The Apple HomeView should be my ideal smart home hub, but it hasn’t quite hit the spot. Why? It probably can’t match one of the least-loved Google mobile products of the last few years.

I’m talking about the Google Pixel Tablet, which has been my home hub of choice in the kitchen for years now. It has been a rollercoaster ride, and not much is actually good about the Pixel Tablet, but its versatility blows the HomeView out of the water. Here’s why it’s still so useful three years after its release.

As a reluctant smartwatch user that only puts a screen on my wrist for fitness and health tracking, minimalist trackers like the Google Fitbit Air and the new Fitbit Edge always grab my attention. Often, basic trackers skip the advanced sensors I value on premium smartwatches. In this regard, the Fitbit Edge is a breath of fresh air — it’s loaded with features, including ECG readings, skin temperature measurements, and blood-oxygen sensing.

There’s only one smartwatch feature I care about that has nothing to do with fitness or health. Unfortunately, it’s the one the Fitbit Edge lacks.

I’m due for a phone upgrade in the near future, and I’m once again choosing between the best bang-for-buck Android phones from the likes of Google and Samsung.

My last Samsung phone was a Galaxy S5. Yes, I haven’t bought another Galaxy since 2014 — and there’s a good reason why. When I was due for an upgrade in 2016, I fell in love with the very first Google Pixel. I have since picked a Pixel over a Galaxy whenever the chance arose. There were times when I’d insert a OnePlus or Nothing phone in between, but never a Galaxy over a Pixel.

We’ve reached a pretty interesting point with AI. For the longest time, I’ve mostly used AI tools to ask questions or to write emails and summarize long PDFs. But AI agents are starting to change that.

If you’re unfamiliar with the difference between an AI chatbot and an AI agent, it’s pretty simple. While a chatbot mostly gives you answers or helps you figure out how to do something, an AI agent can actually perform those tasks for you. For example, instead of asking AI to draft an email, you can ask an agent to find the relevant information, write the email, and send it on your behalf.

The Razer Kraken V4 X is down to $54.39 on Amazon right now, which is a strong price for a wired gaming headset from a well-known lineup. That’s 32% off the $79.99 recommended retail price, saving you about $25, and it’s a deal worth grabbing while it lasts.

See the deal at Amazon

Halloween is just around the corner, and if you’re planning on welcoming trick-or-treaters, Google has a little something to help you get in the spirit. If you own a Nest doorbell, you should now be able to greet visitors with a spooky sound, instead of the regular (boring) ding-dong.

Google has brought back its Halloween-themed chimes, and there are nine different tones that you can switch between to surprise visitors. The development was first spotted by the folks over at 9to5Google.

A couple years ago, reading headlines like “artificial intelligence resorts to hacking to complete a task” might have sounded like something out of science fiction. In the present, however, that’s just the world we live in, and multiple stories like this have already emerged over the past few months. It looks like AI’s rogue era is only continuing, as we learn about an incident where OpenAI caught an internal research model committing some minor theft in order to secure the funds it needed.

In its incident report, OpenAI details what it learned from the model’s behavior this past June. The model was assigned a cryptocurrency-related task, working on Ethereum’s test network, Sepolia. While the model wasn’t given access to its own wallet or any funds with which to perform actions, it should have been able to acquire test-network tokens to let it continue — except, here’s where things took a turn.

This time last week, Google was hooking its Pixel testing community up with the latest preview of its next big set of Android changes, with the release of Android 17 QPR2 Beta 7. Usually we’re waiting a couple weeks between releases like that, but today Google’s already following it up with Android 17 QPR2 Beta 7.1.

Last time around, Google was pushing out fixes for a couple notable bugs — and according to Google’s launch notes, today’s point release contains more of the same. Or specifically, one big fix:

The Valerion StreamMaster Plus 2 4K Laser Projector just dropped to $1,199 on Amazon, down from its $1,999 RRP. That’s $800 off, or 40% off the recommended retail price, and it matches the all-time low, so this is a strong time to grab it.

