Tag: Source: Androidcentral.com

Gemini notebooks are officially arriving on your smartphone, available for both free and paid users.

This will occur only if the first trial elsewhere is successful.

The concept aims to eliminate uncertainty surrounding women’s hormonal wellness.

Dismiss Sony, a new contender has emerged.

Carriers impose charges of up to $5 for visual voicemail per line, yet Samsung’s Direct Voicemail feature is provided at no cost and is integrated into select Galaxy devices.

I recall a period when my mobile carrier not only billed me for every call minute but also found ways to charge me for each text message I sent! Fortunately, those times have passed, but carriers still attempt to extract additional payments for minor features on a monthly basis.

Visual Voicemail serves as a prime example, generally costing between $3 and $5 for every line each month to access what appears to be a common functionality. If you’re on a family plan, this service could be an expense of $30-40 monthly, but if you own Samsung Galaxy phones, you may save that expense and allow your device to manage the task instead.

This advantage is attributed to a fresh feature included in One UI 8.5, which debuted with the Galaxy S26 series and is being released to Samsung devices globally this May. If you’re utilizing a Galaxy S26, you’re already set to benefit from Direct Voicemail right away. Users of older Samsung models will simply need to await the One UI 8.5 update for the feature to become accessible.

What is Direct Voicemail?

With Direct Voicemail, your device always responds to incoming calls, employing Galaxy AI to handle and transcribe the conversation in real time. Galaxy AI responds with an automated voice that informs the caller of your unavailability, concurrently displaying the transcribed conversation on your screen. You also have the option to pick up the call at any moment during this process, presenting a clear advantage over conventional voicemail.

Since the call and transcription occur directly on your phone, it bypasses your carrier’s voicemail system entirely. Additionally, transcriptions are only saved and processed on your device, ensuring that the call stays within your phone. Samsung further provides AI-enhanced background noise removal with Direct Voicemail, allowing your voicemails to sound clearer than what you may be accustomed to.

What are the drawbacks of Direct Voicemail?

Although Direct Voicemail improves upon your carrier’s visual voicemail service in multiple ways, it comes with more restrictions as it necessitates your phone to answer the call. For instance, if your phone is switched off or lacks network connectivity, the call will still be redirected to your carrier’s voicemail system.

Direct Voicemail isn’t functional while you are engaged in another call, as it must answer first to operate. Additionally, video calls are not supported, and there may be limitations on Direct Voicemail when traveling abroad. You should also consider the available storage on your phone, though transcriptions consume minimal space, making this last concern unlikely for most individuals.

How to activate Samsung Direct Voicemail

Setting up Direct Voicemail is straightforward, but many may not know where to locate the option. You can always search for it in system settings, which is often the best method to find anything you might be unsure about, but here’s a quicker way to access it:

1. Launch the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, then select Settings.
3. Choose Direct Voicemail from the provided list.
4. Flip the toggle switch to activate it.

Once the feature is activated, you’ll want to double-check that all settings are configured correctly to maximize its use. By default, automatic transcription is turned off, so while Direct Voicemail will still function, it won’t provide a real-time transcript as the individual speaks. For me, that’s a crucial element of the feature, rendering it much less beneficial without it. Here’s how to turn it on:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner, then select Settings.
3. Choose Direct Voicemail from the list.
4. Scroll down and tap Transcript Assist.
5. Under the Call Recordings section on the following screen, enable Auto transcribe recorded calls and Direct Voicemail.

How to utilize Direct Voicemail

By default, Direct Voicemail will automatically divert calls to voicemail after ringing for 20 seconds. You can modify this duration as per your preference in the Direct Voicemail settings (accessed using the previous steps), or you can manually divert a call to Direct Voicemail anytime. Here’s how to do this.

1. When a call arrives, tap the More options button on the dialer or on the pop-up call notification.
2. Choose Direct Voicemail from the menu to send the call to voicemail.
3. While the caller speaks, a live transcript will appear on your screen.
4. To pick up the call and interrupt Direct Voicemail, press the Answer button.

