Speaking to CNBC, Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight, said:

“Right now it doesn’t make sense for Apple to make a foldable iPhone. We think they will shun that trend and probably dip a toe in the water with a foldable iPad

A folding iPhone will be super high risk for Apple. Firstly, it would have to be incredibly expensive in order to not cannibalize the existing iPhones."

Samsung follows a similar price model where its foldable smartphones are priced much higher than its flagship smartphone with flat displays. However, with its Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Flip series, Samsung has continued to refine the foldable technology. Currently, the South Korean company dominates both the technology and the consumer market of foldables.

If Apple went ahead and made a foldable iPhone, it will likely be priced at around $2,500, said the analyst. The priciest iPhone 14 Max Pro with 1TB storage currently costs $1,599.

Wood added that Apple will get a chance to implement and scale foldable screen technology and also "breathe new life" to its iPad series.

Earlier, a report from Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) suggested that Apple will likely enter the foldable smartphone market in 2025. The report said that Apple doesn't seem to be in a hurry to enter the foldable market, and the company is quite optimistic about the foldable technology as well.

Apple could also be working on a foldable notebook, which could become a new category of products itself.

Renowned Apple Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also claimed that Apple is testing Electronic Display Paper (EPD) for future foldable device's cover screens and tablets. He predicted that the EPD could potentially become a mainstream solution for foldable devices thanks to its excellent power efficiency.

Source: CNBC

Apple is working on a foldable iPad, could launch before foldable iPhone

Motorola’s teasing a rollable concept phone

EDIT: Added missing animated GIF.

Commenting on the announcement, Daniel Lee, the Executive Vice President of the Memory Product Planning Team at Samsung Electronics said:

The joint validation of 8.5Gbps LPDDR5X DRAM has enabled us to accelerate market-wide availability of this high-speed memory interface by more than a year, which is a tremendous accomplishment made possible through our long-standing collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies

In terms of how the new memory compares to previous iterations, Samsung's 8.5Gbps DRAM is around 13.33% faster than the previous 7.5Gbps chips. And compared to LPDDR5 non-X, it is nearly 33% ahead. Meanwhile, the capacity is expected to bump up to 64GB, though it is far more likely to be used in data centers rather than consumer phones.

The graphic below shows Samsung's progress in the LPDDR field, starting all the way back with 1.8Gbps LPDDR3:

You can find the official press release here.

Samsung's uber fast 8.5Gbps LPDDR5X RAM is coming soon to a Qualcomm Snapdragon near you

According to The Pixel, a technology-focused YouTube channel, Samsung is already preparing its successor, the Galaxy M54. The smartphone will reportedly come equipped with the powerful Snapdragon 888 processor, Qualcomm’s flagship SoC from 2020. It also has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

What's more, the handset could have a 6.67-inch Super AMOLED Full HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate. When it comes to cameras, the Galaxy M54 is rumored to have a triple rear setup: a 64MP primary rear camera, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro shooter. A 32MP hole-punch selfie camera is also expected.

Finally, the Galaxy M54 will purportedly pack a 6,000mAh battery and support 25W fast charging through its USB Type-C port. Other features expected in the device include a fingerprint reader, GPS, 4K video recording, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0.

The phone could be priced at 10 million VND in Vietnam, which is roughly $410/€419. The Pixel says that the Galaxy M54 could launch later this year or early next year.

Source: The Pixel via Sammobile

Samsung Galaxy M54 to pack Snapdragon 888 processor, 6000mAh battery

Apple reportedly wants to turn the iPad into a smart display with a new dock

As you’ll likely have guessed, loudcasting is much more likely to be practised by young people and the older you get, the more annoyed by it you’re likely to be. Funnily enough, three-quarters of loudcasters find the practice to be frustrating when they hear someone else’s phones – it seems like it just hasn’t filtered through to them that other people find them annoying.

