Sunday, February 28, 2021

Google Chrome may soon default to desktop mode on large Android tablets

Google Chrome is experimenting with a new feature that will automatically open webpages in desktop mode on Android tablets that have a large enough display. The feature will essentially eliminate the need to manually check the “Desktop site” option in the browser and offer users a more streamlined experience overall.

We recently spotted information about this upcoming feature in the Chromium Gerrit, which sheds some light on its capabilities. As per the description, the feature will allow Google Chrome to automatically request the desktop version of a website when it detects that the device has a large enough display. While we aren’t sure of the size threshold at the moment, we believe that the feature will most likely be based on the resolution/DPI of the tablet. The description states:

“This CL will set up the experiment for requesting desktop site for tablets.
The experiment will have two comparable groups, enabled and control.
Both groups need to set header “X-Eligible-Tablet” depends on the screen size, but only enabled group will actually request the desktop site base on the screen size.
So enabled group will receive {“RequestDesktopSiteForTablets”, {“screen_width_dp”, ***}, {“enabled”, true}}
And control group will receive {“RequestDesktopSiteForTablets”, {“screen_width_dp”, ***}, {“enabled”, false}}”

It’s worth noting that the new feature is in its early stages of development, and we aren’t sure whether it will make its way to a stable Google Chrome release or not. But if/when it does, it will certainly be a great addition for those who own large tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. We’ll update this post as soon as this feature is available in Chrome on the Canary channel.

Along with this new default desktop mode feature, Google Chrome is also experimenting with tab widths in the new tab scrolling feature. We learned about this change earlier this month, and it’s currently available on Chrome 90 on the Canary channel. The feature gives users the option to customize tab width in the browser, with four size variants to choose from — pinned tab width, medium width, large width, or no shrinking. Google will likely pick one of these size variants based on user feedback, but it’s possible that the company may provide multiple options when the feature becomes available in a stable build.

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OxygenOS Open Beta 7 rolls out for the OnePlus 8 series with February security patch, general bug fixes

OnePlus’ new OxygenOS 11 skin represented a change of direction in many ways for the company. From a UI perspective, they got rid of the close-to-stock Android look that was a signature feature of OxygenOS for so many years, and instead adopted a completely new look and design guidelines more in line with what we saw with Samsung’s One UI interface. But OnePlus has had several problems rolling out the update, particularly to some of their older smartphones such as the OnePlus 7 series. While the OnePlus 8 series have already received a stable update, the Open Beta program is still ongoing, and now OnePlus is rolling out a new Open Beta build — Open Beta 7 — to both the OnePlus 8 and the OnePlus 8 Pro.

Compared to the changelog of the previous Open Beta 6, which rolled out to both devices earlier in February and added several optimizations, bug fixes, and even features such as a new “Dock” dashboard that provides Digital Wellbeing-like functionality (which still isn’t live within the build, in case you are wondering), this one is way more modest in size and scope. The biggest stand-out feature is the fact that the update packs the almost-latest February 2021 security patches. The update also adds a couple of bug fixes for features such as the emergency rescue screen and the Horizon light, as well as stability improvements for the camera. And, well, that’s pretty much it.

The full changelog for the new OxygenOS Open Beta 7 for the OnePlus 8 series can be found below:

  • System
    • Adjusted the layout of the emergency rescue in the password lock screen
    • Fixed the issue that the Horizon light has a small probability of failing to turn on
    • Updated Android Security Patch to 2021.02
  • Camera
    • Optimized the stability

Download: OxygenOS Open Beta 7 for the OnePlus 8 series

The update is currently rolling out over-the-air to OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro devices that are already running the latest Open Beta version. If your device is currently on the stable Android 10 or Android 11 release or if you’re rooted, you can download the full OTA package and flash it to your device. You can also download the incremental package if your device is running the Open Beta 6 update, as long as you’re not rooted. Both packages can be copied to your phone’s internal storage, where you can then flash it by using the “Local upgrade” option in the system updater app.

OnePlus 8

OnePlus 8 Pro

Thanks to XDA Senior Member Some_Random_Username for the download links!

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YouTube’s TikTok-like Shorts feature is rolling out in beta in the United States

TikTok has caused a massive ripple in the social media space. It managed to popularize the concept of short videos, similarly to what Vine made several years ago, and made it global, with the Android app having over 1 billion installs. And while companies like Facebook have already come out with their own alternatives, such as Instagram Reels, TikTok still manages to hold the crown for itself, despite tensions with other companies and even country bans and attempted bans from countries like India (where the app is completely banned) and the United States (where a ban was attempted). It has also spawned plenty of alternatives, with one of them being YouTube Shorts. YouTube Shorts were announced last year, and they are now rolling out in a beta stage to consumers in the United States.

It was first announced that this beta would be rolling out stateside in March as per chief product officer Neal Mohan (via: The Verge). The feature was first rolled out in India (where, again, TikTok is banned) several months ago when it was first announced in September 2020, and has seen great success, with the YouTube Shorts player apparently receiving up to 3.5 billion views every single day. It’s no surprise then that Google is rushing to roll it out in other markets as well. TikTok is forecasted to surpass 1 billion monthly active users in 2021. Furthermore, a big chunk of TikTok’s install base is in the United States, and Google is looking to tackle TikTok head-on with this feature.

YouTube Shorts United States

YouTube Shorts beta in the United States.

While the Shorts beta was initially forecasted to roll out in the US in March, it seems like we may have gotten it a little bit earlier, as it’s already live on our end. A stateside release can also mean a potentially close global rollout, although Google is no stranger to region-exclusive features, so we may have to wait a little bit longer. Google has not yet provided a timetable on when the feature will roll out to everyone, as the beta will evidently only roll out to a select few, but it’ll probably be sooner than later.

If the feature is not available yet on your end, rolling into the beta program or downloading and sideloading a beta APK (which you can grab right here) should do the trick.

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New Moto-branded smartwatches are coming, but they’re not what you may think

Motorola has undergone several transitions to its smartphone lineup, which has inadvertently resulted in a more complicated branding and naming scheme (which is never good). But its smartwatch division has taken an interesting turn. The last time we saw a Motorola smartwatch, it was actually not made by Motorola, but rather by a company called eBuyNow, with Motorola only providing their branding. Now, a new generation of Moto-branded smartwatches is coming, but they’re quite different offerings compared to what we’ve seen before—maybe for the better, maybe for the worse, but different nonetheless.

