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Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
⚡ Welcome to The Weekly Authority, the Android Authority newsletter that breaks down the top Android and tech news from the week. The 217th edition here, with Google Pixel 7 payments issues, Galaxy S23 specs, great news for Silent Hill fans, and more.
🎮 I’m really excited at the Silent Hill news, but now I’m craving a similar horror game to play. Any recommendations for me? I tried The Medium, but I’m too much of a wuss (though Alien Isolation was totally fine) 🙈
Popular news this week
Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
OnePlus:
The next OnePlus flagship could be a Pro in all but name.
Motorola:
Motorola reveals rollable phone concept that extends from the top, could be the Z Flip of the rollable world.
And looks like Motorola could double down on foldables next year: Here’s hoping these devices come to global markets.
Space:
Huge, unusually powerful explosion in space just detected by scientists: Don’t worry though, it happened in a galaxy two billion light-years away.
James Webb telescope spies ‘Pillars of Creation’ — cool, dense clouds of hydrogen gas and dust in the Serpens constellation, some 6,500 light-years from Earth — most famously photographed by the Hubble Telescope in 2014.
Google Pixel 7 review: A bargain that’s impossible to beat — “At just $599, the Pixel 7 is without doubt the best value phone on the market” (Android Authority).
Google Pixel Watch review: Laying the foundation — “It’s not everything we were hoping for, but it’s a solid start” (Android Authority).
POCO M5s review: “The POCO M5s is a great budget phone for streaming, browsing, and everyday use, though the quad camera can be hit and miss” (Trusted Reviews).
Features
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Weekly Wonder
Wikipedia
This week we’d like to wish a very happy birthday to the console of many of our childhoods, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
The NES launched in the US this week (October 18) in 1985.
It had already been released in Japan in July 1983 as the Famicom or Family Computer, selling over 2.5m units in its first year on sale.
Where the Famicom was white, with red controllers and buttons, the NES was larger and mostly gray.
At first, the NES only launched in New York City, followed by Los Angeles in February 1986.
The 8-bit console didn’t release nationwide until September 27, 1986.
On that same day, Nintendo released 18 games, including Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong Jr. Math, Hogan’s Alley, Duck Hunt, Pinball, Wild Gunman, and more.
The NES was the starting point for many popular franchises, with titles such as Final Fantasy, Castlevania, and Legend of Zelda.
But the console’s most popular game was Super Mario Bros, which to date has sold over 40 million copies worldwide — and it’s the second-best-selling video game of all time behind Wii Sports.
Here are a few things we bet you didn’t know about the NES:
Nintendo
A Nintendo World Championship cartridge once sold for $100,088 on eBay.
Super Mario Bros has secret levels: You’ll need a top-loading NES, a Super Mario Bros. cartridge, and a copy of the NES game Tennis to access them though — plus this guide.
Yes, we all love Zelda, but back in the day, the president of Nintendo’s State-side division thought the game had too much text and was too difficult to appeal to a US audience. Goes to show how wrong you can be!
Nintendo created helplines for gamers: Back in the 80s, there was no internet to consult when you got stuck on your game. Nintendo launched the Powerline, a telephone service where players who were skilled at Nintendo games would help you out. The service was revived in 2023 for one weekend only to celebrate the NES.
Final Fantasy is a huge franchise these days, but has humble roots as a single game on the NES. If you got bored battling dragons, you could take a break and play a traditional slide puzzle mini-game, though it was pretty tricky to access — you had to press “A” and “B” together 55 times in a row while on a ship. To think we complain about gamer’s thumb nowadays!
If we’ve got you in the mood for some retro gaming, you can pick up a NES on eBay these days for anywhere between $50 and $150. You could grab one of the best NES emulators for Android, or you could just grab a Switch to get your Nintendo fix. We’ve rounded up some of the best free Nintendo Switch games, including titles like Brawlhalla and Pokemon Quest, plus the best Switch eShop games you should totally get today.
