Topic: android ecosystem

August 23, 2026

Motorola's high-end GrapheneOS phone arrives next year, priced above Pixel

GrapheneOS is partnering with Motorola to launch its first dedicated hardware, with initial flagship devices expected in 2027. These devices will feature higher-end specs (including Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon chips) and cost more than current Google Pixel phones, which are currently the only su...

August 21, 2026

Pixel 11 adds unified Pixel search, tucked into app drawer

Pixel search is a new Google feature on Pixel devices that consolidates personal data (apps, Drive, Gmail, Photos, Messages, etc.) into a single search field, but it is only accessible via the app grid in the Pixel Launcher, not the main homescreen bar. The unified search delivers fast, rich resu...

August 14, 2026

Google Tap to Share arrives for Pixel 6 and newer

Google's Tap to Share feature, launched with the Pixel 11, is now rolling out to Pixel 6 and newer models, reviving the old Android Beam concept for quick contact exchanges via device proximity. For larger files like photos or videos, users must open the system Share sheet before tapping devices ...

August 12, 2026

Android's Tap-to-Share feature is now live

Google has activated tap-to-share in Quick Share for Pixel 6 series and newer devices, allowing file, photo, and contact exchanges by bumping phones together. The feature will also roll out to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Fold 8, and Flip 8 soon, with more Android devices expected to receive ...

August 11, 2026

Google Pixel launch targets fans despite event's limited appeal

Google's Made by Google event will be hosted by Trevor Noah with celebrity guests, continuing a strategy that boosted YouTube viewership to 8.4 million last year, but the Pixel 11 will likely be fully revealed before the stream starts due to preorder timing. The Pixel 11 Pro's teaser shows a noti...

August 11, 2026

Pixel 11 won't excite, but here's what we want next

The Pixel 11 is a safe, incremental upgrade with modest improvements to the Tensor chip, display, and battery, lacking any standout feature to justify an urgent purchase. The article argues Google should prioritize for the Pixel 12 a two-day battery life, a major camera hardware overhaul (larger ...

August 10, 2026

Pixel 11 Pro XL leaked in hands-on photos days before launch

Leaked hands-on photos of the Pixel 11 Pro XL reveal a refined design with a polished aluminum frame, matte glass rear, slimmer display bezels, and a smaller centered punch-hole camera cutout. The camera module is notably larger with a triple-lens setup, supporting rumors of a periscope lens with...

August 6, 2026

Android 17 August update fixes 3 Pixel 10 issues

Google has begun rolling out the August 2026 Android security update (Android 17 patch) to Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Pixel 10a devices, with a staged rollout over the coming days. The update focuses on stability, fixing three issues: intermittent Wi-Fi drops, a camera ...

July 29, 2026

Google expands age-verification tech to Android developers globally

Google will globally launch its Play Signal API by the end of 2026, expanding from Brazil to Australia and Canada in mid-August, to help Android developers identify users' age ranges for safer, age-appropriate app experiences. The API allows developers to access a user's age range without persona...

July 17, 2026

OnePlus to Exit US and European Markets

OnePlus is preparing to exit the US and European markets due to intensifying competition, supply chain pressures, and rising costs that have eroded its value proposition. The company's integration with parent company Oppo has blurred its distinct identity, reducing its appeal to the enthusiast fa...

July 8, 2026

Google Pixel 11 leak: Higher prices, no 128GB, August release

Google's Pixel 11 lineup will reportedly see price increases, the elimination of the 128GB storage option (making 256GB the new base), and a shift in launch from October to August 2026. The earlier August release is intended to avoid direct competition with Apple's September iPhone event and bett...

June 12, 2026

Boox e-reader replaces Kindle, Kobo, and digital notepad

The new Boox Go 6 (Gen II) adds stylus support for note-taking to its 6-inch, 300PPI E Ink display, along with 3GB of RAM and Android 11 with full Google Play Store access. Priced at $199.99 for preorder ($232.99 bundled with stylus), it allows users to install Kindle and Kobo apps, consolidating...

June 3, 2026

Galaxy Z Fold 8's wider design spotted in leaked images

Leaked images reveal Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 will have a noticeably wider design, shifting from the narrow and tall form factor of previous models. The wider aspect ratio improves one-handed use, typing comfort, and media consumption, making the cover screen more practical for daily tasks. Subt...

May 24, 2026

Google Pixel's 'Disco' icons bring a whole new vibe

Google has released a new "Disco" icon pack for Pixel phones, which transforms app icons with a disco ball effect on a black background, creating a distinctive, energetic home screen vibe. The "Disco" pack joins Google's existing AI-generated icon styles like "Scribbles" and "Stardust" from the M...

May 22, 2026

Google wants Android users to subscribe, not just buy

Google I/O 2026 revealed that nearly all major new AI features, such as Gemini Spark and Daily Brief, are locked behind paid subscription tiers (Google AI Plus, Pro, or Ultra), with plans starting at $7.99/month. The traditional model of buying a phone for free software updates is ending, as Goog...

May 22, 2026

Android 17’s ‘Continue On’ brings Apple-style task switching

Google is developing "Continue On," a feature for Android 17 that allows users to seamlessly transfer tasks between Android phones and tablets, similar to Apple's Handoff. The feature enables a bidirectional handoff of activities, such as reading a document or composing an email, which can be ins...

April 28, 2026

Google Pixel's voice typing is so good, a fix is coming for other phones

Google's Pixel phones have a significantly superior voice typing experience in Gboard compared to other Android devices, with faster and more accurate dictation that includes automatic punctuation. AI-powered third-party app Wispr Flow offers a solution for non-Pixel users by providing highly acc...

April 8, 2026

Android app reviews now searchable in Play Store

Google has introduced a searchable review function to the Android Play Store, allowing users to find feedback on specific app features or issues by entering keywords. This feature addresses the previous difficulty of manually sifting through lengthy reviews, enabling more efficient assessment of ...

April 7, 2026

Samsung Ends Texting App, Urges Switch to Google Messages

Samsung is discontinuing its Samsung Messages app and directing users to adopt Google Messages as the default, consolidating the Android messaging ecosystem. The move promotes Google Messages for its support of the modern RCS protocol, enabling features like high-quality media sharing, read recei...

April 6, 2026

Samsung Messages Ends in July for Google Messages Upgrade

Samsung is discontinuing its native Samsung Messages app in the United States this July, making Google Messages the default messaging platform on its devices. This move consolidates the Android messaging experience, ending fragmentation and supporting Google's RCS-based features for improved cros...