The first stable Paranoid Android Topaz build for the OnePlus 9 series is here
Plus, new builds for several Xiaomi and Poco phones
The Paranoid Android team began working on the Android 13 version of their ROM shortly after the release of the OS in August 2022. Within a few months, they dropped the first beta build for several phones, including the OnePlus 9 series. This gave users a decent OxygenOS 13 alternative to try on their phones. But since the ROM was in beta, it was filled with bugs and issues. Now, nine months after the first Paranoid Android beta was released, the ROM has gone stable for OnePlus' 2021 flagship phones.
Latest OnePlus Open leaks further corroborate launch date rumors
And the OnePlus 12 could launch as soon as this December in China
At this point, it is no surprise that the first OnePlus foldable phone is around the corner. Renders of the device have leaked, revealing its impressive design. Another report detailed the phone's alleged specs, indicating it will share some internals with the OnePlus 11. A launch timeframe was also rumored, but today's leak provides more concrete details on when the foldable will launch.
Android Auto version 10 has arrived
Google Assistant gets a UI revamp with the latest release but that’s about it
Google announced a major Android Auto redesign at I/O 2022. Codenamed 'Coolwalk,' it revamped Auto's UI for bigger infotainment displays and introduced a split-screen mode, among a barrage of other improvements. Eight months after the initial announcement and two months of beta testing, Google started rolling out the new Android Auto design for everyone at the beginning of 2023. The company has since then been spotted testing minor UI changes, though nothing major has rolled out. Google has now silently released Android Auto v10, with a new UI for Google Assistant.
Fitbit's first Feature Drop is bricking some Charge 5 units
Pixel Feature Drop shenanigans are spreading to more Google devices
It is hard to beat Fitbit trackers for fitness tracking. They pack a plethora of health-focused features and can accurately track your key metrics. No wonder Fitbit wearables dominate our list of the best fitness trackers. Among these, the Fitbit Charge 5 ranks at the top, with its big OLED display, light and comfortable design, and great battery life. Google made the wearable even better with its first-ever Feature Drop, adding expanded exercise support, new clock faces, and more. If you were looking forward to trying out the new features on your Charge 5 and were looking forward to installing the update, here's some bad news for you.
Honor’s new Magic V2 makes the next-gen Galaxy Z Fold 5 look last-gen
Honor’s latest foldable is even lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Foldable phones have improved by leaps and bounds in the last few years. But there are still some issues with them. Unlike flagship Android phones, book-style foldables are big, bulky, and thick, making them difficult to carry around in your pocket. Honor, the company that was forced to split from its parent company Huawei, has tried fixing this problem with its latest foldable: the Honor Magic V2.
TCL’s 6.75-inch budget Android phone is down to just over $100 for Prime Day
The TCL 40XL is even more affordable on Prime Day
The top budget Android phones are heavily discounted for Prime Day. Depending on your budget, you can find some excellent options on sale. If you have a tight budget, you should check out the TCL 40XL. While TCL is not as renowned as Motorola and other companies in the budget segment, its smartphones are good enough for basic use. Plus, they offer incredible value for money at their heavily discounted Prime Day prices. The same applies to the TCL 40XL, which you can get for as low as $105 after a massive 38% discount.
Check out these excellent USB-C chargers on sale for Prime Day
These are the chargers you need to top-up your shiny new gadgets
The best mid-range and flagship phones no longer ship with a bundled charger. It was a trend that Apple started with the iPhone 12 in 2020 and was quickly adopted by Android manufacturers. So, if you are getting a new Android phone or tablet this Prime Day, you must also buy a new charger. The good news is that Amazon has heavily discounted some of our favorite wall chargers, power strips, and power banks, making it a good time to pick one up. Check out our favorite Prime Day charger deals below.
Latest Nova Launcher 8 beta is all about search improvements
An immersive app search, search integration with Spotify, and more
If you love to customize your phone's home screen, a custom launcher is a must. While the list of our favorite Android launchers is quite big, Nova remains among our top choice despite its acquisition by mobile analytics company Branch because of its sheer number of features and customization options. The launcher's major v8 release dropped in July last year on the beta channel, with new test versions dropping once every few months since then. Building on the minor v8.0.5 beta release from May 2023 that fixed some underlying bugs, a new Nova beta is out with minor but notable enhancements related to the app drawer and search.
This tiny Bluetooth speaker costs just $70 due to deep Prime Day discounts
The UE Wonderboom 3 is again down to its lowest price
A great portable Bluetooth speaker is a must-have device in your arsenal, especially if you are always traveling or camping. While smartphone speakers have improved in quality over the years, they are still no match for small portable speakers. The latter will offer notably louder and better sound quality and won't eat into your phone's battery life. Owned by Logitech, Ultimate Ears has made a name for itself with its rugged and portable speakers. For Prime Day 2023, the company is discounting the excellent Wonderboom 3 to its all-time low price of $70, a sweet $30 off the MSRP.
This Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro Prime Day deal is too good to pass up
Samsung’s best earbuds get a big $50 discount
Samsung makes some of our favorite Android phones. But the company is also known for its various accessories, including wireless earbuds. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro can give offerings from Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser a run for their money with their performance. Unless you need the absolute best earphones on the market, you'll be more than happy with the Buds. For Amazon Prime Day, you can get your hands on Samsung's excellent Galaxy Buds 2 Pro at a stellar price of $180, down $50 from its usual MSRP. This is among the best Prime Day deals on high-end headphones and earbuds we have seen so far, and it's one you should not miss.
