Google is rolling out ChromeOS version 107 to Chromebooks across the world today. This release brings five tweaks to ChromeOS, with the biggest feature focused on making it faster to handle recently used files that you might have accessed before and need quick access to.
Despite being a year old, the OnePlus 9 is still a very capable handset. When it was first released, it might not have been that big of a draw, especially with its $729 price tag, but with its newly discounted price, this handset becomes even more intriguing in 2022.
As we head into a new week, it looks like some folks are experiencing issues with Instagram. Instagram has taken to Twitter to relay the news that service is indeed down for some but doesn't have an explanation of what could be causing the issue. Furthermore, on a separate note, there are also reports that accounts are also being suspended without reason.
October 26, 2012 marked a monumental date for Microsoft. When it came to Windows, everything changed in a way that we're still feeling the ramifications of today. That was the day that the company released its first PC, the Surface RT, and it was also the release date for Windows RT and Windows 8. A few months later, the Surface Pro arrived.
Xiaomi typically debuts its latest flagship smartphone lineup in China shortly after Qualcomm announces its latest flagship SoC at its annual Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii. Since Qualcomm has already confirmed that it will host this year's Snapdragon Summit earlier than usual, we expect Xiaomi to announce the Xiaomi 13 lineup towards the end of next month or early in December. Although Xiaomi has not shared any details about the lineup, a new leak has highlighted the hardware specifications of the upcoming Xiaomi 13 Pro.
Over the last few weeks, several manufacturers have released the first stable Android 13 update for their flagship devices. Shortly after Google released the update for the Pixel lineup, OnePlus rolled out OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13 for the OnePlus 10 Pro. Samsung followed suit with the first stable One UI 5 update for the Galaxy S22 series earlier this month. Now, Realme is joining the fray with the first stable Realme UI 3.0 update based on Android 13 for the Realme GT 2 Pro.
The Logitech G Cloud has been one of the most controversial products of 2022. It's been rightfully compared to the Steam Deck, and people have argued that it's not worth the $350 price tag. Well, I'm part of the group that didn't mind the price, so I purchased one with my hard-earned money. I've always wanted an Android-powered handheld that can power cloud gaming and beyond, so the Logitech G Cloud has been perfect for my needs.
If the Google Pixel phones are meant to be (or at least trying to be) Android's answer to the iPhone, then the Google Pixel Watch is clearly Google's attempt at making an Apple Watch equivalent -- something that pairs and works seamlessly with Google/Android products.
Not that long ago, we were proudly declaring the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X as the biggest, baddest CPU on the planet. It wasn't without its flaws, but the results spoke for themselves. However, AMD is no longer in a league of one because Intel has answered right back with the Core i9-13900K. In some regards, this 13th-generation upgrade is a minor one over the 12th, but in others, it's a substantial leap.
Apple first revealed the iconic iPad back in 2010. At the time, the device was pretty much a 9.7-inch, stretched-out iPhone — ideal for reading and media consumption. Back then, the iPhone 4 had a 3.5-inch display, so it made sense to have a larger product that caters to those unhappy with the phone's tiny screen. The great iPhone would remain a phone that handles phone tasks, while the iPad executes tablet tasks, such as storing eBooks, TV content, and mobile games. In 2010, it was more of iPhone and iPhone Plus — rather than iPhone and iPad.
If you have a Steam Deck or are looking to pick one up, then you're probably familiar with how it's less of a handheld console and more of a small computer. It runs SteamOS, which is based on Arch Linux, and Valve hasn't locked down users' access You have full privileges to do whatever you want on the software front, and there's nothing stopping you from even putting Windows on it if you want. However, maybe you want to listen to music while you game. Thankfully, it's easy to install Spotify on the Steam Deck.
The CPU, or central processing unit, is one of the most important components of a PC. Choosing the right processor is a complex decision to make, but buying the best CPU is crucial as it plays an intricate role in deciding how well your PC performs in different workloads, how well it runs games and more. Intel really came back to the table in recent years with the 11th and then 12th Gen CPUs. And it continues with the 13th Gen Raptor Lake chips.
The iPhone 14 and OnePlus 10T make for an interesting comparison. The OnePlus 10T is one of the best affordable flagships in the U.S., offering a big display, Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, crazy fast charging, and a rich software experience. In many ways, it's even better than its more expensive sibling OnePlus 10 Pro, packing a more powerful CPU, up to 16GB of RAM, and faster charging speeds.
I've always been a PC gamer, ever since I was five or six years old, playing Day of the Tentacle in ScummVM on my grandparents' computer. I would sometimes play the PlayStation 2 or even the Nintendo Wii a couple of years after that came out, but games like Portal, Team Fortress 2, and even Minecraft were what had me coming back to my PC. It's where my favorite games were, and the ability to play with mods was something that I couldn't get elsewhere.
Apple's new Watch Ultra is a maximal wearable with new features designed to make life easier for mountaineers, deep sea divers, endurance sports athletes, and people who don't spend their days in front of a laptop screen in general. I am none of these things, but even as a merely semi-active urbanite, I can see the appeal of the Apple Watch Ultra -- it's got a bigger, brighter screen that's easier to read even from a distance or under the most intense sunlight; it's built like a tank, so I don't stress when I accidentally clang my wrist against table edges and car doors; and battery life is much, much better -- enough that I can take it on a weekend trip without needing to bring a charger.
