Chrome may soon let you disable all extensions with one click

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google appears to be working on a couple of changes to the Extensions menu.
• Activating a flag in version 125.0.6398.0 introduces a toggle that turns all extensions off in one fell swoop.
• The flag also seems to add dynamic colors and remove the pin icon.

---

Google appears to be working on a new feature for the Chrome browser that could be pretty handy. This feature would allow you to turn off all extensions at once.

According to Gamer Stones, Google appears to be making some changes to its browser’s Extension menu. After enabling a flag (chrome://flags/#extensions-menu-access-control) in version 125.0.6398.0, the outlet discovered a new toggle in the menu. This toggle allows the user to disable all active extensions with a single click. This option could be useful if you need to turn off multiple extensions for whatever reason.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/aN8OCjG
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

How to install Android 15 on your Pixel phone right now

We hope you’re ready for the next version of Android because Android 15 is here! Although it will be quite a while before the software becomes stable enough for daily use, that doesn’t mean you can’t give it a shot. Below, we have instructions on how to install the first beta of Android 15 on a supported Pixel device.

Should I install Android 15?

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/0pI4fXn
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

AI-powered MacBooks and iMacs coming later this year with Apple’s new M4 chip

Credit: Kris Carlon / Android Authority

• Apple is reportedly overhauling its entire Mac lineup with a new generation of M4 chips that heavily emphasize AI.
• We can expect new iMacs, MacBooks, and Mac minis starting in late 2024, with the Mac Pro potentially capping off the refresh cycle in late 2025.
• The M4 chip family will include three different versions: Donan for entry-level devices, Brava for high-end models, and Hidra for the flagship Mac Pro.

---

Apple is preparing a significant revamp of its Mac product line, including the iMac, MacBook, and Mac mini. The revamp is expected to place a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence.

According to a report by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple is already close to starting production of the M4 processor, which will power the next generation of Apple computers. While the M3-powered Macs released less than six months ago were plenty powerful, their sales performance was underwhelming. This could be a driving force behind the rushed update, with Apple betting on AI innovation to drive renewed interest in its Mac lineup.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/V8Os0Jx
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Getting paid to watch TikTok? It might actually be happening

Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority

• To stimulate growth in Europe, TikTok is launching a new rewards app.
• The new app will provide monetary incentives to watch videos, get friends to sign up, and perform other actions.
• It’s unknown if or when the rewards app will come to the US.

---

While TikTok may be an extremely popular iOS and Android app in the US, it’s not quite as popular in Europe. In fact, the company’s growth in Europe has slowed down to the extent that it is willing to fork over money to convince more people to start watching its videos.

According to a report from The Information, TikTok is preparing to launch a new app in Spain, France, and other countries. It will be a rewards app that provides monetary incentives for watching videos, getting friends to sign up, and performing other actions. These users will reportedly be able to redeem gift cards or get digital tips they can give to their favorite creators.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/ovQ3khE
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Magic Editor and other AI tools are going free for all Google Photos users

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

• It’s no longer required to have a Pixel or a Google One subscription to use Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, or other Google Photos AI tools.
• Android and iOS users will get ten Magic Editor saves per month, while Pixel users will get as many as they want.
• Availability will start opening up on May 15 and over the following weeks to all devices that meet Google’s minimum requirements.

---

Google Photos offers various AI-powered editing tools, such as Magic Editor, Photo Unblur, and Magic Eraser. However, if you wanted to use these tools, it required you to have a Pixel or paid Google One subscription. Earlier this week, we saw evidence that Google could do away with this exclusivity, and now the company is making that change.

In a major shift, Google announced today that it is dropping the subscription requirement for a handful of its Photos app AI editing tools. Starting on May 15 and over the following weeks, any Google Photos user on Android, iOS, and Chrome OS will have access to the following tools:

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/V0r9H7s
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Apple Watch X display rumor hints at upgrade that could boost battery life

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

• A rumor claims a new display is in the works for the Apple Watch X.
• Apple could use LTPO TFT technology to further reduce the screen’s power consumption.
• The company may be interested in using the technology in other products.

