Honor held an Image Technology event in Hengdian, China today (July 28) where it highlighted the camera tech behind the Robot Phone.
The phone will feature its in-house AiMAGE imaging engine, alongside a partnership with ARRI to fuel cinematography for "everyday scenarios."
The Robot Phone will launch on August 12.
Honor is entering a "new era" ahead of its Robot Phone launch. Today (July 28), the company unveiled what its future as an "AI terminal ecosystem company" will look like, beginning with the cinema photography.
In Hengdian, China, Honor held its Image Technology Launch event, where it detailed its mobile technologies and how it intends for professionals to use its "cinema workflow." Honor shared that information with us this morning, highlighting its chip-device-cloud imaging engine, AiMAGE, and a partnership with ARRI.
During the keynote, the company said: "...mobile imaging progress depends on the combined evolution of physical image capture and intelligent processing: optical and sensor capabilities define the foundation of image quality, while AI, algorithms and cloud capabilities amplify what users can create."
This is the driving force behind the AiMAGE chip-device-cloud imaging engine. The chip side of its development is handled by its in-house Transformer-based native AI ISP, which helps "reconstruct the image processing pipeline from the ground up." Since this technology is headed to the Robot Phone, Honor says it's taking full advantage of its titanium alloy three-axis gimbal, "precision" sensing hardware, and more to improve image quality and motion control.
It's almost time
(Image credit: Honor)
Honor's partnership with ARRI delivers "a more professional color and workflow foundation to the HONOR Robot Phone." Most of this is thanks to ARRI Look, LogC3, and Wide Gamut 3.
The company wanted to nail mobile imaging technology for true, cinematic creative scenarios. At the keynote, Honor says it invited Claudio Miranda to use the Robot Phone's camera to "recreate" a cinematic scene. Regarding the device's performance, cinematographer Wang Boxue said, "What impressed me is not only the image quality, but also how a compact mobile device can enter spaces that traditional camera setups cannot. This gives creators more freedom in camera movement and helps reduce the burden of production while expanding creative possibilities."
These are "long-term" ambitions Honor has set out to accomplish for the Robot Phone's AI and cinematography for "everyday scenarios." Pushing us further will be the device's 200MP main lens, 50MP ultrawide, and a 200MP telephoto sensor (via NotebookCheck). The Robot Phone is preparing to debut on August 12 to "redefine" our mobile devices.
Honor's been slowly but surely giving consumers and others information about the Robot Phone. The device was in Barcelona during MWC 2026, where the Robot Phone was said to debut globally in Q3 2026. The main highlight of this phone is its curious gimbal camera, which observes the world. The camera can automatically track movement using many of the technologies that Honor discussed at its event in China today.
Android Central's Take
When Honor posted that teaser about the Robot Phone months ago, it reminded me of WALL-E. The way it looks around curiously. I can almost hear WALL-E quips and whirrs. The Robot Phone is different. Maybe we need that right now. One feature Honor first teased was that users could flip up the camera, and it would "watch the world" as you move around. The phone might even take pictures or record videos for you. Imagine that.
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If you've been on the fence about preordering the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9, T-Mobile just shared a deal that might encourage you to take the leap.
From now through the wearable's August 7th release date, you can get the Galaxy Watch 9 for FREE when you add a line with T-Mobile's Watch Plan Plus. That's $430 of promo credits over 24 months, no trade-in required and no additional eligibility requirements to worry about — just good old-fashioned savings on a device that's almost certain to rank among the best Android smartwatches of 2026.
Get a FREE Galaxy Watch 9 with this new T-Mobile deal
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 doesn't officially hit store shelves until August 7th, but you can already preorder the highly-anticipated wearable for free by adding a line with Watch Plan Plus at T-Mobile. The savings appear in the form of $430 in promo credits over 24 months, no trade-in required!
Watch Plan Plus costs $15 per month and comes with unlimited talk, text, and data for your wearable, plus unlimited texting and up to 5GB of data in over 200 countries around the globe. View Deal
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 may look almost identical to its predecessor, but there are a few notable improvements under the hood. The 2026 watch features upgraded battery life (up to 40 hours) and the incorporation of the new Snapdragon Wear Elite chipset without adding any extra weight to the frame. You also get all of the latest on-device Galaxy AI software features and some improved health and fitness tracking capabilities.