If you have a Steam Deck or are looking to pick one up, you'll know that it's not just a portable games console, but technically a mini-computer that runs SteamOS, which is based on Arch Linux. And Valve hasn't locked down access to that system. You can do whatever you want with it as if it were your own computer, and that includes installing your own software or even operating system.
Back in June 2022, Apple teased Freeform, its new whiteboard app. During the WWDC22 main keynote, the company highlighted some of its features and mentioned that it would ship by the end of the year as part of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura.
Get ready to dig into Android 13! Google has officially started the update rollout via stable channel. For lucky owners of the Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 5a, Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, or Pixel 4a, you’ll be among the first users to see what Android 13 QPR1 has to offer.
The Pixel 6a is the best budget smartphone from Google yet, featuring the same bold design and the Tensor SoC as the more expensive Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in a compact package. But to achieve a cheaper price tag, Google had to cut some corners, and as a result, the phone doesn't use the same premium materials as its higher-end siblings. While the Pixel 6 sports Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and Gorilla Glass 6 on the back, the Pixel 6a uses Gorilla Glass 3 on the front and a plastic back. In addition, the Pixel 6a also has a fairly large camera island that sticks out from the back. If used without a case, your Pixel 6a can easily pick up scratches and, at worst, accidental damage. A case is your best bet to keep your shiny new Pixel 6a in the best shape and free from wear and tear. Luckily there are plenty of protective cases available for the device. To help you pick one, we have rounded up the best cases for the Pixel 6a below.
Accidentally losing your precious files is never a desirable situation. One wrong click and all your important files are gone within seconds. If you haven’t saved a copy of deleted files on an external drive or cloud storage, you aren’t completely out of luck here. Yet, you may wonder how to recover deleted files on Windows 10 and 11. Fortunately, Microsoft and Tenorshare 4DDiG make it quite easy to retrieve them.
Shortly after the release of the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, it was confirmed that the handsets were the first pair of Android phones to only support 64-bit apps. Now, Google has also shared the news through its Android Developers Blog, listing some of the benefits that this has to offer.
The wait is finally over — Android 12L is here as Google has officially kicked off the update rollout via stable channel. If you’re the lucky owner of a Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 5a, Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 3a, or the Pixel 3a XL, then you can have the opportunity to try out the latest iteration of Android right now. During the beta phase, Generic System Images (GSI) are also available, which means the early builds can be booted on non-Google Project Treble compatible devices as well.
While Apple offered iterative improvements on this year's iPhone 14 lineup, we might see some major changes on the iPhone 15 series next year. Apple recently confirmed it will ditch the Lightning port on future iPhone models, and the iPhone 15 series could be the first to launch with USB-C ports. In addition, Apple could drop the physical power and volume buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, according to a recent report from renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are here, representing a modest upgrade over the last year's models. The new phones feature a slightly updated design, an improved chipset, and some other bells and whistles. Like with last year's phones, the new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro aren't just bigger and smaller versions of each other. There are some noteworthy differences between the two, so we decided to put together a comprehensive Pixel 7 vs Pixel 7 Pro comparison to highlight everything you get by picking one over the other.
Windows 11 was released on Oct. 5, 2021, over six years after Windows 10 made its debut. Microsoft recently released the first major update for the OS — Windows 11 version 22H2 — but we've heard the next thing on the cards could very well be Windows 12. It sounds like Microsoft is doing away with major annual updates, and instead going for a big, new version of Windows every three years, similar to what happened before Windows 10.
What a day to be alive if you're a Pebble smartwatch owner. Although official support for the watch ended ages ago, the device has been kept alive thanks to the efforts of the team at Rebble. Recently, a new update was issued for Pebble smartwatches that provides compatibility for the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro. So if you're a long time Pebble user, and you've got a Pixel 7 series smartphone, it's now possible to get the watch up and running on your device.
Steam Big Picture mode was introduced back in 2012 as way for gamers to sit back, relax and play their favorite games from their couch. It was a full-screen interface mode within Steam that brought all the games front and center and was supposed to be used with a game controller. While it sounds like a dream, the reality was that it wasn't all that great. In fact, it was actually pretty clunky, and even ten years later, it still pretty much remains the same. Thankfully, Valve is now launching a long overdue update for Big Picture mode, bringing a clean look with a modern interface.
Motorola unveiled its latest foldable, the Razr 2022, in China earlier this year. At the time, the company did not share plans to bring the device to international markets. But it's now finally available for purchase in the U.K. and Europe.
After rolling out the first stable build of One UI 5 based on Android 13 to the Galaxy S22 series earlier this week, Samsung is now bringing a couple of new camera features to the flagship devices. The company has announced a fresh update for the Expert RAW camera app with new astrophotography features and multi-exposure support. In addition, it's rolling out a new Camera Assistant app for the devices, which gives users easy access to additional camera settings.
With every new software update there's the potential to introduce new solutions while at the same time, creating new problems. That looks to be the case with the recent macOS Ventura update, as it is being reported that a new vulnerability has been created, leaving users unprotected and exposed. Thankfully, there's a workaround, but many might not be privy to the initial problem or its solution.
