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Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Some Pixel owners have found a strange notification bug in Android 16. Affected users found that notifications don’t play any sounds when there’s already a notification in the dropdown menu. Google has acknowledged the problem and said a fix is coming in the next Android 16 QPR release. Google released the stable version of Android 16 back in June, and it brings some welcome features to the platform. Unfortunately, the update has also introduced a peculiar bug for some. A user posted a report on Google’s Issue Tracker back in June, detailing a strange notification issue in Android 16. More specifically, the user and several others found that notifications don’t play any sounds when there’s already a notification in the notification shade. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/uiEfdK9 via IFTTT

A homicide investigation has rocked the final days of Burning Man after a man was found dead “lying in a pool of blood” Saturday night at the Nevada desert festival, according to the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office. According to the New York Times, the grim discovery occurred around 9:14 p.m. just as the festival’s iconic […] from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/hrd7H6w via IFTTT

I love my Kindle, but it isn’t always within arm’s reach. Like a lot of readers, I don’t just use one device; I use whichever one fits my context. I often read on an eReader, but via the Kindle app, I’m also highly likely to finish a chapter on my phone in the grocery store or listen to an epilogue in the car. That’s where Whispersync comes in. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/8UzrVgZ via IFTTT

One of my favorite reasons for using a Google Pixel phone is the incredible suite of Pixel-exclusive software features . Whether it’s Now Playing automatically identifying songs or using the numerous Call Assist tools to make phone calls less of a headache, it’s these features that make using a Pixel so special. Google has ushered in a load of additional software tricks with the Pixel 10 series , one of them being Daily Hub. Daily Hub is supposed to be a one-stop shop for getting an overview of your current day, with updates on the weather, calendar events, text messages, emails, and more. Samsung promised something similar with Now Brief earlier this year, and while that didn’t pan out very well , I had hoped Google’s take on this feature would be better. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/J6XAcet via IFTTT

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority I’m in the market for a new phone, and while I told myself I wouldn’t spend more than $500 on it , I’m a tech nerd and have to say that the latest Pixels look very appealing. I prefer smaller phones, and the entry-level Pixel 10 has all the features I want and need, and then some. I don’t see myself spending an extra $200 on the similarly sized Pro model, as the price difference isn’t worth it for me. But here’s the kicker: The Pixel 10 Pro is actually cheaper for me in the long run. So, if I were to buy one of Google’s new phones, the Pixel 10 Pro makes the most financial sense. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/mRjtWef via IFTTT

There comes a time when all great apps must die, especially if Microsoft owns them. Redmond has taken many tools away from me, from Sunrise Calendar to Wunderlist, and now it’s hooking Microsoft Lens from the stage. The PDF scanner app made it easy to grab physical documents and transform them into digital copies without a bulky scanner. It was nothing fancy, but it did its job effortlessly. While Lens is undoubtedly one of the more useful tools Microsoft has given Android, there are plenty of alternatives you should now turn to instead. For those office-related tasks of signing documents digitally, scanning book pages page by page, or keeping tabs of receipts, here are the best PDF scanner apps you should opt for instead. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/2epR0Zx via IFTTT

Among all of the software goodies introduced on the Pixel 10 series , one of my personal favorites is the new “Screen Saver” feature. When your Pixel 10 is charging, Screen Saver can display the current time, weather, and other information as an ambient, pseudo-smart display screen. It’s basically Google’s version of Standby Mode that was added to the iPhone in 2023. However, Screen Saver works a bit differently and with some additional customization options, as you might expect from Google/Android. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/iOS97rM via IFTTT

Libby will soon officially roll out a new AI-powered discovery tool called Inspire Me. The feature suggests five titles based on saved books or selected prompts. Some users and librarians are skeptical about privacy concerns and AI replacing human curation. Libby, the popular library app for borrowing e-books and audiobooks, has introduced a new discovery tool called Inspire Me. The AI-powered feature offers five tailored recommendations based on a reader’s saved titles or selected prompts, surfacing books available to borrow right away. In theory, the tool should streamline skimming your Libby app for book ideas. But not everyone is ready to hand over their reading list to an algorithm. Libby hopes Inspire Me will complement librarian-led discovery, but some users have already raised red flags. First, about the privacy concerns, but secondly, about the role of generative AI versus real, human experts. As one Redditor bluntly put it: “Thanks, but I’ll stick with my local libra...

