Tasker’s latest test hijacks Android 11’s power menu to let you do whatever you want

Popular Android automation app Tasker recently received a major update which introduced a ton of new features to the app. The update included a feature that unlocked the app’s ability to read any sensor on your phone to trigger a Task, a feature that will let you automate sending text messages or make calls via any third-party app, full Do Not Disturb customization, the ability to trigger Tasks via links, and much more. Now, the developer behind Tasker has shared a demo for an experimental plugin which will let you customize Android 11’s power menu to trigger any event in Tasker.

In a recent post on Reddit, Tasker’s developer u/joaomgcd wrote: “I’m going away for about 1 month starting next week and since I’m not going to be releasing any updates this close to leaving I started experimenting with some stuff, so I created this simple plugin…Basically it adds an entry to the power menu items on Android 11 which will trigger an event in Tasker.”

As you can see in the attached video, the experimental plugin creates a Tasker button in Android 11’s power menu which can be customized to trigger any Task within the automation app. In case you wish to try out the plugin, you can download it from the Reddit thread linked below. Do note, however, that the plugin only works on devices running Android 11 and you won’t be able to enable it on older versions of Android. This is due to the fact that it makes use of Android 11’s new Device Controls API which lets developers put home automation shortcuts in the Power Menu.

It’s also worth noting that the plugin is currently just a proof-of-concept, but the developer plans on adding full-fledged Device Controls API support in a future release of Tasker. Once the feature rolls out in a stable release, you will be able to trigger any event from the modded power menu.

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Source: Reddit

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Mozilla lays off 250 employees to restructure its business but is reportedly still financially secure

The Mozilla Corporation recently announced that it was laying off approximately 250 employees in an attempt to secure the organization’s financial future. The layoffs were announced by the CEO of Mozilla Corporation and Mozilla Foundation Chairwoman, Mitchell Baker, in a public blog post, which also highlighted the company’s plans for the foreseeable future.

In the blog post, Baker wrote, “Today we announced a significant restructuring of Mozilla Corporation. This will strengthen our ability to build and invest in products and services that will give people alternatives to conventional Big Tech. Sadly, the changes also include a significant reduction in our workforce by approximately 250 people.”

Baker further revealed that the layoffs and restructuring were a part of the organization’s need to adapt its finances in a post-COVID-19 world and focus on commercially viable products that would help the organization generate revenue in the long term. This led some to speculate that Mozilla was facing financial troubles and had failed to renew its search deal with Google, which has historically accounted for 75-95% of the organization’s annual budget.

However, sources familiar with the matter have confirmed to ZDNet that Mozilla is financially sound and the layoffs were just a result of over-staffing in areas that the organization was not planning on prioritizing going forward. The sources also revealed that Mozilla and Google are expected to extend their current search deal for another three years at an estimated price tag of $400 million-$450 million per year. Details about the extended search deal will, most likely, be revealed later this year in November, when the organization is scheduled to disclose its 2019 financial figures.

In a statement to ZDNet, a Mozilla spokesperson said, “Mozilla’s search partnership with Google is ongoing, with Google as the default search provider in the Firefox browser in many places around the world. We’ve recently extended the partnership, and the relationship isn’t changing.”

Going forward, the Mozilla Corporation will prioritize commercialization efforts in the short-term, while work on open standards and protocols will take a back seat. However, Mozilla doesn’t plan to phase out its work in the web development community and will, most likely, pick up where it left off after its subscription-based services ensure long-term business survivability.

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Source: The Mozilla Blog, ZDnet (1,2)

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Xiaomi has no plans to launch the Mi 10 Ultra or Redmi K30 Ultra globally

Xiaomi recently launched the Mi 10 Ultra and the Redmi K30 Ultra, two phones that commemorate the company’s 10 years in the smartphone market. While the Mi 10 Ultra includes some of the best consumer-ready technologies that Xiaomi has to offer, the Redmi K30 Ultra represents Xiaomi’s insane value proposition with a low price tag but a heavy punch. Both smartphones are exciting for their own reasons. But as it turns out, Xiaomi currently has no plans to launch the Mi 10 Ultra or the Redmi K30 Ultra globally, limiting them to the Chinese market.

