Credit: Lanh Nguyen / Android Authority
Google is progressively rolling out Chrome OS 124 to all eligible Chromebooks and Chrome OS devices.
Chrome OS 124 brings a faster split-screen setup, Wi-Fi Quality of Service feature, Fast Pair for mice, and larger mouse cursor sizes.
Google did not officially announce this, but the Settings page has also received a Material You makeover.
Chrome OS is the OS of choice on Chromebooks, and it works wonderfully for users who operate solely from a we
Google is progressively rolling out Chrome OS 124 to all eligible Chromebooks and Chrome OS devices.
Chrome OS 124 brings a faster split-screen setup, Wi-Fi Quality of Service feature, Fast Pair for mice, and larger mouse cursor sizes.
Google did not officially announce this, but the Settings page has also received a Material You makeover.
Chrome OS is the OS of choice on Chromebooks, and it works wonderfully for users who operate solely from a web browser. Google is rolling out an update to Chromebooks, Chrome OS 124, which brings a few notable changes.
Chrome OS 124 comes with a faster split-screen setup, allowing you to snap windows in place more quickly. Once you snap a window in place on one side of your screen, you can choose an already-open window from the Overview to snap into the other side. You can also select something from the shelf to place on the other end.
Despite the fact that the Pixel 7 Pro now has a successor and another Google handset is imminent, this 50% price drop on the excellent Android phone is still an insanely good deal. The 256GB model of the Pixel 7 Pro is down to just $502 on Amazon, representing an almost $500 discount and a record-low price.
Google Pixel 7 Pro (256GB) for $502.16 ($597 off)
Despite the fact that the Pixel 7 Pro now has a successor and another Google handset is imminent, this 50% price drop on the excellent Android phone is still an insanely good deal. The 256GB model of the Pixel 7 Pro is down to just $502 on Amazon, representing an almost $500 discount and a record-low price.
Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Samsung recently began rolling out One UI 6.1 with Galaxy AI features to the Galaxy S22 series, starting with South Korea.
However, some critical bugs have been spotted in the update, so the rollout has been halted.
The Galaxy S22 series was launched in 2022, and the phones have aged quite gracefully thanks to the flagship headroom that they launched with. Samsung has newer flagships in the form of the Galaxy S24 series, but the company is brin
Samsung recently began rolling out One UI 6.1 with Galaxy AI features to the Galaxy S22 series, starting with South Korea.
However, some critical bugs have been spotted in the update, so the rollout has been halted.
The Galaxy S22 series was launched in 2022, and the phones have aged quite gracefully thanks to the flagship headroom that they launched with. Samsung has newer flagships in the form of the Galaxy S24 series, but the company is bringing over its highlight Galaxy AI software features to the older Galaxy S22 series. The One UI 6.1 update with these features had just begun rolling out to the Galaxy S22 series, but it seems that rollout has been temporarily halted.
X user Tarun Vats noticed that the One UI 6.1 build for the Galaxy S22 series has been reverted from Samsung’s FOTA server. We spotted user reports on Samsung Community forums indicating that the Galaxy S22 series update was halted due to bugs. It appears that after updating, in some cases, the lock screen stops working, followed by the touch screen, prompting the need for a factory reset.
Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, has recently unveiled Llama 3, the latest iteration of its large language model. This advanced model is available in two versions: an eight billion (8B) parameter version and a 70 billion (70B) parameter version. In this article, we will explore how to run the 8B parameter version of Llama 3 locally, a more feasible option for standard desktops or laptops that may struggle to run the larger 70B version.
Llama 3’s performance overview
Llama 3 is a
Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, has recently unveiled Llama 3, the latest iteration of its large language model. This advanced model is available in two versions: an eight billion (8B) parameter version and a 70 billion (70B) parameter version. In this article, we will explore how to run the 8B parameter version of Llama 3 locally, a more feasible option for standard desktops or laptops that may struggle to run the larger 70B version.
Llama 3’s performance overview
Llama 3 is an impressive large language model. The 8B parameter version, trained using 1.3 million hours of GPU time, outperforms its predecessor, Llama 2, in several ways. For instance, it is 34% better than the 7 billion parameter version of Llama 2 and 14% better than the 13 billion parameter version. Remarkably, the 8B parameter version of Llama 3 even surpasses the performance of the 13 billion parameter version of Llama 2. It only falls short by 8% when compared to the 70B parameter version of Llama 2, making it an impressive model for its size.
Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
The first real-life images of the Pixel 9 Pro gave us a good look at the upcoming flagship, but many of us were also sticker-shocked by the paltry 128GB storage on offer. The mention of 16GB RAM added insult to injury, making it an even more confusing combination as Google seemingly decided to upgrade the RAM capacity without upgrading the internal storage.
With Android flagships becoming more powerful and feature-packed than ever, 128GB of interna
The first real-life images of the Pixel 9 Pro gave us a good look at the upcoming flagship, but many of us were also sticker-shocked by the paltry 128GB storage on offer. The mention of 16GB RAM added insult to injury, making it an even more confusing combination as Google seemingly decided to upgrade the RAM capacity without upgrading the internal storage.
With Android flagships becoming more powerful and feature-packed than ever, 128GB of internal storage feels stifling, even for the base variant. While it technically lowers the phone’s price and makes it accessible for more people, storage upgrades are cheaper than what the OEM usually charges the customer.
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
A long-time leaker has posted a variety of apparent Sony Xperia 10 VI images online.
The images confirm the phone’s design along with a dual rear camera system and a 3.5mm port.
Sony has long offered the Xperia 10 series, generally offering solid if unspectacular mid-range phones. We’re expecting the Xperia 10 VI to launch at some point, and it looks like a trusted leaker has posted a ton of renders.
Evan Blass posted a smorgasbord of official-l
A long-time leaker has posted a variety of apparent Sony Xperia 10 VI images online.
The images confirm the phone’s design along with a dual rear camera system and a 3.5mm port.
Sony has long offered the Xperia 10 series, generally offering solid if unspectacular mid-range phones. We’re expecting the Xperia 10 VI to launch at some point, and it looks like a trusted leaker has posted a ton of renders.
Evan Blass posted a smorgasbord of official-looking marketing images on X, giving us a good look at the Xperia 10 VI’s design and color options (Black, White, and Lavender). You can view the images below.
It’s easy to delete all of your emails in Gmail, but it’s more likely that you just want to clear out the older ones that are no longer relevant. we’ll guide you through how to delete old emails in Gmail and keep your inbox streamlined. You can even make it automatic.
QUICK ANSWER
It’s easy to delete all of your emails in Gmail, but it’s more likely that you just want to clear out the older ones that are no longer relevant. we’ll guide you through how to delete old emails in Gmail and keep your inbox streamlined. You can even make it automatic.
Credit: Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority
Apple will support third-party app stores on iPadOS in the EU later this year to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
EU-based iPadOS users will also get to opt for third-party, non-WebKit browser engines and be prompted to pick a default web browser.
Apple has also tweaked its Core Technology Fee (CTF) policy to avoid bankrupting indie developers and those not making revenue from their apps.
A few days ago, the EU designated iPadOS as
Apple will support third-party app stores on iPadOS in the EU later this year to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
EU-based iPadOS users will also get to opt for third-party, non-WebKit browser engines and be prompted to pick a default web browser.
Apple has also tweaked its Core Technology Fee (CTF) policy to avoid bankrupting indie developers and those not making revenue from their apps.
A few days ago, the EU designated iPadOS as a gatekeeper platform, giving Apple six months to comply with the Digital Markets Act. To avoid getting fined or leaving the EU market, the Cupertino firm will comply this fall by allowing third-party app stores on the iPad — likely via the iPadOS 18 update.
Through a post on its developer website, Apple announced that it would bring the EU-exclusive iOS features to iPadOS this fall. These features include support for third-party app stores, app distribution through the web, third-party, non-WebKit browser engines, a default web browser prompt, third-party contactless payments, and more.
Credit: Android Headlines
Update: May 3, 2024 (4:05 AM ET): We’ve updated our Xperia 1 VI hub with a load of apparently leaked specs, ranging from horsepower and battery capacity to cameras and more.
Update: May 3, 2024 (4:05 AM ET): We’ve updated our Xperia 1 VI hub with a load of apparently leaked specs, ranging from horsepower and battery capacity to cameras and more.
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
The April security update for Windows has broken VPN functionality, Microsoft confirmed.
This issue affects personal and enterprise users running Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2008 or later.
Security updates are critical for modern operating systems, fixing vulnerabilities that can be exploited by bad actors. But it turns out that a recent security update for Windows broke key functionality.
Microsoft has confirmed (h/t: Bleeping Co
The April security update for Windows has broken VPN functionality, Microsoft confirmed.
This issue affects personal and enterprise users running Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2008 or later.
Security updates are critical for modern operating systems, fixing vulnerabilities that can be exploited by bad actors. But it turns out that a recent security update for Windows broke key functionality.
Microsoft has confirmed (h/t: Bleeping Computer) that the April security update for Windows broke VPN functionality. This issue affects Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2008 and newer.
Credit: Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority
Rumors suggest OpenAI may unveil a new search product on May 9.
The domain name search.chatgpt.com was recently registered.
This new search product might focus on providing AI-powered quick answers.
With the AI war between Google Gemini and Microsoft’s ChatGPT escalating, rumors pointing to a May 9 unveiling of a new ChatGPT-powered web search offering have surfaced, setting the stage for a direct challenge to Google’s search dominance.
A Redd
Rumors suggest OpenAI may unveil a new search product on May 9.
The domain name search.chatgpt.com was recently registered.
This new search product might focus on providing AI-powered quick answers.
With the AI war between Google Gemini and Microsoft’s ChatGPT escalating, rumors pointing to a May 9 unveiling of a new ChatGPT-powered web search offering have surfaced, setting the stage for a direct challenge to Google’s search dominance.
