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Showing posts from September, 2021

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2’s October patch starts rolling out in one region

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Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority Welcome to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 update hub. Here you’ll find the latest information on updates to Samsung’s flagship foldable phone. We’ll detail the current software versions for the device and alert you if there’s a new update rolling out. Samsung usually pushes out One UI updates regularly, but availability may be affected by variant, carrier, and region. Current stable version: Android 11 When will the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 get Android 12? Late 2021 (Estimated) Latest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 updates October 1, 2021 : Samsung is rolling out the latest update to the Galaxy Z Fold 2 in South Korea, just days after the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 gained their October patches. According to SamMobile , the latest bump bears firmware version F916NKSU1DUI4 and brings the October 2021 Android security patch. source: https://ift.tt/3nxctdn https://ift.tt/2WjmeAI

The best Boost Mobile deals: Save 49% on a 5GB prepaid plan

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If you want to switch to a contract-free prepaid carrier in the US, Boost Mobile is one of the best options around. It has a wide range of premium and affordable smartphones available and provides many deals on devices and plans. The Sprint and T-Mobile merger has resulted in one major change for the best Boost Mobile deals — the MVNO is now part of Dish Network . In other words, Boost is going to be around for a while. We still highly recommend the carrier and feel that now is a great time to sign up, as there are plenty of solid deals to be had this month. source: https://ift.tt/2F2biRF https://ift.tt/2FjFjYH

Samsung Galaxy A12 review: Sluggish but stylish starter smartphone

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Samsung’s Galaxy A12 budget smartphone is more than just an iterative update over the Galaxy A11 — with a bigger battery, another camera, and so much more on board. Value hunters will also appreciate that Samsung managed to keep its sub-$200 price tag. How well do these new upgrades fare? Let’s find out in our Samsung Galaxy A12 review. $179 .99 Samsung Galaxy A12 Buy it Now Samsung Galaxy A12 Buy it Now $179 .99 What you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy A12 source: https://ift.tt/3AZG5rd https://ift.tt/3D05wcP

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: What we know so far (Updated: Sep. 30)

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Credit: David Imel / Android Authority Update, September 30, 2021 (03:58 PM ET): We’ve updated our Galaxy S21 FE hub with new rumors suggesting the phone could be heavily delayed — or even canceled entirely. Original article: In 2020, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (which stands for “Fan Edition”) surprised us all with how good it was. In fact, it was so good that it ended up walking away with our 2020 Best of Android Editor’s Choice award . With that kind of pedigree behind the phone, it’s no surprise that we are very excited about the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE. source: https://ift.tt/39mcAnD https://ift.tt/3rtujzR

Find the right USB-C cable and charger for your needs with these new logos

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The USB Implementers Forum has released new USB-C logos for certified cables and chargers. The new logos should make it clear which USB-C cables support the newer 240W power charging standards. There are also new logos to help identify cables with the USB4 data delivery standards. Buying a new smartphone, tablet, or laptop is complicated enough for many people. However, it becomes even more complicated when you want to buy a new USB-C cable and charger for your device or for transferring data. Today, the USB Implementers Forum, which helps support the various USB standards, has approved packaging and product logos for the newer devices that support the most recent advances. source: https://ift.tt/3kTSuaI https://ift.tt/2xZUSGn

Pixel owners in an emergency can send for help faster with this app update

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Credit: Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority The Personal Safety app, pre-installed on all of Google’s Pixel phones, just received an update. It adds a new feature, Emergency SOS, that’s activated when a person quickly presses the Pixel’s power button five times. When activated, this action can automatically call emergency services, record a video, and more. No one likes to think about it, but you may find yourself in a situation where you need to get help. Whether it’s a car accident, a medical emergency at home, or something else that requires first responders, sometimes a faster response to a situation could keep someone alive. This week, Google Pixel phone owners can update an app that might save their life in an emergency. source: https://ift.tt/3B0ROWs https://ift.tt/3tAOsqt

Save 25% on an LG 55-inch 4K OLED TV, and more of the best OLED TV deals

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An OLED TV is a dream centerpiece for your lounge. But boy, can they be expensive. 4K OLED TVs tend to start at well over $1,000 for the smaller models, and prices rise exponentially from there. We know you’ll want to get your best value for money, so we’ve rounded up some of the best OLED TV deals across the internet right now. See also:  10 best TV apps and Live TV apps for Android source: https://ift.tt/3cGbx0W https://ift.tt/3kawVkE