According to reports by GSMArena and AndroidAuthority citing Xiaomi representatives, the Chinese OEM is currently limiting the Mi 10 Ultra and the Redmi K30 Ultra to China only.

Both Mi 10 Ultra and Redmi K30 Ultra won’t be launching outside of Mainland China.

Further, Xiaomi has also ruled out the devices releasing globally under the POCO brand, as one could see in the case of the POCO F2 Pro/Redmi K30 Pro.

If you have been keeping track of our coverage, especially of the Redmi K30 Ultra “cezanne“/M2006J10C, you’d notice that we could not explicitly confirm that the device would launch outside of China, namely because of the fact that it came with a MediaTek Dimensity SoC that had remained a China-exclusive till then. However, more recently, MediaTek had mentioned that the Dimensity SoCs would begin shipping in devices outside of China in Q3 2020. This, coupled with the existence of the M2006J10G as well as the existence of global beta builds for cezanne up until 14th July, had given us a sliver of hope that the device would indeed make its way outside of China. While we are still hopeful that Xiaomi may have a change of heart in the future, this confirmation from company officials is a conclusive statement that the device will not ship outside of China officially. No such indications had indicated for the Mi 10 Ultra, so its China-exclusivity was not a surprise.

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Source: GSMArena, AndroidAuthority

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ASUS ROG Phone II, Google Pixel 3 & 3 XL, and Samsung Galaxy A7 2016 are now supported by LineageOS 17.1

Want to breathe new life into an old phone you have lying around? Sick of the stock software experience on your phone and want to try something new? If you have an ASUS ROG Phone II, Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL, or the 2016 Samsung Galaxy A7, you can now download LineageOS 17.1, the latest version of LineageOS based on Android 10.

LineageOS has become the beloved custom ROM for many Android users, evolving from the halcyon days of CyanogenMod. While some of these phones are considered beyond their shelf life, they still have a lot of life in them once you flash a custom ROM. LineageOS 17.1 is based on Android 10 and it adds a slew of features over the previous version, including a partial screenshot UI, AOSP’s ThemePicker app, protecting apps in Trebuchet Launcher with biometrics, and more.

Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL

Google Pixel 3 Forums ||| Google Pixel 3 XL Forums

Download LineageOS 17.1 for Google Pixel 3 || Download LineageOS 17.1 for Google Pixel 3 XL

The Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are nearly two years old, and although they’re still being supported with official updates from Google, you may be itching to try a custom ROM out to expand functionality. These builds are maintained by developers razorloves, cdesai, and intervigil. At the time of publication, the ROM for the Pixel 3 has gone live while the ROM for the Pixel 3 XL failed to build. Hopefully, the Pixel 3 XL’s build will successfully compile the next time around.

ASUS ROG Phone II

ASUS ROG Phone II Forums

Download LineageOS 17.1 for ASUS ROG Phone II

The ASUS ROG Phone II is a powerhouse that launched last year and was designed with gamers in mind. It features a massive 6,000mAh battery and 48MP camera. This build is maintained by developer OrdenKrieger with contributions from Luca020400 (who has moved on to develop for the new ASUS ROG Phone 3 following a mishap with his ROG Phone II). ASUS sent the device to both developers back in December, resulting in an unofficial build of the custom ROM becoming available in late March. The new official build joins several other mods available on our forums for the ROG Phone II.

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016)

Samsung Galaxy A Series Forums

Download LineageOS 17.1 for Samsung Galaxy A7

The Samsung Galaxy A7 is the oldest of the four devices receiving support for LineageOS 17.1; the device was released back in 2016. Gaining support for the latest version of LineageOS will no doubt inject some new life into the Samsung device. This build is maintained by developers sourajitk, danwood76, and Stricted.

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Sony to SkullCandy: Save up to 68% off Big-Brand Headphones Today

Whether you like binging on podcasts through lockdown or listening to music while you work out, a good pair of headphones is a smart purchase. If you are thinking about an audio upgrade, take a look at these deals on big-brand headphones. Right now, you can save up to 68% off MSRP at the XDA Developers Depot.

