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vendredi 31 décembre 2021

Want to ditch Google services? Apple’s ecosystem is almost the perfect replacement

Apple markets its products and services as privacy-focused ones. When you buy a device from the company and use the included software, you’re assured that your data isn’t getting sold to third parties. Google, on the other hand, makes most of its revenue from advertising. And what pays more than a regular advertisement is a targeted one, tailored based on your interests. It’s no secret that the search giant collects all sorts of data on its users. In a way, this is what makes it superior in some aspects — having richer, more accurate databases. However, plenty of users would rather not feed the machine learning algorithms. Ditching Google services in Apple’s ecosystem is doable. It comes with many frustrations, though, that differ based on where you live, your routines, the apps you use, and other factors.

Navigate this article:

Google Services VS Apple Equivalents

Search

Google Search

When it comes to search engines, Google dominates the field. None of its rivals have the same reach it has. People tend to say “Lemme google that” rather than “Lemme Bing it” for a valid reason — it’s the most popular search engine out there. In fact, even the verb google has been recognized and added to the dictionary.

When you search in Safari — whether on an iPhone or a Mac — the browser defaults to google.com. That’s because the company pays Apple billions of dollars every year to remain the default search engine. You can change the default one in the Settings app. However, most average users don’t know or care about that.

DuckDuckGo

Apple doesn’t have a search engine of its own. Users aiming at a de-Googled digital life have other privacy-focused options, though. DuckDuckGo is a decent replacement that doesn’t collect as much data on you. Additionally, the search engine allows you to turn off ads in search results for free. On Apple devices, it’s one of the five options you can have as a default engine. This way, you can type directly in Safari’s search field without needing to visit duckduckgo.com manually before every search.

When it comes to the accuracy of search results, Google’s are more relevant than DuckDuckGo’s — generally speaking. However, the latter is accurate enough for quick searches in day-to-day life. I sometimes find myself visiting google.com if I’m not satisfied with the results of the other one. However, that rarely happens. I would say ditching Google Search is one of the easier aspects of the Google-free digital life.

Authenticator

Material Design Authenticator

2-factor authentication (2FA) is an additional security layer people can add to some of their online accounts. If you’re unfamiliar with 2FA codes, they’re one-time digits you have to type after correctly entering your email/username and password. These digits are generated by apps — such as Google Authenticator — and they expire after (usually) 30 seconds.

How to use the new 2FA code generator on iOS 15

There are plenty of equivalents for Google Authenticator, like LastPass, for example. Additionally, if you’re on iOS 15 or macOS Monterey, then you can take advantage of the built-in 2FA code generator Apple has added. I don’t find myself missing Google’s app because Apple’s works just fine and supports auto-filling the codes when signing in to apps and websites.

Entertainment

YouTube logo on TV

The YouTube family is quite big and well-rooted. You’ve got the regular service, the music-oriented one, TV, Kids, Gaming, etc… Apple only offers Music and TV apps. There you can either subscribe to, rent, or buy your favorite albums, movies, and shows. If you use YouTube to follow certain channels that aren’t run by artists, then you’re stuck with at least one Google service.

Apple Music

Personally, I use YouTube less than once a week, and when I do, it’s usually to check a link sent by a friend. I’m not a video consumer in general. Even when it comes to music, I’m not interested in the music videos — I just want to listen to the audio tracks. As a result, Apple Music is enough for me. Most people probably can’t relate to this in the era of YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels. However, I’m sure there are similar-minded people out there who don’t really care as much about video content.

Podcasts

Google Podcasts

Both Apple and Google offer podcast apps on iOS. However, if you use Google’s, then you’re stuck with the web version of it on the Mac, as there’s no macOS app for it. I have to admit, Apple Podcasts needs a serious update from the company. It’s usable, though, and you aren’t missing out on much by not depending on Google’s. I wouldn’t consider the Podcasts app one of the struggles when trying to achieve a de-Googled life.

Home

Google Home

When it comes to building a smart home, there are endless brands and products to choose from. Whatever it is that you’re looking for, you will likely find a HomeKit version of it. A significant portion of smart home appliances are platform agnostic anyway — as long as you find the HomeKit compatibility tag on it, you will be able to set it up through Apple’s Home app. When I’m browsing through smart appliances, I just search for ones that support HomeKit. This way I’m not forced to depend on Google Home. Additionally, Apple Home syncs to the Mac, too.

Health

Google Fit heart respiratory rate iPhone

Google offers its Fit app on iOS. The app requests access to HealthKit to import and sync your fitness-related data. Apple Health remains the core app for this purpose on iPhones. It’s worth noting, though, that Google Fit allows you to measure your heart rate on an iPhone without a smartwatch. So if you don’t want to buy a wearable and are interested in knowing your BPM, then Google Fit could be a tempting app to keep installed. The app is also capable of measuring your respiratory rate. I personally depend on my Apple Watch to keep track of my heart rate — Fit is useless to me.

Maps

A phone showing directions in Google Maps

This is a service that Apple struggles to compete with, relatively speaking. Google Maps, especially in third world countries, is much more populated, detailed, and accurate than Apple’s. When I used to live in Lebanon, Apple Maps was pretty much useless. However, as a local, I didn’t depend on maps much. That’s because the country is tiny, I was generally familiar with the areas associated with my routines, and I didn’t do a lot of exploring on my own.

Last year I moved to Turkey, and that changed everything. For starters, Istanbul is gigantic — coming from a city as small as Beirut. Secondly, I don’t speak Turkish, so I have to completely depend on maps to find my way around. While Apple Maps in Turkey is not as much of a ghost town as it is in Lebanon, it still isn’t complete. Additionally, it doesn’t support saving maps for offline navigation. I do have mobile data at all times, but I still like keeping an offline map available as a just in case thing.

