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The Pixel Watch companion app could soon get an option to automatically sync app permissions between your watch and your phone. As reported on the Google News Telegram, a recent update to the Pixel Watch Android app added a hidden flag that, when enabled, can lead you to a toggle labeled Sync permissions from phone.
Google's foldable line might be in for an awkward rebrand already
And here we thought 'Pixel 9 Pro XL' was a clunky name
Google's upcoming foldable flagship might go by a more awkward name than we thought. Android Authority is reporting that the phone we've been calling the Pixel Fold 2 may actually be launching as the fourth member of the upcoming Pixel 9 series, giving the supposed Pixel 9 Pro XL some competition for worst-named device of the year.
Google Wallet on Wear OS isn't as convenient as it could be
It takes two hands to use tap-to-pay on Wear OS
Of all the tech-enabled conveniences we've come to take for granted, tap-to-pay in wearables is, for my money, one of the most satisfyingly futuristic — the very idea of using your wristwatch to pay for something flatly didn't exist until relatively recently. Even now, nearly a decade into living with watches that are also wallets, I still get a little techy satisfaction any time I pay for something using my Pixel Watch. But as much as I appreciate the ability to use my wrist computer to pay for coffee, I think the Google Wallet experience on Wear OS could be significantly improved with what seems to me like a simple UX tweak.
The entry-level and high-end Bluetooth headphone markets are pretty well saturated, with plenty of decent options under $100 and just as many premium headphones with price tags of $300 or higher. Not too many pairs in between catch our attention. But Sennheiser's Accentum Plus are an interesting option at what I'd call an upper-midrange price.
Google Photos for Android is working on a new tool to help you save storage space
Storage saver is coming to mobile
The Google Photos Android app is getting a new option to help users save storage space. As reported by multiple sources, Google Photos users on mobile will soon have the option to reduce the size and quality of their backed-up media all at once, potentially greatly reducing the Google Account storage space used by Photos.
Best budget Android phones in 2024
These days, you don't have to pay through the nose to get a decent phone
It's an exciting time for smartphones. Thanks to increasingly powerful new chips, we're long past the days when you had to choose between spending a bundle on a premium phone or settling for sluggish performance on a budget model.
Last spring, Google announced that it would be winding down support for a couple of legacy products this year. The end-of-life date communicated last year is practically here: if you're still using Dropcam cameras or the Nest Secure smart security system, you've got until April 8 until they're no longer supported by the Nest app, effectively rendering them useless. If you haven't redeemed your replacement offer yet, there's never been a better time.
While Apple may still have a firm grip on the tablet market with its iPad lineup, Android tablets are only improving and have a leg up on Apple when it comes to hardware. With super affordable options for people who need a larger screen to watch movies to massively large tablets with styluses that function as a tablet and smart display in one, there's something for everyone in the Android market.
Google Pixel Tablet 2: Rumors and what we'd like to see
More citrus-themed codenames have been found in Android
Google's grand return to the tablet form factor, the two-in-one Google Pixel Tablet, was resoundingly fine. While the double-duty form factor held some promise and the tablet performed well enough, the execution of the whole package didn't quite hit the mark. It seems like Google's hard at work on a sequel, though: codenames believed to be related to a future Pixel Tablet 2 were discovered in early 2024. With Google I/O 2024 around the corner, we could learn more about Google's next tablet very soon. But in the meantime, here's what we've heard about the Pixel Tablet 2 so far — and what we hope it'll be like.
Google Pixel Watch 3: News, rumors, and our hopes for Google's next smartwatch
It looks like we're finally getting a bigger Pixel Watch
We're big fans of the Pixel Watch 2 — it's one of our favorite smartwatches. It's not the flashiest update coming from the first-gen Pixel Watch, but it makes improvements where it counts: battery life, in particular, is much improved in the newer model. But now that we're used to Google's latest wearable, we can't help but think about what could be in store for a future Pixel Watch 3.
