This is Android’s new ‘advanced flow’ for sideloading apps without verification, includes one-day waiting period [Gallery]
Latest
The US just banned foreign-made Wi-Fi routers, but your Nest Wifi is safe
In an announcement today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned the import of Wi-Fi routers made outside of the United States, but with a pretty big exception.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat’s new in Android’s March 2026 Google System Updates [U]
The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Sideload 027: A Neo kind of PC
Welcome to The Sideload episode 27, a 9to5Google podcast. This week, Will welcomes Rich Woods, content director at XDA Developers, MakeUseOf, and HowToGeek, to discuss the MacBook Neo, Windows 11’s public opinion problems, and whether Google’s upcoming Android-for-desktops OS can actually make a meaningful splash in the market.
Subscribe
Sponsored by NordVPN: Listeners to The Sideload can save up to 77% on a two-year subscription and score a free Amazon gift card by signing up for NordVPN using this link. Thanks to NordVPN for sponsoring this week’s episode.
Expand Expanding CloseThe best deal in Google TV might be getting a price hike
Walmart’s lineup of Onn-branded streaming devices are some of the cheapest options around if you’re looking to add Google TV into your living room, but even the world’s largest brick-and-mortar retailer can’t escape the ongoing crunch facing practically every consumer electronic.
Expand Expanding CloseRoborock takes ‘hands-free’ to another level with the Saros 20 robot vacuum
Robot vacuums can claim a ‘hands-free’ experience and still require human interference when they get stuck, bind with hair, or need deeper cleaning because the water wasn’t hot enough. That isn’t the case for Roborock’s Saros 20.
Expand Expanding Close
Google confirms fix for Fitbit calorie goals, Pixel Watch errors have a workaround
Google has confirmed that a fix is rolling out for an error affecting Fitbit calorie goals, while it also seems that stat-counting errors for step counts and other metrics on Pixel Watch appear to be fixed – but there is a workaround if you’re still having trouble.
Expand Expanding Close
Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Balatro, Warbits+, Slayaway Camp 2, more
Your Monday lineup of the best Android game and app deals is now ready to roll, including titles like Mango’s Fisharium, Endurance: dead space Premium, Slayaway Camp 2: Puzzle Horror, Balatro, Warbits+, RPG Alphadia Genesis 2, Crystal Journey, What Lies Underground, and more. We also have Kindle Colorsoft back to best price ever at $80 off alongside this Pixel Watch 4 in Polished Silver at $134 off the new list, a return Amazon low on Google’s latest 3rd Gen Nest Cam Indoor, and Google’s latest Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) at up to $120 off. All of the apps await below.
Read MoreGoogle Pixel is the exception as Android brands face a rough 2026 with more iPhone switchers
2026 and the ongoing RAM/storage crisis continues to put out a rough outlook for the year ahead, and Android brands are bearing the brunt of that with a new forecast revealing that Android shipments could drop as much as 15% this year to the iPhone’s 2%, but there is a bit of hope for Google Pixel.
Expand Expanding CloseThis is the update you’ll need for AirDrop on Galaxy S26, Samsung says
Samsung announced last night that AirDrop support, via Quick Share, is now rolling out to the Galaxy S26 series, and you’ll apparently need this update to get it.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Messages for web removing QR code pairing
Today, you can use Google Messages for web using QR code pairing or Google Account sign-in. The original login method will soon go away.
Expand Expanding Close
YouTube TV’s new Sports plan is still $120 off alongside several other discounts
YouTube TV is offering a discount on its already-cheaper dedicated Sports plan, with $120 off for the first year in the form of a $10 monthly discount.
Expand Expanding Close
Deals: Pixel Watch 4 $134 off, Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) up to $120 off, Kindle Colorsoft $80 off, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by a chance to land Pixel Watch 4 in Polished Silver at $134 off the new list price and this deep discount on Google’s latest Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) at up to $120 off (Best Buy open-box). We also have Samsung’s latest ultra-affordable Galaxy Tab A11+ back at the $210 Amazon all-time low, the most affordable Kindle Colorsoft at $80 off in the early Big Spring Sale, and this 2025 model Lenovo 14-inch touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus down at $399. Head below for a closer look at everything.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV just lost a big TV brand to web app-based ‘Titan OS’
Philips, a major TV brand in markets such as the UK and Europe, is ditching Google TV for “Titan OS.”
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy Z Fold 8 and ‘Wide’ foldable get much faster 45W charging, leak reveals
After several generations using the same wired charging speeds, it sounds like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will finally usher in quicker speeds via new 45W fast charging.
Expand Expanding CloseOppo teases global Find X9 Ultra launch as new OnePlus shutdown rumors swirl
Oppo is busy teasing its global launch of the Find X9 Ultra but, meanwhile, a new rumor suggests that OnePlus might be shutting down its global operations.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung rolling out AirDrop over Quick Share on Galaxy S26, more devices coming
Samsung has officially confirmed plans to start rolling out AirDrop support over Quick Share starting with the Galaxy S26 series this week.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat new Google Messages features are rolling out [March 2026]
Like other Google apps, Messages for Android A/B tests many features. It can take the RCS/SMS client a rather long time to actually launch new functionality in stable. From various reports, Google announcements, and devices we’ve checked, this is the current state of Messages.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid isn’t killing sideloading, and Google found a near-perfect compromise
Sideloading has been a key part of Android since the beginning, not only delivering a lot of flexibility to Android, but also a sense of openness and freedom. After Google announced it would make major changes to sideloading, the community (somewhat understandably) panicked, but as Google has now shown exactly how its new sideloading flow on Android will work, I’m not only happy to see that sideloading isn’t going away at all, but that Google’s compromise is as close to perfect as I think we can reasonably get.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Search test replaces headlines and website titles with AI
Google Search has started testing the use of AI to replace headlines and website titles, a change that seems both unnecessary and a slippery slope.
Expand Expanding ClosePayable is the best way to accept PayPal, Stripe, and Square payments in Google Forms – here’s how
Google Forms is one of the easiest ways to collect data from customers and users, but it goes so far beyond that. Did you know Payable’s Google Forms extension adds secure payment options to your forms? It’s a complete game-changer.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel Watch is miscounting steps and other Fitbit stats for some [U]
The latest Pixel Watch update is causing some hiccups, as users now report that their smartphone is seeing some weird behavior in Fitbit step counts and other stats.
Expand Expanding Close
Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Dune Imperium, Forager, Bloons TD 6, more
Friday’s lineup of the best Android game and app deals awaits below, including titles like Bloons TD 6, Unreal Life, Candleman, Wings of Glory, Raiders of the North Sea, Doom & Destiny Worlds, The Isle of Cats, Dune: Imperium Digital, Forager, and more. We also still have Pixel Watch 4 deal at a giant $162 off and a host of giant Google Pixel 10 Pro/XL open-box deals at up $380 off today. Hit the jump for the rest of today’s deals.
Read MoreGoogle Messages launches group RCS Mentions and Trash folder
After beta testing for the past several weeks and months, Google Messages today officially announced Mentions and the Trash folder.
Expand Expanding CloseI want Lenovo’s awesome arcade dock with joystick for my Legion Tab [Gallery]
Lenovo’s latest Legion Tab generation just launched in China this week and, alongside it, an awesome little arcade dock that I would absolutely buy if given the chance.
Expand Expanding Close