Software

LG has begun to push a new major software upgrade to the V60 ThinQ in the US. Then again, the update to Android 12 has reportedly only hit those units associated with the carrier T-Mobile. This is probably one of the last times the device will receive an OTA from its OEM.

Apple is expected to reveal full details of iOS 16 at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference, which is scheduled from June 6 to 10. Ahead of that, a leaker has rounded up all the relevant feature rumors about iOS 16 and has also suggested device compatibility, leaving the Apple iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and first-generation iPhone SE facing end of support.

The official announcement of Huawei's upcoming Mate Xs 2 product event has led to speculation that the long-awaited Pro version of this OEM's Watch GT 3 will also make an entrance during this show. The allegedly upcoming smartwatch is now tipped to do so in at least 2 sizes and case material options, one of which may be titanium.

Huawei has introduced 11.1.3.20 for the Band 6, a software update that makes a few changes to the fitness tracker. Rolling out as a 9.63 MB download, 11.1.3.20 finally brings PIN code availability to the Huawei Band 6, along with the option of waking the display when you touch it.

Microsoft has announced workarounds for error code 0xc1900101 that has been affecting recent Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds installations. For some reason, the error code 0xc1900101 appears to be linked to SecretFilterAP.dll, although Microsoft lists other solutions too.

Microsoft offers two flavours of its infamous Office software: Microsoft 365 for US$69.99 per year or US$149.99 for a perpetual licence. If neither of those options sound ideal, you're not alone in thinking that. Fortunately, there is a whole host of free, open-source alternatives to choose from.

Microsoft poised Windows 11 as a huge upgrade to Windows 10, claiming increased performance and improved security. This is partially true, especially if you are using an Intel Alder Lake CPU, but the launch of Windows 11 was marred by substantial amounts of negative user feedback and concerns about some decisions that Microsoft implemented in the update.

Xiaomi has announced that it is bringing "the next big thing" to India soon. It will come in the form of the Pad 5, one of its latest flagship Android tablets. Its new launch date suggests it will debut alongside its corresponding top-end smartphone at the end of April 2022.

One of the most prominent whistleblowers who highlighted Facebook's potential for detrimental effects on human society has voiced concerns of similar ramifications arising from the company's new focus: the metaverse. On that note, Meta is also now linked to plans for sales levies within a relevant platform, Horizon Worlds, that outdo even those found on the Apple App Store.

Garmin has rolled out two new updates to the Epix 2 and Fenix 7 series. Now brought up to Software Version 8.14, the pair have received over 80 changes, including new features and bug fixes. The Epix 2 has benefited from more improvements than the Fenix 7, for some reason.

Vivo is tipped to launch an X80 Pro as a flagship alternative to its new, premium X Note phablet. Now, the allegedly imminent new phone has reportedly been captured in a photo that seems to prove that it can take clear and bright shots of things in near-total darkness. Meanwhile, the rear cameras reportedly responsible for this achievement may have been snapped in the wild.

Motorola has been spotted updating its Moto G200 5G to a newer version of Android. The update has only rolled out to units of this competitive mid-ranger in Europe thus far, although it is said to expand to additional markets soon. The G200's users should thus expect an upgrade to features such as the Material You UI, re-done widgets and system shortcuts.

Reportedly, Samsung is gearing to upgrade over 70 devices to Android 13 from this autumn onwards. However, the company is slated to open its One UI 5 beta program much earlier, potentially when Android 13 reaches Platform Stability in the summer.

Though Apple released iOS 15.4.1 just under a couple of weeks ago, many iPhone users still running an earlier version of iOS 15 may be at risk due to a major security flaw that Apple says “may have been actively exploited”. Take a look at what is new in Apple’s latest version of its iPhone operating system.

The next update for Meta Quest devices, v39, has been announced. The update, which will roll out in the next few weeks, includes a new Home environment named Mountain Study. Other improvements include multitasking features which have moved from being experimental to general settings, and the ability for iOS phones to share VR content directly to a headset.

TCL has introduced 3 of its latest soundbars to European customers, each of which comes with its own subwoofer and Bluetooth for wireless streaming. The highest-end of this new line-up also features the latest generation of in-house RayDanz sound-quality-enhancing design which, as the OEM insists, would match one of its new QLED TVs perfectly.

