Latest Articles
Google Chrome starts testing one-click mute button on tabs
Google is adding a mute button to tabs in the Canary channel, as an easier alternative to opening the right-click menu.
Chrome already allows you to mute any audio coming from a tab, by simply right-clicking on the tab and selecting the mute option. However, Google is now experimenting with a different design for this functionality that removes the requirement to open the right-click menu.
macOS 12.3 Beta breaks file syncing with OneDrive and Dropbox
The first macOS 12.3 Beta release breaks local file sync with OneDrive and Dropbox, but it was actually broken on purpose.
Apple released the first beta release of macOS 12.3 on Thursday, alongside the first beta of iOS/iPad OS 15.4. Some cloud sync services haven't worked reliably on macOS 12 Monterey since its release last year, and now those services are broken entirely due to the deprecation of a kernel extension.
In iOS 15.4, you’ll finally be able to use Face ID with a Mask
Apple has released the first beta of iOS and iPadOS 15.4 to developers, complete with a few long-awaited features.
The initial release of iOS 15 arrived last year, and per usual for Apple, it has continued to receive minor updates in the months since. iOS 15.3 just arrived this week with a fix for Safari's IndexedDB data leak and other minor fixes, and now the first beta for iOS 15.4 is available to try out. This is a much more impressive release, with a few long-awaited additions that Apple announced months ago.
Microsoft Teams adds "music mode" and Slack-like external messaging
Microsoft Teams is rolling out a new high-fidelity call mode for music, and the ability to message people in other organizations.
Microsoft Teams is one of the most popular options for communication inside companies and other organizations, as part of the Microsoft 365 package. Microsoft has been quick to build up Teams' features to compete with Slack, and now the service has two more helpful additions.
Netflix now supports HDR on Pixel 5a and Pixel 6 Pro series
Netflix has now officially added HDR streaming support to the Google Pixel 6 series and the older Pixel 5a.
Unlike most streaming services and platforms, Netflix insists on manually testing and certifying individual devices wherever possible, which is why Netflix wasn't available on the Google Nest Hub until 2020. Netflix doesn't enable HDR on mobile devices until after the company is done testing, which can sometimes mean new phones and tablets have to wait a while. Thankfully, three more phones have now been gifted access to HD and HDR10 streaming.
TCL 30 V now available at Verizon, includes C-Band and mmWave 5G for $300
Verizon and TCL are ready to sell you a $300 budget 5G phone, but software support is still an open question.
The TCL 30 XE and TCL 30 V were both announced during CES 2022 earlier this month, with the latter being an exclusive model for Verizon. TCL didn't provide pricing or availability details at that point, but Verizon has now started selling the phone for $299.99.
It's not just you: Discord is having some server problems
Is your Discord down? Don't worry, it's not just your internet connection, Discord itself is having server problems right now.
It's always fun when a website or service you use starts to have issues loading, and you have to try to guess if the problem is your home network, your internet service provider, or the actual service you are trying to connect to. If you're having issues connecting to Discord right now, don't worry, it's not just you — the company is having problems at the moment.
Meta-backed 'Diem' cryptocurrency project reportedly falling apart
The Diem cryptocurrency, which at one point was planned to be in Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, is reportedly trying to sell its asssets.
Meta, previously known as Facebook, announced plans for its own cryptocurrency in 2019. The plan was to create a "stablecoin" — a cryptcurrency backed by the value of traditional currencies like the US Dollar — which could be easily sent through applications like Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp. However, those plans are reportedly falling apart.
Valve's Steam Deck will start shipping to buyers in February
Valve says it will start shipping the Steam Deck to the first wave of buyers on February 25, after they confirm their reservations.
Valve made plenty of people excited when it announced the Steam Deck last year, a Nintendo Switch-like handheld console with the hardware and software of a PC. Following a few delays, Valve revealed on Wednesday that it will start shipping the Steam Deck starting next month
Lenovo's next gaming phones might have a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and up to 18GB RAM
Lenovo is reportedly working on two phones to replace last year's Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2, the Legion Phone 3 Elite and Pro.
Lenovo has owned Motorola for several years now, but the company has also continued to sell smartphones under its own name, including gaming phones. The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 arrived last year, and now we have our first look at this year's sequel, thanks to a new leak.
