Apps
YouTube expands its premium services to 10 more countries

YouTube has announced that it is bringing its premium subscription services to 10 more countries and regions. YouTube Premium and Music Premium subscriptions are now available in 110 locations worldwide.
The 10 new countries and regions that can now enjoy YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Premium are Algeria, Cambodia, Georgia, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Tunisia, and Senegal.
The premium services in Kenya, Senegal, and Ghana began rolling out on December 5, while the rest of the countries will have access in the coming days.
YouTube Premium Services
YouTube Music Premium is a music streaming service that allows users to enjoy ad-free, offline, and background play of millions of songs and videos on YouTube.
YouTube Premium is a video streaming service that offers the same benefits as YouTube Music Premium, plus access to YouTube Originals.
YouTube Premium hikes up subscription prices in some markets
Apps
Google Drive adds helpful features for videos and uploads

Google has updated its Drive app for Android to make it easier for users to watch videos and upload files. These changes are now rolling out to everyone, including both personal users and Google Workspace users.
The update brings a better video player and improved upload tools to Google Drive. It makes the app more user-friendly and easier to use on mobiles.
The new video player of Google Drive now looks more like the one on the desktop version. The video controls, like play, pause, and skip, are now placed below the video instead of on top. This makes them easier to see and use.
The new player also lets you quickly turn on captions, change the playback speed, and switch to full-screen mode with just a tap. These changes make the video experience much better on phones.
Moreover, uploading files to Google Drive has also been improved. Before, you had to upload the file first and then make changes. Now, you can rename the file and choose which folder to save it in as soon as you upload it.

Image via Google
Aside from this, Google has also added a new “Upload” tab in the app. This tab shows all the files that are currently uploading and ones that were recently uploaded.
These enhancements make the Google Drive app more modern and easier to use on smartphones. The features are now being released, so if you don’t see them yet, you should get them soon.
Apps
Unlock more with Samsung Nearby Device Scanning’s fresh update!

Samsung has released a new update for its Nearby Device Scanning app with version 11.1.20.6 for Galaxy devices. This function is designed to help Samsung users easily find and connect to nearby Samsung devices like earbuds, smartwatches, and other smart products. The new update brings improvements to make the app work better and more smoothly.
The fresh update brings support for a new Samsung device. Although Samsung hasn’t revealed exactly which device is now supported, this means the app can now connect with even more gadgets in the Samsung ecosystem.
Moreover, its new addition is the integration of the SmartKeyboard Manager App. With this update, users can now launch SmartKeyboard Manager directly from Nearby Scanning. This makes it easier to access and change keyboard settings.

Source – Sammyfans
Along with these new features, the update also includes some stability improvements and bug fixes. These enhancements help the app run more reliably, reduce crashes, and fix minor issues that may have affected performance in earlier versions.
Samsung Nearby Device Scanning 11.1.20.6 is available now. To download it, open the Galaxy Store on your Samsung phone, tap the Menu button, and go to Updates. From there, you can install the latest version. If needed, the update can also be downloaded from the third-party app link mentioned here.
This update makes the Samsung Nearby Scanning app more stable, more useful, and easier to use. Be sure to update soon to enjoy the improvements.
Apps
One UI 8 revamps Galaxy Buds app with modern design, enhanced features

Samsung has started rolling out an update for the Galaxy Buds 2 Manager and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Manager apps for users on One UI 8. This update brings a fresh and cleaner design to the Galaxy Wearable app, which is used to manage your Galaxy earbuds.
The new update of the Galaxy Buds Manager app arrives with version 8.0.25061651 and is now available for Download via the Galaxy Store on One UI 8 devices. Let’s explore what’s new in this update.
What’s New in One UI 8 Galaxy Buds Manager
The update introduces a major redesign to the way you control your buds. The first noticeable change is the new, simplified user interface. The colorful icons that previously represented different settings and features have been replaced with monochrome (black-and-white) icons. This gives the app a more modern and sleek look, aligning it with the overall design of One UI 8.
Moreover, the battery indicator has also been updated with an improved design. The battery status of your earbuds is now shown in more detail, making it easier to understand how much charge is left.
Notably, this new battery display is similar to the one found in the One UI 8 battery widget. It’s a minor change, but it makes managing your earbuds a lot clearer and more convenient.