The first thing we should note here is that this isn’t really a leak: this was actually grabbed from a sales presentation, which is fully public for anyone to see, and the presentation these screenshots were grabbed from seems to be this one (spotted by 9to5Google). Onto the watches themselves, which were first spotted by @FelipeBerhau on Twitter, they don’t seem to feature the previous branding anywhere (that’s why we noted that these are Moto-branded smartwatches). Instead, the presentation says “Moto Watch & One”, pointing that we’ll have a Moto Watch and a Moto One watch.

There’s also a third watch which will apparently be called the “Moto G” smartwatch. The Moto G series of smartphones consist of mid-range and low-end devices, so a G watch in this case would probably be a lower-end smartwatch. Presumably, a “Moto One” smartwatch would follow overall the same line the One series of smartphones follows, while a Moto Watch would probably be the proper flagship smartwatch in the lineup. Again, these are all speculations based on the images.

These, just like the last 360 smartwatch, are not made by Motorola in-house, but they will be sold under the Moto branding if they reach the market. We don’t know when these smartwatches will be reaching the market, if they’ll reach it at all, but we’ll have to wait and see.

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Latest unc0ver release can jailbreak the iPhone 12 series and iOS 14.3

Compared to Android users, where rooting is a straightforward process and unlocks a plethora of features for your device (and a very respectable degree of customization and functionality can be added to your phone even if you’re not rooted), iOS users really don’t have it that easy. The iOS ecosystem is very locked down, and Apple puts overtime effort into ensuring it stays that way. But there’s a way out of this walled garden, and it’s called jailbreaking. Unfortunately, though, jailbreaking is way more difficult than rooting on Android, but last year, we got to know unc0ver, a new iOS jailbreak that became a huge deal because it used a zero-day exploit to jailbreak phones running then-just-released iOS 13.5.

Now, there’s a new version of this jailbreak in town, and it works from iOS 11.0 and works all the way up to iOS 14.3, meaning that you can easily jailbreak the newly released iPhone 12 series, including the iPhone 12 mini, the iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Pro, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max. In fact, as of the time of writing, users have reported that they have managed to easily jailbreak the new devices. The new version of unc0ver is just as straightforward to install as the previous versions: just download AltStore, sideload it to your iOS device, and use it to install unc0ver, which will then effortlessly jailbreak your smartphone.

Jailbreaking opens the floodgates for iOS customizability and it also allows you to add extra functionality to your iOS smartphone. Check out our initial coverage on the unc0ver project to know more about its developers, some nifty mods you can try out, and what exactly you can do when you remove the walls on iOS to unlock its full potential. Plenty of awesome and exciting mods arose thanks to jailbreaking last year, and we’re excited to see what will arise this time around. You can check out the unc0ver website to download it and learn how to install it.

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Would you like to see the Redmi K40 with Snapdragon 870 as the Poco F3?

Redmi’s flagship killer K series delivers fantastic value for money. The third-generation in the series, i.e., the Redmi K40 lineup, including the Redmi K40, K40 Pro, and the K40 Pro+, was unveiled earlier this week. Despite flagship-grade specifications including 120Hz AMOLED displays, either Snapdragon 870 0r Snapdragon 888 high-end chipsets, and up to 108MP cameras, the Redmi K40 series starts at an unbelievable price of just about $310. Out of these devices, the base Redmi K40 variant is expected to be rebranded as a POCO smartphone — probably taking the name of POCO F3 — for the global markets. How do you like that idea?

Even though Xiaomi claims that POCO and Redmi now operate independently, we see blurring lines between their inventory. Redmi and POCO are still dependent on Xiaomi for their SKU design, licensing, and some other business decisions, allowing them to launch similar — or the same — phones with different names. That may not especially be a bad thing as it gives users more choices — and often, different design options for the same product.

Both of Xiaomi’s spin-off brands — i.e., Redmi and POCO — have a good reputation for selling exciting smartphones. While their phones often have appealing specifications, what chiefly makes them exciting is their high value for money. The Redmi K40 as a product aligns with POCO’s ideology of “everything you need, nothing you don’t.” It is one of the world’s first smartphones powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset, an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 865.

Redmi K40 launch color dreamland

The Snapdragon 870 is one of our top choices for flagship killers in 2021. Additionally, the Redmi K40 is equipped with a 120Hz AMOLED display and features 48MP triple cameras on the back. The 6GB/128GB variant of the smartphone starts at only CNY 1999 (~$310) in China, while the 12GB/256GB variant goes up to CNY 2699 (~$418). The rebranded versions for other markets may not be as convincingly economical, but even if we keep a margin of $200, this is still a pretty sweet deal for the specifications up for grabs. The smartphone clearly benefits from the economy of scale, and even though it uses some older generation components, the pricing is unquestionably exciting.

In addition to its exciting flagship-grade specifications with a midranger’s pricing, the Redmi K40 offers high-speed 5G connectivity at an affordable price. The Snapdragon X55 modem on the chipset allows up to 7.5Gbps of download speed, much higher than the limit of 3.7Gbs on the mid-range X52 modem we see on the Snapdragon 750G/765G/768G. The X55 modem also offers 4×4 MIMO for better signal strength as compared to the X52. This factor, combined with the already exciting specification of the Redmi K40, makes the smartphone a very compelling choice — irrespective of its naming.

What are your thoughts on Redmi K40 being rebadged as the next POCO flagship killer? Do you want to see the K40 launching in international markets? Let us know in the comments below!

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Saturday, February 27, 2021

Microsoft testing new Xbox Game Streaming Windows app and 1080p streaming for xCloud

Game streaming went from something that could only be imagined as a far-fetched futuristic concept to something that’s actually a thing and has even gained some steam among users (although some companies aren’t really doing so well). And everyone wants a piece of the game streaming game, from companies like Nvidia to even Microsoft, which also has their own game streaming service called Xbox Cloud Gaming and formerly called xCloud (we’ll still call it xCloud for simplicity sake). Given how you can’t buy an Xbox Series X right now (or maybe you can), this is probably the next best thing, but it has some limitations. The good news is that most of those limitations are going away with new features and improvements in the works.

