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Chrome will soon redact sensitive info when you’re screen-sharing on Android

Google Chrome logo stock photo 2

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

  • Chrome is about to trial a new feature that will automatically redact sensitive data when you share your Android screen.
  • The Chrome Flag description outlines that form info such as passwords and credit card details would be redacted when screen-sharing or recording.
  • It is not yet known when this feature will be available to try or if it will eventually be rolled out to all users.


Accidentally flashing your password or credit card info is always a worry when you’re sharing your screen. Google is looking to address this concern with an experimental feature for Chrome on Android. When available, Google will automatically detect and redact sensitive data when you’re sharing or recording your screen.

As shared on X by Leopeva64, the feature appears as a new Chrome Flag called “Redact sensitive content during screen sharing, screen recording and similar actions.” Chrome Flags are experimental features that Google has yet to roll out fully, but anyone can try them.

They captured an image of the Chrome Flag and its description that explains how the feature will work. It outlines that “if sensitive form fields (such as credit cards, passwords) are present on the page, the entire content area is redacted during screen sharing, screen recording, and similar actions”

Google Chrome Flag Redact Sensitive Content Android

Credit: Leopeva64

As the description lays out, if you’re sharing your screen or recording it in a way that others might view, this optional tool will add an extra layer of privacy. This level of data protection has hitherto only been available in Chrome’s Incognito Mode, which prevents screen capture by default.

You can’t try out the new Chrome Flag just yet, but it should be available on Chrome Canary in the coming weeks and will work on Android 5 and above. Check out our article on Chrome Flags to learn more about what they are and how to try them.

Garmin backing gives boost to Google’s new Satellite SOS feature

Google Pixel 9 Peony color in hand

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

  • Garmin has announced its support for Google’s upcoming Satellite SOS feature.
  • Pixel 9 phones will be able to access Garmin’s emergency response coordination services when cellular coverage is not available.
  • It will arrive with Android 15 and initially only be available to Pixel 9 users in the US.


When unveiling the new Pixel 9 series last week, Google revealed that the devices will be the first Android phones to offer its Satellite SOS support. Garmin wasted no time in adopting the upgrade, announcing how its support for the feature will allow more users to raise the alarm in an emergency.

Once available, users who are outside of cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity will be able to use Google’s satellite option to connect with Garmin Response. This round-the-clock service is staffed by professionally trained emergency incident coordinators. It can liaise with a global network of law enforcement agencies to react when an alert to an emergency situation is raised.

Until this point,  Garmin Response required you to have an inReach-enabled device or affiliated Satellite Emergency Notification Device, as well as an active satellite service plan. This move will bring the SOS service to Google Pixel 9 owners, with Garmin planning on extending it to more of the Android ecosystem in the future. It will initially only be available in the US. Garmin also hopes to expand the coverage more globally, although no timeframes have yet been provided.

Garmin Co-Chief Operating Officer Brad Trenkle gave the following quote in the press release:

“Garmin welcomes the opportunity to expand our proven, premium satellite emergency response coordination services to the Android ecosystem, starting with Google Pixel 9 in the U.S. Each year, Garmin Response supports thousands of SOS activations, likely saving lives in the process. We are looking forward to collaborating with Google to help people connect to emergency services when they need them.”

Google’s Satellite SOS support will be an Android 15 feature, which means it won’t be immediately available on the Pixel 9 handsets but will arrive later in the year. The SOS service will be free to Pixel 9 owners for the first two years.

Detecting hidden cameras might be the next novel phone feature

Xiaomi 14 Ultra running Xiaomi HyperOS 1
Credit: Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority
  • A report suggests that Xiaomi Hyper OS 2.0 may have a feature to detect hidden cameras.
  • The feature would use WLAN signals to scan for suspicious devices in the vicinity.
  • Frequent travelers would likely welcome such functionality, and it could be adopted by other brands.

You don’t have to be a spy to be concerned about concealed cameras. Frequent travelers are becoming more alert to the risk that they may be secretly filmed in their hotels or Airbnb. Advances in camera technology have also made places like changing rooms and public bathrooms easier to surveil covertly. Xiaomi might be leading the privacy fightback, with reports suggesting that its upcoming OS will be able to detect hidden cameras.

According to a report by Xiaomitime, a leak has revealed that Xiaomi Hyper OS 2.0 may include this novel feature. If true, it wouldn’t be the first time a manufacturer had attempted to offer this functionality, but it would be the most advanced approach yet in terms of a smartphone feature.

Is it time for a new phone? 10 clear signs you need to upgrade

Earlier this week, we divulged a list of ways to make your phone last longer. Those tips can extend the lifetime of your device, but the unstoppable march of time eventually brings all things to an end. One day it’ll be obvious that you have no choice but to ditch that faithful companion, and we can help you decide when the time is right. Here are ten clear signs you need to upgrade your phone.

You might see articles like this one that tell you that poor battery or full storage are signs you need to replace your handset. We’re not going to cover those things here. If you want to switch devices because of poor battery life, it’s your call, but both that and the storage issue are fairly easily remedied without resorting to an upgrade. You can read the aforementioned article to find out how. What we’re talking about here are terminal issues for your poor old phone.

Signs you need to upgrade your phone

1. It’s painfully slow

Tecno SPARK 20 Pro Plus 05

Credit: Lanh Nguyen / Android Authority

Your phone will slow down over time for a number of reasons. There are plenty of measures you can take to speed it up again, but the performance of your device is only going in one direction overall. This affects every aspect of your use, and it’ll eventually become so intolerable that you’ll know it’s time to switch.

Here are just a handful of signs that your device’s performance is suffering:

  1. Frequent freezing and lagging during basic operations like opening apps, scrolling through social media, or typing.
  2. Slow app launches or delays in switching between apps.
  3. A lag between your touch inputs and the phone’s response.
  4. Apps or the entire operating system crashing frequently.
  5. Your phone struggling to keep multiple apps open or running in the background.
  6. Frame drops, stuttering, or long loading times while gaming.

2. No more updates

The end of an update policy might mean you need to upgrade your phone.

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

The updates that your phone receives from the manufacturer are crucial for keeping it viable as your daily driver. This represents something of a built-in redundancy for your device, which can understandably frustrate buyers. It’s also a factor that you need to consider when saving money on previous-generation smartphones.

The biggest smartphone manufacturers have heeded these consumer concerns and moved towards longer periods of update support for their handsets in recent years. It’s a smart move, but there will come a day when your phone gets its last update, and things can start going south quite quickly after that.

