Software

Lenovo touts its latest Chromebox for Enterprise as the mini-workstation for nearly every conceivable 2022 use-case with up-to-date specs, support for business-grade cloud management and streamlined, even remote, installation options crammed into a chassis of just about 1 liter (l) in volume. It also features security and support features from both Google and Lenovo.

The ThinkVision S25e-30 is Lenovo's latest 24.5-inch FHD monitor. It has a starting price in line with its HDMI 1.4 spec; nevertheless, it has launched with the same new, red-accented design of its higher-end siblings that integrates its own joystick for easier physical control. It also benefits from potentially realistic color reproduction and a faster-than-average refresh rate.

Advertised as the biggest update of the year so far, World of Tanks 1.18 is now available with a branch of Italian tank destroyers that feature a non-standard autoloader, a new map for random battles called Outpost, a few rebalanced vehicles, matchmaking changes for light vehicles and SPGs, and more.

RISC-V adoption is about to receive a significant boost from Intel and its partners via the Pathfinder initiative. Hobbyists can download a Starter Edition dev kit for free right now and start developing RISC-V applications for Linux and other operating systems. There is also a Professional Edition kit with support for an entire host of RISC-V-based chips.

OnePlus has been rumored to add a Watch to its mid-range Nord series of devices, although its alleged product name has never been confirmed - until now. It is part of the OEM's new Bluetooth SIG registration for a device confirmed as a wearable, and, thus, now much more likely to debut soon.

Samsung's registration of a new device with the FCC has led to speculation that the tablet in question is the next in the rugged Galaxy Tab Active line. It is slated to launch with choices of Wi-Fi 6E-only or 5G connectivity. It has also been certified to use NFC and Bluetooth 5.2, and might charge at 25W.

Samsung has unveiled a new UI based on Android 12L for the Galaxy Tab S8, S8 Ultra and S8 Plus. Therefore, the flagship tablets will have access to many of the same new features found on the new Galaxy Z Fold4 premium foldable device, its Taskbar included. The new firmware also contains an up-to-date security patch.

Apple is said to have plans to dive into the mixed-reality (MR; which might involve augmented or virtual reality (AR/VR) use-cases) arena with its first-gen headset in the near future. Now, Bloomberg contributors claim to have found out how the Cupertino giant intends to brand this new product line on its launch. The new leak hints at additional, health-related applications for the possibly upcoming Apple hardware.

The Asus Zenfone 9 is the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1-powered smartphone to get an Android 13 beta program. It invites users to upgrade to the device's latest software in advance of its official release. Then again, there are some caveats, including the increased possibility of bugs and general instability; in addition, a user need to apply to get access to a download.

The Space Q45 headphones and Space A45 wireless earbuds have launched simultaneously from Soundcore as the Anker brand's latest audio accessories with "ultra long" play-times between charges. They also share adaptive active noise-cancellation (AANC) specs rated to block up to 98% of all environmental sounds.

SAIC is a Chinese state-owned manufacturer responsible for the vehicles sold under a plethora of brands in the country, Volkswagen, Audi, MG and Chevrolet included. The auto giant has announced that it plans to develop a universal connected-car experience that may allow any of its cars to pair to any user smartphone - as well as any smart device around, it for that matter. OPPO has been tapped as the software partner with the expertise to deliver on this futuristic dream.

The latest device to launch as the iQOO Z6 is now official in its home market of China. It is also the world's latest smartphone with up-to-date 80W charging technology, yet starts at much less than US$250. It has debuted alongside the Z6x, a smartphone that costs even less, yet packs its brand's first 6,000mAh battery and a 144Hz display.

Asus has already unleashed routers with heavy ROG branding and the gaming-friendly features one might expect as a result; now, the OEM has gone one further with a new mesh system. The GT6's modules packs a new antenna array, tri-band Wi-Fi 6 support and the potential for blazing-fast speeds into a distinctly Rapture-series design.

You can now download Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro watch faces on the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic. Rolling out in a new Galaxy Wearable app update, the watch faces range from the sparse 'Digital Neon' to the colourful 'Flower garden'.

Samsung has rolled out new firmware updates for three of its older smartwatches. All based on Tizen, the trio have not received any new features, let alone the option of moving onto One UI Watch. Instead, Samsung has updated the Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Watch and Gear S3 to resolve a GPS issue that could cause location stability issues.

Honor and Genshin Impact have come to Gamescom 2022 to announce that the Magic4 Pro is the worldwide smash hit game's exclusive smartphone sponsor. The two brands assert that the flagship device's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 power and GPU Turbo X technology is perfect to explore the game's latest region, as found in its freshly-unveiled Version 3.0 update.

