Android

Amazon just dropped the Life360 Tile Starter Pack to $32.99, down from its $49.99 recommended retail price. That’s a $17 saving and a 34% discount off the RRP, which makes this a deal worth grabbing while it lasts. It’s also the best price we’ve seen on this bundle all year. The lowest price in the last 30 days was $49.99, so this is a much stronger offer than the recent norm. See the deal at Amazon

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR The developer behind Fermata Xtream is releasing a new version. This version of the app features 100% new code that improves speed and performance. Apps will now auto-update when a new release is pushed to Github, but only when installed with AAenabler. Back in June, the developer behind Fermata Xtream, one of the most popular ways to watch live TV on Android Auto, announced that the app was going offline. While the free version of the app remained available on Github, the developer said at the time that they were calling it quits. Fast forward a couple of months, a new version of Fermata Xtream is rolling out. According to the developer, they spent the last few months attempting to rewrite Fermata Xtream’s code to improve performance. However, they stopped once they realized it wasn’t possible with the existing code. This appears to be why the developer decided to walk away.

The Anker Prime 3-in-1 Foldable Charger is built for people who want one compact charger for their everyday gear, and there’s a solid deal on it at Amazon right now. This palm-sized charging station folds into a small block for travel, then opens into a stand-style setup that works well on a desk, nightstand, or in a hotel room. See the deal at Amazon

TL;DR The European product database, EPREL, has published energy efficiency, durability, and repairability grades for all Pixel 11 smartphones. Surprisingly, the Pixel 11 Pro scores a B grade for durability, largely due to its lower free-fall reliability. The batteries on all Pixel 11 models can retain 80% of their capacity through 1,000 charge cycles, according to these documents. The Google Pixel 11 series is officially here, with additional details to follow at the Made by Google event later this evening. As you decide which model to pick up, we’re gaining some fresh insights into the smartphone lineup’s energy efficiency, durability, and repairability. Thanks to listings published by the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL), we’re getting our first glimpse at how Google’s latest flagships fare. Starting with the Pixel 11 (GUJ0N), the database reveals an energy efficiency rating of B. The EPREL provides A to G grades for devices, with A being the most efficient and G being the least.

TL;DR Comu Action Pro succeeds the Comulytic Note Pro with a bigger focus on completing work, not just recording it. Its dedicated AI button can turn conversations into presentations, emails, summaries, and action plans. The $129.99 early bird launch price gets you six microphones, up to 70 hours of recording, and support for 113+ languages. In a smartphone era with built-in voice recorders and access to mobile AI apps, it is fair to wonder why anyone needs a standalone device. If you’ve ever tried using your phone for AI dictation, you know the process can involve a tedious, multi-step hassle: recording the audio, exporting the file, opening an app, crafting manual prompts, and hoping an incoming call doesn’t ruin the track midway. Plus, fumbling around with your phone during an important client sit-down can look surprisingly unprofessional. Now Comu has a new solution for smoothing all that over. Silicon Valley AI startup Comu, formerly Comulytic, has officially launched its latest hardware assistant, the Comu Action Pro. As the direct successor to the Comulytic Note Pro, the new branding might initially trip you up; the name subconsciously evokes a rugged action camera rather than a pocket productivity gadget. But don’t expect to mount this onto a bicycle helmet.

Amazon just knocked $851 off the Mammotion LUBA 3 AWD 3000H Robot Lawn Mower with Garage, dropping it to $2,448 from its $3,299 recommended retail price. That’s a 26% discount relative to the RRP, and it’s the best deal we’ve ever seen on the high-end mower. See the deal at Amazon

Credit: Brady Snyder / Android Authority TL;DR Google is expanding Gemini’s connected app ecosystem. The new integrations touch on productivity, entertainment, music, and lifestyle. Some of the apps include Wix, OpenTable, Ticketmaster, Pandora, and Angi. The Made by Google showcase is set to start later today. Ahead of the event, Google has shared the details on the Pixel 11 series, Pixel Watch 5, and the new Pixel Buds Pro 2 color. Although today’s launch event is focused on hardware, there is some news on the software side as well. On that note, Google is announcing more connected apps for Gemini. In a blog post, the tech giant revealed that it is expanding Gemini’s connected app ecosystem. This will be done through several new integrations that aim to assist you with planning, creating, and following through on your to-do list. More specifically, these integrations touch on the topics of productivity, entertainment, music, and lifestyle.

