Tag: android

YouTube rolls out new design with better features

A new look, a pinch-to-zoom function, precise seeking, new buttons, ambient mode, and a dark option that is “much darker” are all part of YouTube’s interface update unveiled on Monday.

The changes will be gradually rolled out to all users.

Users of iOS and Android devices may zoom in on videos on YouTube using the new pinch-to-zoom function to see additional information. In August, Premium members had access to this functionality as a test.

Users will be able to quickly locate a certain segment in a video with precise seeking. Users can drag the cursor or slide up on the video to see a row of thumbnails on both desktop and mobile devices. Users can utilise this to locate the precise place in the video they need to revisit.

The new version of YouTube includes a feature called “ambient mode” that uses “dynamic colour sampling” to match the background colour of the app to the colours in the video being watched. In the official blog post, YouTube’s UX Director Nate Koechley wrote.

According to what we gather, the new impact is extremely modest and only intended for aesthetics. The idea is to engage the audience and draw attention to our watch page, Koechley continued.

With YouTube’s dark theme, ambient mode will be accessible on both desktop and mobile devices. Additionally, video playlists will have it available.

New buttons under videos are among the extra modifications. We will soon see buttons in place of video links in the video description, reducing distractions. Furthermore getting updated and exhibited in a smaller size are the like, share, and subscribe buttons.

October 25, 2022
Google to launch its Android Earthquake Alerts System in Pakistan

Google has announced the launch of its “Android Earthquake Alerts System” in Pakistan, which will send automatic early warning alerts that help people be prepared for an emergency.

“Android Earthquake Alerts System is a no-cost, helpful android feature that detects earthquakes around the world and alerts people. It uses sensors in Android smartphones,” said Google in a statement.

“When people look up ‘earthquake’ or ‘earthquake near me’, they will find relevant results, along with helpful resources on what to do after an earthquake,” the statement further added.

“Pakistan has experienced several earthquakes in the past, especially in the northern and western parts of the country. With the expansion of this earthquake alerts system, android users in Pakistan may receive automatic early warning alerts that help them be prepared for an emergency.”

“One feature titled ‘Be Aware’ alerts people when earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.5 occur, or an intensity level of 3 or 4 on the MMI scale. The notification is sent along with the distance of the earthquake’s epicentre. The alert uses the phone’s current volume, vibration, and Do Not Disturb settings.”

The Android Earthquake Alerts System was initially launched in New Zealand and Greece.

July 20, 2022
WhatsApp now lets you hide profile photo, last seen from specific contacts

Last year, the Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp began developing a new privacy setting that would allow users to hide their profile photos, last seen, and about information from specific people in their contact lists.

It was only available for beta version users, but the company has now announced that it will be accessible to all iPhone and Android users worldwide.

Users can now show their WhatsApp profile photo, last seen, and About information to anyone in their contacts list except those they choose to keep out.

Previously, users could choose between three privacy settings for their profile photo, last seen, and About information: Everyone, My Contacts, and Nobody. According to GSM Arena, these are met by a third alternative named ‘My contacts except…,’ which can also be used for Status privacy.

However, just like read receipts, if someone doesn’t share their last seen with others, they won’t be able to see others. The only difference is that the latter will always remain operational for group chats, even if they’ve turned it off.

To test this new privacy control, users can go to WhatsApp’s Settings > Account > Privacy menu on an iPhone or Android device.

WhatsApp also announced some group calling features, including the ability to mute others during a group call and send messages to particular users, in addition to new privacy control. When someone joins a group call off-screen, a banner appears.

The latest WhatsApp beta update also includes an admin approval feature, which allows group admins to accept or deny requests from people who want to join via hyperlink.

June 20, 2022
WhatsApp’s new update will support group voice call with up to 32 participants

In the last few months, the popular Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has made news by adding new and widely requested features in its Beta releases.

Many other features, including enhanced file sharing size, emoji reactions, and the ability to hide last seen from select contacts, will be available in the live release of the app soon, according to the business.

As per reports, WhatsApp has begun rolling out a new update for iOS that includes support for 32-person talks, a redesigned call user interface, waveforms, and other enhancements. On iOS, the update will be available in the live build of WhatsApp.

Until now, WhatsApp users had been able to make group phone calls with numerous people at once. Previously, a group voice discussion could only hold up to eight people, but WhatsApp is now rolling out a new version that allows up to 32 individuals to join.

