Google is offering a free Nest Mini to YouTube Premium subscribers in some regions

In a bid to expand its market share in the voice assistant space, Google has been aggressively pushing the Google Home Mini ever since its launch back in 2017. The company has previously offered free Google Home Minis to Google One subscribers, YouTube Premium subscribers, Google Assistant users, Spotify family plan subscribers, and even along with purchases made on eBay or Google Express. It seems like the company is continuing this trend with the new Nest Mini, as it’s now offering the smart speaker for free to YouTube Premium subscribers.

According to a recent report from Android Police, a few YouTube Premium and Google Play Music subscribers have started receiving emails or in-app notifications with promo codes for 100% off a new Nest Mini. In case you haven’t received the email/notification yet, you can follow this link to see if you’re eligible for the promo.

While the offer seems to be valid only in the US for now, since Google doesn’t mention any regional restrictions in its terms and conditions (see T&C section below) it may be extended to other regions in the near future. It’s also worth noting that the free Nest Minis are available on a first come, first serve basis until June 30, so you may want to redeem yours before the stock runs out.

Terms and Conditions

Promotional code offer is provided by Google LLC and subject to the following terms. Offer must be redeemed by 11:59 PM PDT on June 30, 2020 or it will expire. Available only to users who are active paid members of an individual plan, student plan, or family plan head-of-household of YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium or Google Play Music on May 19, 2020. Users must be active members where their membership is not in a paused state as at the date of redemption. Each promotional code is valid for 1 redemption of a Nest Mini and will be available on a first come, first served basis, subject to availability. Google reserves the right to modify these terms as needed.

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Via: Android Police

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NVIDIA adds 3 Assassin’s Creed games, Saints Row: The Third Remastered, Far Cry: New Dawn, and more to GeForce NOW

NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW game-streaming service enjoys its share in the now-crowded game streaming market on the fact that it was one of the first to appear for end consumers. The service started beta testing for Android last year and opened up for everyone in February. NVIDIA had pledged to announce new games for GeForce NOW every week, and over the past weeks, it has kept to that promise so far. This week, NVIDIA is giving GeForce NOW a big haul with 26 new additions, including noteworthy popular titles from series such as Assassin’s Creed, Saints Row, Far Cry, Rainbow Six Siege, Watch Dogs, and more.

GeForce NOW  incorporates technology that utilizes AI and RTX GPUs to enable “the next generation of performance and visuals”. It’s NVIDIA’s improved deep learning neural network that “boosts frame rates while generating beautiful, sharp images for games”. Since the base technology is game streaming, games begin playing instantly when you fire them up. They also include an experience that has been optimized for cloud gaming and includes Game Ready Driver performance improvements, managed directly by NVIDIA.

Here is the complete list of new games that have been added to GeForce NOW this week:

• Steam:
  • Strategic Mind: Blitzkrieg
  • Clustertruck
  • Deadside
  • Epistory – Typing Chronicles
  • Expeditions: Viking
  • GWENT: The Witcher Card Game
  • Kholat
  • Kona
  • Monster Train
  • Oriental Empires
  • Path Of Wuxia
  • Space Rangers HD: A War Apart
  • The Long Dark
  • Train Fever
  • X-Morph: Defense
  • Zombie Army Trilogy
• Epic Games Store:
  • Maneater
  • Saints Row: The Third Remastered
  • Assassin’s Creed Origins
  • Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
  • Assassin’s Creed III Remastered
  • Far Cry: New Dawn
  • For Honor
  • The Crew 2
  • Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
  • Watch Dogs 2

Of these, Strategic Mind: Blitzkrieg had a simultaneous release on PC on Steam. This week, the most popular titles are coming onto the Epic Games Store, and of these, Maneater and Saints Row: The Third Remastered have a simultaneous release on PC on the Epic Games Store.

