Google is using machine learning to help Android users avoid unwanted and dangerous notifications
Notifications are part and parcel of life, being both useful and interesting. But they can also be problematic. Google is aware that the notifications generated by websites can be “spammy or even deceptive”.
The worst offenders can attempt to trick people into sharing personal information or downloading dangerous software. Google is using machine learning to fight back, launching warnings about warnings of unwanted notifications.
Orb shows how fast and reliable your internet connection really is -- available on all major platforms
When it comes to checking your internet connection, many people still turn to old-fashioned speed tests. You get rated with a number or grade, maybe feel good about it, and move on. But the truth is, those numbers don’t tell the whole story. That’s where Orb comes in -- a brand-new app that promises a real look at how your internet actually performs day to day.
Orb was built by some familiar names. Doug Suttles and Jamie Stevens, who helped create Speedtest and Downdetector, are leading the project, along with a group of former Ookla and Fastly veterans. It’s safe to say they know a thing or two about internet performance.
Silicon Power launches Inspire microSDXC card
When it comes to capturing high-res video or running games on portable devices, storage performance can often be the deciding factor between smooth success and frustrating failure. Silicon Power is looking to give creators and gamers a reliable solution with the launch of its all-new Inspire microSDXC card.
The Inspire card is available in four capacities -- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. The company says this card can hit maximum read speeds of up to 170MB/s. Write speeds will vary by model, with the 1TB version reaching up to 160MB/s and the 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB capacities topping out at 150MB/s.
Google warns DOJ breakup plan could destroy Android and Chrome -- plus hurt the US economy
Google is hitting back at the Department of Justice over a proposed plan that could force massive changes to how the company operates. The DOJ, which sued Google back in 2020 over search distribution practices, is now pushing for remedies that Google says go way too far -- and could end up hurting American consumers, innovation, and even national security!
In a new blog post, the search giant says the proposed changes are not only unnecessary but also dangerous. At the heart of the issue is how Google partners with phone makers and browsers to make its search engine the default. According to Google, people use its search because they want to -- not because they’re forced to. The company says blocking these deals would just make it harder for people to get to the services they prefer, with alternatives like Microsoft’s Bing being pushed on users instead.
Flawed phone apps could risk enterprise data
Analysis of over 17,000 enterprise-used mobile apps by Zimperium zLabs finds that 92 percent of all apps and 56 percent of the top 100 apps use flawed cryptographic methods that could be putting organizations at risk.
Even more concerning, five percent of top 100 apps were found to have high-severity cryptography flaws including hardcoded keys and outdated algorithms.
Pixel 9a now available -- buy before Trump’s tariffs push the price higher
Google’s Pixel 9a is officially available starting today, and if you’ve been waiting for a solid Android phone that won’t break the bank, now’s your chance. But with President Trump’s tariff policies bouncing between on and off like a light switch, you might want to buy sooner rather than later.
Priced at $499, the Pixel 9a brings a new design and meaningful upgrades to Google’s A-series. It features the brightest display ever in a Pixel A phone and comes in four colors: Iris, Peony, Porcelain, and Obsidian. Photography gets a boost too, thanks to a 48MP main camera paired with a 13MP ultrawide lens. You can read more about it here.
Google brings powerful visual search to AI Mode for Android and iPhone users
Google may be the current king of search, but thanks to competition from artificial intelligence services like ChatGPT and Grok, its continued dominance is becoming less guaranteed. In other words, Google can no longer rest on its laurels with search -- it must either evolve or dissolve.
In an effort to keep up with the times, Google is delivering its AI Mode feature to more users in the U.S. today. This essentially adds new capabilities that combine visual search with the Gemini AI model. Originally limited to Google One AI Premium subscribers, the feature is now available to millions through the Labs program, accessible in the Google app for both Android and iPhone.
Gmail search gets worse as Google forces AI powered results on users
Google is once again injecting AI where it doesn’t really belong. This time, sadly, it’s Gmail search -- something many of us use often. The search giant has started rolling out a change that sorts email search results by “most relevant” instead of the usual chronological order, and to be honest, it feels more like a nuisance than a helpful upgrade.
