Alongside the new Pixel 9 series, Google rolled out its redesigned Pixel Weather app, which aims to please pluviophiles and minimalists alike. Google has a penchant for creating copies of apps it already has, especially since it only recently updated the older weather app. However, Pixel Weather will eventually trickle down to older Pixel models.

Beyond the visual changes, the app also introduces Gemini-powered summaries that reduce the swathe of weather factors and figures into a sentence or two that anyone can understand. The idea is to make checking a forecast as easy as possible without combing through numbers and icons across multiple hours.

That all sounds great, but what do our readers think of the Pixel Weather app?

Yes, the frog is gone

For the most part, the app’s reception has been positive. In a poll visited by over 2,600 readers, 45.4% of respondents like the look of the new app, despite the changes. However, the doubters follow close behind. 38.5% of readers don’t like the app, which once again highlights how divisive app design can be. The remaining 16% of readers are “indifferent.”

The vote is on a knife-edge, but the comments explain why that might be the case. Those in the positive camp are happy with the inclusion of some metrics, like the air quality index (AQI), while others were won over by the “simple looks.” Others were more reductive: “I like it,” writes one reader.

On the other hand, those who dislike the app seem to focus on two absent features. “Noooo, let me keep my frog, please,” cries one reader, while another writes, “I demand for the frog to stay.” Unfortunately, Google’s fan-favorite frog has been relocated from the simplified design, and so has its cutesy, animated, weather-related habitat.

Others lament the lack of a weather radar, which would allow them to view conditions in real-time throughout the day. “As a person who works outside, I just need an easy-to-access radar section. I hate the Weather Channel, but I’m forced to use it because it has the best radar I’ve seen,” notes one user.

My biggest bugbear with the app is its lack of granular information. Yes, it offers plenty of immediate and long-term forecast information, but it lacks extended wind, rain, and pressure visualizations. The movable widgets are also an odd choice. They don’t display as much information as the cards on the outgoing app and take up far too much real estate on screen. If minimalism was the goal, these elements suggest otherwise.

This is a new app, so expect Google to implement updates and tweaks throughout its lifetime. It will be interesting to see which elements the company focuses on going forward.

It’s worth noting that those running Android 14 devices can also snag the APK and experience the app for themselves. I’ve installed it on a foldable, and the hourly and 10-day forecasts are surprisingly serviceable on larger displays. However, owing to the issues I raised in the previous paragraph, I don’t think I’d trade this app for my favorite weather apps anytime soon. It seems many readers feel this way, too.

Budgeting for a smartphone is an expensive undertaking. Do you fork out and grab one of the best phones around, or do you opt for something more affordable? There’s a lot to weigh up, but something that isn’t always considered alongside new hardware is the carrier plan. Whether you’re paying off your handset monthly or leaning on those voice minutes or high-speed 5G data, every modern user and handset needs a plan.

We’re spoiled for choice of phone plans in 2024, but one thing’s certain: no one wants to spend more than they really need. With that in mind, we want to know how much you spend monthly on your personal phone plan. We’re only interested in personal plans for a single user, not those covering multiple users or families. How much do you spend per month? Be sure to let us know by voting in our poll below.

We’re well aware that many of the feature-filled plans are priced above the $15 mark. Limited data and other cons often hamstring those paying less. After all, not all of us can afford unlimited plans. Moving to a postpaid plan is often a more attractive arrangement, especially if you don’t require a new handset. There are several plans at or below this price point worth your consideration, as detailed in our best prepaid deals for $15 or less guide.

When we last ran this poll in 2022, most users were paying $40 or more, with the $10 to $19.99 mark also proving quite popular. Importantly, we didn’t exclude family plans from that particular poll, but it’ll be interesting to see how inflation and other financial trends have changed users’ willingness or ability to spend.

Of course, our comments are always open. Be sure to include more details about your particular plan in the comments, including carrier, data, and other limits, and how it has treated you.

Every new device has its teething issues, and smartwatches are no exception. A few days after its release, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7‘s battery life became the subject of users’ ire. Many new buyers took to forums and our comments sections to highlight their issues with their wearable’s longevity, with many failing to make it through a day on one charge.

Around a week later, at the beginning of August, Samsung issued a new update that addresses the device’s “battery stability.” That’s pretty vague, but it suggested that the company knew of the issue and implemented a fix — or so it believed. So, did the update improve the situation?

Yes, the update works (for most of you)

We polled readers about their experience post-update, and well, it’s a mixed bag.

The majority of users (56.1%) believed that the update had improved their device’s battery life to a varying degree. 30.6% were adamant that they’re now enjoying “solidly improved battery life,” while a quarter claimed that battery life is better, but not anything to write home about.

Curiously, just under 9% of readers note that their experience is worse now, while 35% claim that the update did not remedy the problem. These users are in the minority, but more than a third of users claiming that the fix hasn’t actually worked is fairly substantial.

Several readers in the comments section noted that they hadn’t received the update when this poll was published, while others voted only to view the immediate results. This somewhat skews the data. However, some are reaping the benefits of the patch.

“Fixed mine. USA, Watch 7. Was getting about 12 hours of battery life before update. Just got 25 hours with latest,” wrote one user. “I started experiencing the update on my Galaxy Watch 7 after I’d had it about 5 days. Was having to charge it multiple times a day. Charged up before bed, and down to 50% by morning. Finally got the update yesterday morning (Aug 1), and it has absolutely solved the issue. I was able to go all day without a charge. Charged before bed and was still at 91% this morning when I got up.”

Others who have received the patch see no difference. “Got the update and it didn’t make to much of a difference. With only tap to wake up on, I get a solid 2 days on a charge,” wrote another reader.

Remember that the Galaxy Watch 7 effectively comprises four models: two dial sizes and LTE and Bluetooth-only options. Each configuration offers a different battery life. We found that the smallest Galaxy Watch model offers subpar endurance compared to the larger device. While the update might work for one, it may not yield similar results for another.

Nevertheless, the update should be available to all users at the time of this writing, so be sure to let us know your latest experience in the comments section below. If you’re still struggling with your Galaxy Watch 7’s longevity, you might find some joy by following our troubleshooter to remedy your smartwatch problems.

Even the very best smartphones have their pros and cons. As consumers, we take great joy in outlining the positives and enjoying the improvements or novel smarts an updated model brings. However, it’s the negatives that ultimately make or break a device.

A phone could offer the best-in-class performance, but if limited battery life or overheating tampers the experience, it rather negates the feat. Similarly, there’s no point in boasting a crazy quintuple camera array if all five are ordinary. Some manufacturers nerf some features to cut costs or elevate other models in the lineup.

What is your smartphone dealbreaker?

While some users can live with mediocre cameras or battery life if that means a large display or performant base, each one of us will have a different dealbreaker. So, what is yours? We’d love some consumer input from our readers, so vote in our poll below.

We’ve touched on this topic a few times before. In 2017, two of our primary dealbreakers were the lack of a headphone jack and no water resistance — how times have changed. We also polled readers in 2021, with the majority outing poor battery life and a lack of software updates as their bugbears — two problems that still rear their heads. A low-quality display was also among our readers’ top annoyances, but the issue is largely extinct in 2024.

My biggest dealbreaker is battery life, followed by camera performance and durability. If I forget to charge my phone, I want to ensure it’ll still wake me up in the morning. I’m still clinging onto my older phone because it’s built like a shiny tank, and the camera remains impressive. These might be small details, but they matter to me.

Unfortunately, the poll above allows you to pick only one dealbreaker. Ensure that you really give the topic some thought. However, be sure to leave a comment detailing your choice, or tertiary dealbreakers if you are so inclined.

I got my first Fitbit nearly a decade ago. Back then, you could argue that Fitbit was a proprietary eponym — a brand name that inadvertently became synonymous with similar products due to its success or popularity. This couldn’t be further from the case in 2024. The company’s decline started well before Google’s acquisition three years ago, but stalwart Fitbit fans will argue that Mountain View’s influence is the reason for its continued downfall. I’d argue that it’s a little more complicated than that.

When Fitbit was founded in the late 2000s, it was one of a few companies that seriously considered the fitness tracker space a budding technology segment. Initial products weren’t feature-packed, but the brand built a loyal following by introducing heart rate tracking technology at a time when few other consumer products did. Following its growing success, Fitbit listed publicly in 2015, making it one of the year’s hottest IPOs. However, that initial searing heat would dissipate rapidly in the coming years due to low sales, encroaching competition from Apple and others, and a series of troubled launches.

Understandably, when Google came knocking at the end of 2019, a wounded Fitbit was more than happy to listen. I’m sure that plenty of Fitbit users were, too. The company was faltering; financial and developmental backing from a tech giant would be a big shot in the arm. The deal was completed in January 2021, ushering in the Google Fitbit era.

The Google-Fitbit era

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

In reality, Google hasn’t been the greatest custodian of the fitness marque. Its priority has been implementing Fitbit’s smarts into its own refreshed health push rather than accommodating those already part of the ecosystem. Since it changed hands to Mountain View in 2021, Fitbit users have seen sweeping changes to the platform. While Google has integrated the Fitbit platform and technology with its Pixel Watch series, it has gutted other aspects of the overall experience to align with its vision.

