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Tech News
A reviewer used the Acer Googlebook 14 and Dell XPS Googlebook as primary computers for two weeks, starting at $899. The first week revealed frequent slowdowns, unreliable basic features, and extensive troubleshooting, though a batch of software fixes in week two resolved some early issues, including setup problems with Better Together cross-device features and initial lack of Samsung phone support.
An Android Authority writer describes replacing several popular Android apps with open-source alternatives, following an earlier piece on swapping out Google's own apps. The first swap detailed is moving from LastPass to Bitwarden as a password manager, citing LastPass's security issues and reduced cross-platform flexibility.
A review piece from Android Authority outlines how the author disabled several default Google Photos features—including memory notifications, print promotion alerts, and auto-generated collages—to make the app less intrusive. The adjustments are made through the app's Notifications and Create tab settings.
Apple's new Apple TV 4K 2026 has launched priced at $299, more than double the $129 starting price of the previous generation, matching the recently hiked Nvidia Shield TV Pro. Android Authority highlights five alternative streaming boxes, including the Google TV Streamer 4K, which despite its own price rise from $99 to $149 still costs about half as much while offering 4GB of RAM and strong performance.
An Android Authority writer prompted ChatGPT's voice mode and Gemini Live to debate which smartphone deserves the title of best overall, without specifying a year, price range or operating system. The experiment followed a similar earlier test comparing iOS and Android, and the piece also included a reader poll where 44% picked the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and 30% picked a Pixel model.
Android Authority found code in a recent Phone by Google beta (version 244.0.1001930441-publicbeta-pixel2026) enabling an early, non-functional Compact photo menu for Calling Cards. The feature would sit alongside the existing full-screen photo option and shows four colored tile presets but no way yet to add images from Gallery, Google Photos, or Camera.
Amazon has cut the price of the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 to $269.99, down from its $399.99 list price, a $130 reduction. The tablet features a 12.1-inch 2.5K 120Hz display, a 9-speaker JBL audio system with Dolby Atmos, and a built-in kickstand, and currently holds a 4.4-star rating on Amazon.
Android Authority identified an in-development update to Google Messages, found in version messages.android_20261020_00_RC00.phone.openbeta_dynamic, that reorganizes the app's single long settings list into separate categorized sections. Individual settings pages, such as those for RCS chats and SIM/country selection, are also being redesigned with new graphics and subdivided menus.
Amazon has extended its handwritten annotation feature, first introduced on its new Alexa Tablets, to the Kindle app for Android phones and tablets. The feature lets readers write directly on ebook pages using adjustable pen styles, sizes, and colors, with surrounding text reflowing around the handwritten notes. Users have reported seeing the option on devices including the Galaxy Tab S10 FE, Galaxy S24, Galaxy S23, XP-Pen Magic Note Pad, and BOOX Go 7.
Google's Android 17 update introduces the ability to 'bubble' any app, not just messaging apps, keeping its icon floating on top of the screen for quick access. Users can place up to five bubbled apps along the left or right edge of the home screen by long-pressing an app and selecting the Bubble option. The feature currently works only on Pixel devices, though Google says it will expand to other manufacturers.
Two community-built projects, self-hosted AutoMorph and cloud-based Morphe-AutoBuilds, aim to automate the process of rebuilding patched Android APKs after updates. Both tools are designed to work alongside the Morphe patching framework, removing the need for users to manually repatch apps each time a new version is released.
OnePlus has started pushing the stable Android 17-based ColorOS update to the OnePlus 15 and Pad 4, ahead of the rollout timeline it had previously announced. The update marks OnePlus's continued shift away from its OxygenOS branding toward the unified ColorOS software used across parent company Oppo's devices.