Software

The affordable T10 has been confirmed as the first Nokia tablet to be added to the OEM's Android 13-compatible list. The upgrade should confer new UI customization options, privacy-focused features and Digital Wellbeing-type tweaks on the device.

The Galaxy A14 has joined its 5G-capable namesake on Samsung's Indian website. It has launched as a very budget-friendly new Android smartphone in that market, withprice of even less than its 2022 predecessor. However, it is an 'early-bird' offer only available for a limited time.

VIOFO's latest A119 Mini 2 is, as the name suggests, one of the super-compact type of dash-cam that integrates its own rear-facing screen. Nevertheless, it is packed with up-to-date features such as a Sony STARVIS 2 image sensor for low-light performance; a wide field of view; Intelligent Parking Mode and Auto Event Detection. It also supports time-lapse video and hands-free control options.

Apple released watchOS 9.5 a few days ago with various bug fixes and a new themed watch face. However, the update also introduces a green display tint for some models, Watch SE, Watch Series 8 and Watch Ultra included.

Garmin is rolling out a long-awaited battery drain fix for the Fenix 7 series and its counterparts. Available as Beta Version 13.19, the update also contains several other bug fixes and an improvement from its predecessor.

Apple is expected to introduce a first-gen mixed-reality headset at its impending WWDC23 event. Now, some more potential design and function tidbits for the inaugural, allegedly Jony Ive-influenced, product have leaked out. They purport to cover its blend of virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) applications, its potential user-friendliness and how it will be something other than a Meta Quest competitor.

The OnePlus 11 and 11R are the newest flagships to be involved in the unveiling of OxygenOS 13.1, the latest Android 13-based software from their brand. It is rated to introduce features such as a Championship Mode for its Game Assistant and more Omojis, although some of them are only available on certain devices. On that note, smartphones from the 10, 9 and 8 series are also eligible for the update.

Edifier's latest wireless headphones are touted as having an upgrade to the LDAC codec and certified Hi-Res Audio. Their "high capacity" battery is rated for nearly 50 hours of battery life, and recharges via USB type-C. The W820NB Plus are also touted as delivering high-quality audio with a form of active noise cancellation (ANC), yet start for well under US$100.

Sony has augmented its Mobile ES in-car audio line with a new AV receiver. The XAV-9000ES is the first double-DIN variant of its line, and also supports wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Its HD touchscreen can also switch between 3 different cameras in this generation as well as handle custom speaker configurations with an "enhanced" 5V 3-pre out. It has launched alongside 2 new power amplifiers for even more "High-Resolution Audio".

Garmin is now offering Beta Version 25.86 to Fenix 6, Enduro, Tactix Delta, Quatix 6 and Marq series smartwatches. The new beta update focuses on addressing bugs found in Beta Version 25.85 and is only available to download manually.

According to reports, Google is preparing to bring multiple new features to the Pixel Buds Pro. Rolling out in the next few months, the Pixel Buds Pro is rumoured to gain Clear Calling, among other new technologies.

According to a renowned leaker, Samsung has finalised a camera-focused update for its most recent flagship smartphones. Starting next month, the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra should be capable of shooting portraits at 2x zoom, among other changes.

Realme has unleashed the Narzo N53 as its "thinnest phone ever", even though it still packs a 5,000mAh battery. Its 90Hz display and UI also supports the OEM's new "next-gen" Mini Capsule for Android feature. The "12GB Dynamic RAM" device starts at just under US$110 on its launch via Amazon.

Garmin is inching towards offering new stable updates for the Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 955 series. In the meantime, the company has introduced Beta Version 15.19 for smartwatches enrolled on its Beta Program. Beta Version 15.19 introduces a couple of bug fixes for the pair that prevented Beta Version 15.17 from reaching stable status.

Garmin has rolled out Beta Version 13.18 to Fenix 7, Enduro 2, Epix 2, Quatix 7 and Marq 2 series smartwatches. While previous beta builds only made a few changes to the flagship smartwatches, Beta Version 13.18 introduces over a dozen bug fixes for various outstanding issues.

Apple's freshly-announced official itinerary for its latest World-wide Developer's Conference (or WWDC23) includes a day-long Special Event in addition to the usual keynote speech and State of the Union address. The augmented schedule has re-ignited speculation that the Cupertino giant will unveil its first-gen mixed-reality headset on the date in question.

Google continues to integrate more functionality into its Google Home app. Not only has the company added a light colour picker to the Wear OS app, but it also enabled Talk and Listen functionality on its web app. Additionally, the company will soon offer Matter support within the Google Home iOS app.

