Software

Samsung has released the Galaxy A70s to the Indian market. Those who already own the pre-existing A70 may or may not be happy to learn that it is a veritable clone of their current phone, but with a 64MP sensor in place of the 32MP main shooter found in the rear camera set-up. The Galaxy A70s also has different backplate colors.

Honor has confirmed that the 9X will come to UK and European markets soon. However, some images obtained by a reliable leaker indicates that these phones will have a rear-facing fingerprint sensor, whereas existing Chinese units do not. There is also some doubt that they will ship with Google Play Services in their new regions.

One could be led to believe that Huawei would be abandoning its devices but they'd be wrong. Very wrong. The company is preparing to send out the Android Q to its two-year-old flagships, with the EMUI 10 beta-testing program now open for the Mate 10 line phones.

Xiaomi recently unveiled the latest version of its skin, MIUI 11. The company is set to send out the MIUI update to its devices and a list has surfaced online showing which device will be eligible and when they'll receive the OTA. It's an impressive list, too, with the oldest device on it being three years old already.

It has only been a week since the launch of the Mate 30 series in Munich, but it has already become clear that Google and Huawei have been working more closely together than perhaps the current US administration would like. Despite having no official access to Google products, the Mate 30 series can access services like Google Pay without issue. Read on to find out why this is the case and what Google and Huawei have done to work around the restrictions currently imposed on the Chinese company.

Xbox consoles are steadily upgrading in order to use the more popular virtual assistant platforms. The latest of these is Google Assistant. Those who wish to connect the two can join a forum group for a new public beta update and follow the instructions found thereon.

The Moto Z2 Play may finally have an update to Android 9.0 (Pie). However, this story is based on a forum post from a total of 1 user so far. Then again, this individual has supplied a number of screenshots that look convincingly like those for a new upgrade for this brand.

There have been rumors about Microsoft debuting Windows Core OS next week at its Surface hardware event on October 2, potentially on foldable devices codenamed Centaurus and Pegasus. Now, a Geekbench listing has appeared that shows Core OS running a mysterious Intel Lakefield processor. Have we just seen the first sight of Microsoft's return to mobile devices?

Xiaomi normally releases fitness bands or watches that run proprietary apps rather than a dedicated, familiar OS. A tech blog may have found evidence that this may change soon. It claims to have detected code in the Wear OS phone app that points to upcoming compatible products from this OEM.

Canon has released a new mirrorless camera that can record 4K vertical videos and then share them directly to social media. The EOS M200 has a 24.1MP APS-C sensor and CMOS auto-focus. It can also record in 60fps FHD and has a lightweight, convenient build.

Music is a rather unique Apple app in that it is cross-platform (or, in other words, has an Android version). Its latest updates also make it compatible with Google's Chromecast. It has also acquired a dark mode, presumably to align with iOS' new system-wide option.

As promised, we have tested the Modern Standby Performance Improvement Package application for the XPS 15 9750 to determine what it has changed on Dell's prosumer 15.6-inch laptop. The package rolls together several existing updates as we previously reported but makes one important change too. Dell seems to have fixed Modern Standby for the XPS 15 9750, albeit by removing one feature that some people may find useful.

The OnePlus 7T will be launched tomorrow, and OnePlus has confirmed that the device will run Android Q straight out of the box. That would make it the second device to launch with Android Q, behind the Huawei Mate 30.

Google has announced that future updates will make it more difficult to activate the Assistant by mistake. The company has also taken pains to reassure users that their audio data will not be collected by default in the same release. A specific opt-in determines whether the same will be analysed by humans or not.

Samsung has finally released its new Galaxy A20 variant to a few select markets such as Malaysia. It goes for a price of RM 699 (or about US$167) in this country. For this, the customer gets 13+5+8MP rear cameras, 3GB of RAM and the Snapdragon 450 processor.

A firm that analyses user attitudes toward specific subjects (e.g. companies) on Twitter claims to have shown that recent sentiment with regard to iPhones on this platform has deteriorated compared to that in 2018. Its research may also show that user discourse about Apple TV Plus and Arcade is flagging.

The X2 is a phone rumored to be a modified version of the XT, Realme's first 64MP camera phone. A new device from the same brand has appeared on Geekbench 4. Based on its model number, it may be the X2; however, the SoC information in these benchmarking results contradicts some recent leaks.

