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Boox has unveiled the Palma 3, an update to its smartphone-sized black-and-white e-reader line, priced at $339.99, roughly $60 more than the 2024 Palma 2. The device keeps the same 6.13-inch E Ink Carta display but adds an anodized aluminum frame with a fiberglass back, runs Android 16, and now supports Boox's InkSense Plus stylus, sold separately for an extra $46.
Google has released its September Pixel Drop update, bringing the Android 17 QPR1 build to the stable channel for supported Pixel devices. The update package includes several additional features alongside the core software upgrade.
Google announced an 'Opening Night' event in New York on October 5 to formally showcase its first Googlebook laptops, which run an Android-based version of ChromeOS. The event follows the September 21 pre-order launch and will feature interactive displays along with the debut of the first laptop built for Gemini Intelligence. Partners including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo are manufacturing the devices, which include a lid light called a 'glowbar.'
General Motors is reversing course on plans to drop Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, instead building a new infotainment interface that runs them alongside native vehicle gauges in a splitscreen layout. The system debuts in the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, which feature roughly 60 inches of combined screen space including a passenger video display, and will later expand to other GM models. GM says it collaborated directly with Apple and Google to design the shared-screen experience.
Google is rolling out a Play Services update that lets a phone's IMEI number appear in emergency info accessible from the lock screen, without unlocking the device. The feature targets devices running Android 12 or newer and is meant to help identify a phone's owner if it's lost or found. Users can disable it through Settings under Security & Privacy, Lost Device Protection, and Theft Protection.
Security researchers outline how spyware on Android phones can be spotted through symptoms like sudden battery drain, overheating, unexplained data usage, unfamiliar apps, or apps unexpectedly requesting camera and microphone access. Infections most often occur through phishing links or sideloaded apps outside the Play Store, though rogue apps occasionally slip past Google Play Protect too.
MagSafe, Apple's magnetic accessory system, has become a signature iPhone feature since 2020, while only a few Android devices like Google's Pixel with Pixelsnap or the HMD Skyline ship with built-in magnets. Android users without native support can still use MagSafe accessories by adding a phone case with embedded magnets or attaching a magnetic ring, provided their device supports wireless charging.
Volvo has unveiled updated versions of its XC60 and three-row XC90 SUVs, featuring subtle exterior tweaks like reworked Thor's Hammer headlights with hidden matrix LED projectors and a slimmer front grille. The bigger change is under the skin: a significantly larger lithium-ion battery pack for the plug-in hybrid T8 powertrain, which Volvo says more than doubles real-world electric-only range compared to the current model. Both SUVs also gain a new 11.2-inch infotainment system running Google's Gemini assistant for conversational voice control.
Google has told sign-up subscribers and posted on its Googlebook website that pre-orders for its new Android-based ChromeOS laptop line will begin September 21 at 9AM ET. Partners including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo are building models, with Gemini AI features like the 'Magic Pointer' and custom widget generation built in.
Amazon has discounted the TCL TAB 10 Gen 4, a 10.1-inch Android tablet, by 15% off its retail price, bringing it down to $169.99. The price cut positions the device as an affordable option in the budget tablet segment.
iMazing, the Mac and PC utility for managing iPhone and iPad data, is running a 20% discount for 9to5Mac readers ahead of a major upcoming release. That update will mark the tool's first step toward supporting Android devices, expanding beyond its Apple-only roots. Since iMazing 3 launched in 2024, the app has added features like Apple Watch support, spyware detection, screen recording, and enhanced Messages and WhatsApp export tools.
Beyond the usual OS and security update settings, Android devices include a distinct, less visible menu for updating individual system services like Google Play services. Depending on the manufacturer, these services may need to be updated separately from the main software update screen, and how they appear can vary between brands such as Google Pixel and others.