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The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 has finally been revealed by the Redmond company, and it lines up well with rumors and leaks we heard in recent months. Thankfully, it looks like a major upgrade over the original Surface Duo.

The original model used an older Snapdragon 855 chipset, had a relatively small battery, and lacked features like 5G, NFC, and a rear camera system. Toss in a $1,400 price tag and a buggy software experience at launch, and it was a critical flop.

Fortunately, the Surface Duo 2 offers a top-notch Snapdragon 888 SoC, 5G and NFC, a 4,449mAh battery, high refresh rate screens, and a flexible triple rear camera system. It is $100 more than the original model, but you’re clearly getting more bang for your buck compared to the original model.

What do you think of the Surface Duo 2 though? Let us know by voting in the poll above and leaving a comment below if you have more on your mind.

We heard murmurings of a Redmi 9 Activ earlier this month, suggesting that the Xiaomi sub-brand was working on another model in its Redmi 9 series. Now, Redmi has made it official by launching the phone in India today.

Those expecting a more durable version of the Redmi 9 will be disappointed though, as this isn’t like Samsung launching Active phones that are more durable than their typical devices. Instead, the top-end Redmi 9 Activ simply seems to have more RAM (6GB versus the Indian Redmi 9 offering 4GB across the board). Otherwise, the base Redmi 9 Active still has 4GB of RAM.

The rest of the phone is identical to the Indian Redmi 9 as well. So that means a lightweight Helio G35 chipset, a 6.53-inch HD+ LCD screen, a 5,000mAh battery with 10W charging, and a micro-USB port instead of USB-C connectivity. The Redmi 9 Activ also packs a 13MP+2MP rear camera pairing and a 5MP shooter in a waterdrop notch.

Redmi’s latest budget phone goes on sale in India today, with the 4GB/64GB variant priced at Rs 9,499 (~$129) while the 6GB/128GB option will set you back Rs 10,999 (~$150). The phone is available in Carbon Black, Coral Green, and Metallic Purple color options.

On September 3, 2008, the mobile operating system we all know as Android was finally introduced to the market. Of course, an OS is nothing without hardware to back it up, and this week marks the debut of the first-ever Android phone, the HTC Dream a.k.a. the T-Mobile G1.

While it didn’t exactly set the world alight in terms of sales, the G1 kickstarted a mobile revolution that would eventually see Android dominate the entire industry, lending the phone a legendary status as the first phone to ever bear the Android brand.

But what was the T-Mobile G1 like? What features, specs, and innovations did it bring to the table? What did people make of it back in 2008, and what influence did it have on Android phones to come?

On the week of its anniversary, let’s take a look back at the phone that started it all.

Read more: The history of Android — the evolution of the biggest mobile OS in the world

History and launch

Before we get to the phone itself, it’s important to look at how it came to be.

While we could technically go all the way back to Android’s formative days, the G1’s tale didn’t truly start until 2005 when Google bought Android for around $50 million.

Now backed by Google’s enormous resource pool, Andy Rubin (later of the short-lived Essential) and other Android founders began work in earnest transforming Android into a mobile OS based on the Linux kernel that could take on Symbian, Windows Mobile, and the soon to be iPhone OS (later iOS).

The world caught a glimpse of the first Android phone prototype in late 2007. The internal reference device — codenamed “Sooner” — drew immediate comparisons with Blackberry phones and even at a quick glance, it’s not hard to see why.

Though one key feature (pun absolutely intended) would make its way to the G1, much of Sooner’s design was abandoned following the industry-shaking announcement of the iPhone and the dawn of the touchscreen. The phone never saw a commercial release.

See also: Every Android Easter egg and how to find it

Yet while many were waiting for the first “Google Phone,” the search behemoth secretly had much bigger plans.

As an open, standardized platform, Android quickly attracted the attention of third-party OEMs. This culminated in the formation of the Open Handset Alliance, which included leading phone manufacturers, carriers, and chip makers, each of which was committed to developing open standards for mobile devices.

One of those OHA founding members was HTC, a Taiwanese OEM that in the following years would see its revenues and market share soar (before its more recent fall) thanks to the Android platform. HTC would also go on to enjoy a long history of collaboration with Google, which included work on the first true “Google Phone,” the Google Nexus One.

But that relationship started with the first Android phone, launched on September 23, 2008, the HTC Dream. Just under a month later, the same phone went on sale in the US on October 22 for a price of $179 called the T-Mobile G1.

Design

It’s fair to say that looking back at the G1 with today’s phones in mind doesn’t do it any favors, yet even in 2008, it wasn’t exactly the flashiest handset out there.

Perfectly described as a phone that looked like “a gadget in a 1970’s sci-fi movie set in the year 2038” by Engadget at the time of release, the G1 failed to match the sleek appeal of the likes of the iPhone 3G, Sony Ericsson Xperia X1, Nokia N96, or Blackberry Bold 9000, but it did offer a relatively unique form factor and a brand new OS experience.

The phone’s centerpiece was its pop-up, 3.2-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen with a 320 x 480 resolution (~180ppi). Unlike the near bezel-less beauties of today, the G1 had a screen-to-body ratio of just under 50%, with a 3:2 aspect ratio.

Hidden underneath the slide-out display was a full QWERTY keyboard for those that weren’t entirely convinced by this newfangled touchscreen future.

In fact, the G1 didn’t have a virtual keyboard at all at launch, meaning users had to resort to sliding out the display and using the QWERTY keyboard if they wanted to type anything. Thankfully, a later update added the much-requested feature.

Even in 2008, the T-Mobile G1 wasn’t exactly the flashiest handset out there.

The phone also featured five physical buttons. In addition to the at-the-time-traditional answer and drop call buttons, the G1 had home, back, and menu buttons.

These were all located on the phone’s chin, which was curved slightly to keep the mic closer to your mouth during calls — a questionable design quirk that almost always got in the way while trying to type on the keyboard.

As if five buttons weren’t already enough, the phone also had a dedicated camera shutter button, a volume rocker, and deep breath a clickable trackball. Oh trackballs, how we don’t miss you at all.

Aside from a single speaker on the back, the only other notable design choice on the G1 was actually the removal of a much-loved port. That’s right, the G1 didn’t have a 3.5mm headphone jack.

In what feels frighteningly prescient today, the G1 required users to plug an adapter into the phone to use a standard pair of headphones, with the culprit being the phone’s proprietary “ExtUSB” port (which was also Mini USB compatible).

Far from being the harbinger of the death of all headphone jacks, the G1 was a huge exception to rule. Later Android phones would adopt the port and together they would live happily ever after… until their messy divorce years later.

Features and specs

Despite the G1’s questionable design, it still had a lot to offer on the feature front, and most of it was down to this brand new thing called Android… you might have heard of it.

Even in its primitive version 1.0 state (Google didn’t add a snack-centric moniker until 1.1 Petit Four), Android offered functionality that the competition just couldn’t match.

Customizable home screens (up to three at launch), widgets, copy and paste, multitasking for all apps (including third-party apps); some of the G1’s best features still form the spine of Android today. The inclusion of a notification drawer, in particular, was a huge leap over the messy notification system on Apple’s phones.

Also read: The Android Authority team’s favorite classic retro tech

The G1 also set a basis for Google’s app and services model which would rake in billions of dollars in the decade to come.

Google Maps (powered by GPS and an industry first, built-in compass), Gmail, and YouTube came preinstalled, as well as a basic HTML browser which of course opened up to the Google Search homepage.

But the most important inclusion was the Android Market, a digital storefront that opened with just over a dozen apps from third-party manufacturers that we now know as the Google Play Store. It would slowly grow in momentum as other developers joined the Android crew, offering G1 users a potentially endless source of tools and games to play with.

As for raw specs, the G1’s internals sound laughable from a modern perspective, but it packed enough of a punch back in its day. The G1 was powered by a Qualcomm MSM7201A SoC with an Adreno 130 GPU, and backed by 192MB of RAM, 256MB internal storage (expandable up to 16GB), and a removable 1,150mAh battery.

On the camera front, the G1 sported a 3.15MP rear shooter with autofocus. Video recording was added later with Android 1.5 Cupcake.

What did people think of it?

T-Mobile shipped one million G1 units in the first six months in the U.S. In doing so, it helped springboard Android into fourth place in the US smartphone market with a six percent market share behind Windows Mobile OS (11%), Blackberry RIM OS (22%), and iPhone OS (50%).

Despite decent sales, the overall reviews for the phone were all over the place. Some praised the phone’s (for the time) impressive specs and how it effectively brought the Google ecosystem to mobile. Others took the phone to task for its bland design, woeful battery life (just over five hours talk time), and the limited number of apps on Android Market at launch.

