I was wrong about Pokémon Sleep, and the Fitbit Air is the perfect companion

Pokémon Sleep has been out for a few years, but I only got into it in the past year. And by coincidence, just as I logged a year's worth of sleep into the app, Google released a new Pokémon Sleep edition of the Fitbit Air as part of Pokémon's 30th Anniversary Celebration.

I've been using this special edition of the Fitbit Air to log my sleep in the Pokémon Sleep app, and it might be the best way to play the game. The wearable is lightweight, beautifully crafted, and tracks sleep quite reliably. If you're a Pokémon fan like myself, this might be the

Understanding the basics of Pokémon Sleep

(Image credit: Android Central)

When Pokémon Sleep first launched, I thought it was pretty pointless. I already track my sleep in apps like Google Health (then Fitbit), so why add yet another app? Two years later, something convinced me to finally try it, and boy, was I wrong about Pokémon Sleep.

Turns out, it's a great way to gamify your sleep! The game centers around a Snorlax that does nothing but sleep and eat, while attracting wild Pokémon to sleep around it. The more you sleep, the more points you get, which contribute to the Snorlax's Drowsy Power. The higher your Drowsy Power, the more Pokémon it attracts each day, and your sleep type (based on your sleep cycles) can influence the Pokémon it attracts, including rarer or shiny Pokémon.

You can "catch" these Pokémon by feeding them biscuits and maxing out their friendship points before they get full. It's both enticing and frustrating trying to "catch" certain Pokémon, each with its own attributes to help you throughout the game.

(Image credit: Android Central)

As you watch over this Snorlax, you have to feed it three times a day to build its strength and help it grow. You do this by curating a team of up to five Pokémon, all of which can collect berries and ingredients so you can make various dishes that contribute different amounts of strength. The Pokémon also have special skills that can help in different ways.

You can unlock additional skills and more ingredients, but it often requires careful planning. You have to consider things like a Pokémon's nature, its ingredient list, and other attributes that make it better for what you want. Thus, one Pikachu might be better than another and more worth the candies you collect to level up and evolve it.

Where the Fitbit Air fits

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Pokemon Sleep offers a few ways to track your sleep, including the Google Health app. So you can track your sleep with a more traditional smartwatch like the Pixel Watch 5, but I often find them heavy, cumbersome, and uncomfortable to wear while you sleep. That's where the Fitbit Air comes in.

At roughly 12g with the band, it's incredibly lightweight, and it barely feels like I'm wearing anything. This makes it one of the most comfortable wearables I've used to track my sleep, and I recommend it for this alone.

And while there are some nice colors out there, the Special Edition Pokémon Sleep strap is my absolute favorite. It comes in a deep blue color that looks fantastic (it helps that my favorite color is blue) and even has a little sleeping Pikachu on it, which is a pretty nice touch.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

As for the actual tracking, it's actually quite reliable. I often compare my results each morning to my Oura Ring and Garmin watch, and the duration, cycles, and other metrics are usually pretty on par. And of course, the Fitbit Air can do more than sleep tracking, since it's also a solid health and fitness wearable.

It also helps that battery life is quite good, easily lasting about a full week on a single charge. That means you don't have to worry about charging it before bed every night or when you wake up each morning.

Setting up the Fitbit Air to track your sleep in Pokémon Sleep

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

If you're just setting up Pokémon Sleep, you should be able to follow the setup process to get Google Health as your sleep source. You can only choose one, and your options include Google Health, Samsung Health (for Galaxy Watches), and Garmin Connect (for Garmin Watches).

If you're already using another source to track your sleep, changing it to Google Health is relatively easy.

1. From the main menu, tap Settings and More.

2. Under Smartwatch (Health Connect), tap Data Source.

3. Tap Google Health, then tap Change to confirm.

Note: You can also tap the Sync/Settings button in the field view to change your data source. Make sure you've already synced any past sleep data, since changing the data source will leave it unsynced.

(Image credit: Android Central)

If the Fitbit Air is already set up in the Google Health app, you're good to go and ready to catch 'em all while you catch some z's!

It didn't take me very long to fall in love with the app after finally deciding to check it out. It's a fun, low-effort way to catch and interact with Pokémon, while also motivating you to get more consistent sleep (something I definitely need to get better at).

The Fitbit Air with the Special Edition Pokémon Sleep band is available now on the Google Store for $129.

Google’s Gemini went rogue and breached three companies

What you need to know

• Google has apparently admitted that Gemini had escaped its testing environment and independently accessed systems belonging to three real companies.
• A misconfigured internet connection was the initial opening, while a matching company name added to the confusion.
• Gemini eventually stopped itself after recognizing that it was targeting real companies.
• Google initially kept the incident quiet, arguing that Gemini self-corrected and caused no damage.

