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UK government now scanning all internet-connected devices to assess vulnerabilities
Anyone can apply for exemptions
Parliament may be a circus, but the United Kingdom government isn't all made up of incompetent hands — except for the ones who thought it'd be a good idea to store COVID-19 case data on Excel spreadsheets (it's true, look it up). That should lend a sense of reassurance or dread, depending on what the given objectives are. Take the National Cyber Security Centre for your consideration: it has just launched a program that systematically scans every internet-connected device based in the nation as an intelligence-gathering method to survey current hacking threats and security preparedness.
The UK's highly controversial online surveillance bill has been delayed, pending a new Prime Minister
The House of Commons was due to vote on it next week
For some time, the United Kingdom has been cooking up legislation to more tightly regulate the internet for British users. The Online Safety Bill seeks to force tech companies, like Meta and Google, to deal with harmful content on their platforms, with provisions including jail time for executives withholding data and obligatory age checks for porn websites. The bill, which has understandably raised concerns regarding freedom of speech, was due to be put up for a vote by the British House of Commons, but the vote has now been delayed.
The Pixel Buds A-Series come to 10 new countries next week
They'll be available in Australia, Japan, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Singapore, and the UK
The Pixel Buds A-Series are pretty freakin' sweet as TWE headphones go, hitting a great balance of price and features. Taylor Kerns said that at $100, they make the original and much pricier model "irrelevant," even with the loss of wireless charging. The availability for the low-price buds has been updated on Google's official support page, coming to nine new countries next week.
26 of the best Prime Day Deals on Amazon UK
We're into the final stretch now, so get in on these discounts before they're gone
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You know the drill — it's Amazon Prime Day, and that means two days of deals on many popular products. We're into the second day now so there's not long left to snap up a good bargain (or several).
Nokia has a bunch of new phones you'll probably forget exist next week
X20, X10, G20, G10, C20, C10, BH-105, HMD 5G MVNO, DYKWIM?
Nokia is preparing a fresh batch of entry-level phones — including those with 5G — for 2021. But in the E.U. and U.K., where the six devices and some wireless earbuds will arrive first, there's more to this announcement than just hardware and new names.
Signal wants to replace your Venmo and Cash apps with private crypto payments
Privacy and security first thanks to crypto, but it's not a well-known coin
Signal was being really secretive about its open-source server code over the last year, and now we know why: the nonprofit has been working on a payments feature and didn't want to spill the beans ahead of the announcement. Starting now, people living in the United Kingdom can send and receive a cryptocurrency using Signal beta builds.
Samsung's small, cheap, and rugged Galaxy XCover5 is now official and landing this month
Though market availability is something of a crapshoot
Yesterday we saw a couple of leaks for a new Samsung rugged phone, and whaddya know, here it is. The Galaxy XCover 5 is a smaller, cheaper entry in the tough-as-nails series, a fraction of the cost of the XCover FieldPro. And crucially, it's actually running a current version of Android.
Samsung's watches now support ECG monitoring in 32 more countries
It still requires a paired Samsung phone
Samsung's Galaxy Watch3 and Watch Active2 both have hardware support for ECG monitoring, but it is taking a long time to show up for everyone, since the feature has to be approved by each country's health agencies. It was exclusive to South Korea until September of last year, when it was enabled for use in the United States, and now it's coming to 32 more countries.
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Microsoft released its first Android phone back in 2020, the Surface Duo. It's the only modern Android device with two side-by-side displays (not counting the add-on cases for various LG phone), and even though it's still a questionable buy at its new 9 retail price, Microsoft plans to sell it in more regions this year, starting with Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany on February 18.
Galaxy Watch3 owners in Europe can now access blood pressure and ECG data
Samsung Health Monitor app approved by EU, other governments
More governments are giving their mark of approval to Samsung's ability to read and monitor your blood pressure and electrocardiogram. The company has announced that its Samsung Health Monitor app — where those tracking features can be found — will be available in 31 new countries.
