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mercredi 7 septembre 2022

The 2022 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is down to $1,599 right now

If you’re looking for a new gaming laptop you can also use for school or anything else, Best Buy may have a deal that interests you. Right now, you can get the all-AMD model of the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 for just $1,599, a $300 discount on its standard price, and a great deal overall considering the specs you’re getting with this machine.

Starting with the CPU, it’s powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS, a 35W processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, capable of boosting as high as 4.9GHz, so you have more than enough CPU performance for gaming and content creation. Paired with that, there’s an AMD Radeon RX 6800S, a powerful GPU that can use up to 105W, and that should allow you to run just about any modern game at smooth frame rates and decently high settings. There’s even a MUX Switch, which allows the laptop to bypass the integrated GPU and connect the discrete GPU directly to the display for even better performance. You also get 16GB of soldered RAM (with a free SODIMM slot for expansion) and 1TB of PCIe 4 SSD storage.

    Asus Zephyrus G14 (2022)
    The Asus Zephyrus G14 is a fantastic balance of power and portability, feature an AMD Ryzen 9 processor and Radeon RX 6800S graphics, all in a package that weighs just 3.64lbs.

And to make use of that, you get a Quad HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, so this is a great gaming experience overall. In fact, this is a great display beyond the refresh rate, too. It’s one of Asus’ ROG Nebula displays, with 500 nits of brightness and 100% coverage of DCI-P3, meaning it’s also a great screen for content creation.

This all comes in a compact package that’s just 18.5mm thick and weighs 3.64lbs, which is very reasonable for the specs you’re getting here. It’s a great laptop for students who want a gaming laptop they can take to school, since it’s relatively portable. It’s also highly customizable thanks to the AniMe Matrix display on the lid, using thousands of white LEDs to create a pattern of your choosing.

If portability isn’t as important to you, Best Buy also has a deal on the Asus ROG Strix G15, which comes with some more powerful specs, albeit some older ones, too. It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX, with a higher 45W TDP, along with an AMD Radeon RX 6800M, which is also a more powerful GPU. It comes with 16GB of dual-channel slotted RAM and a 512GB SSD, though this is a slower model based on PCIe 3.

    Asus Strix G15 (2021)
    The Asus ROG Strix G15 packs powerful AMD procoessors and graphics, along with prominent RGB lighting for those who want to show off.

You also get a Quad HD display with an even smoother 165Hz refresh rate. These powerful specs make for a thicker machine (up to 27.2mm at its thickest point) and also a heavier one, weighing 5.51lbs. But those compromises may be worth it for the faster GPU and for the lower price – it costs just $1,299, down from its usual $1,699 price tag.

Both of these are great gaming laptops, and these sales make it a great time to buy them if you’ve been looking for a new rig.

The post The 2022 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is down to $1,599 right now appeared first on XDA.



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These are the Best OnePlus 10T Cases to buy in 2022

The OnePlus 10T is one of the best affordable flagships on the market. In some ways, the OnePlus 10T is even better than the OnePlus 10 Pro, despite its lower price tag. Not only does the new 10T pack the latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, but it also offers a much faster charging speed than the Pro model. If you have just picked up the OnePlus 10T through a great deal, you would want to protect it from everyday scratches, drops, and falls. A protective case, along with a good screen protector, is the cheapest way to safeguard your expensive phone from potential dangers.

There is no shortage of protective cases for the OnePlus 10T. You don’t have to wade through all the options; we’ve rounded up the best ones for you. Without further ado, let us present the best OnePlus 10T cases.

Navigate this article:

Official cases

OnePlus always have some first-party cases for its flagship lineup, and for the OnePlus 10T, the company is offering two options. The official cases are a bit on the expensive side. But if you want the best fit and compatibility, these are the best options.

    Glacier Mat Case
    The official Glacier Mate case for the OnePlus 10T doesn’t offer the best protection but looks cool and will keep your phone cool when things get hot. The case uses heat dissipation material to quickly remove excessive heat. If you're a heavy gamer, this might be for you.
    Official bumper case
    The official bumper case is spray-pained with four layers of fine-ground sandstone, giving it a smooth texture. Made out of soft TPU and hard PC back, the case seamlessly fits the phone and provides 1m drop resistance.

Thin cases

As the name suggests, a thin case is slim and lightweight. It provides basic protection against everyday scratches and general wear and tear.