It killed the popular Challenges, Adventures, Trophies, and Open Groups — fan-favorite gamification and social features. A few months later, it introduced a divisive app update with Google’s design language, lots of white space, and a layout that makes quick glances at key metrics a challenge.

Google's priority has been consuming Fitbit's smarts into its own health push rather than accommodating existing users.

Despite a loud and incessant user outcry, Google’s changes didn’t stop there. At the end of 2023, Google announced Fitbit’s exit from over 30 markets, more than halving its regional availability, to align the brand with Google’s own official product presence. This move was perhaps the most painful of Google’s decisions thus far, at least for me. It stripped the Fitbit brand from regions like South Africa, where it had operated for decades.

More turmoil came this month when the company shut down Fitbit’s online dashboard. It was the only other way users could view their Fitbit stats, input data, and control their devices beyond the app. Google’s forced shutdown and lack of a genuine web-based successor further alienated established users and gave those who explicitly relied on the interface no alternative. The requirement for Fitbit users to migrate to Google accounts is also rapidly approaching, forcing those with legacy Fitbit accounts to merge them with their Google profiles. Many users don’t want to serve Google their medical history.

Once a hardware company

Sure, these are arguably all fixable issues. Google could always revise its market availability, tinker with the app, or allow Fitbit accounts to remain siloed. These problems are small compared to the real issue: Fitbit’s waning hardware appeal. The devices released since Google’s acquisition make Fitbit’s place in Google’s wearable strategy more apparent.

There have been eight major device launches under the Fitbit banner since 2021, most notably the Charge 5, Versa 4, and Sense 2. The former launched without issue, but the fitness tracker has been plagued by software update issues that left many users’ devices bricked. Fitbit acknowledged the issue by July 2023. A year later, the company has yet to implement a fix.

Google-merger issues are small compared to Fitbit’s waning hardware appeal.

In 2023, the flagship Fitbit Sense 2 and second-string Versa 4 were the first smartwatches to debut under Google’s wing; however, they were a shadow of their predecessors. While the Sense 2 gained all-day stress monitoring and the Versa 4 a cleaner design, their support for third-party apps, smartphone media controls, and Google Assistant were stripped from the devices to artificially set the Pixel Watch apart as the range’s flagship.

With the Pixel Watch 2 following on in 2023 and no new Sense or Versa model released since, Google’s wearable strategy is pretty clear — Fitbit is no longer a serious hardware company. There’s a clear lack of vision at the top end of Fitbit’s range. While the Charge series is likely to continue, the Sense and Versa lines’ future is bleak.

Glimpses of the old Fitbit

There’s no doubt that Fitbit has changed under Google’s leadership. However, it’s worth noting that Fitbit has had some successes during this period, too.

Fitbit’s last significant device, the Charge 6, is among its best launches in years. Instead of stripping features from the troubled Charge 5, it took users’ issues to heart, replaced the idiotic touch-sensitive button with a physical pusher, updated its core health tracking accuracy, and introduced Google apps that were previously limited to smartwatches. This launch gave us a glimmer of hope — it proved that Fitbit under Google is still willing to build on its core tenets.

Since then, Google also rolled out the Ace LTE, not only Fitbit’s first connected smartwatch, but one that injects a fun new take on fitness tracking that would be great on adult devices, too. A Fitbit device with a personality in 2024? Is this really Google’s Fitbit?

To be contrarian for a moment, Fitbit's app redesign is growing on me.

Google has since rolled out more of its apps to the Sense 2 and Versa 4. Yes, it’s slow progress, but progress nonetheless.

To be contrarian for a moment, Fitbit’s app redesign is growing on me. It’s lacking compared to Samsung Health and Garmin Connect, but it’s zippy, easier to navigate, and more pleasant to look at. Last week, I strapped on the Sense 2 in preparation for this piece, and in terms of fit and comfort, I often forgot I was even wearing it. Stuck in bed with a bout of flu, the watch kept me up to speed with my sleep quality, rising resting heart rate, and spiking temperature. As a Galaxy Watch user for the past few years, I missed these intricate insights. Anecdotally, Fitbit offers more nuance when tracking and transcribing these metrics. It’s clear that Fitbit still excels in core areas that once made me a fan.

Fitbit isn’t ruined, yet

We’re quick to judge Google, and who can blame us? The list of properties the company has spawned or bought and then culled is lengthy and lengthening annually. Naturally, Fitbit users are wondering if it will soon join the pile, and there’s evidence that Google prefers to cut features rather than transform them. There’s no ignoring the building chorus of users taking to Reddit and other forums to air their displeasure at Google’s influence over Fitbit. And yes, Google’s interest in Fitbit is more aligned with its eponymous products, molding it into a platform for its smartwatches and neglecting the users it adopted. Still, I don’t believe it’s binning Fitbit any time soon.

Google continues to update Fitbit’s devices. This month, it rolled out Versa 4 and Sense 2 updates, including reworked heart rate tracking and GPS accuracy, YouTube Music control support, and other quality-of-life updates. Even the Inspire 3, the company’s cheapest tracker, saw some love. Google is also planning broader generative AI updates within the Fitbit app, providing users with data-based insights.

So, to answer my initial question: no. Google hasn't ruined Fitbit, but it's well on its way.

All this suggests that Google is trying to keep Fitbit alive, but it’s obvious that the brand, its legacy users, and new Fitbit-branded hardware are not the priority. That is understandable. Google’s Pixel Watch series has proved successful, while Wear OS is stronger than ever. However, the more Google focuses on future Pixel Watch buyers, the more this approach will push the users it inherited away from the platform it’s trying to build. Fitbit remains a popular brand with swathes of users globally. Google risks alienating and losing the trust of these users in the long run for short-term gain with its Pixel Watch series. There aren’t many Fitbit alternatives in the $100 to $250 segment, and if Google remains parsimonious, it may relinquish this market to the likes of Garmin and Xiaomi.

So, to answer my initial question: no. Google hasn’t ruined Fitbit, but it’s well on its way. Fitbit is the company that got me into wearables, but I will likely never buy another device from the brand. Judging by Fitbit forums and other online communities, many users feel the same way.

I was one of the few Samsung Galaxy Ultra defenders before its launch. The early leaked images had some covering their children’s eyes, but I gazed on, intrigued by the quirky styling. In my original opinion piece, I stated that Samsung’s “chunky and brutish styling” could theoretically allow more room to innovate. However, the new ultra-expensive Samsung wearable hasn’t done much to maximize its divisive design. And if anything, I’ve been left disappointed by an overpriced smartwatch that doesn’t bring anything revolutionary to my wrist.

Sauce with little substance

A few weeks before its debut, I wrote that Samsung’s exciting new design and thicker body could allow for more innovative packaging, including space for a larger battery and a host of additional kit. Of course, this was well before any tangible details of the device were available. However, Samsung has opted for a more conservative approach than I had hoped, which doesn’t maximize the design’s potential.

Despite its revised design, it uses the same size battery as the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and the same size display as the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic — two older, cheaper, and more approachable smartwatches.

Unless you're planning a trek up Everest or a dive along the Great Barrier Reef, you'll never test the watch's 10ATM durability or altitude/temperature credentials.

Samsung would argue that the new Ultra design allows for a theoretically indestructible smartwatch thanks to its grade 4 titanium shell and protective display bumpers. Unless you plan a trek up Everest or a dive along the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll never test the watch’s 10ATM durability or altitude/temperature credentials. If anything, the more extreme users this watch is trying to attract will likely opt for specialized equipment. The lack of a meaningful battery capacity upgrade and broader display to match the larger dial disappoints general users like me.

Beyond its divisive skin, most of the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s core new features are software-based, making the hardware largely redundant. Granted, it features a third button, an emergency siren, more LEDs for better health tracking, and a new strap fastening system. However, most users will gain more tangible benefits from Wear OS 5, which will land on Samsung’s older watches in due course.

Additionally, it shares its internals with the cheaper Galaxy Watch 7. Most new features, including Energy Score, sleep apnea monitoring, and Galaxy AI-powered features, will still require a Galaxy smartphone, making upgrading a fruitless prospect for other Android phone users.

Higher price, less value

More importantly — and as the most glaring strike against the Ultra — its upgrades are not worth the steep asking price. At $649, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is the most expensive Samsung smartwatch, dwarfing its predecessors by hundreds of dollars.

If you can’t quantify that number, here’s a more tangible comparison. You can purchase two Galaxy Watch 7 models for $50 less than one Galaxy Watch Ultra. You can also purchase the Galaxy Ring and one Galaxy Watch 7 for just $50 more than the Ultra. And here’s the real kicker: I can buy a Galaxy S24 Plus in South Africa for the same price as the Galaxy Watch Ultra. This won’t be true in every region, but it demonstrates how inflated the smartwatch’s price is.

If you want a rugged Samsung smartwatch, grab a Galaxy Watch 7 and slap a case on it. You'll save hundreds.

The Galaxy Watch 7 should provide the same core experience, with the same chipset, the same software and fitness tracking smarts, and the same Galaxy AI features at a much lower price. The 44mm model also shares its display with the Galaxy Watch Ultra. I’d even argue that the key differences between the two models, namely the titanium build, the larger battery, and the third button, aren’t that significant either.

