Google – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com Latest Crypto News Sun, 14 Sep 2025 06:49:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.7 https://i0.wp.com/earlybirdsinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-New-Project-2024-12-17T235703.455.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Google – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com 32 32 240146708 I can’t wait for Samsung and Google to copy this revolutionary iPhone 17 feature https://earlybirdsinvest.com/i-cant-wait-for-samsung-and-google-to-copy-this-revolutionary-iphone-17-feature/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/i-cant-wait-for-samsung-and-google-to-copy-this-revolutionary-iphone-17-feature/#respond Sun, 14 Sep 2025 06:49:16 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/i-cant-wait-for-samsung-and-google-to-copy-this-revolutionary-iphone-17-feature/
A render of the iPhone 17 series with the Android logo above it.

Joe Maring / Android Authority

Every Apple event, be it WWDC or the new iPhone launch, brings me a set of confusing thoughts. There’s a lot of mockery over what Apple has decided to copy innovate and their random announcements that no one asked for (hello, iPhone Air), but also a bit of jealousy-slash-awe at Apple’s pull over the entire phone industry. I see that new front-facing camera, and I know many Android brands are now scrambling to copy it in 2026; it’ll easily be the new gold standard of selfie cameras.

But if there was one thing that stood out to me more than the silly thinness of the Air and its external battery pack, the misleading “fusion” lens, the 120Hz refresh rate on the base iPhone, and the new modems and chips, it’s one tiny detail: The iPhone 17 now starts at 256GB.

We had to wait for Apple to do it, but Apple has gone and done it. And, just like I know that everyone will copy that new front-facing camera, I also know that Apple’s influence on phone pricing and portfolio structure is insane. 256GB will become the norm in the US and the West because Apple made it the new norm, and no one wants to lose a battle against Apple because of a silly, inexpensive flash storage upgrade.

256GB of base storage will become the norm because Apple just made it the norm.

It’ll likely happen as soon as 2026. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 and Google’s Pixel 11 should both start at 256GB. And we can finally retire that restrictive 128GB of internal storage that gets eaten by the firmware, AI models, cumulative cache, and different apps and games that you install and use over the few years that you own the phone, leaving limited space for photos, videos, music, and other large files. And look, I know that some of you will tell me that they’re okay with 128GB being the base because they don’t need more, but most users disagree. Even in 2024, 70% of over 24,000 votes on our storage poll said 128Gb isn’t enough.

pixel 8 pro 128gb storage

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Sticking with 128GB is stingy and cheap, especially for phones that cost over $800. It artificially limits the capabilities of the phone you’re buying because you’ll start babysitting its storage. That fantastic camera and video shooter? That gaming beast? That AI champion? They all need more storage. Without extra storage, you might as well buy a less capable phone with fewer promised years of software support. And no, cloud backups — or even local NAS backups — aren’t a solution. So, yes, I’m a bit angry when companies like Samsung and Google release expensive phones and then artificially restrict them by not letting us fully use them unless we splurge for the extra storage tiers. The base storage price of “Starting $799” is a lie if you can’t properly use all of the phone’s features on that storage tier.

The base price of $799 is a lie at 128GB. It artificially limits how much and how long you can use all of your phone’s awesome features.

Today, the price difference between a 128GB and a 256GB microSD card is around $8; it’s probably much less for flash NAND storage built into the phone. But many companies like Samsung and Google have been resting on their profit margins and using this cheap upgrade as leverage to force us to pay a disproportionate $50 or $100 extra to get 256GB instead. Madness.

I still remember when storage tiers were seen as a deal, not a nuisance. When the first iPhone launched in 2007 with 4GB and 8GB of storage for $100 extra, the difference seemed like a no-brainer because 8GB microSD cards were a very, very expensive rarity. Soon, though, storage cost dropped, but the cost to upgrade tiers didn’t, and the damage was done. Apple had seen a way to make extra profit, and it wasn’t going to let it go.

As microSD card slots disappeared from smartphones, every company started copying that margin-milking tiered storage strategy to the point where it became the norm. And somehow, we, the entire smartphone buyer base, decided it’s ok to be taken hostage by the storage conspiracy, and that paying through the nose to properly use all the features you actually buy a phone for is acceptable. It baffles me to think that there are teenagers today who have never seen a phone with expandable storage and who think it’s normal to pay such a premium for a bit of extra storage. Madness, I tell you.

Apple has done the right thing here, moving the needle in the right direction for once. I don’t know why they did it — they could’ve easily gotten away with another year of 128GB — but I’m glad they did. And now the ball is in Samsung and Google’s courts for 2026.

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/i-cant-wait-for-samsung-and-google-to-copy-this-revolutionary-iphone-17-feature/feed/ 0 58357 Eden becomes the first Nintendo Switch emulator on the Google Play Store https://earlybirdsinvest.com/eden-becomes-the-first-nintendo-switch-emulator-on-the-google-play-store/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/eden-becomes-the-first-nintendo-switch-emulator-on-the-google-play-store/#respond Fri, 12 Sep 2025 22:41:35 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/eden-becomes-the-first-nintendo-switch-emulator-on-the-google-play-store/
Switch emulator Eden icon

Nick Fernandez / Android Authority

TL;DR

  • The first Nintendo Switch emulator is up on the Google Play Store.
  • Eden Emulator is a fork of one of the most successful and infamous Switch emulators.
  • Your phone will need to be running on Android 11 or later.

