Chandra Steele
Verified- News Editor, Android Police
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Articles by Chandra Steele
Google spent months pushing AI mode — now it might be doing the opposite Original
Google was spotted testing Search without AI Mode. • Nov 3, 2026 — 1:38 PM ET • • Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR A user spotted Google testing Search without AI Mode on Chrome in Incognito mode. This follows a $500 million drop in Alphabet’s value due to underperforming ad revenue from AI Mode. It’s unclear if Google is limiting AI Mode for users it can’t make a profit from, or if it’s considering a return to stripped-down Search.
We asked which Googlebook you'd buy and many said they’d pass
Best daily deals Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more. With hefty starting prices, most readers aren't interested. • Oct 30, 2026 — 2:20 PM ET • • Richard Priday / Android Authority A little over a month ago, we got our first look at Google’s Android-derived line of Googlebooks. Googlebooks are designed to let users seamlessly switch between their phones and laptops to create a true Android ecosystem.
We asked which Googlebook you'd buy and many said they’d pass
Richard Priday / Android Authority A little over a month ago, we got our first look at Google’s Android-derived line of Googlebooks. Googlebooks are designed to let users seamlessly switch between their phones and laptops to create a true Android ecosystem. It’s a little too early to tell if they’ll succeed, but we wanted to know if they won you over yet. So we asked you which one of the five you would buy (or if you even want one at all) in a poll.
Time may be up for Samsung Galaxy Watch extended software support
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung is reportedly considering an end to major OS upgrades on older Galaxy Watches. According to the leaker, the security update schedule will continue as planned. Galaxy Watches have faced persistent performance issues and bugs. Samsung Galaxy Watch owners have dealt with a lot, especially lately. Some watches have overheated so much that they’ve caused burns on the wrists of those who wear them.
Time may be up for Samsung Galaxy Watch extended software support
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung is reportedly considering an end to major OS upgrades on older Galaxy Watches. According to the leaker, the security update schedule will continue as planned. Galaxy Watches have faced persistent performance issues and bugs. Samsung Galaxy Watch owners have dealt with a lot, especially lately. Some watches have overheated so much that they’ve caused burns on the wrists of those who wear them.
Check out these brand-new YouTube minigames from some of your favorite creators
Best daily deals Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more. YouTube releases six free new educational Playables. • Oct 28, 2026 — 3:33 PM ET • • Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR YouTube partners with content creators and organizations on six additions to its Playables lineup. As with other Playables, the games are all free and don’t require a download. There are now hundreds of Playables available in over 80 countries.
Check out these brand-new YouTube minigames from some of your favorite creators
Best daily deals Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more. YouTube releases six free new educational Playables. • Oct 28, 2026 — 3:33 PM ET • • Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR YouTube partners with content creators and organizations on six additions to its Playables lineup. As with other Playables, the games are all free and don’t require a download. There are now hundreds of Playables available in over 80 countries.
Amazon's Echo Time is a $200 camera-free smart clock built for better sleep Original
The smart clock detects sleep without a wearable. • Oct 28, 2026 — 12:13 PM ET • • TL;DR The Amazon Echo Time $200 camera-free smart alarm clock is available today. It has sleep detection that wakes you within 10 to 60 minutes of a set alarm time. There is a version for kids that has parent-controlled sleep schedules. Amazon is expanding its smart home devices today, updating some existing ones, and adding something completely new with the Amazon Echo Time.
Pixel phones are still missing alarms, turning anxiety dreams into reality Original
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Pixel owner reports two alarms in a row not going off. They received a notification that said, “Alarm automatically silenced. Your alarm went off and was automatically silenced after the duration you set.” Google is looking into the issue, which echoes past problems with Pixels and the Clock app. Did you ever have that anxiety dream where you sleep through several alarms and miss something major?
Survey shows most readers stand by Android, but a good number are iOS-curious Original
Stephen Radochia / Android Authority Switching from an iPhone to an Android or vice versa is not the headache it once was. That goes for both the learning curves, or lack thereof, between the platforms, and the tools that now exist that easily port over all of your information. But that doesn’t mean that old rivalries aren’t still at play. Recently, Android Authority’s Harish Jonnalagadda spent three weeks with the iPhone 18 Pro Max and came away with a fairly positive opinion.
