Tag: Source: Androidcentral.com

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    • Comments Off on Android Central’s Best XR/VR Headsets, Smart Glasses, and Games for 2025
    Android Central’s Best XR/VR Headsets, Smart Glasses, and Games for 2025

    Presenting our top XR/VR devices and games for 2025!

    Top XR headset or smart glasses: Xreal One Pro

    This year truly marked the rise of XR glasses, yet among the plethora of launches, one series shone brighter than the rest: Xreal One. Leading the pack was the Xreal One Pro, introducing a revolutionary optics configuration that not only slimmed down the design but also expanded the FoV to unprecedented levels. This enhancement builds on the exceptional performance that Xreal One offered with its exclusive X1 chip, delivering spatial tracking for any connected device—an industry first for XR glasses and a distinctive feature setting Xreal apart from competitors.

    Second place: Samsung Galaxy XR

    The Galaxy XR represents Samsung’s first VR headset in several years, debuting with Android XR, a completely new version of Android designed specifically for the upcoming wave of spatial computing gadgets. Though the pricing may deter some consumers, there’s undeniably a remarkable quality to the displays and the refined Android XR experience, particularly in contrast to Meta’s software. There are some bugs that will require fixing (and will as the platform evolves), but the capability to install any Android app or game effortlessly without unnecessary modifications is a significant advantage for both Samsung and Google.

    Top new single-player VR game: Marvel’s Deadpool VR

    Every year, the developers at Meta’s official Oculus Studios release a major title, and this year’s standout is none other than Marvel’s Deadpool VR. Created by Twisted Pixel Games, it unveils an original Deadpool narrative featuring a glamorous cast, including Neil Patrick Harris, John Leguizamo, Brina Palencia, and others.

    However, don’t be swayed solely by the star power, as the game immerses you in various scenarios that Deadpool encounters, with limbs flying, swords clashing, bullets bursting, and much more. It’s tough to choose between the epic levels and the formidable bosses as the main highlight, but either way, you’ll have an incredible experience living out the role of Deadpool like never before. Plus, the moment you look down and notice your arms are gone will leave a lasting impression. It’s truly a mind-bending experience! Get it for 20% off until January 4.

    Second place: Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow

    Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow marks the return of the Thief franchise after more than ten years, acting as a true sequel to the original PC stealth masterpieces. Transitioning to a VR-exclusive experience maintains the essence of a Thief game, while the requirement of physically navigating the environment fundamentally alters the gameplay.

    You assume the role of a new main character, but the unique element is the mechanical eye discovered at the outset of the game, which allows Garrett—his original voice actor—to guide you throughout the narrative. You’ll stealthily maneuver in classic Thief style, scaling walls, climbing buildings, concealing yourself in darkness, neutralizing guards, and even sabotaging surroundings while absconding with as much treasure as possible in each stage. This is a dream come true for stealth enthusiasts and a genuine delight for Meta Quest players!

    Top new multi-player VR game: Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked

    Upon the initial launch of Demeo on the Oculus Quest in May 2021, I immediately envisioned a D&D-licensed and expanded iteration of the game. That’s precisely what Demeo x D&D: Battlemarked delivers. This game utilizes the well-known turn-based strategy RPG foundations of both Demeo and Dungeons & Dragons, merging two formidable intellectual properties into one impressively comprehensive experience that’s easy to enjoy with friends.

    To enhance the experience, it now features cross-platform capabilities among Meta Quest, Steam, and PlayStation, while allowing VR gamers to interact effortlessly with non-VR players. Now that’s how to do a D&D night right, making this tabletop strategy title our multiplayer game of the year!

    Second place: Forefront

    Forefront can be succinctly described as “Battlefield VR.” With support for 32 players, it stands out as one of the most thorough VR multiplayer experiences accessible, and it’s no surprise given that it comes from the creators of Breachers, a former VR multiplayer Game of the Year. Like you would anticipate from a Battlefield-style game, you won’t just be running around shooting other competitors.

    You’ll be operating jet skis, boats, jeeps, ATVs, helicopters, tanks, and so much more. And since it’s

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    • Comments Off on The Best Smartwatches, Smart Rings, and Fitness Trackers of 2025 As Per Android Central
    The Best Smartwatches, Smart Rings, and Fitness Trackers of 2025 As Per Android Central

    We’ve ranked our top wearable gadgets, spanning from smartwatches to smart rings and beyond!

    Another year has brought us impressive smartwatches! It was remarkable to see how many brands introduced watches with innovative features, enhanced performance, and a broader vision of how we utilize smartwatches.

