WhatsApp will soon allow users to create polls in group chat

WhatsApp is the world’s most widely used messaging service. However, it still misses some features that are present on other platforms like Telegram. Anyway, the company is working to bring a lot of new features. On that note, WhatsApp is developing an important feature that will allow users to start and take polls in group chats.

Make sure to visit: How to transfer your WhatsApp chats from Android to iOS

According to the information shared by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp will soon enable the users to type poll questions to send to a group chat. Also, the first peek suggests that it will offer up to 12 options for answers. The feature was spotted on the WhatsApp beta for Android with version 2.22.20.11.

The poll creation option can be found inside the attachment menu from where you share other media files. Precisely, it will be the seventh option in the media-sharing menu. Although the placement may change when the feature hit the stable phase. Also, the number of options may be less or more than 12.

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With future developments, the same option will also be available for WhatsApp Desktop beta and WhatsApp beta for iOS. Interestingly, the revealed screenshot shows the poll feature in an individual conversation. This means it may be available for both one-on-one and group chats. Also, it will be end-to-end encrypted, allowing users to ensure that only the selected participants can see the poll and the results.

Read more: Download Fouad WhatsApp Latest Version: Features and How to Install [APK]

However, it is unclear if there are any ways for customizing the polls or whether group admins will be able to edit the poll options. As of now, we don't know yet when the feature will be available in a stable form. On the bright side, the WhatsApp group polls feature is under testing since April, so, we can expect it to arrive soon.

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Oppo K10x with Snapdragon 695 SoC launched in China for ¥1,499

Oppo has added a new smartphone to the K-series bucket. The latest Oppo K10x is a mid-range 5G offering that is currently official in China. Although it is expected to launch soon in other markets, including India as well. In the meantime, let's take a look at the specification, features, pricing, and other details of the latest Oppo device.

Must see: Oppo ColorOS 13 update timeline for September 2022

Talking about the design, the Oppo K10x has a thick chin, while the other three bezels around the screen are thin. The device features a 6.59-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD screen with a center-aligned punch hole cutout. The panel offers a 120Hz screen refresh rate.

Under the hood, an octa-core processor based on Snapdragon 695 SoC powers the device. The chipset is paired with up to 12GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. In terms of software, it runs Android 12 out of the box along with a layer of ColorOS 12.1 on top.

In the shooting department, the Oppo K10x carries a triple-camera setup on the back alongside an LED flash. The island consists of a 64MP primary lens and a couple of 2MPs depth and macro sensors.

In addition, the company ships the device with a 5000 mAh battery, making it weigh 195 grams. The power unit supports 67W SuperVOOC fast charging. Also, the device has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner to serve security.

Related: Oppo F21s Pro and F21s Pro 5G launches in India: Know Specifications, Features, and Price

Price and Availability

Oppo K10x will retail in Black and Aurora color options. The base 8GB/ 128GB variant of the device costs ¥1,499. The other model with a storage capacity of 8GB/ 256GB is priced at ¥1699. Whereas, the most premium offering with a 12GB/ 256GB configuration is worth ¥1,999.

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Download Android Studio Dolphin 🐬(2021.3.1)

Google released the Android Studio Dolphin that emphasizes three key themes: Jetpack Compose, Wear OS, and development productivity. FYI, these are Android’s new tools to build a native user interface and make high-quality apps. Here is a detailed look at the latest release. Also, you can download the build with version 2021.3.1 at the end of the page.

Must see: How to watch Paramount Plus on Play Station?

The latest platform offers a variety of new features, including tools to preview multiple screens, preview animations, WearOS 3-ready watch faces, titles, apps, and much more. Let's take a detailed look at all the features that Android Studio Dolphin packs.

Android Studio Dolphin

Development tools

• Intellij 2021.3 Platform Update: The Intellij 2021.3 update adds some features such as an improved Find Usages flow, Kotlin debugger updates, constant conditions inspection for Kotlin, improved code intentions previews, and more.


