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jeudi 5 août 2021

How to reserve your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and save more with extra trade-in value

Samsung is holding its Unpacked event on August 11 to launch some of the most anticipated devices of 2021 – The Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Watch 4, and the Galaxy Buds 2. This is going to be a very important launch for Samsung since both foldables are expected to bring much-needed improvements from their predecessors and Samsung is going to try and reach a larger demographic with these ultra-premium phones. The Galaxy Watch 4, being the first smartwatch to run the latest version of WearOS is also going to attract a lot of eyeballs. And of course, the Buds 2 presents more options for the lucrative hearables market.

 

If you’ve been eyeing the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and are planning to pick one up after launch, it’s a good idea to reserve a unit for yourself through Samsung’s website to enjoy some additional benefits. You don’t have to pay any additional fee to reserve a unit and you get some pretty cool perks so it’s a win-win. If you plan on owning the latest foldable in town, here’s how you can reserve your Galaxy Z Fold 3 prior to launch.

How to Reserve your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Reserving a Galaxy Z Fold 3 for yourself is pretty straightforward. Head over to Samsung’s reservation page and fill out the details in the reservation form. It’s just basic info and you don’t have to make any payment upfront. However, note that the reservation program is currently only available in the US.

Reserve your next foldable

Z Fold 3 Reservation page

Once you fill out the details and submit the form, you’re pretty much done. You will receive an email or notification to complete your pre-order of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 along with the option to claim your exclusive offers. You can also select what device(s) you want to trade-in (if you’re planning to do that) from this screen. Your preferred mode of payment can also be selected from here.

Benefits of Reserving your Galaxy Z Fold 3

Z Fold 3 Reserved message

Samsung is offering some sweet perks to those reserving a Galaxy Z Fold 3 prior to launch. There are three main benefits to reserving a unit for yourself which can help you save some money. This is surely helpful since the Z Fold 3 isn’t going to be cheap by any means. Here are some of the offers that Samsung has for you if you’ve pre-booked the phone –

  • Extra trade-in value: Samsung claims to offer the highest online trade-in value with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 along with extra $100 credit. You’ll also be given an option to trade in two devices instead of just one to bring down the price further.

trade-in devices

  • 12 months of Samsung Care+ for free: Samsung Care+ offers coverage for hardware damages to your phone, something that’s not included in the standard warranty. If you break your display or water-damage your phone, you’ll have to pay considerably lesser for a repair if you have Samsung Care+. It’s generally $155 per year but Samsung is going to bundle it in for free.
  • An extra, special offer: Samsung doesn’t really specify what this is but we’re assuming that you might get additional discounts on the Galaxy Watch 4 and/or the Galaxy Buds 2 if you purchase those along with the phone.

Apart from these offers, reserving a unit means that you’ll be one of the first in line to receive the Galaxy Z Fold 3 whenever it goes up on sale. You won’t have to worry about stocks running out or the availability of the device near you.

Are you excited about the Galaxy Z Fold 3? And if you’re planning to get one, have you reserved it yet? Let us know in the comments below!

The post How to reserve your Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and save more with extra trade-in value appeared first on xda-developers.



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Google’s new Identity Services APIs consolidate all its sign-in offerings for third-party apps

Google is consolidating all its sign-in offerings, including “Sign-in with Google” and “One tap,” under one software development kit (SDK). The company recently announced the new family of Identity APIs, called Google Identity Services, for this purpose.

In a blog post, Google highlighted that the new SDK includes the “Sign in with Google” button and One Tap, which use secure tokens instead of passwords to help users sign-in on supported websites and apps. The company claims that the new Google Identity Services APIs will help developers deliver a seamless and convenient sign-in experience without compromising the user’s privacy and security. The company notes:

“With the new Google Identity Services, we’ve combined Google’s industry leading security with the ultimate convenience of easy sign in to deliver an experience that keeps users safe, while facilitating new user acquisition and seamless sign in for returning users.”

As far as the user-facing changes are concerned, Google mentions that the One Tap prompt will now appear in the bottom right corner on desktop versions of supported websites and at the bottom on mobile. As you can see in the attached image, it will include your name, email ID, and a single button to help you quickly sign-in on the website.

Google One Tap sign in prompt

The company is also rolling out an improved “Sign in with Google” button that displays your name and email ID, just like the One Tap button. The button now also has improved UI/UX consistency across the web. Google has also put several measures in place to protect users against vulnerabilities like click-jacking, pixel tracking, etc.

New Sign in with Google buttons

If you wish to try out the new One Tap and Sign in with Google experience, you can head over to Reddit. Google reveals that it has worked closely with the platform to integrate both sign-in options. The company claims that the new sign-in options have helped increase both new user sign up and returning user conversion by almost two times. Pinterest has also implemented Google Identity Services, which has had a positive impact on sign in and sign ups.