    Diving straight in, Google claims the top spot with the finest Android smartwatch. The Pixel Watch 4 exceeded expectations for what defines an excellent smartwatch.

    For the second consecutive year, the Oura Ring 4 wins for best smart ring, and who could argue against it? It truly stands out as the premier smart ring available, and with its additional features, you can significantly elevate your quality of life.

    Continue reading to discover what our team thinks about the finest Android smartwatch of the year, along with insights on smart glasses and the leading smart ring!

    Best smartwatch: Google Pixel Watch 4

    The Pixel Watch 4 dominated the staff voting, leaving only a few selections for Galaxy Watch 8 or Garmin. Everyone is amazed by the numerous enhancements Google incorporated into this device: the elegant domed display, the notable battery improvement paired with high-speed charging, the precise and effective dual-band GPS, satellite SOS, and the Material 3 Expressive UI redesign that feels much more in tune with the Pixel brand.

    Having personally reviewed and enjoyed the Pixel Watch 4, I could go on! The key takeaway is that, now in its fourth generation, Google remains dedicated to innovation and upgrades, while more established companies like Apple and Samsung have settled into familiar patterns and seldom implement such significant changes year after year. Moreover, the experience with the Pixel Watch 4 should continue to evolve as Google enhances the Gemini assistant experience and Fitbit AI coaching.

    Best smart ring: Oura Ring 4

    Oura remains a leader in the smart ring market, and although the Oura Ring 4 was released in the latter part of 2024, the company continues to push forward, launching substantial updates to both hardware and software. The new Oura Ring Ceramic is a stunning piece of equipment for those seeking a more elegant wearable, and the newly updated Oura app incorporates elements of Apple’s Liquid Glass UI design while fostering a more tranquil overall aesthetic to really focus on the product’s wellness benefits.

    This year, Oura also embraced AI with the introduction of the Advisor, an AI-driven chatbot that assists you in understanding your metrics and engages in discussions about your statistics. You can even log meals simply by photographing them, allowing the Oura app to identify what you consumed and how it may impact your overall health.

    Best smart glasses: Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2

    Following a highly successful two-year stint, Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses have received their first sequel, and Meta seems to have executed everything flawlessly. New styles are combined with significant camera upgrades that enhance resolution to 3K and provide greatly improved video stabilization. Additionally, the glasses now feature double the battery life of the original launch, as well as new capabilities like conversation focus, enhanced microphones, and superior speakers with Dolby Atmos Surround support for an exceptional audio experience. And let’s not forget that Meta rolls out updates nearly every month with fresh features, making these AI glasses unbeatable.

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Future Advancements for Android Smartwatches by 2026: Enhancements to Gemini, Fitbit, and Samsung Health – Expectations and Worries
    Future Advancements for Android Smartwatches by 2026: Enhancements to Gemini, Fitbit, and Samsung Health – Expectations and Worries

    In 2026, the realm of Android smartwatches is poised for substantial transformations, engendering both enthusiasm and concern among technology aficionados. It is speculated that Samsung will unveil a subscription model for its Galaxy AI functionalities, potentially capitalizing on sophisticated health monitoring features. This initiative could position Samsung in line with Fitbit’s Personal Health Coach, heightening the rivalry in the health technology sector.

    The competition among Google, Samsung, and Apple is forecasted to intensify as they strive to incorporate additional health-tracking capabilities into their gadgets. Samsung intends to utilize its Galaxy Watches to identify heart failure, while Google is undertaking research to create predictive functionalities for high blood pressure alerts. These innovations underscore the brands’ aspirations to deliver tailored health insights via their wearable devices.

    Wear OS, Google’s smartwatch operating system, confronts hurdles as it steadily diminishes its “open platform” allure. With brands such as Fossil and Mobvoi distancing themselves from Wear OS, the future of the platform appears progressively linked to key players like Google and Samsung. The forthcoming Wear OS 7 is expected to prioritize AI improvements, refining the user interface debuted in Wear OS 6.

    Technological advancements are also on the brink, with expectations for a novel smartwatch chip capable of facilitating robust on-watch AI. The Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 is anticipated to provide notable enhancements, possibly including a larger battery and improved connectivity features. Concurrently, Google’s Pixel Watch 5 seeks to merge Fitbit’s coaching programs more fluidly, delivering users a holistic fitness experience.

    As the smartwatch market progresses, these innovations are set to transform how users engage with their devices, merging state-of-the-art technology with health and wellness intelligence. Nevertheless, the prospect of rising expenses and platform restrictions may temper the enthusiasm for certain consumers.

