Google has announced that it will hold an event on October 6 where it will show off its Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro in more depth, as well as its Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds. The company is planning to hold the event at 10 a.m. ET, according to a tweet put out earlier. The search giant attached a video of the upcoming phones, watch, and buds, giving us a good idea about what will be announced.

Google has not kept the Pixel 7 series or the Pixel Watch a very closely guarded secret. In fact, for several months, it has had dedicated pages for them on its Google Store. We know that the Pixel 7 will be available in three colours: Obsidian, Lemongrass, and Snow and that they will feature the Google Tensor G2 chip which will bring new features to photos and improve videos, security, and speech recognition.

According to CNBC, Google is planning to make the new products available for order on the same day that they’re announced. Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is largely over, Google will be holding the event in-person in New York City, but you’ll be able to tune in on YouTube during and after the event.

While Google has taken the wraps off its Pixel phones, we still don’t know too much about the specifications or pricing, officially. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro went on sale for $599 and $899 respectively, so expect similar pricing for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, unless Google takes the opportunity to factor in the recent inflation and bump up the prices.

Source: Twitter via CNBC

Google is set to launch new phones and watch at October 6 event

The Huawei Mate 50 might have just edged out Apple in the space-texting race. Image: Huawei

Huawei has announced the Mate 50 series, a day ahead of Apple’s September event and with a feature that the iPhone 14 is expected to offer: the ability to send texts via satellite communication. The Mate 50 and Mate 50 Pro will be able to send short texts and utilize navigation thanks to China’s global BeiDou satellite network, allowing for communication in areas without cellular signal.

The flagship Mate 50 series includes 4G-only versions of the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset with 8GB of RAM. The 50 Pro comes with a slightly bigger 6.74-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, while the Mate 50 offers a 6.7-inch, 90Hz OLED panel. Both include a 50-megapixel main rear camera with a variable aperture lens with stops from f/1.4 to f/4 — most smartphone cameras use fixed apertures, so a moving aperture is neat, but the lens itself is so small that it’s unlikely to create any kind of meaningful difference in depth-of-field in most situations.

Both models share a 13-megapixel f/2.2 ultrawide, and while each has a telephoto lens, the Pro gets an upgraded 64-megapixel camera capable of 200x digital zoom — the standard Mate 50 offers 100x digital zoom with a lower-res 12-megapixel sensor.

If you feel like you’re hearing a lot about satellite-based communication these days, it’s because you are. T-Mobile and SpaceX just announced a partnership that aims to bring this feature to T-Mobile subscribers by way of Starlink satellites. And the rumors of Apple’s satellite messaging feature have been swirling since last year.

In all of these cases, the technology will likely be limited, at least at first. T-Mobile says its system will allow for text and even picture messaging, but voice calls and data won’t be coming until later. And based on Huawei’s description of the system, it looks like the Mate 50 phones will only be able to send texts by satellite, and won’t be able to receive them. In all of these cases, satellite-based texting aims to provide an emergency connection in places without signal to get urgent messages out, rather than a way to keep up with your group chats while you’re out of cell range. In any case, we’ll have to wait at least a little longer for the feature in the US — Huawei’s devices will, of course, not be sold here.

The first phone maker to add satellite texting to its devices is... Huawei

Brazil halts sales of charger-less iPhones, fines Apple $2.3 million

Apple’s iPhone 14 launch event is just days away, and it’s expected to showcase a range of new devices — not just a new iPhone. We’re also on the lookout for three (yes, we said three) new Apple Watch models and even a refreshed pair of AirPods Pro earbuds.

Apple’s holding a small in-person event at its Apple Park campus and will stream the show online, similar to what it did with WWDC in June. Here’s what we might see at Apple’s hardware-heavy event, which is slated for September 7th, 2022, at 1PM ET.

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max get some major upgrades

Apple will, of course, reveal the brand new iPhone 14 in September, but the standard model likely won’t be the star of the show. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are expected to carry the bulk of the new and exciting features.

There are three big features expected in the 14 Pro and Pro Max: a customizable always-on display (a feature Android phones have had for years); a 48-megapixel rear camera with a larger sensor; and a screen that gets rid of the notch in favor of smaller camera cutouts.

Speaking of the cutouts, a report from MacRumors indicates the camera and speaker will have separate cutouts when the screen’s turned off but will form one long pill shape when it’s powered on. A tipster told 9to5Mac that Apple will use the extra space between the two cutouts to more prominently display the privacy indicators for the camera and microphone, which users may be able to tap into for more information about what’s currently accessing them. 9to5Mac also said Apple may optimize its Camera app for its Pro devices by shifting some of its controls, like the flash and autofocus button to the top of the screen, with others housed directly beneath the cutout.

The phone should also get an upgraded A16 processing chip and potentially have two new colors: blue and deep purple. It’s also rumored to support a faster 30W charger (but the phone itself probably won’t come with USB-C just yet), as well as start with 256GB of storage, a jump from the 128GB floor that previous Pro and Pro Max models have. The Pro line is also rumored to have slimmer bezels and bigger batteries. It’s a solid list of new features that Apple may use to justify a rumored price hike for its higher-end iPhones.

However, it doesn’t seem like the standard version of the iPhone 14 will come with many major changes. The biggest update to the non-Pro model is expected to be the introduction of a larger 6.7-inch display in the iPhone 14 Max — if it’s even called that. Purported phone packaging from Apple’s factory indicates that the company might be planning to swap the “Max” branding on the standard iPhone model for “Plus,” a moniker Apple hasn’t used since the iPhone 8 Plus.

Naming aside, rumors from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicate that the iPhone 14 (plus the Pro and Pro Max) may also have a better selfie camera that uses autofocus. Performance-wise, the base iPhone 14 will likely use the same A15 processor used in the iPhone 13 series. And if you’re a small phone lover, I’m sorry to say that a new Mini likely won’t make an appearance this year.

Rumors have also been swirling about the iPhone 14 coming with satellite connectivity, something users can take advantage of in emergency situations without cellular service. Satellite connectivity was rumored for the iPhone 13 last year, and in February, satellite company Globalstar acquired 17 new satellites “to provide continuous satellite services to the potential customer,” which some speculate is Apple. The “Far Out” event branding could also hint at this possibility.

