Apple acknowledges iPhone 15 Pro overheating issue, says it’s not the hardware https://ift.tt/EtaIors

Credit: Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority

• Apple has acknowledged the iPhone 15 Pro overheating issue.
• The company has said that a software fix is in the process of being rolled out.
• As per Apple’s findings, the hardware of the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro is not to blame for the heating issue.

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Apple has officially addressed the overheating issue on the iPhone 15 Pro models. The company has identified a bug in iOS 17 as one of the main culprits behind the problem.

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Did you know there are way more than 3 independent mobile networks in the USA? https://ift.tt/ekTuzf9

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. That’s the three that come to mind when people inquire about wireless networks in the USA, isn’t it? While these are the prominent players, there are, in fact, more wireless networks out there than you might realize. Excluding MVNOs that depend on existing networks, there are at least 40 options available. No, that wasn’t a typo. You might be curious about why you’ve never encountered them; that’s because many of these are highly localized regional networks.

Let’s take a quick look at the top five independent networks, ranked by subscriber count. Afterward, we’ll delve into why the big three remain on top. 

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AT&T in trouble? Seems to be playing it safe in 2023 https://ift.tt/LirCw8e

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Andrew Grush

The US mobile landscape has evolved significantly over the years. Not long ago, Verizon and AT&T were the leading players, with Sprint and T-Mobile following at a distance. In 2023, the gap between the major carriers has narrowed considerably, and the competition is fiercer than ever. Earlier this summer, AT&T’s stock hit a 30-year low, raising the question: Is AT&T in trouble?

Now, I’m not suggesting that the company is in danger of disappearing. It remains a Fortune 500 company with a substantial subscriber count and a loyal fan base. It’s also important to note that Verizon isn’t exactly thriving either, dealing with similar lead contamination issues and other factors affecting its stock prices. Whatmore, according to Statista AT&T is actually doing quite well in terms of retaining subscribers. After a few months of slight decline, it’s actually seen some minor growth over the last two quarters.

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6 years later, I still use the Google Pixelbook https://ift.tt/ryawob2

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

I hadn’t intended to buy a Google Pixelbook in 2017. I was more or less managing with my sluggish Toshiba Chromebook 2, and paying $999 for a glorified Chrome browser seemed utterly wasteful to me, no matter how refined the hardware looked. But a fantastic deal changed my mind, and so I found myself unboxing Google’s wonderful first-party Chromebook after having it shipped halfway across the globe from the US to Lebanon.

At the time, few people knew what a Chromebook was. To me, an online writer who spent 95% of my working day inside Chrome and WordPress, a Chromebook was the cheapest machine for the job. But the Pixelbook was an exorbitant Chromebook: 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, two USB-C ports, an Intel Core i5 processor, and a 3:2 high-resolution display. It was overpowered for the job and overpowered for Chrome OS, but perfect for someone who wanted a future-proof investment.

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No one should buy the Pixel Watch 2 unless Google fixes its repairability issue https://ift.tt/aOpv4bT

Credit: Google forums

Opinion post by

Adamya Sharma

Google has to be kidding with its repair policy for the Pixel Watch. The company calls the $349 wearable “beautiful inside and out,” but it’s hiding an ugly secret from customers — there’s no way to repair a broken Pixel Watch.

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Sony Xperia 5 V review: Should you buy it? https://ift.tt/jqp9VI5

Sony Xperia 5 V review: At a glance

• What is it? The Sony Xperia 5 V is the more affordable alternative to the Xperia 1 V flagship.
• What is the price? Sony’s Xperia 5 V isn’t available in the US (yet), but costs £849 and €999 in the UK and other regions in Europe, respectively.
• Where can you buy it? The Sony Xperia 5 V was available to pre-order on September 1, with units shipping from September 21 (depending on the region).
• How did we test it? I tested the Sony Xperia 5 V for five days. The review unit was supplied by Sony.
• Is it worth it? The Sony Xperia 5 V is still a fair pick for those after expandable storage, a headphone jack, and swathes of multimedia features, but the phone struggles to stand out elsewhere.

