TL;DR Googlebooks are premium Android-powered laptops made by partner manufacturers, and we know the names of five partners already. Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo are onboard and confirmed to be making Googlebook laptops starting this fall. Of the six Chromebook partners Google lists on its Shop Chromebooks site, only Samsung isn’t lined up to … Read More “These brands will be the first to launch Googlebook laptops this fall” »
TL;DR Android Auto is adopting Material 3 Expressive, featuring smoother animations and better adaptability for all screen sizes. Users can finally add home screen widgets for weather, smart home controls, and favorite contacts. YouTube video support (FHD) is arriving for stationary use, with a seamless transition to audio-only when driving. At the Android Show: I/O … Read More “Android Auto is getting widgets, video apps, Dolby Atmos, and more” »
TL;DR Sony’s latest Android smartphone is going official with the launch of the Xperia 1 VIII. This year’s model runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Camera hardware gets a nice upgrade with a big new 1/1.56-inch telephoto sensor. Today’s smartphone market is somehow both the most impressive we’ve ever seen, and a shadow … Read More “Sony Xperia 1 VIII goes official with upgraded camera hardware” »
TL;DR Create My Widget is an upcoming tool that allows you to describe what you want from a widget, and Gemini Intelligence builds it for you. If Google doesn’t execute your vision perfectly on first try, you can edit Gemini’s output until your widget does just what you need it to. In addition to Android … Read More “Can’t find the perfect widget? Google will help you create your own” »
TL;DR Garmin announced its new Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170 beginner-focused running watches. Both add AMOLED displays, adaptive Garmin Coach plans, training readiness, and new quick workout tools. The new watches go on sale May 15, with the Forerunner 70 priced at $249.99, the Forerunner 170 at $299.99, and the Forerunner 170 Music at $349.99. … Read More “Garmin just gave beginner runners features that used to cost more” »
Shimul Sood / Android Authority TL;DR Apple grew iPhone shipments by 1.3% in Q1 2026 even as the overall US smartphone market dropped 5.7%, according to Counterpoint Research. Android brands took a much bigger hit, with US smartphone sales falling 14.4% year over year. Samsung’s delayed Galaxy S26 launch left a premium phone gap in … Read More “Android sales just tanked 14% in the US, but there is a silver lining” »
TL;DR Google has announced that an OS verification feature is coming to Android 17. This feature will tell you whether you’re running an official, Google-blessed Android version. The company is also offering a public ledger so users can verify the legitimacy of Google’s Android apps. Google has brought plenty of security improvements to Android over … Read More “Android 17 will soon tell you whether your OS is legit” »
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR OpenAI faces a wrongful-death lawsuit after ChatGPT allegedly advised 19-year-old Sam Nelson on combining kratom and Xanax. Nelson’s parents claim ChatGPT became an “illicit drug coach” while he sought advice on experimenting with drugs. OpenAI denies wrongdoing, saying the implicated model is no longer available and that ChatGPT is … Read More “ChatGPT accused of becoming teen’s ‘illicit drug coach’ in lawsuit” »
Robert Triggs / Android Authority TL;DR Qualcomm’s rumored Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro could cost over $300 per chip, making it the company’s priciest mobile processor yet. Qualcomm is reportedly splitting its next flagship lineup into standard and Pro versions, with the Pro chip aimed at Ultra-tier Android phones. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen … Read More “Qualcomm’s next Snapdragon chip could push phone prices over the edge” »
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR The second generation of the Moto Tag has gone on sale. Motorola has yet to open up orders through its store in the US, but you can buy a pack through third-party sellers. The Moto Tag 2 boasts greatly improved battery life compared to its predecessor. Near the beginning … Read More “Moto Tag 2 quietly goes on sale in the US — here’s where you can pick one up” »
