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How WhatsApp significantly improved its call experience in 2022
Every new feature that matters
WhatsApp is the go-to messaging platform for literally billions of people, supporting both disappearing and regular encrypted conversations with individuals, groups, and now communities. Under Meta’s ownership, we’ve seen WhatsApp focus on convenience and features that help larger groups interact fluidly, much like rival service Telegram. Changes also made their way to WhatsApp’s calling utilities, making it easier for you to host voice conferences. With all that's been happening, here’s a quick look at what .
Google is sending out mysterious emails warning of a problem with the Google Assistant
The problem is equally as confounding as the email alert
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Whenever something goes wrong with an app or a service that can potentially affect users, whether that's a security breach, or some other kind of service interruption, we always appreciate when the company involved clearly discloses what's going on to its users. After all, depending on the severity of the issue, they may want to take some steps to keep their data safe. But for as much we appreciate such heads-up warnings, it can be a little frustrating when they're exceptionally light on details. And that's just the kind of situation we're looking at now, as Google raises the alarm about a bug affecting Assistant.
Google Wallet shortcut on the Pixel 7 now saves you an extra tap
Other Pixel phones won’t see any change, though
Google gave its payments app a fresh coat of paint earlier this year, complete with a new name and the ability to hold more than just your credit and loyalty cards. This year also brought us two of our favorite Android phones — the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. But unfortunately, we quickly learned about an annoying bug that was interfering with mobile payments when face unlock on the Pixel 7 was used. We've been following Google's efforts to correct this behavior, which continue now through a new update to Wallet.
Reolink discounts its new, high-quality, floodlight security cameras as low as $143.99 for the holidays
This article is sponsored by Reolink
Home security and peace of mind are pretty high on most people’s priority lists. The good news is that thanks to companies like , it’s never been easier or more budget-friendly to install high-quality outdoor cameras to survey your home, day and night.
The inevitable Moto ThinkPhone leaks with all the fake carbon fiber you'd expect
A business-oriented nostalgia play
December marks the perfect time to look back on the year that just flew by. We're doing plenty of that — and you can too, by voting in our Readers' Choice poll for the best phone of 2022 — but we're also excited about what's coming on the horizon. With 2023 just around the corner, you can expect to see countless new phones launch in the first few months of the year, some expected and some not-so-much. You can throw this new Motorola leak in the latter category, as it sports a brand we never expected to see in the world of smartphones.
Google Play's super nerdy 10th anniversary shirt is here — too bad you probably can't get one
Stocks are limited, so hurry
Who doesn't appreciate getting a little corporate swag now and then? Lots of services reward their most engaged users with additional benefits and the occasional commemorative freebie. Google is no different, offering a bunch of exclusive benefits to its top-tier Google One subscribers and Play Points earners. Google Play is currently celebrating its 10-year anniversary, and to mark the occasion there's an exclusive t-shirt up for grabs for the highest Play Points earners.
The best Asus Zenfone 9 cases in 2022
You need to protect the best compact Android phone to date with a quality case
With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and a 5.9-inch display, the Asus Zenfone 9 packs a ton of power in about as small a package as you can expect nowadays. Don’t let its tiny stature fool you; it is one of the best Android phones you can buy. While it may be a complete device, its small stature can lead to some drops if you aren’t paying attention.
Grab the Galaxy Z Flip 4 for as low as $300 in the latest Samsung flash deal
There’s never been a better time to get into a foldable
Samsung has come a long way with its foldable smartphones, in a fairly short amount of time. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is a testament to that progress, more than earning its place among best Android phones of 2022 even while stuck under the shadow of the ridiculously huge (in size and price) Z Fold 4. It has most of the features you'd want in a flagship smartphone fit into a fun (and practical) clamshell design. Unfortunately, the price tag is also what you'd expect from a flagship, but right now, Samsung is running a flash sale that could knock the device down to a far more affordable $300.
Get the fanciest Galaxy Watch 5 for $210 with this four-hour flash deal
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 Gold Edition is $120 off for the next few hours
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 Golf Edition will make a fantastic gift for anyone who loves playing golf. The regular Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 led the list of the best Android smartwatches in 2022, thanks to the improvements the company brought to the already-great Watch 4. While the year-over-year changes weren't ground-breaking, they were definitely enough for us to fall in love with this new model.
