Monday, 31 October 2022

This upcoming mid-ranger wins our award for ugliest camera housing https://ift.tt/rueSYfm

Oppo A58 91mobiles Evan Blass resize
Credit: 91mobiles
  • Oppo A58 images and specs have leaked online ahead of its release.
  • The images show a rather ugly rear camera housing.
  • Otherwise, this is definitely a budget-tier smartphone.

We’ve seen our share of smartphones with ugly camera housings in 2022, but the OnePlus Nord 2T probably had the worst design so far. However, it looks like Oppo has outdone its sub-brand in this regard.

91mobiles and Evan Blass posted images of the so-called Oppo A58, and the first thing you’ll notice about the device is its ugly camera housing. Check out the image at the top of the page and the picture below.



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PSA: Pixel phones automatically turn into wireless charging pads when plugged in https://ift.tt/yQC1xnI

Google Pixel 7 Green
Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
  • Pixel phones automatically turn wireless charging on when plugged in.
  • The feature is said to work for the Pixel 5 and up.
  • The battery has to be above 20% before it activates.

Google’s Pixel phones have had the ability to wirelessly charge other devices since 2020. However, you had to manually turn the reverse charging feature on. But you may not have known that some Pixels can turn wireless charging on automatically when plugged in.

Some Reddit users are discovering that their Pixel phones are doubling as wireless charging pads. It may not be common knowledge, but when a Pixel 5 or higher is plugged in, the handset automatically turns wireless charging on. That means you don’t have to toggle the reverse charging setting on, it just activates itself when plugged in.



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The best Cricket Wireless deals: Free phones, plan savings, and more https://ift.tt/uYpj7t4

Cricket Wireless stock photo 1
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Cricket Wireless is the no-contract subsidiary of AT&T, offering customers a way to get affordable smartphones with cheap prepaid plans. While many of Cricket’s smartphones are already priced pretty reasonably, some special Cricket deals stand out right now. We’ve compiled the best Cricket deals in this post, but please note that various terms and conditions apply.

Cricket mainly offers savings on phones when you join the carrier, although they have occasional price drops on plans. To learn more about what Cricket offers in terms of plans, check out our Cricket Wireless buyer’s guide.



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Heavy Google searchers just got a great new Chrome feature https://ift.tt/ghPrsZz

  • Google has released a few new features for its Chrome browser.
  • The latest version of Chrome puts your search results in a convenient side panel.
  • Google also announced a price tracking feature for its desktop browser.

Tired of going back and forth between websites and your Google search results? Well, Google just added a new feature to its Chrome browser that’s perfect for heavy searches. It also added a price tracking feature for its desktop browser.

In a blog post, Google announced that it has introduced some new features to the Chrome browser. One of the features is a productivity enhancer that opens up a sidebar containing your search results. This would make it faster and easier to go from one result to the next.



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What were the most popular streaming shows in October 2022? https://ift.tt/lhkVtR2

Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - Lord of the Rings quiz
Credit: Amazon

With so many streaming services now competing for our attention, it can be hard to keep track of which shows are worth checking out. Or even just what the most popular streaming shows are in any given month. That’s why we’re breaking down some of the biggest streaming titles of October to help you get caught up.

Check out: The best original streaming shows on every platform



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The best Boost Mobile deals: Pay just $5/month for a 5GB plan https://ift.tt/azCcG5I

Boost Mobile switch button

If you want to switch to a contract-free prepaid carrier in the US, Boost Mobile is one of the best options around. It has a wide range of premium and affordable smartphones available and provides many deals on devices and plans. The Sprint and T-Mobile merger has resulted in one major change for the best Boost Mobile deals — the MVNO is now part of Dish Network.

In other words, Boost is going to be around for a while. We still highly recommend the carrier and feel that now is a great time to sign up, as there are plenty of solid deals to be had this month. For example, over on Tech Deals, you can save 49% on the 5GB Boost Mobile plan.



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Photos show canceled Google Pixel 2 with iris recognition https://ift.tt/8UETyP9

Google logo pixel 2
  • Pictures of a Google Pixel 2 prototype with iris recognition have appeared online.
  • This tech let you securely unlock your phone with your iris.
  • The Pixel 2 wouldn’t have been the first smartphone with the technology.

