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mardi 29 octobre 2019

Breaking: Samsung teases a new vertically folding Galaxy Fold

Foldable phones are extremely new and we haven’t seen many different form factors yet. The Samsung Galaxy Fold is the only foldable on the market and it has a form factor similar to a book. The display is on the inside and it opens to the size of a small tablet. We’ve known Samsung is working on more foldable devices and they just teased a vertically folding Galaxy Fold at SDC19.

At the Samsung Developer Conference today, the company teased a new form factor for foldable phones. In the GIF below, you can see a tall screen that folds vertically, like an old flip phone. This is a completely different approach than the original Galaxy Fold. Instead of a phone that turns into a tablet, this is an easily pocketable device that turns into a larger phone.

This new Galaxy Fold is allegedly model number SM-F700F and it could be the rumored 256GB foldable we’ve heard about. According to our own Max Weinbach, software development may have started this month already.

samsung galaxy fold vertical samsung galaxy fold vertical

As mentioned, there have been rumblings of Samsung working on new Galaxy Fold form factors. Earlier this month, a leaked poster from a Chinese carrier showed the silhouette of a foldable phone said to be the “Samsung W20 5G.” With Samsung’s teaser today, that posted looks a little more real. It could also be an entirely different device. We’ll have to wait and see.

Samsung W20 5G

Going from phone to tablet, like the original Galaxy Fold, is handy for some people, but this vertical form factor is arguably more exciting. Anyone who used an old flip phone will tell you how nice it was to carry such a small device. Packing a big screen into that form factor would be great. Motorola is another company that seems to be working on this concept. We’re excited about foldable phones in 2020.

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Android 10 brings controller mapping support for the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Gaming on Android has usually meant gaming on the touchscreen of your smartphone. While Android does boast of a very large collection of touch-optimized games, some titles just work out better when the player uses a gamepad and real hardware buttons and keys. For the same purpose, you can find a whole host of generic gaming accessories, including controllers, that will easily allow you to upgrade your gaming experience. For example, if you have a PlayStation 4, you can connect the DualShock 4 controller to your smartphone to play. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work on every device, and the reason usually boils down to missing key layout files.

If you are looking to reuse one of your existing game controllers, Android has been gradually adding in support for various popular controllers, such as the Xbox One S wireless controller, and the Xbox Elite Series 1 Controller. A study of the AOSP commits revealed that Android 10 also brought along the ability to connect and properly play on Android using the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

A commit in the AOSP Gerrit had added in the key layout file for the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. The key layout file enables Android to properly recognize the button presses on the controller, and map it to the appropriate Android action that games can listen for. Without this key layout file, the game either will not be able to recognize hardware presses or it will initiate wrong actions.

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller was launched alongside the Nintendo Switch and served as a better alternative to the Joy-Cons. This commit was added back in June 2019, so Android 10 updates on your phone are likely to have the same already incorporated. If you have a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller around, you can check and confirm if the same works seamlessly on your Android 10 device.


Source: AOSP Gerrit

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Google is preparing to add a Games Hub to Chrome for Android

More often than I would like to admit, I have spent several frustrating minutes in front of my browser with the Chrome Dino game. The simple game has helped keep my mind distracted from the frustrating reality of not having an active internet connection, thanks to a spongy and undependable connection from my ISP. Perhaps Google has seen my frustration at being unable to master this simple game, as the company appears to be on track to add a Games Hub to Google Chrome.

Thanks to findings from Chrome Story, Google appears to be working on a set of changes for Chrome under the codename “joy” that will apparently add a game hub to the browser. Google Chrome will add in a new page called chrome://games on Desktop, while on Android, the “Top Sites” page will likely feature a “Games” section. Both of these sections could host a curated list of games built for the browser. Chrome Story also uncovered that Google is working on a browser version of the classic Snake game, which will be hosted at chrome://snake when it is ready, similar to how the Dino game can be accessed at chrome://dino even when you have an internet connection. A reference was also found to Proxx, a web-based game.

It is not immediately clear what Google’s complete plan is with the Games Hub. Google Play Games already features a few simple games, namely Whirlybird, Minesweeper, Snake, Solitaire, Cricket, and Pac-Man for when you are stuck with an offline device and nothing better to do. You can also access Dino on Chrome on Android when you are offline or through the flag. So including a shortcut to web-based games seems like a weird move from Google. We’ll keep an eye on how this progresses to figure out Google’s gameplan.


Source: Chromium Gerrit | Via: Chrome Story

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A new Moto 360 is finally coming, but it’s not from Motorola

The original Moto 360 smartwatch was launched way back in 2014 and it was one of the very first devices with Android Wear. Of the few options at the time, the Moto 360 was widely considered the most attractive (despite the “flat tire” display). Motorola followed it up with a second-generation in 2015, but since then the company has dropped out of the wearable game. A new Moto 360 is finally coming, but not from where you’d expect.

