The AI phones are here, but that doesn’t mean they’ve really arrived. The year’s hottest trend is trickling down to mobile tech, but the results so far are a mixed bag, to say the least. Samsung and Google have a lot of AI tricks on their phones that don’t really amount to much yet, and Apple is scrambling to catch up. AI really could be the start of helpful new ways to interact with our phones! But we’re definitely not there yet. In the meantime, be prepared to hear a lot more about AI on your next phone — and temper your expectations.
Technology
Best phone 2024: the top smartphones to buy right now
A lot of people in the US get their phones through carrier deals, and no judgment here if that’s the route you take — it’s how I bought mine. Just be sure you know what you’re getting into and how many years you’ll need to stay on that Super 5G Everything Unlimited Plus plan to keep the monthly device reimbursements coming.
If you’re looking to spend a little less and still get the best smartphone on a budget, you can find something really good for under $500. For those recommendations, check out our guide to budget smartphones.
The best iPhone for most people
Screen: 6.1-inch, 2556 x 1179 OLED, 60Hz refresh rate / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 main with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not advertised / Charging: 27W wired, 25W wireless MagSafe, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Weather-resistance rating: IP68
From a hardware perspective, the iPhone 16 (or the 16 Plus) is an easy upgrade choice. If you’re switching from an iPhone 13, 12, or even older, those four or five years of incremental performance improvements add up. But there’s something entirely new this time around — well, two things: the Action Button and the Camera Control button.
The customizable Action Button, which replaces the mute switch on the left edge of the phone, is a hand-me-down from the 15 Pro series. You can set it to open a particular app, turn on the flashlight, or almost anything else you might want at the touch of a button. On the other side of the phone is the Camera Control, which you can use to launch the camera app. With the camera open, it acts as a shutter button with a full press, and a light press brings up other exposure options you can adjust. Even if you only ever use it to launch the camera, it’s pretty handy, and it frees up the Action Button.
The iPhone 16 and its larger 16 Plus sibling use Apple’s A18 chipset, which is in the same family as the 16 Pro’s processor. That bodes well for the phones staying on the same software upgrade cycle. They’re both slated to get an update with Apple Intelligence in the fall, which will include AI-powered writing tools and notification summaries in its earliest iteration. But despite the similarities, the regular 16 models lag behind the Pros in two important departments: the screen and the camera.
The Pros come with dedicated 5x lenses and updated main cameras that do a little better in low light. And you’ll only get a ProMotion display on the Pro models; the regular 16 features a slower 60Hz screen. Basically every other high-end phone on the market offers a 120Hz display, so that’s a disappointment. If those two drawbacks don’t bother you — and most people probably won’t mind them — then the iPhone 16 makes for a great upgrade.
The best Android phone for most people
Screen: 6.3-inch, 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.7 main with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 10.5-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 27W wired, 15W wireless (with Pixel Stand 2) / Weather resistance: IP68
The Android ecosystem has been looking for a phone like the Pixel 9 for a while now. It’s straightforward and unfussy, takes reliably good photos, and comes with the polished hardware you’d expect from a high-end phone. It doesn’t have a dedicated telephoto lens, which the similarly priced Galaxy S24 does, but the software is less quirky than Samsung’s, making for a better overall experience.
Outside of zoom capabilities, Google’s Pixel camera is just as reliable as ever. The phone comes with a Tensor G4 chipset that powers AI features aplenty, both inside and outside of the camera app. Some are promising and some are worrying, but there’s nothing here that feels like a true game-changer. Which is fine.
The important thing is that the Pixel 9 has the right stuff where it counts. It’s easy to use, and some of the Pixel series’ persistent problems like poor thermals and buggy software seem to be under control in this generation. The 9 Pro is a worthwhile upgrade if you want that telephoto lens and a slightly nicer screen, but in any case, the Pixel 9 feels like a top-notch device, inside and out.
The best high-end Android phone
Screen: 6.8-inch, 1440p, 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Cameras: 200-megapixel main with OIS; 50-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wireless / Weather resistance: IP68
Samsung’s maximalist S-series Ultra phone sort of exists in its own stratosphere. Where else are you going to find a phone with four rear cameras and a built-in stylus? The S24 Ultra remains an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink phone, and even though it’s every bit as feature-packed as last year’s model, it feels just a little less special than the S23 Ultra did.
The aforementioned Galaxy AI features are here, of course, but they’re nothing to write home about just yet, and they’re available on the S23 series, too. The S24 Ultra’s starting price went up, too — now $1,299 rather than $1,199. And the optical 10x zoom lens is gone, replaced by a 5x zoom with more megapixels and in-sensor cropping to get to 10x. It’s mostly fine, but man, there was something cool about a true 10x zoom on a phone.
