Major Google Pixel 8 leak reveals all the camera upgrades on the way

As the months roll round to the expected October launch window for the Google Pixel 8, we're hearing more and more rumors about what the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will bring with them. And today, we're talking about the cameras.

According to Android Authority, the Pixel 8 series is going to bring with it a significant upgrade in the camera department. Specifically, the main Samsung ISOCELL GN1 sensor is apparently going to be swapped out for the larger Samsung ISOCELL GN2 upgrade.

That larger sensor means around 35% more light can be captured – not only does that ensure better performance in low light scenarios, it also means faster shutter speeds (and less motion blur) no matter what the lighting conditions.

Ultrawide and telephoto

There's more: on the Pixel 8 Pro, the ultrawide sensor is said to be getting an upgrade from the 12MP Sony IMX386 to the 64MP Sony IMX787 – that happens to be the primary camera sensor that you'll find in the Google Pixel 7a.

Google is also making the lens on top of the sensor wider, the report says, allowing more of a scene to be captured. And while the ultrawide camera sensor on the Pixel 8 is reportedly the same 12MP Sony IMX386 on the Pixel 7, again the lens is supposed to be wider on the upcoming phone.

As for the telephoto zoom camera on the Pixel 8 Pro, it's expected to match the 5x zoom 48MP Samsung GM5 sensor on the Pixel 7 Pro. The Pro model is also being tipped to get a better time-of-flight (ToF) sensor to improve autofocus, which all adds up to a serious set of upgrades – especially on the Pro edition.


Analysis: Google looking to impress again

Throughout the history of the Pixel series, the phones have usually impressed in terms of their photo and video capturing capabilities, even if the underlying hardware hasn't matched the components on phones made by the likes of Apple and Samsung.

That has primarily been down to Google's expertise in the field of computational photography: the way that images are processed and optimized in order to produce the best results from the raw data captured through the camera hardware.

In recent years, Google's rivals have caught up in these image processing techniques, so it seems important for the Pixel 8 to come with upgraded camera components – as well as, we're hoping, upgraded photo and video processing tricks.

Camera upgrades on Pixel phones aren't always a given, with software enhancements typically more common. This year however, it seems Google is determined to set a new high bar when it comes to smartphone photography.

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Will the iPhone 15 finally get USB-C? Here’s everything we know

Apple is all but certain to unveil its iPhone 15 line in September, with a customary standard model expected to arrive alongside the iPhone 15 Pro and a brand new iPhone variant – the iPhone 15 Ultra (which could stand in for an iPhone 15 Pro Max, this year).

The technological gap between each new device will reportedly be bigger than ever – for instance, the iPhone 15 Ultra could get a periscope lens, while the standard iPhone 15 sticks with a camera setup akin to the iPhone 14 Pro – but rumors also suggest that all three devices will, for the first time, be ditching Apple’s proprietary Lightning port in favor of USB-C.

But what is USB-C, and why does it matter for iPhones? Will it make them faster, slower, cheaper or more expensive? And why might Apple be abandoning its own technology for a more commonplace one? In this article, we answer all of these questions and more.

What is USB-C?

USB-C is the latest universal standard for the wired connection of smart devices. If you buy a smart device in 2023 – be it one of the best Android phones, best laptops or best smart speakers – it’ll likely feature a pill-shaped port to support USB-C charging and data transfer.

A USB-C connector has 24 pins in total, 16 of which are for data transfer, four are for charging and four are ground pins. USB-C cables are reversible, meaning you can insert them into their corresponding ports face-up or face-down, it doesn't matter.

Apple MacBook Air (M1,2020) on a gray surface

Apple's MacBooks already use USB-C (Image credit: Future)

It’s worth noting that USB-C isn’t a data standard, so you can’t tell how fast a given USB-C cable is without looking at its corresponding number (which indicates speed). There are a number of different types of USB-C cables, including USB 2.0, 3.0 and Thunderbolt 4.

In October 2022, the European Union (EU) finalized a regulation requiring companies to include universal USB-C charging ports on all new technology products sold in EU countries from the end of 2024.

