Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 get stable Android 14 update

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• Both the Galaxy Z Flod 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 are getting the stable One UI 6 update.
• US users on Verizon are getting the update first.
• The update should arrive for other devices shortly.

---

This morning, we reported on the Galaxy A54 getting the One UI 6 stable update. Now the time has come for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 to be updated to Android 14.

Verizon has announced that Samsung’s latest folding phones are ready to get the stable One UI 6 update.  Flip 5 owners in the US will get software version F731USQU1BWK9, while Fold 5 owners in the US will get F946USQU1BWK9. This update will also come with November’s security patch.

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Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• Both the Galaxy Z Flod 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 are getting the stable One UI 6 update.
• US users on Verizon are getting the update first.
• The update should arrive for other devices shortly.

---

This morning, we reported on the Galaxy A54 getting the One UI 6 stable update. Now the time has come for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 to be updated to Android 14.

Verizon has announced that Samsung’s latest folding phones are ready to get the stable One UI 6 update.  Flip 5 owners in the US will get software version F731USQU1BWK9, while Fold 5 owners in the US will get F946USQU1BWK9. This update will also come with November’s security patch.

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The Garmin Epix Pro 2 is, well, epic

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

I’ve written once or twice (or a hundred times) about how I’m not really a smartwatch guy. I don’t like having to charge one more device each day, and I can’t be bothered to type out a text message from the confines of my wrist. Give me a reliable GPS watch or tracker, on the other hand, with weeks of battery life and accurate tracking to keep up with my weekly running mileage, and I’ll be happy for a long, long time. Now, I think I’ve found my perfect match — a watch that checks all the boxes and then makes up more boxes so that it can check them too. Simply put, the Garmin Epix Pro 2 has ruined all other GPS watches for me.

Built for adventure

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I’ve written once or twice (or a hundred times) about how I’m not really a smartwatch guy. I don’t like having to charge one more device each day, and I can’t be bothered to type out a text message from the confines of my wrist. Give me a reliable GPS watch or tracker, on the other hand, with weeks of battery life and accurate tracking to keep up with my weekly running mileage, and I’ll be happy for a long, long time. Now, I think I’ve found my perfect match — a watch that checks all the boxes and then makes up more boxes so that it can check them too. Simply put, the Garmin Epix Pro 2 has ruined all other GPS watches for me.

Built for adventure

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tvOS 17: Release date, features, and compatibility

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

While Apple has continually made improvements to its tvOS platform, the last two years have seen relatively minor updates. Thankfully, that’s not the case this time. The latest version of the Apple TV’s OS brings several new improvements to the mix. Let’s jump in and discuss everything we know about tvOS 17, from features to compatibility and more.

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Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

While Apple has continually made improvements to its tvOS platform, the last two years have seen relatively minor updates. Thankfully, that’s not the case this time. The latest version of the Apple TV’s OS brings several new improvements to the mix. Let’s jump in and discuss everything we know about tvOS 17, from features to compatibility and more.

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Google Maps has changed its colors and people are upset

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google Maps has a new color scheme that’s now rolling out widely.
• Roads are now gray, water bodies are a lighter blue, forested areas are a darker shade of green, and the route color is a jarring blue.
• Most Google Maps users seem opposed to the changes and want the old colors back.

---

Google Maps is now widely rolling out its new color palette, and users are understandably annoyed. While the changes aren’t too drastic, the new Google Maps colors have taken users by surprise and left them feeling unsettled.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google Maps has a new color scheme that’s now rolling out widely.
• Roads are now gray, water bodies are a lighter blue, forested areas are a darker shade of green, and the route color is a jarring blue.
• Most Google Maps users seem opposed to the changes and want the old colors back.

---

Google Maps is now widely rolling out its new color palette, and users are understandably annoyed. While the changes aren’t too drastic, the new Google Maps colors have taken users by surprise and left them feeling unsettled.

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Nothing Chats pulled from Play Store after investigations find serious security flaws

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• Nothing has removed Nothing Chats from the Play Store after multiple investigations found that it’s a complete security mess.
• Sunbird, the platform that powers Nothing Chats, has access to every message sent and received through the app on your device.
• All images, documents, and messages sent through Nothing Chats and Sunbird are also publicly accessible.

---

Nothing recently made a big deal about its new iMessage-compatible texting platform called Nothing Chats. It even promised that messages sent over the service, which is powered by Sunbird, are end-to-end encrypted and not stored on any servers. However, multiple investigations have now proved that Nothing and Sunbird’s security claims are utterly false. Nothing has also pulled the app from the Play Store and delayed its official launch.

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Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• Nothing has removed Nothing Chats from the Play Store after multiple investigations found that it’s a complete security mess.
• Sunbird, the platform that powers Nothing Chats, has access to every message sent and received through the app on your device.
• All images, documents, and messages sent through Nothing Chats and Sunbird are also publicly accessible.

