Samsung Health update is all treats: Sleep and Running Coaches get needed changes

What you need to know

• Samsung announced that it's rolling out an update for its Health app in October for the Sleep and Running coaches.
• The Sleep Coach now only requires three days' worth of data from the past two weeks (down from seven days in a month), and it introduces a new glanceable graph for sleep insights.
• The Running Coach's training levels have been increased from 10 to 12, and Samsung states its Strava partnership supports imported running routes.

Samsung is changing up its two in-app coaches for user health in an October update. The company states the changes are to help make "weekly guidance" easier.

Samsung revealed the contents of its October Health app update in a Newsroom post. It got off to a fast start with the changes arriving for the Sleep Coach. Samsung says "sleep tracking tells users how they slept"; however, the coach is designed to turn "personal sleep goals and data into daily habits," but that's never been easy. In today's update (Oct. 14), users can launch the Sleep Coach using three days of sleep data (within the past two weeks).

This is a stark change from the old requirement: seven days within a month.

(Image credit: Samsung)

Users will need to fill out a quick survey regarding their "sleep regularity." This will also involve sleep interruptions, caffeine intake, and more. The Sleep Coach will use this info (and your three days of data) to create a "tailored four- to eight-week coaching program" to meet your goals. What's more, Samsung is introducing a Sleep Balance graph.

It states this graph will include sleep time, sleep regularity, awake time during the night, sleep satisfaction, and Energy Score. While this graph provides a glanceable look at how you're sleeping, the app's morning daily insights will offer tips based on your sleep trends.

For the runners

(Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung states that its Running Coach has risen in popularity, pushing it to overhaul its systems for a better experience. According to the post, the Running Coach's training tiers have expanded from 10 to 12. This increase is aimed at intermediate and advanced runners.

These users can push their limits by setting "higher benchmarks, challenge themselves, and steadily improve their performance." On the other hand, the company states it's continuing its partnership with Strava. This update lets users import Strava Routes (running, trail running, cycling) into the Samsung Health app.

These updates should begin rolling out soon.

Before the Galaxy Watch 9 launched, Samsung detailed a major Health app update for features like "Vitals." Vitals focuses on five key heart metrics: heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and blood oxygen. By comparing your current data with your previous trends, Vitals can help users identify important changes. Health Heart Score dials into your heart analytics to point out meaningful changes that you can bring up with your doctor.

Samsung also revamped its app's Energy Score with AI.

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More Nothing smart glasses rumors suggest we might see two variations

What you need to know

• Rumors on social media claim Nothing is working on two smart glasses variations: one with a camera and one without.
• The "audio-equipped" version will reportedly let users place/receive calls and feature transition lenses.
• The camera version would offer similar capabilities to the audio-only one; however, it may feature translation capabilities, ChatGPT, and more.
• Earlier rumors this year suggested Nothing's CEO Carl Pei moved the company down this route with a potential release in 2027.

Nothing has made Android phones, headphones, and earbuds. However, recent rumors claim the company wants to branch out into smart glasses.

Rumors got underway on Bluesky by tipster Roland Quandt, who claims Nothing is working on a pair of smart glasses (via GSMArena). The tipster suggests the brand could launch two variations of its smart glasses: one with a camera and one without. Regarding the "audio-equipped" glasses, rumors purport Nothing's take could feature "auto-tinting photochromic lenses."

Otherwise known as "transition lenses," Nothing's smart glasses could darken (like sunglasses) when outside before clearing once you're inside. Quandt adds that these glasses would closely integrate with your phone's AI assistant and let users place/receive calls.

The alternative is the alleged camera-equipped version. Rumors on Bluesky state this pair would also provide translation capabilities and ChatGPT. There's little else about these alleged Nothing-branded smart glasses, so take these rumors with a grain of salt.

Nothing Glasses 1 (remember that?)

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

This would be the second time we've heard rumors about Nothing smart glasses (or a Nothing Glasses 1, as we've joked before). Earlier this year, a report claimed that Nothing CEO Carl Pei began making moves within the company to bolster the development of AI smart glasses. It was alleged that these lenses would feature a camera, speaker, and microphone.

