Internet Voices
Google Play Store Prepares Pause and Resume Support to Improve Downloads
Teardown of Play Store v53.0 reveals pause and resume for downloads, improving use under data caps.
Tags: Android
Internet Voices
Time Management Trick to Break Free from the Shorts Rabbit Hole with YouTube's Hidden Setting
A method using YouTube's time management tools to cap Shorts viewing and stop infinite scrolling is drawing attention.
Gadgets
Doubling Standby Time by Blocking Background Data for 90% of Apps on Android
Blocking background data for 90% of apps on Android doubled standby battery life. We explain the setup steps and side effects.
Gadgets
SwiftKey Beta Beats Gboard: Conclusion After Months of Testing
A longtime Gboard user compared keyboards for months and switched to SwiftKey Beta, fixing AI voice input issues.
Internet Voices
Streamline Restaurant Tracking with Google Maps Saved Lists
Shifting restaurant tracking from spreadsheets to Google Maps saved lists to organize visit history and ratings.
Internet Voices
Effective Ad Blocking on Android: Brave and DNS Combination Proves Effective
A practical setup combining Brave's aggressive blocking with Android Private DNS to curb ads and tracking, plus VPN and battery benefits.
Gadgets
Breaking Smartphone Addiction with Stock Android Features: A Guide to Focus Mode
Reconsidered just before buying a $300 dumbphone: stock Android features. How capable are Focus Mode and Bedtime Mode?
Gadgets
Notability Releases Android Version After Approximately 16 Years
The note-taking app Notability, exclusive to iOS, iPadOS, and macOS for 16 years, has entered Android. Launched on Google Play in August 2026, it meets the growing annotation needs in cross-platform environments.
Gadgets
How a Clipboard Manager on Pixel Revolutionizes Productivity
Addressing Android's default clipboard limitations via a third-party app, dramatically enhancing Pixel's workflow.
Gadgets
Samsung Apps 2-Week Report: Only 2 Replaced Google Apps
Galaxy smartphone users install many Google apps on new devices. After 2 weeks of using Samsung apps, two were found worthy of replacement.
Gadgets
Hidden Features and Efficiency Tips for Android Gesture Navigation
After years of sticking to 3-button navigation, the author switched to gestures upon adopting a Pixel. They explore the improved screen real estate and practical hidden functions, along with the technical background.
Dev
Sefirah: An Ad-Free Open Source App Alternative to Phone Link Reviewed
Open source app Sefirah, a Microsoft Phone Link alternative, is ad-free, supports all Android devices, and requires no account.
Gadgets
Used Android Flagships: 7-Year Support Changes the Value
Seven-year support like that for Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24 has fundamentally changed the value of buying used Android phones.
Internet Voices
Google Maps Commute Optimization: 3 Practical Hidden Features
Android Police's Anu Joy shares her Google Maps commuting workflow, highlighting three features worth using even on familiar routes.
Gadgets
Settings to Try If Your Pixel Feels Slow: Tips to Restore Speed
Discover settings to disable on Google Pixel devices to address perceived slowdowns and improve performance.
Gadgets
Google Find Hub Adds Long-Awaited Device Deletion Feature
Google Find Hub now lets users remove unnecessary devices from their list—a long-requested feature that has finally been implemented.
AI
Open Minis Goes Fully Open Source, Democratizing Smartphone AI Agents
The smartphone AI agent "Open Minis" has released its full code as open source for iOS and Android, ushering in a new era where AI directly operates devices through an embedded Linux environment and browser automation.
Gadgets
Pixel 10 Pro XL Overheats to 118°F: Cooling Mistakes and Correct Countermeasures
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL overheated to 118°F (approx. 47.7°C) inside a car on a scorching day. Android Police's reporter shares her experience with overheating, debunks common cooling myths like using a fridge, and explains proper steps to take.
Dev
Scrcpy 4.1 Released, Expanding Android Compatibility with VP8/VP9 Support
The open-source Android remote control tool Scrcpy 4.1 has been released, adding VP8/VP9 video encoding support, enabling screen mirroring on devices without H.264 or H.265.
Gadgets
Android 17 QPR 2 Beta 1 Begins Rolling Out to Pixel Devices, Focus on Bug Fixes
Android 17 QPR 2 Beta 1 is now available for supported Pixel devices. It includes numerous bug fixes aimed at improving stability. However, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are not supported.
Gadgets
Why Giving Up Dark Mode Made My Screen Dramatically Easier to See
An Android Police journalist shares why they abandoned dark mode, citing practical reasons like lower outdoor visibility and missed notifications, and recommends switching to light mode.
AI
Google's Gboard Developing New Feature to Translate Sign Language to Text
Google's Gboard 'Sign-to-text' feature: converts sign language to text. Found in beta code. Claims on-device AI, but data may go to cloud.
Gadgets
Glowbar Brings Pixel Glow to All Android Devices for Just $1
The Pixel Glow feature, highlighted in the Google Pixel 11, is recreated via the $1 Android app "Glowbar." The free version offers visual effects only, while the paid version adds functional features like notifications and battery indicators.
Gadgets
Six Practical Ways to Leverage Your USB-C Port for Work
An Android smartphone's USB-C port isn't just for charging. From storage expansion with SSDs to connecting keyboards and mice for a desktop-like experience, or even wired LAN connections, we explore six ways it can shine in professional settings.
Dev
The Problem with Android Apps That Could Be Web Pages: Developer Analysis Highlights Industry Challenges
A developer reverse-engineered the travel itinerary app "Travelbound," proving its features could be fully replaced by a web page. This raises critical questions about how apps are developed.