Another advantage of using Google’s is navigation through public transport. The app displays the exact schedules, numbers, and stations of busses/metros you have to go through. Apple’s neither supports this nor street view in the region. That’s how I ended up a prisoner to Google Maps. But hey — Apple Maps has a macOS app.

Detialed map of london apple maps macos

I understand that Apple’s is more populated in first world countries, especially the US. So if you live there, you will likely have no trouble completely depending on it and ditching Google’s. I’ve tried so many times to uninstall Google Maps here, but it always finds its way back to my iPhone. So that’s one service stopping me for the time being from achieving the de-Googled life again.

Translate

Apple translate on iPad

That’s the other Google service I can’t get rid of. Apple introduced its Translate app on iOS 14 — which was followed by the release of the iPad app on iPadOS 15. However, macOS still lacks an Apple Translate app. Additionally, the company only supports around a dozen languages, while Google supports over a hundred. You’d think the few languages the Cupertino giant supports have been perfected — but no. As an Arabic/English bilingual, I’ve tested this language pair on both services. Google’s Arabic translations are notably more human. While Apple’s might be grammatically and semantically correct (most of the time), they don’t sound as natural.

This makes complete sense, considering Apple has just entered this domain. Google Translate has been around for many years, which enables the company to provide more accurate translations through a richer database. It additionally can translate more advanced and complex walls of text without losing context. Both services support offline translations, but Google’s execution is more efficient and data-friendly. None of the languages I’ve downloaded on Google Translate exceed 100mb. On the contrary, downloading a single language on Apple Translate heated up my iPhone and consumed several hundred megabytes of storage.

As someone who only needs a translation app for the Turkish/English language pair, Apple’s isn’t an option. That’s because Turkish isn’t one of the few available languages. And most of the locals here don’t speak English, so I can’t depend on that as a lingua franca. What frustrates me, though, is that the Apple Translate app and system-wide translations (such as in Safari and Messages) are neatly built. It’s just that Apple doesn’t have Google’s database. It’s like riding a fancy, shiny car with a broken engine. So if you live in your homeland or in a country that you speak the language of, this is a Google service you can likely ditch.

Communication

Google Meet and Google Chat logos in a Chromebook line drawing

I won’t list Google’s communication services because honestly I’m no longer counting or keeping track — for obvious reasons. However, I’m unaware of any region that solely depends on an app by Google for instant messaging (IM) and VoIP calls. Generally speaking, people depend on a handful of IM apps, based on where they and their loved ones live. You’ve got iMessage, Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, Facebook/Instagram DMs, and even SMS in some places. So even if some of your contacts use an app by Google to communicate, you will likely find them on a different IM app. So communication has never been a de-Googling obstacle — to me at least.

Mail

New Gmail logo on white background Google

If you’ve already created your online accounts using your Gmail, then de-Googling will sound like a nightmare. However, it’s not as complicated as you’d picture it from afar. Once upon a time, I was an Android user, and all of my online accounts were based on my Gmail. After making the move to iCloud Mail, I just changed my active accounts’ email to the iCloud one.

Most online services allow you to change your email address, so that shouldn’t be an issue. And to make sure I don’t potentially miss any emails from old contacts I’ve forgotten about — since I no longer check my Gmail — I’ve set a forwarding rule that automatically sends them from my Gmail to my iCloud inbox. Seriously, it’s simpler than it sounds.

Productivity

Both Apple and Google offer Notes, Reminders, and Calendar apps. While they’re not identical, both sets support the main features you’d expect the respective apps to have. Additionally, by using Apple’s, you get instant background sync through iCloud. So the content remains up to date on all of your iDevices. The same applies to the Photos apps. There will always be exclusive perks on either side, but they’re usually not deal-breakers to most average users.

iwork updated macos icons

If you want to type a document on your Mac, you have to use Google Docs on the web. Apple’s iWork suite allows you to work on documents, sheets, and presentations on macOS through dedicated, native apps. So by using Apple’s productivity tools, you don’t have to depend on web apps.

News

Apple News+ on macOS

Apple News is only available in a handful of countries. If you live in a region where it’s not supported, then you will either have to use apps like Flipboard or depend on Google News. Personally, my devices and Apple ID are US-based, so I can use Apple’s service just fine. If Apple News isn’t available for you, though, there are plenty of other non-Google apps for your daily dose of international drama. I wouldn’t consider News a solid barrier stopping users from de-Googling.

Drive

iCloud description from Apple.com

If you’re in Apple’s ecosystem, then using iCloud Drive makes more sense — as it syncs all of your data instantly and doesn’t consume as much battery. Google Drive, though, offers 15GB of free storage, compared to Apple’s 5GB. So if you’d rather not pay a monthly iCloud Plus subscription fee to expand it, this could be a dealbreaker for you. Personally, my data consumes less than 5GB, and I use the Apple One Premier bundle anyway — so that’s not forcing me to use Google Drive.

Personal Thoughts

Completely de-Googling is doable in some regions under certain circumstances. I was able to do it once, back when I was living in Lebanon. I had no Google apps on my devices and didn’t have the need to visit any of their respective websites. However, when I moved to a foreign land, I found myself desperately needing some of these services to adapt to life here.

If I eventually relocate to an English-speaking, first world country, I most definitely see myself deleting them again. This is because Maps and Translate are the only two apps I can’t not depend on. So if Apple Maps is (properly) available and I speak the language of the locals, then there’s nothing stopping me from achieving this yet again.

Apple and Google logo

Additionally, I prefer Apple apps on the company’s operating systems because they tend to have better UI/UX and implement the latest APIs introduced to the OSs on day one. That’s not to mention the better system integrations and privileges that aren’t available to third-party developers.

