Samsung reclaims crown as top smartphone seller, but how long until Apple retaliates?
The smartphone wars haven't been this exciting since the mid-2010s
The smartphone wars haven't been this exciting since the mid-2010s. That was when the iPhone 6 squared off against the formidable Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and the HTC One M8. Now in 2024, Samsung, after losing to Apple in 2023, has roared back in the first quarter of this year. Sales figures show Samsung surged to the top of the global market share and also hit a record performance in the US market. The Galaxy S4 series is the driving force behind this success.
Google Arts & Culture finally gets a dark theme
Now you can dim the lights in Google's digital museum
Google is adding another product to its roster of dark mode-enabled apps. As reported by 9to5Google, Google Arts & Culture has picked up a new dark theme, so you can now peruse Google's digital museum in low light without straining your eyes.
Google isn’t known for keeping services around for long, often killing off projects we never heard of and merging others that existed as separate apps for the longest time. The company confused users with the Meet-Duo merger, and recently shifted all our reminders from Assistant and Calendar to Google Tasks. Now, the note-taking app, Keep, is next in line, as Google plans to migrate reminders from the app to Tasks now.
Google Meet’s answer to FaceTime Handoff is starting to take shape
Call casting could be on its way to Android devices
Handoff is a feature exclusive to Apple products that allows users to seamlessly move FaceTime conversations between devices. Even in the middle of a call, you can leverage Handoff to ensure that the chat keeps going without the need to disconnect. To the dismay of Android device users, a similar feature has yet to be launched — but Google may be closer to finally making one a reality.
Publish your Google Maps drafts now or forever hold your peace
Unpublished reviews will be deleted by July
Reviews on Google Maps are a great source of information for people and travelers to learn more about a place before visiting it. Users can share their experience of visiting different places to let others know of the pros and cons of a restaurant, hotel, bar, and other businesses. But if you do this often and have a few reviews left in your drafts on Google Maps, it'd be better to publish them now before they get deleted.
Google Chrome releases: What's new in every version
A central hub for all the things that have changed in Chrome
Google Chrome is probably the browser everyone is using. When it launched back in 2008, it was lauded as a super-small, resource-saving program that wasn't even feature-complete, but that has long changed. After its long and winding march to market domination, the browser received more features, grew in size, and is now known as an absolute resource hog and data collection engine.
Google's AI Core app readies powerful new features for the Pixel 9 series
Coding suggests generative AI capabilities are in development
Samsung made a splash when it debuted One UI 6.1 and a slew of Galaxy AI features, which were included in the Galaxy S24 series. To start, the technology was exclusive to the new phones, but the company has since started expanding its availability upon being lauded. Now, Google is seemingly playing catch-up by refining its own AI technology for its products — and some leaks are suggesting that evidence of it will debut in the Pixel 9 series.
Pick up these Beats Studio Pro for an absolute steal with this $150 discount
Comfortable headphones that sound great with fantastic ANC are now down to a price that's way below retail
The wireless headphone market is quite crowded in 2024, with plenty of different options to choose from. With that said, if you're looking for a pair that offers robust sound, excellent style and has great ANC, that won't break the bank, then look no further than the Beats Studio Pro.
Google’s latest Maps and Search updates will help you think green on the go
The services can now help you find nearby low-carbon transit options
Depending on where you are headed while traveling, it may be easiest to hop in a car and drive to your destination. That being said, using a gas-powered vehicle isn’t the most eco-friendly way to travel. Whether you’re looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint or you don’t want to drive, Google Maps and Search are rolling out some updates that could help.
Feast your eyes on these Google Pixel 8a renders
These renders are of higher quality than some recent leaks
Over the last few years, unreleased Pixel phones have leaked months before their official unveiling. It's the same story with the Pixel 8a, which has been detailed multiple times over the last few months. With the phone purportedly due for an I/O 2024 debut next month, its leaks have only picked up pace. A recent render leak showed off the phone in all four of its colors, though they were of poor quality. A new leak fixes that, showcasing the Pixel 8a from multiple angles in all the colors that Google plans to offer it in.
