Category: Software

  • OnePlus 11 Gets Android 15 OxygenOS 15 Update Now Available

    OnePlus 11 Gets Android 15 OxygenOS 15 Update Now Available

    OnePlus has started to distribute its fresh Android 15-based OxygenOS 15 update for the OnePlus 11. This marks the second major update for the device, which originally came with Android 13. The phone is set to receive at least two more Android updates in the future.

    New Features and Enhancements

    The OxygenOS 15 update (CPH2447_15.0.0.201) brings a variety of new features and improvements designed to enhance functionality, personalization, and overall user experience. Initially rolled out in the India (IN) region, the update is anticipated to spread to North America (NA) and Europe (EU) in the next three weeks, depending on how smoothly the rollout goes.

    The update includes a new graphics engine to provide smoother animations and transitions when multitasking or switching apps. Swipe gestures are now consistent throughout the system, even in third-party applications, ensuring a uniform navigation experience.

    Improved Photography Features

    Photography capabilities have been enhanced with AI Retouch, which sharpens blurry images, removes reflections, and boosts color accuracy. Live Photos can now capture three seconds of motion, and reversible editing allows users to make adjustments without losing earlier edits.

    Customization options have expanded, featuring flux themes and more personalization for the Always-On Display, Lock screen, and Home screen. The interface improvements include smoother transitions and rounded corners for a more cohesive look.

    Enhanced Productivity and Connectivity

    AI tools have been introduced to improve productivity with AI Notes, which organizes content, enhances text quality, and removes filler words from voice recordings. New gesture controls make multitasking simpler, allowing for easier management of floating windows and split screens.

    Updates to connectivity include smoother Wi-Fi transitions and iOS file-sharing support through OnePlus Share. A new Charging Limit feature helps protect battery health by stopping charging at 80% during prolonged charging sessions.

    Privacy has also seen enhancements, with categorized views in the Private Safe for easier data management and quick access to hidden apps from the Home screen. Notifications and Quick Settings have been redesigned for better usability, along with optimized widgets for Clock and Notes.

    Additional Changes and Features

    Other notable updates include new wallpapers, refreshed app icons, and an improved calculator app featuring a hidden Easter egg. Multitasking has been enhanced with better app-switching guidance. You can find the official changelog below.

    OnePlus 11 OxygenOS 15.0.0.201 update changelog

    Animations
    A state-of-the-art graphics engine has been implemented to provide exceptional rendering and animation performance. Its innovative parallel drawing architecture guarantees smooth visuals, even when multitasking or pushing the system’s limits. Stability and fluidity are ensured in a variety of scenarios.

    AI Retouch
    The Enhance clarity feature is now available, restoring detail to blurred images, making cropped or low-quality photos appear sharper. AI Reflection Eraser helps regain sharpness and color accuracy in blurred photos, ensuring that special moments are vividly captured. The Remove reflections feature eliminates unwanted reflections from glass, resulting in more natural photos.

    AI Notes
    The newly introduced AI writing suite includes features like continued writing, text polishing, and style enhancement to assist with drafting content easily. The Format feature organizes fragmented content into structured formats that are easy to read. The Clean up feature improves voice recordings by removing filler words for clearer sentences.

    New Visual Effects and Themes

    The rounded corner design has been enhanced for uniformity with a continuous curvature throughout the system. The new flux themes offer a wide variety of high-quality options, allowing customization with system wallpapers and personal photos. Extensive customization is available for the Always-On Display, Lock screen, and Home screen, offering a fluid and seamless experience.

    Live Alerts
    The Live Alerts design focuses on efficient information visualization, centrally positioned for a clean and streamlined display. Interactions allow capsules to expand into detailed cards for easy access to multiple live activities by swiping in the status bar.

    Livephotos and Editing
    The duration of live photos has been extended to 3 seconds for capturing more moments. The new globally reversible photo editing capability retains previous edits for seamless future adjustments.