A Google-free life sounds impossible, considering the company dominates many aspects of our lives. But if you actually take it one service at a time and put in the effort to convert to equivalents, you might realize that it’s not as far from reality as it appears from afar. There will always be more privacy-focused equivalents. They might not be as accurate or functional in certain cases, but they’re valid options. Ultimately, it all comes down to your priorities and needs.

Do you see yourself living a completely de-Googled life? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Descendant 12 based on Android 12 is here for the POCO F3, POCO X3, and more

The Descendant custom ROM is quite popular in the aftermarket development community, providing an alternative experience to users who want to retain the ability to customize their device and still stick closer to the stock Android look and feel. Over the years, Descendant has managed to create its own loyal fanbase who like the ROM and its unique features for good reason. Now, the Descendant team has announced the first official builds of Descendant 12 based on Android 12.

As the flood of Android 12 custom ROMs continues to flow through, more and more devices are seeing the fruits of Google’s latest and greatest version of Android. In this regard, the Descendant project is undoubtedly a little late to the Android 12 party. But if you are a fan of the ROM and were waiting for the public release, you should be delighted to know that Descendant 12 comes with plenty of visual treats. The official builds feature a brand new boot animation, a redesigned volume UI, and a highly customizable dynamic theming system based on kdrag0n’s implementation.


Download Descendant 12

Although not every Descendant-exclusive feature has been rebased yet, the team is satisfied with the current state of the ROM and hence, has made the new releases officially available to the public. You can try it out on your phone — assuming your device is on the initial roster. In the first wave, the flashable builds of Descendant 12 are live for the Lenovo Z5s and a bunch of Xiaomi smartphones. Notably, these builds already have Google apps included, so you don’t need to flash a separate ZIP file to get the Google Play Store. The GSI targets are absent for now, but they will be available soon.

Here’s the complete list of devices that have received the official build of Descendant 12:

Download Descendant 12 based on Android 12 for your phone

More devices are slated to receive an official build of Descendant 12 in the coming days. If you’re interested in helping the Descendant team with development, then take a look at the project’s GitHub repo.

Have you tried out Descendant 12? Let us know your experience with this new release in the comments below!

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jeudi 30 décembre 2021

Here’s how to fix Google Pixel 6’s annoying screen freezing issue

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are some of the best flagships available on the market right now. From powerful cameras and in-house Tensor chipset to thoughtful software experience, Google’s latest flagships phones have everything you would want from a modern-day flagship. While the Pixel 6 series has received positive reviews from critics, it seems end-users aren’t having a stellar experience with Google’s newest phones so far. The new phones have been subject to numerous bugs and issues as of late, with users complaining about the slower fingerprint scanner, ghost dialing, connectivity issues, and more. Lately, many Pixel 6 owners have noticed an annoying issue where the device completely freezes up for a few seconds.

Google Pixel 6 Pro Review: Fantastic everyday phone with an undeniable Exynos inspiration

The freezing touch-input issue seems to trigger on Pixel 6/Pro units that have an Accessibility Service running with canPerformGesture permission enabled. When this permission is enabled, the whole system freezes for 1-2 seconds every time the battery drops by 1%. If you own a Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro and are affected by this bug, there’s a temporary workaround to resolve the issue. It requires disabling all Accessibility features. To do so, go to Settings > Accessbitliy on your Pixel 6 and turn off every accessibility service you find in there, including Voice Access, Accessibility Menu, Switch Access, and others.

    Google Pixel 6
    The Pixel 6 comes with Google's new Tensor SoC, a fresh design, and powerful flagship cameras.

Google says it’s currently investigating the issue and has assigned the bug to the relevant product and engineering team. The company hasn’t provided any timeline as to when we can expect the software fix to be ready. We’ll keep an eye out and let you know as soon as we learn more details about the screen freezing bug.

Have you noticed the screen freezing issue on your Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro? Let us know in the comments below.


Thanks XDA Senior Member micku7zu for the tip!

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Telegram 8.4 adds message reactions, spoiler formatting, message translations, and more

Telegram is one of the best messaging services around, and it adds new features and options at an incredible rate. The service added new media improvements and iOS updates last month, and more recently restricted message forwarding and made it easier to delete older chats. Now another update is rolling out with even more features. Telegram latest update, version 8.4, adds message reactions, spoiler tags, message translations, and more.

Message reactions are ubiquitous across platforms, with WhatsApp even being spotted working on introducing them in the future. Other platforms such as Facebook Messenger, Discord, and even Slack supported them, but their omission from Telegram seemed odd. Now they’re here, and you can even set a quick reaction that can be triggered just by double-tapping a message.

Telegram message reactions

Another big update outlined in the company’s blog post is the introduction of spoiler formatting, which we knew was being tested recently. It’s great for discussing movies and other content that you don’t want people to automatically see. Just watched Spider-Man: No Way Home and want to talk about it in a group chat without spoiling it for the one friend who hasn’t seen it? Just use spoiler tags, and your message will only be viewable by tapping it.

Finally, you can also translate messages into any language directly from within Telegram. You can enable the Translate button in Telegram’s language settings, and then just hold down on any message to translate it. You can also exclude the translate button from messages written in a language you’re fluent in. It works on all Android devices that support Telegram but requires iOS 15+ on iPhones.

Telegram translate message

Other smaller updates include themed QR codes for your username, new menus for MacOS, and more interactive emoji. The interactive emoji are fun, as you can tap a large emoji sent on its own to play a fun animation.