Strava gets plain-language route search, with turn-by-turn audio navigation coming soon Original
Offline maps can now go right on your home screen. • Oct 23, 2026 — 1:50 PM ET • • Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR Strava just added three route-focused improvements and a better offline experience. It also announced other features that are “coming soon,” including turn-by-turn audio navigation. Audio navigation will be for subscribers only. Spending time outdoors can immediately improve how you feel.
Google Meet expands real-time translation across 63 languages
The feature detects and translates 63 languages. • Oct 22, 2026 — 4:09 PM ET • • TL;DR Google Meet just added Gemini-powered speech translation across 63 languages. The feature automatically detects spoken languages and translates them in audio and captions for individual participants. Real-time translation starts rolling out to some eligible users today.
Garmin CIRQA adds vibration alerts for calls and texts in latest update
Best daily deals Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more. The change is part of firmware update version 4.20. • Oct 22, 2026 — 11:32 AM ET • • TL;DR The Garmin CIRQA Smart Band now has vibration notifications for calls and text messages. The feature was one requested by CIRQA customers on Garmin’s forums. The change comes with firmware update 4.20, which also brings three other new features to the CIRQA.
Garmin CIRQA adds vibration alerts for calls and texts in latest update
Best daily deals Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more. The change is part of firmware update version 4.20. • Oct 22, 2026 — 11:32 AM ET • • TL;DR The Garmin CIRQA Smart Band now has vibration notifications for calls and text messages. The feature was one requested by CIRQA customers on Garmin’s forums. The change comes with firmware update 4.20, which also brings three other new features to the CIRQA.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE wins our reader poll for best Samsung Galaxy A16 alternative
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority You might think that finding a phone under $200 is an impossible task now that we live in a world where RAM prices are driving costs higher and higher. But the Samsung Galaxy A16 fits the bill and is the sixth best-selling phone on Amazon. It’s not the only Android device available for such a bargain though, so we were wondering what other phones like it would our readers would pick.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE wins our reader poll for best Samsung Galaxy A16 alternative
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority You might think that finding a phone under $200 is an impossible task now that we live in a world where RAM prices are driving costs higher and higher. But the Samsung Galaxy A16 fits the bill and is the sixth best-selling phone on Amazon. It’s not the only Android device available for such a bargain though, so we were wondering what other phones like it would our readers would pick.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE wins our reader poll for best Samsung Galaxy A16 alternative
Financial Markets Now Asian shares retreat after strong profits lead a rally on Wall Street Associated Press - ELAINE KURTENBACH • 41m Asian shares and U.S. futures retreated on Thursday after a rally on Wall Street, where U.S. stocks were lifted by strong profit reports from SpaceX, Capital One Financial and other big companies.
Samsung launches Certified Re-Newed Galaxy phones on Amazon starting at $489
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR In a first, Samsung brings its Certified Re-Newed Galaxy phones to Amazon. The lineup includes the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S25 series and starts at $489. With seven years of updates guaranteed, buying an older Galaxy phone isn’t a big risk for consumers. As the memory shortage leads to increased prices for phones in all price ranges, owning a flagship model has become even more out of reach for many.
Samsung launches Certified Re-Newed Galaxy phones on Amazon starting at $489
Now The company moved to reassure European militaries after Starlink restrictions in Ukraine renewed fears over reliance on US technology. Palantir says neither it nor the US government can remotely shut down Maven, its AI-powered battlefield system used by NATO’s top military command. The assurance …
T-Mobile retains 5G crown as AT&T falls massively behind Verizon in standalone access
Best daily deals Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more. T-Mobile customers get true 5G access over 71% of the time. • Oct 20, 2026 — 3:47 PM ET • • Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR All three major US carriers have true 5G nationwide coverage as of last year. T-Mobile customers have access 71.2% of the time, while Verizon and AT&T lag behind. T-Mobile leads in lower latency and is fairly strong, though not the top, when it comes to quality.
