This new Qi2.3 power bank puts Google's and Samsung's accessories to shame

What you need to know

• Peak Design has introduced what it calls the world's first Qi2.3-certified magnetic power bank with a built-in kickstand.
• The 5,000mAh power bank supports 15W wireless charging on battery and up to 25W when connected to external power.
• Peak Design's new accessories start at $65, with a lifetime guarantee and additional battery performance coverage.

Peak Design today introduced a new Qi2.3 magnetic power bank alongside several other charging accessories that put some of the first-party accessories from brands like Samsung and Google to shame.

Peak Design, the brand popularly known for its backpacks and everyday carry gear, has slowly been expanding into mobile accessories as well. And today, the company unveiled its latest lineup of charging accessories, bringing some pretty interesting features that go beyond what first-party brands like Google and Samsung currently offer.

One of the most interesting products announced today is the Kickstand Travel Battery, which Peak Design says is the world's first Qi2.3-certified wireless power bank. It packs a 5,000mAh battery and supports up to 25W wireless charging.

(Image credit: Peak Design)

The magnetic power bank delivers up to 15W wireless charging when running on its internal battery, but that increases to 25W when you plug it into a power source. It also features a built-in kickstand, making it easier to prop up your phone while charging.

The Kickstand Travel Battery starts at $99.95 and comes in two colors, Moon and Black. It's already available to purchase.

In addition to the power bank, Peak Design has also introduced a new 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Station. It features two equally capable Qi2.2 charging pads, each supporting up to 25W wireless charging. There's also an additional port on the side for charging another accessory.

Peak Design

Peak Design

What's particularly interesting about the charging station is that it folds completely flat, making it much easier to pack and carry while traveling.

Peak Design has also unveiled the Dual Slim Charger, a GaN charging brick that's just half an inch thick while still delivering up to 65W of charging power. You can use it to charge a laptop and smartphone simultaneously, and its slim design makes it easier to carry around without taking up much space in your bag.

(Image credit: Peak Design)

The company has also introduced new Ultra Strand USB-C cables in 60W and 240W configurations. The higher-end 240W version supports USB4 data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps.

In terms of pricing, the 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Station starts at $99.95, while the Dual Slim Charger is priced at $65.

It's also worth noting that all of these accessories are backed by Peak Design's lifetime guarantee, while the battery products come with an additional two-year battery performance coverage.

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Google takes down a massive Android TV botnet, but infected devices remain dangerous

Google has taken down a huge Android malware operation that turned over 1.3 million Android TV boxes into weapons for cyber criminals.

The company revealed that the operation was performed by Videostrong Technology, a device maker that has been accused of intentionally putting a hidden backdoor on its products and selling access to criminal affiliates.

The malware, dubbed XCPE or x.cpe, was directly embedded in the firmware of Android TV boxes sold under different brands. Google’s Threat Intelligence Group said that Videostrong developed the backdoor as a business, not letting it slip through accidentally. Criminal partners could use infected devices to generate fake ad views, reroute internet traffic through unsuspecting homes, and install more malware.

A backdoor that gives criminals control of your TV box

Google is particularly concerned about XCPE because it runs with Android system-level privileges. It connects to remote command-and-control servers, enabling attackers to silently install applications, execute shell commands, take screenshots, and collect device information.

Google also found that the malware could collect account information, application lists, and system logs. Some operators even used the ability to remotely access the devices to capture keystrokes and establish reverse shells.

Just removing the malware application isn’t enough, though. The backdoor can restore itself from a protected firmware partition on every device reboot. It can also affect Google Play Protect by changing the security settings, making it much more difficult to detect and remove.

The most common way the infection spreads is through Android TV boxes, but researchers also saw XCPE on other Android-based devices such as karaoke machines, telehealth equipment, and digital signage systems.

Google cuts off Videostrong and its criminal partners

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

Google worked with Japan’s National Police Agency, Lumen, HUMAN Security, Plume, Synthient, and TrendAI to take the operation down. Its complaint targeted command servers operated by Videostrong, as well as the infrastructure behind more than a dozen other families of malware.

The company also banned Videostrong and future subsidiaries from making certified Android devices or supplying software to certified manufacturers.

The disruption could spread even further. Disabling the command infrastructure used by criminal affiliates will cut off access to at least 10 million more compromised devices infected through different distribution channels, Google figures.

Infected Android TV boxes might need replacing

There is a catch for consumers, however: the takedown does not automatically remove XCPE from impacted hardware. According to security researchers, users should identify potentially compromised devices, disconnect them, and consider replacement rather than relying on an ordinary app uninstall.

Google also tightened its firmware integrity checks and manufacturer vetting process after it found that Videostrong used obfuscation to load malicious code after a device initially booted up.

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Samsung's 'Intelligent Eyewear' is now rumored to launch near Christmas

What you need to know

• New rumors suggest Samsung could launch Intelligent Eyewear, its Android XR glasses, in December.
• The latest murmurings add that the company could also launch them in South Korea and the U.S., while also evaluating consumers' reception.
• Previous rumors said Intelligent Eyewear would debut in November.