With the notable exception of the Pixel 4 series, Google has long stuck with fingerprint unlock as the biometric authentication method of choice for the Pixel family. Now, a newly uncovered Pixel 2 prototype has revealed that Google thought about adding another authentication technology.

The Internal Archive Twitter account has posted pictures showing a Pixel 2 (Walleye) prototype complete with iris recognition technology. This allows you to securely unlock your phone by scanning your iris. Check the images out below.



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Sunday, 30 October 2022

Twitter could soon charge $20 a month for that coveted blue tick verification https://ift.tt/ZOixLn2

Twitter stock photos 9

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
  • Elon Musk’s Twitter reportedly plans to start charging users for verification badges.
  • Verified Twitter users may soon have to pay $20 to keep their blue checkmarks.
  • Musk has apparently given employees a November 7 deadline to implement the change.

Elon Musk is just settling into his role as the owner and top boss of Twitter, and it looks like his first move as the self-proclaimed “Chief Twit” is to start charging verified users for that coveted blue tick.



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Staring at a small screen all day? You’ll probably enjoy this laptop https://ift.tt/2Q7REpb

asus zenbook 17 fold foldable screen laptop with keyboard 1
Credit: Bogdan Petrovan / Android Authority

I can accurately be described as a desk monkey. I spend most of my workday sitting behind a monitor (or two), and I know this isn’t news to anyone, but it can get old. As such, I’m always looking for ways to, um, spice up my desk life. In the past, that meant buying a bigger, wider monitor (verdict: mixed) or trying out a standing desk converter (verdict: recommended).

Over the last weeks, I tried something new: a transforming, foldable laptop. The verdict? The Asus Zenbook 17 Fold has many flaws, but it’s still one of the coolest ways to break from the tyranny of the desk. And you don’t have to give up much productivity. Let me explain.



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Sorry Apple, I still much prefer Sony’s compact flagship https://ift.tt/vktYJOa

Sony Xperia 5 IV vs Apple iPhone 14 standing
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Opinion post by
Robert Triggs

There are plenty of options to consider when it comes to smaller flagship phones, even if few of them are really what anyone would consider compact. You could pick up early 2022’s Galaxy S22, the more affordable Pixel 7, or the latest iPhone 14, as just three rock-solid examples that would serve most people very well indeed.

However, at 6.3 inches and 197g, Google’s latest small phone is still a bit too bulky for those after something little and light. The Galaxy S22 and iPhone 14 are better suited to this role, but they’re still rather stout and wide and, therefore, not always especially usable in one hand. They won’t necessarily fit snugly in your pocket either, though they’re much more pocketable than their bigger siblings.



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I tried bone conduction headphones for running safety, now I won’t go back https://ift.tt/04nFQwa

shokz openrun pro hero
Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Noise-cancelling headphones are incredible. There’s nothing like blocking out the entire world around you — until you almost get hit by a bus like my colleague Edgar with the Bose QuietComfort 2. As an avid runner, I think I take safety pretty seriously, but there’s always more to do. I run in the daytime, stick to populated places, and look both ways more than once. However, there are times when a speeding car or truck can sneak up on you on winding small-town roads.

There are a few ways to tackle this problem, but they all have flaws. Regular earbuds are out because they block sound too well, and streaming through my phone speakers is out because, well, not everyone wants to hear what I’m listening to. I’ve tried running in silence, but I can only tolerate that for so many miles. That leaves me with one option: bone-conduction headphones or, more specifically-suited for a runner like me, the Shokz OpenRun Pro.



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Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy S22 or wait for the Galaxy S23? https://ift.tt/VFWcoxM

Samsung announced the Galaxy S22 series on February 9, 2022. That means it’s been about eight months since the launch (at the time of writing), and we’re only a few months away from seeing what we expect to be the Samsung Galaxy S23 series.

The question, at the moment, is what potential buyers should do if they need a new phone. Should they grab a months-old Galaxy S22 handset today or wait until the Galaxy S23 devices land? In this article, we’re going to make an argument for both sides. In the end, we’ll give some advice on what buyers should do in the near future.

Will there be a Samsung Galaxy S23?

Samsung has not confirmed the name of its next Galaxy S device. However, we have every reason to believe it will be the Samsung Galaxy S23, based on the company’s history and some fairly reliable early leaks. Check out our Galaxy S23 hub for everything we know so far.

