This app lets you run Google apps and do a lot more on Amazon’s Fire tablets

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Amazon’s Fire range of tablets are dirt cheap, but that affordability comes at the cost of a heavily skinned UI that lacks Google Play ecosystem and has a tonne of other limitations. Senior XDA community member, Datastream33, has developed a new app called Amazon Fire Toolbox that lets you run Google apps and do a lot more on Amazon’s cheap tablets.

As per an XDA-Developers report, it is compatible with all Amazon Fire tablets dating back to the Fire HD 6 that was launched in 2014. However, you need to enable USB debugging firsthand, because the app uses Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to execute commands on the tablet. (Read Amazon’s guide on working with ADB on Fire tablets here).

amazon_fire_toolbox
Image: XDA-Developers

The Amazon Fire Toolbox app’s interface looks quite easy and the options you have at your disposal are quite self-explanatory. Here are a few major things it allows you to do on your Fire tablet:

Disable all Amazon bloatwareSideload any app on the tablet
Install Google Play StoreReplace Alexa with Google Assistant
Remove Amazon adsSearch and install Fire tablet drivers
Force power off / reboot the tabletCustom adjust the pixel density
Boot into recovery modeCreate restorable system backup
Install a native updaterLocal screen recoder
Set custom image as lockscreen wallaperAbility to install custom launcher
Restore to default Amazon settingsCopy files from PC to tablet


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Here’s the first real-life image of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Watch 3

Posted on by Lee Kelly

You’ve seen the schematics, and have also come across the detailed specifications too. Now, it’s time for an early look. I’m talking about Samsung’s upcoming smartwatch – the Galaxy Watch 3 – here, and this is probably the first clear look at its design, straight from a certification authority’s database in South Korea.

The images were spotted (via MySmartPrice) on the website of National Radio Research Agency (NRAA) and show the design of two Galaxy Watch 3 models viz. SM-R840 and SM-R850. The design is almost identical, and a physical rotating bezel is clearly visible. The bezel has a dark grey finish with a grooved outline on the periphery (only on the SM-R840 model), complete with two buttons on the right side.

Compared to the first-gen Galaxy Watch, the bezel is much thinner on the upcoming Samsung smartwatch and it doesn’t have any markings either. As for the specs, the Galaxy Watch 3 will come in two sizes – 41mm and 45mm – with a 1.2-inch and 1.4-inch display respectively. You can read more about the Galaxy Watch 3’s leaked specifications here.

Source: NRAA

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Nubia Red Magic 5G’s 12GB RAM variant with Eclipse Black paintjob is now available globally

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Nubia might not be a big name in the international smartphone market, but the company has made some solid gaming phones under the Red Magic brand, with the latest one being the Red Magic 5G. After debuting in March and going on sale globally the following month, Nubia is now putting the 12GB+128GB variant of the phone up for sale internationally.

Notably, this 12GB RAM variant flaunts the Eclipse Black paintjob, which looks quite slick and goes well with the phone’s gamer-esque aesthetics. The new Nubia Red Magic 5G variant is now up for grabs priced at $599 (~€599/ £559), while the official US website will start selling it June 22 onwards.

That $599 price tag is quite sweet and gives you four additional gigs of RAM for a $20 premium, as the 8GB RAM model with the same storage capacity will set you back by $579. The rest of Nubia Red Magic 5G’s internals are equally impressive too, and you also get two capacitive shoulder buttons for a console-like gaming experience. You can read more about the specs here.

Nubia Red Magic 5G Eclipse Black
Nubia Red Magic 5G Eclipse Black

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Google drops Stadia Premiere Edition price to $100, but ends 3-months free Stadia Pro offer

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Google has lowered the price of Stadia Premiere Edition bundle by $30, and it is now available at $99.99 for interested parties. In case you are wondering, the Stadia Premiere Edition kit includes the wireless Stadia Controller and Chromecast Ultra dongle to let you enjoy games on your TV. But the price cut comes at a cost.

Earlier, Google offered a free 3-month Stadia Pro subscription with the Stadia Premiere Edition bundle, but that is not the case now. However, if you are yet to try out Stadia, you can sign up for it and get a 1-month Stadia Pro subscription for free. It must be noted that Stadia is now open to everyone and can be enjoyed on almost any Android phone.

Additionally, Google has added The Elder Scrolls Online to the Stadia library and it can now be enjoyed for free by Stadia Pro subscribers. The game also comes with the Morrowind Chapter as free add-on content and supports cross-play as well. But do keep in mind that you need an Elder Scrolls Online account that must be linked with your Stadia profile before you can play it.

