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Google reveals official name for Android N

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After weeks of releasing beta versions to the wild for testing and collecting submissions for Android N names since the Google I/O 2016 developer conference in mid-May, Google has finally named its next major mobile operating system update. Android N will now forever be known as Android Nougat, following today’s announcement on Snapchat and Twitter.

The news comes as a bit of a surprise — several popular tech blogs had expected Google to choose Nutella or Nerds. But that would have required a licensing deal, and the last time Google went after a brand name was with KitKat, released three software iterations ago in 2013.

Android versions have indeed come a long way since the release of Android Cupcake (and subsequently, Donut) in 2009. In the past, the most popular operating system in the world, with over 80 percent global market share, has been named after a sweet treat or dessert, taking the name of Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop, and currently Marshmallow.

Android Nougat brings some significant user interface changes, including a redesigned notification panel and camera app, as well as a host of fresh features like a VR mode, split-screen multitasking, and support for a new application program interface (Vulkan) that should lead to better gaming performance. Its latest beta build is available to eligible Nexus devices, the General Mobile 4G (Android One), and the Sony Xperia Z3. The market-ready version of Nougat is expected to roll out in August or September.

Now, for some bad news: Android Marshmallow still has a dismal number of installs, despite launching in September 2015. Only 10 percent of Android devices are running the current version of Android, according to Google’s data; KitKat remains the most widely installed at 31 percent. That’s not to say Nougat users are guaranteed to be in the minority for a long time, but that may be the case.

[irp posts=”10272″ name=”Six months in, Android Nougat distribution still sucks”]

News

Samsung Display unveils QD-OLED Penta Tandem technology

Rolling out across flagship models this year

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Samsung Display has announced the launch of the QD-OLED Penta Tandem. This new premium technology brand built on is QD-OLED’s proprietary five-layer organic light-emitting structure unique to such panels. The technology is named after the Greek word for the number five.

Samsung Display completed trademark registration for the new brand. It was created to highlight the distinctive value of its five-layer organic light-emitting structure applied to QD-OLED panels for premium monitors and TVs.

QD-OLED expresses color using quantum dots that respond to light. The blue emitting layer serves as the light source, due to its high energy within the visible spectrum.

Beginning last year, Samsung Display advanced the blue emitting layer stack from four layers to five, and applied the latest organic materials, completing a new generation of QD-OLED that delivers superior picture quality, efficiency, and peak brightness.

In particular, the multi-layer stacking of organic light-emitting materials has emerged as a key differentiator.

Achieving higher resolution within the same panel size and increasing the pixel density reduces the light-emitting area of each individual pixel.

Under these technical constraints, effectively dispersing the energy applied to organic materials is essential to maintaining stable, high brightness levels.

For instance, the 27-inch UHD QD-OLED monitor panel released last year by Samsung Display achieves a 160 PPI pixel density. This is the highest among self-emissive gaming monitors.

The QD-OLED Penta Tandem forms the core foundation of this breakthrough. Panels featuring the technology also enable customers to obtain VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500.

In addition, Penta tandem improves luminous efficiency by 1.3 times and extends lifespan by 2 times.

Samsung Display plans to expand QD-OLED Penta Tandem across its full range of panel sizes this year. This shall supply flagship products.

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Gaming

New Resident Evil Requiem trailer teases a return to the RPD

The title officially launches on February 27.

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Fresh off a stellar 2025 filled with award-winning titles, the world of games is now going through a calm before another inevitable storm. We’re still some ways away from the next explosion of amazing titles. For now, however, an upcoming major title is looking to kick off 2026 with a huge bang. Coming very soon, Resident Evil Requiem just got another trailer, and yes, there’s more Leon to go around.

Late last year, Capcom revealed a bombshell announcement it’s been saving up since the title’s big reveal. Resident Evil Requiem will feature the return of the franchise’s most iconic protagonist, Leon Kennedy. The suave agent will play alongside FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, who heads to Raccoon City to investigate a series of strange deaths.

Since the two characters clearly have opposing personalities, fans have speculated that they will have opposing playstyles. Now, through a new trailer, Capcom has confirmed that Resident Evil Requiem will mix the two genres that the franchise is known for.

Ashcroft, unused to fighting, will have portions more tailored for survival horror, akin to the more recent titles in the series. Meanwhile, Kennedy is back to his gun-toting ways, featuring the same action he’s known for in Resident Evil 4.

Beside the playstyles, there are few Easter eggs for the upcoming title. For example, Sherry makes a very subtle appearance. Also, and this is the kicker, Leon is coming back to Raccoon Police Department in the trailer’s final moments.

Resident Evil Requiem is now available for preorders. The title will officially launch on February 27 for all major platforms.

SEE ALSO: Resident Evil Requiem unveiled at Summer Game Fest 2025

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Entertainment

Jason Momoa will star in upcoming Helldivers film adaptation

Justin Lin is set to direct.

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Jason Momoa in A Minecraft Movie

PlayStation’s State of Play is about games. However, there are a few times when the semi-regular event can spawn hype for something outside the realm of gaming. Today is one of those times. Sony Pictures and PlayStation have released more information about the upcoming Helldivers movie adaptation.

Early last year, Sony teased a variety of upcoming adaptations for its tentpole franchises. This announcement included Horizon Zero Dawn, Ghost of Tsushima, and Helldivers.

Today, as reported by Variety, the Helldivers film finally has a leading man. Jason Momoa, who starred in the Minecraft adaptation previously, will star in the film.

Since the franchise isn’t really known for a specific main character, it’s unknown who the star will play. We also don’t know his co-stars yet.

Alongside Momoa, Justin Lin will direct the film. The director is known for his work with the Fast and Furious franchise.

Plot-wise, the Helldivers franchise seems tailor-made for the movies. It’s not a supremely story-driven game, but its premise is endlessly adaptable. The games always revolve around a group of soldiers called Helldivers, who protect Super Earth from a host of alien threats. These threats include rogue robots and bug-like creatures.

The film, whatever it might tackle, will premiere on November 10, 2027.

Helldivers 2 launched back in 2024. At the time, the game was exclusive for the PlayStation and PC. However, it recently launched on the Xbox, too.

SEE ALSO: Helldivers 2 review: SIP ON SOME LIBER-TEA!

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