Thankfully, perpetrators of loudcasting are more likely to be on a video call rather than listening to bad music. Around 36% of respondents listened to music on their phone, compared to 45% who said they make video calls and 46% who said they watch videos. The findings found that someone was more likely to be playing music if they were younger and came from a black, Asian, or minority ethnic background.

If you are a loudcaster and concerned about getting told off, just stop worrying. The findings found that only 9% of people ask others to stop loudcasting. The majority will do nothing or move away from the area. If you’re in earshot of parents, though, watch out because they are more than twice as likely to ask you to be quiet than non-parents.

Source

For starters, there is a new tab bar at the bottom is more modular and customizable. The "More" button has been added to the tab bar, which will allow you to access Contacts and Files in its first iteration, followed by Apps at a later date. Basically, any installed Teams apps that also support Outlook will start to appear in the Apps section, but a dedicated mobile store is in the works too. Rollout will begin with Android, followed by iOS.

Additionally, Search is being renamed to "Feed" based on the multipurpose role it plays. Apart from discovering content such as files and emails, it will also surface a scrolling feed of To-Do items, news, and more. File and Contacts will be migrated to the tab bar instead of being directly in Search.

Finally, the Fast Action Button (FAB) in the inbox view currently allows an action of "New email", but it will soon have a caret button ("^") that will allow you to perform other actions such as creating a new event too.

Although Microsoft hasn't defined concrete timelines for the respective rollouts of these features, it has mentioned that most of them will come first to Android, rather than iOS. Based on the announcement and the screenshots, it doesn't seem like Outlook customers on these platforms will have to wait too long.

Here are some of the new features coming soon to Outlook on Android and iOS

According to the Microsoft 365 Roadmap page, Microsoft is planning to bring the "Schedule and send" feature to Android and iOS users, allowing them to delay the delivery of emails. The capability is very similar to how "Delay delivery" works on Outlook.com and Outlook desktop apps.

Once it goes live for everyone on iOS, users can choose the date and time they want their emails to be sent. Microsoft hasn't explained the exact flow of the UX for Android and iOS, but it is quite simple in Outlook for macOS: you need to bring the drop-down menu from the "Send options" and select "Schedule and send" to select when you want your emails to be sent.

Notably, Microsoft is set to introduce the "Schedule and send" to Outlook iOS clients first, which is happening this month. Android users will have to wait until December to see it in action on their handsets.

"Schedule and send" in Outlook for Android

"Schedule and send" in Outlook for iOS

Ever since Microsoft added an option to delay the delivery of emails in Outlook web and desktop apps, users on the Microsoft Tech Community website have been asking when it will be available for the Outlook iOS and Android apps. This wait will finally be over for many this month. In all likelihood, the feature will be rolled out via an update via the App Store and the Google Play Store in the said months.

What else is Microsoft Outlook getting this month, you ask? Well, Microsoft will also introduce the reactions feature to the Outlook Windows client, according to the roadmap page. The functionality is already available on Outlook for Mac.

Which upcoming Outlook features are you excited about the most? Let us know in the comments.

Microsoft to add this widely requested Outlook feature to Android and iOS soon

Brazil court orders Apple to reimburse customers for charger-less iPhones

Several days ago, a new report revealed details about the upcoming update for Microsoft's dual-screen smartphones. The company is about to update its Surface Duo devices with Android 12L, and the operating system will introduce a redesigned UI resembling design pieces from Windows 11. If you are curious to see how Microsoft envisions a child of Windows 11 and Android 12L, here is your first sneak peek.

Windows Central has published the first look at the upcoming Android 12L update for the original and second-gen Surface Duo. It reveals Windows 11-like control and notification center will blurred backgrounds and new buttons, and a set of icons for the Settings app pulled from the Microsoft's operating system.

Photos also reveal additional customization settings, such as color palette and accent colors, plus there is a new feed section with widgets similar to those in Windows 11. Microsoft wants to make its Surface smartphones look as similar as possible to Windows 11 to provide a seamless experience, and, at the first glance, it seems that the company has done a decent job.

We do not know when Microsoft plans to drop Android 12L. It only says that the update will start rolling out "later this year."

