Following the launch of the Galaxy A16 5G, Samsung has just announced the 4G variant of the phone. Much like the 5G model, this variant is also promised to get 6 major Android OS updates, which means 6 years of software support, basically.

The Samsung Galaxy A16 4G has been announced with major Android OS update promise

The device comes pre-installed with Android 14 out of the box, and Samsung’s One UI skin on top of it, of course. Considering this update promise, the device should be getting updates up to Android 20 in 2029.

In terms of design and specs, this phone is almost identical to the 5G model. It does come with a different SoC, though, as 5G support is not included here. This is a 4G LTE smartphone, which launched in France first.

The device has a flat display, with rather thin bezels, well, all but the bottom one. That ‘chin’ is noticeable thicker than the rest of the phone’s bezels. A notch is also placed on this display.

The power/lock button doubles as a fingerprint scanner, and together with the volume rocker buttons it sits on a protrusion on the right side. For some reason the part where the buttons are sticks out more than the right side of the phone in general. It should make finding the buttons real easy, though.

It has three rear cameras and a 90Hz display

There are three cameras on the back of this phone. They are vertically-aligned in the top-left corner of its back side. The back side of the phone is flat, by the way.

A 6.7-inch fullHD+ Super AMOLED display is used here, with a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone is fueled by the MediaTek Helio G99 processor, and it comes with 4GB of RAM. 128GB of internal storage is also included. Its storage is expandable, by the way.

This phone is IP54 certified for water and dust resistance, while a 5,000mAh battery sits on the inside of the phone. The device supports 25W wired charging, but no wireless charging.

A 50-megapixel main camera is included, along with a 5-megapixel ultrawide camera. A 2-megapixel macro camera also sits on the back. On the front, you’ll find a 13-megapixel selfie shooter.

There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack here, while Bluetooth 5.3 is supported too. The Samsung Galaxy A16 comes in Gray, Midnight Blue, and Water Green color options. The price tag is still unknown.

Amazon finally did it: This week the company announced the Kindle Colorsoft, its first color E Ink e-reader. In this episode, Devindra and Cherlynn discuss where this device sits in a world of cheap tablets, and they dive into the updated Kindle Paperwhite and the writable Kindle Scribe. Also, we’ve got final thoughts on the Meta Quest 3S, the updated iPad Mini and tons of news.

Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you’ve got suggestions or topics you’d like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!

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Topics

• Amazon announces new Kindle Colorsoft, updated Kindle Scribe and Paperwhite – 0:51

• Devindra’s Meta Quest 3S review: impressive VR for a fair price – 38:14

• Apple quietly drops new iPad Minis – 45:25

• Tesla’s Robotaxi event: lots of big promises that will be hard to fulfill – 51:38

• Amazon and Google go nuclear (power) – 54:44

• Android 15 starts to hit Pixel devices – 55:51

• Analogue 3D will give you 4K N64 games, just don’t call it an emulator – 57:14

• Working on – 1:00:48

• Pop culture picks – 1:04:38

Livestream

Credits

Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Cherlynn Low
Producer: Ben Ellman
Music: Dale North and Terrence O’Brien

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Google is planning to ban advertisers from running ads related to the US presidential election after polls close on November 5th. Axios reports that this is the second time Google has decided to ban election ads once polls close, after first implementing the policy during the 2020 election.

Google says it’s reenacting the policy again this year “out of an abundance of caution and to limit the potential for confusion, given the likelihood that votes will continue to be counted after Election Day.”

During the last presidential election in 2020, it took days for President Biden’s win to be confirmed after an influx of postal voting during the pandemic. Google’s policy applies to any US election ads or ads that refer to the US elections that run through its ad platforms like Google Ads, YouTube, Shopping ads, and more.

Meta is also blocking new political ads during the final week of the US election campaign, like it did in 2020. It has also been requiring advertisers to disclose when they use AI or other digital methods to alter ads.

Netflix has shared a glimpse at Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack Sheridan’s (Martin Henderson) dreamy wedding in the new Virgin River season 6 teaser – and I’m now just waiting for my invite in the mail!

Save the dates are already in order as the best streaming service announced that Virgin River season 6 would be released on December, 19, so there isn’t long to wait until the wedding of the year.

While smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 10 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra dominate the wearable tech scene, a new contender is steadily gaining traction: the smart ring. These unobtrusive devices offer a compelling alternative for those seeking a more discreet way to track their health and fitness.

Despite not yet matching the full functionality of their wrist-worn counterparts, smart rings boast an impressive array of features, including activity tracking, sleep monitoring, and even heart rate measurement. Their minimalist design and unparalleled comfort make them an appealing option for individuals who find smartwatches bulky or intrusive.

The smart ring market is burgeoning with exciting options. Let’s delve into some of the leading choices available today.

Oura Ring Gen 3

Best overall smart ring

The Oura Ring Gen 3 is a sophisticated health and wellness tracker disguised as a stylish ring. Worn 24/7, it continuously monitors your body using advanced sensors that captures a wealth of data, including your heart rate, temperature, and movement. This information translates into personalized insights about your sleep, activity levels, and recovery, empowering you to make informed decisions about your health. It can also automatically track over 40 exercises, which is handy when you don’t have a screen to manually start an exercise.

While its sleek design and comfortable fit make it ideal for continuous wear, the actual value lies in the Oura app. Here, the data comes to life, providing detailed sleep stage analysis, personalized activity goals, and guidance on optimizing your recovery. Although it lacks some smartwatch features and requires a membership subscription for full functionality, the Oura Ring Gen 3 is a discreet and powerful tool for those seeking a deeper understanding of their well-being.

The biggest negative about the Oura Ring Gen 3? There’s the aforementioned subscription fee, which isn’t present on some of its competitors. But also, there’s an even bigger reason not to buy the Oura Ring Gen 3 right now: The Oura Ring 4 is slowly making its way onto the market, and it’s sure to be the one to buy. We’ll let you know once we’ve put it through its paces.

The Oura Ring Gen 3 might not be around for much longer due to its successor being around now, and as such, you’re restricted to finding it on third-party stores, rather than from Oura officially. However, it might be worth keeping an eye out for a good discount.

Oura Ring Gen 3

Best overall smart ring

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RingConn Gen 2

Best subscription-free smart ring

The RingConn Gen 2 is a compelling choice for those seeking a discreet and affordable entry into the world of smart rings. This lightweight and stylish ring punches above its weight, offering many features without the burden of a monthly subscription. The lightweight build is one of its strongest features, but don’t forget the six-day battery life, and included charging case, which means you’re not tethered to a cable when you need to recharge.

Despite its budget-friendly price, the RingConn Gen 2 provides comprehensive health data, tracking your sleep stages, heart rate variability (HRV), stress levels, and even SpO2 (blood oxygen) levels. Its standout feature is the ability to monitor for sleep apnea, a serious condition often undiagnosed, making it a valuable tool for those concerned about their sleep health. And with a battery life that lasts for days on a single charge, you can wear it continuously without interruption.

While it may not offer automatic workout detection or the granular fitness metrics of higher-priced competitors, the RingConn Gen 2 excels in its core functionality, providing valuable insights into your sleep quality and overall health. It’s a fantastic option for those seeking a simple, no-frills wearable that prioritizes essential tracking without breaking the bank. With prices starting from $300 and no subscription fee, it’s a tempting choice.

RingConn Gen 2

Best subscription-free smart ring

Ultrahuman Ring Air

Best subscription-free smart ring runner-up

The Ultrahuman Ring Air enters the smart ring arena with a compelling proposition: robust health and fitness tracking without recurring subscription costs. This makes it a tempting alternative to established players like the Oura Ring, but does it dethrone the champion?

In short: No. Our experience with the Ring Air has been mixed. The hardware is undeniably impressive. It’s incredibly comfortable, lightweight, and packed with sensors to capture a wide range of physiological data. However, the accompanying app leaves something to be desired. The interface feels cluttered and needs more of the motivational elements that make other fitness trackers engaging. Those who love pure data though? Well, they’ll have a field day with this app, though even they may need a Google search or two to figure out what some stats mean.

While Ring Air excels at collecting data, it needs to improve at presenting it in a user-friendly manner. The sheer volume of information can be overwhelming, and the insights aren’t always readily apparent. While the fitness tracking features are robust, the inability to personalize goals feels like a missed opportunity.

