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
Pixel users can hide apps and data inside a new Private Space made available through Android 15. The section keeps apps, files, and photos secure in a virtually separate space on your phone, away from prying eyes. Here’s how to enable and set it up.
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Normally only available when you purchase a new phone, Samsung Care+ covers theft, loss, and damage to your device. Now, Samsung is opening up the Care+ program for users with used devices at a 20% discount.
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Microsoft plans to open up streaming ability to any game you own through Xbox. This is separate from the limited number of games available through Xbox Game Pass.
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A new feature in Google Search seems to be in testing. Some are seeing a new “Quick View” button in Google Search that will instantly display recipe ingredients without opening the website.
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Huawei is in the middle of ditching support for Android in favor of its own operating system. The new Huawei OS – HarmonyOS NEXT – is set to debut next week.
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Apple TV+ does not have a functioning Android app, even though its library is growing and spans multiple other platforms. That could change, as Prime Video may start offering Apple TV+ as an add-on to its currently available Android app.
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Circle to Search has started rolling out to more devices, bringing a new way to run what’s on your screen through a Google Search. Here are the devices that can currently run Circle to Search.
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Whoop has been regarded as one of the most advanced health-tracking bands you can wear that isn’t a smart watch or ecosystem-dependent. Even still, step counting has not been a feature – until today.
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Following the release of the Google TV Streamer, Google TV has promised some major updates, including a new AI screensaver generator. That AI wallpaper feature is now rolling out widely to TVs and devices running Google TV.
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MediaTek promises big improvements with the new Dimensity 9400 chipset built on TSMC’s 3nm process, offering more efficiency and power with an upgraded focus on generative AI.
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Hurricane Milton is making headlines as one of the most powerful hurricanes at sea before it hits land. If you own a Pixel 9, you’ll want to make sure you know how to use Pixel Satellite SOS, just in case it becomes a necessity.
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The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is notoriously expensive. At $1,900 it’s recommended to find a good deal, even though it’s a great phone. Right now, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is on sale from Samsung at only $1,149 – cheaper than Amazon during Prime Day – but there is a catch.
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The Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Galaxy Tab A7 are no longer supported and will receive no further security updates or major Android upgrades.
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MediaTek is bringing Gemini Nano support to its processors, starting with the upcoming Dimensity 9400, which is set to launch soon.
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It is now possible to obtain a Samsung Galaxy Ring with reimbursement if you have an eligible FSA or HSA account. This includes access to Samsung’s health suite, as there is no subscription cost.
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For a while, Samsung has offered Galaxy phones in online exclusive colors, and they’ve often looked pretty great. Currently, Samsung is taking $300 off of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in both online exclusive colors – Crafted Black and White.
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Oura has officially announced Oura Ring 4 in a market that has become slightly more saturated than when the Gen 3 was released. Oura Ring Gen 4 improves accuracy with Smart Sensing, adapting to the users’ fingers to find the best and most reliable signal for more tracking accuracy.
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Samsung’s Wear OS 5 update has yet to come to any Galaxy Watch beyond the Watch 7. Instead, Watch models 4 through 6 are getting a tiny sliver of that update in the form of the new watch faces debuted on the newest Galaxy Watch.
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The LinkBuds weren’t exactly run-of-the-mill earbuds when they were announced in 2022. The earbuds with a ring-shaped driver are truly hear-through, though they came with some fallbacks. Sony has redesigned the LinkBuds Open to bring better design, improved sound, and a longer battery life.
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YouTube TV is finally rolling out a feature that has been available in YouTube as a Premium-only feature – background play. It seems that the ability to listen in the background is being added to both Android and iOS YouTube TV apps.
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Google Photos will always try to bring old photos up to the surface in the form of “Memories,” but sometimes, certain faces will creep up that you’d rather not see. Google Photos allows you to block recognized faces from the Memories feature; here’s how.
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Google recognizes, as much as anyone, that remotes go missing all the time. In the Google Home app, you can ping your Google TV remote to make a sound so you can find it when you look under all the wrong couch cushions; here’s how.
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The Pixel Buds Pro lineup first got access to EQ settings months after the first model was released. Since then, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have come out, and they bring the same life-saving equalizer feature. Here’s how to use it.
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After announcing that the Galaxy Watch FE would be getting an LTE model back in June, the company is finally ready to release it. The new Galaxy Watch FE LTE will start at $249 and is available for pre-order.
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