Software

WhatsApp Companion mode, mentioned by rumors back in April, is a feature that allows users to link their accounts to a secondary phone or tablet. Now, some Android users got it with the latest beta of the application. However, it only works to connect a smartphone account to a tablet for now.

The household wearables brand Fitbit has updated its support pages with new information that might point to greater integration with its new owner. The company now advises customers that some functions and uses of its devices will start to require that they are linked to a Google account. However, it assures users that this will result in no loss of privacy or control over how their data is used.

Samsung touts its Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro and XCover6 Pro as the most reliable and versatile rugged tablet and smartphone respectively it has made to date. Now, the OEM has announced official availability for the two new Android devices in the US, in terms of commercial channels and vendors. One can be ordered from now, whereas the other cannot.

OnePlus has now officially announced that the Nord Watch will launch imminently in September 2022. The OEM's second non-band wearable's Apple Watch-like design with a single physical button is currently being hyped via its new Indian-market website. These teasers hint at just 1 color option; however, according to its latest leak, there is another.

Motorola might be about to unleash the Razr 2022 on the international market. A famous leaker claims to have dug up renders for the new foldable Android device, some of which show an English-language UI for the first time. Therefore, the premium pOLED smartphone may indeed be ready for new markets soon.

OnePlus has announced a new Open Beta for its 2021 9-series smartphones. It offers users early access to its OxygenOS 13 skin for Android, which will upgrade the former flagships to the latest software available to them with the newest custom features from its OEM. Then again, it is not yet available for all regions in which the devices are sold, and may come with unexpected bugs due to its non-stable status.

OnePlus has announced that its early-2022 flagship smartphone, the 10 Pro, can now be updated to the latest software from the OEM. OxygenOS 13 (or OOS) is based on the corresponding, equally new, version of Android, and as such packs a new UI design, always-on displays and performance-focused features. However, it is only available to certain users in this initial phase of its roll-out.

Huawei has started rolling out Harmony OS 2.1.0.415 for the Watch GT 3 Pro. Available globally, the update follows the company's announcement that ECG functionality is now available on the smartwatch in multiple markets. With a few optimisations, Harmony OS 2.1.0.415 is approximately a 95 MB download via the Huawei Health app.

RTX Remix has been unveiled as a new modding platform that has just been added to NVIDIA's suite of resource for developers, and can make games fully compatible with the new RTX 4080 and 4090 cards - even Portal. Valve's classic title will celebrate its upcoming anniversary through release in a new downloadable "RTX On" form in sync with the new GPUs.

Contrary to reports, Xiaomi has not confirmed that the Redmi K60 series will receive a Dynamic Island-style notification system. While Xiaomi claims to have considered the matter, it will not be moving ahead with copying Apple's novel use of the space occupied by the sizeable pill punch-hole on the iPhone 14 Pro series.

WiZ has announced that it will release a new version of its app, WiZ app V2, later this month. Included in the upgrade is SpaceSense, a tool that enables you to set your smart lights to be triggered by motion without additional sensors; movement is detected by Wi-Fi signal sensing technology.

Garmin has released a new update, version 7.07, for owners of its Forerunner 945 LTE smartwatch participating in the beta program. The software includes a range of new features, such as Training Readiness, Race Widget, Morning Report and Fitness Age. Plus, the update includes general bug fixes.

With MIUI 13.5 still stuck in the future, Xiaomi is now updating the Mi 10T Pro (and non-Pro, as usual) handsets with the latest security patch from Google. The size of the update is 301 MB, and there is nothing special to mention about the MIUI 13.0.9 Global Stable package apart from the increased security it promises.

Nothing has started rolling out Nothing OS 1.1.4, an update that brings numerous improvements to the Phone (1). Not only does the update contain new features, but it also bundles camera improvements, system optimisations and bug fixes. Available to download now, Nothing OS 1.1.4 is over a 100 MB download.

Garmin has announced Alpha version 9.35 for Epix 2, Fenix 7 and Quatix 7 series smartwatches. Available to download now, the new Beta Program update seeks to fix several issues across the three smartwatch series, including one that cause the Golf activity not automatically to advance to the next hole.

Garmin has rolled out Public Beta 10.22 for the Venu 2 series, following just a few days after Public Beta 10.21 arrived. Seemingly the Venu 2 series' next stable build too, Public Beta 10.22 contains a few bug fixes aimed but no new features.

Garmin has started rolling out new beta updates for the Instinct 2 and the Instinct 2s. While Beta version 9.25 has only just arrived, Garmin sought to release Beta version 9.27 a few days later. Both lack any new features, but they should address bugs on the Instinct 2 series.

