Friday, 31 March 2023

It’s World Backup Day! Here’s how to backup Android phones https://ift.tt/C1QepHL

There’s always the possibility that you’ll misplace your phone, or drop it in water and lose everything. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to backup Android devices, ensuring that even if something happens to your phone, you won’t lose all those embarrassing photos of your kids you were going to show at their 21st birthday.

Whether through Google, a third-party app, or your computer, there are multiple ways to back up phones to ensure you never find yourself in a situation where you lose data.



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The best Boost Mobile deals: Get a free Galaxy A23 5G when you switch https://ift.tt/ZlAvn3y

Boost Mobile switch button

If you want to switch to a contract-free prepaid carrier in the US, Boost Mobile is one of the best options around. It has a wide range of premium and affordable smartphones available and provides many deals on devices and plans. The Sprint and T-Mobile merger has resulted in one major change for the best Boost Mobile deals — the MVNO is now part of Dish Network.

In other words, Boost is going to be around for a while. We still highly recommend the carrier and feel that now is a great time to sign up, as there are plenty of solid deals to be had this month. For example, over on Tech Deals, you can save 49% on the 5GB Boost Mobile plan.



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The best Google Pixel Watch faces https://ift.tt/Nm72B8E

A Google Pixel Watch displays the Edit screen for personalizing your watch face.
Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

The Google Pixel Watch has a lot to offer Android users, including a sleek, minimalist design perfect for pairing with a personalized watch face. From native options to third-party picks, we round up the best Pixel Watch faces to add to your device.

How to change your Google Pixel Watch face

To change your watch face right from your wrist, press and hold your current watch face. Then, swipe all the way left and tap Add new. You can also browse and swap watch faces in the Pixel Watch app on your paired phone.



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Google restructures virtual assistant team to focus more on Bard https://ift.tt/xMTsOKY

Google Logo Lights
Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
  • Sissie Hsiao, vice president and lead of Google Assistant’s business unit, announced changes coming to the organization.
  • Google will be reorganizing its virtual assistant unit to focus more on Bard.
  • A key leader from the team is stepping down.

It’s no secret that one of Google’s primary focuses this year is on Bard, its answer to ChatGPT. To further support Bard’s development, the organization is enlisting the help of its virtual assistant unit.

According to CNBC, Sissie Hsiao, vice president and lead of Google Assistant‘s business unit, announced in a memo that the virtual assistant team would be going through some restructuring. The reorganization is a move to have the unit heavily prioritize working on the company’s AI chatbot.



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You told us: You’re definitely interested in a tri-folding foldable phone https://ift.tt/AxiVSXu

Samsung tri fold foldable concept MWC 2023
Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

A leaker claimed last week that Samsung was working on a third foldable phone form factor for 2023. This would ostensibly be a Tri-Fold foldable phone, with two hinges in the folding screen.

A form factor like this would allow for much larger folding screens, but would you buy something like this? We posed that question in our news story last week, and here’s how you responded.



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You can now try the Galaxy S23 on your iPhone (kind of) https://ift.tt/nXic1Fs

 

TryGalaxy for iPhone



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Vivo X Fold 2 looks slim in unboxing video: But will it get a global launch? https://ift.tt/KFsbn7Q

Vivo X Fold 2 vs iPhone FlyPig Weibo
Credit:
Weibo/FlyPig
  • An unboxing video has shown off the vivo X Fold 2 foldable phone.
  • The video suggests a thinner foldable with a similar camera system as the X90 Pro.
  • The company also confirmed to us that there were no current plans for a global launch.

Vivo launched its X Fold and X Fold Plus foldable phones last year, bringing a book-style foldable experience to the Chinese market. The company has confirmed that the vivo X Fold 2 is on the way soon, and an unboxing video has given us plenty more details.

Chinese content creator FlyPig posted an unboxing video on Weibo (h/t: Gizmochina), and it shows the vivo X Fold 2 in all its glory. For one, this model has a red color scheme, with a mostly leather back save for a vertical glass strip next to the hinge. Check out the first screengrab below.



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Thursday, 30 March 2023

Google Photos update brings new movie editor feature to Chromebooks https://ift.tt/Dq0nfX3

Google Photos movie editor 1
Credit: Google
  • Google is “starting to roll out” new movie editor and video editing features on Google Photos.
  • The tools will allow users to create a movie from scratch or choose a preset.
  • Users will need to have the Google Photos app installed on their Chromebook.

Last year in July, Google teased that it was giving Chromebooks new movie editing tools through Google Photos. Those features are finally starting to arrive.

