We’re getting close, Samsung fans. Very soon, we should see Samsung announce the Galaxy S22 lineup, which will include the Galaxy S22+. I bring that device up specifically because thanks to 91mobiles, we’re getting a real good look at what to expect from the larger of the non-Ultra models.

We have already gotten fantastic looks at the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Ultra, so the S22+ was really the only phone we hadn’t had direct eyes on. These renders help close that gap, though, of course it looks just like the smaller S22 and there isn’t much else to say.

Specs wise, it’s expected the S22+ will feature a 6.55-inch display, latest Snapdragon processor, triple rear camera setup, 4,500mAh battery, and Android 12 (One UI 4.0). For colors, we can look to a previous leak and get an idea of what to expect.

Bring on the new-new, Samsung.

// 91mobiles

Read the original post: Hey, Here’s the Galaxy S22+

The January update on your Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro probably just finished up its marathon “optimizing” session and you are still trying to figure out what Google fixed or changed after two months of not seeing an update, but we still want to know how things are going. After all, this almost-2-month-gap in updates took the Pixel 6 line from beloved Google redeemer to unveiling an army of big mad “I’m buying an iPhone!” guys. This update is kind of important.

In the update, Google has attempted to fix 100 or so bugs, some critical. There are battery and charging improvements, additional fingerprint reader improvements, several camera adjustments, Adaptive Brightness response time increases, improvements to Quick Tap, fixes for always-on display not turning on, and 20+ things related to the user interface of Android 12. They also tried to fix poor network connections and performance, WiFi drops, and that emergency calling bug.

On top of the fixes, this is a Pixel Feature Drop too! There isn’t much new in this drop, but Google did improve Now Playing in two ways, there’s a new Snapchat Quick Tap shortcut, and the UWB in the Pixel 6 Pro can now be used by a tiny group of people.

I’ve been mostly using a regular Pixel 6 since the January update dropped and all seems to be good for now. Performance is still good in general, but yeah, the fingerprint is and will always be buns. Battery life seems quite solid at the moment, even during this short testing period. I’ll do some network testing here in a bit.

What about you – how has your Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro experience been since you grabbed the update yesterday?

Read the original post: Well, How’s the Pixel 6 January Update?

Friendly heads up to my fellow Netflix subscribers — your monthly Netflix bill is about to get more expensive. According to Reuters, once the price hike takes place, the new prices will be as follows: Basic plan goes to $10/month ($1 more), Standard plan goes up to $15.50/month ($1.50 more) while the Premium plan goes to $19.99/month ($2 more).

Is this awesome news? Heck no, price hikes are never cool. However, Netflix is one of those companies that can get away with such moves because they continuously pump out really good content. Their exact reasoning for price hikes is content, seeing as how they want to spend billions on it per year. As a user that seems like a fair trade.

These changes have already taken affect for new customers, though, if you’re already subscribed, your current price hasn’t changed quite yet.

Oh well.

// Reuters

Read the original post: Going Up: Netflix Raises Prices Again Across All Tiers

Samsung continues its push to update every single device it has ever released to Android 12. I’m exaggerating a bit, but seriously, what Samsung is accomplishing right now should go down in the history books. Today, the Galaxy S10 lineup on Verizon is beginning to receive the One UI 4.0 update.

Inside, owners will be treated to the January patch, Color Themes, enhances privacy settings, the updated Samsung Keyboard, plus much, much more in Android 12.

Updated Build Numbers

• Galaxy S10: G973USQU6HULD
• S10+: G975USQU6HULD
• S10e: G970USQU6HULD

Pop them bottles, Samsung owners. You’re all winners.

// Verizon

Read the original post: Verizon Galaxy S10 Lineup Gets Android 12!

We thought Google would wait to post the big January update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro on Monday, but they went ahead and gave us the files today. If you are ready to do some flashing, you can get on it immediately with either factory image or OTA builds.

The new January builds for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are here as SQ1D.220105.007. Google did not list out any specifics, so we will assume for now that these are global builds for all. However, if you don’t trust our gut there, feel free to hold off until we get some clarifications or Google posts notes.