Apple has confirmed that the next major iPadOS upgrade will indeed fail to arrive at the same time as that of iOS. The Cupertino giant has indicated that this is because it intends to skip v16.0 and progress directly to 16.1 instead for the stable update for the general public. Then again, the latest official statement on the matter might dash hopes for a truly macOS-like interface in an Apple tablet.

Ready to download via the Google Play Store and Samsung Galaxy Store, Samsung Internet 19.0 Beta uses AI to detect and stop trackers, as well as to take care of phishing attempts. This version also comes with various minor tweaks and fixes, and is expected to launch officially at the end of the year.

Huawei has finally set a date for the debut of its Mate 50-series smartphones. Word of another new MatePad Pro that might do so alongside the premium handsets has arisen. The slate is said to have a high-end display and to run a version of HarmonyOS that may make it more 'PC-like' than ever before.

Garmin has started distributing the final version of a comprehensive update for Epix 2, Fenix 7, Forerunner 945 and Instinct 2 series smartwatches. Dubbed the August 2022 update, the software will add many features to eligible smartwatches and cycling computers, including SatIQ and heart rate variability (HRV) status.

Nothing brought the Phone (1) to market in July, a month before Google released the first stable Android 13 build. Subsequently, Nothing has confirmed that its mid-range smartphone will not receive Android 13 for a while yet, and must make do with Android 12 for the rest of 2022 instead.

Three years after it made its debut, the Xiaomi Mi A3 appears to have finally reached the end of its support lifespan. The Android One device is now receiving the August security update, which will likely be its last and marks a close to Xiaomi's foray into the now-defunct Android One program.

DJI has made its sub-249 g drone more enticing with a new software update. Distributed as V01.00.0300, the update enables DJI RC Pro support for the Mini 3 Pro, a remote controller than is available with the Mavic 3. Software V01.00.0300 introduces a few improvements for the Mini 3 Pro drone too.

The very first generations of Apple computers often do quite well when offered at high-end auctions. However, the latest such deal may outshine the rest, with a final bid of well over US$650,000. This is because it is the Apple-1 prototype Steve Jobs brought to a pitch at one of the world first PC retail stores.

Most smartphones from the Pixel series can now upgrade to Android 13. Their users may have been excited for the major software upgrade; however, according to some new Reddit threads, a handful of them have found that their wireless chargers suddenly no longer work with their mobile devices. The discussions include suggestions of some workarounds, although they reportedly fail to work in some cases.

Nothing promises to provide its inaugural smartphone, the Nothing Phone (1), with three Android OS upgrades. Following the debut on Android 13 last week, fans of the phone have quizzed CEO Carl Pei on the company's update plans. His reply? Well, not promising.

Wear OS has a history of lacking features a user might need or want in their smartwatch, one of which is the level of difficulty involved in pairing one to a new mobile device without a complete wipe of user data and settings. Now, however, a new code leak hints that a wearable running a future version of Google's UI will become able to back its profile up to a first-party cloud soon.

Recent research has shown that the TikTok iOS app opens any links inside an in-app browser and all interaction with the website is being recorded. This info can include passwords, credit card information, addresses, and so on. Although TikTok confirmed the existence of such features, the company also denied using them.

Garmin has released the first beta build for the Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 255S, which is also available for their corresponding Music variants. Rolling out as Beta version 12.20, the Release Candidate build contains several new features, improvements and bug fixes.

Garmin has started rolling out Beta version 12.20 to the Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 955 Solar. Bundled with numerous changes, Garmin has added support for seven new features and has included several bug fixes. Beta version 12.20 is the first update for the Forerunner 955 series on Garmin's Beta Program.

Fitbit has started distributing new security-related updates for several of its fitness trackers and smartwatches. Fitbit advises all owners to update their devices to eliminate security vulnerabilities.

ZTE has introduced the AX3000 Pro as its latest dual-band router that is available on Amazon. The device supports up to Wi-Fi 6 speeds over up to 160MHz channels thanks to a "winning" Qualcomm processor. Its new and award-winning design is touted to maximise its surface-area coverage and ability to form a house-wide mesh.

Garmin continues to roll out beta updates for Fenix 6, Enduro, Tactix and MARQ series smartwatches at a breakneck speed. While Beta version 22.85 is only a few days old, the company has issued Beta version 23.00 with even more changes.

The Xiaoxin Pad Pro 2022 is Lenovo's latest Android 12-based tablet that has launched in China to start off with (hopefully). Its slightly plain metallic unibody can be spruced up with one of its various, occasionally color options, which start at about US$322 - although that is for its more affordable SKUs with a new MediaTek processor, whereas one with the Snapdragon 870 go for more.

