Software

Xiaomi has released new software updates for the Mi A3 on its global and European branches. The two updates, distributed as V12.0.18.0.RFQEUXM and V12.0.21.0.RFQMIXM, are available as OTA or recovery files.

Huawei has issued a new update to the Watch GT 2 globally. According to Huawei, Lite OS 11.0.15.10 makes modest improvements, reflected in its 80 MB file size. Huawei is distributing Lite OS 11.0.15.10 now through the Huawei Health app.

Sony recently issued a press release assuring PlayStation 5 users that a number of highly requested features, including HDMI 2.1 support and dynamic Variable Refresh Rate enhancements, would begin rolling out to users in the coming months. Take a look at what’s new on this list.

Samsung touts the Galaxy M33 as a phone that can bring a class-leading processor and battery to the mid-tier 5G smartphone market. Now, it is slated to bring these specs to a new country following their launch in Europe. The new M-series device will be an Amazon.in special on its upcoming debut.

Apple has often asserted that it values its subscriptions (its Music arm, for example) as much as its hardware as contributors to the success of its overall business in the past. Now, according to a knowledgeable correspondent, it intends to convert whole iPhones into another kind of subscription. It is not clear how this rumored strategy will work as yet, although the OEM does have models from other manufacturers to follow.

Besides new features some urgently needed bug fixes, the Android 12L update for the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro apparently also introduces a new issue that results in much weaker haptic feedback coming from the otherwise decent vibration motor in Google's latest smartphones.

Carl Pei has now touted the first-gen smartphone from his new start-up Nothing as the most unique and innovative Android device on the market on its launch. Now, a well-known leaker has made what might be more sense of its initial teaser, which consisted of not much more than some shapes on a black background.

The first major update of 2022 comes with the legendary A-10A Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft, alongside other planes, Swedish helicopters, multiple ground vehicles, various ships, as well as an updated graphics engine (Dagor Engine 6.5) with significantly improved effects and a massive Ultra HD texture pack.

Next month, Apple plans on enabling a number of new tools and improvements for seasoned podcast creators and those seeking to get started on the platform. Take a closer look at what’s to come, including more nuanced metrics in the Analytics tab, new marketing tools for subscription-based shows, and more.

Nothing has now confirmed the launch of its first-gen smartphone, not to mention how it will fit into the company's plans for its future. Its CEO, Carl Pei, has now also unveiled the device's OS, slated to act as a "digital hub" for the OEM's oneday ecosystem as well as the overlay for the "innovative" phone's Android-based UI.

Carl Pei has now presented "the truth" about his new tech start-up Nothing today (March 23, 2022). It apparently involves the creation of an "open" ecosystem including hardware, software and services, built around its first-gen smartphone, the phone (1). Nevertheless, the OEM dropped no more than vague hints at its specs and design, with a little more on its new OS, during its first livestream of 2022.

It has taken Sony a while, but it has confirmed that VRR will be available via HDMI 2.1 on the PlayStation 5. Variable Refresh Rate will be available system-wide, so existing games will not need updating. Sony's VRR announcement comes as the company has released a new update for the PS4 and the PS5.

CDPR announced that the upcoming Witcher instalment will be based on Unreal Engine 5 in a strategic partnership with Epic Games. The developers didn't divulge any other information pertaining to the game, but hints from CDPR executives seem to indicate that "The Witcher 4" will probably not face development crunches like Cyberpunk 2077, and we might even see the School of the Lynx getting a real introduction.

Android's next major software upgrade is already linked to a portfolio of tweaks and changes, the vast majority seem to affect how it looks and acts thus far. However, Google has now announced that it aims to maximize UX devices that run the latest version of its OS, through new, potentially tighter controls on how apps use battery off-screen.

CD Projekt Red has begun rolling out Patch 1.52 for Cyberpunk 2077, likely its last game running REDengine. The company has confirmed that it will still release an expansion pack for Cyberpunk 2077 too.

Huawei has started rolling out the first update for the global version of the Watch GT Runner. Issued as HarmonyOS 2.1.0.219, the update introduces a new feature to the 1.43-inch smartwatch and squashes a few software bugs.