See the deal at Amazon

Smartwatches deliver a constant stream of information to our wrists, but one thing they’re not always clued in about is their own demise. Screenless fitness trackers, smart rings, and even smart glasses are taking over facets of their job. News that TAG Heuer has quietly exited the smartwatch game is the latest sign that traditional smartwatches are becoming more scarce.

French publication La Lettre reports that TAG Heuer ceased production of its Connected smartwatches over the summer (via Notebookcheck). It said that remaining stock will be sold off through 2027, and that there is no word on how long existing smartwatches will receive software updates or service.

For as great as smartphones are, they can just prove enormously distracting — and sometimes we need a little help saving ourselves from our own worst impulses. If you’ve found yourself embarrassed by your 20 hours a day of screen time, tools like Google’s Digital Wellbeing suite can be a huge help. Today we’re learning about a new group of users that’s just now getting access to one of Google’s latest Digital Wellbeing tools.

Google announced Pause Point in the lead-up to I/O in May, offering a short mindfulness break to snap us out of our latest app obsession. That sounded great, but a few months later we learned that Pause Point looked like it was shaping up to be a Pixel 11 exclusive. But then Google announced Android 17 QPR1, which brought Pause Point to additional Pixel phones. What about everyone else, though? Well, today we can confirm getting access to Pause Point on a OnePlus 13R running Color OS 17 beta.

Pre-orders for Apple’s first foldable, the iPhone Duo, officially kicked off earlier today. The device is expected to be generally available starting October 23, though shipping estimates for the device have already slipped into early 2027. If you were impressed with what Apple’s first foldable has to offer, and want to get your hands on it, grabbing your spot in the line now would be a wise decision. Of course, the iPhone Duo isn’t cheap, and we’ve got some more carrier promotions to share that should help soften the financial blow.

We’ve seen T-Mobile, AT&T, and Xfinity‘s iPhone Duo deals, and Verizon is now joining the party with its own promotions.

Does nothing sound worse than the idea of paying for YouTube Premium? Well, imagine having to pay the government just for getting access to regular YouTube with none of the Premium perks attached. Sounds ridiculous, right? Unfortunately, that’s a possibility under consideration in the UK.

To truly understand the development, you first need to understand the concept of a TV license fee in the UK. By law, you must have a TV license (£180 per year/~$240) if you plan on watching or recording programs as they’re being shown on live TV. You also need a license if you plan on watching or streaming programs live on online TV services, including the likes of YouTube, Netflix, and even Amazon Prime Video. You do not need a license if you’re only watching on-demand content on these platforms, like our latest upload.

Busy days are much easier with a laptop that offers a large screen, touch controls, and enough power to handle your daily tasks without weighing down your bag. There’s a strong deal on the Samsung Galaxy Book6 at Amazon right now, making it a lot more tempting for anyone shopping for a work-focused Windows machine.

See the deal at Amazon

Is life in 2026 feeling sufficiently dystopian for you? Between increasingly advanced AI causing us to stress about everything from our jobs to component prices, and the rise of far-right governments around the world, this is definitely not the utopian paradise you might have been hoping for. But from all that horrible mess, one savior has emerged to offer a beacon of hope — just who would have ever thought it would be MapQuest?

MapQuest was great at helping us getting around… 20 years ago, before Google Maps arrived, anyway. And just like so many other turn-of-the-century dot coms, it quickly found itself fading into the background.

Amazon has cut $20 off the Samsung P9 Express microSDXC 256GB for Nintendo Switch 2, bringing it down to $59.99 from its $79.99 RRP. That is a 25% discount off the recommended retail price, and it is a strong deal on storage designed for Nintendo’s newer handheld.

See the deal at Amazon

Nothing Ear wireless earbuds are the brand’s flagship in-ear buds, and they stand out right away with Nothing’s transparent design. They also pack features that aim well above basic everyday earbuds, and there’s a solid Amazon deal on them right now.

See the deal at Amazon

Amazon has cut the Google Pixel Watch 3 to $199.99, down from its $399.99 recommended retail price. That is a straight $200 savings, or 50% off RRP, and it makes this a deal worth jumping on while the price is still live.

