The June 2024 security patch is now rolling out to the Galaxy S21 and a few other devices

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

• The Samsung Galaxy S21’s June 2024 update is now available in select parts of Asia, Europe, and the United States.
• The US carrier-locked Galaxy Fold 3 and Flip 3 are also now seeing the update. Meanwhile, so is the unlocked Galaxy S23 FE.
• The new security patch brings over 50 bug fixes, including one that is listed as critical for some devices running Android 12 and 13.

---

Samsung continues to roll out the June 2024 security update to more devices, with several new updates hitting today. As spotted by SamMobile, not only has the Galaxy S21 security update started rolling out in several countries, but a few US-specific Galaxy variants are also receiving the update.

Starting with the Galaxy S21, the update is listed as firmware version G99xBXXSBGXEC and is reaching several countries in Asia, including Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, among others. Additionally, the update will soon arrive in Europe’s Caucasus region. For those in the United States, the carrier-locked versions of the Galaxy S21 are receiving updates starting today under the firmware version G99xUSQSBGXF1. Meanwhile, those with unlocked S21 units in the US will get a different firmware model, listed as G99xU1UESBGXF1.

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Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

• The Samsung Galaxy S21’s June 2024 update is now available in select parts of Asia, Europe, and the United States.
• The US carrier-locked Galaxy Fold 3 and Flip 3 are also now seeing the update. Meanwhile, so is the unlocked Galaxy S23 FE.
• The new security patch brings over 50 bug fixes, including one that is listed as critical for some devices running Android 12 and 13.

---

Samsung continues to roll out the June 2024 security update to more devices, with several new updates hitting today. As spotted by SamMobile, not only has the Galaxy S21 security update started rolling out in several countries, but a few US-specific Galaxy variants are also receiving the update.

Starting with the Galaxy S21, the update is listed as firmware version G99xBXXSBGXEC and is reaching several countries in Asia, including Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, among others. Additionally, the update will soon arrive in Europe’s Caucasus region. For those in the United States, the carrier-locked versions of the Galaxy S21 are receiving updates starting today under the firmware version G99xUSQSBGXF1. Meanwhile, those with unlocked S21 units in the US will get a different firmware model, listed as G99xU1UESBGXF1.

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Android 15 features: Everything you need to know about confirmed and leaked features

Android 14 was publicly launched with the Pixel 8 series back in October 2023. We’re well into the new year, and Google has begun testing the next version of Android, now up to the Android 15 Beta 3. This release brings the operating system to Platform Stability, meaning it is generally ready for the public. Google just needs to smooth out the kinks.

In this article, we’re going to tell you everything we know (and think we know) about Android 15 so far! Fair warning, we’ve covered a lot of features in immense detail, so this article is very long. Consequently, this article has several indexes that should make it easier to navigate.

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Android 14 was publicly launched with the Pixel 8 series back in October 2023. We’re well into the new year, and Google has begun testing the next version of Android, now up to the Android 15 Beta 3. This release brings the operating system to Platform Stability, meaning it is generally ready for the public. Google just needs to smooth out the kinks.

In this article, we’re going to tell you everything we know (and think we know) about Android 15 so far! Fair warning, we’ve covered a lot of features in immense detail, so this article is very long. Consequently, this article has several indexes that should make it easier to navigate.

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Hate Gemini in Messages? Google might allow you to turn it off (APK teardown)

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• A teardown of the latest Google Messages beta shows evidence of a Gemini toggle.
• Theoretically, this would allow you to turn Gemini off in Messages without affecting your wider system.
• It’s also possible finer customization of Gemini could come to this section of Messages.

---

Last week, we did an APK teardown of the Google Messages app and found that Google might be putting Gemini front and center with a new floating action button (FAB) taking you directly to a Gemini conversation. If you saw that and thought that was a bit much, it looks like Google might allow you to disable Gemini in Messages — or at least diminish its presence.

In the latest Messages beta (messages.android_20240613_00_RC00), we see some placeholder text that heavily suggests a new page of settings related to Gemini could be on the way. Check out how it looks so far (activated with flags) in the image below:

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• A teardown of the latest Google Messages beta shows evidence of a Gemini toggle.
• Theoretically, this would allow you to turn Gemini off in Messages without affecting your wider system.
• It’s also possible finer customization of Gemini could come to this section of Messages.

---

Last week, we did an APK teardown of the Google Messages app and found that Google might be putting Gemini front and center with a new floating action button (FAB) taking you directly to a Gemini conversation. If you saw that and thought that was a bit much, it looks like Google might allow you to disable Gemini in Messages — or at least diminish its presence.

In the latest Messages beta (messages.android_20240613_00_RC00), we see some placeholder text that heavily suggests a new page of settings related to Gemini could be on the way. Check out how it looks so far (activated with flags) in the image below:

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You can now easily listen to a page in Chrome for Android

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

• Google has brought a “listen to this page” feature to Chrome on Android.
• This is a text-to-speech feature that reads out your current webpage.

---

Google Chrome for Android doesn’t exactly offer loads of accessibility options, but it looks like the web browser has just gained a key feature in this regard.

9to5Google spotted a new “listen to this page” option in Chrome for Android, and I can indeed see the feature in Chrome on my Pixel 7 Pro (version 126.0.6478.71). Check out the images below.

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Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

• Google has brought a “listen to this page” feature to Chrome on Android.
• This is a text-to-speech feature that reads out your current webpage.

---

Google Chrome for Android doesn’t exactly offer loads of accessibility options, but it looks like the web browser has just gained a key feature in this regard.

9to5Google spotted a new “listen to this page” option in Chrome for Android, and I can indeed see the feature in Chrome on my Pixel 7 Pro (version 126.0.6478.71). Check out the images below.

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Leak: Here’s how the Samsung Galaxy Ring will charge

Credit: Weibo/Ice Universe

• A leaker has posted an image apparently showing the Galaxy Ring’s charging case.
• The picture shows a case with a circular cradle for holding and charging the smart ring.

---

Samsung has already revealed a smattering of details about the Galaxy Ring ahead of its launch later this year. We’ve also seen a few leaks, and now a veteran tipster has revealed the smart ring’s charging case.

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Credit: Weibo/Ice Universe

• A leaker has posted an image apparently showing the Galaxy Ring’s charging case.
• The picture shows a case with a circular cradle for holding and charging the smart ring.

---

Samsung has already revealed a smattering of details about the Galaxy Ring ahead of its launch later this year. We’ve also seen a few leaks, and now a veteran tipster has revealed the smart ring’s charging case.

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Apple won’t make you wait until 2025 for some of Siri’s upgrades

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Although many of Siri’s new features will arrive in 2025, a few will launch this year.
• This year Siri will gain a new UI, natural language updates, and more.

---

During WWDC, Apple announced a flurry of improvements coming to Siri in the near future. While a majority of those upgrades will come in 2025, users will see at least a few updates when iOS 18 launches.

