Tag: Source: Androidcentral.com

Android Central will be present at MWC 2026, delivering the newest updates directly from the exhibition floor.

Want to cut costs on a previous-generation foldable? This refurbished smartphone offer might be just what you need.

If you’re considering purchasing a refurbished smartphone, Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed program is an excellent option. User-friendly and trustworthy, this platform provides access to numerous last-gen Galaxy devices that have been restored by Samsung itself to meet like-new criteria, featuring a new battery and a one-year warranty.

These refurbished devices are also significantly less expensive than their brand new versions, and there are frequently trade-in promotions that could lower the price even more.

For instance, you can acquire a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 for as low as $349 if you buy the phone refurbished with a qualified trade-in. Given that the foldable phone was initially launched in 2023 with a price of $999, those savings are quite impressive.

While it’s a few generations behind now, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 continues to be a reliable foldable phone equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a sturdy folding hinge, and two striking AMOLED displays. You also benefit from wireless charging and decent camera technology right from the get-go, plus the clamshell design is ideal for anyone who enjoys capturing selfies or creating TikTok videos.

Another appealing aspect of this refurbished phone offer is the wide range of older devices Samsung accepts for full trade-in credit of $300. Samsung phones all the way back to the Galaxy S8 Plus from 2017 will qualify for the full $300 discount, while many non-Samsung devices from Apple, Motorola, and Google will also provide the same benefit.

If you’re used to newer foldable phones such as the Galaxy Z Flip 7 or Motorola Razr Ultra (2025), the Z Flip 5 may seem somewhat bulky and out-of-date. However, if you overlooked this device previously or are simply in search of your first foldable, this refurbished phone offer is a fantastic (and straightforward) way to obtain the Z Flip 5 at a low cost.

Foveated streaming and a dedicated wireless link are simple to locate if you understand where to seek.

The Galaxy XR has established itself as my preferred device for multitasking. Although the headset appears to be aimed more at entertainment such as watching immersive MLB or NBA games, the Olympics, and beyond, I’ve discovered that I frequently return to it to utilize my favorite Android applications and experiences in a larger, more comfortable manner than my phone or tablets can present.

But what if you’re looking to expand beyond that? There are several ways to stream a desktop PC to the Galaxy XR, but the two “official” methods are somewhat limiting. Samsung’s official app necessitates a GalaxyBook laptop — I don’t know anyone who possesses one of those — and the official Android XR PC Connect app is unexpectedly slow and laggy.

That leaves the renowned third-party streaming application, Virtual Desktop, as the only viable alternative. This app has been available since 2016 and has advanced alongside the rise of wireless headsets. It can cater to straightforward “2D streaming” of your desktop and standard games or applications, but it truly excels when you launch a PC VR game through SteamVR, particularly with an impressive new feature that complements the Galaxy XR’s hardware beautifully.

How does Steam Frame streaming differ?

Valve’s Steam Frame is essentially a Steam Deck you can wear. While that alone is quite an enticing concept, Valve distinctly emphasizes PC VR games. Instead of relying on your home’s wireless network, Valve provides a USB stick that establishes a dedicated wireless network exclusively for the headset. This not only helps eliminate bottlenecks that lead to lower streaming quality but also facilitates foveated streaming.

If you’re like most people, that term may be unfamiliar, but you’ll want to learn about it due to its capabilities. Foveated streaming works in conjunction with the eye-tracking features of the Steam Frame and maintains the highest quality streaming directly in your line of sight, while everything else remains at a lower quality (since your peripheral vision doesn’t see it distinctly) to conserve bandwidth.

While it seemed like Valve could be the first company to introduce a headset with this functionality, it turns out Guy Godin, the renowned developer behind Virtual Desktop, just released a significant update for his app, enhancing your current headset with Steam Frame-like streaming.

