Software

The OnePlus One remains a fan favourite all these years on, and it is set to receive official Lineage OS 17.1 updates. The community developed OS is based on Android 10, which is the sixth major OS update for the OnePlus One since its launch in 2014.

Since Amazon's Fire HD 8 (2018) runs Android 7.1 Nougat-based Fire OS 6, being able to run Android 10 on this slate is definitely great news. Obviously, this is only possible thanks to a third-party ROM — namely LineageOS 17.1 — which is already available for those eager enough to try a work-in-progress piece of code.

Scheduled to become available for download/update later today, Firefox 79 comes roughly one month after the release of Firefox 78. This light release includes just a few changes and the most obvious one is Enhanced Tracking Protection 2.0. The Android version is also expected to get an update today, but there are no details available yet.

Amazfit claims that its ZenBuds TWS earbuds are so light and comfortable that they can be worn in bed all night. In fact, this is part of their use-case: to emit custom-designed audio that helps improve the user's sleep pattern. The brand has launched this product via Indiegogo, where they have now attracted just over US$1 million in backing.

The rollout of MIUI 12 for the Mi 9T Pro and Redmi K20 Pro has been extended, meaning that all versions should now be eligible for the OS upgrade. The Redmi 9 has also been brought onto MIUI 12 ahead of its release in India, while Xiaomi has expanded the Android 10 upgrade for the Redmi 7A too.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch is finally getting a successor, according to some leaks. The latest of these reiterates several details currently linked to this accessory, and also claims that the rotating bezel that was so particular to its first generation is back. It is also now said to have stainless steel and a blood-pressure monitor in its hardware make-up.

Sony has recently confirmed that it will finally update its a7S series of cameras this year. The latest leaks surrounding this impending E-mount unit will have a rear screen like that of the ZV-1. It is also said to have some advantages over Canon's high-end EOS R5, its electronic view-finder (EVF) included.

A new MIUI 12 software update has started rolling out for participants in the Mi Pilot program who are testing the overlay on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro devices in India. This update indicates that a wider rollout for Redmi Note 8 Pro users may take longer than initially scheduled.

Samsung has announced new headphones branded and optimized by AKG. The Y600NCs are the more premium of the two, and come with active noise cancellation (ANC) and an innovative rotating ear-cup for volume control. The Y400s, on the other hand, are smaller on-ears that come in a fresh range of colors.

Microsoft has announced the release of a new 19041.421 build to the Beta Channel of the Windows Insiders program that brings all the features that were detailed earlier in the Dev Channel Build 20161. This means that the upcoming 20H2 feature update will not be just a minor build as was earlier thought but will have several new UI and under-the-hood changes.

The Mi 9T has received several MIUI 12 updates as it was one of the first phones to get a taste of MIUI 12. Owners of the phone in some regions will now have to wait a while for their next update, however, as Xiaomi has temporarily halted the MIUI 12 rollout for the phone.

WinFuture's Roland Quandt was the first tipster to assert that Samsung had developed a new, kidney-bean-like form-factor for its next-gen TWS earbuds. Now, this seems to have been borne out in increasingly convincing leaks since. Now, the same blogger is back with a more complete gamut of specs for these Galaxy Buds Live.

Samsung's Galaxy A41 made its debut not so long ago; however, that has not stopped rumors about its successor springing up already. According to one leak, it is to get variants with a 5G-capable SoC. Another states that it may have a battery of less than 5,000mAh in rated capacity.

The Poco F2 Pro is now receiving the official MIUI 12 update around the world. It's the global stable update and is rolling out to owners across Europe and Indonesia, with a specific build for Russian users. The Mi Note 10 is now also receiving the MIUI 12 update in China.

Xiaomi has launched MIUI for TV 3.0 software for its Mi TV range. The new overlay brings an enhanced user interface with it along with detailed animations for the menu and new operating modes, including a gamepad mode. MIUI for TV 3.0 is based on the Android TV operating system.

Mozilla, the maker of Firefox, has announced that it is also stepping into the virtual private network (VPN) arena. This new product apparently has over 280 servers in over 30 different countries, and has a no-logging or -tracking policy. However, it will be available in only 6 countries on its launch.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro has received another update in India, but the device remains on Android 9.0 Pie and MIUI 11. In comparison, some Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Note 7S handsets have already been upgraded to Android 10 and MIUI 12. The degree of software support for the Redmi Note 7 Pro is in contrast to the Mi 9, which has now finished its upgrade to MIUI 12 across all regions.

