YouTube moves to AV1 by default to the dismay of some Android users
Those with phones that lack hardware decoding have voiced battery concerns
As video continues to evolve, the demand for new technology to handle its complexity is growing. With the arrival of 4K video, for example, developers quickly became aware that existing video codecs like H264 were no longer going to cut it. To that extent, AV1 has started to become the popular standard for decoding and encoding on devices. Now, Google is ready to adapt to the changing times, and it will soon be reflected on YouTube.
The best new movies you can watch at home right now
There's plenty to watch at home these days, and we're rounding up the best (and worst) movies you can stream
Streaming services have taken over as one of the best ways to catch the latest movies. Whether they're making a stop in theaters before rolling out digital rentals or they launch as first-run originals from the likes of Netflix, Apple TV, or HBO; we're rounding up the best titles so you're not left in the dark — until it's time to start the film, that is. Check back each week (usually on Friday) to see the latest additions for movies that are now available to stream, the latest theatrical releases, and movies coming next week.
Google Pay can now create a virtual version of your Citibank card
More payment options are always welcome
You can't help but feel a little scared when you have to enter your credit card information when buying something online. You hear about big companies such as AT&T suffering a data breach and wonder if your information will ever be a part of one. Even Roku is reeling from a data breach that exposed user credentials. It's good to hear that Google has added support for another virtual card to give users more options.
WhatsApp Communities could soon make managing events easier
Event scheduling in WhatsApp Community has been spotted in the newest beta
WhatsApp was spotted working on an event scheduling feature since October 2023. A follow-up report from March this year detailed how the feature will work and the improvements Meta has made to event scheduling since 2023. It appears WhatsApp is ready to start trialing the feature, as it has popped up for some beta testers on the latest WhatsApp beta for Android.
Samsung's budget A-series has always offered great value for money while packing in some premium features we don't see on phones for twice the price. The Samsung Galaxy A35 improves on many of our gripes about last year's Galaxy A25, but the price increase puts it among dangerous competition.
Tile Sticker vs. Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2: Which is more suitable for you?
Never lose track of what matters
Tile has an excellent smart tag selection to choose from. While some feature a key ring cutout, others cater to niche use cases. The Tile Sticker is one such specialized smart tracker that lacks a cutout for attachments but boasts an adhesive back. Its unique form factor has some advantages, but you must also deal with some drawbacks, like a non-replaceable battery. You can avoid these drawbacks by going with Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag 2, which has a user-replaceable battery and a big cutout to attach it to your belongings. But, like any other smart tracker, the Samsung offering isn't ideal for everyone.
Your credit card may soon light up with an OLED screen
NFC terminals will power the screen remotely when it's time to pay
As the technology behind flexible screens advances, more and more uses are trickling out.Konica Minolta's flexible OLED lighting panel is finally coming into its own with the help of the financial tech industry, specifically Sentry Enterprises who runs the Radiance card illumination platform, adding OLED screens to credit cardsthat arepowered by NFC terminals when transacting.That's right, your credit cards may soon contain flexible OLED screens that offer a light show when it comes time to pay for things. Neato.
Best eSIM-compatible Android phones in 2024
Tired of dealing with physical SIM cards? Get a phone that doesn't need one
Are you fed up with having to rip a SIM card out of your phone whenever it's time to switch carriers - or devices? Fortunately, more and more mobile device manufacturers are hopping on the eSIM-ready bandwagon.
Google Messages is working on advanced parental controls
Select conversations can be hidden from view
Google Messages is bundled by default on some of the best Android phones available today. Like most messaging apps, Messages also undergoes occasional changes, like the recent and somewhat controversial revamp of the in-app camera UI. We're now stumbling upon another new, under-development Google Messages feature pertaining to parental controls.
WhatsApp recently moved the tab bar to the bottom of the screen, giving us the convenience of swiping between tabs for chats, calls, communities, and updates. The logo design and search bar placement was suitably adjusted thereafter. The flurry of UI changes isn’t unexpected, because the app interface was left largely unchanged in the decade Meta owned WhatsApp. Now, this popular instant messaging app could get rid of tabs in the image attachment UI.
The fear of losing a wallet can send a jolt of panic through anyone. After all, it houses some of our most important documents, credit cards, and cash. Fortunately, a smart tag is a modern solution to monitor and locate your precious wallet. Smart tags come in various form factors, but a slim card-style design is most optimal for wallets. Here are the top options for the best wallet trackers to help you get started.