Apple has been on a roll recently, debuting new hardware with the release of a new iPad, iPad Pros, and Apple TV 4K. In addition to the new devices, the firm also delivered new software updates, delivering for iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1, and macOS Ventura. If all of that wasn't enough, it also made changes to the web version of iCloud, delivering a revamped design that looks fresh, light, and fun.
We've been hearing about Microsoft's game streaming dongle for quite some time, and while we did get confirmation of its existence several months ago and its status, it looks like the company is shelving the project for now, which means it probably isn't happening anytime soon.
On October 26, 2012, Microsoft released the Surface RT, the first computer that the company every produced. That was 10 years ago today, and a lot has changed. I hadn't even written a blog post yet, but the things Microsoft was doing in the hardware space was exciting me.
Samsung rolled out the first beta builds of One UI 5 based on Android 13 for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 last week, giving users a chance to experience the release ahead of the stable rollout. Now that the company has confirmed that the devices will receive stable One UI 5 next month, it is rolling out bug fixes to the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 in preparation for the stable release.
After releasing a minor update for the Nothing Phone 1 with Jio 5G support and bug fixes last week, Nothing has now started rolling out a fresh software update for the device. The latest update (firmware version 1.1.6) measures just over 62MB and brings a couple of new features and improvements.
After releasing the Google Home app for Wear OS on the Play Store shortly after announcing the Pixel Watch earlier this month, Google is now prepping a Wear OS version of the Google News app. The app has already made an appearance on the Play Store, giving us an early look at its UI and features.
After testing One UI 5 based on Android 13 on the beta channel over the last few months, Samsung recently rolled out the first stable release to the Galaxy S22 series. The company is now gearing up to release stable updates to other smartphones and tablets in its portfolio and has shared a release timeline for the same.
Today, Spotify announced its quarterly numbers for Q3 2022, sharing that it had amassed 195 million paid subscribers to its service. The number is impressive, especially since the company beat its earnings guidance number by a million. If that wasn't enough, the company is moving forward with a goal to push across the 200 million subscriber mark by year's end. Unfortunately, great subscriber numbers don't always translate to happy stockholders, especially when its gross margins were below expectations, resulting in the stock taking a small tumble during after-hours trading.
Microsoft released the Surface Laptop Go 2, the latest iteration of its budget-oriented laptop, just a few months ago, and we received it quite well. This new version comes with some upgraded specs that offer much better performance, but it's mostly the same on the outside, and it's certainly recognizable if you saw the previous model. So, while this is already a great laptop for students and casual users, it's time to start speculating about what's next: a potential Surface Laptop Go 3.
Remember when overheating issues started appearing with the Nvidia RTX 3090? Fast-forward to 2022 and the RTX 4090, and we're right back in controversy town. Only this time it's potentially a little more serious. Reports are beginning to surface — such as this Reddit thread — that the 12VHPWR connector is overheating to the point of melting.
If you've been using WhatsApp, you'll probably have noticed something strange. That's right, WhatsApp has stopped working, leaving messages in limbo. At this point, it's tough to say exactly what the issue is, but many users are reporting on Twitter and other social media channels that private messages aren't going through, stuck with one check. This same issue is also occurring for group chats as well, with users reporting that the chats just aren't pushing through. If you're currently using the app, you can see it is struggling to connect to the server, with its connecting wheel spinning without end.
While it might seem like ages ago, Samsung originally released the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Flip 5G in 2020. When it was released, it was loaded with One UI 2.1 running Android 10. For the most part, Samsung remains fairly committed to its older devices, and thankfully, the original Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Flip 5G will gain support for Android 13 through One UI 5. Although it has yet to arrive to devices around the world, the company has opened its One UI 5 beta program for Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Flip 5G owners in South Korea.
Today, Apple was finally able to make good on its promise, delivering some of the missing features it withheld during the initial release of iOS 16. While iOS 16.1 brings iCloud Shared Photo Library, third-party support for Live Activities, Apple Fitness Plus, and many other features, there are also smaller details that can often be overlooked, like the addition of Clean Energy Charging. We did have some details about this feature, but now, we know how it will work, thanks to a support page detailing the ins and outs.
This week, Samsung is having a sale to celebrate its 53rd anniversary, and a large number of its products on its website, including popular smartphones, monitors, and TVs, have received huge discounts. The sale will go on until November 1, so if you've been eyeing something from Samsung, be sure to check through all the product categories because there is something for everyone. In addition to all the products that are on sale, Samsung will be highlighting certain devices each day as part of its "Deals of The Day" event. While we can't list everything, these are just some highlights from the vast array of items that are currently being discounted.
Jetpack Compose is a declarative UI engine written in Kotlin that aims to replace or be a viable alternative for classic imperative UI engines, like Android’s XML layouts. In essence, Jetpack Compose is a powerful code-only layout engine that can make UI implementation a lot easier. It was first released in alpha in August last year, followed by a beta release in February this year with a lot more additions. Now, at Google's Android Developer Summit, the company has announced that Compose is coming to Android TV. Even better is that Material 3 is now in Stable, meaning that you can use it to build your apps with confidence.