A Reddit user spotted the creation of SSL certificates for the domain search.chatgpt.com. We also found a tweet by an AI podcast host reading, “Search (dot) ChatGPT (dot) com May 9th,” hinting at a potential release date. The subdomain mentioned currently displays a cryptic “Not found” message instead of throwing a 404 or domain error, further adding to the speculation.
Credit: MSPoweruser
A massive leak may have revealed a plethora of new details about the Sony Xperia 1 VI
Sony is reportedly streamlining its camera apps into one user-friendly app inspired by Sony’s Alpha series camera.
The Xperia 1 VI could run on a Qualcomm 8 Gen 3 processor.
Sony has managed to do a decent job of keeping information about the upcoming Xperia 1 VI from leaking. Until now, we have mostly only heard a handful of details, like the potential dimensions and the camera set
A massive leak may have revealed a plethora of new details about the Sony Xperia 1 VI
Sony is reportedly streamlining its camera apps into one user-friendly app inspired by Sony’s Alpha series camera.
The Xperia 1 VI could run on a Qualcomm 8 Gen 3 processor.
Sony has managed to do a decent job of keeping information about the upcoming Xperia 1 VI from leaking. Until now, we have mostly only heard a handful of details, like the potential dimensions and the camera setup. However, a new report appears to give us a more complete picture of what to expect.
The folks over at MSPoweruser appear to have gotten their hands on new information regarding the Sony Xperia 1 VI. Although no source was given, this leak may reveal details about the camera, audio, design, display, performance, battery life, gaming features, and perks for owners.
When you press Alt+Tab on a keyboard connected to a tablet running Android 14, a small row of apps appears near the top that you can cycle through.
This app strip shows you six of your most recent apps.
Pressing Alt+Tab on earlier versions of Android would simply bring up the full recents screen, which doesn’t have a visual cue showing which app is selected.
Over the last few years, Google has been hard at work improving the experience of using Android on large-screen devices. It release
When you press Alt+Tab on a keyboard connected to a tablet running Android 14, a small row of apps appears near the top that you can cycle through.
This app strip shows you six of your most recent apps.
Pressing Alt+Tab on earlier versions of Android would simply bring up the full recents screen, which doesn’t have a visual cue showing which app is selected.
Over the last few years, Google has been hard at work improving the experience of using Android on large-screen devices. It released its first tablet-oriented OS update in years, Android 12L, in early 2022, and every new OS update since has included incremental improvements to the large-screen experience. Last year’s Android 14 release was no different, adding features like an improved taskbar and the ability to force apps to adopt a specific aspect ratio. Although these two changes were added in quarterly feature updates to Android 14, there was one change introduced in Android 14’s initial release that slipped under the radar until now: a revamped Alt+Tab experience.
In Android 13 and earlier, pressing Alt+Tab on a Bluetooth or USB keyboard connected to an Android tablet or other large-screen device would simply bring up Android’s recents screen. While you could cycle through apps by pressing the Tab key while continuing to hold down Alt, there wasn’t a visual cue that showed you which app you selected. Furthermore, quickly pressing Alt+Tab wouldn’t switch to the most recently used app; instead, it would briefly flash the recents screen and then return to the current app. Compared to desktop operating systems, the way Android handled Alt+Tab presses made for a clunky multitasking experience.
Credit: Kris Carlon / Android Authority
At an ongoing conference, MediaTek confirmed that its chipset will power a “premium segment” phone in the US this year.
While the exact phone remains unknown, a possible OnePlus flip-style foldable seems like a strong contender.
MediaTek is one of the biggest smartphone chip makers, powering an array of mid-range and even some flagship phones internationally. The company recently announced its flagship Dimensity 9300 chipset, which is a worthy riv
At an ongoing conference, MediaTek confirmed that its chipset will power a “premium segment” phone in the US this year.
While the exact phone remains unknown, a possible OnePlus flip-style foldable seems like a strong contender.
MediaTek is one of the biggest smartphone chip makers, powering an array of mid-range and even some flagship phones internationally. The company recently announced its flagship Dimensity 9300 chipset, which is a worthy rival to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Gen 3 chipset.
However, the company’s flagship offerings have been largely absent from the US market. This may be about to change, with MediaTek hinting at a “premium segment” Android smartphone launch in the US later this year, equipped with a MediaTek chipset. (h/T: 9to5Google)
Credit: Lily Katz / Android Authority
If you’re a long-time Android user like me, chances are that you haven’t considered an Apple Music subscription. For over a decade, Spotify and YouTube Music (formerly Google Play Music) have reigned supreme as the de facto music streaming apps.
Spotify, in particular, has amassed a loyal following even though its Premium tier is a standalone subscription service. On the other hand, the Apple One subscription bundles 50GB of iCloud storage with the comp
If you’re a long-time Android user like me, chances are that you haven’t considered an Apple Music subscription. For over a decade, Spotify and YouTube Music (formerly Google Play Music) have reigned supreme as the de facto music streaming apps.
Spotify, in particular, has amassed a loyal following even though its Premium tier is a standalone subscription service. On the other hand, the Apple One subscription bundles 50GB of iCloud storage with the company’s music and TV streaming services — all of which can be useful even if you’re an Android user. This makes it an excellent deal compared to Spotify’s Individual Premium plan, which costs 60% as much for music alone.
Credit: Google
Google is rolling out a new badge for official state and federal government-made apps.
Over 3,000 apps from 12 countries are receiving the badge starting today.
The Play Store had previously been testing the feature with a small percentage of users.
Knowing whether an app is legit or not can sometimes be a little tricky. To make it easier to tell, at least for apps made by state and federal governments, the Google Play Store is rolling out a new badge.
Starting today, app
Google is rolling out a new badge for official state and federal government-made apps.
Over 3,000 apps from 12 countries are receiving the badge starting today.
The Play Store had previously been testing the feature with a small percentage of users.
Knowing whether an app is legit or not can sometimes be a little tricky. To make it easier to tell, at least for apps made by state and federal governments, the Google Play Store is rolling out a new badge.
Starting today, apps made by state and federal governments are getting a new government badge to help users better identify official apps. The company states that at launch, users will be able to see the badge on over 3,000 government apps from 12 different countries. These countries include:
Google’s Circle to Search feature is starting to roll out for some Pixel Tablet users.
Google announced in late March that the feature would be coming “soon” to the Pixel Tablet, though it didn’t give an exact launch date.
The feature launched on the Galaxy S24, but has since become available on other Samsung and Pixel devices.
Circle to Search is one of the best features that Google has released in years. The company knows it, too, which is why it’s been advertising the feature everywhere
Google’s Circle to Search feature is starting to roll out for some Pixel Tablet users.
Google announced in late March that the feature would be coming “soon” to the Pixel Tablet, though it didn’t give an exact launch date.
The feature launched on the Galaxy S24, but has since become available on other Samsung and Pixel devices.
Circle to Search is one of the best features that Google has released in years. The company knows it, too, which is why it’s been advertising the feature everywhere. Circle to Search allows you to quickly highlight some text or images on your screen, and it will then search for that info on Google. The company has been slowly rolling out the feature to more and more devices since the original announcement, and now it’s making its way to the company’s Pixel Tablet.
After debuting on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in mid-January, Circle to Search quickly made its way over to the Google Pixel 8 series via a surprise Pixel Feature Drop that very same month. The feature remained exclusive to Google’s and Samsung’s latest flagship phones until late March, which is when Google rolled it out to its own Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, and Pixel 7a. Meanwhile, Samsung rolled out its big Galaxy AI feature update to the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and Galaxy Tab S9 series.
Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Google is rolling out a new way to conduct Google Messages updates.
The update notification takes up your entire display and opens every time you start the app.
It’s a not-so-subtle way for Google to encourage you to keep Messages up to date.
Keeping your Android apps up to date is important. Not only do updates bring new features, but they also sometimes incorporate new security protocols to keep you and your device safe. However, it looks lik
Google is rolling out a new way to conduct Google Messages updates.
The update notification takes up your entire display and opens every time you start the app.
It’s a not-so-subtle way for Google to encourage you to keep Messages up to date.
Keeping your Android apps up to date is important. Not only do updates bring new features, but they also sometimes incorporate new security protocols to keep you and your device safe. However, it looks like Google is now going to take updates very seriously — so seriously that it might just be a huge annoyance.
Let’s take Google Messages updates, for example. For a long time now, if there’s been an update for Messages, you would get a notification about it when you open the app. The notification would take up about half the screen and could be easily closed. Once you close it, that’s it — you wouldn’t get notified about it again until there’s another update.
Samsung is rolling out One UI 6.1 to its 2021 and 2022 flagships, including both S-series and Galaxy Z foldables, starting with its home market of South Korea.
The update is rolling out to the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S21 series, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Flip 3.
Other regions are expected to receive the update soon with Galaxy AI features.
Update: May 2, 2024 (12:45 PM ET): As of now, the Galaxy S21 series and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are getting a limited
Samsung is rolling out One UI 6.1 to its 2021 and 2022 flagships, including both S-series and Galaxy Z foldables, starting with its home market of South Korea.
The update is rolling out to the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S21 series, Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Flip 3.
Other regions are expected to receive the update soon with Galaxy AI features.
Update: May 2, 2024 (12:45 PM ET): As of now, the Galaxy S21 series and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are getting a limited taste of Galaxy AI features. The changelog for these phones mentions only the Circle to Search feature as part of the One UI 6.1 update. The Z Fold 3 seems to be getting many more AI features, including AI-generated wallpapers and Generative AI image editing.
Original article: May 2, 2024 (10:09 AM ET):Galaxy AI features are the hottest new set of features in One UI 6.1, and they played a big part in the Galaxy S24 experience. Samsung has been rolling out One UI 6.1 with Android 14 and Galaxy AI to the Galaxy S23 series, and the update recently reached the Galaxy S22 series. But the company is not done here, as the update has been spotted rolling out to the Galaxy S21 series and several of the company’s previous generation foldables, namely the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Flip 3.
Android 14 was publicly launched with the Pixel 8 series back in October 2023. We’re a few months into the new year, and Google has begun testing the next version of Android, now up to the Android 15 Beta 1.2. This is still only intended for early adopters, 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!
