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  • Here’s Why There is No Android 17 Developer Preview

    Here’s Why There is No Android 17 Developer Preview

    You may be wondering why Android 17 Beta is already here without several Android 17 Developer Preview builds before it? The reason is pretty simple.

    In July of last year, Google introduced the Android Canary track as a way for developers to test out new features or to see what Google has planned for future releases. The Android Canary track was specifically designed for developers to explore the newest Android APIs, not for you and I to mess around with. This Android Canary track is replacing Developer Preview builds, since it’s basically a developer preview.

    Google announced the change today alongside the first Android 17 Beta, saying that with features and APIs landing in Canary as soon as they pass internal testing, developers have even faster access to what’s coming. By utilizing Canary, this should also lead to more polished beta builds and easier testing.

    So to recap, we aren’t getting an Android 17 Developer Preview because Google is using its new Android Canary track for developer preview purposes. Instead, you and I are getting earlier Android 17 Beta builds to play with that should be more battle tested and ready for public use.

    This sounds like a big win to me. Sign-up for the Android Beta Program here.

  • Android 17 Release Calendar Published, Platform Stability Scheduled for March

    Android 17 Release Calendar Published, Platform Stability Scheduled for March

    Android 17 has arrived, along with a release calendar that will help users time when they can expect new builds from Google. The first build to release, which is in beta, is available now for download to select Pixel devices.

    Moving forward, Google has planned an aggressive release schedule. The Android team expects to reach platform stability in March, followed by a Major SDK Release in Q2. Developers will want to circle that one, as Google notes that it will have the potential to introduce app-breaking behaviors. Users will then have “several months” before the final release.

    Following final release, Google has a Minor SDK Release scheduled for Q4. In between these Major and Minor releases, the Android team says it plans for Android 17 to, “continue to get updates in a series of quarterly releases.”

    Overall, this is a very similar release schedule to that of last year’s Android 16. If you enjoy using beta builds and providing feedback to the Android team, you have a busy year ahead of you.

    // Google

  • Android 17 Beta 1 is Releasing “Soon”

    Android 17 Beta 1 is Releasing “Soon”

    Google surprised the Android world this afternoon by announcing that Android 17 Beta 1 is arriving “soon.” Yeah, Android 17, at least as a beta release, will be here soon enough that they needed to make sure you knew and were prepared for its release.

    There are a couple of things to note about this news. For one, they didn’t say Android 17 Developer Preview 1 is dropping soon. They said that the “Beta 1” is coming, almost as if we are jumping straight through developer builds and onto a somewhat stable beta version. That’s wild. I can’t wait to hear more about how that is possible or why we’re doing that.

    The second thing to note is that if you are enrolled in Android 16 QPR3 beta builds (like this one), you don’t need to do anything and you’ll just receive Android 17 Beta 1 when it drops. However, if you aren’t interested in that, you will need to opt-out of the beta program (here), ignore/don’t apply the downgrade OTA update that arrives, and instead just wait for the public stable release to arrive to get off the beta track. That should arrive as the March Pixel update in a few weeks, so you don’t have long to wait.

    So yeah, Android 17 Beta 1 is coming super “soon” and Google just made that official.

    // reddit

  • Galaxy Unpacked 2026 Scheduled for February 25

    Galaxy Unpacked 2026 Scheduled for February 25

    Samsung has booked the date at which they will unveil the Galaxy S26 series. February 25 is the day, 10am PT (1pm ET) is the time.

    In the press release, Samsung says, “Get ready for a mobile experience designed to remove friction from the things you do every day. The new Galaxy S series is coming – built to simplify everyday interactions, inspire confidence and make Galaxy AI feel seamlessly integrated from the moment it’s in hand.”

    Once pre-orders go live, we will let you know.

    What else do you think we might see? Any chances we get an updated Galaxy Ring or newAndroid XR hardware?

  • Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 Update Released for Pixel Phones

    Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 Update Released for Pixel Phones

    Google just dropped a minor update for the Android 16 QPR3 Beta program. The update arrives as Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 and appears to be a little bug fixer that they didn’t even provide a changelog for.

    The update is available as build CP11.251209.009 for the Pixel 6/6 Pro/6a/7/7 Pro, along with build CP11.251209.009.A1 for the other devices, like the Pixel 10 series. Again, we don’t know of any changes, only that Google is pushing this out a few weeks before we expect this QPR3 build to go stable as the March Pixel update with Pixel Feature Drop goodies alongside it.

    Here’s the important release info:

    • Release date: February 10, 2026
    • Build: CP11.251209.009 (Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7)
    • Build: CP11.251209.009.A1 (all other Pixel devices)
    • Emulator support: TBA
    • Security patch level: 2026-01-05
    • Google Play services: 25.47.33

    The OTA for Beta 2.1 should be live already. You can enroll your device for the Android Beta here. Of course, you can go the manual route with OTA files here and factory images here.

    Info on the Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 build can be found here.

    // Google

  • $300 Off Pixel 10 Pro XL Makes It Your Next Phone

    $300 Off Pixel 10 Pro XL Makes It Your Next Phone

    We told you a couple of months ago that you should only buy the Pixel 10 Pro XL if it was $300 off and we mostly stand by that. Google and its retail partners often drop the price of its best phones by $200 or $250 and that’s super tempting, but the $300 off mark is much more rare and the play. This week, that $300 off price returned and you should probably jump on it.

