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Android Authority writer Ryan Haines published a roundup of nine iOS-only apps he wishes were available on Android, including Procreate, GarageBand, Overcast, Flighty, Infuse, Darkroom and Bear Notes. The piece includes a reader poll showing Procreate as the most-wanted app, followed by Flighty and Bear Notes.
Conversations, the federated Android messaging app launched in 2014 by its solo developer, is ending its paid Google Play Store distribution model. The developer says Play Store sales had served as a steady, dependable income stream for over a decade, supplementing project-based development contracts, consulting work and grants.
An Android Authority reviewer highlights Face Unlock on the Pixel 11 Pro, noting it can authenticate not just the lock screen but also sensitive apps and mobile payments, thanks to security processing on Google's Tensor chip. This capability has existed since the Pixel 8 series in 2023 and remains largely unchanged, while competitors like Samsung and Motorola limit face unlock to lock-screen access only.
A tech enthusiast tested whether an eight-year-old Google Pixel 3 XL could be reused as a home security camera and as an Android TV replacement instead of being discarded. Using the AlfredCamera app paired with a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 as viewer, the Pixel served as a low-latency camera node with motion detection and two-way audio. The author found the security camera use case worked well, while the Android TV box conversion was less successful, though specific limitations of that experiment weren't detailed.
Dolphin, the GameCube and Wii emulator, has extended its networked multiplayer feature to its Android version, matching functionality already available on PC. The emulator continues to support Windows, Linux, macOS and Android 5.0+, running GameCube and Wii titles in HD with enhancements like controller support and turbo speed.
Google Health version 5.09 is rolling out on Android and iOS, bringing the newly announced Pixel Watch Health Guardian features—blood pressure tracking, insulin resistance trend charts, and sleep breathing quality data—to Pixel Watch 3, 4 and 5 owners. The update also lets Garmin and Apple Watch users sync workouts into Cardio Load calculations, adds new activity-logging options, fixes a step streak display bug, and improves how custom food items handle serving units and meal times.
Google began taking pre-orders this week for Googlebooks, a new laptop line running a combined ChromeOS-Android operating system, and the devices reportedly sold out quickly on its US store. However, searching "Googlebooks" on Google Search returns results dominated by Google Books, the company's existing digital library of scanned books and magazines, including in the AI Overview.
Developer Mr. Rubik is preparing an update for the Nintendo DS-themed Nitrodeck Launcher that lets it run across two screens on Android handhelds like the Anbernic RG DS. A demo video shows the launcher working smoothly, including a recreation of the DS startup screen, with the update expected on the Play Store within a week or two.
Amazon is currently selling Samsung's Galaxy A57 5G for $449.99, down from its $549.99 list price, an 18% discount. The phone features a 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, a triple-camera system, and a 5,000mAh battery, and carries a 4.4-star customer rating.
Users are reporting that the Google Photos editor's Share, Edit, Add to, and Trash buttons stop responding once a photo has been cropped or rotated. The issue appears across multiple Pixel generations, including the 8, 9, 10 and 11 series, and does not occur if the photo hasn't been edited. Google has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded publicly.
Android Authority found new code strings in Pixel Buds app version 1.0.981607934 referencing a 'Mute & unmute' feature. The strings describe a single tap on either earbud to mute or unmute during a call, with a footer noting the feature would be limited to Pixel devices using the Phone and Google Meet apps.
Android Authority found hidden code in Snapseed version 4.1.9 pointing to a new collage-creation interface, offering multiple aspect ratios, grid layouts, background customization, and slide management tools. The build also references a feature for sharing collage templates with other users via QR code or link.