Two months after making a $14.3B investment in Scale AI, Meta is relying heavily on its competitors to train next generation AI models. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/3TsEKrN via IFTTT

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority A leaker has claimed that the next Snapdragon 8 Elite chip could be called the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This is a major departure from the expected Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 or 8 Elite Gen 2 names. We’re guessing this is because Qualcomm is readying an apparent Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip as well. Qualcomm launched the Snapdragon 8 Elite late last year, and this represented a change in naming convention after the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. We were expecting the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 to launch next month, but it looks like this chip could have an unexpected name change. Leaker Digital Chat Station has claimed on Weibo that the SM8550 chipset, which we’ve tentatively called the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 or 8 Elite Gen 2, will actually be the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/gEhkXP7 via IFTTT

With an interactive library that includes tongue twisters, breathing exercises, and advice on gestures, Vocal Image is also leaning more and more into AI to give automated feedback and personalized tips. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/jNXuUTh via IFTTT

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority The latest One UI 8 beta update brings Samsung’s Now Brief feature to the Galaxy S24 series. Now Brief offers a briefing several times each day, including info on the weather, traffic, and more. Samsung just released the latest One UI 8 beta for the Galaxy S24 series, which includes a variety of bug fixes. However, it turns out that this update also brings a major Galaxy S25 series feature. We can confirm that the new One UI 8 beta for the Galaxy S24 series includes Samsung’s Now Brief feature. Check out our screenshots below for a closer look. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/JPymHvA via IFTTT

Credit: Stephen Schenck / Android Authority The new Google Clock Material 3 Expressive redesign glitches, with jittering digits as the time moves. Some layouts are messy under specific settings, forcing scrolling or text wrapping. Complaints are piling up on Reddit and Google’s support forum. Google’s flashy Expressive makeover for the Clock app was supposed to be a simple style update, but plenty of people are unimpressed, to say the least. Across Reddit and Google support forums, people are finding the redesigned app jittery, awkward, and generally a bit of a mess. On the r/GooglePixel subreddit , one complaint shows the time jittering every second in the World Clock view, with the font resizing and the lower UI shifting around each time the digits change. “It’s so bad it’s funny,” reads the most upvoted response. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/Sb8VyuB via IFTTT

Microsoft president Brad Smith hosted an impromptu press conference on Tuesday afternoon, just hours after protesters gained access to a building at the company’s headquarters and held a sit-in demonstration inside his office . Seated on the edge of his desk, in the office that had been occupied by protesters earlier that day, Smith addressed a group of reporters and viewers on a live stream. “Obviously, this was an unusual day,” he said, the camera shaking as he spoke. The protesters were part of the No Azure for Apartheid group, which on several occasions this year interrupted Microsoft’s public presentations to demand that the company terminate all contracts with the Israeli government and military. Smith said that Microsoft is “committed to ensuring its human rights principles and contractual terms of service are upheld in the Middle East.” He said the company launched an investigation earlier this month after the Guardian reported that Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform was ...

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority Have you pre-ordered your Google Pixel 10 series device yet? If you’re set on the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, or Pixel 10 Pro XL, you might want to act quickly. The current pre-order offers get you a free gift card or account credit. These will be released in just a couple of days, so these offers may not be available after the official launch! Buy the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL with a free $200 gift card for $1,199 ($200 off) from Android Authority https://ift.tt/WF7LBoC via IFTTT

Alphabet's life sciences arm Verily laid off staff and eliminated its entire devices program as AI and data infrastructure takes center stage. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/zvlHFEK via IFTTT

The incident is the latest escalation by current and former employees who are demanding the company end its cloud contracts with Israel. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/mVGIOAv via IFTTT

Credit: Amazon Those looking for a basic smart speaker that is affordable and can take care of most smart home needs will love the Amazon Echo Pop. It is capable and cute, and its low $39.99 retail price is very welcoming. Alexa speakers are also very commonly on sale. For example, right now, you can save $12 on these! Buy the Amazon Echo Pop for just $27.99 ($12 off) from Android Authority https://ift.tt/w4FAiPr via IFTTT

