LightBlog

lundi 25 novembre 2019

[Update: Official] Google Assistant’s new Ambient Mode starts rolling out

Update 1 (11/25/19 @ 11:58 PM ET): Google today confirmed that the Google Assistant‘s Ambient Mode will start rolling out to some devices. More details below. The original article follows.

At IFA this year, Google announced a new feature in the Google Assistant called Ambient Mode. This mode turns your Android smartphone or tablet into a smart display by showing information from your calendar, the current weather, your notifications, your reminders, music controls, and your smart home controls. You can even show photos from Google Photos, turning your smartphone or tablet into a digital photo frame. To save power, Ambient Mode is only active when your phone is charging or your tablet is docked.

Source: Google

When Google first announced the feature, they only made it available for two tablets, the Lenovo Smart Tab M8 HD and Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab, and two smartphones, the Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2. However, we’ve received tips that indicate the feature is seeing a broader release. At least two users with the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro have reported receiving the new Assistant Ambient Mode, and one user with the Nokia 6.1 on Reddit says they have the new mode.

Our first tipster who sent us these screenshots, XDA Senior Member abhishek987, told us that he saw a notification from the Google App to set it up, but he didn’t take screenshots of the setup process. When the feature goes live, you’ll be able to toggle it in Settings > Assistant > Say “Hey Google,” at least on Android 10. We’re not sure where the setting will appear on older Android devices since the new “Assistant” subsetting page seems to be exclusive to Android 10.

Update: Shortly after publishing this article, a user in our Discord group said they received Ambient Mode on their Nokia 6.1 Plus. A user on Reddit also reports seeing the mode on their POCOPhone F1, and they also shared more screenshots of the setup. Lastly, Reddit user with the Nokia 6.1 left a comment on this article stating that, on Android 9 Pie, Ambient Mode can be toggled in Google App Settings > Assistant > Devices (Phone).

If you see Google Assistant’s new Ambient Mode in settings, let us know below!

Featured image credits: Google


Update 1: Officially Rolling Out

Google published a YouTube video outlining the new Ambient Mode in Google Assistant. The video states that “this experience will be available on select devices on Android O and above.” Google says Ambient Mode is “deeply integrated” into the Android OS, but it’s unclear what that means. The video says the feature will be available on Android 8.0 Oreo and above, and according to Ron Amadeo from ArsTechnica, that includes only devices from Sony, Nokia, Xiaomi, and “Transsion.” The rollout begins next week with an update to the Google App.

The post [Update: Official] Google Assistant’s new Ambient Mode starts rolling out appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2NPOBTt
via IFTTT

How to get the Pixel Launcher with overview text and image selection on any rooted Android 10 device

When Google switched up the Overview screen in Android P they introduced a new feature called “Smart Selection.” Basically, switching the Pixel Launcher Overview to horizontal scrolling cards with high-resolution previews allowed OCR (optical character recognition) to work on them. You can literally select text and images from what is essentially a screenshot of the last state of the app. Unfortunately, Google limited this feature to the Pixel 2 and newer Pixel devices.

Of course, these limitations are easily broken if you’re willing to do a little modding. You can get text and image selection working on the Pixel Launcher Overview screen on any rooted Android 10 device with the QuickSwitch Magisk Module and a few other tricks. Thanks to XDA Senior Member remewer, if you already have a rooted Android 10 device with Magisk (20.1+), the setup process is pretty simple.

  1. Install the Pixel Launcher APK (found here) but do not set it as your default launcher.
  2. Open the Magisk Manager and search for the QuickSwitch module.
  3. Install the module and reboot your phone.
  4. Open QuickSwitch and select Pixel Launcher as the Recents provider. Reboot your phone.
  5. Set Pixel Launcher as your default launcher.
  6. Install the Device Personalization Services Magisk module (found here). Reboot your phone.
  7. Open the Pixel Launcher settings and select Suggestions and enable both options.
  8. That’s it!

Pixel Launcher with Overview Selection on the OnePlus 6

Read More about this mode in the OnePlus 6 Forums

The post How to get the Pixel Launcher with overview text and image selection on any rooted Android 10 device appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2QNDHj0
via IFTTT

Huawei Announces Black Friday Deals for HUAWEI Watch GT, HUAWEI P30 lite and HUAWEI FreeLace

It is time to start planning your Black Friday purchases as companies begin to announce their sales and specials. Today HUAWEI announced their planned sales which include three of their products being discounted starting the day after Thanksgiving. The products going on sale include the HUAWEI WATCH GT, HUAWEI P30 lite and HUAWEI FreeLace.

HUAWEI WATCH GT

The HUAWEI WATCH GT was announced early in 2019 and features a classic style and rich smart watch features. With many fitness and wellness tracking capabilities, the watch will make for a great Black Friday special. One of the most notable features is a long lasting battery life that overcomes one of the more frustrating aspects of most smart watches.