Here are some of the reasons why losing update support means that it might be time to upgrade your phone:

  1. Phones that no longer receive security patches are susceptible to malware, viruses, and hacking. Some apps also face security compliance issues if they can’t interact with up-to-date software.
  2. Many apps are built to only be compatible with the most recent versions of operating systems. If you’re running an outdated build of the OS, these apps won’t work on your handset.
  3. Related to the previous section, updates often include enhancements for performance, battery efficiency upgrades, and bug fixes. Not getting these updates may contribute to your phone slowing down.
  4. Similar to the apps, new accessories or advances in mobile technology may not be compatible with an older operating system version.

You may want to consider upgrading your phone before you start to face these issues, especially if you plan to sell it once you have a replacement. A phone that is beyond it’s last update is going to command a much smaller resale fee.

3. Screen problems

A broken screen can be a catalyst to upgrade your phone.

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

We’re not just talking about a crack in the glass here — that can be very annoying, but if it’s just the glass protection for the phone screen, your phone is probably fully functional. In terms of drops or impact, you face real problems if the damage goes as deep as the actual LCD or OLED display beneath the glass. This can render part or all of the screen unusable. Also, unlike the glass, it’s often extremely expensive to replace the screen of the device. Unless you only got the phone recently, these high repair costs might make it more financially prudent to upgrade your phone and write off the loss.

Even if you’re careful with your phone and protect it with a case and screen protector, there are a number of ways that your phone screen can break down eventually. For instance, all or part of the touchscreen could stop responding, dead pixels could start to appear, or your device may succumb to screen burn in. The dilemma you’re then faced with is the same as if you’d smashed it: fork out hundreds of dollars in replacing the screen, or move on to a new model.

4. Camera degradation

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra camera housing

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The ability to shoot high-quality photos and videos is one of the most important aspects of a phone to many people. If the camera on your handset is no longer up to scratch, it’s often another of those problems that range from a pricey fix to a phone upgrade.

There are some phone camera issues that are relatively easily remedied. If it’s a scratch or dirt around the glass, it might be a fairly easy fix at your local service center. Other problems with the camera can be caused by larger issues that we’ve already touched on like the app responding slowly or crashing due to the phone’s overall performance diminishing.

Then there are complications specific to the camera array that could render your device a shadow of its former self. These include the camera sensor degrading over time due to exposure to light and environmental conditions, mechanical parts in the autofocus system wearing out, and similar hardware failures. Like with the screen, a busted camera array is often so expensive to sort out that it might be time for that phone upgrade.

5. The sound is shot

You might need to upgrade your phone if you have mic problems.

It might sound antiquated in 2024, but you sometimes want to use your phone as a phone. This requires two delicate parts of the hardware to be in good working order: the speaker and the microphone. Even if you’re Gen Z and allergic to the idea of actually giving someone a call, losing the mic means the end of voice notes. Without the speaker, you’re not going to be streaming the sound on TikTok or YouTube anytime soon without a pair of headphones.

There are dozens of reasons why either your mic or speaker can stop working, and quite a lot of them a fixable. You might even be able to remedy it yourself if either has become clogged with dust or debris or if the problem lies in some sort of software failure. An intermittent or crackling sound might be attributable to a loose connection in your device, which a professional at your local service center may be able to sort out.

For all these reasons, diagnosis is needed before a phone upgrade. But if there’s a fundamental hardware failure causing one of the issues, the time to bid the device farewell may have arrived.

6. Connectivity issues

Google Pixel 7 Wi Fi toggle

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Connectivity issues could mean that your phone is on its last legs. However, even more so than the sound issues, it’s essential to rule out all other possibilities first. Connectivity problems are almost always related to something else. It could be an issue with software compatibility, your network provider, your Wi-Fi router, something interfering with the signal, or any number of other factors..

If you’ve exhausted all other avenues of inquiry, the issues might stem from a hardware fault in your device. Which bit of the hardware depends on where you’re struggling with connectivity. It could be the antenna, the Bluetooth module, the GPS component, or something else. Whatever it is, you’re back at that same dilemma: a potentially expensive fix or phone upgrade time.

7. Refusal to charge

You might need to upgrade your phone if it no longer charges.

Credit: Paul Jones / Android Authority

It’s obvious to say, but if you can no longer charge your phone, its best use-case is as a bookend or a doorstop. Some charging issues are easily fixable, but some will mean a phone upgrade is more practical. An increasing number of phones have both wired and wireless charging options now, so a failure to charge via cable isn’t as fatal as it used to be, although it does limit your options if you can only charge wirelessly.

If you’re trying to charge with a cable and find it only works from certain angles, it could be that the prongs on the charging port are misaligned, or you have a loose connection. Dirt and debris can also contribute to charging problems. You can try to clean the ports, check the cable you’re using is working properly, or see if a professional can see an obvious issue that isn’t too expensive to fix. Charging issues could also relate to the battery rather than the connection itself. This is easier to diagnose on a phone that can also be charged wirelessly.

More serious charging issues can be related to damaged circuitry within the phone. If wired charging is your only option, this means either an expensive repair bill or upgrade time. If wireless is an option, then you could soldier on with it and accept that you’ll have slower top-up times and fewer opportunities, as you don’t find many wireless chargers out and about. If both your wired and wireless charging capabilities are suffering from circuitry problems, it’s pretty much game over for the device.

8. It’s extremely hot

Pixel 8 Pro with fire emoji on display

Credit: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority

All phones heat up with use, especially if you’re running resource-intensive apps or games for extended periods. Sunlight, a faulty charger, software issues, and a defective battery are among other reasons why your phone might be getting hot. A bit of heating up is normal, and a lot of heating up for any of the aforementioned reasons is something you can address.

If you’ve ruled out those types of issues and your phone is still overheating when you’re not using many resources, it could be an internal hardware problem, such as defective components or poor thermal management. That’s probably the point at which it’s time to upgrade your phone.

9. Random crashing

Apple iPhone 14 front in hand

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

We’ve already mentioned that struggling performance can cause individual apps to crash or the phone to freeze. An even more ominous sign that your phone is on the way out is if it either shuts off or restarts at random intervals. It could even get stuck in a cycle of continuous restarting without fully booting up.

This could be due to a number of issues that have cropped up throughout this article. Overheating, battery issues, and software glitches can all cause your handset to go a bit haywire in this way. Malware can be another culprit. You’ll probably need your local service center to get to the bottom of it. The worst news they can deliver after an inspection is that the source of the issue is a failing motherboard or damaged components. While they might be fixable for a high price, you might just decide to write it off at that point.