Android 14 was publicly launched with the Pixel 8 series back in October 2023. We’re a few months into the new year, and Google has begun testing the next version of Android, now up to the Android 15 Beta 1.2. This is still only intended for early adopters, 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!
The YouTube channel for iFixit performed a teardown of the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin.
The video shows that both devices make repairability a pain with difficult to remove batteries.
iFixit finds that both devices probably should’ve just been an app.
The first wave of AI devices is here for better or worse depending on your viewpoint of the technology. Regardless of where you stand, the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin do introduce us to a new category of device for the first time in a long
The YouTube channel for iFixit performed a teardown of the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin.
The video shows that both devices make repairability a pain with difficult to remove batteries.
iFixit finds that both devices probably should’ve just been an app.
The first wave of AI devices is here for better or worse depending on your viewpoint of the technology. Regardless of where you stand, the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin do introduce us to a new category of device for the first time in a long time. So you may be wondering just what’s under the hood of this hardware. A new video gives us exactly that answer.
The YouTube channel for iFixit recently released a teardown video of the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin. Just as a bit of background, both devices rely on large language models (LLMs) that run on the cloud for their heavy AI processing. As such, don’t expect to see much inside of these devices outside of what’s needed to make them run.
There is a lot to watch on the various streaming services available in 2024 — sometimes, it almost feels like too much. To simplify things for you, we’ve compiled some of the best new streaming movies to watch that are new this week.
Check out our top picks from major streamers like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and will sometimes even bring you an exciting new VOD movie or two. In addition to the latest movies from this week, we also give you other recommendations for shows that have arrived on
There is a lot to watch on the various streaming services available in 2024 — sometimes, it almost feels like too much. To simplify things for you, we’ve compiled some of the best new streaming movies to watch that are new this week.
Check out our top picks from major streamers like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and will sometimes even bring you an exciting new VOD movie or two. In addition to the latest movies from this week, we also give you other recommendations for shows that have arrived on a new streaming platform in the last 30 days.
There aren’t many better Bluetooth speaker options to soundtrack your summer gatherings than the JBL Xtreme 3, and it has never been anywhere near as cheap as it is right now. A massive Amazon price drop has reduced the device to just $179.99, saving you $200.
JBL Xtreme 3 for $179.99 ($200 off)
There aren’t many better Bluetooth speaker options to soundtrack your summer gatherings than the JBL Xtreme 3, and it has never been anywhere near as cheap as it is right now. A massive Amazon price drop has reduced the device to just $179.99, saving you $200.
Credit: Helium
Helium Mobile is rolling out support for group plans.
Each line of a group plan has the same $20-per-month cost as an individual plan.
Unfortunately, each person added to a group needs to be a new member, although this will change in the future.
Late last year, a young company called Helium Mobile stepped out of early access and into nationwide coverage. The company is a decentralized mobile network, meaning it is designed to work on individually owned and operated nodes
Helium Mobile is rolling out support for group plans.
Each line of a group plan has the same $20-per-month cost as an individual plan.
Unfortunately, each person added to a group needs to be a new member, although this will change in the future.
Late last year, a young company called Helium Mobile stepped out of early access and into nationwide coverage. The company is a decentralized mobile network, meaning it is designed to work on individually owned and operated nodes rather than traditional cell towers. As a fallback solution, users connect with T-Mobile towers when Wi-Fi and the decentralized network aren’t available.
Helium’s entry to the scene was exciting, but it lacked a core tenet of mobile service: group plans. Today, the company is rectifying that by rolling out group plan support for up to eight lines.
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
WhatsApp Communities is getting two new features.
Users in Communities will be able to plan events directly in the app.
Users are now able to respond to announcements from admins.
WhatsApp just got a new update that introduces two new features the company says are meant to bring communities closer together. One of those features is event planning, and the other is replies in Announcement Groups.
In a blog post, the WhatsApp team announced it i
Users in Communities will be able to plan events directly in the app.
Users are now able to respond to announcements from admins.
WhatsApp just got a new update that introduces two new features the company says are meant to bring communities closer together. One of those features is event planning, and the other is replies in Announcement Groups.
In a blog post, the WhatsApp team announced it is rolling out new features for WhatsApp Communities. The first new feature will allow users to plan events directly on the app. This can include occasions like birthdays, dinner parties, or virtual meet-ups. As the firm explains, anybody in the group can set up an event and others can RSVP to make it easier to know who is attending.
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Several new prompts and UI elements related to Spotify Hifi were spotted recently, indicating that the feature is still being worked on.
Spotify announced Hifi in 2021, but the lossless music feature has not been released yet, even though rivals have offered the same feature for some time now.
Spotify has been staring at an upgrade to lossless music for what feels like ages, but the update has still not arrived. Announced back in September 202
Several new prompts and UI elements related to Spotify Hifi were spotted recently, indicating that the feature is still being worked on.
Spotify announced Hifi in 2021, but the lossless music feature has not been released yet, even though rivals have offered the same feature for some time now.
Spotify has been staring at an upgrade to lossless music for what feels like ages, but the update has still not arrived. Announced back in September 2021, Spotify HiFi was going to be a new lossless streaming tier launching by the end of 2021. We’re in May 2024, and HiFi is clearly not here. Rumors pointed to a rebrand of HiFi to a $20-a-month “Supremium” plan that would be an upgrade over Spotify Premium, but we’re not there either. If you are still hopefully holding onto the dream of lossless audio from Spotify, Spotify HiFi continues to be spotted in UI leaks, indicating that it’s still alive.
Redditor OhItsTom has shared screenshots that show a few dialog prompts and system settings related to Spotify HiFi. The HiFi feature is not available yet, but some of the UI elements could be forcefully surfaced.
Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
Anime-focused streaming service Crunchyroll has announced its first price hike since 2019.
The price increase affects its middle and top tiers in several countries, including the US.
Thankfully, the entry-level plan is still $7.99 a month.
We’ve seen a ton of streaming services institute price increases in the past few years, with the likes of Disney Plus, Netflix, and Hulu all hiking subscription fees. The anime-focused Crunchyroll has resisted
Anime-focused streaming service Crunchyroll has announced its first price hike since 2019.
The price increase affects its middle and top tiers in several countries, including the US.
Thankfully, the entry-level plan is still $7.99 a month.
We’ve seen a ton of streaming services institute price increases in the past few years, with the likes of Disney Plus, Netflix, and Hulu all hiking subscription fees. The anime-focused Crunchyroll has resisted this urge since 2019, but all good things must come to an end.
Crunchyroll has announced a price increase on its website this week (h/t: The Verge), affecting its middle and top tiers in “Argentina, Colombia, France, Portugal, the United States and select additional countries.”
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
iOS 17.5 beta 4 includes a new Repair State feature that allows users to keep Find My enabled when sending in an iPhone for repairs.
The feature is currently in beta, so there’s a small chance it won’t make it to the stable release when it launches later this month.
We advise iOS beta users not to enable the Repair State feature on their iPhones, as there’s currently no way to turn it off.
For a long time, Apple has required users to turn off
iOS 17.5 beta 4 includes a new Repair State feature that allows users to keep Find My enabled when sending in an iPhone for repairs.
The feature is currently in beta, so there’s a small chance it won’t make it to the stable release when it launches later this month.
We advise iOS beta users not to enable the Repair State feature on their iPhones, as there’s currently no way to turn it off.
For a long time, Apple has required users to turn off Find My before sending in their iPhones for repairs. That’s to ensure that the device isn’t stolen and that the customer is its legitimate owner. However, that practice poses a serious risk, as sometimes these iPhones get stolen in transit. To address users’ concerns, Apple is developing a new Repair State feature for the latest iPhone.
As per a 9to5Mac report, iOS 17.5 beta 4 includes a new Repair State feature in the iPhone’s Find My app. This addition is currently exclusive to iOS, so those on the latest iPadOS and macOS betas won’t be able to utilize it. Through Repair State, a user can verify that they’re the owner of the iPhone without disabling Find My. In essence, you’re just proving that the iPhone is yours without disabling Find My tracking features and the Activation Lock, so you can continue monitoring your iPhone’s location during the repair.
Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Samsung has quietly pushed the One UI 6.1 update to the Galaxy S22 series in Korea.
The update brings Galaxy AI features to the company’s 2022 flagship phones.
We’re guessing a wider release can’t be far away now.
The Galaxy S24 series launched with a variety of Galaxy AI features. We’ve already seen most of these features come to the Galaxy S23 series and several other flagship phones as part of the One UI 6.1 update, but it looks like the Galaxy
Samsung has quietly pushed the One UI 6.1 update to the Galaxy S22 series in Korea.
The update brings Galaxy AI features to the company’s 2022 flagship phones.
We’re guessing a wider release can’t be far away now.
The Galaxy S24 series launched with a variety of Galaxy AI features. We’ve already seen most of these features come to the Galaxy S23 series and several other flagship phones as part of the One UI 6.1 update, but it looks like the Galaxy S22 series is next in line.
Galaxy S22 owners in Korea have confirmed that Samsung has pushed the One UI 6.1 update to their phones (h/t: Tarun Vats), weighing in at 3.1GB. Check out the machine-translated screenshots below.
Credit: Andy Walker / Android Authority
The makers of Bitwarden Password Manager have launched Bitwarden Authenticator.
Bitwarden Authenticator is a two-factor authentication app that serves TOTP codes.
This is a standalone app, but integration with Bitwarden Password Manager is planned for the future.
Even though passkeys are the future of passwords, you likely still use a good old password on hundreds of logins that haven’t yet begun supporting passkeys. You likely still have hundreds
The makers of Bitwarden Password Manager have launched Bitwarden Authenticator.
Bitwarden Authenticator is a two-factor authentication app that serves TOTP codes.
This is a standalone app, but integration with Bitwarden Password Manager is planned for the future.