All that said, the S24 Ultra can’t be beat if you’re looking for the very best Android phone — cost and size be damned. The 6.8-inch display now comes with anti-glare treatment that does a fantastic job of cutting reflections and keeping the screen comfortable to use outdoors. The phone handles heavy processing tasks without a problem, and the camera system is usually good and occasionally brilliant, especially with 3x portrait mode photos. And there’s an S Pen! Have you ever seen a fancier way to make a to-do list?
Ultra devotees likely won’t have a problem stomaching the price hike this year thanks in no small part to Samsung’s generous trade-in deals. For everyone else, it’s best to think of the S24 Ultra like any other pricey gadget — a beautiful, splurge-worthy device if nothing but the absolute best will make you happy.
The best phone for around $500
$499
Google’s latest midranger touts a whopping seven years of software support and a number of small upgrades, including Google’s speedy Tensor G3 processor, a 120Hz display, and plenty of new AI features. Read our review.
Screen: 6.1-inch, 1080p OLED, 120Hz / Processor: Tensor G3 Cameras: 64-megapixel f/1.89 with OIS; 13-megapixel ultrawide; 13-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,492mAh / Charging: 18W wired, 7.5W wireless / Weather-resistance rating: IP67
It’s hard to beat the Pixel 8A on sheer ROI. For $500, you get a very good budget phone that comes with seven years of OS and security updates; most phones at this price will only see a handful of OS upgrades, if that. The 8A also comes with a good camera that covers the basics. It’s not as fancy as the Pixel 9 or 9 Pro, but it won’t prevent you from capturing that once-in-a-lifetime shot.
The Pixel 8A provides a lot of other things you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a $500 phone, like wireless charging and an IP67 rating for resistance against full water immersion. Of course, you can’t have everything. The 8A’s back panel is matte plastic rather than glass, sadly, and its 6.1-inch 1080p screen isn’t the best in its class (see the OnePlus 12R).
There are other phones available for under $500 worth considering, many of which are covered in our guide to the best inexpensive phones. But if you’re looking for the absolute most value you can get from a $500 phone, then look no further than the 8A.
The best high-end iPhone
$999
The iPhone 16 Pro sports a new 6.3-inch OLED panel with 120Hz refresh, all of which is powered by a new A18 Pro chip. Its triple camera array features a higher-res 48MP sensor for its ultrawide lens, and there’s a new physical Camera Control button for taking pictures and operating the camera app.
Screen: 6.3-inch, 2622 x 1206 OLED, 120Hz refresh rate / Processor: A18 Pro Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.8 with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not advertised / Charging: 27W wired, 25W MagSafe wireless, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Weather-resistance rating: IP68
Like all four iPhone 16 models, the 16 Pro gained the new Camera Control, but it got another important update, too: a 5x telephoto lens. In the 15 series, that longer telephoto lens was reserved for the bigger Pro Max model. This time around, it’s on the smaller Pro, too, making it a great option for someone who wants to upgrade without upsizing their phone.
Like the Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Pro uses an A18 Pro chipset designed to support Apple Intelligence, which will start rolling out in the fall of 2024. The first update will include things like notification summaries and the new glowing-border Siri UI, which Apple centered its launch event on. But don’t expect anything radical — at least at first.
Outside of AI, the 16 Pro is a fairly iterative update. The new Camera Control makes it easier to launch the camera and get right to taking photos, and it also frees up the Action Button if you were using it as a camera shortcut. The screen is a little bigger at 6.3 inches compared to 6.1 inches, even though the phone is basically the same size. You can record 4K video at 120fps now. And the new Photographic Styles, which are available on all iPhone 16 models, let you take more control over your photos than ever.
There’s nothing here that someone with an iPhone 15 Pro should upgrade for, but it’s an all-around solid device that will please Apple devotees, especially those who prefer a phone that isn’t too big.
The best flip phone
Screen: 6.7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED inner screen; 3.4-inch, 720p, OLED cover screen / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.8 main with OIS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 10-megapixel selfie (inner screen) / Battery: 4,000mAh / Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless / Weather resistance: IP48
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 isn’t the most fun flip phone you can buy right now; that would be the 2024 Motorola Razr Plus. But fun only goes so far, and the Z Flip 6 is the more reliable device of the two. When it comes to the device you use day in and day out, reliability counts for a lot.