10. Bulging or warping

Google Pixel 8a dual camera close

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

You know that your device is about to bite the dust if it’s started becoming warped or bulged. This might be caused by a specific component, like the battery expanding. It could also be a result of an accidental drop or general overheating.

Whatever the reason, you can’t just hammer it back into shape like a dented car hood. Smartphones are highly refined pieces of equipment, and becoming misshapen can have all sorts of bad consequences. These include significant safety hazards, such as leaking, overheating, or even exploding. There’s also a higher risk of components being damaged and reduced functionality.

You can have the local expert take a look at the damage if you like, but don’t get your hopes up and keep an eye out for a good deal on your next handset.

Is it time for a new phone? 10 clear signs you need to upgrade

Earlier this week, we divulged a list of ways to make your phone last longer. Those tips can extend the lifetime of your device, but the unstoppable march of time eventually brings all things to an end. One day it’ll be obvious that you have no choice but to ditch that faithful companion, and we can help you decide when the time is right. Here are ten clear signs you need to upgrade your phone.

You might see articles like this one that tell you that poor battery or full storage are signs you need to replace your handset. We’re not going to cover those things here. If you want to switch devices because of poor battery life, it’s your call, but both that and the storage issue are fairly easily remedied without resorting to an upgrade. You can read the aforementioned article to find out how. What we’re talking about here are terminal issues for your poor old phone.

Signs you need to upgrade your phone

1. It’s painfully slow

Tecno SPARK 20 Pro Plus 05

Credit: Lanh Nguyen / Android Authority

Your phone will slow down over time for a number of reasons. There are plenty of measures you can take to speed it up again, but the performance of your device is only going in one direction overall. This affects every aspect of your use, and it’ll eventually become so intolerable that you’ll know it’s time to switch.

Here are just a handful of signs that your device’s performance is suffering:

  1. Frequent freezing and lagging during basic operations like opening apps, scrolling through social media, or typing.
  2. Slow app launches or delays in switching between apps.
  3. A lag between your touch inputs and the phone’s response.
  4. Apps or the entire operating system crashing frequently.
  5. Your phone struggling to keep multiple apps open or running in the background.
  6. Frame drops, stuttering, or long loading times while gaming.

2. No more updates

The end of an update policy might mean you need to upgrade your phone.

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

The updates that your phone receives from the manufacturer are crucial for keeping it viable as your daily driver. This represents something of a built-in redundancy for your device, which can understandably frustrate buyers. It’s also a factor that you need to consider when saving money on previous-generation smartphones.

The biggest smartphone manufacturers have heeded these consumer concerns and moved towards longer periods of update support for their handsets in recent years. It’s a smart move, but there will come a day when your phone gets its last update, and things can start going south quite quickly after that.

Here are some of the reasons why losing update support means that it might be time to upgrade your phone:

  1. Phones that no longer receive security patches are susceptible to malware, viruses, and hacking. Some apps also face security compliance issues if they can’t interact with up-to-date software.
  2. Many apps are built to only be compatible with the most recent versions of operating systems. If you’re running an outdated build of the OS, these apps won’t work on your handset.
  3. Related to the previous section, updates often include enhancements for performance, battery efficiency upgrades, and bug fixes. Not getting these updates may contribute to your phone slowing down.
  4. Similar to the apps, new accessories or advances in mobile technology may not be compatible with an older operating system version.

You may want to consider upgrading your phone before you start to face these issues, especially if you plan to sell it once you have a replacement. A phone that is beyond it’s last update is going to command a much smaller resale fee.

3. Screen problems

A broken screen can be a catalyst to upgrade your phone.

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

We’re not just talking about a crack in the glass here — that can be very annoying, but if it’s just the glass protection for the phone screen, your phone is probably fully functional. In terms of drops or impact, you face real problems if the damage goes as deep as the actual LCD or OLED display beneath the glass. This can render part or all of the screen unusable. Also, unlike the glass, it’s often extremely expensive to replace the screen of the device. Unless you only got the phone recently, these high repair costs might make it more financially prudent to upgrade your phone and write off the loss.

Even if you’re careful with your phone and protect it with a case and screen protector, there are a number of ways that your phone screen can break down eventually. For instance, all or part of the touchscreen could stop responding, dead pixels could start to appear, or your device may succumb to screen burn in. The dilemma you’re then faced with is the same as if you’d smashed it: fork out hundreds of dollars in replacing the screen, or move on to a new model.

4. Camera degradation

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra camera housing

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The ability to shoot high-quality photos and videos is one of the most important aspects of a phone to many people. If the camera on your handset is no longer up to scratch, it’s often another of those problems that range from a pricey fix to a phone upgrade.

There are some phone camera issues that are relatively easily remedied. If it’s a scratch or dirt around the glass, it might be a fairly easy fix at your local service center. Other problems with the camera can be caused by larger issues that we’ve already touched on like the app responding slowly or crashing due to the phone’s overall performance diminishing.

Then there are complications specific to the camera array that could render your device a shadow of its former self. These include the camera sensor degrading over time due to exposure to light and environmental conditions, mechanical parts in the autofocus system wearing out, and similar hardware failures. Like with the screen, a busted camera array is often so expensive to sort out that it might be time for that phone upgrade.

5. The sound is shot

You might need to upgrade your phone if you have mic problems.

It might sound antiquated in 2024, but you sometimes want to use your phone as a phone. This requires two delicate parts of the hardware to be in good working order: the speaker and the microphone. Even if you’re Gen Z and allergic to the idea of actually giving someone a call, losing the mic means the end of voice notes. Without the speaker, you’re not going to be streaming the sound on TikTok or YouTube anytime soon without a pair of headphones.

There are dozens of reasons why either your mic or speaker can stop working, and quite a lot of them a fixable. You might even be able to remedy it yourself if either has become clogged with dust or debris or if the problem lies in some sort of software failure. An intermittent or crackling sound might be attributable to a loose connection in your device, which a professional at your local service center may be able to sort out.

For all these reasons, diagnosis is needed before a phone upgrade. But if there’s a fundamental hardware failure causing one of the issues, the time to bid the device farewell may have arrived.

6. Connectivity issues

Google Pixel 7 Wi Fi toggle

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Connectivity issues could mean that your phone is on its last legs. However, even more so than the sound issues, it’s essential to rule out all other possibilities first. Connectivity problems are almost always related to something else. It could be an issue with software compatibility, your network provider, your Wi-Fi router, something interfering with the signal, or any number of other factors..