One UI 6.1 is coming to Samsung's 2023 flagships this week
With Galaxy AI and Circle to Search in tow
One UI 6.1 is coming to many of Samsung's 2023 devices this week. Beginning Thursday, the Samsung Galaxy S23 series (including the S23 FE), the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5, and the Galaxy Tab S9 series will all start seeing an update to the latest Android 14-based build of Samsung's software skin. One UI 6.1 brings with it the expected minor changes of a point update, plus a bunch of AI-based functionality.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: Rumors and what we want to see in Samsung's next wearable
More storage? Better efficiency? Three models? Get the latest here
Samsung's 2023 smartwatches, the Watch 6 and Watch 6 Classic, are among our favorite smartwatches right now. But as we inch ever further into 2024, we can't help but think about what's up ahead: the Galaxy Watch 7 series. Samsung hasn't outright confirmed it's releasing new watches this year, but given it's dropped a new Galaxy Watch generation each August since 2021, we feel pretty confident we'll be seeing the Watch 7 on store shelves this summer. There still isn't much info out there about the upcoming wearables, but we've been hearing rumors since late 2023. Here's everything we know so far — and what we hope to see.
The next Samsung Galaxy Watch could come with double the storage
Double the space for apps and media
We're expecting the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 series to launch later this year. We haven't heard much of anything official about the new wearables yet, but rumors have been flowing for some time. Over the weekend, SamMobile reported that we should expect one low-key, but useful change: the Watch 7 series should launch with more storage space than the Watch 6 offers.
6 ways the Apple antitrust suit could affect the Android ecosystem
Enough about you, let's talk about me
The US Department of Justice brought a lawsuit against Apple this week, alleging the company's practices have created an unfair monopoly in the US smartphone market. The full lawsuit is practically a novella, but in very broad strokes, the US government is critical of the tactics Apple employs in shaping user and developer behavior, particularly when it comes to popular products like iMessage and the Apple Watch.
Samsung Galaxy Ring: News, leaks, and release window
Everything we know about Samsung's upcoming smart ring
At the Galaxy Unpacked event where Samsung fully unveiled its Galaxy S24 phones, the company also teased a new wearable called the Samsung Galaxy Ring. In the weeks that followed, we picked up on some enticing rumors, but Samsung stayed tight-lipped on details about its first smart ring — for a time, anyway. Samsung brought its Galaxy Ring to MWC 2024, and we've since learned both more official info and heard more rumors. Here's everything we know about the Samsung Galaxy Ring, plus what we hope to see.
The OnePlus 9 series likely just got its last major Android update
They're still in line for some security patches, though
The OnePlus 9 series has reached one of its last milestones this week. As reported by Android Authority, following the rollout of Android 14-based OxygenOS 14 to unlocked versions of the OnePlus 9, 9 Pro, and 8T over the past few weeks, OxygenOS 14 is now hitting the T-Mobile variant of each of those devices.
The Google Play Store is ditching its search bar in favor of a new tab
The Play Store takes a page from Spotify's book
The Play Store is getting a bit of a visual tweak. 9to5Google reports that the Play Store's search bar, previously featured prominently at the top of the store's Games, Apps, and Books tabs, is being replaced with a new Search tab accessible from the app's bottom navigation bar.
Google Photos finally lets you override its document auto-categorization
New categorization options are rolling out now
Last month, Google services enthusiast AssembleDebug shared on X that Google Photos was working on a way to change how the app categorizes images of what it calls "Documents." The new setup would let users manually alter the way various images — screenshots, photos of receipts or event tickets, that sort of thing — are tagged, making it easier to organize that kind of info in Photos. We're seeing those new options on our own phones now: manual categorization is finally rolling out.
How Android's app archiving will help save space without losing your app data
Coming soon to a phone near you
Last month, certified Android ace Mishaal Rahman shared evidence for an in-development app archival feature. Presumably headed for stable Android 15, app archival lets you save storage space by offloading the majority of an unused app while keeping your user data, making for a smooth transition should you choose to reinstall it. Today, again via Android Authority, Mishaal shared a closer look at how the process will work. It seems like you'll have options to archive apps on demand or to have your phone do it automatically, and the entire system relies on what Google calls archived APKs.
Blink Mini 2 is a cute little security camera that starts at $40 and works inside or out
The versatile little fella is available right now
Looking for some cheap security cameras? Amazon-owned Blink's got you covered. The new Blink Mini 2, available now, is plenty affordable at just $40. It's not the type of upgrade that'll make owners of the first-gen Blink Mini want run out and replace their cameras — it's still a cheap 1080p security camera. But some smart changes like a wider field of view and an outdoor-adaptable design should make it an appealing option for anyone looking to build out their Blink setup.