Will the iPhone 15 get USB-C?

A leaked photo of the iPhone 15 Pro

A leaked photo of the iPhone 15 Pro's USB-C port (Image credit: @URedditor)

We've actually already seen a photo (above) which allegedly shows an iPhone 15 Pro with a USB-C port, so Apple’s transition to the new charging standard in 2023 is looking ever more likely.

Will USB-C make iPhone 15 charging faster?

If indeed Apple does decide to implement USB-C charging on every model in the iPhone 15 line – as seems likely to be the case – there’s a good chance that the Pro models will offer faster data transfer speeds than their predecessors.

According to seasoned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra will get USB-C ports that support data transfer speeds of up to either 20Gbps or 40Gbps, up from just 480Mbps on current iPhones.

A Lightning charger and USB-C charger next to an iPhone 14

(Image credit: Shutterstock / charnsitr)

We've since heard similar claims from multiple sources, and USBMakers predicts that the iPhone 15 Ultra could offer transfer speeds that are as much as 90% faster than those offered by the vanilla iPhone 15 (which will reportedly stick with its predecessor's USB 2.0 standard).

Kuo had also suggested that Apple's proprietary MFi (‘Made for iPhone’) USB-C chargers might offer faster iPhone 15 charging speeds than accessories produced by other manufacturers, but the EU recently warned Apple against making such a move, citing its desire to keep the playing field level.

Given that the EU’s directive doesn’t kick in until 2024, there’s no legal obligation for Apple to follow the rules until that date – but it wouldn’t be a great look for the company to knowingly circumvent legislation that it knows is coming into effect in the near future.

It's also worth noting that Apple's transition to USB-C is unlikely to impact the price of the iPhone 15 line.

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Latest Pixel leak reveals new tools to give your phone a fun makeover

Newly discovered leaks reveal Google is working on several ways for Pixel owners to customize their device’s look as well as the opportunity to create their own cinematic photos.

This information comes from the Google News Telegram channel, which is not officially affiliated with Google itself but is run by industry insider Nail Sadykov. There, it is revealed the tech giant has recently rolled out the Emoji Workshop Wallpaper app to Pixel phones running the third Android 14 beta

The software allows users to select up to 14 individual emojis, choose from five different patterns (Mosaic, Lotus, Stacks, Placer, and Prism), and pick a color for their wallpaper. The Pixel device will then generate the wallpaper, which can be set as either your lock or home screen, based on the selection. This customized wallpaper is also interactive as touching the screen causes the emojis to dance a little. 

If you’re too lazy to make one up yourself, the app can also randomly generate wallpapers for you.

Emoji Wallpaper on Android 14

(Image credit: Mishaal Rahman/Twitter)

Installing Emoji Workshop can take a bit of work, however, as you’ll need to install Android 14 Beta 3 on your compatible Pixel device. Be sure to check out TechRadar’s guide for detailed instructions on how to download the beta. Once installed, you also need to download the app from the Emoji Workshop’s Google Play Store page

Bear in mind that it only works on Pixel phones. Also, opening the Play Store link with anything else causes an error message to appear.

A different way to read the news

The Google News app has also received new Material You widgets. The smaller Quick View widget focuses on just one story so people can still use their phone as normal. You also have List View to show you multiple headlines about a particular topic. 

The post in the Telegram channel states this update will appear with the launch of version 5.82 of the Google News app. As a word of warning, there are third-party sites out there offering the opportunity to install version 5.82. We strongly advise against downloading these for safety reasons. You’re better off waiting for the official release.

Google News Material You widgets

(Image credit: Nail Sadykov/Twitter)

Finally, Google will allow users a way to create their own cinematic photos. This AI feature originally came out back in December 2020, adding a slow camera pan animation to photographs. Up to this point, Google chose the images to edit, but moving forward, there will be new controls in the Library/Utilities section of the Google Photos app. 

According to the leak, the update is apparently already rolling out to a select few. Be aware it will remain exclusive to those who own a Pixel device and a subscription to Google One.

