POCO F2 Pro debuts globally with Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Mobile Platform

Xiaomi/POCO didn’t deliver the POCO F2 last year and what we got is POCO X2 which despite being a decent smartphone wasn’t able to replicate the impact created by the original POCO F1 back then. Today,  the company unveiled Poco F2 Pro which comes as a true successor to the critically acclaimed POCO F1.

Also Read: Xioami’s first 5G smartphone still runs 2 years old software!

The POCO F2 Pro is powered by the latest and greatest Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Mobile Platform. It wouldn’t be of any surprise as most of us expect the same since what made the POCO F1 a blockbuster two years ago was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 – the flagship SoC of that era.

However, it’s unfortunate that Xiaomi didn’t bother to pull a new device with the POCO F2 Pro as it’s a rebranded Redmi K30 Pro which is already available in China. On the contrary, the POCO F1 came as an original and unique device with its initial release aimed at the Indian market. We even don’t know when the POCO F2 Pro will be available in India given today’s event marks a global announcement.

POCO F2 Pro Specifications

Nevertheless, the POCO F2 Pro packs a bunch of silver lining which could enable it as a flagship killer for the year 2020. Apart from the flagship Qualcomm Mobile Platform, the device features a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display that offers an all-screen experience, you like it or not it’s all thanks to the motorized pop-up camera. Other Poco F2 Pro display specifications include HDR10+ support, WideVine L1 certification and TUV Rheinland eye-care certification. The device has an optical in-display fingerprint scanner as a biometric authentication option apart from the slightly secure Facial Unlock.

POCO F2 Pro Colour Options

The Poco F2 Pro comes in two storage variants — 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB. Both these variants are priced at 499 Euro (roughly Rs 40,700) and 599 Euro (roughly Rs 48,900). The pricing should vary based on region and will be revealed only when it gets launched in individual countries later this year.

Powering the device is a decent 4,700 mAh battery with support for 30W fast-charging. POCO claims that users can get up to 13.5 hours worth of gameplay or 24 hours talk-time on the POCO F2 Pro. The quad-camera setup on the back comprises of a 64MP Sony IMX686 f/1.8 primary sensor, an 8MP 123-degree f/2.2 ultra-wide lens, a 2MP portrait sensor and a 5MP macro lens. Although MIUI 12 is here, the POCO F2 Pro runs on MIUI 11 with POCO Launcher 2.0 on the top of Android 10.

As of its availability, the phone will be available at AliExpress and Gearbest initially. Pre-order starts today with shipping expected to begin on May 19. Other online distributors such as Amazon, Shopee and JD should follow the suit soon. Moreover, the phone can be purchased through the official POCO.net site.

Also Read: Download MIUI 12 ROM for Select Mi Devices

POCO F2 Pro debuts globally with Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Mobile Platform

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New Features on Android 11 Developer Preview 4

Even though Google was supposed to release the first Android 11 Beta at Google I/O, they had to change the schedule because of the Pandemic. The 1st Android Developer Preview was announced back in February, followed by Preview 2, Preview 3, and Preview 4. The first Beta will be likely revealed at an online event on June 3rd, 2020. Developer features weren’t highlighted in the  DP 4, but that doesn’t mean there are no changes at all. Here are the changes and new features that were found in the latest Developer Preview 4 on the Google Pixel 3a XL and Google Pixel 4.

What’s New?

1. Resizable Picture-in-Picture windows

• To resize a picture-in-picture window, simply tap right outside one of the four corners and then drag inward or outward.

2. Pixel Themes: New Icon Shapes

• Google introduced the Pixel Themes app with the release of Pixel 4. The app lets you customize some parts of the UI such as the font, icon shape, accent colour and icon fill from a number of pre-installed choices.


• Google has added two new icon shape options: Hexagon and Flower.

3. Select button in the recent apps overview

• In Android 11 Developer Preview 3 a “screenshot” and “share” button were added in place of the row of suggested apps in the recent apps overview. In Developer Preview 4 a “select” button has also been added. Tapping this button highlights all selectable text and images.


