Android articles
Epic Games accuses Google of paying Activision $360 million to stop rival app store, Activision denies claim
Google doesn't want other app stores on its "open" platform
Qualcomm goes beyond the smartphone, shows off new hardware
Why it matters: Qualcomm's annual Snapdragon Summit is typically a celebration of all things smartphone. After all, it's the time and place where the company unveils its latest SoC design for the next generation of premium Android smartphones. True to form, the company did introduce Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is expected to be the engine powering upcoming premium phones from Samsung, Motorola, and many other vendors including Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi.
The Backbone mobile game controller is now available for Android devices
A $99 Switch-like mobile game controller with a feature-filled app
Higole launches a kickstarter for a compact HDMI 2.1 Android mini-PC-tablet hybrid
8K HDMI output, a touch screen, and HDMI 1.4 input in a $350 mini-PC
Signal rolls out Snapchat-like "Stories" to Android and iPhone users
Signal, the privacy-focused messaging platform, has introduced "Stories", allowing you to share pictures and videos that will disappear after 24 hours.
Google Play Games beta runs Android games on Windows
Google Play Games beta is now available for download on PC for gamers in the US and seven other countries. Its catalog includes popular mobile games like 1945 Air Force, Blade Idle, Cookie Run: Kingdom, and many more.
Opinion: The Android-ification of Cars
Cars are still less than 10% revenue for most chip companies
Why it matters: Over the past few years the semis industry has become somewhat obsessed with autos. Every major chip company now dedicates a fair amount of coverage to cars in all their investor presentations. Or at least it seems that way. In part that reflects a genuine growth in auto semis, and in part the tapering of growth in many other categories like mobile, PCs, etc.
More Android connectivity features headed to Windows 11
Microsoft is working on file transfer, picture-in-picture, Android 13 support, and more
Mark Zuckerberg says iMessage is less secure than WhatsApp
Meta and WhatsApp criticize Apple's backup and cross-platform messaging policies
'Always-on VPN' feature on Android can leak unencrypted data
Your VPN may not be protecting you entirely
Google brings passwordless logins to Android and Chrome
Android and Chrome step up their support for the FIDO Alliance
New Pixel 7 phones, a smartwatch, and smart home Google products expected later this week
Highly anticipated: The Made by Google launch event starts on October 6 at 10 am ET. The company should announce a slew of new products, including the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones, the Pixel Watch, and some new additions to its Nest smart home portfolio.
Intel's Unison app could allow Apple-like phone-to-PC connectivity between Windows, Android, and iOS
Something to look forward to: Users with Macs and Apple mobile devices have enjoyed a range of connectivity features between those products for years --AirDrop, Handoff, Universal Clipboard, and AirPlay are just a few. Intel recently unveiled software seeking to build similar bridges between Windows PCs and phones running iOS and Android.
The popular 'Dynamic Island' iPhone 14 Pro feature is now available on Android
New Android app tries to mimic the behavior albeit with a few hiccups
Google increases minimum phone spec requirements for Android 13
From 512MB to 2GB in three years
Logitech G streaming handheld is actually an Android handheld
The date, price, and specs are still unknown
Amazon launches 'Android Days' with some noteworthy deals
Amazon is offering the Google Pixel 6a for just $370, the OnePlus Nord N20 for $260, and the entire Galaxy S22 family starting at $650. The event is live now, for a limited time.
Next year's Pixel tablet might be the beginning of 64-bit-only Android
Google has mandated 64-bit support for years, but old apps could still be lost
Android 13 is now available for Google Pixel phones
Updates improve privacy, customization, and multitasking
You can mod the Google Pixel 6a and bump the refresh rate up to 90Hz
Bring back the days of overclocking displays!
OnePlus 10T unveiled with 150W fast charging and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC
Pricing starts at $649
Samsung tests smartphone feature that hides your data from repair shops
Privacy-first security features
If you have any of these Android apps, uninstall them now
They're laced with spyware, adware, and other malware
Google delays Chrome cookie phase-out to 2024
Testing for privacy-oriented cookie alternatives starts next month