You can now pre-order the best Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab S7, in a new Mystic Navy color

Did you catch my post last week about great tablets? Great, then you know that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is probably the best Android tablet around. It’s a favorite with the XDA staff, and for a good reason, being one of the few companies that truly compete with Apple’s iPad offerings on the marketplace. If you’re not convinced, we have a Galaxy Tab S7 review that will definitely show you how great it is.

Currently, the Mystic Navy colorway is only available on Samsung’s website, but when it releases on February 18, it may be available at other retailers. But why wait? If you pre-order the tablet from the Samsung Store, you won’t have to worry about when and where the Tab S7 will come in stock–it’ll just be shipped right to your door!

Better yet, you don’t need to pay full price for your new, super-awesome Galaxy Tab S7. Currently, the standard and Plus versions are $80 off, including the Mystic Navy colorway. If you happen to have an eligible phone or tablet, you can also trade it in to save more. If you can hit the max discount, it’ll be only $120 for the standard Tab S7 and $320 for the Tab S7 Plus! This discount is available for every colorway but Mystic Black, in case you don’t like Mystic Navy.

The Mystic Navy color is available for both the standard Tab S7 and Tab S7 Plus:

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 (128 GB)

Starting at $120 at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 (256 GB)

Starting at $170 at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus (128 GB)

Starting at $320 at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus (256 GB)

Starting at $370 at Samsung

If you’re looking for more Galaxy Tab S7 deals and don’t mind the color, we’ve rounded up all the major retailers that are selling the Galaxy Tab S7 to make it easy for you!

By the way, now that you have a cool tablet, it’s time to get some excellent earbuds to go with them. Today at Woot!, you can grab a new pair of Galaxy Buds Pro for just $170. You can go with Phantom Silver, Phantom Black, and Phantom Violet. I’d personally go with the Violet color because they look great.

Galaxy Buds Pro

Get some great earbuds to go with your new tablet! Today only at Woot!, grab the Galaxy Buds Pro for $170.

$170 at Woot!

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Chromebooks now launch with Stadia pre-installed

Chromebooks have become increasingly popular over the past several months as people adopt remote learning and work from home environments. While these devices are great for getting work done, they’re also perfect for playing Stadia, Google’s video game streaming service.

Speaking of which, the Made By Google Twitter account announced that new Chromebooks launch with Stadia pre-installed.

Did you know Chromebooks now come with @GoogleStadia already installed? Start playing games without waiting for downloads or updates. Click the Stadia icon in your app menu to get started. pic.twitter.com/iV1Mb32pYP

— Made By Google (@madebygoogle) February 9, 2021

“Start playing games without waiting for downloads or updates,” the Made By Google account tweeted. “Click the Stadia icon in your app menu to get started.”

To be clear, the Progressive Web App (PWA) will be pre-installed, not the Android app from Google Play. Since PWAs run in Chrome, which is already pre-installed, that effectively means there’s now just a Stadia web shortcut on new Chromebooks.

Regardless, this is still important for discoverability. Most users rely on downloading apps from the app store, and it’s not recommended to use the Android version of Stadia on Chrome OS. Many users don’t know how to install PWAs, so having it pre-installed helps. Also, the fact that it’s pre-installed in the first place means more people will be aware of it, especially among demographics where Chromebooks are popular, such as children and young adults.

Google is still offering 3 months of free Stadia Pro for new Chromebook purchases, too. So, if you recently picked up a Chromebook for school or work (or pleasure), you can start using Stadia right out of the box. The service is a great way to experience big titles like Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla and Cyberpunk 2077.

Now, if only Stadia support would come to the Chromecast with Google TV. When the device launched last year, support for the video game streaming service was conspicuously absent from the dongle. At the time, Google said that the Chromecast with Google TV will support Stadia in the first half of 2021. We’re in the first half of 2021, but still no support is in sight.

For now, you can boot up Stadia on your new Chromebook. But don’t game for too long, because there’s probably work to be done.

