Tag: Source: Androidcentral.com

New AI Summaries in Play Store Improve App Discovery Effectiveness

Get the essence of any application in mere seconds with Play Store’s updated AI summaries.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Essential information

  • Google is implementing AI-generated review summaries on the Play Store, summarizing app evaluations into a quick paragraph that showcases the most frequent advantages and disadvantages.
  • Google’s AI gathers both commendations and criticisms—such as sleek interface but sporadic crashes—into a straightforward, impartial overview.
  • Topic buttons presented as chips beneath the summary enable users to examine reviews regarding performance, design, or reliability.

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Google Introduces AI-Created Television Advertisements for New AI Feature in Search

Curious about what Veo 3 is capable of? You can view Google’s newest television advertisement to learn more.

(Image credit: Android Central)

Key Information

  • The inaugural AI-generated advertisement from Google is now airing on television, in cinemas, and across social media.
  • This advertisement highlights Google’s Search AI Mode as a tool for planning and reserving your vacation travel.
  • <li The promo was created using Google's Veo 3 video generation technology, and it’s available for viewing now.


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Meta’s Q3 2025 Earnings Affected by Reality Labs and Taxes; Zuckerberg Talks AI Glasses Profitability Schedule

Despite encouraging sales of Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses, losses at Meta Quest escalated Reality Labs losses to $4.4 billion this quarter.

What you should be aware of:
– Meta generated $51.2 billion in revenue, primarily from advertising, but only saw $2.7 billion in net income due to a One Beautiful Bill income tax and AI infrastructure capital expenditures.
– Reality Labs recorded a loss of $4.4 billion this quarter, with expectations of further declines in the next quarter unless a new Meta Quest launch occurs.
– The user base for Instagram and Threads grew to 3 billion and 150 million, respectively.
– The company plans to invest tens of billions into Meta Superintelligence Labs in 2026, and could face financial losses from lawsuits concerning child safety.

Meta is achieving unprecedented levels of advertising revenue and is successfully engaging users on its platforms for extended periods, utilizing AI, Mark Zuckerberg highlighted in Meta’s Q3 2025 earnings call. However, the company is also investing tens of billions in AI infrastructure to “front-load” computing power for an AI Superintelligence, leading to investor anxiety.

Zuckerberg and CFO Susan Li revealed the company’s record revenue of $51.2 billion this quarter, yet Meta’s net income plummeted 83% year-over-year, attributed to significant AI capital expenditures and a one-time $15.9 billion income tax from Trump’s 2025 tax law.

Aside from the tax one-off, Meta insists that the $19.4 billion spent this quarter on AI servers, data centers, and network infrastructure is “very likely to be a profitable thing” as it hastens their AI research on Superintelligence and enhances advertising efficiency. This approach is familiar to Meta, which makes substantial investments in visionary concepts like the “Metaverse” with the future promise of returns.

Promising a ‘profitable’ future for Reality Labs (eventually) following years of deficits:

During the Q3 earnings call, Meta took pride in the success of its recent AI glasses, noting that most Meta Ray-Ban Display store inventory sold out within “48 hours.” Nonetheless, Reality Labs’ research and development expenses remained high, resulting in a $4.4 billion net loss this quarter after generating $470 million in revenue.

Li stated that they expect “significant year-over-year growth in AI glasses revenue” next quarter, driven by the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 and Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses, but these profits will be “more than offset by the hurdles associated with Quest headsets,” mainly due to the absence of a Quest 3S launch this year.

It is somewhat unexpected that Ray-Ban sales are not anticipated to alleviate Reality Labs’ losses, or at least replicate the previous success of Quest headsets during the holiday season. Nevertheless, Zuckerberg reassured investors that “it will be a very profitable investment” in due course, starting with revenue from the glasses and then expanding “services” built on the hardware.

Zuckerberg elaborated that research and development expenses will persist for upcoming devices like Meta Orion, their full-field of view AR glasses, asserting that smart glasses are still “earlier in their curve” before evolving into a “sustained business.”

Eventually, however, they aim to engage “many hundreds of millions or billions of people, and that’s the juncture at which we foresee this becoming an extremely profitable business,” Zuckerberg concluded.

