Xiaomi to initiate MIUI 12.5 internal beta next week for Mi Mix 3

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 was released in Nov 2018 as the fourth product of the flagship with a Snapdragon 845 chipset. The smartphone arrived as a successor of Mi Mix 2 and is the last regular smartphone in the Mix series. Moreover, it is the world’s first smartphone to feature a 10GB RAM capacity and a full-screen magnetic slider.

Make sure to visit: Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 official: List of top 10 features

The director of the system software department of Xiaomi smartphones made an announcement for the Mi Mix 3 via an official channel. He mentioned that the 2018 launched smartphone is still eligible to get an update. Though, not a major OS update, but the device will grab the latest customized skin by the company, MIUI 12.5 next week.

To keep in note, the MIUI 12.5 will arrive as an internal beta update. That implies, only a selected number of users can have access to fresh skin. While a border rollout will follow after ensuring that there are no critical bugs. Presently, as per the reports on the Xiaomi community, the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 does not have many bugs.

Keeping the above point in view, it should not take a long time for the beta to be available to the public. Also, a stable MIUI 12.5 version is expected to arrive soon after the public beta.

Talking about changes, MIUI 12.5 brings enhanced performance, UI tweaks, new animations, privacy features, an updated Notes app, and a lot more. Moreover, the changelog mentions that after flashing the build, the system has 20 times more rendering power. Here are the best of them!

Best MIUI 12.5 features that you would love to enjoy!

Read more: Xiaomi Redmi 9 receives Android 11 Update with May Security Patch

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OnePlus Pad Trademark made appearance on EUIPO Website

Since the introduction of the OnePlus One smartphone in 2014, the company has extended its range of products. OnePlus works on multiple smart products including TVs, audio products, and watches. Now, the Chinese giant is working to prepare a OnePlus product in the tablet category. Reportedly, there's a new OnePlus Pad that made an appearance on the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).

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Though the OnePlus TAb is listed o the EUIPO trademark, there is still no official announcement by the brand. But, the listing suggests that the Pad could debut in the coming months. Let's take a brief look at the upcoming OnePlus Tab.

OnePlus Pad

OnePlus entering the new product category can be spotted on the European IP Office trademark. However, except for the device’s moniker, the listing on the website does not reveal much about the tab. While the other key specs like size, design, processor, etc, and performance details are still under cover.

In the European IP Office, the OnePlus Pad is trademarked under Class 9. For the unawares, the Class 9 classification includes product categories such as tablets, computers, and PDAs.



Now, that the device has made its initial appearance, we can expect more information to reveal out soon. Also, the company has not yet made any official announcement regarding the launch or working of a new product.

FYI, the other BBK owned companies like Realme, Vivo, etc. are also working to produce their version of a tablet. Recently, a Vivo registered a new Pad name on EUIPO Trademark. Whereas Realme has already confirmed that it is working to make its debut in the tablet category. Therefore, this OnePlus tab listing did not arrive as a catch-out.

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Read more: OnePlus 9T may debut in Q3 with ColorOS 11 and quad-camera set up

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[Update: June 2021 security patch] Oppo Find X2 series update tracker

In March 2020, Oppo has officially launched the Find X2 smartphone with a 6.7-inch AMOLED, 1B colors display. Under the hood, the phone equips Snapdragon 865 5G Chipset along with Android 10. In terms of camera, the device packs a 48MP primary, 13MP telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide triple rear camera. On the other side, there's a 32MP single front-facing snapper.

Must see: Download ColorOS System Launcher V11.1.00 for Oppo devices

Note: This is an updates tracker and will be updated regularly with the Find X2 updates.

Oppo Find X2 series update tracker

• [July 4, 2021]: Oppo is releasing a new software update for Find X2 in India in firmware version CPH2023_11_C.68. The 812MB size update inculcates the June 2021 security patch to the device. Moreover, it comes with a virtual RAM expansion feature. That means the user can choose to expand up to 3GB, 5GB, or 7GB of RAM virtually. To do this, head to Settings > About phone > RAM menu. Restart the device for the new settings to take place.
  