    $300 OFF PIXEL 10 PRO XL DEAL: The current best Pixel 10 Pro XL deal sees the 256GB model drop from $1,199 down to just $899. There aren’t many deals as good as this in the Android space. Samsung is typically doing trade-in promos to get its phones into the affordable range, but this is a cash discount on Google’s best available phone.

    Currently, you get save $300 off on the Pixel 10 Pro XL in either Moonstone (the best color) or Obsidian. The Jade and Porcelain models are $250 off.

    Want the smaller Pixel 10 Pro instead? I have great news there too. The Pixel 10 Pro with 128GB or 256GB is $250 off, which would be the best price ever for it. We haven’t seen prices like this since the holiday shopping season. With that discount, the Pixel 10 Pro starting price is just $749 for Porcelain or Obsidian.

  • Telegram on Android Gets “Massive” Redesign

    Telegram on Android Gets “Massive” Redesign

    Telegram announced this week that it has pushed out a major update to the Android version of its messaging app. They are calling this a “massive redesign,” and that’s mostly because it is finally catching up to the recent iOS redesign that introduced Apple’s Liquid Glass design.

    In a blog post, Telegram says that the Android version has a “fully redesigned interface” that should make moving around the app even quicker and more intuitive. Yoiu now have a floating bottom bar that lets you jump between chats, settings, profile, contacts, etc. In addition to the new vibes, the app has also been “completely rebuilt” to be more efficient and responsive than before.

    And that’s really the news here. Telegram looks more polished now on Android and compares to the iOS version, which has seen steady improvements in recent months. The biggest change is a new floating bottom bar to get you into different sections of the app, with a bit of Apple’s Liquid Glass design as a part of the fun. The Android version certainly felt a bit like it was falling behind, so this should make Android users happy.

    The update is live and you can grab it now from the Play Store.

    Google Play Link: Telegram

    // Telegram

  • AT&T’s Best Unlimited Plan

    AT&T’s Best Unlimited Plan

    For those looking for the best AT&T unlimited plan, the choices are pretty simple to narrow down, thanks to AT&T only offering 3 different plans. Unlike T-Mobile, who has more plans than I can keep track of, AT&T has a straight-forward line-up of unlimited data options with clear descriptions for features.

    I’ve got to be honest here in admitting that I have no idea what AT&T is doing to continue to gain customers using their current plan line-up, while Verizon has struggled in recent years with plans that are very similar and cheaper. But look, AT&T has had a number of years of positive customer gains, so they are doing something right with these unlimited plans.

    Let’s talk about which one is their best.

    AT&T Best Unlimited Plan

    When it comes to AT&T unlimited plans, there are 3 to choose from: AT&T Unlimited Premium PL, AT&T Unlimited Extra EL, and Unlimited Starter SL. Those names are ridiculous, but the plans themselves are not. You’ll pay $85.99 (Unlimited Premium), $75.99 (Unlimited Extra), or $65.99 (Unlimited Starter) for a single line, with prices dropping per line as you add more lines up to 5. With 5 lines, those prices come down to $45.99, $35.99, and $30.99, in the same order.

    Best ATT Unlimited Plan

    AT&T Unlimited Plan Recap

    When looking at these plans, you’ll find unlimited talk, text, and data in them all, it’s just that the high-speed data varies from one to the next. The other differences will come from the amount of hotspot data, streaming video quality, and if there is access when you leave the US and head to another country. All of these plans have unlimited talk, text, and data “in and between” the US, Canada, and Mexico.

    With Unlimited Premium PL, you get unlimited use of high-speed data that AT&T says will never slow down based on how much you use it. This plan also includes up to 60GB of hotspot data per month, 4K video streaming, and unlimited use when in 20 Latin American countries. With Unlimited Extra EL, your high-speed data is capped at 75GB before you may see some slowness if the network is busy. This plan also sees streaming quality reduced to standard (SD), hotspot downgraded to 30GB, and there is no Latin American country roaming. Finally, for Unlimited Starter SL, your high-speed data use will always be at risk of being slowed if the network is busy, you only get 5GB hotspot data, streaming is at SD, and there isn’t bonus Latin American usage. This is the base plan.

    See, all pretty straight-forward, right?

    Which is the best AT&T plan?

    Like with Verizon and T-Mobile’s best plans, the best choice for most people on AT&T is going to be that middle plan, Unlimited Extra EL. This plan has a ton of high-speed data allowance (75GB) and there’s 30GB of hotspot data there if you need it. That’s really all most people need from a 5G unlimited plan in the US. This plan comes with use in and between Canada and Mexico too, so you are covered there. The only reason you wouldn’t choose this plan is if you do regular international traveling.

    The price breakdown of this plan is as follows on a per line basis:

    • 1 lines: $75.99
    • 2 lines: $65.99
    • 3 lines: $50.99
    • 4 lines: $40.99
    • 5 lines: $35.99

    Sign-up for AT&T Unlimited