Gadgets
Punkt MC03 Now Shipping, AYANEO Pocket Micro 2 Reopens for Pre-Orders, MINIX Launches New AI Mini PC
The privacy-focused, Google-free Android smartphone "Punkt MC03" has begun shipping. AYANEO Pocket Micro 2 reopens for pre-orders. MINIX introduces an AI mini PC with Panther Lake.
Gadgets
Android Backup to Count Toward Google Storage; Impact Limited
Google changes policy to count Android backup data against account storage. Average 40MB means minimal impact, but users are urged to review settings.
AI
YouTube Music's Gemini Integration Transforms Android Music Experience
The integration of YouTube Music and Gemini is fundamentally changing the Android music experience. We explore how it stands apart from competitors like Spotify.
Dev
MiXplorer Revolutionizes Android File Management Efficiency
The Android file management app "MiXplorer" garners attention for its decade-long development and advanced customization, offering features like a space-efficient UI and folder size display, unavailable in Files by Google.
Gadgets
How to Replace Apps with Android Home Screen Shortcuts
The ability to add web shortcuts to the Android home screen is being reevaluated as a way to reduce app dependency. Here's how to use it effectively.
Gadgets
Honor Magic V6: Outstanding Design, Tough Timing
A review of the Honor Magic V6's UK launch. While its design and camera stand out, fierce competition and delayed release pose challenges. A limited-time discount aims to boost sales, but risks being overshadowed by Samsung and Apple's product launches.
Gadgets
The Real Reason Behind the Pixel 10 Pro's Blurry Camera: Default Settings
The cause of the Pixel 10 Pro's blurry camera quality isn't dirty lenses but the default setting locked to 12MP. Here's how to unlock its full potential.
Gadgets
AYANEO Pocket MICRO 2 Packed With Snapdragon 865-Class Chip, Priced at $239
AYANEO unveils the second generation of its compact gaming handheld, "Pocket MICRO 2," featuring a 3.5-inch display and Snapdragon 865-class custom SoC starting at $239.
Gadgets
LitPlayer: An Android Video Player with Support for SMB and Jellyfin
The Android video player LitPlayer debuts, offering direct access to network media like SMB, WebDAV, FTP, Jellyfin, and UPnP. It supports TV devices and boasts a lightweight installation size of just over 12MB.
Internet Voices
Russian Government Encourages Switch to Android as Apple Blocks Major Apps
Apple blocked Russia's main SNS "VKontakte" and monitoring app "Max". Russian government urges switch to Android, escalating tech conflict between the two sides.
Internet Voices
Field Test of Google Wallet: Can You Navigate Daily Life With Just a Smartphone?
An Android Police journalist spent a week relying solely on Google Wallet. The experiment examined its practicality, confusion with Google Pay, and comparisons with Samsung Wallet.
Internet Voices
YouTube Music Podcast Feature Enhancements Offer a New Option
An Android Police article reports a user's experience switching from a popular podcast player to YouTube Music. Seamless switching between video and audio and cross-device integration are praised, intensifying competition with Spotify.
Gadgets
Touchscreen Issues Reported on Pixel Devices with Android 17
The Android 17 update has caused touchscreen malfunctions across all Pixel models. Google is working on a fix, but delaying the update is advised.
Gadgets
Android 17 Wi-Fi Bug Concentrated in Google Apps
Reports of Wi-Fi connectivity issues have surfaced shortly after the rollout of Android 17. Despite showing as connected, no data transmission occurs, particularly affecting Google apps. Enabling IPv6 on routers has been suggested as a workaround.
AI
Google Photos Preparing a Video Version of Its Remix Feature
Google Photos' AI-based Remix feature for images might soon support videos. Code analysis reveals elements like buttons, background swaps, and lighting adjustments.
Gadgets
Pixel 10a Gains Voice Translate Functionality with June Pixel Drop
Google's June Pixel Drop update brings Voice Translate, previously exclusive to the Pixel 10 series, to the more affordable Pixel 10a. While limited to six languages, this feature enables real-time call translation at an accessible price point.
Dev
Honda Civic Vulnerable to Evil Maid Attack: Code Execution Possible via USB Physical Access
Honda Civic's Android software packages signed with AOSP test keys allow arbitrary code execution via USB physical access, making it a target for Evil Maid attacks.
Gadgets
Android Grayscale 2-Week Experiment: Social Media Habits Transformed
A two-week experiment using Android's grayscale mode dramatically reduced social media screen time. This article explains how removing color neutralizes the attention-grabbing effects of UI design.
Gadgets
Quick Cursor Improves Usability on Large-Screen Android Devices
Quick Cursor is an accessibility app that lets you use the screen like a trackpad, enabling one-handed access to the top of ever-enlarging Android smartphones.
Gadgets
Smartphone IP68 Water Resistance Is Actually Just a Safety Net — The Harsh Reality
An Android Police reporter questions IP68 water resistance based on real-world experiences. After water damage incidents ruined devices, he points out that water resistance is not absolute protection and calls on manufacturers to improve the standard's effectiveness.
Gadgets
Fix Android Smartphone Overheating with a Single Settings Change
A case study on resolving Samsung Galaxy S25+ overheating by changing one background app setting. A practical solution for users struggling with device temperature spikes.
Internet Voices
Blind Spots in Digital Habits Revealed Through Screen Time Analysis
A detailed analysis of Android screen time data uncovered unexpected biases in digital habits. While successfully reducing Reddit usage, time dispersed to other apps. Lessons from data-driven habit improvement.
AI
Microsoft Announces Solara with Dedicated AI Agent OS
Microsoft announces Project Solara: chip-to-cloud platform with Android edge OS & Azure agents, reference designs for wearable badges, desktop AI hubs.