Google's Gemini adds to the long list of AI models that have gone rogue.

We have already seen similar digital jailbreaks handled by OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta in third-party safety testing. Now, it’s been revealed that Google’s Gemini model escaped its containment area in May, hacking its way into systems at three real companies, all on its own.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the incident took place during a “capture the flag” exercise conducted by AI security firm Irregular. Gemini was intended to test a fictional company in a closed testing environment, but an unplanned internet connection gave it an escape. The fictional company also had a real business with the same name, creating another opening for confusion.

Once online, Gemini found its way into three real companies. In one case it just kept guessing passwords until it got through. In two others, it found working credentials stored in public repositories and used them to access protected systems.

It turns out that throughout the entire process, Gemini didn’t require any exotic movie-style exploits. It just combined elementary security vulnerabilities with the ability to search, decide, and persistently try, without a human directing each and every move.

Google said Gemini stopped when it realized the targets were real companies and did not cause damage. In fact, while Anthropic’s Claude 4.7 kept going during a similar incident, Gemini backed off on its own volition. The impacted organizations were informed, although Irregular says the known testing issues were corrected weeks later.

The search giant felt the incident didn't warrant a public announcement at the time because the AI self-corrected. But third-party researchers were not told until late July, and details are only now emerging after media inquiries pushed the issue.

As AI agents gain broader access to the internet and computers, companies will need to establish tighter boundaries around what those systems can reach and clearer rules for what happens when those boundaries fail.

You can get a free year of unlimited wireless when you buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 at Mint Mobile — here's how

There are a ton of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 deals on the web right now. Whether you're looking for a trade-in opportunity or a straight discount on an unlocked phone, stiff competition in the foldable space means there has never been a better time to pick up one of these innovative devices. That said, if you're looking for a different type of deal, Mint Mobile has you covered.

Bundle the purchase of the new Galaxy Z Flip 8 with one year of the unlimited plan and you'll get $200 off the phone and 50% off the wireless, knocking your total payment down to $1,180 (or $99 per month using affirm). Considering that the retail cost of the Z Flip 8 usually starts at $1,200, you're essentially getting a FREE year of unlimited T-Mobile-powered wireless, courtesy of Mint Mobile. And hey, there's a little $20 discount in there too.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 256GB: $1,200 $1,000, plus 50% off one year of Unlimited at Mint Mobile

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 has arrived, and there are already a ton of deals available for the clamshell device. Pair the purchase of the phone with one year of Unlimited at Mint Mobile and you'll get $200 off the device and 50% off the wireless. Your total will end up being $1,180, which is like getting an entire year of wireless for free!View Deal

Mint Mobile's unlimited plan gives you unlimited talk, text, and data on T-Mobile's legendary 5G network, plus you get a free mobile hotspot and calls to Mexico, Canada, and the UK. It's not the most comprehensive unlimited plan I've ever used, but if you like to keep things simple, this deal presents an easy way to avoid paying your phone bill for an entire year.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is worth the price of entry too, coming complete with a foldable clamshell design, two gorgeous AMOLED displays, and the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset for powerful performance. The phone also comes equipped with 12GB of RAM, an upgraded 4,300mAh battery, and a thinner and lighter build than ever before.

Sure, this deal isn't for everyone. Some folks may miss the premium features offered by some unlimited plans, while others might be looking for a trade-in opportunity to could make the Galaxy Z Flip 8 even cheaper upfront. But if you have the cash lying around and you want to score a year of wireless and a great flip phone in one fell swoop, now's your chance.

This iconic Garmin watch is still kickin' —and right now it's 35% off ahead of Amazon's next big sale

Fall's Big Deal Days sale at Amazon isn't quite here yet, but the retailer is already offering some great smartwatch deals ahead of the event. As one example, Amazon is already offering the 2023 Garmin Venu 3 at a 35% discount, along with a bunch of other early price drops for the upcoming sale.

The Garmin Venu 3 is a 2023 release, but it still includes a 14-day battery life, accurate health sensors, and a bright, good-looking display that still holds up quite well in 2026. It's not as bright or powerful as the newer Venu 4, but the differences are marginal enough to justify going with the lower-priced option here.

This particular discount is for the 45mm configuration of the watch. If you're more keen on the smaller 41mm version, or the 45mm in white, Amazon is also offering similar price drops on those, so it might be worth clicking around a bit.