    Foluu

    Clean and clear

    This clear case from Foluu is the perfect case to add protection to your OnePlus 10T while preserving its real beauty. The case is made out of soft silicone and features reinforced corners for added drop protection.
    Futanwei

    Slim fit

    If you’re looking for a case that provides basic protection without adding too much bulk, this might just fit the bill. The soft TPU rubber case has non-slip grip while
    Ranyi

    Shock absorbing

    This flexible bumper case is slim and lightweight but it will protect your phone from everyday scratches, smudges and fingerprints. Reinforced corners provide extra drop protection and shock absorption.

Rugged cases

Rugged cases provide the maximum protection as they’re made of tough materials, often using multiple materials. They are more likely to handle drops, falls, and shocks better than a slim or clear case.

    BoerHang

    Invisible stand

    Featuring had PC back and shockproof TPU, this rugged case from BoerHang offers solid protection against accidental drops and surface scratches. The case has raised lips to protect the screen and camera, and the built-in kickstand is a bonus, allowing you to prop up the phone for hands-free viewing.
    FTRONGRT

    Mobile phone holder

    This shockproof rugged case is made out of polycarbonate plastic and thermoplastic polyurethane, offering solid protection against drops, falls, and shocks. It also has a built-in kickstand and a strong absorption metal plate for the car holder.

Wallet cases

Like a Swiss knife, a wallet case serves many purposes. In addition to protecting your phone from harm, it can also hold your credit cards and cash. The weight of wallet cases is much higher than other cases, but the convenience of not carrying around a dedicated wallet is well worth it.

    DAMONDY

    Magnetic kickstand

    This wallet case is made out of premium PU leather and feels soft to touch. It has two card slots, one side pocket and magnetic enclosure. Comes in Blue, Green and Red colors.
    Ranyi

    3 card slots

    This high-quality wallet case from Ranyi lets you store up to three cards and also has a cash pocket. It has precise cutouts for ports, buttons, and speakers. Color options include Black, Brown, and Blue.
    MAOUICI

    Free screen protector

    This wallet case from MAOUICI has a retro look and can store up to three credit cards. It has a magnetic lid that keeps the front cover securely in place. You also get a free screen protector with 9H hardness, which is a bonus.

That wraps up our round-up of the best OnePlus 10T cases. OnePlus’ official cases are your best bet for the best fit and compatibility. But as you can see, there are plenty of amazing third-party options as well that offer great protection and are more reasonably priced than the official options. Since the phone is fairly new, we expect even more options to arrive in the coming weeks and months, so do check back again.

    The OnePlus 10T
    The OnePlus 10T is the company's latest affordable flagship, packing top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset and up to 16GB of RAM.

The post These are the Best OnePlus 10T Cases to buy in 2022 appeared first on XDA.



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How to download Android 13 for Google Pixel and other Android devices

Get ready to dig into Android 13! Google has officially started the update rollout via stable channel. For lucky owners of the Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 5a, Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4, or Pixel 4 XL, you’ll be among the first users to see what Android 13 “Tiramisu” has to offer.

Alongside the supported Google Pixel devices, Android 13 is also available for a wide range of devices from different OEMs through Developer Preview programs.

Keep in mind that the preview builds won’t give you the full Android 13 experience as it’s very much a work-in-progress. Every pre-stable iteration is aimed solely at developers, since they need to test their apps against new Android platform APIs months before the next Android version becomes available for the general public. Installing the Developer Preview/Beta on your daily driver isn’t recommended, as you might face various system instabilities. Do back up your data before proceeding.

This page will serve as a one-stop download index for every Android 13 build released by Google. We will keep the page updated with the latest OTAs and factory images for the supported Pixel smartphones. You can learn how to install Android 13 on Google Pixel smartphones and other devices by visiting our dedicated guide.

Navigate this page:


Download Android 13 for Google Pixel devices

September 2022 release (TP1A.220905.004)

For Google Pixel devices, you can download the latest stable Android 13 build with the September 2022 security patches from the links below:


August 2022 release (TP1A.220624.014 || TP1A.220624[.021/.021.A1] for the Google Pixel 6 series)

For Google Pixel devices, you can download the first stable Android 13 build with the August 2022 security patches from the links below:

You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:

GSI Downloads

Architecture GSI Package
x86_64+GMS Download Link
ARM64+GMS Download Link
x86_64 Download Link
ARM64 Download Link


Android 13 Beta and Developer Preview builds

If you need to download older beta and/or Developer Preview builds, you can found them listed below:

Click/Tap to expand

It is worth mentioning that the beta/preview builds don’t have all the new software features you can associate with the final release of Android 13. To be precise, Google gave developers the chance to test their apps against new Android platform APIs months before the new Android version became available for the general public. Hence, the builds mentioned below are aimed at the developer community only and are not intended to be used by end-users.