The long-awaited launch of the Intel 13th Gen CPUs is now behind us, but the initial product family was far from everything we're going to see. Initially launching only unlocked, higher-end 13th Gen CPUs like the Core i9-13900K, we've always expected that the family would be padded out by other variants and some entry-level products.
Earlier this year, The Walt Disney Company announced that it would be introducing a cheaper, ad-supported tier of its Disney Plus service in the U.S. The upcoming budget-friendly plan would cost $7.99 per month, while the ad-free one goes for $10.99. So for $3 less, users get to enjoy the service, while dealing with occasional advertisements. According to the company, this plan will launch in the U.S. on December 8. Apart from that, it doesn't share much about the potential restrictions and the type of content users will be able to access. New evidence now suggests that Disney Plus might drop support for GroupWatch and SharePlay on the budget-friendly plan.
Today, OnePlus announced its latest handset, the Nord N300 5G. T-Mobile will be the exclusive wireless carrier in the United States to offer this device, and it's giving new and existing subscribers an amazing deal by offering it for free starting on November 3. This promotion will be available to former Sprint customers, and it will also extend out to T-Mobile's pre-paid wireless network, Metro.
About a week ago, OnePlus teased its upcoming handset, the Nord N300, revealing some of its specifications like its 90Hz display and 33W SuperVOOC fast charging. Now, the firm has revealed the handset in full, giving us our first look and all the important details.
If you're looking to pick up a pair of truly wireless earphones for your smartphone, the Google Pixel Buds Pro are definitely worth considering. We loved them in our review, though with one major issue - the tuning. They didn't sound as good as they should have, and that was because the default tuning out of the box made them sound muddy. The company recently released an update with a few sound profiles and the ability to tune them the way you like though, and with the balanced preset, they sound a whole lot better. If you've been eyeing them up, you're in luck, as you can now get them from Amazon or Best Buy at 25% off, bringing them down to $149.99.
Earlier this year, Google launched the Pixel 6a. This middle-range phone comes with the Pixel experience users appreciate and love, while shedding some of the higher-end Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro features. This makes it an ideal budget-friendly device for those not willing to invest in the highest-end Pixel 6 or Pixel 7 smartphones. Typically, the Google Pixel 6a costs $450. Though, thanks to a limited-time offer, you can now buy a unit for only $300. This means you save a whopping 33% (or $150). The deal is available on both Best Buy and Amazon — so you get to pick your preferred online retailer.
After months of beta testing, the Samsung Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus, and Galaxy S22 Ultra are getting a stable channel build of One UI 5 in Europe and in Asia. The update is based on Android 13 and is rolling out for both Exynos and Snapdragon users. Whether you were on the beta channel of One UI 5 or the stable channel of One UI 4.1 doesn't matter either, as users of both channels will be able to update.
Windows 11 first showed its face on June 24, 2021, and became officially available on October 5 of that same year. Today, most laptops sold come with Windows 11 installed out of the box, but the Windows development cycle never stops, and there's always something to look forward to. That's where the Windows Insider Program comes into play, as it lets fans try out new Windows 11 features in preview before anybody else.
As many of you may have already noticed, XDA looks a little different today. We wanted to take a moment to show off XDA Portal's new look to all of you, a redesign that serves the present and future needs of the website as it rapidly grows wider and deeper into its content niches.
Without a doubt, Dell's XPS laptops are some of the best laptops around. Indeed, year in and year out, I'm excited when one arrives at my door, and every time, I get to say that it's one of the best laptops on the market. The Dell XPS 13 9315 (the 2022 model) is no different, although things are a bit different this year.
If one update this week wasn't enough, Valve has pushed another update, just as the week comes to a close. The new update hit Steam Deck beta and preview channels, offering lots of bug fixes, UI adjustments, and some new optimizations.
It's been a couple of years since it was first released, but Apple still keeps the MacBook Air with M1 chip in its lineup because it offers a ton of power, and at a fair price. While it normally retails for a starting price of $999, the laptop has recently been discounted, knocking $200 off of its retail price.
Just days after ending the 4K paywall experiment, YouTube has started notifying users of a price change for the YouTube Premium Family Plan. According to screenshots of YouTube's email shared by subscribers on Reddit and Twitter, the price change affects subscribers in several regions, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, New Zealand, and Japan. While the price change is only applicable to the Family Plan in these regions, subscribers in Turkey and Argentina will also have to pay more for Individual membership.
Microsoft is testing a new app called PC Manager, which will give users an overview of their system's health. The app can help users clean temporary files, manage their running apps, and keep an eye on updates, all in the same place. Screenshots of the app were shared online by Twitter user Aggiornamenti Lumia, who often shares early looks at Microsoft products in development.
A lot is happening behind the scenes at OnePlus, and it's safe to say that it's no longer the same company that launched back in 2014. But it's still producing some great devices, and its portfolio has grown quite a bit. So to make your buying decision easier, we’ve compiled all the best OnePlus phones you can buy in the US across all segments. From the new OnePlus 10T with flagship specs to the budget-friendly Nord N20 5G, we've added a lot of great phones to this collection. We're confident you'll find something to your liking, so let's dive in.