    Multitasking Features
    New Floating Window gestures allow users to swipe down a notification banner to open a floating window, swipe down to enlarge it, swipe up to close, and swipe sideways to hide. Resizable Split View windows can be adjusted by dragging the divider or tapping the window for a larger display area.

    Notifications & Quick Settings

    The new Split mode allows separate access to notifications and Quick Settings, enabling users to swipe left or right to switch. Quick Settings has been updated with a more visually appealing layout and refined animations.

    Battery & Charging
    The new Charging limit feature stops charging at 80%, helping to prolong battery life. A new battery protection reminder activates the Charging limit if the device stays connected for too long.

    More Features
    Exclusive OxygenOS Always-On Displays and Lock screen clock styles have been introduced for a unique look. The Home screen clock widget can be resized as needed. An Easter egg in the Calculator will pop up with the input “1+=”, reflecting OnePlus’s “Never Settle” motto.

    Privacy and Wi-Fi Enhancements
    The Private Safe now includes categorized views for easier data management, and hidden apps can be accessed from the Home screen. The multi-network experience has been improved for more efficient transitions between networks.

    The update is currently being rolled out in batches throughout the week. OnePlus has also included an option for users wishing to revert back to Android 14. For further details, refer to the OnePlus Community thread.

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  • Huawei’s HarmonyOS NEXT: Run Android Apps Seamlessly

    Huawei’s HarmonyOS NEXT: Run Android Apps Seamlessly

    Huawei’s new HarmonyOS NEXT operating system, which powers the Mate 70 series, has been turning heads lately with its decisive move away from Android. This version is the first to operate without depending on Android AOSP (Android Open Source Project), leading many to think it would be limited to the native HarmonyOS apps offered in Huawei’s AppGallery.

    Surprising Capabilities of HarmonyOS NEXT

    This perception was considered a drawback since Huawei’s app store doesn’t have as extensive a selection as the Google Play Store. However, recent updates have showcased an unexpected turn of events—devices using HarmonyOS NEXT can actually run Android apps, and here’s the scoop on how that works.

    The Role of the “EasyAbroad” Emulator

    HarmonyOS NEXT manages to run Android apps, despite not utilizing any Android code and instead relying on the Harmony kernel. A beta tester recently posted on Reddit that an Android emulator called “EasyAbroad” is available on Huawei’s AppGallery. This emulator was made specifically for Huawei users outside of China, who require access to Google Mobile Services (GMS) for popular Android applications like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Google Maps.

    With the “EasyAbroad” tool, users can directly install these Android apps onto their HarmonyOS NEXT devices, although there are some limitations. The Android apps are stored in a separate app store that shows up as a folder on the home screen. Users can launch these apps from within the folder, but they can’t be placed as regular icons on the main screen. Moreover, users might face challenges with receiving notifications from these Android apps, which could impact the overall user experience.

    MicroG: The Key to Functionality

    The essential aspect behind this capability is microG, which is a free, open-source alternative to Google Play Services. It enables Android apps to work without needing a Google account or a direct connection to Google’s servers. This solution guarantees that most Android apps operate smoothly, even without the entire Google ecosystem.

    This innovative development holds great significance for Huawei users, as it offers a solution to the limited app selection available on HarmonyOS NEXT. While Huawei’s AppGallery is expanding, it is still short of the wide array of apps found on Google’s Play Store. The ability to run Android apps allows users to enjoy a blend of HarmonyOS’s unique features while being able to emulate Android apps that are yet unavailable on Huawei’s platform.

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  • TikTok Files Emergency Injunction Against US Ban

    TikTok Files Emergency Injunction Against US Ban

    TikTok, the popular platform for short videos, has submitted an emergency request to postpone its expected ban in the US set for January 19, 2025. The parent company, ByteDance, a Chinese tech giant, claims that the Supreme Court requires additional time to evaluate the case.

