Software

Meizu is said to make a surprise return to the Android smartphone market in 2023 - and to shoot for the top of it again, too, with a new flagship powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor from Qualcomm. Now, a device that might conform to this description has appeared on Geekbench with what looks like new software and an appreciable amount of RAM.

Qualcomm has announced that the Snapdragon Pro Series, a leading e-sports competition for multiple mobile games, will be played exclusively on Samsung Galaxy-series devices in most of its regions worldwide. The new partnership will start with the upcoming Mobile Challenge Finals, a DreamHack Valencia event set about to take place in December 2022.

Vivaldi 5.6 arrived earlier today with the integration of Mastodon in the side panel, as well as its instance, namely Vivaldi Social. This update of Vivaldi Browser is only available on the desktop for now. You.com is a new default search engine choice alongside the ability to pin tab groups and other improvements.

Introduced by CD Projekt Red in 2018 on Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, Gwent: The Witcher Card Game was also released for iOS, macOS, and Android in the meantime. Sadly, it has just been confirmed that the game will only be supported until 2024, when its balancing will be passed on to the community.

Realme has announced that its official custom UI based on Android 13 will make its global debut alongside the upcoming 10 series for the international market. The brand has outlined some of its UX-, performance- and privacy-related upgrades ahead of its launch. They include new always-on display modes, in-game battery life improvements and automatic personal info-redacting functions.

Google has released another Feature Drop for Pixel devices. Arriving in time for the holidays, the December 2022 Feature Drop adds new features for the Pixel 4a through Pixel 7 Pro, as well as the Pixel Watch. New features include complimentary Google VPN access for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, among others.

Google has released its latest software specifically for TVs, which is in turn based on the latest version of Android for mobile devices. Most of its new updates could be described as developer-facing in nature; then again, some users may welcome the expanded physical keyboard layout customizations and updated privacy controls when it eventually hits their own sets.

The end of the year is a busy time for techies of all flavours, and it's no different for gamers, with many games launching in preparation for the holiday season. Here are three intriguing releases from November and early December that shouldn't be missed by anyone who enjoys some action.

Anker's home security brand eufy has built its name on assertions that footage recorded using its cameras is stored securely and only arrives on a user's device via “end-to-end military-grade encryption". However, The Verge now claims to be able to prove that some of these claims are technically false, citing some findings posted to Twitter by researchers.

Google has announced a major feature update for Pixel smartphones running Android 13. As of the December 2022 update, the likes of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro support a dedicated reader mode and can share digital car keys with other compatible smartphones, among other changes.

Google has released new features for Wear OS. Available first later this month on the Pixel Watch, the new features include functional changes, such as Google Assistant refinements and new tiles as Google continues to modernise Wear OS.

Apple has been thought to unveil Reality OS (or, possibly, realityOS) as the new "mixed reality" dimension for its software ecosystem in 2023. Now, according to a knowledgeable Bloomberg blogger, the Cupertino giant has decided to make a practically last-minute change to this branding. The volte-face apparently involves a whole new trademark for a very different naming scheme.

Infinix refers to its latest 5G smartphone as a "Power Upgrade" thanks to its new MediaTek SoC and "massive" storage specs. Now, the OEM has finally unveiled a guide price for the upcoming mid-ranger's single SKU. It may vary across regions, although customers can apparently expect to pay well under US$300 for the 50MP camera device.

Nothing has now indicated that it is making progress with Android 13 for the phone (1) by inviting its users to sign up for its latest beta. It upgrades the device to the latest software, although a tester may encounter fewer features and more bugs than usual. Nothing hopes to gain useful feedback that will help inform the final stable version of its new OS in exchange for this advance preview.

Apple has released iOS 16.1.2 for the iPhone 8 and later. While the update is available for multiple iPhone models, iOS 16.1.2 primarily addresses an issue that resulted in iPhone 14 series units erroneously thinking they had been involved in car crashes.

With a size of 690.2 MB, the latest GeForce Game Ready Driver package comes with optimizations for Marvel’s Midnight Suns and Need For Speed Unbound. The 527.37 update also comes with optimal settings for 15 more games, including The Chant, Sonic Frontiers, Victoria 3, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, and Gotham Knights.

The changelog for MIUI 14 has surfaced online ahead of the software’s official introduction alongside the Xiaomi 13 series. Offered up with numerous changes from MIUI 13, MIUI 14 will integrate Android 13’s new features, as well as a few Xiaomi flourishes.