---

Nothing recently made a big deal about its new iMessage-compatible texting platform called Nothing Chats. It even promised that messages sent over the service, which is powered by Sunbird, are end-to-end encrypted and not stored on any servers. However, multiple investigations have now proved that Nothing and Sunbird’s security claims are utterly false. Nothing has also pulled the app from the Play Store and delayed its official launch.

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This is when you can expect to buy the new Samsung Galaxy S24 series

Credit: OnLeaks via Smartprix

• Samsung has reportedly confirmed a January 17 launch for the Galaxy S24 series.
• According to new information, the 2024 Samsung flagships will go on pre-order immediately after launch.
• General sales for the devices are expected to commence on January 30.

---

The pre-order and sales schedule of the Samsung Galaxy S24 series has leaked. According to The Elec, Samsung has apparently confirmed a January 17 launch for the Galaxy S24 lineup. We checked all of Samsung’s official sources to see if the company has made an announcement regarding the upcoming launch, but it seems this information is exclusive to publication.

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Credit: OnLeaks via Smartprix

• Samsung has reportedly confirmed a January 17 launch for the Galaxy S24 series.
• According to new information, the 2024 Samsung flagships will go on pre-order immediately after launch.
• General sales for the devices are expected to commence on January 30.

---

The pre-order and sales schedule of the Samsung Galaxy S24 series has leaked. According to The Elec, Samsung has apparently confirmed a January 17 launch for the Galaxy S24 lineup. We checked all of Samsung’s official sources to see if the company has made an announcement regarding the upcoming launch, but it seems this information is exclusive to publication.

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Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus may just be my new favorite Chrome OS machine

I’ve used dozens of Chromebooks over the years, including budget machines, high-end models, and even a gaming Chromebook. As someone who works from home, I’ve found there’s much to like about Chromebooks.

Chromebooks are not only much more affordable than similarly spec’d Windows machines or MacBooks, but they also tend to be more stable thanks to the simplified nature of Chrome OS. When I heard about the new Chromebook Plus initiative, it piqued my interest. After about two weeks of using Lenovo’s new Chromebook Plus, I wanted to share my impressions in this short Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review.

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I’ve used dozens of Chromebooks over the years, including budget machines, high-end models, and even a gaming Chromebook. As someone who works from home, I’ve found there’s much to like about Chromebooks.

Chromebooks are not only much more affordable than similarly spec’d Windows machines or MacBooks, but they also tend to be more stable thanks to the simplified nature of Chrome OS. When I heard about the new Chromebook Plus initiative, it piqued my interest. After about two weeks of using Lenovo’s new Chromebook Plus, I wanted to share my impressions in this short Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review.

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The best Plex alternative in 2023 is Jellyfin, and you really should try it

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Self-hosting is an increasingly popular alternative for those looking to escape the convoluted (and expensive) content-streaming landscape and return to a more traditional personal ownership approach to their media collection. Once you’ve bought your fancy new Network Attached Storage (NAS) and filled it with your favorite movies, the next step is to figure out what software to run on it.

There are at least two solid options for serving up your media collection; it’s a choice of Jellyfin vs Plex. Plex is the big name in town, but installing it didn’t cross my mind after recently rebuilding my DIY NAS. I’ve never been keen on Plex’s increasing insistence on serving up third-party content, and the all too real risk of compromised user data (as the recent data leak showed) doesn’t gel with the true self-hosted ethos. I’m not alone in looking for a solid Plex alternative.

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Self-hosting is an increasingly popular alternative for those looking to escape the convoluted (and expensive) content-streaming landscape and return to a more traditional personal ownership approach to their media collection. Once you’ve bought your fancy new Network Attached Storage (NAS) and filled it with your favorite movies, the next step is to figure out what software to run on it.

There are at least two solid options for serving up your media collection; it’s a choice of Jellyfin vs Plex. Plex is the big name in town, but installing it didn’t cross my mind after recently rebuilding my DIY NAS. I’ve never been keen on Plex’s increasing insistence on serving up third-party content, and the all too real risk of compromised user data (as the recent data leak showed) doesn’t gel with the true self-hosted ethos. I’m not alone in looking for a solid Plex alternative.

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The OnePlus Open is great, but it has a silly problem

https://youtube.com/watch?v=pFAENCH3WgI

Opinion post by

Ryan Haines

The OnePlus Open is probably my favorite foldable phone right now. It gets so many things right thanks, in part, to OPPO’s head start with the Find N series — but it’s not perfect. In fact, it has one flaw that’s so silly it stands out like a sore thumb against the rest of the well-polished package. Let’s talk about stylus support on the OnePlus Open or, rather, the lack thereof.

