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How to Set Up Your New Android Phone (2025)

If you’ve just unboxed a new Android phone, you’re probably excited to play with it. There’s a little bit of setup to deal with first, but don’t worry—whether it’s a Samsung Galaxy or a Google Pixel, the process of getting started with Android is nearly the same on all devices and blessedly simple. Here’s what you want to have before you get started: Your old phone (not essential, but it’s a good idea to have it on hand) (not essential, but it’s a good idea to have it on hand) Your SIM card (n

Acer just announced a Google TV box with all the ports you want (Update)

Acer TL;DR Acer has announced the Acer 4K UHD Google TV Box. The gadget includes USB-A connectivity, an Ethernet port, a microSD card slot, and an S/PDIF Optical Audio port. The new streaming box has only launched in South Africa for now and costs ~$80. Update: August 31, 2025 (1:30 AM ET): Acer Africa has now issued corrections to its original press release, and its Google TV box is a little less impressive than it originally claimed. The company told Android Authority that the Acer 4K UHD

Daily Hub is one of the worst Pixel features I’ve ever used

Joe Maring / Android Authority One of my favorite reasons for using a Google Pixel phone is the incredible suite of Pixel-exclusive software features. Whether it’s Now Playing automatically identifying songs or using the numerous Call Assist tools to make phone calls less of a headache, it’s these features that make using a Pixel so special. Google has ushered in a load of additional software tricks with the Pixel 10 series, one of them being Daily Hub. Daily Hub is supposed to be a one-stop s

Scammers Will Try to Trick You Into Filling Out Google Forms. Don’t Fall for It

One of the lesser-known apps in the Google Drive online suite is Google Forms. It's an easy, intuitive way to create a web form for other people to enter information into. You can use it for employee surveys, for organizing social gatherings, for giving people a way to contact you, and much more. But Google Forms can also be used for malicious purposes. These forms can be created in minutes, with clean and clear formatting, official-looking images and video, and—most importantly of all—a genuin

Meta is reportedly looking at using competing AI models to improve its apps

Meta may be interested in more than Google and OpenAI's employees when it comes to artificial intelligence. According to The Information, Meta is considering using its competitors' models to improve its own apps' AI features. The report said that leaders at the Meta Superintelligence Lab have looked at integrating Google Gemini into its Meta AI chatbot to help it provide a conversational, text-based solution to its users' search questions. Not only with Google Gemini, Meta has also had discussi

Google’s new Passwords app just made it easier for me to ditch Chrome

Megan Ellis / Android Authority I’ve been on a mission to de-Google my life as much as possible in an attempt to control how much information a single company has about me. While there are some essential Google services I will never part with, switching my browser from Chrome has been a priority. I slowly started doing this by trying out some of the best Chrome alternatives, finally settling on Brave. But I kept encountering hurdles as I tried to migrate everything to a new browser. Now that G

Here We Go is the non-Google map app I didn’t know I needed

Nathan Drescher / Android Authority Earlier this year, I started to become concerned about how much of my personal life was tied to the big tech companies, especially my Google account. And Google Maps was one of the biggest culprits. It had steadily changed from a clean and dependable navigation tool to a cluttered mess filled with ads. Worse, it sat at the heart of Google’s ecosystem and I knew I had to find a real alternative. I wanted something different. I went looking for a navigation ap

Engadget review recap: Pixel 10 phones, Bose earbuds and a Sony camera

Fall is just around the corner, which means we're in the midst of flagship phone season. Most recently, Google debuted its new Pixel lineup, offering multiple models where AI features take center stage. We've already put those devices through their paces, in addition to the best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy and a Sony camera. Read on to catch up on the reviews you might've missed over the last few weeks. Google Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL Google / Engadget 94 100 Expert Score Google Pixel 1

Leaks Reveal New Google Nest Devices With Upgrades: Gemini, 2K Resolution and More

The Google Nest Doorbell has been my video doorbell of choice, based on its snappy performance, sharp AI detection and free video storage. But its last upgrade, with only minor changes, was back in 2022. A new generation is long overdue in Nest's home security line. That's why I was happy to see reports about a new Nest line that's bringing major updates to products, from indoor/outdoor cams and doorbells to a brand-new smart speaker option. Gemini AI, with its conversational AI and other tric

My Favorite Pixel 10 Feature Makes MagSafe Accessories Last Longer Than Ever

I admit: I'm a fan of magnetic phone accessories that add new features and style to my phone. One of my first Android phones was 2017's Moto Z2 Play. It was from a series of Moto Z phones that touted magnetic accessories called Moto Mods, which included decorative shells, battery packs and -- my favorite -- a JBL speaker attachment that helped boost the audio for music. Moto Mods didn't continue past 2019's Moto Z4. Now here's the good news: The magnetic accessories developed for Apple's iPhon

