Latest news with #EdgarCervantes
Android Authority
7 hours ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Please, please don't buy an 'AI-optimized' screen protector or phone case
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Call me a Luddite, but my eyes glaze over when a product claims it has an 'AI-optimized' design. Whether it's marketing oversaturation or a growing existential dread as AI threatens to take over both my career and my hobbies, the phrase goes into one ear and out the other as just another buzzword, even though AI is changing the world as I write this. This came back to mind recently after a viral Reddit post showed a screen protector with an 'Optimized for AI' badge on the box. After some investigation, it appears to be a standard tempered glass screen protector from AmazingThing. I guess it's as 'Optimized for AI' as a screen protector can be, since it's just a thin piece of glass. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to questionable AI claims on non-tech products, so join me as we dive into the depths of a new age of marketing slop. AI all the things Nick Fernandez / Android Authority I first noticed this trend last year with phone cases. I typically test cases for our lists, and Spigen was one of the first to slap the AI moniker on its cases. For example, the Spigen Tough Armor (Ai) MagFit case is virtually identical to its predecessor, with a magnet as the most sophisticated component. No terrible AI companion is hiding in there. The listing claims it has 'AI-enhanced XRD Foam placement via LS-DYNA Test,' so I guess the AI is sprinkled in there during the design phase. When looking at the cases side-by-side, I couldn't tell you what is different about the XRD Foam placement, but I certainly hope a trained engineer checked the AI's work before it went into production. Companies have slapped AI badges on everything from phone cases to toothbrushes. There are some products where some level of intervention almost makes sense. Oral-B's Genius X electric toothbrushes use 'AI Brushing Recognition' to tell you when you've missed a spot while brushing your teeth. I feel like this is something my organic brain could handle, but if it keeps nine out of ten robot dentists off my back, I'm willing to give it a shot. Then there are things like Brisk It AI-Powered Grills, which have integrated Wi-Fi and an AI assistant to help you grill to perfection. Personally, fatherhood has given me a new appreciation for staring at a rack of meat in solitude for hours at a time, but if you'd rather stare at temperature readings on your phone, more power to you. But there's one product that I find so egregious that I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. Allow me to introduce you to AI golf clubs. Selling AI Smoke Gallaway These are Callaway's AI-enhanced irons. No, these clubs won't play golf for you, nor do they have an integrated assistant to help you bring down your handicap. Instead, they use AI in the design phase, similar to Spigen's (Ai) cases. The company claims it used AI to analyze swing data of thousands of golfers to find a design that 'promotes maximum distance with tight dispersion into the green.' It calls this technology AI Smart Face, which is fitting because you'd have to be a total dumbass to buy into it. Don't buy into the hype of AI-enhanced products. Also fitting is the name of the product itself — Paradym Ai Smoke Irons. Yes, Callaway's marketing department is literally selling AI smoke to consumers, and it isn't ashamed to admit it. So let this serve as a lesson to all of us: Don't buy into the AI hype for most products. Generative AI is one thing, but when it comes to everything else, from AI-optimized screen protectors to golf clubs, most of it is just smoke.
Android Authority
a day ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Right now you can get Google Fi for 50% off, or as low as $11.50 per line for four users
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Google recently revamped its plans by upgrading its data allotments and a few other changes, including adding a new Essential plan to the mix. I already wrote about how the new changes make Google Fi more competitive than ever. While the new plan was already highly affordable at just $35 a month for one line (or less for multi-line accounts), what if you could get Fi for an additional 50% off? For a limited time, Google Fi is offering its service at half price for the next 18 months. As you'd expect, there are a few limitations and qualifications here: You must be a new customer or have been without service for more than 180 days. You must activate the line within 30 days of redeeming the promotion, and it will expire 18 months after redemption. You must sign up for and stay on either the Unlimited Essentials or the Unlimited Standard plan. You must bring your own device, and if you elect to upgrade, you'll have to pay full price for any new devices. While Google previously offered a very similar deal during the holiday 2024 season, this is the first time they've ran this promo in 2025. The offer expires on June 5, so we recommend acting sooner rather than later. Although it's possible Google could offer this promotion again around the holidays, there's certainly no guarantee here. As for how much you'll play exactly with the discount activated? Essentials starts at $17.50 a month for one line, or as low as $11.50 per month for four lines or more. Standard starts at $25 a month for one line, or as low as $12.50 per month for four lines or more. This is exceptionally cheap for a service that has similar priority to T-Mobile's mid-range or higher plans. In fact, Google Fi is my number one recommendation for those looking for service on T-Mobile's network. Yes, I rate it above T-Mobile's postpaid service. There are several reasons why I recommend it over postpaid service, including its high priority access, its excellent international features, its solid phone promotions, and the incredible value on offer. Be sure to hit up Fi Wireless' official website to sign up for 50% off now or to learn more about Google Fi. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
a day ago
- Business
- Android Authority
No action needed: Gmail now saves you time with automatic email summaries
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR Gmail on smartphones now automatically offers AI-generated summaries for some emails. Google says this applies to situations like long email threads and messages with several replies. The feature is available today for Gmail on Android and iOS. Google has been on a quest to bring generative AI to many of its apps and services, and Gmail is no exception. The company currently offers AI tools like writing assistance and summaries, and it's now making the latter feature more prominent. Google revealed on its Workspace Updates blog that AI-generated summaries will now automatically show at the top of some emails in Gmail for Android and iOS. Previously, you'd need to tap the 'summarize this email' button in the app to generate a summary. These summaries would be displayed in emails where a summary is deemed helpful. The company specifically gives examples like longer email threads or messages with several replies. 'Gemini will synthesize all the key points from the email thread and any replies thereafter will also be a part of the synopsis, keeping all summaries up to date,' Google explains. How often do you use AI features in Gmail? 0 votes All the time! NaN % I use them now and again NaN % I don't use AI in Gmail NaN % Google says this feature is available today in English, although it might take up to 15 days to see it. The company adds that you can still manually trigger AI-generated summaries for emails by tapping the 'summarize this email' button. That's useful if the automatic summary hasn't kicked in for your desired message or thread. These automatic summaries should be helpful for many people, although the scattershot nature of generative AI means you should still check the entirety of more important email threads. Don't care for these summaries? You can disable them by disabling Gemini integration in Gmail, but you do lose out on other Gemini features (e.g. the Gemini chatbot) by doing this. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
a day ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Do any prepaid US carriers offer truly unlimited data? Well, it depends on how you define it
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority A quick glance at all the major prepaid and postpaid mobile service providers makes it clear that almost everyone offers unlimited data nowadays. To make matters even more confusing for the average customer, these plans can range in price from as little as $25 to as much as $100 or more. How can there be such a wide price gap if all these plans offer the same thing? In short, they don't. The truth is that unlimited data means different things to different carriers. With no regulation around the term, providers define it however they want, sometimes stretching it so far that it's unlimited in name only. Are there any truly limitless plans? Not really. Even premium postpaid options often include throttling during congestion or streaming speed caps, though higher-tier plans may get better data priority or the option to bypass some limits. The bottom line: no matter how a plan is advertised, there are always restrictions in the fine print. The term 'truly unlimited' varies depending on who you ask. While some users expect no data caps at all, others look for UHD streaming or top-tier prioritization. A few carriers might allow massive usage before intervening, but even then, limits still exist in practice. To simplify things, I'm going to break unlimited prepaid data plans into four categories: High-priority unlimited data : These plans have no hard data caps and offer mid-tier or better postpaid-level priority. While speeds may slow during congestion, you're still above lower-tier users in the queue. : These plans have no hard data caps and offer mid-tier or better postpaid-level priority. While speeds may slow during congestion, you're still above lower-tier users in the queue. Unlimited with limited high-priority data : You'll get high-priority speeds up to a certain cap (usually 30-60GB), after which you drop to lower-priority access — still unlimited, just slower during busy times. : You'll get high-priority speeds up to a certain cap (usually 30-60GB), after which you drop to lower-priority access — still unlimited, just slower during busy times. Unlimited with no caps but low priority : There's no hard limit, but these plans have reduced priority compared to postpaid, so