Android

TL;DR A leak offers an early glimpse at Samsung’s upcoming My Custom Widget feature, expected to debut early next year with One UI 9.5. It could be based on Android’s Create My Widget, which is expected to arrive this summer on select Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices. When available, this custom widget option will let users choose from a few preset options or generate their own by describing what they want. Back in May, Google showcased Android’s upcoming Create My Widget feature, powered by Gemini Intelligence. While it isn’t available on any smartphone today, we’re getting an early look at what Samsung One UI’s version could look like. In a post on X, leaker Fahad Ali Javed has uncovered evidence of a custom widget creation option within a One UI 9.5 build. The accompanying screenshot shared by Javed shows the My Custom Widget option listed among the other available widgets.

The Motorola Edge (2026) debuted in June this year, bringing a compact body, a range of intriguing colorways, and an alluring camera package to the market. It’s now battling away in the mid-range against the likes of Google’s enduring Pixel A series, Samsung’s enticing Galaxy FE series, and a suite of other options. But among these contenders, which is the most attractive alternative to the Motorola Edge (2026)? My colleague Andrew Grush offered up his picks in a recent article, and we asked readers to vote for their favorite. The results can be viewed below.

It was a little over a week ago that I got to spend a couple of hours with all the new Google Pixel 11 phones, and I came away with pretty mixed feelings. I thought Google made some smart hardware decisions, but features like HiLight, Camera Looks, and Magic Capture left me feeling either confused or downright disappointed. However, there’s only so much you can judge using four different phones in just two hours. I received my Pixel 11 Pro review unit shortly after that initial hands-on session, and it’s been my daily Android phone ever since. I’ve been using the Pixel 11 Pro basically nonstop for the past seven days, and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t enjoyed my time with it. In fact, I’d wager to say I probably love it.

TL;DR Google heavily restricted the Pixel 11 Pro’s rear HiLight LED array out of the box, limiting it to Gemini and calls from favorite contacts. The open-source HiLight Studio app unlocks the LED’s full potential with custom app notifications, light patterns (comet, pulse, rainbow), Quick Settings toggles, and built-in hardware protection limits. You can set up the app by sideloading its APK and granting core permissions using Shizuku over Wireless debugging. The Pixel 11 Pro series has a new “HiLight” LED system built around the camera’s flash on the back of the device. HiLight can be used as a notification LED to let you know about calls from your favorite contacts, and it also glows when you’re having a Gemini conversation… and that’s about it. HiLight has plenty of potential, but disappointingly, Google hasn’t blessed it with much functionality out of the box. If you want more out of HiLight and are okay with taking matters into your own hands, the open-source HiLight Studio app supercharges Pixel 11 Pro’s HiLight LED so it’s actually useful.

TL;DR Pixel Weather is getting its new white-background icon on older Pixel models after debuting with the Pixel 11. The app now shows when the forecast was last updated, making it easier to gauge how current the information is. Google has also renamed AI Weather reports to Weather Brief, with the update rolling out in version 1.1.202. When Google launched the Pixel Weather app with the Pixel 9 series, there was genuine excitement. Pixel owners who relied on AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, and other third-party weather apps finally had a native app to work with. But since a weather app does little beyond telling you about the day’s weather, Google often keeps things exciting with occasional UI tweaks, and one such update is now rolling out. The Pixel Weather app used a blue background, but things are changing with the latest update. In the new Pixel Weather app, screenshots shared by 9to5Google show that the blue background is gone. You can still see traces of the previous background, but it doesn’t give the same feel as before.

I test a lot of new apps year-round as part of my job. At times, I stumble upon some really great alternatives to apps I’m currently using, and I end up switching to them. So far this year, I’ve switched to a handful of apps on my Android phone, iPhone, and Mac for various reasons. Here are seven apps I ditched in favor of better alternatives on my Android phone.

I’ll be frank, my hopes for the Tensor G6 were mixed coming into the launch of the Pixel 11 series. Google has made meaningful upgrades to the CPU and TPU for traditional app and AI workloads, respectively, while switching to what should be a more efficient modem. But pairing the Pixel 11 Pro with just 12GB of RAM, down from 16GB last year, undermines its high-end AI credentials. Meanwhile, Google has dropped a CPU core from its configuration, reducing the benefits of its more modern architecture. While we can’t blame Google for the current state of the global RAM supply chain, its decision to switch to yet another mid-range graphics chip is harder to defend. Still, now that we have the phone in hand (and managed to get around Google blocking benchmarks via the Play Store), we’ve been able to run our usual suite of benchmarks to get a feel for where the Pixel 11 series falls in the performance pecking order.