Google is projected to launch the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro in October 2022. Now, rumors of a new external Chromecast that might be unveiled alongside it have sparked up again, following its reported addition to regulator databases. It is said to aim for the budget tier of the smart home market as it will lack 4K, yet run Google TV out of the box.

It's September 17, 2022, which means that the mobile consumer tech company OPPO has been around for 18 years to the day today. Carl Pei's former employer has marked this occasion with a debut for its new international Community website, which is also to act as a hub for initiatives such as its global Product Ambassadors Program.

After almost three decades since it arrived on the market, the Tekken franchise is taking a major leap forward. The recently unveiled Tekken 8 game is being developed from scratch using the Unreal Engine 5 graphics engine, and promises to bring the visual area of this iconic series to a whole new level.

Samsung has released Android 12L to the Galaxy Z Fold2. Rolling out as One UI 4.1.1, the update arrives as F916BXXU2HVHA. Not only does One UI 4.1.1 contain a taskbar, but it also features a revised notification shade and a two-column layout in apps that are Android 12L-optimised.

Honor has just unleashed a competitor into the budget 5G Android smartphone market with the X40; now, OPPO has sent the latest addition to its 2022 K10 series to challenge it. The two devices start at the same price with similar battery capacities and display refresh rates; however, one's advantages might outweigh those of the other for some consumers.

Samsung has started rolling out another update to the Galaxy Watch5 series, the second since their introduction last month. Released for all versions of the Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro, the update improves GPS stability, among other changes.

Apple has issued two software updates that build on the new iOS 16.0. While the company has released iOS 16.0.1 publicly for the iPhone 14 series, it has also seeded iOS 16.1 beta 1 to developers. With iOS 16.0.1 aimed at squashing bugs, iOS 16.1 contains a few features that did not ship with iOS 16.0.

Released earlier today, the major update that brings War Thunder to version 2.19 includes Chinese helicopters, improved visual effects, scout and strike UAVs, as well as quite a few other pieces of military hardware. The "Drone Age" update also sports new locations and multiple minor tweaks and fixes.

MIUI theme developers have created Dynamic Island-style themes for Xiaomi phones. The themes, which are currently available only for Xiaomi Chinese ROMs, show notifications and music activity around the notch area similar to Apple's implementation in the iPhone 14 Pro series.

Apple has released watchOS 9, a substantial update for the Apple Watch Series 4 onwards. Rolling out now, watchOS 9 overhauls almost all aspects of Apple's smartwatch operating system, including adding a power-saving mode for improved battery life, among other changes.

Apple has started rolling out iOS 16 to all of its smartphones from the iPhone 8 and iPhone X onwards. Arguably the biggest update for iPhones this year, iOS 16 arrives alongside iOS 15.7, a security update for iPhones that are ineligible for an iOS 16 upgrade.

Ubisoft has dedicated part of its September 2022 Forward press conference to the revelation that Assassin's Creed is getting the Netflix treatment. In fact, this is happening twice over, as it will be one of the studio's titles to get a new version compatible with the streaming service's Games division as well as an almost obligatory TV re-make.

SoC.one and Imagination Technologies assert that RISC-V, the emerging alternative to ARM, is ideal for inclusion in the automotive industry and its spiraling need for advanced computing and networking. The two companies have agreed to collaborate on solutions to make RISC-V hardware compatible with the potential software demands of next-gen vehicles, their use of extended-reality, IoT and safety solutions included.

Google has started rolling out a host of new features to many Pixel smartphones, courtesy of a new Feature Drop. From featuring revised Nearby Share functionality to an updated Gboard keyboard app, the September Feature Drop is aimed at making it easier to 'get more done' while also having fun in the process.

The X-H2 is a new mirrorless APS-C camera that upgrades to the latest Fujifilm sensor and processor available to it, giving it the highest resolution and possibly the greatest performance of its line to date. It also packs the OEM's latest sensor-shift technology and in-body image stabilization (IBIS) for "robust" 8K/30fps recording with the option of internal Pro-Res - although it does also boast a full-sized HDMI port.

Huawei has finally started enabling ECG functionality on the Watch GT 3 Pro in Europe and in other markets, a smartwatch that it released in May. The Huawei ECG App has also arrived for the Huawei Watch D in Europe, as has the device's much-anticipated on-wrist blood pressure monitoring.

