This foldable costs $2,200 but comes with last year’s flagship chip

Credit: HONOR

• HONOR has announced the Magic V2 RSR Porsche Design foldable phone.
• The phone is effectively the Magic V2 with a different design.
• That means you’re getting last year’s Snapdragon processor for the ~$2,200 asking price

---

HONOR announced a tie-up with Porsche Design earlier this year, and we expected a Porsche Design Magic 6 series phone as a result. Now, the two brands have announced their first Porsche Design series phone, and it’s actually the HONOR Magic V2.

The HONOR Magic V2 RSR Porsche Design foldable phone, like all of HUAWEI’s Porsche edition phones, carries a steep price. The Chinese brand is charging 15,999 yuan (~$2,250) for the phone, which is available in a sole 16GB/1TB model. By comparison, the vanilla Magic V2 costs 11,999 yuan (~$1,689) for the 1TB variant.

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Credit: HONOR

• HONOR has announced the Magic V2 RSR Porsche Design foldable phone.
• The phone is effectively the Magic V2 with a different design.
• That means you’re getting last year’s Snapdragon processor for the ~$2,200 asking price

---

HONOR announced a tie-up with Porsche Design earlier this year, and we expected a Porsche Design Magic 6 series phone as a result. Now, the two brands have announced their first Porsche Design series phone, and it’s actually the HONOR Magic V2.

The HONOR Magic V2 RSR Porsche Design foldable phone, like all of HUAWEI’s Porsche edition phones, carries a steep price. The Chinese brand is charging 15,999 yuan (~$2,250) for the phone, which is available in a sole 16GB/1TB model. By comparison, the vanilla Magic V2 costs 11,999 yuan (~$1,689) for the 1TB variant.

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Android 15 could bring widgets back to the lock screen

• Android used to let you place widgets on the lock screen, but this feature was killed off in Android 5.0 Lollipop.
• Code within the latest Android 14 QPR2 beta suggests that this feature might return in some form.
• We don’t have the full details on what lock screen widget support might look like in Android 15, nor whether third-party widgets may be supported.

---

Android widgets are one of the operating system’s oldest and best features. Adding a widget to the Android home screen is one of the easiest ways to personalize your device, giving you useful information at a glance or providing quick access to app functionality. But to even access your widgets, you first need to unlock your device since widgets aren’t shown on Android’s lock screen. That could change in Android 15, though, as the latest Android beta release has evidence suggesting lock screen could make a comeback.

I say “comeback” because Android, at one point, actually did support adding widgets to the lock screen. Lock screen widget support was touted as a key feature of Android 4.2 Jelly Bean before being unceremoniously killed off in Android 5.0 Lollipop. There haven’t been any indications since then that Google would ever bring this feature back. But after Apple introduced widgets to the iPhone lock screen in iOS 16, many speculated that it was only a matter of time. Android 14 introduced customizable lock screen shortcuts and clock styles, so it follows that Google might continue to make the lock screen more customizable in the next release.

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• Android used to let you place widgets on the lock screen, but this feature was killed off in Android 5.0 Lollipop.
• Code within the latest Android 14 QPR2 beta suggests that this feature might return in some form.
• We don’t have the full details on what lock screen widget support might look like in Android 15, nor whether third-party widgets may be supported.

---

Android widgets are one of the operating system’s oldest and best features. Adding a widget to the Android home screen is one of the easiest ways to personalize your device, giving you useful information at a glance or providing quick access to app functionality. But to even access your widgets, you first need to unlock your device since widgets aren’t shown on Android’s lock screen. That could change in Android 15, though, as the latest Android beta release has evidence suggesting lock screen could make a comeback.

I say “comeback” because Android, at one point, actually did support adding widgets to the lock screen. Lock screen widget support was touted as a key feature of Android 4.2 Jelly Bean before being unceremoniously killed off in Android 5.0 Lollipop. There haven’t been any indications since then that Google would ever bring this feature back. But after Apple introduced widgets to the iPhone lock screen in iOS 16, many speculated that it was only a matter of time. Android 14 introduced customizable lock screen shortcuts and clock styles, so it follows that Google might continue to make the lock screen more customizable in the next release.

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You might not have to ever charge your phone again thanks to nuclear batteries

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• A company in China has announced it is developing a radionuclide battery for mobile devices.
• This battery technology is the same that’s used to power pacemakers and components used in space.
• The battery could potentially stay charged for 50 years.

---

As our devices become increasingly power-hungry, the need for longer-lasting batteries continues to grow. A company in China may have a solution, however, and it involves using the same long-lasting battery technology that powers pacemakers and components used in space.

According to WinFuture, a Chinese company called Betavolt Technology has announced it is developing a radionuclide battery that would be suitable for mobile devices. The company already has its first model — BB100 — which measures 15 x 15 x 5mm and is said to provide 100 microwatts of electricity. In the next two years, the company wants to advance the technology and make small batteries that deliver one watt of power and can be combined modularly for greater power requirements.

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• A company in China has announced it is developing a radionuclide battery for mobile devices.
• This battery technology is the same that’s used to power pacemakers and components used in space.
• The battery could potentially stay charged for 50 years.

---

As our devices become increasingly power-hungry, the need for longer-lasting batteries continues to grow. A company in China may have a solution, however, and it involves using the same long-lasting battery technology that powers pacemakers and components used in space.

