Forums are open for the Xiaomi Mi 10 series, Huawei P40 series, and OnePlus 8 series

Despite everything that has happened during the past 4 weeks, February and March were exciting months for the smartphone ecosystem. First, we saw Xiaomi announce (both in China and for the global market) their newest flagship smartphones, the Xiaomi Mi 10 and its Pro variant, with bleeding-edge hardware, a very capable camera, and equally steep pricing, alongside the Mi 10 Lite, a mid-range smartphone with support for 5G connectivity. Then, Huawei took the stage in an online event to announce the Huawei P40 series, which, in the case of the P40 Pro, raised the camera bar even higher once again and brought a revolutionary quad curved panel — which also greatly reduced bezels. We’re also expecting the announcement of the OnePlus 8 series, OnePlus’ newest flagship lineup, very soon.

If you’re interested in getting into modding any of these high-end phones, you now can: we’ve opened forums for the Xiaomi Mi 10, the Mi 10 Pro, and the Mi 10 Lite, as well as forums for the Huawei P40, P40 Pro, and P40 Pro+.

Xiaomi

XDA Forums: Xiaomi Mi 10 || Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro || Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite

Here, you’ll be able to find all kinds of upcoming development projects for these phones and, in the case of the Xiaomi smartphones (the Huawei phones don’t have unlockable bootloaders), you can also check out developments such as custom ROMs, kernels, rooting, and much more.

Huawei

XDA Forums: Huawei P40 || Huawei P40 Pro || Huawei P40 Pro+

We’ve also opened up forums for both the OnePlus 8 and the OnePlus 8 Pro, which you can use right now as a place to discuss and speculate about OnePlus’ upcoming flagships, and you’ll be able to use them as development forums when the time for that arrives. The devices are expected to launch very soon.

OnePlus

XDA Forums: OnePlus 8 || OnePlus 8 Pro

Be sure to stop by and check them out!

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Google Lens tests a new “Education” mode for homework help and prepares to add offline translation support

Google Lens is Google’s image recognition service that delivers information from Google search based on whatever you’re pointing your camera at. Last May, Google redesigned the Android version of the service by splitting the UI into 5 different scanning modes: Translate, Text, Search, Shopping, and Dining. In version 11.3.7.29 of the Google App, the app that contains the Lens service, we discovered that Google is working on a sixth service: Education. We also learned that Google is preparing to allow you to use Lens’ Translate mode while offline.

An APK teardown can often predict features that may arrive in a future update of an application, but it is possible that any of the features we mention here may not make it in a future release. This is because these features are currently unimplemented in the live build and may be pulled at any time by the developers in a future build.

Offline Translations

New strings in Google App 11.3.7.29 reveal that you’ll be able to download language packs so you can translate text using Lens without an Internet connection. The strings do not reveal which languages will be supported, but you’ll likely be able to download most of the languages that Google Lens already supports. Notably, the Google Translate app supports offline translation in its “Camera” mode, which is functionally very similar to the Translate mode in Lens.

<string name="lens_translate_cancel_language_pack_download_dialog">Cancel download of the %1$s offline package?</string>
<string name="lens_translate_cancel_language_pack_no">No</string>
<string name="lens_translate_cancel_language_pack_yes">Yes</string>
<string name="lens_translate_download_language_pack_dialog">Translate even when you are offline by downloading the %1$s translation file (%2$s)</string>
<string name="lens_translate_download_language_pack_dialog_title">Translate %1$s offline</string>
<string name="lens_translate_download_language_pack_tooltip">Tap to download offline translations</string>
<string name="lens_translate_download_language_pack_yes">Download</string>
<string name="lens_translate_remove_language_pack_dialog">If you remove this offline translation file, this language will be unavailable for offline translation.</string>
<string name="lens_translate_remove_language_pack_yes">Remove</string>
<string name="lens_translate_space_remaining_dialog">%1$s storage available</string>

Education Mode

Next up is a new “Education” mode that we managed to briefly surface. The description for this “Education” mode informs the user to “point at [a] homework question to get help.” We weren’t able to test this feature, sadly, but a brief analysis at the Google App’s code reveals you’ll be able to use the Education mode to scan math problems. We don’t know if Education mode will support complex math problems, though.

You can download the latest version of the Google Lens service by grabbing the latest beta version of the Google App. The Lens application from the Google Play Store is simply a shortcut to launch the service rather than a standalone app.

Google (Free, Google Play) →

Google Lens (Free, Google Play) →

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Thanks to PNF Software for providing us a license to use JEB Decompiler, a professional-grade reverse engineering tool for Android applications.

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Microsoft is launching a Family Safety app and Microsoft Teams for consumers

Microsoft had a number of announcements to make today, some of which will make their way over to Android. The biggest news is the rebranding of Microsoft Office 365 to simply “Microsoft 365.” With that name change comes a number of new features that will be available when the new plans launch next month.

