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Patrick Hearn

Patrick Hearn

Mobile Writer

Patrick Hearn writes about smart home technology like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, smart light bulbs, and more. If it's a smart or connected device, he has probably been hands-on with it or at least written about the product at some point.

Patrick also has bylines at CNET, Progressive, Xfinity, GameSpot, Online Tech Tips, and a number of other publications. When not working on the latest smart tech, he spends his time writing a sci-fi/fantasy fiction series.

A render of the Nubia Z70 Ultra.

The Nubia Z70 Ultra just gave the Galaxy S25 Ultra some tough competition

The Nubia Z70 was just announced, and spec-for-spec, it gives the upcoming Galaxy S25 a run for its money — at a much lower cost.
Mobile News
Notification cooldown on Android 15.

Here are the biggest new features (so far) in Android 16

Android 15 might have just come out of the oven, but Android 16 is already in development, with some tempting new features on the way.
Mobile News
iPhone SE

The wait for the iPhone SE 4 is almost over

The iPhone SE 4 could launch as early as March, according to new information. The budget-friendly handset is expected to resemble the iPhone 14.
Mobile News
A person closing the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.

2025 could finally be the year of a budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy Z Flip

The rumored Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE might be on the way, according to new leaks from a trusted source. Hardware, pricing, and other details are still unknown.
Mobile News
The Pixel Weather app on a Google Pixel 9.

Google’s Pixel Weather app just got two new features. Here’s how they work

Google has begun rolling out the latest set of features for the Pixel Weather app, but one is currently only available in Europe.
Mobile News
A person playing a game on the Samsung Galaxy A35.

The Galaxy S25 could add a new feature that’s perfect for mobile gaming

The Galaxy S25 could come with a new Game Assist mode that doubles the frame rate without affecting battery life or heat output.
Mobile News
Apple iPhone 6S Plus

It’s the end of the road for these two iPhone models

The iPhone 6S Plus and the iPhone XS Max are now considered vintage products, while the Apple Watch 2 has slid into the realm of obsolesence.
Mobile News
Someone holding the Galaxy S24 FE.

The best Samsung Galaxy S24 FE cases

We know you're excited to take your phone out for a spin, but make sure it's protected first. These are the best cases for the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.
Mobile
Person holding iPhone 14 searching for Emergency SOS satellite.

The uncertain future cost of Apple’s Emergency SOS feature

Apple's Emergency SOS feature is free until this time next year, but the question remains whether Apple will charge for it at the end of this period.
Mobile News
The Apple TV Siri Remote in hand.

Apple might once again be considering a TV of its own

It's been nearly 15 years since the idea was first considered, but Apple insider Mark Gurman says an Apple TV — not a streaming device — is under consideration.
Audio / Video News
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

The Samsung Galaxy S25’s colors leaked again, and this time they’re different

Another leak leaves fans uncertain about what colors the Galaxy S25 will come in, with information that contradicts previous tips.
Mobile News
RedMagic 9 Pro in hand.

The Red Magic 10 Pro+ just absolutely crushed its benchmarks

The RedMagic 10 Pro+ scored ridiculously high in one of its benchmarks, suggesting the phone might be even speedier than expected.
Mobile News
Samsung Galaxy S24 in Marble Gray held in hand.

The Galaxy S25 may get the spec update it deserves

A lot of details about the Galaxy S25 are up in the air, but a new leak suggests the base model might come with more RAM than the Galaxy S24.
Mobile News
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro's mini-LED display on the back of the phone.

Mega gaming phone’s specs look set to crush the competition

We've gotten our first look at the specs for the ROG Phone 9 and Phone 9 Pro, and it's safe to say that both are looking very special.
Mobile News
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in Titanium Gray in hand.

We’ve got our first big clue about the Galaxy S25’s arrival

Sources say the next Galaxy Unpacked could be held on January 23 in San Fransisco. The Galaxy S25 might finally be in sight.
Mobile News
Person holding a phone with Google Gemini Live being shown.

A must-try Android app has finally arrived on the iPhone

Google has released the Gemini AI assistant as a standalone app for iPhone, and here's why you should download it.
Mobile News
The Google Pixel Watch 3 lying on top of a plant.

