Android

TL;DR TCL has launched the NXTPAPER version of the Tab A1 Plus that landed in the US this past April. The tablet features largely similar hardware specifications, but with an easier-on-the-eyes screen and a larger battery. TCL is already offering a steep 25% discount on the Tab A1 Plus NXTPAPER for US customers. If you’ve followed our coverage of TCL’s NXTPAPER-branded devices, you’ll know we’re big fans of the technology and its ability to seamlessly bridge the gap between modern LCD panels and e-paper-type displays found in e-book readers. The manufacturer has now released another NXTPAPER-equipped model in the US, and it has all the markings of being a great midrange tablet. For some background, TCL announced the Tab A1 Plus with a standard display alongside the Tab A1 Plus NXTPAPER earlier this year. While the standard version went on sale back in April, TCL now shares in a press release that its NXTPAPER sibling is finally going up for sale in the US.

Amazon just cut the Samsung 32-inch M8 Smart Monitor to $349.99, down from its $699.99 RRP. That’s a $350 saving and a full 50% off, which is a huge drop for a premium 4K display like this. It’s also an all-time low price, beating the previous record low by some distance, so it’s your best chance ever to pick it up. See the deal at Amazon

TL;DR Samsung reportedly plans to expand its inkjet lens process on the Galaxy S27 Ultra. The technology could help reduce the thickness of the camera module. More internal space gives Samsung greater flexibility for future camera upgrades. Bigger sensors, better zoom cameras, and stronger stabilization all have one thing in common: they take up space. That’s why flagship phones often end up with increasingly chunky camera bumps. Samsung may have another way to tackle that problem. According to a report from ZDNet Korea, Samsung plans to expand a specialized inkjet lens printing process across three rear camera modules on the Galaxy S27 Ultra. While Samsung first tested this process on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, expanding it across the new camera array signals a major push toward slimmer, higher-performing optical hardware.

Busy charging setups can get messy fast, especially when a laptop, phone, and tablet all need power at the same time. The Anker 100W Max USB-C Charger is built for that kind of daily load, and it is now on sale at Amazon. The charger is down to $49.99 from its $69.99 recommended retail price, which is a 29% discount. That saves you $20 off the RRP. That’s just $2 off the all-time low price. See the deal at Amazon

TL;DR Sony has introduced a new Olive Gray color for the WH-1000XM6, joining five existing finishes with a subtle green-tinted look. The new finish doesn’t change the hardware, so you still get the same top-tier ANC, sound quality, microphone, and audio features. Olive Gray is available now for $459.99 through Sony’s website and Amazon. Headphones aren’t just about sound anymore. They’re something you wear for hours at a time, whether you’re working from a cafe, commuting to the office, or waiting at an airport. So, it’s no surprise that color has become almost as important as features for many buyers. That’s exactly what Sony is leaning into with the latest addition to its flagship WH-1000XM6 lineup. The company is giving its premium headphones a fresh look with a new Olive Gray finish.

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google Messages is working on a new Chat pinning UI that allows you to pin up to six conversations. This new UI allows you to reorder your pinned chats. You’ll also be able to select contacts from a list or search for them to add to your selection. When there are certain conversations that you want to keep in quick reach, Google Messages allows you to pin those chats, keeping them at the top of the list. Currently, the app allows you to pin up to 20 messages. However, Google is working on a change that will greatly reduce the number of chats you can pin. Google is preparing a new pinning surface for the Messages app (via Nerd’s Chalk) in the latest beta. This new pinning UI, titled “Select chats to pin,” is a new page where you can select up to six conversations to pin. These pinned chats appear in a “Selected” row at the top of the screen. Below that row is a list of recent conversations to choose from, and a list of contacts appears below that. You’ll also be able to search for chats to pin by tapping on the magnifying glass in the top right corner.

Lenovo’s Idea Tab is built as an 11-inch tablet for school, notes, and everyday watching, and there’s a solid Amazon deal on it right now. It targets students and college users, but the mix of display quality, audio, and study-friendly features gives it broader appeal. See the deal at Amazon

TL;DR Version 5.05 of Google Health enables syncing tracked info to Apple Health on iOS. The update also enables sharing info with medical providers using Smart Health Links on both Android and iOS. Google Health v5.05 is available on app stores now. Google Health just got an important update for people deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem. The latest version of the app on iOS adds the ability to sync data from Google Health directly to Apple Health, so now iPhone users can easily monitor their fitness info using a Fitbit tracker (like the new Fitbit Air) without having to interact as much with Google’s software. As spotted by user posting_purple on Reddit, version 5.05 of the Google Health app for iOS enables syncing a bunch of different metrics from Google Health to Apple Health, including sleep data, steps, and more. One unsupported metric might be a deal-breaker for dedicated fitness buffs, but if you just want to check how many steps your Fitbit logged from inside Apple Health, that’s now possible.