---

From new sensors to band-locking mechanisms, there are plenty of rumors swirling around the Apple Watch X. The latest rumor suggests the wearable could be in store for a power-saving display upgrade.

According to a report from The Elec, Apple plans to use new screen technology for the Series 10’s OLED display. The company will reportedly use new low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) thin-film transistor (TFT) technology, which is said to further reduce power consumption.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/w5UP9Si
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

After iMessage setback, Beeper finds new life with WordPress owner

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• Beeper, known for its iMessage-to-Android efforts, announced its acquisition by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.
• With the acquisition, Beeper’s Android app is out of beta and available to anyone without a waitlist.

---

Beeper earned notoriety for its audacious but unsuccessful attempt to bring iMessage to Android. However, this app is more than just that; it’s a convenient aggregator designed to be a single, streamlined inbox for all of your chatting apps.

While the iMessage setback seemed like the end of the road for Beeper, the company has seemingly turned over a new leaf with its acquisition by Automattic — the parent company of the popular WordPress platform.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/jYh0bkU
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Don’t expect Tile to launch Find My Device network supported trackers

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• When Google announced the Find My Device network in 2023, it mentioned compatible trackers from Tile.
• It now appears Tile is not currently working on an item locator that’s compatible with Google’s network.
• A spokesperson for the company says it is focused on “integrating Tile’s technology into the Life360 map.”

---

Yesterday, Google’s Find My Device network finally went live in the US and Canada, with a global rollout to be completed in the next few months. With the launch of the network, a variety of brands also announced their compatible trackers. However, a notable name was missing from the list — Tile. Although it was expected Tile would release an item locator that supports the network, it looks like that may not be the case.

Back when Google announced the Find My Device network in 2023, it mentioned Tile as one of the brands that would supply supported trackers. We contacted Tile after the Find My Device network launch to see if it was planning to announce a new compatible tracker.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/z9btsGM
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Google’s Magic Editor might soon be free for all, with a major catch (APK teardown)

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

• Code hidden within the Google Photos app suggests the Magic Editor tools could soon become available to users without a Google One subscription.
• The change may include a “metered saves” system, which would allow a limited number of free edits per month.
• Magic Editor offers impressive capabilities like changing skies, seamlessly removing objects, and creative image manipulation.

---

Google’s Magic Editor, the AI-powered suite of photo editing tools, could be taking a significant step towards broader availability. Launched initially as a Pixel phone exclusive, the Magic Editor feature found its way into the Google Photos app for Google One subscribers. Soon, though, it could be available to use without a Google One subscription.

In the latest Google Photos APK (v6.78.0.622306643), we’ve spotted code strings hinting at this potential change. Here are the specific strings that mention the feature:

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/9TFB5bl
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Fresh Pixel 8a leaks show off a matte-finish back and chunky bezels

• New images of the Pixel 8a have leaked, showcasing a rounded design and a matte finish on the back.
• The images also point to noticeable bottom bezels on the device.

---

The Pixel 8a, a strong contender for a spot among 2024’s best mid-range smartphones, has leaked again ahead of its anticipated May launch.

TechDroider has shared seemingly real-life images of the Pixel 8a on X (formerly Twitter) — the source is unknown. The images reinforce previous leaks showcasing the Pixel 8a’s adoption of the rounded design language introduced with the Pixel 8 series. One standout change apparent in these new images is a matte finish on the back panel of the Pixel 8a, which could be a welcome departure from the glossy back panel of the Pixel 7a.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/mio8zgp
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Samsung turns it around, forecasts massive jump in profit for Q1 2024

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Samsung estimates it experienced a profit of $4.9 billion between January and March 2024.
• This comes after the company reported declining profits for four straight quarters.
• Sales have reportedly risen by more than 71%.

---

Last year wasn’t exactly the strongest year for Samsung and its various products. In fact, around this time last year, the company saw about a 95% decline in year-over-year earnings. But it looks like the Android phone maker may have turned things around, according to profit estimates.

