News

Android 10 is now rolling out for Pixel

Dark Mode is coming!

Published

on

The latest version of Android is now officially rolling out for supported phones. Google says it’s working with a number of partners to launch or upgrade devices with Android 10.

After six beta releases, Android 10 is now available for Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. Apart from the Pixel phones, Android 10 is also available for Essential Phone and Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro (only China).

Dark Mode is perhaps the most exciting addition of Android 10 because a fresh coat of paint will be applied system-wide. For phones with an OLED display, this will translate into considerable battery savings.

Android 10 also improves the gesture navigation, first introduced with Android Pie last year. The pill is now smaller and Google has gotten rid of the back button. The back is now replaced with a swipe from the edge of the display.

Google says improvements in the ART runtime will mean apps start faster, consume less memory, and run smoother. The ART profiles delivered by Google Play let ART pre-compile parts of an app even before it’s run.

Google is improving security and privacy with Android 10 where users can now let apps collect location data only when you are using them. With the new Google Play system updates, the company can now also push important security and privacy fixes right to the phone from the Google Play store.

There is also Smart Reply for all messaging apps, an improved sharing menu, more tools for Digital Wellbeing, and a ton of little details.

For all Pixel phones, the update is now rolling out worldwide. But you may not get the update right away since the release is sent out in batches. Like always, other phone makers will announce their rollout plans separately.

News

Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

Published

on

When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro gets M5 chip upgrade

Continue Reading

Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

Published

on

Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.

SEE ALSO: YouTube remains top PH video platform; advertisers urged to continue investing

Continue Reading

Enterprise

OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme

Both brands were previously rumored for restructuring early this year.

Published

on

OnePlus 13

OnePlus has a problem. For a while now, rumors have swirled about the company’s dissolution. For their part, the company has continued to deny the reports, citing business as usual. Likely to their dismay, the reports just keep coming. Today, sources have hinted that OnePlus has merged with realme.

Back in January, it was rumored that OnePlus would be closing up shop this year. Since the company very quickly denied the rumors, the report hardly made waves. However, a suspected merger with realme is more difficult to debunk.

For one, realme is itself in a very interesting position. Also back in January, realme was reportedly moving back into being a sub-brand of OPPO. Coupled together with the OnePlus debacle, all this internal restructuring seems par for the course.

According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus and realme have already concluded the merger. The two brands have reportedly united their Chinese and international operations under one roof. Likewise, their marketing will be the same. Pete Lau will still be the main head for this new division.

As with anything of this nature, take this with a grain of salt. OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not issued any official statements concerning a merger or a shutdown for any brand.

SEE ALSO: realme is reportedly going back to being an OPPO sub-brand

Continue Reading

Trending