TL;DR Some official-looking Pixel 11 Pro imagery shows off what Google’s working on for next week’s launch event. The gallery touches on camera features, Gemini tools, and Google silicon. We also get another look at that Pixel Glow / HiLight LED mini screen. Google’s Pixel 11 launch event is creeping up on us fast, and we are just a little over one week out from the day when Google’s latest phones will make their formal debut. Ahead of that happening, though, we are simply being inundated by a flood of last-minute Pixel leaks, and that torrent’s not about to stop now, with the release of a fresh set of Pixel 11 Pro imagery. Veteran leaker Evan Blass has already shared some detailed promotional photos for both the Pixel 11 and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and now he’s following that up with a new gallery of Pixel 11 Pro shots:

The Google Pixel 10a is down to $424 at Amazon right now, which cuts $75 off its $499 retail price. That is a 15% discount off the RRP, making this a good time to grab it if you’ve been waiting for a better deal. It has only ever been cheaper in the Prime Day sale, and given that the Pixel 11 is expected to start at $899, this is an extremely tempting alternative. See the deal at Amazon

TL;DR Amazon confirms it’s flagging actual users as bots amidst the retailer’s fight against AI crawlers scraping the web for reviews. A spokesperson for the company says it has identified incidents in which users were unable to access reviews and has since restored access. This trend could become common among online retailers in the near future as they find ways to combat widespread data scraping. While buying something online, we instinctively look at the reviews section to see what other buyers had to say. Some products may have hundreds of reviews that could play a big part in your decision-making. However, retailers also have to contend with AI crawlers that are scraping online data. Amazon has now confirmed that it’s limiting the visibility of product reviews due to concerns about bot activity, though this move is also affecting actual human customers. For some Amazon shoppers, this concern isn’t new. A Reddit thread dating back to November last year, backed by a seller complaint on Amazon’s support page in February, mentions being unable to view more than a handful of reviews. Another affected individual had to submit a request and was asked to wait five business days to view more reviews of a product.

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google Messages v20260731 beta lets users reorder attachment pills (such as Location, Gallery, and Schedule Send) by long-pressing and dragging them. While shortcuts cannot be completely removed, pushing unused options to the bottom allows for a personalized messaging layout. A new caret (arrow) icon situated at the top of the attachment sheet expands the grid into a full-screen view when tapped. Google is giving Google Messages users a long-overdue bump in daily usability: you can now rearrange the shortcuts inside the attachment sheet. Spotted in Google Messages v20260731 beta, this quality-of-life upgrade arrives as Google continues tweaking its primary chat client to make it easier to use. Until now, tapping the attachment icon in an ongoing conversation opened up a fixed grid of options, ranging from Gallery and Location to Magic Compose and Schedule Send. With the new beta update, users are no longer stuck with Google’s default arrangement. You can simply long-press any shortcut pill to rearrange it to a preferred spot in the grid.

Credit: RISION TL;DR RISION’s new infrared thermal cameras connect over USB-C and work with devices running Android, iOS, and Windows. The new RISION Magic and Magic Pro can upscale images to double the sensor’s resolution for richer details. The cameras also let you view thermal data overlaid on images from your phone’s camera, making it easier to see through the blurry blobs. Infrared-based thermal imaging comes in extremely handy for finding any faults or abnormalities in machines as well as electrical or electronic systems. Numerous brands sell rugged phones with dedicated IR cameras that enable night vision, but don’t offer the desired accuracy. To achieve greater accuracy, you might need to purchase dedicated equipment, such as handheld thermal guns with IR imaging. That’s one more gadget to carry with you, and it may not always be economical. Some brands aim to address ergonomics with compact, lightweight IR cameras that attach via your phone’s USB port, and RISION is one of them. RISION has announced two new infrared thermal camera modules in its Magic series that attach to your Android device, iPhone, iPad, or even a Windows laptop via USB-C. The new RISION Magic and Magic Pro weigh less than 25 grams and require minimal power, which they draw from your phone’s or laptop’s USB-C port, eliminating the need for a built-in battery.

