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Google celebrates its 23rd birthday with up to 23% off in some international Google Stores
So, we're getting 100% off when Google turns 100, right? Right?
Google already teased that it would have some presents in store for us for its 23rd birthday, and while the US unfortunately isn't included in the latest sale, there are some good deals to be had in many other parts of the world. In some countries, Google offers up to 23% off.
Wallpaper Engine is a popular live background tool that's making its way from Steam to Android
It will be free-to-use, but to take full advantage of it, you'll need the Windows program
Google offers a few live wallpapers, but if the pre-installed selection on your phone just doesn't cut it, you need to look into other alternatives. These could soon be joined by a gaming community favorite — Wallpaper Engine has just announced that it's in the process of creating an Android app.
YouTube's latest user interface update isn't the one you were hoping for
Finally, some more consistency for the YouTube app
YouTube is a bit of a weird outlier when it comes to Android app design. While there are some interface inconsistencies among all Google apps, YouTube has long stood out as the app with a much shorter app header, a dated gray status bar, and more diversions from the norm. While its header retains its height for now, YouTube has at least finally added a seamless white status bar to its light theme.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra might solve the S21 Ultra's S Pen problem
It's rumored to come with an integrated Pen holder
We all know that Samsung hasn't released new Note phones this year, instead passing the S Pen compatibility to the Galaxy S21 Ultra, complete with an ultra-ugly stylus storage solution. It's already mostly clear that Samsung has completely given up on the Note series in favor of its new foldable phones, but for those of us who aren't ready to let go of S Pen support in a more traditional form factor, the upcoming Galaxy S22 Ultra might have something nice up its sleeve. According to noted leaker Ice Universe, the S22 Ultra might come with the signature integrated S Pen holder known from the Note lineup (via GSMArena).
Brave Browser lives up to its name, picks one more fight with Google
They're going to try to make a video chat platform
The privacy-focused browser Brave has just unveiled its new video conferencing platform Brave Talk after a year-long beta phase, built on top of the open-source video meeting platform Jitsi. Like its other products such as Brave Search and News, it's meant to be as private as possible and can only be fully used through the Brave Browser.
Chrome 94 introduces Material You interface and controversial idle detection (APK Download)
Here's everything new in Chrome 94
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Gmail for Android gets 'chips,' helping you narrow down search results
The feature was first introduced in Gmail desktop in 2020
Gmail on Android has always felt rather neglected compared to its desktop counterpart. To this date, it isn't possible to set up and change filters for incoming mail in the mobile app, and you can't use custom inboxes. While we've given up on ever seeing this functionality in the app, Google has at least budged to bring a more minor but still useful feature to Gmail on Android. The company shared that you'll soon be able to use search filters in mobile Gmail, dubbed chips.
OnePlus details how it's going to merge OxygenOS and Oppo's ColorOS
And there won't be a OnePlus 9T this year
OnePlus has long announced that it's going to merge its OxygenOS with Oppo's ColorOS following the shocking reveal of its secret partnership with Oppo that was neither secret nor shocking. While a few new OnePlus devices are already running a ColorOS-based version of Android with an OxygenOS skin on top of it, OnePlus hasn't officially revealed how exactly it will transition all of its currently supported devices to ColorOS. Well, you've got to wonder no more — the OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has laid out a roadmap, detailing how things will progress from here.
Telegram 8.0.1 goes customization crazy with individual per-chat themes (APK Download)
As always, a jam-packed update
Telegram's updates are always jam-packed with thoughtful new features, and that's not different for the latest release the company has pushed to the stable channel, Telegram version 8.0.1. The release brings Facebook Messenger-like synced chat themes, interactive emoji, improved read receipts, and the option to record live streams and video chats.
We went hands-on with the OnePlus 9's new Hasselblad XPan Mode
A fun new mode, but does it supercharge the OnePlus 9's camera experience?
OnePlus has just released OxygenOS 11.2.9.9 to the OnePlus 9 series, and the update is packed with new camera features. In the spirit of OnePlus' collaboration with Hasselblad, the two companies have recreated a ton of features known from the classic Hasselblad XPan film camera for a vintage shooting experience, including an interface based on the camera's viewfinder.
The company that makes your JBL speaker is now building charging accessories too
InfinityLab is Harman's latest subsidiary
Samsung subsidiary Harman is mostly known for its audio brands like Harman Kardon and JBL, but today, the company has announced that it's broadening its horizon with a new brand focused on sustainable and environment-friendly charging products — InfinityLab.
