Posts From Brandon Russell

Brandon Russell
Brandon Russell

Brandon's love of technology can be traced back to his childhood, when he would obsessively watch Back to the Future. Since then he's followed the industry and its many innovations, from handheld consoles to powerful smartphones. He's still waiting on a hoverboard.

Here’s when HMD Global plans to roll out the Android 11 update to Nokia phones

Here’s when HMD Global plans to roll out the Android 11 update to Nokia phones

September 29, 2020
HMD Global has nearly finished rolling out Android 10 to its lineup of Nokia devices, but there's already a new Android update on the horizon. Google recently released Android 11 for its Pixel phones, so understandably, Nokia users are wondering when the update will arrive on their devices. For some users, an update is just...
OnePlus launches “IDEAS 2.0” to crowd-source new features for OxygenOS

OnePlus launches “IDEAS 2.0” to crowd-source new features for OxygenOS

September 28, 2020
After launching its IDEAS program earlier this year, OnePlus has announced it’s ready for round two. The company on Monday unveiled plans for IDEAS 2.0, which will allow community members to submit and vote on new features for OxygenOS. OnePlus initially launched IDEAS earlier this year, which saw the company take feedback from users between March...
Roku unveils a new Roku Ultra media streamer, 2-in-1 Roku Streambar, Roku OS 9.4, and Roku Channel mobile app

Roku unveils a new Roku Ultra media streamer, 2-in-1 Roku Streambar, Roku OS 9.4, and Roku Channel mobile app

September 28, 2020
Roku on Monday made a handful of exciting announcements, introducing a new Ultra media streamer, 2-in-1 soundbar, and improvements on the software side, including new ways to access content.Roku UltraWith so many subscription services out there, you’re going to need a device to stream them with. Enter the newest Roku Ultra, which features Bluetooth support,...
Tasker lets you intercept Samsung S Pen gestures to do whatever you want

Tasker lets you intercept Samsung S Pen gestures to do whatever you want

September 27, 2020
Samsung’s S Pen is a powerful tool for getting work done, whether you’re jotting down notes, marking up documents, or using gestures within apps. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could customize what the gestures do? With Tasker, you can. João Dias, the developer of Tasker, discovered how to intercept the gesture events triggered by the...
Samsung’s Galaxy A72 may have 5 rear cameras and launch next year

Samsung’s Galaxy A72 may have 5 rear cameras and launch next year

September 25, 2020
In the past, we’ve seen Samsung introduce devices with dual cameras, triple cameras, and even quad cameras. So, it was inevitable that the company would go the penta-camera route, which is apparently what it plans to do not with its flagship Galaxy S or Galaxy Note line but with next year’s Galaxy A72. According to Korean...
ROG Phone II update brings a new Armoury Crate design and TwinView Dock 3 support

ROG Phone II update brings a new Armoury Crate design and TwinView Dock 3 support

September 25, 2020
ASUS ROG Phone II owners were treated to a new update earlier this week, and it features some nice additions, including the same Armoury Crate design that’s found in the ASUS ROG Phone 3. The Armoury Crate app is described as “the hub of all information and controls your gaming needs from your phone.” It’s the...
Google to update Play Store guidelines to make it harder to bypass the 30% fee

Google to update Play Store guidelines to make it harder to bypass the 30% fee

September 25, 2020
Google will reportedly get stricter with developers over in-app purchases, according to Bloomberg. The move is set to be announced next week and will surely upset some developers who have previously circumvented Google’s rules. Bloomberg’s report claims Google will issue updated guidelines that will clarify a requirement for apps to use Google Play In-app Billing service...
New Pixel 4a 5G leak confirms it has the same processor but cheaper build than the Google Pixel 5

New Pixel 4a 5G leak confirms it has the same processor but cheaper build than the Google Pixel 5

September 24, 2020
Yesterday, we got a thorough look at the upcoming Google Pixel 5. Thanks to Roland Quandt from WinFuture once again, we have an equally detailed look at the Pixel 4a 5G, which features some notable similarities to Google’s upcoming flagship. If specs are all you care about, the Pixel 4a 5G matches the Pixel 5 in...
Google Maps adds a COVID-19 layer to track coronavirus trends by region

Google Maps adds a COVID-19 layer to track coronavirus trends by region

September 23, 2020
Earlier this year, Google Maps added new safety features to help people navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Google is adding a layer that will display COVID-19 outbreak data. The COVID-19 layer was originally discovered by Jane Manchun Wong earlier this month. According to Google, the COVID-19 layer will show information for all 220 countries and territories...
Samsung’s ECG monitoring app goes live on the Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 in the US

Samsung’s ECG monitoring app goes live on the Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 in the US

September 23, 2020
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 users in the United States patiently waiting to use their smartwatches' electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor don't have to wait any longer. After getting FDA clearance for its ECG monitoring app in August, Samsung on Wednesday announced the functionality is rolling out to both smartwatches. ECG capabilities were...
OxygenOS 11 Beta 2 (Android 11) rolls out for the OnePlus 8 series with a new “Canvas” feature

OxygenOS 11 Beta 2 (Android 11) rolls out for the OnePlus 8 series with a new “Canvas” feature

September 23, 2020
OnePlus on Wednesday rolled out the second open beta of OxygenOS 11 for the OnePlus 8 series, introducing a handful of important system fixes and optimizations. The company has also added a new ambient display feature that will bring some style to your device. OnePlus Android 11 Tracker: Here are all the official OxygenOS 11 beta...
Google is adding a light/dark theme toggle for Chromebooks

Google is adding a light/dark theme toggle for Chromebooks

September 22, 2020
Whether you use iOS or Android, by now you’re probably used to switching between light and dark system themes. Things are different on Chrome OS, where there’s a mix of both, with some light and dark elements used throughout the system. That’s apparently going to change, however, according to numerous reports. Chrome Story first discovered code...