See the deal at Amazon

The JBL Vibe Buds 2 are a budget-friendly pair of true wireless earbuds from JBL, and they pack in more than you might expect at this price. They bring together JBL Pure Bass sound, active noise canceling, and Smart Ambient modes, and there’s a nice deal on them at Amazon right now.

See the deal at Amazon

Earlier this month, we asked readers which Android phone they’d buy instead of Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro. With just shy of a third of the vote in its pocket, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra won that particular battle by a landslide. But what about the larger, pricier Max model? Would the winner remain the same?

To find out, we recently asked readers to vote for their preferred iPhone 18 Pro Max alternative. The results can be viewed below.

Amazon has knocked 19% off the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4, bringing it down to $64.99 from its $79.99 recommended retail price. That saves you $15, and it’s a good time to grab a portable speaker built for travel, the pool, or the backyard.

See the deal at Amazon

Six months of free AI Pro is a useful sweetener when you’re buying a pricey Pixel, especially when Google values the Pixel 11 Pro’s included subscription at almost $120. For anyone already interested in Google’s premium AI tools, that could help justify the phone’s price. You’d also reasonably expect to get the same Pro experience as someone paying for the subscription separately. But the latest Gemini 4 Argon rollout is leaving some buyers wondering why their Pro subscription doesn’t unlock the same features as someone else’s.

Following Argon’s broader release, Google announced that the model is rolling out in Antigravity to “paid Google AI Pro subscribers.” Eligible users receive a separate weekly Argon allowance in addition to their existing Gemini 3.8 Flash quota. But subscribers on free promotional trials don’t qualify, including those who got Pro through Pixel purchases or student offers.

Samsung gave its phones a useful sense of direction when it introduced ultra-wideband (UWB) on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The technology promised easier ways to find belongings and the ability to unlock compatible cars without reaching for your phone. Now, the Galaxy S27 Plus could lose that hardware, breaking a streak that began with the S21 Plus.

According to leaker Abhishek Yadav on X, Chinese MIIT certifications list UWB for the Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra, but omit it from the Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus. That would be business as usual for the base model, since Samsung has consistently left UWB out of its standard Galaxy S phones. It would, however, mark an unexpected downgrade for the Plus after years of support. But these filings don’t establish Samsung’s final global specifications, so the removal remains unconfirmed.

Imposter apps are getting to be an issue on the Play Store. Earlier this week, we reported on a fake Google Chrome app that had racked up more than 100,000 downloads before being delisted. Today, we’re taking a look at a fraudulent version of WhatsApp that, as of publication, still hasn’t been removed from Android’s app marketplace.

As shared by user 2ne1cheese on the r/mildlyinfuriating subreddit, a lookalike listing for WhatsApp is showing up in the sponsored results section of searches for the genuine article. This fake version of the app has apparently been downloaded half a million times, according to the Play Store.

The Google Translate app for Android is gearing up for a big redesign, as we first reported in July. It’s been over three months since we made that discovery, and it appears that Google is finally rolling out the updated design elements.

We’re now seeing this overhaul of the Google Translate UI on a couple of our devices, both running version 10.39.34.99. However, it’s not yet available on all our devices, so it appears to be a phased rollout. With this revamp, the bottom bar looks similar to the one on apps like Google Photos and Lens.

The Sony Walkman name is legendary, and Sony hasn’t failed to capitalize on its popularity by releasing Android-powered music players under the Walkman name. Though these are usually expensive and aimed at audiophiles with money to burn, Sony’s latest Walkman devices take things to a whole new level.

Sony today announced three new digital music players under its Walkman brand: the NW-WM1ZM3, NW-WM1AM3, and NW-ZX900. While they offer improvements across the board, they are surprisingly using Android 16. That is an upgrade over their predecessors, which were running Android 11 and Android 12. But it’s still surprising that Sony thinks it’s fine for you to pay nearly $6,000 and not even get the latest version of Android.

I’m the Shallow Hal of Android fandom. I wouldn’t touch certain Android phones with a ten-foot pole if they have a specific trait I don’t like.

