Software

The famed and often reliable leaker Ishan Agarwal has published new posts containing some intriguing full-spec claims for the possibly-imminent Huawei P50 Pro. They pertain to the phone's putative 4G/LTE-only variant, which apparently has quad rear cameras, 3 of which are high-res sensors with different and occasionally quite surprising functions.

Sony has built on the success of the ZV-1 with a new E10 variant. Unlike its predecessor in vlogging- and streaming-friendly features, it has an APS-C sensor, as well as E-mount lens compatibility this time around. However, it retains the up-to-date BIONZ X image processor, standard 3.5mm input and flip-out screen of the first-gen "creator-cam".

A few weeks ago, Xiaomi sent out early MIUI 12.5 builds to the global and European models of the Mi Note Lite and Mi Note 10/Mi Note 10 Pro respectively. The company is now expanding the rollout by providing Turkish and Russian models of the Mi Note 10 Lite with their taste of MIUI 12.5, as well Global ROM units of the Mi Note 10 and Mi Note 10 Pro.

After kicking off with the update for Global ROM models a few weeks ago, Xiaomi is now expanding the MIUI 12.5 and Android 11 rollout for the Redmi Note 8 Pro. Owners of the device in Europe and Indonesia can now expect a 2.2 GB OTA that delivers MIUI 12.5, Android 11, and the July security patch.

Following an extensive series of teasers, the Carl Pei-run start-up Nothing has formally launched its inaugural ear (1) TWS earbuds, thereby also finally revealing the peripherals' design and specs for the first time. They are to become available in an initial limited batch on July 31, 2021, followed by a larger drop in August.

ZTE has unveiled the Axon 30, an Android phone that will stand out due to its under-display (or UDC) selfie camera, today (July 27, 2021). It will be available to the Chinese market initially, starting at ~US$338 from August 3 of this year. However, the OEM has also confirmed that it is coming to other countries in September.

Xiaomi is now rolling out the MIUI 12.5 update to the Poco X3 NFC. The update for the mid-range phone is being sent out to Global ROM units, and delivers the July security patch. Meanwhile, the Poco F3 is now also receiving a new update in some regions.

Ulefone has announced that it is rebooting its Power series of ultra-large-battery phones with the upcoming Armor 13 variant. It is slated to pack a number of potentially advantageous features, a 6.81-inch display, Android 11 and quad rear cameras included, all of which will be powered with the largest battery the OEM can offer. Pre-sales for this new rugged phone will start in late July 2021.

An industry blog asserts that display panels capable of ultra-high 480Hz refresh rates are now in the works. They will allegedly come courtesy of AU Optronics (or AUO) and LG Display, and may go into production at these companies by 2022. Therefore, monitors that can blow the fastest 1080p models of today out of the water might be on the way.

After gracing the Mi A2 and Mi A2 Lite with their final updates last week, Xiaomi has continued to support its youngest Android One phone, the Mi A3, as promised. The July update is now seeding to the Mi A3 globally, but brings the phone a month closer to the end of its life.

Motorola has revealed the time and date of its next product launch via its official Weibo channel. A teaser released alongside this post strongly suggests that this event is for the Edge 20 series, a trio of smartphones slated to come with 108MP main cameras. Meanwhile, a Pro variant for this line has been confirmed through its certification with the Thai NBTC.

OnePlus has become linked to a controversy in which its 2021 line of flagship smartphones' version of Android (OxygenOS for the 9 series) was found to "throttle" a slew of popular and often necessary apps such as Chrome, yet unleash full performance in the presence of benchmarks. Now, the OEM has reportedly announced a solution in an upcoming software upgrades.

Lenovo debuted world-first 16-inch WQXGA (or QHD) laptop displays in its latest Legion 7 gaming machine. Its Ryzen 7 5800H-equipped SKUs are now available on the US market, starting at US$1,800. Its Intel counterpart (the Legion 7i Gen 6) has also now been released to the same OEM website.

The Nokia 110 4G is this HMD Global brand's latest button-phone, released to the Indian market today (July 24, 2021). As the name suggests, it has 4G/LTE connectivity despite its basic feature-device nature. Besides that, it won't strain many pockets in more ways than 1 with a 1.8-inch QVGA display and 128MB of RAM.

Amazon Prime Gaming is now offering new Battlefield titles for free for Prime customers starting with Battlefield 1 till August 4 followed by Battlefield V from August 2 through October 1. Prime members can claim the loot in Amazon Gaming and redeem the keys in the Origin desktop or web clients. Gamers can also experience Battlefield 1 Revolution on Steam for free this weekend.

