Tech News

Context: The author, Irene Okpanachi, discovered the Unexpected Keyboard, an open-source input method for Android devices, while researching alternatives to Google's Gboard keyboard. Frustrated with Gboard's limitations, Okpanachi found that Unexpected Keyboard offers extensive customization options, surpassing Gboard in several key areas. This new keyboard is particularly appealing to developers and users seeking a high degree of control over their typing experience.

Context: The author, Khumail Thakur, a tech writer, leveraged Gemini Notebook, an AI tool, to improve his plant care skills, having admitted to knowing little about gardening. He used the AI to identify plant species, research their needs, and receive tailored advice on watering, soil, and sunlight. By integrating Gemini Notebook into his routine, Thakur aimed to reduce plant mortality and create a more efficient plant care system.

Context: Akshay Bhalla, a technology editor, repurposed his old Google Pixel 4a smartphone as a Bluetooth keyboard for his desktop PC, leveraging an open-source app called Bluke. This solution allowed him to type on his phone's screen and use it as a wireless keyboard for his PC, especially when gaming or watching content on his TV. The app uses Android's native Bluetooth HID device profile to enable this functionality.

Context: Google Messages has introduced several new features and tricks to improve the RCS texting experience, addressing common annoyances such as blurry photos, group chats that won't stop buzzing, and difficulties with replying to messages. These updates, which are being rolled out gradually, aim to enhance the functionality and usability of the app. The changes were discovered by Oluwaniyi Raji, a tech content specialist, after the September 2026 Google Messages update.

Context: The author, Rajesh Pandey, a tech journalist with extensive experience in reviewing Android devices, conducted an experiment where he switched between different Pixel Watch faces every day for a month. He used the Google Pixel Watch 4, launched in October 2025, to test various watch faces and identify his favorites. Through this experiment, he discovered six watch faces that he kept returning to due to their unique features and functionality.

Context: Google is set to release a new fitness tracker called the "Fitbit Edge," which has been leaked through retail listings and marketing assets. The device appears to have a unique design with a bulbous screen and features such as heart rate monitoring, step tracking, and workout tracking. The Fitbit Edge is expected to be compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

Context: The article discusses a video review of a smartphone on Android Police, a technology news website. The review, published on October 4, 2026, at 1:02 PM EDT, appears to highly praise a particular phone, referring to it as "the best phone on the market". The author, Ryan-Thomas Shaw, seems to be enthusiastic about the Pixel phone.

Context: A tech journalist, Anu Joy, recently stopped saving passwords in Google Chrome and switched to a dedicated password manager, Bitwarden, due to concerns over potential security risks. Joy, who covers Android and Google's ecosystem, decided to make the change after considering the risks of someone gaining access to his browser profile or device. This decision was motivated by the possibility of attackers compromising his device and accessing saved passwords.

Context: The Boox Picco, a tiny e-reader priced at $100, has emerged as a contender in the growing market for compact e-book readers. However, several alternatives offer similar or enhanced features at comparable prices. Technology journalist Mark Jansen recommends considering three e-readers - the Xteink X4 Pro, Boox Palma 2 Pro, and Xteink X3 - as viable options over the Boox Picco.

Context: Google Maps, the widely-used navigation app, has a significant problem with route suggestions, often skipping the best routes and instead sending users on complicated multi-transport journeys. This issue has been experienced by Tom Bedford, a technology journalist based in London, UK, who has used the app for years and found that it frequently overlooks walking as a viable mode of transport. Despite having a feature to prioritize modes of transport, Google Maps often fails to provide optimal walking routes, leading to longer and less efficient journeys.

Context: The author, Dhruv Bhutani, a seasoned tech journalist, has discovered an app called Now On Wrist that bridges Google Pixel's Now Playing feature with Wear OS watches, allowing users to view detected songs on their wrist. This app has changed the way Bhutani interacts with Now Playing, making it more convenient to identify songs playing around him. By leveraging the Pixel's music recognition capabilities, Now On Wrist provides a useful complication on the watch face and notification features.

Context: Google's Pixel smartphone lineup has reached its 10-year milestone, with the company experiencing a tumultuous journey of successes, failures, and innovations. From its early days of partnering with HTC and LG to produce devices that often struggled with hardware issues, Google has gradually refined its approach, introducing distinctive designs and AI-powered features that have garnered a loyal following. The Pixel series has evolved significantly over the years, with notable improvements in camera software, custom silicon, and design.

Context: Rahul Naskar, an Android expert with eight years of experience, replaced the default Samsung home screen on his Galaxy S21 with a TV launcher called Projectivy, seeking to reduce distractions and phone addiction. He installed the launcher from its official GitHub page and found that it gave his phone a calm feel, despite some limitations. The experiment was an attempt to break the boredom of using the same home screen for years.

Context: Google's Pixel smartphone project marks a significant milestone today, as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary. The first Pixel smartphone was launched on this day 10 years ago, with Google teasing at the time that it would still be a topic of discussion years later. The project continues to be a major part of Google's efforts, showing no signs of slowing down.

Context: Technology analyst Parth Shah discovered an Android note-taking app called Bundled Notes, which he believes surpasses popular apps like Google Keep, OneNote, and Obsidian. After using Bundled Notes, Shah found that it offers a unique combination of features, flexibility, and design that makes it an ideal note-taking app for Android users. The app's versatility and customization options allow users to tailor their workflow and manage tasks seamlessly.

