Samsung Music receives update with multi-pane UI for foldable phones

It is challenging to design an app for a device with a bigger screen. Doing it for a folding screen might be even challenging. Samsung, as a smartphone manufacturer, is doing its best to make these folding devices feel relevant. Still, apps on these devices require more attention. One such app is the Samsung Music, as the app is somewhat stock to what we have on "non-folding" Samsung devices. And now, Samsung Music receives an update with multi-pane UI for foldable phones.

Read More: Micromax In 1b users in India to get Android 11

With the new update, Samsung Music can take advantage of the large foldable screens on the Galaxy Z Fold lineup. The update (v16.2.26) introduces Samsung's new multi-column view. Multi-column view lets the user quickly access the "now playing" playlist. The update puts the list on the left side of the screen.

Samsung Music multi-pane UI update

Earlier the playback screen of the Samsung Music app took the entire screen real-estate of the device, and to be honest, it wasn't a great look either. This new design makes the app look different from a mobile version. Samsung also seems to extend this design principle to other apps. Otherwise, these folding devices won't make any sense.



Samsung has also tweaked other features of the app, like the Sleep timer. When the timer reaches the end, the music playback will fade out instead of stopping at once. Also, the update has added a storage permission prompt when the user exports or imports playlist backup files on devices running Android 11 or later. 

Must See: Samsung Galaxy M22 launched with MediaTek Helio G80 SoC

If you own a foldable Samsung device, you can download the updated version of Samsung Music from the Galaxy Store. As we discussed, Samsung is now redesigning other Samsung apps to maximize usage of the folding display of their flagship line of devices. This way, the Korean giant will be able to garden more users into their premium segment. 

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Micromax In 1b users in India to get Android 11

Micromax is an Indian smartphone manufacturer that has had a rough time for the past few years, thanks to Chinese brands like Xiaomi. The Micromax In 1b is the smartphone that helped the brand set its foot again in the Indian market. The device is priced aggressively and has been proven to match up to its specifications. Now Micromax In 1b users in India will get Android 11 update almost a year after its release.

Related: How to unlock bootloader on Micromax In Note 1

The device came with Android 10 out-of-the-box and have received numerous security and improvement updates. Many users in the past have complained about excess battery drain. Hopefully, Micromax has done its best of patching up the issue. With this new update, we wonder how things will turn out for the users as Android upgrades are sometimes prone to critical failure.

More on Micromax In 1b Android 11 update

Yesterday Micromax informed us of the update in the form of a tweet. They were clever enough to include keyphrases like No Ads & No Bloatware experience, which was a sarcastic blow on competing Chinese smartphone manufacturers. Micromax also said that the update is being rolled out in batches. So expect a delay of up to 15 days for the update to reach your device. 

According to the official Micromax forum, the update is around 1.6GB. The users will receive a notification when the update is available for their device. However, you could also manually trigger the update by going to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update > Download. You could also visit the above forum for step by step guide. But we highly recommend that you wait a while to see if the update is free of bugs. 

Also Read: Files by Google app get “Smart Storage” to automatically free up space on the phone

Before you proceed with the installation, we highly recommend you plug in your device to its charger. Be sure to ensure you're running on a faster and stable internet connection. The update will bring features and security improvements, including one-time permissions. Also, if we were to believe what Micromax said, the update must be free of bloatware.

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Files by Google app get “Smart Storage” to automatically free up space on the phone

Google has been constantly updating the Files by Google app to make it more feature-rich and useful. Though it already offers a plethora of handy tools and features. The company is making it more convenient by adding a feature that will automatically clear space from your device by deleting backed-up photos and videos.

Must see: Download Pixel 6 Ringtone (Android 12)

The File by Google app already offers suggestions to clean your device by getting rid of junk files and large media files. The latest update for the app adds a new “Smart Storage” toggle which automatically wipes off the backed-up photos and videos from your smartphone. Once the feature is available for your device, the app will show a pop-up highlighting. The notice says, “Automatically delete backed-up media by turning on Smart Storage in Settings.”



To access this latest feature, click on the Settings option under the hamburger menu button at the top-right corner. There you'll see a new “Smart Storage” toggle in the “Clean” section. The new feature describes itself as, “Permanently delete media backed up to Google Photos that’s been on your device for 60 days.”



To experience the new Smart Storage toggle, update your Files by Google app to version v1.0.389363820. If you toggle the switch, the app will automatically delete photos and videos from the internal storage of your device. That too, even if they are backed up on Google Photos for over 2 months.

To mention, the feature is not technically new as it was already present in the first Pixel phone. But, now it has come to notice as a visible toggle on the Files by Google app.

Read more: Google could release Android 12.1 after Android 12 instead of Android 13

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Samsung Galaxy M22 launched with MediaTek Helio G80 SoC

After the Wi-Fi variant of Galaxy Tab S7 FE, Samsung has extended its M-series flagship as the company has finally launched Galaxy M22. Though we already had an idea about the mid-range device and some of the key specs (thanks to the leaks and listings). Now that the smartphone is official, all of our doubts are now in the light.

