Tag: Source: Androidcentral.com

The wait has ended!

The app’s latest Lyria 3 model creates high-quality, 30-second tracks featuring vocals and lyrics from straightforward text prompts or uploaded images.

What you need to know
– Gemini now produces 30-second songs with lyrics derived from text prompts or images.
– This feature is powered by Google’s Lyria 3 model, which manages lyrics, style adjustments, and delivers more realistic audio.
– Enter a prompt or upload an image/video, and Gemini transforms it into a song ready for sharing, complete with custom cover art.

The Gemini app has expanded past just text and images. As of today, it aims to compose your next song.

Gemini has introduced music generation in beta, utilizing Lyria 3, Google DeepMind’s latest generative music model. This allows you to quickly create a 30-second track with lyrics by simply providing a prompt or even a photograph.

Google states Lyria 3 enhances previous versions in three significant ways: it can automatically generate lyrics, allows for more precise control over style, vocals, and tempo, and creates tracks that sound more authentic and layered. In simple terms, you don’t need to be a songwriter. Just convey a vibe, like “a nostalgic afrobeat homage to my mom’s cooking” or “a quirky R&B tune about a lonely sock,” and you’ll receive a refined mini-track in return.

Photo or video to track
You may also upload a photo or video, and Gemini will convert that moment into a soundtrack with complementary lyrics. For instance, a hiking picture of your dog could evolve into a woodland anthem complete with lyrics. The system even generates custom cover art using Nano Banana, ensuring your track is ready to be shared directly from the app.

Since its debut, Gemini has incorporated additional creative tools, transitioning from images to video. Music is the next phase. Nonetheless, Google isn’t attempting to turn this into a Spotify alternative or a hit-making apparatus. The goal is to create an enjoyable method for integrating music into your everyday life without requiring complex software or needing to hire a producer.

There’s also something available for creators. Lyria 3 is on its way to Dream Track on YouTube Shorts, beginning in the U.S. and expanding globally. This means you can obtain improved, customizable backing tracks and lyrics for short videos, which is crucial since audio plays a significant role in engagement.

Naturally, AI music raises copyright issues. Google asserts Lyria 3 is developed with careful consideration of copyright and partner agreements, aimed at original expression rather than replication. If you refer to a specific artist, Gemini utilizes it as inspiration rather than a direct reference. There are filters in place to identify existing content, and users have the option to report potential infringements.

Each generated track incorporates SynthID, Google’s invisible watermark for recognizing AI-generated content. Gemini’s verification tools now extend to audio as well, allowing you to upload a file and inquire whether it was produced with Google AI. The system checks for SynthID and conducts its own analysis before providing a response.

Lyria 3 is now accessible in the Gemini app for users aged 18 and older, in various languages such as English, German, Spanish, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese. It is launching on desktop first, with mobile support coming soon. Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers enjoy higher usage limits.

Android Central’s Take
Personally, I find this to be one of the more practical AI enhancements we’ve encountered. Not because it will substitute musicians — it won’t — but due to its capability to reduce the barriers to creative expression in a way that feels fun rather than daunting. If you’ve ever desired a custom birthday song, a theme for your group chat, or a quirky track to share on Shorts, you can now obtain one in seconds. For users, this translates to creativity on demand, which is quite an enticing direction for AI to pursue.

ANY Unlimited plan will secure you the deal, no trade-in necessary.

Overseas Report Indicates This is What Nothing’s “Revamped” Mid-Range Might Entail

Amidst the buzz surrounding Nothing’s forthcoming mid-range smartphones, a noteworthy leak from an international source has disclosed vital specifications. The French outlet Dealabs has provided details on what users can anticipate from Nothing’s Phone 4a and 4a Pro later this year. In contrast to the Phone 3a pair, which boasted a 6.7-inch AMOLED LTPS screen, the Phone 4a Pro is alleged to feature an enhanced 6.8-inch 1.5K AMOLED 144Hz display. Furthermore, the Phone 4a may receive an upgrade to its triple camera setup.

