Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority
The Apple Watch is one of the most versatile and stylish smartwatches you can buy, but the default band leaves a bit to be desired. To help you take your watch to the next level, we’ve separated the wheat from the chaff and done the research for you to pick out the best Apple Watch bands on the market. Whether you own an Apple Watch Series 7, Series 6 or SE, or something a little older, there’s a band for you.
The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 might not be the most modern fitness tracker available, but plenty of people still use it. It’s just fine for daily activity tracking, too. If you’re still a Mi Band 4 user and want to give your venerable friend a quick makeover, there’s no better way than fitting a new strap. Here are the best Xiaomi Mi Band 4 bands you can buy.
See also: Everything you need to know about the Xiaomi Mi Band series
TL;DR
JerryRigEverything has subjected Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 2 to a durability test. The hinge is much better at repelling dirt than the original Fold. The display is as fragile as ever, though. If you want an illustration of how Samsung’s foldable phone technology has advanced, look no further. JerryRigEverything (aka Zack Nelson) has put the Galaxy Z Fold 2 through a durability test, and it’s evident the hinge is considerably more reliable than on the original Fold — though the same can’t be said for the inner display.
TL;DR
A prototype of an HTC-made Google Pixel 2 XL has surfaced on YouTube. Unlike the eventual LG model, this “Muskie” phone had huge bezels. It’s well-known by now that Google originally tapped HTC to make both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL only for LG to eventually make the larger phone, but what was that first XL like? You no longer have to wonder. As XDA notes, YouTuber Calyx Hikari has posted video of a hands-on with the prototype Pixel 2 XL from HTC, codenamed “Muskie.
David Imel / Android Authority
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is one of the largest and most powerful phablets from 2020. You may not want to slap a case on top and add even more size to the device, so what can you do? One option is to add a slim skin to your new phone. It may not offer much in the way of protection, but a new skin can boost your grip while helping it stand out from the crowd.
TL;DR
Xiaomi has introduced a new wireless charging technology called Mi Air Charge. It can remotely charge your smartphone over the air. Mi Air Charge currently supports 5W charging. Update: January 29, 2021 (5:42 AM ET): A Xiaomi spokesperson told TechCrunch that the company won’t be commercializing Mi Air Charge this year. That means we can only expect the system to roll out sometime in 2022.
The confirmation is disappointing but it’s probably for the best.
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
Android tablets have seen a revival of sorts during the pandemic, as the work-from-home trend and at-home learning drove the need for affordable productivity devices. Between Samsung’s Galaxy Tab series, the Realme Pad line, the Xiaomi Pad 5, and the Nokia T20, consumers have quite a few slates to choose from today.
You could argue that hardware was never the issue with Android tablets, but Google definitely seems to be taking the problematic software seriously now.
Alphabet just published its financial report for the fourth quarter of 2018. Google revenue soared even higher than Wall Street estimates, bringing in over $39.2 billion, representing a 22 percent increase as compared to the same quarter in 2017.
That totals $136.8 billion in revenue for 2018, up 23 percent over the whole of 2017.
Google’s revenue within each of its main segments grew in the previous quarter, including ad revenue, properties revenue, and even its “other” revenues, which includes things like Pixel devices and services like Google Cloud.
“The Google phone is coming, the Google phone is coming!” Towards the end of 2009 the prospect of a Google-branded Android smartphone was lighting up the tech blogosphere. Google had already been selling the Android Dev Phone 1 to developers, but it was basically a SIM-free, unlocked HTC Dream. The idea that Google might sell its own smartphone directly to consumers was genuinely exciting.
Thankfully, when it did arrive, it wasn’t called the Google Phone.
Zarif Ali / Android Authority
With the introduction of the Galaxy S21 FE, Samsung has created a phone that offers a similar experience as the Galaxy S21, but at a lower price point.
Samsung unveiled its Galaxy S21 series a year ago, and with its base model, the company cut a few corners to bring a device that was affordable and accessible while keeping most of its flagship qualities. With two devices so similar to one another, which should you buy?