Context: The author, Faith Leroux, a writer at Android Police, has switched from using Instapaper, a popular reader app, to Chrome's built-in reading mode due to performance issues with Instapaper. Leroux found Chrome's reading mode to be a better option for reading and research, citing its speed and font customization features. This change was driven by Leroux's shift towards a more chaotic reading style, where they prioritize ease of use and flexibility over curating a digital library.

Context: Samsung released the Galaxy SmartTag 3 on September 30, 2026, after a nearly three-year gap since its predecessor. The new device features significant upgrades, including UWB and Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding for enhanced location tracking.

Context: The Pebble Index tool, part of the Pebble app, is a feature that allows users to create to-do lists, reminders, and notes using voice commands. The tool is accessible through the Pebble app or the Index 01 ring, a wearable device that consists of a microphone, button, and Bluetooth transmitter. The Index tool's functionality is compared to Google Keep, a note-taking app with Gemini integration, in an evaluation of their respective strengths and weaknesses.

Context: Google has introduced a new AI feature called Guided Vision, which is part of the Gemini Live tool, designed to assist blind and low-vision individuals by using the phone's camera to provide spoken directions and guidance. This feature was developed in collaboration with the blind and low-vision communities and is aimed at making everyday tasks easier for those who need it. Guided Vision is rolling out gradually to Gemini Live as part of the September 2026 Android Drop.

Context: Technology analyst Parth Shah discovered that tweaking Google Maps settings significantly improved his Android Auto experience. He made several adjustments to Google Maps, including customizing saved destinations, creating Gemini Actions, and modifying navigation settings. These changes streamlined his navigation, making it faster, cleaner, and less distracting.

Context: Motorola is reportedly launching a new wide foldable phone, internally called the Razr Flex, which aims to find a middle ground between a standard slab phone and a flip phone. The device is expected to be released around mid-December and could potentially replace the author's current Google Pixel 10 if the price is right. The Razr Flex is said to offer a larger cover screen and a more practical design.

Context: The author, Anu Joy, a technology journalist, recently switched from Google Chrome to Vivaldi browser and discovered various features that made browsing more convenient and efficient. Vivaldi's features, such as tab management, built-in ad blocking, and customization options, have changed the author's way of organizing pages and reduced the need for extra tools. This experience has led the author to highlight the benefits of using Vivaldi over Chrome.

Context: Google is introducing limitations on the Gemini models that free users and AI Plus subscribers can access, effective October 9. The changes come after a compute-based usage change in May and will impact users who do not pay for Gemini. The updates will also bring new features, including "Deep Think" for AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers.

Context: Google's original Pixel Fold, released in 2023, was a flawed but promising first-generation foldable device that offered sturdy hardware, respectable cameras, and fewer compromises than many of its contemporaries. Despite its issues, the device's form factor, featuring a wider canvas for multitasking and tablet apps, was seen as a step in the right direction. The Pixel Fold's design has since been vindicated by the success of similar devices, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Context: Samsung has started rolling out One UI 9 for the Galaxy S26 series worldwide, following extensive beta testing, with the update based on Android 17. The new features of One UI 9 include several enhancements from the latest Android base layer. The rollout comes after One UI 9 debuted with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 series earlier in the summer.

Context: Jesse Hollington, a tech journalist, has been a Kindle user since 2011 and has long missed the physical page-turning buttons that were discontinued by Amazon. Recently, Amazon announced new Kindles and accessories that aim to bring back the tactile experience, including the Page-Turn Cover and the Kindle Click remote. These new accessories cater to users who prefer a more traditional reading experience.

Context: Google Pixel Pro models, including the Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro, have higher screen resolutions than their vanilla counterparts, but are intentionally restricted by Google to conserve power. The author, Jade Bryan Jardinico, a feature author at Android Police, has been testing his Pixel 9 Pro XL at its maximum resolution, despite Google's default setting of 1080p or FHD+, to evaluate the impact on battery life and visual experience. The author argues that the added crispness and clarity are worth the slight decrease in battery life.

Context: Google Pixel users, particularly those with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, are discovering a hidden feature called "Private space" that allows them to run two identical apps in parallel, including Pokémon Go. This feature, available on Android 15 or later devices, enables users to create a secure sandbox with an alternative Google ID, effectively allowing them to play Pokémon Go with two separate accounts simultaneously. The author, Khumail Thakur, has been using this feature to increase his chances of catching shiny Pokémon.

Context: The CMF Clip Pro earbuds, a product of Nothing's sub-brand CMF, are open-ear earbuds designed for users who want to stay aware of their surroundings while listening to music. They were tested by technology journalist Andy Boxall to evaluate their performance, features, and value. The earbuds are priced at $99 and are available for purchase on Amazon and Nothing's online store.

Context: The author, Akshay Bhalla, a technology editor, has discovered that integrating Google's AI service, Gemini, with various apps significantly streamlines his daily workflow. By connecting Gemini with apps like Gmail, Google Keep, and Google Drive, he can automate tasks such as summarizing emails, drafting replies, and organizing notes. This integration has greatly increased his productivity and efficiency.