Also, I wouldn’t blame you for holding off for now. After all, Google gave us December builds to manually flash too, only to then pull those weeks later while confirming the builds had serious issues. If you want to wait for the over-the-air update to hit, lets give Google a few more days.

For instructions on how to flash a factory image, here you go. For instructions on how to flash an OTA .zip file, here you go.

Pixel 6 January Update Files: Factory Image | OTA

Need a refresher on bug fixes? The December list is here. The January list is here.

Read the original post: Pixel 6 January Update Files Already Live!

Should you still own a Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro and haven’t tossed it aside like some YouTubers have, because the phone has become a buggy mess after two months of no updates, a new day to pencil in on your calendar has arrived. The big January update that Google promised for the Pixel 6 could show up Monday, January 17.

I know, I know, you’ve heard this before. After a delay in December outside of all other Pixels, we were told the same only to be left disappointed in the last days of 2021, learning that December’s update had been pulled and there wouldn’t be a replacement for it until “late” January.

Today, Canadian carrier Fido (via reddit) updated its OS upgrade schedule to suggest the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will get a new update on January 17. It specifically says this is the January update too, and again, was posted today. The page previously said that the update was “coming soon.”

Should Monday roll around and bring us the goods, you should expect the update to be quite large and address a list of bugs too big for a single post. In fact, the December update was going to address almost 100 issues with Android 12, while the January update is supposed to take care of at least another 10.

We’ll be on the lookout first thing Monday morning. We should have factory image and OTA files for those willing to flash the new builds, plus an over-the-air update shouldn’t be far behind them.

Read the original post: Pixel 6’s Big January Update Could Show Up January 17

Should you still own a Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro and haven’t tossed it aside like some YouTubers have, because the phone has become a buggy mess after two months of no updates, a new day to pencil in on your calendar has arrived. The big January update that Google promised for the Pixel 6 could show up Monday, January 17.

I know, I know, you’ve heard this before. After a delay in December outside of all other Pixels, we were told the same only to be left disappointed in the last days of 2021, learning that December’s update had been pulled and there wouldn’t be a replacement for it until “late” January.

Today, Canadian carrier Fido (via reddit) updated its OS upgrade schedule to suggest the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will get a new update on January 17. It specifically says this is the January update too, and again, was posted today. The page previously said that the update was “coming soon.”

Should Monday roll around and bring us the goods, you should expect the update to be quite large and address a list of bugs too big for a single post. In fact, the December update was going to address almost 100 issues with Android 12, while the January update is supposed to take care of at least another 10.

We’ll be on the lookout first thing Monday morning. We should have factory image and OTA files for those willing to flash the new builds, plus an over-the-air update shouldn’t be far behind them.

Read the original post: Pixel 6’s Big January Update Could Show Up January 17

The Android tablet market is pretty barren, with only a small number of manufacturers paying any real attention and releasing decent devices worth our time talking about. Samsung is one of those manufacturers. Coming soon, Android tablet shoppers will have a whole new lineup of Galaxy Tab devices to choose from, consisting of the Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Tab S8+, and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.

Having gone over the specs, thanks to a big time device render and information leak courtesy of WinFuture, it looks like the Galaxy Tab S8 lineup is not here to play games. These things are packed with the goods.

Let’s talk Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra first. This device is reported to feature a monstrous 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate (2960 x 1848), Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 8GB/128GB and 16GB/512GB RAM and storage configurations, microSD support, S Pen support, 11,200mAh battery, solid rear-facing cameras, Fast Charging, wireless DeX, and Android 12 (One UI 4.0).

Pricing is unknown for such a beast of an Android tablet, but you can safely expect it to be on the very expensive side.

Then there’s the Galaxy Tab S8 and S8+. Neither of these sound all that bad either. The smaller S8 tablet features a 11-inch LTPS TFT display with 120Hz refresh rate (2560 x 1600), the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 8GB RAM and two storage options (128GB or 256GB), S Pen support, 8,000mAh battery, and the same Android 12 software.

