Reports from Galaxy S24 users claim their phones are experiencing severe battery drain issues after One UI 9.
One device under "heavy use" reportedly dropped 95% in a little over five hours; however, it appears quite excessive in nature.
Another report from a Galaxy S25 user states their device dropped a whopping 40% while sitting idle.
A recent report from a Korean Galaxy S26 user states their device locked up after downloading One UI 9 due a "webpage unavailable bug."
Samsung has had a busy month. One UI 9 is rolling out on its current-gen and past-gen phones, but it's the latter that's worse off.
A Galaxy S24 Ultra user has reportedly experienced severe battery drain since downloading Samsung's One UI 9 update (via SammyFans). The phone's battery reportedly consumed 95% of its charge in five hours and twenty minutes. The post states this was after "heavy use." However, this might seem a bit excessive. The Galaxy S24 Ultra in question only reported a little over three hours of "screen-on time" (SoT).
It's unclear how widespread the problem is. Some users haven't noticed vastly different battery experiences since downloading One UI 9, while others have. A 9to5Google highlighted a Reddit thread discussing whether or not the Galaxy S24 is suffering from extreme battery drain. Curiously, one user reports horrendous idle battery drain with their phone.
One user had only two and a half hours of SoT, and their battery dropped significantly. In almost 11 hours, their battery lost 40% of its charge while sitting idle. More users continued to share their "since last charge" data. Users with higher SoT showed understandable battery drain.
The folks at 9to5 noticed some reports concerning the Galaxy S25 series. A user said they've had to start charging their phone multiple times a day to get through. We've not noticed any significant changes in our Galaxy S25 Ultra, so this could be one of those weird case-by-case situations.
Bumps in the road
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Android Central's Take
I hate tech problems. I'll always hate tech problems. But nothing's more frustrating than when you're struggling from something, but many others aren't. At that point, where do you find your answers? These battery drain issues have been gaining traction. I've seen reports on Samsung's community forums, and of course, there's Reddit, too. If something is amiss, hopefully Samsung sees it and can help those affected.
The situation only gets weirder when you factor in the strange setup bug that one Korean user encountered with One UI 9. The user states they're unable to get to the lock and home screens after updating to Android 17. They are consistently given an error on the final step, but Samsung responded quickly. To fix the "webpage is unavailable" error, Samsung said to ensure the browser is updated. What's more, it recommends switching to a stable Wi-Fi connection.
This is another that's not widespread. However, Samsung might roll out a fix for this to cover its bases and make sure more users aren't affected. The only question is when that might happen.
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Oura and Ultrahuman find themselves in another dispute as the former sues over "patent infringements."
Oura states Ultrahuman infringed on "design and internal component" patents with the Ring Pro.
In 2025, Ultrahuman sued Oura for "ripping off" its patented health tech.
Oura is reportedly suing Ultrahuman over its Ring Pro. The company alleges Ultrahuman infringed a few patents when it created the device.
A report by TechCrunch highlighted the lawsuit between Oura and Ultrahuman. The latter claims Ultrahuman infringed on its "design and internal component" patents with the Ring Pro. In a statement to the publication, an Oura spokesperson said, "Ultrahuman has a history of copying Oura’s innovations, as demonstrated by the 2025 ITC ruling against the company." It adds, "Ultrahuman introduced a redesigned ring but failed to address continued infringement of Oura’s patents."
Specifically, Oura says it's suing Ultrahuman over the ring's "curved battery, circuit board, magnets, and sensors." However, as the publication notes, Oura was granted this internal-component patent (12,769,363) on October 20. The lawsuit was filed two days later.
Ultrahuman has struggled to get its products to U.S. consumers. The post reminds us of an import ban it faced, which forced its presence out of the country. The Ultrahuman Ring Pro was its ticket back into the market; however, Oura wants to stop that from happening. What's more, the company is reportedly seeking "monetary damages" in this lawsuit.
Ultrahuman's co-founder and CEO, Mohit Kumar, told TechCrunch, "Oura has now chosen to assert different patents, including one that was issued just two days before this lawsuit was filed." Presently, Kumar says courts have not stopped it from selling the Ring Pro to U.S. consumers, so it remains available even today.
Back & Forth
(Image credit: Ultrahuman)
These two companies have gone back and forth for years now. In 2025, Ultrahuman sued Oura. It accused Oura's Ring 4 of "ripping off its patented smart ring tech." The core of this dispute concerned "sleep tracking, circadian tools, and women’s health features." Ultrahuman said it "pioneered" those features. There was also a major difference between the two companies.
While Ultrahuman offers its features without a paywall through PowerPlugs, Oura features a subscription-heavy model. Ultrahuman also clarified why it was suing Oura. It said that defending its patents wasn't the primary goal. Instead, "positioning itself as a defender of open health data and Indian innovation on the global stage" was more important to the company.
Ultrahuman has continued to do just that in 2026. The company partnered with HealthEx, which brings users' official medical records into the app. You can compare your smart ring's data against your medical records and take those insights to your doctor. Earlier in October, it rolled out Heart Scan for the Ring Pro. Heart Scan needs sixty seconds to deliver a snapshot of your heart's condition at a moment's notice.
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OnePlus has started rolling out its Android 17-based update to the OnePlus 15 and Pad 4 ahead of the October 29 schedule.
ColorOS 17 brings redesigned animations, improved Quick Settings, more customization, and updated privacy controls.
OnePlus says users can choose ColorOS 17 and roll back to OxygenOS, although supported rollback versions remain unconfirmed.
OnePlus has begun rolling out its stable ColorOS 17 update based on Android 17 ahead of schedule to the OnePlus 15 and OnePlus Pad 4. The rollout was originally planned for October 29, but the company has already begun pushing the software to eligible devices. That’s another step away from the OxygenOS identity that longtime fans know.
The stable update is being rolled out to the OnePlus 15 (CPH2745), as per the announcement on OnePlus’ Community, and it seems that the first to get it are those who signed up for the open beta. OnePlus Pad 4 will also be part of the initial rollout, but availability will depend on the way OnePlus rolls out the update in phases.