During its Apple event in September, the company announced that an Apple Watch would no longer be required for its Fitness Plus service. Today, the company has made things more official, announcing the service will become available in 21 countries starting on October 24.
Instagram has evolved from a photo sharing service to something much more. While it has added a lot of features over the years, the social aspect of the app has become much more involved, offering users numerous ways to communicate with an audience. Thankfully, the app has also implemented lots of safeguards for its users, and with its latest update, it attempts to fortify some old features and also introduce new ones.
It's only been a few months since the release of Snapchat Plus, but what might come as a surprise is that the paid subscription service currently has over a million users. While the app usually provides general updates, it has been more aggressive lately, focused on providing value for its paid subscribers by debuting new features on a monthly basis.
If you've ever dabbled in video editing, chances are, you've come across DaVinci Resolve. The program offers a robust set of tools and features and can tackle even the most complex projects. Best of all, it has been available for free for PC and Mac for quite some time. Now, Blackmagic Design, the company behind DaVinci Resolve, is looking to bring its software to iPads, announcing that an app will be made available through the Apple App Store sometime later this year.
Apple launched the entry-level iPad 10 in October 2022, equipped with a completely refreshed chassis and an upgraded A14 Bionic processor. Thanks to the redesign, users now get to take advantage of flat edges and rounded display corners. Don’t let the flat edges fool you into believing it supports the Apple Pencil 2. The iPad 10, despite dropping the Lightning port, still only supports the Apple Pencil 1, and only through a dongle. Speaking of the redesign, the iPad 10 comes in four bold colors to pick from — Silver, Pink, Blue, and Yellow.
This is a lot, so you might be wondering if you should buy an iPad 10. There are other considerations as well, like if it’s waterproof. Do you need to buy a case for that protection? Here’s what you need to know.
Before diving in, let’s clear a common misconception. Most of the electronic devices you come across today are water-resistant, not waterproof. So no, the iPad 10 is not waterproof.
If you want to find out how water-resistant a device is, you have to look at the IP rating, which reflects the endurance against dust and water a certain product has. Apple includes an IP rating on some of its devices, such as recent iPhone models. Water resistance, like many things in life, wears down with time. So while a device might be water-resistant when it’s new, this could change down the road. So always treat your devices as if they’re not resistant to water. Leave the resistance as a Plan B, just in case you accidentally spill a liquid on it.
So now that you know about the iPad 10 not being waterproof, let’s see if it has an IP rating. As of 2022, Apple still hasn’t released a single iPad model with an IP rating. This doesn’t mean it’s completely unprotected from the elements, since most devices have some degree of protection, but it means submerging it in water or liquids will likely damage it. In short, keep it away from water.
To clean the screen, use a damp cloth that doesn’t actually soak the iPad with water. If you accidentally spill water on your iPad 10, shut it down and leave it alone for a few hours to dry.
You should always be careful with your devices though, regardless of the IP rating. You wouldn’t want to ruin your new great iPad just after buying it.
The post Is the Apple iPad 10 waterproof? Does the tablet have an IP rating? appeared first on XDA.
Some people can’t imagine using Android without root access. While the Google Pixel smartphones are among the easiest devices to unlock the bootloader, root, and install aftermarket software, it might come as a surprise that the typical boot image patching technique is no longer applicable to the latest Pixel 7 series.
If you bought the Pixel 7 or the Pixel 7 Pro and want to learn how to root it, we’ll show you how in this tutorial. You’ll need to have your PC handy and know your way around ADB.
Google Pixel 7 XDA Forums || Google Pixel 7 Pro XDA Forums
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Before we get into how to root the Pixel 7, remember to take an off-device backup. That’s because the rooting process requires wiping all the data on your phone, including the files on the internal storage.
For devices launching with Android 13 like the Pixel 7 series, the generic ramdisk is removed from the boot image and placed in a separate place called “init_boot.” The boot.img only holds the Generic Kernel Image (GKI).
As a result, patching the boot.img for root access won’t work for these devices. Rather, we need to get our hands on the image corresponding to the init_boot partition that matches the current software build the phone is running.
Fortunately, we don’t need any specialized tool to rip the init_boot image from the target device. It can be easily extracted from the Google-published factory image for the Pixel 7/7 Pro.
To make sure you download the right factory image, you need to check which software version your phone is currently running. To check this, go to Settings > About phone. At the bottom, look for the Build number section. Find the matching build number on the factory image download page and download that file.
Download Android 13 for Google Pixel phones
Next, unpack the factory image ZIP file. Locate the image-[device codename]-[version].zip file (yes, there’s a ZIP within a ZIP) and extract the init_boot.img file from it. This is the file that you need to transfer to your phone’s internal storage for patching.
Now that we have our hands on the init_boot image, we can easily patch it with Magisk. In fact, you can patch it on a different Android device than the Pixel 7, but you need to install the Magisk app on the secondary device as well.
While the current stable version of Magisk can patch the Pixel 7’s init_boot image, you might want to opt for the bleeding edge Canary build of Magisk for additional fixes.
