Ive played guitar as a hobby since I was in junior high. While the instrument hasnt changed, the tools I use to make it possible have sort of. In addition to the built-in GarageBand app, these are the two must-have iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps I use for playing guitar for fun.Back in 2005, I used a Korg guitar tuner that looked a lot like this and tab printouts on paper from the school library to find my way around my instrument. Two decades later, I can visualize guitar tablature in mixed reality with Apple Vision Pro while figuring out a tune. But you dont need AVP to have the best experience when fiddling around on guitar for fun. Two apps have long been in my iPhone and iPad tool bag when it comes to playing guitar.Tune your guitarFirst, GuitarTuna sticks in my head as the go-to way to keep my guitar in tune. Something about the clever name just makes it a core memory, and typing in tuna to find it with Spotlight is part of my guitar ritual. If its not already part of yours, it should be. The app is free for iPhone and iPad and super intuitive. It will try to sell you a subscription and teach you how to play songs, but I swipe and dismiss those things. Im just there to tune my guitar and leave the app.GuitarTuna if the app came to lifeLook up how to play somethingNext is Ultimate Guitar Tabs & Chords, which is the app version of the website I was browsing in school twenty years ago. (It has a built-in tuner function, but its less straight-to-the-point than GuitarTuna.) The fun of Ultimate Guitar, whether its the website or the mobile app, is that you can probably find your favorite tune that you want to learn in tablature or chord form. In the 2000s, it was finding the highest ranked version of a Green Day or blink-182 song that just played on MTV to print out and memorize when I was 15. These days, Im usually using my iPhone and Apple Music.Actual picture of me circa 2005 doing guitar stuffThere are plenty more music-related apps that make learning and playing guitar and other instruments much more accessible than 20 years ago, but these two are the essential must-have apps on my iPhone, iPad, and Mac.Have your own top picks? Share with us in the comments! Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

A few years ago, I thought I was about to die. And while (spoiler alert) I didn't, my severe health anxiety and ability to always assume the worst has persisted. But the increasing proliferation of health tracking smart devices and new ways that AI tries to make sense of our body's data has led me to make a decision. For my own peace of mind, AI needs to stay far away from my personal health. And having just watched Samsung's Unpacked event, I'm more convinced of this than ever. I'll explain.Sometime around 2016, I had severe migraines that persisted for a couple of weeks. My anxiety steeply increased during this period due to the attendant worry, and when I eventually called the UK's NHS helpline and explained my various symptoms, they told me I needed to go to the nearest hospital and be seen within 2 hours. "Walk there with someone," I distinctly remember them telling me, "It'll be quicker than getting an ambulance to you." This story is part of Samsung Event, CNET's collection of news, tips and advice around Samsung's most popular products. This call confirmed my worst fears -- that death was imminent.As it turned out, my fears of an early demise were unfounded. The cause was actually severe muscle strain from having hung multiple heavy cameras around my neck for an entire day while photographing a wedding. But the helpline agent was simply working on the limited data I'd provided, and as a result, they'd -- probably quite rightly -- taken a "better safe than sorry" approach and urged me to seek immediate medical attention. Samsung's health tracking provides a lot of data, which may or may not be helpful for you. John Kim/CNETI've spent most of my adult life struggling with health anxiety, and episodes such as this have taught me a lot about my ability to jump to the absolute worst conclusions despite there being no real evidence to support them. A ringing in my ears? Must be a brain tumor. A twinge in my stomach? Well, better get my affairs in order.I've learned to live with this over the years, and while I still have my ups and downs, I know better about what triggers