Software

Xiaomi has finally made the Mi Band 6, or Mi Smart Band 6 rather, official in India. Many fitness-tracker fans might welcome its upgraded 1.56-inch AMOLED display, expanded workout mode line-up and blood oxygen sensor. It will be available to buy via the OEM's channels in the country soon.

Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro users still have to wait for at least a few weeks before the Enhanced Edition firmware, but the arrival of the MIUI Global 12.5.5 Stable update is still good news. In addition to the August 2021 security patch, this piece of code also comes with an all-new Notes app and multiple optimizations.

Motorola has made good on an interesting round of rumors with the launch of the Moto G50 5G. Unlike the pre-existing phone of the same name, this one has a MediaTek Dimensity-series SoC rather than a Qualcomm platform. It is available to buy from now - albeit only from Lenovo's division in Australia.

Samsung has launched its latest phone for the Indian market as one with quad rear cameras, a 5,000mAh battery and 12-band 5G support. The Galaxy M32 5G is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity processor, has up to 8GB of RAM and has (almost suspiciously) up-to-date mid-range Samsung looks. Its preview page on Amazon.in indicates that it will go live in September 2021.

After missing its March release date, tactical RPG King's Bounty II is now available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, as well as PCs (via Steam). The game is available in three editions (regular, Duke's, and Lord's) that feature additional weapons, skins, units, and media content.

A new leak has revealed the internal aliases of Xiaomi's upcoming flagship phones, the Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Ultra. The phones will bear the codenames "Cupid" and "Zeus" respectively, and "Cupid" has now been tipped to launch in November without MIUI 13 out of the box.

The OEM Huawei has had a patent for a new kind of smartphone display approved by the US Patents and Trademarking Office (USPTO). It describes a device with a screen that goes all the way down to meet the rear panel. Therefore, the 2 "arc-shaped" pieces of panel that effectively form the sides of the phone act as its buttons, and, possibly, other controls depending on context.

Xiaomi has now begun rolling out the MIUI 12.5 update to the Poco X3 NFC and the Redmi Note 9 Pro—both in Europe. While the rollout for the Redmi Note 9 Pro is a limited one, all Poco X3 NFC owners in Europe should be getting their first taste of MIUI 12.5 right about now.

The iQOO 8 Pro has just launched in China to challenge the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 with its Snapdragon 888+ SoC and brand-new, extremely premium E5 display. Now, the appearance of a new phone from its OEM on the Google Play Console has sparked rumors that it is about to get a global launch. However, it seems not to have the full-fat specs of this new Pro smartphone.

Roughly one year after its introduction alongside the Nokia 2.4 and Nokia 8.3 5G, the Nokia 3.4 has just become the last of the trio to receive the Android 11 update. The rollout has begun in a few markets, including Australia, Belgium, and Denmark. The remaining markets, such as France, Germany, Switzerland, and Vietnam, will follow in the coming weeks.

Google has reportedly developed an "Assistant Driving Mode", which will supplant Android Auto for Phone Screens with the introduction of the major 12 OS upgrade. Therefore, users with mobile devices that install this OS version will only ever find Auto on their cars' display going forward.

The Galaxy Watch4 and 4 Classic still have a few days to go before reaching their new owners. However, that has apparently not stopped them from receiving an OTA update already. This new firmware is rated to optimize stability and performance on the new wearables as they start to go to work tracking a user's health.

The prospect of Windows 11 is strongly linked to mixed feelings at present. However, a study based on approximately 11,000 survey responses from participants who currently use the OS found that over 50% of this group would install the update without delay. Accordingly, 17% of the respondents are now in the Insiders program on the strength of Microsoft's latest launch.

Google's new Pixel 5a 5G has been hailed for being a solid device for the money. It appears that the phone, or some specific units anyway, has a rather annoying issue: a tendency to overheat while recording 4K60 FPS video.

Asus has launched the Chromebook Detachable CZ1, a device with a processor from a series recently started by MediaTek with tablet-specific optimizations in mind. Its latest vehicle is also patently geared towards education with its robust construction and essentialist port selection. It also comes with a keyboard dock/cover that incorporates a stylus and a kickstand.

Tronsmart has announced the Studio 30W SoundPulse as its latest wireless speaker. It is rated to cover an open space of up to 10 meters in size with 2.1 channel sound for up to 15 hours per charge. Unlike most portable accessories of this type, it has a housing made of aluminum, yet is still IPX4-rated. It goes for ~US$70, or less with a coupon active at the time of writing.

