Phones

  • Blog

    I just broke my iPhone — here’s what I learned about the durability of today’s phones

    My iPhone 12 has served me ably for more years than I can count without pausing to think about. It’s been there on trips, helping me snap photos, and it’s gotten me from point A to point with trusty navigation tips. It’s also tested innumerable software updates and features, without complaint or incident. And the other day, I smashed it…

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  • Blog

    Custom ROM Support Just Got a Lot Worse on Google Pixel Phones

    Summary Google intentionally omitted Pixel device trees from Android 16, making custom ROM development much harder. Developers now face challenges like reverse engineering and potential hardware components breaking on custom ROMs. Google’s shift towards using “Cuttlefish” as a primary reference target may negatively impact long-term device support. Custom ROMs are not something I think about a lot anymore when I…

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  • Blog

    Android 16 Arrives for Google Pixel Phones

    Android has undergone many cosmetic and internal changes in the last half decade. However, Google has been prioritizing security features and AI over making changes to the UI. Last month, Google hosted an entire show dedicated to Android, where it announced Material 3 Expressive inside Android 16. Now, it’s rolling out Android 16 for eligible Pixel phones and here’s everything…

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  • Blog

    No One Is Buying Phones for AI

    If you’re entrenched in tech news, you’d think Apple was on the brink of collapse. The company undoubtedly is having a rough go of all things AI—while companies like ChatGPT, Google, and Microsoft have hit the AI ground running, Apple’s AI department is in disarray. Some features, like Clean Up and Writing Tools, have made their way to products like…

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  • Blog

    My Favorite Feature in OnePlus Phones Just Got Killed

    Summary OnePlus is phasing out the iconic alert slider in favor of a customizable “Plus Key.” The Plus Key can replicate alert slider functions and be used for AI features. Users can remap the Plus Key for various functions, adding versatility to OnePlus phones. The alert slider is probably one of the more iconic features of OnePlus phones. It has…

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  • Blog

    Android 16 release schedule comes into focus — and that could mean an earlier update for Samsung phones

    We already knew that Google was pushing the release schedule for Android 16 compared to previous versions of the phone software. This week, we got a sense of how soon Android 16 could be ready — and the ripple effect that might have on software based on the new version of Android such as Samsung’s One UI 8 update. Updated…

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  • Blog

    Phones Are More Powerful Than Ever, So Why Are Mobile Games Still So Bad?

    For a long time, the dominant narrative for why mobile games sucked was that phones are simply not powerful enough to run high-end games. But we’re now at a point where flagship phones are more capable than older gaming consoles, so why has mobile gaming not kept pace? Most People Don’t Buy High-End Flagships Modern flagships like the iPhone 16…

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  • Blog

    Samsung has begun rolling out its Android 15 One UI 7 update to 2021 and 2022 phones

    For those with slightly older Samsung phones, your time to get the Android 15-based One UI 7 has arrived. Samsung is rolling out the software update for its 2021 and 2022 flagship devices. The latest software rollout follows the release of One UI 7 for 2023 and later devices. Here’s what devices can expect to see the update and their…

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  • Blog

    EU equips US-bound staff with burner phones – Computerworld

    The European Commission has issued so-called burner phones and simple laptops to certain staffers traveling to the US to reduce the risk of espionage, according to The Financial Times. The Commission issued the new guidelines to commissioners and senior officials traveling to the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings next week. The EU has in the past used…

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  • Blog

    Why I Buy Samsung’s Mid-Range Phones, Even Though They Don’t Offer the Best Value

    I like to get the most bang for my buck, and there are plenty of Android brands that offer near-flagship specs at an affordable price. Yet, I’m inclined to buy and recommend Samsung’s Galaxy A series phones, which often don’t deliver the best value in the mid-range segment. 8 Longer Software Support There aren’t many companies other than Samsung that…

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