News: Mobile News

Apple and Google seem spooked by bill requiring more app stores and sideloading

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 23:28:14 +0000

Bill would make iOS and Android more open to 3rd-party stores and sideloaded apps.

Apple and Google seem to be worried about legislation that would force iOS and Android to be more open to third-party app stores and sideloaded apps.

US Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced their Open App Markets Act yesterday. Shortly after the senators announced the bill, a group funded by Apple and Google sent a statement to media claiming that the proposed law "is a finger in the eye of anyone who bought an iPhone or Android because the phones and their app stores are safe, reliable, and easy to use."

The statement came from the "Chamber of Progress," which calls itself "a new center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology's progressive future."

"I don't see any consumers marching in Washington demanding that Congress make their smartphones dumber. And Congress has better things to do than intervene in a multi-million dollar dispute between businesses," said Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich, who was formerly a longtime Google lobbyist.

Kovacevich played key role at Google

The Chamber of Progress' website lists 20 "corporate partners," with Apple and Google being the most relevant ones in this case. Amazon, Facebook, and Twitter are also funders. The group says its "partners do not sit on our board of directors and do not have a vote on or veto over our positions" and that "we do not speak for individual partner companies and remain true to our stated principles even when our partners disagree."

But the group's lobbying against the new app-store legislation neatly matches the positions of Apple and Google, which have been fighting attempts to make their mobile operating systems more open. Apple issued a statement yesterday that conveyed the same basic message in a less combative way. "At Apple, our focus is on maintaining an App Store where people can have confidence that every app must meet our rigorous guidelines and their privacy and security is protected," the company said, according to CNBC. Google declined to comment when contacted by Ars today but has pointed out that Android is more open to app stores and sideloaded apps than iOS.

The Chamber of Progress became active a few months ago and also lobbied against antitrust legislation that could prohibit platform operators like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook from favoring their own products and services and even break up Big Tech companies.

Kovacevich's bio on the Chamber of Progress website says he "previously led Google's 15-person US policy strategy and external affairs team" and approvingly quotes a June 2019 Wall Street Journal article that said Kovacevich "helped build [Google's] influence operation into one of the largest in the nation's capital" and was "a central player in Google's efforts to shape perceptions and rules in ways that have been favorable to the business of the search and advertising giant." The bio also says Kovacevich "ran Google's work to close its 2011–2013 FTC antitrust investigation."

“Tear down coercive anticompetitive walls”

The lawmakers' announcement of their bill said that "Google and Apple have gatekeeper control of the two dominant mobile operating systems and their app stores that allow them to exclusively dictate the terms of the app market, inhibiting competition and restricting consumer choice." The lawmakers summarize the legislation as follows:

The Open App Markets Act would protect developers' rights to tell consumers about lower prices and offer competitive pricing; protect sideloading of apps; open up competitive avenues for startup apps, third party app stores, and payment services; make it possible for developers to offer new experiences that take advantage of consumer device features; give consumers more control over their devices; prevent app stores from disadvantaging developers; and set safeguards to continue to protect privacy, security, and safety of consumers.

Blackburn said that "Apple and Google want to prevent developers and consumers from using third-party app stores that would threaten their bottom line," while Blumenthal said the two companies "have squashed competitors and kept consumers in the dark—pocketing hefty windfalls while acting as supposedly benevolent gatekeepers of this multi-billion dollar market."

"This legislation will tear down coercive anticompetitive walls in the app economy, giving consumers more choices and smaller startup tech companies a fighting chance," Blumenthal said.

What the bill does

The bill covers companies that own or control an app store with at least 50 million US users, obviously targeting Apple and Google. The companies would have to "allow and provide the readily accessible means for users" to "choose third-party Apps or App Stores as defaults for categories appropriate to the App or App Store" and "install third-party Apps or App Stores through means other than its App Store." Apple and Google would also have to let users "hide or delete Apps or App Stores provided or preinstalled by the App Store owner or any of its business partners."

Android does allow sideloading and third-party app stores, while Apple locks iOS down more strictly, but both companies could have to change business practices to different degrees if the legislation becomes law. Despite Android's openness relative to iOS, 36 states sued Google last month, claiming it worked to "preemptively quash" competing app stores.

The Open App Markets Act would prohibit the app-store operators from requiring developers to use the Apple and Google in-app payment systems and from imposing terms that block or penalize developers who offer the same app at a different price elsewhere. Apple and Google also would not be allowed to preference their own apps in search "unreasonably," which is defined as "applying ranking schemes or algorithms that prioritize apps" simply because they are owned by Apple and Google or their business partners. Clearly disclosed advertising is exempt from that provision.

To help third-party software developers, the bill says Apple and Google must provide "access to operating system interfaces, development information, and hardware and software features" to developers "on a timely basis and on terms that are equivalent or functionally equivalent" to the terms that apply to Apple and Google or their business partners.

Violations of the bill would be considered unfair methods of competition under US law. The Federal Trade Commission, US attorney general, and state attorneys general would be able to sue companies over violations. Developers who are "injured by reason of anything forbidden in this act" would be able to sue the companies for damages and injunctive relief.

Addressing security

Apple and Google would likely object to the bill on security grounds. Apple in particular has touted the security benefits of the iOS app model that generally prevents the installation of software from outside the App Store. To address this issue, the Open App Markets Act allows the companies to impose restrictions designed solely for security purposes, although this is nebulously defined.

The bill says that actions by app-store operators would not violate the proposed law if they are "necessary to achieve user privacy, security, or digital safety; taken to prevent spam or fraud; or taken to prevent a violation of, or comply with, federal or state law." To obtain this exemption, Apple and Google would have to establish "by clear and convincing evidence that the action described is applied on a demonstrably consistent basis to apps of the covered company or its business partners and to other apps; not used as a pretext to exclude, or impose unnecessary or discriminatory terms on, third-party apps, in-app payment systems, or app stores; and narrowly tailored and could not be achieved through a less discriminatory and technically possible means."

App battle on the way

The quick response from the Apple- and Google-funded group to yesterday's announcement foreshadows another battle on Capitol Hill if the bill moves forward. Apple in June "launched a substantial public-relations push" against "calls from regulators to open the gates to alternative app stores and sideloaded apps on the iPhone," as we wrote at the time. CEO Tim Cook said that sideloading is "not in the best interests of the user," while another Apple executive claimed that "sideloading in this case is actually eliminating choice" and described sideloading as the app-installation equivalent of "some dark alley or side road."

