Latest Articles
The Google app is getting a new Assistant weather widget
Unfortunately there's no sign of Weather Frog
At-a-glance weather has to be one of the most popular options for homescreen widgets out there. So it's strange that Google doesn't have a self-branded option, beyond the tiny little nugget in the Google News widget. It looks like that's about to change: code in the Google app indicates that a new Assistant-branded weather widget.
Get Anker's Soundcore Liberty Air 2 earbuds for their lowest price ever with this refurb deal
Just $36 at Newegg, more than half off the retail price
Anker's headphones are already at pretty good prices, since Soundcore is a budget brand. But combine that with a refurb discount and a coupon code, and you're looking at a rare deal indeed. So it is with the Soundcore Liberty Air 2, which Newegg is offering in refurbished form for just $36. That's a little under half the retail price for these buds, and the best price we've seen for them thus far.
HP's new Snapdragon-powered Chrome OS tablet is already $200 off at Best Buy
The Chromebook X2 11 tablet is down to just $399
Chrome is surprisingly good as a tablet operating system ... at least it is now, since Google's put so much work into the interface and Android apps can run on the thing. If you're interested in checking it out, HP's new Chromebook x2 11 tablet might be right up your alley. Normally a little pricey at $599, Best Buy is offering it for just $399 today.
The latest Galaxy S21 FE leak shows it's almost ready for launch
So close we can almost taste it(s quick start guide)
We were hoping that the lower-priced Galaxy S21 FE (for "Fan Edition") would be here by now, but Samsung seems to be hesitant to pull the trigger on its release. If a fresh set of retail leaks are any indication, it's right around the corner. Verizon has apparently prepared the ubiquitous "quick start" insert for its carrier version of the phone, and someone got their hands on it.
Google One gets a new cloud storage tier
The 5TB, $25 plan is a nice middle ground between 2TB and 10TB
We've been patiently waiting for a new Google One tier, reportedly on the way but limited to T-Mobile customers for some reason. But surprise: the service just started offering a new tier ... at ten times the storage. The new 5TB cloud storage option costs $25 a month, slotting in well between the 2TB and 10TB plans.
The latest Xfinity streaming app works fine on Android TV — here's how to sideload it
Because for some stupid reason it's still not available on the Play Store
Hey Comcast, y'all should really just publish your TV app on the Play Store already. This weird stuff, limiting it to Sony TVs or Amazon's Fire TV platform, just isn't cool. People are paying you a lot (just, a LOT) to watch TV, you should let them watch it on whatever gadget they want! Or else they'll find ways to do it themselves. For example, taking the Fire TV APK and uploading it to a third-party hosting site, then installing it on an Android TV device like the SHIELD.
Our eyeballs have been patiently waiting for a darker version of Search on the web for years. While a few users got a peek at it earlier this summer, as of today the option for a dark-themed Google search should be coming to everyone. You can try it out now. Right now! Go! Do it! Why are you still here?!
Galaxy Watch4 update fixes a touch bezel bug, leaves a notification bug intact
Along with 'improved system stability and reliability'
The new Wear OS-powered Galaxy Watch4 comes in two versions: the Classic, with a physical rotating bezel for easily navigating menus, and the non-Classic, which does the same thing with a touch-sensitive edge on its round screen. Samsung's latest software update addresses the latter, as some users were complaining of scrolling issues. It's available to download right now.
Android 12's Material You Clock app works on older versions (APK Download)
Too bad those new widgets don't
Unless you have a spare lying around to be your real phone, I wouldn't recommend installing beta software on a device that you depend upon. But that's what we're here for! Android 12's version of the reliable Clock app is looking good in the latest beta. And it turns out that it looks pretty good on Android 11, too, because you can install the new APK from the updated version on older builds.
Amazon's first self-branded Fire smart TVs are cheaper than you'd expect
There's also a new Fire TV Stick with picture-in-picture and Wi-Fi 6
It was inevitable. After making a house brand of low-price Android tablets, then expanding into streaming boxes and even the software powering smart TVs themselves, Amazon is ready to cut down out one more middleman. Today the company announced its first Fire TV models, smart televisions branded by Amazon with Fire software and Alexa assistants built right in. The Omni and 4-series TVs will go on sale within the next month.
