LightBlog

vendredi 6 novembre 2020

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 from 2015 officially receives October 2020 security patches

Samsung today maintains a healthy security update schedule for its devices. The company regularly pushes monthly security updates to popular devices launched in the last two years, while the remaining devices receive security updates quarterly. However, Samsung’s policy on software updates wasn’t this good just a few years ago. Before making the switch to One UI, Samsung had a poor reputation for software support. This is why it’s quite surprising to see the company rolling out a security update for the Galaxy Tab S2 in 2020.

For the unaware, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 was launched all the way back in 2015. The tablet featured Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 652 SoC, a 9.7-inch Super AMOLED display, and it ran Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box. While the tablet was only updated to Android 7.0 Nougat, Samsung seems to have continued pushing security updates to the device over the last four years.

The latest security update for the Galaxy Tab S2, according to Verizon (via Android Police), brings the Android security patches for October 2020 to the device. While the update doesn’t include much else, it’s great to see Samsung keeping a five-year-old device updated with the latest security patches. In contrast, Google’s Nexus 9, which was launched a few months after the Tab S2, hasn’t received an update since October 2017.

Interestingly, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 isn’t mentioned on Samsung’s official Android Security Updates list. However, the Galaxy Tab S3 from 2017 is included under the “Current Models for Other Regular Security Updates” section.

The post Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 from 2015 officially receives October 2020 security patches appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3n2DZzD
via IFTTT

Google Photos 5.18 confirms premium editing features for Google One members

Google has been working on adding premium editing features to Google Photos for the last couple of months. Back in March this year, we first spotted evidence of this feature in an APK teardown of Google Photos v4.45. At the time, we learned that the features would only be offered to Google One members. In the following update, we unearthed more strings, which suggested that the Photos app would “upsell” the new premium editing tools to users. However, the strings shed no light on the editing features. Now, we’ve finally managed to find some concrete evidence about the upcoming features in the latest Google Photos release.

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.

Google Photos v5.18 recently started rolling out to users via the Play Store. On the surface, the update only includes bug fixes to “improve saving and storing of edited photos and videos on SD cards.” But a teardown of the APK has revealed strings that highlight new information about the premium editing features.

<string name="photos_photoeditor_fragments_editor3_g1_callout_g1_member">As a Google One member, you get access to extra editing features</string>

<string name="photos_photoeditor_fragments_editor3_g1_callout_non_member">Get extra editing features with a Google One membership</string>

<string name="photos_photoeditor_fragments_editor3_upsell_banner">Unlock this feature and more with a Google One membership</string>

<string name="photos_photoeditor_fragments_editor3_upsell_title_with_storage">Unlock more editing features and {storage_amount} of storage with a Google One membership</string>

Firstly, the strings include new prompts that will alert the user of the premium editing features and urge them to get a Google One membership. These new prompts will read as follows: “As a Google One member, you get access to extra editing features,” “Get extra editing features with a Google One membership,” “Unlock this feature and more with a Google One membership,” and “Unlock more editing features and {storage amount} of storage with a Google One membership.” But while these new prompts explicitly mention the premium editing features, they reveal no information about exactly which features will be locked behind the Google One subscription.

Preprocessing suggestions

Next up, we found new strings that talk about preprocessing suggestions coming to Google Photos:

<string name="photos_photoeditor_preprocessing2_dogfood_suggestion_dynamic">Dynamic</string>

<string name="photos_photoeditor_preprocessing2_dogfood_suggestion_hdr">HDR</string>

<string name="photos_photoeditor_preprocessing2_dogfood_suggestion_vivid">Vivid</string>

These strings suggest that the photo editor in the app will offer three preprocessing suggestions — Dynamic, HDR, and Vivid. But at the moment, it’s unclear if these suggestions will be shown to the user.

