Samsung's Galaxy Watch 9 has become the first Galaxy smartwatch to support seamless updates, according to users who spotted the change during its first firmware update carrying the August 5, 2026 security patch. Instead of forcing the watch offline during installation, the roughly 193MB update downloaded and installed in the background while the device remained usable. Samsung did not announce the feature in its specs or changelog; it was discovered by users during installation.
Multiple Galaxy Watch Ultra owners on Reddit and Facebook say the faceplate and bezel have spontaneously separated from the watch frame without visible damage. Some users report Samsung quoted repair costs near $300 through uBreakiFix, even though the devices were reportedly still under warranty. Similar bezel-lifting complaints surfaced roughly a year ago involving the first-generation model.
A developer detailed how to bypass TikTok's public web endpoints and instead access the private HTTP+JSON API used by its Android app, which returns far more data at higher speed. Using this method, the researcher collected 3.23 billion creator profiles, 5.94 billion videos and 2.8 billion comments in three weeks, and has released 4.5 billion of those videos as a free dataset on Hugging Face with captions, engagement metrics, sound data, country and posting time.
A new analysis argues that Google's Pixel phones have plateaued, with yearly hardware and software updates offering little meaningful improvement over previous generations. The piece contends that fragmented AI features, scattered branding, and incremental design changes are making Pixels feel unexciting compared to rivals.
Google is rolling out the ability to upload files directly into the Gemini side panel in Chrome, through a new Add attachments option. Users can attach a document, such as a PDF, and ask Gemini to summarize it, extract details, or clarify sections without leaving the browser. The feature was first spotted by an X user and confirmed working in Chrome by Android Authority.
A beta build of iOS 27 reveals a feature called iPhone Handoff, spotted by a MacRumors forum member, that lets a primary iPhone and a secondary companion iPhone share a single cellular plan and phone number using dual eSIMs. Unlike existing Continuity tools that rely on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, this setup appears to work at the network level, so the companion device stays connected even if the main iPhone is off. The option is expected to appear under Settings > Cellular once it launches.
An Android Authority writer describes switching from Samsung's built-in Edge Panels to a free third-party app called Panels, which adds a customizable sidebar launcher accessible via a swipe from the screen's edge. The sidebar includes three swipeable sections for apps, shortcuts like contacts and quick settings, and interactive widgets, with the option to add more pages as needed.
Huawei introduced the Nova 16s and Nova 16s Pro at IFA 2026 in Munich, bringing its China-market Nova 16 lineup to international buyers. Both models feature 7,000mAh batteries, ultra-bright OLED screens reaching up to 5,500 nits, and multi-camera setups including a 50MP main sensor and periscope telephoto lens. The Pro variant steps things up with a 200MP camera, LTPO display technology, and more advanced imaging features.
TCL has released the TAB A1 NXTPAPER in the US, a budget 11-inch tablet featuring its glare- and blue-light-reducing NXTPAPER screen technology and an Ink Paper Mode for an E-Ink-like look. It runs a Helio G100 chip with 6GB RAM, 128GB expandable storage, and an 8,000mAh battery, and comes bundled with a case and stylus at $249.99, discounted from $299.99.
An Android Authority contributor describes a personal effort to reduce dependence on Google after growing frustrated with the company's push to inject Gemini AI features across its products. The writer began by testing search alternatives like DuckDuckGo and Startpage before settling on the paid search engine Kagi, while acknowledging some Google products remain hard to replace and older hardware will stay in use.
Fairphone has launched the Gen 6 Plus, an Android phone stripped of manufacturer bloat and carrier apps, shipping only with Google-mandated software and a companion tool called My Fairphone. The device also supports an easy switch to /e/OS, an open-source Android fork that removes Google services entirely for users wanting maximum data privacy.
Belkin introduced three new SoundForm audio products at IFA Berlin, all featuring active noise cancellation at lower price points than typical. The lineup includes the $59.99 SoundForm Isolate Buds with up to 45dB of noise cancellation and a secure wing-tip design, the $39.99 SoundForm Dot ANC earbuds, and the $49.99 SoundForm Play ANC headphones aimed at children with a volume limiter and focus-oriented soundscapes.
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