Android Studio 2021.1 "Bumblebee" has a new Device Manager and improved Apple Silicon support
Google has released a new major update for Android Studio, nicknamed 'Bumblebee,' with useful testing and profiling improvements.
Android Studio is the main integrated development environment (IDE) for creating Android applications, with a feature-packed code editor, debugging tools, emulators, and much more. The last major release was in March of last year, nicknamed Android Studio Arctic Fox. After a few months in testing, there's now another upgrade available: Android Studio Bumblebee. Google clearly named it after the small flying insect, but I like the idea of naming it after a Transformer better.
Samsung confirms Galaxy Unpacked event for February 9
Samsung has confirmed its next Galaxy Unpacked event will take place on February 9 at 10 AM Eastern Time (7 AM Pacific Time).
Samsung's Galaxy S22 lineup has been expected to arrive sometime in February for a while, but the exact date remained a mystery. A leak from only a few hours ago indicated the launch event might be set for February 9, and now Samsung has officially confirmed when the next Galaxy Unpacked event will take place.
Google's Stadia Pro subscription service reaches 50 included games
Stadia Pro will finally climb to 50 included games, with the addition of Life Is Strange, Life Is Strange: Before The Storm, and five others.
Google offers its Stadia cloud streaming service with two pricing options: you can just buy the games you want with no recurring access fee (like Steam), or you can sign up for Stadia Pro for 4K streaming and access to some games at no extra cost (somewhat similar to Xbox Live Gold or PS Plus). Starting next month, Stadia Pro will pass a new milestone: 50 games will be available to play at no extra cost.
The Galaxy S22 series is rapidly approaching, with a release expected sometime next month, and an announcement event possibly scheduled for February 9. Most details about all three phones have already leaked, but now we have final images for possibly every color variation thanks to yet another leak.
Google's foldable phone might be cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 3
Google's foldable smartphone could be more expensive than the Galaxy Z Flip 3, but cheaper than the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
Google's folding smartphone has been a hot topic in the rumor mill over the past few months. The device was reportedly slated for a late 2021 release, but was seemingly cancelled in its original form. However, the phone is still apparently in development, and now we might know (roughly) how much it could cost.
Chromecast with Google TV sequel could be a lower-end model
Google is reportedly planning a lower-end Chromecast with Google TV that will max out at 1080p, but include support for AV1 decoding.
The Chromecast with Google TV was revealed near the end of 2020, marking the start of the Google TV software platform that is now found on other streaming devices and TVs. However, the $49 stick isn't perfect, and there has been speculation about a replacement model. A new report says the next Chromecast could be even cheaper, serving as a budget alternative.
Google has a new plan for replacing browser cookies with 'Topics API'
Google has announced the Topics API, its replacement for the Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC) proposal that aimed to replace cookies.
Browser cookies, especially cross-domain cookies, make it easy to track people across the internet and collect data for targeted advertisements. That's why many browsers now block third-party cookies, from Firefox to Vivaldi, and Google has been trying to build a replacement that addresses some privacy concerns. The company's first attempt didn't work out well, so Google is trying again with Topics API.
Exclusive: This upcoming Infinix phone has a Dimensity 900 chipset and 5G
XDA Developers has obtained photos of an upcoming Infinix phone, complete with a MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset and 5G support.
Infinix has been selling phones in parts of Europe and Asia since 2013, and the company has seen increasing success in India with its newer phones. Infinix released the premium Zero X series last year with MediaTek Helio G chipsets, and now XDA Developers has obtained photos of another model in development.
Surface Duo finally receives Android 11 update after missing original 2021 target
The Surface Duo Android 11 update is finally rolling out, after Microsoft originally promised it would appear before the end of 2021.
The original Microsoft Surface Duo shipped with Android 10 out of the box, and the phone's software experience was famously buggy. Microsoft rolled out a few fixes in the months after release, but the company eventually shifted its resources to bringing the Surface Duo 2's updated software (based on Android 11) to the original model. After missing its original deadline, the first Surface Duo finally has its Android 11 update.
Lenovo 'Halo' gaming phone leaks with unannounced Snapdragon chipset
The upcoming Lenovo Halo smartphone isn't as unique as the company's Duel 2 gaming phone, but it will apparently still have top-end specs.
Lenovo has owned Motorola for several years now, but the company has also continued to sell phones under its own name. The Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 arrived last year (what a name!), and while a sequel to that device is still in the works, now another gaming-focused phone is seemingly on the way.