Category: Android

The EU will require energy labels for smartphones, feature phones, and tablets sold from June 20, 2025, detailing energy class, drop resistance, repairability, battery life, and durability. New rules also mandate spare parts availability and multi-year OS updates.

Google will require developers who sideload Android apps to register in a new console and verify identity starting next year. The change, rolling out first in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand in September, aims to reduce malware risk that Google says is 50× higher for sideloaded apps.

Google Play Services beta 25.32.31 adds an option to automatically back up downloaded files to Google servers, addressing a gap in Android backups. Key details about scope and file-type limits are still unknown.

Samsung’s Galaxy A17 5G arrives in the Czech Republic with minor design tweaks, Exynos 1330 chipset, 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, 5,000 mAh battery, and six years of OS updates. Available now in one 4/128 GB configuration for 5,690 CZK.

No physical bell? These iPhone and Android apps, including Czech-made options by Radek Sip and Digerati.CZ, simulate traditional holiday bell sounds with timers, shake-to-ring, and repeat options.

Android is introducing Emergency Live Video for 911 calls in the U.S., letting dispatchers request encrypted live streams from callers. The feature launches today on RapidSOS, Motorola Solutions, and Prepared911 and requires Android 8+ with Google Play services.

Google released Android 16 earlier than usual, starting a staged rollout to Pixel phones with privacy, performance, and UI refinements. Here’s what’s new and when your device might get it.

Official figures show iOS 26 is installed on just over 16% of iPhones, a sharp drop from past upgrades. Different analytics providers disagree, with TelemetryDeck showing historically typical penetration while Statcounter reports much lower adoption.