If you’ve exhausted all other avenues of inquiry, the issues might stem from a hardware fault in your device. Which bit of the hardware depends on where you’re struggling with connectivity. It could be the antenna, the Bluetooth module, the GPS component, or something else. Whatever it is, you’re back at that same dilemma: a potentially expensive fix or phone upgrade time.

7. Refusal to charge

You might need to upgrade your phone if it no longer charges.

Credit: Paul Jones / Android Authority

It’s obvious to say, but if you can no longer charge your phone, its best use-case is as a bookend or a doorstop. Some charging issues are easily fixable, but some will mean a phone upgrade is more practical. An increasing number of phones have both wired and wireless charging options now, so a failure to charge via cable isn’t as fatal as it used to be, although it does limit your options if you can only charge wirelessly.

If you’re trying to charge with a cable and find it only works from certain angles, it could be that the prongs on the charging port are misaligned, or you have a loose connection. Dirt and debris can also contribute to charging problems. You can try to clean the ports, check the cable you’re using is working properly, or see if a professional can see an obvious issue that isn’t too expensive to fix. Charging issues could also relate to the battery rather than the connection itself. This is easier to diagnose on a phone that can also be charged wirelessly.

More serious charging issues can be related to damaged circuitry within the phone. If wired charging is your only option, this means either an expensive repair bill or upgrade time. If wireless is an option, then you could soldier on with it and accept that you’ll have slower top-up times and fewer opportunities, as you don’t find many wireless chargers out and about. If both your wired and wireless charging capabilities are suffering from circuitry problems, it’s pretty much game over for the device.

8. It’s extremely hot

Pixel 8 Pro with fire emoji on display

Credit: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority

All phones heat up with use, especially if you’re running resource-intensive apps or games for extended periods. Sunlight, a faulty charger, software issues, and a defective battery are among other reasons why your phone might be getting hot. A bit of heating up is normal, and a lot of heating up for any of the aforementioned reasons is something you can address.

If you’ve ruled out those types of issues and your phone is still overheating when you’re not using many resources, it could be an internal hardware problem, such as defective components or poor thermal management. That’s probably the point at which it’s time to upgrade your phone.

9. Random crashing

Apple iPhone 14 front in hand

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

We’ve already mentioned that struggling performance can cause individual apps to crash or the phone to freeze. An even more ominous sign that your phone is on the way out is if it either shuts off or restarts at random intervals. It could even get stuck in a cycle of continuous restarting without fully booting up.

This could be due to a number of issues that have cropped up throughout this article. Overheating, battery issues, and software glitches can all cause your handset to go a bit haywire in this way. Malware can be another culprit. You’ll probably need your local service center to get to the bottom of it. The worst news they can deliver after an inspection is that the source of the issue is a failing motherboard or damaged components. While they might be fixable for a high price, you might just decide to write it off at that point.

10. Bulging or warping

Google Pixel 8a dual camera close

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

You know that your device is about to bite the dust if it’s started becoming warped or bulged. This might be caused by a specific component, like the battery expanding. It could also be a result of an accidental drop or general overheating.

Whatever the reason, you can’t just hammer it back into shape like a dented car hood. Smartphones are highly refined pieces of equipment, and becoming misshapen can have all sorts of bad consequences. These include significant safety hazards, such as leaking, overheating, or even exploding. There’s also a higher risk of components being damaged and reduced functionality.

You can have the local expert take a look at the damage if you like, but don’t get your hopes up and keep an eye out for a good deal on your next handset.

The new sports streaming service in town has a special launch price

Your Venu Sports launch subscription will open up extensive live NFL coverage.

Credit: X/@NFL

  • Venu Sports is a new streaming service that will offer a launch price of $42.99 per month.
  • The venture is a collaboration between Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery to bring a wide range of live games and events onto one stream.
  • Those subscribers securing the launch promotion will keep the price for the first 12 months but can cancel at any time.


Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery have collaborated to bring a new top-tier sports streaming service to the market. Venu Sports will launch in the coming months and will offer an introductory rate of $42.99 per month for a limited time.

Those subscribers who take up the launch price will be guaranteed to lock it in for 12 months, with the option to cancel the service at any time. There will also be a free seven-day trial available before you commit. The standard price after the promotional launch period hasn’t yet been revealed.

Venu Sports subscribers will have access to over a dozen linear sports networks, such as ESPN, ABC, FOX, and TNT. Extensive live games and events coverage will include NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, international soccer, Grand Slam tennis, championship golf, F1, and more. There will also be iconic sports studio shows and on-demand content.

Announcing the new venture, Venu Sports CEO Pete Distad said, “With an impressive portfolio of sports programming, Venu will provide sports fans in the US with a single destination for watching many of the most sought-after games and events.”

The range of sports coverage and Mr. Distad’s statement reflect the type of sports enthusiast this new streaming service is aimed at. While not cheap, fans who enjoy a wide range of sports that they would otherwise have to jump between streaming services to find can use it as a one-stop subscription to get their fix.

Here’s how to make your phone last longer

Big smartphone brands like Samsung, Apple, and Google are now promising at least four years of updates at a minimum. It’s prudent to do so — not only do consumers care about sustainability, but they also don’t want to feel like their new $1,000 handset has built-in redundancy. But such promises won’t mean much if your device gives up the ghost after a couple of years. We have loads of tips to make your phone last longer and we’ve laid out ten of our favorites here.

Some of these are hacks to keep your smartphone running well, and others are just sound advice on how to stop it from breaking completely. What they have in common is that they’re all easy to implement, and just using a few of them could save you hundreds of bucks by delaying your next phone purchase.

How to make your phone last longer

1. Maintain your battery life

Manage battery life to make your phone last longer.

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The battery is always going to be the biggest issue when it comes to making your phone last longer. Even if there are no major problems with it, they all suffer battery degradation over time, and once you find that you need to charge your phone more than once per day, you’re going to be thinking about ditching the handset.

