OnePlus rolls out new OxygenOS stable builds for the OnePlus Nord and OnePlus 7 series with September 2020 patches

OnePlus has a commendable track record of pushing Android security updates for its devices. The company usually ships the latest Android security patches from Google to its current-gen flagships within days of their release, with similar updates for older devices following shortly thereafter. However, since the company is currently pushing OxygenOS 11 Open Beta builds for the OnePlus 8 series, it’s yet to ship the September security patches to the devices on the stable channel. Thankfully, that’s not the case for other devices in the company’s portfolio as they’ve now started receiving the September security patches with the latest OxygenOS stable update.

OxygenOS 10.5.8 for the OnePlus Nord

As per a recent post on the OnePlus Community forums, the company has started rolling out OxygenOS 10.5.8 for its mid-range OnePlus Nord. As mentioned earlier, the update includes the Android security patches for September 2020, along with a few other improvements. Here’s the complete changelog for the latest OxygenOS stable release for the device:

• System
  • Newly added “Hide silent notifications in status bar” feature to filter unimportant notifications, making the app notification management easier (Route: Settings>Apps & Notifications> Notifications> Advanced> Hide silent notifications in the status bar)
  • Optimized the expanded screenshot user experience for some scenes
  • Fixed known issues and improved system stability
  • Updated Android security Patch to 2020.09
• Camera
  • Optimized image stabilization performance
• Display
  • Improved general display calibration
• Network
  • Optimize the network stability

OnePlus Nord XDA Forums

OxygenOS 10.0.8 (EU)/10.3.5 (India & Global) for the OnePlus 7 series

OnePlus’ flagship OnePlus 7 series from last year is also getting a similar update on the stable channel. The update includes the Android security patches for September 2020, a new user assistance feature, optimizations to the power consumption on the OnePlus 7 Pro, and more. Here’s the complete changelog for the latest OxygenOS stable release for the devices:

• System
  • Newly added user assistance feature to help user master usage skills quickly (Route: Settings>OnePlus Tips&Support)
  • Optimized power consumption of the system and improve user experience (OP7 Pro Only)
  • Fixed the flashback issue with some third-party apps
  • Fixed known issues and improved system stability
  • Updated Android Security Patch to 2020.09

OnePlus 7 XDA Forums || OnePlus 7 Pro XDA Forums

As with all OxygenOS stable releases from OnePlus, the latest updates for the OnePlus 7 series and the OnePlus Nord will be rolled out to users in a staged fashion. This means that the updates will first reach only a handful of users today. Once the company confirms that there are no major issues with the update, it should roll out to more users.

Along with the aforementioned updates, the company is also rolling out OxygenOS 10.0.39.HD61CB for the OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition. As per a recent post from XDA Member fixit35, the update brings support for 5G SA to the device, Android security patches for August 2020, and general improvements and bug fixes.

In case you don’t wish to wait for the latest OTA updates for your device, we’ve managed to procure download links for the flashable .zip files. As of now, we have access to the update packages for the OnePlus Nord only. We will update this post with the other download links as soon as we get a hold of them.

Downloads

• OxygenOS 10.5.8 for the OnePlus Nord:
  • Global
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from OxygenOS 10.5.7
  • Europe
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from OxygenOS 10.5.7
  • India
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from OxygenOS 10.5.7
• OxygenOS 10.0.8 (EU)/10.3.5 (India& Global) for the OnePlus 7:
  • Global
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from OxygenOS 10.3.4
  • Europe
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from OxygenOS 10.0.7
  • India
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from OxygenOS 10.3.4
• OxygenOS 10.0.8 (EU)/10.3.5 (India& Global) for the OnePlus 7 Pro:
  • Global
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from OxygenOS 10.3.4
  • Europe
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from OxygenOS 10.0.7
  • India
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from OxygenOS 10.3.4

---

Source: OnePlus Community forums (1,2)

Thanks to XDA Senior Member Some_Random_Username for the download links!

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Kernel sources for the POCO M2 Pro/Redmi Note 9S/9 Pro/9 Pro Max, Moto G9/G9 Play, Realme C11/C12/C15, and Realme V3/V5/X7/X7 Pro are now available

There is a direct correlation between the developer-friendliness of a particular Android OEM and their stance on publishing the kernel source code for the smartphones they sell. The companies are obliged to provide the source code – upon request – for any Linux kernel binaries that ship on their devices to comply with the requirements of the GNU General Public License (GPL) v2. A handful of manufacturers are known for releasing such sources in a timely manner. Xiaomi is one of the most notable names in this field, and the OEM has now refreshed its official GitHub repository with the kernel source code corresponding to a bunch of popular phones. Moreover, sources for the recently released Motorola Moto G9/G9 Play as well as several Realme phones are now available for download.