According to WinFuture, a Chinese company called Betavolt Technology has announced it is developing a radionuclide battery that would be suitable for mobile devices. The company already has its first model — BB100 — which measures 15 x 15 x 5mm and is said to provide 100 microwatts of electricity. In the next two years, the company wants to advance the technology and make small batteries that deliver one watt of power and can be combined modularly for greater power requirements.

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Google Wallet now shows airline boarding passes on your smartwatch

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

• Google Wallet for Wear OS has gained support for showing airline boarding passes.
• The feature appears to work for Wear OS 3 and up.
• Tapping on “View pass” will bring up a QR code that can be scanned at the gate.

---

Back in October 2023, the Google Wallet app gained the ability to share boarding passes with others. Now the wearable version of the app is receiving its own boarding pass-related update that should help speed things up at the gate.

It appears Google Wallet for Wear OS is now letting users access their airline boarding pass on their smartwatch. Devices with Wear OS 3 or above will now get a notification that provides a “View pass” prompt on their screen, according to 9to5Google. That notification reads “Boarding pass for your flight to [this airport]” and tapping on View pass will reportedly bring up a QR code. The QR code on the user’s wrist can then be scanned at the gate.

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Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

• Google Wallet for Wear OS has gained support for showing airline boarding passes.
• The feature appears to work for Wear OS 3 and up.
• Tapping on “View pass” will bring up a QR code that can be scanned at the gate.

---

Back in October 2023, the Google Wallet app gained the ability to share boarding passes with others. Now the wearable version of the app is receiving its own boarding pass-related update that should help speed things up at the gate.

It appears Google Wallet for Wear OS is now letting users access their airline boarding pass on their smartwatch. Devices with Wear OS 3 or above will now get a notification that provides a “View pass” prompt on their screen, according to 9to5Google. That notification reads “Boarding pass for your flight to [this airport]” and tapping on View pass will reportedly bring up a QR code. The QR code on the user’s wrist can then be scanned at the gate.

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Switching phone carriers: How hard is it, and can you keep your existing phone?

Let’s be honest; sometimes, change can seem overwhelming. That’s true even for something as simple as switching phone service. The good news is switching cell phone carriers doesn’t have to be complicated. In this guide, we explain how to switch your phone carrier while keeping your number, as well as what you’ll need to know before jumping in.

How hard is it to switch carriers?

Switching phone carriers doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, those with an e-SIM phone can start with a new network in literally minutes. That said, there are many things you’ll want to consider, such as porting an existing number, keeping your existing phone, and more.

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Let’s be honest; sometimes, change can seem overwhelming. That’s true even for something as simple as switching phone service. The good news is switching cell phone carriers doesn’t have to be complicated. In this guide, we explain how to switch your phone carrier while keeping your number, as well as what you’ll need to know before jumping in.

How hard is it to switch carriers?

Switching phone carriers doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, those with an e-SIM phone can start with a new network in literally minutes. That said, there are many things you’ll want to consider, such as porting an existing number, keeping your existing phone, and more.

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Is a Mint Mobile family plan worth the switch?

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Mint Mobile prides itself on offering cheap phone plans for as little as $15 a month, making it a great deal for someone looking to save money on their phone bill.  In 2023 the Ryan Reynolds-owned carrier widened its target to families as well. Is the Mint Mobile family plan worth it? Let’s dive right in and discuss.

What is included in the Mint Mobile family plan?

Like all of Mint’s plans, the Mint Mobile family plan runs on the T-Mobile network and is paid at least three months in advance.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Mint Mobile prides itself on offering cheap phone plans for as little as $15 a month, making it a great deal for someone looking to save money on their phone bill.  In 2023 the Ryan Reynolds-owned carrier widened its target to families as well. Is the Mint Mobile family plan worth it? Let’s dive right in and discuss.

What is included in the Mint Mobile family plan?

Like all of Mint’s plans, the Mint Mobile family plan runs on the T-Mobile network and is paid at least three months in advance.

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ASUS ROG Phone 8 hands-on impressions: A classier gaming phone

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro series is here, and it’s a big, bold, super-stacked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 duo of gaming phones for 2024. While I haven’t spent quite long enough to give you a full review of this device, I can say how pleasantly surprised I’ve been with the ROG Phone 8 so far. Here are my early hands-on impressions ahead of Android Authority‘s full review, coming soon.

To start with, ASUS has made some aesthetic changes that make it a sleeker customer than its previous generations.  The ROG Phone 8 and 8 Pro have identical footprints, with side-mounted USB-C ports for the cooling module, which comes in the box with the 24GB RAM/1TB storage Pro version, for a limited time with the 16GB/512GB Pro model, or is otherwise sold separately (pricing TBC). This attachment is important for keeping the phone cool if you are gaming for long stretches of time. You can actually charge using both of these USB-C ports, too.

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The ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro series is here, and it’s a big, bold, super-stacked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 duo of gaming phones for 2024. While I haven’t spent quite long enough to give you a full review of this device, I can say how pleasantly surprised I’ve been with the ROG Phone 8 so far. Here are my early hands-on impressions ahead of Android Authority‘s full review, coming soon.

To start with, ASUS has made some aesthetic changes that make it a sleeker customer than its previous generations.  The ROG Phone 8 and 8 Pro have identical footprints, with side-mounted USB-C ports for the cooling module, which comes in the box with the 24GB RAM/1TB storage Pro version, for a limited time with the 16GB/512GB Pro model, or is otherwise sold separately (pricing TBC). This attachment is important for keeping the phone cool if you are gaming for long stretches of time. You can actually charge using both of these USB-C ports, too.