TL;DR Pause Point, Android 17’s new Digital Wellbeing feature to curb time on distracting apps, is limited to Pixel 11. A recently updated support page confirms the feature’s limited availability. While Google does not outright deny the possibility of bringing it to older phones, there’s no certainty yet. It’s often one of those “you vs. you” scenarios when you move to open an app, such as TikTok or Instagram, even without intending to. The realization may not always seep in until several minutes after you’ve used the app, and by then you get caught in a vicious loop of self-loathing and the inability to quit at once. It’s safe to presume it’s the same for (almost) all mere mortals, including me, who need external checks to stop us from opening the app in the first place. And Google may have a trick just for that. With Android 17, Google introduced a new Digital Wellbeing feature to prevent “distracting” apps from hogging all your attention. This new feature, called Pause Point, lets you pause for 10 seconds and deliberate whether you really want to open one of the apps you’ve designated as distracting. You can use the 10-second counter to breathe, get reminded of bigger goals in life, or be diverted toward other apps that allow you to utilize your time more productively.

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Google has started rolling out an emoji slider in the recent Gboard beta. This lets you change the size of the emoji in Gboard, while also adjusting the number of displayed emoji accordingly. This rollout comes after we first spotted the feature back in June. We first uncovered evidence of an emoji slider in Gboard back in June, allowing you to change the size of emoji shown in the keyboard app. It’s taken a while, but it looks like this is finally rolling out to some users. We can confirm that the emoji slider option is now rolling out in the recent Gboard beta (v18.0.3.9). I can see it on the OPPO Reno 16 Pro, while colleague AssembleDebug can see it on the OnePlus 13R. Check out the screenshots below.

TL;DR Waymo has added Gemini integration to its Ojai self-driving cars. Passengers can ask Gemini for information, suggestions, or to pull over the car. It’s also introducing a new triple-screen UI with features like “Zen Mode.” Self-driving cars can be great, especially for introverts who don’t want to talk to anyone on their taxi ride, and Waymo is one of the major companies offering self-driving cabs in the US. Now, the company is trying to make the passenger experience even better with a useful new feature: Gemini integration. The company has announced that it’s finally bringing Gemini to its cars. Passengers can now use Gemini to control things like the music or cabin temperature. They can also ask Gemini for suggestions about the neighborhood they are driving through or get additional information on a monument or building along their route. Additionally, they can request Gemini to pull the car over. However, Gemini cannot control any aspect of the vehicle’s movement or routing, and does not have access to the real-time driving data.

Credit: Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Android 17 is expanding limits on how much memory individual apps can use. Apps that use too much memory can slow down and eventually be terminated. The goal is to keep Android phones feeling fast and responsive. Google is making Android less tolerant of apps that hog too much memory. In a new blog post, the company says Android 17’s per-app memory limits will expand to more devices over the coming year. The feature started with Pixel phones, but more manufacturers will use it across devices with anywhere from 4GB to over 16GB of RAM.

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Qualcomm has teased the arrival of two Snapdragon 8 Elite series chips next month. The company says these chips have the latest connectivity solutions and “extraordinary” GPU performance. We’re expecting Qualcomm to unveil the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chips. Qualcomm will hold its Snapdragon Summit next month, where it’s expected to unveil new high-end smartphone processors. Now, the company has officially teased the arrival of two Snapdragon 8 Elite series chips. Qualcomm posted a video on social media teasing the debut of “Dual 8 Elites” and “twice the options” on September 22. The company added that these chips have the latest connectivity tech, “extraordinary” GPU performance, and “immersive” gaming experiences.

TL;DR The Pixel 11 series debuts custom vibration features we first uncovered in APK teardowns. Pixel 11 users can choose from a range of vibration patterns for ringtones and notifications, including Heartbeat, Gears, Rattlesnake, Pulse, and more. The phones also let you assign a custom vibration to individual contacts, making it possible to tell who’s calling without looking at the screen. Remember those custom vibration patterns we spotted hiding in Google’s apps last year? Turns out, they’re no longer just hidden in code. Google has quietly debuted them on the Pixel 11 series, giving users much more control over how their phone buzzes for calls and notifications. We first revealed Google’s plans to let Pixel owners customize their vibration patterns in an APK teardown of the Google Sounds app. The unreleased version we examined showed that Google was working on separate vibration options for both ringtones and notifications, allowing users to mix and match their preferred sounds and haptics. Those features have now arrived on the Pixel 11 series.