Do you like the upcoming UI redesign for the Surface Duo and Duo 2?

Source: Windows Central

Photos reveal Windows 11-like Android 12L update for Surface Duo

How many are a few months, you ask? Well, in a statement to Economic Times, an Apple representative said that it was eyeing December to release the 5G software updates for iPhone devices in India. The company did not disclose the exact date, but it should be rolled out to everyone by the end of December 2022 or early January 2023.

The full statement given to ET reads as follows:

We are working with our carrier partners in India to bring the best 5G experience to iPhone users as soon as network validation and testing for quality and performance is completed. 5G will be enabled via a software update and will start rolling out to iPhone users in December.

If you own models older than iPhone 12, you will not benefit from 5G networks. Since those models are not 5G supported, no 5G-related software updates will be rolled out to them in December.

Apple is not the only company that has to roll out a software update to enable 5G in its handsets. Companies like Samsung will have to do the same to bring 5G to their users in India. However, not all Android devices require an update. All the latest flagship devices, unlike iPhone handsets, from major brands launched this year do not need additional updates to run 5G.

If you are based in Indian cities where 5G is currently available, have you tested 5G networks yet? Share your experience with us in the comments.

Source: Economic Times

Apple reveals when it will roll out 5G software updates for iPhone models in India

The two main features of the release are an improved onboarding experience for new Vivaldi users, and an option to configure tab discarding.

Vivaldi 5.5 is available via Google Play, but also as a direct Android APK file from the Vivaldi website. Google Play installed versions of the browser will update automatically, but the update may not be pushed to devices immediately.

Vivaldi 5.5

Android users who install Vivaldi 5.5 on their devices get a new onboarding experience that helps them customize the browser from the get-go. It is still possible to select quick start and be done with it immediately, but users who select "customize it" may modify the browser to their liking.

Tabs may then be placed at the top or bottom, tab styles and browser colors may be customized, and content blocking enabled. All of these options are also available in the settings, but not all users have the time or patience to go through all of the settings to customize the browser.

Vivaldi on the desktop displays a similar option to users, giving them the choice between a streamlined browser, a browser with a good mix of features enabled, and the full experience.

All of these options may be changed in the settings, just like on Android. The new onboarding experience takes a couple of seconds to go through, and most users will probably appreciate it, as it adjusts the browser to their preferences.

Still, it is recommended that users take the time and go through all the settings that Vivaldi provides to fully customize the browsing experience.

Automatically close tabs

Vivaldi 5.5 for Android includes a new option to discard tabs automatically. Vivaldi users may configure the setting to have the browser remove tabs automatically.

Tabs that have not been visited for the specified amount of time are closed automatically by the browser. Vivaldi 5.5 for Android may close tabs after one week, one month, or three months of inactivity.

The new setting is located under Settings > Tabs > Automatically Close Tabs. Closed tabs may be reopened in the history.

Closing tabs may reduce memory usage of the browser, and it may also provide a better tabbed browsing experience as it reduces the number of open tabs.

Now You: have you tried Vivaldi on Android?

Vivaldi 5.5 for Android launches with improved onboarding and automatic tab discarding

For camera aficionados, the Dimensity 1080 tool packs several new camera features needed to capture high-quality photos and videos. In addition, the chipset integrates a hardware-accelerated HDR video recording engine to process up to 4K resolution.

There's support for sub-6GHz 5G networks and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity too. It's good news for gaming enthusiasts as it will allow them to enjoy an uninterrupted, smooth gaming experience.

CH Chen, Deputy General Manager of the wireless communications business unit at MediaTek said:

Continuing MediaTek’s legacy of optimizing power and performance, the Dimensity 1080 offers a full suite of advanced features that challenge expectations about what a 5G smartphone can do. This new chipset is designed to further enhance many of the functions that made its predecessor great, including processing power, camera, and video quality, and time to market for manufacturers.