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China claims it can now bypass AirDrop encryption and identify senders

Credit: Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority

• A Chinese state-backed institution in Beijing claims it has cracked Apple AirDrop’s encryption.
• The organization says the technique it created allows them to identify the phone numbers and emails of senders who share AirDrop content.
• The discovery is part of an effort to eliminate undesirable content.

---

Apple’s AirDrop is a popular iOS feature that allows Apple device owners to quickly share things like documents, images, and more. All a user has to do is be close to another device and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and AirDrop enabled to share the file securely through end-to-end encryption. However, China is saying that it has found a way to bypass that encryption to identify users.

According to a report from Bloomberg, a Chinese state-backed organization in Beijing says it has discovered a way to identify AirDrop users who send messages. The technique reportedly allows the institution to see the phone numbers and email addresses of these senders.

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Credit: Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority

• A Chinese state-backed institution in Beijing claims it has cracked Apple AirDrop’s encryption.
• The organization says the technique it created allows them to identify the phone numbers and emails of senders who share AirDrop content.
• The discovery is part of an effort to eliminate undesirable content.

---

Apple’s AirDrop is a popular iOS feature that allows Apple device owners to quickly share things like documents, images, and more. All a user has to do is be close to another device and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and AirDrop enabled to share the file securely through end-to-end encryption. However, China is saying that it has found a way to bypass that encryption to identify users.

According to a report from Bloomberg, a Chinese state-backed organization in Beijing says it has discovered a way to identify AirDrop users who send messages. The technique reportedly allows the institution to see the phone numbers and email addresses of these senders.

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Download these winter wallpapers for your phone

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Winter is my favorite season. If you’re like me, and want to get in the winter spirit, grabbing a fitting wallpaper is a straightforward way to do so. Today. we have a nice variety of winter wallpapers that will look amazing in any phone. Let’s get right to them.

Download awesome winter wallpapers here

We should first let you know it is not a good idea to simply download the images you see in the previews below. These are for demonstration purposes only, as they have been compressed for optimized website performance. If you want the full-resolution winter wallpapers, click on the button below the image previews and download the complete files from there.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Winter is my favorite season. If you’re like me, and want to get in the winter spirit, grabbing a fitting wallpaper is a straightforward way to do so. Today. we have a nice variety of winter wallpapers that will look amazing in any phone. Let’s get right to them.

Download awesome winter wallpapers here

We should first let you know it is not a good idea to simply download the images you see in the previews below. These are for demonstration purposes only, as they have been compressed for optimized website performance. If you want the full-resolution winter wallpapers, click on the button below the image previews and download the complete files from there.

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Spotted at CES 2024: This ceiling light triples up as a movie projector and a smart speaker

Credit: XGIMI

• XGIMI has launched a smart light that also functions as a 100-inch projector and a Harmon Kardon smart speaker.
• The company has also launched a new long-throw projector that automatically locates and remembers the best wall position for projection.

---

CES 2024 is where the smallest and the biggest tech companies come together to showcase their latest tech innovations. This year is no different. While the bumper electronics show hasn’t officially kicked off yet, we’re seeing a number of new announcements from brands strutting their latest and greatest wares. Amongst them is XGIMI, a manufacturer of smart projectors and laser TVs. The company has debuted a new device called Aladdin, which, at first glance, looks like a standard ceiling light, but is capable of doing so much more.

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Credit: XGIMI

• XGIMI has launched a smart light that also functions as a 100-inch projector and a Harmon Kardon smart speaker.
• The company has also launched a new long-throw projector that automatically locates and remembers the best wall position for projection.

---

CES 2024 is where the smallest and the biggest tech companies come together to showcase their latest tech innovations. This year is no different. While the bumper electronics show hasn’t officially kicked off yet, we’re seeing a number of new announcements from brands strutting their latest and greatest wares. Amongst them is XGIMI, a manufacturer of smart projectors and laser TVs. The company has debuted a new device called Aladdin, which, at first glance, looks like a standard ceiling light, but is capable of doing so much more.

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Three new Narwal products for ultra floor cleanliness

The award winning brand behind the Freo robot vacuum is announcing three new products to start 2024. The Narwal S10 Pro is a stick vacuum, the Narwal Freo X Plus is a robot vacuum that’s smarter than ever, and the Narwal Freo X Ultra reimagines total floor care.

Longevity and efficiency are the name of the game, with Narwal’s DirtSense dirt detection system, LiDAR guidance, up to 50% quieter operation, and multiple self-maintenance innovations to reduce your efforts in maintaining spotless floors.

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The award winning brand behind the Freo robot vacuum is announcing three new products to start 2024. The Narwal S10 Pro is a stick vacuum, the Narwal Freo X Plus is a robot vacuum that’s smarter than ever, and the Narwal Freo X Ultra reimagines total floor care.

Longevity and efficiency are the name of the game, with Narwal’s DirtSense dirt detection system, LiDAR guidance, up to 50% quieter operation, and multiple self-maintenance innovations to reduce your efforts in maintaining spotless floors.

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Govee is adding AI to lights with the new AI Lightning Bot on the Sync Box Kit 2

• The new Govee Sync Box Kit 2 comes with HDMI 2.1 support, supporting up to 8K displays and 4K 120fps gaming.
• It also comes with the AI Lighting Bot that makes it easy to set up and sync your Govee lights.
• Govee is partnering with Corsair to integrate its lights with Corsair’s iCUE software.