OnePlus Styl – Oh no

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=pFAENCH3WgI

Opinion post by

Ryan Haines

The OnePlus Open is probably my favorite foldable phone right now. It gets so many things right thanks, in part, to OPPO’s head start with the Find N series — but it’s not perfect. In fact, it has one flaw that’s so silly it stands out like a sore thumb against the rest of the well-polished package. Let’s talk about stylus support on the OnePlus Open or, rather, the lack thereof.

OnePlus Styl – Oh no

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OpenAI drama continues as board in talks to bring fired CEO back

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• OpenAI fired CEO Sam Altman on November 17.
• OpenAI’s board is reportedly in discussions with Altman to return as CEO.
• Altman is “ambivalent” about coming back.

---

OpenAI has been on a bit of a rollercoaster over the last 48 hours. On Friday, Open AI announced it had fired CEO Sam Altman. After major upheavals following the announcement, the board that fired him is now in talks to bring him back.

According to The Verge, multiple sources close to the matter say the OpenAI board is in discussions with Altman to return as CEO. However, Altman is reportedly “ambivalent” about coming back to the company and wants significant governance changes.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• OpenAI fired CEO Sam Altman on November 17.
• OpenAI’s board is reportedly in discussions with Altman to return as CEO.
• Altman is “ambivalent” about coming back.

---

OpenAI has been on a bit of a rollercoaster over the last 48 hours. On Friday, Open AI announced it had fired CEO Sam Altman. After major upheavals following the announcement, the board that fired him is now in talks to bring him back.

According to The Verge, multiple sources close to the matter say the OpenAI board is in discussions with Altman to return as CEO. However, Altman is reportedly “ambivalent” about coming back to the company and wants significant governance changes.

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I used to recommend Garmin for fitness enthusiasts, but the Apple Watch is gaining ground

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

One perk of reviewing wearables is garnering insight into all the top brands available. That also means the ability to help friends and family choose the best smartwatch or fitness tracker to toss into their own carts. Historically, Garmin has been my go-to brand for athletes and big fitness enthusiasts. Apple’s watches I’ve primarily recommended to those who want an extension of their phones on their wrist. In the last few years, though, Apple has been moving in on Garmin’s territory and I see myself recommending the Apple Watch more and more instead of Garmin. Here’s why.

Both Apple and Garmin are after users’ hearts

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Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

One perk of reviewing wearables is garnering insight into all the top brands available. That also means the ability to help friends and family choose the best smartwatch or fitness tracker to toss into their own carts. Historically, Garmin has been my go-to brand for athletes and big fitness enthusiasts. Apple’s watches I’ve primarily recommended to those who want an extension of their phones on their wrist. In the last few years, though, Apple has been moving in on Garmin’s territory and I see myself recommending the Apple Watch more and more instead of Garmin. Here’s why.

Both Apple and Garmin are after users’ hearts

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Amazon is laying off ‘several hundred’ Alexa staff to focus on AI

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• A leaked internal memo from Amazon reveals the company is preparing for layoffs.
• Amazon plans to cut “several hundred” jobs from its Alexa department.
• The move is meant to help Amazon maximize its resources toward its current priorities — generative AI.

---

Yesterday, Amazon announced a partnership with Hyundai that would allow shoppers to browse for cars on the website. As part of that deal, Hyundai is putting Alexa in its cars starting in 2025. Only one day later, Amazon has internally announced plans for massive layoffs to its Alexa department.

Daniel Rausch, Amazon’s vice president of Alexa and Fire TV, sent an internal memo to employees earlier today. Obtained by GeekWire, the memo states Amazon’s intentions to shift its focus to its generative AI efforts. Unfortunately, it appears this change in priorities will come at the cost of “several hundred” jobs in the US, Canada, India, and a few other regions.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• A leaked internal memo from Amazon reveals the company is preparing for layoffs.
• Amazon plans to cut “several hundred” jobs from its Alexa department.
• The move is meant to help Amazon maximize its resources toward its current priorities — generative AI.

---

Yesterday, Amazon announced a partnership with Hyundai that would allow shoppers to browse for cars on the website. As part of that deal, Hyundai is putting Alexa in its cars starting in 2025. Only one day later, Amazon has internally announced plans for massive layoffs to its Alexa department.

Daniel Rausch, Amazon’s vice president of Alexa and Fire TV, sent an internal memo to employees earlier today. Obtained by GeekWire, the memo states Amazon’s intentions to shift its focus to its generative AI efforts. Unfortunately, it appears this change in priorities will come at the cost of “several hundred” jobs in the US, Canada, India, and a few other regions.

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WhatsApp teases AI chatbot debut with new shortcut

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• WhatsApp is rolling out the latest beta update for the app.
• The update features a new shortcut to open AI chats.
• The new shortcut is available to some beta testers.