Redmi Note 9S, 9 Pro, 9 Pro Max and POCO M2 Pro

As of now, Xiaomi’s product portfolio contains four distinct Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G-powered smartphones. The list consists of the Indian Redmi Note 9 Pro, also known as the global Redmi Note 9S (code-name: “curtana”), the global Redmi Note 9 Pro (code-name: “joyeuse”), the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max (code-name: “excalibur”), and the POCO M2 Pro (code-name: “gram”). The OEM prefers to maintain separate firmware packages for these devices, but their kernel sources are unified due to the internal similarities. You can find the kernel source code tree for them under the “gram-q-oss” branch of Xiaomi’s Github repo.

Redmi Note 9S/9Pro/9 Pro Max/POCO M2 Pro Kernel Sources

XDA Forums: Redmi Note 9S/9 Pro ||| Redmi Note 9 Pro Max ||| POCO M2 Pro

Motorola Moto G9 and Moto G9 Play

The Moto G9 launched back in August with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 SoC and Android 10 on board. Later on, Motorola released the same phone under the Moto G9 Play moniker across Europe with the addition of a dedicated Google Assistant button. As expected, the source for the device duo (code-name: “guamp”) is unified. The package linked below corresponds to software version QPX30.30-Q3-38-20.

Motorola Moto G9/G9 Play Kernel Sources

XDA Forums: Moto G9 ||| Moto G9 Play

Realme C11, C12, C15

Kernel sources for the Realme C11, Realme C12, and the Realme C15 are now up for grabs. All of them feature MediaTek’s Helio G35 chipset and have the same code-name (“RMX2185”).

Realme C11/C12/C15 Kernel Sources

XDA Forums: Realme C11 ||| Realme C12 ||| Realme C15

Realme V3, V5, X7, and X7 Pro

Lastly, we have a couple of other MediaTek-laden phones from Realme. The Realme X7 comes with the Dimensity 800U, while the Realme X7 Pro carries the Dimensity 1000 Plus SoC. The Realme V3 and V5 are on the more affordable side, as they sport the mid-range Dimensity 720 silicon. The kernel source release for these phones is quite significant in terms of aftermarket development due to the fact that the company has plans to bring them to the global market in the coming days.

Realme V3/X7/X7 Pro Kernel Sources ||| Realme V5 Kernel Sources

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Google Pay 2.118 confirms the old app will be replaced by the Flutter one

Last week, the Google Pay team announced that the Google Pay for India app (formerly called “Tez”) is getting a major design rewrite with Flutter, Google’s open-source UI development kit. Google currently maintains two versions of the Pay app: one for global users and one for Indians. In the blog post, Google said they were “looking forward to launching Google Pay on Flutter to everyone across the world on iOS and Android.” Some took that to mean that the existing app for global users will be rebuilt with Flutter, while others took it to mean that the old app will be killed off. Tonight, Google Pay version 2.118 rolled out on the Play Store, and it confirms that the latter will happen.

T

The new Google Pay app built with Flutter.

An APK teardown can often predict features that may arrive in a future update of an application, but it is possible that any of the features we mention here may not make it in a future release. This is because these features are currently unimplemented in the live build and may be pulled at any time by the developers in a future build.

Strings within the APK state that there will be a “deprecation prompt” that will inform users to download the new version of the app.

<string name="deprecation_prompt_get_gp3">Get the new GPay</string>
<string name="deprecation_prompt_install_gp3">Download the new Google Pay</string>
<string name="deprecation_prompt_open_gp3">Open the new GPay</string>
<string name="deprecation_prompt_switch_to_gp3">Use the latest Google Pay</string>

There’s also a new Activity with more details on the app migration. The screen tells users that they’ll “still find [their] favorite features, plus track spending, get helpful insights, earn unique rewards, and more!” If you tap the “Get the new GPay” button at the bottom, the Play Store listing for the former Google Pay for India app will be launched. Currently, the new app is still regionally restricted, so I am unable to directly download it from the Play Store onto my own device.

Old:

Google Pay: Pay with your phone and send cash (Free, Google Play) →

New:

Google Pay - a simple and secure payment app (To be announced, Google Play) →

Once Google starts prompting users to migrate to the new Google Pay app built with Flutter, we’ll let you all know.

Thanks to PNF Software for providing us a license to use JEB Decompiler, a professional-grade reverse engineering tool for Android applications.

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Google Photos gets improved editor and suggestions feature on Android

Google Photos is rolling out a new editor UI on Android that promises to make editing your photos a lot easier. And, yes, in addition to an improved editor UI, Google is also using machine learning to power a new smart suggestions feature.

With the update, Google is adding a “Suggestions” tab in the photo editing menu, which is capable of automatically applying edits to the photo you’re looking at. You can then make your own tweaks or, if you’re satisfied with Google’s machine learning-powered suggestion, save the changes.

Suggestions can automatically adjust aspects such as brightness, contrast, and portrait effects. There are also suggestions for Enhance and Color Pop, the latter of which will turn the background of a photo black and white while keeping the subject in color. Google said it will add even more suggestions to the Google Photos app on Pixel devices in the coming months.

Meet the all new, redesigned Google Photos editor. With the editor’s new layout, you can quickly scroll through all your options to find the tool you need or discover new ones.