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iPhone 12 mini sales reportedly well below expectations

When the iPhone 12 series was introduced, special attention was given to the iPhone 12 mini. Finally, people who wanted a smaller form factor had a device that didn’t compromise on performance. But no matter how much praise is heaped on the device, sales have apparently been below expectations.

William Yang of JP Morgan, via AppleInsider, has allegedly revised his 2021 iPhone build plan mix. Apparently, demand for the iPhone 12 mini continues to be weak by Apple standards, prompting Yang to cut build number expectations by 11 million units. Yang apparently claims that Apple might stop production of the device by the second quarter of this year if things don’t turn around.

A separate report from Counterpoint Research (via Reuters) has revealed similar findings. The iPhone 12 mini reportedly accounted for just 5% of total iPhone 12 series sales during the first half of January in the U.S. Both reports appear to corroborate a growing set of data that suggest the iPhone 12 mini isn’t as popular as Apple hoped.

By all accounts, the iPhone 12 mini is a great smartphone. And with a starting price of $700, it’s relatively affordable as far as flagship iPhones are concerned. However, the data may underline how the smartphone market has largely evolved beyond the smaller form factor. Sure, the iPhone 12 mini may be easier to hold and put in a pocket, but the smaller screen size isn’t as pleasant to use when watching video or playing games. And the smaller form factor means a smaller battery.

To be fair, the iPhone 12 mini only just went on sale in November. And it launched in the middle of a pandemic. However, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is reportedly selling quite well, with Yang revising his expectations of iPhone 12 Pro Max sales up by 11 million units. Apple doesn’t report unit sales for any of its products, so we’ll never get official figures. Even if iPhone 12 mini sales are lower than Apple expected, they could still be high by other manufacturer standards.

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7 affordable ways to learn in-demand programming skills

Whether you’re an aspiring developer or simply trying to improve your résumé, learning to code is a smart move. To help you get started, here are seven deals on top-rated courses at the XDA Developers Depot — now with up to 98% off full price.

Learn Google Go – Golang Programming for Beginners

Google Go is an open-source language used for Android and cloud development. This concise course helps you to learn the syntax and start building projects through 34 video tutorials, working toward certification.

Get Learn Google Go for $15 (reg. $119), a saving of 87%. 

The Complete C# Programming Bundle: Lifetime Access

Bringing together seven great courses, this bundle helps you master C# programming. The training covers app development for Android and iOS with full walkthroughs, and games development with Unity.

Get The Complete C# Programming Bundle for $29 (reg. $1,393), a saving of 97%. 

The Complete R Programming Certification Bundle

With data analysis skills now more valuable than ever, many companies are looking for people with statistical programming knowledge. This bundle shows you how to crunch the numbers with R, through six courses and 35 hours of content.

Get The Complete R Programming Certification Bundle for $29 (reg. $1,200), a saving of 97%. 

The C++ Programming Bundle: Beginner to Expert

Consistently ranked in the top five programming languages in terms of popularity, C++ gives you loads of control as a developer. This bundle takes you from the basics through to advanced projects through 47 hours of training.

Get The C++ Programming Bundle: Beginner to Expert for $14.99 (reg. $600), a saving of 97%. 

The Complete 2021 Python Programming Certification Bundle

According to Indeed, the average salary for a Python programmer is over $100k a year. This bundle helps you join the gold rush, with 12 courses covering various use cases for the language — from machine learning to data visualization.

Get The Complete 2021 Python Programming Certification Bundle for $49.99 (reg. $2,385), a saving of 97%. 

The 2021 Java Bootcamp Bundle

Another language attracting high salaries right now is Java. This bundle provides a virtual bootcamp that is perfect for beginners. You get 10 hours of hands-on training from Webucator, a company that has helped over 60,000 students.

Get The 2021 Java Bootcamp Bundle for $35.99 (reg. $990), a saving of 96%. 