Tech Calendar
October 26 @ 7PM PT: Nothing Ear Stick launch event
November 8: Skull and Bones release date on Xbox Series S/X, PS5, PC, Stadia, and Luna
November 9: God of War: Ragnarok launches on PS4, PS5
November 9-11: MediaTek Executive Summit 2023
November 15-17: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit
November 18: The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me launches on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and PC
Tech Tweet of the Week
You're reading The Weekly Authority: Pixel 7 Payments Pain
The Weekly Authority: Edition #165
🎃 Halloween’s right around the corner so I’ve been busy decorating the house while also watching all the Halloween films. The first one’s still my favorite.
Popular news this week
Luka Mlinar / Android Authority
Reviews
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Weekly Wonder
This week we’re diving into tech history with a look at American inventor Thomas Edison.
On this week in 1879 — October 21, to be precise — Edison perfected the first commercially practical incandescent light bulb. Although it didn’t last quite as long as bulbs do today, racking up just 13.5 hours of light before burning out, his later attempts lasted longer, extending the bulb’s lifespan to around 40 hours.
Many people think Edison invented the light bulb, but that’s simply not true.
The light bulb was actually invented by a British scientist called Warren de la Rue, back in 1840. Warren’s invention use a coiled filament made of platinum, but due to the cost of the materials, it never became a success commercially.
He was far from the only one to have a go at inventing light bulbs: Back in 1800, Alessandro Volta, an Italian physicist, chemist, and electricity pioneer — also credited as the inventor of the electric battery — was already carrying out his own experiments. In 1799, Volta invented the voltaic pile, an early form of electric battery, proving that electricity could be generated chemically.
There were others creating early incandescent lamps too, but all attempts were commercially impractical, requiring the use of a high electric current and with an extremely short lifespan.
But back to Edison: He didn’t perfect the light bulb as we know it today on his first attempt. In fact, Edison began working on creating an incandescent lamp for indoor use almost 18 months before his success, using a filament made of carbonized cardboard that burnt out too fast.
He later experimented with different filaments, using palmetto, hemp, and various grasses, finally settling on bamboo. In total, he tested more than 6,000 vegetable fibers, ran 1,200 experiments, and spent $40,000.
After his success on October 21, Edison filed for a US patent on November 4, 1879, granted January 27, 1880.
A few months after the patent was granted, Edison discovered carbonizing the bamboo filament gave the bulb a lifespan of over 1,200 hours.
Edison went on to form the Edison Electric Light Company in New York City, demonstrating his light bulb for the first time in public on December 31, 1879. During the demonstration, he said, “We will make electricity so cheap that only the rich will burn candles.”
Things you never knew about Thomas Edison
The light bulb wasn’t Thomas Edison’s first foray into inventing. In 1869, he invented the Electrographic Vote-Recorder, to speed up the voting process. No more shouting “Yes!” or “No!” Just flip a switch, and votes would be counted electronically. Politicians weren’t fans of the invention, and as a result, it was a total flop.
In 1877, he invented the phonograph — or record player, as we know it today — but he can also be credited with inventing the fluoroscope, the tasimeter, and the electromechanical design for the Kinetograph, a motion picture camera.
After the phonograph’s debut, Edison began work developing creepy talking dolls with tiny phonographs that played children’s songs and “spoke” lyrics. He only sold 500 dolls, and critics said they couldn’t understand what the dolls were saying, so they never really took off.
Love cat videos? Thomas Edison made one of the first. In 1893, he built The Black Maria (known better as “The Dog House”), one of the first movie studios, at his labs in West Orange, New Jersey. During its time it made several short films, including the above movie about boxing cats…
Nikola Tesla worked briefly with Edison. The inventor and engineer was hired on June 8, 1884, and started work at the Edison Machine Works as an Electrical Engineer, earning $100 a year. He only stayed for six months, attempting to convince Edison of the potential of AC, before securing investment and selling patents that relied on AC to the industrialist George Westinghouse.