When the 36 states filed their antitrust lawsuit against Google last month, Google called the complaint meritless and said it is "strange that a group of state attorneys general chose to file a lawsuit attacking a system that provides more openness and choice than others." Meanwhile, a "Coalition for App Fairness," with members such as Spotify, Epic Games, Match Group, Basecamp, ProtonMail, and Deezer, is on board with the Open App Markets Act.

"The Open App Markets Act would fix a broken app marketplace by barring app stores from requiring apps to use their in-app payment systems, through which they charge exorbitant fees and block communications between developers and their own customers," the group said. "It would also strengthen consumer freedom by allowing people to choose and install the app store and default apps that make the most sense for them and easily delete preinstalled apps they don't want to use."

Apple and Google seem spooked by bill requiring more app stores and sideloading

Microsoft’s Office mobile apps are now optimized for Samsung foldable smartphones

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 22:15:05 +0000

Samsung and Microsoft today expanded their partnership by announcing new Microsoft Office, Teams and Outlook experiences for the newly announced Samsung foldable devices including Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3. Find the details below.

Microsoft Teams:

When you unfold a Galaxy mobile device, you can see a presentation in full-screen detail and the faces of your co-workers on the Teams call underneath.
Also on that Teams call, pull up the Whiteboard and draw what you’re explaining on the board with an S Pen.

Microsoft Outlook:

With Microsoft Outlook’s dual-pane mode for Galaxy devices, you can read a full email while previewing others on the side, just like on a desktop.

Microsoft Office:

You can now run two instances of the same Office app.

“With the Multi-Active window, you can run multiple apps at the same time,” says Patrick Chomet, executive vice president, head of Mobile Products & Experiences at Samsung. “For example, you can open Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint and easily drag and drop a table right into your presentation. Now, you can even run two instances of the same app.”

Source: Microsoft

Microsoft’s Office mobile apps are now optimized for Samsung foldable smartphones

Outlook for iOS and Android to stop syncing with Facebook, Meetup, and Evernote Calendars

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 22:12:25 +0000

Microsoft has announced that the Outlook mobile apps for iOS and Android will soon stop synching calendars from Facebook, Meetup, and Evernote.

The feature will stop functioning on the 13th of September 2021, and Microsoft will pop up a reminder 2 weeks prior to the feature being disabled.

Microsoft is not offering a work-around for this feature at this date.

Outlook for iOS and Android to stop syncing with Facebook, Meetup, and Evernote Calendars

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 are now official

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 22:10:03 +0000

Samsung today announced the latest entrants in its Galaxy Z series of foldables, taking the wraps off the Galaxy Z Fold3 and the Z Flip3, bringing a bunch of improvements to the popular lineup. The larger of the two foldable phones includes many firsts for the device, such as the firm’s first under-display camera, S Pen support. Meanwhile, the Z Flip3 adds a larger cover display, among a bunch of other improvements. Both devices will for the first time also sport IPX8 water and dust resistance rating.

The Z Fold3 brings with it an improved inner display that the firm says is 29% brighter while consuming less energy. Both the cover and inner screens now sport a 120Hz refresh rate, making the experience consistent across displays. The firm is also touting the reliability improvements made to the device, in addition to the benefits brought about by the under-display camera technology that enhances the viewing experience. The triple camera array is close to unchanged on the device, with the telephoto lens now sporting optical image stabilization.

Another interesting addition, as mentioned earlier, is the support for the S Pen. The company has introduced two new S Pen styluses that are built specifically for the Z Fold3 called S Pen Fold Edition and S Pen Pro. The pens house a "specially engineered retractable Pro tip with force limit technology" to avoid damaging the display. The addition of support for the S Pen comes as an additional selling point for those who were looking for a new Galaxy Note device, which the company will not be releasing this year.

As for the Z Flip3, the cover display is now "four times larger", letting users see notifications, use the screen as a viewfinder, and more. Support for features such as Samsung Pay is also built into the display, the firm adds. There are dual cameras on the front of the display and the phone misses out on an under-display camera on the main screen, making do with a punch-hole housing. The inner display now is also a 120Hz unit, bringing a smoother experience and in line with the Z Fold3. The device also features stereo speakers for improved audio, which the phone maker says is great for entertainment consumption.

As part of the announcement, the company also showed off the various multitasking and split-screen styled advantages brought by the devices as well. This includes the Flex Mode for the Z Flip3 that allows for easier video viewing and photography features and split views in the Z Fold3 that makes better use of the screen real estate to allow for more content to be shown and interacted with, within the inner display.

The South Korean giant also boasted of the ease of using the outer display on the larger of the two devices, thanks to the narrower aspect ratio. It also showed off improvements to One UI 3 being made for the foldable, such as the addition of the ability to pin the edge panel to the home screen in the form of a taskbar, and more.

As for specs, the devices come with top-of-the-line internals such as a Snapdragon 888 SoC, along with 12GB of RAM on the Z Fold3 and 8GB on the Z Flip 3. While the Z Flip3 starts with 128GB of internal storage, the Z Fold3 bumps that up to 256GB. You can read the entire spec sheet here. The Z Fold3 is available in Phantom Black, Phantom Green, Phantom Silver, while the Z Flip3 ships in Gray, White, Pink, Cream, Green, Lavender, and Phantom Black, with the black being exclusive to Samsung's website.

The Galaxy Z Fold3 starts at an asking price of $1799.99 and the Z Flip3 starts at $999.99, falling below the $1,000 mark for the first time. Both devices can be pre-ordered today in the U.S., Europe, and Korea, and will become available on August 27. Availability in additional regions will be announced later.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 are now official

Apple iPhone 13 features revealed in new report

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 22:45:41 +0000

Next month, Apple is expected to reveal its iPhone 13 lineup. Apple will be retaining the display sizes with the upcoming iPhone 13 series. Apple will be introducing a 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch iPhone 13 models, and 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch iPhone 13 Pro models. Today, Bloomberg revealed the key features of this upcoming iPhone 13 lineup, read about them below.

Three new camera features.
- Portrait video recording (Already found in Android flagship devices including Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra)
- Ability to record video in Apple’s own higher-quality format called ProRes
- A new filters-like system that improves the look and colors of photos

Apart from the above new camera feature, the new iPhones will get relatively modest upgrades. As expected, Apple will include a faster A15 chip with improved performance and better efficiency. Also, the iPhone 13 series is expected to feature a smaller notch and a high refresh rate display for smoother scrolling experience.