If you want a rugged Samsung smartwatch, grab a Galaxy Watch 7 and slap a case on it. You’ll save hundreds. Ironically, browsing various forums this week, I’ve seen so many users shrouding their Galaxy Watch Ultra in a case anyway.

I’ve argued that the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is also a much smarter investment if you’re looking for an outdoor smartwatch with more endurance and durability. Although it’s two years older and has dated hardware, the wearable makes a lot more financial sense.

What does the Galaxy Watch Ultra want to be?

This brings me to my final point: the Galaxy Watch Ultra lacks a clear identity.

Despite its durability badges, it isn’t an extreme outdoor watch or an easy-wear smartwatch. It sits in an awkward middle ground between the two. It’s competing with the Apple Watch Ultra but can’t pair with iPhones. It’s adopted stylings from Garmin, but it can’t hold a candle to its fitness tracking metrics or battery life.

Unlike its Ultra phone, Samsung's Ultra watch doesn't stretch the limits of features or design.

Samsung markets the Ultra as a tough, impact-ready smartwatch with Galaxy AI smarts, but all that means is it’s a Galaxy Watch 7 in an armored shell. Yes, the smartwatch features give the Galaxy Ultra a leg up against its Apple and Garmin rivals. However, these features aren’t unique to the Samsung smartwatch line.

Unlike its Ultra smartphone line, Samsung’s Ultra watch doesn’t stretch the limits of features and design as I hoped it would. I want to believe that Samsung is planning sweeping upgrades in the future and that this iterative upgrade is only part of its larger plan. Perhaps I expected too much and saw a striking design with big possibilities. Either way, what Samsung is selling has left me wanting more or demanding a more reasonable price.

There is no shortage of great Android games available online, but there may be some that you feel could use a few changes — a few modifications. Modified or modded Android games and apps are a thing, but before you hop online and download them, there are some details you should know.

In this guide, we’ll cover modded Android games that aren’t supported by the developer and community mods that are encouraged by the developer or publisher. Although they may appear similar, there are important differences. Here’s everything you need to know about modded Android games.

What is a modded Android game?

As the intro mentions, there are two breeds of modded Android games. First, there are original titles that are modified and redistributed as an APK or an altered version of an entire game. Second, there are games that allow and support mods from community members.

Let’s discuss the first idea in more detail. Modded Android games (available as APK files) are altered, unofficial versions of a published and available title. These modifications can introduce new details, alter existing items or design details, or unlock things usually gated behind level locks or in-game currency. In short, a modded Android game uses an existing title as a base and builds on it.

It’s essential to know where the mod comes from, who the modder is, and whether the original game developer allows mods. Tinkering with and distributing another person’s digital property without permission can have potential legal implications.

In short, a modded Android game uses an existing title as a base and builds on it.

Alternatively, a developer may approve mods, and the game itself may be built around this idea, but this ultimately comes down to the game creator. To give a PC and console example, Bethesda actively encourages users to create mods for Fallout 4. However, the game has a built-in system and a developer-approved creation kit to facilitate this. Generally, modified Android games lack these aspects, but some exceptions exist. Stardew Valley developer ConcernedApe actively welcomes community mods through a dedicated mod loader and repository.

What are the benefits of a modded Android game?

Modded Android games offer many apparent benefits. Most obviously, mods allow users more control of their gaming experience than the developer could offer or intended initially.

As an example, for those who hate grinding, mods can break down level locks and other walls within the game, making all content available immediately and without the need to earn any of these privileges. Modded games can also give the player unlimited in-game currency or limit the need for real-world currency in pay-to-play titles. Mods may also remove other aspects of a title, including an unlock fee, trackers, or advertising.

Mods allow users more control of their gaming experience, beyond what the developer originally intended.

Community mods to a game that supports them may also offer advantages. They may tweak some items of a title that a developer hasn’t addressed, like a bug, a gameplay mechanic that doesn’t work, or other factors, like colors, audio, or character design. Mods can make existing titles more challenging, lengthening the game’s life and improving replayability. For developers, opening mod support gives the community agency and encourages a more active, involved user base.

Are modded Android games safe?

The original developer does not usually sign off on a modified APK, so there’s an inherent risk of downloading a modded Android game. While the developer is usually a trusted figure recognized within the community, these APK modders are not and may have ill intent. There’s always the possibility that a modded game could readjust in-app purchases or add malware to the game itself. This may not always be the case, but the issue is that you cannot know for sure. As a result, it’s not safe to download modded game APKs from third parties. Importantly, you also risk getting banned for using modded Android games that require an online connection.

There's an inherent risk downloading a modded Android game, as you can't guarantee the modder's intentions.

Alternatively, if you download mods for a game that supports them from a trusted repository backed by the developer, you shouldn’t encounter any issues. These mods rely on crowdsourced approval and ratings, so users will call out truly nefarious or problematic mods. There’s no room to hide in a community mod repository for popular games. That said, ensure you read reviews of any mod you plan to install. Do your research.

Where can I get modded Android games?

It’s generally easy to find modded Android games wrapped up as an APK file online, but you won’t find them on any of the major app stores, including F-Droid or the Google Play Store. You’ll generally have to scour the internet and visit various forums to find modded files. I don’t recommend installing redistributed modified APK games, so I won’t mention any sources for these in this guide.

I will say that Reddit’s r/moddedandroidapps is a good place to start, especially if you’re searching for a general discussion of modified apps, recommendations, and further guidance. Although the subreddit is centered around all modified Android apps, there are frequent discussions about modified games.

There are many mods for popular games, but be sure to check if the game allows mods before installing them. You’ll find approved mods on several trusted repositories online. Nexus Mods is perhaps the most widely recommended, but some games have dedicated repositories. Stardew Valley’s SMAPI lets users easily search for and install mods on Android and other platforms.

How to install modded Android games

Modded Android games are usually distributed as single APK files, which allows users to install them through a third-party file manager. Our guide to installing third-party apps without the Play Store covers this process in detail. Alternatively, the APK may be distributed in pieces. In this case, you’ll need an app to piece and install the game together. Split APK Installer is a decent app for accomplishing this.

Each game that supports mods will have its own installation method. If you’re lucky, the developer will outline the process. Some games, such as the aforementioned Stardew Valley, make this process easy as pie. It relies on a dedicated mod installer, making it easy for users to search for and add mods to the original game. Other titles, like Baldur’s Gate, may have you trawling through its developer’s forums for an answer.

I got my first Fitbit nearly a decade ago. Back then, you could argue that Fitbit was a proprietary eponym — a brand name that inadvertently became synonymous with similar products due to its success or popularity. This couldn’t be further from the case in 2024. The company’s decline started well before Google’s acquisition three years ago, but stalwart Fitbit fans will argue that Mountain View’s influence is the reason for its continued downfall. I’d argue that it’s a little more complicated than that.

When Fitbit was founded in the late 2000s, it was one of a few companies that seriously considered the fitness tracker space a budding technology segment. Initial products weren’t feature-packed, but the brand built a loyal following by introducing heart rate tracking technology at a time when few other consumer products did. Following its growing success, Fitbit listed publicly in 2015, making it one of the year’s hottest IPOs. However, that initial searing heat would dissipate rapidly in the coming years due to low sales, encroaching competition from Apple and others, and a series of troubled launches.

Understandably, when Google came knocking at the end of 2019, a wounded Fitbit was more than happy to listen. I’m sure that plenty of Fitbit users were, too. The company was faltering; financial and developmental backing from a tech giant would be a big shot in the arm. The deal was completed in January 2021, ushering in the Google Fitbit era.

The Google-Fitbit era

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

In reality, Google hasn’t been the greatest custodian of the fitness marque. Its priority has been implementing Fitbit’s smarts into its own refreshed health push rather than accommodating those already part of the ecosystem. Since it changed hands to Mountain View in 2021, Fitbit users have seen sweeping changes to the platform. While Google has integrated the Fitbit platform and technology with its Pixel Watch series, it has gutted other aspects of the overall experience to align with its vision.

It killed the popular Challenges, Adventures, Trophies, and Open Groups — fan-favorite gamification and social features. A few months later, it introduced a divisive app update with Google’s design language, lots of white space, and a layout that makes quick glances at key metrics a challenge.

Google's priority has been consuming Fitbit's smarts into its own health push rather than accommodating existing users.

Despite a loud and incessant user outcry, Google’s changes didn’t stop there. At the end of 2023, Google announced Fitbit’s exit from over 30 markets, more than halving its regional availability, to align the brand with Google’s own official product presence. This move was perhaps the most painful of Google’s decisions thus far, at least for me. It stripped the Fitbit brand from regions like South Africa, where it had operated for decades.

More turmoil came this month when the company shut down Fitbit’s online dashboard. It was the only other way users could view their Fitbit stats, input data, and control their devices beyond the app. Google’s forced shutdown and lack of a genuine web-based successor further alienated established users and gave those who explicitly relied on the interface no alternative. The requirement for Fitbit users to migrate to Google accounts is also rapidly approaching, forcing those with legacy Fitbit accounts to merge them with their Google profiles. Many users don’t want to serve Google their medical history.

