Software

Although most Windows 10 users should be running at least the version labeled 1909 of Microsoft's operating system, those still stuck with the older version 1903 should be aware that the Redmond giant will stop supporting all its editions — including Enterprise and Education — on December 8.

2020 may go down as the year of truly everyday video-calling and video-conferencing. Google has decided to facilitate this by adding support for its Meet and Duo apps to Android TVs. Therefore, these smart screens will be able to act as the displays for video-chats and work calls, so long as they have a camera.

Huawei has also launched its latest hearables at its ongoing Developer Conference. The FreeBuds Pro have the AirPod form-factor; however, it is also claimed that they have "intelligent dynamic noise cancellation" and active noise cancelling features. The FreeLace Pro neckbuds also have supposedly best-in-class performance in this right, as well as a battery life of up to 24 hours.

Huawei has introduced the Watch Fit, its first smartwatch with a rounded rectangular fact, to more markets at its Developer Conference (HDC 2020). It has many features in common with the equally new Watch GT 2 Pro, but is much more affordable. The wearable is to be made available this month (September 2020),

Huawei has launched its new range of wearables at this OEM's own Developer Conference (HDC 2020). Its flagship is unarguably the Watch GT 2 Pro, which has titanium and ceramic in its casing, as well as a "sapphire" display crystal. It is rated for up to 2 weeks' worth of battery life and comes in Sport or Classic SKUs.

Huawei has launched EMUI 11, its latest in-house OS. EMUI 11 is currently based on Android 10, but features numerous changes from EMUI 10 and EMUI 10.1. Huawei has opened its beta program to ten devices too, albeit only those in China for the time being.

Android Auto is an app that throws Google services such as Maps and the Assistant up onto a car's display from a USB-connected phone. However, its compatibility or stability can be variable sometimes. To this end, the developer Emil Borconi-Szedressy has invented AAWireless, which is described as a plug-and-play method to take a cable out of the equation.

The second round of the MIUI 12 release schedule has been completed, Xiaomi has confirmed on Weibo. The second batch of OS upgrades has been completed ahead of schedule, but Xiaomi has not finished the rollout of MIUI 12 yet. Older Redmi handsets, like the Redmi Note 5, are still yet to receive the company's latest OS.

Motorola is scheduled to launch its refreshed Razr 2020 later today (September 9, 2020). However, it is already out there in the form of YouTube hands-on and first impressions by prominent tech influencers. Furthermore, Roland Quandt of WinFuture claims to have learned its entire spec list by now.

Xiaomi has now kickstarted the Android 11 rollout for its lineup, starting with its current flagship phones, the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro. Android 11 builds are now being rolled out to owners of the global Mi 10 model. There are some caveats, of course, however.

Microsoft has just introduced the concept of the Xbox Series S. Now, it has gone into greater detail on its upcoming, all-new digital-only console. The product also gets an AMD Zen 2-based CPU and an RDNA GPU, albeit not exactly the same as the one that will come in the Series X. The latter is rated for 4 TFLOPS' worth of performance, whereas the X is not.

The Huawei Mate 8 is still receiving software updates, nearly five years after its release in November 2015. The latest update brings the July 2020 set of security patches and a battery abnormality detection feature. The update is rolling out now to Chinese handsets but should make its way to global handsets, too.

Google has released the first stable build of Android 11 for the Pixel line of smartphones today (September 8, 2020). Now, OnePlus has announced that it too has such an update for its current flagships, the 8 and 8 Pro. They come in the form of OxygenOS Open Betas, the last step before a stable software version.

1More launched its first pair of true-wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC) in late 2019. Now, it has revealed that the same accessories have attained a certification from the audio authority THX. This is attributed to the brand's QuietMax technology and hybrid ANC techniques.

Sony has launched its new line of home theater- and enterprise-grade projectors. It comprises laser- and lamp-enabled SKUs, although its flagship has the SXRD tech necessary for a micro-display unit to throw images in 4K. Their maker also claims to have improved on their processing platforms and HDR capabilities.

Huawei has started teasing EMUI 11, with the company focusing on greater connectivity and usability for its next in-house OS. EMUI 11 will be unveiled on September 10 at HDC 2020 alongside HarmonyOS 2.0 and potentially some new hardware, too.

Samsung recently rolled out update G96xFXXSBETH2 for the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus. Unfortunately, while the latest software includes a security patch, owners of the 2018 flagship lineup are still waiting for One UI 2.5 to materialise.