Should you buy the Sony Xperia 5 V?

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Google Pixel 8a: Release date, price, specs, rumors, and what we want to see https://ift.tt/LVQHgBK

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The first time Google launched an A series phone was in 2019 with the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. At the time, those were some of the best Android phones you could get for the price. Since then, Google’s released a new A series Pixel every year. One would then expect that it’s a guarantee we’ll see a Google Pixel 8a in 2024, right? Well, things might not be that simple.

In this post, we will round up all the credible rumors we’ve seen so far related to the Pixel 8a, which includes information about it possibly not happening. We’ll close out the rumor roundup with a wishlist of items we hope to see on the phone if it does make it to market.

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Famous movie star seen using a OnePlus Open https://ift.tt/JDr2epQ

Credit: Instagram / Viral Bhayani

• Indian movie star Anushka Sharma was spotted by paparazzi using a OnePlus Open.
• The Open is the company’s first foldable phone and is unreleased.
• Sharma appears to have never used a foldable before, so this situation was likely staged by OnePlus.

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OnePlus is poised to launch its first foldable phone in October. However, weeks before the launch, we’ve now seen a real-life video of someone using the phone. Interestingly, that someone is one of India’s most famous movie stars.

Anushka Sharma was spotted using the OnePlus Open in a car. While the car was pulling out of a parking area, paparazzi swarmed the vehicle, trying to snap photos of Sharma. Lo and behold, Sharma had the OnePlus foldable in her hand. You can see the video on the Instagram account of Viral Bhayani — an Indian paparazzo — but we have some screenshots for you below:

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It’s only September but we’ve already got our first look at the Galaxy S24 https://ift.tt/bFalg6E

Credit: SmartPrix

• Apparent Samsung Galaxy S24 renders have been posted online.
• The images and a 360-degree video show a phone with polished, flat edges.

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We’re expecting the Galaxy S24 series to launch early in 2024, and a few leaks have already appeared online. Now, a trusted source is going one step further by releasing Galaxy S24 renders and a 360-degree video.

Steve ‘OnLeaks’ Hemmerstoffer and SmartPrix posted base Galaxy S24 renders and a video, giving us a good idea of what to expect from the cheapest S24 model.

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An abandoned Apple-Microsoft deal is now making trouble for Google https://ift.tt/xZjLH2w

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Microsoft reportedly tried selling Bing to Apple in 2020.
• However, Apple chose Google as its preferred search engine partner for iPhones, iPads, and other products.
• The US Department of Justice is using Google’s deal with Apple to show how the former unfairly dominates the search engine landscape.

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Microsoft was reportedly in talks with Apple to sell Bing to the iPhone maker. According to Bloomberg, Microsoft executives met Apple’s services head, Eddy Cue, in 2020 to pitch Bing to the Cupertino company. If the deal had gotten through, Bing could have replaced Google as the default search engine in Safari, Siri, and everywhere else Apple uses search.

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PS5 Pro: Release date, rumors, price, what we want from Sony’s next-gen console https://ift.tt/GLxanrt

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

On November 15, 2013, Sony launched the PlayStation 4. Three years later, almost to the day, Sony launched an upgraded version known as the PlayStation 4 Pro. Meanwhile, the PlayStation 5 launched on November 12, 2020. If you do the math, that means by November this year, it will have been three years since we saw the PS5 console launch. Does that mean we can expect a Sony PS5 Pro to launch soon?

The PS4 Pro was only a slight iteration of the PS4. It used the same controller, played the same games, and had all the same features. Its main reason for existing was to allow for smoother gameplay, 4K support across various games, and a few other quality-of-life upgrades. If a PlayStation 5 Pro exists, what will it offer?