Rolling out on Android starting today. pic.twitter.com/jNha0e9ZM6

— Google Photos (@googlephotos) September 30, 2020

The bigger story here is the updated editor UI, which features larger buttons and a slider below the name of the adjustment you’re using. It looks similar to the editor you’d find in Apple’s stock Photos app on iOS. Compared to what’s available now, the controls are much easier to understand and more user-friendly. We actually got our first glimpse of this new editor at the end of August, and it’s finally rolling out for users starting today.

In addition, Google detailed a new Portrait Light feature coming to Google Photos for the new Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. This feature can automatically adjust the lighting on faces in portraits, or it can manually be adjusted. Google said Portrait Light can also be applied to photos that weren’t captured using Portrait mode, but it’s only available on the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5, with availability coming to more Pixel devices soon.

Google Pixel 4a 5G Forums ||| Google Pixel 5 Forums

Google Photos has received a number of neat updates over the past few months, including a map view and improved search functionality. The updated editor UI is rolling out now to Google Photos for Android.

Google Photos (Free, Google Play) →

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Microsoft is bringing x64 app emulation to Windows on ARM PCs

Microsoft has finally revealed that support for x64 emulation is coming to Windows on ARM. Right now, Windows on ARM devices can run native 32-bit ARM and 64-bit ARM apps, but they can only emulate x86-32 apps. That has meant devices like the Microsoft Surface Pro X have been unable to run a lot of existing apps built for Windows 10.

The addition of x64 app emulation for Windows on ARM will open up a variety of new possibilities and close the app gap problem, since plenty of modern Windows apps do not support x86-32 any longer. Microsoft makes it clear that x64 emulation is coming to all Windows on ARM devices, even devices running on platforms as old as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. Of course, the performance of emulated apps won’t be as good as native apps, but the alternative is simply being unable to run the app at all.

Microsoft said the new x64 emulation support will first be available to users on the Windows Insider Program in November, with wider availability rolling out sometime next year.

Over the past several months, Microsoft has worked to beef up the Windows on ARM experience, with work underway to bring Xbox Game Streaming to users. The company also announced a collaboration with Qualcomm to improve app compatibility for Windows 10 on ARM PCs and expand the App Assure program to cover Windows 10 on ARM64 PCs.

Today’s announcement may foreshadow the arrival of a new Surface Pro X device, which has been rumored as recently as this month. If the reports turn out to be true, the device will feature the company’s latest Surface SQ2 processor, which may be based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G, and launch sometime in October.

As part of today’s announcement, the company also said it’s making Microsoft Edge faster while using less battery, and will soon release a native Microsoft Teams client that’s optimized for Windows 10 on ARM.

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Best Google Pixel 5 Deals: Where to pre-order Google’s new flagship

Google’s future is now. The Google Pixel 5 has been revealed, and the company’s latest flagship is both high-end, yet affordable. Releasing on October 29, you’ll want to pre-order this new phone to make sure you get one!

Offering a 6-inch, OLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and 8GB RAM, you’ll be able to watch anything you like and it’ll be smooth and stutter-free. You’ll even be able to play games without any issue. Couple that with impressive front and rear cameras and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, you have a device that can stand with the best, while only costing $699.

Of course, retailers are always offering some great Google Pixel 5 deals, as they’re vying for you to purchase this flagship device from them. We’ve rounded up the best deals, so you can skip the research and place your pre-order now.

Where to Buy the Google Pixel 5

If you want to get your hands on the Google Pixel 5 come release, you’ll need to decide if you want an unlocked version or something under a carrier plan. Amazon, Best Buy, and the Google Store have unlocked phones, while Verizon is the current carrier with the Pixel 5 available to pre-order.

Best Unlocked Google Pixel 5 Deals

For unlocked Google Pixel 5 deals, you can pick Amazon, Best Buy, or the Google Store.

Amazon

Amazon has both colors of the Pixel 5 in stock, and you know if you go with Amazon, you’ll have the easiest time getting an unlocked phone. With Amazon Prime, you’ll have Release Day shipping available to you, and pre-ordering now guarantees that if Amazon drops the price before release, you’ll get the discount too. Finally, if you have an Amazon Prime Rewards card, you can pay $38.83 a month for 18 months, interest-free.

Google Pixel 5

Ease, convenience, and Release Day shipping. What more could you want from Amazon for your Pixel 5 purchase? Prime Rewards cardholders can also pay for the device over 18 months, interest-free.

Buy from Amazon

Best Buy

If you want an unlocked Pixel 5 but want to activate it with a carrier today, you can grab one from Best Buy and save! If you activate with Sprint, you’ll save $100, and if you decide on Verizon, you’ll save $50. You can’t argue with flat savings like that, and you won’t need to fuss around getting your phone activated with your carrier once it arrives either!

Google Pixel 5

Buy the Google Pixel 5 from Best Buy and activate today, and you can save up to $100 on your purchase, depending on your carrier!

Starting at $599 at Best Buy

Google Store

You can’t go wrong grabbing the Pixel 5 from Google themselves. You can pre-order the Google Pixel 5 right now at the Google Store–no waitlist needed! If you qualify for Google Financing, you can also pay off the phone over 24 months at 0% APR.