Source: Bloomberg

Apple iPhone 13 features revealed in new report

Motorola Edge 20, Edge 20 Fusion to launch in India soon

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 05:31:28 +0000

The Edge 20 Pro may come at a later date

Lenovo-owned Motorola is gearing up for the launch of a couple of smartphones from its premium lineup in India. These phones are Motorola Edge 20, Edge 20 Fusion. The Edge 20 Fusion could be rebranded as Edge 20 Lite which along with Edge 20 was recently unveiled in Europe.

While the company is yet to reveal the actual launch date, TechRadar India had exclusively reported that the Chinese smartphone maker could launch the phone sometime in August. Now, the company has started teasing the launch via a series of social media posts.

Apart from these posts teasing about the launch on all the major social media handles, the company is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that everyone knows what is coming. It has also updated the banners on its Facebook and Twitter account showing both the phones.

In one such post, Motorola hints at phones that come with an amalgamation of stunning design and cutting-edge technology offering a flagship experience to the users. Interestingly, the company isn’t using the moniker “flagship” phone and just says flagship experience. Probably, it wants to bring the Edge 20 Pro at a later date based on the response it gets after the launch of these two phones. Only time will tell.

Motorola Edge 20 series – Specs and price in India (expected)

As mentioned above, the Motorola Edge 20 series consists of three different devices - Edge 20, Edge 20 Fusion/Lite, and Edge 20 Pro. In terms of specifications, none of these three devices is a true flagship product hence can be expected to be priced aggressively.

The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion or Lite sports a 6.7-inches OLED panel with FullHD+ resolution boasting a 90Hz refresh rate and is powered by the Snapdragon 720G SoC. The phone comes with an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 720 SoC coupled with 8GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage. The phone draws power from a 5,000 mAh battery pack. The phone comes with a 108-megapixel sensor with a wide-angle lens, an 8-megapixel with an ultrawide lens and a 2-megapixel sensor with depth-sensing capabilities.

On the other hand, the Motorola Edge 20 is powered by a Snapdragon 778G chipset coupled with 8GB RAM and up to 256 GB of internal storage. It housed a 6.7-inches OLED panel with FullHD+ resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. The phone comes with a 4,000 mAh battery pack and comes with a 108-megapixel sensor with a wide-angle lens, an 8-megapixel with an ultrawide lens and a 2-megapixel sensor with depth-sensing capabilities. It has a 32-megapixel selfie camera sensor.

Both the phones run on Motorola’s MyUI which is extremely close to vanilla Android and support 30W charging. In terms of pricing, the Edge 20 Fusion could be launched at an approximate price of Rs. 30,000 taking on the likes of Mi 11X and OnePlus Nord 2 while the Motorola Edge 20 could be priced slightly higher closer to Rs. 43,000.

Motorola Edge 20, Edge 20 Fusion to launch in India soon

What You Should Know About the Google Play Store Changes

Sun, 08 Aug 2021 22:17:21 +0000

With the first updates kicking in this month, Android apps should be more streamlined and lightweight. Google is also getting a greater level of control.

Google is introducing a major shift in the way that apps work on Android—and while the changes might not be too noticeable to consumers, it's important to be aware of what's happening and why, if you're a user of Google's mobile operating system.

Starting in August 2021, developers wanting to publish new Android apps on the Google Play Store will have to change how those apps are packaged together: Rather than the traditional APK (Android application package) format that has been in place for years, software makers are going to be required to use the AAB (Android app bundle) framework instead.

We're not going to get into detailed technical breakdowns of how these two standards differ—unless you're a developer, it won't change how you work with your apps—but one of the main reasons for the switch is the huge number of devices that Android runs on.

One of the key benefits of AAB is that it delivers only the parts of an app you actually need for your device. If you're using a phone, for example, you don't need the bigger graphics designed for tablet screens, so the app can be smaller and more lightweight. Rather than developers having to code and package separate APKs for separate devices—or putting everything together in one pile—they can use the AAB route to have this handled automatically.

Changes are coming to the Google Play Store.

Screenshot: David Nield via Google

It also gives developers more flexibility when it comes to delivering specific features (such as augmented reality add-ons, perhaps) to specific devices—users don't have to download everything all at once, in other words.

Another way this might be used is with games: Higher levels of a game don't necessarily need to be downloaded right away, which means users can get started more quickly on the lower levels without getting frustrated at lengthy loading times. Again, this all translates into a smaller download and a more nimble app.

Through the Play Store, Google takes on the job of splitting the main Android app bundle into a series of APKs specific to each device that requests one. On average, according to Google, these newly optimized APKs are 15 percent smaller than before.

AABs were introduced with Android 9 in 2018, but now Google is insisting that developers move to it, at least for new apps. Apps that are already on the Play Store can continue to use APKs for the time being, though the trend is only going one way: Google says most of the top 1,000 apps now use AABs, and there are over 1 million apps using the bundle format.

One of the areas this is going to make the most difference is on low-end hardware: Cheaper phones don't have the storage space or the processing power of the premium flagships, so the streamlining within the AAB standard should help substantially.

All of which sounds great, but there are still a few questions over the switch to AAB. For a start, only the Google Play Store uses it at the moment, which means that developers still have to get APKs ready for other portals like the Amazon App Store—which is the Android app library coming to Windows 11.

The AAB space savings on some apps and games

Screenshot: David Nield via Google

The AAB standard is open source, so other app libraries can adopt the format, and there isn't actually too much work for developers in moving from one standard to the other. But part of the AAB packaging process relies on Google's cloud computing power to verify apps, which means it has ever tighter control over the ecosystem and the way that apps are distributed.

It's also not clear what this is means for app sideloading, where users can put apps on their devices without going through official channels. It's a popular option for those who like to tinker and experiment with their devices, but if you're not careful it can cause security and stability problems.

The introduction of AAB as a requirement for new apps should make it harder for shady operators to rip packages from the Google Play Store, saddle them with malware, and try to push them through other channels—at least in theory. That's undoubtedly a benefit for users, but it remains to be seen whether this has knock-on effects for the openness of Android as a whole: For many users, one of the advantages of Android over iOS is that sideloading is possible, and this move would seem to make that more difficult.

For non-developers who only use the Google Play Store, the switch to AAB should be good news: apps that are more streamlined, more secure, and built specifically for the device they're being installed on. At the same time, it gives Google even more control over app distribution and makes the Google Play Store even more dominant when it comes to where you can get apps.

