AllYouCanTech

Google Chrome’s ‘Store Reviews’ Function Employs AI to Improve Shopping Experience

Chrome is joining the shopping updates that Android initiated last week.

Why I Choose a Flip Phone Instead of a Fold: A Surprising Explanation

I’ve been a devoted fan of Fold for many years, yet the Flip has caught my attention. Even though I’m a staunch advocate for foldable devices, my fascination with this design is predominantly centered around book-style foldables. There’s just an appealing notion of having both a phone and a tablet with me wherever I go that makes my heart flutter. Nevertheless, I do recognize the charm of flip phones, such as the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Moto Razr Ultra.

However, I must confess that with the two previously mentioned flip phones, I would be dishonest if I claimed that I wasn’t at least considering one. Until recently, my last significant experience with a flip phone was with the Vivo X Flip, and prior to that, it was the Galaxy Z Flip 3.

As we approached Galaxy Unpacked, I’ve been experimenting with the Galaxy Z Flip 6 intermittently, assessing whether a flip phone could replace a foldable for me. Unlike some of my colleagues here at Android Central, I don’t perceive that happening in the near future. Still, I discovered one particular use case that continues to captivate me.

During my childhood, my handheld gaming experience was confined to a Game Boy Color, which ultimately went missing on a family trip. Following that, I had a brief engagement with the Nintendo DS before transitioning to the PSP, and then the PS Vita. This implies that I never interacted with a Game Boy Advance or its SP version.

This is where the concept of a flip phone resonates, as I have immersed myself in the realm of gaming handhelds. Last year, Anbernic unveiled the RG35XXSP, and the Miyoo Flip made its entrance just before December ended. In 2025, my collection expanded with the addition of more clamshells, including the Retroid Pocket Flip 2, Anbernic RG34XXSP, and more recently, the Powkiddy V90S arriving at my home.

If you haven’t gathered by now, I have developed a fondness for clamshell handhelds at this moment. All except the Pocket Flip 2 are custom Linux-based devices, which are fantastic for the early console days but not so much for anything more contemporary. Thus, while using the Flip 6, it occurred to me to see whether I could substitute all those with a clamshell that boasts significantly better power.

The clear advantage of a clamshell is its compactness, enabling easy sliding in and out of pockets. Additionally, there’s a reduced risk of damaging the screen as you merely close it upon completion of use. I acknowledge that this wasn’t always the scenario with flip phones, but advancements in hinge technology have improved significantly, making it less of a concern for most users.

While those Linux handhelds offer some customization options, the choices remain relatively restricted compared to Android, even with custom firmware alternatives. With this in mind, I embarked on a quest to transform the Galaxy Z Flip 6 into the ultimate Game Boy Advance SP.

The journey begins with locating the appropriate emulator, and fortunately, there is no shortage of options on Android. For Game Boy Advance alone, here are just a few of the available choices:

– Pizza Boy A
– RetroArch
– My Boy!
– GBA.emu

While there are more available, I primarily utilize two, alternating between Pizza Boy A and RetroArch. You might be curious about my reasoning, and the answer is quite simple — Pizza Boy on the main screen, RetroArch on the Cover Screen. I’ve even gone to the extent of making RetroArch my default “lock screen” shortcut for when the Flip 6 is closed.

The excitement doesn’t end there, as you can actually apply various skins from Pizza Boy, enhancing the Flip 6’s resemblance to a Game Boy Advance SP. With considerable research, a bit of time, and a touch of patience, I’ve nearly transformed the Z Flip 6 into the supreme gaming clamshell.

Regrettably, there is one issue with this arrangement — touchscreen controls are dreadful. If it goes beyond playing a puzzle game, Balatro, or for testing emulators, I generally avoid playing games using the touchscreen. Consequently, I needed to think outside the box, as there aren’t many solutions available. Luckily, I own a 3D printer, making it a matter of finding something akin to what I envisioned.

After locating the print, I was able to say goodbye to the touchscreen controls in less than an hour. Admittedly, it isn’t the flawless solution, as I would prefer something utilizing capacitive buttons to interact with the screen, thus offering a more portable option. That might be something I consider exploring in the future, but it wasn’t

Top 7 Chromebook Offers for Back-to-School from ASUS to Lenovo

Cut costs on a brand new Chromebook, right in time for the school year.

Android Users Set to Enjoy Quicker QR Code Scanning Through Streamlined Actions

Here’s a brief QoL enhancement update.

Unveiling the Concealed Strength of Oakley Meta HSTNs After a Week of Usage

Meta’s partnership with Oakley has led to the launch of a new series of smart glasses tailored for athletes, and the justification for this emphasis is becoming more apparent. The Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses merge aesthetics with practicality, delivering features that address the demands of active individuals. These glasses feature Oakley’s distinctive HSTN design and are available in exclusive colors, along with the choice of PRIZM lenses, which are recognized for improving visual sharpness and contrast.

A key feature of these smart glasses is their capacity to record and share first-person footage of workouts, aided by enhanced camera clarity and battery longevity compared to earlier versions like the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. The improved image stabilization is especially advantageous for athletes, guaranteeing steady video recording even during intense activities.

In trials, the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses exhibited remarkable stabilization across diverse surfaces and activities, from running on flat ground to tackling stairs and hills. Although the glasses can film in 3K resolution, the 1080p option is suggested for its better stabilization and battery performance.

The glasses are crafted to remain securely fitted during most exercises, such as running, pull-ups, and weightlifting, though they may shift during more vigorous movements such as burpees. Despite this minor limitation, the Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses represent a significant asset for athletes aiming to document their fitness journeys without using their hands.