CNN reports that Samsung expects to see a big increase in its profits this quarter. The Korean firm reportedly estimates that its operating profit has increased to 6.6 trillion Korean won ($4.9 billion). For comparison, the phone maker reported a profit of 640 billion Korean won ($478.55 million) in Q1 2023.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/ve9CSrL
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Samsung’s 2024 foldable could be sticking to 2022 cameras

Credit: Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority

• The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is reportedly using the same camera setup as the Z Fold 5.
• The Galaxy Z Fold 5 also featured a camera setup that was unchanged from the Z Fold 4.
• There have been rumors of two separate Z Fold devices coming this year.

---

Samsung almost single-handedly pioneered the foldable smartphone market, but in recent years, the company has seemingly lost its innovative edge. First-generation foldables like the Google Pixel Fold and OnePlus Open have surpassed Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 in critical areas, including camera hardware.

Samsung’s dominance in the foldable smartphone market might be further tested this year, with fresh rumors suggesting that the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6 could retain the same camera configuration as its predecessor.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/tJ6hUHd
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

OnePlus Watch 2 could soon get a new Nord-inspired color

Credit: Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority

• References to a new OnePlus Watch 2 Nordic Blue Edition have been found.
• This Nordic Blue Edition will likely exist alongside the current Black Steel and Radiant Steel colorways of the OnePlus Watch 2.

---

The OnePlus Watch 2 is one of the better Wear OS smartwatches you can buy right now, with the potential to disrupt Samsung’s tight hold over the market with its Galaxy Watch 6 series. As we note in our OnePlus Watch 2 review, this watch offers a unique dual-architecture setup and excellent battery life as long as you can look past its large size. OnePlus continues to focus on the Watch 2, as it appears that the company is planning a new color for the watch.

OnePlus Watch 2 Nordic Blue Edition

Trusted OnePlus enthusiast 1NormalUsername spotted references to a new OnePlus Watch 2 SKU with the alias “blue.”

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/TPimh6D
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Google is pushing Gemini into another app on your Android phone

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• The Google app for Android is all set to gain a Gemini toggle.
• The new feature will allow Android users to use Gemini without downloading its dedicated Android app that forcefully replaces the Google Assistant.

---

Google launched a dedicated Assistant-replacing Gemini app on Android in February. However, it seems the search giant is not yet done “Gemini-fying” your Android phone. If you haven’t downloaded the Gemini app before, Google is planning to give the AI chatbot prime real estate inside the Google app.

According to tipster Assemble Debug‘s findings (via Piunikaweb), Android users will soon see a Gemini switch inside the Google app on their devices. This is similar to how Google offers Gemini on its iOS app. Toggling to Gemini within the Google app lets you start an interaction with the AI by typing, talking, or sharing an image. So essentially, you move away from the traditional Google Search and Discover interface to the Gemini interface.

The new option in the Google app for Android actually makes sense for users who want to try out Gemini but don’t want to lose Google Assistant functionality. Currently, if you download the Gemini app on your Android device, you have to opt-in to remove Google Assistant and use only Gemini as the primary AI guide on your phone. A toggle to use Gemini within the Google app will overcome this restriction.

There’s no word on when the feature will roll out to the Google app for Android, but thanks to the above video shared by the tipster, you can see how it would function.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/G23Wlvp
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Want to photograph the eclipse with your phone? NASA has some tips for you

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• A total solar eclipse will pass over Canada, the US, and Mexico on April 8.
• NASA has released some tips on how to best take pictures of the event.

---

If you haven’t heard by now, a total eclipse will be passing through North America on April 8. For those wanting to catch the event as it happens, NASA has provided a few tips on how to best capture the moment with your phone or camera.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional or amateur, anyone is capable of taking great photos of an eclipse. As NASA points out in its blog post, you don’t even need a fancy DLSR camera to get the results you’re looking for.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/B4KeNuY
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

How to download and install Google Chrome on any device

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

According to Stat Counter, Google Chrome is the most popular internet browser, with a 63% global share. If you’re a part of the remaining 37% and want to give the Chrome browser a try, it’s easy to download and install Chrome on any device.

Read more: 20 Google Chrome tips and tricks for Android

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/mQ7cPfV
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Google could bring radar-based fall detection to the Nest Hub

Credit: Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority

• Google has filed a patent for fall detection via smart home devices using a radar system.
• The feature would notify an emergency contact or emergency services in the event of a fall.
• This suggests that the radar-equipped second-generation Nest Hub could gain fall detection support.

