The latest Play Store update allows downloading Wear OS apps directly from phone

The new Wear OS 3.0 is on the way and Google has started preparing for it lately. Google's latest update to the Play Store allows the user to flash respective apps to the smartwatch directly from the smartphone. Additionally, the user can also use filters to limit search to Watch apps or Watch faces.

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Managing a small screen is always a task. But this update will make it easier for the user to handle the smartwatch. Controlling the watch's apps and updates directly from the smartphones will make it troubleless and cushy. This is not just it, recently, the Play Store for Wear OS also received a major UI overhaul.

Once updated, the apps will be listed inside a pill-shaped card. This is probably the best UI adjusted in a small screen. Moreover, the UI color is changed to slight grey, making it more compact and easier to read with less stress on the eyes.

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Furthermore, the search button embedded on the main home screen is now housed in a white circle, instead of green. In addition, if you make an in-app purchase on the wearable, the confirmation will be generated to the connected device. Also, the “Open” button is again pill-shaped, light, and stretches to the entire display.

In a nutshell, these couple of updates serve your comfort and make your screen less shaky, making it more clear and convenient to use.

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Asus ROG Phone 3 is finally receiving an Android 11 update

On its first birthday, Asus ROG Phone 3 is finally getting a new software update. Despite launching last year, the device offers Android 10 pre-installed. But, Asus has been testing the latest stable operating system for the handset lately. Finally, the gaming smartphone is receiving an Android 11 update.

Make sure to visit: Download Asus 6Z (Zenfone 6) Wallpapers [ High Quality]

However, the fresh Android 11 build is limited to the home country as of now i.e; Taiwan. It will hopefully unfurl to the other parts of the world as well. The update can be identified by firmware version WW-18.0410.2105.133 weighs approximately 2.7GB in size.

Concerning changes, the software brings extensive Android 11 goodies along with ZenUI design that brings redesigned built-in apps. Furthermore, the company has issued a detailed changelog of what all you will get with the new upgrade. Here it is.

• Upgrade system to Android 11


• Some 3rd party apps are not yet compatible with Android 11


• Please back up your data before upgrading to Android 11. If you want to downgrade your device’s software version to Android 10 by the official software package, it will erase all data from your device’s internal storage.


• Introduced new ZenUI design


• Revamped Mobile Manager, Contacts, Phone, File Manager, Calculator, Clock, Gallery, Weather, Sound recorder, Settings, Data Transfer, Local backup, Setup wizard, System update apps


• Support one-time permissions improved scoped storage, and auto revoke app permission


• Support to keep Bluetooth connection when airplane mode is activated


• Adjusted notification tray to Android 11 design. Support notification conversations


• A classic style of power button menu supports device control and Google Pay in Android 11


• Updated Style、Auto switch in System color scheme, advanced options for back gesture settings, and SIM card settings. Removed previous ASUS One-hand mode.


• Added Notification history and Bubbles settings


• Integrated PowerMaster features in Mobile Manager into Battery Settings


• Added PowerMaster functions in battery settings, such as slow charging、select charging limit、custom battery modes、Hibernate apps settings, and so on.


• Adjusted the Quick Settings panel design. Support media control function. Added Nearby Share tiles (Need to add manually).


• Added lock task, screenshot, share options after long-pressing the app icon of the task in the recent apps screen.


• Adjusted Calculator design to the latest Android style.


• Added “Show blocked calls in call log” option in Call log Settings of ASUS Phone


• Adjusted the size of status bar icons to keep visual consistency


• Added setting alarm by date and group alarm features in Clock


• Support new editing page in Gallery app


• Adjusted to new screenshot and screen recorder folders to fulfill Android 11 requirement


• Updated the default selection logic of data category in Data Transfer


• Adjusted the pages in the Setup wizard


• Adjusted options and update mechanism in system update setting

The update is having an incremental rollout. Thus, it will take at least one week to reach all the users. You can also give it a manual check via Settings –> About –> System Update.

Related: Asus push a new software update to ZenFone 8 Flip

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Oppo Reno 6 Z debuted in Thailand with Dimensity 800U chipset

Oppo Reno 6 series is all in the hype. The standard device recently made an appearance on TENAA. While the Oppo Reno 6 Z is now official in Thailand. Though the smartphone details were revealed in render leaks. But now that the Oppo Reno 6 Z is official, we have a clear picture of the handset.