Even though passkeys are the future of passwords, you likely still use a good old password on hundreds of logins that haven’t yet begun supporting passkeys. You likely still have hundreds of passwords for websites that you’ve signed in to over the years, and apps like Bitwarden are our top Android app choice for the simple reason that they help you manage all of your passwords and do it while being free and open-source. Bitwarden is back with another free and open-source app, this time to serve your 2FA needs.
Bitwarden Authenticator has just been launched by Bitwarden Inc. (h/t Artem Russakovskii). As the name suggests, it is an authenticator app for generating Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) authentication codes for two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication is advised for all important accounts, even if you use a passkey or a complex password, as it adds an extra layer of security.
Credit: Tech Team / Android Authority
Spotify started testing paywalled lyrics with a limited number of accounts back in September, pushing free users to upgrade to Premium.
This change appears to be rolling out widely now, as many free users have complained about the matter for the past few days.
YouTube Music has arguably become a better music streaming platform for users seeking free access with fewer limitations.
Last September, Spotify restricted some free users from accessing its
Spotify started testing paywalled lyrics with a limited number of accounts back in September, pushing free users to upgrade to Premium.
This change appears to be rolling out widely now, as many free users have complained about the matter for the past few days.
YouTube Music has arguably become a better music streaming platform for users seeking free access with fewer limitations.
Last September, Spotify restricted some free users from accessing its lyrics feature as part of an A/B experiment. After months of testing, it now appears that the company is rolling out this new restriction widely. Those wanting to view song lyrics while listening must now pay for Spotify Premium.
In the past few days, multiple Redditors (1, 2, 3, 4) have voiced their frustration regarding Spotify’s latest limitation. What was a free feature for years now requires users to pay a monthly fee.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is one of the best Android foldables around, with impressive improvements from its predecessor, including a redesigned hinge and a more durable build. However, like any phone, the latest Samsung foldable suffers from its fair share of bugs and glitches. We look at some common Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 problems and how to fix them.
Problem #1: Delayed notifications
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is one of the best Android foldables around, with impressive improvements from its predecessor, including a redesigned hinge and a more durable build. However, like any phone, the latest Samsung foldable suffers from its fair share of bugs and glitches. We look at some common Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 problems and how to fix them.
Update: May 2, 2024 (04:50 AM ET): We’ve updated our Google Pixel 8a hub with the latest leaks, including leaked screenshots confirming specs, a super-long update policy, and more.
Google launched its first A-series phone in 2019 with the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. At the time, those were some of the best Android phones you could get for the price. Since then, Google has released a new A-series Pixel every year. We are now only a few days away from the expected announcement of the Pixel 8a.
Update: May 2, 2024 (04:50 AM ET): We’ve updated our Google Pixel 8a hub with the latest leaks, including leaked screenshots confirming specs, a super-long update policy, and more.
Google launched its first A-series phone in 2019 with the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. At the time, those were some of the best Android phones you could get for the price. Since then, Google has released a new A-series Pixel every year. We are now only a few days away from the expected announcement of the Pixel 8a.
Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority
Samsung has listed its Good Lock app on the Google Play Store.
That would be a major change as Good Lock has been restricted to the Galaxy Store since the beginning.
Samsung’s Good Lock suite of modules is one of the best reasons to buy Galaxy phones, allowing you to deeply customize your device. Unfortunately, the apps are only available via the Galaxy Store, but that’s changing today.
X user Litto Biju Pappachan (h/t: Tarun Vats) spotted Good Lock
Samsung has listed its Good Lock app on the Google Play Store.
That would be a major change as Good Lock has been restricted to the Galaxy Store since the beginning.
Samsung’s Good Lock suite of modules is one of the best reasons to buy Galaxy phones, allowing you to deeply customize your device. Unfortunately, the apps are only available via the Galaxy Store, but that’s changing today.
X user Litto Biju Pappachan (h/t: Tarun Vats) spotted Good Lock on the Google Play Store. We can confirm seeing this listing, but we’re unable to download it just yet. That suggests the suite isn’t widely available just yet, although the X user also posted a screenshot suggesting that it’s available as a preview to some.
Credit: Twitter/Evan Blass
A trusted leaker has posted a bunch of screenshots showing off a Pixel 8a product page.
The screenshots confirm seven years of updates, as well as a host of Pixel 8 series features.
The Google Pixel 8a is expected to launch this month, but we’ve already seen a ton of leaks so far. However, a long-time leaker has just dropped perhaps the biggest info dump yet.
Evan Blass posted a ton of screenshots from an apparent Pixel 8a product page. The images include mach
A trusted leaker has posted a bunch of screenshots showing off a Pixel 8a product page.
The screenshots confirm seven years of updates, as well as a host of Pixel 8 series features.
The Google Pixel 8a is expected to launch this month, but we’ve already seen a ton of leaks so far. However, a long-time leaker has just dropped perhaps the biggest info dump yet.
Evan Blass posted a ton of screenshots from an apparent Pixel 8a product page. The images include machine-translated text overlaid on them, giving us a good (but not perfect) idea of what to expect. Check them out below.
HUAWEI has launched the Pura 70 series of phones in global markets.
The Pura 70, Pura 70 Pro, and Pura 70 Ultra are launching outside China.
Expect to pay ~$1,605 for the Pura 70 Ultra.
HUAWEI launched the Pura 70 series in China a few weeks ago, but it turns out we didn’t have to wait too long to get these camera phones in global markets.
The manufacturer has launched three out of the four Pura 70 series phones outside China, with the Pura 70 Pro Plus being the sole China-only phone. Ot
HUAWEI has launched the Pura 70 series of phones in global markets.
The Pura 70, Pura 70 Pro, and Pura 70 Ultra are launching outside China.
Expect to pay ~$1,605 for the Pura 70 Ultra.
HUAWEI launched the Pura 70 series in China a few weeks ago, but it turns out we didn’t have to wait too long to get these camera phones in global markets.
The manufacturer has launched three out of the four Pura 70 series phones outside China, with the Pura 70 Pro Plus being the sole China-only phone. Otherwise, global users can choose between the Pura 70, Pura 70 Pro, and Pura 70 Ultra.
Credit: Walmart
YouTuber SuperDell-TV got his hands on Walmart’s unreleased Onn 4K Pro Google TV box.
The leaked device features powerful specs, Dolby Vision/Atmos support, and hands-free functionality.
While Walmart hasn’t officially announced the Onn 4K Pro, its price could be around $50.
Google’s I/O conference might bring a new Chromecast with Google TV, but Walmart could steal the spotlight this year with a surprise contender, the Onn 4K Pro Google TV box.
YouTuber SuperDell-TV got
YouTuber SuperDell-TV got his hands on Walmart’s unreleased Onn 4K Pro Google TV box.
The leaked device features powerful specs, Dolby Vision/Atmos support, and hands-free functionality.
While Walmart hasn’t officially announced the Onn 4K Pro, its price could be around $50.
Google’s I/O conference might bring a new Chromecast with Google TV, but Walmart could steal the spotlight this year with a surprise contender, the Onn 4K Pro Google TV box.
YouTuber SuperDell-TV got his hands on Walmart’s upcoming streaming device, and the sneak peek reveals a fresh design, better specs, and a competitive price that could give Google a run for its money. (h/t: Android Police)
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
AT&T has launched a new service called AT&T Turbo that allows customers to pay extra for prioritized data.
It aims to provide faster speeds and reduced lag, particularly in congested areas or during peak traffic times.
AT&T Turbo is available as a $7 per month add-on for eligible plans.
AT&T has announced a new service called AT&T Turbo, allowing customers to pay for prioritized data on their wireless connections. Launching
AT&T has launched a new service called AT&T Turbo that allows customers to pay extra for prioritized data.
It aims to provide faster speeds and reduced lag, particularly in congested areas or during peak traffic times.
AT&T Turbo is available as a $7 per month add-on for eligible plans.
AT&T has announced a new service called AT&T Turbo, allowing customers to pay for prioritized data on their wireless connections. Launching on May 2, the feature is designed to enhance the experience of real-time activities such as gaming, live video streaming, and video calls, especially in congested network situations.
By subscribing to Turbo, AT&T customers gain network priority when network traffic is high. This could translate to significant benefits in crowded areas like sporting events, where many people vying for bandwidth can lead to slower speeds. Turbo users would theoretically experience less lag, buffering, and faster connectivity compared to standard AT&T customers.
Credit: T-Mobile
Mint Mobile is now officially part of T-Mobile.
The carrier says it will continue offering Mint Mobile’s $15 plan.
Customers are also getting a couple of new benefits.
On April 26, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved T-Mobile’s acquisition of Ka’ena Corporation, the parent company of Mint Mobile. The carrier has now completed the deal and it will bring a couple of new benefits to Mint Mobile customers.
Today, T-Mobile published a press release ann
The carrier says it will continue offering Mint Mobile’s $15 plan.
Customers are also getting a couple of new benefits.
On April 26, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved T-Mobile’s acquisition of Ka’ena Corporation, the parent company of Mint Mobile. The carrier has now completed the deal and it will bring a couple of new benefits to Mint Mobile customers.
Today, T-Mobile published a press release announcing that Ka’ena Corporation is now officially part of its business. Along with the acquisition, the Un-carrier brings Mint Mobile, Ultra Mobile, and Plum under its wing.
Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Fossil is holding a massive sale on its Wear OS smartwatches.
Originally priced around $300, these watches are now being sold for a mere $79 each.
Fossil had previously announced its exit from the smartwatch market.
Fossil’s smartwatch era is officially extinct. After announcing its departure from the smartwatch scene earlier this year, the company is now practically offering its remaining Wear OS watches at prices that would make even a T-Rex win
Fossil is holding a massive sale on its Wear OS smartwatches.
Originally priced around $300, these watches are now being sold for a mere $79 each.
Fossil had previously announced its exit from the smartwatch market.
