Samsung is about to kill another built-in Galaxy feature, and this time it's the news feed that many users probably haven't noticed anymore.
In a confirmation from the company spotted by SamMobile, the Samsung News app will be discontinued on December 21, 2026, at 00:00 UTC — leaving Galaxy phone and tablet owners bereft of one of the platform’s familiar ways to catch up on daily headlines.
(Image credit: Samsung / SamMobile)
The shutdown will affect more than just the Samsung News app. Its home screen widget will no longer get updated with new content, and the media page you can access by swiping right from the leftmost home screen will be gone.
Samsung has already begun sending shutdown notices to users in India and South Korea, urging them to remove the widget before the service is discontinued.
Samsung will also erase all user data related to the service after the shutdown. This includes personal information, account profiles, and personalization settings. Some information may be kept temporarily, as mandated by local law, but Samsung says it will be deleted eventually.
Samsung News is not new. It launched in April 2023, succeeding Samsung Free, and continuing a surprisingly long line of shuttered news-feed services. Samsung Free replaced Samsung Daily in 2020 and Bixby Home replaced Samsung Daily in 2019. That's quite a few rebrands for something that ultimately ended up on the chopping block.
So, what comes next? Samsung hasn’t announced a direct replacement, but Google Discover is a likely candidate. The service is already available as an alternative on Galaxy devices, so this is a convenient option if Samsung chooses to simplify its software experience.
While these confirmed shutdown notices are for India and South Korea, owners in other markets should be watching for similar announcements, rather than assuming their regional service will disappear on the same schedule. In any case, it seems Samsung’s native news experience is headed for its final headline.
OPPO could be planning a big change for its next flagship camera.
The upcoming Find X10 Ultra is reportedly being tested with MediaTek's Dimensity 9600 Pro, a move that would take the Ultra series away from Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon chips. But don’t write off Qualcomm just yet: Another configuration with Snapdragon silicon is said to be in development as well — and it may still be the one that hits the market.
The latest news comes from Weibo tipster Smart Pikachu, who says OPPO is testing the Dimensity 9600 Pro alongside custom imaging algorithms. The algorithms are said to be designed to work with OPPO’s Lumo True Image Engine, which is an indication that the company wants to hold onto its camera-processing abilities no matter what chip it ultimately settles on.
The potential switch makes sense on paper. The Dimensity 9600 Pro is built on TSMC’s 2nm process and consists of two C2-Ultra cores running at up to 4.55GHz and six performance cores. OPPO has already confirmed this processor for the Find X10 Pro Max, so it’s a natural fit for the Ultra.
But Smart Pikachu says the version running on Snapdragon, which is going to be Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, is now more likely to come.
There’s more to this phone than just its processor, however. Leaks in the past suggest an ambitious camera setup, including a 200MP main camera with a 1/1.12-inch sensor and Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor (LOFIC) technology, cutting-edge camera sensor tech that dramatically increases dynamic range and prevents highlight clipping, according to DPReview. There's also a second 200MP periscope telephoto camera, as well as a 50MP periscope lens that offers 10x optical zoom. There are also said to be plans for a front camera with 100MP.
If OPPO opts for MediaTek, the Find X10 Ultra and Find X10 Pro Max could share the same flagship SoC. That would put the pressure on OPPO to differentiate its more expensive Ultra model based on its camera hardware and imaging capabilities, rather than raw chipset specs.
The Find X10 Ultra is expected to be released in China in the first half of 2027. OPPO has not confirmed the handset or its final hardware configuration yet, so there is still plenty of time for plans to change. Qualcomm has the edge for now, but MediaTek has earned a seat at the table.
Strava announced that it's rolling out a Connected Apps experience with Google's Gemini for subscribers.
Once connected, users will receive details about their progress, and uncover new insights through Gemini's integration with your running data.
A major Strava update brought AI Performance Prediction to subscribers, which requires at least 20 tracked activities before it can begin.
Strava is starting to roll out new ways for users to interact with their wellness data by joining forces with Google Gemini.