TP-Link signs deal to produce Wi-Fi 8 routers in US amid FCC ban
Eric Zeman / Android Authority TL;DR TP-Link signs letter of intent with Key Tronic to build Wi-Fi 8 routers in Mississippi. Manufacture will begin early next year. TP-Link continues to pursue exemption from FCC ban while it faces lawsuits. The impact of the ban on foreign-made routers that the FCC implemented in March is still causing reverberations. While some router manufacturers have received exemptions, one of the largest, TP-Link is not among them.
This magnetic accessory brings true flash back to phones
The $85 accessory is iPhone-only for now, but Godox says Android support is coming. • Oct 19, 2026 — 1:42 PM ET • • TL;DR The $85 Godox A2 brings real xenon flash to smartphones. It’s iPhone-only for now, but the company says Android support is “under development.” Android devices led the way with built-in xenon flash, but abandoned the idea over a decade ago.
This watchmaker has reportedly exited the smartwatch market
The Connected Calibre E5 looks to be the brand’s last. • Oct 16, 2026 — 4:46 PM ET • • TL;DR TAG Heuer reportedly ended production of its Connected smartwatches over the summer. There is no word on how long its smartwatches will get software updates or service. The move comes as screenless fitness trackers become more popular. Smartwatches deliver a constant stream of information to our wrists, but one thing they’re not always clued in about is their own demise.
Far Cry comes to Android devices with full touchpad and gamepad support
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR First-person shooter Far Cry comes to Android devices with Sigma Touch port. With 64-bit and 32-bit ARM device support, it runs on even the oldest Android devices. Because it’s an unofficial port, you do have to own a copy of the game to use it. Android gamers don’t just have to play games built especially for smartphones.
This gaming phone gives Qualcomm's latest powerhouse the liquid-cooling treatment
The REDMAGIC 12 Pro Plus has an 8,400mAh battery and RGB liquid cooling. • Oct 15, 2026 — 2:16 PM ET • • TL;DR The REDMAGIC 12 Pro Plus launches today in China. It’s one of the first gaming phones to use Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. Global availability will be announced on November 3, but getting US carrier support remains tricky. Our reliance on phones has made the demands placed on them higher every day, but perhaps none have to work as hard as a gaming phone.
Survey shows that most of us aren't adventurous when it comes to weather apps
Pankil Shah / Android Authority Sometimes the reason for choosing a weather app can be as fickle as the weather itself: it’s the nicest-looking one in the Play Store, the widget for it lets you make decisions about your outerwear at a glance, or it’s the default one that came with your phone and you don’t want to spend time evaluating any others.
Pixel users report frustrating screen animation bugs after Android 17 QPR1 update
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR September’s Android 17 QPR1 release has caused a problem for Pixel owners who are experiencing incorrect animations on the home and recent apps screens. The issue seems like it might be limited to the Pixel 10 series. Google is aware of the problem and is investigating it. For a phone that’s at the forefront of Android developments, the Pixel is also a leader when it comes to bugs. The latest has arrived with September’s Android 17 QPR1 release.
Sorry, audiophiles — Spotify is crashing when playback quality is set to lossless
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Spotify is crashing for those listening to tracks at the “lossless” setting on a desktop. Spotify posted that it’s aware of the issue. Switching media quality to “very good” seems to be the solution for now. Spotify outages happen almost as regularly as New Music Friday, and now we’ve got a fresh issue to deal with.
Older Snapdragon 8 Elite chips could be the secret to surviving the silicon crunch
The Snapdragon 8 Elite series is built for an AI world, but also the memory crisis. • Oct 13, 2026 — 5:44 PM ET • • C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR The chip shortage has led to three generations of the Snapdragon 8 Elite in phones hitting the market. Older chips don’t necessarily mean noticeably poorer performance. Qualcomm built a chip for an AI-driven world, but it also made one that might withstand the chip shortage that AI has caused.
