Tuesday 31 May 2022

Best new Android apps in May 2022

Android Police's weekly app roundup has moved to a monthly cadence, covering the best Android apps to land on Android in the past month. With this move, we are now offering several months' worth of roundups in collapsible lists; this way, you have a singular place to go when looking for worthwhile Android app releases. Whether you require a new way to receive calendar notifications or are simply looking for a tie-in app for your new audio buds, you've come to the right place.



Best Google Pixel 5 wireless chargers 2022

Wireless charging on past Pixels was always a bit of a guessing game. Unique profiles and speeds meant that you had to search high and low to find chargers that worked. Thankfully with the Pixel 5, things are much more mainstream, and chargers are more widely available.

This privacy-focused budget smartphone wants to fulfill your life-without-Google dreams

Privacy is on everyone's minds these days — even Google's. Android 13 is built from the ground up, focusing on privacy and security above all else, but if that's not enough for you, you'll need to look elsewhere. Murena has been around for a couple of years now, offering a custom OS for devices like the Fairphone 4, but today, it's finally time for the company to unveil its own hardware.



T-Mobile service is completely down for many users across the East Coast

A pretty massive network outage appears to have hit T-Mobile in places like New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston around noon today.

PlayStation VR games releasing in June 2022 and beyond

PlayStation VR has a solid lineup of games, with more added every so often. We've put together a list of everything releasing this month and beyond.

Samsung reportedly making the Tensor chip in the upcoming Pixel 7

According to a story on Korean news site Digital Daily, Samsung is again tipped to supply Google's in-house chip efforts and will reportedly make the updated Cloudripper GS201 Tensor chipset expected to land with the Pixel 7 series of phones.



Monday 30 May 2022

Meta Oculus Quest 2 price just dropped by $149. Wait...what?

Save $149 on the 256GB model and $100 on the 128GB version for best ever Meta Oculus Quest 2 deals

How to set up sleep coaching on Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 is full of impressive features to help you the most of your workouts — that includes sleep for recovery. With the new sleep coach feature, you'll be snoozing like the pros in no time.

The iPhone 14 may be getting an always-on display, but Android phones perfected it years ago

While we Android users might still be recovering from the whirlwind that was Google I/O, Apple fans are preparing for their own developer conference. WWDC's keynote address is next week, promising an early look at iOS 16 before its launch later this year, and already, rumors are starting to fly. Once again, analysts expect to see always-on display support finally come to iPhones, starting with the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. Unfortunately, all these rumors demonstrate just how behind the times Apple is, with a feature many of our readers rely on daily.



A wild Google Pixel 7 prototype appeared on eBay, but you can no longer bid for it

Officially teased a few weeks ago but only set for a release in the fall, Google's Pixel 7 has been briefly listed on eBay in prototype form.

The Dell Memorial Day sale is still live: save hundreds on laptops and monitors

Memorial Day has arrived, and retailers like Dell are offering some great deals on premium laptops and gaming monitors.

Iran officials reportedly bribed some Instagram moderators to remove accounts

Iranian intelligence officials have allegedly offered to pay some third-party Instagram content moderators to remove accounts of journalists and activists hostile to its government.

Sunday 29 May 2022

Google's upcoming Pixel Tablet could ship with a USI-certified stylus

Google's Pixel-branded tablet could be the first Android device to support the USI standard, assuming it hits the market first before other OEMs beat the search giant to the punch.

Realme GT Neo 3 review: 150W charging comes with a lot of compromises

Realme's latest mid-ranger has 150W fast charging, a flashy design, powerful hardware, and a great camera at the back. So let's take a look at how it holds up against its rivals, and whether you should pick up the phone.

Google Pixel tablet, not due until next year, receives USI certification

The Google Pixel tablet, expected to hit the marketplace next year, is listed by the Universal Stylus Initiative.

Samsung's phone production is reportedly taking a major hit this year

Samsung may be scaling back the number of phones it expects to produce this year by about 10% amid rising prices and the military conflict in Ukraine.

Google's upcoming Pixel tablet may have a stylus in tow

Google is working on a Pixel-branded Android tablet due out next year. It'll run on Android, we know that for sure. But other details have been murky — there was some talk about a smart home focus, but whether it was going to be predominant was doubtful at best with the Pixel name coming to light. So, where's the need for a stylus? Apparently, the company has found one.



You can now download the (second) earliest known build of Android ever

The second-earliest build of Android known to date is now free for anyone to download. And no, it's not from the T-Mobile G1/HTC Dream. It's from something a bit earlier.



Oppo plans to show off two AR glasses next month in California

Oppo plans on showing off its AR glasses in the United States even though the company currently does not sell its mobile phones in North America.

Best stress relief phone accessories 2022

Keep your hands occupied and your nerves calm with these fun-filled phone accessories. These are some of the best add-ons for your phone that are designed to relief stress.

What is Amazon Fire OS?

Amazon released its first Kindle Fire tablet in 2011. A budget device aimed at bringing the burgeoning tablet form factor and Amazon services to the masses, the original Kindle Fire was pushed as the first viable iPad alternative. Since 2011 Amazon has continued to release a plethora of devices running Fire OS, from updated Kindle Fire tablets to its Fire TV streaming devices. Fire OS is eleven years old now, but confusion surrounding what it is has continued to persist. Is Fire OS a version of Android? Can I download Android apps on Fire tablets? Does Google services even work on Amazon's tablets? These are questions some have asked since the inception of Fire OS.



Google Assistant could soon learn to recognize your voice

Code found on the Google app indicates that Google is working on having Google Assistant recognize your voice.

Google could bake a native snore and cough detector into your Android phone

Google may be working on a native Android capability that uses your phone to detect disturbing sounds during sleep, such as coughing or snoring.