UK government to ban installation of Huawei 5G equipment from September 2021
As part of plan to remove all Huawei 5G tech by 2027
After recent rumors about further sanctions, the UK government has outlined its plans to remove Huawei completely from its 5G network by the end of 2027. The purchase of new equipment made by the Chinese company will also be banned from December 31, 2020. Existing 2G, 3G, and 5G network equipment made by Huawei will remain until it is no longer needed, however, as it's deemed too difficult and costly to replace any sooner.
Samsung One UI 3.0 beta ending for Note20, starting up for Galaxy S10 series
Android 11 is nigh for some
Samsung's One UI 3.0 on top of Android 11 edges closer to a stable release with news that beta testing has ended for some Galaxy Note20 devices. But with that end comes a new beginning: Galaxy S10 series devices are entering their own beta.
Qualcomm can now sell chips to Huawei again, but not any with 5G
Huawei is also asking the UK to reconsider its ban
The trade ban on Huawei by the United States finally took full effect in September, forcing Qualcomm, Samsung, Sony, LG, and other hardware suppliers to stop selling to Huawei. Qualcomm has been pushing for an exemption to sell chips to Huawei, and now the company has been granted a limited license to do just that.
YouTube Premium comes with free channel memberships until December 31
But again, only if you live in any of these five countries
Last year, YouTube launched channel memberships as a bid to woo creators away from other platform-building sites such as Patreon and drive more revenue. But memberships can't be worth anything if there aren't any members, so for the second time this year, the Google-owned video sharing site is now offering free membership to YouTube Premium subscribers in several countries.
How to get a free Stadia Premiere Edition bundle ($100 value) if you have YouTube Premium
A $100 / £90 / €100 value
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Google likes bundling freebies with its products and services. In the past few months, Pixel 5 and 4a 5G buyers got a bunch of service subscriptions for free with their purchase, Chromebook owners were able to redeem three months of YouTube Premium, Google One subscribers got three months of Stadia Pro, and some YouTube Premium users received a free channel membership and/or a Nest Mini. Another promo is joining the fray today, also for YouTube Premium subscribers but only in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain (for now), letting them redeem a Stadia Premiere Edition bundle for free instead of its original $100 / £90 / €100 price.
The Pixel 4a 5G finally became available for pre-order in the US a week ago, and now other countries are following suit. Though Japan got it first on October 15th, it's now available for pre-order in France, Germany, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Taiwan, filling out the list of available countries announced at the Launch Night In.
Google killing off free voice calls from smart speakers and displays in the UK
Got an Assistant device? You'll be stuck with Duo starting next month
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One little-known but neat piece of infrastructure Google provides for its Assistant speakers and displays is the ability to make free calls to most any U.S. and Canadian, or U.K. number. But Britons won't be able to take advantage of that feature for much longer.
UK regulator to ban carriers from selling locked phones
From December 2021, all phones bought on contract in the UK will work with any network
When a mobile network sells you a phone with a costly contract, it makes sure that switching providers won't be easy. Handsets have traditionally been locked to the carrier who sold it, and you have to jump through hoops to get it unlocked. From December next year, this practice will no longer be permitted in the UK as regulator Ofcom is banning the sale of locked phones by network operators.
Vivo is the latest Chinese smartphone maker to bring its products to Europe
Starting with the X51 5G, several mid-range Y-series models, and the customary audio accessories
With OnePlus, Oppo, and Realme all having successfully launched products in European markets, fellow BBK sub-brand Vivo must have been feeling left out. Not to be outdone by its siblings, the company has just announced its expansion into Europe with a range of handsets and audio products.
OnePlus brings new Gray Ash color to the Nord
The company pulled a premature announcement yesterday, but today it's official
Even when the limelight is meant to be on the OnePlus 8T today, the company has found a way to keep its mid-ranger Nord phone exciting — by giving it a new color. In addition to the glossy Gray Onyx and Blue Marble looks, we now have a darker, edgier Gray Ash matte finish coming to current Nord markets as soon as tomorrow.