T-mobile may have a new perk to keep loyal customers from switching carriers

T-Mobile logo on an Android phone.

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority
  • T-Mobile is reportedly offering customers free bill credits to reward them for their loyalty.
  • The offers can reportedly be claimed by contacting T-Mobile’s customer service representatives.
  • The initiative seems to be aimed at long-time customers looking to switch carriers.

While Verizon is disappointing its long-time customers by cutting loyalty discounts, T-Mobile seems to have a new trick up its sleeve to retain loyal customers from switching carriers.

Someone is folding the Galaxy Z Fold 7 200,000 times live on YouTube

samsung galaxy z fold 7 open in hand

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority
  • A YouTuber is currently folding and unfolding the Galaxy Z Fold 7 live on YouTube.
  • The phone has already survived over 100,000 folds.
  • The goal of the YouTuber is to manually fold the device 200,000 times and see if it survives.

A Korean tech YouTuber is currently putting the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 through an extreme durability test, folding and unfolding it live on YouTube with a goal of hitting 200,000 folds. Yes, by hand. And no, we don’t recommend trying this at home unless you have a lot of patience (and nothing better to do for several days). Honestly, it’s kind of nice that the YouTuber is doing the hard work so the rest of us don’t have to.

One UI 8 is adding a powerful new Galaxy AI feature, but there’s a catch

A Galaxy S25 downloading the One UI 8 beta.

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority
  • Samsung has introduced a new Voice Captioning feature in One UI 8.
  • It’s part of Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite and goes beyond Live Captions to translate audio, summarize it, and help save the captioned text and audio file.
  • The catch is that the feature isn’t available officially yet, so you’ll have to download an APK to access it.

Samsung has added a new feature called Voice Captioning to its suite of Galaxy AI tools on One UI 8. It allows users to convert speech to text in real time, whether it’s from a video, call, or live conversation. What makes it more powerful than Samsung’s existing Live Captions feature is its ability to also translate speech into different languages and summarize what was said.

6 ridiculous promises we were sold about 5G

Despite some speed and network coverage improvements, 5G hasn’t really lived up to the hype. You know it, I know it, and deep down, even the carriers know it.

In fact, a few of the industry’s bigwigs would probably rather we all forget about some of the absolutely outlandish claims and overenthusiastic visions they tried to sell us about 5G. But the internet never forgets, so it’s time for us to play “where are they now” with some of the worst nonsense from the turn of the decade.

I want Gemini to be my DJ in YouTube Music

Imagine having your very own DJ in your pocket, ready to mix your favorite songs at a moment’s notice. No, not your dad’s 3-5 second crossfade, but instead a completely customized mix that makes the two songs you’re transitioning between meld together like they were designed that way by the artists themselves. That’s the idea behind Apple Music’s upcoming AI-powered AutoMix feature, which is coming with this fall’s iOS 26 release.

As a former Spotify user and now years-long YouTube Music user, this is the first time I’ve even batted an eye at one of Apple’s few Android apps. I’m not really a big fan of the old-school cross-fade functionality, but this is different. Google is consistently adding Gemini-powered features across all of its verticals — including in the main YouTube app — but so far, we haven’t seen much of this AI prowess in YouTube Music. AutoMix is a seemingly small Apple Music feature with big implications, and I have some ideas on how Google can bring its super-powered Gemini experience into its music app.

NewPipe adds Android Auto support, bringing YouTube to your car screen

Android Auto 2024 Apps List

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
  • Android Auto still doesn’t support the official YouTube app, but NewPipe can now fill that gap.
  • The update lets you access playlists, history, and search from your car’s screen.
  • Of course, you’ll only be able to watch while parked.

Android Auto has always been pretty strict about what kinds of apps are allowed, but Google is starting to loosen up now, and NewPipe isn’t wasting any time. Thanks to the latest app update, the open-source YouTube alternative now works on your car’s infotainment screen.

In a blog post, the NewPipe team says you can now browse your watch history, load playlists, or search for new content within Android Auto. The developers still urge caution when using the feature, even though Google already has guardrails to prevent you from getting distracted as you’re cruising along.

The clock is ticking: Google has 14 days to make major changes to the Play Store

Google Play Store app next to other Google Apps stock photo

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
  • Google has 14 days to enact the Play Store changes needed to resolve its antitrust issues.
  • The tech giant has now filed an emergency stay with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • The company believes that making these changes in such a short amount of time will put users and developers at risk.

On Thursday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling from the original Epic v. Google lawsuit, giving Epic Games the big win it was looking for. As a result, Google must enact a list of remedies to resolve its antitrust issues. The tech giant is now hoping the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals will grant it an emergency stay.

According to The Verge, Google has revealed that it has only 14 days to enact the significant changes it was ordered to make to the Play Store.  The quick turnaround has led the tech giant to file an emergency stay with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to put a pause on the situation.

Google must open Play Store to Epic Games and others after appeal loss

Google Logo at Google NYC Headquarters with Plants Surroudning it

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
  • Google has failed in its attempt to appeal a ruling from the Epic v. Google antitrust case.
  • The tech giant will have to follow the remedies from the original case, which includes allowing third-party app stores to be downloaded from the Play Store.
  • CEO Tim Sweeney has confirmed that the Epic Games Store will now come to the Play Store.

Be on the lookout for the Epic Games Store, as it should appear on the Google Play Store soon. After losing its appeal of a judge’s order, Google will now have to overhaul its app store policies. This includes letting third-party app stores onto its platform.

Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decided (via Bloomberg) to uphold the ruling from the original Epic v. Google lawsuit. This decision found the Play Store and the tech giant’s payment systems to be monopolies. As a result, Google will have to follow the remedies from that antitrust case. These remedies include limiting the company’s ability to pay phone makers to preinstall the Play Store, allowing developers to use other payment systems, and opening up Android to third-party app stores.

Get the Apple MacBook Air M4 at a record-low price before the deal is gone!

Apple MacBook Air M4 enjoying movie

Credit: Apple

If you were to ask me what the best laptop for most people is, I would have to say it’s one of the M-series MacBook Airs. Which one you get depends on the price and needs, but the best one to get right now is the Apple MacBook Air M4. Not only is it the newest version, but it is also $200 off at just $799.

Buy the Apple MacBook Air M4 for just $799 ($200 off)

Déjà vu? T-Mobile may be changing your plan whether you want it to or not (Updated)

  • It seems T-Mobile may be automatically switching some legacy customers to Go5G Plus plans starting August 13, claiming it comes at no extra cost.
  • The change mostly affects Magenta Max users, with some T-Mobile One plans also reportedly included.
  • While perks and pricing are said to remain the same, concerns remain about how this impacts older Price Lock guarantees. There also doesn’t appear to be a way to opt out.

Update: July 31, 2025 (12:13 AM ET): T-Mobile has shared the following clarification with Android Authority regarding how plan changes will impact older Price Lock guarantees:

The customers being moved here are not on Price Lock plans, and Price Lock remains in place for eligible customers. For those who are getting an upgrade, we’re matching their current price and improving the value.

Samsung confirms earlier launch for Galaxy S25 FE, teases more big releases for 2025

Galaxy S25 FE 5k render SammyGuru 1 scaled

Credit: SammyGuru
  • Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy S25 FE will launch earlier this year.
  • An August or early September release is likely, meaning the phone could go on sale well before October.
  • The company also shared its plans to launch its first tri-fold phone, XR headset, new entry-level Galaxy A phones, and the Galaxy Tab S11 series later in 2025.

Samsung has just released its Q2 2025 financial results, and along with the numbers came a preview of what’s next for the tech giant’s mobile division. Among the most notable revelations, Samsung confirmed that the Galaxy S25 FE is coming earlier than last year.

Google is finally fixing an Android update bug that’s been an annoyance for weeks

android version about security vs play system update

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
  • Google is addressing an issue that’s been affecting the installation of Play System updates on devices running Android 16.
  • The company says it has identified the problem and will resolve it with an upcoming update.
  • The issue also affected our Pixel 9a running Android 16, and many others reported the problem on other Pixel phones as well.

I’ve been dealing with an update issue on my Pixel 9a running Android 16 for weeks, and it turns out I’m not the only one. For a while now, I haven’t been able to install new Google Play system updates successfully. Every time I tapped the update button, the phone detected an available update and began installing it. However, partway through the process, the installation would abruptly stop and show a “Failed to update” error message.

Your Pixel Watch could soon give you the same backup freedom as your Android phone (APK teardown)

A man pressed the digital crown of his Google Pixel Watch 3.

A man pressed the digital crown of his Google Pixel Watch 3.
Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
  • Google could soon let Pixel Watch users manually trigger backups.
  • We’ve found code evidence suggesting Pixel Watches could soon get a “Backup now” button in Settings, possibly removing the current requirement of having the watch connected to a charger during the backup process.
  • The option is similar to the Backup now setting you find on Android phones.

Google seems to be working towards making Pixel Watch backups a little less annoying. Currently, if you want to back up your Pixel Watch, you have to ensure it’s connected to Wi-Fi and placed on the charger. The watch will then automatically start the backup process if you’ve turned on the backup option in Settings or during setup. So as it stands, you have no manual control over when your watch is backed up, and the automatic process requires you to connect it to a charger. We’ve now found evidence suggesting Google might remove these restrictions.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are still great in 2025 for just $199.99

Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones next to magazines on a wood bench

Credit: Zak Khan / Android Authority

Premium headphones can be super expensive, but there are ways to get quality audio without spending several hundred dollars on a pair of cans. Previous-generation high-end headphones are still outstanding, and if you wait for the right sale, you can get them at a much more reasonable price. Right now, the Sony WH-1000XM4 are just $199.99.

Buy the Sony WH-1000XM$ headphones for just $199.99 ($150 off)

Google Street View captured this man naked at home, and now he’s $12,500 richer

Google Street View Car 2024

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
  • A man was captured naked in his yard by a Google Street View camera.
  • Appeals court judges ruled that the company “flagrantly violated” the man’s dignity.
  • Google now has to pay the man around $12,500.

Street View is a Google Maps feature that offers a 360-degree view of any area at street level. This feature can come in handy when you want to virtually explore neighborhoods, landmarks, and more. These 360-degree views are stitched together from the numerous photos taken by the company’s specially-equipped vehicles. As these vehicles snap photos at various times of the day, sometimes these cameras capture some things they shouldn’t. That’s exactly what happened to a man from Argentina who just got a big payday from the tech giant.

As reported by CBS News, one of Google’s Street View cameras captured an Argentine police officer naked at his home while walking around in his garden. In addition to capturing the naked man in his yard, the cameras also captured his house number and street name. After the images were splashed up online and shared on social media, the man sought compensation from Google in 2017, arguing that the firm harmed his dignity and that he was behind 6.5-foot-high walls.

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