Sony MDRXB450AP/B Extra Bass On-Ear Headphones (Open Box)

With twin 1.18-inch drivers and Bass Boost technology, these stylish Sony headphones deliver some audio punch. They sync with both iOS and Android devices, with comfortable earpads for all-day listening. Worth $80 new, they’re now $24.95 with this open-box deal.

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC70 QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones (Certified Refurbished)

These wireless headphones from Audio-Technica offer 25 hours of battery life on a full charge, with 40mm drivers for exceptional sound. QuietPoint active noise cancellation helps to block outside distractions, and they have touch controls for easy skipping. Originally $60, certified refurbs are now $49.99.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless ANC Headphones

As you would expect from Sennheiser, the MOMENTUM 3 headphones deliver studio-quality sound. Rated at 5 stars by WhatHiFi?, they also feature powerful noise cancellation, Transparent Hearing, and smart TILE tracking technology. You can grab them now for $399.99.

Skullcandy Ink’d+® Active Wireless Sport Earbuds

Ideal for workouts, the Ink’d+ sport earbuds utilize the latest Bluetooth technology for excellent wireless sound. You get 15 hours of battery life on a full charge, and the whole headset is sweat- and water-resistant. You can pick them up for just $58.99. 

Skullcandy Venue Active Noise-Cancelling Wireless Headphones

These sleek Skullcandy headphones combine excellent sound quality, active noise cancellation, and 24-hour battery life. In addition, they have rapid charging technology; you can get five hours of playback from just 10 minutes of charging. Right now, you can grab them for $178.99.

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7bSV QuietPoint® Headphones (Certified Refurbished)

Lightweight and foldable with QuietPoint noise cancellation, these Audio-Technica headphones are perfect for travel. They have 40mm neodymium drivers that deliver hi-fidelity sound and generous padding for comfort. Normally $199, they are now 65% off MSRP at just $69.99.

Urbanears Jakan Bluetooth In-Ear Headphones

In the words of L&B Tech Reviews, the Urbanears Jakan headphones provide “a good balance between design, price, and sound quality.” You get 12 hours of battery life, along with intuitive controls and an ergonomic fit. Usually $79, they are currently 50% off at $39.95.

Skullcandy Method® Active Wireless Sport Earbuds

Featuring a collarless design and soft gel ear fins, the sweat-proof Skullcandy Method earbuds are great for sports and fitness. They provide 10 hours of wireless playtime via Bluetooth 5.0, with rapid charging technology for a quick turnaround. You can pick them up today for $58.99. 

Audio-Technica Wireless Over-Ear Hi-Res Headphones

These versatile wireless headphones support aptX, AAC, and SBC codecs for impeccable wireless audio. You get an incredible 30 hours of listening time on Bluetooth, or you can connect the headphones to your phone via NFC. Meanwhile, the over-ear design helps to isolate the sound. Order now for $101.99 to save 40% on the retail price.

Sony Extra Bass On-Ear Headphones with Mic, Smartphone Headset (Open Box)

These affordable Sony headphones have 30mm drivers that produce balanced sound, with Acoustic Bass Booster to fill out the low end. The headset folds down neatly for storage, and the anti-tangle cable stretches to 1.2 meters. Worth $30, this pack of two open-box headphones is now $18.95. 

Prices subject to change 

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Xiaomi releases kernel sources for the Mi 10 Ultra and Redmi 7/Y3 Android 10 builds

Of late, Xiaomi has been doing a great job of releasing kernel sources for newly launched devices. Earlier this year, the company released the kernel sources for its flagship Mi 10 series on the day the devices were unveiled. Similarly, kernel sources for the Redmi K30 Pro were released just a few days after the device was announced. In keeping with the trend, Xiaomi has now released kernel sources for the recently launched Mi 10 Ultra.