Just like last year's version, the Galaxy Watch 9 also boasts a vibrant AMOLED display and "squircle"-style design with 32GB of onboard storage, dual-band GPS, and IP68/5ATM durability.
The new chipset and upgraded battery are enough reason to call the Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 one of the best smartwatches of the year, but last year's Galaxy Watch 8 is no slouch either. If you prefer Bluetooth and can find a good deal on the last-gen model, go for it. But if you want to use a 2026 smartwatch on your cellular network, T-Mobile's preorder deal is one of the most cost-effective ways to do so. This offer ends on August 7th, however, so don't wait too long to make your move.
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Google's latest System update brings Play services v26.29 and Play Store v52.5 with upgrades for Wallet, Wear OS, Play Games, and content discovery.
Play services' latest version adds new Maps and Wear OS APIs for developers alongside unspecified system bug fixes.
The Play Store is becoming more engaging, with a smoother Play Games Sidekick dashboard, comic previews in Play Shorts, and smarter travel app recommendations through the updated Engage SDK.
Google’s latest Google System update won’t grab headlines for fancy new tricks, but it does bring a handful of changes that could help make everyday Android use just a little bit smoother. The latest rollout brings Play Store v52.5 and Google Play services v26.29 with content discovery improvements, Play Games and Wallet updates, and Wear OS improvements.
On the Google Play services side, version 26.29 continues the trend of Google pushing new features out of full Android OS updates. Maps APIs for Android Auto, phones, tablets, TVs, Wear OS, and PCs are now available for developers, as are new utilities APIs for Wear OS. Google also managed to slip in bug fixes for system management and diagnostics on phones, but it hasn’t said what those patches are for.
Wallet gets the largest batch of changes. For new users, the update saves a few steps, as Pixel Watch owners can now set up Express Pay directly from the watch. Google is also renaming the “Connected apps” section to “Linked apps” on its platforms, a small change that better reflects how third-party services connect to Google accounts. For Pix users, Gboard now works within messaging apps, and there are new developer tools for digital wallet and payment experiences.
Android Central's Take
I like how Google keeps pushing useful updates through Play services instead of making us wait for the next big Android release. People actually notice quality of life upgrades like easier Wallet setup on the Pixel Watch and smarter Play Store recommendations.
The Play Store’s v52.5 update is more about how you find and interact with content. Google says the Play Games Sidekick dashboard is now more stable and responsive, which leads to a gaming companion experience that’s less likely to experience hiccups. Play Shorts is also branching out beyond apps and games, with the addition of popular comic book previews that you can swipe through before you get to the full story if something catches your eye.
Google is also giving a lift to travel apps. With updates to the content clusters in the Engage SDK, third-party travel apps that are supported can now show your previous searches, helping you to get back to your trip planning.
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Enabot's cutesy robots on wheels are always fun contraptions, but the most perplexing thing about them is their animal magnetism. Cats can't seem to get enough of them, as witnessed not just by me but by my colleagues as well. I genuinely wonder if Enabot rubs catnip on their robots at the factory level before shipping them out.
This is perfect, however, because Enabot's smart family robots are primarily advertised as pet companions, with a secondary focus on family companionship and home surveillance. It's an all-in-one security camera on wheels that monitors your beloved family members, whether two-legged or four.
The EBO Max isn't cheap
Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central
Enabot launched the EBO Max family bot on March 31, 2026. Priced at $599.99, it is the second most expensive such robot offered by the brand. You can also buy a EBO Max Style Pack for $29.99 that has four cosmetic add-ons, including deer antlers and rabbit ears.
The EBO Max comes with a charging dock, a 32GB SD card pre-inserted into the robot, an adapter, and a resetting pin in the box.
Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central
The EBO Max is a mid-sized robot, a lot smaller and more compact than the larger EBO X, but slightly larger than the EBO Air models. The charging dock is significantly smaller and slimmer than the EBO X and other models.
