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Samsung has been rumored to be working on an FE version of its Galaxy Z Flip foldable. Earlier reports suggested that the Z Flip FE might feature the same screen as the upcoming Z Flip 7. Now the latest rumor claims that Samsung could give the Flip FE the Flip 6’s display, instead. Samsung may be at a turning point in its approach to foldable smartphones. Up until this year, the company had kept things reasonably straightforward, iterating upon each prior generation for its Flip and Fold form factors. But all of a sudden, Samsung mixes things up with the introduction of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition , which ends up being a bit of a surprise hit — even as the company may be lowering its targets for foldables overall. Maybe the biggest shift in Samsung’s foldable strategy could concern the introduction of yet another new model, as rumors have circled around the possibility of a Galaxy Z Flip FE . Now we’re hearing a little more about how that hardware could come together. ...

Here are the winners for the Best Android Chromebook and Tablet for 2024! from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/68gFbCv

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Fold Flip 6 are two of the best and most widely available foldable devices in the US. The Z Fold 6 is definitely the bigger refresh of the two, but both phones bring welcome improvements to the mix. Interested in buying a member of the Galaxy Z series but looking to save some money in the process? While there were initially some deals for a free Z Flip 6 or a dirt cheap Fold 6 at launch, these have since gone away. How do I get a Samsung Z Flip 6 for free? Unfortunately none of the carriers currently are offering the Flip 6 for free anymore, though it’s possible this could change down the road. Even if a free promotion comes available, no one is going to just hand you a free high-end Android phone , but you can sometimes get a free phone from a carrier, as long as you don’t mind some strings attached. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/Ib8zvYS

The latest crop of OnePlus Open 2 leaks have landed, suggesting that some pretty massive upgrades are on the way. If true, we can't wait to get this beast in our hands. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/YOuH7aT

Here are all the winners for Best Smartwatch, Smart Ring, and Fitness Tracker for 2024! from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/3vdg6EX

Credit: Jonathan Feist / Android Authority I obviously own some smart devices. I have a smartphone , which is somewhat important in this job and generally handy in life. I also have a smart TV — you’d probably have to go far out of your way to find any other kind of TV. But that’s it. Other than the TV, I don’t own any smart home devices . I don’t feel they’re necessary in my life. Before you take to the comments section, I’m not preaching to you. Many people love their smart home gear, especially my colleagues. And I’m happy to admit that a lot of it is kinda cool. If you’d told 11-year-old me that I could unlock my door with my fingerprint and then tell the lights to come on, it would have blown my mind. Some smart home devices are also genuinely useful in the right circumstances. But everything is a balance, and the marginal gains I could personally get from a smart home don’t compel me to join the revolution just yet. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/1AH7g6t

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Google executives recently held a strategy meeting to outline the company’s high-stakes 2025 goals. They highlighted Gemini as the centerpiece of the company’s plans, with promises of major upgrades and innovation. A key priority is scaling Gemini on the consumer side, aiming to reach half a billion monthly users. Google is gearing up for an even bigger AI push in 2025, with the spotlight fixed firmly on its Gemini LLM . At a recent internal strategy meeting — complete with festive holiday sweaters — CEO Sundar Pichai and other top Google leaders left no doubt that Gemini will be the star of the show heading into the new year, following a 2024 already dominated by Gemini-related announcements. (h/t: CNBC ) During the December gathering at Google’s Mountain View headquarters, Pichai told staff that “the stakes are high” as the company navigates increasing competition, especially in AI. Gemini is slated to continue its rapid exp...

Credit: YouTube/Apple 2024 was a pretty good year for smartphones. Apple finally adopted RCS to enable more modern texting with Android users, Google released a pocket-friendly Pixel phone with Pro-level cameras, and Samsung became the second brand to promise a whopping seven years of updates. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all sunshine and roses. So here are the biggest phone flops and fails of 2024, including a couple that aren’t quite phone-related. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/TpHLUe3

In more ways than one, we are in the golden age of gaming controllers . Whether you want a controller for your PC, PS5/Xbox/Switch, emulation system, or need something specifically catered to your motor impairments, there is a controller out there for you. One thing that hasn’t been available, though, is an all-in-one solution to the fact that there are predominantly two types of face buttons: Western (A on the bottom, B on the right) and Japanese (B on the bottom, A on the right). Up until now, you would need to mentally “move” those buttons to use one controller for both situations, or go through the arduous process of swapping them around — though that’s not even an option on most gamepads. However, thanks to the new GameSir Tarantula Pro, this is all now a thing of the past. The Tarantula Pro has an innovative system that physically moves the face buttons instantly. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/Tay0Msi