With its wide range of customization options, the Android 13-based SparkOS ROM is probably the best choice for those still using the half-decade old Xiaomi Mi A1. While reliable and fast, this piece of code also comes with a smart (yet unorthodox) surprise for mobile photography fans.

Amazfit introduced the Falcon as its first-gen smartwatch with a titanium-enhanced build and 20ATM water resistance earlier in 2022. Now, it is expanding its availability to the Indian market. The 'precision GPS' wearable is slated to go to pre-order in its new market without delay.

Pete Lau holds leading roles at both OPPO and OnePlus, and has just uploaded a possible hint as to the build quality of the former's second-gen foldable flagship smartphone, the Find N2. If so, it may help explain rumors of a reduced total weight in the putative device. Meanwhile, it is also thought responsible for a new entry on the Geekbench database with high-end specs, albeit with slight potential caveats.

Moving forward, OnePlus will be providing four major OS upgrades and five years of security patches to select smartphones. This is identical to Samsung's software update policy and guarantees that 2023 flagships like the OnePlus 11 and Samsung Galaxy S23 series will be supported for about the same time.

Shenzhen Xunlong Software, the company behind Orange Pi, has introduced a desktop OS of the same name. Mistakable for Windows 11, Orange Pi OS can also be customised to resemble macOS but supports Android, Linux and Windows applications. Orange Pi OS is already available to try on the Orange Pi 800, the company’s answer to the Raspberry Pi 400.

Xiaomi continues to tease MIUI 14 on social media, having recently confirmed the OS update’s inclusion in the forthcoming Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro. Arriving on December 1, Xiaomi claims it enacted ‘Project Razor’ last year to improve MIUI in three major areas.

iQOO has already effectively confirmed that its new 11 and 11 Pro mobile flagships will launch soon. Now, the brand's latest teasers hint strongly at cutting-edge displays in both upcoming smartphones. Their "peerless screens" will combine some of the highest-end specs available to create a panel type that will apparently be exclusive to them on their launch.

The Galaxy A14 5G may look interesting in its alleged renders, yet may seem like a let-down when it reportedly leaked onto Geekbench with an Exynos processor. However, the same device has now apparently re-surfaced on the same benchmark, but with a different SoC, one from MediaTek this time. This variant may or may not be intended for sale in the United States.

The Xiaomi 13 Pro is now tipped to launch with a periscope zoom lens for one of its cameras, even though its predecessor missed out on the technology. However, OPPO is also now rumored to have restored the same to its Find X6 Pro. Of the 2 supposedly upcoming top-end Android smartphones, the latter is said to be superior in these terms.

Nothing has released Nothing OS 1.1.7 for the Phone (1). Not only does the new OS update contain bug fixes and improvements, but it also brings improved AirPods support for Nothing’s first smartphone.

Samsung has released new updates for the Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro, its latest pair of smartwatches. Rolling out as AVK7, the update contains a FIFA World Cup 2022-themed watch face with various customisation options, among other changes.

Abarth has gone full electric with the latest version of its classic 500e. Nevertheless, the Fiat-owned brand asserts that the new battery-powered 2-door car beats its nearest gas-powered counterpart in certain areas of performance and acceleration. The new 500e is also rated for fast charging, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features and a "Scorpionissima" theme to its design.

OPPO has introduced a new, albeit iterative, generation of its Reno series of sub-flagship mobile devices. Nevertheless, the 9 and 9 Pro are keeping track of some prominent smartphone trends, refined dual rear cameras and an Android 13-based UI included. The Pro also steps up to 16GB RAM SKUs for the first time.

With half a decade of security updates guaranteed, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 should receive four major Android upgrades. Released back in August 2021 with Android 11 and One UI 3.1.1, this handset received Android 12 with One UI 4 already. Now, the time has come for Android 13 and One UI 5.0 to hit it as well.

Honor has made the 80 SE, 80 and 80 Pro mid-range Android smartphones official today (November 23, 2022). Each has its own screen size and new and more or less 8-shaped rear camera hump, although only the 80 and 80 Pro benefit from a first-gen 160MP main shooter. They run a rebranded UI called MagicOS, although it is not based on Android 13.

Huawei has released HarmonyOS 2.1.0.368 for the Watch D, its first smartwatch that can measure blood pressure levels. Rolling out now, the new update adds a few quality-of-life improvements for the Huawei Watch D, including the option of replying to notifications from third-party messaging apps.