Credit: TL;DR Samsung has announced a Galaxy Event for August 27 to introduce a new addition to the Galaxy S26 family. Samsung hasn’t named the device, but all signs point toward the long-leaked Galaxy S26 FE. Previous leaks have revealed most of the phone’s specs, including an Exynos 2500 chip, 4,900mAh battery, and triple rear camera setup. The last two months have seen quite a smartphone launch frenzy, and it’s almost time to welcome another big launch from camp Samsung. The company has announced a new Galaxy Event for August 27, where it says it will introduce the “newest addition to the Galaxy S26 family.” Samsung isn’t saying exactly what the device is, but at this point, it’s pretty obvious that it’s the Galaxy S26 FE.

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority As a childhood Trekkie, Captain Picard’s tricorder was second only to the holodeck as the technology I hoped to have when I grew up. Well, we’re basically there, and then some. Your smartphone might not be able to take vital signs in as much detail as the hallowed Starfleet tool, but then I don’t remember Geordi La Forge listening to Spotify or booking a hotel on the tricorder. But amazing as our devices already appear, you might not even realize all the tools your phone’s sensors can replace. After we laid some of them out, we were keen to find out which one you might actually consider using. We recently looked at five examples of what your phone’s sensors can do, including using the device as a tape measure, a metal detector, a spirit level, or a sound/light meter. The fifth was a thermometer, but since it’s a Pixel-exclusive tool that’s been ditched on the Pixel 11, we left it out when we asked in a poll which of the other four jobs you’d actually use your phone for.

Credit: Zac Kew-Denniss / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung has confirmed that One Hand Operation doesn’t work with the Instagram app. One-handed gestures fail due to incorrect settings of the gesture exception area. Samsung recommends updating to version 9.2.21, which fixes the problem. For anyone with small hands, Samsung’s One Hand Operation is a great feature. As the name suggests, it lets you navigate your phone with a single hand using simple, comfortable gestures. However, the popular Good Lock module has been causing some trouble lately. The latest instance was causing conflicts with the Instagram app, but a fix is available. On Samsung’s community forum, a Galaxy user who frequently uses One Hand Operation says they are having issues with the Instagram app. The user claims that One Hand Operation does not take priority when overlapped on Instagram. As a result, swiping gestures only navigate through Instagram’s tabs.

TL;DR Wearables can estimate body fat using bioelectrical impedance analysis, but really accurate readings require X-ray scans. Google Research shares a new technique for delivering high-quality estimates based on selfies. Beyond just breaking down body composition, the system could also be used to predict insulin resistance. Most of us have a weight problem. According to the NIH, almost 3 out of 4 American adults (73.1%) are either overweight or obese. But getting the full picture of your body composition is a whole lot more complicated than just stepping on a scale, and some of the most accurate ways to assess how and where we carry fat rely on complicated X-ray analysis. Some Google researchers have been working an easier way to offer that same sort of insight, using little more than the cameras on our phones. PhotoScan is Google Research’s system for estimating body composition by using AI to analyze a series of 2D images of your body. First, Google trained the system using some of the data from those actual X-ray scans (a technique called dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or DXA), measuring both overall body fat levels, as well as ratios between core and waist/leg fat (A/G ratio), and organ and subcutaneous fat (V/S ratio).

TL;DR The Pixel 11 series comes with a new utility called Pixel search. Pixel search expands the capabilities of the phones’ app drawer search bar, allowing users to surface additional information like photos and emails. While Pixel search is updated through the Play Store, it’s currently only available on Pixel 11 phones. The search bar that lives in Pixel phones’ app drawers has long been able to search for more than just apps, and on the new Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro, it can help you find even more stuff. Google’s latest phones upgrade system-wide search with the ability to find specific photos, files in Google Drive, and more. That enhanced functionality comes courtesy of a new app appropriately called Pixel search. Pixel search comes preinstalled on Pixel 11-series phones. We saw hints of the new software in an Android 17 beta this past spring, but now that some customers have received their Pixel 11-series phones, Pixel search is out in the wild — and interestingly enough, the app is also showing up on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, as noted by Droid Life.

TL;DR Google is offering eligible college students in the US a free year of Google AI Pro, while international students get AI Plus, unlocking premium Gemini features and massive cloud storage. New AI-powered study tools include Deep Research in Gemini Live, interactive 3D visualizations, and a dedicated Student Hub to manage deadlines and notes. Google Search is getting a major educational boost with step-by-step coaching via Lens, custom study guide generation, and expanded practice quizzes for standardized tests like the SAT. The fall semester is knocking on the door, and tech giants are scrambling to become your ultimate digital study buddy. While OpenAI recently launched ChatGPT for Teens to woo younger users with homework help, Google is throwing its own massive back-to-school party tailored for higher education. Starting today, Google is giving eligible college students a full year of its premium AI plans completely free of charge, alongside a sweeping overhaul of educational tools across Gemini, Search, and Lens. Let’s talk about the freebies first, because this is a stellar deal. If you are an eligible college student in the US, you get a full year of Google AI Pro on the house. That translates to a $19.99 monthly value and unlocks Gemini Spark, a whopping 5TB of cloud storage, and 4x higher usage limits in Gemini.