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority Today, I’m writing on behalf of my wife — a relatively recent convert to the foldable phone clan after peering over my shoulders during many a review. She grabbed late 2022’s OPPO Find N2 Flip last year, but after just under twelve months with the phone, second thoughts are creeping in. The key reason — an increasingly flimsy hinge, leaving the top half of the phone flapping in the breeze. OK, that might be a slight exaggeration; it’s more of a wobble rather than the display hanging off its hinges. It’s certainly not broken enough to try wrangling a warranty claim. But that’s no consolation when you’re being driven mad by a metronomic “click-clack-click” while the phone’s sat in the navigation dock. The once reassuring and satisfying snap open has been replaced by flimsiness and dread. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/LnN0CJk

Credit: Kris Carlon / Android Authority The Federal Trade Commission is looking into whether Microsoft’s bundling practices have broken antitrust rules. Investigators allege Microsoft lured federal agencies with free software only to lock them into paid services later. Microsoft denies any wrongdoing, saying its free upgrades were solely meant to strengthen government cybersecurity. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an investigation into Microsoft , probing potential antitrust violations within the company’s business practices. This action follows a report by ProPublica  that detailed how Microsoft may have leveraged its market dominance to gain an unfair advantage in government contracts. (via Bloomberg ) The investigation centers on Microsoft’s strategy of bundling popular software like Office with cybersecurity and cloud computing services. The ProPublica report alleges that Microsoft temporarily offered these bundled services to government agenc...

This week, Apple is sticking up for Google against the DOJ, we interviewed a OnePlus exec about the OnePlus 13 design, Samsung may be lowering its foldable shipments in 2025, and more. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/uHcql3p

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority There was no shortage of great Android phones in 2024. Whether it’s the Galaxy S24 series, OnePlus 12, or Xiaomi 14 Ultra, we saw some fantastic devices this year. These aforementioned phones grabbed most of the headlines, but there were plenty of great handsets that went under the radar. So we’re recognizing them by choosing the most underrated phones of the year. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/ACFQeuq

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority If you could pop on some X-ray specs and peek inside your smartphone, there’s a good chance you’d see a Qualcomm Snapdragon logo adorning its CPU — at least if you’re sporting a flagship handset . With Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and many other major global brands backing Snapdragon as their premium platform of choice, Qualcomm sits in a pretty dominant position in the mobile chip market, even though its rivals might pick up volume on mid-range products with tighter margins. Go back in time a bit, however, and you might have bought a Samsung Galaxy with Exynos in the US or could have been mulling the benefits of HUAWEI’s Kirin in Europe. Before that, your phone probably had a chip built by the formidable Texas Instruments or even Intel. So, just how did Qualcomm’s Snapdragon end up being virtually synonymous with Android smartphones? from Android Authority https://ift.tt/2hNIUEQ

The Galaxy S25 should deliver meaningful upgrades, but can it do enough to hold its own against the iPhone 16 Pro? from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/7yGrjsX

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority The Samsung SmartThings app just got a new remote widget. You can place the widget anywhere on your home screen and then control your Samsung TV or monitor. The widget only supports Samsung screens launched after 2022. Using the SmartThings app on your phone, you can control your SmartThings-enabled TV, monitor, or other screened device that connects to your wider smart home . This is convenient, for sure, but not as convenient as it could be. For example, using this tool requires you to open the SmartThings app, which might slow you down just enough that grabbing the physical remote would be faster. Today, though, the SmartThings app for Android received a December 2024 update, which will make this process much faster. That’s thanks to a new remote widget. This allows you to place a remote control widget directly on your phone’s home screen, significantly speeding up your ability to access it. from Android Authority https:/...

