Next is the ability to attach files in the new search bar for AI to translate, summarize, or explain. This includes support for PDFs and images. To attach a file, open the Ask AI interface, tap the "+" icon, and select a document or photo from your Android device. You can also click a picture with the device's camera and upload it directly.
Google is adding more AI features to Google Discover, specifically pushing people from articles in Google Discover into Google AI Mode. When you click on an article from Google Discover and then click on the three dots at the top right of the screen, you are given three options to go into AI Mode. The options include: Summarize with Al Mode Ask a follow up with Al Mode Dive deeper with Al Mode
If you've never heard of GrapheneOS, think of it as a privacy and security-focused mobile operating system that includes Android compatibility and is developed as a non-profit, open-source project. GrapheneOS, which began in 2014 as CopperheadOS, achieves its heightened security by way of sandboxing, exploit mitigations, and the Android permission model. This alternative mobile OS mitigates entire classes of vulnerabilities to make exploiting the OS exponentially more difficult.
The company is bringing most of the desktop version's capabilities to Android. People can use Perplexity as the default search engine, and they can also mention tabs to ask questions to the assistant. They can also use the voice mode to ask questions about all open tabs. Plus, the assistant can summarize searches across all tabs. Perplexity said the browser can research and shop on your behalf as well, and you can look at what action the Comet assistant is taking.
Back in 2023, Apple introduced NameDrop as part of iOS 17. This feature lets you share files with another person by simply bringing your iPhone close to theirs. NameDrop also supports sharing of contact information. Now, more than two years later, Google seems to be working on a very similar feature for Android. This was discovered in a version of the Google Play Services under the name "Gesture Exchange".
Just when we thought Epic v. Google might be over, just one Supreme Court rejection away from a complete victory for Epic, both sides have agreed to settle this evening. And if Judge James Donato, who ordered Google to crack open Android for third-party stores, agrees to the changes, it might turn Epic's victory into a lasting global one. Previously, Judge Donato agreed to some of Epic's biggest demands.
The new attack, named Pixnapping by the team of academic researchers who devised it, requires a victim to first install a malicious app on an Android phone or tablet. The app, which requires no system permissions, can then effectively read data that any other installed app displays on the screen. Pixnapping has been demonstrated on Google Pixel phones and the Samsung Galaxy S25 phone and likely could be modified to work on other models with additional work.
Boox - the brand behind the smartphone-sized Android e-readers is gearing up to launch a new entry with the P6 Pro. It's still as compact as a phone like previous entries, but it will be available with an optional color e-ink display and a SIM slot for 4G and 5G data connectivity. Boox P6 Pro One of the big missing features on the Boox Palma 2 was the lack of cellular connectivity so the P6 Pro is bringing a welcome addition.
The skins are also available for Samsung, Google Pixel, and Apple's phones, including the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 lineup. "When Tim Cook hand-picked the new Cosmic Orange colorway, he had no idea we'd be ripping it off for a colormatched skin," Dbrand said in its press release. "To be fair, we didn't think it'd be popular enough to warrant a ripoff. Now that it has, we're all too happy to turn your Android into a Temu iPhone."
Without directly naming SafetyCore, Google explained that the optional setting can blur photos that may contain nudity and display a warning before you view or share them. Sensitive Content Warnings appears to use SafetyCore to analyze images locally on your device. Google has emphasized that SafetyCore runs entirely on your phone -- images don't leave your device, and Google doesn't know if nudity was flagged.
"The F-Droid project cannot require that developers register their apps through Google, but at the same time, we cannot 'take over' the application identifiers for the open-source apps we distribute, as that would effectively seize exclusive distribution rights to those applications," he said. "If it were to be put into effect, the developer registration decree will end the F-Droid project and other free/open source app distribution sources as we know them today," said Prud'hommeaux.
I regularly restart my Pixel 9 Pro, and there's a good reason for that. Actually, there are several reasons why I regularly restart my phone (weekly -- at least). Here's a short list for you to ponder: Improves performance by clearing temporary caches. Enhances security by disrupting possible cyberattacks and clearing possible malware stored in memory. Resolves issues such as if your phone has slowed down, is getting hot, apps are crashing, and you're having connectivity issues, a restart often will fix those issues.
Samsung has fixed a critical flaw that affects its Android devices - but not before attackers found and exploited the bug, which could allow remote code execution on affected devices. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-21043, affects Android OS versions 13, 14, 15, and 16.
The Ultraloq Bolt NFC smart lock is receiving a free upgrade that enables near-field communication (NFC) tap-to-unlock with compatible Android phones. The model currently supports Apple's Home Key, which lets you tap-to-unlock with an iPhone. The update makes it one of the first locks to offer the functionality across both iOS and Android, without requiring the phone to be unlocked or specific apps to be running. The ability comes via a free software upgrade to the U Home app, available now in the Google Play Store.
Google giveth - and Google taketh away. If there's one thing we've learned as Android-adoring animals over the years, it's that you can't ever fully count on Google to stick with something forever. The company pivots, rebrands, and eradicates apps and options as often as I eat waffles (which, conveniently enough, seems to be roughly once every few months). And sometimes, that means something genuinely useful that you rely on and appreciate suddenly ceases to exist.
What this means is that, if there is an application that Google does not like, be it because it does not conform to its policies, politics or economic incentives, they can simply keep you from running that application on your own device. They are locking down Android devices from running applications not with their purview. The ask? All developers, whether submitting their apps through the Play store or not, need to give their personal information to Google.