Credit: Adam Molina / Android Authority TL;DR New images give us our first proper look at Sony’s upcoming WH-1000XM4C headphones. The revived model reportedly upgrades to Bluetooth 6.0 while keeping the familiar XM4 design. Sony also appears to trim battery life and NFC, helping it hit a lower expected price. We’ve known for a couple of weeks that Sony plans to bring back the much-loved WH-1000XM4 as the cheaper WH-1000XM4C. Now we can finally see what that comeback looks like, and the first official-looking images arrive alongside some new details about what’s changing under the hood. Roland Quandt of WinFuture has published images of the WH-1000XM4C in black, lavender, and white. That last colorway was previously reported as Platinum Silver, but it looks pretty white to us. Given the popularity of the original headset, Sony hasn’t really rethought its six-year-old design, as the new headphones look almost indistinguishable from the originals apart from the fresh finishes.

TL;DR Google is rolling out a new graphic for accounts with paid Google One and Google AI subscriptions. A new ring in a blue and purple gradient is appearing around Google profile images, replacing the old four-color ring. Google seems to be on a mission to fill its software with as many visual reminders of Gemini as possible. Google recently launched new Gemini integration for Chrome on Android that adds a prominent Gemini button to the browser’s UI. Now, users on Google’s paid AI plans are starting to see a new, Gemini-themed effect appearing around their Google Account profile pictures. We saw this new effect in development in June. Now, as spotted by 9to5Google, some customers on Google’s paid subscription plans have started seeing a Gemini-themed, blue-and-purple ring replace the standard four-color ring that’s denoted a Google One subscription for some time now. Subscribers on lower-tier plans are also being nudged to upgrade to Ultra.

TL;DR Two new updates have arrived that will make Kindle users unhappy. One update toughens Digital Rights Management (DRM) on books on the Kindle Oasis. The other closes a Libby loophole that allowed you to keep book loans past the due date. If you’re an avid ebook reader who uses a Kindle, we have some bad news for you. A couple of changes are rolling out that you probably won’t like. One involves Digital Rights Management (DRM), and the other concerns your Libby book loans. Kindle Oasis DRM Starting with the change to DRM, Amazon is pushing an update to the Kindle Oasis. As reported by The eBook Reader, the update makes it harder to remove DRM from Kindle ebooks. Now most DRM-removal tools will no longer work.

TL;DR Google is working on a Guided Vision accessibility shortcut that could take users straight into Gemini Live’s Camera mode. The shortcut could add a floating Gemini button or use both volume keys, making Guided Vision much easier to launch on the go. Guided Vision lets Gemini use your camera to read text, translate labels, identify objects, and describe what’s around you, though the new shortcut isn’t functional yet. Google Gemini can already use your smartphone’s camera to tell you what’s in front of you — a feature called Guided Vision — but the problem can be getting to it quickly when you need it on the go. Currently, Google requires you to head to Gemini > Gemini Live > Camera mode to access it. That’s a lot of steps for something you might need quick access to, and Google likely knows that, as we’ve just spotted the tech giant working on a new accessibility shortcut. For what it’s worth, there are ways to head straight to Gemini Live without having to open the Gemini app first. The Gemini widget can launch Live directly, but that still leaves you with the extra step of switching to Camera mode. Google’s in-development Guided Vision shortcut could take users straight to the Camera mode, which could be a significant accessibility boost, especially for those with limited vision.

A big-screen tablet makes a lot of sense for streaming shows, reading, web browsing, and handling school or home tasks without spending too much. Right now, there’s a deal on the TCL Tab A1 at Amazon that makes it an even better fit for that kind of everyday use. See the deal at Amazon

The Pixel 11 series is making its way to customers this week. The phones come with the kinds of upgrades we’ve come to expect from yearly flagship releases, like quicker wireless charging, marginally better camera hardware, and in the case of the Pro phones, a new HiLight notification indicator. The Pro versions also come with a bit of a visual upgrade: a selection of very nice colorways. In a poll we’ve been running this week, we asked Android Authority readers which of the Pixel 11 Pro’s lovely colors they’d be most likely to purchase. With four finishes available, our poll results very nearly work out to two ties, but there’s a clear preference for the darker finishes.