Once a hardware company

Sure, these are arguably all fixable issues. Google could always revise its market availability, tinker with the app, or allow Fitbit accounts to remain siloed. These problems are small compared to the real issue: Fitbit’s waning hardware appeal. The devices released since Google’s acquisition make Fitbit’s place in Google’s wearable strategy more apparent.

There have been eight major device launches under the Fitbit banner since 2021, most notably the Charge 5, Versa 4, and Sense 2. The former launched without issue, but the fitness tracker has been plagued by software update issues that left many users’ devices bricked. Fitbit acknowledged the issue by July 2023. A year later, the company has yet to implement a fix.

Google-merger issues are small compared to Fitbit’s waning hardware appeal.

In 2023, the flagship Fitbit Sense 2 and second-string Versa 4 were the first smartwatches to debut under Google’s wing; however, they were a shadow of their predecessors. While the Sense 2 gained all-day stress monitoring and the Versa 4 a cleaner design, their support for third-party apps, smartphone media controls, and Google Assistant were stripped from the devices to artificially set the Pixel Watch apart as the range’s flagship.

With the Pixel Watch 2 following on in 2023 and no new Sense or Versa model released since, Google’s wearable strategy is pretty clear — Fitbit is no longer a serious hardware company. There’s a clear lack of vision at the top end of Fitbit’s range. While the Charge series is likely to continue, the Sense and Versa lines’ future is bleak.

Glimpses of the old Fitbit

There’s no doubt that Fitbit has changed under Google’s leadership. However, it’s worth noting that Fitbit has had some successes during this period, too.

Fitbit’s last significant device, the Charge 6, is among its best launches in years. Instead of stripping features from the troubled Charge 5, it took users’ issues to heart, replaced the idiotic touch-sensitive button with a physical pusher, updated its core health tracking accuracy, and introduced Google apps that were previously limited to smartwatches. This launch gave us a glimmer of hope — it proved that Fitbit under Google is still willing to build on its core tenets.

Since then, Google also rolled out the Ace LTE, not only Fitbit’s first connected smartwatch, but one that injects a fun new take on fitness tracking that would be great on adult devices, too. A Fitbit device with a personality in 2024? Is this really Google’s Fitbit?

To be contrarian for a moment, Fitbit's app redesign is growing on me.

Google has since rolled out more of its apps to the Sense 2 and Versa 4. Yes, it’s slow progress, but progress nonetheless.

To be contrarian for a moment, Fitbit’s app redesign is growing on me. It’s lacking compared to Samsung Health and Garmin Connect, but it’s zippy, easier to navigate, and more pleasant to look at. Last week, I strapped on the Sense 2 in preparation for this piece, and in terms of fit and comfort, I often forgot I was even wearing it. Stuck in bed with a bout of flu, the watch kept me up to speed with my sleep quality, rising resting heart rate, and spiking temperature. As a Galaxy Watch user for the past few years, I missed these intricate insights. Anecdotally, Fitbit offers more nuance when tracking and transcribing these metrics. It’s clear that Fitbit still excels in core areas that once made me a fan.

Fitbit isn’t ruined, yet

We’re quick to judge Google, and who can blame us? The list of properties the company has spawned or bought and then culled is lengthy and lengthening annually. Naturally, Fitbit users are wondering if it will soon join the pile, and there’s evidence that Google prefers to cut features rather than transform them. There’s no ignoring the building chorus of users taking to Reddit and other forums to air their displeasure at Google’s influence over Fitbit. And yes, Google’s interest in Fitbit is more aligned with its eponymous products, molding it into a platform for its smartwatches and neglecting the users it adopted. Still, I don’t believe it’s binning Fitbit any time soon.

Google continues to update Fitbit’s devices. This month, it rolled out Versa 4 and Sense 2 updates, including reworked heart rate tracking and GPS accuracy, YouTube Music control support, and other quality-of-life updates. Even the Inspire 3, the company’s cheapest tracker, saw some love. Google is also planning broader generative AI updates within the Fitbit app, providing users with data-based insights.

So, to answer my initial question: no. Google hasn't ruined Fitbit, but it's well on its way.

All this suggests that Google is trying to keep Fitbit alive, but it’s obvious that the brand, its legacy users, and new Fitbit-branded hardware are not the priority. That is understandable. Google’s Pixel Watch series has proved successful, while Wear OS is stronger than ever. However, the more Google focuses on future Pixel Watch buyers, the more this approach will push the users it inherited away from the platform it’s trying to build. Fitbit remains a popular brand with swathes of users globally. Google risks alienating and losing the trust of these users in the long run for short-term gain with its Pixel Watch series. There aren’t many Fitbit alternatives in the $100 to $250 segment, and if Google remains parsimonious, it may relinquish this market to the likes of Garmin and Xiaomi.

So, to answer my initial question: no. Google hasn’t ruined Fitbit, but it’s well on its way. Fitbit is the company that got me into wearables, but I will likely never buy another device from the brand. Judging by Fitbit forums and other online communities, many users feel the same way.

I was one of the few Samsung Galaxy Ultra defenders before its launch. The early leaked images had some covering their children’s eyes, but I gazed on, intrigued by the quirky styling. In my original opinion piece, I stated that Samsung’s “chunky and brutish styling” could theoretically allow more room to innovate. However, the new ultra-expensive Samsung wearable hasn’t done much to maximize its divisive design. And if anything, I’ve been left disappointed by an overpriced smartwatch that doesn’t bring anything revolutionary to my wrist.

Sauce with little substance

A few weeks before its debut, I wrote that Samsung’s exciting new design and thicker body could allow for more innovative packaging, including space for a larger battery and a host of additional kit. Of course, this was well before any tangible details of the device were available. However, Samsung has opted for a more conservative approach than I had hoped, which doesn’t maximize the design’s potential.

Despite its revised design, it uses the same size battery as the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and the same size display as the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic — two older, cheaper, and more approachable smartwatches.

Unless you're planning a trek up Everest or a dive along the Great Barrier Reef, you'll never test the watch's 10ATM durability or altitude/temperature credentials.

Samsung would argue that the new Ultra design allows for a theoretically indestructible smartwatch thanks to its grade 4 titanium shell and protective display bumpers. Unless you plan a trek up Everest or a dive along the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll never test the watch’s 10ATM durability or altitude/temperature credentials. If anything, the more extreme users this watch is trying to attract will likely opt for specialized equipment. The lack of a meaningful battery capacity upgrade and broader display to match the larger dial disappoints general users like me.

Beyond its divisive skin, most of the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s core new features are software-based, making the hardware largely redundant. Granted, it features a third button, an emergency siren, more LEDs for better health tracking, and a new strap fastening system. However, most users will gain more tangible benefits from Wear OS 5, which will land on Samsung’s older watches in due course.

Additionally, it shares its internals with the cheaper Galaxy Watch 7. Most new features, including Energy Score, sleep apnea monitoring, and Galaxy AI-powered features, will still require a Galaxy smartphone, making upgrading a fruitless prospect for other Android phone users.

Higher price, less value

More importantly — and as the most glaring strike against the Ultra — its upgrades are not worth the steep asking price. At $649, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is the most expensive Samsung smartwatch, dwarfing its predecessors by hundreds of dollars.

If you can’t quantify that number, here’s a more tangible comparison. You can purchase two Galaxy Watch 7 models for $50 less than one Galaxy Watch Ultra. You can also purchase the Galaxy Ring and one Galaxy Watch 7 for just $50 more than the Ultra. And here’s the real kicker: I can buy a Galaxy S24 Plus in South Africa for the same price as the Galaxy Watch Ultra. This won’t be true in every region, but it demonstrates how inflated the smartwatch’s price is.

If you want a rugged Samsung smartwatch, grab a Galaxy Watch 7 and slap a case on it. You'll save hundreds.

The Galaxy Watch 7 should provide the same core experience, with the same chipset, the same software and fitness tracking smarts, and the same Galaxy AI features at a much lower price. The 44mm model also shares its display with the Galaxy Watch Ultra. I’d even argue that the key differences between the two models, namely the titanium build, the larger battery, and the third button, aren’t that significant either.

If you want a rugged Samsung smartwatch, grab a Galaxy Watch 7 and slap a case on it. You’ll save hundreds. Ironically, browsing various forums this week, I’ve seen so many users shrouding their Galaxy Watch Ultra in a case anyway.

I’ve argued that the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is also a much smarter investment if you’re looking for an outdoor smartwatch with more endurance and durability. Although it’s two years older and has dated hardware, the wearable makes a lot more financial sense.

What does the Galaxy Watch Ultra want to be?

This brings me to my final point: the Galaxy Watch Ultra lacks a clear identity.

Despite its durability badges, it isn’t an extreme outdoor watch or an easy-wear smartwatch. It sits in an awkward middle ground between the two. It’s competing with the Apple Watch Ultra but can’t pair with iPhones. It’s adopted stylings from Garmin, but it can’t hold a candle to its fitness tracking metrics or battery life.

Unlike its Ultra phone, Samsung's Ultra watch doesn't stretch the limits of features or design.

Samsung markets the Ultra as a tough, impact-ready smartwatch with Galaxy AI smarts, but all that means is it’s a Galaxy Watch 7 in an armored shell. Yes, the smartwatch features give the Galaxy Ultra a leg up against its Apple and Garmin rivals. However, these features aren’t unique to the Samsung smartwatch line.