In a post on the Google Photos community page, the company announced that new video editing features are “starting to roll out” for Google Photos on Chromebooks. These features would allow you to “seamlessly use images and videos from your Chromebook and edit in Google Photos.”



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The best AT&T deals: Save $800 on the Galaxy S23 with any trade-in https://ift.tt/P1cS2n0

ATT logo stock image 2
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

AT&T always has a good mix of deals up its sleeve. These include discounts on smartphones and other tech products, various bundles, and more. Right now, you can even grab deals on AT&T’s new TV service. We’ve rounded up the best AT&T deals that you can get directly from the carrier — check them out below.

Featured deal: Save $800 on the Galaxy S23 series with any trade-in

samsung galaxy s23 ultra cameras



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Wednesday, 29 March 2023

Google accused of ripping off OpenAI’s ChatGPT https://ift.tt/8nvgYXe

Stock photo of Google Bard website on phone 7

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
  • A report alleges that a prominent AI researcher at Google quit because the company was training its AI chatbot Bard on data from OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
  • Google has denied the allegation.

Google has been accused of training its AI chatbot Bard on data from OpenAI’s ChatGPT without authorization. According to The Information, Jacob Devlin, a Google AI researcher, resigned because the company scraped ChatGPT data from a website called ShareGPT.



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The inevitable is happening — Microsoft’s AI-powered Bing Chat is getting ads. https://ift.tt/0AxtWjp

Stock photo of Bing Chat on phone 4

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
  • The experience of finding answers on the new Bing Chat powered by AI will now include ads.
  • Microsoft says ads will be variable in nature, so different users could see different types of ads.
  • The company also wants to drive traffic to publishers from where Bing sources its responses through rich captions.

Microsoft is adding ads to responses from Bing’s AI-powered chatbot, the company said in a blog post published on Wednesday. It’s the inevitable result of Bing’s 100 million and growing daily active users since the introduction of the ChatGPT-powered AI features.



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ChatGPT vs Google Bard: What’s the difference and which one to use? https://ift.tt/syna5wx

Stock photo of Google Bard website on phone 4
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

We finally have our hands on Google’s long-awaited Bard chatbot. It takes aim at the increasingly popular ChatGPT and Bing Chat, both of which are based on the same foundation. Meanwhile, Google has developed its own large language model for Bard, codenamed LaMDA. This is our first encounter with Google’s chatbot, but we’ve already found some aspects that separate Bard vs ChatGPT.

So in this article, let’s pit these two rival chatbots against each other and find out once and for all which one you should use.



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The best Verizon deals: Get the Galaxy S23 Plus for free https://ift.tt/g7ev5Qf

Verizon logo on phone stock photo
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Verizon is the biggest US carrier, with great coverage and a good selection of phones. But finding the best Verizon savings shouldn’t have to be a trawl for those seeking a new device but looking for the best deal possible. We’ve put together the best Verizon deals that are currently available. 

There’s a lot to get through, which is a good thing. Let’s dive in.



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I used Apple Fitness Plus for 7 days: Here’s my honest review https://ift.tt/kzE7txR

An iPhone displaying Apple Fitness Plus rests on a studio floor among tennis shoes, a water bottle, and an Apple Watch SE 2.
Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

An Apple Watch Fitness Plus review has long been on my to-do list. As a wearables reviewer, covering fitness content comes with the territory. In fact, it’s a perk of the job. Typically, my workouts include whatever activities are required to test out a device’s heart rate monitor, GPS accuracy, and a few niche workout modes, (plus a couple of extra yoga sessions to appease my apparently decrepit joints). Review periods often lead to repetitive interval work on a stationary bike and drawn-out neighborhood runs.

On a week without a specific device to test, I gave an entire platform my attention. I cycled, stretched, walked, and more to dig into what Apple has to offer its paying subscribers. I paired the app with my Apple Watch Ultra as well as my Apple Watch Series 8. Find out what I discovered in my honest review of Apple Fitness Plus after seven days of use.



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New Babbel deal: The #1 language-learning app just got a lot cheaper https://ift.tt/emMC0nx

Babbel Language Learning App Deal
Credit:
Tech Deals

Learning a new language in your free moments can be a joy if you have the right guidance. Babbel revolutionizes language learning to make it feel, well, less like learning. This Babbel deal means there’s never been a better time to sign up, with a recent price drop on the app giving you a chance to subscribe for life for just $149.97 ($450 off).

Whether it’s for improving your resume or immersing yourself on your next trip, Babbel can get you from fumbling to fluent in a new lingo. Developed by over 100 expert linguists, the learning tool can teach you any of 14 languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, and more. Over 10 million subscriptions will testify to that.