• Even though it was already possible to manually select text and images in the recent apps overview on Pixel devices since Android 9 Pie, many users were unaware of this feature. This new “select” button makes it more obvious to users that you can make a selection over here. However, we don’t know if this “select” button will be available in Android 11 for non-Pixel devices. Non-Pixel devices before Android 11 already do not have access to selectable text/images in the recent apps overview.

4. Quick Setting tile for Wireless Debugging

• You can quickly set up wireless ADB by scanning a QR code or entering a 6 digit PIN in Android 11. With the update, Google has added a Quick Setting tile that allows you to quickly toggle on/off wireless debugging. This will help keep your device secure by letting you turn off wireless debugging when you aren’t using it.

5. Connected Preferences now links to Android Auto

• In Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences, there’s now a link to open Android Auto’s settings page.


• This is likely in preparation for the deprecation of the main Android Auto app in favour of Google Assistant’s long-awaited driving mode.

6. Notification counts

• If there are multiple notifications in the same conversation, you’ll now see a number next to the expand arrow that tells you how many messages you missed in that conversation.

In-Development Features

1. Remove apps from suggestions

• The App Drawer of Pixel Launcher contains an app suggestion row at the top, which suggests apps the user is likely to launch based on their usage statistics. It is possible to turn off the suggestions in case the user did not find it useful, there was no way to individually remove an app from being suggested.


• In Developer Preview 4 if the user had a single app that he/she prefer not showing up in the row, there is a development option that allows the user to remove apps from the suggestion row by dragging them off the App Drawer and dropping them onto the “Don’t suggest app” option. Normally, this “don’t suggest app” option will show “uninstall.”

2. Hybrid HotSeat

• The App Dock rests on the bottom of the home screen, and it acts as a fixed bar of apps visible across multiple home screens. The App Dock is filled up with five icons by default. If you remove an app from the dock, there will simply be an empty space in that spot.


• With the Hybrid Hotseat feature enabled, whenever you remove an icon from the App Dock, the Pixel Launcher will suggest an app from the Suggestion row to take the empty spot.

3. Reverse Charging

• In Android 11 Developer Preview 1, an activity called “battery share” was spotted that suggests that Google is working on supporting reverse wireless charging for certain devices.


• In Android 11 Developer Preview 4, Battery Share has been renamed to Reverse Charging. However, Google has removed many of the descriptive strings for the feature.

4. Unified Hotspot & Tethering Settings

• In the new UI, the Wi-Fi hotspot settings are on the same page as the toggles for USB tethering and Bluetooth tethering.


• Ethernet tethering, which was newly added to Android 11 Developer Preview 3, is currently missing in the new Hotspot & Tethering UI.

5. New Controls Menu UI

• One of Android 11’s key features is the Controls API, which will let developers put home automation shortcuts in the power menu. In earlier previews of Android 11, there was a “Quick Controls” section underneath the row of power menu items up top while the rest of the power menu is transparent.


• In Android 11 Developer Preview 4, the power menu background is dark, including the power menu items up top. “Quick Controls” now says “Device Controls” and a description text when it’s empty says “Add controls for your connected devices”. When you add controls from a supported app, this text disappears to make room for your favourite controls. Overall, this feature looks more polished.

6. Gestures tutorial for Pixel Launcher

• Even though full-screen gesture navigation was added to Android 10, they never implemented a tutorial on how to navigate with these gestures. In the latest Pixel Launcher release, there is an activity that guides the users on how to use the gesture navigation.

Removed Features

We gain some, we lose some!

1. Undo Recent Apps Dismissal Gesture

• With the Developer Preview 3, they made it possible to “undo” dismissing a recent app card by quickly swiping down anywhere on the screen after you dismissed the card. This feature has been removed.