Must see: Samsung winds up the monthly update support for Galaxy Note 9

The Galaxy M22 features a 6.4-inch HD+ AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The panel offers a 1600×720 pixels resolution and a waterdrop notch to house the front cam. The device measures 159.9 x 7 x 8.4mm in dimensions and weighs 186 grams. It has a 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Samsung Galaxy M22 equip MediaTek Helio G80 chipset under the hood. Besides, it runs Android 11 out of the box tossed with OneUI 3.1 custom skin on top. The device is available in a single storage variant of 128GB paired with 4GB of RAM. Though the configuration is expandable via a microSD card slot.



In the optics department, Galaxy M22 holds a quad rear camera module indulging a 48MP primary sensor. The other lenses include an 8MP wide-angle lens and a couple of 2MP snappers to measure the macro and depth aspects of the image. The front side carries a 13MP shooter for selfies and video calls. A 5,000 mAh battery will back up the device with will 25W of fast charging support.

Price and Availability

The price for Galaxy M22 is not yet disclosed. But it is available in three color options— Black, Light Blue, and White.

Read more: Samsung improves the Touch Bezel usability of Galaxy Watch 4

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Galaxy Buds 2 is receiving new features with this latest update

In August 2021, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Buds 2 at the Galaxy Unpacked event. So far, the wearables has proven to be one of the best earbuds by the company. The first update was released before the official launch with some essential features. Now, the second software update is making its way to refine the user experience.

Make sure to visit: Samsung Cloud v4.7.01.2 update now available for download

The latest software update for the Galaxy Buds 2 has started to roll out today on the firmware version number R177XXU0AUI2. According to changelog, the build adds some new features for better convience and enhanced calling experience. Moreover, it improves the system stability and reliability.

Talking about the features, there are a couple of new additions to the ambient mode for the calling section. To be more precise, the update includes the ability to customize Ambient Sound during calls. Moreover, the user can also enable Ambient Mode while calling.

Changelog

• New Features
  
  
  
  • Customize ambient sound while calling
  
  
  • Enable Ambient Mode while calling
  
  
  
  


• Improves the system stability and reliability

The update has started to rollout in its home country and will roll out to more regions shortly. Make sure to connect both of the buds to your smartphoe before flashing the update. Also, Samsung has mentioned that some default settings for the earbuds may change.

Read more: Samsung improves the Touch Bezel usability of Galaxy Watch 4

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[Update: August 2021 Security Patch] Asus ROG Phone 2 Updates Tracker

Asus ROG Phone 2 was launched in July 2019 powering Snapdragon 855+ SoC coupled with an octa-core processor and Adreno 640 GPU. The smartphone houses a 6.59-inch AMOLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6.  It runs Android 9.0 (Pie) based ROG UI out of the box paired with up to 1TB of internal storage and 12GB RAM. There's a 48MP dual rear camera and a 24MP front-facing camera for shooting purposes.

Must see: 7 reasons why Asus ROG Phone 2 is the best gaming smartphone available right now

Note: This is an update tracker and will be refreshed with every build released for the device.

Asus ROG Phone 2 Updates Tracker

The updates are arranged in descending order (date wise). You can find the latest build at the top followed by the previous releases.

• [September 14, 2021]: Asus is rolling out a new software update to the ROG Phone 2 that bumps up the security patch level to August 2021. The update is live for the global and Japanese units with model number 'ZS660KL' via version number 17.0240.2108.103.


• [July 27, 2021]: Asus ROG Phone 2 receives July 2021 security patch update in Japan that bumps the firmware version to 17.0240.2107.100. Moreover, it addresses an issue where the volume of the smartphone could below while recording a video in the camera app. Click here to read.


• [March 26, 2021]: The ROG Phone 2 is receiving March 2021 Security patch update with fixes for various vulnerabilities. The new software bears the firmware version to 17.0240.2103.75. Moreover, there are some fixes with issues in respect to Game Genie Panel, poor WiGig reception, and more. Visit our dedicated article for a detailed changelog.

The FOTA update will take time to set foot on every unit as it is being pushed in batches. But you can track the build manually via phone Settings -> System -> System updates. A pop-up will appear if the update is available for your device.

Read more: LineageOS brings Android 11 goodies to Asus ROG Phone 2

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[Update: MIUI 12.5] Xiaomi Redmi Note 7/ 7 Pro Updates Tracker

In Q1 2019, Xiaomi had officially introduced the Redmi Note 7 series— Note 7 and Note 7 Pro. Talking about the specification, the device features a 6.3-inch IPS LCD with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The lineup offers Android 9 (Pie) out of the box and runs Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. The front camera houses a 13MP lens while the rear sensors are lead by a 48MP primary snapper.

Must see: List of Best Custom ROMs for Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

Note: This is an updates tracker and will be updated regularly with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 and 7 Pro smartphone updates.

