Joseph Maring

Kalamazoo

Technology Writer and Editor at Freelance

Trending Editor @AndroidAuth | Former Section Editor @DigitalTrends | [email protected] | he/him

Articles

5 Android phones you should buy instead of the Galaxy S25 Edge

2 days ago | flipboard.com | Joseph Maring

2 hours agoHow durable will the Galaxy Z Flip 7 be? The Galaxy Z Flip 7 will likely have the same level of waterproofing as the Z Flip 6, if not better. Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 waterproof? Best …12 hours agoNeed to Sign or Scan Papers? Here's How To Use Your iPhone's Hidden Document ScannerYou don't need to buy a scanner to sign, scan and send official documents -- just follow these steps to use the scanner right on your iPhone.
I found the number one reason you should download the One UI 8 beta

4 days ago | androidauthority.com | Joseph Maring

Joe Maring / Android Authority It's been a few days since Samsung shadow-dropped the One UI 8 beta, and so far, first impressions are positive. While not as drastic an update as One UI 7, we've found plenty of noteworthy changes - from Now Bar updates to new widget customization options. There's a fair amount to like, but there's one feature that clearly stands above the rest as my number one favorite. Is it the new Samsung Weather app? The updated Samsung Reminder interface?
OK Google, it's time to support app icon packs on Pixel phones

5 days ago | androidauthority.com | Joseph Maring

Ever since Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 was released a little over a week ago, the number of new features and changes we've discovered has almost been overwhelming. Material 3 Expressive is the star of the show, but we've found loads of other things too - most recently, evidence of something called "Pixel themes."What is Pixel themes, you ask? We don't fully know yet.
3 things I love about the One UI 8 beta, and one thing I hate

1 week ago | androidauthority.com | Joseph Maring

When I woke up yesterday morning, I didn't expect the One UI 8 beta to be waiting for me on my Galaxy S25. Yet, that's precisely what happened. So, with my coffee in one hand and my S25 in the other, I spent my Wednesday morning downloading Samsung's latest beta software. One UI 8 isn't nearly as drastic an update as One UI 7 is, but that's not to say there aren't any significant new features. In the 24 hours I've been using the beta, I've found a handful of pretty fantastic changes.
I just downloaded the One UI 8 beta on my Galaxy S25. Here's how you can, too

1 week ago | androidauthority.com | Joseph Maring

Right now, the beta is confirmed to be available in South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The US availability caught us by surprise, but as a Galaxy S25 owner who lives in the US, I'm not complaining one bit. If you have a Galaxy S25, live in any of the above countries, and want to try the One UI 8 beta for yourself, here's exactly what you need to do. What phones can download the One UI 8 beta?
Is Google AI Mode better than regular Google Search? I tested both, and there's a clear winner

1 week ago | androidauthority.com | Joseph Maring

If you're a regular user of Google Search (which you almost certainly are), you've likely noticed Google's consistent push for more AI features on the search engine. At last year's Google I/O, Google launched AI Overviews for everyone in the US, adding AI-powered summaries at the top of search results. At last week's I/O 2025 keynote, Google went a step further and announced that AI Mode is now widely available in Search.
We're about to witness a critical moment for Google Pixel phones

1 week ago | flipboard.com | Joseph Maring

4 hours agoGoogle Pixel 8a price drops by Rs 18,000 on Flipkart: Check deal details hereThe Google Pixel 8a was launched in India at a starting price of Rs 52,999. On Flipkart, this device is listed for Rs 37,999. You can save more with …1 hour agoGoogle is planning a big Tensor shakeup. Too little, too late? We want to hear from you. Should Google just admit defeat with its Tensor chips? 🗣️ This is an open thread.
My 7 favorite wallpapers I made with Android 16's Magic Portrait

1 week ago | androidauthority.com | Joseph Maring

I've been playing with Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 since it released a few days ago, and so far, I have very few complaints. I love the Material 3 Expressive redesign, the updated quick settings are great, and I'm a big fan of the new look for notifications. But more than any of that, I've been having endless amounts of fun with the Magic Portrait feature. Magic Portrait was a bit of a surprise in the newest Android 16 beta, and it's quickly proving to be one of the best things about it.
I'm using Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1. These are the 6 best (and 2 worst) things about it

1 week ago | androidauthority.com | Joseph Maring

You've probably heard a lot about the Android 16 QPR1 Beta this week - and for good reason. This newest beta release is our first look at Android 16's biggest user-facing changes, including the Material 3 Expressive redesign. I've been using the Android 16 QPR1 Beta on my Pixel 9 Pro for the last couple of days, and so far, things are off to an excellent start.
Google One plans are a mess, and Google needs to fix them

2 weeks ago | androidauthority.com | Joseph Maring

Google's I/O 2025 keynote was a blink-and-you-miss-it presentation. Google gave us updates on Gemini, AI in Google Search, Android XR, and more. At one point during the show, Google announced a new Google One plan. It's called Google AI Ultra, and has just about everything you could ask for - including access to Google's latest and most advanced AI tools, 30TB of cloud storage, and (just for good measure) a YouTube Premium subscription.