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Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3 preps some smart changes for how you choose wallpapers
When it comes to wallpaper previews, bigger is better
Is there any customization option more important to making a phone really feel "yours" than the choice of wallpaper? Whether on the lock screen or home screen, that's an image we'll probably see dozens to hundreds of times a day, and it helps set the mood for our interactions with our devices. Earlier today, Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3 became available for testers on Pixel phones, and as we hear more and more about the changes contained within, we're learning about a nice-looking overhaul coming to the wallpaper picker.
Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3 has arrived for Google Pixel phones
Life on the bleeding edge is just business as usual for Pixels
Today might be unquestionably Samsung's, with the launch of the Galaxy S23 series still dominating our attention, but not even a big event like that is going to sideline Google and its efforts to bring Pixel users the very latest Android enhancements. For the past couple months now we've been following Google's progress with Android 13 QPR2 betas, ahead of March's anticipated feature drop, and today we get our very latest build with the release of QPR2 Beta 3.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra hands-on: Incremental changes have never been more appealing
Refining the S22 Ultra may be an obvious move, but fans could want more
For millions of Android users the world around, the new year means a new Samsung phone. The company's Galaxy handsets aren't just some of the most popular around, but their early-year arrival sets the standard everyone is going to be looking to measure up to for months to come. We just got to meet the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+, and while both of those look like some very nice phones, the highlight of Samsung's 2023 lineup has got to be the new Ultra model. Our full review of this heavyweight is coming soon, but for now I'll whet your appetite with an early hands-on look of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, after spending a couple hours trying out this brand-new phone.
Slack is back up, after breaking conversations for workplace teams everywhere
Slack not working right this morning? It wasn't just you
Read update
Whether you're work-from-home or have found yourself once again braving the office, millions of us communicate and coordinate with our colleagues with the help of Slack. The messaging platform has become such a core part of the workflow for so many of us, that we barely know what to do when Slack goes down. Unfortunately, Slack suffered an incident earlier today, where conversation threads failed to properly load.
Google's Stadia Controller Bluetooth upgrade tool has arrived
Stadia dies this week, but your wireless controllers don't have to
Cloud gaming may be a surprise hit, with services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now really taking off with gamers, but Google just couldn't figure out how to capture that magic with its own Stadia, and in just a few short hours from now, Google's going to pull the plug for good. But while Stadia is going to the way of so many abandoned Google services, we just got one last-minute reprieve in the form of news that Google would upgrade existing Stadia Controllers to support Bluetooth connections, so they could be used wirelessly with other devices. Today, Google is finally making that update tool available for use.
Google is reportedly developing its own version of Apple's AirTag tracker
Codenamed 'Grogu', the tracker would tap into a new Finder Network
When we're talking smartphone ecosystems, everyone's quick to compare Google Pixel phones against Apple and its iPhones, but what about their accessories? Apple and Google alike sell plenty of stuff like earbuds and smart speakers, and back in 2021 Apple scored a surprise hit with the introduction of its AirTag trackers. Now a new rumor taps into some fresh evidence to suggest that Google could be planning to launch a very similar tracker of its own.
Google gives its Stadia Controller a new lease on life, with Bluetooth support incoming
Even as Stadia itself is on the way out, this excellent controller is just getting started
The final days of Stadia are upon us. Maybe you were convinced from day one that Google's cloud gaming effort was doomed. Maybe you actually gave it a chance, and even started assembling your own little Stadia Pro library. But whether you counted yourself among the faithful or not, the Stadia party is now over, and we're under a week away from Google pulling the plug on its servers. For months now, we've been curious to learn what would become of all our existing Stadia hardware. Thankfully, Google has finally announced that it plans to upgrade Stadia Controllers with Bluetooth support, letting them operate with all your favorite gaming devices.
Get ready to live life on the Razer Edge, as this next-gen Android gaming handheld prepares to land
We've got all the details on Razer's full CES 2023 lineup
2022 was a hell of a year for handheld gaming consoles, and while the aging Nintendo Switch did pick up some fantastic new releases, maybe the hottest action was taking place in the PC & Android space, especially when that came to cloud gaming. Devices like Valve's Steam Deck and the Logitech G Cloud dominated our attention, but in mid-October one of the biggest names in gaming hardware dropped a teaser for an upcoming handheld of its own: the Razer Edge. Based on the successful Razer Kishi controller accessory, we knew the Edge was coming out in 2023, but when? This year at CES 2023, I finally got to go hands-on with the Razer Edge, while also getting the details on those release plans, and checking out the rest of Razer's big CES hardware announcements.
Google Voice is finally warning you when spammers call
The regular Phone app has been doing the same since 2016
Google Voice has got to be one of the company's weirdest services. It's been around forever, and has some seriously devoted users, yet it feels like the sort of product that's constantly on the chopping block, threatening to disappear into oblivion at Google's whim. A large part of that has to do with just how much of an afterthought Voice always feels, and while we occasionally see it pick up a new ability or two, it's nothing short of maddening watching Google's Phone app get feature after feature that pass Voice by. Thankfully, Google's finally playing a bit of catch-up, bringing Voice the ability to alert you about spam calls.
Android Auto Google Assistant glitch leaves new Android 13 users driving solo
Affected cars stop responding to the 'Hey Google' wakeword
What's the most failure-prone device in your life? For many of us, vehicles probably top that list, and from clutches dying, to oxygen sensors going bad, it seems like there's no shortage of things that can break in our cars. Sometimes it feels like that curse has carried over to Android Auto, and every few months we're following the latest story about phones failing to play nicely with seemingly Android-compatible cars. Now the latest is causing headaches for some users when trying to access the Google Assistant.
