All articles tagged with #android central
Android Central laid off its entire full-time staff on September 30, 2026, but owner Future confirmed the site will continue publishing. The outlet is now relying on freelance contributors to maintain its content output.
Google's Gemini Live got a major UI refresh called Neural Expressive that moves beyond the old voice-first design. The new interface shows on-screen transcripts, images, and more during chats, lets you copy/export responses without ending the chat, supports screen sharing and video, and even runs as a compact orb on the home screen for multitasking. The author praises the update as a surprisingly practical, underrated upgrade that makes Gemini Live far more useful for everyday tasks.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has significantly improved its camera hardware, now featuring a 200MP sensor, and performs comparably to flagship phones like the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra in various photo tests, marking a notable upgrade for Samsung's foldable lineup.
The Android Central staff shared their Cyber Monday purchases, highlighting various tech deals they took advantage of. Derrek Lee bought a Sony ULT Field 1 Bluetooth speaker, Andrew Myrick picked up a SanDisk Extreme 2TB microSD card, and Nick Sutrich purchased new Meta Quest 3/3S games. Harish Jonnalagadda bought a Sharge Shargeek 170 power bank, Michael Hicks acquired new watch bands for his Garmin Fenix 8, Patrick Farmer upgraded to a Google Pixel 9 with Mint Mobile, and Brady Snyder got an ANNAPRO head strap for his VR headset. These purchases reflect the diverse interests and needs of the team during the sales event.
The Carsifi adapter enables wireless Android Auto in vehicles, offering a simple setup and stable connection, with the added feature of allowing multiple phones to connect simultaneously. However, concerns arise over the lack of app updates and limited availability. Despite these issues, Carsifi effectively fulfills its primary function of enabling wireless Android Auto, making it a viable option for users.
Friends captured impressive eclipse photos using Pixel smartphones, with one managing to capture the eclipse at 5x and 30x optical zoom using a Pixel 7 Pro, and another getting a great shot with a Pixel 8 Pro despite cloud coverage. The author also shared a grainy photo of the 2023 annular solar eclipse taken with a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The article emphasizes the importance of timing, weather, and equipment for capturing eclipse photos with smartphones.
The Moto G Power 5G 2024 offers impressive features for its $299 price, including wireless charging, 30W wired charging, and a vegan leather back, but suffers from poor outdoor display visibility, weak gaming performance, and so-so camera output. Despite its shortcomings, the phone's upgrades and additions, such as NFC, make it a compelling option for those seeking an affordable smartphone with some flagship-level features.
Verizon quietly launches a promotion offering a free Google Pixel 8 with no trade-in required when adding a line with any 5G Unlimited plan, providing $799.99 in promo credits over 36 months. The straightforward deal, despite the Pixel 8 being considered "old news", presents an opportunity for Verizon customers to enjoy the flagship phone for free. The only requirement is signing up for a 5G Unlimited plan, with various options available. The Pixel 8, though overshadowed by newer models, still offers impressive features such as advanced camera technology, a high refresh rate display, Tensor G3 chipset, and extended software support.
The article provides a guide on using the Gemini app on Android, which requires a phone with at least 4GB of RAM and Android 12 or higher. Gemini, which replaces Google Assistant, offers features like image search, text translation, and reasoning. It also has a paid advanced version with more capabilities. The Google Pixel 8 Pro is highlighted for its compatibility with Gemini and other Google features, along with a review of its specifications.