Completely out of left field, a new Moto 360 has been announced and is launching in December. This device, however, is not being made by Motorola or Lenovo. A company called eBuyNow has licensed the Moto 360 brand from Motorola. It looks like you might expect a third-generation Moto 360 to look, but it really has no connection to the previous models.

The Moto 360 third-generation has the signature circular display like the original. It’s 1.2-inches, 360 x 360, and OLED. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 3100 chip, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of storage. That puts it on the same playing field as the Fossil Gen 5. This is a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth-only smartwatch with GPS and NFC for mobile payments. The battery comes in at 355mAh.

Physically, the Moto 360 third-generation weighs 52g and has a 42mm body that takes 20mm bands. There are two buttons on the right side: the top rotates and the bottom can be customized. It will come in silver, gold, and black finishes. Each watch comes with two bands: leather and rubber. That’s good because this is a pretty expensive Wear OS device. You can pre-order the Moto 360 third-generation in November for $349 and it will ship in December.

What do you think of this new Moto 360? Is it as good as the original? Do you trust a relatively unknown company with this brand?


Source: Moto360.com | Via: The Verge

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Microsoft expands its Designed for Xbox accessories program to cover mobile gaming

Game streaming services will be the talk of the town next month, as Google enters the ring with Google Stadia. Google’s entry heats up the market which already sees majors like NVIDIA GeForce and Microsoft Project xCloud vying for space in your life. In order to ensure that the customer has all the reasons needed to tie into its ecosystem, Microsoft is expanding its “Designed for Xbox” accessories program to also include mobile gaming.

The Designed for Xbox program allows accessory partners to collaborate with Microsoft to create top-tier hardware that can enable the best possible Xbox gaming experience. This program was earlier limited to console and PC, and now Microsoft is expanding it to include mobile within its ambit, right in time for Project xCloud’s release. This expansion will open the gates for a wide array of Xbox-branded partner devices that will serve to enhance the gaming experience, like controller clips, mobile-first controllers and other hardware that is optimized for phones and tablets.

The first Designed for Xbox product with mobile and Project xCloud in mind is the MOGA Mobile Gaming Clip for Xbox Wireless Controllers. This clip aims to secure your phone in place while you use the Xbox wireless controller. The gaming clip features dual locking articulation points that will hold your phone in place. The clip can hold phones that are up to 79mm wide.

Designed for Xbox - Gaming Clip Designed for Xbox - Gaming Clip Designed for Xbox - Gaming Clip

The MOGA Mobile Gaming Clip for Xbox Wireless Controllers will launch in November 2019 and is available to preorder from Microsoft Stores and other select retailers in the United States and United Kingdom for $14.99.

Microsoft is also working with more partners such as 8bitDo, Gamevice, HORI, PowerA, Razer, and more, to bring in a wider range of hardware experiences for Project xCloud through the Designed for Xbox program. The company is also working on expanding the compatibility of its official Xbox Wireless Controller to more mobile platforms.


Source: Xbox News

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Developers can now upload Progressive Web Apps to the Samsung Galaxy Store

Earlier this year in February, Google Chrome for Android received an update that introduced a whole new category of apps on the Google Play Store. The update essentially allowed developers to publish Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) on the Play Store, thanks to Trusted Web Activities which Google announced back in 2017. Now, Samsung is building up on that initiative and introducing progressive web app support to the Samsung Galaxy Store.

PWAs on Samsung Galaxy Store from various developers

As per a recent Medium post, the Samsung Galaxy Store will now also house Progressive Web Apps, along with its usual offerings. Developers will be able to add their own web app to the store by sharing the URL on pwasupport@samsung.com. The company will then help developers get their apps on the Galaxy Store and guide them with all the necessary licensing agreements. A number of web apps have already been added to the store, but currently, PWA support is only available in the Galaxy Store in the US. As of now, the company hasn’t revealed a release timeline for other regions, but we expect to learn more as and when we get closer to the rollout.

Twitter PWA Samsung Internet

Once developers publish their PWAs on the Samsung Galaxy Store, users will be able to download them just like any other app. It’s also worth noting that Samsung Galaxy device owners can install PWAs on their device by heading to a supported URL on the Samsung Internet browser. For instance, when you open up Twitter on the company’s stock browser you’ll notice a downward-facing arrow icon in the URL bar. Tapping on the icon will install Twitter’s PWA on your device. If you’re an Android developer and want to submit your PWA to the Samsung Galaxy Store, you should also check out PWA2APK — an easy to use tool that will allow you to convert your PWA into an APK with a single click.


Source: Medium

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