---

During Meta Connect 2023, the company announced WhatsApp would be getting an AI chatbot. Since then, only select beta testers have been able to use the AI-powered chats feature. It’s unknown when we’ll see a broader launch, but a new shortcut suggests that day is getting closer.

WhatsApp has started rolling out the latest beta for the Android app — version 2.23.24.26. Currently available for download in the Google Play Store, the fresh update appears to have a new shortcut for the AI assistant, according to WABetaInfo.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• WhatsApp is rolling out the latest beta update for the app.
• The update features a new shortcut to open AI chats.
• The new shortcut is available to some beta testers.

---

During Meta Connect 2023, the company announced WhatsApp would be getting an AI chatbot. Since then, only select beta testers have been able to use the AI-powered chats feature. It’s unknown when we’ll see a broader launch, but a new shortcut suggests that day is getting closer.

WhatsApp has started rolling out the latest beta for the Android app — version 2.23.24.26. Currently available for download in the Google Play Store, the fresh update appears to have a new shortcut for the AI assistant, according to WABetaInfo.

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Apple doesn’t need to ban Sunbird or Beeper; they’re already on borrowed time

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Dhruv Bhutani

Blue bubble envy? Getting iMessage on Android has always been a popular point of discussion amongst iPhone users looking to switch to Android. However, Nothing brought it to the forefront earlier this week when it announced plans to offer a chat app that lets you masquerade as an iPhone user.

This latest publicity stunt from the House of Nothing follows news that US teens’ interest in Android phones is at an all-time low. A Piper Sandler report claims that 87% of American teenagers are using iPhones — a number that should be setting off deafening sirens all across Mountain View. The report comes at a time when the iPhone already commands 58% of the North American smartphone market. In short, Android’s future in America is looking grim.

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Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Dhruv Bhutani

Blue bubble envy? Getting iMessage on Android has always been a popular point of discussion amongst iPhone users looking to switch to Android. However, Nothing brought it to the forefront earlier this week when it announced plans to offer a chat app that lets you masquerade as an iPhone user.

This latest publicity stunt from the House of Nothing follows news that US teens’ interest in Android phones is at an all-time low. A Piper Sandler report claims that 87% of American teenagers are using iPhones — a number that should be setting off deafening sirens all across Mountain View. The report comes at a time when the iPhone already commands 58% of the North American smartphone market. In short, Android’s future in America is looking grim.

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Apple caves, will bring RCS to iMessage in 2024

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Apple announced today that it will support RCS in 2024.
• This will bring encrypted chat support between iMessage and Google Messages.
• It is likely Apple is doing this to avoid going to court over it in the EU.

---

For the past year, Google has run an ad campaign called #GetTheMessage. This campaign was an attempt to shame Apple into supporting rich communication services (RCS) in iMessage, Apple’s proprietary iPhone chat app. It looks like Google’s campaign may have worked.

Today, Apple issued a statement to 9to5Mac stating that it will support RCS in 2024:

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Apple announced today that it will support RCS in 2024.
• This will bring encrypted chat support between iMessage and Google Messages.
• It is likely Apple is doing this to avoid going to court over it in the EU.

---

For the past year, Google has run an ad campaign called #GetTheMessage. This campaign was an attempt to shame Apple into supporting rich communication services (RCS) in iMessage, Apple’s proprietary iPhone chat app. It looks like Google’s campaign may have worked.

Today, Apple issued a statement to 9to5Mac stating that it will support RCS in 2024:

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The best 20,000mAh power banks you can buy

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

A power bank is often the only option to keep your devices charged when you’re away from an outlet. You can get smaller portable batteries with 5,000mAh and 10,000mAh capacities, but 20,000mAh is more ideal, since it’s enough to charge a phone several times over. Here are our recommendations for some of the best 20,000mAh power banks you can currently get your hands on.

Best 20,000mAh power banks

1. Anker PowerCore III
2. Anker 200w Prime Power Bank
3. Crave Plus Pro portable charger

5. Mophie Powerstation XL
6. Baseus 65W power bank
7. Omnicharge Omni 20 Plus

Editor’s note: We’ll continually update this list as new 20,000mAh power banks are announced.

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Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

A power bank is often the only option to keep your devices charged when you’re away from an outlet. You can get smaller portable batteries with 5,000mAh and 10,000mAh capacities, but 20,000mAh is more ideal, since it’s enough to charge a phone several times over. Here are our recommendations for some of the best 20,000mAh power banks you can currently get your hands on.

Best 20,000mAh power banks

1. Anker PowerCore III
2. Anker 200w Prime Power Bank
3. Crave Plus Pro portable charger

5. Mophie Powerstation XL
6. Baseus 65W power bank
7. Omnicharge Omni 20 Plus

Editor’s note: We’ll continually update this list as new 20,000mAh power banks are announced.

