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Google's Pixel Fold might just avoid the pricing pratfall of past foldables
While the Pixel 7a is likely to meet your expectations dead on
Much like the Pixel Watch before it, we've been dying to get our hands — or, really, even just our eyes — on Google's long-rumored Pixel Fold for what feels like years now. This week, a retail leak pointed to a June launch window for both the foldable and the Pixel 7a, but unfortunately, this report missed out on one crucial component: pricing. If you've been dying to know how much Google's Galaxy Z Fold 4 rival is going to cost you, you're in luck, as it seems like the Pixel Fold might be cheaper than we were expecting.
'BlackBerry' movie trailer lets you relive the smartphone's chaotic (and Canadian) early days
Chock full of Canadian actors, Canadian phones, and Canada jokes
Biopics usually follow the true stories of individuals — think leaders like MLK Jr. or Gandhi, or musical legends like Johnny Cash or Elvis Presley. Lately, though, Hollywood seems obsessed with another kind of story, showcasing the history behind brands like Air Jordan, Tetris, and Flamin' Hot Cheetos. The BlackBerry movie, first announced last summer, seems destined to fill this niche, and after a screening at SXSW last night, we're finally getting our first look at the film's official trailer.
Android gestures: How I learned to stop worrying and love the swipe
How Android gestural navigation transformed from a train wreck into an absolute success
When you get a new Android smartphone, you may spend a lot of time thinking about the perfect way to organize your homescreen. You'll decide which apps make it to the main homepage, choose the right weather widget, and select the shortcuts that are necessary for daily use. Even your icon pack needs some consideration. What you probably don't consider, at least as often, is how you get to your homescreen. These days, many of us rely on gesture navigation, flicking our thumb up from the bottom of the screen to return to our personalized space.
Samsung's Galaxy A54 5G is just the right amount of phone for 2023
A refined design, a new processor, and the same old $450 price point
We might be head over heels for Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra, but with a starting price of $1,200, it might be too expensive for some Android fans to justify for a smartphone. Thankfully, the Galaxy A-series offers some excellent mid-range alternatives, affordable devices that get the basics right — and then some. Samsung already impressed us with this year's Galaxy A14 5G, and today, it's updating one of our favorite budget phones of last year. The Galaxy A54 5G is here, with pre-orders set to go live later this month.
Big Pixel Fold and 7a leak suggests a summer full of new Google hardware
Google's next smartphones might be just a few months away
Google I/O is officially set for May 10th, where the company will deliver an in-depth look at everything new in Android 14. If history is any indication, we're likely to see several gadgets announced on stage ahead of product launches later this year. In addition to the Pixel Tablet shown off by Google last year, we're keeping our eyes on two upcoming smartphones: the Pixel 7a and the Pixel Fold. After months of mystery, a new leak has us circling dates on our calendar for both devices, and neither seem to be all too far off.
Weekend poll: Are you interested in 'budget flagship' Android phones?
Are devices from Google, OnePlus, and even Motorola enough to satisfy your smartphone cravings?
As an Android-focused website, it's only natural that our attention often moves towards the newest, hottest, and most powerful devices on the market. Sure, a low-end or mid-range phone might catch our interest from time to time — the Pixel 6a was one of our favorite smartphones of last year, after all — but generally speaking, it's products like the Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Pixel 7 Pro that we find ourselves lusting after year over year.
Google confirms Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1 for next week, while March drop remains MIA
Those looking to drop off the beta track will need to take some extra steps
If you're anything like us, you've spent the last few days hammering the "Check for update" button on your Pixel 7. We assumed Google would drop its much-anticipated March Feature Drop for its smartphones this week, as these updates usually appear on the first Monday of the month, but Monday came and went with just a simple security bulletin. Even with no sign of a patch, it hasn't stopped the company from promoting an upcoming Android 13 QPR3 beta set to arrive sometime next week.
Samsung starts teasing the Galaxy A54 ahead of next week's rumored launch
Featuring a new S23-inspired design and a focus on low-light photography
Samsung really impressed us with all three Galaxy S23 models this year, with the trio making up some of the best Android phones you can buy right now. None of them are cheap, but thankfully, the A-series helps fill that gap. As we've seen with recent devices like the Galaxy A14, you don't have to shell out hundreds of dollars for an excellent smartphone. With the Galaxy A54 rumored to be around the corner, Samsung has started teasing its next launch on its website, and so far, it's sounding pretty promising.
These supposed Google Pixel Fold pics are so rough, not even Photo Unblur has a chance
Our first potential glimpse at Google's foldable in the wild
While the rest of the world has seen some fresh competition in the realm of foldables — including some new contenders right out of MWC last week — those of us in the US are still stuck with Samsung as our only real choice. Thankfully, that's set to change pretty soon, with OnePlus publicly confirming it'll launch a folding phone later this year, and Google's Pixel Fold almost certainly on the horizon, with a potential debut as early as two months away. One eagle-eyed Redditor was lucky enough to spot one in the wild this week, though it's hard to glean much from the photos they managed to capture.
