Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Google Play system July update brings new features, improvements, and more

12:19 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

Every month, Google rolls out updates to its services, including Android, Wear OS, Android TV, and other platforms. Likewise, the tech giant has released the July 2022 update to its Play system. The latest update brings along some new features, improvements to the existing ones, as well as some bug fixes. Let's check out the July 2022 update in detail.

Google Play

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The July update for the Google Play System has arrived later than usual. Anyway, it carries multiple changes, including rebranding Google Pay to “Google Wallet” and improving the Google Play billing. Also, it brings some new ways to offer “seamless multi-device experiences.”

In addition, there are plenty of other changes, including the new UI in the “Data & Privacy” section. This follows multiple improvements like in the Play-as-you-download feature, Play Pass, and Play Points programs, as some bug fixes. Besides, there's a new developer feature that supports Maps-related developer services in their apps. For point-to-point modifications, check out the official changelog below.

Changelog


Account Management

  • [Phone] The section headers in the Data & Privacy tab of the Google account settings have a new appearance.


Device Connectivity

  • [Phone] APIs for developers to build seamless multi-device experiences.


Google Play Store

  • Improvements to the Play-as-you-download feature to let gamers start playing mobile games while the app download continues to reduce waiting times.

  • New Features to help you discover the Apps & Games you love.

  • Optimizations allow faster and more reliable download and installation.

  • New features to the Play Pass and Play Points programs.

  • Enhancements to Google Play Billing.

  • Continuous improvements to Play Protect to keep your device safe.

  • Various performance optimizations, bug fixes, and improvements to security, stability, and accessibility.


Support

  • [Phone] Provide an ability to filter the data plans available to purchase by various categories received from the Carrier.


Wallet

  • [Phone] Updates user experience to latest Google Material design, rebrands as “Google Wallet”.


Developer Services

  • New developer features for Google and third-party app developers to support Maps-related developer services in their apps.


Read more: Chromecast with Google TV finally launched in India for ₹6,399

To check the update, directly visit your Play Store listing. To update the Play Store, tap your avatar in the right corner > Settings > About > Update Play Store. Alternatively, you can also visit the device's Settings app, About phone > Android version > Google Play system update.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 appears on FCC ahead of launch

11:23 AM Simranpal SIngh No comments

Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 4 at the Galaxy Unpacked event in August 2022. As per rumors, the next generation of foldable will go official on August 26. A few weeks ahead of its launch, the phone made an appearance on the FCC certification website. Here's what we could gather from the latest listing.

[caption id="attachment_126390" align="aligncenter" width="696"]Galaxy Z Fold 4 Representative Image[/caption]

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The FCC listing again confirms the model number SM-F936U for the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Further, the portal reveals the phone’s networked details, connectivity onboard, and more. The device will have support for 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G bands, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC. Also, it will come with Qualcomm Gen2 smart transmit feature.

Similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 3, the successor will also come with S Pen as revealed by the website. Moreover, it may support reverse wireless charging as well. Unfortunately, the FCC listing does not divulge any other details. Although we do have other specifications in our hands already.

To recall, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 was spotted on Geekbench last month with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC under the hood. The chipset will be paired with Adreno 730 GPU and 12GB of RAM at the very least. On the software front, the handset will boost Android 12 out of the box along with a layer of One UI 4.1 on top.
Read more: Galaxy Buds 2 Pro design and color variants leaked ahead of launch

On the other hand, the leaks suggest the presence of a 7.6-inch 2K AMOLED foldable screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The cover display could be a 6.2-inch HD+ screen. In addition, the rumors claim that there's a 16MP under-screen camera, a 10MP front camera, and a 50MP + 12MP + 12MP triple rear camera setup. Lastly, the device is likely to pack a 4400 mAh battery that will support 45W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging as well.
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Monday, July 11, 2022

Chromecast with Google TV finally launched in India for ₹6,399

5:52 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

Two years back, Google launched a streaming device called Chromecast with Google TV alongside Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G. At the time, the device was available in the global market. After a long interval of two years, the 4K steaming device is finally official in India.

Chromecast with Google TV

Make sure to visit: How to install Mobdro on Chromecast with Google TV?

Following the Realme 4K Smart Google TV Stick, Google's Chromecast with Google TV becomes the second streaming device in the country to run on the Google TV software. As with every other firestick, it is a 4K streaming device that intends to convert non-smart TVs into smart TV. Moreover, the stick can also be used on smart TV operating an older version of Android

It simply is a plug-and-play device with an HDMI port on one side of the streaming device and a USB end. The USB is meant to be connected to the TV or any other power outlet. The device comes with a short remote which offers Google Assistant, Netflix, and Youtube buttons.

Talking about the UI, the home screen offers four tabs on the top: Search, Home, Apps, and Library. For features, the Chromecast with Google TV offers resolutions up to 4K HDR and 60 FPS. In addition, it supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+ formats as well. Besides, the default storage is 8GB paired with 2GB of RAM. Needless to say, there's Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz) and Bluetooth support as well.

Similar to all the other TV firesticks, it also comes with pre-loaded apps like Netflix, Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, and many more. To download other apps that are not already available, you can head to the Google Play store.