What You Should Know About the Google Play Store Changes

Office for Android is getting File Cards this month

Sat, 07 Aug 2021 22:40:25 +0000

Microsoft's Office apps across various operating systems such as Windows, Android, and iOS are quite heavily used by its customers, which is why the company regularly issues updates to introduce new features and enhance existing ones. It recently rolled out dark mode to its Office for Android app and now, it has announced that it is bringing File Cards this month.

In a nutshell, File Cards is a UI pattern which offers you inline information about your files in a modernized way. You'll get to see contextual data about the file and who shared it with you. Additionally, the Card for each file will also offer you quick actions such as the ability to keep it offline or share it with others. The capability will be present in both the "Recent" and "Shared" tabs of the Office for Android app and you can see it in action in the attached GIF.

As of now, File Cards are only be supported for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files stored on your OneDrive Personal and Business accounts. This means that if a file is only stored locally, you won't be able to preview contextual information about it inline. However, Microsoft has noted that it plans to roll out support for on-device Word and PDF files at a later date.

Microsoft has recommended updating to Office for Android version 16.0.14228.20138 to utilize the new feature. On our Android device, we received this version update on July 16 but still do not appear to have the File Cards UI, which means that it is being made available on a rolling basis. The company's wording suggests that it will be enabling the feature throughout the month so keep your eyes peeled if you're a frequent Office for Android user.

Office for Android is getting File Cards this month

Google Pixel 5a specs, launch date and price leaked

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

While everyone is preoccupied with the Google Pixel 6, Google still has a handset at a more affordable price point that is waiting to roll out.

The long-awaited Google Pixel 5a is close to shipping, with the most important details already leaked.

Gallery

Spoiler

The Google Pixel 5a is expected to have the following specs:

6.4-inch, 60Hz Display
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
6GB of RAM
4650 mAh battery
The same design language found in most Pixel phones.

The handset is expected to launch later this month, on the 26th of August 2021 and should go on sale in USA and Japan for around $450.

via Pocketnow

Google Pixel 5a specs, launch date and price leaked

Full specs of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 posted

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 23:41:55 +0000

Earlier we had the full specs of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and now we have the full specs of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3, courtesy of Winfuture.de.

Specifications for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
operating system	Google Android 11 , OneUI 3.1
Display	6.7 inches foldable, 2640 x 1080 pixels, 425 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, Dynamic AMOLED 2x, 120 Hz ext. Display: 1.9 inches, 260 x 512 pixels)
processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, Kryo 680, 5 nm process technology, 64-bit (1x 2.84 GHz + 3x 2.42 GHz + 4x 1.80 GHz)
Storage capacity	128/256 GB UFS 3.1
random access memory	8 GB LPDDR5
Main camera	Dual-Cam, 12 MP (main camera Wide, f / 1.8, 78 °, 1.4 µm, OIS, 2PD) + 12 MP (Ultra-Wide, f / 2.2, 123 °, 1.12 µm, FF)
Front camera	10 MP (f / 2.4, 1.22 µm, 80 °)
Video	7680 x 4320 pixels (8K UHD), 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K UHD), 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full-HD), 1280 x 720 pixels (HD)
particularities	Side fingerprint sensor, face recognition, GPS, stereo speakers, geo-tagging, IPx8
Sensors	Acceleration, fingerprint sensor, gyro sensor, geomagnetic sensor, hall sensor, light sensor, proximity sensor
SIM cards	Nano-SIM + eSIM
links	4G (LTE), 5G, Bluetooth 5.0, WLAN AC, NFC, USB Type C
To dye	Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender
battery pack	3300 mAh, fast charging, wireless charging
Dimensions	166 x 72.2 x 6.9 mm
Weight	183 grams

The device has also leaked earlier of course:

Gallery

Spoiler

The main improvement over the Z Flip 2 is of course the larger external screen. Samsung is also rating the hinge for more than 200,000 cycles, which should last comfortable for more than 5 years.

Like the Fold3 the handset is also IPX8 rated and protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 will be available in black, cream (ivory/gold) and lavender and prices are expected to start from 1099 euros.

Full specs of Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 posted

Full specs of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 posted

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 23:37:44 +0000

There are not too many secrets left over regarding Samsung’s upcoming Unpacked announcement next week, and today Winfuture got rid of the last of these by posting the full specs of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3.

Specifications for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
operating system	Google Android 11, OneUI 3.1
Display	7.6 inches foldable, 2208 x 1768 pixels, 374 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, Dynamic AMOLED 2x, 120 Hz, 6.2 inches Super AMOLED (2260 x 832 pixels, 387 ppi)
processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, Kryo 680, 5 nm process technology, 64-bit (1x 2.84 GHz + 3x 2.42 GHz + 4x 1.80 GHz)
Storage capacity	256/512 GB UFS 3.1
random access memory	12 GB LPDDR5
Main camera	Triple-Cam, 12 MP (main camera, f / 1.8, 78 °, 1.4 µm, OIS, 2PD) + 12 MP (ultra-wide-angle camera, f / 2.2, 123 °, 1.12 µm, FF) + 12 MP (zoom lens, f /2.4 1.0 µm, OIS)
Front camera	Dual-Cam, 4 MP (under-display, f / 1.8, 2.0 ?m) + 10 MP (cover, f / 2.2, 1.22 ?m)
Video	7680 x 4320 pixels (8K UHD), 3840 x 2160 pixels (4K UHD), 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full-HD), 1280 x 720 pixels (HD)
particularities	Fingerprint sensor, face recognition, GPS, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos technology, geo-tagging, IPx8
Sensors	Acceleration, fingerprint sensor, gyro sensor, geomagnetic sensor, hall sensor, light sensor, proximity sensor
SIM cards	2x nano SIM + eSIM
links	4G (LTE), 5G , Bluetooth 5.0, WLAN AX, NFC, USB Type C
To dye	Phantom Green, Phantom Black, Phantom Silver
battery pack	4400 mAh, fast charging, wireless charging
Dimensions	158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4 mm, closed 158.2 x 67.1 x 14.4 mm
Weight	271 grams

Given the already extensive leaks, there are no real surprises.

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Spoiler

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 is expected to be more durable than the Fold2, with an IPX8 rating for being waterproof, Gorilla Glass Victus which is twice as scratch-resistant as Gorilla Glass 6, and a hinge which has been tested for up to 200,000 fold operations.

