Android 12L Beta 3 rolling out for Pixel smartphones

Last year in December, Google started releasing the Android 12L Beta to the supported pixel smartphones. The process has now reached its third stage. To mention, Android 12L is not the next version of Android, but a “feature drop for Android 12.”

Must see: List of Samsung devices eligible for Android 12L update

The Android 12L Beta 3 upgrade is compatible with Pixel 3a (XL) or later devices are eligible to flash the version. Precisely, the list of devices includes Pixel 3a (XL), Pixel 4 (XL), Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro.

As expected, the third Beta brings bug fixes and optimizations. Also, it brings support fr the Pixel 6 series. Here are some issues that are taken care of:

Changelog

• Removed the Split top link for Picture-in-Picture content.


• Repositioned the text “No notification” in the notification drop-down.


• Reduced the radius of curvature of the edges of apps with split-screen active.


• Updated the Split top link in the recent apps menu.


• The settings section dedicated to the Screen saver has been updated.


• The weather is displayed correctly in the At a Glance widget.


• Fixed display issues with the screen shutdown animation.


• Fixed occasional crashes when activating the split-screen.

This is the last beta of Android 12L. The version is expected to be stable in March. Anyway, the update will arrive as an OTA if you're already running the beta phase. Alternatively, head to Settings > System > System update to track it manually. In addition, keep in note that this is a beta build, accordingly, some features and apps may lag.

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Galaxy Tab S8, Tab S8+, and Tab S8 Ultra launched: See specs and Price

At the Galaxy Unpacked 2022 virtual event, Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab S8 lineup alongside the Galaxy S22 series. Unlike the predecessor, the lineup includes three tabs— Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Tab S8+, and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. Here is what the devices have stored for us!

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The Galaxy Tab S8, S8+, and S8 Ultra have some similar specs in common including the operating system and processor. The lineup runs Android 12 out of the box paired with One UI 4.0. Under the hood, the family powers the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC along with up to 12 GB RAM.

In addition, the sensors and connectivity options stand the same at accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, magnetometer, hall sensor, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.2, GPS/ A-GPS, and a USB Type-C port. For entertainment, the family includes three microphones and quad stereo speakers backed by AKG and supported by Dolby Atmos.

Galaxy Tab S8

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 features an 11-inch WQXGALTPS TFT display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate and 2,560x1,600 pixels resolution. The right edge of the tab carries a dedicated fingerprint scanner. It measures 165.3 x 253.8 x 6.3 mm in dimensions and weighs 503g and 507g for Wi-Fi only variant and 5G variant respectively.



For shooting purposes, you get a 12 MP front-facing camera with Tab S8. On the other side, it equips a dual rear camera alongside an LED flash. The lenses consist of a 13 MP primary and a 6 MP ultra-wide shooter. The Galaxy Tab S8 packs an 8,000mAh battery that supports 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0.

Galaxy Tab S8+

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ resembles the standard Galaxy S8 in a few aspects including the camera. Needless to say, the device has more than that to offer. It flaunts a 12.4-inch WQXGA+ Super AMOLED display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate. The panel offers a 2,800x1,752 pixels resolution and 266 PPI density.



Furthermore, the Galaxy Tab S8+ comes with an under-display fingerprint sensor. A 10,090 mAh battery that supports 45W of Super Fast Charging 2.0 keeps the screen lightened up. It measures 185 x 285 x 5.7 mm in dimensions and weighs 567 g. Most importantly, the device arrives with an improved S Pen.

Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra sports a large 14.6-inch WQXGA+ Super AMOLED display with similar panel features as Tab S8+. The device offers the same rear camera capacity as the other two models. Also, it's compatible with improved S Pen.



However, the front camera includes a couple of 12 MPs wide and ultrawide shooters. The Tab S8 Ultra packs an 11,200mAh battery that makes it weigh 726 g or 728 g depending upon the Wi-Fi and 5G variant. It measures 208 x 6 x 326.4 x 5.5mm in dimensions and supports 45W of Super Fast Charging 2.0.

Availability and Price

You can get the Tab S8 and S8+ in Graphite, Pink Gold, and Silver color options. The devices are available in two storage variants of 128 GB and 256 GB paired with 8 GB and 12 GB RAM respectively. Whereas, the Tab S8 Ultra will be available in a single Graphite shade and three memory options: 128 GB + 8 GB, 256 GB + 12 GB, and 512 GB + 16 GB.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series is live for pre-orders. The shipping will begin from February 25 in the selected markets including the US, Europe, and South Korea.