New Apple Watch models: Series 8, SE, and “Pro”

Apple’s gearing up to launch three new Apple Watch models: the Watch Series 8, a refreshed SE, and a new rugged “Pro” model designed for athletes who partake in extreme sports.

Let’s start with the Series 8. According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the next-gen watch will come equipped with a new S8 chip, but it won’t offer a notable performance upgrade over the S7 and S6 chips. While Apple isn’t expected to include a way to monitor your blood pressure just yet, it may come with a temperature sensor that will detect if you have a fever, as well as fertility-tracking features.

Meanwhile, the new Apple Watch SE is expected to replace the budget Watch Series 3. It will likely come with the same S8 chip, an upgrade over the S5 chip the 2020 SE model uses. Other than that, it doesn’t look like any other huge changes are in store — it’s expected to retain the same display size as the current SE.

As for the rumored rugged Apple Watch “Pro,” Gurman believes it could come with a larger “nearly 2-inch display” that’s “more shatter-resistant.” It may also sport a “strong metal” case instead of a rubberized exterior that was hinted at previously. A report from the Japan-based Mac Otakara adds more color to these rumors, noting that the Pro model could have a flat-edged display with a larger 47mm case, an increase from the Apple Watch Series 7’s 41mm and 45mm sizes. It may not even fit into older Watch bands.

While we’re not expecting the first variation of this watch to come with satellite connectivity, Gurman predicts a future model of the Pro watch could have satellite features, which is something the company has reportedly discussed internally. Even without the satellite features, don’t expect this watch to be cheap — Gurman expects it to cost anywhere from $900 to $999.

The next generation of the AirPods Pro

The AirPods Pro haven’t received an update since their initial launch in 2019. Now, nearly three years later, we may finally see the release of the AirPods Pro 2 at the Far Out event.

First off, expect them to look different. The new AirPods Pro may resemble the Beats Fit Pro, potentially with an in-ear wing tip design that drops the stem. They could also have a focus on fitness tracking thanks to the potential for upgraded motion sensors.

Kuo also hinted at the possibility of the AirPods Pro supporting lossless audio, allowing for higher-quality sound. This would also make the AirPods Pro 2 the first model to use the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) — even the high-end AirPods Max don’t support it. If the AirPods Pro 2 do end up supporting the Apple Lossless Audio Codec, it’ll be interesting to see how Apple manages to get around the limitations of Bluetooth, which generally requires compressing audio quality.

However, reports from MacRumors and 9to5Mac suggest Apple could take a different approach. Apple may instead be working on adding Bluetooth 5.2 support, which uses a new codec that’s supposed to transmit audio more efficiently, allowing for either higher quality audio or reduced battery usage. A recent filing with the Bluetooth SIG products database indicates Apple may be looking into adopting the technology for the AirPods Pro, and 9to5Mac says it saw references to the technology in iOS 16’s code.

The AirPods Pro 2 charging case may also get an upgrade. It may come with a small speaker that makes a sound when you try to locate it via the Find My app. Only the AirPods themselves make a sound right now, and adding the capability to the case could come in handy if it ever gets separated from your AirPods.

We may get iOS 16 and watchOS 9 launch dates

We first heard about iOS 16 when Apple announced it in June, and we have a pretty good idea of what to expect based on what we’ve seen from the public beta. Gurman says Apple wrapped up development last week, and the company is likely to launch a finalized version of iOS 16 within about a week of its iPhone 14 event.

iOS 16 brings a number of new features, including the ability to edit and unsend messages as well as a customizable lock screen. It also introduces repositioned notifications that appear at the bottom of your lock screen and a Live Activities lock screen widget that provides updates on real-time events, such as sports scores or food delivery progress.

Oh yeah, and battery percentage is back... but not in the way you might expect (or like). Luckily, Apple may find a way to squeeze in the old battery percentage indicator — which shows the battery icon and percentage side-by-side — in the iPhone 14 Pro’s status bar now that we’re expecting a design with no notch.

In addition to iOS 16, Apple could also launch watchOS 9 alongside its three new smartwatches. The watchOS 9 beta has been out for a couple of months now, and it’s set to bring quite a few improvements to the Apple Watch. This includes new running metrics, medication reminders, sleep stage tracking, passive AFib monitoring, and enhanced watchface customization.

Is that all?

It looks like this is it for this particular Apple event, but luckily, we shouldn’t have to wait much longer for another round of new Apple products. Apple’s expected to return to its old pre-pandemic schedule of holding an iPhone event in September and then a separate event in October to showcase its new iPads and Macs.

That’s when we can expect a new M2-equipped iPad Pro as well as an entry-level iPad with the A14 chip. Apple’s also rumored to release three new Macs, including a Mac Mini, Mac Pro, and MacBook Pro, all with Apple’s M2 chip. iPadOS and macOS Ventura will likely arrive around this time as well.

We’re still waiting for Apple’s long-rumored mixed reality headset, too, and it would be kind of a long shot to expect the company to show it off this year. It looks like Apple is making some progress, though. Recent trademark filings indicate that Apple’s looking into “Reality” branding for its new headset, which its board of directors reportedly got to test out earlier this year. Kuo predicts the device won’t launch until January 2023.

And remember that rumored iPhone subscription we heard about earlier this year? There’s apparently a possibility that it could launch by the end of this year according to Gurman, potentially giving you the option to pay a monthly fee to “lease” an iPhone or iPad.

Update August 24th, 12:05PM ET: Updated to confirm that Apple’s event is happening on September 7th.

Update August 29th, 11:29AM ET: Updated to add new rumors surrounding Apple’s upcoming devices.

Update August 31st, 5:47PM ET: Updated to add additional rumors about the iPhone 14.

Update August 31st, 6:19PM ET: Updated to add more information regarding the iPhone 14’s cutout.

Update September 4th, 3:44PM ET: Updated to add more iPhone 14 and Apple Watch rumors.