Fossil’s smartwatch era is officially extinct. After announcing its departure from the smartwatch scene earlier this year, the company is now practically offering its remaining Wear OS watches at prices that would make even a T-Rex wince. The sale, first spotted by Droid-Life, is currently live on Fossil’s website and includes multiple variants of the Fossil Gen 6, Gen 6 Wellness Edition, Gen 6 Wellness Edition Hybrid, Gen 6 Hybrid, and Gen 5E smartwatches.
Fossil’s smartwatch journey started with hybrid models, but it eventually transitioned to full-fledged Wear OS devices. All of Fossil’s Gen 6 Wear OS models currently on sale were originally priced around $300. While Fossil managed to carve out a niche for itself, its smartwatches often fell short of competitors in terms of features, fitness tracking, and overall value. However, at this firesale price, we have to admit that these watches have become a much more tempting proposition.
Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority
The Nothing Phone 2a is getting a new update.
The latest update introduces ChatGPT integration, like starting a voice conversation with ChatGPT from the the Nothing X app.
The update also introduces a number of fixes and optimizations.
When it comes to updates, Nothing has been on the ball with the Phone 2a. In fact, the handset received three updates just one month in April. Now the Nothing Phone 2a is getting another one, with the key highlight
The latest update introduces ChatGPT integration, like starting a voice conversation with ChatGPT from the the Nothing X app.
The update also introduces a number of fixes and optimizations.
When it comes to updates, Nothing has been on the ball with the Phone 2a. In fact, the handset received three updates just one month in April. Now the Nothing Phone 2a is getting another one, with the key highlight being ChatGPT integration.
Nothing announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Nothing OS 2.5.5 has rolled out to the Phone 2a. With that update, owners will get a handful of new ChatGPT features including:
Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority
We now have evidence proving the Rabbit R1 is running Android 13.
This means the device could run other Android apps outside of the “Rabbit OS” app that currently controls the R1.
The weak processor in the R1, though, would prevent it from doing much.
Yesterday, we broke the news that the software that allows you to control the AI-first Rabbit R1 device is actually just an Android APK — essentially a proprietary launcher. We even showed you the ap
We now have evidence proving the Rabbit R1 is running Android 13.
This means the device could run other Android apps outside of the “Rabbit OS” app that currently controls the R1.
The weak processor in the R1, though, would prevent it from doing much.
Yesterday, we broke the news that the software that allows you to control the AI-first Rabbit R1 device is actually just an Android APK — essentially a proprietary launcher. We even showed you the app running on a Pixel with minimal hacking necessary to get it on there. This heavily suggested that the Rabbit R1 is just an Android device running some form of AOSP, but we couldn’t fully prove it at the time.
Today, though, we can confirm that the R1 is specifically running Android 13, the 2022 version of the operating system. We obtained this from Mishaal Rahman, a frequent contributor to Android Authority. Rahman posted the confirmation on his various social channels:
Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
Google is working on a feature in the Photos app that will automatically back up newly created folders.
The feature will appear as an on/off toggle in the Device folder settings.
This feature was found in version 6.81.0.628906483 of the Google Photos app.
When using the Google Photos app, you can choose whether you want to back up a folder or not. The problem is, however, this has to be done manually for each folder you want to be saved in the c
Google is working on a feature in the Photos app that will automatically back up newly created folders.
The feature will appear as an on/off toggle in the Device folder settings.
This feature was found in version 6.81.0.628906483 of the Google Photos app.
When using the Google Photos app, you can choose whether you want to back up a folder or not. The problem is, however, this has to be done manually for each folder you want to be saved in the cloud. But if you wish this could be done automatically, you may soon get your wish.
Android Authority discovered that the latest version of the Google Photos app (v6.81.0.628906483) appears to introduce a new “Back up new folders” feature. The feature appears as an on/off toggle and is accompanied by a description that reads “Automatically turn on backup when a new folder is added.”
Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says there will be an Apple Watch Ultra update this year.
However, the new smartwatch will have almost no hardware upgrades.
When the Apple Watch Ultra 2 launched last year, it was more of an evolution than a revolution with a few hardware improvements here and there. And it sounds as if the next iteration of Apple’s Ultra smartwatch could be even less of an advancement.
There were suspicions that Apple w
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says there will be an Apple Watch Ultra update this year.
However, the new smartwatch will have almost no hardware upgrades.
When the Apple Watch Ultra 2 launched last year, it was more of an evolution than a revolution with a few hardware improvements here and there. And it sounds as if the next iteration of Apple’s Ultra smartwatch could be even less of an advancement.
There were suspicions that Apple would forego releasing a new Apple Watch Ultra in 2024. However, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has told MacRumors that the tech giant does plan to update the series this year. But if you were hoping for big improvements, you’re probably going to be let down. Kuo adds that the new smartwatch will have “almost no” hardware upgrades compared to the previous generation.
Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
iOS 18 will reportedly allow iPhone users to view and create reminders directly from the Apple Calendar app.
Reminders created in the Calendar app would still be accessible from the dedicated Reminders app.
Along with the Reminders integration, the Calendar app on iOS 18 is expected to feature some design changes.
If you’ve actively used Apple’s productivity suite on an iPhone, then you’re probably familiar with how disconnected the Calendar and
iOS 18 will reportedly allow iPhone users to view and create reminders directly from the Apple Calendar app.
Reminders created in the Calendar app would still be accessible from the dedicated Reminders app.
Along with the Reminders integration, the Calendar app on iOS 18 is expected to feature some design changes.
If you’ve actively used Apple’s productivity suite on an iPhone, then you’re probably familiar with how disconnected the Calendar and Reminders apps are. The two applications pretty much don’t communicate at all, making it tough for users to view their full day-to-day plans without opting for third-party solutions. Fortunately, that could all change with iOS 18, as the update will reportedly integrate Reminders into Calendar.
According to information obtained by AppleInsider, iOS 18 may allow users to create and view reminders using the Apple Calendar app. This would enable users to browse a more comprehensive hub that bundles Calendar events and Reminders tasks in a single spot.
The Razer Edge is pretty unique in the handheld market, more akin to an Android tablet with a Kishi controller than a console. If you’ve got a commute to fill or a gamer gift to get, you won’t want to miss this Amazon deal on the device, which drops the price to just $249.99 for the first time ever.
Razer Edge for $249.99 ($150 off)
The Razer Edge is pretty unique in the handheld market, more akin to an Android tablet with a Kishi controller than a console. If you’ve got a commute to fill or a gamer gift to get, you won’t want to miss this Amazon deal on the device, which drops the price to just $249.99 for the first time ever.
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 previo
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: May 1, 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!
Whether the upcoming summer is going to be more about the fitness journey or the social scene for you, the Fitbit Sense 2 would make a fine wrist adornment. Its $300 retail price puts it beyond a lot of people’s smartwatch budget, but it’s a different prospect today. A $100 price drop on Amazon has taken the wearable back to its all-time low price for the first time in months.
Fitbit Sense 2 for $199.95 ($100 off)
Whether the upcoming summer is going to be more about the fitness journey or the social scene for you, the Fitbit Sense 2 would make a fine wrist adornment. Its $300 retail price puts it beyond a lot of people’s smartwatch budget, but it’s a different prospect today. A $100 price drop on Amazon has taken the wearable back to its all-time low price for the first time in months.
Credit: Ice Universe on X
Vivo’s upcoming X100 Ultra flagship could feature a 200MP periscope camera, possibly enabling 200x digital zoom. Practical benefits could be more visible with pixel-binned hybrid zoom.
Other phone specifications could include a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a 50MP front camera, a 50MP primary camera, a 5,500mAh battery, and 80W wired charging.
The phone is expected to launch in China this month and could also feature satellite communication tech in the highest variant.
D
Vivo’s upcoming X100 Ultra flagship could feature a 200MP periscope camera, possibly enabling 200x digital zoom. Practical benefits could be more visible with pixel-binned hybrid zoom.
Other phone specifications could include a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a 50MP front camera, a 50MP primary camera, a 5,500mAh battery, and 80W wired charging.
The phone is expected to launch in China this month and could also feature satellite communication tech in the highest variant.
Different smartphones take different approaches to photography, but Android’s Ultra flagships usually try to pack in every possible upgrade to try and become the best camera flagship. With primary camera upgrades plateauing after a point, we’re seeing more and more companies focus on telephoto cameras as the next big upgrade. Samsung opts to include two telephoto cameras on its Galaxy S24 Ultra flagship for two different optical zoom setups, while other companies are using periscope zoom on a higher megapixel sensor, opting for hybrid zoom instead of just optical or digital. This upcoming Ultra flagship on the block could take it to the next level, pairing a 200MP sensor with a periscope zoom lens for the best telephoto zoom experience.
The vivo X100 Ultra flagship is slated for its home market this May, and renders of the device have just emerged on Weibo.
Credit: Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority
OpenAI is rolling out ChatGPT’s Memory function to ChatGPT Plus users, letting ChatGPT remember personal facts.
ChatGPT users are also getting access to Temporary Chat for one-off conversations that won’t appear in chat history.
ChatGPT has been a boon for a lot of people, making their lives easier in ways that previous non-AI digital assistants just didn’t. Once you figure out how to use ChatGPT effectively, it becomes an indispensable tool.
OpenAI is rolling out ChatGPT’s Memory function to ChatGPT Plus users, letting ChatGPT remember personal facts.
ChatGPT users are also getting access to Temporary Chat for one-off conversations that won’t appear in chat history.
ChatGPT has been a boon for a lot of people, making their lives easier in ways that previous non-AI digital assistants just didn’t. Once you figure out how to use ChatGPT effectively, it becomes an indispensable tool. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, recently added memory functions to ChatGPT, and this is now rolling out to all ChatGPT Plus users. Free users are getting temporary chat features, which doesn’t keep the conversation in your history.
OpenAI says ChatGPT’s Memory function is very easy to use. First, switch it on in settings, and then you can tell ChatGPT anything you want it to remember. All your future responses will remember these facts, saving you from repeating yourself.
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Google Photos is working on a new “Show less” option that will hide unwanted faces from surfacing Memories, without completely blocking them from being visible in group photos.
