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
Minimal has set out to fix a problem. Social media fatigue, doom-scrolling, and endless screen time are side effects of efficient phones, and the Minimal Phone’s entire purpose is to slow you down. It does that, but it also makes you actively hate using your phone.
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The cell network that offers all of the coverage without the extra cost of mainstream cellular services is now making itself a little more enticing. Visible’s best plan now includes network coverage for Android smartwatches, like the Pixel Watch series.
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The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are set to debut soon, and reports indicate that Samsung will launch them at the same price point as the previous generation.
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Samsung says it will start deleting inactive accounts in July if they haven’t been signed into for two years. Once an account is deleted, it’s gone.
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Google Chrome is rolling out a feature that allows users to copy text from scanned PDFs. This has been a long time coming.
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Google is looking into a new bug in the YouTube app that hides a critical element of the app’s UI. The bug hides YouTube’s navigation bar, leaving users with no way to access certain pages.
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Adobe has officially released the new Photoshop mobile app for Android users after promising it in February. The mobile version of Photoshop offers many features that were free during the initial beta period.
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The fitness wearable for dogs is getting an upgrade with AI behavior detection. The Fi Series 3+ cmart collar will give pet owners better insight into what their dog has been doing while providing stronger and faster GPS tracking.
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Samsung is seemingly struggling to find chip buyers for 3nm chipsets due to low yields, as the company enters its third year in production. This comes as Google has shifted to purchasing its upcoming Tensor G5 SoCs from TSMC instead.
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With One UI 8 finally available in its earliest form, Samsung’s foundation has been laid for the next few updates until the final release. This update comes as Android 16 QPR1 launched a week prior, showcasing some of Google’s highly anticipated design changes. So, how do they compare? Let’s dig a little deeper.
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The One UI 8 beta program has officially been announced, giving users a first look at what Samsung plans to bring to devices this year and next. So far, the list of eligible devices is slim, but it’s likely to grow fast.
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One UI 8, based on Android 16, has been officially outlined by Samsung and made available for the Galaxy S25 during the first beta phase. One major update takes aim at Quick Share, which now offers a more enhanced experience.
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Samsung’s One UI 8 update based on Android 16 is now available to download, and there’s a whole new process for entering the beta program. Here’s how to install One UI 8 on your Galaxy S25.
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Most Android device manufacturers have adopted Google Gemini and some of its integration, and OnePlus seems to be the next on the list due for a big upgrade. OnePlus’ OxygenOS will soon get more integration between Gemini and proprietary apps as part of a bigger AI push.
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Xiaomi just announced its first homemade chip. The new Xiaomi XRING O1 SoC is going to power the brand-new Xiaomi 15S Pro Android phone and Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra.
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Android 16 QPR1 has just been released, and for all of the welcome design language changes and UI adjustments, there’s one small bug. The bug causes new apps not to be added to the home screen, even if the settings say otherwise.
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If the internet wasn’t already full of misinformation and general filler content, Veo 3 is going to take it to an entirely new level. Google’s newly announced Veo 3 video and audio generation engine is already being used to create terrifyingly realistic videos that would fool just about anyone.
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Honor is gearing up to announce the Honor 400 lineup and has noted that the series will get a full 6 years of Android updates, including Google’s upcoming Android 16.
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Google I/O meant a lot of changes for the Google Play Store and developers, though two small changes will mean users see more relevant information in apps and media with “Topics” and a Collections expansion.
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At the basis of all Android 16 QPR1 design shifts, the Settings app carries the most colorful change. The new app gets new icon colors throughout, adding a little bit of life to the options haven.
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Android 16 QPR1 has launched, and the new redesign changes what the Recents menu looks like on all devices, with a new layout for larger displays and drop-down options.
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Google just announced a new AI mode for shopping with two big new features. The AI Mode will give users the option to try clothes on virtually, and if it’s a fit, the AI model will buy them for you.
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Android 16 QPR1 launched during Google I/O 2025, and it brings some massive changes with Material 3 Expressive. The new design language completely redesigns Android 16’s lock screen customization options.
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Google’s barrier-breaking Project Starline is stepping aside to make way for Google’s next phase – Google Beam. The new 3D communication platform is one step closer to becoming a real product, and will incorporate all of the tech Starline offered in addition to real-time translations using natural AI-generated language.
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