Software

Google's Pixel 7 Pro and Honor's Magic4 Ultimate have just lost their joint position as #1 in terms of DxOMark's rear camera scores to the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. The first-gen XMAGE flagship smartphone has been unveiled as the testing group's new champion in this respect, grabbing acclaim for its auto-focus, dynamic range and ability to capture high detail with its triple rear shooters.

The Fan Edition or FE variant of the Samsung Galaxy S21 series has remained on One UI 4 based on Android 12 since its launch. Now, however, "test builds" of a major upgrade for the flagship-alternative smartphone have allegedly been detected online. They are slated to elevate the latest FE to the newest software experience its OEM can offer.

Ulefone's latest rugged smartphone boasts the "latest" Lepton 3.5 thermal imaging tech from FLIR in one of its rear-facing shooters. It is joined by a 108MP sensor as a 'normal' main camera, and also steps up to an FHD+ 120Hz display kept on with a 9,600mAh battery that even has fast charging in this generation. The rugged device has a 5G MediaTek Dimensity chipset - then again, it still runs Android 12.

Redmi's alleged plans to launch a 2023 version of the pre-existing Note 11 Pro seemed confusing enough even before the new 12 series became official. Nevertheless, the Xiaomi brand is still said to go right ahead with the use of this product name, especially as a device with an allegedly corresponding model number has just shown up on Geekbench, increasingly obsolescent specs and all.

Apple is now allowing people to try the next major updates across its iPhone, iPad and Mac product stacks. Available as the first beta versions of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2 and macOS Ventura 13.1, all versions contain several changes, such as Apple's new Freeform app.

Sony has announced a new over-the-air (OTA) software upgrade for its Xperia PRO-I smartphone. It adds an option to live-stream directly from the Videography Pro app for the device's camera UI, which might make its use on social media apps easier and more effective. The update also gives the Android flagship a quicker way to re-map a first-party grip/tripod accessory's custom button.

The G60 is one of Nokia's first Android smartphones to upgrade to a 120Hz display in 2022. Now, its appearance on the HMD Global brand's official Indian website hints that it will bring that spec with it to its new market. The device may be available in 2 colorways on its new launch, and already promises "longevity" in terms of software support.

The fifth-generation Sony alpha 7R (the alpha 7R V, or a7R V) has finally been unveiled as a new interchangeable-lens mirrorless unit with an updated build and the highest-res Exmor R image sensor available to it. However, the OEM also touts it as the first ever alpha-series camera with an "AI processing unit" rated to boost the camera's ability to identify and, thus, accurately track human and animal subjects in moving shots.

Samsung has issued a fresh update for Expert RAW, its optional camera app for many of its recent flagship smartphones. Available once a device has been upgraded to Android 13 and One UI 5, the update promises to open new options for those fans of taking night shots.

OnePlus has now released a timeline for its OxygenOS 13 beta roll-out. The schedule "approximately" outlines which devices will become eligible for the official preview builds of the brand's Android 13-based software, and when. It shows that the 10T is the next flagship-series variant in this queue, along with the Nord 2T, and has a potentially welcome Easter egg for Nord N20 SE owners.

Redmi has introduced its 2022 budget tablet in its native market of China today (October 27, 2022) alongside the new Note 12 series of smartphones. The metal unibody slate has a 10.6-inch 2K 90Hz display, quad speakers and up-to-date MIUI Pad 13 software, yet will be released for less than US$160 as a special offer for the upcoming 11.11 sales event.

Nothing has issued Nothing OS 1.1.6 for the Phone (1). Available now as an over-the-air (OTA) download, Nothing OS 1.1.6 contains a surprising number of changes and improvements, considering its download size.

Microsoft has made good on its promise to release Android 12L for the Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2. Available as a 3.2 GB download, the update brings many new features and changes for both devices, including Microsoft's Fluent design language.

Sony has announced a substantial update for some of its recent earbuds. The update, which will reach the LinkBuds S first, will enable Bluetooth Multipoint for connecting to two devices simultaneously. According to Sony, the LinkBuds and WF-1000XM4 are also in line for the feature update.

Carl Pei's tech company Nothing has just introduced the ear (stick) as the second in its line of audio accessories. The product's individual earbuds look a lot like those of the inaugural ear (1); however, the OEM asserts that they come with upgraded drivers, an improved Clear Voice algorithm for calls and a reduced weight. On that note, the ear (stick) gets its name from the radical shift in charging case, also rated to extend the buds' total battery life, compared to its predecessor.