2. Dismissal of Persistent Notifications

• With the Developer Preview 3 they made it possible to hide persistent notifications using the same swipe left/right gesture used to dismiss standard notifications – this put persistent notifications into a new “apps active in background” area underneath the “history” button which made these notifications far less visible. This feature has been removed

While all these changes were either fully or partially visible on the latest DP, things could change a lot in the final Android 11. However, it’s a pleasure to witness the path Google has taken before finalizing the next major Android version, isn’t it?

 

 

(Source)

New Features on Android 11 Developer Preview 4

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MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ goes official with iQOO as the first OEM to use it

MediaTek has been lagging behind Qualcomm for years in terms of flagship mobile chipset. To solve it, the Taiwanese chipmaker announced Dimensity 1000 late last year. It has been over 5 months but still, we haven’t seen any smartphone with this SoC. Amidst this, the company has announced an improved version of this chip called Dimensity 1000+.

There’s no major difference between the old Dimensity 1000 and the new Dimensity 1000+. The new ‘Plus’ variant is similar to what Qualcomm did last year with Snapdragon 855+.

Below mentioned are the new additions in the MediaTek Dimnesity 1000+

• 144Hz FHD+


• HyperEngine 2.0
  
  • Resource Management Engine for minimal power consumption during gameplay
  
  
  • Upgraded Network Engine enables call and data concurrency as well as intelligent switching between 5G and 4G.
  
  
  • Rapid Response Engine enables lag-free gaming experience with multi-peripheral co-existence
  
  


• MiraVision Engine
  
  • AI-PQ enhances 4K videos in real-time by dynamically adjusting per frame contrast, sharpness and color levels.
  
  
  • Enhanced HDR10+
  
  
  • SDR to HDR conversion
  
  

Apart from the above-mentioned new features, the Dimnesity 1000+ is basically a Dimensity 1000 from top to bottom.

Strangely, we are yet to see a smartphone powered by Dimensity 1000. On the other hand, iQOO has already confirmed to be the first to launch a smartphone with the newly announced Dimensity 1000+.

(Source)

MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ goes official with iQOO as the first OEM to use it

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Mi Note 10 recieves stable Android 10 based MIUI 11

Android 10 is here for the Mi Note 10. The latest MIUI 11 update based on Android 10 is rolling out globally. If it matters for you, the download link for the ROM is provided at the end of the post.

Related: Xiaomi Mi A3 Europe Android 10 Update

The MIUI 11 Global ROM update bears the version number, MIUI 11.1.1.0.QFDMIXM. Apart from the all-new Android 10 base, the package bundles the April security patch.

Since Xiaomi has announced the MIUI 12 just recently, most of the Mi Note 10 users’ next dream update should be the MIUI 12. As per the Xiaomi roadmap, stable MIUI 12 Global wouldn’t be ready until June. And even if it’s ready by then, update for the Note 10 should take additional months, to say the least.

Anyway, it’s good to see a major update for the budget device such as the Mi Note 10 arriving not too late even in the pandemic era. Hope the Chinese firm would push the Android 10 soon to its rest of the eligible devices.

Mi Note 10 users with EU or RU ROMs can expect the same in a few days or weeks. So those users can check the update section once in a while starting from now. The update can hit at any time by now. Well, the link for Global ROM is given below if in case if you need it for sideloading.

Download

Mi Note 10 Recovery ROM: Download

Must See: Download MIUI 12 Global ROMs for Xiaomi Devices

Source

 

Mi Note 10 recieves stable Android 10 based MIUI 11

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Latest OxygenOS Beta brings April patch for OnePlus 7/7Pro and OnePlus 7T/7T Pro

OnePlus has pushed new OxygenOS Open Beta updates for OnePlus 7 Series and OnePlus 7T Series. OxygenOS Open Beta 13 for the OnePlus 7/7 Pro, and for the OnePlus 7T Series it’s OxygenOS Open Beta 3.

The beta updates bring April Security patch for the devices. You may go through the complete changelog given below.