The Galaxy Tab S8+ is nearly the same, but larger. It’s display comes in at 12.7 inches and features a Super AMOLED, and yes, it’s 120Hz. Other general specs include a SD8 Gen 1 chipset, as well as the same RAM and storage options as the smaller S8, but you do get a larger 10,090mAh battery.

We will most certainly keep you updated on pricing and availability info for these devices, but as for launch, expect them around MWC time, this year being late February. Samsung typically does things on its own beforehand, so we’re likely getting pretty close.

// WinFuture (German)

Read the original post: Want an Android Tablet? Upcoming Galaxy Tab S8 Lineup Only Legit Option

One of the standout features introduced as a part of Android 12 is without a doubt the wallpaper-based themes it pushes, especially for those of us into personalization. While a set of colors that flood your system based on your wallpaper doesn’t necessarily change the way your phone works, it really adds a nice touch of customization to your phone, making it very much yours and not whatever a Google or Samsung engineer decided.

For Android 13, Google is apparently working to refresh that system some with the introduction of four new styles. The new styles are being referred to as TONAL_SPOT, VIBRANT, EXPRESSIVE, and SPRITZ, according to Android Police, and will offer very different vibes.

In that order, they are being described as a theme similar to the current wallpaper theming you know from Android 12 to one with a change in accents to one that might get wilder in colors to a more muted, even desaturated look. I’m all for their being bigger differences between each theme, as the current Android 12 setup offers only subtle, all-very-vibrant takes, depending on your wallpaper.

The above image is from a Pixel 6 Pro running Android 12 is in only an example of the current wallpaper-based theming we have. For Android 13, we don’t know if Google is changing that settings page or not, where you pick a theme, but it should look similar.

Android 13’s first developer preview could be here within a month or so if you can believe that.

Read the original post: Android 13 To Get Refreshed Wallpaper Color Themes To Pick From

Verizon is pushing out the Android 12 (One UI 4.0) update to the Galaxy Note 10 family, continuing Samsung’s dominance of updating its huge range of devices ahead of most other OEMs. It’s not even fair at this point, as Samsung is literally cranking these things out one after the other.

Inside, owners can look forward to Android 12’s color themes, privacy enhancements, Samsung’s updated keyboard, camera changes, and plenty else.

Updated Build Numbers

• Galaxy Note 10: N970USQU7GULD
• Galaxy Note 10+: N975USQU7GULD
• Galaxy Note 10+ 5G: N976VVRU7GULD

Go snag it!

// Verizon [2] [3]

Read the original post: Verizon Galaxy Note 10 Lineup Receives Android 12 Update

The Motorola-branded dongle that was introduced a week ago at CES, which gives your car wireless Android Auto and that had a lot of you pretty excited, is now up for pre-order at Amazon. Time to get those orders in if a wireless Android Auto experience is exactly what you need to make your car the best.

The Motorola MA1 is the official name, by the way, and no, Motorola did not actually make this. This is one of those situations where a random electronics maker is licensing the brand name because people know the name Motorola. They have no idea who Meizhou Guo Wei Electronics Co. is. The same thing happened a couple of years back with the re-launched Moto 360 line.

Anyways, the MA1 is a USB adapter that plugs into your car’s Android Auto port to then give your car wireless Android Auto. So your car will already need Android Auto, if that wasn’t clear, as this takes the current wired experience and makes it wireless. If your car doesn’t already have Android Auto, please do not buy this.

Once plugged in, you initially pair your device to the MA1 with Bluetooth. It then also uses a 5GHz WiFi connection to transmit media and such. It actually sounds like a neat little product.

The MA1 costs $89.95 and Amazon says it will ship on January 28.

Amazon Pre-Order Link

Read the original post: Motorola MA1 Wireless Android Auto Dongle Goes Up for Pre-Order, Ships Soon

NVIDIA announced this week that GeForce NOW members and those still playing Fortnite can begin streaming the Epic Games title starting next week, all thanks to a closed beta designed to test the service’s server capacity, graphics delivery, and new touch controls performance.

