Software

Huawei has released new software updates for two of its most popular smartwatches, the Watch GT 2 Pro and Honor MagicWatch 2. Each update adds a few interesting new features, such as workout upgrades and a quick dial that contains shortcuts for favourite features.

Nokia is currently rumored to hold a launch event before the end of 2020, at which the 7.3 5G, 6.3 and 5.4 smartphones are to be unveiled. A new leak purports to be a full specs spill for the latter. Its headline is an SoC which may be a disappointing follow-up to its predecessor.

NVIDIA has announced that four new game titles coming this month will bring support for DLSS enabling all GeForce RTX GPUs to play them at 4K at 60 fps and above. Also, Minecraft with RTX is now coming out of beta and will include full path tracing and DLSS compatibility along with a built-in ray tracing benchmark. NVIDIA also claimed that the GeForce RTX platform is the best for playing Cyberpunk 2077.

Android 11 is almost ready to arrive on another dozen devices like the Xiaomi Mi A3, according to a new report. The Mi A3 is Xiaomi's only Android One handset that is eligible for Android 11, as the Mi A1, Mi A2 and Mi A2 Lite have already received their allotted two OS upgrades. Other devices supposedly scheduled for Android 11 include the global Redmi Note 9 Pro and Redmi Note 9 Pro Max.

While reviewing Cyberpunk 2077, a Game Informer editor faced a major seizure and felt close to another one a few times. The list of triggers includes Braindance sequences, a part of the game that happens to be similar to the experience provided by a device used in real life by neurologists to trigger seizures.

Based on Chromium 87, Vivaldi 3.5 features the ability to share URLs with QR codes via a small button in the address field, media fixes that enhance video/audio content consumption, more ways to manage tabs, single key shortcuts improvements, a new accept-language setting, and much more.

The upcoming Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond requires a beefy rig to play, including an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080, an Intel Core i7-9700K, and at least 16 GB of RAM. However, the most insane spec needed to run the game is a minimum of 170 GB of SSD storage.

The game can be already preloaded by those who purchased it, but when trying to load Cyberpunk 2077 via GOG GALAXY, those in a rush to enjoy this title end up facing an Easter egg in the shape of a message from Johnny Silverhand that says "Go back to sleep, Samurai! It's not December 10th yet." and nothing more.

Google has announced an update for Chrome OS to version 87. This upgrade allows users to see how much battery their Bluetooth-connected peripherals have left for the first time. It also confers the ability to search through open tabs and makes the system more accessible to multilingual users.

The Galaxy S21 series is currently touted to launch soon. Their launch is now said to mean the end of support for some older smartwatches or fitness bands from the same OEM, however. They may still work with older phones, though, just not those released after 2020.

The OEM Vivo's next flagship series of smartphones are now thought to be called the X60, X60 Pro and X60 Pro+. At least some of them may be the devices that feature in a new certification by the Chinese regulator 3C. If so, they may be capable of charging at up to 33 watts (W).

Earlier tips may have offered a glimpse of an early-2021 premium mobile device from Motorola. Now, another suggests that the OEM also has more affordable phones in the works. They are said to have the code-names Capri and Capri Plus, one of which may have a 90Hz display.

The Italian carrier TIM, Ericsson and Qualcomm have collaborated on a project to push millimeter-wave 5G reception beyond its current limits. This work has resulted in the ability to pick this signal up at high speed from 6.5 kilometers away. Then again, this was not done with smartphones, but rather with equipment for potential next-gen wireless broadband.

With "an exciting new design, enhanced everyday features and deep customization" in tow, the official launch of One UI 3 comes to Galaxy S20 series devices starting in Korea, the US, and most European markets. More regions and devices will follow in the coming weeks, while the Galaxy A handsets are scheduled to get it in the first half of 2021.

Xiaomi has been updating devices to MIUI 12 for months, having started with the Mi 9 and Redmi K20 series in June. Now, the company claims that MIUI 12 is available on more than 30 smartphones, but many remain adrift on MIUI 11.

Rocket Lake can go up to 8 cores, 16 threads and a top spped of 4.98GHz. At least, this is what is claimed in a new leak featuring on the Geekbench website. The silicon in question apparently exhibited this boost clock in an existing HP system.