The post Google’s new Identity Services APIs consolidate all its sign-in offerings for third-party apps appeared first on xda-developers.



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Google Photos starts rolling out a new “Memories” widget for some users

Back in June, we reported that the Google Photos app for Android was preparing to add a new home screen widget for displaying your Memories, a feature that’s been available on the iOS version of the app since last year. Although the code for the feature was present in the app, it wasn’t available to end-users at the time. But it appears Google has finally started rolling out the new Your Memories widget for some users.

As reported by a Telegram channel called Google Pixels, the Your Memories widget has rolled out to some Android users with the Google Photos app v5.52.0.0387241369. For starters, Memories are a series of auto-generated photo albums that appear at the top of the “Photos” tab inside the Google Photos app. With the new widget, Android users can now display them on their home screen.

As shown in the screenshots below, the Your Memories widget will be accessible from the widget picker. It has a default 2×2 view which is quite narrow, but you can adjust the size by stretching the pointers that appear when you long press on the widget and drag it across the screen.

Here’s the demo showing the new Memories widget in action:

Similar to the Memories carousel shown inside the Google Photos app, the widget will show a slideshow of auto-generated photo albums. Currently, the widget only shows Memories from “This week” and “1 year ago”. However, this will likely change once Google Photos gains support for new types of Memories such as “Best of Month,” Trip Highlights,” celebrations, and so on.

The Your Memories widget hasn’t rolled out widely yet. It wasn’t available on any of my phones running the latest Google Photos app. We’ll let you know when this feature starts rolling out widely.

Google Photos (Free, Google Play) →


Screenshots and video courtesy: Google Pixels Telegram channel 

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Lenovo is preparing a new tablet to follow up its mid-range Tab P11 Pro

Lenovo is one of few Android OEMs that still makes good Android tablets. Its Tab P11 Pro from last year was a decent mid-range tablet that made its way to India earlier this year. Now, the company is preparing a successor to the mid-range tablet, but it will feature flagship specs. The upcoming tablet has been spotted on the Google Play console, and it’s called the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro.

Lenovo Tab P12 Pro

Image credits: Mysmartprice

The listing on the Google Play Console (via Mysmartprice) reveals some specifications of the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro. The Pro moniker indicates a product targeted at professional users, and while the Tab P11 Pro didn’t really live up to it, it seems like the Tab P12 Pro might justify the tag. The fact that the tab has made an appearance on the Google Play console means that Lenovo is planning to launch it soon.

Lenovo Tab P12 Pro Leaked Specifications

The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro is listed with the model number TB-Q706F on the Google Play console. The listing includes an image that looks like a render of the tablet itself. The listing also reveals a few specifications of the device, including info about its SoC, RAM, and display.

Lenovo Tab P12 Pro leaked specs

Image Credits: Mysmartprice

As per the listing, the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro will come with the Snapdragon 888 SoC and 8GB of RAM. This would make it a performance champ and put it among the best Android tablets in terms of raw performance. The display will have a resolution of 1600×2560 pixels, and the tablet will run Android 11 out of the box. That’s pretty much everything we know so far about the tablet.

Going by these specs, the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro looks to be a significant improvement over its predecessor. For the unaware, the Tab P11 Pro featured a modest Snapdragon 730G chipset. If you’re looking to buy a new Android tablet with premium specs, the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro might be worth the wait.

The post Lenovo is preparing a new tablet to follow up its mid-range Tab P11 Pro appeared first on xda-developers.



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These are the Best Galaxy S21 Ultra Cases in August: Spigen, Ringke, and more!

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is the premium option in Samsung’s flagship series, and as you can see from our Galaxy S21 Ultra review, it’s pretty great! Even though it’s not too new at this point, it’s still one of the best Android phones out there. But with such an expensive smartphone, you’re definitely going to want to protect it with a case. However, keeping it protected can be a challenge, as the phone is a glass sandwich and it’s heavy. Luckily, we have you covered! Here are our top picks for the best Galaxy S21 Ultra cases available right now.

From thin and light cases to bulky and rugged ones (which will make the phone far more unwieldy than it already is), there’s a pick for everyone at every price point, whether you’re looking for the official options or you’re looking for third-party ones, both in the premium and affordable segments. There are some S21 Ultra cases with S-Pen support as well if you’re planning on getting an S-Pen with your phone.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Official Silicone Cover with S-Pen enclosure

    Galaxy S21 Ultra Official Silicone Cover w/ S Pen
    Feeling Note envy sometimes? You can grab the Silicone cover for the S21 Ultra that also includes an S-Pen holder and, of course, the pen itself, so you can get writing on your screen like a Note smartphone.

