Gemini as the Google Assistant is a disaster

Gemini as the Google Assistant is a disaster. I have spent hours trying to make Gemini work as the Google Assistant for simple things. Couple of examples: Gemini was getting my location wrong for weather forecast (was eventually resolved for my home location but would still be questionable if traveling); Wouldn't unlock the lock screen to respond to simple queries like "Hey Google, what's the weather" and "Hey Google, good morning". Switched back to Google Assistant and everything resumed working correctly.

https://redd.it/1x12i6d
@reddit_android

Compact tablet with plenty of power – Lenovo Yoga Tab Gen 2 review
https://www.notebookcheck.net/New-premium-tablet-with-compact-dimensions-and-plenty-of-power-Lenovo-Yoga-Tab-Gen-2-review.1418928.0.html

https://redd.it/1x117hh
@reddit_android

Face Unlock vs. Fingerprint Scanner: What’s your main way to unlock your phone?

Hey everyone, just curious what the split is like here.

I’ve been using a phone with a fast fingerprint scanner for a long time, but a lot of newer devices are putting a massive emphasis on upgrading their biometric Face Unlock setups to work better in pitch-black low light.

If your phone has both options available, which one do you actually find yourself using more throughout a normal day? Do you prefer the instant speed of face unlock or the reliable muscle memory of a fingerprint sensor?

https://redd.it/1x1559o
@reddit_android

First look: This Pro Max Android phone is everything the iPhone isn't
https://www.androidauthority.com/oppo-find-x10-pro-max-global-first-look-3720562/

https://redd.it/1x0x9fb
@reddit_android

A week with Googlebooks: four notes from our testing so far
https://www.theverge.com/tech/1008563/googlebook-software-impressions-thoughts-roundtable

https://redd.it/1x1qlnk
@reddit_android

Next-gen Google TV Streamer in the works with microphones, presence sensing, & new remote
https://9to5google.com/2026/10/09/next-gen-google-tv-streamer/

https://redd.it/1x23dfl
@reddit_android

For the power users out there using Firefox extensions - be mindful of the extensions you're using and their CPU requirements.

I have an s25 ultra and use Firefox with a number of extensions including ublock, decentraleyes, dark reader, BitWarden, etc. Firefox has always been the number one app draining my battery by a large margin. After doing a deep dive on battery consumption per Firefox extension, I found out that Dark Reader in particular was a huge contributor to this drain because the app dynamically recalculates the CSS of every webpage element to invert colors in real-time. After switching to a much more efficient extension called UltimaDark, Firefox is consuming nearly 40% less power. I had no idea a single extension could eat up so much power.

https://redd.it/1x20p7w
@reddit_android

Rising memory costs push Samsung Mobile division into $2.2 Billion loss this quarter
https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-it/2026/10/08/34A4JQ44AND6LL3M5KAJAY4ZJY/

https://redd.it/1x29uwl
@reddit_android

Best Chipset: Snapdragon Elite Gen 6 vs. Dimensity 9600 Pro, A20 Pro, Exynos, Tensor!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rNJUaWeSFU&feature=youtu.be

https://redd.it/1x2jb5m
@reddit_android

The Next Chapter of NexPhone: Android 17, a More Capable Desktop, and the Road to Shipping [delayed to March 2027]
https://nexphone.com/blog/the-next-chapter-of-nexphone-android-17-a-more-capable-desktop-and-the-road-to-shipping

https://redd.it/1x2jtfk
@reddit_android

Update on Better Together setup & Samsung Galaxy rollout on Googlebook (x-post r/Googlebook)
https://www.reddit.com/r/Googlebook/comments/1x2pokf/update_on_better_together_setup_samsung_galaxy/

https://redd.it/1x2q4bs
@reddit_android

Rumors suggest Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S27 Pro and Ultra will introduce DC dimming to reduce eye strain compared to traditional PWM flickering.
https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s27_might_finally_introduce_dc_dimming-news-74994.php

https://redd.it/1x2qaxr
@reddit_android

Googlebook’s app situation is a mess, and not just because things are missing
https://9to5google.com/2026/10/09/googlebook-app-situation-messy/

https://redd.it/1x2so4k
@reddit_android

Juan Bagnell - Pixel 11 Pro Camera Conclusion: Better hardware, but better photos?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeDTPkWTBno&feature=youtu.be

https://redd.it/1x35pgu
@reddit_android

LineageOS 24.0: Changelog 32 - Slick Seventeen, Awesome Applications, Universal USB Tools
https://lineageos.org/Changelog-32/

https://redd.it/1x38eg3
@reddit_android

Samsung Galaxy S27 might finally introduce DC dimming
https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s27_might_finally_introduce_dc_dimming-news-74994.php

https://redd.it/1x3ottt
@reddit_android

LineageOS is now available for the entire Pixel 10 lineup and the more affordable Pixel 10a after a protracted wait.
https://9to5google.com/2026/10/12/lineageos-support-finally-comes-to-pixel-10-and-10a-lineup/

https://redd.it/1x3zynd
@reddit_android

Introducing the Googlebook Linux Terminal Preview: A VM-Backed Environment for AI and Development
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/10/googlebook-linux-terminal-preview-vm.html

https://redd.it/1x491jx
@reddit_android

The Linux terminal on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 series is currently broken

https://preview.redd.it/yfb9av0123vh1.jpg?width=2960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3235c61a47ce640aac6da4d8b917c6223943edf0

The OS image downloads and installs fine, but fails to connect to the virtual machine afterwards. I haven't been able to figure out why yet, but will update if I find out. The hardware (Dimensity 9500+) supports it, so it's definitely a software issue. It works fine on an S26 Exynos model on One UI 9, so it's also not because of One UI 9.

For reference, the Linux terminal is currently only supported on the S26/S26+ Exynos models (Exynos 2600), Flip7 (Exynos 2500), Tab S11/S11 Ultra (Dimensity 9400+), Tab S10 FE/FE+ (Exynos 1580), A57 (Exynos 1680), and A56 (Exynos 1580). The S26 FE (Exynos 2500) probably also supports it, but I haven't been able to test it, and haven't seen any mention online.

Disclosure: This was discovered on a Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra on loan from Samsung.

https://redd.it/1x4ag5t
@reddit_android

Exclusive: Samsung’s Smart Glasses Weigh 41g, Here’s Every Frame
https://sammyguru.com/exclusive-samsung-smart-glasses-every-frame-weight/

https://redd.it/1x4ctmt
@reddit_android