As for these “new touch controls,” NVIDIA’s team apparently worked pretty hard on these. For mobile users, they should be legit. Here’s what NVIDIA detailed about them.

Alongside the amazing team at Epic Games, we’ve been working to enable a touch-friendly version of Fortnite for mobile delivered through the cloud. While PC games in the GeForce NOW library are best experienced on mobile with a gamepad, the introduction of touch controls built by the GeForce NOW team offers more options for players, starting with Fortnite.

If you’d like to get in on this closed beta, follow the link below, sign into your account, and register. It should be pretty easy. We also hope the capacity isn’t too limited and those that want to play will be able to get in.

I’ve been debating whether or not to try getting back into Fortnite, but yeah, I don’t think I’d be able to keep up with the little kids on there that can build a mansion in 3 seconds and then 360 no-scope my old ass. Thanks, but no thanks.

Join Waitlist Here

// NVIDIA

Read the original post: NVIDIA GeForce NOW Streams Fortnite to Android Via Closed Beta

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 might be the king of foldables, but that doesn’t mean it is a perfect device. Not only is the Fold 3 ridiculously heavy and awkward to use when you leave the couch, it’s inner main display is a weird shape, as is its outer cover display. Should Google attempt to compete with the Fold 3 here in the near future (rumors suggest it will), we just assumed that a Pixel foldable would be a lot like Samsung’s. New evidence now suggests a Pixel that folds could go a slightly different, more preferred route.

Buried within the latest Android 12L beta 2 build, an animation was discovered from a portion of a device setup process where you would be asked to insert your SIM card. The animation that 9to5Google found shows a foldable device and has apparently been marked as “Pipit” within the code, which you may already know as the codename for Google’s Pixel foldable.

While these animations can often depict devices in shapes and sizes that don’t reflect reality, this one seems purposely setup in a way to highlight an actual device. For example, the animation shows precisely where the SIM card of this device would go in both foldable and unfolded states. You may notice it only shows a volume rocker on its side, almost as a hint that Google might use a different setup for the power button than it has in the past.

But really, what we care about here is the shape, assuming it’s showcasing the device’s real design. The cover looks like it has a wider ratio, more like a traditional smartphone would instead of the ultra-skinny design of Samsung’s Fold 3. Because the cover is wider, that leads to a wider inside, at least as far as aspect ratio goes. You get a square-like experience on the inside, almost like a 1:1.

The best example of what this Pixel foldable could look like is the recently announced OPPO Find N, a foldable not coming to the US, but one that really caught our eye. You can see it below looking almost identical to design of the Pixel above.

Not that I’m a huge fan of foldables any longer, but this is all good news, folks. The OPPO Find N might be the first foldable to get it right in this form factor and should Google follow that lead, I’d be down to take it for a spin.

Read the original post: Google’s Pixel Foldable Might Have a Better Design Than Samsung’s Fold

Verizon is now shipping out the January security patch to select Samsung devices. This week, it’s the Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and the new Galaxy S21 FE.

Below you can view the new software build numbers, important if you’re wanting to verify that you’re on the latest software.

Updated Build Numbers

• Galaxy S21 FE: G990USQU2BUL7
• Note 20: N981USQS2EULH
• Note 20 Ultra: N986USQS2EULH

Changelogs show nothing additional for the Note devices, but the S21 FE does have a few bug fixes on top of the security patch. Verizon specifically mentions certain app notification vibrations have been fixed, improvements for smart view connections, and a couple more minor things.

Have at it!

// Verizon [2] [3]

Read the original post: Verizon Galaxy Note 20 Line, Galaxy S21 FE Scoop January Security Patch

A fresh Android 12L beta build just dropped for supported Pixel phones, if anyone is up for some testing today. The Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a all got new builds for Android 12L Beta 2 that can be installed. Builds for the Pixel 6 line are still marked as coming soon.

Google hasn’t given us a list of changes, so this one is a bit of a mystery. Since Android 12L is designed for tablets, flashing this to your phone likely won’t do much. We’ll still give it a run anyway and report back if we find anything fun.

