It was only recently that Microsoft introduced the Surface Pro 9, and sure enough, it's the best Windows tablet you can buy right now, on top of being one of the best Surface PCs on the market. Still, it's far from a perfect device. But as is typical in the tech world, we're always looking forward to the next thing. We've already got our sights on the Surface Pro 10, even if it's likely a whole year away.
The most exciting thing about a big Android update is being able to follow a pattern to get a taste of all the new features. Google's Android 12 update marked the biggest visual redesign of the operating system since Android 5 Lollipop thanks to Material You. The new design philosophy, along with an exhaustive list of new features, made Android 12 look and feel radically different from previous iterations. Android 13 then came along and doubled down on many of the same aesthetic choices. Now we're moving on to Android 14, and it's likely that there will be even more under-the-hood changes.
Today, the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) held a Matter launch event in Amsterdam to showcase partners and their products. The specification for Matter 1.0 was published at the top of last month, and now, partners have finally come together to show support. While devices and products were shown off at the event from partners, CSA stated that 190 products are certified or are in the certification process.
The biggest advantage of using an Android phone is the ability to customize it. From changing elements on your home screen like the launcher, wallpaper, and widgets, to Substratum theming on some devices, Android gives you the freedom to change the way the software on your phone looks. For beginners, the customization starts with changing the icon packs. Most Android launchers support third-party icon packs, which you can use to completely change the look of your home screen.
Snapchat has joined hands with Amazon Fashion to introduce a new set of AR Lenses that will make shopping for eyewear a whole lot easier. The new Lenses let you try eyeglasses and sunglasses from brands like Maui Jim, Persol, Oakley, and Costa Del Mar within the Snapchat app and purchase them from Amazon Fashion using a direct link.
The Google Pixel series has always been the darling of Android enthusiasts and smartphone camera geeks, but a combination of sub-par hardware and lack of global availability meant they were always niche devices, coming nowhere close to the commercial success or mainstream recognition of the iPhone.