Read more: Google updates Chrome Password Manager with new design and features



Price and Availability


The Google Chromecast with Google TV firestick costs ₹6,399 in India. The streaming device is available in a solar color option of Snow (White). The users can purchase it through Flipkart. Also, the device will be available in other leading retail outlets in the coming days.

As for launch offers, there's no discount on the Google TV firestick. Although interestingly, the buyers can get the Google Nest hub at ₹4,999 and the Google Nest mini for ₹1,999.
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Vivo Y77 5G with Dimensity 930 SoC goes official in China for ¥1,499

4:24 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

Vivo has introduced another Y-series smartphone in its home market. The Vivo Y77 5G is official in China as the latest affordable offering from the company. The smartphone packs all the decent specs we expect from a mid-range handset. Let's take a detailed look at the Vivo Y77 5G specifications, price, features, and other details.

Vivo Y77 5G

Make sure to visit: Guide to install Android 12 Emojis on any Rooted Android Smartphone

The Vivo Y77 5G is built around a 6.64-inch Full HD+ LCD screen with a center-aligned punch hole notch. The panel offers a 120Hz refresh rate, a 2388 × 1080 pixel resolution, and a 1500:1 contrast ratio.

Under the hood, the 5 G-powered phone equips an octa-core processor based on MediaTek Dimensity 930 SoC. The chipset is paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. For software, it ships with Android 12 out of the box along with a layer of OriginOS Ocean on top.

In terms of camera, there's a dual-rear camera setup consisting of a 50MP primary lens and a 2MP macro sensor. At the front, the Vivo Y77 5G houses an 8MP unit that serves selfies and video chats.

Lastly, the phone packs a 4500mAh battery unit that supports 80W of fast charging over a USB Type-C port. The other notable features include a 3.5mm jack, Dual-SIM, 5G, WiFi, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, Glonass, Galileo, Beidou, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for security.
Read more: Vivo Y01A appears on BIS Certification Website, launch imminent

Availability and Price 


Vivo Y77 5G is available in China in Black, Blue, and Pink color options. Depending upon the storage variant you choose to buy, here's how much the handset will cost:

  • 6GB + 128GB – ¥1,499

  • 8GB + 128GB – ¥1,599

  • 8GB + 256GB – ¥1,799

  • 12GB + 256GB – ¥1,999

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Samsung’s One UI 5.0 leaked; everything you need to know!

2:47 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

While Google is still cooking up the Android 13, all the major smartphone brands are busy with the development of their skin iteration. Likewise, Samsung is preparing the One UI 5.0 which will release alongside the next version of the mobile operating system.

One UI 5.0

Must see: Download Samsung Bixby Voice

As we already know, Android 13 is currently in beta for developers and is yet to be announced. Although it is expected to release sometime near Q4 2022. So is the case with Samsung's One UI 5.0 as well. Ahead of any official announcement, the rumors have revealed the design and some key features of the upcoming skin iteration.

One UI 5.0 Features  



  • Tweaked notification design




As with One UI 4.0, the next-gen skin also plays with the notification design. The notifications icon and design are upgraded with a new style. Also, the shade and quick settings are tweaked slightly. However, none of the changes are major although they do offer a different feel to the user.



  • OCR in Gallery and insert text from image on keyboard




As with Apple, Samsung is adding a feature that let users copy text from an image and keyboard. This is known as OCR (Optical Character Recognition). If your picture contains any context, you will see a button at the bottom of the gallery that will allow you to pull that text. To recall, this used to be part of Bixby Vision before.




  • Security and privacy hub




On One UI 5.0, all of your accounts, passwords, security, and privacy features into one screen. This will allow the user to get easy access to everything you need. Besides, it will scam anything that might be a threat to your device.



  • New multitasking gestures




There are new gesture features that will make multitasking convenient. Precisely, there are two new features. Firstly, you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen with two fingers to access the split view. Secondly, you can swipe in from the top right corner to make a popup window.




Read more: Galaxy Buds 2 Pro design and color variants leaked ahead of launch

Besides the above-mentioned changes, Samsung will introduce some other modifications as well. This includes collaboration in the Notes app, UWB toggle in settings, currently active app in quick settings, and more.
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Xiaomi 12 Lite with Snapdragon 778G SoC launched globally for $399

11:46 AM Simranpal SIngh No comments

Xiaomi has extended its Xiaomi 12 lineup with the introduction of Xiaomi 12 Lite globally. The device is the fourth addition to the series after the Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 12 Pro, and Xiaomi 12X. The new handset falls under the upper mid-range category that offers all the desired high-end specs with a lesser price tag. Here's a detailed look at the Xiaomi 12 Lite's specifications, features, price, and other details.

Xiaomi 12 Lite

Must see: Download Xiaomi Game Turbo 5.0 APK

Xiaomi 12 Lite features a 6.55-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a punch-hole cutout at the top center. The panel offers a 120Hz refresh rate, a screen resolution of 1080 X 2400 pixels, 950 nits of peak brightness, a 20:9 aspect ratio, and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. In addition, it supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and HDR10+ resolution.