Matter is rolling out to Android phones and the Google Home ecosystem
Get ready for the future of your smart home
After years of teases and promises, Matter finally launched in November 2022. The smart home standard that wants to interconnect all products in your home regardless of ecosystem and manufacturer is officially ready to be used, and many devices are getting updated to support it. Today, Google has announced that it is also jumping on the bandwagon, stating that most of its great smart home devices and virtually all Android phones are now equipped with Matter.
Sign up for the Nothing Phone 1 Android 13 beta now
A small group of Phone 1 users has the chance to test the software before it rolls out next year
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The Nothing Phone 1 is probably one of the most unique phones this year that you can’t get in the US thanks to its transparent back. It’s also a phone that doesn’t have a lot of baggage when it comes to software, sporting a beautiful interface close to stock Android that doesn’t add much unnecessary bloat, though it’s still based on Android 12 to this date. The company already launched a closed beta program for Android 13 in late November, and today, Nothing has announced an open beta for Nothing OS 1.5.
How to quickly set an alarm on your Android phone
Set and customize your alarms with ease and maybe wake up on time
What do early risers, bakers, and routine lovers have in common? They all know the value of a good alarm clock. If you ever need an alarm, several Android apps can help you. Look no further than Android's default app, Clock, which celebrated one billion downloads in 2021.
Google TV wants you to judge your taste in movies with its Best of 2022
Action movies and dramatic shows found the biggest audience this year
As the year is coming to an end, brands have started to line up like clockwork, looking back at how their year went by and what kept the users hooked to their platforms. While Spotify Wrapped has been the front runner — it totally smashed it with the buzz this year too — more brands are following suit in 2022. YouTube Music recently did its own Recap, and now Google TV is out with its Best of 2022, giving you a peek at what people have watched in 2022.
The best Android apps on the Play Store in 2022
A running list of the best Android apps available today
If you're looking for a roundup of the best apps on Android, you've come to the right place. Whether you're interested in the top finance apps or looking for a few tools to make work easier, each app in today's list was hand-picked to ensure they work on every device, whether that's a mid-range or one of the best phones on Android.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: Should you upgrade?
For the love of S Pen
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is one of the you can buy. It's the spiritual successor to the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, sharing numerous features and design elements with the 2020 powerhouse. Each phone has a huge, fast display, plus powerful internals, versatile cameras, and a built-in S Pen. They also both cost an arm and a leg when they were first released with an MSRP of $1,200.
How to check notification history on your Android phone
You can check your missed notifications without switching between apps
Similar to Inbox Zero on Gmail and Outlook, you may prefer to keep your Android phone's notification center clean. While dismissing notifications gives a sense of accomplishment, you might miss important alerts. If you accidentally dismiss a promotional alert from a shopping app or a comment on a Google Docs document, you don't need to open the app to check the missed alert. You can find it in the notification history menu in Settings. We cover the steps for standard Android UI and One UI running on the best Samsung Galaxy phones.
When it comes to messaging friends and family, WhatsApp is one of the most popular apps worldwide, with over two billion users. It offers a handful of useful features, including the ability to text from a computer, which is particularly convenient when you're working and don't want to switch from your computer to your phone. Thanks to this multi-device mode, you can connect up to four companion devices. This mode doesn't require you to have your phone on, letting you continue to text even if your phone runs out of battery.
The best heavy-duty Samsung Galaxy S22 cases in 2022
A rugged case is the best way to protect your Galaxy S22
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series make up some of the best Android phones available, and they deserve to be looked after and coddled. The easiest way to do that is with a good case, but in some circumstances, the case needs to be more than good.
Best productivity apps to reach your new year goals
Here are a few tools to help you get the most out of each day
If you have a hectic schedule, managing your day-to-day responsibilities and future objectives could be a challenge. There aren't always enough hours in the day to do what needs to be done, and it's nearly impossible to concentrate when you're constantly feeling exhausted and uninspired. Fortunately, among the top Android apps on the Play Store, there's an app available to help with every aspect of your life that you'd like to focus on.
Google Search's new status tracker will tell if your queries are going through or not
Is Google down or is it just you?
Google has long been considered the homepage of the internet. Social networks have become huge sources of information, but one way or another, we always wind up searching for things on Google. And while disruptions to Google's search engine are rare, they have happened in the past. If you think Google is down, this new status tracker launched by the company will help you tell if the problem is on its end.