Motorola’s take on the modern flip phone embraces nostalgia with cute animations and a mode that sends the whole device back to the early 2000s. The Z Flip 6 lacks this kind of charm, but you do get an updated cover screen UI that’s more customizable than the Z Flip 5’s. The Flip 6 also comes with seven years of software updates, which matches the best software policies on the market. The hardware will probably give out long before the software, honestly.
That’s the other side of the flip phone coin: long-term durability is iffy. Sure, the Flip 6 is built to withstand full water immersion, but it still doesn’t have any formal dust resistance. For that reason, it isn’t a phone I would recommend to just anyone.
That said, the Z Flip 6’s outer screen does come in handy. You can do a lot with the prebaked widget options available to use, and if you’re just a little adventurous, you can run any app you want on the little screen. Starting a Strava workout or sending a quick text is a cinch, which is a big part of the appeal of a flip phone. Just, you know, keep this phone away from the beach.
The best folding phone
Screen: 8.0-inch, 2076p, 120Hz OLED inner screen; 6.3-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED cover screen / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 main with OIS; 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 10.5-megapixel ultrawide; 10-megapixel selfie (cover screen); 10-megapixel inner selfie camera / Battery: 4,650mAh / Charging: 21W wired, 7.5W wireless / Weather resistance: IPX8
It’s hard to convey just how nice the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is to use. It’s the first book-style folding phone that fully delivers on the promise of a foldable: it’s a tablet when you need it and a regular phone when you don’t.
Samsung’s Z Fold series feels a little too narrow and cramped in its closed configuration, and the original Pixel Fold was too bulky and heavy to use comfortably. The 9 Pro Fold is lighter, and using its 6.3-inch outer screen feels basically like using a normal phone, which is a big win.
That’s really the theme of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold: it just feels normal. But there are a couple of decidedly not-normal things to consider: price and durability. The 9 Pro Fold costs $1,799 — basically the going rate for a book-style foldable but still a lot of money for a phone.
And long-term durability is unclear, especially given that this is only Google’s second folding phone. It’s rated to withstand full water immersion, but as with any foldable, dust is a concern, so you’ll want to take a little extra care with this device. All that said, someone with the stomach (and wallet) for the 9 Pro Fold will find it a very rewarding device.
The best phone for something completely different
Screen: 6.7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 / Cameras: 50-megapixel F/1.9 main with OIS; 50-megapixel ultrawide; 32-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,700mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wireless / Weather resistance: IP54
The Nothing Phone 2 isn’t for everyone, but for the right kind of person, it’s a very good alternative to the Galaxies and Pixels of the world. It’s a style-driven device, from the dot-matrix-inspired UI to the flashing light strips on the back panel. Will its unique hardware and software features help you take back your attention span as Nothing claims? Eh, probably not. Mostly, it’s just a cool-looking gadget and a thoughtfully designed device.
The Phone 2 is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, which is a slightly older but still very capable processor. Its 6.7-inch, 1080p screen supports a fast 120Hz top refresh rate, and its lowest 1Hz refresh rate allows it to offer an information-rich always-on display. The camera system is good, though not quite as consistent as the Pixel 7’s. There’s wireless charging, fast 45W wired charging, and an all-day battery.
That’s all of the good news. The bad news is that it’s only rated IP54, meaning it’s not fully dustproof, and it’s only resistant to splashes rather than full immersion in water. Most other phones at this price offer a full IP68 rating, and a couple of cheaper midrange phones, like the Pixel 8A, still include IP67 water resistance. The Phone 2 also lacks official support for Verizon’s network, which rules it out for a lot of people in the US.
There’s the Glyph Interface, too — those lights on the back of the phone. It’s a neat idea with some interesting applications if you invest a little time in tweaking it. You can flip it over to silence notifications when you need some time to focus and handpick certain “essential” alerts to light up the Glyph. Personally, I find it less helpful than a traditional focus mode or even the Phone 2’s always-on display. But others might find it useful, and if nothing else, it looks neat.
The Phone 2 isn’t the best choice for sheer value — the Pixel 8A is a much better deal. It’s not the best choice for someone who just wants a phone to get them through their day with minimal hassle. But it’s undeniably different, and if you’re looking for something outside of the ordinary with a certain visual appeal, then it’s a worthy candidate.
Other good phones
- The Samsung Galaxy S24 is a little fussier to use than our overall pick for the best Android phone, but it’s still a solid performer and includes a telephoto lens, which very few of the “basic” flagships do. At this point, it’s also the smallest high-end phone you can buy in the US, if that’s your thing. (It’s my thing.)
- The 2024 Motorola Razr Plus is a delightful flip phone with tons of nostalgic vibes, with a big cover screen that’s handy for accessing quick tasks without opening the phone. But Motorola’s track record for timely software updates isn’t great, making it hard to fully recommend the Razr Plus.
