TechCapsules

Patrick, an eCommerce Editor at Android Central, transitioned from a decade in independent bookstores and freelance writing to full‑time tech journalism in 2020. He joined Android Central in 2022 as Deals and Commerce Writer, now overseeing the site’s eCommerce coverage and major sale events. Patrick focuses on helping consumers avoid buyer’s remorse by simplifying complex tech purchases, such as carrier switches and smart TV buys. His work appears in major outlets including the Chicago Tribune, The Hill, [...]

Honor announced a 25.3% year‑over‑year increase in Android tablet shipments in Q2 2026, according to an IDC report covering the EMEA market. The region’s overall tablet market fell 10.5% YoY to 5.9 million units, yet Honor’s MagicPad 4, featuring a new OLED display and 5,320 Hz PWM dimming, drove the brand’s growth. Samsung remains the market leader, while Xiaomi saw only 3.4% growth. Honor’s performance underscores its expanding presence beyond smartphones.

Krafton’s BGMI 4.6 update introduces Kiaraa, a new character crafted exclusively for Indian players, debuting on October 8. The update features an India‑themed Diwali bazaar, a boss battle, and a collection of new rewards, including the Kiaraa Nakshatra Set, glider, SCAR‑L, buggy, emote, and machete. Players must locate four lamps shaped like peacocks to summon Kiaraa for the boss fight. Additionally, the first India‑specific Prize Path runs from October 22 to November 15, offering 20 stages of Diwali‑inspired rewards. [...]

Google released a Stephen Curry‑branded Pixel Watch 5, available only in a 45 mm case with LTE connectivity. The edition adds a custom watch face and an upgraded woven sports strap that wicks moisture, stretches, and breathes during workouts. The model carries a $50 premium over the standard 45 mm LTE version. This is the second collaboration between Google and the NBA star, following a similar partnership with Fitbit Air that added a $30 price tag for a comparable sports loop. The [...]

Motorola posted a short video on X on September 18 teasing the Signature 27, the successor to the ultra‑thin flagship launched at CES 2026. The clip shows a moss‑green device and a leather‑like finish, and includes the tagline “Every material. Obsessed.” The post confirms the model name and a reveal date of September 22, 2026, coinciding with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit (September 22‑24). Qualcomm has hinted that the event will feature “Dual 8 Elites,” suggesting a new high‑end Snapdragon chip that would replace the mid‑range [...]

In episode 117 of the Pixelated podcast, hosts Damien and Will examine the release of Android 17 QPR1, highlighting its bug fixes, performance tweaks, and new privacy controls that refine the platform’s stability for both phones and tablets. They also preview Google’s forthcoming initiative to ship Android on laptops, outlining the expected integration of the Play Store, multi‑window support, and hardware certification standards that aim to broaden the OS’s reach beyond mobile devices. The episode promotes the new members‑only Pixelated Pro bonus show, [...]

Samsung has replaced its long‑standing OneDrive integration with Google Photos in the Gallery app. The update, version 15.9.01.7, introduces a “Sync photos and videos” setting that lets users back up selected folders to a personal Google account directly from Gallery. The change coincides with the end of Samsung’s partnership with Microsoft on September 30, and the feature is available only on Android 13+ devices. Users can still disable sync or revert to OneDrive before the deadline.

For the past four to five months, Android Auto users have reported that the cellular signal icon in the status bar intermittently disappears, leaving an empty gap in the interface. The issue, observed across various devices, has been discussed widely on forums such as Reddit. With the rollout of Android Auto version 17.8, several commenters claim the problem is resolved, noting that the icon reappears consistently after the update. One user attributed the fix to clearing the [...]