• Gradle Managed Virtual Devices: Easing your work, you can now directly command the virtual devices regarding your need for your automated tests. Gradle will take care of everything, including SDK downloading to testing execution and teardown. Moreover, the new features like snapshot management, test caching, and test sharding optimize the test execution.

"Gradle Managed Virtual Devices also introduces a completely new type of device, called the Automated Test Device, which is optimized for automated tests, resulting in a significant reduction in CPU and memory usage during test execution."

[caption id="attachment_130709" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Gradle Managed Virtual Devices[/caption]

Jetpack Compose

• Compose Animation Inspector: Animation Preview inspector enables you to see all supported animations at once and coordinate them. Also, you can freeze a specific animation or scrub through an entire animation frame-by-frame. Currently, it supports animations built with update transition and Animated Visibility.
  
  [caption id="attachment_130710" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Compose Animation Inspector[/caption]


• Compose Multi preview Annotations: Unlike before, you can now define an annotation class that includes multiple preview definitions. These new annotations will allow you to preview multiple devices, fonts, and themes at the same time, without any duplicity. That means no more copying and pasting the same @Preview code everywhere!
  
  [caption id="attachment_130711" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Multipreview annotations[/caption]


• Compose Recomposition Counts in Layout Inspector: With Android Studio Dolphin, the Layout Inspector will allow you to view recomposition counts for a Compose app. If you want, these counts can be shown in the Component Tree and Attributes panels. It will help debug your Jetpack Compose UI and see if your UI is updating too often.
  
  [caption id="attachment_130712" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Compose Recomposition Counts[/caption]

Wear OS

• Wear OS Emulator Pairing Assistant: You can now see Wear OS devices in the Device Manager using the Emulator Pairing Assistant. In addition, it allows pairing more than one watch emulator with a single phone. On top, the Android Studio remembers pairings even after it closes, which means no more pairing/repairing.
  
  [caption id="attachment_130713" align="aligncenter" width="859"] Wear OS Emulator Pairing Assistant[/caption]


• Wear OS Emulator Toolbar: There are new buttons and interactions on the Android Emulator toolbar. They align to Wear OS physical devices, allowing it to trigger bodily actions like the palm gesture or to simulate tilting the device.
  
  [caption id="attachment_130714" align="aligncenter" width="553"] Wear OS Emulator Side Toolbar[/caption]


• Wear OS Direct Surface Launch: Lastly, Android Studio Dolphin enables you to create Run/Debug configurations for Wear OS tiles, watch faces, and complications that can be launched directly from Android Studio.
  
  [caption id="attachment_130715" align="aligncenter" width="939"] New Wear OS Run/Debug configuration types[/caption]

Read more: Google may not release Pixelbook in 2023

Note: To use the Android Emulator features, make sure you are operating Android Emulator v31.3.0 or higher via the Android Studio SDK Manager. In case you are using a previous release of Android Studio, you can simply update to the latest version. Alternatively, just tap on the button below.

 Download Android Studio Dolphin 🐬

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Chrome on Android Startup gets booster speed with Freeze Dried Tabs

Google is continuously working to provide a better browsing experience through Chrome. In the latest development, the tech giant is pushing the performance by speeding up the startup times of Chrome on Android. The latest interactive freeze-dried preview of a tab feature boosts the browser's speed by more than 20%.

Make sure to visit: Download Google Play Store App Latest Version [Old Versions Archive]

Occasionally, the web performance on Android smartphones can be slow as Chrome can only load a handful of web pages at a time. The major factor is due to the memory constraints of the device. In a blog post, Google announced how it is raising memory management and improving the transitional glimpses of web content. With the freeze-drying feature, Chrome on Android will be more useful, interactable, and engaging. Moreover, it will start up over 20% faster while we wait for the real page to be ready.

"We believe that "good enough" is never enough when it comes to pushing the performance of Chrome. Today’s The Fast and the Curious post explores how we sped up the startup times of Chrome on Android by more than 20% by providing an interactive freeze-dried preview of a tab on startup," says the post.