No word on the launch date of either the emoji wallpaper or Google News widget, although we expect both to come out alongside Android 14 later this summer.

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5 could beat the Pixel Fold in one major way

The Google Pixel Fold is an impressive foldable phone, and one which matches the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 in a number of areas, including its IPX8 rating for water resistance. But a leak suggests that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 could go a step further, with an IP58 rating.

That’s according to leaker @chunvn8888 (via NotebookCheck), and that ‘5’ in place of an ‘X’ means that, along with the same level of water resistance as the previous models, these phones would also be dust resistant.

Specifically, a dust resistance rating of IP5 means that, while dust won’t be totally prevented from entering the phones, it shouldn’t do so in quantities that can interfere with them. That’s in contrast to the Samsung Galaxy S23 series and most other high-end phones, which have an IP68 rating, meaning they’re dust-tight.

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Of course, foldable phones have a lot more moving parts and are therefore trickier to protect against dust than standard smartphones, so even an IP5 rating is very rare. The Motorola Razr Plus has such a rating, but it’s IP52 rated, meaning that, while it’s got some dust resistance, it has almost no water resistance.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, then, could be the first foldable phones with a decent amount of protection against both dust and water.

Just a single source

That said, we’d take this claim with a pinch of salt. We had previously heard that Samsung might be exploring dust resistance on these phones, but that claim came from the same source, and so far no other sources seem to be echoing them (though equally we haven’t seen other sources dispute this claim, either).

Still, if Samsung does achieve this, then that could give the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Flip 5 a big advantage over other foldables, and with competition being steeper than ever this year, that’s something they could really do with.

We’ll likely find out in late July, as that’s when Samsung is expected to unveil these best foldable phone contenders. And they probably won’t be alone, as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 line are both expected to land alongside them.

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iOS 17 will finally fix this annoying iPhone camera problem

Apple’s iOS operating system is exceptionally intuitive and easy to use, but that doesn’t mean the platform is completely free of annoying quirks. 

Take QR codes, for example. Apple introduced support for scanning QR codes with the iPhone’s Camera app in iOS 11, but when viewing a code, the link popup would appear as a pesky push notification at the top of the interface. 

Then, in iOS 13, Apple mixed things up by placing that yellow link button within the camera viewfinder itself – which was an improvement on the previous method, but still a source of frustration for many, particularly those with supersized iPhones whose thumbs had to hyperextend just to select the link. 

In iOS 17, though, Apple appears to have come up with a universal solution for all iPhone sizes and finger lengths. As spotted by 9to5Mac, when you scan a QR code in iOS 17, the link button instantly appears at the bottom of the Camera app interface, making it much easier to tap with your thumb (in the same way that the Safari search bar now appears at the bottom of the screen).

The updated QR code interface on iPhone

The updated QR code interface on iPhone (Image credit: 9to5Mac)

There is actually a shortcut to enabling this feature in iOS 16 already – as soon as you move a QR code out of frame, the link bubble should drop down to the bottom of your iPhone’s camera interface – but in iOS 17, QR code links will appear at the bottom by default, rather than floating around the viewfinder to begin with. 

This may seem like an insignificant change, but with QR codes becoming an increasingly common method of sharing information, it’s good to see Apple trying to make the process of accessing them as smooth as possible. 

For more on the other iOS 17 features unveiled at WWDC 2023, head over to our detailed roundup of the 10 best iOS 17 features worth knowing about. We've also reported on the iOS 17 upgrades heading to Apple Maps and iMessage, as well as Apple’s new StandBy feature, which will turn your iPhone into a smart display, of sorts.

iOS 17 proper isn’t expected to roll out until September this year, but the iOS 17 beta is currently available to those enrolled in Apple’s Developer program. 

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The BoostCharge Pro is Belkin’s perfect StandBy Mode stand for iOS 17

Belkin returns with a new set of Apple-exclusive products, the most important of which is the BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand.

