XDA Basics: Are wireless chargers waterproof? Can I safely use them when wet?

Wireless chargers are gaining mainstream popularity as more smartphone makers launch devices with support for them. There are hundreds of them on the market right now. Consumers looking to buy a wireless charger often have a lot of questions. In this article, we’ll try to address one such question – are wireless chargers waterproof? Practically all wireless chargers currently on the market don’t have any kind of water resistance, so the answer is a fairly big “NO”.

No, Wireless Chargers are not waterproof or water-resistant

You have to be really careful with water around wireless chargers as you would be around any other electrical device connected to a power outlet. You could end up electrocuting yourself as well as damaging your appliances if you attempt to use a wet wireless charger, and we strongly dissuade you from doing so.

If your wireless charger somehow ends up getting wet, make sure that it’s completely dry before using it again. Treat it the same way as you would your wired charger. If your smartphone is wet, dry that as well before putting it on a wireless charger.

Keep in mind that charging pads use magnetism to transfer electricity to the device. While we haven’t seen any waterproof wireless chargers from a major manufacturer, it’s possible that such devices may arrive in the future. However, for now, it still is a good idea to keep the entire apparatus away from water as you are connected to the wall outlet. Best not to risk it until and unless a manufacturer can provide some form of guarantee on the safety of their accessory.

How do Qi Wireless Chargers work?

Qi wireless chargers are relatively uncomplicated pieces of hardware. They use inductive charging to transfer power from a charger to your phone. The wireless chargers mainly include two key components – a PCBA (printed circuit board assembly) and a coil. Apart from these two things, the wireless chargers also need a power adapter that is used to convert the AC current from your wall outlet to the DC current for the charger.

The PCBA in the wireless charger takes the DC current from the power adapter and uses the coil to create an alternating electromagnetic field. This field creates power in the receiver coil of your phone and the same is fed to the battery. During this process, some of the power is lost in the form of heat, which is one of the reasons why wireless charging is slower than the wired charging. You’ll notice this heat on your phone as it’ll become hot while charging. This is normal and it isn’t too much heat. Also, the wireless chargers come with safeguards that’ll stop the charging process if they detect excessive heat.

The Qi wireless chargers typically offer a minimum charging speed of 5W. You’ll also see chargers in the market that offer 7.5W, 10W, and 15W charging speeds. For charging speeds faster than 15W, manufacturers normally use proprietary technology. Thus, such chargers are only able to offer these higher speeds to very select devices. Before buying any wireless charger, make sure you know what charging speeds your phone can support.

Anker PowerWave 15 Pad

Universal fast charging

The Anker PowerWave 15 Pad comes with 5W, 7.5W, and 15W wireless charging modes. If your phone supports faster wireless charging, this Anker charger will be able to provide it. However, it doesn’t come with a power adapter.

View at Amazon

Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charger

For three devices

When single and dual chargers aren’t enough, you can get this Belkin 3-in-1 charger. It can charge your Qi-compatible phone, earbuds, and smartwatch at the same time. The charger supports up to 7.5W charging for the phones and 5W for other devices.

View at Amazon

Spigen wireless charger

A convertible

Prefer the stand mode on some days, and the flat mode on the others? The Spigen Wireless Charger can do both for you. It also supports up to 15W fast wireless charging. Moreover, there's a non-slip pad on it to prevent your phone from slipping while charging.

View at Amazon

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Hopefully, we were able to answer your question about whether wireless chargers are waterproof. If you would like to know more about wired fast charging, make sure you explore our detailed explainer on the topic. We’ve also published a list of the best fast chargers for Samsung Galaxy S21 on the market right now — do check that out as well.

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It’s not just you: Google App is crashing for many Android users

If you have noticed the Google app on your Android phone suddenly crashing and freezing, you are not alone. It appears a recent update to the Google app has introduced a bug that completely renders the app unusable.

The issue seems to be widespread, with multiple Android users reporting they’re unable to use the Google app after installing the most recent version. The app keeps showing a “Google keeps stopping” pop up every few seconds, and everything from Google Assitant, Search, Google Lens, and so on fails to start.