What to expect from Apple’s iPhone 14 event

The device shows the faint Google logo on its rear. Image: Gadgetfull BD

What appears to be the upcoming Google Pixel 7 Pro surfaced in a brief unboxing video posted on Facebook by Gadgetfull BD, a technology shop based in Bangladesh. The video shows someone taking the device out of a Google-branded box and showing off its sleek black exterior, which features Google’s “G” logo stamped on the back.

Google first teased the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro at I/O in May, and will likely launch the device next month alongside the Pixel Watch. The phone in the video posted to Facebook matches up with Google’s official renders, complete with the aluminum camera bar with two cutouts for the sensors. It even features what looks like Google Pixel’s official animation sequence when it’s booted up, followed by a device setup screen.

There isn’t much else the video tells us about the new device, and Gadgetfull BD doesn’t offer any additional details in its description. We’ve already seen a couple of alleged Pixel 7 prototypes crop up, with one user selling one on eBay, and another on Reddit claiming they purchased the device from Facebook Marketplace.

Each leak has basically confirmed the designs Google presented earlier this year, but this particular video could indicate that Google’s getting closer to actually launching it. The two previous leaks didn’t show a Google logo on the device’s rear and also didn’t include any product packaging.

Google doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to keeping its Pixel phones secret up until launch, and the Pixel Watch has shaped up to be just as leaky. With Google’s fall launch event just around the corner, it won’t be long until we get to see what Google really has in store.

Alleged Google Pixel 7 Pro appears in unboxing video ahead of launch

Office Insiders on iOS has received Version 2.65 (22082900), which now lets users view, create, and edit PowerPoint slides in portrait orientation on their iPhone or iPad devices. You can go to the Design tab in the ribbon and tap Orientation, then tap Portrait and see the slide in focus change to portrait orientation. iOS users are also getting the option to enable dark mode while they working on a document quickly. You can tap the More Options (…) menu in the upper-right corner of the screen and toggle on or off the Switch to Light/Dark Background button. The complete official changelog is given below.

Office Version 2.65 (22082900) for iOS

There is something for Android users too. Microsoft is adding a new capability to Outlook, enabling you to set rules around meeting forwarding, RSVP requests, new time proposals, and hiding attendees. You can learn more about the functionality in the complete official changelog below.

Office Version 16.0.15629.20002 for Android

All the features Microsoft introduced to Office Preview builds will eventually be available to the general public in the future. However, we cannot tell when they will be available. But they should not take a long time to arrive for the Office stable users since Office Insiders are testing them. Meanwhile, Microsoft will hopefully release a new Office Insider Build next month for both Android and iOS users. We’ll keep you updated if we find anything interesting in the update.

If you’re not a part of the Office Insider program, you can join Office Insider for Android by following a few simple steps. You can click on this link for a step-by-step installation guide. If you’re an Insider on iOS, you can install the latest Office update on your device to try these new features. You can download the Microsoft Office app from the below link.

  

 

Download QR-Code

‎Microsoft Office

Developer: Microsoft Corporation

Price: Free+

 

Microsoft brings new features to Office apps for Android and iOS users

Lockheimar has not disclosed much about the company's plan for the rollout of satellite connections on Android devices. But if 9to5Google is to be believed, "the next version of Android" the senior vice president has mentioned is Android 14.

Satellite connectivity support in Android will perhaps require compatible hardware, and if that is the case, it rules out the possibility of all the Android handsets, including entry-level ones, getting the support for establishing connections over satellite connectivity. However, companies like Samsung would unlikely hesitate to include it in their flagship Android models, such as the Galaxy S series.

Not only will satellite connections be something that's cool to have on the phone, but the piece of tech will also be helpful in a situation where you do not have proper cellular connectivity to send an emergency message. It will be super beneficial in times of emergencies.

Besides Google, Apple's next-generation iPhone 14 models could support satellite connections. A week ago, SpaceX and T-Mobile jointly announced universal cellular connectivity, with an aim to provide smartphone connectivity everywhere in the United States. One significant advantage of SpaceX and T-Mobile's solution is that it won't require you to modify your smartphone, nor will it need you to install an app. It will be interesting to see how Google does it.

via Android Authority | 9to5Google

Future versions of Android may support direct satellite connectivity

Apple’s iPhone 14 launch event is just weeks away, and it’s expected to showcase a range of new devices — not just a new iPhone. We’re also on the lookout for three (yes, we said three) new Apple Watch models and even a refreshed pair of AirPods Pro earbuds.

Apple’s holding a small in-person event at its Apple Park campus and will stream the show online, similar to what it did with WWDC in June. Here’s what we might see at Apple’s hardware-heavy event, which is slated for September 7th, 2022, at 1PM ET.

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max get some major upgrades

Apple will, of course, reveal the brand new iPhone 14 in September, but the standard model likely won’t be the star of the show. The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are expected to carry the bulk of the new and exciting features.

There are three big features expected in the 14 Pro and Pro Max: an always-on display (a feature Android phones have had for years); a 48-megapixel rear camera with a larger sensor; and a screen that gets rid of the notch in favor of smaller camera cutouts.

Speaking of the cutouts, a report from MacRumors indicates the camera and speaker will have separate cutouts when the screen’s turned off but will form one long pill shape when it’s powered on. A tipster told 9to5Mac that Apple will use the extra space between the two cutouts to more prominently display the privacy indicators for the camera and microphone, which users may be able to tap into for more information about what’s currently accessing them. 9to5Mac also said Apple may optimize its Camera app for its Pro devices by shifting some of its controls, like the flash and autofocus button to the top of the screen, with others housed directly beneath the cutout.

The phone should also get an upgraded A16 processing chip and potentially have two new colors: blue and deep purple. It’s also rumored to support a faster 30W charger (but the phone itself probably won’t come with USB-C just yet), as well as start with 256GB of storage, a jump from the 128GB floor that previous Pro and Pro Max models have. It’s a solid list of new features that Apple may use to justify a rumored price hike.

However, it doesn’t seem like the standard version of the iPhone 14 will come with many major changes. The biggest update to the non-Pro model is expected to be the introduction of a larger 6.7-inch display in the iPhone 14 Max — if it’s even called that. Purported phone packaging from Apple’s factory indicates that the company might be planning to swap the “Max” branding on the standard iPhone model for “Plus,” a moniker Apple hasn’t used since the iPhone 8 Plus.