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Looking at the design, like other Reno 6 series, Oppo Reno 6 Z also features an attractive Reno Glow design. The rear side displayed a vertically aligned rectangular camera module. The other side flaunts a punch-hole display.

Oppo Reno 6 Z sports a 6.4-inch AMOLED FHD+ display with a 60Hz refresh rate. The panel offers an 800 nits peak brightness and a 20:9 aspect ratio. A fingerprint sensor is embedded inside the screen for safety purposes.



Under the hood, Oppo Reno 6 Z equips an octa-core processor based Dimensity 800U chipset. Further, this is paired with 8GB RAM, 128GB internal storage, and 5GB of extended RAM. The device runs Android 11 OS out of the box along with ColorOS 11.1 on top.

In the shooting department, Oppo Reno 6 Z carries a punch-hole design that houses a 32MP selfie camera. The rear side carries a triple rear camera module consisting of a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro snapper.

Oppo Reno 6 Z packs a 4,310mAh battery that ships with a VOOC 4.0 30W rapid charging support. The other key specs include a 3.5mm audio jack, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and more.

Price and Availability

Oppo Reno 6 Z arrives in two color variants of Aurora and Stellar Black. The device will soon be available to grab via Oppo Vietnam’s site with an expected price of VND 9,490,000 (~$412).

Related: Oppo A16 is finally official with Helio G35 chipset, All you need to know!

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[Update: June 2021 Security Patch] Samsung Galaxy J8 Update Tracker

In May 2018, Samsung launched the Galaxy J8. The phone carries a 6.0-inch display paired with up to 64GB of storage and 4GB RAM. Under the hood, the device runs on Android 8.0 (Oreo) out of the box, powered by Snapdragon 450 chipset. For shooting purposes, Galaxy J8 houses a 16MP camera on both the front and rear sides. It ships with a 3500 mAh battery that offers 23hours of Talktime and 112 hours of music playback as claimed by Samsung.

Must see: Download Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Stock Wallpapers for Free

Note: This is an update tracker article and will be revised with Samsung Galaxy J8 updates.

Samsung Galaxy J8 Update Tracker

• [July 20th, 2021]: A month-old June 2021 security patch is rolling out to Galaxy J8. The fresh build is rolling out in Caucasus countries, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine via firmware version J810FJXU5CUF2. Apart from the new safety patch, the package does not bring any new features. Though internally, the June patch fixes over 40 security vulnerabilities for Galaxy devices.

As usual, the update is having a phase-wise rollout, it may take some time to reach all the units. Meanwhile, you can head to phone 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.

Read more: [Update: July 2021 Security Patch] Redmi 9/ Note 9 Update Tracker

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Xiaomi is sending MIUI 12.5 update to Redmi Note 7 Global variant

Soon after the release of MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi started updating its flagships regularly as per the roadmap. In fact, some devices got bump ahead of the timeline. Following the Redmi Note 7 Pro, the standard variant is receiving the latest skin by the brand.

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Presently, the Redmi Note 7 runs on Android 10 and is not eligible to grab Android 11. But, it still is receiving MIUI 12.5. The fresh build is rolling out for global variants through firmware version V12.5.1.0.QFGMIXM weighs 2.4GB in size.

Talking about features, MIUI 12.5 brings enhanced performance, UI tweaks, new animations, privacy features, an updated Notes app, and a lot more. Moreover, the changelog also mentions the June 2021 security patch for the device. Here is what you will get flashing the new software.

Changelog

• System
  
  
  
  • New: Response to gestures is now instant.
  
  
  • New: With 20 times more rendering power, there are now few limits to what you can see on your screen.
  
  
  • New: With custom device model adjustments, any phone becomes faster after the upgrade.
  
  
  • Optimization: MIUI became lighter, faster, and more durable.
  
  
  • Updated Android security Patch to June 2021. Increased system security.
  
  
  
  


• Notes
  
  
  
  • New: New tools for doodling and sketching.
  
  
  • New: Press and hold a sketch to adjust the strokes automatically.
  