---

AI will be the buzzword for the foreseeable future, and everyone is turning to AI to make their life easier. Govee, a brand specializing in smart lighting solutions for smart homes, is turning to AI to make smart lighting even smarter and easier to use with its CogniGlow AI algorithm and AI Lighting Bot debuting on the new Sync Box Kit 2.

The new Sync Box Kit 2 includes an RGB strip, two light towers, and an HDMI box that recognizes content passing through to the display and matches the lighting for an immersive experience. The idea is that you plug in a PC or console to the HDMI box, plug the box out to a TV or monitor, and have RGB ambient lighting that reacts to in-game content.

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• The new Govee Sync Box Kit 2 comes with HDMI 2.1 support, supporting up to 8K displays and 4K 120fps gaming.
• It also comes with the AI Lighting Bot that makes it easy to set up and sync your Govee lights.
• Govee is partnering with Corsair to integrate its lights with Corsair’s iCUE software.

---

AI will be the buzzword for the foreseeable future, and everyone is turning to AI to make their life easier. Govee, a brand specializing in smart lighting solutions for smart homes, is turning to AI to make smart lighting even smarter and easier to use with its CogniGlow AI algorithm and AI Lighting Bot debuting on the new Sync Box Kit 2.

The new Sync Box Kit 2 includes an RGB strip, two light towers, and an HDMI box that recognizes content passing through to the display and matches the lighting for an immersive experience. The idea is that you plug in a PC or console to the HDMI box, plug the box out to a TV or monitor, and have RGB ambient lighting that reacts to in-game content.

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Netflix games was my most used gaming service of 2023

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Dhruv Bhutani

I enjoy games and have long wanted to carve out more time for my hobby. However, adulting is hard, and eking out time for gaming amongst all my other responsibilities and interests isn’t easy. Plus, when I do manage to take out some time to sit down and enjoy some gaming goodness, decision fatigue sets in. My list of unfinished titles is lengthy and even more time-consuming. And that’s before we get to my love-hate relationship with the Netflix-like PlayStation Plus service. As appealing as having access to hundreds of titles sounds, it just adds to my woes and makes it harder still to commit to a game. First-world problems, I know.

I've often scoffed at smartphone games, but Netflix Games helped me change my perspective.

On the other hand, I’ve never been much of a mobile gamer. I’d scoff at the diluted gameplay experiences, microtransactions, and limited graphics. Sure, some of the best Android games promise full-fledged indie experiences on my phone, but I don’t want to spend top dollar for something I might not enjoy.

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Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Dhruv Bhutani

I enjoy games and have long wanted to carve out more time for my hobby. However, adulting is hard, and eking out time for gaming amongst all my other responsibilities and interests isn’t easy. Plus, when I do manage to take out some time to sit down and enjoy some gaming goodness, decision fatigue sets in. My list of unfinished titles is lengthy and even more time-consuming. And that’s before we get to my love-hate relationship with the Netflix-like PlayStation Plus service. As appealing as having access to hundreds of titles sounds, it just adds to my woes and makes it harder still to commit to a game. First-world problems, I know.

I've often scoffed at smartphone games, but Netflix Games helped me change my perspective.

On the other hand, I’ve never been much of a mobile gamer. I’d scoff at the diluted gameplay experiences, microtransactions, and limited graphics. Sure, some of the best Android games promise full-fledged indie experiences on my phone, but I don’t want to spend top dollar for something I might not enjoy.

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These new AR glasses support Apple Vision Pro-like features at one-fifth the cost

Credit: Xreal

• XREAL has launched the Air 2 Ultra Augmented Reality glasses.
• They feature new 3D environment sensors, a titanium frame, and support for Apple’s Spatial Video feature.
• The ultra-lightweight glasses cost $699 and will be available starting in March.

---

XREAL (formerly Nreal) has released a new pair of Augmented Reality glasses that promise high-end features in a lightweight, affordable package.

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Credit: Xreal

• XREAL has launched the Air 2 Ultra Augmented Reality glasses.
• They feature new 3D environment sensors, a titanium frame, and support for Apple’s Spatial Video feature.
• The ultra-lightweight glasses cost $699 and will be available starting in March.

---

XREAL (formerly Nreal) has released a new pair of Augmented Reality glasses that promise high-end features in a lightweight, affordable package.

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For the first time, my Pixel wasn’t a vastly superior camera during the holidays

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Rita El Khoury

Every holiday season in Lebanon is a rare chance for us to reconnect with friends and family members who now live all across the globe. From Canada to France, the UAE, and more, we all travel back home for the holidays and meet up for lunches, dinners, engagement parties, surprise proposals, and impromptu get-togethers. Everyone takes photos, but my phone is usually the designated snapper for the more serious and important moments.

The reason is that a few years ago, my Pixel 2 XL surprised everyone with the quality of its portraits and shots in darker indoor environments. Somehow, my friends and family all agreed that my phone’s cam was superior to any of theirs, and that started a tradition that the Pixel 4 XL, 5, 6 Pro, and 7 Pro all carried with pride. That is until this year when, all of a sudden, no one really asked me to take pics with my Pixel 8 Pro.