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The best new streaming shows this week on Netflix, Paramount, Hulu, and more https://ift.tt/2TQIo5q

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

It’s hard to keep track of which streaming service is premiering which new show or movie from week to week. Netflix used to be king, but the streaming field is full of alternatives, and they’re all regularly pumping out new content. So, what are the best new streaming shows and where can you watch them?

Every week, we answer that question for you, offering some exciting new and returning titles, including streaming originals, from services like Max, Hulu, Prime Video, Paramount Plus, and, yes, Netflix. We’ll be updating this list every week, so stay tuned for more new streaming shows on every major service.

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The best new streaming movies this week on Netflix, Hulu, Prime, and more https://ift.tt/Lh3Ff2J

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

There’s a lot to watch on various streaming services — sometimes, it almost feels like too much. It’s not always easy to choose among the walls of options, jumping from one app to the other and looking for the perfect TV show or movie night selection, including some great original streaming movies. To simplify things for you, we’ve compiled some of the best new streaming movies to watch this week. 

Check out our top picks from major streamers like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and more, including free streamers like Plex, Tubi, and Amazon’s Freevee, as well as more niche services like Mubi and Shudder. The titles below were added to these services in the last month, and we aim to include a mix of streaming originals, new releases, older classics, and more. Read on for a list of the best new movies to stream this week. 

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The best Cricket Wireless deals of October 2023 https://ift.tt/xMgacNT

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Cricket Wireless is the no-contract subsidiary of AT&T, offering customers a way to get affordable smartphones with cheap prepaid plans. While many of Cricket’s smartphones are already priced pretty reasonably, some special Cricket deals stand out right now. We’ve compiled the best Cricket deals in this post, but be aware that various terms and conditions apply.

Cricket mainly offers phone savings when you join the carrier, although they have occasional price drops on plans. To learn more about what Cricket offers in terms of plans, check out our Cricket Wireless buyer’s guide.

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WhatsApp is getting Meta’s new AI Assistant to answer your questions and more https://ift.tt/oQX9PB3

Credit: Meta Newsroom

• Meta has announced its new Meta AI virtual assistant.
• This AI-powered digital assistant can access real-time information for search and offers a tool for image generation.
• Meta AI will be available for English language users on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger in the US.

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WhatsApp is one of the best messaging apps you can install on your phone, presuming the rest of your social network also uses it as their primary means of communication. The IM app is extremely popular in several regions worldwide, serving as the platform of choice for interpersonal and even business communication. Now, Meta is adding some AI garnish to the messaging app with its new Meta AI assistant that will soon be available on WhatsApp.

Meta launches Meta AI Assistant and other AI bots

Announced during Meta Connect 2023, Meta AI is the new assistant from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. AI powers this virtual assistant, and it has access to real-time information through Meta’s search partnership with Bing. It also offers a tool for image generation.

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Google has doubled its market share for Pixel phones in the US since last year https://ift.tt/0Wnj1a8

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• Google reportedly shipped 1.2 million Pixels in Q2 2023.
• Compared to the same time last year, the market share of Pixel phones in the US has doubled.
• Apple and Samsung still lead the pack as far as North American smartphone shipments are concerned.

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Google seems to be heading in the right direction with Pixel phones, or at least that’s what the numbers are showing. According to Canalys, the market share for Pixel phones in the US doubled in Q2 2023 compared to the same time last year.

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Disney Plus password sharing restrictions are here! https://ift.tt/nwcHZp2

• Disney Plus will restrict account sharing in Canada starting on November 1.
• The streaming platform will not allow users to share their login credentials with those who live outside of the primary household.
• Canadian Disney Plus users are being informed of the new policy via an email containing a revised user agreement.

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Disney Plus has officially kicked off its password-sharing crackdown. Starting November 1, Disney Plus subscribers in Canada will be restricted from sharing their accounts with users outside of their households.

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ChatGPT can now browse the internet like Google Bard https://ift.tt/S5J40Li

Credit: Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority

• ChatGPT has regained the ability to access the internet.
• The new Browse With Bing feature is now available to Plus and Enterprise users.
• Free ChatGPT users should also get internet access soon.