Skypalette suggestion

And finally, the following strings suggest that Google Photos might soon get new filters to help users edit the sky:

<string name="photos_photoeditor_skypalette_suggestion_afterglow">Afterglow</string>

<string name="photos_photoeditor_skypalette_suggestion_airy">Airy</string>

<string name="photos_photoeditor_skypalette_suggestion_ember">Ember</string>

<string name="photos_photoeditor_skypalette_suggestion_luminous">Luminous</string>

<string name="photos_photoeditor_skypalette_suggestion_radiant">Radiant</string>

<string name="photos_photoeditor_skypalette_suggestion_stormy">Stormy</string>

The Skypallete suggestions include six filters — Afterglow, Airy, Ember, Luminous, Radiant, and Stormy. These filters will, most likely, work like Sky replacement filters found in the MIUI Gallery app, allowing users to swap the sky in their images with the included presets.

As of now, we can’t confirm if the new Preprocessing and Skypallete suggestions will be locked behind the Google One subscription. But since they’ve been added alongside the new premium editing filter prompts, that may be the case.


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

The post Google Photos 5.18 confirms premium editing features for Google One members appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/32hfbMn
via IFTTT

jeudi 5 novembre 2020

XDA Forums now open for Moto G 5G, Moto G9 Power, LG K92, Micromax IN 1B/Note 1, and Samsung Galaxy M21

It’s hard to believe we’re nearing the end of 2020, a year that has been incredibly challenging for many people across the globe. Luckily, we’ve been able to take solace in our shared love of technology, which by and large has progressed in some interesting ways this year.

To keep the conversation going around the topic of technology — even amidst a global pandemic and an election in the U.S. — we’ve opened up the forums for several new devices. Are you a fan of the Moto G 5G? What about the Moto G9 Power? Now you have a space to discuss both devices, where you can share tips, tricks, and other thoughts to your heart’s content.

Moto G 5G and Moto G9 Power

These new Motorola devices were announced just this week. Both handsets cater to the low-end of the market, but that doesn’t mean they’re not interesting. The Moto G 5G is an affordable 5G-enabled device that runs Android 10, features a 6.7-inch display, and comes equipped with a 5000mAh battery.

The Moto G9 Power, meanwhile, steps it up with a triple-camera setup, 6.8-inch display, and a larger 6000mAh battery. As the name suggests, the Moto G9 Power is meant to be an affordable option while offering impressive specs. In addition to what’s mentioned above, the device features 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

Motorola has a storied history and has offered some of the most interesting, and affordable, devices over the last several years. The Moto G 5G and Moto G9 Power carry on the lineage of the company’s G series — and now you have a place to show your appreciation for them in our forums.

Moto G 5G Forums || Moto G9 Power Forums

LG K92, Micromax IN 1B/Note 1, and Samsung Galaxy M21

Of course, there’s more on the menu than just new Motorola devices. We’re also opening up forums for the LG K92, Micromax IN 1B, Micromax Note 1, and the Samsung Galaxy M21, the latter of which just received a juicy update to One UI 2.5. These spaces will give you the opportunity to discuss the devices, whether you want to talk about a feature or dive into the world of sideloading. Have fun!

LG K92 Forums

Micromax IN 1B Forums || Micromax IN Note 1 Forums

Samsung Galaxy M21 Forums

The post XDA Forums now open for Moto G 5G, Moto G9 Power, LG K92, Micromax IN 1B/Note 1, and Samsung Galaxy M21 appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3k4aZFw
via IFTTT

Get the powerful flagship OnePlus 8 Pro for $200 off at Amazon

OnePlus is pulling out all of the deal stops this month! Whether it’s Black Friday level discounts or flash deals at the OnePlus store, if you’ve been in the market for a new phone or pair of earbuds, there have been some awesome deals. Today’s great OnePlus deal? At Amazon, you can save $200 on the OnePlus 8 Pro!

In XDA’s super in-depth comparison of the OnePlus 8 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S20+, the 8 Pro was able to stand toe-to-toe with the Samsung flagship, and in some cases, even surpass it. With a great display and camera, it’s hard to deny the value of the 8 Pro… and now that it’s on sale, it’s even better of a choice!

If you’re not fully convinced, maybe our OnePlus 8 Pro review will help. This is one of OnePlus’s flagships that really feels like a quality flagship, instead of feeling like you’re settling with a lower quality phone. And honestly, who wants to settle for less anyway?

