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Google and messaging apps haven't always been the best of friends — hell, Hangouts is only weeks away from finally dying a long-extended death — but that doesn't mean things aren't going well with its current fling. Despite some Apple-related setbacks paired with a massive PR campaign, Messages continues to set the Android world on fire, specifically whenever RCS is active. Now, Google is working on bringing a long-awaited feature to the app that should help tame even the most unruly group chats.
Amazon adds a Goldilocks tier to its Kindle Paperwhite lineup
Just days after unveiling a new base model that has many of the Paperwhite's best features
This week, Amazon announced the first refresh of its base Kindle e-reader in over three years, delivering some of the best features from the Paperwhite at a more affordable price. As it stands, there's very little reason to buy Amazon's upgraded model, as $100 now gets you a high-res display, USB-C charging, and even more storage for your collection of books. For anyone hoping to be persuaded by the more expensive version — despite the similarities — your prayers have been answered.
Google Messages is working on a way to deal with that guy who won't stop sending voice memos
Improved emoji reacts and photo management are also on the way
While Apple might not be interested in adopting RCS on iPhone, Google remains convinced it's the future of messaging on Android. Regardless of whether or not it's a good idea, the company continues to add all sorts of advanced features to Messages, making it easier than ever to communicate with friends and family around the globe. Today, we're learning about three new tools coming to the app in the near future, including changes to voice memos, emoji reactions, and more.
The sooner Android accepts RCS is dead, the sooner we can choose the next messaging platform that matters
As the rest of the world has proven, cross-platform messaging is achievable — even without RCS
Last week, the world watched as Apple announced its newest phones. As silly — though no less intriguing — as the Dynamic Island might be, the iPhone 14 series fails to fix one of the biggest issues with modern smartphones: messaging. A day after Apple's keynote, Tim Cook took the stage at Vox's Code Conference, confirming the company's position on RCS: it's not interested, and if you want to send your mom high-res videos, you're better off buying her — or yourself — an iPhone.
OSOM promises that its crypto phone won't require you to care about crypto
Some answers to all of your burning Solana Saga questions
Competition among Android manufacturers isn't what it used to be, which is why it's exciting any time a new company throws its hat in the ring. We haven't heard much about the Solana Saga since OSOM announced its crypto partnership earlier this summer. Today, the company held its first Q&A with CEO Jason Keats about the upcoming device, offering a deep dive into what you can expect from the software experience, what bands are supported, and its plans for future hardware.
Play Store ratings finally get relevant for the devices you're using
More than a year after Google first announced the change
Android apps aren't just limited to the smartphone in your pocket. Your tablet, smartwatch, television, and even your laptop all support a wide variety of software you rely on daily, often with a version specific to that form factor. Of course, this diversity in gadgets also limits how useful ratings on the Play Store really are — after all, if a specific application features poor tablet optimizations, that doesn't necessarily mean it'll be the same on a smartphone. With a long-awaited change, Google is making its Play Store ratings more useful across the board for all the gadgets in your life.
Google's second-gen chips look just as tasty as the first
Salty and lemony? Now there's a delicious combo
We're just a few short weeks away from the Pixel 7 launch event, but Google's not wasting any time teasing its newest devices. While its next-gen phones aren't anything surprising — the company announced both at I/O in May — they're shaping up to be intriguing improvements to the groundwork laid by the Pixel 6 last year, and that starts with the new Tensor G2 chipset. To celebrate this upcoming launch, Google Japan has returned with one of its best promotions from last year.
Amazon's latest Kindle is a sub-$100 Paperwhite killer
Delivering a high-res screen, USB-C charging, and double the storage as last-gen
If you're shopping for an e-reader, your eyes have probably landed on Amazon's Kindle lineup more than once. With models ranging from entry-level to premium, there's something for everyone at every price range. It's been more than ten years since Amazon updated their cheapest e-reader, which continues to languish with a relatively low-resolution screen and a Micro-USB port. Today, that all changes, as the Kindle is getting some massive changes ahead of the holiday shopping season.
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Pixel 6a owners are getting access to Google's September patch right now
Featuring improvements for the fingerprint sensor
The Pixel 6a might be Google's newest smartphone, but as we've seen time and time again over the past year, that doesn't mean you'll always get updates on time. Although the September patch dropped last week for most Pixel phones, the company's latest midrange champion was not among them. Thankfully, Pixel 6a owners didn't have to wait long, as the latest software update should be rolling out any minute.
This week, the tech world turned its attention to Apple as it announced the latest entries for its smartwatch lineup and — of course — the iPhone. While the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro are largely iterative updates, one big change is coming for US buyers: the physical SIM tray is gone. It's a change that'll only affect Apple customers for now — a small portion of the audience currently reading this site — but it's likely just a matter of time before more manufacturers start to follow suit.
