Google Gemini's conversation mode could make interactions with AI easier
Gemini keeps the conversation going even after answering your question
Google constantly tries to improve Gemini to make it more appealing than Google Assistant. One clear advantage Assistant has over Gemini is that it has a better response time, but Google is working on making it much faster on Android. Its next improvement could be related to ChatGPT's Voice Conversation feature, which allows users to continue the conversation with voice commands. It's a feature we had already seen with Google Assistant — even on smart speakers — so it seems like it would find an ideal home with Gemini.
Right-to-repair laws are now in effect in Europe to the dismay of manufacturers
Spare parts for self-made repairs will be available to consumers
In the US, right-to-repair legislation has appeared on some state ballots, aiming to give consumers more authority over how they maintain their products. Rather than having to exclusively contact manufacturers for device repairs, these laws can open up the door to more options — consumers can contact third-party repair services, for example, to have their technology fixed. In some instances, this can also result in cost savings for consumers, but manufacturers have become wary of the impact on their business. Falling in line with some US states that have adopted such measures, the European Parliament has now ruled in favor of similar regulations.
Polestar races from designing EVs to releasing its first smartphone
Basically, it's a rebranded Meizu 21 Pro that costs a lot more
In the past few years, many brands from outside the tech world have launched dedicated smartphone or wearable lineups. While such products have a relatively short shelf life, they are mostly launched as accessories for the brand's luxurious items to create a personalized experience for the buyer.
Best Galaxy Z Fold 5 deals: Sign up and save big with up to $1,000 off
You can also score a free pair of Galaxy Buds FE
We got some exciting entries in the foldable phone space last year, which means there's a lot to look forward to in 2024. With that said, there's going to be a lot of tough competition going forward, but for the time being, Samsung still holds top honors for producing one of the best foldable phones you can buy in 2024.
Garmin’s updated Connect app UI is falling flat with device owners
Chatter on social media suggests the update has been far from helpful
As most health tracker owners will tell you, a companion app is necessary to make the most of the product. Those who own a Garmin wearable need to download the company’s Connect app in order to view statistics logged by their device. Depending on the wearable manufacturer, the complexity of the companion app may vary. Garmin’s Connect app has always been efficient in data collection, but its UI has arguably lagged behind.
Google is once again holding off on phasing out third-party Chrome cookies
After previously punting plans for a 2022 rollout, the tech giant is now targeting 2025 for the controversial change
As more people become invested in protecting their online privacy, third-party cookies have turned into a hot topic. Through the collection of third-party cookies, browsers can transfer user data to advertising companies. This manifests as “tailored” or “personalized” experiences for the end user, but it also means their personal information has been handed off to a third party (hence, the name of the cookie type). Google, in particular, has made several promises to deprecate its use of third-party cookies in Chrome — first, it planned to make the change in 2022, then 2023, and eventually delayed things to later this year. Now, it looks like it won’t be fulfilling its most recent promise any time soon.
Android 15 can choose which permissions sideloaded apps get to use
Enhanced Confirmation Mode soon to be available on Android 15
While the Google Play Store is the primary platform for Android users to download their apps and games, the platform also allows users to obtain their apps from other sources, a process known as sideloading. This has been a long-standing advantage of Android over Apple's iOS. However, with Apple adopting a more Android-like approach in Europe, the gap between the two operating systems is narrowing.
Slash up to $400 off Roomba robot vacuums in this sizzling spring sale
Grab a robot vacuum on the cheap with prices starting at just $180
If you've been thinking about taking your house cleaning to a new level, a robot vacuum is going to be the perfect solution. Robot vacuums have been around for a while now, and the product category has only gotten better over time, delivering a more seamless cleaning experience in 2024.
The Reddit app is giving comments some long-overdue attention
Don't worry, you can still drop your unsolicited hot-takes
The mobile Reddit experience can be hit or miss. There are lots of annoying ads to deal with, the videos load slowly (if at all), and you tend to be bombarded with recommended communities. Given how much of a burden enjoying Reddit on iOS or Android can be, it's good to hear that some new updates are coming to the app, particularly in terms of how users interact with posts and each other.