The common thread throughout all discussions for the G1, however, was Android, with almost all fans and critics agreeing that the OS showed significant promise and could become a big player in the mobile industry.

T-Mobile G1: The legacy of the first Android phone

Over a decade on from the G1’s release and Android has an iron grip on the industry with over 70% market share and hundreds of partner brands creating Android-powered devices.

As for the G1, its story ended for good in 2010 after HTC discontinued production, with Android 1.6 Donut as its swansong official software update.

While it was far from the finished article, the G1 remains an important part of Android’s storied history and its influence can still be seen in the DNA of the Galaxies, Pixels, and the many other different phones that we use today.

So when you next grab your beloved Android phone out of your pocket, spare a thought for the legendary phone that started it all.

Did you have a G1 back in the day? Share your memories in the comments!

Editor’s note: This is an updated version of an article published in 2018.

OnePlus phones will soon run a unified OS mixing elements of Oppo’s Color OS and Oxygen OS. Nothing is really known about this new UI just yet, but we do know that the next OnePlus flagship smartphone will land with it.

With this in mind, we asked our readers to weigh in on a thought experiment. Would you rather take a OnePlus phone with Color OS or an Oppo phone with Oxygen OS? Well, the results are in, and this is your verdict.

Would you rather a OnePlus/Color OS phone or Oppo/Oxygen OS phone?

Results

This poll gained just short of 4,500 votes since it was published on September 21. With over 71% of the vote, readers would take an Oppo flagship running Oxygen OS in a heartbeat. Less than a third of respondents (28.6%) would rather opt for a OnePlus flagship running Color OS. It’s an interesting result, especially now that we know that Oppo and OnePlus will see further hardware and software integration in 2022.

More reading: The Oppo-ification of OnePlus is complete

It’s unclear if the result is a bigger loss for OnePlus hardware or Color OS, but sweeping through the comments, it’s clear that Oxygen OS still holds sway. An Oppo Find X3 Pro running Oxygen OS could be a pretty interesting prospect, but the majority of readers don’t seemingly feel the same about a OnePlus 9 Pro with Oppo’s UI. To be fair, a OnePlus/Color OS combo has never been a reader favorite. In a poll published in June, 83% of readers said that they wouldn’t purchase a OnePlus phone running Oppo’s skin.

Oxygen OS has its detractors, with many readers highlighting the bugs experienced on older flagships. Peruse some more comments below.

Your comments

• SiliconAddic: Neither. My One Plus 6T is the first and will be the last One Plus. The upgrade cycle has been ****, the stability on 11 is iffy.
• Adriano Prezniska: I want the Oxygen OS on my Samsung device. This is the best part of OnePlus.
• Anthony Kilburn: Isn’t the hardware basically the same? I’ve always bought OnePlus phones for the clean software. I mean, the hardware is fine, but I assume most people buy OnePlus for software?
• Amirul Islam Lisan: I want OnePlus Hardware with OxygenOS, period.
• Adam Wilson: I’m getting really fed up with the bugs and lack of polish with OxygenOS on my OnePlus 8 Pro. I like the hardware so I voted OnePlus hardware with ColorOS – it can only be better than what 8 have currently, right?
• Evie: I use ColorOS every day anyway so that’s an easy choice.

That’s it for this poll. Thanks for your votes and comments. Let us know in the comments below if you have any additional thoughts about OnePlus, Oppo, or the OS you’d like to see in 2022.

Microsoft revealed the Surface Duo 2 earlier this week, making for a massive upgrade on paper over the original model. But what should you expect in terms of software updates though? Now, the Redmond company has given us an answer.

“We are committed to providing three years of OS and security updates,” a Microsoft representative told Android Authority in response to a question about update commitments for the Surface Duo 2.

The statement matches what the company said regarding the original Surface Duo. In any event, the pledge for the Surface Duo line means Microsoft is part of a wave of Android brands stepping their game up for OS updates (i.e. Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo). It’s not quite matching Samsung when it comes to security patches, as the Korean manufacturer is offering four years of security updates, but the overall commitment is still good news.

Microsoft also confirmed to Android Authority that it was working to bring Android 11 to the first Surface Duo “before the end of this year.” This is a little disappointing when you consider that Android 12 is expected to launch in the next month or two. So we hope the company picks up the pace and delivers Android 12 in short order to both models.

Nevertheless, the Surface Duo 2 is looking like a pretty compelling flagship device from a hardware perspective. The dual-screen foldable phone now sports a Snapdragon 888 SoC, 5G, NFC, a bigger battery, and a flexible triple rear camera setup. This all makes for a significant upgrade over the original model, which felt dated and overpriced at launch.

Fans of the Nintendo Switch game console have lots to look forward to in the coming weeks and months. Today the company took the time to showcase a number of upcoming Switch games as part of today’s latest Nintendo Direct virtual event.

Here’s a quick rundown of what was revealed today, which included the latest Kirby game and the surprise reveal of the release date of the upcoming Mario animated movie.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

The latest Kirby will take place in a full 3D world which feels like some kind of post apocalyptic setting with abandoned cars, buildings, and overgrowth everywhere. Plenty of enemies to deal with as well! Kirby’s next chapter arrives in spring 2022.

Mario Movie release date and voice cast revealed

The Mario animated movie, which is being created by the Despicable Me and Minions studio Illumination, now has a release date of December 21, 2022 in theaters. Members of the voice cast were also announced, including Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, and Seth Rogan as Donkey Kong.

Bayonetta 3

The latest trailer showing off gameplay from the long awaited (and we mean long-awaited; it was announced in 2017) third game Sega’s Bayonetta action game series looks terrific. It’s due in 2022.

Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak

This will be a “massive” expansion to the hit Monster Hunter Rise game from Capcom that’s due in the summer of 2022.

Splatoon 3

The arcade shooter is coming back for a third installment. It’s due out in 2022.

Mario Party Superstars

The next big party game from Nintendo will have remakes of boards from previous Mario Party games, and new events, with online support. It’s coming on October 29.

Chocobo GP

This Mario Kart-style racer features characters from Square Enix’s Final Fantasy series and is due sometime in 2022.

Animal Crossing New Horizons

A new free expansion for the popular sim game is coming this fall, and Nintendo will devote an entire Direct event to the expansion in October.

Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack

Switch gamers will soon be able to sign up for a new expansion membership plan that will include the ability to play a collection of Nintendo 64 games like Super Mario 64, Starfox, and even many games from the Sega Genesis console system. Pricing and a release date for the new membership plan will be announced later. Also, those same members can purchase Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis controllers for the Switch for $49.99 each.

One of the other new Switch games that were revealed today was a port of BioWare’s classic RPG Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic which is coming to the Switch on November 11. Also Dying Light Stay Human – Cloud Edition is due on February 4, 2022, and will use cloud streaming tech to make the game playable on the Switch.

What better time to buy a new TV than fall, right? Global football is back in full swing and American football is just starting its season, too. Now Skyworth — an official partner of Juventus Football Club — has unveiled its latest series of high-end TVs at its “Closer to Reality” event.

Of course, you don’t need to be a football fan to enjoy Skyworth TVs. The new S82 is the latest flagship model from the brand. It boasts superior color accuracy in both 55-inch and 65-inch configurations with a little help from Dolby Vision and HDR 10. Skyworth also opted for a premium V21 OLED panel with a 4K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Ready to shop: The best OLED TV deals

For all of this power, you might expect the Skyworth S82 to be a hefty piece of machinery, but the display itself is just under 4mm thick with a slightly thicker body. The thickest part is the Skyworth Audio Drum — a built-in subwoofer that packs 20W of power.

Just below the S82, you’ll find Skyworth’s new Q72 with a Smart Mini LED display. It packs more than 20,000 backlights across over 2,300 zones for improved local dimming and vibrant pictures. The Q72 also tops out at 1,500 nits of brightness, which should be good for just about any content.

Skyworth’s Q72 is another slim model. As for speakers, Skyworth crammed a pair of front-firing speakers and a pair of upward-firing speakers onto the display itself. A wireless subwoofer helps to round things out, and Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are there to complete the experience.

If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming rig, you can also check out Skyworth’s new G90 gaming monitor. It offers a 48-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 4K resolution. The screen has a wide 16:9 ratio with Dolby Atmos, which should be great for gaming.