TL;DR Rising RAM costs are forcing phone makers to make difficult tradeoffs to avoid raising prices. Xiaomi’s 17T appears to have cut costs on its speakers, with testing showing weaker audio than its predecessor. As manufacturers look for savings, buyers may need to dig deeper than the spec sheet to spot hidden compromises. The rising RAM cost crisis isn’t letting up anytime soon, and manufacturers are increasingly being forced to make tradeoffs just to keep phone prices from climbing even higher. Motorola, for example, took the stagnation route by using the same chipset in the Razr Ultra 2026 as in its predecessor. Stagnation is still somewhat understandable, especially when the chip in question is the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Xiaomi, on the other hand, could potentially be taking a completely different approach. The company released the Xiaomi 17T late in May. The device is positioned as a mid-range alternative to flagships, and hence, Xiaomi presumably wanted to maintain its modest price tag. But the manufacturer reportedly did so by making a compromise that isn’t immediately evident when looking at spec sheets.

Google’s new Pixel 11 phones are now up for preorder, and as always on usual launch-day, the question is where you should actually buy one. If you’re picking up an unlocked Pixel 11 model and don’t have a trade-in to use as leverage, Amazon has some familiar incentives to tempt you. The retail monolith is bundling a gift card with every phone in the Pixel 11 family, and the card’s value varies by model. You get a $100 Amazon gift card with the standard Pixel 11, while the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL each come with a $200 gift card. Splash out on the $1,899 Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and the bonus climbs to $350.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKVHYtQlCb8 As an enthusiast, any time a new phone launches, it’s natural for me to gravitate toward the Pro model. The stacked feature list and hardware make it a predictable choice, which would explain why I’ve leaned toward the top-tier Pro Pixels for the last few years. But this year, the decision is harder than usual. The standard Google Pixel 11 starts at $899, which is $200 less than the Pixel 11 Pro. Yet Google has closed the gap between the two phones in several important areas. Like every year, the Pixel 11 gets the same processor, the same amount of RAM, and the same starting storage. It also gets fast Qi 2.2 charging, a new main camera, and a slightly slimmer design. Those are notable gains for a lot less money than the Pro.

TL;DR The name Lenovo Googlebook Duet m has surfaced in a regulatory database. This seems to be the name of Lenovo’s upcoming two-in-one Googlebook tablet. The first Googlebook devices will be available later this year. Lenovo’s first Googlebook devices have been leaked several times over the past few weeks. From what we’ve seen so far, we know Lenovo is working on at least three Googlebooks: conventional laptops in two sizes, plus a two-in-one tablet device with a detachable keyboard. Today, we’ve learned that the latter will come with a name we’re used to from some of Lenovo’s previous two-in-ones. As spotted by Chrome Unboxed, the name Lenovo Googlebook Duet m has appeared in the Bluetooth SIG database. Lenovo’s previously used the Duet name with its ChromeOS-based tablets.

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR Galaxy users are experiencing a bug that’s related to folders. The glitch is causing large folders to spill over to the next page on the home screen. Samsung confirms that it is working on fixing the error. Folders are something that’s nice to have, as they can help you clean up your home screen. They also work as a way to keep your home screen organized. However, a new bug is causing problems for Samsung Galaxy users. And that problem is making home screens look like a mess. The issue in question relates to folders on Galaxy devices, specifically large folders. It appears that a glitch is causing large folders to extend farther than they should. As one user points out on Samsung’s community forum, their large folders are spilling over to the next page after setting a custom folder size and reducing the screen layout settings by one space.

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority Scouring the new Pixel 11 series for significant hardware changes this year, the biggest standout is the Tensor G6’s new and improved Tensor Processing Unit (TPU). Google says the Tensor G6’s TPU delivers 50% more compute power and up to 3.5x faster performance in some workloads. Impressive numbers, sure — but what does that actually mean when you pick up a Pixel 11? For starters, let’s get to grips with what the TPU actually does. While Tensor’s CPU handles your apps and its GPU mostly handles games, the TPU is primarily tasked with number-crunching for machine learning workloads, featuring dedicated dot-product matrix math units and high-speed memory access. In other words, it’s the main AI processor inside Google’s Pixel handsets. It’s used for a wide variety of on-device tasks that don’t require the cloud, such as speech recognition, voice transcription, and text suggestions.