The first of those improvements is the fact that Microsoft is making a Windows app called Xbox Game Streaming. This Windows app not only will allow you to stream your games from the cloud and deliver the xCloud experience to devices and computers running Windows 10, but it will also allow you to stream games from your own consoles as well if you have either an Xbox Series S or an Xbox Series X, although this last feature isn’t yet functional in this (very rough) unreleased version of the app that The Verge got their hands on.

This app isn’t anything new as it was first uncovered last year in a much rougher state, meaning that Microsoft is actively working on it. Not only will it deliver the xCloud experience to Windows PCs, but it will also be compatible with ARM devices, meaning that you will be able to play your games on your always-connected laptop or tablet as well. This app will also pack in features such as touch support (which will allow you to play without a controller) and gyro support (although this one seems to be broken too).

The second of these improvements is 1080p streaming support, as reported by Windows Central. Right now, xCloud streaming is capped at 720p, which is probably fine for smaller displays and smartphones and is actually better in terms of bandwidth and responsiveness as it’s easier to move a 720p stream over a network but can get pretty muddy pretty quickly on a bigger display. 1080p streaming opens up better quality for your games as long as your internet connection allows it.

Other competitors such as Google Stadia already support 1080p streaming, so Microsoft is playing catch-up in this regard. At the same time, most of Microsoft’s server infrastructure is based on Xbox One architecture, and Microsoft is set to switch over to Xbox Series X architecture over the course of this year, so 1080p streaming might be one of the first results of those changes.

Are you an xCloud user? How are you liking these changes?

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Twitter seems to be finally testing Spaces on Android

Clubhouse has earned a decent amount of popularity in the last few weeks because it helped popularize a fresh new concept: live “drop-in” audio chats where anyone can drop in and talk. Clubhouse, in particular, started to become popular through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, where the internet and social media became even more prevalent in our lives than they already were in previous times, and that growth accelerated exponentially since the start of 2021. It has now popularized the concept of “audio chatrooms”, and big technology companies are running to get a piece of the cake, with companies like Facebook reportedly rushing to make their own competitor. Twitter also made one of their own, which is called Twitter Spaces, and they might be testing it on Android now.

The Twitter Spaces feature has, so far, stayed only on iOS together with a host of iOS-exclusive features such as voice tweets (which have yet to make their way to Android), but the feature has already reached the hands of a lot of users, even if it’s only in “test mode” according to Twitter (which is fancy speak for “beta”). How do we know it’s being tested on Android right now? Well, for one, users have started to report it working, such as in the replies for this tweet. Users have specifically reported that the feature is working for them after installing a specific beta version of the Twitter app (which you can download right here to see if it works for you).

So what’s the catch? Firstly, since a rollout for Android has not been announced yet and since the feature is not yet working on the stable version of the app, it’s pretty safe to say that this feature is probably still pretty rough around the edges. And indeed: captions seem fairly wonky according to Android Police’s coverage, not to mention that you can’t start your own space, only join others’ spaces. The fact that it’s currently being worked on is pretty good on its own, and we can’t wait until the final rollout comes.

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Everything you need to know about HDMI standards and connectors

The HDMI port has become the standard for audio-video I/O purposes. Short for High Definition Multimedia Interface, it was introduced in the early 2000s with the sole purpose of delivering an improved and convenient way to replace existing standards for carrying HDTV signals. The founders of HDMI include Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson, RCA, and Toshiba. HDMI ports can easily be found in most modern homes on televisions, laptops, and desktop PCs. Today, most gaming consoles also include HDMI ports as it offers a single-cable solution to transfer audio and video data.

Here, we have explained all the different versions of the HDMI specification that have been launched over the years, along with a quick look at the type of HDMI connectors. Much like USB, different specifications can be matched to different connectors/ports.

HDMI Specifications

HDMI 1.0

The first version of the HDMI spec arrived in December 2002. It primarily used a similar architecture as DVI for sending video signals but sent audio and other data during a video stream’s blanking intervals. It offered a data transfer rate of 4.9Gbps to deliver 720p resolution at 120Hz, 1080p at 60Hz, and 1440p at 30Hz. The standard also supported 8-channel audio.

HDMI 1.1

Making its first appearance in May 2004, HDMI 1.1 was a very small update to the existing HDMI 1.0 standard. The only new feature added was DVD-Audio support, which meant that HDMI could now deliver audio ranging from single-channel mono to 5.1-channel surround sound. The resolution and refresh rate specifications remained the same.

HDMI 1.2 and 1.2a

Arriving almost a year after HDMI 1.1, HDMI 1.2 was an important update as it included compatibility for low voltage devices, making it suitable for PCs (especially graphics cards). It also added support for some newer color spaces. This version was originally intended to derestrict formats to increase compatibility and compete with the new and emerging Display Port interface. In 2005 itself, HDMI 1.2a was announced, which added compliance for Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), allowing multiple HDMI devices to control each other with one remote controller.

HDMI 1.3 and 1.3a

This was a big leap for the standard when it launched in June 2006. First of all, it finally doubled the bandwidth to 10.2Gbps, which bumped up the ability to deliver 720p resolution at 240Hz, 1080p at 120Hz, and 1440p 60Hz. Additionally, it also added support for 4K or 2160p at 30Hz, although it wasn’t made official until the release of HDMI 1.4. It also added support for 10-bit, 12-bit, and even 16-bit color depth, depending on the resolution. This version also had support for increased color spaces and optional support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. HDMI 1.3 also introduced a new Type-C Mini HDMI connector (more on that later). Like 1.2, this one also saw a mid-cycle update with version 1.3a, which again had similar CEC updates and some modifications to the smaller type-c connector.

HDMI 1.4, 1.4a, and 1.4b

In 2009, the next version of HDMI arrived with similar resolution support, including 4K and cinema or ‘true’ 4K, which is 4096x 2160 at only 24Hz but a wider aspect ratio. It also included an HDMI Ethernet Channel (HEC), which included a 100-Mbit/s ethernet connection between the two HDMI-connected devices and an audio return channel or ARC. This version also added support for stereoscopic 3D and a new micro HDMI connector, both of which didn’t really catch on. It also widened the support for additional rich and natural-looking color spaces, including Adobe RGB. It was also suggested to purchase the new High-Speed HDMI cables if you wanted to get the full experience of 1.3 and 1.4 features. There was also a completely different cable if you want the ethernet connection as well.