Oppo has released an animated trailer for a Wear OS device that will reportedly launch worldwide on July 31, 2020. It is most likely for its first-gen smartwatch, which has been released in China but runs a variant of ColorOS in that region. This device is Apple-esque in its design and has a Qualcomm processor for wearables.

MIUI 12 has made its debut on the Mi 9 SE, Xiaomi's diminutive mid-range smartphone. The update is rolling out to handsets now amid claims that the Pocophone F1 could be the next device to receive Xiaomi's new OS upgrade following the recent rollout to the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

EMUI 10.1 may have introduced multiple features to Huawei's roster of devices, but there are reports of the OS update removing some functionality too. According to frustrated users, EMUI 10.1 has removed call recording and camera resolution options, although not all devices are affected.

Xiaomi has announced that the MIUI 12 beta global stable update has started being pushed out for owners of the flagship Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro smartphone. The software, which is version V12.0.1.0.QJAMIXM, will allow randomly chosen Mi 10 Pro users to access the full delights of MIUI 12, including Super Wallpapers.

A device called the "Google Pixel 4a" has appeared on Geekbench 5 for the first time since January 2020. It contains a code-name repeatedly linked to the device, as well as plausible specs for the device. They include 6GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 7-series processor.

The Redmi Note 9 Pro and Redmi Note 9S are two sides of a coin, and both phones are currently receiving new updates in different regions. Sadly, the updates don't bring MIUI 12 as most owners would expect, but there's official confirmation that a rollout isn't far off.

Lenovo has announced its first gaming phone, which is now officially the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel. It is powered by the refreshed Snapdragon 865+ (or Plus) SoC, and has 12 or 16GB of RAM. It is also now confirmed to have the unique landscape-oriented pop-up rear camera set-up shown in numerous leaks, and has a 64MP dual main camera.

Samsung had let it be known that 5 devices would be unveiled at its August 5, 2020 Galaxy Unpacked event. The OEM's fans may have expected the Galaxy Z Flip 5G to be one of them. However, the Korean giant has now introduced this device. It seems to be a Snapdragon 865 Plus refresh of the original foldable clamshell.

Adobe's Premiere Pro 14.2 update added hardware-accelerated encoding support for AMD GPUs. This, as the same chipmaker now claims, can reduce 4K video export times by up to 43% on the Ryzen 4000 H-series platform with Radeon RX 5000 GPUs compared to the CPU in question alone. This may make PCs such as the Dell G5 15 SE more appealing to content-creators

Xiaomi has released a new update to the Mi A3, its third OS update in under two weeks. While the new build supposedly improves system stability and reduces lag, some people are unhappy with how Xiaomi's apparent inability to address outstanding bugs.

The latest figures on the Indian hearables (or personal audio accessories with smart features) market show that Realme has rocketed into its top 5 brands. This success is particularly impressive as it only started selling products in this category in December 2019. Nevertheless, it now has more of a share than Sony or Xiaomi in that market.

The MIUI 12 update for the Redmi Note 8 Pro is being released globally after spending quite some in a Phase 2 beta test program. The update will be initially available for Mi Pilot testers but will be seeded to most other devices by the end of this month. Also, Xiaomi has confirmed that the Mi 6 will not be getting either Android 10 or MIUI 12.

Xiaomi is continuing its MIUI 12 rollout by sending out new updates to the Redmi Note 9 and Mi 9T. This is an early MIUI 12 build for the Redmi Note 9—and the Redmi 10X 4G—carries the build number "MIUI V12.0.3.0.QJOCNXM".

One of the most convincing trends in PC design these days is the dual-screen notebook. Now, there is evidence that Google is bringing this tech to Chrome OS. This is in line with a leak about a device code-named Palkia, which apparently boasts 2 touchscreens among its input methods.

The stable MIUI 12 update has arrived for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Note 7S. Available to download now, the update is arriving as an over-the-air (OTA) upgrade and follows the Android 10 update for Indian handsets. Equivalent MIUI 12 updates have recently reached other devices like the Mi 10, Redmi K20 and Redmi K20 Pro too.

Xiaomi has started upgrading the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Lite to MIUI 12 on the European and Global branches of MIUI. The move effectively commences Round 2 of the company's MIUI 12 release schedule. Available for the global and EU editions of the devices respectively, the updates are rolling out to handsets now.

