Android Police

A close-up of Nothing's wordmark on the back of a phone
Nothing’s newest earbuds pack some meaningful upgrades

The Nothing Ear is the company’s latest flagship earphones

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Nothing made a name for itself with its wireless earbuds, the Nothing ear (1), in 2021 before jumping onto the smartphone bandwagon. In 2023 year, it launched the Nothing Ear 2, packing some much-needed improvements and audio upgrades for $149. For 2024, the company is launching not one but two earbuds: the Nothing Ear, its new flagship earphones, and the Ear (a).

An AP-branded gaming console against a pink background with red tiles

You'd think developers designed mobile games to be played on the go, yet many of the best Android games don't support offline play. Unfortunately, the Play Store doesn't reveal which games require an online connection, so choosing titles to play during your commute or when away from a Wi-Fi source can become fairly challenging. To help alleviate the pressure, AP rounded up some of the most intriguing offline Android games, from classic RPGs like Final Fantasy VI to long-lasting city-building games like Pocket City 2, all to ensure everyone's tastes are covered.

WhatsApp call integration
WhatsApp rolls back the capital O in its Online indicator

Awkward capitalization caused a commotion

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WhatsApp is one of the best encrypted messaging apps available on Android, and is also a hotbed of activity ranging from frequent feature additions to, more recently, UI changes. Meta developers have finally given the WhatsApp UI much-needed attention with new design elements like the swipeable bottom bar and chat filters. However, all the changes aren’t equally well-received and a small change to the Online and Typing indicators in the app has been rolled back for that reason.

Tile Pro vs Tile Sticker thumbnail
Tile Pro vs. Tile Sticker: Choosing the right tracker

Which of Tile's smart trackers is right for you?

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Ever frantically searched for your keys before work or misplaced your wallet right when you needed it most? Smart tags can eliminate that stressful scramble. These tiny trackers attach to your belongings, making them easy to locate with your smartphone.

Kids playing at home while Dreame L20 Ultra cleans the floor

Robotic vacuums are an integral part of today's smart homes. These intelligent devices with path-breaking technologies and innovations have revolutionized cleaning and made our lives efficient and easier.

A pair of hands playing an intense game on a Galaxy S24 Ultra
Best Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra screen protectors in 2024

It would be a shame to damage the S24 Ultra's beautiful new display - these quality screen protectors can help

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The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra arguably has one of the best displays on a smartphone. It's big, bright, and vibrant. Such a gorgeous display deserves to be preserved for as long as possible. While Samsung includes a Corning Gorilla Armor covering for help, you need a screen protector for peace of mind.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max in close up showing a 5G cell connection
iOS inches closer to Android with new third-party app store and Nintendo emulator

But in typical Apple fashion, there are a few catches...

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Apple's walled garden looks pretty but has limitations, with the company keeping a close eye on what kind of apps iPhone users can download. For years, the App Store guidelines have prohibited developers from offering retro game emulators. But in a surprising move, Apple updated the guidelines earlier this month to allow retro game emulators on the App Store, thanks to the EU's Digital Markets Act and to avoid further regulatory scrutiny. This has now paved the way for an official Apple-approved game emulator to go live on the App Store.

The TikTok logo against a skyscraper landscape
TikTok's new photo-sharing app is out, but you probably can't download it yet

For now, TikTok's Notes app is up for grabs in Australia and Canada

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TikTok has been toying with an app that looks a lot like Instagram's main feed. It's all part of the ongoing trend where big social media platforms keep borrowing ideas from each other. After Instagram introduced "Reels" in 2020 to compete with TikTok, the latter then fired back with its own version of stories, just like Instagram, in 2022. Now, TikTok is rolling out a new photo-sharing app called Notes, but with its own twist.

T-Mobile logo on drape
T-Mobile's home internet now has deprioritization limits for everyone

Going forward, some heavy users will start experiencing slowdowns

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There's a reason why T-Mobile is one of the best wireless carriers in the US, offering excellent 5G coverage, some of the best smartphones, and a wide variety of plans to suit nearly every budget. Over the years, the brand has leveraged its powerful network to branch out and provide different kinds of services, with one of them being 5G home internet. The service is a great option for someone that needs home internet service that's affordable, and it's also a great option if you're in an area that doesn't have reliable internet service from traditional providers.

Polestar Synergy concept car
EV maker Polestar's upcoming smartphone looks surprisingly good

Just don’t ask why it exists…

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A few weeks back, Xiaomi, best known for its smartphones, unveiled a high-end electric vehicle that it suggests can compete with the likes of Porsche and Tesla. Restoring balance to the universe, luxury EV brand Polestar is set to unveil its new smartphone next week. While we don’t know much about it in terms of the specs and features, the company today shared some pictures of what the phone looks like, and boy, does it look cool!

