Tag: Source: Androidcentral.com

Motorola has officially introduced two new earbud variants, the Moto Buds 2 and Moto Buds 2 Plus, at MWC 2026. These earbuds address different pricing tiers, with the Moto Buds 2 aimed at the sub-$100 category and the Moto Buds 2 Plus focused on the sub-$200 segment. Both variants provide hi-res audio fidelity and are available in unique PANTONE color options.

The Moto Buds 2 Plus distinguishes itself with its “Sound by Bose” tuning, delivering superior audio performance. It also incorporates CrystalTalk AI and Audio Share, permitting users to link two earbuds to the same device. However, these functionalities necessitate the Moto Buds app. The Moto Buds 2 Plus boasts nine hours of battery life on the earbuds, extending to 40 hours with the included charging case.

Conversely, the Moto Buds 2 emphasizes extended battery longevity, providing up to 11 hours solely on the earbuds and a total of 48 hours when paired with the charging case. It is equipped with Dynamic ANC, spatial audio, and a gaming mode designed for minimized audio lag. The Moto Buds 2 features a dual-driver configuration with 11mm dynamic drivers and 6mm micro-planar magnetic drivers, enabling hi-res audio and Bluetooth 6 compatibility.

The Moto Buds 2 is priced at €79 (approximately $92), while the Moto Buds 2 Plus is offered at €149 (around $173). Both variants will soon be made accessible in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific regions, with no confirmed release date for the U.S. market at this time.

Modular Phones Never Really Took Off, but Tecno Aims to Remind Us Why They’re Impressive

MWC 2026 is currently buzzing with activity, and Tecno is displaying its latest phones and devices. Nonetheless, the standout device at Tecno’s exhibit is reminiscent of a nostalgic era.

The Tecno Modular Phone evokes memories of a period when modular phones were quite trendy. Brands like Motorola and LG attempted it, but it never gained traction. Google also experimented with the notion of a modular phone, yet it never materialized.

Now, Tecno is demonstrating what’s achievable in a landscape saturated with MagSafe, without depending on it to function.

The Tecno Modular Phone design is remarkably slim; so slim, in fact, that it would make the iPhone Air and Galaxy S25 Edge feel inadequate. It measures 4.9mm thick and has eight distinct “zones” where accessories attach magnetically to the back of the device. Tecno presented an entire collection of accessories that can be attached to the phone for various uses.

For instance, a telephoto extender enhances the phone’s zoom capabilities beyond the built-in sensor, offering a zoom range from 3.5x to 10x. And if you wish to push it even further, you can utilize the Tecno Telephoto Lens, a camera-like handle that provides 10-20x zoom, featuring a sensor that includes optical image stabilization.

Curiously, you must connect wirelessly to the Telephoto Lens since it employs the phone’s screen as a viewfinder. In my experience, the viewfinder appeared to be somewhat sluggish, but this might have been due to external factors (my Bluetooth earbuds were misbehaving).

As per Tecno, the device utilizes a blend of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mmWave to link up with the modules, which should guarantee a low-latency/high-bandwidth connection. Nevertheless, it’s vital to remember that this is still a concept, yet it was fascinating to observe the camera software adapt to the newly integrated hardware.

Other modules encompassed a microphone, a speaker, an item that resembled a selfie mirror and light, and even a stylish antenna attachment claimed to enhance your phone’s connectivity, even when signals are weak (which sounds almost too good to be true).

My favorite was likely the power bank, a 3,000mAh battery pack that is only 4.5mm thick. The highlight is that Tecno’s Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology enables multiple modules to be linked, allowing for several slim battery packs for additional battery life or transforming the phone into a premium media device.

Tecno also introduced the devices and modules in two unique styles and colors, making it seem as if they were two entirely different phones.

What surprised me was the fact that this concept device actually worked. The screen lit up, I could navigate through apps, test the camera modules, and more. I’m uncertain about the chipset powering the Modular Phone Concept, but considering the “concept” label, it’s irrelevant since the likelihood of this reaching the market seems slim.