Samsung has finalised a revision to the transparency mode it offers with the Galaxy Buds2 Pro. Soon, the flagship earbuds will provide more control over it amplifies ambient noise, which Samsung will enable via a new firmware update.

Garmin has issued a new beta build for the Venu 2 series. Rolling out as Beta Version 13.14, the update contains ANT+ improvements, as well as bug fixes and other changes.

Apparently, Google has developed more innovations for Wear OS 4 than it initially announced. Not only will this year's update bring cloud backups to the Wear OS platform, but it will also introduce animated tiles, plus various gold and health-focused improvements.

Huawei has released a new firmware update for the global versions of the Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro. While firmware version 3.0.0.159 does not introduce any new features to the Watch 3 series, Huawei has patched a vulnerability that circumvented the Bluetooth pairing process.

The wearables OEM Mobvoi has just announced that "something BIG is coming", in the form of its next-gen TicWatch Pro 5 flagship. The new wearable has yet to be hyped in terms of its specs, although its initial trailer seems to confirm a rumored major design update. In the meantime, it is up for grabs as a prize in an official social media-based giveaway.

The Galaxy Z Flip5 is already touted as the most potentially practical of its Android clamshell foldable smartphone series yet ahead of its release. Now, it is believed to become more productivity-friendly still by acquiring support for Samsung DeX at last. The feature, currently found on flagships such as the Galaxy S23 Ultra, allows a mobile device to act more like a PC when connected to a monitor.

Tecno is now said to take Samsung on with a "Phantom V Fold Yoga" to match the Galaxy Z Flip4 in the near future. Hands-on images of the device suggest that the two do indeed have a very similar build, although the "V Yoga" may stand out with a larger and more distinctive cover display. Then again, the Android smartphone may also launch with mid-range specs compared to the 2022 class-leader.

Garmin has released another Release Candidate for the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965, two of its latest smartwatches. Rolling out now, Beta Version 4.17 is likely the last beta build before Garmin releases a new stable update for the Forerunner 265 and the Forerunner 965.

Garmin has released Beta Version 13.17 for the Fenix 7 series and various other smartwatches. Rolling out just after Beta Version 13.16 arrived, the latest beta build addresses several bugs, including one that caused PulseOx to stop working.

Zepp has added artificial intelligence to the Amazfit GTR 4 in a bid to optimise workouts. The smartwatch's latest update, firmware version 3.23.3.1, also contains other changes aimed at further improving workouts.

Volkswagen has now announced that its impending ID.7 electric sedan is also coming in GTX form. The newer variant is backed to debut with all-wheel drive and even more performance than the original vanilla model can get out of its platform. It is also slated to stand out with design tweaks that reflect the "intelligent sportiness" of its new suffix.

Google has released the second Android 14 Beta following yesterday's I/O 2023 keynote. Android 14 Beta 2 is available across numerous devices from iQOO, Lenovo, Nothing, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Tecno, Vivo and Xiaomi, unlike its Pixel-exclusive predecessors.

Google has revealed Wear OS 4, despite its Wear OS 3 rollout remaining incomplete. The first Wear OS update in two years, Wear OS 4 will ship with battery life improvements and backup/restore functionality, among other changes. Wear OS 4 is likely to debut in the Pixel Watch 2 and the Galaxy Watch6 series.

Huawei has announced that its 3:2 aspect-ratio flagship laptop has a new 2023 version, as does the 2.5K display MateBook 16s. Both Windows 11 PCs owe their new suffix to new Raptor Lake processors, if not much else. Then again, there is a screen brightness upgrade for the new 16-inch model.

Mobvoi has now provided some clarity about the state of Wear OS 3 across its TicWatch smartwatch series. While the company hoped to start rolling out the OS update last summer, it is only now getting around to commencing Wear OS 3 beta testing.

Samsung has detailed more camera refinements for the Galaxy S23 series, which will be headed to all models. Apparently, the option of choosing 2x portrait zoom will soon return, as will fixes for issues viewing HDR shots in the stock gallery app.

Samsung has announced that the Galaxy Watch6 series will be its first smartwatch capable of warning people of an irregular heart rate without manually performing an electrocardiogram (ECG). The company hopes to bring the same functionality to all smartwatches running One UI 5 Watch, spanning the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch5 series.

Garmin has published Beta Version 13.16 for Fenix 7, Enduro 2, Epix 2, Quatix 7 and Marq 2 series smartwatches, a week after debuting its predecessor. Beta Version 13.16 should fix several outstanding bugs and updates translations across Garmin's operating system.