The Tesla-Edison feud was definitely a real thing, but the two men weren’t the staunch enemies they were made out to be. When Tesla lost his lab following a fire in 1895, Edison offered him a workspace. When Edison gave a lecture for the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, Tesla ensured he received a standing ovation.
Tech Calendar
October 26: Sony Xperia launch @ 11PM ET
October 26: Palm Bud Pros launch
October 27-28: 2023 Android Dev Summit
October 28: Redmi Note 11 launch
November 18-19: MediaTek Executive Summit
Tech Tweet of the WeekFirst: Can you believe it’s now backordered until November?
And this is everything…
The angry little face as the green beans get snapped.
I’ve been laughing at this for an embarrassingly long time. chúng tôi
— Daniel Holland🎗🏴 (@DannyDutch) October 16, 2023
Have a de-light-ful week (sorry!)
Paula Beaton, Copy Editor
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The Weekly Authority: 💻 Chrome’S Ad Blocking’S Safe, For Now
Popular news this week
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Samsung:
Samsung Good Lock is finally available in more countries: If you’re in Europe, Latin America, and a couple of Asian countries, you can now find the apps in the Galaxy Store.
Samsung reportedly ditches Samsung, will rely on Samsung for future Samsung chips: Samsung has apparently formed a chip development team within its mobile unit, with the purported goal of making custom phone chips. The company currently relies on a sister unit for its Exynos chips.
Best for an Android deep dive: Android BytesMishaal Rahman and David Ruddock chat with Android experts and ask super-nerdy questions about all things Android, like “What are the hidden costs of building an Android phone?” If you need your Android fix over the holidays, this is a must-listen, with episodes ranging from 30 minutes to an hour — and there’s a huge back catalog to listen to, as well.
Best over breakfast: The Hustle Daily ShowThe Hustle Daily Show remains one of my favorite podcasts for a quick catch-up of the day’s top stories. Hosts Zachary Crockett, Juliet Bennett Rylah, Jacob Cohen, and Rob Litterst provide a daily dose of offbeat and informative takes on all the latest business and tech news. Each episode’s around 10-15 minutes in length, making this a great way to get tech headlines over breakfast.
Best for smart home and IoT enthusiasts: Internet of ThingsThis weekly podcast is packed with news and analysis on smart home, industrial internet of things, enterprise internet of things, and more, from co-hosts Stacey Higginbottom and Kevin Tofel. Episodes run around an hour long, perfect for a lazy afternoon’s listening on the couch.
Best for behind-the-scenes stories: Business WarsNot strictly a tech podcast but a riveting listen nonetheless, Business Wars dives deep into the cutthroat world of business as host David Brown shares the stories behind the world’s biggest business rivalries through clever sound design and reimagined conversations. New episodes land Wednesdays, and there are already over 450 for you to listen to.
Best for science nerds: Flash ForwardI’ve been a fan of Flash Forward since it began, looking at possible (and not so possible) future scenarios every week, answering questions like “How would diplomacy work if we couldn’t lie?” or “Could we all live underground?” Host and award-winning science journalist Rose Eveleth presents a combination of investigative journalism and audio drama that’s truly engaging. Sadly, the podcast itself ended in 2023, but its new immersive drama, Welcome to Vanguard Estates, has landed, and you can pick your own route through the story. It’s definitely worth a listen this holiday season.
Best for gamers: Kinda Funny Games DailyWhen I can’t be bothered reading the games headlines from the week but want to stay abreast of what’s happening, Kinda Funny Games Daily is where I turn. This podcast’s vibe is very much a group of friends chatting about all things gaming, which I guess is why it’s the world’s most popular daily video game news podcast. Hosts Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, Tim Gettys, Blessing Adeoye, and Star Wars Rogue One writer Gary Whitta, the podcast covers the latest in PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and other gaming news, with a cast of guests and games industry veterans.