All of this, the reviews and comparisons, are working off the assumption that you’ll be paying the full price for the phone. So when saving $200 on this device, it’s even better! The unlocked Onyx Black, 256GB OnePlus 8 Pro is only $800, and it’s hard to deny that is a good deal for a higher-end OnePlus phone. If you have the Amazon Prime Rewards card, you can also pay $44.44 a month for 18 months… that’s how I just got mine, after all! I did say I needed a new phone, and the  8 Pro looks like just the right phone to upgrade to.

    $200 off the OnePlus 8 Pro
    Get yourself a solid flagship without breaking the bank. The black 256GB OnePlus 8 Pro is only $800 on Amazon! If you have the Prime Rewards card, you can also sign up for an 18-month, 0% APR payment plan.

Amazon claims this is a limited time deal. Don’t sit on this one, and get a shiny new OnePlus phone today!

The post Get the powerful flagship OnePlus 8 Pro for $200 off at Amazon appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/38g6W6Q
via IFTTT

Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE is now available in a 256GB storage model

Samsung has unveiled a new configuration of the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (FE), which nows comes with 256GB of storage. That doubles the original, and provides users with more flexibility to store photos, videos, and more.

In a market full of high-end, $1,000+ smartphones, the Galaxy S20 FE is a breath of fresh air. It features terrific specs, but more importantly, was more affordable than the most expensive flagships without compromising performance. It’s one of the best values on the market, although if we had to nitpick, we would maybe complain about the amount of storage. That’s now been rectified.

To be fair, the base Galaxy S20 FE with 128GB of storage supports microSD expandable storage, so the latest model might not be necessary. Otherwise, the newest Galaxy S20 FE features the same specs as the original, including a Snapdragon 865 chipset, 6GB of RAM, 6.5-inch 120Hz 1080p AMOLED display, 4500mAh battery, and much more. It supports 5G, too, though you’ll have to do without mmWave.

In our review of the Galaxy S20 FE, we praised the device’s design, and also thought the cameras provided a versatile experience that produced pleasing results.

Specification Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
Dimensions & Weight
  • 74.5 x 159.9 x 8.4 mm
  • 190g
Display
  • 6.5-inch 20:9 FHD+ (2400×1080) Super AMOLED display
  • Centered hole-punch cutout
  • 120Hz refresh rate
  • Gorilla Glass 3
SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
  • 1x Kryo 585 Prime core clocked at 2.84GHz
  • 3x Kryo 585 Performance cores clocked at 2.42GHz
  • 4x Kryo 585 Efficiency cores clocked at 1.8GHz

Adreno 650 GPU

RAM & Storage
  • 6GB + 256GB
Battery & Charging
  • 4,500mAh
  • 15W wired charger in the box
  • Supports 25W fast charging
  • 15W fast wireless charging
  • Wireless PowerShare support
Rear Camera(s)
  • Primary: 12MP, f/1.8 primary camera
  • Secondary: 12MP, f/2.2 wide-angle camera
  • Tertiary: 8MP, f/2.4 telephoto camera
Front Camera(s) 32MP, f/2.0
Software
One UI 2.5 based on Android 10
Other Features
  • IP68 dust and water resistance
  • USB Type-C
  • Optical under-display fingerprint scanner by Goodix
  • Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth
  • MST
  • NFC

Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE with 256GB of storage will be available beginning 12:01 ET on November 6 for $770. According to Samsung, you can get the device for as cheap as $320 with an eligible trade-in. The device comes in Cloud Navy and is available through select carriers or unlocked via Samsung’s website. If you don’t need the extra storage, you can get the original Galaxy S20 FE for $700.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Forums


Source: Samsung

The post Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE is now available in a 256GB storage model appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/38bumKJ
via IFTTT

Motorola reveals Moto G 5G with Snapdragon 750G coming to Europe at 300 Euros

Motorola has announced another 5G-enabled addition to its popular budget G Series. The Moto G 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G SoC, unveiled in September, and sits alongside the big-batteried Moto G9 Power, also revealed today, and previously announced Moto G 5G Plus (known as the Moto One G 5G in the US). Running Android 10 out-of-the-box, the Moto G 5G offers a 6.7-inch FHD+ IPS LCD screen with HDR10.