The CSA has announced that the Matter smart home interoperability standard has been delayed until Fall 2022. The setback is due to further development work needed on the SDK before release.

The GT Neo3 is the next phone from the brand Realme to be unveiled in China, and is most likely a mid-ranger - although it is being hyped like a flagship at the moment. The latest step in this process is a preview of a 50MP Sony rear camera that is generally found in higher-end smartphones, augmented with OIS in this new device.

Qualcomm has unveiled a new program by which it will invest as much as US$100 million in developers or companies involved in the metaverse industry. The new fund is associated with other projects including Snapdragon XR Platforms, XR Labs Europe and the Snapdragon Spaces developer platform, the latter of which has also just been taken up by Square Enix as the studio works on its extended-reality (XR) portfolio.

Many issues with Android Auto are related to bad or low-quality USB cables - according to Google, at least. To this end, the Mountain View giant is reportedly preparing a new feature for this service's app that acts to diagnose potential issues with these accessories in the car on its initialization.

McLaren Racing has announced that Google will become one of its sponsors for its 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship campaign. The new partnership will see the Android logo slapped on the motorsport group's car, while its wheels will be adorned with the colors of the Chrome logo. Similar branding will be found on McLaren's Extreme E racing vehicle for this year.

OnePlus has just updated a total of 4 flagship variants to OxygenOS 12 based on Android 12. They include the last T-version and the first R-version released by the OEM. The 8- and 9-series units upgrade to features such as an updated UI, an adjustable Dark Mode and their brand's Canvas AoD.

Meta (formerly known as Facebook) now faces legal action brought against it by Australia's Competition & Consumer Commission (or ACCC) in relation to a scandal in which the platform allowed misleading ads such as those that misappropriated the images of famous or prominent individuals, to be viewed by consumers in the country. The commission asserts that the ads directly led to the loss of money on the part of residents taken in by the "scams" in question.

Wear OS 3 is still not ready for existing smartwatches, but more screenshots of the upcoming OS have emerged. Google's next smartwatch OS will launch with a next-generation Google Assistant, among other changes from Wear OS 2.

A Genius 4.0 Home Intelligence software update is available to Wi-Fi connected Roomba and Braava devices. The update includes several new features, such as a do not disturb mode and room-specific cleaning settings.

Motorola is forging ahead with its current Android 12 upgrade program with the latest update going to the Moto G30. The device might be over a year old now, and yet is the latest G-series device to see such an OTA. It is being reported by users in one of the device's biggest markets right now.

Elden Ring has just received a huge update that has left fans with mixed feelings due to the typical jumble of nerfs and buffs. While gamers get to grips with the latest additional elements provided by Bandai Namco, others have taken to hammering the walls repeatedly in the hope of discovering new hidden rooms. Elden Ring has sold over 12 million copies already.

The next major upgrade to Android seems right on track with the release of its second developer-preview version (or DP2). It now provides a system pop-up for users to allow or prevent apps from sending notifications. Android 13 DP2 also seems to pertain to the OS' emerging tablet version, adding new and possibly welcome tweaks to its UI.

OnePlus has started a program whereby a small number of its Community website members can be the first to own and review its upcoming 2022 flagship smartphone, the 10 Pro. This device's stint in the "OnePlus Lab" may or may not hint at when its formal international product event will be held.

Users recently started discovering that the File Explorer in Windows 11 Dev Channel builds has started showing ads for Microsoft products. Expectedly, this drew a lot of criticism from users. However, the feature is only being A/B tested at the moment, and Microsoft did confirm that this has been a slip-up and has been turned off.

After sending out the MIUI 13 update to the Poco X3 Pro globally a few weeks ago, Xiaomi is now expanding the MIUI 13 rollout for the fan-favorite by gracing owners of the phone in Europe with a similar Android 12-based MIUI 13 update. The Mi 11 Ultra also receives new builds, both in Europe and globally.

After the Cupertino-based company may not have landed a hit with its new external 5K monitor, Apple has now ensured that it will at least improve the lousy image quality of the integrated webcam in the Apple Studio Display with a future software update.

