Google’s clever anti-doomscrolling feature is coming to more Android phones

Google’s Digital Wellbeing feature Pause Point, which debuted on the Pixel 11 series, has appeared on a OnePlus smartphone. The feature adds a 10-second delay before opening distracting apps to help curb mindless scrolling.

Computing     Sudhanshu Kumar Mangalam     October 19

Google Messages is making live location sharing more useful with two new options

Google Messages is testing satellite, terrain, and live traffic views for shared locations, making it easier to spot your friends and see if they’re actually stuck in traffic.

Computing     Rachit Agarwal     October 19

Google is making links in AI answers harder to miss, but referral traffic remains a mystery

Google is moving links higher in AI answers and testing an official-sites section, but it says nothing about traffic.

Computing     Shikhar Mehrotra     October 16

Google is bringing Android earthquake alerts to more than 200 regions

Android’s earthquake warning system is reaching more regions and adding maps, magnitude estimates, and updated safety guidance.

Computing     Sudhanshu Kumar Mangalam     October 15

Samsung Health now needs just 3 days of sleep data to coach you toward better sleep

Samsung Health’s Sleep Coaching now needs just three days of sleep data to start, and it adds daily habit checklists, weekly plan updates, and a new Sleep Balance graph.

Computing     Rachit Agarwal     October 14

Google finally lets you turn any website into an app on Googlebook

Chrome M155 finally lets Googlebook owners turn any website into an app and pin it to the taskbar. Here’s what’s new and how to set it up.

Computing     Rachit Agarwal     October 14

Xiaomi 18 Fold review: A perfect foldable for me, but it’s a hair shy of perfection

The Xiaomi 18 Fold combines a distinctive passport-style design, capable Leica cameras and a powerful XRing O3 chipset. But thermal throttling, software quirks and limited availability keep this ambitious foldable from reaching its full potential.

Computing     Moinak Pal     October 13

Google Play for your car is getting a fresh look and a bunch of fun new apps

Google is redesigning Google Play for cars with Google built-in, adding new apps like STARZ and Firefox, and letting YouTube keep playing as audio when you shift into drive.

Computing     Rachit Agarwal     October 13

Gemini 4 Argon is finally available for developers, businesses, and paid users

Gemini 4 Argon is now available globally through Google’s paid API tier, Antigravity, Gemini app, and AI Mode in Search.

Computing     S. Kumar Manglam     October 13

You can now build your own Android apps with AI and install them through Google Play

Google's latest Play updates let you create private Android apps, discover games based on your preferences, and compare apps with AI.

Computing     Rachit Agarwal     October 13

I love the sheer excess of the Vivo X Fold 6, while rivals go through an identity crisis

My first impressions of the Vivo X Fold 6, featuring a 200MP Zeiss-backed camera, 6,900mAh battery, 120Hz foldable displays and a premium Prism Black design.

Computing     Moinak Pal     October 13

Ask YouTube expands to mobile, web, and TVs across the US

YouTube’s conversational search is no longer limited to the web, as Ask YouTube expands to mobile devices and TVs in the U.S.

Computing     S. Kumar Manglam     October 12

Google cuts prices on refurbished Pixel 9 phones and throws in a free AI subscription to sweeten the deal

Google’s refurbished Pixel 9 phones start at $499, with select models including a six-month AI subscription and 2TB of storage.

Computing     Manisha Priyadarshini     October 12

Google unveils Fitbit Edge with ECG, GPS, and a replaceable battery for good measure

Google’s Fitbit Edge brings ECG, GPS, a bright OLED display, and a replaceable battery to a slim fitness tracker priced at $179.99.

Computing     S. Kumar Manglam     October 12

Google is giving its TV box ears, better hardware, and a new bag of tricks

Google is reportedly developing a new TV Streamer with built-in microphones, presence sensing, a faster processor, more storage and an updated remote.

Computing     Moinak Pal     October 10

Gemini’s free tier now forces users into automatic model selection

Google is removing manual model selection from Gemini’s free tier, leaving Auto to decide whether Flash-Lite, Flash, or Pro handles each prompt.

Computing     Sudhanshu Kumar Mangalam     October 10

Google just teased its most interesting Fitbit in years, and it’s merely days away

Google has started teasing its next wearable, and all signs point to the Fitbit Edge, a screen-equipped fitness band expected to offer ECG and GPS.

Computing     S. Kumar Manglam     October 9

A clinical study with Google’s special chatbot shows a strong future for AI in healthcare

A new clinical study suggests Google’s AMIE chatbot could support doctors by gathering patient histories and surfacing possible diagnoses before an appointment.

Computing     S. Kumar Manglam     October 9

Monster Hunter Rise is heading to Android and iOS through Netflix

Monster Hunter Rise appears to be coming to iOS and Android through Netflix Games, with touch controls, controller support, and a few mobile-specific changes.

Computing     Sudhanshu Kumar Mangalam     October 8

Google is building a “black box” for Android AI, but the agents aren’t inside yet

Google’s AISeal puts personal Android AI data in a hardware-isolated vault. Protected storage is rolling out first, while running models and autonomous agents inside remains a future step without a launch date.

Computing     Paulo Vargas     October 8

Prime Big Deal Days sale ends tonight, and these are my 6 last-minute picks

A Sony OLED TV, Pixel 11, and Bose headphones are among my six picks for Prime Day’s final hours.

Computing     S. Kumar Manglam     October 7

Google Maps starts showing live fuel prices at refilling stations as prices soar

Google Maps now shows near real-time petrol and diesel prices across the UK, giving drivers an easier way to compare nearby filling stations.

Computing     Sudhanshu Kumar Mangalam     October 7

Google’s SynthID Detector just launched globally to help you spot AI-generated media

Google has launched SynthID Detector globally, giving anyone a way to check images, videos, and audio for AI-generated content carrying its watermark.

Computing     S. Kumar Manglam     October 7

Google’s AI-powered Playground can turn your game idea into something playable with simple prompts

Google is making game creation more approachable with Playground, a browser-based platform that builds playable games from simple prompts.

Computing     S. Kumar Manglam     October 7

Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 teardown shows they are still a repairability bane

iFixit gave the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 low repairability scores. The Series 12 adds useful internal changes, but replacing a battery still requires getting past a delicate display.

Computing     Paulo Vargas     October 7

Google Wallet’s new card picker is making checkout more awkward for some users

Google Wallet is swapping its card carousel for a stacked list on Android. It works well one-handed, but users say picking a card at checkout is now slower and more confusing.

Computing     Rachit Agarwal     October 6