Naming aside, rumors from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicate that the iPhone 14 (plus the Pro and Pro Max) may also have a better selfie camera that uses autofocus. Performance-wise, the base iPhone 14 will likely use the same A15 processor used in the iPhone 13 series. And if you’re a small phone lover, I’m sorry to say that a new Mini likely won’t make an appearance this year.

Rumors have also been swirling about the iPhone 14 coming with satellite connectivity, something users can take advantage of in emergency situations without cellular service. Satellite connectivity was rumored for the iPhone 13 last year, and in February, satellite company Globalstar acquired 17 new satellites “to provide continuous satellite services to the potential customer,” which some speculate is Apple. The “Far Out” event branding could also hint at this possibility.

New Apple Watch models: Series 8, SE, and “Pro”

Apple’s gearing up to launch three new Apple Watch models: the Watch Series 8, a refreshed SE, and a new rugged “Pro” model designed for athletes who partake in extreme sports.

Let’s start with the Series 8. According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the next-gen watch will come equipped with a new S8 chip, but it won’t offer a notable performance upgrade over the S7 and S6 chips. While Apple isn’t expected to include a way to monitor your blood pressure just yet, it may come with a temperature sensor that will detect if you have a fever.

Meanwhile, the new Apple Watch SE is expected to replace the budget Watch Series 3. It will likely come with the same S8 chip, an upgrade over the S5 chip the 2020 SE model uses. Other than that, it doesn’t look like any other huge changes are in store — it’s expected to retain the same display size as the current SE.

As for the rumored rugged Apple Watch “Pro,” Gurman believes it could come with a larger “nearly 2-inch display” that’s “more shatter-resistant.” It may also sport a “strong metal” case instead of a rubberized exterior that was hinted at previously. A report from the Japan-based Mac Otakara adds more color to these rumors, noting that the Pro model could have a flat-edged display with a larger 47mm case, an increase from the Apple Watch Series 7’s 41mm and 45mm sizes. It may not even fit into older Watch bands.

While we’re not expecting the first variation of this watch to come with satellite connectivity, Gurman predicts a future model of the Pro watch could have satellite features, which is something the company has reportedly discussed internally. Even without the satellite features, don’t expect this watch to be cheap — Gurman expects it to cost anywhere from $900 to $999.

The next generation of the AirPods Pro

The AirPods Pro haven’t received an update since their initial launch in 2019. Now, nearly three years later, we may finally see the release of the AirPods Pro 2.

First off, expect them to look different. The new AirPods Pro may resemble the Beats Fit Pro, potentially with an in-ear wing tip design that drops the stem. They could also have a focus on fitness tracking thanks to the potential for upgraded motion sensors.

Kuo also hinted at the possibility of the AirPods Pro supporting lossless audio, allowing for higher-quality sound. This would also make the AirPods Pro 2 the first model to use the Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC) — even the high-end AirPods Max don’t support it. If the AirPods Pro 2 do end up supporting the Apple Lossless Audio Codec, it’ll be interesting to see how Apple manages to get around the limitations of Bluetooth, which generally requires compressing audio quality.

However, reports from MacRumorsand 9to5Macsuggest Apple could take a different approach. Apple may instead be working on adding Bluetooth 5.2 support, which uses a new codec that’s supposed to transmit audio more efficiently, allowing for either higher quality audio or reduced battery usage. A recent filing with the Bluetooth SIG products database indicates Apple may be looking into adopting the technology for the AirPods Pro, and 9to5Mac says it saw references to the technology in iOS 16’s code.

The AirPods Pro 2 charging case may also get an upgrade. It may come with a small speaker that makes a sound when you try to locate it via the Find My app. Only the AirPods themselves make a sound right now, and adding the capability to the case could come in handy if it ever gets separated from your AirPods.

We may get iOS 16 and watchOS 9 launch dates

We first heard about iOS 16 when Apple announced it in June, and we have a pretty good idea of what to expect based on what we’ve seen from the public beta. Gurman says Apple wrapped up development last week, and the company is likely to launch a finalized version of iOS 16 within about a week of its iPhone 14 event.

iOS 16 brings a number of new features, including the ability to edit and unsend messages as well as a customizable lock screen. It also introduces repositioned notifications that appear at the bottom of your lock screen and a Live Activities lock screen widget that provides updates on real-time events, such as sports scores or food delivery progress. Oh yeah, and battery percentage is back... but not in the way you might expect (or like).

In addition to iOS 16, Apple could also launch watchOS 9 alongside its three new smartwatches. The watchOS 9 beta has been out for a couple of months now, and it’s set to bring quite a few improvements to the Apple Watch. This includes new running metrics, medication reminders, sleep stage tracking, passive AFib monitoring, and enhanced watchface customization.

Is that all?

It looks like this is it for this particular Apple event, but luckily, we shouldn’t have to wait much longer for another round of new Apple products. Apple’s expected to return to its old pre-pandemic schedule of holding an iPhone event in September and then a separate event in October to showcase its new iPads and Macs.

That’s when we can expect a new M2-equipped iPad Pro as well as an entry-level iPad with the A14 chip. Apple’s also rumored to release three new Macs, including a Mac Mini, Mac Pro, and MacBook Pro, all with Apple’s M2 chip. iPadOS and macOS Ventura will likely arrive around this time as well.

We’re still waiting for Apple’s long-rumored mixed reality headset, too, and it would be kind of a long shot to expect the company to show it off this year. It looks like Apple is making some progress, though. Recent trademark filings indicate that Apple’s looking into “Reality” branding for its new headset, which its board of directors reportedly got to test out earlier this year. Kuo predicts the device won’t launch until January 2023.

Update August 24th, 12:05PM ET: Updated to confirm that Apple’s event is happening on September 7th.

Update August 29th, 11:29AM ET: Updated to add new rumors surrounding Apple’s upcoming devices.

Update August 31st, 5:47PM ET: Updated to add additional rumors about the iPhone 14.

