Latest Articles
Android 12 prepares pinch-to-resize and stashing for picture-in-picture windows
Android 12 is also bringing a few improvements to the picture-in-picture feature, such as stashing and pinch-to-resize.
Picture-in-picture was one of the most hyped features of Android 8.0 Oreo, and even today, it's still one of the biggest additions that have been made to Android in recent times. If you're not familiar with it, it allows you to keep watching videos currently playing from your browser or other apps while you're doing something else. It has since become key functionality for apps like YouTube, which allows you to keep watching videos while on other apps. But since its introduction in 2017, it hasn't really received any new refinements or improvements, but that might change now that Android 12 is around the corner.
Android 12 is adding a native one-handed mode
Android 12 will be adding a native one-handed mode, which will work just like Apple's Reachability feature. Read on to know more!
One-handed mode has been a thing for quite some time in iOS as well as some Android smartphones, and it's for a simple reason: phones have kept getting bigger and bigger. While this trend has somewhat stalled, nowadays it's not uncommon to see devices with displays from 6.5 inches to 6.9 inches, from flagship devices all the way down to the low end of the spectrum. Using one of these phones one-handed is a challenge, and OEMs have come up with a lot of ways to help to make one-handed usage easier, including one-handed mode, which basically moves UI elements closer to reach or outright just shrinks the display. A feature like this has notably been absent from Android natively... at least, that is, until now.
Android 12 is finally adding a native scrolling screenshots feature
Android 12 finally adds support for scrolling screenshots natively, adding proper support for a feature long present on OEM skins.
Scrolling screenshots have long been a landmark feature of Android. Or, at least, of most OEM skins. It may seem like a strange omission and you might not even know this if you haven't used a Pixel smartphone or a stock Android phone as of recently, but while scrolling screenshots are a standard feature of skins like MIUI, OxygenOS, One UI, ColorOS, and many more Android skins, it's notably absent as a native feature, and it's thus omitted on stock Android. But this article is not meant to keep you scratching your head thinking about why that is. This article is to tell you that, with Android 12, Android is finally getting scrolling screenshots natively!
Telegram and Signal are the two viable alternatives to WhatsApp
Two WhatsApp alternatives have recently become popular: Signal and Telegram. In this article, we're comparing all three. Check it out!
WhatsApp has become the go-to messaging app for a big chunk of the world. And that is with good reason: it's a (sort of) lightweight app that works amazingly well with all Android smartphones, old and new. Plus, you really have no way to go: with over 5 billion installs on Google Play, and a lot more on other platforms such as iOS, it's safe to say that at least a good chunk of the world's entire population is on WhatsApp. You can't realistically compete against a communication app with this much momentum. Except, something made that tide turn a bit: WhatsApp tried to introduce more invasive privacy policies (then delayed them after backlash), and users started flocking to other, competitor apps.
How to add support for the PlayStation 5's DualSense controller on your rooted Android phone
Sony's PlayStation 5 is here and so is the DualSense controller. Here's how you can use it on your rooted Android phone with a Magisk module!
Did you manage to get your hands on a PlayStation 5 at long last? If you did, you surely must be enjoying the new DualSense controller accompanying the console. Since the launch of the DualShock 4 with the PlayStation 4, the controllers for the PlayStation have also been an amazing controller to use on other devices, such as your PC, and yes, your smartphone. Android does support the DualShock 4 for the most part in current versions, and you can expect to use your controller just the way you would use it on your PS4. The PS5's DualSense, though? Your mileage may vary. To be clear, it's an amazing controller that adds to the best aspects of the DualShock 4 with new features and improvements across the board. But it's too new, and so your older Android device may not support it. If your device is rooted, though, then all you have to do is install the 1Controller Magisk module to make the DualSense controller map button presses properly.
Everything you need to know about Samsung Pay in 2021
Samsung Pay is Samsung's to-go solution for contactless payments included in their Samsung devices. Read on to know more!
Samsung has, over the years, launched a gigantic repertoire of their own in-house services. We have Bixby, which is Samsung's own AI assistant that's present in a number of their devices, including smart speakers, smartphones, and even home appliances, And then we also have things like Samsung Knox, a set of security features built into every Samsung smartphone and wearable. But one feature that doesn't get the credit it deserves is Samsung Pay, Samsung's own platform for payments which, as it turns out, is way more flexible than counterparts such as Google Pay and Apple Pay. But what exactly is Samsung Pay, and how does it stand out from the pack?
Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are now officially supported by TWRP
The Google Pixel 4 and the Pixel 4 XL are both officially supported by TWRP now! Download the custom recovery to root and install custom mods!