Technical specifications reveal that MediaTek’s 5G chipset is equipped with 2 ARM Cortex-A78 performance cores clocking at 2.6GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0GHz. It also includes support for LPDDR5 memory and two-lane UFS 3.1 storage.

There has been no change in the Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) and the Artificial Processing Unit (APU). Both, still remain the same and retain the same capabilities. We expect to see smartphones powered by the Dimensity 1080 in the market by Q4 2022.

MediaTek showcases new Dimensity 1080 chip for 5G smartphones

iOS 16.0.3 claims to fix an issue where iPhone 14 owners on phone calls via CarPlay could barely be heard by the person on the other end, and another issue where Mail "crashes on launch after receiving a malformed email."

It also addresses notification delays and Camera app slowdown on iPhone 14 Pro models. Some users were complaining that the Camera app could take multiple seconds to launch in some cases, and they faced similar delays in switching modes within the app once it had launched.

The iPhone update doesn't add any new features, but several are coming in iOS 16.1. That release is expected in the coming weeks alongside the new version of iPadOS and, presumably, one or more new iPad models.

For its part, watchOS 9.0.3 addresses interrupted audio in Spotify, syncing errors with Wallet and Fitness when setting up a new Watch, a microphone bug, and an issue with snooze alarm notifications not behaving as expected.

Both updates are available on all supported devices today. The full iOS release notes from Apple can be found below.

This update provides bug fixes and important security updates for your iPhone including the following:

• Incoming call and app notifications may be delayed or not delivered on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
• Low microphone volume can occur during CarPlay phone calls on iPhone 14 models
• Camera may be slow to launch or switch between modes on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
• Mail crashes on launch after receiving a malformed email

Source

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), at one US amusement park the plummeting rides activated the phones' crash detection system.

The feature was introduced in the new iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Series 8, Ultra and SE with the latest OS.

Apple told the newspaper the technology is intended to provide "peace of mind" and will continue to improve over time.

Although a new feature on the iPhone, the crash detection system recently demonstrated its utility alerting emergency services to a fatal accident in Nebraska.

Google's Pixel phone already has a crash detection system.

Previous reporting by the WSJ testing Apple's system in a variety of collisions - including using the skills of a "demolition derby" driver - did not suggest the system was overly sensitive.

However, the newspaper was provided with records of six calls to local emergency services from iPhones whose crash detection system had been triggered while on rides at Kings Island amusement park outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

In a recording of one of the calls obtained by the newspaper an automated message from an iPhone can be heard saying: "The owner of this iPhone was in a severe car crash and is not responding to their phone". The sound of the amusement park is audible in the background.

Drivers have also described instances where the crash detection system has been triggered because phones were dropped while their vehicle was moving.

i was on a motorcycle ride today and my new iphone 14 pro flew off my handlebars on the highway. RIP. I immediately drove to apple to get a new temp phone sorted. Meanwhile my whole family thought i was dead. The iphone 14 sent out crash alerts to my circle
    — Douglas Sonders (@douglassonders) September 18, 2022

False alerts can waste emergency services' time, and cause distress to relatives.

"We are very vigilant about calls. No call doesn't get checked. You get used to calls that are not an emergency, but it's wear and tear on the dispatchers," Melissa Bour, the director of emergency services for Warren County - which received the calls - told the WSJ.

Rollercoaster news site Coaster101 noted that Dollywood - a theme park partly owned by country music performer and literacy campaigner Dolly Parton - also warned riders of the risk of false alerts.

Signs placed at entrances to two of the park's most "intense" roller coasters warned riders that Apple watches and other similar devices should not be taken on the ride, Coaster101's reporter noted, as they could trigger the collision detection feature and cause an unintended emergency call.

    Apple Watch users, has this happened to you on a coaster? pic.twitter.com/GzfqnmjZ2J
    — Coaster101.com (@Coaster101) September 28, 2022

Severe crashes

According to Apple, the system is designed to detect severe car crashes - such as front-impact, side-impact and rear-end collisions and rollovers.