Just like other Enabot robots, you can easily take off the wheel tracks of the EBO Max for cleaning. The entire bottom unit with the wheel tracks slides off with a few clicks. This is also where the memory card slot is located.
Enabot EBO Max specs
Category
Enabot EBO Max
Camera
8MP, 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution, 131° FOV, night vision
Memory
64GB local storage (47GB available), expandable up to 256GB via memory card
Comms
Speaker, microphone
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 2.4G, 5G
Navigation
V-SLAM Navigation
Speed
20cm/s-60cm/s
Obstacle height
≤12mm
Climbing slope
≤15°
Battery and charging
2,500mAh, 4–6hrs standby/video recording, up to 3hrs continuous movement, 3-4hrs charge time
Hardware
PC+ABS, brushed gear motor, 53dB operating noise
Dimensions
129 x 127 x 117 mm, 750g
What can this robot do?
(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)
Before setting the EBO Max up, it was really important to let my cat sniff the robot to his heart's content. This helped ease him into a new element in the house, as cats tend to hate change and can be very nervous around moving objects.
Once he was happy with the smell and familiarized himself with it, I set up the EBO Max charging dock and turned it on. My cat was more curious than afraid, and he even started cuddling with the bot right away.
Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central
Initial setup involves the EBO HOME app, which immediately gives you a comprehensive walkthrough of the robot's capabilities. This is helpful because there's a lot to learn and explore in the app, which is the robot's main control center.
The EBO Max bot can use V-SLAM Navigation to map out your house. It can recognize family members once you've registered their faces and voiceprints, and once those are saved, you can set up voice calling settings for those members. If a fall is detected, you can select certain family members to be notified.
You can change the style and color of the "eyes" of the EBO Max robot, which are incredibly expressive. They follow you around, almost in a sentient manner, which can be cute and human-like — but also really creepy at 3 AM. There is a sound localization feature that makes the robot turn to you when it hears your voice. Thankfully, the bot can be scheduled to "close its eyes" during your chosen "Do Not Disturb" hours.
Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central
Because the EBO Max has two-way comms, family members can even receive voice calls when fall detection is triggered. You can take this one step further with activity detection, so if no movement is detected for your selected number of days, you and your chosen family members will be notified.
The robot can be scheduled to patrol and play or monitor people and/or pets at home during your selected hours, and you can set it to smartly patrol the house on your chosen route once the house is mapped. Additionally, you can adjust event recording settings to automatically record photos and videos of interactions. When the EBO Max runs low on battery, it returns to the charging dock on its own.
The EBO Max can be remotely controlled via the app as it has Wi-Fi. It sports an 8MP camera with a 4K resolution, a wide 131° field of view, and night vision, so the image quality is very crisp and clear in diverse lighting scenarios.
Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android CentralNamerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central
You can queue actions and sounds, individually or together, when playing with children or pets. There are plenty of cat and dog sounds, as well as many movements, including some of the best actions from other EBO bots, like the figure-eight dance from the EBO X.
Everything from the robot's movement speed and the audio and call volume settings can be adjusted too. There's no manual mic and video shut-off button or shutter, though, which is a bit of a privacy oversight.
However, the "Do Not Disturb" mode can be used as an alternative. You can set the robot's active "wake up" hours, and even choose to have the screen (or the "eyes" of the bot) automatically shut off during your selected DND nighttime hours.
Because of course there's AI
(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)
The EBO Max family bot has a wide array of useful AI features. You start by saying "EBO EBO" to initiate conversations or give instructions, all in natural language. You can use the "EBO EBO, follow me" command to make the robot leave the charging dock and follow you around the house.
Other features include setting timers, reminders, or alarms; asking about the weather; asking the robot to find a certain family member; and more.
You can change the AI voice tone or clone your voice to be used as the robot's voice using the Pet Parrot feature. So, the EBO Max can read your text when you send it to the robot.
(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)
Enabot gave the EBO Max family bot an AI-powered brain, so it literally learns from all the information it absorbs and gets smarter the longer you use it. This adaptive behavior means the bot remembers patterns and perceives its surroundings, and it can even role-play depending on the role you assign it.