    Impact on Users and Businesses

    In a statement, ByteDance highlighted that TikTok boasts “170 million American users.” The proposed ban would adversely affect small businesses, which “would lose more than $1 billion in revenue,” while creators could face nearly $300 million in lost income within just one month.

    Economic Contributions

    ByteDance emphasized that “the advertising, marketing, and organic reach on TikTok contributed $24.2 billion” to the GDP of the US. Moreover, TikTok’s operations have added another “$8.5 billion” to the economy.

    Political Landscape

    The company argued that a delay would give “the incoming Administration time to determine its position—which could moot both the impending harms and the need for Supreme Court review.” They also mentioned that President-Elect Donald Trump publicly expressed he is “gonna save TikTok.” The new administration’s security advisor has also stated they need “to allow the American people access to that app.”

    Additionally, ByteDance noted that one of Trump’s nominees, RFK Jr., has started an online petition to contest the ban. Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested the court to dismiss the injunction.

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  • OpenSUSE Gaming Boosted with Built-in GPU Switching Feature

    OpenSUSE Gaming Boosted with Built-in GPU Switching Feature

    Thanks to a new tool called switcherooctl, users of openSUSE can now easily utilize multiple GPUs in their systems. Previously, individuals with more than one GPU or those wanting to use Nvidia’s Optimus technology had to depend on external tools such as suse-prime and bbswitch. Sadly, these external options often encountered various problems, including incorrect driver setups, less-than-ideal performance, and compatibility challenges. Now, openSUSE users can enjoy multi-GPU support right from boot, regardless of whether they are using GNOME or KDE Plasma environments, making it easier to take advantage of everything switcherooctl provides.

    Features of switcherooctl

    Switcherooctl isn’t just lightweight; it also supports both Wayland and Xorg systems, along with many other advantages. Some of the notable features include:

    Recommendations for Users

    As switcherooctl becomes the go-to option, the openSUSE team advises users to discontinue the use of third-party tools like suse-prime, bbswitch, and bumblebee, which is another well-known GPU switching tool. The team argues that these tools often introduce more complications than their benefits, especially on modern systems. With the confidence that comes with switcherooctl, users can look forward to a future free of the GPU-switching issues that previously plagued openSUSE.

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  • Apple Faces Lawsuit Over Lack of CSAM Detection in iCloud

    Apple Faces Lawsuit Over Lack of CSAM Detection in iCloud

    In 2021, Apple unveiled a contentious iCloud feature intended to search iMessage and iCloud photos for Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), but they swiftly retracted it.

    Privacy Issues Arise

    This system would have allowed Apple to examine images on devices belonging to children. However, the company faced significant backlash from privacy advocates and experts, which led them to abandon the project. Apple stated they would “take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features.”

    Lawsuit Emerges

    Since then, Apple has been silent regarding any developments related to CSAM. Recently, a lawsuit from a victim in the US District Court for Northern California claims that Apple’s lack of safety measures has allowed inappropriate circulation of her images online. First covered by The New York Times, a 27-year-old woman revealed that she and her mother have been inundated with notifications about various individuals charged with possession of such material. The lawsuit seeks financial restitution for 2,680 victims whose images have been shared without consent.

    Apple’s Response

    An Apple representative, Fred Sainz, communicated to Engadget that CSAM “is abhorrent, and we are committed to fighting the ways of predators put children at risk.” He emphasized that the company is “urgently and actively” seeking methods “to combat these crimes without compromising the security and privacy of all our users.”

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  • Google Sues US CSFB Over Alleged Government Overreach

    Google Sues US CSFB Over Alleged Government Overreach

    Google is taking legal action against a ruling from the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that allows the bureau to "conduct examinations on a periodic basis" to check if Google is following consumer financial regulations.

    Allegations Against Google

    The consumer finance regulator has focused on Google Pay and Google Pay Balance. According to a report published by Engadget, the CFPB stated there was "reasonable cause to determine that Google has engaged in conduct posing risks to consumers."