Saturday 28 May 2022

Apple CEO Tim Cook took home $770.5 million last year; one Fortune 500 CEO banked more

Tim Cook reportedly banked $770.5 million last year but he was not the highest-paid CEO among Fortune 500 companies.

If you're looking for an email, Gmail wants to help you find it

In our collective quest to chase the elusive state of inbox zero, some of us (hi) prefer to strictly employ deleterious methods to manage our email. For the rest of us, this may be achieved with the help of folders and labels. But the trick with archival, though, is with finding that one message later on. Gmail, now more than ever, seems eager to help you do just that.



Premium Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 with keyboard drops to crazy low prices in two models

Best Buy and Lenovo have two versions of a premium 13.3-inch Chrome OS tablet with a bundled keyboard on sale at irresistible prices for a limited time.

Friday 27 May 2022

Avalanche leak suggests cloud gaming could come to Oculus Quest

Meta is allegedly developing a cloud gaming feature that would let you play PC VR games without your own PC. But there are a lot of questions about how it would work, or how well it would.

Here's Google's workaround for visual voicemail bug on Android 13 betas

Betas almost always mean dealing with bugs, but sometimes there are workarounds for specific issues. Visual voicemail has been broken in the Phone by Google app for some Pixel owners on the recent Android 13 beta releases, eliminating the ability to see your individual voicemails from the built-in phone app. But, according to an official Google account on Reddit, there's a very simple fix.



Ghost Recon Breakpoint game saves on Stadia have been deleted for many players

Seemingly all Ghost Recon Breakpoint players on Stadia have had their game saves wiped, and Google is looking into the issue.

Celebrate Pride Month with these 10 gorgeous LGBTQ films on Netflix

June is Pride Month, and LGBTQIA communities around the world are preparing to celebrate after several years of understated events due to the pandemic. Pride takes place in June to remember the 1969 Stonewall Riots. Although the riots happened over 50 years ago, they've had a profound impact on LGBTQ+ rights in the US and around the world, and are consequently celebrated to this day.



Samsung follows Apple's suit with big smartphone production cut of its own

Just like Apple, Samsung is reportedly facing declining smartphone demand, having to significantly lower its overall production goals for 2022.

Thursday 26 May 2022

Samsung Galaxy A53 vs. S21 FE: Which value phone is the real value?

Samsung is making more value phones than ever these days, but only one phone can claim 2022's value crown.

Mint Mobile vs. Tello: Which should you get?

Tello has many great features, a ton of data options, and affordable prices. But so does Mint Mobile, with a set of plans that will make more sense for many Android users. Both networks can use the T-Mobile network with 5G, so it really comes down to which plan works best for you.

Dragon Quest Builders lands on Android as a surprise release

It would appear that Square Enix has managed to do it again. The developer has released yet another hobbled port on mobile, this time for Dragon Quest Builders. It's a surprise release launched in celebration of Dragon Quest's 36th anniversary, and despite the high asking price of $21.99 (that's with a current 20% discount, by the way), controller support was removed, and DLC was added. Yep, $21.99 doesn't even get you the whole game. If you'd like to unlock the new free play build mode exclusive to the mobile release, you'll have to spend more money. Gee, thanks, Square Enix.



Multi-user profiles finally coming to Google TV

The long-overdue multi-user profiles feature is finally coming to Google TV.

Best mobile accessories for Xbox Game Pass for Android 2022

Xbox Game Pass offers hundreds of games to play on Android devices, but you might need a few extras to enjoy them all. Here are the accessories that will make playing games on your phone or tablet as fun as it is on PC and console.

Samsung shows off its 200MP camera sensor with the animal we'll be taking the most pics of anyway

There's a good chance that at least a couple components in the phone you're holding right now — regardless of whose name is on the box — are made by Samsung. From displays, to flash storage, to vibration motors, to camera sensors — you name it, and the South Korean company probably has a factory for it already. Even with that kind of success, there's always the temptation to show off — especially when you've got some high-end new hardware on the way. Right now, Samsung's got megapixels on the brain, and it's looking to promote its recently announced 200MP sensor in a spectacular way.



No iPhone 14 Max delay is currently predicted, but Apple has plenty to worry about

Instead of worrying about iPhone 14 Max-related supply chain issues, it sounds like Apple's major concern this year could be demand for the entire iPhone 14 family.

Wednesday 25 May 2022

Apple's 2021 iPad Pro 12.9 is on sale at up to a $450 discount (!!!) right now

Released around a year ago, Apple's fifth-gen iPad Pro 12.9 is on sale right now for a whopping 450 bucks less than usual... in one particularly extravagant model.

Best Amazon Fire HD 10 & 10 Plus cases 2022

The Amazon Fire HD 10 may be more affordable than most tablets, but you’ll still want to keep it protected with a case.

Google might make us wait until 2023 for a Pixel foldable

2022 is shaping up to be the most significant expansion to the Pixel franchise yet. At Google I/O, we weren't just treated to official announcements for the Pixel 6a and Pixel Buds Pro — we also saw brief teases of the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, the Pixel Watch, and a Tensor-powered tablet that may just end up sporting the "Pixel" brand name. One long-rumored member of the family — the Pixel foldable — was notably missing from the event, and as we're learning today, we might be waiting even longer than expected.



Rotaeno for Android review: The future of mobile rhythm gaming is here and it's awesome

Rotaeno is the first of its kind. A mobile rhythm game that uses your phone's gyroscopic rotation as a key gameplay mechanic.

Proton unifies all of its services, including Proton Mail, under a single roof

The popular encrypted, privacy-focused email service, Proton Mail, has been around for years now. With growth, we've seen the company expand that offering into multiple other services, like Proton VPN and Proton Calendar. Now, the company is taking them all full circle with its latest unification efforts, which will see all Proton services, including Proton Mail, brought together under one single umbrella.



