Latest news with #RyanHaines
Android Authority
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
I spent a week editing all my Reels in Instagram's new app, was it worth it?
Ryan Haines / Android Authority I've never been a big Reels guy on Instagram. Sure, I'll spend far too long scrolling through them here and there, but I rarely try my hand at making one. After all, as a photographer for my local run club, it's easier to string together a slider of photos when I want to post something because I don't know the first thing about video editing. But then, Instagram came up with a solution. It launched an all-in-one Reels command center, combining tabs for inspiration, editing, and in-app video recording, along with a way to check the views and interactions for your Reels once they're posted. And, since I've always heard that Reels get more engagement than photos, I decided to try it out. Here's how my week with Instagram's Edits app went. Edits, Edits, and more Edits Ryan Haines / Android Authority Going into my Edits adventure, I decided I wanted to give every last aspect of the app its fair shake. That meant working my way across the tabs, starting with some inspiration, leaving some notes — Edits calls them Stickies — as I came up with ideas, and then ultimately working through a couple of Reels once I felt somewhat comfortable with the process. At first, that plan went brilliantly. Everything that Edits does in terms of exposing you to other Reels and giving you access to trending audio is excellent. It automatically draws in the content you've saved on Instagram, as well as a scrollable feed of the accounts that you follow and a tab marked Inspiration that's kind of like your For You page, just with a little less control. For me, the Following tab proved the most helpful, as it gave me Reels from accounts that I already care about, which made me more willing to copy their formatting and pinch their audio. I'm so glad Edits pulls all the reels I've already saved into one convenient — if chaotic — place. So, that's what I did. I scrolled through perhaps a few too many working minutes' worth of inspiration until I found something that spoke to me. As it turned out, it wasn't a format that caught my eye or ear. Instead, what drew me in was a two-minute clip from Kermit the Frog's recent commencement speech at the University of Maryland. In it, he talks about how life isn't a solo act but an ensemble piece surrounded by the people you care about. To me, it felt like he was referring to the run club that I'm a part of every Thursday, a group that's given me many of my closest friends. So, I took about the first minute of his speech and put it into a slideshow of my most recent running photos. Is it glamorous? No, not really, but it struck a sentimental chord, and that was good enough for me. I'll also readily admit that was the only Reel I worked through from start to finish during my week with Edits. Although I recorded a few clips here and there with the app's built-in capture tab, I had a tougher time with the video editing learning curve than I expected. The fact that Edits simply sticks you with a row of buttons for Audio, Text, Voice, Captions, Overlay, Sound FX, and more, and then expects you to know what to do is, well, overwhelming. I picked up on the fact that I'd have to split my audio clip to make it line up with the photos I'd chosen, but then I also quickly realized I'd have to cut the length of each photo individually to get a good match. It's almost like Edits is missing something very important… Oh, right, because it is. As I quickly learned, there's no way to access templates in Instagram's brand-new Edits app. They just don't exist. You can get inspiration and pull audio, but don't try inserting your clips into an existing format — it's too confusing. You know where you can create Reels from templates, though? Instagram itself. For all the sense it makes, Instagram might be a more beginner-friendly way to make Reels than the dedicated way to make Reels. I dunno, man. I'm still no Reels pro, but I'm getting better Ryan Haines / Android Authority Although I went into my week with Edits thinking I'd become a super-confident, Reel-making expert, I can now report that's not the case. I feel fine about the process, but there's no good way to cheat the learning curve, as it were. However, I also know that making Reels in Edits is only part of the attraction. Just as important is the rest of the data it gives you on what you post, as well as the inspiration that I found so helpful. I think Edits does a pretty solid job on the analytics front, too. It gives you insights into each Reel you post, breaking down everything from the skip rate to the like rate, as well as the average watch time, and then presents a larger view of your total Reels viewcount, the number of accounts you reach, and how many followers you've gained over the last 30 days. If you want to get a little nerdy or try to boost your Instagram presence, it's probably the most convenient way to do so. Instagram's Edits app is a great tool, but you can't cheat the learning curve. No matter how I feel about the analytics or the lack of easily editable templates, though, I have to say that I like the motivation behind Edits. If you already have the basics of video editing and want a quick, Instagram-molded way to chop up a Reel, it's excellent. To some people, the row of buttons and the filmstrip-like editing timeline will be second nature, and they already intimidate me less than they did just a few days ago. I'm still nowhere near the creativity or level of video inspiration of some of my colleagues here at Android Authority, but I do have a greater respect for the thought and care that goes into something as simple as a one-minute video that a 14-year-old is going to breeze right past on his very first iPhone.