Download Magisk: Stable || Canary
After installing the Magisk APK, open the app, and locate the Install button on the topmost card. Choose Select and Patch a File under Method, and select the stock init_boot image. This will open the Android file picker. Go ahead and find the init_boot.img you transferred from your PC and select that. The Magisk app will patch the image to the Download folder on the phone. You must transfer this patched file (should be named “magisk_patched_[random_strings].img”) back to your PC because next, we’re going to unlock the bootloader which will wipe all data as we warned previously.
Notably, if you browse the XDA Forums for the Pixel 7 or 7 Pro, you may be lucky enough to find a pre-patched init_boot image. That being so, we always recommend grabbing the official firmware and patching the stock boot image yourself to avoid unforeseen glitches due to image version mismatch.
In order to flash third-party software on the Pixel 7, we have to unlock the bootloader. To do so, go to Settings > About phone > Build number and tap on this entry 7 times to enable Developer options. After enabling it, go back to the main settings page and tap on System, then go to Developer options. From there, toggle the OEM unlocking option. Keep in mind that you need to enter your password/pattern/PIN to validate some of the actions.
It is important to note that some US carriers like Verizon don’t allow bootloader unlocking at all, making it impossible to root your phone. Sometimes, though, people find unofficial workarounds, and we’ll let you know if any are found.
After enabling OEM unlock, turn off your phone. Hold both the Volume down and Power buttons to turn your phone back on and boot into the bootloader menu. Assuming you have the latest ADB and Fastboot binaries installed already, you can also use the following command to reboot to the bootloader mode directly from Android.
adb reboot bootloaderMake sure to keep your phone plugged into your PC/Mac/Chromebook. Next, in a terminal window, type:
fastboot flashing unlockYou will see a screen telling you that you are about to initiate the bootloader unlocking process. Use the volume button to navigate and the power button to accept. Again, this will wipe all the data on your phone, so make sure you have your data backed up before proceeding.
After the bootloader of your Pixel 7 (or 7 Pro) is unlocked and the init_boot image is patched, you are just one step away from root.
As soon as the bootloader unlocking process completes, the phone will boot back up after a few minutes. Skip the setup wizard at this stage and turn off the phone. You now want to boot back into the bootloader by holding the volume down and power buttons again. Once you are there, connect the phone to your PC/Mac/Chromebook and execute the following command:
fastboot flash init_boot path/to/magisk_patched.imgAs soon as you hit Enter, the patched init_boot image will be flashed to your phone. Next, reboot using fastboot reboot and the Magisk app should appear on your home screen and/or app drawer. If it doesn’t (e.g. you can only see a stub icon), just install the Magisk APK manually. You’re now rooted!
Screenshot courtesy: XDA Member edcsxz
Keep in mind that you’ll have to repeat steps 1, 2, and 4 every time you update your phone because the init_boot image changes with each update. To know more, take a look at our tutorial on how to install OTA updates and keep root on your Google Pixel phone.
Once your Pixel 7 is rooted, you open up the device to some interesting modifications such as Magisk modules and Xposed modules. Of course, there are already a ton of things you can do without root on Google devices, but having root access is an added benefit nonetheless, especially if you consider the best root apps.
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The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are finally here and they boast many notable upgrades over their predecessors, bringing a more powerful chipset, brighter displays, and even better cameras. The long software support adds to the Pixel 7 series’ charm, making it a great choice for those who want a reliable and long-lasting smartphone.
As far as software support goes, Google Pixel phones have always been among the best, and the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are no different. Like their predecessors, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are guaranteed to receive five years of software support. But that doesn’t mean you’ll get five versions of Android OS updates. Rather, the phones will receive three generations of OS updates and five years of monthly security updates. The Pixel 7 series ships with Android 13 out of the box so in theory, they should get OS updates until Android 16 and security updates till 2027.
While the Pixel 7 series offers excellent software support, it’s not the best in the business. That crown goes to Samsung, which provides four years of OS updates and five years of security updates for its flagships and select mid-range smartphones. However, if you want to get your hands on new Android versions as soon as possible, the Pixel 7 series is still your best bet. You’ll also be first in the line to test out developer previews and beta versions of upcoming Android versions before most users.
To reiterate, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro boast five years of software support, which includes three years of Android OS updates and five years of monthly security updates. While Samsung offers one extra year of OS updates for select Galaxy phones, the Pixel 7 series is still your best bet to experience new Android versions as soon as possible.
The Pixel 7 starts at $699 but you can take advantage of these deals for some big savings. Also, don’t forget to grab a case for your shiny new phone.
The post How many software updates will the Google Pixel 7 series get? appeared first on XDA.
Today, Google announced its new Lock Screen widgets for iOS 16, which are now officially available. The widgets were announced last month and give quick access to some of its most popular apps. The widgets can also provide you with information at a glance. If you’ve never tried to customize your lock screen before, check out our in-depth guide on how to do it so that you can try some of the new widgets from Google.
One of the most significant benefits of having a Lock Screen is that you can set up different layouts for different times of the day. You can have one for work and one for personal use; it’s easy to switch between the two. As for the newly released Google Lock Screen widgets, several apps take advantage, like Search, Chrome, Drive, Google Maps, Gmail, and Google News.
Having access to Search straight from the Lock Screen allows you to search for something instantly using voice or typing it in. If you need to take things further, you can utilize the power of Google Lens and even do quick translations on the fly. With the Chrome Lock Screen widget, you can also initialize a search or use Incognito mode. Furthermore, if you want to play a quick game, pop into Chrome’s exclusive Dino Run game.
