Neowin News Feed for: Android, Droid

Google turns on Gmail Live voice search by default for paid Workspaces

Paul Hill — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:42:01 +0000

Users on paid Workspace plans and Google AI add-ons get low-latency conversational search that cites source emails. Admin settings default to enabled. Read more...

Kodi 22 RC1 adds cheat engines and deep links, but Linux HDR washes out its menus

Paul Hill — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 06:42:01 +0000

Android apps can now launch Kodi straight to specific streams, and webOS gets PulseAudio integration. A full backup is advised before updating. Read more...

Microsoft ends app-switching dance by restoring Send Availability to Outlook

Paul Hill — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 12:44:01 +0000

Outlook mobile restores Send Availability on Android and iOS. The tool cuts out constant switching between email and calendar apps when scheduling meetings. Read more...

Microsoft Authenticator set to remove native backups in 2027

Paul Hill — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 18:22:01 +0000

Google One will be able to store Microsoft Authenticator backups from the beginning of next year, but there is one issue. Here's what it is. Read more...

F-Droid 2.0 launches with UI overhaul and automatic updates

Paul Hill — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:38:01 +0000

Version 2.0 introduces a streamlined three-tab UI, DMA-driven background updates, while dropping support for Android 6 devices. Read more...

Adobe Premiere finally lands on Android, but has steep RAM requirements

Usama Jawad — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 20:54:01 +0000

Android creators finally get a powerful new editing option, but Adobe's latest mobile app comes with a few notable catches. Read more...

Googlebook launches from $899 with Gemini built in and five premium laptops

Pradeep Viswanathan — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:46:01 +0000

Google has officially launched Googlebook, a new premium laptop tier running on an Android and ChromeOS foundation powered by Gemini Intelligence. Read more...

Windows 11 needs such hardware requirement enforcements that Google made mandatory

Sayan Sen — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 19:24:01 +0000

Windows may need some bold system-requirements enforcement, similar to what Google made mandatory recently, raising the bar for performance on limited hardware. Read more...

Google Play review hell traps trusted Android dev app

Paul Hill — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 15:16:01 +0000

Discover why 12 year old trusted apps are caught in weekly review queues, and how quirks like Android Auto trigger unexpected automated blocks. Read more...

Google rolls out September Pixel Drop with scam defenses

Paul Hill — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 19:54:01 +0000

Users on Pixel 6 and newer can now utilize on-device spam detection, pause distracting apps, and claim a two-month Audible trial. Read more...

Google steals open-source code for mobile AI tool

Paul Hill — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 07:54:01 +0000

A force push removed author listings before Google added accreditation following public accusations over Apache 2.0 license violations. Read more...

Vivaldi 8.2 adds desktop extensions to Android

Paul Hill — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:32:01 +0000

Users can now install and pin browser extensions from the Chrome Web Store, manage data syncing, and use built-in calculation tools directly from the mobile URL bar. Read more...

Google September 2026 Android Drop brings several useful improvements for Messages and more

Pradeep Viswanathan — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 04:02:01 +0000

Google has rolled out its September 2026 Android Drop, introducing five new features across Gemini, accessibility, travel comfort, and messaging. Read more...

Gemini is now available in Chrome with agentic Auto Browse for all Android users in the US

Pradeep Viswanathan — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:03 +0000

Google's Chrome is getting a major upgrade that lets Gemini handle complex tasks and complete online chores on your behalf without you ever needing to leave the page. Read more...

LocalSend 1.18.1

Razvan Serea — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:00:03 +0000

Share files and messages with nearby devices over your local network without needing an internet connection. Free, open source, cross-platform. Read more...

Gemini reaches 1 billion monthly users as Google flexes its massive distribution advantage

Pradeep Viswanathan — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:52:01 +0000

Google's Gemini app has officially crossed 1 billion monthly active users, marking it as the fastest-growing product in the search giant's history. Read more...

This app promises to bring iMessage to Android...again

David Uzondu — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 18:42:01 +0000

After the last Sunbird launch ended in disaster, the company is ready to give it another shot, promising improved privacy for Android users who are insecure about green bubbles. Read more...

Man charged for wiping GrapheneOS phone using "duress" password during airport checks

Usama Jawad — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:20:02 +0000

A first-of-its-kind case could reshape digital privacy and border search rights after a phone was erased during inspection. Read more...

Google confirms price increase for all Pixel phones, including upcoming flagship

Usama Jawad — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 11:06:01 +0000

Your next Pixel could cost more than expected, but Google says it has a plan to soften the impact beyond just raising prices. Read more...

Google upgrades Android's migration tool to transfer passwords and eSIM from iPhone

Ivan Jenic — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:16:02 +0000

Android's new migration tool can now bring more data than ever from iPhone. But not everyone can use it just yet. Read more...

X launches new Android app built from scratch, some features still pending

Paul Hill — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:16:01 +0000

Head of Product at X, Nikita Bier, said the new app allows X to bring new features to Android first, before iOS in some cases. Read more...