A person holding up a smartphone with an app displaying the signal strength for the Galaxy SmartTag
More Android phones need Ultra Wideband support

OEMs need to step up their location tracking game so the UWB standard can settle in

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Ultra-Wideband, or UWB for short, has been around for a few years, and it’s often advertised as a location tracker for smart tags. The technology lets users trace objects with high precision and accuracy, offering benefits that would otherwise not be available and achievable with other technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Anker USB-C charger plugged into an outlet on a gray des
Anker's 3-in-1 USB-C charger is portable, powerful, and currently 32% off

It has 67W of power, 2 USB-C ports, and 1 USB-A port

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Anker's charging accessories are perhaps the easiest products to recommend in the tech space. They are known for being reliable and affordable, they get great reviews from both experts and customers, and they are typically backed by lengthy warranties. The 67W Anker Prime USB-C Charger is a great example of this. It's powerful enough to fast-charge your favorite devices, it has 3 USB ports that can be used simultaneously, and it has foldable prongs for easy storage. It also comes with a 2-year warranty, and right now you can pick one up on sale for just $45.

android-15-7-ap-hero
Android 15 might put suspicious apps in quarantine to protect your phone

You might soon have another way to protect yourself from those annoying misbehaving apps

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Android users have protection against malware thanks to Google Play Protect, which even scans for malware in real-time now. However, it's not entirely unheard of for it to miss a malware-infected app on occasion. It's a good thing that Android 15 might give users a new way to protect their devices against misbehaving apps. In the meantime, you can also watch out for the Independent Security Review badge, which lets you know that an app meets industry-wide security and privacy standards.

WhatsApp app running on an Android phone
New WhatsApp feature would let you attach a message to your notes

Helping users get a leg up on keeping important details in check

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WhatsApp is one of the best messaging apps that you can use if you're looking to message people from all around the world. While it's great for personal use, the app is also quite versatile, making it a great business tool if you're looking to connect with people that are outside your personal circle.

Google Flights hero image
9 simple Google Flights tips and tricks to try on your next trip

Snag sweet travel deals with Google's flight search platform

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Google Flights is among the best apps for cheap travel. It's the one-stop search engine for airplane trips and consolidates hundreds of top online travel agencies (OTAs). You can search for the best ones in a central hub from your mobile phone or personal computer. You won't have to visit multiple websites, and you can find anything based on round or multi-city trip entries and other criteria. Flights also has tools for cost comparison, so you can see whether current prices are high compared to historical data. Here's how to save money and reach your desired locations quickly.

A Lenovo Flex 3i Chromebook (Gen 8) on someone's knees while sitting outside on a stone patio with a pond with greenery around it in front of them
What is Verified Access and how does it protect my Chromebook?

Keep your enterprise Chromebooks more secure with Verified Access

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While most modern smartphones can do almost everything a computer can, sometimes a larger screen is necessary. Many may think that Windows or Macs are the only computers you should buy. However, Chromebooks are a great option for most people. They are often more affordable, do much of what a Microsoft Windows or Mac device can do, and have access to Android apps and Linux. There's also a variety of great Chromebooks at multiple price points to meet consumer needs.

A smartphone with the Spotify app open on a desk with a mug behind it
As Spotify adds more AI cruft, all I want is better audio

Are randomized songs really too much to ask for?

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Spotify has just unveiled an exciting new AI Playlist feature. This innovative tool generates fresh playlists tailored to your unique music taste, drawing from your listening history and preferences. But so do all the other playlists and the recently added DJ. Sure, it sounds like a promising way to discover new music, but it's not the only thing on users' minds. Many are very eager for improvements to basic features like the shuffle button, something that hasn't lived up to expectations for many, and yet AI is the focus.

Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera (Wired) next to white patio door
Ecobee Smart Doorbell Camera (Wired) review: Overall excellence with one limitation

This smart doorbell would reach great heights if not tied down by its wire

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A few well-established brands, like Ring and Nest, dominate the smart video doorbell territory. That’s no secret. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t unsung heroes vying for some of the market share. Many of these contenders offer nearly identical specs without the A-list price.

The three cameras (and already accumulating dust) on the Samsung Galaxy S24 in front of a rocky wall
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

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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 S24 series is the driving force behind this success.

A portion of the Google Arts & Culture app's UI rendered in dark colors
Google Arts & Culture finally gets a dark theme

Now you can dim the lights in Google's digital museum

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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.

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