A new look with practical improvements
ColorOS 17 is based on Android 17 and brings redesigned animations, improved Quick Settings panels, more customization options, and updated privacy controls. OnePlus also promises better background process management to improve battery efficiency, which could make a difference for people who push their phones throughout the day.
This update is a part of a larger change at OnePlus. ColorOS will be the foundation of the next chapter of the company’s software after it announced it will leave North American and European markets. OxygenOS and ColorOS have shared a lot of their underlying tech over the years, but the change still marks a major departure from the branding that helped cement OnePlus in the hearts of Android fans.
There is also a regional wrinkle. OnePlus says eligible users can choose whether to switch to ColorOS 17, and those who make the jump can roll back to OxygenOS. However, the company has not yet revealed which versions of OxygenOS will be available for rollback.
Who gets it next?
Next in line are the OnePlus 15R, OnePlus 13, and OnePlus 13s. The wider rollout will be in stages, so don't panic if your phone hasn't got the notification just yet.
Owners can check by going to Settings > About device > ColorOS. It's worth pointing out that not every major software update is worth installing the second it appears; waiting for early reports can help you avoid unexpected bugs.
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After updating to One UI 9, a Korean user states they've encountered a critical setup bug.
The user is unable to view their lock screen or home screen with this bug, but Samsung was quick to respond.
They were encouraged to update their browser and to connect to Wi-Fi, not their cellular service.
The last thing anyone wants is a software bug that completely kneecaps their device. Unfortunately, that's exactly what some Galaxy S26 Ultra users are experiencing.
A user on Samsung's Korean forums says their Galaxy S26 Ultra is experiencing a critical error after updating to One UI 9 (via SammyFans). They state in their report (machine-translated), "Since the UI 9.0 update, this keeps appearing on my phone screen. The screen is black and the home screen isn't appearing either." What they're referring to is an error message that reads, "The webpage is unavailable... for the following reasons."
As the user states, they're unable to get past this startup screen after downloading Samsung's major Android OS upgrade. The only good news is that Samsung was quick to respond to their report. According to Samsung, "The development team has confirmed that this issue occurs when using an unstable system WebView on certain networks. We kindly ask that you follow the troubleshooting guide below."
The company suggests updating your browser, such as Google Chrome. It also recommends switching to a Wi-Fi network, not your phone's cell service. Once that's done, users can try logging into their Samsung Account as normal.
There's a chance this bug could get fixed in a future software update, but Samsung hasn't confirmed that yet.
This problem seems quite specific. Right now, it's unclear how widespread the problem is. However, One UI 9 hasn't been all roses for Galaxy users. Users on Reddit reported an "XML Access Denied error" almost two weeks ago (via Android Police). This error reportedly froze users' devices, which seems to have impacted the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S24, and others.
These issues are frustrating, considering how long users have waited for Samsung's Android 17 update. We've been met with nothing but delays; however, in late September, the Galaxy S26 series finally got it in the U.S. T-Mobile customers reportedly got it first with a 4GB download. Shortly after, others received it for their respective carriers (or unlocked version).
Over the past few weeks, the update has rolled out for several budget phones, the Galaxy S25, and S24 series.
Android Central's Take
I've seen similar frustrations amongst users online when it comes to problems with Samsung's updates. We wait so long for them, go through delays, and then there's a major bug like this. It often makes one wonder about Samsung's quality control or what's going on with these delays. You'd think some delays were to squash these critical issues, but then they happen anyway.
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Kindle Unlimited is now Kindle+, keeping the $11.99 monthly price, 20-title borrow limit, and existing user data intact.
The subscription now includes thousands of additional audiobooks sourced via Audible’s ACX and Amazon's synthetic Virtual Voice tech.
The expanded audio catalog is currently exclusive to US subscribers, with a broader international rollout planned for a later date.
Amazon has rebranded its Kindle Unlimited subscription as Kindle Plus, expanding its ebook subscription into a wider identity and adding thousands of audiobooks to the mix.
The US monthly price is still $11.99, but the expanded catalog means subscribers can access more audio content, including books narrated by AI, without having to pay for another subscription.
The rebrand was launched on October 22, and Amazon has kept the core benefits the same. Subscribers still can check out up to 20 titles at a time from a rotating selection of ebooks, comics, and magazines, with no return deadlines. History, bookmarks, notes, and progress all transfer in as well, so existing members won’t have to start over just because Amazon decided the old name needed an upgrade. Kindle Plus is not associated with Amazon Prime and Audible.
Audiobook expansion
Along with the rebrand, Amazon is adding thousands of titles, including audiobooks created through its Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) and AI-generated recordings via its Virtual Voice technology, as per ZDNet. The latter allows self-published authors to transform their written work into narrated audio without hiring a human narrator, potentially bringing more books to listeners who’d rather press play than flip pages.
But there is a catch. Qualifying ebooks enrolled in Kindle Direct Publishing’s KDP Select program can be automatically included in Virtual Voice audiobooks by the authors. This will make it easier to grow the catalog but also raises questions about how much of the new selection will feature synthetic narration and whether the experience will be comparable to professionally narrated audiobooks for listeners.
The change gives readers more options to switch between reading and listening without adding another bill. Amazon’s approach provides a less complicated path for authors to publish in audio, but AI narration won’t be for everyone, particularly those who like expressive performances.
At the moment, the expanded audiobook selection is only available in the US, but Amazon promises wider international availability at a later date. The company has not set out a firm timetable for other markets.
Kindle Plus is therefore more than a fresh logo, but it’s not a total revamp either. The question is whether Amazon can make its growing audio library worth exploring while giving subscribers enough clarity about who’s actually reading their next book aloud.
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Google detailed several updates for Chrome that aim to help users stay safe while browsing online.
Google states it has rolled out alerts for suspicious websites and bright red, full-screen warnings for sites that are "known to be dangerous."
Other updates include Gemini's AI-powered alerts for scams and notifications to help users avoid risky situations.
Google is bringing improved warning systems for potentially dangerous websites in Chrome.
In a blog post, Google announced that it's rolling out an update for Chrome's Safe Browsing when "Enhanced protection mode is enabled." Chrome now has warnings for suspicious and dangerous websites. If the browser deems a website to be "suspicious," Google says this typically means there's a "risk of user harm." It explains that suspicious websites "exhibit deceptive patterns" associated with sites looking to steal or capture your data.