Transforming the Galaxy XR into a Steam Frame

If you possess a Samsung Galaxy XR, Meta Quest Pro, or another headset with eye-tracking capabilities, Virtual Desktop is about to become the most valuable tool you can acquire for your headset. I had the opportunity to test a beta version of the new feature on my Galaxy XR this week and was astonished by the clarity it delivers. The update is now accessible to all Virtual Desktop users as of version 1.34.16.

Surprisingly, it’s not only the visual quality that improves with foveated streaming. Even though the center of vision streams at a higher quality than you’ve probably experienced from your headset, the entire stream uses less overall bandwidth than standard streaming quality. This means your PC VR games streamed from Steam or another platform will operate more smoothly, look sharper, and will even place less strain on your home network.

To enable it, begin a Virtual Desktop session with your PC, then press the menu button on the left controller, or perform a pinch gesture with your left hand to open the Virtual Desktop menu. Click on the Streaming menu on the left, then tick the checkbox next to Foveated Streaming.

From this point forward, everything is managed automatically, though you can adjust the bitrate and graphic quality in the app if you wish to exert more control over the settings. This will be functional on any headset with eye tracking across all platforms where Virtual Desktop is available, which is fantastic news for all VR headset enthusiasts.

Now for enhanced wireless streaming

If you reside in a multi-family building, such as an apartment complex or a condo, or if you have numerous devices consuming bandwidth on your home network, you might notice that wireless streaming quality is often subpar. This is where a specialized wireless router can prove valuable in establishing a low-latency network between your PC and VR headset.

You could opt for a Steam Frame upon its eventual release and utilize the wireless adapter, but I have a better solution available right now, and it costs less than 1/10th the expected price of the Steam Frame: the PrismXR Puppis S1.

The company offers two versions. An entry-level model, the Puppis S1 Lite, delivers an AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 connection for $50, while an enhanced model that grants an AX3000 Wi-Fi 6 connection is priced at $80. The less expensive model requires a wired Ethernet connection to your PC, while the pricier model provides a USB connection and additional wireless functionality.

I employed the original model a few years ago and generally wasn’t

The forthcoming Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event is set to be a revolutionary presentation, with the promise of transforming the camera experience for users. Scheduled for February 25 in San Francisco, this event will unveil a new Galaxy camera system that seamlessly integrates photo and video capturing, editing, and sharing into an intuitive process. Samsung intends to utilize cutting-edge AI technology to deliver groundbreaking capabilities, such as reconstituting missing elements of images, blending multiple photos, and turning daylight images into nighttime scenes. These functionalities are designed to boost user creativity and streamline the editing experience, permitting detailed photo captures even in low-light environments.

Samsung’s forward-thinking strategy includes converting real images into stickers and allowing users to sketch desired enhancements, which the AI can realize. This feature is intended to be swift and efficient, finishing tasks within minutes and minimizing dependence on other applications. The event will also underscore Samsung’s wider vision for connectivity and creativity through its latest technology.

Moreover, Samsung has initiated a reservation program, providing incentives like a $30 credit for pre-orders and a chance to win a $5,000 gift card. Customers can also take advantage of trade-in discounts or receive a credit without the need for a trade-in. As excitement mounts, Samsung’s new innovations are set to enthrall audiences and establish new benchmarks in mobile photography.

The Galaxy Reserve initiative returns for 2026.

Just a few minor modifications that could lead to significant effects.

What you should be aware of:
– Google pointed out several updates that Chrome for desktop users may find beneficial late this week.
– The company is launching PDF annotations with choices for its pens and colors, a “save to Drive” feature for convenient Cloud storage, and split-view for two tabs.
– Chrome’s latest updates have leaned more towards AI, as Google introduced “help me write,” webpage summaries, and additional features.

Google is finishing the week with several Chrome updates users are likely to observe the next time they use their PC.