things. For one, I learned never to Google my symptoms. Because no matter what my symptom was, cancer was always one of the possibilities a search would throw up. Medical sites -- including the NHS's own website -- provided no comfort and usually only resulted in brain-shattering panic attacks.Sadly, I've found I have a similar response with many health-tracking tools. I liked my Apple Watch at first, and its ability to read my heart rate during workouts was helpful. Then I found I was checking it increasingly more often throughout the day. Then the doubt crept in: "Why is my heart rate high when I'm just sitting down? Is that normal? I'll try again in 5 minutes." When, inevitably, it wasn't different (or it was worse), panic would naturally ensue. I've used Apple Watches multiple times, but I find the heart rate tracking more stressful than helpful. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNETWhether tracking heart rate, blood oxygen levels or even sleep scores, I'd obsess over what a "normal" range should be and any time my data fell outside of that range, I'd immediately assume it meant I was about to keel over right there and then. The more data these devices provided, the more things I felt I had to worry about. I've learned to keep my worries at bay and have continued to use smartwatches, without them being much of a problem for my mental health (I have to actively not use any heart-related functions like ECGs), but AI-based health tools scare me.During its Unpacked keynote, Samsung talked about how its new Galaxy AI tools -- and Google's Gemini AI -- will supposedly help us in our daily lives. Samsung Health's algorithms will track your heart rate as it fluctuates throughout the day, notifying you of changes. It will offer personalized insights from your diet and exercise to help with cardiovascular health and you can even ask the AI agent questions related to your health.To many it may sound like a great holistic view of your health, but not to me. To me it sounds like more data being collected and waved in front of me, forcing me to acknowledge it and creating an endless feedback loop of obsession, worry and, inevitably, panic. But it's the AI questions that are the biggest red flag for me. AI tools by their nature have to make "best guess" answers based usually on information publicly available online. Asking AI a question is really just a quick way of running a Google search, and as I've found, Googling health queries does not end well for me. Samsung showed off various ways AI will be used within its health app during the Unpacked keynote. SamsungMuch like the NHS phone operator who inadvertently caused me to panic about dying, an AI-based health assistant will be able to provide answers based only on the limited information it has about me. Asking a question about my heart health could bring up a variety of information, just as looking on a health website would about why I have a headache. But much like how a headache can technically be a symptom of cancer, it's also much more likely to be a muscular twinge. Or I haven't drank enough water. Or I need to look away from my screen for a bit. Or I shouldn't have stayed up until 2 a.m. playing Yakuza: Infinite Wealth. Or a hundred other reasons, all of which are far more likely than the one I've already decided is definitely the culprit.But will an AI give me the context I need to not worry and obsess? Or will it just provide me with all the potentials as a way of trying to give a full understanding but instead feeding that "what if" worry? And, like how Google's AI Overviews told people to eat glue on pizza, will an AI health tool simply scour the internet and provide me with a hash of an answer, with inaccurate inferences that could tip my anxiety into full panic attack territory?Or perhaps, much like the kind doctor at the hospital that day who smiled gently at the sobbing man sitting opposite who'd already drafted a goodbye note to his family on his phone in the waiting room, an AI tool might be able to see that data and simply say, "You're fine, Andy, stop worrying and go to sleep."Maybe one day that'll be the case. Maybe health tracking tools and AI insights will be able to offer me a much-needed dose of logic and reassurance to counter my anxiety, rather than being the cause of it. But until then, it's not a risk I'm willing to take.