According to Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter for Bloomberg, Siri is set to get a few improvements before the end of 2024. One upgrade will be the new glowing ring UI Apple showcased during WWDC. You can also expect the virtual assistant to its natural language update which allows it to understand better understand users even when they misspeak.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Although many of Siri’s new features will arrive in 2025, a few will launch this year.
• This year Siri will gain a new UI, natural language updates, and more.

---

During WWDC, Apple announced a flurry of improvements coming to Siri in the near future. While a majority of those upgrades will come in 2025, users will see at least a few updates when iOS 18 launches.

According to Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter for Bloomberg, Siri is set to get a few improvements before the end of 2024. One upgrade will be the new glowing ring UI Apple showcased during WWDC. You can also expect the virtual assistant to its natural language update which allows it to understand better understand users even when they misspeak.

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Spotify’s AI DJ has me yearning for a Gemini-infused YouTube Music

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

When Google shut down its Play Music app in 2020, I switched to Spotify — like many others, almost out of spite, but also because the new platform wasn’t nearly as fully featured as the one it replaced. But nearly four years have passed since then and Spotify’s frequent price hikes have finally made me consider switching to YouTube Music instead. After all, I already have a YouTube Premium subscription for ad-free videos. Just a week into the switch, however, I realized how much I’ve come to rely on Spotify’s recent AI features. And surprisingly, even though Google has made a big deal about AI in recent months, YouTube Music hasn’t witnessed the same pace of innovation.

Case in point: Spotify’s AI DJ became my go-to every time I started a new music session. In case you’ve never used it, the DJ is a relatively new feature that creates a simulated (but personalized) radio station. It analyzes your listening habits to curate a stream of old and new songs. Best of all, an AI voice provides brief commentary about the selections. In my opinion, it’s a fantastic way to discover new music as I’m more likely to connect with unfamiliar tracks after someone introduces them to me.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

When Google shut down its Play Music app in 2020, I switched to Spotify — like many others, almost out of spite, but also because the new platform wasn’t nearly as fully featured as the one it replaced. But nearly four years have passed since then and Spotify’s frequent price hikes have finally made me consider switching to YouTube Music instead. After all, I already have a YouTube Premium subscription for ad-free videos. Just a week into the switch, however, I realized how much I’ve come to rely on Spotify’s recent AI features. And surprisingly, even though Google has made a big deal about AI in recent months, YouTube Music hasn’t witnessed the same pace of innovation.

Case in point: Spotify’s AI DJ became my go-to every time I started a new music session. In case you’ve never used it, the DJ is a relatively new feature that creates a simulated (but personalized) radio station. It analyzes your listening habits to curate a stream of old and new songs. Best of all, an AI voice provides brief commentary about the selections. In my opinion, it’s a fantastic way to discover new music as I’m more likely to connect with unfamiliar tracks after someone introduces them to me.

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Android has it: Every iOS 18 feature Apple announced that we are already using!

In the early days of smartphones, iPhones and Android phones were like spiders and crabs: technically similar but wildly different. Nowadays, things have changed. Apple and Google have cribbed from each other so much over the years that iOS and Android are essentially two sides of the same coin. The launch of iOS 18 doesn’t change this development. In fact, it moves the two operating systems closer together than we’ve ever seen before.

During the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote this week, it seemed like every single time Apple announced something new for iPhones, our internal Slack channels lit up with comments like, “Android has had this for years,” or “My Galaxy S2 from 2011 could do this!” Now that the dust has settled from the launch, we actually took the time to go over every single thing Apple announced for iOS 18 and compared them to Android. We found that the overwhelming majority of “new” iOS 18 features either exist in full or in part on Android already.

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In the early days of smartphones, iPhones and Android phones were like spiders and crabs: technically similar but wildly different. Nowadays, things have changed. Apple and Google have cribbed from each other so much over the years that iOS and Android are essentially two sides of the same coin. The launch of iOS 18 doesn’t change this development. In fact, it moves the two operating systems closer together than we’ve ever seen before.

During the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote this week, it seemed like every single time Apple announced something new for iPhones, our internal Slack channels lit up with comments like, “Android has had this for years,” or “My Galaxy S2 from 2011 could do this!” Now that the dust has settled from the launch, we actually took the time to go over every single thing Apple announced for iOS 18 and compared them to Android. We found that the overwhelming majority of “new” iOS 18 features either exist in full or in part on Android already.

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Microsoft simplifies file sharing between PC and Android in new update

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• Microsoft has released a new feature for beta users.
• The update adds a new “My Phone” icon in Windows Share.
• Tapping the icon will allow users to easily share content from their PC to their Android phone.

---

There are plenty of ways to send and receive files between your PC and Android phone. For example, Google’s Quick Share feature allows users to quickly share files from their phones to their PCs wirelessly and vice versa. Now Microsoft is offering a new way to make this process easier.

Microsoft announced it is rolling out an update to its Windows 11 beta channel. Members who are a part of the Insiders program will see a new “My Phone” search icon in Windows Share when attempting to share content. Clicking on this icon will allow you to quickly send your content over to your Android phone with little hassle.

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• Microsoft has released a new feature for beta users.
• The update adds a new “My Phone” icon in Windows Share.
• Tapping the icon will allow users to easily share content from their PC to their Android phone.

---

There are plenty of ways to send and receive files between your PC and Android phone. For example, Google’s Quick Share feature allows users to quickly share files from their phones to their PCs wirelessly and vice versa. Now Microsoft is offering a new way to make this process easier.

Microsoft announced it is rolling out an update to its Windows 11 beta channel. Members who are a part of the Insiders program will see a new “My Phone” search icon in Windows Share when attempting to share content. Clicking on this icon will allow you to quickly send your content over to your Android phone with little hassle.

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Galaxy S24 FE leak reveals thinner bezels in all but one place

Credit: Giznext

• A new leak may have revealed renders of the Galaxy S24 FE.
• The FE model appears to heavily resemble the Galaxy S24.
• The handset is said to have an AMOLED display and 50MP main camera.

---

Ever since Samsung skipped the Galaxy S22 FE, it is not guaranteed that every new Galaxy series will be followed up by a Fan Edition. Last year, the tech giant did release an S23 FE, there have also been rumors about a S24 FE. But today’s news makes everything a little more concrete with leaked renders of this year’s FE model.

In collaboration with well-known tipster OnLeaks, Giznext managed to obtain leaked renders of what’s claimed to be the Galaxy S24 FE. In the images below, you can see a handset that has identical design language to the vanilla S24 flagship. One factor that stands out, however, is the chin which features a thicker bezel.

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Credit: Giznext

• A new leak may have revealed renders of the Galaxy S24 FE.
• The FE model appears to heavily resemble the Galaxy S24.
• The handset is said to have an AMOLED display and 50MP main camera.

---

Ever since Samsung skipped the Galaxy S22 FE, it is not guaranteed that every new Galaxy series will be followed up by a Fan Edition. Last year, the tech giant did release an S23 FE, there have also been rumors about a S24 FE. But today’s news makes everything a little more concrete with leaked renders of this year’s FE model.