If you want to use the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra with an S-Pen, you’d need to figure out where you will be storing the stylus as the phone has no storage cavity within itself. Samsung’s workaround for the situation is this S Pen case. This official case has a storage compartment for the S-Pen, and it also provides a decent level of protection to your expensive flagship phone.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Official Silicone Cover

    Galaxy S21 Ultra Official Silicone Cover
    Not really into using a stylus with your smartphone? Well, that's fine. The normal silicone cover without an S-Pen is also available for you to check out, providing the same protection and color options at a cheaper price.

If S-Pen isn’t your fancy, then Samsung sells this silicone cover that provides ample protection for your phone without the S-Pen housing. It doesn’t add bulk and you can easily slide your phone in and out of your pocket or bag. What’s more, there are four colors to choose from, so your phone doesn’t have to look boring.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Official Clear Cover

    Galaxy S21 Ultra Clear Cover
    Biting into Samsung's marketing for the Galaxy S21 Ultra's color options? Then you'll probably find this classic clear case more than alright, as it allows you to show off your phone's design while keeping it protected.

If you’re spending north of $1,000 for your brand-new Galaxy S21 Ultra, you’ll want to flaunt its design. That’s where this clear case comes into play. It adds a slim, yet durable, layer of protection to your phone, all the while showing off the design and color of the device. Samsung also says that it won’t turn yellow over time.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Official Rugged Case

    Galaxy S21 Ultra Rugged Case
    The Galaxy S21 Ultra's official rugged case doesn't bring support for the S-Pen, but it does bring extra protection at the expense of the thickness, if that's something you're into. And it also comes with a kickstand.

While silicone covers add a decent amount of protection to your phone, they’re not military-grade. For those of you looking for something more than just a silicon cover, the official Rugged Protective from Samsung is drop-tested to military-grade standards. Moreover, it includes a kickstand that supports two viewing angles.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Official Leather Cover

    Galaxy S21 Ultra Leather Cover
    The official leather case might not be as tough as the rugged one, but it features an unique design with extra protection for the big camera bump on the device. It also features a leather finish that's very nice to the touch.

For those of you who want their phone to feel great in hand despite having a case on, Samsung offers this official leather case. Made from genuine leather, it’s soft to touch and sports a braided texture on the camera bump. This texturing not only makes the case look interesting but also adds special protection for the rear cameras.

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro (Promoted)

    SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro
    The SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro is an affordable rugged case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra that offers complete protection. It has a multi-layered TPU and polycarbonate construction to protect your phone from drops, a kickstand to help you prop it up in both landscape and portrait orientations, precise cutouts for easy access to ports, and a rotatable holster to secure your phone on your belt.

The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro is a rugged case that is meant for people who are clumsy. If you drop your phone often, then this case will prevent your S21 Ultra from getting scratches or cracks. It even has a kickstand built-in which can help you watch your favorite shows and movies while your phone rests on a table.

Restoo Galaxy S21 Ultra Rugged case

    Restoo Galaxy S21 Ultra Rugged Case
    This Restoo rugged case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra is made to look like it can withstand a beating, and it most certainly can, featuring thicker silicone bumper corners as well as a textured back for better grip.

Restoo’s rugged case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra offers heavy-duty protection. It may not be the slimmest case around but it will keep your phone safe. The case sports a polycarbonate back and TPU bumper to withstand the day-to-day mishaps. Additionally, its stripe back adds to the phone’s grip.

Caseology Vault

    Caseology Vault Galaxy S21 Ultra Case
    Caseology is one of the best case manufacturers on our list, and its Vault case is also available for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, protecting your new phone from drops and external elements while remaining cheaper than the official options from Samsung.

If you’re looking for a quality case on the cheap, Caseology Vault can help. This case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with a matte sandstone texture on the back for a secure grip as well as raised edges to protect the front. The company also uses Air Space technology to mitigate any corner shock from the drops.

Ringke Air case

    Ringke Air Galaxy S21 Ultra Case
    Ringke is also a renowned case manufacturer, and as it turns out, it has a Galaxy S21 Ultra case that focuses on just the essentials. While it won't blow you away, it will add an extra layer of peace of mind.

Ringke is another brand that makes good budget cases for smartphones. Its Air case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra is essentially a clear case that allows you to showcase the design and color of the phone. It’s lightweight and slim but still provides a decent amount of protection to your phone. You’ll also get lanyard holes to attach wrist or neck-straps.