Unlike its Ultra smartphone line, Samsung’s Ultra watch doesn’t stretch the limits of features and design as I hoped it would. I want to believe that Samsung is planning sweeping upgrades in the future and that this iterative upgrade is only part of its larger plan. Perhaps I expected too much and saw a striking design with big possibilities. Either way, what Samsung is selling has left me wanting more or demanding a more reasonable price.

There is no shortage of great Android games available online, but there may be some that you feel could use a few changes — a few modifications. Modified or modded Android games and apps are a thing, but before you hop online and download them, there are some details you should know.

In this guide, we’ll cover modded Android games that aren’t supported by the developer and community mods that are encouraged by the developer or publisher. Although they may appear similar, there are important differences. Here’s everything you need to know about modded Android games.

What is a modded Android game?

As the intro mentions, there are two breeds of modded Android games. First, there are original titles that are modified and redistributed as an APK or an altered version of an entire game. Second, there are games that allow and support mods from community members.

Let’s discuss the first idea in more detail. Modded Android games (available as APK files) are altered, unofficial versions of a published and available title. These modifications can introduce new details, alter existing items or design details, or unlock things usually gated behind level locks or in-game currency. In short, a modded Android game uses an existing title as a base and builds on it.

It’s essential to know where the mod comes from, who the modder is, and whether the original game developer allows mods. Tinkering with and distributing another person’s digital property without permission can have potential legal implications.

In short, a modded Android game uses an existing title as a base and builds on it.

Alternatively, a developer may approve mods, and the game itself may be built around this idea, but this ultimately comes down to the game creator. To give a PC and console example, Bethesda actively encourages users to create mods for Fallout 4. However, the game has a built-in system and a developer-approved creation kit to facilitate this. Generally, modified Android games lack these aspects, but some exceptions exist. Stardew Valley developer ConcernedApe actively welcomes community mods through a dedicated mod loader and repository.

What are the benefits of a modded Android game?

Modded Android games offer many apparent benefits. Most obviously, mods allow users more control of their gaming experience than the developer could offer or intended initially.

As an example, for those who hate grinding, mods can break down level locks and other walls within the game, making all content available immediately and without the need to earn any of these privileges. Modded games can also give the player unlimited in-game currency or limit the need for real-world currency in pay-to-play titles. Mods may also remove other aspects of a title, including an unlock fee, trackers, or advertising.

Mods allow users more control of their gaming experience, beyond what the developer originally intended.

Community mods to a game that supports them may also offer advantages. They may tweak some items of a title that a developer hasn’t addressed, like a bug, a gameplay mechanic that doesn’t work, or other factors, like colors, audio, or character design. Mods can make existing titles more challenging, lengthening the game’s life and improving replayability. For developers, opening mod support gives the community agency and encourages a more active, involved user base.

Are modded Android games safe?

The original developer does not usually sign off on a modified APK, so there’s an inherent risk of downloading a modded Android game. While the developer is usually a trusted figure recognized within the community, these APK modders are not and may have ill intent. There’s always the possibility that a modded game could readjust in-app purchases or add malware to the game itself. This may not always be the case, but the issue is that you cannot know for sure. As a result, it’s not safe to download modded game APKs from third parties. Importantly, you also risk getting banned for using modded Android games that require an online connection.

There's an inherent risk downloading a modded Android game, as you can't guarantee the modder's intentions.

Alternatively, if you download mods for a game that supports them from a trusted repository backed by the developer, you shouldn’t encounter any issues. These mods rely on crowdsourced approval and ratings, so users will call out truly nefarious or problematic mods. There’s no room to hide in a community mod repository for popular games. That said, ensure you read reviews of any mod you plan to install. Do your research.

Where can I get modded Android games?

It’s generally easy to find modded Android games wrapped up as an APK file online, but you won’t find them on any of the major app stores, including F-Droid or the Google Play Store. You’ll generally have to scour the internet and visit various forums to find modded files. I don’t recommend installing redistributed modified APK games, so I won’t mention any sources for these in this guide.

I will say that Reddit’s r/moddedandroidapps is a good place to start, especially if you’re searching for a general discussion of modified apps, recommendations, and further guidance. Although the subreddit is centered around all modified Android apps, there are frequent discussions about modified games.

There are many mods for popular games, but be sure to check if the game allows mods before installing them. You’ll find approved mods on several trusted repositories online. Nexus Mods is perhaps the most widely recommended, but some games have dedicated repositories. Stardew Valley’s SMAPI lets users easily search for and install mods on Android and other platforms.

How to install modded Android games

Modded Android games are usually distributed as single APK files, which allows users to install them through a third-party file manager. Our guide to installing third-party apps without the Play Store covers this process in detail. Alternatively, the APK may be distributed in pieces. In this case, you’ll need an app to piece and install the game together. Split APK Installer is a decent app for accomplishing this.

Each game that supports mods will have its own installation method. If you’re lucky, the developer will outline the process. Some games, such as the aforementioned Stardew Valley, make this process easy as pie. It relies on a dedicated mod installer, making it easy for users to search for and add mods to the original game. Other titles, like Baldur’s Gate, may have you trawling through its developer’s forums for an answer.

Smart lights are an essential part of anyone’s smart home ecosystem. They illuminate on demand and fill your abode with ambiance and color. More importantly, they can lean on your existing smart home ecosystem and devices, making them infinitely useful as a part of larger routines.

Perhaps the biggest problem with smart lighting is choosing a brand. There are a dizzying array of options across the segment. While choice is great for a consumer, making the right choice also becomes more important.

That said, if you use smart lights in your home, which brand do you use? We also want to know how you made your decision, so be sure to vote in our poll below and let us know your reasons in the comments.

Some more common brands include Philips Hue, LIFX, and Nanoleaf, but there are a slew of other options that produce great results. Notably, many brands’ products now support Matter, so if you have a product that includes that particular protocol, be sure to cast your vote in that particular poll, too.

Personally, I have one smart light in my entire apartment, which is used mainly as an accent light, although I really should consider grabbing smart grow lights for my indoor plants. In this case, I wouldn’t need to remember to switch them on.

Of course, remember to mention details relating to your setup in the comments section, too; we’re intrigued by your particular arrangement.

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 and new Android games available, focusing on titles that offer something different to the status quo. Be sure to visit our list of the best Android apps of all time, best Android games ever, and our selection of the best new Android apps released in 2023 for more.

The best new Android apps and games for August 2024

1. Claude
2. Subway Surfers City
3. Flying Calmly
4. Superliminal
5. Dragon Prince: Xadia
6. Disney Speedstorm

---

Claude

Another big ChatGPT rival that emphasizes AI safety, hits Android devices.

• Price: Free
• Developer: Anthropic PBC

Claude AI has been overshadowed by more impactful chatbots, like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, largely due to its lack of a presence on Android. The company behind the platform, Anthropic, has now debuted a dedicated app.

Unlike its contemporaries, Claude cannot access the internet, but this is a good thing. Its focus is drilling down into the content that you feed it, such as a set of graphs, a PDF, or a text file. While this limits its usefulness in providing contextual answers to current events, it doesn’t affect its ability to crunch hard data.

We’ve had plenty of fun experimenting with ridiculous questions, and Claude produced some remarkably grounded (albeit hilarious) answers. If you’re interested in its “constitutional AI” learning approach or like the idea of a chatbot cut off from the internet, you should give it a go.

Subway Surfers City

A newer version of the classic endless runner.

• Price: Free trial / In-app purchase from $1.99 to $99.99 per item
• Developer: SYBO Games

Subway Surfers is one of the most successful mobile game franchises in history. The endless runner is simple in concept but the challenge ramps up the deeper you progress in the game. But now there’s a new version, a sequel, if you will, dubbed Subway Surfers City.

The new game retains much of the old title’s mechanics, just set in prettier environments and offering more responsive controls. New music also permeates the title, which established users might not enjoy too much. Nevertheless, there are refreshed missions and new maps with a lot of verticality.

Importantly, Subway Surfers City is approachable for new users while offering more challenges for long-standing gamers. It strikes the perfect balance.

Flying Calmly

Keep tabs on potential turbulence before your flight.

• Price: Free / In-app purchases from $1.99 per item
• Developer: Aviles Software

We’ve heard many reports of turbulence plaguing various flights around the world in recent years. While the phenomenon is difficult to predict, some apps can offer some insight into the likelihood of a bumpy flight. Enter Flying Calmly.

The app uses NOAA weather data and applies its smarts to better predict the likelihood of a bumpy ride. It also offers a nifty aircraft positioning tool that uses your phone’s sensors to judge the plane’s pitch, roll, bump severity, and air pressure.

It should be noted that turbulence is challenging to forecast, so this app should only be used for civilian guidance.

Superliminal

Being stuck in a dream has never been this fun.

• Price: Free trial / In-app purchases from $4.99 to $7.99 per item
• Developer: Noodlecake

Superliminal first landed on Steam back in 2019. The first-person surreal walking simulator/puzzle game was pretty dizzying on the large screen, but now it’s available on Android, too.