The Nubia Z20 is perhaps one of the more unique of all Snapdragon 855 Plus-powered flagships, as it has a 5.1-inch rear-facing display in addition to its 6.42-inch main screen. It has only been available in China since its launch; however, the OEM now has a global release date for this phone.

The Redmi K20 Pro is going to gain new variants powered by the Snapdragon 855 Plus processor soon. These refreshed units will also have up to 12GB of RAM, 512GB of internal storage and a new rear panel. They will be released in China on September 23, 2019.

Dark times ahead. We have been using the latest OxygenOS release based on Android 10 ever since OnePlus dropped the first open beta earlier this month. In this article, we will take a look at some of the new features coming to OxygenOS including system-wide dark mode, new privacy features, notification updates, and more including some not-so-pleasant surprises as well.

LG launched the V40 about a year ago as a Galaxy Note 9 competitor. That sounds good on paper and the hardware does compete, but all of that falls apart when one realizes that a host of V40 users are still on Android Oreo, the same version of Android the device was released with.

Google has the best software update policy of all the Android OEMs right now, as it provides three major OS updates to its devices. OnePlus is catching up, however. The Chinese company is promising to deliver Android Q to the OnePlus 5 and 5T, the third major update the devices will receive.

An XDA contributor has observed that it is now possible to control media on their Chrome OS device even though the screen is locked. The feature has not been part of this system by default in the past, but is reportedly there in its 79 Canary (or 'advance') version. It has been shown working for YouTube content.

The Wi-Fi Alliance has certified a device called the Samsung SM-W2020. As the SM-W2019 is a high-end flip phone released last year, it appears that this new model number will conforn to the same form-factor. If so, it may have a new product name on its release as well .

Google only just released Android Q eighteen days ago and OnePlus is already sending out the update to its current devices, the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro. The update introduces OxygenOS 10 and will be a staged rollout over the next couple of days.

The Black Shark is the OEM's first attempt at a gaming smartphone. It was released with Android 8.0 (Oreo) out of the box, and had not had a major update since. However, it now has access to an OTA upgrade to Pie (9.0).

Puro Sound Labs describes itself as "the world's leading manufacturer of premium, safe-listening headphones". It has developed the PuroGamer, a "studio-grade" headset with 50-millimeter (mm) graphene drivers for better audio at lower volumes. This product also has a noise-canceling, detachable boom mic.

Most feature phones (simple phones with physical buttons) typically run on alternative software such as KaiOS. However, a blogger has posted a video of what appears to be one of these devices running Android. This phone, linked to the brand Nokia, may be released with a ROM based on an older version of this OS: Oreo (8.1).

Curve Digital & Kuju have announced that they are bringing a title based on the Netflix show Narcos to PCs and consoles. It will allow a user to play either for the Cartel in question or against it a DEA agent. This original content will be set in the 1980s El Patron era, and is available as a digital download from now.

The Huawei Watch GT 2 is this OEM's latest smartwatch. It has a 1.39-inch HD OLED display encased in "3D Glass". It comes in 42 and 46 millimeter (mm) variants, and is rated for 2 weeks of battery life.

The Huawei Mate 30 series has been launched in the absence of Google Play Services. In lieu of this, Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) are slated to take over on these phablets. The OEM claims that the OS in which they will operate will keep user data to itself.

Huawei also unveiled a new smart TV at its Mate 30 launch. It is called the Huawei Vision, and will come in 55- to 85-inch variants. The OEM asserts that it can also act as a full smart home control, and has AI-powered user interaction.

The Huawei Mate 30 Pro has a new quadruple rear camera set-up that incorporates dual 40MP shooters. One of these is a "dedicated cine-camera" for 4K HDR recording at 60fps. This device also offers 10x zoom with an ultra-low ISO of 51200 and up to 7680fps slow-motion. These specs beat those of competitors such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 series by a good margin.

Vivaldi 2.8.1664.35 arrives less than three weeks since the release of the 2.7 update, but it only features various tweaks and fixes that aim to provide "a smoother browsing experience" alongside images toggle via keyboard and a few new bookmark customization options. Those who missed the news should know that a beta for Android handsets is also available.