Compared to what we've seen on Bluesky, some of these aspects could be separated. That report suggested that these smart glasses wouldn't be able to "handle everything" on their own. They would lean/rely heavily on your phone. For example, it was speculated that the glasses would rely on your phone for "the cloud to handle AI processing." It's unclear if things have changed, but Nothing might reveal these glasses in 2027.

It'll be interesting to see how Nothing handles a camera on smart glasses. We've seen the major backlash Meta has received. Cameras on smart glasses raise serious privacy concerns for many people. No one wants to be recorded constantly without their consent.

Android Central's Take

I'm really interested in what Nothing smart glasses would look like. I like the design its given its phones. It's different, and might seem like an acquired taste to some. I wonder if Nothing would go the transparent route, or would it try and match whatever design its next phones are going with? A unified direction could work out nicely for a brand that's already turning heads with its aesthetic.

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Play Store isn't just for apps anymore, and you might even find a better Galaxy S26 deal there

What you need to know

• Google is rolling out a new Shop Devices section in the Play Store for browsing Pixel and Samsung Galaxy hardware.
• The new option appears in the Play Store's profile menu and redirects users to Google's existing hardware storefront.
• The portal lists devices like the Pixel 11, Pixel Watch 4, Galaxy S26 Ultra, Google TV Streamer, and more.

Google is rolling out a new Shop devices option in the Play Store, allowing users to buy not just apps and games, but also smartphones and other hardware directly through the app.

For years, the Google Play Store has been the go-to storefront for downloading apps, games, books, and more. But now, Google wants to expand that experience to hardware as well. As spotted by 9to5Google, the company has added a new "Shop devices" section within the Play Store that lets users shop for not only Google Pixel phones and Pixel Watches, but also Samsung Galaxy devices.

The new Shop Devices option appears when you tap your profile icon in the top-right corner of the Google Play Store. Selecting it opens the Google Store where you can browse and purchase Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices.

Currently, the portal lists several devices, including the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Ultra, alongside Google's own products like the Pixel 10a, Pixel Watch 4, Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Google TV Streamer, Pixel 11, and Pixel 11 Pro.

(Image credit: 9to5Google)

Other devices, including the Galaxy Z Flip 8, are also listed. However, it doesn't appear to be a complete storefront for either brand just yet, with only select devices available for now. Google could expand the selection as more products are added to the portal.

It's worth noting that eligible Google One subscribers can also take advantage of the 10% Google Store credit benefit when purchasing supported devices through the portal. You can then use the 10% credit towards any other future Google Store purchase.

But perhaps the more interesting part is that Google doesn't seem to have updated the prices of Samsung's Galaxy S26 series in the new shopping section.

For those unaware, Samsung recently increased the prices of the Galaxy S26 lineup in the U.S. by $100, meaning the base Galaxy S26 now starts at $1,000, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,400.

However, the Shop Devices portal still shows the older, lower prices for both phones. So, at least for now, you may be able to pick up the Galaxy S26 or Galaxy S26 Ultra for less than Samsung's revised pricing, although it's worth checking the final price at checkout.

That said, if you're specifically looking for a deal on the Galaxy S26 series, it's still worth comparing prices with retailers like Amazon, where you might find better discounts than what's available through Google's new shopping portal.

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Android 17 could soon fix your phone's Wi-Fi and mobile data problems for you

What you need to know

• Google is developing new Pixel diagnostic tools to help troubleshoot problems with calls, Wi-Fi, and mobile data.
• The new tools appear under Device Health & Support, alongside existing battery, Bluetooth, and touchscreen diagnostics.
• Pixel phones could soon identify connectivity problems and either attempt a fix or guide users through troubleshooting..

One of the issues we regularly run into on Android phones, unfortunately, is related to mobile data, Wi-Fi, and overall connectivity. But it looks like Android 17 could soon be able to diagnose and fix some of these problems for you.

Google has been building out its Pixel troubleshooting and diagnostics tool for a while now. Pixel phones can already check for issues related to battery health, connectivity, Bluetooth, and even touchscreen problems. But now, it looks like Google is expanding these tools to help users fix calling, Wi-Fi, and mobile data issues as well.

