Amazon now has an even larger smart display for your kitchen

Credit: Amazon

• Amazon has launched a bigger Echo Show smart display with a 21-inch screen and refreshed the original Show 15.
• The new models come with improved audio quality and a better camera.
• You can buy the Echo Show 21 for $399.99, while the Show 15 is available for $299.99.

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Amazon’s wall-mounted smart display, the Echo Show 15, just got a massive upgrade. Amazon has unveiled a new 21-inch model, aptly named the Echo Show 21, promising enhanced audio output, a new camera, and better connectivity. The original model has also received a refresh with the same audio, camera, and connectivity improvements.

The new Echo Show 21 features a 21-inch 1080p display and offers better audio quality than the original model. Amazon claims it delivers “immersive sound, double the bass, and room adaption technology.” The new model is also equipped with an upgraded camera with double the field of view and 65% more zoom than the first-gen Echo Show 15.

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Credit: Amazon

• Amazon has launched a bigger Echo Show smart display with a 21-inch screen and refreshed the original Show 15.
• The new models come with improved audio quality and a better camera.
• You can buy the Echo Show 21 for $399.99, while the Show 15 is available for $299.99.

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Amazon’s wall-mounted smart display, the Echo Show 15, just got a massive upgrade. Amazon has unveiled a new 21-inch model, aptly named the Echo Show 21, promising enhanced audio output, a new camera, and better connectivity. The original model has also received a refresh with the same audio, camera, and connectivity improvements.

The new Echo Show 21 features a 21-inch 1080p display and offers better audio quality than the original model. Amazon claims it delivers “immersive sound, double the bass, and room adaption technology.” The new model is also equipped with an upgraded camera with double the field of view and 65% more zoom than the first-gen Echo Show 15.

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Pokémon Go trainers have actually been helping train AI, too

Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority

• Niantic is building a new type of AI model that can understand and navigate the physical world.
• The company is training its AI on data gathered from its mobile apps, like Pokemon Go and Scaniverse.
• It’s suggested this AI could be used for supporting AR, robotics, content creation, and more.

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AR mobile game maker Niantic is currently working on a new type of AI model meant to help computers better understand and navigate physical spaces. As with any AI, this model requires data to train itself on. It appears the company is leaning on the copious amounts of data its players provide for this task.

If you have even a passing interest in Pokemon, you might recognize Niantic as the company behind the popular AR game Pokemon Go. It has also created a number of other AR games and apps, such as its 3D scanning app Scaniverse. These games and apps take scans of the surrounding environment for their AR features to work.

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Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority

• Niantic is building a new type of AI model that can understand and navigate the physical world.
• The company is training its AI on data gathered from its mobile apps, like Pokemon Go and Scaniverse.
• It’s suggested this AI could be used for supporting AR, robotics, content creation, and more.

---

AR mobile game maker Niantic is currently working on a new type of AI model meant to help computers better understand and navigate physical spaces. As with any AI, this model requires data to train itself on. It appears the company is leaning on the copious amounts of data its players provide for this task.

If you have even a passing interest in Pokemon, you might recognize Niantic as the company behind the popular AR game Pokemon Go. It has also created a number of other AR games and apps, such as its 3D scanning app Scaniverse. These games and apps take scans of the surrounding environment for their AR features to work.

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Gemini can now remember your love for pickleball and whatever else you want it to know

Credit: Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority

• You can now ask Gemini to remember your interests and preferences.
• This can include information about your work, hobbies, aspirations, and more.
• You can view, edit, delete, or share information you had Gemini save.

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The more information you give an AI about yourself, the better and more personal the answers will be. You can now have Gemini save data about your interests and preferences to make its replies more relevant and tailored to your needs.

Google’s AI chatbot, Gemini, just received an update today. On the Gemini Release updates page, there’s a new announcement that says Gemini now has the ability to “remember the things you care about.”

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Credit: Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority

• You can now ask Gemini to remember your interests and preferences.
• This can include information about your work, hobbies, aspirations, and more.
• You can view, edit, delete, or share information you had Gemini save.

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The more information you give an AI about yourself, the better and more personal the answers will be. You can now have Gemini save data about your interests and preferences to make its replies more relevant and tailored to your needs.

Google’s AI chatbot, Gemini, just received an update today. On the Gemini Release updates page, there’s a new announcement that says Gemini now has the ability to “remember the things you care about.”

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Getting your preteen kid their first phone line this holiday? I recommend Tello above the rest

As the go-to tech geek for my family and friends, I get a lot of questions — especially around the holidays. Lately, one has been popping up more than usual: What’s the best starter phone plan for a pre-teen? So, to save myself a ton of repeat explanations, I decided to do some research and also retry a few of my typical top picks to see where things stand in 2024. 

Ultimately, I still recommend Tello in most cases for those who are looking for a no-frills way to contact their young kids. If you’ve never heard of this carrier, that’s okay, as Tello is far from a household name. Still, this privately owned prepaid service shouldn’t be overlooked and is worth signing up for! Here’s why I recommend Tello at a glance:

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As the go-to tech geek for my family and friends, I get a lot of questions — especially around the holidays. Lately, one has been popping up more than usual: What’s the best starter phone plan for a pre-teen? So, to save myself a ton of repeat explanations, I decided to do some research and also retry a few of my typical top picks to see where things stand in 2024. 

Ultimately, I still recommend Tello in most cases for those who are looking for a no-frills way to contact their young kids. If you’ve never heard of this carrier, that’s okay, as Tello is far from a household name. Still, this privately owned prepaid service shouldn’t be overlooked and is worth signing up for! Here’s why I recommend Tello at a glance:

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Gemini may get more chatty about YouTube videos so you can dive deeper (APK teardown)

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

• Google is working on giving Gemini Live the ability to have conversations about a YouTube video.
• This ability would allow you to have extended conversations, unlike the “Ask about this video” contextual chip.
• The feature is designed to be a more natural way to have a continuous conversation about the video.

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Google appears to be working on further improving Gemini’s ability to give you information about a YouTube video. The LLM could soon let you have an extended conversation about the video.

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Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

• Google is working on giving Gemini Live the ability to have conversations about a YouTube video.
• This ability would allow you to have extended conversations, unlike the “Ask about this video” contextual chip.
• The feature is designed to be a more natural way to have a continuous conversation about the video.

---

Google appears to be working on further improving Gemini’s ability to give you information about a YouTube video. The LLM could soon let you have an extended conversation about the video.

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Apple could soon discontinue one of its most ridiculous products

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

• Apple introduced its Lightning to headphone jack dongle when it launched the iPhone 7 eight years ago.
• The dongle is currently unavailable to buy from many Apple Stores worldwide, which suggests imminent discontinuation.
• Apple continues to sell its USB-C to headphone jack dongle, so those with newer iPhones need not worry.

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In 2016, Apple kickstarted its wireless audio playback era by “courageously” introducing the first iPhone without a headphone jack — alongside the original AirPods. To soften the blow, the tech overlord included a Lightning to headphone jack adapter in the iPhone 7’s box. While iPhones beyond the X model stopped bundling the official accessory for free, Apple continued selling it on its website for $9. This may be coming to an end, though, as Apple could discontinue the Lightning to headphone jack dongle in the near future.

Apple Stores in many regions around the world, including the US, Canada, and Australia, have marked the Lightning to headphone jack dongle as sold out. The product, however, continues to be available in some other countries, such as France. MacRumors states that the Cupertino firm potentially plans to kill the accessory soon.

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Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

• Apple introduced its Lightning to headphone jack dongle when it launched the iPhone 7 eight years ago.
• The dongle is currently unavailable to buy from many Apple Stores worldwide, which suggests imminent discontinuation.
• Apple continues to sell its USB-C to headphone jack dongle, so those with newer iPhones need not worry.

---

In 2016, Apple kickstarted its wireless audio playback era by “courageously” introducing the first iPhone without a headphone jack — alongside the original AirPods. To soften the blow, the tech overlord included a Lightning to headphone jack adapter in the iPhone 7’s box. While iPhones beyond the X model stopped bundling the official accessory for free, Apple continued selling it on its website for $9. This may be coming to an end, though, as Apple could discontinue the Lightning to headphone jack dongle in the near future.