The price is expected to start at around 1899 euros. For final confirmation of this, we will have to wait for the Unpacked event on the 11th of August 2021.

Full specs of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 posted

IMDb TV app finally arrives on iOS and Android

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 00:21:41 +0000

Amazon’s free streaming service gets its own dedicated mobile apps

Amazon’s free streaming service IMDb TV now has its own dedicated app for the iPhone, iPad, and Android after launching on other major platforms earlier this year.

IMDb TV is a dedicated hub for free, ad-supported movies and series as well as its own dedicated originals produced by Amazon Studios. Previously, you could find IMDb TV’s content slate in the primary IMDb app, but a standalone streaming app for the service was not available for iOS and Android. A spokesperson told The Verge the content is still available to stream through IMDb, but the new IMDb TV app was “designed for the streaming experience.”

IMDb TV’s content slate is quite good, even if its originals have struggled to make as much of a splash as titles from larger premium services. But if you don’t mind ads, there’s a ton of great stuff to stream for free on the service, including documentaries, sci-fi titles, dramas, and plenty of TV to binge. Mad Men, How to Train Your Dragon, Schitt’s Creek, and Lost are all currently streamable on the service.

Plus, through a recently announced deal with Universal, IMDb TV will also exclusively stream some live-action and animated titles from the studio following their release in theaters and a brief pay-one premiere on Peacock.

The app was previously made available on the majority of major streaming devices and some smart TVs, including Fire TV, Roku, Xbox, Android TV, Android TV OS devices, newer LG Smart TVs, PlayStation 4, Chromecast with Google TV, and Nvidia Shield. It’s also available as a free channel within the Prime Video experience.

IMDb TV app finally arrives on iOS and Android

Vivaldi 4.1 for Android: stay in browser feature and tab stacks support

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 21:57:21 +0000

Vivaldi released a new version of its Vivaldi web browser for Android on August 4, 2021. Vivaldi 4.1 is available via Google Play for devices running Android 5 or higher.

Existing users may select Vivaldi Menu > About Vivaldi to display the application version that is installed on the device.

Vivaldi 4.1 for Android

Stay in Browser

Stay in Browser is one of the features that is introduced in Vivaldi 4.1. The option attempts to keep the browsing in Vivaldi, even if an application is installed on the device that would pick up the browsing.

Take eBay or Amazon as an example; if you have installed the official apps, links in browsers that point to these services will be opened in the installed apps and not in the browser.

May not be a problem for some users, but if you like to browse the different Stores, e.g. eBay's UK, United States and German stores, you will notice that you cannot do so on mobile with the app installed. The same is true for myriads of other service links, e.g. those pointing to YouTube videos, Twitter or Reddit.

Vivaldi's Stay in Browser feature blocks these external navigations. It worked fine for eBay in a quick test, the app was not opened when I opened links on eBay's UK website.

Do the following to enable Stay in Browser in Vivaldi:

Select Vivaldi Menu and then Settings to open the Preferences.
Scroll all the way down and toggle "Stay in Browser".

Vivaldi blocks the opening of pages in external applications "when possible" if the feature is enabled. Simply toggle the feature again to disable it.

New Tab Settings

Vivaldi 4.1 introduces several new tab settings, which give users more flexibility when it comes to working with multiple tabs in the browser.

Vivaldi is one of the few browsers that may display a tab bar, usually only shown on desktop browsers, in the mobile version.

Here are the mobile browser's new tab settings that define how new tabs are opened:

After Active Tab (default) -- opens a new tab after the active tab.
After Related Tabs -- links are opened next to their "parent" tab.
As Last Tab -- opens new tabs at the end of the tab bar.
As Tab Stack with Related Tab -- creates a new tab stack with the active tab and the new tab.

You find the new options under Vivaldi Menu > Settings > New Tab Position.

Also Tab related, is the option to enable Tab Stacks functionality in Vivaldi for Android.

The feature works similarly to how Tab grouping works in Chrome for Android and other Chromium-based browsers. Tab Stacks are not yet displayed in the tab bar, if enabled, it appears.

Closing Words

Vivaldi continues to introduce usability features in its mobile and desktop browser. Stay in Browser is a mighty useful feature for users who prefer to keep using the browser when opening links, even if a dedicated application is installed. Sometimes, you may not want the dedicated application to open, and Stay in Browser is perfect for that. One downside is that you don't have an option currently to open links in external applications if you want to. The only option is to disable the feature before activating the link.

Vivaldi 4.1 for Android: stay in browser feature and tab stacks support

Google Maps for iOS gets three new features including the dark mode

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 22:37:27 +0000

Google today announced a new update to Google Maps iOS app which brings three new features.

First, Google Maps on iOS now supports dark mode. This feature will be rolling out in the coming weeks and you can turn it on by going to Settings > Dark mode > On.

Second, Google Maps iOS now has a new nearby traffic widget which will allow you to have a glance exactly what traffic is like from your home screen. With the new Google Maps search widget, you can search for your favorite places or navigate to frequent destinations with just a quick tap. Here’s how you can enable these widgets:

From your home screen, touch and hold a widget or an empty area until your apps jiggle.
In the upper-left corner, tap the Add button.
Search for and tap the Google Maps app.
Swipe to select a widget, then tap Add Widget.
Tap Done.

Third, you can now share your real-time location via iMessage. Tap on the new Google Maps button in iMessage and your location will be shared for one hour by default, with the option to extend up to three days. To end your share, you can tap the “stop” button on the thumbnail.

Source: Google

Google Maps for iOS gets three new features including the dark mode

Latest Microsoft SwiftKey beta update for Android brings Cloud Clipboard feature

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 22:34:22 +0000

Microsoft today released an updated SwiftKey beta app in Google Play Store. This v7.8.5.3 update comes with a new feature.

When typing with your Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard, you already have the option to copy text and save it for later use. With this update, you can now use Cloud Clipboard to sync your copied text across all your devices. Yes, you can copy text content on your Android device and paste it in your Windows device.

You can download the updated beta app here from Play Store.

Latest Microsoft SwiftKey beta update for Android brings Cloud Clipboard feature

Google's Pixel 6 series will feature a custom-built SoC dubbed Tensor

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 22:30:31 +0000

Google has announced that its upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will feature a custom-built System on a Chip (SoC) called Tensor. The rationale behind Tensor is that existing hardware limits Google’s ability to maximise the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML); with Tensor it’s able to overcome these issues.