However, if the browser is "confident" that a website is truly dangerous, then that means it discovered something of a "high risk" to the user. Google says these warnings will appear for sites that are "known to be malicious." Users will tell the difference between these two warnings quite easily. Suspicious sites will produce a warning pop-up in your address bar.
The alert will say "this site doesn't seem right" with a boldly colored button to take you to safety (it returns you to Search or wherever you've come from). But if a website is truly dangerous, the entire screen goes red with "dangerous site" in the center.
These updated warnings will be present on Chrome for desktop and Android.
Dangerous websites
(Image credit: Google)
ClickFix is another issue Google said it's worked on for Chrome. It explains that ClickFix is a "social engineering technique that tricks users into manually copying and executing malicious commands." It hides under the guise of "fixing an issue," which never existed in the first place. Google Chrome's Enhanced Protection will now protect users from copying and executing suspicious commands.
In terms of the onslaught of on-device AI, Google Chrome has recently received a healthy dose of Gemini. The AI isn't only useful for summarizing webpages. Gemini is capable of delivering scam warnings when users visit malicious websites. These alerts cover "scams, spam, and unwanted notifications." While Google previously said that it uses data and machine learning to determine what is "malicious," users can overrule it.
Gemini's alerts will display what it believes to be dangerous. However, if it made the wrong decision, the user can mark it as safe.
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A Galaxy Watch 5 Pro user said they woke up to a painful blister and an apparent skin burn after the device overheated during the night.
They say the watch won't turn on anymore, and other users say they've encountered similar problems with the Watch 5 and Watch Ultra 2.
A Samsung Galaxy S24 user had quite the scar this year when their device "combusted" in South Korea.
A Galaxy Watch user woke up to an unsightly (and painful) overnight battle scar. The report claims the watch "burned" them, leaving a terrible wound.
The user reported the problem on the Galaxy Watch subreddit, stating, "I wore my watch to bed, as I have done for the last 3 years, and woke up with a burn on my arm" (via Android Authority). They say the problem occurred with a Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The watch was "fully charged" when they went to bed; however, it was "completely dead" once they woke up.
Interestingly, a conversation in the thread mentioned a similar incident with a Galaxy Watch 5 six months after launch. One user reports that their significant other's Galaxy Watch 5 "...burned her in her sleep too. Not nearly as bad as OP's watch did. But did enough that she stopped wearing it altogether."
Another report involved a Galaxy Watch 2. The user said, "I have the same issue, but not blisters yet." Many have mentioned contact dermatitis, but this issue (the one in the original post) doesn't match that. The publication mentioned this, too, but contact dermatitis would align more with a skin irritation/rash. The user here reports blistering.
This is a scary issue, and one that certainly needs attention. The original post says that their Galaxy Watch 5 Pro won't turn on anymore. They're unsure if they should seek a replacement for the overheating issue.
Devices so fire, they caught fire
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Android Central's Take
Our "smart" devices are scary, aren't they? These issues don't happen often, but when they do, it's jarring because you don't expect it to. Something happened internally for the user's Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The rapid heating and severe battery drain definitely signal in my head that something's amiss. The problem is the "what." What went wrong, and since this has happened a few times before, what's Samsung prepared to do?
The publication brought up something interesting: the usual safeguards to avoid severe overheating were seemingly nowhere to be found. Android Central has reached out to Samsung about this issue and will update this article when we hear back.
While not a smartwatch, a Galaxy S24 user experienced a nightmare this year when their phone went up in flames. The problem occurred in South Korea. The user states their Galaxy S24 "combusted" under normal use. The phone had reportedly started to swell rapidly before it burst. Then, the flames consumed it. All the user states they were doing was browsing the internet, and it started to smoke.
When the fire department arrived, it confirmed a "lithium battery ignition." The user was okay, receiving treatment for burns and smoke inhalation. Samsung also reached out quite quickly. Let's also not forget that a similar issue took place with a Galaxy S25 Plus, too.
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A new leak suggests the Galaxy Fit 4 could stick with the Fit 3’s look while arriving in three color options.
Expect everyday fitness features, with a possible Goodix GH3036 optical sensor.
The tracker continues to omit built-in GPS and NFC payments, requiring a paired smartphone for location-tracked outdoor workouts and contactless transactions.
Samsung’s next budget fitness tracker is nearing its launch, and the Galaxy Fit 4 might not look that different from the device it's supposed to replace.
A new leak from Android Authority has tipped three possible color variants and hardware designed for everyday health tracking. The bigger question is, has Samsung done enough to make the upgrade worthwhile?
The wearable, identified by model number SM-R391, first surfaced in regulatory documents and renders last August. The images reveal a rear design similar to the Samsung Galaxy Fit 3, featuring a pill-shaped optical sensor and metal charging contacts. The latest report from the outlet adds to the picture that Samsung will stick with a familiar look rather than reinventing its affordable fitness band.
The approach works for a fitness tracker that's meant to handle the basics without the cost of a full-on smartwatch. The Galaxy Fit 3, released in February 2024, features a touchscreen, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and a lightweight build. The successor is expected to follow that formula, with Bluetooth Low Energy support, and possibly a Goodix GH3036 sensor module for optical heart rate monitoring and other health measurements.
There may be a connectivity bump as well. The Galaxy Fit 4 is reportedly to feature Bluetooth 5.4, an upgrade over Bluetooth 5.3 on its predecessor. But don’t expect all of the features found in Samsung’s more expensive wearables.
That said, current reports suggest that built-in GPS and NFC payments may not make the cut, leaving outdoor workout tracking dependent on a connected phone.
I think that would be a wasted opportunity. Built-in GPS would be great for runners and cyclists who want to leave their phones at home, and NFC payments would be a nice everyday convenience. Neither upgrade is confirmed for now.
The Galaxy Fit 4’s official specs, price, and launch date are yet to be revealed by Samsung. However, the device has appeared on a number of certification sites, including Malaysia’s SIRIM, indicating that development is moving toward a launch.