According to the leaker Ishan Agarwal, Samsung will launch a phone called the Galaxy F62, or SM-E62F, soon. The same model number has subsequently popped up on Geekbench 5. It indicates that this device is powered by the Exynos 9825 - the same SoC found in the 2019 flagships the Galaxy Note 10 and 10+.

Xiaomi has rolled out Android 11 to all Mi 10 Pro handsets globally. The update, V12.2.1.0.RJAMIXM, has passed Xiaomi's Beta Stable testing and will reach devices as an over-the-air (OTA) upgrade. The new update includes a few changes besides the upgrade to Android 11, too.

The Galaxy S9 is a 2018 flagship. Nevertheless, its maker Samsung has reportedly updated it with the latest Android security patch. The more recent premium mid-ranger the Galaxy S20 FE has joined it in this respect.

The trailer that has been released earlier today and has been watched by over 280,000 people already shows the entire plethora of features available for Cyberpunk 2077 players who will be using the Photo Mode. The categories of settings available are: camera, depth of field, pose, effects, and stickers.

Samsung plans to upgrade at least 41 devices to One UI 3.0 by September 2021, according to an official upgrade plan. The company will begin with the Galaxy S20 series this month, before moving onto the Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Z series. Most devices will not see One UI 3.0 until April 2021 and later, though.

The Nintendo Switch has received one of its biggest updates yet thanks to V11.0.0. Not only does the update improve the stability of the console, but it adds several new features, including the ability to transfer screenshots to a smartphone and a new Switch Online app.

The Wear OS H-MR2 update is now receiving a wider rollout, rolling its release on the Suunto 7 in September. H-MR2 continues to be based on Android 9.0 Pie, but it promises improved battery life and better performance among other changes. You may need to check manually for the update on your smartwatch, though.

Windows 10 has received a major update with new features biannually in recent years. Microsoft plans to change this approach though, and will introduce some new features via what it calls Feature Experience Packs. The first is now being rolled out to insiders and contains a few changes.

When talking about what we considered to be the multiplayer mode in Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt CEO revealed during an investor call that it is "a separate dedicated production" that is considered to be "a standalone product" although its price/free availability for those who buy the game remains uncertain.

The latest market research reports on gaming worldwide indicate that this space has grown to about US$159 billion in 2020. Furthermore, this value is thought to grow to US$256.97 billion over the next 5 years. This may be influenced by factors that include cloud gaming, the rise of e-sports and the increased importance of in-place entertainments.

The Blade 20 Pro 5G is ZTE's latest smartphone. It is this OEM's take on the mid-range Snapdragon 765G-based device, having a waterdrop-notched-display and a 4000mAh battery. It also has a quad rear camera with a 64MP main sensor.

Xiaomi is sending out the November security patch to its lineup and the update has now been received by owners of the Mi Mix 3 5G and Mi A3. For the Mix 3 5G, the update is going out to the European version of the device. For the Mi A3, however, it's been sent out to both the European and Global models.

Xiaomi has published a rather odd update for the Redmi Note 8. The update is another Android 10 and MIUI 12-based build for the device, but it is a debut update for the European branch of MIUI. It is unclear why Xiaomi has established a new branch of MIUI for the Redmi Note 8, but it has published download links for the inaugural build.

The Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite has netted another update, this time one with the November 2020 security patch. V11.0.14.0.QDLMIXM is rolling out as an OTA for the Mi A2 Lite now.

LibRetro, the developers behind the popular Retro Arch emulator, have added a PS2 core based on the PCSX2 emulator. This core was recently added to the UWP version of Retro Arch, which can be loaded onto the Xbox Series S. While performance isn't perfect, many titles run smoothly with minimal problems.

Huawei has started rolling out stable EMUI 11 updates to some handsets, only a week after it announced its global upgrade plans. The stable update has arrived ahead of schedule too, which is always good to see.

Sony has announced its plans to release Android 11 to its Xperia smartphones. Only five devices appear to be eligible for the OS upgrade, from the Xperia 5 to the Xperia 1 II and the Xperia 10 II thrown in for good measure. The rollout will begin from next month, but only for the Xperia 1 II. All other devices must wait until 2021 for Android 11.

The global versions of the Mi 10 Pro and Poco F2 Pro have begun to receive Xiaomi's Android 11 upgrade. The devices are some of the first to taste the OS upgrade outside of China, along with the Mi 10. Xiaomi has detailed some of the features that it has introduced to MIUI 12 as of Android 11, too.