Changelog

• System
  
  • Optimized the volume adjustment to improve user experience
  
  
  • Added the missing recording icon in-call screen
  
  
  • Updated Android security patch to 2020.04
  
  
  • Fixed known issues and improved system stability
  
  


• Phone
  
  • Added the ringing duration info for missed calls
  
  
  • Now you can switch your mobile data on phone calls supported with VoLTE
  
  


• Camera
  
  • Added a feature which can now detect dirt on the camera lens, prompting a quick cleanup for better image and video quality
  
  

Nothing special to say about the update in terms of new features. However, the new add-on, camera lens dirt detection can come handy in times. As you may see, OnePlus has pushed certain optimizations here and there for a better experience.

The recent beta updates, OxygenOS Beta 12 for the OnePlus 7 Series had to be pulled back due to some nasty bugs that caused the unlock function to malfunction on these devices. So, the OnePlus 7 beta users can install the latest beta as it has literally no lethal bugs.

For the current beta users, the update should have hit the devices by now. In case if you’d like to sideload or would like to switch from stable to beta, then the beta links given below should be useful.

Downloads

Download and sideload the OTA package suitable for your device.

OnePlus 7:

• Incremental OTA from Open Beta 11


• Full OTA

OnePlus 7 Pro:

• Incremental OTA from Open Beta 11


• Full OTA

OnePlus 7T (Global):

• Incremental OTA from Open Beta 2


• Full OTA

OnePlus 7T (India):

• Incremental OTA from Open Beta 2


• Full OTA

OnePlus 7T Pro (Global):

• Incremental OTA from Open Beta 2


• Full OTA

OnePlus 7T Pro (India):

• Incremental OTA from Open Beta 2


• Full OTA

Latest OxygenOS Beta brings April patch for OnePlus 7/7Pro and OnePlus 7T/7T Pro

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OneUI 2.1 update to hit Galaxy Note 9 on June

Samsung has a long tradition of pushing only two major Android update for a device. The same treatment applies to its flagships as well. Accordingly, the Galaxy S9 Series and Note 9 should see their end of the life with the OneUI 2.0 based on Android 10 as the final software. However, Samsung seems to have a plan of bringing OneUI 2.1 for these devices soon.

A new report out from South Korea suggests, OneUI 2.1 for the Galaxy Note 9 is scheduled to arrive in June. If that’s the case, we could expect almost the same timeframe for the Galaxy S9 Series too. The expected time of arrival is applicable for the Korean Note 9 model. Nonetheless, it shouldn’t take much of a time to reach other regions once the roll-out begins in South Korea.

OneUI 2.1 debuted with the latest Galaxy S20 Series on the top of Android 10. It featured a handful of new features not available on previous versions such as Quick Share, Pro Video Mode etc.

Samsung doesn’t provide all the features of S20 Series to its lower models as we’ve seen with the OneUI 2.1 update for the Galaxy S10/Note 10 Series. So, what all new improvements the One UI 2.1 will bring to the Galaxy S9 and Note 9 is something we’ve to wait and see.

It’s good that Samsung has started providing incremental OneUI updates irrespective of the base Android. But, Samsung has a long way to go in the software support for its flagships as firms such as OnePlus provides three major updates for its devices. We hope Samsung to make changes in this regard as well in the near future.

 

 

(via)

OneUI 2.1 update to hit Galaxy Note 9 on June

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Realme 5, Realme 5s, and Realme 5i will receive Realme UI Android 10 update soon

Earlier in January, Realme shared the update timeline for Realme UI Android 10 software for its devices. As promised, the brand delivered updates to the eligible handsets on time. Going by the schedule, the update will be released for Realme 5, Realme 5s, and Realmi 5i this month (May).

Within two years, Realme has become one of the largest smartphone makers in the world, thanks to its immense popularity in India. Last year, the brand announced the arrival of its own custom Android skin. And it did arrive earlier this year in the form of Realme UI.

