Android

Credit: Paul Jones / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung appears to be working on another new form factor for the Galaxy Buds line. The earbuds feature a hook design, similar to other wireless options commonly used for workouts. The codename for these earbuds is “Buds Canal 5.” Samsung is shaking up the Galaxy Buds line with a new entry, which features a clip-on design that’s similar to the Sony LinkBuds Clip. As we discovered back in April, this new form factor carries the codename “Galaxy Buds Able.” But it seems that’s not the only new form factor the company is exploring. A new leak has revealed another mysterious pair of earbuds that are in the works. The folks over at SamMobile have come across renders for a new Galaxy Buds product. These renders reveal a design that’s meant to hook around the ear, similar to other wireless earbuds made for workouts. You can check out the renders in the gallery below.

The UGREEN Nexode 65W Wall Charger is a compact GaN charger built for phones, tablets, and lighter laptops, and it stands out for packing strong charging power into a small, travel-friendly design. It is also on sale right now on Amazon, making this a good time to grab one for your bag, desk, or nightstand. See the deal at Amazon

Big-screen phone fans who want long battery life without paying top Ultra money should take a look at this Amazon deal on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus. It hits a nice middle ground in Samsung’s previous-gen lineup, and right now it costs quite a bit less than usual. See the deal at Amazon

Credit: Dreame A robot lawn mower is a huge time saver, ensuring you aren’t wasting hours of your weekend toiling away to keep your lawn pristine. But not all mowers are the same, and two issues often pop up. Slopes, tree roots, uneven patches, and tight side passages trip up plenty of models, and the setup process before any of that is its own hassle if you have to install wires and beacons. The Dreame A3 AWD Pro is built to address both concerns. It handles mapping your property on its own and is designed for terrain that simpler robot mowers would struggle with. And right now, Dreame is running an exclusive deal for Android Authority readers. Here’s what you need to know.

Best Buy just knocked $1,000 off the Hisense 85-inch UR8 RGB MiniLED Series TV, dropping it to $2,499.99 from its $3,499.99 retail price. That is a 29% discount relative to the RRP, and it is the best deal we have seen on this model. See the deal at Best Buy

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google is testing a Gemini-powered setup assistant for Android devices. The assistant provides account-tailored recommendations, prompts based on on-screen content, and direct settings updates. An “Ask Gemini” input bar is also prominently present, encouraging users to ask AI for help with anything. Setting up a new Android phone can be an exercise in tedious tap-throughs: skipping endless prompts, toggling permissions, and hunting down essential setup steps you actually care about. Google looks to be working on a way to make that onboarding process significantly smarter and far less friction-heavy. Within Google Play Services v26.30.31 beta, we’ve discovered that Google is developing an AI-powered phone setup assistant, designed to offer account-tailored recommendations and real-time guidance when switching to a new Android device. 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.

TL;DR Google Earth now uses Gemini’s Nano Banana 2 to generate AI images based on real-world locations using satellite, aerial, and 3D map data. You can visualize ideas or learn about places by creating concept images, redesigning public spaces, or generating easy-to-read historical infographics for landmarks. The feature is rolling out globally today for Google Earth on the web, letting users turn real locations into AI-powered visual concepts with a simple text prompt. Google Earth has always been great for showing you what’s already there. Now, Google wants it to help you imagine what could be there instead. The company is bringing Gemini’s Nano Banana 2 image generation model to Google Earth on the web, letting you create AI-generated images based on real locations. Rather than typing a prompt into a blank text box and hoping the AI understands what you mean, you start with an actual place on the map. Zoom into a location, tap Create image, describe your idea, and Gemini uses Google Earth’s satellite imagery, aerial, and 3D data as the foundation for the image.

Credit: DJI TL;DR DJI has officially launched the dual-lens Osmo Pocket 4P in global markets. The new model adds a dedicated 60mm portrait lens, a larger 1-inch sensor, 17 stops of dynamic range, and 10-bit D-Log 2. Unfortunately, the device won’t launch in the US as DJI says regulatory authorization is still pending. DJI launched the Osmo Pocket 4 earlier this April, bringing several upgrades to its ultra-popular pocket-sized gimbal camera. A month later, the company quietly showed off the Osmo Pocket 4P at the Cannes Film Festival. At the time, all we knew was that it featured two cameras instead of the single lens found on the standard Pocket 4. Now, DJI has officially launched the new model globally, a month after its reveal in China.

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority TL;DR A developer has released an unofficial port of Pokémon Blue, Red, and Yellow on Android. The port requires the original game ROMs but offers a variety of graphical options and gameplay tweaks. The port also supports mods, like the Dramatic Shape Voxel mod, which enables 3D visuals. Pokémon games are among the most popular titles to emulate on Android, as the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance entries in particular can run on just about any device. That hasn’t stopped someone from unofficially porting the first few Pokémon games to Android, though. Developer bryanthaboi recently released Gen1Recomp on GitHub, which is an unofficial port of Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow to various platforms. In addition to Windows, Linux, and Mac ports, the developer has also ported the games to Android and ANBERNIC‘s Linux platform.