---

Fall detection is one of the most important features on smartwatches and trackers today, allowing elderly people and other users to get help in the event that they’ve fallen and can’t get back up. Now, it looks like Google could be thinking about bringing this feature to its Nest Hub line.

The company filed a patent with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) titled ‘Privacy-preserving radar-based fall monitoring.” This patent describes the use of a stationary “smart home device” or “home assistant device” that uses radar waves to detect whether a nearby person has fallen.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/3slWT2C
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Don’t want to miss the eclipse? Google TV is giving users a way to watch for free!

Credit: David Imel / Android Authority

• Google TV is giving users a way to experience the eclipse happening on April 8.
• On April 7-8, Google TV will show local and national coverage of the eclipse in the For You tab.
• Each channel will appear with a custom eclipse-themed title card.

---

Certain parts of North America are going to be treated to a rare occurrence soon. An eclipse will be visible in Mexico, the US, and Canada on April 8, with the path of totality hitting a number of cities along the way. If you don’t want to miss out on the event, Google TV is giving users a way to experience the total eclipse from the comfort of their homes.

Starting on April 7 and lasting through April 8, Google says it will highlight a collection of content on Google TV to celebrate the eclipse. During this time, Google TV will show a selection of free, ad-supported (FAST) local and national channels covering the moment.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/A4uiKSB
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

OnePlus 13 could debut a dramatic new design with a quad-curved display

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• OnePlus and OPPO are reportedly using micro quad-curved panels for their upcoming flagships.
• The OnePlus 13 could be the first OnePlus phone to debut with this new design element.

---

The OnePlus 12 marked a welcome return to form for the brand, but the upcoming OnePlus 13 could be poised to deliver an even bigger shake-up.

In a recent exchange on X (formerly Twitter), reliable tipster Yogesh Brar suggested that OnePlus, alongside sister company OPPO, might be using a “micro quad-curved panel” for its upcoming flagships. This tweet was a response to a claim that OPPO’s next flagship, the Find X8 Ultra, will be using a Micro Quad-Curved display. Let’s break down what this information means.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/208xlJu
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Disgraced iMessage-on-Android app can’t take the hint, is back for more

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• Sunbird, the iMessage for Android app, is making a comeback.
• Invitations are rolling out in “small phases” starting today.
• The company claims it has replaced its old architecture with new architecture focused on privacy.

---

Remember the whole Nothing Chats debacle from last year? It was an app built on top of Sunbird’s architecture, which had so many security flaws Nothing Chats and Sunbird’s own messaging app were taken down from the Google Play Store. Well, Sunbird is back, hoping users will forget the past and will give it a second chance.

Through a press release, Sunbird announced it plans to relaunch its beta iMessage for Android app. The company says it is sending out invitations to those on its waitlist in small phases starting today.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/UASF6Kw
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Samsung enhances its built-in photo editing with a more precise object eraser

• Samsung’s Object Eraser tool gets an upgrade with the new Magnetic Lasso feature.
• This feature allows for a more precise selection of unwanted objects you want to remove from your photos.

---

Samsung’s One UI 6.1 update introduced a suite of AI-powered photo editing tools under the Generative Edit banner. However, powerful editing capabilities existed even before this update, including the Object Eraser feature in Samsung’s native Photo Editor app.
Designed to remove unwanted elements from your photos seamlessly, Object Eraser is now even better with the addition of the Magnetic Lasso option (via SamMobile).

This new feature is included in the latest Samsung Photo Editor app update (v3.4.21.43) and offers improved precision for object removal. Previously, Object Eraser offered two somewhat limited methods for object selection and removal, namely tapping for automatic object detection or manual outlining.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/kftbTHw
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

The Galaxy Tab S8 Plus just got its first $350 discount

Another day, another incredible Android tablet deal. We’re not obsessed with tablets, but these offers are impossible to ignore. Now is the turn of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus, which is $350 off for the first time ever. While stocks last, you can pick up the 128GB model of the slate for just $549.99.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus for $549.99 ($350 off)

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/GsEH3lJ
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Your Roku TV could soon show you ads every time you hit pause — even on other devices

Credit: Adam Birney / Android Authority

• Roku has filed a patent that could allow it to inject ads into your viewing experience, even if you’re using a non-Roku streaming device.
• The patent describes sophisticated ways to detect when you’ve paused your content and analyze what you’re watching to show relevant ads.