There's been talk about Samsung's Android XR glasses for months now. Recently, a report claims to have discovered (once again) when they might launch.

A post by ChosunBiz (Korean) claims that Samsung's Intelligent Eyewear could launch in two major markets closer to Christmas 2026 (via 9to5Google). According to its sources, Samsung has allegedly "confirmed" that its Intelligent Eyewear will debut in "mid-December" in South Korea and the U.S. Samsung will reportedly view both of these regions critically before bringing the product to more places.

The company will supposedly "monitor initial demand and user reactions" in South Korea and the U.S. once the glasses launch. The publication touches on another missing aspect: pricing. We've been going round and round about its purported price; however, these rumors state nothing's set in stone.

Samsung is reportedly still considering the final price point for Intelligent Eyewear ahead of its launch next month (if this is to be believed).

So, we're still a month away...?

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

There are a few things to talk about, but first things first: the old expected launch window. At the top of October, rumors suggested Samsung was interested in launching Intelligent Eyewear in November. It was exciting at the time, despite this only being a rumor. However, the latest round has scrubbed that out in favor of a December launch. With so much back and forth, it'll be wise to take this with a grain of salt.

Regarding the supposed price, rumors suggest Samsung could price Intelligent Eyewear "reasonably." These aren't our words. In July, Samsung said Intelligent Eyewear could see a "reasonable" premium price; however, it'll likely sit above Meta's $300 Ray-Bans. The glasses are positioned as an extension of your Galaxy phone, not a replacement.

Users can control the glasses through gestures on any compatible Galaxy Watch, alongside photo capture. On the other hand, we have Intelligent Eyewear's official reveal, showing off its Warby Parker and Gentle Monster designs and more.

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Google's Wear OS 'status bar' experiment brings a little more Android flair to watches

What you need to know

• Google is running an experiment with developers to bring a status bar to a future major Wear OS update.
• This status bar for watches will mirror its capabilities on Android, meaning users will find status icons for connectivity, their location, and more.
• Google recently introduced standalone earthquake alerts to Wear OS, removing the necessity for users to always have their phone paired.

Google is developing a smartwatch feature that looks awfully familiar to Android users.

On its Developers Blog, the company posted details about its next major Wear OS update: Wear OS 8 (via 9to5Google). To preface, Google says it wants to solve an issue with Wear OS that it didn't with OS 7. The post explains that Wear OS 7 "did not render a system status bar over application windows." Essentially, apps consumed your entire watch face.

However, with Wear OS 8, Google says it's testing a "status bar" at the 12 o'clock position on smartwatches. In this test, the test notes say Wear OS will "render a status bar over application windows at the 12 o'clock position to display the time and status indicators." While this is a change developers must prepare for, Google states this status bar change will facilitate "visual consistency" across the software.

Since this status bar will be present no matter what app you open, it says users can enjoy "a uniform clock typography" and more. What's more, similar to Android, a status bar on Wear OS will display key details, such as status icons (think location or connectivity status).

Google's early preview in the Wear OS 7.1 Beta Preview Emulator will also highlight the status bar's "transition coordination." In layman's terms, if you're scrolling on your watch, the status bar will disappear for a couple of seconds before returning once you're done. Developers are getting started with this via the Android Studio Preview (Android Canary).

Wear OS continues to evolve

(Image credit: Google)

While we're in the realm of Wear OS, Google expanded earthquake alert capabilities for the software earlier this year. Now, all users need is their Wear OS watch, and they'll receive important alerts about potential earthquakes. However, the most important announcement we were waiting on was Wear OS 7, which rolled out in June. Better battery life is always welcome in Wear OS; however, Google started turning watches into a command center for everything you'd need.

Increased device integration was a major highlight. Users can control media playback across a range of devices now, and transfer audio, too. Gemini Intelligence was discussed for "select" Wear OS 7 models this year. Google was preparing to introduce "Create My Widget," which allows users to generate personalized dashboards for their watches.

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The Motorola Signature 27's screen is five times brighter than the Galaxy S26 Ultra's

Motorola is not holding back with its next flagship. The upcoming Motorola Signature 27 is shaping up to be a real contender with a Tandem OLED display offering a claimed 12,000 nits of peak brightness, alongside a 200MP periscope camera and Qualcomm’s latest flagship processor.

Motorola has started to spill enough details to make Galaxy and Pixel owners sit up and take notice as the phone's launch date draws nearer. The company recently partnered with YouTuber Danny Winget for an early hands-on preview, and we got a closer look at the phone’s design and specifications. The biggest talking point is a 6.8-inch Extreme AMOLED Duo display with a 120Hz refresh rate and jaw-dropping 12,000-nit peak brightness.

For context, that’s significantly more than the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 2,600-nit peak brightness and the Pixel 11 Pro XL’s 3,600 nits. The panel is based on Tandem OLED technology, which stacks two layers of organic LEDs to enhance brightness, contrast, and power efficiency. That said, peak brightness numbers aren't necessarily what you'll see in regular use.