Huawei has unveiled its latest line of flagship phablets on stage today in Germany as scheduled. It is powered by the new Kirin 990 processor, and also has variants based on the 5G version of the same. However, the complete lack of Google apps and services during the EMUI 10 parts of the show was inescapable.

Business Insider has published a new report that claims to offer an insight into the development of Google-brand smartwatches. It also outlines the nature of the "secret" technology purchased by this company from Fossil, which allegedly results in hybrid devices that are removed from the pure Wear OS device that may be expected of a first-gen Pixel Watch.

Google's I/O 2019 event saw announcements for plans to bring Chrome's Incognito Mode to mobile services such as Search. This is now reportedly in testing for Maps. It is accessed by tapping the avatar associated with a Google account within this app.

The Nokia 7.2 is HMD Global's first phone with a triple rear camera. Now, the brand has revealed its inaugural release date in the US: September 30, 2019. The 7.2 will be an Android One device in this country, and will be sold in a single 4GB RAM SKU.

Good news V30 owners, LG has not forgotten about following through on its promise to bring Android 9.0 Pie to its former flagship. The South Korean company nixed a recent build last month, forcing people to remain on Android 8.0 Oreo. Now, the Android 9.0 Pie rollout has been restarted, with builds hitting several countries. Only over a quarter late, right LG?

Astragon Entertainment has announced that its popular PC title, Bus Simulator 18, has come to the Playstation 4 (PS4) and Xbox One. This game involves a fictional city with 12 "vibrant" districts, 8 high-fidelity models of the vehicle in question and a multiplayer mode. It can be downloaded now for US$39.99 from the Microsoft and PS Stores.

The Live Free truly wireless earbuds are the latest products from the company JAM Audio. It is claimed that they are smaller and more comfortable than their predecessors. They also come in a handy case that is rated for a battery life of 54 hours or more.

HTC has confirmed that Yves Maitre, a former executive at the telecommunications company Orange, is its new chief executive officer (CEO). His predecessor, Cher Wang, will remain at the Taiwanese OEM as the head of its board. This executive will focus on products such as the VIVE XR ecosystem and the HTC 5G Hub.

Today, (September 17, 2019) Xiaomi has unveiled its latest Android TVs in India. The are of the new 4X series, and come in 65-, 55- and 43-inch variants. They include the latest features from their OS, including an in-built Chromecast, Google Assistant and a Data Saver setting.

The PRT-B50 is a new PRO TREK model that can connect to a smartphone app via Bluetooth. Unlike some other Casio watches with this ability, however, this new product has a non-digital watchface. Its physical hands can be used to do things such as point to a saved location.

The long-awaited iOS 13 update is coming this Thursday and the list of compatible devices starts with the iPhone 6s/6s Plus and the iPhone SE. The changes it will bring include a Dark Mode, faster Face ID, a new home screen, and more. Sadly, iPad users will have to wait at least two more weeks until their slates will get updated as well.

Seemingly without warning, Verizon has started rolling out Android 9.0 Pie to the LG V30. The update, which should be available over the air (OTA) right now, weighs in at 2.25 GB and is downloadable from LG Bridge too. The rollout is the first we have seen for the V30 since LG pulled the worldwide Android 9.0 Pie release for its former flagship last month.

Huawei unveiled a new line of smart glasses along with the P30 smartphone series. However, nothing has been heard of them since. Now, however, they have reportedly been released to the Chinese market in several different styles and opacities.

Google Assistant had been reported to gain a dark theme at the start of 2019. However, this update did not get to all users at once. Now, it appears that the Mountain View giant is pushing this change again. This new roll-out, which also affects the Google App, has been observed in a small number of countries thus far.

AnTuTu Benchmark has reported that it has completed testing of the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. They have all scored well over 400,000 points each, meaning that they can probably compete well with equally new Androids. However, unlike these devices, only 4GB of RAM have been detected for all of the most recent Apple devices.

Hearkening back to the early days of RPGs and channeling their 8-bit art styles and epic-yet-simple storylines, Artifact Adventure Gaiden DX is an interesting game that tries to add a dash of the modern to a tried-and-true gaming genre. While the game offers some fun early on, gameplay grows stale and repetitive.