In a press release, Strava announced that users can enjoy a Connected Apps experience in Google's Gemini, beginning this week. Subscribers can reportedly connect their Strava account to view their "progress and uncover insights." The company adds that Gemini will personalize its answers based on your Strava data.
Strava runs users through a few examples, stating they can ask if they're "getting faster at the same heart rate." The post states Gemini will compare your heart rate and speed across your "volume, consistency, and mix of sports." What's more, Strava's Gemini integration can break down your racing performance per mile.
Strava has rolled out recent updates for its Gemini integration, too. According to the post, users can ask Gemini if the weather was why they felt sluggish, or if it was their body.
Subscribers can connect their Strava accounts with Gemini this week in the U.S. The company states this feature is available for all Gemini plans. If you're getting started, users should navigate to Personal Intelligence in Gemini > Strava (in Connected Apps) > Sign In.
Get your steps in (or run)
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
The Strava app is primarily where users have gotten their daily insights; however, there was a major update that brought its Athlete Intelligence, which turned some heads. Athlete Intelligence was locked away in beta for four and a half months. After launching, it delivered improved accuracy and new insights to users. As part of its "tailored" experience, Athlete Intelligence could interpret a user's "non-GPS activities."
Such activities include running on a treadmill or cycling power. What's more, Athlete Intelligence will "note how your pace or speed compares to other times on that route." In our initial testing, we noticed some errors with Athlete Intelligence early on, but its insights were pretty spot on. Shortly after, Strava brought AI Performance Predictions to its subscribers.
The company's software would estimate how long it would take the user to run a "5K, 10K, and half & full marathons." This data requires a hefty background to begin. Strava states users should catalog around 20 activities before AI Performance Predictions can begin.
Google is rolling out a late October patch for Gemini for Home and its smart home app, upgrading its capabilities and introducing major fixes.
The patch notes state Gemini's "Sorry, I didn't understand" response has been fixed, as users would receive this when nothing was explicitly said.
Fixes for "zero-volume" alarms and timers are rolling out, alongside new additions for Matter devices on Android.
Google concludes the week with a substantial update for Gemini for Home and its smart home app that users should keep an eye out for.
The company detailed the update in a lengthy changelog today (Oct. 29). Gemini for Home, which is still in early access, spearheads the list of fixes this week. According to Google, this week's patch includes a fix for Gemini's frustrating "Sorry, I didn't understand" error messages. The funny thing is, this was happening when users hadn't said anything. This issue reportedly affected displays and speakers, and should be patched in this update.
Gemini should now better understand when a user tells it to switch music to a device in another room. Google states it's rolling out more "reliable" commands for YouTube TV. It says this should help content play as intended whenever the user asks for it. Volume control is another area where Gemini has been shaky.
Google states it's rolling out a fix for "zero volume timers and alarms." In some cases, users would set an alarm, but its volume would drop to zero, meaning they'd never hear it. Elsewhere, Google is solving an issue "where asking to adjust the volume on a speaker or display in another room could accidentally change the volume on the device you were speaking to if the other device couldn’t be found."
(Image credit: Google)
The Google Home app is also receiving quite a few bug fixes/updates this week, beginning with Matter devices. The patch notes state Android devices can now view energy data for supported Matter products. It adds that compatible plugs and energy monitors will soon "display both real-time power (mW) and total energy consumed (kWh) directly on their device tiles and controller screens."
Additionally, users can quickly shift their devices into power-saving modes through the app. Improved icons and controls are also rolling out for Matter devices on Android. Google says the Home app will now organize devices by type: garage doors, gates, windows, blinds, cabinets, and more.
Google Home Premium users can now find their benefits by tapping on their Profile > Google Home Premium > Features (to enable, too).
There are also extensive updates for smart home cameras
(Image credit: Google)
A long road of changes
Google's been down a long road with Gemini for its smart home environment. The company has rolled out purposeful patches to fix issues users have experienced with the AI's responses. In one update, Google worked on improving Gemini's response times. It stated that it quickened the AI by 40%, but it also rolled out additional fixes to make good on that promise.