One last offering from the Skyworth Autumn 2021 product launch is the A20 Pro. It swaps the OLED panels above for an LCD option, but it keeps the 4K resolution and high refresh rate. Skyworth sprang for JBL cinematic sound effects, and Wi-Fi 6 should keep you connected to Netflix and more.

Learn more: 4K vs 1080p — Which resolution is right for you?

All of Skyworth’s new products are expected to launch in mainland China first, followed by a global rollout in the coming months. We will be sure to update you with pricing information as we have it.

A fitness tracker is one of the most helpful gadgets when it comes to getting in shape. It won’t magically make you fit, but it can keep you on top of your fitness goals and stay motivated. Some manufacturers even offer fitness trackers just for kids. We’ve gathered deals from all of the major players, and you can check out our favorites below.

Related: The best smartwatches you can buy

There’s quite a lot of overlap with smartwatches and fitness trackers these days. If you’re looking first and foremost for smartwatch functionality, you might prefer to peruse our list of the best smartwatch deals available right now.

Featured deal: Save 30% on the Garmin Vivoactive 4

We loved the Garmin Vivactive 4 in our review, with our only significant quibble being the asking price. That’s less of an issue right now, with a massive 30% price drop on the fitness tracker available on Amazon. You can snag yours now for just $245.40 ($105 off).

The Vivoactive 4 features the same great software as other Garmin trackers and the same excellent ecosystem of apps. You’ll once again get a heart rate monitor, built-in GPS, seven-day battery life, and 5ATM water resistance. We also see the return of music playback, which came with the Vivoactive 3 Music. All in a sleek package that actually looks like a typical watch.

Related: Fitbit vs Garmin: Which ecosystem is right for you?

Compared to its predecessor, what’s new this time around is the pulse oximeter sensor for measuring blood oxygen, along with all-day stress tracking and Body Battery. The screen has also received an upgrade from the Vivoactive 3 line.

Check it out via the widget below before it’s too late. Scroll on for many more smartwatch deals.

Fitness tracker deals

• Fitbit deals
• Garmin deals
• Samsung deals
• Fossil deals
• Other deals

We’ve sorted the deals by the manufacturer to keep things simple. All of the deals were live at the time of writing, but we’ll do our best to keep the post updated as deals end and new offers pop up.

Fitbit deals

Fitbit is probably the first name most people think of when they need a new fitness tracker. Whether it’s the app that allows you to compete against family and friends or the variety of models you can choose from, Fitbit makes a sensible choice for many people.

See also: Best Fitbit apps: Get the most out of your fitness tracker

With so many models, however, it can be difficult to choose the Fitbit that meets your needs. The Inspire HR is a good choice if you just want the basics, but the Charge 3 or Charge 4 offer larger displays and a more interactive interface. Fitbit also offers a few models of the Versa, which packs the most app capabilities and smartwatch features.

Here are a few of the best Fitbit deals we could find:

• Fitbit Sense for $274 ($26 off)
• Fitbit Ace 2 for $40 ($30 off)
• Fitbit Ionic for $200 ($50 off)
• Fitbit Charge 4 for $129 ($21 off)
• Fitbit Charge 4 Special Edition for $150 ($20 off)
• Fitbit Surge for $204 ($46 off)

Read more: The best Fitbit alternatives you can buy

Garmin fitness tracker deals

Although Garmin makes a variety of fitness trackers with running in mind, it also offers plenty of general-purpose trackers too. If you’re looking to rack up miles and make GPS maps, the Forerunner line is your best bet. For everyday fitness tracking, the Vivosmart 4 and Vivofit 4 are good choices.

Read more: What’s the best Garmin watch?

These are the best Garmin deals we could find across the board:

• Vivosmart 4 for $96 ($34 off)
• Venu for $256 ($94 off)
• Forerunner 35 for $97 ($73 off)
• Forerunner 935 for $270 ($230 off)
• Vivoactive 3 for $130 ($120 off)
• Vivoactive 4 for $245 ($105 off)
• Instinct for $204 ($96 off)

Samsung deals

If you’re already well-entrenched in the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, a Samsung fitness tracker probably makes the most sense. The Galaxy Fit pairs well with Samsung Health so you can keep up with your steps on multiple screens.

Related: The best Samsung fitness trackers and smartwatches

Here are some of the best fitness tracker deals we found, including on the Galaxy Watch Active 2.

• Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm, Bluetooth) with wireless charger pad for $230 ($70 off)
• Galaxy Watch 4 (44mm, Bluetooth) with wireless charger pad for $260 ($80 off)
• Galaxy Watch 3 (41mm, LTE) for $350 ($100 off)
• Galaxy Watch 3 (45mm, LTE) for $351 ($129 off)
• Galaxy Watch Active 2 (40mm, Bluetooth) for $184 ($66 off)
• Galaxy Watch Active 2 (40mm, LTE) for $215 ($65 off)
• Galaxy Watch (42mm, Bluetooth) for $200 ($60 off)
• Galaxy Fit (Renewed) for $54 ($46 off)

Fossil fitness tracker deals

Fossil made its name in the smartwatch game by offering one of the best Wear OS watches you can get right now. However, it also developed the Sport with fashion-forward fitness junkies in mind. The Fossil Sport probably looks the most like a watch of any option on the list and it offers plenty of smart functionality.

• Gen 5 Julianna for $179 ($116 off)
• Gen 5 Carlyle for $206 ($89 off)
• Fossil Gen 5E for $198 ($51 off)

Other deals

While we’ve covered most of the biggest manufacturers, we’ll throw any other nice fitness tracker deals in this section.

See also: The best cheap fitness tracker deals

Right now the best of the rest include the Mi Band 6 from Xiaomi and an Apple Watch that are both worth checking out.

• Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm, GPS) for $349 ($50 off)
• Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm, GPS & Cellular) for $434 ($65 off)
• Skagen Connected Falster 3 Gen 5 for $221 ($74 off)
• Xiaomi Mi Band 6 for $49 ($21 off)
• Amazfit T-Rex Pro for $155 ($25 off)
• Huawei Watch Fit for $91 ($47 off)
• TicWatch Pro 3 GPS for $255 ($45 off)

For a few weeks now, XDA-Developers has been communicating with an anonymous source who claims to have a working Google Pixel 6 Pro. By sharing information with XDA, this source has given us an insider look at things we can expect from Google’s next flagships.

See also: All Google Pixel phones released so far

Today, the source gave XDA a tour of the Google Pixel 6 Pro camera. By examining code from the phone as well as asking questions to the anonymous source, XDA has collected some interesting tidbits about the imaging system.

Keep in mind that this is unverified leaked information. Although XDA is a very trustworthy source for info like this, that doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. Treat everything you read here with a grain of salt.

Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro camera hardware

As a refresher, this is what you can expect from the two phones as far as hardware:

Notice that the phones have different selfie camera hardware. According to XDA, the Pixel 6 Pro code suggests it has an ultra-wide-angle lens on its front, while the vanilla Pixel 6 has a standard wide-angle lens. This should allow the Google Pixel 6 Pro camera to get wider shots and bring in more background to your selfies.

Features and limitations

Here’s a quick rundown of what XDA found. For full explanations as to how it figured these things out, be sure to read the whole original post.

• Video recording quality: It looks like the main camera lens on the Pixel 6 lineup can record 4K video at 60fps. However, the wide-angle and telephoto lenses are stuck with 4K at 30fps.
• Seamless recording: If you set all three lenses to record at 4K30, it’s possible you can seamlessly switch from one lens to another without stopping the recording.
• Video zoom: The maximum zoom level when recording at 4K60 or 1080p60 is allegedly at 7x. Recording at 4K30 or 1080p30 allegedly enables zoom levels up to 20x.
• Manual white balance: You might be able to have more control over the white balance of your shots. However, it is unclear if this is a developer feature for the Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro camera.
• “Magic Eraser”: It’s possible Google has revived its plans to bring object deletion to its products. It said it would do this within Google Photos, but it never happened. Maybe this will be a Pixel 6 exclusive?
• Face Deblur: Google actually already confirmed this is coming, but the Pixel 6 Pro code backs up the announcement. As the name suggests, this would help clean up out-of-focus faces in your shots.
• Bluetooth mic: It’s possible you’ll be able to use a Bluetooth-connected microphone when recording videos. The evidence for this is shaky at the moment, though.

There are some other hinted features in the full roundup, but either the evidence for them is shaky or XDA isn’t sure what they’ll be for.

One of the first original series from Warner Media’s  HBO Max streaming service, Raised By Wolves got generally solid reviews when it debuted its first season in September 2020. HBO Max quickly ordered a second season, but not much has been revealed about the sophomore entry. So when is Raised by Wolves Season 2 coming, and what will it be all about? Here’s a quick look at everything we know.