The little brother of the BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand that launched last year, this new model not only allows you to quickly charge iPhones and AirPod charging cases but also offer support for charging in landscape mode. It's a new feature that takes advantage of the new StandBy Mode coming to iOS 17.

StandBy Mode, as revealed at WWDC 2023, gives iPhones the ability to control smart home devices from smart light bulbs to door locks. Sitting on top of the BoostChargePro 2-in-1 stand, you can turn your smartphone into your very own smart home display. For those uninterested in having a smart home, people can still use the BoostCharge Pro and iPhone pairing as a side table assistant of sorts.

MagSafe and secure

The BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 shares a lot of the same features as the older model, including “MagSafe technology” for “up to 15W” fast wireless charging. 

The first thing you will notice about this upgrade, however, is it loses the T-shaped arm from the previous installment. That's because Belkin has removed support for Apple Watches. But don't worry as it'll sport the same level of performance as before plus a cheaper price tag and the aforementioned compatibility for landscape mode.

It is secure enough for both portrait and landscape placements so you don’t have to worry about your device falling off. On the bottom is a Qi wireless charging base exclusively for AirPods. It is a bit smaller than Belkin’s 3-in-1 Wireless Charger, however, as it measures 4.72 x 4.72 x 6.22 inches (120 x 120 x 158 mm).

Available in white and black, you can purchase the BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand for $99.99 from Apple’s website with the shipping date is set for June 12. Do note that you will need to own an “iPhone 12 or newer” device to use the charger. 

In terms of AirPods, the base is compatible with most models going as far back as the first generation. The one exception is the AirPods Max. Neither of Belkin’s products work with the headphones so you’ll have to stick with using the Lighting port for charging. A full list of compatible product can be found on the charger's product listing.

Be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best iPhone chargers for 2023. We cover a wide variety including cables, mats and blocks for your mobile device. 

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Vodafone and Three could announce merger tomorrow

Vodafone and CK Hutchinson - the owner of Three - are about to announce a merger in the UK, according to a report from Reuters. The news agency said the deal could be announced either this Friday, or early next week.

Apparently, the deal will be in line with what was reported in October last year - namely that Vodafone would own the majority of the combined group (51%), with Hutchinson keeping the remaining 49%. 

It was also said that the new company would be valued at approximately $18.6 billion, debt included. 

Shareholder pressure

The story of the Vodafone/CK Hutchinson merger has been ongoing for quite some time now, and triggered major moves in the market. 

Some argue that former Vodafone CEO, Nick Read, stepped down due to not being able to consolidate the UK market, which was one of his major goals. This inability frustrated shareholders, which resulted in the change at the helm.

The new CEO, Margherita Della Valle, stepped in and has been feeling the pressure to improve the company’s performance. Less than a month ago, Della Valle announced the company would be cutting 11,000 jobs in an effort to become more agile on the market.

The deal also raised some concerns, as the regulators did not view the idea of reducing the number of network operators in a major market such as the UK kindly. The deal is still pending regulatory approval, Reuters added. 

On the other hand, Hutchinson’s CFO, Frank John Sixt also said that finalizing the deal was “extremely difficult.”

If the deal does end up going through, the resulting group will become the biggest mobile operator in the UK, with some 27 million customers. That would place it above BT’s EE and VM O2, as well as Liberty Global, Reuters claims.

Via: Reuters

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Here’s why the iPhone 15 could be Apple’s best-selling iPhone in years

Despite recent rumors suggesting that Apple’s iPhone 16 line will bring more meaningful upgrades to the table than its upcoming iPhone 15 line, the latter could still prove a windfall release for the company, owing to the number of soon-to-be-outdated iPhones currently out in the wild.

According to analyst Dan Ives (via CNBC), “roughly 250 million iPhones have not been upgraded in over four years, [which] sets Apple up for a major installed base upgrade cycle heading into this anniversary 15 year release.”

The launch of the iPhone 15 and its siblings could prove a “trophy case moment” for Apple, Ives explained to CNBC, adding that a boost in revenue from Apple Services will put the company in a “massive position of strength” going into 2024.