If Samsung can keep the price competitive, the Galaxy Fit 4 could be a good option for those looking for simple fitness tracking without the smartwatch headaches.
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Anthropic launched Claude Duet, a proactive AI agent in research preview on Android, iOS, and the web, powered by Claude Opus 5.5.
Duet runs in its own virtual machine and doesn't need an open chat window to function.
The US research preview requires a waitlist and a Claude Pro or Max subscription, with background tasks counting toward existing usage limits.
Anthropic is bringing Claude more into your work life. The company has launched Claude Duet, a proactive AI agent that works in the background and only nags you when something really needs your attention.
Available in research preview on Android, iOS, and the web, Claude Duet is designed for professionals and small business owners who are juggling multiple projects, and it’s powered by Anthropic’s model, the Claude Opus 5.5.
Duet breaks the mold of traditional chatbots. Every morning it gives you a rundown of the important stuff from the apps you connect to it, then it checks throughout the day to see if anything has changed and alerts you when something needs your attention. You can also assign it tasks from scheduling meetings to building dashboards, preparing financial and sales forecasts, and prototyping and developing web apps.
Duet doesn’t rely on you to keep the conversation going like a chatbot would, as it runs inside its own virtual machine so it can keep working even when you aren’t there. It also tries to exercise judgment about what deserves your attention and when it should ask you for permission before acting.
When an AI agent has access to work messages and sensitive information, privacy is a major concern. Duet does not directly access passwords or sign-in tokens, Anthropic says, and has safeguards in place to prevent the unauthorized sharing of highly sensitive data, such as credit card numbers and government IDs. The company said it also tested the system for security reasons.
But Duet's not ready to take over your whole life. Anthropic admits the first version can be overly enthusiastic and that personal tasks like booking tickets aren’t the best fit for this model. And it still can't show users its browser, so it's not easy to see what it does behind the scenes.
The launch places Anthropic in the same growing crowd as Meta Muse and OpenAI Dots, which are also pursuing AI assistants that can act instead of merely answering questions.
Currently only available in the US on a waitlist, it requires a Claude Pro or Max subscription. Duet has the same usage limits as the rest of Claude, and work done in the background counts toward them. Thus, outsourcing your workload doesn’t mean free AI labor for all.
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I've been playing around with a Google Pixel 11 Pro for months, putting all its coolest features through their paces. One of my favorites is Magic Capture, a simple camera feature that lets you focus on shooting video while it handles high-quality still images. Wait, how? Once you're done shooting, Magic Capture analyzes the video, frame by frame and extracts the best still images automatically and intelligently from the moving frames. So you don't even need to do the work.
I have used Magic Capture in a few scenarios, both at home and at different events. While it isn't perfect, it works well enough to convince you use to use the Pixel 11. It solves the problem so many of us have in deciding whether to record a video or photos at your child's school concert, a birthday party, or any other gathering, event, or trip.
When you open the Google Pixel 11 Pro camera, you'll see the standard photo and video capture icons but also a Magic Capture button. Select Magic Capture and press the shutter to start shooting. Record video as you normally would, without worry about photos. Those will come later. Once you're done, press the shutter again to stop.
Once the video saves, the phone will analyze almost 400 frames and extract the best images — the one where everyone is laughing, someone has a genuine smile, or a person is in a perfect pose while dancing. These high-quality 12MP stills are automatically saved to your photo gallery. This works even if the phone is offline, though you may only get a few images while others are placed in a queue for processing and downloading once you're connected to the internet.
A video of 1-2 minutes will typically generate about four still images. The camera selects great images with flattering poses and expressions. But it doesn't always get it right.
I have seen it pull out images when someone's eyes are closed, for example, or that were clearly not the best options. But 80-90 percent of time, it grabs the best photos from the video.
Along with relying on the automatically captured stills that Google chooses, you can pull out your own if you think there are better ones. Scrub through the video timeline, find the frame you like, pause in that spot, then and tap on the pop-up "Save as photo" bubble. I did this with one video I took where the automatically generated stills completely missed a great shot when I was jumping mid-air.
Yes, you can technically grab stills from video captured on any phone by taking a screenshot and cropping it. But this feature extracts a 12MP higher-quality image that is usually better than your screenshot. Even if you compare and don't notice much of a quality difference, not having to worry about that whole process makes this feature worthwhile.
You might be wondering if you can capture selfie videos using this feature. The short answer is yes, but you'd need a workaround since Magic Capture works only with the phone's rear camera. That's because it uses intense computational hardware that the front camera can't handle. To get around this, set the phone on a tripod or prop it against something with its back to you, adjusting the view for framing. Tap record and move into position or use a remote shutter device like a Pixel Watch 5. Then, do your thing.
I tried this by jumping, running, and dancing around in my backyard, even doing some fun runway poses. The camera pulled out some good shots, though it extracted a few weird ones, too. Nonetheless, with the right setup, you can record yourself posing on the beach or in front of a landmark. Instead of hitting the shutter over and over, record a video then let Magic Capture find the best pose.
If you're using Magic Capture – and I promise if you get a Google Pixel 11 phone, you will – there are a few things to keep in mind. First, once you're reviewing the stills in your Photo Gallery, remove the ones you don't want. Otherwise, having four, five, or more photos for every video you shoot will quickly fill up your phone's storage.
Second, Magic Capture works only on footage of up to two minutes. So, if you're recording something longer, like your front row view at a concert, you'll have to shoot in two-minute increments rather than entire songs or even encores. Along with manually extracting stills if you think the phone missed a crucial moment, you can also apply edits to the automatically extracted ones, including cropping, straightening, and unblurring if needed.
Finally, while the default video resolution for Magic Capture is 4:3 at 1080p, you can use Video Boost if you have a Pro model to record in 10-bit 4K quality. To enable this, select the Settings gear icon on the bottom left after you choose Magic Capture in the camera app and turn Video Boost on. Note that you need to be signed into the Google Photos app with backup turned on for Video Boost files to process.
Magic Capture is not only one of the best features of the Pixel 11 series phones, it's arguably one of the best camera features in a decade, period. I think back to my son's grade 8 graduation this summer when I was switching back and forth between capturing videos and stills. I missed getting a video of him walking to get his diploma (his dad luckily got one) because I was focused on getting a photo and couldn't do both at the same time.