Google Pixel 5

Get the Pixel 5 straight from Google! If you qualify, you can split the $699 into 24 monthly payments with 0% APR.

$699 at Google Store

Best Carrier Google Pixel 5 Deals

Looking to grab a Pixel 5 on a carrier plan? Right now, you can go with Verizon.

Verizon

Are you on Verizon, or looking to switch? Then you’re in luck, as the Pixel 5 is available at this carrier. If you trade in an eligible phone, you can save up to $550, which really takes a chunk out of the $699 asking price.

Google Pixel 5

The Google Pixel 5 is available at Verizon! You can grab either the black or green version, and you can save up to $550 off if you trade in an eligible phone.

Get Up to $550 in Trade-Ins at Verizon

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Google Duo’s auto-framing feature is coming to Samsung Galaxy devices

Samsung Galaxy owners who use Google Duo will soon be able to use the video application’s auto-framing feature, which was previously exclusive to Google’s Pixel 4. Auto-framing is a feature that automatically keeps you front and center during a video call.

Google Duo’s auto-framing feature first arrived on the Pixel 4 at the end of last year. The same software update also introduced a Portrait Mode to Google Duo, allowing users to blur out the background for a less distracting experience.

Android Police was first to spot Google Duo’s auto-framing feature working on the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Google has since confirmed to the outlet that auto-framing is no longer exclusive to the Pixel 4, although the company didn’t reveal what other devices will get auto-framing in the future.

The publication checked to see if auto-framing was available on the Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy Z Fold 2, and Note 20 Ultra, but the devices don’t appear to have the feature — at least for the time being. For what it’s worth, Google’s support page still lists Google Duo’s auto-framing feature as a Pixel 4 exclusive, but that’s obviously no longer accurate.

As Android Police points out, exclusive Google features often come to Samsung devices, like Google Duo integrated directly into Samsung’s dialer app. Galaxy S20 users can also trigger a Duo video call in 1080p with the right data connection with up to eight people. In other words, seeing this feature on a Samsung Galaxy device is no real surprise.

If you’ve never used Google Duo’s auto-framing feature before, it’s especially convenient when chatting hands-free. That way, you can go about your business while Google’s video calling app keeps you in the center of the frame. It’s almost like having your own personal cameraman.

Google Duo - High Quality Video Calls (Free, Google Play) →

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Google unveils the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G and wide-angle cameras

It’s that time of the year again when Google announces its latest Pixel devices. This time, things are a little different. Instead of going with a small-sized flagship and an XL variant of the same, Google is mixing things up a little. For 2020, Google is launching its small-sized flagship, Google Pixel 5, but without the top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC. And instead of a Google Pixel 5 XL, we now get a 5G variant of the previously announced Google Pixel 4a. Let’s check out what Google has to offer with its two newest smartphones: the Google Pixel 5 and the Google Pixel 4a 5G.

Google Pixel 5 Forums ||| Google Pixel 4a 5G Forums

Google Pixel 5: Specifications

Specification	Google Pixel 5
Build	IP68 rating for water and dust resistance Made from 100% recycled aluminum
Dimensions & Weight	144.7 x 70.4 x 8.0 mm 151g
Display	6″ flat OLED 19.5:9 aspect ratio 2340 x 1080 resolution HDR 90Hz refresh rate Corning Gorilla Glass 6 Hole-punch display
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G: 1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Prime core @ 2.4GHz 1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Performance core @ 2.2GHz 6x (ARM Cortex-A55-based) Efficiency cores @ 1.8GHz 7nm EUV process Adreno 620
RAM & Storage	8GB LPDDR4X + 128GB UFS 2.1 Non-expandable storage
Battery & Charging	4,000 mAh 18W fast charging via USB Power Delivery Wireless Charging support Reverse wireless charging support
Rear Camera	Primary: 12.2MP Sony IMX363, f/1.7, 1.4µm pixel size, Dual Pixel AF, Fused Video Stabilization (OIS + EIS), 77° FoV Secondary: 16MP Sony IMX481, f/2.2, 1.0µm pixel size, 107° FoV Spectral and flicker sensor Dual LED flash Video: 4K @ 30/60 fps 1080p @ 30/60/120/240 fps
Front Camera	8MP Sony IMX355, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixel size, fixed focus, 83° FoV
Ports	USB 3.1 Type-C
Audio	Stereo speakers 3 microphones
Security	Pixel Imprint (capacitive rear fingerprint scanner) Titan M hardware security module
Connectivity	Qualcomm Snapdragon X52 5G modem Single nanoSIM card slot + integrated eSIM for 5G + 4G or 4G + 4G DSDS (dual SIM, dual standby) Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) Bluetooth 5.0 NFC GNSS: GPS GLONASS Galileo QZSS BeiDou
Sensors	Proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer
Android Version	Android 11 3 years of Android OS upgrades 3 years of monthly Android security patch updates

The Google Pixel 5 is the star of the show, becoming the top of the line product from Google for this year. It does feel weird to call the Pixel 5 a flagship, keeping in mind that flagships like the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra cost twice as much. As such, with the Pixel 5, you do have to temper your expectations. The Google Pixel 5 features a 100% recycled all-aluminum unibody shell with a grainy matte texture on it. The power button is no longer differently colored, but only has a shiny finish to it in the same color. The camera island witnesses the flash module changing positions, but the shape is largely the same overall. What is new is the fingerprint scanner—you now get one on the rear, much like you would on Google’s earlier Pixels like the Pixel 3.