  For those unaware, Virtual RAM means that your smartphone will take some internal storage and use it for RAM functions. For instance, if your device has 256GB of memory, you can borrow 3GB of it to increase the 12GB RAM to 15GB.


• [March 26, 2021]: Oppo Find X2 Lite is receiving the Android 11 based ColorOS 11.1 update. The new update carries firmware version CPH2005_11_C.76 in Germany, while it is also expected to hit other regions soon. The package brings performance improvements and stability enhancements. To know the further details, head here.


• [March 19, 2021]: Oppo is finally releasing the Android 11 based Color OS 11 update to the Find X2. Originally, the device came with Android 10 based ColorOS 7 pre-installed. Now, it is grabbing all the ColorOS 11 customizations and features for a more seamless experience.


• [February 2, 2021]: Oppo is rolling out the Android 11 Beta update for the Oppo Find X2 Neo. The OTA update is rolling out with the CPH2009_11_A.27 firmware version that weighs 3.53GB in size. Needless to say, it will carry all the Android 11 goodies like Dedicated conversation notifications, Chat bubbles, New control menu for devices and media playback, Built-in screen recording, and much more. The update will commence in March 2021 starting from Western Europe and later expanding to other regions as well.


• [November 4, 2020]: Oppo has started spinning out the Android 11 based ColorOS 11 stable update for the OPPO Find X2 Series. The update weighs 812 MB in size and rolling out on the CPH2023_11_C.05 Firmware version for the Find X2 users. Whereas, the number varies to CPH2025_11_C.05 for the Find X2 Pro users. As per the changelog, the update brings various changes across the system. It drives Personalizations, High Efficiency, Improved Performance, and much more with all the new features and UI. Visit our dedicated page for the detailed changelog for this build.

• [July 22, 2020]: Oppo has started pushing July 2020 security patch update to their Find X2 flagship. The update comes with firmware version CPH2023_11_A.23, CPH2009_11_A.38 and CPH2005_11_A.38 for Find X2, Find X2 Neo, and Find X2 Lite respectively. It is to be noted that Find X2 Neo and Find X2 Lite are exclusively available in Europe, while Find X2 is available for the global market. Along with the bump in safety level, the build improves the system's performance and stability. Click here for the respective changelog for the devices.


• [June 29, 2020]: Oppo Find X2 is now getting the June 2020 Security Patch update in India. This update comes as the CPH2023_11_A.23 Firmware version. Also, it will be released in many other countries shortly. Along with the patch, the software brings a bunch of new features and several optimizations. To know the precise changes and features, Click here.


• [June 22, 2020]: Android 11 developer Beta 1 is finally released for Oppo Find X2 and X2 Pro with model numbers CPH2023 and CPH2025, respectively. Android 11 Beta 1 will have a ColorOS 7.2 user interface packed with the latest Google Mobile Services (GMS). Talking about Android 11 features, it includes Do Not Disturb and notification tweaks, fine-tuned the permissions, New media player widget, UI changes, Call screening improvements, and more. Head here for the detailed guide on how to flash the latest build.

As the update is having a phase-wise rollout, it may take some time to reach all the units. In the meantime, you can head to Settings > Software updates > Security updates to check the update manually. We also suggest you switch over to a WiFi network before downloading the update to avoid data charges.

Related: [Update: June 2021 security patch] Samsung Galaxy A40 update tracker

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OnePlus 9T may debut in Q3 with ColorOS 11 and quad-camera set up

As with every OnePlus flagship, the company is also working to launch a T-series mobile for the OnePlus 9. Reportedly, there will be OnePlus 9T by the Q3 of this year. However, the brand is not planning to accompany it by OnePlus 9T Pro. According to some leaks, the OnePlus 9T will run Oppo's ColorOS as per the deed. Also, it may feature a quad-camera module

Must see: Leak: OnePlus working on a phone without Snapdragon SoC

OnePlus recently announced the merger with Oppo. Also, to unify OxygenOS with Oppo’s ColorOS. Accordingly, the OnePlus 9T is supposed to debut with ColorOS 11 in China. Furthermore, the quad-camera will feature a 108-megapixel Hasselblad lens. As per the OnePlus and Oppo alliance, the global edition of the OnePlus 9T might not run Oppo's customized skin, not sure though.