• Prime Big Deal Days returns Oct 6-7: see the full list of deals

Garmin Venu 3: $449.99 $297.81 for Amazon's early Big Deal Days Sale

Amazon's next Prime Day event is just weeks away, and the retailer has chopped 35% off the 2023 Garmin Venu 3 ahead of the event. Upon its release, we loved this smartwatch for its accurate tracking and good-looking AMOLED display, and it still comes with enough features and sensors to satisfy most intermediate users.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you want a fitness watch with a long-lasting battery, features like GPS, HR monitoring, sleep data, and more; you have a budget of around $300 for an Android smartwatch; you need a watch with a useful, easy-to-read display.

❌Skip this deal if: you'd rather upgrade to the newer Venu 4 for its updated aesthetic, accuracy, dual-band GPS, and the latest training tools; you need a watch with an LTE-capable configuration; you prefer to get wearables with support for newer technology, such as Garmin's new Health Status app.

The Garmin Venu 3 is a solid pick for those who aren't concerned with dual-band GPS, though our tests confirmed that it still offered fairly accurate tracking capabilities back in 2023. It also offers a more discreet and versatile design than many of Garmin's watches, in my opinion, making it a solid affordable option that won't look or feel clunky on your wrist.

Garmin says the watch will net users up to 14 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, and the 1.4-inch AMOLED display on the 45mm is large and vibrant, without sacrificing battery. In any case, if you're a new or intermediate athlete who is ready to upgrade from an even older device, this deal might be one worth considering.

Samsung Gallery finally gets Google Photos sync — here’s what you need to do

What you need to know

• Samsung is officially ending its long-standing OneDrive integration on September 30 in favor of direct Google Photos backup inside Samsung Gallery.
• Starting with Gallery app update 15.9.01.7, you can link your backup by tapping Menu > Settings > Sync photos and videos and connecting a personal Google account.
• You can selectively sync specific local folders (like Screenshots or Camera) or toggle off main camera roll uploads entirely.

I’ve been using OneDrive integration with Samsung Gallery for years, so seeing that setup disappear in a few weeks feels a bit strange. It was one of those Galaxy features I hardly ever thought of. I'd just take a picture, let Gallery back it up, and move on with my life. Now Samsung is giving that job to Google Photos, and frankly I’m more intrigued than irritated.

Samsung has already started rolling out the Google Photos integration with the latest Gallery app update, version 15.9.01.7, as per Ice Universe on X. Once you open the app, you may see a new “Sync photos and videos” option to connect your Google account and backup photos and videos without leaving Samsung Gallery.

🚨 BREAKING!!! Samsung Gallery × Google Photos integration is LIVE! 🔥This is a HUGE change for Galaxy users.Install the latest version of Samsung Gallery, and you may now see a new “Sync photos and videos” option in Gallery Settings.Once enabled, you can connect your… pic.twitter.com/SkKRtbWVsOSeptember 18, 2026

The move comes as Samsung’s more than decade-long partnership with Microsoft winds down. OneDrive integration has been part of the Galaxy experience for years, allowing users to automatically upload their Gallery content to Microsoft’s cloud in a convenient way. But that arrangement officially ends September 30, after which Samsung Gallery won’t provide the same direct OneDrive sync.

Google Photos makes more sense to me simply because I already have a Google account on my Galaxy phone. That means I can use Samsung Gallery as my daily photo app and let Google handle the cloud backup.

How to enable Samsung Gallery Cloud Sync with Google

• Open the Samsung Gallery app on your Galaxy phone or tablet device.
• Tap Menu in the bottom-right corner, then tap Settings.
• Tap Sync photos and videos.
• Follow the on-screen prompts to choose your Google Account.
• Grant Samsung permission to sync your photos and videos with Google.

The feature, however, is only available on Android 13 or later, a compatible Samsung device, and a personal Google account.

Synced albums also let you have some control over what gets backed up. You can select specific device folders like Camera, Screenshots, or Downloads, and even disable syncing of the main camera roll while still syncing other folders. You can disable syncing for individual local albums, but if Gallery Cloud Sync is enabled, Samsung Gallery will behave as a read-only cloud gallery. It will display synced media but will not upload any new photos from that device.

There's one caveat: don't expect Samsung Gallery to become a full Google Photos browser. Google's documentation says the integration is meant for backing up photos and videos, not for browsing your entire Google Photos library within Gallery.

If you’d rather not use the new Google Photos sync, Samsung makes it easy to switch off. Open Samsung Gallery > Menu > Settings, then turn off Sync photos and videos. This prevents new backups, and photos already backed up to your Google account remain accessible in Google Photos.