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series now seeing October security patch

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Welcome to the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 update hub. Here you’ll find the latest information on updates to the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. We’ll detail the current software versions for each device and alert you if there’s a new update rolling out. Samsung usually pushes out updates to the entire series, but this may vary per variant and carrier. Current stable version:  Android 11 When will the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra get Android 12?  December 2021 (Estimated) Latest Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra updates September 30, 2021 : The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series is now getting the October 2021 security patch in South Korea. That’s an early launch for next month’s patch! According to SamMobile , the new update comes with firmware version N98xNKSU1DUI2. It could also include general bug fixes and device stability improvements. However, it doesn’t seem to add any new features to the phones. source: https://ift.tt/2PuYXIq ht

Exynos Samsung Galaxy S21 FE FCC papers are filed and we are very confused

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Credit: Evan Blass / Twitter The Exynos Samsung Galaxy S21 FE FCC regulatory papers have been filed. This is at least the second time the phone has passed through the FCC. Previous unconfirmed rumors have claimed this phone may no longer be released. Well, color us as confused right now. Earlier this week, unconfirmed reports stated that Samsung may decide to cancel plans to release the Galaxy S21 FE (Fan Edition) smartphone. Now, it appears that the Exynos Galaxy S21 FE FCC papers have been filed with the US government regulatory bureau. The filing shows the phone has the version number SM-G990E. This is reportedly the model of the smartphone with Samsung’s own in-house Exynos processor inside. The limited amount of info in the FCC filing is not 100% conclusive that this is indeed the Galaxy S21 FE , but all the evidence points to that particular phone. source: https://ift.tt/3m61zfK https://ift.tt/39RfBw7

Samsung Galaxy S20 lineup getting October security patch now, in September

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Welcome to the Samsung Galaxy S20 update hub. Here you’ll find the latest information on updates to the Samsung Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Plus, and Galaxy S20 Ultra. We’ll detail the current software versions for each device and alert you if there’s a new update rolling out. Samsung usually pushes out updates to the entire series, but this may vary per variant and carrier. Current stable version:  Android 11 When will the Samsung Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra get Android 12? January 2022 (Estimated) Latest Samsung Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra updates September 30, 2021: Next month’s security update is rolling out now to the Galaxy S20 lineup in South Korea. Per SamMobile , the update carries firmware version G98xNKSU1EUI3 and should have some other fixes included aside from just the October 2021 patch. However, we won’t know what’s included until the rollout comes to other countries. To check if the update’s available for your device head to Settings  >  Soft

Samsung is clearly done with the Galaxy Note line, and I’m OK with it

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Credit: David Imel / Android Authority Opinion post by C. Scott Brown Earlier this year, Samsung confirmed some bad news for fans of its ultra-premium flagships: there would not be a Samsung Galaxy Note phone in 2021. Of course, the company didn’t make any commitments beyond that, which left hope that the Note line could make a return in 2022. However, last week we got our first look at the likely design of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra . If I didn’t know any better, I would say it was going to be the next Note phone, since it has the Note shape and even an S Pen slot. In fact, it bears almost no resemblance to the vanilla Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus (which look like clones of the Galaxy S21 line ). The first thing I thought when I saw the Galaxy S22 Ultra design was, “Welp, that’s it for the Note family.” Samsung may not have confirmed as much, but the existence of the Galaxy S22 Ultra is basically the final nail in the Note coffin. After all, why would the company

BlueStacks X brings Android games to your browser through the cloud

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Credit: BlueStacks BlueStacks has just launched the public beta of BlueStacks X. This new version of the software is browser-based and takes advantage of cloud streaming. Due to the new format, only a very limited selection of games are currently available. If you want to play Android games on your PC with a keyboard and mouse, few software systems outmatch BlueStacks . However, that software has some significant limitations. The latest version only works on Windows, for example, and you’ll still need a PC powerful enough to emulate the games you’d like to play. Enter BlueStacks X , which aims to solve those problems. Unlike the regular version of BlueStacks, which you download and install locally on your PC, this version is entirely cloud-based. All you need to do is fire up your browser, log in, and start playing. Related: The best Android emulators for PC and Mac Because X is browser-based, it is essentially platform agnostic. That means it works on Windows, Mac,

Poll: Do you say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to voice assistants?