Furthermore, the leak suggests that the OnePlus 9T will hold an LTPO Samsung E4 flexible AMOLED display. The panel is likely to feature a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the smartphone can equip Snapdragon 888 SoC.

The rest of the details about the OnePlus 9T still remain unknown. Stay connected with us to know about further leaks or official information.

In the other news, OnePlus is also rumored to launch Nord 2 in Q3. OnePlus Nord 2 will carry a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The device may fuel Dimensity 1200 processor paired with up to 256GB storage and 12GB RAM. As a later product, this might also have OxygenOS 11 on board. OnePlus Nord 2 will house a triple rear camera including a 50MP main sensor and a 32MP front shooter. A 4,500 mAh power cell will back up the device with the support of Warp Charge 30T charging.

Related: Unknown Oppo CPH9771X smartphone arrives at FCC with 5,000 mAh battery

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Unlocked Galaxy S21 units in the USA gets June 2021 security patch

Samsung is sending a new software update to the unlocked variants of the Galaxy S21 series i.e; Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The trio on the unlocked networks including AT&T, Bluegrass Cellular, C-Spire, Sprint, Tracfone, and Verizon are grabbing an update with June 2021 security patch.

Must see: Download Android 11 Wallpapers fresh out of the box

The fresh update for the Galaxy S21 family in the USA arrives on firmware version G99xU1UEU4AUF5. As mentioned, it carries the June security patch, but there's more to it. The package also addresses some bugs that users were facing such as the camera lags and overheating issues.

On the contrary, the Galaxy S21 series was the first one to get the June 2021 patch, even before the beginning of the month. Additionally, the international variants of the lineup got updated twice. These couple of updates drove camera enhancements and performance optimization. Now, a similar package is rolling out for the unlocked Galaxy S21 units in the USA.

According to Samsung’s documentation, the June 2021 patch brings over 60 fixes to the system operations. This includes 47 fixes from Google and 19 fixes from Samsung, including the ones that have been marked as critical.

If your Samsung Galaxy S21 device is on the unlocked variant in the US, you will receive the OTA update shortly. Or as always, you can give it a manual check by heading to the device's Settings > Software update and tapping on Download and install.

Related: [Update: July 2021 Security Patch] Samsung Galaxy S10/ S10 Lite updates tracker

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Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is receiving Android 11 update in India

Last year, Xiaomi added the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max to its Note 9 series. The device debuted with Android 10 based MIUI 12 as the first-ever Redmi Note Pro Max model. Following the update schedule, the Pro Max variant is also joining the Redmi Note 9 for the Android 11 update party.

Make sure to visit: Best custom ROMs for Redmi Note 10

For those unaware, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is only limited to India, so is the software. The latest build arrives on firmware version V12.0.1.0.RJXINXM. Also, keep in not that the build only brings Android 11, not the accompanied skin, MIUI 12.5.

Talking about changes, the company has not yet released the official changelog for the update. However, the package will bring all the Android 11 features to the device such as revamped UI, enhanced dark theme mode, in-build screen recorder, smart media control, lock screen conversations, one-time permissions, chat bubbles, and other improvements or customizations.

Now that the smartphone has grabbed the Android 11 OS, it should soon get MIUI 12.5 as well. FYI, Redmi Note 9 Pro Max has only received a single major OS and skin update since launch. And as per Xiaomi's policy, the device is eligible to grab Android 12 and MIUI 13 in the future.

Also, the software is currently under the stable beta phase, which means it will initially roll out to selective units. After assuring that there are no critical bugs, the company will push a border rollout.

Read more: Redmi Note 8 (2021) spotted on FCC with Helio G85 processor

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Google Drive for desktop gets Google Photos upload & Multi-Account switching

This year, Google decided to transform the typical Google Drive File Stream to Google Drive for Desktop. This allows the user to seamlessly transfer files between PC and Drive storage. Now, the tech giant has decided to enhance it further by adding two imperative features i.e; Google Photos upload and Multi-Account switching.