Android 14 Developer Preview 2 is here for Pixel phones
Join us spending the next week spotting all those tiny changes
Google's monthly Pixel update might be missing in action — despite a changelog leak leaving very little to the imagination — but the ongoing Android 14 developer previews are, thankfully, right on schedule. Android 14 DP2 is here, just as predicted by Google's outlined plans, giving us one more build before the usual open beta period begins sometime in April. As with last month's update, DP2 prioritizes app behaviors and compatibility over new features and enhancements, along with some long-in-the-works improvements to privacy, security, and system health.
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While we eagerly await the arrival of the next Android 14 developer preview sometime this month, we're also getting our earliest hints on the next big event in the world of smartphones. This afternoon, Google released a puzzle teasing the eventual invite for Google I/O 2023. Thanks to some assistance from thousands of players across the world working together, we now know exactly when I/O is set for this year: May 10th, 2023. You can register at Google's official website.
Weekend poll: What was your favorite gadget at MWC 2023?
From brand-new foldables to rollable concepts, this show had everything
Over the last week, Android Police scoured the showfloor at this year's Mobile World Congress, looking for the smartphones that will land in your pocket over the next few months. What we found was an exciting mix of improved iterations on existing devices and fresh concepts that will continue to push the industry forward for years to come.
Best of MWC 2023: Android Police’s awards for the big mobile show
The best tech we've seen during MWC 2023
The world's biggest mobile phone show is drawing to a close, and while Mobile World Congress 2023 hasn't been as chock-full of announcements as pre-pandemic iterations of the show, we've seen some reveals of exciting smartphones, interesting concept devices, and other oddities.
Realme brings 10-minute ultra-fast charging outside of China with the GT3
80 seconds of power grants you a 20% charge
While US residents are stuck referring to 45W charging as "fast," international companies are pushing further than ever before. At MWC 2023, Realme announced the GT3, its latest flagship smartphone headed for global availability. And just one year after debuting 150W fast-charging at last year's conference, the company has returned with a device capable of charging nearly twice as fast, reaching some seriously ludicrous speeds in the process.
Foldables might be the current obsession of smartphone manufacturers across the globe — with OnePlus most recently getting in on the fun — but there's an even more futuristic form factor on the horizon. It wasn't long ago that we seemed destined to see the arrival of commercial rollable smartphones, but LG left the market just before its expandable phone could hit shelves. Despite a late-stage prototype making its way out into the world, we've been stuck with nothing but rumors and concept phones ever since.
Google's celebrating an early spring with new Android and Wear OS features
Annotation tools in Drive, a new widget for Keep, and some adorable tap-to-pay friendly penguins
With Mobile World Congress in full swing, Google's wasting no time unveiling some new features for Android. While Pixel users will likely have to wait until next week for the March Feature Drop, everyone can enjoy this latest round of updates — some of which start rolling out as early as today. Whether you're jumping into a video call, jotting down notes on a PDF, or you're paying for lunch through Google Wallet, there's something for you here.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is a Chromebook that won't break your back — or your wallet
A thin and light laptop that's pretty thin and really light
MWC 2023 is just kicking off, and as always, this year's show isn't limited to smartphones alone. If you're in the market for a new affordable Chromebook, Lenovo's got you covered. While it might not impress you with superpowered specs or flashy RGB lighting, the IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook looks like an excellent entry in the thin-and-light field — and all for well under $400.
Google is bringing Magic Eraser to every smartphone
Older Pixels get free access, while everyone else will need to subscribe to Google One
Google's lineup of Pixels make for some of the best Android phones you can find today. But while the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro feature the company's best attempt at premium hardware yet, it's clear the real reason to buy one of these phones is the overall software experience. Starting today, however, recent Pixel owners are about to have one less exclusive feature to hold over their Galaxy-owning friends' heads, as Magic Eraser is coming to all modern smartphones as part of a Google One subscription.
Android Auto briefly takes some smart Maps direction from CarPlay
It seems like this long-awaited feature may have been a mistake
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If you've ever swapped between Android Auto and CarPlay, you know the two platforms are surprisingly similar. Google's latest redesign even pulls from some of Apple's best ideas, building a dashboard that keeps navigation, media, and more right at your fingertips. That said, both car-friendly UIs have their fair share of strengths and weaknesses, and nowhere is that more evident than with Maps. Thankfully, it seems like one of the biggest headaches for Android drivers — and their passengers — might be changing soon, though Google could already be going back on this update.
Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3.2 arrives with some crucial Pixel display fixes
Along with new network support for Google's latest smartphones
If you're a fan of early Android software, February has been a gold mine for you. Google kicked off this month with back-to-back releases of Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3 and, even more fascinatingly, Android 14's first developer preview. Now, just two weeks after QPR2 Beta 3.1 arrived with some much-needed bug fixes, we're getting another go-around. If you're rocking Google's current beta software on your Pixel, Beta 3.2 is rolling out with two additional fixes for your device.