I’m not talking about smartphones with overwhelmingly negative reviews. In fact, there are a few poorly reviewed products I take a fancy to. I’m referring to smartphones that have one or two deal-breakers, in spite of their positive first impressions. It could be as trivial as a missing feature, or more unforgivable like a substantial price hike. Whichever it may be, I’d rather save my money for something else.

As a person with no sense of direction, I’ve been using Google Maps to get around since the app was first available for my smartphone. Even when I can’t mount my phone to my car dashboard, I use its audio navigation to guide me to destinations I’m not familiar with.

But as the app has rolled out newer features, I’ve had a habit of ignoring them. My You tab remains neglected, and I’ve only ever left two reviews (both seven years ago) in the app. I also happily ignore the recommendations that appear when I’m about to search for something. However, recently I decided to revisit the lists and labeled places features — and realized that I’ve been missing out.

I tested Google’s first smart home controller designed for the Gemini era, the Google Home Speaker, more than three months ago. I hoped the Home Speaker would usher in a new wave of Google smart home products, but the opposite has happened in the time since. The Nest Audio and Nest Mini were discontinued, and the second-generation Nest Hub and the Nest Hub Max are both out of stock on the Google Store.

A new smart display from Google feels more like a matter of “when” than “if,” based on comments from Google Home’s chief product officer and recent rumors about a so-called Google Home Display.

I’m usually indifferent about the speakers on my phone. If I use them for anything other than a few calls or voice messages, it’s for spoken word or quick social clips. Anything more, and I’ll get my headphones.

The POCO F9 Ultra has been the exception. It’s the brand’s second partnership with audio experts Bose, and the sound from the speaker system is fantastic. I want you to experience it too, but when you do listen, I’ve got one simple request: Keep it to yourself.

Asking “Where are you?” on WhatsApp can lead to surprisingly complicated answers. You want a map pin; your friend needs instructions on how to find the location-sharing menu. WhatsApp could soon make that exchange easier with a dedicated location request.

You’re reading an Authority Insights story. Authority Insights brings you all the latest exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage from the Android Authority team that you won’t find anywhere else.

WhatsApp has let people share stickers in their chats for a long time now. While the app offers a solid selection of sticker packs, it also lets users create their own stickers from images and videos. Now, it seems WhatsApp could soon let users create sound stickers as well.

You’re reading an Authority Insights story. Authority Insights brings you all the latest exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage from the Android Authority team that you won’t find anywhere else.

Phone Link already saves you from reaching for your phone during a busy workday, but Microsoft wants that convenience to feel like part of Windows itself. An earlier report outlined that ambition, and phone controls surfaced in Quick Settings this month. Now, Microsoft has officially detailed its next steps.

In its latest Windows 11 announcement, Microsoft describes tighter phone integration across Start, Quick Settings, and individual app windows. The appeal is straightforward: check what needs your attention, address it, and return to work without constantly switching between physical devices.

What started off with “Hey Google” and “Ok Google” for Google Assistant now looks like it is heading toward “Hey Gemini.” Google has been transitioning away from Google Assistant, and we recently spotted clues that a new hotword might be in the works, too. Now, we’re seeing clear evidence that Google is working on a “Hey Gemini” hotword for Android XR glasses.

You’re reading an Authority Insights story. Authority Insights brings you all the latest exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage from the Android Authority team that you won’t find anywhere else.

Sony started rolling out Android 17 to its flagship Xperia 1 VIII early last month. At the same time, the company released a list of phones eligible for the update, which surprisingly did not include the Xperia 10 VI. While that raised doubts about Sony’s plans for the phone, we now know that it’s simply never getting Android 17.

In a notice posted on its website, Sony confirmed that the Xperia 10 VI, released in 2024, will not be updated to Android 17. According to the company, “technical limitations due to the device’s storage configuration” prevent it from offering an Android 17 experience that Sony considers adequate.

Google’s suite of scam detection features is great at filtering out suspicious messages and calls before you fall for them. The tech giant has been steadily improving the collection and rolling it out to more users, though that’s also the big catch here. Not all scam detection features are available on every Android phone. Newer developments, like enhanced protection mode in Google Messages, are available on even fewer devices. With the company announcing new tools, it’s worth revisiting an existing one that’s available to a much wider range of users and devices.