After sending out the MIUI 12.5 update to Global ROM units of the Redmi Note 10, Xiaomi is now expanding the rollout to include the European model of the phone. The OTA delivers the July security patch, but Xiaomi's vaunted Second Space feature remains absent.

Tesla has held a 2021 AI Day virtual conference, during which the company has apparently confirmed many predictions of a future in which jobs involving manual labor will no longer be a thing. This, according to Elon Musk, is because his company's Bot will take over from humans in doing them. This new machine may be one of the most convincing anthropomorphic automatons yet.

Recent Samsung flagship smartphones stand to benefit from One UI 3.1.1, albeit not with a revision change of their OS. Instead, Samsung will bring features from the new update to the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S21 and Galaxy Note 20 series, among others, via another One UI 3.1 update.

Microsoft has published another Windows 11 Preview Build, albeit one with hardly any changes compared to its predecessor. Nonetheless, this week marks the publication of Windows 11 ISOs for consumers, enterprise and those in China.

A small tool developed by @beeradmore makes it significantly easier for NVIDIA RTX graphics card owners to run games with the latest DLSS libraries, potentially improving in-game image quality and performance.

At a time when companies like Remedy have received flak for how they handle cross-gen game upgrades, EA has decided on a $40 asking price for NHL 22 cross-gen compatibility. Gamers will need to shell out $100 for what’s described as “cross-gen entitlement,” nearly double the cost of the base game.

OnePlus' 2020 flagship 8-series have acquired new updates for their version of Android, OxygenOS 11. It upgrades the phones to compatibility with the OEM's latest TWS earbuds, the Buds Pro, now released to the European market. The OTA also adds the latest software tweaks developed for its brand, its new Bitmoji AOD feature included.

OPPO's Future of Imaging conference of today (August, 19, 2021) introduced a number of new and potentially powerful camera upgrades that might start to appear in new smartphones over the next couple of years. The OEM claims they include advanced hardware-based stabilization, continuous zoom modules and a new RGBW matrix for next-gen sensors.

Xiaomi is now sending out the August security patch to its last remaining Android One smartphone, the Mi A3. The update is currently rolling out to owners of the global model of the phone, and should also be sent out to European units shortly.

The MIUI memory extension feature appears to be rolling out to more phones in Xiaomi’s extensive lineup. Not only is the upcoming Xiaomi Mi 11T likely included but there’s also room for the Mi 10T Lite and Mi 10 Lite Zoom on this particular memory expansion list of supported devices.

Mobvoi, for one, has announced a fresh app update many more of its newer and higher-end wearables. This latest version of WearOS (2.0) expands the eligibility to use Pay (new interface and all) to users in more countries. The update also unlocks Messages on a watch's screen in full, as well as Tiles for apps such as Spotify.

Xiaomi has upgraded the Redmi K30 Pro to MIUI 12.5 Enhanced, the latest version of the company's smartphone OS. The Redmi K30 Pro, also known as the POCO F2 Pro in other markets, is one of a dozen devices to receive MIUI 12.5 Enhanced initially before Xiaomi commences a broader rollout later this year.

ZTE has just announced pricing and availability for its second-gen under-display camera (UDC) smartphone, the Axon 30 5G, outside of its native China. Those interested in this cutting-edge hardware can also now learn how it might hold up to demanding use in the real world thanks to a new JerryRigEverything video.

The Qualcomm Flight RB5 5G Platform has launched as the world's first reference build for 5G- and AI-capable drones. Its maker asserts that this emerging form of airborne IoT for industry and commerce makes for powerful, yet power-efficient and above all smart UAVs with mmWave connectivity. It is already on the market, although it does not come cheap.

CDPR has left fans waiting a while, but it has finally delivered a new update for Cyberpunk 2077. Patch 1.3 contains over 500 fixes and changes, such as the ability to reallocate Perk points and a better minimap when driving. Cyberpunk 2077's latest patch also includes a few 'free DLCs' too.

Google is testing a new accessibility feature as part of Android 12, and it could change how you interact with your smartphone. So far, Android 12 recognises six movements, including raising your eyebrows and open your mouth.

It turns out that Xiaomi's latest tablets support a desktop mode, first seen in the Mi Mix Fold. The mode makes the Mi Pad 5 and Mi Pad 5 Pro easier to use in many ways, especially with a keyboard and mouse.

