Latest news with #AndyWalker
Android Authority
4 hours ago
- Android Authority
Can we trust Google Maps to get us anywhere anymore?
Andy Walker / Android Authority 🗣️ This is an open thread. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments and vote in the poll below — your take might be featured in a future roundup. This past weekend, I was driving home from a wonderful break in the country. I usually use Google Maps to guide me home on longer drives, even if I have driven that route before. It's more of a comfort than a necessity. However, it tried its level best to take me on an unwanted adventure. To get home from the tiny town I visited, I had a choice between a faster toll route or the longer scenic mountain pass that runs alongside it. I selected the 'Avoid tolls' toggle before I left, thinking that the app would suggest I use the pass. After all, it was the best alternative available. That wasn't the case at all. Maps instead suggested two hugely divergent routes that would've taken me two hours north or 90 minutes south of the best route. Absentmindedly, I came so close to taking the suggested deviations. And if I hadn't curiously glanced at my Android Auto display, I would've ended up further from home. This incident opened my eyes to the larger problem affecting Google Maps' navigation reliability, especially on the open road. Having read countless takes online about Maps guiding drivers on obtuse routes, I'd say it's a fairly wide-reaching issue. So, if you have a story to tell, I'd love to hear it. I'm sure other readers would too. Here are the questions: Has Google Maps ever gotten you lost? If so, tell us about the experience. What's the worst place Google Maps has ever taken you? Do you feel that Maps has grown more inaccurate and less reliable over time? What is your preferred navigation app on Android, and why do you pick it? Would you pay a premium for a Google Maps that offers smarter navigation and more contextually aware features? Be sure to vote in the poll below, too! Has Google Maps ever gotten you lost while driving? 0 votes Yes. Google Maps consistently gets me lost. NaN % Yes. Once or twice, but not very often. NaN % No, Google Maps has always been a reliable guide for me. NaN % I don't use Google Maps while driving. NaN % 👇Sound off in the comments with your Google Maps adventure anecdotes and opinions.
Android Authority
5 hours ago
- Android Authority
Is Google secretly testing new AI voices in NotebookLM?
Andy Walker / Android Authority TL;DR NotebookLM users are hearing a mysterious third male voice during longer Audio Overviews. Google has confirmed that additional voices and dialects are coming, alongside APIs and video overviews, but it's unclear if this third voice is a feature or a bug. AI features can be quite a hit and miss, but Google's NotebookLM is definitely one of the hits. NotebookLM is a personal AI research assistant that lets users control the AI's data sources, enabling them to tap into AI to do their bidding without hallucinations. NotebookLM's Audio Overviews feature can transform your notes into a podcast, complete with two AI hosts discussing your data. The feature works great, but if you want some variety, a third AI host seems to be on the way. Reddit user Life_Machine_9694 (h/t XDA) observed a third male voice sprinkled in their Audio Overviews conversation, complementing the existing male and female voices currently running the AI podcast. Other users have also observed the same, especially when they attempt to create a longer-form podcast. One user notes this is a glitch; they have noticed more glitchy voices lately in Audio Overviews. Glitch or not, Google has promised that new voices and dialects are coming soon to NotebookLM, along with new source types, APIs, and even video overviews. It's fair to presume that Google is secretly testing out the new voices, but I reckon the company would do it openly if that were the case instead of giving users a fleeting sneak peek. If new voices are coming, it also makes sense that users would get the option to choose which ones they want in the Audio Overviews — some deep dive topics are best handled by two hosts, after all. We've asked Google to clarify whether this is a bug or a feature. We'll keep you updated when we learn more. 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
5 days ago
- Climate
- Android Authority
These are the subscriptions I actually don't mind paying for
Andy Walker / Android Authority No one likes paying for something more than once, but subscriptions have become an annoying yet necessary part of life. Some are hard to justify, but others add value to my life. Whether they provide consumable content, weather information, or critical navigation data, these are the subscriptions I don't mind paying for: How many subscription services and apps are you currently paying for? 0 votes None. NaN % 1-4. NaN % 5-9. NaN % 10 or more. NaN % FlightRadar24 Andy Walker / Android Authority I've used this real-time flight tracking app for years before upgrading to a Gold subscription. The free version is sufficient if you only need basic information about flight locations. However, I craved even more. The Gold subscription offers additional features for avgeeks. It lets me bookmark more flights, access airport and flight histories for up to a year, and includes detailed real-time weather layers. The latter is so accurate that this service doubles as a standalone weather app. Although its annual price is expensive, and I've considered downgrading to Silver, I find it invaluable for checking weather conditions before and during flights, especially during the stormy South African summer. Meteogram Weather Widget Andy Walker / Android Authority I've praised Meteogram Weather Widget for years and still believe it's the best weather app on Android. The ad-supported free version is