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Google boosts the performance of its WiFi routers on slow internet connections

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Google has announced that it is rolling out an update for its Nest Wifi and Google Wifi lineup of routers that will boost the overall network performance if they are on slow internet connections. The company claims that following the update, users will notice faster device connection speed on wireless networks, aside from improved stability.

Google Nest Product Manager, Sanjay Noronha, mentioned in a blog post that the optimizations introduced by the update will ensure that their “Wi-Fi will better support multiple video calls, gaming sessions and more simultaneously.” He didn’t go into technical details as to how the performance boost will be achieved, but added that devices will move to faster Wi-Fi radio channels.

Moreover, the update will further optimize the priority device feature, making sure that the priority device on the network always gets the maximum bandwidth. The update will be seeded and installed automatically, which means no action will be required at the end of Google Wifi and Nest Wifi users in the companion Google Home app.

Source: Google Blog

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Motorola Edge+ users are complaining about serious display issues

Posted on by Lee Kelly
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Samsung courted quite a loathing recently from Galaxy S20 Ultra users complaining about a green tint issue on their $1,500 phone’s display. Now, users of the Motorola Edge+ flagship are also reporting similar display issues, but this time, it is more severe and easily visible to the naked eyes compared to the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s ‘display-gate.’

On the official Motorola forum, multiple users have reported seeing purple spots around the edges. Plus, some users are facing a green tint issue that gives almost the entire screen a very distinct greenish tone. Motorola rolled out a corrective update that promised to improve display contrast and clarity, but it appears to have only partially fixed the problem for a select few users.

IMG-20200608-WA0000.jpg
Image: tigercourage / Lenovo forum

A Motorola forum admin mentioned that the update fixed the issues for a few users, but noted that the problem might be too advanced in some cases to be fixed by an update, hinting that it might be due to faulty hardware. Affected Motorola Edge+ users were advised to get a replacement unit if the software update doesn’t resolve the issue. But it appears that some users are facing the display spotting problem on the replacement unit as well.

Via: DroidLife

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Google Meet comes to the Gmail app for Android and iOS

Posted on by Lee Kelly

In a bid to make Google Meet even more easily accessible, Google is offering a deeper integration for its video calling solution inside the Gmail app for Android and iOS. Now, you can directly attend a Google Meet video call by just tapping the ‘Join‘ button in the invite sent to you on Gmail. In simple words, you no longer need the Google Meet app.

1. Join_With_Email.gif

And just to make sure that you don’t miss out on a scheduled meeting, users will soon see a huge ‘Meet‘ tab at the bottom in the Gmail app. Users can tap on it to see upcoming meetings scheduled in Google Calendar and join those that are lined up.

2. Join_Scheduled_Meeting.gif

But there’s more that the new Meet tab has to offer. In the Meet tab, users can instantly start a video call, create a shareable meeting link, and even schedule a meeting by tapping on the ‘New meeting‘ button.

There’s also a Join with a code button to let users join a video call by using a code. And in case you find the new Meet tab at the bottom too distracting, you can remove it by tapping on the hamburger menu and unchecking the Meet box.

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Lenovo Flex 5G powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx comes to the US priced at $1,400

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Originally unveiled at CES 2020, the Lenovo Flex 5G (Lenovo Yoga 5G in other markets) is finally hitting the shelves as the world’s first 5G laptop, starting with the US. It is priced at $1,400 (or $58.33/month for 24 months) and will be available from Verizon June 18 onwards. It will soon be up for grabs UK, Switzerland and China as well, followed by other markets where 5G is available.

As for the specs, it features a 14-inch Full HD IPS touch display with 400 nits of peak brightness, while its 360-degree form factor allows it to be used both as a tablet and laptop. The Lenovo device draws power from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx compute platform and it supports both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G network, while Windows 10 on ARM handles things on the software side.

The thin-and-light Lenovo Flex 5G also packs an IR camera for Windows Hello sign-in, and offers aluminum and soft-touch magnesium build that weighs only 1.3kg. And since this a mobile chipset we are talking about, the company touts 24 hours of battery life for the device. Here’s a quick look at its internals:

Lenovo Flex 5G specifications:

ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8cx 5G
OSWindows 10 Pro
Display14-inch FHD (1920*1080) 16:9, IPS, 300 Nits
14-inch UHD (3840*2160) 16:9, IPS, 500 nits
RAM8GB LPDDR4X
StorageUp to 512GB UFS 3.0
GraphicsQualcomm Adreno 680
BatteryUp to 24 hours local video playback
CameraHD 720p with ThinkShutter privacy cover
Hybrid Infrared (IR) & HD (720P) (optional)
Connectivity 5G
Bluetooth 5.0
SecurityIR camera
Fingerprint reader (optional)
Audio2 x front-facing speakers optimized with Dolby Atmos
WeightStarting at 1.3kg
Dimensions320mm x 215mm x 14.75mm
Ports/Slots2 x USB-C (PD, DP, USB 3.1)
SIM card slot
Headphone / mic combo
ColorIron Grey

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DOOGEE S88 Pro is built like a tank, packs a 10,000mAh battery, and has cool LED lights too

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Chinese smartphone maker DOOGEE has today launched its latest rugged phone – the DOOGEE S88 Pro. The latest DOGEE offering has an IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810G certified build, and to go with that rugged exterior, the phone also comes pre-installed with a survival software pack. For protection against mechanical damage, it features a thick protective shield and rubberized grip.

As for the internal hardware, you get three cameras at the back, a 6.3-inch FHD+ display, and a huge 10,000mAh battery that can also be used to wirelessly charge other devices. Beneath the rear camera module is a layer of black translucent tempered glass, which hides an LED strip that glows in three colors to alert users about calls, messages, and other notifications.

DOOGEE S88 Pro specifications

Display6.3-inch waterdrop screen
FHD+ (2340 x 1080 pixels)
410 PPI pixel density
1500: 1 contrast ratio
Corning Gorilla Glass
ProcessorMediaTek Helio P70
RAM6GB
Storage128GB
(Expandable up to 128GB)
Rear Cameras21MP primary
8MP ultra-wide
8MP portrait lens
Front Camera16MP (F/2.0)
Battery10,000 mAh
24W fast charging
10W wireless charging
5W reverse wireless charging
Dimensions171.6 x 85.5 x 18.7 mm
ColorFire Orange, Army Green, Mineral Black
Weight372 grams
SecuritySide-mounted fingerprint sensor

DOOGEE S88 Pro price & availability

The DOOGEE S88 Pro carries a rather affordable price tag of $199.99 and is now available to pre-order from the DOOGEE online store globally and AliExpress. It is up for grabs in a trio of colors – Fire Orange, Army Green, Mineral Black.

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Massive Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 leak reveals all major specs and features

Posted on by Lee Kelly

The Galaxy Watch 3 has been popping up in certification listings and leaks for the past few weeks, revealing bits such as the return of the physical rotating bezel, two sizes, and more. Now, SamMobile has leaked almost everything there is to know about Samsung’s upcoming smartwatch that is expected to launch in July, ahead of the rumored August 5 Galaxy Unpacked event.

Here’s everything that has surfaced online about the Galaxy Watch 3:

  • There will be two variants – the 41mm variant will have a 1.2-inch display, while the 45mm version will feature a 1.4-inch display.
  • Yes, there will be a physical rotating bezel, but it might be thinner than the one we saw on its predecessor. The display will be protected by Gorilla Glass DX.
  • The 41mm variant will ship with a 247 mAh battery, while the 45mm variant will rely on a 340 mAh battery.
  • Both variants will have 1GB of RAM, 8GB onboard storage, and will run Tizen OS 5.5 on the software side.
  • You’ll get a choice between stainless steel and titanium case options.
  • It packs a heart rate monitor with 8 pulse-reading photodiodes and will also support blood pressure monitoring.
  • A dedicated Electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, but it is unclear if it will be available globally at launch.
  • Galaxy Watch 3 will come with IP68 certification and a MIL-STD-810G compliant build.
  • LTE support and GPS connectivity onboard, although a WiFi-only variant is also expected.

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US companies allowed to work with HUAWEI on setting standards for 5G development

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Ever since HUAWEI was placed on the commerce department’s entity list, US companies have been prohibited from selling goods or sharing technology with the Chinese electronics giant. Now, a new ruling from the US Department of Commerce allows companies to work alongside HUAWEI on developing standards for 5G, self-driving vehicles, AI, and other advanced technologies.

“This action is meant to ensure Huawei’s placement on the Entity List in May 2019 does not prevent American companies from contributing to important standards-developing activities despite Huawei’s pervasive participation in standards-development organizations,” the ruling said.

As per a Reuters report, the prohibition on working with HUAWEI gave the Chinese company a strategic advantage when it comes to setting the standards for futuristic technologies like 5G and AI. The rule amendment has reportedly been made to balance the scale, and to make sure that “the US will not cede leadership in global innovation.”