Quick settings toggles get some cute new animations in Android 13 QPR1 Beta 1
A small touch, but an appreciated one
After a month without any early software worth testing, Google returned yesterday with Android 13 QPR1's first beta. It's a release chock full of secrets, from upcoming improvements to phone calls to hidden animations previewing future hardware. Of course, there are also a handful of smaller changes as Google continues to build on the groundwork first laid with Android 13's stable launch last month, including some new animations found in quick settings.
Google wants to do for your crummy voice calls what it did for Meet call clarity
Can you hear me now?
Phone calls might feel like a thing of the past these days, with messaging, video chats, and social media making up for the bulk of our mobile communication. Your smartphone is, of course, still a phone, and excellent voice quality remains as essential as ever if you're taking meetings on the go. Spotted alongside today's Android 13 QPR1 Beta, Google is developing a feature for its mobile OS that might give voice calls a much-needed quality boost.
Possible Pixel tablet animation in Android 13 QPR1 shows Google getting ready for some docking action
Coming soon to a smart home near you
Android 13 QPR1 Beta 1 is finally here, reigniting Google's briefly dormant beta program and practically begging us to discover hidden secrets about the future of the OS and beyond. While we and the rest of the beta testers continue to try out the latest software, today's launch also provides us with a new look at an upcoming Pixel device. Forget next month's Pixel 7 — we're finally getting some information about that mysterious Pixel tablet announced at Google I/O.
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Android 13 might be available for all supported Pixel phones, but that doesn't mean Google is closing down its beta program for good. As promised, the first Android 13 QPR1 beta is arriving today for compatible devices, bringing along an early preview of upcoming bug fixes and other changes before it eventually arrives in an upcoming Pixel Feature Drop.
Jumpstart your fall with new Android widgets, watch faces, and accessibility tools from Google
Get ready to Emojify all of your text messages
If Android 13 seemed like a minor update when it finally dropped last month, it's only because Google pushes out new updates, features, and improvements to smartphones all year long. Today, the company is back with another grab bag of new tools for its entire ecosystem. From smartphones to TVs, messaging to accessibility, Android has plenty to check out as we head into the fall.
The SIM card as we know it is as good as dead
Don't be surprised when Android manufacturers follow Apple's move
Apple just unveiled its iPhone 14 lineup, and overall, it looks awfully familiar to last year's phones. Despite some minor, iterative upgrades, there's one big difference Android users should note — and no, it's not the iPhone 14 Pro's "Dynamic Island" hole punch. The SIM card tray is no more in the US, with buyers forced to rely exclusively on eSIM from here on out. It's a sign of the times in the smartphone industry, as Android manufacturers will likely follow suit over the next several years.
Samsung's solution to the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro's band getting in the way of charging: buy this new stand
That's one way to let it lay flat
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is a great smartwatch, even if its price and size make it difficult to recommend to everyone. If there's one thing that's truly divisive about it, it's the band. Some users love it, others — myself included — find it finicky. No matter what side of the debate you fall on, one thing's for sure: charging the watch with the band always attached can be annoying. If you've found yourself wishing the watch would lay flat on your bedside table, Samsung has a new accessory meant to "fix" this band's biggest issue.
Google patches pesky Android Auto problem preventing phones from pairing
Along with specific fixes for the Galaxy Z-series
For many drivers, Android Auto is an essential tool when you're out on the road. Maps, music, text message alerts — without Auto, you're basically driving without an always-connected co-pilot. Unfortunately, some users have experienced a taste of an Auto-less world over the last few weeks, as connection issues have plagued the service across multiple phones. With any luck, a pair of updates recently released might've solved these problems.
Google delivers its final security patch for the Pixel 3a and 3a XL
Two months behind schedule, but better late than never
While we all eagerly await the arrival of the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro next month, Google is finally saying goodbye to two of its most important phones. The Pixel 3a kicked off a lineup of incredible budget picks, bringing back the affordability of legacy Nexus devices while delivering on the camera quality most would expect from anything Pixel-branded. It received its last guaranteed update in May, but Google promised one final patch would arrive by July. Although it's a little later than promised, new software is finally rolling out.
Google finally gives the Pixel 7's next-gen Tensor chipset a proper name
Likely setting its naming structure in stone for future generations
Google just announced its October Pixel event, where it'll finally launch its next smartphone series and a first-gen smartwatch. Of course, neither of these come as much of a surprise — the company revealed both back at I/O in May. In that spirit, Google isn't waiting for next month to deliver further information about its new devices, as it's finally revealing what its Tensor successor will be called.