Dell has announced the availability of new G-series monitors in the US and Canada. They include 32-inch variants with "fast IPS" panels, one of which is 4K/UHD and the other QHD and USB type-C enabled. They both support AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and fast refresh rates, although only one of them features HDMI 2.1.

Zepp Health, the owner of the increasingly popular fitness-tracking wearables brand Amazfit, has now released its fourth-quarter (4Q2021) and full-year earnings report for 2021. It claims revenues of nearly 6.3 billion yuan (or about US$985 million) for this year, about 27% of which came from 4Q2021. Despite these impressive figures, however, the company has seen the impact of global events over the last ~12 months.

LG has released Android 12 to the LG Velvet, the first of a few smartphones that the company will upgrade to Google's latest OS. Android 12 has landed on South Korean handsets first and could take a few months to reach other markets.

Xiaomi has announced for how long the Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro will receive software and security patch updates. Not only will the Xiaomi 12X be cut off from updates sooner than its siblings, but Xiaomi also cannot match Samsung for the longevity of software coverage it provides to its recent flagship smartphones.

Samsung has announced it will start distributing One UI 4.1 soon, starting with the Galaxy S21 series, the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. The update introduces numerous Galaxy S22 series camera features to older flagships, such as the Expert RAW app and Object eraser functionality, among other changes.

Apple has unveiled watchOS 8.5, an OS update available to the Watch Series 3 through Watch Series 7. Rolling out now, watchOS 8.5 is over a 500 MB download for all eligible smartwatches.

Apple has introduced iPadOS 15.4, a major update that brings Universal Control, among other changes. iPadOS 15.4 is a large download and boosts Siri's functionality when offline on a recent iPad Pro too.

Apple has released iOS 15.4, an update that brings improved Face ID support and the ability to store EU Digital COVID certificates without needing a dedicated app. iOS 15.4 is available to the iPhone 6s or newer, but Apple restricts some enhancements and features to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series.

Apple has updated macOS Monterey to version 12.3, its third major update since its introduction in October 2021. The update contains several new features but is also a large download at over 4 GB.

BMW has announced that it will bring level 3 autonomous driving technology to some vehicles in the second half of 2025. The company is developing its Automated Driving technology with Qualcomm and Arriver.

The latest member of the 1More ComfoBuds series may be Mini - however, according to the OEM, this does not stop them from also being "Mighty". It asserts that the new TWS earbuds are the smallest of their kind with active noise cancellation. The Minis are also rated for up to 24 hours of battery life and IPX5 ingress-protection.

Microsoft is testing a tabbed File Explorer UI in Dev Channel builds of Windows 11. The feature is hidden for now but can be manually enabled using the ViveTool. The tabbed Explorer UI is still a work-in-progress but does allow users to open multiple tabs in the same window while also allowing tab scrolling just like a browser.

Google has forced YouTube Vanced to end, just over four years after the service started. Reputedly, Google threatened YouTube Vanced with a cease and desist, and asked it to remove all references to YouTube. Existing YouTube Vanced installations will not be affected, though.

YouTube has had a toggle to open a transcript of a compatible video for some time now. However, it has only been available on via desktop browsers so far. Now, however, it has reportedly been spotted on the app's Android version. The feature seems to have been heavily modified for its new format.

Xiaomi's latest Android 12-based MIUI 13 updates seem to be breaking phones. According to Xiaomiui, phones like the Mi 11, Mi 11 Ultra, and Mi 11 Lite 5G have all been hard-bricked recently after installing the new MIUI 13 builds.

Oculus has revealed a new feature that will allow users to sync their Oculus Move fitness data with Android and iOS devices, including the Apple Watch. The tool will enable you to view your VR and real-world workout statistics in the same place.

A software update is being rolled out for Huawei's GT 2 and GT 2e smartwatches. The update includes several new features for the gadgets, including tools to monitor your health and to help you to optimize your workouts.

QD Display is one of Samsung's latest technologies that is starting to become available in the form of Dell's new Alienware AW3423DW 34-inch monitor, rated for ultra-low response times and high refresh rates. Now, SGS has endorsed these specs by conferring its Pro Gaming Verified certification on hardware with this new panel component.