speeds may drop in crowded areas. Some users still call these 'truly unlimited,' though performance can vary. : There's no hard limit, but these plans have reduced priority compared to postpaid, so speeds may drop in crowded areas. Some users still call these 'truly unlimited,' though performance can vary. Unlimited with caps: These plans typically throttle speeds after hitting a usage threshold (often 20-60GB). They're unlimited in name but behave like large data-limited plans. Major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile each offer one or more postpaid plans that meet the 'truly unlimited' bar above. But can prepaid match that? Let's explore the best prepaid options in each category. These prepaid plans are the closest you'll find to truly unlimited data Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Below are prepaid plans that offer the closest experience to postpaid service, with minimal speed or latency restrictions. While these are typically the most expensive options in the prepaid world, they justify their price with higher network priority, fewer slowdowns, and overall better performance. This makes these plans ideal for those seeking a truly premium prepaid and unlimited experience. That said, each plan has its pros and cons. All are still subject to deprioritization during network congestion, but you'll generally be closer to the front of the line compared to lower-tier unlimited plans. Let's start with plans that offer truly unlimited data alongside high-priority access: Visible Plus — $35/month: Includes truly unlimited high-speed data and unlimited hotspot throttled to speeds of 25GB. There's also a Plus Pro tier for $10 more a month that adds higher priority streaming data and a few other extras like better international perks. — $35/month: Includes truly unlimited high-speed data and unlimited hotspot throttled to speeds of 25GB. There's also a Plus Pro tier for $10 more a month that adds higher priority streaming data and a few other extras like better international perks. AT&T Prepaid Unlimited Max Plus — $65/month: Offers unlimited data at QCI 8 (the same priority used by premium AT&T postpaid users), HD streaming, and 25GB of hotspot data. Upgrade to QCI 7 with the Turbo Upgrade. — $65/month: Offers unlimited data at QCI 8 (the same priority used by premium AT&T postpaid users), HD streaming, and 25GB of hotspot data. Upgrade to QCI 7 with the Turbo Upgrade. T-Mobile Prepaid Unlimited — $50-$60/month: All three T-Mobile prepaid plans offer high-priority data. The main difference is hotspot: 3G speeds on the base plan, 3GB high-speed on the mid-tier, and 10GB on the top tier. All include HD streaming. There's also family discounts, which can bring pricing down further per line. — $50-$60/month: All three T-Mobile prepaid plans offer high-priority data. The main difference is hotspot: 3G speeds on the base plan, 3GB high-speed on the mid-tier, and 10GB on the top tier. All include HD streaming. There's also family discounts, which can bring pricing down further per line. US Mobile Unlimited Premium (Dark Star) — $44/month (currently $35): Unlimited high-priority data on the Dark Star network, with at least 100GB of hotspot before throttling. One of the best value 'truly unlimited' options. There's also a limited-time promotion that brings pricing down to $35 a month on this tier. — $44/month (currently $35): Unlimited high-priority data on the Dark Star network, with at least 100GB of hotspot before throttling. One of the best value 'truly unlimited' options. There's also a limited-time promotion that brings pricing down to $35 a month on this tier. Total Wireless 5G Unlimited & 5G Plus Unlimited — $50-$60/month (as low as $25/line with five lines): Offers Verizon postpaid-level priority, 15GB of hotspot access, international perks, excellent family discounts, and—on the Plus plan—unlimited hotspot and Disney+ Premium (no ads). Note: Streaming is capped at SD resolution. — $50-$60/month (as low as $25/line with five lines): Offers Verizon postpaid-level priority, 15GB of hotspot access, international perks, excellent family discounts, and—on the Plus plan—unlimited hotspot and Disney+ Premium (no ads). Note: Streaming is capped at SD resolution. Cricket Wireless Unlimited Plus — $60/month (as low as $32/line with five lines): Includes unlimited high-speed data on AT&T's network and the same priority as default AT&T mid-tier or higher plans. It also offers Max with Ads, international perks, 15GB of hotspot, and the option to disable HD streaming throttling via customer service. Also includes 150GB of cloud storage. It's important to note that AT&T, T-Mobile, and Cricket also require you to pay taxes and fees in addition to the above pricing. These are the next best, though you have limited priority data Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority One thing you'll notice is that most plans with unlimited higher priority data use Verizon's network, though there are a few exceptions. While unlimited priority data is great, these plans offer the next best thing. These plans give you a set amount of high-priority data before deprioritization, but with no hard data caps: AT&T Prepaid Unlimited Max — $55/month: 50GB of high-priority data, 25GB of hotspot, and HD streaming. — $55/month: 50GB of high-priority data, 25GB of hotspot, and HD