I also recall every birthday party when I had to choose between video or still images of the person blowing out the candles. Most notably, there's the time I got to meet actor Alan Ritchson this summer ... they were filming Reacher Season 5 down the street from my house. With Magic Capture, I could have gotten incredible stills instead of a single selfie. The selfie was great, but with this feature and someone to record for me, it might have been even better.
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Google extends free Satellite SOS by one year for Pixel 9 owners, with no additional charge.
Satellite SOS launched in 2024 and lets users contact emergency services and share their location without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
Regional availability varies, so the feature may not be accessible everywhere.
Google is giving Pixel 9 owners another year of free Satellite SOS access, pushing back the question of whether emergency satellite connectivity will eventually become another smartphone subscription. The extension comes just as the original two-year free-access period approaches its end, offering some welcome breathing room without answering the bigger question about long-term costs.
Google confirmed the expansion to PCMag when asked about plans for the service. “Confirming that we’ve extended this offering, at no additional cost, for one additional year,” a company spokesperson said, adding that Google had no further details to share.
Satellite SOS launched with the Pixel 9 series in 2024. For those unfamiliar, it lets users contact emergency services and send their location when there are no cellular networks or Wi-Fi available, making it particularly useful for hikers, travelers, and anyone involved in an emergency in an area with poor coverage.
The feature makes use of satellite connectivity hardware built into compatible Pixel phones, including Google’s Tensor G4 chip, which contains the Exynos 5400 modem. Users position their phone toward a satellite and send emergency messages following on-screen instructions, instead of using nearby cell towers. It’s the kind of feature you hope you never need, but you’re glad it’s there if things go sideways.
That said, Satellite SOS is not available on all Pixel phones. The Pixel 9a is excluded, while supported devices include the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Additionally, availability is also dependent on the region.
The extra year is good news, but what happens next is a rather important detail that Google is keeping quiet about. The company hasn’t announced subscription pricing or confirmed whether the service will eventually be a paid offering. It has also continued to refer in its published specifications to the original period of two years.
For now, Pixel 9 owners can continue using Satellite SOS at no extra charge for another year. What happens next is anybody’s guess, and Google still owes customers a clearer answer on the future of a feature designed for emergencies.
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Android 17 QPR3 Beta 2 has added a toggle to require PIN/fingerprint authentication before anyone can touch Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Mobile Data on a locked phone.
Non-security tiles like Flashlight, Auto-rotate, and Battery Saver stay unlocked and accessible without extra friction.
The latest Android 17 beta release also resolves random reboots, system crashes, Bluetooth pairing failures, idle battery drain, and buggy internet tiles.
Google is finally giving Pixel owners a way to stop thieves from disabling their phone’s connectivity right from the lock screen.
The new security feature is coming in Android 17 QPR3 Beta 2, which will let users require authentication before anyone can toggle Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile data, or airplane mode. It's a small change, but it could make a stolen phone a little less useful to whoever walks away with it.
This update, which came on October 20 with build number DP11.261002.005, does more than just fix a number of bugs. The Android Beta team says on Reddit that it also fixes intermittent device crashes and unexpected reboots, Bluetooth pairing failures, excessive idle battery drain, and issues with the Internet Quick Settings tile. Below is the complete list of issues fixed in the latest beta round.
Cellular data, MMS, and hotspot services fail to connect on Dish Network. (Issue #537736046)
Screen recording freezes and stops capturing frames after screen rotation. (Issue #541325203)
System UI, fonts, and apps render at an abnormally small scale regardless of configured display size settings. (Issue #563321433)
Display turns black and becomes unresponsive after ending a phone call. (Issue #564953545)
Terminal app fails to launch the Linux development environment virtual machine after installation. (Issue #551657934)
Wi-Fi Aware fails to establish subsequent data paths with a no interfaces available error after releasing an accept-any responder network request during connection confirmation. (Issue #550726291)
Paired watch continues to ring after an incoming call is answered on the phone. (Issue #564594780)
Airbnb app fails to connect when attempting to send messages. (Issue #563024453)
Quick Settings Bluetooth subtitle is misaligned to the right. (Issue #559417120)
Bluetooth pairing fails due to a connection timeout when attempting to pair with a device. (Issue #563675080)
VoLTE, VoNR, and Wi-Fi calling are unavailable on the IT&E network. (Issue #556432987)
High idle battery drain caused by motion sensors remaining active after using Face Unlock or the camera. (Issue #568078965)
Wi-Fi Calling unavailable on the OXIO network. (Issue #563089593)
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
A more interesting addition is the connectivity restriction, as noted in a few replies to the Reddit post. Sometimes thieves can disable a phone’s network connections from the lock screen, making it more difficult for owners to track down a lost device. It’s another hurdle to force you to unlock before changing these settings, though it obviously won’t prevent all theft or ensure recovery.
To enable it, go to Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock or Settings > Display & touch > Lock screen, then turn Lock Quick Settings connectivity on. Once enabled, you must unlock the device before you can change any of the four protected connectivity settings.
Google is also leaving common shortcuts like flashlight, auto-rotate, and Battery Saver accessible, so the security feature doesn’t relegate the lock screen to a glorified clock. Locking each and every Quick Settings tile would be way too limiting for those who enjoy shortcuts without unlocking their phone. So it’s a more targeted way to protect the settings that could interfere with connectivity and tracking.
Android 17 QPR3 Beta 2 is available for eligible Pixel devices enrolled in Google’s Android Beta Program. As with any beta software, users should expect the possibility of bugs and avoid installing on a device they can’t afford to have misbehave.
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Google Home Speaker users have noticed that the device has consumed an enormous amount of data in the background.
The device was reportedly spotted consuming several terabytes of data in a single month without much use.
Google is reportedly aware of the problem and has started rolling out a fix.
Users on social media are waking up to a startling truth: their Google Home Speaker has been incredibly active in the background. There's no clear reason why, but the amount of data is staggering.
