Gear News of the Week: Google Rolls Out Another Android Update, and Sony Unveils the A7 V
Android fans have already seen plenty from Google this year, with Android 16 bringing a wave of new features in June. Now, the tech giant is back with another substantial update bundle, adding more customization, smarter parental controls, and refined notifications.
You can customize icon shapes, build cohesive themes, and extend dark mode to apps that lack their own dark themes. The revamped parental controls let you manage screen time, downtime, app usage, and rewards directly on your child’s devices. AI-powered notification summaries provide a concise TL;DR for long messages or group chats. Related notifications are grouped, and low-priority alerts, such as promotions, can be silenced.
Google has also added helpful accessibility improvements. Expressive Captions now include emotion tags and are rolling out in English-language YouTube videos and across Android. A configurable AutoClick feature helps mouse users reduce strain, while Guided Frame offers more descriptive information about what a camera sees in the Pixel camera app. You can launch Voice Access with a voice command to Gemini. Fast Pair for hearing aids is expanding (now supporting Demant, with Starkey coming in early 2026), and improved voice dictation with TalkBack is on the way. Initially rolling out to Pixel devices, these enhancements will reach third-party devices over time.
In a nod to older Android versions, Google is reintroducing several non-16-specific features, such as Emoji Kitchen stickers, the ability to leave and report group chats in Google Messages, Circle to Search for scam checks, and pinned tabs in Chrome similar to the desktop experience. A standout for many readers is Call Reason, a feature that flags calls to saved contacts as “urgent.” —Simon Hill
The Long-Awaited Sony A7 V Arrives
Sony has released the A7 V, the next evolution in its prosumer full-frame Alpha 7 line. The fifth iteration introduces a 33-megapixel partially stacked CMOS sensor and the BIONZ XR2 processor, bringing an AI processing unit directly into the chip. The update also enhances in-body image stabilization (IBIS) up to 7.5 stops, supports 16 stops of dynamic range, offers 30 fps shooting with full autofocus, and features Sony’s highly-regarded AI subject and eye detection.
On the video front, the camera supports 7K oversampled 4K at 60 fps in full-frame mode, plus 4K at 120 fps in Super 35/APS-C mode. Open-gate recording remains exclusive to higher-end flagship models like the A1.
After a hands-on period with the A7 V, the standout is the autofocus system, widely regarded as the most accurate seen at this price point. The 7.5-stop IBIS also delivers impressive low-light potential. Availability is set for the end of December, with a price tag of $2,899. Preorders are open at Adorama and B&H Photo.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold: Phone Meets Tablet
Samsung is expanding folding phones with a new TriFold design in the US. Unlike typical foldables that transition to an 7–8 inch screen, the Galaxy Z TriFold unfolds to a spacious 10 inches, though the device remains quite thick when folded (about 12.9 mm excluding the camera bump) and on the heavier side (around 309 grams).
Under the hood, it sports the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy, a 200 MP camera, and a 5,600 mAh (three-cell) battery. It supports 45W fast charging, 16 GB of RAM, and either 512 GB or 1 TB of storage. The standout feature is the 10-inch AMOLED display, boasting a resolution of 2160 x 1584, up to 1,600 nits peak brightness, and a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate.
Samsung has teased a tri-fold design throughout the year, and this model marks the first to reach the US market. The Huawei Mate X previously generated buzz but never officially arrived stateside. While a 10-inch screen on a pocketable device is ideal for movie watching or multitasking (with three apps shown side-by-side), the TriFold remains notably thick when closed and heavy, with speculative pricing around $3,000. It’s expected to land in the US in Q1 2026. —Simon Hill
Kobo Introduces a Remote Page-Turner for E-Readers
A familiar accessory for avid readers, page-turning remotes let you advance pages with a click instead of swiping or tapping the screen. This ergonomic and accessibility-friendly option has mostly lived in third-party territory until now. Kobo is changing that by launching the Kobo Remote, designed to pair via Bluetooth with any Kobo e-reader. The company promises long battery life, addressing the common complaint of short-lived third-party remotes. It’s a thoughtful gift for Kobo users, though it raises the question of when other manufacturers will offer similar options. —Nena Farrell
Alexa+ Unveils a New Streaming Trick
The latest generation of voice assistants centers on more natural conversation, and Amazon’s Alexa+ pushes this further with a jump-to-scene feature for Fire TV devices. Now you can ask for a specific moment in a show or movie, and Alexa+ will instantly start playing from that point. For example, you can say “the scene in Mamma Mia where Sophie sings ‘Honey, Honey’” or “the card scene in Love Actually,” and Alexa+ will locate it. Amazon claims this works with thousands of Prime Video titles and is compatible across all Alexa+-enabled Fire TV devices, including second- and third-generation Fire TV Sticks, the Fire TV Cube, and assorted Fire TV models. —Nena Farrell
