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A Google Photos shortcut is making it easier for Android users to share images
An easy-access button lets you manually share pictures with your favorite person in one tap
Google Photos is a valuable tool that can help you keep all of your images organized and accessible in the cloud. However, it might require more than one tap to share these images with people on your phone. As recently as 2023, Google was seen testing features that could simplify the sharing process for app users. Now, it seems that at least one of them is being rolled out for Android device owners.
A tablet can be a valuable addition to any parent's arsenal, but you can't just hand a toddler unfettered access to the World Wide Web. Instead, you can choose from a handful of slate PCs that keep children in mind, with thoughtfully curated kids' content services, carefully designed restrictions, and thorough parental controls.
Samsung Bixby: What it is and how to use it
Samsung's digital voice assistant is impressive, with deep system settings and third-party app integration
Bixby is Samsung's version of Google Assistant and Apple Siri voice assistants. It's available on most Samsung devices, including TVs, refrigerators, phones, and tablets. Don't confuse it with Galaxy AI, Samsung's generative AI technology found in the latest Samsung devices, such as the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Gemini in Google Messages sees a wide beta rollout
If you're lucky, you can now try out Gemini on the Messages app
Chatbots can be a bit of a puzzle for users because they're expected to do a lot: act as a search engine, help create things, and be an assistant, all rolled into one. This is even more challenging when it's a chatbot from Google. The search giant has been diving deep into AI to boost its search engine, voice assistant, and pretty much every other tool it has. Now, Google Gemini is starting to slide into your private messages too, if you're one of the lucky Google Messages beta testers.
Google wants to help plan your next trip with new tools in Maps and Search
AI itineraries in Search and curated lists in Maps, just in time for summer travel season
Generative AI has pervaded nearly every aspect of Google’s business, right from Workspace tools to other core pillars of the business like Search and standalone projects like the Gemini chatbot. Although a lot of details still need to be ironed out, Google seems intent on including its Search Generative Experience (SGE) in Search results by default. To ensure users get the most out of this change, this summer, the company is maintaining the steady cadence of improvements with new capabilities coming to SGE and a few handy tweaks to Google Maps.
Google's Circle to Search is coming to more phones
Google's quick search feature also gets translation support
Alongside the Samsung Galaxy S24 series launch in mid-January, Google announced Circle to Search, a new system-wide gesture enabling quick content search of what's on your phone's screen. You can trigger the new way to search by long-pressing on the home button or the navigation gesture bar and then scribble or circle on a subject to get more information about it. To increase the feature's usefulness, Google is adding translate support to Circle to Search. It is also expanding the gesture's availability to its entire currently supported Pixel lineup of devices.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ review: 'Good enough' is still pretty good
A midrange tablet that neither stands out in any one area nor falls completely flat — it's just kinda there
Budget tablets seem to be following a similar path to some of the top budget smartphones — better build quality and overall performance. In the world of Android tablets, Samsung has been the most consistent across its entire lineup of big-screen devices. The Tab A line of products has largely dominated the budget tablet space over the years, and the new Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is the latest to join the fray. But, like budget smartphones, the tablet space is also getting crowded, and it's taking more to stand out.
WhatsApp’s working on a way to quickly call your favorite contacts
Beta testers are able to pin contacts in the Calls tab
March has been an eventful month for WhatsApp, reiterating why it is one of our favorite encrypted messaging apps around. Although the stable channel didn’t see many changes, the beta testers noticed several changes such as voice transcription for voice notes and biometric authentication for app lock. However, the biggest changes most users would notice is the support for pinning more conversations and messages. Now, that support is extending into the Calls tab where it hasn’t existed before.
New Pixel 9 renders point to 3 Google flagships coming this fall
Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL
A little over a year ago, we saw a leaked Pixel roadmap that suggested a smaller Pixel 9 Pro could be in the cards, with Google potentially making a standard Pixel 9, plus a smaller and larger variant of its Pro series phone in 2024. Earlier this year, the first Pixel 9 leaks seemed to suggest part of that prediction was coming true, as we saw a smaller and larger Pixel with Pro-style features on both. Now, renders of a standard Pixel 9 model have emerged, seemingly completing the rumored trifecta.
Best Fitbit Charge 6 bands in 2024
It's easy to give your Fitbit Charge 6 a taste of your own style and personality by putting on a different band
The Fitbit Charge 6 is a valuable tool to have at your side in the never-ending quest to achieve and retain peak fitness. Though it has its quirks, the Charge 6 is a suitable upgrade from the Charge 5, offering access to Google’s premium fitness features and accurate health monitors. Beyond the functionality of the Charge 6, though, there’s also the device's aesthetics.