While you’re here, why not check out our roundup of the best podcasts to listen to on Spotify? Or for something a little darker, we’ve also chosen some of the best true crime podcasts, though we don’t recommend listening before bed…
Tech Calendar
January 5-8, 2023: CES 2023 (Las Vegas)
January 12: Motorola Moto G Play launches (US and Canada)
February (date TBC): Samsung Unpacked (Galaxy S23?)
Tech Tweet of the WeekDaily Authority: 📈 Starlink, Pixel Sales
☕ Good morning! It’s Groundhog Day, stay safe out there!
Ok, what you might want to know this morning is that Elon Musk tweeted a link to news that SpaceX has a new deal:
The new Starlink Premium now promises up to 500Mbps for $500 a month.
To get it, you’ll also need a new premium antenna with “double the antenna capabilities” and an upfront cost of $2,500.
The new site dedicated to the option says: “Starlink Premium users can expect download speeds of 150-500Mbps and latency of 20-40ms, enabling high throughput connectivity for small offices, storefronts, and super users across the globe.”
And it’s still pretty flexible: “With Starlink, there are no long-term contracts, no data caps, and no exclusivity requirements.”
In addition, the new “extra-rugged” dish may work better in very hot or cold environments, and there’s 24/7 prioritized support, too.
It looks like a pitch towards businesses to buy: the answer to the perhaps shouted demand from an office or someone in the field, something like “Just get me internet that works!”
By the way, SpaceX has now launched 1,993 Starlink satellites to date, with one tracker saying that 1,468 of them are providing Starlink services, so coverage should be getting better, though the end goal is 42,000 sats.
The other thing you should know this morning is that last night, Google confirmed a good quarter for the Pixel.
Now, unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of detail: no sales figures or dollars, exactly.
But what Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai did say was: “In Q4 we set an all-time quarterly sales record for Pixel. This came in spite of an extremely challenging supply chain environment. The response to Pixel 6 from our customers and carrier partners was incredibly positive.”
So, no numbers. Google might’ve sold one more phone than the last quarter, which would give it every right to say we set a new record. That’s how records work.
But really, it seems bigger than that, and …that’s pretty much expected given Google actually tried.
The Pixel 6 series is acclaimed, the Pixel 6 alone is a great deal and you don’t need a Pro, and there’s more marketing for it than ever before — and I’ve seen that in my city and heard it from a bunch of people in different parts of the world.
Google also signed 45 carrier and retailer partnership deals, which is a key vector to getting phones into hands.
Weirdness WednesdayFor some reason, in the past month or so, Musk offered Sweeney $5,000 to take down the bot via Twitter DM. And that’s where it gets interesting: now Elon has shut down Twitter negotiations with the teen creator.
Mashable has been keeping admirable tabs on the whole thing, with Protocol doing the early yards in talking with Sweeney.
Anyway, first came the Twitter DM offering $5k, with a conversation unfolding about flight tracking via ADS-B Exchange data, and even pointing Musk towards using a free information-blocking program set up by the FAA, called Privacy ICAO aircraft address program, or PIA.
But Sweeney, whose dad works in the airline industry, has been able to keep tracking ol’ Musky.
Sweeney countered Musk’s offer by asking for $50k, or a Tesla Model 3, or an internship at SpaceX or Tesla, and was then blocked by Musk.
Anyway, the Twitter bot is still working, even with the PIA blocking program, even with some kind of weird military-level blocking going on.
