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Android Authority polled over 2,500 readers on Google Messages' new chat theme feature, which lets users customize individual RCS conversations with colors, preset wallpapers, or personal images visible only on their own device. The results split nearly evenly: 36% said they'd long wanted the feature, 33% were undecided but willing to try it, and just over 31% said they'd never use it.
Nothing has relaunched its Community Review Program, inviting fans to apply for early access to its upcoming hardware and software. The London-based phone maker is especially seeking applicants skilled in 3D animation, graphic design, sound production, or reviewing, though it welcomes any enthusiastic tech fan. Selected members must share first impressions, post creative content, and publish full reviews once products officially launch, with applications open until September 10, 2026.
TCL is launching its P80 Series this month, led by the P80 Ultra, which combines a 50MP main camera and a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto lens with a 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display peaking at 3,200 nits. TCL positions the device against rivals like the Samsung A57 and Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus, neither of which offers a dedicated telephoto camera, while also including exclusive NXTPAPER screen technology across the Ultra and Pro models.
At a New York launch event, Insta360 unveiled the X6, its latest 360-degree camera, and used the occasion to showcase a decade of product evolution since its original Nano device. The company framed the X6 not just as a standalone gadget but as the centerpiece of a broader ecosystem meant to simplify capturing and editing immersive footage.
Blurams used IFA 2026 in Berlin to introduce a broad home security ecosystem covering outdoor solar-powered cameras, indoor dome cameras, a local storage hub, and an AI companion toy for children. The lineup includes three F-series outdoor cameras ranging from a 4MP model to a 4K Ultra HD version, each featuring solar charging, motion detection, night vision, and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. All devices support free cloud playback and local microSD storage without requiring a subscription.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 with a wider 16:10 cover screen and 4:3 main display ships without Flex Mode, the laptop-like propped-open feature Samsung has offered on foldables since the Galaxy Z Flip 3. The change stems from a hinge redesign that no longer locks the device at a half-open angle, a tradeoff a reviewer initially feared but ultimately found preferable after using the phone.
T-Mobile is quietly offering a Super Essentials Saver plan for $25 a month, which matches the features of its standard $50 Essentials plan, including unlimited 5G data, 50GB of premium high-speed data, and unlimited hotspot use. The offer is limited to new customers who sign up in person at Walmart, capped at two lines, excludes taxes and fees, and comes with no multi-line discount.
Android Authority published a roundup recommending Google Keep alternatives for users frustrated by its lack of rich-text editing, weak organization tools, and no end-to-end encryption. NotallyX topped a reader poll with 28% support, praised for mimicking Keep's card layout while keeping notes local-first with optional Syncthing-based syncing. Simplenote was highlighted as a cross-platform option for users spanning multiple device ecosystems.
Code found in Google's Cross-Device Services app reveals an in-development 'Cast trackpad' tool that would let Android phones act as a remote touchpad for other devices. Given the timing, this feature appears aimed at Google's forthcoming Googlebook laptops, an Android-based alternative to Chromebooks. The tool reportedly supports gesture-based inputs similar to a standard trackpad.
Google has begun a gradual rollout of a new minimize feature for its Gemini assistant overlay on Android devices. The update adds a visible 'Minimize Gemini' button that shrinks the full-screen overlay into a small draggable bubble, letting users switch to other apps while Gemini continues processing in the background. Reports suggest only a limited number of users currently have access to the feature.
Google's newly launched chat theme feature in Messages, which lets users set custom backgrounds for individual conversations, is causing problems for some users just weeks after its August rollout. Reports include the feature randomly disappearing and reappearing, wallpapers taking one to two seconds to load, and occasional freezing when selecting themes. Google has acknowledged the issue on Reddit and pointed users toward a possible Play Store update fix.
A screenshot spotted by Joe Lenington on X shows the Google Pixel Tablet running Android 17 now displays Quick Share's Apple-device file-sharing interface, previously limited to select smartphones. Google's official FAQ page hasn't been updated to list the tablet, but fine print confirms the feature covers tablets as well as phones.