TL;DR A new report claims Samsung has ditched plans to include a variable aperture primary camera on the upcoming Galaxy S27 series. This follows recent rumors suggesting the Galaxy S27 Ultra will miss out on the 3x camera and offer only three rear cameras instead. Samsung’s decision to forego variable aperture for its upcoming flagship will likely hand Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models an advantage, which are rumored to include the camera system. As Samsung’s new foldables start reaching shelves, the focus firmly shifts to the company’s next big release: the Galaxy S27 series. Among the notable upgrades rumored for the flagship lineup, the inclusion of a variable aperture camera system has led to some optimism among shutterbugs. A fresh report now brings some bad news on that front. According to sources cited by ET News, the variable aperture camera system won’t make the cut on the Galaxy S27 series early next year. Samsung seemingly reached this decision after weighing the benefits and drawbacks of implementing the new camera hardware.

It wasn’t too long ago that practically every Android phone had a dedicated, multicolor notification LED. Usually placed above the display, the glowing light was surprisingly useful for notifying you of messages, alerts, charging levels, and other things you needed to be aware of. As a self-proclaimed fan of notification LEDs, I loved being able to glance at my phone from a distance and tell if I needed to take action. Always-on displays on phones can replicate some of that functionality, but they’re nowhere near as discreet as a simple light. No wonder then that Android fans have been clamoring for the return of the notification LED. As we’ve seen time and time again, design innovation tends to be cyclical. And with the Pixel 11 Pro series, Google has listened.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKVHYtQlCb8 TL;DR Google launched the Pixel 11 series, featuring a new “interactive onboarding companion” to assist with phone setup and personalization. The company did not share more details right away, but the feature closely resembles an unreleased Gemini-powered setup assistant that we previously uncovered, which provides real-time guidance and account-tailored recommendations during device setup. Key features of the previously uncovered experience include an “Ask Gemini” overlay, instant setting execution without opening separate apps, and personalized app recommendations. Google has just launched the Pixel 11 series and, with it, is debuting a new “interactive onboarding companion” to help you set up your new phone. Google hasn’t shared details yet, but the company says the interactive onboarding companion helps you “check your setup, personalize settings, and make sure everything is ready to go.” That doesn’t say much on its face, but it sounds suspiciously similar to the Gemini-powered setup assistant we spotted last month.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKVHYtQlCb8 TL;DR Google’s new Health Guardian turns Pixel Watch health data into more useful insights, analyzing signals in the background. Breathing Emergency detection can spot sustained drops in blood oxygen and potentially call emergency services. Blood Pressure and Insulin Resistance Trends track longer-term changes without direct blood pressure or glucose measurements, and will roll out to the Pixel Watch 3, Watch 4, Watch 5, and compatible Fitbit devices this fall. Smartwatches already know an almost ridiculous amount about our health — they know when we go to bed, how much we move, and how hard our heart is working during a run. The problem is that much of this information eventually becomes another graph buried inside the Health app. Google thinks your Pixel Watch should be able to do something more useful with it. That’s the thinking behind Health Guardian, a collection of new health features arriving this fall. Rather than waiting for you to dig through individual readings, it will analyze signals collected in the background and flag changes that may actually be worth paying attention to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKVHYtQlCb8 TL;DR Google has confirmed that its Pixel 11 Pro phones no longer offer a temperature sensor. The new phones now have the so-called HiLight notification LED in place of the thermometer. Google first introduced the temperature sensor on the Pixel 8 Pro in 2023. The Pixel 8 Pro debuted a thermometer or temperature sensor back in 2023. This rear-facing sensor allowed you to (surprise) measure the temperature of objects and eventually people. However, the Pixel 11 Pro phones all offer the so-called HiLight feature in the camera bar, so what does this mean for the temperature sensor? Google has confirmed to Android Authority that none of the Pixel 11 series devices have a thermometer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvjtwGVAw1I TL;DR All Pixel 11 phones support the Qi 2.2 standard, offering 25-watt magnetic wireless charging. Of last year’s Pixel 10 series, only the 10 Pro XL supported 25-watt wireless charging. Existing Pixelsnap chargers can deliver 25W when paired with a 35W USB-C power brick. After months of leaks, Google finally took the wraps off the entire Pixel 11 series today at an event in New York. The new phones come with a number of thoughtful, practical upgrades, from new camera sensors to faster charging speeds. This year, all Pixel 11 models support Qi 2.2 charging, a feature that was exclusive to the 10 Pro XL last year. Qi 2.2 charging enables faster wireless charging rates of up to 25W, provided you’re using a compatible wireless charger connected to a compatible power source. That’s a big get for the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold: their 2025 equivalents all topped out at 15W.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKVHYtQlCb8 TL;DR Google has launched the Pixel Watch 5. New features on the smartwatch include generative watch faces, blood pressure trends, Breathing Emergency Detection, and more. It will cost $399 for the 41mm Wi-Fi model, $429 for the 45mm Wi-Fi model, and $579 for the Stephen Curry special edition. Today is the day Google will host its long-awaited Pixel launch event, where it will showcase the Pixel Watch 5 along with the Pixel 11 series. Instead of waiting until this evening for the show to start, the company is spilling the beans a bit early, while also opening up pre-orders for its new hardware. What does the latest entry into the Pixel Watch line have to offer? Let’s jump into the details and explore everything you need to know about the Pixel Watch 5. Google Pixel Watch 5: Design, colors, bands, and models