In a patch in April, Google improved Gemini's smart home understanding. Users won't have to bore themselves with exact commands. The company said Gemini could understand "casual phrases and context better."
Google's been busy with its Android 17 development cycle, pushing multiple Quarterly Platform Release updates and still working on bug fixes across Pixel devices. QPR3 went into beta testing in early October, and the first two releases focused primarily on squashing stability, connectivity, and performance bugs. Now Android 17 QPR3 Beta 3 is here with 26 more fixes, the return of the app lock, and some handy interface improvements.
It’s not a massive visual overhaul by any means, but Google is clearly using these beta releases to tidy up the Android experience ahead of the next big update.
This new release follows QPR3 Beta 2, which was released just over a week ago and also included its own set of bug fixes. According to its release note shared on Reddit, Google has listed 26 fixes ranging from display glitches and app crashes to connectivity and system stability issues this time around.
App lock and bubbles get another shot
The changes to the usability side are more interesting. As noted by one Reddit user, app lock is making a comeback, offering users another way to keep sensitive apps safe from unwanted access. Google is also making app bubbles easier to use by letting users launch them from the Recents menu, rather than having to dig through other interface options.
Quick Settings is also receiving a camera shortcut. That’s a small addition, arguably, but it gives users another way to launch the camera without hunting down its app icon. Google has also fixed the AM/PM display for lock screen alarms and brought back some of the lock screen blur that was lost in a previous update.
A bigger cleanup under the hood
The new fixes cover a number of annoying issues, including random screen flickering, black inner displays when unfolding foldables, poor webcam video quality, and crashes when viewing mentions in X threads. Google has also fixed broken force-stop controls, missing notification elements, crashing Bluetooth scans, and WPA-Enterprise Wi-Fi authentication failures.
Android 17 QPR3 Beta 3 is available for Pixel 6a and newer devices. Most supported models receive build DP11.261016.003, while Pixel 11 models get DP11.261016.004.
If you want to, you can sign up through Google's Android Beta Program, but it’s always a good idea to back up your data prior to installing beta software.
Android 17 QPR2 is expected to reach stable status around the end of 2026, and QPR3 is looking to be another round of meaningful refinements ahead of its anticipated 2027 release.
Amazon announced a refreshed list of 2026 smart home devices: the Echo Dot, Echo Studio with Home Camera, Echo Time, Echo Show 16, and the Alexa Photo Frame.
The Echo Dot offers a built-in smart home hub that connects it to "thousands" of available smart home devices, such as lights and locks.
The Echo Show 16 is ~40% thinner than before, and delivers a 16-inch HD screen that users can use a family or meal planner.
Amazon's Alexa Photo Frame sync directly with your Amazon Photos account, and brings your latest photos to the forefront.
Amazon is dropping another round of fresh smart home devices at the end of Techtober. The company announced four new Echo devices and an Alexa Photo Frame to digitize years of memories.
Today (Oct. 29), Amazon debuted its latest line of smart home devices, beginning with four new Echo devices, such as the new Echo Dot. Amazon states the 2026 Echo Dot "includes a built-in smart home hub" for the first time. This hub lets its AI, Alexa, connect to "thousands of compatible devices" (think smart lights, locks, etc.). Furthering the Echo Dot's AI ambitions is Amazon's new AI Accelerator for a sharp, quick experience.
If you're playing music or listening to audiobooks, Amazon says the Echo Dot now has 50% more bass and crisper vocals. The Echo Dot is available for $99; however, there is a Kids Echo Dot that starts at $109 with a year of Amazon Plus included.
Elsewhere, we have the 2026 Echo Studio. The design remains similar to that of its 2025 counterpart. Amazon says the Echo Studio features a House Camera to give it a "better understanding" of what's happening around it. In turn, it enhances Alexa's capabilities for homeowners. Users can check in on their house through the Echo Studio, peering in through its included camera.