Epic Games has announced that its store's Summer Sale 2021 event is now on. It contains deals such as 33% off Assassin’s Creed Valhalla or 20% off Days Gone. The platform has also released its usual choice of free games for the week, which currently include Defense Grid: The Awakening and Verdun.

OPPO has unveiled its latest battery technology, which, as it claims, contains some significant performance and safety upgrades over the existing SuperVOOC 2.0 system. It is still rated for the same charging rate (65W), although its new structure might allow for greater capacity this time around. Therefore, the next-gen flagships from this OEM, not to mention its subsidiary OnePlus, could have larger batteries.

Hackers have managed to get Xiaomi’s MIUI 11 Android skin running on an Apple iPhone SE by utilizing the known checkm8 exploit. A couple of video clips have been shared showing that MIUI 11 had been successfully installed onto the iPhone SE, although it’s unclear how well the Apple phone runs on the Xiaomi software.

Google has revealed that upcoming Wear OS smartwatches from Mobvoi, Fossil and its subsidiaries will not launch with its 'new unified platform'. Instead, new models will only receive Wear OS 3 next year, unlike those released by Fitbit and Samsung.

Microsoft has released its latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build to the Programme's Dev Channel. Build 22000.100 introduces multiple changes and improvements to Windows 11, but it contains over a dozen known issues. The new build does address even more issues from Build 22000.71, though.

Google has confirmed which existing smartwatches will receive Wear OS 3, its 'new unified platform'. Only the TicWatch Pro 3 and TicWatch E3 are eligible, leaving the likes of the Fossil Gen 5, Gen 5E, Oppo Watch and Suunto 7 behind. Neither of Mobvoi's latest smartwatches will receive Wear OS until deep into 2022, either.

Ever wanted to download more RAM? Xiaomi's latest feature will allow some owners to do something of the sort. After offering a Memory Extension feature on the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G weeks ago, Xiaomi is set to bring a more impressive implementation to its premium phones including the Poco F3, Mi 10, and Mi 11 series.

The latest version of the GameCube emulator Dolphin includes an integrated Game Boy Advance, allowing players to enjoy games that rely on a connected Game Boy Advance. These include bonus features in games like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker as well as Game Boy Advance-controlled titles like Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles and The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures.

Samsung has upgraded the Galaxy M21 with the...Galaxy M21. This new version of the 2020 phone has most of the original's features, its massive 6,000mAh battery included. However, it also offers a new rear panel with an updated 48MP primary camera. It will be released to the Indian market on July 26, 2021.

Qualcomm has announced that it will devote further investment and effort to its wearables business. This involves Ecosystem Accelerator Program, a new initiative to bring manufacturers, service providers, developers and vendors in order to improve innovation, collaboration and commercialization in the sector. Its provider claims that over 60 leading companies in the market have already signed up for it.

Samsung's 2021 Galaxy Z Fold flagship is projected to launch with the same Snapdragon 888 as its inflexible counterpart, the S21 Ultra, as sold in some regions. Now, a prominent leaker asserts that the former will cope better with heat generation during everyday tasks such as gaming compared to the former.

After beginning the Android 11 rollout for the European model of the Redmi Note 8 a few weeks ago, Xiaomi is now expanding its reach. Starting today, the Android 11 alongside the July security patch will reach the first batch of global Redmi Note 8 owners.

MIUI 12.5 has arrived on the Redmi Note 7, Mi 9 Lite and Mi 9 in more regions. The OS update does not bring Android 11 to the Redmi Note 7 though, unfortunately.

The alleged main updates for MIUI 13 have been leaked just as a supposed image of the redesigned Control Center has started doing the rounds. One of the purported MIUI 13 changes is the introduction of floating windows for games. It is widely believed Xiaomi will officially reveal its latest Android overlay in mid-August.

OPPO's eponymous Watch is a high-end wearable that has options with on-device ECGs. Now, it officially has a second generation, slated to launch at the end of July 2021. It is slated to integrate the latest Snapdragon Wear 4100 SoC, which will help run a dual OS system designed to stretch screen-on time.

One of the co-creators of Dogecoin, Jackson Palmer, has been sharing some very strong opinions about the cryptocurrency industry and its involvement with “a network of shady business connections, bought influencers and pay-for-play media outlets”. Dogecoin was launched as a joke in 2013 but now has a market cap of over US$21 billion.

