Here’s everything new in Android 17 Beta 4 [Gallery]
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Yes, ‘Qi2’ requires magnets, as it always has
The Qi2 standard is slowly coming, and the big appeal has always been that is brings magnets that work the same as Apple’s MagSafe to other products, including Android phones. And yes, magnets are indeed required to have something say that is has “Qi2.”
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Google Photos now shows what Albums images & videos are in
A nice quality-of-life improvement to Google Photos for Android (and the web) shows “Albums” status in the Info panel.
Expand Expanding CloseThe EU wants Apple to open AirDrop and AirPlay to Android and other platforms
EU regulation has led to Apple being forced to open up iOS in ways that many never expected, but it’s not done just yet. In an effort to ensure “effective interoperability” with other platforms, the EU wants Apple to make native features of iOS being compatible with Android, including the likes of AirDrop and more.
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Deals: Vivobook S 15 OLED Snapdragon X Elite PC $400 off, LG C3 OLED TV $800 off, Action 2/5 cams, and more
Joining the early bird promotion on the new OnePlus 13 with $50 in savings and a FREE $300 OnePlus Watch 2, we have a new batch of deals to close out the work week today. Firstly we have the first price drop on Insta360’s brand-new Link 2 4K Webcam alongside the regularly $299 DJI Action 2 Dual-Screen Combo at the $159 all-time low. These offers join up to $400 in savings off the sticker price on ASUS’ Vivobook S 15 OLED Snapdragon X Elite laptop and up to $800 off LG’s wonderful 77-inch C3 OLED smart TV as part of Best Buy’s Doorbusters. Everything else awaits down below in Friday’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break.
Expand Expanding CloseFiles by Google will support Gemini’s ‘Ask about this PDF’
After rolling out a new PDF viewer, Files by Google has detailed a trio of new features, including integration with Gemini’s upcoming “Ask about this PDF” functionality.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus 13R with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 confirmed in Amazon listing
OnePlus is expected to launch the OnePlus 13 and 13R on January 7. While the details on the OnePlus 13 are all but confirmed, the 13R still hides in the shadows. A new Amazon listing has confirmed which Snapdragon 8 chip the OnePlus 13R will use, along with some other clues.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Fiber has new Core 1 Gig, Home 3 Gig, and Edge 8 Gig plans/branding
Over the past few weeks, Google Fiber — or “GFiber” — introduced new plans (Core 1 Gig, Home 3 Gig, and Edge 8 Gig) with updated branding and features in two cities.
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Ford warns that ‘Phone as a Key’ may not be working on some Android phones
As some users have been running into issues, Ford is saying that its “Phone as a Key” feature is running into some compatibility issues on Android devices.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Keep making users ‘reload’ notes, rounds corners on Android
Google Keep users this week are being prompted to “reload” their notes, while there’s also a small design tweak on Android that curves corners.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid Auto 13.4 update rolling out, adds colorful flare with Material You accents [Gallery]
Google appears to be adding Material You accent colors to Android Auto, with some colorful accents showing up in the latest updates.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini app widely rolling out 2.0 Flash model switcher on Android
After hitting the Google app beta channel on Monday, access to 2.0 Flash Experimental in the Gemini app on Android is now rolling out to stable users.
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Giant collection of top-tier Android games now on sale for the holidays: Goat Sim 3, Dune, Exploding Kittens 2, more
Much like we saw on the iOS side of things, there are now a massive selection of top-notch Android games on sale courtesy of Google Play. All of the app deals are now sitting alongside a series of Amazon tech deals still shipping for the holidays, this offer on DJI’s Osmo Action 5 Pro cam, and this promotion on the OnePlus 13 with a FREE $300 OnePlus Watch 2, alongside a host of big-time deals on Snapdragon PCs at up to $300 off. As for the apps, highlights include titles Goat Simulator 3, Exploding Kittens 2, Crying Suns, CHRONO TRIGGER, loads of DRAGON QUEST games, Final DFAntsty titles, and much more. Head below for a closer look.
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Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3.1 to stable update now available for Pixel
Google today is rolling out the OTA update that takes Pixel devices on Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3.1 to the stable release.
Expand Expanding Close‘Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking’ is Google’s first reasoning model
Google today released an experimental “Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking” model that “explicitly shows its thoughts” to solve complex problems.
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Deals: Microsoft Surface Snapdragon PCs up to $300 off, OnePlus 13 + FREE $300 watch, DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, more
Alongside a host of ongoing deals on Anker’s popular 2024 slate of Prime charging gear, today’s deals are headlined by a fresh batch of daily offers at Best Buy focused on a host of Snapdragon PCs and tablet combos. One highlight, among the many, is Microsoft’s Surface Pro Copilot+ PC with a Surface keyboard in black down to $899.99 shipped alongside a series of other options at up to $670 off. We are are also featuring a notable early bird promotion on the new OnePlus 13 – you can drop $50 down now to secure a $50 price drop and a FREE $300 OnePlus Watch 2 with your purchase. The rest of today’s deals are headlined by smart speakers and a sweet offer on the new DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro cam with two FREE batteries and $15 Amazon Gift Card. Everything else awaits below.
Expand Expanding CloseThis is the best Pixel 9 Pro Fold case with magnets – and it’s currently on sale
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is both a blessing and a curse. It folds in half, which is great, but finding a good case for a phone that folds in half can be tough. That’s where we’ve settled on Thinborne’s minimal aramid fiber case for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, as it brings the best light protection with none of the issues that come with foldable cases.
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You can now talk to ‘1-800-ChatGPT’ on WhatsApp
A new means of using ChatGPT has just opened up, with the ability to talk to the AI chatbot via WhatsApp using “1-800-ChatGPT.”
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 will let you use the Pixel 9’s fingerprint sensor while the screen is off
A new option coming to Pixel phones in Android 16 is the ability to use the fingerprint sensor when the screen is turned off.
Expand Expanding ClosePreserve battery health by setting your Pixel to stop charging at 80%; here’s how
In an update to Android 15, Google’s Pixel phones can now set charging limits to prevent the phone from charging past 80%. This setting has a completely valid reason for existing, and some users might want to turn it on to save their Pixel’s battery in the long-term.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything new in Android 16 Developer Preview 2 [Gallery]
The second developer preview of Android 16 is available today, and we are looking at DP2 to find what new features have been introduced. So far, this isn’t a big release.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s everything new in Samsung’s Android 15 update, One UI 7, and the full changelog [Gallery]
Months later than expected, Samsung has officially unveiled its Android 15 update, One UI 7, and the company has pinpointed everything that’s new in a meticulously detailed changelog.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Cast and YouTube app rolling out to Rivian EVs with latest update
A new software update is now rolling out to Rivian electric vehicles with support for Google Cast and a new YouTube app.
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How to install the Android 16 Developer Preview on Google Pixel
Well ahead of its usual schedule, Google has just released the first preview of Android 16. This initial developer preview isn’t meant for the general user, but it’s freely available to anyone who wishes to try it. Here’s what Google Pixel devices can install the Android 16 Developer Preview and how to install it.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 16 Developer Preview 2 rolling out for Pixel
Ahead of the Q2 2025 launch, Google is rolling out Developer Preview 2 of Android 16 to Pixel devices. This should be the last Android update of the year, with 15 QPR2 Beta 2 arriving earlier this week.
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