Meta quietly released Forum, a Reddit-like app focused on Facebook Groups that requires a Facebook account and syncs with the main Facebook app. Users can use anonymized usernames, but admins see real identities; the feed surfaces conversations from Groups (potentially across Groups based on interests) and posts cross-post to the main app. It includes AI tools—Ask to pull answers across Groups and an admin assistant for moderators—and is currently in testing with no major public announcement.
Google launches a glossy Googlebook landing page that teases AI features like Magic Pointer and Cast My Apps, emphasizes 'Featherweight design. Heavyweight power,' and hints at slim, high-performance devices from Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, and ASUS ahead of a fall release; for now the site serves as an interactive teaser and sign-up hub.
Motorola's Razr Fold marks the company's first book-style foldable and goes head-to-head with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Google's Pixel 10 Pro Fold. It sports a 6.6-inch exterior and 8.1-inch interior display with high brightness, plus native stylus support via a Pen Ultra (sold separately) though there’s no built-in pen slot. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 with up to 1TB storage and strong RAM, delivering solid performance; the camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP telephoto, and a 50MP ultra-wide, with image quality often outperforming Samsung but not always rivaling Google's Night Sight in very dark conditions. Battery life is excellent thanks to a 6,000mAh cell, and charging is fast (up to 80W wired, 50W wireless) but requires purchasing Motorola’s adapters separately. The device is chunkier and heavier than the Z Fold 7 and has weaker dust resistance than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and the AI features feel lighter than rivals. Still, it offers strong displays, great battery life, stylus support, and competitive pricing at around $1,900, making it a compelling option for big foldables even as Samsung and Google hold advantages in design and AI features.
PCMag compares Motorola’s Razr Ultra and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7, noting the Razr Ultra’s brighter 7-inch main display, 5,000mAh battery, and Snapdragon Elite 8 against the Z Flip 7’s lower price, configurable storage, mmWave 5G, and broader ecosystem; camera performance looks stronger on paper for Razr while real-world results depend on software; with full review pending, the Z Flip 7 offers better value for now, but Razr Ultra could win on battery life and display quality.
Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra One UI 8.5 stable update changelog has leaked ahead of its rollout, suggesting the update may miss several Galaxy AI features introduced with Galaxy S26 (such as Call Screening, Creative Studio, AI Audio Eraser, Notification Highlights, and Now Nudges). Samsung has already released two One UI 8.5 beta builds and is expected to push additional betas before the stable update arrives next month. The leaked changelog may not be final, and Samsung could still add some features before launch.
Google is broadening its new gradient icon language from a handful of apps to additional Google apps such as Sheets, Slides, Forms, Sites, and Keep. The redesign uses softer corners, smoother gradient transitions, and landscape layouts to reflect AI-powered features; rollout timing isn’t clear but is expected soon, though the Keep icon drew mixed opinions.
Samsung will deactivate its legacy Messages app in July, making the move to Google Messages mandatory to keep your chats. The switch unlocks RCS features, better group chats, higher‑quality media, and AI spam detection, but older Galaxy Watches may lose full conversation history, and some caveats apply for older devices.
Samsung is porting Galaxy AI features from the Galaxy S26 to older devices via One UI 8.5, including real-time video noise reduction with Advanced Audio Eraser, on-device Call Screening, Creative Studio, and a text-prompt-driven Photo Assist; rollout currently targets the Galaxy S25, S24, Z Fold 7, Z Fold 6, and Z Flip 6, with potential expansion to additional models later.
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 beta for the Galaxy S25-series is set to introduce AI-powered features—Call Screening, Advanced Audio Eraser, Creative Studio, and Photo Assist—to older Galaxy devices as well, with a beta rollout potentially starting around April 20.
Samsung’s One UI 8.5 beta for the Galaxy S24 series leaks four Galaxy AI features headed for the stable update: Advanced Audio Eraser (noise reduction for apps like Instagram/YouTube), Call Screening (on‑device AI answers calls and provides a transcription), Creative Studio (S Pen‑dependent tool for doodles, invitations, stickers and wallpapers), and an enhanced Photo Assist (edit via text prompts and merge objects). The leak references an internal build (S928BXXU5DZD9) for the S24 Ultra, with Samsung expected to roll out the stable update to the S24 line next month after more beta iterations.
WhatsApp is rolling out multiple quality-of-life updates: iOS users can sign into two accounts on one device with a visible profile photo cue to verify which persona you’re messaging; chat histories can be transferred more easily across platforms and devices, and large files can be deleted directly from chats to free storage. Meta AI-powered light photo editing (background removal, style changes, element removal) and a Writing Help prompt for drafting messages are also included, with privacy assurances. The features are arriving to users now and should be available to all soon.
Verge’s review praises the S26 Ultra for its Privacy Display that dims the screen to deter shoulder-surfing in public, alongside real camera improvements that boost low-light performance. It also notes intriguing AI tools like Now Nudge and Gemini automation, though these are still evolving and raise trust questions around generative editing. The package remains large and pricey with quirks (no Qi2 magnets), but the Ultra finally feels like a distinct, useful device for privacy-minded power users.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra packs top-tier performance (6.9-inch 120Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, 5000 mAh) with a beefed-up camera setup and on-device AI features (Gemini, Perplexity, Bixby). It introduces Privacy Display for partial screen blackout and delivers impressive photography, video and heat management, earning praise for future-proofing and speed. However, its massive size makes it unwieldy as a daily driver, so it’s best for power users and creators willing to pay about $1,299 for a feature-rich, Android flagship.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus bring incremental updates—a bigger battery on the S26, faster charging on the Plus, and refreshed chipsets—while deeper design and camera changes are minimal and magnetic Qi2 charging is still absent. Prices have risen, and the two phones largely match last year’s models in feel and performance, delivering solid all‑day battery life and AI enhancements, but offering little incentive to upgrade if you already own an S23/S24/S25.
Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra offers a refined, privacy-forward upgrade with a built-in Privacy Display, stronger AI features and cameras, and faster charging, all wrapped in a familiar design and the same high price. It’s a subtle upgrade that emphasizes privacy and AI efficiency over dramatic changes.