Redmi Note 7/ 7 Pro Updates Tracker

• [September 14, 2021]: The Redmi Note 7 is receiving MIUI 12.5 update in Europe via the build number V12.5.1.0.QFGEUXM. Besides, a whole new user experience with additional features and other changes. The package also enhances security by inculcating the August 2021 security patch. Below is the official changelog.

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 August 2021. Increased system security.
Notes
New: Compose mind maps with complex structures.
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 bring the typography in Notes to a new level.
All-new Notes.

• [July 20, 2021]: Redmi Note 7 is receiving MIUI 12.5 update for global variants through firmware version V12.5.1.0.QFGMIXM weighs 2.4GB in size. The update 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.


• [June 30, 2021]: The Redmi Note 7 Pro is the latest device to grab the MIUI 12.5 update. The build arrives on firmware version 12.5.1.0.QFHCNXM in China. As far as features are concerned, MIUI 12.5 brings enhanced performance, new features, and a lot more. Moreover, the changelog also mentions the May 2021 security patch for the device. Visit our dedicated article to read more.


• [November 20, 2020]: Xiaomi has finally started spinning out the MIUI 12 update for both the Redmi Note 7 and 7S smartphones. The update bears the V12.0.1.0.QFGINXM Firmware version and weighs nearly 476MB in size. You can read the changes here.


• [June 23, 2020]: Xiaomi has finally started spinning out the latest Android 10 version for Redmi Note 7 users. The new update brings Android 10 looks and completely minimized features of it. Presently, the update is rolling out only in China via V11.0.2.0.QFGCNXM Software version. Tap here to read more.

Xiaomi is sending the updates in phases and it usually takes a couple of days to reach all the units. Meanwhile, you can navigate to Settings > Software updates > check for updates to manually check the update status. We also suggest you switch over to a WiFi network to avoid carrier data charges.

Related: [Update: System Optimization] Redmi 10 Updates Tracker

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Xiaomi Mi 11i gets MIUI 12.5 Enhanced version update

Xiaomi‘s new skin, MIUI 12.5 enhanced is promptly making way for more devices. The latest handset to join the list is the Xiaomi Mi 11i. The smartphone was released in May 2021 powering Android 11 based MIUI 12 on top.

Must see: Download Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra and Mi MIX Fold wallpapers

The MIUI 12.5 Enhanced update is rolling out globally via the firmware version V12.5.2.0.RKKMIXM.  Concerning changes, the security patch will be bumped to Septmber 2021 once you flash the update. Moreover, the changelog claims to bring fixes in the lock screen, status bar, and notification shade. Needless to say, the extensive features of the new skin will be a major part of the update.

Changelog

• MIUI12.5 Enhanced
  
  
  
  • Swift performance: More life between the charges.
  
  
  • Focused algorithms: Our new algorithms will dynamically allocate system resources based on specific scenes, ensuring a smooth experience on all models.
  
  
  • Atomized memory: Ultra-fine memory management mechanism will make RAM usage more efficient.
  
  
  • Liquid storage: New sensitive storage mechanisms will keep your system vibrant and responsive as time goes by.
  
  
  • Smart balance: Core system improvements allow your device to make the best of the flagship hardware specs.
  
  
  
  


• System
  
  
  
  • Updated Android Security Patch to September 2021. Increased system security.
  
  
  
  


• Lock screen
  
  
  
  • Fix: Using Face unlock and Fingerprint unlock simultaneously led to crashes in some cases
  
  
  • Fix: Lock screen notifications disappeared after an ended call
  
  
  
  


• Status bar, Notification shade
  
  
  
  • Fix: Cleaner animations weren’t displayed correctly
  
  
  
  

As usual, the OTA update is having an incremental rollout. Therefore, it may take a while to reach all units. Meanwhile, you can manually track the update via the Settings app > Software update > Check for update.

Related: Xiaomi is sending MIUI 12.5 update to the Redmi 8

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Specs Comparison - Realme Pad vs Xiaomi Mi Pad 5

Realme has released its first device in the tablet category. While Xiaomi has introduced its Pad 5 after 3 years of gap. Both the mid-range tablets were launched this year sharing some common specs. But ultimately they differ in performance and several other specs. Here we will compare these devices based on their key details.

Must see: Download Pixel 6 Ringtone (Android 12)

Firstly, let's know about the common specs that Realme Pad and Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 share.

Similarities

• The tablets hold a Glass front, aluminum frame, and aluminum back.


• The panel offers an IPS LCD.


• The tabs boost the current stable OS, Android 11 out of the box.


• The front camera stands the same at 8 MP.


• Connectivity options are alike with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, and Bluetooth 5.0.

The above-mentioned points are the only homogenous specs for Realme Pad and Xiaomi Mi Pad 5. The devices majorly differ in screen size, processor, rear camera, and more. We have simplified the differences in a table for a better and quick glimpse.

Realme Pad vs Xiaomi Mi Pad 5

[table id=31 /]

Related: Comparison: Motorola Edge (2021) vs Samsung Galaxy A52s!

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