Catalyst Black for Android review: A surprisingly deep team-based shooter

Fans of the team-based shooting genre are in for a surprise, as Super Evil Megacorp's Catalyst Black is a deep and engaging experience.

Tuesday 24 May 2022

The Motorola Razr 3 looks to be a creaseless folding wonder

Motorola looks to be making big changes with the upcoming Motorola Razr 3, which just got leaked again, this time showing the creasless display.

Google Chrome 102 is out now, here’s everything that’s new

After releasing stable Chrome 101 just about a month ago, Google is now ready to promote Chrome 102 to take its spot. The new Chrome release is chock-full of features mostly directed at developers, but that isn’t something bad—instead, it means that web apps will only grow more powerful the next few months and years, with Chrome providing tools to make them feel even more native. Here are all the most interesting bits and pieces we found in Chrome 102.



Motorola Razr 3 revealed in leaked video

Alleged Razr 3 video reveals the new refined design of Motorola's next foldable phone.

Meta's working on a fix for Oculus Air Link on Windows 11

Oculus Air Link, Meta's cordless answer to PC VR has seen a number of stability issues on Windows 11. Now, a member of the Oculus team has confirmed that a fix is on the way.

T-Mobile vs Verizon vs AT&T: same old 5G winner further extends lead in new tests

While it's far from surprising to see T-Mobile dominate yet another nationwide 5G report, the extent of Magenta's supremacy is more and more staggering.

How to watch ESPN Plus: Stream it on TV, mobile, and more

ESPN+ is a very affordable way for sports fans to tune in and stream content from just about anywhere. The subscription can be used in many places — here's how you can watch it.

Monday 23 May 2022

Google's Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max are on sale at great prices for a limited time

They may have been slightly cheaper in the past, but Google's latest Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max smart displays are not to be ignored at these prices either.

The best Verizon deals on phones and plans: May 2022

Whether you're trading in an old device or adding a new line, you can save loads of money with the Verizon phone deals found in this guide.

Memorial Day TV sales have landed: save hundreds on Samsung, LG, and more

Ahead of Memorial Day 2022, retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon are offering some amazing deals on smart TVs — here are the best ones we could find.

Google TV multi-user profiles are just now finally starting to arrive

Google TV is the perfect service for bringing together all of those streaming subscriptions you keep meaning to cancel. While its relationship to Android TV can be a little confusing, the company continues to work to make it the best way to watch TV and movies in your living room. Profiles are finally coming to the platform, a long-awaited addition that should make binge-watching reality shows a little less embarrassing. In classic Google fashion, though, you'll still be waiting a while to try them out.



Warped Kart Racers hits Apple Arcade, get ready for some wild races

Warped Kart Racers lets players step into the shoes of beloved characters from hit animated series such as American Dad!, Family Guy, King of the Hill, and Solar Opposites.

Sunday 22 May 2022

MediaTek wants in on more American phones with its first chipset supporting millimeter wave 5G

The global chip shortage brought upheaval to the mobile sector and continues to rage on and allow MediaTek to claim a golden opportunity. IDC reported the company's systems-on-chips present in an "over 50%" share of the Android market last year while the manufacturer itself says that's a repeat performance from 2020. With rumors that Samsung might turn to outside help for a prominent smartphone release, the middle of 2022 is proving to be an exciting time for the Taiwanese firm. And, just announced, we've got a bunch of new silicon spanning the mid-range and they include the comapny's first crack at millimeter wave 5G.



Apple tells suppliers about diversifying production away from China

Apple tells its suppliers that it has plans to move production out of China although it seems to be all talk for now.

WhatsApp will stop working on iPhones running iOS 10 and iOS 11 from late October

WhatsApp will stop working on some older iPhones from October.

Disney World guest loses Apple Watch on ride leading to $40K in fraudulent credit card charges

Woman has a miserable day at Disney World losing her Hermes Apple Watch which led to $40,000 in fraudulent charges on her Amex card.

Google and Match Group sign prenuptials before heading to trial over Play Store billing

Earlier this month, Match Group, the company behind dating services Match, Hinge, Tinder, and OKCupid, filed a court complaint against Google, joining numerous other app publishers alleging that the company abuses monopoly power by forcing them to use the Play Store's billing program — and accept divvying away up to 30% of their revenues — in order to be listed on the platform. This week marked a temporary settlement between the parties, but it may only set in place a holding pattern preceding a trial.



Motorola may have just confirmed a major Razr 3 leak

Motorola seems to have started teasing the foldable Motorola Razr 2022.

Android 13 is picking up native support for most braille displays

Google will begin testing out-of-the-box support for braille displays on the Talkback screen reader app for Android in the coming weeks.

Saturday 21 May 2022

Xiaomi Mi Band 7 just days away from being unveiled

We are just days away from the unveiling of the next iteration of the Xiaomi Mi Band 7 which, as usual, will be available in the U.S.

Top analyst says that Apple will try again with the HomePod

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that Apple is working on a new HomePod that will be released in the fourth quarter of this year or the first quarter of next year.

Official Pixel 6a unboxing video shows off the new under-display fingerprint scanner for the phone

Google has released an official unboxing video for the Pixel 6a that shows the new under-display fingerprint scanner working quickly with no lag.

Google thinks it knows which speaker you'll want to Cast to

The ability to cast media from an Android phone feels like second nature but legalities get in the way of us taking it for granted and not every app includes it by default. The ones that do, like YouTube and YouTube Music, are very conveniently able to pass their audio, video, or both to the plethora of devices that support the protocol. Now, with a new tweak to the Cast interface, this process is getting even easier for people who have to juggle a lot of screens and speakers.