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What’s new in AI? Microsoft announces new AI tools including its own custom chatbot maker, and more

Welcome to the very first edition (and our pilot episode) of What’s New in AI, our weekly update where we bring you all the latest AI news, tools, and tips to help you excel in this new AA-driven future.

AI in the news: The biggest AI developments and news

Let’s start with some of the biggest headlines from last week:

• ChatGPT continues to be the leader in the AI revolution, but it’s still early days and many players are fighting for a piece of the pie. Nearly two weeks ago Amazon announced Olympus, its own plans for an AI engine. Now Tech Spark AI has announced it is working on its own ChatGPT alternative and has acquired $1.4 million in pre-seed funding.
• The two-day Microsoft Ignite event kicked off on November 15 and has seen several key announcements including Microsoft’s plans for new AI-focused chips for use in its data centers, the introduction of a few new tools, and even a rebranding of Bing Chat.
• Continuing our focus on Microsoft, Microsoft CoPilot is the new name for Bing Chat, unifying the chat bot’s name and experience across Bing and Windows, as well as introducing its own dedicated domain at copilot.microsoft.com. Google is also introducing a new program called CoPilot Studio, which we’ll talk more about in the tools and apps section.
• While AI has a lot of potential for great good, it can also be a can of worms when it comes to misinformation. YouTube wants to help prevent potential misinformation by rolling out new rules for AI content, including a requirement that the creator reveal if any generative artificial intelligence was used to make anything realistic that appears in the video or faces a potential ban or suspension. This would not only help protect against deep fakes but also make it clearer when someone is attempting to pass off images and video that they didn’t create directly.
• It was only a matter of time before AI started playing a real influence on politics, for better or worse. Now we’re seeing that start to play out in Argentina. Initially, candidate Sergio Massa used AI to make propaganda images showing him as a figure of unity and power. Shortly after his opponent fired back with his own AI images portraying Massa as a Chinese community leader, and himself as a cuddly lion. The New York Times has an excellent post wrapping up the situation.
• The AI invasion has begun, well at least for weather prediction. A new computer model built by Google DeepMind and powered by artificial intelligence reportedly outperforms traditional weather models, including the gold standard that is the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting model. Reportedly it performed better in 90 percent of forecasts with more than 1,300 atmospheric variables in play including humidity and temperature. The new tools not only offer the ability in short 10-day intervals but as far out as a century — all with much better accuracy than our current methods.
• A few weeks ago Google Maps announced a makeover that includes many new AI drive features including AI-powered Maps search and enhanced navigation. These features are now starting to roll out for many users.

What’s new in AI? This week’s spotlight on AI tools and apps

There are a lot of great AI tools and apps popping up these days for those looking to utilize AI for your personal productivity, as a teacher, as a student, or any personal or professional use case. In this section, we’ll take a look at apps and tools across a variety of platforms including web, PC, and mobile. 

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Welcome to the very first edition (and our pilot episode) of What’s New in AI, our weekly update where we bring you all the latest AI news, tools, and tips to help you excel in this new AA-driven future.

AI in the news: The biggest AI developments and news

Let’s start with some of the biggest headlines from last week:

• ChatGPT continues to be the leader in the AI revolution, but it’s still early days and many players are fighting for a piece of the pie. Nearly two weeks ago Amazon announced Olympus, its own plans for an AI engine. Now Tech Spark AI has announced it is working on its own ChatGPT alternative and has acquired $1.4 million in pre-seed funding.
• The two-day Microsoft Ignite event kicked off on November 15 and has seen several key announcements including Microsoft’s plans for new AI-focused chips for use in its data centers, the introduction of a few new tools, and even a rebranding of Bing Chat.
• Continuing our focus on Microsoft, Microsoft CoPilot is the new name for Bing Chat, unifying the chat bot’s name and experience across Bing and Windows, as well as introducing its own dedicated domain at copilot.microsoft.com. Google is also introducing a new program called CoPilot Studio, which we’ll talk more about in the tools and apps section.
• While AI has a lot of potential for great good, it can also be a can of worms when it comes to misinformation. YouTube wants to help prevent potential misinformation by rolling out new rules for AI content, including a requirement that the creator reveal if any generative artificial intelligence was used to make anything realistic that appears in the video or faces a potential ban or suspension. This would not only help protect against deep fakes but also make it clearer when someone is attempting to pass off images and video that they didn’t create directly.
• It was only a matter of time before AI started playing a real influence on politics, for better or worse. Now we’re seeing that start to play out in Argentina. Initially, candidate Sergio Massa used AI to make propaganda images showing him as a figure of unity and power. Shortly after his opponent fired back with his own AI images portraying Massa as a Chinese community leader, and himself as a cuddly lion. The New York Times has an excellent post wrapping up the situation.
• The AI invasion has begun, well at least for weather prediction. A new computer model built by Google DeepMind and powered by artificial intelligence reportedly outperforms traditional weather models, including the gold standard that is the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting model. Reportedly it performed better in 90 percent of forecasts with more than 1,300 atmospheric variables in play including humidity and temperature. The new tools not only offer the ability in short 10-day intervals but as far out as a century — all with much better accuracy than our current methods.
• A few weeks ago Google Maps announced a makeover that includes many new AI drive features including AI-powered Maps search and enhanced navigation. These features are now starting to roll out for many users.