YouTube Music inches closer to Google Podcasts with new filters
You can also search for artists now in the music tuner
YouTube Music is one of the three big music streaming services that people can subscribe to when they’re looking for a rhythmic fix. However, it regularly lags behind Spotify and Apple Music in tons of ways and needs to add crucial features to even compete with them. It wasn’t all that long ago that Google Play Music was killed off by Google in lieu of YouTube Music, which is still missing features, tools, and functionality that the former had four years ago. Google Podcasts has suffered the same fate, as it was just shut down in the US on April 2, and its international shutdown date is coming in June 2024. It’s been enveloped by YouTube Music, and new podcast filter options have just appeared in the app to make that transition smoother.
There are plenty of reasons you might need to send a Gmail message on your computer or Android smartphone. Gmail has a feature called Confidential mode that allows you to send an email that can't be forwarded, copied, printed, or downloaded. Even better, you can set an expiration date that revokes access to the email when you decide, and you can revoke access at any time from your phone or computer.
The OnePlus 13 might continue with its predecessor's unwieldy display size
Rumors point to the phone coming with a 6.8-inch display
OnePlus made a strong comeback this year with the OnePlus 12, packing solid high-end internals, an impressive set of cameras, and all-day battery life. Among other upgrades, the company bumped the screen size to 6.82-inch on its 2024 flagship vs. the OnePlus 11's 6.7-inch panel, with a much higher peak brightness. This made the phone a bit too big and unwieldy for one-handed use, and if you were hoping OnePlus would go back to a smaller panel for the OnePlus 13, you might be in for disappointment.
WhatsApp has billions of active users, but it still leaves no stone unturned in attempts to encourage user interaction and new sign-ups. We recently reported on a new prompt in the app encouraging you to initiate a conversation with people saved in your contacts. In a similar vein, a recent beta version of the app reveals adding new contacts could become simpler as well.
Sometimes a smartphone isn't quite big enough to enjoy your favorite media, connect with others via video call, or get work done on the go. Tablets fill in on those occasions, offering more firepower than ever alongside increasingly streamlined software. And while today's best 5G phones can all serve as Wi-Fi hotspots, using them that way can draw a decent amount of power and quickly drain a battery.
For years, many Android users wished they could access FaceTime due to the app's known superior video and audio quality. In an interesting turn of events, Apple gently loosened its grip on iMessage in 2021. The change allowed people with Android phones, tablets, Windows PCs, and trusty Chromebooks to use FaceTime from a web browser. In addition, Apple users can also set these browsers as their default apps, which is a big step for a company that doesn't allow replacing its native apps.
22 preinstalled apps that you can safely delete from your Samsung Galaxy phone
Don't let bloatware clutter your new device
Your new Samsung Galaxy phone comes with many preinstalled apps, including bloatware. You’ll have to remove them since they take up precious storage space, clutter your home screen, and reduce battery life. Some slow down your phone by hogging its processor. While some of these apps are useful, you should uninstall the rest of them. This guide shows which apps you can safely delete without impeding the functionality of your Galaxy phone.
Best gaming phones in 2024
Looking to pick up a new smartphone that's great for gaming? These are the best gaming phones on the market
Since nearly any of the best Android phones pack more than enough power to handle even the most demanding games, you may wonder what makes a "gaming" phone stand out from the pack. While the lines are becoming blurred, there are still things serious gaming demands that not every smartphone can deliver. After all, there's more to enjoying modern games than just raw performance.
Soundbars are about as common and sought after as the 4K and 8K TVs they connect to. They’re also one of the best investments you can make for your home theater experience because nothing says “lackluster” like the measly audio that most TV speakers produce.
The US TikTok ban could happen sooner than we thought
The US Senate has passed legislation paving the way for a ban on TikTok
Read update
Despite taking the world by storm, social media app TikTok hasn't been fully immune from trouble in the US. Last month, the US House of Representatives passed a bill to cut ties between TikTok and its parent company ByteDance. The bill then moved into the US Senate for approval, the penultimate step before it reaches President Joe Biden's desk, who can then sign it into law. In a massive 79-18 vote on Tuesday, the Senate resoundingly passed this bill, paving the way for a potential ban on the platform in the US.
Samsung Galaxy S25 might launch with Google’s next-gen AI model
The 2025 flagship Galaxy could debut with Gemini Nano 2
Samsung's Galaxy S24 was among the first major Android phones to release this year with AI features. It was also the first non-Pixel phone to launch with Gemini Nano, Google's most efficient AI model for on-device tasks. AI will play a big role in smartphones in the coming years, and to ensure its flagship phones offer a cutting-edge experience, Samsung reportedly plans to launch the Galaxy S25 series with Google's next-gen Gemini Nano 2 model.