Crysis Remastered, which is set to be released on September 19, will include a graphics setting called "Can It Run Crysis," which will max out every graphics option available. Interestingly, the original game still holds up compared to the remaster.

Vivaldi 3.3.2022.86 arrived earlier today for desktop users and it brings a Break Mode, a new default visual theme for private windows, clickable parts of URLs in the address bar, various improvements to the integrated tracker and ad blocker, base domain highlighting, and more.

Asus delighted fans of the flip camera with the launch of the ZenFone 7 series, which are mobile devices with the second generation of this display-sparing tech. Those in the US may have been disappointed when the OEM mentioned no availability for its new flagships in that market. A Reddit thread contains alleged evidence that may contradict this, however.

Now with a — let's hope — final launch date set to November 19, Cyberpunk 2077 is expected to feature even more downloadable content than The Witcher 3, revealed CD Projekt's president and joint-CEO during a recent conference call on the first half of the year. Sadly, the release timeline for the additional content is not available yet.

Realme rose to be a top 5 hearable (or audio wearables with a smart component) brand in research on the Indian sector of this market during the first quarter of 2020 (1Q2020). Now, a new Counterpoint Research report on the same space for 2Q2020 has found the OEM has taken the No.1 spot in its TWS earbud sub-sector. Its success is based on the increasing affordability of the devices in question.

The Mi Mix 3 5G was stuck on MIUI 10 for ages but has now risen from the ashes in spectacular style, with Xiaomi finally sending out the MIUI 12 update to owners of the phone in Europe. The update does not bring Android 10, however.

Oppo appears to be taking a proactive approach to Android 11. The phone maker will reportedly start testing a beta version of its Android 11-based ColorOS ROM on phones including the Find X2 and Reno3, starting on September 7th.

Skullcandy has announced the latest addition to the Crusher series of personal audio products. The Evo headphones are equipped with Haptic Bass, which reinforces this range with physical feedback. They also offer the option of building an Audiododo personalized audio profile, which may tailor the headphones' sound delivery to each individual user.

TCL has launched its second-gen AiPQ Engine at IFA 2020. It is a platform rated to enhance this OEM's big-screen TVs, particularly those made with mini-LED or quantum-dot LED (QLED). The Engine allows for "real-time audiovisual optimization" based on the content to be reproduced. It is rated to distinguish between different types of AV media thanks to its machine-learned features.

TCL has unveiled its latest form of display technology as part of its IFA Special Edition 2020 presentation. NXTPAPER is an alternative to e-ink that, as its maker claims, "repurposes natural light" to prevent eye-strain while still producing a convincing range of colors. These panels are also touted to improve on contrast, power-efficiency and thickness compared to more conventional screen materials.

Zhiyun is known as a maker of smartphone-videography aids. The Smooth XS is the latest product in this line. It, like its recently-launch DJI counterpart, is a motorized gimbal with an optional tripod. However, unlike the OM 4, the XS has a telescopic arm for selfies and also costs under US$100.

The Redmi Note 9 Pro remains on MIUI 11 but not for much longer. An official source at Xiaomi Indonesia has finally cleared the air on when the MIUI 12 update will arrive for Xiaomi's current Pro mid-range phone. Variants like the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max and Redmi Note 9S should also get the update at the same time.

The fourth-generation iPad Air has been linked to a new design that would leave it looking more like its Pro sibling. SvetApple has posted new renders based on its latest leaks. They include support for Touch ID, which is found embedded in the slate's power button. The images also depict a sizeable camera hump despite the presence of just one lens, as well as a USB type C port.

The One UI 2.5 update is making its way to Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 phones in Germany. It adds new functions to Pro Video Mode, Single Take Mode, and Samsung Keyboard. Users can also wirelessly cast their phones to select smart TVs via Wireless DeX. Its global rollout is expected to commence soon.

MIUI 12 is still yet to arrive for the Pocophone F1, months after Xiaomi started rolling out the OS upgrade to numerous devices. Apparently, the reason for the delay centres on overheating issues, which occur even during simple tasks like recording a 4K video or running the screen at full brightness.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) has been found to be of interest for 71% of consumers planning to buy true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds. However, the feature does require physical seals and a fit that some users may find less tolerable over time. Qualcomm claims that its new Adaptive ANC solves these problems.