All Android phones ( different brands ) have troubles with #Google this morning after updates from #Playservice etc .

Hope they fix it soon !!@GoogleNL @Google @GooglePlay #GooglePlay @tweakers @9to5Google @9to5A

— René (@Renaultgek) June 22, 2021

Suddenly Google app has started crashing on my new pixel 4a @Google @GoogleIndia #google pic.twitter.com/WbR5Eln8Dm

— Ashwin (@ashWINsrao) June 22, 2021

If you’re affected by this buggy update, uninstalling the latest update should fix the issue. To do so, head to “Apps” or “Applications” from your device Settings, scroll to the Google app and uninstall its latest updates by clicking on the three-dot menu located in the top right corner. If the problem persists, also try clearing app data and cache.

Meanwhile, if you’re not affected yet, it’ll be a good idea to disable auto-updates for the Google app from the Google Play Store.

The crashing issue doesn’t seem to be limited to any particular brand or device. It’s also not limited to the beta version of the Google app, as many affected users are running the stable version.

We have reached out to Google for a comment and will update this article if we hear from the company.

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Apple has reportedly ended production of the iPhone 12 Mini

Writing has been on the wall for some time now. Apple’s attempt to revive the small phone market with the iPhone 12 Mini has not met with overwhelming consumer demand. Following multiple reports about the iPhone 12 Mini’s poor sales performance, the Cupertino giant has reportedly stopped manufacturing new units of the device.

A new report from Taiwanese research firm TrendForce has revealed that the smaller iPhone 12 is no longer in production anymore. The device reached End-of-Life in the second quarter following disappointing sales performance, the report says.

Apple is expected to focus on driving sales of the three non-mini models in the iPhone 12s series in view of the fact that the iPhone 12 Mini (which reached End-of-Life ahead of time in 2Q21) suffered disappointing sales performances compared to other models in the iPhone 12 family.

As the report points out, the smaller phone didn’t fare well as its bigger siblings, such as the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, leaving Apple no choice but to discontinue its production. This doesn’t come as a big surprise, though. Earlier reports suggested that the iPhone 12 Mini only accounted for just 5% of total iPhone 12 series sales and that Apple might stop producing new units by the second quarter of 2021 if things didn’t improve much.

Apple iPhone 12 Mini Hands-on: It’s so tiny

The iPhone 12 Mini was launched alongside the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. It was targeted at users who preferred a small form factor but didn’t want to compromise on performance or camera quality. It’s also cheaper, starting at $699 as compared to the standard iPhone 12, which retails for $799. Apple even released a new Purple color variant for the iPhone 12 Mini in April.

Apple still has the phone listed on its website, so it should continue to be on sale till the inventory lasts.

Although the iPhone 12 Mini didn’t perform as well as Apple hoped, rumors have it the Cupertino giant still plans to press forward with four iPhone models, including a Mini model for the iPhone 13 release.

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Best Xbox Controller Phone Mount Clips for Project xCloud: 8bitdo, Oivo, PowerA, and more!

Mobile gaming has gained a crazy amount of popularity over the past few years. With famous titles like PUBG Mobile, COD Mobile, Fortnite, and Genshin Impact being available on smartphones, a lot more people have started to play games on their mobile phones. You no longer need the best smartphone to play mobile games as even cheap Android phones nowadays come with capable specifications.

Not just that, but cloud gaming is also on the rise which means if you’re interested in Project xCloud, you can play some of the best Xbox games right on your smartphone using your Xbox controller. To be able to do that, you’ll need an Xbox controller phone mount clip that can hold your phone right on the controller itself. If you’re looking to buy an Xbox Series X or Series S, we have a restock guide you might be interested in. Here are some of the best options for mount clips we found for the Xbox controller.

Oivo Xbox Controller Phone Mount

Affordable starter kit

If you're looking for an affordable phone mount to get started with, this one from Oivo gets all the basics right.

View at Amazon

Weipgeek Foldable Xbox Controller Mount

Best rated mount

This mount is reliable and is among the best rated in this segment. It's foldable too so you can carry it around with ease.