Freeze Dried Tab provides interactivity to be more helpful. Although it does remove several features from a live web page. It delivers the ability to navigate through links, scroll through a page’s content, and get started with the content until the full page is ready. In addition, it is faster to start than a live web page.

Read more: Smart Reply in Google Chat now supports Spanish, French, and Portuguese languages

"Currently, Freeze Dried Tabs are being used in Chrome to provide a 20% perceptible speedup in cold startup on Android. We are exploring additional places where this technology might be used," says Google.

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Oppo Find X5 & X5 Pro receives ColorOS 13 update (Android 13)

Since Google released the latest Android 13 operating system, every smartphone brand is busy with its development. Along with other devices, Oppo has finally selected its first flagship to get the Android 13 update. The Oppo Find X5 and Find X5 Pro becomes the first device from the company to get the ColorOS 13 package.

Make sure to visit: Download Omoji Avatar App Latest Version [Old Versions Archived]

The announcement was made via the official ColorOS 13 Twitter handle. According to the post, the Android 13 package is rolling out in selected regions as of now. For the Oppo Find X5, the build is available in France and UAE. For the Pro model, the regions include Australia, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

To recall, the build was scheduled to roll out on September 16. Luckily, it is available a day prior. It seems like the company was really excited. For features, ColorOS 13 packs a bunch of them, including Aquamorphic Design, new AOD styles, multi-connect, customization options, blossom wallpaper, notification panel, Meeting Assistant, Kid Space, improved privacy & security, and a lot more.

Read more: Oppo F21s Pro and F21s Pro 5G launches in India: Know Specifications, Features, and Price

The Oppo Find X5 and Find X5 Pro users in the respective regions can get an OTA hit anytime soon. To avoid the wait, you can also trigger the build manually. To do so, visit the device's Settings > About Phone > Check for updates. If the new version pops up, tap on download and install. Your device will restart a

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OnePlus 10T joins OxygenOS 13 Closed Beta Program

Now that the Android 13 has hit its stable phase, OnePlus is expanding the availability of the new OS for more of its flagships. So far, the OnePlus 8 series, OnePlus 9 series, OnePlus 10R, and OnePlus 10 Pro have picked up the beta update. In the latest development, the OnePlus 10T becomes the newest device to join the OxygenOS 13 Closed Beta Program.

Make sure to visit: How to download and install OxygenOS 13 (Android 13)?

According to the recent announcement by the OnePlus Community forum, the company is recruiting OxygenOS 13 Closed Beta Test (CBT) for the OnePlus 10T. Smartphone users in India can get a taste of the new skin iteration before its official release. The testers should submit their feedback and share suggestions to help improve the software experience so it can reach the stable phase as early as possible.

To refine the experience for everyone else, OnePlus has shifted to a short-term Closed Beta Project. Accordingly, the company is inviting 100 applicants to test the version for the OnePlus 10T. These users will also be rewarded. Although they are supposed to maintain secrecy and not expose the unstable CBT package. Therefore, to become a member of this program, the users are required to sign an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) with OnePlus.

So, if you are a OnePlus 10T user in India who is willing to sign an NDA and communicate regularly with the team to report issues, tap on the button below and apply for the OxygenOS 13 Closed Beta Program.

Apply Now

Read more: OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro, OnePlus 8T, and OnePlus 9R get OnePlus OxygenOS C.35 update

Lastly, as the build is still under development, it will have a lot of bugs and glitches onboard. Thus, we do recommend you flash it on your primary smartphone. Also, do not forget to take a backup of your data before testing the beta package.

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Realme C30s with UniSoC SC9863A SoC launched in India for ₹7,499

Realme had added one more smartphone to the C-series bucket. The Realme C30s is the latest budget offering by the company for the Indian market. FYI, this is an improved version of the Realme C30 which was launched a couple of months back in India. Here's more about the new Realme handset.

Make sure to visit: Download Realme Link App Latest Version [Old Versions Archive]

In terms of design, the Realme C30s renders the same suitcase design as the Realme C30. The device features a 6.5-inch HD+ LCD display with a waterdrop notch cutout. The panel offers a 60Hz refresh rate, a 120Hz touch sampling rate, 400nits peak brightness, a 1600 × 720 pixel resolution, 269ppi pixel density, and an 88.7% screen-to-body ratio.