According to Google, this new AI-powered system will take things like recency, click behavior, and frequent contacts into account when surfacing results. In theory, that sounds useful. In practice, however, it will probably just bury what you’re actually looking for under a pile of algorithmic guesses.
Rooted mobile devices prove 250 times more vulnerable
Rooting (on Android) and jailbreaking (on iOS) were once widespread for enabling deeper customization and removing OS limitations on mobile devices. It's a practice that's become less common in recent years but still represents a serious security threat, not just to the user, but to enterprises who enable employees to access sensitive corporate apps and data from their devices.
Research from Zimperium's zLabs shows rooted Android devices experience 3.5 times more malware attacks, and system compromises have surged by 250 times compared to non-rooted devices.
Google Wallet update means kids can now use digital payments and store their passes
Google is rolling out a significant update to Google Wallet that opens up the digital wallet to children.
The update enables children to not only make digital payments and use tap-to-pay, but also to store a range of passes, cards and tickets in one place. The consent of a parent or guardian is required to add a child’s card to Google Wallet, and there are comprehensive supervision tools available.
Google Pixel 9a crushes Apple iPhone 16e with smarter AI and a better price
After many leaks, Google’s Pixel 9a is finally here! For anyone not locked into Apple’s ecosystem, it’s looking like the smarter choice over the iPhone 16e. At just $499, it packs AI-powered features, a pro-level camera system, and the powerful Google Tensor G4 chip -- all at a lower price than Apple’s so-called budget offering.
The Pixel 9a isn’t just another mid-range phone -- it’s got some legit flagship-level perks. Its 6.3-inch Actua display is the brightest ever on an A-series phone, hitting 2700 nits, while the 120Hz refresh rate makes for smoother scrolling than the iPhone 16e’s 60Hz screen. Google’s color choices -- Peony, Iris, Porcelain, and Obsidian -- also bring more fun and variety compared to Apple’s standard options.
You will soon be able to run Linux Terminal on your Android phone
While it is widely known that Android is based on Linux, it is not a typical Linux distro in many ways. There are a lot of standard features and components of Linux that are simply not available in Google’s mobile operating system.
This is starting to change. Developers -- or, indeed, anyone looking to tinker around a little -- will soon be able to use the Linux Terminal, opening up new and interesting worlds of possibility.
Google makes it easier to find apps with widgets
A well-designed widget can really enhance an app, helping to make it even more useful; equally, a crappy widget (or a lack of widgets) can completely ruin an otherwise perfect app. Widgets are important, and Google is finally recognizing that fact.
The company is making it easier to find Android apps that include widgets. As well as introducing a new badge to highlight widget-wielding apps in Google Play, Google is also adding the option to search specifically for apps with widgets. But it doesn't end there.
Amazon kills its Android Appstore while Google Play remains the go-to choice
Amazon has announced that is finally pulling the plug on its Android Appstore, and that’s not all -- Amazon Coins are going down with it too. From August 20, 2025, Amazon says the Appstore on Android devices will be no more. That means no new downloads, no updates, and good luck expecting your existing apps to keep working. If you’re still relying on it, now’s the time to move on.
If you have subscriptions through the Appstore you will be able to manage or cancel them for now, but once the shutdown happens, it’s all over. That said, Amazon isn’t shutting down the Appstore entirely. It will still exist on Fire TV and Fire tablets, which makes sense since those are Amazon’s own products. But if you’re using a regular Android phone or tablet? Sorry, you’re out of luck.
Google makes buying books easier for Play Books users on Apple iPhone
If you’re the type of person who loves to dive into a good book, Google has just made things simpler for you on your iPhone (and iPad). Historically, Play Books has been great for reading ebooks and audiobooks, but buying them on iOS was less than ideal. That’s changing now.
Google has introduced a new “Get Book” feature in the Play Books iOS app, which now directly navigates you to the Google Play website for a seamless purchase. Gone are the days of navigating through confusing mazes; just tap, buy, and start your reading without distractions.
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