Andy Walker

Cape Town

News Writer at Android Authority

Writer @AndroidAuth / Make-believe chef / Proud monstera dad /

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Articles

This decade-old LG phone sparked my love for photography

1 week ago | androidauthority.com | Andy Walker

It was a balmy September evening in 2016, and my friends and I thought it the perfect evening for a night-time hike up Cape Town's popular Lion's Head. Placed right in the city's center, the panoramic views from the peak would no doubt be spectacular, and we had our bags packed full of liquid nourishment for when we reached the top. Two hours later, we got to the summit, and with the city's sprawling lights glimmering through the still air below us, I spied the perfect photo opportunity.
These are the subscriptions I actually don't mind paying for

1 week ago | androidauthority.com | Andy Walker

No one likes paying for something more than once, but subscriptions have become an annoying yet necessary part of life. Some are hard to justify, but others add value to my life. Whether they provide consumable content, weather information, or critical navigation data, these are the subscriptions I don't mind paying for:FlightRadar24 I've used this real-time flight tracking app for years before upgrading to a Gold subscription.
These are the niche features I wish Samsung Good Lock also let me customize

1 week ago | androidauthority.com | Andy Walker

I think it's safe to say that Samsung's Good Lock is the most powerful customization toolkit in the Android ecosystem for those who want even more control over their One UI devices. Good Lock modules unlock the lock screen, tweak themes, and extend Routines far beyond their initial capabilities. It's grown so much since its early days that I couldn't imagine using a Samsung phone without it. However, there are still several areas where Good Lock falls short.
I tried Google's secret, open source, offline AI app to see if it's better than Gemini

2 weeks ago | androidauthority.com | Andy Walker

Google has pumped out so many AI products in recent years that I'd need my fingers, toes, and the digits of several other people to keep count. Its current public-facing headliner is Gemini, which also doubles as its virtual assistant on its myriad products. But, if you're willing to lift its development rock to peek at the creepy crawlies beneath, you'll find AI Edge Gallery.
I tried Google's secret, open source, offline AI app to see if it's better than Gemini

2 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Andy Walker

4 hours agoI am a coder by trade and this is why AI is going to change programming foreverIn the age of AI, it would be easy to panic about the future role of software engineers.
I built a focused, productive One UI 7 home screen using its most chaotic feature

2 weeks ago | androidauthority.com | Andy Walker

I've had a blast using One UI 7 on my Galaxy phone. Now Bar has changed the way I juggle through playlists and monitor dishes in the oven, while its expanded Routines actions offers even more inventive ways of using its built-in automation feature. But one thing I've largely avoided until now was One UI Home.
iOS 19 is now iOS 26. Should Google follow suit with Android?

2 weeks ago | androidauthority.com | Andy Walker

🗣️ This is an open thread. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments and vote in the poll below - your take might be featured in a future roundup. It's WWDC week, and that means a flurry of software and service announcements from Apple. During its keynote on Monday, Apple revealed new features to the Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Macs, and more, including a new "Liquid Glass" UI that uses excessive transparency.
I saved my Pocket library before it's too late, and you should too

2 weeks ago | androidauthority.com | Andy Walker

When I heard that Mozilla is shutting down read-it-later app Pocket, I was livid. Like many users of the service, I adored the reading experience on the platform, which served me distraction-free content that I curated over the years. This includes a stash of long-form articles that I add to daily. For the most part, Pocket worked when I needed it to, so I never felt that I needed an alternative. But as the end draws near, I'll have to begin the search for a Pocket alternative.
I found an Android weather app that looks like Google made it

2 weeks ago | androidauthority.com | Andy Walker

Andy Walker / Android Authority People were understandably upset when Google revamped its weather app and removed its lovable weather frog. Rain or shine, froggie was always ready to greet visitors looking for the day's conditions. However, with the launch of the Pixel 9 and the introduction of Pixel Weather, the frog moved to the old weather interface accessed through Google Search.
8 things you must try with the Linux Terminal app on your Android phone

2 weeks ago | androidauthority.com | Andy Walker

One of Google's significant innovations that has gone largely unnoticed this year was the rollout of Linux Terminal support baked right into Android. If you own a Pixel and are running the latest stable version of Android, you can enable the app and open up a world of possibilities. Sure, the terminal is daunting, but thanks to its presence in a virtual machine, it remains largely isolated from your phone's critical inner workings. This makes it the perfect playground.