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Personal Google Home routines are suddenly gone for some
Are these growing pains as Google redesigns its Home app?
The Google Home app is currently receiving a complete makeover, and you can be a part of the beta testing by joining the Public Preview program. The redesign is basically a new start for the app, with fully redone panels, a new bottom bar, a favorites section, and faster access to controls, making it much easier to control all your favorite smart home devices. A big overhaul like this rarely comes without hiccups, and it looks like some people are currently missing their Personal Google Home routines, whether they’re using the preview version or not.
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Google Chrome’s incredibly fast release cycle continues with the latest release, this time with version 108 of the browser. The release introduces a few select changes that will make the browsing experience more predictable and better for everyone on mobile, but the developers are also preparing a small interface tweak for Android users.
Vendor certificate leak could give malware full control over Android phones
Samsung and LG were affected, but the issue is already fixed
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On Android, not all apps have the same privileges and levels of access to your favorite Android phone. The operating system assigns different levels of permissions using unique user IDs (UIDs). This whole system is built on certificates that are given out by app developers and device manufacturers, helping prove that software and Android versions are legitimate. The trouble starts when these certificates leak out, and bad actors can sign their malware to look like legitimate system apps. That’s exactly what seems to have happened to a number of vendors’ platform certificates, which are in circulation and used by bad actors.
Honor Magic Vs hands-on: Samsung better watch out
Honor’s first international foldable brings some much-needed competition for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Honor surprised everyone earlier this year when it announced that it would be the very first Chinese company to launch a book-style foldable outside its domestic market. Since then, the company confirmed that this foldable would come out in January 2023, beating the rumored Google Pixel Fold to the punch. We now know that the foldable will be the Magic Vs, the awkwardly named successor to Honor's first folding phone, the Magic V.
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Google preps driver's license support and Pixel Tablet casting in new Play System Update
Getting ready for a variety of new features
Google and Apple have successfully made contactless card payments an essential part of all our favorite phones out there, and now, the companies are looking to add digital IDs and driver's licenses to their devices. While the feature is already live in select US states on iPhones, Google is only now getting ready to add digital driver’s licenses to Android. The December Google Play system update adds state IDs and driver’s licenses to Google Wallet as a beta, allowing residents of some US states to present their documents without carrying physical copies in their wallets. Additionally, the update is preparing support for casting to tablets, possibly in preparation for the Google Pixel Tablet.
Gmail and Calendar could soon come to Wear OS and the Google Pixel Watch
Leaving your phone at home might become a viable option with this
Google finally gave its wearable initiative some much-needed love when it released Wear OS 3 in close collaboration with Samsung, only to then launch its very own Google Pixel Watch in 2022. The company also gave some of its own Wear OS apps new attention, including a revamped Google Keep app and a brand-new weather app. Google appears to have even bigger plans, though. A report suggests that the company is working on bringing Gmail and Google Calendar to your wrist.
This smart vacuum Cyber Monday deal is cat-approved
It cleans, it mops, it even avoids obstacles — all for $300
Last month, my wife and I got two cute little cats. As much happiness as they bring to our lives, there is one thing we realized quickly. We would definitely have to adjust our vacuuming schedule to accommodate for fur, loose cat litter, and dry food-related incidents. I’ve long been toying with the idea of getting a robot vacuum, but this was the point where I decided to do proper research and get a great robot vacuum on the lower end of the price scale.
9 best Samsung Cyber Monday deals: Galaxy phones, tablets, watches & more
The most enticing Samsung deals from this year's Cyber Monday sale
Samsung's portfolio is sheer endless, even if you only look at its mobile division selling some of the best phones, tablets, and wearables. This much becomes clear when you look at the company's Cyber Monday offers, which consist of a plethora of great deals. With this list, we want to highlight a few of the very best Cyber Monday Samsung offers you can get at various price points, hopefully making it easier to spread the wheat from the chaff. Samsung products have taken the title of the best Cyber Monday phone deals, audio deals, and many other categories, but if you're specifically looking for Samsung gadgets you're in the right place.
Grab the slick Sky Blue Galaxy S22 Ultra for a legit steal on Cyber Monday
All the pretty colors are only available on Samsung’s Store
If you were thinking about gifting yourself or a loved one an Apple iPhone 14 Pro for Christmas, you’re out of luck. Apple is suffering from supply chain issues and factory worker protests that have led to severe backorders. Things are looking better for Samsung phones, though. Samsung’s standard colors are all available for quick shipping. And you can even get the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in some exclusive colors a few days before Christmas when you order right now—all while also getting in on Samsung’s excellent Black Friday and Cyber Monday savings.