The standard Tab S8 costs $699.99 (₹52,400)for the base model. While the prices for Galaxy Tab S8+ start at $899.99 (₹67,300). On the other hand, the lower model of the Ultra variant is worth $1,099.99 (₹82,300). However, the price and availability in India are yet to be announced.

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Samsung Galaxy S22 series launched with Android 12 based One UI 4.1

Samsung has finally launched the much-awaited Galaxy S22 series. Like the predecessor, the lineup includes three smartphones: Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and Galaxy S22 Ultra. Let's check out the smartphones in detail.

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The Galaxy S22 series shares a few common specs including the Android 12 OS paired with One UI 4.1 on top. Under the helm, they run the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200, depending upon the market. The panels of the smartphones are equipped with an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor.

Also, they are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, while the rear is guarded by Armor Aluminium. The sensors onboard are an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, barometer, geomagnetic, gyroscope, hall, and a proximity sensor. Needless to say, the Galaxy S22 and S22+ lack a few of the Ultra's specs. But unlike before, they have all of its premium build quality.

Samsung Galaxy S22

Galaxy S22 features a 6.1-inch full-HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone measures 146x70.6x7.6mm in dimensions and weighs 168 grams.



For Optics, the device houses a triple rear camera led by a 50 MP Dual Pixel wide primary sensor. The other lenses include a 12 MP ultrawide unit and a 10 MP telephoto sensor. It offers 3x optical zoom and optical image stabilization (OIS). On the other side, there's a 10 MP snapper for selfies and video calls.

In addition, Galaxy S22 packs a 3,700mAh battery that supports 25W fast charging. You can also back the phone with a 15W wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare for reverse wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy S22+

The Galaxy S22+ shares some specifications with the standard Galaxy S22 including processor, camera, and more. However, they do differ in terms of screen size and battery capacity.



The smartphone flaunts a 6.6-inch display lightened up by a 4,500mAh battery that supports 45W of fast charging. Moreover, you can use 15W wireless charging as well as Wireless PowerShare for reverse wireless charging. The phone measures 157.4x75.8x7.6mm in dimensions and weighs 196 grams.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

The major catch of the Galaxy S22 Ultra is that it is the first S-series smartphone that arrives with S Pen support. The device sports a large 6.8-inch Edge QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full-HD+ resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It measures 163.3x77.9x8.9mm in dimensions and weighs 229 grams.

For amazing pictures, the Galaxy S22 Ultra carries a 40 MP front-facing camera. The rear side houses a quad-camera module consisting of a 108 MP primary shooter. Accompanying this is a 12 MP ultrawide unit, a couple of 10 MPs telephoto lens 3X and 10X optical zoom respectively. The unit supports Space Zoom, 10x optical zoom, and 10x digital zoom with AI Super Resolution technology.



A 5,000mAh battery keeps the entire system working with the help of 45W fast charging. In addition, it also supports 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging with Wireless PowerShare.

Price and Availability

Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ will be available in two storage variants of 128 GB and 256 GB paired with 8GB RAM. The standard device will cost around 799$ (₹59,900) for the base model, while the latter variant is priced at 999$ (₹74,800).

Meanwhile, the Galaxy S22 Ultra will arrive in 8GB RAM + 128GB, 12GB RAM + 256GB, 12GB RAM + 512GB and 12GB RAM + 1TB storage options. The base model will cost you 1,199$ (₹89,700).



You can pre-order the Galaxy S22 series smartphones in Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green, and Pink Gold color options. The shipping will start from February 25, as mentioned by Samsung. Though the price in the Indian market is yet to be revealed.

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Moto G Pro receives Android 12 update in the UK

Last year in December, Motorola shared a list of smartphones that are eligible to get the Android 12 update. The company said that the rollout will begin in February 2022, but there was no specific date provided. Adhering to its words, the Lenovo-owned firm is sending the latest operating system to the Moto G Pro with My UX on top.

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The Android 12 based My UX package is rolling out for the model number XT2043-7. The build is currently live in the UK bundled with the firmware version S0PR32.44-11-8. Hopefully, the other regions will also get the new software soon.

For the record, the Moto G Pro is also known as Moto G Stylus in the USA. The device was launched in 2020 with Android 10 OS out of the box. Anyway, it's surprising to see that instead of higher-end smartphones, like Edge 20 series, the Moto G Pro is getting the latest build.