We won’t go deep on this topic as we want to get onto the many other aspects of phone health, and we have detailed advice on maximizing battery life if you need it. But here are some of the most important practices to follow:

  • Avoid full charge cycles: Instead of charging your phone from 0% to 100%, aim for partial charges. Regularly topping up your phone between 30% and 80% can help prolong battery health.
  • Limit maximum charge: Keeping your phone’s charge between 80% and 90% rather than fully charging it every time is better for the battery’s longevity.
  • Use fast charging sparingly: Fast charging generates heat, which degrades the battery faster. Use it only when necessary, and avoid it when your phone is warm.
  • Minimize intensive use while charging: Playing games, streaming videos, or running other intensive tasks while charging generates additional heat and stress on the battery. Try to keep your phone’s workload light during charging.
  • Avoid idle charging: Don’t leave your phone charging overnight or for extended periods when it’s already full. This can cause small cycles of charge and discharge, which degrade the battery over time. If possible, unplug your phone once it’s adequately charged.
  • Calibrate periodically: For older phones or those with erratic battery readings, recalibrate the battery by charging it to 100%, keeping it there for a few hours, and then using it until it dies before fully charging it again.

2. Replace your battery

nokia g22 battery replacement 60

Credit: Scott Scrivens / Android Authority

Whether you followed the advice above or not, your battery is going to be fairly shot eventually. At that point, you don’t have to throw the baby out with the bathwater by buying a whole new device. Replacing the battery might well give your phone a whole new lease of life. This is the only tip we’ll give about replacing a phone part, as you could effectively replace the whole phone with new components like the ship of Theseus. But the battery is both the part most likely to fail first and also one of the easiest to replace.

That said, it’s not as easy to replace the battery as it used to be, especially on the most popular flagship phones. I used to carry a few extra batteries for my Samsung Galaxy S5 and I miss having the option to replace it in more recent Galaxy S devices. But there are still a lot of phones that allow you to slide off the back and take out the battery easily. If that includes your model, you can probably find an inexpensive replacement online. Just be sure to stick to the official batteries. Cheap replicas won’t be much cheaper and could cause other problems.

If your device isn’t designed to be easily opened up, you shouldn’t attempt to change the battery yourself, or it should be a last resort. You run a risk of damaging other parts of the phone hardware. It’s better to mail in or take your device to the brand’s local service center to get a replacement battery. It should cost you less than $100 and certainly a lot less than buying a new device. You can learn more about replacing a phone battery here.

3. Clean the ports

Cleaning the ports can help make your phone last longer.

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

Just like the Death Star, your phone’s ports are where it’s most vulnerable. The rest of the phone is well sealed and may be wrapped in a case, but the charging port, in particular, is exposed by design and thus needs to be cleaned regularly. If not, debris can build up to the point that you can’t charge your phone anymore, which could render it useless if it doesn’t have wireless charging.

Here’s a quick summary from our longer guide on how to clean a USB-C port.

  • Start by blowing air into the port to clear out loose debris. A can of compressed air is much more effective for this than blowing with your mouth.
  • If you still suspect there’s debris, find a toothpick, toothbrush, or similar object small enough to get into the port that isn’t metal, sharp, or fuzzy.
  • Insert the cleaning tool and gently work it around the sides of the port. Try to avoid the USB connector prong.
  • Use another blast of air to force out loosened debris.

4. Use a case and screen protector

Your phone will last longer with a case/

Credit: Andy Walker / Android Authority

It’s an obvious one, but a phone case and screen protector are by far the easiest way to prevent your phone from being damaged. It doesn’t matter if you’re incredibly careful 99% of the time; it only takes the briefest of careless moments, and your phone is accelerating toward a hard surface.

When it happens, a case and screen protector could easily prevent a cracked screen or completely broken device. Even if it takes some damage, the case will minimize it. Most phone cases are really cheap, and screen protectors are almost free, so there’s no reason not to use them.

Those people with one of the more mainstream phones on the market will be spoilt for choice when it comes to phone cases. You just need to decide which one best suits your style. A thin case will add the least amount of bulk to your pocket, but it’ll also offer less protection if you do drop your device. Butterfingered folks can invest in a rugged case which will look less sleek, but it’ll make accidental damage from spills to be incredibly unlikely. Then there are hybrid cases, which are somewhere in between and represent most cases you see in the shops. If you simply must show off that exclusive colorway of your handset, a transparent case may be the way to go.

5. Avoid screen burn-in

google pixel 8 vs samsung galaxy s23 display hero

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

The above tip might protect your screen from the outside, but you can take further steps to look after it internally. Significant screen burn in is relatively rare on modern phones thanks to skillful engineering, but it does occur, and there are measures you can take to prevent it.

Screen burn in is a display issue where parts of the screen show permanent discoloration, creating a ghost image or noticeable patches. This occurs in OLED displays due to the varying lifespans of the red, green, and blue LED subpixels. Over time, these subpixels age and their brightness changes, leading to uneven color reproduction. Areas of the screen that display static images, such as navigation buttons or notification bars, are more prone to burn-in because these pixels degrade faster than those in more dynamic parts of the screen. However, burn-in is generally a concern after prolonged use for a few years at least.

Here are a few habits you can adopt to reduce the chances of noticing any burn in:

  • Turn your brightness down when you don’t need it. Increased brightness requires more current and, therefore, shortens LED lifespans.
  • Shorten your screen-off timer so that your screen turns off faster. Turning the screen off when you’re not using it will prevent displaying static images.
  • Use Dark Mode whenever possible, as a darker interface reduces the amount of illumination and helps LEDs last longer.
  • Pick a wallpaper with darker colors and change it from time to time.
  • Use keyboards that offer darker themes to prevent color degradation in the lower half of the display.
  • Switch to gesture navigation and drop the on-screen buttons if your phone supports it. This helps to prevent burn in at the bottom of the screen.
  • Move things that otherwise appear in the same place on the screen all the time, such as widgets.

6. Keep your phone updated

Updates are important to make your phone last longer.

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

We might look forward to updates for the new features they could bring to our devices, but much more important to the longevity of your device is the boring stuff in the download. Updates come with bug fixes to ensure that your device keeps running smoothly and is compatible with other new software. In the case of security updates, they arm your device with information about the most recent known threats to protect you from cyber attacks.

For these reasons, it’s very important that you download the latest updates at the earliest opportunity. You will usually be prompted to download the latest updates when they become available, but you can and should also check manually to ensure you’re up to date. You can check out our guide on how to update your Android phone to learn how.

7. Clear storage regularly

google pixel 8 pro app drawer

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

The updates mentioned above can be quite large — often as much as 1GB. If you don’t have that much space on your device, the update can’t be downloaded. The other reason to clear storage space is that doing so can actually speed up your phone. The improved performance comes because the operating system needs some free space to function efficiently, perform background tasks, and manage files. We’ll talk more about speeding up your phone in a moment.