It’s hard to verify Ives’ claim regarding the number of un-upgraded iPhones without delving into official carrier records, but back in 2019, researcher Toni Saccanoghi conducted a study which found that the average iPhone upgrade time had increased from three years to four. And it’s not hard to understand why.

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iPhone 15 Pro renders obtained by 9to5Mac

The iPhone 15 Pro could look something like this (Image credit: 9to5Mac)
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iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra renders

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra renders obtained by 9to5Mac (Image credit: 9to5Mac)
Image 3 of 4

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra renders

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra renders obtained by 9to5Mac (Image credit: 9to5Mac)
Image 4 of 4

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra renders

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra renders obtained by 9to5Mac (Image credit: 9to5Mac)

Apple typically supports iPhones with major software updates for at least five years after their launch – the iPhone X (released in 2017) will be the youngest casualty of iOS 17 – meaning consumers can happily move through the world with a four or five-year-old iPhone without fear of being left behind when it comes to functionality and security.

What’s more, as iPhones have gotten more advanced over the years, the technological gap between new model releases has narrowed – particularly in the last few years. To the untrained eye, there’s little to differentiate between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 14, for instance, and consumers evidently haven’t felt compelled to own the latest iPhone if their existing model remains in good working order.

After four years, though, iPhones can start to feel a little outdated. Apple’s 2019 iPhone, the iPhone 11, is still a great phone that’ll continue to be supported until 2025, but the iPhone 15 will be a markedly lighter, brighter and faster machine than its four-year-old sibling – and that’s before taking into account the iPhone 15 Pro and much-rumored iPhone 15 Ultra.

In fact, even if you’re tempted to upgrade your old iPhone to a soon-to-be-cheaper Pro model, like the iPhone 14 Pro, we’d suggest holding out for the base iPhone 15, which we suspect will arrive packing similar features and a smaller price tag.

For our thoughts on how Apple’s next iPhones might stack up, check out our speculative comparisons between the iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 vs iPhone 14, iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Ultra.

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OnePlus likely to unveil Samsung and Google foldable rival in August

OnePlus is working on its first foldable phone and the latest reports claim that the device will be launching in August. The launch event is said to be taking place in New York. 

Talk of a ‘OnePlus Fold’ August launch came as early as May, with tipster Max Jambor sharing as such. This latest report, however, comes from Yogesh Brar via Pricebaba. According to Brar, OnePlus will also try for a global rollout, aiming for key markets including the US and India. Both Jambor and Brar are fairly reliable tipsters, lending credence to their reports. It is still not clear if this first OnePlus foldable will be called the ‘OnePlus Fold’ or something else. 

Confirming the upcoming foldable earlier in the year, OnePlus’ CEO Pete Lau said: “Our first foldable phone will have the signature OnePlus fast and smooth experience. It must be a flagship phone that doesn’t settle because of its folding form, in terms of industrial design, mechanical technology, and other aspects. We want to launch a device that aims to be at the pinnacle experience of today’s foldable market.” 

A tipping point for foldables?

Far from being a Samsung-only pursuit at this point, the best foldables could soon be sourced from the likes of OnePlus or Google as more and more companies enter the fray. The form factor is still relatively novel and interesting, with a lot of potential for accessories and unique use cases.

At the same time, foldables have yet to take off. Price is often cited as a point of failure, but the best-selling smartphones remained expensive, classic slab smartphones, including the iPhone 14 Pro Max and Galaxy S23 Ultra. Of course, it’s worth pointing out that the Galaxy Z Flip 4 did find a foothold among the top premium devices shared by Canalys, albeit a small one. Perhaps people, as a whole, just aren’t that into foldables? As I said above, with more and more companies turning their hands to foldables, the answer may become clearer sooner rather than later.

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Android 14 Beta 3 is here, and it brings enhanced lock screen customization

We’re not expecting the finished version of Android 14 to roll out for another two or three months, but the beta version has just had a big update, with Android 14 Beta 3 now here, complete with new lock screen customization options for Pixel phones.