Update, October 23rd: Adjusted pricing.
Technology
‘It’s not as simple as real image and fake image’: Qualcomm weighs in on AI photo editing debate
I felt like I opened a can of worms when I asked Samsung about its stance on AI photo editing at Galaxy Unpacked back in January. “There is no such thing as a real picture,” Patrick Chomet, Samsung’s Head of Customer Experience, told me at the time – a nihilism-tinged soundbite that, in fairness, came as part of a nuanced and perfectly valid philosophical commentary on the nature of photography (in the same interview, Chomet rightly talked up the importance of validating authenticity).
Marques Brownlee recently included Chomet’s quote in an X post highlighting the differing opinions of Samsung, Apple, and Google on this very subject. Still, ultimately, all of the major phone manufacturers are offering similar editing features (Magic Eraser, Clean Up, AI Eraser, and so on).
Qualcomm, for its part, acknowledges that AI photo editing is an exciting new frontier but also one fraught with awkward ethical implications. During a roundtable interview at Snapdragon Summit, the company’s Mobile Handset SVP, Chris Patrick, explained why he believes that AI photo editing “is not as simple as a real image and fake image.”
LOL “What is a photo?”Samsung: “Actually, there is no such thing as a real picture”Google: “authentic to your memory and to the greater context, but maybe isn’t authentic to a particular millisecond”Apple: “a personal celebration of something that really, actually happened” https://t.co/mwy3Yb9KaYSeptember 23, 2024
“It’s an interesting question, because the human brain is not digital,” the former engineer explained. “When you perceive the sunset outside, you don’t perceive the sunset absent of context. You know where you are. You know what you’re smelling. You know what you’re hearing, You know what you’re feeling. You know what a sunset looks like, right? All of that is part of how you perceive the space.”
“So then, when we capture an image, should it just be the raw response from the sensor? Or is it right to include context in how that picture is created? I’m not an expert. I don’t have a PhD in this topic, but I do think it’s not as simple as a real image and fake image. I think context matters, and extracting the very best we can from the whole situation is an accurate reflection of what the eye and the brain do as well.”
“[However],” Patrick continued, “if there’s a picture of Rui [Guo, Honor CMO, also in attendance at the roundtable] and I on the moon, it should be very clear that that is not, in fact, a picture of Rui and I on the moon. That’s not correct – that’s manipulated.
“So, for us, it’s very clear that there has to be some mechanism to distinguish the other extreme – those manipulated images – for people. We’re building incredible technology together but we want to make sure that, in the end, it does not have a destructive impact, where people can no longer tell the difference between truth and fiction.”
More AI is on the way
Honor CMO Rui Guo also attended the Snapdragon Summit roundtable, having just announced that the Honor Magic 7 Pro – slated for release in Europe next year – will launch with the industry’s first on-device generative AI portrait enhancement. So, is the company using AI to make portraits appear better than they actually are? Or is the aim to mimic real-life details that Honor’s hardware can’t capture on its own?
“On the one hand,” Guo explained, “we have to make sure that the photo itself is good by modern consumer standards. Everyone knows what [constitutes] a good and bad photo. But on the other hand, we definitely want to retain the authenticity of the photo. We’re not trying to Photoshop the photo for the consumer, right? We should give the authority to the users at end of the day.”
And that, I think, is the crux of the matter. Tools like Magic Eraser and Clean Up become ethically dubious when users – or, more worryingly, politicians – attempt to pass tampered images off as real, but as a means of occasionally removing strangers from family vacation photos, AI photo editing is, for many people, undeniably useful.
Neither Qualcomm nor Honor is forcing these tools onto their consumers – if you want to take a photo in the same way as you always have done, you still can. Rather, companies are giving users the freedom to choose how to capture moments that matter to them. Sure, it’s a can of worms, but as Qualcomm’s Chris Patrick noted, “it’s not as simple as real image and fake image.”
You might also like
Technology
Google doubles down on AI that talks in an Indian tongue- The Week
GenAI is plain vanilla, if you ask the folks at Google India. As the tech behemoth rolled out its ambitious ‘Google for India’ repertoire for their biggest and fastest growing market, there was one familar focus area where further announcements predictably came – Google’s onboarding of Indian languages as a digital tool. And, of course, artificial intelligence (AI) and lots of it.
