Tag: Source: Androidcentral.com

Informative Title: News on Google’s XR Glasses, One UI 8.5 Beta Launch, and Possible Motorola Foldable Device

A summary of the most significant technology news that made waves this week.

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)
Technology News Digest

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Technology News Digest serves as our section where we showcase and condense some of the week’s leading stories, allowing you to stay updated with the current tech developments.

This is Android Central’s Technology News Digest, your primary destination for a succinct compilation of the week’s key tech headlines. Here, we explore the standout news that reflects the latest advancements and innovations shaping the digital world.

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Anticipated Launch of Garmin Vivosmart 6 Set to Influence the Fitness Tracker Industry

The Garmin Vivosmart 6 is set to create a notable influence in the affordable fitness tracker segment, particularly with the incorporation of built-in GPS. This feature signifies a considerable improvement from the Vivosmart 5, which depended on an external GPS connection. The Vivosmart 6 is projected to be launched at CES 2026, consistent with Garmin’s pattern of unveiling new gadgets at this showcase.

The Vivosmart 6 is said to come with more than 30 sports applications, a remarkable rise from the 13 modes that its predecessor offered. This upgrade, along with the built-in GPS, positions the Vivosmart 6 as a more adaptable fitness tracker for athletes and fitness aficionados.

Concerning design, the Vivosmart 5 showcased a compact OLED touchscreen and key health metrics such as heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. The upcoming model is expected to keep a lightweight format while possibly providing a larger, full-color display to rival other budget-friendly fitness trackers like the Xiaomi Mi Band 10 and Fitbit Charge 6.

Garmin is anticipated to incorporate sophisticated health functionalities such as Heart Rate Variability (HRV), sleep coaching, and the Health Status tool, which tracks health irregularities. These enhancements would modernize the Vivosmart 6 and boost its attractiveness in a market that has shifted towards economical smartwatches.

The pricing strategy for the Vivosmart 6 is still unclear, but Garmin needs to find a balance between cost and value, particularly in light of the competitive environment. If Garmin can offer these advanced features at a reasonable price, the Vivosmart 6 might emerge as an enticing choice for budget-minded consumers seeking a comprehensive fitness tracking solution.

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Google Enhances Difficulty of Removing Updates for System Apps

The ability to remove updates for system apps via the Google Play Store has been eliminated.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Key points to consider

  • Google has eliminated the feature to directly remove system app updates through Play Store listings.
  • This modification impacts numerous devices and types of applications, including concealed system apps.
  • Users retain the ability to uninstall system app updates, but they must do so via the app’s settings on their device.
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Google Unveils Pixel 10 Pro Fold Camera Functionality for Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Users of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold can now observe recent images on one half of the screen while utilizing the Camera app.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Essential information

  • Google has at last introduced a camera layout optimized for folding devices to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold after its unveiling on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
  • The revamped Camera app empowers users to scroll through the latest photos on the left while capturing images with the recognizable viewfinder on the right.
  • This app update is currently being rolled out.

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Repair on the Horizon for Google Weather Problems on Older Wear OS Timepieces

Your initial Pixel Watch is unable to check the weather at the moment, but stay calm.

What you should understand

– The Google Weather app is stuck on endless loading screens and download failures instead of providing real forecasts.
– The glitch impacts more than simply the app, as weather tiles like Forecast, Sun, and UV Index are also unable to load or gather location information.
– Google has acknowledged the problem, confirming it as a known issue specifically affecting first-gen Pixel Watch hardware.

If you recently looked at your watch for the weather, you likely encountered no information. Owners of the original Pixel Watch and older Samsung Galaxy Watch models are finding that the Google Weather app has ceased functioning.

In a recent Reddit thread, a user posted a transcript from a customer support conversation affirming that Google is aware of the disruption. As initially reported by 9to5Google, instead of displaying the temperature or UV index, the app shows a “Loading…” screen, followed by a “Can’t download weather data” error.

Hitting “Retry” just sends you into an endless cycle. The issue isn’t confined to the app alone. The Forecast, Sun, and UV Index tiles remain blank, showing a “Couldn’t retrieve your location” notification.

Poor update likely to be the cause

Android Central can verify that this bug also impacts other smartwatches utilizing Wear OS 3.5, not solely the original Pixel Watch and Galaxy Watch. The problem most likely stems from Google’s transition to newer software. In September, Google ceased providing the Weather app for devices operating on Wear OS 6.

The strategy was to encourage users toward manufacturer-specific apps, such as the new Pixel Weather on the Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4. However, Google clearly stated that the older app would keep functioning for anyone who had it previously installed.

That assurance has encountered issues. The dominant theory — at least on Reddit — is that Google released an update meant for Wear OS 6 that unintentionally disrupted compatibility with previous firmware versions. As the original Pixel Watch still operates on older software, the app and the watch are not working in tandem.

Google’s support representative indicated that the team is aware of the issue and is developing a firmware update to resolve it. Nevertheless, there is no specific timeline for when the solution will be implemented. This is exasperating for users, particularly since these devices are struggling with a fundamental task.