The Ultrahuman Ring Air is undeniably a bold attempt to disrupt the smart ring market. It’s a scrappy underdog with a unique approach, but it’s not without its shortcomings. Still, it’s another solid choice for a ring without a subscription cost.

Ultrahuman Ring Air

Best subscription-free smart ring runner-up

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Samsung Galaxy Ring

Best smart ring for Samsung phones

Samsung has entered the smart ring arena with the Galaxy Ring, a sleek and stylish device boasting impressive battery life and seamless integration with the Samsung ecosystem. While this first-generation product showcases Samsung’s potential in this burgeoning wearable category, it’s not without its shortcomings.

Crafted from lightweight titanium, the Galaxy Ring offers a comfortable fit and a premium aesthetic. Its four-plus-day battery life surpasses a number of competitors, ensuring uninterrupted tracking. Where the Galaxy Ring truly shines is in its sleep tracking capabilities, providing detailed insights into sleep stages and patterns. This, combined with its seamless integration with Samsung Health, makes it a compelling choice for those already invested in Samsung’s ecosystem.

However, the Galaxy Ring stumbles in key areas. Its activity tracking accuracy falls short of expectations, particularly when compared to more established fitness trackers. Furthermore, the $400 price tag feels steep considering these limitations and the competitive landscape.

Despite these drawbacks, the Galaxy Ring represents a significant step for Samsung. It demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovation in the wearable space and lays the foundation for future iterations. With improvements to activity tracking accuracy and a more competitive price point, subsequent generations of the Galaxy Ring could truly solidify Samsung’s position as a leader in the smart ring market.

Samsung Galaxy Ring

Best smart ring for Samsung phones

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RingConn Gen 1

Best low-cost smart ring

The Oura Ring has long been a leader in the smart ring space, but the premium price and subscription model can be a barrier for some. Enter the RingConn Smart Ring, a first-generation device that aims to deliver similar functionality at a more accessible price point. But can it truly compete with the established giant?

Designed for 24/7 wear, the RingConn prioritizes comfort with its unique “squircle” shape and tapered edges that minimize irritation. An impressive seven-day battery life ensures uninterrupted tracking, further enhancing its wearability. Our in-depth review revealed surprisingly accurate sleep tracking, rivaling the Oura Ring’s data in precision. The RingConn app presents this data clearly, offering valuable insights into sleep stages, activity levels, and vital signs without overwhelming users with complex jargon.

However, the RingConn isn’t without its limitations. Dedicated workout tracking is absent, which may disappoint fitness enthusiasts. Furthermore, we observed some inconsistencies in heart rate variability and blood-oxygen readings, indicating that the sensor technology may not be as refined as that found in higher-priced competitors.

RingConn Gen 1

Best low-cost smart ring

Google Photos is one of the company’s most popular and widely used services. The powerful AI-powered features available in the mobile app have made it even more popular. However, the web version of the service is also highly functional, and it has recently received a convenient new feature. You no longer have to download the Google Drive desktop client to back up folders to your Google Photos account.

For Google Drive users, the desktop client is quite useful. Basically, it allows you to set up an automatic cloud backup system for specific folders. That way, you can be sure that your files will always be backed up to the cloud. This also makes them accessible via the app on mobile devices.

You won’t need a desktop client to automatically backup folders to Google Photos

Now, Google Photos users on desktop computers can use a similar feature, but without downloading any client. If you enable the new Google Photos’ folder backup feature, visiting photos.google.com will trigger an automatic backup of selected folders to your Google Photos account. Of course, you can choose which specific folders you want to back up.

Once you get the feature, the web version of Google Photos will display a pop-up letting you know that it can automatically back up your folders. The pop-up will also show an option to directly select folders from your PC.

If for some reason you miss the pop-up, you can set up the option by clicking on “Upload” > “Back up folders.” Then you just need to choose which folders you want to upload to your account. Finally, you need to “Give Google Photos permission to back up your selected folders.”

Upon activating the folder backup feature, Google Photos will automatically upload the contents of the selected folders to your account each time you access the web version. While the process is less automatic than a desktop client, it is still quite useful. The option is already available for all users of the service.