View at Amazon

PowerA Moga Xbox Controller Mount

Most reliable option

If you can spend a little more than the last option, this should be your pick. It has a robust design and is more durable.

View at Amazon

NBCP Xbox Controller Phone Mount

Another affordable mount

This has an ergonomic design and just snaps onto the controller. It has an adjustable clip and is good for beginners.

View at Amazon

Oivo dual adjustable Controller Mount

For the perfect angles

This mount has a dual adjustable mechanism which allows you to adjust your phone's angle accurately for better viewing.

View at Amazon

Auarte Xbox Controller Phone Mount

For sturdier grip

If you want a clip that holds your phone at different points for better stability, this is a good option.

View at Amazon

8bitdo Xbox Controller Phone Mount

Officially licensed clip

This is a licensed accessory so you can expect the quality to be great. This clip also has a dual adjustment mount.

View at Amazon

Dainself Xbox Controller Phone Mount

Another decent option

This is another generic clip mount for an Xbox controller with good reviews. It's cheap and gets the job done just fine.

View at Amazon

Rhotall Xbox Controller Phone Mount

Sturdy snap-on mount

Unlike some other mounts that just clip onto the controller, this one stays on better since it has a locking mechanism.

View at Amazon

These are some of the best Xbox controller phone mount clips you can buy for an enjoyable gaming experience with xCloud or any other game for that matter on your smartphone. A lot of mobile games support an external controller so you can try playing your favorite games without covering your screen with your smudgy fingers.

Xbox Wireless Controller

The Xbox Wireless Controller is compatible with an Xbox console as well as a Windows 10 PC. You can even use it to play games on your Android and iOS smartphones.

View at Amazon

If you want a reliable option, we would suggest getting the phone mount from 8bitdo, although it’s slightly more expensive than the other options. If you want a more affordable alternative, the Wepigeek controller mount is a good option. The PowerA Moga mobile clip holder is also a great option with excellent reviews and a dual adjustable gear mechanism for a more comfortable viewing experience. All the phone mounts do the same job though of holding your phone in place on your controller so any of these options ideally should do the job for you.

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XDA Basics: How to take Scrolling Screenshots on an iPhone

If you want to save the contents of the screen on your device, taking a screenshot is one of the best and easiest options. However, if the content is spread across multiple lines or sections vertically, like this article, for example, you’ll have to take multiple screenshots to capture the entire information. This is where scrolling screenshots come in handy. A scrolling screenshot, as the name suggests, lets you scroll down on any page and capture screenshots of every section. It then stitches all of those screenshots into one single image. A lot of Android OEMs have scrolling screenshots as a built-in feature on their custom UIs. In fact, Android 12 has the ability to take scrolling screenshots baked in (though it is not enabled by default for now).

On the iOS side of things, Apple introduced the ability to take scrolling screenshots natively on iPhone but it isn’t as straightforward as Android. It doesn’t work on all applications, you can’t store that screenshot in your gallery, and iOS 15 doesn’t make it any better either. However, it works well and should get the job done for most people. If it doesn’t, we also have a third-party app recommendation you can use to take scrolling screenshots.

Scrolling Screenshots on iPhone using Default Method

As we mentioned earlier, if you have an iPhone running iOS 13 or later, you have the option to take scrolling screenshots built into the UI itself. A lot of users may not have noticed this option in the screenshot menu since it’s not very self-explanatory, but we’ll tell you how to use it today. Note that this option is not available in all apps and is supported mainly in Safari and other first-party apps from Apple.

• If you’re not using one of Apple’s first-party apps, we suggest you open the content in one of the default apps since the scrolling screenshot option is present mainly on them. For example, if you want to capture the screenshot of an entire webpage, we suggest opening the page in Safari instead of a different browser like Chrome.
• Once you have the content you want to take a screenshot of on your screen, press the usual button combination to take a screenshot that is volume up + power button.
• Your iPhone will now capture the screenshot and display a small thumbnail on the bottom left corner of your screen. Tap on it and you will see the screenshot edit menu.
• In this menu, select the Full Page option next to Screen at the top and you’ll instantly see a scroll bar on the right with a highlighted rectangle.

