Tag: Source: Androidcentral.com

Stay optimistic, a worldwide announcement is on the horizon for later this month.

Google Password Manager is simplifying the process of transferring your passkeys to other comparable services.

Wait a minute, Apple, Google is on the horizon.

The redesign is apparent, although perhaps not as striking as one might anticipate. Google’s updated Android 17 emojis introduce a 3D depth effect, supplanting the flatter aesthetic seen in previous Android versions. A recent leak discloses approximately 250 revamped emojis, featuring new facial expressions, animals, food, and beverage icons. Google is anticipated to initially release the new Noto 3D emojis to Pixel devices later this year.

A significant leak has provided a comprehensive preview of the upcoming 3D emojis associated with the Android 17 update arriving later this year. During The Android Show last week, one of the more modest yet surprisingly crucial announcements was Google’s reimagined emojis for Android 17. For years, users have voiced concerns that Android emojis appear flat and lackluster compared to those on iPhones, and it seems Google is finally making an effort to rectify that.

Google disclosed that Android 17 will unveil new 3D emojis named Noto 3D. These fresh emojis offer increased depth and dimensionality, with Google asserting they are crafted to better convey emotions and enhance the “sense of presence.” At The Android Show, Google merely teased a small selection of emojis, but a new leak has since exposed a much more extensive assortment.

The leak was disseminated by RKBDI in a post on X, highlighting around 250 revamped emojis. The visuals showcase new emoji faces alongside various animals, food items, drinks, and more. As illustrated by the leaked images, the new emojis indeed exhibit greater depth and a more 3D-like quality than before, though it’s not a complete overhaul from the previous design.

Google has yet to initiate the rollout or testing of these emojis on Android 17 beta devices, but we expect their arrival in upcoming beta updates relatively soon. However, if you are using the stable version of Android, these redesigned emojis are likely to debut first on Pixel phones later this year, probably coinciding with the Pixel 11 launch period.

Android Central’s Perspective

To be honest, I was hoping for a much bolder redesign, but it seems that’s not the case with Android 17. These leaked emojis surprisingly bear a resemblance to Samsung’s emoji style while still reflecting elements of Google’s earlier Android emojis. They’re certainly an upgrade, but they don’t quite match the quality of Apple’s current offerings.

The Anker Soundcore Q20i headphones represent an exceptional selection for cost-sensitive consumers in search of audio gear rich in features. These headphones provide Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), high-resolution audio functionality, and adjustable sound settings via a mobile application. Currently discounted by 43% on Amazon, they can be purchased for only $40, appealing to those who desire budget-friendly yet contemporary headphones.

The Q20i headphones are recognized for their remarkable battery longevity, offering up to 40 hours of playback time with ANC enabled, and up to 60 hours when it’s disabled. Additionally, they feature fast charging, delivering four extra hours of listening from a mere five-minute charge. Available in Black and Almond White, they also come in Navy and Pink for a slightly elevated price.

Although they might not achieve the audio fidelity of high-end models, the Q20i headphones provide commendable performance with attributes like ANC, high-res audio codecs, and EQ customization. This positions them as an excellent option for individuals who value battery life and tactile button controls more than touch gestures.

In conclusion, the Anker Soundcore Q20i headphones offer outstanding value for those in pursuit of wireless headphones equipped with modern features at a reasonable cost.

Welcome the refreshed icons for Docs, Drive, Gmail, Calendar, Tasks, and more.

The Galaxy S26 commenced with a strong performance, yet consumers are beginning to lose interest.

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series launched 15% more robustly than the Galaxy S25 within its first six weeks, with total Samsung smartphone sales also increasing by 5%, as reported by Counterpoint Research. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is largely responsible for the demand, reportedly accounting for around 70% of pre-orders, thanks to unique features and enhanced AI capabilities. However, Samsung’s growth might already be subsiding after six weeks as elevated prices begin to deter customers.

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series has outperformed the Galaxy S25 in its debut, but a caveat lies behind those impressive statistics. Initial sales are showing an uptick, particularly in the U.S. and South Korea, yet a new report suggests that Samsung’s growth may be stalling as higher prices start to turn potential buyers away.

Market research firm Counterpoint Research has released new figures indicating that total Galaxy S26 sales in the initial six weeks since launch were approximately 15% above the Galaxy S25 series during the equivalent timeframe last year. Concurrently, Samsung’s overall smartphone sales during the launch period also experienced a 5% increase, according to the report.

This marks a significant victory for Samsung at a time when the broader smartphone industry faces challenges from escalating component expenses, reduced consumer spending, and slower upgrade timelines.

It seems the Galaxy S26 Ultra is shouldering most of the demand as well. Earlier reports mentioned that the Ultra constituted about 70% of pre-orders in vital markets like South Korea, owing to distinctive features such as Samsung’s new Privacy Display and upgraded AI functionalities.

Counterpoint’s data indicates that the Galaxy S26 series is performing particularly well in the U.S. and South Korea. In the United States, sales have reportedly surged nearly 30% over the Galaxy S25 series during the same early phase.

However, momentum faced a setback after the sixth week.

