Google has announced a new wave of updates to Android’s anti-theft protections, strengthening device security both before and after a phone is stolen. The company says the changes are designed to protect user data more effectively and reduce the overall value of stolen Android devices. The updates build on Android’s existing theft protection system and…
Google is testing a new Android feature designed to anticipate what users want to do next and surface apps or actions automatically. The feature, called Contextual Suggestions, has been spotted in beta and is tied to Google Play Services rather than a full Android version update. The discovery comes from Android Authority, which found references…
The Galaxy S25 is available for $350 when purchased with a one-year Mint Mobile plan. The price applies to the standard Galaxy S25, not the Ultra, and requires prepaying 12 months of service. The phone usually sells unlocked for around $650. The promotion cuts the upfront hardware cost nearly in half, with the service commitment…
Google has announced an extended repair program for the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL. It is also extending the warranty for Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Google launched the Pixel 9 series in late August 2024. The Mountain View company says that a limited number of Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL devices may be…
Google is killing yet another app, this time Google Assistant is getting the axe. The app is set to be discontinued in March 2026. Google Assistant was launched in 2016, as a voice-based virtual assistant that users could interact with using natural language and the Hey Google wake word. It was integrated in many of…
Google has backtracked partially on its anti-third party app store policy. It will allow power users to install Android apps from alternative sources. The Mountain View company had recently announced a system for Developer Verification, that requires Android app developers who distribute their apps outside the Play Store to verify their identity by registering with…
Security researchers have revealed that the Google Play Store had played host to malicious apps. The malware were downloaded over 40 million times. Welcome to the safest mobile app marketplace, people! A report published by Zscaler ThreatLabz (via Bleeping Computer) reveals how hackers are using malware to target users on mobile devices. It says that…
Google has made some changes to the Play Store in the U.S. These changes have been made to comply with a court order in the antitrust lawsuit against Epic Games. Epic filed a case against Google in 2020, after the latter had banned Fortnite from the Play Store for evading Google’s own payment system. The…
A month ago, F-Droid criticized Google’s anti-sideloading policy. Shortly after that, the Mountain View company said that sideloading isn’t going anywhere. Now, F-Droid says Google’s statement is false. In case you missed it, starting next year, Google requires Android developers to verify their identity, even if they do not distribute their apps via the Play…
If you play games on Android, then you may have come across the option to sign in with a gamer profile provided by Google Play. Google announced enhanced gaming profiles this week that have wide-reaching consequences for gaming on Android. Starting in less than four weeks, on September 23, 2025, Google is rolling out enhanced…
