Google brings back app lock in Android 17 QPR3 Beta 3

Google's been busy with its Android 17 development cycle, pushing multiple Quarterly Platform Release updates and still working on bug fixes across Pixel devices. QPR3 went into beta testing in early October, and the first two releases focused primarily on squashing stability, connectivity, and performance bugs. Now Android 17 QPR3 Beta 3 is here with 26 more fixes, the return of the app lock, and some handy interface improvements.

It’s not a massive visual overhaul by any means, but Google is clearly using these beta releases to tidy up the Android experience ahead of the next big update.

This new release follows QPR3 Beta 2, which was released just over a week ago and also included its own set of bug fixes. According to its release note shared on Reddit, Google has listed 26 fixes ranging from display glitches and app crashes to connectivity and system stability issues this time around.

App lock and bubbles get another shot

The changes to the usability side are more interesting. As noted by one Reddit user, app lock is making a comeback, offering users another way to keep sensitive apps safe from unwanted access. Google is also making app bubbles easier to use by letting users launch them from the Recents menu, rather than having to dig through other interface options.

Quick Settings is also receiving a camera shortcut. That’s a small addition, arguably, but it gives users another way to launch the camera without hunting down its app icon. Google has also fixed the AM/PM display for lock screen alarms and brought back some of the lock screen blur that was lost in a previous update.

A bigger cleanup under the hood

The new fixes cover a number of annoying issues, including random screen flickering, black inner displays when unfolding foldables, poor webcam video quality, and crashes when viewing mentions in X threads. Google has also fixed broken force-stop controls, missing notification elements, crashing Bluetooth scans, and WPA-Enterprise Wi-Fi authentication failures.

Android 17 QPR3 Beta 3 is available for Pixel 6a and newer devices. Most supported models receive build DP11.261016.003, while Pixel 11 models get DP11.261016.004.

If you want to, you can sign up through Google's Android Beta Program, but it’s always a good idea to back up your data prior to installing beta software.

Android 17 QPR2 is expected to reach stable status around the end of 2026, and QPR3 is looking to be another round of meaningful refinements ahead of its anticipated 2027 release.

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Amazon's latest suite of Alexa-powered Echo devices includes a digital Photo Frame

What you need to know

• Amazon announced a refreshed list of 2026 smart home devices: the Echo Dot, Echo Studio with Home Camera, Echo Time, Echo Show 16, and the Alexa Photo Frame.
• The Echo Dot offers a built-in smart home hub that connects it to "thousands" of available smart home devices, such as lights and locks.
• The Echo Show 16 is ~40% thinner than before, and delivers a 16-inch HD screen that users can use a family or meal planner.
• Amazon's Alexa Photo Frame sync directly with your Amazon Photos account, and brings your latest photos to the forefront.

Amazon is dropping another round of fresh smart home devices at the end of Techtober. The company announced four new Echo devices and an Alexa Photo Frame to digitize years of memories.

Today (Oct. 29), Amazon debuted its latest line of smart home devices, beginning with four new Echo devices, such as the new Echo Dot. Amazon states the 2026 Echo Dot "includes a built-in smart home hub" for the first time. This hub lets its AI, Alexa, connect to "thousands of compatible devices" (think smart lights, locks, etc.). Furthering the Echo Dot's AI ambitions is Amazon's new AI Accelerator for a sharp, quick experience.

If you're playing music or listening to audiobooks, Amazon says the Echo Dot now has 50% more bass and crisper vocals. The Echo Dot is available for $99; however, there is a Kids Echo Dot that starts at $109 with a year of Amazon Plus included.

Elsewhere, we have the 2026 Echo Studio. The design remains similar to that of its 2025 counterpart. Amazon says the Echo Studio features a House Camera to give it a "better understanding" of what's happening around it. In turn, it enhances Alexa's capabilities for homeowners. Users can check in on their house through the Echo Studio, peering in through its included camera.

The Echo Studio boasts "a high-excursion woofer and Dolby Atmos with Advanced Room Adaptation." The Echo Studio with House Camera starts at $249 and is shipping today (Oct. 29). The company states Fire TV support will bring video calling to users in a future update.

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

The Echo Time has been refreshed with Omnisense, Amazon's sleep-sensing tech. The post states the device can "sense when you're in lighter sleep and wake you within 10 to 60 minutes of your scheduled alarm." In terms of design, the Echo Time features a digital clock face that users can customize with analog or modern themes.

The Echo Time is available starting at $199, and the Kids Echo Time starts at $209 with a year of Kids Plus included.

