Andrew Romero

United States

Writer at 9to5Google

These opinions? Mine. | @9to5Google writer | [email protected] | Favorite Gear: https://t.co/XdK38zXxjq

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Articles

Judge rules Google's ad business is a monopoly

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Andrew Romero

In facing a federal hearing concerning Google’s advertising practices, a US judge ruled that the company harmed consumers and publishers by forming an ad tech monopoly, which offers little room for any competition to form. In a ruling by US District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema, Google was noted to have illegally built a monopoly over online advertising (via The New York Times).
Samsung posts updated One UI 7 rollout schedule through July

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Andrew Romero

Galaxy users can’t exactly seem to catch a break between the delayed One UI 7 launch and now a delayed rollout. After One UI 7 was recently delayed due to a severe bug, Samsung released an updated schedule, pushing some devices out to July. Earlier this week, Samsung decided to halt the One UI 7 rollout for Galaxy users due to a bug that prevented users from unlocking their devices. With that, Samsung pulled the firmware update for the Galaxy S24, Z Fold 6, and Z Flip 6.
One UI 7 is making custom alarms even better with individual volume controls

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Andrew Romero

Android alarms improved greatly when OEMs made customization easier, such as adding a unique tone or scheduling them out. In One UI 7, Samsung now allows users to set specific volumes for each alarm by tweaking the settings. One UI’s Clock app has proven to be a rather good sleeping assistant in the past. The app offers finite customization for a lot of details, including how many times you can hit the snooze before your phone gives up.
Your Android phone has a new way to type with your voice – here's how to use it

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Andrew Romero

In an update to Pixel devices and even some other phones like Samsung Galaxy devices, Gboard in Android now offers a unique approach to Voice Typing. It now goes beyond hitting the voice button and becomes an entirely separate feature; here’s how to use it. The way we’ve all been accustomed to using voice typing is by opening Gboard and hitting the microphone icon. Doing so will activate the mic and allow you to dictate text instead of typing it.
Google raises required minimum storage in Android 15, but it won't affect most phones

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Andrew Romero

Storage gradually becomes less valuable as apps and software on devices seem to get bigger. To combat this, Google now requires Android devices to ship with a higher minimum flash storage in order to allow more space for Android 15 to occupy. At the top end of the Android market, devices generally ship with 128GB or more of flash storage. This allows for some to be taken up by the OS and other preinstalled apps while leaving a healthy amount of space for third-party apps and downloads.
Chipolo's latest colorful trackers work with Android and Apple networks

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Andrew Romero

The remote tracker industry is filled with options that cater to a couple of known networks, but not many offer compatibility with both Android and Apple’s finder networks. The Chipolo POP is a new tacker that works on the Apple Find My network and Android’s Find My Device network, and it comes in a variety of non-boring colors. Android’s Find My Device network is younger than Apple’s, so many trackers on the market tend to work well with Apple’s Find My network while ignoring the Android variant.
US tariffs will exempt smartphones and other key tech, for now

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Andrew Romero

After imposing 145% tariffs on goods from China and temporarily suspending others, the White House says certain techs like phones, computers, and processors will be exempt from the additional import tax. The 145% tariff came as a response to reciprocal tariffs from China, resulting in a new, higher tax on incoming goods. It’s widely known that most consumer devices carry some, if not most, of their components from China, as well as labor costs.
Pixel Watch 4 render leak shows same design, potential return of wireless charging

1 week ago | 9to5google.com | Andrew Romero

While it is not surprising that Google is planning to release the Pixel Watch 4 soon, new leaks suggest a couple of small changes that may set this apart from every other watch. The leaked renders provide a detailed look at the familiar design. In generational changes, the Pixel Watch lineup doesn’t seem to differ from traditional design. The watches all have a circular chassis with a rounded display.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 are starting to get One UI 7 in the US

2 weeks ago | 9to5google.com | Andrew Romero

It’s been expected that Samsung would eventually roll out One UI 7 to the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series, though the “when” was nothing short of in the air. Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 users are starting to see One UI 7 available in the US. One UI 7 has experienced a lengthy set of hurdles that have resulted in various delays.
MediaTek's Dimensity 9400+ improves on an already capable SoC

2 weeks ago | 9to5google.com | Andrew Romero

MediaTek just announced the new Dimensity 9400+ chipset for Android devices. This SoC comes as a generational upgrade over the existing Dimensity 9400, including some changes to NPU operations for better AI performance. MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 was a big product during a shift in how the company develops new SoCs. The brand dubbed it an “all big-core” design, offering up only high-performance CPU cores instead of a supporting cast of smaller, less powerful units.