Software

The Kokoon Nightbuds are a pair of (technically) wireless earbuds specifically designed to wear in bed. They are rated by their OEM to track and enhance sleep through a combination of hardware such as an in-built heart-rate sensor and an app that delivers "personalized sleep coaching". They are now available as a mainstream product rather than on crowdfunding as before.

WhatsApp has started a new pilot program that allows those located in the United States to transfer cryptocurrency via its service. The initiative only involves a small pool of users and one coin in its present form, as well as a wallet originally intended for use with Meta.

Huawei has issued another update to the Watch GT 3, its second so far. This month's update is a 75 MB download and allows you to pair the smartwatch with the Polar H7 or the Suunto Smart Belt. The update is already rolling out in Europe.

Google has confirmed that Android 10, 11 and 12 suffer from a bug preventing smartphones from calling emergency services. The bug only occurs in specific circumstances, but it involves an app that has been installed over 100 million times.

After months of teasers and statements, Xiaomi finally looks set to debut the next iteration in its skin. Yes, MIUI 13 is now around the corner, at least if the latest MIUI 12.5 changelogs are anything to go by.

More than four years after it launched running Android 7, the Xiaomi Mi A1 lives on thanks to the community support it has been receiving ever since. Although it gets no more official security patches and the latest major Android update is Pie, a few Android 12-based ROMs are already available for this popular smartphone.

In advance of the upcoming official release of its iOS 15.2 update for iPhones later this month, Apple has now previewed a new and useful feature which will allow iPhone users to check their device's repair history and whether or not genuine Apple parts were used as replacements.

OPPO has just announced that it will debut its first ever proprietary chipset during its Inno Day 2021 event in mid-December 2021. This long-rumored project is now rumored to turn out the OEM's very own neural processing unit (NPU), albeit one with potentially specific functions. The company asserts that it will unlock new potential for the future of its consumer devices.

Apple has issued the Release Candidate for macOS 12.1 Monterey, the latest version of its desktop operating system. macOS 12.1 will contain numerous changes, but Apple is not yet ready to release one of Monterey's most exciting features.

While Vivaldi 5.0 for Android becomes the world's first mobile browser to introduce two-level tab stacks, as well as desktop-like Panels for tablets and Chromebooks, its desktop sibling comes with a fully reworked theme editor, theme sharing, a translate panel, as well as a download pop-up on the address bar.

According to reports, Apple plans on releasing the next version of macOS Monterey next week. macOS Monterey 12.1 should arrive with plenty of bug fixes and improvements, especially for the new MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16.

A Huawei executive has reportedly been quoted as saying that the next generation of the Mate premium phablet line is indeed destined for launch in 2022. Furthermore, its series might not be confined to this form-factor next year: it just might be joined by the rumored "Mate V" clamshell foldable.

OnePlus has started rolling out Android 12 to the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro via OxygenOS 12. The OS upgrade is open to devices purchased in North America and India, but there are a few issues, currently.

Google has announced a new Pixel Feature Drop that also contains the December 2021 security patch. All recent Pixel smartphones are eligible, starting with the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. However, Google is not ready to push its new Pixel Feature Drop to Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro.

Those who own LG smartphones may be familiar with the OEM's mobile development site, the source of such tools as bootloader unlocking keys. Now, the company has advised these users that they have until the end of December 2021 to grab whatever they need from it before it is "terminated".

Nintendo has expanded upon its Online Expansion Pack with another game, rounding out its N64 back catalogue to ten games. Paper Mario will be available next week, just in time for Christmas.

Samsung has started rolling out One UI 4 to the Galaxy Z Fold3. Currently, the update is available in South Korea, its first port of call for Samsung's premier foldable smartphone.

The mobile device OEM Vivo has just opened its VISION+ Grand Exhibition in a Beijing art center. The theme of this show is "Create Together, Our 2021", and illustrates how artists, creators and their subjects have coped with the unique adversities of the year and how they look to the future now. The project may thus emphasize Vivo's smartphone camera prowess, which involves a partnership with Zeiss.