Depending on who you ask, you might hear different opinions on what the best Android smartphone currently is. But one thing that's clear is that many still consider the Google Pixel lineup as the "gold standard" for what Android devices should be. And it's easy to see why: Pixel phones feature near-stock Android software with a support length far ahead of what you can get on most other Android devices. This remains one of the main selling points of the Pixel lineup even today. But another perk that's often overlooked is the fact that these phones are also very open to custom development and modding, thanks to a straightforwardly-unlockable bootloader and adherence to standards from Google. Now, both the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are officially supported by Team Win Recovery Project, or TWRP for short.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra may be Samsung's first phone to finally support 120Hz at QHD resolution
The Samsung Galaxy S21 series is coming, and the Ultra model might finally support 120Hz at QHD resolution. Read on to know more!
The Samsung Galaxy S20 series was Samsung's first lineup to feature a high refresh rate (120Hz) display. There was one small problem with the execution, though. You could only run your S20 (and Note 20) at its native QHD resolution or 120Hz refresh rate, but not both simultaneously. It's not exactly clear why you couldn't do both; the display processors in the Exynos 990 and Snapdragon 865 were likely capable and the bandwidth was likely there to drive that resolution and frame rate, so it's possible that Samsung had power consumption concerns with that resolution and frame rate combination. (For what it's worth, the Tab S7 series supports running its display at its native resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.) Fortunately, for the next-gen Galaxy S21 Ultra, Samsung appears to have finally enabled support for 120Hz refresh rate at the native WQHD+ (3200 x 1400) resolution.
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G and N100 land in the US for $299/$179
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G and the Nord N100 are finally getting a proper release in North America. Read on to know more!
OnePlus, which is gearing up for their first 2021 flagship release, recently wandered into all-new territory with the launch of the OnePlus Nord lineup. First, it was an incursion into the mid-range scene with the widely praised OnePlus Nord, and then the company also dipped their toes into the budget smartphone market with the OnePlus Nord N10 5G and the OnePlus Nord N100. Confusing names aside, these phones bring some of the features that made newer OnePlus devices so great, such as the software, at a lower price point.
Xiaomi will unveil the Redmi Note 9T this week in Europe
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T, a rebranded Redmi Note 9 5G from China, will be launching in Europe this week with the Dimensity 800U. Read on!
With the release of the Redmi Note 9 lineup, Xiaomi did a few things differently. While the Redmi series used to see new releases every 6 months or so (2019 gave us both the Redmi 7 series and the Redmi 8 series), the Redmi 9 series was released in early 2020 and saw new releases within the same series every couple of months (which also led to a very, very confusing lineup as I pointed out in a previous editorial). Confusing names aside, though, the phones are awesome, and the ones that got released in China look pretty good even if they further complicate Xiaomi's branding. One of these phones, the Chinese Redmi Note 9 5G, is soon launching in Europe as the Redmi Note 9T.
Google may be working on a new Nest Hub with a Soli radar for gestures
The next Google Nest Hub could be equipped with a Soli radar for gestures, if an FCC listing ends up being what we think it is.
So, remember Soli? Yeah, I'm talking about those radar sensors that came with the Pixel 4 to let you sort-of control your phone using hand gestures. The Soli motion gestures on the Pixel 4 were very different from what we expected as they mostly just let you wave at your phone to skip a song, so Google didn't add the requisite hardware on the Pixel 5. It never made much sense to have these gestures on a smartphone in the first place, after all. Fortunately, it looks like Google hasn't given up on the idea behind Soli, and it looks like the upcoming version of the Nest Hub smart display may end up having a Soli radar.
"Windows is BACK" - Microsoft job post hints at major UI overhaul
Windows 10 may get a massive UI overhaul as hinted by the catchphrase "Windows is BACK" in a now-redacted Microsoft job listing.
Windows 10 was a definite change of direction for Microsoft when it launched back in 2015. Before it launched, Windows 8.1 was proving pretty unpopular as millions of users stuck to either 7 or XP. Windows 10 merged the best of everything that came before it and added new features as well, but most importantly, it was pushed as a free upgrade for all users. Rather than bump the version number up every time, the company pushed updates to Windows 10 to bring new features and UI changes. The 20H2 update, for example, brought UI changes to the start menu, but a bigger overhaul may be on the horizon according to a job listing from Microsoft.
The OnePlus 9 Pro could feature even faster wireless charging than the OnePlus 8 Pro
The OnePlus 9 Pro is tipped to feature 45W wireless charging, up from the 30W wireless charging that was featured in the OnePlus 8 Pro.
2021 is finally here, which means that we're expecting to see new flagship devices from all corners of the industry launch sooner than later. Helping us out with our impatience is that some of these devices are actually expected to launch sooner than usual this year. OnePlus is among them, too, and they're planning to release their all-new OnePlus 9 lineup. The leak season for these phones has really heated up ever since that OnePlus 9 prototype was sold on eBay. And thanks to leaks, we have a good idea of what to expect about these upcoming devices, but new details keep popping up every day. One of the newest ones? The OnePlus 9 Pro, the highest-end model in the upcoming lineup, could feature faster wireless charging than the OnePlus 8 Pro according to a new leak.