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    • Comments Off on Informative Title: Pixel Camera Glitch Hinders Saving of Certain Photos
    Informative Title: Pixel Camera Glitch Hinders Saving of Certain Photos

    The problem seems to impact various Pixel models, encompassing the Pixel 8a through Pixel 10. Certain Pixel users have reported a glitch where images vanish following background processing and do not appear in Google Photos. This issue seems to arise after quick photo captures, potentially when the camera app does not successfully complete post-processing. Affected devices reportedly include the Pixel 8a, Pixel 9 series, and the latest Pixel 10 models.

    Several Google Pixel users are experiencing an unusual bug on their devices, which is hindering the proper saving of some photos. Google Pixel owners frequently report issues with their devices. Recently, users of the Android 16 QPR3 beta mentioned a shaky camera problem, and many users of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 have raised concerns regarding speakerphone issues.

    Now, yet another problem has emerged for some Google Pixel users, this time preventing certain photos from being stored on their devices. Numerous users on Reddit have begun mentioning that photographs they captured with their phones have gone “missing” and are not displayed in the Photos app. A user named Blazgamer first indicated that their photos disappeared after receiving a notification stating that a few photos were undergoing background processing.

    In a similar vein, another user, portmafia9719, described a related problem where their device became stuck in a backup and processing cycle, resulting in some lost photos that could not be located. The user reported that the missing files were not visible in the gallery, trash, or anywhere else on the device, appearing to have been “lost” during processing.

    Some users speculate that this issue arises when a significant number of photos are taken in a very short timeframe. One theory proposes that if the camera app hangs and fails to finish post-processing, it ultimately clears everything from memory and doesn’t write the files to storage.

    Nonetheless, there is no method to confirm this at present. The bug seems to affect multiple Pixel models, from the Pixel 8a to the newest Pixel 10 Pro. It is still uncertain how widespread the issue is, but there are numerous reports on Reddit, indicating that at least a small segment of users could be impacted. Personally, I have not encountered this problem on my Pixel 10 Pro so far, although several users assert that they have lost photos because of this bug.

    We have contacted Google for a statement regarding the issue. If more users continue to highlight this problem, the company may take measures and issue a fix. However, for the moment, there is no solution available for this problem. We will keep this story updated if (and when) we receive a response from Google.

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    • Comments Off on YouTube Will Stop Providing Streaming Data to Billboard in 2026, Affecting Artists’ Chart Rankings
    YouTube Will Stop Providing Streaming Data to Billboard in 2026, Affecting Artists’ Chart Rankings

    Billboard serves as a cornerstone of the music industry, and since 1940, the publication has been monitoring the top-selling albums weekly. Naturally, the methods by which we engage with music have experienced numerous considerable transformations over the years. Recently, music streaming has thoroughly dominated the industry, with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) indicating that streaming accounts for 84% of recorded music revenue in the U.S.

    Since 2005, YouTube has emerged as one of the leading music streaming services, particularly for music videos. The platform began influencing Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart in 2013 and started affecting the Billboard Hot 200 albums chart in 2019. In essence, YouTube has impacted at least one Billboard chart for over a decade, but that is about to change next month.

    Effective Jan. 16, 2026, YouTube will cease reporting streaming data to Billboard. YouTube streams will no longer affect Billboard’s top singles or albums charts, which will immediately alter how the most popular songs on YouTube rank on the leaderboards. This change will have an effect on everyone, whether you are a casual YouTube user or a passionate music fan.

    Reasons for YouTube’s withdrawal from Billboard reporting next year

    In 2025, tracking the performance metrics of albums and songs presents a complex challenge. Music streams, album acquisitions, and various intermediary metrics must all be considered. Charts like Billboard utilize “album units” to assess a song or album’s relative success. One complete album sale counts as one album unit, but multiple individual track purchases, paid streams, or free and ad-supported streams can cumulatively amount to one album unit.

    YouTube disputes the latter aspect of Billboard’s album unit calculation — free or ad-supported streams and paid streams hold different weights. Streaming a song on Spotify via a subscription is valued higher than a free YouTube stream. Specifically, this is how Billboard currently computes an album unit for its charts:

    At present, each consumption unit for an album means one album sale, 10 individual tracks bought from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand audio or video streams derived from songs on an album.

    According to a blog post, YouTube has engaged in “extensive discussions” with Billboard about these calculations. Billboard announced intentions to increase the weight of both paid and free streams earlier this month, effective for Billboard charts dated Jan. 17, 2026. After this change, an album unit will represent 2,500 ad-supported streams or 1,000 paid or subscription on-demand streams.