TL;DR Samsung has confirmed that a bug related to the One Hand Operation Plus module is causing issues with the Edge Panel. The company said it will fix this glitch in a future update to the Good Lock module, though it didn’t specify when. In the meantime, Samsung has also offered a couple of temporary fixes for this particular issue. Edge Panels on Samsung Galaxy flagships are a core part of the One UI experience, giving you immediate access to a row of apps or other functionality (weather, contacts, and so on) on either side of the screen. This key One UI feature is now facing issues, and it’s all thanks to a popular Good Lock module. A complaint on Samsung’s community forum pointed out that swipe gestures no longer activate the Edge Panel on their Galaxy device. The affected user said that toggling the Edge Panel off and on fixes the issue for a while, though it reportedly resurfaces later. A community moderator has now chimed in, confirming this bug is related to One Hand Operation Plus.

Credit: Sanuj Bhatia / Android Authority I’m an Android guy through and through. So when I bought a brand-new car back in 2019, I was excited to see that it supported Android Auto. However, after a quick stint with it, I decided it was not for me. The software was too buggy and rigid for me at the time, and I just didn’t find it any more useful than the built-in infotainment system in my car. However, a lot has changed over the last seven years. Android Auto gained several new features and, on paper, resolved a lot of the bugginess I remembered. With that in mind, I gave it another chance to see how much my opinion of it has changed. The answer, unfortunately, is not much. I still hate the Android Auto experience for several reasons and don’t see myself using it, despite having a few perks I genuinely enjoy.

The Google Pixel series might not be as popular as Apple or Samsung flagships, but the phones are still considered among the best in the Android world. You’ll find a wide range of options under this brand, including the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and even the foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold. But as much as I personally like the Pixel series, right now is absolutely the worst possible time to buy one.

TL;DR Samsung executives said that the RAM shortage is expected to continue through 2028. They explained that unmet demand from this year will carry over and further constrain RAM supply in 2027. Samsung’s semiconductor division reported nearly $62 billion in profit last quarter, driven by increased demand for memory. The tech industry is facing a major RAM shortage due to the ever-increasing demand for memory from AI companies. This has led to price hikes for everything from smartphones to gaming handhelds. If you were hoping that the RAM crisis might soon come to an end, Samsung has some troubling news for you. During Samsung’s recent earnings call, executives said that the company expects the RAM shortage to last well into 2028. The company is seeing increasing customer demand, and unmet demand from 2026 is expected to carry over into 2027. That would further constrain supply for new products coming out in 2027 as the company tries to fulfill pending orders.

Credit: Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority TL;DR A new open-source tool called “Root My Galaxy” uses a software exploit to grant temporary root access on select Samsung Galaxy flagships. The tool works without wiping data, unlocking the bootloader, or tripping Knox, preserving features like Secure Folder, Samsung Wallet, and Play Integrity. Root access is temporary and must be reapplied on every reboot, and devices running newer security patches or Exynos chipsets are currently excluded. Modding modern flagship phones has become an increasingly uphill battle. Samsung hasn’t been a stalwart in this space for a while, thanks to Knox, but the company went further and effectively killed bootloader unlocking on One UI 8 in several major regions. However, a developer has now released a new open-source tool called “Root My Galaxy” that promises a simple, one-click rooting procedure without wiping data, unlocking the bootloader (!) or tripping Knox (!!). Detailed by developer busung on XDA Forums and hosted on GitHub, the Root My Galaxy app functions as a KernelSU installer. Because it leaves the bootloader locked and doesn’t blow the Knox e-fuse, features like Secure Folder, Samsung Wallet, and banking apps continue to work normally. Even Play Integrity remains intact, though some security-focused apps might detect the root-related apps that you may subsequently install.

Earlier this week, Apple fundamentally shifted how it expects people to buy high-end tech. With the official launch of Apple Upgrade, its hardware-as-a-service model, Cupertino replaced its legacy iPhone Upgrade Program with a true-blue leasing option. Leasing high-end silicon across iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches for predictable monthly fees acknowledges a truth that most of us have felt over the last few years, and more so recently. Dropping well over $1,000 upfront for a depreciating asset like a smartphone is becoming harder to justify.

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google has marked the long-running Pixel idle battery drain bug as fixed for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series, with Pixel 8a and Pixel 9a scheduled to receive the fix in September. The issue reportedly prevented affected phones from entering Deep Doze, resulting in excessive battery drain even when idle. Despite Google’s claim, users continue to report the problem on several Pixel devices and even Samsung Galaxy devices. Pixel owners have spent months chasing the cause of an annoying idle battery drain bug that seemed to chew through the battery even when their phones are doing absolutely nothing. Now, Google says it’s fixed the issue for some Pixel 10 and Pixel 9 devices, but the story may not be over just yet.

Samsung Messages packs plenty of useful features that Google Messages lacks. I particularly like its customization and organization features, as well as the ability to auto-delete old messages. However, Google Messages remains my go-to messaging app for a few reasons. For one, I switch Android phones multiple times a year, and Google Messages makes my transitions frictionless. Then there’s Messages for Web, which lets me chat on my computer. That said, I’ve had two huge annoyances with Google Messages for years. While Google recently released a fix for one, it’s been possible to fix the other for years, though I never bothered. Here’s how I resolved both of them.