Apple Stores in many regions around the world, including the US, Canada, and Australia, have marked the Lightning to headphone jack dongle as sold out. The product, however, continues to be available in some other countries, such as France. MacRumors states that the Cupertino firm potentially plans to kill the accessory soon.

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The best deals of Black Friday 2024: Phones, smart home devices, and a whole lot more

Black Friday might still be several days away, but that doesn’t concern retailers in 2024. What used to be a long weekend of sales beginning on the Friday after Thanksgiving has evolved to become a month-long event. The retailers are clamoring to get your business, and you can turn that to your advantage. Huge sales on tech, from Android phones and tablets to wearables and smart home devices, are coming thick and fast. Here’s our rundown of the best Black Friday deals of 2024.

The deals will change fast and become more abundant as November 29 approaches. We’ll be updating this curated collection of deals regularly to reflect that, so it’s worth checking back here throughout the rest of the month.

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Black Friday might still be several days away, but that doesn’t concern retailers in 2024. What used to be a long weekend of sales beginning on the Friday after Thanksgiving has evolved to become a month-long event. The retailers are clamoring to get your business, and you can turn that to your advantage. Huge sales on tech, from Android phones and tablets to wearables and smart home devices, are coming thick and fast. Here’s our rundown of the best Black Friday deals of 2024.

The deals will change fast and become more abundant as November 29 approaches. We’ll be updating this curated collection of deals regularly to reflect that, so it’s worth checking back here throughout the rest of the month.

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One UI on Galaxy S25 could offer smoother gameplay with this game mode addition

Credit: OnLeaks/Android Headlines

• Samsung is reportedly working on a frame interpolation feature for Galaxy phones.
• This feature would generate extra frames in games to deliver a smoother experience.
• Samsung already offers a similar Frame Booster feature, but this new tech might offer smoother results.

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The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is expected to get a major leap in performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. However, it looks like Samsung could also lean on another addition for improved gaming performance.

Twitter leaker Jukanlosreve reports that Samsung is working on a game mode in One UI that could deliver a smoother experience. An accompanying screenshot points to the use of frame interpolation tech, which would generate frames to offer smoother performance on paper. The screenshot specifically mentions the ability to boost visuals from 60Hz to 120Hz.

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Credit: OnLeaks/Android Headlines

• Samsung is reportedly working on a frame interpolation feature for Galaxy phones.
• This feature would generate extra frames in games to deliver a smoother experience.
• Samsung already offers a similar Frame Booster feature, but this new tech might offer smoother results.

---

The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is expected to get a major leap in performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. However, it looks like Samsung could also lean on another addition for improved gaming performance.

Twitter leaker Jukanlosreve reports that Samsung is working on a game mode in One UI that could deliver a smoother experience. An accompanying screenshot points to the use of frame interpolation tech, which would generate frames to offer smoother performance on paper. The screenshot specifically mentions the ability to boost visuals from 60Hz to 120Hz.

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Windows Phone Link should learn a lesson or two from Apple’s iPhone mirroring

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Dhruv Bhutani

Apple’s new iPhone mirroring is possibly my favorite iOS addition in years. The feature lets you view your iPhone’s screen on a Mac and interact with it from the comfort of your laptop. It’s a convenient quality-of-life addition that has been an easy productivity enhancer for me by letting me stay focused on the task at hand instead of pulling out the phone from my pocket or bag to check a notification. That said, the feature might be “innovative” for iPhone users, but it certainly isn’t new to the Android world.

Over the years, I’ve dabbled in software and services like Pushbullet and KDE Connect to bridge the gap between my computer and my phone. But it goes without saying that only a first-party approach can seamlessly bring these two platforms together. It got me thinking about how the two experiences compare. So, I whipped out my old Samsung flagship and did just that. Here’s a quick comparison between screen mirroring on iOS 18 and the Samsung-Windows integration in Phone Link.

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Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Dhruv Bhutani

Apple’s new iPhone mirroring is possibly my favorite iOS addition in years. The feature lets you view your iPhone’s screen on a Mac and interact with it from the comfort of your laptop. It’s a convenient quality-of-life addition that has been an easy productivity enhancer for me by letting me stay focused on the task at hand instead of pulling out the phone from my pocket or bag to check a notification. That said, the feature might be “innovative” for iPhone users, but it certainly isn’t new to the Android world.

Over the years, I’ve dabbled in software and services like Pushbullet and KDE Connect to bridge the gap between my computer and my phone. But it goes without saying that only a first-party approach can seamlessly bring these two platforms together. It got me thinking about how the two experiences compare. So, I whipped out my old Samsung flagship and did just that. Here’s a quick comparison between screen mirroring on iOS 18 and the Samsung-Windows integration in Phone Link.

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Can’t activate your new T-Mobile SIM? You’re not alone

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• T-Mobile subscribers are facing issues with SIM activation due to a widespread outage.
• Users are unable to make calls, send texts, or connect to the internet after activating a new physical or eSIM, even if the SIM appears active on T-Mobile’s end.
• The carrier is reportedly aware of the issue and is working on a fix.

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T-Mobile is facing a widespread issue preventing subscribers from using their new SIMs. Multiple users have reported being unable to make calls, send texts, and connect to the internet after activating a new SIM on their devices, even though the SIM appears active on T-Mobile’s end.

Although T-Mobile has not issued a statement on the matter, an employee has confirmed on Reddit that the company is aware of the issue and is working on a fix. According to another user, the problem seems to have cropped up last evening and affects both physical SIM and eSIM activations.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• T-Mobile subscribers are facing issues with SIM activation due to a widespread outage.
• Users are unable to make calls, send texts, or connect to the internet after activating a new physical or eSIM, even if the SIM appears active on T-Mobile’s end.
• The carrier is reportedly aware of the issue and is working on a fix.

---

T-Mobile is facing a widespread issue preventing subscribers from using their new SIMs. Multiple users have reported being unable to make calls, send texts, and connect to the internet after activating a new SIM on their devices, even though the SIM appears active on T-Mobile’s end.

Although T-Mobile has not issued a statement on the matter, an employee has confirmed on Reddit that the company is aware of the issue and is working on a fix. According to another user, the problem seems to have cropped up last evening and affects both physical SIM and eSIM activations.

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It seems T-Mobile was also hacked in massive telecomm breach by China-linked hackers

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• T-Mobile has confirmed it is among the providers affected by a recent telecom hack allegedly carried out by hackers linked to the Chinese government.
• Verizon and AT&T were also impacted. Fortunately, no significant data loss has been reported.
• According to statements from the FBI and CISA, the attacks primarily targeted government officials and political figures.

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Over the past month, numerous cyberattacks have targeted telecom providers in the U.S., attributed to the China-linked hacker group Salt Typhoon. Previous reports indicated that CenturyLink, AT&T, and Verizon were among the providers affected. It now appears that T-Mobile has also been breached, as first reported by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

The good news is that T-Mobile claims its customers should not be impacted by the breach. In a statement to WSJ, the carrier said:
“T-Mobile is closely monitoring this industry-wide attack, and at this time, T-Mobile systems and data have not been impacted in any significant way, and we have no evidence of impacts to customer information. We will continue to monitor this closely, working with industry peers and the relevant authorities.”

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• T-Mobile has confirmed it is among the providers affected by a recent telecom hack allegedly carried out by hackers linked to the Chinese government.
• Verizon and AT&T were also impacted. Fortunately, no significant data loss has been reported.
• According to statements from the FBI and CISA, the attacks primarily targeted government officials and political figures.