Spigen Tough Armor

    Spigen Tough Armor Case
    Spigen always makes great and durable cases, and with the Galaxy S21 Ultra, there's no exception. The Tough Armor case is slim but sturdy, allowing you to protect your phone from shocks and falls without a ton of bulk.

Spigen Tough Armor is a premium-looking case that offers military-grade protection to the Galaxy S21 Ultra. It’s made using polycarbonate and TPU and comes with Air Cushion tech to withstand drop shocks. Additionally, the company has added a kickstand to this slim case.

ESR Metal Kickstand Case

    ESR Clear Kickstand Case
    If you want a simple, clear case, then you'll want to go with the ESR case. The clear background will allow your phone's color scheme to shine through, and you'll also get a kickstand to prop your phone up.

If you want a clear case with a kickstand, ESR has one for you. The company’s Metal Kickstand Case comes with shock-absorbing corners for protection against drops and bumps. It also sports raised edges to safeguard the rear cameras and display of the phone. Moreover, the case’s kickstand works in both portrait and landscape modes.

Arae Wallet Case

    Arae Case Galaxy S21 Ultra Case
    You want a wallet case? Arae case has it for you. You'll be able to store a number of cards in this tri-fold case, and it can even prop up your phone! Just make sure to get a screen protector, so your cards don't scratch the screen!

Arae Wallet Case is made of PU leather and offers easy access to all buttons, ports, cameras, and speakers. You can also charge your phone without removing the case. In terms of the wallet, there are four slots for the cards and IDs as well as a pocket for cash. The case also provides 360-degree protection.

Imluckies Case with Camera Cover

    Imluckies Galaxy S21 Ultra Case with Camera Cover
    The Galaxy S21 Ultra's camera setup is pretty amazing, so you might want to consider a case that protects it. Imluckies' case has a slider that can cover your phone's cameras when not in use. Just slide it away when you want to take a picture and you're good to go.

Imluckies is known for its webcam covers and the company has added some of that expertise in this case. This case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra includes a slide-on cover for the rear cameras. Unlike the webcam covers that safeguard your privacy, the camera cover in this case will protect your phone’s cameras. The case also features a textured back for added grip.

Cutebe Cute Clear Case

    Cutebe Cute Clear Crystal Case
    Want your phone's color scheme to shine through, but also give it a little pizazz? Cutebe's line of cases will be just what you need! These cases are transparent, but also have a bit of a pattern to help your phone stand out even more!

Tired of the plain and boring cases, maybe Cutebe can help. This Cutebe case not only provides the necessary protection to your phone but also sports a floral design to add a little flair. The company also claims the case has been made from eco-friendly materials.

Spigen Liquid Air P

    Spigen Liquid Air P
    With this case specially made for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, you can store your S-Pen with ease! Most cases don't really account for the S-Pen, so if you have one already, Spigen's case is a good choice.

As you know the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra supports S-Pen but doesn’t come with a slot to store one. If you aren’t keen on getting the official Samsung Silicone case with an S-Pen holder, this Spigen case is a good option. Unlike the Samsung case that bundles an S-Pen, you won’t get one with this case. It does offer military-grade protection and comes with an anti-slip matte back.

Guuboly Case with Ring Holder

    Guuboly case
    Why bother buying a separate ring holder when your case comes with one built-in? This Guuboly clear case not only allows you to flaunt the design of the beautiful Galaxy S21 Ultra, but the ring can also act as a kickstand.

A number of people like using ring holders on their phones as it allows them to use their large and bulky phones without worrying about dropping them accidentally. While you can purchase a separate ring holder and stick it to your Galaxy S21 Ultra, this case comes with one built-in. Moreover, it’s super slim and sports raised edges to protect the front of your phone.

OtterBox Commuter Series Case

    OtterBox Commuter Series
    OtterBox is known for its heavy-duty cases, and this Commuter Series case for Galaxy S21 Ultra is no different. It sports a slim profile and even includes dust protection for ports.

The OtterBox Commuter Series is a tried-and-trusted case lineup. It adds military-grade protection to your phone without unnecessary bulk. What’s more, the company adds a silver-based antimicrobial additive into the case that stops microbial growth. So in a way, you are getting dual protection.


These are our top picks for the best Galaxy S21 Ultra cases currently available on the market. If you want to take advantage of Samsung’s S-Pen on your device, then you have no other choice right now but to grab either Samsung’s official case with S-Pen holder or Spigen’s Liquid Air P case. Unlike the Note lineup, the S21 Ultra doesn’t have an S-Pen holder and it’s held by these cases as an optional accessory. Otherwise, if you don’t mind the S-Pen, there’s a lot of options. Samsung’s classic Silicone case should be able to provide plenty of protection, whereas Samsung’s official rugged case takes it a bit further and adds some extra functionality as well. But these options come at a premium compared to the third-party cases.