My favorite note-taking app is 40% off this Black Friday weekend
Bundled Notes is one of the prettiest apps on the Play Store, and its premium plan is 40% off
The Black Friday weekend is in full swing, and there are tons of great deals to be had on the best phones around. Physical products aren’t the only thing that’s on sale, though. A lot of apps and games are also discounted for the rebate holidays, and among them is also one of my favorite apps: Bundled Notes. The excellent Android-first note-taking app’s annual plan is currently 40% off, bringing the price down to roughly $7.20 for a full year of service for new subscribers.
Android Auto has some snazzy new Material You settings
The new look is hidden within app version 8.6
Android Auto recently got its long-overdue redesign on your car’s dashboard, at least if you’re using the beta version of the app and if you’re lucky enough for it to roll out to your device. However, the company did not update the Android Auto settings (accessible on your phone) alongside the new in-car design. It looks like that will change soon, as a new Material You version of Android Auto’s settings has emerged.
Two for one! Buy a Galaxy S22 for Black Friday, get a free smartwatch
Free watch plus enhanced trade-in equals major savings
Samsung's flagship phones are some of the most enticing handsets you can find. Even if you have a relatively recent phone, you might be tempted to get a Samsung Galaxy S22 this Black Friday because it's just such a great deal. Depending on which device you add for trade-in, you can get the Samsung flagship at an incredible price, going for as little as $225 at Samsung.
Google Home redesign is rolling out for those who joined the Public Preview
Get a taste of all the Material Design 3 goodies
A big redesign is coming to the Google Home app, and the company behind it wants to make sure it does things right after years of neglecting some customer demands (looking at you, Nest devices). That’s why the company announced the new interface well ahead of it becoming available. Even then, the redesign is supposed to first roll out to those who joined Google’s Public Preview program for the app before it changes up things for the vast majority of users. Those on the Public Preview can now look forward to the redesigned app, as the new look has started to roll out.
The Google app's navigation bar makes better use of space on tablets
The shortcuts at the bottom are moved to a navigation rail on the left side
Google is currently getting its apps optimized for foldables, tablets, and other big-screen devices. We’ve seen enhancements like better drag-and-drop support, enhanced multi-column layouts, and more. The latest app to look better on tablets and foldables is the Google Search app, which now moves its bottom bar to the left side when it makes sense.
These days, fitness trackers come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. All Android smartwatches support some fitness tracking features, but many dedicated fitness trackers are best paired with health and fitness apps. One of the most successful lineups is the Xiaomi Mi Band series, and this year the Smart Band 6 earned the crown of best affordable fitness tracker.
Honor launches the slimmest foldable yet to take on Samsung internationally
One of the slimmest foldables yet is slated to be available outside of China in early 2023
Samsung is pretty much the only smartphone maker that offers its foldable phones internationally. Within China, the Korean company has a lot of competition from the likes of Oppo, Vivo, and Honor, but none of these manufacturers have launched their foldables outside their domestic market. That is going to finally change with Honor’s latest foldable that it announced today, the Honor Magic Vs.
Amazon's Alexa is in trouble
Internal reports and layoffs suggest Amazon doesn’t believe in its hardware plans anymore
Amazon was forced to lay off the biggest portion of its workforce in its history this year. One of the divisions to be hit the hardest was the devices and Alexa team, building some of the best Echo displays around. It’s becoming increasingly clear why, as it looks like the “Worldwide Digital” division at Amazon is suffering from huge losses, which includes Echo devices and Prime Video, with the future of the Alexa division uncertain.
Mozilla's new privacy subscription combines VPN and email relay into one package
The Firefox company is combining its Mozilla VPN and Firefox Relay in a single subscription
Mozilla can’t make much revenue with its great free and open-source browser Firefox outside its partnership with Google, so the company is looking for other ways to make sure it can comfortably stay afloat. One way to do that is the company’s subscription services, like email-alias service Firefox Relay or Mozilla VPN. To combine these two products in one package, Mozilla has announced a new annual subscription that gives you access to both Firefox Relay and Mozilla VPN.
Google apps keep getting better on foldables and tablets
A bunch of Google Workspace apps get improved drag-and-drop and mouse support
Google is getting serious about foldables and other big screen devices, as the company is confirmed to be working on a Google Pixel Tablet and rumored to have a foldable coming soon, too. That also means getting Google apps ready for bigger form factors and adding features that make sense to have on larger screens. As such, the company is adding drag and drop improvements and full mouse support to a few of its Workspace apps.
Google rolls out Nearby Share to its Android clipboard manager
Google is making it easier to share your clipboard content across your devices
Android 13 added some important improvements to the clipboard. When you copy text or other content, it now automatically appears in a floating panel in the bottom left corner of your screen, allowing you to quickly edit it or share it. As Google already previewed during Google I/O 2022, the floating panel is now getting a Nearby Share shortcut baked right in.