This was followed by 1.4a in 2010 that added some additional 3D formats and resolutions for broadcast content. It also saw another refresh in 2011 as 1.4b was introduced to mark the shift in production standard from LLC, with all future versions specified by the HDMI Forum.

HDMI 2.0

An important update to the standard, HDMI 2.0 introduced support for 4K at 60Hz and increased the overall bandwidth to 18Gbps. It was launched in 2013, pushing 1080p resolution at 240Hz and 1440p at 144Hz, which was a big jump for gaming. It also supported 24-bit color depth at 4K resolution, up to 32 audio channels, and eventually added support for HDR in 2015 with the release of HDMI 2.0a and Hybrid Log-Gamma with HDMI 2.0b in 2016.

HDMI 2.1

The most recent version, HDMI 2.1, was announced by the HDMI Forum in 2017. All new high-end televisions, gaming consoles, and graphics cards are now being shipped with HDMI 2.1. This can achieve 4K resolution at 120Hz and can even push up to 8K and 10K resolutions at 30Hz or higher using Display Stream Compressions. All of this was possible thanks to the doubling of the bandwidth and the addition of a fourth data-rate channel that meant a total of 48Gbps bitrate. The latest version also includes Dynamic HDR for specifying HDR metadata, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and ARC was updated to eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) for audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. HDMI 2.1 also introduces the Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable category to comply with the high-speed bitrate.

HDMI Connectors and ports

The HDMI connector looks a lot like a full-size USB port, only larger and having a trapezium shape. It includes a male and female connector where you usually have the male version of the connector on cables or streaming devices that go into the female connector, which is usually on the device(s) being linked. Usually, the upper end of the HDMI port is longer than the one below, so it can only go one way in; thus, it isn’t reversible. While the full-size HDMI port is widely used, we’ve seen various shapes and sizes over the years.

HDMI pin configuration

Typical HDMI Type-A pin configuration (Image: Gamers Nexus)

 

HDMI Connectors

Image: Wikipedia

Type A

This is the most common version, or as we say, full-sized HDMI. It includes 19 pins to offer bandwidth for carrying SDTV, EDTV, HDTV, UHD, and 4K modes. It is also electrically compatible with single-link DVI-D.

Type B

Comparatively larger than the standard Type-A port, the HDMI Type-B is compatible with dual-link DVI-D with a total of 29 pins which usually carry six differential pairs instead of three. This port was used for high-resolution displays with up to WQUXGA (3840×2400) resolutions. Notably, this port was not used in any popular commercial product.

Type C

Mini HDMI, or Type-C as they call it, was a smaller version of the type A plug but with the same 19-pin configuration. This was introduced for portable devices, including smartphones. The only difference was that the designation of the various pins was not the same when compared to HDMI Type-A.

Type D

Micro HDMI or Type-D was even smaller than the Type-C port, somewhat similar to the micro-USB port. This once again came with the same set of 19 pins but with a completely different pin assignment compared to Type-A and Type-C.

Type E

Also known as the Automotive Connection System, this HDMI port features a locking mechanism to keep the cable stable and withstand vibrations along with a shell to prevent moisture and dirt from disrupting the signal.

If this article helped you understand the various types and standards of HDMI, make sure you also go through our guide on the various USB versions and standards.

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Friday, February 26, 2021

Verizon is rolling out the Android 11 update to the LG V60

Verizon has confirmed it’s rolling out Android 11 to the LG V60. The newest update, version V600VM20a, also includes the January 2021 security patch.

The update spotted by Droid-Life brings several new features to the LG V60, such as conversation bubbles, new camera features, and additional settings in the quick setting panel like Focus Mode, Bedtime Mode, and Nearby Share. The update also includes some UI tweaks to the volume display and Quick settings pane.

As mentioned, Android 11 on the LG V60 introduces new camera features:

  • Tutorial slider: The order of tutorial in the slider windows has been changed to Camera modes and Front/rear cameras. Also the background color has changed to black.
  • Quick Video: Press and hold the shutter button to record a short video. Drag and hold the button for burst mode.
  • Switch camera button: The button shape has changed in Photo, Video and Time-lapse mode.

The release notes also show that “Tap & pay” is now shown when NFC is on and disappears when NFC is off.

LG recently rolled out a stable build of Android 11 to the LG Velvet in Korea after a period of beta testing. Android 11 on the LG V60 arrives about a year after the device was first announced.

We shared our thoughts about the V60 not long after it was made available and found it to be a good option at a good price. One of the coolest aspects about the V60 is you can use it with a Dual Screen accessory, which more or less turns the device into a foldable.

To download the update, go into your phone’s Settings > About Phone > Software updates > Check for update. If it’s available, you can start downloading it straight away.

Verizon warns that V60 owners may notice some battery quirks during the first few days after updating, but things should normalize shortly after.

LG V60 ThinQ Forums

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Google Stadia reportedly failed to meet expectations by “hundreds of thousands”

It’s been a tough start to the year for Google Stadia. Earlier this month, Google confirmed plans to shut down Stadia’s internal game development division, one week after allegedly praising the studio for its progress. Now, two reports out today have shed light on what it was like on the inside, with one report saying Stadia missed internal targets by “hundreds of thousands.”

Wired reports things were bad from the start. Stadia’s initial announcement was splashy and promised to revolutionize the world of gaming with a mix of first and third-party titles. But Google, a company famous for its services, apparently didn’t fully understand what goes into making a successful gaming studio.

“Three sources said Google created roadblocks on the very fundamentals of game-making, like withholding permission to use certain game development software (security issues, apparently),” Wired said in its report.

Sources also told Wired that Stadia employees felt the service felt like a beta at launch — a sentiment shared by multiple industry reviews. Some features shown off during Stadia’s announcement were missing at launch, and the service debuted with only a handful of big AAA games.

“It could have used more testing in different conditions and on different devices,” a source told Wired.