In WhatsApp Groups, voice calls with up to 32 participants would be possible. To accommodate the new members, the platform has changed the way participants are displayed on the screen. Different WhatsApp users are labeled using waveform pictures.

Read more: Google to ban call recording apps in the next update

This new capability is included in the update version 22.8.80, which is 109.7MB in size for iOS devices. Android users will get a similar upgrade with these additional features in the near future, but it will not be available on the windows or desktop version.

April 23, 2022
Emoji reactions for Whatsapp messages coming soon

The Meta-owned Whatsapp is currently testing an ‘emoji react’ feature, initially in the Beta version for android devices. As per a credible resource, reaction Emojis have already started to appear in the Beta application for developers or users to test it.

In the Beta version, holding a received message allows users to react with one of six Emojis which comprises: thumbs up, crying, laughter, love, shocked face, and folded hands as an alternative of saying ‘thanks’.

It seems like the most popular messenger with billions of users will be rolling out the feature on Android phones in the first phase. However, there is no official date announced by Meta regarding its introduction but the testing pace says it all.

The new feature will significantly enhance its usability, letting users immediately respond to messages instead of accessing the keyboard every time.

Besides the ongoing testing for Android devices, there are signs that the emoji reactions are also on the way for iOS devices. A few months ago, the iOS Beta version was upgraded with a feature that consisted of a toggle to enable or disable reaction notifications.

Previously a number of messaging and social media platforms have introduced emoji reactions including Instagram, Facebook Messenger, Google Messages, iMessage, and most surprisingly the Twitter DMs.

March 26, 2022
VIVO to launch its first-ever tablet by next month

The smartphone maker ‘vivo’ has finally revealed that it is launching its first tablet in the next month. Two of its products including vivo X Note and vivo X Fold were already expected to launch in the coming days.

A new feature offered in the upcoming tablet is that it will have stylus support, which will be the company’s first-ever pointing tool.

The device itself will be equipped with an 8 MP front camera and dual cameras at the back with 13 MP and 8 MP modules, accompanied by a LED flash.

It will be offered with a Bluetooth magnetic keyboard, however, it is hard to say if the company will include it in the box, as it seems like an additional accessory. The vivo pad comprises four speakers for an enhanced audio experience with two microphones on the top and right.

Coming towards the operating system (OS), the pad is likely to use vivo’s Ocean OS, with the latest android underneath. Keeping in view the leaked renders, the pad is likely to have an 11-inch O-LED display with Dolby Vision for crisp and vibrant visuals, linked to Dolby Atmos for an excellent audio surround.

As per many credible reports, the Pad will most probably launch within a month. Hopefully, we may get to know about all of its key features in the coming days or at vivo’s upcoming launch event.

March 25, 2022
WhatsApp will stop working on selected iPhones, Android devices from 2021

Facebook-owned messaging app WhatsApp has announced that it will end support on some old Android and iOS smartphones from 2021.

As per reports, WhatsApp is ending support for Android phones and iPhones that run on a dated operating system. The app will stop working on smartphones that are not running on at least iOS 9 or Android 4.0.3 operating systems.

The iPhone models include all iPhone 4 and earlier models. However, if you have iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6S, you will have to update your phone to iOS 9 or later if you want to continue using WhatsApp.

The iPhone 6S, 6 Plus, and iPhone SE first generation can be updated to iOS 14.

Similary, Android phones that do not have Android 4.0.3 will lose access to WhatsApp. This includes models like HTC Desire, LG Optimus Black, Motorola Droid Razr, the Samsung Galaxy S2 and some other Android phones.

Some users may still continue to access WhatsApp on their older smartphones as their operating systems may have received a patch with an update

How to check the operating system running on your phone?

In order to find out what operating system your phone is running on, iPhone users can go to Settings > General > Information, where you will find information about the software version on your iPhone.

On the other hand, Android users can go to Settings > About Phone to see which Android version their smartphone is running on.

December 16, 2020
All about the new, upcoming OnePlus 8T
The OnePlus has finally launched 8T variant with features like improved 65W fast charging, 120 Hz refresh rate of the display and improved design.

Design and Display

The 8T has a flat display panel unlike the base OnePlus 8 and has thinner surrounding bezels as well. It has a 6.55-inch AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution, but increased refresh rate to 120Hz akin to the 8 Pro. The cornered punch-hole and the in-display fingerprint sensor is still there.