There are no update plans for the Mi Mix 3 5G, it has emerged. Contradicting Xiaomi Customer Support, the 5G edition of the Mi Mix 3 is still yet to receive any form of OS upgrade from Android 9.0 Pie or MIUI 10.

Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 stable update should be rolled out to the second batch of smartphones mentioned in the company’s roadmap before the end of July. This news pertains to owners of devices such as the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3, Xiaomi Mi 9 SE, and Redmi Note 7 Pro in China for the moment, although a global rollout can be expected in the near future.

MIUI 12 will start reaching 23 devices from next month, Xiaomi has confirmed. The list features 17 Redmi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 9 and Redmi Note 8 series. The POCO F2 Pro and Pocophone F1 have made the cut too.

Xiaomi is pushing ahead with MIUI 12.1, the successor to MIUI 12. MIUI 12.1 has already been issued to beta testers, some of whom have outlined what to expect from the next version of MIUI.

The Redmi Note 8 remains stuck on Android Pie and MIUI 11, and it appears its journey towards attaining MIUI 12 and Android 10 has hit yet another bump. It's not the only phone in similar straits, however, with the Redmi Note 7's update also hitting a snag.

TikTok posted an impressive 67 million official downloads onto iOS devices in the US in the first quarter of 2020 (1Q2020). However, in 2Q2020, this stat has been eclipsed by one of approximately 94 million by the collaboration app Zoom. This is a major factor in a trend favoring business-focused apps on the Cupertino company's platform.

Xiaomi has issued a raft of new MIUI 12 updates to the Mi 9T, Mi 9T Pro, Redmi K20 and Redmi K20 Pro. Xiaomi latest OS has now arrived on Russian versions of the Mi 9T and Redmi K20, while MIUI 12 has also been rolled out to more global models. The rollout of MIUI 12 has been expanded for Indian versions of the Mi 9T Pro and Redmi K20 Pro too.

Xiaomi has announced that random Redmi Note 7 users have been selected to receive the Android 10-based version of MIUI 11. The global beta stable update will go through a short testing period before other owners of the global variant of the Redmi Note 7 can start enjoying the operating system upgrade.

Google is currently believed to have a new generation of its Nest-branded smart home speakers in the works. A device that looks like the same from a prior leak has been certified by the Taiwanese electronics regulator NCC. It may confirm the new device's model number, as well as its dual-band Wi-Fi.

The 5G era has just about begun; however, Samsung's research division is also looking into the next generation of this kind of connectivity already. The OEM is also projecting the technology that this level of bandwidth could bring to fruition. They include new levels of extended reality and "AI nativity".

OnePlus is currently busily hyping its upcoming take on the mid-range 5G phone, the Nord. Its latest teaser indicates that it comes with certain communication-related Google apps out of the box. This, apparently, is done to keep its software experience the "smoothest" it can be.

The URSA Mini Pro packs what is often regarded as best-in-class digital film recording into a body measuring just 9.2 inches across. Its OEM, Blackmagic Design, claims to have stuffed its latest generation with all-new internals that allows it to output in up to 12K natively. It also has new accessories that allow it to work with a Thunderbolt 3-enabled PC.

The Android 10-based MIUI 12 update for the Redmi Note 7 Pro smartphone is now in its beta testing phase for the India ROM. Devs have asked owners to be patient during the testing period, but it seems the Redmi Note 7 Pro will be brandishing a stable version of MIUI 12 in the not too distant future.

A PlayStation executive has explicitly stated that “we’ll let you know” in regard to PS5 pre-order information. The recent DualSense hands-on video has led to speculation that an optional back buttons adapter will appear down the line. A new fan-made PlayStation 5 UI concept offers AI suggestions and a dark mode theme.

Mobvoi is a wearables brand that is teasing its next upcoming products, the Earbuds Gesture, via Indiegogo. They can be controlled through either head movements (in line with their name) or touch-sensitive panels. The OEM also claims they have a whopping 50 hours of battery life.

Samsung promoted the Galaxy Watch Active 2 as a health-focused wearable that would rival the Apple Watch series thanks to its in-built medical-grade electrocardiography (ECG). However, the function was disabled at its launch. This is not the case anymore; however, German and Austrian users are reportedly still waiting for their access to this feature.

EMUI 10.1 has reached the Huawei P30, Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro in more countries. Similarly, Magic UI 3.1 has landed in Europe for the Honor View 20. All updates are rolling out as over-the-air (OTA) upgrades.