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ASUS ROG Phone 7: Everything we know so far and what we want to see https://ift.tt/9exokg2

ASUS ROG Phone 6D Ultimate vs ROG Phone 5 Ultimate cameras
Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority

Each year, we see a handful of gaming phones launch from prominent manufacturers. However, ASUS almost always takes the cake when it comes to features, design, and, of course, pure power, and in doing so consistently ranks among the best Android phones you can buy. This year, we expect to see the ASUS ROG Phone 7 — and it could be the best gaming-focused phone of 2023.

But what can we expect from this next ASUS flagship? We’ve rounded up all the credible rumors below! We’ve also added a few wish list items — things we hope to see, but have no evidence for quite yet.



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Tuesday, 28 March 2023

Apple’s giving Android users a new reason to switch with Apple Pay Later https://ift.tt/mDwyHsN

Apple Pay 3

Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority
  • Apple has launched the Apple Pay Later program in the US.
  • It allows Apple users to borrow amounts ranging from $50 to $1,000 and pay them back in six weekly installments.
  • The loans can be used for online purchases wherever Apple Pay is accepted and also for in-app purchases.

Apple has debuted Apple Pay Later, a payment plan that allows users to split their purchases into four payments spread over six weeks with zero interest and no fees.



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Lenovo confirms it has shut down its Legion gaming phone business https://ift.tt/XTr92aK

Lenovo Legion Duel 2 3
Credit: Luke Pollack / Android Authority
  • Lenovo’s Legion gaming phone business is dead.
  • A spokesperson for Lenovo said the move is “part of a wider business transformation and gaming portfolio consolidation.”
  • The decision won’t affect Lenovo’s other gaming-related products.

There’s been some speculation surrounding Lenovo and its Legion gaming phone business recently. Rumors claimed that the Legion gaming phone line had been shut down. We now know the truth about what’s going on.

Last week, someone believed to be a Lenovo employee posted a comment about the Legion phone business on social media. According to the user, Lenovo chose to completely shut down its gaming phone business.



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Save $180 on the Tab S7 Plus, and more Samsung Galaxy Tab deals https://ift.tt/b05kX8p

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus holding the S Pen
Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The iPad may be the most popular tablet overall, but that doesn’t make it the most effective. Samsung has been fine-tuning the Galaxy Tab line for a few years now, leading to some great Android tablets, such as the flagship Galaxy Tab S8 Plus. However, the top tablets can get pretty pricey. As we eagerly await the Galaxy Tab S9 range, why we’ve compiled a list of the best Samsung Galaxy Tab deals to help you.

Samsung’s Galaxy Tabs make a lot of sense over iPads if you’re already in the Samsung ecosystem or set on an Android tablet. They offer a great combination of affordability, variety, and expandable storage. Whether you’re looking for a tablet for work, school, or leisure, Samsung has a tablet that’s right for you. We’ve included most of the devices from the past few years in our roundup, so you should be able to match your budget.



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Deal: Save 88% on Microsoft Office Professional 2021 https://ift.tt/RgcS1Kl

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows TechDeals Deal
Credit:
Tech Deals

One of the most widely used productivity tools is back on sale. Today you can pick up lifetime access to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for a one-time payment of just $39.99 ($309 off).

The deal is as good as it sounds — no subscription fees or limitations on features. Once you sign up, you’ve got all of the most popular Office software and tools to maximize your productivity. Office Professional 2021 is available for Windows users, but the same savings and price can land you Office Home and Business 2021 if you’re a Mac user.



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Lenovo confirms it has shutdown its Legion gaming phone business https://ift.tt/XTr92aK

Lenovo Legion Duel 2 3
Credit: Luke Pollack / Android Authority
  • Lenovo’s Legion gaming phone business is dead.
  • A spokesperson for Lenovo said the move is “part of a wider business transformation and gaming portfolio consolidation.”
  • The decision won’t effect Lenovo’s other gaming-related products.

There’s been some speculation surrounding Lenovo and its Legion gaming phone business recently. Rumors claimed that the Legion gaming phone line had been shutdown. We now know the truth about what’s going on.

Last week, someone believed to be a Lenovo employee posted a comment about the Legion phone business on social media. According to the user, Lenovo chose to completely shutdown its gaming phone business.



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Twitter wants you to pay if you want to be seen and heard on the platform https://ift.tt/ACwvyVq

apple ipad twitter
Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority
  • April 15 onwards, only paid Twitter Blue users will be showcased through the “For You” algorithm.
  • Voting in polls will also become restricted to paid Twitter Blue users.
  • A Twitter Blue subscription costs $8 per month.

