Waze for Android gets themed icon in new update
Google is still making efforts to update and cosmetically change Waze for users, and the newest update on Android adds a themed icon.
Expand Expanding CloseAndrew 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
Google is still making efforts to update and cosmetically change Waze for users, and the newest update on Android adds a themed icon.
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Samsung is branding a new series of AI features as “Awesome Intelligence,” and the Galaxy A series is the first series of phones to get it. The new arsenal of features closely emulates Samsung’s more powerful Galaxy AI suite, giving the new A series models a new edge.
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The Galaxy Watch 8 is supposed to be Samsung’s next entry in the wearable space. With the past few series carrying a high battery capacity, a newly uncovered certification for the Galaxy Watch 8 series tells a different story, though it isn’t all that unexpected.
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Even though Chromebooks run on little power compared to some high-end laptops on the market, MediaTek is planning on giving the genre a big AI-centric boost with a new MediaTek Kompanio Ultra SoC. The new chip is built on a 3nm process and offers some serious power for upcoming Chromebooks.
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The Galaxy S25 Edge does not come as a fourth wheel in the main S25 lineup. Like the FE model, it’s entirely its own phone, and new leaks note that we should see the Galaxy S25 Edge launch in late April.
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This time of year means there are always a few launches that end up being all jokes and no end product. Dbrand, however, is continuing the tradition of launching an April Fools-themed prodocut, though the company fully intends on shipping it out as a reality. Touch Grass is a new skin from Dbrand, and it’s glorious.
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Oppo’s Find N5 is the world’s thinnest foldable as it stands right now, and that comes with a phenomenal pocketability score. As far as durability goes, things are a little less exciting with serious issues if things get too bendy.
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Initially available to a small set of users through Oura Labs, Oura Advisor is now available as a full feature in the app. The AI Advisor takes a couple of forms throughout Oura’s health suite, but the main functionality comes from a conversational feature where users can get help understanding their health trends.
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Android Auto has begun adding games that users can play while the car is parked, and they don’t even need to be installed on anything more than your phone. Here’s a list of every game available on Android Auto, and a little about how it works.
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ChatGPT launched GPT 4o some days ago, and it has been met with a barrage of users trying out the AI model’s new image generation features. The company announced that the new surge of users is “melting” GPUs, and free-tier ChatGPT users will soon get limited image generation access.
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Built on more advanced insights into what the user’s health data actually means, Garmin’s new Garmin Connect+ plan will use AI to develop personal insights and training guidance.
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Samsung is nearing the launch of the Galaxy Tab S10 FE series sometime soon, and one indication is the arrival of several new informative leaks about the tablets. According to a new leak, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and FE+ bring an Exynos 1580 SoC and some other exciting internal specs.
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The Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A26 just launched and have been listed on the company’s website at some really good prices. The two phones come in as ultra-affordable options while offering some reliable specs for everyday. The company is also offering trade-in deals for the Galaxy A36 and A26, which bring the phone down in price even further.
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YouTube metrics are vital for creators, and Shorts have historically been a shrouded part of YouTube analytics. Today, YouTube announced that it would be adjusting how YouTube Shorts are counted, switching from a timed approach to a more finite metric.
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Nothing is, once again, turning over the design work to the community for its Phone (3a). This is the second annual “Community Edition” design contest, in which the winner’s design will be used on the next limited edition of the Nothing Phone (3a).
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The Galaxy Tab S10 FE and FE+ are expected to be released by Samsung soon, and leaked marketing images cement that idea further. They also showcase the two expected sizes that the Galaxy Tab S10 FE models will come in.
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Find My Device’s offline tracking only works when a lot of people have the right settings, but Google initially rolled the feature out with the worst settings possible, essentially making the network worthless. On a personal and privacy level, do you actually care whether or not your device is used to locate other offline devices with Find My Device, and what setting do you use?
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Even as Samsung is working to release One UI 7, Galaxy devices running the previous version are receiving continued security updates. This is a constantly updated list of Galaxy devices getting Samsung’s March 2025 security update.
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It isn’t realistic to suggest that the 3.5mm audio jack is dead, and there are scenarios where that’s the only option for audio. With a transmitter like Twelve South offers, users can turn 3.5mm audio jacks into Bluetooth transmitters, bridging that gap between wireless and wired. The company just announced the AirFly Pro 2 model, bringing some small changes to what’s offered.
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Within Samsung’s Good Lock modules, LockStar is a popular addition to Galaxy devices. While the app has historically allowed users to change how notifications appear on the lock screen, LockStar loses that ability in One UI 7. This isn’t a matter of broken functionality; Samsung apparently just doesn’t want to support it.
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The Epic Games Store on Android initially launched with over 30 games and a monthly selection of free offerings, though the storefront offers a weekly title on PC. The company announced that it would be switching over to weekly free offers, starting off with two new titles.
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The Motorola Razr series is getting a new lineup of foldables after the success of the Razr 50 series. The new Razr 60 lineup will include a version with wood backing, something not so foreign to Motorola.
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Initially, it was expected that Samsung would start rolling out One UI 7 on April 10, as the company had announced. However, it appears that the information pages for the US One UI 7 rollout are no longer available, and there is currently no confirmed date for the rollout of this update in the United States.
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Android announced a new set of cross-device services last year, and both have been made available for the company’s Pixel lineup. Nearly a year later, Google has updated support for cross-device services like instant hotspot to include the Galaxy S25, and maybe more of Samsung’s devices.
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