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Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Rita El Khoury

Every holiday season in Lebanon is a rare chance for us to reconnect with friends and family members who now live all across the globe. From Canada to France, the UAE, and more, we all travel back home for the holidays and meet up for lunches, dinners, engagement parties, surprise proposals, and impromptu get-togethers. Everyone takes photos, but my phone is usually the designated snapper for the more serious and important moments.

The reason is that a few years ago, my Pixel 2 XL surprised everyone with the quality of its portraits and shots in darker indoor environments. Somehow, my friends and family all agreed that my phone’s cam was superior to any of theirs, and that started a tradition that the Pixel 4 XL, 5, 6 Pro, and 7 Pro all carried with pride. That is until this year when, all of a sudden, no one really asked me to take pics with my Pixel 8 Pro.

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This is why I bought 4 Withings ScanWatches for my parents and in-laws

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

A little over a year ago, my mom’s youngest cousin passed away from a heart attack at the age of 55. He was feeling a little discomfort for a few days, but he brushed it away for a dozen reasons that are too complex to get into here. As I sat with my parents and we processed the news and their grief, I happened to mention that modern smartwatches could have alerted him that something was really off and that he shouldn’t have dismissed his feelings as a temporary discomfort.

That started a conversation between us about smartwatches, health monitoring and its limits, what modern tech could help with, and whether or not my family would be OK wearing a smart device all the time. They were up for it. Since then, I’ve been mulling over the idea, trying to think of the perfect setup for them.

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Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

A little over a year ago, my mom’s youngest cousin passed away from a heart attack at the age of 55. He was feeling a little discomfort for a few days, but he brushed it away for a dozen reasons that are too complex to get into here. As I sat with my parents and we processed the news and their grief, I happened to mention that modern smartwatches could have alerted him that something was really off and that he shouldn’t have dismissed his feelings as a temporary discomfort.

That started a conversation between us about smartwatches, health monitoring and its limits, what modern tech could help with, and whether or not my family would be OK wearing a smart device all the time. They were up for it. Since then, I’ve been mulling over the idea, trying to think of the perfect setup for them.

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How I built a fully offline smart home, and why you should too

Credit: Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority

As someone who grew up with a dial-up internet connection, I get anxious at the thought of any always-online product or service. My smart home is no different — I rely on it to automatically cool the room when I return home, light up my closet when I open the door, and match the color temperature of my lights to the sun’s position. Why should any of that require an internet connection? That train of thought is exactly what led me to build a fully offline smart home that doesn’t hinge on any third-party servers whatsoever. And here’s how you can do it, too.

Why build an offline smart home?

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Credit: Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority

As someone who grew up with a dial-up internet connection, I get anxious at the thought of any always-online product or service. My smart home is no different — I rely on it to automatically cool the room when I return home, light up my closet when I open the door, and match the color temperature of my lights to the sun’s position. Why should any of that require an internet connection? That train of thought is exactly what led me to build a fully offline smart home that doesn’t hinge on any third-party servers whatsoever. And here’s how you can do it, too.

Why build an offline smart home?

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After last year’s competition, foldable phones are near a tipping point in 2024

Samsung started selling the first foldable phones in 2019, and almost five years later, foldables only make up about 1% of the smartphone market, and almost all of them are made by Samsung. The Korean tech giant was the undisputed leader and then 2023 rolled around. Google released the Pixel Fold, a capable but toasty foldable to rival Samsung. Then OnePlus released its first foldable, and the OnePlus Open is arguably a better piece of hardware than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. Motorola has also revived its clamshell Razr line.

But don’t weep for Samsung; competition is what foldables need to be viable.

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Samsung started selling the first foldable phones in 2019, and almost five years later, foldables only make up about 1% of the smartphone market, and almost all of them are made by Samsung. The Korean tech giant was the undisputed leader and then 2023 rolled around. Google released the Pixel Fold, a capable but toasty foldable to rival Samsung. Then OnePlus released its first foldable, and the OnePlus Open is arguably a better piece of hardware than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. Motorola has also revived its clamshell Razr line.

But don’t weep for Samsung; competition is what foldables need to be viable.

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The cheapest countries to buy a Nintendo Switch

Like its distant relative, the Game Boy, the Nintendo Switch has cemented its place in history as one of the definitive handheld gaming devices. Its popularity is such that after almost seven years on the market, it’s still regularly at its $300 retail price in the USA, before sales tax. Globetrotting readers may have been looking for a way to pass the time on long-haul flights and noticed that the Switch isn’t the same price in the country they’re passing through. So we’ve compared some countries and asked the question, where’s the cheapest place to buy the Nintendo Switch?

This comparison should particularly interest tourists. That extra sales tax you pay in the US usually only applies to residents, and it’s the same for lots of other nations. This means that if you’re on vacation and you want to buy the Switch, you can often either claim back the sales tax for that region or avoid it entirely. It’s an enticing prospect, but are the savings worth hunting out? That’s what we’re going to explore.

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Like its distant relative, the Game Boy, the Nintendo Switch has cemented its place in history as one of the definitive handheld gaming devices. Its popularity is such that after almost seven years on the market, it’s still regularly at its $300 retail price in the USA, before sales tax. Globetrotting readers may have been looking for a way to pass the time on long-haul flights and noticed that the Switch isn’t the same price in the country they’re passing through. So we’ve compared some countries and asked the question, where’s the cheapest place to buy the Nintendo Switch?

This comparison should particularly interest tourists. That extra sales tax you pay in the US usually only applies to residents, and it’s the same for lots of other nations. This means that if you’re on vacation and you want to buy the Switch, you can often either claim back the sales tax for that region or avoid it entirely. It’s an enticing prospect, but are the savings worth hunting out? That’s what we’re going to explore.