Android 11 is now the most popular version of the OS according to latest distribution numbers

From religiously updating its Android Platform Distribution chart on a monthly basis, to yearly, and then doing away with it entirely, it's almost as if Google was getting increasingly shy of revealing its state of affairs and with good reason: despite the best efforts of speeding up adoption rates, the platform trails iOS by a mile to this day. Now, instead of uploading that info into a website, Google's been putting it into Android Studio — accessing it sure isn't as convenient as before, but we are just glad we aren't left completely in the dark. Today, we check out the latest numbers through this new means.



Best OPPO Find X5 and Find X5 Pro screen protectors 2022

OPPO's Find X5 and X5 Pro's displays are as good as the ones found on Samsung's flagship phones. It's only sensible to safeguard such a marvelous AMOLED panel with an excellent screen protector for your OPPO Find X5 and Find X5 Pro.

Friday 20 May 2022

How to use Google Photos portrait blur on your Android phone

Google Photos has a cool Portrait Blur feature that you can use on your Android phone. Learn how to do it right and you'll be transforming boring portrait shots into eye-catching photographs in no time at all.

What is Google Play Protect?

Google has its own system to help keep the apps on your phone safe and secure. But you may not know how it works, or that you can change your settings to make it even better.

Best Android TVs 2022

Android TV is a sleek and powerful smart TV operating system, and these TVs ship with it built right in. Here are the best Android TVs you should consider and why they're so great!

Court rules that Bandcamp can continue using its current in-app payment system while Epic's legal battle with Google continues

We're just days away from Google's new payment policy on the Play Store finally going into effect, nearly two years after the company first announced it. The last few weeks have seen plenty of drama, especially from major publishers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, who are attempting to avoid new fees



Best Metro by T-Mobile phones 2022

Metro by T-Mobile offers customers a more affordable wireless package on T-Mobile's network. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G hits all of the right notes with great 5G support, an attractive design, and the right price.

PS VR2: When does it release?

It's been years since the original PSVR came out, and now that the PS VR2 is announced, how long will we have to wait for its arrival?

Thursday 19 May 2022

Apple's mixed-reality headset nears launch as its showcased to company board

Apple's board members received a preview of its AR/VR headset last week.

Google Wallet: How it works, which countries, and everything you need to know

Google Wallet will soon arrive to "replace" Google Pay, but GPay will still exist in some places. How do the two services compare? We'll help you figure out Google's latest confusing rebranding.

Boring ol' Galaxy Buds 2 evolve into hot new Pokémon-themed headphones with Samsung's latest collab

Like everyone else, Samsung can't seem to get over its obsession with Pokémon, and it's not ashamed of who knows it. A couple of weeks after launching a special Galaxy Z Flip3 with swappable cards for Pikachu, Snorlax, and other favorites from the Kanto region, the company's back with another partnership. If you were lucky enough to pick up the South Korea-exclusive phone and you're in desperate need of some matching accessories, Samsung has you covered with some themed earbuds.



No more buttons? Apple secures patent for invisible input areas

Apple has received a patent for the creation of concealable input regions, an alternative to physical buttons.

How to switch from Microsoft Edge to Google Chrome on Windows 11 PCs

Microsoft has made Edge the default web experience for Windows 11 and while Microsoft's browser has won the hearts of many, some people still want to use the Chrome browser they know. Here's what you need to know to switch your Windows 11 PC to Google Chrome.

Wednesday 18 May 2022

Best Buy has the 2022 Moto G Stylus and G Stylus 5G on sale at cool $50 discounts

Both the 4G LTE-only and 5G-enabled versions of this year's mid-range Moto G Stylus are discounted at Best Buy by a small but notable 50 bucks.

Chromecast Ambient Mode slideshows start dialing back their bandwidth-saving measures

The early days of the pandemic saw the internet faced with an unprecedented surge of traffic, with people restricted to their homes relying on going online for both work and entertainment, leading to slower internet across the globe. In a bid to reduce network congestion and prioritize the more essential stuff, streaming services all over started making sacrifices. Those cuts extended in some unexpected ways, like how Google downgraded video quality on certain Nest cameras and reduced Chromecast (and smart display) Ambient Mode photo quality. But with more and more people going back to the office, some of those restrictions are now being reverted.



Pixel 6 pushes Google into UK top 5, but Samsung and Apple continue to rule

Google is now a top 5 brand in the UK, but it has a long way to go before it catches Apple and Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy A53 review: The boring but reliable middle-of-the-road

Samsung makes a ton of competent mid-range phones, but 2021's Galaxy A52 5G was a particularly good value. At $500, it offered a better-than-it-needed-to-be 120Hz display, plus decent performance and cameras. This year's Galaxy A53 looks to strike a similar sweet spot: it's very similar to last year's phone, but it costs $50 less. That'd make for a pretty compelling package — if it weren't also a slightly worse phone.



Apple, Samsung face many more fines for not shipping a power adapter with its pricey flagship phones

Both Apple and Samsung have been fined in Brazil for not including power adapters in the box with their flagship phones; both face many more fines in the country.

Tuesday 17 May 2022

Best wallet & folio cases for Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 2022

By using these versatile wallet and folio cases for the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus, you can leave your wallet at home.

If you don't like Netflix's current lineup of originals, take it up with your fellow subscribers

Ask the internet for opinions on Netflix, and you'll often hear the same thought repeated again and again: the content sucks these days. While you'll often find differing conclusions on what makes up the select "good" shows produced by the company — one man's trash is another man's treasure — it doesn't seem like anyone is fully satisfied with the current output of shows. Netflix has spent the last year working with audiences to better tune its content to fan expectations, sometimes months in advance.



Apple makes change to App Store rules allowing subscription apps to auto-renew without permission

Apple has made a change to App Store rules that will allow a subscription app to auto-renew without approval even after a price hike.