  
  • New: A gesture shortcut now allows you to create notes, tasks, and excerpts anywhere.
  
  
  • New: Excerpts save text, URLs, and images to Notes in a few simple taps.
  
  
  • New: Dynamic layouts make bring the typography in Notes to a new level.
  
  
  • New: Compose mind maps with complex structures.
  
  
  • All-new Notes.
  
  
  
  

The latest stable beta update is initially rolling out to limited users. After ensuring the absence of critical bugs, a border rollout will follow.

Related: Redmi K20 Pro gets MIUI 12.5 in India [Download Recovery ROM]

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WhatsApp is unfurling a new feature called "joinable group calls"

Imagine being stuck at work and missing an exciting group call from your friends or family, annoying isn't it? WhatsApp has finally come up with a solution for this. The company is unfurling a new feature called "joinable group calls." As the name suggests, the feature enables the user to join a group call few minutes after it started.

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Until now, if the user missed a group call, there was no way to rejoin it. This joinable group call feature will make it easier for the user to join the calls they've missed. The feature started rolling out on Monday so now you can catch up on the call you left. But remember it only allows to join the call minutes after it started. Moreover, in case you leave a call midway, you can also join back again after a couple of minutes.

Recently, WhatsApp enabled the option to share multimedia files in different qualities. In WhatsApp Beta v2.21.14.6, the user can now choose an image and video upload quality.  The feature displays as ‘Image upload quality’ and ‘Video upload quality.’ The sender gets three options to choose from — Auto (recommended), Best Quality, and Data saver.

In the “Auto (recommended)” option, WhatsApp will automatically apply the best compression for the respective image. As the name suggests, “Best quality” will send the picture in the highest possible quality consuming more data. Whereas, the “Data saver” option will compress the photo quality.

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OnePlus releases the OxygenOS 11.2.8.8 update for the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro

Two days earlier, OnePlus has spun the Android 11 update to the OnePlus Nord N10 5G. The Tech giant is now sending the OxygenOS 11.2.8.8 for the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro smartphones. The new firmwares are currently live in India, Europe, and Namibia. The firmware information is as follows.

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OxygenOS 11.2.8.8 update

Going ahead with the OnePlus 9's update first, it appears on the software number 11.2.8.8.LE25DA for the Indian users, 11.2.8.8.LE25BA for the European users, and lastly, 11.2.8.8.LE25AA for Namibia users.

Forthcoming to the OnePlus 9 Pro's OxygenOS 11.2.8.8 update, the users from India are receiving it on the firmware variant 11.2.8.8.LE15DA. Whereas the European users are getting in on build 11.2.8.8.LE15BA and the Nambian users are experiencing it on firmware 11.2.8.8.LE15AA.

According to the release note from the company, the new firmware dispatches with the latest July 2021 Security Patch, fixes for known issues, stability improvements, new add-ons, and some other changes to the OnePlus Store.

The latest firmware adds the Bitmoji AOD, co-designed by Snapchat & Bitmoji, which will liven up the ambient display with your personal Bitmoji avatar. Your avatar will update throughout the day based on your activity and things happening around you ( Path: Settings - Customization - Clock on ambient display - Bitmoji ).

Furthermore, you will be able to say-to-access support, discover exciting members-only benefits, and shop for OnePlus products (Please note that it can be uninstalled) in the OnePlus Store.

The company has also confirmed that the OTA update will be initially available only to the limited number of users now. A broader rollout will begin in a few days.

In the meantime, you can head over to Settings Menu and go to the Software updates section and check for the update. If any update shows up there, download and install it to get the taste of it. Alternatively, the firmware can also be download via the Oxygen updater application.

Related: Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 receives MIUI 12.5 update.

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[Update: Stable Android 11 Realme UI 2.0] Realme X2 Update Tracker

Realme X2 was officially launched a couple of years back featuring a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display. Under the hood, it is powered by an Octa-core processor-based Snapdragon 730G. The smartphone ships with Android 9 Pie out of the box paired with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. Realme X2 equips a quad-camera module at the rear with a 64MP primary sensor and a 32MP snapper for selfies.

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Note: We will keep this post updated with the latest updated information regarding the Realme X2 smartphone updates.

