Software

Qualcomm has launched the Snapdragon XR2 Reference Design headset, the first such XR (as in, virtual, mixed or augmented reality) device that supports 5G. It does so via its in-built X55 modem, which is part of its latest hardware platform for this category of media. Therefore, OEMs may now start building their own headsets based on this new "boundless" artificial-reality tech.

NVIDIA has issued its TV devices with a new update. This version of SHIELD Experience (8.1.1) includes a host of new features and bug-fixes. The most prominent of these may be the limited-time opportunity to upgrade the free GeForce Now subscription to a Founder's membership instead. The upgrade also adds XBOX Elite 2 controller support, as well as improved multiple Bluetooth device connections.

Xiaomi is at it again, and has dropped more hints that Android 10 is almost ready for the Mi A2 Lite. Now, the company has published the device's Android 10 kernel source code, a sure sign that the OS upgrade is on its way. The progress of Android 10 for the Mi A3 would suggest otherwise, though.

While the Mi 9 SE may be one of the last in the Mi 9 series to receive Android 10 builds of MIUI 11, the wait for the OS upgrade is over. The update is available to download now, although it will only appear as an OTA for select handsets pending a wider rollout.

Samsung has definitively confirmed that neither the Galaxy S8 nor the Galaxy Note 8 will receive an update for Android 10 and One UI 2.0. There was some confusion in regard to whether these devices would receive the latest operating software upgrades, but it’s now official that they will not. Both the Galaxy S8 and the Note 8 were released in 2017.

Kazuhisa Hashimoto, the creator of the famous Konami Code, has passed away at the age of 61. Today, the world mourns his death and honors his life with memories of the most famous code in gaming culture.

The games distribution platform GOG updated its refund policy today, expanding it to a flat 30-day refund period. This even applies to games that have been played, though GOG has stated it retains the right to review individual refund requests and deny them should it find a reason to.

LG has announced that the latest generation of its Gram notebook line is now available to buy from itself and from its official retailers in the US. This new line-up includes 17- and 15-inch models, as well as the 2-in-1 showcased at CES this year. They have 10th-gen Intel SoCs with Iris Plus graphics.

The latest headphone and earphone market research projects that this compound device category will "generate revenues of over US$45 Billion" between now and 2025. This growth is thought to be driven by several factors, which include the rise of the TWS earbud, the demand for "smart" features, as well as noise isolation, in this category.

MediaTek has made the Helio P95's page on its website live. By its name, this chipset sound like an iterative upgrade over its current 4G/LTE flagship. However, it boasts the AI Processing Unit (APU) 2.0, which, as the OEM claims, will improve its benchmarking in this area compared to its predecessor. Otherwise, the CPU has 8 cores with a max clock of 2.2GHz.

The wait for Android 10 on the Mi A3 drags on. Xiaomi continues with its vagaries, having originally claimed that the Mi A3 would be on the first smartphones to receive Android 10. Blaming the coronavirus for delays, the company has managed to push out a security patch update. Unsurprisingly, fans are not buying Xiaomi's excuses.

Although many of those who loved it until the legendary version 12 consider it to be a dead horse nowadays, Opera 67 might be a step in the right direction. The latest release of this troubled web browser — available for Windows, Linux, and macOS — comes with Workspaces, tab cycling, a Sidebar setup panel, and more.

While LG may have earned its reputation for being one of the slowest Android OEMs to deliver software updates, an honourable mention should go to Huawei. While the company claims to have upgraded the P30 Pro to EMUI 10, for example, multiple handsets remain on EMUI 9.1 for no apparent reason.

Samsung is apparently testing out an Android 11 update for the Galaxy S10+. An S10+ running on the new operating system was recently spotted on Geekbench. While Android 11 won't even be released until May 2020, this indicates that Samsung's making a strong push to get the OS on the Galaxy S10 series as early as possible.

The Honor nX line of smartphones has only just been updated worldwide. Now, it seems its series' 2018 flagship will finally get a stable build of EMUI 10 based on Android 10. This may be confirmed by some new Geekbench 5 benchmarking results.

Huawei recently delisted the Mate 10 Pro from its security update schedule page. The old flagship is set for one last hurrah, however, in the form of the EMUI 10 update, and the OTA has now been officially confirmed to start rolling out globally in March.

The Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro have only been out for a few days, but they have already started receiving their first software update. Xiaomi has addressed a host of issues, not least of which GPU performance. While its GPU performance was by no means bad before, the Mi 10 Pro can now exceed 610,000 points in AnTuTu v8. V11.0.7.0 will appear as an OTA for Mi 10 series handsets.

Huawei unveiled its vision for a complete, connected ecosystem of devices at its latest product launch. This involves the new AX3 series of routers, which is powered by this OEM's Gigahome SoCs for Wi-Fi 6 support (and more besides). The company also unveiled second-gen "Pro" 5G consumer premises equipment (CPE).

The Asian-themed Spirithaven season that comes with Armored Warfare 0.31 is accompanied by quite a few noticeable changes, including a major interface overhaul for both for the in-battle and settings areas of the game, new Asian vehicles, new operations and missions, overall graphics improvements, and more.

Huawei held a virtual product launch today (February 24, 2020) in lieu of its planned pre-MWC press conference. This event saw many new notebooks and other products. It also introduced the MatePad Pro 5G, a new variant of this OEM's flagship tablet.

Sony held a virtual press conference today in order to unveil its latest premium mobile device. However, it also made references to an intriguing device that was not the Xperia 1 II. The Pro is to have the same display and camera quality as this phone, but will also support mmWave 5G and have an HDMI port. However, there are no images or further specs for this product at present.

Sony has formally revealed its 2020 flagship smartphone, and that it really is called the Xperia 1 II. This device has a 21:9 4K OLED display with the Motion Blur Reduction technology developed to step in for an up-to-date refresh rate. Its rear cameras support various, often own-branded, advanced features, but not 8K.

A new video of an iPhone claimed to run iOS 14 shows off a new grid-style multitasking view similar to the one running on iPadOS. Ben Geskin, the tipster behind this video, claims that this multitasking view is one of four options that will be available on iOS 14.

Google is now officially warning against sideloading Google services, the Play Store and other well-known Google apps on newer Honor and Huawei smartphones. While the announcement only affects those handsets that Google has not certified because of ongoing US sanctions, like the Mate 30 Pro, Honor and Huawei are planning to announce new smartphones in the coming days and weeks. Hence, you should be aware that Google is probably not an option on these upcoming handsets.

WhatsApp sets a lot of store by the privacy in messaging it supposedly offers. However, allegations that links that invite new users to private groups are searchable online have recently emerged. This is due to the fact Google has indexed them, meaning appropriate terms can bring them up.

Samsung has filed a patent with the US Patent and Trademarks Office (USPTO) for a kind of display that, despite curving down around the sides of the phone, can also have physical buttons. This, in effect, is a new kind of punch-hole that could reconcile many buyers to waterfall displays and their potential drawbacks. Furthermore, the button could also be replaced by other modules or sensors.

Casio has announced the Bruce Lee Collaboration Model, a specially-designed version of its high-end G-SHOCK MR-G watch series. It features a band and case colored to match the martial arts cinema legend's hallmark tracksuit, as well as a case with detailing inspired by the same. There will be only 300 of its units available when it goes on sale.

Mobvoi has launched the TicWatch Pro 2020 on Amazon.com. It has a RAM upgrade, but sticks with the same SoC, design and battery life. Then again, as it still includes a dual display, it should still offer impressive longevity as a wearable.

The Galaxy A71 may be a convincing upper-mid range device; however, several leaks suggest Samsung has decided it would be improved with a 5G variant. This phone - the SM-A7160 - has now appeared on the Wi-Fi Alliance certification database. It shows that the A71 5G has much of the same relevant specs as its 4G counterpart.

While the Mi A3 continues its wait for Android 10, its predecessor received its final OS upgrade last month. The upgrade path to Android 10 for the Mi A2 has not proven straightforward though, with it being possible that Xiaomi has pulled the OS upgrade for the second time because of bugs.

Huawei released the Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro over two years ago and the phones may just have reached the end of their support lifespans. While EMUI 10 will eventually be released for the flagships, Huawei has now removed them from its official security update page.

OPPO has announced new beta programs to help bring the latest version of Color OS (based on Android 10) to some of its 2018 phones. These are the flagship Find X, the R17 and its Pro variant. Places in these programs are available to users in certain regions only, however.