It appears impractical to expect users to carry an array of modules. For instance, the telephoto lens module is fairly heavy and almost toppled off onto a hard surface when I attempted to hand the phone to someone.

Modular phones have also struggled historically, with Google terminating Project Ara, LG abandoning its “friends” initiative with the modular G5, and Motorola’s commendable Moto Mods soon fading into obscurity as the company did. The investment seems to overshadow the practicality, with companies needing to consistently support the modular accessories and consumers facing justification challenges in spending on a new smartphone and its add-ons.

In the end, modular phones simply don’t align with consumer desires, regardless of their impressive design.

Nonetheless, it’s encouraging to see Tecno pursuing “new” innovations, even if the modular phone idea feels a bit “been there, done that.” I only wish some of Tecno’s other ideas, like the remarkable Phantom Ultimate G trifold phone, would come to fruition.

The Now Playing feature of the Pixel, a cherished tool for music recognition on Pixel devices, has been reimagined as a standalone application with a refreshed appearance. Once tucked away in the Settings menu, Now Playing automatically detects nearby songs without requiring an internet connection, utilizing an on-device database of song fingerprints. This facilitates immediate music identification without transmitting audio to the cloud, in contrast to applications like Shazam.

Now accessible for download on the Google Play Store, the standalone application provides enhanced visibility and receives updates separately from system releases. The redesigned app features clearer album artwork, refined controls, and more intuitive navigation, improving the user experience. This initiative reflects Google’s dedication to integrating Now Playing as an essential feature of Pixel phones, alongside other distinctive tools such as Call Screen and Recorder.

By moving Now Playing to a standalone application, Google not only enhances its accessibility and capabilities but also emphasizes its significance as a unique attribute of the Pixel series. This transition enables quicker updates and guarantees that new Pixel users can effortlessly discover and leverage this intelligent feature, enriching their overall mobile experience.

Following the recent Galaxy Unpacked event, a Samsung executive shared details regarding the company’s upcoming plans for its proprietary Exynos chips. Moon Sung-hoon, Samsung’s vice president of hardware for the MX sector, elaborated on the company’s approach to upgrading its application processors (APs) and suggested a wider integration of Exynos chips within Samsung’s Galaxy product line. This initiative forms part of a “mid to long-term strategy” aimed at improving their chip technology, with plans to embed Exynos in all forthcoming Galaxy models.

The Exynos 2600, Samsung’s newest chip, represents a notable milestone as the first in the world to adopt the 2nm process, promising significant advancements in performance and efficiency compared to its predecessor, the Exynos 2500. In spite of the hurdles faced in developing APs, Samsung remains focused on enhancing its Exynos lineup, which has previously encountered scrutiny for performance shortcomings. The Exynos 2600, however, has garnered favorable reviews, indicating a possible shift in consumer perspective.

Samsung’s dedication to Exynos chips aligns with its ambition to compete more robustly against rival chip manufacturers. The company has undertaken strategic measures, including establishing a specialized task force to manage the development of the Exynos 2600. The launch of this chip represents a bold advancement in Samsung’s chipset technology, particularly for the Galaxy S26 series.

Historically relying on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon for flagship devices outside South Korea, Samsung’s renewed focus on Exynos could pave the way for a broader acceptance of its proprietary chips. The Exynos 2600’s enhanced CPU architecture and performance improvements underscore Samsung’s progress, although its availability is still restricted to certain regions, with other markets receiving Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

Samsung’s persistent endeavors to upgrade its Exynos chips demonstrate a strategic move to bolster its standing in the competitive smartphone landscape, with the objective of delivering superior performance and efficiency in upcoming Galaxy devices.

The Suspect Could Be the Feature We’ve Been Raving About

In the continuously changing realm of smartphone innovation, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has become a focal point of discussion, not only due to its remarkable attributes but also because of a surprising find. A recent article from Tom’s Guide has pointed out a possible concern with the S26 Ultra’s display, which might not be as luminous as its forerunner, the S25 Ultra. This unforeseen revelation has prompted many to speculate whether the very feature we’ve been enthusiastic about, the Privacy Display, is behind this decrease in brightness.