Our Picks Farm-fresh and ready-to-serve Spot and Tango View details 50% off your first box with code: CNET50 See at Spot and Tango View details Human-grade food The Farmer's Dog View details See at The Farmer's Dog View details Fresh preportioned meals Nom Nom View details See at Nom Nom View details Raw meat and vegetable mix Maev View details See at Maev View details Balanced recipes Pet Plate View details See at Pet Plate View details Great customer service and massive selection Chewy View details See at Chewy View details Autoshipping your pet's favorite foods Pet Flow View details See at PetFlow View details Meal plans tailored to individual dogs Ollie View details See at Ollie View details Air-dried and human-grade food for dogs Sundays for Dogs View details See at Sundays For Dog View details Monthly themed collections of toys and treats for your dog Bark Box View details See at BarkBox View details Quarterly custom boxes of handmade dog treats, gear and toys Box Dog View details See at BoxDog View details Table of Contents Your dog deserves the best, which means your pet's diet should consist of balanced and nutritious meals. Whether your dog is a picky eater or has food sensitivities, we found the best dog food delivery services for optimal nutrition and high-quality ingredients.Read more: The Best Gifts and Ideas for Every Price RangeThere are many types of dog food to choose from, including human-grade food, high-quality kibble, raw dog food and even plant-based (as an FYI, dogs do need protein in their diet and cannot adapt to a vegan lifestyle).Note: Before purchasing a meal service, consider your dog's nutritional needs. Are they a young pup or a senior dog? Do they have any allergies or health concerns? Knowing the answers will help you decide questions like, Are dog food subscriptions worth it? And if you're unsure, talk to your vet about what could be best for your pup.Once you've settled on the perfect meal plan for your puppy and their unique needs, you can move on to pick the best dog food delivery service for your needs. These services deliver monthly bags of the best pet food for your best friend, and the dog food delivery costs are either bundled into the price or a reasonable additional amount. Some of these subscriptions, like BarkBox and BoxDog, can also deliver special seasonal boxes with festive toys and treats, so you can include your furry friend in your holiday gifting.Read more:Best Dog Toys, According to the Experts: Our DogsTo help you sort through all the dog food delivery services varying in product, price and quality, we've put together this guide to the very best dog food delivery service for 2024. Read on below to find an outline of the burgeoning category, along with some of the highest-rated dog food delivery options to try. Most dog chow subscription services let you try it risk-free at a significant discount for a short stint and cancel if it's not a good fit.Best dog food delivery services for 2025 CNET50 See at Spot and Tango This dog food delivery service is for the discerning dog owner who's all about those farm-to-table meals and the health and well-being of their doggo. Spot and Tango's human-grade fresh dog food is made from locally farmed ingredients in New York, in small batches with no artificial additives, preservatives or fillers in the chow. With those standards, it's no wonder it landed on our list of best dog food deliveries for 2024.Veterinary nutritionists formulate the fresh dog food recipes and come in pre-portioned packages (determined by your pup's weight, age and lifestyle) that are vacuum-sealed for freshness. The dog food arrives frozen and just needs to be defrosted before serving. Every pet parent gets 50% off their first order of dog food and has a two-week trial period to test whether this meal delivery service works. If you decide to cancel at that time, you'll get your money back.Frequency and pricing: Weekly delivery with free shipping. $1 per day and up, depending on your dog's weight, age and breed. You can snag 50% off your first box of fresh dog food with promo codeCNET50. See at The Farmer's Dog Another fresh dog food delivery service, this popular startup was an easy pick for our list of best pet food to order online.Dogs have unique dietary needs and The Farmer's Dog gets that: You wouldn't feed a Chihuahua the same amount of dog food as you would a Newfoundland, for instance, which is why The Farmer's Dog creates a personalized profile and diet for your dog based on breed, age, activity level, ideal weight and sensitivities. The service also makes adjustments to your dog food plan as needed. The Farmer's Dog uses human-grade fresh ingredients to create easy, ready-to-serve meals for your dog all you have to do for a fresh meal is open the package and let your pooch dig in.Frequency and pricing:Choose your ideal frequency of food delivery anywhere between every two and 12 weeks. $2 to $12 per day based on dog size. Farmer's Dog is also offering 60% off your first purchase. See at Nom Nom It's pretty universally accepted that fresh food is better for you than processed food and many pet owners believe the same holds true for pet food. If you prefer to feed your furry friends fresh meals, Nom Nom is the closest you can get to homemade dog food delivered to your door. The company sends you perfectly portioned, fresh pet food made from restaurant-quality ingredients and tailored to your dog's size, age and weight, making it a solid pick as one of the best dog food delivery services for 2024.Nom Nom currently offers four fresh pet food recipes for dogs and two cat food options, as well as supplements and treats. Other fresh dog food companies send meals in bulk containers, which can be messy, but Nom Nom packs them individually for less fuss at mealtime.Frequency and pricing:Weekly, biweekly or monthly deliveries. $49 to $328 per month for dogs, depending on dog size. For cats, food plans range between $245 to $256. Sign up now and you'll save 50% on your first order.