Metro by T-Mobile wants to give you unlimited wireless AND a 2026 Samsung phone for just $40 per month — here's the deal

These days, buying a cheap Android phone doesn't have to feel like a downgrade, particularly when you pair the device with a great deal on wireless. For a limited time, Metro by T-Mobile will give you a FREE Samsung Galaxy A17 when you pair the purchase of the budget device with any 5G Unlimited plan starting at just $40 per month. No trade-in is required, and all taxes and fees are included in the price.

Sure, there are plenty of carrier deals that will land you a free Samsung phone, but few offers are this affordable or straightforward. The only catch is that, since it's a prepaid carrier, Metro by T-Mobile's service could be deprioritized if you use over 35GB per month. That means that heavy data users may have to deal with slower speeds if the network is congested. Otherwise, if you simply want unlimited wireless and a solid Samsung phone for as little hassle as possible, this Metro by T-Mobile deal deserves your immediate attention.

Samsung Galaxy A17 5G 128GB: $229.99 free with new line at Metro by T-Mobile

Join Metro by T-Mobile with a new line on any phone plan ($40/month or higher) and the prepaid carrier will give you enough promo credits to make the new Samsung Galaxy A17 5G completely free. No trade-in required and no hidden fees: just good old-fashioned savings. View Deal

All of the wireless plans included in Metro by T-Mobile's promotion provide unlimited talk, text, and data on T-Mobile's vast 5G network, plus you get a five-year price guarantee and access to exclusive weekly discounts via T-Mobile Tuesdays.

Upgrade to one of Metro's higher-level unlimited plans and you'll get all of the perks mentioned above along with benefits like mobile hotspot data, Google One memberships, and more. Even if you go with Metro's top-tier Unlimited Premium 5G Data plan, you'll never pay more than $60 per month, all taxes and fees included.

The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G, for its part, is a $200 phone that punches well above its weight class, introducing an upgraded camera system, 6.7-inch AMOLED display, and a large 5,000mAh battery. You even get six years of guaranteed software updates, which is a rarity for a device in this price range.

Samsung's A series has spent years proving that you don't need to spend and arm and a leg to enjoy the complete Galaxy experience. Sure, it may not be the most powerful phone on the market (and Metro's data plan may not be the most comprehensive), but if you simply want cheap, reliable wireless and a phone that you can count on for years to come, this carrier deal shouldn't be overlooked.

Last year's excellent Google Pixel 10 Pro is currently cheaper than the Pixel 11 — but is it worth going last-gen for a good phone deal?

Amazon has confirmed that its next Prime Big Deal Days sale event will occur on October 6th and 7th, but you don't need to wait to score an incredible Google Pixel phone deal. For a limited time, the retailer is slashing $200 off the unlocked Google Pixel 10 Pro, knocking the price of the last-gen flagship down to just $799. That makes it $100 cheaper than the base model Google Pixel 11 and $300 cheaper than the new Pixel 11 Pro!

Some folks may be hesitant to purchase a last-gen smartphone, even at a discount, but I can confidently say that the Google Pixel 10 Pro still holds its own against the best Android phones on the market. That said, there are a few drawbacks that you should consider before taking the leap. Is this Pixel 10 Pro deal right for you? Let's break it down.

• Prime Big Deal Days returns Oct 6-7: see the 20+ best early deals available now

Google Pixel 10 Pro 128GB: $999 $799 at Amazon

Despite its last-gen status, the Pixel 10 Pro still impresses with its sophisticated design, AI-boosted software features, and years of remaining OS and security upgrades.

Grab the phone unlocked from Amazon today and you'll score a straight $200 off your purchase! The retailer says that the deal is going fast, so don't wait too long if you're interested. View Deal

The Pixel 10 Pro boasts a gorgeous 6.3-inch pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, while under the hood you get 16GB of RAM, an efficient Tensor G5 chipset, and all of the versatile AI-boosted camera tech that Google is known for. The phone also got a boost to its battery life compared to its predecessor, plus you'll enjoy faster charging speeds with Qi2 magnetic charging support.

So what's the catch? Well, with Big Deal Days and Black Friday just around the corner, there's a good chance that the price of the Pixel 10 Pro will dip even further in the coming weeks. That said, there's an equally good chance that the Pixel 10 Pro will completely sell out before that time.

If you've been interested in this particular phone for a while, I'd take your chances and place the order today. The Pixel 10 Pro is a great device, after all, and the six remaining software updates ensure that the phone won't feel obsolete any time soon. If, on the other hand, you're simply looking for a great Pixel phone and you're in no hurry to make a purchase, it might be worth waiting a bit to see what the fall sale season has in store for the Pixel 11 lineup.