---

Roku could be looking to expand its advertising reach beyond its own platform. A recent patent filing discovered by Lowpass reveals the company’s exploration of ways to inject ads into video feeds from third-party devices connected to Roku TVs.

This means even if you’re playing a game on your Xbox or streaming from an Amazon Fire Stick, your Roku TV could automatically detect when you pause the movie or game and then display targeted advertisements on the screen.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/4rjCHZS
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Google says two scammers duped it into hosting 87 fake crypto apps on the Play Store

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• Google is suing two scammers it says have threatened the integrity of the Play Store.
• The two fraudsters are accused of uploading a total of 87 fake crypto apps to the marketplace.
• Over 100,000 people worldwide were affected by the scams.

---

The Google Play Store implements a variety of measures to protect users from harmful apps. Despite this, it appears two app developers were still able to get a large number of their fake apps on the marketplace. Now Google is suing the developers for ruining the integrity of the Play Store.

Business Insider reports that Google has filed a civil lawsuit in New York federal court against two app developers. The firm accuses the two of being crypto scammers who tricked it into hosting fraudulent apps in its app store.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/ur6N5yh
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Google Search may no longer be entirely free

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google is reportedly exploring ways to offer AI-powered Search features for a fee, potentially within existing subscriptions.
• The traditional ad-supported Google Search would remain available for free.

---

Google, the tech giant synonymous with online search, could be considering a radical change to its business model. According to a Financial Times report, the company is exploring ways to offer premium, AI-powered features within its core search product for a fee.

According to the report, sources familiar with Google’s plans suggest these advanced AI-powered search features could become part of Google’s existing subscription services like Gemini Advanced or Google One. Notably, the report indicates that even the premium tier of Google Search will continue to include ads, while the traditional version will remain free to use.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/8pKHXsI
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Android 15’s Private Space is getting more features to hide your apps and notifications

• Google is preparing a Private Space feature for Android 15 that creates a separate profile for you to save apps to.
• This Private Space feature was first spotted in an Android beta a few months ago.
• Google has continued to work on this feature, recently adding new settings to automatically lock your private space as well as hide sensitive notifications on the lock screen.

---

Google will be releasing Android 15 later this year, and it’ll be chock full of useful new features. One of the most anticipated new features in the upcoming update is Private Space, a feature that lets you install apps in a separate, locked profile that can be hidden at any time. When I first documented the feature last year, it wasn’t fully implemented at the time. While the Private Space feature still hasn’t gone live yet, I can now share more details about its setup process and functionality.

With the release of Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1 earlier this week, more details have emerged about the upcoming Private Space feature within the OS. For starters, the setup flow has been revamped to include more information about the feature as well as a recommendation to create a new Google account dedicated to Private Space.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/jtMLfZQ
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Galaxy Note 20 series will continue to receive monthly updates for now

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

• Samsung has reinstated the Galaxy Note 20 series to monthly security updates.
• Earlier this week, the Galaxy S20 series and Note 20 series were demoted to quarterly security updates.
• The Galaxy S20 FE will also continue receiving monthly security updates.

---

Samsung has built a reputation for providing some of the best software support among Android phone makers, but things weren’t always this good.

Samsung’s 2020 flagships, including the Galaxy S20 series, have already received their final major Android OS updates. However, they were still included in the monthly security update cycle until recently. A few days ago, Samsung finally demoted them to quarterly security updates — a typical step as devices reach the end of their software support lifecycle.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/BmuRXOs
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

WhatsApp will boost locked chats privacy and status updates with new features

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

• WhatsApp is working on extending its locked chats feature to linked devices.
• WhatsApp is also testing the ability to privately mention specific contacts in your status updates.

---

WhatsApp, the widely-used messaging platform, is preparing to roll out some significant updates designed to optimize user privacy and engagement. WaBetaInfo discovered these features in recent beta builds of the app.