We have a whole guide on how to free up storage space on Android. The main things you can do are quite straightforward. If you have a ton of photos and videos saved in the internal storage, take the time to move them off the phone. That could be to a microSD card, an external storage device, or to cloud storage. You might be surprised how much space is taken up by years-old videos you haven’t watched since shooting them.

Debloating your phone by deleting apps is another easy way to clear storage space. If you downloaded a travel app that you no longer need, or there’s a game that you played a few times and forgot about, these are ripe for the chop. Your device may also contain a ton of bloatware that you never cleared in the the excitement of it first arriving. Deleting apps is a double-win when it comes to speeding up your device. In addition to clearing storage space, it eliminates any background activity that those apps generate.

8. Combat slowdown

Pixel 8 Pro with fire emoji on display

Credit: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority

As we just touched on, the longer you can keep your phone clutter-free and running smoothly, the longer you’ll be happy to use it. We’ve already dipped into ways you can speed up your phone, but there are lots of other things you can do. Here are some ideas:

  • Disable pre-installed apps: YOu may not be able to delete them, but disabling pre-installed apps frees up resources and reduces background activity.
  • Revoke unused permissions: Limiting app permissions can reduce resource consumption.
  • Restart your device occasionally: Restarting clears running apps and processes. There’s a reason it’s often the first thing IT professionals suggest.
  • Clear the cache of your apps: Clearing the app cache can enhance app performance without losing important data.
  • Delete old chats and downloaded media: We already mentioned clearing storage; a lot of it can be taken up by old conversations and those memes your buddies love sending.
  • Replace apps with Lite versions: Using Lite versions of apps reduces resource usage.
  • Disable voice assistants: Do you even use them? Turning off the voice assistant feature can improve performance.
  • Stop apps from automatically updating: Preventing automatic updates can stop background tasks from slowing down your device.

If none of this is working and you’re considering an upgrade to your device, you could try a more drastic step of performing a factory reset to restore your device to its original state. Just remember that this will permanently delete all your apps and files, so be sure to back up anything you want to keep first.

9. Handle your phone carefully

Handle with care if you want your phone to last longer.

Credit: Alex Walker-Todd / Android Authority

This is another obvious tip, but it belongs here. It only takes a moment of inattention to break your phone, and those moments after it happens will be the worst. Not only because you’ve lost an expensive device and potentially a lot of data, such as important photos and files, but also because of how foolish you feel and wish you could just rewind the clock. I’ve been there, and I suspect most of us have at some point.

Firstly, a case will only provide protection from drops up to a point, especially if it’s a thin model. If you’re the type of person who does spill your phone from time to time, consider a case that has extra grip on the sides. You might also want to avoid taking your phone into the bathroom altogether. It might be fun to doom scroll while you’re in the tub, but you’re always asking for trouble when holding your device over water, even if it has a good water resistance rating. And by the way, that rating is based on clean, fresh water. it might not be as effective if you drop it in a chlorinated pool or the sea. Being mindful now can save you from feeling silly later.

Being mindful now can save you from feeling silly later.

Almost as important as how you handle your phone is where you keep it. Extreme heat can easily damage a phone, so you should be careful not to expose it to direct sunlight for too long. An IP68 rating also isn’t a guarantee that dust won’t get inside either, so dusty storage spots are a no-no. The same goes for humidity. You’ll want to keep your phone in a cool, dry spot when not in use if you want to keep it running for as long as possible.

Lastly, always take care not to advertise your phone to thieves. It’s a sad state of affairs, but there are dubious characters in many parts of the world who’ll make off with your phone at a moment’s notice. It is hard to stay vigilant all of the time, but you can build in some best practices to your routine that become habits. Examples could be never taking your phone out in public unless there’s no one close by or never putting it on the table at a restaurant.

10. Be cyber security conscious

Kaspersky Anti Virus Android

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

There’s only so much that security updates can do to protect you from digital attacks, so it’s important to be cyber security conscious. You obviously don’t want your data stolen, and there are always risks from malware. It could clog up your device or brick it altogether.

There’s endless advice out there about how you can be alive to these threats. Here are just a few ideas:

  • Be careful what you download: You should avoid downloading apps and files from unverified sources. Even when browsing the Play Store, you can’t always be certain that the apps aren’t malicious. Always exercise caution.
  • Be wary of phishing attempts: In the same spirit, you should be very wary about clicking links in emails, especially if there’s anything suspicious about them.
  • Use security software: This goes slightly against some of our earlier advice, as anti-virus software can run in the background and use some of your phone’s resources. However, it’s worth it to avoid a more direct threat to your phone’s health.
  • Use a VPN: This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your data and protects your privacy.
  • Don’t use public USB ports: It might be fairly rare, but these ports may have been tampered with, opening you up to the risk of juice jacking.
  • Avoid Rooting or Jailbreaking: Rooting (Android) or jailbreaking (iOS) your phone can make it more vulnerable to malware and other security threats. Stick to the device’s default security settings.

Phone Link may soon add your Android device to Windows File Explorer

Windows Phone Link icon
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
  • Microsoft Phone Link will soon let you broadly access your phone from Windows File Explorer.
  • The new feature of Microsoft’s Cross Device Experience Host looks set to bring the same accessibility to files from your phone as from an external drive.
  • It’s not yet known when the feature will become widely available.

The next generation of Microsoft’s Phone Link feature may soon allow you to access your Android phone files from File Explorer on your Windows 11 device. The useful development would give you wirelessly access to your phone from your PC as easily as if it were an external hard drive with a wired connection to your computer.

This is the latest reported utility of the new Cross Device Experience Host from Windows, which looks set to subsume Phone Link as it rolls out more fully. Its clear aim is to make the connection between Windows and your Android phone more seamless, with features such as using your phone as a webcam and copying text from your phone’s photos coming to light earlier in the year.

Apple finally brings call recording to iPhones with iOS 18, adds AI magic on top

Apple WWDC 2024 ai recording calls
Credit: Apple
  • Apple will now let you record audio for the Notes app and on phone calls.
  • In both cases, a transcription will be produced, and an AI summary will be made available.
  • Other participants will be notified if you start recording a call.

Apple is introducing call recording for the first time in iOS 18, with Apple Intelligence supplementing the new features with some quick-reference AI summaries.

Announced at WWDC, the Phone app allows you to start recording calls, and a transcript will be automatically generated in real time. If you later need a reminder of what you discussed, Apple Intelligence will provide a summary of the conversation.