Xiaomi's upgraded Mi Band 6 packs NFC for payments and a microphone for Alexa
It's the first time the band has come with NFC outside China
Xiaomi has long made a name for itself in the wearable market and is, in fact, the leading wearable brand worldwide according to Canalys. That's in part thanks to its excellent Mi Smart Band fitness trackers, which have always been praised as affordable but capable alternatives to Fitbit and others. But so far, Xiaomi has never blessed most of its international audience with an NFC-equipped version of its fitness tracker. That's changing today, as the company has announced that it's bringing the Mi Smart Band 6 with NFC to Europe.
The Xiaomi Pad 5 takes a page from the iPad Pro playbook, complete with a smart pen
The company has also announced a mesh Wi-Fi system and a new portable projector running Android TV
Xiaomi introduced its impressive 11T series and a few more phones during its September 15 event t0day, but as we all know, the company also has tons of other products other than smartphones on offer. As such, Xiaomi used the opportunity to introduce a new tablet, a projector, and a router, as well.
Xiaomi's 11T Pro fills up its big battery in just 17 minutes with blisteringly fast 120W charging
Xiaomi introduced a total of four phones during its September 15 launch event
Xiaomi won over big parts of the smartphone market with its affordable but well-equipped smartphones, and now, the company has its sights set to the premium market. Along with a plethora of other devices, it has just announced its latest pair of flagships during its September 15 launch event, the Xiaomi 11T and the 11T Pro.
Google's working on letting you mirror your phone screen to Chromebooks
A teardown reveals that Pixel users might soon be able to interact with their phone from their Chromebook
Google has been working on integrating Chrome OS and Android more tightly for a while now with features like Phone Hub, Nearby Share, and Smart Lock. But the company already teased during its 2021 I/O developer conference that there was a lot more coming. We've long tracked one of these potentially upcoming features, codenamed "Eche," which we understand to be a service that will allow you to mirror your Pixel's screen right on your Chromebook, and now, more details have emerged.
Android 12's stable release date may have just leaked
It looks like an internal Google document spills all the beans
Last week, Google published the fifth (and most likely final) Android 12 beta, saying that the stable release was only a few more weeks out. We originally speculated that the day could come as soon as September 13, which would be today. But in case that doesn't pan out, XDA's Mishaal Rahman managed to obtain an internal Google document that could point to a much later date: October 4.
Xiaomi's new commitment to security updates is somehow even better than Google's
Three major Android updates and four years of security updates coming to the Xiaomi 11T series
Xiaomi has made a name for itself thanks to its smartphone's excellent bang-for-the-buck ratio. But where there's light, there's shadow, and Xiaomi devices are usually among those that see the fewest Android version upgrades. That's about to change for the company's upcoming new flagship phones, to be announced September 15. Xiaomi has just shared that the 11T and the 11T Pro will get three generations of Android upgrades and four years of security patches, stepping right up to Samsung's recent commitment.
Firefox 92 launches with support for your 2FA USB security key (APK Download)
The update is now rolling out on the Play Store
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Ever since the redesigned Firefox for Android landed back in 2020, development has stalled a little. Mozilla has only added a few new features to the browser since, like improved tracking protection, a small interface lift, and improvements to HTTPS connections. Unfortunately, Firefox 92 doesn't change much about that. The latest version of Firefox is now rolling out to the Play Store, and it only brings a handful of features to the table.
The RedMagic 6S Pro ups its gamer cred with an RGB-lit internal fan and a transparent back
The less expensive variants come without a transparent back and more toned-down colorways
The RedMagic brand may not ring a bell for many outside the mobile gaming community, but the Nubia brand has made a name for itself by selling affordable high-end gaming smartphones. And that's exactly the niche the company is aiming its next device at again, the RedMagic 6S Pro. It's a step-up compared to the RedMagic 6R and 6, though the similarities are striking outside a few key specifications.
You can now find your recent search activity in Google Collections
Giving you quick access to recently saved places and websites, movies and shows, and more
Google introduced Material You this year, its new design language that will define its apps' looks for years to come. That's why the company is going on a redesigning spree, with the latest app to receive a makeover being Gmail. Thankfully, Google isn't redoing all of its apps just for the sake of the fresh look — the company is also viewing it as a chance to add better functionality in some places. Google Collections appears to be one of these. The Google app's integrated bookmarking feature doesn't get dynamic colors, but its redesign makes it much more useful to many people.