You can also assign more complex commands. For example, you could say, "I'm going on holiday for two days starting tomorrow. Patrol the house three times a day and alert me of any unusual activity. Record a video of any movement," and the EBO Max robot will do just that.
Eventually, it can even distinguish memories and learn about your habits, hobbies, preferences, and daily home life. This can be helpful for questions like "Did Grandma take her morning medicine yesterday?" or similar scenarios.
(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)
Using the AI functions sometimes causes the robot to run a little hot, and the AI also hangs or glitches at times, especially after being asked a few questions simultaneously. Also, when you're using an AI feature, this prevents you from queuing movements or animal sounds when remotely controlling the robot.
Unfortunately, there is no smart home integration with Gemini or Alexa, so you miss out on automations and options like playing music or switching on your TV. There is also no Bluetooth speaker mode. I find both features incredibly useful on the EBO X, so this was a bummer.
Should you buy the Enabot EBO Max?
(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)
In many ways, this is the smartest robot Enabot has ever made, although it's missing smart home integration and some refinement. Native Matter support would've made this a monumental leap in the smart home world.
Once the EBO Max builds memories and learns enough, and with the help of firmware updates, I truly believe the small hiccups will iron themselves out. Enabot is very good with updates — I got one as soon as I installed the EBO Max robot.
At $599, the EBO Max is a lot cheaper than the $999 EBO X, which includes Alexa and physical shut-off buttons for the mic and the camera. So getting a large portion of its features and an AI-powered brain that gets wiser over time, all for $400 cheaper, is a bargain if you ask me.
If you need a smart home camera that can follow and monitor your loved ones or even keep your kids and cats entertained, EBO Max is an outstanding family robot for you.
Enabot
EBO Max
Smart-maxxing
The Enabot EBO Max is an AI-powered family robot with crystal-clear cameras, loudspeakers, a clear mic, and plenty of handy features. The EBO Max can grow to be a member of your household, a bot that monitors the well-being of your family, keeps them company, and entertains your pets, all while patrolling the house every night and alerting you to suspicious activity.
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Sony has been doing all the wrong things of late, but I'm not here to rant about them canceling physical game discs today. I'm here to help you fix a very annoying, yet somehow super prevalent, problem. If you use the PlayStation app on your smartphone, you might have come across this issue.
I signed out of my secondary PlayStation account on my phone a few weeks ago and tried to log in to my primary PS profile, which has 2FA enabled for security. Unfortunately, I wasn't receiving any two-factor authentication text messages from Sony. It was the start of the weekend, which meant I'd have to wait two days before Sony's customer support came online.
So here's what I did to fix it and finally log back into my account.
How to regain access to your PlayStation app when two factor authentication fails
Usually, the correct thing to do is to use your backup codes when 2FA fails. And trust me, Sony's PlayStation app regularly fails to send a 2FA SMS. Just go to Reddit, and you'll find countless accounts of this happening (here, here, and here). PlayStation account users have even been prevented from logging in to their PS4s and PS5s because of this problem.
Anyway, I kept my backup codes in such a safe place that even I couldn't find them. So here's what I did.
1. Open the PlayStation app and tap Sign In.
2. Enter your email address and tap Next.
3. Instead of entering your password, select the Trouble Signing In? option.
(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)
4. You'll have to reset your password now by selecting the Recover Your Account > option.
5. You will be redirected to the account recovery portal. Enter your email address there and tap Send Link.
(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)
6. Once the password recovery email arrives, choose to set up a passkey instead of a password. This automatically disables two-factor authentication.
7. Once your passkey is set up, sign in to the PlayStation app using your passkey instead.
The PlayStation app can be your savior when you're locked out of your PSN account
(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)
Previously, PlayStation Network (PSN) users could use 2FA on their PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4 if they weren't sent a verification code via SMS. But that option is no longer available. So if you can't get your two-factor authentication code via text, you need to rely on your backup codes.
Thankfully, even if you've misplaced your backup codes, this hack lets you reset everything without relying on 2FA. Once a passkey is set up, it is tied to your password manager. So just make sure you don't get locked out of that!