This feature appears to be a milder version of the “Block face” option.
The “Show less” option is not currently live in Google Photos, and will possibly be available in a future release.
Google Photos has several neat features that make it one of the best photo storage
Google Photos is working on a new “Show less” option that will hide unwanted faces from surfacing Memories, without completely blocking them from being visible in group photos.
This feature appears to be a milder version of the “Block face” option.
The “Show less” option is not currently live in Google Photos, and will possibly be available in a future release.
Google Photos has several neat features that make it one of the best photo storage apps around. The service has an uncanny ability to spot faces, and it gets it right most of the time, even in very challenging situations. These faces are then used for several features, like People Search and Memories. But sometimes, as your life evolves, you’d want to see less of some faces, especially in Memories. Google Photos is preparing to make that happen, giving you more control of which faces you see regularly through the Memories feature.
Android Authority contributor Assemble Debug spotted an upcoming feature in Google Photos v6.81.0.628906483. You will soon be able to use a “Show less” option to have a face not show up in your Memories but still be visible in your group photos. This appears to be a milder version of the “Block face” option, which makes faces completely disappear from Memories and group photos.
The Amazfit Helio smart ring will finally go on sale in the US on May 15.
The wearable is priced at $299 but can be purchased alongside an Amazfit smartwatch for $149.
Amazfit is best known for its affordable yet reliable range of fitness trackers and smartwatches. In January, the company entered the smart ring race with the Amazfit Helio, beating the Samsung Galaxy Ring to the punch. Now, months later, the Helio smart ring is finally ready for its US release.
The Amazfit Helio smart ring will finally go on sale in the US on May 15.
The wearable is priced at $299 but can be purchased alongside an Amazfit smartwatch for $149.
Amazfit is best known for its affordable yet reliable range of fitness trackers and smartwatches. In January, the company entered the smart ring race with the Amazfit Helio, beating the Samsung Galaxy Ring to the punch. Now, months later, the Helio smart ring is finally ready for its US release.
The Rabbit R1 is an AI-powered, handheld gadget that seems to run Android under the hood.
Many reviewers have criticized the utility of AI gadgets like the Rabbit R1, noting that they do little to supplant the smartphone and should just be an app instead.
In fact, the R1’s entire UI seems to be handled by a single Android app.
Update: May 1, 2024 (1:01 AM ET): Rabbit has reached out to Android Authority with a statement from its founder and CEO, Jesse Lyu. The statement argues that the R1’
The Rabbit R1 is an AI-powered, handheld gadget that seems to run Android under the hood.
Many reviewers have criticized the utility of AI gadgets like the Rabbit R1, noting that they do little to supplant the smartphone and should just be an app instead.
In fact, the R1’s entire UI seems to be handled by a single Android app.
Update: May 1, 2024 (1:01 AM ET): Rabbit has reached out to Android Authority with a statement from its founder and CEO, Jesse Lyu. The statement argues that the R1’s interface is not an app. The company explains that the LLM it uses runs on the cloud, which is something we never questioned. We’ll be following up with another article diving deeper into the subject soon. Until then, you can read Rabbit’s complete statement below.
“rabbit r1 is not an Android app. We are aware there are some unofficial rabbit OS app/website emulators out there. We understand the passion that people have to get a taste of our AI and LAM instead of waiting for their r1 to arrive. That being said, to clear any misunderstanding and set the record straight, rabbit OS and LAM run on the cloud with very bespoke AOSP and lower level firmware modifications, therefore a local bootleg APK without the proper OS and Cloud endpoints won’t be able to access our service. rabbit OS is customized for r1 and we do not support third-party clients. Using a bootlegged APK or webclient carries significant risks; malicious actors are known to publish bootlegged apps that steal your data. For this reason, we recommend that users avoid these bootlegged rabbit OS apps.”
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Google Photos is adding a new “Enhance your video” feature.
It automatically applies brightness, contrast, saturation, and other adjustments to a video with a single tap.
The feature is not available to everyone right now, but should roll out in the near future.
Google Photos is preparing to add a new video editing feature that will allow you to enhance your videos by tapping a single button. Android Authority contributor Assemble Debug spot
Google Photos is adding a new “Enhance your video” feature.
It automatically applies brightness, contrast, saturation, and other adjustments to a video with a single tap.
The feature is not available to everyone right now, but should roll out in the near future.
Google Photos is preparing to add a new video editing feature that will allow you to enhance your videos by tapping a single button. Android Authority contributor Assemble Debug spotted the feature in the Google Photos app version 6.81.0.628906483. It’s not currently available to everyone, but the tipster managed to make it work with some clever workarounds.
Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Google is replacing Fitbit Pay with Google Wallet.
Users will be able to continue using existing cards stored in Fitbit Pay until July 29.
New cards can no longer be added to the app.
Contactless payments with Fitbit are about to change. Google plans to shut down Fitbit Pay and replace it with Google Wallet in the coming months.
The Fitbit team has sent out emails (h/t Droid Life) to users notifying them that it is updating its contactless paym
Google is replacing Fitbit Pay with Google Wallet.
Users will be able to continue using existing cards stored in Fitbit Pay until July 29.
New cards can no longer be added to the app.
Contactless payments with Fitbit are about to change. Google plans to shut down Fitbit Pay and replace it with Google Wallet in the coming months.
The Fitbit team has sent out emails (h/t Droid Life) to users notifying them that it is updating its contactless payments feature. After July 29, Fitbit Pay will be replaced by Wallet, which the company says “will increase the number of banks and cards that are available for contactless payments on your Fitbit device.” However, for those who live in Saudi Arabia, Japan, or Taiwan, you’ll be able to continue using Fitbit Pay past July 29.
Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
WhatsApp is testing a new feature on iOS that shows which of your contacts have been recently online.
Contacts who have disabled their “Last Seen” or online status won’t be visible.
The same feature was recently introduced in the Android beta version of WhatsApp.
WhatsApp, one of the most popular chatting apps, recently introduced a “Recently Online” feature in its beta app for Android. Now, evidence discovered by WaBetaInfo within the latest Wh
WhatsApp is testing a new feature on iOS that shows which of your contacts have been recently online.
Contacts who have disabled their “Last Seen” or online status won’t be visible.
The same feature was recently introduced in the Android beta version of WhatsApp.
WhatsApp, one of the most popular chatting apps, recently introduced a “Recently Online” feature in its beta app for Android. Now, evidence discovered by WaBetaInfo within the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS (24.9.10.71), available on TestFlight, suggests that iOS users may soon receive the same functionality.
The Recently Online feature is showing up for select beta users and provides a limited view of your contacts’ recent activity on WhatsApp. When you go to start a new chat or initiate a call, you’ll now see which contacts have been active within a recent timeframe.
Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
A study found that Wear OS grabbed 21% of the market share in 2023 outside of China.
It’s predicted that number will climb to 27% in 2024.
Meanwhile, Apple’s market share is expected to drop from 53% to 49%.
Wear OS has long struggled to keep pace with the Apple Watch in terms of shipment market share. But a new study says the Wear OS is poised to take a bite out of Apple’s lead this year.
According to a study from Counterpoint Research, 2023 s
A study found that Wear OS grabbed 21% of the market share in 2023 outside of China.
It’s predicted that number will climb to 27% in 2024.
Meanwhile, Apple’s market share is expected to drop from 53% to 49%.
Wear OS has long struggled to keep pace with the Apple Watch in terms of shipment market share. But a new study says the Wear OS is poised to take a bite out of Apple’s lead this year.
According to a study from Counterpoint Research, 2023 smartwatch shipments outside of China consisted of 53% Watch OS devices, 21% Wear OS devices, and 26% other. However, forecasts predict this balance will change in 2024 due to there being more options that use Google’s wearable OS, like the OnePlus Watch 2 and Pixel Watch.
Android 15 could revamp the lock screen and notifications panel to look better in landscape mode on phones.
The lock screen can’t even be rotated into landscape mode on phones right now.
Meanwhile, the notifications panel can be rotated into landscape mode, but the layout sacrifices a lot of space.
Although Google designed Android’s UI to scale on both phones and tablets properly, it optimized the UI to look best in portrait mode for phones and landscape mode for tablets. That makes the mo
Android 15 could revamp the lock screen and notifications panel to look better in landscape mode on phones.
The lock screen can’t even be rotated into landscape mode on phones right now.
Meanwhile, the notifications panel can be rotated into landscape mode, but the layout sacrifices a lot of space.
Although Google designed Android’s UI to scale on both phones and tablets properly, it optimized the UI to look best in portrait mode for phones and landscape mode for tablets. That makes the most sense since phones are naturally meant to be held in portrait mode and tablets in landscape mode, but there are times when you want to use either device in the opposite orientation. If you rotate your Android phone into landscape mode, though, you may notice that certain system UI elements like the lock screen and the notifications panel aren’t optimized, at least on stock Android. Fortunately, the Android 15 update could bring an optimized landscape layout for both the lock screen and the notifications panel on phones.
Before I showcase the new lock screen and notifications panel layouts, I want to mention how they look in the current stock Android 14 release. Since the lock screen can’t rotate at all in stock Android 14 on phones, there’s nothing for me to show there. In contrast, the notifications panel does have a landscape layout already in stock Android 14, albeit with some issues. For starters, there’s a lot of wasted space since two-thirds of the screen is reserved for notifications that only stretch to about half the width of the panel. The top third is taken up by a row of four Quick Settings tiles, which is fine, but other elements like the Quick Settings edit button, brightness slider, foreground services task manager, user switcher, settings shortcut, and power menu shortcut aren’t shown. These remaining elements are only shown when you fully expand the notifications panel, which requires another swipe down. Fortunately, Android at least manages to slot in the media player in the unexpanded state, but the downside is that there’s less room for notifications.
Credit: Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority
Apple has created a secretive lab in Zurich dedicated to AI research.
The company has gone on a hiring spree, particularly targeting AI experts from Google.
The goal is to develop new AI models and products that can rival its competitors.