Microsoft 365 will be available in two subscription plans: Personal and Family. These new plans will replace the existing Office 365 plans for consumers. Along with the name change comes a couple of additions. First, Microsoft Family Safety is an app to allow families to share their location, manage screen time, and more.

Microsoft Family Safety is similar to many popular apps used by families. It combines several features that parents can use to keep tabs on their kids’ various activities. Parents can get information about screen time and even see how that time is broken down by device, including Windows, Android, and Xbox. Limits can be created for viewing times and for content based on age restrictions.

Location sharing is another feature of Microsoft Family Safety. Everyone in the family can see when people arrive at locations such as home, school, and work. You can set up notifications to know when someone arrives or leaves a location. The app can even give out driving reports, which could be useful for new drivers in the family.

Next up is Microsoft Teams for consumers. Teams has primarily been for businesses while Skype is the consumer-focused option, but that’s changing in Microsoft 365. Microsoft Teams for consumers has many of the features you’d expect from a group chat app, including video calls, but also handy things like to-do list sharing and more. The company is positioning Teams to be a tool for people planning things together.

Microsoft 365 will also bring more features to Office users. The company’s powerful AI-powered Editor will be available to anyone who subscribes to Microsoft 365. This feature is basically a more advanced version of Grammarly. Subscribers will get access to a rewrite feature than can rephrase an entire sentence. The tool also includes a plagiarism checker to help students to cite sources in research papers.

Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions will be available starting on April 21st. The Personal plan costs $6.99 per month, while the Family plan (up to six people) costs $9.99 per month. Some of these new features will be available first in preview and others will roll out over the coming months.

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Source: Microsoft

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Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) starts getting its One UI 2.0 update based on Android 10

A quad-rear camera setup is not exclusive to the flagship segment anymore, as current-gen affordable mid-rangers like the Realme 6 series and the Redmi Note 9 (Pro) lineup carry it as well. Samsung actually kickstarted the trend of incorporating four individual rear camera sensors with the release of the Galaxy A9 back in 2018. In terms of software, the phone was launched with Samsung Experience 9.0 on top of Android 8.0 Oreo, though an update to Android 9 Pie was released for the device around a year ago. Cut to now, Samsung has started rolling out the Android 10 update to the Galaxy A9 (2018) with One UI 2.0.

At the time of this article’s publication, the Android 10 firmware, tagged as A920FXXU3CTCD, is available in Poland for the global variant of the phone (model number SM-A920F). The Korean OEM is practically ahead of their own schedule, as this particular device was scheduled to receive the Android 10 update in April. The arrival of the One UI 2.0 on the Galaxy A6 (2018) as well as on the Galaxy A7 (2018) earlier this month did suggest the same might happen for the Galaxy A9 (2018). Samsung has done a wonderful job of providing major software updates to the phone.

The Android Security Patch Level (SPL) of this build is March 2020, albeit Samsung has already delivered the April 2020 patches to the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 lineup. The bootloader version remains the same (v3) as the last Android Pie-based build, which makes it possible to downgrade via manual flashing.

Neither the full changelog nor the kernel source code corresponding to the update is available as of now. The OTA is rolling out in batches, but you can skip the queue and download the new firmware package directly from the Samsung update server using tools like Frija. It is worth mentioning that both the Korean and Chinese variants of the phone, with the respective model numbers SM-A920N and SM-A9200, are still running Android 9 Pie, and the current build might not be compatible with them.

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Telegram 6.0 adds Chat Folders to help you organize your groups and channels

Current events have put us in a situation where communication over the Internet has become a necessity. There are countless apps you can use when it comes to messaging, but one of the most popular options is Telegram. It has tons of features and gains new abilities on a regular basis. This week, Telegram is getting Chat Folders and a few other goodies.

Chat Folders is part of Telegram 6.0, which is rolling out to users today. The feature is pretty much what you would expect: you can group conversations into folders. You can organize your folders any way you’d like, plus there are some additional features. You can have all chats with unread messages automatically added to a folder. Folders can also have an unlimited number of pinned chats.

In the mobile app, Chat Folders are shown in tabs that can be easily swiped between. On the desktop, folders are shown in the sidebar. Also, as you would expect, folders sync between devices, so if you create one on your phone it will appear on the desktop as well. Chat Folders will be enabled when you reach a certain number of chats, or you can manually enable it in the settings.

Rounding out Telegram 6.0, the app is getting channel statistics, new animated emojis, and a new animation when recording voice or video messages. Statistics are available for any channel over 1,000 followers. Telegram has included some coronavirus-themed emoji and sticker packs. One emoji they are particularly proud of is a rolling dice, which can be used as a tiebreaker in chats. The update is rolling out for all users starting today.