The front of the Google Pixel 5 is dominated by the 6″ FHD+ 90Hz display. The display has a hole-punch cutout for the camera, but thankfully, it is also flat and not curved. The bezels are also within tolerable limits, and overall, the Pixel 5 looks right at home, at least on the front. One might lament the lack of 120Hz refresh rate and QHD+ resolution, but Google’s hardware has consistently been behind the top of the line in the spec race.

What the Google Pixel 5 also lacks is the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC, forgoing the top of the line SoC for the upper mid-range Snapdragon 765G. This might not be a bad move, though. While you do get a hit in overall performance, relatively speaking, you still get one of the better 5G SoCs from Qualcomm. Most consumers are unlikely to notice this change, and opting for a premium mid-range SoC with the integrated Qualcomm Snapdragon X52 5G modem allows the phone to avoid all the financial and hardware costs related to 5G integration on the top tier Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC. You get a decent 4000 mAh battery on board, along with 18W wired charging through the USB PD standard, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging, but none of these can be considered “fast” by today’s standards.

While other OEMs chase megapixels and bigger sensors, Google is sticking with what it knows best: the 12MP Sony IMX363 as the primary sensor, which the company has been using since the Pixel 3. The previous Pixels have been widely considered as one of the best smartphones for photography, and Google is not trying to fix what isn’t broken. The competition has continued to push forward through the years though, so it remains to be seen what software magic Google brings this year to maintain its pole position. For the second wide-angle camera, we get a 16MP Sony IMX481. It does feel weird seeing a “flagship” smartphone with just two rear cameras, but it’s better getting a well-rounded package instead of useless sensors. The front camera is an 8MP Sony IMX355, retaining the humility in the package.

The Google Pixel 5 launches with Android 11 out of the box.

Google Pixel 5: Pricing and Availability

The Google Pixel 5 is priced as follows for its singular 8GB + 128GB variant and will be available in these regions in Black and Green colors:

• Australia
• Canada
• Europe: €629
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Japan: ¥74,800
• Taiwan
• UK
• USA: $699

You can pre-order the phone now on the Google Store. The device will be generally available on October 15th.

---

Google Pixel 4a 5G: Specifications

Specification	Google Pixel 4a 5G
Build	Polycarbonate
Dimensions & Weight	153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm 168g
Display	6.2″ flat OLED 19.5:9 aspect ratio 2340 x 1080 resolution HDR 60Hz refresh rate Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Hole-punch display
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G: 1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Prime core @ 2.4GHz 1x Kryo 475 (ARM Cortex-A76-based) Performance core @ 2.2GHz 6x (ARM Cortex-A55-based) Efficiency cores @ 1.8GHz 7nm EUV process Adreno 620
RAM & Storage	6GB LPDDR4X + 128GB UFS 2.1
Battery & Charging	3,885 mAh 18W fast charging via USB Power Delivery
Rear Camera	Primary: 12.2MP Sony IMX363, f/1.7, 1.4µm pixel size, Dual Pixel AF Secondary: 16MP Sony IMX481, f/2.2, 1.0µm pixel size, 107° FoV Video: 4K @ 30/60 fps 1080p @ 30/60/120/240 fps
Front Camera	8MP Sony IMX355, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixel size
Ports	USB 3.1 Type-C
Audio	Stereo speakers 2 microphones 3.5mm headphone jack
Security	Pixel Imprint (capacitive rear fingerprint scanner) Titan M hardware security module
Connectivity	Qualcomm Snapdragon X52 5G modem Single nanoSIM card slot + integrated eSIM for 5G + 4G or 4G + 4G DSDS (dual SIM, dual standby) Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) Bluetooth 5.0 NFC GNSS: GPS GLONASS Galileo QZSS BeiDou
Sensors	Proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer
Android Version	Android 11 3 years of Android OS upgrades 3 years of monthly Android security patch updates

The Google Pixel 4a 5G is the bigger, yet more modest, smartphone of the duo. Instead of launching an “XL” version, Google is marketing the Pixel 4a 5G as the 5G upgrade over the Pixel 4a. While the Pixel 4a 5G retains the same SoC and camera setup as the Pixel 5, it has a polycarbonate unibody shell, a larger display but a smaller battery, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. You also lose out on features like wireless charging and IP68 certification. You do get the different colored power button as a consolation.

The highlight of the Pixel 4a 5G is its 5G support, thanks to the same hardware as the Pixel 5. Google thus has its lineup laid out: budget duties with the Pixel 4a, budget 5G duties with the Pixel 4a 5G, and premium mid-end with the Pixel 5.