Over the last few years, Google has been going in heavy on AI. With the new Tensor chip, Google says Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro users will gain new features and improvements in translation, captioning, and dictation that presumably won’t be available on other devices, it also helps the device run more smoothly in general. It will also offer users better security with a new security core and the Titan M2 chip – the search giant says these features will mean the new devices have the most layers of hardware security compared to any other phone.

Aside from announcing the new Tensor SoC, Google took some time to address the camera hump that’s present on the upcoming devices. It said that the improved sensors and lenses are simply too big to fit into a traditional square so it has had to introduce a new design which it calls the camera bar. In a thread on Twitter, the firm said the Pixel 6 Pro has three cameras including a telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom, while the Pixel 6 has the same cameras minus the telephoto lens.

Users will be able to pick up the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in three colour combinations and they both use new materials and finishes including a light polished aluminum frame and a matte aluminum finish.

Google hasn’t shared any pricing information with us, or when it will go on sale but prospective buyers should expect it to be available around October.

Google's Pixel 6 series will feature a custom-built SoC dubbed Tensor

Edge 92 now available for Android

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 23:13:37 +0000

Edge 92 now available for Android

Six weeks after releasing the Edge 92 for the Canary channel Microsoft has now released Edge 92 for their new Edge browser to the Google Play Store. The update brings the unified code base to Android, meaning it will be easier for Microsoft to keep the platform in lockstep with the desktop with regard to features.

The update brings the following improvements:

Screenshot feature: You can now take and share a screenshot via the Share item in the menu.

Send pages to Devices: You can send pages from Edge on Android to other devices. This replaces the Continue on PC feature.

Synchronization improvements: Edge for Android now lets you synchronize passwords, open tabs, history, favourites, collections across devices

Built-in Ad blocker: Edge now includes Ad-block Plus. This needs to enabled on Settings.

Translation: Edge now includes Microsoft Translator.

Shopping Coupons: Microsoft’s Coupon feature is now included.

Edge for Android can be found in the Google Play Store here.

Microsoft Edge: Web Browser

Developer: Microsoft Corporation

Price: Free

via Techdows

Edge 92 now available for Android

Google to block logins on old Android devices starting September

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 22:55:25 +0000

Google to block logins on old Android devices starting September

Google is emailing Android users to let them know that, starting late September, they will no longer be able to log in to their Google accounts on devices running Android 2.3.7 (Gingerbread) and lower.

"As part of our ongoing efforts to keep our users safe, Google will no longer allow sign-in on Android devices that run Android 2.3.7 or lower starting September 27, 2021," Android Help Community Manager Zak Pollack explained.

"If you sign into your device after September 27, you may get username or password errors when you try to use Google products and services like Gmail, YouTube, and Maps."

Once Google drops support for logging into accounts devices running Android versions released before December 2010, you will start receiving username or password errors and will no longer be able to:

Sign in to Google products and services like Gmail, YouTube, and Maps
Add or create a new Google Account
Perform a factory reset and try to sign in
Change your Google Account password, which signs you out on all devices, and try to sign in again
Remove your account from the device and try to re-add it

Users are advised to update their devices to newer Android versions (3.0 or later) as soon as possible so that they won't lose access to Google's apps and services.

Those who cannot update to newer Android versions can try logging into their Google accounts using a web browser which will provide them with an alternative way to use Google services on unsupported Android devices.

Image: BleepingComputer

How to update to a newer Android version

If you have an Android device and you don't know what version it's running, you can find out by going through the following steps:

Open your phone's Settings app.
Near the bottom, tap System Advanced System update.
See your "Android version" and "Security patch level."

If you were already notified that a system update is available on Android 2.3.7 or lower devices, you only need to tap the notification the begin the system upgrade process.

On devices where you've already dismissed the update alert or that ran without an Internet connection, you will have to follow this procedure to update to Android 3.0 or later:

Open your phone's Settings app.
Near the bottom, tap System Advanced System update.
You'll see your update status. Follow any steps on the screen.

As detailed by Google's VP of product management Sameer Samat at this year's Google I/O annual developer conference, the Android OS now powers more than 3 billion devices worldwide.

The current stable Android version is Android 11, released last year, on September 8, 2020.

Google to block logins on old Android devices starting September

Huawei’s latest flagship phone has HarmonyOS, a Qualcomm SoC, and no 5G

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 22:50:56 +0000

Huawei’s latest flagship phone has HarmonyOS, a Qualcomm SoC, and no 5G

Facing export ban and chip shortage, Huawei is scraping together what it can find.

The Huawei P50 Pro, in several colors.

First image of article image gallery. Please visit the source link to see all images.

Despite facing down a global chip shortage, a US export ban, and plummeting market share, Huawei is still plowing ahead and announcing its next flagship smartphone, the Huawei P50 Pro. The phone, which was teased back in June, is the company's first smartphone launching with HarmonyOS, Huawei's in-house operating system (though it's just a fork of Android).

Huawei is weathering several storms as best it can, but these storms are leading to a lot of wild product decisions with the P50 Pro. Huawei devices are usually based on the company's in-house "Kirin" SoCs, made by subsidiary HiSilicon. While the initial versions of the phones will use the 5 nm Kirin 9000 SoC, once the supply on those runs out, Huawei says it will switch to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC. But wait—didn't the US Government ban companies from exporting US-origin goods to Huawei?

It did, but Qualcomm was granted a license to sell chips to Huawei back in November 2020.

Qualcomm's license only covers 4G products, which brings us to the next major oddity of the P50: it doesn't support 5G. Huawei Consumer Division CEO Richard Yu blamed the US for this limitation during the presentation, saying (via the official translation), "Because of the four rounds of US restrictions over the past two years or so, 5G phones are beyond our reach." The lack of 5G isn't really a big deal for consumers, who rarely see any practical benefits from it, but it's a big deal for the 5G-obsessed smartphone manufacturers and cell carriers.

The design features a big, dual-circle camera bump, which is kind of strange-looking. Hopefully, we'll someday get similar designs with massive camera sensors behind each circle, but Huawei is filling them with several smaller cameras and sensors, going for... a faux-big-camera look? The Pro model features a 50 MP main camera, a 40 MP black-and-white camera (really?), and a 13 MP ultra-wide camera in the top circle. The bottom circle gets a 64 MP 3.5x telephoto (with a 200x digital zoom, which must make pictures look like mud), an LED flash, and a microphone.

