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An Android Authority writer describes being billed for roaming data twice in three months even though mobile data and roaming were turned off on a rarely used phone connected only to Wi-Fi. The carrier recorded tiny amounts of roaming usage—under 200KB—which triggered a full roaming-day charge, echoing a widely shared case of a Reddit user hit with a $53,000 AT&T bill after a European trip.
Because Android Auto ships as a regular Play Store app rather than a system component, it normally updates automatically in the background, but that process can stall if a phone lacks Wi-Fi access or auto-update settings are disabled. Users can check their version by searching for Android Auto in the Play Store, where an Uninstall button confirms they already have the latest release, or an Update button lets them install it manually. Devices need Android 9.0 or later, released in 2018, to receive current updates.
Most routers include a USB port that goes largely unused, but manufacturers like TP-Link and Asus support turning it into a shared file server, printer connection, or even a backup internet source via cellular dongle or phone tethering. Enabling these features requires digging into router settings for options like USB storage, media sharing, or printer sharing, with setup steps varying by brand and model.
Researchers are developing AI-powered radio systems that can flexibly share spectrum frequencies in real time rather than relying on fixed allocations. This dynamic sharing approach would let devices like phones, satellites, and radar systems use the same frequency bands without interfering with one another, easing pressure on an increasingly crowded resource.
Modern Wi-Fi routers often ship with multiple antennas—sometimes up to eight—because of a technology called MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output), which allows several data streams to be handled simultaneously rather than one at a time. This shift away from single-antenna designs was driven by the explosion of internet-connected devices in homes and the growing demand for faster, more reliable connections.
Cybersecurity guidance highlights that VPNs are most valuable in two situations: connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi and preventing internet service providers from tracking browsing habits. Encrypting traffic through a VPN tunnel blocks eavesdroppers on shared networks and stops ISPs from logging and selling usage data to third parties, per FTC research cited in the coverage.
The FCC has issued a conditional approval covering Asus's entire wireless networking lineup, including its RT, ROG, TUF Gaming, ExpertWiFi and ZenWiFi router series, along with mesh systems, repeaters, access points and 5G MiFi devices. The approval, tied to a national security review by the Department of War, is valid for 18 months from issuance.
An investigation by YouTube channel Gamers Nexus, working with independent security researchers and Level1Techs, found that LG smart TVs scan local Wi-Fi networks to catalog connected devices and nearby network names, even while offline or in standby mode. The TVs also use automatic content recognition to track viewing habits and have microphones capable of capturing and transcribing nearby conversations, with the collected data reportedly funneled to LG's advertising arm.
Android Authority highlighted two standout gadgets from IFA 2026 in Berlin: Blurams' F20C HelioCam Pro, a solar-powered 4K outdoor security camera with no wiring and a free lifetime cloud plan, and Mammotion's LUBA 4 AWD, a robot lawn mower designed to better handle lawn edges. The Blurams camera uses a 12,000mAh battery paired with a detachable solar panel, is IP66-rated for weather resistance, and runs on-device AI detection for people, vehicles, and pets, with footage stored locally or via free cloud playback.
Amazon has reduced the price of Netgear's Orbi 770 Series tri-band Wi-Fi 7 mesh system from $549.99 to $449.99, an 18% cut. The system spans 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands on one unified network, offers combined speeds up to roughly 11 Gbps, and covers about 5,500 to 8,000 square feet depending on the bundle size.
Dual-band routers transmit Wi-Fi simultaneously on two frequencies, 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz, to spread device traffic across separate channels instead of one shared lane. The 2.4GHz band covers longer distances and passes through walls better but runs slower and gets crowded, while the 5.0GHz band delivers faster speeds and more capacity at the cost of range. Most modern routers automatically assign devices to whichever band suits them, though some networks still show separate SSIDs for each frequency.
Amazon is discounting the Acer Gadget 4K 3-Channel Dash Cam to $149.99, a deal that includes a 64GB memory card so buyers don't need to purchase extra storage. The device simultaneously records front (4K), rear, and cabin (2.5K/HD) footage, and comes with GPS, a 3.2-inch IPS screen, Wi-Fi 6, and app connectivity.