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Android 14 Beta 1 is available for Pixel devices with these new features

Jason England
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Android 14 Beta 1 is available for Pixel devices with these new features

A few days ago, Google released the open beta version of Android 14, marking it as the first opportunity for general users to try out the new OS. Previously, developers had the chance to check out Google’s latest OS and test their apps during the developer previews, but now it’s your chance to jump in and see what the next version of Android is all about.

To get started, you’ll have to check if you have any devices eligible for the update. If you own a recent Pixel device from the Pixel 4a onwards, then you should be ready to go. Next, you’ll need to enroll in the preview program and then the automatic over-the-air update should begin. It’s as simple as that.

However, it is important to remember that this is a beta, and as such, there will be bugs and some of your apps may not function properly. It is not recommended to opt-in to the Android 14 Beta on your primary device, because while you can opt-out at any time, it will also wipe your device in the process.

Keep in mind, this is the first beta and bugs are a certainty at this point. According to Google’s release schedule, the second beta won’t be released until sometime in May, and the platform stability tests won’t come until June and July. By that time many of the initial bugs will have been ironed out, and it might be a better idea to wait till then before using Android 14 on your daily driver.

For those of you ready to throw caution to the wind, here are some of the new features Google has packed into the first beta of Android 14. Anyone who has found the gesture system a little lackluster and misses the good ole days of the back button can rejoice. There is now a persistent back arrow that compliments your wallpaper using Android theming.

Google has also refined the sharesheet further with customizable actions and has supposedly improved the recommended contacts. Maybe that means I’ll stop getting recommendations for random people I haven’t spoken to for years, but I’m not holding my breath.

There are also more enhancements made to the per-app language feature that was introduced into Android 13, and last but not least, accessibility services have received an important privacy update to reduce the visibility of personal information for users with disabilities. For example, the new protections will protect user data like passwords from being visible, and prevent accidental actions such as transferring money or checking out in a shopping app.

Podcast: TRI Multi-Sport Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones

Scott Webster
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Podcast: TRI Multi-Sport Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones

Check out episode 401 of the AndroidGuys Podcast where we discuss the TRI Multi-Sport Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones.

About the TRI Multi-Sport Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones

The H2O TRI Multi-Sport Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones are a unique type of headphones that use bone conduction technology to transmit sound through the cheekbones instead of the ears.

Listen below using the embedded player or click here to check out the episode using your favorite media player.

Google Pixel Fold maybe launch at Google I/O Event in May 2023; Price and other details leaked

Abhinav Fating
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Google Pixel Fold maybe launch at Google I/O Event in May 2023; Price and other details leaked

Google Fold? Yes, it’s happening. Although the tech giant has not confirmed yet officially, Google may be gearing up for the launch of its first foldable phone. According to the 9to5 Google and WinFuture reports, the rumored Google pixel Fold is expected to go on sale in June 2023.

Recent leaks suggest that Google Pixel Fold could make its debut on May 10 at the Google I/O event and the company may be also announcing the Pixel 7a at the same launch event. Leaks suggest that the Pixel 7a will be up for sale immediately for $499 and will be offered in four color options- Coral, Sea, Charcoal, and Snow. 

Foldable smartphones are currently a topic everyone talking about it. Almost every smartphone brand is getting into the foldable segment. Recently launched Tecno’s Phantom V Fold and Oppo’s Find N2 Flip are the latest foldable in the segment, both offer flagship features and sturdy designs making them absolutely powerful foldable phones in the market. 

We can’t deny the possibility of the Google Pixel Fold to introduce at the Google I/O event which is scheduled this year on 10th May. Reports from WinFurture and 9to5Google suggest some rumored specifications of the Google Pixel Fold. 

Earlier leaks suggest that Google Pixel Fold may have a 7.69-inch main display (when unfolded) and a 5.79-inch cover display (when folded). 

Google’s first foldable will reportedly feature Google’s in-house Tensor G2 chipset. According to WinFuture, the Pixel Fold will only be available in the sole 256GB variant and come in Carbon and Porcelain color options. Furthermore, pricing information about the rumored pixel fold wasn’t revealed in the reports but earlier rumors have suggested the Pixel Fold will cost less than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 costs $1800.