Best Samsung Galaxy A53 deals and prices: May 2022

The Samsung Galaxy A53 is a solid, reliable mid-range phone that won't break the bank. But if you want to save even more money, we got you covered.

iPhone 14 Pro camera bump will be huge compared to regular models, leaked case image suggests

Cases for all iPhone 14 models have leaked.

Cities: Skylines and Far Cry Primal launch on Stadia today

Cities: Skylines and Far Cry Primal release on Stadia with Cities: Skylines available on Stadia Pro and Far Cry Primal on a Ubisoft+ subscription.

Monday 16 May 2022

How to set up and use the Google Translate widget

Google Translate has two extremely useful widget options that bring translative tools to your home screen. Here's how you can set up and use the Google Translate widget.

Reliable tipster leaks renders of unknown OnePlus phone

A set of renders tweeted today by HOF tipster Evan Blass shows an unknown OnePlus handset in two different colors.

Apex Legends Mobile: Does it support cross-play?

Don't get too hyped up for Apex Legends Mobile thinking you'll be able to play with your friends on console and PC. Unfortunately, Apex Legends Mobile will not support cross-play between those platforms.

Verizon quickly follows AT&T's suit with (smaller) price hikes for all customers

Hot on AT&T's heels, Verizon has decided to infuriate its own customers by raising prices on virtually all plans due to inflation.

Google Assistant gains Fitbit and Google Fit integration for your Nest Hub

We've been hoping for better integration between Fitbit and Google Fit, and it appears that it's on the way. You'll soon be able to view your various health metrics from those apps, right on the Nest Hub (2nd Gen).

This was the hottest Pixel announcement from Google I/O 2022

We asked our readers which Pixel announcement was their favorite at Google I/O 2022. The results aren't too surprising, given the growing anticipation for the device.

Sunday 15 May 2022

Top Twitter executives leave amid Elon Musk acquisition and 'new direction'

As Elon Musk moves forward with his $44 billion takeover bid, Twitter's CEO has fired Kayvon Beykpour, general manager, and Bruce Falck, general manager for revenue.

Apple iPhone gets stuck inside Qantas aircraft, earns frequent flyer miles

Apple iPhone gets stuck in a passenger seat on a Qantas aircraft and makes three roundtrip flights before it is discovered.

Twitter tests "Liked by Author" label for tweeted responses

While Elon Musk's $44 billion purchase of Twitter is currently on hold, the social media site is testing a new label titled "Liked by Author."

Gurman expects "significant" changes coming for iOS 16 short of a major interface redesign

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman repeats his call for some changes to iOS 16 that will fall short of a major redesign.

Texas's social media anti-censorship law goes into effect with an uncertain path forward

More than half a year after it was signed, a new state law has been allowed to take effect that would punish social media companies for banning Texas citizens off their platforms for expressing a "viewpoint." Big Tech has been pushing back along the way and now hopes that the Supreme Court will step in to block it.



How to enable the Digital Wellbeing widget on Android 12

Monitor your phone's screen time using the the Digital Wellbeing widget. Here's how you can set it up on Android 12.

Pixel 6 series handsets get big fingerprint scanner improvement on Android 13 beta 2

According to a Reddit user who installed the Android 13 beta 2 update on his Pixel 6 series phone, the OS update includes a "massive" update to the under-display fingerprint scanner.

Saturday 14 May 2022

Report blames mental health decline in those 18-24 years of age on smartphones

Excessive smartphone use is linked to the decline in the mental health of young people 18-24 according to a report.

There are a lot of abandoned Android apps out there and it says a lot about indie development

Applications share a high degree of correlation to businesses. Unless it's based around intellectual property that can last, many of them don't last for terribly long. The uphill is steep and many developers aren't equipped to tackle all the challenges along the path unless they receive decent investment or are bought out. While that isn't the story for every app out there, there are plenty of them that will pop up in your app store search results and won't have received an update for months or even years. A new report attempts to shine a light on how many of these so-called "abandoned" apps are out there.



Galaxy Z Fold 4 could boast a better telephoto camera than S22 Ultra

Exact Galaxy Z Fold 4 camera specs leak out.

Apple explains how to decide how much storage you need on your next iPhone

Apple Support releases a video containing hints to help you decide how much storage you buy with your next iPhone.

33% of all iOS, Android apps are considered abandoned and at risk of getting hacked

A report reveals that between the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, there are more than 1.5 million apps that have been abandoned.

Friday 13 May 2022

Google Maps to receive huge update that includes "Immersive View"

Google has previewed parts of a major update coming to Google Maps that will include a new Immersive View.

You could save big on the best entry-level Fitbit at Walmart today

You can take your fitness routine to the next level and save a load of cash with this great Walmart deal. Here's how to do it.

With YouTube Music's new Wear OS tile, your recently played songs are just a swipe away

It might sound crazy to consider, but YouTube Music has only had an app for Wear OS since last fall, launching years after the service replaced Play Music as Google's go-to Spotify competitor. With its latest update, users can access their favorite albums and songs right from their wrist.



Spam bots put Elon Musk's Twitter acquisition on hold

Elon Musk announced that the deal to acquire Twitter is being put on hold. The Tesla CEO wants to verify that Twitter's fake/spam accounts make up less than 5% of the platform's total users.

Now in Android gets a dedicated showcase app that doubles as a news portal for developers

Getting into Android app development is like stepping into the fast lane — Google's not shy about keeping developers on their toes with new libraries, ever-changing APIs, and of course, frequently updated design guidelines. Remaining up to date with all these changes becomes crucial if you want to stay relevant as a mobile developer, and one of the better resources for that is Now in Android, with plenty of instructional Medium articles and YouTube videos. Now Google's building on those with a dedicated Now in Android app, helping to further highlight its latest best practices.



How to play Steam games on a Chromebook

Thanks to Steam Alpha, gaming on Chromebooks just got serious.