Despite not arriving until October, after being announced in May, the AYANEO Pocket Micro is targeting those who want a modern way to enjoy 4:3 retro games. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/fZSjtdo

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority From leaked files, we can independently corroborate that the Galaxy S25 series will support seamless updates, allowing for the background installation of system updates. Seamless updates eliminate the need to wait for updates to install, saving users from downtime and reducing frustration. Android Nougat 7.1 introduced seamless updates back in 2016, but Samsung has continued to resist this feature. Thanks to seamless updates, users can install system firmware updates in the background and apply them on a reboot, saving them from a lengthy downtime where their phone is unusable. Samsung jumped on the seamless update bandwagon only this year with a Galaxy A55 update, and the feature was expected to reach other devices. We can now independently corroborate that the Galaxy S25 series will come with support for seamless updates. Last month, leaker chunvn8888 had claimed that the Galaxy S25 series would support seamless A/B updates. ...

Our chances of getting an Exynos 2500-powered Galaxy S25 feel increasingly shaky as reports instead focus on other plans for the chip. Samsung may instead embrace its foldables as a platform to show off the Exynos 2500, with the Flip 7 running the processor. This would mark a departure for Samsung’s foldable lineup, though the Fold 7 may stick to Snapdragon chips. Samsung may be under a month away from announcing its 2025 flagship Galaxy S25 series , but major questions about the hardware continue to go unresolved, and probably the biggest point of contention there concerns the silicon that will ultimately power these next-gen handsets. As we wait to get confirmation of the choices Samsung ultimately makes, we’re seeing growing support for a theory that’s actually focused on a different 2025 Samsung smartphone, but one that could still help us make sense of the expectations surrounding the Galaxy S25 launch. We’re talking about the fate of Samsung’s Exynos 2500 chip , and for ...

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority The Google TV Streamer was one of the more surprising new products we saw from Google in 2024. Google had been fully invested in the small, dongle-like Chromecast for a decade, so it wasn’t totally expected that it would launch a more traditional streaming box. Regardless, thanks to its unique features, solid performance, and fair price, it was one of my favorite new Google devices of the year. If you just got yourself a Google TV Streamer, you might wonder what you can do with it. Thankfully, Google’s onboarding process, which you go through when setting up the streamer for the first time, gives you a terrific overview of its capabilities. You can see suggested content, create a watchlist, generate AI screensavers, turn your TV into a giant digital photo frame, and more. However, there are some things you can do with the Google TV Streamer that the onboarding sequence doesn’t hit on (or doesn’t explain just how much you can do). ...

At $649, the RedMagic 9S Pro offers solid specs, but it comes with some compromises. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/RoAagJ3

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority The first wave of next-generation Android phones has launched, with major Chinese players like HONOR, OnePlus, OPPO, and others all revealing their wares. This is just the start, though, and we expect plenty more high-end Android phones to launch in 2025. What do these phones — sporting all-new processors and other hardware upgrades — tell us about what to expect in 2025, though? From battery life to performance gains and beyond, here’s what next year could hold. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/TjZC1N7

One UI 7 will let you stop HDR photos from making your Galaxy phone’s screen become super bright. This is because the “Super HDR” toggle in One UI 7 now works system-wide instead of only in the Samsung Gallery app. The new location of the “Super HDR” toggle in One UI 7 is under Settings > Advanced features . To fully appreciate the benefits of HDR photography , you need to have a device with an HDR-capable display. When viewed on such a display, HDR photos reveal greater detail in both the highlights and shadows. However, accurately reproducing this extended dynamic range often requires the display to significantly increase its brightness. This sudden shift in brightness can be jarring, especially when browsing social media at night. As a result, some users have been looking for ways to temporarily stop their Android phones from displaying HDR content, but the Android OS doesn’t offer such an option. Samsung is thankfully addressing this issue on its own in its upcoming One ...

Google announced a new research tool for Gemini Advanced users early this month, which is now seeing an expansion. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/OPheoYs

The Asian handset market is one of the most diverse around — here's what's in store in 2025. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/azYAq9T

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Ever since the Pixel 7 series was announced back in 2022, there’s one button I’ve wanted the Google Camera app to have: a 10x zoom. This was the first time a Pixel phone had a powerful enough 5x telephoto lens that was sufficient enough to crop out a smaller 10x shot without losing on quality and clarity. It simply made sense that Google, who was marketing this longer zoom range, would also make it more accessible in the Camera app, but it didn’t. The Pixel 8 series and then the  Pixel 9 series followed, and, as much as I hate to admit it, the 10x zoom is still nowhere to be seen in the Google Camera app. I thought I’d be over this by now and accepted this oversight as another “Google shrug” moment. Still, as I was walking around the Beauval Zoo last weekend, zooming in on the lions, tigers, and elephants, I kept lamenting the lack of this button over and over again. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/mkO6Gh7

