Category: Uncategorized

Samsung might be quietly locking down its phones even more tightly with the One UI 8 update. A new report from an XDA Developers contributor reveals that Samsung appears to be removing the ability to unlock the bootloader on more devices, including international versions that previously supported it.

Yesterday evening, as I went to bed, I told my Google Nest Audio, “Hey Google, turn off all the lights.” Normally, this is one of the easiest commands, and my success rate with it is better than many other commands that continuously fail and irritate me. But this time, I just got back silence. So I shrugged, thinking it’s a glitch, reached out to the Hue button on my bedside table, and long-pressed it to turn off all my lights.

Today, though, my Android Authority colleague Luka pointed out to me dozens of Reddit threads from users who are also having trouble controlling their lights. Turns out this wasn’t a simple glitch but a widespread issue affecting many Google Home and Assistant/Gemini users.

Google is a software company and knows how to make great apps. I mean, I use apps like Gmail, Maps, YouTube, and Drive on a regular basis. Then there are its AI-focused apps like NotebookLM, which is by far the most underrated app in Google’s arsenal.

However, there are a few apps I think are way underdeveloped and need some serious work. They’re simply too basic for me, or lack many of the features you get with the competition. I know Google is all about simplicity at times, but it’s taking things too far with some of its apps.

Samsung launched its latest foldable phones and smartwatches today. These all had great pre-order deals, and while logic would tell us those would likely disappear after the official release, they are still available. That said, some of the offerings have changed, but you can still get a free gift card if you buy any of these new products!

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and get a free $200 gift card for $1,999.99 ($200 off)

Do you keep running out of battery? I’ve been searching for a battery pack that’s both easy to carry and powerful, and so far, the CUKTECH 15 Ultra Power Bank offers the perfect balance for my needs. It’s at a record-low price, too, and you can take it home for $71.99. That’s much more enticing than paying the full $109.99 retail price!

Buy the CUKTECH 15 Ultra Power Bank for just $71.99 ($38 off)

Samsung has made some welcome improvements in One UI 8, with beta testers attesting that the experience feels much more optimized and fluid. The Android 16-based update also brings some key feature upgrades, including smarter AI experiences, a new version of DeX, new tools in Good Lock modules, enhancements to Now Brief and Now Bar, among many others.

T-Mobile added more postpaid subscribers than any other carrier in the last quarter, and according to the company, two specific plans are driving about 60% of those new sign-ups.

Google already packs its Pixel phones with a bunch of smart calling features like Call Screening, Direct My Call, Hold for Me, and Call Notes. These features are powered by AI to make handling calls easier and less annoying. Now, it looks like Google is cooking up another new calling feature that could take things to the next level — an AI-powered voicemail system that works entirely on your device, no internet needed.

T-Mobile’s satellite messaging service, T-Satellite, has officially exited the beta testing phase and is now available to everyone in the US, including customers on AT&T and Verizon networks.

Google recently increased the prices of its Nest Aware and Nest Aware Plus subscriptions, but many users say the service isn’t improving to match the higher cost.

Samsung’s new foldable phones are all the hype right now. These include the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Z Flip 7 FE. There’s something here for everyone, and they all come out this Friday, July 22nd. There are no real discounts yet, of course, but there are some pre-order offers for all models, which get you a free storage upgrade and include a gift card!

Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 with a free 512GB upgrade and $300 gift card for $1,999.99 ($420 off)

Google’s new Pixel 10 lineup is coming next month, and as usual, leaks are pouring in from all corners. The latest one gives us a sneak peek at four rumored colorways for the standard Pixel 10: Obsidian, Indigo, Frost, and Limoncello. Honestly, we’re pretty excited about that palette.

Samsung Display has finally revealed what we’ve wanted to know for many days — how many folds can the Galaxy Z Fold 7 withstand? Well, it turns out not only is the Fold 7 one of the thinnest foldable phones on the market, but it is also shaping up to be one of the most durable when it comes to folding and unfolding capacity.

A few years ago, Google introduced a useful Fast Pair feature that allows users to check the battery status of their true wireless earbuds quickly. If you’re using Fast Pair-enabled earbuds, you may have noticed that every time you open the case, a notification pops up showing the battery levels of each component: the left bud, right bud, and the case. You also receive a notification when the battery on any of these components is running low, prompting you to recharge them in time.