Google’s Camera Go app for budget phones is rolling out HDR photography support

Google released a trimmed-down version of the Pixel’s Google Camera app, called Google Camera Go, earlier this year in March. At first, the app was quite barebones, and it didn’t include most of the cool features that you’d find in the full-blown Google Camera app. However, Google has been working on bringing support for some of those novel features over the last few months. For instance, back in April this year, we first learned that the company was working on adding HDR support to Google Camera Go. Then in October, the app received Night Mode support, and Google confirmed that it would be adding HDR support in a future update. As promised, the company is now finally rolling out HDR support with the latest Google Camera Go update.

As per a recent tweet from the official Android Twitter handle, HDR support is now rolling out with the latest Google Camera Go update. This will allow budget devices to capture photos “with crisper details and richer color at any time of day.”

Camera Go keeps getting better. We’re bringing HDR to more #Android devices, allowing you to capture photos with crisper details and richer color at any time of day. pic.twitter.com/mk8uByB6bK

— Android (@Android) December 17, 2020

Much like the Night Mode update, the latest Google Camera Go release with HDR support should start rolling out to the Nokia 1.3, Wiko Y61, and Wiko Y81 in the coming days. In case you have one of these devices, you should see a new HDR toggle in the app’s interface.

It’s worth mentioning that while you can download the latest Camera Go APK on any Android device running Android 8.0 Oreo or above, you won’t get access to the Night Mode and HDR features. This is due to the fact that these features are only whitelisted for a handful of devices. If you’re interested in learning more about Google Camera Go and its capabilities, do check out our hands-on review of the app by following this link.

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Samsung Galaxy A50, Galaxy A90 5G receive the One UI 2.5 software update

Samsung has reportedly begun rolling out new updates for the Galaxy A50 and the Galaxy A90 5G smartphones. The two are the latest additions to the list of devices from Samsung that have received One UI 2.5. The latest update for the Galaxy A50 comes with firmware version A505FDDU5BTL1 and is said to be rolling out in India and Sri Lanka. The size of the update is 1,203MB and also features the latest December Android security patch. The Galaxy A90 5G’s new update, on the other hand, is said to be rolling out in South Korea with version number A908NKSU3CTL3.

Samsung Galaxy A50 Forums ||| Samsung Galaxy A90 5G Forums

Image credits: Samsung Community

As reported by SamMobile, the new updates bring similar features to both the Galaxy A50 and the A90 5G, including a Wi-Fi network quality indicator, the ability to request a Wi-Fi password, support for Bitmoji stickers on the Always-on Display screen, Pro video in the camera app, a split keyboard layout, and a bunch of usual tweaks to performance and bug fixes. The Galaxy A90 5G additionally gets support for Samsung Wireless DeX.

Samsung Galaxy A90 5G

Users of the Galaxy A50 and the Galaxy A90 5G in the aforementioned countries should receive a notification to update their device. In case you haven’t, you can manually check by heading over to Settings>Software update and hit Download and install. The rollout of the new update is expected to expand to more regions in the coming weeks.

Back in October of 2019, Samsung had updated its update schedule to reflect its commitment to offering monthly updates for the Galaxy A50, and it seems that Samsung is doing its part to keep to its schedule. The Galaxy A90 5G, on the other hand, was launched as the first handset under the company’s A-Series to support 5G connectivity, and it ran on a previous-generation flagship chipset from Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 855. Thus, the handset was launched in limited markets including Europe and certain parts of Asia.

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Google is killing off Android Things, its OS for IoT devices, for hobbyist projects

It wouldn’t be a “normal” year without Google killing off a service or platform. Right on cue, the search giant announced that Android Things, a heavily stripped-down, Android-based operating system for Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, will shut down early next year.

The writing was on the wall, so today’s news isn’t much of a surprise. Back in February of 2019, Google announced it would re-focus Android Things to help OEMs build smart speakers and smart displays. At the time, the company said it would continue to support hobbyist experimentation with the OS. “Over the past year, Google has worked closely with partners to create consumer products powered by Android Things with the Google Assistant built-in. Given the successes we have seen with our partners in smart speakers and smart displays, we are refocusing Android Things as a platform for OEM partners to build devices in those categories moving forward,” Google said back in 2019.

