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Google Sheets is making it easier to access its most important features
Helping to speed up your spreadsheet-filled day
Google Sheets is already super-popular, reaching a milestone of 1 billion installs on the Play Store only a few months ago, and it's only getting better all the time. The tool makes editing, organizing, and analyzing information across multiple users a breeze. However, there’s always room for improvement, and that's why Google is updating the menus in Sheets for better usability.
Pixel 6 and 6 Pro teardowns show Google still has some lessons to learn
A mixed success on the reparability scale
Google has some new phones officially on sale that it would love you to buy — assuming you can find them in stock, of course. If you're still waiting for your Pixel 6 or 6 Pro to arrive on your doorstep, kill some time by watching a teardown of both devices, showcasing just how repairable each model really is.
Attention, foldable fanatics: These bizarre, brazen jeans have a custom Galaxy Z Flip3 pocket
And they do away with almost every other pocket
Samsung is wrong about pockets. Plain wrong. Its Australian division has teamed up with Swedish brand Dr. Denim for some "Limited Edition" jeans for the tech conglomerate's compact, foldable Galaxy Z Flip3. And they are wrong. About. Pockets.
Telegram's getting ads, and here's what to expect from them
Not the ads you know from Facebook or Google
Telegram has been on a high recently, from capitalizing on Facebook’s downtime and picking up around 70 million new users to reaching over a billion installs on Play Store. However, as the platform — and the expenses associated with it — continues to grow, it needs to start generating money to cover its ballooning traffic and server maintenance costs (having been running so far on investments from the founder’s pockets). Clearly, the company has been thinking the same, because CEO Pavel Dorov earlier announced that Telegram would start generating revenue. A year later, it has launched the Telegram Ad Platform, a program that will allow individuals and organizations to create and send sponsored messages.
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A fix is coming for the Pixel 6 Pro's weird flickering display
It's not hardware, apparently
The launch of Google's new smartphones, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, has been the company's most hyped to date, even despite the comically large number of leaks that preceded it. These handsets represent a wild departure from the way Google had done things in the past, not to mention they're its first phones with an in-house SoC. But no hardware is perfect, especially not at launch. Don't get us wrong, though — these phones are great — we've reviewed them both, and we really liked them. But issues happen, even in Pixel land, and in particular a handful of Pixel 6 Pro early adopters have complained about a weird display flickering issue. Google has now acknowledged this issue, and a fix is coming in a future update.
Latest Galaxy S21 FE leaks give us our first peek at actual hardware
Complete with some familiar colors
After months of strange leaks and rumors, it sounds like the Galaxy S21 FE might finally be on track with a new announcement date. With a possible cancellation avoided, it's time for another early look at Samsung's next phone, including a glimpse at its available color selections.
Google details the Pixel 6's recent update while the Pixel 3 is left behind
We've got a changelog for Pixel 6 and 6 Pro's day-one update, but it's the end of the line for the Pixel 3 series
Google has released the November update for its Pixels — which the Pixel 6 series got a bit early last week. Changes included in that update are finally documented, though, including a few specific fixes for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. Unfortunately for Pixel 3 owners, that phone has just reached end of life, and though Google tells us a final wrap-up update is planned for next year, it isn't included in this month's updates.
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The Pixel 6 deserves Google's awesome fabric cases, not the boring ones we got instead
Please bring back the fabric cases
For years, one of my favorite perks of Pixel ownership — outside the Assistant features like automatic call screening, the regular pleasure of Feature Drop updates, and the always-great camera — has been the cases. Google’s own fabric cases, to be specific. They’re a little chunky and not the most protective, but I’ve always loved their texture and quality. Or, at least, I did until the Pixel 5a came out with a new and more boring case style. Hoping that was a fluke rather than a permanent change in strategy, I was eagerly awaiting the Pixel 6 and the chance it might bring them back, but that didn’t pan out either. So far as we can tell, the fabric cases are dead, but I wish Google would bring them back.
Take advantage of Amazon's record low prices on the Echo, Kindle, and Fire HD 8 right now
Think of it as a birthday gift from Alexa
Amazon is dishing out some of the best deals we've seen on its branded devices in honor of Alexa's 7th birthday. That means Echo devices, Fire TV devices, and even an Alexa-powered Mickey Mouse wall clock at low, low prices.
The Android 12L Beta Program isn't coming to all the Pixels you'd expect
Here's when (and if) you can expect yours to get it
Google surprised us last week with the announcement of Android 12L, a follow-up version to its just-released OS update focused specifically on folding phones and tablets. Although you can't get it on your phone right now, it won't be long until a public beta is ready and available to Pixel owners. If you're curious when — or if — your phone will receive it, here's what we know so far.
Project Cars GO limps across the finish line this month as servers are scheduled for shutdown
Perhaps one-tap racers aren't a great idea?