Realme X2 Update Tracker

• [July 19, 2021]: Realme X2 is grabbing the stable Android 11 update along with Realme UI 2.0. Identified by firmware version RMX1991_11_F.20, the update is limited to China beta testers, and will soon roll out in India. The update brings all-new features, enhancements, optimizations, and fixes. Alongside, the package enhances privacy by cultivating June 2021 security patch. Here is the precise changelog by the company.

Changelog

• Security
  
  
  
  • Update Android security patch (2021#6)
  
  
  
  


• Internet
  
  
  
  • Optimized the icon style of the status bar for international Internet access
  
  
  
  


• Camera
  
  
  
  • Optimize the smoothness of camera startup
  
  
  
  


• WLAN
  
  
  
  • Fixed the problem that the network connection fails when the WiFi password contains special characters in the connection part
  
  
  • Fixed the problem of low probability of freezing caused by too many saved WiFi
  
  
  
  


• Mini floating window
  
  
  
  • Fixed the issue that occasionally crashed after opening other applications under the mini floating window and then returning
  
  
  • Fixed the issue of the black screen occasionally when long-pressing the mini floating window and clicking close after using the photo album to cast the screen
  
  
  
  


• Flashlight
  
  
  
  • Fixed the problem that the flashlight turns off unexpectedly when the face is unlocked
  
  
  
  


• Bluetooth
  
  
  
  • Fixed the issue of abnormal absolute volume function when using Airpods earphones
  
  
  
  


• OTG
  
  
  
  • Fixed the problem that some OTG devices fail to recognize
  
  
  
  

• [March 24, 2021]: Realme X2 is acquiring an overhaul along with some bug fixes. The package is rolling out in India with firmware number RMX1992EX_11_C.17.Along with the March 2021 security patch, the latest firmware for Realme X2 optimizes ​​system performance and system stability. Also, it fixes several vulnerabilities like restoring to the default ringtone issue in call ringtone. Here’s the entire changelog issued by Realme:
  

  Changelog

  
  

• Security
  ◊ Updated Android security patch(February & March 2021)


• System
  ◊ Optimized system performance and improved system stability


• Setting
  ◊ Fixed the probabilistic restoring to default ringtone issue in call ringtone
  ◊ Fixed the probabilistic face enrollment failure issue

Like all the other updates, this as well is rolling out in a phase-wise manner. Accordingly, the users may have to wait a while to get the build. You can also check the update status manually by heading over to Settings > Software updates > Check for the updates. We also suggest you switch over to a WiFi network to avoid carrier data charges.

Related: [Update: June 2021 Security Patch] Redmi 9C Update Tracker

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Samsung Galaxy M01s is grabbing Android 11 Core One UI 3.1 update

After updating the high-end and mid-range flagships, Samsung has shifted its focus to entry-level smartphones. Recently, the company released the latest stable channel to its lower devices like Galaxy A20s. The next in line is Galaxy M01s that is receiving the Android 11 update tossed with Core One UI 3.1. The handset debuted last year in June with Android 9 (Pie) onboard.

Must see: Download Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Stock Wallpapers for Free

The latest update for the Galaxy M01s is unfurling in India through the firmware version M017FXXU2CUG1 that weighs around 1.4GB in size. Apart from the Android 11 features and Core One UI goodies, the package also cultivates the July 2021security patch to the device.

The update log mentions a handful of new features, changes, enhancements, and optimizations concerning changes. Android 11 adds smart traits like chat bubbles, a dedicated conversation section in the notification area, one-time permissions, a native screen recorder, several new device controls, and a lot more.



Talking about Core One UI 3.1, it is the lighter version of One UI 3.1. Samsung tags this version as "focus on what matters." The lighter version arrives with a redesigned UI, improved performance, and better customizations. These performance improvements will help the apps to run quicker while consuming less battery power.

As the update is heavy in size, we advise the users to keep their smartphones connected to a strong Wi-Fi connection. Also, keep your device charged at least 60%. As usual, the OTA build will hit the Indian units of Galaxy M01s in a short span of time. Alternatively, you can track the new package manually via phone Settings -> Software update > Download and install.

(via)

Read more: [Update: July 2021 Security Patch] Samsung Galaxy Note 20 update tracker

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