Sometimes it’s essential to have easy access to your files. With the Drive widget, you can access suggested files and folders and even continue working on a project from your computer. As for Maps, this widget is robust, offering real-time traffic updates, and can provide estimated travel times from home and work. As expected, the widget can also help navigate shops, restaurants, hotels, and more. With Gmail, the widget will show messages in your inbox and how many emails have arrived for each inbox category.
In addition, it has also implemented some entertainment widgets with YouTube and YouTube Music. You can tap to watch Shorts and new videos or search for a video right from the widget. You can also gain easy access to your favorite music, song, or artist with just one tap. Finally, Google News will offer real-time headlines, allowing users quick access to daily news worldwide. If this sounds interesting, it might be worth trying it out, so be sure to take a look.
Source: Google Blog
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Big screen TVs provide a lot of fun and great image quality, but imagine a TV the size of your entire wall. That’s precisely what VANKYO is offering with its latest Performance V700W projector. Movies can be enjoyed with a free 120-inch screen, providing excellent colors, a surround sound system, excellent connectivity features, a low price, and a compact form factor that’s easy to carry around, or mount anywhere you like. The projection size of the V700W is up to 224-inches, providing one of the largest areas that projectors can provide at this price range.
The VANKYO Performance V700W has an immersive, and beautiful screen. The projector features the latest LCD technology, providing an extensive range of colors and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. The image always looks clear, sharp, and pixel-perfect, thanks to the 1080p high-resolution screen.
The image will also always have the proper brightness, thanks to the 420 ANSI lumens that the projector can achieve. Your favorite movies, TV shows, and games will always stay crystal clear. The best thing is that the projector lets you set up just about everything you need using the remote, and it has several features to let you focus, change the keystone, and zoom features.
VANKYO also uses a low blue light emission to optimize the color performance in accordance with EIC 62471-S, further reducing the eye strain that bright displays can cause. The projector is certified by TÜV Rheinland, a leading independent testing company, to ensure that it meets industry-wide standards and protects the eyes from harmful lights.
The VANKYO Performance V700W is not only an excellent projector, but also a fantastic speaker. It comes equipped with a dual 5W speaker setup, supporting the Dolby Digital Plus standard, and providing an immersive 360-degree surround sound system. The built-in speakers are excellent for watching movies, your favorite TV shows, playing games, concerts, and listening to music. Action movies have never been more enjoyable than with the Performance V700W.
Of course, if you have a higher-end speaker setup, you’ll be able to hook them up and take advantage of the additional ports at your own convenience. Whether you prefer the AUX audio output or Bluetooth, VANKYO will have you covered. The device also supports Bidirectional Bluetooth 5.1, which enables you to connect your smartphones, iPad, extensive speakers setup, and just about any device you can think about.
The VANKYO Performance V700W is also built from environment-friendly materials. The company uses recycled cardboard, and the ink is made from plant-based ink derived from soybeans. The company says that its eco-friendly plans save about 564.5 grams on carbon emissions, compared to standard packages.
The VANKYO Performance V700W can be yours for only $299.99, which is a massive bang for your buck, especially when you consider all the additional features and high-quality screen you’re getting for your money. The Performance V700W provides features that can often only be found in competing devices, costing multiple times the value of this product.
If you’re looking for an excellent all-around projector that provides a 120-inch high-quality screen to enjoy your favorite movies, tv shows, and games, then you’re in luck. The VANKYO Performance V700W is one of the best devices in its price range.
The VANKYO Performance V700W also makes for an excellent present this coming holiday season, and the low price means it’s an ideal gift to give to your family members and friends. If you’re looking to gift something unique and truly immersive, the Performance V700W is one of the best home cinema experiences you can give at a low price.
We thank VANKYO for sponsoring this post.
The post VANKYO Performance V700W brings the cinema to your home with a truly immersive and massive display appeared first on XDA.
Today, SpaceX announced that it is expanding its satellite internet service to cover airplanes. The new service, Starlink Aviation, will launch next year and will offer speeds up to 350Mbps, which is quite a bit faster than what we currently see on commercial flights.
Starlink Aviation states on its website that it will be able to provide high-speed, low-latency, in-flight internet, something that is not all that common. With speeds up to 350Mbps, those traveling would be able to do a lot more than just check email and could easily use the service to watch streaming video, make video calls, and maybe even do some online gaming. At least that last one is what Starlink thinks could be accomplished with its service.
Since this is a satellite-based internet service, it states that it would be able to provide coverage anywhere around the world. Starlink’s low-profile Aero Terminal would be able to maximize its network with its “electronically steered phased array antenna,” which provides “new levels of reliability, redundancy, and performance.” Of course, this specialized antenna needs to be installed on the plane but the company states that it doesn’t require too much time. The kit will include the aforementioned terminal, a power supply, two wireless access points, and a harness.