LG Wing update brings much-needed improvements to the Second Screen experience
The LG Wing was recently released, and a new software update aims to enhance the unique dual-display feature. Check it out!
The release of the LG Wing has been nothing short of a spectacle for LG. LG's smartphone business needed some changes, and we're seeing that in the complete revamp of their lineup throughout 2020 with phones like the LG Velvet. But it's not enough to just make decent phones — they need to innovate if they want to stay relevant. The LG Wing shows that the company is not afraid to still innovate even if those innovations end up being treated like gimmicks. The device is part of LG's Explorer project, an initiative the South Korean tech giant is undertaking to design devices that offer distinctive experiences. The Wing has two screens: A main 6.8" screen with a pretty standard rectangular aspect ratio and a second 3.9" screen with a nearly square aspect ratio. And if you have one on Verizon in the U.S., we have good news: an OTA update is coming to your device!
A New Year's Resolution for OEMs: Please fix your smartphone branding
Smartphone OEMs keep messing up their branding. Today, we're gonna look at some of the worst offenders, and some of the better ones.
A phone's branding is essential. Potential smartphone buyers don't usually have the time to go through a spec sheet to see how one particular phone is better than the other. We're drifting back into the era where almost all smartphones look exactly the same: glass and metal sandwiches (or sometimes glass on plastic) with two, three, or four cameras mounted on the back, and a display with either a notch or a hole-punch camera. This is where phone branding and marketing come into play, which, unfortunately, have become increasingly more confusing over the past year.
All the OK Google commands and How to use them
The Google Assistant is an amazing tool that's within reach of any user. And today, we're showing you the essential Ok Google commands.
Google Assistant is a very powerful tool we should all learn to wield properly. Even if you're not deeply invested in the Google ecosystem, it's still a nice tool to have, as it's one of the most flexible and capable voice assistants, not just for Android but for nearly any device in general. Nowadays, it's integrated into phones, TVs, tablets, smart home devices, smartwatches, and can even be triggered from headphones! But what exactly is the extent of Google Assistant? What exactly can you do by saying "OK, Google" and talking to your smartphone?
ProtonMail's secure calendar service is now available as an Android app
ProtonMail's secure calendar service, aptly named Proton Calendar, is now available as an app for Android devices. Check it out!
Many of you are probably not well acquainted with ProtonMail, but it is, in very simple terms, one of the best services you should sign up for if you care about the privacy of your emails. It's an end-to-end encrypted email service, which means that content is encrypted before it's sent to ProtonMail's servers and is unencrypted at the recipient's end when the email arrives. This means that your email's contents are never accessible by ProtonMail or any other third party, offering a huge advantage over other email services such as Gmail. The team behind ProtonMail recently released an encrypted calendar app called Proton Calendar earlier this year, and it's now available for Android devices.
This limited edition Fortnite Wildcat Nintendo Switch is now available for $300 at Amazon
A special edition Fortnite Wildcat Nintendo Switch with special in-game perks has popped up on Amazon for Cyber Monday.
One of the most sought-after items on both Black Friday and Cyber Monday are consoles. And this is the next-gen year, as both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X have been released to the market. However, both consoles are suffering from major shortages as they face unprecedented demand as well as unprecedented market conditions due to COVID-19 woes. So it could be worth it to switch your attention to other consoles in the meantime, such as the Nintendo Switch. If you're an avid Fortnite player or want to head into the Fortnite world head-on, we have the perfect combo for you... the Fortnite Wildcat Nintendo Switch.
Grab the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 for just $600 during Cyber Monday
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is now available for just $600, delivering the same no-frills Microsoft experience to a lower price point.
This Cyber Monday, you have another chance at checking out amazing deals if, for some reason, you weren't able to grab them during Black Friday season, which wrapped up on Friday (although some deals came up on Saturday as well). One of the things you could be interested in getting is a new laptop or tablet, and oh boy, you have several options to choose from. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is one of the headlining devices from Microsoft right now. Despite being a tablet first and a laptop second, it runs Windows 10 and has an x86 processor, so you can use it just like you would use a normal computer if you wanted to. Oh, and did I mention it's just $600 on Best Buy right now?
Get the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live for $60 off during Cyber Monday!
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live are now available for just $110, $60 off its original $170 MSRP. Check it out right now!
Last Friday, we covered a whole lot of amazing deals for you to check out, going through everything from phones to TVs, laptops, and everything in between. And due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, online shopping has become bigger than ever, with deals going through several days. Now, it's Cyber Monday, and the amazing deals retailers have prepared for this day have just started to drip in. Right now, you can go on Woot and grab a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds Live for just $110, down from the usual $170 they usually retail for.