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority 2024 is almost behind us, so it’s time to take a look at the year ahead. I’m excited about 2025 and all the great gadgets we’ll see in the next 12 months, especially smartphones . While I generally love to see as many great handsets as possible on the market, as more competition is ultimately always better for us, consumers, there are specific models that I’m a little more excited about than others. I’ll share my list of the best phones I’m looking forward to in the year to come and my reasons why. Let’s dive in. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/TOVl6X7

Dig out those gift cards and get the JBL Tune Beam for only $39 during Walmart's Christmas sale. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/nx9HmbA

The year is drawing to a close, and that means it’s time for our best Android apps of 2024 breakdown. It’s been an incredible year for tech in general, but we’ve also seen some notable Android app developments from companies big and small. And yes, while generative AI-influenced apps heavily influence this list, those genuinely practical apps that make smaller digital tasks much easier will still get their time to shine here. We picked our favorite apps based on their impact on us over the past year, their functionality and effectiveness, and their novelty. Our main list below details the best Android apps released in 2024. However, because we’ve used various tools across the year, we’ve also included another section for older apps that stole our hearts. Without further ado, here are the best Android apps of 2024. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/FxhiRWE

We take a look at the audio features in trends that we expect to see in 2025. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/Oc3lx0t

AI, to date, has been a solution in search of a problem. That'll change in 2025, as AI infiltrates mobile and wearable operating systems. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/Fb5S4jC

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority Google has relaunched its Pixel Referral Rewards program, although the landing page appears to have been pulled down. You can earn up to $500 in Google Store credit by referring friends and family with unique referral codes. Referred users get a 10% discount on their Pixel purchase when they use the code at checkout. Google’s Pixel 9 series has some excellent options if you want an Android flagship . The lineup makes for easy recommendations for friends and family who want a phone that just works and has an excellent camera. If you plan to recommend these phones to them, Google has relaunched its Pixel Referral Rewards program, letting you earn up to $500 when referring a Pixel phone. 9to5Google spotted a new Pixel Referral Rewards program on the US Google Store, albeit the landing page appears to have been pulled down. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/T86fZtp

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority We’ve spotted clues around three upcoming Nothing smartphones, presumably the Nothing Phone 3a, Phone 3a Plus, and the CMF Phone 2. The Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Plus could sport the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, while the CMF Phone 2 could stick with a MediaTek SoC. The Phone 3a could adopt a telephoto camera, while the 3a Plus could upgrade to a periscope zoom. Nothing has managed to create some well-deserved hype in the smartphone space with its unique focus on style without compromising substance. We’re eagerly waiting to see what future phones like the Nothing Phone 3 bring to the table. But before we can get to the top of the pack, we’ve spotted clues on some of the specs of the company’s budget offerings, presumably the Nothing Phone 3a, Phone 3a Plus, and the CMF Phone 2. Thanks to the latest Nothing OS 3.0 builds based on Android 15 , we spotted clues related to certain specifications and other details of upcoming ...

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority X Premium Plus subscription costs in the US are rising from $16 to $22 per month, with the annual plan jumping from $168 to $229. X cites new ad-free browsing and enhanced features as reasons for the price increase. The company says the new subscription plans also contribute directly to the platform’s creator program, which rewards users for quality content and engagement. X (formerly Twiter) is raising subscription prices in the US by almost 40%! An X Premium Plus subscription will now cost $22 per month, up from the previous price of $16 per month. The annual Premium Plus X subscription is also going up from $168 to $229. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/T1r0aWk

Credit: Roger Fingas / Android Authority Apple is reportedly working on a Face ID-enabled doorbell. The device would be able to unlock connected smart locks by scanning a user’s face. It could be over a year before we hear anything official from Apple about the new smart doorbell. Apple is reportedly eyeing several new products in the smart home space. We’ve previously heard about the company’s plans to launch a smart home hub and a home security camera , in addition to upgrades for Apple TV and the HomePod mini smart speaker. Now, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is working on another new smart home device — a doorbell with Face ID that can wirelessly unlock a deadbolt lock. In his weekly Power On newsletter, Gurman notes that the upcoming Apple doorbell could connect to existing smart locks that support Apple’s HomeKit protocol. However, it is also possible that Apple will partner with a vendor to offer a complete solution from day one. from Android ...