• Use the highlighted rectangular box to scroll down on the page till the point you want to capture the screenshot. If you want to capture the entire page, scroll down till the very end.

• Once you have reached the desired point on the page, select Done to save it. Note you can only save scrolling screenshots as a PDF and not as a JPG or PNG image.

• Select the directory where you want to save the PDF in the Files app and your scrolling screenshot will be saved.
• To access the scrolling screenshot, open the Files app and navigate to the folder you saved it in and open the PDF.

While this is the simplest way to take a scrolling screenshot on an iPhone, the fact it doesn’t let you save it as an image but only as a PDF can be a hassle. A workaround to this problem would be to use a PDF to JPG converter to convert the screenshot into an image and download it to the Photos app on your iPhone. If you don’t want to do that, you can use third-party apps to stitch screenshots together and form a scrolling screenshot. Let’s see how you can do that.

Scrolling Screenshots on iPhone using Picsew

Picsew is a third-party app that allows you to stitch multiple normal screenshots into a single long screenshot, similar to what a scrolling screenshot would look like. It is free, simple to use, and gets the job done perfectly well. Also, it saves the screenshot as an image and not a PDF which is a lot more convenient.

There are no restrictions to using Picsew and it works for screenshots taken across the device, and in all apps, so if you’re not using a first-party app, this is the only way to capture a scrolling screenshot on an iPhone. Here’s how you can use Picsew to stitch together multiple screenshots.

• Head over to whichever app or page you want to take a scrolling screenshot of. Now, take a normal screenshot of the page till the end of the screen and then scroll down to the next section. Take a screenshot of this section and again scroll down to go to the next section. Repeat this till you have taken screenshots of every section on the page up to the desired point.
• Now, open the Picsew app and select all the screenshots that you took of the page you want to stitch together. Then, select the Vertical option.

• You’ll now see the screenshots you captured arranged one below the other with a line in between signifying where you want to merge the screenshots. You can drag the divider up or down and adjust where you want the consecutive screenshots to be cropped and merged.

• Once you’ve adjusted that, select the Share button at the top right corner and select Export to Photos and your screenshot will be saved.

If you want to automate the process of cropping and stitching the screenshots or want an additional feature in the form of scrolling screenshots by recording your screen, you can buy the Pro version of Picsew for around $2 which can be worth it if you’re going to use the feature frequently.

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This is how you take scrolling screenshots on an iPhone. It surely isn’t as straightforward as on Android, but you can use these workarounds to make it happen. Hopefully, with future versions of iOS, Apple will include a more advanced screenshot tool that can let users take scrolling screenshots on all apps across iOS as well as allow them to save the screenshots as images instead of PDFs.

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OnePlus promises the Nord N200 will get more updates than its predecessor

OnePlus just revealed the Nord N200 a few days ago as a new budget 5G phone, aimed primarily at the United States. The hardware is a good value for the $240 price tag, with a Snapdragon 480 and 90Hz screen, but OnePlus has a poor track record with software updates on its budget Nord phones. OnePlus has now confirmed its new Nord N200 phone will receive better (but still not great) software support.

The original OnePlus Nord has been slow to receive both major Android updates and security patches. OnePlus didn’t release OxygenOS 11 (Android 11) for the phone until March of this year, which was pulled almost immediately due to performance and stability issues, then started rolling out again later that month. When OnePlus released the Nord N10 and N100, it only promised one Android upgrade for both phones and two years of security updates.

OnePlus has now confirmed to 9to5Google that the Nord N200 will receive three years of “maintenance updates” instead of the two-year promise given to earlier Nord devices. The company did not clarify an update schedule (e.g. quarterly or monthly security updates), and the phone will still only receive a single major Android update. The Nord N2000 will ship with Android 11, so the phone’s last OS upgrade will likely be Android 12.

It’s disappointing to see OnePlus continue to slip behind with software updates. The company’s phones were slow to receive an Android 11 update, and many models are on bi-monthly update schedules (or worse). Hopefully the further integration of OnePlus into OPPO will improve things, but only time will tell.