A camera system with serious ambitions

Under the display, the Signature 27 is equipped with a quad-camera setup led by a 50MP Sony LYT-910 sensor with LOFIC technology, as well as a 200MP periscope telephoto camera with up to 100x zoom and a 50MP ultrawide shooter. You also get a dedicated Action sensor designed to capture fast-moving subjects with more clarity.

Inside is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chip paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. Motorola has also bumped up the vapor chamber by 40% to better deal with heat during demanding workloads.

The phone ships with Android 17, and it will get software updates for seven years. The dual speakers are tuned by Bang & Olufsen, and the two finishes are Capulet Olive and Coal Smoke.

The price could be its biggest obstacle

Motorola has not yet announced the battery capacity, charging speeds, storage options, or official pricing. But recent retailer leaks suggest that the 512GB model could be priced at $1,800.

The Motorola Signature 27 is set to release on November 5. That leaves the remaining question of whether its impressive specs will come with a sensible price tag.

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The Samsung News app is being discontinued, and there's no replacement yet

Samsung is about to kill another built-in Galaxy feature, and this time it's the news feed that many users probably haven't noticed anymore.

In a confirmation from the company spotted by SamMobile, the Samsung News app will be discontinued on December 21, 2026, at 00:00 UTC — leaving Galaxy phone and tablet owners bereft of one of the platform’s familiar ways to catch up on daily headlines.

(Image credit: Samsung / SamMobile)

The shutdown will affect more than just the Samsung News app. Its home screen widget will no longer get updated with new content, and the media page you can access by swiping right from the leftmost home screen will be gone.

Samsung has already begun sending shutdown notices to users in India and South Korea, urging them to remove the widget before the service is discontinued.

Samsung will also erase all user data related to the service after the shutdown. This includes personal information, account profiles, and personalization settings. Some information may be kept temporarily, as mandated by local law, but Samsung says it will be deleted eventually.

Samsung News is not new. It launched in April 2023, succeeding Samsung Free, and continuing a surprisingly long line of shuttered news-feed services. Samsung Free replaced Samsung Daily in 2020 and Bixby Home replaced Samsung Daily in 2019. That's quite a few rebrands for something that ultimately ended up on the chopping block.

So, what comes next? Samsung hasn’t announced a direct replacement, but Google Discover is a likely candidate. The service is already available as an alternative on Galaxy devices, so this is a convenient option if Samsung chooses to simplify its software experience.

While these confirmed shutdown notices are for India and South Korea, owners in other markets should be watching for similar announcements, rather than assuming their regional service will disappear on the same schedule. In any case, it seems Samsung’s native news experience is headed for its final headline.

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Strava joins forces with Google Gemini—new insights are rolling out for users

What you need to know

• Strava announced that it's rolling out a Connected Apps experience with Google's Gemini for subscribers.
• Once connected, users will receive details about their progress, and uncover new insights through Gemini's integration with your running data.
• A major Strava update brought AI Performance Prediction to subscribers, which requires at least 20 tracked activities before it can begin.

Strava is starting to roll out new ways for users to interact with their wellness data by joining forces with Google Gemini.

In a press release, Strava announced that users can enjoy a Connected Apps experience in Google's Gemini, beginning this week. Subscribers can reportedly connect their Strava account to view their "progress and uncover insights." The company adds that Gemini will personalize its answers based on your Strava data.

Strava runs users through a few examples, stating they can ask if they're "getting faster at the same heart rate." The post states Gemini will compare your heart rate and speed across your "volume, consistency, and mix of sports." What's more, Strava's Gemini integration can break down your racing performance per mile.

Strava has rolled out recent updates for its Gemini integration, too. According to the post, users can ask Gemini if the weather was why they felt sluggish, or if it was their body.

Subscribers can connect their Strava accounts with Gemini this week in the U.S. The company states this feature is available for all Gemini plans. If you're getting started, users should navigate to Personal Intelligence in Gemini > Strava (in Connected Apps) > Sign In.

Get your steps in (or run)

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

The Strava app is primarily where users have gotten their daily insights; however, there was a major update that brought its Athlete Intelligence, which turned some heads. Athlete Intelligence was locked away in beta for four and a half months. After launching, it delivered improved accuracy and new insights to users. As part of its "tailored" experience, Athlete Intelligence could interpret a user's "non-GPS activities."

Such activities include running on a treadmill or cycling power. What's more, Athlete Intelligence will "note how your pace or speed compares to other times on that route." In our initial testing, we noticed some errors with Athlete Intelligence early on, but its insights were pretty spot on. Shortly after, Strava brought AI Performance Predictions to its subscribers.

The company's software would estimate how long it would take the user to run a "5K, 10K, and half & full marathons." This data requires a hefty background to begin. Strava states users should catalog around 20 activities before AI Performance Predictions can begin.

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