According to the new reports, the Google Pixel Fold will cost upward of $1,700 which is $100 less than the previously leaked price. Also, Google will reportedly offer a free Pixel watch to Pixel Fold buyers. New internal documents and images suggest the upcoming Pixel Fold will have a most durable hinge on a foldable. The device is claimed to offer 24 hours of battery life on a single charge and up to 72 hours in low-power mode. 

It’s just rumored, take all of these rumors with a pinch of salt. No matter how renowned the leakster or source is, it is best to await an official announcement from Google before we take any of this info as factual. 

Source

Xiaomi unveils Xiaomi 13 Ultra with 50MP Quad Rear Cameras

Abhinav Fating
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Xiaomi unveils Xiaomi 13 Ultra with 50MP Quad Rear Cameras

Xiaomi finally launched its most advanced camera-centric Xiaomi 13 Ultra smartphone in collaboration with Leica (The brand is very famous for advancing mobile imaging Technology) at the 13 Ultra’s launch event, and Xiaomi also introduced its new Mi Band 8 smart band, Xiaomi TV master Mini LED 86-inch and Xiaomi Pad 6 alongside the smartphone. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is a new member in the Xiaomi 13 flagship series smartphones.

Xiaomi’s this latest smartphone offers a professional camera experience no matter what are the conditions and delivers outstanding photography results. Xiaomi and Leica pack a Summicron Lens in the Xiaomi 13 Ultra offers high imaging performance. Let’s have a look at the specifications and pricing of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra smartphone.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra features a Quad camera system at back with Leica’s customized optical lens covering focal lengths. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra has an ultra-large 1-inch 50MP Sony IMX989 primary camera with a two-step aperture switching between f/1.9 and f/4.0, Hyper OIS, EIS, and 8P Lens support. The primary lens is paired with a 50MP Ultrawide shooter (with a focal length of 12mm), a 50MP super-telephoto lens (with 120mm focal lengths), and a 50MP telephoto lens with 75MM focal length. In addition to that, there are also 46mm and 240mm lengths through the In-sensor-Zoom. The camera has the ability to offer users more freedom in customizing the exposure settings based on different scenarios. It has a 32MP under-display snapper for selfies and video chats. The device is capable enough to record stable 4K 60fps video recording without frame rate drop due to temperature. 

Under the hood, the device is equipped with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor which adopts 4nm process technology paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. The smartphone inherits Xiaomi’s self-developed Loop LiquidCool technology which ensures equivalent thermal conductivity of more than three times that of traditional VCs and heat dissipation capacity exceeds 10W.

In terms of design, Xiaomi 13 Ultra boasts the classic look of Leica’s M camera series and it has a big circular camera module embedded with a unibody metal frame and leather texture finish. The leathery back finish design offers a more secure grip and resists smudges and fingerprints, and it has a second-generation antibacterial nanotech silicone coating and its bacterial inhibition rate can reach as high as 99% which the brand claims are nearly suitable for any environment.

Xiaomi unveils Xiaomi 13 Ultra with 50MP Quad Rear Cameras

 The Xiaomi 13 Ultra flaunts a 6.73-inch Pro Grade WQHD+ AMOLED curved display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2600 nits of peak brightness. The smartphone has Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support which offers an immersive viewing experience, vivid colors, and astonishing brightness and contrasts. It has a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection on top. The device boots Andriod 13 based on MIUI 14 out of the box and it weighs 227 grams. 

Xiaomi packs a big 5,000mAh battery in the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with 90W fast charging tech. Xiaomi also added a new Hibernation Mode in the device which automatically detects the low battery and limits background activities and extends battery life up to 60 minutes. 

Xiaomi 13 Ultra comes in three variant options in China- the 12/256GB starts at RMB 5,999 (~$870), the 16/512GB variant costs RMB 6,499 (~$943) and the 16/1TB variant is priced at RMB 7,299 (~$1059). The smartphone will be available in three beautiful color options- Olive Green, Black, and White. Xiaomi 13 Ultra will first be available for purchase in China starting on April 21 and will be available in Global markets in the next few months, though the company hasn’t announced the exact sale date for global markets. 

Source

Doogee V30T – Another brilliant V-Series addition dazzles with a photocromic design

AndroidGuys
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Doogee, the number one rugged phone manufacturer just announced the new Doogee V30T as a new addition to its V-series. The rugged phone is the fourth in the cycle in the series that releases devices with flagship-level features including the fastest chipsets, best designs, and large batteries.