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Samsung is reportedly planning a second-generation Galaxy Z TriFold for 2027.
The next TriFold is expected to keep the same display size, suggesting Samsung is focusing on scaling the product rather than redesigning it.
Samsung could launch four foldables in 2027 — Galaxy Z Flip 9, Z Fold 9, Z Fold 9 Ultra, and the new TriFold — expanding its premium lineup.
Samsung’s first tri-fold phone wasn’t supposed to be a blockbuster hit, but it seems the company is already planning a much bigger successor. Samsung has reportedly started work on a second-generation Galaxy Z TriFold, with a launch apparently scheduled for 2027, and this time the company may be ready to sell it to far more people.
Korean publication ETNews reports that Samsung has already shared details of the new device with component partners, meaning that development is well underway ahead of launch. While details about the hardware are still scarce, the report indicates that the next TriFold will likely retain the same display size as the current model. The hardware is not that interesting, but the production strategy of Samsung is.
That’s a huge departure from Samsung’s original Galaxy Z TriFold, which was launched as an experimental device in limited quantities and markets. The company treated it more like a technology showcase than a volume seller, making it difficult for most buyers to get their hands on one. If the latest report is to be believed, Samsung now looks confident enough to bring the concept closer to the mainstream by ramping up manufacturing and increasing availability.
The report also claims that Samsung might launch four premium foldables instead of three in the second half of 2027: the Galaxy Z Flip 9, Galaxy Z Fold 9, Galaxy Z Fold 9 Ultra, and the second-gen Galaxy Z TriFold. That would also put to rest recent rumors suggesting that this year's Galaxy Z Flip 8 might be the last of Samsung's clamshell foldables.
Samsung is also said to be expanding the Galaxy S family. Previous reports have suggested that the Galaxy S27 range could include the Galaxy S27, S27 Plus, S27 Pro, and S27 Ultra. If that happens, Samsung would have a “4+4” flagship strategy — four Galaxy S devices in the first half of the year and four foldables in the second half.
It is still early for now. Samsung has made no announcements around any of these plans, and a lot can change before 2027 rolls around.
Android Central's Take
I fully support Samsung's efforts to push the boundaries of foldables, but a tri-fold only matters if most people can actually buy it. A flashy concept with limited production and sky-high pricing doesn't advance the industry. The real upgrade would be if Samsung is finally serious about making its next TriFold more broadly available.
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Google is developing a new "Phone to Watch Unlock" feature that automatically unlocks your Pixel Watch with your Pixel phone.
The feature works in reverse of today's Watch Unlock, eliminating the need to enter your watch PIN repeatedly.
Code strings suggest the feature will be exclusive to the Pixel Watch and Pixel phone ecosystem through Connected Services.
Google could finally fix the one thing that's been annoying me about using a passcode on my Pixel Watch.
For quite some time now, Google has offered a feature called Watch Unlock that lets your Pixel Watch unlock your Pixel phone. If your Pixel Watch is already unlocked and on your wrist, your phone automatically unlocks without asking for your passcode. The problem is that it doesn't work the other way around.
Thankfully, that could finally be changing.
As spotted by Android Authority, Google is working on a new feature called Phone to Watch Unlock that would automatically unlock your Pixel Watch whenever you unlock your paired Pixel phone.
(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)
Unlike the current implementation, where an unlocked Pixel Watch can unlock your phone, this feature would work in reverse. Once you unlock your Pixel phone, your Pixel Watch will automatically unlock as well. It's something that's been bugging me for a long time, so I'm glad to see Google finally working on a fix.
Unfortunately, it looks like this feature will be exclusive to the Pixel ecosystem. The code strings were discovered in Google's Connected Phone and Watch Services app, suggesting it will only work between Pixel phones and Pixel Watches.
From what it appears, Google will prompt users to enable the feature during setup. You'll first need to enter your current watch PIN as a one-time verification, after which your Pixel Watch will automatically unlock whenever you unlock your Pixel phone.
There's currently no word on when the feature will roll out. However, since it's already been spotted in the app's code, there's a good chance Google is preparing to launch it sooner rather than later.