Although there have been plenty of Cyberpunk 2077-related separate leaks/rumors and official news so far, the time has come for a roundup of what we know about this title's release, its download size, settings, the possible endings, and so on. Fortunately, the release date remains December 10.

ZTE has launched the Watch Live in its native China. This new wearable is of the Apple Watch-clone variety, although it sells for much less than its clear inspiration. Its maker claims that it packs 24-hour heart-rate tracking, blood-oxygen sensing, sleep-tracking and up to 21 hours of battery life in its square casing.

Realme has started to push its version of Android 11 to the 7 Pro. However, Indian users in this OS' early access program appear to be the only ones eligible to receive it thus far. The update contains a number of new features, including system optimizations, extra security features and camera options.

Zhiyun's Cinepeer C11 gimbal is an accessory with 3-axis stabilization and features such as object-tracking and motion-lapse features. It is also a 4000mAh power bank, thus allowing the user to keep recording for longer. It is currently 44% off its normal US$89 price for Black Friday.

Samsung is rumored to have a new member of its Galaxy Buds series to launch alongside the S21 smartphones in January 2021. Now, a recent certification has revealed that they may be revealed as the "Pros" of their line at this event. This may be due to the inclusion of ANC in this generation.

Earlier, the appearance of a new OPPO phone with what seems to be the Dimensity 1000+ processor and 8GB of RAM gave rise to speculation that it is the Reno5 Pro, meaning it and its vanilla sibling will launch soon. Now, a device with the same model number has appeared on TENAA, 3C and the HDR10+ approval websites, more or less confirming that this is in fact the case.

The Huawei Mate 40 Pro turned out to be a powerful high-end smartphone in the test, shining with many premium features. The biggest shortcoming in Germany is the lack of Google services. But are they really absolutely necessary? And what alternatives are there?

The start-up Olive Union has put its latest product up for crowdfunding on Indiegogo. On first glance, they are a particularly chunky take on the AirPod-clone TWS earbud. This may be because they apparently pack an "FDA-registered" hearing aid in with typical Bluetooth and audio components. They, for example, purport to exclude background noise to isolate human voices.

CD Projekt Red has just held its third-quarter earnings call for 2020, during which its president and joint CEO Adam Kiciński fielded various questions, many of which were about the upcoming title Cyberpunk 2077. One of them may also have been on the minds of those who still own "non-Pro" PlayStation 4 or Xbox consoles.

Huawei recently revealed its schedule for the EMUI 11 release. Phones like the P30, P30 Pro, Mate 20, and Mate 20 Pro are all geared to get the EMUI 11 update in Q1 2021 but betas for those devices will arrive in Europe a lot sooner. Indeed, as soon as next month.

HTC might be planning a return to the smart mobile market with new TWS earbuds. These products have been spotted on the database of the Taiwanese regulator NCC ahead of their launch. This leak indicates that these new accessories have a Sony-clone look and can use Bluetooth 5.0.

A good idea of the MIUI 13 release date has been offered up by a super moderator on the Mi Community forum. Along with that, a refreshed list of Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark devices that are likely to land a MIUI 13 update has now included the POCO C3, Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha, and the new Mi 10T range.

OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro owners now have a new Android 11-based custom ROM to utilize if they are not fully content with the well-received OxygenOS skin or simply want more freedom to tinker with their phone. While Paranoid Android Ruby Alpha 1 can be utilized on the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro, it is not compatible with the OnePlus 8T.

Streamview is an Austrian-based retailer specializing in TVs and streaming boxes. Its latest launch is for new Nokia TVs for the European market. They have 32- to 75-inch screens, most of which are also 4K and support Dolby Vision. They will be available to order within the EU in December 2020.

Most features that come with the new software update that is rolling out to Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 smartwatches in the US were introduced in South Korea last month. The list of changes is long enough and includes solid improvements such as enhanced GPS tracking, voice guidance in a few scenarios, as well as various tweaks and fixes.

Almost two months after the release of World Update I: Japan, Microsoft Flight Simulator gets a new free update, namely World Update II: USA. This update features an improved elevation model, new aerial textures, four new US airports (Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Friday Harbor, New York Stewart), new activities, and more.