These features – spotted in Beta 3 by Mishaal Rahman – were previously teased at Google I/O 2023, and they allow you to change the colors, size, and style of the lock screen clock, as well as choosing which shortcuts to display on the lock screen.

For the clock, you can choose from a number of digital options along with one analog one, while for the shortcuts, you have a choice of mute, device controls (for smart home devices), Google Wallet, camera, do not disturb, video call, flashlight, and a QR code scanner.

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You can place one in the bottom left corner and one in the bottom right, or choose not to display shortcuts. Disappointingly though you’re limited to those options, so you can’t have truly custom shortcuts.

Still, this should be a handy update, and bring the Pixel series more in line with what’s possible on the iPhone 14, along with the other best iPhones, especially since iOS 16 introduced a similar feature. And while this implementation isn’t currently supported by other Android handsets, some manufacturers have been offering similarly capable lock screen customization for a while, anyway.

Interface tweaks and a new tutorial

This isn’t the only new feature in the Android 14 Beta 3 though, as Rahman also reports that there’s a new tutorial for gesture navigation, and there are various small interface tweaks, such as a new charging indicator, themed icons now having more vibrant colors, and more rounded buttons in the screenshot preview.

So the enhanced lock screen customization is definitely the headline feature, but there are a few other things that users might appreciate too.

Notably though, this beta has been released on the schedule Google previously set, which means we should be on target for a finished release, likely in August or September. As such, there shouldn’t be too long to go now, and we’d recommend most users wait until the final version is ready, since betas always have bugs.

That said, if you really want the latest Android 14 beta now and you have a compatible phone, you can head to our how to download the Android 14 beta guide for full step-by-step instructions.

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Samsung’s incredible Galaxy projector smartphone now has a heir: Meet the Tank 2

Unihertz is one of the more adventurous rugged smartphone vendors out there with outlandish models such as the BlackBerry-esque Titan (and Titan Slim), the lilliputian Atom, the two-faced TickTock and the huge Tank. Turns out there’s a Tank 2 and it comes with a unique feature, one not seen since the Samsung Galaxy Beam. That’s right, more than a decade after the exciting but short lived projector smartphone was launched, there’s a new smartphone that wants you to use it as a projector.

Big, bold and brash could be three terms used to describe it; it is hefty (weighs more than 500g) and bulky. At 23.5mm, it is almost twice the thickness of the just-announced 15-inch Apple MacBook Air. It is powered by a Mediatek CPU (Helio G99) and comes with 12GB RAM (expandable to 22GB using some onboard wizardry).

Add in 256GB storage, a 6.8-inch FHD+ display, Android 13, a quartet of camera sensors (32-megapixel front facing, 108-megapixel, 64-megapixel night vision and 16-megapixel wide camera) and a huge 15.5Ah battery and you have a pretty compelling rugged smartphone already.

A mobile projector

It’s its unique selling point though that seals the deal: its laser projector. Don’t expect miracles though; Unihertz claims it has a native resolution of 1280 x 720 (i.e. HD) and a brightness of 40 lumens. Its throw and contrast ratios of 1.2:1 and 80000:1 respectively means that it will barely be usable for a large audience. So, yes, it is a great portable projector, but no, it can’t be used as a business projector (saved from boring Powerpoint presentations)

But then, how many underwater projector do you know of (the Tank 2 is IP68/IP69K certified, so I’d expect it to be waterproof). At less than $340 (excluding taxes) at Chinese online retailer, Aliexpress, it is not as expensive as I’d expect, especially given the projector feature. Just be aware of its limitations: there’s no 5G, no wireless charging, the processor is a bit slow and aftersales is likely to be a challenge.

Let’s just hope that it doesn’t get the same lukewarm reception as the Lenovo Smartcast smartphone, the Blackview Max 1 and the Voga V. Can’t wait to see what Unihertz has next in store for us? Our money is on a 2024 take on the iconic, yet underappreciated, Samsung Galaxy Camera.