Lenovo's major Legion mobile tech product launch's reality has also just gone virtual with the announcement of the new VR700. The new headset is powered by the up-to-date Snapdragon XR2 chipset to power immersive gameplay or simulate a home theater-like streamed content experience. It will debut alongside its brand's new flagship smartphone later in August 2022.

Nothing OS 1.1.3, the Nothing’s second update this month, is now making its way to devices. The update brings with it a plethora of imaging improvements and bug fixes. Among other things, Google’s optional Adaptive Battery, a feature that aims to improve battery life, will also be available post update.

Xiaomi commenced public testing of MIUI Beta based on Android 13. Supposedly, Xiaomi is only looking for a small number of recruits, which must own either a Xiaomi 12 or a Xiaomi 12 Pro. While the beta testing is on MIUI's Global ROM channel, Indian owners of either device are ineligible to join the program yet.

ColorOS 13 has launched as OPPO's latest mobile device UI that brings the major Android 13 upgrade and more besides. They include undeniable echoes of its cousin, OnePlus' OxygenOS, in its new tweaks and features, the Bitmoji and Spotify AOD modes included. Nevertheless, the OEM asserts that it also matches a commitment to productivity and digital health, thanks to Multi-Screen Connect, Large Folders, Meeting Assistant and more.

Garmin has released Beta version 9.32 for Epix 2, Fenix 7 and Quatix 7 series smartwatches. While the update contains only a few changes, it follows shortly after Beta version 9.31, which bundles more changes and adds the new Enduro 2 to the Public Beta program,

OmniVision claims to have built on its initial 200MP image sensor breakthrough with a new product of the same class-leading resolution, yet potentially improved auto-focus and low-light performance. The new OVB0A also features pixels that the OEM touts as the world's smallest, so as to maximise light absorption in the new ultra-high-res CMOS.

Google is now allowing people to download a stable version of Android 13 on recent Pixel smartphones. Starting with the Pixel 4 series, Android 13 introduces numerous improvements and new features from last year's OS update. Google is preventing people from downgrading their Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro from Android 13 to Android 12, though.

Motorola has launched the Moto Tab G62 as the latest option on the affordable Android tablet market in India. It has a 10.6-inch 2K display powered by the Snapdragon 680 SoC and a large battery. Accordingly, it has variants with and without 4G/LTE connectivity, both of which will be available through Flipkart, starting at just over US$200.

The Huawei Mate 50 series is currently believed to launch (however belatedly) with quad rear cameras in an up-to-date hump and HarmonyOS 3.0 out of the box. Now, a new leak purports to build on these leaks with more details, involving a more specific canera layout and assertions that the updated software will confer an "emergency" feature that works even when the device has no power.

While iOS 16 is compatible with the iPhone 8 and later, including the iPhone X, Apple has remained largely ambiguous about when it comes to disclosing which devices will receive all of the new features that were debuted at WWDC’22. Learn which features will require a newer iPhone and why it might be time to upgrade this fall.

With the official public build of iOS 16 rumored to be just a few weeks away from its debut, Apple enthusiasts cannot wait to get their hands on the latest software features. This list features several iOS 16 tidbits and hidden additions that Apple either decided not to share at WWDC’22 or changed in later betas. Take a look at these lesser-known enhancements coming to the iPhone and iPad soon.

Motorola debuted the Moto S30 Pro alongside the flagship X30 Pro; however, the Android 12-powered smartphone is destined for Chinese consumers only. Then again, it is thought be able to break into the global market soon as the Edge 30 Fusion. Now, a famous leaker has released renders purporting to establish that both devices are one and the same.

Apple's iOS is already programmed to display ads at various points throughout its UI. Now, a prominent Bloomberg correspondent predicts that they will start multiplying sometime soon. They are slated to start popping up in new locations within the OEM's App Store, and spread to other first-party apps thereafter.

The Xperia PRO and PRO-I are even more expensive versions of their respective Sony flagship Android smartphone counterparts with, for example, HDMI support for use as serious cinematography equipment. Now, the OEM has doubled-up on this use-case even more with new additions to their arsenal of features as external monitors for alpha-series cameras.

TAG Heuer's latest smartwatch offering is in truth a new edition of the Connected Calibre E4, launched in partnership with Porsche. It entails an extensive cosmetic re-design intended to provide a matching accessory for those who own EVs such as the Taycan. It also has a custom watchface that allows the user to keep track of both possessions at the same time.

OPPO's latest teasers hint at "Inspiration Ahead" as the worldwide launch for the latest version of ColorOS draws closer. This Android 13 skin, slated to start appearing on the OEM's newer and higher-end smartphones before the end of 2022, is already tipped to get much more fluid on various levels, its animations and new backgrounds included.