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority Google has been rolling out a major visual and functional refresh to its Phone app , and people aren’t shy about sharing how they feel. Between the Material 3 Expressive makeover and the flashy new Calling Cards feature, the humble Google dialer has suddenly become one of the most talked-about Google apps of the year. Reddit threads are packed with strong reactions. Some say the redesign is amazing , with bigger buttons, a bolder look, and full-screen contact photos when calls come in. Calling Cards, in particular, are winning praise. They let you swap the old circular thumbnail for a full-screen picture and stylized text, much like Apple’s Contact Posters. For fans, it makes the experience of taking a call feel modern and personal instead of bland. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/hOM58ID via IFTTT

Venture giant Andreessen Horowitz is burning cash to shape policy on the Hill. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/k8Qrxdg via IFTTT

Google’s Pixel 10 series is an impressive showing, and among all the new phones, it’s the base model Pixel 10 that has stolen so much of the spotlight. With a triple camera setup (including a new dedicated telephoto camera), Qi2 magnetic charging, and the same Tensor G5 chip inside the Pixel 10 Pro models, is there any reason  not  to buy the $799 Pixel 10? Depending on what you’re looking to get out of your next Android phone, there may be after all. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/qHQYcAf via IFTTT

Credit: Jonathan Feist / Android Authority Samsung has announced that it’s bringing One UI and seven years of updates to its smart appliances. One UI on these appliances will bring a design in line with mobile devices, along with Now Brief and other features. Meanwhile, the update policy applies to Wi-Fi-enabled appliances launched in 2024 or later. Samsung made tech headlines a few years ago when it announced seven years of OS and security updates for its phones. The company has since extended this update policy to tablets and TVs. Now, it’s bringing One UI and seven years of updates to a ton of appliances. Samsung confirmed in a blog post that it was bringing the One UI platform to a variety of smart appliances. The company says this will bring “consistent design elements and functionality.” from Android Authority https://ift.tt/7sycv2q via IFTTT

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra will purportedly feature more rounded corners compared to the S25 Ultra. This should make for a more comfortable grip that doesn’t dig into your palm. It also comes after the S25 Ultra first softened these corners earlier this year. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra offers more rounded corners compared to previous Ultra phones. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it certainly makes for a more ergonomic design. Now, it looks like the Galaxy S26 Ultra could up the ante. Twitter tipster Ice Universe has claimed that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will have more rounded corners than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Check out the user’s tweet below. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/mp7YhyW via IFTTT

Credit: Adamya Sharma / Android Authority Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro XL now offer personal weather insights via Magic Cue. The feature provides weather forecasts and tips based on events in your Google account. It’s only available in two countries for now and is limited to events within 10 days. The Pixel 10 series features Magic Cue , a type of personal assistant that pulls information from other apps. Thanks to Magic Cue, the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro XL now have a new weather-related feature that makes weather reports even more personal, but sadly, not for everyone. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/KwFmvSV via IFTTT

Credit: Prakhar Khanna / Android Authority I’ve been using the Galaxy Z Fold 7 since its launch and recently switched to the Flip 7 . Apart from the Good Lock features and One UI 8 customizations, there’s another Samsung feature that has stood out for me in recent times. To my surprise, I have grown used to certain Galaxy AI features. I am not heavily reliant on them, but they do make my life easier… sometimes. In fact, I miss parts of Galaxy AI when I put my SIM in other phones for testing. From regular stuff like Gemini and photo distraction removal tools to more productivity-focused things like AI Select, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 have one of the most polished suites of AI features today. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/MuSwEyo via IFTTT

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Android used to be synonymous with freedom. If you didn’t like your phone’s interface or bloatware, you could simply install a custom ROM — the colloquial term for a forked version of the Android operating system. But that golden era is quickly disappearing, as yet another major Android fork has run into troubles. CalyxOS, a major privacy-focused Android distribution, announced a sudden freeze on future releases earlier this month. While the project isn’t dissolving entirely, it won’t receive any updates for the foreseeable future. That news coincided with the departure of two of the project’s most recognizable leaders. Needless to say, zero security updates would be a death knell for any operating system, but it’s even more problematic for a privacy-focused Android fork. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/0Yy9NIx via IFTTT

As the anticipated launch of the Google Pixel 9 approaches, excitement is building among Android enthusiasts and loyal Pixel fans. However, as a long-time Pixel user who has been closely following the leaks and predictions, I find myself asking a critical question: Is the Google Pixel 9 truly worth the upgrade? In this early review, I'll break down the key reasons why I might be skipping this year's release—and why you might want to as well. 1. Incremental Updates vs. a Revolutionary Leap One of the main reasons for my hesitation is that the expected updates for the Pixel 9 feel more evolutionary than revolutionary. The current Pixel 8 already delivers excellent performance and an exceptional camera. Leaks suggest that the Pixel 9 will feature minor design tweaks , a slightly improved display, and subtle camera enhancements. For users of the Pixel 8 or even the Pixel 7, these incremental improvements may not be enough to justify the cost of a new phone. Our current devic...