Although Google, Microsoft, and other major tech players have gotten a head start in the AI race with products like Gemini, Copilot, and more, the Apple is looking to turn the tables. The Cupertino firm has re
Apple has created a secretive lab in Zurich dedicated to AI research.
The company has gone on a hiring spree, particularly targeting AI experts from Google.
The goal is to develop new AI models and products that can rival its competitors.
Although Google, Microsoft, and other major tech players have gotten a head start in the AI race with products like Gemini, Copilot, and more, the Apple is looking to turn the tables. The Cupertino firm has reportedly created a new secretive laboratory dedicated to AI research and is rounding up some of the best talent in the industry to lead it.
According to a report from the Financial Times, Apple has been on a hiring spree to fill out its new Zurich-based research laboratory known as “Vision Lab.” The tech giant has reportedly been advertising jobs in generative AI in two locations in the city, one of which a neighbor told the outlet they weren’t even aware of the office’s existence.
Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority
iOS 17.5 beta 4 is now available as an over-the-air (OTA) update to those enrolled in Apple’s developer program.
Past pre-release builds introduced support for app sideloading from the web in the EU and a new Quartiles puzzle game.
The stable iOS 17.5 version will presumably become available to all iPhone users on Monday, May 13.
iOS 17.5 developer beta 4 is now available to install on the latest iPhone models. Those enrolled in Apple’s developer
iOS 17.5 beta 4 is now available as an over-the-air (OTA) update to those enrolled in Apple’s developer program.
Past pre-release builds introduced support for app sideloading from the web in the EU and a new Quartiles puzzle game.
The stable iOS 17.5 version will presumably become available to all iPhone users on Monday, May 13.
iOS 17.5 developer beta 4 is now available to install on the latest iPhone models. Those enrolled in Apple’s developer program can proceed to download the OTA update using the Settings app. Otherwise, iPhone users on the stable channel can expect the final version to launch on Monday, May 13 — assuming Apple sticks to its usual schedules.
In the market for both a flagship Android phone and a new service plan? Mint Mobile has a very tempting limited-time offer for you. You can pick up both the Google Pixel 8 Pro and a 12-month data plan for as little as $649. No trade-in requirements or other elephant traps in sight.
Google Pixel 8 Pro & 12-month 5GB plan for $649 ($530 off)
In the market for both a flagship Android phone and a new service plan? Mint Mobile has a very tempting limited-time offer for you. You can pick up both the Google Pixel 8 Pro and a 12-month data plan for as little as $649. No trade-in requirements or other elephant traps in sight.
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
We have evidence that Google is working on a new Android feature called “Audio Emoji.”
The feature brings emoji-related audio and animations to phone calls.
Interestingly, the poop emoji is included.
Update, April 30, 2024 (12:55 PM ET): The folks over at 9to5Google were able to get this feature actually working. They were able to confirm the six default Audio Emoji sounds (, , , , , and ) as well as show them in action. Each one has an animat
We have evidence that Google is working on a new Android feature called “Audio Emoji.”
The feature brings emoji-related audio and animations to phone calls.
Interestingly, the poop emoji is included.
Update, April 30, 2024 (12:55 PM ET): The folks over at 9to5Google were able to get this feature actually working. They were able to confirm the six default Audio Emoji sounds (, , , , , and ) as well as show them in action. Each one has an animation attached as well as a sound effect. The video is here:
In case you can’t see the video, here are descriptions of what happens:
Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority
TikTok is facing more trouble in Europe.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hinted that a ban is possible during a debate.
Other candidates at the debate were more noncommittal about the possibility.
TikTok has been having a rough go as of late. Just last week, President Joe Biden signed a bill to force ByteDance to sell the video-sharing platform or be banned in the US. Now the European Commission is floating around the idea on bann
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hinted that a ban is possible during a debate.
Other candidates at the debate were more noncommittal about the possibility.
TikTok has been having a rough go as of late. Just last week, President Joe Biden signed a bill to force ByteDance to sell the video-sharing platform or be banned in the US. Now the European Commission is floating around the idea on banning the iOS and Android app in the EU.
Politico reports that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “It is not excluded” during a debate for the Commission’s 2024 election. This was in response to a question from a moderator referencing the looming TikTok ban in the US.
An app called Precise Volume has replicated the redesigned volume panel UI in Android 15.
Android 15’s new volume panel interface hasn’t been released yet, so this app is like a sneak peek at the new UI.
Enabling the Android 15 volume panel UI requires purchasing the Pro version of the app, which also adds a bunch of other features.
Late last month, we first reported that Google will revamp the system volume panel interface in the upcoming Android 15 release. The new design we enabled feat
An app called Precise Volume has replicated the redesigned volume panel UI in Android 15.
Android 15’s new volume panel interface hasn’t been released yet, so this app is like a sneak peek at the new UI.
Enabling the Android 15 volume panel UI requires purchasing the Pro version of the app, which also adds a bunch of other features.
Late last month, we first reported that Google will revamp the system volume panel interface in the upcoming Android 15 release. The new design we enabled features much thicker, pill-shaped sliders all around, is collapsible, and has some playful animations for volume adjustments. Fast-forward one month, and the new volume panel UI we showed off has still not rolled out in the Android 15 beta. Thanks to a third-party app, though, you don’t need to wait any longer to try it out.
The developer of Precise Volume, one of the best volume control apps for Android, has released a new update that adds a new “Android 15 Preview” popup style for the app’s Volume Button Override feature. Basically, the Precise Volume app is capable of overriding the system’s stock volume panel UI and replacing it with its own. Before the latest beta update, the app’s only available popup style was based on the older volume panel UI from Android 14. After seeing our article on Android 15’s revamped volume panel UI, though, the developer decided to try their hand at replicating the new interface. Having tried both the official and the replicated experience, I can say the developer did a pretty good job at mimicking the new UI.
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
You can now launch Gemini in Chrome through its address bar. Type @gemini followed by your prompt to quickly get your response.
Gemini’s mobile app is now also rolling out to more languages and countries.
Extensions are also rolling out to all the languages and countries that Gemini supports.
Gemini is Google’s next big AI product, taking over the reins from Google Assistant. There’s still a long way to go for Gemini to mature, but Google is q
You can now launch Gemini in Chrome through its address bar. Type @gemini followed by your prompt to quickly get your response.
Gemini’s mobile app is now also rolling out to more languages and countries.
Extensions are also rolling out to all the languages and countries that Gemini supports.
Gemini is Google’s next big AI product, taking over the reins from Google Assistant. There’s still a long way to go for Gemini to mature, but Google is quickly marching towards there with iterative updates to Gemini. As part of today’s update announcements, Google is rolling out Gemini features to more languages and countries and is making it even easier to access Gemini on Google Chrome.
Launch Gemini in Chrome with @gemini
Chrome’s address bar works as a conventional address bar but also doubles as a quick search box. Now, it will play another role as a quick launcher for Gemini. You can now type @gemini followed by your prompt in the Chrome address to automatically load Gemini’s web app with your response ready to go.
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Safari on iOS 18 and macOS 15 may pack an AI-powered summarization feature that leverages an on-device LLM.
It may also include a new web content eraser, which would enable users to delete webpage elements and sections, such as ad banners.
Apple may upgrade Visual Look Up in 2025 to include support for identifying consumer products in images — not just pets, plants, and landmarks.
It’s no secret that iOS 18 will offer some major new features pow
Safari on iOS 18 and macOS 15 may pack an AI-powered summarization feature that leverages an on-device LLM.
It may also include a new web content eraser, which would enable users to delete webpage elements and sections, such as ad banners.
Apple may upgrade Visual Look Up in 2025 to include support for identifying consumer products in images — not just pets, plants, and landmarks.
It’s no secret that iOS 18 will offer some major new features powered by artificial intelligence. In fact, Apple CEO Tim Cook explicitly stated that the company would be revealing its AI goods at some point this year. While the specifics of these AI upgrades are generally vague now, it appears that Safari on iOS 18 may pack some of them.
According to information obtained by AppleInsider, Safari on iOS 18 and macOS 15 will receive a major update. For starters, users may be able to rely on AI-enhanced browsing and text summarization, similar to what the Arc browser currently offers. The on-device Ajax large language model (LLM) would reportedly scan the text to identify the main topics and summarize web content accordingly.
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Multiview is now rolling out to YouTube TV on Android.
Users should be able to access the feature starting later today.
When using Multiview, users can tap on their desired stream to begin listening to audio.
It may not have arrived in time for March Madness, but the timing is perfect for the NBA and NHL playoffs. YouTube TV’s Multiview feature is now available on Android phones and tablets.
Multiview was initially launched as a preview in 202
Multiview is now rolling out to YouTube TV on Android.
Users should be able to access the feature starting later today.
When using Multiview, users can tap on their desired stream to begin listening to audio.
It may not have arrived in time for March Madness, but the timing is perfect for the NBA and NHL playoffs. YouTube TV’s Multiview feature is now available on Android phones and tablets.
Multiview was initially launched as a preview in 2023 on smart TVs and streaming devices. This feature allows YouTube TV subscribers to watch up to four channels at a time. At first, the channels available for Multiview were preset and only included sports. However, it has since become a little more flexible, allowing users to build their own Multiview in certain cases and even opening up to non-sports streams.
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series launched in the middle of January 2024, arriving a little earlier in the year than the last couple of generations. Along with it, the company introduced Galaxy AI, a titanium frame, new camera tricks, and a number of other features. But now that the S24 launch has come and gone, it is time to start thinking about the next iteration in the series. How will the Galaxy S25 series set itself apart from its predecessor? What new features will Samsung come up with for t
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series launched in the middle of January 2024, arriving a little earlier in the year than the last couple of generations. Along with it, the company introduced Galaxy AI, a titanium frame, new camera tricks, and a number of other features. But now that the S24 launch has come and gone, it is time to start thinking about the next iteration in the series. How will the Galaxy S25 series set itself apart from its predecessor? What new features will Samsung come up with for the next generation? Will 2025 finally be the year we see a major shift in the Galaxy S’s design philosophy? Here, we’ll break down everything we know so far about the Galaxy S25.