    “This alteration implies that it will require 33.3% fewer ad-supported on-demand streams from songs of an album and 20% fewer paid/subscription on-demand streams of songs from an album to equal an album unit,” Billboard stated.

    While Billboard is attempting to lessen the disparity between paid and ad-supported streams starting next month, it has not acquiesced to YouTube’s requests. The Google-owned streaming platform demands complete value equality between ad-supported and paid streams. Billboard remains unmoved for now, leading YouTube to withdraw its data from Billboard charts just one day prior to the new streaming values taking effect.

    Billboard employs an antiquated calculation that places heavier weight on subscription-supported streams compared to ad-supported… We are merely requesting that all streams are fairly and equitably counted, irrespective of whether they arise from subscription or ad-supported formats—because every fan is important and each play should matter.

    In YouTube’s blog post, penned by global music head Lyor Cohen, it was noted that YouTube’s music streaming data encompasses both paid and ad-supported streams. Some users enjoy streaming through the ad-free YouTube Premium subscription, while others utilize the ad-supported free version of YouTube.

    A representative for Billboard commented that “there are numerous ways for fans to support their favorite artists, each holding a unique place in the music ecosystem.”

    “Billboard aims to accurately measure this activity, balanced across various factors including consumer access, revenue evaluation, data integrity, and industry standards,” the Billboard representative continued. “We hope that YouTube reconsiders and collaborates with Billboard to acknowledge the reach and popularity of artists across all music platforms, celebrating their accomplishments through fan engagement with the music they cherish.”

    At present, it seems both YouTube and Billboard acknowledge their interdependent relationship within the music streaming landscape and have left the possibility open for YouTube’s data to return to the charts. However, neither Billboard nor YouTube appears willing to yield on the firm positions they have articulated regarding album unit consumption weighting.

    Implications for YouTube users and the music sector

    For users, there will be a shift in how music is consumed on YouTube, with the extent of the impact depending on how much you value supporting your favorite artists. If you wish for your favorite songs or albums to bolster an artist

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    • Richard
    • Comments Off on Google Eliminates Remix Banana Emoji in Recent Messages App Beta Update
    Google Eliminates Remix Banana Emoji in Recent Messages App Beta Update

    The Nano Banana emblem is substituted for a more understated icon within the beta version of the Google Messages app.

    Essential information

    • Google is simplifying the visual elements of Remix in Messages.
    • The banana emoji, which represented Nano Banana, is being eliminated from the Remix buttons in Google Messages.
    • This adjustment follows user feedback regarding Remix, leading Google to take action earlier this month.

    Nano Banana serves as Google’s leading image-generating model, facilitating features throughout the Google ecosystem in applications such as Gemini, NotebookLM, and most recently, Google Messages. With the innovative Remix feature in Google Messages, users can access Nano Banana image editing and generation capabilities directly within their chats. Although participation in this feature is optional, Remix is prominently showcased throughout the Google Messages application, marked by a banana emoji indicating Nano Banana.

    Following the launch of the Remix feature in Google Messages in November, it faced criticism from Android enthusiasts, many of whom voiced their discontent on Reddit. By December 2025, Google addressed these concerns in a support article.

    “We appreciate your input regarding the Remix feature in Messages. Your voices have been heard,” a Google community manager stated in the article.
    Our team is diligently working on enhancements and fine-tuning the feature to ensure it is smoother, more intuitive, and enjoyable for all users. Keep an eye out for updates!”

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    • Comments Off on Samsung Unveils Update to Resolve Ongoing Crashing Problem in Galaxy Buds App
    Samsung Unveils Update to Resolve Ongoing Crashing Problem in Galaxy Buds App

    Samsung has rolled out a fresh update for the Galaxy Buds Manager app, tackling a major bug that had been causing users considerable annoyance. The problem, which surfaced in an earlier update, resulted in the app crashing whenever users took their Galaxy Buds out of the case, leading to ongoing pop-up notifications on their devices. This issue has been fixed in the new version, v8.0.00.2500, or later, as per Samsung’s announcement.

    The Galaxy Buds Manager app, crucial for overseeing and customizing Samsung Galaxy Buds, had introduced this issue in version v8.0.00.2300. Users experienced repeated app crashes and the emergence of “Galaxy Buds keeps stopping” notifications, quickly turning into a hassle. Samsung recognized the problem and shared the solution on their online forum, as highlighted by SamMobile.

    To get rid of these bothersome pop-ups and crashes, users are advised to update their Galaxy Buds app via the Galaxy Store. By finding the app and clicking the “Update” button, users can enjoy a more seamless experience with their Galaxy Buds and Samsung Galaxy phones.

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