Rounding out the "Echo" devices is the Echo Show 16. Amazon calls it its "most powerful" version. The device is roughly 40% thinner and features a 16-inch HD screen. There's also a Nanomatte variation to reduce screen glare from sunlight. Amazon highlights "Screen Styles," which lets users turn it into a family planner, meal planner, and more.

The Echo Show 16 can even double as a family picture frame. Then you have the smart home dashboard with the Alexa Home Map. This gives users a clear picture of where every connected smart home device is in their house. Fire TV support is built-in, and the Echo Show 16's camera has been upgraded with a wider FOV, auto-framing for pictures, and more.

The Echo Show 16 can be pre-ordered for $499.99 or for $599 if you're getting the Nanomatte version. However, Amazon states that if you're pre-ordering now, you could get $100 off.

Framing the memories

(Image credit: Amazon)

The final overall product from Amazon is the 10-inch Alexa Photo Frame.

This digital photo frame has Alexa built into its core, connecting to your Amazon Photos account with automatic image sync. The post states that as you take photos, they will appear on the Photo Frame. Alexa reportedly works its AI magic, surfacing photos where people are smiling, skipping over screenshots and other content.

Consumers can purchase the Alexa Photo Frame for $199.99 in black, while its Birch or Walnut wood frames start at $229.00.

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'Immersive Explorations' in Gemini is a visual adventure for traversing stellar topics

What you need to know

• Google announced "Immersive Explorations" in Gemini, which gives students a visual way of learning a subject by unraveling its contents layer-by-layer.
• Users can learn about the complexities of Quasars and more in space, or about dinosaurs, the molecular structure of life, and more.
• Google's previously brought huge updates for teachers in the Classrooms app for students through Gemini to help create lesson plans, Rubrics, and quizzes.

Gemini and astrology go hand-in-hand—it's in the name, after all. Google announced that it's rolling out a new library in Gemini's student hub for stellar topics.

This week, Google announced in a blog post that it's bringing "Immersive Explorations" to the Gemini student hub. This library will reportedly give users an "interactive, visual way to explore topics layer-by-layer..." In a press release, Google states users can forget about scrolling and reading through giant walls of text. Immersive Explorations is more visual (though it comes with a few paragraphs to explain what you're seeing).

Users can "click through layered visuals" to educate themselves about a range of topics. If we're going down the stellar route, users can learn about Quasars, and zoom in to learn about Host Galaxies or Interstellar Dust Lanes. Clicking on different parts of an image unlocks more details. Users can see the bigger picture as a whole, and dive in to learn about every tiny fragment that makes it whole.

Students in the Gemini hub can also learn about dinosaurs, the molecular structure of plants, the "physics of lightning," and more. Google says Immersive Explorations are available now in the Gemini app.

Users can begin exploring in English, Indonesian, Hindi, Brazilian Portuguese, French, and simplified Chinese. Google states users in other languages will default to English until support for those languages arrives at a later time.

More ways to learn

(Image credit: Google)

When Google rolled out Gemini for teens using school accounts, it did so with guardrails and the ability to fact-check the AI's results. The AI was made available in over 100 countries, alongside "Coach." This was a "step-by-step tool to help students build their knowledge of various subjects through quizzes and games." The other side of Google's work to build better AI for educational purposes was its tools for the Classrooms app.

It was a Gemini-focused patch that brought the AI's assistance to NotebookLM (now Gemini Notebook). Teachers could create an AI "expert" for a specific topic to help students if they're struggling with a certain subject. What's more, teachers can create a Rubric and quizzes with ease using the educational material they have.

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Ultrahuman's Ring Pro arrives in the US—consumers can get it fitted in-store, but only at Best Buy

What you need to know

• Ultrahuman announced that its Ring Pro is available now in the U.S. without delay and without pre-order.
• Consumers can purchase the device at online storefronts from Ultrahuman, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy; however, 300 Best Buy stores will also have it for fitting purposes.
• The Ring Pro features a 15-day battery life (45 days with the case), "Enhanced memory" for health data, a titanium build, and more for ~$479.

Ultrahuman's latest smart ring debuted in February. However, the U.S. was excluded from its "global" debut—that changes today (Oct. 29).

Ultrahuman announced in a press release that the Ring Pro is now available to U.S. consumers. Consumers can purchase the Ring Pro online at Ultrahuman's storefront, Target, and Walmart. Additionally, you can grab it at Best Buy online or in-store at one of 300 locations. Ultrahuman states the Ring Pro's presence at Best Buy stores gives users a unique advantage.

You can try on the Ring Pro in-store, have it sized to your finger, and "take it home the same day." The smart ring was announced at $479 at launch in February, so consumers should see similar pricing online and in-store. The company states that it's working on bringing the Ring Pro to Target and Walmart stores "over the next few weeks," so you can try it on and have it sized in person.