Install Android 12L Beta 2

Release date: January 12, 2022
Build: S2B2.211203.006
Emulator support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A)
Security patch level: January 2022

The Android Beta program for 12L is still not open, so if you want to play with the latest, you’ll have to manually flash. For instructions on how to flash a factory image, here you go. For instructions on how to flash an OTA .zip file, here you go.

• Downloads: Factory image | OTA

Read the original post: Android 12L Beta 2 Arrives for Pixel Devices to Test

The Pixel 6 lineup is in a tough spot. Currently, the majority of owners are waiting on the December and January patch that should also bring with it the Feature Drop that was supposed to arrive last month. As we now know, there was a bug in that update, so Google postponed it for later this month. Meanwhile, continuous buggy behavior on the devices is leading many to take to social media, raising concerns about various issues associated with both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. Due to this, in what could be a major blow to Google’s flagship models, YouTuber MKBHD has announced that he will no longer recommend the Pixel 6 Pro to his viewers.

This is very noteworthy, as MKBHD has always been a vocal advocate for Google’s smartphone business. However, in the tweet which was sent Tuesday evening, he states that his Pixel 6 Pro has, “gotten so buggy” that he can no longer recommend it at its retail price of $900.

MKBHD also points to December’s missing update as a reason that the Pixel 6 Pro has been a “bad experience.”

Why is this bad for Google? Well, the tweet has gained nearly 40,000 likes. Typically, you don’t want this much bad press associated with your device. If anyone was on the fence as to whether or not to buy this phone, this single tweet from a prominent individual in the tech space could easily sway their decision.

We assume most Pixel 6 Pro owners don’t have a fallback Galaxy S21 Ultra device to use like MKBHD, so while owners are patiently waiting, we can at least take comfort in knowing that an update is indeed coming and it should address quite a few of the issues people are having.

Hang in there, Pixel 6 fans.

Read the original post: Even MKBHD Says He’s Done With the Pixel 6 Pro

We like to semi-seriously joke around that Samsung is the king of Android updates. When it comes to phones, sure, that’s mostly agreeable. When it comes to Android TV-powered set-top boxes? It’s not even close, with NVIDIA continuously churning out updates for its devices. With today’s news, it marks the 27th(!) upgrade for the SHIELD TV. It’s pretty gosh darn impressive if you ask us.

With praises out of the way, NVIDIA is pushing out the Experience Upgrade 9.0 to all of its SHIELD TV models, including the original 2015 units. Upgrade 9.0 is code for Android 11, bringing with it the improved Gboard experience, additional permission controls, as well as support for aptX-compatible headphones.

You can expect to see this update hit your box here shortly.

To celebrate, Google is also getting in on the action, offering new, US-based SHIELD TV owners six months of Peacock Premium at no additional cost. This means you can binge on Yellowstone, The Office, or even some Parks and Rec! To redeem this offer, new SHIELD TV owners must, “set up a new Google account or log into a preexisting one, subscribe through the Peacock Premium banner on the For You or Apps tab, and provide a valid form of payment.”

This is all great news.

// NVIDIA

Read the original post: Entire NVIDIA SHIELD TV Lineup Gets Experience Upgrade 9.0 (Android 11)

OnePlus is slowly beginning to push out an update to OnePlus Buds Pro owners, bringing with it a highly requested feature: Dual Connection. This feature allows for simultaneous connections, enabling the ability to quickly switch between audio sources. It’s very handy.

OnePlus details exactly how to get up and running with Dual Connection following the update.

Enable the “Dual Connection” feature within the Headphone settings (go to Bluetooth Settings, press the cogwheel in front of OnePlus Pro and select Headphones) after pairing the Buds Pro with two Bluetooth devices. You can now seamless switch occurs when music is played from either one of two devices. You can also use the HeyMelody app to enable this feature in non-OnePlus devices.

OnePlus stresses that it’s incrementally rolling the update out to a small percentage of earbuds to begin with, so if you don’t see it right away, remain calm. You’ll see it eventually.