Anker's massive power bank and 100W wireless charger gets steep 30% discount in unheard of deal
You won't find a better price on this Anker Prime power bank and charging base
Anker makes some of the best power banks you can buy in 2024, with a wide range of products, offered at a variety of different price points. But if you're looking for the absolute best, then the brand's Prime 27,650mAh power bank is going to be the one to go with, offering plenty of battery life and power output. Furthermore, you also get a digital display that can show you important details about the battery and its charging behavior.
The Razer Edge is an unusual gaming handheld that essentially combines a small Android tablet with a clip-on controller. As a result, you can play the best Android games and use cloud gaming services while enjoying regular apps.
How to improve fingerprint accuracy on your phone
Tired of your fingerprint sensor letting you down? Follow these tips for always accurate scanning
Mobile phones have fingerprint sensors on their backs, fronts, side buttons, or under the displays on premium Android models. Although the technology behind fingerprints has advanced, there are moments when phones fail to recognize a registered fingerprint. Depending on the sensor technology, making it more accurate is often a quick fix. Here's how to make your fingerprint sensors more accurate.
Discord hosts many online communities. Staying connected on Discord is easy on any inexpensive smartphone. Even with Discord being available at anyone's fingertips, there are several reasons to remove the social messaging app from your phone or computer. For example, you might be concerned about Discord's privacy policy on data collection or prefer to start a fresh re-install to improve the app's performance. This guide demonstrates how to uninstall and remove all traces of Discord on your computer and phone.
Let's face it; even if you have one of the best Android phones with a huge battery, sometimes you'll need extra help to get you through an exceptionally busy day. Whether that's on a road trip where you're snapping a ton of photos or just one of those days when you've found yourself immersed in an addictive Android game, having the right battery pack can ensure that you're not left helplessly wandering with a dead phone.
With the popularization of AMOLED displays even on the best budget Android phones, system-wide dark mode support could save you some battery life, or at least make the display easier to read in low-light conditions. While most Android apps support dark mode, their web versions still do not, and that’s true for Google Drive as well. However, the company just changed that by announcing dark mode support for the web UI.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro vs. ROG Phone 7 Ultimate: So much power
Gaming devices that excel at just about everything
Asus is no stranger to gaming, as many are familiar with their Republic of Gamers brand. They brought that gaming expertise to the smartphone industry, helping create some of the best gaming phones on the market.
Visible's new annual plans cost less than a smartwatch for a full year of service
Options start at $275 for an entire year
A handful of mobile service providers have ruled the landscape for years in the US, but as of late, a number of budget-friendly options have emerged. T-Mobile arguably began the trend with its “un-carrier” service, and several MVNOs have sprouted up, giving phone owners new alternatives. Visible, the Verizon-owned deprioritized network, has started enticing potential customers with affordable plan options. Now, the mobile carrier is launching a new option for those seeking up-front savings.
It's no secret that inflation is real, and it's reflected in the steep prices of modern smartphones. With some of the best Android phones costing upwards of $1,500, it's more important than ever to protect your investment. Investing in a good phone case is a start, but it's also wise to choose a phone that's capable of withstanding falls and other accidents, especially when you're spending a significant amount of money.
This certification listing with a 650mAh battery could be Google's next earbuds
The supposed Pixel Buds Pro 2 case popped up on Korean certification sites
The Google Pixel Buds Pro are still one of our favorite wireless earbuds, despite being two years old already. They're an awesome pair of earbuds with great sound and decent noise cancelation. But since 2022, Google's silence about a new version has left buyers debating whether to go for the current model or wait for the next-generation model. It looks like the wait for the next-gen Pixel Buds Pro might be over soon, with Google reportedly cooking up a successor, as hinted by a couple of regulatory listings.