Read more: What’s new on HBO Max

You can sign up for HBO Max now at the link below:

When is Raised by Wolves Season 2 scheduled to debut?

At the moment, there’s no clear word on when the second season will drop on HBO Max. We do know from a Twitter message from cast member Abubakar Salim that filming for the second season began in early March 2021. It’s likely that we will have to wait until sometime in 2022 for Raised By Wolves Season 2 to finally premiere.

What is the second season all about?

The first season of Raised By Wolves established the setting of the show. In a future timeline where Earth has been destroyed by war between religious and atheist humans, a pair of androids head into space with a small group of embryos. The androids, named Mother (Amanda Collin) and Father (Salim), raise the one human that came from those embryos on an alien world for several years. However, the group later learns that other humans have managed to escape Earth, including some other young children.

Later in the first season, Mother learns she has somehow become pregnant. In the final episode of season 1, she gives birth, but to a flying snake-like alien rather than a human. Season 2 will likely see the two androids, as well as the other remnants of humanity, try to survive on this alien world, while also dealing with this snake creature.

Deadline reports that several new cast members have signed up for season 2. Perhaps the most interesting new role is Grandmother, an ancient android played by actor Selina Jones. Grandmother was built thousands of years ago by the civilization that used to live on the planet where the few human survivors now reside. How she will get along with Mother and Father, and the human refugees, remains to be seen.

T-Mobile has never been shy about its extensive network of MVNO options. Ultra Mobile is one of these carriers, and it prides itself on its affordable plans and international calling options above all else. You may not be as familiar with Ultra, but that’s why we’re here. We’ll walk you through everything there is to know about the carrier, as well as a few of its best alternatives.

See also: What is an MVNO?

Like many MVNOs, Ultra Mobile skips the post-paid plans altogether. Instead, you can choose from a few different prepaid options and pick up just about any phone you can think of. Once we finish with the plans, we’ll hop into a few of your best bets to get you started. Let’s get to it.

Ultra Mobile at a glance

Although you may not be as familiar with Ultra Mobile, it’s not one of the newest carriers on the block. The MVNO has actually been around since 2011, and it was formed in Costa Mesa, California. You can now find Ultra Mobile in over 25,000 stores across the United States, including Target and 7-Eleven. We tracked the carrier down at the Better Business Bureau and found it has been accredited since 2017 and carries a B-rating. Ultra also has a one-and-a-half star rating from customers and has closed just 70 complaints in the last three years.

One of Ultra Mobile’s most valuable contributions to the US carrier race came in 2016 with the launch of Mint SIM. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because that carrier has since spun off to become Mint Mobile in 2019. Ultra briefly owned Univision Mobile as well before folding those subscribers into the parent brand.

As we’ve mentioned, this is a T-Mobile MVNO, which means that you have the full strength of the Un-Carrier behind you. There’s plenty of speed to tap into across the 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G networks, and Ultra has an interactive map where you can see your local options. Check out the coverage in your backyard right here.

Pre-paid Ultra Mobile plans

If you’ve decided that it’s time to make the switch, we have good news. There are only two main types of plans to try — those with limited data and those with unlimited data. We’ll break down the broad strokes in the table below, and then we can jump into the nitty-gritty of each option.

Limited data plans

The easiest place for most people to start — especially if you just want to give Ultra a test run — is with a limited data plan. You can always start with the 250MB per month option, though the data cap serves as a strict limit. Once you move into one of the higher-capacity plans, you technically get unlimited data instead. However, you’ll notice some pretty strict throttling as soon as you hit your monthly cap. The 250MB option isn’t enough for most people anyway, so you can reach as high as 15GB per line.

Outside of the data options, all plans include unlimited talk and text nationwide. You can also dial the day away to more than 80 international destinations. If you’re hoping to make a call beyond the included options, you’ll have to pay by the minute. Luckily, each plan offers a baked-in international long-distance credit.

Highlights:

• Up to 15GB of 5G or 4G LTE data per month
• Prices as low as $10 per month

Best for:

• Users looking to try Ultra at a lower price

Unlimited data plans

Ultra doesn’t change much when you jump from a limited plan to an unlimited one. You’ll still get unlimited talk and text to work with, including calls to more than 80 international destinations. However, you’ll have to work far harder to burn through all of the 40 or 60GB of data each month. You’ll also get a larger international long-distance credit each month to call destinations outside the default 80.

Instead of using your entire monthly data allotment for a hotspot, the Ultra Mobile unlimited plans cut you off at 10GB or 20GB, depending on your plan. It’s still more practical than the limited options, and you can get up to $10 for your one-time roaming credit.

Highlights:

• Up to 60GB of 5G or 4G LTE data
• Hotspot access tops out at 20GB

Best for:

• Users who are ready to commit to Ultra long-term

International access

Nationwide talk, text, and data are fairly standard for affordable MVNOs, but international calling is what sets Ultra Mobile apart. After all, there aren’t too many other plans that grant you calling to 80 countries for as little as $10 per month. The included international destinations cover everywhere from Australia to Venezuela, and many offer mobile calling as well. American Samoa only offers mobile calling, but you’ll have to check on the entire list before signing up.

If you don’t see your preferred destination on the list of 80 countries, you’ll have to check Ultra Mobile’s master list for individual rates. It should show you both a mobile to mobile rate and mobile to landline rate, as well as whether or not there’s a fee for text messages. Some calls can cost as little as five cents per minute, while others can run you for nearly 50 cents every single minute you spend on the phone.

Those of you with big plans to spend hours on international calls might want to look into Ultra Mobile’s uTalk option. It’s essentially a booster plan for your international access, with up to 1,250 extra minutes to select locations like Bangladesh and Pakistan. Access slowly trickles down from there, with some countries offering 500, 200, 100, or 50 bonus minutes instead.

Which Ultra Mobile plan is right for you?

Luckily for everyone, it’s pretty easy to choose an Ultra Mobile plan. It really just comes down to whether or not you need unlimited high-speed data. Even though all plans technically include unlimited data, you’ll be throttled once you reach a certain point. If you want to stretch your speed as far as possible, you’ll have to turn to the Unlimited and Unlimited Plus plans. These offer 40GB and 60GB, respectively as well as a slightly larger international roaming credit.

If you’re alright with a lower data cap, you can take your pick from 250MB per month all the way up to 15GB. All of these plans offer the same talk and text options, but there are some monthly deals to help steer your spending right now. For example, the 3GB plan is just $11 per month for three months — the same as you’d pay per month for six months of the 250MB plan.

Don’t forget that it pays to go for a multi-month plan, sometimes you can save up to 33% on your service.

Ultra Mobile vs the competition

As you already know, there are plenty of MVNOs on the market today across all carriers. Although Ultra Mobile sticks to T-Mobile for coverage, other excellent options take Verizon and AT&T on for size. We’ve chosen one option from each to give you a taste of what the other side can offer.

Check out our table below to get an idea of your options:

Cricket Wireless

If you’re hoping for an affordable AT&T-based carrier, it’s tough to top Cricket Wireless. The MVNO is famous for its family plan discounts, and right now, you can get the unlimited Cricket Core plan for as little as $25 per month. It packs limitless talk, text, and data into one friendly package, and you can text with friends in 37 destinations worldwide. Cricket Core also brings access in Canada and Mexico into the mix, though your usage cannot exceed 50% of your overall billing cycle.

Learn more: The best Cricket Wireless plans

Spectrum Mobile and Xfinity Mobile

We’ve chosen to lump Spectrum and Xfinity Mobile together as solid Verizon alternatives to Ultra Mobile. The reason for this is that they’re basically two versions of the same carrier. They share the Big Red network, and they’re both reliant on your home internet service above all else. This means that if you’re already an Xfinity customer, it makes sense to try the mobile version, and the same goes for Spectrum. The two even offer similar plans, with a by-the-gig option as well as a truly unlimited option to choose from.

Learn more: The best Spectrum Mobile plans | The best Xfinity Mobile plans

Ultra Mobile alternatives that use the same network

T-Mobile has more MVNOs than most people can use in a lifetime. While that might make your sign-up process a little tougher, it does mean that you have plenty of ways to find the perfect plan. This section is all about other carriers on the Magenta network, even if they don’t follow the same affordable pricing schedule of Ultra Mobile.