Google reveals Pixel 6a pricing outside the United States

The Google Pixel 6a is coming this summer and will be available for $449 in the U.S. Now we know how much it will cost in most other regions that will sell the phone.

Thursday 12 May 2022

The new platform Health Connect will make it simple to share and sync health data

Google and Samsung's Health Connect will make sharing and syncing health data between devices and apps easier

Google begins building its walled garden with the Pixel Watch

The Pixel Watch will most likely not be compatible with Apple's iPhones.

The Honor Magic4 series gets an international release at the end of May

The international release of the Honor Magic4 and the Honor Magic4 Pro will begin in Europe on 31st May, with pre-orders coming a week earlier.

The Twilight Zone VR launches for Oculus Quest 2 this July

The Twilight Zone VR announced a release date for this July for Oculus Quest 2, though a PlayStation VR version is still planned.

YouTube expands automatic chapters, translated captions now available in 16 languages

Google is working to expand the usefulness of YouTube worldwide with automatic chapter generation making it faster to find the information you're looking for. Automatic caption translation on Android and iOS will make it easier for people around the world to find information.

Sony's new WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones offer a sleek new design, better noise canceling

Sony launches the new WH-1000XM5, offering long battery life, improved noise cancellation, and a refreshed design.

How to watch Eurovision 2022: free stream guide and second semi-final info

Just because you aren't in Europe doesn't mean you can't watch Eurovision live. Our global streaming guide has everything you need to stream the international song contest from anywhere — possibly for free.

The Google TV app will let you cast shows and movies to your TV later this year

Today at Google I/O 2022, the search giant announced a slew of new Google TV and Android TV OS updates aimed at improving accessibility and multitasking.

Wednesday 11 May 2022

Google Translate adds 24 languages using an incredible new technology

At the Google I/O 2022 stage today, CEO Sundar Pichai announced that the company is supercharging Google Translate with 24 additional languages, and it's using a smart new tech called Zero-Shot Machine Translation.

Google Pay is making online shopping easier and more secure with virtual card numbers

Google Pay will soon enable virtual card numbers on Chrome browsers, making online payments more secure by hiding your actual card number. They will be available this summer for the Chrome browser on Android and desktops.

Google will give you more choice over the ads you see with My Ad Center

Google's on a privacy bender at its Google I/O developer conference, highlighting how it's working to keep your data private. Of course, this affects ads, which aren't just Google's bread and butter, but the mechanism that keeps most of the internet running. Personalized ads have always felt a little skeevy, but Google's rolling out a tool later this year called My Ad Center that will let you fine-tune the sorts of ads you don't want to see and opt-in if there are specific subjects you do want to see more ads for.



Forget about "Hey Google," now you can just "Look and Talk" to Google Assistant

Google is improving the Assistant's ability to connect with you. No more "Hey Google" needed!

Tuesday 10 May 2022

How to enable the new Google At A Glance widget features

Google rolled out a couple of new features for its Pixel-exclusive At A Glance widget. Here's how you can turn them on.

Another phone scam targets Verizon customers

Be careful if you get a phone call allegedly coming from Verizon that says your account has been suspended. It's all part of a scam seeking to steal your money.

Galaxy S23 Ultra tipped to receive a major camera upgrade

Samsung is rumored to feature a 200MP camera sensor with next year's Galaxy S23 Ultra. This will likely be an upgraded version of the sensor Samsung debuted in 2021.

Netflix could make all your worst subscription fears come true by the end of year

Netflix might've been the company to bring us into the streaming-dominant landscape we all currently live in, but it's not exactly thriving at the moment. On the heels of yet another price hike — one that pushed its top plan above the $20 per month mark — and a subsequent decline in subscribers, the service has been racing to find ways to boost its market share in the ongoing streaming wars. Some serious changes are coming to the platform, and they might arrive sooner than you'd expect.



AT&T launches new 911 location service, here is how it works

AT&T has just announced an upgrade to its current 911 location service, which will result in a faster, more accurate tracking of 911 calls

Best free PS5 games 2022

Even if you're low on funds, there are plenty of great games to play that don't require you to spend a penny. Here are the best free PS5 games that you should check out.

Monday 9 May 2022

Best stylus for Android phones and tablets {year}

While you can easily use your fingers to navigate a tablet or smartphone, a stylus offers greater precision when doing things like jotting down notes or creating artwork.

Win one of two OnePlus 10 Pro 5G phones being given away by T-Mobile

T-Mobile is giving away two OnePlus 10 Pro 5G handsets to a pair of lucky grand prize winners of its new sweepstakes.

The latest Android 12 QPR3 beta returns the vibrate icon to your status bar

Over the last couple of weeks, we got a chance to try out everything new in Android 13's first beta. For the most part, it feels like an upgrade built to improve on Android 12's total overhaul, while also rolling back a couple of controversial moves made by Android 12 last year. One of those changes brings the vibration icon back to your status bar, and with the latest QPR3 beta, you can check it out right now.



Nothing Launcher beta is available to download and try on more Android phones

Nothing has launched a public beta of the Nothing Launcher on the Play Store ahead of the Nothing phone (1)'s debut this summer. The launcher is available on Android 11+ phones.

New leak confirms bigger battery for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, display changes for Fold4

Galaxy S22 season is over, and that means Samsung watchers are on to the next big release: fourth-gen foldables. The Z Fold4 and Z Flip4 are expected to launch later this year, and leaks have already hinted at a few hardware changes. The latest round of info from Twitter leaker Ice Universe confirms a bigger battery for the Flip4 and screen changes for the Fold4.



EA to release Lord of the Rings mobile game

EA has just announced plans to launch a Lord of the Rings CRPG (collectible role-playing game) for mobile.

Parent mad at Apple for not stopping his 10-year old daughter's $2,500 TikTok shopping spree

A parent purchased an iPhone for his autistic 10-year-old daughter and she went behind her dad's back to use $2,500 of his money on TikTok.