Specification Motorola Moto G 5G
Build Plastic
Dimensions & Weight 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9mm / 212g
Display 6.7-inch FHD+
SoC Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G
RAM & Storage 4GB/64GB
Battery & Charging 5000mAh / 20w fast charging
Security rear-mounted Fingerprint Sensor
Rear Camera(s) 48MP / 8MP ultrawide / 2MP macro
Front Camera(s) 16MP
Port(s) USB-C / 3.5mm headphone jack
Audio Downward firing speaker
Connectivity Wifi 802.11ac / Bluetooth 5.1 / NFC / A-GPS
Software Android 10
Other Features

There are two variants – each boasting 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, available in Volcanic Gray and Frosted silver. That storage can be bolstered by a microSD card of up to 1TB, but that will occupy the second-SIM slot. Battery life isn’t quite on par with the 6000mAh G9 Power, but at 5000mAh, it should still be high on stamina, and 20w TurboPower charging should ensure you’re never caught short. The triple-array camera has a 48MP main lens, with 8MP for ultrawide and 2MP macro – plus there is an LED flash and 4K video capture. Round the front, there’s a 16MP FHD HDR selfie camera.

Connectivity, on the Moto G 5G, in addition to the eponymous 5G cellular, includes 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1, and dual-band A-GPS. There’s also an FM Radio, NFC, and a USB-C gen 2 connector for charging and accessories. There is a 3.5mm headphone jack and breaking with recent conventions, a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. The whole lot comes in an IP52-rated shell, which should protect it from the worst of the elements.

To be completely clear, this is a separate phone to the Moto G 5G Plus, and the Moto G5 series and illustrates further that Motorola really needs to sort out its naming conventions. The Moto G 5G will launch in Europe imminently starting at 300 Euros  ($355). It will also roll out in Latin America, The Middle East and Asia in the coming weeks.

Source: Motorola

Story Via: Android Central

The post Motorola reveals Moto G 5G with Snapdragon 750G coming to Europe at 300 Euros appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3mVZylj
via IFTTT

HMD Global finally released kernel source code for the Nokia 4.2, Nokia 6.2, and Nokia 7.2

Power users within the Android community have a love-hate relationship with HMD Global. The company’s smartphones under the Nokia brand have been praised for shipping with Android One and for quick updates, but end users are mostly out of luck when it comes to unlocking the bootloader. To rub salt into the wound, the OEM has a poor history of releasing the kernel source code for their phones, which makes the lives of developers rather difficult when trying to develop custom AOSP-based ROMs such as LineageOS. For those who own the Nokia 4.2, Nokia 6.2, or the Nokia 7.2, though, you’ll be happy to hear that the company has finally uploaded the kernel source code for these devices to their “Open source releases” page.

Nokia 4.2 Forums ||| Nokia 6.2 Forums ||| Nokia 7.2 Forums

The Nokia 6.2 and Nokia 7.2’s kernel sources are based on Android Pie, despite the fact that both of them received their stable Android 10 updates many months ago. The Nokia 4.2’s kernel source package, on the other hand, corresponds to Android 10, but it took HMD Global nearly seven months to release the code since the phone started receiving the update. It’s a shame the sources are being released so late. The Linux kernel’s GPLv2 license requires releasing the kernel source of any binary that ships on a device in a timely manner, after all.

Kernel Source Code Download for the Nokia 4.2, Nokia 6.2, and Nokia 7.2

Even without the kernel sources, the community persevered and developed official TWRP builds for the Nokia 6.2/7.2. It was possible because the initial factory firmware for the phone duo unintentionally came with an unlockable bootloader. While the loophole was promptly patched with subsequent updates, the company did commit a similar mistake with the Nokia 4.2 as well. Now with official kernel sources available, it should be easier to iron out the remaining kinks and accelerate aftermarket development for these phones.

The post HMD Global finally released kernel source code for the Nokia 4.2, Nokia 6.2, and Nokia 7.2 appeared first on xda-developers.



from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2TWim7t
via IFTTT