The Premium Learn to Code 2021 Certification Bundle

For the ultimate education in code, look no further than this huge 27-course bundle. Through 270 hours of content, you learn HTML, CSS, PHP, Python, Swift, Java, JavaScript, C++, and more with Rob Percival and other top instructors.

Get The Premium Learn to Code 2021 Certification Bundle for $59.99 (reg. $4.56), a saving of 98%. 

Prices subject to change 

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Discussion: What are your thoughts on the leaked Android 12 changes?

The first Android 12 Developer Preview is around the corner. While the stable release of Android is usually introduced in September each year, the Developer Previews see the light of the day much earlier. Even though there is no credible information about the release date, we do expect to see the first glimpse of Android 12 later this month. But before its public availability, a document citing the changes coming to Android 12 has leaked online earlier this week, spoiling some visual changes for us. The leaked Android 12 screenshots indicate a radical overhaul in the stock Android UI, and those changes may not be to everyone’s liking. So, what are your views on the leaked Android 12 changes?

First off, you get a more seemingly minimal notifications shade with a solid background which appears that it could be changing with the wallpaper. The active Quick Settings toggles appear different from the inactive ones and that means you could use more than one shape for them. With an increased focus on privacy, Android 12 may also show visual indicators when an app uses any of the cameras or the microphones — just like MIUI 12 and iOS 14. These indicators might be included in the Compatibility Definition Document (CDD) for Android 12 and therefore, be made mandatory for OEMs to include and implement.

Another major reform comes in the form of new dynamic widgets. There is one notable widget — Conversations — that appears to house all the recent notifications, missed calls, and other activities. It appears to be an extension of the dedicated space for Conversations that we see in the notifications shade. In addition, there are some widgets that appear to display the latest message from a contact, and the widget appears to be only big enough to show just one message.

In addition to this redesign, some of the expected changes in Android 12 include a better theming system, decoupled emojis, and an app hibernation feature, so far. We hope to discover many more as Google officially releases the Developer Preview (hopefully) later this month.

In the meantime, we would love to know what you think of these changes. Are these new UI elements reminiscent of any other mobile operating system or Android skin? Tell us in the comments below!

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Redmi Note 10 series is officially launching in India next month

When it comes to offering the best bang for buck smartphone experience, few can match Xiaomi’s Redmi Note series. With each new generation, the Redmi Note lineup has pushed the limits of what one normally expects from a budget phone, bringing substantial hardware upgrades while still maintaining an affordable price tag. It’s been a year since Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 9 Pro series in India. Although we have been hearing rumors about Xiaomi soon launching the Redmi Note 10 series in India for a while now, there hasn’t been an official confirmation yet.

That changes today as Manu Kumar Jain, Xiaomi India Managing Director, took to Twitter to share a teaser of the upcoming Redmi Note 10 lineup.

, !#RedmiNote10 series is from another orbit & it’s arriving early March this year!

Brace yourselves for a #10on10 experience! RT if you want to know more.

I #Redmi #RedmiNote #Launch pic.twitter.com/rRMWkejnI4

— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) February 10, 2021

The teaser confirms the Redmi Note 10 series will be launching in India in early March. No other info has been shared, including the concrete launch date. Separately, Amazon India has also set up a landing page for the Redmi Note 10 series, hinting that the next lineup could be an Amazon exclusive, just like the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Redmi Note 9 Pro Max.

Although there’s no official word on the specifications and design, we have a fair idea as to what to expect from the newest contenders in the Redmi Note series. A leak from the XiaomiUI Telegram group revealed that the Redmi Note 10 Pro could feature a 120Hz IPS LCD with support for MEMC tech and a quad-camera setup comprised of a 64MP primary sensor. Additionally, the leak also revealed that the device might feature Qualcomm SM7150 Platform (Snapdragon 732G) and a 5,050mAh battery.

