GoKawiil
Tech News
Google is developing a hands-free way to trigger Emergency SOS on Android devices, according to code strings found in a new build of its Personal Safety app. The strings suggest the feature would require voice confirmation, letting users say 'yes' to proceed or 'cancel' to dismiss an alert, rather than pressing the power button five times as currently required.
A Samsung official told The Korea Herald that the company's first Intelligent Eyewear, built on Google's Android XR platform, will launch in November. The glasses lack a display and instead rely on cameras, microphones, speakers and Gemini AI, offloading heavier processing to a connected Galaxy phone. The devices have passed FCC filings under model numbers SM-O200J and SM-O200P, though pricing and an exact release date remain unannounced.
A teardown of Google Play Services version 26.38.30 uncovered text strings referencing a notification that would say Motion Assist was activated by Transit mode. This suggests Google is working on tying its anti-motion-sickness screen cues directly to Pixel's Transit mode rather than requiring manual activation.
An Android Authority writer describes keeping a four-year-old Nothing Phone 1 running after it reached the end of official software support. The fixes included a third-party battery replacement, switching to a slower 18W charger and thinner case to reduce heat, and moving to lighter, open-source apps to cut battery drain and improve speed.
Vivo has expanded global availability of its X Fold 6 book-style foldable, now listed in Austria, Germany, Hungary and Italy after debuting in China in June. The global model keeps the same 6,900mAh battery, 200MP main camera, and Zeiss-tuned triple-camera system, but runs a newer Origin OS 7 skin based on Android 17. It's powered by a custom Dimensity 9500 Super Edition chipset and supports a second-generation 200mm telephoto extender lens for 2.35x added optical zoom.
Android Authority highlights a two-year-old Pixel setting, Charging Optimization's 'Limit to 80%' option, found under Battery and Charging settings. Enabling it stops the phone from charging past 80% most of the time, though it occasionally charges fully to keep battery capacity estimates accurate. The outlet notes the feature can also reduce heat buildup when people use their phone while it's plugged in.
Samsung has begun pushing its redesigned SmartThings interface to Android phones days after the update first appeared on iOS. The new version introduces a floating navigation bar, denser device and routine cards, and quick on/off toggles directly from the home screen. It also refreshes the built-in TV remote with a light mode and resizable, repositionable controls.
Android Authority's Richard Priday writes that Google is launching a new line of high-end laptops called Googlebooks, positioned as a desktop evolution of Android meant to eventually replace ChromeOS. According to the piece, the initial lineup starts at around $1,000, with no cheaper entry-level models offered at launch.
Google has listed its new Antigravity development platform on the Play Store, but the app is built exclusively for Googlebook OS devices rather than Android phones. Android Authority sideloaded the APK onto a Pixel phone and found the interface poorly scaled, with setup failing at a Terminal VM configuration step due to a permission error.
Pixel 11 Pro users running the Android 17 beta are reportedly seeing VoLTE and 5G connectivity activate in markets Google previously didn't support, according to a user report and firmware analysis. The change follows last month's announced partnership between Google and the GSMA to use the Network Settings Exchange (NSX), a shared database of carrier settings, to broadly enable VoLTE starting with the Pixel 11 line. Firmware checks reportedly confirm VoLTE enablement for carriers including China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom, and Hong Kong's CSL.
Samsung is shutting down its standalone Samsung Sound app, which launched on Android and iOS only months ago for setting up and controlling its soundbars and Wi-Fi speakers. A notice in the app's latest update tells users it will be merged into SmartThings, and that they can keep their existing settings by registering their sound device there. Samsung says Samsung Sound will keep working until March 31, 2027, after which SmartThings becomes the only option.
Plex has rolled out social discovery tools to its Android TV app, including Discussions, Lists, Reviews, Reactions, and Follows, allowing users to interact around content instead of relying solely on algorithmic recommendations. The update also moves the app's primary menu to the left side of the screen. This follows a similar rollout on Apple TV in mid-September.