Latest Tech News

Stay updated with the latest in technology, AI, cybersecurity, and more

Filtered by: android Clear Filter

I replaced these 4 apps with Notion, and I’m just getting started

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority I’m on a mission to use as few apps as possible, and Notion has been a huge help on my journey. It’s a powerful and highly customizable service that has allowed me to ditch several apps I now find redundant. To give you an idea of how versatile this software is, I want to share the four apps I’ve replaced with Notion and why. Perhaps it will motivate you to try it out for yourself. How many apps have you successfully replaced with Notion? 6 votes None, I'm

That upcoming dual-screen Android gaming handheld now somehow sounds even more appealing

AYANEO TL;DR AYANEO recently started crowdfunding its dual-screen Pocket DS handheld console. We already knew it would run Android, and today the company reveals support for the ROCKNIX Linux distro, as well. ROCKNIX offers a convenient way to access popular emulators, perfect for retro gamers. Android phones are well and good for getting your gaming fix, but even when we’ve got access to some of the best new handsets around, sometimes you just can’t beat the feel of a dedicated piece of gam

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

Android Auto is glitching out for some new Pixel 10 owners, because of course it is

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Pixel 10 deliveries have started arriving for shoppers who got their orders in early. Multiple new Pixel 10 owners have reported running into Android Auto failures that aren’t happening with other phones. Issues include display freeze-ups and getting stuck on the Android Auto logo. Google’s latest smartphones have arrived — and we don’t just mean they’ve gone official, as they did at last week’s Made By Google event. Today is the official ship date fo

Google Photos is letting you lift subjects as stickers — but only on iOS (Update: Announcement)

Update, August 28, 2025 (10:05 AM ET): Just days after we first got word of this new sticker tool in Photos hitting iOS users, Google has gone ahead and formally announced the feature. The company confirms that for the moment, at least, sticker generation is going to remain an iOS exclusive. That said, Google tells us that “Android support hasn’t rolled out yet, but we’ll keep you posted when that changes,” so just have a little patience. Original article, August 25, 2025 (09:36 AM ET): One of

Petition to stop Google from restricting sideloading and FOSS apps

As Google will allow only apps from verified developers to be installed on Android (previous discussion): https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45017028 A developer started a petition to stop Google from limiting app installation on Android devices unless developers provide personal identity documents. Even though Google has not revoked similar controversial policies in the past, we do our best as much as we can. This change particularly threatens the freedom to build, share, and use software w

Pixel 10's US Launch Might Be the Moment That eSIM Finally Becomes Easy

Google's choice to go eSIM-only in the US for the Pixel 10 might actually be a well-timed move by the company. While I was initially concerned that an eSIM-only phone might be a frustrating roadblock for the Pixel 10, several advances in how the US carriers support eSIM, along with a new iOS 26 feature, might actually make it easier than ever to switch your phone. And it's a good thing too, as despite being available for years and being required for the iPhone in the US since 2022's iPhone 14 l

With developer verification, I’m struggling to think of Android as a proper smartphone platform

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority When I first started using a smartphone, the choice between Android and iOS felt like an easy one. Sure, Apple had an attractive UI, and an early lead on third-party software support, but going the iPhone route meant living in Apple’s walled garden. And while there are absolutely benefits to that kind of approach, it just fundamentally felt wrong to me: I viewed smartphones as the next phase of general-purpose computers, and wasn’t interested in a platform loc

ARMSX2 is the future of PS2 emulation on Android, and you can try it now

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority TL;DR ARMSX2 is an upcoming Android fork of the PS2 emulator PCSX2. Test builds are now available, with the open-source 1.0 release coming to GitHub. This has the potential to overtake AetherSX2, which is based on an outdated PSCX2 build. While it’s certainly playable, PS2 emulation on Android has largely stagnated since AetherSX2 was abandoned in early 2023. Other devs have done an incredible job tweaking the closed-source code to add new features, but thos

Google’s sideloading crackdown could blunt some eReaders’ edge

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Google’s latest app requirement may soon block the sideloading of apps from unregistered developers. The change could impact readers who rely on sideloaded apps on their Android-based eReaders. The new requirement will begin rolling out in September 2026. Google’s latest app requirement claims to protect users, but feels more like a move for greater control. In accordance with the “developer verification requirement,” developers will need to confirm t