Microsoft has issued a new Windows 11 Insider Preview for devices operating on the Dev channel of the Windows Insider Programme. An Intel support document has provided the first concrete evidence of when Windows 11 will RTM, too.

Sony launched its latest flagship smartphone as the Xperia 1 III at a starting price of US$1,300. Despite this, the OEM has reportedly advised that it is getting only 2 years of official software support. Therefore, it is getting only 1 major Android upgrade, which may, moreover, happen sooner rather than later.

The Xiaomi Mi A2 has received its last Android security patch, three years after Xiaomi released the handset. Now, only the Mi A3 carries the candle for Xiaomi's Android One smartphones, albeit only until 2022.

Sony has debuted the LSPX-S3 as the latest in its line of Glass Sound Speakers. Like its predecessors, it can blend "seamlessly" into any home's decor due to its ability to mimic a lamp with its candle-effect LEDs, visible through its transparent tweeter. This sleek wireless accessory has a recommended price of US$350.

The SIGNATURE OLED R is a first-gen rollable TV, and as such incorporates cutting-edge technology in order to come in a completely new, motor-powered form-factor. However, its novel features come at a sky-high price, as US customers who go to LG.com to order its single 65-inch SKU are about to find out.

Honor has effectively confirmed a new leak alleging that its upcoming flagship Magic3 Android smartphone series would turn out looking suspiciously like another pre-existing premium device. The tip also purports to spill major spec details for the 3 Pro, a QHD+ curved AMOLED display with HDR10+ and Gorilla Glass Victus, up to 16GB of RAM and 100W wired charging included.

Zepp Health has announced a new function for its popular Amazfit wearables at its 2021 Next Beat Future of Health conference, which it calls "Blood Pressure Measurement on the Wrist". It is based on an algorithm that estimates this metric using a given wearable's optical sensors.

Zepp Health, formerly Huami, has now made its replacement for its current Amazfit OS official. It is rated to be much lighter, smoother and more battery-friendly than its predecessor. Consumers might find it on next-gen wearables powered by the new Huangshan 2s SoC, slated to be enhanced in terms of graphics and power efficiency.

reVC, a fan project to reverse engineer Grand Theft Auto Vice City’s source code, just got an unofficial port on the Nintendo Switch. Gamers will need a modded Nintendo Switch to try the game out, however.

Crescendo, a Super Mario Bros speedrunner, recently posted a video showcasing a world record, beating the Nintendo classic in less than 12 minutes, while blindfolded.

MSI's latest line of 15- and 17-inch professional-grade PCs have up to 4K displays, 11th-gen core i9 processors and RTX A5000 graphics. Some variants even have the largest-capacity batteries available to laptops. They now also have sales listings that start at US$1,500.

Realme is slated to debut the Master Edition of its GT smartphone later in July 2021. Prior to this, a device that might have its model number has appeared on Geekbench. If so, the new leak confirms that it will have a new 5G Qualcomm SoC.

The Watch Live is the OEM ZTE's first-gen health-focused wearable. It is an Apple Watch clone with a blood oxygen sensor, all-day heart rate tracking and an IP68 rating. Its maker has now released it to its global website for just under US$40.

Xiaomi has released the July 2021 security patch to the Mi A2 Lite, three years to the month that the device debuted. This month's update is the last guaranteed for the Android One handset.

France's competition authority has slapped Google with a €500 million (~US$590 million) fine, following complaints from the same nation's press agency that the Mountain View giant has been using its content for the News app without permission. Google's failure to strike a compensation deal to address these grievances has resulted in its new financial penalty.

Yamaha claims to have drawn on decades of experience with enhancing 2-channel audio at the home-theater level to develop 3D Sound Field for its new YH-L700A headphones. It focuses on adapting to the wearer's head movements to keep sound immersion constant. The OEM also claims the new wired/wireless cans' has uniquely acute active noise cancellation (ANC) thanks to advanced mic placements.

A refreshed list of Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark devices that will or will not be updated to Android 12 has recently been published. The unofficial list features numerous changes from the last one, including the news that the POCO M3 has been relegated to the “won’t get Android 12” column.

The Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro have started receiving MIUI 12.5 globally. V12.5.1.0.RJDMIXM is rolling out now as an OTA and brings MIUI's global branch in line with many others, including Europe and India.

Edifier asserts that its NeoBuds Pro are a world first, in that they are TWS earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC) and an official Hi-Res certification for sound quality and immersion. The new accessories also have an exceptionally broad frequency range and have IP54 ingress protection.