At the end of last week, Nintendo Switch emulator Eden received a major update that saw the official stable release of version 0.0.3. This update fixed a number of bugs, provided some performance boosts, integrated EmuReady, and brought support for the recently released Hollow Knight: Silksong. While this update was big news, the team behind Eden has been teasing an even bigger surprise. That surprise has now been revealed.

Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority?

If you head over to the Google Play Store, you’ll now find a listing for the Eden Emulator, complete with screenshots, details about the software, data safety information, and everything else you’d find in a normal app listing. That’s right, it appears Eden is now available on the Play Store for devices running on Android 11 or later. This is a significant turn of events as it marks the first time ever that a Switch emulator has been on the marketplace.

For those unfamiliar with Eden, it is a fork of Yuzu, one of the most successful and infamous Switch emulators ever. It allows users to play Nintendo Switch games on other operating systems by emulating the system. After Nintendo took Yuzu down, its code remained available due to it being open-source. Eden was created after a number of developers who were working on a different fork, Citron, left the project and formed their own group.

Although Eden is still in its early days, it’s considered one of the most exciting Switch emulation projects for Android. And this news only serves to stoke that excitement, as having a listing on the Play Store will greatly boost its visibility. However, this is also a bit of a double-edged sword since more visibility means there’s higher risk that it’ll catch Nintendo’s ever-watchful eye.

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/eden-becomes-the-first-nintendo-switch-emulator-on-the-google-play-store/feed/ 0 58126 Google brings a unified ‘Purchases’ tab to Gmail ahead of the holiday rush https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-brings-a-unified-purchases-tab-to-gmail-ahead-of-the-holiday-rush/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-brings-a-unified-purchases-tab-to-gmail-ahead-of-the-holiday-rush/#respond Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:51:53 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-brings-a-unified-purchases-tab-to-gmail-ahead-of-the-holiday-rush/

What you need to know

  • Google’s rolling out an update for Gmail that brings a new “Purchases” tab just in time for the holidays.
  • This new tab will only display your purchases/orders and tracking information with the “Arriving Soon” section at the top like your inbox.
  • Gmail is also updating its Promotions tab, adding a way for users to leverage what’s most important and “timely” offers quicker.

Google’s starting to roll out an update for Gmail that might make it easier to manage all those packages this holiday season.

There are two features on the way in this new update, as Google Keyword post explains those key details. Arriving in Gmail’s sidebar (in app and on PC), users will notice a new “Purchases” email label. Google states tapping Purchases will give you a “bird’s eye view of all your upcoming package deliveries in one simple, organized list.” From this view, users will find an “Arriving Soon” section at the top, similar to what you’d find in your primary inbox.

This is reserved for packages that should be delivered within the next 24 hours. Below that, users will find the list of emails containing those tracking details and order confirmation. This update is rolling out today (Sep 11) for all personal Gmail accounts, so keep your eye out for it.

Additionally, Google says the “Arriving Soon” section in your primary email, as well as tracking details within order emails themselves, will not leave.

The second update concerns Gmail’s “Promotions” tab. This tab will now offer a “nudge,” bringing up promotions and discounts that are timely, so you’re in the loop. More than that, a new sorting option, “Most Relevant,” is on the way, which Google says pushes Gmail to display promotions from brands you’re more likely to engage with. Users can sort by “most recent,” too, if you’re interested in just seeing the emails as they arrive.

Gmail for the holidays

Image 1 of 2

Gmail's getting a new "Purchases" tab, which highlights every order and purchase made in one convenient place for tracking.
(Image credit: Google)

Google, Gmail, and the holidays seem to be a regular thing as of late, as even last year, an update rolled out to help users avoid scams. The company implemented a new AI model in Gmail in December last year to determine what’s a scam and what isn’t. Google said its AI models were successful in blocking ~20% more scam attempts and are also reviewing 1,000 times more user-reported spam events.

These protections are still in place, and Google still encourages users to be vigilant on their own.

A Gemini update for Gmail arrived this year, making it way easier to take important dates and events from an email and put them into Calendar. If Google’s AI detects a date within an email, an “add to calendar” button will appear for convenience. The AI will automatically create an event centered around it, leaving you the choice of further editing that newly created event for clarity.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-brings-a-unified-purchases-tab-to-gmail-ahead-of-the-holiday-rush/feed/ 0 57947 Google Pixel Watch 4 software updates: How many will it get? https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-pixel-watch-4-software-updates-how-many-will-it-get/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-pixel-watch-4-software-updates-how-many-will-it-get/#respond Tue, 09 Sep 2025 03:23:26 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-pixel-watch-4-software-updates-how-many-will-it-get/

How many software updates will the Google Pixel Watch 4 receive?

Best answer: The Google Pixel Watch 4 is confirmed to receive at least three years of software updates. This can include security enhancements, new features via Pixel Drops, OS upgrades, bug fixes, and more. The Watch 4 will officially be supported till at least October 2028.

The Pixel Watch 4 is smarter, slicker, and more powerful

It’s clear that Google wasn’t aiming for any major redesign of any of its new launches since the Pixel Watch 4 looks nearly identical to the Watch 3. The bezels around the display are slimmer, which makes the screen look larger, and the slightly domed display pushes even closer against the outer glass, making the UI feel better to interact with. Wear OS 6 looks vibrant and fresh, and the new Material 3 Expressive design makes interactions fun.

The power bump is welcomed on the Pixel Watch 4 thanks to the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 SoC. You get on-device Gemini Nano capabilities like smart replies to messages and a Raise-to-Talk feature. The Watch 4 is also the first commercially available smartwatch to have satellite SOS connectivity. The faster charging and significant battery boost are also big reasons to upgrade to the Pixel Watch 4.