What’s new in AI? This week’s spotlight on AI tools and apps

There are a lot of great AI tools and apps popping up these days for those looking to utilize AI for your personal productivity, as a teacher, as a student, or any personal or professional use case. In this section, we’ll take a look at apps and tools across a variety of platforms including web, PC, and mobile. 

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YouTube gives AI chatbot early access to select Premium subscribers

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• YouTube is rolling out a variety of features for Premium subscribers.
• A limited number of Premium subscribers will be able to get early access to the site’s new conversational AI tool.
• Enhanced 1080p HD bitrate is now available on Android, web, and smart TVs.

---

Earlier in November, Google announced it was testing out AI tools designed for YouTube. The company is now giving YouTube Premium subscribers early access to those tools, as well as several other features.

Today, Google announced that YouTube Premium members will be able to get early access to two new AI experiments it has been working on. One of those experiments is a conversational AI chatbot and the other is a generative AI tool for summarizing comment sections.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• YouTube is rolling out a variety of features for Premium subscribers.
• A limited number of Premium subscribers will be able to get early access to the site’s new conversational AI tool.
• Enhanced 1080p HD bitrate is now available on Android, web, and smart TVs.

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Earlier in November, Google announced it was testing out AI tools designed for YouTube. The company is now giving YouTube Premium subscribers early access to those tools, as well as several other features.

Today, Google announced that YouTube Premium members will be able to get early access to two new AI experiments it has been working on. One of those experiments is a conversational AI chatbot and the other is a generative AI tool for summarizing comment sections.

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Photo Stack is here: A much cleaner Google Photos feed

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

• The Photo Stack feature for Google Photos has received a wide release.
• Google has also offered a support page detailing how the feature works.

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We first heard about a so-called Photo Stack feature in Google Photos earlier this month, with a Redditor receiving the feature last week. Now, the option has received a wide release.

Google confirmed the availability of Photo Stack on the Google Photos X page. I can report receiving Photo Stack on my personal Pixel 7 Pro, with a popup window in Google Photos announcing the availability of the feature. Check out the screenshot below.

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Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

• The Photo Stack feature for Google Photos has received a wide release.
• Google has also offered a support page detailing how the feature works.

---

We first heard about a so-called Photo Stack feature in Google Photos earlier this month, with a Redditor receiving the feature last week. Now, the option has received a wide release.

Google confirmed the availability of Photo Stack on the Google Photos X page. I can report receiving Photo Stack on my personal Pixel 7 Pro, with a popup window in Google Photos announcing the availability of the feature. Check out the screenshot below.

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Valve says it has a “road map” for the Steam Deck 2

Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority

• Despite its previous history with hardware, Valve is reaffirming its commitment to the Steam Deck.
• Valve says it hopes to release a Steam Deck 2 in the next two or three years.
• Valve is considering making different-colored Steam Decks.

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Last week, Valve surprised us with an OLED version of the Steam Deck. While an improvement in many aspects from the original handheld, it by no means is meant to be a successor to the existing hardware. But Valve wants you to know it is committed to the Steam Deck and a sequel is on the way.

In an interview with Axios, hardware designer Yazan Aldehayyat told the publication that Valve sees the Steam Deck 2 as something they are definitely going to pursue. “We do think that a Steam Deck 2.0 is necessary,” said Aldehayyat. “Steam Deck OLED was necessary. We feel like there’s a road map ahead of us.”

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Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority

• Despite its previous history with hardware, Valve is reaffirming its commitment to the Steam Deck.
• Valve says it hopes to release a Steam Deck 2 in the next two or three years.
• Valve is considering making different-colored Steam Decks.

---

Last week, Valve surprised us with an OLED version of the Steam Deck. While an improvement in many aspects from the original handheld, it by no means is meant to be a successor to the existing hardware. But Valve wants you to know it is committed to the Steam Deck and a sequel is on the way.

In an interview with Axios, hardware designer Yazan Aldehayyat told the publication that Valve sees the Steam Deck 2 as something they are definitely going to pursue. “We do think that a Steam Deck 2.0 is necessary,” said Aldehayyat. “Steam Deck OLED was necessary. We feel like there’s a road map ahead of us.”

