I’ve worn a Pixel Watch on my wrist since the original dropped in 2022, and have moved through all four models of Google’s smartwatch. Before that, I had worn a Fitbit for many, many years, starting with the original Fitbit One and moving through the Flex, Alta, Charge, Blaze, and more. I love the product … Read More “As a Pixel Watch 4 owner, I really love (and hate) the new Fitbit Air” »
Joe Maring / Android Authority A clean Android experience is one of the key selling points of Pixel phones. Unfortunately, this “clean experience” is often misunderstood as barebones. Sure, other flavors of Android (like One UI) take the cake with their extensive feature set and customization options, but the Pixel UI is no slouch either. … Read More “6 hidden settings every Google Pixel owner needs to use” »
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR An Android Authority teardown has revealed that Google could let Pixel owners remove the Google search bar from their home screen. This would be a long-overdue move as some Pixel phone users have requested this feature for several years now. This is handy if you use an alternative search … Read More “Google could finally let you remove your Pixel’s home screen search bar” »
It’s finally happened! After years of begging for their return, screenless fitness trackers are back, at least in the form of Google’s new Fitbit Air. I’ll admit, I didn’t expect Google to be the one to answer my pleas, but given that Fitbit started life with simple, innocuous trackers like 2013’s Flex, it feels fitting … Read More “Why no GPS on the Fitbit Air is an instant dealbreaker” »
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Google will no longer let users back up photos and videos to Google Photos via the Google Drive desktop app. The company recommends setting up backup folders via the Google Photos website or using the web app. Expect the change to take effect on August 10, although you won’t … Read More “Google is killing this handy way to back up PC folders to Google Photos” »
TL;DR Snapseed hasn’t seen an Android update in almost two years. Last year iOS got a major 3.0 release, but it passed Android by. After teasing a new 4.0 update earlier this week, it’s now starting to arrive. We knew it was coming: Earlier this week, Snapseed lead Giles Ochs teased that the eagerly awaited … Read More “Snapseed’s big 4.0 update is now hitting Android phones” »
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Google’s been working on a colorful new design for the interface you see when accessing your passes. Compared to our first look at this refresh, Google has now added even more color, as well as sorted out some irregular screen elements. We’re also seeing this new look in preparation … Read More “Google Wallet’s colorful new passes UI looks nearly ready” »
Google Chrome’s “weights.bin” file has been gathering a lot of attention, particularly for its forced, inexplicable, and inescapable nature. This file is responsible for on-device Gemini Nano features and is actually good for your privacy, but users have been looking for ways to opt out of these features, delete the file, and stop it from … Read More “How to delete Chrome’s weights.bin file and disable Gemini Nano” »
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Google is working on a built-in camera shortcut for the Android Photo picker, as spotted in the latest Android 17 QPR1 Beta 2. The addition could reduce UI fragmentation by eliminating the need for app developers to build separate camera entry points if they are already using the Photo … Read More “Android’s Photo picker may finally fix its biggest missing feature” »
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google is expanding Gmail’s upgraded AI writing tools to more Workspace and Google One AI Premium users. The updated “Help me write” tool now adapts to your personal writing style based on past sent emails. Eligible Workspace Business, Enterprise, Education, Frontline, and Google One AI Premium users are included … Read More “Google opens its smartest Gmail writing feature to basically everyone” »