Samsung confirms fix for another annoying One UI 6.1 bug
A Secure Folder update will allow you to uninstall the app in One UI 6.1
Samsung recently rolled out the One UI 6.1 update for its 2023 flagship and premium devices, like the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold 5. Since this was a significant update, some bugs inadvertently slipped through the company's testing, leading to excessive battery drain, the fingerprint scanner not working correctly on the lock screen, etc. Samsung quickly acknowledged the problems and confirmed they would be fixed soon. Now, Galaxy users have run into another annoying bug in One UI 6.1.
Best Samsung tablets in 2024
Samsung has Android's best lineup of tablets — here are the ones you should consider buying
For years, Samsung has been producing fantastic tablets. While the Android tablet platform still has room to mature, it's undeniable that Samsung has been at the forefront of creating impressive hardware. With a range of tablets available at various price points, there is an option to fit any budget.
Google Pixel 8a: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
Not sold on the Pixel 8? Google's next midrange phone might be for you
With one Google Pixel launch out of the way, it's time to start looking forward to the future. And while we're sure there's plenty on the table for Google's future hardware lineup — new tablets, smartwatches, foldables, you name it — there's one device we know for sure is on its way. The Pixel 8a is set to succeed last year's Pixel 7a, and assuming it gets the same attention and care we recently saw with the Pixel 8, it could be one of the best budget phones of 2024.
21 of the best Android app and game sales this week
Don't miss out on limited-time sales for these Android apps and games
The best Android apps and games aren't often cheap but do go on sale. This week, we've selected some of the Play Store's most notable titles, so you can get some of the best apps for less. This week's sale highlights include AppLock Pro and Sleep as Android, with brilliant Android Games like Bloons TD6 and Dicey Dungeons also available for a good deal. For those interested in saving even more cash, Play Pass includes various great apps and games with a subscription.
Razer's new Kishi Ultra controller bridges the gap between phone and tablet
If you have the money Razer has the goods
Razer has a reliable reputation when it comes to gaming on consoles, PCs, or smartphones. From keyboards, to webcams, to gaming handhelds, Razer makes it all. Mobile gamers are particularly appreciative of its controller lineup. That’s why it’s good to see that an update to its Kishi line of controllers is here (you can order it on the website now) and the new Kishi Ultra looks worthy of the Kishi name.
Pocket Casts adds new widgets with better Material You dynamic theming
The latest update provides a new and exciting way to customize your homescreen
Pocket Casts is one of the best podcast apps that you can download for Android thanks to its intuitive design and ease of use. And what helps it stay on top are updates that consistently refine the experience for the better. In the latest beta, it appears that there are new widgets to choose from that will provide more options to customize your homescreen.
As an avid PC gamer who's been neck-deep in mobile games for the last decade, I know just how foolish it sounds to pin hope on Epic Games of all companies. On the PC side of things, most gamers are nonplussed with the company constantly paying for exclusives while withholding the games we'd like to buy and play on Steam or any other quality PC game stores. Essentially, Epic Games doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to digital storefronts, but thanks to its war with Google and the Play Store (that it recently won), the company has offered a list of demands that it wants a judge to force on Google (many that I agree with).
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) review: Inexpensive and feature-packed
You don't have to be an Amazon fan to love this streaming stick, but it helps
After Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max, there are so few reasons to consider another streaming stick, you can count them on one hand. If you don't have a 4K TV and have no plans to buy one, you probably don't need this device. And if you need both an Echo speaker and a competent streaming stick, you might as well splurge on Amazon's third-generation Fire TV Cube. And if you don't think you'll ever use Wi-Fi 6E at home, you can probably get away with the nearly identical Fire TV Stick 4K.
How to check the health of your Pixel's storage chip in Android 15
You can also test your display and touch screen or check on your battery's health
Every time you take a photo, download an app, or open a file on your phone, Android makes a read or write request to your phone’s storage chip. Little by little and day by day, this wears down the storage chip, though not enough for most users to ever notice degraded performance. All hardware components eventually fail, though, and in the case of your phone’s storage chip, it’s especially important to know when that might happen so you can back up your Android phone ahead of time. Thankfully, a new feature in Android 15 will take the guesswork out of estimating the remaining lifespan of your phone’s storage chip. Here’s how you can take advantage of it to check the health of your Pixel’s storage chip.