Pixel Watch on the side mounted charger

(Image credit: Nandika Ravi/Android Central)

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, in Matte Black or Polished Silver. You can also get the 41mm variant in Champagne Gold and the 45mm in Satin Moonstone. Prices start at $349 or $449 for the Wi-Fi and LTE versions, respectively. The 45mm variant gets a $50 bump in price for the individual variants. If you’ve been holding off on upgrading your Pixel Watch 2, now would be a good time to trade it in for the Watch 4. It’s easily one of the best Android smartwatches to buy in 2025, and a great companion for your new Pixel 10.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-pixel-watch-4-software-updates-how-many-will-it-get/feed/ 0 57487 Google to make it easier to access AI Mode as default https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-to-make-it-easier-to-access-ai-mode-as-default/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-to-make-it-easier-to-access-ai-mode-as-default/#respond Mon, 08 Sep 2025 05:55:12 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-to-make-it-easier-to-access-ai-mode-as-default/

Google AI

Google plans to make it easier for users to access AI mode by allowing them to set it as the default, replacing the traditional blue links.

AI mode is an advanced version of Google Search that uses large language models to summarise information from the web, so you can spend more time on Google than visiting websites.

AI mode
Google AI mode advanced analysis
Source: BleepingComputer

Google AI mode can answer complex answers, process images, summarize information on the web, create tables, graphs, charts, and even help you code.

google ai mode toggle
AI mode toggle on search
Source: BleepingComputer

Right now, AI mode is optional. It’s placed on the left of the “All” tab, so you can accidentally open Google AI search and slowly prefer it over the traditional search.

In a post on X, Logan Kilpatrick, who is the product lead at Google AI Studio, suggested that AI mode would soon become the default mode on Google.

Later, Google’s Robby Stein, VP, Product at Google Search, clarified that the company only plans to make it easier to access AI mode for those who wish to use it.

Right now, there are no plans to make AI mode the default for everyone, but if you prefer AI mode as your default search tab, there will be a toggle or a button to do that.

This would mean the traditional blue links will not appear by default, but you’ll be able to switch to old results by finding the “Web” tab, which is tucked at the very end of the bar.

AI Mode might become the default mode at some point in future, but when?

I wouldn’t be surprised if AI mode does become the default search page in 2026 for everyone.

Google is still trying to determine how a move like that would affect its ad business.

AI mode ads
How Google plans to monetize AI results

Google is already testing ads in AI mode and AI Overviews and is pitching AI ad practices to ad partners.

The digital marketing industry is unsure how things will play out when blue links are replaced entirely with AI mode.

Google has about 90% of the search market share and continues to send billions of clicks to publishers across the world.

At the same time, Google does not pay publishers and independent blogs for summarising content.

Instead, the search engine giant claims that the AI summaries send more “quality” clicks to publishers, but it does not have data to back the claim.

Google AI mode
Google AI Overviews sending fewer clicks to websites
Source: Pew Research

Independent research by Pew suggests that fewer people are likely to click on a web result when the search engine shows an AI summary.

Some independent publishers are also discussing creating a “NATO for News” alliance to fight the existential crisis.

Picus Blue Report 2025

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-to-make-it-easier-to-access-ai-mode-as-default/feed/ 0 57345 The first ten things I changed on my Google Pixel 10! https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-first-ten-things-i-changed-on-my-google-pixel-10/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-first-ten-things-i-changed-on-my-google-pixel-10/#respond Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:11:33 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-first-ten-things-i-changed-on-my-google-pixel-10/

So you just got your brand new Google Pixel 10. Congratulations! It’s an incredible piece of hardware, and you’re probably itching to download your favorite apps, sign into your accounts, and start snapping photos.

Before you dive in, though, a handful of settings can drastically improve your day-to-day experience. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, Google leaves them turned off by default. Changing these settings can do everything from improving your battery’s long-term health, saving you storage space, organizing your home screen, and making sure you never miss an important notification again.

Whether you’re a long-time Pixel fan, a seasoned Android user coming from another brand, or switching from iPhone to Android, this guide will walk you through the essential first tweaks. I’ve been using Pixel phones for years, and I have a list of settings I change every single time I unbox a new one. I’ve updated my personal checklist for the exclusive features on the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro, and now I’m sharing it with you.

Some of these are fundamental Android settings that I think everyone should use, some are clever features exclusive to the Pixel ecosystem, and a couple are powerful new tools available only on the Pixel 10 Pro models. So let’s dive in and get your new phone tuned to perfection.

See price at Amazon

Google Pixel 10

Google Pixel 10

Very promising battery specs
6.3-inch display
Loaded with Google AI features

See price at Amazon

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Top-tier specs with small display
Satellite SOS
Powerful AI tools
Bright display

See price at Amazon

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

Biggest non-folding Pixel phone
Best specs and AI features

1. Never lose a notification again with Notification History

pixel 6 notification history

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Android’s notification system is, without a doubt, one of the best things about the entire operating system. It’s powerful, customizable, and miles ahead of the often-chaotic system you’ll find on iOS. However, it’s not perfect. We’ve all been there: a flood of notifications comes in, and in a rush to clear them, you accidentally swipe away something important. Maybe it was a message from a friend, a shipping update for a package, or a security alert from your bank. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. What do you do?

Never worry again about accidentally swiping away an important alert.

