LightBlog

mardi 19 novembre 2019

Redmi K30 could have a 120Hz display, side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and Sony’s new 60MP IMX686

Facing increasing competition from brands like Realme, Xiaomi is building mid-range smartphones with flagship-tier hardware. The 48MP quad-camera Redmi K20 and the 108MP penta-camera Mi Note 10 are perfect examples of Xiaomi’s premium mid-range strategy, so when Xiaomi first confirmed the existence of the Redmi K30, we’ve been expecting to hear details confirming it’ll continue this trend. Last month we learned that the upcoming K30 will have dual punch-hole front cameras, a design that was previously exclusive to the Galaxy S10+. Now, we’ve uncovered evidence that indicates the Redmi K30 may have premium features like a 120Hz display refresh rate and Sony’s new IMX686 image sensor. We’ve also learned the device may have a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, too.

Redmi K30 – Code-named “Phoenix?”

Before I dive into any of the details, I want to clarify something really important: None of the features discussed in this article are guaranteed to debut on the Redmi K30. All of the features mentioned in this article—the 120Hz display, side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and Sony IMX686 image sensor—will definitely appear in a Xiaomi smartphone code-named “phoenix” that is likely the Redmi K30. Currently, the only thing linking the Xiaomi device code-named “phoenix” with the Redmi K30 is the side-mounted fingerprint scanner render we found that shows a device with dual punch-hole front cameras—just like the Redmi K30.

Thanks to XDA Member kacskrz for first finding these features in MIUI 11 code. He shared his findings with us and we confirmed that all of the code and files he found are indeed present in the latest MIUI 11 nightly builds.

Side-mounted Fingerprint Scanner

In recent versions of MIUI 11, a new method called “isBroadSideFingerprint” that returns true if the device’s code-name matches either “phoenix” or “picasso.” We don’t know much about “picasso” at the moment, but we’ll follow-up when we learn more on that device. In any case, the string that accompanies this code tells us that “BroadSide” refers to the right-side of the device: “Fingerprint sensor is located on the right edge of your device.” Furthermore, the graphic titled “core_scan_gesture_broadside” shows a generic smartphone with dual hole-punch front cameras and a right-side-mounted fingerprint scanner.

Redmi K30 side-mounted fingerprint scanner

core_scan_gesture_broadside

Since Xiaomi has already confirmed the Redmi K30 has a dual hole-punch design (see the featured image at the top of this article), we’re assuming this graphic was made with the likeness of the Redmi K30 in mind. That isn’t always the case, though. Still, we can expect at least two smartphones from Xiaomi with dual hole-punch designs and side-mounted fingerprint scanners.

120Hz Display Refresh Rate

Last month, we discovered that Xiaomi is working on a 120Hz display smartphone. This was based on a hidden setting we found for changing the refresh rate from 60Hz to 120Hz. We forced the setting to show up, but it obviously didn’t work since no Xiaomi device has a high refresh rate display. However, we now know which Xiaomi device will have such a display: the device code-named “phoenix.” A method called “isSuppotHighFrameRate” (yes, there’s a typo, no, it’s not from us) returns true if the device code-named matches “phoenix.” Since the high refresh rate setting is defined to only switch between 60Hz and 120Hz, we expect “phoenix” to have a display with 120Hz refresh rate support.

Sony IMX686 Image Sensor

Earlier this month, Sony posted a teaser on its Weibo page for its upcoming IMX686 image sensor. We were curious why Sony only shared a teaser on Weibo—a Chinese social media site—but we now have a good idea. Xiaomi’s upcoming Redmi K30 could be the first device with the IMX686 and its upcoming launch in China is just a month away. We don’t know many details about the IMX686 other than it’s supposed to be a 60MP image sensor, sadly.

The evidence we found for the device code-named “phoenix” having Sony’s IMX686 comes from a Qualcomm camera library. Within, there are strings for “phoenix_imx686,” “phoenix_s5k3t2,” “phoenix_gc02m1_depth,” and “phoenix_gc02m1_front.” S5K3T2 is a 20MP image sensor from Samsung, though we don’t have much information on the GC02M1 image sensor. We also aren’t sure if these 4 are the only image sensors on the device.