In collaboration with well-known tipster OnLeaks, Giznext managed to obtain leaked renders of what’s claimed to be the Galaxy S24 FE. In the images below, you can see a handset that has identical design language to the vanilla S24 flagship. One factor that stands out, however, is the chin which features a thicker bezel.

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The DJI Mini 3 drops hard to record-low price of $329

Considering a drone to capture your summer adventures? This all-time low price on the feature-packed DJI Mini 3 might be just what you’re looking for. Selling for its $569 retail price at times last year and never previously under $400, you now have the chance to take to the skies with it for just $329 in this Amazon deal.

DJI Mini 3 for $329 (230 off)

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Considering a drone to capture your summer adventures? This all-time low price on the feature-packed DJI Mini 3 might be just what you’re looking for. Selling for its $569 retail price at times last year and never previously under $400, you now have the chance to take to the skies with it for just $329 in this Amazon deal.

DJI Mini 3 for $329 (230 off)

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Rumored Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra may not be exclusive to one market after all

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• A report claims there is a variant of the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra.
• The variant sports a different model number from the Korean model.
• It’s said that this variant is destined to launch in China.

---

Galaxy Z Fold 6 leaks keep coming as we get closer to Samsung’s summer Unpacked event next month. The latest leak deals with the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra, which will apparently be available in another market.

There have been multiple rumors about a second Galaxy Z Fold 6 in the works, codenamed Q6A. Initially, this variant was rumored to be an entry-level book-style foldable, but an increasing number of reports point to it potentially being an “Ultra” model. Rumors have also suggested that this Ultra model would be exclusive to Samsung’s home country of South Korea.

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Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• A report claims there is a variant of the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra.
• The variant sports a different model number from the Korean model.
• It’s said that this variant is destined to launch in China.

---

Galaxy Z Fold 6 leaks keep coming as we get closer to Samsung’s summer Unpacked event next month. The latest leak deals with the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra, which will apparently be available in another market.

There have been multiple rumors about a second Galaxy Z Fold 6 in the works, codenamed Q6A. Initially, this variant was rumored to be an entry-level book-style foldable, but an increasing number of reports point to it potentially being an “Ultra” model. Rumors have also suggested that this Ultra model would be exclusive to Samsung’s home country of South Korea.

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HMD leak reveals Nokia Lumia-inspired Skyline and other upcoming models

Credit: @smashx_60

• A leak may have revealed HMD Global’s lineup of upcoming smartphones.
• The leak contains specs, pricing, and colors for the HMD Skyline.
• The leak also reveals models called Waylay, Atlas, Ridge, and Ridge Pro.

---

If you were a fan of Windows phones, get ready to be hit with a bit of nostalgia. A new leak has revealed HMD Global is apparently working on an Android smartphone with a design reminiscent of the Nokia Lumia. The leak also reveals a slate of other handsets the company plans to launch.

A new leak from X (formerly Twitter) account @smashx_60 (via FoneArena) has spilled the beans on upcoming handsets from HMD. The biggest leak involves a device called the HMD Skyline, which looks like a Nokia Lumia reincarnation.

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Credit: @smashx_60

• A leak may have revealed HMD Global’s lineup of upcoming smartphones.
• The leak contains specs, pricing, and colors for the HMD Skyline.
• The leak also reveals models called Waylay, Atlas, Ridge, and Ridge Pro.

---

If you were a fan of Windows phones, get ready to be hit with a bit of nostalgia. A new leak has revealed HMD Global is apparently working on an Android smartphone with a design reminiscent of the Nokia Lumia. The leak also reveals a slate of other handsets the company plans to launch.

A new leak from X (formerly Twitter) account @smashx_60 (via FoneArena) has spilled the beans on upcoming handsets from HMD. The biggest leak involves a device called the HMD Skyline, which looks like a Nokia Lumia reincarnation.

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macOS Sequoia hands-on impressions: Superior windows are coming to your Mac

On June 10, Apple officially previewed this year’s major OS updates at its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). In a few months, those with compatible devices will get to enjoy the fresh features included in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, and macOS Sequoia. While a significant chunk of the WWDC24 keynote was dedicated to Apple Intelligence and its upcoming additions, the first OS betas pack plenty of goods that don’t revolve around generative AI.

To evaluate the new features and changes included in macOS Sequoia, I’ve been running the first developer beta on my MacBook Air M2 for around a week. Unfortunately, the announced iPhone mirroring feature I’m anticipating most is missing from this build. Nevertheless, macOS Sequoia beta 1 still offers a wide range of welcome additions, and I’ll highlight the ones that stood out to me the most.

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On June 10, Apple officially previewed this year’s major OS updates at its annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). In a few months, those with compatible devices will get to enjoy the fresh features included in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, and macOS Sequoia. While a significant chunk of the WWDC24 keynote was dedicated to Apple Intelligence and its upcoming additions, the first OS betas pack plenty of goods that don’t revolve around generative AI.

To evaluate the new features and changes included in macOS Sequoia, I’ve been running the first developer beta on my MacBook Air M2 for around a week. Unfortunately, the announced iPhone mirroring feature I’m anticipating most is missing from this build. Nevertheless, macOS Sequoia beta 1 still offers a wide range of welcome additions, and I’ll highlight the ones that stood out to me the most.

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WhatsApp announces new pro-grade features for video calls

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• WhatsApp will now support screen sharing with audio and allow up to 32-member video calls.
• The app is also getting a new speaker spotlight feature and audio/video quality enhancements.
• The new features will start rolling out in the coming weeks.

---

WhatsApp is already one of the most popular video chatting apps, and it is set to receive significant upgrades to its video call capabilities. Meta has announced three new features that could potentially make WhatsApp an excellent video conferencing alternative to platforms like Zoom.

One of the most notable additions is screen sharing with audio, a feature that will enable users to share not only their screens but also the audio accompanying the content. This could be particularly beneficial for activities like watching videos together or delivering presentations with sound. We’ll have to see how the feature will navigate potential copyright issues, especially concerning streaming apps with protected content.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• WhatsApp will now support screen sharing with audio and allow up to 32-member video calls.
• The app is also getting a new speaker spotlight feature and audio/video quality enhancements.
• The new features will start rolling out in the coming weeks.

---

WhatsApp is already one of the most popular video chatting apps, and it is set to receive significant upgrades to its video call capabilities. Meta has announced three new features that could potentially make WhatsApp an excellent video conferencing alternative to platforms like Zoom.

One of the most notable additions is screen sharing with audio, a feature that will enable users to share not only their screens but also the audio accompanying the content. This could be particularly beneficial for activities like watching videos together or delivering presentations with sound. We’ll have to see how the feature will navigate potential copyright issues, especially concerning streaming apps with protected content.

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Google announces extended repair program for Pixel 8 display issues

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• Google has launched an extended repair program for Pixel 8 devices experiencing display issues.
• The program offers coverage for affected devices for three years after the original purchase date.
• The display issues involve vertical lines running across the screen and persistent flickering.