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR A Samsung regional executive has hinted that the Galaxy S26 FE is coming soon. The executive suggests that the device is weeks away from launching. The phone is expected to arrive with a redesigned camera bump, 45W charging, and Samsung still has at least one notable smartphone up its sleeve for 2026, as we’re expecting the Galaxy S26 FE to launch later this year. Now, the company has officially confirmed that the device is on the way. Samsung executive Daniel Araujo noted during an earnings call that the Galaxy S26 FE is in the works:

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Chrome for Android is rolling out a new Appearance menu for the new tab page. You can upload your own background image, choose preset color themes, or pick from themed wallpaper collections. Some themes can even refresh automatically every day. Google has been gradually adding more customization options to Chrome across platforms, and now Android users are getting a feature that makes the browser feel a little more personal.

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Tab S12 series will launch in the second half of the year. This comes after a host of leaks in recent weeks, including unofficial renders and a live image. Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab S11 series almost a year ago, bringing plenty of horsepower and a host of software features. We’re almost due for the Galaxy Tab S12 series if this release cadence holds true, and Samsung has indeed confirmed that this new tablet family is on the way. Samsung executive Daniel Araujo confirmed the Galaxy Tab S12’s imminent arrival during the company’s Q3 earnings call. The answer came in response to a question about the mobile unit’s financial difficulties during the RAM crisis.

TL;DR OpenAI is working on a “family of devices” for its chatbots, OpenAI president Greg Brockman said in an interview. He further added that the company aims to build devices that are useful in people’s daily lives. Brockman said that OpenAI’s hardware devices are “coming soon” but didn’t give a release timeline. It’s no secret that OpenAI is working on hardware products. The company first started talking about it back in 2024 when it partnered with Apple’s former design lead, Jony Ive. Since then, we’ve seen reports that its first device could resemble a pen or a movable speaker. Now, an OpenAI executive has shared some more details about the company’s hardware plans. In an interview with Joanna Stern on YouTube, OpenAI president Greg Brockman explained that the company is, in fact, working on a “family of devices.” Naturally, these devices will be built around OpenAI’s models.

Credit: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Google seems to be working on a way to temporarily pause Android’s Advanced Protection mode. Users will be able to temporarily pause the feature for three hours before it automatically turns back on. The change could make tasks like sideloading apps less frustrating while ensuring users don’t accidentally leave Advanced Protection disabled. Google has been steadily expanding Android’s security features over the past year. Now, evidence found in Google Play Services (version 26.30.31) suggests the company is working on a small but welcome quality-of-life improvement for Android’s Advanced Protection Mode.

TL;DR The FCC’s latest ban on foreign tech has set its aim at “advanced robotic devices.” While the announcement specifically mentioned walking robots, the FCC has now clarified that the ban impacts robot vacuums as well. Current models (despite some clear examples of security risks) won’t be impacted, but future launches may face the ban. The current administration has a complicated relationship with China, to put it mildly, and when it’s not wreaking havoc on the global economy with tariffs, it’s fixating on the latest Chinese tech it wants to ban. This week, that has extended to banning foreign “advanced robotic devices,” but as it turns out, “advanced” may be a much lower bar than you’d think — so low, even robotic vacuums make the cut. The FCC announced the ban yesterday, focusing on humanoid and quadruped robots — basically, anything that walks around — as well as power inverters. That would be a big enough deal, but the FCC has now confirmed to The Verge that this ban isn’t exclusive to robots with legs, and would extend down to the smart home appliances we use to keep our floors clean.

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Welcome to Wallpaper Wednesday! In this weekly roundup, we’ll give you a handful of Android wallpapers you can download and use on your phone, tablet, or even your laptop/PC. The images will come from folks here at Android Authority as well as our readers. All are free to use and come without watermarks. File formats are JPG and PNG, and we’ll provide images in both landscape and portrait modes, so they’ll be optimized for various screens. For the newest walls, as well as all those from previous weeks, check out this Drive link. Want to submit your own? Head to the bottom of this article.

TL;DR Wearables currently struggle to gather data about body metrics that are traditionally measured via blood analysis. A new technique shows how a smart ring could overcome that limitation by analyzing sweat. While there are big hurdles to get over before anything like this is commercially viable, the tech sounds promising. Wearable tech tends to improve along two different fronts — sometimes at the same time. We have devices like smart glasses or watches that try to bring smartphone-like processing, performance, and connectivity to a wearable form factor. But then there are trackers like the Fitbit Air or smart rings that are all about advanced sensor packages, gathering as much data about our bodies as they can. On that latter front, one of the biggest advancements we’ve been waiting for is a way to measure things like glucose levels non-invasively. And now some scientists are sharing an interesting new way to go about just that. While having access to data like your glucose level can be extremely useful, measuring it tends to require needles to get at your blood — not something many of us would choose outside of medical necessity. But in a new paper published in Nature, a group of scientists outline how they designed a smart ring that measures glucose, lactate, and even alcohol levels just by non-invasively analyzing the wearer’s sweat (via CNET).