Tag: Source: Androidcentral.com

It seems Samsung hasn’t overlooked these.

The XR glasses from Samsung, referred to as Project Haean, have allegedly reappeared in the One UI 9 code, reigniting talks about their possible release. The finding, shared by tipster AssembleDebug, uncovered the model identifier “SM-O500” linked to these smart glasses, along with two additional model identifiers that could denote other variants.

In 2025, speculations regarding Project Haean were plentiful, hinting at features such as transition lenses, in-lens displays, audio systems, multiple cameras, and more. These glasses are anticipated to weigh approximately 50 grams, incorporate gesture and facial recognition, and enable payments. Driven by Galaxy AI, they aim to deliver a heads-up display (HUD) and audio via the frame.

While initially thought to launch last year, the introduction of Project Haean was postponed. Nonetheless, with the recent discoveries in the code of One UI 9, there is conjecture that 2026 could finally witness their debut. Samsung’s emphasis on comfort and performance indicates that these XR glasses may represent a major advancement in the smart glasses sector, potentially competing with offerings like Meta’s Ray-Bans.

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YouTube is introducing a new advertising format for mobile livestreams, designed to reduce ad intrusiveness while preserving video flow. Already trialed on desktop and television, this format shows ads in the lower half of the screen, permitting the livestream to keep running above. However, the livestream’s audio is silenced during the ad, which can be jarring as audiences lose out on immediate commentary and responses. Although this method maintains visual continuity, it hampers the audio experience, resulting in a quiet stream during advertisements. The sole method to eliminate these disruptions is by opting for YouTube Premium.

In the continually changing landscape of technology, Nothing has unveiled a revolutionary tool that aims to alter the way we engage with our devices: Essential Voice. This cutting-edge voice typing tool captures the inherent flow of human speech, accommodating pauses, filler words, and other typical speech patterns without sacrificing transcription accuracy.

For numerous users, voice typing has been a mixed blessing. While it provides the ease of hands-free communication, it frequently falters in capturing the subtleties of human speech. Conventional voice typing tools often struggle when users take a moment to think or insert filler words like “um” or “uh,” which can result in frustrating transcription mistakes that necessitate manual adjustments.

Essential Voice, in contrast, is transforming the landscape. This tool is crafted to comprehend and exclude these natural speech components, delivering a smoother and more human-like transcription experience. By utilizing cutting-edge AI technology, Essential Voice can differentiate between significant content and filler, guaranteeing that the end text is both precise and indicative of the speaker’s intention.

This advancement is especially advantageous for multitaskers who depend on voice typing while partaking in other activities. Whether you’re cooking, driving, or simply have your hands occupied, Essential Voice enables you to communicate with ease, alleviating concerns about transcription mistakes arising from natural speech patterns.

The launch of Essential Voice exemplifies Nothing’s dedication to improving user experience through state-of-the-art technology. By recognizing and accommodating the complexities of human speech, Nothing is leading the way for smarter, more intuitive voice interactions that resonate with our natural communication styles.

As we persist in integrating technology into our everyday lives, tools like Essential Voice signify a crucial advancement in rendering our interactions with devices more intuitive and efficient. With its capability to manage pauses and filler words adeptly, Essential Voice is set to become an indispensable resource for anyone aiming to enhance their digital communication.

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The latest Android 17 beta version has generated buzz with hints about the forthcoming Pixel 11 Pro Fold. This finding indicates that Google is in the process of merging its next-gen Pixel devices with the new Android OS. Significantly, the beta features wallpapers tailored for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, suggesting possible design directions and color selections.

Noteworthy insights from the beta showcase two wallpapers: ‘Pine: Tidal Swirl’ and ‘Midnight: Lunar Tides,’ which correspond with anticipated green and black color options for the device. This early revelation is important as it offers a preview of Google’s design aesthetics for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, even while the official debut remains several months ahead.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is anticipated to retain a design akin to its predecessor, featuring minor enhancements such as a slimmer profile and slight modifications to the camera setup. Nevertheless, those expecting a broader foldable to compete with Samsung’s rumored Wide Fold or Apple’s possible foldable may find themselves disappointed, as existing leaks imply that Google is not currently pursuing that route.

In summary, the Android 17 beta alludes to a polished yet recognizable design for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, with early signs of its color scheme and design philosophy. As the official launch draws near, additional information is expected to surface, offering further clarity on Google’s upcoming flagship foldable device.

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**Face-off below $500: Moto G Stylus 2026 vs. Google Pixel 10a**

In the fiercely competitive smartphone market, locating a device that combines high-end features with affordability can be daunting. Nevertheless, the Moto G Stylus 2026 and Google Pixel 10a emerge as two devices that promise to deliver just that, both priced under $500. Each phone provides distinct characteristics, making them worthy options for anyone eager to enhance their device without overspending.

**Design and Essentials**

The Moto G Stylus 2026 distinguishes itself with its leather-like finish, offered in Pantone Coal Smoke or Pantone Lavender Mist. It features a sizeable 6.7-inch Extreme AMOLED display with 1.5K Super HD resolution. The display reaches a peak brightness of up to 5,000 nits, which is perfect for outdoor visibility. Additionally, the device boasts high durability, meeting IP68 and IP69 standards, and is equipped with a 5,200mAh battery that supports 68W TurboPower fast charging.

Conversely, the Google Pixel 10a presents a more compact form with a 6.3-inch Actua pOLED display. It comes in four shades: Lavender, Berry, Fog, and Obsidian. Although its battery capacity is slightly lower at 5,100mAh, it delivers impressive battery performance, lasting up to 30 hours per charge. The Pixel 10a also includes satellite connectivity for emergencies, a first for the A series lineup.