As for the best Galaxy S21 Ultra cases from third-party manufacturers (these are comparably cheaper), Caseology’s Vault case and Ringke’s Air case are excellent options that won’t break the bank, since they’re all under $15, and will still manage to protect your smartphone.

    Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
    The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the ultimate overkill in the new 2021 flagship series, packing in a flagship SoC, a premium build, a great display, and an amazing camera setup, as well as all the extras expected on a premium flagship.

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PS5 VR Headset will reportedly come with an HDR OLED Display and support for AAA Games

While the PS5 continues its dominance worldwide, gamers have been keen on finding out what’s up with Sony’s upcoming refresh for its VR headset, the PS VR. VR or Virtual Reality is gaining popularity since it simulates a real-world environment inside a game and gives you an immersive experience. Brands like Oculus and HTC have a notable presence in the VR market, and while Sony’s PlayStation VR did gain some traction, the company hasn’t gotten around to launching an updated version.

With the PS5 being on sale for a while, several rumors are floating around about the PS5 VR that is supposedly due to launch sometime next year. In fact, Sony showed off the next-gen controllers for the PS5 VR earlier this year, and there have been previous reports claiming that the VR headset from Sony may have a 4K resolution display, eye-tracking, and haptic feedback.

PlayStation VR headset on white background

Now, there are reports of a private conference that Sony held recently to brief developers about the PS5 VR, and leaked info from that briefing gives us a little more insight into what we can expect from the PS5 VR. The PSVR Without Parole YouTube channel posted a video highlighting these leaked specifications and features from the conference (via UploadVR).

The PS5 VR is expected to have a display resolution of 2000×2040 pixels per eye, which amounts to 4000×2040 pixels when combined. The headset is said to feature eye-tracking support as well. The device is apparently codenamed NGVR, which stands for Next-Generation VR, while the product’s actual name seems to be undecided as of now. PS5 VR may come with an OLED display with HDR support, according to this leak, and will have an FoV of 110 degrees.

Sony PS5 VR controllers feature image

The new controllers will reportedly have touch-capacitive sensors for your fingers to determine their exact positioning when held. Sony apparently also mentioned that they’re working on getting AAA titles onboard for the PS5 VR. It’s also working on bringing hybrid VR support where traditional games for the PS5 will give users an option whether they want to play the flatscreen version of the game or the VR version.

As mentioned earlier, the PS5 VR isn’t ready for launch yet, and Sony plans on launching the headset sometime next year, probably in the second half of 2022. If you’re a fan of VR gaming, this certainly is great news, and it would be interesting to see what improvements the PS5 VR will bring compared to the last-gen headset.

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Honor Earbuds 2 Lite offer ANC, great battery life, and fast charging at an affordable price

After launching the Honor 50 series earlier this year in June, Honor is now gearing up to launch a new flagship smartphone lineup. The company recently confirmed that it would unveil the Magic 3 series on August 12th and that it will feature Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 888 Plus SoC. While we’re still a few days away from the launch event, Honor has now unveiled a new pair of TWS earbuds — the Honor Earbuds 2 Lite.

The Honor Earbuds 2 Lite offers a host of premium features at a relatively affordable price. They pack 10mm high fidelity dynamic drivers, two MEMS microphones, and 55mAh batteries in each earbud and offer support for premium features like active noise cancelation (ANC), fast charging, and more. The earbuds feature an in-ear style design with silicone ear tips and a long stem, and they come with a rectangular charging case that resembles the one you get with the Apple AirPods Pro.

Honor Earbuds 2 Lite White on transparent background

Honor claims that the Earbuds 2 Lite offers up to 10 hours of continuous music playback on a single charge and a total of up to 32 hours with the charging case. Thanks to the fast charging support, the earbuds can be powered up to 40% in just 10 minutes, giving you up to four hours of continuous music playback in a short amount of time.

Honor Earbuds 2 Lite Black on transparent background

As mentioned before, the earbuds offer ANC support. On top of that, they also come with an Awareness Mode to help you hear what’s going around you without taking the earbuds out. The earbuds also offer Dual Anti-Wind technology to ensure crystal clear audio during calls, even while you’re running. Furthermore, the Earbuds 2 Lite offers Bluetooth 5.2 with an ultra-low latency mode for gaming.

The Honor Earbuds 2 Lite is priced at €69.90, and it will be available in two colorways — Glacier White and Midnight Black — starting August 7th. The earbuds will be available in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Finland through Honor’s website.

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