Android Authority
21 hours ago
- Business
- Android Authority
2025's best-selling Android phone just got even better with the One UI 7 update
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR The Galaxy A16 5G has started getting the One UI 7 update based on Android 15. It is the best-selling Android phone of this year so far. The One UI 7 update for the Galaxy A16 5G reportedly fixes the UI and navigation lags users experienced on One UI 6.1. One of Samsung's cheapest Galaxy phones was recently crowned as the best-selling Android phone of 2025 so far by Counterpoint Research. We're talking about the Galaxy A16 5G — a phone that sells for just $199 and is one of the best budget Android phones you can buy right now. For all of you who have already fought the Galaxy A16 5G, the good news is that the phone is now starting to get the One UI 7 update. Users in multiple countries are reporting that their Galaxy A16 5G has received the One UI 7 update. Tipster Tarun Vats reported that the update has landed in India, while a Redditor in the Philippines also received it. It looks like updates are still pending for the Galaxy A16 models in the US and Europe for now, but given that the rollout has started, it shouldn't be too long before those devices also get it. The One UI 7 update for the Galaxy A16 5G comes with build numbers A166PXXU4BYE6/A166PODM4BYE5/A166PXXU4BYE5, depending on the region. It weighs about 2.9GB, but continues on the April 1 security patch. The Galaxy A16 5G is on Samsung's quarterly security update schedule, so the older security patch was expected. The next one should only arrive in July. Meanwhile, those who have received the One UI 7 update on their Galaxy A16 5G say that it fixes UI lags and improves navigation compared to the One UI 6.1 update. With One UI 7 now rolling out for the phone, the Galaxy A16 5G is left with five more big Android updates in its software update schedule. The phone promises an impressive six years of software updates, which means it will get Android 20 in 2029!
Android Authority
a day ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Does the Samsung Galaxy A13 have wireless charging?
Ryan Haines / Android Authority The Samsung Galaxy A13 is a fine choice if you want a functional and cheap Android phone, but does it have wireless charging? After all, wireless charging is convenient, and plenty of other phones have it these days. Find out below if this phone has wireless charging and what you can do about it. Does the Samsung Galaxy A13 have wireless charging? No, the Samsung Galaxy A13 does not have wireless charging. If you drop it on a wireless charging pad, nothing will happen. This is to be expected since phones in this price range usually don't have wireless charging capabilities. You'll have to spend around $500 or more to get a phone with wireless charging. However, even in the $500 price range, a lot of devices don't have this feature. However, the Galaxy A13 does have fast charging, so at least you will not be tied to a cable for hours. A half-hour charge will net you around 20% battery, while two hours tops up the entire thing. Unfortunately, the trend of not including power adapters in the box has hit Samsung, too, so you will have to supply your own. How to add wireless charging to a Samsung Galaxy A13 You can add wireless charging to a Samsung Galaxy A13, but you will need an adapter. These plug into the USB-C port on the bottom of the phone and let you use wireless charging pads with your phone. These adapters are usually pretty thin so that they can slide between your phone and a case. That also means they are up and out of the way and stick to the back of your phone. We have not tested these and cannot vouch for them, but these and similar options should bring wireless charging to your Galaxy A13. Remember, you will require a wireless charging pad, too. The Nillkin Qi receiver To add wireless charging to your Galaxy A13, attach this receiver to the USB-C port and stick the flat, broad end onto the back of your phone. You can then insert your phone into a case if you wish. Just ensure it's made of plastic so it does not interfere with wireless charging. It works with fast charging, too. Note that you can buy it in a short version and a long version. The short version measures 9.3 cm, while the long one is 10.4 cm. If you're unsure whether the long version will hit your camera lens or fingerprint scanner, opt for the short version. Options that have a Lightning or micro USB plug also exist, but these won't work with the Galaxy A13. Other options to consider There are plenty of other great options available on Amazon. They all work similarly to the Nillkin Qi receiver and are similarly priced. Check a few of them out via the links below.
