You told us: You mostly stick with 1x zoom on your phone camera https://ift.tt/4sWgcKu

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Today’s smartphones offer much-improved camera zoom quality compared to devices from a decade ago. That’s in large part due to the introduction of telephoto cameras, periscope shooters, new and improved processing techniques, and high-resolution sensors.

Senior Features Editor Rita El-Khoury recently suggested that people use 2x zoom more often. We also asked you which zoom level you used the most, and here’s how you answered that poll.

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Google could take the ‘Chrome’ out of ‘Chrome OS’ very soon https://ift.tt/eKwDxRi

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

• Google could be very close to separating the Chrome browser from Chrome OS.
• Code references suggest that this change could come to users soon.
• This would allow the Chrome browser to be updated independently of Chrome OS.

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We’ve known for the past few years now that Google was working to decouple the Chrome web browser from Chrome OS itself. This project, dubbed Lacros, would see Google ditch the integrated Chrome browser in favor of a standalone Linux-based Chrome browser.

Now, About Chromebooks (h/t: Chrome Unboxed) reports that this process could get underway for users soon. The outlet spotted several code changes suggesting that you won’t have to manually enable the standalone Lacros browser in Chrome OS 116. The outlet also noted that they could no longer manually enable the standalone browser on a device running the Chrome OS 116 beta.

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YouTube copies Instagram and TikTok with new Shorts features https://ift.tt/HkuQhgx

Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority

• Google has announced a slew of new features for YouTube Shorts.
• At least two of these features were taken from Instagram and TikTok.
• The company is also letting users more easily convert their landscape clips to Shorts.

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YouTube followed the short vertical video trend by introducing Shorts back in 2020. Now, the company is grabbing a couple of features from Instagram Reels and TikTok for its Shorts.

YouTube announced six new Shorts-focused additions yesterday, starting with the “Collab” ability to record a Short in a side-by-side layout with an existing YouTube clip. It goes without saying that Instagram and TikTok have offered this feature for a while.

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This Android phone for the visually impaired is surprisingly feature-packed https://ift.tt/KESqGpm

Credit: Raz Mobility

• US company Raz Mobility has released an Android phone for visually impaired users.
• It comes with a T9 keypad, navigation keys, and a Google Assistant button.
• The phone also offers wireless charging, a 3.5mm port, and microSD card expansion.

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Today’s top Android phones come with plenty of accessibility enhancements, including several features for the visually impaired. What if that isn’t enough for you, though? 

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The best T-Mobile deals of August 2023 https://ift.tt/pAePZ5J

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

T-Mobile is the second-largest wireless carrier in the United States, climbing up from third place after the merger with Sprint. Its growth is thanks to the great T-Mobile deals and offers available for new and current customers, with discounts on phones and other accessories.

Below, you’ll find the best T-Mobile deals currently available. Take a look through, and perhaps you’ll be able to save some money when you make your next smartphone, tablet, or wearable purchase.

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Apple iPad Mini (7th generation): Everything we know and what we want to see https://ift.tt/KxQ3mEZ

Credit: Nick Fernandez / Android Authority

Update, August 1, 2023 (02:17 PM ET): We have updated this iPad Mini (7th generation) rumor hub with information on a possible 2023 release from a trusted leaker.

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Original article: Larger tablets are great, but they aren’t for everyone. Some of us prefer a smaller pad that can be easily carried but offers more screen real estate than the typical smartphone. While some good small Android tablets are out there, none are quite as convincing as Apple’s iPad Mini series. The next one we expect to see from the Cupertino giant is the iPad Mini (7th generation).

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The Z Flip 5 isn’t released yet, but it already supports CoverScreen OS https://ift.tt/t2DA5Cu

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• The popular CoverScreen OS app now supports the Galaxy Z Flip 5.
• This support comes despite the phone only being released on August 11.
• You probably won’t need this app thanks to Samsung’s own downloadable tool.

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Samsung announced the Galaxy Z Flip 5 last week, and people will only be able to get their hands on a device from August 11. But that hasn’t stopped the developer of the popular CoverScreen OS app from bringing this app to the new flip phone.

The developer of the CoverScreen OS app confirmed on Twitter that they brought the app to the Galaxy Z Flip 5 after spending “literally days” at a Samsung store with the device.

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