Telegram 8.4 is rolling out on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Telegram (Free, Google Play) →

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OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro get new OxygenOS 12 stable updates with bug fixes and improvements

Less than two weeks after resuming the OxygenOS 12 rollout for the OnePlus 9 and the OnePlus 9 Pro, OnePlus has started seeding yet another Android 12-based stable channel update for the device duo. The latest OxygenOS build for the OnePlus 9 family adds to the previous update with a few more optimizations and bug fixes.

OnePlus 9 Pro OxygenOS 12 C.40 OTA

Screenshot credit: OnePlus Community member Jite92

The version number of the new build is C.40, and it addresses the anomaly where the device is unable to access the 5G network after upgrading to Android 12. The release also takes care of the system upgrade failure events that some users faced while installing the previous stable build of Android 12. According to the official announcement post, only the global and the Indian variants of the OnePlus 9/9 Pro are eligible for this update. We still don’t know when the European edition will get the fixed build of OxygenOS 12.

As with all OxygenOS updates, OnePlus is rolling out the latest OxygenOS 12 build for the OnePlus 9 and the OnePlus 9 Pro in a staged fashion. This means that the new build will initially be delivered to a limited number of users, with a broader rollout to follow in the next few days. Once the company confirms that there aren’t any major issues with the update, it will be pushed to more users.

OnePlus 9 XDA Forums || OnePlus 9 Pro XDA Forums


Download OxygenOS 12 C.40 update for the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro

In case you don’t wish to wait in the queue for the update, you can download the appropriate incremental OTA package from the index below and install the new build manually.

OnePlus 9

OnePlus 9 Pro


Thanks to XDA Senior Member Some_Random_Username for the download links!

The post OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro get new OxygenOS 12 stable updates with bug fixes and improvements appeared first on xda-developers.



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XDA forums are now open for the Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 12 Pro, and Realme GT Master Edition

Xiaomi’s flagships garner a fair bit of attention in the third-party development scene each year and we don’t expect things to change in the coming year. While the company’s new Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro are yet to make their way to international markets, we’re sure a lot of you are looking forward to getting your hands on the devices and unlocking their true potential with custom ROMs and other modifications. That’s why we’re glad to announce that XDA forums are now open for the Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro.

Xiaomi 12 & Xiaomi 12 Pro

The new Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro are full-blown flagships featuring Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, up to 12GB RAM , and up to 256GB storage. The devices feature large, high refresh rate AMOLED displays, impressive camera hardware, and large batteries with insane fast charging capabilities.

Xiaomi 12 series rear camera module

On the software front, the Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro run MIUI 13 out of the box, but we expect third-party development for the devices to kick off as soon as they go on sale internationally. So, if you’re in the market for a new flagship and have been eyeing the new phones from Xiaomi, you should head on over to our forums (linked below) and engage in discussions with like-minded individuals to see what our community has to say about Xiaomi’s latest offerings. To learn more about the devices, check out our launch post.

Xiaomi 12 XDA Forums || Xiaomi 12 Pro XDA Forums

Realme GT Master Edition

Along with Xiaomi’s latest flagships, we’ve also set up a forum for the Realme GT Master Edition. The Master Edition variant of the flagship Realme GT targets the mid-range segment and features a 6.55-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G chipset, up to 8GB RAM, up to 256GB storage, and a 4,300mAh battery.

Realme GT Master Edition

 

The device comes with a 64MP primary camera and 65W SuperDart fast charging support. If you own a Realme GT Master Edition, head over to our forums from the link below to keep track of third-party development for the device.

Realme GT Master Edition XDA Forums

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Galaxy A51 is already receiving January 2022 security update

While we’re still a couple of days away from moving into the next year, Samsung has already started rolling out January 2022 security patches to its smartphones. This isn’t the first time we have seen the South Korean giant releasing new monthly security patches even before publishing the security bulletin; it’s been doing this since the start of 2021. And that trend continues this month with an early release of the January 2022 update for the Galaxy A51.

According to SamMobile, Samsung has started rolling out January 2022 security patches to the Galaxy A51 via a new software update. The update carries firmware version A515FXXU5EUL3 and is currently rolling out to Galaxy A51 units in Malaysia and Russia. Samsung usually rolls out the new security updates to its flagship phones first so it’s interesting to see the Galaxy A51 being the first in line to get the January 2021 patch. However, we expect the update to make its way to the Galaxy S21 series, Galaxy S20 series, and foldables soon.

If you own a Galaxy A51 and reside in Malaysia or Russia, keep an eye out for an OTA notification in the coming days. To manually check for the update, navigate to Settings > Software update and tap on the Download & Install button.

In case you’re wondering when your Galaxy A51 will get the new One UI 4.0 update, it looks like you’ll have to wait some time to get your hands on the latest software. According to Samsung’s official One UI 4.0 update roadmap, the Galaxy A51 will get the Android 12 update in April 2022.

Samsung Galaxy A51 XDA Forums

To recall, the Galaxy A51 was launched in November 2019. It sports a 6.5-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, Exynos 9611 SoC, 4GB/6GB RAM, a 48MP primary camera, and a 4,000mAh battery. It shipped with Android 10 out-of-the-box and later got updated to Android 11 with One UI 3.0.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Fold are the latest to get the stable One UI 4 update with Android 12

Samsung has been doing a phenomenal job at distributing the One UI 4 software to its vast portfolio of Galaxy devices. Over the past few days, the Korean OEM has delivered the Android 12-based update to more than a dozen models, including the Galaxy S20, Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy S20 FE, Galaxy S10, and more. Now, two more Galaxy devices are joining the club. Samsung has started seeding the stable One UI 4 update to the Galaxy Fold and the Galaxy Note 10 family in select regions.