The Meta CEO previously mentioned the vision of billions of smart glasses in an earlier earnings call; current projections indicate that the total is still far from ten million, though EssilorLuxottica is gearing up to sell 10 million pairs of AI glasses annually beginning in 2026, with Meta as a key partner.

Meta’s plans and concerns for 2026:

Meta asserts that following this one “Big Beautiful Bill” tax obligation, there will be a “significant reduction in our U.S. federal cash tax payments,” thereby decreasing operational costs in the future. However, Meta is expected to reinvest those savings into AI.

Having spent a total of $70–72 billion on capital expenditures in 2025, Li cautions that “total expenses will increase at a considerably faster percentage rate in 2026 compared to 2025, with growth primarily driven by infrastructure costs, including additional cloud expenses and depreciation.”

This will facilitate the construction of Meta’s Superintelligence that “understands us deeply, appreciates our aspirations, and can aid us in realizing them.” Zuckerberg indicated that they are developing “truly frontier models with novel capabilities,” although he did not specify when these advanced AI tools will be available.

Meta also alerted investors that ongoing pressure from the European Union could result in a “significant negative impact on our European revenue,” while in the U.S., “a number of youth-related trials are scheduled for 2026” which could lead to financial losses. Meta has faced criticism for allegedly concealing potential dangers to children from VR games.

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Sundar Pichai Announces Alphabet’s $102.3 Billion Revenue Growth in a Prosperous Quarter

Strategies powered by AI elevate Alphabet’s Q3 to unprecedented levels.

(Image credit: Android Central)

Key information

  • Alphabet announces its first $100 billion quarter with a 16% revenue rise.
  • YouTube Ads and Google Search contributed prominently with 15% annual growth.
  • CEO Sundar Pichai underscores the AI strategy that facilitates swift growth across multiple sectors.

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Nothing’s Phone 3a Lite Debuts as a Budget-Friendly Smartphone Boasting High-End Features

Nothing Unveils Budget-Conscious Phone 3a Lite

Nothing has launched its initial budget smartphone, the Phone 3a Lite, aimed at cost-aware users. With a price tag of just €249, this device showcases remarkable features like a large battery, a triple camera system, and an expansive display, making it an appealing selection for individuals searching for value without sacrificing quality.

Main Features

  • Display: The Phone 3a Lite features a 6.7-inch FHD+ Flexible AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring a smooth and vibrant visual experience.
  • Battery: Armed with a 5,000 mAh battery, the smartphone guarantees nearly two days of use on a single charge. It supports 33W fast charging, achieving 50% power in about 20 minutes, although the charger is sold separately.
  • Camera: This device offers a triple-camera configuration, featuring a 50MP primary lens with OIS/EIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. Additionally, a 16MP front camera is included for selfies.

Design and Construction

The Phone 3a Lite showcases Nothing’s distinctive transparent design on the back panel, safeguarded by Panda Glass and an aluminum internal structure. It holds an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance, ensuring longevity. The innovative “Glyph Light” appears as a solitary LED on the back panel to notify users.

Performance and Operating System

<p powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset, the Phone 3a Lite delivers dependable performance for daily activities. It operates on Nothing OS 3.5 (Android 15) and includes features such as Essential Key, Private Space, and App Locker. The smartphone is promised three significant Android updates and six years of security patches.

Availability

Offered in Black and White, the Phone 3a Lite is available exclusively in the UK and Europe. With its attractive pricing and comprehensive feature lineup, it positions itself as a strong contender for those seeking an inexpensive yet efficient smartphone.

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Google Leak Uncovers Future Pixel Capabilities: Theme Packs and VIP Notifications Anticipated Next Month

A significant leak indicates that Google is set to unveil a Pixel Drop next month, and here’s what it might include.

Key information:
– A source on Telegram has stated that Google is gearing up for a November Pixel Drop, potentially featuring the first Pixel Theme centered around Wicked: For Good.
– The drop may also introduce an update for Pixel Studio, in addition to “Pixel VIPs” for important notifications from contacts you wish to prioritize.
– Google’s September Drop expanded M3 Expressive for older Pixel devices and provided highly customizable lock and call screens.