The LG V40 ThinQ has been upgraded to Android 10 in at least seven new countries. At least devices in Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK have started receiving LG UX 9.0 following equivalent rollouts for US carrier-locked devices earlier this year. Reports of the V40 ThinQ receiving Android 10 in India are false, though.

Samsung owners tend to like their Google Camera ports a lot due to the significant improvement in camera performance they offer. That may be in jeopardy now, however, as the new One UI 2.5 appears to be killing Google Camera functionality, starting with the Galaxy S20 series.

Asus' Intel 11th-gen Core-based notebook line-up contains a ZenBook Flip S, for the first time in quite a while. This new variant (the UX371) features the new OLED NanoEdge PANTONE-validated panel as many of its new siblings. It also has Thunderbolt 4 and stands out with a premium build and an accented colorway.

Asus has launched its new Ampere-based cards. They are based on the RTX 3090, 3080 and 3070 GPUs, which are distributed across new additions to the ROG Strix and TUF Gaming lines. Both are described as composed of "top-shelf" components for durability and performance.

Released earlier today, War Thunder "Raining Fire" comes after the major update that was labeled 1.99 and is labeled 1.101 instead of 2.01 as many were expecting. The list of changes includes over 30 war machines across most nations already in the game, naval mines, new maps, as well as various fixes and improvements.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 SE and Mi 10 Lite have received the call to MIUI 12. Both updates are rolling out as OTAs. The one for the Mi 10 Lite brings the global version of the device into line with the European variant, which Xiaomi upgraded to MIUI 12 in July.

The Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II will be the first Sony smartphones to receive three OS upgrades, according to a new report. This would mean that the devices will be upgraded through to Android 13. By contrast, software support for older devices like the Xperia 1, Xperia 5, Xperia 10 II will cease as of Android 11. The Xperia XZ3 and other older handsets will remain stuck on Android 10, too.

Samsung appears to have confirmed an impending successor for the Galaxy S10 Lite. A device with a name to match this description has appeared alongside existing devices on development websites for the US and German divisions of the OEM. They suggest the upcoming phone will run Android 10, at least.

Today (September 2, 2020), Sony has announced that it has implemented a new series for cameras of the pro film- and documentary-capable variety. Known as the Cinema Line, it now encompasses existing products such as the VENICE and FX units. Its next new addition is projected to appear by the end of 2020.

The latest version of iOS, released today, includes a new system for tracking and notifying users that have been exposed to COVID-19. iOS 13.7 now drops the need for public health officials to maintain an app for exposure tracking. Instead, the system is baked directly into iOS 13.7.

Xiaomi has begun issuing MIUI 12 to the global editions of the Mi Note 10, Mi Note 10 Pro and Mi Note 10 Lite. The updates are available as OTAs and should be rolling out now to handsets.

Dell has announced its new Alienware gaming monitors. This series has 25- and 27-inch flat variants, although its flagship is a 38-inch curved option. Dell asserts that this "best-in-class gaming monitor" will enhance immersion and quality, with the latest certifications from NVIDIA and VESA to boot.

Today (September 1, 2020), Samsung has launched the Galaxy Z Fold2 5G for a number of markets worldwide, Germany included. This means we finally get to find out how the premium device is priced in various different regions. The new foldable has a recommended price of over €1900, in one European country at least.

Huawei has updated its EMUI 10.1 upgrade plans in eight regions. The company now claims to have finished rolling out its latest OS in Canada and Western Europe following its completion in Japan. Other regions like Africa, Central Asia, North-Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Russia are not far behind either. The rollout in Latin America is a similar story, also.

A supposed list of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones in connection with the Android 11 update has recently been altered. Now, the Redmi Note 9, Redmi Note 9 Pro (global), and Redmi 9A are reportedly at the internal testing phase. There are also status changes for the Redmi 9 Prime, Redmi 9 India, and Xiaomi Mi Note 10 (Mi CC9 Pro).

Samsung has captivated some tech enthusiasts with its Galaxy Z Flip neo-clamshell phone, the second of its kind to be foldable. Now, a different mobile device company, OPPO, has designed one much like it, but in reverse. Its screen is on the outside, with a sensor that detects the angle at which it is unfolded.

The Xiaomi Mi A2 has received a new update. The new update, called V11.0.13.0.QDIMIXM, upgrades the device to the August 2020 set of security patches. There are complaints of Android 10 still be a buggy experience for the Mi A2, though.