Andrew Romero is a North Carolina-based journalist specializing in Android and Google news, reviews, and in-depth analysis. With a keen eye for detail honed from his previous career as a CNC machinist, Andrew possesses a unique appreciation for hardware and the intricate engineering behind the technology we use daily.
He brings this passion to his coverage, offering insightful perspectives on the latest devices, software updates, and the evolving Google ecosystem. When he’s not diving into the world of tech, Andrew can be found tackling the trails on his mountain bike, enjoying the natural beauty of his home state of North Carolina alongside his wife.
Andrew is active on Twitter – @chaosromero – but can also be found on Threads – @organizedchaos50.
Emails are open at andrew@9to5mac.com
A couple of changes have been made to the Android wallpaper selector in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, including the addition of a recent photos section and a new “Live effects” category.
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Android 16 has already shown that UI elements are going to get some serious design changes. The Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 targets the sound and vibration menu, and it’s a little louder, visually.
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Samsung’s tenure in Wear OS is still going strong, and that all started with the Galaxy Watch 4 series. With One UI 8 Watch on the horizon, Samsung’s new Wear OS 6 update might be the last one for some models, if they even receive the update at all.
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Even though it feels like Samsung just launched the current version of One UI, One UI 8 is already seemingly around the corner. A new update to the Galaxy S25 sets the phone up to receive Samsung’s next-gen software.
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Waymo’s self-driving taxis are burning in numbers during the ongoing protests in LA. The LAPD says that people are ordering Waymo’s autonomous cars with the intention of setting the EVs on fire.
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YouTube looks to be facing an outage, as down reports spike and the website looks to be operational for some users.
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It appears Samsung is finally going to release an FE version of one of its foldables, and new reports indicate the company has decided on a price. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE edition will reportedly come with high-end specs and will only cost around $750.
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YouTube Premium was never supposed to be the tier that rids the site of ads. Instead, it’s an option offered by Google to users who want a trimmed experience for less money than a full Premium experience costs. In a change to some regions, Google reiterates that YouTube Premium Lite is going to start seeing ads in new spots.
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While fighting the constant battle to keep my office desk clean, I tend to always leave a few favorite devices and accessories on my desk. These bits of tech never leave my direct sight, and have become irreplaceable in my day-to-day use. This is my top tech.
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Samsung has brought back boosted trade-ins for Galaxy devices during a new summer sale event. The company is offering users up to $630 in instant credit and double storage for the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
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OnePlus is bringing the previously Chinese-only variant of its latest device to India in the form of the OnePlus 13s. The device takes on the build of the 13T while bringing small changes.
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To much surprise, the Galaxy Watch 8 is likely to come in a “squircle” design rather than a circle, as most other Galaxy Watches have before it. So, how are we feeling about this new change?
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Minimal has set out to fix a problem. Social media fatigue, doom-scrolling, and endless screen time are side effects of efficient phones, and the Minimal Phone’s entire purpose is to slow you down. It does that, but it also makes you actively hate using your phone.
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The cell network that offers all of the coverage without the extra cost of mainstream cellular services is now making itself a little more enticing. Visible’s best plan now includes network coverage for Android smartwatches, like the Pixel Watch series.
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The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are set to debut soon, and reports indicate that Samsung will launch them at the same price point as the previous generation.
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Samsung says it will start deleting inactive accounts in July if they haven’t been signed into for two years. Once an account is deleted, it’s gone.
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Google Chrome is rolling out a feature that allows users to copy text from scanned PDFs. This has been a long time coming.
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Google is looking into a new bug in the YouTube app that hides a critical element of the app’s UI. The bug hides YouTube’s navigation bar, leaving users with no way to access certain pages.
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Adobe has officially released the new Photoshop mobile app for Android users after promising it in February. The mobile version of Photoshop offers many features that were free during the initial beta period.
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The fitness wearable for dogs is getting an upgrade with AI behavior detection. The Fi Series 3+ cmart collar will give pet owners better insight into what their dog has been doing while providing stronger and faster GPS tracking.
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Samsung is seemingly struggling to find chip buyers for 3nm chipsets due to low yields, as the company enters its third year in production. This comes as Google has shifted to purchasing its upcoming Tensor G5 SoCs from TSMC instead.
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With One UI 8 finally available in its earliest form, Samsung’s foundation has been laid for the next few updates until the final release. This update comes as Android 16 QPR1 launched a week prior, showcasing some of Google’s highly anticipated design changes. So, how do they compare? Let’s dig a little deeper.
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The One UI 8 beta program has officially been announced, giving users a first look at what Samsung plans to bring to devices this year and next. So far, the list of eligible devices is slim, but it’s likely to grow fast.
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One UI 8, based on Android 16, has been officially outlined by Samsung and made available for the Galaxy S25 during the first beta phase. One major update takes aim at Quick Share, which now offers a more enhanced experience.
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