Google has introduced a passive sign-in feature for YouTube, allowing users to stay signed in to their accounts even when not actively using the platform.
Android 17 has caused touchscreen issues for Pixel users, including unresponsive taps, dead zones, and reversed scrolling, affecting models such as the Pixel 10, 9, 8, and 7 series. Google is aware of the problem, but initial fixes have not worked for all users. Clearing the cache of the Pixel Launcher has shown inconsistent results. Users have reported erratic touchscreen behavior, with taps being ignored and swipes misinterpreted. The issue has been documented in Google's IssueTracker and affects the entire modern Pixel lineup, occurring across different applications. Google suggested clearing the Pixel Launcher cache as a troubleshooting step, but many users found it ineffective. Some users reported success by disabling the “Smooth Display” feature, while others found toggling it off and on resolved scrolling issues. Google has not provided a timeline for a permanent fix, and users are advised to hold off on upgrading to Android 17 until a bug-fix update is released.
A Lithuanian startup has developed an Android application that allows verified users to monitor for the acoustic signatures of Shahed-type drones used by Russia. The app detects these drones and enables users to report their locations, contributing to a collective defense mechanism. It uses an embedded algorithm to isolate drone sounds from environmental noise and relays detection information to a public map, improving situational awareness. The effectiveness of the system increases with more users running the app. Shahed-type drones are favored in military operations due to their cost-effectiveness. Other nations are also developing countermeasures against drone threats, including microwave drone swarm killers and anti-drone laser systems.
Obtainium is a free and open-source sideload manager designed to simplify the updating process for sideloaded Android applications. Users can add their sideloaded apps to Obtainium’s tracking list after a one-time setup, allowing the app to monitor these sources for updates in the background. Obtainium supports various sources, including GitHub, GitLab, F-Droid, APKMirror, and Uptodown. The app checks for updates every six hours and can either download and install updates automatically or notify the user. Setting up Obtainium involves downloading the APK, adding app source URLs, and ensuring the correct source is used for each app. However, it has limitations, such as relying on HTML scraping for websites without an API and potential API rate limits for GitHub apps. Additionally, Obtainium may have read-only access to certain sites, requiring users to manually update apps in some cases.
Some free antivirus software provides legitimate protection against malware, viruses, ransomware, trojans, and suspicious downloads, but not all are equal. Free antivirus programs often generate revenue through premium upgrades, advertising, partner promotions, data collection, or bundled software offers. Users may face upselling tactics, including pop-up notifications and upgrade prompts, which can create confusion between marketing messages and actual security threats. Many free antivirus apps collect data on websites visited, download activity, device information, and security events, raising privacy concerns.
Devices often come with built-in antivirus protection, such as Microsoft Defender for Windows and XProtect for Mac, while smartphones have multiple layers of security. In 2026, the biggest cybersecurity risks are phishing attacks, fake websites, investment scams, account takeovers, social engineering attacks, and credential theft, rather than malware. Free antivirus software can create a false sense of security, leading users to believe they are safe from cyber threats. A reputable free antivirus may suffice for users who browse responsibly and maintain good online habits, while paid antivirus may be worth it for additional services like identity theft monitoring and VPNs. Not all free antivirus products offer the same level of protection, so users should choose reputable providers and scrutinize privacy policies.
The Commodore Callback 8020 is a Sailfish OS flip phone designed to block browsers and social media, while retaining essential features like maps, messaging, music, and calls. It operates on Sailfish OS and can run over 99% of Android apps through a sandboxed Android AppSupport layer. The device lacks Google Play Services and the Play Store but comes preloaded with WhatsApp and supports various applications such as Signal, Telegram, and mapping services. It blocks web browsers and major social media applications at the system level, and email and work-related apps are excluded from the app store. The Callback 8020 features a clamshell design, T9-style texting, a 48MP rear camera, FM radio, and comes in multiple retro-inspired finishes. Preorders will start on June 30 at a price of 9.99, with shipping expected to begin in winter.
Android 17 introduces the Bubbles feature for Google Pixel phones, enhancing multitasking by allowing users to manage up to five apps simultaneously. Users can create Bubbles by long-pressing an app icon, and the feature integrates into the Taskbar on devices like the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. However, compared to Samsung's One UI, Bubbles has limitations, such as lacking the ability to freely move and resize windows. The Pixel 10 is the first phone to run Android 17 and will receive six additional Android OS upgrades in the future.
Android 17 has introduced a new feature called screen reactions for Pixel devices, allowing users to create reaction videos easily by overlaying a small floating video of themselves while reacting to content. This feature enhances viewer engagement and simplifies the process, requiring only a few taps on a Pixel 10. However, it has limitations, such as requiring full-screen recording, which can lead to quality issues, and the presence of a screen recording status icon that may detract from the video's professionalism. Additionally, stopping the recording currently involves a two-step process, which could be improved for user convenience.
Samsung has redesigned its health tracking application, Samsung Health, coinciding with the launch of the Galaxy Watch 9 and One UI 9. The new interface features a vibrant color palette that some users find overwhelming, as colors no longer correspond to specific health metrics. The app includes a new top shortcuts bar for easier navigation to core health aspects like Activity, Sleep, Vitals, Mindfulness, and Nutrition, and allows customization of the dashboard. Graphs have been improved with pinch-to-zoom functionality, but this feature is inconsistently applied across different metrics. The app lacks a comprehensive graph page for comparing multiple metrics and may present unsupported features for users of older devices like the Galaxy Watch 4.