---

Over the past month, numerous cyberattacks have targeted telecom providers in the U.S., attributed to the China-linked hacker group Salt Typhoon. Previous reports indicated that CenturyLink, AT&T, and Verizon were among the providers affected. It now appears that T-Mobile has also been breached, as first reported by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

The good news is that T-Mobile claims its customers should not be impacted by the breach. In a statement to WSJ, the carrier said:
“T-Mobile is closely monitoring this industry-wide attack, and at this time, T-Mobile systems and data have not been impacted in any significant way, and we have no evidence of impacts to customer information. We will continue to monitor this closely, working with industry peers and the relevant authorities.”

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It took Google years to add this Android 15 feature, and it’s still half-baked

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

If there’s one feature I’ve had on the top of my Android wishlist for nearly a decade now, it’s notification sync across devices. I realize my use case is extreme since I have several Android phones on my desk right now and many more in my gadget drawer, but there was a time when I just had one phone and one tablet and I still got tired of seeing duplicate notifications across both of them.

But notification dismissal across phones is here now, finally, as part of Android 15! Well, uh, scratch that. It’s here if you have a Pixel 6 or newer, because it’s only rolling out as a Pixel-exclusive option. That’s one of the first limitations of the option for me. The other is more… complicated.

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Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

If there’s one feature I’ve had on the top of my Android wishlist for nearly a decade now, it’s notification sync across devices. I realize my use case is extreme since I have several Android phones on my desk right now and many more in my gadget drawer, but there was a time when I just had one phone and one tablet and I still got tired of seeing duplicate notifications across both of them.

But notification dismissal across phones is here now, finally, as part of Android 15! Well, uh, scratch that. It’s here if you have a Pixel 6 or newer, because it’s only rolling out as a Pixel-exclusive option. That’s one of the first limitations of the option for me. The other is more… complicated.

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The best new streaming shows this week: Say Nothing and more

We’re back this week with a new list of shows you must catch up on. We’ve got comedy, action, romance and more.

The best new streaming shows this week

Feel free to click on any links that pique your interest.

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We’re back this week with a new list of shows you must catch up on. We’ve got comedy, action, romance and more.

The best new streaming shows this week

Feel free to click on any links that pique your interest.

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Google’s latest Doodle celebrates 5,000 years of the kayak

• Google’s new Doodle gives recognition to the kayak and how important it’s been to Indigenous cultures.
• The kayak was invented some 5,000 years ago in the Arctic.
• The Doodle arrives right in the middle of Native American Heritage Month.

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Google knows a thing or two about how to get around. Maps is eager to hook us up with directions whether we’re driving, walking, or riding a bike, and when we’re looking to travel a little further, Google Flights can easily help us book a seat. Today, though, Google is looking way back to a positively ancient transportation solution, as its latest Doodle celebrates the humble kayak.

As you’ve probably assumed, kayaks have been around for a long, long time, and Google points out they’ve been in use for over 5,000 years. Named after the Inuit word for “hunter’s boat,” the slender watercraft originated in Arctic regions, helping the people there take advantage of the rich resources available in the sea.

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• Google’s new Doodle gives recognition to the kayak and how important it’s been to Indigenous cultures.
• The kayak was invented some 5,000 years ago in the Arctic.
• The Doodle arrives right in the middle of Native American Heritage Month.

---

Google knows a thing or two about how to get around. Maps is eager to hook us up with directions whether we’re driving, walking, or riding a bike, and when we’re looking to travel a little further, Google Flights can easily help us book a seat. Today, though, Google is looking way back to a positively ancient transportation solution, as its latest Doodle celebrates the humble kayak.

As you’ve probably assumed, kayaks have been around for a long, long time, and Google points out they’ve been in use for over 5,000 years. Named after the Inuit word for “hunter’s boat,” the slender watercraft originated in Arctic regions, helping the people there take advantage of the rich resources available in the sea.

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T-Mobile will reportedly start insuring more than just phones as early as next week

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• T-Mobile will soon offer insurance to all your Wi-Fi-connected devices, even those not bought from T-Mobile or even connected to its network.
• The program will cost $25 a month and you’ll be able to claim up to a total of $5000 in damages a year. This one fee includes unlimited devices, excluding phones.
• An additional service fee will apply for each claim, with fees ranging from zero to $89.

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T-Mobile has offered device insurance for as long as I can remember, but it’s been the only one of the big three carriers that doesn’t extend its program to more than just phones. According to Tmo Report, that’s about to change. A leaked document reveals that T-Mobile Protection 360 HomeTech will arrive on November 19.

T-Mobile uses Assurant for its current in-house insurance program, and the report suggests that won’t change. The new plan will cost $25 per month (plus tax) and protect you from accidental damage, out-of-warranty electrical or mechanical issues, and power surges. Need help troubleshooting your connected devices? The plan also includes 24/7 live tech support.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• T-Mobile will soon offer insurance to all your Wi-Fi-connected devices, even those not bought from T-Mobile or even connected to its network.
• The program will cost $25 a month and you’ll be able to claim up to a total of $5000 in damages a year. This one fee includes unlimited devices, excluding phones.
• An additional service fee will apply for each claim, with fees ranging from zero to $89.

---

T-Mobile has offered device insurance for as long as I can remember, but it’s been the only one of the big three carriers that doesn’t extend its program to more than just phones. According to Tmo Report, that’s about to change. A leaked document reveals that T-Mobile Protection 360 HomeTech will arrive on November 19.

T-Mobile uses Assurant for its current in-house insurance program, and the report suggests that won’t change. The new plan will cost $25 per month (plus tax) and protect you from accidental damage, out-of-warranty electrical or mechanical issues, and power surges. Need help troubleshooting your connected devices? The plan also includes 24/7 live tech support.

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The best dash cams you can buy and the best Black Friday 2024 dash cam deal!

We don’t often think twice about taking the next drive, but jumping in a vehicle and driving down the road is a huge responsibility. When things go wrong, they can also get really expensive, so giving yourself a bit of security with a dash cam is definitely one of those investments that pays for itself. We certainly hope you never need it, but if you do, it’s always better to have it. Not to mention, some insurance providers will even give you a discount for having a dash cam! The thing is, there is a sea of options out there. How do you find the right one? We’ve done all the research and heavy lifting. Here is a list of the best dash cams you can buy right now.

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We don’t often think twice about taking the next drive, but jumping in a vehicle and driving down the road is a huge responsibility. When things go wrong, they can also get really expensive, so giving yourself a bit of security with a dash cam is definitely one of those investments that pays for itself. We certainly hope you never need it, but if you do, it’s always better to have it. Not to mention, some insurance providers will even give you a discount for having a dash cam! The thing is, there is a sea of options out there. How do you find the right one? We’ve done all the research and heavy lifting. Here is a list of the best dash cams you can buy right now.

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T-Mobile finally retires old app and goes all-in on T-Life

• The old T-Mobile app is no longer available for download.
• While it continues to function on installed devices, it’s unclear if it will still receive updates.
• Going forward, T-Life will be the carrier’s primary app.

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Back at the start of 2024, we saw a wave of change start washing over T-Mobile’s Android apps, starting with the transition of the old T-Mobile Tuesdays app into the new T-Life app. That made plenty of sense, as the app’s focus had expanded beyond those simple giveaways, but under the new T-Life branding it kept expanding and expanding more. By the summer, the two T-Mobile apps had effectively become copies of each other. If you could see where this was going, go ahead and buy yourself a Coke, because T-Mobile has just effectively killed off its old app.

The original T-Mobile app is no longer publicly listed on Google Play or Apple’s App Store, as spotted by TMO Report. For the moment, the T-Mobile app still works just fine, and its functionality continues to match that of T-Life. But the future is clearly T-Life’s to live, and earlier this month the carrier sent emails out to its subscriber base inviting them to try T-Life as their “new everything app.”

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• The old T-Mobile app is no longer available for download.
• While it continues to function on installed devices, it’s unclear if it will still receive updates.
• Going forward, T-Life will be the carrier’s primary app.

---

Back at the start of 2024, we saw a wave of change start washing over T-Mobile’s Android apps, starting with the transition of the old T-Mobile Tuesdays app into the new T-Life app. That made plenty of sense, as the app’s focus had expanded beyond those simple giveaways, but under the new T-Life branding it kept expanding and expanding more. By the summer, the two T-Mobile apps had effectively become copies of each other. If you could see where this was going, go ahead and buy yourself a Coke, because T-Mobile has just effectively killed off its old app.