Posted in Uncategorised

Samsung’s incredible Galaxy projector smartphone now has a heir: Meet the Tank 2

Unihertz is one of the more adventurous rugged smartphone vendors out there with outlandish models such as the BlackBerry-esque Titan (and Titan Slim), the lilliputian Atom, the two-faced TickTock and the huge Tank. Turns out there’s a Tank 2 and it comes with a unique feature, one not seen since the Samsung Galaxy Beam. That’s right, more than a decade after the exciting but short lived projector smartphone was launched, there’s a new smartphone that wants you to use it as a projector.

Big, bold and brash could be three terms used to describe it; it is hefty (weighs more than 500g) and bulky. At 23.5mm, it is almost twice the thickness of the just-announced 15-inch Apple MacBook Air. It is powered by a Mediatek CPU (Helio G99) and comes with 12GB RAM (expandable to 22GB using some onboard wizardry).

Add in 256GB storage, a 6.8-inch FHD+ display, Android 13, a quartet of camera sensors (32-megapixel front facing, 108-megapixel, 64-megapixel night vision and 16-megapixel wide camera) and a huge 15.5Ah battery and you have a pretty compelling rugged smartphone already.

A mobile projector

It’s its unique selling point though that seals the deal: its laser projector. Don’t expect miracles though; Unihertz claims it has a native resolution of 1280 x 720 (i.e. HD) and a brightness of 40 lumens. Its throw and contrast ratios of 1.2:1 and 80000:1 respectively means that it will barely be usable for a large audience. So, yes, it is a great portable projector, but no, it can’t be used as a business projector (saved from boring Powerpoint presentations)

But then, how many underwater projector do you know of (the Tank 2 is IP68/IP69K certified, so I’d expect it to be waterproof). At less than $340 (excluding taxes) at Chinese online retailer, Aliexpress, it is not as expensive as I’d expect, especially given the projector feature. Just be aware of its limitations: there’s no 5G, no wireless charging, the processor is a bit slow and aftersales is likely to be a challenge.

Let’s just hope that it doesn’t get the same lukewarm reception as the Lenovo Smartcast smartphone, the Blackview Max 1 and the Voga V. Can’t wait to see what Unihertz has next in store for us? Our money is on a 2024 take on the iconic, yet underappreciated, Samsung Galaxy Camera.

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Apple Maps will finally get this useful Google Maps feature in iOS 17

We recently reported on a suite of rumored iOS 17 Apple Maps upgrades that might finally make you switch from Google Maps, but Apple’s navigation app is now confirmed to be getting a feature that Google’s platform has had for years. 

When iOS 17 arrives later this year, the update will introduce offline functionality in Apple Maps for the first time. Per Apple’s own description, “users [will be able to] easily select an area on their device and download it with just a tap. While offline, [they] will be able to access turn-by-turn navigation for driving, walking, transit, and cycling; see their estimated time of arrival; find places in Maps; and more.”

In other words, you’ll soon be able to download directions and information for entire areas prior to hitting the road, sparing you the frustration of losing connection – or using up precious cellular data – when you’re out and about.

A phone screen showing Apple Maps EV charging locations

(Image credit: Apple)

Also arriving in iOS 17 is the ability to see real-time electric vehicle charging availability in Maps (above). Apple says the app will filter by charging network and plug type, and users with compatible vehicles will be able to designate their preferred options. 

Apple is making it easier to discover park trails across the US, too, with iOS 17 introducing place cards in Maps that will include details like trail length and type, difficulty, and elevation gain. Presumably, this feature will roll out to other regions shortly after debuting on the US version of the app. 

Rumored upgrades coming to Apple Maps in iOS 17

Leaked images of Apple Maps' ‘Live Activity’ interface upgrade (Image credit: Future / @analyst941)

We haven’t yet seen Apple confirm the ‘Live Activity’ lock screen feature that serial Apple tipster @analyst941 teased back in May (above), so this may be something that the company holds for future iterations of iOS 17. 

Given the handful of confirmed upgrades coming to Apple’s navigation software later this year, though, the Apple Maps vs. Google Maps debate looks set for a shake-up. 