First off, WhatsApp is working on enhancing chat privacy by bringing its locked chats feature to linked devices. This feature was spotted in the WhatsApp Beta for Android 2.24.8.4 update, which is available on the Google Play Store.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/Xc3tYRs
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Google Messages hints at satellite texting for more than just emergencies

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Lines of code in the Google Messages app explain how satellite messaging will work.
• One line mentions “You can message with anyone, including emergency services.”
• The line suggests users will be able to use satellite messaging for more than just emergencies.

---

Last month, we reported on seeing lines of code in the Google Messages app directly referencing satellite messaging. Those strings were followed by simpler strings that included the words “emergency” and “emergency demo,” which suggested that satellite messaging could be used for emergencies. Now new lines of code suggest satellite connectivity could be used for messaging anyone.

In an APK teardown, conducted by 9to5Google, lines of code that explain how satellite messaging will work in the Google Messages app were discovered in beta version 20240329_01_RC00. According to the outlet, these strings say:

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/JWz6lsp
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Android 15 prepares revamped status bar with new icons and haptics

• Google might be changing up the designs of status bar icons in Android 15.
• The design of these status bar icons hasn’t changed for a long time.
• The new OS may also add haptic feedback to the Quick Settings and volume panels.

---

Thanks to the first two developer previews, we already have a good idea about what new features the upcoming Android 15 update may bring to the table. While it’s likely that Android 15 will bring a lot of new, useful features, it’s unlikely that it’ll also bring major UI changes. That’s not to say there won’t be any UI changes, though, as we previously reported that Android 15 may revamp the volume panel. In addition, we can now report that Google is working on revamping the status bar icons as well as adding haptic feedback to more parts of the system.

The status bar is one of the most recognizable parts of the Android OS, and its design hasn’t significantly changed over the years. It’s the UI element at the top of the screen that displays icons for various information. While the position of some status bar elements has shifted over the years to accommodate changes in phone design, the basic design of most status bar icons hasn’t changed in years. The icons for Wi-Fi signal strength, mobile data signal strength, and battery in Android 14 look very, very similar to the icons from Android 5.0 Lollipop released in 2014, if you can believe it.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/QhNrZV1
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Apple may be forced to make a massive change to how iPhones handle photos

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• A comment made by European Commission head Margrethe Vestager could require Apple to do a massive rewriting of iOS.
• Vestager’s remark suggests that iPhone owners should be able to uninstall any app and change the default, including the Photos app.
• The Photos app is system-level software that’s integrated throughout the entire OS.

---

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) has had major implications on how Apple’s products operate in the EU. For example, Apple was forced to give iPhone owners in the EU the ability to install and use third-party marketplaces on the platform. A recent remark from European Commission head Margrethe Vestager could now fundamentally change how iOS handles photos.

The European Commission recently published remarks from two of its leaders Margrethe Vestager and Thierry Breton in regards to noncompliance with the DMA. Spotted by Daring Fireball’s John Gruber, Vestager brings up how Apple has failed to fully comply with the regulation.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/3Ta8KGP
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Samsung Galaxy S20 series no longer eligible for monthly updates

Credit: Adamya Sharma / Android Authority

• Samsung has moved the Galaxy S20 series to its quarterly update schedule.
• The S20, S20 Plus, S20 Ultra, and S20 FE will no longer receive monthly security patches.
• The Galaxy Note 20 lineup will also now receive updates quarterly.

---

Samsung has finally demoted the Galaxy S20 series to quarterly updates instead of monthly ones. This means that if you have a Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, S20 Ultra, or Galaxy S20 FE, you’ll no longer receive monthly security patches from Samsung. Instead, you’ll now get them once every three months.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/BlWiRfj
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Google releases Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1 with extensive bug fixes

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• Google releases Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1, delivering fixes for a wide range of bugs and glitches.
• The update addresses issues like launcher crashes, charging problems, app freezes, and more.

---

Google continues its efforts to squash bugs in the latest Android 14 QPR3 (Quarterly Platform Release 3) with today’s rollout of Beta 2.1. This update focuses heavily on fixing a range of issues that have been plaguing the beta version of the operating system.