Surprise surprise, Gamevil's ploy to create a CSR Racing clone with the Project CARS brand hasn't worked out. Seven months after the initial release, Gamevil and Slightly Mad Studios have announced that their one-touch racer Project CARS GO isn't long for this world. As of yesterday, the Play Store listing can no longer be downloaded, though those that still have the game installed will be able to play until November 30th, when the servers will be shut down. All in-app purchases are already disabled, and those still holding in-game currency have an opportunity to spend it before the 30th, and if you're still holding this currency when the doors shutter, you will have an opportunity to receive a return.
Google Pixel 6 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: 2021's best phones go head to head
The battle of Android flagships
Google finally has a flagship Pixel phone that can compete with the best of what Samsung has to offer. In many ways, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is a more compelling device than the Galaxy S21 Ultra, mainly thanks to its more attractive price-to-performance ratio. However, Google doesn't just let the lower price tag of its Pixel phone do the talking. The Tensor chip, 50MP primary camera, massive battery, and excellent display ensures the Pixel 6 Pro is more than capable of taking on the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Samsung's One UI 4 will finally let you set your wallpaper from Google Photos
Low-key the best change in the whole update
One UI is my favorite flavor of Android, but there's one small thing about it that's always annoyed me: you can't set your wallpaper from the Google Photos app. Whenever you chose the "set as" option in the menu, you could only set the photo as a contacts profile pic or as your lockscreen wallpaper. Thankfully, that's changing in One UI 4.
29 temporarily free and 53 on-sale apps and games for Monday
Don't miss out on the sales for The Room: Old Sins, The House of Da Vinci, and Atom RPG
Welcome to Monday, everyone. Yesterday was Halloween, and that means there's a boatload of apps and games on sale today, and seeing that Friday's list was just as plump, make sure you don't miss out on those sales either. Of course, I have some awesome standouts today. First up is The Room: Old Sins, an escape room game that holds a 4.9-star rating for a reason; it's great. Next, I have The House of Da Vinci, another escape room game, and it holds its own against The Room series. Last but not least is Atom RPG, a classic style RPG often compared to the first Fallout games. As always, I've highlighted all of the interesting titles in bold in order to make discovery easier. So without further ado, here are 29 temporarily free and 53 on-sale apps and games for the beginning of the week.
This app brings back notification LED lights to Google Pixel phones
A blast from the past
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Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro phones have been winning over users with a feature set that includes large screens, strong performance, and impressive cameras (now utilizing Google’s Real Tone technology). But there’s one omission that has irritated Pixel owners for a long time: the lack of a status or notification LED. Pixel 6 phones aren’t the first to go without one, and they likely won’t be the last. But fortunately, there’s now a solution for a whole range of Pixels: the aodNotifiy app.
Download the Android 12-based One UI 4 beta on your Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 or Z Fold3 now
The latest Android release is finally available for Samsung's latest foldables
The Galaxy Z Flip3 and the Galaxy Z Fold3 are the most recent flagship foldable phones from Samsung, and with many generational improvements in tow, they're also considered by some to be the company's first foldables that are truly worth their salt. If you own one, you've probably looked at our coverage on Android 12 and wondered when the update will land on your phone. Now, the forecast is a little bit clearer, as Samsung has released the first beta builds of its Android 12-based One UI 4 to both foldable smartphones, so you can stop being jealous of Pixel users and their quick (well, relatively quick) updates.
17 new (and 1 WTF) Android games from the last week: The best, worst, and everything in between (10/24/21 -10/31/21)
Kathy Rain: Director's Cut, Pikmin Bloom, and Plan B from Outer Space
Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android games that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous week or so. Today's list is broken up into several segments, ranging from best, average, to mediocre. So whether you're looking for the best games of quality or are simply looking for the latest free-to-play gacha titles, you're covered. This week I have a director's cut of a fantastic point and click adventure, a new release from Niantic that offers a Pikmin theme, and a storybook adventure that offers several different endings. So without further ado, here are the new and notable Android games released during the last week.
HP Chromebook x2 11 review: Portability over power
A good deal if you can grab it on sale
Two-in-ones are all the rage thanks to their portability and versatility. The HP Chromebook x2 11 is a detachable-style 2-in-1 that offers a few firsts in the field. This is the first Chromebook of its type to offer a 2K 3:2 screen, and it's also the first to offer optional LTE support and the Qualcomm 7C chipset.
Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick review: Forget about the Chromecast
...unless you care about Dolby Vision
Last year, Google finally gave us a Chromecast with a remote and a real interface. However, the streaming stick never made it to India, leaving us with Sony’s rather expensive lineup of 4K TVs as the only way to experience the spruced-up Google TV interface. The Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick bridges that gap by bringing Google’s latest take on Android TV to a more approachable price. And considering how capable this streaming stick is for its price, there’s probably no need to pine for the Chromecast with Google TV.
Roblox is recovering from a two-day outage, says it will be 'back up and running ASAP'
It's not related to Chipotle, but it is pretty spicy
Roblox is one of those games — apps? services? — that, like Fornite, even if you don't play it, you likely know someone who does. Perhaps your child or nephew or kid across the hall, but given that the last-released figure was 40 million daily players, it's certifiably popular.