Google TV wants to be even more binge-worthy with new free channels. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/6i15X03

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority One of the long-standing reasons that fans stick with Android over iOS is because of the customization the platform allows. Especially with Google really leaning into this concept with its Material You design effort, Android can look, feel, and operate in pretty much any way a user wants. Although Apple has finally started to give iOS users a semblance of control with the ability to move around icons and change their colors (such courage), there’s simply no denying that Android is the far more flexible operating system. Ever since I bought my very first Android phone — a Samsung Galaxy S2, because I am a Very Old Man — I’ve toyed around with customization. It’s easy enough to install icon packs , change system colors, and install live wallpapers , and I had fun with that for a long time. However, it wasn’t until I discovered KWGT that things got really intricate. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/YH4tdSE

Pardon the urgency, but if you're planning to buy an Android phone for Christmas, you better hurry. Fortunately, there's no shortage of great deals to choose from. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/lWuM9GE

The experimental Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking model breaks down its thought process step by step. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/nFmcg8r

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority It’s been 13 years since I held my first Android tablet, the Acer Iconia A100, and in those 13 years, one myth has been perpetuated and taken for gospel: Apps suck on Android tablets, but they’re amazing on the iPad. I wasn’t convinced by that back in 2011 and, as I hold the latest iPad Mini 2024 and stare at my Pixel Tablet , I’m still not convinced by that widely-accepted “truth.” The reality, in my opinion, is much more nuanced than that. Some apps are better on the iPad, others better on Android tablets , and it really depends on what you want your tablet to do. If you’re using the large screen to browse the web, watch YouTube, and stream content, then I’d wager that iPads and Android tablets are on equal footing. I haven’t found a single app that works better here or there. Firefox, Chrome, Plex, YouTube, Spotify, Prime Video, Amazon, Twitch, Netflix; it all works just the same. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/PonLFUt

Decluttering tech is hard if you've amassed a lot of it over the years. Here's what I did to organize and declutter my tech collection. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/Jsu587R

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority The holidays are here, and as I grabbed my suitcase to pack for my yearly trip to see family, there was this unavoidable trepidation of “leaving my home alone” for such a long period of time. This time was even more intense because I’d just moved into a bigger new place, and this would be the first time we’d be away for more than a day. Even more worrying was that we’d just installed a few new smart home products , and I wondered how they’d behave while we were out. Or if they’d be any useful. As I mentally rehashed every scenario in my mind, I started taking notes of everything I had to test and every setting I needed to enable/disable/check before leaving. So here’s a bit of a refresher if you’re also jetting off for the holidays, based on my experience. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/Ebl8dmr

Amazon has slashed $350 off the price of the premium Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2, marking a great deal on a great high-end watch. from Latest from Android Central https://ift.tt/0mMRwCQ

TikTok has been one of the most popular apps in the world for nearly half a decade now. It has fundamentally reshaped the way millions of people consume content on the web, but all of that attention has (rightfully) also warranted concern from officials. In some countries, such as India, TikTok has already been banned for years. Now, things have finally come to a head, with the United States passing a law to force TikTok to sell or shut down in the US in 2025. If you haven’t been following the whole story, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about the TikTok ban, the reasons behind it, and the full timeline so far. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/1lcg9Q0

Ever since features like replaceable batteries disappeared from smartphones, we’ve been begging for someone to bring them back. Some have tried, like the LG G5 with its Friends modules or the Fairphone 5 with its ten interchangeable parts, but neither made a lasting impact. Now, a new device has entered the modular market: Nothing’s budget-friendly CMF Phone 1. On the surface, it seems like a no-brainer — pack a budget Android phone with some decent specs and make it stand out with interchangeable back panels and accessories like a kickstand. In practice, the CMF Phone 1 doesn’t make life so easy, at least not for someone like me in the US. It’s a phone I’d love to recommend to absolutely anyone looking for a fantastic budget phone for less than $200, but there are some things you need to know before picking one up. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/jBJW82G

I look back on Wear OS' path in 2024, from messy updates and a major brand lost to new partnerships and promising developments. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/AaUcW4e

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Task scams are on the rise. According to the FTC , the number of them increased from 5,000 in 2023 to 20,000 in just the first six months of 2024. Scammers apparently managed to rake in $88 million in this time period from innocent victims who thought they’d be able to make some easy money online. Overall, task scams have accounted for almost 40% of all job scams online in 2024, which means they are, unfortunately, working, with plenty of people apparently ignoring all the red flags. In this post, I’ll guide you through exactly what task scams are and how to protect yourself from them. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/mqOWlAz