Apple Mail gets familiar Gmail-like upgrades and new AI features

Apple WWDC 2024 ios mail categories
Credit: Apple
  • Apple Mail now separates your inbox into categories to filter out emails about promotions and newsletters.
  • The new look is very similar to the Gmail setup, with categories like Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions.
  • Apple Intelligence will also help you proofread, summarize, or rewrite your emails.

Apple just announced a useful upgrade to the Apple Mail app in the WWDC stream. Your inbox will now be organized into categories, such as promotions, newsletters, and transactions. The idea is to separate those routine emails that you don’t want to delete or junk from your main inbox feed.

This new approach looks a lot like the way Gmail has done things for a while, with the categories also being very similar. Primary is where personal and time-sensitive emails live, Transactions are where confirmations and receipts go, Updates are for news and social notifications, and Promotions are for marketing emails and coupons.

Tap to Cash on Apple Pay lets you bump two iPhones to pay each other

WWDC 2024 Apple Pay Tap to Pay
Credit: Apple
  • Apple Pay is getting a new Tap to Cash feature.
  • You’ll be able to make a payment to another iPhone user by just holding the devices close together, and without giving away any other information.
  • There are other upgrades to Apple Wallet, such as more details on event tickets.

Buried in a slew of announcements at WWDC was a handy new upgrade to Apple Pay. The new Tap to Cash feature lets you transfer money to another Apple Pay user in close proximity without the need to give them any of your details.

To use the new iOS 18 feature, you’ll just have to hold your phone next to the recipient’s device and select the option to send cash. Once confirmed, Apple Cash will charge your account and credit it to that of the friend or family member you’re trying to pay. It’s similar to the AirDrop feature but for money rather than files. This is a utility that Google Wallet is yet to offer.

Upgrade to the Amazon Eero Max 7 router at $90 off

A new router isn’t the most glamorous purchase, but it’s up there with some of the best money you might spend on your home. Other fancy gadgets are all well and good, but chances are you use your home internet almost constantly, so it’s worth investing well. The Amazon Eero Max 7 Mesh Wi-Fi router is a fantastic option, and you can slash 15% off the normal $600 retail price right now.

Amazon Eero Max 7 Mesh Wi-Fi Router for $509.99 ($90 off)

When is Amazon Prime Day and what are our 5 best tips to save?

One of the biggest shopping events of the year is fast approaching, but when is Amazon Prime Day 2024, and how can you make the most of it? This short guide will answer your questions and have you fully prepared to save big in the sale.

You probably know this already, but Amazon Prime Day is an annual sales event that usually takes place over the course of 48 hours during the summer. Prime members will be treated to big discounts on a whole range of products, including a lot of the latest tech that features on our site. We’ll be throwing a spotlight on all of the best offers we see, but if you just want to know how best to be ready for the event, you can jump straight to our section on the five best tips for Prime Day.

The TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro router system hits all-time low of $219.99

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

TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro Wi-Fi 6E Mesh System (2-Pack) for $219.99 ($130 off)

Record 25% drop on the Sonos Move 2 leads rare sale

Sonos has the prestige that it doesn’t often feel the need to discount its products, making Sonos sales few and far between. But we’re being treated to one today, with one of our favorite deals from the promotion being the first-ever 25% price drop on the Sonos Move 2. The $113 discount gives you the chance to catch the high-end speaker at just $336.

Sonos Move 2 for $336 ($113 off)

YouTube and ad blockers: Who’s in the right?

The latest installment of the YouTube against ad blockers saga has brought a new twist. Some users have noticed that accessing YouTube with certain ad blockers enabled causes their videos to be skipped or muted, making the streaming service all but unusable. The natural response of some is to claim that this is another attempt by YouTube’s owner, Google, to punish the use of these third-party apps and force them to either watch ads or pay for YouTube Premium instead. What’s different this time is that Google isn’t accepting the blame, so who should you believe?

Following our reporting on this issue after it was flagged by Reddit users, YouTube responded to our request for a statement on the matter. The spokesperson made clear that ad blockers were against the YouTube Terms of Service but went on to reference “an unrelated push to improve YouTube’s performance and reliability” as a reason why users might be experiencing issues. On its face, this is a denial from Google and YouTube that the problem is related to the measures against ad blockers.

We wondered if this is a credible claim. The question isn’t whether Google is targeting ad blockers but whether it is being entirely open about the extent of its tactics. Let’s look at both sides of the argument.

What’s the evidence that Google is doing this?

Reddit user SDHD4K shared a demonstration of what they suspected to be Google’s most recent ad blocker punishment. The video depicts the user attempting to play a video, both by clicking on a fixed point in the progress bar and by refreshing the page to start it from scratch. On each occasion, the video quickly jumps to the end.

The user claims that this is because they are using an ad blocker, and corroborating accounts of the issue are outlined in the replies to the post. Other people in the thread claim that accessing YouTube with an ad blocker causes the video to be automatically muted. If they use the volume slider to bring back the sound, it immediately mutes again once they move the cursor off the slider.

Since this problem only seems to afflict those using ad blockers, the natural suspicion would be that it is one of Google’s latest tactics to prevent the practice. The company doesn’t hide the fact that it wants to do so in general. It began tests of a three-strike system against the use of ad blockers as far back as June 2023, with the crackdown appearing to become much more widespread by October. Many YouTube users with an ad blocker enabled started to see a message warning that playback would be blocked after three videos if the user didn’t disable their ad blocker.

A more recent escalation from April of this year saw mobile users with ad blockers also targeted. Google announced in an official blog post that, “When we find an app that violates these terms, we will take appropriate action to protect our platform, creators, and viewers.” While some users came across an error message stating that the content wasn’t available, others faced buffering issues. These were attributed to the action that Google had advised it would take and had already been experienced by ad blocker users prior to the statement.

What was interesting about this stage of the Google fightback was that, if it was deliberately causing buffering issues to people using ad blockers, that bears key similarities to this latest accusation. Rather than an explicit warning or denial of service, these measures seek to seriously hamper the YouTube experience until the ad blocker is disabled.

Did Google deny it was behind the latest issue?

While we’re going down this rabbit hole, it’s worth taking a closer look at Google’s statement to Android Authority when asked for comment about this skipping and muting problem.

Ad blockers violate YouTube’s Terms of Service, and we’ve been urging users for some time to support their favorite creators and allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience. An unrelated push to improve YouTube’s performance and reliability may be resulting in suboptimal viewing experiences for ad blocker users.