How to locate your Direct Voicemails

When someone leaves a Direct Voicemail, you can usually just tap the notification to access it.

With Motorola providing less-than-impressive upgrades this year, I’m putting together a list of features I hope to see in 2027.

Motorola has just launched the 2026 Razr series, and once again, we’re only seeing minor enhancements. The clamshell-style Moto Razr Fold is intriguing as Motorola finally competes with Samsung and Google in this sector, yet that foldable will arrive a bit later in the year.

However, the Razr, Razr+, and Razr Ultra remain largely similar to their earlier versions, and if any model has modest improvements, it is the base Razr. With Motorola not making significant changes this generation, our focus shifts to next year and if we’ll see superior hardware in next-gen Razr devices — here is what I hope to see from Motorola’s 2027 foldables. Of course, there is no concrete information on Motorola’s plans for the 2027 refresh, but I will include all pertinent details in this post as they emerge.

We need 256GB of storage

Although the base Moto Razr offers a lot, it is priced at $799 now, which is $100 more than its predecessor. Frustratingly, it only provides 128GB of base storage, which is insufficient in 2026. I frequently switch between phones each week, and 128GB will no longer accommodate all my applications, let alone the hundreds of photos I capture weekly.

I understand that the pricing of memory and storage products is significantly inflated now, but that doesn’t justify cutting the storage in half while raising the price — last year’s Razr 2025 had 256GB of base storage.

Motorola should create a mid-range Razr

Regarding pricing, Motorola needs to introduce a mid-range foldable. A Razr model in the $500 to $600 range would perform very well, and while older versions often go on sale at these prices, a mid-range option would enable Motorola to make even larger strides in the foldable market.

Motorola holds a robust 50% share of the U.S. foldable space, and a more affordable model would greatly enhance its lineup. Motorola wouldn’t need to do much; keeping similar specifications as the Razr 2026 but with just one camera, no MIL-STD 810H certification, and a standard battery (instead of the silicon variant), should enable a lower retail price. Whether Motorola will actually pursue this is another question entirely.

The Razr+ model desperately needs enhancements

Motorola focused most of its resources this year on the base Razr, resulting in the Razr+ being nearly identical to the 2025 Razr+ — which was itself indistinguishable from the 2024 model. Essentially, the 2026 Razr+ is a three-year-old device at launch, and aside from a larger battery now utilizing silicon technology, there are virtually no alterations.

With the Razr+ 2027, Motorola must provide significant upgrades to validate the existence of this foldable. A brighter OLED display is essential, along with revamped internals; while the 8s Gen 3 is still functional, a $1,000 foldable should at least be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.

We also require improved cameras; while Motorola added a LOFIC camera to the Ultra, the Razr+ 2026 retains the same cameras as the Razr+ 2024, and while the camera algorithms have seen some adjustments, it still badly needs a refresh.

Razr Ultra 2027 must justify its title

While the Razr Ultra features a new camera akin to the one in the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the device lacks the latest internals. It doesn’t incorporate Qualcomm’s top-tier platform, which must change in 2027. Additionally, Motorola isn’t offering a 1TB variant this year, and that should return next year.

Any Ultra device — foldable or not — must contain the latest technology, and failing to deliver this year is unacceptable. The 2026 Razr Ultra is $200 more expensive than its predecessors, yet it doesn’t do enough to warrant the price increase. I fail to understand why anyone would purchase the foldable when last year’s Ultra is currently priced at just $699 on Amazon. Motorola is effectively differentiating itself with unique designs, and it needs to replicate that with the core hardware in 2027.

We need more software updates

With Google and Samsung committing to seven years of software updates for their devices, Motorola’s foldables are falling behind in this aspect. The 2026 Razr models currently receive just three guaranteed Android OS updates alongside five years of security updates, and that just isn’t enough.

This enhancement ensures everything remains innovative and user-friendly.