Samsung has announced that Maintenance Mode will start to become a part of One UI worldwide from the current v5 iteration. It allows a user to secure the personal or sensitive data found on a smartphone they need to send off for repair, and recover it only when it is back in their hands. Then again, it will be available on certain Galaxy S21- and S22-series units thus far.

Vivo has announced Funtouch 13 as the latest UI for its smartphones. It is intended for those devices sold in markets such as India and Europe, and is based on up-to-date Android 13. Its rollout starts with a series of public betas, mainly available to flagships such as the X80 and X70 Pro Plus, although some mid-rangers such as those from the V and T series are in line alongside them for the upcoming November 2022 phase of this program.

The luxury-focused smartphone brand Vertu has adopted Web3 with the new Metavertu handset. It sports a number of 'normal' flagship-grade features such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1-powered device and a large FHD+ AMOLED display, yet purports to augment them with features such as a "secure chip" for the user's blockchain activities, not to mention a choice of premium finishes that include an alligator leather rear panel that pushes the Metavertu's USD asking price into five figures.

By February 2023, Samsung hopes to have distributed One UI 5 to at least 49 smartphones and tablets across its product range. Based on Android 13, One UI 5 will reach the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus and Galaxy S22 Ultra this month before heading to other current and previous flagships next month, including the Galaxy Tab S8 series.

Motorola has now made the Razr 22 official as a product on some European versions of its website. The new clamshell smartphone is touted as a design icon redefined thanks to the enlarged 2.7-inch cover screen to go with its up-to-144Hz main 6.7-inch OLED display, both driven by an up-to-date Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC. Then again, its global variant has arrived in just 1 RAM/storage SKU that barely competes with its Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 rival in terms of zero-day cost.

Google has introduced Android 13 (Go Edition), a new version of its latest OS intended for budget smartphones. Adapted for its 'Material You' design language, Android 13 (Go Edition) contains several changes and improved customisation options, mirroring the regular Android 13.

Vivo's press conference for the next generation of flagship-grade, Zeiss-branded, mobile camera solutions of today (October 24, 2022) has met with an initial leak suggesting how they will look in devices such as the rumored X90 premium Android smartphone series. They are touted to come with upgraded low-light and portrait performance, as well as a new dedicated image signal processor (ISP).

Vivo's announcement that its "imaging strategy conference" for 2022 is imminent has led to speculation that the OEM will showcase new specs or features that could manifest in the successors to its "camera-centric" X80 smartphones. The upcoming Android devices are, for example, projected to feature a new in-house chipset that could control a 1-inch sensor in an X90-series flagship.

Released to universal critical acclaim for multiple platforms back in 2016, Persona 5 got the Royal version in 2019, and now this version is finally making its way to the Nintendo Switch system. This title includes more than 40 items of previously released downloadable content and carries a price tag that reads US$59.99.

Samsung Italy has confirmed that Galaxy S22, Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4 will get the Android 13-based One UI 5.0 update on October 24. It is 2.8 GB in size and includes the October 2022 Android security patch.

Samsung has introduced the ISOCELL HPX as the latest in its steadily-growing portfolio of mobile image sensors with the current class-leading resolution of 200 megapixels (MP). It boasts the smallest pixel the OEM makes for CMOS of this caliber for recording at up to 8K/30fps, touted to deliver cinematic levels of image quality and color accuracy. It is also rated to use the Deep Trench Isolation (DTI) technique for potentially improved light sensitivity.

Although the users in some markets are not facing the new figures yet, it looks like some YouTube Premium Family subscribers are receiving notifications of drastic price changes. While Romanian subscribers still can grab a Family plan for roughly US$8, the cost went up to US$22.99 in other markets.

With a short support period that ends in July 2023, Ubuntu 22.10 "Kinetic Kudu" comes with the new 5.19 Linux kernel, various updated applications and subsystems, and much more. In addition to the regular release, these community editions have been updated to 22.10: Kubuntu, Budgie, MATE, Unity, and Xubuntu.

Apple has finally revealed when iOS 16.1 will arrive. Debuting alongside iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura, the OS update brings plenty of new features to recent iPhones, including Live Activities and Matter support.

Microsoft has released another update for Windows 11, not long after the company started distributing the 22H2 update. Not only has Microsoft bundled several long-awaited changes, but it has also opened Android app support to more countries and regions.

Soundcore touts its latest VR P10 Gaming Earbuds as the first audio products of their kind to be officially approved for use with the Meta Quest 2 virtual reality (VR) headset. They come with a USB type-C dongle for potentially reduced latency over a 2.4 GHz wireless connection, and are rated for up to 24 hours of use between charges.