---

It seems like display issues on phones with AMOLED screens are getting more frequent, such as the recent green line issue plaguing Samsung Galaxy devices. Pixel 8 series owners have also joined the ranks of those experiencing display woes, with vertical lines and flickering reported on numerous units across social media platforms like Reddit and X/Twitter. (h/t: Droid Life)

Although the exact number of affected devices remains unclear, we could see posts about these issues dating back up to 6 months ago. Responding to customer complaints, Google has finally taken action to address the situation by initiating an extended repair program.

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• Google has launched an extended repair program for Pixel 8 devices experiencing display issues.
• The program offers coverage for affected devices for three years after the original purchase date.
• The display issues involve vertical lines running across the screen and persistent flickering.

---

It seems like display issues on phones with AMOLED screens are getting more frequent, such as the recent green line issue plaguing Samsung Galaxy devices. Pixel 8 series owners have also joined the ranks of those experiencing display woes, with vertical lines and flickering reported on numerous units across social media platforms like Reddit and X/Twitter. (h/t: Droid Life)

Although the exact number of affected devices remains unclear, we could see posts about these issues dating back up to 6 months ago. Responding to customer complaints, Google has finally taken action to address the situation by initiating an extended repair program.

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Google is making Chrome OS more like Android to deliver more AI features

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

• Chrome OS will soon start using large portions of Android’s tech stack.
• The move is meant to accelerate the pace at which AI features can roll out to Chromebooks.
• The changes are being made now, but the updates won’t be ready for a while.

---

The Chrome OS you know today is about to go through a major change. In the future, the software that powers Chromebooks will be much more like Android.

Google announced in a new blog post that Chrome OS is about to go through a transformation. Specifically, the tech giant says that the OS will soon start “embracing portions of the Android stack, like the Android Linux kernel and Android frameworks.”

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Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

• Chrome OS will soon start using large portions of Android’s tech stack.
• The move is meant to accelerate the pace at which AI features can roll out to Chromebooks.
• The changes are being made now, but the updates won’t be ready for a while.

---

The Chrome OS you know today is about to go through a major change. In the future, the software that powers Chromebooks will be much more like Android.

Google announced in a new blog post that Chrome OS is about to go through a transformation. Specifically, the tech giant says that the OS will soon start “embracing portions of the Android stack, like the Android Linux kernel and Android frameworks.”

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Google Messages is about to put Gemini front and center (APK teardown)

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google is working on adding a new fab in the Messages app.
• The new button will allow the user to start a conversation with Gemini directly.
• Beta users should see the Gemini fab appear soon.

---

Since early this year, users of the Google Messages app have been able to chit-chat with Gemini. However, it takes a few steps before you can start a conversation with the large language model (LLM). Google is planning on streamlining the process by adding a new fab that takes you directly to the chatbot.

In what seems to be an effort to put Gemini front and center, the Messages app could soon get a new fab that directly opens the Gemini conversation screen. We discovered this new button in app version messages.android_20240610_01_RC00.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google is working on adding a new fab in the Messages app.
• The new button will allow the user to start a conversation with Gemini directly.
• Beta users should see the Gemini fab appear soon.

---

Since early this year, users of the Google Messages app have been able to chit-chat with Gemini. However, it takes a few steps before you can start a conversation with the large language model (LLM). Google is planning on streamlining the process by adding a new fab that takes you directly to the chatbot.

In what seems to be an effort to put Gemini front and center, the Messages app could soon get a new fab that directly opens the Gemini conversation screen. We discovered this new button in app version messages.android_20240610_01_RC00.

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One UI 6 Watch beta arrives for Galaxy Watch 6, adding new Galaxy AI features and gesture controls

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

• Samsung has opened the One UI 6 Watch beta program.
• The program is initially available for Galaxy Watch 6 owners in the United States.
• The update introduces a new default font, Galaxy AI integration, and gestures controls.

---

Samsung has officially opened the beta program for its One UI 6 Watch software update. The next iteration of Samsung’s wearable UI is expected to debut officially with the Galaxy Watch 7 next month.

The beta enrollment is now available for Galaxy Watch 6 owners in the United States, offering them the opportunity to test this major upgrade ahead of its full release. Following this initial rollout, Samsung should extend the beta program to older Galaxy Watch 5 models.

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Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

• Samsung has opened the One UI 6 Watch beta program.
• The program is initially available for Galaxy Watch 6 owners in the United States.
• The update introduces a new default font, Galaxy AI integration, and gestures controls.

---

Samsung has officially opened the beta program for its One UI 6 Watch software update. The next iteration of Samsung’s wearable UI is expected to debut officially with the Galaxy Watch 7 next month.

The beta enrollment is now available for Galaxy Watch 6 owners in the United States, offering them the opportunity to test this major upgrade ahead of its full release. Following this initial rollout, Samsung should extend the beta program to older Galaxy Watch 5 models.

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Spotify Jams could soon let you chat with friends as you listen together

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Spotify appears to be working on a new feature for Jam sessions.
• A string of code referring to a Chat feature was found in the beta version of the app.
• The feature would allow participants in a Jam session to chat with each other.

---

If you’re a Spotify Premium subscriber and you start a Jam session with your friends, you can listen to and add songs together, whether you’re together in person or virtually. However, this feature doesn’t allow you to have conversations with the group. But Spotify seems to be working to correct this by adding a chat function.

While digging through the Spotify app for Android (beta version 8.9.50.105), we came across a string of code referencing a “Chats” feature with the codename campfire.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Spotify appears to be working on a new feature for Jam sessions.
• A string of code referring to a Chat feature was found in the beta version of the app.
• The feature would allow participants in a Jam session to chat with each other.

---

If you’re a Spotify Premium subscriber and you start a Jam session with your friends, you can listen to and add songs together, whether you’re together in person or virtually. However, this feature doesn’t allow you to have conversations with the group. But Spotify seems to be working to correct this by adding a chat function.

While digging through the Spotify app for Android (beta version 8.9.50.105), we came across a string of code referencing a “Chats” feature with the codename campfire.

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Android 14 QPR3 is now available!

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google has launched Android 14 QPR3 today, alongside the Pixel Feature Drop for June 2024.
• There aren’t too many new features since we’re getting so close to Android 15.
• The June 2024 Android security patch is also included.

---

Earlier today, Google officially rolled out the Pixel Feature Drop for June 2024. Most notably, this Drop included Gemini Nano support for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a, which is great news for folks who own those phones.

Alongside this Feature Drop, Google is also rolling out Android 14 QPR3, as expected. QPR stands for Quarterly Platform Release, and it’s essentially a way to try out Pixel Feature Drop updates before they launch to the general public. Google has been testing QPR3 since February, so it’s come a long way. It is available for the Pixel 5a and all devices launched after.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google has launched Android 14 QPR3 today, alongside the Pixel Feature Drop for June 2024.
• There aren’t too many new features since we’re getting so close to Android 15.
• The June 2024 Android security patch is also included.