Sales of Samsung’s flagship began to decelerate post-week six, with sell-through rates trailing behind the Galaxy S25’s speed.

This year, Samsung increased the prices of select Galaxy S26 models, with the entry-level Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus rising by $100 in certain regions. The company attributed these hikes mainly to soaring memory expenses and broader supply chain challenges.

That said, there are enhancements right out of the box, including 256GB of baseline storage instead of 128GB on some models, along with the usual improvements such as upgraded cooling, enhanced Galaxy AI features, and better battery efficiency. Nevertheless, the overall hardware upgrade from the Galaxy S25 series hasn’t been particularly dramatic.

Samsung also operates in anything but a comfortable market. Reports from Korea suggest the company is already in internal “crisis mode” regarding parts of its device operations, with shrinking margins and climbing production costs. Memory prices alone have reportedly soared as AI companies continue to vie for supply.

Currently, the Galaxy S26 series is generally superior to its predecessor, and that’s not an issue Samsung will complain about. The larger question is whether the company can maintain that momentum throughout the year — particularly as the cost of entry continues to rise and the enhancements become less significant.

Android Central’s Perspective

The Galaxy S26’s strong launch underscores the strength of its ecosystem and brand loyalty. Consumers clearly still trust Samsung to provide refined hardware, extended software support, and dependable cameras, all of which are essential for the average user. However, it’s increasingly challenging to overlook the rising prices as the upgrades feel progressively incremental. At some point, Samsung will need to do more than just refine the edges and incorporate AI extensively if it wants consumers to keep upgrading without feeling as though they are paying extra for a slightly modified version of the same phone.

A recent issue impacting Google’s Pixel Watch is leading to dissatisfaction among users as it obscures sleep statistics on the device, even though Fitbit continues to track the information in the background. Users have reported encountering a “No recent data” alert on their watches, while the Fitbit app on their smartphones displays comprehensive sleep logs. This problem persists across several nights, and basic troubleshooting methods like rebooting the watch do not reliably fix the issue.

The issue has arisen during Google’s integration of Fitbit into a more extensive Google Health ecosystem, which has already resulted in some Fitbit features being modified or removed. Although there is no confirmation that these modifications are the root cause, the timing has left users confused. This is not the first instance of Pixel Watch users facing health-tracking difficulties, as prior bugs have affected step tracking, SpO2 measurements, and synchronization.

At present, users impacted by this issue can still view their sleep information via the Fitbit app, suggesting that the problem lies in either the display or local data access on the watch. Google has not yet offered an official statement or remedy for the bug. Until a solution is found, users might have to depend on their smartphones to monitor their sleep statistics.

**OnePlus Suspends Latest OxygenOS Release After Updates Begin Bricking Devices**

OnePlus has recently halted the deployment of its newest OxygenOS updates, versions 16.0.7.XXX and 16.0.5.XXX, owing to a significant bug that causes certain devices to enter boot loops and experience random restarts. While the company claims that only a “small number” of devices are impacted, the seriousness of the issue has resulted in a full stop of the update rollout.

In a post on the OnePlus Community forum, the company recognized the issue and stressed that the choice to pause the rollout was made to safeguard device stability and avert further complications. OnePlus engineers are actively working on pinpointing the cause and creating a solution. They have also committed to instituting stricter validation testing for upcoming updates to guarantee stability and reliability.

This situation is particularly troubling for OnePlus, as OxygenOS has been a significant selling point for the brand, recognized for its speedy performance and clean interface. However, the integration with Oppo’s ColorOS framework in recent years has sometimes resulted in stability problems with major updates.

This is not the first instance of OnePlus encountering difficulties with software updates. Prior updates have also been suspended due to comparable issues, impacting older devices. OnePlus advises users who have not yet received the problematic updates to refrain from sideloading unofficial versions from third-party sources. For those whose devices have updated without complications, it is recommended to hold off on further manual updates until an official solution is introduced.

The situation underscores the need to balance rapid update rollouts with ensuring reliability, as user trust can be swiftly undermined by ongoing issues. OnePlus is dedicated to addressing the existing problems and upholding its reputation for delivering some of the finest Android experiences.

This 77-inch Samsung Smart Tizen TV typically retails for $3,500. Nevertheless, in anticipation of Memorial Day Weekend, Best Buy has drastically slashed the price by $1,300, setting it at $2,200. This offer pertains to the 77-inch variant of the Samsung Class S90F OLED TV, with similar discounts also applicable on smaller sizes, including the 42-inch model, which is discounted by $200.

The Samsung Class S90F Series TV is equipped with an OLED 4K display featuring SamsungVision AI technology and operates on the Smart Tizen TV platform. It provides smart capabilities and voice command features through Amazon Alexa, Bixby, and more. The television showcases a vibrant OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, motion enhancement, upscaling options, and four HDMI ports for connectivity. Driven by the NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor, it delivers swift performance and access to an extensive assortment of content.

It is highly recommended for anyone in search of a large, robust smart TV with exceptional picture quality, AI-driven enhancements, and rapid processing capabilities. However, if your financial plan is tighter, you may want to explore smaller models or alternative brands that ensure compatibility with various devices.