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Android 15’s voice activation feature could let you launch ChatGPT hands-free

• Currently, the only apps you can launch by voice command on Android are Google Assistant and whatever voice assistant your OEM preloads, such as Bixby.
• A hidden page in the latest Android beta hints at a “voice activation” feature that could expand this capability to more apps.
• It’s not totally clear how it works yet, but the feature will supposedly keep your data private through protected adaptive sensing.

---

Voice assistants are handy services that let you check the weather, set an alarm, play music, or look up something totally hands-free. Android gives you the freedom to choose between several voice assistants, including Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and, if you have a Samsung phone, Bixby. However, while Android does allow any app to become the default assistant app, it doesn’t just let any app respond to wake words like “Hey Google” in the background. This is mainly for privacy reasons since your phone has to constantly listen to audio through the microphone in order to pick up the designated wake word. A new feature in Android 15 called “voice activation” could solve this problem through the use of a privacy-preserving “adaptive sensing” technology.

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• Currently, the only apps you can launch by voice command on Android are Google Assistant and whatever voice assistant your OEM preloads, such as Bixby.
• A hidden page in the latest Android beta hints at a “voice activation” feature that could expand this capability to more apps.
• It’s not totally clear how it works yet, but the feature will supposedly keep your data private through protected adaptive sensing.

---

Voice assistants are handy services that let you check the weather, set an alarm, play music, or look up something totally hands-free. Android gives you the freedom to choose between several voice assistants, including Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and, if you have a Samsung phone, Bixby. However, while Android does allow any app to become the default assistant app, it doesn’t just let any app respond to wake words like “Hey Google” in the background. This is mainly for privacy reasons since your phone has to constantly listen to audio through the microphone in order to pick up the designated wake word. A new feature in Android 15 called “voice activation” could solve this problem through the use of a privacy-preserving “adaptive sensing” technology.

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Google Bard site reveals several new features in the works

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google Bard’s website appears to show that multiple new features could be coming to the chatbot.
• The new features include bot creation, “Gallery,” “Tasks,” background/foreground sharing, and “Power-Up.”
• It’s unknown if these features will change before they are rolled out or if they’ll launch at all.

---

Earlier today, we covered a story where lines of code on Google Bard‘s website suggested Bard Advanced may be a paid service tier. But it appears that wasn’t the only news hiding on the web page. It’s now been discovered that several new features could be coming to the chatbot as well.

On X (formerly Twitter), Dylan Roussel shared details on features he found hiding on the Google Bard site. The first of the features appear to be something that lets you “Create Bots.” Outside of its codename “Motoko,” not much is known about this custom bot creator. It’s possible Motoko could be something similar to OpenAI’s custom GPTs.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google Bard’s website appears to show that multiple new features could be coming to the chatbot.
• The new features include bot creation, “Gallery,” “Tasks,” background/foreground sharing, and “Power-Up.”
• It’s unknown if these features will change before they are rolled out or if they’ll launch at all.

---

Earlier today, we covered a story where lines of code on Google Bard‘s website suggested Bard Advanced may be a paid service tier. But it appears that wasn’t the only news hiding on the web page. It’s now been discovered that several new features could be coming to the chatbot as well.

On X (formerly Twitter), Dylan Roussel shared details on features he found hiding on the Google Bard site. The first of the features appear to be something that lets you “Create Bots.” Outside of its codename “Motoko,” not much is known about this custom bot creator. It’s possible Motoko could be something similar to OpenAI’s custom GPTs.

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This iPhone accessory aims to fix the problem with virtual keyboards

Credit: Clicks

• Clicks Technology has launched its first product — a physical keyboard for the iPhone.
• The attachable accessory works with the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
• The Clicks Creator Keyboard starts at $139.

---

Although virtual keyboards have long replaced physical keyboards on phones, there’s still some desire to click on actual buttons. If you’re someone who wishes to return to the physical keyboards of yore, the iPhone 15 Pro and 14 Pro just got an accessory you may be interested in.

Clicks Technology — founded by YouTuber Michael Fisher a.k.a MrMobile — has just announced its first product, the Clicks Creator Keyboard. Made for recent iPhones, the accessory wraps around the handset like a phone case. On the bottom, you’ll find a full QWERTY keyboard you can use to type out messages, take notes, or edit documents without having to pull up the virtual keyboard that takes up half of the screen.

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Credit: Clicks

• Clicks Technology has launched its first product — a physical keyboard for the iPhone.
• The attachable accessory works with the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
• The Clicks Creator Keyboard starts at $139.

---

Although virtual keyboards have long replaced physical keyboards on phones, there’s still some desire to click on actual buttons. If you’re someone who wishes to return to the physical keyboards of yore, the iPhone 15 Pro and 14 Pro just got an accessory you may be interested in.

Clicks Technology — founded by YouTuber Michael Fisher a.k.a MrMobile — has just announced its first product, the Clicks Creator Keyboard. Made for recent iPhones, the accessory wraps around the handset like a phone case. On the bottom, you’ll find a full QWERTY keyboard you can use to type out messages, take notes, or edit documents without having to pull up the virtual keyboard that takes up half of the screen.

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It’s looking like Google may make you pay for Bard’s most powerful tier

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Lines of code suggest that Bard Advanced is coming with a three-month free trial.
• It would appear that Google is planning on charging for the Bard Advanced.
• The lines of code also suggest Bard Advance could be a part of Google One.

