GoKawiil
Tech News
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro now starts at $1,200 for 256GB storage, with top configurations reaching $2,400, while Google's Pixel 11 Pro keeps its 256GB starting price at $1,099 after dropping the base 128GB tier. Android Authority argues the Pixel offers significantly better value across storage tiers, saving buyers as much as $200 compared to Apple's equivalent options.
A regular Google Maps user says that despite Google's edge in local search and data depth, Apple Maps outperforms it in several everyday ways. The comparison highlights Apple's progress in rebuilding its navigation app over the past decade, with a notably cleaner, less ad-cluttered interface as a standout advantage.
CarPlay allows multiple iPhones to be paired with a single vehicle, but only one can actively project the interface at a time. When a car mistakenly connects to a passenger's iPhone instead of the driver's, users must manually switch the connection through their infotainment system's Bluetooth or device menu.
A tech guide outlines several ways drivers can modernize aging car audio setups, from portable CarPlay/Android Auto touchscreen displays that mount on the dashboard to full aftermarket head unit replacements. It also warns that wireless CarPlay or Android Auto USB adapters only work if a car already supports the wired version, and that swapping the factory stereo can affect steering-wheel controls, cameras or amplifiers wired through it.
Android devices come with native options to block spam and scam numbers, typically accessible through the Phone or Contacts app. Users who change their mind can just as easily unblock a number using the same apps. The exact steps can vary slightly depending on the phone manufacturer's version of Android.
Valve has released the source code for Lepton, its Android compatibility layer that lets developers run existing Android games on the Steam Frame VR headset without rebuilding them from scratch. The code, hosted on Valve's GitLab, reveals how Valve customizes an Android environment for VR on SteamOS, including graphics access, developer tools and debugging support. It follows the Steam Frame's launch and Valve's earlier announcement of Lepton alongside Steam Frame Verified certification requirements.
Android Authority's Andrew Grush says he still installs the third-party app AccuBattery on his Android phones, even as most performance-boosting battery apps have proven ineffective over the years. He explains that AccuBattery doesn't try to magically extend battery life but instead helps identify software or hardware issues causing excess drain, using pattern-recognition data gathered over time rather than the factory-calibrated data used by built-in OS tools.
Android Auto users report that Gemini has stopped controlling smart home devices like AC units and lights while driving, with the assistant now replying that it cannot control such devices through Google Maps. The issue follows similar complaints on Wear OS, which Google said it had already fixed, though it's unclear if the two problems are related. Some users say the same commands still function inside the standalone Gemini app.
Samsung is rolling out a new option letting Gallery app users sync photos and videos directly to Google Photos, replacing the native Microsoft OneDrive integration that shuts down September 30. The feature requires a compatible Samsung phone running Android 13 or later and a personal (non-Workspace, non-supervised) Google account, and is rolling out gradually with availability varying by device, region and account type.
Clicks announced that its BlackBerry-inspired Communicator smartphone will start shipping in December, almost a year after debuting at CES 2026. The final retail version boosts RAM from 8GB to 12GB and battery capacity from 4,000mAh to 4,350mAh, and it ships with Android 17 alongside a price increase set for October 1.
Google's Snapseed photo editor is rolling out several new features to beta testers, including support for custom look-up tables (LUTs), Depth/Portrait Blur alongside the previously spotted Motion Blur, and a way to save personal edit configurations as reusable Looks. The update also introduces a Community Looks repository, where users can browse and share preset combinations created by other Snapseed users.
Google's September Pixel Drop brought Android 17 QPR1 to Pixel phones this week, adding minor features alongside a wave of user complaints about new bugs. Reported issues span performance slowdowns, connectivity failures, display glitches, and unexpected UI behavior, though it's unclear how widespread the problems actually are.