However, a new FAQ page (via ArsTechnica) reveals Google will end all non-commercial use of the Android Things platform. Starting January 5, 2021, the Android Things console will stop supporting new projects, and starting January 5, 2022, the Android Things console will be turned down for all existing projects. Soon, the only products that can run Android Things will be the ones built on commercial hardware SoMs (system-on-modules) from vendors like NXP, Qualcomm, and MediaTek, but these are “only available to specific OEM partners building smart speakers and smart displays.”

Google did do some things right with Android Things. When it was announced, Google adopted an approach that prevented OEMs from modeling the OS and said updates would be centrally distributed by Google roughly every three years. But the platform proved to be too unpopular for the IoT world, and soon Google had moved on. That being said, Google has other IoT platforms, including Google Smart Home. But it’s an ignominious end to a platform that never really took off.

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Pick up a TicWatch GTX for under $50 and enjoy the simplicity of tracking your health

I don’t need much from my smartwatch. Heck, I don’t really want much from my smartwatch, if I must be honest. I have my smartphone on me most of the time, so I don’t really have a need for most of the features a lot of smartwatches provide. I don’t really need things like Google Pay and Spotify running on my watch when my phone is right there. What I look for in a smartwatch is something that can track my fitness and motivate me to exercise. Monitoring my heart rate and sleep are great bonuses too. As it turns out, the TicWatch GTX does just that, and you can nab yourself one for under $50!

So, the TicWatch GTX offers all the basics you’d expect from a smartwatch. It will count your steps and track your workouts with the TicExercise app. You can also wear it in a swimming pool, as the watch is IP68 and swim-ready. You probably shouldn’t take it into the ocean, though. You’ll get notifications from your phone, and the GTX is able to smartly track your heart rate and sleep, which is helpful for your general health.

And… that’s about it! This TicWatch GTX is a very simple smartwatch, and honestly, that’s the way I like it. Smartwatches bloated with features aren’t really for me, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. While I went with the Galaxy Fit 2 because of my small wrists, the TicWatch GTX is a close second for me in terms of a smartwatch that does what I need it to do for cheap.

Exactly how cheap? If you clip the 20% coupon on the Amazon page, you’ll get this smartwatch for just $48.

TicWatch GTX

If you're looking for a simple smartwatch that gets the basic job done, then you'll want the TicWatch GTX. Normally $60, you can clip the coupon the page to get this for $48!

Buy at Amazon

The TicWatch GTX isn’t the only Mobvoi smartwatch on sale, either! Head on over to their Amazon store page for even more deals.

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Amazon’s Fire TV Cube gets picture-in-picture support for Ring doorbells

You sit down, turn on the TV, and start watching your favorite show. Then the doorbell rings. Instead of getting up to see who it is — probably a neighbor wanting to borrow some sugar — you can view your front porch right from your TV.

Amazon has announced that owners of the Fire TV Cube (2nd gen), 2020 4K Toshiba Fire TV Edition, and 2020 4K Insignia Fire TV Edition can now use picture-in-picture to check their Ring Doorbell. How’s that for seamless integration? When I think of the future, I think of being able to see my front porch while watching The Boys. The nice thing is your Ring doorbell feed will show up without pausing your movie or show.

Earlier this month, Amazon announced the integration that would allow Fire TV users who own a Ring device to receive notifications while watching a video. Once your devices are synced, you can say, “Alexa, show me [Ring device name].” You can even talk to whoever is at your door right from the comfort of your couch.

According to Cord Cutters News, picture-in-picture support is currently compatible with Ring doorbell cameras and non-doorbell security cameras from Ring, Nest, Wyze, and Logitech. There’s certainly no shortage of options.

The newest integration arrives not long after Amazon announced Fire TV Cube owners can pair a webcam to make and receive calls from other Alexa-enabled devices with a display. That includes the Echo Show and any smartphone or tablet with the Alexa app. With the holidays just around the corner, it’s a convenient way to stay in touch with friends and family.

With families all across the world stuck at home, Amazon has shown a lot of love to the Fire TV this year. Recently, the company began rolling out a redesigned software interface called the new “Fire TV experience. The update includes more personalized recommendations and watch lists, plus the addition of multi-user support (up to six users).

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[Update: Delayed] The Android 11 update will roll out for the OnePlus 7 and 7T series in December

Update 1 (12/17/2020 @ 05:23 PM ET): The Android 11 stable update for the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7T series will no longer roll out by the end of this year. Click here for more information. The article as published on October 15, 2020, is preserved below.

OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7T series owners eager to test out OxygenOS 11 won’t have to wait much longer. According to Android Authority, the Android 11 update for these devices will be available in December, contradicting earlier rumors that claimed the update wouldn’t be available until next year.

The OxygenOS 11 update based on Android 11 should be available by the end of this year for the OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7 Pro, OnePlus 7T, and OnePlus 7T Pro, according to the OnePlus spokesperson that AndroidAuthority spoke to. Because the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7T series feature different codebases, their respective Android 11 updates won’t roll out at the exact same time, but the updates should roll out pretty closely to one another. Furthermore, updates for carrier devices, like the OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition on T-Mobile, will likely arrive at a later date, if prior history is anything to go by.

OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11 will make one-handed use much easier on OnePlus phones.

OnePlus has been incredibly busy over the last several months. In addition to rolling out new software updates, the company has also released a handful of new devices, including the new OnePlus 8T which already runs OxygenOS 11 out of the box. At the 8T launch event, OnePlus also teased that it’s working on a smartwatch — a project that’s been in flux for several years.

OnePlus 7 Forums ||| OnePlus 7 Pro Forums ||| OnePlus 7T ||| OnePlus 7T Pro

OxygenOS 11 is a big release for OnePlus. Not only does it include most of the best features from Android 11, but it also introduces features like an Always On Display and a redesigned weather app. The software also put focus on one-handed use — something we talked about extensively with Sam Twist, Senior Product Manager for OxygenOS at OnePlus.

Once OxygenOS 11 rolls out for the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7T series, we’ll be sure to let you know.

---

Update 1: Delayed

Written by Mishaal Rahman

In a post on the OnePlus Chinese forums (H/T /u/NateDevCSharp on Reddit), the company’s HydrogenOS administrator has confirmed that the Android 11 stable update won’t be available for the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7T series this month. HydrogenOS is the company’s Android-based software for the Chinese region — it’s basically the same as OxygenOS but without Google Mobile Services. HydrogenOS updates typically roll out in China before the corresponding OxygenOS update globally, so the fact that the update has been delayed in China means the update has likely been delayed outside of the region, too.

OnePlus says that a “data decryption failure” bug is preventing them from rolling out the update, but that they are working with Qualcomm on a solution. The company expects to have a solution this week, and if so, they will roll out the Android 11 update to closed beta testers this month. Afterward, they’ll push the update to public beta testers before releasing the update for everyone. While we can’t say definitively when the update will become available, it’s looking like December is definitely out of reach.

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Twitter publicly tests Spaces, its Clubhouse-like voice chat service

After teasing the launch of a Clubhouse-like feature last month, Twitter on Thursday announced Spaces. The experimental new feature is “focused on the intimacy of the human voice,” and will provide users with a space to speak with other like-minded individuals.

aye we’re live! what up y’all, we're the team behind Spaces––a small experiment focused on the intimacy of the human voice

— Spaces (@TwitterSpaces) December 17, 2020

“The human voice can bring a layer of connectivity to Twitter through emotion, nuance and empathy often lost in text,” the official account of Twitter Spaces said. “We see this with voice Tweets and voice DMs. Sometimes 280 CHARACTERS isn’t enough, and voice gives people another way to join the conversation.”

The company envisions Spaces to be similar to a “well hosted dinner party,” where people can gather and have a great discussion about important topics.

“At a bomb dinner party, you don’t need to know everyone to have a great time, but everyone feels comfortable at the table,” Twitter said. “We wanted Spaces to have that magic feeling too.”

Twitter Spaces is launching to a select test group, who will provide the company with precious feedback. The people with access to Spaces will be able to create a Space for their followers and other people on Twitter, and they have full control of who can and can’t speak.

It’s ALIVE @TwitterSpaces https://t.co/GgodDhcAtP pic.twitter.com/Fzo0bYhqrH

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) December 17, 2020

In addition to the launch of Spaces, Twitter said it’s developing other features for testing, including: reactions similar to hand gestures, live transcriptions, reporting and blocking, and the ability to share Tweets in Spaces. It’s unclear if there’s a limit on how many people can join a Space at any given time, or if Spaces will make its way to the wider public.

If you want an early look at the feature, Jane Manchun Wong shared some screenshots of Spaces in action. The launch of the new feature comes on the heels of Fleets, which is essentially Twitter’s version of Instagram Stories.

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