YouTube Music has gained the option of saving your queue as a playlist, a feature previously available on Google Play Music. The feature should also work when using the 'Start radio' function.

Sony has announced availability and pricing for the inaugural Airpeak drone. The S1 is rated as the "world's smallest" drone that can still carry a full-sized mirrorless Alpha-series camera. It is up for pre-order from now, to be shipped later in December 2021.

When is a monitor with a screen measuring less than 20 inches diagonally valued at just under US$15,000? According to Canon, it's when it is the first professional reference display from the brand to feature its exact dimensions at a 4K/UHD resolution. The DP-V1830 can also support a 4-way split-screen, enhanced blacks and improved viewing angles.

iQOO may be on the verge of adding a Snapdragon 888-powered device to its often flagship-killing Neo series of smartphones. Now, it may have shown up on the Google Play Console and on the 3C regulatory database. It is shaping up to be a reasonably premium Android device for the end of 2021.

Samsung's Galaxy Note 20 and 20 Ultra are part of the One UI beta program, which means the flagship phablets are on a short list of devices to get access to the OEM's build of Android 12. The Notes 20 are now on their third beta in a few markets, and addresses a number of issues caused by the second.

The new "visual update" of Office is now becoming official. This cosmetic adjustment makes the productivity suite match the new Windows 11 look, although some users still on 10 might also see the update. It mostly functions to add the new rounded corners and dark themes to 4 of Microsoft's classic work-focused apps.

Samsung has issued One UI 4 beta to more former flagship smartphones. This time, the company has upgraded the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10 Plus, which are both expected to receive stable builds in January 2022.

Users of the popular Zoom video conferencing app between March 2016 and July 2021 can now file for compensation as part of a class-action lawsuit which the company has decided to settle outside of court for US$85 million. According to terms of the settlement, users who have taken any of Zoom's subscription plans are eligible for a US$25 settlement while free users can claim up to US$15. The deadline for filing the claim is March 5, 2022.

To help patients navigate the perplexing in or out-of-network specifics of the U.S. healthcare industry, Google Search is now offering providers the options to list which insurance they take. Given the exponentially higher charges patients can incur when going to an out-of-network practice, the service aims to make emergency decisions easier. Moreover, doctor's Google Search business listings can now be filtered by Medicare insurance and by languages spoken by the practice.

Lenovo has announced an inaugural Developer Preview version of Android 12L for the Tab P12 Pro .The OS has been designed to offer the best possible UI for the flagship slate's display size. Thus far, the new software is only available for the device's Wi-Fi only variant and may not support all its functions as yet.

After the recent OS update for the Raspberry Pi caused numerous issues, the company has now released a legacy version of the Raspberry Pi OS based on an earlier version of Debian, also known under the codename "Buster".

Microsoft has announced a new feature exclusive to Microsoft Edge users, Clarity Boost, which enhances the visual quality of Xbox Cloud Gaming streams. Clarity Boost is the newest optimisation feature revealed by the company and is available on the most recent version of the Microsoft Edge Canary build.

Honor has announced that it will be delivering two major upgrades to the Band 6, a fitness tracker that it released last year. The upgrades would bring the Honor Band 6 to par with Huawei's fitness trackers before the pair split.

Typically, Google restricts Feature Drops to its Pixel smartphones. This month, the company has expanded eligibility for its new features to numerous Android devices, including those still running Android 6.0. One of these features is Digital car key (DCK) support, although there are some caveats.

The Galaxy A13 5G has often been touted as a kind of advance preview of Samsung's mid-range Android line-up for 2022. Now, it has finally been unleashed and will be available in the United States soon. It offers a 50MP main camera, a 90Hz display and a 3.5MM jack for under US$300.

OPPO had hinted at a "PC Connect" feature to be introduced alongside its latest UI for smartphones, ColorOS 12. Now, this new facility has officially been launched. This "seamless" syncing, sharing and workflow app for compatible Android devices and computers will not actually be released until 2022, however.