Celeste studio cancels "2D explor-action game" Earthblade nearly four years after its announcement"It has been a struggle for a long time."Image credit: Extremely OK Games News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Jan. 23, 2025 Extremely OK Games - the studio behind beloved 2018 platformer Celeste - has announced the cancellation of its "2D explor-action" project Earthblade, calling the news a "huge, heartbreaking, and yet relieving failure".Extremely OK unveiled Earthblade back in 2021, sharing some mood-setting teaser art and a musical snippet. A full reveal arrived a year and a half later, offering an early glimpse of a side-scrolling platformer - blending elements of combat and exploration - that would see an "enigmatic child of Fate returning at long last to Earth".At the time, the project was expected to arrive in 2024, but Extremely OK confirmed a delay last March. And while it didn't commit to a new release window, it moved to assure fans progress was not "stagnant" and that the team was "still excited to work on it".Earthblade reveal trailer.Watch on YouTubeToday, however, the studio has announced Earthblade is no more. In a lengthy post shared on the Extremely OK website, studio director Maddy Thorson went into some of the factors leading to the project's cancellation. These include a "disagreement about the IP rights of Celeste" which, as painted in today's announcement, saw Thorson and Noel Berry on one side and studio "founding member" Pedro Medeiros on the other.Thorson says the issue was eventually resolved following a "very difficult and heartbreaking process", but noted the outcome resulted in Medeiros' departure from the Earthblade project after "both parties... agreed in the end that we should go our separate way".This, in turn, prompted the remaining members of Extremely OK to "take a serious look at whether fighting through to finish Earthblade was the right path forward". And while the project "had a lot going for it", according to Thorson, "it was also not as far along as one would expect after such a protracted development process.""Noel and I also began to reflect on how the game has felt for us to work on day-to-day," Thorson continued, "and realised that it has been a struggle for a long time. Sure, working on one project for so long is bound to become a slog, but this feels like a deeper problem. Celeste's success applied pressure on us to deliver something bigger and better with Earthblade, and that pressure is a large part of why working on it has become so exhausting.""Pedro isn't to blame for this," Thorson stressed. "In fact the split with him has given us the clarity to see that we have lost our way, and the opportunity to admit defeat. I feel many ways about it, but one big feeling is undoubtedly relief."With Earthblade officially no more, other members of the team have also "moved on". However, Thorson and Berry now plan to "take all of the (many!) lessons we've learned... wipe the slate clean, and refocus ourselves back to smaller-scale projects." As a result, the duo are "prototyping again and exploring at our own pace, and trying to rediscover game development in a manner closer to how we approached it at Celeste's or TowerFall's inception.""We are happy to return to our roots," Thorson concluded, "and reclaim some joy in our creative process, and see where that takes us."

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube794kAspyr is apparently launching a new Star Wars bundle alongside the release of Jedi Power Battles this week.The "Prequel Pack" includes Aspyr's latest release bundled with the existing releases Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, Star Wars: Republic Commando, and Star Wars Episode I: Racer. No pricing details have been revealed just yet.Aspyr: "The battle begins with the launch of the STAR WARS: Prequel Pack tomorrow on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Steam!"You can still purchase these games individually, and some of them are also available in other bundles like the Heritage Pack.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube794kWatch on YouTube STAR WARS: Episode I: Jedi Power BattlesTake back the Theed Palace in this fast-and-furious lightsaber action game. You will have the power of the Force and your trusty lightsaber to help you ward off legions of battle droids, destroyer droids, assassins, and other creatures from STAR WARS: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.STAR WARS: Bounty HunterBring in your bounty, dead or alive. In this classic third-person action-adventure, you'll become Jango Fett, Prime Clone of the Grand Army of the Republic, hired to capture a deranged Dark Jedi.STAR WARS Republic CommandoThe squad is your weapon. Welcome to the Clone Wars: Chaos has erupted throughout the galaxy. As leader of an elite squad of Republic Commandos, your mission is to infiltrate, dominate, and ultimately annihilate the enemy.STAR WARS Episode I RacerTake control of a podracer speeding through flaming methane lakes, Tusken Raider assaults, anti-gravity tunnels, and much more in a pulse-pounding, do-or-die fight to the finish line.Be on the lookout for our Nintendo Life review of Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles later today. Here's the launch trailer:Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube794k MandaboreThe Race of SkywalkerSuper TroopersWould you be interested in a bundle like this? Let us know in the comments.[source gamespot.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesThe Switch eShop Is A Nightmare, So We've Made Our Own "Better eShop"Fixing what Nintendon'tSilksong Fans Think They've Narrowed Down The Big AnnouncementIs the cake a lie?Nintendo Believes In "Giving Proper Credit" After Backlash Over Donkey Kong Country Returns HDSo why the omission?