excellent for general use but lacks the customizability and source selection I desire. To summarize my setup, I use three separate instances of the Meteograms widget, covering the next 12 hours, four days ahead, and an additional week. This setup provides a comprehensive weather outlook for a region that often experiences all four seasons in a day. No other app can offer me the same breadth of information or control. I decided to pay for the Pro version and the Platinum subscription, which costs slightly more than a loaf of bread annually. It's worth every penny and more. NordVPN Andy Walker / Android Authority Every internet user needs a VPN, and after much consideration, I chose NordVPN. Nord was the easiest and most reliable option I tried, which is also crucial for my partner. I use it across multiple devices, nearing the 10-device limit. This more than justifies its annual fee. Although it's one of the pricier subscriptions I pay for, it gives me peace of mind. I may consider another VPN service in the future, but Nord suits my needs for now. F1TV Andy Walker / Android Authority As a Formula 1 fan, I can't imagine not having access to support races, grands prix, and past events. F1TV is the sport's dedicated streaming service, providing access to all the above on multiple devices. The service has three tiers, and I opt for the middle option, Pro. It offers access to all timing and telemetry, onboard cameras, support series races, and past content. It's pricey, but worth it for enjoying the sport I've loved for over two decades. A more expensive option allows for 4K streaming and multiple simultaneous streams on a single device, but that little trick is limited to Apple products for now. Netflix Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority As certified couch potatoes, my partner and I subscribe to several streaming platforms. She subscribes to Disney+ and local service Showmax, while I subscribe to Netflix. Yes, it would make sense to rotate subscriptions based on our interests and releases each month, but we switch between multiple shows too often for that to be practical. Even though I think it's overpriced for what it offers, the 4K tier allows us to enjoy all the pixels and spatial audio on my modest LG TV when available. Notably, I've grabbed plenty of games off the Play Store thanks to Netflix, too! Spotify Ryan Haines / Android Authority Spotify is my favorite music streaming service because its recommendations are more reliable than any other service. It also helps that I can access my favorite music from multiple devices and seamlessly switch between them. It's indispensable, especially for PlayStation and Android Auto users. We're a household of two, so Spotify Duo works perfectly. It's far cheaper than paying for two separate subscriptions, especially since we each have specific tastes. Google One Joe Maring / Android Authority I started paying for Google One nearly a decade ago to back up important photos and documents. I use the 200GB plan but'll soon need more storage or an alternative. My partner also uses the storage as part of my family group, so switching services will be tricky. A self-hosted solution is in the planning stages, but decision inertia is real. I know that for the price of a One subscription, I could save up for a large hard drive, but the convenience of One is still compelling. OsmAnd Andy Walker / Android Authority Finally, the latest addition to my subscription list is OsmAnd Maps+ Annual. Why pay for an open-source app? I can only access the app via Android Auto through this tier, which has become essential for road trips through my region's back roads. Like several other subscriptions on this list, OsmAnd's value far outweighs the modest annual fee. I've detailed the subscription services I happily pay for monthly and annually. Now it's your turn. What do you spend your money on? Let the community know in the comments.
Android Authority
6 days ago
- Android Authority
These are the 10 open source Android apps I install on every new phone
Andy Walker / Android Authority There are a few apps I must install on any new Android phone. Without them, using my handset would be quite challenging. These include the usual suspects like shopping and banking apps, browsers, AI search tools, and WhatsApp. Surprisingly, I also rely heavily on open-source apps. A quick count shows that over a dozen of my apps are open source, many of which enhance my phone experience. How many open source apps do you have on your phone? 0 votes None. NaN % 1-5. NaN % 6-10. NaN % 11-20. NaN % More than 20. NaN % In honor of these apps, here are the 10 open-source Android apps I always install without hesitation: LocalSend Andy Walker / Android Authority LocalSend is a free, open-source, cross-platform file-sharing service that uses my local network to transfer files between devices. I'm a relatively new user, but the app quickly won me over. I used to struggle with Quick Share and USB cables for transferring files from my phone to another device or my PC, but not anymore. LocalSend simplifies this process, using my fast local network for quick transfers. Its easy setup is a major advantage; just install the app on both the sender and recipient devices, and you're ready to go. It's compatible with Apple products, Linux, Windows, and Android, allowing seamless file transfers between Android and iOS. Kvaesitso Andy Walker / Android Authority Kvaesitso is a free, open-source Android launcher focused on minimalism and search. As a former Nova Launcher user, Kvaesitso has completely changed how I use my phone since I adopted it over a year ago. Instead of multiple screens, Kvaesitso uses a vertically-scrolling layout just below the screen's edge. This supports multiple widgets and lets me hide them until needed. The launcher heavily relies on its search capabilities, which can pull up data