Samsung Android 12 Tracker: Here are all the official One UI 4.0 stable and beta builds to download and install

The One UI 4 rollout is currently underway for the Exynos 9825-powered global variants of the Galaxy Note 10, Note 10 Plus, and the Note 10 Plus 5G. The update is tagged with the build number of N97xxXXU7GULD and it carries Android security patches for January 2022. So far, the stable Android 12 build has only gone live in the AUT region (which is the codename of Switzerland in Samsung’s nomenclature), but it’s only a matter of time before we see the new software making its way to other markets.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 XDA Forums ||| Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus XDA Forums

Samsung is also pushing a fresh update to the 4G variant of the original Galaxy Fold that finally brings Android 12 to the foldable. The update is identified by the build number F900FXXU6GUL9 and it comes with the December 2021 security patches. At the time being, the One UI 4 update has only gone live in France. Samsung will probably expand the rollout to more markets in the coming weeks.

Samsung Galaxy Fold XDA Forums

If you own a Galaxy Note 10 or a Galaxy Fold, keep an eye out for the OTA notification. As is usually the case with staged software rollouts, however, it might take several days before the update is rolled out to everyone, so don’t worry if you’re not seeing any update notification on your device just yet. You can also grab the new release directly from the company’s Firmware Update Server (FUS) and flash it manually on your Galaxy device.

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LG’s new “OLED EX” TV panel promises up to 30% more brightness than conventional OLEDs

LG on Wednesday introduced its next generation of TV panels called OLED EX. The new panel promises numerous benefits over conventional OLEDs, including much higher brightness, better picture quality, improved color accuracy, and more.

LG says its new OLED EX panel uses deuterium instead of hydrogen used by current OLED panels (via 9to5Mac). The company managed to successfully convert the hydrogen elements present in organic light emitting elements into stable deuterium and apply these compounds to OLED EX. LG explains the use of deuterium compounds together with personalized image processing algorithms land enhanced stability and efficiency to the organic lightemitting diodes. When compared to hydrogen compounds, deuterium allows the panel to output up to 30% brighter light while still maintaining high efficiency.

“Deuterium compounds are used to make highly efficient organic light-emitting diodes that emit stronger light. LG Display has successfully converted the hydrogen elements present in organic light emitting elements into stable deuterium and managed to apply the compounds to OLED EX for the first time,” wrote LG in a blog post.

The OLED EX panel also uses LG’s personalized algorithms to predict the usage of organic light emitting diodes “after learning individual viewing patterns, and precisely controls the display’s energy input to more accurately express the details and colors of the video content being played.”

In addition to the increased brightness output and enhanced picture quality, OLED EX also promises to reduce bezel thickness by up to 30%. LG says they were able to reduce the bezel from 6mm to 4mm on 65-inch OLED panels.

LG plans to integrate OLED EX technology into its OLED TV panels starting from Q2 2022. However the company didn’t disclose when we can expect new TVs with OLED EX to hit the shelves.

LG will also be showcasing its new transparent OLED panels at CES 2022 next month.

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mercredi 29 décembre 2021

OPPO Reno 5 and Reno 6 starts receiving stable ColorOS 12 update with Android 12

Back in September, OPPO officially unveiled ColorOS 12, the latest version of the company’s custom Android skin. Since then the Chinese phone maker has rolled out ColorOS 12 beta to several OPPO phones, allowing users to try out an early version of Android 12 ahead of the stable release. including the Find X3 Pro, Find X2 Pro, Reno 6 series, Reno 5 series, and more. Earlier this month, OPPO revealed that it would release stable ColorOS 12 for some of its premium phones later this month. As promised, the company has now started rolling out the stable Android 12 update to the Reno 6 and Reno 5 models.

Hands-on with ColorOS 12 based on Android 12: Here’s everything new in the latest update for OPPO smartphones

According to a series of announcements on the OPPO Community, the stable ColorOS 12 update based on Android 12 has started rolling out to the Reno 5 5G, Reno 5 Pro 5G, Reno 6 5G, and Reno 6 Pro 5G.

ColorOS 12 stable availability:

  • OPPO Reno 5 5G — Indonesia
  • OPPO Reno 5 Pro 5G — Saudi Arabia, the UAE
  • OPPO Reno 6 5G —  Indonesia, India, Vietnam
  • OPPO Reno 6 Pro 5G — Indonesia, India, Saudia Arabia, Pakistan

As you can see, the update is currently only live in select regions. However, we expect the company to expand the rollout to more markets soon. In any case, Reno 5 and Reno 6 series owners residing in the above-mentioned markets can look forward to receiving the OTA notification in the coming days. If you want to skip the wait, you can also trigger it manually. To do so, head to Settings > Software Updates > click on the gear icon in the top right corner > tap “Trial Version” and then click on the “Apply now.” You should receive the new update shortly after.

After installing the ColorOS 12 update, Reno 5 and Reno 6 owners can look forward to many exciting features, including a new wallpaper-based theming system, Canvas AOD, Screen Translate, Background Stream, Android 12’s Privacy Dashboard and privacy indicators, and much more. To learn more about ColorOS 12, check out our in-depth review of the new skin.

The post OPPO Reno 5 and Reno 6 starts receiving stable ColorOS 12 update with Android 12 appeared first on xda-developers.



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How to make your iPhone read articles out loud with a single swipe

Apple never disappoints when it comes to accessibility features on its operating systems. For example, you can use a Mac with just your voice and control your Apple Watch by clenching and pinching. One of the underrated features on the iPhone is screen reading. iOS can read text out loud for when you’re driving, working on something else, or just not in the mood to look at the screen. This accessibility feature is easy to use and can be triggered with a single swipe. Here’s how to make your iPhone read articles out loud with a single swipe.