FREEDARE has announced that it will bring its new option in electrified mobility to Indiegogo later in May 2023. The start-up describes it as "the world's first smart fat tire e-bike", which seems to mean the multi-terrain IP5X two-wheeler comes with battery management, theft detection and route-planning via its own smartphone app. Its range, comfort and early-bird prices are also now being hyped ahead of its debut.

Qualcomm has announced that it intends to augment its vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology by acquiring the company Autotalks, a company with "expertise" in the same area. The chip-maker intends to enhance its Snapdragon Digital Chassis chips with new safety solutions, which might find buyers such as Volkswagen.

iQOO's supposedly inaugural Pad is also now tipped to launch as an Android tablet with the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus (or 9000+) SoC. The platform might give the first-gen slate an edge over its potential rivals from OnePlus or even iQOO's own parent company Vivo. On that note, it may also stand to boast a (nearly) unique aspect-ratio and a display with a top refresh rate for its category.

HTC's upcoming addition to its U series of smartphones is tipped to launch with what might be the highest-end collection of specs the once-iconic Android brand has gotten together as of late. Then again, they are still distinctly sub-flagship in nature, depicted as packing a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7-series chipset and a relatively pedestrian battery capacity into an arguably last-gen build.

Goertek predicts that extended, mixed and/or augmented reality (XR/MR/AR) is ready to take over, through the medium of the glasses it helps other companies to make. To this end, the OEM also now asserts that smartwatch-like devices will be best to pair with and control this eyewear of the future. It has presented a reference "smart bracelet" demonstrating the high-speed, high-precision connectivity that this combination might need to work.

The Forerunner 265 has now received Beta 4.15, its second beta update. Also a release candidate, Beta 4.15 focuses on addressing bugs that shipped with the Forerunner 265's launch software.

Garmin has released Beta Version 15.15 for the Forerunner 255, likely the last beta build before a new stable build arrives. Beta Version 15.15 brings several bug fixes to the Forerunner 255, as well as support for a few new features.

Apple has just reported "fiscal 2023 second quarter" (or 2FQ2023) takings reduced by 3% year-on-year (YoY). On the other hand, the Cupertino giant asserts that its iPhones made the most for any quarter in its history, while services such as Music or TV posted an "all-time record". Nevertheless, it follows that Macs and iPads did not do so well during the 3 months in question.

Samsung has presented a new version of One UI Watch, now known as One UI 5 Watch. Arriving later this month via a public beta, One UI 5 Watch is not slated to launch until the new Galaxy Watch series smartwatches do. In the meantime, Samsung has outlined a few changes between One UI Watch 4 and One UI 5 Watch.

Google has heralded "a major step" toward a future in which the password is obsolete with a new Account option sign-in option. They enable the user to generate a passkey instead of setting a password, and link it to their stored biometrics or PIN in order to access services from the Mountain View giant. The emerging login method is touted as a more convenient and secure form of authentication, although it may have its own drawbacks.

The Note 16 Pro's unique selling point on its launch preview is that it is a Ulefone device with an up-to-date version of Android out of the box. The new smartphone also boasts a 50MP main camera, a more-or-less modern "ultra-thin" build and a generous RAM-boosting feature - then again, some compromises have been made to get it to its "significant" launch-day special-offer price.

POCO has outlined which smartphones will receive MIUI 14 globally this quarter. According to the company, four representatives each of the POCO F and POCO X series will move from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14, with three from the POCO M series also due for MIUI 14.

The Realme 11 Pro Plus (or Pro+) is already touted as the first mid-range smartphone that will combine Xiaomi 13 Ultra looks and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra-esque camera performance. Its new alleged specs leak puts the emphasis on "mid-range", though, hinting at the inclusion of the latest affordable-grade mobile processor from MediaTek. Then again, it may have a healthy amount of RAM and a more or less up-to-date OS on its debut.

Panasonic has unveiled 2 new pairs of TWS earbuds, both of which have the brand's ErgoFit build for comfort, in-house XBS "extra bass" enhancements and Bluetooth 5.3. The RZ-B310Ws are equipped with (hybrid) active noise cancellation (ANC), whereas their RZ-B110W siblings are rated for prolonged battery life instead.

Garmin has released a new beta build for Fenix 6, Enduro, Marq, Quatix 6 and Tactix Delta series smartwatches ahead of an eventual stable rollout. Available as Beta Version 25.85, the beta build features a few bug fixes from last month's Beta Version 25.81 build.