In short, the game is set in one’s dream and introduces various puzzle elements, illusions, and forced perspectives. The title includes various scenes that are thick with atmosphere and character. Your task is to solve these puzzles by thinking as unconventionally as the world. It’s a wild but short ride, and I recommend it for an afternoon playthrough.

The Dragon Prince: Xadia

An action RPG based on Netflix’s The Dragon Prince.

• Price: Free / Requires a Netflix subscription
• Developer: Wonderstorm / Netflix

Netflix is building up quite the game repository, and Dragon Prince: Xadia is its latest addition. This top-down action RPG takes place in the fantasy world of Xadia, which harbors various environments, each with its own atmosphere and peril. For the most part, the game is easy to grasp. You travel across the world, kill baddies, and snag loot.

It’s a game that’s easy to drop in and drop out, making it an ideal time sink. As a Netflix title, you will need a Netflix subscription to play it, though.

Disney Speedstorm

Think Mario Kart or CTR, but Disney characters and Asphalt mechanics.

• Price: Free / In-app purchases from $1.99 to $99.99 per item
• Developer: Gameloft SE

Finally, we have Disney Speedstorm, one of the more addictive titles I’ve played in a while. The title has been present on Windows and major consoles since September 2023, but only this month landed on iOS and Android.

It’s an arcade racing game with Disney characters and stars piloting the vehicles. The controls and physics feel similar to Asphalt, and each character boasts a unique set of strengths and skills. As you progress, you’ll unlock new characters with earned currency, keeping gameplay fresh.

Speedstorm will appeal to Disney and racing title fans — an interesting combo.

---

Google’s Wear OS took a gulp of fresh air with the help of Samsung in 2021. The new version launched with an improved UI, smoother performance, reliable features, and the promise of consistent development. We’ve since seen the arrival of Wear OS 4 in 2023, with the next iteration possibly landing later this year. But even though the revamped OS is miles beyond its earlier versions, it’s still not the smartwatch OS of my dreams. It fails to accomplish one important task: display contextually relevant information when it’s most needed.

So, how can Google remedy this? I think Apple may have a solution.

Wear OS and its info dilemma

For context, I use a Samsung Galaxy Watch as a daily driver. I’ve been through several Fitbit and Garmin watches, but I’ve always returned to Wear OS for that comfortable fit. It feels familiar, and forms the basis of my digital life when my hands are tied. My phone usually stays nestled in my bag when I’m not at home, and when I do need it, I prefer to continue any task I’ve initiated on my watch. However, this isn’t always possible. Information on Wear OS is always a button press or a swipe too far, or simply isn’t available on the wrist.

Information on Wear OS is always a button press or a swipe too far, or simply isn't available on the wrist.

Google has tried to remedy this with the release of newer complications and the addition of tiles. While I’ve always felt complications are essential for viewing bite-sized information, tiles leave a lot to be desired. The feature allows apps and features to display dedicated screens beyond the home screen, but it’s never been a true solution to my problem. The implementation is clunky, relies on multiple swipes and button presses, and often neglects to update in a timely fashion. As it stands, tiles just aren’t useful.

How watchOS tackles the problem

Ironically, the previously widget-shy Apple does a much better job with this on the Apple Watch. With Smart Stack — a home screen widget carousel that displays relevant information from apps running in the background — app information is readily available and easily cycled through using the digital crown. There’s never a need to leave the home screen to access this information. This has other benefits too. There’s no need for complications, so users can run their favorite watch faces unabated.

Ironically, the previously widget-shy Apple does a much better job with on the Apple Watch.

At WWDC 2024, Apple added even more functionality to this system by introducing Live Activity support to watchOS 11, allowing it to display contextually-relevant info cards in the stack when appropriate. These are essentially mirrored toasts taken from the iPhone’s Dynamic Island, but functions as a natural extension of your phone on your wrist. That degree of seamlessness is dearly missing with Wear OS and Android.

Smart Stack isn’t perfect, but it could be for Wear OS

There’s no denying that Smart Stack has its issues, but this is due to execution rather than concept. I’ve read multiple complaints from users who feel there just aren’t enough useful widgets available. There are others who feel that data-heavy watch faces are all they need. Perhaps I’m in the minority, as I see Smart Stack as a potentially great addition to Wear OS. But now that Apple was the first to launch the feature, a Wear OS equivalent can iron out these problems.

It would put essential information relayed from your phone front and center without user intervention. Do you want to use a complication-free watch face but still demand info snippets? A Smart Stack clone would allow this. As more Wear OS watches are adopting a dial, a swipe-free implementation would also be more than doable.

Despite its numerous improvements over the years, Wear OS still has plenty of room to grow.

Google has done wonders with Android’s notification system, and there’s room to improve it on Wear OS. In an ideal world, contextual clues, be it time of day, location, specific days of the week or month, and even ambient light could all prompt specific widget cards. Google wouldn’t necessarily require Gemini smarts to accomplish this, but it would add some welcome smarts to the experience. Of course, such a feature would live and die by the apps it supports. It’ll still need third-party developers to enrich the widget offering. This is an opportunity, not a potential issue. If the feature adds value, developers will build for it.

Despite its numerous improvements over the years, Wear OS still has plenty of room to grow. Addressing the way it displays information could hugely improve its interoperability with Android and make it a true extension of the smartphone. If Google needs ideas on how to address this, its competitor has a few.

Instagram, and social media as a whole, has an AI problem. Not only is the platform tagging real photos as created by AI, but it’s also using users’ creations to train its AI models. This, for an artist, is obviously worrying. In a world where generative AI is gathering momentum, and the lines between real and artificial are quickly blurring, it’s becoming more difficult for real artists to ply their trade. That’s where Cara steps in. The platform recently saw a surge in users, and I decided to give it a whirl, too.

What is Cara and who is it for?

Founded by photographer Jingna Zhang, Cara is a relatively new social network and app that aims to protect artistic integrity. Despite its focus on creators, Cara is available for all seeking out new and exciting artists or novel work. Like a digital art gallery, you don’t need to upload your own content to enjoy others’. You don’t even need an account if you browse online. I do love discovering new artists at markets and online, and I’ve found myself scrolling through the app much like I would Instagram or Reddit.

Its core tenet and principle draw is its stance on AI. The app currently prohibits generative AI works and implements safeguards to prevent AI models from scraping and training on data. In this sense, the platform appeals to those who want an authentic, AI-free portal to promote their work.

What Cara gets right

Cara also bills itself as a refuge from Instagram and other pro-AI social networks, but its design borrows heavily from the Meta app. This is a good thing, as the familiar UI streamlines the learning process. It took me a few minutes to familiarize myself with the app and with its home page.

The app is devoid of ads and puts the content first and foremost. It also provides plenty of options for users to browse and discover new work. I’m a huge fan of its Home Feed Settings option, which lets you choose in percentage increments what content you encounter on your home page. If you only want to see your friends’ artwork, you can do that. Want to see site-wide posts and a splash of your follower’s content? That’s possible too. All social networks could benefit from this quality-of-life toggle.

I can't recall encountering a social network with a more supportive environment.

The profile page layout is another bright spot and foregrounds the promotion of artists. Users can broadcast their stance on accepting freelance work, commissions, or full-time positions if eager eyes come looking. Links are allowed too, making it easy for potential clients to navigate directly to an artist’s storefront. I’ve bookmarked more than a handful of creators I plan to purchase work from in the future. This pocketing functionality, which is separate from likes, makes it a great way to remember specific pieces, too, be it for your own inspiration or later referral. Hashtags also work well, plugging directly into the search functionality.

I want to touch on my experience on Cara beyond the art itself, though. A core part of the platform is its community. Like every social network, it’s the people that make it what it is. Unlike Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), comments left on Cara posts are remarkably supportive. I haven’t yet encountered one toxic comment. Perhaps this is thanks to its core ethos, but Cara is largely devoid of political commentary, harassment, toxic remarks, and hateful echo chambers. I can’t recall encountering a social network with a more supportive environment.

As its a smaller, more condensed community, it encourages the discovery of art from artists you wouldn’t otherwise encounter. This makes it easier for smaller artists to garner a following, as opposed to Instagram where the sheer number of users and its algorithm may limit potential reach.

It’s not quite there, yet

As you’ve probably gathered, I love the idea of Cara. A place that fosters creativity and harbors a supportive net of users who all share the same love? Count me in. However, for all of its positives, Cara isn’t exempt from critique.

There are practical flaws. Even though Cara allows text posts up to 5,000 characters long, the platform’s current focus is visual art. Unfortunately, this makes it more inhospitable for other creative projects. Text posts aren’t as easy to search for as visual content, which makes finding poetry and short stories difficult. Users can post their poetry as an image to get around this, but it’s an extra step.

I found issues with image quality too, especially when zooming into images. Granted, there has to be some compression, but visual platforms should put visual fidelity first.

It's important to address the elephant in the room: what is Cara's trajectory?

Finally, it’s important to address the elephant in the room: what is Cara’s trajectory? It’s not a social media platform in the traditional sense. I feel the app has more in common with an art subreddit than Instagram. You won’t use it to keep up with a friends’ travel photos, see specific images from a place or event, or more general imagery from internet users. In this sense, don’t expect Cara to ever become a true Instagram alternative.

