Google Unveils Tool to Recognize Battery-Consuming Android Applications

newly unveiled Galaxy S26 Ultra — they continue to face various battery-related issues. This prompts users to seek simple methods to prolong their phone’s battery life, which frequently involves navigating through a few obstacles. However, Google is now working on a solution to make it simpler than ever to determine if an application will deplete your battery more than it ought to.

This initiative primarily began late last year, when Google published a blog entry outlining some of its plans to start enacting significant changes to assist Android users in identifying applications that misuse or excessively drain the battery in smartphones and tablets. The aim, as indicated in that blog entry, was to devise a method for pinpointing applications that exploit the “wake lock” mechanism integrated into Android devices. This mechanism essentially permits apps to keep the CPU of the phone or tablet operational even when the device’s display is turned off. Because the CPU remains active, the device’s battery depletes significantly quicker. Now, it appears that Google is poised to unveil its solution.

In addition to rolling out new technical quality measures to help curb the overuse of the wake lock mechanism, Google states it will also begin adding a warning to applications that consistently surpass the threshold of a metric known as “Excessive Partial Wake Lock.” Moreover, if the problem continues, Google indicates it may even restrict how those applications are featured in the Play Store’s suggestions.

How this benefits users

The alteration is part of Google’s continuous effort to enhance battery efficiency in Android smartphones overall. While the company has implemented features within Android, such as the Battery Health tool, it is crucial for users to be aware of which apps may exploit the battery life on their smartphones prior to downloading those applications. Google demonstrated what the warning may look like on an app’s page, and it’s quite straightforward to

Four Cutting-Edge Android Smartphones Dominating the Market in 2026

OnePlus 15 evaluation, delivering improved screen usage compared to Google’s premium Pixel 10 Pro devices and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series. Looking ahead, 2026 has arrived, and as always, we anticipate a variety of companies to present their latest products for the year. Samsung revealed its new flagship Galaxy S26 series smartphones on February 25, featuring significant enhancements over the prior generation. The Galaxy series is poised to shape 2026 for Android smartphones, with the S26 Ultra showcasing thrilling features such as the Privacy Display, Audio Eraser within applications, among others.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold

Robert De Niro Plays Frankenstein’s Creature in a More Obscure Horror Movie on HBO Max

“Moon Knight” actor Oscar Isaac is among the numerous performers who have ventured to animate Mary Shelley’s literary classic, with various stars daring to face the backlash for being “ALIVE.” The most iconic portrayal was by Boris Karloff in the 1931 version of “Frankenstein,” but perhaps the most overlooked rendition came in 1994, when one of arguably the finest actors of our era was sewn into the Modern Prometheus and sent chills down our spines.

“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” was helmed by a seasoned Shakespeare enthusiast and the individual who would go on to introduce Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to the MCU, Kenneth Branagh. Taking on the part of Victor von Frankenstein, Branagh was accompanied by a stellar ensemble that featured the late Ian Holm as Victor’s father, Helena Bonham Carter as Elizabeth Lavenza, and Robert De Niro stepping into the formidable role of Frankenstein’s creature. Garnering $112 million against a $45 million budget, the film did not achieve box office success and faced criticism from reviewers.

Critics preferred The Creature but not the creator in the 1994 Frankenstein film

Critics were swift to highlight that the sole genuine standout was De Niro as the creature, and little

Illinois Suggests Yearly $500 Charge for Electric Vehicle Owners

dependable means of transport, a growing number of drivers are shifting to EVs. One primary incentive for choosing an electric vehicle is that they are typically less expensive to operate and fuel compared to conventional gasoline vehicles. However, this could change in Illinois if a new legislation is enacted.

Recently, Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) introduced Senate Bill 3566, which seeks to modify the Illinois Vehicle Code to raise the yearly registration fee for EVs by $320. Should it be approved, this extra cost would take effect on July 1, 2027. Adding this to the $151 that EV owners currently pay each year to renew their registration, the total would amount to $471 … for the initial year. The legislation also allows for the possibility of raising the surcharge, indicating that EV owners might soon find themselves facing over $500 in annual registration fees.