This is precisely why one of the very first settings I enable on any Android phone is Notification History. It’s a simple but incredibly powerful feature that acts as a log for every single alert your phone receives. Turning it on is a lifesaver.

To activate it, follow these simple steps:

  1. Open the main Settings app.
  2. Tap on Notifications.
  3. Tap on Notification History.
  4. Toggle the Use notification history switch to the On position.

That’s it. From now on, a complete record of all your notifications will be kept right here. If you ever accidentally dismiss something, you can just come back to this screen and see exactly what it was.

There’s also a nifty bonus to this feature. The history log doesn’t just show the notifications that appeared in your drop-down shade; it shows all of them, including the silent ones that apps often use to run processes in the background. This makes it a fantastic diagnostic tool. If you ever notice your battery draining faster than usual, you can check your Notification History to see if a specific app is constantly pinging your phone with silent alerts. It’s a great way to identify and rein in misbehaving apps that might be draining your battery without you even realizing it.

2. See your exact battery level (and make it last for years)

Battery Health Assistance on a Google Pixel 9 Pro XL running Android 16 QPR 1 Beta 2.1

Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority

With the Pixel 10 series, Google has fully embraced its latest design language, Material 3 Expressive. One of the most noticeable changes this introduces is an updated status bar. While it looks clean and modern (and a bit like iOS), the default battery icon at the top of the screen isn’t as helpful as it could be. It gives you a vague visual idea of how much charge you have left, but it’s hard to tell if you’re at 40% or 25% with just a quick glance. For those of us who like to know the precise number, there’s an easy fix.

The battery icon in your status bar is pretty vague about how much juice you have left, but we can make it better.

You can add a percentage display right inside the battery icon, giving you an exact reading without taking up any extra space in your status bar. Here’s how:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Battery.
  3. Find the toggle for Battery percentage and turn it On.

Instantly, you’ll see the number appear inside the icon, giving you a much clearer picture of your remaining battery life.

Bonus Tip: Limit charging to 80% for better battery longevity

While you’re on the Battery settings page, there’s another crucial tweak you should make to dramatically extend the lifespan of your phone’s battery. Tap on Battery Health and then Charging Optimization. This feature will be on by default and set to “Adaptive charging,” which intelligently learns your daily routine. It charges your phone at a slow pace to hit 100% just before you typically unplug it. This is good, as it helps keep your battery healthy, but we can do better.

You can increase the overall longevity of your battery by limiting its charge to 80% of its capacity.

For maximum battery health, enable the Limit to 80% option. This forces your Pixel to stop charging once it reaches 80%. While it might seem counterintuitive to give up 20% of your daily battery capacity, the long-term benefits are enormous. Lithium-ion batteries degrade fastest when they are held at very high or very low states of charge. By keeping your battery between 20% and 80% as much as possible, you can significantly reduce wear and tear, potentially adding years to the usable life of your phone. Unless you’re a very heavy user who consistently needs every last drop of power, this is a trade-off worth making.

3. Integrate Now Playing and Google Search

Google Pixel 9a now playing history

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Now Playing is one of the coolest and most-loved exclusive features on Pixel phones. When you first set up your device, Google asks if you want to turn it on, and you absolutely should. The feature uses on-device machine learning to constantly listen for music playing around you. When it identifies a song, it discreetly displays the title and artist on your lock screen. It’s been an incredible tool for me over the years, helping me discover new music at coffee shops, stores, or in a friend’s car without ever having to pull out my phone and frantically open Shazam.

Super-charge the Now Playing feature with better recognition and album art.

Recently, Google supercharged this feature by integrating the power of Google Search. Previously, all song analysis happened completely offline on your device, which is great for privacy but could occasionally fail to identify more obscure tracks. With the new enhanced mode, your phone can leverage Google’s massive online database for better recognition. As a bonus, it will also display album art in the Now Playing history, which is a really nice touch.

To make sure this more powerful version is active, do the following:

  1. Head to Settings.
  2. Tap on Display & touch, then Lock screen.
  3. Tap on Now Playing.
  4. First, make sure Identify songs playing nearby is toggled on.
  5. Then, make sure the Enhance Now Playing feature is also toggled on.

With this enabled, you’ll get more accurate results and a richer visual experience, making one of the Pixel’s best features even better.

4. Use cross-device services for your various devices

cross device services 1

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

The idea of a seamless ecosystem where all your devices work together in harmony has long been the holy grail of consumer tech. With cross-device services, Google took a significant step toward making that a reality for Android users. If you own multiple Android devices, like a phone and a tablet, this feature is a must-have. It enables cool new ways for your gadgets to interact. For example, you can be on a Google Meet call on your tablet and, with a single tap, seamlessly transfer it to your phone if you need to leave the house.

Make your Android devices work better together.

Here’s how to get it set up:

  1. Open Settings and tap on Connected Devices.
  2. Tap on Connection preferences, and then Cross-device services.
  3. Follow the setup prompts. Once you’re done, you’ll see a list of all the devices attached to your Google account that are compatible. You can leave them all checked.

The whole concept of cross-device services is relatively new. As such, Google might bring more features to this later on, so it’s a good idea to have this enabled even if you don’t plan on using it for now!

5. Sync your notifications (and make them less annoying)

dismiss notifications across pixel

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Building on the theme of a multi-device ecosystem, here’s a tip specifically for those who own more than one Pixel product. One of the most frustrating small annoyances of having a Pixel phone and a Pixel Tablet is dealing with the same notification on every single screen. You get a Gmail alert on your phone and swipe it away, only to see the same alert sitting on your tablet, waiting to be dismissed again. It’s redundant and, frankly, a waste of time.