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Samsung denies rumors of cheap foldables, says ‘nothing decided’ about Galaxy Z FE phones

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• A Samsung official has shot down rumors of cheap foldables coming from the brand.
• A recent rumor suggested there could be foldables from Samsung in the $500 range as early as next year.
• The same official also shot down the idea of an “FE” model in the Galaxy Z family, at least for now.

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Last week, a rumor surfaced suggesting that Samsung could be working on a mid-range foldable phone to land as early as 2024. According to the rumor, this phone would be in the $400 to $500 range.

However, a spokesperson for Samsung Electronics shot down this information to the Korean publication Korea JoongAng Daily. “We don’t plan to manufacture foldable smartphones that are priced in the midrange,” the spokesperson said. They also added that the recent rumors are “groundless.”

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Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• A Samsung official has shot down rumors of cheap foldables coming from the brand.
• A recent rumor suggested there could be foldables from Samsung in the $500 range as early as next year.
• The same official also shot down the idea of an “FE” model in the Galaxy Z family, at least for now.

---

Last week, a rumor surfaced suggesting that Samsung could be working on a mid-range foldable phone to land as early as 2024. According to the rumor, this phone would be in the $400 to $500 range.

However, a spokesperson for Samsung Electronics shot down this information to the Korean publication Korea JoongAng Daily. “We don’t plan to manufacture foldable smartphones that are priced in the midrange,” the spokesperson said. They also added that the recent rumors are “groundless.”

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The Samsung monitor holiday deals include $500 off the Odyssey G9

Whether you’re a student on a budget or a gamer looking to upgrade your rig, the Samsung monitor holiday deals will have something to pique your interest. There are price drops of up to 40% on monitors of all shapes and sizes, with the star attraction being a record $500 discount on the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 Series OLED curved gaming monitor.

This OLED monitor’s super ultrawide display is equivalent to two quad HD monitors with 1800R curvature, immersing you in your favorite games. It includes a lightning-fast 0.03ms response time and a 240Hz refresh rate, giving you a competitive edge in gaming with seamless, stutter-free visuals. The DisplayHDR True Black 400 technology offers deep blacks and rich colors, adding depth and detail to every scene. The price drop from $1,600 to $1,099.99 represents an all-time low on the gaming monitor.

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Whether you’re a student on a budget or a gamer looking to upgrade your rig, the Samsung monitor holiday deals will have something to pique your interest. There are price drops of up to 40% on monitors of all shapes and sizes, with the star attraction being a record $500 discount on the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G9 Series OLED curved gaming monitor.

This OLED monitor’s super ultrawide display is equivalent to two quad HD monitors with 1800R curvature, immersing you in your favorite games. It includes a lightning-fast 0.03ms response time and a 240Hz refresh rate, giving you a competitive edge in gaming with seamless, stutter-free visuals. The DisplayHDR True Black 400 technology offers deep blacks and rich colors, adding depth and detail to every scene. The price drop from $1,600 to $1,099.99 represents an all-time low on the gaming monitor.

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Apple’s privacy stance crumbles as we learn how much it makes from Google Search

Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority

• At the ongoing Justice Department antitrust trial, a defendant revealed Apple’s search revenue share with Google.
• Apparently, Apple makes as much as 36% of all ad-tracking revenue through Google Search on the mobile version of Safari.
• That is likely billions of dollars each year, making Apple’s stances on user privacy sound hypocritical.

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The US Department of Justice is in the middle of an antitrust lawsuit against Google. The Justice Department accuses Google of using anti-competitive practices to keep its dominance in the search and advertising markets.

On the stand today (via Bloomberg), an economics expert working for Google, Kevin Murphy, disclosed that Apple and Google have a revenue share agreement for Google Search remaining the default search engine on the mobile version of Safari, which appears on the iPhone. This agreement nets Apple as much as 36% of revenue from searches conducted in Safari, which is likely billions of dollars each year.

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Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority

• At the ongoing Justice Department antitrust trial, a defendant revealed Apple’s search revenue share with Google.
• Apparently, Apple makes as much as 36% of all ad-tracking revenue through Google Search on the mobile version of Safari.
• That is likely billions of dollars each year, making Apple’s stances on user privacy sound hypocritical.

---

The US Department of Justice is in the middle of an antitrust lawsuit against Google. The Justice Department accuses Google of using anti-competitive practices to keep its dominance in the search and advertising markets.

On the stand today (via Bloomberg), an economics expert working for Google, Kevin Murphy, disclosed that Apple and Google have a revenue share agreement for Google Search remaining the default search engine on the mobile version of Safari, which appears on the iPhone. This agreement nets Apple as much as 36% of revenue from searches conducted in Safari, which is likely billions of dollars each year.