The Pixel Watch is about to get a long-awaited software update

After an unfortunate delay, Wear OS 5 is finally coming to first- and second-gen Pixel Watch models in a software update.
Mobile News
A demonstration of LG's stretchable screen technology.

Crazy stretchy screen could kill the crease we all hate

A crazy stretchable screen demonstrated by LG could kill off the one thing we don't like about folding screens: The unsightly crease.
Mobile News
A person opening the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

You really need to be careful with your Pixel 9 Pro Fold

If you accidentally break your Pixel 9 Pro Fold's screen, the resulting bill may be a shock, even if you decide to repair it yourself.
Mobile News
A close-up of the iPhone 14 Pro's camera module.

This iPhone prototype has a feature Apple hasn’t released yet

A YouTuber shared a video of a prototype iPhone 14 Pro with a single haptic button for volume control, rather than the current physical rocker button.
Mobile News
Boost Mobile store.

Boost Mobile’s 5G network is becoming a real threat to other carriers

Boost Mobile just announced a significant milestone for its 5G network — and plans to continue to make it even better.
Mobile News
Someone holding the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the Oura Ring.

Oura Ring 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy Ring: Which should you buy?

The Oura Ring 4 and Samsung Galaxy Ring offer powerful tracking functionality and a stylish look to boot, but which one is the better pick? We break it down.
Mobile Guides
Side profile of the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.

Here’s every color we expect for the Samsung Galaxy S25 series

Another Galaxy S25 leak has emerged, this time detailing the possible online-exclusive color choices that will only be available through the Samsung Store.
Mobile News
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 screens.

A new Google Pixel feature could make managing phone calls a breeze

Hate phone calls? A new feature coming to Google Pixel devices could help you avoid them more than ever.
Mobile News
The Samsung Galaxy Ring on someone's finger.

A new Samsung Galaxy Ring may launch sooner than expected

Though there's no word yet on when it might release, leaks suggest the Galaxy Ring 2 could be here sooner than anyone expected.
News
A close-up view of the App Library page on the iPhone 16.

iOS 18.2 may make charging your iPhone even easier. Here’s how

Your iPhone's next update could tell you exactly how long you need to reach a certain level of charge, with more granular controls than are currently present.
Mobile News
Emoji reactions on Google Messages running on OnePlus 11.

Sending photos via RCS is about to get better in Google Messages

You'll soon be able to send full-resolution, max-quality photos to friends and family through Google Messages.
Mobile News
Someone holding the violet/purple Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 may get an Exynos chip after all

The Samsung Galaxy S25 could ship with the Exynos 2500 instead of the Snapdragon Elite. Or it might not. No one is really sure at this point.
Mobile News
iOS 18 logo on the iPhone 16 Pro

iOS 18.2 just took another step toward its official release

Apple has released another version of its iOS 18.2 beta. Here's what's new (and why it matters).
Mobile News
Samsung One UI 6 Quick Settings on Galaxy A34 held in hand.

Samsung’s One UI 7 update might steal this Apple Intelligence feature

Samsung wants to take a page from Apple and add notification summaries to its next release of the One UI 7 build.
Mobile News
A person holding the Oppo Find X6 Pro, showing the back of the phone.

Miss the iPhone mini? This company may have an alternative for you

If you long for the bygone days of smaller phones instead of the larger displays of today, the Oppo Find X8 Mini could be exactly what you're looking for.
Mobile News
A person taking a photo with the Apple iPhone 16 Plus.

The best Apple iPhone 16 Plus cases for 2024

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is available now, so make sure you get a case that can keep your big new phone protected. Here are the best Apple iPhone 16 Plus cases.
Mobile
Gordon Freeman and Alyx standing together and looking at the camera.

Project Borealis might be the closest we get to Half-Life 3

The long-awaited Project Borealis finally has a Steam page, and that's a better indicator of an impending release than anything yet.
Gaming News
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition on a table.

Discolored line on your new Kindle? You aren’t alone

The Kindle Colorsoft is meant to look like a piece of paper, but some users are experiencing an issue that yellows part of the screen.
Mobile News
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