According to Samsung’s official update schedule, many devices will remain on Android 12 until early 2023. However, a company VP has now outlined plans to change things up and finish before the end of the year.

Vivo's new X90 and X90 Pro series of premium smartphones has been unveiled with a top-end 1-inch sensor for a main camera, albeit only in the Pro model. The vanilla model has the same new display, ultra-fast charging and new processor as its higher-end siblings, however. It starts for less than US$520 in China.

Huawei has started distributing a new update to the Watch FIT 2, one of the company’s many smartwatches. Rolling out as HarmonyOS 2.1.0.177, the update brings several new features to the Watch FIT 2, such as a Running Ability Index metric and the expansion of the device’s alarm functionality.

Google has brought a feature from Fitbit to the Pixel Watch. Available globally, Sleep Profiles is aimed at detecting changes in sleep patterns. The new feature is tied to a Fitbit Premium membership though, which costs US$9.99 per month or US$79.99 annually.

Bose has outlined plans to upgrade its QuietComfort Earbuds II. Already billed as offering the world's best ANC, the QuietComfort Earbuds II will soon be capable of aptX Lossless, one of two new Qualcomm sound platforms.

Fossil has included its latest Wear OS 3-capable smartwatches in its Black Friday 2022 event - albeit not for very long. The OEM claims that its deals on the Snapdragon Wear 4100 Plus-powered wearables are only around for the next 3 days. Many Gen 6 variants, its hybrid model included, are available at these new lower prices until then.

According to a Xiaomi executive responsible for the company's smartphone software, MIUI 14 will launch as a considerably more streamlined and less bloated OS than its predecessor. Not only has the executive teased that MIUI 14 will run more smoothly than MIUI 13, but they have also finally revealed MIUI 14's logo too.

Oukitel has announced that the WP21 rugged smartphone will have 2 displays on its launch. Its extra rear-facing screen is a centerpiece for its camera hump, which also houses a 64MP main sensor. The WP21 is powered by one of MediaTek's latest 4G/LTE-only processors and will launch just before Black Friday 2022.

The Galaxy A14 5G is thought to become one of Samsung's more affordable new smartphones of 2023. According to a new leak, it may have an M-series counterpart with the same new Exynos processor. Should that be the case, either device might launch with Android 13 and Bluetooth 5.3.

VAVA's flagship Chroma laser projector had a substantial discount during its "Sneaky Black Friday" event earlier in November 2022. Now, however, this deal may seem less sweet in light of the brand's freshly-unveiled main event for the holiday sales season. It includes further reductions for the Chroma as well as its newer 4K sibling the Luma.

Released in September 2017, the Xiaomi Mi A1 is now half a decade old and one of the few Android 7 handsets that can run Android 13. Official software support for it stopped at Android One, but this Qualcomm Snapdragon 625-powered smartphone is kept alive by the efforts of the custom ROM community.

VIOFO asserts that its latest A139 Pro records "real" 4K HDR video, unlike many dash-cams marketed with that spec. It is also equipped with Night Vision 2.0 powered by up-to-date tech from Sony and "upgraded" Wi-Fi, as well as the front, rear and in-cabin view support that ride-sharing customers and drivers in particular may find welcome.

Mobvoi's latest smart treadmill is its first with an incline function. It is rated to reproduce a gradual slope for "more challenging" walking- or running-based work-outs at home. The new piece of gym tech also has a full-color screen that can sync with a user's smartwatch to show metrics such as heart rate. The Home Treadmill incline has a fold-away design and is available to order from now.

Apple is tipped to raise its challenge to Meta's bid for AR/VR dominance from early 2023 with the launch of its first ever headset. Now, the inaugural potential Quest-series competitor is said to go into production around that time at the facilities of an established manufacturing partner. Meanwhile, for those who can help make the software for the alleged new hardware, the Cupertino giant may be hiring.

After updating the flagships it released in 2020, 2021, and 2022, Samsung is now bringing the Android 13-based One UI 5.0 update to its mid-range and budget devices. The last one to get the update, which includes the November 2022 security patch, is the Samsung Galaxy A52. Sadly, the update seems limited to Russia for now.

Realme has unveiled new TWS earbuds as well as Pro versions for the 10 series of Android smartphones today. The Buds Air 3S have wireless audio tech that is profoundly conventional by now - then again, it is packaged in an updated, potentially more ergonomic design with some degree of noise cancellation and Bluetooth 5.3 - all for the equivalent of ~US$28.