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ChatGPT can now browse the internet in real-time to offer more accurate and up-to-date results for queries. The generative AI‘s internet browsing skills come courtesy of Microsoft Bing. Just like Google Bard, ChatGPT can now look up information online, making its answers more informed and current.

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After USB-C win, EU now wants Apple to open up its gates to rivals https://ift.tt/MstADYE

Credit: Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority

• The European Commission wants Apple to open up its gates to competitors.
• The legislating body wants iPhone users to benefit from competitive services like electronic wallets, app stores, or browsers.

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After years of back and forth, Apple finally had to submit to EU regulations by booting out Lightning and adopting USB-C on iPhones. But Europe isn’t done with Apple, and its next act would be to make the Cupertino giant open up its walled garden to rivals.

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Google rolls out big OS update for Chromebooks, adds Material You redesign https://ift.tt/kqUc9FO

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Google is pushing out its Chrome OS 117 update for Chromebooks.
• The update introduces a variety of changes, including a Material You redesign.
• Chrome OS 117 will be rolling out over the coming days.

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Your Chromebook is going to look very different soon. Google is rolling out the Chrome OS 117 update to Chromebooks and it introduces a variety of changes to the operating system.

One of the updates you’ll notice right away is the adoption of Material You. This redesign is probably the most prominent in Quick Settings. The menu now features rounded rectangles in a grid-style layout, instead of the small circles from before, according to Google. It looks a lot closer to what you see on Pixel phones. As a result, it’s a lot easier to read and select settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Night Light, and more.

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Meta Quest 3: Specs, price, release date, and everything else you need to know https://ift.tt/Zz7XrUe

It feels like the Meta Quest 2 has been around for ages. In fact, the VR headset has been out for long enough that it even went through a mid-cycle rebrand, going from the Oculus Quest 2 to the Meta Quest 2. But after three years, it’s time for the headset to pass the torch and make way for its successor. Meta has now officially launched the Meta Quest 3, and here’s everything you need to know about the new VR hardware.

Meta Quest 3: Release date, price, and availability

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This new Android app lets you make your own custom Wear OS watch faces https://ift.tt/7o1ZLJs

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

• KWCH, aka Kustom Watchface Creator, is a new app that lets you create custom watch faces for Wear OS smartwatches.
• The app includes a WYSIWYG editor and other tools that let you create a watch face according to your vision and needs.

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One of the big draws of a smartwatch against a conventional watch is that you can choose different watch faces. Most smartwatch OS’s, including Wear OS, pack in many options to let you choose the perfect watch face for the occasion. But what if everything on offer doesn’t really suit your needs? The top Android watches all let you create your own watch face, but the process isn’t amateur-friendly. For users looking for an easier solution for creating custom watch faces, this new app called Kustom Watchface Creator could be precisely what you want.

Kustom Watchface Creator, or KWCH, is a new app by the developers of the popular widget-maker app KWGT (via 9to5Google). The devs have essentially recreated the base principles of KWGT with KWCH for Wear OS smartwatches. What this means is that you get a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor to let you build and fully customize your watch face.

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Bad news for Sony fans: The Xperia 5 V won’t be coming to the US https://ift.tt/IdUZ0bH

Credit: Supplied by Sony

• Sony has reportedly stated that the Xperia 5 V won’t launch in North America.
• That means US consumers will need to buy the Xperia 1 V if they want a 2023 Xperia flagship.

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Sony launched the Xperia 5 V earlier this month, bringing a more compact flagship phone experience to the market. There was no word on US availability at the time, but it looks like we’ve got bad news.

Sony confirmed to Android Police that it wouldn’t be launching the Xperia 5 V in the US. The company said it “will not (be) carrying the Xperia 5 V in the North American market this year. We want to focus on our flagship Xperia 1 V.”