Check out our table before we dig into the options:

Mint Mobile

Sometimes the apprentice becomes the master, or at least that’s the case with Mint Mobile. It initially launched as a part of Ultra but now exists as a standalone carrier owned by Ryan Reynolds. Mint stayed committed to its limited data plans for a few years, though it has launched an unlimited alternative and given its plans a solid data kick lately. Just like with Ultra, it pays to stick with Mint Mobile long-term as you can drop your bill to just $30 per month.

Learn more: The best Mint Mobile plans

Google Fi

It’s not entirely fair to call Google Fi a true T-Mobile MVNO, though it does use the Un-Carrier for the bulk of its service. You can either take the by-the-gig approach or tap into one of two unlimited plans. Simply Unlimited does the trick for users who plan to remain in the US and don’t need to reach beyond the borders with calls or texts. On the other hand, Unlimited Plus packs plenty of international texting and data options as well as a heap of cloud storage.

Learn more: The best Google Fi plans

Metro by T-Mobile

For our final competitor, we’re looking at Metro by T-Mobile. It was once known as MetroPCS, but it has become an integral part of the T-Mobile family. You can tap into quite a few different plans, but the unlimited options are sure to provide the best bang for your buck. The decision primarily comes down to your data needs, with one plan offering 5GB of hotspot access per month and the other increasing to 15GB. Metro’s most expensive plan includes an Amazon Prime membership, too.

Learn more: The best Metro by T-Mobile plans

What phones can you use with Ultra Mobile?

Ultra Mobile is keen on its affordable coverage options, but you might not guess so by looking at the available phones. The carrier has just about all of the latest flagships on offer, including options from Apple, Samsung, and Google. However, Ultra has quite a few older models to choose from, too, with the likes of the Pixel 3a XL ($399) and Galaxy S10 ($649) gracing its shelves.

As with most carriers, you’re more than welcome to bring your own phone when you switch. All you have to do is sign up for a plan and buy a SIM card to get started. Ultra Mobile is a GSM carrier, so you should have no problem bringing a phone from AT&T or T-Mobile, or you can bring an unlocked device.

If you’re set to bring your own phone, you’ll also want to ensure that you have the proper band support. Check out our table below before you sign up:

Credit: Paramount

As the Star Trek universe continues to expand at Paramount Plus, everyone’s favorite Starfleet Captain is back. Star Trek: Picard season two takes off early in the new year. Many familiar faces are joining Picard, and a few new ones are joining the adventure too.

With time travel shenanigans, the return of old foes and allies, and the continuation of storylines kicked off in season one, Picard season two already looks like a lot of fun.

So, read on for everything we know about the sophomore season of the show. From release date, to cast members, to a new trailer, to rumors and Easter eggs, and more, we’ve got you covered.

And if you’re not a Paramount Plus subscriber, you can click the link below to sign up now.

Where we left off

Ahead of Picard season two, it’s worth looking back at what happened in season one.

With Starfleet captain Jean-Luc Picard now retired and living his life quietly at his French vineyard, he has plenty of time to dwell on the death of his friend and colleague, the cyborg Data, and his failure to prevent the destruction of Romulus. Now disillusioned with Starfleet over its refusal to protect Romulus, he spends his time in near isolation at his chateau.

But when a young woman claiming to be Data’s daughter tracks Picard down, he’s thrust back into the action, putting together a team of outcasts to track down Data’s other daughter and get some answers.

See also: The best sci-fi shows on Netflix

The season explored themes surrounding genetic experimentation, artificial intelligence, and military intervention, questioning many of the underlying principles of Starfleet seen in previous Star Trek titles.

Picard was very well received by critics, who frequently noted Patrick Stewart’s continued excellence in the title role, as well as the series’ overall good fit in ongoing Star Trek lore.

What is Picard season two about?

Paramount hasn’t released a detailed synopsis of Picard season two yet, but a first trailer reveals a lot.

The trailer opens with Picard seemingly remembering events from his childhood, which suggests the series will cover some background on the storied captain before he joined Starfleet.

But the central plotline appears to focus on a time travel–centric mission. We see the return of Q, testing Picard and setting off a crisis.

Q causes a change in the past, affecting the series’ present day and turning the world into a “totalitarian nightmare.” Suddenly Starfleet insignia take on an aesthetic reminiscent of Nazi Germany and adaptations of George Orwell’s 1984.

With this new, unacceptable status quo, Picard and his new team travel back in time to the 21st century, seemingly using the Borg Queen and her technology to do so, in an attempt to fix the future and set things right.

When and where can you watch it?

Picard season two will premiere on Paramount Plus in February 2022 in the US.

The network has not revealed the precise premiere date, but the series will likely continue to roll out weekly as with season one and other ongoing Star Trek shows like Discovery and Lower Decks.

Check out: Lower Decks keeps hitting the mark in season 2

Amazon Prime Video has been the official carrier of Star Trek series in over 200 countries outside the US and will continue to be home to Picard for season two. In Canada, Bell Media handles distribution via the CTV Sci-Fi Channel and the streaming service Crave.

Star Trek: Lower Decks is currently streaming on Paramount Plus. Picard season two will be preceded by the fourth season of Star Trek: Discovery, premiering November 18. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is expected to also bow in 2022, though likely after Picard season two.

Star Trek: Picard has additionally been renewed for a third season, though no word on when that will be filming or airing yet.

Who’s involved?

Many actors are returning for Picard season 2, including the titular Starfleet Captain himself, Patrick Stewart.

Also returning are the following members of the season one main cast:

• Alison Pill as Agnes Jurati
• Isa Briones as Sji/Sutra/Dahj
• Evan Evagora as Elnor
• Michelle Hurd as Rafaella “Raffi” Musiker
• Santiago Cabrera as Cristóbal Rios
• Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine
• Orla Brady as Laris
• Brent Spiner as Data

New to the cast is John de Lancie, who reprises his role as Q from previous Star Trek series The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Lower Decks. Q is both a character and the name of his entire race of god-like beings. In The Next Generation, de Lancie portrayed him frequently as a trickster figure, often a thorn in Picard’s side. Generally, though, the Q seemed to always have humanity’s best interests at heart`.

The season two trailer also features the Borg Queen. Paramount has not listed Alice Krige or Susanna Thompson among the cast. Krige and Thompson played the Borg Queen in previous Star Trek series and films. According to IMDB, Annie Wersching will take their place in the role.

Alex Kurtzman, Akiva Goldsman, Terry Matalas, Patrick Stewart, Heather Kadin, Aaron Baiers, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth, Doug Aarniokoski, and Dylan Massin serve as executive producers on season two, with Kirsten Beyer co-executive producing.

Akiva Goldsman and Terry Matalas serve as co-showrunners.

What to expect in Picard season two

We still have a lot of questions about Picard. But the trailer is chock full of hints and teases as to what we can expect. Below are a few open questions about where season two might take us:

• Picard season one ended with Raffi and Seven holding hands, and season two looks to be exploring their developing relationship as a couple. The trailer shows them bickering while working together as the two fiercely independent women find their shared rhythm. The romance between Raffi and Seven is in keeping with Recent Star Trek series including explicitly queer characters, most notably in Star Trek: Discovery.
• Picard season one saw the return of The Next Generation stars Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis as William T. Riker and Deanna Troi, respectively. Other series stars like LeVar Burton and Gates McFadden have hinted that they may be involved, though it’s unclear who might appear and when. It seems reasonable to assume we’ll see some familiar faces from Star Treks of yesteryear.
• Where’s Whoopi Goldberg? In 2020, Patrick Steward formally invited Goldberg to join the cast of season two in a touching exchange on The View. Goldberg previously played Guinan, a bartender on the Starship Enterprise and frequent confidant to members of Starfleet. Goldberg and Akiva Goldsman have teased her involvement while conspicuously providing almost no details. This could mean they’re saving a major reveal for Guinan.
• Will the Department of Temporal Investigations appear? In past Star Trek series, the Department of Temporal Investigations was called in whenever Starfleet members tampered with the timeline. It looks as though a lot of contamination of the timeline will occur in Picard season two.
• Could the Borg Queen restore the Borg collective? In season one, we learn that the Borg have largely been defeated. Former members of the Borg are now being reintegrated into society. But the Borg Queen appears to retain some of her power. And using her to travel through time may lead to some complications for Picard and company.

So, that’s what we know about Star Trek: Picard season two — and a handful of things we’re still wondering about.

You can in it in February or catch up with season one now on Paramount Plus.

Windows 11 is the latest iteration of the world’s most popular PC operating system. Microsoft revealed Windows 11 a few weeks ago, and the OS is currently in beta through the Windows Insider Program. With the final release of Windows 11 set to arrive later in 2021, the beta releases are slowly releasing the promised features to the insiders.