Update August 31st, 6:19PM ET: Updated to add more information regarding the iPhone 14’s cutout.

What to expect from Apple’s iPhone 14 event

Both the 6D (shown above) and the 6D Ultimate (shown below) still share a lot of similarities with the 6 and 6 Pro, however the 'D' suffix in the names of these phones is suspected to mean Dimensity. It's reported that the 6 series Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is going to be replaced with the cheaper and slightly less powerful Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ system on a chip.

Nothing else is known yet about these devices and what other changes have been made, as visually, they are very similar to their predecessors. Asus has a reveal event lined up for the 6D and 6D Ultimate on the 19th September, where its expected pricing and availability will be announced.

Based on the hardware changes, it is expected that the 6D and 6D Ultimate are to be lower cost alternatives to the 6 and 6 Pro. Reports suggest that the 6D Ultimate is to be the cheapest option of the range, despite its name suggesting otherwise.

Source: 91mobiles

Leaked images surface of the ASUS ROG Phone 6D and 6D Ultimate

I come to you today with good and bad news. The bad news is that small phones are dead. Apple is all but certainly killing off the iPhone Mini this year, and the smallest Android phone I’ve used all year is the 5.9-inch Asus Zenfone 9 — quite a bit larger than the 5.4-inch Mini. But that’s what passes for “small” now.

Here’s the good news. We can at long last lay to rest the debate over what’s the right size for a phone because I just made up an answer: 6.1 inches. All phones henceforth shall adhere to the new, entirely reasonable standard I have invented and come with a 6.1-inch screen. Take the Google Pixel 6A and its — you guessed it — 6.1-inch screen. Next to the 6.4 and 6.7-inch Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, it’s downright tiny. It fooled me into thinking I was holding a small phone when I first took it out of the box, but it’s actually a whole lot bigger than the Mini.

If we can’t have truly small phones, then we should have more like the Pixel 6A: small enough to kind of fit in your pocket but large enough to be tolerated by the big-phone-loving population. Certain exceptions will be allowed, but by the power vested in me by literally nobody: 6.1 inches is the new default. Here’s my reasoning.

It’s small enough to kind of qualify as a compact phone.

Sony just teased a new “compact” phone that’s probably the Xperia 5 IV, which is very likely to have a 6.1-inch screen like its predecessor. Since most Android phones (especially the best-selling budget and midrange devices) hover around the 6.5-inch mark these days, this counts as compact.

It’s also, objectively, not very small. Here’s something that really happened: when I unboxed the Google Pixel 6A, I gushed to the rest of the Verge reviews team over Slack about what a cute, small phone it was. A little baby Pixel 6! They quickly reminded me that 6.1 inches is not tiny, cute phone territory. When you spend most of your time using huge Android phones, you can lose your sense of what’s a small display and what’s just normal.

It’s big enough to be acceptable to the big-phone-favoring public.

The base models of the Samsung Galaxy S22 and iPhone 13 are both 6.1 inches. In the US, at least, those are basically the default flagship phones on Android and iOS — you can go up from there, both in price and screen size, but it all starts at 6.1 inches. See my earlier point about screen size being normalized through repeated exposure: if most people already see this as the default, then it’s settled, I say! No need to push the standard screen size higher — we’re all comfy right here.

Someone has to put an end to screen size inflation.

Years ago, we all walked around with tiny sub-5-inch phones in our pockets, and you know what? That was fine. But then we got greedy for more square inches and more pixels. Here we are. The biggest iPhone is a gargantuan 6.7 inches. What’s next, a 7.6-inch screen? You’d have to fold it in half to even carry it around! Imagine! The madness must be stopped.

I’m not saying every single phone has to be 6.1 inches. The people have spoken, and the people want Maxes, Pluses, and Ultras. I’m just declaring politely asking that we settle on a sensible middle ground that satisfies both the small phone aficionados and everyone else before it’s too late. In the meantime, I’ll be over here, gently weeping as I put my SIM card into yet another phone with a huge 6-point-something-inch screen.

It’s settled: 6.1 inches is the ideal smartphone screen size

Google Pixel sees huge sales growth, has 2% of North American market

The move comes after the long running trade war between China and the US is forcing global companies to rethink their manufacturing strategies. More and more companies are now looking for alternatives out of China to suit their assembly lines. China’s Zero Covid policy, which has resulted in multiple lockdowns across key manufacturing hubs like Shanghai and Beijing, hasn’t helped either.

Ming-Chi Kuo, who is a reputed Apple analyst, anticipated that Apple will ship the next iPhone from both the countries at roughly the same time. This is a significant benchmark for Apple as it diversifies its supply chain.

Previously, it would take new iPhones six to nine months from the launch date to get assembled in Foxconn’s Indian plant. Now, Apple and Foxconn have reduced this to two months. The first iPhone 14s from Chennai, India would realistically come to the markets in late October or November after their initial release in September. As part of Apple and Foxconn’s long term goal, this time period will further reduce.

The time frame is quite ambitious for the Indian market, as the Diwali festival begins on October 24. iPhones manufactured in India are shipped to global markets just like the Chinese made ones.

Source: Bloomberg

Apple to start manufacturing iPhone 14 in India to remove dependency on China

Smartphone demand drops for all but the most expensive models

 The iOS @Outlook app shows me ads that look like emails now, get the fuck outta here @Microsoft pic.twitter.com/o6dSIY85Yt

 — Nick Smith (@yonicksmith) August 16, 2022

Previously, "free" Outlook users could spot ads only in the "Other" section of the app. Now Outlook on Android and iOS injects ads when customers disable Focused Inbox to keep a single view for all emails. In a statement to The Verge, Microsoft has confirmed the change:

For free users of Outlook, ads are shown in their inbox and they can choose to enable the ‘Focused inbox’ feature if they would like to see ads only in the ‘Other’ inbox.

Outlook users can purchase the Microsoft 365 subscription to get rid of all banners (and get a ton of other features) or enable Focused Inbox to keep at least important emails free from banners. Although ads in Outlook are not disruptive or in-your-face, their email-like look can easily deceive users and make them unwillingly tap the banner.