To celebrate the Ring Pro's U.S. arrival, Ultrahuman's CEO and founder, Mohit Kumar, said, "We’re delighted to be on sale in the U.S. so customers can get hold of Ring PRO without pre-orders or delays."

Pro-level Ring

Ultrahuman

Ultrahuman

Ultrahuman

Ultrahuman reminds us that the Ring Pro features up to 15 days of battery life. However, paired with its charging case, users can get up to 45 days. The Ring Pro and its charging case feature a pairing so strong, you can find it if you've lost it. Ultrahuman says users will benefit from "Find My Case" and At-a-glance feedback on the case. This feedback delivers "confirmations and alerts via haptics, and view battery level status via an LED indicator."

Plus, users won't need a subscription to unlock its many continuous health-tracking features. Returning to its original launch, Ultrahuman said it will sell the Ring Pro in sizes five through 14.

The Ring Pro was also built with "enhanced memory." Ultrahuman says it can remember up to 250 days of data to "assist with your health history." The company redesigned its heart rate sensor to be more useful when you're sleeping or recovering.

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Google preps more Connected Apps for users and new ways to build for devs

What you need to know

• Google's Android Dev Summit is going on, and it announced a Connected Apps Platform in preview for developers.
• This platform lets developers bring their apps into the Connected Apps experience for Gemini or Search, or both.
• Users should expect apps from Adobe, Experian, Localiza, and Peloton in Search in the coming weeks, as well as Calm.

This afternoon (Oct. 28), Google announced a new developer platform en route for Connected Apps in Gemini and Search.

From what Google announced, it looks like users should prepare for an influx of Connected Apps. According to its post, the Connected Apps Platform is launching in preview this week for developers looking to integrate their products into Gemini and Search. Google states this preview gives developers an "opportunity to build once and reach high-intent users..."

After integrating with a cloud-hosted MCP server and running through the required review process, Google says devs can decide whether their app is available in Gemini or Search (or both). Developers will have all the tools they need to understand the stability of their app. They can "track traffic, latency, and error rates," among other pieces of data, to keep everything smooth.

While Google is rolling out the Connected Apps Platform in preview to developers today, it states everyday users at home should expect more goodies, too. The company highlighted partnerships with Adobe, Experian, Localiza, and Peloton in Connected Apps. Many of these are already live in Gemini; however, in the weeks ahead, Google says it will roll them out in Search.

Additionally, Google is preparing to integrate Calm (the mental health app) into Gemini and Search soon. If you're a developer and you're interested in the new platform's preview, you can sign up and get started.

Groceries, music, and more

(Image credit: Google)

Android Central's Take

Useful AI is useful. This is a good spot for AI to be: one where it can help take the mundane out of the mundane. It'll shop, and then notify you at the important parts. However, watching what the AI does can't be stressed enough. It's not foolproof, so keeping a watchful eye to ensure disaster doesn't strike is a good rule of thumb. Also, you don't have to connect anything you don't want to. Be mindful, and stay safe with your information.

As far as Connected Apps go, things have improved recently. And by "improved," we mean the fact that Google brought in Instacart and YouTube Music to AI Mode's experience this summer. Even Canva got in on the fun. With all Connected Apps, users are letting Google's AI take the reins. With Instacart, users can say, "get me all the things I need for my BBQ and add them to my grocery cart."

You'll see everything the AI is doing, and you can also intervene if something goes awry. What's more, the AI will notify you when it reaches a critical point: payment. You'll be prompted to open Instacart and complete the transaction once the AI is done shopping. The AI can assist with creating new playlists if YouTube Music is connected.

Google teased that there would be more partnerships in the future, and we've gotten a small glimpse of that today with its new platform preview.

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Launch day: Xreal Aura is here, and there's a limited-time price drop you won't want to miss

What you need to know

• Xreal Aura launch day is here, and the company announced a surprising price drop that will run for a limited time (through December 2026).
• The Aura XR glasses can be purchased for $1,099 (12/256GB) and $1,299 (16GB/512GB) in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and South Korea.
• The Xreal Aura delivers access to millions of apps on the Google Play Store, the NBA app for Android XR, the NASCAR XR app, a 70-degree FOV, a 1200p resolution Sony Micro-OLED display, Sound by Bose, and more.

The day has finally arrived for Xreal's Aura. The company announces that its wired Android XR glasses are available for consumers in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and South Korea.

This afternoon (Oct. 27), Xreal surprised consumers with a limited-time offering. To celebrate its launch, the Aura XR glasses 12/256GB version can be purchased for $1,099. What's more, users will find its 16GB/512GB variant for $1,299. Prices have fallen by roughly $200 from what Xreal originally announced earlier this month. Xreal states these prices will remain through December 2026. After that, pricing will return to normal: $1,279 and $1,499, respectively.