Although the set $320 extra surcharge might not sit well with some drivers, it isn’t entirely compulsory. Kind of. The bill also suggests an alternative fee assessed by the new “Road Usage Charge Program,” which permits EV owners to pay 1.5 cents per mile up to a maximum of $320 instead of the yearly registration fee. However, those choosing this option must meticulously track their travel distance and report their mileage annually. Additionally, similar to the surcharge, the charges from the Road Usage Charge Program will undergo annual adjustments and increases.

Illinois would become the state with the highest electric car registration costs

<div class="slide-key image-holder gallery-image-holder credit-image-wrap" data-post-url="https://www.bgr.com/2116423/illinois-bill-raise-ev-car-taxes-500-dollars/" data-post-title="Illinois Wants To Start Charging Electric Car Owners Almost $500

Five Creative Ways to Utilize the USB Port on Your Router

Most contemporary routers are equipped with one (or several) integrated USB ports. These are frequently ignored, given that devices like smartphones, laptops, televisions, and tablets connect wirelessly to the router. Many users typically have just a power adapter and LAN cable plugged in, and this configuration commonly operates without issues. However, with those extra USB ports, you can enhance your router’s capabilities beyond the usual Wi-Fi setup to include functions like wireless backups, wireless printing, file sharing, and more.

It’s important to note that not every router is capable of all these features. Some are restricted to basic storage sharing and device charging, while others can perform more sophisticated functions. You can easily confirm this by referring to your router’s manual or checking the router’s admin interface. If it offers options such as USB Storage, Media Server, or Print Server, your router is equipped for these capabilities, and that unused USB port can be put to a variety of innovative uses.

Print wirelessly with legacy printers

Top 4 Most Secure Smartphones Offered in the U.S.

iPhone can serve as a car key, and your Android smartphone can do the same. These devices manage everything from home lighting, entry doors, to thermostats with just a few taps. Additionally, they can function as your digital wallet, holding credit cards that enable quick payments for purchases. You can also include public transport cards, identification, and travel tickets in your wallet for speedy access, just like your credit cards. The phone is packed with a wealth of personal information, including messaging apps, photos, notes, passwords, and AI applications. Therefore, the iPhone or Android device you’re using to read this content is the most vital and personal computer in your existence. Consequently, it is essential that all that information remains safe so that attackers — whether they are thieves aiming to take your phone or hackers attempting to implant malware on your Android device – cannot reach that critical data. In the following sections, we will present the most secure smartphones currently available in the U.S. to guarantee your data is protected.

Furthermore, user privacy is an important consideration. Your phone may be safe from malware intrusions, yet the applications you utilize on the device might still monitor your actions to deliver targeted advertisements. Access to user preferences allows companies like Google to provide some of the applications you desire for free. However, this involves a trade-off that not all consumers are willing to accept, and it is a topic we will discuss further below.

iPhone 16e

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Privacy Function Surpasses iPhone

the latest Galaxy S26 Ultra. While the brand introduced several new design elements, including a glass casing that encircles the primary cameras, a shift from titanium to aluminum for the finish, and enhancements to the chipset with the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 “For Galaxy,” the standout feature of this device is its innovative privacy display.

This capability has been prevalent in speculation surrounding the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and Samsung has not hesitated to promote it in recent months. However, with its actual release, the company’s privacy display has become even more compelling. After all, it’s now a tangible product. According to the brand, it can deactivate certain pixels on the screen that contribute to visibility from various angles, allowing the user to be the sole viewer in many situations. Rather than providing a separate privacy screen protector, Samsung successfully integrated this technology directly into the display.

Understanding how Samsung’s privacy display operates

Samsung explains that its displays contain two different types of pixels. One type sends light directly to the viewer’s eyes, while the other casts light for easier viewing from all perspectives. With the Privacy Display, users have the option to restrict visibility across the entire display, limit it to specific applications, or even just notifications. Through this technology, Samsung aims to transform privacy on smartphones, allowing users to comfortably access any messages, applications, or images without fearing prying eyes, whether at home, work, or on the go.