Swipe away a notification on your Pixel phone and have it automatically swipe away on your Pixel Tablet.

Thankfully, Google has a solution. You can sync notification dismissals across your Pixel devices, so when you clear an alert on one, it automatically disappears from the others. It’s a simple change that makes managing your digital life feel much more streamlined.

To turn it on, follow these steps on each of your Pixel devices:

  1. Go to Settings, then tap Notifications.
  2. Scroll down and tap Dismiss notifications across Pixel devices.
  3. Turn on the single toggle you find on this screen.

Now, when you swipe away that email on your phone, it will vanish from your tablet a moment later. It’s awesome.

Bonus Tip: Stop the notification barrage with Notification Cooldown

Here’s a bonus tip for everyone, whether you have one Pixel or five. We all have that one friend or family member who sends texts like this:

  • Hey
  • What’s up?
  • You there?
  • Just wanted to ask a question

Each message triggers a separate notification, causing your phone to buzz and beep incessantly. To combat this, you should enable Notification Cooldown. This clever feature detects when you’re getting a bunch of notifications from the same app in quick succession. Instead of alerting you at full volume every single time, it will gradually lower the volume/vibration of the notification sounds, making the experience much less disruptive.

To activate it:

  1. Go to Settings > Notifications.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Notification Cooldown.
  3. Make sure the toggle at the top is turned On.

Your sanity will thank you (but also, please tell your friends to just send one text).

6. Tidy up your home screen by disabling auto-add for apps

google pixel 10 pro and xl display home screen

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

If you’ve ever used an iPhone, you’ll know that it doesn’t have an app drawer. Every app you install gets dumped directly onto your home screen, creating page after page of icons. For many of us who prefer Android, this feels like pure chaos. The app drawer is a core part of the Android experience, providing a clean, organized space where all your apps live, leaving your home screen free for only the most important shortcuts and widgets.

Android shouldn’t be like iOS. Here’s how to make it less like it.

Unfortunately, Android still mimics iOS in one frustrating way by default: as you download new apps from the Play Store, their icons are automatically added to your home screen. This quickly leads to clutter. Thankfully, unlike on iOS, you can easily turn this behavior off.

Here’s how to make your apps go straight to the app drawer, where they belong:

  1. Long-press on any empty space on your home screen.
  2. In the menu that pops up, tap Home settings.
  3. Turn off the toggle next to Add app icons to home screen.

With that simple change, your home screen will remain the pristine, curated space you designed it to be.

Bonus Tip: Fit more on your screen with a smaller app grid

While you’re customizing your home screen, here’s another tweak you might enjoy. By default, the app grid is set to a size that might feel a bit too spacious for some. If you want to fit more app icons or widgets on a single page, you can easily change the grid layout.

  1. Long-press on an empty space on your home screen again.
  2. This time, tap Wallpapers & style.
  3. Scroll down to the bottom where it says Layout and tap it.
  4. Switch to the Small layout option.

This will increase the grid density, allowing you to fit more shortcuts onto each page of your home screen, making it even more efficient.

7. Bring back the pro-level camera controls

google pixel 8 pro camera manual controls vs pixel 7 pro sliders 2

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Back in the day, Google’s beloved camera app featured persistent on-screen controls for fundamental photography settings like brightness, shadows, and white balance. They were always there, giving photographers quick and easy access to manual adjustments. Then, for reasons only Google understands, the company removed them, burying these options in menus.

The Pixel camera app used to have some terrific on-screen controls. Thankfully, you can bring them back.

Google did eventually bring them back…sort of. The controls are available again, but they’re hidden by default. When enabled, you can access them by simply tapping anywhere on the viewfinder inside the camera app. It’s not quite as immediate as having them always on screen, but it’s a huge improvement over digging through menus.

To get these controls back, you need to turn them on first:

  1. Open the Camera app.
  2. Tap the small gear icon to open the settings panel.
  3. Tap the three dots at the top of this panel to go to More settings.
  4. Scroll down to the Fast Access section and make sure the Quick access controls toggle is active.

Now, whenever you’re lining up a shot, just tap on the viewfinder to bring up those classic sliders and fine-tune your photo to perfection.

8. Save space with AV1

google pixel 10 pro camera video format setting av1

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

This next tip is a bit more technical, but it’s an absolute game-changer, especially if you shoot a lot of video or opted for a Pixel 10 with 128GB of storage. The Pixel 10 series introduces the ability to record video using three different codecs (a codec is simply the technology used to compress and decompress digital files). The new third option is called AV1, and you should definitely turn it on.

Use the AV1 codec to conserve space on your phone by shrinking video file sizes.

In essence, AV1 is a newer, more efficient way of compressing the video footage you shoot. It allows you to maintain the same high video quality while creating significantly smaller file sizes. To give you a concrete example, a one-minute video shot in 4K at 60fps using the older AVC codec will be about 550MB. That same video shot with AV1 will be just 440MB. That’s a 20% reduction in file size, which can add up to gigabytes of saved space over time.

So, why isn’t this on by default? The only catch is compatibility. Because AV1 is a newer standard, some older devices, video players, or video editing software might not support it. However, if you’re like most people and primarily watch your videos on your phone or upload them to modern platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok, you’ll have no issues at all.

Here’s how to enable it:

  1. Open the Camera app and tap the gear icon at the lower left.
  2. Tap the three dots to open More settings.
  3. Scroll down and tap on Video Format.
  4. Select the AV1 option.