What You Should Know

1. A report from Tom’s Guide indicates that, following a lab evaluation, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s display is less bright than the S25 Ultra even when Privacy Display is turned off.
2. There is a possibility that the technology employed to develop the Privacy Display is responsible for the decline in peak brightness of the new Ultra.
3. The hardware-integrated Privacy Display prevents onlookers from viewing your notifications, your full display, and much more.

When juxtaposed with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s display exhibits a reduction in peak brightness from 1,860 nits to 1,806 nits. While this disparity may appear minimal, it becomes increasingly evident at broader angles. The Privacy Display, a feature intended to shield your screen from prying eyes, is believed to be the reason for this decrease in brightness. Even when turned off, the S26 Ultra’s display continues to be dimmer than its predecessor.

Tom’s Guide emphasizes that applying a privacy screen protector can consistently darken a device’s display. Samsung has incorporated this idea at a hardware level for the S26 Ultra, possibly leading to the brightness reduction. Nonetheless, the Privacy Display remains a notable feature, enabling users to determine which sections of their screen are concealed from spectators.

The Event’s Highlight

Since the introduction of the Galaxy S26 series, the Ultra’s Privacy Display has garnered significant attention. This feature darkens specific aspects of the screen to stop others from accessing your content. Users have the capability to toggle it on and off, selecting which areas of their display to obscure. This groundbreaking feature is the first of its kind for smartphones, which typically require an external protector.

Android Central’s Derrek Lee had a direct encounter with the Galaxy S26 Ultra during its reveal. The Privacy Display was a key topic of discussion, with Samsung clarifying that it functions through the display’s pixel configuration, enabling enhanced viewing angles while ensuring privacy.

Android Central’s Opinion

John Velasco at Tom’s Guide conveyed a willingness to trade a bit of peak brightness for the Privacy Display on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Even with the evident drop in brightness, the Privacy Display’s advantages may surpass this limitation. Experiencing the feature directly might alter viewpoints, and many could find the balance worthwhile.

In summary, while the Privacy Display could be responsible for a slight decline in brightness, its capability to safeguard user privacy might render it a valuable feature for many. As technology continues to progress, maintaining a balance between innovation and performance remains a critical challenge for manufacturers such as Samsung.

A personalized desk clock, sunrise alarm, weather updates, and much more, all with a fully charged battery when you get up.

One of the standout features of the Google Pixel Tablet is its transformation into a clock, weather station, Google Photos slideshow, and even a smart home dashboard while it’s docked in its charging stand. This capability was introduced to all Pixels a while back, but it turns out that Pixels offer even more impressive alarm clock-like features than I first thought.

The Google Pixel 10 series enhances this functionality with its integrated Pixelsnap magnets, which can easily attach to a compatible wireless charger, preventing your Pixel from sliding off the charger during the night. While a wireless charger isn’t necessary to access all the top alarm clock features, they typically perform best because the optimal Pixelsnap chargers usually position the phone at a viewing angle that’s convenient from your pillow.

Let’s start by activating the convenient “screen saver” feature on your Pixel while it charges.

Reviving the 90’s screen saver

I laughed out loud the first time Google reintroduced the screen saver feature in Android 7, as it reminded me of watching flying toasters glide across the screen on my childhood Windows 95 PC. However, modern screen savers serve a purpose beyond just preventing screen burn-in; they have a much more practical use.

They are created to provide glanceable information while your phone is charging and can be quite useful on your nightstand. I’ve shared some images of the default options above, but I find that I prefer the straightforward “Everyday Clock” option for nighttime use. Note that you can place the phone in either landscape or portrait mode and your Pixel will adjust the display accordingly.

Here’s how to activate the Pixel screen saver:

1.) Access system settings. You can do this from the app drawer on the home screen or by swiping down on your status bar twice and tapping the settings gear at the bottom.

2.) Go to Display & Touch.

3.) Select Screen saver.