TL;DR Caviar has expanded its Legends lineup with Scarface, Joker, and The Godfather Galaxy Z Fold 8 editions. The handcrafted designs use cloisonné enamel with 24K gold-plated accents. Only 19 units of each design will be made, with prices starting at $12,560. Luxury phone maker Caviar has found a formula it clearly likes. After releasing a $13,000 Lionel Messi-themed Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the company is back with another batch of ultra-exclusive Samsung foldables. This time, however, football gives way to Hollywood, with custom Galaxy Z Fold 8 devices inspired by Scarface, The Godfather, and The Joker. If the collection looks familiar, that’s because it taps into the kind of larger-than-life pop culture iconography that’s been decorating dorm room walls for decades. Between Tony Montana, Don Corleone, and the Joker, these phones have unmistakable dorm-poster energy — except they’re handcrafted in enamel and gold instead of printed on glossy paper.

Credit: Adamya Sharma / Android Authority TL;DR Gemini might soon allow users to create AI agents directly from their Android devices. Google appears to be testing this ability in the latest version of the Android app. Users might initially have the option to choose from five templates, centered around learning, managing finances, marketing, and more. Google is testing a host of new upgrades for Gemini, including the option to customize your Daily Brief and manage skills for its always-online agent, Spark, right from your Android device. Alongside these features, Google is also experimenting with giving users greater control over custom AI agents, right from their mobile devices. You’re reading an Authority Insights story. Authority Insights brings you all the latest exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage from the Android Authority team that you won’t find anywhere else.

Credit: Discord/Retroid TL;DR Retroid has announced a $10 price increase for the cheapest Pocket Nova handheld. This means the device now starts at $239 instead of $229. The increase goes into effect from August 6, so you still have a few days to order the device at its original price. Retroid hasn’t been immune to the RAM crisis and other component price hikes in 2026. The company was forced to increase the price of the Pocket 6, but there’s also bad news for its latest Android handheld. Retroid announced on Discord that the cheapest Retroid Pocket Nova model (8GB+128GB) will now cost $10 more, citing “rising Qualcomm chipset and raw material costs.” This means the 8GB+128GB model will now retail for $239 instead of $229.

TL;DR Google has been working on letting users customize their Gemini Daily Brief. Last week, we spotted a text box for customizing the Daily Brief, but Google is now tweaking that UI. Users could see a button to customize their briefings, followed by several customization options. Google has been working on letting users customize their Gemini Daily Brief. Last week, we spotted the company testing an easier way for users to personalize their briefings. It seems Google is still refining the feature and making a couple of changes to how it looks and works. You’re reading an Authority Insights story. Authority Insights brings you all the latest exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage from the Android Authority team that you won’t find anywhere else.

Credit: Google TL;DR Google app v17.45.14 code hints that full Gemini Spark Skill management is coming directly to the Gemini Android app. Mobile users will gain access to a dedicated Skills page with two creation methods: guided conversational setup and manual creation. When rolled out, this would eliminate desktop dependence by allowing users to manage active, inactive, and recommended skills on mobile. Gemini Spark is Google’s Gemini-powered autonomous agent offering that can quietly and intelligently work in the background to handle digital tasks on your behalf. A good part of what makes Spark effective is its reliance on “Skills,” custom instruction sets, and saved context files that teach the AI how to handle recurring tasks according to your exact preferences. Up until now, creating and managing those skills required heading to a desktop browser. That friction could soon disappear as Google prepares to bring full Skill management directly to the Gemini app on Android. You’re reading an Authority Insights story. Authority Insights brings you all the latest exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage from the Android Authority team that you won’t find anywhere else.

Rising prices have been rippling across the global smartphone industry for months, and now, they’ve come for flagship Android phones in the US. Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra start $100 higher than their 2025 equivalents, and last week, Google’s Shakil Barkat all but confirmed rumors that the Pixel 11 will start at $899, up $100 from the base Pixel 10. Year-over-year price increases are never ideal for consumers, but it’s especially inconvenient that new phones are getting pricier while everything else is, too. From laptops to game consoles to TV streaming hardware, practically all of consumer tech has shot up this year, not to mention steadily rising prices for non-tech essentials.