Google just marked the Pixel ‘scrolling stutter’ as fixed
The System UI should soon be less janky on your Pixel with Android 15
Google’s Pixel phones are excellent devices, but like any other product in existence, they have their share of problems. Apart from worse-than-average connectivity and battery life, they also suffer from software quirks like scrolling stutter, which has been a problem on Pixel Pro phones more than any other. The same was true with Android 14, with many people reporting problems with jittery scrolling during the beta program. One year later, we can expect a fix.
Best Google Pixel 7 cases in 2024
The Pixel 7 may fit almost perfectly in your hands, but to keep a good grip on it, you'll want one of these cases
The Google Pixel 7 has been hailed as “the most refined Pixel yet.” That sounds like the kind of smartphone you take extra care of and pamper with a new, durable case. After all, you’ll want that Google Tensor G2-powered device kept in one piece at least until you feel it’s time to upgrade to the Google Pixel 8. A case may cover up the phone’s elegant design, but luckily, some options can enhance its visual appeal or speak more to your personality.
Don't miss out on this Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE discount
Save $100 on one of the top midrange tablets going around
The Samsung Galaxy ecosystem is filled with excellent smartphones and equally great tablets catering to multiple price segments. While we've absolutely loved the Galaxy Tab S9 series, particularly the Ultra model, Samsung also has the Galaxy Tab S9 FE on offer for people considering a Galaxy tablet without spending an exorbitant amount of money.
Best portable Bluetooth speakers in 2024
Enjoy your music anywhere with the best portable Bluetooth speakers
Nothing beats the freedom of wire-free listening, and we here at Android Police are major fans of all things Bluetooth. One of the best ways to enjoy the many music-streaming platforms out there is with a portable Bluetooth speaker. Far more than loud and proud drivers, the best Bluetooth speakers include sweet features like top-shelf weatherproofing, intuitive companion apps for phones or tablets, and even integrated voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant.
5 things Google got wrong with the Pixel 8 Pro
The Pixel 8 Pro is impressive, but these key areas need to be improved
I have loved the Nexus and Pixel experience for years and have probably used almost every major flagship Google phone launched in the last decade. But with every Pixel, my experience has only worsened after a few months of use. Sadly, it's the same story with the Pixel 8.
Best Kobo e-readers in 2024
From the sophisticated Sage to the economical Clara, Kobo has every reader covered
E-readers are game-changers for bookworms. With an E Ink tablet, voracious readers get their hands on anticipated titles with less waiting time, explore new books and genres, and take many favorite texts on adventures — no back strain or pallet jack necessary.
Visible gets a cheap add-on for international travel
Premium customers can get unlimited talk and text for $10 a day
There are several mobile service carriers to choose from in the US, but you can still end up with a hefty monthly bill depending on your needs. Whether you want unlimited texting or ample data, these companies can nickel-and-dime you, depending on the deal you strike. That being said, more alternatives are popping up to offer similar features at a budget-friendly price. Visible, which operates on Verizon’s network, is one of these options. As its money-savvy customer base continues to grow, the company is expanding upon its offerings.
Don't expect the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 to charge as fast as the S24
Another year of Samsung’s foldable shipping with support for the same old 25W wired charging
Samsung makes some of the best Android foldables that are worth your money. While they might not always pack the cutting-edge hardware you will find in offerings from Chinese companies, they stand out with their user experience. One significant drawback of Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip and Fold lineup is its slow charging speeds. For years, the top-up speed of the company's foldables has remained unchanged at 25W. It appears this won't change this year as well, with Samsung's next-gen foldables limited to the same 25W speed.
One UI 6.1 is coming to Samsung's 2023 flagships this week
With Galaxy AI and Circle to Search in tow
One UI 6.1 is coming to many of Samsung's 2023 devices this week. Beginning Thursday, the Samsung Galaxy S23 series (including the S23 FE), the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5, and the Galaxy Tab S9 series will all start seeing an update to the latest Android 14-based build of Samsung's software skin. One UI 6.1 brings with it the expected minor changes of a point update, plus a bunch of AI-based functionality.
Score super savings on Sony's earbuds and headphones with up to 29% off
Don't miss out on these great deals on some of our favorite Sony audio products
There are a lot of great choices when it comes to wireless headphones and earbuds, but for the past few years, Sony has been making waves with its lineup, offering some of the best that you'll find, delivering excellent audio and plenty of features. Of course, prices for some of these models can get quite high, so they aren't always the first choice if you're someone that is looking to find something within their shopping budget.