TCL has now launched its latest C- and P-series Google TVs in the European market. These units are all 4K, although the OEM's miniLED technology is reserved for the new C93 and C83 lines. However, even the QLED C63 models feature HDMI 2.1 and ALLM, whereas those of the C73 level and higher feature improved variable refresh rates (VRRs) and gaming features.

A new app, WristChat, enables Apple Watch users to respond to messages from the device. You can reply to a message using Scribble, Voice Dictation, or the custom-built WristBoard, a keyboard designed for the smaller screen with swipe typing and autocorrect. There are many other customizable features such as haptic feedback and chat bubble colors.

Reportedly, Apple will unveil major updates for all its operating systems at WWDC 2022 in June. Also, the company could even tease rOS, the OS for its mixed reality headset. Unfortunately, neither rOS nor the headset will be ready in time for WWDC 2022, though.

Vivo has introduced its inaugural Pad today (April 11, 2022). This device might be the brand's first ever Android tablet, although it would be hard to tell given how it stacks up compared to others in its market. The new slate's dual rear cameras, high-res 120Hz screen and particularly fast charging tech may confer the potential needed to stand out among its ever-growing list of contemporaries.

Some recent leaks have pointed to Sony IMX "800-" (and "900-") series cameras that will grace the high-end Android phones of the near future. Now, a famous tipster claims to outline how one of these next-gen 50MP sensors will improve on its alleged 766 predecessor. Its alleged specs imply scope for upgraded low-light performance and image quality compared to existing CMOS.

After a long wait, Android 12 arrived on the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro in Europe (and other regions, since the update is a global one) as MIUI 13.0.2. The update package has 3.3 GB in size and includes quite a few changes and fixes, but also packs new bugs and compatibility issues (Xiaomi's popular app Poco Launcher is also a victim).

The Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro still do not have face unlock, six months after they were released. That may be set to change shortly, though, as a Pixel 6 owner has revealed sighting of a face unlock option in their phone's settings.

Mojo Vision is one of a handful of companies that operates on the hypothesis that the glasses for the augmented-reality (AR) experiences of today will eventually evolve into contact lenses capable of roughly the same thing. To this end, it has presented the latest version of its own futuristic lens that, while apparently functional, isn't fit to put on your eyeball just yet.

Volvo has announced that all new hybrid and fully electric cars will have over-the-air update abilities. This feature was already available on the battery EVs, with the XC90, S60 and V60 models now receiving this tool. Volvo's eighth update is rolling out this week, including Android 11.

Android 11 and other feature improvements are being rolled out via an over-the-air update to Polestar 2 vehicles this month. The new OS will bring additional Google Play store app categories to the car. Other improvements include a real-time charging status in the Polestar app.

Even after the update to iOS 15.4.1, some iPhone owners have unfortunately suffered from a few annoying problems with the synchronization of iMessages as well as the location services in some of Apple's stock apps, which apparently do not work as intended for users in at least one region.

Earlier this week, Google previewed a number of new features and enhancements that are making their way to Google Maps on iOS and Android in the coming months. While some new additions have users saying “finally” others are welcome changes sure to enhance the overall navigation experience.

The GTS 2 Mini is a better-priced example of Amazfit's popular line of health- and fitness-tracking smartwatches. Now, the brand has announced a re-release for this product, with new colors and slightly modified specs this time around. It will go live via its Indian-market sales channels later in India.

OPPO is one of a handful of Android mobile device OEMs that has released a phone with first-party silicon, in the form of a co-processor for the main SoC supplied by either Qualcomm or MediaTek thus far. Now, according to the latest leak, this is just the first step on the road to full, Apple A-series-like processor production. Therefore, the first '100% OPPO' phone is tipped to launch as early as 2024.

Samsung has released a new update to the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic, still the only smartwatches with Wear OS 3. This month's update arrives as R8xxXXU1FVC8 and contains a few minor changes.

The demand for Galaxy S22-series devices has reportedly started to flag in Samsung's native South Korea. Carriers in the country have responded to this drop in sales by increasing subsidies for the phones. It is not certain that this situation has arisen because of the recent Game Optimization Services (GOS) controversy, although it may not have helped.