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority Google is expanding the rollout of cross-device services to more Android phones. The feature allows Android phones and tablets to talk to each other and collaborate if they are using the same Google account. Cross-device services work similarly to Apple’s handoff feature. It’s not uncommon for Apple to borrow features from Android. At the same time, Google also occasionally takes inspiration from iOS. A good example of this is Android’s cross-device services, which mimic Apple’s Handoff feature. Officially announced back in May, this feature has only been available on select devices, but it’s finally starting to roll out to more Android phones . If you’re unfamiliar with cross-device services, it’s a feature that allows Android phones and tablets to talk to each other and collaborate if they are on the same Google account. So if you start a video call on your phone and decide you want to continue the chat on a bigger screen, that ...

The Samsung Z Galaxy Fold 6 is a fairly unique phone. Not only is it one of the few foldable phones widely available across most major markets, but it manages to stand out from the competition thanks to S Pen support . While the S Pen isn’t included, we highly recommend picking it up if you want to unlock the device’s full potential. Of course, the S Pen and large screen won’t help you much if you don’t have the right apps to pair with it. Thinking about pre-ordering a Galaxy Fold 6? Let’s take a closer look at the best apps you can download on your new device once you get it, all of which take advantage of the phone’s large screen and S Pen functionality. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/aGt7uJI

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Moving to a new location often requires numerous adjustments, including making new friends, finding local hotspots, and adapting to your environment. One challenge you might face is discovering that your current phone carrier no longer provides reliable or fast service in your new area. If this happens, testing competing networks can help you find the best option for your region. Unfortunately, the major carriers typically don’t offer trials, and while you might be able to cancel a new plan for a full refund within a limited period, navigating their refund policies can be a hassle. Thankfully, there’s a simpler way to evaluate the major networks without breaking the bank or jumping through hoops. Enter US Mobile, a carrier that uniquely provides access to all three major networks in the U.S.: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/zpOQ1X4

The recent trend of smartwatch makers pushing premium materials, like titanium, as a marketing slant to entice buyers doesn’t work for me. I’m a practical human. I’d much sooner froth at the idea of pioneering smartwatch internals and new capabilities rather than their construction materials. There’s no doubt that metal is a wonderful, malleable material, but I’d argue there’s a far more sensible alternative for smartwatches. Plastic is fantastic from Android Authority https://ift.tt/j6OqRCp

Welcome to Wallpaper Wednesday!  In this weekly roundup, we’ll give you a handful of Android wallpapers you can download and use on your phone, tablet, or even your laptop/PC. The images will come from folks here at Android Authority as well as our readers. All are free to use and come without watermarks. File formats are JPG and PNG, and we’ll provide images in both landscape and portrait modes, so they’ll be optimized for various screens. For the newest walls as well as all the ones from previous weeks, check out this Drive link . Want to submit your own? Head to the bottom of this article. Wallpaper Wednesday: December 18, 2024 Another week, another set of awesome Android wallpapers for you to share! Remember that we are always looking for submissions from our readers. Head to the bottom of this article to find out how you could have one of your images featured in an upcoming Wallpaper Wednesday! from Android Authority https://ift.tt/aJR0LDy

Google is preparing to add more granular controls for the size of the clock on the lock screen. We spotted a new UI that lets you customize the weight, width, roundness, and slant of the current clock style on the lock screen. This feature isn’t live yet in the latest Android beta, but we managed to partially activate it to get a glimpse at what’s coming. Last year’s Android 14 update introduced some exciting new customization features for Pixel users: the ability to customize the lock screen. Android 14 added the ability to not only customize the two shortcuts at the bottom of the lock screen but also change the style of the clock. Google currently offers 9 clock styles that can be lightly customized in terms of color and size, but the company looks to be working on much more granularity for those size options in a future release of Android. We’re currently digging through the second beta for the next quarterly release of Android 15 that Google just released. While looking ...