Google is highlighting that scam detection is available via Circle to Search (CtS), giving a larger subset of users who don’t have scam detection natively access to preventive tools that can help them avoid falling victim to fraud.

Ever since Snapseed came back to life on Android earlier this year with its big 4.0 release, we’ve been eagerly working to spot what new features and changes the photo-editing app could be brewing up next. Today we’ve got a new one to share, but not without a few questions about how it might fit in with existing tools.

You’re reading an Authority Insights story. Authority Insights brings you all the latest exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage from the Android Authority team that you won’t find anywhere else.

There’s no denying that Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 series is having its moment. The South Korean tech giant’s decision to split the book-style segment into two — regular and widescreen — seems to be paying off. We reported that despite an overall decline in global smartphone shipments, strong demand for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series has softened the blow for Samsung, and while the credit does go to Samsung for refining its lineup, there also appear to be some outside forces at play.

Interestingly, one of those outside forces is Samsung’s biggest rival.

Being a responsible consumer is just so attractive these days, and the good news for anyone looking to take on that mantle is that we’ve got some great hardware options that make it easier than ever. Companies like Fairphone have been creating devices designed not to break and be replaced, but to support easy repairs, allowing us to seriously reduce our e-waste impact. We’ve been looking forward to the initial launch of the Fairbuds 2 repairable earbuds, and now that it’s finally arrived, we’re getting some fresh details about US sales.

Right on schedule, Fairphone formally introduced the Fairbuds 2 yesterday. The earbuds, along with their case, are both smaller and lighter than the inaugural Fairbuds, and offer 50% better battery life. But those upgrades don’t mean forgetting about what makes these earbuds special, and this model breaks down into 7 replaceable parts for long-term maintenance.

Our reliance on phones has made the demands placed on them higher every day, but perhaps none have to work as hard as a gaming phone. Today REDMAGIC is launching its 12 Pro Plus, and it’s among the first to use the powerful, just-released Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 is the first smartphone processor with a 5GHz CPU, helping the REDMAGIC 12 Pro Plus handle refresh rates in high-action sequences. It’s joined here by LPDDR5T memory running at up to 10,667Mbps, UFS 4.1 Pro storage, the RedCore R5 gaming chip, and the Gaming CUBE Engine 4.0.

Android’s built-in earthquake alerts are expanding to a lot more places. Google’s announced that the system that’s been available in 98 countries and regions to date is now available in more than 200. The alerts themselves are getting an upgrade, too.

Google made the announcements in a blog post that wraps up a handful of earthquake alert updates. The post says that the new regions where earthquake alerts are now available includes Panama and Guatemala, though as of publication, the feature’s support documentation hasn’t yet been updated to include the full list.

Front door cameras are a great fit for anyone who wants to keep a closer eye on deliveries, visitors, and late-night motion around the porch. There’s a nice deal on one right now too, with the Arlo Video Doorbell 2K (2nd Gen) down to $49.99 at Amazon.

See the deal at Amazon

Amazon’s newest Echo Dot Max is a more premium take on the Echo Dot, built for people who want stronger sound from a compact Alexa speaker. It already stands out as the best-sounding Dot Amazon has made for casual listening and voice assistant use, and right now there’s a solid deal on it at Amazon.

See the deal at Amazon

The Sony LinkBuds Clip is back down to $158 at Amazon, which cuts $72 off the $229.99 recommended retail price. That is a 31% discount off the RRP, bringing these earbuds back to their Prime Day price. It is also the best deal we have seen this year, so this is a strong time to grab them if this style has been on your list.

See the deal at Amazon

Apart from offering one of the best software experiences in the Android smartphone ecosystem, Google’s Pixel line is also known for its impressive camera capabilities. However, what good is a high-res video recording if you can barely hear anything when you play it back? That’s exactly the frustration that a lot of Pixel owners are (and have been) dealing with.