The influx of ads in popular services is a trend more companies have started to follow to increase their revenue. Apple, for example, recently confirmed that iOS users would see more ads across stock apps, and the change will join existing "native ads" Apple uses to promote its services on iOS and macOS.

Source

Motorola takes on the Pixel 6a with a 144 Hz mid-range phone

Android could go 64-bit only in 2023, starting with the Pixel tablet

The event is rumored to be online, but expectations are that certain media reporters will be allowed to attend it. Bloomberg states that some retail employees at Apple have been told to commence preparations for a major product launch on September 16.

The event is said to include the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Max, and the iPhone 14 while excluding the iPhone 14 mini. As 9to5Mac states, Apple will begin pre-orders for the iPhone 14 from September 9, where initial orders will reportedly arrive on September 16.

The iPhone 14 is expected to resemble its preceding iPhone models; however, it has a 6.1-inch display. Models above the iPhone 14 have a maximum of 6.7-inch screens. The iPhone 14 Pro, Max, and Pro Max phones will, as the company hopes, also have improved resolution. Furthermore, iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will reportedly have a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera and improved battery life.

Right now, the company is also working on other products like the Apple Watch Series 8; thus, a launch of a new Apple Watch is also expected next month. Additionally, we could see the introduction of iOS 16 in September as well.

Since it is still August, Apple has remained silent on the timings for the event, but following the company’s schedule, the event is likely to be in early September.

Source: Bloomberg via 9to5Mac

Apple is planning to launch the iPhone 14 and other products on September 7

The blog has also revealed the next-gen entry-level iPad will be thinner than its predecessor. The device will have 5G network support, a USB-C port, larger display than its predecessor, and powering it will be Apple’s A14 Bionic chipset. It will feature flat bezels to give the device a nicer look. Apart from that, we do not know much about the upcoming iPad.

Apple is known to be working on another iPad device. But unlike the upcoming entry-level iPad, it will be a “Pro.” It will reportedly come in two sizes: 11-inch and 12.9-inch. Both the models are expected to feature a mini-LED display. The next-generation M2-powered iPad Pro may launch in October. Possibly, both the models will launch on the same date. The M2 iPad Pro will be the successor to last year’s M1-powered iPad Pro. However, whether Apple will hold a dedicated press event to launch these devices remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Apple will launch new iPhone models in a dedicated press event slated to take place in September. There will reportedly be four iPhone models, including the 6.1-inch iPhone 14, the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, and the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max. Apple is reportedly planning not to release any ‘Mini’ iPhone models this time.

Are you excited about Apple’s upcoming devices? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Apple may be working on an entry-level iPad

Google is rolling out a new design for Gmail. Among the coming changes are a left-hand menu to quickly click into Chat, Spaces and Meet; easier filtering to find emails faster; and many shades of blue.

Google says the move is aimed at making it simpler to access different apps — like the company’s instant messenger or videoconference tool — from your Gmail inbox.

Google users aren’t strangers to sudden design and branding switches. In 2020, the company renamed its collection of apps from Google Suite to Google Workspace, and it’s continuously played with the names and logos of the accompanying video, chat and collaboration apps, perhaps in hopes of turning a collection of disparate products into one hub. Now, Gmail users can hop among apps easier, the company says.

To get Chat and Meet in the left-hand menu, go to Settings in a browser and choose “Apps in Gmail,” then “Customize.”

(The Washington Post illustration; Tatum Hunter/The Washington Post)

“During the pandemic, we’ve seen a further evolution as tens of millions of people around the world started to move between email, messaging, group chat and video calls as a part of managing their daily lives,” Google product manager Neena Kamath said in a recent blog post. “To help people stay connected, we’re bringing together Gmail, Chat, Spaces and Meet in a single, unified view.”

The biggest changes to your Gmail won’t happen automatically — you’ll have to seek them out. To add Chat instant messages, Spaces collaboration rooms or Meet video calls to the new left-hand menu, open your Gmail inbox in a browser and click on the Settings icon (the tiny gear) in the upper right corner. Under “Apps in Gmail,” choose “Customize.” Choose which apps you want to add, and after reloading they’ll show up in the left-hand menu along with Mail and Spaces.

Google also said it’s adding “search chips” to the Gmail inbox. Those are buttons that help you refine your search when you’re looking for a particular message or attachment. The new chips button appears to show up next to the forward and backward arrows at the top of the inbox.

Gmail is one of the most widely adopted email services, with more than a billion users. But people’s loyalty to Google’s email product doesn’t mean they’re always happy with it. The company retired its practice of reading your emails to better target you with ads in 2017, but it won’t directly say whether its privacy protections prevent companies from putting tracking technology inside emails. Last year, Google ended its free photo storage, and some users now see an alert at the top of their inboxes saying they’ll soon run out of the 15 free gigabytes of storage that come with a Google account.

App redesigns are rarely a hit with the people who use them. If you want to switch back to the old version, go to Settings again and select “Go back to the original view.”

Source

This year’s major Android update, Android 13, is officially releasing today for Google’s Pixel phones, the search giant has announced. The annual update is getting an official release a little earlier than usual, following Android 12’s release last October and Android 11’s release in September 2020.

The list of updates arriving with this year’s version of Android is likely to be familiar if you’ve been keeping up with Android 13’s beta releases. There’s the ability to customize non-Google app icons to match your homescreen wallpaper that we saw in Android 13’s first developer preview, a new permission to cut down on notification spam, and a new option to limit which of your photos and videos an app can access.

Back in January, we wrote that Google planned to spend this year catching up with Apple’s ecosystem integrations, and there’s more evidence of this in Android 13’s official release. The update includes support for spatial audio with head tracking, which is designed to make sounds appear as though they’re coming from a fixed point in space when you move your head while wearing compatible headphones, similar to a feature Apple offers for its AirPods. Today’s post doesn’t say exactly which headphones this will work with, but Google previously announced it would be updating its Pixel Buds Pro to offer support for spatial audio.