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce

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Instagram to review how harassment, content distribution rules affect Black users

Posted on by Lee Kelly

In the wake of the ongoing nationwide protests, almost all tech giants have made major announcements related to promoting an inclusive culture and combating racial inequities. Moving forward in the same direction, Instagram has revealed that it will review how its policies and rules for harassment, account verification, content distribution, and algorithmic bias affects black users.

“We need to better support the Black community within our own organization, as well as on our platform. One of the ways we’ll do this is by taking a harder look at how our product impacts communities differently,” Instagram chief, Adam Mosseri wrote in a blog post highlighting the efforts planned to ensure that Black voices are not suppressed on the platform.

Mosseri mentioned that Instagram will review its account verification guidelines to make sure that they are inclusive, and will also look into how content distribution happens on the Explore and Hashtag pages. Moreover, the company will also assess the underlying systems to make sure that the risks posed by algorithmic bias are reduced.

Source: Instagram

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Apple Card’s interest-free financing plans now available for iPad, Mac, AirPods, and more

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Apple’s interest-free financing plans for iPhone purchases made using an Apple Card were introduced last year. The company is now expanding the initiative to a wider range of products that include, Macs, iPad, XDR Display, Apple TV, HomePod, AirPods, and a wide range of accessories.

If you are purchasing a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, iMac Pro, Mac Pro, and Mac mini, you can avail a 12-month, 0% interest plan with an Apple Card. For an Apple TV, HomePod, and AirPods, the tenure for installments is reduced to six-months. Surprisingly, you can pay for accessories over a period of 12-months.

Accessories that are eligible for a zero fee installment plan for Apple Card-holders are:

  • Apple Pencil
  • iPad Keyboard
  • Pro Stand, VESA Mount Adapter
  • Apple Afterburner Card
  • Apple Branded iPad Cover
  • Apple Branded Mac Cover

As for the other benefits of using an Apple Card, buyers get 3% cashback on the purchase price of their new Apple product upfront, and that amount is immediately transferred to the Apple Cash card in the Wallet app.

Source: Apple

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LG Velvet arrives in Europe this month, US availability to follow soon

Posted on by Lee Kelly
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LG Velvet – the South Korean electronics giant’s latest offering that aims to redefine its smartphone strategy – has so far been limited to the domestic market. If you’ve been patiently waiting for the device, there is finally some good news as LG has announced plans for the phone’s wider rollout.

The company said in a press release that LG Velvet will arrive in key European markets such as Germany, Italy, Spain, Hungary, and Poland starting this month. And in the weeks that follow, the phone will be available in North America, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Latin American markets too. LG has not revealed the price yet, but it should cost around $700 upon its arrival.

As for the phone itself, LG eschewed a flagship processor and bonkers camera hardware as a cost-cutting measure, and instead focused on the design and offering an overall smooth experience at an affordable price. But you still get features such as wireless charging, a military-grade build, and 5G support. Here’s a quick look at the LG Velvet’s hardware:

LG Velvet specifications:

Display 6.8-inch P-OLED FullVision
HDR 10
FHD+ (2,460 x 1,080 pixels)
396 PPI pixel density
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
RAM 6GB
Storage 128GB
(Expandable up to 2TB)
Rear Cameras 48MP (F/1.8) primary
8MP (F/2.2) wide
5MP (F/2.4) depth
Front Camera 16MP (F/1.9)
Battery 4,300 mAh
Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+
Software Android 10
Dimensions 167. 2 x 74.1 x 7.9mm
Weight 180 grams

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Here’s our first look at Samsung’s next flagship tablet – the Galaxy Tab S7+

Posted on by Lee Kelly

Earlier this month, hi-res renders and a 360-degree video of Samsung’s upcoming high-end tablet, the Galaxy Tab S7, surfaced online courtesy of leakster @OnLeaks. Now, the leak machine has given the same treatment to its larger sibling, the Galaxy Tab S7+, offering us our first look at its design from all angles.

From an aesthetic perspective, the Galaxy Tab S7+ is almost identical to the vanilla Galaxy Tab S7, with the only key difference between them being the dimensions. The plus-sized tablet will reportedly feature a 12.4-inch display, compared to the 11-inch Super AMOLED panel on the Galaxy Tab S7.

Another major difference is that the Galaxy Tab S7+, despite its larger footprint, will be thinner than the Galaxy Tab S7 and is said to be in the same league as the iPad Pro. There are two cameras and an LED flash at the back, while a 9,800 mAh battery will keep the lights on. As per a previous leak, the Galaxy Tab S7 duo will offer a silky smooth 120Hz display.

Image: Pigtou
Image: Pigtou
Image: Pigtou

Source: Pigtou

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