Telegram (Free, Google Play) →

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Source: Telegram

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[Update: Correct renders] Motorola Moto G8 Power Lite leaks with basically the same design as the Moto G Power

Update (3/30/20 @ 11:10 AM ET): Roland Quandt has shared the correct images of the Moto G8 Power Lite.

Motorola’s G series of budget and mid-range smartphones have been a fan favorite ever since the company launched the original Moto G back in 2013. The company has since launched well over 20 devices as part of the Moto G series, with the Moto G Power and Moto G Stylus joining the lineup early last month. The latest devices in the Moto G family feature decidedly mid-range specifications, with a Snapdragon 665 SoC, 4GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of internal storage. Now, Motorola seems to have taken some inspiration from other smartphone manufacturers and is launching a “lite” version of the Moto G Power (previously referred to as the Moto G8 Power).

Motorola Moto G8 Power Lite. pic.twitter.com/4WiKSWG4eX

— Roland Quandt (still going to Not-MWC) (@rquandt) March 3, 2020

Images of the upcoming Motorola Moto G8 Power Lite have now surfaced online, thanks to renowned leakster Roland Quandt (@rquandt).  The images reveal that the upcoming device features basically the same design as the Moto G Power, with a triple camera setup on the back, a capacitive fingerprint scanner with the Motorola logo, and a hole-punch display with a single cutout for the selfie camera.

Motorola One Mid
-Snapdragon 675
-6.53″ 2340×1080 display
-4000mAh battery

Motorola Moto G8 Power Lite (who comes up with these names?)
-MediaTek Helio P35 (mt6765)
-5000mAh battery

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) February 25, 2020

The images also reveal that the device will feature a headphone jack on the bottom edge, along with what looks like a micro USB port for charging and data syncing. As far as the specifications are concerned, the Moto G8 Power Lite is expected to pack in a MediaTek Helio P35 (mt6765) SoC, coupled with a massive 5,000 mAh battery. While Motorola hasn’t revealed any official information about the device yet, we expect the company to divulge more details as we get closer to its launch. It’s worth noting that Motorola is also working on a flagship device called the Motorola Edge+ which will be powered by Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 865 chip and feature 5G support.

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Update: Correct renders

That’s because this is the actuall Motorola Moto G8 Power Lite 1/3 https://t.co/5V323azu0e pic.twitter.com/Nyn9tTCVCv

— Roland Quandt (@rquandt) March 30, 2020

Earlier today, Roland Quandt tweeted an update on his original renders of the Moto G8 Power Lite. Apparently things got mixed up and the device he shared was not the G8 Power Lite. He has shared new images that he says are the actual device. There are a couple of key differences to point out. First, the real Moto G8 Power Lite has a waterdrop notch, not a hole-punch display. The bottom chin is much larger as well. On the back, the camera arrangement is basically the same, but it has a gradient finish instead of the subtle stripe pattern. Also on the back, there is a speaker cutout in the bottom corner.

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Instantly Secure Your Entire Home Network With This VPN Router

With the current restrictions in place, most of us are spending more time online than usual, which means we’re producing more personal data and stand a higher chance of being targeted by hackers.

The best way to protect your personal data is to use a VPN. Setting up such services can be a hassle, but not with SYFER. This small device hooks up to your home Wi-Fi network to provide instant protection — including a robust firewall. It raised over $745k on Indiegogo, and you can get it now for $169.99 at the XDA Developers Depot.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/O0BtHmXFxfA

According to ProPublica, Facebook collects 52,000 data points about every user. You can see how much Google knows about you by visiting this link; the results can be scary. Many other sites collect similar amounts of personal data.

SYFER helps you get back your privacy. By connecting this box to your router, you turn on private, encrypted browsing for every device on your home network. 

The SYFER VPN Router works alongside your existing Wi-Fi router and modem. To get started, you simply plug in the box using the provided Ethernet cable.

The VPN protection provided by SYFER is fast and unlimited, with connection speeds up to 100Mbps. This means you can browse as normal and enjoy content on streaming sites, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. All the while, SYFER will silently block targeted ads.

In addition, SYFER aims to protect you from cybersecurity threats. The VPN Router has a firewall powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, which can detect malware, hackers, and botnets. It covers key devices around your home, such as baby monitors, home cameras, and security systems. 

Parents can even protect their kids with SYFER. The device offers a range of parental controls, including tools to enforce Google Safe Search.

The SYFER VPN Router comes with one year of unlimited service. After that, you pay only $9.99 to continue the protection. It’s easy to set up, and the system needs no ongoing maintenance. 

SYFER normally retails for $199, but you can currently pick up the VPN Router with one year of service for just $169.99.

 

SYFER: Complete Cybersecurity VPN Router – $169.99

See Deal

Prices subject to change

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