NotebookLM just made it possible to have convos with AI podcast hosts. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/bHNoJkS

Credit: Roland Quandt Leak suggests the Galaxy S25 series will support Qi 2 wireless charging but won’t have built-in magnets for automatic alignment. The claim appears to support a previous leak that suggested Samsung will sell Magnet Cases separately. If true, the approach to Qi 2 charging would align with some other Android brands. The wireless charging capability of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series has been a hot-button topic this month. An initial leak that the Galaxy S25 handsets will feature Qi 2 charging was tempered by a second leak that Samsung will offer a Magnet Case, suggesting the devices won’t include magnets. Now, a further leak appears to support both claims. Online tipster yawn  advised on X that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 series will support the Qi2 wireless charging standard, offering faster charging speeds of up to 25W. However, the phones won’t feature built-in magnets for automatic alignment — a key feature of the overall Qi 2 experienc...

Credit: Zaryab Khan on X Some Galaxy S24 Ultra users report that the display coating on their flagship phone has worn out within a year. The issue seems to be the wearing out of the oleophobic coating, which causes a dirty, oily look and spoils an otherwise excellent display experience. We’ve reached out to Samsung for comments. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is an excellent Android flagship , though its successor is right around the corner. An underrated feature of the Galaxy S24 Ultra was the latest Corning Gorilla Armor glass on the display, which greatly reduced reflectance and enhanced display readability. However, all doesn’t seem well with the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s display, as several users have reported that the glare-free glass on the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s display hasn’t aged well. YouTuber Zaryab Khan highlighted on X how their Galaxy S24 Ultra’s display coating has aged over the year. In a nutshell, it doesn’t look good. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/nQLwGTc

I dread crowded places, and it’s one of the reasons I’m not too fond of the holiday season. This is especially true when finding a peaceful place to enjoy coffee or do some work. I can’t count the times I expected to arrive at a cozy, quiet cafe only to be met by everyone in the city. For this reason, I like having options, so I rely heavily on Google Maps for insights. The service is also happy to assist by providing insights into businesses’ Popular Times and highlighting “busy areas” on the map when it deems fit. However, Google could vastly improve how it uses and presents this information, especially for those seeking a placid spot. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/cyjFLCi

Credit: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority Spotify has a lot to answer for. The Spotify Wrapped feature has quickly become such an iconic part of December that every brand seems to be launching its version. Some are quite interesting, like Google’s Year in Search , some are just a joke, like Ryanair’s , and some are just downright odd. I encountered that last category a few days ago. Giving you a peek behind the curtain, we run our workflow at Android Authority through a project management tool called Asana. It’s extremely useful for organizing tasks, but it’s still just a piece of business software. When I got a popup telling me my Year in Asana was ready, detailing how many projects I’d worked on and who I’d collaborated with most in 2024, I was baffled. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/QG4vMDS

Ultrahuman is adding a new Smart Alarm feature reminiscent of Fitbit's Smart Wake feature, and I'd love to see it spread to more watches. from Android Central RSS Feed https://ift.tt/8mdtFP1

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority I performed a classic comical double-take at this week’s leak of the iPhone 17 redesign . “Surely this can’t be real?” I thought. Can Apple really sink so low as to copy Google’s stonkingly good-looking Pixel 9 series ? Fan renders based on the chassis suggest the new look won’t necessarily clone the Pixel 9 entirely; it might still have the distinctive raised lenses we’re familiar with from recent iPhone designs rather than a shaded bar. Still, the horizontal camera setup and stacked flash are undeniably Pixel. Even if Apple isn’t deliberately copying the look (designs are planned years in advance, after all), Google’s aesthetic has been well-established since the Pixel 6, so the accusations will easily stick — at least in tech-savvy circles. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/akVuEU0

Should you buy the Botslab Video Doorbell 2 Pro R811? from Android Authority https://ift.tt/mLq9cKM

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Five years ago, if you wanted a Windows on Arm laptop, you faced two huge problems. The first was that software support for Windows on Arm was dismal, with relatively few companies porting their x86/x64 programs to the Arm architecture. Meanwhile, x64 emulation was non-existent, and even x86 emulation felt questionable at times, making the transition from the x64 version of Windows to the Arm version tricky for most people. The second major problem was that you had too few hardware choices. At the tail end of 2019, you had just two new Windows on Arm laptops from which to choose. Ouch. Today, things are much different. Windows on Arm is thriving, thanks in no small part to Apple forging the way by going all-in on Arm in 2020 with the launch of the first M-series chip. Now, more companies than ever are porting their software to Arm. Additionally, Microsoft has done a fantastic job getting Prism — its x86/x64 emulation layer — to perfo...