Launch Date

According to IndiaToday, the Redmi K30 will be announced next month. We don’t know for sure if the Redmi K30 will launch in India or Europe, but given past history with the Redmi K20/Mi 9T, we expect it to launch internationally. However, it’s likely there will be differences between the Chinese and international/Indian models because the Chinese Redmi K30 will SA/NSA 5G.

We spotted the “phoenixin” and “picassoin” code-names in MIUI 11, so we know these devices will launch in India. Though, again, we haven’t found definitive proof linking “phoenix” with the Redmi K30, and we still don’t know much about “picasso.” If we learn anything new, we’ll let you know.


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

The post Redmi K30 could have a 120Hz display, side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and Sony’s new 60MP IMX686 appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2rc1m28
via IFTTT

[Update: AMOLED Black Theme] After Facebook Messenger, Viber now gets a dark mode on Android

Update (11/19/19 @ 5:15 PM ET): Viber adds an AMOLED black theme in the latest update.

Dark themes have been popping up in tons of apps lately. Google has rolled out dark mode to numerous apps in the last few months. Recently, the long-awaited dark mode for Facebook Messenger arrived as well. The latest app to get this feature is the popular messaging service Viber.

Dark mode has become a highly requested feature for Android users and even Google has finally realized the benefits. Android Q is readying a system-wide dark theme that should work great. Dark themes can save battery life and be easier on your eyes, so we’re always glad to see more dark themes in the Android world.

As a messaging app, users are opening Viber dozens of times a day. So it’s nice to see a dark theme that can potentially save a little juice and your eyes. Viber’s dark theme is a dark charcoal color, not a pure AMOLED black. Download the latest version of the app for Android to try out the new dark mode feature.


Update: AMOLED Black Theme

Following Viber’s release of a dark gray Dark Mode back in March, the app now has a true AMOLED black Dark Mode. You can choose between the Dark Mode and Black Mode by going to Settings > Appearance.

Viber Messenger - Messages, Group Chats & Calls (Free+, Google Play) →

Source: Android Police

The post [Update: AMOLED Black Theme] After Facebook Messenger, Viber now gets a dark mode on Android appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2NJt51a
via IFTTT

Google Assistant adds a curated news playlist called “Your News Update”

Google Assistant has had several different methods for reciting news over the years. You can set up a Routine that includes a rundown of news stories or simply ask for news in a specific genre. Google now is introducing a new service for Google Assistant called “Your News Update” that uses an algorithm to tailor news to your interests.

The idea of a curated or algorithmically created “news feed” is certainly not new, but Google is using it to read the news aloud with Google Assistant and Google Home devices. All you have to say is “listen to the news.” Google builds a custom news playlist with information it knows about you and your location. The result is short news updates from Google Assistant’s existing library of sources (ABC, Cheddar, The Associated Press, CNN, etc).

Google talks about how the “audio web” is booming right now with podcasts and so much audio content. This new “Your News Update” feature replaces the old method of telling Google what sources and topics you were interested in and putting it in the order you want to hear. The new feature is much more hands-off, which isn’t always a good thing, but Google is confident in its ability. The good news is users can choose between the old method and the new feature.

“Your New Update” is rolling out first in English in the US and it will expand next year. You can find it in the Google Assistant app under the You tab. Navigate to News and switch your News playlist format.


Source: Google

The post Google Assistant adds a curated news playlist called “Your News Update” appeared first on xda-developers.



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

[Update 2: Available in Stable] Google adds Google Lens as a reverse image search option in Chrome

Update 2 (11/19/19 @ 4:10 PM EST): Reverse image searching through Google Lens is now available in all Google Chrome channels.

Update 1 (8/22/19 @ 8:43 PM EST): Google has merged the commit responsible for showing the “Search with Google Lens” context menu item. A screenshot of this new option is shown in the update below.

