Software

The TAG Heuer Connected is one of the most premium Wear OS smartwatches out there. Its latest, variant might be a big draw for some of its fans, with its re-designed Super Mario-themed case and colorway. On the other hand, it will go for even more than its vanilla counterpart.

OnePlus has already confirmed that the second-gen Nord smartphone will launch in late July 2021 with the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC. Now, it has also revealed some display specs to build further hype for the device. Its 90Hz panel will be very like that of the Nord CE (and a number of other phones), albeit with an upgrade to HDR10+ in this case.

Amazfit has announced that its next pair of TWS earbuds will be unveiled during its upcoming “Future of Health” event. The popular health-wearable brand claims that they will help the user improve their posture in addition to their cardiovascular health, thanks to various kinds of advanced sensors. Its owner may also unveil a new, custom chip and OS for smartwatches during the same show.

Samsung has long been rumored to introduce its 2021 flagship foldable as the Galaxy Z Fold3. Now, a telecomms regulator has inadvertently revealed these leaks to be true in approving it for sale in Thailand. Meanwhile, another tip purports to confirm the device runs on Android 11.

Xiaomi has started rolling out MIUI 12.5 to the Mi 9T Pro and Redmi K20 Pro in India. Currently, V12.5.1.0.RFKINXM is available as a Beta Stable update, but a download link has already leaked. MIUI 12.5 has already arrived on MIUI's European and Global branches.

Xiaomi has started rolling out the MIUI 12.5 update for the Redmi Note 7 with the China ROM. Apparently, the firmware is in a stable beta form, so there will be a testing phase before a wider rollout commences. The Redmi Note 7 was released in February 2019 and has been a massive sales hit for Xiaomi.

Microsoft has released its latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build, the second in this generation's Insider Programme. Windows 11 build 22000.65 introduces numerous changes, improvements and fixes, although many known issues remain.

Google is now rumored to announce an upgraded program of software support alongside the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. This, apparently, might involve up to 5 years' worth of updates. Should this truly be the case, it will most likely be a bid to equal Apple and its panel of iOS upgrades.

OnePlus has issued Android 11 Open Beta 11 to the OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T. Android 11 and OxygenOS 11 will be the final OS updates for the pair.

Xiaomi has announced that the MIUI 12.5 update for the Global ROM variant of the Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphone has started. The software update, which is based on Android 11, will initially be officially available to Redmi Note 8 Pro users who are part of the Mi Pilots beta-testing scheme.

Xiaomi has started rolling out MIUI 12.5 updates to four more devices in Europe. The OS upgrades are now live for the Mi 9, Mi 9T Pro, Mi Note 10 and Mi Note 10 Pro. Xiaomi has based all builds on Android 11.

The July update is now live for numerous Pixel smartphones. While the Pixel 2 series stopped receiving updates last year, the Pixel 3 series onwards is eligible for this month's update. The July update contains a few device-specific bug fixes and addresses numerous security vulnerabilities with Google's handsets.

No, Redmi Note 8 owners, you aren't forgotten. Xiaomi has now begun the Android 11 rollout for the Redmi Note 8. The Android 11 OTA is now being sent out to the European model of the then-popular mid-range phone. It weighs in at over 2 GB but owners will have to wait some more for MIUI 12.5.

It is thought that Samsung will introduce new TWS earbuds called the Galaxy Buds2 alongside other products such as the Galaxy Z Fold3 later in 2021. These accessories have been painted as mid-tier devices due to their rumored lack of active noise cancellation. However, according to new evidence posted by a reliable leaker, this spec might be coming to the earphones after all.

Samsung is now rolling out the July security update to its 2020 flagship phones, the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 series. Phones in the two lineups get heavy OTAs weighing upwards of 800 MB, with the S20 series' listing camera improvements in the changelog.

Audacity users were enraged by privacy policy changes made by the software's new owner, Muse Group. These changes both damage Audacity's reputation (and chances of further distribution) in the FOSS community and may violate the GPL licenses the software is licensed under.

The first MIUI 13 build is expected to be rolled out in a beta form very soon for users of some Xiaomi smartphones with the China ROM. While it was widely expected that the upcoming Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 would be one of the first devices to operate MIUI 13 out of the box, it now seems the Mi Mix 4 will come with MIUI 12.5.