If the communication we received is any indication, we ought to remain cautious for the time being. Recent information indicates that OnePlus has joined forces with Realme, which is an OPPO sub-brand. A sub-division and business unit has been created, with teams reporting to OnePlus CEO Pete Lau. Nevertheless, the statement from OnePlus North America offers minimal clarity, mentioning they are assessing their regional plans and product strategy. This absence of solid information places us in a position of ambiguity. Although OnePlus has refuted rumors of a global shutdown, recent shifts in leadership and possible market departures, such as from Europe, contribute to the speculation. Until more conclusive information is announced, it’s prudent to stay wary regarding the future of OnePlus and its prospective merger with Realme.

It appears that Samsung is keen to dive into upcoming trends. A report suggests that Samsung is planning to launch a new Galaxy Book series, which may include laptops targeting the “low, mid, and flagship” categories. It was mentioned that these laptops will replace ChromeOS with Google’s newly developed AluminumOS, which draws from Android. Early rumored previews of AluminumOS surfaced earlier this year, highlighting its strong connection to Android’s interface and Gemini.

For quite some time, Samsung’s laptops have relied on software directly from Google’s offerings (ChromeOS), but that is expected to change for upcoming models. A report from SamMobile indicates that the outlet has “exclusively discovered” that Samsung is shifting towards an entirely new range of “Android-powered” Galaxy Books. It further states that these laptops might occupy the “low, mid, and flagship” markets upon their release. Given the significant emphasis on Android in this report, SamMobile asserts that Samsung will abandon ChromeOS in favor of Google’s future with AluminumOS.

The team at Android Police has picked up this report, noting speculation that Samsung might opt for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor or its own brand (Exynos) for the robust performance. Additionally, the report suggests that Samsung will utilize Android 17 as its foundational software under the AluminumOS framework. Furthermore, users could encounter One UI 9 as the overall interface layered on top of Android 17, implying that many of the features and tools familiar to Galaxy phone and tablet users could be included.

There is limited detail available regarding the functionality (or even appearance) of the laptops. The publication speculates that we could witness something during I/O 2026, which seems like a reasonable expectation.

It has been a few weeks since Google released its session list for I/O 2026, but there is a hint regarding its software. The event is scheduled to commence on May 19 at 1 pm ET/10 am PT. This is when the primary keynote address will occur, expected to provide fascinating insights into the company’s future strategies. Later that day, Google will conduct various mini-events (or sessions) focusing on its AI, Android 17, and Chrome.

The following day, May 20, is when the company will discuss Android, ChromeOS, XR, and more. Although these sessions tend to cater to developers or those seeking in-depth analysis, the main keynote on May 19 is likely to showcase significant, consumer-oriented highlights. If Samsung and Google intend to present future Galaxy Books, it might happen then—or afterward.

AluminumOS was first mentioned late last year when a job posting confirmed its existence. While this is probably its codename, it seems Google is incorporating Gemini into this new OS, possibly indicating a more enhanced redesign compared to ChromeOS. An alleged initial preview in January made the transition from ChromeOS to AluminumOS seem likely, suggesting a blend of ChromeOS and Android 16’s desktop mode visuals with split-screen features and other Android-style user interface modifications.

Verizon is presenting an attractive offer for new customers: add a line and receive a complimentary Samsung Galaxy S26 along with a $100 gift card. This promotion is accessible when you buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 and add a line with Verizon’s Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plan. The carrier provides $900 in promotional credit, which covers the cost of the flagship device, and includes a $100 gift card for further purchases.

The Samsung Galaxy S26, driven by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite chipset, includes 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and ensures seven years of operating system and security updates. The phone features a larger battery and AMOLED display compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S25, and incorporates the latest AI-enhanced software capabilities.

Verizon’s plans deliver unlimited talk, text, and data on their extensive 5G/4G LTE network. The Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Ultimate plans offer additional benefits like 5G Ultra Wideband and mobile hotspot data. Customers can also tailor their plans with Verizon’s myPlan system, adding perks such as streaming subscriptions and international advantages for a nominal monthly charge.

This offer represents a budget-friendly chance to experience Samsung’s newest technology without any upfront expenses, alongside a $100 gift card for accessories.