Image via Tarun Vats
To update the Galaxy Buds Manager app, open the Galaxy Store on your device, go to the “Menu” section, select “Updates,” and tap on the “Update all” option at the top-right of the screen. This will automatically update the Galaxy Buds 2 Manager and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro Manager apps to the latest version.
Right now, this update is available only for devices running One UI 8, which is based on Android 16. Currently, Galaxy S25 users are testing the One UI 8 Beta 2 update, and the company is working to expand this update to more devices soon.
It’s not yet available for phones running One UI 7. However, Samsung may release it for older devices in the future. Additionally, the company could bring this updated design to other Galaxy earbuds in upcoming updates.
Apps
Google giving Android Photos Editing a serious boost – First Look

Android’s native Gallery app, Google Photos, is gearing up for a big upgrade with new Editing UI and features. The new stuff is yet to be rolled out to the public, but the upcoming changes and features have now been leaked.
Google Photos is preparing for a big upgrade, including a Material 3 Expressive redesign and a set of new editing features. The entire interface is going to adapt to Material 3 Expressive, including shapes for the walkthrough, tiles, and buttons.
Google Photos Editor has also reorganized all the existing tools into a row of new sections. The newly deployed editor design now introduces tabs including Auto, Actions, Markup, Filters, Lighting, and Color.
Based on the screenshots mentioned, users may find that some tools have vanished. However, it’s not entirely correct, Google Photos has just simplified access to features by organizing tools in the best preferred way based on feedback.
- Crop – It’s now found under “Actions”
- Tone and Color – These adjustments are now positioned as standalone sections

Source – Android Authority
The new editing interface has added a “Sky styles” option that offers effects like Luminous, Radiant, Vivid, Ember, and more. The selection tray of “Filters” is also more intuitive, delivering easier adjustment to filter strength.
Google Photos’ intelligent Auto editor tool is great. It just doesn’t simply deploy changes based on the image provided, but offers three enhancement options, including Enhance, Dynamic, and AI Enhance, so you get a more precise output.
The new design is bringing Portrait Blur, Eraser, Move, and Reimagine out of the Suggestions tab. It makes them even more useful as an existence in the mainstream feature selection tab, benefiting the broad Android smartphone user base.

Source – Android Authority
Last but not least, the new Search button within the Google Photos editor is a welcome move. If you find it difficult to access a particular editing tool, or you want to jump over there directly, you can just search and get it on the fly.
This small yet bold upgrade significantly improves the usability of the editor app. Note that these features and redesign are currently in development. Google may make them official at the Pixel 10 series launch event in the future.

Source – Android Authority
Apps
Samsung Health may introduce paid subscription for advanced features

For years, Samsung Health has been a great free app to track your steps, workouts, sleep, and more. But now, Samsung is thinking about adding a paid subscription plan that would give users access to advanced health features.
This news comes as Samsung announced its new One UI 8 Watch update. The update brings four new health tools – Antioxidant Index, Bedtime Guidance, Running Coach, and Vascular Load. However, not all features will be available on every device.
In a recent interview (via CNET), Dr. Hon Pak, head of Samsung’s Digital Health team, said the company is looking into premium subscription options for the Samsung Health app. It shows that Samsung might bring a paid subscription similar to what Fitbit and Garmin already offer.

Source – Samsung
The basic features in Samsung Health will likely stay free, but more detailed insights and coaching tools could be part of a paid plan. If you buy a newer Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring, you might get these advanced features included.
But if you have an older watch, you may need to subscribe to access them. Samsung hasn’t said how much the plan will cost or when it might launch.
Some of the new features are also being tested under Samsung Health’s “Labs” section. These tools use advanced sensors to measure things like antioxidant levels and heart strain more accurately. While Samsung Health is still free for now, things may change soon. Stay tuned for more information.
-
News2 days ago
Samsung One UI 8 release date: Here’s when we could see major Android 16 software update
-
Wearables3 days ago
Galaxy Watch 8, Classic leak reveals battery upgrade, new design in live images
-
Samsung2 days ago
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 plans might upset fans
-
Samsung2 days ago
Galaxy Z Fold 7: These 5 specs are now confirmed