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Holiday savings slash up to 50% off Amazon Fire TV Sticks

Amazon’s streaming hardware was already one of the most affordable ways to boost your streaming options, but this Black Friday sale has taken that to another level. There are record-low prices on Amazon Fire TV Sticks and the Fire TV Cube, with savings of as much as 50% to be had.

One of the most eye-catching offers is on the new model of the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which is down to an all-time low price of just $39.99. It boasts enhanced features such as extra RAM, a faster quad-core 1.8GHz processor, and support for high-end streaming options including Wi-Fi 6 — making it Amazon’s most powerful streaming stick to date. This device is compatible with all popular video and music streaming services and supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, HDR, and 4K Ultra HD quality.

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Amazon’s streaming hardware was already one of the most affordable ways to boost your streaming options, but this Black Friday sale has taken that to another level. There are record-low prices on Amazon Fire TV Sticks and the Fire TV Cube, with savings of as much as 50% to be had.

One of the most eye-catching offers is on the new model of the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which is down to an all-time low price of just $39.99. It boasts enhanced features such as extra RAM, a faster quad-core 1.8GHz processor, and support for high-end streaming options including Wi-Fi 6 — making it Amazon’s most powerful streaming stick to date. This device is compatible with all popular video and music streaming services and supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, HDR, and 4K Ultra HD quality.

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Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 leak reveals big battery upgrade

Credit: Windows Report

• The Galaxy Fit 3 made a stop at TUV Rheinland and the Indian BIS.
• Certification documents show that the watch has a 200mAh battery.
• The device appears to support 5W charging.

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Last week, we learned that Samsung may be working on a Galaxy Fit 3 fitness tracker. Now it appears the device has landed at two certification sites, revealing the tracker’s battery capacity and charging speed.

As discovered by GSMArena, it appears Samsung’s follow-up to its last fitness tracker was certified at both TUV Rheinland and the Indian BIS. The fact that the device achieved these certifications suggests it won’t be too much longer before the fitness tracker launches.

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Credit: Windows Report

• The Galaxy Fit 3 made a stop at TUV Rheinland and the Indian BIS.
• Certification documents show that the watch has a 200mAh battery.
• The device appears to support 5W charging.

---

Last week, we learned that Samsung may be working on a Galaxy Fit 3 fitness tracker. Now it appears the device has landed at two certification sites, revealing the tracker’s battery capacity and charging speed.

As discovered by GSMArena, it appears Samsung’s follow-up to its last fitness tracker was certified at both TUV Rheinland and the Indian BIS. The fact that the device achieved these certifications suggests it won’t be too much longer before the fitness tracker launches.

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The best AI tools for productivity

Generative AI is the tech buzzword of the day. Its importance can be overblown — it often struggles to get images of fingers right, never mind taking over humanity — but if you understand its limitations, you can still use it to get things done faster. With that in mind, here are some of the best AI tools for productivity currently available.

The best AI tools for productivity

“Productivity” is a nebulous concept, but for our purposes we’re going to define that as meaning general-purpose tools that speed up work tasks, whether you’re in business, school, or government. In some cases, these tools may even make your private life more efficient.

• ChatGPT
• Midjourney
• Adobe Photoshop
• Grammarly
• Notion AI

If you’re looking for AI help with more specific tasks, check out our roundups for themes like writing, business, coding, and school.

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Generative AI is the tech buzzword of the day. Its importance can be overblown — it often struggles to get images of fingers right, never mind taking over humanity — but if you understand its limitations, you can still use it to get things done faster. With that in mind, here are some of the best AI tools for productivity currently available.

The best AI tools for productivity

“Productivity” is a nebulous concept, but for our purposes we’re going to define that as meaning general-purpose tools that speed up work tasks, whether you’re in business, school, or government. In some cases, these tools may even make your private life more efficient.

• ChatGPT
• Midjourney
• Adobe Photoshop
• Grammarly
• Notion AI

If you’re looking for AI help with more specific tasks, check out our roundups for themes like writing, business, coding, and school.

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US court rules your cars can legally store and share your texts and call logs

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• A US court has rejected an appeal in a privacy suit against several automakers.
• The complaint alleged that car infotainment systems illegally store text messages and call logs from a connected smartphone, with no way for users to delete them.
• The court has said this practice by car makers is legal because the privacy violation is potential but not necessarily actual.

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A US court has ruled that infotainment systems in cars can legally store and transmit text messages and call logs from your phone, even if you delete them from your device.

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Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• A US court has rejected an appeal in a privacy suit against several automakers.
• The complaint alleged that car infotainment systems illegally store text messages and call logs from a connected smartphone, with no way for users to delete them.
• The court has said this practice by car makers is legal because the privacy violation is potential but not necessarily actual.

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A US court has ruled that infotainment systems in cars can legally store and transmit text messages and call logs from your phone, even if you delete them from your device.

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