The back now has a large L shaped camera set up in a rectangular housing similar to Huawei’s P40 series.
Storage and processing power

OnePlus 8T has installed its flagship Snapdragon 865 with the same storage configurations going up to 12GB RAM and 256GB.

There is no memory card slot for storage expansion. The device will boot Andriod 11 with Oxygen OS 11 which will let you upgrade to newer Android versions for the next 3-4 years. It is commendable because many smartphones get slower after three to four android updates.

Camera

The installed camera setup is virtually the same, but they have added 2 megapixels (MP) depth sensor. Rest of the cameras are the same: 48MP primary lens, a 16 MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. An ultra-zoom lens is still missing in this variant.

The finest improvement is 4,500 mAh power cell that can be charged from 0 to 100% in just 40 minutes. This is one of the biggest improvements that the 8T brings is fast charging. It has a 4,500 mAh power cell that can be charged from 0 to 100% in just 40 minutes thanks to 65W fast charging.

The OnePlus 8T will be available in Aquamarine Green and Lunar Silver colour options once it goes for sale on October 23 for $750.
October 15, 2020
Google creates earthquake alert system using Android Operating System

Google is using its huge Android Operating System (OS) to create a worldwide earthquake alert system. This will create the world’s biggest earthquake detection network.

If you sign up for the new initiative, your Android phone will become a mini-seismometer using the built-in accelerometer, and the system will eventually warn people of earthquakes.

Google is working with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to send alerts to Android users in California. This new earthquake detection system is based upon the existing alert system that uses signals from 700 different seismometers.

“The public infrastructure to detect and alert everyone about an earthquake is costly to build and deploy. We saw an opportunity to use Android to provide people with timely, helpful earthquake information when they search, as well as a few seconds warning to get themselves and their loved ones to safety.”

Marc Stogaitis, the Software Engineer at Android

Google will gradually roll out earthquake alerts to more states in the US and then to other countries around the world. Since every smartphone has an accelerometer, they can detect signals that can indicate an imminent earthquake.

Once a phone detects an earthquake, it will send location data to Google to point out where the earthquake took place. Google will then use data from numerous devices to determine the epicentre of the earthquake. Google hopes to make its earthquake data more accurate and will eventually release it for Google Search as well when people look up earthquakes.

The update for earthquake detection will be rolled out using Google Mobile Services (GMS), meaning that a full OS update will not be required. It also means that phones without GMS such as Huawei phones will not receive the feature.

August 12, 2020
Ready for the most exciting phone of 2020?
Samsung’s second fordable phone Galaxy Z Flip is not like its predecessors. The company unveiled this art piece with the most awaited flagship series of the Galaxy S20.

Design and Display

Apart from its foldability feature, Galaxy Z has unique hinge, perhaps the strongest clamshell folding device. However, it is also reported that it is a little harder to open it as compared to its predecessor (Galaxy Fold).

Colors

It is available for sale in Mirror Purple, Mirror Black and Mirror Gold colors. The smartphone is also launched in a Thom Browne edition, featuring the designer’s signature stripes.

Internal features and Storage

The smartphone is powered by Snapdragon 855+ with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. However, it does not have any storage expansion options. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip runs on One UI 2.1 based Android 10 OS.

Cameras

At the back, the smartphone features a dual-sensor rear camera with 12 MP regular wide sensor and a 12 MP ultra-wide sensor. On the front, it is equipped with 10 MP single sensor for selfies.

Battery and Pricing

It is equipped with two batteries that, when combined, total 3300 mAh. The smartphone surprisingly also supports wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip complete specifications
- CPU: Octa-core (2×2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver)
- GPU: Adreno 616
- Chipset: Qualcomm SDM855+ Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)
- OS: Android 10.0; One UI 2.0
- Networks: 2G, 3G, 45, LTE;
- Display:
  - AMOLED, 6.7 inches, 2636 x 1080 pixels resolution, 22:9 aspect ratio + 1.1″, Super AMOLED, 112 x 300 pixels resolution
- Memory:
  - RAM: 8 GB
  - Internal: 256 GB
  - Card slot: No
- Camera:
  - Primary: 12 MP +12 MP
  - Secondary: 10 MP
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB Type-C
- Fingerprint scanner: Side-mounted
- Battery: 3300 mAh
- Price: $1380
It is still unclear that when this device will be launched in Pakistan.
February 12, 2020