We’ll be taking Apple Maps for a spin as and when we get our hands on the iOS 17 beta. In the meantime, read our roundup of the 10 best iOS 17 features announced at WWDC 2023.

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Many Android apps have been installing adware for half a year

Tens of thousands of Android applications were recently discovered pushing adware on the devices for months.

This is according to a new report from cybersecurity researchers Bitdefender. After deploying an anomaly detection feature to its mobile security solution last month, the company found 60,000 unique apps that pretended to be various security, utility, and entertainment apps but were in reality just pushing adware.

The apps were being distributed through third-party websites, propped up solely for the distribution of malicious apps. None of the apps were found on the Play Store, it seems. Bitdefender says that it’s likely that the 60,000 number is not final and that the number of malicious software is probably a lot bigger.

Fake uninstall

The threat actors would create these websites and then get them as high on Google’s search engine results pages (SERP) as possible, probably also utilizing other distribution channels, such as social media sites, instant communications apps, email, and more.

Once the victim installs the app on their endpoint, it would tell them it is unavailable in their region, and offer a quick way to uninstall it. However, the uninstallation process would never happen, and the apps would simply remain on the device.

The developers also deployed a couple of other obfuscation methods to make sure the adware remains hidden on Android devices for as long as possible. 

Firstly, the apps don’t automatically run once downloaded, as that would require additional privileges which would likely raise suspicion among the targets. Instead, they go the route all other apps take and wait for the users to run them. 

Secondly, after the “uninstall” process, the apps go to sleep for a few hours, after which they would register two “intents” that make the app launch upon reboot or device unlock. The intents themselves are “asleep” for the first two days. 

As usual, the best way to protect against such threats is to make sure to only download software from legitimate sources.

Via: BleepingComputer

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iOS 17 will make life worse for Android users – here’s why

The functionality and exclusivity of iMessage has been touted as a key reason why Android fans are switching to iPhones in record numbers, and it looks as though iOS 17 will further widen the gap between Apple’s proprietary messaging service and SMS/RCS.

Apple lifted the lid on its next major software update – iOS 17 – at WWDC 2023, and among the 10 best iOS 17 features heading to iPhones in September are a suite of iMessage-related upgrades that will materially worsen the experience of communicating with iPhone users from Android phones.

As first spotted by XDA Developers, the iOS 17 beta gives iPhone users the ability to edit texts, reply in threads and send iMessage-quality videos in group chats containing iPhone users and Android users – but that improved functionality could leave the latter camp unable to make sense of what’s being said.

For instance, where iMessage chats would previously default to traditional SMS chats if an Android user joined the conversation, the first iOS 17 beta allows iPhone users to retain the ability to edit texts even if Android users are present in the group chat. Those Android users still aren’t able to edit texts, but shockingly, they also aren’t able to see the edits iPhone users make, meaning both parties could conceivably see different messages in the same group chat.

iMessage interface on iPhone

In iOS 16, group chats containing Android users (left) default to SMS formatting (Image credit: Future / Apple)

We’d expect Apple to act in good faith and reverse that change in iOS 17 proper – with editing powers still reserved for iPhone users, but edits visible to all group members – although there’s a chance that the company could pull a Google and deliberately make life worse for users of the rival messaging service.

As mentioned, the first iOS 17 beta also gives iPhone users the ability to reply in message threads, even when Android users are present in the group chat. Android users, however, won’t see those threads as threads, and will instead see messages in the traditional stacked view (which is a recipe for even more confusion). 

And lastly, where iOS 16 forced all group chat members to see the same compressed image and video files, iOS 17 will let iPhone users view uncompressed (read: higher-quality) image and video files. Android users – you guessed it! – will be stuck with the existing file size limitations.

In other words, iOS 17 will improve the group chat experience for iPhone users by making iMessage features available in more situations – a change that will conversely make the experience of using group chats worse for those with Android phones. 

Apple is expected to roll out iOS 17 proper alongside the iPhone 15 line in September, but we'll be reporting on the features introduced with each new beta version of the update that goes live between now and then. 

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