---

In December, Google announced it would launch a more advanced version of Bard in early 2024. Although we still don’t have a release date, there are hints that Bard Advanced may end up being a paid tier.

Spotted by developer and cybersecurity enthusiast Bedros Pamboukian, there appear to be lines of code on the Bard website that suggest Bard Advance will come with a three-month free trial. This would suggest that Google may be planning to make Bard’s most powerful tier a paid subscription when it comes out.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Lines of code suggest that Bard Advanced is coming with a three-month free trial.
• It would appear that Google is planning on charging for the Bard Advanced.
• The lines of code also suggest Bard Advance could be a part of Google One.

---

In December, Google announced it would launch a more advanced version of Bard in early 2024. Although we still don’t have a release date, there are hints that Bard Advanced may end up being a paid tier.

Spotted by developer and cybersecurity enthusiast Bedros Pamboukian, there appear to be lines of code on the Bard website that suggest Bard Advance will come with a three-month free trial. This would suggest that Google may be planning to make Bard’s most powerful tier a paid subscription when it comes out.

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LG’s unveils OLED gaming monitor with a blistering 480Hz refresh rate

Credit: LG

• LG has unveiled a new 27-inch gaming monitor.
• The monitor boasts an eye-poppingly high 480Hz refresh rate.
• LG plans on unveiling 31.5, 34, 39, and 45-inch models at CES 2024.

---

LG is well-known in the industry for its gaming monitors and TVs, which range from your average 27-inch monitors to gigantic ultrawide displays. Ahead of CES 2024, LG is introducing another monitor to its collection, and that monitor has a feature that’s almost overkill.

Today, the company announced it has completed the development of a new 27-inch QHD gaming OLED display. What makes this monitor particularly special is that it’s capable of delivering an eye-poppingly high 480Hz refresh rate.

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Credit: LG

• LG has unveiled a new 27-inch gaming monitor.
• The monitor boasts an eye-poppingly high 480Hz refresh rate.
• LG plans on unveiling 31.5, 34, 39, and 45-inch models at CES 2024.

---

LG is well-known in the industry for its gaming monitors and TVs, which range from your average 27-inch monitors to gigantic ultrawide displays. Ahead of CES 2024, LG is introducing another monitor to its collection, and that monitor has a feature that’s almost overkill.

Today, the company announced it has completed the development of a new 27-inch QHD gaming OLED display. What makes this monitor particularly special is that it’s capable of delivering an eye-poppingly high 480Hz refresh rate.

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January 2024 Android security patch has arrived for Google Pixel devices

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

• The January 2024 security patches are rolling out to Google Pixel smartphones and Pixel Tablet.
• This month’s update mostly only fixes bugs.
• The rollout will continue over the next week in phases depending on the device and carrier.

---

It’s a new year and Google is starting 2024 off on the right foot with the release of the latest security patch for Pixel devices. January 2024’s Android security patch will be available for Pixel smartphones — like the Pixel 8 series and older — and the Pixel Tablet.

The changes included in the January 2023 Android Security Bulletin were detailed today. In addition to the Android security bulletin, Google has a couple of security patches for its Pixel devices as well in the Pixel Update Bulletin.

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Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

• The January 2024 security patches are rolling out to Google Pixel smartphones and Pixel Tablet.
• This month’s update mostly only fixes bugs.
• The rollout will continue over the next week in phases depending on the device and carrier.

---

It’s a new year and Google is starting 2024 off on the right foot with the release of the latest security patch for Pixel devices. January 2024’s Android security patch will be available for Pixel smartphones — like the Pixel 8 series and older — and the Pixel Tablet.

The changes included in the January 2023 Android Security Bulletin were detailed today. In addition to the Android security bulletin, Google has a couple of security patches for its Pixel devices as well in the Pixel Update Bulletin.

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T-Mobile is changing the Netflix on Us promo, and you won’t like it

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• T-Mobile’s Netflix on Us promo will change this month.
• Subscribers who rely on the Netflix Basic plan will be “upgraded” to the Standard with Ads plan.
• Although this will include ads, it does up the streaming quality to 1080p and allows you to stream on two devices.

---

Earlier today, we told you that T-Mobile is going to start offering free Hulu subscriptions. Unfortunately, this news came with the caveat that it would only be available for Go5G Next subscribers and include advertisements. Now, we have some more news about T-Mobile’s free streaming offers (via The Mobile Report).

Starting January 24 — the same day free Hulu subscriptions roll out — T-Mobile will retire the Netflix Basic plan within its popular Netflix on Us perk and move it to the Standard with Ads plan. This means users who rely on T-Mo to pay for their Basic subscription will automatically be “upgraded” to a different no-cost Netflix plan, which will include advertisements.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• T-Mobile’s Netflix on Us promo will change this month.
• Subscribers who rely on the Netflix Basic plan will be “upgraded” to the Standard with Ads plan.
• Although this will include ads, it does up the streaming quality to 1080p and allows you to stream on two devices.

---

Earlier today, we told you that T-Mobile is going to start offering free Hulu subscriptions. Unfortunately, this news came with the caveat that it would only be available for Go5G Next subscribers and include advertisements. Now, we have some more news about T-Mobile’s free streaming offers (via The Mobile Report).

