Software

Google has finally released the March 2023 Feature Drop for Pixel smartphones. While this month's Feature Drop focuses on the Pixel 4a 5G through Pixel 7 Pro, some features have come to all Pixel smartphones, such as expanded Magic Eraser eligibility.

OnePlus has confirmed that Chinese-market units of its new Android flagship, the 11, will get four major software updates, along with five years' worth of security patch upgrades. The brand's other new smartphones, the Ace 2 and 2V, will get official support for their own versions of ColorOS too, just for not as long. This announcement may or may not bode ill for the 11R, an Indian version of the 2.

In new developments to the Microsoft-Activision merger drama, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) President and CEO Jim Ryan had apparently told the EU antitrust chief that he is no mood for a new Call of Duty deal but wants to block the US$69 billion merger from getting regulatory approval. Despite repeated assurances, Sony does not appear to be convinced by Microsoft's terms and feels that PlayStation gamers will get a sub-par Call of Duty experience should the deal go through.

A new Android device with Asus' name in the title has started to pop up on Geekbench 6. The details involved in these new leaks invite speculation that a new addition to the performance-focused ROG Phone line has been spotted ahead of its 2023 launch. If so, this putative 7-series variant will have Qualcomm's latest flagship SoC, lots of RAM and up-to-date software out of the box.

Motorola has brought the Dimensity 930 SoC in a new package to India in the form of the Moto G73. The new mid-range Android smartphone has landed in its new market with a 50MP main camera and Android 13 out of the box. It has been made available in just 1 RAM/storage configuration, with a release scheduled for later in March 2023.

Apple has unveiled a Classical dimension of its Music service that, as the name suggests, is dedicated to streaming tracks from composers such as Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Chopin. It will be free from the App Store, albeit to current Music subscribers. Its announcement might be the Cupertino giant's way of responding to Spotify's preview of its upcoming TikTok-eqsue mobile UI overhaul.

Samsung is supposedly working towards delivering major camera updates for its latest Galaxy S23 series devices. A new One UI 5.1 update is slated to fine-tune the camera experience for even the Galaxy S23 Ultra and its 200 MP sensor. According to a reliable leaker, the update could arrive later this month in most markets.

Google has presented Android 14 Developer Preview 2, the second iteration of Android 14. While Android 14 DP2 does not make any major design alterations or features from Android 13, Google has integrated several changes aimed at improving security.

Google appears to be in the final stages of bringing a new Feature Drop to Pixel smartphones. The March 2023 Feature Drop will expand Magic Eraser eligibility to all Pixel smartphones, among other changes.

Spatial audio support is now rolling out for the Google Pixel Buds Pro via the firmware version 4.30 update. It required an Android 13 device with the feature enabled and will not work with Pixel A series earbuds and smartphones.

Google has started distributing a new Google Play update to Pixel smartphones, including the Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. The update brings numerous changes and bug fixes to Pixel devices separate from a Feature Drop.

A tablet thought of as the "OPPO Pad 2" prior to its launch eventually debuted as the OnePlus Pad instead. Now, however, the former name is now back on Geekbench, albeit with a Qualcomm chipset as opposed to the latter's MediaTek Dimensity SoC. Therefore, it now seems like OPPO intends to release its version of the tablet with this ex-flagship platform instead.

Oukitel has started to preview an impending update on its WP21 rugged smartphone. It has most of the same specs as the original Android 12 device - however, the OEM has swapped its rear-facing secondary display for "industry-leading" InfiniRay thermal imaging tech to make this new Ultra variant. It will debut alongside a second new device later in March 2023.

Unleashed earlier today, War Thunder 2.25 "Sky Guardians" comes with the first French ships and the super-heavy Char FCM 2C tank, 18 new and updated aircraft, new locations and missions, as well as updated visual effects. The size of the full game client has broken the 100 GB barrier, but a minimal install needs less than 17 GB.

Samsung has finally announced a new update for the Galaxy Watch4, Galaxy Watch4 Classic, Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro in Europe, months after the equivalent update landed in the US. The update targets smart home improvements, including the ability to control doorbells and cameras from the smartwatch directly.

Google has published new guidelines for Wear OS smartwatch apps. Theoretically, the changes should result in higher software quality across Wear OS, with 39 UX guidelines set for Wear OS 3, instead of a mere 8 with Wear OS 2.

Xiaomi has announced another MIUI 14 rollout. Having already revealed that 18 smartphones will receive its latest OS update, it has now outlined which POCO-branded smartphones will be making their way onto MIUI 14.