Apple TV 4K offers Google TV users a more powerful, privacy-focused alternative (for a price)
Frustrated Google TV users might find that the set-top box is worth switching for. • Oct 13, 2026 — 11:43 AM ET • • TL;DR Apple announces the Apple TV 4K with an A19 chip. It’s pricey at $299, but that cost might be inevitable in a chip-shortage world. Google is reportedly working on an updated Google TV Streamer, but some might be frustrated enough with the platform to move to Apple. The Google TV Streamer just got its biggest competition yet.
Samsung reveals ultrathin Galaxy Tab S12 series and nearly a full day of battery life
We were expecting the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ to show up in September and they did; they just waited until the very last day. At least now we know everything about the Galaxy Tab 12 series. An ultrathin design with impressive battery life The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is Samsung’s thinnest Galaxy Tab, at 5.1mm and the Galaxy Tab S12+ is a hair more, at 5.3 mm. They both offer plenty of screen space with a 2X Dynamic AMOLED display and brightness up to 1,600 nits.
Android Auto's Gemini has a major problem when it comes to calling 911
Gemini in Android Auto is having yet another issue and this time it’s a real emergency. A user is reporting that they have used Gemini to call 911 in the past, but suddenly are not able to. A critical failure at a critical time In two posts, one on Reddit and one on the Android Auto community forum, what seems to be the same person details the sudden loss of being able to summon emergency services with Gemini.
With the release of the One UI 9 changelog, Samsung details everything coming to phones
We’ve been hearing about the rollout of Samsung One UI 9 for a while now, but the implementation has been slower than anticipated. While we’ve finally found out which Samsung phones are getting it and when, today we got the additional info of everything that is included with it. A Samsung enthusiast posted on X the changelog for an unlocked Galaxy S26 Ultra in the US. It announces the end of the beta program.
Why the Motorola Signature 27 can't win over Pixel users, even with GrapheneOS
The Signature 27 is Motorola’s biggest bet in a while. The flagship phone is likely set for sale in the US market, a place where it’s only found true success for some time with foldable phones. Aside from being a slab phone, it’s competing against other premium Android phones like the just released Pixel 11. Motorola is well-aware of the stakes and has made what looks like a carefully crafted phone that seems up to the task, but Pixel fans don’t seem to be won over.
Chrome's latest update saves you from endless scrolling on shared tabs
Google Chrome introduced a big boost to cross-device tab sharing today that is aimed at simplifying studying but can be used by anyone looking for a productivity boost via their browser. The ability to send a tab from your laptop to your phone or from your phone to your laptop has been around for a while, but now when you perform the action, Chrome remembers exactly where in that tab you were when you sent it over.
Google Maps on Android Auto rolls out real-time stop sign and traffic light alerts
Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs. The lyrics may have been sung by Tesla, but if you’re driving your Tesla and using Android Auto (with a workaround, that is), there’s one place where upcoming signs have not been: on Google Maps. Related Upcoming signs rollout ahead That’s changing now.
Google Maps on Android Auto rolls out real-time stop sign and traffic light alerts
Oh no, not again: it looks like Samsung delayed its One UI 9 global release We were this close. What you need to know Samsung has reportedly delayed the global release of its One UI 9 (Android 17) update for Galaxy users. • The …
New blue Gmail stars and markers have users seeing red
If you’re looking at your Gmail and feeling a bit blue, maybe there’s a reason for that. Google is rolling out a replacement for those bright yellow stars and important message indicators that guided you in a sea of lookalike messages. Users on Reddit and Google Support Forums are venting about the change. Where there was once sunny yellow that stood out for those markers, there’s now a blue that blends in.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 leaks in full: Specs, price hikes, and launch date
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12+ and Ultra are at most a few weeks away from being revealed, but at this point, there’s likely nothing left to show that won’t surprise. That’s because leaks have given us a thorough picture of what to expect. The more things change Yesterday Evan Blass posted side and rear views of the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra. From the outside, nothing has changed from the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 leaks in full: Specs, price hikes, and launch date
Technology 4 hours ago Samsung’s 2026 55-inch Mini LED 4K TV just hit its lowest-ever price — where to buy for under $300 Mashable - Soumya Kumar • 4h Mini LED backlighting usually comes with a premium price tag, but Samsung’s 2026 55-inch set just hit a fresh all-time low. SAVE $48: As of Sept. 23, the Samsung 55-Inch M70H Series Mini LED 4K Smart TV is on sale at Amazon for $299.99. That's down 14% from its $347.99 list price.