Under the hood, the smartphone runs the Snapdragon 778G SoC paired with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage. On the software front, Xiaomi 12 Lite boosts Android 12 out of the box tossed with a layer of MIUI 13 on top.

For optics, the handset holds a triple-camera setup on a glass back. The module consists of a 108MP primary lens, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 2MP macro sensor. At the front, there is a 32MP snapper that serves selfies and video chats. Besides, it equips AF and plenty of other software features, like Selfie portrait mode and Xiaomi Selfie Glow.

Moreover, the Xiaomi 12 Lite packs a 4300 mAh battery that makes it weigh about 173 grams. The power unit is supported by 67W fast charging that fuels up the phone completely within 41 minutes. Furthermore, the other notable features include 159.30mm x 73.70mm x 7.29mm measurement, Bluetooth 5.2, WiFi 6, NFC, dual 5G, Dual-SIM, and a USB Type-C port.
Read more: Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 leaked, to be powered by Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

Price and Availability


Xiaomi 12 Lite comes in three different storage configurations. The base 6GB/ 128GB model is priced at $399. On the other hand, the 8GB/ 128GB and 8GB/ 256GB variant costs $449 and $499, respectively. The handset is available in Black, Pink, and Green color options globally. However, the India launch is still undercover.
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Saturday, July 9, 2022

LG pushes Android 12 update for LG V50 ThinQ!

7:22 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

It has been over three years since LG unveiled its first 5G supported device, i.e., the LG V50 ThinQ. It was the second last V smartphone before LG halted its mobile division. The smartphone was running on Android 9 out of the box. Later, the Korean brand updated the device to Android 10 and 11. The brand promised to push the Android 12 update to the smartphone a year ago. The brand has started rolling out the Android 12 update for smartphones in the U.S. It will be the last major update to the device. Other smartphones in the eligible list like Velvet, Wing, and V60 have already received the update.

The Android 12 update is live for the Verizon units of the LG V50 ThinQ smartphone. It comes with the same changelog that came with the Android 12 update of other LG smartphones. One of the significant changes includes privacy indicators for the microphone and camera. It also gets privacy controls for location sharing and more. The update mainly focuses on privacy and security improvements. It doesn't come with any significant changes in the U.I. The reason is that the brand doesn't want to bring changes and work on it. It is providing updates only to fulfill its promise. The update will take some time to reach units outside the U.S.A.
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Friday, July 8, 2022

List of Samsung devices upgraded to July 2022 Security Patch [Tracker]

6:03 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

Samsung is ahead of all the other smartphone brands in the race for updates. The company has improved its policy over the years. Now, the Korean tech giant has the best firmware update approaches. In fact, it extended its Android OS update policy from two to three years, setting an example for other brands. Along with three major updates, the company supports their smartphones with four years of security updates as well. Likewise, here we have created a list of smartphones that have received the July 2022 security patch update.

Samsung devices

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Keep in mind that the security patches do not bring any visible or significant changes to your respective device. However, it does address a bunch of bugs and security issues present in the current version. The vulnerabilities range from high and moderate to severe flaws. In a nutshell, these monthly updates protect your device from third-party threats and ensure a safer and private experience. However, sometimes, the company may deliver more features or bug fixes bundled with a security update.

July 2022 Security Patch Update





We will update the article as any new device joins the list, so stay tuned with us! Meanwhile, take a look if your Galaxy device is updated to June 2022 security patch or not.

July 2022 Security Patch Update





Read more: How to fix Galaxy S22 series slow charging issue? 
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Galaxy Buds 2 Pro design and color variants leaked ahead of launch

4:51 PM Simranpal SIngh No comments

.likelSamsung is expected to hold a launch event sometime in August to announce its next generation of smart devices. This will include the next-gen foldable smartphones, Galaxy Watch 5 series, and truly wireless earbuds. Ahead of any official statement from the company, the design as well as the color variants of the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro have managed to leak online.

[caption id="attachment_127125" align="aligncenter" width="696"]Galaxy Buds 2 Pro Representative Image[/caption]

Make sure to visit: Download Samsung Camera App Latest Version [Old Versions Archived]

According to the leaksters, the upcoming Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has the codename ‘Zenith.’ Talking about the design, the earbuds will render an identical case to the Galaxy Buds 2 in shape and size. The current models measure 27.8 x 50 x 50.2 mm in dimensions and weigh 41.2g. However, according to the images leaked, the buds seem to have a straighter fin and a slightly thicker nozzle as compared to the Galaxy Buds 2.

Moreover, the upcoming Pro model is likely to pack a slightly bigger battery than the previous model, rendering a better standby time. As for the color options, the wearables will be available in at least three variants: Bora Purple, Graphite, and White. Also, at the front, the case will equip a charging LED status. While the back will house a USB Type-C charging port.

The other usual features will include a wear detection sensor and multiple microphones. In addition, it will include a dual-driver setup, ANC, and 360 Audio as well. In fact, the audio quality and ANC performance may improve with the upcoming wireless earbuds. Besides, the IPX rating might also be enhanced.
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