**Functionality and User Experience**

Powered by a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, the Moto G Stylus 2026 includes an integrated stylus, making it perfect for jotting down notes and sketching. Operating on Android 16, it features Motorola’s Hello UX for personalization. The stylus is equipped with functionalities like Quick Clip and Circle to Search, promoting enhanced productivity.

On the other hand, the Google Pixel 10a, with its Tensor G4 chip, provides a seamless integration with Google Gemini, enabling features like Live Translate and Circle to Search. Additionally, it comes with a Titan M2 security coprocessor and VPN by Google, ensuring a secure user experience.

**Cameras and AI Photography Features**

The Moto G Stylus 2026 incorporates a 50MP Ultra Pixel main camera with optical image stabilization, a 13MP ultra-wide camera, and a 32MP front camera featuring intelligent group mode. It includes several AI-driven photo features like Signature Style and Super Zoom.

Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 10a, boasting a 48MP main camera and a 13MP ultra-wide lens, ensures exceptional photo quality. It features Google’s AI photo editing tools such as Camera Coach, Magic Eraser, and Best Take, allowing users to effortlessly capture and edit images.

**Which One Should You Choose?**

Both the Moto G Stylus 2026 and Google Pixel 10a provide excellent value for their price points. The Pixel 10a is a reliable option for those prioritizing longevity, offering seven years of OS and security updates. However, if you appreciate the stylus experience and require a larger screen with quicker charging, the Moto G Stylus 2026 might be the more suitable choice.

In the end, the choice boils down to individual preference and priorities. Whether you opt for the Moto G Stylus 2026 for its stylus features or the Google Pixel 10a for its extended support, both phones present remarkable functionalities at a budget-friendly price.

**Qi2 Integrated, With a Case, or Not at All?**

As excitement grows for the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, a primary question on tech fans’ minds is whether the device will be capable of Qi2 magnetic charging. The current model, the Galaxy Z Fold 7, provides Qi2 wireless charging, but only with a compatible case. This pattern is expected to carry over to the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

**What We Know So Far**

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is celebrated as one of the premier foldable smartphones on the market. Its successor, the Galaxy Z Fold 8, is anticipated to debut this summer, with rumors indicating that the wireless charging functionalities will stay comparable to its predecessor. This suggests that the phone will likely support faster Qi2 15W wireless charging rates, but a compatible case will still be essential to realize this due to the absence of robust built-in magnets.

**Comparisons and Expectations**

In contrast to the iPhone 17 featuring MagSafe or the Google Pixel 10 with Pixelsnap, Samsung has not yet released a phone with incorporated Qi2 charging. Even the Samsung Galaxy S26 series does not possess native Qi2 charging. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is predicted to be Qi2-compatible but without the complete integration of Qi2 magnets.

**Battery and Charging Enhancements**

Although the wireless charging feature may not undergo significant alterations, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 could showcase other power and charging enhancements. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is equipped with a 4,400mAh battery and supports 25W wired charging speeds. Reports imply that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 might be marginally thicker and wider, possibly allowing for a larger 5,000mAh battery. Furthermore, there are expectations for increased wired charging speeds of up to 45W, presenting a noteworthy advancement from the previous iteration.

**Conclusion**

While the absence of built-in Qi2 magnets may be a letdown, utilizing a Qi2 compatible case can deliver the sought-after wireless charging features. As we await the official unveiling, it’s evident that although the Galaxy Z Fold 8 may not transform wireless charging, it will probably provide improvements in other aspects, preserving its reputation as a leading competitor in the foldable smartphone arena.

The shift from Samsung Messages to Google Messages may appear overwhelming for certain users, yet it is not as difficult as it seems. Samsung has revealed that its Messages app will be phased out by July 2026, making Google Messages the default messaging application on Samsung devices. Although this transition means parting ways with some cherished features of Samsung Messages, Google Messages provides a strong alternative with its unique benefits.

One prominent feature that users may miss from Samsung Messages is its straightforwardness and minimalistic design. In contrast to Google Messages, which incorporates Google’s AI assistant Gemini right into the app, Samsung Messages offered a clear messaging experience devoid of AI functionalities. This straightforwardness was valued by those who preferred a classic messaging interface without any extra distractions.

Personalization is another aspect where Samsung Messages thrived. It delivered a wide range of options for customizing chat appearances, such as modifying chat colors, message bubble hues, and applying theme-based designs. In comparison, Google Messages presents limited personalization options, although Google is working to enhance these features.

Samsung Messages also featured helpful tools for categorizing messages, enabling users to sort messages into categories akin to email tabs. This functionality streamlined message management. Unfortunately, Google Messages does not yet provide a comparable categorization system, although it has introduced innovations like a trash section for retrieving deleted chats.

Regardless of these differences, Google Messages stands out as a strong RCS alternative. It fully supports RCS functionalities such as high-quality media sharing, typing indicators, and emoji reactions. Moreover, Google Messages boasts features like Messages for Web and advanced spam protection, which are absent in Samsung Messages.

Google has been diligently enhancing its Messages app, incorporating new capabilities and upgrades. Recent enhancements include a trash folder for deleted chats, the ability to copy specific sections of a message, and marking RCS notifications as read from Wear OS. These advancements suggest that Google is dedicated to developing its Messages app into a comprehensive and user-friendly messaging platform for Android users.

To sum up, while the transition from Samsung Messages to Google Messages requires some adaptation, the change is not as formidable as it may appear. Google Messages presents a dependable and feature-rich alternative that continues to evolve and improve, establishing itself as a worthy successor to Samsung Messages.