Occasionally, Google rolls out a substantial Pixel drop for its users, but the upcoming one seems to have plenty in store, as fresh leaks emerge.

This week, known Telegram insider Mystic Leaks shared some purported information about Google’s forthcoming Pixel drop in November. The tipster references an “exclusive preview,” emphasizing that the company is planning to release Pixel “Theme Packs” next month. Allegedly, the inaugural pack for Pixels will coincide with the forthcoming Disney movie, Wicked: For Good.

The leak indicates that users will locate this new Pixel Theme in the “Wallpapers & Styles” section after long-pressing their home screen when the update goes live.

Additionally, another significant highlight mentioned in the post pertains to “Pixel VIP notifications.”

Mystic Leaks asserts that this feature is receiving a slight quality of life enhancement, introducing “prioritized” notifications for your designated VIP contacts. However, it appears that the feature will initially be restricted to messages sent through Google Messages and WhatsApp upon its launch. In the shared screenshot, rumors suggest that notifications from your “Pixel VIPs” will be marked in yellow, and their profile pictures will also be visible in your device’s status bar.

The intent is to, of course, draw increased attention to any Pixel VIPs you might have.

The final update that the tipster refers to concerns the Pixel Studio. Allegedly, Google is preparing an update that enables Pixel users to “breathe new life” into their photos and GIFs. The purported promotional material indicates that the Pixel Studio will equip users with tools to transform their images into a GIF or animated sticker. It seems the feature will include an “animate image” button once inside.

The rumors conclude by suggesting that Pixel users may witness this significant drop on November 4, which is just a week away. Let’s wait to see what materializes before solidifying these speculations.

Google’s Pixels experienced a substantial drop in September, a release that included a Material 3 Expressive expansion. Following its initial rollout to the company’s most recent devices, Android’s latest design overhaul began reaching the Pixel 6 and Pixel Tablet. Moreover, users found enhanced customization options for lock and call screens, in addition to a sleek redesign for Quick Settings. Even the Pixel Buds Pro 2 benefitted from this update, acquiring an Adaptive Audio feature that adjusts your sound based on your environment.

In terms of testing, we are currently engaged in Google’s Android 16 QPR2 beta, as v3.1 was released a week ago. That update was a priority, as Google aimed to solve a significant bootloader looping problem that afflicted Pixels trying to receive the original v3.0 update. Despite the challenges, QPR2 Beta 3 introduced several new features for testers to explore, along with a range of Pixel fixes.

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“Exploring the Withings U-Scan: An In-Depth Overview of Its Urine Analysis Features and Advantages Compared to Smartwatches”

Withings U-Scan: Transforming At-Home Health Monitoring

The Withings U-Scan, a groundbreaking at-home urine analyzer, marks a significant advancement in personal health tracking. Following seven years of R&D, this gadget presents a handy method to monitor essential health metrics from the comfort of your residence. Created to be the first toilet plug-in urine scanner, the U-Scan evaluates various urine biomarkers to deliver insights into your well-being.

Key Features:
– **Urinary Biomarkers**: The U-Scan Nutrio model observes urinary pH, HydroStatus, fat metabolism, and Vitamin C levels to gauge dietary sufficiency and hydration.
– **Kidney Health**: The U-Scan Calci model emphasizes calcium levels to identify early indicators of kidney stones, furnishing vital information on calcium excretion patterns.
– **Ketone Levels**: Both models assess ketone levels, reflecting the frequency with which your body metabolizes fat over glucose.

Pricing and Usage:
– The U-Scan is available for $379 and necessitates cartridge replacements every three months. Each cartridge provides 22 tests and is priced at $99.
– The device is tailored for single-user functionality and synchronizes with the Withings app on Android or iOS for data evaluation.

Benefits and Considerations:
– Withings aspires to incorporate laboratory science into everyday life, providing a thorough view of your health that transcends what smartwatches can deliver.
– The U-Scan’s information can assist users in comprehending their body’s reactions to dietary alterations or physical activity, especially for individuals on appetite-controlling medications.
– While the device yields promising health data, its price may be a barrier for some users unless they face specific health issues that necessitate regular monitoring.