MIUI 12.5 Enhanced will arrive on more than 12 devices, Xiaomi has confirmed. The OS update will reach all handsets in Xiaomi's first batch by August 27, which includes the Mi 11 Ultra. Second and third batches will eventually follow, too.

iQOO has launched the flagship 8 series as promised today (August 17, 2021). It offers a new Pro variant with the updated Snapdragon 888+ processor and a new E5 LTPO AMOLED display with a 2K resolution, 10-bit color and a 120Hz refresh rate. These specs also make it the world's latest DisplayMate A+-rated smartphone.

Xiaomi is now expanding the MIUI 12.5 rollout for the Redmi Note 9. The EU ROM model Helio G85-powered phone is currently receiving the MIUI 12.5 update, as Xiaomi also sends out a conspicuous August security update to the European Poco F2 Pro.

Klipsch has announced the T5 II Series True Wireless ANC Earphones, which come in Standard and McLaren Editions. They are rated for Dirac HD-tuned sound and for up to 21 hours of battery life with their USB type-C case. Their new racing-inspired special edition also comes with a "2X" wireless charging pad with NuCurrent technology.

OPPO has had a new patent for potential next-gen wearables granted in its native China. It is intended to allow the accessories in question to authenticate the user by reading their veins rather than their fingerprints or faces. This form of biometric recognition could thus be added to a future Band or Watch from this OEM.

Realme has confirmed that it will launch its first-ever ultrabook in a few days from today (August 15, 2021). This PC - to be called the Book Slim in some markets - is now also said to come with some additional features and accessories that might bring it up to the level of some rival OEMs such as Xiaomi and Huawei.

Xiaomi has started rolling out MIUI 12.5 Enhanced to some smartphones. The latest version of Xiaomi's OS makes some minor adjustments from MIUI 12.5 and will be available on a dozen devices. Xiaomi is expected to release MIUI 12.5 Enhanced globally, too.

Motorola released its first-ever foldable Razr in 2019. Now, in 2021, its units on the Verizon network in the US finally have the OTA that upgrade them to Android 11. It adds the ability to use chat bubbles and improved privacy-related permissions on the next-gen clamshell phone.

ZTE has released the latest version of its Android skin, MyOS, for its flagship Axon 30 smartphone series. It is rated for over 200 UX tweaks and memory expansion features, and also upgrades the series' Pro variant's display refresh rate to 144Hz: the same as that of the top-end Ultra version.

Honor and Huawei have gone their separate ways, allowing the former to include Google Mobile Services (GMS) on its latest flagship smartphones. The company has confirmed that the Magic 3, Magic 3 Pro and Magic 3 Pro Plus will receive at least two Android OS updates, too.

Microsoft is distributing another Windows 11 Insider Preview Build, a week on from Build 22000.120. Build 22000.132 refines a few features, including the Snipping Tool, and addresses half of dozen bugs to boot.

TCL has announced updates to its 2020 5- and 6-series big screens. They, like their predecessors, remain QLED and mini-LED respectively; however, they drop the Roku OS of yesteryear for the new Google TV software. It confers an up-to-date UI on the new devices, as well as the option of voice control for the first time.

Xiaomi has reportedly launched a program by which it is offering the original price of its first ever smartphone, the Mi 1, back to customers who can prove they ordered it during its initial reservation event. The unique promotion, which has already apparently cost the OEM millions of dollars, is being done in celebration of its tenth anniversary, and also possibly of the company's success thus far.

Oukitel touts its new WP15 as a "5G battery monster"; and well it might, as the phone has once again pushed the limits of mobile capacity with a 15,600mAh rating. It is also a rugged device, with IP68, IP69K and MIL-STD-810G ratings. It will be launched later in August 2021, but can be pre-ordered from now.

Google will not be bringing YouTube Music or its updated Google Maps app to Wear OS 2 smartwatches. Instead, older Wear OS devices will receive overhauled Google Pay and Messages apps. Thankfully, Spotify has come through with offline playlist support for Wear OS 2 smartwatches.

Honor's major product launch of today (August 12, 2021) has introduced a new mid-ranger alongside its flagship Android series for this year. The X20 has charging specs and some display properties in common with the new Magic3 devices, although its SoC is a new mid-range 5G MediaTek chipset.

The MediaTek Kompanio 1300T is a new SoC that is exclusive to the new Honor Tab V7 Pro tablet on its launch. It drives a 2K display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The new slate also challenges the iPad line with its own optional stylus and keyboard dock.