Huawei has updated two of its older smartwatches, the Watch GT 2 and Watch GT 2e. The pair have started receiving their updates in China first, before an eventual global rollout.

It is only a matter of time before Google kills Android One, its ill-conceived program to bring the 'next billion' people to Android. With all companies but one leaving Android One, Google cannot even compel Nokia to deliver on its promised 'two years of guaranteed Android updates' to the Nokia 9 PureView.

Masterpiece Studio software is now available for free, but only for non-commercial use. The programme enables you to model in 3D and animate through virtual reality, with tools to let you texturize, rig and skin your models and more.

Samsung has launched the Exynos Auto V7 SoC, a new processor specifically for cars, alongside the Exynos Auto T5123, which might ensure the same vehicles are connected. This is because it is the OEM's first 5G-capable modem made for the automotive industry. They have been joined in their debut by the S2VPS01, an extra-safe PMIC for cars.

A new report has claimed that the English Premier League (EPL) is investigating connections between its member clubs and crypto businesses. In addition, it seems the Premier League is forging ahead with a potential partnership with an NFT platform that would provide extra income by producing digital player cards for fans to collect.

The rumors of Asus launching a new, 16-inch version of its ROG Zephyrus Duo laptop have gained further momentum with new claims of Ryzen 6000 power for the alleged dual-screen gaming machine. The processor may partner with RTX 3000-series graphics to drive a heightened refresh rate in this apparently upcoming PC, now slated to run Windows 11 out of the box.

Rockstar is looking to make amends with the dreadful Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition. Patch 1.03 makes over 100 changes across the three games, with Rockstar sending out an 18 GB update to GTA III, GTA Vice City and GTA San Andreas.

Sony has announced that its headphones will lose Google Assistant support on iOS from early December. The change will affect all Sony headphones, although Google is discontinuing the service, not Sony itself.

Huawei has brought new features to the Watch GT 3, one of its latest smartwatches. Version 2.1.0.180 also addresses a few bugs and is rolling out globally through the Huawei Health app.

Sony has reportedly patented its own take on the type of controller that also snaps onto a smartphone to double as a grip for the device. This version of the accessory has PlayStation-esque buttons, joysticks and triggers, as one might hope. All in all, the alleged new IP looks very like a DualShock made just for smartphones.

The Galaxy A13 is touted as an upcoming source of mid-range 5G smartphone specs at a competitive price. Now, this device is said to have entered mass production at a Samsung facility in India. This new leak might be the best indication of its imminent launch yet.

NVIDIA recently rolled out a demo of GAUGAN 2, an AI-based text to image platform. GAUGAN 2 has been trained on images of buildings, plants, and other objects, and will output images of what it thinks input text represents. The results aren't always accurate, but are stunningly beautiful on occasion.

Amazfit has risen to #3 in the smartwatch market for the latest complete quarter of 2021 (or 3Q2021). Accordingly, it has announced deals on a number of these wearables for today's Black Friday event in the US. They include the popular T-Rex series, as well as those of the GTR and GTS lines.

Polymega is an innovative 'all-in-one retro console' that converts to support various types of classic cartridges via a modular system. Now, its maker Playmaji has announced that the fifth and latest version of these allows the user to play N64 games with the device. The OEM asserts that there are few other options on the market to do so at present.

XGIMI asserts that it has an alternative to that new big TV purchase with coupons and deals on some of its Android-powered projectors instead. They include the high-end Horizon line, which has variants that support either FHD or 4K at over 2000 lumens of ANSI brightness. Their latest offers apply until the end of Cyber Weekend 2021.

On the road that leads to the highly anticipated MIUI 13 firmware, the popular Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro gets another update from the 12.x branch, namely MIUI 12.5.9. The 657 MB-large update includes the October 2021 security patch and the usual tweaks and fixes, but without any new features on top.