A teardown of Android Auto version 18.1.164344-release.daily by Android Authority uncovered new strings indicating a 'Remember this choice' feature for contacts with multiple saved numbers. The strings also show a message confirming when a default number has been set, which users could reportedly change by selecting the contact again. Google has not confirmed the feature publicly, and it is not yet available to users.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-26
Google Wallet recently switched from a horizontal scrolling card layout to a new vertically stacked design, and reports suggest further features like receipt scanning and agentic capabilities may be coming. An Android Authority columnist argues the new stacked layout makes it harder to distinguish similar-looking cards from the same bank, since it removed the alias text shown under each card previously.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-26
In a Reddit r/GooglePixel discussion, longtime Pixel owners explained their reasons for sticking with the phones, citing clean Android software, timely updates, and exclusive features like Call Screen and spam filtering. A poll in the thread found 38% cited clean Android and updates as the top reason, while others pointed to camera quality, ecosystem integration, or simply not finding a better alternative. Some users also voiced complaints about Gemini replacing familiar Assistant features, camera processing, battery life, and hardware value.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-26
Speculation has circulated that Samsung might rename or replace its One UI software with something called Galaxy OS, but current reporting suggests this is unlikely in the near term. Samsung is actively rolling out One UI 9, which adds improved support for foldables and other device types and has been well received so far.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-25
Android Authority published a roundup recommending five wearables as alternatives to the Fitbit Edge, which launches soon after its earlier announcement this month. The list includes the Google Pixel Watch 5, Fitbit Air, Samsung Galaxy Fit 3, Oura Ring 5, and Fitbit Charge 6, with the Pixel Watch 5 highlighted for its full Android Wear app support, larger display, and Google Gemini integration versus the Edge's simpler feature set.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-25
Google has removed the Gemini Pro model from its $5-per-month AI Plus subscription, limiting those users to the Flash and Flash-Lite models instead. A longtime subscriber says Google notified them by email last week, offering a choice to keep AI Plus, upgrade to the pricier AI Pro tier to regain Pro access, or cancel outright. The subscriber opted to cancel AI Plus but continues using Gemini's free tier.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-25
An Android Authority columnist, who reviews gadgets professionally, lists seven products he continues to use despite regular access to newer alternatives. The first highlighted is the Sony WH-1000XM3 noise-canceling headphones, which he says still meet his needs even after three newer Sony generations were released.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-25
Android Authority's Joe Maring reflects on two years of using Google's TV Streamer, the 2024 device that replaced the Chromecast line with pricier, more premium hardware. He notes Google has added features like customized content recommendations, easier Bluetooth headphone pairing, and an 'apps only mode' resembling Roku's simpler interface, but says he remains uncertain whether the overall strategy shift has actually improved on Google's previous approach.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-25
Using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto can drain phone batteries and cause overheating because the device simultaneously runs normal phone functions and powers a tablet-like dashboard display, including a constantly updating map. The guidance recommends using a wired connection when possible, while cautioning that constant charging can itself generate heat, and suggests setting charge limits in phone settings or keeping the device in a cool, shaded spot in the car.
wired.com
· 2026-10-25
Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo is reaching customers, but many apps display with awkward unused space because they haven't been adapted to its unusual screen ratios, including a wide front display and a 4:3 inner screen. CNET reviewers note this mirrors what happened with Samsung's original Galaxy Fold in 2019, where app layouts took time to catch up to the new format.
cnet.com
· 2026-10-25
Google's support documentation confirms that any verified phone number on an Android device is now automatically linked to every Google account signed into that device, including accounts added later or numbers from new SIM cards. The company and carriers periodically re-verify these numbers, a process that can incur carrier charges, and the linkage can only be adjusted from the phone itself. Verification also enables features like phone number sign-in, lost device location, emergency services, Quick Share, and a newer account-recovery tool launched in October 2025.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-24
The Boox Palma 2 Pro is a $400 smartphone-sized E Ink reader running Android with Google Play access, letting users install apps like Kindle, Kobo, Libby and audiobook apps. A reviewer tested it for two months, praising its adjustable warm/cool front light, low-brightness dimming for nighttime use, and its 175-gram weight, which made it lighter and more comfortable than a phone.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-24
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