The Phone 4a Pro is rumored to include a 50MP primary lens equipped with optical image stabilization and “140x zoom.” The base model, Phone 4a, is predicted to keep a 6.7-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The device may also come with a “Glyph Bar,” rather than a Glyph Matrix screen.

There are hints of a price hike, with the Phone 4a potentially increasing by €50 (~$58) and the Phone 4a Pro by €90 (~$106), resulting in approximate prices of €409 (~$482) and €499 (~$588), respectively. Additionally, rumors suggest that the Phone 4a Pro could incorporate a 5,080mAh battery with 50W charging capabilities and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor, offering up to 12GB of RAM and storage choices of 128GB and 256GB.

Nothing has hinted at a March 5 debut for the Phone 4a series, with CEO Carl Pei assuring a total “revamp” of the lineup. The speculated enhancements, including display upgrades and camera improvements, hint at a promising progression for Nothing’s mid-range series.

Android users can now sign up for the Notability beta waitlist.

The design of the Galaxy XR seems recognizable, yet wearing it differs somewhat from my expectations.

My initial thoughts on Samsung’s Galaxy XR hardware were quite positive. The headset is stunning, lightweight, made from premium materials, and appears to incorporate the best design elements from the leading VR headsets on the market. However, something felt off during my first few uses.

Although the headset does share visual similarities with the Meta Quest Pro, I soon discovered that it can’t be worn in exactly the same manner. General discomfort, a limited field of view, and even alerts from the Android XR operating system about eye-tracking problems indicated this. Surely, this wasn’t how it was intended to function, was it?

While you can change the forehead pad with varying thicknesses, there’s no way to tilt the side arms of the head strap or adjust the lens distance from your face with a dial like the Meta Quest Pro allows. Thus, I returned to the beginning to figure out the issue, and it turned out that the solution was simply to modify how I donned it.

Achieving the right angle

The left side of the image above illustrates how I initially wore the headset. I began by positioning the forehead pad at the top of my forehead, then tightened the wheel at the back to prevent the headset from slipping. While this seemed geometrically correct, I realized that the side arms shouldn’t be perfectly horizontal.

When worn this way, the back padding fails to align properly with the contour of my skull, causing the displays to misalign with my eyes. Android XR repeatedly urged me to lower the headset further, which I found impossible since the forehead pad was already positioned as low as it could go.

To resolve this, I altered my approach by setting the front of the headset onto my cheeks first, then bringing the back down onto my skull. This repositioned the front of the headset at a slight downward angle. The comparison can be seen in the image below.

At that moment, I finally felt like the Galaxy XR fit just right. Instantly, my view of the stunning micro-OLED displays behind the lenses seemed complete. They filled a much larger portion of my vision compared to the almost telescope-like effect I experienced when the headset was worn incorrectly.

Moreover, the pressure on my forehead was alleviated, now evenly distributed across the back of my head. I also immediately ceased receiving notifications from the OS regarding eye-tracking issues, and that impressive eye-tracking navigation began to function as intended.

It was surprising that such a minor adjustment resolved so many issues simultaneously, but I was relieved to have discovered it and can now fully enjoy the Galaxy XR!

Everyone is drawn to large foldables due to their increased screen space and extensive productivity features. Nonetheless, smaller foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 or Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 offer their own distinct advantages.

The clamshell design provides a sleek cover-screen interface, and its compact size allows for easy portability. You may have doubts about the practicality of a folding phone that doesn’t exceed the display size of conventional flagship models, but flip phones possess more capabilities than you might assume.

There’s a multitude of functions you can explore with a screen that hinges, and the additional cover display enhances its usability. For photography enthusiasts, the flip phone design effectively serves as a built-in tripod and a rear viewfinder. If you frequently consume media, you might appreciate how Flex mode facilitates a laptop-like viewing experience. Among all the unique features found on Samsung and Motorola flip phones, one that always impresses is Camcorder mode.

This video recording feature combines utility, nostalgia, and entertainment — a fantastic trio. You can learn how to utilize it on your Samsung Galaxy or Motorola Razr flip phone via this guide.