This Android-powered Nintendo DS has fully replaced my OG hardware

MagicX Zero 40 The MagicX Zero 40 turns an aging Android operating system into the best Nintendo DS emulation handheld on the market. It's not great for anything else, but it beats the original hardware in significant ways, despite only having one screen. The Nintendo DS was an absolutely groundbreaking handheld, and I have fond memories of sneaking a few turns of Advance Wars: Dual Strike under my desk in high school. Only a few companies have tried to recapture the two-screen magic, and aside

Topics: 40 android ds games zero

Nothing used stock photography in Phone 3 on-device ad (Updated: Explanation)

Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR A Nothing Phone 3 retail demo was spotted making misleading claims about photo samples. Android Authority has spoken to two of the photographers who shot the pics, who confirm they did not use the Phone 3 at all. Asked for comment, Nothing didn’t immediately deny the claims, but later offered an explanation. Update, August 27, 2025 (07:40 AM ET): Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis has provided a detailed explanation for the stock photos found on Nothing

Google’s new Android 16 statue takes a spin on a Material 3 Expressive merry-go-round

Damien Wilde / Android Authority TL;DR Google has unveiled its latest statue to commemorate the release of Android 16. The statue features Android’s mascot on a merry-go-round. The seats are fashioned to look like Material 3 Expressive UI shapes. Google has a tradition of commemorating the release of major Android OS updates by unveiling new statues of its Android mascot, “The Bot.” The company released the stable version of Android 16 back in June, and we’ve been waiting ever since to see w

Chipolo’s new CARD and LOOP bring stylish tracking to Android’s Find Hub

Chipolo TL;DR Chipolo has launched two new premium trackers, the CARD and LOOP. Both are compatible with Android’s Find Hub and Apple’s Find My. The wallet-sized CARD and silicone-strap LOOP emphasize design, loud alerts, and eco-friendly materials. Both are rechargeable and last around six months per charge. They’re available now. Google’s Find Hub network is the go-to system for tracking lost devices and accessories on Android, and popular Bluetooth tracker manufacturer Chipolo is expandin

Apple just got partial App Store vindication from a very unlikely source

Apple has been under fire from legislators for its App Store practices for years. But while it’s been forced to make iPhone changes in the EU and the US might soon follow, Google is now trending the opposite direction with its Android policies. Google is about to enforce stricter Android app verification requirements Earlier this week, Google announced a surprising shift toward restricting which apps an Android user can download. Abner Li writes at 9to5Google: To combat malware and financial

I changed these 12 settings on my Android phone to greatly extend its battery life

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. I've spent large portions of my life looking for ways to extend the battery life on my Android phones. Admittedly, that sounds rather dramatic, but growing up with only budget models meant I was constantly tweaking device settings to squeeze every bit of juice out of their batteries. Thanks to this micromanaging, I successfully pushed the batteries on all my past smartphones to their absolute limit. I don't want to hoard th

Wallpaper Wednesday: Special Google Pixel 10 edition! (August 27)

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority Welcome to Wallpaper Wednesday! In this weekly roundup, we’ll give you a handful of Android wallpapers you can download and use on your phone, tablet, or even your laptop/PC. The images will come from folks here at Android Authority as well as our readers. All are free to use and come without watermarks. File formats are JPG and PNG, and we’ll provide images in both landscape and portrait modes, so they’ll be optimized for various screens. For the newest wall

The dual-screen gaming handheld wars have begun, and I couldn’t be happier

AYN Android gaming handhelds are still relatively new, but lately it feels like there’s a kind of renaissance. We’re seeing new form factors like the sliding ANBERNIC RG Slide and whatever the SUGAR1 is supposed to be, but finally, finally, we are getting to what I consider the holy grail of gaming handhelds: The Nintendo 3DS. Yes, the age of dual-screened Android handhelds is upon us, and several companies are rushing to take the crown. The SUGAR1 is disqualified for bending backwards, but se

Uncomfortable Questions About Android Developer Verification

Uncomfortable Questions About Android Developer Verification ICEBlock “is an innovative, completely anonymous crowdsourced platform that allows users to report Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity with just two taps on their phone.” The developer of ICEBlock disclosed his identity. In addition to receiving threats of federal prosecution over the app, the developer has faced other backlash, including his wife being fired from a federal government job. This is one recent example d

Google Will Make All Android App Developers Verify Their Identity Starting Next Year