Realme UI is not a new skin, rather it is a tweaked version of ColorOS 7  based on Android 10. Anyway, it is better than the ColorOS 6  and ColorOS 6.1 found on the older Realme phones.

So far, the company has updated the following devices to Realme UI (Android 10).

• Realme 3 Pro


• Realme XT


• Realme X


• Realme 5 Pro


• Realme X2 Pro


• Realme X2


• Realme 3


• Realme 3i

According to the update timeline, Realme 5, Realme 5s, and Realmi 5i are the next in line to receive the Realme UI update. As the company has seeded out the updates for the previous handsets on time, we expect the same for these phones as well.

As usual, beta builds will be released first, followed by stable builds if there’s no problem. The brand is expected to seed OTAs to all the users by the end of May.

The last two devices to get the update are Realme 2 Pro and Realme C2 in June and Q3 respectively.

(Source)

Realme 5, Realme 5s, and Realme 5i will receive Realme UI Android 10 update soon

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WhatsApp Pay likely to launch in India by May end

Backed by NCPI’s revolutionary UPI, WhatsApp Pay has been in the oven for quite a long time. But it could soon change as a new report suggests WhatsApp Pay would go in full swing by the end of May in India.

Reportedly, WhatsApp had collaborated with three private banks, namely Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank initially for the service roll-out. It’s said that, in a later stage, the public sector State Bank of India (SBI) too will join the forces.

As of now, WhatsApp Pay allows transactions based on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) via ICICI Bank. The Facebook-owned instant messenger aims to bag over 10M users for its payment service upon the wider roll-out.

Earlier this year, non-governmental organisation (NGO) Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC) filed a request in the Supreme Court claiming that WhatsApp has not fully complied with the data localisation norms set by the Reserve Bank of India. “One million Indians cannot be reduced to guinea pigs. Their sensitive personal data, including financial data cannot be stored outside India in contravention to the RBI circular,” it had said.

Likely, WhatsApp has finally figured out a way to localize the data within India and thereby abiding all the local restrictions and standards. And, if everything goes as expected, WhatsApp Pay could see a pan-India launch by end of the May as pointed out by the report. Given the huge number of active userbase for WhatsApp Messenger in India, WhatsApp shouldn’t have a problem attracting users to avail its payment service. What do you guys think?

 

 

(via)

WhatsApp Pay likely to launch in India by May end

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Mi Browser update arrives with a toggle to disable "aggregated data collection"

Not so long ago, Xiaomi has been grilled for its browsers collecting user data and sending those to remote servers while on incognito mode.  Xiaomi responded quickly, initially with certain denials, but later on issued a statement detailing its plan to push an update for the accused browers plausibly with a fix. The promised update is live now, atleast for the Mi Browser.

With no major changes other than the so-called “privacy protection enhancement update“, the latest Mi Browser 12.1.4-g should fix the data gathering without the user consent. We hope so. Xiaomi calls it as an option to toggle on/off “aggregated data collection“. We really don’t have any idea of what all aggregated data includes other than Xiaomi’s attempt to put forth technical jargon plausibly to confuse the average users.

Well, we may be wrong and Xiaomi browsers are as privacy-friendly as insisted by Xiaomi Global VP, Mr. Manu Kumar Jain multiple times in the past few days. To be on a safer side, we recommend our readers who’re used to Mi Browser or the Mint Browser to update to the latest version as soon as possible.

Disable Aggregated Data Collection

Once incognito mode is enabled, you’ve to go to the settings, then click on Incognito Mode Settings option where you could find a toggle to on/off Aggregated Data Collection”. It’s so weird that even after the update, Xiaomi didn’t bother to make the steps simple. On the top of that, the option is enabled by default on incognito mode. For an average user, who don’t know how to dig deep into the settings will have the data collection enabled by default. Resultingly, Xiaomi would mark that as by “user consent”!

Download

The latest Mi Browser can be downloaded from Mi GetApps or from Google Play Store.

 

Mi Browser update arrives with a toggle to disable "aggregated data collection"

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