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Best mice for the HP Spectre x360: Logitech, Microsoft, Razer, and more

The Spectre x360 has been leading HP’s premium category of convertible notebooks. It has seen refinements over the past few years with the latest iteration available in either 13-inch, 14-inch, or 15-inch form factor. Regardless of which one you choose, these come with Intel’s 11th-gen Tiger Lake CPUs, a slim chassis, and a high-quality design.

These notebooks also offer support for a stylus giving users an extra input method. However, nothing can beat the good old mouse. Choosing the right one can be a task with a variety of options out there. HP has a few good options and you can always rely on a variety of third-party options. Let’s check out some best mice for the HP Spectre x360:

HP Spectre 700

Best first-party solution

Following the design aesthetics to complement the Spectre x360 series, HP offers the Spectre 700. It's a rechargeable mouse capable of up to 11 weeks of charge and comes in a unique design. However, it uses a micro-USB port, which is not ideal.

Buy from HP.com

HP 280M

Made for silent operation

A simple and clean looking mouse from HP that's claimed to offer a quiet and silent experience, making it perfect for office environments. It's also said to offer a battery life of 18 months using a single AA battery.

Buy from HP.com

HP Z5000

Sleek and elegant

The HP Z5000 is another option from the company that features an elegant and clean design that should look good on most desks. Notably, it only comes with Bluetooth wireless connectivity so you are limited when it comes to multi-device support.

Buy from HP.com

Logitech MX Master 3

Most premium experience

The MX Master 3 is rated as one of the best productivity mice on the market today. It comes with a premium design, dual-scroll wheels with precise scrolling, programmable buttons, and great ergonomics.

Buy from Amazon

Razer Pro Click

Fast, productive, good looking

The Razer Pro Click is the company's first proper productivity mouse and has been made in association with Humanscale. It comes with a premium design, a super-fast 16,000-dpi sensor, up to 8 programmable buttons, and great battery life.

Buy from Amazon

Microsoft Arc Mouse

Ultra-slim and lightweight

The Microsoft Arc Mouse is an elegant solution for users looking for a slim and portable design. It also features an innovative full scroll plane for vertical and horizontal scrolling instead of using a scroll wheel.

Buy from Amazon

Logitech MX Anywhere 3

Compact yet premium

The Logitech MX Anywhere 3 is the most compact and premium mouse that follows the footprint of the MX Master 3. It features the same excellent steel scroll wheel and an elegant design that should go well with the Spectre x360

Buy from Amazon

Satechi M1

Affordable yet elegant

The Satechi M1 is a fairly affordable rechargeable wireless mouse for the HP Spectre x360 series. It's available in four metallic color options including Silver, Space Grey, Rose Gold, and Gold while it uses a USB-C port for charging.

Buy from Amazon

These are some of the best mice options that are available for HP’s Spectre x360 laptop lineup. For the ones who care about aesthetics and want a seamless look that matches their laptop, the HP Spectre 700 wireless rechargeable mouse should be their first choice. If productivity is your top priority then we suggest you go for the Logitech MX Master 3 as it’s one of the best ones out there offering a great blend of performance, build quality, and customizations.

HP makes a wide range of laptops under various categories and at different price points. If you’re looking to buy a new notebook, head over to our roundup of the best HP laptops to buy in 2021 before making a final decision. If you want more options, we also have a list of the best laptops to buy in 2021. Additionally, check out our recommendations for the best laptops on the market that offer support for 5G mobile connectivity that can help you stay connected to fast mobile internet while you’re on the go.

HP Spectre x360 15

The HP Spectre x360 15 comes with a 15.6-inch display that can be flipped around and the machine is powered by the latest Intel 11th-gen Tiger Lake processors.

Buy from HP.com

HP Spectre x360 14

A premium convertible laptop, the HP Spectre x360 14 features a sharp 13.5-inch panel while the performance is handled by Intel's 11th-gen Tiger lake processors.

Buy from HP.com

HP Spectre x360 13

The HP Spectre x360 13 is the smallest option under the Spectre x360 range and is an excellent convertible ultrabook featuring a premium design and the latest processor options from Intel .

Buy from HP.com

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