Anyway, now that Motorola has started releasing the new operating system, we can expect more flagships to join the list soon. To on the button below to see what changes Android 12 will bring to your device.

Top Features of Android 12

If you own a Moto G Pro in the UK, the new package will hit your device as on OTA. The build is spinning in batches, taking a while to have a border rollout. To avoid the wait, you can track the update manually via the Settings > System > Advanced > System Updates menu.

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Redmi Note 11 & Note 11S launched in India with 5,000 mAh battery

It’s been a few months since Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 11 series in the home country. However, we’ve been waiting for India’s launch since. As promised by the company, the delay is finally over as the Note 11 and Note 11S are now official.

Must see: Specs Comparison: Redmi Note 11T vs Redmi Note 10T

The Redmi Note 11 and Redmi Note 11S shares some specifications. The smartphones feature a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution. The panel offers a 90Hz refresh rate with a quad rear camera setup. Also, they are IP53-rated for a splash-resistant build.

On the software front, they boost Android 11 OS tossed with MIUI 13 on top. For selfies and video calls, there's a 13 MP front-facing camera. In addition, a 5,000 mAh battery awakes the entire system with a 33W fast charging support. According to the company, a single charge can deliver up to two days of battery life.

Moving forward, the major difference between the Redmi Note 11 and Redmi Note 11S is the processor. The Redmi Note 11 runs Snapdragon 680 under the hood, while the Redmi Note 11S equips Helio G96 SoC.



In the optics section, Note 11 will carry a quad-camera unit led by a 50 MP primary sensor. The other lenses are 8MP ultrawide and a couple of 2 MPs depth & macro shooter. Whereas, a 108 MP snapper will guide the shooter of Note 11S along with the same additional snappers.

Availability and Price

The Redmi Note 11 will go on sale from February 11 at the following prices. The device is available in three color options: Horizon Blue, Space Black, and Starburst White.

• 64 GB + 4 GB RAM: ₹12,999 ($175/€152)


• 64 GB + 6 GB RAM: ₹13,499 ($180/€160)


• 128 GB + 6 GB RAM: ₹14,999 ($200/€175)

Whereas the Redmi Note 11S will arrive in Horizon Blue, Polar White, and Space Black shades on February 21 at the below prices:

• 64 GB + 6 GB RAM: ₹15,499 ($210/€180)


• 128 GB + 6 GB RAM: ₹16,499 ($220/€195)


• 128 GB + 8 GB RAM: ₹17,499 ($235/€205)

You can purchase the smartphones from Amazon, Xiaomi’s own websites, and offline retail stores. The buyers can get ₹1,000 off by using a Bank of Baroda credit or debit card. The company also provides no-cost EMI options and exchange offers at different retail channels.

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Google rolls out two new Android widgets for Chrome

Since the arrival of Android 12, Google is tweaking its stock apps in every way possible. This time, the company is pampering the Chrome widgets that have been deserted for a long time.

Must see: Chrome 98 Released: Check Out What's New!

After a wait of eight months, Chrome is rolling out a couple of new widgets for every Android user. Earlier, Chrome only offered a Search Bar Widget and the Bookmarks Widget. Now, with Chrome 98, you have two more widget options, making it a total of four.

Starting with, the “Chrome Shortcuts” is a fresh search widget with all shortcuts, making everything available at your fingertips. The shortcuts include text search, voice search, Lens search, open an incognito tab, and the offline Dino game. You can use all the Google features directly from your home screen with just a tap!

[gallery link="none" size="full" ids="123074,123073,123075"]

Moreover, there's no need to disconnect your mobile's data to play the dino game. You can now play with your outworn friend even when you’re online. In case you are more of a dino fan, you can add the dedicated “Chrom Dino” widget. Tapping on which will immediately open a new tab so you can play.

The widgets will be available on your device with Chrome 98. Alternatively, you can toggle the following flags to enable them:

chrome://flags/#enable-quick-action-search-widget-android

chrome://flags/#enable-quick-action-search-widget-android-dino-variant

Furthermore, there are new Chrome Actions that will help you to quickly access settings or other features. All you have to do is type the words on your desktop. To mention, the actions will soon arrive in more languages and on the Android platform.

• “Manage settings”


• “Customize Chrome”


• “View your Chrome history”


• “Manage accessibility settings”


• “Share this tab”


• “Play Chrome Dino game”

Read more: Google rolls out February 2022 update to supported Pixel smartphones

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Redmi K50 Gaming Edition to launch on February 16

Xiaomi shared a poster through its Weibo account, confirming the launch date of the Redmi K50 series. The company will hold an event on February 16 that will mark the debut of the upcoming lineup. Also, the post renders the first look of one of the devices from the series, which is likely to be the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition.