Being a major release, Windows 11 has a lot of questions surrounding it. Ranging from whether it will cost you anything to whether it has any features that will make your life easier, we have all the answers for you here. Here’s all you need to know about Windows 11!

Also read: Windows 11 beta impressions

What is Windows 11?

Windows 11 is the next significant upgrade to Microsoft Windows. It follows Windows 10, which was wrongly assumed to be the last major Windows release version. Microsoft had been working on what was somewhat of a sequel to Windows 10, called Windows 10X.

Windows 10X was supposed to be an overhaul in comparison to Windows 10. The legacy features were supposed to go away or be integrated into the new system, which had a new look and feel. However, Microsoft scrapped Windows 10X a while ago, soon announcing Windows 11. It carries a lot of the good bits from Windows 10X, but at least for now, it’s keeping the legacy elements as well.

Also read: What is Windows 10X?

What are the new features in Windows 11?

Windows 11 is set to be a version update, which Microsoft has usually bundled with drastic or at least noticeable changes. It will have quite a few features that will set it apart. At the announcement event, Microsoft showcased the key feature upgrades we will be getting. These features are subject to change before the final release, of course, but here are a few key new features you can expect.

Also read: 5 big changes we can expect in Windows 11

New design

Windows 11 doesn’t get a significant design overhaul, but it does get a lot of minor design upgrades that make for a fresh look. We have a new Windows logo,  as well as a new set of icons. The File Explorer has a fresh look, with new folder icons for the libraries, increased spacing between menu items, and rounded corners. The latter is consistent across the new version. Other aesthetic changes include new sounds and a cleaner Action Centre.

Changed Taskbar

The taskbar is now centered by default, changed from the default left alignment we’re used to seeing in Windows. It’s also a bit taller, but a few things worsen the taskbar experience in general. The taskbar is now locked, and there is no option to adjust the height. You can also no longer move the taskbar to the left, right, or the top. Left-clicking on the taskbar also doesn’t give you the classic menu anymore, but instead just an option to go to the Taskbar settings.

Overhauled Start Menu

Start menu is one of the more notable changes. You now get the pinned apps at the very top, with options to have multiple pages for the same. You also get the recommended tab, which is a mix of recommended and recent apps and files. The account menu and the power menu sit at the bottom. The new Start menu rearranges old elements, with only one key element missing — live tiles. There are ways to revert to the old Start menu if you want to,  but the new one seems like the better implementation.

Native Android app support

Perhaps the most significant feature addition to Windows yet. Microsoft is teaming up with Intel and Amazon to make this happen. Windows 11 will use Intel Bridge technology to run Android apps natively. Microsoft is adding the Amazon Appstore to the Microsoft Store to help deliver these Android apps. You won’t need to run an emulator like BlueStacks anymore. However, this feature is not coming to Windows 11 at launch but will arrive later.

Related: Why did Microsoft choose Amazon over Google for Windows 11 Android support?

New window snap layouts

We’re also getting a new window snap system. We’ve had window snapping in Windows since Windows 7, called Aero Snap. Windows 11 brings layout presets to Aero Snap. These snap layouts pop up when you hover your cursor over the Maximize/Restore button and give options between four layouts for up to four windows.

Widgets

Windows 11 now has a dedicated widgets button, which is pretty much the “News and Interests” taskbar button from the newest Windows 10 update. For now, it’s just personalized content from Microsoft services like MSN, stacked up in little tiles. By far one of the least interesting new features, it doesn’t seem to have any third-party content on it yet.

Upgraded native apps

Windows is also getting a few upgraded native apps with this update. The beloved Paint app is getting a redesign. We got a Paint 3D app with Windows 10, but this will not be a drastic change like that. We’ll be getting a cleaner-looking toolbar and dark mode. Windows 11 is also getting a new Snipping Tool with more control and an upgraded editor. The new Microsoft Store, Xbox app, and visual changes to File Explorer are other notable native app changes.

Deeper Microsoft services integrations

Windows 11 will also see a deeper integration of Microsoft services across the board. OneDrive seems to be a dominant presence across File Explorer. Then there’s the Microsoft Teams integration. Xbox app will also integrate better into Windows now. These are nice additions from a convenience point of view, but if you don’t use these services, the integrations seem nothing but annoying.

Related: Android apps on Windows gives us what Google promised all along

Will Windows 11 be a free upgrade?

Windows 11 is set to follow in the footsteps of Windows 10 and arrive as a free upgrade. While Windows 10 was rather easy to upgrade to, Windows 11 seems like it will not be as easy of a free upgrade. Microsoft has narrowed the upgrade path in the name of safety.

To begin with, the new version will not support 32-bit CPUs, which means that Windows 10 will be the last update for PCs that have one of those. Other than that, Windows 11 has other minimum system requirements that your system will need to match to get the free upgrade.

Related: Most of you plan to upgrade to Windows 11

Will my PC be able to run Windows 11? Windows 11 system requirements

Windows 11 has a stricter set of minimum requirements for eligibility than Windows 10. The system requirements have been changed up a couple of times, and Microsoft will likely provide some flexibility to them. Microsoft will not stop you from manually installing Windows 11 on older systems as long as they meet these system requirements, but the bar is set higher for updates via Windows Update. Some system requirements, like the presence of a 64-bit CPU, are likely to remain.

For now, here are the absolute minimum system requirements needed to install Windows 11.

Windows 11 system requirements

If you want Windows 11 officially via Windows Update, you’ll still need to have an 8th gen or newer Intel CPU, or a Zen 2 or newer AMD CPU, UEFI secure boot, and TPM 2.0. You will also need at least 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

How to install Windows 11 beta right now

Windows 11 beta is available to install through the Windows Insider Program. Microsoft has a way for you to check if your system can run Windows 11. If your system meets the minimum requirements listed above, you can go ahead and install the beta. There is a way to double-check whether your system is eligible for this upgrade.

First off, you will need to sign up for the Windows Insider Program. Here’s how you can do it.

1. Head over to the official website for the Windows Insider Program. Log in with the same Microsoft account that you use on your Windows 10 system, and proceed to register.
   Credit: Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority
2. Once registered, the Windows Insider Program will give you the option to “Flight now.” Click on it.
   Credit: Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority
3. Now head over to the Privacy tab in the Settings app on the Windows 10 system you want to upgrade, and click on Diagnostics & Feedback. Here, you’ll need to turn on “Optional diagnostic data” under the Diagnostic data setting.
   Credit: Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority
4. Once done, go to the “Windows Insider Program” tab under the Update & Security tab in Settings, and click on Get started. You will get a prompt to link an account, proceed by selecting the account that you previously used to register with Windows Insider Program.
   Credit: Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority
5. When prompted to “Choose your Insider settings,” select the Beta Channel and confirm.
   Credit: Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority
6. A final confirmation message will pop up. Hit Confirm. When prompted, you will need to restart your system to get the update, so click on Restart Now. Alternatively, you can choose to restart later.
   Credit: Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority
7. Once you’ve restarted, head over to the Update & Security tab in the Settings app and click on “Check for Updates.” Windows Update will fetch the Windows 11 beta update and start downloading it.
   Credit: Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority
8. The update will finish downloading. Restart your PC and enjoy the Windows 11 beta.
   Credit: Palash Volvoikar / Android Authority

When will Windows 11 launch?

Windows 11 is all set to launch on October 5. The OS is available for beta testing right now and is in its final stages before the final release. Manufacturers are already announcing computers that will get the free upgrade or launch with Windows 11 on board, post the release date.

The final release of Windows 11 that rolls out on October 5 may not come with all the promised features. For example, the Android app support isn’t arriving at launch. Additionally, there may be some more changes that we haven’t seen yet.

Related: Most of you plan to upgrade to Windows 11

Frequently asked questions

Q: Will Windows 11 be a compulsory update?
A: It doesn’t seem like Windows 11 will be a compulsory update, but it will likely be recommended from a safety point of view. Windows 10 will be supported until October 14, 2025, so you should keep receiving essential security updates until then. However, regarding new feature implementations and software support, Windows 11 is likely to be the priority going forward.

Q: How much will Windows 11 cost?
A: Windows 11 will be a free upgrade for eligible systems and ship with new systems. Most manufacturers should be shipping their new computers with the new OS as well. As far as how much it will cost to buy a new license, we will have to wait until the release to find out. Pricing for new licenses should be similar to Windows 10 licenses.

Q: Should I upgrade to Windows 11?
A: It’s a good idea to wait a few weeks after the release to see if any critical issues pop up in the new version. If not, you should be better off upgrading rather than staying on Windows 10.