I worry about its feasibility. In its current guise, the platform appears to be unsustainable. In an interview with Wired, Zhang noted that the platform’s hosting bills are mounting. The small development outfit was considering implementing a subscription service, but this may inadvertently dissuade people from joining.

Cara may have too narrow a reach to be a truly viable social platform, but rapid growth also leaves it with unsolved issues. The platform no doubt strengthens artist-to-artist collaboration, but I doubt it’ll spawn an anti-AI social media revolution. I’m not sure if that’s what Cara or its creators want, either. The platform is designed for artists by artists, and this makes it inherently niche. But can Cara survive without casual users? Can digital art survive without casual browsers? I’m not so sure, but regardless, I enjoy drawing inspiration from the platform. I might even take up doodling again.

---

While plenty of new features are heading to iPhones via iOS 18, Apple didn’t forget about iPadOS 18. At WWDC on Monday, the company announced several new features for its slate and the Apple Pencil stylus, which includes AI-powered tools that enhance written notes.

The most impressive feature is Smart Script, which can learn and identify a user’s handwriting and use this information to tidy up content where required. Apple says this feature “allows users to write quickly without sacrificing legibility.”

---

Apple announced several new features coming to the redesigned Photos app on iOS 18, but one will be very familiar to Android users.

At its WWDC keynote on Monday, the company introduced Clean Up, an image editing tool powered by Apple Intelligence AI. The feature can erase unwanted items from a photograph, such as people in the background or objects in the foreground.

---

Apple announced several new features for its Messages app on iOS 18, the chief of which is messaging via satellite.

At its WWDC 2024 keynote on Monday, Apple confirmed that users running an iPhone 14 or newer running iOS 18 can send messages over satellite if they’re without cell service or an internet connection. This occurs within the Messages app, making it more convenient and accessible than more cumbersome satellite messaging solutions. Apple also claimed that all messages are end-to-end encrypted.

---

Last month, we reported that Samsung’s forthcoming Galaxy Buds may offer a significantly different design than previous generations. Now, a new leaked image lends further credence to this. According to a pixelated leak from reliable tipster Evan Blass (h/t: Asian Geek Squad), the Galaxy Buds 3 may drop its “bud” design in favor of an AirPods-like stalk.

We can’t glean many fine details from the image, but what is apparent is the rumored “blade lights” bar at the foot of the stalk and the silver colorway. Have a look at the render below.

---

Nearly a year after Google debuted Magic Editor on the Pixel 8 series, the feature is now rolling out to more Android devices.

Per 9to5Google, the free version of the feature is now available to devices beyond the Pixel stable, including Samsung smartphones and tablets. This gives users an alternative to Generative Edit, the Korean firm’s homebrewed AI editor.

---

Samsung is tipped to launch several new devices on July 10, including new foldables and wearables. However, the company may not wait as long to debut its next budget smartwatch.

According to tipster Arsene Lupin, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE could debut as early as June 24, not at the rumored July Unpacked event in Paris. This earlier launch date would give it a two-week head start over the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Samsung’s next product launch is just around the corner, and we’re expecting a new range-topping smartwatch to join the fray. Renders of the Galaxy Watch “Ultra” broke cover recently, offering a glimpse of a smartwatch that looks nothing like what Samsung’s offered before. It boasts a divergent design with a more imposing “Ultra” aesthetic. While I’m a big fan of the leaked design, not everyone is sold on it.

Sure, it’s a surprising development, considering the mounting hype for the return of a square Samsung watch to rival the Apple Watch Ultra directly. However, I argue that the squared-circle combo, albeit questionable to some, offers more potential than square or circular designs alone.

---

Netflix is testing a new TV interface that it hopes will provide more information to content hunters and simplify the browsing experience for all. The company published several mockups of the new home page and other elements that may form the base of the streaming platform’s new redesign (h/t: The Verge).

The changes represent the app’s biggest UI shift in years, but the general Netflix aesthetic remains.

---

Plenty of work has been put into improving WhatsApp Status in recent months, from extending the video limit to bolstering its privacy. Now, the chat app is set to improve how these updates are displayed, rearranging them through a new ranking system.

Per WABetaInfo, status updates will soon be displayed based on contacts’ popularity and perceived importance. More specifically, you’ll be more likely to see status updates from those you speak to often and have spoken to recently, those who are pinned, and status updates soon to expire. WhatsApp will then order your status tray based on these criteria. Notably, this change seems to go hand-in-hand with WhatsApp’s larger redesign, showcased in May.

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, focusing on apps 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 June 2024

1. Bitwarden Authenticator
2. Wallpaper Changer
3. Openreads
4. Aurelian
5. ReZ Launcher
6. Zoom Earth

---

Bitwarden Authenticator

Bitwarden’s latest app extends beyond password management.

Mobile gaming is ever-improving, and many new Android games are always available. Whether you’re a casual gamer, want something with a bit more meat on its bones, or want to challenge your new smartphone, there’s usually a game coming out to suit everyone’s taste. In particular, gaming over the holiday season is usually a great way to wind down after the year that passed or contemplate your plans for the year ahead. On that note, let’s look at the best new Android games.

Check out our picks for the best new Android games released in 2023.

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

1. TikTok Notes
2. Focus Go
3. Organic Maps
4. TimeJot
5. Moye Productivity Launcher
6. StandBy Mode

---

TikTok Notes

TikTok’s take on Instagram trades short-form videos for photos and text.

Should you buy the Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 for Samsung Galaxy S24?

Searching for the ideal wallet case for your phone can be quite a task. The rear-mounted storage offers the advantage of freeing up some pocket space, yet it may mean sacrificing certain conveniences, such as wireless charging. The Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 by Smartish, while not providing a solution for the latter, impressively addresses the former. Its affordable price tag further cements its position as one of the top wallet cases for the Samsung Galaxy S24 series.

The slot design arguably makes the Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 one of the most secure phone wallets available, for better or worse.

You’ll notice this isn’t your typical slim phone case at first glance. It harks back to the days when you could insert an expanded battery directly into the back of your phone. In this instance, the noticeable bump is Smartish’s spring-loaded wallet slot, spacious enough to accommodate up to three cards and a small amount of cash.

The slot design arguably makes the Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 one of the most secure phone wallets available, for better or worse. There’s no risk of your cards slipping out, but extracting them from the case might prove challenging. I found it difficult to remove a single card without dislodging all three, resulting in frequently reorganizing my wallet.

Despite its larger size, the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 is easy to grip, thanks to Smartish’s textured bumps on either side. One might worry that such a large case would appear as a bulky black object in your pocket. However, Smartish offers several vibrant color options to add a dash of personality. The classic black, or Black Tie Affair as Smartish calls it, is available alongside a forest-inspired So Serene, a galaxy-themed Spaced-Out pattern, and a spring-ready Very Cherry Blossom adorned with white cherry blossoms.

Regardless of your color choice, the level of protection remains consistent. The case features air pockets in all four corners and a raised ridge next to the camera bump, providing ample protection in case of accidental drops. Considering the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1’s modest price, it offers excellent value for both protection and convenience.

What are the best Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 alternatives?

• Snakehive Vintage Leather wallet case ( ): If you prefer natural finishes, the Snakehive Vintage leather case will develop a gorgeous patina over time. It also offers three card pockets and six color variants, although it’s much pricier than the Smartish and harder to find in the US.
• Samsung S-View wallet case ( ): As an official Samsung product, the S-View includes a slot through which you can view the time. The case also fits one card, making it slimmer but less useful than its rivals.
• Spigen Slim Armor CS ( ): The Slim Armor CS is a rugged case that offers a sliding door design that holds two cards within its body. Despite this design, it’s an overall sim case but does have a higher list price.
• Foluu Folio case ( ): If a budget wallet case is what you’re after, the Foluu Folio case can house three cards and additional notes, is available in three colors, and demands a minimal fee. However, it lacks the drop protection offered by Spigen and Smartish products.

Should you buy the Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 for Samsung Galaxy S24?

Searching for the ideal wallet case for your phone can be quite a task. The rear-mounted storage offers the advantage of freeing up some pocket space, yet it may mean sacrificing certain conveniences, such as wireless charging. The Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 by Smartish, while not providing a solution for the latter, impressively addresses the former. Its affordable price tag further cements its position as one of the top wallet cases for the Samsung Galaxy S24 series.

The slot design arguably makes the Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 one of the most secure phone wallets available, for better or worse.

You’ll notice this isn’t your typical slim phone case at first glance. It harks back to the days when you could insert an expanded battery directly into the back of your phone. In this instance, the noticeable bump is Smartish’s spring-loaded wallet slot, spacious enough to accommodate up to three cards and a small amount of cash.

The slot design arguably makes the Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 one of the most secure phone wallets available, for better or worse. There’s no risk of your cards slipping out, but extracting them from the case might prove challenging. I found it difficult to remove a single card without dislodging all three, resulting in frequently reorganizing my wallet.

Despite its larger size, the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 is easy to grip, thanks to Smartish’s textured bumps on either side. One might worry that such a large case would appear as a bulky black object in your pocket. However, Smartish offers several vibrant color options to add a dash of personality. The classic black, or Black Tie Affair as Smartish calls it, is available alongside a forest-inspired So Serene, a galaxy-themed Spaced-Out pattern, and a spring-ready Very Cherry Blossom adorned with white cherry blossoms.

