Google promised over a year ago that the wireless version of Android Auto would work out-of-the-box on any Android 9.0+ phone, but that hasn't quite panned out. The only devices that have been able to use it are Google's own Pixel devices (plus the Nexus 5X and 6P), but that finally appears to be changing.
Read MoreLineageOS drops support for Nexus 4 and Galaxy S9, starts builds for Redmi Note 7 Pro
LineageOS is the most popular custom ROM around, with official support for dozens of devices and a huge community. The project relies on the work of contributing developers, which means phones can just easily be dropped as they are added. Since we last covered LineageOS, a few new devices are now supported, while a handful of fan favorites have been dropped.
Read MoreAct fast: Samsung takes $300 off the Galaxy S10 and S10+ for Prime Day
Yesterday, the US models of the Galaxy S10 series dropped to some of their lowest prices yet. For the Prime Day festivities, Samsung is lowering the price even further, with some models going for as much as $350 off.
Read More[Update: Note9 too] Samsung Galaxy S9 gets Night Mode and other camera improvements in latest update
Samsung isn't known for gracefully aging devices, with previous generations quickly falling out of the company's favor. However, the firm is getting better at providing timely updates, as the Galaxy S9 received the rethought TouchWiz One UI along with Android Pie in December, giving it the same software as its successor. Now, the aging flagship received another update that improves the camera, giving it a dedicated Night Mode and further refinements.
Verizon launches RCS profile with support for Galaxy S9, S9+
The state of RCS messaging in the United States is a little bleak at the moment. Sure, it's got a massive character limit that puts SMS to shame, more multimedia options than MMS, and read receipts, but availability is inconsistent and the resources it takes to set up servers are not small. Verizon had planned on bringing on its RCS profile by "early 2019," and, if you consider "before July 1" early enough for you, it has succeeded in delivering it to the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+.
Read MorePlugable launches Cube USB-C docking station for Samsung devices
More than two years after Samsung announced its original Dex dock, Plugable designed a competitor that can work with virtually any USB-C device. The Cube is a tiny hub that connects to your device through an external cable and acts as a dock to link it to USB peripherals, a monitor, and even an external network.
Read MoreLinux on DeX is now compatible with Galaxy S9, S10, and Tab S5e
Linux on DeX, announced at a developer conference last year, is a program that lets you run Linux (Ubuntu, in this case) on your Samsung smartphone or tablet, turning it into a full-fledged computer. Initially, it only worked on the Galaxy Note 9 and Tab S4, but with today's update, both Galaxy S9 and S10 families are now supported (along with, for some reason, the mid-range Tab S5e).
Read MoreUnlocked Samsung Galaxy S9 as low as $400 from Best Buy, down to $500 at various retailers
The Samsung Galaxy S9 is now relegated to the shadows of the newer S10, but it still has enough going for it to be a strong consideration for anyone looking to purchase a well-spec'ed smartphone without spending ludicrous amounts of money. The S9 is currently available for $400 from Best Buy with an activation at purchase or for $500 without any activation requirement from that retailer and others. The larger S9+ is also available for $500 from Best Buy with activation or for as little as $574 without any activation from various retailers.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Samsung's One UI night mode forces Android Auto to think it's always nighttime
With One UI, Samsung introduced a system-wide night mode for its Android Pie devices. The new feature darkens the manufacturer's proprietary software such as the Calculator and Messages apps and also alters the overall menus and interface colors, but still requires you to manually enable dark mode in other applications like Messenger or Slack. Android Auto, on the other hand, happily receives this setting and defaults to it, no matter the time of the day.
Read MoreTWRP now officially available for the Snapdragon Galaxy S9/S9+
Many of Samsung's phones, including its flagship Galaxy S and Note series, ship with different processors depending on where they are sold. Some models have the company's own Exynos chips, while others have Snapdragon processors. Almost one year after the phone's release, the TWRP custom recovery now has official builds for the Snapdragon Galaxy S9/S9+.
Read MoreLatest Deals
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16 temporarily free and 22 on-sale apps and games for Columbus Day
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Monday deals: Get a Google Nest Hub for $58, plus $50 off Eufy Video Doorbell and more
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Today only, Eufy's Wi-Fi-connected RoboVac 15C is just $170 ($80 off)
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[Update: Dead] Upcoming Jabra Elite 75t earbuds can be pre-ordered for just $130 ($50 off) right now
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Get a Eufy Smart Floodlight with Camera for $150 with coupon code ($50 off)
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Plantronics BackBeat Fit 6100 review: Good, gym-friendly over-ear headphones
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OnePlus 7T review: Almost the perfect budget flagship
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Latest Roundups
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18 new Android games from the week of October 7, 2019: DIGIMON ReArise, Lovecraft's Untold Stories, and Xenowerk Tactics
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19 new Android games from the week of September 30, 2019: Call of Duty: Mobile, League of Wonderland, and Takoway
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19 new and notable Android apps and live wallpapers from the last two weeks including Vivaldi Browser Snapshot, Threads from Instagram, and Duet Display (9/21/19 - 10/05/19)
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The best Linux apps for your Chromebook
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19 best new Android games from the week of September 23, 2019: Mario Kart Tour, Lock's Quest, and Vestigium
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16 temporarily free and 22 on-sale apps and games for Columbus Day
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Leisure Suit Larry - Wet Dreams Don't Dry is a return to form for the series, and it's finally available on Android
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Blast from the Past
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1 Year Ago Today
Pixel 3 and 3 XL review: Come for the camera, stay for everything else
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2 Years Ago Today
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3 Years Ago Today
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4 Years Ago Today
[Deal Alert] Mystery Album Free On Google Play Music (US Only)
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5 Years Ago Today
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6 Years Ago Today
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7 Years Ago Today
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8 Years Ago Today
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9 Years Ago Today
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10 Years Ago Today
Installing The Android Plugin For Eclipse
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