---

Earlier today, Google officially rolled out the Pixel Feature Drop for June 2024. Most notably, this Drop included Gemini Nano support for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8a, which is great news for folks who own those phones.

Alongside this Feature Drop, Google is also rolling out Android 14 QPR3, as expected. QPR stands for Quarterly Platform Release, and it’s essentially a way to try out Pixel Feature Drop updates before they launch to the general public. Google has been testing QPR3 since February, so it’s come a long way. It is available for the Pixel 5a and all devices launched after.

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Apple copies Material You, adds ability to customize home screen and icons

Credit: Ryan McNeal / Android Authority

• iOS 18 will give users the ability to customize their home screen and app icons.
• Users will be able to place their icons wherever they want on the home screen.
• The OS update will allow users to customize the color of the icons for their apps.

---

Apple’s big WWDC event is underway with plenty of software announcements to be made. One announcement of note came near the beginning of the event where the company revealed that users will soon be able to customize their home screens and app icons.

For decades, Apple has restricted what users can do to customize the appearance of their phone’s screens outside of changing the background. The software always had to match the clean lines and simplicity of the hardware. However, the tech giant is giving users a little more freedom to choose how they want their screen to look.

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Credit: Ryan McNeal / Android Authority

• iOS 18 will give users the ability to customize their home screen and app icons.
• Users will be able to place their icons wherever they want on the home screen.
• The OS update will allow users to customize the color of the icons for their apps.

---

Apple’s big WWDC event is underway with plenty of software announcements to be made. One announcement of note came near the beginning of the event where the company revealed that users will soon be able to customize their home screens and app icons.

For decades, Apple has restricted what users can do to customize the appearance of their phone’s screens outside of changing the background. The software always had to match the clean lines and simplicity of the hardware. However, the tech giant is giving users a little more freedom to choose how they want their screen to look.

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Apple blocks PC emulators from all iOS app stores, raising concerns over control

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• Apple’s app review team has rejected a PC emulator because Windows computers technically do not meet the retro game console criteria.
• Beyond banning it from its own marketplace, Apple has also refused to notarize the PC emulator for third-party app store compatibility.
• This raises concerns over Apple’s control and how iOS app developers can’t necessarily resort to third-party app stores to circumvent the company’s unforgiving guidelines.

---

Through a recent iOS update, Apple unlocked third-party app stores in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This has enabled developers to upload apps that don’t necessarily comply with Apple’s strict App Store guidelines to these third-party digital storefronts. Apple, however, still needs to notarize submitted apps to ensure that they pose no risk to iOS or its users. Shockingly, Apple has blocked harmless PC emulator apps from reaching its storefront and won’t notarize them for third-party app store distribution, either.

pic.twitter.com/SNux03qjJh

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Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• Apple’s app review team has rejected a PC emulator because Windows computers technically do not meet the retro game console criteria.
• Beyond banning it from its own marketplace, Apple has also refused to notarize the PC emulator for third-party app store compatibility.
• This raises concerns over Apple’s control and how iOS app developers can’t necessarily resort to third-party app stores to circumvent the company’s unforgiving guidelines.

---

Through a recent iOS update, Apple unlocked third-party app stores in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This has enabled developers to upload apps that don’t necessarily comply with Apple’s strict App Store guidelines to these third-party digital storefronts. Apple, however, still needs to notarize submitted apps to ensure that they pose no risk to iOS or its users. Shockingly, Apple has blocked harmless PC emulator apps from reaching its storefront and won’t notarize them for third-party app store distribution, either.

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Samsung might not wait for Unpacked to launch the Galaxy Watch FE

• Samsung could launch the Galaxy Watch FE before its rumored July 10 Unpacked event.
• According to a reliable tipster and an early Amazon Italy listing, the watch could debut on June 24.
• The listing also suggests a €199 price.

---

Samsung is tipped to launch several new devices on July 10, including new foldables and wearables. However, the company may not wait as long to debut its next budget smartwatch.

According to tipster Arsene Lupin, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE could debut as early as June 24, not at the rumored July Unpacked event in Paris. This earlier launch date would give it a two-week head start over the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra.

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• Samsung could launch the Galaxy Watch FE before its rumored July 10 Unpacked event.
• According to a reliable tipster and an early Amazon Italy listing, the watch could debut on June 24.
• The listing also suggests a €199 price.

---

Samsung is tipped to launch several new devices on July 10, including new foldables and wearables. However, the company may not wait as long to debut its next budget smartwatch.

According to tipster Arsene Lupin, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE could debut as early as June 24, not at the rumored July Unpacked event in Paris. This earlier launch date would give it a two-week head start over the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra.

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My smartwatch doesn’t get me. Could AI make it better?

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

Despite the commitment I’ve shown to smartwatches, no platform seems to actually get me. I realize this sounds like an angsty teenager, but hear me out. Throughout my review testing and personal use, watch after watch and wearable after wearable have delivered a one-size-fits-all experience with untailored insights and obnoxious notifications.

Sure, some companies lean into machine learning more than others, but no watch has yet to offer the tailored experience I imagine to be possible.

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Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

Despite the commitment I’ve shown to smartwatches, no platform seems to actually get me. I realize this sounds like an angsty teenager, but hear me out. Throughout my review testing and personal use, watch after watch and wearable after wearable have delivered a one-size-fits-all experience with untailored insights and obnoxious notifications.

Sure, some companies lean into machine learning more than others, but no watch has yet to offer the tailored experience I imagine to be possible.

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I’d given up, but the Snapdragon X launch may have saved Windows on Arm

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Robert Triggs

If you’ve tuned into Computex this week, the headline act has been the debut of numerous Windows on Arm laptops powered by Qualcomm’s long-awaited Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus platforms. You might not think it based on the launch hype, but this exclusive collaboration between Microsoft and Qualcomm to bring Arm energy efficiency to Windows is actually entering its seventh year. Finally, the long-touted (if not a tad overblown) benefits of leaving x86 behind seem to have arrived.

I’ve dipped my toes into the Arm project on a couple of occasions. First with 2018’s Lenovo Mixx 630 powered by 2017’s flagship smartphone-class Snapdragon 835 processor. Performance was pretty poor for laptop use cases, with sluggish multi-tasking and poor emulation of non-Arm-based applications. The ecosystem of native Arm apps was absolutely rubbish back then, severely limiting the platform’s appeal. I still have this little 2-in-1 around, but it’s such a slog to use that it’s sat collecting dust. Still, those were the early days, and Windows on Arm would eventually improve.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Robert Triggs

If you’ve tuned into Computex this week, the headline act has been the debut of numerous Windows on Arm laptops powered by Qualcomm’s long-awaited Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus platforms. You might not think it based on the launch hype, but this exclusive collaboration between Microsoft and Qualcomm to bring Arm energy efficiency to Windows is actually entering its seventh year. Finally, the long-touted (if not a tad overblown) benefits of leaving x86 behind seem to have arrived.

