Smartphones

Android Neko is surprisingly addictive

Published

September 5, 2016

Marvin Velasco

It’s been nearly two weeks since we installed the final build of Android 7.0 Nougat on our Nexus 6P, and while we’ve been enjoying every new feature, there’s one that really stands out. No, it’s not the upgraded multitasking button or extra set of emojis, but the hidden cat-collecting game called Android Neko.

An obvious reference to the mega-popular Neko Atsume game, the Nougat-only feature doesn’t have all the intricate gimmicks and visuals of its standalone app equivalent. In Google’s implementation, you’re restricted to leaving out food for the cats, being notified when one arrives, and naming the felines that stay in your collection forever.

Surprisingly, since Android Neko doesn’t require as much dedication to feed and pamper playful kitties, the simplicity of letting you casually check on notifications whenever your busy schedule permits actually adds to the addictiveness of the game.

Activating the mini-game isn’t as simple as opening up the hidden Flappy Bird clone of Android 5.0 Lollipop and 6.0 Marshmallow, so we came up with a step-by-step guide to accessing Android Neko on Android Nougat. Here it goes:

Make sure you have Android 7.0 installed.
Navigate to the Nougat logo by going to Settings > About Phone, and then rapidly tapping “Android version 7.0” three times.
Tap the huge letter N a few times, then give it a long press until a cat appears below it.
Pull down the notifications shade from above twice and tap on “Edit.”
You’ll find a new icon named “Android Easter Egg.” Drag that to your Quick Settings list.

Now that it’s part of your Quick Settings, tap on the icon to select which food you want to place on the dish. There are a total of four: chicken, treat, bits, and fish. As far as we know, it doesn’t matter which one you choose – cats will come. Once it’s empty, simply refill the dish to lure in another cat.

You’ll be shown a traditional notification whenever a cat appears. Tap it, and you’ll be presented with your hopefully growing collection. You can also hold the icon in Quick Settings (with or without food inside) to check out the cats.

Again, Android Neko is no where near as comprehensive as the already simple Neko Atsume. You’re limited to renaming your new friends by tapping on them, and sharing your pets with actual friends by pressing on a cat a little longer. The great thing is that it could probably go on much longer with hundreds of furry friends to discover.

For the fortunate minority who have Android Nougat: Enjoy!

[irp posts=”10272″ name=”Six months in, Android Nougat distribution still sucks”]

News

Is the Pixel 11 copying a feature from Nothing?

A new ad is hinting at something like the Glyph interface.

Published

July 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

August 12 cannot come soon enough. On that date, Google is set to launch the upcoming Pixel 11 series. There isn’t much to indicate that the brand is changing the formula this year. Now, a rampant rumor, now seemingly confirmed by Google’s own ad, is hinting that a popular feature from Nothing is making its way to the Pixel.

Besides the transparent rear, Nothing prides itself with numerous iterations of the Glyph interface, a lighting system that serves as customized notifications for your phone. It’s mostly a novelty, but the feature is a unique take in a smartphone market plagued with too much sameness. It looks like Google wants to take a page from that same notebook.

For a while now, it’s been rumored that Google is adopting a version of the feature for the Pixel 11 series. The so-called Pixel Glow will reportedly add a light-based notification feature. Now, Google itself has seemingly confirmed the rumors.

In a new ad, titled “The Obvious Next Move,” Google is teasing a new feature coming to the flagship series. Though the ad leaves the feature untitled and without a description, it’s clear that it’s a circular glowing thing similar to Nothing’s take. The glowing thing is right on the Pixel’s iconic camera bar, just like Nothing.

But again, Google didn’t name the feature. However, if it helps, the ad says that we already use the Pixel for Gmail, Maps, Search, Calendar, and Docs, so the next evolution is whatever is depicted in this ad. August 12 really cannot come soon enough.

News

Qualcomm is raising its prices this year

Will the price of smartphones follow suit?

Published

July 27, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The price of technology isn’t fun these days. Because of the ongoing RAM shortage wrought by AI, companies across the industry are raising the prices of their products. Some, however, are still willing to shoulder the burden for their customers. Unfortunately, Qualcomm is soon leaving that list.

As reported by Bloomberg, Qualcomm will raise the prices of its products starting in September. Though the exact figure is unknown, the company did confirm that it’s in the double digits, percentage-wise. According to them, they can no longer shoulder the costs for its customers.

If you’re just a regular user, Qualcomm’s prices might not mean much for you. After all, the chipmaker doesn’t make phones of its own.

That said, Qualcomm is still one of the biggest suppliers for smartphone chipsets, including those that Samsung uses. Pushing the burden from chipsets to phone manufacturers reduces one more buffer against costs being ultimately pushed to consumers.

All things considered, Samsung managed to keep its prices hikes relatively low with the latest batch of foldables. However, with chips getting more price increases, it’s still within the realm of possibility that Samsung will also increase the price of its smartphones. The same can be said for any Qualcomm-powered smartphone available today.

News

Smart announces postpaid offers for Samsung Galaxy Z8 series

Pre-order now for exclusive perks

Published

July 24, 2026

GadgetMatch

The newly-launched Samsung Galaxy Z8 series is now available via Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity. Pre-orders for Samsung’s latest foldables are available from July 22 to August 13.

Pre-ordering will allow customers to get exclusive storage upgrades, trade-in savings, and flexible payment options. Plus, they can get three months of complimentary Samsung Care+.

Moreover, customers can maximize their devices with Smart’s All-New Postpaid Plans+, which come with UNLI App Bundles, UNLI 5G for 12 months (in select areas), Open-Access Data, and high priority on the Smart network.

With Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999, subscribers can get the following devices through straight payment or 24-month, zero-interest installment using participating credit cards (Metrobank, Security Bank, BPI, UnionBank, HSBC, and RCBC):

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (512GB): PhP P101,600 or PhP 5,021/month
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 (512GB): PhP 91,100 or PhP 4,500/month
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 (512GB): PhP 65,100 or PhP 3,217/month

Customers can pre-order the latest Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series via smart.com.ph/galaxypreorder or at the nearest Smart Store.

In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Series is also available through Infinity Plan 5000 and Infinity Plan 8000.

These packages come with unlimited data, calls, and texts, roaming-ready connectivity, and exclusive Infinity privileges.

Through the Samsung Trade-In Program, customers can also reserve their preferred Galaxy Z8 Series device and complete their trade-in at participating stores once the devices officially launch.

Eligible smartphones can be traded in for up to PhP 14,000 off.

New Samsung Galaxy Watches also available

Lastly, Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity are offering the new Samsung Galaxy Watch9 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2.

Compatible smartwatch users can also add on Smart Device Link, which enables their smartwatch and phone to share one mobile number and plan inclusions.

First-time subscribers can enjoy the service free for six months, when they activate until September 30.

With the Smart Postpaid Plans, subscribers can save up to 20% compared with the suggested retail price when they bundle a Samsung Galaxy Watch with their new Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series device.