Since its inception last 2 years, Doogee V-series has been a catalyst for innovation in the industry. The V10, V20, and V30 pioneered cutting-edge technologies such as inbuilt thermometers, dual display, and eSIM respectively while effortlessly brimming with classy designs. 

Joining the prestigious V-series family, V30T comes with a first of its own. It is the first phone in the rugged phone industry to feature a dazzling new finish. Using a unique dual-color technique, a photochromic material was generated and the final finish was a splash of sparkle to complete the galactic look.

The V30T opted for MediaTek’s Dimensity 1080 – the most powerful processor in the industry. Built using the 6nm tech process, the processor offers fast, reliable performance and power efficiency. The V30T comes with 20GB RAM (12GB base and 8GB Extended memory) + 256GB base storage setup. The storage can be expanded up to 2TB using a microSD card.

The V30T sports a 6.58-inch display with 120Hz adaptive refresh, an aspect ratio of 20:9, and a 409 PPI pixel density. The display is also able to reach up to 500nit which makes it very usable on a sunny day. A layer of corning gorilla glass is placed above the panel to protect it from scratches and sudden drops.

Doogee is famous for putting large batteries in its phones and the V30T is no exception. It comes with a 10800mAh battery which translates to up to 300 hours on standby, 24 hours of phone calls, 19 hours of gaming, and 32 hours of streaming. A 66W fast charger will come bundled with the package to quickly recharge the battery.

The V30T comes with a tri-camera setup on its back with a main 108MP camera primary sensor, a 16MP ultra-wide camera, and a 20MP night vision camera. There is a 32MP front camera that sits in the tiny cutout at the top of the display. 

Other features of the V30T include a custom button, NFC, L1+L5 dual-band GPS, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, dual stereo speakers, and global frequency support. Last but not least, V30T comes with the IP68 and IP69K ratings, It is also compliant with MIL-STD-810H standards.

Doogee keeps providing its clients with trendy design and an improved experience. With the release of the flagship V30T, its V30 series tends to be perfected. Unique design and powerful functions are undoubtedly the common features of V30, V Max and V30T. Not only now, but in the future Doogee will continue to maintain innovation and provide global customers with amazing products. Let’s wait and see!

Doogee V30T will be available for purchase from April 17th on Aliexpress.  It is priced at a starting price tag of $279.99 (this price point is only available on AliExpress) between April 17th – 21st. Now Doogee is holding a promotion campaign where you candirectly subscribe to Doogee mailbox and win a free V30T!  Come and join it now!

Tribit AquaEase Shower Bluetooth Speaker review

Luke Gaul
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Tribit AquaEase Shower Bluetooth Speaker review

The Tribit AquaEase Shower Bluetooth Speaker is a compact and waterproof speaker designed to be used in the shower or any other wet environment. It uses Bluetooth 5.0 technology to wirelessly connect to your smartphone or other Bluetooth-enabled device, allowing you to stream music or take phone calls hands-free while you’re in the shower or bath.

Read on to learn more or check out the podcast (also embedded below) to see what we thought of the Tribit AquaEase Shower Bluetooth Speaker.

Noteworthy Features

  • Waterproof and portable design: The speaker is fully waterproof and has a compact size, making it perfect for use in the shower or other wet environments.
  • Bluetooth connectivity: The speaker has Bluetooth connectivity, which enables you to wirelessly connect your smartphone or tablet to the speaker from up to 33 feet away.
  • Suction cup attachment: The speaker has a suction cup on the back, making it easy to attach to smooth surfaces, such as bathroom tiles or mirrors.
  • Long battery life: The speaker has a powerful battery that provides up to 10 hours of continuous playtime on a single charge, and it can be easily recharged using the included USB cable.

Gallery

Listen to the Episode

Thoughts and Conclusion

The Tribit AquaEase Shower Bluetooth Speaker is a portable speaker designed specifically for use in the shower or other wet environments. With its compact size and waterproof design, the speaker allows you to enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks while you shower or bathe.

The speaker features Bluetooth connectivity, which enables you to wirelessly connect your smartphone or tablet to the speaker from up to 33 feet away. It also has easy-to-use controls that allow you to adjust the volume, skip tracks, and take calls without having to reach for your device.