The ZTE Blade A7 was a decent budget smartphone prospect in 2019. Now, new FCC documentation indicates that its name will be applied to a new device this year. This refresh, unlike its predecessor, will have triple rear cameras and a fingerprint sensor.

The release of Android 10 for the Mi A3 is bordering on farcical. Hyped by Xiaomi as one of the first devices that would receive Android 10, the Android One device is still languishing on Android 9.0 Pie. The end may now be in sight for the Mi A3 though, as Xiaomi has given another vague release date for it to receive Google's latest OS.

Google has made the Developer Preview page for the next version of Android live. This build is now available to download onto certain devices, Pixel phones included. It exhibits changes such as new security measures, privacy safeguards and electronic ID support.

30 W VOOC Flash Charge 4.0 is one of Realme's main selling points for the Realme X2, with the company boasting that the device can reach 65% charge in just 30 minutes. However, that may longer not be the case following a new update.

While Xiaomi started pushing Android 10 builds of MIUI 11 to the Pocophone F1 last month, many handsets are yet to receive the OS upgrade. Now the General Manager of POCO India has weighed in on the matter, and his response has seemingly irked some people.

Released earlier today, the free "Crews of Rage" update for Sea of Thieves comes with new Bounty Voyages into the Devil's Roar that allow you to fight Ashen Skeletons, while the new Chests of Rage contain valuable treasure and can also be traded at The Reaper's Hideout.

Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP) is a popular alternative recovery used by those who like to root and modify their Androids. A new thread on Reddit asserts that Pokemon GO will not work if it detects signs of it in a device's storage. This behavior may be intended to prevent cheating in this augmented-reality (AR) game.

The IRS is suing social media giant Facebook for allegedly undervaluing its 2010 IPO, thereby avoiding over $9 billion in tax payments.

LG's G7 ThinQ is a flagship phone that is still less than 2 years old; despite this, the OEM is yet to provide it with a stable Android 10 upgrade. However, there are now signs that it is progressing in beta form, at least. It comes in the form of new Geekbench 5 listings showing this name in conjunction with a current OS version.

Currently limited at full HD resolution due to battery life-related concerns, the 120 Hz display refresh might soon become available for the Galaxy S20 lineup since Samsung is reportedly working on a software update that will bring WQHD+ 120 Hz capabilities. Its launch should take place by the end of April.

Yesterday, reports of Android 10 hitting the Mi A3 surfaced around the nooks of the Internet. They were fake, sadly. The Mi A3 hasn't received its Android 10 update, but recent developments point towards it being potentially at hand.

House of Marley has released its second-gen TWS earbuds, called the Redemption ANCs. Unlike their predecessors, they resemble Apple AirPods, albeit ones finished in sustainable bamboo. They also have a 4-mic system for voice calls, an IPX4 rating and a case with a USB type C port.

Microsoft has restructured its apps for the Android platform, mainly by combining all of them into one. It is now called Office on the Play Store, and allows access to OneDrive as well as Word, PowerPoint and Excel. However, it is reportedly not optimized for tablets.

Honor has confirmed that the release of the stable EMUI 10 update for the Honor 9X is at hand. Huawei is also sending out the update to the Mate 20 Lite and P30 Lite but the rollout appears to be extremely limited at the moment.

LG may launch a successor for its flagship phablet, the V50 ThinQ, soon. A device with a model number that might conform to this device has appeared on the Geekbench 5 database. It has the Snapdragon 865 and runs Android 10, and has a rather standard 8GB of RAM.

While many Realme users are already testing Android 10 Beta on their devices, it looks like the Realme 5 Pro will move directly to the stable Android 10 firmware. If everything goes as planned, this should happen next month. The same will happen with the Realme X, which is supposed to receive the update this month.

Almost two years after the phone was launched, owners of the Sprint model LG G7 ThinQ are finally receiving their first OS update. The Android Pie update is now rolling out to the phone, with Android 10 lingering on the horizon already.

After nearly 13 years, Microsoft seems to have addressed an oft-ignored issue when it comes to how Windows deals with multi-monitor refresh rates. Till now, Windows 10's Desktop Window Manager (DWM) caused stutters and frame-skips when running multiple monitors with mismatched refresh rates. Windows 10 2004 20H1's DWM, which supports hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling in WDDM 2.7, finally seems to have corrected this issue as demonstrated by a user on Reddit.