The phone uses a number of sensors to detect a crash, including sound, changes in air pressure caused by airbags deploying, motion sensors and GPS.

Following a detected crash, users are given an option to call the emergency services or dismiss the alert.

However, if after 20 seconds the user does not respond, the phone automatically calls emergency services, giving the location of the incident. It also sends a message to a user's emergency contacts if they have them.

Users concerned that a scream-filled trip on a high adrenalin ride might trigger a false alert from their phone can turn the feature off if they wish, or put the phone into airplane mode.

Many amusement parks ask people to leave their phone behind before going on a ride.

The BBC has approached Apple for comment.

Source

Pixel 7 and 7 Pro come with a 6.3-inch and 6.7-inch Full High Definition (FHD) display respectively, and maximum 1400-nit brightness. The Pixel 7 Pro also has a 10-120 Hz variable refresh rate - the rate at which the display refreshes. The phones are made of aluminum and recycled material. Pixel 7 is available in three shades: Snow, Obsidian, and Lemongrass similar to Pixel 7 Pro, however, the Pro model replaces Lemongrass with Hazel. The shades are similar to the latest Nest products like the Nest Doorbell and Nest Wifi Pro by Google.

The Pixel 7 runs Android 13, which increases the customization of apps, icons, and wallpapers. Pixel 7 also has a full-day battery that lasts up to 72 hours. Additionally, Pixel 7 comes with a Super Res Zoom that extends the camera range up to 8 times, whereas the Pixel 7 Pro extends up to 30 times. Pixel 7 Pro also has MacroFocus that snaps photos in Pixel High Dynamic Range (HDR+). Google stated:

“We’ve also achieved optical quality similar to a dedicated 2x telephoto lens for Pixel 7 and a 10x telephoto lens for Pixel 7 Pro, so you have the flexibility to creatively frame your shot at multiple magnifications while maintaining high quality.”

Google introduced an exclusive Photo Unblur feature for the latest Google Pixel phones that can edit blurry pictures; users can also edit out distractions from their photos through the Magic Eraser tool. A Guided Frame feature has also been added to increase accessibility through audio guidance, haptic feedback such as vibrations, and visual animations when taking selfies. Users can also access the Cinematic Blur feature and record videos in 10-bit HDR.

Google shared how the Real Tone camera algorithm was exposed to various skin tones, allowing it to render them authentically in different lightings, especially the Night Sight. With Night Sight in the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, sharper images can be taken with half the average amount of exposure.

The latest phones are also coming with an improved version of the Direct My Call feature announced last year, where users can now see a pre-made list of menu options for their frequently called businesses. Previously, the Direct My Call feature would transcribe different extensions and automated messages in real-time to allow users to take action without remembering the content.

Users can also transcribe received audio messages, use Face Unlock to access their phones, and get emoji suggestions while texting. Furthermore, Google mentioned the Pixel 7 series consists of a Titan M2 security chip and VPN by Google One without additional fees.

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have a starting price of $599 and $899, respectively, and are available for pre-order from today in these countries. The orders will arrive at major U.S. carriers on October 13, 2022. Countries like Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, and Sweden can also access Pixel phones for the first time.

Google launches Pixel 7 and 7 Pro with larger display, improved camera, and more

Commenting on the findings, IDC’s Anthony Scarsella said:

“The recent launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Fold 4 will once again shine a spotlight on the entire category as Samsung continues to be the gold standard for foldable devices in the market. The new launches from Samsung have brought incremental but critical improvements over their predecessors. The success of these devices should be a strong indicator of how foldables will evolve and capture consumers moving forward. While the price remains a pain point for consumers, the $999 starting price may be accepted by consumers given that most consumer goods have seen price increases due to inflation in 2022.”

While foldables will get quite a bit more popular over the coming years, IDC does not expect them to become mainstream in that time. Figures put out by the company that take into account foldables and other smartphones show that even in 2026, foldables will only make up 2.8% of the devices shipped in that year.