Must see: Specs Comparison: Redmi Note 11 vs Realme 9i

The Redmi K50 series is said to include four models: Redmi K50, K50 Pro, K50 Pro+, and K50 Gaming Edition. Talking about the latter device, it will succeed the Redmi K40 Gaming Edition launched last year. To mention, we are not sure if all four models will make an appearance at the upcoming launch event.

Anyway, the smartphone on the shared picture features mechanical trigger buttons, implying that it is a gaming device. Moreover, there's a triple rear camera unit that seems to be melded with RGB lighting.



According to the leaks, the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition will flaunt a 6.67-inch OLED QHD+ display. The phone may measure 162 x 76.8 x 8.45mm in dimensions and weigh 210 grams. Furthermore, the power button will also act as a fingerprint scanner.

For optics, there's a triple rear camera unit that could house a 64 MP, a 13 MP, and a 2 MP sensor. On the other side, a 16 MP lens can serve selfies and video calls. Under the hood, it is likely to run Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. Also, it is likely to ship with a 4,700mAh battery that supports 120W fast charging.

Read more: Redmi Note 11S confirmed to accompany Note 11 launch in India 

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Vivo NEX 5 specifications and price revealed in render leaks

Vivo is working to contribute to the foldable generation of smartphones. Reportedly, the Vivo NEX and NEX 5 are under processing. While we don't have any details of the former device, the specifications of the latter are leaked. Here is what we know!

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The leaks claim that the Vivo NEX 5 will be a hybrid of the Vivo X70 Pro+ and iQOO 9 Pro. The smartphone is likely to feature a Samsung E5 AMOLED LPTO 2.0 display with curved edges. The panel could offer a Quad HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and an IP68 rated chassis.

For optics, Vivo NEX 5 is suggested to house a 32 MP front camera to serve selfies and video calls. Furthermore, the rear side is expected to carry a quad-camera unit led by a 50 MP primary sensor. The other lenses could include a 48 MP ultrawide shooter, a 12 MP portrait lens, and an 8 MP telephoto sensor. Also, it may offer OIS support, 5x optical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom, and 60x digital zoom.



Under the hood, the Vivo NEX 5 will run Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. The phone could arrive in three storage variants of 256 GB and 512 GB paired with 8 GB and 12 GB RAM respectively. In addition, a 5,000mAh battery is tipped to keep the entire system working with the support of 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.

Lastly, the Vivo NEX 5 is anticipated to debut this year in March or April. The smartphone will probably cost around 942$ for the base model (256 GB + 8 GB RAM). While it could go up to 1,099$ for the top model (512 GB + 12 GB RAM). The mid-variant (256 GB + 12 GB RAM) is expected to cost about 1,020$.

Read more: Specs Comparison: Vivo V23 vs Vivo V23 Pro

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Xiaomi Pad 5 receives Android 11 based MIUI 13 update globally

Xiaomi introduced its next-gen customized skin MIUI 13 at the near end of the year 2021. Since then, the company has updated several Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones. Following the global rollout schedule, it’s time for the international models of Xiaomi Pad 5 to adopt the new features.

Xiaomi Pad 5

Make sure to visit: Specs Comparison: Redmi Note 11T vs Redmi Note 10T

The new features are packed for the Xiaomi Pad 5 with the firmware version V13.0.1.0.RKXMIXM. The software is based on Android 11 weighing around 2.8 GB to download. The package adds fresh features and new customized shortcut options, offering a seamless experience. For precise details, check out the official changelog below:

Changelog

MIUI 13

• New: Resizable floating windows bring the desktop experience to tablets


• New: Improved Function key features

Floating windows

• New: Drag any item from the dock to open it in a floating window


• New: Resizing options for floating windows


• New: Support for opening two floating windows at the same time


• New: New gestures for floating windows

Stylus & keyboard

• New: Pressing the Menu button on the keyboard opens the app dock


• New: Double pressing the Menu button allows you to switch between recent apps


• New: Custom system button shortcuts


• New: Custom app shortcut combinations

The OTA update will reach out to the users in batches, taking a while to be widely available. Alternatively, you may visit Settings > Software update to manually track the build. If the version is available for your device, tap on Download and install.

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