While all of this sounds great, the kicker is that the service will cost anywhere from $12,500 to $25,000 per month. In addition to the monthly service fee, there will also be a one-time charge for hardware that will cost $150,000. I guess the silver lining here is that there are no long-term contracts involved, and all the plans offered include unlimited data. Furthermore, the company will guarantee the equipment for as long as you are subscribed to its service. Starlink is currently taking reservations, stating that it will launch in 2023.
Satellite service has been getting quite popular lately, with Amazon getting closer to launching its own satellites. T-Mobile has also partnered with SpaceX to launch its own service in 2023. Apple has also utilized the service in its latest iPhone 14 devices, making it possible to communicate with emergency services if in a remote area.
Source: SpaceX Starlink
Via: The Verge
The post SpaceX Starlink will now provide high-speed internet for planes, but it won’t be cheap appeared first on XDA.
Get ready to dig into Android 13! Google has officially started the update rollout via stable channel. For lucky owners of the Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 5a, Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, or Pixel 4a, you’ll also be among the first users to see what Android 13 QPR1 has to offer.
Alongside the supported Google Pixel devices, Android 13 is also available for a wide range of devices from different OEMs through Developer Preview programs.
This page will serve as a one-stop download index for every Android 13 build released by Google. We will keep the page updated with the latest OTAs and factory images for the supported Pixel smartphones. You can learn how to install Android 13 on Google Pixel smartphones and other devices by visiting our dedicated guide.
Navigate this page:
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the second beta build of Android 13 QPR1 from the index below:
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the first beta build of Android 13 QPR1 from the index below:
You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:
| Architecture | GSI Package |
|---|---|
| x86_64+GMS | Download Link |
| ARM64+GMS | Download Link |
| x86_64 | Download Link |
| ARM64 | Download Link |
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the latest stable Android 13 build with the October 2022 security patches from the index below:
| Device | OTA | Factory Image |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 4 | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 4 XL | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 4a | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 4a 5G | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 5 | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 5a | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 6 | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 6 Pro | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 6a | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 7 | Download Link: | Download Link: |
| Google Pixel 7 Pro | Download Link: | Download Link: |
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the stable Android 13 build with the September 2022 security patches from the index below:
| Device | OTA | Factory Image |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 4 | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 4 XL | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 4a | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 4a 5G | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 5 | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 5a | Download Link | Download Link |
| Google Pixel 6 | Download Link: | Download Link: |
| Google Pixel 6 Pro | Download Link: | Download Link: |
| Google Pixel 6a | Download Link | Download Link |
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the first stable Android 13 build with the August 2022 security patches from the index below:
You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:
| Architecture | GSI Package |
|---|---|
| x86_64+GMS | Download Link |
| ARM64+GMS | Download Link |
| x86_64 | Download Link |
| ARM64 | Download Link |
If you need to download older beta and/or Developer Preview builds, you can found them listed below:
It is worth mentioning that the beta/preview builds don’t have all the new software features you can associate with the final release of Android 13. To be precise, Google gave developers the chance to test their apps against new Android platform APIs months before the new Android version became available for the general public. Hence, the builds mentioned below are aimed at the developer community only and are not intended to be used by end-users.
Navigate this section:
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the beta 4.1 build of Android 13 from the index below:
You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:
| Architecture | GSI Package |
|---|---|
| x86_64+GMS | Download Link |
| ARM64+GMS | Download Link |
| x86_64 | Download Link |
| ARM64 | Download Link |
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the fourth and final beta build of Android 13 from the index below:
You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:
| Architecture | GSI Package |
|---|---|
| x86_64+GMS | Download Link |
| ARM64+GMS | Download Link |
| x86_64 | Download Link |
| ARM64 | Download Link |
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the beta 3.3 build of Android 13 from the index below:
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the beta 3.2 build of Android 13 from the index below:
You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:
| Architecture | GSI Package |
|---|---|
| x86_64+GMS | Download Link |
| ARM64+GMS | Download Link |
| x86_64 | Download Link |
| ARM64 | Download Link |
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the beta 3.1 build of Android 13 from the index below:
You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:
| Architecture | GSI Package |
|---|---|
| x86_64+GMS | Download Link |
| ARM64+GMS | Download Link |
| x86_64 | Download Link |
| ARM64 | Download Link |
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the third beta build of Android 13 from the index below:
You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:
| Architecture | GSI Package |
|---|---|
| x86_64+GMS | Download Link |
| ARM64+GMS | Download Link |
| x86_64 | Download Link |
| ARM64 | Download Link |
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the beta 2.1 build of Android 13 from the index below:
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the second beta build of Android 13 from the index below:
You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:
| Architecture | GSI Package |
|---|---|
| x86_64+GMS | Download Link |
| ARM64+GMS | Download Link |
| x86_64 | Download Link |
| ARM64 | Download Link |
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the first beta build of Android 13 from the index below:
You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:
| Architecture | GSI Package |
|---|---|
| x86_64+GMS | Download Link |
| ARM64+GMS | Download Link |
| x86_64 | Download Link |
| ARM64 | Download Link |
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the second Developer Preview build of Android 13 from the index below:
For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the first Developer Preview build of Android 13 from the index below:
Additionally, Google offers ready-to-use Android 13 beta system images under the Android Emulator in Android Studio. A beta for Android TV is available as well.
The post How to download Android 13 for Google Pixel and other Android devices appeared first on XDA.