If these figures do end up accurately representing the situation in four years, it will mean that the foldable category has remained a niche, premium segment. It'll be interesting to see if any manufacturers do have a go at lowering the price down to more affordable levels, though.

Foldable phone shipments could more than quadruple by 2026, analyst says

The Pixel 4 and 4 XL’s last guaranteed software update has arrived

Commenting on the talks, Vodafone issued the following statement:

“Vodafone confirms that it is in discussions with CK Hutchison Holdings in relation to a possible combination of Vodafone UK and Three UK. The envisaged transaction would involve both companies combining their UK businesses, with Vodafone owning 51% and our partner CK Hutchison owning 49% of the combined business.”

The coming together of Vodafone and Three UK will be the third huge merger that the UK has seen over the last decade or so. First, there was T-Mobile and Orange, which came together and formed EE. Then, a few years ago, we had the merger of Virgin Media and O2 to create Virgin Media O2, and now we have talks between Vodafone and Three UK. That’s five major networks shrinking to three in about a decade.

Vodafone went on to explain its motives for it seeking a merger:

“The conditions to ensure thriving competition in the market need to be nurtured, otherwise the UK is at risk of losing the opportunity to be a 5G leader. As Ofcom has identified, some operators in the UK – Vodafone UK and Three UK – lack the necessary scale to earn their cost of capital. By combining our businesses, Vodafone UK and Three UK will gain the necessary scale to be able to accelerate the rollout of full 5G in the UK and expand broadband connectivity to rural communities and small businesses.”

Provided the two companies agree to the merger, it will probably have to be approved by the Competition & Market Authority to ensure that the move is not monopolistic. It’s unclear what will happen to MVNOs that rely on these networks such as Smarty and Voxi, but Giffgaff wasn’t affected when its parent, O2, merged with Virgin Media.

Vodafone and Three UK owner are now discussing a merger

If you've upgraded to iOS 16 on your iPhone, you might have noticed your Notification Center looks different. Notifications are now stacked at the bottom of the display by default, instead of taking up the whole screen. Apple's reasoning? It's meant to showcase your beautiful lock screen, especially since there are several new ways to customize it with widgets, Portrait photos, and fresh designs for the clock. 

But if you're not a fan, don't worry. You can easily change it back to the original format. We walk you through the steps to revert your notifications back to the old look, and also how to switch to an entirely new “Count” view as well.

Three Ways to Display Notifications

In iOS 15, the only options in Notification Settings were to tweak features like Scheduled Summary, Show Previews, and Screen Sharing. But in iOS 16, Apple has expanded your options to include three new ways to view notifications in the Notification Center: Count, Stack, and List. Here's how they differ:

List View: This is the classic way notifications have been shown on iPhones for years. It's what you'll want to choose if you don't like the new stacked view in iOS 16. All of your notifications will appear from top to bottom across the entire lock screen.

Stack View: This is the new default after you upgrade to iOS 16 (or set up a new iPhone 14). With this layout, all of your notifications will appear at the bottom of the display. Tap on the bundle and they will expand to fill the screen. Swipe up and you'll see older notifications sitting at the bottom. This view is great for anyone who wants to prioritize the lockscreen wallpaper more than anything.

Count View: This view completely hides your notifications and only shows the total number at the bottom of the screen. For example, if you have two unread text messages, five Instagram alerts, and one missed call, it will show “8 Notifications” displayed at the bottom. You can swipe up to view them and swipe down to hide them again.

How to Change the Lock Screen Notification Design

1. Open Settings and tap on Notifications.
2. In the Display As module at the top, tap Count, Stack, or List based on what you prefer.

If you ever want to change to a different view, just follow the steps above again.

Whichever you choose as your default, you can always swap between all three views right from the lock screen through a series of gestures. Swipe all the way up from the bottom of the display to showcase all your notifications in list view; swipe down to condense them into a stack; swipe down again (from Stack View) to hide the notifications and show only the total number.

