I can't get the Pixel's Now Playing feature on my Android phone, but one of my long-time favorite apps gets the job done

androidcentral.com Aug 2, 2026

I can’t get the Pixel’s Now Playing feature on my Android phone, but one of my long-time favorite apps gets the job done

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 2, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Derrek, Android Central’s managing editor, shares his personal journey from a young Nokia enthusiast to a seasoned tech journalist. His interest began at age 12 with the Nokia N90, following the brand’s transition from Symbian to Windows Phone before settling on Android devices like the Moto X Pure Edition and LG G5. He pursued film and digital media studies at UC Santa Cruz while treating tech journalism as a passion project starting in 2013. In 2020, he joined Android Central as news editor, overseeing coverage of Google, Android, and Wear OS. Now as managing editor, he guides editorial direction to resonate with passionate readers. Derrek has reviewed diverse products including phones, smartwatches, and smart rings. A fitness enthusiast, he examines the intersection of health and technology. He prioritizes financial accessibility in his product testing and recommendations, ensuring his content remains relevant and helpful for consumers seeking affordable yet effective tech solutions in their daily lives.

💡 Why It Matters

· Derrek’s background bridges consumer advocacy and technical expertise, offering readers grounded perspectives on accessible tech.
· His focus on affordability ensures recommendations remain practical for everyday users rather than just enthusiasts.

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VIVO S2 LAUNCH DATE

Vivo has officially announced the launch date for its upcoming S2 smartphone in India. According to a press release, the device will be unveiled on August 6 at 12:00 PM. The company has also revealed initial design details and features through official teasers. The Vivo S2 features a dual-camera unit housed in a horizontal pill-shaped module on the rear panel. It boasts a glossy glass finish and is available in black and white color options. The front display includes a hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera. Both Vivo and Amazon have created dedicated landing pages for the device. Reports suggest that sales may begin on August 11, although the company has not yet confirmed this date officially. The announcement aims to attract Indian consumers with the new S series device. The marketing campaign emphasizes style and photography capabilities for weekend use. This launch marks Vivo’s continued expansion in the competitive Indian smartphone market with its latest model.

💡 The confirmed August 6 launch date allows consumers to plan purchases ahead of the potential August 11 sales start. This precise timeline intensifies competition in the mid-range segment as rivals adjust their own release schedules.

ign.com · Aug 2

Hololive Dreams: How the Development Team Used RPG Mechanics to Create a…

Hololive Dreams, a rhythm game released on July 23, integrates RPG mechanics to broaden its appeal beyond traditional music-game enthusiasts. Developed by COVER and featuring over 50 virtual talents from the hololive agency, the title combines rhythm gameplay with theme park management and various mini-games. Producer Mr. O and Head Supervisor Mr. K explained that this hybrid structure aims to create a larger-scale experience, motivating players who might otherwise avoid rhythm games. The game includes 150 songs, ensuring each of the 54 playable characters has at least two tracks, including originals and covers selected for Japanese audiences. This extensive library is designed to compete in Japan’s saturated mobile rhythm market. While available on PC, upcoming events will primarily target Android and iOS users. The development team emphasized equal representation for all talents, avoiding favoritism by balancing ensemble songs and individual tracks. This approach seeks to engage both existing fans and new players through diverse gameplay loops that propel park expansion and character progression.

💡 By embedding rhythm challenges within a broader RPG framework, the developers transform passive music appreciation into active progression, potentially expanding the genre's demographic reach. This structural shift addresses the high churn rate common in pure rhythm games by offering varied objectives that sustain long-term engagement.

androidcentral.com · Aug 2

Which Galaxy Z 8 phone should you buy? Here’s what I think…

Derrek, Android Central’s managing editor, shares his expert recommendations on which Galaxy Z Fold 8 phone to purchase after extensively testing all three available models. With a background in tech journalism dating back to 2013 and a degree in Film & Digital Media, Derrek brings deep industry knowledge to his reviews. He has covered Google, Android, and Wear OS since becoming news editor in 2020. His expertise spans various devices, including phones, smartwatches, and fitness tech. As a fitness enthusiast, he evaluates how technology integrates into active lifestyles. Derrek prioritizes financial accessibility in his recommendations, aiming to help readers make informed decisions. His long-standing interest in mobile technology, starting with Nokia phones, informs his critical perspective. He guides Android Central’s editorial direction, ensuring content resonates with passionate tech audiences. This comprehensive review aims to simplify the buying decision for consumers interested in Samsung’s latest foldable lineup. Derrek’s insights combine technical analysis with practical user experience, offering a balanced view for potential buyers seeking the best value and performance in the Galaxy Z series.