EU orders Google to open Android and Search data to rival AI services

Pradeep Viswanathan — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:32:02 +0000

In an aggressive regulatory push to break monopolies, the EC has ordered Google to dismantle the exclusive walls surrounding its Android operating system and search data. Read more...

OpenClaw now has native mobile apps on iOS and Android

Karthik Mudaliar — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:16:01 +0000

OpenClaw now has official mobile apps on Apple's App Store and Google Play, letting users pair phones with a self-hosted Gateway for chat, voice, approvals, and device-aware automation. Read more...

Google Finance is now out of beta with improved portfolio tracking and a new Android app

Karthik Mudaliar — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:30:01 +0000

Google Finance users can now create portfolios from screenshots, PDFs, spreadsheets, or a simple description of their investments. Read more...

Amazon Prime Day slashes Samsung's newest Galaxy Watch Ultra by 45 percent

Karthik Mudaliar — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 20:02:01 +0000

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is packed with rugged titanium hardware, advanced health tools, and a massive Prime Day discount. Read more...

Google begins rolling out its post-Epic Play Store billing model next week

Karthik Mudaliar — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:46:01 +0000

Google will begin allowing broader use of alternative billing systems and external purchase links on June 30 in the U.S., the UK, and the E.U. Read more...

Free Software Foundation Europe pushes EU to force Google to allow AI uninstalls on Android

Paul Hill — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 06:36:02 +0000

Android users should be able to fully delete pre-loaded AI features, according to new proposals to the European Commission that target Google's upcoming 2026 developer verification plans. Read more...

Samsung Galaxy XR arrives in the UK with new AI and enterprise features

Fiza Ali — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:30:02 +0000

A major step forward in immersive tech lands in the UK as Samsung unveils what's next for its AI-powered XR vision. Read more...

UK nudity blockers are a looming privacy disaster, we must be able to see the source code

Paul Hill — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:08:01 +0000

The UK government is now mandating nudity-blocking software for smartphones sold in the country. I look at why this is a privacy nightmare and the safeguards that must be in place. Read more...

Microsoft believes that AI agents will eventually replace apps through Project Solara

Usama Jawad — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:50:02 +0000

Microsoft's new Project Solara hints at a future where AI agents replace traditional apps across entirely new device experiences. Read more...

Big Tech is turning you into a digital tenant, but there is a way to give them notice

Paul Hill — Mon, 25 May 2026 15:40:01 +0000

Tired of surprise updates, rising subscription fees, and forced AI features? These simple, free software tools will help you reclaim total sovereignty over your data and devices. Read more...

Google to pay Android users $135 million in settlement. Here's how to claim your payment

Hamid Ganji — Wed, 13 May 2026 14:28:01 +0000

Google has agreed to pay $135 million to nearly 100 million Android users over allegations of data harvesting since 2017. Read more...

Google unveils Googlebook, a new Gemini-first laptop category powered by a new modern OS

Pradeep Viswanathan — Tue, 12 May 2026 18:48:01 +0000

Unlike its budget-friendly predecessor, the new Googlebook focuses on high-end hardware, directly competing with specialized AI PC features. Read more...

Next-gen Android Auto comes with shape-shifting capabilities and upgraded Gemini

Aditya Tiwari — Tue, 12 May 2026 18:32:01 +0000

At the latest Android Show, Google Maps got several new upgrades, including a revamped user interface and upgraded Gemini features. Read more...

Google announces Gemini Intelligence: Deeper AI integration coming to Android

Pradeep Viswanathan — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:54:01 +0000

Ahead of the annual I/O developer conference, Google just pulled the curtain back on a massive suite of AI features coming to Android devices. Read more...

Apple finally brings end-to-end encryption to RCS on iPhone

Paul Hill — Tue, 12 May 2026 07:26:01 +0000

A massive privacy upgrade is rolling out for cross-platform chats. Find out how Apple's latest beta is changing the way you message Android users. Read more...

GitHub Mobile now lets you build new projects on the fly

Paul Hill — Tue, 12 May 2026 05:36:01 +0000

You no longer need a desktop to kickstart your next big idea. GitHub Mobile's latest update brings repository creation to your pocket. Here is how it works. Read more...

MEmu Android Emulator 9.5.3 (offline installer)

Razvan Serea — Sun, 10 May 2026 02:00:01 +0000

Free Android emulator that provides nearly native Android experience to Windows devices. With MEmu you can enjoy many exclusive titles that you can find for the Android platform, directly on your PC. Read more...

Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android will soon let you join Zoom and Webex calls via SIP

Paul Hill — Tue, 05 May 2026 04:30:02 +0000

Microsoft is closing the feature gap between Windows and Android Teams Rooms. Here is how the new SIP-based cross-platform join works and what you need to enable it. Read more...

What is AICore and why is it taking up so much space on your Android phone?

David Uzondu — Mon, 04 May 2026 10:02:01 +0000

Several netizens have previously complained about a mysterious AICore app on their phones and why it is hogging system resources like RAM and storage. Now, we finally have an explanation from Google. Read more...