Why Google's forgotten Pixelbook Go is still my favorite laptop in 2026
Let me tell you about my newest favorite piece of tech. It's from 2019. It's a Google Pixelbook Go that I bought new, even though it was manufactured seven years ago. It's the only thing that's filled the netbook-sized hole in my heart, and makes me wish Google would bring it back. Related On paper, the Googlebook sounds incredible, but everything hinges on Google delivering What went into my decision It fit all my requirements.
Motorola debuts premium Signature 27 flagship with brand-new Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme
The Motorola Signature 27 made its debut today at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit sporting the also just revealed Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 Mobile Platform. These details are all rumors that have now been confirmed. Alongside them, we also know that the Signature 27 has Android 17 and Motorola guarantees seven OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. But three big questions remain. The first is: When can you get it? The second is: Will the Motorola Signature be available in the US?
Full-featured Adobe Premiere app finally comes to Android and it’s free
Full-fledged video editing with Adobe Premiere is now available on Android. Today Adobe announced the app is in the Google Play Store. Adobe frames Adobe Premiere as being for “creators” because it can be used to create TikToks and Instagram Reels, turn video podcast moments into the phenomenon known as clips, and edit vlogs. But who isn’t a creator nowadays? Another thing Adobe subtly seems to have an opinion on is how many of those who create do so on an iPhone vs.
Googlebooks are here: Which one is right for you and where can you buy it?
Now that Googlebooks have arrived, one thing is apparent: they’re an investment. With a starting price of $899, they’re likely to be the only laptop you own. So as with any venture in which you’re going to sink a significant amount of cash, you should be as prepared as possible before you commit. While they all have haptic glass trackpads, backlit keyboards, Dolby Atmos speakers, and responsive touchscreens, there are some major differences between them.
Googlebooks finally make the Android ecosystem dream a reality
The Googlebook is finally here. Or, rather, Googlebooks, plural, as there are five of them. Separately and collectively, they represent the promise of an Android ecosystem, with an uninterrupted flow when moving between phone and laptop.
The Motorola Signature 27 seems like it’s headed for the US market next week
After some early signs, it looks like the Motorola Signature 27 is really headed for the US market when it launches next week. Motorola’s global X account posted a teaser today, signaling that the phone will have a wider audience than originally expected. Combined with the brief appearance of a banner for the Signature 27 on the US website that declared “a new perspective is coming,” it looks like a Motorola flagship is coming to US shores.
Pixel 10 owners might be about to get one of the Pixel 11’s best features
There’s plenty to admire about the Pixel 11 series and, if you have an older Pixel, plenty to envy. But it seems like there’s one less thing, according to something spotted in the Android 17 QPR2 Beta 5. YouTube channel In Depth Tech Reviews published a video yesterday that showed an option for the Pixel 11 feature Proactive Assistance in the settings menu of a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL.
Roku gives early access to experimental features and up to 30% savings on streaming services
Roku City is getting a new tenant: a lab where you can try out all the experimental things that Roku is working on. Roku Labs gives people early access to experimental, in-development apps.
Google Home gets a battery-efficient widget and camera fixes
Google Home is having a big day, first with the announcement that it's inviting outside AI agents into its ecosystem , and now with updates and fixes to the Home app and Gemini for Home voice assistant. A more efficient widget The Google Home widget is now more respectful of your phone's battery life. It's been optimized to pause background updates and polling when a phone's screen is powered off, locked, or running a screensaver. When you unlock your phone, the widget will refresh.
Google Home gets a battery-efficient widget and camera fixes
Google Home is having a big day, first with the announcement that it’s inviting outside AI agents into its ecosystem, and now with updates and fixes to the Home app and Gemini for Home voice assistant. A more efficient widget The Google Home widget is now more respectful of your phone’s battery life. It’s been optimized to pause background updates and polling when a phone's screen is powered off, locked, or running a screensaver. When you unlock your phone, the widget will refresh.
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