Secondly, there’s the ability to stream messages from apps including Google Messages directly to a Chromebook, similar to iMessage on the Mac. It’s another feature that Google detailed in January. As well as its own Messages app, one of Google’s promotional assets also shows this working with the messaging app Signal, and the company says the feature will work with “many of your other favorite messaging apps.” The update also includes a feature that lets you copy content from an Android phone to be pasted on an Android tablet and vice versa.

Other Android 13 features include the ability to set languages on a per-app basis, a redesigned media player that adjusts its look based on what you’re listening to, support for Bluetooth Low Energy for better sound quality at lower bitrates and reduced latency, improved multitasking on large-screen devices with drag and drop support for multitasking, and better palm rejection when using styluses.

On this support page, Google broke down which Pixels are getting the Android 13 update today (the Pixel 4, 5, and 6 families of devices), as well as a long list of fixes it includes. A developer page where you can download the images before the update is pushed to your device automatically also notes that upgrading to Android 13, at least with a factory image, is a one-way trip — a bootloader update included with it means you won’t be able to flash back to Android 12.

For developers or anyone who was in the Android 13 beta, there’s a blog post with more information for you here. Everyone in the beta will get the Android 13 final release, and then stay enrolled to receive beta updates for upcoming Feature Drops. If you’d rather back out and stick to final release software, then you can head to the Android Beta site and opt-out now, without any need to wipe your device first.

If you’re ready to install Android 13 on your Pixel phone, the OTA images are available here, or you can use the web-based Android Flash Tool to upgrade compatible devices.

The Android update will be coming to devices from other manufacturers including Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, HMD, Motorola, Realme, Sony, Xiaomi, and Asus “later this year,” Google’s Sameer Samat writes in today’s announcement post. For more details on the changes arriving in the update, check out Google’s post.

Update 2:43PM ET: Added details on device support, information for participants in the beta program, and a note about the bootloader increment that can prevent rolling back from Android 13 to Android 12.

Android 13 arrives for Pixel phones starting today

Apple could eventually bring ads to more of the apps that come pre-installed on your iPhone and other Apple devices, including Maps, Books, and Podcasts. According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has internally tested search ads in Maps, which could display recommendations when you search for restaurants, stores, or other nearby businesses.

Apple already implements a similar advertising model on the App Store, as developers can pay to have their app promoted on a search page for a particular query, like “puzzle games” or “photo editor.” As noted by Gurman, ads on Maps could work in the same way, with businesses paying to appear at the top of search results when users enter certain search terms.

Gurman believes that Apple could introduce ads to its native Podcasts and Books apps as well. This could potentially allow publishers to place ads in areas within each app, or pay to get their content placed higher in search results. Just like Maps, Podcasts and Books are currently ad-free.

And while the App Store already has ads on the Search tab, Gurman expects Apple to expand ads to the Today tab and app download pages, which tracks with previous reports from 9to5Mac, Apple Insider, and MacRumors. According to 9to5Google, ads on the Today tab will show up as larger cards with the word “Ad” placed beneath the app’s name, while ads on individual app pages will appear highlighted in blue in the “You Might Also Like” section.

Gurman mentions the potential for advertising on Apple TV Plus, too, and says the company could opt to create a lower-priced ad-supported tier, something both Netflix and Disney Plus plan on doing by the end of this year. Right now, Apple TV Plus offers only a $4.99 / month ad-free subscription plan (although it has started showing ads during its Friday Night Baseball livestreams).

Apple first introduced ads on the App Store in 2016, and also displays apps on its Stocks and News apps. Last September, the company started asking users whether they want to enable the Personalized Ads that appear on these apps, in compliance with its own App Tracking Transparency (ATT) policy that cost social platforms billions of dollars.

ATT gives users the option of disabling the tracking tools advertisers use to display targeted ads. It may have contributed to the overall growth of Apple’s advertising sector, as it has left businesses scrambling to reconsider their advertising strategies. According to data that Insider obtained from research firm Omdia, Apple’s advertising business grew 238 percent to $3.7 billion in 2021.

Apple’s move to open up more ad slots on its App Store — and potentially on Maps, Podcasts, and Books — could signal that Apple’s looking to expand its advertising business even more. In May, a report from Insider revealed that Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, is reportedly planning to restructure Apple’s services business to direct more attention to streaming and advertising. Apple’s services arm, which includes advertising and its various subscriptions, saw a 12 percent increase in revenue last quarter.

Your iPhone may soon have more ads

This isn't the first time Durov has voiced concerns against the company. This time, he pointed out that if one of the most popular apps was receiving such treatment, it may be even more difficult for indie developers. That is a valid point, since Apple doesn't exactly have an impressive record when it comes to treating developers fairly, notably the recent changes to its policies to remove apps with low usage.

Soon after Durov posted the message, several articles popped up across blogs highlighting the issue. You can call it good marketing or bad press, but Apple didn't want any part of this. The Cupertino company approved the version the next day, and the app update was available for users. But there is more to it than meets the eye.

So, what was this revolutionary update that would change how people express themselves in messaging? Telemoji, aka an animated version of emojis in Telegram. The messaging service wanted to replace the static emojis with higher quality vector animated versions. Here is a short-animated demo of what the Telemojis look like, you can find the full video demo here.

But, that is not going to happen, at least not yet, because Apple told Telegram not to use the emojis. That was the reason why it had not approved the updated. Why is that? An official explanation has not been given, but it is likely because the original emojis were designed by Apple. It is possible that the tech giant didn't want Telegram to modify its creation, and use it in its app. That is fair in my opinion.

Apple tells Telegram not to use Telemoji in its app

Durov has termed this as a puzzling move by Apple, and claims that Telemoji would have enriched the messaging ecosystem. He also said that Telegram is working on making the emoji more unique, which probably means the emojis are being completely redesigned.

That said, Durov and Telegram have another reason to be mad at apple. With Telegram Premium offering a paid subscription for users, it has to cough up 30% of its earnings (for transactions made via the App Store) to Apple. The latest update for the messaging app brings custom emojis, these aren't free though. It allows users to create custom emoji packs and upload them to the platform. Premium users will initially get 10 custom emoji packs with access to over 500 emojis.