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority This morning, Oura won its ongoing legal battle against Ultrahuman and RingConn at the ITC. Both rivals are now banned from selling smart rings in the US. The ruling all but cements Oura’s dominance in the US market. The smart ring market in the US just got leaner. Today, Oura, maker of the Oura Ring, won a decisive legal battle that blocks two of its biggest rivals, Ultrahuman and RingConn, from selling their devices stateside. The International Trade Commission (ITC) found both companies infringed on Oura’s patents and hit them with exclusion and cease-and-desist orders. Oura already leads the US smart ring market by a wide margin. The company has shipped more than 2.5 million devices globally and remains the most recognizable brand in the category. Ultrahuman and RingConn have recently offered some competition, appealing to buyers with lower prices and different hardware designs. We even dubbed the RingConn Gen Air 2 the b...

Credit: XGIMI via Amazon Are you looking for a portable projector? I swear, I can no longer live without mine. It turns regular movie nights into magical moments! XGIMI makes some of the best ones; their latest and greatest is the XGIMI MoGo 4 Laser. It’s a bit on the pricier side, with a $799 full retail cost. It has just been discounted for the first time, though, so you can save $120 on it right now. Buy the XGIMI MoGo 4 Laser portable projector for $679 ($120 off) from Android Authority https://ift.tt/V5wXluQ via IFTTT

  Google has introduced a new screenshot editing experience on Pixel phones running Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1. Now, when you edit a screenshot, it opens directly in the Pixel Studio app You can use additional screenshot editing tools in Pixel Studio, including the ability to alter screenshots using AI. Google has rolled out a more advanced screenshot editing experience on Pixel phones running Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 . Now, when you edit a screenshot, it opens directly in the Pixel Studio app, which offers a wider range of editing tools compared to the standard screenshot editor in Google Photos, including AI-powered editing. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/wi9YLIA via IFTTT

Credit: Adamya Sharma / Android Authority The Pixel Tips app is now called My Pixel. It brings more helpful suggestions and a new, better-organized look. The updated app is now rolling out via the Google Play Store and may look different depending on where you live. Google has refreshed the Pixel Tips app with a new name, a fresh Material 3 Expressive design, and additional sections that make it easier to explore your Pixel phone. from Android Authority https://ift.tt/3u8Ftzb via IFTTT

The Splinter Cell: Deathwatch animated series finally has a release date and a proper trailer, but Netflix already wants you to start thinking about what else it has coming down the pipeline. During this year’s Anime NYC convention, Netflix announced that Deathwatch is slated to debut on October 14th, and the series has added The Sandman ‘s Kirby Howell-Baptiste to its cast. Howell-Baptiste will voice Zinnia McKenna, an agent working alongside Sam Fisher (Liev Schrieber) as they’re hunted by squads of trained killers. Though it’s brief, Deathwatch ‘s new trailer gives you a pretty solid sense of the series’ slick and brutal action. You can also see that, tonally, the series is going to be a rather serious video game adaptation. But things are going to be a bit different for the next season of Netflix’s take on Devil May Cry . Due out some time in 2026, Devil May Cry ‘s second season will see Dante (Johnny Yong Bosch) and Vergil (Robbie Daymond) reuniting for a battle to the deat...

OpenAI says that Elon Musk met with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to discuss a $97 billion takeover bid of the ChatGPT-maker. from TechCrunch https://ift.tt/eluRmxy via IFTTT

Masimo isn’t happy about the CBP reversing its previous Apple Watch import ban. Medical tech company Masimo is suing US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in an attempt to overturn the agency’s decision to allow Apple to restore the blood oxygen tracking feature on Apple Watches. Apple has been embroiled in legal disputes over Masimo’s blood oxygen sensor patent since 2020, disabling the feature on supported US Apple Watch models following an ITC import ban in December 2023. In a complaint filed on Wednesday , Masimo said that the CBP failed to notify the company of its decision to reverse the International Trade Commission restrictions, leaving Masimo with no opportunity to review or challenge the ruling. Masimo said it only learned that the ban had been reversed after Apple announced its “redesigned” pulse oximetry feature last week, which now calculates blood oxygen levels on iPhones instead of the Watch. While no direct accusations were made, Masimo called out in the filin...