streaming. Verizon Unlimited Plus — $60/month (or as low as $44/line for five): 50GB high-priority data and 25GB of hotspot, before dropping to deprioritized speeds. — $60/month (or as low as $44/line for five): 50GB high-priority data and 25GB of hotspot, before dropping to deprioritized speeds. Straight Talk Unlimited Gold & Platinum — $55-$65/month: Gold includes 30GB of hotspot; Platinum is unlimited. Both offer higher data priority and tend to allow very high usage (multiple TBs) before intervention. — $55-$65/month: Gold includes 30GB of hotspot; Platinum is unlimited. Both offer higher data priority and tend to allow very high usage (multiple TBs) before intervention. US Mobile Unlimited Premium (Warp 5G) — $44/month: 100GB of high-priority data, 50GB hotspot, and a free Apple Watch line. Slight differences from the Dark Star version, but just as competitive. These are your best bets for unlimited data with no cap Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority The options below provide unlimited data with no hard caps on usage, but the tradeoff is lower priority levels, meaning speeds can slow significantly during periods of heavy congestion. However, most of these plans cost well under $40 a month, making them far more affordable compared to many of the higher-priority, truly unlimited data plans. These plans can be an excellent value if you live in an area with low network congestion or primarily use Wi-Fi during peak hours. Mint Mobile Unlimited — $25/month (prepay for one year): Runs on T-Mobile. Previously capped at 40GB, now offers truly unlimited lower-priority data. — $25/month (prepay for one year): Runs on T-Mobile. Previously capped at 40GB, now offers truly unlimited lower-priority data. Straight Talk Unlimited Silver — $45/month: Unlimited data with lower priority than Gold/Platinum plans. Cheaper with multi-line or annual payment. — $45/month: Unlimited data with lower priority than Gold/Platinum plans. Cheaper with multi-line or annual payment. Total Base 5G Unlimited — $40/month (or $23/line for five): Unlimited Verizon-based data at low priority. Better value in low-congestion areas. — $40/month (or $23/line for five): Unlimited Verizon-based data at low priority. Better value in low-congestion areas. Visible Basic — $25/month: Unlimited data with no caps, low priority on Verizon's network. Speeds may slow down during congestion. — $25/month: Unlimited data with no caps, low priority on Verizon's network. Speeds may slow down during congestion. Verizon Prepaid Unlimited – $50/month (or $34/line for five): Includes 5GB of hotspot. Low priority. Honestly, for ~$10 more, the Plus plan is significantly better. – $50/month (or $34/line for five): Includes 5GB of hotspot. Low priority. Honestly, for ~$10 more, the Plus plan is significantly better. Cricket Wireless Unlimited — $55/month: Includes unlimited low-priority data. For just $5 more, the Plus version offers more features and higher priority. — $55/month: Includes unlimited low-priority data. For just $5 more, the Plus version offers more features and higher priority. Metro Flex Starter Plus or Flex Unlimited — $40-$70/month: T-Mobile-based and offers three tiers: Starter Plus, Metro Flex Unlimited, and Flex Unlimited Plus. All have unlimited lower-priority data with no caps, and discounts for multi-line setups. There are also family discounts that bring pricing down further. — $40-$70/month: T-Mobile-based and offers three tiers: Starter Plus, Metro Flex Unlimited, and Flex Unlimited Plus. All have unlimited lower-priority data with no caps, and discounts for multi-line setups. There are also family discounts that bring pricing down further. US Mobile Unlimited Premium (Light Speed) — $44/month: Same pricing as other US Mobile plans, but runs on a lower-priority network. Unlimited use, but slower speeds. Are there still any providers that have unlimited data but with caps? Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority If I'd written this a few months ago, there would have been plenty of major carriers fitting into this category. Recently, however, T-Mobile removed data caps from many of its sub-brands like Mint Mobile, and most popular MVNOs on Verizon or AT&T dropped caps long ago. Still, there are notable exceptions: Google Fi Wireless Unlimited — $35-65/month: All Google Fi Unlimited plans come with high-priority data from T-Mobile, but there is actually a firm cap that ranges from 30GB to 100GB. It also recently refreshed its plans, making its proposition more competitive than ever. — $35-65/month: All Google Fi Unlimited plans come with high-priority data from T-Mobile, but there is actually a firm cap that ranges from 30GB to 100GB. It also recently refreshed its plans, making its proposition more competitive than ever. Tello Unlimited — $25/month ($15 for first three months): 35GB cap, then severe throttling. — $25/month ($15 for first three months): 35GB cap, then severe throttling. Xfinity Mobile — $40-$60/month: Typically 30–50GB of data on Verizon's network before speeds slow to 1Mbps or less. Price varies by plan and bundle. — $40-$60/month: Typically 30–50GB of data on Verizon's network before speeds slow to 1Mbps or less. Price varies by plan and bundle. Spectrum Mobile — $40-$60/month: Same network as Xfinity, and very similar data policies as well, with data ranging around the 30-50GB