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The OxygenOS 14.0.0.700 update adds quality-of-life and security features for the OnePlus 10T and 10 Pro.
OnePlus 10T users get new features, including an easy way to set volume per app and more.
OnePlus 10 Pro users get a new lock screen option and other useful updates.
OnePlus users are treated to some new useful features via the latest OxygenOS update.
The OxygenOS 14.0.0.700 for the OnePlus 10T includes minor tweaks to existing features as w
The OxygenOS 14.0.0.700 update adds quality-of-life and security features for the OnePlus 10T and 10 Pro.
OnePlus 10T users get new features, including an easy way to set volume per app and more.
OnePlus 10 Pro users get a new lock screen option and other useful updates.
OnePlus users are treated to some new useful features via the latest OxygenOS update.
The OxygenOS 14.0.0.700 for the OnePlus 10T includes minor tweaks to existing features as well as some new features, while OnePlus 10 Pro users got mostly minor quality-of-life updates.
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Apple’s iPhones have accrued a huge following, particularly in the US thanks to the popularity of iMessage. In fact, it’s not uncommon to hear Apple fans criticize Android phones for a variety of reasons.
There are many myths that some iPhone users have been parroting about Android, though. So we’re setting the record straight by debunking some of the more enduring claims.
Apple’s iPhones have accrued a huge following, particularly in the US thanks to the popularity of iMessage. In fact, it’s not uncommon to hear Apple fans criticize Android phones for a variety of reasons.
There are many myths that some iPhone users have been parroting about Android, though. So we’re setting the record straight by debunking some of the more enduring claims.
Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
A Reddit user has scoured the camera bar on their Pixel phones, resulting in a brushed metal finish.
You shouldn’t try this at home, though, as there’s a risk of damaging the rear camera lenses.
Recent Google Pixel phones come with a distinctive rear camera housing, featuring a glossy metal finish. What if you prefer the brushed metal look? Well, a Reddit user has taken matters into their own hands, although we’d caution users against trying th
A Reddit user has scoured the camera bar on their Pixel phones, resulting in a brushed metal finish.
You shouldn’t try this at home, though, as there’s a risk of damaging the rear camera lenses.
Recent Google Pixel phones come with a distinctive rear camera housing, featuring a glossy metal finish. What if you prefer the brushed metal look? Well, a Reddit user has taken matters into their own hands, although we’d caution users against trying this at home.
Redditor the_skinny_drummer decided to take Scotch Brite pads to the glossy rear camera bar on their Pixel 7 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro. This resulted in what is effectively a brushed metal finish, as you can see in the images below.
We could all do with a bit of extra offline storage, and Lexar is one of the top brands for delivering such solutions. One of its latest devices is the Lexar 2TB SL500 Portable SSD and despite launching just two months ago, you can now score this expansive external SSD at a 26% discount on Amazon.
Lexar 2TB SL500 Portable SSD for $169.49 ($61 off)
We could all do with a bit of extra offline storage, and Lexar is one of the top brands for delivering such solutions. One of its latest devices is the Lexar 2TB SL500 Portable SSD and despite launching just two months ago, you can now score this expansive external SSD at a 26% discount on Amazon.
If you’ve recently found yourself staring at unfamiliar buttons and prompts on your favorite Meta apps, you’re not alone. The recent rollout marks the debut of Meta AI’s latest large language model, Llama 3, promising more personalized interactions but also potentially more intrusive AI suggestions. Still, this is the closest it has ever been to ChatGPT.
But what if you’re not ready to embrace the AI revolution? What if you find the integration more cumbersome than helpful? Maybe you hate that
If you’ve recently found yourself staring at unfamiliar buttons and prompts on your favorite Meta apps, you’re not alone. The recent rollout marks the debut of Meta AI’s latest large language model, Llama 3, promising more personalized interactions but also potentially more intrusive AI suggestions. Still, this is the closest it has ever been to ChatGPT.
But what if you’re not ready to embrace the AI revolution? What if you find the integration more cumbersome than helpful? Maybe you hate that the answers are not completely reliable. But is there any way to turn off the new Meta AI integration and regain some semblance of your pre-AI browsing experience?
Credit: Smartprix
US pricing of the Pixel 8a has leaked, alongside marketing renders.
The Pixel 8a is said to cost $499 for its 128GB storage variant and $559 for its 256GB storage variant.
The Pixel 8a has been surfacing through leaked renders and leaked ads, and it was only a matter of time until we learned more crucial information about the phone. That time is here, as a new report has shared the pricing of the Pixel 8a in the US, and we’re surprised.
According to a report from Smart
US pricing of the Pixel 8a has leaked, alongside marketing renders.
The Pixel 8a is said to cost $499 for its 128GB storage variant and $559 for its 256GB storage variant.
The Pixel 8a has been surfacing through leaked renders and leaked ads, and it was only a matter of time until we learned more crucial information about the phone. That time is here, as a new report has shared the pricing of the Pixel 8a in the US, and we’re surprised.
According to a report from Smartprix, the Pixel 8a will cost $499 in the US for its 128GB storage variant and $559 for the 256GB storage variant. This pricing is the same as the Pixel 7a’s launch price of $499 for the 128GB variant, though the phone was frequently available at lower prices through sales and discounts.
Many new Android apps are out there, but keeping track of them is tough. But we’re happy to do that hard work for you. We’ve scoured the internet to find the best new Android apps available, including apps that you might not have heard of or that offer something different to the status quo. Be sure to visit our list of the best Android apps of all time and our selection of the best new Android apps released in 2023 for more.
The best new Android apps for May 2024
TikTok Notes
Focus Go
Organic
Many new Android apps are out there, but keeping track of them is tough. But we’re happy to do that hard work for you. We’ve scoured the internet to find the best new Android apps available, including apps that you might not have heard of or that offer something different to the status quo. Be sure to visit our list of the best Android apps of all time and our selection of the best new Android apps released in 2023 for more.
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
The UK has introduced a new set of requirements for connected gadgets.
The regulations will force manufacturers and retailers to disclose software update support periods for their products.
Manufacturers will also need to implement strong passwords and make it easier for people to report security issues.
One of the most important things about buying a smart gadget is the commitment to software updates, but manufacturers often don’t disclose thei
The UK has introduced a new set of requirements for connected gadgets.
The regulations will force manufacturers and retailers to disclose software update support periods for their products.
Manufacturers will also need to implement strong passwords and make it easier for people to report security issues.
One of the most important things about buying a smart gadget is the commitment to software updates, but manufacturers often don’t disclose their update policies. Fortunately, it turns out that the UK is taking action against this and several other issues.
The UK has introduced a new set of minimum requirements for internet-connected gadgets, dubbed the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act (h/t: BBC). This act applies to connected devices like smart TVs, home appliances, routers, smartphones, and more.
Credit: MysteryLupin on X
The Pixel 8a gets leaked once again, this time showing off clean, high-quality, and unwatermarked renders.
The phone’s official cases are also shown off in the four matching colors, but there’s also a Coral-colored case.
Another day, another Pixel 8a leak. As is tradition by now, Google’s budget camera phone is seeing multiple leaks in the run-up to its launch at Google I/O 2024. We’ve seen the phone in leaked renders and even leaked marketing ads that show off
The Pixel 8a gets leaked once again, this time showing off clean, high-quality, and unwatermarked renders.
The phone’s official cases are also shown off in the four matching colors, but there’s also a Coral-colored case.
Another day, another Pixel 8a leak. As is tradition by now, Google’s budget camera phone is seeing multiple leaks in the run-up to its launch at Google I/O 2024. We’ve seen the phone in leaked renders and even leaked marketing ads that show off the phone and its features. Today, we have some more leaked renders, this time in high quality and without watermarks, alongside clean renders of the official cases in all four colors.
This Pixel 8a leak comes from Arsène Lupin on X, who has shared over 30 renders of the phone and its cases.
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Microsoft OneDrive has received offline mode on web, letting you access marked files without an active internet connection.
You can action and organize files and folders in offline mode, and changes will sync once you regain your internet connection.
Google Drive on web has had offline access for a few years now.
There are many cloud storage and file-sharing services available, but most people stick to solutions from Apple, Google, and Microso
Microsoft OneDrive has received offline mode on web, letting you access marked files without an active internet connection.
You can action and organize files and folders in offline mode, and changes will sync once you regain your internet connection.
Google Drive on web has had offline access for a few years now.
There are many cloud storage and file-sharing services available, but most people stick to solutions from Apple, Google, and Microsoft for their daily needs. Apple iCloud, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive perform the same general functions, but there are slight differences in features and approach. Microsoft has updated OneDrive to add offline capabilities, which rival Google Drive has had for a few years.
As announced by Microsoft, OneDrive on the web is getting offline mode. This mode will let you use OneDrive in your favorite browser even when you don’t have an internet connection. Offline mode is rolling out globally to OneDrive work and school users.
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Samsung has revealed its Q1 2024 financial results, and the mobile division was buoyed by Galaxy S24 sales.
The manufacturer said that it will continue investing in research and development to expand and refine Galaxy AI features.
Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 series back in January, bringing a slew of Galaxy AI features to the phones and older flagship devices. The company has just released its Q1 2024 financial results, and it looks like it’s
Samsung has revealed its Q1 2024 financial results, and the mobile division was buoyed by Galaxy S24 sales.
The manufacturer said that it will continue investing in research and development to expand and refine Galaxy AI features.
Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 series back in January, bringing a slew of Galaxy AI features to the phones and older flagship devices. The company has just released its Q1 2024 financial results, and it looks like it’s betting big on Galaxy AI in the future.
Samsung’s mobile and networks division reported 3.51 trillion won (~$2.54 billion) of operating profit in Q1 2024, citing strong sales of the Galaxy S24 series. The manufacturer also pointed to the line’s Galaxy AI features as contributing to the sales growth.