Software

Android Q's latest preview build was released yesterday (June 5, 2019). It has some interesting new aspects, such as a re-brand for Smart Unlock. However, Google has now stopped pushing its OTAs to phones as it has been found to cause bootloops in some cases.

Huawei has released figures indicating that approximately 80 million smartphone users woridwide have the latest version of its Android skin, EMUI, on their phones. For many older devices, this is their 2nd major update. However, the OEM also estimates that this number will grow to as much as 100 million by the end of June 2019.

Speakers with built-in Bluetooth have become better and better at bringing your music places where traditional wired devices can't go. The market built up around these products is now estimated to grow to the tune of US$2.64 billion in 6 years. This may be driven by increased uptake in emerging economies like India.

Dragon Quest Walk, an adventure AR game in the same vein as Pokemon Go, was announced earlier this week. Though details are sparse, the game seems to have players travel to real-world locations to battle monsters from the Dragon Quest universe. The title is set to release only in Japan for iOS and Android.

The Samsung Galaxy A20s have been released onto various national markets around the world. Now, it seems they are destined for South Korea as well. In this country, they will lose their simple alphanumeric monikers and be called the Galaxy Wide 4 and Jean 2 instead.

A new leak suggests that the Moto E line of smartphones may be getting a new generation soon. Geekbench has allegedly added scores for a "motorola moto e(6) plus", running on an SoC that may be the Helio P22. It runs on Android 9 and has 2GB of RAM.

The LG G7 ThinQ was released about a year ago on Android Oreo and has been stuck on that version of Android. Until now, that is, as users of the device around the world are now receiving the update to Android Pie. And yes, that includes the US.

Dell has not yet eliminated the DPC latency issues that have been affecting the XPS 15 9570, but it has promised that they will not be present on its successor, the XPS 15 7590.

Aukey is already a familiar name in the affordable personal audio game. Now, it has released a new line of earphones called the Key Series with a higher-end appeal. It comprises the EP-T10 true wireless earbuds and EP-B80 wireless earphones, as well as the more sporty wireless EP-B60 set and the EP-B33 neckbuds.

The next upcoming version of Apple's mobile device OS has finally been released at WWDC 2019. It brings the long-awaited Dark Mode, in addition to improvements for many other iOS features and functions. They include a 'new' swipe keyboard, faster app launch times and Sign in with Apple.

Seagate announces that it is now prepared to market enterprise- and server-grade hard-drives with capacities of 16TB for the first time. The Exos X16 is a helium-based 7200rpm drive, whereas the IronWolf 16TB and IronWolf Pro 16TB are NAS drives. Tencent Cloud has already picked up X16s for use in its operation.

Samsung may released a new phone, which is rumored to resemble the Galaxy A80, soon. According to a new Geekbench database entry linked to the new device (the SM-A9050), it may feature the Snapdragon 675 and have 6GB of RAM. As the A80 is powered by the 730, this is somewhat suspicious.

The new version of macOS, 10.15 Catalina, is getting rid of iTunes in lieu of three dedicated media management apps. Replacing the storied software is Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts. MacOS 10.15 will also use Finder to back up, restore, and update a connected iOS device, but users still won't have unfettered access to their iPhone's or iPad's file system.

MSI has alerted its customers advising them of a fraudulent email that may be sent due to their possession of an account with the company. The message attempts to direct the reader to change their Apple IDs using its link. However, MSI asserts that no users' personal, financial or otherwise sensitive data is at risk as a result.

The UK's first 5G network launched recently, at the end of May 2019. The country national broadcaster, the BBC, attempted to conduct some news reports over the new data standard. Unfortunately, they faced severe issues due to the data eaten in the process.

The 8110 (4G) is a reprise of a classic Nokia phone of the same name, released at MWC last year. However, its KaiOS meant that it had reduced functionality compared to the average Android or iOS device. With the roll-out of a compatible WhatsApp version, this has been remedied slightly.

Buying through T-Mobile may be a more intuitive way of getting one's hands on a OnePlus 7 Pro in the US. However, those units of this flagship are often subject to restrictions that keep them on this carrier's software update plan for a set amount of time. Now however, there is a possible solution to this situation.