Android’s open nature set it apart from the iPhone as the era of touchscreen smartphones began nearly two decades ago. Little by little, Google has traded some of that openness for security, and its next security initiative could make the biggest concessions yet in the name of blocking bad apps. Google has announced plans to begin verifying the identities of all Android app developers, and not just those publishing on the Play Store. Google intends to verify developer identities no matter where

You can try Android 16's new lock screen widgets - if you have one of these phones

Joseph Maldonado/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Lock screen widgets are returning to Android The feature is available now in beta for Pixel owners A public rollout is expected in December The latest Android beta is here, and it quietly dropped a pretty big surprise for Pixel owners. I've known for a while that widgets are returning to the Android lock screen, but they're officially back with Android 16 QPR2. Widgets are a staple of custo

How I easily transfer files between my Android phone and Mac - for free

QuickDrop / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Sharing files between Android and MacOS couldn't be any easier. QuickDrop is a free app that can be used by anyone. A few extra steps to take on MacOS, but it's still quite easy. Any app that is designed to transfer files should do one thing and one thing well -- make the process simple. If it's not simple, the app shouldn't be considered for general usage. There are severa

6 Android launchers that are better than your default home screen - and why

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Android launchers let you replace your default home screen. Six top launchers offer unique features, styles, and pricing. A new launcher can make your phone feel fresh and faster. One of the main reasons I started using Android (version 1.5 with an HTC Hero phone) was because it ran a version of the Linux kernel. I knew that fact would lead to a thing I value: flexibility.

Google will verify Android developers distributing apps outside the Play store

Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Google is increasing security measures around sideloading apps by removing anonymity for Android developers who distribute outside of the Play Store. Starting in September next year, Google will require developers in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand to verify their identities in order for their apps to be installed on certified Android devices via direct downloads or third-party app stores. This re

Pixel owners just got a big surprise with Android 16 - what's new

Joseph Maldonado/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Lock screen widgets are returning to Android The feature is available now in beta for Pixel owners A public rollout is expected in December The latest Android beta is here, and it quietly dropped a pretty big surprise for Pixel owners. I've known for a while that widgets are returning to the Android lock screen, but they're officially back with Android 16 QPR2. Widgets are a staple of custo

Google will block sideloading of unverified Android apps

Google will implement a new safety feature that would require developers to verify their identity if they want Android users to be able to sideload their apps. The company said that it made the decision after recent analysis found "over 50 times more malware from internet-sideloaded sources than on apps available through Google Play." By verifying a developer's identify first, it hopes to better protect users from "bad actors spreading malware and scams." In its announcement, Google said that a

4 apps you should use instead of Headspace

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Headspace is arguably the most popular meditation app around, with millions of users across 200 countries. I’ve used it extensively, and there’s a lot to like. It was one of the first super-successful apps in this category, paving the way for countless others that followed. However, Headspace isn’t perfect. For many, the cost is a major hurdle. It’s one of the pricier options available and offers limited free content beyond its initial trial period. I decide

Spotify and YouTube Music test out their sleek new look on Android Auto (APK teardown)

TL;DR Google introduced new media app templates as part of its Android for Cars App Library update. These templates bring a redesigned “Now Playing” UI with a new Material 3 Expressive seekbar. The templated media apps are currently in closed beta, but we’ve managed to get an early look at them on Spotify and YouTube Music. At Google I/O 2025, Google announced new media app templates that are now part of the Android for Cars App Library. Media apps can use these templates to provide a consist

This small change might kill emulation on Android phones next year

Nick Fernandez / Android Authority TL;DR Google will soon block the sideloading of apps from unregistered developers. Many emulator devs want to remain anonymous to avoid legal liability. This may mean popular PS2, Switch, and PS3 emulators will no longer be available. Yesterday Google announced a new program to keep Android devices safe, but it may have huge unintended consequences for emulation on Android. In an effort to keep users safe from scams and malware, Google will require develope

Google is testing new colors for Android Auto, again (APK teardown)

Andy Walker / Android Authority TL;DR Google is testing a less vibrant, desaturated color palette for Android Auto. The change uses a “Primary Color” derived from the user’s wallpaper to avoid overly bright visuals while driving. These changes are still being tested and have not yet begun rolling out publicly. Material 3 Expressive is the season’s flavor, and many Google apps have adopted the new design language. Android Auto also took part in the Material 3 Expressive revolution, rolling ou