How to Back Up Your Android Phone (2025)

Your phone is the guardian of your digital life. It has that video of your child’s first words, the heart-warming message from your significant other that never fails to cheer you up, and the latest save from your favorite mobile game. You have invested time in getting it just the way you want, and there are irreplaceable memories onboard. Spending a couple of minutes backing up is a small price to pay to ensure you don’t lose it all. Here, I'll show you how to back up your Android phone in a f

A week later with Google Pixel 10, I'm wondering why anyone should buy pricier flagships

Google Pixel 10 ZDNET's key takeaways The Pixel 10 has officially launched with a starting price of $799. With a three-camera system, Google Tensor G5, and improved battery life, it's Google's best base model smartphone yet. The main and ultra-wide cameras have been downgraded in order to fit the new telephoto. View now at Google Google's entry-level flagship Pixel has proven to be a capable smartphone, with just the right specs and features to please the masses. So when I switched over to th

Topics: 10 ai camera google pixel

I replaced my Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with the Pixel 10 Pro XL for a week - and can't go back

Google Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL ZDNET's key takeaways The latest Pixel flagships are priced the same as last year, but get meaningful upgrades across the board. The Pro XL model, with its base storage of 256GB and faster wired and wireless charging, is the best Pixel phone right now. You'll just have to settle for the same design and camera hardware as last year. View now at Google View now at Amazon View now at Best Buy more buying choices Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

Topics: 10 google phone pixel pro

How to Stop Google from AI-Summarising Your Website

Google has introduced AI-generated summaries in its search results—known as AI Overviews—which often pull your content into a snippet that may generate traffic away from your site. While it seems like a "feature," these summaries force site owners into a no-win choice between giving up control or visibility—arguably a dark pattern tactic by Google. To make matters worse, while there are regulatory investigations underway in the EU and UK striving to hold Google accountable, there’s still no goo

Hate voicemail? Pixel's new feature replaces it with something way better

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Google's Take a Message is available for the Pixel 4 and newer. The feature essentially replaces voicemail. You can see why someone is calling and answer a call you declined. Google has quietly dropped a pretty cool call screening feature, and most Pixel phones from the past six years are getting it. When the Pixel 10 debuted last week, among its new features was something called Take a Message. A

Google’s Expressive Clock redesign is already ticking people off (Update: Google response)

Stephen Schenck / Android Authority TL;DR The new Google Clock Material 3 Expressive redesign glitches, with jittering digits as the time moves. Some layouts are messy under specific settings, forcing scrolling or text wrapping. The official PixelCommunity Reddit account advises that a solution is in the works. Update, August 29, 2025 (12:40 PM ET): Following the various complaints outlined in our original article below, the official PixelCommunity account posted the following response on on

FTC claims Gmail filtering Republican emails threatens “American freedoms”

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson accused Google of using "partisan" spam filtering in Gmail that sends Republican fundraising emails to the spam folder while delivering Democratic emails to inboxes. Ferguson sent a letter yesterday to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, accusing the company of "potential FTC Act violations related to partisan administration of Gmail." Ferguson's letter revives longstanding Republican complaints that were previously rejected by a federal judge and the F

Fox and Google Reach Agreement to Keep Fox Channels on YouTube TV

Fret not, football fans, Fox channels are staying on YouTube TV. Google and Fox reached an agreement to end their dispute that could have led to the removal of Fox channels from Google-owned YouTube TV. Google announced the deal last night in a YouTube blog post stating, "We're happy to share that we've reached an agreement with Fox to keep their content on YouTube TV, preserve the value of our service for our subscribers and offer more flexibility in the future. This means that Fox channels, i

The future of AI hardware isn’t one device — it’s an entire ecosystem

is a senior reporter focusing on wearables, health tech, and more with 13 years of experience. Before coming to The Verge, she worked for Gizmodo and PC Magazine. I dream of a gadget that can do it all. Instead, when I leave for the office, I pack one or two phones, a portable battery bank, a laptop, a Kindle, a new product I’m testing, and at least one pair of earbuds. In my backpack, there’s a pouch full of cords and adapters. On my body, I usually sport between two and four wearable devices.