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Smart Glasses from Xreal and Meta Prohibited in Public Spaces on This Cruise Ship

MSC Cruises has introduced a new rule prohibiting the use of smart glasses in all communal areas on its vessels, citing concerns over privacy. Gadgets like Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which are capable of subtly capturing photos, videos, or audio, are currently banned. If guests are caught wearing these gadgets in public zones, crew members have the authority to seize them. This ruling is part of MSC Cruises’ revised luggage and prohibited items policy, designed to ensure that guests can unwind without the worry of being filmed without their approval.

The cruise line highlights that while smartphones clearly indicate when photos are being taken, smart glasses look like ordinary eyewear, leading to ambiguity regarding recording actions. Even though some smart glasses feature LED indicators for recording, these can easily be missed in well-lit or busy settings.

MSC Cruises has not completely restricted smart glasses from being brought onboard, but their use is not permitted in public spaces such as dining areas, pool decks, theaters, or lounges. Passengers are only allowed to utilize them in the comfort of their cabins. The policy implies that MSC favors guests to leave smart glasses at home to prevent any possible complications during their cruise.

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Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold Experiences Swift Sell-Out During International Debut

Even though availability might have been scarce, the demand for Samsung’s initial trifold is unquestionable.

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

Key Information

  • Following the release of the Galaxy Z TriFold in early December, shoppers promptly cleared out stock after its in-store launch in South Korea.
  • Samsung’s inaugural attempt at this design was quickly sold out, with reports indicating that both physical and online inventories were depleted “in minutes.”
  • The Galaxy Z TriFold boasts a 10-inch display when fully opened and comes with a hefty price tag of KRW 3.59 million, approximately ~$2,430.
  • The device is anticipated to launch in the U.S. by early 2026.

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Top Android Tablet of 2025 Gets Extra Black Friday Discount: A Festive Buying Suggestion

Put aside the iPads and Galaxies; this is the ultimate tablet offer of the season.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

If you’re in search of an excellent Android tablet deal to complete your holiday shopping, it’s the perfect moment to end the quest. The OnePlus Pad 3, our top choice for tablets in 2025, has just received a 17% price cut at Amazon, bringing it down to its all-time lowest price.

To provide some context, that’s the same level of discount we witnessed during last month’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday events. I thought we were done with amazing discounts on Android tablets until the new year, but I’m pleasantly surprised to be incorrect about this.

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Information on Google’s Three Key Updates for Translate on Android

Users traveling or exploring new content receive enhanced real-time translations.

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

Essential information to consider

  • Google has introduced an update to its Translate app on Android, enhancing its ability to translate slang and colloquial phrases.
  • The application, utilizing Gemini’s AI capabilities, incorporates “streaks” into its practice sessions, allowing users to further challenge themselves.
  • Google indicates it is expanding the beta version of the Translate app on Android, allowing users with headphones to hear real-time translations in various formats.

Note

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Best Buy Provides $140 Price Reduction on 2024 Kindle Scribe Exclusively This Weekend: Is the E-Reader Worth It?

Deals on this adaptable e-reader are quite uncommon. The New Year is rapidly approaching, and if you’re anything like me, your 2026 resolutions involve returning to a consistent reading routine. Luckily, Best Buy’s holiday sale is here with a $140 discount on the 2024 Kindle Scribe, a multifunctional last-generation tablet featuring a spacious glare-free display and immediate access to millions of titles in the Kindle Store.

Clearly, the first thing you’ll observe is that the Scribe serves more than just as an e-reader. The device is also crafted to function as a handy e-ink tablet for note-taking and annotating documents, using a stylus pen (included with your purchase) along with several useful AI tools to help keep you organized.

If you feel you’d gain from an all-in-one e-reader and notebook solution, the Amazon Kindle Scribe is an essential piece of technology. The 2024 version features a vibrant display with weeks of battery life and a responsive stylus pen. The primary drawback of the e-ink tablet is its cost, but with the arrival of the 2025 model, Best Buy is reducing it to a much more affordable $280.

To clarify, this price cut is NOT for the refreshed 2025 Kindle Scribe. This unprecedented price drop is exclusively available for the 2024 model. If you’d prefer to spend $500 on the latest version, Amazon is currently providing some trade-in credit (though it won’t arrive by Christmas).

Should I purchase the Amazon Kindle Scribe?

Whether you’re a reader, artist, or avid notetaker, the 2024 Kindle Scribe is an excellent device for accomplishing tasks. You receive a 10.2-inch 300ppi glare-free display with an included stylus that operates right out of the box, plus weeks of battery life based on usage. The note-taking feature feels nearly indistinguishable from pen on paper, and you even have a collapsible “eraser” on the end of the stylus.

Another significant advantage of the Kindle Scribe (2024) is its AI functionalities. These features can convert messy handwriting into more legible text, or you can adjust the length and tone of your notes to make them feel a little more polished.

Should I opt for the 2024 model or the new Kindle Scribe (2025)?

This remarkable discount on the 2024 Kindle Scribe is likely occurring because the tablet has officially been replaced by a newer version. While the Kindle Scribe (2025) does offer some notable enhancements over its forerunner — such as a larger and lighter display — I’m not convinced it’s worth the $500 price tag.

For over $200 less, you can acquire the 2024 tablet and enjoy a similar experience, especially if you’re merely seeking a device for reading and casual note-taking. Conversely, if you genuinely wish to spend $500 on a tablet, I would recommend bypassing the Kindles entirely and opting for something more extensive, like the OnePlus Pad 3.

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