As spotted by Android Police, the recently released Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1, alongside the latest Google Play Services beta, introduces new diagnostic tools designed to troubleshoot problems with calls, Wi-Fi, and mobile data. The new options appear under the Device health & support section.

(Image credit: Android Police)

So, if you're having trouble connecting to Wi-Fi, experiencing dropped calls, or your mobile data suddenly stops working, you'll be able to open the relevant diagnostic tool and have your Pixel check what's going wrong behind the scenes.

Depending on the issue, the tool could either attempt to fix the problem automatically or guide you through the necessary steps to get things working again. This could save users from having to manually dig through network settings or reset their connections every time something stops working.

For now, these new tools have only been spotted in Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 with the Google Play Services beta, so they aren't widely available yet. However, considering they're already showing up in testing, there's a chance Google could introduce them with the stable Android 17 QPR3 release early next year.

Given how frequently Pixel owners have complained about connectivity issues over the years, having built-in tools that can actually help diagnose and fix those problems could be a pretty useful addition.

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Beta no more: Nothing OS 5 (Android 17) is rolling out for the Phone 3

What you need to know

• Nothing's General Release for its Android 17 update (OS 5.0) is rolling out now for the Phone 3.
• Nothing OS 5.0 brings major updates to the Phone 3, such as deeper phone customization, improved Essential AI tools, a Glyph Interface app, and a brand-new typeface, Geist.
• An updated roadmap reiterates the Open Beta for several more phones (Phone 4a and 3a series), ahead of an eventual General Release.

It's been two months of testing for Nothing's Android 17 software, and the update is finally rolling out.

Nothing announced in a community post that its OS 5.0 upgrade (Android 17) is rolling out for Phone 3 users. This "General Release" brings the "full experience" to all users—those who participated in the beta and those who didn't. Nothing states users should expect a "staggered release" for Nothing OS 5. While some users have received the update since Nothing announced its rollout, others will have to wait.

Certain regions and users in those regions will see the patch before others. So have patience this week and into next. If you're curious, Nothing states Phone 3 users should head into Settings > System > System Update to check if their device is ready to download/install.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Nothing OS 5 is huge—beyond the fact that it's Android 17. In late August, the company launched the software's open beta, encouraging Phone 3 users to join. Highlights include the system's new typeface, Geist. This typeface is "cleaner and easier to scan." It joins other refreshes to the device's UI's status bar, camera, Settings, and Gallery.

Elsewhere, you'll find the Glyph Interface inside a dedicated app. All features and sounds are housed in one place.

Nothing's Essential AI tools have been upgraded in OS 5. AI features have become a focal point for the company, and its Android 17 update sees it doubling down. Real-time transcriptions have been improved, and Smart Collections can "suggest and organize content for you automatically."

All of this and more (deeper personalization, lock screen upgrades, etc.) are packaged neatly in Nothing OS 5.

One down, more to go

(Image credit: Nothing)

The Phone 3 was the first to enter Nothing's Android 17 Open Beta, and it's the first to exit. However, we're still waiting on several more updates. Nothing's updated roadmap shows that the Phone 4a, Phone 4a Pro, and the Phone 3a and 3a Pro are still in their respective Open Betas. These devices entered the Open Beta program in September.

There's a chance a General Release could arrive later in October or November for these phones.

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Samsung Galaxy Glasses leak reveals lightweight design and a surprising range of styles

What you need to know

• Samsung’s Galaxy Glasses could weigh just 41 grams with standard lenses, making them lighter than earlier leaks suggested.
• Battery life could reach nine hours, with the charging case extending total runtime to 72 hours.
• Gentle Monster reportedly offers six frame designs across 16 variants, while Warby Parker plans three styles with multiple color and lens options.
• A November launch is reportedly planned, with Gentle Monster models targeting South Korea and the US, and Warby Parker versions initially limited to the US.

Samsung’s first AI-enabled smart glasses might be lighter than previous leaks have suggested, and they look to be available in a wider range of designs than we’ve seen so far.

New information obtained by SammyGuru reveals that the upcoming Galaxy Glasses weigh around 41 grams with standard lenses, alongside a detailed look at frame options from Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.

