could improve Circle to Search, from handling full-screen queries to an Audio Search function. Now the tech giant seems to be working integrating its new Pixel Screenshots app to the feature. Google recently debuted its new Pixel Screenshots app, which uses on-device AI to analyze all of the screenshots you take. You can then use Gemini to ask questions about something you did on your phone and the AI will use those screenshots to try and connect the dots to provide an answer. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/Pihq5Cl

Credit: Adam Birney / Android Authority Google’s latest Android Auto update introduces a new visual interface for Google Assistant during voice interactions. The new UI features a colorful, animated wave that bears a striking resemblance to Apple’s Siri interface on CarPlay. Google has recently given the Google Assistant experience in Android Auto a facelift. The new look, which pops up during voice chats with the Assistant, is drawing comparisons to Apple’s Siri on CarPlay. We’ll let you decide if that’s indeed the case. First spotted by 9to5Google , Google Assistant on Android Auto seems to be getting a new circular hovering UI with a dynamic, colorful wave that animates in response to voice activity, occupying the lower portion of the screen. Notably, this new interface doesn’t replace the Google Assistant bar at the bottom of the screen, which is still your go-to for starting commands. Instead, this new design takes center stage when the Assistant is waiting for yo...

Credit: Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority The Galaxy S24 FE has been spotted on the BIS certification website, suggesting an imminent launch in India. We expect the global launch, including the US, to happen in October. With Samsung’s top-tier flagship launches wrapped up for 2024, the company is gearing up to launch the Galaxy S24 FE . The device has been the subject of several recent leaks , shedding light on its potential specifications and color variants. Now, there’s further evidence pointing towards an impending launch. 91mobiles spotted the Galaxy S24 FE lurking on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification website. The model number listed there (SM-S721B/DS) aligns perfectly with the model number that was previously leaked via Samsung’s own support page. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/LBiVMl0

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority T-Mobile customers are receiving suspicious-looking links from official support channels, causing concern. These links lead to secure forms hosted by a third-party company as part of T-Mobile’s new system. While the links are legitimate, the unfamiliar URLs have caused confusion among users. T-Mobile customers have recently been receiving unusual-looking links from its support channels, sparking concerns about potential phishing scams. However, these links are legitimate, though their appearance and origin have raised questions. The Mobile Report has discovered that T-Mobile’s support teams, particularly T-Force, the social media support team, are now using a third-party service, Khoros, to host secure forms for customers. The links to these forms appear suspicious due to their unfamiliar domain name. One particular example highlighted involved a customer being directed to a “Handset Upgrade Form” shown below, but through a ...

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority On July 10, Samsung officially joined the smart ring race by launching the eagerly awaited Galaxy Ring . The company touts its new petite fitness tracker as the “best for 24/7 wear.” However, on the same day, we also got a new Galaxy Watch 7 and a Galaxy Watch Ultra, suggesting there’s still reason to make room on our wrists for Samsung as well. To find out if it’s worth managing two devices at once, I went double-duty and wore both the ring and Ultra simultaneously to test out the two devices’ integration. My final verdict: The pairing is great in theory but needs refinement to be worth hitting checkout on two pricey wearables at the same time. Consolidated Ring + Watch data from Android Authority https://ift.tt/jdWOCGo

It’s no secret that I’m a strong proponent of prepaid services and I believe that postpaid carriers could learn a few things by paying attention to what some of their prepaid competition is doing. Of course, I will also freely admit that not everyone will find the prepaid experience good enough to meet their needs. The truth is there are still advantages to postpaid services that users might not want to give up, including prioritized data, better roaming coverage, phone selection, and perks. Nonetheless, there are at least four major aspects that I feel many prepaid networks are doing things better than the big three. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/Gwv9doi

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority WhatsApp is testing a new chat theme feature in its latest Android and iOS beta updates. These themes will apply to both the wallpaper and text bubbles, similar to Instagram and Messenger. Meta has been busy lately, infusing its app family with more AI smarts and making sure they all share the best features. WhatsApp is about to get a splash of color and personality with the addition of chat themes, a feature already enjoyed by its siblings, Instagram , and Facebook Messenger. In the latest WhatsApp beta for Android (version 2.24.17.19), the folks at WaBetaInfo have uncovered this new chat themes feature, which will be rolled out in a future update. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/zpR36my

I don’t usually come into a review expecting to be underwhelmed — especially not when it’s a foldable flip phone, my favorite flavor of Android experience — but that’s exactly what happened with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 6 . As much as I liked previous generations of the original reborn flip phone, I’ve been more impressed by Motorola’s Razr Plus line in recent years and figured that Samsung wouldn’t win me over unless it made a few key changes to its sixth-generation flip phone, especially after a $100 price hike over the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Since heavily testing the Galaxy Z Flip 6, though, I’ve begun to understand why Samsung didn’t make those sweeping changes. I’m realizing that maybe it’s not a step towards perfection but a refinement of a clamshell-style foldable phone that was already the best for most people. It still has some work to do to reach the peak of what this form factor could do, but the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a much better flip phone than I wanted to give it credit for. ...

