Android 17 Reaches the Galaxy S23 as Google’s Earthquake Alerts Go Global
Samsung pushed its Android 17-based One UI 9 update to another batch of Galaxy phones today, including the three-year-old Galaxy S23 series, while Google more than doubled the reach of Android’s Earthquake Alerts System. Elsewhere, Gemini’s cheapest paid plan is reportedly losing Pro model access, some Pixel owners are chasing a quiet-microphone problem, and a new liquid-cooled gaming phone shows off Qualcomm’s fastest chip.
Samsung Rolls Android 17 Out to the Galaxy S23, Fold 5 and Flip 5
Samsung has started releasing its stable One UI 9 update, based on Android 17, to eight more devices: the Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5, and the Galaxy A56, A36 and A27. According to 9to5Google, the rollout begins in South Korea, with S23 owners who joined the beta program first in line.
Samsung usually widens these releases to more regions within a day or two, so owners elsewhere should see the update soon. It’s a significant moment for the S23 series, which launched on Android 13 and now receives its fourth major OS upgrade. One UI 9’s headline additions include editable Now Brief cards, Privacy Alerts for background permission requests and upgraded Interpreter tools, though some features vary by device and region.
Source:
9to5Google
Android Earthquake Alerts Now Cover More Than 200 Countries and Regions
Google is expanding the Android Earthquake Alerts System from 98 countries to more than 200 countries and regions, with Panama and Guatemala among the newly covered areas. The system, which uses Android phones as a crowdsourced detection network, has sent more than one billion alerts since launching in 2021.
Google is also redesigning its mid-level “Be Ready” alert over the coming months to show a map of where shaking was detected, an estimated magnitude and recommended safety steps. For people in newly covered regions, that can mean a few crucial seconds of warning before strong shaking arrives, with no extra app to install.
Source:
Google Blog
REPORT: Google AI Plus Subscribers to Lose Gemini Pro Models
Subscribers to Google AI Plus, the $4.99-per-month tier, will reportedly lose the option to pick Pro models in the Gemini app and in AI Mode in Search starting November 13. According to an email shared by a Reddit user and reported by 9to5Google, the plan will keep access to Flash and Flash-Lite, and existing Pro chats can be continued with a different model.
If the change goes ahead, Android users who rely on Gemini for more demanding tasks will need to move up to the $19.99 Google AI Pro plan to keep Pro-level models.
Note: Google has not publicly announced this change. Details come from a customer email reported by 9to5Google.
Source:
9to5Google
Some Pixel Owners Report Unusually Quiet Audio Recordings
A number of Pixel owners say their phones are recording audio far quieter than expected, both in the camera app and in third-party apps like WhatsApp, Instagram and Snapchat. Reports include Pixel 10 Pro XL owners, while calls and media playback reportedly sound normal.
Google hasn’t acknowledged a widespread problem, although its PixelCommunity account has replied to at least one complaint and one user was reportedly offered a warranty replacement. There’s no confirmed fix yet, so affected owners should contact Google support.
Source:
Android Authority
REDMAGIC Launches a Liquid-Cooled Gaming Phone With Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
REDMAGIC has launched its latest 12 Pro-series gaming phone in China, built around Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. It pairs the chip with an 8,400mAh battery, 120W wired and 80W wireless charging, a 185Hz display and an RGB liquid-cooling ring on the back.
Chinese pricing starts at 6,999 yuan (about $1,045) for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. REDMAGIC plans to share global pricing and availability for the international REDMAGIC 12 Pro on November 3, making it one of the first chances for Android gamers outside China to get Qualcomm’s latest flagship silicon.
Source:
Android Authority
TEARDOWN: Android’s Heads Up Walking Safety Feature May Shut Down in 2027
Heads Up, the Digital Wellbeing feature that reminds you to look up from your phone while walking, appears to be on its way out. An APK teardown of Digital Wellbeing 1.49.99 beta surfaced a banner saying the feature “will stop working in 2027,” without a specific date.
If you rely on Heads Up as a nudge to stay aware of traffic and surroundings, it may be worth getting used to life without it.Note: This finding comes from unreleased app code. Google has not confirmed the shutdown, and plans can change.
Source:
Android Authority
RUMOR: Samsung’s One UI 10 Could Bring a Major Overhaul
A tipster on X claims Samsung is preparing a major One UI 10 revamp, referred to by their sources as “Galaxy OS,” with deeper AI integration through closer work with Google and possibly paid third-party services. The tipster later said the software would still be called One UI and suggested the overhaul could land around the Galaxy S28 launch.Note: This is an unverified rumor from a source without an established track record. Samsung has not commented.
Source:
Android Authority
Bottom Line
Samsung’s One UI 9 expansion and Google’s Earthquake Alerts rollout are today’s most practical stories: one brings a new Android version to millions of older Galaxy phones, and the other extends a potentially life-saving feature to more than 100 additional countries and regions. Gemini AI Plus subscribers should watch for official word before November 13, and Pixel owners with quiet recordings should keep an eye on Google’s response.