Well in verse with the parent company’s efforts to take the pole position in AI advancements and grab the thunder back from that petulant upstart called OpenAI is evidently a dream up there on Mountain View (where Google’s global HQ is), and the trickle down effect was well evident in many of the announcements in India on Thursday – Google’s Gemini AI can now go ‘Live’, with real time conversation by adapting to the user. The ‘Gemini Live’ feature is available in 8 Indian languages, besides English.
Google’s next-generation AI project called Astra is at the core of it, and while it is awaited, the slow rollout of its features, the company hopes, will be transformational. For now, there is already AI Overviews expected in Telugu, Tamil, Bengali and Marathi in the coming days, while ‘ask with video’ feature in Search also debuted, starting with English.
With image-based search on Maps, Gemini summarising Google reviews to save time, real-time weather and traffic updates on Maps, Google’s attempt is to make AI work for daily chores, beside the focus on Indian languages to take its tech evangelism to the hinterland.
Another path-breaking endeavour has been in the field of healthcare. Not only is the company tying up with the government’s Ayushman Bharat project to roll out the issuance of the ABHA health ID through Google wallets soon, its iCALL feature whereby a user can call and speak to a health professional live has been expanded to more vernacular languages. And perhaps incredibly, its AI tools are now evolved enough to detect eye issues, TB and even cancer. For instance, TB could apparently be detected through just an audio sample analysis of a person’s sound!
Google also announced a spate of partnerships, right from Adani and CleanMax (for clean energy projects) to Muthoot (for online loan-against-gold) to Glance (skilling).
Technology
Early Black Friday smartwatch deals 2024: Apple, Samsung, Garmin
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best periods to snag yourself a new smartwatch, especially if you’ve been waiting a while before upgrading. While the actual sales day might be a little while off, there are already a lot of great early Black Friday deals that you can take advantage of, including on some of the best smartwatches on the market. To that end, we’ve collected some of our favorite early deals for you below, although it’s also worth keeping an eye on our larger smartwatch deals roundup as well.
Garmin Forerunner 55 — $170 $220 15% off
While most smartwatches focus on the smartwatch part, the Garmin Forerunner 55 is made for runners who want to keep track of their overall fitness and their runs. It comes with GPS tracking in the three major systems, has a whole suite of sensors such as heart rate and Vo2 Max, and comes with a very solid $30 discount off the $200 price tag.
Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic — $270 $400 33% off
The Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic is easily one of the best Android phones on the market. In fact, when our senior mobile writer Andy Boxall got his hands on it, he felt that “the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic has superb styling, all-day comfort, comprehensive health tracking, and more. It’s the smartwatch to buy for your Android phone.” Even better, this deal lets you snag it for a substantial 33% discount.
Apple Watch Series 9 — $329 $429 23% off
For those who are in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch Series 9 is probably one of the best and most affordable options, even more so with this impressive $100 discount. The conclusion our senior mobile writer came to when reviewing it was “The Apple Watch Series 9’s 24/7 comfort, extensive features, fast performance, and seamless integration with the iPhone make it a must-buy.”
Garmin Venu 3S GPS — $400 $450 11% off
If you’re just as interested in tracking your fitness as having a smartwatch, the Garmin Venu 3S GPS does a great job of balancing both, and since it comes from Garmin, you know that fitness tracking is top notch. Between the GPS coverage, Sleep Coach and Body Battery, you’ll have all the stats you need to refine your fitness journey, plus the $50 discount isn’t too bad either!
Apple Watch Ultra 2 GPS + Cellular — $680 $799 15% off
If you’re in the Apple ecosystem and truly want the best experience money can buy, then you’ll want this Apple Watch Ultra 2 GPS deal that knocks $119 off the price tag. Our senior mobile reviewer feels that it has “an outstanding design, great software, and some very welcome upgrades, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is tough to beat.”
How to Choose a Smartwatch Deal on Black Friday
There are a lot of options out there for smartwatches, but for the most part, there are generally three big players on the market: Apple, Samsung, and Garmin. Apple Watches are made specifically for the Apple ecosystem, and if you’re in it, then you’ll want to go with one of those, with your main options being the Watch Series 9 for a good budget-friendly option, the Ultra Watch 2 for the best, and the Series 10 for something in the middle. We actually have a great breakdown of the Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Ultra 2, so be sure to check that out before taking the plunge.
On the other hand, Samsung is the go-to smartwatch maker for Android, and it generally has two options every generation: a standard model and a pro or classic model with a bezel that you can turn to control the watch. Samsung does have a high-end option in the form of the Galaxy Watch Ultra, but it borrows, almost to a comical extent, from the Apple Watch Ultra.