An Android version of the popular PC wallpaper app Wallpaper Engine is “coming soon,” most likely in October or early November, according to its namesake developer.

The app will serve as a free extension of the $4 Windows software, letting people transfer their desktop collections to Android phones and tablets via a local Wi-Fi network, the Wallpaper Engine Team said via its Steam page. There won’t be any ads or in-app purchases, but the link with the Windows app is necessary since Android users can’t access Steam Workshop add-ons directly.

Related: Our collection of default wallpapers from 90+ Android devices

Wallpapers sent to Android devices will also need to be converted into a mobile-compatible format, but will still be dynamic, complete with customizable settings such as speed and colors. In fact, music visualizers are making the cut as well, which could make for some particularly impressive home screens. People worried about performance or battery life will be able to toggle features like framerate caps.

The Android port is said to be an “intensive undertaking,” but an obvious next step, given Android’s large user base. The work done is expected to lay the groundwork for “any future potential ports,” though the only real options in that regard are Mac and Linux — iOS and iPadOS have extremely limited customization options.

In this age where announcements on new Netflix TV shows and movies happen almost every day, the biggest premium streaming service in the world decided to hold its own virtual Comic Con-like event for a massive reveal of upcoming content that’s coming to the service. It’s called Netflix Tudum, and fans are already getting hyped about what will be shown, and what will be revealed, during the event.

Read More: Is Netflix worth it?

So what exactly is Netflix Tudum, when is it happening, and what might be shown during the fan event? Here’s everything we know so far. In the meantime you can sign up for Netflix at the link below:

What is Netflix Tudum?

It’s a streaming event for the streaming service that currently has over 200 million paid subscribers worldwide. It will feature new trailers, news about upcoming TV shows and movies, and appearances by some of the biggest names in entertainment.

Where does “Tudum” come from?

The made-up word Tudum is supposed to be the sound that accompanies the Netflix logo when you first launch the service, or when you start playing a Netflix show or movie. Some folks labeled that sound as “Tadam” before Netflix came up with this fan event. That means Tudum is now the “official” spelling of that logo sound.

When is the event?

The main Netflix Tudum event will be held on Saturday, September 25, starting at Noon Eastern time (9 a.m, Pacific time). It is supposed to last a whopping three hours (still not as long as The Irishman, though).

In addition to the main Tudum event, Netflix will be presenting some extra content separately on the same day. New amine reveals from Japan will be shown starting at 8 a.m. Eastern time Saturday. New and upcoming Netflix shows and movies from South Korea will get their own streaming event starting at 9 a.m. Eastern. Finally, new Netflix series and films from India will be showcased starting at 11:30 a.m. Eastern.

As if that wasn’t enough, Netflix Geeked will be holding its own live watch party for the Tudum event starting at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time on the Netflix Geeked Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok channels. That event promises to have extra content not including in the main Tudum show, along with new interviews and celebrity cameos.

Where can I watch Netflix Tudum?

Ironically, the event is not being held on Netflix itself. Instead, the service is mainly using Google’s YouTube to stream Tudum on its main Netflix channel, as well as localized Netflix YouTube channels in other markets. The event will also be streamed on Netflix’s Twitter and Twitch accounts.

The pre-shows are also using local YouTube channels, including Netflix Japan for its anime show, Netflix Korea for its Korean showcase, and Netflix India for its Indian pre-show.

What will be shown during the event?

Oh boy! There is indeed a reason why Netflix Tudum will be three hours long. The streaming service has so many upcoming shows and movies that it could make the event twice as long if it wanted. As it stands, the streamer says we will get news and content from over 70 of its current and upcoming series and films. That means new trailers, first looks, panel discussions, and more. Here’s the official list of shows and movies that will be part of Tudum:

• Aggretsuko / アグレッシブ烈子
• A Whisker Away / 泣きたい私は猫をかぶる
• A Través De Mi Ventana
• Arcane
• Army of Thieves
• Black Crab
• Big Mouth
• Bridgerton
• Bright: Samurai Soul / ブライト: サムライソウル
• Bruised
• The Chestnut Man
• Cobra Kai
• Colin in Black and White
• Cowboy Bebop
• The Crown
• Dark Desire
• De Volta Aos 15
• Don’t Look Up
• Emily in Paris
• Enola Holmes
• Extraction
• Finding Anamika
• Floor is Lava
• The Harder They Fall
• Hellbound / 지옥
• Heeramandi
• Human Resources
• Interceptor
• Inside Job
• La Casa De Papel
• The Old Guard
• Ozark
• Maldivas
• My Name / 마이 네임
• New World / 신세계로부터
• Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal: The Movie / 劇場版美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal: 前編・後編
• Rebelde
• Ritmo Salvaje
• Red Notice
• The Sandman
• Sex Education
• The Silent Sea / 고요의 바다
• Soy Georgina
• Stranger Things
• Super Crooks / スーパー・クルックス
• Ultraman
• The Umbrella Academy
• Vikings: Valhalla
• The Witcher
• The Witcher: Blood Origin
• Young, Famous and African

In case you were wondering, that official list just has 51 shows and movies. That means Netflix is keeping close to 20 or more series and films it plans to showcase as part of Tudum under wraps for now. It’s possible some of that content will be revealed in the Asian pre-show events.

What do we expect to see at the event?

We would be very surprised if Netflix Tudum didn’t show us new teaser trailers for upcoming seasons of The Witcher, Cobra Kai, Bridgeton, The Witcher, and especially the long, long-awaited fourth season of Stranger Things. We will also certainly get new trailers for Netflix’s big budget fall films Red Notice and Don’t Look Up. Finally, we want to see the first trailers for new shows like Cowboy Bebop, The Sandman, and The Witcher: Blood Origin.

What new trailers and content do you want to see as part of Netflix Tudum? Let us know in our latest poll question!

Android 12 might be just a few weeks away from launching. However, if your phone isn’t supposed to get the new OS for a while, you can still expect to see some new Android features via updates that will begin to roll out today.

The new Android features update includes ways to control phones with facial gestures, new ways to control your Google TV-based smart television with your phone, and some features that were previously available exclusively on Google’s Pixel phones. Here’s a quick look at what Android features are getting updated.

Fall 2021 Android features update

• New Accessibility features — For people who have speech disabilities, Google is adding an app called Project Activate. It will allow those users to use facial gestures to trigger pre-set actions to communicate, such as sending a text or playing an audio clip. Google is also adding another new app today called Camera Switches. It will let owners use a phone’s front-facing camera as a way to navigate through a phone. The Lookout app, which reads out both print and handwritten texts, is being updated to do the same for Latin-based languages.
• New Android Auto Google Assistant driving mode dashboard — Android Auto users can expect to see a bunch of new features. That includes a new dashboard for Google Assistant driving mode that will include the ability to just say, “Hey Google, let’s drive” to launch the dashboard. Tappable cards will be shown on the screen to get you through the basics, like navigation, message notifications, and resuming any media you previously started.
• More new Android Auto features — You can now say “Hey Google, turn on auto-read” to hear any messages sent to you in Android Auto, and respond back with your voice. Also, Android Auto screens will be able to show your work-related messages and upcoming meetings via your Work Profile. If you are waiting in your car for some reason, you can play games on Android Auto while you wait via GameSnacks. Also, Waze for Android is getting an update with touchpad, night mode, and lane guidance support. If you are at one of 32,000 supported gas stations, you can now keep your credit card in your wallet when paying for gas. Just say, “Hey Google, pay for gas” on Android Auto or from your Android phone and you can do it via Android Pay. If you own a dual-SIM phone, this new update will allow you to pick which SIM card to use when making a call via Android Auto.

• Control Google TV with your phone — If you own a smart TV or set-top box with the Google TV interface for Android TV, you can now use your phone to handle several actions. That includes powering up your TV, scrolling through movies and TV shows, and even launching content from your phone. Your phone’s keyboard can also be used to remotely type in search strings or passwords as well. The Google TV app is also rolling out to 14 more countries over the next several weeks.
• Reminders hub for Google Assistant — Just say “Hey Google, open my reminders” to launch the new Reminders hub so you can keep track of upcoming events.
• Locked Folder in Google Photos is now for all Android phones — If you own an Android 6 Marshmallow phone and above, you can now access the Locked Folder feature in Google Photos that was previously an exclusive for Pixel phones. It will allow you to safely store any photos or videos in a password-protected folder, so they don’t show up on a normal scroll through your media library.
• Heads Up is coming to more phones — Here’s another Pixel-exclusive feature that is now expanding to phones running Android 9 Pie and above. Heads Up is a Digital Wellbeing feature for people who are using their phones while walking. It will remind them to look up and stay alert from time to time.
• Nearby Share improvements — This update will allow you to customize the Nearby Share feature, which lets other people near you detect your device to share files. Now, you can choose no one, just your trusted contacts, or for everyone to see your phone.