Separately, a report from Ishan Agarwal last month shed light on storage options. According to him, the standard Redmi Note 10 will come in two variants: 4GB + 64GB and 6GB + 64GB, while the Redmi Note Pro will be offered in three variants: 6GB + 64GB, 6GB + 128GB, 8GB + 128GB. He also mentioned that Xiaomi is planning to price the devices more aggressively this time around to take on its arch-rival Realme.

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The Best Laptops with an Optical Drive to buy in 2021: HP, Dell, and Lenovo

The optical drive is now a niche feature and it seems to have become quite irrelevant, especially when it comes to notebook PCs. In fact, you hardly see any laptop manufacturer launching new products with a CD/DVD drive. But what if you have a large physical collection of movies or maybe handle a lot of data that you need to offload on CD drives every day? Maybe you have a niche use case that still requires a CD every now and then? In that case, there still are a few options on the market that still offer an optical drive. There are numerous old laptops that feature an optical drive, but we have hunted down some of the best and fairly new options so that you don’t have to compromise on any features. Check them out!

HP Envy 17t

The HP Envy is a sleek looking 17.3-inch notebook that features a built-in CD/DVD drive. It features Intel’s 10th-gen processors with up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM. The models listed also offer a combination of 1TB SSD and 1TB HDD storage, making this a perfect choice for a desktop replacement. The laptop also features an NVIDIA GeForce MX250 GPU adding a decent bump to the graphics performance. Probably the only complaint we have is that it is not available with a 4K resolution screen, which would have made sense on a display this big. It does however come with a healthy set of ports including an HDMI, USB Type-C, and even an SD card slot.

HP Envy 17t

The HP Envy 17t is a premium 17-inch notebook featuring a built-in DVD drive. It is also a recommended notebook if you are looking for a desktop replacement.

Buy from Amazon

Dell Inspiron 3000 17

Dell continues to offer optical drives on its entry-level Inspiron 3000 series. You can get one in 15-inch or 17-inch, but as of now, we could only find the larger variant on Amazon. The company is offering the notebook with a 10th-Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor paired with up to 32GB of RAM and storage combo options going up to 2TB of SSD and 2TB HDD. It is also fairly priced considering the amount of hardware it is packing and that’s because the overall construction of the notebook is primarily plastic.

Dell Inspiron 17 3000

Dell's Inspiron 3000 series doesn't offer the best aesthetics, but it is one of the cheapest 17-inch notebooks with e looking for a notebook with an optical drive.

Buy from Amazon

Lenovo Ideapad 330

Probably the only worthy 15-inch notebook that we could find with an optical drive is the Lenovo IdeaPad 330 from 2019. Yes, it doesn’t come with the latest hardware, but that is a compromise that you will have to make if you want an optical drive. The laptop features an 8th-gen Intel Core i5-8250U which isn’t all that bad and should be good for your everyday tasks. The notebook also packs 8GB of RAM, 1TB of HDD storage, Dolby Audio speakers, an SD card reader, and even a USB Type-C port.

Lenovo IdeaPad 330

If you don't mind the old Intel processor, the Lenovo IdeaPad 330 from 2019 is one of the most affordable laptop that you can get today with a built-in optical drive.

Buy from Amazon

HP Laptop 17

Here’s another 17-inch notebook from HP which isn’t as sleek as the Envy 17t, but comes at a substantially lower price. The HP Laptop 17 features a 10th-Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor, up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. The 17.3-inch display comes with a full-HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and if you dig around you could find the HD variant which offers touch support. Additionally, this notebook comes with an SD card slot which means that it can be quite useful if you are a photographer or videographer.

HP Laptop 17

The HP Laptop 17 is another 17-inch option that features a built-in DVD drive, but is comparitively cheaper than the Envy 17t.

Buy from Amazon

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These are some of the last notebooks that offer a built-in optical drive. While we expect some manufacturers to continue to include a CD/DVD drive in upcoming products, chances are that they will be very limited when it comes to options, especially since one can easily get an external USB-based optical drive today. If you want the best experience and are looking for the best of the best, then make sure you check out our list of the best laptops that you can buy in 2021.

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