The global smart TV market is estimated to attain just over US$451 billion in value by 2030 in a new market analysis report. 4K/UHD and screen sizes of 65 inches at the least are projected to be the biggest winners in terms of growth over the next eight years. The North American region is thought to contribute a good proportion of this growth until 2027.

1MORE has introduced its latest wireless earphones as its first ever audio accessories with spatial audio. The OEM claims that this upgrade confers a "3D", "cinematic" and "immersive" experience on the Aeros. The TWS buds also support its brand's active noise cancelling (ANC) features with a new, algorithmically-enhanced 6-mic system for potentially clearer voice calls.

Garmin has released a new Alpha version software update for the Instinct 2 and Instinct 2S. Available as V10.05, the update enables several new features for both smartwatches while also delivering several bug fixes and improvements.

Apple may have announced new hardware today, but it has also announced public release dates for iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura. Available across multiple product lines, both OS updates ship with Stage Manager and a dedicated Weather app, among other changes.

Scheduled to launch next week, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II has just received an in-depth list of PC requirements for a minimum, recommended, competitive, and ultra 4K level of gaming experience. Early access to the campaign will begin tomorrow, and today at 10 AM PT, the game will be available for pre-load.

Already released for consoles and PC, the Crysis Remastered Trilogy has only been available for the latter as an Epic Games Store exclusive. Now, the trilogy is ready to land on Steam, where it will become available on November 17 with a generous first-week discount of 40 percent (55 percent for those who already own Crysis Remastered).

YouTube has been running an "experiment" in which the ability to play content back at 2160p, or 4K, on its website would be locked behind its Premium paywall. However, it may have ultimately failed, as it has now officially been cancelled, leaving the setting open to all members once again.

The virtual reality (VR) industry seems to have developed a distinct predilection for OLED as a display material going forward. However, according to an industry blog, Samsung now concludes that augmented reality (AR) has different requirements, and that microLED is a better fit for them. Therefore, the OEM is allegedly working on a new type of panel for the AR-optimized headsets of the future.

With its 4K/UHD resolution and form-factor, LG's new Smart Monitor 32SQ780S has clearly launched as a challenger to the Samsung M80B. The new external display combines features such as streaming app support, webOS-based UI and a "Magic" Remote with an orientation-switching ErgoStand and a USB type-C port with 65W charging. It has appeared on Amazon.com with one colorway and a competitive price.

Fossil has released Wear OS 3 for its Gen 6 smartwatches. The first OEM to start rolling out Wear OS 3 to existing smartwatches, Fossil has also highlighted numerous issues that currently exist on stock Wear OS 3, ranging from there being no Google Assistant to Google Fit being incompatible, among other problems.

Xiaomiui has discovered multiple MIUI 14 internal testing builds, all based on Android 13. Not only is Xiaomi already developing MIUI 14 in China but also for global audiences on the Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro.

Although there is no official announcement yet, the latest reports claim that macOS Ventura will arrive in the final week of this month. Announced back in early June, macOS 13 Ventura is expected to bring support for the unreleased M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pro models, both rumored to arrive soon.

Apple has announced that its Card's app now supports a new Savings account. This new service has been designed to store money accrued through its Daily Cash spending incentive. The new account type, which will apparently be maintained by Goldman Sachs, has been promised "high-yield" growth, although the Cupertino giant has yet to specify the rate of interest involved.

OnePlus has announced that its 2021 flagship-alternative smartphone can now upgrade to OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13 - well, technically, anyway. This initial update is a public Open Beta, which might entail the risk of more bugs and the need to move into a whole different 'channel' for OTA updates. Then again, the device's Indian owners can enjoy the very latest UI for their 9RT in this way.

Google has started rolling out a new update for the Pixel Buds Pro. While the update introduces various bug fixes for the premium earbuds, it also brings a 5-band equaliser for greater audio customisation options.

Samsung appears to be days away from releasing the first One UI 5 public builds, with the company confirming their arrival for later this month. In the meantime, the company has highlighted many of the major changes that it has integrated within its latest OS update, equivalents of which can already be experienced in rival experiences like iOS 16.

Microsoft has showcased its Android 12L update for the Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2. Still only earmarked for a release 'later this year', the update takes a different approach to Android 12L than Samsung has with the one pre-installed on the Galaxy Z Fold4.

With 27 days left in the campaign, 77 backers, and US$13,872 pledged out of the US$19,574 goal, the UDU CONSOLE can be already considered beyond the "Kickstarter project looking for funding" stage. However, it might take a while for it to hit the market. If everything works as planned, shipments should start in April 2023.

Introduced in June 2022, Samsung's digital wallet platform is already very popular in major markets such as China, France, Germany, Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. By the end of the year, Samsung Wallet will reach 13 new markets, including Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.