Check out the need-to-know info below!



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Saturday, 29 October 2022

Proprietary shenanigans are making it too hard to buy the perfect earbuds https://ift.tt/njsYxyJ

Assorted headphones
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Opinion post by
Thomas Triggs

Without sounding like a disgruntled 90-year-old, what happened to the good old days? I remember a blissful period of my life when my not-so-portable Discman player finally packed it in, and the emergence of MP3 players took hold. I spent hours “ripping” all of my tunes from my extremely cool 90s music catalog onto my new Sony Ericsson Walkman. When that also bit the dust, I transferred all of my files over to the utterly impressive iPod Mini, then a new and improved 4GB iPod Classic, and eventually to my first smartphone.

My one comfort in a time of ever-changing formats was that I could always take my headphones with me, safe in the knowledge that I’d get the most out of them with any new player. There was a brief period in time when portable music players, mobile phones, and headphones all co-existed in beautiful cross-compatible harmony.



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16 mystery movies like Glass Onion to check out before the Knives Out sequel https://ift.tt/HtemlF7

Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Credit: Netflix

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is one of the most highly anticipated Netflix original movies of the year. Knives Out was a big hit in 2019, and the streamer pounced on the chance to get in on the action, securing the exclusive rights to two sequels in 2020.

Check out: The best Netflix original movies



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Five years later, is eSIM finally ready to take on the world? https://ift.tt/Dyn2rfm

pixel 6 pro multiple sim support
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
Opinion post by
Dhruv Bhutani

Smartphone technology follows an odd dichotomy. On the one hand, you’ve got bleeding-edge imaging credentials powering some of the best camera phones, more power than you can shake a stick at, and incredible fast-charging advancements. On the other hand, there are SIM card slots. It’s been five years since the advent of the eSIM card on smartphones, and yet the computer in our pockets is still tied down to a plastic tab that hasn’t changed all that much since its debut in 1991. What gives?

Has the eSIM standard finally caught up with the old-school SIM? Why aren’t we all living in a post-SIM card world? Let’s take a closer look at the current state of eSIM adoption.



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The Weekly Authority: Google’s possible Pixel secret https://ift.tt/D0jMXbq

⚡ Welcome to a haunting edition of The Weekly Authority, the Android Authority newsletter that breaks down the top Android and tech news from the week. The 218th edition here, with Google’s secret high-end Pixel phone, Musk’s Twitter takeover, USB-C standards news, and cursed Halloween objects…

👻 Happy Halloween weekend! I’m celebrating early with a gothic fiction night at a local bookstore before heading off on vacation, leaving you with Hadlee and Jonathan next weekend. See you on the other side!



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Xiaomi 13: Everything we know about Xiaomi’s next flagship https://ift.tt/ADC9YjO

Xiaomi 12 rear panel in hand
Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Xiaomi is well known as a mid-range player, with its Redmi and Poco brands being the company’s bread and butter in terms of shipment volume. But the company has long offered flagship phones too, and the numbered (formerly Mi) series is its most prominent flagship line. The company launched the Xiaomi 12 series in global markets in early 2022, but what does it have in store for the Xiaomi 13 family? There are quite a few unconfirmed details right now, but here’s everything we know about the new flagship range.

Will there be a Xiaomi 13 series?

Xiaomi 12 display profile



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Friday, 28 October 2022

Google just made the Pixel 7 the first 64-bit-only Android phone https://ift.tt/uBrmCeE

google pixel 7 vs pixel 7 pro in hand 1
Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority
  • The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro now only support 64-bit apps.
  • The Pixel 7 series is now the first Android phone to be 64-bit-only.
  • This should provide a number of improvements like reduced memory usage and more security.

For years, Google has been working on 64-bit support, officially announcing policy changes back in 2017. Now the company has fully implemented that philosophy in its newest flagship phones — the Pixel 7 series.

In a blog post on its developer’s site, the Mountain View-based organization revealed some interesting news about its Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro handsets. According to Google, the recently released devices are now the first-ever 64-bit-only Android phones.



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How to watch Twitch on Roku https://ift.tt/9LHipn2

A Twitch screenshot in 2022

If a streaming service exists, it’s usually available on Roku devices. A big exception to this, though, is Twitch, which Amazon pulled from the Channel Store despite the service’s massive popularity with gamers and other fanbases. There are workarounds however — here’s how to watch Twitch on Roku.