A source also said that it felt like Google was funding games to sell Stadia rather than to sell games. While developers were struggling internally, the service failed to meet expectations in 2020, according to both Wired and Bloomberg, the latter of which said the service missed targets for “sales of controllers and monthly active users by hundreds of thousands.”

Google was so focused on getting games to sell Stadia that it apparently shelled out tens of millions of dollars to get ports of big titles like Red Dead Redemption 2. Jason Schreier, who wrote the Bloomberg piece, said sources told him Google paid tens of millions of dollars per Stadia port.

If true, that should be a particularly tough pill to swallow for former employees of Stadia’s now-defunct in-house studio. Phil Harrison, who was picked to lead Google’s Stadia division, cited the exorbitant cost of game development when Google confirmed it was shutting down the service’s in-house studio.

Google has confirmed it plans to keep Stadia around, and there has been some good news over the past few weeks. Terraria is coming to Stadia after the developer resolved his personal Google account issues with Google. Journey to the Savage Planet was recently fixed on the platform, too. Plus, the platform just recently announced new games headed to Stadia Pro subscribers in March.

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Tasker’s latest beta lets you create a custom sleep tracker on Android

Google this week introduced a new Sleep API that will help developers build better sleep tracking apps. In response, the developer of Tasker wasted no time implementing the API into a new beta, allowing users to create a custom sleep tracker on Android.

For those of you who aren’t aware, Tasker is a popular automation app available on Android. You can create Profiles that launch Tasks consisting of Actions. These Profiles can be triggered based on user-defined States or Events. Because Tasker is so extensible, there are limitless possibilities for automation. And now with Tasker 5.12.3 beta, you can add sleep tracking automation to the mix. The latest beta uses Google’s new Sleep API to centralize sleep detection processing in a battery-efficient manner. The Sleep API uses an on-device machine learning model to infer the user’s sleep state based on input from your phone’s light and motion sensors.

João Dias, the developer behind Tasker, said he hasn’t had the opportunity to do any overnight testing of the new sleep tracking features, so your mileage may vary. Plus, since the Sleep API is part of Google Play Services and not Tasker, he can’t fix any issues with it if it breaks on Google’s end. With that out of the way, if you’re interested in taking control of your sleep data or making your own sleep tracker, check out the video above to see how you can use the new Sleeping state feature in the latest Tasker beta.

The full changelog for Tasker 5.12.3 beta is below:

  • Added Sleeping state: track your sleep with Tasker
  • Added helper in HTTP Request action’s Headers field to easily set commonly used headers
  • Added ADB Wifi helper for easy setup of permission granting/revoking commands
  • Made the Monospace-not-wrapped text in certain input fields optional (Preferences > UI)
  • Fix Tick event not working reliably if the screen is off on some devices
  • Try to fix clipboard change sensing on Android 11 on some specific devices
  • If you search for something like Perform when adding an action and you have some tasks with the word “perform” in them, don’t use them to autofill the Perform Task‘s Name field
  • Don’t show structured global variables with . in their name in the VARS tab
  • Now when reading a structured output, if there’s no match and the variable has been marked as a structured variable, it’ll correctly evaluate in the “If Not Set” condition. If you use the variable with structure access, the literal value will be used.
  • When reading HTML structure with the square bracket notation use curly braces for attribute matching eg. {attr=value} instead of [attr=value]
  • Allow using an empty key when accessing a structured variable, eg. %json[]
  • Check if a variable is of the specific type used in the “Set Variable Structure Type” action
  • Fixed crash when adding certain events/states
  • Fixed using setLocal() function in Scene WebView for project/profile/task variables
  • Fixed setting project/profile/task variables from the “Java Function” action
  • Fixed bug where if you select the “Perform Task” action based on a search for a task name, the priority would be incorrectly initiated to 5 instead of %priority
  • Try to fix external SD card or USB OTG on Android 11+. Not fully working yet.

Tasker ($3.49, Google Play) →

The post Tasker’s latest beta lets you create a custom sleep tracker on Android appeared first on xda-developers.

Framework is a new startup that is working on an upgradable modular laptop

A new startup by the name of Framework is working on an interesting project that takes modular tech to a new level. The Framework Laptop is a concept lightweight machine that is going to be unlike any laptop that you have seen on the market. The modular laptop is said to allow users to upgrade, customize, and repair parts all by themselves.

Early concept renders of the product showcase a very Apple MacBook-inspired design which shouldn’t be surprising as the co-founder, Nirav Patel, is an ex-Apple employee himself. According to him, “as a consumer electronics company, your business model effectively depends on churning out constant tons of hardware and pushing it into channels, and into market, and into consumers’ hands, and then sort of dropping it and letting it exist out there. It encourages waste and inefficiency, and ultimately environmental damage.” He also says that it is more than a product rather an ecosystem.

The laptop is planned to come with an aluminum chassis with a 13.5-inch 2K (2256 x 1504-pixels) display and Intel’s 11th-gen processor with up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM and PCIe Gen 4 NVMe storage of up to 4TB or even more. The laptop is also planned to feature a 1080p 60fps webcam and a 55Whr battery. When it comes to the upgrade possibilities, it’s said you’ll be able to swap the internals including the memory, storage. Wi-Fi card and battery. The Framework Laptop also brings the ability to upgrade external components including the keyboard, the I/O ports via an expansion card system, and the display along with the magnetically detachable bezels. The company also hopes to address the concern of users who don’t like carrying dongles or adapters with its variety of swappable port options. Expect these to come in USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, microSD, high-speed storage, and even a headphone amp.

The Framework Laptop product image

Framework is also planning to sell the modules via a centralized online marketplace which will be open for partners to build and sell compatible modules. This would help potential customers to easily find compatible replacements or upgrades without having to look around. The company aims to reduce electronic waste with its efforts by making its products last longer. The laptop will be made of 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminum and an average of 30% PCR plastic. Lastly, the company will also introduce the Framework Laptop DIY Edition, for those who want to completely assemble the laptop on their own and tinker around. The DIY version additionally offers the flexibility to install the OS of your choice be it Linux, Windows 10 Home, or Windows 10 Pro.