Conclusion:
The Withings U-Scan signifies a notable progress in personal health technology, offering essential insights into nutrition and kidney health. Nevertheless, its elevated price may restrict accessibility, rendering it most appropriate for those already engaged with the Withings ecosystem or those with particular health tracking requirements.

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OnePlus 15 Set to Release Sooner than Expected in the US

Some chatter has been circulating, and it seems that you can anticipate the arrival of the new phone quite soon.

What you should know

– OnePlus has officially announced that its newest phone, the OnePlus 15, will launch worldwide on November 13.
– The device is set to make its debut in the U.S. and Canada in a fortnight, but OnePlus indicates that further details will be shared during its launch event on YouTube.
– The OnePlus 5 was released in China just this week, featuring an impressive 7,300mAh battery and the newly enhanced OxygenOS 16 software.

Prospective OnePlus 15 buyers won’t have to gaze longingly at its images anymore, as the company has revealed an official launch date for the worldwide release.

This morning (Oct 29), OnePlus announced in a press release that its newest flagship model, the OnePlus 15, will be available globally next month. The announcement confirms that the phone will reach the U.S. and Canada on November 13. While this is exciting news, OnePlus mentions that customers in these specific areas can expect a more comprehensive update regarding the phone’s pricing in two weeks upon launch.

The company will host a global launch event that will be broadcast live on its YouTube channel. In its promotional phase, there is a small event available on the OnePlus primary website for the U.S. (and Canada). Customers who subscribe on its homepage can “receive an additional $50 off or have a chance to win the OnePlus Pad 3 for FREE.”

Generating excitement, the OnePlus 15 is equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC, along with the company’s OxygenOS 16 software. A major feature is its DetailMax Engine for photography. OnePlus claims this new engine enhances the accuracy of imagery captured with its available cameras. The OnePlus 15 showcases the Clear Night Engine for low-light conditions to assist in “eliminating” imperfections between exposures.

What users will experience afterward should be clearer and more detailed night/low-light photographs.

The latest global launch

The OnePlus 15 was released earlier this week in China, representing a significant advancement in battery life and overall device capacity. While the phone boasts a 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED screen, its camera layout has undergone a redesign. The device includes three lenses within a rounded, square casing, led by a 50MP main sensor. Likely the most eye-catching feature is the phone’s colossal 7,300mAh battery.

OnePlus has fully embraced its Glacier Battery technology to produce a battery that surpasses its prior models significantly. This remarkable battery is paired with 120W fast charging, enabling longer usage times while reducing charging downtime.

In China, the OnePlus 15 was priced starting at CNY 3,999 (~$562 USD), giving us an idea of what to expect when November 13 arrives.

Additionally, the brand’s significant OxygenOS 16 is featured on the latest model, as noted earlier. However, the company has been actively providing details on which other devices will be receiving OxygenOS 16, starting in November. The OnePlus 13, 13R, and 13s are set to be the first on the list, followed by the OnePlus 12.

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“Evaluating the Two Primary Flip Phone Choices in the US: Advantages and Disadvantages”

Motorola or Samsung? Choosing between them isn’t a straightforward task with their latest flip models.

As an avid flip phone enthusiast, witnessing the emergence and revival of these foldable devices over the last few years has been exciting. Nevertheless, despite being more budget-friendly and widely available than their larger folding counterparts, the selection of flip phones has not expanded significantly, particularly in North America.

While there are a few additional choices overseas from brands like Xiaomi, the flip phone market in the U.S. is primarily dominated by Samsung and Motorola. The Razr was pivotal in the comeback of the flip phone, while the Galaxy Z Flip made it popular, and now it seems that the Razr has refined the concept. Although it would be desirable to see more flip phones in the U.S., these remain fantastic options to consider, especially as we begin to witness some remarkable discounts on the latest versions.

The finest flip phone of 2025 is available at a discount once again.

The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 currently holds the title of my favorite phone this year, enhancing the successful blueprint of its predecessors. There’s plenty to appreciate about this device, even though it debuted at a rather steep price of $1,299. That’s on par with Galaxy S25 Ultra pricing, which is unusual for Motorola devices, making it difficult to endorse at full price. This is why it’s always welcome to see the phone go on sale, as it did during Amazon’s October Prime Day, reaching surprisingly low price points.

