Chris Thomas

United States

Industry Reporter and Reviewer at Android Police

Tracking the latest news, demistifying industry trends, and reviewing hot products with Android Police for over two years

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Articles

WhatsApp's nonremovable Meta AI sparks regulatory alarm

2 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Chris Thomas

WhatsApp in the EU introduces Meta AI for basic chat and research tasks, facing potential scrutiny from the European Commission. Users cannot opt out of, fully disable, or otherwise remove the Meta AI chatbot, raising concerns over privacy and consumer choice. So far, Meta AI lacks advanced features in the EU — it's not just annoying, it's also not that great.
5 things to look for in a phone case

3 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Chris Thomas

Smartphones are more powerful, versatile, and long-lasting than ever, but they're not exactly cheap. Plus, in many cases, design trends mean formerly iconic brands often look increasingly similar. What's more, some advanced features like wireless charging and Qi2 accessory support demand relatively recent, well-engineered products to ensure long-term support. A good case (or a quality universal attachment) can address each issue.
Best Samsung Galaxy A16 cases of 2025

3 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Chris Thomas

Low-cost electronics might not get much press, but Samsung's Galaxy A series represents some of the best non-flagship phones around. The promising Galaxy A16 competes with other good-performing phones that don't demand major investments and is one of the most well-rounded entry-level devices ever. While the plastic body resists major damage pretty well, it's still worth wrapping in a case.
I don't know if Samsung can overcome Galaxy AI's rocky start

3 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Chris Thomas

The clock is ticking for Galaxy AI. With plans to implement a paid subscription model after 2025, Samsung has less than a year to prove that its AI tool kit is neat and useful enough to warrant an additional fee. It offers useful AI features not possible before capable LLMs, massive datasets, and advancements in parallel processing sparked the current AI craze, but it still needs to make progress.
Leaked CMF Phone 2 specs hint at more entry-level excellence

3 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Chris Thomas

Leaked CMF Phone 2 specs include minor upgrades, with no groundbreaking changes. It's predicted to launch around $230 or less, featuring an 8MP lens not present on the CMF Phone 1. The CMF Phone 2 hopefully addresses NFC functionality and US connectivity support issues for wider appeal. Phones priced higher than rent might get all the press, but not everybody in need of a new device has $1,000 lying around.
The Pixel 9's Reimagine AI remains ripe for abuse, write Cornell red teamers

3 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Chris Thomas

It's relatively simple to bypass safeguards built into AI photo editing tools like Sketch to Image and Reimagine. A Cornell Tech class focused on jailbreaking AI models demonstrated how fabricated images can be alarming and dangerous. The use of AI in photo editing — with zero expertise and little effort required — blurs the line between fiction and reality, posing potential risks right now.
One UI 7 release window finally revealed for Galaxy S22s and Tab S8s

4 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Chris Thomas

Samsung Czech Republic shares that the S22 and Tab S8 families will get One UI 7 shortly after its global rollout for newer devices. Korea will see the new software first, starting on April 7. Owners of midrange Galaxy devices still have an indeterminate period to wait for the Android 15 skin. First it's coming soon, then potentially as late as May, followed by older models maybe getting skipped, and then borderline radio silence.
Wyze security cameras now leverage AI to fight notification fatigue

4 weeks ago | androidpolice.com | Chris Thomas

Wyze introduces an AI-based "NBD" Notifications Filter to categorize events, reducing unnecessary alerts. The filter prioritizes critical events like glass breaking, avoiding notification overload for users. It's included in the Cam Unlimited Pro subscription for $20/month, supporting all Wyze cameras. Few smart home devices make as much sense as security cameras, which cost next to nothing compared to the practical safety and peace of mind they provide.
Google Drive now supports Windows on Arm PCs in a big vote of confidence

1 month ago | androidpolice.com | Chris Thomas

Google Drive is now available on Arm-based Windows PCs, beginning March 24, 2025 with a 15-day rollout. ARM64 computing continues gaining traction, making Windows on Arm a viable choice for developers and consumers. Snapdragon 8 Elite and X Elite chipsets enable powerful software on efficient devices, advancing the potential of cross-compatible apps and services.
Mystery Pixel 'Imagination Studio' teased as Google Japan hypes popup event

1 month ago | androidpolice.com | Chris Thomas

Google Japan teases an "Imagination Studio" event with K-Pop group Babymonster in Tokyo on March 29. Details are slim, but the event is possibly connected to Pixel Studio and Gemini AI suite. Upcoming feature support in Japan and other regions remains unclear. The last-ever Pixel feature drop for Android 15 added some excellent features for Pixel users, like external camera support and, at long last, the ability to generate images of people.