Finally, Garmin is the brand you go for if you want something more about fitness tracking than a smartwatch. It has a wide range of products, but the Forerunner lineup is great for runners, while the Venu is a great option for those who want a good balance between smartwatch and fitness tracker.
How We Chose These Smartwatch Black Friday Deals
With many decades of combined experience as reviewers and deal hunters, we have a very good sense of what watches offer the best offers and prices. Of course, we don’t just rely on our own instincts, but we also put in a lot of legwork to make sure you’re getting the best deals you can for any single smartwatch we put up here. We also have our own set of tools that we can fall back on to look at things such as historical pricing. When you put all that together, you get suggestions that offer you the best bang for your buck so that you can buy with confidence.
Technology
Motorola Razr 2024 lineup getting Circle to Search by surprise
Circle to Search is one of the most potentially useful AI-powered tools Google has developed for mobile devices. Currently, the feature is available on select smartphone models from some manufacturers. However, the expansion of Circle to Search continues, now reaching the Motorola Razr 2024 lineup.
This year, Motorola introduced the Razr Plus 2024 and Razr 2024, a pair of clamshell-designed and competitively priced foldable smartphones, with the aim of reaching the mass market. Perhaps these devices are among the reasons why sales of Galaxy foldable smartphones were below Samsung’s expectations this year. In any case, Motorola’s latest foldable phones are now equipped with Circle to Search, enhancing their functionality.
Motorola’s 2024 Razr foldable phones now support Circle to Search
Interestingly, it seems that Motorola is enabling Circle to Search via a security update for the Razr 2024 series. According to Android Central, the update’s changelog doesn’t mention anything beyond the usual bug fixes and performance optimizations. However, after installing the update, Circle to Search is available on both devices. The firmware is 1.05GB in size on the Razr Plus but just under 1GB on the Razr 2024.
Circle to Search is a quick way to trigger searches related to anything you see on your screen. After invoking it, you just need to circle or draw on an item on the screen. Then, you’ll immediately receive results related to the item. For instance, if you spot a pair of shoes that pique your interest, you can utilize Circle to Search to get the shoe’s model, price, and availability, among other details.
Circle to Search is actually a way to significantly speed up Google Lens searches. For instance, without this feature, a user on a phone would have to take a screenshot, share it with Lens, and then crop the image around the shoes. However, you can access all of Lens’s features from Circle to Search.
The feature is expanding at a slow pace
Initially, the option was only available on select Pixel and Galaxy phones. Later, brands like Xiaomi and Honor announced its availability on some models. Now Motorola is jumping on the bandwagon by rolling out Circle to Search practically by surprise. Although the brand had already announced that it would bring it to its devices, it has not even mentioned it in the changelog of the update that includes it.
Technology
Roblox to launch new child safety protocols next month
Roblox has adopted several new policies designed to give parents control over how their children use the sprawling online game platform. reported that the company has created a new type of parental account so that a guardian can oversee their kids’ online activities and friends. Roblox is also now requiring parent permission for users under age 13 to access certain features. Users age 9 and younger will also need permission in order to access game modes with moderate violence or crude humor. The publication said these changes are slated to go into effect next month.
Concerns about safety for young players have been a recurring issue for Roblox. The platform faced a claiming exploitation of a minor in 2022. was reluctant to host the game on its hardware over questions of whether Roblox exposed children to inappropriate sexual content, and the same justification led to a earlier this year. Hindenburg Research recently released an about predatory behavior as well as misleading financial activity at Roblox (although that source has a shaky reputation of its own). An investigation by Bloomberg Businessweek found that at least two dozen people have been arrested by US law enforcement since 2018 for abusing or abducting child victims they met on Roblox.
Technology
Beleaguered startup Humane drops Ai Pin price by $200
Humane on Wednesday announced a $200 price cut to its flagship product, the Ai Pin. The Bay Area startup, founded by two former Apple executives, has reportedly struggled to sell the product, which launched in April for $700.
In a message sent to its email list, Humane highlights its return policy in the new pitch. “Ai Pin starts at $499 and includes your first month of Humane Plan on us,” the company writes. “Along with a 90-day return window, it’s completely risk-free to try.”
The device was poorly received by reviewers. By August, returns of the Ai Pin had reportedly begun to outpace sales, leaving some 7,000 to 8,000 devices in the hands of users.
The company reportedly began exploring a sale in May, amid poor reviews and poorer sales.
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
Hyperelastic gel is one of the stretchiest materials known to science
-
Technology4 weeks ago
Is sharing your smartphone PIN part of a healthy relationship?