What used to only be a tool for Internet sleuths is now fairly mainstream thanks to services like Google Lens. Reverse image searching, or searching the web for the source of an image, is fairly easy to do on Google Images, but Google Lens takes things a step further by letting you isolate parts of an image or recognize text, barcodes, and other key items in an image. Lens is available through a shortcut in the Google Assistant and Google Photos apps, but it’s also available through Google Images on the web if you’re browsing on mobile. Now, it seems that Google will be adding a shortcut to Lens in Google Chrome for Android.

The other day, I spotted a commit in the Chromium Gerrit titled “Add support for intenting to Google Lens from the context menu.” Once merged, opening the context menu for any image in Google Chrome for Android will show a “Search with Google Lens” option in place of “Search Google for this image.” Tapping on the new option will send an intent with the selected image to Lens. You can do this now by tapping on “share image” and then selecting Lens in the share sheet, but this new feature will make the Lens option more prominent so you can reserve the share button for other actions.

Google Chrome image context menu

Google Chrome’s context menu for images shown in Kiwi Browser, a Chromium-based browser.

Once the commit is merged, we’ll be able to see this feature in action in the latest Chrome Canary builds.

Update 1: “Search with Google Lens” Now Available

The commit was merged tonight, so I grabbed a screenshot of the updated context menu with the new option. Here’s what it looks like.

Search with Google LensTo enable, simply search for “Lens” in chrome://flags once the flag becomes available in your particular Chrome channel. Currently, it’s only available in Chromium nightly builds.


Update 2: Available in Stable

Google Lens for Chrome is finally live in all stable versions. The feature is not enabled by default, however, so you’ll have to toggle a flag to get it. The flag is called “Context Menu Search with Google Lens.” Go to chrome://flags in your browser and search for the flag. When enabled, you’ll see an option to “Search with Google Lens” when long-pressing an image. Before, Google would search only for that identical image, but with Lens, it’s much more intelligent.

Via: Android Police

The post [Update 2: Available in Stable] Google adds Google Lens as a reverse image search option in Chrome appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2P6eIbE
via IFTTT

[Update: List of Topics] Twitter update lets you follow Topics you’re interested in, not just People

Update (11/19/19 @ 3:45 PM ET): Twitter will soon let you browse a list of topics you can follow.

Twitter has a strong gravitational pull and you can’t just occasionally browse, check your notifications, and move over. This is because of the dynamic and instant nature of Twitter and while this can be both engaging and informative, it can also get overwhelming. The astounding flow of information (as well as the banter and the trolling) on the platform can often drown its purpose of always being up-to-date. In an attempt to remedy this, Twitter is announcing a new feature called “Topics” that should help users follow the trends or discussions they are interested in besides following just people.

Twitter will automatically recommend you to follow topics based on your search and interaction patterns on Twitter. When you follow a topic on Twitter, you’ll be able to see tweets from other accounts even if you don’t follow them. For instance, you follow a particular sports team in Topics, you will start seeing tweets from their official handles, their fans, as well as other discussions about the team. The idea behind is to let you see the most “relevant and interesting Tweets” and in the “right amount.

When you search for anything, you’ll see a suggestion to keep a track of that particular topic by pressing the Follow button. You can manage the Topics you follow by heading to the dedicated menu in Twitter’s Settings.

The feature is similar to the ability to follow hashtags on Instagram but much more refined. Twitter has not detailed how they will make sure to serve you the “right amount” of tweets related to the topic and if there’s any criteria basis which they will choose the right tweets. The feature will be coming to Twitter in the coming months but a specific date hasn’t been promised.

Meanwhile, Twitter 8.22.0-beta.01 is already rolling via the Google Play Store and the feature may be available for the beta testers before users on the stable channel can enjoy it.

twitter topics

One of my friends shared a screenshot of the Topics icon showing up on their Twitter feed (for Android app 8.23.0-alpha.02) here in India but the Follow button in search results is still missing. We cannot say with confidence if this whether this is because of the region but will update the article once we know better.