Previous reports, meanwhile, have put the glasses in the range of 46 to 50 grams. Of course, prescription lenses will certainly add some weight, but the exact amount will depend on the model. If Samsung can keep the hardware this light, the glasses may be more comfortable for everyday wear.

The glasses are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chip inside, with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The 12MP camera captures video at 3K resolution and 30 frames per second, and there are four microphones for calls and talking to Google Gemini. The audio comes through two open-ear speakers so you can still hear the world around you.

These glasses do not include a display but instead focus on hands-free AI assistance, photography, and audio instead of information in front of your eyes. It boasts a 155mAh battery that lasts up to nine hours and a charging case that offers a total of 72 hours of battery life. The IPX4 rating should also protect the glasses against sweat and light splashes, but the case itself is not water-resistant.

Samsung seems to be working just as hard on the styling. SammyGuru reports that Gentle Monster has six frame designs in 16 variants, including black, burgundy, cream, and pale lilac.

(Image credit: SammyGuru)

Warby Parker is also expected to have three named styles — Alden, Reid, and Wren — in colors like dark green, reddish brown, and black. Clear lenses and sunglasses are also said to be available depending on the frame.

(Image credit: SammyGuru)

The glasses are expected to run Android XR, Google’s operating system for extended reality, with AI features powered by Gemini.

Samsung is reportedly targeting a November release. Gentle Monster models are expected to be available in South Korea and the US, while Warby Parker versions will be US-only at launch. The glasses will be available for purchase through the brands’ stores and websites and Samsung Experience Stores in the US. Pricing and a definitive launch date have yet to be confirmed.

The big question is whether Samsung can assemble a competitive smart glasses offering against Meta’s well-established smart glasses without sacrificing comfort, style, or battery life. At 41 grams, its upcoming eyewear could have a promising starting point, but its success will ultimately depend on how useful Gemini proves in everyday situations.

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Google is now selling refurbished Pixel 9 phones, and the prices are pretty tempting

What you need to know

• Google has added the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL to its Certified Refurbished program in the U.S.
• Prices start at $499 for the Pixel 9, while the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL cost $649 and $699, respectively.
• Every refurbished Pixel goes through Google's quality checks, uses genuine replacement parts, and includes a one-year warranty.
• Google is also offering six months of Google AI Plus with 2TB of storage alongside every Certified Refurbished Pixel 9 purchase.

Google has started selling certified refurbished Pixel 9 phones in the U.S., with prices starting at just $499.

For those unfamiliar, Google has a pretty interesting Certified Refurbished program in the U.S., where the company sells pre-owned Pixel smartphones that have been professionally inspected, tested, and restored to meet its quality standards, all at a lower price than when they originally launched. And now, the Pixel 9 series has joined the program.

As spotted by 9to5Google, Google has listed several Pixel 9 models on its Certified Refurbished page, including the base Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The regular Pixel 9 starts at $499, while the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are available for $649 and $699, respectively.

(Image credit: Google Store)

Currently, the base Pixel 9 appears to be out of stock, although some configurations of the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are still available to purchase. And to make the deal a little more enticing, Google is also offering buyers a free six-month Google AI Plus subscription, which includes 2TB of cloud storage that can be shared across Google services.

This makes the refurbished Pixel 9 series a pretty decent deal, especially considering these aren't just regular second-hand smartphones.

Google says every Certified Refurbished Pixel goes through a multi-point inspection and rigorous quality checks covering things like the battery, display, housing, and cameras. If any repairs or replacements are needed, Google uses genuine parts to restore the device to its quality standards.

The refurbished phones also come with a one-year limited warranty, similar to what you'd get when purchasing a brand-new Pixel phone.

So, compared to the regular Pixel 9, which originally launched for $799, you're saving around $300 by going with Google's certified refurbished model. The Pro models also offer some pretty substantial savings over their original launch prices.

Of course, these are still pre-owned devices, but with Google's official refurbishment process, genuine replacement parts, and a one-year warranty, they could be worth considering if you've been looking to pick up a Pixel without spending flagship money.

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