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority AT&T and Verizon are requesting the FCC to block SpaceX and T-Mobile’s satellite-to-mobile service due to concerns about interference with existing mobile networks. Both companies argue that SpaceX’s proposed increase in satellite emission limits could significantly degrade terrestrial mobile services. SpaceX and T-Mobile previously defended their plan, asserting it won’t cause harm and accused competitors of trying to delay their service. Major telecom providers AT&T and Verizon are throwing their weight around to raise concerns over SpaceX’s ambitious plan to deliver mobile service with T-Mobile . The companies contend that SpaceX’s approach could degrade existing terrestrial mobile networks and disrupt services for millions of Americans. First reported by Ars Technica , both AT&T and Verizon filed formal petitions with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), urging the agency to deny SpaceX’s request for ...

We’re back with a new list of shows you can get caught up on this weekend. Lots of old favorites coming back! Let’s get started.  The best new streaming shows this week Feel free to click on any links that pique your interest. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/kWAwIpg

The first VR Games Showcase gave us a look at 17 upcoming games, and some other big-name titles finally have release dates. Plus, a new Meta Quest feature update and sad news about GTA San Andreas VR. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/0ig1BVZ

Microsoft Phone Link and Link to Windows now support easy PC Android wireless file transfers You’ll need a phone with Android 9 or later, and a PC running Windows 10 or 11. Once set up, file transfers work through your normal share interface. File transfers have taken a lot of different forms over the years, from floppy disks and CD-Rs, to USB sticks and wireless transfers. Apple really set the example to follow with the latter there, with AirDrop letting users move files around effortlessly. Now Microsoft is deploying its own AirDrop-like solution, as the Link to Windows app and Phone Link start supporting transfers between Windows PCs and Android phones. There’s no shortage of wireless file transfer options on Windows and Android alike, but we’re particularly interested when we see a new attempt from a company like Microsoft, since software like this has its best chance at success and widespread adoption when it’s coming from the people behind a platform. Google’s got its ...

Google detailed an overhaul inline for its video calling app on mobile devices. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/OJ5oXCw

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comparison will show what these two flagship phones have to offer. Will their specs be enough? from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/76KT8bX

Why do we buy the phones we do? Allure of the latest hardware and features? Smartphone manufacturers may want to believe that shoppers are malleable, and they’re just one big, flashy press event away from dazzling all those undecided minds and winning their sales. But is the truth a whole lot more cynical than that, and have many of us already made our minds up about our next phone long before it even debuts? With this week’s Pixel 9 launch, we’ve been thinking about brand loyalty, and why we end up choosing one smartphone over another. Senior Features Editor Rita El Khoury shared the legacy of how Pixel got its hooks in her , starting years ago back with the Pixel 2 XL, and never really letting up. For El Khoury, the initial appeal was practical — smartphone journalists need to try out lots of different phones, and interest in Pixels was starting to take off. But then year after year, Pixel after Pixel, she found herself looking forward to the next generation in a way that transcend...

Last year, when the Pixel 8 Pro was announced, Google made a decent fuss about the introduction of a new temperature sensor on the back of the phone. You can use it to see if your tea is hot or your pan has cooled down — OMG, the technology! But as it turned out in our testing, that sensor wasn’t as precise as we would’ve liked, and despite the addition of body temperature measurement inside Fitbit , we all collectively forgot it existed. So did Google, as it turns out. The Pixel 9 series has just been announced, and as you can see from the image below, the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL still sport that small circle below the flash light. The temperature sensor is still there, and it still does the same things it did on the Pixel 8 Pro, except that Google didn’t mention a blip about it during its press conference. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/cwojJxt

Credit: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority Google has released Android 15 Beta 4.2 and says Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 is right around the corner. If you unenroll from the Beta Program before QPR1 Beta 1 is released, you’ll automatically get the stable Android 15 update when it rolls out. You can avoid the need to wipe your data when exiting the program by opting out and ignoring the downgrade OTA update. Since the release of the first Developer Preview, the development of Android 15 has stayed on course with Google’s timeline without a hiccup. If you’ve been trying out the new OS through the Beta Program, but want to jump on to the stable release when it rolls out, the time to get off is now. This is especially the case if you want to enjoy the stable Android 15 update without having to wipe your data first. Google announced that it has released Android 15 Beta 4.2, which will be the final preview release before the stable launch. It adds that the next Beta Program cycle...