Regardless of your color choice, the level of protection remains consistent. The case features air pockets in all four corners and a raised ridge next to the camera bump, providing ample protection in case of accidental drops. Considering the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1’s modest price, it offers excellent value for both protection and convenience.

What are the best Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 alternatives?

• Snakehive Vintage Leather wallet case ( ): If you prefer natural finishes, the Snakehive Vintage leather case will develop a gorgeous patina over time. It also offers three card pockets and six color variants, although it’s much pricier than the Smartish and harder to find in the US.
• Samsung S-View wallet case ( ): As an official Samsung product, the S-View includes a slot through which you can view the time. The case also fits one card, making it slimmer but less useful than its rivals.
• Spigen Slim Armor CS ( ): The Slim Armor CS is a rugged case that offers a sliding door design that holds two cards within its body. Despite this design, it’s an overall sim case but does have a higher list price.
• Foluu Folio case ( ): If a budget wallet case is what you’re after, the Foluu Folio case can house three cards and additional notes, is available in three colors, and demands a minimal fee. However, it lacks the drop protection offered by Spigen and Smartish products.

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, focusing on apps 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 March 2024

1. Google Gemini
2. Prognoza
3. Obtanium
4. Hermit
5. Superlist
6. Electrify America

---

Google Gemini

Google’s latest AI app really wants to replace Assistant. Will you let it?

• Price: Free
• Developer: Google

With Google’s massive Bard rebrand comes the Gemini app. The app is a portal through which users can access the company’s next-gen assistant, but unlike the Assistant we know, Gemini gives users ChatGPT-like smarts. As we discovered during our Gemini app hands-on, users can initiate prompts to check how many liters are in a gallon or generate an uncanny image of puppies rolling around in the snow.

While Gemini can initiate some tasks that Assistant is well versed in, you’ll want to hold on to the older platform if you enjoy initiating music playback or adding calendar events through your voice.

The app is available for free, but it’s clear that it needs some polish and refinement before it replaces Assistant for good. Nevertheless, grab the app below to live on the bleeding edge of Google’s AI efforts.

Prognoza

A minimalist weather app with big, bold widgets and clean aesthetic.

• Price: Free
• Developer: davidtakac

As I mentioned last week, I’ve been shuffling through stacks of weather apps to find one that’s right for me. My latest encounter is Prognoza, and it scores a few big wins over its contemporaries.

For one, it’s extremely simple. Usually, this would be a mark against it, but Prognoza crams in plenty of info into its refined UI. The current temperature is large and easily legible on the home display, while an hour-by-hour list of conditions and ambient temperature is visible below. Scroll down further, and you’ll find forecast details for over a week ahead. The widgets follow a similar theme, with multiple options showcasing today’s weather or days in advance.

The app only has two weather providers, while the simplicity hinders someone looking for more data. The app isn’t updated regularly, either, with the latest patch coming in May 2023. However, it’s a great app for quickly peeking at detailed forecasts.

Obtanium

Discover and gather your favorite Github apps, and keep them updated.

• Price: Free
• Developer: ImranR98

I tend to mention several apps from Github, F-Droid, and sources beyond the Google Play Store. As I’ve experienced, keeping track of and installing updates for each app can get overwhelming. Thankfully, Obtanium is an app that hugely streamlines this process. Obtanium acts as a hub from which you can search for, install, and update apps from various sources online. It works great with Github and F-Droid, even though the latter has its own app.

The app is free, and users can control which apps they want to install. Obtanium does require some knowledge and awareness, but it’s a must-install for anyone who frequents this particular app series.

Hermit

No app? No problem. Turn webpages into standalone apps with ease.

• Price: Free / Premium unlocker app for $7.99
• Developer: Chimbori

Hermit is another app I’ve used for ages to turn web pages into standalone apps. Essentially, it’s a browser that allows each web page to run in its own little container. It also boasts a built-in ad blocker, an easy system to create lite apps and a preset list of apps you might want to create. In my experience, Hermit is excellent for services that have a web page but don’t have an app or services that lock app features behind paywalls but not their web pages.

Hermit’s base experience is free, but you can unlock all the app’s features. I’ve never felt the need to unlock it, but the premium version does include more powerful sandbox support, custom block lists, and saving to PDF.

Superlist

A Wunderlist-inspired noting app for absolutely everything.

• Price: Free / Requires an account
• Developer: Superlist

Superlist aims to be the be-all note-taking app for your device. It comes from the creators of Wunderlist — the service that Microsoft bought many moons ago. Aesthetically, you can see the connection. The app lets users create multiple lists, collaborate with others, and integrate with other apps. The app is still pretty raw, but it’s one to keep an eye on in the future.

Electrify America

Find vehicle charging stations, manage your charge, and pay from one app.

• Price: Free / Pass+ Membership at $7 per month / Additional payments for charging
• Developer: Electrify America

Finally, do you own an electric car? Electrify America’s app lets users find charging stations, manage their charging sessions, and pay. The app’s layout is pretty good, putting all essential information behind three tabs. Users can visualize real-time details of their vehicle’s state of charge and receive notifications when it’s nearly done.

Not everyone will need this particular app, but it might be helpful if you own an electric car.

---

Mobile gaming is ever-improving, and many new Android games are always available. Whether you’re a casual gamer, want something with a bit more meat on its bones, or want to really challenge your new smartphone, there’s usually a game coming out to suit everyone’s taste. In particular, gaming over the holiday season is usually a great way to wind down after the year that passed or contemplate your plans for the year ahead. On that note, let’s look at the best new Android games for March 2024.

Check out our picks for the best new Android games released in 2023.

The best new Android games for March 2024

1. Yes, Your Grace
2. Rainbow Six: Smol
3. Shovel Pirate
4. NBA Infinite
5. One Punch Man World
6. High Sea Saga DX

---

Yes, Your Grace

• Price: Free trial / $4.99 to unlock the game
• Developer: Noodlecake
• Genre: Simulation / RPG

We’re kicking off this week with a port of a hugely popular indie title. Yes, Your Grace is a well-regarded kingdom management sim, and it’s now on Android. The game, set in the mystical realm of Davern, plays much the same as the full version. You’re still tasked with saving villagers from monsters, hiring castle staff, or deciding which romantic relationships you wish to pursue. Developer Noodlecake did a great job compressing it to fit on the smaller screen.

Best of all, Yes, Your Grace is free to try, with a modest unlock required to play the full title.

Rainbow Six: Smol

• Price: Free / Requires Netflix subscription
• Developer: Netflix
• Genre: Roguelike

The latest Netflix title is a Rainbow Six game, specifically Rainbow Six: Smol. In essence, the title’s based on the long line of Tom Clancy-inspired shooters but has more roguelike elements and cartoonish graphics that might not satisfy the stalwarts.

Environments are destroyable, too, and there’s something decidedly satisfying about punching a massive hole through a brick wall. Players can level up their characters with each mission, purchase new weapons, and snag patches. However, I feel the game is for younger audiences or those who don’t take mobile titles too seriously.

You will need a Netflix subscription to play this game, which likely locks it away for some people.

Shovel Pirate

• Price: Free / In-app purchases
  
• Developer: NEUTRONIZED
• Genre: Puzzle platformer

This game is absolutely adorable, and is my favorite of the month. I’ve always been a fan of puzzle platformers, and Shovel Pirate is the most fun I’ve had in ages. You play as a little pirate seagull, solving fence puzzles, murdering snakes, and digging up buried treasure, all with its little shovel friend. The levels start approachable but gradually increase in difficulty. It’s not a long title, so it’s perfect for a lazy Saturday afternoon.

NBA Infinite

• Price: Free / In-app purchases
• Developed: Level Infinite
• Genre: Sports

I’d be lying if I called myself a basketball fan, but NBA aficionados might enjoy this sports sim. You’re charged with creating and managing your own NBA team, a job that sounds simpler than it is. Interestingly, you can play against other gamers to rank up your team, which is as daunting as it is fun.

NBA Infinite has its quirks. Some might find the graphics and actual gameplay options more awkward than console equivalents. I’d expect these details to improve as development progresses.

One Punch Man: World

• Price: Free / In-app purchases
• Developer: A PLUS JAPAN
• Genre: Action

If you’re a fan of the anime, you’ll find something to like about this title. One Punch Man: World has some gorgeous animations that really set this open-world adventure title apart. The world has much to explore, while combat has a forgiving learning curve. Additionally, you can play as multiple characters, including Atomic Samurai and Saitama himself.

It does have its problems, though. It doesn’t feel as refined as its contemporaries, and we experienced several cutscene glitches.

High Sea Saga DX

• Price: $7.49
  
• Developer: Kairosoft
• Genre: RPG

High Sea Saga DX is a port of the classic title that has been available on various platforms since 2015. Not much has changed on the Android version, and that’s a good thing. You play as a pirate tasked with managing a crew, building a base, and engaging in other pirate activities. The game also includes plenty of social features for those who can’t resist a bit of PvP.

Importantly, High Sea Saga DX isn’t a cheap game. You’ll need at least $7.49 just to play the title, making it a steep investment.