Posts on the Google Home subreddit draw attention to an unfathomable amount of data being consumed by the Home Speaker (via 9to5Google). The user states that they've "got one old Google Mini and three of the new Google speakers." What's more, these devices aren't used for more than 20 minutes a day. This is strange, considering the user reports one of their Google Home Speakers consumed over 140GB of data in a day.
Combined, the user states their three speakers consumed 6TB of data "in under a month." Another user with a Home Speaker reported the same, stating, "Something’s up with them. This just started in the past 2 weeks for mine." This issue appears to be confined to the Google Home Speaker, as a user with a Nest Audio couldn't find an unusual amount of data consumption.
The publication speculated on this, too, but one Redditor said their speaker downloaded 20GB in a single day. However, they added that "It kept downloading firmware and failing to install it." This makes it seem like the device got caught in the worst possible loop of downloading and failing.
Google reportedly informed the publication that this is an issue with the Home Speaker. It adds that "a fix is already rolling out" to address this problem. Android Central has reached out to Google for more information, and we will update this post when we hear back.
I'd be concerned if I woke up one day and saw huge spikes of data being consumed by a Home Speaker. For what reason is it doing this, you know? It's a concerning issue, especially for something always connected to the internet (hence the data consumption). What makes it worse is if you don't use it that often, but maybe sparingly for queries here and there. The good thing is that Google is aware. Let's hope it doesn't happen again.
The Google Home Speaker is the company's new beginning for AI in the home. Gemini is integrated throughout the product to assist users with daily queries and more. While the device has gotten off without a hitch (for the most part), the Home Speaker did struggle this summer. Users reported incredibly slow response times from Gemini.
A latency problem was the culprit. Users reported that on the first day, there were no issues; however, after the second, "...every single question (even 'hello') needs at least 30s of answer time." Many queries that users would have for Gemini would time out, as the AI couldn't respond within a meaningful time. What's more, Google's smart home devices beyond the Home Speaker struggled, too.
Google had to roll out a software update to solve this issue, which is strange. Shortly before these issues appeared, the company rolled out a Gemini update for its smart home devices to make it "snappier." That seemingly backfired and required more tuning to get it right.
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A tipster discovered that Android Auto could bring full work profile support, mirroring what users experience on Android phones.
Android Auto could roll out "Work Accounts" sometime in the future, delivering notifications and more from a user's work profile.
A recent Android Auto update brought a refined Play Store with curated apps and more, as well as upgraded YouTube playback.
A dip into Android Auto's app code suggests Google is working on bringing full work profile support to drivers.
Tipster AssembleDebug and Android Authority discovered a new feature in the works for Android Auto called "Work Account." It's speculated that this would work similarly to how work profiles operate on your Android phone. Users can separate their profiles, keeping work-related apps and things in their own corner. The tipster discovered that Google is working on a Work Account toggle inside Android Auto's Quick Settings.
When toggled, users would begin receiving notifications on their car's display while driving. The feature may also display a briefcase icon on Android Auto's home screen so you know it's been enabled.
Much of what Work Account will support and do is still under speculation. AssembleDebug states that the feature isn't working properly; only the icons are present in their deep dive. However, the tipster assumes Work Account would support Google Meet and potentially other Workspace apps.
Better driving experiences
(Image credit: Android Authority)
For the good, Android Auto recently rolled out a redesigned Play Store with new apps and improved YouTube playback. The Play Store is now much easier to browse on your car's display. Google also included "featured picks, new releases, and curated collections." On YouTube's side, videos will automatically switch to audio-only when you start driving.
This keeps drivers involved in what they were doing, but minus the distracting elements videos tend to have.
On the downside, October got off to a rocky start for drivers. The funny thing is this issue had been going on for months. Users on Reddit said that Android Auto wouldn't alert them about incoming notifications if their foldable was closed. The reports involved the Motorola Razr series quite heavily, forcing users to open their foldables for proper functionality.
Motorola and Google were aware and started reaching out to users to help fix it.
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Samsung is expanding the stable One UI 9 (Android 17) update to the Galaxy A36 globally, landing in Europe after its initial South Korea launch.
The over-the-air update (version A366BXXUCDZIF) weighs in at over 2.3GB and bundles the September 2026 security patch.
The Galaxy A36 release is rolling out alongside updates for other A-series models, including the Galaxy A56, A37, and A27.
Samsung is rolling out its stable One UI 9 update to the Galaxy A36 in global markets, with Europe among the first regions outside South Korea to get the software. The rollout started on October 19, so owners of midrange phones can now enjoy Android 17 and Samsung’s latest interface improvements without having to buy a newer Galaxy device.
The update carries firmware version A366BXXUCDZIF and includes the September 2026 security patch, as spotted by X user @Kailash0729 (via SammyGuru). The download is over 2.3GB, so make sure you have a good Wi-Fi connection and enough free storage before you begin installing. Just don’t expect Samsung to port every flagship feature to its more affordable hardware.
One UI 9 brings interface tweaks, more customization features, and security improvements. The update also is based on Android 17, while Samsung continues to customize some features for individual devices. The more advanced Galaxy AI features are still largely limited to compatible higher-end phones, so the A36 misses out on some of the more fancy additions.
It starts with a first stable release in South Korea on October 15, where the Galaxy A36 was shipped with the firmware version A366NKSU9DZIF. Samsung has since started to roll out availability outside of its home market, as well as updates for other Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy A56, A37, and A27.
But a global rollout doesn't mean every country gets the update at once. Samsung typically releases major software updates in phases, so some owners may have to wait days or longer for the download to appear.
Ready to go with your Galaxy A36? Tap Download and install. Then, go to Settings > Software update. Check again in the next few days if nothing shows up yet. Samsung is expected to release One UI 9 to more eligible Galaxy phones in the coming weeks.
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The Xiaomi 18 Pro is rumored at €1,449 for 12GB/256GB and €1,649 for 512GB. The 18 Pro Max reportedly lands at €1,849 with 12GB/512GB.
Global models may get smaller batteries, with the Pro dropping to 6,000mAh and the Pro Max to 7,050mAh.
Battery endurance looks promising on paper, with reported runtimes of up to 66.5 hours for the Pro and 70 hours, 40 minutes for the Pro Max.