Navigate this section:

Android 13 Beta 4.1 (TPB4.220624.008)

For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the beta 4.1 build of Android 13 from the index below:

You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:

GSI Downloads

Architecture GSI Package
x86_64+GMS Download Link
ARM64+GMS Download Link
x86_64 Download Link
ARM64 Download Link

Android 13 Beta 4 (TPB4.220624.005)

For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the fourth and final beta build of Android 13 from the index below:

You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:

GSI Downloads

Architecture GSI Package
x86_64+GMS Download Link
ARM64+GMS Download Link
x86_64 Download Link
ARM64 Download Link

Android 13 Beta 3.3 (TPB3.220617.002)

For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the beta 3.3 build of Android 13 from the index below:


Android 13 Beta 3.2 (TPB3.220610.004)

For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the beta 3.2 build of Android 13 from the index below:

You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:

GSI Downloads

Architecture GSI Package
x86_64+GMS Download Link
ARM64+GMS Download Link
x86_64 Download Link
ARM64 Download Link

Android 13 Beta 3.1 (TPB3.220513.017.B1)

For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the beta 3.1 build of Android 13 from the index below:

You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:

GSI Downloads

Architecture GSI Package
x86_64+GMS Download Link
ARM64+GMS Download Link
x86_64 Download Link
ARM64 Download Link

Android 13 Beta 3 (TPB3.220513.017)

For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the third beta build of Android 13 from the index below:

You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:

GSI Downloads

Architecture GSI Package
x86_64+GMS Download Link
ARM64+GMS Download Link
x86_64 Download Link
ARM64 Download Link

Android 13 Beta 2.1 (TPBB.220414.018)

For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the beta 2.1 build of Android 13 from the index below:


Android 13 Beta 2 (TPBB.220414.015)

For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the second beta build of Android 13 from the index below:

You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:

GSI Downloads

Architecture GSI Package
x86_64+GMS Download Link
ARM64+GMS Download Link
x86_64 Download Link
ARM64 Download Link

Android 13 Beta 1 (TPB1.220310.029)

For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the first beta build of Android 13 from the index below:

You can also download the official Generic System Image (GSI) packages from the index below:

GSI Downloads

Architecture GSI Package
x86_64+GMS Download Link
ARM64+GMS Download Link
x86_64 Download Link
ARM64 Download Link

Android 13 Developer Preview 2 (TPP2.220218.010)

For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the second Developer Preview build of Android 13 from the index below:


Android 13 Developer Preview 1 (TPP1.220114.016)

For eligible Google Pixel devices, you can download the first Developer Preview build of Android 13 from the index below:


Additionally, Google offers ready-to-use Android 13 beta system images under the Android Emulator in Android Studio. A beta for Android TV is available as well.

The post How to download Android 13 for Google Pixel and other Android devices appeared first on XDA.



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Honor’s EU President talks about differentiating from Huawei, Magic OS 7, and their upcoming foldable

When Huawei sold off its sub-brand Honor in late 2020 to a consortium of buyers, it was welcome news to many phone fans. Not only did it mean that we get a new independent player in the smartphone scene, but there were hopes that Honor devices would regain access to Google Mobile Services, which had been stripped from all devices under the Huawei umbrella since mid-2019. And that was exactly what happened: Honor re-made its global debut in the summer of 2021 with the Magic 3 series, with a big marketing push about being an independent brand and having full Google support to boot.

Since then, Honor has released several more devices to the international market, with the latest, the Honor 70, getting a headline spot to open the IFA trade show in Berlin. “On the IFA stage for the first time since independence,” read the first sentence of the sub-title in the official Honor press release.

Honor and the Huawei influence

But there’s an elephant in the room: so far, despite proudly flaunting its independence, all of Honor’s devices, including and especially the smartphones, have looked and felt very similar to Huawei devices. What gives?

Honor EU president Tony Ran

Honor’s EU President, Tony Ran.

The answer, according to Honor’s EU President Tony Ran, is that Honor simply hasn’t been independent long enough.

