This week in Android: New phones in 2020, and the death of Chrome Apps

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more. This week in Android: New phones in 2020, and the death of Chrome Apps July 12, 2025 This week we updated our list ofnew phones we’re watching for in 2020, highlights include theSamsung Galaxy S20 series, theGoogle Pixel 4a, the OnePlus 8 line, and more. Some of these phones are expected iterative updates from popular phone brands, but there might be a surprise or two in there,check it out....

August 7, 2025 · 2 min · 261 words · Heather Perry

Verizon's Pixel and Pixel XL are getting their own Android 7.1.2 update (Update: factory images arrive)

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more. Verizon’s Pixel and Pixel XL are getting their own Android 7.1.2 update (Update: factory images arrive) August 14, 2025 You can find the downloads linked below, or headhereto grab the factory images, orhereto grab the OTA links. Factory images: OTA images: Original post (4//7):Earlier this week, Google released itsAndroid 7.1.2 Nougat updatefor its Nexus and Pixel devices, including thePixelandPixel XLsmartphones....

August 7, 2025 · 2 min · 352 words · Ethan Ramirez

WhatsApp working on ability to share contact via QR code, Facebook Stories integration

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more. WhatsApp working on ability to share contact via QR code, Facebook Stories integration June 09, 2025 The WhatsApp team may have been working overtime to patch ahigh-profile exploitlast week, but it looks like the team is also working on a few new features. According to serial leakerWABetaInfo, the Facebook-owned team is working on the ability to share your WhatsApp Stories to Facebook....

August 7, 2025 · 2 min · 271 words · Cheryl Nelson

Why get drunk when this app lets someone else get drunk on your behalf?

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more. Why get drunk when this app lets someone else get drunk on your behalf? June 16, 2025 It’s the beginning of China’s holiday season, which means people will be out and about, having more than just a few drinks. That temptation will be strong — the Chinese culture places plenty of weight on being able to hold your alcohol — but a new app lets you bypass the bodily effects of alcoholic drinks by having someone else deal with them instead....

August 7, 2025 · 2 min · 389 words · James Phillips

Xiaomi announces 10th anniversary event (Update: Redmi K30 series phone coming)

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more. Xiaomi announces 10th anniversary event (Update: Redmi K30 series phone coming) August 16, 2025 Update, July 14, 2025 (3:09AM ET): A Xiaomi executiveconfirmedearlier this week that the Mi 10 Ultra will be unveiled at Xiaomi’s 10th anniversary event on August 11. Now, it looks like we’ve got one more high-end phone coming to this event. Xiaomi has revealed onWeibothat a special edition Redmi K30 series phone will be unveiled at the event too....

August 7, 2025 · 3 min · 495 words · Thomas Rodriguez

Xiaomi is being investigated for saying its phones are “the best”

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more. Xiaomi is being investigated for saying its phones are “the best” June 17, 2025 Smartphone manufacturing is the most competitive industry in the world, and phone makers will attempt to use every little opportunity to gain an edge over their adversaries. In the arsenal of tools and tricks that electronics companies use to gain a lead, one in particular stands out: good old-fashioned bragging....

August 7, 2025 · 2 min · 364 words · Linda Russell

You might be able to get the HONOR 5X for just $1 next week

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more. You might be able to get the HONOR 5X for just $1 next week July 17, 2025 Would you like to get a great Android phone for just $1? Hey, who wouldn’t? Next week, HUAWEI will give a few lucky folks the chance to buy itsHONOR 5Xsmartphone for only one dollar as part of its overall Valentine’s Day sales event....

August 7, 2025 · 2 min · 385 words · Adrian Richards

ZTE Axon 30 Ultra announced (Update: US, Europe, UK pre-order info)

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more. ZTE Axon 30 Ultra announced (Update: US, Europe, UK pre-order info) June 06, 2025 Update July 10, 2025 (10:50 AM ET):When ZTE announced its latest phones in the Axon 30 series, it didn’t have pricing for the one model that would land in North America. Now, we finally have pricing for this phone as well as pre-order availability in North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe....

August 7, 2025 · 4 min · 681 words · Michael Paul

ZTE talks IFA plans, readies Axon phone global launch

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more. ZTE talks IFA plans, readies Axon phone global launch August 25, 2025 IFA 2015 is just a few days away andZTEhas been sharing its plans for the event in Berlin. The Chinese company has big plans for later this year and is aiming to expand its brand across not only the US but also in Europe. At the centre of its event is an international version of itsAxon flagship smartphone....

August 7, 2025 · 2 min · 323 words · Phillip Mejia

Apple iPad Air 2 vs iPad Mini 4: Should you buy an older iPad?

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more. Apple iPad Air 2 vs iPad Mini 4: Should you buy an older iPad? August 14, 2025 It’s been a few years since Apple launched its iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 4 at this point. In fact, they’ve both been replaced by newer generations. However, these two aging tablets seem to find a way to stick around. If you’re thinking about grabbing a used tablet for your little ones, this is the comparison for you....

August 6, 2025 · 5 min · 978 words · Melissa Tucker

BlackBerry Venice rumor roundup (updated on September 19)

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more. BlackBerry Venice rumor roundup (updated on September 19) August 04, 2025 Are pigs about to start flying? After begging for years and losing all hope, BlackBerry has reportedly turned around and finally decided thatmaking an Android smartphonewasn’t such a bad idea.BlackBerry CEO even mentionedhe wouldn’t be opposed to building a secure Android handset. Rumors and leaks have intensified since then....

August 6, 2025 · 8 min · 1558 words · Jennifer Thompson

Can't see app icons on your Pixel phone? You're not alone

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more. Can’t see app icons on your Pixel phone? You’re not alone July 16, 2025 A weird bug has befallen Pixel smartphones, making app icons disappear from the phones. Pixel devices on Android 10 with the December 2019 security patch seem to be affected. 9to5Googlereports that the the bug makes app icons invisible on the Pixel Launcher. Instead of the icon, a blank space appears with the name of the app and the background wallpaper on the phone takes over the empty space....

August 6, 2025 · 2 min · 331 words · Mrs. Ann Frye MD

Crowdfunding project of the week: LIVALL smart cycling helmet

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more. Crowdfunding project of the week: LIVALL smart cycling helmet July 14, 2025 It’s time for another ‘Crowdfunding project of the week’, where we highlight some of the best tech funding campaigns in websites likeKickstarterandIndiegogo. We know you don’t have time to look through hundreds of campaigns, so we bring the best of the best to your attention. Other featured campaigns: Today we are taking a look at LIVALL, a smart cycling helmet that should make your rides smarter, safer, funner and much more interactive....

August 6, 2025 · 2 min · 370 words · Jordan Duke