The concept of ‘modular tech’ hasn’t seemed to work for any of the major tech brands. We saw Google try its hand at a modular smartphone with Project ARA in 2014. However, by 2016, the project was canceled and all we got was some concept videos that never materialized. In 2015 we heard of a modular smartwatch concept by ‘Blocks’ which was an attempt to create a modular smartwatch with swappable modules. To date, we haven’t seen any modular smartwatch hit the markets. Similarly, Motorola launched the Moto Z in 2016 that brought the Moto Mods ecosystem, which had a decent start but eventually led to a lot of money going into research and development. Let’s hope that Framework has a more solid approach and can actually make this concept a reality.

The post Framework is a new startup that is working on an upgradable modular laptop appeared first on xda-developers.

Save up to $100 on an M1 MacBook Pro, and more Mac deals today!

Looking for an M1 MacBook Pro, but scared away by the price point? I don’t blame you. Macs seem great, but they’re always really expensive, and when you can a high-end desktop PC for around the same price (or cheaper!), it’s really asking a lot. With rumors flying around about new MacBooks already too, it can be hard to tell whether or not to wait. But, Amazon has discounted the new MacBooks, to make the price a bit more palatable.

At Amazon, the M1 MacBook Pros are $80 off for the 256GB model, and $100 for the 512GB model. Given the respective MSRPs of $1,300 and $1,500, that’s not a huge discount, but if you were planning on buying an M1 MacBook, you’ll be able to save a bit! Also, if you have the Amazon Rewards Visa, you can split the prices into 18-month 0% APR chunks, making the cost much easier to process over time. $1,220 and $1,400 is still a fair chunk of change, but less than $100 a month is a lot more feasible for most people. And you get an M1 MacBook Pro! Finally, this discount applies to both the Silver and Space Grey colorways.

    Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip (256GB)

      Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip (512GB)

      Maybe you don’t need an M1 MackBook Pro, though. Maybe you just need… a MacBook, and shelling out over $1,000 for one isn’t your cup of tea. Woot! has you covered, as their Daily Deal just so happened to coincide with the Amazon discount. Maybe it’s because Woot! is owned by Amazon? Some food for thought, there…

      Anyway, refurbished MacBooks and MacBook Pros are on sale today and today only. These are MacBooks with Intel processors–so obviously a different level than the M1 MacBook Pro. But that doesn’t make these MacBooks super outdated. If you don’t need the bleeding edge technology of an Mi chip, then something like the Intel i7 MacBook Pro is going to work just fine at a fraction of the cost.

      Of course, these MacBooks are refurbished, but they should work practically like new, and Woot! has a good reputation for refurbs. Just don’t mull on it too long–the best products in sales like these tend to go fast, and the sale itself ends at midnight CST.

        Refurbished Apple MacBook Sale
        Today only, save on refurbished Apple MacBooks! Find what you need without spending and arm and a leg.

      The post Save up to $100 on an M1 MacBook Pro, and more Mac deals today! appeared first on xda-developers.

      Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 2 can multitask even better with the One UI 3.1 update

      Samsung is bringing One UI 3.1 to the Galaxy Z Fold 2, introducing new features and improved multitasking. The update builds on features we saw introduced to the foldable earlier this year.

      With One UI 3.1, Samsung said the multitasking experience is simpler and more efficient.

      Z-Fold2-One-UI3.1_main2

      Image: Samsung

      “On the Galaxy Z Fold2, users can now instantly return to up to three previously opened Multi-Active Windows on the Main Screen via the Recents tab,” Samsung said in a blog post. “Users can also bring two Multi-Active Windows directly from the Main Screen to the Cover Screen via the Recents tab.”

      Samsung said that the update also allows you to launch Multi-Active Window directly from notifications in the Quick Panel. You can do this by long pressing on a notification and dragging it to open apps with Multi-Active Window.

      On the whole, Samsung said One UI 3.1 makes routine interactions easier on the Galaxy Z Fold 2. For example, you can turn off the screen by touching it with your palm or a double tap. That means you don’t have to strain yourself by reaching for the power button. Little improvements like making the screen easier to sleep adds up to a much more pleasant experience.

      Image: Samsung

      One UI 3.1 also brings improvements to the Camera app. With a new “Flex mode,” you can adjust the position of the controls for greater comfort. Samsung said these changes come after listening to feedback from Galaxy Z Fold 2 owners. Samsung has also added a delete and share button to the preview windows in Flex mode.

      Samsung said notifications in the Quick Panel are now categorized, and you can switch between media controls in the Quick Panel by swiping. The company said the weather widgets on the Cover and Main Screen have also been synced.

      Image: Samsung

      Finally, Samsung said when making video calls in Flex mode, Galaxy Z Fold 2 owners can fill the top half of the display with the video of the person they’re talking to. Samsung has also updated the Light and Dark themes to provide extra depth.

      Samsung originally released One UI 3.1 for the Galaxy S21 series, before rolling it out to more Galaxy devices. The update should be available for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 soon.

      The post Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 2 can multitask even better with the One UI 3.1 update appeared first on xda-developers.

      Google Recorder app can now backup and sync your audio recordings

      After spotting evidence of automated backups coming to Google Recorder, an update to version 2.2 has made the feature official alongside a new web app. This new web portal will provide users with greater access to their recordings, making Google Recorder much more useful.

      9to5Google was first to spot the new web app, which prompts people to backup their recordings.

      “You can back up your recordings to your Google Account at recorder.google.com. Turn backup on or off anytime in Settings,” the web app explains.

      Google Recorder 2.2 Backup and Sync 1 Google Recorder 2.2 Backup and Sync 2 Google Recorder 2.2 Backup and Sync 3

      A backup and sync option is now available in Google Recorder version 2.2.

      Version 2.2 of the Google Recorder app is rolling out now to the Google Play Store. Once downloaded, you can enable the backup and sync functionality. The recordings are stored on your Google Account, and will count toward your Google One/Google Drive storage.

      Having your recordings in the cloud is helpful for a number of reasons, the biggest being able to access what you’ve recorded from other devices. This also gives users the option to easily restore recordings in the event they get a new device. Recordings that are backed up can be searched, played, and shared right from the web app. You can even create a shareable link to your recordings without needing to directly share the file with recipients.

      Google Recorder web app

      Introduced with the Pixel 4, Google Recorder is an incredibly useful app that makes it easy to record audio, whether it’s an interview or class lecture. Google overhauled the app in October 202, introducing a host of new features, including smart scrolling, audio editing, video clips, and text corrections. It’s a great tool for those who like to record and save audio.