The HUAWEI WATCH GT uses an innovative dual-engine and smart power-saving architecture that allows it to switch between performance and efficiency modes depending on the user’s activity, maximizing battery life. HUAWEI spent a lot of time on the ceramic bezel design which is combined with a stainless steel shell and DLC (Diamond-like Carbon) coating. The watch is optimized for tracking indoor and outdoor fitness activities including running, exercise, mountain climbing, cycling and open water swimming. Use the HUAWEI TruSeen™ 3.0 heart rate monitoring technology to track your activities and heart rate throughout the day.

HUAWEI P30 lite

Another one of HUAWEI’s products getting the Black Friday treatment is the HUAWEI P30 lite. This low-cost phone offers high-end photography features including a 48MP AI camera and premium design. Use the AI photography mode to capture professional quality photos manipulating light and motion to get the perfect shot. The phone is available in Midnight Black, Peacock Blue and Pearl White.

HUAWEI FreeLace

With its intelligent connectivity, outstanding audio and long-lasting battery life, HUAWEI FreeLace offers an unmatched audio experience. Together with HUAWEI HiPair, HUAWEI FreeLace can easily be paired with and fast charged by Huawei smartphones by simply plugging into the device. It is available in Graphite Black, Amber Sunrise, Emerald Green and Moonlight Silver.

Black Friday Deals

Starting from Friday November 25th – December 1st, shoppers will have the opportunity to enjoy the Black Friday discounts on the below products.

Deals by Country:

United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia

The post Huawei Announces Black Friday Deals for HUAWEI Watch GT, HUAWEI P30 lite and HUAWEI FreeLace appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2QMadlP
via IFTTT

Black Friday Deals – The Very Best Sales on Phones & Other Tech

Black Friday 2019 is very quickly approaching, maybe faster than some people would like. Nowadays, “Black Friday” is basically just a meaningless phrase we use for sales that take place all month. Some of the best sales are from tech companies and electronics stores. We’ll be compiling all of the best deals on smartphones and other gadgets right here. So grab your credit card and get ready to click that BUY button!

Key: Original Price –> Discounted Price

Note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. Using affiliate links is an easy way to help support XDA at no cost to yourself. Thanks!

Amazon

Amazon is obviously a very popular place to go for Black Friday deals. It can be a little overwhelming. Here’s the Amazon landing page for Smartphones & Accessories deals. These deals are constantly cycling, so you’re limited to what’s available when you visit the page. Check it throughout the month and you’ll probably stumble across some great deals.

Chromebooks

If you’re looking specifically for a Chromebook this Holiday season, Black Friday is a great time to buy one. We’ve compiled some of the best deals on popular Chromebooks below.

OnePlus

OnePlus is known for having good prices on phones all year long, but they’re no stranger to dropping prices even lower for Black Friday. This year they have minimal discounts on phones and some great accessory steals. Visit OnePlus’ Black Friday page for deals.

Google Store

Google usually goes all out on sales around the Holiday season, sometimes to the dismay of early adopters. This year they have practically their entire hardware line on sale, including the new Pixel 4 series. Google’s Black Friday deals go live on November 28th.

Google Fi

Google Fi is offering 50% off in the form of Google Fi credits on the Pixel 4 series. That means if you buy a Pixel 4 or Pixel 4 XL, half of the price you pay will go towards your monthly bill credits. You don’t save any money upfront like at the Google Store, but you will save more over time.

Motorola

Motorola focuses mainly on the budget phone market, so they are big on sales. This year, they have several options if you’re looking to get multiple phones. You can get a free Moto G6 by many any one of several devices. Motorola sales can be found here.

Best Buy

Being one of the largest electronics retailers in the US, Best Buy goes hard for Black Friday. You can find a deal on pretty much anything you might be interested in buying. Best Buy has deals on many top of the line Android phones, Samsung wearables, tons of smart home devices, and more. If you want to buy from one place, Best Buy is a good choice.

Smartphones (full list of deals)

Wearables (full list of deals)

Smart Home & Networking (full list of deals)

Tablets & TV (full list of deals, Page 2)

Walmart

Walmart may not be known for electronics like Best Buy is, but they also have a massive stock of deals. They don’t has as many smartphone sales to choose from, but you’ll find great deals on Chromebooks, tablets, and streaming media devices.

Chromebooks & Tablets

Smartphones & Wearable

Smart Home

TV & Streaming

Newegg

Newegg is one of the best lesser-known electronics outlets on the internet. They don’t have the large library like Best Buy, but you’ll find some sneaky good deals here. Newegg’s full page of Black Friday deals.

Smart Home & Networking

Smartphones & Headphones

Miscellaneous

Costco

People love Costco for their good prices year round, so when Black Friday comes around the sales are even better. You may not think of Costco as an electronics retailer, but they have a pretty good selection. If you’re looking for a Samsung phone or smartwatch, especially, they have some nice deals this year.