The original T-Mobile app is no longer publicly listed on Google Play or Apple’s App Store, as spotted by TMO Report. For the moment, the T-Mobile app still works just fine, and its functionality continues to match that of T-Life. But the future is clearly T-Life’s to live, and earlier this month the carrier sent emails out to its subscriber base inviting them to try T-Life as their “new everything app.”

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Google silent on fix timeline for Private Space, Wear OS issue

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• Some Wear OS devices are showing notifications from Private Space apps when they are supposed to be isolated to the user’s phone.
• Google is aware of the issue.
• No timeline has been given for a potential fix.

---

Android 15’s Private Space feature hasn’t exactly had the smoothest of rollouts. There were earlier reports of the feature causing some Pixel 6 devices to brick. Most recently, however, people have seen notifications from Private Space apps appear on their Wear OS smartwatch. Google has now acknowledged the issue.

The new Private Space feature allows a user to hide their sensitive apps from prying eyes, almost like a secret vault. These apps are siloed off so the data is isolated away from the rest of your phone. Since the feature is designed to be quite literally a private space, you’re not supposed to see notifications from Private Space apps anywhere other than on your phone.

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• Some Wear OS devices are showing notifications from Private Space apps when they are supposed to be isolated to the user’s phone.
• Google is aware of the issue.
• No timeline has been given for a potential fix.

---

Android 15’s Private Space feature hasn’t exactly had the smoothest of rollouts. There were earlier reports of the feature causing some Pixel 6 devices to brick. Most recently, however, people have seen notifications from Private Space apps appear on their Wear OS smartwatch. Google has now acknowledged the issue.

The new Private Space feature allows a user to hide their sensitive apps from prying eyes, almost like a secret vault. These apps are siloed off so the data is isolated away from the rest of your phone. Since the feature is designed to be quite literally a private space, you’re not supposed to see notifications from Private Space apps anywhere other than on your phone.

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Save $125 on the Apple MacBook Pro M4 less than a week after launch

Credit: Apple

Brand-new Apple products are very rarely on sale, but it’s the most wonderful time of the year for savers, and some exceptions have been popping up. For example, the new Apple MacBook Pro M4 series was launched last week, on November 8. It’s already on sale, and you can take the 14-inch base M4 version home at a $125 discount. This slashes the price to $1,474!

Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch with M4 for $1,474

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Credit: Apple

Brand-new Apple products are very rarely on sale, but it’s the most wonderful time of the year for savers, and some exceptions have been popping up. For example, the new Apple MacBook Pro M4 series was launched last week, on November 8. It’s already on sale, and you can take the 14-inch base M4 version home at a $125 discount. This slashes the price to $1,474!

Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch with M4 for $1,474

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Google Search is confusing people by turning links orange

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google Search’s links have taken on an orange hue for some users.
• The color change from blue to orange could be related to your Chrome theme.
• The orange color is being seen on the native Google Search app and in Chrome.

---

For the longest time, the links in Google Search have appeared blue. This has been the case for so long that we don’t even notice it anymore. That fact makes Google’s most recent test that much more jarring, as links now appear orange for some users.

Users are reporting on Reddit that they are starting to see Google Search links in a brownish-orange color. The change is appearing in both the native Google Search app and in Chrome on both Android and iOS. You can see an example in the screenshot below.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google Search’s links have taken on an orange hue for some users.
• The color change from blue to orange could be related to your Chrome theme.
• The orange color is being seen on the native Google Search app and in Chrome.

---

For the longest time, the links in Google Search have appeared blue. This has been the case for so long that we don’t even notice it anymore. That fact makes Google’s most recent test that much more jarring, as links now appear orange for some users.

Users are reporting on Reddit that they are starting to see Google Search links in a brownish-orange color. The change is appearing in both the native Google Search app and in Chrome on both Android and iOS. You can see an example in the screenshot below.

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Google’s new Android app helps you verify you’re chatting with the right person

• A new Android System Key Verifier app is rolling out on Android devices.
• This app is a system service that lets developers store their end-to-end encryption keys and lets users verify their apps are using the correct keys when communicating.
• These keys help you confirm that messages are likely coming from a device that was set up by your contact and not some malicious third party.

---

When you’re communicating with someone over a messaging app, how do you know the person you’re chatting with is who they say they are? All too often, people’s online accounts get hijacked and used to scam other people they know. One good way to verify a person is who they say they are is to ask them something that only the real person would know, and that’s basically what Google’s new Android System Key Verifier app is designed to do.

A couple of days ago, Google updated its “what’s new in Google System Updates” page to announce it was rolling out a new system service called Android System Key Verifier. The page only said that Android System Key Verifier “lets developers store end-to-end encryption keys,” but it didn’t offer any further details. Fortunately for us, some users have already received the new app, such as Jason Lim, who shared the APK file with us.

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• A new Android System Key Verifier app is rolling out on Android devices.
• This app is a system service that lets developers store their end-to-end encryption keys and lets users verify their apps are using the correct keys when communicating.
• These keys help you confirm that messages are likely coming from a device that was set up by your contact and not some malicious third party.

---

When you’re communicating with someone over a messaging app, how do you know the person you’re chatting with is who they say they are? All too often, people’s online accounts get hijacked and used to scam other people they know. One good way to verify a person is who they say they are is to ask them something that only the real person would know, and that’s basically what Google’s new Android System Key Verifier app is designed to do.

A couple of days ago, Google updated its “what’s new in Google System Updates” page to announce it was rolling out a new system service called Android System Key Verifier. The page only said that Android System Key Verifier “lets developers store end-to-end encryption keys,” but it didn’t offer any further details. Fortunately for us, some users have already received the new app, such as Jason Lim, who shared the APK file with us.

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ASUS ROG Phone 9 rumors: It’s coming November 19, here’s what we expect

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 is creeping closer to a year old now, and while it is easily the best phones for gaming to date, we’re marching closer to 2025 and it’s only a matter of time before a successor arrives. Here’s everything we know about the ROG Phone 9, as well as our wishlist for what we’d like to see done differently this time around.

Keyword: At a glance

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 is creeping closer to a year old now, and while it is easily the best phones for gaming to date, we’re marching closer to 2025 and it’s only a matter of time before a successor arrives. Here’s everything we know about the ROG Phone 9, as well as our wishlist for what we’d like to see done differently this time around.

Keyword: At a glance

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Hot deal: Amazon Echo drops to just $44.99, and you get a free smart light!

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

I come across a bunch of deals daily, and I must tell you this is one of the most interesting ones I have seen lately. That’s saying a lot, given that early Black Friday offers are heating up right now! Get this, you can get a 4th-generation Amazon Echo, for just $44.99. Not only is this a record-low price, but Amazon will even throw in a free Sengled Matter Smart Bulb to sweeten the deal!

Get the Amazon Echo 4th Gen with a free Sengled Matter Smart Bulb for only $44.99

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

I come across a bunch of deals daily, and I must tell you this is one of the most interesting ones I have seen lately. That’s saying a lot, given that early Black Friday offers are heating up right now! Get this, you can get a 4th-generation Amazon Echo, for just $44.99. Not only is this a record-low price, but Amazon will even throw in a free Sengled Matter Smart Bulb to sweeten the deal!

Get the Amazon Echo 4th Gen with a free Sengled Matter Smart Bulb for only $44.99

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Android 15 QPR2 confirms Google is adding a Linux Terminal app, finally

• The latest Android 15 QPR2 beta adds the new Terminal app that we previously reported on.
• The Terminal app lets developers run Linux apps in a virtual machine.
• It needs to be activated by toggling a developer setting, though.