Xiaomi’s new flagship phones could be headed to global markets with eye-watering price tags and smaller batteries than their Chinese counterparts. The Xiaomi 18 Pro may start at €1,449 for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage variant, with the 512GB model potentially costing €1,649, according to a new report from YTechB. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max reportedly starts at €1,849, with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
Xiaomi hasn’t confirmed those prices, but they do indicate the company is pushing its Pro line more firmly into premium territory. To recap, the regular Xiaomi 17 launched in Europe at €999, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra launched at €1,499. That leaves the global 18 Pro just €50 shy of last year's Ultra flagship, which is not exactly the kind of pricing that shouts bargain.
Larger bills, smaller batteries
The pricing news comes with another possible compromise. The global Xiaomi 18 Pro may feature a 6,000mAh battery, a decrease from the 7,000mAh capacity found in China, according to YTechB's report citing listings on the European Product Registry for Energy Labeling. It’s also said that the Pro Max will go down from 8,500mAh to 7,050mAh.
The charging speeds may also differ. The global Pro is expected to support 90W wired charging rather than the 100W in China. The Pro Max is said to keep 100W wired charging, whereas both models are expected to retain 50W wireless charging.
The listings also reportedly state a battery life of up to 66 hours and 30 minutes for the Pro and 70 hours and 40 minutes for the Pro Max. Both batteries are also rated to hold 80% of their capacity after 1,000 charging cycles. The numbers are reassuring, but in the real world battery life will, of course, be dictated by how people use their phones.
Premium hardware needs premium justification
The Xiaomi 18 Pro series was unveiled in China with dual 200MP Leica cameras, dedicated rear screens, and hardware-based privacy screens. The Pro Max also gets Qualcomm’s more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chip.
Xiaomi has another reason to hike prices, as rising DRAM and NAND prices are likely putting pressure on smartphone makers. But buyers paying flagship money are going to want more than impressive specs on paper.
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Rumors claim Samsung could launch the Galaxy S27 series earlier in 2027, in January; however, February could be the next best bet.
Other rumors suggest Samsung is still struggling with the ongoing memory crisis, and it's "unsure" if it can bring upgrades to the Pro and Ultra.
Storage and RAM upgrades were rumored throughout this year, but the tale's been consistent with Samsung's apparent uncertainty behind it.
The beginning of the year (Q1, really) is when we expect Samsung's next flagships. Rumors claim the company could start 2027 off with a bang.
A report by tipster Lanzuk on Naver (Korean) over the weekend suggests Samsung could debut its phones within the first two months (via Android Authority). Here's where things get tricky. The tipster suggests Samsung is leaning toward a January launch; however, things could get pushed into "February at the latest." While exciting, Samsung is still grappling with a few internal problems.
We've seen a Galaxy S27 Pro rumored for next year's series quite often, and this report concerns it, too. The post alleges that Samsung is still trying to sort out the memory/storage specifications for the S27 Pro and the S27 Ultra. The current crisis with these two pieces of hardware is a contributing factor, with the tipster stating Samsung must decide and consider the "scope of implementation."
The post states Samsung wants to implement UFS 5.0 (storage) and LPDDR6 (RAM) in the S27 Pro and Ultra.
Trying times for flagships
(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)
You might remember that the Galaxy S26 series launched in late February. However, the Galaxy S25 series launched in mid-January. We've seen Samsung bounce between these early months before, so we'll have to see where it lands next year.
As far as the RAM/storage rumors go, the UFS 5.0 rumor was brought up earlier this year, claiming not every S27 phone would get it. But we've seen many of the same topics brought up: "price and mass production." It wasn't clear which phones would get it, but speculation sided with the Galaxy S27 Ultra, at least. The RAM upgrade was a bit of a mixed bag. One report said the next Ultra might miss it completely as Samsung shifted gears toward other companies' "limited edition" phones.
Now it's back on the table, but it's still anyone's guess as to whether the Pro and Ultra will see it. The publication (Android Authority) brought up Samsung's chip issue: reports claimed Qualcomm's Elite Extreme was overheating, and Samsung might have to consider its Exynos instead. It found that Qualcomm has recently denied such claims. Who knows by this point. We'll have to wait and see.
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Google is automatically linking your phone number to every signed-in account on Android, including secondary work and alternate profiles.
Surprise verification emails are raising privacy concerns. Users say they received notifications without explicitly opting in.
You can disable automatic verification under Settings > Google > All services > Phone number verification, though some users report the setting switches itself back on.
Google is automatically linking phone numbers on Android to every Google account signed in on that same device, even if they are secondary work accounts or alternate profiles. The feature is meant to keep Google services running smoothly, but its default-on nature is raising questions about how much control users actually have over their personal information.
Some users took to Reddit to report that they're getting surprise emails from noreply-phone-verification@google.com saying their numbers have been verified (via TechRadar).
The setting allows Google and mobile carriers to periodically re-verify numbers, according to Google’s official documentation. The process enables services such as account recovery, RCS messaging, emergency features, and Quick Share. The problem is that the setting also links those numbers to every Google account signed in on the device.
That could be a problem for anyone that consciously splits out personal, work, and disposable accounts. Another relationship that a user may want to keep separate between profiles is a phone number associated with a secondary account. And since the feature doesn’t require an explicit opt-in prompt, users might not know anything has changed until they get a verification email.
Back on Reddit, users shared their experiences and theorized about why the process occurs on its own. You can fortunately check the setting yourself. Head over to Settings > Google > All services > Phone number verification and disable "Verify phone numbers automatically." Menu labels may vary slightly depending on the device.
But some users also say the setting sometimes turns itself back on after being turned off.
It's worth noting that just turning it off will not delete the current links. Go to the Personal Info page of your Google Account, select Contact info > Phone, and delete your number from any accounts you don’t want it to appear on.
Google says it is for practical reasons. But convenience is no substitute for informed consent. The company hasn’t said why it made such a sharp turn or if it plans to reverse it, officially. Until then, it’s up to you to repeatedly babysit your privacy settings and scrub your number from accounts where it doesn’t belong.
Android Central has contacted Google for comment and will update this story when we hear back.
