Google Play Store subscriptions page gets better transparency

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Google Play Store subscriptions page gets better transparency
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The Google Play Store subscription page will soon include a lot more information. The Android app store will have better transparency and offer several more details justifying the value of subscriptions.

Google Play Store Subscriptions page to be revamped

Besides one-time purchases, there are several other ways to monetize content on the Google Play Store. The Android app store also offers services and free apps/games with advertisements. However, the increasingly lucrative option for monetization is subscriptions.

Google is well aware of the Play Store’s potential. Hence, the company recently announced several fundamental changes and improvements to the Android app store. Along with these changes, Google also demoed a new version of the Subscriptions page UI (User Interface).

The modified version of the Subscriptions page will gradually start offering a lot more information, indicated Google. The most important information subscribers would appreciate could be the justifications.

Specifically speaking, the new Play Store subscriptions page will highlight the benefits and potential losses of canceling subscriptions. Currently, the Subscriptions page is quite limited. It only lists the names and prices of active and expired subscriptions.

Besides showing active and expired subscriptions, Google will also reveal how much a subscriber is paying for each subscription. The company will also retain buttons that allow subscribers to remove or re-subscribe expired subscriptions.

Google pushing for transparency and better management

Google urges Android device users to pay using the Google Play billing system to purchase apps, services, and subscriptions. Android users who sign up using Google’s Play Store billing system get a centralized console to manage their purchases.

The Payment and Subscriptions sub-menu is accessible from the Play Store’s main menu. The upcoming update should significantly improve transparency and clarity about subscriptions.

The new update essentially promises it would allow users to make informed decisions. Specifically speaking, subscribers would be able to quickly decide whether to retain a subscription or cancel the same.

Google hasn’t committed to a firm launch date for the new Play Store subscriptions page. However, the company has reportedly indicated that Android users should start seeing changes in the next few months. Needless to say, Google is expected to gradually release the new Play Store update to Android devices.


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A new “Google One Lite” plan may be on the way as a budget option

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A new “Google One Lite” plan may be on the way as a budget option
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A new and more affordable Google One subscription tier, tentatively named “Google One Lite,” may be on the horizon for Android users. This potential new tier was discovered within the code of the latest Google Photos app update, suggesting a strong connection to Google’s photo services.

While details are still scarce, the code reveals that Google One Lite would likely be positioned as a more budget-friendly option compared to the existing Basic, Premium, and AI Premium plans. This could mean that Google One Lite might offer a smaller storage allowance or fewer family-sharing options than the current Basic plan. Here are the current Google One plans and their features:

  • Free: 15GB storage
  • Basic: 100GB storage for Photos, Drive and Gmail. Family sharing for up to five members.
  • Premium: 2TB storage, all the benefits of Basic, plus additional Google Photos editing tools, Google Workspace premium features, and 10% cashback on Google Store purchases.
  • AI Premium: 2TB storage, all the benefits of. Premium, plus access to Gemini Advanced AI-powered features.
A new “Google One Lite” plan may be on the way as a budget option

Google One’s current plan structure

However, there’s also speculation that Google might revamp its entire Google One pricing structure, potentially introducing new features to the existing plans and positioning Google One Lite as the new entry-level option. This could mean that Google One Lite would retain the same price and benefits as the current Basic plan, while the other tiers would see price increases or additional features.Another possibility is that Google One Lite could be bundled with some of its upcoming smartphones, like the Pixel 9, as a way to entice users into the Google One ecosystem. This would allow Google to offer limited benefits, such as access to new Google Photos features or a small amount of cloud storage, with the purchase of a new device.

It’s important to note that these are all just speculations based on the code found within the Google Photos app. Google has not yet officially confirmed the existence of Google One Lite or any details about its features or pricing.

It remains to be seen how Google One Lite would fit into the current lineup. However, its potential introduction could be good news for budget-minded users who are looking for a more affordable way to access Google One’s cloud storage and other benefits. Hopefully, this discovery turns out to be a product that Google will integrate soon into its current offerings.


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This is the Google Pixel 9 Pro in All 4 Colors

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This is the Google Pixel 9 Pro in All 4 Colors
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With Google’s August 13th event fast approaching, excitement for the Pixel 9 Pro is reaching a fever pitch. Thanks to Onleaks, we have an exclusive early look at the smaller Pixel 9 Pro variant, distinguished by its glossy sides.