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
‘Running of the bulls’ festival crowds move like charged particles
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
Maxwell’s demon charges quantum batteries inside of a quantum computer
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
How to unsnarl a tangle of threads, according to physics
-
Science & Environment4 weeks ago
X-rays reveal half-billion-year-old insect ancestor
-
Technology1 month ago
Would-be reality TV contestants ‘not looking real’
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
Sunlight-trapping device can generate temperatures over 1000°C
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
Liquid crystals could improve quantum communication devices
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
Quantum ‘supersolid’ matter stirred using magnets
-
Technology3 weeks ago
Ukraine is using AI to manage the removal of Russian landmines
-
Womens Workouts1 month ago
3 Day Full Body Women’s Dumbbell Only Workout
-
TV3 weeks ago
সারাদেশে দিনব্যাপী বৃষ্টির পূর্বাভাস; সমুদ্রবন্দরে ৩ নম্বর সংকেত | Weather Today | Jamuna TV
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
Laser helps turn an electron into a coil of mass and charge
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
Why this is a golden age for life to thrive across the universe
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
A new kind of experiment at the Large Hadron Collider could unravel quantum reality
-
News3 weeks ago
Massive blasts in Beirut after renewed Israeli air strikes
-
Football3 weeks ago
Rangers & Celtic ready for first SWPL derby showdown
-
News3 weeks ago
▶ Hamas Spent $1B on Tunnels Instead of Investing in a Future for Gaza’s People
-
News3 weeks ago
Navigating the News Void: Opportunities for Revitalization
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
Quantum forces used to automatically assemble tiny device
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
A slight curve helps rocks make the biggest splash
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
Nerve fibres in the brain could generate quantum entanglement
-
Technology3 weeks ago
Samsung Passkeys will work with Samsung’s smart home devices
-
Business3 weeks ago
When to tip and when not to tip
-
Technology3 weeks ago
Microphone made of atom-thick graphene could be used in smartphones
-
MMA2 weeks ago
‘Uncrowned queen’ Kayla Harrison tastes blood, wants UFC title run
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
How to wrap your mind around the real multiverse
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
ITER: Is the world’s biggest fusion experiment dead after new delay to 2035?
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
Nuclear fusion experiment overcomes two key operating hurdles
-
News1 month ago
▶️ Hamas in the West Bank: Rising Support and Deadly Attacks You Might Not Know About
-
MMA3 weeks ago
Julianna Peña trashes Raquel Pennington’s behavior as champ
-
Business3 weeks ago
DoJ accuses Donald Trump of ‘private criminal effort’ to overturn 2020 election
-
MMA3 weeks ago
Pereira vs. Rountree prediction: Champ chases legend status
-
Sport3 weeks ago
Wales fall to second loss of WXV against Italy
-
Sport3 weeks ago
Man City ask for Premier League season to be DELAYED as Pep Guardiola escalates fixture pile-up row
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
Physicists have worked out how to melt any material
-
News1 month ago
▶️ Media Bias: How They Spin Attack on Hezbollah and Ignore the Reality
-
Technology1 month ago
Meta has a major opportunity to win the AI hardware race
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
Time travel sci-fi novel is a rip-roaringly good thought experiment
-
Technology4 weeks ago
Why Machines Learn: A clever primer makes sense of what makes AI possible
-
Technology3 weeks ago
This AI video generator can melt, crush, blow up, or turn anything into cake
-
MMA3 weeks ago
Dana White’s Contender Series 74 recap, analysis, winner grades
-
Technology3 weeks ago
Musk faces SEC questions over X takeover
-
News3 weeks ago
Family plans to honor hurricane victim using logs from fallen tree that killed him
-
Sport3 weeks ago
Boxing: World champion Nick Ball set for Liverpool homecoming against Ronny Rios
-
News1 month ago
the pick of new debut fiction
-
News1 month ago
Our millionaire neighbour blocks us from using public footpath & screams at us in street.. it’s like living in a WARZONE – WordupNews
-
News3 weeks ago
‘Blacks for Trump’ and Pennsylvania progressives play for undecided voters
-
Technology3 weeks ago
The best budget robot vacuums for 2024
-
Sport3 weeks ago
World’s sexiest referee Claudia Romani shows off incredible figure in animal print bikini on South Beach
-
MMA3 weeks ago
Pereira vs. Rountree preview show live stream
-
Business3 weeks ago
Sterling slides after Bailey says BoE could be ‘a bit more aggressive’ on rates
-
Technology3 weeks ago
Microsoft just dropped Drasi, and it could change how we handle big data
-
Sport3 weeks ago
China Open: Carlos Alcaraz recovers to beat Jannik Sinner in dramatic final
-
News3 weeks ago
German Car Company Declares Bankruptcy – 200 Employees Lose Their Jobs
-
Sport3 weeks ago
Sturm Graz: How Austrians ended Red Bull’s title dominance
-
MMA3 weeks ago
UFC 307 preview show: Will Alex Pereira’s wild ride continue, or does Khalil Rountree shock the world?