Google has refreshed the Play Store on Wear OS. Sporting a Wear OS 3.0 redesign, the revised app store has reached the Suunto 7 running Wear OS 2.x.

OnePlus has announced several changes for OxygenOS, its custom version of Android. As expected, OxygenOS and Oppo's ColorOS will merge, but this coalescence will yield a few advantages, apparently. However, it seems that OnePlus has forgotten that it used to release three OS updates to its devices. The company has not addressed the lackadaisical approach it currently takes to releasing OS and security patch updates, either.

Opera has announced a version of its browser for Chromebooks and Chrome OS. The browser is the first third-party program that natively supports Chrome OS and contains several innovations, including an ad block and a VPN, among others.

LG's TONE FREE accessories stand out in the TWS earbud market with their "UVnano" charging case, rated to kill up to 99.9% of all in-ear bacteria while they charge. Their latest generation also re-introduce a Meridian Audio collaboration for sound clarity, active noise cancellation (ANC) and an AirPod-like design.

The Android 11-based One UI 3.0 firmware for the Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019) is now rolling out in almost 30 countries across the globe. The list of changes includes a refreshed UI, one-time permissions, chat bubbles, improved stock apps, additional lock screen options, a conversations section in the notifications area, and more.

An unofficial Android 12 list featuring phones from Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark has included over 70 devices that are expected to either receive the update or are even already in internal testing. There are some surprising omissions, with the Xiaomi Mi 9T, Redmi K20 Pro, and Redmi Note 8 series not getting a look in.

Yesterday, the OxygenOS 11.0.4.4 software update has arrived for OnePlus Nord CE handsets in India. Other markets should get it in the coming days. The list of changes includes faster charging, improved front camera performance, reduced noise in night photos, optimized video call experience, as well as the June security patch.

Hisense has announced that a version of its smart TV UI, VIDAA, is the world's first to pass the requirements for a TÜV Rheinland Privacy by Design Certification. This badge is based on European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) standards of resistance to malicious tactics such as DDoS attacks, remote user device control and data-theft.

Xiaomi is now expanding the MIUI 12.5 rollout for two of its premium devices released last year—the Mi 10 Pro and Poco F2 Pro. The OTAs are now parsing randomly to the global models of the two phones, and deliver MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11, as well as the June security update.

With its 6,000mAh battery and 6.5-inch screen, the Realme C15 might have seemed like enough of a bargain on its 2020 Indian launch. Now, however, one version of this phone (the one with a Snapdragon processor) has become even more worthwhile with a new and more up-to-date major software upgrade.

MIUI 12.5 is apparently rolling out to more smartphones that sport either the Global or EU (Europe) ROM. A list of 14 devices has been provided, which includes popular smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite, Redmi Note 9, POCO X3 NFC, and POCO F2 Pro. Even the venerable Redmi Note 8 Pro has a spot saved for it.

Microsoft has provided more background on the rationale behind its decisions regarding chip support for Windows 11. In an interview with TechRepublic, Microsoft’s Director of OS Security, David Weston, has pointed to compromises between security, performance and battery life as the drivers of the choices it has made.

The Blue Screen of Death has reached cult status, especially since Microsoft's infamous Windows 98 presentation. However, Microsoft has finally axed the Blue Screen as of Windows 11, although the change may save your eyes if your machine crashes at night.

TikTok has been marked since its launch by its limit of 60 seconds per portrait-oriented post. Now, however, it has announced that this hallmark property of its app is to get more flexible soon. The option to make 3-minute videos should start rolling out over the month of July 2021.

Samsung is predicted to launch the Galaxy Z Fold3 as its next premium foldable smartphone in August 2021. Now, a new benchmarking leak allegedly confirms its super-flagship status, with specs including 12GB of RAM and Android 11 out of the box. Furthermore, it will be powered by the Snapdragon 888 processor.

LG may not make smartphones anymore; however, it has pledged to support some of its existing models. Now, it has started to deliver on this promise with the Q92 5G mid-ranger. It now has an OTA to upgrade it to Android 11; then again, it only seems to be available in South Korea thus far.