Xiaomi has started issuing MIUI 14 to the Mi 11i as part of its global rollout. The Mi 11i is one of 18 devices that will receive MIUI 14 in Xiaomi's first global rollout wave, which includes the rest of the Mi 11 series, the Redmi Note 10 Pro and the Xiaomi 12 series. Most devices will be updated to Android 13 and MIUI 14, although some will receive an Android 12-based update.

The Beta Version 14.50 update for Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE is now rolling out. The latest software, available to customers who sign up for the company’s Beta Program, brings several feature improvements to the wearable. Plus, a new chart data field has been added to the smartwatch.

Alienware's AW420K packs the brand's latest mechanical keyboard specs into a new wired RGB form-factor. With its refined profile and tenkeyless form-factor, it is also rated to save on desk space. Then again, its multi-mode risers can restore some height if necessary, while its PBT key-caps and Cherry switches are backed to keep its typing experience going in the long term.

The Alienware 500Hz gaming monitor is now enjoying its final appearance as a showcase model prior to becoming available on the North American market. The AW2524H is backed to push IPS display technology to its limit by pairing its refresh with NVIDIA's new Reflex Latency Analyzer as well as G-SYNC to eliminate ghosting and tearing.

A new Windows 11 update has dropped bringing with it the much-hyped AI-powered Bing directly to the taskbar. The new update also offers energy saving recommendations, Braille display support in Narrator, tablet mode improvements, and more. Microsoft is also updating in-box apps such as Notepad with tabs, Snipping Tool with screen recording, and Phone Link with iOS integration for Windows Insiders.

The new driver package for GeForce GPUs arrived yesterday and, in addition to various optimizations for titles such as Atomic Heart or The Finals, it packs RTX Video Super Resolution support. This technology upscales videos and removes artifacts in Chrome or Edge across multiple streaming platforms.

Volkswagen has now previewed its ne ID.3 with promises of upgraded design and 'smart car' attributes made in line with "the wishes of our customers”. Accordingly, its exterior and its aerodynamics are touted as "sharper", while its interior may get softer (and even more sustainable). However, and possibly most importantly, its infotainment system overhaul is rated to take the most cutting driver feedback into account.

Huawei is now distributing the first HarmonyOS 3 update to the Watch GT 3 and Watch GT 3 Pro in China. Available as HarmonyOS 3.0.0.73, the update brings various changes to the Watch GT 3 series.

Casio has launched the G-SQUAD GBD-H2000 smartwatch, now available for pre-order in Europe. The wearable is the first to feature the licensed Polar algorithm, using the company’s database to analyse your workouts and provide tools like sleep health tracking. Plus, you can recharge the watch’s battery using solar power.

The latest Windows Insider update brings support for integrating iPhones and iMessage directly into Windows via the Phone Link app. However, there are some major drawbacks, such as a lack of message history and multimedia support.

Samsung has made the 4G/LTE-only version of its Galaxy A14, a new affordable Android smartphone, official today in Malaysia. Its hardware compromises go even beyond its last-gen connectivity to keep its budget appeal flying; then again, it has launched with the upgraded design of its 5G counterpart.

Sony has released V2.0.0 to the WF-1000XM4, which brings a substantial improvement to the high-end earbuds. The update brings the long-awaited promise of Bluetooth Multipoint connectivity to the WF-1000XM4, which Sony first mentioned over four months ago.

Steam is now also available on Chromebooks. But the software is still in its beta stage. We installed Steam on an Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 to test out how well the program runs right now and found that some well-known games in our Steam library are playable on this Chromebook.

The Xiaomi Digital Car Key feature was revealed at MWC 2023. The tool, developed in partnership with Google and BMW, will allow you to control various BMW cars from a Xiaomi 13 Pro, Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 12 Pro or Xiaomi 12 smartphone. Features include locking, unlocking and starting your vehicle and the ability to share your key with friends.

Qualcomm asserts that drivers and passengers will be just as connected and entertained as they would be at home in a oneday car powered by its second-gen Snapdragon Auto 5G modem. It integrates a multi-core CPU as well as potentially enhanced bandwidth so that it can run apps independently for applications such as gaming or streaming. The new modem also boasts satellite connectivity and C-V2X for greater assurance in terms of positioning and safety.

Google has presented new features for Android 13 and Wear OS 3. With focus paid to the likes of the Pixel 7 series and the Pixel Watch, Google has also enabled its Fast Pair technology on Chromebooks, among other changes

Qualcomm has announced partnerships with some of the best-known OEMs in the Android smartphone world to bring Snapdragon Satellite connectivity to next-gen consumer-grade handsets. The new "two-way capable messaging solution" will be compatible with SoCs for multiple tiers of the smartphone market, and may be used for purposes besides emergency texts.