-
TV3 weeks ago
Love Island star sparks feud rumours as one Islander is missing from glam girls’ night
-
Sport3 weeks ago
Coco Gauff stages superb comeback to reach China Open final
-
Entertainment3 weeks ago
New documentary explores actor Christopher Reeve’s life and legacy
-
Business3 weeks ago
Bank of England warns of ‘future stress’ from hedge fund bets against US Treasuries
-
Business3 weeks ago
Chancellor Rachel Reeves says she needs to raise £20bn. How might she do it?
-
Technology3 weeks ago
Texas is suing TikTok for allegedly violating its new child privacy law
-
Money3 weeks ago
Wetherspoons issues update on closures – see the full list of five still at risk and 26 gone for good
-
Technology3 weeks ago
The best shows on Max (formerly HBO Max) right now
-
News3 weeks ago
Heavy strikes shake Beirut as Israel expands Lebanon campaign
-
MMA3 weeks ago
Alex Pereira faces ‘trap game’ vs. Khalil Rountree
-
Technology3 weeks ago
J.B. Hunt and UP.Labs launch venture lab to build logistics startups
-
TV3 weeks ago
Phillip Schofield accidentally sets his camp on FIRE after using emergency radio to Channel 5 crew
-
Technology3 weeks ago
Gmail gets redesigned summary cards with more data & features
-
News3 weeks ago
Woman who died of cancer ‘was misdiagnosed on phone call with GP’
-
News3 weeks ago
Heartbreaking end to search as body of influencer, 27, found after yacht party shipwreck on ‘Devil’s Throat’ coastline
-
Business3 weeks ago
Head of UK Competition Appeal Tribunal to step down after rebuke for serious misconduct
-
Business3 weeks ago
The search for Japan’s ‘lost’ art
-
Business3 weeks ago
Stark difference in UK and Ireland’s budgets
-
Sport3 weeks ago
Aaron Ramsdale: Southampton goalkeeper left Arsenal for more game time
-
MMA3 weeks ago
Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison pick, start time, odds: UFC 307
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
Physicists are grappling with their own reproducibility crisis
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Markets watch for dangers of further escalation
-
Football3 weeks ago
Simo Valakari: New St Johnstone boss says Scotland special in his heart
-
News3 weeks ago
Hull KR 10-8 Warrington Wolves – Robins reach first Super League Grand Final
-
Technology3 weeks ago
How to disable Google Assistant on your Pixel Watch 3
-
Entertainment3 weeks ago
“Golden owl” treasure hunt launched decades ago may finally have been solved
-
Technology3 weeks ago
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney renews blast at ‘gatekeeper’ platform owners
-
Football3 weeks ago
Why does Prince William support Aston Villa?
-
Travel3 weeks ago
I transformed into Plague Doctor for horrors that awaited me at London Dungeon… I was still shaking by the end – The Sun
-
Technology3 weeks ago
Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S24+
-
TV3 weeks ago
Maayavi (මායාවී) | Episode 23 | 02nd October 2024 | Sirasa TV
-
Technology3 weeks ago
Popular financial newsletter claims Roblox enables child sexual abuse
-
Technology3 weeks ago
OpenAI secured more billions, but there’s still capital left for other startups
-
Health & fitness3 weeks ago
NHS surgeon who couldn’t find his scalpel cut patient’s chest open with the penknife he used to slice up his lunch
-
Money3 weeks ago
Pub selling Britain’s ‘CHEAPEST’ pints for just £2.60 – but you’ll have to follow super-strict rules to get in
-
MMA3 weeks ago
‘I was fighting on automatic pilot’ at UFC 306
-
News3 weeks ago
Balancing India and China Is the Challenge for Sri Lanka’s Dissanayake
-
Science & Environment1 month ago
A tale of two mysteries: ghostly neutrinos and the proton decay puzzle
-
Business4 weeks ago
Eurosceptic Andrej Babiš eyes return to power in Czech Republic
-
Technology4 weeks ago
University examiners fail to spot ChatGPT answers in real-world test
-
Sport1 month ago
Joshua vs Dubois: Chris Eubank Jr says ‘AJ’ could beat Tyson Fury and any other heavyweight in the world
-
News1 month ago
The Project Censored Newsletter – May 2024
You must be logged in to post a comment Login