The latest version of the 10th-gen Intel-powered Durabook U11 is rated for state-of-the-art security and resistance to the elements, as with its immediate forebears. However, this one is the first to convert to a 2-in-1 with its own detachable keyboard. The new IP65-rated full-size 88-key accessory might make the tablet even more amenable to extreme working conditions that might change often.

According to a report, Mobvoi is set to upgrade the TicWatch E3 and TicWatch Pro 3 to Wear OS 3.0, Google's latest Wear OS platform. Mobvoi has not denied that this will happen at some stage, but we would take this rumour with some scepticism as it stands.

Huawei has not forgotten about the Watch FIT, GT 2 or GT 2 Pro, despite having now released the Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro. The trio have received several new features and optimisations this month too, although the Watch FIT has seen the most changes.

Xiaomi has rolled out a new update to the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G, the latest entry in the Redmi Note 10 series. Xiaomi claims to have enabled more memory on the Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G, albeit only using virtual RAM. A simple change, perhaps, but one that has a certain 90s feel to it.

Dell might indeed be justified in calling its latest webcam an "UltraSharp" as it has a 4K resolution. Furthermore, it supports Digital Overlap HDR, automatic refinements for visual properties such as white balance and noise reduction, as well as iPad Pro-like auto-framing abilities. However, this potential for streaming and collaboration comes at a price.

The Nikon Z fc may be a brand-new mirrorless unit, yet it has been designed to evoke the classic FM2 film-camera design, leather accents, profusion of dials and all. On the other hand, it has an up-to-date flip-out rear touchscreen, not to mention a new 21MP CMOS sensor, compatible with the OEM's Z mount lenses.

Earlier this year, Samsung promised to provide up to four years of security patch updates for over 100 of its devices. Now, it has extended this to five years of support for some devices on its Enterprise Edition program, including the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note 20 series.

Asus' ZenFone 8 stands out among 2021 flagship Android smartphones with its unusually compact form-factor and stripped-back dual rear cameras. It is now available on the US market, through its OEM's own web-store in the country. It can be had for just under $600 at present, although this price may not be around forever.

The Huawei P50 series is rumored to launch as flagship phones with new and potentially advanced imaging modules. Now, a tipster purports to confirm these design-related details with live images of a "P50" rear panel in a new finish that provides a stark contrast with its 8-shaped camera housing.

Bethesda’s Todd Howard opened up to The Telegraph about the Elder Scrolls VI. According to him, however, the game is still in the initial design phase, despite having been announced years ago.

Samsung's next TWS earbuds are predicted to launch as the Galaxy Buds2. Now, a new leak may reveal their starting price ahead of their launch. The new alleged detail might put them squarely in the middle tier of their market.

LG announced support for Dolby Vision at the launch of TVs such as the 2021 OLED C1- and G1-series. Now, the OEM has released the firmware that activates this spec on these devices. Moreover, the feature works with HDR at 4K/120Hz for certain gaming platforms, thus potentially elevating the experience on the systems in question.

A new leak may point strongly to the launch of a new member for Samsung's popular Galaxy M series of smartphones soon. It is said to be called the "M52", thanks to a new Geekbench listing with a model number with a good chance of corresponding to this product name. Furthermore, it is now slated to launch with the up-to-date Snapdragon 778G 5G processor.

Carl Pei's latest tech start-up Nothing has just set a date for the launch of its first-ever product. The ear (1) TWS earphones are now set to debut on July 27, 2021. The new OEM asserts that they will offer a "pure sound experience", although it has yet to drop any hints as to their pricing.

Microsoft has taken to its blog to reveal the latest version of Office for Windows. There is also a new version with native Arm support for the first time.

Windows 11 has some relatively punitive system requirements, to the extent that the OS does not support over a dozen Surface devices that run Windows 10. Microsoft has now come round to the idea of testing Windows 11 on Zen 1 and Intel 7th Generation Core processors. Incidentally, the PC Health Check app has gone until later this year, too.

Windows 11 is here, albeit only for those willing to try an Insider Preview build for the time being. The build is available to anyone and contains many of the shown changes from Windows 10. Android app emulation is missing, but Windows 11 will support APK sideloading.