Rolling out now, Meta’s Twitter competitor, Threads, is adding support for “Tags,” a simplified version of hashtags. Here’s what you should know.
Expand Expanding CloseThreads adds ‘Tags,’ a simplified version of hashtags
Author
Ben Schoon is a Senior Editor at 9to5Google, working for the publication as one of its primary news writers since 2016.
In 2013, Ben helped start an independent tech publication where he learned the skills used at 9to5Google including writing, product photography, and videography. He is located in the city of Winston-Salem in North Carolina where he lives with his wife Melissa. Ben is an avid disc golf player.
He primarily covers Android products, including Google Pixel devices, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, as well as devices from OnePlus, Oppo, Motorola, and more. Beyond just covering news about these products, Ben also spends time using these products himself, speaking from experience with the articles he writes. Some of Ben’s most recent hands-on reviews include; Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel Watch 2, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Motorola Razr+, HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, and more.
Ben is also a leading source for information about Google’s Android TV, diving deeply into important parts of the platform including its powerful Operator Tier, explaining future changes to the platform, and reviewing its products such as Chromecast with Google TV, Nvidia Shield TV, and more.
In 2019, Ben leaked one of the first in-person photos of the Pixel 4 before later revealing the Recorder and Pixel Themes apps months ahead of launch. In 2020, Ben also reported on multiple upcoming Pixel devices including Pixel 5a and the first report of Google working on a foldable Pixel smartphone. That same month, he was also the first to correctly report the $49 price point of what became the Chromecast with Google TV.
Ben Schoon is active on Twitter, @nexusben, but can also be found on Instagram and LinkedIn. For questions or tips, you can email him directly, and his portfolio is also available online.
Email: schoon@9to5mac.com | Encrypted Email: benschoon@protonmail.com
Twitter (X) gets the bare minimum of tablet optimization on Pixel Tablet & Fold
Google’s Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold are the first big-screen devices in the company’s lineup and, as such, the first that had to deal with Android apps that aren’t optimized for big screens. The solution? Black boxes along the sides. However, the Twitter/X app has now added the bare minimum of tablet optimization for Google Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold.
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola Razr+ gets new special edition ‘Peach Fuzz’ color, and it’s still $699
The Motorola Razr+ was one of the best foldables of 2023, and now it’s getting a new color option. Available now, the Motorola Razr+ is launching in Pantone’s 2024 Color of the Year, “Peach Fuzz.”
Expand Expanding CloseFacebook Messenger now defaults to end-to-end encryption and lets you edit messages
Meta is now rolling out support for end-to-end encryption in Facebook Messenger, which is enabled by default, as well as new features such as message editing.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube TV now lets you reduce broadcast delay, perfect for live sports [Gallery]
Broadcast delay is an inherent part of any “traditional” TV service, but YouTube TV is now adding a way to lessen that latency on demand.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto can now save your parking location in Google Maps on arrival
Google Maps for Android Auto is picking up a useful new trick with the ability to save your parking location when you arrive at your destination.
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Here’s how to recover missing Google Drive files following desktop app bug
In November, a bug with Google Drive’s desktop app left many users with missing files, and Google is now detailing how to recover those files now that the issue has been fixed.
Expand Expanding CloseBeeper Mini will add SMS & RCS, other services, and FaceTime in ‘near future’
The new Beeper Mini app brings native iMessage support to Android devices but without any support for SMS, RCS, WhatsApp, and the many other chat apps supported by the original Beeper app. Here’s the plan going forward.
Expand Expanding CloseRepair Mode is now available on these Google Pixel devices
Google is rolling out support for “Repair Mode” on select Pixel devices, which safely stores away your data when you go in for a screen fix or similar repairs.
Expand Expanding CloseHulu is now live in the Disney+ app across Android, Google TV, more [Gallery]
Rolling out right now, the Disney+ app is adding support for all of Hulu’s content for subscribers in the US. Here’s how it works and what that looks like.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s latest Pixel update may bring better gaming performance with GPU upgrade
Google’s Pixel phones, especially those powered by Tensor chips, aren’t known for their gaming performance, but there seems to be a considerable upgrade coming with the December 2023 update as a GPU upgrade behind the scenes should lead to better performance.
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Report: EU may not force Apple to make iMessage interoperable with other services
Over the past few months, the EU has been going after “gatekeepers,” with one goal being to make messaging services interoperable. Google has been one voice pushing for Apple’s iMessage to fall under that regulation, but according to a new report, the EU may not take things that far.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid TV adding ‘Free TV Channels’ app that shows up on your homescreen
In a new update, Android TV is putting free channels from Google TV front and center, with the channels now appearing on the homescreen right along with your favorite apps.
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Twitter (X) is investigating performance issues on Google Pixel phones
Twitter/X is looking into potential issues with its Android app on Google Pixel phones where, apparently, the app runs slow for some.
Expand Expanding CloseInstagram bug loses the audio from old videos, but a fix is coming
Instagram has run into a bizarre issue where audio from videos on the platform from several years ago have randomly disappeared, but Meta has confirmed a fix is coming.
Expand Expanding CloseDiscord launches redesigned app on Android and iOS
Discord is a super popular messaging app, thanks to its bevy of features, but those same features have also made the mobile app feel very cluttered. Starting today, though, Discord is rolling out a redesigned mobile app to all users on Android and iOS.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Calendar will make it a lot easier to create a task instead of an event
For many, Google Calendar is an essential app for keeping track of events and ongoing tasks, but the app currently makes it a little more complicated than it needs to be to create a task. Soon, though, that’s set to change in the Android app.
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Google offers iPhone XR users $275 to switch to Pixel 8, alongside big discounts
As the holidays quickly approach, Google is offering some decent trade-in values toward the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro when you hand in an iPhone.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung’s Android 14 update hits Galaxy Tab S9 FE, S21 FE, and more Galaxy A phones
After a week off, Samsung is expanding its Android 14 update yet again, with OTAs hitting several Galaxy A devices as well as the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Galaxy S21 FE.
Expand Expanding CloseHands-on: Beeper Mini might be even better than an actual iMessage app for Android
The idea of an iMessage app for Android has been a dream for years, but with Apple now adopting RCS, it also feels like something we’ll never see happen. But the folks over at Beeper have been working on a wild new app that brings iMessage to Android and, after trying it out, this feels like what we’ve all been waiting for.
Expand Expanding Close‘Beeper Mini’ brings native iMessage support to Android, no Apple sign-in required
iMessage for Android. Even in this new reality where Apple intends to adopt RCS, it’s still something that people want because, after all, iMessage is very popular. And while Apple will probably never do it, the folks at Beeper are launching a new app, “Beeper Mini,” which brings iMessage support to Android that closely mimics the experience on iPhone, and does so in a way that’s “native.”
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus 12 goes official with 24GB RAM, 4,500 nit display, higher price
The OnePlus 12 has been officially announced, at least over in China. Here’s the full specs of the brand’s 2024 flagship ahead of the global debut.
Expand Expanding CloseChromecast with Google TV (4K) update rolling out with October 2023 security patch
A new update is rolling out to the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) which brings an updated security patch from October 2023.
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Nothing had another worrying security problem in its CMF Watch app; now there’s a way to report it
The Nothing Phone (2) has stellar software in terms of the user experience, but the company is starting to develop a bit of a track record around worrying security problems, with the latest example coming from the company’s CMF sub-brand.
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