These renders reveal a sleek design that departs from previous models, featuring a distinctive camera bar and flat sides that add a modern touch. The phone boasts a vibrant 6.3-inch display, perfect for immersive media consumption and productivity. Under the hood, the Pixel 9 Pro is rumored to pack a powerful punch with the new Tensor G4 processor and a generous 16GB of RAM. Google is also embracing a wider range of colors, offering Obsidian, Porcelain, Rose, and Hazel.

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the Pixel 9 Pro’s camera setup, which appears to mirror the Pixel 8 Pro’s impressive capabilities. It includes a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 48-megapixel telephoto lens, promising exceptional photo quality. It’s shaping up to be a pretty impressive flagship phone for those who want a smaller device.

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Google’s Pixel 9 Pro will go official on August 13

The Google Pixel 9 series in its entirety will be announced on August 13. This includes the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This will be the first time that Google has offered a “small” flagship model. Previously, Google has left some features off of the smaller phone, like the telephoto sensor or offering it with a lower-resolution display. Now, those that wanted a “small” flagship phone, will be happy with the Pixel 9 Pro. The only thing they may not be happy about is the price tag – we expect it to be around $899 or $999.

We will be at Google’s event in Mountain View to get hands-on and first impressions on all of Google’s brand new Pixel devices. And we can’t wait.


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Samsung’s One UI 7 beta program may start on July 29

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Samsung’s One UI 7 beta program may start on July 29
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The latest developments suggest that the Android 15-based One UI 7 update announcement is very close. A recent leak showed some of the UI tweaks it would bring. Now, a new report claims that Samsung’s One UI 7 beta will start on July 29.

One UI 7 could be one of the Galaxy device updates with the most aesthetic changes in years. This is not strange, since software products usually undergo a UI revamp from time to time to offer a fresher experience. Multiple new features and other improvements are also expected. That said, the UI tweaks leaked so far have generated divided reactions among users. However, there are things that could change before the rollout.

One UI 7 beta program would start on Monday for eligible Samsung devices

Be that as it may, an Allround-PC report claims that enrollments for Samsung’s One UI 7 beta will start on Monday, July 29. Normally, the US and Korea are the first regions to get the One UI betas, and this would be no exception. As usual, those interested will have to sign up for the beta once it is available through the Samsung Members app.

While the US and Korea could receive the beta first, other countries would have to wait a few weeks. The stable rollout usually begins after a few months of beta testing, first on flagship Galaxy devices. Samsung is the company that offers the longest software support for all its ranges of devices in the Android industry. So, many phones are expected to receive the new update in the coming months.

According to reports, Samsung is redesigning its own app icons. The resemblance of some to iOS icons has been criticized by several users. The most obvious seems to be the new Gallery app icon, which seems like a reinterpretation of its iOS equivalent. The company also redesigned the Camera app to make it easier to use with one hand. There are also tweaks to the status bar icons, like a thick pill-shaped battery indicator.


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Epic Games pulling Fortnite from Galaxy Store just as the game returns to iOS in the EU

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Epic Games pulling Fortnite from Galaxy Store just as the game returns to iOS in the EU
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Epic Games has just announced that Fortnite and other Epic Games titles will be leaving the Samsung Galaxy Store. This is in protest of Samsung’s decision to block side-loading by default on their Android devices, which Epic Games considers anti-competitive.

The decision above is a response to revelations in the US Epic v Google lawsuit about Google’s proposals to Samsung to limit competition in the Android app distribution market. However, there is a silver lining, as Fortnite is set to return to iOS devices in the European Union.

Additionally, the Epic Games Store, a platform for PC games, is coming to Android devices globally and iOS devices in the European Union. This is great news for developers, as Epic Games is offering them favorable terms, charging a 12% fee for payments they process and 0% for third-party payments.

Epic Games is also planning to make their own mobile games, including Fortnite, available on other mobile stores that offer what they consider to be fair deals to all developers. The company claims to be taking a stand against stores that act as “rent collectors” without offering robust competition or fair treatment to developers, even if those stores offer special deals for Epic’s own games.


Excitingly, Epic Games also announced that their mobile games will be available on AltStore for iOS devices in the EU, and they plan to announce support for at least two other third-party stores soon.

This shift in strategy is due to Epic’s long-standing advocacy for fair competition among stores on iOS and Android. They believe that progress is being made globally through regulations like Europe’s DMA and similar laws in the UK and Japan, as well as regulatory investigations worldwide and the victory in the Epic v Google lawsuit in the US. 

As the operator of the Epic Games Store, they claim to want to take advantage of this opportunity to offer developers a great deal on their platform. Furthermore, thee company is urging its user-base to stay tuned for further updates as they prepare to roll out their mobile launch.