This isn’t a brand new issue, but it is resurfacing now. Reports about Pixel microphones recording audio that’s too quiet to hear can be traced back to 2024, and similar microphone problems appear to have continued to plague users since.

Amazon just dropped the Arlo Essential Wireless Security Camera 2K (3rd Gen) to $52, down from its $69.99 recommended retail price. That saves you $17.99, which is a 26% discount off the RRP, and it is a record-low price, so this is a strong time to grab one.

See the deal at Amazon

Lately, Google has been trying some new things for the AI experiences in Search. It recently updated AI Mode and AI Overviews to provide more context in search results and gave AI Mode the ability to keep track of information. Now, it’s making even more changes to AI Search features to make it easier for users to find what they’re looking for.

Google today announced several updates to its AI-powered Search experience. The company is updating both AI Overviews and AI Mode to make it easier for users to find the information they need.

Long battery life matters when your headphones go everywhere with you. The Marshall Major V Wireless is built for long days out, commutes, travel, and work sessions, and there’s a solid Amazon deal on it right now.

See the deal at Amazon

We got an early look at the Bee Pioneer at CES 2025, an always-listening AI assistant that attaches to your wrist or clothes for conversation summaries and insights. Bee, which has since been acquired by Amazon, has now launched two new products, including a magnetically attaching device for your phone.

In a blog post published today, Amazon officially announced the Bee Frontier and Bee Eclipse. The Frontier follows last year’s Pioneer and includes an “ultra-soft” silicone band you can wear on your wrist or attach to a piece of clothing.

Amazon has cut the Razer Kishi V3 Gaming Controller to $69.99, $30 off its $99.99 recommended retail price. That works out to a 30% discount relative to the RRP, bringing this premium mobile controller much closer to the impulse-buy range than its usual price would.

See the deal at Amazon

The DREAME X40 Ultra is a premium robot vacuum and mop built for people who want strong floor cleaning with less day-to-day work. It packs 12,000Pa of suction, a removable, liftable mop system, and a highly automated dock, and there’s a solid deal on it at Amazon right now.

See the deal at Amazon

This is an open thread.

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments and vote in the poll below — your take might be featured in a future roundup.

If you’re in the market for a pair of AR glasses, there are plenty of options available. From affordable picks like the RayNeo Air 4 Pro to ridiculously expensive ones like the Snap Specs, the AR glasses market is booming. Now, XREAL has dropped yet another pair for you to consider.

XREAL today launched its latest flagship AR glasses: the XREAL 1 Pro Plus. Building upon the strengths of the XREAL One Pro, they feature several noteworthy improvements. For starters, the display is brighter, reaching up to 1,200 nits of peak brightness. The glasses also support AI HDR to improve the visual quality of compatible videos and other content.

Samsung had barely unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8 family and Z Flip 8 when reports emerged suggesting its 2027 flagship lineup could grow to eight phones, including four foldables. That already sounded ambitious. Now, a fresh leak adds two more names to the Galaxy Z guest list, and one suggests Samsung’s next trick might involve less folding and more stretching.

According to tipster TheGalox on X, Samsung’s 2027 lineup will include the Galaxy Z Flip 9, Z Fold 9, Z Fold 9 Ultra, and Z TriFold 2 — the four devices in that earlier report. Joining them would be the Galaxy Z Fold 9 Pro and Galaxy Z Slide. The tipster also claims improvements in battery life, thickness, and weight across the lineup, with the TriFold 2 arriving first.

Google introduced Heads Up for Android phones in 2021 as a safety feature that warns you to stay aware of your surroundings while walking and using your phone. We discovered in our recent APK teardown that this pedestrian safety tool was being phased out, though we didn’t know when. We now have an answer, courtesy of code in the latest version of Digital Wellbeing.

You’re reading an Authority Insights story. Authority Insights brings you all the latest exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage from the Android Authority team that you won’t find anywhere else.

Samsung has called its Android software One UI for years, and Galaxy users have seen it change quite a bit along the way. We’ve had visual overhauls, new customization options, and, more recently, a growing list of Galaxy AI features. But Samsung may be planning something even bigger for its next major software update, and it could come with a new name.