Cheers,
Tristan Rayner, Senior Editor
The Best Pixel 7 Pro Screen Protectors
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
The Google Pixel 7 Pro is one of the best-looking smartphones you can buy. It features a beautiful high-refresh AMOLED display that gets very bright and is plenty pixel-dense at 512 ppi. Because it looks so great, you don’t want to mar its high-end look or feel with accidental scratches, cracks, or nicks. That said, because its display edges are curved, finding a satisfactory screen protector for the Pixel 7 Pro is a challenge to say the least. It’s no secret that tempered glass screen protectors typically don’t play nice with curved screens. Luckily, there are a few great options for protecting your Pixel 7 Pro. Let’s review the best Pixel 7 Pro screen protectors you can buy.
The best screen protectors for the Google Pixel 7 Pro
IMBZBK UV Tempered Glass
The first import option on our list, the IMBZBK UV Tempered Glass is one of the top tempered glass screen protectors available for the Google Pixel 7 Pro. Most screen protectors for curved screens are film or plastic, which cannot fully duplicate the smooth, glassy texture of the device’s original touchscreen display. The few tempered glass screen protectors that are out there for screens with waterfall edges typically have negative reviews because the edges don’t fully reach or they start lifting up.
There are plenty of curved tempered glass screen protectors and UV options, but what makes this one great is that it is clear all the way around. Many of these tempered glass options feature black bars around the edges, which users may find a bit annoying. The fact that this one sticks well to the curved screen, functions well with the under-screen fingerprint reader, and is also fully clear makes this one of the best screen protectors on the market for the Pixel 7 Pro.
Fangtian Guard Tempered Glass
When you’re looking into tempered glass screen protectors for devices with curved edges, your options will be more limited. However, Fangtian Guard’s solution is one many will find satisfactory. It comes with an installation guidance frame for a smoother application experience. It also — and this is very important — features a separate kind of glue for the under-screen fingerprint reader area. After installation, this area will look a bit different, but it also makes the fingerprint reader work much better than with other screen protectors that don’t have that section set apart. Many tempered glass screen protectors are notorious for impeding the ability of the device to read fingerprints. You won’t have that issue with this screen protector, though you must deal with those black bars at the top and bottom.
UIYTRAESTING Tempered Glass
Another import option, this tempered glass screen protector from UIYTRAESTING does what the Fangtian Guard set does, but at a lower cost. It has that closer-set fingerprint area, and will give your Pixel 7 Pro that added scratch and scuff protection while remaining glassy to the touch. The way that this screen protector is more tentatively cut, it also plays nicely with most cases, covers, and skins for the Pixel 7 Pro. If that’s important to you, this case-friendly tempered glass option might be your best bet.
Armor Suit MilitaryShield
The Pixel 7 Pro’s curved glass can make finding a suitable screen protector challenging. However, the Armor Suit MilitaryShield case-friendly film for the Pixel 7 Pro offers a flexible solution that accommodates the device’s curved edges. This film sits close to the screen, allowing the under-screen fingerprint reader to easily recognize your fingerprints through the film.
LK TPU Film
The LK TPU film for the Pixel 7 Pro includes two screen protectors and two camera lens protectors with installation tools. The screen protector maintains a smooth touch while also being thin and durable. The way it’s cut is also quite case-friendly.
Spigen NeoFlex
Spigen‘s screen protector offering for the Pixel 7 Pro has been met with mixed reviews. However, the bottom line is that it’s a thin film that provides solid coverage for the device’s curved screen, from edge to edge. Its liquid installation method will inevitably take more time than most tempered glass screen protectors, but because it’s a film that sits close to the display, the fingerprint reader will work optimally. It is optimized for compatibility with all Spigen cases.
Sharp Back Pain: Stabbing Pain In Back
A sudden sharp pain in the back can stop anyone in their tracks and the cause of a sudden sharp back pain or acute back pain is not always obvious. Different muscles, bones and connective tissues meet in the back; thus, individuals may experience back pain for a wide range of reasons.
The majority of people experience sharp back pain in the lower back as compared to the upper back. There are many common and less-common causes of sharp back pain, and they may be both mechanical and medical.