This 2nd-gen 4K Google TV streaming stick is now available in more regions

TL;DR The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) is now available in the UK as a cheaper alternative to the Google TV Streamer. It supports high-end features like 4K streaming, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Wi-Fi 6. The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) is more portable and significantly less expensive than the Google TV Streamer, but it surprisingly still uses a micro-USB port for power. The Google TV Streamer is likely a top choice if you’re in the market for a Google TV-based streaming stick. Ho

Topics: 4k google stick tv xiaomi

Google is killing a defining feature for Android phones soon - and there's one reason why

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET For years, one of the biggest talking points in the Android vs. iOS debate has been freedom of choice -- and nothing summed that up more than sideloading. "But iOS is a walled garden. Apple controls what you can and can't install on your hardware." If I had a dime for every time an Android user said this argument to settle which mobile platform is the best, I'd be lying in a pool of dimes as I type. Also: How to clear your Android phone cache (and greatly improve

How I saved myself $1200 a year in cloud storage - in 5 sobering steps

jokerpro/iStock/Getty Images Plus Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways My cloud storage costs exploded after unlimited plans vanished. Backing up everything was expensive and unnecessary. Five strategic changes saved me over $1,200 per year. 60 terabytes. I'll never see that much cloud storage again. I'm relieved - and a little sad. This story began many chapters ago. It culminated with some serious self and infrastructure examination, hard conversat

Google Pixel 10 series review: Don’t call it an Android

After ten generations of Pixels, Google's phones have never been more like the iPhone, and we mean that both as a compliment and a gentle criticism. For people who miss the days of low-cost, tinkering-friendly Nexus phones, Google's vision is moving ever further away from that, but the attention to detail and overall polish of the Pixel experience continue with the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro XL. These are objectively good phones with possibly the best cameras on the market, and they're also a

Acer just announced a Google TV box with all the ports you want

Acer TL;DR Acer has announced the Acer 4K UHD Google TV Box. The gadget includes USB-A connectivity, an Ethernet port, a microSD card slot, and an S/PDIF Optical Audio port. The new streaming box has only launched in South Africa for now and costs ~$80. Acer isn’t exactly a company you associate with Google TV boxes, but the company has now launched a rather impressive streaming box. Say hello to the Acer 4K UHD Google TV Box, or AiTV. The Acer Google TV Box stands out as it offers a wide v

Topics: acer box google port tv

Considering the Pixel 10 Pro? I recommend buying these 5 phones instead - here's why

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Pixel 10 Pro faces tough competition at the $1,000 price tier. Samsung, Apple, and OnePlus offer strong alternatives. Last year's Pixel 9 Pro still delivers great value. Google's latest flagship, the Pixel 10 Pro, is finally here, bringing its Pixelized blend of AI smarts and photographic intelligence to the premium Android space. I'm always excited for the release of a new Pixel, but now more t

I ran a 100x camera zoom test with the Pixel 10 Pro and Samsung S25 Ultra - and there's a clear winner

Google Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL ZDNET's key takeaways The latest Pixel flagships are priced the same as last year, but get meaningful upgrades across the board. The Pro XL model, with its base storage of 256GB and faster wired and wireless charging, is the best Pixel phone right now. You'll just have to settle for the same design and camera hardware as last year. View now at Google View now at Amazon View now at Best Buy more buying choices Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

Topics: 10 google phone pixel pro

Get a Google Pixel 10? You need to change this display setting immediately

Joe Maring / Android Authority There’s a lot to like about the Google Pixel 10. The triple-camera system on the back is one of the most impressive we’ve seen for a non-Pro Pixel. Magnetic Qi2 charging is a fantastic addition, the Tensor G5 is a significant upgrade, and the Indigo color this year is oh-so-pretty. Google has also been at the top of its display game for a while now, and the Pixel 10 is no exception. With a 6.3-inch OLED panel, a 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 3,000 nits of peak br

Google will throttle Pixel 10 charging, battery and that makes me upset

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority Google announced a mandatory Battery Health Assistance (BHA) feature for the Pixel 9a earlier this year. This feature essentially reduces the battery’s effective capacity and charging speeds as the cell ages, in the name of safety. This greatly concerned me, as the feature was optional for previously released Pixel phones. Now, Google has confirmed that this feature is also mandatory on the Pixel 10 series of phones. And this decision isn’t great at best and

Google Phone app’s Calling Cards are now rolling out widely: Here’s what you need to know

AssembleDebug / Android Authority TL;DR • Google’s “Calling Cards” feature is now widely rolling out in v188 of the Phone app, allowing Android users to personalize incoming/outgoing call screens with full-screen photos and styling options. Calling Cards differs from Apple’s Contact Posters in that it gives you full control over how each contact appears on your device — you set one card per contact manually. Alongside Calling Cards, the updated app introduces major UI changes, including a new

Google warns that mass data theft hitting Salesloft AI agent has grown bigger

Google is advising users of the Salesloft Drift AI chat agent to consider all security tokens connected to the platform compromised following the discovery that unknown attackers used some of the credentials to access email from Google Workspace accounts. In response, Google has revoked the tokens that were used in the breaches and disabled integration between the Salesloft Drift agent and all Workspace accounts as it investigates further. The company has also notified all affected account hold