There's also the issue of the operating system, as this is the first smartphone Huawei is launching with HarmonyOS. Huawei executives pitch HarmonyOS as a fully in-house product and have said it is "not a copy of Android." Once you actually get your hands on the OS, though, you'll find it's just an Android fork, with Huawei services replacing the Google services. Since Huawei has been replacing Google services forever in China (where Google Play isn't available) and was later forced to do this internationally thanks to the export ban, there isn't actually any serious difference between the company's Android skin, EMUI, and its "in-house" OS, HarmonyOS. HarmonyOS 2 is based on a newer version of Android compared to EMUI, but other than that, it's just a name change.

Back in June, Huawei announced a plan to update 100 older Huawei models in China from Android to HarmonyOS (a move only possible because HarmonyOS is just a newer version of Android), and the P50 press release says that "more than 40 million users" have taken the company up on that offer so far.

Besides the above, we have some pretty normal specs: a 6.6-inch, 120 Hz, 2700×1228 OLED display; 8GB of RAM; 128GB of storage; and a 4360 mAh battery. In China, the phone starts at $927 (CNY 5,988) for the 128GB version, with sales beginning today. There's no word on the phone being sold outside of China, and with Huawei facing all sorts of supply problems, it would not be surprising to hear that availability is limited.

Huawei’s latest flagship phone has HarmonyOS, a Qualcomm SoC, and no 5G

(To view the article's image gallery, please visit the above link)

Latest iOS Office Insider Preview Build adds a ton of useful new features

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 23:31:51 +0000

Latest iOS Office Insider Preview Build adds a ton of useful new features

Microsoft yesterday released a new update for Office for iOS Insiders, adding a ton of new features for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Office Mobile.

This new Office version 2.52 (21072700) adds a status indicator to AutoSave-enabled files so that users can be confident that their changes are securely saved in the cloud. The new Office build also allows you to download PDFs in Office mobile app so that you can access them offline. The ability to extract text or table content using the Lens camera is another useful feature in this Office Insider build.

The latest Office update includes one of the most requested features, which is the ability to reorder scanned documents at the time of capture. With the latest Office update installed, Office users on iPad will also be able to copy all the formatting from one object (cell or range) and apply it to another in a single click.

You can learn more about the new features from the official changelog below.

Changelog

Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Office Mobile

AutoSave status indicator added

No one wants to worry about losing their work! That’s why we’ve added a status indicator to any AutoSave-enabled files on iOS. Now the save status is clearly shown beside the file name in the app, so you can be confident that your changes are securely saved in the cloud.

Office Mobile

Access your PDFs offline

You can’t always count on having an online connection to access your information. Now you can download your PDFs in Office Mobile, allowing you to access them when you’re offline. To download the online PDF file to your device, just tap the Cloud icon (to the left of the triple-dot menu indicator).

Contextual actions: image to text and table

Now you can easily extract text or table content from an image using the Lens camera. To use the feature, launch the Lens camera and tap the new Actions mode. Select the text section of the image, then tap Continue. You can then export the text to Word, copy it, or share it.

Handwriting support with Image to Text

With this feature, you can now digitize your handwritten notes and take them anywhere on your device. To try the feature out, just tap Actions > Image to Text. (This feature is currently available only in English-language versions of Office Mobile.)

Reorder scanned documents

One of the top user requests for the scan function in Office Mobile is the ability to reorder scanned documents at the time of capture. Now you can! To try this out, capture some images using the Lens scan, and then tap More > Reorder to place the documents in any order you like.

Excel

Quickly copy all formatting with Format Painter

You asked, we delivered! The Format Painter feature is now available on Excel for the iPad, with the same capabilities as on the desktop. Format Painter enables you to copy all the formatting from one object (cell or range) and apply it to another in a single click. To try it out, select a cell you want to copy all formatting from. Then tap on the Format Painter icon (on the Home tab) and select the cells you want to copy the formatting to. Tap on the icon again to turn the feature off.

If you are an Insider, you can download the latest Office app updates on your iOS device and try out these new improvements.

Latest iOS Office Insider Preview Build adds a ton of useful new features

iOS 15 beta 4 upgrades Shortcuts, Safari, and MagSafe Battery Pack interactions

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 05:10:48 +0000

iOS 15 beta 4 upgrades Shortcuts, Safari, and MagSafe Battery Pack interactions

Apple released public beta 4 for iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, macOS Monterey, and tvOS 15

Apple has released iOS 15 beta 4, along with the fourth rounds of the public betas for iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, macOS Monterey, and tvOS 15. If you’ve installed previous versions of the beta software, you can download this latest update for free.

Each new round of public beta versions brings new features that are expected to come in full release versions of each software slated to release later this year.

For iOS 15 beta 4, expect a variety of minor tweaks as pointed out by 9to5Mac, like updated icons – like, say, with the new MagSafe Battery Pack, which has a novel new icon in the battery widget – along with a new ‘Return to Home Screen’ Shortcut, Memory sharing in the Photos app, and the ability to turn off notifications while ScreenShare is on. Safari also has a couple slight alterations, like a rearranged ‘reload’ button that permanently sits on the bottom (in a tiny bar or in the navigation bar when it’s visible).

In other words, not too much has changed, and the alterations are likely too small to notice - but collectively, we’re inching toward the dynamic changes coming in the next big OS versions that will probably arrive in September or October.

And while these updates are arriving slowly, they’re also possibly giving Apple a chance to get feedback on big changes – the iPadOS 15 beta 4 allows users to choose between the all-in-one Safari navigation bar that collapses URL navigation and tabs into one bar, or to split them for a permanently-visible address bar atop tabs.

It’s a subtle tweak, but a nice one for traditionalists who weren’t fans of Apple’s most radical change to Safari in years.

(Image credit: Future)

Analysis: iOS 15 isn’t big, but it is better

While we all can’t wait to get our hands on the full versions of iOS 15 and other OS updates, we’re pleased with what we’ve tested of the iOS 15 beta so far.

Hours after the first iOS 15 public beta dropped in June (just weeks after it was announced at WWDC 2021), we found plenty of fun new iOS 15 features we didn’t expect to see until the final version arrived in full alongside the iPhone 13 in September or October. Live Text analysis in the camera mode, Safari upgrades, translations in Messages, and even mundane but helpful improvements to Notifications were the big improvements up front, but in the weeks that followed, we’ve seen even more about iOS 15 that we’ve liked.