The $1 billion acquisition of rent-to-own startup Divvy Homes, which was announced Wednesday, is expected to leave some shareholders without a payout, according to sources familiar with the deal.The terms and Divvys journey from buzzy startup to acquisition target reflects the rollercoaster ride the proptech industry has endured over the past decade.The San Francisco-based startup, founded in 2016, had raised more than $700 million in debt and equity from well-known investors such as Tiger Global Management, GGV Capital, and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), among others. By 2021, the company was valued at $2.3 billion.And while the Brookfield Properties purchase of Divvy for $1 billion was at half of its peak valuation, the acquisition could still be considered a win in an industry that has had a string of shutdowns and bankruptcies.However, its a loss for some shareholders, according to a letter from Divvy CEO and co-founder Adena Hefets, which was viewed by TechCrunch.If the transaction closes, Divvy will sell substantially all of its assets, namely its home portfolio and brand, to Brookfield for approximately $1 billion. However, after repaying its outstanding indebtedness, transaction costs, and liquidation preference to preferred shareholders, we unfortunately estimate that neither common shareholders nor holders of the Series FF preferred stock will receive any consideration, according to the letter, which was sent to shareholders, former employees, and Divvy supporters.FF preferred stock, also known as Founders Preferred Stock, is a type of stock that is issued to founders of a company. The law firm Cooley defines the shares as being issued to founders at the time of incorporation in order to facilitate sales of stock by founders in connection with future equity financings. TechCrunch has reached out to Hefets and Divvy Homes for comment and will update the article with any response.Another source told TechCrunch that equity holders got zerod so founders, employees and VCs will get nothing from the sale. The identity of the source, who asked to remain anonymous, has been verified by TechCrunch.Divvy operated a rent-to-own model in which it worked with renters who wanted to become homeowners by buying the home they wanted and renting it back to them for three years while they built the savings needed to own it themselves, it said.The company ran into some hiccups when mortgage interest rates began to surge in 2022, leading it to conduct three known rounds of layoffs in a years time. Divvys last known funding occurred in August 2021 a $200 million Series D funding led by Tiger Global Management and Caffeinated Capital. The Series D round was announced just six months after a $110 million Series C.Hefets also shared in the letter the decision to sell wasnt easy and came after a thorough review of Divvys strategic alternatives and with significant deliberation around our options.She said the move followed years of fighting difficult market conditions, including rising interest rates, and making as many cost cuts as possible.As the company looked into what lay ahead in 2025, it decided the best way forward was to sell its portfolio of homes now and return as much capital as possible to shareholders.With almost a decade of pouring myself into this company, and believing in this mission, this was not the ending I had hoped forWhile I am not proud of the financial outcome, I am proud of the impact we had on our customers lives, Hefets added.Want more fintech news in your inbox? Sign up for TechCrunch Fintechhere.Want to reach out with a tip? Email me atmaryann@techcrunch.comor send me a message on Signal at 408.204.3036. You can also send a note to the whole TechCrunch crew attips@techcrunch.com. For more secure communications,click here to contact us, which includes SecureDrop and links to encrypted messaging apps.