Google Pixel 4a 5G: Pricing and Availability

The Google Pixel 4a 5G is priced as following for its singular 6GB + 128GB variant and will be available in these regions in Black color:

• Australia
• Canada
• Europe: €499
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Japan: ¥60,500
• Taiwan
• UK
• USA: $499

You can pre-order it now on the Google Store. The device will be available on October 15th alongside the Pixel 5.

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What are your thoughts on the Google Pixel 5 and Google Pixel 4a 5G? Let us know in the comments below!

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The Nest Audio is a $99 Google Assistant smart speaker with powerful audio

The Google Nest Mini (the successor to the Google Home Mini) is an incredibly popular compact smart speaker. However, Google’s ambitions with Assistant-enabled speakers started with the original Google Home four years ago. That device is long overdue for a successor, and we seem to finally have one. Meet the new Google Nest Audio, the latest smart speaker from Google with Google Assistant functionality.

Google Nest Audio: Specifications

Specification	Google Nest Audio
Build	Fabric Cover made from 70% recycled plastic 4 LEDs in the middle
Dimensions & Weight	6.89 x 4.88 x 3.07 inches 2.65lbs
Audio (In and Out)	75mm woofer 19mm tweeter 3 far-field microphones
Voice Assistant	Google Assistant
Controls	Touch Controls: Play/Pause – Tap front top Volume up – Tap front right corner Volume down – Tap front left corner)
Charging	30W DC power supply
Connectivity	2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) Bluetooth 5.0

The Nest Audio has been a bit of an open secret thanks to multiple leaks and even an official teaser from Google. The Google Nest Audio takes a different approach to the smart speaker than the uber-popular Google Nest Mini. This time around, Google has created a powerful speaker first and then made it smart, giving us a product that looks promising while remaining a functional speaker. The Nest Audio is larger than the original Google Home and the Google Home Mini/Nest Mini, but it still comes with a fabric cover like its siblings. There are four LEDs underneath the fabric cover for providing the visual cue for when Google Assistant is listening or responding. There is also a mute switch on the back of the device, in case you do not want the speaker to listen for the Google Assistant hotword.

Connected Home — XDA Forums

The larger size allow the Google Nest Audio to pack a good punch when it comes to audio, at least on paper. You get a 75mm woofer, a 19mm tweeter, and 3 far-field microphones. Google claims that the Nest Audio is 75% louder than the original Google Home, with a 50% stronger bass response.

And of course, this is a smart speaker from Google, so you can expect to tap into the power of Google Assistant with your voice. You can ask the Assistant questions about the weather, traffic, places, flights, movie times, and so much more. You can create routines to automate certain actions, and you can also control any product that integrates with the Google Assistant ecosystem. Finally, you can cast any audio to the device using Google Cast or Bluetooth.

Pricing and Availability

The Google Nest Audio is available starting October 5th in 21 countries. In the U.S., it costs $99.99 and can be picked up from Google.com or across offline retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. You can pick up the device in Chalk, Charcoal, Sage, Sand, and Sky colors.

 

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Google Chromecast with Google TV is a cheap streaming TV stick for $50

Chromecast is inarguably one of Google’s most successful hardware ventures. The dongles have gained immense popularity over the years, thanks to their affordable price tags and ease of use. To keep up with the times, Google has revamped the Chromecast dongles quite a few times since they were initially unveiled. Today, the company has unveiled another such refresh, which introduces a dedicated remote and a customized version of Android TV called “Google TV”.

As seen in previous leaks, the new Google Chromecast with Google TV features a round, pebble-like design with an HDMI cable attached on one end. The dongle has a USB Type-C port for charging and a reset button on the back. On the inside, the Google Chromecast with Google TV features the Amlogic S905X2 SoC, which is a 12nm chip that packs in 4 ARM Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8GHz and the ARM Mali-G31 MP2 GPU. The chipset is accompanied by 2GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard storage.

Along with the Chromecast dongle comes a new remote with a dedicated Google Assistant button, a D-pad, a YouTube button, a Netflix button, an input switcher button, and a few other buttons to help users control the dongle.

The remote also has a volume rocker on the right edge and a microphone to pick up voice commands. Furthermore, the remote has an LED indicator that glows solid when the Google Assistant is listening for your voice command and it’s powered by 2 AAA batteries (included in the box). Another cool thing worth mentioning about the remote is that it will now let you control your Google Assistant-enabled smart home devices right from the comfort of your couch.

The new Chromecast dongle supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for connectivity and it’s capable of streaming content at 4K resolution at 60fps. The device also includes support for HDR content, HDMI-CEC, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio.

In terms of software, the new Google Chromecast runs Google TV based on Android 10. For the unaware, Google TV is Google’s new version of Android TV with a new content-focused UI. The improved UI is divided into a couple of different tabs, like For You, Movies, Shows, Apps, and Library, which can be accessed from a bar at the top.

Each tab in the new UI is home to different content, with the For You tab showing app, movie, and show recommendations based on your usage patterns. The For You tab acts as the new home screen and it displays movies and shows from all your services in one place. This eliminates the need to switch between different streaming services to find the content you wish to watch. The Movies tab is home to movies from all the different streaming platforms available on the device and similarly, the Shows tab lists TV shows from various streaming platforms.