Xiaomi Mi 10 XDA Forums || Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro XDA Forums || Redmi K30 Pro XDA Forums || Redmi 7 XDA Forums

Xiaomi’s 10th-anniversary flagship Mi 10 Ultra is the most powerful smartphone from the company yet, featuring Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 chip, up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and up to 512GB of fast UFS 3.1 storage. The device packs in a 6.67-inch 120Hz OLED display, with a 240Hz touch response rate, 1120 nits of peak brightness, HDR10+ certification, and a hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera.

 

In the camera department, the Mi 10 Ultra features a 48MP primary sensor, a 20MP ultra-wide sensor, a 48MP 120x digital zoom telephoto camera, and a 12MP depth sensor with 2x optical zoom. Over on the front, the device includes a single 20MP selfie shooter. The Mi 10 Ultra includes a 4,500mAh battery with support for 120W wired fast charging and 50W wireless fast charging.

 

The device runs MIUI 12 based on Android 10 and, thanks to the kernel source code release, developers will now be able to build TWRP or Android 10-based custom ROMs for the device. If you’re a developer, you can access the kernel sources for the Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra from the GitHub link below. It’s worth noting that Xiaomi has combined the kernel source code for the Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro, and Redmi K30 Pro with the Mi 10 Ultra, and it can be accessed via the same link.

Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra Kernel Sources

Additionally, Xiaomi has released kernel sources for the Redmi Y3 and the Redmi 7. The kernel source code for both the devices has also been combined and you can download it from the GitHub link below.

Redmi Y3 and Redmi 7 Kernel Sources

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The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra features NFC, eSIM, and UWB tech in a single NXP chip

Earlier today, we learned that the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the first Android smartphone to feature Samsung’s new Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) OLED display, which makes use of adaptive frequency technology to reduce power consumption by up to 22%. But that’s not the only new feature to make its way to users with Samsung’s latest flagship. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is also the first Android smartphone to feature support for Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, which enables a host of new features like faster file sharing, the ability to unlock smart doors and find the location of compatible devices near you, and more.

During the launch event, Samsung briefly highlighted the potential uses for the new UWB technology and the company later shared a video explaining the technology and its utility in greater detail. However, Samsung didn’t reveal much about the hardware that enables the new feature on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Thankfully, Dutch semiconductor manufacturer NXP has now revealed some key details about the hardware solution that powers UWB on Samsung’s latest flagship.

According to a recent press release shared by the company, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra makes use of a single NXP chip for UWB fine-ranging, NFC, and eSIM capabilities. Talking about NXP’s combined UWB solution, Inkang Song, VP and Head of Technology Strategy Group of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics, said, “For the first time in a Galaxy device, Samsung is integrating NXP’s UWB technology into our latest Galaxy Note20 Ultra to make sharing photos, videos and files easier. We are excited to introduce future UWB functionality in our Galaxy devices that will help locate items more accurately with AR technology and unlock your home as a digital key that will make life easier for consumers.”

Along with the aforementioned use cases, NXP claims that its combined UWB chipsets can enable the following features:

• Completely hands-free access control: The unparalleled precision sensing of NXP’s Secure UWB technology includes outstanding localization that will make it possible for mobile devices to communicate with connected doors, points of entry, and cars for completely hands-free access control.
• Simplified integration: Building on NXP’s NFC connectivity, mobile ecosystems expertise and proven security architecture found in many of today’s popular mobile payment-enabled devices, UWB can be part of a system that quickly and securely initializes communication. With NFC onboard, devices can continue to perform contactless transaction even when they run out of battery.
• The next generation in connectivity: Unlike traditional SIM cards that must be removed and replaced in new devices, NXP’s GSMA-compliant eSIM solution is integrated permanently into a device, making remote SIM provisioning radically easier and providing over-the-air SIM updates. The external SIM slot plus eSIM allow end users to have two or more phone numbers on a single device. The eSIM functionality comes with all Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra devices, excluding China, Japan, and Korea.

All the choices at Amazon

If you want the easiest check out possible, and the safety of ordering through your existing Amazon account, look no further. There's a range of color choices and storage options, all available for delivery by release day.

From $999.99 at Amazon

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Source: NXP

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