News

Samsung might resurrect the Fan Edition this year

Starting with the Galaxy S23 FE

Published

on

Last year, Samsung canceled one of its popular lines: the Fan Edition. Because of some supply reshuffling, the brand didn’t release a Galaxy S22 FE. Now, it seems the lineup’s death didn’t really take. Samsung is reportedly launching a Galaxy S23 FE later this year.

Reported by South Korean publication Hankooki (via Android Police), Samsung will launch the Galaxy S23 FE between August and September. Though supplies are still in crunch time, the company is reportedly ditching the Galaxy A73 and committing resources instead to the Fan Edition.

It’s been a while since the last time we saw a Galaxy FE. Normally, Samsung launches a Fan Edition to keep the hype going for the Galaxy S series. The smartphones under the label pack in the best hardware for a more affordable price.

In contrast, the Galaxy A73 represents the forefront of the brand’s midrange segment. Unfortunately, with a comparatively bloated Galaxy A lineup, one model is likely cannibalizing the success of another. Trimming the series down a notch might work well for the company.

Regardless, we’re still some time away from August and September. Though things currently look good for fans of the Fan Edition, things might still change in the months leading up to Samsung’s future Unpacked events.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy A73 5G review: Awesome phone not meant for the A-list

Accessories

Apple reportedly working on AirPods with USB-C

For release later this year

Published

on

Apple’s USB-C adoption is going roughly. Forced by world governments to adopt the standard, Apple is finding ways to delay the adoption or bypass the spirit of the law entirely. However, one lineup is getting an important boost to USB-C adoption. The company is reportedly releasing a USB-C version of the AirPods Pro.

Recently, a Twitter leaker going by @aaronp613 discovered references to an upcoming model of the AirPods lineup. Though the model numbers don’t reveal anything about the device, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had a clearer idea of what the devices might be.

According to the analyst, the unannounced device refers to an updated model of the 2nd-generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C charging case. Currently, the AirPods Pro only has cases that come with the proprietary Lightning cable. The device will reportedly start shipping between the second and third quarters this year.

Unfortunately, it’s unclear whether the device is a new model or just a separate purchase for users. The latter will delay a wider adoption of the charging standard but will test demand for Apple products with USB-C baked in.

Over the past few months, the company has reportedly started developing solutions to a forced USB-C adoption, especially in Europe. One of those reported solutions is a proprietary version of USB-C, allowing Apple to limit performance for third-party cables.

SEE ALSO: Apple might launch cheapest AirPods ever

Continue Reading

Gaming

Nintendo is shutting down Wii U and 3DS stores today

Shutdown imminent

Published

on

Image source: Nintendo

Every device and digital service reaches an inevitable point when maintaining support becomes untenable. Basically, everything dies. Today, two beloved stores are coming to an end. Starting today, Nintendo is closing the online stores of the Wii U and the 3DS for good.

Last year, Nintendo warned users of the impending shutdown of the two stores. As the company dives deeper into the Switch generation, its older devices are getting tucked into the archive. Throughout last year, the company slowly cut off support by preventing users from infusing their accounts with more funds.

Now, the shutdown is all but complete. Specifically at 8PM ET (or a few hours after the publication of this article), users will no longer be able to buy games or DLC from the eShops of either console.

For now, users who bought anything prior to the closing will still be able to redownload any content they purchased over the years. Nintendo has not announced whether there are plans to cut off access to those as well.

Though most gamers have already moved on to the Switch, shutting down the stores of both consoles isn’t meeting a lot of fanfare. A good chunk of games, especially big ones, still have their physical releases. However, a larger chunk of titles are available only digitally. Getting these titles is now impossible, except for those who bought them already.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo will shut down digital stores for Wii U and 3DS

Continue Reading

Apps

Twitter just had its source code leaked

Taken down now

Published

on

Twitter

Before Elon Musk acquired Twitter, he promised better transparency to show how the platform operated. Whatever Musk’s plan for this is, he probably wasn’t expecting someone else to do it for him. Over the weekend, a GitHub user reportedly leaked a significant portion of Twitter’s source code for public viewing.

A website’s source code is its biggest asset. Inside, users can delve into what makes a website tick, including portions that the developers don’t usually want others to see. For cybersecurity enthusiasts and hackers, gaining access can expose vulnerabilities to patch or exploit. For a competing website, it can provide a needed advantage. Needless to say, Twitter is worried about the recent leak.

Over the weekend, a GitHub repository published Twitter’s source code, exposing the inner workings of the platform for all to see. Right now, the company has already issued a takedown notice and shut down the repository, but not before others have seen and potentially downloaded the code.

Twitter itself has confirmed the authenticity by starting an investigation into the leak. The company is trying to figure out where the leak came from. Additionally, it is requesting GitHub to hand over the information — including real names and addresses — of any user who downloaded the code for themselves.

For Musk’s part, the Twitter owner remains committed to releasing bits of the platform’s code. The platform is scheduled to release the code for its recommendation algorithm soon — a welcome release but a far cry from what the leak revealed.

SEE ALSO: Twitter is working on a way to hide the blue checkmark

Continue Reading

Trending