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macOS Sonoma: Release date, features, and compatibility https://ift.tt/Vx3GKS0

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

It’s been a year since macOS 13 Ventura first hit the scene, bringing smart folders, redesigned system settings, new apps, and more. Now macOS Sonoma is out and ready to be installed. Join us as we look at macOS Sonoma’s features, compatibility, and more.

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macOS 14 Sonoma release date: When is the next update releasing for MacBooks? https://ift.tt/jNe6U4v

The Apple MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are some of the most popular laptops. They are preferred by anyone who needs a thin and light portable laptop or a powerful machine for compute-heavy tasks. All of this is made possible by the Apple M1 or M2 processor doing the heavy lifting, while macOS brings it all together on the software end. At WWDC 2023, Apple announced macOS Sonoma, the newest update for Macs and MacBooks. Now the update is out and here is everything you need to know about it.

QUICK ANSWER

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ASUS ROG Phone 8: Release date, price, specs, rumors, and what we hope to see https://ift.tt/gOa7DWc

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Update, September 26, 2023 (3:06 PM ET): We have updated our ROG Phone 8 rumor hub with new information on the processor.

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As Windows- and Linux-based gaming handhelds pick up steam, Android-based gaming phones appear to be going the other way, fading into obscurity and with increasingly fewer options to consider. However, of all the companies still making gaming phones, none can compare to the mighty ASUS. The ROG Phone series represents not only the best gaming phones you can get but some of the best phones you can get, in general. With the 2023 ROG Phone 7 series behind us, what can we expect from the ASUS ROG Phone 8 series in 2024?

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Apple sacrificed the iPhone 15’s cooling to make it lighter, claims Kuo https://ift.tt/TYOaKtq

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• There have been reports of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max running hot.
• An Apple Analyst claims the issue could be due to compromises Apple made with the thermal system design to achieve a lighter weight.
• Software updates may have only a limited impact on the issue, unless Apple lowers processor performance.

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There have been a number of reports claiming that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are overheating. Even members of our crew are experiencing this problem. It appears the issue could be linked to a compromise Apple made with the phone’s thermal system design.

Android Authority recently tested out the iPhone 15 Pro to confirm reports of overheating. We found that it indeed has a problem with running hot when performing various tasks, getting as hot as 47.4°C (117.3°F). You can check out the results of our iPhone 15 Pro overheating investigation to get the full details.

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Fitbit Sense 3: Release date, price, rumors, specs, and more https://ift.tt/YX6Qb1D

Fitbit devices remain among the most popular wearables available, including the company’s top smartwatch lineups. The health-focused Fitbit Sense line is the brand’s top tier with advanced sensors and a range of smartwatch tools. While we weren’t blown away by the latest model during Fitbit Sense 2 review, we’re excited to see what lies in store for the series. Find out everything we know about specs, pricing, and possible features of a potential Fitbit Sense 3.

Fitbit Sense 3: At a glance

• When is it coming out? If a Fitbit Sense 3 were to arrive, it’s likely to land in 2025, following a biannual launch pattern. With that said, it’s possible the line will be dropped in light of the Google Pixel Watch lineup.
• What’s new? At this point, rumors of a new Sense are nonexistent. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel Watch 2 launch is imminent and we expect significant upgrades to the lineup. If a Sense 3 were to land, we hope to see the device reestablish smartwatch features removed from the previous generation including third-party app support and music storage. Without these features, it’s hard to imagine the device competing with the Pixel Watch 2 which features thorough Fitbit integration.
•  How much will it cost? We expect Fitbit to maintain a consistent cost structure if the company chooses to continue the Sense family. This would mean a price tag between $299 and $329.

Will there be a Fitbit Sense 3?

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

Aside from the looming shadow of the Pixel Watch 2, there’s no reason not to expect Fitbit to continue the Sense lineup, at least not at this point. While there have only been two generations launched so far, the smartwatches represent the company’s highest-end wearable with advanced features for anyone with a focus on health stats. It’s unlikely Fitbit will abandon the offering.

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