• Lots of new Gboard features — Heavy texters will find a lot to check out soon via Gboard. For example, users who copy and paste any content that has multiple phone numbers, email addresses, or website links will see that Gboard will automatically separate them into multiple pasting options. That way, you can delete any content from the list you don’t want to forward. Also, if you take a screenshot with the intention of immediately sharing it, Gboard will now automatically show that screenshot as a suggestion to send out. Android 11 and above users can also use Smart Compose in Gboard so it can guess how you might finish a text message, so you can just swipe to complete it. Finally, the Emoji Kitchen feature, which allows users to mash up emoji for some interesting combinations, will get 1,500 additional stickers to combine later this fall.

Whew! That’s quite a list of new additions. That’s certainly not counting all the new stuff that’s coming via the Android 12 launch.  It looks like Android users have a lot to discover and access over the next few months.

After its most recent failed bid in 2018, the European Commission (EC) has revealed its latest plan to implement a “common charging solution” for electronic devices.

Per today’s announcement, the regulatory body proposes amendments to the European Union’s Radio Equipment Directive, which would make USB-C the standard charging port across “smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers and handheld videogame consoles.” The motives mentioned are specifically to reduce e-waste and, more interestingly, remedy “consumer inconvenience.”

While this means that phones and other devices packing micro-USB ports would also fall to the wayside, Apple’s Lightning port could also come under threat. iPhones may have to adopt the USB-C port as their primary power connector if the directive is passed.

Notably, the EC’s proposal also tackles charging specifications. The regulator wants manufacturers to adopt a “harmonized” fast charging technology that can be used across devices and standardize charging speeds across compatible chargers.

While Apple lags in adopting protocols like USB-C on its mobile devices, it’s well ahead of the EC in another area. The Commission wants companies to “unbundle the sale of chargers from the sale of electronic devices,” giving consumers the choice of purchasing a new charger or not. Currently, the likes of Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi all offer smartphones without in-box chargers.

When will we see USB-C ports on iPhones?

Well, not any time soon. Before the tweaked directive can become law, the European Parliament members must cast a deciding vote. If approved, manufacturers will have 24 months to comply with the revised regulations.

It’s not yet clear if the revised directive would result in the reduction of e-waste. However, it would definitely improve consumer convenience. The owners of Apple and Android devices would only require one cable and one charger to top up multiple devices. Notably, the EC also states that it wants interoperability on “both sides of the cable.” Newer iPhones already support USB Power Delivery but expect the standardization of charging blocks to be next on the EC’s agenda later this year.

I remember the day well because I was there. New York City, Tuesday, September 23, 2008. HTC, Google, T-Mobile, and Deutsche Telekom executives took the stage to introduce Android 1.0, a brand new mobile operating system, and the G1, the first smartphone to run the platform. It was clear those involved had a vision for Android.

The company reps spent a lot of time talking about how the new platform was open and made it a point to encourage third parties to develop apps for Android. They said, “we want to provide an array of new devices, applications, and services so that people embrace the mobile internet all over the world.”

Google's co-CEOs were clearly enamored with the new platform and spoke of its potential.

Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google co-CEOs at the time, showed up on in-line skates. Brin, a self-described geek, demonstrated the first app he wrote for Android, which calculated the time the G1 was in the air when thrown up and down. The two were clearly enamored with the new platform and spoke of its potential.

Together, the software and hardware shown that day laid the foundation for Android as we know it.

Related: What is stock Android? Everything you need to know about the core OS

But what was Android 1.0 actually like? What features did it have? What features was it lacking? The platform was surprisingly complete and incomplete at the same time. On the day of its anniversary, here’s what we remember about Android’s first few steps out into the world.

Android 1.0: A familiar — yet different — experience

There were numerous mobile operating systems competing in the fall of 2008. Apple’s iOS was only a year old at that point and lagged industry leaders BlackBerry OS and Symbian in terms of scale. Windows Mobile and Palm OS were in the mix as well. Google and its Android developers cherry-picked some elements of Android from the established platforms but also introduced a series of new ideas that are still a part of Android.

Android 1.0 featured three home screen panels. The central panel was the main home screen that contained the pre-loaded apps and widgets. You could swipe left or right to add more apps/widgets to the other screens if you wished — something you can still do with Android today. Android’s implementation of widgets was fairly novel at the time. While platforms of the day such as the touch-centric Windows Mobile included widgets, they weren’t as customizable or as varied as they were on Android.

Android's implementation of widgets was fairly novel at the time.

Android 1.0 included an app drawer. It was accessed by tapping an actual, visible tab that appeared at the bottom of the home screen. The basic functionality, though, is the same as it is today. The settings menu of Android 1.0 was laid out in a way that resembles what we have in modern Android, but the quick settings menu didn’t yet exist. iOS 2, which was what iPhones of 2008 were running, didn’t have an app drawer but Windows Phone and BlackBerry devices had the equivalents thereof.

The platform was hardware-centric. People who’ve used Android since the early days will remember all the buttons for controlling the OS. Vital keys such as the back, home, and menu buttons were needed to perform some navigation and secondary actions. There wasn’t even a software keyboard; the G1 required you to use the physical QWERTY keyboard for any sort of text input. Now, of course, the platform is wholly touch-enabled and gestures accomplish these same actions. Of all the platforms available in 2008, only the iPhone was wholly touch-enabled. BlackBerry, Symbian, and Windows all relied heavily on physical buttons.

Android 1.0's handling of notifications was an early win for the platform.

Android 1.0’s handling of notifications was an early win for the platform and something we still rely on today. The way notifications would briefly pop up in the status bar later influenced other mobile platforms to follow suit.

An active Google Search bar was built in from the beginning and still endures today. Even this earliest version of the search tool included text autocomplete to help people conduct their searches.

More reading: The history of Android: The evolution of the biggest mobile OS in the world

Security? You could set a traceable pattern on the lock screen, something Android still allows you to do to this day.

Before ‘there’s an app for that’

Apple introduced the App Store with iOS 2 in July of 2008, just ahead of Android’s debut. At the time, centralized on-device app stores were a rarity. Most apps of the day were available directly from the maker or from sketchy online distributors. Thankfully Google followed Apple’s model.

The first apps of Android 1.0 were rudimentary but functional. Google’s own Gmail, calendar, calculator, Maps, and YouTube were among the earliest available. Third-party apps were available from the Android Market, the original version of the Google Play Store. Android Market 1.0 was crazy basic. There were hardly any apps yet and it was mostly a text-based experience with few images or graphics.

The first apps of Android 1.0 were rudimentary but functional.

Critically, Gmail of the day supported push, IMAP/POP and SMTP, which gave it an edge over email on some platforms. YouTube, on the other hand, was a pain because the 3G networks of the time were simply not capable of handling video yet. The browser wasn’t even called Chrome. It was WebKit based, but initially lacked Flash support.

The camera app was not impressive at all. For example, every time you took a picture you were confronted with a pop-up that asked if you wanted to save, set, share, or delete the photo. Every time. More to the point, the camera app had no real features and couldn’t record video.

Google Maps was the showstopper. Though Google Maps was available to other platforms, such as BlackBerry OS, Maps for Android was a big step forward. It included Street View, the ability to see an actual view of your potential destination. It also supported panning around so you could spot landmarks before beginning your journey.

Setting the stage for the future of Android

There’s no question Android 1.0 was powerful from the get-go. It assembled a bunch of ideas under a single banner and made bold promises as it walked out of the gate. But it was far from a sure thing. At the time, only T-Mobile in the US offered the G1. The G1 didn’t reach other markets until early 2009. Android devices didn’t sell in high volumes, in general, until Verizon Wireless debuted the Motorola Droid in the fall of 2009 — a year after the platform’s launch. And by then we were up to Android 2.0.

But those early days were important for building Android’s foundation. Google was quick to talk about future versions of the platform, including Cupcake and Donut, which the company promised would add features and correct bugs over time. This helped build anticipation and encouraged adoption. Moreover, Android quickly fell in favor with the developer and modding communities, as it was open in a way that BlackBerry OS, iOS, PalmOS, and Symbian simply weren’t.

It’s been a long journey, but on the eve of Android 12‘s release we wouldn’t want it to have turned out any differently.

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