How to make your iPhone read articles out loud with a single swipe

How to make your iPhone read articles out loud with a single swipe

  • Launch the Settings app.

How to make your iPhone read articles out loud with a single swipe

  • Scroll down and click on Accessibility.

How to make your iPhone read articles out loud with a single swipe

  • Tap on Spoken Content.

How to make your iPhone read articles out loud with a single swipe

  • Enable Speak Screen.

How to make your iPhone read articles out loud with a single swipe

  • Voila! Now whenever you swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen, your iPhone will read the content out loud. You can even control the speed of speech if you’re not satisfied with the default 1x. Additionally, you can use the rewind, pause, and skip buttons to control the speech playback.

I personally love this feature because it allows me to listen to articles while doing other tasks in real life. Apple News Plus offers an audio experience, but it’s not available in apps other than News. Speak Screen works across the entire operating system (OS), so you can use it to have your iPhone read long text messages as well.

It’s a very handy addition to iOS that not all users are aware of. Additionally, when compared to Apple News Plus Audio, this feature is available for free and doesn’t require a subscription to work. I find myself using it more than News Plus Audio, even though I’m subscribed to the premium service.

Will you be using this feature to make your iPhone read articles out loud to you? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Here’s when you might get MIUI 13 on your phone

At its launch event yesterday, Xiaomi officially detailed MIUI 13, the latest iteration of the company’s Android skin. MIUI 13 packs many exciting changes and improvements such as better app fluency with up to 23% fewer dropped frames, improved multitasking capabilities, privacy enhancements like fraud protection and privacy watermark, new system font, and much more. If you own a Redmi or Mi device and wondering when your phone will get the new update, read on.

In a recent post on Mi Community, Xiaomi detailed the MIUI 13 update roadmap outlining which Redmi and Mi smartphones/tablets will be eligible for the new update. As per the roadmap, the first set of MUI 13 builds will go live on the China Closed Beta branch from December 29, with Public Beta builds to follow suit next month. Meanwhile, the stable rollout is set to kick off from Q1 2022.

Here’s the list of Xiaomi smartphones and tablets eligible for the MIUI 13 update:

MIUI 13 rollout schedule for global models

  • First batch (Q1 2022)
    • Mi 11
    • Mi 11 Ultra
    • Mi 11i
    • Mi 11X Pro
    • Mi 11X
    • Xiaomi 11T Pro
    • Xiaomi 11T
    • Mi 11 Lite
    • Mi 11 Lite 5G
    • Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE
    • Xiaomi 11 Lite NE
    • Xiaomi Pad 5
    • Redmi 10
    • Redmi 10 Prime
    • Redmi Note 8 (2021)
    • Redmi Note 10 Pro
    • Redmi Note 10 Pro Max
    • Redmi Note 10
    • Redmi Note 10 JE

 

MIUI 13 rollout schedule for Chinese models

Public Beta version — First batch (mid-January 2022)

    • Xiaomi Civi
    • Xiaomi MIX 4
    • Redmi K40 Game Enhanced Edition
    • Redmi Note 10 Pro
    • Xiaomi 11 Ultra
    • Xiaomi 11 Pro
    • Xiaomi 11
    • Xiaomi 11 Youth Edition
    • Xiaomi Pad 5
    • Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro
    • Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 5G
    • Xiaomi 10S
    • Redmi K40 Pro
    • Redmi K40
    • Redmi K30S Extreme Edition
    • Redmi K30 Extreme Edition
    • Xiaomi 10 Extreme Edition
    • Xiaomi 10
    • Xiaomi 10 Pro
    • Redmi K30 Pro
    • Redmi Note 11 5G
    • Redmi Note 9 4G
    • Redmi Note 9, Redmi 10X Pro
    • Redmi 10X and Xiaomi CC9 Pro
  • Second batch (TBD)
    • Redmi Note 11 Pro
    • Redmi Note 11 Pro+
    • Redmi K30 5G
    • Redmi K30i 5G
    • Redmi K30
    • Xiaomi 10 Youth Edition
    • Redmi Note 9 Pro
    • Redmi Note 10
  • Stable rollout — First batch (end of January 2022) 
    • Xiaomi 11 Ultra
    • Xiaomi 11 Pro
    • Xiaomi 11
    • Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro
    • Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 5G
    • Xiaomi Pad 5

The post Here’s when you might get MIUI 13 on your phone appeared first on xda-developers.



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Android 12 stable update for the ASUS ZenFone 8 is now rolling out

With Android 12 now being officially out for a while, brands are working on updating their devices to the latest OS. Yesterday, Samsung started rolling out One UI 4.0 for its devices after the initial release was paused due to bugs. Today, ASUS has started to roll out the Android 12 stable update for the ZenFone 8 and ZenFone 8 Flip after a few beta versions.

A couple of months back, ASUS had announced its Android 12 release schedule for its smartphones with the rollout timeline for the ZenFone 8 and 8 Flip starting December 2021 onwards. We’re glad that ASUS has stuck to its schedule and has started rolling out the Android 12 stable update just before the end of the year.

ASUS announced that it has started rolling out the Android 12 update for the ZenFone 8 and ZenFone 8 Flip via a post on the ZenTalk forums. The announcement is also accompanied by download links for the update if you wish to install it manually on your device.

