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iPadOS replaces iOS on Apple’s iPads

A proper tablet OS

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At long last, the iPad has its own operating system, breaking free from iOS which had originally been designed for iPhones. The new platform is called iPadOS, and it brings features unique to Apple’s tablet ecosystem.

It’s not just a name change, however, as it comes with functionality more fitting for the iPads it’ll appear on. The one you’ll notice instantly is the new home screen, which shows a lot more info through widgets and at-a-glance data at once.


Adding to that are Split View and Slide Over for improved multitasking and quicker looks at active apps. These are much-loved features on a device that’s designed to replace one’s full-fledged computer.

Speaking of replacing computers, the Apple Pencil is way more intuitive on the iPad now and has a much lower latency of nine milliseconds. Combined with the redesigned tool palette, flying through iPadOS is as seamless as can be.

But what may get most power users pumped is the ability to access external storage like flash drives and SD cards through the new Files app. It even has Cloud Drive support for folder sharing and zipping/unzipping files.

And if the dark mode of iOS 13 got you excited, you’ll be glad to know that iPadOS has it, as well. Actually, they share multiple features with each other, so you can learn more in our iOS 13 story published earlier.

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Xiaomi Mi A3: Price and availability in the Philippines

It still comes in an affordable price

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August 23, 2019

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Image by GadgetMatch

Remember when Xiaomi announced the Mi A3 in India days ago? Good news for everyone as the Mi A3 will also be in the Philippines.

This latest A-series offering is known as the “stripped-down” version of the Mi CC9e. It packs the same internals: Snapdragon 665 chipset, 4GB RAM, plus 64 or 128GB storage options. What’s different? Instead of the heavily-skinned MIUI 10, it packs the Android One with a fresh, stock-like Android experience — just like using a Google Pixel.


Image by GadgetMatch

There’s a new 6.088-inch Super AMOLED display in tow. With the new display technology, it’s expected to be power-efficient. Although changing the technology from IPS-LCD may sound good, the downgrade of screen resolution from 1080p to 720p might become a dealbreaker for some. Other than that, there’s an optical in-display fingerprint scanner, eliminating the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner of the Mi A2.

Image by GadgetMatch

This year’s A3 packs a triple camera setup: 48-megapixel main camera, 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a new 8-megapixel ultra-wide shooter. The Dot Drop Display notch houses the 32-megapixel selfie camera. Both cameras have AI functionality.

Image by GadgetMatch

When it comes to battery, the 4,030 mAh capacity is a huge improvement over last year. It is expected to have a longer battery life than Mi A2’s so-so 3,000 mAh battery. 18W Fast Charge is still supported, all thanks to USB-C. They also brought back the 3.5mm audio jack for dongle-less usage. The IR blaster is still present for controlling appliances.

Pricing and availability

The Xiaomi Mi A3 will be available in local Mi Authorized stores starting August 24, 2019 and will be on Lazada and Shopee starting September 9, 2019. There are three color options to choose from: Not Just Blue, Kind of Grey, and More than White. The sole variant with 4GB/128GB configuration will retail at PhP 11,990.

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Spotify extends free trial to 3 months

Try Spotify Premium for a longer period of time

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August 23, 2019

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Spotify offers a free trial for everyone wanting to try the Premium experience. Spotify Premium used to be free for just 30 days, but that is changing today. Starting this August, Spotify is extending its Premium free trial for three months.

Spotify Premium is now offering the first 3 months for free. Everyone can try it out. The feature is rolling out globally with all of the plans eligible upon sign-up.


However, the three month offer is open only for those who haven’t tried Premium before. To activate, visit the website of Spotify Premium. Signing up requires either a credit card or a carrier billing.

Those lucky to grab the three month offer gains access 50 million song tracks available on-demand and ad-free, along with access to 450,000 podcast titles. Spotify is the leading music streaming service globally, and it offers an Android, iOS, desktop and web apps for all. Today, it boasts 217 million users across 79 markets.

SEE ALSO: 5 steps to making the perfect Spotify playlist

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Android Q is just Android 10

10 is not a dessert

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August 22, 2019

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Android is changing things up. After years of naming its newest iteration after a sweet treat, the newest version will now just be called Android 10.

Google’s mobile operating system explains that the decision to change its naming convention is aimed at being more inclusive.


Android says that while using names of tasty treats and desserts has always been a fun way of releasing each update annually, it wasn’t immediately understood by everyone. Especially not with a 2.5 billion user-base that’s spread all around the world. They’ve even gone out of their way to explain that “L and R are not distinguishable when spoken in some languages.”

They also made a fair point that it’s not easy for most people to identify if they’re device is running the latest OS. After all, there’s no clear indication that KitKat comes after Lollipop.

By switching to just Android 10, it becomes more easily understandable for all of its users, and the company felt that it was time for a change.

A new name also merits a new look. The Android robot is now officially part of the logo and the font color changed to black. The video below details the evolution.

 

 

 

 

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