Major Shifts Could Be Ahead for Android: The Epic vs. Google Settlement Will Change App Distribution
Motorola’s new Moto G series starts at just $170. Plus, Google Messages can now pin 20 conversations, and Gemini is coming to Google Maps navigation. Read on for more!
Android News
Pebblebee Unveils a Pair of Cute Android Trackers — Here’s Why I’m Not Buying Them
Pebblebee just revealed the Clip 5 and Card 5 — a cute set of Bluetooth trackers with enhanced safety functionality and rechargeable batteries. They’re almost perfect, and I’d probably buy them if not for the lack of UWB precision finding.
Google Messages Is About to Get Two Helpful New Features
Google Messages continues to improve, which is good news considering it’s the default text messaging application on millions of Android phones. It feels like every week or two something new appears, and that’s true again this week. We recently spotted two helpful new Google Messages features coming soon that’ll let you double the number of pinned conversations at the top, and more.
Google Settled with Epic, and Android Will Never Be the Same
The Epic Games vs. Google lawsuit has been going back and forth for nearly five years, and we finally have an outcome. Just one decision away from a total loss, Google settled with Epic earlier this week. As a result of Google’s concessions, there are some pretty major changes coming to Android in the future. Let’s go over them.
This Android Phone Might Have an Insanely Huge Battery, but It Won’t Come to the US
Android phones in the US usually come with up to 5,000 mAh batteries. While that’s enough for most people, the latest trend in countries like China is phones with batteries as big as 8,000 mAh. This new phone might just have the biggest battery we’ve seen so far.
Google Maps Is Getting a Navigation Upgrade
Google Maps is getting an upgrade thanks to the integration of Gemini. This should make Maps a lot more conversational and offer as much information as a tour guide would. The idea is to help you understand where you are going, rather than just providing flat directions.
Motorola’s Latest Moto G Phones Start at Only $170
Motorola might catch more headlines for its Razr foldables, but the company also makes some of the best budget phones on the market. If you’re trying to save money without sacrificing too much, Motorola is once again stepping up with the dependable Moto G and Moto G Play series.
LineageOS Just Arrived on This Android Flagship Phone
The OnePlus 13 now officially supports LineageOS 23. This gives OnePlus 13 users a great way to move beyond the standard OxygenOS software. This is huge news for anyone who loves the hardware OnePlus packs into its devices but prefers a cleaner, more stock Android feel.
The Most Powerful Android Phones Ever Are Here — But You Can’t Get One
The latest Android flagship killers have just launched, but unfortunately, the U.S. is being left out of the party. These new phones are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, along with other top-tier specs, and they’re coming in at surprisingly low prices.
Android Editorials, Lists & More
How to Automatically Change Your Android Wallpaper Based on Time of Day
You can spruce up your Android’s wallpaper to match the time of day. Instead of a boring static wallpaper, you can set your phone to change wallpapers dynamically. For example, you could have your phone display a light mode wallpaper during the day, which transitions to a dark mode wallpaper at night. I’m going to show you three ways to do so.
Download This Screen Time App — Your Eyes Will Thank You Later
Excessive screen time is one of the fastest-growing concerns today, and I feel no shame admitting I was a victim of it for a long time. If you’re on the same page, I highly recommend trying an app that helped me reduce my screen time from eight hours to four hours a day.
Here’s an Android Auto Adapter That’s Actually Worth Buying
I love my old and beat-up Toyota Tacoma truck, but the upgraded stereo still doesn’t support wireless Android Auto. Unless you have a newer vehicle, yours probably doesn’t either. After trying multiple dongles to convert it into a wireless experience, I can confidently say the AAWireless TWO is the only one worth buying.
Android Auto Keeps Disconnecting? Try These 6 Tricks Before You Give Up
It might just be me, but I’ve had terrible luck with the reliability of Android Auto. My iPhone never has issues connecting to Apple CarPlay, but my Android phones always seem to have extra hoops to jump through. It’s time to fix this once and for all.
It’s Time to Stop Using Samsung Messages
Google Messages has been the default messaging app on Samsung phones for over a year now. While you can still use Samsung Messages on your Galaxy device without issues (at least for now), you ought to switch to Google Messages. Here’s why.
How to Add More USB Ports to Your Android Phone
USB ports are undeniably useful but very limited on Android phones, as you typically get only one. Most people are fine with this, but if you want to expand your device’s connectivity, here’s how you can add more USB ports.
Why Samsung Notes Is My Primary Office Suite
I’m typing these words in Samsung Notes. These days, I do so much of my work here that it feels like my primary office suite rather than Microsoft Office. Don’t let the name fool you — this app can handle far more than just notes.
4 Awesome (and Practical) Things You Can Do with a Terminal on Android
We mostly use phones in “app mode,” tapping apps to launch them in separate windows. However, there’s another way to control your device — using a terminal window. Here’s why a terminal on your phone is worth exploring.
4 Things Google Maps Does Better Than Waze
I’ve been a Waze driver for years. It offers fast, crowd-sourced data, police alerts, and efficient routing — perfect for daily drives. However, there are times when Google Maps just makes more sense, reminding me why I keep both apps on my phone.
Use This Android Feature to Separate Your Work and Personal Life
Android has a neat built-in feature for separating your digital work life from your personal life. You can create separate profiles for work and life, isolate both spaces, and switch between them as needed. This way, you avoid work notifications during family time and vice versa, effectively turning your phone into two devices.
Samsung’s Secret App for Galaxy Phones Is My Favorite Launcher
One of the best things about Samsung phones rarely comes up in reviews: Good Lock, an official customization suite that makes Galaxy phones the most customizable on the market. It’s a tool that has replaced my need for third-party launchers.
PSA: Google Photos Is Lowering the Quality of Your Memories
Google Photos feels like a digital safe for our most precious memories, offering seemingly endless space. However, a default setting quietly but seriously reduces the quality of photos and videos we trust it with. Here’s what you need to know.
These 4 Google Keep Features Will Help You Build Perfect Grocery Lists
Google Keep is an essential tool on my phone. I use it to jot down everything from random thoughts to elaborate grocery lists. Over the years, my grocery list-building skills have improved; here’s how Google Keep helps.
These Tragedies Put Me Off Mobile Gaming
For a year or two, I treated my phone as my primary gaming console. It was all fun and games until some gamer-hostile trends gradually spoiled the experience. Here’s what turned me off mobile gaming.
Tempted to Get a Dumbphone? Try This First
More people are buying dumbphones, and I support this move. Having ditched a smartphone for years, I know the challenges that can arise. Before swapping out your phone, consider changing how you use the one you have.
This Secret Setting Prevents Google Maps from Wasting Data While Driving
Google Maps lets you download entire regions or areas onto your device for offline use. These offline maps function just like normal maps — you can look up locations, get directions, and use navigation without data. Here’s how to set it up for your next trip.
4 Open-Source Android Keyboards That Rival Gboard
Gboard is the default keyboard on most Android devices and packs several nifty features. However, its deep integration with Google services raises privacy concerns. If you share these concerns, here are four open-source keyboards that offer similar functionality without compromising your privacy.
7 Features Google Messages Should Steal from Apple’s iMessage
Both Google Messages and Apple iMessage are unique, but iMessage holds a slight feature advantage. If Google Messages wants to lead the messaging app race, it needs to adopt these seven features from Apple iMessage.