The Telegram update for iOS brings a new sticker panel, with tabs for stickers, GIF and Emojis. It adds a new privacy setting that is exclusive for Premium users, the option allows users to restrict who is allowed to send voice messages to them. Users can now gift Telegram Premium subscriptions to others.

Telegram may claim that Telemoji is unique. Is it though? Microsoft Teams and Discord have animated emoji too. I will admit however that the Telemojis look much better than those in the other two. I'm not really convinced that animated emojis are the next big thing in messaging, because stickers, animated stickers and GIFs have been around for a long time, and are not locked behind a paywall.

Telegram founder says Apple forced them to remove animated Telemoji from the messaging app

After seeing incremental changes and updates to the Galaxy S22 line in February, it’s now the ultra-flagship Galaxy Z Fold’s turn. Samsung announced the new Galaxy Z Fold 4 alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Watch 5, and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro at its latest Samsung Unpacked event — all of which are set to arrive on August 26th — and, well, the new Fold definitely looks like a Galaxy Fold.

While this new iteration doesn’t set itself apart very much from last year’s model in the looks department, it does bring some new features, including improved durability and a wider outward-facing cover screen. But how does the Galaxy Z Fold 4 stack up to the Z Fold 3 when we get to the nitty-gritty on paper? Here, we’re comparing them spec for spec to see just how different Samsung’s upcoming Fold is.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 versus Z Fold 4: tiny, iterative improvements

Samsung’s Galaxy Fold line has certainly come a long way since its disastrous origins. While the cheaper Z Flip has become the new option for those who are foldable-curious, the Galaxy Z Folds remain the premium, flagship-level phones in Samsung’s lineup. Last year’s Z Fold 3 helped break new ground in terms of folding phone normalcy with features like water resistance, which still pales in comparison to traditional slab phones. That said, the new Z Fold 4 maintains a lot of the improvements of last year’s Fold 3, like that IPX8 resistance, a 7.6-inch folding OLED, and a skinny yet usable outside cover screen — which are now cheaper to repair in the event of an accident.

The Z Fold 4, much like the S22 generation, offers numerous small improvements that iterate upon the last model. Its outward screen is now about 3mm wider, offering an aspect ratio that feels a little less awkward and slim. The under-display selfie camera is supposed to blend into the screen better, too, and that inner display is more durable than last year’s model despite the phone being slightly lighter. Samsung says this lighter build is to help with one-handed use.

There’s also a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor that allows for faster performance, and the main camera has been improved with more megapixels and a bigger sensor for improved nighttime performance. Sadly, Samsung’s coined “Nightography” term is here to stay for now, but if the tradeoff for that word crime is better photos, well, all right.

All of these changes to the Z Fold 4 still come at the same price as the outgoing model, meaning it starts at $1,799.99 with 256GB of storage. Setting aside any ongoing preorder promotions that get you a free storage bump to 512GB, there’s no getting around that this is a pricey phone. So, if this generation doesn’t represent a significant enough change for you, there’s maybe something to be said of searching for a Z Fold 3 on discount before it’s long gone. But to better assess how the two compare on paper, below is a side-by-side comparison outlining the finer details of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 4.

While the Fold 4 certainly looks cool, it’s hard to deny that, on paper, it feels like a modest spec bump over the Fold 3. Aside from the upgrade to the main camera sensor, telephoto magnification, the new CPU, and a slightly wider cover screen, you have to squint a little to see some differences. (I’m looking at you, aspect ratios.)

Yes, it shoots 8K video now, but only at 24 frames per second — and most folks may not want to deal with those massive file sizes. The durability improvements and lower-cost repairs are a welcome change, but Samsung’s claim of a 45 percent stronger main screen is one of those numbers that sounds big at first but is hard to tell how much of a difference it makes in the long haul.

Perhaps the marked improvements will be more apparent in our full review. In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments on what you think of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4.

Here’s how the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 compares to last year’s Z Fold 3

Xiaomi has unveiled its new Xiaomi MIX Fold 2, just one day after Samsung showed off its Galaxy Z Fold4. While the Fold4 was shown off first, Xiaomi’s new device will begin shipping a whole ten days earlier on August 16. Unfortunately for international Xiaomi fans, it looks like this model will be arriving in China first, and it didn’t say when or if it would launch elsewhere.

There will be three versions of the Xiaomi MIX Fold 2, the 12 GB + 256 GB model will cost 8,999 yuan, the 12 GB + 512 GB model will cost 9,999 yuan, and the 12 GB + 1 TB model costs 11,699 yuan. In addition to the memory and storage options, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 will be available in two colours, Black and Gold.

The full specs for the device are as follows:

With the base model coming in at roughly $1,340, it makes the device cheaper than its blatant competitor, the Galaxy Z Fold4, which costs $1,799 in the United States. People opting for Samsung’s device, however, can knock up to a $1,000 off the price if they trade in eligible devices for, so those people the Fold4 may still be cheaper.

Xiaomi unveils its new foldable flagship, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 2

At its Unpacked event today, Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy Buds2 Pro earbuds. They are available for pre-order from today and will begin shipping on August 26. Those looking to buy the product will have to pay $229.99, but you can get $75 off with an eligible trade-in. Those who pre-order will also get a free wireless charger.

Samsung describes the earbuds as top-of-the-line and says they provide immersive wireless audio. The buds feature a new compact design, making them suitable to use either at home or on the go. They are 15% smaller than their predecessor and include a secure fit so that you can use them during a workout.

The buds support Hi-Fi 24-bit audio and offer high-dynamic range to improve the listening experience, and there’s a new coaxial 2-way speaker included for richer sounds. The active noise cancellation properties of the Galaxy Bud2 Pro ensure that you can make calls on them without outside noises interrupting what the other person is saying.

As these are wireless earbuds, Samsung has included Auto Switch to allow quick connectivity switching between your tablet, phone, or TV. Additionally, it connects to SmartThings Find, so you can easily find them if they’re not in their cradle. The Galaxy Buds2 Pro comes in three colours that match the new foldable phones unveiled today – Graphite, White, and Bora Purple.

Samsung's new Galaxy Buds2 Pro will set you back $229.99