Here are all the previous title additions:

• March 26, 2020
• April 24, 2020
• May 1, 2020
• May 7, 2020
• May 14, 2020

NVIDIA also recently changed the way games are listed on its GeForce NOW platform. Game developers now have to opt-in to have their game listed. This gives the developers greater control on their games and how they want it to be played, and for consumers, it gives them a more stable game catalog in the long run with fewer random game disappearances.

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NVIDIA GeForce NOW (Free, Google Play) →

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Windows 10 May 2020 update brings WSL 2, revamped Cortana assistant, and “Your Phone” calls to ARM devices

per StatCounter, Windows commands a market share of 76.5%, meaning that every three out of four computers in the world run on Windows. While Windows did admittedly lose its dominant status as the OS across platforms to Android, it still presented itself as the go-to desktop option for many, many users. The latest version of Windows, Windows 10, is now receiving the May 2020 stable update, which brings several key features such as Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2, a revamped Cortana experience, Your Phone feature for Windows on ARM, and more.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2

Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 was first announced during Microsoft Build 2019, and is now being rolled out to all users under the stable Windows 10 branch. This update brings a full Linux kernel to the stable branch. As part of this update, WSL 2 is also now updateable through Windows Update, so users no longer need to rely on the command line only to update the kernel.

Microsoft did announce GPU acceleration and Linux GUI app support for WSL 2, at Microsoft Build 2020. But, these features are not yet available even for Windows Insiders, so there is bound to be further waiting for users on the stable branch.

Chat-based UI for Cortana

Another highlight of this Windows 10 version update is the new Cortana experience, which now takes the form of a chat with the digital assistant.

Users can now interact with Microsoft’s digital assistant in a chat-based user interface, via either text or by voice in natural language. You can resize, move, and dock the app window on your desktop to accommodate your preferred workflow. Cortana will be able to help you access information quicker, connect with people faster, and help you stay on track of your schedule. Specific tasks that Cortana can accomplish include calendar and schedule assistance, helping join meetings in Microsoft Teams, find out about people in the organization, make lists and set reminders, open apps and settings pages, get definitions and quick answers and get weather and news updates.

Your Phone on Windows 10 on ARM

The May 2020 update to Windows 10 brings the Your Phone app’s calling feature to ARM supported PCs. The Your Phone app lets you place, receive, or text reply to incoming phone calls from your PC. Previously, this feature only worked if you had a supported Android device and an x86/x86-64 Windows 10 PC. However, with the May 2020 update to Windows 10, Microsoft is now enabling this functionality in the desktop Your Phone app for Windows 10 on ARM devices, like the Microsoft Surface Pro X and Samsung Galaxy Book S.

Your Phone Companion - Link to Windows (Free, Google Play) →

Other features

Other smaller features in this update include:

• Faster Bluetooth pairing – devices can now be paired straight from the quick settings in notifications rather than opening Settings.
• More kaomoji available within the Windows emoji keyboard.
• Virtual desktops can now be named.
• The Xbox Game Bar now supports third-party widgets, letting you customize the overlay experience to fit with the way you game.
• Memory improvements in Microsoft Edge by taking advantage of segment heap capabilities.
• The Calculator app can now float on top of other windows.
• The Notepad app  is getting updated with wrap-around find/replace, quick text zooming, and the ability to show when the file has unsaved changes by displaying an asterisk in the title bar.

Windows 10 May 2020 update is rolling out to desktops, though Microsoft is initially limiting availability to those devices running versions 1903 and 1909 who seek the update via Windows Update. If you wish to install the update, navigate to the Windows Update settings pane (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update), and select Check for updates. Once the update appears, you can choose to Download and Install. Note that the update may not be visible immediately as Microsoft will be ramping up roll out gradually.