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I fondly remember owning my first BlackBerry, and then my second ... and third. The smartphone was a sign of prestige, a device you could fit in your pocket with both a screen (later also a touchscreen in some models) and a miniature QWERTY keyboard. It was genius. That is, until elongated, touchscreen-only phones started coming to market, namely the first iPhone. Suddenly, BlackBerrys weren't so trendy anymore.
What's old becomes new again, however — a statement that fits almost every industry, from fashion to music and even tech. Clicks Technology, a U.K.-based hardware company with team members who previously worked for BlackBerry and within the BlackBerry space, is leaning into this trend. Growing from its first keyboard case, there are two devices coming this year: the Clicks Power Keyboard, which is now shipping, and the hotly anticipated Clicks Communicator, which should launch in December.
"Something was thrown out with the bathwater when we moved to modern smartphones," Jeff Gadway, co-founder of the company (and former marketing director at BlackBerry), explained in a recent interview. His company aims to bring it back — and possibly a little magic to a market that could sorely use some fresh ideas.
I saw both devices in prototype form at CES 2026 earlier this year, and in an interview with Gadway, discussed how the company is bringing razzle dazzle back to mobile.
Clicks introduced its first keyboard case for iPhone in 2024, eventually expanding to make cases for select Android phones, too. To say people were excited would be an understatement. "It was like catching lightning in a bottle that first year," Gadway told me during a recent podcast interview.
Interestingly, it wasn't just nostalgia-fueled business executives but also younger folks from the digital native generations who were intrigued. Young adults who had never used anything but a touch- or voice-controlled phone loved the concept as much as they are now learning to love vinyl, CDs, and wired earbuds.
(Image credit: Clicks Technology)
The company has since developed the Power Keyboard, a MagSafe enabled keyboard accessory you can use with any MagSafe-enabled phone or case, or any Bluetooth input device, for that matter. The Communicator is an Android phone reminiscent of a BlackBerry Bold that combines a small screen with a miniature QWERTY keyboard.
The Power Keyboard is universal
(Image credit: Clicks Technology)
The Power Keyboard solves the biggest issue with the original Clicks Keyboard Case: needing a fitted case for every model phone. Instead, this version is magnetic, clipping vertically or horizontally onto the back of any MagSafe-enabled phone or phone case and functioning as a power bank with a slide-out keyboard.
(Image credit: Clicks Technology)
It isn't limited to phones: Use it handheld with a tablet or even as a Bluetooth mini keyboard for your smart TV. If you've ever attempted to enter a password into an app using your TV's remote and on the on-screen keyboard, you know how frustrating that experience can be. Gadway says the use cases run the gamut, from students using this in class with their phone instead of bringing a laptop, to CEOs, writers, and musicians being productive on the go.
Clicks Communicator reminds you what a phone is for
(Image credit: Clicks Technology)
Taking things a step further, the Clicks Communicator is designed to remind us of the true purpose of a mobile phone: communication. Newer smartphones are designed for content consumption and creation with bigger screens, cameras, processors, and batteries, says Gadway. "What if you could build a phone that was really optimized for communication?"
There are two ways you might use the Communicator. The first is as a secondary phone with its own plan or tethered to your primary device. Maybe you have a company-provided phone on which you aren't permitted to download personal apps. The Communicator can be that secondary device to keep in touch with family, access banking and social media apps, play games, and more. The difference between the Communicator and another smartphone is that the smaller, utility-type screen makes this possible, but it's not optimized for going down the rabbit hole of endless scrolling.
(Image credit: Clicks Technology)
The second is as a primary phone, which Gadway told me is how a lot of pre-order customers have said they want to use it. The Communicator sits between a dumbphone, which eliminates access to distracting apps altogether, paring down the experience to bare bones communication, and a full-featured premium smartphone.
The Communicator is a full Android 17 device, though, with access to the Google Play Store, a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 processor, a 50MP main camera, and a 24MP front-facing camera. Clicks even upgraded the RAM to 12GB prior to the official launch. It has legacy features you won't find in most modern phones, like a 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card slot to expand the built-in 256GB storage.
The key is in the design: a touchscreen occupying the top three-quarters (4.03 inches, 120Hz) and a bottom keyboard. It's a constant reminder that this isn't a phone to doomscroll TikTok and Instagram or get caught up in mobile games. You can do that. But you won't want to, and that's a good thing.
(Image credit: Clicks Technology)
Other simple features are meant to further encourage focus, like a signal light, similar to the HiLight button in the Google Pixel 11 Pro series phones. Customize it with illuminating colors so you know when an incoming call or message is from your mom, child, spouse, or business partner versus a spam call or an old friend you don't have time to chat with right now.
Clicks is working with Niagara to build a custom Android launcher that can curate messages from your favorite apps on the home screen. Triage these apps, Gadway explains, to help prevent you from getting "sucked into side quests."
"What we're doing with Niagara," he explains, "is creating a version of this that taps into the hardware of Communicator using the touch-sensitive keyboard to scroll through your messages, and the keys themselves to delete, reply, forward, or mark as unread right from that home screen without ever having to actually go into the app itself. So, it's a much more purposeful home screen experience."
Clicks represents a return to form
(Image credit: Clicks Technology)
Modern smartphones do more than ever. But there's something inherently missing from the experience. It stems from nostalgia, for those who grew up using phones with keyboards. But there's also value from a usability perspective for a younger generation who never put their hands on one.
Gadway says that with the original Keyboard Case, 40-45 percent of buyers had never used a BlackBerry before. "They wanted to reshape their relationship with technology, have some tech that was a little more intentional, a little more purposeful, and that allowed them to get their screen real estate back and have a more satisfying tactile experience."
(Image credit: Clicks Technology)
"Touchscreen smartphones are amazing," Gadway said recently. "They do so many things. And yet they lack some of that tactility and the ability to accomplish certain things from your phone that you wait to do back at your desk."
Originally, Clicks was positioned, at least in the minds of those who clamored to get a look at the original case years ago, as a throwback to simpler times. Today, with the latest generation products, it's evident that a physical keyboard is no longer just catering to the BlackBerry faithful. "There is a much bigger audience than we expected," says Gadway. Touchscreens and voice activation aren't going anywhere. But there's something about tactile feel that even the younger generations yearn to experience, too.
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