The second day of protests at Microsoft’s headquarters involved red paint. A Microsoft employee has been arrested as part of protests at the company’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington this week. On Tuesday, a group of current and former Microsoft employees, as well as community members, took over a plaza at Microsoft’s headquarters to protest against the company’s contracts with Israel. The No Azure for Apartheid protest group says at least one Microsoft employee has now been arrested as part of 18 arrests in a second day of protests. Protestors at Microsoft’s headquarters set up a “Liberated Zone” encampment for a second day on Wednesday, and poured red paint over a Microsoft sign on campus. Komo News reports that Redmond Police allege that some protesters also “blocked a pedestrian bridge, and tried to create a barrier using stolen tables and chairs.” While the group of protesters were moved on peacefully on the first day of protests on Tuesday, Redmond Police arrested 18 p...

Sony is raising the price of all PS5 models by $50 in the US. The company cited the “challenging economic environment,” which includes the tariffs President Trump has placed on imported products. The changes will go into effect on Thursday, and the new prices are as follows: PlayStation 5 – $549.99 PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – $499.99 PlayStation 5 Pro – $749.99 Sony says that the retail prices for PS5 accessories “remain unchanged.” In April, Sony raised the price of PS5 hardware in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and in May, the company said it was considering price hikes to cover the Trump administration’s tariffs. Microsoft has also raised the price of Xbox hardware and accessories, including bumping up the Xbox Series X digital edition to $549.99. Ahead of the Switch 2’s launch, Nintendo hiked the cost of accessories for the console , and in earlier this month, it raised the price of the original Switch “based on market conditions.” PlayStation 5 Dig...

Is Amazon moving away from FireOS? Amazon is preparing to launch a new tablet that could run on Android instead of its custom FireOS software, according to a report from Reuters . Multiple sources tell the outlet that Amazon plans to release the “higher-end” Android tablet as early as next year. Amazon currently powers its Fire tablets using a forked version of Android, forcing developers to create apps compatible with FireOS and distribute them on the Amazon App Store. The company’s upcoming tablet could soon change this, potentially giving users access to a wider variety of Android features and apps. The updated Fire tablet could cost $400, according to Reuters , marking a big jump from the Amazon’s $230 Fire Max 11 device . Amazon still plans to launch cheaper tablets with the Linux-based Vega operating system used in some of its Fire TV streaming devices, but the company’s full lineup of tablets will eventually adopt Android, Reuters reports. from The Verge https://ift.tt...

Stephen Curry will likely be making some appearances in future Pixel ads. Google has brought NBA star Stephen Curry on board to help shape the company’s hardware, features, and AI services. The long-term partnership was announced today at the Made by Google event, with Curry joining the company as a “performance advisor” for Google’s Health, Pixel, and Cloud products, leaning into his athletic experience and expertise. Part of Curry’s job will involve testing and providing feedback for Fitbit’s new personal health coach, sharing “coaching methods and philosophies” that can be used to improve the feature, according to Google’s press release. The health coach is a Gemini-based chatbot that generates customized workout routines and metric targets for Fitbit app users based on the health goals they’re working towards. “This hands-on work has already begun, with Stephen and his team of experts working with our health experts and product and AI engineers to test our new products and exp...

The Xbox Ally X. | Photo: Tom Warren / The Verge Microsoft and Asus are putting a date on their new Xbox Ally handhelds : October 16th. Both the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X will be available on the same day in a variety of markets worldwide, but Microsoft and Asus aren’t opening preorders yet or revealing pricing. Microsoft also announced its handheld compatibility program to identify games optimized for the new Xbox Ally devices. Leaks have suggested that the Xbox Ally will debut at €599 (around $699) and the top-of-the-line Xbox Ally X model at €899 ($1,049). I understand Microsoft and Asus had planned to announce Xbox Ally pricing and release date information today, but then it decided to only reveal a release date. Microsoft is now promising pricing and preorder information “in the coming weeks.” The price information delay could be related to the leaks or ongoing uncertainty with US tariffs. Dealabs reported yesterday that the Xbox Ally could be priced at $549.99 and the Xbox...