Google fans, gather around. After enduring months of leaks, the wait for the Pixel 11 series is finally over. The Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold are all official, and you can pre-order them all right now. It’s one thing to look at the new phones on the Google Store website or read news articles about them, but actually using them for yourself is completely different. Thankfully, I had a chance to spend a couple of hours with all of the new Pixel 11 models, and I came away with a few important takeaways I think you should know about.

TL;DR Verizon is offering a Pixel 11 Pro for free to users switching from other carriers to its Simplicity plan. It’s also offering a Pixel Watch 5 and Galaxy Tab S10 FE to users purchasing a new Verizon line with a new Pixel 11 series phone. Users can trade in their existing phones to get up to $1,100 off any Pixel 11 series device. Google launched its latest smartphones today: the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. If you’re thinking of upgrading your smartphone to a new model from the Pixel 11 family, you are not going to want to miss a carrier deal that could make the upgrade easier and help you save some cash.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKVHYtQlCb8 TL;DR Google is adding new tools for video creators to the Pixel 11’s Camera app. These include a teleprompter and basic video editing tools, right within the Camera app. Pixel 11 will also organize video clips into project albums automatically. There’s no doubting that video creators (or even users who take a lot of videos) gravitate toward the iPhone. That stays true, even if certain top-tier options in the Android camp might offer better video recording capabilities, and that’s something Google may now be attempting to change. However, instead of taking on the iPhone simply with better video quality, Google is pitching extra features that may come in handy for those who shoot videos with the Pixel 11. With the Pixel 11, Google is adding a new set of tools that allow video creators to channel their creativity with more ease. These features are grouped under what Google calls “Creator Suite,” and they make video creation easier, especially when using the front camera.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKVHYtQlCb8 TL;DR The Pixel 11 brings live translations to videos and podcasts. While watching videos on YouTube or compatible third-party apps, the Pixel 11 can automatically dub the audio in real time. Users can also manually select the target language. Google brought Live Translate to phone calls with the Pixel 10 last year, and even though it’s not perfect, it can be quite useful. Now, the company is expanding that same feature to videos and podcasts on the Pixel 11 series. The Pixel 11, with its Tensor G6 chip, uses Gemini Intelligence to automatically translate content you’re watching or listening to on your phone. When you’re watching YouTube Shorts or videos, Live Translate will automatically dub the audio in real time.

TL;DR Circle to Search is coming directly to the Pixel Camera app. You can identify objects, translate text, search for distant objects, and ask questions about what you’re seeing in your viewfinder without clicking a picture. Google is making Circle to Search even more on the Pixel 11 series by integrating the feature directly into the Pixel Camera app. This means users can now point their phone at something and search for it without first taking a photo or switching to another app. Google says that if you spot an unfamiliar object, a piece of text, or something else you want to learn more about, you can use Circle to Search while the Camera app is open. The feature can identify objects, translate text, zoom in to search for things farther away, and answer questions about what you’re seeing.