It looks like the Twitter devs were not actually trolling us when they revealed the implementation of an edit button a few days ago. The dev team claims that Elon Musk's latest poll has nothing to do with this, as the feature has been in the works since last year.

Apple has issued a "call to code" with its official WWDC 2022 announcement. The Cupertino giant has now outlined some events and activities that will form part of this show, tipped to unveil the latest in software for its iPads, Macs, iPhones and more. The conference is also now confirmed to be "all-online", although there is scope for in-person attendance on its opening day this year.

Samsung's 2018 flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, have remained eligible for Android security patch upgrades, even if only 4 times a year. Now, however, that has come to an end, leaving the devices completely cut off from software updates - official ones, that is.

360 Audio is a new feature baked into the flagship Galaxy Buds Pro earphones at their launch, and is touted as Samsung's answer to the Spatial Audio found in some Apple audio products. It is also available to the Galaxy Buds Live and Buds2, thanks to these TWS earbuds' latest software update.

Modder Sultim-t has released a path traced mod of the 1993 video game Doom. Available via GitHub, the mod allows you to play the first three episodes of Doom with real-time path tracing. Currently, the mod only works with Nvidia GPUs, plus you’ll need to have the original Doom.wad file.

Xiaomi's sub-brand POCO has certified a new device with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), thereby re-igniting rumors of a new C-series Android phone in the works. Accordingly, the new leak might offer an insight into what the brand will sell for ~US$110 in 2022.

LG has announced its Android 12 upgrade plans for this quarter, but only for three devices. The timescale is likely to apply to handsets sold in South Korea too, not worldwide. By contrast, other LG smartphones will have to make do with Android security patch updates.

Garmin has issued a new update for the Fenix 6 series that introduces plenty of changes to the former flagship smartwatch. Rolling out as version 20.82, the update adds support for Connect IQ system 5 and an Endurance Horseback Riding Activity, among other changes.

Thanks to its latest software update, the Forerunner 945 has gained several features from the Fenix 7. The update, which arrives as software version 9.56, is available to download now from Garmin’s website.

The Xiaomi Security Center has posted a refreshed list of smartphones that have reached their end-of-support (EOS) status. Two new devices have appeared on the list in the forms of the popular Xiaomi Mi 9 SE and the Xiaomi Mi Play (Lotus). The two devices join dozens of other Mi and Redmi phones that are no longer supported.

A new Android smartphone from Samsung might be poised to bring a 50MP main camera to the ~US$150 bracket in countries such as India soon. This device, complete with a model number that could place it in the Galaxy F series, is depicted as having much the same specs as a new Galaxy A-series phone on Geekbench.

Huawei is rumored to provide a successor to the Mate X2 premium foldable phablet in 2022, even if it can't support 5G. Now, a device with its alleged model number has reportedly been approved for sale by the regulator 3C. Therefore, the X3 might see a launch event soon.

Today might be April 1, 2022; however, the potential for privacy incursion that has grown with the rise of smart tags is no fooling matter. Google certainly seems to think so, at least, as it might be working on a way to set an Android phone to alert users to the presence of unfamiliar wireless trackers in a way that doesn't require a dedicated app.

Is it a prank?...is it a meme?...or is it an opportunity to become a beta-tester for Razer stuff? According to a new page on the OEM's site, it's all of those things at once. The company has even made a video clip for its alleged "HyperSense" gaming suit for the metaverse in order to make its new initiative as fun as possible.

Dell has packaged its latest PCs for business with its Optimizer, a suite of AI services designed to deliver "productivity without disruptions". They include features that might admittedly be more welcome than ever before, Intelligent Privacy, ExpressConnect and Intelligent Audio included.

Users of Google Nest Hub devices have spotted a new update bringing a refreshed UI to the device. Improvements to the interface include a full-screen app launcher when you swipe up. The update has caused some customers’ devices to bootloop, though it appears this is easy to fix.

Windows 10 and 11 have a host of built-in tools to boost your productivity, but sometimes it takes a little bit more than what's on offer to really get going. There are many aftermarket options available online and in the Microsoft store. Let's have a look at some of the best third-party options out there to make your PC work for you.

Google could be bringing face unlock to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro after all. The feature seemed destined to be ready in time for the Pixel 6 series' launch, although it would not be as accurate or secure as the functionality that the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL support.