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.
Next OnePlus tablet could go the Snapdragon route for snappier performance
An important upgrade that could catapult it to the top of this year's tablet wishlist
A tablet is the perfect device if you're looking for something lightweight with a lot of power and plenty of screen real estate. Over the years, tablets have gotten better and better, and while hardware is part of it, it's mostly thanks to smarter software that can really amp up the user experience.
With its $150 price tag and state-of-the-art color screen, the Kobo Clara Colour has ushered in a new era of affordable color e-readers. Before the announcement of Kobo’s new color lineup, the cheapest color e-reader cost over $300, but going forward, color e-reader manufacturers like Boox and PocketBook will need to reevaluate their pricing strategies if they are to remain in contention for some of the best e-readers on the market. Conspicuously absent from this emerging electrophoretic arms race is the brand that started it all, Kindle.
Score the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ for dirt cheap as it drops to lowest price ever
You can now save $60 off the regular price, making this tablet an absolute steal
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is one of the best affordable Android tablets that you can buy in 2024. It offers a solid set of specifications, has excellent software, and fantastic battery life. While it normally comes in priced at $219.99, it can now be had for far less during this limited time promotion.
Nothing's latest OS update adds easy access to ChatGPT
Move over, Google and Samsung — Nothing has hopped on the AI bandwagon
Nothing is the latest Android OEM to integrate AI functionality into its software. The company has announced that Nothing OS 2.5.5, rolling out beginning today, will come with a number of new features intended to make ChatGPT easier to access on Nothing hardware, including new home screen widgets, integration with the system clipboard, and more.
Sony Xperia 1 VI: News, leaks, rumored price, and release window
Not interested in the latest mainstream smartphone? Sony's next flagship might be for you
When you think of the brands behind Android, Google and Samsung probably spring to mind first. If you're particularly tuned in, you might think of Motorola's selection of budget phones, or whatever the OnePlus flagship killer is. If you're an enthusiast, though — or, even more specifically, a camera enthusiast — you've got one company on the brain: Sony.
8 best podcast apps on Android in 2024
Our selection to listen to the news, captivating stories, or to learn something new
Listening to podcasts is a fun way of entertaining yourself on long commutes. It's easy to get lost in documentaries when you use one of the best noise-canceling earbuds. Google recently shuttered its Podcasts app, but there are others to choose from. If you're unsure which podcast app to pick, our list helps you decide which one works for you. You'll find apps based on price, ease of discovery, and playback features. They work on Android and iOS, so compatibility won't be a problem.
Sony's PlayStation Store refund policy can help you get your money back if you accidentally purchased something or aren't satisfied with a product. Different digital products have different refund policies, so familiarize yourself with these before you use the PlayStation Store. This guide explains the PlayStation Store's refund policy and rules and how to request a refund. Whether you enjoy games on your console or stream them via the Android PlayStation app to an Android gaming tablet, we help you avoid a library of unwanted games.
How to find your Amazon order history
No need to search through your emails since your Amazon purchase history is only a few clicks away
Amazon sells almost anything and accounts for nearly 40% of all e-commerce sales, so you may have a handful of their items. You get a receipt for every purchase, but revisiting your Amazon order history is handy when you want to buy something again, return an item, or see how much you spent on Amazon. Review your past purchases on your smartphone, PC, or Chromebook in a few clicks. You can't download your purchase history report for commercial purposes or to get a broader view. However, this guide simplifies viewing your order history.