Bose has broken its lengthy silence on the subject of new TWS accessories with the reveal of the second-gen QuietComfort Buds. They are rated for class-leading ANC with an Aware Mode, delivered via 4 mics in an earphone design refreshed to support prolonged wear in comfort. However, their high-end new specs come with a high-end new price.

Nintendo has announced that the latest Special Edition Switch OLED is dedicated to the latest installments of Pokémon. The console is identical to a standard SKU in terms of specs, but will ship with a dock exclusively decorated with Legendary-tier artwork, as well as appropriately Scarlet and Violet new JoyCons. This bundle and its price are official from now, although its release has been delayed.

Razer has announced the release of an iPhone-compatible version of its second-gen Kishi mobile gaming accessory. The controller-like grip features new programmable buttons and support for PC/console game-streaming. The Kishi V2 has also launched alongside a new companion Nexus app with shortcuts to ~1,000 titles.

Included with HP computers, but also available as a standalone release for non-HP PCs that use the brand's peripherals such as scanners or printers, HP Support Assistant is vulnerable to DLL hijacking. HP's security advisory on this topic also includes a fix for the problem, which is considered a high-level security threat.

While the Apple Watch Series 8 comes with an Always-On Retina display, temperature sensing, and innovative features such as fall detection, emergency SOS, and crash detection. The Watch SE is 20 percent faster than the first generation and its list of features includes sleep tracking, new ways to train with the enhanced Workout app, and more.

Apple has just unleashed the first ever Ultra version of its Apple Watch. It comes with the largest case known to its line to date, packed with what the Cupertino giant backs as features to boost endurance and performance in the new wearable. The Ultra comes in just one 49mm GPS and cellular-enabled SKU, and costs as much as some brand-new iPhones.

Only available in Australia for the time being, the PlayStation 5 1200 model features a full internal redesign. In addition to the different internal layout, the new game console is also lighter and draws less power than its predecessors, namely the PlayStation 5 models 1000 and 1100.

Google Pixel phones are known to be buggier than the average smartphone. Unfortunately, the release of Android 13 on Pixel phones also contributed to this problem. Google is now pushing out a software update for Pixel devices running the latest version of Android that promises to address a handful of issues including abnormal battery drain.

While the Galaxy S21 series and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G are now both receiving this month's security patch on Android 12, the previous generation flagships should receive Android 13 before the end of the year. For the Galaxy S20 FE 5G, this is scheduled to take place in March 2023.

The Mate 50 E has the same Harmony OS 3 UI and basic design of the rest of its new premium smartphone series. It also has the same main rear camera and display as the vanilla 50, although the E variant has a premium mid-range Qualcomm SoC rather than a flagship-grade processor.

The kind of communication possibilities normally exclusive to dedicated satellite phones are thought to become the next big thing for the consumer-grade smartphones of the future. Apple just might get there first as of tomorrow (September 7, 2022); however, a Google executive indicates that Android will not be far behind, with satellite use just a major software upgrade away.

The latest MateBook E variant from Huawei is a Go today (September 6, 2022). The convertible has a 12.35-inch display with 120Hz SKUs and a 2.5K display compatible with the OEM's latest stylus. It runs Windows 11 using the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processor and, as such, starts much cheaper than its flagship sibling in China.

Samsung has started rolling out One UI Watch 4.5 to the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic, its flagship smartwatches, until the Galaxy Watch5 series arrived last month. Not only has Samsung upgraded the Galaxy Watch4 series to One UI Watch 4.5, it has also brought the pair onto the August 2022 set of security patches.

A new update for the Huawei Watch GT 3 and Watch GT Runner has arrived in China promising several new features. Included in the changelog is smart door support, as well as improved emoji integration. The new update is rolling out to both smartwatches as HarmonyOS 2.1.0.399.

Bose has partnered with Qualcomm to secure the new S5 Audio series of chipsets for its next-gen product portfolio. The SoCs will power future soundbars and speakers from the well-known brand as well as its headphones and earbuds. Therefore, they might be capable of the latest in wireless connectivity as well as "high-performance" sound at reduced levels of power consumption.

Google has updated the Android Beta Program following the release of the Android 13, an update that has only landed on Pixel smartphones so far. Also affecting future Android 13 updates, the list now omits the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, which are both yet to reach their third birthdays.

Samsung has now made the Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro official as the latest addition to its "extreme" (and extremely business-like) line of slates. It has launched with an upgrade to sub-6GHz 5G connectivity and Wi-Fi 6E, and even supports "private 4G/LTE" bands on top of that. Its 10-inch display runs off a battery that is user-replaceable and supports fast-charging via a POGO-pin interface.