Sunday 8 May 2022

New playlist UI revision coming to YouTube Music

Google is revising the user interface for YouTube Music's playlist partially to make it easier for users to create a list.

You have hours to save $150 on one of Asus's best Chromebooks

It's never too late or early in the day or the week to save on a spot Chromebook purchase and if anyone has told you otherwise, well, they're just wrong. A little wrong, but still wrong. Take this Sunday evening where Best Buy still has one of Asus's best Chromebooks in the past year at an above-average discount!



Chromebook users can look forward to Android apps and games that work better, and soon

Over the years, Google has taken baby steps to adapt Android towards bigger screens. With Android 10 came the advent of a generic desktop mode while Android 12L contained a full suite of optimizations for tablets and foldable devices. But with Chromebook owners seem keen on seeking utility from Android apps, no matter how broken they can be with malformed UIs in freeform windows, this just-announced addition to Android Studio sounds well overdue.



New TV spot for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Fold 3 includes a reference to an OG iPhone ad

Looking to close out its inventory of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldables, Samsung promotes the pair with a new 30-second television ad.

Google Translate begins saving users' search histories to their accounts

Google told its Translate users about an upcoming policy change in 2020 that may finally be taking place only now in 2022. And believe it or not, this isn't the first time the company was fashionably late to its own party.



Rumor: Google Pixel 6a production begins

New leak says production of the Pixel 6a has started in Asia.

WhatsApp emoji reactions are finally getting a wider rollout

After a brief beta testing, WhatsApp's emoji reactions are now becoming available to all users, along with increased file sharing limits and larger group chats.

Saturday 7 May 2022

Apple needs to exterminate bug causing AirTags stalking false alarms

Could a bug be the cause of false alarms created by Apple's AirTags item trackers which send out notifications warning that users might be getting stalked.

Next month's Pixel Feature Drop will return an iconic icon to the Pixel status bar

The Android 12 QPR3 Beta 3 update brings back an important, iconic icon to the Pixel 4 through Pixel 6 series handsets.

Pixel 7 Pro render hints at major new camera feature or mistakenly leaves out hardware component

A render of the Pixel 7 Pro is included with a case render and looks almost identical to the current model.

Mozilla's Thunderbird is going mobile, ten years too late

It's easy to forget about all the dedicated email clients out there — most people will just tap on the Gmail app or pull Outlook up on their browser. But among the ones that do get talked about, Mozilla's 20-year-old Thunderbird is rarely on top of anyone's list these days. With just 0.08% market share, it's at risk of becoming well and truly forgotten. Nevertheless (or, perhaps, because of this failure), the company is looking to give it a revival — part of those plans include having a mobile app.



Completely redesigned Motorola Razr 2022 breaks cover for the first time

Reliable leaker shares first look at the next foldable Motorola Razr and also reveals its flagship-level specs,

Friday 6 May 2022

Amazon Prime Video show screws up iPhone product placement

Whenever a script calls for a television or movie character to use a smartphone, Apple usually responds by providing a free iPhone for the production.

Can you use older model S Pens with the Galaxy S22 Ultra?

Samsung's S Pen started with the Galaxy Note series of phones but has made its way to the S22 Ultra and the Z Fold 3. Most past S Pens will work on the S22 Ultra with some features missing but only one major incompatibility.

Spotify Stations app is going off the air

Spotify Stations has been around for years now, with its app offering users a streamlined experience designed to mimic the sort of hands-off listening you'd get from a traditional radio station. It's gone through some significant changes as we saw it come to new markets, and while it never really caught on like the main Spotify app, it was still a great option to have. Unfortunately, it looks like it's time to take this station off the air, as Spotify shares word with testers that it's shuttering Stations.



These hugely popular Android antivirus apps might be more dangerous than useful

Almost all of the most popular Android antivirus apps in Google's Play Store have been found to track their users for potentially shady purposes.

Verizon's Mother's Day sale could help you save big on phones, accessories, and more

Looking for a last-minute Mother's Day gift? Verizon has you covered with some great deals.

How to use Multi Window mode on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series

If you want to use the Galaxy Tab S8 as a productivity machine, you aren't limited to just using Samsung DeX. There are some useful software features that make it easier than ever to multi-task from your tablet.

Thursday 5 May 2022

Samsung Bixby is copying one of the Google Assistant's best new features

For as much as everyone seems to love Samsung phones, as well as the company's wearables, that enthusiasm doesn't quite extend to its voice assistant. While Google Assistant has plenty of Android fans, just as Siri does for Apple, Samsung's really been struggling to get people interested in Bixby, with many users looking to disable it on their phones in favor of Assistant. Maybe that's motivating the company to improve things, and now it's introducing an update that allows you to accept calls with one less command.



Verizon makes the iPhone 13 and Galaxy S22 free with (almost) any trade-in

One of Verizon's most popular deals is back again, this time letting you get the iPhone 13 or Galaxy S22 for $0 by trading in a broken device.

Smash Drums Volcano update brings new songs and more next week

VR rhythm game Smash Drums will be getting a free update on May 12 with new songs and more.

WhatsApp message reactions start rolling out

Communicating over plain text is... fine... but pair that with some clever use of emoji, and chats immediately have the potential to get a whole lot more engaging — and dare we say, spicier. We've come a long way from simple emoticons, to sprinkling emoji here and there, to message reactions being baked-in to popular apps. Those have included nearly every major player out there, including Instagram, Twitter, Messenger, and Telegram. WhatsApp had long been a reaction holdout, but that's finally changing now.



Samsung Galaxy A42 5G and A71 5G getting Android 12 updates in the US

The next two Samsung phones to receive Android 12 updates in the US are the Galaxy A42 5G and Galaxy A71 5G.