mark with slower speeds thereafter. — $40-$60/month: Same network as Xfinity, and very similar data policies as well, with data ranging around the 30-50GB mark with slower speeds thereafter. Red Pocket Mobile Unlimited Premium / Elite — $40-$50/month: 50GB data caps, 5GB–20GB of hotspot. Cheaper plans offer far less and often misuse the term 'unlimited' pretty blatantly. While smaller providers may also fall into this category, those not listed here are generally less well-known, so always do your research before signing up. No matter what, though, you can expect most capped 'unlimited' plans to provide at least 20GB of high-speed data. Just be aware that some carriers stretch this definition: Red Pocket Mobile's 'Unlimited Essentials' and 'Unlimited Plus' plans, for example, offer just 1GB and 10GB, respectively. Despite attractive pricing ($10 and $20 per month), labeling these as 'unlimited' is misleading for customers. Don't settle for just any Unlimited plan With so many options, picking the right unlimited plan can feel overwhelming. To make things easier, here are the standout prepaid unlimited data plans in three pricing tiers — high, mid, and low. Each offers the best value within its price category based on priority, features, and overall reliability. Best all-around plan : Visible Plus is hard to beat with its low pricing and truly unlimited high-speed data — just be aware that it's a self-serve carrier and all interactions are done online. : Visible Plus is hard to beat with its low pricing and truly unlimited high-speed data — just be aware that it's a self-serve carrier and all interactions are done online. Best carrier-like experience with unlimited data : The Verizon-owned Total offers great family discounts, phone promotions, and a fairly carrier-like service complete with unlimited higher-priority data on select plans. Google Fi is a very close second. If you don't mind a cap of 30-100GB, it offers better promotions and plenty of other extras that make it a better deal as long as you don't need more data than this. : The Verizon-owned Total offers great family discounts, phone promotions, and a fairly carrier-like service complete with unlimited higher-priority data on select plans. Google Fi is a very close second. If you don't mind a cap of 30-100GB, it offers better promotions and plenty of other extras that make it a better deal as long as you don't need more data than this. Best budget pick: Mint is the best budget pick, as its unlimited plan starts as low as $25 a month (paid upfront yearly), and yet you get truly unlimited data. Just be aware it is lower priority and will likely see notable deprioritization during congestion. Of course, there are tons of great options on this list, but the most important thing is to truly do your homework and make sure you know what you are getting with your 'unlimited plan'. Also, consider any extra features a plan might have, including any hidden carrier features that we cover in our guide.
Android Authority
2 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
First look: Google's Phone app is getting a tasty Android 16 redesign (APK teardown)
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR An Android Authority teardown has revealed Material 3 Expressive design tweaks coming to Google's Phone app. The visual tweaks currently apply to the incoming call and in-call menus. This comes after we discovered visual changes coming to several other Google apps as well. Google is working on a visual overhaul of Android 16, using its Material 3 Expressive design. We've already spotted a few Google apps with similar tweaks, and we've now uncovered a major overhaul of Google's Phone app. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. We cracked open the Phone by Google app (version 177.0.763181107-publicbeta-pixel2024) and enabled the app's redesign. The visual tweaks apply to the incoming call and in-call menus. Check out the gallery below for a comparison. New UI New UI New UI New UI New UI Old UI Old UI Old UI Old UI Old UI The redesigned screens reflect the Material 3 Expressive style, featuring much larger contact names and caller photos. The redesigned app mostly eliminates simple circular buttons too in favor of larger, oval-shaped buttons that change shape when pressed. The answer call button still has the same circular icon, though, but the end call button is much larger and pill-shaped. There are several other smaller tweaks too. These include the omitted 'call from' text on the incoming call screen, the phone number being shown after you answer the call, and the redesigned 'more' menu in line with Material 3 Expressive. The Google Phone app also offers a little animation for your incoming caller's profile picture before you answer the call. Check out a slowed-down version of this and other app animations below. These Google Phone tweaks also come after we discovered Material 3 Expressive changes coming to the Google One, Google Meet, and Google TV apps. We expect plenty more Google apps to get visual changes in the coming months. In any event, we're glad to see Google making progress on redesigning its apps. But you won't necessarily need Android 16 to see these overhauled apps, as we're expecting these app redesigns to be available on earlier Android versions too. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