    It pointed out two main concerns: one related to "allegedly erroneous transactions have posed risks to consumers," and the other about the "prevention of fraudulent and unauthorized transactions," which the CFPB claims also posed "risks to consumers."

    Changes in Google Pay Services

    The CFPB noted that the Google Pay App was "discontinued" in February 2024, and that the Google Pay Balance platform was "available for limited purposes." However, this was not sufficient to stop the "designation of Google for supervision, although it may affect whether the CFPB decides to conduct an examination."

    In its lawsuit, Google contended that "a product that no longer exists is incapable of posing such risk." A spokesperson for the company shared a statement with TechCrunch, saying, "This is a clear case of government overreach involving Google Pay peer-to-peer payments, which never raised risks and is no longer provided in the U.S., and we are challenging it in court."

    Conclusion

    The ongoing legal dispute highlights the tension between tech companies and regulatory agencies. As the situation develops, it will be crucial to see how both sides present their arguments and what the outcome will be.

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  • Galaxy S25 Series: Noise Removal & Voice Enhancement in Videos

    Galaxy S25 Series: Noise Removal & Voice Enhancement in Videos

    Samsung has revealed the One UI 7 Beta on December 5, initially rolling out to Galaxy S24 series devices in countries like Germany, India, South Korea, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The stable version, based on Android 15, is expected to launch with the Galaxy S25 series in January 2025.

    New Features on the Horizon

    According to tipster ICE Universe, the next iteration of One UI 7 will introduce a feature called “audio eraser,” which is absent in the current Beta 1 version. This audio eraser will allow users to fine-tune the volume of particular sounds in videos, enabling them to diminish or eliminate background noises such as wind, traffic, and other distractions while keeping voices crystal clear. This enhancement aims to enrich the user experience without requiring any third-party tools.

    Exciting Updates in One UI 7 Beta

    The One UI 7 Beta brings forth numerous thrilling improvements, especially emphasizing AI features to boost productivity and device performance.

    Notable Features and Enhancements

    Advanced Writing Assistance: One UI 7 incorporates sophisticated writing aids within its AI functionalities. These tools assist users in summarizing texts, verifying spelling and grammar, and automatically transforming notes into bullet points. This integration facilitates smooth multitasking, allowing users to highlight text without the hassle of switching apps.

    Automatic Call Transcription: A significant improvement in One UI 7’s calling functionality is the automatic transcription of call recordings once enabled. This innovation eliminates the requirement for manual note-taking during conversations, making it perfect for individuals who must document essential information while on the move.

    NowBar: The newly redesigned notification feature, known as Now Bar, streamlines communication and eases access to vital notifications from the lock screen. This development minimizes the need to unlock the device frequently, allowing users to manage crucial information more effectively. The Now Bar is set to be supported on upcoming Galaxy S series devices and will continue to evolve for a smarter experience in future updates.

    Revamped Camera Experience: One UI 7 also revamps the camera interface, providing users with more intuitive access to advanced settings. The redesigned camera buttons, modes, and controls ensure smoother navigation and a clearer view of photos and videos prior to capturing them.

    Source: Link

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  • Xiaomi Plans to Bring HyperOS to Apple Devices

    Xiaomi Plans to Bring HyperOS to Apple Devices

    The current update to HyperOS is being promoted as a superior method for Xiaomi smartphones to sync and share files with their own tablets, speakers, and various smart devices. Recently, the company is said to be exploring ways to integrate Apple products into this ecosystem as well.

    Potential Changes Ahead

    A recent leak from the well-known source Digital Chat Station might have seemed unlikely just a while ago. However, with Apple facing increasing pressure from global regulators to reduce its restrictive ecosystem, Xiaomi’s plans may actually gain some relevance as we near the end of 2024.