As we enter August, the North American and European markets are one Android OEM poorer. Last month, OnePlus confirmed it’s ending its operations in these two key regions, with OPPO playing a larger role in at least one of them. Rumors abounded as early as January that OnePlus’s US operations were under scrutiny, even though the company denied it at the time. However, to see such an important Android brand up and leave two of the world’s most important markets is still a shock and will likely surprise many die-hard fans. But just how much of a surprise?

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority I’ve been an Android user for as long as I can remember, and I have no plans to give up my Galaxy S26 for any iPhone — not even if Apple makes it fold in half someday. But that doesn’t mean I’m blind to what the other side does better. I keep an iPhone around for work, and while I can’t imagine using it as my daily driver, there are a few iOS features that genuinely make me jealous. Some of them Android doesn’t have at all. Others exist but feel half-baked by comparison. Either way, they sting a little.

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority TL;DR An iPhone 17 Pro survived a 3,600-foot (1.1km) fall after being sucked out of a small airplane over Canada. Its owners tracked it with Find My and recovered it virtually undamaged from a canola field. The incident adds to a growing list of remarkable smartphone survival stories over the years. Over the past couple of years, smartphones have survived some truly absurd situations. A Pixel 8 that spent four days at the bottom of a hot tub. A Galaxy S23 Ultra recovered after five hours beneath Arctic ice. And, of course, the iPhone that survived the Alaska Airlines door-plug blowout. Now, another iPhone has earned its place on that list after surviving a fall that almost nobody would expect.

Credit: Digital Citizen TL;DR A new leak showcases press images of the Lenovo Googlebook 15, revealing its design, Android-powered desktop OS, and the “Googlebook” branding. Through these images, we can spot features such as a dedicated hardware Gemini key, a top display notch with a physical privacy shutter, various ports (HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, SD reader), and Dolby Atmos audio. The unified Android “Aluminium OS” interface features a phone-style status bar and support for apps like Adobe Premiere Pro. The leak suggests an official reveal is expected at IFA in September for this Lenovo Googlebook 15. A massive leak has revealed the full press image set for the upcoming Lenovo Googlebook 15, giving us our clearest look yet at Google’s next-generation desktop computing effort. Building on earlier reports of Lenovo’s Googlebook laptop, two-in-one tablet, and its companion AI Mouse, this new leak details the hardware choices and Android-derived “Aluminium OS” interface designed specifically for Google’s Gemini era. Digital Citizen has shared a bunch of renders showing the upcoming Lenovo Googlebook 15. Curiously, the branding on the left side of the palm rest reads “Googlebook” rather than Lenovo’s standard product line logos, signaling tight control by Google.

Samsung launched its latest Galaxy Watches alongside its new foldable phones in July 2026. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 is now the latest entry point to the company’s smartwatch lineup, featuring larger batteries, a new Qualcomm processor, a raise-to-talk feature from the Pixel Watch 4, and new health tracking capabilities. Coupled with all the new watch strap designs, the Galaxy Watch 9 might look very tempting, especially if you already own a Samsung smartphone. Prices have gone up, though, like most new tech launches this year. The 40mm Galaxy Watch 9 now starts at $380, while the 44mm model costs $410. Add another $50 to each if you want the cellular variant. That’s a lot of money for a smartwatch that’s not too different from the 2025 Galaxy Watch 8.

Credit: Google TL;DR After rebranding NotebookLM, Google is reportedly testing new features to enhance learning. The upcoming tool may allow Gemini Notebook users to create interactive web pages, custom apps, or games. Google is also testing smaller features, including the option to remove watermarks from media generated within notebooks. Google’s widely admired research tool, previously known as NotebookLM, was rebranded as Gemini Notebook — not to be confused with notebooks inside Gemini — last month. Since then, Google has been working to bridge the gap between the two not-so-dissimilar tools for accessing and archiving information. Some features such as Audio and Video Overviews remain exclusive to Gemini Notebook, and Google is seemingly working to include new ones to keep users coming back. Gemini Notebook may soon let users create interactive apps, games, or other visual aids to help users learn better. Testing Catalog has spotted a new menu option called App within the Studio section that also hosts options to create and consume Audio Overviews, Infographics, Mind Maps, and more. The section also already lets users create learning aids such as Flashcards.