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Oppo Find X8 Ultra will bring a huge battery in a slim body

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Oppo Find X8 Ultra will bring a huge battery in a slim body
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This year, the Oppo Find X7 Ultra was proclaimed as one of the best mobile flagships for its camera performance. Sadly, the device remains a China exclusive, but its successor is expected to reach international markets. Now, a company executive has given clues about the thickness and battery capacity of the Oppo Find X8 Ultra.

Zhou Yibao, product manager of the OPPO Find series, confirmed that the X8 Ultra is in development. While he didn’t offer many technical details, he confirmed that the device will have a slimmer profile than the current Find X7 Ultra. For reference, the latter has a thickness of 9.5 mm, being one of its points to improve. However, it seems that thickness will not be an issue on the next-gen model.

Oppo Find X8 Ultra will be thinner than the X7 Ultra, but with more battery

That said, it’s impressive that the company will reduce the thickness of the Oppo Find X8 Ultra while increasing its battery capacity. The X7 Ultra has a 5,000 mAh cell, a standard figure among modern flagship mobile devices. However, this year, big Chinese companies are taking this section to a new level. According to Yibao, the smartphone will have a battery of around 6,000 mAh.

Recently, OnePlus unveiled a 6,100 mAh battery powered by proprietary Glacier technology. Glacier allows higher density batteries, which translates into greater capacity in less space. In fact, the 6,100 mAh Glacier battery is said to have similar dimensions to traditional 5,000 mAh batteries. Oppo and OnePlus are “sibling” companies and usually share technologies. Therefore, Oppo will probably turn to Glacier technology for the battery of its Find X8 Ultra. This would explain the reduction in thickness and the giant increase in capacity.

Yibao also confirmed that the body of the device will have IP68 certification. Other expected specs include a quad-curved OLED LTPO display (120 Hz, QHD+) and a powerful rear camera system with two periscope sensors.


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OpenAI’s search engine is SearchGPT, but you’ll have to wait

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OpenAI’s search engine is SearchGPT, but you’ll have to wait
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We’ve been covering news about an AI-powered search engine from OpenAI for the past couple of months, but rumors dried up for a bit. Well, it’s no longer a rumor; OpenAI’s search engine is now official, and it’s called SearchGPT. This is good news for people who were waiting for this, but it’s bad news because most people are going to have to continue waiting.

OpenAI’s search engine is here, and it’s called SearchGPT

Already, OpenAI’s already cornered the generative AI market with its powerful models. That has Google in a huff, but it hasn’t touched the search engine market yet. That’s Google’s bread and butter, no matter how much it’s been messing up the algorithm.

In OpenAI’s case, this search engine will be just like any other search engine, but with an AI twist. Rather than being like a traditional search engine that relies on specific keywords, SearchGPT will be able to understand natural language.

When you enter your search query, the search engine will give you an AI-generated answer in ChatGPT style. However, it will source a couple of links. There will be a button off to the side that will surface more links that you can follow.

What’s neat about this search engine is that you’ll be able to ask follow-up questions about what you just searched. So, it’s just like using ChatGPT, but it links out to other sources and provides additional information.

Can’t wait to use it? Well, you’re going to have to

This search engine isn’t available to everyone just yet. If you want to use SearchGPT, you’ll need to get on the waitlist. Go to the official website if you want to join the waitlist. We have no idea how long you’re likely to be on the waitlist before you can use it, but you might want to join ASAP to get the best spot that you can get.

When this launches, you can bet that Google will take notice. The company has the most popular search engine in the world, and some people call it a monopoly. It’s about time that it had some competition. However, we wonder if OpenAI is the company to give it the competition.


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New Disney+, Hulu, Max bundle offers ad-supported and ad-free plans at a discounted price

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New Disney+, Hulu, Max bundle offers ad-supported and ad-free plans at a discounted price
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A new subscription bundle is available for movie and TV fans, offering access to Disney+, Hulu, and Max at a discounted price. Customers can choose between an ad-supported plan for $16.99 per month or an ad-free plan for $29.99 per month. The bundle offers a vast selection of content from a variety of popular brands, including ABC, CNN, DC, Discovery, Disney, Food Network, FX, HBO, HGTV, Hulu, Marvel, Pixar, Searchlight, Star Wars, Warner Bros., and many more.This new bundle is a result of a partnership between Disney Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery. It offers a convenient way for subscribers to access three popular streaming services through a single monthly subscription. The bundle provides a significant savings compared to the cost of subscribing to each service individually. The ad-supported bundle costs $16.99 per month, while the ad-free version is priced at $29.99 per month. Subscribing to each service separately would cost significantly more, making the bundle an attractive option for those looking to save money.To promote the launch of the new bundle, a national marketing campaign has been launched across various platforms. The campaign highlights the diverse range of content available through the bundle, showcasing fan-favorite TV series, films, and characters from each streaming service. The campaign will run across national broadcast, social, digital, and owned-and-operated channels.