Android Authority
a day ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Samsung Routines is learning some new tricks for One UI 8
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR One UI 8 just arrived in its first beta, and the release adds new actions to Samsung Routines. Clock actions expand with new options for alarms and stopwatches. Routines also picks up initial support for Calendar and Samsung Notes. This is a fun time to be a Samsung fan on Android. Not only is One UI 7 landing for more and more of the company's Galaxy lineup (including new midrange devices all the time), but the company just opened the doors on Android 16, inviting users to start playing around with its One UI 8 beta. We've been digging through it in search of any changes worth sharing with you, and we've just spotted some useful upgrades to Samsung Routines. Routines have got to be the easiest way to start making you feel like a power user. Just by setting some basic if/then relationships, you're able to automate all sorts of tasks on your phone. With One UI 7, we saw Samsung give us a bunch of new options for the actions supported in Routines, and now we've got a handful of further additions in One UI 8. The first we're looking at concerns some new clock-related actions. That screen you see on the left above reflects the options available in One UI 7, but on the right we see the extent to which Samsung's expanding that in One UI 8. Beyond just allowing Routines to turn alarms on or off, it picks up the ability to create new ones and edit existing ones. We similarly get some finer-grained stopwatch options. We're also seeing some all-new additions to Routines, with support for actions involving Calendar and Samsung Notes starting to arrive. For both notes and calendar events we get a similar selection of options, with the ability to search, display, edit, or create one new. This is a good start, and we definitely appreciate having even more tasks we're able to automate, but compared to the dozens of new actions we saw Routines pick up in One UI 7, this can't help but feel a little meager in comparison. That said, this is just our first taste of a One UI 8 beta, and Samsung has plenty of time ahead of it to further flesh its updates out. 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
Galaxy Z Flip 7 could represent a first for Samsung, but maybe not in a way you'll love
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR The Galaxy Z Flip 7 could be equipped with the Exynos 2500 in all regions, including the US, instead of Snapdragon. This would be the first time that Samsung's flagship clamshell phone may have Exynos. The decision is likely due to difficulties with Snapdragon 8 Elite's thermal performance. When it comes to folding phones, Samsung has been in the market for some time, so it definitely knows a thing or two about both foldables and clamshells. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 is expected to be revealed during Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked event taking place in the first week of July, which is just around the corner. And it may be a big milestone for Samsung's flagships moving forward. Usually, Samsung uses Snapdragon chips in the US, while South Korea and other markets get Exynos, at least for regular phones. But the brand's foldables have been an odd exception to this rule, typically going with Snapdragon in all regions. It was previously reported that the Z Flip 7 could have an Exynos variant as well as a Snapdragon version, with the former being the debut of the Exynos 2500. However, according to a new report from SamMobile, it appears that firmware files for the Z Flip 7 revealed that the Exynos 2500 will be used in all locales, including the US. At least in the US, Samsung typically has equipped its flagship phones with Snapdragon SoCs, though the Galaxy S24 FE was an exception with an Exynos 2400e in all markets. But if the Z Flip 7 is using the Exynos 2500, this would be the first time that Samsung has used Exynos in its signature clamshell. However, it appears that reports still suggest that the Z Fold 7 should still get the Snapdragon 8 Elite. A likely reason for the change to Exynos would be the fact that the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC can run pretty hot in other devices, including the recently launched Galaxy S25 Edge. That's not great for thinner and constrained form factors like a clamshell, so the change would make sense if that's the case. But since the Exynos 2500 is not out yet, no one actually knows if it will be better than the Snapdragon 8 Elite in terms of performance and efficiency. But we may only be a month away from the launch of Samsung's next generation of foldables. This means we won't have to wait too long to find out exactly which chip it's getting, and how it'll perform. 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.