Google Play has come up with a new way for your kids to beg you for IAPs they don't need
Purchase Requests let kids ask for premium apps even without a shared payment method
Google Play is just packed to the brim with software for your Android phone or tablet, and whether you're interested in the top apps for the platform, or some of its most popular Android games, there is no shortage of titles for you to choose from. While that includes plenty of free content, there are also lots of premium paid apps and those with optional IAPs, waiting for you to splurge. Understandably, Google's very interested in making sure those purchase workflows operate as smoothly as possible, and today we're learning about a slight tweak to how this works for families, with the introduction of Play Store Purchase Requests.
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Apple's App Store monopoly could finally be coming to an end
But only in the EU, because why change if the government isn't forcing you
Apple is worth trillions upon trillions of dollars, and when you're that ridiculously successful, you're not about to wildly switch up what you've been doing without having good reason. But this notoriously set-in-its-ways company may be about to face a reckoning, as a new set of regulations coming out of the European Union is forcing Apple to address some of its more controversial policies. After we first heard what this could mean for the iPhone finally moving from Lightning to USB-C, a new report claims that Apple is preparing to open up iOS with support for third-party app stores.
Google's Pixel Watch December update is headed out OTA with a bunch of fixes
The new firmware should be available for everyone within the week
Today's the first Monday of the month, and Google is extra busy this time around: Pixel phones aren't just getting their latest Android security updates, and we've got a full-blow Pixel Feature Drop landing. But the fun isn't just constrained to Google's phones, and the company took a little time to talk about new Pixel Watch features that are just around the corner. While we've got to wait until the new year to try our things like fall detection, there is a fresh Pixel Watch firmware update on its way to the wearable right now, delivering a handful of bug fixes.
Trying to decide the “right” time to buy a new phone can drive you bonkers. Is speedy new hardware right around the corner? What if I just wait another few months? Before you know it, a year's passed, and you're still on your old phone. Well, if there were ever a reason to decide to try something new and bold, it's the rise of foldable phones, and there's no better model to get started with than the Galaxy Z Flip 4. And luckily for you, this Cyber Monday, you can save a cool $200 on Samsung's portrait foldable.
We can't believe the Galaxy Watch 4's insane Cyber Monday deal hasn't sold out yet
Don't miss your last chance at the best deal in Android smartwatches
Listen, FOMO is no joke. This weekend you've got deals flying at you left, right, and center, and maybe the only thing worse than not being able to afford that gadget you've been eyeing for a while is learning that there was an awesome sale on it — and you missed out. Friend, we do not want that happening to you, not this time, not again. Put aside your worries and jump on this killer Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offer while you can, because you are not going to find a better smartwatch deal this Cyber Monday.
Pick up a Chromebook that's got storage space to spare with this $300 Lenovo Flex 5i Black Friday deal
With 256GB this cheap, why settle for the 128GB edition?
Of all the consequences of this messy global pandemic that never feels like it's going to end, maybe one of the most unexpected has been the way it managed to shine a light on Chromebooks. The affordable, versatile laptops swiftly emerged as the go-to solution for students stuck learning at home, to say nothing of all the professionals who found themselves shifting to WFH. While that surge has absolutely cooled down, Chromebook deals are still plenty hot, and this Black Friday we're checking out a great value on the 2-in-1 Lenovo Flex 5i.
Last call for the Google Pixel 6 — we won't see a deal as sweet as $390 again
Grab last year's Pixel 6 at what are basically Pixel 6a prices
Google's Pixel smartphones are always easy to recommend, and while we absolutely expect a lot from them (and are well aware of places they occasionally drop the ball), there's just no beating them when it comes to getting the very best of Google and Android, right in your pocket. This Black Friday we've already seen some fantastic offers on the latest Pixel 7 phones, but this Best Buy clearance deal may be even harder to resist, scoring you a Pixel 6 for less than you'd normally pay for the Pixel 6a.
At this price, it might be time to buy a Pixel Watch on Black Friday
Google, please feel free to keep the Watch at this much more attractive $300 price point
It may have taken Google the better part of forever to introduce a smartwatch of its own, but earlier this fall we finally got to meet the inaugural Pixel Watch. It faces stiff competition from the likes of Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 series, but was still an obvious contender for being among the best Android smartwatches you can buy. One of its bigger detractors, though, was pricing, and at $350 it just felt Google was asking a little much for what you get. Thankfully, Black Friday is coming to set that right, and this $50-off deal for the Pixel Watch finally gets that price down to a reasonable level.
Google Messages is getting ready to let you react with any emoji you like
Look forward to the edgelord in your life spamming every message with 💩
Smartphone users get weirdly defensive about a lot of their choices, and right there at the top of that list lies messaging platforms. From group texts to green bubbles, leaving on read to forwarding memes, there's no shortage of tiny little topics for us to get all nice and contentious as we debate them. Message reactions are definitely one of those subjects, whether you're all-in with RCS or just trying to keep up with your iPhone-using friends. Thankfully, Google looks ready to really open the message reaction floodgates, as the Messages app tests the ability to react with any emoji you want.
Google teases Pixel Watch support for transit cards — eventually
You'll be able to board by just tapping your wrist, one day
With the release of the Pixel Watch earlier this year, all of our attention has been on Google and whether or not this effort would finally lead to the company getting serious about Wear OS as a full-featured mobile platform. After all, Android-based smartwatches constantly feel like they're playing catch-up to phones, and it's usually anyone's guess when (or even if) new functionality will make its way over to our wrists. Thankfully, Google has put together a little preview for us of what we can expect from the Pixel Watch, teasing that Wallet will add support for transit cards... at some point.