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Judge Brinkema lets Google keep ad-tech business, orders behavioral fixes instead

Federal judge Leonie Brinkema ruled that Google will not be forced to sell off its advertising technology business, despite an earlier finding that the unit constituted an illegal monopoly. Instead, Google must change certain business practices to give competitors fairer access, though the ruling did not specify exactly what those changes will look like. The detailed written order remains sealed for two weeks while parties prepare redactions.

Leak details Samsung Galaxy A18 storage options and three color choices

According to leaker Roland Quandt, Samsung's upcoming Galaxy A18 will offer 128GB and 256GB storage configurations and come in Light Blue, Black, and Silver colorways. The leak follows earlier CAD renders in July that showed the phone's design staying close to its predecessor's look.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 drops to $1,049.99 in first Amazon discount

Amazon is selling Samsung's newly launched Galaxy Z Flip 8 for $1,049.99, a $150 cut from its $1,199.99 list price. The clamshell foldable features a slimmer build, a 6.7-inch inner screen, a larger 4.1-inch FlexWindow with added AI capabilities, Samsung DeX support, and a 4,300mAh battery.

User guide shows how to debloat Xiaomi 15 Ultra and freeze it on Android 16

A detailed community guide explains how Xiaomi 15 Ultra owners can strip down HyperOS without rooting their device, disabling telemetry, diagnostics, and bundled extension services during setup. The author recommends locking the phone on the final Android 16 build and deliberately skipping the upcoming Android 17 update, citing concerns over added tracking and AI features.

Google adds background Live Translate on Android, brings listening mode to iOS

Google is rolling out two updates to its Translate app's Live Translate feature. Android users can now keep translations running in the background while switching between other apps, and iPhone users are gaining access to 'listening mode,' which lets them hear translated speech by holding the phone to their ear without headphones.

Google's 'Look Up' app for Googlebook leaks early on Play Store

Google briefly published a Play Store listing for an app called Look Up, tied to its upcoming Googlebook laptop platform, before removing all screenshots and details. Some testers managed to sideload the app on Pixel phones running Android 17 even after it was pulled from public listing. The tool lets users highlight text and instantly query it through Search, Maps, and Flights, plus a chatbot box for follow-up questions.

Samsung extends One UI 9 beta to Galaxy Z Fold 6, Flip 6 and Galaxy A57

Samsung has widened its Android 17-based One UI 9 beta rollout beyond its latest flagships to include the older Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, plus the mid-range Galaxy A57, marking the first A-series device to get the test build. The update carries the August 5, 2026 security patch and is currently live in South Korea and India, with plans to expand to Germany, Poland, the UK and the US.

Android Authority releases weekly free wallpaper pack for September 2

Android Authority published its latest Wallpaper Wednesday collection, offering six reader-submitted images and three staff photos as free downloadable wallpapers for phones, tablets, and PCs. The images are provided in JPG and PNG formats in both landscape and portrait orientations, with full-resolution versions available via a shared Drive link.

Google Photos tests a Customize button for reordering Collections tab

Android Authority found a new Customize option in Google Photos version 7.90.0 that lets users drag and rearrange folders like On This Device, Places, and People & Pets within the Collections tab. The tool also allows hiding certain albums entirely, though the recently added pinned section can only be hidden, not reordered.

Samsung account suspensions leave some Galaxy users locked out

Multiple Samsung account holders report on Reddit and Samsung's own community forum that their accounts were suddenly deactivated, with Samsung citing vague security reasons. Some users regained access after contacting Samsung's phone or chat support, while others remain locked out. One theory ties the suspensions to email aliases using '+' or '.' characters, but Samsung has not confirmed a cause.

YouTube links phone and TV apps to let users browse without pausing playback

YouTube has rolled out a companion feature that syncs its mobile app with whatever video is playing on a TV, as long as both devices are signed into the same account. Users can comment, subscribe, search, or browse Shorts on their phone without interrupting the video on screen, and can send videos to the TV directly. The two devices don't even need to share the same Wi-Fi network.

Google's My Pixel app pushes Pixel 11 ads via notifications on older Pixels

Google's My Pixel app, previously called Pixel Tips, has been sending push notifications to owners of older Pixel phones promoting the new Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch 5, often without users opting in. Android Authority polled over 9,600 readers on whether smartphone advertising has gone too far, and 93.9% said yes.