The statement begins by reasserting that YouTube doesn’t want you to use an ad blocker — this certainly isn’t in dispute. But the last part suggests that a performance update, “may be resulting in suboptimal viewing experiences for ad blocker users.” The inference here is that this ‘push’ might be responsible for this particular skipping and muting issue, but a skeptic might also conclude that this is deliberately vague. It could just as easily be a reference to the aforementioned buffering issues that have been occurring for months. That would certainly be more akin to a suboptimal viewing experience, which is something of an understatement if you’re talking about videos that skip to the end immediately.

Another striking thing is that whatever this performance and reliability push might be, it seems rather coincidental that it has only caused issues for people using ad blockers. Perhaps the update actually relates to the measures being taken against ad blockers. But in that case, why make it sound as if it’s a temporary inconvenience rather than confirming it was intended for that purpose?

In other words, there doesn’t appear to be an equivocal denial that these recent issues are a deliberate attempt to target ad blockers. Or perhaps we’re reading too much into it.

What’s the case for Google’s defense?

YouTube Ads Popup

Credit: Search Engine Land

Far be it from me to stick up for a mega-corporation, but it’s only fair to consider that Google might be genuine in its suggestion that this latest problem isn’t a deliberate ploy.

As we’ve already seen, Google doesn’t hide the fact that it both discourages the use of ad blockers and is taking steps to prevent their use. The policy has been made clear in various statements over the past year, and when YouTube prevents you from using an ad blocker, the company tends to own it. When there were reports in November that the performance of YouTube with an ad blocker enabled can suffer depending on which browser you were using, a YouTube spokesperson gave us a statement not dissimilar to the one above. But, on that occasion, the statement made clear that it was the use of the ad blocker that was the issue and it was because YouTube wanted to discourage it.

We’ve also seen a similar situation in which Google has been vindicated in the past. When some YouTube users with ad blockers enabled were slowed down in January, many people were suspicious of Google. The company denied it was responsible and suggested it was the ad blocker software at fault. That might have been taken with a pinch of salt, but a subsequent statement from the technology group that owned the two ad blockers in question confirmed Google’s assertions and issued fixes to the problems.

Google has been vindicated in the past.

That example could also shed light on the nature of this problem. Muting issues aside, the fact that the user gets skipped to the end of the video is a very specific ‘error’ to occur. You might wonder if this is the ad blocker confusing the video with one of the ads and trying to jump past it.

This debate is also based on a few anecdotal examples from Reddit. We don’t know if many other people are affected by this issue, but we do know how internet virality works — an accusation of corporate oppression is made, outrage is generated, and everyone starts dunking on the service that we all regularly use.

The allegation itself raises further questions. If this is a deliberate Google scheme, why aren’t we seeing widespread reports of it? Since this problem is only related to users of the Adblock Plus app, why wouldn’t it apply to other ad blockers? Google is rarely accused of not being at the cutting edge of tech, so wouldn’t YouTube be better at applying this to more ad-blocking apps?

On that point, you have to consider why Google would confuse your experience at all. It has no qualms about displaying the ad blocker warning message to some users. Why not just make that the default measure to encourage you to disable your ad blocker? Some users wouldn’t realize that a performance issue is down to the fact their ad blocker is enabled, and it would be in Google’s interests to tell you how you can remedy that situation.

Where does that leave us?

YouTube on smartphone stock photo 3

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

You may have your own ideas, but there isn’t enough here for us to draw a definitive conclusion one way or the other.

As much as we might be frustrated by the number or length of ads before or during YouTube videos, Google has every right to attempt to stop you from blocking them. Most of its revenue is derived from ads, so blocking them is bad for business. You might not be keen on helping Google out this way, but some of that money does trickle down to the creator of the video that you’re trying to watch for free. There is also an alternative in YouTube Premium if you’d rather pay for your entertainment with your money rather than your time.

You might begrudgingly agree with all that but suggest that Google is being deceptive by appearing to deny it is causing this most recent issue. It would obviously be preferable for the company to be more open about it in those circumstances. Users would grumble about it, but at least they’d know where they stand.

Except we can’t really conclude that is the case. As outlined above, people have been a little too quick to point the finger of blame in the past, including us. It’s up to you whether you want to give Google the benefit of the doubt on this one or not.

Get a free 50-inch smart TV with your Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge pre-order

You might think the chance to be an early adopter of the stunning new Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge is reason enough to pre-order the Snapdragon-powered laptop, but there are some tasty extra incentives to sweeten the deal right now. The most eye-catching of these is that you’ll get a free Samsung 50-inch Class Crystal UHD TV, worth $380, with your purchase.

Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge with free 50-inch Class Crystal UHD TV for $1,349.99 ($380 off)

Catch an $18 clearance price on this Anker USB-C to Lightning cable

If you’re still mixing your older Apple devices with the rest of the electronics world then you’ll find you need a USB-C to Lightning cable soon enough. Fortunately, Anker’s already affordable PowerLine III Flow is on sale right now at Best Buy, with a 40% clearance discount dropping it to just $17.99.

Anker 6ft PowerLine III Flow USB-C to Lightning Cable for $17.99 ($12 off)

Samsung unveils surprise 2-for-1 deal on the Galaxy Watch 6

In a surprisingly generous Mother’s Day promotion, Samsung just revealed an amazing deal on the Galaxy Watch 6. It’s an old-fashioned buy-one-get-one offer on any configuration of the smartwatch, meaning you could save up to $380 on the second wearable. We have to admit, it’s a great excuse to treat yourself at the same time as your mom.

Buy one Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, get one free

Samsung unveils surprise 2-for-1 deal on the Galaxy Watch 6

In a surprisingly generous Mother’s Day promotion, Samsung just revealed an amazing deal on the Galaxy Watch 6. It’s an old-fashioned buy-one-get-one offer on any configuration of the smartwatch, meaning you could save up to $380 on the second wearable. We have to admit, it’s a great excuse to treat yourself at the same time as your mom.

Buy one Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, get one free

Samsung unveils surprise 2-for-1 deal on the Galaxy Watch 6

In a surprisingly generous Mother’s Day promotion, Samsung just revealed an amazing deal on the Galaxy Watch 6. It’s an old-fashioned buy-one-get-one offer on any configuration of the smartwatch, meaning you could save up to $380 on the second wearable. We have to admit, it’s a great excuse to treat yourself at the same time as your mom.

Buy one Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, get one free

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