 

The Apps tab lists down all your installed apps, along with recommendations from the Google Play Store. You can also search for apps from this tab or find apps based on a couple of different categories. Finally, the Library tab lists content that you’ve purchased or rented from the available platforms. This new UI is expected to greatly improve the user experience, as it conveniently consolidates content from various platforms onto one screen.

Pricing & Availability

The new Google Chromecast with Google TV is priced at an affordable $49.99 and it goes on sale starting today in the U.S. on the Google Store, and it’s coming to more countries in the near future. If you’re interested in picking one up for yourself, you can either purchase it from the Google Store or from offline retailers like Walmart, Target, and Home Depot. The dongle is available in a white finish called ‘Snow’ as well as a “Sunrise” and “Sky” finish. The retail packaging includes the Google Chromecast with Google TV dongle, Google Chromecast Voice Remote, power cable, power adapter, and 2 AAA batteries.

You can also purchase the device for $89.99 to get 6 months of Netflix’s Standard Streaming Plan (two screens) on top, or you can purchase it in a bundle with the new Nest Audio and/or the Nest Hub Max.

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Mozilla brings back general extension support in Firefox for Android (Nightly)

Earlier this month, Mozilla rolled out Firefox 79 that included a major change to the browser engine, but with the update came a notable lack of extension support. In response, Mozilla said that more Recommended Extensions would be enabled in the coming weeks after they’ve been tested and optimized. The good news is it’s been a few weeks, and Mozilla today said that users on the Nightly build of Firefox for Android can now install any extension listed on addons.mozilla.org (AMO).

Mozilla said it’s enabling the feature so developers and advanced users can test out extension compatibility. However, the company warns that installing untested extensions on the Nightly build of Firefox for Android can potentially lead to “unexpected outcomes,” so you should beware before proceeding. “Since most developers haven’t been able to test and optimize their extensions for the new Android experience, please be kind if something doesn’t work the way it should,” Mozilla pleaded.

With that in mind, Mozilla said it will remove any negative reviews about extension performance in Nightly. If you’re interested in testing out general extension support, you’ll need to enable the setting in Nightly. Currently, Nightly uses the Collections feature on AMO to install extensions, so you’ll also need to create a collection on AMO.

Mozilla has some helpful instructions on getting everything up and running. The company said that any developments for improved extension support will be shared with users “as they solidify,” so keep an eye out for any future updates.

The lack of extensions is a big reason why Firefox’s rating on the Google Play Store has dropped, but there are still other issues to be addressed, including the missing about:config page (which is available in Nightly and thus coming back soon), local password migration issues, design problems with the revamped tab switcher and more. We hope these issues are addressed in future builds and that more features are added.

Firefox Nightly (Free, Google Play) →

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The European Union wants to force OEMs to let users uninstall bloatware

Bloatware and carrier phones: name a more iconic duo. The number of preinstalled apps on some smartphones has grown so much these days that people still come to our forums to flash stock Android builds to get rid of the bloat. Bloatware is often preloaded on smartphones by carriers or even smartphone manufacturers themselves. They are often annoying services you will probably never use but you probably can’t uninstall, either. Since carrier devices are often fairly locked down, most users can’t get rid of these unwanted apps without mucking around with ADB. Thankfully, the European Union has a plan: It wants to force smartphone manufacturers to let users uninstall the bloatware that comes preloaded on these devices, according to the Financial Times.

This measure comes as a part of the upcoming Digital Services Act that the EU is expected to pass by the end of the year. The Act mostly aims to tackle the current dominance of big technology companies on the Internet. Some of the measures described in the draft Act would require companies like Amazon or Google to not use data collected on the platform for their own commercial activities unless they make it “accessible to business users active in the same commercial activities.” The draft would also prohibit so-called “gatekeeper platforms”, companies that own the platforms that others do business on (like Google and its Play Store, Apple and its App Store, or Amazon and its Marketplace), from using advertising data they receive from other businesses for “any other purpose other than advertising services.” Further, the Act would block big tech companies from giving preferential treatment of their own services to the detriment of rivals.

While this Act obviously doesn’t affect markets like the United States, where most of the annoying bloatware is preloaded by carriers instead of actual OEMs, it would, however, affect companies like Samsung and Xiaomi, who preload their own suite of apps even when there are already Google alternatives. We’ll keep you in the loop on any new developments on this front, as big tech companies will no doubt push back hard before these new regulations are put into effect.

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Today’s Top Tech Deals: Alienware Gaming Laptop 33% Off, $100 Off the Fire TV Recast, and More!

Ah, the end of September. The month really went by fast! I, of course, am excited for October – it’s when things finally start to cool down where I live in Florida, and Halloween is just around the corner. With both Amazon Prime Day and Target Deal Days announced (both October 13th and 14th), the big days of deals and holiday shopping are starting early, too. That’s probably a good thing, considering what 2020 has been!