“Yes, at this moment there are similarities in terms of design and user interface between [Honor and Huawei devices]. The process to develop a product, from initial design to reaching store shelves, could take two to three years,” says Ran during a media roundtable session in Berlin. “We are changing, but not as fast as you guys may expect.”

Honor’s Chief Marketing Officer of Europe, Clement Wong, chimes in: “Internally, we care more than anyone to make our products stand out from not just Huawei, but other vendors. But it’s a step-by-step process — to differentiate from a hardware perspective, it takes time due to the supply chain logistics and R&D investments required to build a new product.”

Magic OS 7.0

In fact, Wong promises the first sign of differentiation will come soon via the upcoming Magic OS 7.0 software that will launch in Q4 this year. “Magic OS 7.0 is a big leap from previous Honor software, it will look and feel totally different from Huawei devices.”

It is unknown currently if Magic OS 7.0 will launch alongside new hardware, but it is very likely, given Honor’s push to re-establish itself as a global consumer tech player after US sanctions had previously crippled the brand’s overseas growth. According to Ran and Wong, Honor hopes to make Europe the company’s “second home market,” behind, obviously, China.

This strategy will involve continuing to build relationships with carriers across Europe. “We already have major connections with [many] major European and UK carriers,” says Ran. “But there are some carriers that are a little conservative in choosing a new partner like us, so it’s a step-by-step process, and we’re working to establish our network partners.”

Honor CEO George Zhao teasing Magic OS 7.0 during IFA 2022.

Unlike Huawei’s consumer boss Richard Yu, who is notorious for making boisterous claims, Honor’s leaders seem to have more realistic, grounded targets. “We know it’s not going to happen overnight,” says Ran of establishing Honor as a major player in Europe. “It may be a five to ten-year process, but we’re committed to the goal of making Honor as big a name in Europe as we are in China.”

Ran says Honor may open physical stores around Europe like it already has in its home market of China, and some Asian regions like Singapore and Malaysia.

One more thing Honor hopes to do now that it is no longer just a “sub-brand” is to finally establish itself as a premium brand. “Previously, we were somewhat limited in what markets we could pursue,” says Wong. “We can now pursue products in the flagship space.”

Competing globally with foldables

The company had already started with the Honor Magic 4 Pro, which checks all the boxes a flagship phone should. But to stand out from the market, Honor will have to launch something new and different — and it’s coming. In Q1 of 2022, Honor will launch a new foldable phone that will sell outside of China. Unless other brands like Oppo or Google beat Honor to it later this year, Honor’s upcoming foldable will be the first large foldable phone with full GMS access to launch internationally, thus finally giving Samsung some much-needed global competition in the foldable space.

Honor EU president Tony Ran

Ran introducing the Honor 70 during Honor’s keynote at IFA 2022.

“We are ultimately a product company, and the best way to communicate with consumers is via products,” says Ran. “The most important direction of Honor is still to invest in, and build products.”

The post Honor’s EU President talks about differentiating from Huawei, Magic OS 7, and their upcoming foldable appeared first on XDA.



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mardi 6 septembre 2022

The Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL receive one final update

The end has finally come for the Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. Although official support for both devices ended back in May, Google stated that it would offer one additional security update for the phones that was scheduled for July. But, the update would never arrive. Thankfully, Google has included the Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL in the latest September Security update. So now, Pixel 3a owners can get one final security update.

If you’re excited or curious, you can now get the update over the air (OTA). You should be prompted, but if not, head into the Settings menu, then go to System Update, and finally check for an update. If it hasn’t arrived on your mobile device, be patient, as it is currently rolling out. The September update will bring the devices to software version number SP2A.220505.008. While the update might be surprising, this isn’t the first time this has happened. Back in June, the phones got a surprise update that didn’t offer any security updates but reportedly delivered bug fixes. However, the update enabled VoLTE roaming on the handsets. This roaming capability would apply to carriers in the United States and other regions.

The Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL had a decent run, as they were first released back in May 2019. The announcement would occur several months after the release of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. The Pixel 3a devices were the first mid-range offerings from Google, delivering great features at an affordable price. The smartphones packed a mid-range SoC and still featured the same abilities as its flagship siblings, like taking excellent photos. The phones could even utilize features like Night Sight, enhanced zoom capabilities, and more. Despite the Pixel 3a ending its run, the new Pixel 6a will continue to carry its torch, offering a powerful and affordable smartphone experience.