On Android 12 Beta 5, the Pixel Launcher's search bar can find (almost) anything
Say hello to semi-universal search in the Pixel Launcher
Search is an almost universal element of human interface design, but it's still largely limited by context. In Android 12 Google has been expanding that to allow a single search from the home screen cover everything — your apps, contacts, settings, and wider content from the web via a link. While we've seen glimpses of this functionality in earlier betas, Beta 5 seems to be opening it wide.
Android 12 Beta 5 moves home controls where they should have been from the start
They're hanging out on the lock screen next to the Google Pay shortcut
With its latest, and very possibly last, update to the Android 12 beta, Google is adding in a lot of creature comforts that flesh out the operating system's user interaction. One of the most handy is home controls (AKA device controls), quick links to your most-used actions for controlling a smarthome. Previously (and distractingly) placed in the power menu, they seem to have a much more easy-to-reach home now: right no the lock screen.
A lot of newfangled stuff you can do with a smartphone seems like it has a limited utility. But I have to admit, paying for your take-out with your watch — never reaching into a pocket or purse for a wallet, or even a phone — is just dang cool. Starting today you can do it with Google Pay in ten new countries, mostly in Europe.
Lenovo announces an OLED upgrade for the Chromebook Duet and an iPad Pro alternative
Lenovo is showing off new Chrome and Android tablets, earbuds, and Unity software
Ever since the Chromebook Duet landed, I've been waiting for Lenovo to improve upon this inexpensive Surface-style tablet with some beefier hardware. Today my waiting pays off: the company's announced the Chromebook Duet 5, a sleek, OLED-screened convertible tablet rocking Chrome software. It's one of many new machines the company is revealing today at the TechWorld showcase.
Your Hulu plan is about to get more expensive
It's a $1 price hike for standard and ad-free, bundles and live TV remain the same
Birds gotta fly, fish gotta swim, streaming television services gotta get more expensive. So it goes with Hulu, the latest cord-cutting library of movies, TV shows, and original productions to get a little bit more expensive, and hope you won't notice. The price jump is scheduled for October 8th, after which most Hulu subscribers will be paying an extra dollar every month.
LG's new bending 'glass' might make your next folding phone a lot more durable
LG doesn't make folding phones, but it might make folding phones stronger
LG may have made an ignoble exit from the smartphone market earlier this year, but as a gigantic international megacorp, it still has its hand in. LG Chem, the branch of the company that developers new materials and energy systems, has something that might turn the eye of their in-country rivals at Samsung: a new material that can bend like plastic while being hard as glass.
T-Mobile's exclusive Google One offer has been delayed indefinitely
It's not dead, but you'll have to wait a little while
Read update
T-Mobile is in some hot water at the moment. Would discounted cloud storage distract you from the service's fourth major security breach in four years? No? Well, it's coming anyway, according to a recent leak — though you might have to wait just a bit longer to get it.
The Pixel September security update is here, including the first round for the Pixel 5a
A few critical security patches, but nothing user-facing
It's that time again, every* Pixel owner's favorite day of the month: security patch day! Updates for the Pixel 3, 3 XL, 3a, 3a XL, 4, 4 XL, 4a, 5a 5G, and the Pixel 5 should all be heading out via over-the-air update over the next few days. And since there's a (sort of) new Pixel on the block, let's all welcome the Pixel 5a to its first monthly security patch.
Android Automotive comes to a new all-electric crossover
Renault's new Mégane E-Tech is the first Android Automotive car to skip Intel hardware
Android Automotive might just be the most exciting thing going in the world of Android. Not to be confused with the older Android Auto, Automotive is a ground-up open source operating system for managing a car's entire interaction with the driver. We've seen a lot of commitments from manufacturers like Chevy and Ford, but so far few production vehicles are ready to roll with Android Automotive. French manufacturer Renault might just get the next one out: its new all-electric Mégane E-Tech crossover.
New Weather Frog-style character clocks may be coming to the Nest Hub
It's raining cats and dogs. Or possibly chinchillas. We really don't know yet.
Earlier this year we saw a sizeable update to the Nest Hub and similar Google-powered smart speakers, adding a bunch of features and one cute-as-a-button little guy known as the "Weather Frog." While the Sanrio-style frog is so far the only animated screen of its kind, if recent leaks are any indication, alternatives are coming down the pipe.