---

The best Android phones have more than enough raw computing power to run desktop-class applications, but there’s often little incentive for developers to port many such apps to mobile platforms like Android. One big reason there is because Android phones have tiny screens and lackluster input options when compared to the average PC, but these limitations can be overcome with the help of accessories or by running Android on a larger screen. Google is on a multi-year journey to make Android more productive, especially on bigger displays, and one way it’s planning to achieve this is by allowing Android devices to run Linux apps. The upcoming second quarterly platform release of Android 15 is introducing a Terminal app that will make that possible.

Google released the generic system image (GSI) for Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 earlier today, and after I installed it on my Pixel phone, I immediately spotted two new features that I thought were going to land in Android 16. Android 15 QPR2 not only transformed the Do Not Disturb feature into customizable Modes but also added a developer option to enable the Terminal app. Under Settings > System > Developer options in the Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 GSI, there’s a new “Linux development environment” toggle that lets you “run [a] Linux terminal on Android.” After enabling this option, a new “Terminal” app appeared in my app list. Unfortunately, tapping it did nothing as the app just crashed after failing to start a VM.

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• The latest Android 15 QPR2 beta adds the new Terminal app that we previously reported on.
• The Terminal app lets developers run Linux apps in a virtual machine.
• It needs to be activated by toggling a developer setting, though.

---

The best Android phones have more than enough raw computing power to run desktop-class applications, but there’s often little incentive for developers to port many such apps to mobile platforms like Android. One big reason there is because Android phones have tiny screens and lackluster input options when compared to the average PC, but these limitations can be overcome with the help of accessories or by running Android on a larger screen. Google is on a multi-year journey to make Android more productive, especially on bigger displays, and one way it’s planning to achieve this is by allowing Android devices to run Linux apps. The upcoming second quarterly platform release of Android 15 is introducing a Terminal app that will make that possible.

Google released the generic system image (GSI) for Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 earlier today, and after I installed it on my Pixel phone, I immediately spotted two new features that I thought were going to land in Android 16. Android 15 QPR2 not only transformed the Do Not Disturb feature into customizable Modes but also added a developer option to enable the Terminal app. Under Settings > System > Developer options in the Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 GSI, there’s a new “Linux development environment” toggle that lets you “run [a] Linux terminal on Android.” After enabling this option, a new “Terminal” app appeared in my app list. Unfortunately, tapping it did nothing as the app just crashed after failing to start a VM.

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Amazon joins the AR glasses race, but not for the reason you think

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• Amazon is developing AR smart glasses for its delivery drivers.
• The smart glasses would help drivers navigate their way to, around, and within buildings.
• The company sees its smart glasses as a way to cut delivery costs.

---

AR smart glasses seem to be one of the hot areas big tech has been focusing its attention on lately. Meta has made it known they are currently working on an AR glasses project called Orion. Snap also has its own AR glasses project in development and Apple is reportedly exploring the space as well. Amazon could soon join the fray with a product of its own, but it won’t be targeted toward consumers. Instead, the company’s AR smart glasses would be for its delivery drivers.

According to a report from Reuters, Amazon is developing AR smart glasses meant to guide its delivery drivers to, around, and within buildings. People close to the matter say the device would provide turn-by-turn instructions, helping drivers navigate their route more efficiently.

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Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• Amazon is developing AR smart glasses for its delivery drivers.
• The smart glasses would help drivers navigate their way to, around, and within buildings.
• The company sees its smart glasses as a way to cut delivery costs.

---

AR smart glasses seem to be one of the hot areas big tech has been focusing its attention on lately. Meta has made it known they are currently working on an AR glasses project called Orion. Snap also has its own AR glasses project in development and Apple is reportedly exploring the space as well. Amazon could soon join the fray with a product of its own, but it won’t be targeted toward consumers. Instead, the company’s AR smart glasses would be for its delivery drivers.

According to a report from Reuters, Amazon is developing AR smart glasses meant to guide its delivery drivers to, around, and within buildings. People close to the matter say the device would provide turn-by-turn instructions, helping drivers navigate their route more efficiently.

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Android 16 won’t require two fingers to pull down the new Quick Settings, after all

• Accessing the Quick Settings panel in Android 16 won’t require swiping down with two fingers as feared.
• Instead, you’ll only have to swipe down with one finger on the right half of the status bar.
• However, there’s still no way to swipe between the notifications and Quick Settings panels, but hopefully Google will fix that.

---

Back in September, I reported that Google is preparing a huge revamp of the notifications and Quick Settings panels in Android 16 that involved splitting the two panels into separate pages. One of the more controversial aspects of the revamped Quick Settings panel is that you now had to swipe down with two fingers to bring down the panel. Thankfully, though, Google is seemingly dropping this aspect of its Quick Settings redesign, meaning that Android 16 won’t require two fingers to pull down the new Quick Settings panel after all.

While digging through last month’s Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 release, I discovered several upcoming changes to Android’s notification and Quick Settings panels. These include Quick Setting tile categories that will make it easier to find the right Quick Settings tile as well as a resizable Quick Settings tile feature.

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• Accessing the Quick Settings panel in Android 16 won’t require swiping down with two fingers as feared.
• Instead, you’ll only have to swipe down with one finger on the right half of the status bar.
• However, there’s still no way to swipe between the notifications and Quick Settings panels, but hopefully Google will fix that.

---

Back in September, I reported that Google is preparing a huge revamp of the notifications and Quick Settings panels in Android 16 that involved splitting the two panels into separate pages. One of the more controversial aspects of the revamped Quick Settings panel is that you now had to swipe down with two fingers to bring down the panel. Thankfully, though, Google is seemingly dropping this aspect of its Quick Settings redesign, meaning that Android 16 won’t require two fingers to pull down the new Quick Settings panel after all.

While digging through last month’s Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 release, I discovered several upcoming changes to Android’s notification and Quick Settings panels. These include Quick Setting tile categories that will make it easier to find the right Quick Settings tile as well as a resizable Quick Settings tile feature.

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Google is finally bringing Quick Share to ARM-based Windows PCs

• Google is updating Quick Share for Windows to support ARM-based devices.
• The update is confirmed in Google’s Quick Share FAQ.
• The Quick Share installer has not yet been updated, so ARM users still can’t install it.

---

Google’s Quick Share has sure changed a lot in the past year. Originally called Nearby Share, back in January Google merged its efforts with Samsung Quick Share and adopted the latter’s name. Then in March 2023 the feature came to Windows PCs, allowing for fast file transfers between any Android device with almost any Windows machine. ARM-based PCs, like all the laptops running Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite platform, were formally incompatible, but that’s finally changing now.

Android expert and Android Authority contributor Mishaal Rahman already discovered a workaround that allowed ARM PCs to install Quick Share, but it was a complicated process that required the use of an x86 computer. Although this served as a stopgap measure for people who rely on Quick Share, it wasn’t feasible for most and official support is always preferred.

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• Google is updating Quick Share for Windows to support ARM-based devices.
• The update is confirmed in Google’s Quick Share FAQ.
• The Quick Share installer has not yet been updated, so ARM users still can’t install it.

---

Google’s Quick Share has sure changed a lot in the past year. Originally called Nearby Share, back in January Google merged its efforts with Samsung Quick Share and adopted the latter’s name. Then in March 2023 the feature came to Windows PCs, allowing for fast file transfers between any Android device with almost any Windows machine. ARM-based PCs, like all the laptops running Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite platform, were formally incompatible, but that’s finally changing now.

Android expert and Android Authority contributor Mishaal Rahman already discovered a workaround that allowed ARM PCs to install Quick Share, but it was a complicated process that required the use of an x86 computer. Although this served as a stopgap measure for people who rely on Quick Share, it wasn’t feasible for most and official support is always preferred.

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Cash App users have one last chance to grab their part of a $15 million settlement

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Block Inc., owner of Cash App, and Cash App Investing agreed to a $15 million settlement earlier this year after being accused of negligence and breaching obligations.
• If you have been or are a Cash App user, you have one more week to claim a part of the settlement.
• Those who are eligible can get up to $2,500 for reimbursement.