Sharp Back Pain: Common CausesSharp back pain which is caused by a mechanical problem with the bones, disks, ligaments, or muscles of the back is one of the most common types of back pain. Some of the most specific causes for acute or sharp back pain may include the following −
Muscle SpasmIt refers to prolonged contraction or stiffening of the back muscles, which are a result of trauma or repetitive strain. A muscle spasm can produce sharp back pain in either the upper or lower back.
A muscle strain or spasm might occur due to a simple action like suddenly bending down to pick something up or twisting while holding a heavy object. A sharp back pain due to muscle strain may cause a burning or tingling sensation or a radiating ache, especially in the lower back.
Slipped DiskSlipped disk is also called a bulging disk, herniated disk, ruptured disk or pinched nerve. It occurs from the improper lifting of heavy objects or overly strenuous activity. One of the most common symptoms of a slipped disk is sciatica which occurs when sharp back pain shoots down through the buttocks into the legs.
Pain from sciatica may build up over time or come severely at once. It may vary from a dull ache or severe tearing to a burning feeling. The pain may be warm or sharp and may radiate from one side of the lower back down to the hip or buttocks.
Compression FractureIt is a fracture of the vertebrae which are commonly known as spine bones. This fracture can be a result of trauma or osteoporosis (weakened bones) where the pain is often very sharp.
OsteomyelitisWhen the vertebrae themselves are infected, this condition is called osteomyelitis. It is a very rare vertebrae infection where back pain is generally accompanied by fever and other symptoms.
Other Causes of Sharp Back PainThe rupture of the main artery in the abdomen which is called a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm may cause sharp back pain. Moreover, pyelonephritis, which is a kidney infection and pleurisy, which is an infection of the lining of the lungs and chest, may mimic back pain.
Additionally, there might be other symptoms that may call for immediate medical attention such as back pain with fever, numbness or tingling, acute pains in the extremities or groin or pelvis, progressive weakness, pain when coughing or urinating, difficulty in walking and loss of bowel or bladder control.
Pain in the lower back may occur from an injury. However, it may be a symptom of a chronic issue like incorrect posture, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, ankylosing spondylitis, kidney infection, arthritis, fibromyalgia or spinal cancer. Furthermore, in women, lower back pain might occur due to ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and ovarian cancer.
If a person is diagnosed with any of these infections, appropriate treatment of the underlying cause may resolve the back pain. One must consult a doctor immediately if back pain occurs with any of the above-mentioned symptoms.
Remedies for Sharp Back PainSharp lower back pain is one of the common sources of discomfort for people which may develop after doing strenuous activities like weightlifting, making a quick twisting or jerking motion involving the back.
The severity of the back pain and the level of injury may decide the medications or the type of treatment. Muscle spasms usually respond well to rest and hence, avoiding physical activity for a few days may heal the affected muscles. However, after a few days of rest, engaging in some physical activity under the guidance of a physical therapist can help strengthen the muscles.
Applying hot or cold packs may help cure symptoms like swelling and pain. Using a cold pack for 20 minutes for the first few days and later on, using a heat pack for a similar duration may help relax the tense muscles and promote blood circulation.
Sciatica may improve without medical treatment within four to six weeks, but if the pain persists, one may have to consult a healthcare provider. A doctor can prescribe pain relievers and suggest physical therapy to treat sciatica pain. Surgical procedures may include lumbar decompression surgery and microdiscectomy for curing sciatica pain.
Some Over-the-Counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, steroid injections and other anti-inflammatory medications may help relieve pain. Most often, minor cases of sharp back pain resolve by themselves, but some may need doctor’s treatment and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and prevent future injury.
ConclusionThere may be many causes of sharp back pain and most of them could be treated with simple remedies. But, if the home remedies do not work and the pain continues, one must consult a doctor and determine the exact cause. Doctors may prescribe the right medicines and suggest appropriate treatment to cure sharp back pain as per the causes and you can get back to your daytoday activities without any further delay.
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