Horizon Silver ZenFone 8 with blue accent on power button

Download Andriod 12 Stable Update for ASUS ZenFone 8

The Android 12 stable update for the ZenFone 8 bumps the software version to 31.1004.0404.73 and measures 3.04GB in size. Note that this update can only be installed if your phone is currently on Android 11 with the firmware version 30.12.112.72. The official changelog is as follows:

  • Upgraded system to Android 12
  • Revamped Mobile Manager, Contacts, Phone, File Manager, Calculator, Clock, Gallery, Weather, Sound recorder, Settings, Data Transfer, Local backup, Setup wizard, System update apps
  • Adjusted Quick Settings panel, notification tray, and volume panel to Android 12 design
  • Added privacy dashboard, camera and microphone indicators, show clipboard access,  approximate location access, and microphone access features
  • Replaced ASUS Safeguard with Android 12 Emergency SOS
  • Introduced new widget page design in Launcher. Adjusted the position of the screenshot option and removed the hot seat app icons on the Overview page
  • Removed the Quick Settings layout option in the Display settings
  • ASUS Phone removed SIP calling support as Android 12 does not natively support SIP calling
  • Some 3rd party apps are not compatible with Android 12 yet

Download Android 12 Stable update for ZenFone 8

If you wish to switch back to Android 11 from Android 12, you can flash the downgrade package.

Download Andriod 12 Stable Update for ASUS ZenFone 8 Flip

The Android 12 stable update for the ZenFone 8 Flip bumps the software version to 31.1004.0404.61 and measures 2.89GB in size. Note that this update can only be installed if your phone is currently on Android 11 with the firmware version 30.13.35.8. The official changelog is as follows:

  • Upgraded system to Android 12
  • Revamped Mobile Manager, Contacts, Phone, File Manager, Calculator, Clock, Gallery, Weather, Sound recorder, Settings, Data Transfer, Local backup, Setup wizard, System update apps
  • Adjusted Quick Settings panel, notification tray, and volume panel to Android 12 design
  • Added privacy dashboard, camera and microphone indicators, show clipboard access,  approximate location access, and microphone access features
  • Replaced ASUS Safeguard with Android 12 Emergency SOS
  • Introduced new widget page design in Launcher. Adjusted the position of the screenshot option and removed the hot seat app icons on the Overview page
  • Removed the Quick Settings layout option in the Display settings
  • ASUS Phone removed SIP calling support as Android 12 does not natively support SIP calling
  • Some 3rd party apps are not compatible with Android 12 yet

Download Android 12 Stable update for ZenFone 8 Flip

If you wish to switch back to Android 11 from Android 12, you can install the downgrade package.

Both ZenFone 8 and ZenFone 8 Flip users should get the Android 12 OTA update in the coming days. But if you don’t want to wait, you can install the update manually. Download the update package from the links above.

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Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S20 FE get updated to Android 12 with One UI 4

One UI lovers, rejoice! Samsung has begun rolling out new Android 12 updates for the Galaxy S20 FE and the Galaxy S10 family of smartphones. These are the latest additions to the steadily growing list of devices from the Korean OEM that have received One UI 4. For reference, Samsung’s Android 12 update roadmap originally indicated a 2022 release for the aforementioned devices. It feels good to see that the company continues to defy expectations by releasing the much-awaited update ahead of the original schedule.

Samsung Galaxy S10 Android 12 One UI 4 OTA

Screenshot courtesy: XDA Recognized Contributor It_ler

As spotted by a number of users on our forums, the global Exynos-powered 4G variant of the Galaxy S10 (model number SM-G97xF) lineup is receiving the new update in Germany and Switzerland in the form of software version G97xFXXUEGULB. Apart from bringing in all the One UI 4-specific changes, the new build also bumps the Android security patch level (SPL) to December 2021.

XDA Forums: Galaxy S10e || Galaxy S10 || Galaxy S10 Plus

Notably, the Galaxy Note 10 used to get the One UI 4 beta builds alongside the Galaxy S10 family. However, we have yet to spot a stable Android 12 build for the former. In case you have the Galaxy Note 10 or the Note 10 Plus, you might have to wait a couple of days before the update notification pops up on your device.

Talking about the Galaxy S20 FE, the stable One UI 4 update for this model is currently rolling out for its 5G variant (model number SM-G781B) via software version G781BXXU4DUL9. The OTA is currently available in Switzerland only, although the delivery process is expected to be scaled up soon.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE XDA Forums

We should see One UI 4 roll out in more countries over the coming days and weeks. If you want to skip the waiting queue, then you can take the route of manual installation by following our tutorial on Samsung Galaxy firmware flashing.

Samsung Android 12 Tracker: Here are all the official One UI 4.0 stable and beta builds to download and install

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Xiaomi Watch S1 launched alongside the True Wireless Earphones 3

At its big launch event yesterday, Xiaomi finally unveiled the highly anticipated Xiaomi 12 series and MIUI 13. In addition, the Chinese company also took the opportunity to launch two new wearable products: the Xiaomi Watch S1 and Xiaomi True Wireless Earphones 3.

Xiaomi Watch S1

The Xiaomi Watch S1 is the company’s latest premium smartwatch, featuring a stainless steel middle frame and sapphire glass protection. You get a large 1.43-inch AMOLED display with 466 x 466 resolution, 326PPI, and a 60Hz refresh rate.

Xiaomi Watch S1 with rubber strap in black and white colorways

The Xiaomi Watch S1 supports up to 117 sports modes including 19 professional sports modes. In addition, it can automatically detect and track activities such as outdoor running, indoor running, and walking. It comes with the usual set of sensors including a heart rate sensor, blood oxygen sensor, acceleration sensor, and gyroscope.

Xiaomi Watch S1 with leather strap

 

The Xiaomi Watch S1 also supports third-party apps and has a built-in app store to let users explore and download additional apps.

Xiaomi Watch S1 third party apps

The smartwatch packs a 470mAh battery which Xiaomi says lasts up to 12 days on typical use. Wireless charging support is also onboard. Other notable highlights of the Xiaomi Watch S1 include GPS support, NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, a microphone, and 5ATM water resistance.