A Keyword article compiles Chrome’s latest updates that users can anticipate and may already notice in the browser. One key aspect that Google emphasizes is the introduction of a highly-anticipated feature: PDF annotations. When opening PDFs in Chrome on desktop, Google mentions users can “highlight text and add notes” without requiring a separate application. Users can take actions like signing their names, adding highlights, and more.

The annotation feature is represented by a squiggly icon next to the back and forward buttons in a PDF in Chrome. This opens a side menu that allows users to choose their writing tool preference, along with settings for pen writing size and color.

Another update Google is officially unveiling is the option for users to “save to Drive” from Chrome. This comes on the heels of its PDF annotation update, as users will now notice a Google Drive icon when viewing a PDF. The article states that when checking Drive after saving, users will discover a “saved from Chrome” folder containing their documents.

The final feature in this week’s trio is split view. As the name suggests, users can display the content of two tabs in one cohesive view, reducing the need to switch between tabs constantly. By right-clicking a tab and selecting “split view,” users can create a space to the right to choose another tab. We’ve noticed this feature for the last few days, indicating that Google is simply raising awareness about it.

Enhancing efficiency:
The features Google is spotlighting for Chrome this week are not quite as AI-driven as its recent updates have been. Gemini’s AI capabilities have been making their way into Chrome for some time, including “Help me write,” which we’ve previously encountered in Docs.

With this, any text box that users encounter can serve as a collaboration point for them and the AI to work on a short blurb or something more extensive. All the user needs to do is enter a request and then wait while the AI processes it and provides its output.

Another AI-centric update is Chrome’s summarization features for Android. Via Gemini’s overlay in Chrome, users can swiftly summarize a page’s content without leaving the browser.

Android Central’s Perspective:
For someone who writes (a lot), Chrome’s split view is likely the only feature I find valuable. PDFs aren’t particularly significant in my daily routine. Split view is excellent for reviewing press releases while composing my opinions or views on them in situations like this. While having multiple screens is convenient, this adds just a bit more speed to the process, and I imagine others might feel similarly.

The iPhone 17 might not boast a striking design like the Pro variant, but it offers enhancements you’ll genuinely find beneficial.

YouTube is completely operational again following a significant outage that left hundreds of thousands facing blank homepages and error messages. The issue stemmed from YouTube’s recommendations system — the mechanism that drives your homepage, suggested videos, and discovery feed. Downdetector recorded between 300,000 and 350,000 reports in the U.S. alone, with more complaints coming from other areas.

YouTube is now functioning again after a widespread disruption that resulted in hundreds of thousands of users encountering blank homepages and error notifications. The company has resolved the issue, restoring access throughout its primary app and associated services following one of its biggest outages in recent months.

The primary concern was related to YouTube’s recommendations system, which curates your homepage feed, suggested videos, and discovery options. Videos, channels, and content were not visible, even though the actual video files remained intact.

The outage impacted more than just the official website. It disrupted YouTube.com, the mobile application, YouTube Music, YouTube Kids, and even YouTube TV logins, resulting in issues throughout the entire service. Downdetector noted over 300,000 to 350,000 outage reports in the U.S., along with numerous submissions from other areas.

For users, this incident was not merely a random connection or server issue. The recommendations system is a crucial component of YouTube’s functionality, so when it malfunctions, it influences your homepage, suggested lists, and discovery resources.

The algorithm was responsible

YouTube’s team promptly recognized the issue on social media, informing users that they were aware of the access difficulties and would supply updates. As the outage persisted, the company confirmed that the root cause was the recommendations system and assured a fix was underway.

By late evening in the U.S., YouTube announced that the homepage was operational once more and later verified that full service was restored on YouTube.com, mobile apps, and other related services.

This disruption did not result in the deletion of any videos or accounts; it merely prevented YouTube from displaying them for a brief period. Now that service has resumed, engineers will likely look into what led to the recommendations system’s failure to help avoid future occurrences.

Auto Frame is a useful feature exclusive to Pixel that alleviates the hassle of centering photos.

Google has clearly opted for caution with the Pixel 10a.