Read more: The best media streaming devices you can buy

QUICK ANSWER

To watch Twitch on Roku, the most dependable method is screen mirroring using Android, Windows, or Apple AirPlay. There’s no official Twitch app listed in the Roku Channel Store, and even unofficial apps have been pulled.


JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

How to watch Twitch on Roku

Adding channels with codes on the Roku website

Credit: Roger Fingas / Android Authority

While the official Twitch app for Roku is gone from the Channel Store, you can re-install it if you’ve ever used it in the past. Visit your Roku account webpage, click Add channel with a code, then try the code twitchtv. You’ll see a warning message during the process, but it should be safe to add.

If you haven’t previously downloaded Twitch, you can still try a defunct third-party client, Twoku. For that one, you’ll need to use the code C6ZVZD — it’s likewise missing from the Channel Store.

Adding Twoku to Roku

Credit: Roger Fingas / Android Authority

Neither of these apps are guaranteed to work indefinitely, or maybe even at all by the time you read this. Since they’re not officially supported, Amazon could easily break backend connections that the apps rely on.

How to cast Twitch to Roku

Since it’s handled entirely locally, screen mirroring is an option Amazon can’t derail. It’s still imperfect, though, given that mirroring displays a device’s entire interface, and there’s the potential for audio lag.

Compatible platforms include Android, Windows, and Apple AirPlay. Any current Roku device can be used for output, although Express owners should check that their model number is 3900 or later. The Express Plus 3910 only supports mirroring when it’s plugged into HDMI.

On your Roku device, make sure you go to Settings > System > Screen mirroring and switch the mirroring mode to Prompt or Always allow. If you choose the former, you’ll have to authorize with your remote every time you want to mirror something. If you’re using a Roku TV or soundbar, you should also ensure that Fast TV Start is enabled by going to Settings > System > Power. Otherwise you’ll have to wait through a long boot process every time you turn your TV on.

Unfortunately, there’s no single answer for how to start mirroring from Android — phone makers locate the command in different places and often use a variety of names, such as Display Mirroring, Wireless display, or Smart View.

Confusingly, one of those names is Cast. You have to do full mirroring, not just regular casting, the latter of which would cue a Roku to load a video in a native app. In this case, the app is probably missing.

As a sample guide, here’s what to do on a OnePlus 9:

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Tap Bluetooth & Device Connection.
  • Tap Cast.
  • Turn on Enable wireless display.
  • Select the Roku you’re trying to connect to (make sure it’s your own, not a neighbor’s).



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The iPhone 15 series could ditch physical volume/power buttons https://ift.tt/SyWbuft

apple iphone 14 pro lock screen spotify
Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority
  • An Apple analyst has claimed that the iPhone 15 series could ditch physical volume and power buttons.
  • Instead, the company might offer solid-state buttons akin to the iPhone 7’s home key.

Apple is no stranger to ditching physical inputs, as it previously ditched the 3.5mm port and physical home button. Now, a reliable source has claimed that the company might ditch physical volume and power buttons next year.

Veteran analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed on Twitter that Apple’s two high-end iPhone 15 models might adopt a “solid-state” button design for the volume and power buttons in lieu of physical buttons.



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Apple is the only phone maker that posted positive growth this quarter https://ift.tt/1iQbwuj

picture of phones with UWB antennas

  • Global smartphone shipments declined once again in the third quarter of 2022.
  • Apple was the only vendor to post positive growth thanks to the new iPhones.
  • Samsung is still at the top of the market with the highest shipment numbers.

Weak demand and looming economic uncertainty have slowed worldwide smartphone shipments down again this quarter. That means people aren’t buying new phones. So much so that the market witnessed a 9.7% year-over-year decline compared to last year in the months of July, August, and September.

Reports emerging from data tracking firms like IDC and Omdia show that Chinese phone makers suffered the most worldwide. Xiaomi, Oppo group, Vivo, Transsion, and Realme all saw double-digit falls in shipments, as per Omdia. The research firm reports that this has been a leading cause of the overall decline in global shipments.

Apple outperformed the wider market because its consumers are typically loyal and high-income.