The post Black Friday Deals – The Very Best Sales on Phones & Other Tech appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2s2vltG
via IFTTT

Become a Cloud Computing Expert With This AWS Training, Now Under $30

Over time, more and more apps are being hosted in the cloud. If you want to start a technical career, it makes sense to learn how the technology works. The AWS Certified Architect Developer Bundle 2019 provides the ideal starting point, with 51 hours of training working towards official Amazon certificates. For this week only, you can pick up the bundle for just $29.75 when you use code BFSAVE15 at the XDA Developers Depot.

Used by the likes of Adobe, Hitachi, Netflix, and NASA, Amazon Web Services is one of the most popular cloud computing platforms right now. Certified developers are constantly in demand, and many earn six figures. This bundle helps you jump into this lucrative niche, with seven video courses.

Through concise video lessons, you take a tour of the AWS platform before diving into the code. Along the way, you discover how to develop and maintain cloud apps, host data online, and create the ideal workflow.

The bundle also helps you work towards the official AWS Certified Developer Associate and AWS Certified Solution Architect exams. These certificates will make any technical résumé stand out.

They are worth $984.93, but you get all seven courses now for $29.75 with the code.

 
AWS Certified Architect Developer Bundle 2019 – $29.75 w/ code BFSAVE15

See Deal

Prices subject to change

Don’t wait for Black Friday—you can get these top-sellers at deep discounts today!

The post Become a Cloud Computing Expert With This AWS Training, Now Under $30 appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2sb654o
via IFTTT

Huawei MatePad Pro tablet launched in China

Android tablets are a dying breed, but there are a number of OEMs trying to keep it alive by spinning innovations of their own. Among these OEMs is Samsung, with its Galaxy Tab line, and Huawei, which is still putting out new flagship devices despite the hardships they’re currently going through. Earlier this year, we saw Huawei launch their MediaPad M6, which was equipped with a flagship-grade Kirin 980 processor as well as other flagship specifications. Now, the company has unveiled that tablet’s successor, the MatePad Pro.

Huawei MatePad Pro

With the MatePad Pro, Huawei wants to take on the similarly named iPad Pro from Apple. And this is evidenced not just in the name, but also in its specs and physical design features. For starters, the MatePad Pro, as previously leaked, greatly reduces bezels, just like the newer iPad Pro models, and, in turn, greatly improves the screen-to-body ratio. Huawei is touting a 90% figure, in fact. But while the iPad Pro features Face ID hardware in that reduced bezel, Huawei skips on that kind of technology and goes for a cornered punch-hole display similar to the one found in other Huawei/Honor devices, such as the Honor 20 line.

The tablet is powered by Huawei’s Kirin 990 processor, which is the same SoC found in the Huawei Mate 30 lineup and, as of the time of writing, also one of the most powerful mobile SoCs out there. And if you’re guessing, yes, this won’t have Google apps and services because of US trade restrictions–although it is probably not being launched outside of China anyway, and in China, this is not a big deal as no phones come with Google services whatsoever.

It’s launching in its home market of China on December 12th and will start at CNY 3,299 (roughly $470) for the base model with 6 GB RAM/128 GB storage. If this were to see a global release with Google services, which isn’t likely at least for the time being, it would definitely battle the likes of Apple and Samsung competitors at a much more affordable price point.

How do you like Huawei’s newest tablet?


Source: Weibo

The post Huawei MatePad Pro tablet launched in China appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/33ksJUM
via IFTTT

MediaTek is making 5G modems for PCs in partnership with Intel

Earlier this year in May, Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek announced a new 7nm 5G SoC with a Helio M70 modem, ARM Cortex-A77 CPU, and Mali-G77 GPU. The new 5G SoC from the company is the first chipset to feature a 5G modem on-die, rather than having a discreet modem like the Snapdragon 855 or the Exynos 9820. While the chipset is yet to make an appearance on a production smartphone, it may soon land in the next generation of Intel-powered PCs.

MediaTek has today announced a partnership with Intel to bring the new 5G modems to PCs. As part of the partnership, Intel has already started work on a 5G solution for key consumer and commercial laptops. MediaTek, on the other hand, is further developing its 5G modem and working with partners to manufacture the solution. According to a press release, Dell and HP are expected to be the first OEMs to ship laptops with Intel and MediaTek’s new 5G solution, with the rollout scheduled for early 2021.

Speaking of the partnership, MediaTek’s President Joe Chen was quoted as saying, “Our 5G modem for PCs, developed in partnership with Intel, is integral to making 5G accessible and available across home and mobile platforms…5G will usher in the next era of PC experiences, and working with Intel, an industry leader in computing, highlights MediaTek’s expertise in designing 5G technology for global markets. With this partnership, consumers will be able to browse, stream and game faster on their PCs, be we also expect them to innovate with 5G in ways we have not yet imagined.” As mentioned earlier, the new 5G modem for PCs is based, in part, on MediaTek’s Helio M70 5G modem.

The post MediaTek is making 5G modems for PCs in partnership with Intel appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2pSDsZ8
via IFTTT