A new Samsung tablet has gone through FCC validation, and may thus be released soon. Judging by its model number (SM-T295), it will probably be unveiled as a Galaxy Tab A (2019) at this event. The new certifier's listing also suggests that it will be a 7-inch version of the existing Tab A 10.1, with a 4980mAh battery.

Panasonic introduces a new LUMIX S-series camera, which, as it claims, "combines the video quality of a professional camera and the high mobility of a mirrorless camera". This is because it is capable of recording 6K video at up to 24fps, which still maintaining a full-frame unit's form factor. It will be released some time after summer in 2019.

According to a new Nikkei Asian Review article, Huawei has finalized the blueprints for its next upcoming smartphone SoCs. However, the OEM has now lost the support of the chipset-design supplier Synopsys, as it has that of ARM. Therefore, it will find making follow-ups in 2021 and onward exceptionally difficult.

The video-game industry could accrue as much as US$179.1 billion by 2024. This is in line with a new market-research report on the subject. This valuation may be driven by conventional platforms such as mobile devices, PCs and consoles; however, VR and AR are also likely to have an increasingly large influence on the space.

The Motorola One Vision was released not long ago. However, a new leak suggests that its series is getting yet another new phone sometime soon. Should a Geekbench entry prove accurate, it will be called the One Action.

The a9 is Sony's flagship mirrorless camera. It is a 24.2MP full-frame unit with an Exmor RS sensor and a silent shutter. Normally, this extensive piece of kit retails for US$4,498. However, the new "Step up to Sony" offers interested prosumers the chance to pick it up for 22$ off this price.

Motorola has released a new addition to its Z line of smartphones soon. The Moto Z4 has a 5G Moto Mod and a larger 6.39-inch FHD OLED screen. It is available on Verizon in conjunction with plans starting at US$10 per month.

LG's XBOOM series is often worth a look, as they can be high-powered speakers in relatively compact or portable form-factors. Its 2019 iterations are not exceptions to this rule. They range from entire sound-systems to smart speakers with inbuilt screens.

Meizu has launched its new mid-ranger, the 16Xs, today (May 30, 2019). However, it had already released all details on the phone via its own website. The 16Xs rocks triple cameras, a 6.2-inch AMOLED screen and 6GB of RAM.

Home security camera systems can be expensive. But where there is a Raspberry Pi, there is a way. All you need is a Raspberry Pi Zero W, a Raspberry Pi camera module, some free software and an enclosure that you can buy for as little as €5 (~US$5.57).

Nvidia Studio is an initiative by which laptops augment creator-level hardware with a new suite of software that boosts performance and reliability in tasks such as video editing or ray tracing-powered design. Studio also amounts to a new classification for notebooks that meet appropriate spec requirements. It has been presented at Computex with the help of some world-class artists.

War Thunder 1.89 "Imperial Navy" comes with a full naval tech tree for Japan, a first — premium, as usual — helicopter for the same nation, a few new ground vehicles — the long-awaited French Leclerc tank is one of them — and planes for most nations, two new locations, reworked clouds, and more.

Some of the most recently-released LG ThinQ TVs have been advertized as Amazon Alexa-capable. However, customers in the US may have noticed that this apparent functionality was missing - until now. The OEM has announced that the smart assistant app on these devices should become active over the next few weeks.

Qualcomm is at the Augmented World Expo (AWE) to launch its new Snapdragon Smart Viewer Reference Design. It is a reference VR headset based on the XR1 Platform. This device has a DJI display, up-to-date controllers, interfaces and a Standalone Mode.

DJI has announced the Manifold 2, a line of tiny supercomputers that can be installed on certain drones from this manufacturer. These devices can upgrade the devices in quesiton into autonomic flying machines, or those that can be trained to recognize certain objects or use an AI.

Coral is a platform developed by Google to support and facilitate on-device AI. Asus has announced that it will use its system-on-module (SOM) on its new AI development kit and single-board computer (SBC). They will be called Tinker Edge T and the CR1S-CM-A respectively.