The Garmin Fenix 7S is a staggering $300 off this Prime Day
This Garmin smartwatch is perfect for athletes and adventurers
Samsung and Google make the best Android smartwatches, but despite their health-tracking capabilities, they are not your best option if you are heavily into fitness and want to track all your key performance metrics accurately. Athletes and adventures prefer offerings from Garmin, as the company has made a name for itself with its expert-level fitness tracking. The problem is that Garmin's top smartwatches are expensive, making them out of reach for many. For Prime Day, Amazon has heavily discounted the Garmin Fenix 7S to $600, a massive $300 off its MSRP. You won't want to miss this fantastic deal on a smartwatch that will help you push yourself to your limits when training.
The Roku Express HD is even more affordable with 33% off for Prime Day
Roku’s entry-level streaming stick is down to just $20
The best streaming devices come in all shapes, sizes, and price points; depending on your requirement, you can easily find a streaming stick that fits the bill. If you are not a fan of Google TV and don't want a Chromecast, Roku has various streaming devices that should impress you. For instance, the entry-level Roku Express HD gives Google's Chromecast HD a run for its money, and if you have been eyeing this streaming stick for a while, there's no better time to buy one than Amazon Prime Day. Now, you can get the affordable Roku Express HD for $20 — a sweet $10 off its usual price.
If you have been eyeing a robot vacuum cleaner for a while now, Amazon Prime Day is the perfect time to pick one up. The best robot vacuum cleaners are heavily discounted, making them a tempting deal. A robot vacuum cleaner will keep your floors sparkling clean, with minimal input required from your end. And the best part is that these devices are a no-brainer at their discounted price, especially since they make your life much more convenient. Many of the best Prime Day smart home deals are on robovacs that you should not miss.
Super-charged savings: These 7 Prime Day power bank deals are electric
Irrespective of how good your phone's battery life is, you need a power bank
Amazon Prime Day offers a great opportunity to buy your favorite smartphone, smartwatch, earbuds, and other accessories at heavily discounted prices. But you know what else you need to purchase? A power bank! If you are always on the go and forget to charge your devices, a power bank will make your life easier and more manageable. Plus, the best power banks now pack enough juice and power to charge your devices multiple times over, making them perfect for your camping trips.
Latest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 hands-on images show little design changes
Some more hands-on photos of Samsung's next flagship foldable have surfaced online
Samsung is gearing up to announce the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 at its Galaxy Unpacked event on July 26th. While the company has been trying to plug all the leaks surrounding its upcoming devices, it has not met with much success so far. After numerous leaks of press renders and marketing images, some Galaxy Z Fold 5 hands-on pictures also popped up on the internet last week. Now, more photos of the phone have appeared online, showing its design.
WhatsApp is testing an alternate way to set up secondary devices
Linking a new device to your WhatsApp account could soon become easier
Thanks to WhatsApp's desktop app, chatting with your friends and family when using your PC has been easy. WhatsApp's multi-device support has also gotten better in recent times, allowing you to use the same account on two phones. In all cases, though, linking your primary WhatsApp account to another device requires scanning a QR code. However, the Meta-owned platform is working on an alternate login method that will involve entering an eight-digit verification code sent to your phone.
How to create custom emoji wallpapers for your Android phone
Create a wallpaper for your phone's homescreen using your favorite emoji
The list of our favorite Android apps contains plenty of wallpaper apps that can make your homescreen stand out. But if you want something different, you can create your unique emoji wallpaper to personalize your phone's homescreen to your taste. The Google Emoji Workshop app lets you create fun emoji wallpapers that even animate. While the app is exclusive to Google Pixel phones, you can also get it on other Android devices, including the best Samsung phones.
Join Instagram Threads beta program on Play Store to test drive upcoming features
Instagram is working on adding several new features to Threads
Meta's Twitter rival, Threads, has really taken off. With over 72 million sign-ups in two days, the platform could eventually replace Twitter for many, which has been on a downward trajectory since Elon Musk's acquisition. However, in its current state, Threads lacks a lot of features, which the Instagram team needs to work on urgently. Now, if you are an Android user, you can join the Threads beta program on the Google Play Store to try out upcoming versions of the app before its public release.
Contrary to rumors from earlier this year, recent leaks have all but confirmed that Samsung is gearing up to launch the Galaxy S23 FE in 2023. The Fan Edition phone could release in Q3 in some markets, with a wider launch to follow in the next two quarters. Leaked renders have also revealed the phone's design, indicating it may not look anywhere like its other S23 siblings. Sadly, the Galaxy S23 FE will reportedly miss out on a major component that has played a key role in the Galaxy S23 lineup's success.
How to turn Android's Always On Display on or off
You can even customize your phone's Always On Display with stickers and GIFs
Apple introduced Always-On Display with the iPhone 14 Pro series in 2022. But even the best mid-range Android phones have offered similar functionality for years. What's even better is that on many devices, you can customize Always On Display as per your liking with different clock styles, themes, and more. If you are new to the Android world, follow the guide below to learn how to customize and turn your phone's Always On Display on or off.