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Source: Windows Blog

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Custom kernel fixes green tinting issues on some Google Pixel 4 XL units

2019’s Google Pixel 4 lineup first introduced 90Hz refresh rate mobile display in the series, but the panels on the regular and the ‘XL’ variants are sourced from two different manufacturers. While the Pixel 4 comes with an LG display, Google decided to use a Samsung-made panel on the Pixel 4 XL, which is the same one found on the OnePlus 7 Pro. In our detailed display analysis of the Google Pixel 4 family, XDA’s Dylan Raga has pointed out that the Samsung display on the Pixel 4 XL has some serious flaws in the color saturation at lower brightness due to wrong gamma calibration. Matter of fact, if you do a Google search for “google pixel 4 green tint“, you’ll find a lot of complaints about the screen having a greenish tint at low brightness levels.

Google Pixel 4 XL XDA Forums 

Apparently, the screen calibration used for the 90Hz display mode results in some users seeing a green tint at low brightness levels. The effect might not be that noticeable for every user since most people rarely use their phones at super low brightness levels where the green tint is most pronounced. However, some users report cases where the problem is really noticeable, even at higher brightness levels.

The good news is, XDA Recognized Developer tbalden has come up with a new update of his CleanSlate custom kernel that applies the gamma correction values from the 60Hz display mode to the 90Hz mode. The kernel companion app has also received a new option named “Degreenify 90Hz for Low Brightness“. Those using the premium version of the app can additionally toggle the tweak with a handy quick tile.

Here’s a video the developer made showing the before and after of him applying the fix:

The developer also included an alternative to the aforementioned degreenify module in this custom kernel that can force 60Hz under a specified brightness level. It is worth mentioning that you should download the package under the “CleanSlate R” branch instead of “CleanSlate Q” in case you are using the Android 11 Developer Preview on your Google Pixel 4 XL.

CleanSlate Custom Kernel for Google Pixel 4 XL — XDA Download and Discussion Thread

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Google rolls out Chrome OS 83 with tab groups in the browser, virtual desk naming, and more

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting adjusted work schedules of its employees, Google had to temporarily pause Chrome and Chrome OS updates earlier this year in March. While the updates resumed shortly thereafter, the company announced an updated schedule for future releases with a couple of significant changes. As per the new update schedule, Google rolled out Chrome OS 81 early in April this year bringing Android-like gesture navigation and touch-friendly browser tabs for touch screen Chromebooks. The company then skipped the Chrome OS 82 update altogether and it’s now rolling out Chrome OS 83, which includes all the work that went into the Chrome OS 82 release and more.

According to a recent post from the company, the latest update brings a minor change to the Virtual Desk feature that was initially released on Chrome OS 76. The new feature will let you rename your Virtual Desks, which is expected to help you better organize your Chromebook. To rename your virtual desks, you’ll have to click on the desk name on the Overview screen and then enter any name of your choice. The update also brings the tab grouping feature that was first seen in Chrome browser version 83, which will let you group browser tabs together and label name with a custom name and color with just a right-click.

Along with the aforementioned organization features, Chrome OS 83 also includes a new ‘Show Password’ icon that will let you view your password/pin during login, the ability to control media sessions with the Google Assistant, and new Google for Families features that will let you approve your child’s Chrome Web Store extensions and apps, add a school account, and set Play Store app time limits. The update has already started rolling out to eligible Chrome OS devices starting today and should roll out to all users over the coming days.

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Source: Chromebook Help

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OPPO is reportedly hiring MediaTek and Unisoc engineers to design its own chip

The U.S. Commerce Department recently extended the trade ban against Huawei until May 2021 and moved to block many chip makers from supplying HiSilicon Kirin SoCs to the company. While the trade ban currently only affects Huawei, the uncertainty of the situation has raised concerns among other Chinese manufacturers. Due to this, Huawei’s biggest domestic rival — OPPO — started investing in its own chipmaking capabilities last year, shortly after the trade ban was first announced. With the recent extension and escalation of the trade ban, OPPO is now stepping up efforts to design its own mobile chips and has managed to snag top engineering talent from its own suppliers MediaTek and Unisoc.