A press release states that the Xreal Aura is expected to begin shipping in mid-November.

The company's co-founder and CEO Chi Xu said, "This is a defining moment for XR. We built AURA for people who want the power of spatial computing without being removed from the world around them." Chi Xu adds, "XREAL AURA is finally here, and we're so proud to unlock new ways for people to work, watch, play, and build."

Since the Aura features Android XR, the glasses have integrated technologies from Google and Qualcomm. The glasses are powered by Google's AI Gemini and a Snapdragon Reality Elite chip. Xreal states the Aura can go from work to play in a snap. Users will have access to "millions of familiar mobile apps and games from Google Play" and tailor-made XR experiences.

If you're a sports lover, there's the NBA app for Android XR, delivering multiview (NBA League Pass subscription), matchups, stats, and more. The NASCAR XR app brings users closer to the high-speed racing action with a live 3D track map, driver telemetry, and more. The Xreal Aura delivers a 70-degree FOV, Sony Micro-OLED display (1200p resolution at 120Hz), and Sound by Bose, among a slew of additional features.

The day has arrived

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Consumers can order their pair on Xreal's storefront. However, the company states the glasses are also available at Best Buy today (Oct. 27). In 2027, Xreal plans to distribute the Aura XR glasses to other retailers and to select Google Stores in the U.S. and Japan.

Many have been waiting for launch day, and Xreal's CEO was quite pleased with its early positive reception. According to Chi Xu, reservations for the Xreal Aura topped 10,000 units around August. A couple of its reservation packages sold out, as consumers seemed to like Xreal's promise that the final price wouldn't exceed $1,500 before taxes. Chi Xu said the company felt "encouraged" by the early turnout, but it still had more to detail.

The Xreal Aura will have a selection of games available on launch, such as Project Hail Mary: Journey Among the Stars, thanks to an Amazon MGM Studios partnership, and Fallout: Factions from Modiphius Entertainment. Chi Xu said, "XREAL AURA sets a new benchmark for OST XR glasses, bringing powerful AI-driven experiences to both work and everyday life."

Android Central went hands-on with the Xreal Aura during Google I/O 2026, and we were blown away by it. The device felt like Xreal found a way to cram an entire VR headset into a pair of glasses (which weigh 95g, by the way).

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Samsung's open-ear Galaxy Buds On hit the US soon for $229

What you need to know

• Samsung’s $229 Galaxy Buds On arrive in the US in early November, bringing clip-on, open-ear listening to more buyers.
• Each bud weighs 6.65 grams and wraps around the ear, with Samsung using over 119 million ear data points to refine the fit.
• TwinBoost speakers and automatic volume adjustment aim to improve listening, while Audio Leakage Reduction helps limit sound leakage.

Samsung will start selling its Galaxy Buds On in the US in early November. The company’s first clip-on, open-ear earbuds combine an unusual design with AI-powered features for people who want to stay aware of their surroundings while listening, and at $229, they’re not cheap.

As we saw earlier this month with the reveal of the earbuds, the Galaxy Buds On are a departure from Samsung’s traditional in-ear Galaxy Buds. Each earbud clips around the ear with a flexible band for a secure, comfortable fit, instead of sitting inside the ear canal. Samsung says it used more than 119 million ear data points, AI-assisted optimization, and physics simulations to optimize the design for different ear shapes. Each earbud weighs only 6.65 grams.

The open design makes the Buds On a potentially useful pick for runners, commuters, and anyone who would rather hear approaching traffic or a coworker calling their name than shut the world out completely.

Better sound, fewer interruptions

The Buds On use TwinBoost speakers for richer sound, automatically adjust the volume to compensate for ambient noise, and use Audio Leakage Reduction technology to keep your music from becoming everyone else’s problem.

Three microphones use a Voice Pickup Unit sensor and machine learning to recognize your voice and separate it from background noise for calls. This means the system can make calls sound better in noisy environments.

Battery life is rated at up to 9.5 hours on a single charge and up to 38 hours using the charging case. That should be sufficient for several days of normal listening depending on usage.

Galaxy AI gets hands-free update

The Buds On also play to Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem. Users with compatible devices can launch Gemini Live using voice commands, long-press an earbud to record quick voice memos, and search recordings using Bixby via voice commands. With Head Gestures you can nod to accept a call or shake your head to decline a call.

Some features require compatible Galaxy devices and newer One UI software, so Android users outside of the Samsung ecosystem may not get the full experience.

Samsung has already released the earbuds in South Korea, and listings from European retailers have hinted at broader availability.

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