Everything you can do with Camcorder mode

Both Motorola and Samsung provide their personalized Camcorder mode functionality on the Razr and Galaxy flip phones, respectively. It is specifically crafted for the flip phone design, ensuring you won’t find it on larger book-style foldables. The two features operate in a similar manner — with the display partially open, you can rotate your flip phone horizontally to activate Camcorder mode. This displays a live video preview on one half of the main screen while the other half remains available for thumb controls.

It imitates the sensation of using a classic camcorder, which featured flip-out screens for monitoring recordings. Using a foldable phone, you can opt to show the viewfinder on just the inner display or on both. This offers a more comfortable method for recording horizontal video compared to trying to hold the phone fully extended without obstructing the camera lenses.

Motorola provides options that dictate the behavior upon activating Camcorder mode. By default, engaging Camcorder mode instantly begins recording. Alternatively, you can configure Camcorder mode to initiate recording a few moments after you fold the phone halfway, or only when you manually start it. When active, Camcorder mode reveals a touchpad that can zoom in and out or control recording start and stop.

Samsung’s variant doesn’t automatically begin recording, but it keeps all video controls active while Camcorder mode is engaged. This allows for easier adjustments to settings during recording, though you must be more cautious about where your thumb is pressing or swiping compared to the Motorola version.

How to use Camcorder mode on a flip phone

Activating Camcorder mode is straightforward regardless of whether you own a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or a Motorola Razr. Nevertheless, the available features on each foldable brand vary slightly, so here are the instructions tailored for each device:

How to use Samsung’s Camcorder mode

1. Launch the Camera app.
2. Select the Video mode.
3. Fold your display halfway toward you. This is known as Flex mode.
4. Rotate your device to landscape orientation while keeping it halfway folded.
5. Camcorder mode is now engaged. You can initiate or stop recording, take photos, zoom in or out, or modify camera settings with your thumb on one half of the screen — while enjoying a live preview on the other half.
6. Optionally, you can tap the cover screen icon to view a live preview on the external display concurrently.

How to use Motorola’s Camcorder mode

1. Launch the Camera app.
2. Select the Video mode.
3. Fold your display halfway toward you.
4. Rotate your device to landscape orientation while keeping it halfway folded.
5. This will automatically commence recording in Camcorder mode. You can use the touchpad on one half of the screen to initiate or cease recording or zoom in or out with your thumb while observing a live preview on the opposite half.
6. Unlike on a Samsung Galaxy phone, you need to turn a Motorola Razr back to vertical orientation to modify camera settings. You can’t perform any actions other than zoom or switch the camera while in Camcorder mode.

Camcorder mode places video controls exactly where you require them

The ergonomic design of Camcorder mode is what truly enhances the feature. You can comfortably grasp the bottom portion of a flip phone while recording without the concern of blocking the camera lenses. Since the upper section of the foldable is half-open and facing outward, it remains completely unobtrusive, assuring that the cameras have an unobstructed view of your subject.

Another advantage is the ability to start or stop a recording with a simple tap using your thumb. Swiping adjusts the zoom levels on both Motorola and Samsung devices, while Galaxy Z Flip models offer additional toggles. I can switch the megapixel mode.

Google is said to be developing sophisticated facial recognition technology for Android devices and Chromebooks, with the intention of competing against Apple’s Face ID. This initiative, referred to as Project Toscana, has been trialed on a Pixel phone and Chromebooks, demonstrating encouraging results even under different lighting situations. In contrast to Apple’s Face ID, which needs larger sensors, Google’s solution might operate with smaller camera cutouts, possibly utilizing IR sensors. This progress could improve Android’s biometric security, though users are optimistic it won’t eliminate fingerprint sensors, since both alternatives offer flexibility and ease of use.

Transform your Razr into a RAZR with this secret button!