---

If you are a current or former user of Cash App, you may want to check your inbox. There’s a good chance you probably received a message at some point saying you’re eligible to claim a part of a $15 million settlement. Those who are eligible need to act fast as there is only about one week left to submit your claim.

Block Inc. — the owner of Cash App — and Cash App Investing agreed to a settlement of $15 million earlier this year. The companies were accused of negligence and breaching obligations both in 2022 and 2023. The first incident involved a former employee accessing account data without permission, while the second involved “an unauthorized user” accessing Cash App accounts using recycled numbers connected to the accounts. Block Inc. and Cash App Investing are also accused of not protecting the accounts after both incidents.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Block Inc., owner of Cash App, and Cash App Investing agreed to a $15 million settlement earlier this year after being accused of negligence and breaching obligations.
• If you have been or are a Cash App user, you have one more week to claim a part of the settlement.
• Those who are eligible can get up to $2,500 for reimbursement.

---

If you are a current or former user of Cash App, you may want to check your inbox. There’s a good chance you probably received a message at some point saying you’re eligible to claim a part of a $15 million settlement. Those who are eligible need to act fast as there is only about one week left to submit your claim.

Block Inc. — the owner of Cash App — and Cash App Investing agreed to a settlement of $15 million earlier this year. The companies were accused of negligence and breaching obligations both in 2022 and 2023. The first incident involved a former employee accessing account data without permission, while the second involved “an unauthorized user” accessing Cash App accounts using recycled numbers connected to the accounts. Block Inc. and Cash App Investing are also accused of not protecting the accounts after both incidents.

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One UI 7 beta release date and availability details may have just leaked

Credit: Samsung

• Samsung is now expected to release the One UI 7 beta next week.
• The stable One UI 7 release may not come until next year.
• Samsung has reportedly changed many UI elements ahead of the beta’s release.

---

If you are a Samsung Galaxy user and a One UI enthusiast, you’re probably sick of waiting for that coveted One UI 7 beta update. Samsung was expected to release the first One UI 7 beta based on Android 15 all the way back in July, but come November, there’s still no official word from Samsung about when the update will roll out and to whom. Thanks to tipster Ice Universe, we now have some information regarding the possible One UI 7 beta release.

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Credit: Samsung

• Samsung is now expected to release the One UI 7 beta next week.
• The stable One UI 7 release may not come until next year.
• Samsung has reportedly changed many UI elements ahead of the beta’s release.

---

If you are a Samsung Galaxy user and a One UI enthusiast, you’re probably sick of waiting for that coveted One UI 7 beta update. Samsung was expected to release the first One UI 7 beta based on Android 15 all the way back in July, but come November, there’s still no official word from Samsung about when the update will roll out and to whom. Thanks to tipster Ice Universe, we now have some information regarding the possible One UI 7 beta release.

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Gmail’s new search result sorting feature is now live on Android

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google was working on a new filter for search results in Gmail on Android.
• The filter has now gone live.
• Users can sort their search results by “Most recent” or “Most relevant.”

---

Google is making it easier to find the messages you’re looking for in the Gmail app for Android. You can now sort your search results with a new filter.

You may remember that we reported a couple of weeks ago that Google was working on a new search filter for the Android version of Gmail. This filter would allow the user to sort their search results either by “Most recent” or “Most relevant.” It appears that this feature has now been rolled out for some users.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google was working on a new filter for search results in Gmail on Android.
• The filter has now gone live.
• Users can sort their search results by “Most recent” or “Most relevant.”

---

Google is making it easier to find the messages you’re looking for in the Gmail app for Android. You can now sort your search results with a new filter.

You may remember that we reported a couple of weeks ago that Google was working on a new search filter for the Android version of Gmail. This filter would allow the user to sort their search results either by “Most recent” or “Most relevant.” It appears that this feature has now been rolled out for some users.

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Samsung’s rumored Galaxy Z Flip FE could be more powerful than expected

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• Samsung could give the Galaxy Z Flip FE an Exynos 2400 processor.
• It’s rumored that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 could get an Exynos 2500 chip.

---

Samsung has long maintained that it has no plans to make a cheaper version of the Galaxy Z Fold. However, there have been rumors that it may be considering a cheaper Galaxy Z Flip, in the form of a Fan Edition device. Not much is known yet about this would-be mid-range foldable, but a new rumor may have revealed the chip.

During a Q3 2024 earnings call, Samsung hinted that it is looking at making a more budget-friendly foldable. It’s rumored that this handset could be a Galaxy Z Flip FE model and it would be ready for release sometime in 2025. Leaker Jukanlosreve has now posted on X (formerly Twitter) that this phone could be equipped with an Exynos 2400 processor.

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Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• Samsung could give the Galaxy Z Flip FE an Exynos 2400 processor.
• It’s rumored that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 could get an Exynos 2500 chip.

---

Samsung has long maintained that it has no plans to make a cheaper version of the Galaxy Z Fold. However, there have been rumors that it may be considering a cheaper Galaxy Z Flip, in the form of a Fan Edition device. Not much is known yet about this would-be mid-range foldable, but a new rumor may have revealed the chip.

During a Q3 2024 earnings call, Samsung hinted that it is looking at making a more budget-friendly foldable. It’s rumored that this handset could be a Galaxy Z Flip FE model and it would be ready for release sometime in 2025. Leaker Jukanlosreve has now posted on X (formerly Twitter) that this phone could be equipped with an Exynos 2400 processor.

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My Pixel blocks tons of spam calls, but can any other Android phone do the same?

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

Telemarketing and spam calls are relentless, and you might be surprised to learn that you can do little to stop them — for example, political campaigns are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry. Luckily, our phones have started to include excellent spam filters to keep unwanted incoming calls at bay. But that raises an important question: do you need a specific phone, or is this protection standard across the Android ecosystem? While many think great spam protection is a Pixel-exclusive feature, the truth is, you don’t really need a Pixel phone at all. So, who and what is really saving us from the spam deluge? Let’s break it down.

How does spam call protection on Android work?

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Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

Telemarketing and spam calls are relentless, and you might be surprised to learn that you can do little to stop them — for example, political campaigns are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry. Luckily, our phones have started to include excellent spam filters to keep unwanted incoming calls at bay. But that raises an important question: do you need a specific phone, or is this protection standard across the Android ecosystem? While many think great spam protection is a Pixel-exclusive feature, the truth is, you don’t really need a Pixel phone at all. So, who and what is really saving us from the spam deluge? Let’s break it down.

How does spam call protection on Android work?

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Punctuation is dead because the iPhone keyboard killed it

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Open any social media site today, and you’ll find a slew of tweets, shorts, messages, videos, photos, and more — almost all written with lower capital letters and barely any punctuation. For me, that phenomenon started as a fun observation many years ago, became very irritating as I noticed it more and more, and eventually settled into an unavoidable reality.

People these days don’t use punctuation like they should, despite how much this can irk sticklers for grammar like me. This is especially true for the younger generations, who grew up in the mobile-first age with a smartphone in their hands before they ever saw a full physical QWERTY keyboard.

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Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Open any social media site today, and you’ll find a slew of tweets, shorts, messages, videos, photos, and more — almost all written with lower capital letters and barely any punctuation. For me, that phenomenon started as a fun observation many years ago, became very irritating as I noticed it more and more, and eventually settled into an unavoidable reality.

People these days don’t use punctuation like they should, despite how much this can irk sticklers for grammar like me. This is especially true for the younger generations, who grew up in the mobile-first age with a smartphone in their hands before they ever saw a full physical QWERTY keyboard.

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Here’s why iPhones were rebooting themselves, according to experts

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• Previously, it was reported that confiscated iPhones were mysteriously rebooting themselves.
• Experts are now piecing together the reason why these iPhones rebooted.
• The answer appears to be linked to a new feature in iOS 18.1.

---

Earlier this week, it was reported that police were taken by surprise when confiscated iPhones suddenly began rebooting on their own. At the time of the report, it was unknown what could be triggering the reboot. However, experts are now starting to piece together the solution to this mystery.