Lenovo's concept devices with working expandable displays have come to take part in the ongoing MWC event. One could form the basis of a next-gen ThinkBook or IdeaPad one day, whereas the other might ship as a mobile device from the OEM's brand Motorola. Our time with both devices gave us a good look at their cutting-edge screens in action.

OnePlus and Qualcomm have teamed up to make the former's new flagship smartphone the first Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-powered device compatible with Snapdragon Spaces, a developer's resource for augmented reality (AR) applications. The partners assert that it allows the 11 to fully unlock the potential of the latest Qualcomm Wireless AR Wireless Smart Viewers, and to stage "an AR concert" during MWC 2023.

Nokia touts the G22 as the first Android smartphone of its series to launch with QuickFix technology, in that it is designed to make teardowns and battery replacements easier for the user compared to its predecessor. Whether this new focus on sustainability helps distract from the similarity between the new device and its predecessor in other potentially crucial areas remains to be seen.

NIO has rolled a new feature to some of its electric vehicles that allows them to use certain smartphones as their keys. The feature is available on a certain number of devices from the brands OnePlus, OPPO and Vivo only, some high-end models such as the Find N2 foldable flagship included.

Google is bringing its Magic Eraser feature to all recent smartphones, including iPhones. Rolling out through the Google Photos app, the feature will only be available to Google One subscribers. Google Photos also gains a HDR effect for video recordings; print orders now come with free shipping in multiple markets too.

Garmin has released a new stable software update for Enduro, Fenix 6, Marq, Quatix 6 and Tactix Delta series smartwatches. Rolling out as System software 25.00, the update introduces several new features to the smartwatches, as well as various bug fixes and refinements.

Qualcomm AI Research reports that it has made an on-device version of a generative AI text-to-image converter that works on Android smartphones. This was done using the OEM's AI Engine and the Hexagon Processor that is part of the new flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, and resulted in the fastest example of AI image-generation on a mobile device yet.

Ulefone has announced that it has a new 10.1-inch FHD+ tablet for sale. The Tab A8 aims for a high-end appearance with support for 4G/LTE as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a slim metallic unibody and an unavoidably Xiaomi 13-esque camera hump - however, its internal specs knocks it down to a more affordable tier of the mobile device market. Then again, it has a headphone jack - just not normally where you'd expect to find one.

Xiaomi has started rolling out a major update to the Pad 5, one it’s most popular tablets. Not only has the tablet received MIUI 14, but it has also received Android 13. Android 13 and MIUI 14 bring several new features to the Xiaomi Pad 5, such as new widgets and 'Super Icons'.

Garmin has started distributing a new stable update to many of its current smartwatches. Available on Fenix 7, Instinct 2, Tactix 7, Epix 2 series smartwatches, the update introduces several new features, including improvements for skiers and snowboarders and a jet lag monitoring app, among other changes.

Volkswagen has hinted at the possibility of a new class of electric vehicle to be at least part-assembled alongside the existing ID.3 at the marque's major Wolfsburg plant in Europe. 22,000 of the facility's production crew will receive the training necessary to do in the course of a one-day session that incorporates in-house, escape room-based techniques.

Android 13 for the Nothing phone (1) has been "officially" released to all users of the OEM's inaugural device. The Carl Pei-led OEM asserts that it offers "our smoothest, most secure user experience" thus far, with updated apps, system tweaks and features. They include more customizations for the Glyph interface, potentially improved privacy controls and general system stability upgrades.

WhatsApp has been working on a feature in which a video chat can be put into picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, albeit as a beta only. However, it has now been made available to the stable channel of its iOS-compatible version. Meanwhile, its beta counterpart has also just added the ability to share photos in HD as well as SD.

Garmin has released another update for the Fenix 7, Enduro 2, Epix 2, Quatix 7 and Marq 2. Rolling out at Beta version 11.28, the update features several bug fixes to PulseOx, sensor hub and shutdown problems found in Beta version 11.25.

Samsung has just started rolling out One UI 5.1 to older flagships ranging from the Galaxy S20 to the Galaxy S22 series. While the OS update works well on the new Galaxy S23 series, there are mounting complaints of various issues experienced with One UI 5.1 on older flagships, such as reduced battery life and other bugs.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the newest devices to appear on the latest version of Geekbench for Android. The new v6.0.0 iteration of the benchmark adds some new metrics by which to assess single- and multi-core performance, while dropping others from the previous version. It seems the benchmark will still be just as valuable a source of potential leaks, however.