// OnePlus

Read the original post: OnePlus Buds Pro Get Dual Connection in Latest Update

During most months, your Android device will receive a Google Play system update that Google has used for a few years to squash bugs or take care of critical security issues involving the Google Play Store, Google Play services, and Android. This way of pushing updates to a phone or tablet or Wear OS watch is a pretty remarkable addition to Android, because it allows Google to take care of issues without the need for a manufacturer to push a full system-level update. However, knowing what Google has included in these updates has always been a mystery.

At the end of 2021, it appears Google started to tell us everything that is a part of these Google Play system updates and may continue to inform us going forward. A new Google support page is listing what’s new in Google System Updates and it kicked things off with the December 2021 update followed by the January 2022 update.

The most recent update fixed a critical issue involving “device connectivity, safety & emergency, system management & diagnostics and media related services.” It also brought new discovery features to Google Play, optimizations to allow for faster and more reliable downloads, added new features to Play Pass and Play Points, improved Play Protect, and fixed other Play Store bugs. On a system level, it updated the timezone management system services that should improve device connectivity, network usage, etc.

January 2022

Critical Fixes

• [Tablet, Wear OS, Phone] Bug fixes for device connectivity, safety & emergency, system management & diagnostics and media related services.

Google Play Store

• Play-as-you-download feature to let gamers start playing mobile games while the app download continues to reduce waiting times.
• New Features to help you discover the Apps & Games you love.
• Optimizations allowing faster and more reliable download and installation.
• New features to the Play Pass and Play Points programs.
• Enhancements to Google Play Billing.
• Continuous improvements to Play Protect to keep your device safe.
• Various performance optimizations, bug fixes and improvements to security, stability and accessibility.

System Management

• With updates to the timezone management system, added support for new daylight savings time transition changes in various countries.
• Updates to system management services that improve device connectivity, network usage, stability, security and updatability.

With each month’s update, Google is providing specifics on availability as well. For example, a number of fixes are directly related to the Google Play system update for January (the critical and system management updates), while the Google Play Store changes arrive with an update to v28.7 of the Play Store.

To check for Google Play system updates on your phone, head into Settings>About> and look for your device’s software information. It should tell you the month of your current update. You used to be able to tap it to force it to check for an update, but Google may have killed that with Android 12.

To check for updates to the Google Play Store, head into the Store, tap your profile (top right), then Settings>About and tap “Update Play Store.”

// 9to5Google

Read the original post: Google Play System Updates Now Less of a Mystery

Samsung’s latest, the Galaxy S21 FE, is now available for purchase. For those looking to score this device, we’d recommend going through Samsung’s website, as we always do, because the company is offering up to $560 in trade-in values, as well as a free pair of Galaxy Buds Live earbuds (aka Galaxy Beans).

For $699, the Galaxy S21 FE comes with a 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 888 processor, base of 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, 4,500mAh battery with 25W wired charging, Wireless PowerShare, a triple rear camera setup, 5G connectivity (Sub-6 + mmWave), stereo speakers, IP68, and it’s the first Samsung smartphone to run Android 12 (one UI 4.0) out of the box.

To make the phone an even more attractive offer, Samsung is also offering $100 of store credit to get other goodies along with the device, or if you want to upgrade those Galaxy Buds Live earbuds to Galaxy Buds Pro, Samsung will let you do so for only $30. That’s a really good offer.

The initial feedback we’re seeing from readers is that this phone has launched a bit too late, since the next line of Galaxy S22 devices is shortly inbound. That’s a fair point, but more importantly, this phone can at least take the S20 FE’s place on retail shelves, ensuring buyers aren’t having to buy an older device with no other mid-tier options. The phone is in a funky spot price and timing wise, but still, it’s better to have it than not.

If you’d like to snag one, follow the link below. We’ll try to get our hands on one for review, but no promises.

Samsung Link

Read the original post: Galaxy S21 FE Now Available for $699, Comes With Free Galaxy Buds Live