Android Police

We're extremely proud of our focused and concise, but girthy(!) Android Police podcast this week. Motorola takes the stage with new Razrs that shine in the fit-and-finish department, but it's software and day-to-day performance that will always be the devilish details that follow. We give early impressions. Plus, rundowns on Google and Samsung having their summer events way too early. And a shout-out to Hamilton, Ontario. Congratulations, you're not Windsor.

The new Moto Razr has all the colors for the Android Police podcast

Just one year ago, Motorola took a big swing in the ever-evolving foldable market with its 2023 Razr lineup. The Razr+ delivered an expansive cover screen capable of practically any standard smartphone task, while the midrange Razr arrived in the fall to bring foldables to a more affordable price point. This year, Motorola is falling in line with the rest of the industry, iterating on the same core ideas while delivering some crucial improvements.

Motorola's new Razrs make all the right changes, but I still have questions

OnePlus 12 and OnePlus Open have received Android 15 Beta 2, targeting developers and early adopters. Improvements were made to Bluetooth, hotspot, and camera functions. However, bugs remain. Repair mode launched for OnePlus 12 in Beta 1, aiming to enhance device troubleshooting. OnePlus is still carving out a niche in...

An Android 15 beta update has officially launched for some OnePlus devices

Samsung's Galaxy Watch FE offers some top-of-the-line features at a pocket-friendly price of $200. The watch comes in Black, Pink Gold, and Silver colorways, and is available for pre-order now. An LTE version will be available later this year. Last year's Galaxy Watch 6 is often on sale, and can...

Galaxy Watch FE pre-orders are finally live now

Proton VPN now offers credential-less logins on Android, making it easier for users to access the service. Proton has expanded its free server offerings to 21 countries holding elections this year to help residents access the internet privately. Proton's move to attract more users comes on the heels of the...

Proton VPN is now free to use without an account on Android

Contributors represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. They have also demonstrated their experience writing hard news for other outlets. Contributors are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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NewSantaAna

The FBI has seen a rise in scams targeting timeshare owners. In this kind of scam, criminals con these part-time property owners into shelling out hefty sums of cash, all under false pretenses related to their timeshare properties.

FBI warns that Mexican cartels are targeting Americans with timeshare scams

Major international outages are affecting Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile roaming data plans. The root cause is unclear, possibly related to carrier transitions from 2G/3G to 4G/5G. Carriers are working on fixes, but it's recommended to use Wi-Fi, VPNs, local SIM cards, or eSIMs as alternatives in the meantime. If you're...

AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile customers hit with major international roaming outage

The Google Chrome browser offers features like tab management, extensions, online security, and more. It’s easy to lose track of time while scrolling through social media sites on your phone, laptop, or Chromebook. You can block specific URLs on the browser and reclaim your time. However, the process isn’t straightforward. This guide shows you how to block any website in Chrome.

How to block a website in Chrome

Google TV adds 10 new FAST channels, increasing its curated collection to over 130. New ad-supported channels include FilmRise Western, ION+, and Noticias Telemundo Ahora. Google TV Network allows advertisers to target viewers on Google TV devices and smart TVs with ads. Google introduced FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television) channels to...

Google TV picks up 10 new free streaming channels

California State

Alameda Post

California regulators just stopped AT&T from pulling the plug. California’s Public Utilities Commission on June 20 rejected AT&T’s application to stop providing landlines and other services in areas where there is no other option.

Still Need Your Landline?

Google sometimes seems like a frenzied manic operation hastily building utility after utility without much thought given to UI design or overlapping features, but the same company also gave us gems like the Material Design language introduced with Android 12. Its own apps are fine examples with ever-evolving UIs, and Google Tasks also comes to mind. The latest development in that app ditches the bottom bar to move some optiosn around.

Google Tasks is replacing its bottom bar with something better

Digital wallets are a convenient way of making payments. If you’ve ditched your budget Android phone for an iPhone, you’ll sign up for Apple Wallet. The app lets you save cards and pay for products on the go. This guide shows you how to add a debit or credit card to Apple Wallet for pain-free transactions.

How to add a debit or credit card to Apple Wallet

Los Angeles, CA

L.A. TACO

Two Los Angeles police officers punched and choked a man last month while he was handcuffed, after the man spat at an officer, according to newly released body-worn camera footage from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

VIDEO: LAPD Officers Punch and Choke Handcuffed Man in South L.A. For Spitting

You're looking at this Chromebook and thinking to yourself "it's a good price, but what's the catch?" Well, if you've never used a Chromebook, it's a laptop running ChromeOS, which is an operating system developed by Google that's based on its popular web browser. Not only is the OS lightweight, but it's also lightning quick, and also has a variety of tools and apps that makes it great for everyday use.

The best Chromebook you can buy in 2024 is now $150 off

When was the last time we had a four-inch smartphone? Our thumbs can't reach the top of our phones nowadays, and most developers are focused on ease of use. Samsung's One UI subscribes to one of the best design ethos in the market, focusing on being comfortable and intuitive to use with one hand, but not all apps have followed suit.

5 big name apps that really need to follow One UI's lead

The FCC proposes a rule requiring carriers to unlock phones within 60 days of activation to make switching providers easier. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel emphasizes that buying a phone should allow you to choose your service provider freely. The FCC will announce the full proposal on July 18, followed by...

The FCC wants to make it easier to unlock your phone

Google axed its experimental document scanner app Stack, pushing users to utilize Google Drive's similar capabilities instead. Stack's conveniences, such as auto edge detection and categorization, can be found on Google Drive's document scanner. Google Drive now offers a seamless transition for Stack users, with a new FAB option and...

Google shutters another Area 120 project: Stack PDF scanner

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Chicago Happenings

What is more summery than an icy, sweet frozen drink? If the heat wave is getting to you, try whipping up this simple frozen strawberry lemonade. All you need is your choice of lemonade and some frozen strawberries. You can use store-bought lemonade, make your own from scratch, or a powdered version. As for strawberries, frozen ones are the easiest choice. If you'd rather use fresh, add at least two cups of ice until you reach a nice, frozen consistency.

2-Ingredient Frozen Strawberry Lemonade: Beat the Heat!

Devices are becoming more demanding in 2024, so it's important to have a charger or charging station that can keep up. And if you don't, now is going to be a great time to grab one, because this Anker charging station is the perfect solution, capable of handling anything you can throw at it.

Anker's 9-in-1 charging station falls to its lowest price ever ahead of Prime Day

Google Keep might not be the flashiest note-taking app ever created, but it gets the job done with its basic functionality and layout options. It lets you take notes with a widget or in no more than three taps, and it syncs across the web, smartphones, large-screen tablets, and just about anything else that can run a browser.

Google Keep's strength lies in its simplicity

NewsBreak

The Moto Razr+ (2024) is here to steal the thunder from Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6

Motorola's Razr+ (2024) offers a revamped hinge, water resistance, and a 165Hz display for a smoother experience. The Razr+ boasts a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip,...

The Moto Razr+ (2024) is here to steal the thunder from Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 6

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