The AquaEase Shower Bluetooth Speaker is IPX7 rated, which means it is fully waterproof and can be submerged in water up to 3 feet deep for up to 30 minutes. It also has a suction cup on the back, making it easy to attach to smooth surfaces, such as bathroom tiles or mirrors.

With its powerful battery, the AquaEase Shower Bluetooth Speaker can provide up to 10 hours of continuous playtime on a single charge. When the battery does run low, it can be easily recharged using the USB cable (included).

The Tribit AquaEase Shower Bluetooth Speaker is a convenient and portable speaker that allows you to enjoy your favorite music and other audio content while you shower or bathe. Or, take it poolside and feel free to splash around. Its waterproof design, Bluetooth connectivity, and long battery life make it an ideal companion for anyone who loves to sing in the shower or wants to catch up on their favorite podcasts while getting ready for the day.

You can learn more about the Tribit AquaEase Shower Bluetooth Speaker and/or purchase yours for about $40.

Asus ROG Phone 7 and ROG Phone 7 Ultimate are brighter, faster, and louder—now available for pre-order

Jason England
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Asus ROG Phone 7 and ROG Phone 7 Ultimate are brighter, faster, and louder—now available for pre-order

On April 13, 2023, Asus announced its latest additions to its gaming phone lineup, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate and ROG Phone 7. Both Android phones come with upgrades over the previous ROG Phone 6 models, most notably, the use of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. Additionally, the handsets will include up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM running at 8533Hz and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage.

The latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is 15% more powerful while using 15% less power. It also supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing in real-time for realistic reflections. Of course, the best way to unlock all of the power of the Snapdragon chip is by keeping it cool for the best performance.

That’s why the ROG Phone 7 and ROG Phone 7 Ultimate make use of three innovative ways to keep everything cool. During light gaming sessions, the Boron Nitride thermal compound is said to reduce throttling. While more intense gaming will take advantage of the larger vapor chamber with graphite sheets. Finally, for most extreme cases, the AeroActive Cooler 7 can be used which places a fan directly over the CPU module.

One way the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate outshines the standard version is with a special air inlet which is automatically activated when the AeroActive Cooler 7 is attached. This provides even greater cooling for the best performance possible, as shown in Asus lab testing.

The AeroActive Cooler 7 does more than keep your mobile from frying your fingers. It also includes a powerful subwoofer for true 2.1 sound when combined with the ROG Phone 7’s updated speakers with 50% more volume. Not to be outshined by the new sound system, the upgraded 165Hz 6.8-inch 2448 x 1080 Samsung AMOLED panel now reaches a peak brightness of 1,500 nits for gaming outside along with a 720Hz touch-sampling rate.

The camera system remains unchanged on the ROG Phone 7 and ROG Phone 7 Ultimate with a 50MP main camera, 13MP ultra-wide shooter, and 5MP macro lens. For selfies, there’s a 32 MP (8MP binned) front-facing camera.

The selection of ports also goes unchanged, with a side-mounted USB Type C port and a USB Type C port on the bottom alongside the 3.5mm audio jack. Gamers will also be happy to know the shoulder triggers haven’t gone anywhere, and there’s still a large 6,000mAh battery on the inside featuring 65W charging.

The Asus ROG Phone 7 comes in Phantom Black or Storm White and has a starting price of €999, while the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate only comes in Storm White with a price of €1,399. It’s worth noting that the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate also includes the AeroActive Cooler—a €110 value—and the ROG Vision display on the back which equates for some of the price increase over the vanilla ROG Phone 7. Both phones are available now for pre-order in Europe and Taiwan.

Mecool KM7 Plus Android TV Box review

Andrew Allen
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Mecool KM7 Plus Android TV Box review

Mecool is an interesting brand that specializes in Android TV devices. You may not know the company by name, but its lineup is pretty solid. You can snag a decent Android TV machine for under $100 to compete with the likes of Amazon’s Fire TV series and any Roku device. I’ve been testing the KM7 Plus edition for a few weeks and Mecool has another good option with this Google TV set-top box.

Design

All this Android fun is crammed into a completely square plastic case that’s about the size of two decks of playing cards set side-by-side. I’m a sucker for a panda color scheme and the black and white combo really sets the Mecool KM7 Plus apart from other Android TV options.

