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Feeling a little out of the loop? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We are back with another episode of “News You Probably Missed and Shouldn’t Have!” our weekly rundown of the tech headlines you might have missed. From the latest launches and announcements to big fails, we compiled a comprehensive weekly roundup to bring you back up to speed. So, buckle up, grab a cup of coffee, and get ready to catch up on the headlines that have been making waves.
Google Maps gets a major UI update on Android
Google Maps for Android is getting a makeover! Say goodbye to those pesky full-screen menus that always seemed to block your view of where you were going. Now, you can swipe up from the bottom to see them in fresh new sheets, like magic! Searching for directions is still the same old full-screen affair, but once entered, you get a newer UI. The update makes Google Maps less cluttered and more user-friendly. Let’s just hope they don’t accidentally hide the “directions” button altogether!
Fairphone announces Android 14 for Fairphone 5
Is your Fairphone 5 feeling a bit behind the times? Well, fret no more! It’s getting a software update that’s like a makeover for your phone. No more fumbling around in the dark with a not-so-dark dark mode. Now you can customize your phone by swapping buttons on the navigation bar, like rearranging the furniture in your house but with way less effort. And for those of us who are forgetful, our phones can now flash like a disco ball to remind us of notifications. Watch out for the Android 14 update in the coming weeks and let the good times roll (or should we say, flash)!
Google Photos readies an updated built-in video player
Google Photos is working on a feature that lets you be the DJ of your videos! You can finally speed up those boring vacation montages of your uncle staring at pigeons, or slow down that epic squirrel chase to make it look like a dramatic action movie. Just imagine chipmunks with tiny mustaches and sunglasses in slow motion – hilarious! But be warned, with great power comes great responsibility. Too much fast-forwarding might make your grandma dizzy, and slow-mo everything could turn a five-minute video into an overnight movie marathon. Use this power wisely!
Google Messages brings back screen effects
Texting just got way more dramatic on Google Messages with the return of Screen Effects. Now you can send a “Congrats” and watch a confetti explosion. Feeling beachy? Text “Going to the beach” and witness a digital tsunami of pool floats and beach umbrellas. But beware, this feature can backfire. Text “Boo” with too few o’s and you might get a virtual shrug instead of a tomato barrage. And if you laugh too hard with just three “hahaha”s, well, you’ll be left disappointed. So unleash your inner drama queen responsibly, and remember, four “hahahaha”s are the minimum for a dancing tube man!
Samsung stops pre-loading its Messages app on Galaxy devices
Samsung is breaking up with its own messaging app! In the US, new Galaxy phones like the Z Flip 6 are ditching the pre-installed Samsung Messages app and going steady with Google Messages instead. Looks like Google’s RCS texts finally won Samsung’s heart (or maybe the Korean company just got tired of maintaining two apps). Fear not, Samsung fans! You can still download the old app if you miss it dearly. But for everyone else, get ready for a future filled with… uh… Google Messages?
YouTube Music now lets you mark podcasts as played
YouTube Music finally listened to users’ pleas (begging, really) and added a “Mark as played” feature for podcasts. It’s like they graduated Podcast 101 this week! Previously, your only option was to pretend to listen to the whole thing while fast-forwarding like a maniac. Now you can just tap a button and, voila, podcast progress gets a thumbs up. If you accidentally mark a podcast as played, fear not. There is also a “Mark as unplayed” button to undo the accident. Beware, not every accident can be undone.
Android Auto prepares to tune with your car’s built-in radio
Looks like Android Auto is finally moving out of its phone-based music bubble and getting ready to jam with the car’s built-in radio. No more switching between apps to change stations – Android Auto might soon be your one-stop shop for all things audio in your car. This is great news for drivers who want a smoother music experience. Imagine cruising down the highway, seamlessly switching between your Spotify playlist and the latest hits on the radio, all controlled from the same interface.
Samsung prepares satellite connectivity for Galaxy phones
Looks like the Galaxy S25 is about to phone home… literally! Samsung might be joining the space race, equipping the S25 with satellite connectivity for emergencies. Imagine getting lost in the wilderness, phone signal kaput. But fear not, with the S25, you can send an SOS text that blasts off to a satellite and beams your message for help. Just be careful not to accidentally text your grocery list to aliens.
T-Mobile outruns the competition in the 5G speed test
T-Mobile is on a winning streak, crushing Verizon and AT&T in network tests like a boss! Download speeds are so fast on T-Mobile, it’s almost unfair. Imagine downloading a movie in the time it takes to say “network congestion.” The carrier might not be perfect (because let’s be real, no carrier is) but according to users, they’re at least the most likable of the bunch. Although, with speeds this fast, who needs friends anyway? You’ll be too busy streaming cat videos (or whatever it is you cool kids do these days) to care.
As the smartphone market grows, Samsung is still at the top
Hold onto your hats, smartphone fans! The global market grew a healthy 6.5% in Q2 2024, according to IDC. Looks like the future is still bright (and probably filled with apps). Samsung is still the world’s biggest smartphone vendor, capturing nearly 19 percent of the market. It sold 54 million smartphones between April and June this year. Apple, Xiaomi, Vivo, and OPPO, made up the top five brands. These companies left only 32 percent of the market for other players. Imagine the hustle between Google, Tecno, HMD, Sony, Motorola, Infinix, Lava, etc.
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