IDC says that while Chinese vendors took the biggest hit, all other smartphone OEMs were impacted, including Samsung and Apple. That said, the iPhone maker was the only brand to deliver positive growth this quarter, even if it was a minor 1.6% increase.

“Apple outperformed the wider market in the third quarter because its consumers are typically loyal and high-income customers, and as such are less affected by the current cost-of-living crisis than mid-range brands,” said Jusy Hong, Senior Research Manager at Omdia.

He added that “despite the rising gas prices, inflation, and lower disposable income, Apple’s iPhones seem to be more resilient; consumers make cutbacks elsewhere and find a way to save up enough to upgrade to the latest generation of iPhone in a way that owners of Samsung, Honor or OnePlus phones don’t.”

Samsung still holds the top spot in worldwide rankings.

It’s also worth noting that Apple usually sees a spike in the third quarter every year due to the release of the new iPhones, in his case, the iPhone 14 series.

IDC Q3 2022 smartphone shipments



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Thursday, 27 October 2022

It’s official. Elon Musk now owns Twitter https://ift.tt/f7kPVYS

Twitter stock photos 6

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
  • Elon Musk now owns Twitter after finalizing the $44 billion buyout on Thursday.
  • Musk has already fired former CEO Parag Agarwal, amongst other top executives.

“The bird is freed,” reads Elon Musk’s latest tweet from an hour ago. He’s now the self-proclaimed Chief Twit in charge of Twitter.



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How to cast to your Fire TV Stick from your iPhone or Android device https://ift.tt/yf7ZFVx

Did you know you can mirror your mobile device to your Fire TV screen? It’s a quick way to share a video or song on your phone with everyone in the room. Here’s how to cast to your Fire TV Stick from your iPhone or Android device for big-screen viewing.

Read more: How to stream from PC to a Fire TV Stick



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Windows 11 and Android are lifting this cool feature from macOS and iPhones https://ift.tt/dYcnkqM

Phone on Laptop
Credit: Adam Birney / Android Authority
  • Microsoft has released a Windows 11 preview build for Insiders on its Dev Channel.
  • The preview build will contain an update for Phone Link.
  • Phone Link will now let Windows 11 connect directly to your Android phone through your mobile hotspot.

A new Windows 11 preview build is coming and it contains an interesting new feature. You’ll be able to connect directly to your Android phone from your computer through your mobile hotspot.

Microsoft is currently pushing out a Windows 11 preview build that’s only available to Insiders on its Dev Channel, Windows Central reports. The preview build addresses some issues and implements a few improvements. In addition, it appears the new build will also bring an update to Microsoft’s Phone Link app.



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With this trick, you can get a new OnePlus 10 Pro for just $550, no trades! https://ift.tt/Klrgwo9

OnePlus 10 Pro review revisited top down focus on camera
Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
  • Consumers can get their hands on the OnePlus 10 Pro at its Black Friday value right now.
  • The Black Friday deal knocks the price down from $799 to $549.
  • To get the deal before anyone else, you’ll have to follow some steps first.

Remember when you had to wait until the Friday after Thanksgiving to get Black Friday deals? Those days are long gone and retailers are offering Black Friday sales earlier than ever before. It looks like OnePlus is joining the trend and is already offering its Black Friday deal for its OnePlus 10 Pro.

At its normal retail price, a OnePlus 10 Pro with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage currently sells for $799. It is a legitimate competitor to Samsung’s Galaxy S22 and you can see how we thought it stacked up in our comparison.



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We asked, you told us: Your Android phone definitely isn’t rooted https://ift.tt/RGwdvVX

Google Pixel 6 display and bezel
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Many Android phones can be rooted, giving you a greater level of access to the device. This opens the door for greater customization, more system-level tweaks, and a host of other benefits.

We wanted to know how many Android Authority readers actually have a rooted phone, posting a poll about this topic on Monday (October 24). Now, the results are in, and here’s how you voted.



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Daily Authority: Ex-Windows chief reminisces Windows 8, 10 years later https://ift.tt/HnTZ01y

🌅 Good morning, good people of tech. I started watching Andor on Disney Plus just yesterday and spent the entire night finishing all eight episodes available on the streaming platform. Isn’t it the best Star Wars show in a long time? Anyway, let’s get onto business with the big tech stories of the day.

Windows 8: The good, bad, and the missed opportunity

Windows 8 Start Screen



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