      We’re still waiting for the app to be made available to more Android devices. Currently, it’s only available on Pixel devices, but hopefully with enhanced accessibility, Google will bring the app to more devices down the road.

      Recorder (Free, Google Play) →

      The post Google Recorder app can now backup and sync your audio recordings appeared first on xda-developers.

      Want to become an app developer? Here are the best Android coding courses on sale today.

      If you love playing with Android, you might have considered becoming a full-time app developer. This career offers six-figure salaries, and you don’t need a degree. Here are eight deals on top-rated courses available today at the XDA Developers Depot.

      The Complete Android Marshmallow Development Course

      Through five project builds, this 15-hour course helps you start coding apps for phones and wearables. Along the way, you learn about key Java concepts and discover how to use APIs. Your instructor is a successful developer in his own right.

      Get The Complete Android Marshmallow Development Course for $15 (reg. $147), a saving of 89%.

      Mastering Mobile App Development for Android Marshmallow

      In just six hours, this certificated course shows you how to take your ideas from wireframes to the finished product. Perfect for beginners, the tutorials walk you through the Android SDK and the fundamentals of programming.

      Get Mastering Mobile App Development for Android Marshmallow for $18 (reg. $49), a saving of 63%. 

      Build Android Apps with the Marshmallow Studio Course

      This course takes a hands-on approach, teaching you to build four project apps. Each app is more complex than the last, meaning you pick up valuable skills — from designing your app icon to using third-party libraries. 

      Get Build Android Apps with the Marshmallow Studio Course for $45 (reg. $60), a saving of 25%. 

      Kotlin for Android: Beginner to Advanced

      As powerful as Java but simpler to use, Kotlin allows app developers to complete projects faster. This course provides 22.5 hours of video tutorials, helping you master the language, build your first apps, and make your debut on the Play Store.

      Get Kotlin for Android: Beginner to Advanced for $19 (reg. $199), a saving of 90%. 

      The Complete Android O Kotlin Developer Course

      Taught by an instructor with a Master’s in Software Engineering, this 16.5-hour course looks at building apps and games using Kotlin. It covers object-oriented programming, SQLite, JSON, and other key skills you will need as a developer.

      Get The Complete Android O Kotlin Developer Course for $19 (reg. $200), a saving of 90%. 

      Firebase Firestore for Android

      If you haven’t heard about Firestore, this NoSQL document-based technology is taking the development world by storm. Through 5.5 hours of video tutorials, this course looks at real-time databases, powerful login options, security features, and more.

      Get Firebase Firestore for Android for $19 (reg. $99), a saving of 80%. 

      The Android Jetpack & App Development Certification Bundle

      Combining five separate courses, this bundle helps you master a range of key skills. Through 41 hours of tutorials, you learn how to use Java and Kotlin to build apps, including clones of Twitter and Tinder.

      Get The Android Jetpack & App Development Certification Bundle for $29 (reg. $1,000), a saving of 97%. 

      The 2021 Android Development eBook & Video Course Super Bundle

      Want to go further? Combining five video courses and six ebooks, this bundle offers 46 hours of coding education. The courses show you how to develop apps, create games, troubleshoot Android performance, and more. 

      Get The 2021 Android Development eBook & Video Course Super Bundle for $29.99 (reg. $880), a saving of 96%. 

      Prices subject to change 

      Duplicate product: https://depot.xda-developers.com/sales/firebase-firestore-for-android?utm_source=xda-developers.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=firebase-firestore-for-android&utm_term=scsf-476959&utm_content=a0x1P000004Z8zhQAC&scsonar=1

      The post Want to become an app developer? Here are the best Android coding courses on sale today. appeared first on xda-developers.

      EaseUS Data Recovers for Windows, MAC, iOS and Android

      Nobody is immune to data loss events. There are many different situations that can lead to your files getting delete, corrupted, or lost. If this is a situation you’ve come across, there’s no need to panic. EaseUS offers free data recovery software that can help you bring your files back from the dead. This software is easy to use and works on Windows, MAC, iOS, and Android. So EaseUS should be able to help you on any of these platforms.

      You can start using EaseUS for free with their 2GB data recovery capacity. This is a good way to get an initial scan and see if you can find your missing files. The software will be able to scan a specific drive or folder and present you with previews and filenames of your lost data. This allows you to choose specific files to recover.

      If you have larger files that need recovering, like videos, you can upgrade your plan to Pro version. By upgrading, you’ll be able to recover files without the 2GB data limit.

      Get 50% off of EaseUS Pro [Click here]

      Recovering files is made simple using the EaseUS software, but files often come out corrupted after a recovery attempt. This is why EaseUS includes photo and video repair tools. This will help you fix your files after recovery, and make them useable again. The software will automatically detect JPEG, JPG, MP4, or MOV files, and begin to repair them.

      EaseUS File Recovery

      You can trust EaseUS to be one of the best file recovery solutions available, with millions of users and support for 20 different languages. This is very well-received software and is used by industry professionals for effective data recovery. This software supports recovery for more the 1,000 different file types.

      • Documents
      • DOC/DOCX, XLS/XLSX, PPT/PPTX, PDF, CWK, HTML/HTM, INDD, EPS, etc.
      • Graphics
      • JPG/JPEG, TIFF/TIF, PNG, BMP, GIF, PSD, CRW, CR2, NEF, ORF, SR2, MRW, DCR, WMF, RAW, SWF, SVG, RAF, DNG, etc.
      • Video
      • AVI, MOV, MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, MKV, ASF, FLV, SWF, MPG, RM/RMVB, MPEG, etc.
      • Audio
      • AIF/AIFF, M4A, MP3, WAV, WMA, APE, MID/MIDI, RealAudio, VQF,FLV, MKV, MPG, M4V, RM/RMVB, OGG, AAC, WMV,APE, etc.
      • Email
      • PST, DBX, EMLX, etc.(from Outlook, Outlook Express, etc.
      • Other Files
      • Such as Archives(ZIP, RAR, SIT, ISO etc.), exe, html, SITX, etc.
      Get EaseUS
      We thank EaseUS for sponsoring this post. Our sponsors help us pay for the many costs associated with running XDA, including server costs, full time developers, news writers, and much more. While you might see sponsored content (which will always be labeled as such) alongside Portal content, the Portal team is in no way responsible for these posts. Sponsored content, advertising and XDA Depot are managed by a separate team entirely. XDA will never compromise its journalistic integrity by accepting money to write favorably about a company, or alter our opinions or views in any way. Our opinion cannot be bought.