I’ve dipped my toes into the Arm project on a couple of occasions. First with 2018’s Lenovo Mixx 630 powered by 2017’s flagship smartphone-class Snapdragon 835 processor. Performance was pretty poor for laptop use cases, with sluggish multi-tasking and poor emulation of non-Arm-based applications. The ecosystem of native Arm apps was absolutely rubbish back then, severely limiting the platform’s appeal. I still have this little 2-in-1 around, but it’s such a slog to use that it’s sat collecting dust. Still, those were the early days, and Windows on Arm would eventually improve.

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iPhone 16 battery leak suggests Apple has overheating issues under control

• The iPhone 16 battery has apparently leaked.
• The battery has a metal casing instead of the traditional foil, which might assist in dissipating heat.
• At 3,597mAh, it also has slightly more capacity than the iPhone 15’s battery.

---

When the iPhone 15 series launched, there were a lot of complaints from buyers about excessive heat. Apple, of course, downplayed the problem but eventually said it would improve thermals through software updates. However, there are still plenty of complaints online from people who feel their iPhone 15 gets a little too toasty.

Thankfully, it appears Apple has taken this problem seriously and is determined not to have a repeat with the iPhone 16 series, due to land this fall. According to a new leak from Majin Bu on X (formerly Twitter), we see what could possibly be the iPhone 16 battery.

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• The iPhone 16 battery has apparently leaked.
• The battery has a metal casing instead of the traditional foil, which might assist in dissipating heat.
• At 3,597mAh, it also has slightly more capacity than the iPhone 15’s battery.

---

When the iPhone 15 series launched, there were a lot of complaints from buyers about excessive heat. Apple, of course, downplayed the problem but eventually said it would improve thermals through software updates. However, there are still plenty of complaints online from people who feel their iPhone 15 gets a little too toasty.

Thankfully, it appears Apple has taken this problem seriously and is determined not to have a repeat with the iPhone 16 series, due to land this fall. According to a new leak from Majin Bu on X (formerly Twitter), we see what could possibly be the iPhone 16 battery.

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Samsung Unpacked leak may have spoiled everything planned for the event

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

• A new leak has provided images of devices expected to be announced at Unpacked next month.
• The images are scrambled but just clear enough to make out what devices are likely in them.
• If correct, Samsung will announce its next foldables, the Galaxy Ring, and Galaxy Watch 7.

---

We’re only about a month out from Samsung’s next Unpacked event, yet there have been more than enough leaks to start making some predictions. For example, we could see the company’s new foldables, smart ring, and more. A new leak, however, may narrow down what we should expect to see in July.

Trustworthy leaker Evan Blass has released a collection of images that are meant to reveal the announcements Samsung plans to make at Unpacked. The images in question are scrambled, but they’re just clear enough to make out what devices are contained in the renders.

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Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

• A new leak has provided images of devices expected to be announced at Unpacked next month.
• The images are scrambled but just clear enough to make out what devices are likely in them.
• If correct, Samsung will announce its next foldables, the Galaxy Ring, and Galaxy Watch 7.

---

We’re only about a month out from Samsung’s next Unpacked event, yet there have been more than enough leaks to start making some predictions. For example, we could see the company’s new foldables, smart ring, and more. A new leak, however, may narrow down what we should expect to see in July.

Trustworthy leaker Evan Blass has released a collection of images that are meant to reveal the announcements Samsung plans to make at Unpacked. The images in question are scrambled, but they’re just clear enough to make out what devices are contained in the renders.

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Samsung to enhance Galaxy S24’s Instant Slo-Mo feature with HDR10+ support

Credit: Lanh Nguyen / Android Authority

• Samsung’s Instant Slo-Mo feature will soon get support for HDR10+.
• It’s unclear if support will arrive with the next regular software update or the next OS update.
• Samsung to enhance Galaxy S24’s Instant Slo-Mo feature with HDR10+ support

---

Samsung introduced Instant Slo-Mo to the Galaxy S24 as one of its many generative AI features. It allows you to instantly slow down any video you’re watching from the gallery by pressing and holding down on the video. Now this feature is about to get support for HDR10+.

Instant Slo-Mo works by using generative AI to create new frames in a video, which are then inserted between the real frames. The result is an artificially extended video with a slow-motion effect applied.

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Credit: Lanh Nguyen / Android Authority

• Samsung’s Instant Slo-Mo feature will soon get support for HDR10+.
• It’s unclear if support will arrive with the next regular software update or the next OS update.
• Samsung to enhance Galaxy S24’s Instant Slo-Mo feature with HDR10+ support

---

Samsung introduced Instant Slo-Mo to the Galaxy S24 as one of its many generative AI features. It allows you to instantly slow down any video you’re watching from the gallery by pressing and holding down on the video. Now this feature is about to get support for HDR10+.

Instant Slo-Mo works by using generative AI to create new frames in a video, which are then inserted between the real frames. The result is an artificially extended video with a slow-motion effect applied.

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WWDC 2024: When is it, how to watch, and what to expect ahead of Apple’s Developers Conference

Credit: Apple

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 kicks off in just a few days. From June 10 to June 14, the Cupertino firm will make developer-centric announcements and reveal its upcoming operating system versions, like iOS 18 and macOS 15. If you’re wondering what exactly Apple will announce during WWDC 2024 and how to watch the main keynote live, you’ve come to the right place.

Apple WWDC 2024 at a glance:

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Credit: Apple

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 kicks off in just a few days. From June 10 to June 14, the Cupertino firm will make developer-centric announcements and reveal its upcoming operating system versions, like iOS 18 and macOS 15. If you’re wondering what exactly Apple will announce during WWDC 2024 and how to watch the main keynote live, you’ve come to the right place.

Apple WWDC 2024 at a glance:

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Google Account settings can now manage more than just work and home addresses

Credit: Andrew Grush / Android Authority

• Google has added an Other Addresses section that makes it easier to manage addresses you’ve used across Google services like billing addresses, autofill forms, and the like.
• Not all apps are included, as this doesn’t track addresses entered into services like Google Maps.

---

It seems Google has quietly upgraded its Google Account settings to include the ability to manage more than just your work and home addresses. These additional addresses can’t be entered manually from here but are instead pulled from addresses you’ve previously used with autofill in applications like Chrome or Google Pay. This applies to all platforms, including PC, iOS, and Android.

In addition to adding any address used with a Google form, the company also lets you manage any profile or billing addresses you’ve used with its services. You’ll be able to edit these addresses and even add simple nicknames for easier management. There’s even a remove button that makes it easy to get rid of addresses you no longer need.

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Credit: Andrew Grush / Android Authority

• Google has added an Other Addresses section that makes it easier to manage addresses you’ve used across Google services like billing addresses, autofill forms, and the like.
• Not all apps are included, as this doesn’t track addresses entered into services like Google Maps.

---

It seems Google has quietly upgraded its Google Account settings to include the ability to manage more than just your work and home addresses. These additional addresses can’t be entered manually from here but are instead pulled from addresses you’ve previously used with autofill in applications like Chrome or Google Pay. This applies to all platforms, including PC, iOS, and Android.