In BriefPosted:5:48 PM PST January 22, 2025Image Credits:Getty ImagesRaymond Tonsings Caffeinated Capital seeks $400M for fifth fundCaffeinated Capital, a San Francisco venture firm started by a solo capitalist Raymond Tonsing, is raising a fifth fund of $400 million, according to a regulatory filing.The firm, an early investor in software company Airtable and defense startup Saronic, has already raised $160 million toward the fund. If Caffeinated hits its target, it will be the 15-year-old firms largest capital haul date. Although the outfit didnt announce its previous fund, PitchBook data estimates that Caffeinated closed its fund four with a total of $209 million in commitments.Although Tonsing was Caffeinateds only general partner until four years ago, Varun Gupta, who led data science and machine learning at Affirm, joined him as a second general partner in 2020.Tonsing was an early investor in Affirm, a buy-now-pay-later platform that went public in 2021. The firms other notable exits include A/B testing startup Optimizely, which PitchBook estimates was sold for $600 million in 2020.Topics

Cinesite and Frameless Creative, an immersive experiences company, has formed a long-term partnership with the National Portrait Gallery. Their collaboration, National Portrait Gallery Unframed will launch with Stories Brought to Life, will explore the lives of people who have shaped the UKs history and culture, from the Tudor period to the present day. The touring art experience will premiere at MediaCity, Salford, Greater Manchester in May ahead of a national and international tour.We are delighted to announce this new long-term partnership with the National Portrait Gallery, said Rich Storton, General Manager, Frameless Creative. We hope that by unleashing the power of digital storytelling we can help the Gallery to bring art to a whole new audience. Were living in a changing world and there is a real need for new experiences that help open up art and culture to new audiences and crucially help ensure that national institutions such as the National Portrait Gallery and their incredible collections continue to be accessible and have cultural significance for the next generation. MediaCity is a vibrant cultural hub attracting a hugely diverse audience. This combined with its proximity to major transport links and focus on technology made it an obvious choice for premiering our first experience.Stories Brought to Life will combine high quality digital projection, Hollywood-style visual effects, and the latest audio technology with music and creative narratives to tell the stories behind some of the Gallerys best-loved portraits. Cinesite acts as Frameless content production partner.The National Portrait Gallery aims to share our unique collection of portraits with as wide an audience as possible and explore the human stories that shape our history and culture, Rosie Wilson, Director of Programmes, Partnerships and Collections at the National Portrait Gallery. This exciting new partnership with Frameless, inspired by our Collection, will enable us to take these stories outside of the Gallery walls and bring them to life in new, innovative ways.We are honored that the National Portrait Gallery and Frameless have chosen MediaCity as the first stop on the tour of this unique immersive experience, concluded Caroline Aikman, Director of Marketing, Brand and Place at MediaCity. Weve hosted many arts and culture events, experiences, festivals and exhibitions over the last few years and we cant wait to welcome visitors to Salford when the experience opens its doors in May.Source: Frameless Creative Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologistL'Wrenbrings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.

Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung's Big Bad Galaxy phone has arrived, and it's almost everything I expected. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, which starts at a bold $1,299 price tag, remains the company's do-everything handset, with a more durable display than ever, an upgraded camera system with some useful editing tricks, and the infamous S Pen stylus. Oh, and yes, AI is everything, everywhere, all at once.Also:Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25, Gemini AI, moreWhile last year's Galaxy S24 series ushered in Samsung's Galaxy AI era, this year feels more like the company cementing itself as the leader in the space, besting Apple and even Google (for now) on features and capabilities. Of course, how decorative that honor is ultimately depends on how invested you are in using AI.I spent an intimate afternoon with the new Galaxy S25 phones, with a particular focus on the flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra, and wasn't too surprised to find myself equal parts fascinated, equal parts bored. After all, this is now Samsung's fifth iteration of the S-series Ultra model, and the changes year-over-year have been modest, to be generous. But if even a part of you is considering upgrading to the latest Galaxy flagship, here are the changes you should know about.1. A slimmer, more durable design Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe Galaxy S Ultra has always been a big-phone, two-handed affair, and that holds true this year. In the hand, the