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 might look a lot fancier if this leak is correct

Samsung could be tossing out an old mainstay colorway for the next hot thing: gold.

Wednesday 4 May 2022

Best Ethernet cables for PS5 2022

Wi-Fi is a common way to connect to the internet, but if you want the most solid connection available, you'll want to wire your console up with an Ethernet cable. These are the best Ethernet cables for PS5 available right now.

The best Google Pixel 6 cases in 2022

The Pixel 6 is the smaller of the company's two current flagships, but at $599 it's one of the best Android phones you can buy right now, especially if you're on a budget. Even if you're saving a bit of money on your phone compared to the Pixel 6 Pro, you probably still want to protect the slippery slab with a decent case. We've done the footwork for you by rounding up the best Pixel 6 cases for you today. F



Motorola and Samsung see their market share rocket in the US

As the iPhone crumbled, Motorola and Samsung were there to absorb demand in Q1 2022.

Here's every game available on Google Stadia

Google Stadia is a great way to play a lot of games without having to worry about your PC or console. Here are all the games available for it.

Casetify's May the Fourth lineup is here to bring Star Wars to your Android phone

Star Wars' official-unofficial holiday May the 4th has once again arrived — that's no disruption in the Force you're feeling. That means plenty of events for the day itself as well as some brand-new merchandise sneaking its way out of Imperial (corporate) strongholds and being shared among the Rebel Alliance. To that end, Casetify is kicking off May the 4th by opening sales of its Casetify x Star Wars Collection.



The best Verizon deals on phones and plans: May 2022

Whether you're trading in an old device or adding a new line, you can save loads of money with the Verizon phone deals found in this guide.

Tuesday 3 May 2022

Best smart LED light bulbs that work with Google Home 2022

Here's a bright idea — connect these LED smart bulbs to your Google Home and control it all with your voice. Whether you want to outfit your whole home or need a single replacement, here are our top recommendations.

Best Mother's Day sales 2022: last-minute gift ideas and deals on phones, tablets, and more

A ton of companies are offering huge deals on their devices just in time for Mother's Day, and we've got the best last-minute gift ideas collected here.

Twitter circles back on our favorite old Google+ feature

They say history repeats itself, and it seems that's exactly what's happening with Twitter Circles. This new feature brings back one of the best features of Google+, allowing you to tweet to a smaller group of selected users.

Latest Google Maps beta gives you more control over your preferred travel methods

By some indications in recent Google Maps betas, it looks like users are due for a refreshed, airier design. Changes have been percolating for the past several months with a very recent one being where users can find and toggle their preferred modes of travel.



Unsanctioned changes in the iPhone 13's display design forced Apple to halt orders from BOE

Shortages of components or Samsung's patent warnings may have forced BOE to wing its iPhone screen production the wrong way.

These are all the first-party Samsung Galaxy S22 cases & accessories

While there are literal mountains of cases and accessories for the Galaxy S22 series, Samsung makes its own, and this year Samsung's first-party cases are especially interesting given the customization options.

Monday 2 May 2022

Samsung working on new 200MP camera sensor, the ISOCELL HP3

Could it be for the Galaxy S23 Ultra's main camera?

Meta reportedly readying $799+ Quest Pro and three other VR headsets by 2024

Meta plans to flood the market with VR devices. Four headsets, codenamed Cambria, Funston, Stinson, and Cardiff, could all arrive within the next two years. Here's what we know about them.

May the fourth 2022: This Amazon deal could save you 30% on Star Wars-themed accessories

To commemorate Star Wars Day, Amazon is selling these Mandalorian Fire TV remote covers at a significant discount.

Google fires another researcher as it confronts challenges with AI

As development on machine learning reaches a critical stage where decisions made on current research may have vast, unchecked effects for lifetimes, Google finds itself under ethical fire after having dismissed a researcher from its Brain unit who wanted to challenge the findings of a paper that other Googlers authored on the benefits of A.I.-assisted chip design.



Apple may have to raise the iPhone 14 prices outside the US

When expressed in dollar terms, iPhone prices are way higher in most any country that is not the US anyway.

Apple's 2021 iPad mini is on sale at far higher discounts than ever before

Released just last fall, Apple's sixth-gen iPad mini is now discounted by $100 in 64GB versions and a whopping $110 with 256 gigs of storage.

Oppo puts its handsets through extreme testing to make sure they will hold up

Oppo puts its phones under rigorous tests to make sure that they can survive for three years and longer.

Sunday 1 May 2022

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides pick up one of Drive's best security features

Google will now display warning labels when you're about to open malicious files in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides on the web.

Z Flip 4 may finally address the biggest problem with Samsung's flip phones

The Galaxy Z Flip 4 may look the same as the Flip 3 and is expected to have a bigger battery.

Apple and Samsung both working on thermometers for next watches, but one is struggling

Both Apple and Samsung are working on thermometers for their next watches, but only one is expected to introduce the feature in H2.

No, the Google Store did not give you $500 in store credit

If you have any unused credit in the Google Play Store, a bug turns it into $500 of credit at your disposal. However, the credit disappears when you check out.

Telegram Premium appears in beta with exclusive reactions and stickers

For as robust of a messaging app as it is, Telegram does need to make money. The company made moves to monetize its platform last year through ad sales and extra features tailored towards massive group channels. But if the latest beta of its iOS app is indicative of anything, average users may soon be asked to pay to get more out of their experiences, too.



A mother and daughter have a terrifying AirTag experience at Disney World

A mother and daughter were tracked by a stalker's Apple AirTag during their four hour jaunt through the Magic Kingdom.

The Xiaomi 12 Pro holds out against concerted bending in this durability test

Despite some scratches on the back and front, the Xiaomi 12 Pro remained in one piece after JerryRigEverything's durability test.