In addition to adding any address used with a Google form, the company also lets you manage any profile or billing addresses you’ve used with its services. You’ll be able to edit these addresses and even add simple nicknames for easier management. There’s even a remove button that makes it easy to get rid of addresses you no longer need.

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Catch an early 28% price drop on the 2K Wyze Cam v4

Building your smart home can be done on a tight budget with excellent deals like this one. It only launched in March, but you can already save 28% on the feature-packed Wyze Cam v4. The smart security camera is down to just $25.98 in the sale.

Wyze Cam v4 for 25.98 ($10 off)

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Building your smart home can be done on a tight budget with excellent deals like this one. It only launched in March, but you can already save 28% on the feature-packed Wyze Cam v4. The smart security camera is down to just $25.98 in the sale.

Wyze Cam v4 for 25.98 ($10 off)

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Here’s a lot more info on Google Photos’ upcoming My Week feature (APK teardown)

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

• More strings of code related to “My Week” were found in the Google Photos app.
• The new strings confirm that the feature is invite-only.
• Invites will be able to see your weekly submissions, as well as photos from past weeks.

---

Back in January, we discovered strings of code in the Google Photos app that suggested a “My Week” feature would be coming. We have now uncovered even more information about the incoming feature.

While combing through version 6.86 of the Google Photos app, we stumbled upon more references to My Week. The additional strings provide further clarification about the feature.

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Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

• More strings of code related to “My Week” were found in the Google Photos app.
• The new strings confirm that the feature is invite-only.
• Invites will be able to see your weekly submissions, as well as photos from past weeks.

---

Back in January, we discovered strings of code in the Google Photos app that suggested a “My Week” feature would be coming. We have now uncovered even more information about the incoming feature.

While combing through version 6.86 of the Google Photos app, we stumbled upon more references to My Week. The additional strings provide further clarification about the feature.

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Apple finally confirms how long it will support iPhones, and it’s less than Samsung and Google

• Apple has confirmed it will provide security updates for a minimum of five years since the iPhone 15 went on sale.
• This is the first time that Apple has ever committed to a minimum length of software support for an iPhone.
• In contrast, its competitors Samsung and Google currently guarantee a minimum of seven years of security updates for their respective flagship devices.

---

If you’re looking to spend hundreds of dollars on the best phone available right now, one thing you’ll need to consider is how many updates you’ll get. A $1,000 phone that only gets three years of updates means you’ll need to upgrade your phone after those three years if you want to stay secure. Although phone update policies vary wildly by brand, most brands will explicitly tell you how long they’ll support their devices.

There’s one notable exception to this, though, and it’s Apple. Historically, Apple has not provided a minimum guarantee for software support, though it has often bested other companies when it comes to updates. Now, though, Apple has finally committed to a minimum support lifetime for the iPhone, and it’s surprisingly less than what some of its competitors offer.

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• Apple has confirmed it will provide security updates for a minimum of five years since the iPhone 15 went on sale.
• This is the first time that Apple has ever committed to a minimum length of software support for an iPhone.
• In contrast, its competitors Samsung and Google currently guarantee a minimum of seven years of security updates for their respective flagship devices.

---

If you’re looking to spend hundreds of dollars on the best phone available right now, one thing you’ll need to consider is how many updates you’ll get. A $1,000 phone that only gets three years of updates means you’ll need to upgrade your phone after those three years if you want to stay secure. Although phone update policies vary wildly by brand, most brands will explicitly tell you how long they’ll support their devices.

There’s one notable exception to this, though, and it’s Apple. Historically, Apple has not provided a minimum guarantee for software support, though it has often bested other companies when it comes to updates. Now, though, Apple has finally committed to a minimum support lifetime for the iPhone, and it’s surprisingly less than what some of its competitors offer.

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Google reverses course, says it won’t keep phones with non-OEM parts

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• Google says that it will not keep a device sent in for repair, regardless if it has unauthorized parts or not.
• The company says that it will send the device back to the customer or work with them on next steps.
• The tech giant plans to update its terms and conditions.

---

Yesterday, we reported on a concerning issue in Google’s service and repair terms and conditions. In the document, it says Google will keep the Android device you sent in for repair if it contains non-Google-authorized parts. Google is now reversing course on that stipulation.

Currently, Google’s service and repair terms and conditions state it will keep your device if a non-OEM part is found. This rule has been in effect since July 19, 2023, according to the page. But it looks like Google plans to update its terms and conditions soon to clarify its position.

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Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• Google says that it will not keep a device sent in for repair, regardless if it has unauthorized parts or not.
• The company says that it will send the device back to the customer or work with them on next steps.
• The tech giant plans to update its terms and conditions.

---

Yesterday, we reported on a concerning issue in Google’s service and repair terms and conditions. In the document, it says Google will keep the Android device you sent in for repair if it contains non-Google-authorized parts. Google is now reversing course on that stipulation.

Currently, Google’s service and repair terms and conditions state it will keep your device if a non-OEM part is found. This rule has been in effect since July 19, 2023, according to the page. But it looks like Google plans to update its terms and conditions soon to clarify its position.

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Evidence suggests Google scaled back AI Overview search results compared to original rollout

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• Third-party analytics data suggests Google’s AI Overview results in Search were significantly scaled back after the original rollout.
• Allegedly, these results may have dropped from 27% of queries to just 11% of them.
• Interestingly, this drop happened before word started to spread about the terrible results AI Overview was providing to users.

---

At this point, pretty much everyone reading this is likely familiar with Google’s AI Overview system built into Google Search. Unfortunately, you probably know about it for reasons Google did not anticipate, namely for hilarious examples of terrible answers provided by AI to users spreading across the internet like wildfire. Examples included encouraging people to drink urine, eat at least one small rock each day, and put glue on pizza.

Now, according to a third-party analytics firm called BrightEdge (via WIRED), we have an idea of how Google has changed its AI Overview after its initial rollout.

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Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• Third-party analytics data suggests Google’s AI Overview results in Search were significantly scaled back after the original rollout.
• Allegedly, these results may have dropped from 27% of queries to just 11% of them.
• Interestingly, this drop happened before word started to spread about the terrible results AI Overview was providing to users.

---

At this point, pretty much everyone reading this is likely familiar with Google’s AI Overview system built into Google Search. Unfortunately, you probably know about it for reasons Google did not anticipate, namely for hilarious examples of terrible answers provided by AI to users spreading across the internet like wildfire. Examples included encouraging people to drink urine, eat at least one small rock each day, and put glue on pizza.

Now, according to a third-party analytics firm called BrightEdge (via WIRED), we have an idea of how Google has changed its AI Overview after its initial rollout.

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Google leak exposes thousands of privacy and security failures, but it’s not as bad as it sounds

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• A leak has revealed six years worth of Google privacy and security concerns reported internally by employees.
• The reports range from an algorithm storing license plate numbers to a Google speech service collecting speech data from an estimated 1,000 children.
• Google says the reports are from over six years ago and each incident was resolved at the time.