Pricing starts at CNY 1,049 (~$165) for the rubber strap model, with the leather variant coming in at CNY 1,199 (~$175)

Xiaomi True Wireless Earphones 3

The Xiaomi True Wireless Earphones 3 is the newest addition to the company’s TWS lineup. The new earphones come equipped with an Active Noise Cancellation feature, which claims to reduce ambient noise by up to 40dB. Each earbud feature three earphones that work in unison to listen to outside noise and adjust the noise reduction intensity accordingly. The Xiaomi True Wireless Earphones 3 pack ultra-dynamic dual magnetic drivers to deliver powerful bass and detailed treble response.

Xiaomi True Wireless Earphones 3 in white colorway Xiaomi True Wireless Earphones 3 features at glance

The earphones are quite lightweight at 4.6g (each bud) and also have an IP55 rating for dust and water protection. They last up to 7 hours (ANC off) on a single charge and up to 32 hours with the charging case. The case charges via the USB Type C port and also supports wireless charging.

The Xiaomi True Wireless Earphones are priced at CNY 449 (~$70). They are currently only available in China.

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These are the Best Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Cases in 2022

Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 3, their best foldable phone yet, right alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 3 which is a compact, clamshell smartphone with high-end internals. If you’ve decided to get the more affordable Galaxy Z Flip 3, which by the way still isn’t cheap at almost a thousand bucks, the last thing you want to end up with is a scratched-up phone or even worse, a cracked display and back. The Galaxy Z Flip 3, like most modern-day smartphones, is made up of glass and no matter how resilient Gorilla Glass Victus is, it’s quite easy to shatter if you drop your phone on a hard surface. Samsung is portraying the Galaxy Z Flip 3 as a device that adds to your style statement and you can amplify that notion by customizing the phone with a good case.

While you can get a Samsung Care+ plan with the phone to cover accidental damage, it’s always better to prevent any damage from happening in the first place. The best way to protect your Galaxy Z Flip 3 would be to put on a case. Some cases not only provide protection but also improve the usability or the grip of your phone. Here are some of the best Galaxy Z Flip 3 cases that you can buy right now across various price segments.

    Galaxy Z Flip 3 Ring Case

    Ring on the back

    This ring case from Samsung will help you grip the Z Flip 3 better by letting you insert your finger into the ring while using the phone.
    Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro

    Best grip and protection

    The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro offers top-class protection for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 while also making it easier to grip. If you drop your phone frequently, this case can be a saviour! It even comes with a belt holster.

    Promoted

    Samsung Belt Case

    Belt for grip

    This case has a belt on the back which you can slide your hands into while using the phone. It even gives the phone a cool look.
    Samsung Carbon Fiber Case

    Thin and classy

    If you're a fan of carbon fiber, you're really going to like this case. It's thin and doesn't add a lot of bulk to the device. Provides a stealthy look.
    i-Blason Cosmo Series Case

    Stylish and protective

    This case from i-Blason has a colorful design and stands out from the generic-looking cases. It also provides a good deal of protection.

    Promoted

    Sunstory Z Flip 3 Case

    Leather feel

    This case is made up of hard polycarbonate but has a soft leather feel on the outside. It's cheap and looks decent.
    Spigen Tough Armor

    Best protection

    This case from Spigen is for those who want the best protection against drops even on hard surfaces. it even looks good.
    Spigen Thin Fit

    Minimal protection

    Spigen is known to make good cases and this one for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 fits snug and provides minimal protection against scratches and drops.
    Ringke slim case

    Clear and protective

    This case from Ringke has a translucent back giving your phone a frosted look. It also provides a good deal of protection while being slim.
    Spigen Air Skin

    Another clear case

    If you want a crystal clear case from a reputed brand, this one from Spigen should be your option. It's slim and doesn't add a lot of bulk.
    VRS Design Quickstand Active

    Built-in kickstand

    The Z Flip 3 can technically be used as a kickstand in the Flex Mode but if you want more flexibility, this case has a kickstand built-in!
    Vizvera Hard Case

    Multiple color options

    The Galaxy Z Flip 3 comes in a variety of colors but if you want to switch it up, you can get a few of these cases in different colors.
    VRS Terra Guard

    Extreme protection

    This is one of the most rugged cases that you can find for the Galaxy Z Flip 3. It has a thick shell to protect the hinge too. If you drop your phone often, this one is for you.
    UAG Civilian

    Shockproof case

    If you want a slightly toned down version of a rugged case, the UAG Civilian is a good option. It does add some bulk but is surely not as thick as the VRS case we mentioned prior to this.
    Araree Canvas Diary

    Unique and convenient

    This is a fabric-style case that comes in different colors and has a lanyard attached on both sides of the hinge which lets you carry it on your shoulder like a bag.

Since the Galaxy Z Flip 3 has been launched recently and is a new device, there aren’t a lot of third-party cases you can buy at the moment. We’ve mentioned the best cases as of now which are mostly first-party cases directly from Samsung but there should be more options from case makers soon. The carbon fiber case is a thin case so if you’re looking for minimal protection with good looks, that’s the one you should opt for. If you’re looking for a case that will help you grip or hold the phone better when using it, the ring case and the belt case will serve the purpose well. If you want maximum protection, the Spigen Tough Armor is the case to pick.

    Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
    The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is Samsung's latest clamshell foldable that offers a bigger outer display, high refresh rate inner display, and top-of-the-line hardware.

If you’re looking to get your hands on the latest foldable from Samsung, you might want to check out the best Galaxy Z Flip 3 deals that can help you save a few extra bucks. If you’ve got the elder sibling, the Galaxy Z Fold 3, we’ve got a list of the best cases for that phone as well.

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