Twitter CEO Elon Musk has announced two new changes for the social media platform. Starting April 15, Twitter will only be showcasing paid Twitter Blue subscribers through its “For You” recommendations. Further, voting in polls will also become restricted to paid users only. These announcements were made through Elon Musk‘s official Twitter profile.

Screenshot of Elon Musk announcing For You and Voting Changes for Twitter Blue users



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Daily Authority: 👀 Could Nothing Phone 2 launch soon? https://ift.tt/KWtBJPV

⏰ Good morning and welcome to Tuesday’s Daily Authority! Here in Scotland, we’re still adjusting to the clocks rolling forward an hour last weekend, so time feels strange this week…

Today we’ve got some exciting news: Could the Nothing Phone 2 be coming soon? We’ll also cover a story about Pixel’s Adaptive Charging, the demise of Fitbit Challenges and Adventures, some good news from HUAWEI, a heads-up for Ubisoft’s June event… plus, your chance to win $700k by solving an ancient mystery.



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Smartphone brands could get their Arm twisted: Pricier phones coming? https://ift.tt/6NFnTth

ARM logo
Credit: Kris Carlon / Android Authority
  • Chip designer Arm will reportedly change its licensing model.
  • It’s believed the company plans to charge device makers based on a device’s value.
  • This could lead to much higher earnings for the firm.

Arm is a cornerstone of the tech industry, as its computing technology is used in virtually every smartphone and in a variety of other consumer product categories. Now, it sounds like the chip designer could be rethinking its licensing model.

The Financial Times has reported that Arm wants to raise the price of its chip designs by switching to a new licensing model as soon as next year, citing several industry executives and former employees.



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Monday, 27 March 2023

Exynos-powered Samsung phones to get Wi-Fi calling vulnerability fix soon https://ift.tt/msEtPSO

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Google Pixel 6 Pro rear on table

Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Pixel 6 Pro
Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority
  • A Samsung community moderator has confirmed the company will fix the Wi-Fi calling vulnerability affecting Samsung phones with Exynos processors in April.
  • The flaw found by Google allows hackers to remotely access affected devices using just a phone number.

Last week, Google disclosed several severe active flaws in Samsung’s Exynos chips that could allow hackers to remotely hack smartphones by simply knowing a phone number. The issue affects not only a number of Samsung phones but also Vivo and Google Pixel devices. While Google has patched the vulnerabilities through its March security update for Pixels, it appears affected Samsung Galaxy devices still remain at risk, at least for a few more days.



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Google is shutting down Fitbit Challenges and Adventures today https://ift.tt/ZsrI8Jn

Fitbit logo IFA 2022
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
  • Fitbit is ending support for the Adventures and Challenges features in the Fitbit app.
  • Fitbit is also shutting down the Open Groups social feature.
  • Users will still be able to create closed groups and compete with friends.

A day after celebrating its birthday, Fitbit‘s social media team finds itself busy replying to angry customers. What are those users angry about? The company is ending two of its gamification features and the social networking feature.

Back in February, Fitbit announced it planned on shutting down the community and social features that used to be one of the company’s strengths. The deadline they set was for March 27, which is today. As a result, Fitbit app users will no longer be able to use Challenges, Adventures, or the Open Groups social feature.



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Nothing Phone 2 inches closer to launch, spotted in certification listing https://ift.tt/cIa2XgR

nothing phone 1 glyph on rear wood
Credit: Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
  • The model number of the Nothing Phone 2 may have been spotted on a certification website.
  • This appearance suggests that the Nothing Phone 2 could launch sooner than later.
  • The phone is expected to launch in the US later this year.

We may not have to wait that much longer to finally see the follow-up to the Nothing Phone 1. The Nothing Phone 2 was reportedly recently seen in a certification listing.

According to 91Mobiles, the model number of the Nothing Phone 2 may have made an appearance on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification website. If this is true, it would mark the first time the device has appeared in any certification database.



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You told us: Most of you have bought cheap wireless earbuds before https://ift.tt/trIQOZk

The JLab GO Air cheap true wireless earbuds being removed from the charging case.

True wireless earbuds are available at a variety of price points, but some of the biggest names in the industry frequently charge $100 and much more for their offerings.

We recently went through the pros and cons of buying cheap earbuds over these more expensive buds, also asking readers whether they’ve bought cheap earbuds before. Well, the results are in and here’s what you told us.



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