How to Get the Old Lock Screen Notification View in iOS 16

(May require free registration to view)

In a statement to TechCrunch, a Meta spokesperson noted that the app violated its policies and that it is taking all "appropriate enforcement actions". Apple removed The OG app from its App Store too, but it's currently unclear if this is due to an explicit demand made by Meta.

Un1feed expressed disappointment at the move and accused Apple of colluding with Meta. It stated that:

Everyone knows Instagram sucks. We made it better and got a lot of love from users. But Facebook hates its own users so much, it’s willing to crush an alternative that gives them a clean, ad-free Instagram. Apple is colluding with Facebook to bully two teenagers who made Instagram better.

The app's official Twitter account echoed the same thoughts but some social media users were quick to point out that the app is still in clear violation of Instagram's Terms of Use:

Indeed, the app wasn't consuming from Instagram's vanilla public API. The startup had already stated that it had accomplished the ad-free and customizable experience by "reverse-engineering" Instagram's Android API.

Un1feed had initially stated that it will continue its efforts to get the app relisted but this seems very difficult now considering that Meta has disabled access to Facebook and Instagram for all members of the startup. The app continues to be available on the Google Play Store, but it's unlikely that this will remain the case for long.

Apple removes ad-free Instagram client from App Store following complaints from Meta

Multiple reviewers and YouTubers are reporting that the batteries inside their older Samsung phones have started to swell. Although this wasn't an uncommon occurrence a few years ago, OEMs have refined the technology in recent times so that this no longer happens. However, it seems like Samsung devices are still plagued by this issue.

YouTuber Mrwhosetheboss - whose real name is Arun Maini - has recently published a video showing that the batteries inside his Samsung Galaxy S6 from 2015 and the Galaxy S10 from 2019 have started to swell up. Interestingly, other devices stored in similar conditions have not shown this deterioration, which has led Maini to believe that this is a Samsung-specific issue. You can view the video below:

Interestingly, when Maini reported this problem before, Samsung reached out to him to collect his devices for further investigation. However, it's been two months since this happened and Samsung has remained quiet on the topic.

Neowin's co-founder Steven Parker has highlighted this issue with two older phones, namely the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note9, both of which were powered on and in use when the swelling occurred. It is evident that the problem isn't restricted to specific phones and isn't as niche as you would think.

Another YouTuber Matt Ansini confirmed Maini's findings too, saying that all of his Samsung phones prior to the Galaxy S20 have had their batteries swollen. Reputable reviewer Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) echoed the findings on his Twitter account as well:

Samsung is yet to offer an official statement on the matter, but we will let you know if there's an update.

Via: Android Police

Reports of batteries swelling inside older Samsung phones continue to balloon

Early renders show the Galaxy S23 ditching the camera bump

Intel Unison is Intel’s take on Microsoft’s Phone Link. The former will allow users to connect their phones with PCs to stay updated with all the latest phone notifications right on their computers. It will also support file transfer between PCs and Android or iOS devices, which means you can now take a photo or shoot a video to seamlessly edit them on your PC. Users will also get full access to their phone’s contact lists using the new software from Intel. Making and receiving voice calls will be possible on your PC. Also, users can send and receive text messages using Intel Unison.

All these features are already available on Microsoft’s Phone Link, except that it does not support iOS devices. Phone Link is meant to connect your PCs with your Android devices. While Intel Unison has a slight edge over Phone Link, as the former supports iOS devices, the latter offers a lot better in terms of feature counts. Another major downside is that Intel’s solution only supports select Intel Evo laptops based on 12th Gen Intel Core processors from Acer, HP, and Lenovo for now. The company has promised to make it available for 13th Gen Intel Core-based designs starting early in 2023.

While Phone Link might sound better for those who use Android and a Windows PC, Intel says it will continue to add support for more form factors, functionality, and operating systems in the future to make Intel Unison better than what it is at launch.

Intel has not given us a demo of how its new software solution will seamlessly connect PCs and Android/iOS devices. But hopefully, we will hear more regarding those details from the company sooner rather than later.

Intel Unison can deliver seamless connectivity between your PCs and iOS devices