One of the key benefits of the new bundle is the vast array of content available to subscribers. The three streaming services offer a wide range of genres and interests, from animated films and family-friendly shows to documentaries, dramas, comedies, and more. In addition to the existing library of content, the bundle will also offer access to upcoming premieres and new releases.

The ad-supported plan offers a more affordable option for those who don’t mind occasional commercials. This plan provides a great value proposition, especially for viewers who primarily focus on the content and are less concerned about ad interruptions. On the other hand, the ad-free plan caters to viewers who prefer an uninterrupted viewing experience. Personally, the ad-supported tier seems just fine to me, as the price difference between both plans seems miles apart. Now, the question that remains is, will I watch these networks enough to justify the expense.

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How to use Drawing Assist on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

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How to use Drawing Assist on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
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One of the new features on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (part of One UI 6.1.1) is Drawing Assist. It’s part of the Galaxy AI suite of features, and it’s honestly pretty fun to mess around with. I’ve been surprised at how realistic the photos look after an, admittedly terrible drawing job.

We expect that Drawing Assist will make its way to other Samsung devices when the One UI 6.1.1 update rolls out more widely – including the Galaxy S24 series. But for now, it’s limited to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. In this article, we’re going to show you how you can use Drawing Assist to really make your photos come to life.

How to use Samsung Drawing Assist

To get started, open the Gallery app and choose a photo that you want to edit.

Now tap on the Galaxy AI icon at the bottom; it should be right in the center.

Next, tap on the “Sketch to Image” option that appears on the left side of the image.

Screenshot 20240725 133008 Photo Editor

In this next step, you’re going to draw what you want to add to the image. Could be a sun, moon, a car, train, plane, air balloon, person, really anything.

Once you’re finished drawing, tap on “Generate“.

Screenshot 20240725 132745 Photo Editor

After a few seconds – generally less than 30 seconds – Drawing Assist will present you with a few options.

If you find one you like, simply hit the “Save as Copy” icon at the bottom, and it will save it as a copy of that photo and add an “AI generated content” watermark to the bottom left corner of the photo.

Screenshot 20240725 132752 Photo Editor

If you don’t like what you are presented, you can edit your drawing and Generate again, and keep doing that til you find something you do like.

And that’s Drawing Assist. It’s a pretty cool and entertaining feature, but I can’t say I’d really ever use it that much.


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Galaxy S25 Ultra leak reveals battery and charging capacity

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Galaxy S25 Ultra leak reveals battery and charging capacity
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Since the first Galaxy Ultra model, all devices in the lineup have used the same battery capacity. So, many fans of these phones have been waiting for improvements in this section for a long time. However, the latest leak about the Galaxy S25 Ultra battery could be disappointing.

The Galaxy S20 Ultra arrived in 2020 with a 5,000 battery. Samsung hasn’t changed this figure since, so even the latest Galaxy S24 Ultra uses a cell with the same capacity. As reported by Digital Chat Station on Weibo and Ice Universe on X, the South Korean giant will keep the tradition on the next-gen model.

Galaxy S25 Ultra may have the same battery capacity and charging support as the S20 Ultra

Not only that, but Samsung would also leave the device’s charging capabilities unchanged. That is, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 5,000 mAh battery would support 45W of wired fast charging. The reports do not mention the wireless charging power that the device will support. However, it will probably be the same 15W as the S24 Ultra.

If those numbers look familiar to you, it’s because they’re exactly the same since the Galaxy S20 Ultra. It is possible that the cell has received technological improvements to optimize its operation in new generations. However, the battery capacity and support for fast charging have not changed at all.

Currently, big names in the industry have been stepping up their game in terms of battery capacity for flagship devices. BBK companies (like OPPO and OnePlus) have a 6,100 mAh cell whose thickness is similar to that of 5,000 mAh batteries. So, Samsung would be falling far behind compared to the latest flagship standards in terms of battery and charging.

Samsung would be keeping the same battery capacity for design reasons. The company would be looking to slim down the Galaxy S25 Ultra as much as possible. Leaks claim that the device will be just 8.4 mm thick. However, there are users who would prefer to maintain the current thickness if it means better battery life.


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