      The post EaseUS Data Recovers for Windows, MAC, iOS and Android appeared first on xda-developers.

      Samsung is bringing Galaxy Watch 3 features to the original Galaxy Watch and Watch Active

      The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is Samsung’s latest smartwatch that comes with nifty features like ECG and blood pressure monitoring. While the Watch 3 is one of the best smartwatch options for Android users, the predecessors also still have plenty of life left in them. Samsung is now making the predecessors stay useful for longer as the latest update brings along features from the new watch to the older models.

      The original Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Watch Active are receiving new updates from Samsung (via TizenHelp). This update comes in at about 292MB and brings along nifty additions. For one, there is a smarter notification system that lets you see images in the incoming messages. The feature was introduced on the Watch Active 2 and is present on the Watch 3 too. And now, even the original watches now support images in notifications and messages.

      Other additions with the update include AR Emoji and Bitmoji to be used in conversations, voice guidance for workouts when recording automatic section of running and biking exercises, scrolling capture for taking longer screenshots on the watch, and the ability to listen to voice guidance over Bluetooth headsets. For topping it up, Samsung is also promising performance and stability fixes sprinkled along with these features.

      The update for the Galaxy Watch comes with firmware version R810XXU1FUB6, and that for the Galaxy Watch Active comes with firmware version R500XXUF1UB5. Both the updates are rolling out to users in the US and South Korea. You can expect the update to reach other regions soon.

      The original Samsung Galaxy Watch was launched in August 2018, and the Active version came along in March 2019. With Samsung staying committed to updates to these connected devices, it is reassuring to customers that the hardware they purchase can chug along as best as it can through the years. Most users change watches more infrequently than they change smartphones, so seeing new updates applying a fresh coat of paint is refreshing.

      The post Samsung is bringing Galaxy Watch 3 features to the original Galaxy Watch and Watch Active appeared first on xda-developers.

      These are the best Galaxy S21 Ultra screen protectors you can get in February 2021!

      The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra elevated once again the bar of what a Samsung phone can do. It fixed many of the flaws that existed with the Galaxy S20 Ultra, its direct predecessor while following in its footsteps and borrowing some elements from Samsung’s other flagship, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra. It is really an amazing smartphone that you should definitely have in mind if you’re in the market for a premium phone: 108MP camera, a Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100, a 5,000 mAh battery, and up to 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of RAM. So sure, all of these specs sound great, right? Well, they also come at a pretty penny, and if you clicked on this article, you probably want to get it protected. In this article, we’re going to hook you up with some of the best Galaxy S21 Ultra screen protectors.

      We’re dealing with a curved display here, so we have everything from plastic protectors to “dome glass” tempered glass ones. Keep that beautiful 120Hz WQHD display protected with the options we have right here. From renowned manufacturers such as Zagg to cheaper ones on Amazon, we have options for everyone.

      Make sure you get the right screen protector for your phone! The Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra are all slightly different sizes, so each set of screen protectors will only work with one model of the Galaxy S21. The recommendations below are for the standard Galaxy S21 screen protectors – we have other guides for Galaxy S21 screen protectors and Galaxy S21 Plus screen protectors if you’re buying those phones.

        Zagg GlassFusion+ for Galaxy S21 Ultra

        Premium Protection

        This isn't Zagg's most expensive, but it should be the better option for everyone. It comes with what the company calls hybrid glass, which is drop and shatter-resistant, so the screen below should do well.
        ESR Liquid Skin Screen Protector Galaxy S21 Ultra

        A simple polymer film

        Looking for something that will just do the job, and don't mind scratches and scuffs all that much? ESR's option might be yours, and it comes with 3 films in case one doesn't work well enough or you misapply.
        Whitestone Dome Glass Screen Protector Galaxy S21 Ultra

        Premium-Quality Glass

        Coming in at a prettier penny comes Whitestone's Dome Glass option, that provides a curved tempered glass protector. It cures with UV light, and it's also able to protect your phone's precious screen.
        MAXVITAVELA Tempered Glass Privacy Screen Protector

        Protect those messages

        Don't want people peeking at your private conversations while you're using your phone? This might be just what you need. Not only it protects your phone, it also makes it harder to see from an extreme angle, granting you some privacy.
        LELANG Tempered Glass Screen Protector

        Affordable protection

        This LELANG kit of tempered glass screen protectors should be able to keep your S21 Ultra well protected against most drops, scuffs, and overall scratches and damage, while also keeping costs down. It also comes with an extra camera protector.
        amFilm Plastic Screen Protector S21 Ultra

        Plastic protector for the masses

        This is another option worth considering if you don't mind having a plastic protector that can scratch and scuff easily. Underneath, though, your screen will remain fully protected, so if you want something that does the job, this is the option to get.

      These were our picks for the best Galaxy S21 Ultra screen protectors you can get right now. As I mentioned before, we’re dealing with a curved display here, so it can be trickier to get tempered glass protectors installed, and the few that do exist on the cheaper side are either not completely glass or do not provide enough protection. Thus, I recommend getting a plastic screen protector from brands such as ESR and amFilm: while they can be trickier to install than tempered glass ones and are way easier to scratch, they will also do the job of protecting your smartphone’s display. If you have a bit more money, I’d recommend you to go with more premium options such as Zagg and Whitestone’s Dome Glass, which are tempered glass or hybrid protectors that should work properly.

      I’ve also thrown in a few tempered glass options for the cheap. While they won’t be as good as the other options I listed, they should at least be able to take the hits instead of your phone’s display—which is what a screen protector is meant to do, after all.

        Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
        The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the ultimate overkill in the new 2021 flagship series, packing in a flagship SoC, a premium build, a great display, and an amazing camera setup, as well as all the extras expected on a premium flagship.

      The post These are the best Galaxy S21 Ultra screen protectors you can get in February 2021! appeared first on xda-developers.