beyond apps and shortcuts, including files, contacts, calendar events, and even Wikipedia results. Breezy Weather Andy Walker / Android Authority Breezy is a free, open-source weather app that fully embraces Google's Material Design. As a result, it's one of my favorite alternatives to Google's own weather platforms. Its GitHub description highlights its proficient use of Material Design, and as a result, it looks great on Google Pixel devices. Despite this, the app still has its own personality and offers all the vital weather metrics at a glance, several sources, and the option to delve deeper into daily forecasts if required. Material Files Andy Walker / Android Authority Material Files is my go-to file manager. This free, open-source app is lightweight, makes moving files easy, and includes a handy breadcrumbs menu for effortless navigation. It supports archives, themes, and, importantly for me, my NAS. Basically, it covers every requirement I have and more. Obtanium Andy Walker / Android Authority Managing apps from multiple sources and keeping them updated can be a chore, but Obtanium makes it surprisingly enjoyable. The app acts as a central hub for all non-Play Store apps, allowing users to search for apps on platforms like F-Droid and GitHub and download them directly. It's so essential that I often install it before any Google apps, and of the most important apps I sideload on my Android phone. Shizuku Andy Walker / Android Authority Like Obtanium, Shizuku is one of the most important apps on my phone, though I don't actively use it. It allows other apps to access higher privilege APIs that they usually couldn't. For example, Smartspacer, which enhances my Pixel's At a Glance widget, needs Shizuku to function. Many other apps also rely on it, and it's the lynchpin for making your Android phone feel more like a Pixel. URLCheck Andy Walker / Android Authority URLCheck is a free, open-source link-checking app that is a middleman between my thumb and browser. It's indispensable for verifying the destination of obfuscated links in emails and social apps. I wrote a dedicated piece on why URLCheck is a permanent fixture on my phone. In short, it lets me remove tracking snippets, check links for viruses, and open links in my app of choice. Xtra Andy Walker / Android Authority I don't use Twitch as much as I used to, but I turn to Xtra when I do. This free, open-source Twitch client is less annoying than the official app, offering access to third-party emote services and background playback. It also lets me download VODs for offline viewing, which is perfect for flights. OsmAnd Andy Walker / Android Authority The free, open-source mapping app OsmAnd excels where Google Maps falls short. It uses OpenStreetMap data, which I rely on for navigating back roads. In my area, several gravel routes aren't on Maps. OsmAnd highlights road quality and surface, helping me decide if I can traverse a bumpy farm road. As a result, it's also one of the most important Android Auto apps on my device. RedReader Andy Walker / Android Authority Finally, RedReader is the only reason I am still considering using Reddit. It's exempt from Reddit's third-party app restrictions and is the best app for browsing the social network (of the apps that still exist). It's fast, simple, and customizable enough for my needs. I love its legibility settings, especially the ability to adjust font sizes precisely. I've shared my favorite apps, and now it's your turn. Are there any open-source apps you always install on your phone? Let the community know in the comments below.
Android Authority
7 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Gemini in Google Drive gets right to the point with automatic PDF summaries
Andy Walker / Android Authority TL;DR Gemini can now read PDFs in Google Drive and create a summary card for quick viewing. The feature comes with buttons users can click to make Gemini take action on the PDF, such as creating a draft proposal. The update is rolling out now to all Workspace users. Google Drive has been getting a lot of Gemini love recently. Google added the ability for Gemini to browse your files and even watch videos for you. Now, Google is rolling out a new feature that gives users instant summaries of their PDF files. Google introduced PDF summary cards, which are a new AI-driven feature that proactively summarizes PDF content when a file is opened in Google Drive. The summaries themselves include clickable actions like 'Draft a sample proposal' or 'List interview questions based on this resume,' two examples Google gave in their announcement. These actions launch Gemini in a side panel so users can get started on tasks without having to leave the document. This isn't the first time Google has tried to integrate Gemini with PDFs. We've had simple overviews for a while now, but the actionable AI suggestions, and the new card layout, are brand new. Users can double-click any PDF to see the summary card. It appears within the overlay preview window instead of opening in a separate browser tab. Google has been sticking Gemini into everything, from summarizing reports in Docs to drafting replies and email templates in Gmail. It can organize tasks in Calendar and analyze a spreadsheet in Sheets. Those are all great, but PDF summaries in Drive could be particularly useful for everyone's productivity. PDF summaries in Drive could be particularly useful for everyone's productivity. You don't need to use the new AI summaries of your Drive PDFs. You can update your Drive settings to continue opening PDFs in a separate browser if that is what you prefer. The feature supports over 20 languages at launch. It is available to Google Workspace customers on Business Standard, Enterprise Standard and Plus, and users with the Gemini Education plan. It is also available for anyone with the old AI Pro or Ultra add-ons.