When the report from 404 Media came out, we noted that there was a possibility Apple may have quietly released a security feature in the latest iOS update. We also pointed out that there was previously a bug in iOS 18 that caused iPhones to randomly reboot throughout the day. It seems that we weren’t too far off from the answer as a new report from the outlet says that experts are finding that the surprise reboots from this week are, in fact, a feature.

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• Previously, it was reported that confiscated iPhones were mysteriously rebooting themselves.
• Experts are now piecing together the reason why these iPhones rebooted.
• The answer appears to be linked to a new feature in iOS 18.1.

---

Earlier this week, it was reported that police were taken by surprise when confiscated iPhones suddenly began rebooting on their own. At the time of the report, it was unknown what could be triggering the reboot. However, experts are now starting to piece together the solution to this mystery.

When the report from 404 Media came out, we noted that there was a possibility Apple may have quietly released a security feature in the latest iOS update. We also pointed out that there was previously a bug in iOS 18 that caused iPhones to randomly reboot throughout the day. It seems that we weren’t too far off from the answer as a new report from the outlet says that experts are finding that the surprise reboots from this week are, in fact, a feature.

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WhatsApp bug is causing widespread green screen issues

Credit: Damien Wilde / Android Authority

• WhatsApp beta users are running into a bug that is rendering the app useless.
• The bug is reportedly causing the screen to turn completely green or causing the app to force close.
• The issue appears to be isolated to beta version 2.24.24.5.

---

Betas are a good way to get early access to incoming features. While it can be fun to be one of the first to try out a new feature, it’s important to remember that the whole point of a beta is to help developers find and fix potential bugs. As such, there’s always a risk that comes with signing up for a beta program. WhatsApp beta users are being reminded of this risk as the latest beta has rendered the app useless.

Users on WhatsApp’s beta version 2.24.24.5 are reporting a green screen issue. This issue isn’t simply tinting the screen green; rather, the entire screen is just a solid block of green, making the app usable. It appears the issue is triggered when clicking on any chat.

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Credit: Damien Wilde / Android Authority

• WhatsApp beta users are running into a bug that is rendering the app useless.
• The bug is reportedly causing the screen to turn completely green or causing the app to force close.
• The issue appears to be isolated to beta version 2.24.24.5.

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Betas are a good way to get early access to incoming features. While it can be fun to be one of the first to try out a new feature, it’s important to remember that the whole point of a beta is to help developers find and fix potential bugs. As such, there’s always a risk that comes with signing up for a beta program. WhatsApp beta users are being reminded of this risk as the latest beta has rendered the app useless.

Users on WhatsApp’s beta version 2.24.24.5 are reporting a green screen issue. This issue isn’t simply tinting the screen green; rather, the entire screen is just a solid block of green, making the app usable. It appears the issue is triggered when clicking on any chat.

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1 hour after uninstalling my Hue lights, I realized how much I missed them

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

My husband and I were in the process of moving homes, and as part of the delightful mess, we’ve had to uninstall every smart home product we’d set up in our old rental to move it to our new place. A Roborock vacuum, a connected air quality monitor, a smart air purifier, a Nest Audio, a Google TV Streamer, and a bunch of cool, nerdy, and smart gadgets that we’d gotten so used to. As everything went into packing boxes, waiting to be moved, unpacked, and re-installed, and we had to live without our smart home for a few days, we realized the intrinsic value of each item.

And the one element we both immediately missed was my Hue smart light setup. And by “immediately,” I literally mean within minutes of removing the lights. Three years we’d spent with our lights, we relied on them through automations and scenes, and we loved how bright and convenient they were in our ground-floor, east-exposed, small Parisian suburb apartment. Suddenly, we were back to the dreary bulbs our landlord had left behind, and we had to use wall switches, like common folks, to turn on and off the light. How very archaic!

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

My husband and I were in the process of moving homes, and as part of the delightful mess, we’ve had to uninstall every smart home product we’d set up in our old rental to move it to our new place. A Roborock vacuum, a connected air quality monitor, a smart air purifier, a Nest Audio, a Google TV Streamer, and a bunch of cool, nerdy, and smart gadgets that we’d gotten so used to. As everything went into packing boxes, waiting to be moved, unpacked, and re-installed, and we had to live without our smart home for a few days, we realized the intrinsic value of each item.

And the one element we both immediately missed was my Hue smart light setup. And by “immediately,” I literally mean within minutes of removing the lights. Three years we’d spent with our lights, we relied on them through automations and scenes, and we loved how bright and convenient they were in our ground-floor, east-exposed, small Parisian suburb apartment. Suddenly, we were back to the dreary bulbs our landlord had left behind, and we had to use wall switches, like common folks, to turn on and off the light. How very archaic!

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Android 15 finally implements true variable refresh rate support, but there’s a catch

• The adaptive refresh rate (ARR) feature in Android 15 enables the display refresh rate to adapt to the frame rate of content.
• The ARR feature reduces power consumption and jank as it lets devices operate at lower refresh rates without the need for mode switching.
• While previous versions of Android supported multiple refresh rates, they did so by switching between discrete display modes.

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It’s not just the best Android phones that have fast displays these days. Most mid-range and flagship Android phones have a display with a refresh rate above 60Hz, and that’s even true for many budget phones as well. However, most of these phones only refresh at a few fixed rates like 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz, as their displays don’t support variable refresh rate (VRR) technology. Some phones do have displays capable of VRR, but it turns out that Android itself hasn’t had true VRR support — at least not until now.

According to Google, Android 15 is the first version of Android that supports adaptive refresh rate (ARR), which is synonymous with variable refresh rate. Before Android 15, the operating system supported multiple refresh rates via refresh rate switching. Basically, the operating system would tell the display to switch between various display modes it supported such as 1080p@60Hz and 1080p@90Hz. It would try to do this intelligently, of course, by tracking what kind of view is displayed, but it was never truly adaptive. With the introduction of adaptive refresh rate in Android 15, though, the refresh rate can not only adapt to the content frame rate but also change the refresh rate within one display mode.

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• The adaptive refresh rate (ARR) feature in Android 15 enables the display refresh rate to adapt to the frame rate of content.
• The ARR feature reduces power consumption and jank as it lets devices operate at lower refresh rates without the need for mode switching.
• While previous versions of Android supported multiple refresh rates, they did so by switching between discrete display modes.

---

It’s not just the best Android phones that have fast displays these days. Most mid-range and flagship Android phones have a display with a refresh rate above 60Hz, and that’s even true for many budget phones as well. However, most of these phones only refresh at a few fixed rates like 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz, as their displays don’t support variable refresh rate (VRR) technology. Some phones do have displays capable of VRR, but it turns out that Android itself hasn’t had true VRR support — at least not until now.

According to Google, Android 15 is the first version of Android that supports adaptive refresh rate (ARR), which is synonymous with variable refresh rate. Before Android 15, the operating system supported multiple refresh rates via refresh rate switching. Basically, the operating system would tell the display to switch between various display modes it supported such as 1080p@60Hz and 1080p@90Hz. It would try to do this intelligently, of course, by tracking what kind of view is displayed, but it was never truly adaptive. With the introduction of adaptive refresh rate in Android 15, though, the refresh rate can not only adapt to the content frame rate but also change the refresh rate within one display mode.

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AT&T is the latest to grab a piece of US Cellular — here’s what it could do with it

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• US Cellular just announced a $1 billion deal to sell some of its wireless spectrum to AT&T.
• Last month, US Cellular announced a $1 billion spectrum sale to Verizon.
• Earlier this year, US Cellular struck a major $4.4 billion deal with T-Mobile, selling much of its business assets.

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US Cellular has announced a significant $1.018 billion deal to sell portions of its spectrum to AT&T. The transaction is part of US Cellular’s larger plan to “opportunistically monetize” its unused assets following the initial sale of the majority of its business to T-Mobile earlier this year.