4.) Toggle the switch next to Use screen saver.

5.) Tap When to show.

6.) Choose Restrict to wireless charging if you want the screen saver to only show while wirelessly charging the phone. This is ideal if you’re using it as an alarm clock.

7.) Return to the main screen saver settings and toggle Low light mode if you want the screen saver to activate at night when the room is dim.

Once the screen saver is activated, it’s time to personalize it! Google currently provides 5 distinct screen saver options: Everyday Clock (digital), Google Photos, Home Controls, Pilot Bold Clock (analog), and Weather.

All these options can be customized, including the theme to keep everything darker at night. After you have chosen the screen saver style you like, click the Customize button on the selected screen saver’s tile. Then, tap Theme at the bottom. I recommend selecting the Auto theme, as it will automatically alternate between light and dark modes based on your phone’s settings.

Now, when you place your Google Pixel phone on a wireless charging dock (or wired, if that’s your choice), it will automatically show the screen saver when the screen goes to sleep. If you encounter issues with the screen saver, lock your phone, then turn on the screen while still locked before plugging it in or docking it.

This will help ensure the screen saver activates when the screen goes to sleep again. This shouldn’t occur often, but I have noticed it can be a bit glitchy at times, and this method has consistently worked for me.

Now onto the “alarm” aspect

Now that your Pixel displays a clock, the weather, or something else while docked, what about the “alarm” functionality? It turns out, Pixel software supports a myriad of fantastic alarm features, including playing white noise or music at bedtime, gradually waking you up with a sunrise alarm, and even presenting the weather forecast for the day when the alarm goes off.

This type of functionality is not only enjoyable, but it’s also the most effective way to gently wake up and feel refreshed in the morning in a more natural manner. You can enable bedtime features, wake-up functions, or both. Here’s how to activate everything:

1.) Open the clock app.

2.) Select the Bedtime tab at the bottom.

3.) We’ll begin by enabling bedtime functions. In the Schedule section, tap Bedtime.

4.) Set your desired bedtime, any days you wish to choose (the entire week is selected by default), and any other preferences you have. Hit Next when satisfied.

5.) Now, tap the Wake-up section and choose the time and days you want to be awakened.

6.) I personally prefer the Sunrise alarm option, which will gradually illuminate the screen and slowly raise the alarm’s volume over several minutes.

These five smartphones offer superior performance and features compared to the Google Pixel 10a.

**Honor’s Groundbreaking Robot Smartphone: A DJI Osmo Pocket Integrated into a Mobile Device**

At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, Honor introduced a pioneering gadget that combines the features of a DJI Osmo Pocket with the practicality of a smartphone. Named the “Robot Phone,” this cutting-edge device is expected to launch in the latter part of 2026, aiming to transform mobile photography and videography.

**A Smartphone Equipped with a Built-in Gimbal**

The Honor Robot Phone initially resembles a conventional smartphone, showcasing a punch-hole camera and a sizable display. Nonetheless, the true innovation lies on the rear, where a sliding cover uncovers a 200MP camera attached to a three-axis motorized arm. This arm operates similarly to a gimbal, stabilizing video through counter actions, much like the DJI Osmo Pocket.

For creators, this fusion provides the advantage of gimbal-level stabilization without needing extra tools. The device’s AI features further amplify its capabilities, enabling the camera to automatically track subjects, ensuring they stay in focus even while in motion.

**Sophisticated Features and AI Integration**

In addition to stabilization, the Robot Phone includes functionalities such as AI SpinShot, which allows for 90- and 180-degree rotational movements for cinematic effects. The device’s AI is also capable of responding to its surroundings, reacting to music and voice commands, infusing a playful aspect into its operations.

In a demonstration, the Robot Phone illustrated its ability to move and “dance” to music, showcasing its advanced features. Honor asserts that developing one of the world’s smallest micro motors was essential to integrate the ultra-compact 4DoF gimbal system within the smartphone.