If you click a link from a text message with a Contact that opens up in Safari or another app, there’s now a discreet little bar at the top-left that reminds you who sent it - perfect for the scatterbrained among us (like this writer) who become enraptured with an article and forget who sent it to us. The ability to fine-tune which notifications keep bugging you directly from the lock screen is also extremely helpful so users don’t have to dig into Settings to change them.

We expect to find even more to like about iOS 15 public beta 4 and the other software previews in the weeks to come while we wait for the full versions to launch later this year.

iOS 15 beta 4 upgrades Shortcuts, Safari, and MagSafe Battery Pack interactions

Specs of Qualcomm’s next flagship processor leaks

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 23:21:08 +0000

Specs of Qualcomm’s next flagship processor leaks

The top of the line Qualcomm processor is currently the Snapdragon 888+, but progress never takes a rest, and the company is set to announce a new flagship in the next few months.

Today reliable leaker Ice Universe spilt the beans on the name and specs of the next must-have SoC.

According to Ice Universe, the successor to the Snapdragon 888 will be the Snapdragon 898, model number SM8450.

The chip will be based on Arm’s new Armv9 architecture which should mean a primary Kryo 780 CPU running at 3.09GHz.

The Kryo 780 is based on the Arm Cortex-X2 CPU and is said to be 16% faster than the Arm Cortex-X1 found in the Snapdragon 888.

The SoC should be built on a 4nm process, an improvement on the 5nm in the Snapdragon 888.

It is also expected to have the Adreno 730 GPU, up from the Adreno 660 and feature the 4nm x65 5G modem.

The first devices sporting these new processors should hit the market at the end of the year or early next.

via Phone Arena

Specs of Qualcomm’s next flagship processor leaks

Microsoft To Do for iOS updated with hashtag picker

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 22:58:32 +0000

Microsoft To Do for iOS updated with hashtag picker

Microsoft recently released a minor update to the To Do app on Apple App Store. This v2.49 update comes with better support for hashtags.

The full changelog reads:

We have added a Hashtag Picker. Now, you can quickly add hashtags to your tasks. We fixed some bugs related to attachments and app badges.

Microsoft To Do is the task management app that makes it easy to stay organized and manage your life. In February, Microsoft announced the availability of Microsoft To Do widgets for iOS 14 devices. With the new widgets, you can view your to-do lists from your home screen. Microsoft To Do will allow you to add any of the following three types of widgets.

Your Tasks Widget
My Day Widget
Add Task Widget

You can download the updated Microsoft To Do app here from Apple App Store.

‎Microsoft To Do

Developer: Microsoft Corporation

Price: Free

via the WC

Microsoft To Do for iOS updated with hashtag picker

Apple bumping up iPhone 13 series production numbers confirmed

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 07:12:31 +0000

Apple bumping up iPhone 13 series production numbers confirmed

Orders more than 100 million A15 Bionic chips from TSMC

Apple had reportedly placed orders with its contract assemblers like Foxconn, Pegatron and Luxshare for manufacture of around 90 million new iPhone models, a 20% bump up from the 75 million units of iPhone 12 models produced last year. Now, it looks like that Apple's production target of the impending iPhone 13 series could be closer to even 100 million.

According to a report from a news site that keeps track of supply chain companies, cnbeta, Apple has placed a humungous order of over 100 million A15 Bionic chips for use in its next-gen iPhones.

An order of 100 million A15 Bionic chips doesn't necessarily mean production of 100 million iPhones in its new series. It, however, confirms that Apple is increasing its manufacturing numbers, and is pretty confident of improved demand for its new iPhones that are expected to hit the market in less than 2 months time.

It may be recalled that the Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi had recently overtaken Apple as the second-largest smartphone maker globally.

New A15 Bionic chips to deliver better performance

Apple has placed orders for the A15 Bionic chip with the Taiwanese company TSMC. It will use the same 5 nm technology that it puts to use make the A14 Bionic, which powers the existing iPad Air and iPhone 12 models. The new chips, however, will have a tweaked design that will deliver better performance and increased power efficiency.

The report also claimed that the A15 Bionic chips will feature the same CPU layout as the A14, with four high-efficiency cores and two high-performance ones.

The iPhone 13 series is rumoured to come with ProMotion 120 Hz display with always-on capabilities, larger batteries, and cameras with sensor-shifting stabilization.

Reports have it that the iPhone 13 will be revealed through a virtual launch sometime in September. In terms of design, little is expected to change from the iPhone 12, except the design of the rear camera. It'll seemingly have a diagonal lens arrangement on the two cheaper phones, but it's largely set to be similar to last year's handsets. It's also claimed the whole series will get 25W wired charging speeds.

Apple bumping up iPhone 13 series production numbers confirmed

Corning’s new Gorilla® Glass with DX+ provides sapphire-like protection for smartphone cameras, is heading to Samsung handsets

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:58:02 +0000

Corning’s new Gorilla® Glass with DX+ provides sapphire-like protection for smartphone cameras, is heading to Samsung handsets

Corning today announced a new scratch-resistant and durable glass composite product, Corning® Gorilla® Glass with DX and Corning® Gorilla® Glass with DX+, designed to act as a protective layer for mobile device cameras by offering a unique combination of advanced optical performance, superior scratch resistance, and durability.

For mobile device cameras to provide professional-grade image quality under all lighting conditions it is critical to maximize the amount of ambient light captured and minimize all reflection within the camera systems.

“Antireflective coatings have long been used on conventional cameras to improve light capture,” said Jaymin Amin, vice president and general manager, Corning Gorilla Glass. “However, these coatings have a propensity to scratch easily, negatively impacting image quality. Corning’s Gorilla Glass composites not only provide mobile device camera lens covers with enhanced scratch resistance and durability compared to traditional coatings, but also the improved optical performance required for these devices.”

“We’ve engineered the ideal solution for camera lens covers,” said Amin. “By capturing 98% of light for the camera lens, our glass composites augment the full capability of the camera design and help create high-quality images and videos. Our Gorilla Glass DX products offer the industry’s best combination of optical performance and protection for the ultimate consumer experience.”

See Corning’s video demonstrating the technology below:

Corning says Samsung will be the first customer to adopt the Gorilla Glass DX products for camera lens covers. While Corning does it say, it seems likely Samsung’s upcoming foldable flagships, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3, will likely be the first recipients of the technology.

Corning’s new Gorilla® Glass with DX+ provides sapphire-like protection for smartphone cameras, is heading to Samsung handsets