Andrew Romero is a North Carolina-based journalist specializing in Android and Google news, reviews, and in-depth analysis. With a keen eye for detail honed from his previous career as a CNC machinist, Andrew possesses a unique appreciation for hardware and the intricate engineering behind the technology we use daily.
He brings this passion to his coverage, offering insightful perspectives on the latest devices, software updates, and the evolving Google ecosystem. When he’s not diving into the world of tech, Andrew can be found tackling the trails on his mountain bike, enjoying the natural beauty of his home state of North Carolina alongside his wife.
Andrew is active on Twitter – @chaosromero – but can also be found on Threads – @organizedchaos50.
Emails are open at andrew@9to5mac.com
Uncovered LED strips have become a thing of the past as more natural and vibrant lighting options come out, like Govee’s Floor Lamp 3 and ceiling lights that mimic sunlight and provide a canvas for art.
Expand Expanding Close
You can play Flappy Bird and speedrun wearing out your foldable phone’s hinge at the same time.
Expand Expanding Close
Motorola doesn’t appear to be on track to release any new flagship foldable phones just yet, which makes the most recent World Cup-themed Razr teaser all the more cryptic.
Expand Expanding Close
Unlike its less impressive successor, the Galaxy Z TriFold just can’t stand up to the same sort of bend abuse the Galaxy Z Fold 7 can. In a heartbreaking but familiar durability test to push the phone to its limits, the Galaxy Z TriFold simply gives up.
Expand Expanding Close
The Pixel series is one of the best Android devices available. Even though Android’s guided setup process does a fine job, there are a few settings we suggest you change before using your new Google Pixel.
Expand Expanding Close
Smart TVs aren’t just for streaming movies anymore. Joining a list that includes Samsung Smart TVs and LG options, Xbox Cloud Gaming will now be available on Amazon’s Fire TV lineup.
Expand Expanding Close
Instead of relying on algorithms to recommend news stories, Google Search lets you set “preferred sources” so the stories you see come from the news outlets you actually like.
Expand Expanding Close
A new promo email has begun appearing in YouTube Premium subscribers’ inboxes, and it includes a discount code for 40% off the Pixel 10.
Expand Expanding Close
Android 16 QPR3 launched today for Google Pixel devices, bringing some interesting tweaks to round out the later stages of this software build. The newest update brings a smooth new folder animation to the forefront, along with a couple of customization changes for the home screen.
Expand Expanding Close
Over the last few weeks of staggered rollouts, some users have gained access to Gemini for Home, which adds Google’s AI assistant to existing Nest devices. The upgrade seems to be breaking some automations, though.
Expand Expanding Close
If you stuff a bigger battery and faster display into a device that copies its more expensive counterpart, does that make it a better phone? Hard to tell, but the OnePlus 15R falls into that category, and it’s a weird one.
Expand Expanding Close
After launching the “Remix” tool in August in a server-side update, Google Photos is bringing the image-to-cartoon feature to more users in a much wider rollout.
Expand Expanding Close
Moving into 2025, it was rumored that Samsung was on track to release the Galaxy Ring 2 alongside the Galaxy S25 series in February. That window has come and gone, and new reports indicate the company doesn’t plan on releasing the sequel anytime soon.
Expand Expanding Close
Adobe’s new Premiere app for mobile is introducing an editor specifically designed for YouTube Shorts, but it is currently only available on iOS.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung’s adorable and round home assistant robot, Ballie, was not released as promised in mid-2025, and the company now notes that the little Gemini-powered bot simply isn’t ready with yet another delay.
Expand Expanding Close
Just over a month after launching an early access program, Gemini for Google Home is coming to a new wave of users in the latest rollout.
Expand Expanding Close
For whatever reason, the Galaxy Watch 6 One UI 8 update has felt slower than previous rollouts. Users in the US are starting to see Samsung’s latest upgrade to Wear OS 6 on the Galaxy Watch 6.
Expand Expanding Close
YouTube is trying its own version of Spotify “Wrapped,” but with all of the videos you binged over the last year. It’s rolling out for more users – here’s how to find and watch your YouTube Recap.
Expand Expanding Close
Circle to Search is getting a new trick that detects suspicious messages or web content, letting users know why it could be part of a scam.
Expand Expanding Close
The beauty of Google Home is that it mixes together a lot of great smart home tech into one app, but there’s always been a clear disconnect in cameras. If you have a Nest camera and another brand, for instance, the Nest camera is always going to work better. That’s why the reveal of Google’s partnership with Walmart for affordable smart home hardware was pretty exciting, and why the discounts have been irresistible.
Expand Expanding Close
Samsung is offering Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for a little while longer, and the brand-new Galaxy Watch 8 at just $229 is one of the best ones the company is offering.
Expand Expanding Close
A new codename has recently appeared in the GSMA database, indicating that Samsung may be working on a second Galaxy Z Fold 8 device, in addition to the traditional model we’re all familiar with.
Expand Expanding Close
High-quality wallpapers sourced from MKBHD were, for a time, available through a proprietary app called “Panels.” The Panels app is now being removed from the Google Play Store and App Store, as Marques Brownlee cites sustainability issues.
Expand Expanding Close
The war between TV display types has only made things more complicated and more confusing. The Hisense U7 stands out, offering a solid mini-LED experience at a price that sits right in the middle of the pack, where it should be.
Expand Expanding Close