💡 Consumers face overwhelming choices in the foldable market, making expert guidance crucial for avoiding costly mistakes. Derrek’s focus on financial accessibility directly addresses the high price barrier of premium foldables.

bgr.com · Aug 2

5 Useful Accessories Every Samsung Galaxy Tab Owner Needs

Samsung Galaxy Tabs command over 20% of the global tablet market, trailing only Apple’s 55% share. The diverse lineup ranges from the high-performance Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra to budget-friendly options like the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite and Galaxy Tab A series, alongside rugged models such as the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro. To enhance productivity, convenience, and security, users are advised to select specific accessories. While Samsung offers official add-ons, third-party manufacturers often provide superior value and variety. The article identifies five essential accessories that maximize the tablet experience immediately after purchase. Notable recommendations include the JLab Go Pods ANC and the Anker Nano 65 W charger. These items are highlighted for their versatility, as they also serve as excellent accessories for Samsung Galaxy phone owners, offering cross-device utility and cost-effectiveness for consumers seeking to optimize their mobile technology ecosystem without unnecessary expenditure.

💡 Third-party accessories often outperform official Samsung add-ons in value, allowing users to maximize device utility without brand lock-in. Cross-compatible gear like the Anker charger and JLab earbuds extends investment value across both tablets and smartphones.

gizmochina.com · Aug 1

Dimensity 9600 vs Dimensity 9500: Major upgrades are incoming

MediaTek is preparing to unveil the Dimensity 9600 chipset in September, marking a significant technological leap over the previous Dimensity 9500. The new processor will utilize TSMC’s advanced 2nm node, featuring a Gate-All-Around architecture that reduces power consumption by 25–30%. This efficiency gain enables peak CPU speeds nearing 5.0 GHz. Unlike its predecessor’s single super-core design, the Dimensity 9600 adopts a 2+3+3 CPU cluster with two high-performance Cortex-X cores, doubling burst task capacity. Graphics performance will improve via ARM’s next-generation Immortalis GPU, which supports hardware-level frame interpolation for smoother gaming. While leaks suggest potential variants like the Dimensity 9600 Pro, the core upgrades remain consistent. This release aims to challenge Apple’s single-core dominance and enhance computational photography and app launching speeds through superior architectural design and reduced energy leakage compared to 3nm chips.

💡 The shift to a dual-super-core architecture directly dismantles Apple’s long-standing single-core performance monopoly in mobile silicon. Hardware-level frame interpolation at the silicon level establishes a new industry standard for gaming latency and visual fidelity.

androidcentral.com · Aug 1

Never lost: rumors claim a ‘Pixel Tag’ is on the way from…

A render of an oblong, all‑white “Google Pixel Tag” with a loud speaker has surfaced online, suggesting Google is developing its own Bluetooth tracker. The device, bearing the familiar “G” logo, appears to lack any mounting hardware, implying users would slip it into bags, wallets or other personal items. A description obtained from a Slovenian retailer, cited by 9to5Google, calls the Pixel Tag a “smart tracker that helps you quickly and reliably locate your lost items” and says it will operate on Google’s Find My Device (Find Hub) network. Rumors place a debut at the Pixel 11 launch event on August 12, alongside the upcoming Pixel Glow feature. The tag would compete directly with existing products such as Apple’s AirTag and Motorola’s Moto Tag 2, which already offer Bluetooth 6.0, UWB and long‑life batteries.

💡 Google’s entry could shift the balance of the consumer tracker market by leveraging its vast Android ecosystem and integrated Find Hub network.