While these glasses do not yet include sophisticated workout metrics like heart rate tracking, they shine in offering a distinctive viewpoint on physical activities. The limited edition glasses equipped with PRIZM lenses are presently available for $499, with additional styles and lenses anticipated soon at a more affordable price. These smart glasses are set to evolve into a vital accessory for athletes, enhancing other fitness technologies like smartwatches.

AYANEO Pocket DS: The World’s First Dual-Screen Android Handheld

This could potentially be my final act.

Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook Now $120 Discounted in Best Buy’s Back to School Promotions

As the new school year approaches, retailers are beginning to unveil attractive discounts on Chromebooks, tablets, and various devices. For instance, Best Buy is offering a $120 reduction on the Lenovo Duet 11 2-in-1 Chromebook tablet, which serves as both a compact, portable laptop and a conventional tablet.

Similar to most 2-in-1 tablets, this Chromebook comes with a fully detachable keyboard and touchscreen, making it perfect for students, professionals, or anyone looking for added flexibility from their tablet. The display measures 10.95 inches, making it more compact than most laptops for enhanced portability. It also comes equipped with front and back cameras, a headphone jack, and two built-in speakers.

Best Buy’s major back-to-school event features a $120 discount on the Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook this year. This is a fantastic price if you’re in the market for a budget-friendly laptop-tablet hybrid, particularly with the detachable keyboard included.

✅Recommended if: you want a lightweight and portable laptop that also serves as a tablet; you desire a device with a relatively long battery life; you seek a tablet but would like one that comes with a keyboard.

❌Skip this deal if: you’re in search of a high-performance laptop capable of handling demanding tasks; you require over 128GB of storage; you don’t require a touchscreen.

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 is one of today’s many excellent 2-in-1 tablet and laptop choices, featuring a basic touchscreen and detachable keyboard that are ideal for people on the move.

The Duet 11 boasts a 10.95-inch IPS touch display with a 60Hz refresh rate, along with 4GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a MediaTek Kompanio 800 CPU. Lenovo claims that it will last up to 12 hours on a single charge, and it also features a 5MP front camera and an 8MP rear camera. It runs on the light and efficient Chrome OS, and while it may not offer significant power in terms of performance, it’s sufficiently fast for most casual users completing basic tasks. In terms of connectivity, the Duet 11 includes a 3.5mm jack and two USB-C ports.

In any event, it’s a pretty solid deal for under $300, if you’re indeed searching for a 2-in-1 tablet-laptop combination.

Assessing the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE: Is It a Valuable Purchase or Not?

Discover how it measures up prior to making a purchase.

Discovering Google’s Comic-Con Rewards Lab: My Adventure Across Four Incredible Experiences

San Diego Comic-Con is underway, and Google has returned with another exciting experience for attendees. Last year, the company featured a complete Ferris wheel, but this year, the experience is significantly more immersive, thanks to a partnership with Monopoly Go! and Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” premiering in theaters on July 25.

Guests will have the opportunity to take their first steps into the Google Play Rewards Lab, showcasing distinctive experiences tied to each of the Fantastic Four members. However, Google is also providing some incentives for those unable to visit the Rewards Lab in person.

The Google Play Rewards Lab focused on giving you a taste of being a member of the Fantastic Four. You step onto a conveyor belt that takes you into each of the four pods, each offering unique experiences.

The initial experience is found within the Stretch pod, named after Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic. Here, you participate in a game where you seek to accumulate Play Store rewards points by using touch pads to control Mister Fantastic’s elongated arms. The objective is to hit a specific point total within a set timeframe.

The second pod might just be my favorite: the Force Field pod. In this area, you can channel your inner Sue Storm, aka The Invisible Woman, who possesses the ability to create and control force fields.

While this pod won’t allow you to become invisible, it does enable you to manipulate a display of cascading lights with your hands. The lights shift colors and move in response to your gestures, allowing you to form various figures and images.

The third pod, the Strength pod, is likely my second favorite zone. Here, you can experience your own Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, moment and pound the floor with your feet. You can collaborate with several others to stomp on the digital display on the floor from four different corners of the room, causing it to break apart and reveal a rather impressive (and slightly disorienting) display.

There are multiple levels to conquer, which involves breaking through a few surfaces. Once you smash through enough of the flooring, you’ll receive a special recognition for saving the day.

Lastly, the final pod is the Fire pod representing the fiery Johnny Storm, aka Human Torch. In this pod, you can “flame on” and transform into the Human Torch by filming yourself soaring through the air. Your video will be integrated into a clip from the new movie, which you can then preview and send to yourself to share with friends or on social media.

You can visit the Rewards Lab outside the San Diego Convention Center beginning July 24, and if you’re a Google Play Points member, you’ll receive prioritized entry and additional rewards.

If you’re unable to make it to San Diego Comic-Con for the complete experience, don’t worry, as Google is providing everyone the opportunity to earn some rewards. Thanks to the collaboration with Monopoly Go!, players can obtain limited-edition in-game rewards featuring an exclusive The Thing Tea Emoji for U.S. players. This can be added to their showrooms, and users can also employ it to interact with others.

Additionally, Google is allowing Play Points members to exchange their points for other exclusives, including a Fantastic Four Fan Pack, an enamel The Thing pin, a signed comic book, and even a Citizen watch.

Google’s Four Days of Fantastic Rewards will run from July 24 to 27, while the exclusive in-game Monopoly Go! reward will be available until August 4, redeemable on the Play Store.

A Comprehensive Investigation of Android’s Alternative Past

Android represents more than merely another product from Google.