As per a report from Nikkei Asian Review on the matter, OPPO has recently poached several top executives from its chip supplier MediaTek, along with many engineers from China’s second-largest mobile chip developer Unisoc, to create an experienced mobile chip development team in Shanghai. The recent hires include Jeffery Ju, MediaTek’s former co-chief operating officer, and a former executive with Xiaomi, who had already been working with OPPO as a consultant. Along with Ju, another rising executive who’s involved in MediaTek’s 5G chip development will join OPPO in a month or two.

Sources familiar with the matter have further revealed that OPPO has also reached out to engineering talent from U.S. based chipmaker Qualcomm and Huawei’s own chip unit HiSilicon. A source with direct knowledge of the developments was quoted saying,” OPPO has been aggressively recruiting chip talent since last year as they realized that owning the chip design capability will give it more control over its supply chain…Developing chips, however, could mean burning a lot of money, and even if they have hired a group of experienced professionals, such efforts take years to mature.”

In a statement regarding the recent revelations, OPPO told Nikkei that it “already has the chip-related capability” and that “any  R&D investment is to strengthen its product competitiveness and user experience.” However, the company did not respond directly to questions about its recent hires. While MediaTek declined to comment on the matter, Jeffery Ju could not be reached for comment.

OPPO’s recent efforts are part of a larger “de-Americanazation” campaign that was kicked off by Chinese companies due to the rising tensions between the two countries. It’s also worth noting that OPPO currently lacks a competitive chip design team and relies heavily on U.S. supplier Qualcomm for its mobile chips and 5G modems. Similarly, while Xiaomi also has a chip unit, which was formed back in 2014, it hasn’t introduced a second-generation design of its mobile chip since the first one was released in 2017 and relies on Qualcomm and MediaTek for its smartphone chips.

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Source: Nikkei Asian Review

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Huawei P20 Pro and Mate 10 start getting EMUI 10 (Android 10) globally

Huawei is finally bringing the long-due EMUI 10 based Android 10 update to the P20 Pro and Mate 10. The company has begun rolling out the update globally, with users in Europe and Asia reportedly receiving the OTA. This is in line with Huawei’s EMUI 10 update roadmap which states both phones will start receiving the stable EMUI 10 update in mid-June.

Huawei P20 Pro XDA Forums

Updates are fairly heavy in size, coming in at 4.39GB for the Mate 10 and 4.59GB for the P20 Pro, so it’s recommended to download them over a WiFi connection. In terms of features, the EMUI 10 update brings a revamped UI and tons of exciting improvements including fresh Quick Settings and notification panel, revamped Camera UI, reorganized Settings, new transition animations, and so on. You also get all the Android 10 specific changes such as a system-wide dark mode, new navigation gesture system, new Digital Wellbeing tools with Parental controls, stringent location and privacy controls, Smart Reply, and much more.

The EMUI 10 update has already started rolling to Huawei Mate 10 and P20 Pro owners in multiple regions and should be gradually expanding to more devices in the coming days. If you haven’t received the OTA notification yet, you can also use the Huawei Firmware Finder tool to grab the full OTA and manually sideload it on your device. Many users on our forums were able to force the OTA using VPN so you might want to try that route as well if you’re desperate.

Huawei Mate 10 XDA Forums

As a refresher, the Mate 10 is a flagship smartphone from Huawei that was launched all the way back in 2017. The phone featured a 5.9-inch HDR LCD, Kirin 970 SoC, dual cameras, and a 4,000 mAh battery. The Huawei P20 Pro, on the other hand, was launched in March 2018 and packed a 5.8-inch display, Kirin 970 octa-core SoC, triple cameras, and 3,400 mAh battery. Both phones came running EMUI 8.X based on Android Oreo and were eventually upgraded to Android 9 Pie through EMUI 9.

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Thanks to XDA Member Geo_Ros and Reddit user /u/HumanBanana88 for the update screenshots!

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