But just because the holiday shopping season is ramping up to begin doesn’t mean there aren’t deals to take advantage of now! Today’s top tech deals include $100 off the Fire TV Recast, 33% off a super powerful Alienware laptop, and more!

Woot’s Electronics Sale

Who doesn’t love a fun smattering of electronics to look through in the comfort of your home? Woot’s electronics sale runs until Monday, but you’ll want to look at what’s on offer today before the best items sell out. You can get deep discounts on things like the Google Home Mini, a 4K Smart TV, and more. Also, if you have Amazon Prime (which you should really get for the upcoming Prime Day), all these awesome deals will ship for free.

Woot! Electronics Fall-Tastic Deals

Looking for a deep discount on select electronics, but haven't found it yet? Woot might be the one to have it for you! Running until October 5 or until stock runs out, you can save big on a variety of electronics. Act fast, though, because the stock is limited.

Shop at Woot!

Alienware m15 R2 Gaming Laptop, 33% Off

At Dell, you can grab the super-powered Alienware m15 R2 laptop for 33% off. That brings the price down to $2,200. If you’re shocked by that price, let me tell you, it’s worth it. For starters, this laptop does not have a graphic card integrated into the processor (which is undoubtedly not the greatest for gaming)–instead, you have the GeForce RTX 2080. The m15 R2 also has 16GB of RAM, and a 9th generation Intel processor. This isn’t just a gaming laptop–it’s a top of the line gaming laptop that will last you years. The m15 R2 is not just a worthy purchase, it’s a worthy investment.

Alienware m15 R2 Gaming Laptop

This high-end gaming laptop is 33% off! Featuring a dedicated graphics card (rare for laptops), 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive, you won't regret this purchase.

$2,200 at Dell

Anker PowerExtend Strip for $25

Look, we all love tech and electronics here, but simply put, you need a place to plug all these things in. If you’ve been in the market for a new surge protector, it can be frustratingly difficult to find something that fits all your plugs properly, actually has surge protection, and won’t randomly melt or set something on fire. The Anker PowerExtend Strip is all of that, has 12 ports (half of which facing sideways so you can fit the big adapters), and is only $25. Grab one, even if you think you don’t need it–trust me, you do.

PowerExtend Strip 12 Outlets with Flat Plug

Make sure you can plug it all in with Anker's 12-port surge protector. Currently $25, half of the ports face outward to plug in those pesky oblong adapters without covering half the ports. It's a necessity in an electronic-heavy household!

Buy from Amazon

Prime Day Early Deal: Fire TV Recast, $100 Off

Have you heard the news? Prime Day is coming, and it’s coming fast. It’s also two days, October 13 and 14. But in classic Amazon fashion, there are already early deals you can take advantage of, such as the Fire TV Recast for $130, $100 of the MSRP. This little device will allow you to record up to 75 hours of live TV to watch later on a Fire TV or mobile device–and unlike other services, there’s no monthly fee. I didn’t even know that was a thing with DVRs until today! Of course, being an early Prime Day deal, you need to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of it, but you can sign up right here.

Fire TV Recast

Prime Day is coming fast, but you can take advantage of the savings already! Get the Fire TV Recast for $100 off, and have a DVR service without monthly fees to record your live sports and news. Never miss a game again!

Buy from Amazon

SanDisk 512GB Extreme microSDXC for $110

MicroSD cards. You need them. SanDisk has got some on sale. You can grab the 512GB Extreme microSD for $110, 45% off the MSRP. This one is perfect for that shiny new Switch you bought earlier this week, with the 160MB/s read speeds ensuring your games don’t stutter and load quickly. The microSD is also waterproof, which… well, is nice, but I don’t recommend putting any electronics in water. Grab one today!

SanDisk 512GB Extreme microSDXC

If you need a microSD for your Switch or tablet, then SanDisk's Extreme series is one of the better choices to get. Offering resistance to the elements and a 160MB/s read speed, you won't be disappointed by this little memory card.

Buy from Amazon

More Tech Deals

Looking for even more tech deals? We have them for you below! Today is the last day to get the Aduro solar backup battery from Woot!, so don’t sleep anymore on this one.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G for $1,050 at Best Buy
• Samsung Note 20 5G (Unlocked) for $800 at Amazon
• Microsoft Surface Pro 7 for $799 at Best Buy
• Google Pixel 4 XL (Unlocked) for $750 at Amazon
• OnePlus 8 5G (Unlocked) for $700 at Amazon
• LG V50 5G ThinQ (Unlocked) for $320 at eBay
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite for $280 at Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy A51 for $225 at Samsung Store
• Samsung Galaxy Buds Live for $140 at eBay
• Logitech G533 Wireless Gaming Headset for $74 at Amazon
• Homedics UV Clean Phone Sanitizer for $60 at Amazon
• Roccat Kain 100 PC Gaming Mouse for $30 at Amazon
• Lexar JumpDrive 128GB USB Flash Drive for $22 at Amazon
• TP-Link N300 WiFi Extender for $18 at Amazon
• Wireless USB WiFi Adapter for PC for $15 with code 42XS7H23 at Amazon

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