What makes this technology particularly fascinating is that it enhances, rather than diminishes, the display’s quality and does not require any additional accessories, as the functionality is incorporated within the screen itself. Given that Samsung can individually turn off each pixel, it empowers users with precise control, such as rendering only a notification blurred while keeping everything else clear.

This feature is also invaluable for thwarting criminals trying to observe your password from afar or preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information. In summary, Samsung has introduced a subtle yet significant upgrade—one of the main incentives for consumers to transition to the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Will the iPhone adopt a similar capability?

Result of the Epic Sci-Fi Crossover Clash Between Robocop and The Terminator

“The Dark Knight Returns” and “Sin City” (both of which were later made into movies). However, one thing you might not realize about Miller is that he penned the screenplays for both “Robocop 2” and “Robocop 3.”

With his deep understanding of the franchise, Miller utilized his miniseries expertise to create four crossover comics for Dark Horse titled “RoboCop Versus The Terminator,” which includes elements cut from both of his Robocop screenplays, leading to a lore-rich journey that respectfully delves into both franchises (after all, it was the 90s), and of course ends with some time travel escapades.

That’s correct: in order to thwart Skynet and avert mankind’s annihilation, Robocop had to <a href="https://www.bgr.com/science/an-ast

Best Android Tablets Below 12 Inches to Purchase in 2026

the top Android tablets with displays smaller than 12 inches. Given the vast array of possibilities as the industry expands, pinpointing the ideal Android tablet for your specific interests can still pose a challenge.

This is the reason we’ve compiled four of the top alternatives available, utilizing our knowledge in consumer technology such as tablets while factoring in a variety of criteria including user and expert feedback. The outcome is a list that caters to numerous requirements. Whether you are an avid gamer needing a high refresh rate, looking for maximum portability for work and recreation, or simply enjoy reading and taking notes in the most natural manner possible, these are the finest Android tablets under 12 inches that you can purchase in 2026.

Top premium tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S11

The Android tablet that most regard as the best of the best would be the Galaxy Tab S11. Samsung is renowned for its premium tablet series, and although the Tab S10 eliminated the 11-inch variant, the Tab S11 reintroduced this size at the close of 2025, starting at $699.99 for the 128 GB model. While numerous Tab S models utilized Snapdragon chips, Samsung has transitioned to MediaTek processors with the launch of the Tab S10 and has continued this trend with the Tab S11.

The Dimensity 9400+ in the Galaxy Tab S11 provides ample power, nearly matching that of a Snapdragon 8 Elite. Although Qualcomm may boast higher CPU performance metrics, MediaTek takes the lead with superior energy efficiency and cooler temperatures, plus it supports faster LPDDR5X memory, which is featured in the Galaxy Tab S11. Where MediaTek falls short is in emulation, with Reddit users agreeing that Snapdragon holds the advantage for emulating PC games. Nevertheless, the Dimensity 9400+ is sufficiently robust for intensive gaming.

Of course, performance is not the sole highlight; the stunning 11-inch Dynamic OLED screen is another significant reason to choose a Tab S11. Featuring a 120Hz refresh rate at 2560 x 1600 pixels and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits, the display is easily viewable both indoors and outdoors. Colors are vibrant, blacks are rich, and whites are bright, with exceptionally smooth animations and motion due to the high refresh rate. Enjoying movies is delightful, and since the aspect ratio is 16:10, current content like TV shows and games fit with minimal letterboxing, presenting a far more content-optimized shape compared to the 3:2 and 4:3 ratios commonly found in iPads.

Top compact tablet: Lenovo Legion Y700 Gen 4

If you’re in search of something significantly more portable, yet don’t want to sacrifice performance, then the Lenovo Legion Y700 Gen 4 should be on your list. The term should is key, as you will need to acquire it as an import. This