The Echo Studio boasts "a high-excursion woofer and Dolby Atmos with Advanced Room Adaptation." The Echo Studio with House Camera starts at $249 and is shipping today (Oct. 29). The company states Fire TV support will bring video calling to users in a future update.
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The Echo Time has been refreshed with Omnisense, Amazon's sleep-sensing tech. The post states the device can "sense when you're in lighter sleep and wake you within 10 to 60 minutes of your scheduled alarm." In terms of design, the Echo Time features a digital clock face that users can customize with analog or modern themes.
The Echo Time is available starting at $199, and the Kids Echo Time starts at $209 with a year of Kids Plus included.
Rounding out the "Echo" devices is the Echo Show 16. Amazon calls it its "most powerful" version. The device is roughly 40% thinner and features a 16-inch HD screen. There's also a Nanomatte variation to reduce screen glare from sunlight. Amazon highlights "Screen Styles," which lets users turn it into a family planner, meal planner, and more.
The Echo Show 16 can even double as a family picture frame. Then you have the smart home dashboard with the Alexa Home Map. This gives users a clear picture of where every connected smart home device is in their house. Fire TV support is built-in, and the Echo Show 16's camera has been upgraded with a wider FOV, auto-framing for pictures, and more.
The Echo Show 16 can be pre-ordered for $499.99 or for $599 if you're getting the Nanomatte version. However, Amazon states that if you're pre-ordering now, you could get $100 off.
Framing the memories
(Image credit: Amazon)
The final overall product from Amazon is the 10-inch Alexa Photo Frame.
This digital photo frame has Alexa built into its core, connecting to your Amazon Photos account with automatic image sync. The post states that as you take photos, they will appear on the Photo Frame. Alexa reportedly works its AI magic, surfacing photos where people are smiling, skipping over screenshots and other content.
Consumers can purchase the Alexa Photo Frame for $199.99 in black, while its Birch or Walnut wood frames start at $229.00.
Google announced "Immersive Explorations" in Gemini, which gives students a visual way of learning a subject by unraveling its contents layer-by-layer.
Users can learn about the complexities of Quasars and more in space, or about dinosaurs, the molecular structure of life, and more.
Google's previously brought huge updates for teachers in the Classrooms app for students through Gemini to help create lesson plans, Rubrics, and quizzes.
Gemini and astrology go hand-in-hand—it's in the name, after all. Google announced that it's rolling out a new library in Gemini's student hub for stellar topics.
This week, Google announced in a blog post that it's bringing "Immersive Explorations" to the Gemini student hub. This library will reportedly give users an "interactive, visual way to explore topics layer-by-layer..." In a press release, Google states users can forget about scrolling and reading through giant walls of text. Immersive Explorations is more visual (though it comes with a few paragraphs to explain what you're seeing).
Users can "click through layered visuals" to educate themselves about a range of topics. If we're going down the stellar route, users can learn about Quasars, and zoom in to learn about Host Galaxies or Interstellar Dust Lanes. Clicking on different parts of an image unlocks more details. Users can see the bigger picture as a whole, and dive in to learn about every tiny fragment that makes it whole.
Students in the Gemini hub can also learn about dinosaurs, the molecular structure of plants, the "physics of lightning," and more. Google says Immersive Explorations are available now in the Gemini app.
Users can begin exploring in English, Indonesian, Hindi, Brazilian Portuguese, French, and simplified Chinese. Google states users in other languages will default to English until support for those languages arrives at a later time.
More ways to learn
(Image credit: Google)
When Google rolled out Gemini for teens using school accounts, it did so with guardrails and the ability to fact-check the AI's results. The AI was made available in over 100 countries, alongside "Coach." This was a "step-by-step tool to help students build their knowledge of various subjects through quizzes and games." The other side of Google's work to build better AI for educational purposes was its tools for the Classrooms app.
It was a Gemini-focused patch that brought the AI's assistance to NotebookLM (now Gemini Notebook). Teachers could create an AI "expert" for a specific topic to help students if they're struggling with a certain subject. What's more, teachers can create a Rubric and quizzes with ease using the educational material they have.
