Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority It’s fair to say that Google Photos has been the best thing that has ever happened to smartphone photography management. For years, it has served as the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it tool. And for the longest time, it was my go-to recommendation. It was practically free. It was unlimited. It was perfect … Read More “I’m self-hosting a Google Photos alternative on my old Pixel” »
Joe Maring / Android Authority We didn’t see it coming (honestly, neither did Apple), but Google just showcased what could perhaps be the biggest moment for AI: Gemini Intelligence. It brings to reality Gemini’s agentic mode that we have all been dreaming of: where AI can execute multi-step tasks on your behalf as you watch … Read More “If Gemini can do everything for me, what’s the point of Android?” »
Ryan Haines / Android Authority Google’s Pixel strategy has shifted significantly in the last few years. The company went from competing with other Android manufacturers to focusing on the platform’s overall success. It seemed to matter less whether Pixel devices won, as long as Google services reached more people. That’s why you often see new … Read More “Google just proved why iPhone users are critical for Android’s future” »
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority First impressions matter, and after 48 hours with the Fitbit Air, Google’s new screen-less tracker is making a very good one. Honestly, I’m already more impressed by the physical device than I was by the idea of it. Ever since the early rumors surfaced, the Fitbit Air sounded like another … Read More “48 hours later, I’m already impressed” »
TL;DR Google’s separate Android Show format continues to work in Android’s favor, giving Android 17 room to shine without getting buried under AI announcements at I/O. Android 17’s biggest additions include app bubbles for faster multitasking, native controller remapping for gamers, and improved one-time location permissions focused on privacy. After using the beta, Android 17 … Read More “Google drops Android 17 deep dive ahead of stable release” »
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Google is bringing Gemini Intelligence to Android devices starting this summer. It will require 12GB of RAM, a “flagship chip,” and support AI Core and Gemini Nano v3 or higher. These requirements mean phones like the Pixel 9 series and Galaxy Z Fold 7 don’t meet the criteria. Earlier … Read More “Gemini Intelligence requirements mean most Android phones are going to miss out” »
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority TL;DR Pixel Watch users report that sleep detection data is not showing. The smartwatch is telling users that there is “No recent data.” However, the data is still showing up on the Fitbit app. One of the Pixel Watch’s most commonly used features is sleep tracking. From tracking time spent … Read More “Pixel Watch bug is preventing some from accessing their sleep data” »
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Google Messages shows further signs of progress on letting users set custom themes for chats. More work on the back end implements support for custom background wallpapers. Messages is also tweaking how users control Smart Reply behavior. The last days of Samsung Messages are upon us, as the company … Read More “Google Messages is getting closer to offering custom backgrounds” »
Joe Maring / Android Authority Google is testing a rather interesting change to Gmail. New users found that they were restricted to just 5GB of cloud storage, but they had to add their phone number to their Gmail account to unlock the full 15GB. Google confirmed this test to Android Authority, saying it applied to … Read More “Why Gmail’s latest storage change should make everyone upset” »
If you’re having trouble accessing Google Nest services, you’re not the only one. An influx of users are claiming that Google Nest is experiencing an outage. According to Downdetector, reports started coming in at around 3:30 AM ET. Since then, the count has spiked to nearly 800. Hundreds of users are also chiming in on … Read More “Having trouble with Google Nest services? You’re not alone” »