Starting January 24 — the same day free Hulu subscriptions roll out — T-Mobile will retire the Netflix Basic plan within its popular Netflix on Us perk and move it to the Standard with Ads plan. This means users who rely on T-Mo to pay for their Basic subscription will automatically be “upgraded” to a different no-cost Netflix plan, which will include advertisements.

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Nintendo Switch 2 rumor says you’ll be spending more on the console and games

Credit: Curtis Joe / Android Authority

• An industry consultant predicts the Nintendo Switch 2 will launch this year.
• The consultant believes the console will sell for $400 and will be “an iteration rather than a revolution.”
• Nintendo may up the price of its games to $70.

---

Although Nintendo has been extremely tight-lipped about the successor to the Nintendo Switch, there’s been a handful of rumors to suggest it will come out in 2024. Now an industry consultant has added to that pile while also giving predictions for the prices of the hardware and software.

In an analyst predictions feature by GamesIndustry.biz, the CEO of game industry consultancy Kantan Games, Dr. Serkan Toto, claimed that the time is now for the Nintendo Switch 2. Toto went on to predict that the Switch 2 will cost $400 — $100 more expensive than the Switch when it launched — and that it will be “an iteration rather than a revolution.” By this, he means the Switch 2 will have a few new features, but it won’t be a jump equivalent to going from the Wii U to the Switch.

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Credit: Curtis Joe / Android Authority

• An industry consultant predicts the Nintendo Switch 2 will launch this year.
• The consultant believes the console will sell for $400 and will be “an iteration rather than a revolution.”
• Nintendo may up the price of its games to $70.

---

Although Nintendo has been extremely tight-lipped about the successor to the Nintendo Switch, there’s been a handful of rumors to suggest it will come out in 2024. Now an industry consultant has added to that pile while also giving predictions for the prices of the hardware and software.

In an analyst predictions feature by GamesIndustry.biz, the CEO of game industry consultancy Kantan Games, Dr. Serkan Toto, claimed that the time is now for the Nintendo Switch 2. Toto went on to predict that the Switch 2 will cost $400 — $100 more expensive than the Switch when it launched — and that it will be “an iteration rather than a revolution.” By this, he means the Switch 2 will have a few new features, but it won’t be a jump equivalent to going from the Wii U to the Switch.

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10 ways to fix Chrome’s “out of memory” error code

Chrome is a notorious memory hog on desktop computers, especially Macs. So while Google has taken a lot of steps to improve the situation over the years, there are still plenty of opportunities to run into an “out of memory” error with the web browser. Here’s what you can do when that error crops up.

How to fix Chrome’s “out of memory” error code

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

It’s worth stating upfront that the more RAM you have, the better. Your computer should have at least 16GB to handle a standard number of Chrome tabs without issues. 32GB is even better, but probably overkill in most circumstances. If your PC is stuck with 8GB, you’ll have to keep a tight lid on the number of tabs you open, and you’re probably overdue for a RAM upgrade — if not an entirely new computer. In the interim, here’s how you can cope with “out of memory” errors:

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Chrome is a notorious memory hog on desktop computers, especially Macs. So while Google has taken a lot of steps to improve the situation over the years, there are still plenty of opportunities to run into an “out of memory” error with the web browser. Here’s what you can do when that error crops up.

How to fix Chrome’s “out of memory” error code

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

It’s worth stating upfront that the more RAM you have, the better. Your computer should have at least 16GB to handle a standard number of Chrome tabs without issues. 32GB is even better, but probably overkill in most circumstances. If your PC is stuck with 8GB, you’ll have to keep a tight lid on the number of tabs you open, and you’re probably overdue for a RAM upgrade — if not an entirely new computer. In the interim, here’s how you can cope with “out of memory” errors:

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Samsung Galaxy AI will debut with the Galaxy S24 series this month

Credit: X / Samsung AU

• Samsung Australia accidentally confirmed the launch of Samsung Galaxy AI.
• We’ll see Galaxy AI on January 17 alongside the expected debut of the Galaxy S24 series.
• At least some Galaxy AI features will require an internet connection to work.

---

Earlier today, Samsung’s Australian X (formerly Twitter) account prematurely confirmed the date of the next Galaxy Unpacked. It appears that January 17 at 1:00 PM ET will be the first time we’ll see the Galaxy S24 series, on which we expect this Unpacked to focus.

Along with the date of Unpacked, the Australian post also confirms we’ll see the debut of Galaxy AI. Samsung already announced this new system back in November. However, it only said we’d see it “early next year,” which made us assume we’d see it with the Galaxy S24 launch. Now, thanks to the Samsung AU post, we are sure that’s what’s happening.

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Credit: X / Samsung AU

• Samsung Australia accidentally confirmed the launch of Samsung Galaxy AI.
• We’ll see Galaxy AI on January 17 alongside the expected debut of the Galaxy S24 series.
• At least some Galaxy AI features will require an internet connection to work.

---

Earlier today, Samsung’s Australian X (formerly Twitter) account prematurely confirmed the date of the next Galaxy Unpacked. It appears that January 17 at 1:00 PM ET will be the first time we’ll see the Galaxy S24 series, on which we expect this Unpacked to focus.

Along with the date of Unpacked, the Australian post also confirms we’ll see the debut of Galaxy AI. Samsung already announced this new system back in November. However, it only said we’d see it “early next year,” which made us assume we’d see it with the Galaxy S24 launch. Now, thanks to the Samsung AU post, we are sure that’s what’s happening.

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