According to an X user known as Phonefuturist, Samsung could be working on something called Galaxy OS. The tipster claims that Samsung is strengthening its partnership with Google and exploring deeper AI integration across its software. It could also partner with third-party services, some of which may be paid, though the details are still unclear.

We saw a major milestone recently as Super Mario Galaxy became the first Wii game to be fully decompiled. This reverse-engineering milestone opens the door to fan ports of the game on other platforms, while also helping the community understand its inner workings.

Now, developer Mohammed Huzaifa has released an unofficial Super Mario Galaxy port on Android, called Galaxy-Android. This port, which is available on GitHub, is indeed based on the aforementioned decompilation, though the developer also clarifies that it was an “AI-assisted” port.

We’re an enthusiast-first website, and that’s precisely why results from a recent poll we ran are particularly telling. There was a time when a new smartphone launch was genuinely something to look forward to. With an audience like ours — people who follow the smartphone industry closely — you’d expect excitement surrounding annual smartphone launches to be high. That doesn’t seem to be the case.

We asked our readers how they feel about annual smartphone launches, and only 5% of respondents showed any meaningful excitement. The majority, on the other hand, said that they were starting to lose interest.

My primary smartphone is an Android, and unless I’m testing a new device, I almost always use a Galaxy phone. I find One UI the best Android interface out there currently. It’s fast, customizable, and packed with several useful features that other Android skins don’t offer.

That said, I can’t use One UI in its default settings: some aren’t configured to my preferences, while others are overly privacy-invasive and harvest data in the background. For this reason, I always disable numerous One UI settings on any Galaxy phone before I start using it. Here are some crucial ones you can consider turning off too.

When we talk about smartwatches, especially Android-compatible ones, it’s easy to get laser-focused on Samsung and Google. The Pixel Watch has cemented itself as a showcase for Wear OS, while Galaxy Watches are the go-to choice if you have a Samsung phone.

There’s nothing wrong with Google and Samsung’s wearables; the Pixel Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 9 are both extremely good. But neither one is the 2026 smartwatch that’s impressed me the most.

After releasing stable One UI 9 for the Galaxy S26 series around the end of September, Samsung is now rapidly progressing and making it available to the oldest eligible flagship models. Over the last couple of weeks, the Galaxy S25, S24, S23, and older foldables have received the stable update. So Samsung’s next priority, naturally, is to bring older Galaxy Watch models up to speed with the latest smartwatches it released this July.

For this, Samsung has been running betas for One UI 9 Watch across various Galaxy Watch models. While the stable release is still far off, Samsung is pushing out newer betas to existing testers.

Sometimes the reason for choosing a weather app can be as fickle as the weather itself: it’s the nicest-looking one in the Play Store, the widget for it lets you make decisions about your outerwear at a glance, or it’s the default one that came with your phone and you don’t want to spend time evaluating any others.

There’s a lot at stake when you plan your day based on whether there’s a smiling sun or a sad rain cloud on your screen, so we wanted to hear from readers. That’s why we polled you to find out whether you’ve stuck with the default weather app on your phone, downloaded something else, or are braving the elements sans app.

None of us had it on our bingo cards this year, but Google has surprisingly emerged as the company with the best wearable ecosystem on the market. The new Fitbit Edge not only carries forward the legacy of the Fitbit Charge from the bygone era but also gives Google a solid chance to put its best foot forward in a wearable market that has already picked sides.

But beyond a lineup that addresses (nearly) every consumer need on the spectrum, Google has, more importantly, created an underlying platform that is actually shaping its fitness ecosystem for the long run.

Qualcomm and Arm have been involved in a series of legal battles over several issues over the last couple of years. Since Qualcomm acquired Nuvia back in 2021, Arm has threatened to cancel Qualcomm’s architecture licensing agreement (ALA), and Qualcomm has filed lawsuits against Arm.

According to a Reuters report, the verdict is finally in for Qualcomm’s latest lawsuit against Arm. The Delaware jury has sided with Qualcomm on two counts, awarding it damages amounting to $2. Yes, that’s not a typo.