    New Software Developments

    In addition, Xiaomi has introduced its new open-source Vela software suite, which aims to enhance compatibility across IoT devices. This could potentially allow devices like the Apple Watch, AirPods, and HomePods to function similarly to Xiaomi’s own wearables, Buds, and Sound Pro speakers.

    The latest HyperOS update is also compatible with Link to Windows, enabling Xiaomi smartphone users to make calls, search through files on their devices, and even display their screen content on their PC monitors.

    Product Availability

    The Redmi Buds 6 Active are now available for purchase on Amazon, offering users a new audio experience.

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  • Linux 6.12 Officially Named as New LTS Kernel Release

    Linux 6.12 Officially Named as New LTS Kernel Release

    Linux kernel version 6.12, which was launched in November 2024, has been designated as the upcoming long-term support (LTS) kernel. This implies that it will benefit from a minimum of two years’ worth of maintenance updates, security corrections, and overall improvements. The core Linux kernel maintenance team will carry out this work, which means that it won’t rely on the specific distribution that users have on their systems. This also suggests a high likelihood that 6.12 will be the final kernel release for 2024, following previous trends.

    Exciting New Features

    The cutting-edge kernel brings a multitude of new functionalities, alongside the latest security patches and stability enhancements. One of the most significant additions is the real-time execution feature, which has been in development for around two decades. This feature aims to greatly enhance real-time operations in fields like industrial applications by prioritizing certain tasks to occur within a specific timeframe, typically just a few milliseconds. While regular users might notice only a slight increase in speed, the main advantage of this update is its reliability. Real-time execution allows for nearly instant error reporting and quick execution of prerequisite tasks and processes. In essence, it enforces a strict timetable and resource allocation for each command, leading to greater reliability and often quicker operations.

    More Improvements Ahead

    This kernel version also incorporates substantial enhancements to file systems and extends support to a broader range of hardware than ever before. Additionally, it introduces error screens that feature QR codes, which can assist users and support personnel in simplifying the troubleshooting process, provided they have a smartphone at the time of the error. With all these new features, fixes, compatibility updates, and security patches on the way, Linux users should feel confident about upgrading to 6.12. The update process varies depending on the distribution, but it’s generally manageable using the command line and the preferred package manager. For instance, Ubuntu users might execute "sudo apt update" to refresh the databases, followed by "sudo apt upgrade" to upgrade all available packages, including the kernel.

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  • US TikTok Ban Appeal Denied: What It Means for Users

    US TikTok Ban Appeal Denied: What It Means for Users

    TikTok’s parent firm ByteDance has faced a setback in its latest legal battle in US courts concerning a possible ban on the app. A federal appeals court has declined to intervene in a bill that could put ByteDance in a difficult situation; if the law proceeds as intended, the company will be forced to either divest TikTok or see the app banned in the US. ByteDance still has the chance to escalate the matter to the US Supreme Court with another appeal.

    Background of the Legislation

    The legislation was initiated in April 2024 when President Joe Biden approved the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. This law has named the People’s Republic of China as one of America’s “foreign adversaries” and prohibits the use of applications operated by the country within the US. The law is set to take effect on January 19, 2025, which gives ByteDance and any other impacted companies until that date to ensure their apps comply, or risk facing a ban. Compliance would require selling the apps to firms based outside of China.

    Legal Arguments and Court Decisions

    The appeal was filed on the basis of alleged violations of the United States Constitution, particularly under the First Amendment regarding free speech. TikTok is operated by ByteDance through a series of fully owned subsidiaries based in California. The argument hinges on the idea that since the business operates in the US, it should enjoy Constitutional protections, which would extend to the TikTok platform. However, the court argues that TikTok has strong connections to China via ByteDance and that if the People’s Republic of China issued orders, TikTok could easily alter its services in the US for purposes like propaganda or censorship. Interestingly, President-Elect Donald Trump has publicly opposed the ban, and he might try to reverse it once he assumes office.

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