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The new Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 will bring some premium features to affordable smartphones

Qualcomm adopted a new naming scheme for its flagship smartphone SoCs last year to make the branding easier to follow. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 was the first SoC to launch with the new branding, and it was followed by the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 and the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 this year. As seen in a recent leak, Qualcomm is now extending the branding to its budget-friendly chipsets, starting with the new Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 1.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1

The new Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 follows the Snapdragon 695 from last year. It brings several improvements to the table, including up to 35% improved GPU performance and up to 40% improved CPU performance.

Although Qualcomm has not shared all details about its architecture, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is a 4nm chip with an octa-core Kryo CPU clocked at up to 2.2GHz. It also packs an unspecified Adreno GPU with Vulkan 1.1, OpenGL ES 3.2, and OpenCL 2.0 FP API support. The GPU offers HDR gaming support, a hardware-accelerated H.256 and VP9 decoder, and HDR Playback Codec support for HLG. In addition, the chipset supports up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM clocked at 2750MHz and UFS 3.1 storage.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 specs.

The SoC includes a dedicated 7th Gen Qualcomm AI Engine with the always-on 3rd Gen Qualcomm Sensing Hub and the next-gen Qualcomm Hexagon Tensor Accelerator (HTA) for improved AI network performance. It’s the first chip in the Snapdragon 6 series to feature the 7th Gen Qualcomm AI Engine.

Like the Snapdragon 695, the new Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is a 5G capable chip. It features the Snapdragon X62 5G Modem-RF system that offers support for both mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G connectivity, 5G PowerSave 2.0 for better power efficiency, and global 5G multi-SIM support.

Once again, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is the first SoC in the Snapdragon 6 series to feature the Snapdragon X62 5G Modem-RF system. It is also the first to come with Qualcomm’s FastConnect 6700 system, which brings Wi-Fi 6E support and Bluetooth 5.2 with LE Audio.

For your imaging needs, the chipset packs a Qualcomm Spectra 12-bit Triple ISP with support for up to three 13MP cameras, a 25MP+16MP dual camera system, or a single 48MP camera. The ISP also offers 4K HDR video capture at 30FPS, slow-mo 720p video capture at 240FPS, hardware-based multi-frame noise reduction, and AI-based face detection, auto-focus, and auto-exposure.

Other noteworthy features include Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ support for fast charging, dual-frequency GNSS (L1/L5), Sensor-Assisted Positioning, and up to FHD+ 120Hz on-device display support.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 follows the Snapdragon 480 Plus from last year. It brings several improvements, including up to 10% improved GPU performance and up to 15% better CPU performance.

Like with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Qualcomm has not shared all details about its architecture. But the company has confirmed that the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is a 6nm chip featuring a 64-bit Kryo CPU clocked at up to 2GHz and an unspecified Adreno GPU with Vulkan 1.1, OpenGL ES 3.2, and OpenCL 2.0 API support. The chipset also gets LPDDR4X memory support at up to 2133MHz, along with eMMC 5.1 and UFS 2.2 storage support.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 specs.

While the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 doesn’t get Qualcomm’s 7th Gen AI Engine, the chipset does feature 5G support thanks to the Snapdragon X51 5G Modem-RF system. In addition, it gets the Qualcomm FastConnect 6200 System, which brings Wi-Fi 5 support and Bluetooth 5.2.

The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is the first Snapdragon 4 series chipset to feature a Qualcomm Spectra 12-bit Triple ISP with Multi-frame Noise Reduction (MFNR) and Triple Concurrent photo and video capture. Devices featuring the chip can offer up to three 13MP cameras, a 25MP + 13MP dual camera system, or a single 32MP camera. The ISP also enables 1080p Single Video Capture at 60FPS, 1080p Dual Video Capture at 30FPS, 720p Slow Motion Video capture at 120FPS, and HEIC Photo capture.

Other noteworthy features include Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ support for fast charging, dual-frequency GNSS (L1/L5), Sensor-Assisted Positioning, and up to FHD+ 120Hz on-device display support.

At the moment, Qualcomm has not shared the availability details for these new chips. The company has not announced the names of the OEM partners who will use the new chips in upcoming smartphones either. We’ll update this post with all relevant details as soon as they become available.

What do you think of the new Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 SoCs? Are you looking forward to devices featuring the new chips? Let us know in the comments section below.

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