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Voice assistants have become a major part of many people’s lives, allowing you to quickly get answers to queries, giving you seamless control over your smart home devices, and more. These assistants also have their own personalities too, helping to make interactions feel more natural. That got us wondering whether any readers say “please” and “thank you” to their assistants. Let us know by taking our poll below. Google and Amazon encouraged this behavior a few years ago with Pretty Please and Magic Word functionality respectively. This was designed to teach children manners by having them say “please” and “thank you” to the assistant. Some of you might also feel a little weird making a request or issuing a command without minding your manners. Still, these virtual assistants aren’t people, so it’s not like they’ll feel offended if you don’t say please or thank them. Nevertheless, you can comment below if you have more on your mind regarding this poll. source: https://

Xiaomi’s next smartphone could pack a 4K display

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A new Xiaomi smartphone has passed through TENAA. The device packs a 4K display and a 4,400mAh battery in a slim body. Xiaomi is seemingly gearing up for yet another phone launch, only this time the device in question is packing some enthusiast specs. A phone with model number 2109119BC recently passed through TENAA (h/t GSMArena ), showcasing its design and several key specs. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect is its display. The Xiaomi phone wears a 6.55-inch OLED screen, which plenty of the firm’s mid-range models feature. However, the panel has a 3,840 x 2,160 resolution. This would be Xiaomi’s first smartphone with a 4K screen, joining the Sony Xperia 1 III in this particular category. But is this Xiaomi phone a true flagship? Well, the remaining specs are a little too vague to confirm this. The Xiaomi phone employs an octa-core chipset with a 2.4GHz clock. This could be the Snapdragon 778G, a chipset we’ve seen in plenty of recent mid-range Xiaomi phones, but it

Fairphone 4 announced: This phone could get Android 15

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Credit: Supplied by Fairphone Fairphone has announced the Fairphone 4. It offers a Snapdragon 750G chipset, dual rear cameras, and more upgrades. Expect to pay a starting price of €579. Fairphone has made a name for itself thanks to its sustainable approach to smartphone manufacturing as well as its repair-friendly designs. The company launched the Fairphone 3 Plus last year as a stopgap release of sorts, but it’s now got a major upgrade in the Fairphone 4. The new smartphone features notable upgrades in many areas, starting with the mid-range Snapdragon 750G 5G chipset. This is a massive step up in power over the budget Snapdragon 632 4G SoC seen in the previous smartphone. Fairphone adds that its phone supports 12 5G bands and 17 4G bands as a result, although we’re guessing that mmWave isn’t available here. You’re also getting a 6.3-inch FHD+ LCD screen with Gorilla Glass 5 and a 3,905mAh battery with Quick Charge 4 and USB PD 2.0 capabilities. The firm says that

Daily Authority: Uninstall the latest Trojan, now ⚠

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Happy Thursday. Jonathan here to fill in while Tristan is afk to tackle some bts stuff. Did I use those correctly?!?! We'd like to again thank our sponsor OnePlus! Today is the last day to take advantage of their awesome deals on Buds and a new phone! Get $20 off with code BUDSPRO20 when you purchase the newest OnePlus Buds Pro, limited time only! Save up to $219.99 with the OnePlus 9 Pro and the new OnePlus Buds Pro. Fun stuff on the horizon, but a bug to squash first It's always a bad day when we learn of a vulnerability in our favorite operating system. This time around, it's a Trojan called Grifthorse that's floating around to steal your money. Grifthorse presents itself as a prize, then asks you for your phone number. Upon providing your phone number, you are automatically subscribed to SMS based recurring payments. How to spot the problem: This Trojan has been found in dozens of apps, and will present itself differently for each, but the

Vivo X70 Pro Plus review: A true premium flagship experience?

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Vivo made its camera-related aspirations known with the X60 series that launched in early 2021. These were the brand’s first phones to showcase its partnership with storied camera tech brand Zeiss. The X60 Pro Plus , in particular, impressed us on the photography and videography front thanks to its novel micro-gimbal stabilization system and solid performance from the main and zoom cameras. Yet, while it was a camera phone enthusiast’s dream, the X60 Pro Plus wasn’t perfect as an actual smartphone. It lacked wireless charging, an IP rating, and a QHD+ panel. These aren’t complete deal-breakers for more affordable phones, but Vivo was charging Rs 69,999 (~$950) for the device in India, putting it on par with full-fledged premium flagships from rival brands. And these rivals had all three features in tow, plus competitive cameras of their own. Vivo is looking to solve all that with its successor, the Vivo X70 Pro Plus . Did the company learn from these previous missteps and fix where