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The new features are a part of updated version 49.0.8.0 of Google Drive. After flashing the update, the user will get support for multi-account login. That implies the user can log in up to four accounts and can access files from any of them, without signing out from the current one. Along with this, there's also a ‘Mirror files’ option in the settings. As before, this enables the user to store files locally.



Moreover, the update also adds support for Google Photos. This means you can now finally connect your pictures directly through Drive. FYI, Google Photos and Google Drive were already merged before but the company decided to separate them, you could still access them via web browser though. The update finally returns the much-awaited feature!



Once updated, Google has a guide for the users to set their preferences:

• Safely store all your files: Choose folders on your computer to sync with Google Drive, back up to Google Photos, or both


• Access Google Drive from your computer: Stream or mirror files and folders from Google Drive to your computer


• Use more than one account, without having to switch: Connect and access files from four Google accounts at the same time

Keep in note that the Drive for Desktop version 49 is currently limited to certain users. A border update is expected to unfurl by next week. Do check if you're the lucky one to get the update, if yes, don't forget to let us know about more exciting features in the comment box.

Related: Google has started to display Progress Bar for System Updates

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OnePlus decides to unify OxygenOS with Oppo’s ColorOS

Last month, OnePlus announced its new journey with Oppo. Both the companies decided to integrate to work together as a brand. This alliance is further getting stronger has now. OnePlus publicized that it is also planning to unify its customized skin with the one of Oppo. That means OxygenOS is merging with Oppo’s ColorOS operating system.

Must see: Download ColorOS System Launcher V11.1.00 for Oppo devices

The news was made official via a forum post, where OnePlus said, “working on integrating the codebase of OxygenOS and ColorOS.” This means the software will remain separate for global units, though on a common database. Whereas they will continue to serve the home country together.

According to OnePlus, the merger will "standardize the software experience and streamline process all coming together to improve the OxygenOS experience." Precisely, the alliance guarantees better Android update support. In fact, OnePlus promised to deliver 3 years of update support to its flagships. Here's the new schedule for OnePlus devices:

• The newer devices from the OnePlus 8 lineup and flagship phones including T & R will get three major Android updates and four years of security updates.


• From the first OnePlus Nord to the newer Nord or Nord CE, all will receive two major Android updates and three years of security updates.


• The entire Nord N series are eligible to grab one major Android update and three years of security updates.

OnePlus is committing some good news about the newer flagships, the plan is identical to Samsung. However, other ranges of products seem to be less fortunate. Also, OnePlus did not mention the time duration between the two updates. Let's see what changes the users will experience after the fusion of two companies.

Read more: OnePlus Nord 2 5G arrives at AI Benchmark site with Dimensity 1200

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Vivo is reportedly working on a smartphone with a detachable flying camera

We are already familiar with flying drone cameras. Vivo is taking it to another level by introducing it on a smartphone. Yes, you read it right, a new patent from the company reveals that it might be working to launch a smartphone with a detachable camera module, which will be able to fly like a drone.

Make sure to visit: List of Vivo Smartphones to receive Funtouch OS 11

Reportedly, Vivo filed for a patent with WIPO last year. According to the patent images, it looks like the smartphone carries a regular design. However, there's one unique feature making it different from every other handset available. It is a detachable flying camera that pops out from the bottom of the device. This indicates that the camera is not a separate device but is housed in the smartphone.

As a normal drone, this as well represents four propellers, making it capable to fly. Moreover, the camera will pack a separate battery apart from the main power cell of the smartphone. From the referred images, the camera features dual-lens. Additionally, two infrared sensors can also be noticed on different sides of the module. Though these sensors could support various functions, their main aim will be to protect the drone from other objects during a flight.



This could also mean that the camera will follow the user automatically when flying. Also, it might support air gestures, we're not sure though. To mention, Vivo has not officially revealed anything about such a device and it's still not sure if the company is actually working on a smartphone with a detachable flying camera.

Read more: Vivo announces a 6GB RAM variant of Vivo Y51A in India

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