---

A leaked copy of Google’s internal database has revealed six years worth of privacy and security concerns that were reported internally by employees. The report is said to contain thousands of incidents that include services like Google Street View, YouTube, and more.

The folks over at 404 Media have reportedly obtained a copy of an internal Google database that tracks six years of issues. These privacy and security concerns deal with the company’s various products, data collecting practices, third-party vendor vulnerabilities, and staff mistakes.

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Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• A leak has revealed six years worth of Google privacy and security concerns reported internally by employees.
• The reports range from an algorithm storing license plate numbers to a Google speech service collecting speech data from an estimated 1,000 children.
• Google says the reports are from over six years ago and each incident was resolved at the time.

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A leaked copy of Google’s internal database has revealed six years worth of privacy and security concerns that were reported internally by employees. The report is said to contain thousands of incidents that include services like Google Street View, YouTube, and more.

The folks over at 404 Media have reportedly obtained a copy of an internal Google database that tracks six years of issues. These privacy and security concerns deal with the company’s various products, data collecting practices, third-party vendor vulnerabilities, and staff mistakes.

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Google Pixel 8a tips and tricks: 20 things to try on your budget Pixel!

You might wonder where to begin if you’ve just got a new Google Pixel 8a. Despite its mid-range placement in Google’s lineup, it offers plenty of features to enhance your experience. Here are the best Pixel 8a tips to quickly get you up and running.

As a bonus, these tips also work for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro!

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You might wonder where to begin if you’ve just got a new Google Pixel 8a. Despite its mid-range placement in Google’s lineup, it offers plenty of features to enhance your experience. Here are the best Pixel 8a tips to quickly get you up and running.

As a bonus, these tips also work for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro!

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You don’t need a Snapdragon PC if you want Microsoft’s fancy AI features

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

 

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Google sunsets another service, this time impacting businesses

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google is shutting down its Business Profile chat feature on July 31, 2024.
• Customers won’t be able to start new chats after July 15, but ongoing conversations can continue until July 31.
• Businesses can download their chat and call history through Google Takeout before the deadline.

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Google is bidding farewell to yet another of its services, this time to Google Business Messaging. This decision marks the end of an often overlooked messaging service integrated into Google Maps and Search, adding another tombstone to Google’s growing graveyard of abandoned products. (h/t: Search Engine Land)

The service, known somewhat interchangeably as “Google Business Messaging” and “Google Business Profile Chat,” allowed customers to initiate conversations with businesses directly through their Google Maps or Search listings. This provided a convenient channel for customer service inquiries and other interactions.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google is shutting down its Business Profile chat feature on July 31, 2024.
• Customers won’t be able to start new chats after July 15, but ongoing conversations can continue until July 31.
• Businesses can download their chat and call history through Google Takeout before the deadline.

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Google is bidding farewell to yet another of its services, this time to Google Business Messaging. This decision marks the end of an often overlooked messaging service integrated into Google Maps and Search, adding another tombstone to Google’s growing graveyard of abandoned products. (h/t: Search Engine Land)

The service, known somewhat interchangeably as “Google Business Messaging” and “Google Business Profile Chat,” allowed customers to initiate conversations with businesses directly through their Google Maps or Search listings. This provided a convenient channel for customer service inquiries and other interactions.

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Instagram’s latest feature has users considering leaving the platform for good

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Instagram has introduced “Ad Breaks,” unskippable ads that interrupt users’ browsing sessions.
• The feature appears to be in a testing phase, but negative feedback is already widespread on social media.

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Instagram has recently begun testing a new feature called “Ad Breaks.” These unskippable ads interrupt the user’s browsing experience, requiring them to view an advertisement for at least 3-5 seconds before they can continue scrolling through their feed.

Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has always relied on ads to keep the lights on. You know those personalized ads that seem to know exactly what you’re interested in? That’s Meta’s bread and butter. Lately, however, it has been facing some challenges, like stricter privacy rules and the rise of TikTok. So, it’s trying out different things to make more money, like in-app purchases, subscriptions, and now, these unskippable Ad Breaks.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Instagram has introduced “Ad Breaks,” unskippable ads that interrupt users’ browsing sessions.
• The feature appears to be in a testing phase, but negative feedback is already widespread on social media.

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Instagram has recently begun testing a new feature called “Ad Breaks.” These unskippable ads interrupt the user’s browsing experience, requiring them to view an advertisement for at least 3-5 seconds before they can continue scrolling through their feed.

Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, has always relied on ads to keep the lights on. You know those personalized ads that seem to know exactly what you’re interested in? That’s Meta’s bread and butter. Lately, however, it has been facing some challenges, like stricter privacy rules and the rise of TikTok. So, it’s trying out different things to make more money, like in-app purchases, subscriptions, and now, these unskippable Ad Breaks.

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Gemini cheat sheet: Google’s confusing AI jargon decoded

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Google’s products and services have developed a reputation for being confusing over the years, and the company’s Gemini AI project is no exception. Similar to Google Meet, which stands on the shoulders of Google Duo and Hangouts, the term Gemini can refer to different things depending on context. For example, many recent smartphones like the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24 series advertise having Gemini on-board but that’s not quite the same as the Gemini chatbot you can access via an app or browser.

With so many different Google products and services bearing the Gemini title then, we think it’s worth taking a step back and decoding what it all means.

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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Google’s products and services have developed a reputation for being confusing over the years, and the company’s Gemini AI project is no exception. Similar to Google Meet, which stands on the shoulders of Google Duo and Hangouts, the term Gemini can refer to different things depending on context. For example, many recent smartphones like the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24 series advertise having Gemini on-board but that’s not quite the same as the Gemini chatbot you can access via an app or browser.

With so many different Google products and services bearing the Gemini title then, we think it’s worth taking a step back and decoding what it all means.

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Exynos vs Snapdragon could be a nightmare for the Samsung Galaxy S25

Credit: Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority

We’re still many months away from the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, but I’m already starting to think that it could be one of the most contentious smartphone launches in recent memory. While we’ve seen the odd rumor already, it’s the announcement of the latest Arm CPUs and GPUs that has really piqued my early interest in the upcoming models. My suspicion, or perhaps even concern, is that these components could lead to a hotly contested Exynos vs Snapdragon debate, perhaps the most ever.

If you’re unfamiliar with the saga, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Ultra and its other two phones in the US, China, and some other markets. Global customers buying the S24 or S24 Plus receive the Exynos 2400. A similar global vs US split has been the status quo for many years.

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Credit: Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority

We’re still many months away from the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, but I’m already starting to think that it could be one of the most contentious smartphone launches in recent memory. While we’ve seen the odd rumor already, it’s the announcement of the latest Arm CPUs and GPUs that has really piqued my early interest in the upcoming models. My suspicion, or perhaps even concern, is that these components could lead to a hotly contested Exynos vs Snapdragon debate, perhaps the most ever.

If you’re unfamiliar with the saga, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Ultra and its other two phones in the US, China, and some other markets. Global customers buying the S24 or S24 Plus receive the Exynos 2400. A similar global vs US split has been the status quo for many years.

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