**Innovation and Potential Issues**

The Robot Phone’s cutting-edge design is set to attract creators in search of stable video recording without extra accessories. Nevertheless, concerns regarding the long-term durability of the motorized system persist, a matter that will only be resolved through comprehensive testing.

While detailed specifications and pricing are still pending, the Robot Phone’s 200MP sensor stands out as a remarkable feature. As its market release nears, this device emerges as one of the most captivating and unique smartphones anticipated. Stay tuned for further updates on this revolutionary offering from Honor.

A colossal phone with tremendous potential savings, thanks to AT&T.

New Samsung smartphones are on the horizon, and many of the top wireless providers are racing to deliver the best Galaxy S26 offers before the March 11 launch date. AT&T, for example, is currently providing a free Galaxy S26 Ultra when you add an eligible line and complete a trade-in through its website.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to be one of the most robust Android smartphones ever created, featuring an impressive Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, an exceptionally slim profile, and a stunning 6.9-inch AMOLED screen with a built-in S Pen.

At first glance, this appears to be an ordinary Samsung Galaxy S26 preorder promotion, but upon closer inspection, you’ll notice how AT&T’s offer shines amidst the competition. Unlike some vendors, the Big Three carrier is being quite open about the devices it accepts for trade-in credit. According to its site, AT&T will provide the full discount when you trade in a Galaxy S24 Plus, Z Fold 5, or a newer model.

In simpler terms, if you’ve purchased any S or Z series Samsung phone since 2024, you will qualify for the free S26 Ultra when you trade in and add a line with an unlimited plan at AT&T. The fine print indicates that this offer isn’t universal, but if you can make it work for you, the potential savings are substantial.

Need an alternative?

If the S26 Ultra offer doesn’t suit you, don’t give up just yet. AT&T is also promoting a deal that gives you a FREE Galaxy S26 with a new line and ANY Galaxy S, Z, or Note series device trade-in, no matter the age or condition.

The standard Galaxy S26 features the same Snapdragon processor as the Ultra, along with 12GB of RAM, a seven-year update guarantee, and all the latest Galaxy AI software capabilities.

# Collaborating with Aliro Advances Samsung’s Progress

Samsung has made a considerable leap in the smart home landscape by joining forces with Aliro to upgrade its Samsung Wallet application. This alliance introduces the “Digital Home Key” feature, which enables users to unlock their smart home locks using their smartphones. This initiative reflects Samsung’s dedication to delivering secure and user-friendly solutions for smart home integration.

## Essential Information

– Samsung’s “Digital Home Key” function allows users to unlock smart home locks through their mobile devices.
– The functionality is compatible with both UWB and NFC technology, contingent on the smart lock’s specifications.
– Recent enhancements to Samsung’s Wallet app have mainly concentrated on payment features.

## The Collaboration with Aliro

Samsung’s alliance with Aliro, a protocol developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), fosters interoperability between digital keys and smart locks. This partnership guarantees that users can effortlessly merge their smart door locks with Samsung’s Digital Home Key via the SmartThings platform. Once configured, users can select either UWB or NFC connectivity depending on their lock’s functions.

## Safety and Ease of Use

The Digital Home Key feature is crafted with a focus on security. Samsung utilizes its Knox security platform to guarantee that users’ home keys are kept securely on their devices. Users can also opt for biometric or PIN security settings within the Wallet app to retain control over their home keys.

## Broadening the Digital Wallet

Samsung’s entry into the smart home domain through its Wallet app signifies a remarkable transition from its earlier emphasis on payment features. The app had previously launched options for splitting in-store payments and activating Tap to Transfer for smooth peer-to-peer transactions. This expansion into smart home capabilities highlights Samsung’s commitment to improving user convenience across various facets of daily life.

## Summary

Samsung’s collaboration with Aliro and the launch of the Digital Home Key feature mark a notable progression in the convergence of smart home technologies. By utilizing industry-standard protocols and strong security measures, Samsung is set to provide users with a smooth and secure smart home experience. As the feature becomes available, it will be intriguing to observe how it enhances the overall functionality and attractiveness of Samsung’s smart home ecosystem.