The Samsung Galaxy XCovers are a line of smartphone that clearly happily sacrifice performance and modern-day looks for ruggedness. It has not seen a refresh since 2017. Now, however, it appears that a phone called the XCover 4s has been certified by Bluetooth SIG.

HTC failed to send out the Android Pie update to its devices for a long time but is finally making amends, with the HTC U11 currently receiving the Pie update. The U11+ and U12+ are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.

A developer has recently unveiled a video that shows the latest Android Q beta on the Essential Phone, which is wired to a portable monitor alongside a Bluetooth keyboard. With this setup, he is able to take the upcoming Android Q desktop mode for a spin, but he is using an experimental launcher to make it all work.

With today's release, which brings its version number to 42.0.2.3438, Microsoft Edge for Android gets support for picture-in-picture mode. Although this mobile browser works with Android 4.4 KitKat and later, the aforementioned feature is only available for devices that run at least Android Oreo.

Asus has a lot of new high-powered hardware to show off at Computex this year. But what is all that without the display tech to match? The 240Hz ROG Strix Scar III and Hero III are on show at the conference, as are some of the OEM's even newer, faster notebook displays.

The ZenScreen is a product that allows the user to take a monitor anywhere they might need to. This year, Asus has updated it with touch capability. This model is also just 9 millimeters deep, has micro-HDMI and Hybrid-Signal USB type C ports.

The Sprint TREBL with Magic Box is a small cell solution that also integrates Amazon Alexa voice-assistance and Harman Kardon sound quality. This combination makes it unique in its product category. Perhaps this is how it has won the Small Cell Forum's Judges' Choice Award for this year.

GoPro has a history of allowing its customers to trade their existing cameras in for something off the cost of a new model of this brand. However, this offer has never been available in the European Union's (EU) member-states before. This has now changed: customers in these 28 countries can now "trade-up" their cameras for €100 (about US$112) off a Fusion or Hero7 Black's price.

The Chatterbox is a DIY smart speaker that even children can build. The device has a chipboard case and is built around a Raspberry Pi 3B. The speaker can be taught new commands using the Chatterbox app too. The Chatterbox is currently available for US$119 on Kickstarter and ships worldwide in December.

The OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T were released three years ago, back in 2016. Both devices were launched running on Android Marshmallow but are now officially receiving the update to Android Pie. That means they have now received three major OS updates, which has to be a record in the Android space.

LG is notorious for being late with software updates and it's been the same story with the Pie rollout. The company is actually keeping to its promise this time around, though, as the LG V40 ThinQ begins to receive the Android Pie update. The V30 and V20 are expected to get theirs in the coming months.

BLU Products has released the G9, a smartphone with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. It also has AI-enhanced dual rear cameras and a decently large 4000mAh battery. It is sold via Amazon for a price of US$179.99.

We were big fans of the Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 when it was released a year ago, mostly because of its high performance to price ratio. Asus is keeping it alive for one more year, too, with users of the device around the globe currently receiving the much-anticipated Android Pie update.

Casio has released the WSD-F30RG, its newest smartwatch from the PRO TREK line. It has an OLED display, but also has individual monochrome and color overlays. The OEM also asserts that it has an improved resolution for detailed legibility on its screen.

Although the deal does not cover the Steam or console versions of the game, those interested in taking RiME for a spin on their Windows PCs can grab it for free from the Epic Games Store. This offer will expire on May 30, when City of Brass will replace it as a new Epic Games Store freebie.

OxygenOS 9.0.2 comes to the OnePlus 3 and 3T with the April 2019 security patch from Google, a brand-new user interface, Google Duo support in the Dialer, a new gaming mode (3.0, with notification for third party calls and displaying the text content of the heads-up notifications), Google Lens support, as well as various bug fixes and tweaks.

Released for Windows in September 2014 and for macOS in February 2015, The Sims 4 received mixed reviews from both the press and the general public. Now, anyone can enjoy it for free thanks to Origin's generosity. Sadly, only the Windows and macOS variants of the game are part of this deal which will last until May 28.