S25 Ultra feels like the fanciest calculator ever (and I say that in a nice way), with its squared-off edges and tall stature.Fortunately, the device is not as top-heavy as I remember previous models being. In fact, the S25 Ultra is lighter than its predecessor by 16 grams, and Samsung says it's the company's thinnest-ever S-series device. That is, until the Galaxy S25 Edgereleases.Also:I went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S25 - and the AI features were surprisingly polishedThe other notable design upgrade is the Corning Gorilla Armor 2 layered over the front display. It doesn't take away from the anti-reflection surface treatment that made headlines on last year's S24 Ultra, yet promises improved drop protection and scratch resistance. I remember my S24 Ultra having numerous micro-scratches after just a week of usage, so I'm hopeful that the S25 Ultra will hold up better this time around.Now if only Samsung could bring back the glory days of psychedelic Aura Glow finishes. These S25 Ultra colors are not it.2. The best AI phone by Samsung (and Google) Kerry Wan/ZDNETUnder the hood is a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the same processor powering competing Android phones like the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Pro. The most notable benefit of the chipset comes in the form of AI experiences -- specifically, a 40% increase in NPU performance compared to last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.In layman's terms, on-device AI features should take up less bandwidth and power to operate while also functioning quickly. I saw the results in person, placebo effect or not, as my S25 Ultra demo unit swiftly removed subjects (along with their shadows) from the background of photos via Generative Edit and pulled up Gemini search results in a matter of seconds.Also: I may finally ditch my Google Pixel for a Samsung Galaxy phone in 2025. Here's whyYou can also chalk up the performance to the enhanced Gemini app, which can now be fired up with a long press of the power button. Previously, Samsung phones were limited to Bixby -- or Google Assistant, if you made some higher-level, backend modifications.The new Gemini app can handle natural-sounding, conversational chains of actions, like telling the AI assistant to look up the upcoming schedule of your favorite sports team and adding the date(s) to your calendar. While the agent-like capability mainly works across Google and Samsung apps, some third-party services like Spotify are supported, too.Considering last year's S24 series introduced Google's Circle to Search feature, and this year's S25 series is doing the same for the enhanced Gemini experience, it wouldn't be farfetched to say that Samsung, not Google, makes the best AI phone for Android users right now.3. Camera features fit for professionals Kerry Wan/ZDNETOne of the key reasons to buy a Galaxy Ultra phone is still the camera, though Samsung hasn't improved the specifications much this year -- at least on paper. The only hardware change this year is with the 50-megapixel ultrawide lens (up from 12MP), which yields greater detail and vividness, especially when capturing macro photos. The rest of the lenses, such as the 200MP wide, 50MP 5x telephoto, and 10MP 3x telephoto, are identical to last year's S24 Ultra. Boo.Also:The best Android phones to buy in 2025There's a bigger focus on the software side of things, with Samsung introducing helpful photo and video features like 10-bit HDR video recording by default to capture a wider dynamic range, a new Audio Eraser feature that lets you adjust the volumes of various frequencies (classified as audio subjects like voices, wind, and noises), and the ability to record in Galaxy Log mode.The latter feature allows you to better spot overexposed areas and adjust the dynamic range as you're recording videos, while also applying LUTs in post for better color and light control. How all of these new features fare in the real world is what I'm most interested in seeing. I'll test the S25 Ultra over the next few weeks, so stay tuned for the updates. The reason to skip the Galaxy S25 UltraThis one's fairly obvious, but with how enticing Samsung and other major retailer's offers can be, let this be a reminder that you don't have to upgrade your phone every year or two. When I first tried the S25 Ultra, I was quite surprised by how similar it felt overall to older flagships like the S22 and S23 Ultra.Samsung has also confirmed that most of the new AI features, especially the ones embedded into One UI 7, will eventually trickle down to older Galaxy phones, so if the latest software is part of the reason why you're considering upgrading, you should reconsider.The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is available for preorder today with a starting price of $1,299 for the 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage variant. You'll have a choice of Titanium SIlverblue, Titanium Whitesilver, Titanium Gray, and Titanium Black if you're shopping through a major retailer or carrier, and have more colorful options if you buy directly from Samsung.Samsung Unpacked

The Samsung Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Plus won't break new ground, but the refinements and polish make them easy to recommend.