While a new major Beta 3 update is expected in a few weeks, Google is pushing an interim update to address numerous issues. These include frequent app crashes, charging problems on Pixel Tablets, glitches with screen navigation, and display errors, among others. Here’s a detailed list of all the bug fixes mentioned in the release notes:

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/FDzKkNC
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Samsung addresses screen burn-in issue with One UI 6.1 update

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

• One UI 6.1 has restored a burn-in prevention feature that was absent from One UI 6.
• The feature works by subtly shifting pixels to prevent permanent image retention.

---

Samsung’s best smartphones are known for their beautiful OLED displays, and the new One UI 6.1 update introduces a key feature that should help extend their lifespan.

OLED displays, renowned for their vibrant visuals, are not without vulnerabilities. One such issue is screen burn-in, a phenomenon in which static images left on the screen for extended periods can cause permanent discoloration.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/POSsJf9
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Google agrees to ‘destroy’ data it collected to settle Incognito mode lawsuit

• Details are now emerging from Google’s settlement of a class-action lawsuit over Chrome’s tracking of Incognito mode users.
• The company has agreed to destroy “billions of data points” it improperly collected.
• Google will also update its data collection disclosures and maintain a setting in Chrome that blocks third-party cookies by default.

---

Filed back in 2020, a class action lawsuit alleged that Chrome’s Incognito mode does not fully protect users from internet tracking. In December 2023, it was reported that the tech giant had agreed to settle the dispute rather than let the lawsuit go to court. Now new details about that settlement are starting to emerge.

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Google has agreed to destroy “billions of data points” it inappropriately collected from people using Incognito mode. In addition, it will update data collection disclosures for the browser. The firm also agreed that it will maintain a setting in Chrome that blocks third-party cookies by default for the next five years.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/eBgti7Y
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Motorola’s upcoming flagship flaunts its curves in latest leak

Credit: Evan Blass

• The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has shown up in what appear to be leaked marketing videos.
• The phone features a curved display panel, bucking the flat panel trend of current flagship phones.
• The device could launch on April 3 alongside the Motorola Edge 30 Pro.

---

Motorola is possibly readying three new phones for an April 3 launch. The global launch event is being held for the first time in India and will introduce the company’s new Edge 50 lineup to the world. Motorola is heavily marketing the Edge 50 Pro right now, but the star of the show could be the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, a flagship phone sporting the new Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 platform. This device could later launch in the US as the Edge Plus (2024).

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/PUYlIAw
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

Samsung says ChatGPT-like AI smarts could come to Bixby

• Samsung may equip Bixby with Generative AI features.
• The company is “working hard” to deliver these new capabilities to its core digital assistant.
• Samsung says the update could “redefine the role of Bixby” on its devices.

---

Samsung could smarten up Bixby with Generative AI abilities. The information comes from a high-ranking Samsung executive who confirmed the company’s plans to CNBC in an interview conducted last month.

“With the emergence of generative AI and LLM (large language model) technology, I believe that we have to redefine the role of the Bixby so that Bixby could be equipped with Generative AI and become more smarter in the future,” Won-joon Choi, executive vice president of Samsung’s mobile business told the media outlet.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/q240JUl
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

AT&T confirms data of 73 million customers leaked on dark web, investigation ongoing

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• AT&T has confirmed that data of 73 million existing and former customers has leaked on the dark web.
• The company has denied any breach of its systems.
• The carrier has also initiated a mass reset of customer account passcodes.

---

On Saturday, AT&T confirmed that customer data of 73 million users has been leaked online. The compromised personal information includes social security numbers, AT&T account numbers and passcodes, and contact details of existing and previous customers.

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/oKzd2b9
via IFTTT

Continue Reading

What is 5G Advanced and when will it release?

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Even though we’ve only just started taking 5G plans for granted, another cellular upgrade is already on its way. Dubbed 5G Advanced, the new technology promises not just faster data speeds, but also better reliability and power savings. And unlike 6G networks, the first smartphones with 5G Advanced support have already hit store shelves. So what exactly does the 5.5G or mid-generation 5G Advanced update mean for you and me? Let’s break it down.

What is 5G Advanced or 5.5G and why do we need it?

from Android Authority https://ift.tt/p5rsAiL
via IFTTT

Continue Reading