The front is flanked by an LED array showing the power and connectivity statuses. The left houses expansion slots for two full USB-A ports and an SD slot. The right side is void of options and the rest of the ports are found on the back. Here you’ll find the Ethernet, power, HDMI, 3.5mm audio, and optical audio jacks.

Another positive is the Mecool remote included with the KM7 Plus. It follows the new Google reference remote design and is one of the better remotes you’ll use on any streaming modern box. The keys are intuitive and options add to the experience well. It also includes IRC capabilities for adding full power and volume support to most TVs and soundbars.

Performance

The internals of 2GB RAM and 16GB of EMMC storage paired with an Amlogic S905Y4 Quad-Core A35 CPU. This combination isn’t cutting-edge, but it makes for more than workable hardware for Android TV performance. Add in the multiple ways to expand the storage and you have one of the better hardware combinations you can find for Google’s big-screen operating system.

Software

Speaking of… the Mecool KM7 Plus runs Google TV. I love to see this updated 2023 model carrying Google TV instead of settling on Android TV.  There’s not much difference cosmetically between the two software stacks but providing the newer version of Google’s streaming system comes with better performance and longer updates.

One key point to make note is that Mecool has had all your major streaming apps certified. Netflix and Amazon Prime in particular are notorious for limiting certain machines from having these services available. Thankfully, the KM7 has both onboard with full 4K playback enabled if installed.

Conclusion

Mecool has quite an array of Android TV products for users to choose from and the new KM7 Plus slide into the lineup as one of the top options. The Android TV experience and ample expansion options for storage and peripherals make it more than compelling. Add in Google TV instead of the older Android TV 11, and you may want to add this box to your living room.

The final selling point of any device is price. The Mecool KM7 Plus will set you back $79. While that’s $30 more than the Chromecast with Google TV, I can personally tell you that you will immediately hate the lack of expansion that another option has. With the USB and SD card support of the KM7 Plus, you can future-proof your storage and possibly avoid the Chromecast’s biggest shortcoming.

Purchase the Mecool KM7 Plus with Google TV: Get 15% off with code 7PLUS

Podcast: Hako Mini Android TV Box

Scott Webster
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Podcast: Hako Mini Android TV Box

Check out episode 400 of the AndroidGuys Podcast where we discuss the Hako Mini Android TV Box.

About the Hako Mini Android TV Box

The Hako Mini Android TV Box is a smart TV box that runs on the Android operating system. It has a quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 8GB of storage. It also has a built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The box can stream 4K video and supports HDR10. It also comes with a remote control that has voice control capabilities.

Listen below using the embedded player or click here to check out the episode using your favorite media player.

Samsung unveils Galaxy M14 5G smartphone in India

Abhinav Fating
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Samsung unveils Galaxy M14 5G smartphone in India

Samsung has officially unveiled the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G smartphone in the Indian market. The smartphone already made its debut in the Global market in March 2023. The Galaxy M14 5G Indian version comes with a charging speed upgrade as compared to the global version. Let’s take a look at the specifications and pricing of the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G smartphone. 

Samsung Galaxy M14 5G smartphone is powered by Samsung’s in-house Exynos 1330 processor paired with up to 6GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage which is further expandable via Micro-SD card. Software-wise, the device boots Android 13 based on Samsung’s latest OneUI 5.1 out of the box. 

Samsung unveils Galaxy M14 5G smartphone in India

For optics, the smartphone features a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main camera coupled with a 2MP depth sensor and 2P macro sensor. There’s a 13MP snapper at the front for selfies and video chats. Samsung used Galaxy S23’s camera module design for the Galaxy M14 which looks more premium and attractive. 

You’ll get a 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD V-shaped display with 90Hz refresh rate support. Samsung packs a big 6,000mAh battery in the Galaxy M14 5G with a 25W fast charging tech which is up from 15W on the Global variant. But there’s a catch, Samsung hasn’t provided the charger in the box, so you need to buy a fast charger separately.

Samsung unveils Galaxy M14 5G smartphone in India

Samsung Galaxy M14 5G comes in two variant options- the 4GB + 128GB variant starts at ₹13,490 (~$164) and the 6GB + 128GB variant is priced at ₹14,990 (~$182). Samsung offered three beautiful color options for the Galaxy M14 5G- Berry Blue, Icy Silver, and Smoke Teal. The smartphone will be available for purchase starting from April 21 via Samsung’s online store and Amazon India.

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