Fake technology items have been around for a long time, yet they are becoming increasingly difficult to identify. Certain types of products, such as earbuds, lend themselves more readily to imitation than others. Scammers have mastered the art of mimicking the packaging, unboxing experience, and pairing procedures that authentic products offer—deceiving even experienced tech fans. The dangers associated with using counterfeit technology are significant, as these products do not adhere to the same quality and safety regulations as genuine items and lack any form of warranty.

Few brands openly confront the issue of counterfeit items, but that is precisely what Nothing has done. In a [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXGtfGwmpZQ), Nothing and CMF co-founder Akis Evangelidis discussed serious counterfeiting concerns affecting the Indian market. The video disclosed that Nothing and CMF have collaborated with local authorities to combat the proliferation and sale of knockoff products, having recently confiscated over 1,100 fraudulent items.

The video description highlights the gravity of the situation and emphasizes how seriously [Nothing](https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/nothing-phones/which-nothing-phone-3-model-should-you-buy) and its sub-brand CMF are addressing the surge in counterfeit goods:

> Being the fastest-growing brand comes with unwanted attention. Recently, we’ve observed an uptick in fake products attempting to imitate Nothing and CMF. Our customers are the ones affected, and we are dedicated to putting an end to this. By working closely with local authorities, we’ve already confiscated thousands of counterfeit products — and this is just the beginning.

In the video, Evangelidis showcases counterfeit Nothing and CMF items, some of which are sophisticated and deceptive, closely imitating the packaging and design of genuine Nothing and [CMF phones](https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/nothing-phones/cmf-phone-2-pro-review), accessories, or headphones. However, others merely slap the Nothing or CMF label onto completely unrelated items that lack any official counterpart. Given the burgeoning brand recognition of Nothing products, consumers continue to purchase these counterfeit items under the misconception that they are authentic.

Evangelidis and Arpit, head of Nothing’s smart product division in India, highlighted some warning signs to watch for. Listings featuring arbitrary brand names along with official Nothing images can mislead buyers into believing they are purchasing from Nothing or CMF. Therefore, it is essential to verify the brand name to ensure it is an official product from Nothing, CMF, or an authorized retailer.

Moreover, be cautious of phrases such as “compatible with” Nothing or CMF products. This language is utilized to avoid overtly misusing the Nothing or CMF brand while still appearing in relevant search results. The duo also suggests examining the reviews and ratings for product listings, particularly the *quantity* of ratings. If a listing has only a few dozen or hundred ratings, it is likely a counterfeit.

Evangelidis notes that the price can also be a strong indicator — “sometimes, if it seems too good to be true, it’s because it isn’t.”

Nothing encourages customers to report any listings they suspect might be counterfeit, assuring that the brand will “act promptly.”

## What can we do to protect ourselves from tech product scams?

Nothing and CMF adopt a more transparent approach compared to larger tech companies like [Apple](https://www.androidcentral.com/tag/apple), Google, or Samsung. The company’s leaders frequently engage with consumers on social media platforms through posts and YouTube videos. This particular initiative by Nothing is commendable. It raises awareness about the escalating issue of counterfeit technology, which impacts all brands.

The greater the brand recognition, the more likely it is that attempts will be made to create knockoffs. Counterfeit AirPods, Samsung Galaxy phones, and [various other devices are prevalent online](https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/how-to-avoid-scams-amazon-prime-day). They exist in physical spaces as well — if you reside near a major U.S. city, there is a strong likelihood that someone nearby is vending counterfeit tech on Facebook Marketplace or at street corners. The days of street vendors in New York City peddling fake designer handbags have transformed into selling counterfeit tech products at reduced prices.

The most effective way to safeguard yourself and your friends or family from these scams is to discuss them. If you are reading Android Central, you likely have a solid grasp of what is genuine versus what is fake. You understand product pricing and how items should be marketed, making the warning signs immediately noticeable. However, the casual tech user in your life or an older relative may not possess the same level of knowledge, making them more susceptible to being convinced by a counterfeit product.

It’s important to reiterate that traditional methods of verifying product authenticity, such as checking serial numbers or purchasing shrinkwrapped