Unless you have a specific professional workflow that requires an older codec, this is a change you should make immediately.

9. Unlock stunning 50MP portraits (Pixel 10 Pro/XL only)

Google Pixel 50MP Portrait Mode Setting

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

If you splurged on a Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL, you have the most advanced camera system ever put into a Pixel phone. As such, you get access to some special features the standard model doesn’t, including the ability to shoot portrait mode photos at a full 50MP resolution.

On other Pixel models (and by default on the Pro), portrait mode shots are binned down to 12MP. This process combines data from multiple pixels on the sensor into one, which is often great for low-light performance but sacrifices some fine detail. While the results are good, other flagship phones have offered higher-resolution portrait modes for a while, providing more detail and often better edge detection (the software’s ability to separate the subject from the background blur).

Harness the full power of your 50MP sensor with this Portrait Mode trick.

With the Pixel 10 Pro, you can finally capture those incredibly detailed, high-resolution portrait shots. The only minor downside is that the image files will be larger, but for important photos of people or pets, the jump in quality is absolutely worth it.

To activate this mode:

  1. Open the Camera app and swipe over to Portrait mode.
  2. Tap the gear icon at the lower left.
  3. Tap the Pro tab.
  4. Switch from the 12MP option to the 50MP option.

You should immediately see a noticeable improvement in the clarity and detail of your portrait photos.

10. Personalize your AOD with wallpaper (Pixel 10 Pro/XL only)

Ambient AOD on Pixel in Android 16 QPR1

Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority

My final tip is another one exclusive to the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL, and it’s all about making your phone feel more personal. On all previous Pixel phones, the always-on display (AOD) has been a stark, utilitarian affair: a black screen with white text for the time, date, and notification icons. It’s functional, but not exactly exciting.

Make your AOD uniquely yours with this new wallpaper feature just for the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL.

With the Pixel 10 Pro/XL, you can now set your lock screen wallpaper to appear on the AOD. It’s a dimmed, power-efficient version of your wallpaper, but it adds a wonderful splash of personality to a screen that was once just black and white. If your wallpaper is a photo of a loved one, a pet, or a favorite landscape, it makes your phone feel much more uniquely yours, even when it’s idle.

Here’s how to enable it:

  1. Go to Settings, then scroll down to Display & touch.
  2. First, make sure the toggle next to Always-on display is active.
  3. Then, tap on the text itself (not the toggle) to open its options.
  4. Inside, make sure the toggle for Show lock screen wallpaper is turned on.

Now, when you lock your phone, your wallpaper will gently fade into view on the always-on display. Keep in mind that this will use slightly more battery than the traditional black-and-white display. In my testing, the difference was negligible and well worth the aesthetic improvement. However, if you’re someone who needs to squeeze every possible minute out of a charge, you might prefer to leave this off. For most people who charge their phone nightly, you’ll be totally fine.

What are your must-have Pixel tips?

google pixel 10 pro moonstone xl obsidian 2

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

And there you have it — the first ten things I immediately change on a new Pixel 10 to get the absolute most out of it. Hopefully, you found a few new tricks in here to try on your own device.

Before you go, I have one last bonus tip: explore the My Pixel app. This app comes pre-installed on your phone (it used to be called Pixel Tips) and it’s an incredible resource. It’s filled with tutorials and information on all the cool things your phone can do, including new features that arrive in Google’s quarterly Pixel Drops. I highly recommend opening it up every few months to see what’s new. You’d be surprised how many powerful features go unnoticed by the average user.

Now, I want to hear from you. What are the first settings you change when you get a new phone? Do you have any essential tips or tricks that I missed? Let me know in the comments below. I’m always excited to see if our readers have any clever suggestions I can add to my own routine!

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/the-first-ten-things-i-changed-on-my-google-pixel-10/feed/ 0 56557 I installed Google Journal on my Samsung, and you should too https://earlybirdsinvest.com/i-installed-google-journal-on-my-samsung-and-you-should-too/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/i-installed-google-journal-on-my-samsung-and-you-should-too/#respond Sun, 31 Aug 2025 20:53:11 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/i-installed-google-journal-on-my-samsung-and-you-should-too/
google journal on samsung phone 1

Andy Walker / Android Authority

Google rolled out many new software features and apps with the Pixel 10, including a new diary app called Journal. While it’s believed to be exclusive to the new phone line, that’s not entirely true. I downloaded the APK and installed it on my Samsung Galaxy phone without much trouble. If you’re looking for a simple, immediate journal app, I suggest you try it on your phone too.

Do you plan on using Pixel Journal?

1109 votes

How to install Google Journal on a non-Pixel phone

google journal apkmirror 1

Andy Walker / Android Authority

For many, Google Journal isn’t visible on the Play Store, but it comes preinstalled on Pixel 10 devices. However, it’s not locked to Google devices even if it uses on-device Gemini Nano to unleash its full potential. It can therefore run on phones from other manufacturers. To install it, follow these steps:

  1. Before you can install Google Journal, you’ll need a split APK installer. Since we’re grabbing the APK file from APK Mirror, you may as well use APKMirror Installer. Download it from the Play Store at the link.
  2. Next, open your web browser. Visit the Google Journal listing on APK Mirror and hit the orange Download APK bundle icon.
  3. Now, open APKMirror Installer > Browse files, go to your Download folder, and you’ll find the Journal installation file with a green APKM logo beneath it. Select it, then tap Install package.
  4. APKMirror Installer does have ads, unfortunately. So you can either subscribe to remove the ads or Watch ad and install app. I recommend the latter.
  5. After the ad completes, a pop-up will appear asking if you want to install Journal. Choose Install.
  6. Once the app is installed, tap Open app to get journaling.

Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority?

Without the AI, Google Journal nails the basics

google journal on samsung phone 2

Andy Walker / Android Authority

If there’s one thing Google Journal does well, it’s the basics. That might not sound positive, but let me explain. Google emphasizes the app’s AI features, but many are limited to the Pixel 10. On other phones, the absence of these features is actually beneficial.

My colleague Joe mentioned in a recent opinion that this AI feature, which creates writing prompts based on past entries, activity data, and photos, is why he won’t use the app. This feature uses Gemini Nano on-device and currently only works on the Pixel 10. You don’t have this AI issue on non-Pixel devices.

Using Google Journal on a Samsung phone is an AI-free experience.

Sure, Google Journal is as simple as a pigeon nest, but I see this as a positive. While more powerful diary apps have habit-tracking, multi-journals, and universal availability, these features can be overwhelming. Even Notion and Obsidian can feel excessive when I want to jot down a few thoughts. Journal’s simplicity allows me to clear my head and just write.

google journal on samsung phone memories goals 1

Andy Walker / Android Authority

Of course, you can use Journal as a journal, but it has other potential uses. It could be a useful travel log, allowing you to include multiple photos and maps in an entry quickly. It could also work as a brain dump tool, a food log, or a more focused project record tool.

Overall, I think Google did a good job with Journal. It’s a fledgling app, but it looks great in its Material 3 Expressive design and offers pretty much everything I could want in a quick-fire journal app.

There are still better options for journaling on Android

Notion templates

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

I might like Journal’s simplicity, but you might not. There are more established journaling options on Android if you need more features. For instance, Journal doesn’t have a voice note feature, which seems strange. It also lacks habit tracking, a feature many bullet journal enthusiasts consider essential.

Here are a few Google Journal alternatives (or useful partners) you might want to check out:

  • Habitica: Gamifying chores and tasks, Habitica encourages users to perform tasks and develop habits. It’s not strictly a journaling app, but complements an app like Journal really well.
  • Daylio: With a colorful interface and a focus on moods, Daylio helps connect daily activities with mental health. Like Journal, you can upload photos, select a mood, and write a brief entry.
  • Journey: Journey is like Journal all grown up, with more organizational features like tagging, a built-in mood tracker, and platform availability beyond Pixel devices.
  • Day One: If you need a collaborative journal shared with family or friends, Day One is a great option. It includes custom writing templates and a clean interface.
  • Notion: Not strictly a journaling app, Notion is highly adaptable and customizable. It offers dedicated journal templates with habit tracking options, or you can build your own.

If you don’t own a Pixel 10 phone, I suggest installing Journal. The app works well without its built-in AI features and gets to the core of journaling. This might be my way back into journaling, and I’m excited to see how Google develops and hopefully broadens the app’s availability in the coming years.

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/i-installed-google-journal-on-my-samsung-and-you-should-too/feed/ 0 56105 Google Confirms Google Cloud Universal Ledger Is a Layer-1 Network https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-confirms-google-cloud-universal-ledger-is-a-layer-1-network/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-confirms-google-cloud-universal-ledger-is-a-layer-1-network/#respond Sun, 31 Aug 2025 09:44:24 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-confirms-google-cloud-universal-ledger-is-a-layer-1-network/

Google Cloud has confirmed that its in-house blockchain project, called the Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL), is a Layer-1 blockchain designed to support digital payments and asset tokenization.

Rich Widmann, Google Cloud’s head of Web3 strategy, described GCUL in a post on LinkedIn as the result of long-term internal research.

He emphasized that the blockchain will allow developers to write smart contracts using Python, which differs from common crypto chains that typically use Solidity or Rust. This makes it more accessible to engineers already familiar with enterprise programming tools.

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Widmann explained that GCUL is an infrastructure layer that can be used by financial institutions seeking a neutral platform.

The announcement comes after CME Group finished the first phase of its integration and testing of the Universal Ledger. At the time, it was unclear whether this system would operate as a public blockchain or what its role would be.

According to Widmann, more technical information about GCUL will be shared in the near future. That could include how the network processes transactions, maintains consensus, and supports applications at scale.

Additionally, he argued that companies like Tether
USDT


$0.9973

or Adyen might be reluctant to rely on networks built by competitors.

Circle, the company behind USDC
USDC


$0.9975

, recently announced plans to roll out its own blockchain called Arc before the end of 2025. What does it do? Read the full story.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/google-confirms-google-cloud-universal-ledger-is-a-layer-1-network/feed/ 0 56021 Crypto falls hard: Google Search Trends Calls the Final Local Market Top https://earlybirdsinvest.com/crypto-falls-hard-google-search-trends-calls-the-final-local-market-top/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/crypto-falls-hard-google-search-trends-calls-the-final-local-market-top/#respond Sat, 30 Aug 2025 21:01:34 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/crypto-falls-hard-google-search-trends-calls-the-final-local-market-top/

The crypto market succumbed to a substantial amount of bear pressure that began on Thursday, August 28th, with most of the big assets falling to a new low on Friday, August 29th.

Naturally, the latest data suggests that this latest price drop, seen across the digital asset market, may have been predicted. This conclusion is based on recent cryptographic activity at Google, the world’s largest search engine.

Is Crypto Bull Cycle over?