As we approach Black Friday, the Razr Ultra 2025 is back on sale, with Amazon reducing the price by $200. This brings it down to a more acceptable $1,099, matching its closest rival, the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

At this price point, you’re getting specifications that are comparable to and sometimes even exceed those of the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This translates to a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset with 16GB of RAM, a minimum of 512GB of storage, a sizable Super HD+ OLED with a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 4,700mAh battery (one of the largest in a flip phone) with 68W charging.

Additionally, the phone substitutes the standard glass back for vegan leather, Alcantara, and even wood finishes, enhancing its durability and allowing it to stand out among a plethora of rather ordinary phones.

But what’s the situation with the Galaxy Z Flip 7?

The Galaxy Z Flip 7 isn’t currently on sale, but you can purchase it for the same $1,099 price as the Razr Ultra 2025, making this a compelling choice. Samsung’s flip device is impressive, even if it doesn’t entirely compete with the Razr. It features a vibrant FHD+ OLED display, a sleeker design, a commendable 4,300mAh battery with 25W charging, and is powered by an Exynos 2500 chipset, which is adequate but doesn’t quite rival the Snapdragon.

Moreover, Samsung provides a more extensive range of accessories, offering excellent options to safeguard your phone, be it a chic Galaxy Z Flip 7 case or a screen protector for that large cover screen.

The Razr certainly possesses numerous advantages and is technically the more powerful device. Furthermore, the cover screen functionality is significantly more practical than that of Samsung’s flip phone. On the other hand, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 arguably delivers a superior overall software experience, featuring a more developed AI suite and extended update support.

You can acquire the Razr at a fantastic price now, and it’s possible there might be even deeper discounts during Black Friday. Conversely, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 could also enjoy some price reductions for Black Friday, with the last significant sale we encountered offering up to $200 off. In any case, you may likely spend a bit more on the arguably superior Razr, but not by much, which won’t simplify the decision-making process.

Regardless, I believe you can’t go wrong with either of these flip phones, as they both shine in their own unique aspects.

However, there are certainly more affordable versions of these phones if you’re seeking something a bit easier on the wallet. The Razr 2025 (mentioned above) is a solid pick, particularly for a flip phone priced under $700, while the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE is slightly perplexing but still presents a decent option if you can snag a good deal on it.

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Guide to Buying the Samsung Galaxy XR Headset: Initial Offers and Key Details

**Google and Samsung Collaborate to Create One of the Most Exciting Devices of 2025**

In a revolutionary partnership, Google and Samsung have introduced the Samsung Galaxy XR, a mixed reality headset poised to transform the augmented and virtual reality landscape in 2025. Officially launched on October 21st, the Galaxy XR symbolizes the collaboration of two technology behemoths, pledging to provide a premium experience that competes with current offerings from Apple and Meta.

The Galaxy XR transcends a mere gaming gadget; it serves as a multifunctional device crafted for entertainment, productivity, and social media use. Equipped with a robust Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset and an impressive 3552 x 3840 resolution screen, the headset delivers an engaging experience that is both high-performing and visually striking. In contrast to its rivals, the Galaxy XR is compatible with all Android applications accessible via the Google Play Store from the start, ensuring seamless integration of users’ preferred apps.

With a price tag of $1,799.99 for the 256GB model, the Galaxy XR is marketed as a more economical choice compared to the Apple Vision Pro, which begins at $3,499. The sale includes a complete “Explorer Pack” that features a year of YouTube Premium, Google AI Pro, NBA League Pass, Calm Premium, and additional offerings, making it an attractive option for those looking for a comprehensive mixed reality experience.

As the festive season draws near, prospective buyers are curious whether the Galaxy XR will feature in Black Friday or Cyber Monday promotions. Currently, it is available solely through Samsung, and its presence in other retail channels like Amazon and Best Buy might impact future pricing and deals.

The Samsung Galaxy XR marks a notable advancement in mixed reality technology, providing insight into the future of our engagement with digital content. With its groundbreaking features and competitive pricing, the Galaxy XR is set to emerge as a leading device in 2025, challenging existing norms and establishing new benchmarks in the field.

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