So, what exactly is being sold here? The transaction includes two key chunks of spectrum: the 700 MHz band, which is great for expanding coverage to rural and hard-to-reach areas, and the 3.45 GHz band, designed for high-capacity 5G service, which is expected to make AT&T’s 5G faster and more reliable in busy cities. Together, these additions should help AT&T expand its footprint and improve connectivity nationwide.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• US Cellular just announced a $1 billion deal to sell some of its wireless spectrum to AT&T.
• Last month, US Cellular announced a $1 billion spectrum sale to Verizon.
• Earlier this year, US Cellular struck a major $4.4 billion deal with T-Mobile, selling much of its business assets.

---

US Cellular has announced a significant $1.018 billion deal to sell portions of its spectrum to AT&T. The transaction is part of US Cellular’s larger plan to “opportunistically monetize” its unused assets following the initial sale of the majority of its business to T-Mobile earlier this year.

So, what exactly is being sold here? The transaction includes two key chunks of spectrum: the 700 MHz band, which is great for expanding coverage to rural and hard-to-reach areas, and the 3.45 GHz band, designed for high-capacity 5G service, which is expected to make AT&T’s 5G faster and more reliable in busy cities. Together, these additions should help AT&T expand its footprint and improve connectivity nationwide.

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The best new streaming movies this week: My Old Ass and more

It’s time for our weekly movie roundup. We got an introspective Aubrey Plaza movie this week — do not miss out on that! We also have our first Christmas movie, so the familiar Hallmark-heavy time of the year is starting! December isn’t too far, but for now, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get on with our list.

The best new streaming movies this week

• My Old Ass
• Meet Me Next Christmas
• Janet Planet
• Music by John Williams
• Look Back
• Doc of Chucky

My Old Ass – November 7, Prime Video

• Release date: September 13, 2024
• Genre: Comedy
• Rating: R
• Director: Megan Park
• Cast: Maisy Stella, Aubrey Plaza, Percy Hynes White, Maddie Ziegler, Kerrice Brooks, Maria Dizzia, Alain Goulem

In a picturesque Ontario cranberry farming community, 18-year-old Elliott is counting down the days until she leaves for college in Toronto. During a mushroom-fueled camping trip with her best friends to celebrate her birthday, she has an extraordinary encounter with her 39-year-old self, a somewhat cynical PhD student.

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It’s time for our weekly movie roundup. We got an introspective Aubrey Plaza movie this week — do not miss out on that! We also have our first Christmas movie, so the familiar Hallmark-heavy time of the year is starting! December isn’t too far, but for now, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get on with our list.

The best new streaming movies this week

• My Old Ass
• Meet Me Next Christmas
• Janet Planet
• Music by John Williams
• Look Back
• Doc of Chucky

My Old Ass – November 7, Prime Video

• Release date: September 13, 2024
• Genre: Comedy
• Rating: R
• Director: Megan Park
• Cast: Maisy Stella, Aubrey Plaza, Percy Hynes White, Maddie Ziegler, Kerrice Brooks, Maria Dizzia, Alain Goulem

In a picturesque Ontario cranberry farming community, 18-year-old Elliott is counting down the days until she leaves for college in Toronto. During a mushroom-fueled camping trip with her best friends to celebrate her birthday, she has an extraordinary encounter with her 39-year-old self, a somewhat cynical PhD student.

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Game over: NVIDIA is limiting how much GeForce Now you can play each month

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• NVIDIA announced that GeForce Now users will be limited to 100 hours a month starting in 2025.
• If a user doesn’t use all of their allotted hours, up to 15 hours will roll over to the next month.
• You can pay $2.99 for 15 additional hours of Performance or $5.99 for 15 additional Ultimate hours.
• Founders memberships will continue to have unlimited playtime.

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GeForce Now is about to change in a way that’s sure to upset its gaming user base. NVIDIA is implementing an hour cap that will lock your playtime to 100 hours a month.

In a Reddit post, NVIDIA announced a few of the new games that will soon be available on its streaming platform. Along with that announcement, the company shared some rather big news such as the Priority tier being rebranded to Performance and new benefits for the membership. These benefits include an upgrade to 1440p resolution, ultrawide resolutions, and saving in-game graphics settings across streaming sessions all at no additional cost.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• NVIDIA announced that GeForce Now users will be limited to 100 hours a month starting in 2025.
• If a user doesn’t use all of their allotted hours, up to 15 hours will roll over to the next month.
• You can pay $2.99 for 15 additional hours of Performance or $5.99 for 15 additional Ultimate hours.
• Founders memberships will continue to have unlimited playtime.

---

GeForce Now is about to change in a way that’s sure to upset its gaming user base. NVIDIA is implementing an hour cap that will lock your playtime to 100 hours a month.

In a Reddit post, NVIDIA announced a few of the new games that will soon be available on its streaming platform. Along with that announcement, the company shared some rather big news such as the Priority tier being rebranded to Performance and new benefits for the membership. These benefits include an upgrade to 1440p resolution, ultrawide resolutions, and saving in-game graphics settings across streaming sessions all at no additional cost.

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This is the cheapest we’ve seen the Apple AirPods 4 go for!

The Apple AirPods 4 are the company’s latest entry-level earbuds, only released last September 20, 2024. We’ve seen some discounts on it, but none of them get even close to today’s deal. A large south-eastern regional tech retailer is currently offering the Apple AirPods 4 for just $89. That is a 31% discount on the full $129 retail price, and it’s the cheapest price we’ve seen these earbuds go for.

Get the Apple AirPods 4 for just $89

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The Apple AirPods 4 are the company’s latest entry-level earbuds, only released last September 20, 2024. We’ve seen some discounts on it, but none of them get even close to today’s deal. A large south-eastern regional tech retailer is currently offering the Apple AirPods 4 for just $89. That is a 31% discount on the full $129 retail price, and it’s the cheapest price we’ve seen these earbuds go for.

Get the Apple AirPods 4 for just $89

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Google might skip Android TV 15 and go straight to Android 16 for TVs

• According to a source, Google plans to move Android TV to a biyearly release schedule.
• This means that Google might skip Android TV 15 and instead release Android 16 for TVs in 2026.
• That’s because Google already released Android TV 14 earlier this year.

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The version of Android that you’ll find on TVs is very different from the one you’ll find on phones and tablets, which makes sense as they’re vastly different form factors that serve different purposes. However, Android TV is still based on the same underlying codebase as Android for handheld devices, which is updated at a pace that’s far too frequent for TV makers to keep up with. Because of this, Google is apparently moving Android TV to a biyearly release schedule, which means the next major release might be based on Android 16.

Unlike smartphones, most people upgrade their TVs every 5 to 10 years, primarily based on factors like price, screen size, and hardware specifications, rather than software features. As single-purpose media consumption devices, TVs don’t rely as heavily on software updates as general-purpose smartphones. This means there’s less pressure on TV makers to release major Android version upgrades or equip their devices with the latest Android TV platform. Nonetheless, Google still needs to update the Android TV platform so that it can introduce new features and meet regulatory requirements, which often leads to significant delays in adoption by TV makers.

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• According to a source, Google plans to move Android TV to a biyearly release schedule.
• This means that Google might skip Android TV 15 and instead release Android 16 for TVs in 2026.
• That’s because Google already released Android TV 14 earlier this year.

---

The version of Android that you’ll find on TVs is very different from the one you’ll find on phones and tablets, which makes sense as they’re vastly different form factors that serve different purposes. However, Android TV is still based on the same underlying codebase as Android for handheld devices, which is updated at a pace that’s far too frequent for TV makers to keep up with. Because of this, Google is apparently moving Android TV to a biyearly release schedule, which means the next major release might be based on Android 16.

Unlike smartphones, most people upgrade their TVs every 5 to 10 years, primarily based on factors like price, screen size, and hardware specifications, rather than software features. As single-purpose media consumption devices, TVs don’t rely as heavily on software updates as general-purpose smartphones. This means there’s less pressure on TV makers to release major Android version upgrades or equip their devices with the latest Android TV platform. Nonetheless, Google still needs to update the Android TV platform so that it can introduce new features and meet regulatory requirements, which often leads to significant delays in adoption by TV makers.

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