In a post on August 29th on social media platform X, Alphractal founder and CEO Joao Wedson revealed that crypto-related searches on Google have been surged to new highs recently. This recent surge in Google searches suggests that Bitcoin and the broader crypto market may have reached a new local top, according to on-chain data experts.

Related readings

This revelation is based on the Google Trends chart. This allows investors to assess the social engagement of a variety of crypto-related topics on search engines. As shown in the chart below, metrics compare a variety of subjects, including cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, altcoin, centralized exchange, and data aggregation platforms.

Crypto
Source: @Joao_Wedson on x

As observed in the highlighted chart, Google Trends metrics have recently witnessed a significant surge, suggesting an increase in public attention across multiple crypto topics. According to Wedson, this type of spike has historically coincided with whales entering the market to sell while “everyone is obsessed.”

Furthermore, cryptocurrency markets have often shown a trend in the past to move in the opposite direction of crowds. These trends explain the price drops seen by most digital assets in the past few days as the market appears to have reached the new local top.

However, Wedson pointed out that other on-chain signals say the market slump, led by the latest well-being, does not necessarily spell the end of the current bull cycle. “Look back to BTC hitting $124K. Euphoria peaked online, whales actively sold, and we’ve been shortened,” the founder of Alfractal added.

Wedson then advised investors to take caution when Euphoria hits the crypto market, as it could suggest that Euphoria is imminent from the local top. Analysts at Crypto said a better strategy is to exit the market wisely at a higher price and then re-enter at a cheaper rate.

The total crypto market capitalization is $3.7 trillion

At the time of writing, Crypto’s total market capitalization was just above $3.7 trillion, reflecting a nearly 4% decline over the past day. Over $142 billion has been released from the crypto market in the last 24 hours, according to TradingView data.

Related readings

Crypto
Total crypto market capitalization for daily time frames | Source: TradingView total chart

ShutterStock featured images, TradingView charts

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/crypto-falls-hard-google-search-trends-calls-the-final-local-market-top/feed/ 0 55943 With Google Blockchain here, do you need to invest in alphabetical inventory? https://earlybirdsinvest.com/with-google-blockchain-here-do-you-need-to-invest-in-alphabetical-inventory/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/with-google-blockchain-here-do-you-need-to-invest-in-alphabetical-inventory/#respond Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:47:42 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/with-google-blockchain-here-do-you-need-to-invest-in-alphabetical-inventory/

Google Blockchain is here and is trying to dominate the market. In a LinkedIn post, Rich Widmann, head of Google’s Web3 Strategy, revealed new details about Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL).

He described GCUL as the culmination of years of internal R&D to compete with other top cryptocurrencies. It is designed to be a reliable neutral infrastructure that supports Python-based smart contracts.

“Financial institutions can be built with GCUL,” Widmann said. Tether said that while Circle’s blockchain is not used, Google has placed itself as a neutral layer that removes those barriers.

Discovered: Top 20 Cryptography to Buy in 2025

Is Google building a “planet scale” blockchain? Should I invest in alphabet stocks?

(googl)

The blockchain war among the fintech giants is intensifying. Stripe is the Building Tempo, a payment-centric chain associated with $1.4 trillion processing rails, and Circle has launched an Arc designed around USDC Stablecoin.

Google’s pitch is different. Rather than locking adoption into a single corporate ecosystem, GCUL aims to be plumbed like Ethereum or Polkadot, allowing ledger financial institutions to hire without being bound by the core business of their competitors.

image
(x)

That positioning can be key to adoption, especially if banks, fintechs and payment providers do not want to rely on rival blockchains.

According to a Widmann post, GCUL is “planetary scale” and aims to support billions of users and bank-grade features.

  • Stripe Tempo: Focusing on the flow of merchants.
  • Circle’s Ark: Stablecoin-Native chain with FX and settlement tools.
  • Google’s Gcul: Open infrastructure with Python smart contracts and facility-grade tokenization.

If Google can capture even a portion of Web3, it’s a $400 million market that they can play. Maybe that’s when you load it into the stock of the alphabet?

The timeline is also important. Circle’s arc is already on the pilot stage, and Stripe plans to roll out in 2026, while Gcul is conducting integration testing in 2026 with more extensive testing.

Discovered: 20+ Next Cryptographs to explode in 2025

Here’s the following for Gcul

(Dirty)

Stablecoins is over $200 billion, highlighting the demand for a reliable settlement railroad. Layer-1 defi activity grew year-over-year at 35%, even amid wider market volatility. If GCUL can position itself as a neutral base for these flows, it will gain a meaningful share of tokenization and payment volume.

Google plans to release technical details “In the coming months” We are working towards full-scale development with CME and other partners.

The big question is whether institutions will accept Google’s claims of neutrality, or whether reliance on high-tech giants will simply replace one form of centralization with another form.

Exploration: Tether CEO Paolo Aldoino says that Bitcoin’s strategic reserve is a great idea, as he wants net positive from the US elections: 99 Bitcoins exclusive

For the latest market updates, please join us in the discrepancy in 99bitcoins news here

Key takeout

  • Google Blockchain is here and is trying to dominate the market. Rich Widmann, head of Google’s Web3 strategy, revealed new details.

  • If Google can capture even a portion of Web3, it’s a 4t market that they can play. Maybe that’s when you load it into the stock of the alphabet?

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Isaiah McCall is an ultra marathon runner and journalist for 99 Bitcoin. He started on Usatoday in 2019 and now has a medium blog following over 30k views and millions of viewers. Follow him on @afroreporter Read more

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