Google has unveiled the Pixel 10a with a design that feels familiar and only slight hardware variations from the Pixel 9a. The device features the same display and camera setup but incorporates Gorilla Glass 7i and a subtly enhanced build. It operates on Tensor G4 rather than Tensor G5 but still offers some Pixel 10 AI functionalities and seven years of updates. The starting price for the Pixel 10a is $499, with pre-orders available now, and sales commencing on March 5, 2026.

Google has officially revealed the Pixel 10a on February 18, 2026. If this seems swift compared to the Pixel 9a series, you wouldn’t be mistaken, particularly since it hasn’t even been a full year — and the enhancements here are not particularly significant.

At first glance, the Pixel 10a appears strikingly similar to the Pixel 9a, and that’s because it largely is. The phone maintains the same minimalist back design featuring a capsule-styled camera module. One minor adjustment is that the Pixel 10a is 0.1 mm thicker, allowing the camera to fit completely flush. Additionally, it is approximately 3 grams lighter.

Google also proudly states this is the A-series phone crafted with the greatest amount of recycled materials to date. In terms of durability, it holds the same IP68 dust and water resistance rating as last year’s version.

On the front, not much has altered either. It sports the identical 6.3-inch pOLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and fairly thick bezels. However, the display protection has been enhanced, as Google now includes the upgraded Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. The camera hardware remains the same as well, which means you still receive a 48MP main sensor alongside a 13MP ultra-wide camera.

Tensor G4 once more, for better or worse

Under the hood, the Pixel 10a is powered by the Tensor G4 chipset, which stands out, as previous A-series devices typically utilized the same chip as the base flagship. Meanwhile, the remainder of the Pixel 10 lineup employs Tensor G5.

That said, it still integrates some AI features from the Pixel 10 series. These features include Camera Coach, which utilizes Gemini to analyze scenes and provide suggestions, in addition to Auto Best Take. Other AI functionalities like Add Me and conversational editing in Google Photos are also present.

The Pixel 10a arrives with Android 16 and Material 3 Expressive out of the box and will receive seven years of OS updates, keeping pace with other models in the Pixel 10 lineup. Importantly, the Pixel 10a also includes AirDrop for Quick Share support. This feature was recently expanded to the Pixel 9 series, but the Pixel 9a missed out (for the time being).

There are several other additions as well, including satellite SOS support, a first for an A-series Pixel. This feature enables users to connect to emergency services when mobile networks or Wi-Fi are not available.

The battery capacity holds steady at 5,100 mAh, and wired charging remains at 23W. However, wireless charging sees a modest boost, increasing to 10W from 5W on the Pixel 9a.

Pricing and new Pixel Buds 2a hues

The Pixel 10a begins at $499/€549/₹49,999 and still provides only 128GB of storage on the base model. It comes in four colors: Lavender (purple-blue), Berry (red-pink), Fog (light green), and Obsidian (black). In conjunction with the phone, Google has also launched two new colors for Pixel Buds 2a, Berry and Fog, to complement the Pixel 10a color scheme.

Pre-orders are currently available for both the Pixel 10a and Pixel Buds 2a in new colors, with general availability anticipated around March 5, 2026.

Android Central’s Perspective

This may be one of Google’s least thrilling upgrades in recent years. On paper, the Pixel 10a doesn’t appear significantly distinct from the Pixel 9a because, in many respects, it isn’t.

I would have preferred to see an upgrade to the Tensor G5 and possibly some camera enhancements, but Google seems to have opted for caution this time. That said, a proper hands-on experience might still alter that perspective.

The Pixel 10a adheres closely to the Pixel 9a formula with a familiar design, Tensor G4 chip, and 6.3-inch 120 Hz display. Nevertheless, there are a few minor enhancements such as satellite SOS, AirDrop-Quick Share support, and advancements in wireless charging. You also receive seven years of updates and some new AI features from the Pixel 10 lineup.