Thanks to Anmol Sachdeva for the screenshot!

Twitter (Free, Google Play) →

Source: Twitter Blog


Update: List of Topics

Rob Bishop from Twitter confirmed that there will be a way to browse a list of topics in the Twitter app. You won’t have to use the Search feature to bring up the topics you’re following. Tweets about these topics will still appear in the Explore section as well. There’s no timeline on when this feature will roll out, but it’s currently in testing.

The post [Update: List of Topics] Twitter update lets you follow Topics you’re interested in, not just People appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/34VPyiN
via IFTTT

Amazon Music expands its free (with ads) music tier to iOS, Android, and Fire TV

Most music streaming services offer at least two tiers: ad-free paid and ad-supported free. The free tiers are packed with interrupting ads and limitations, but at least you can enjoy music without shelling out for a subscription. Amazon has offered a free version of its Amazon Music service for Amazon Echo owners, but now they are opening it up to everyone.

Previously restricted to people who bought Amazon Echo devices, now the Amazon Music app for Android, iOS, Fire TV, and the web includes the free streaming option. This is available for users in the US, UK, and Germany right now. You do not need an Amazon Prime membership to use the Amazon Music service.

You get access to the same 2+ million songs in the Amazon library, but with a few ads thrown in. Free users still get access to Amazon Music’s curated playlists as well. Amazon has been slowly opening up its music service over the years, but it still has a long way to go before it can compete with Spotify and Apple Music. If you’re interested in the paid subscription, you can try it now for 4 months of Amazon Music Unlimited for $0.99.

Amazon Music (Free, Google Play) →


Source: Amazon

The post Amazon Music expands its free (with ads) music tier to iOS, Android, and Fire TV appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2O2G8wl
via IFTTT

Huawei starts an invite-only Bug Bounty Program for its Android phones with payouts exceeding Samsung and Google

Software security is a big priority for most large smartphone makers, and while developing software, it is almost guaranteed that a few bugs or vulnerabilities slip through the cracks. Catching every issue ahead of time is basically impossible. Because of this, companies often have bug bounty programs encouraging security researchers to find and report exploits. The person or team that manages to successfully find, reproduce, document, and disclose said exploit or vulnerability can get a sizable amount of money depending on the severity of the issue.

Huawei, which is currently under a lot of scrutiny after the U.S. trade ban, is looking to convince the world that they’re serious about security. To that end, the company is opening up a bug bounty program of its own, as was announced during a private event held in Munich, Germany last week. Huawei invited some of the top security researchers to the event where the announcement was made. We previously learned of Huawei’s Vulnerability Rewards Program last December, but it seems that the program was only open in China. On the other hand, this new program seems to cater to the international cybersecurity community.

The structure of this new program is similar to other companies’ offerings, but the payouts are higher. Uncovering a bug deemed Low severity can net you up to €1,000, and if you discover a Critical vulnerability involving remote code execution in a privileged process, you may be eligible for up to a €200,000 payout. Eligible devices include the Android smartphones in the Mate, P, Nova, Y9, and Honor devices, though Huawei’s HarmonyOS isn’t currently covered under the program. Because Huawei’s payment structure is based on Euros instead of US dollars, their payouts are higher than those from Samsung and Google. The latter two companies offer a maximum $200,000 payout, while the €200,000 maximum payout from Huawei is nearly $221,552 at the time of this writing.

However, this program is currently invite-only. Therefore, only security researchers invited by Huawei into the program are eligible for payouts. Invited researchers are able to give tokens to invite other researchers into the program, though. Initiatives like this will help make Huawei products more secure and demonstrates to the cybersecurity community that Huawei is taking security seriously.

We reached out to Huawei for more details on this program and will update this article if we learn more.


Via: Thomas Brewster/Forbes

The post Huawei starts an invite-only Bug Bounty Program for its Android phones with payouts exceeding Samsung and Google appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/330Urpt
via IFTTT