In terms of optics, the device houses a 5MP lens at the front for selfies and video calls. On the other side, there's an 8MP sensor alongside an LED flash.

Under the hood, the Realme C30s draws power from an octa-core processor based on UniSoC SC9863A SoC. Further, the chipset is paired with a PowerVR GE8322 GPU, up to 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. For software, it runs Android 12 out of the box with a layer of Realme UI Go Edition on top.

In addition, the company ships the phone with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 10W fast charging. The other notable specs include a micro-USB port, a 3.5mm audio jack, micro-SD card slot, Dual-SIM, 4G, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, and Glonass. Also, there's a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for security.

Read more: Realme GT Neo 3T is launched on September 16 in India

Price and Availability

The Realme C30s cost ₹7,499 for the base 2GB/32GB variant, while the upper 4GB/64GB version is worth ₹8,999. The device will go on sale on September 23 via Flipkart and Realme Store in Stripe Blue and Stripe Black color options.

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Redmi Note 11T 5G gets Android 12-based MIUI 13 update in India

Last year in November, Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 11T 5G smartphone in India. The device is a rebranded version of the Redmi Note 11 that is available in China. It runs Android 11 out of the box along with MIUI 12.5. Now, the company is delivering its first major update with the Android 12-based MIUI 13 skin iteration.

Make sure to visit: Download MIUI Global App Vault Latest Version [Old Versions Archived]

The latest software update for the Redmi Note 11T 5G can be identified by the firmware version V13.0.5.0.SGBINXM. As of now, the package is rolling out in the Indian market. Also, the build is currently available for the Mi Pilot testers. It will eventually be available for regular users after ensuring the absence of critical bugs.

As for changes, the changelog claims to improve the system security by integrating the August 2022 security patch. In addition to this, the build optimizes the mind map nodes and enhances accessibility support for phone, clock, and weather apps. Also, the overall system stability is improved. Furthermore, you can also take a look at Android 12 and MIUI 13 features. Meanwhile, check out the official changelog below.

Changelog

[MIUI 13]

• New: A new widget ecosystem with app support


• Optimization: Improved overall stability

[System]

• Stable MIUI based on Android 12


• Updated Android Security Patch to August 2022. Increased system security.

[More features and improvements]

• Optimization: Enhanced accessibility support for Phone, Clock, and Weather


• Optimization: Mind map nodes are more convenient and intuitive now

Read more: Redmi 11 Prime 5G with Dimensity 700 SoC launched in India for ₹13,999

As mentioned above, the package is currently rolling out for the Mi Pilot testers. If the firmware is smooth enough and has no bugs onboard, it will be available for all users within the next few days.

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Google may not release Pixelbook in 2023

For a year, Google was trying to get out of the Android box and improve in other areas. The tech giant worked on the new Pixel smartwatches, tablets, laptops, and more products. An upcoming laptop called the Pixelbook was expected to launch next year. However, the latest reports suggest that the company may have dropped the plan.

Make sure to visit: Download Fouad WhatsApp Latest Version: Features and How to Install [APK]

Google canceled the next version of the Pixelbook laptop and dissolved the responsible team as well. The device was under development and expected to launch next year. Unfortunately, the project was terminated as part of recent cost-cutting decisions inside Google. Although the team members of the project are transferred to other departments of the company.

“Google doesn’t share future product plans or personnel information; however, we are committed to building and supporting a portfolio of Google products that are innovative and helpful for our users […] In regards to our people, in times where we do shift priorities, we work to transition team members across devices and services,” says a Google spokesperson.

Read more: ‘Chromecast HD’ tipped to run Google TV 12, Amlogic S805X2 SoC

In other news, Google is getting ready to take the wraps off its next hardware lineup. This includes Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel Watch, and maybe some Nest Home products as well. The company will hold a live event on October 6. Moreover, two new Pixel foldable devices are also expected to make their debut sometime next year.

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