Tag Archives: Handheld & Connected Devices

Nothing just announced the Phone 2a Plus, a minor refresh of a pre-existing model

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Nothing just announced a relatively surprising hardware update for its Phone 2a smartphone. The Phone 2a Plus is a modest upgrade, but still significant, being as how the original 2a was just released back in March.

Most notably, the 2a Plus has a faster chip than the OG 2a. The original’s Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro maxed out with a clock speed of 2.8GHz. The 2a Plus boasts a Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro that can hit 3.0GHz. Beyond that, the new model features a slightly quicker wired charging speed, at 50W instead of 45W.

A phone from the back.
Nothing

That’s about it. Every other aspect is nearly identical to the 2a. It has the same camera system, the same battery, the same display and similar aesthetics. This isn’t a bad thing. We loved the Phone 2a in our official review, calling it “a budget phone that's packed with personality.”

Now onto the bad news. This phone will technically be available to US customers via the company’s beta program, though there are some caveats. American customers can only buy the gray version and not the black one. Even more important, the 2a Plus doesn’t offer true 5G connectivity with many of the major US carriers. This includes both AT&T and Verizon.

The Nothing Phone 2a Plus costs $400 and that gets you 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Nothing Beta members will be able to order the phone on August 3. UK residents can scoop it up directly from the company on the same day. Nothing says we’ll have to wait until September to find out more details regarding global availability.

The OS in action.
Nothing

The company also released a few tidbits about the upcoming Nothing OS 2.6. There will be an updated Game Dashboard with new features and the ability to block third-party app notifications.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nothing-just-announced-the-phone-2a-plus-a-minor-refresh-of-a-pre-existing-model-093049030.html?src=rss

Samsung is marketing Galaxy Z Flip phones as police bodycams

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A new blog post from Samsung highlights how its Galaxy Z Flip series devices are being adopted by law enforcement. The line of foldable mobile devices was part of a pilot program at the Kimberling City Police and the Indian Point Police in Missouri two years ago to test how the electronics could improve the forces' daily operations. According to Samsung, the program was the first time a foldable device was used by police as a bodycam. After the end of the pilot program, two more police departments signed on to use the Flip devices as bodycams. The solutions from those pilot tests are also being extended to 25 metro police departments in five states.

The Flip devices used for the police testing were customized in a collaboration with Visual Labs, a company that repurposes mobile devices for use as body and dash cameras. The modifications, like remapping the volume button to start the camera, were intended to make it easier and faster to begin recording in the field, according to Samsung.

It's a surprising use case for Samsung to emphasize for its US audience. The Verge picked up on the blog post and was also quick to cite an investigation from ProPublica and The New York Times that demonstrated how local policies can negate the positive value of bodycams, either delaying or preventing footage from being released.

That said, Samsung is hardly the only tech company that has gotten involved with making its products part of law enforcement. Amazon-owned smart doorbell company Ring had (and reversed) policies of how and what footage it would share with officers. There are also broader stories still unfolding around how law enforcement are using technologies such as facial recognition and drones.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-is-marketing-galaxy-z-flip-phones-as-police-bodycams-233310531.html?src=rss

Fresh leak shows the Google Pixel Watch 3 comes in two sizes instead of one

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The next Made by Google is just around the corner (Aug. 13, to be exact) but you may not have to wait to find out about the Google Pixel Watch 3. A leak from a Google source to the website Android Headlines reveals some new details about the new smartwatch.

The website received a bunch of promotional material from its Google source showing the specs of the Google Pixel Watch 3 and its improvements from its predecessor the Google Pixel Watch 2. The biggest difference is the size offerings in that you don’t have to settle for just one. Instead of just the standard 41mm size, the Google Pixel Watch 3 will be available in 41 and 45 mm.

Google is also replacing the Watch 2’s AMOLED display for an Actua display in the Google Pixel Watch 3 that’s 1,000 nits higher at its peak than the previous model. The battery can also charge 20 percent faster if you have the 41mm model. Battery life has long been an issue for the Pixel Watch line, and the improvements there are mixed: Google is still quoting the same 24 hours with the Always On display, but touts a new battery saver mode that extends battery life to up to 36 hours.

A leak to Android Headlines reveals some of the specs of the new Google Pixel Watch 3.
Android Headlines

The Google Pixel Watch 3 will also have a bunch of new functions. It can provide live video views from Nest Cam or Nest Doorbell devices with voice support and quick access to apps like Maps and Wallet. The new watch’s features have a big focus on fitness with workout tracking, haptic cues for jogging at certain paces and a detailed step tracker that can measure your average pace during a walk or a run. It also works with Fitbit Premium to provide a morning briefing of your daily fitness metrics, access to virtual trainers and ideas for recommended workouts.

Of course, none of this is official or confirmed yet. We won’t know all of the Google Pixel Watch 3’s features and capabilities until its big reveal on Aug. 13.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/fresh-leak-shows-the-google-pixel-watch-3-comes-in-two-sizes-instead-of-one-222109082.html?src=rss

You can snag an Anker 10K MagSafe power bank now for $32

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It's the middle of summer for those of us in the northern hemisphere, which means many of us are getting out and about to make the most of the warm weather. But there's little worse than finding yourself mid-hike or with several more acts to go at a festival only to find your phone is out of juice. To help you stay in touch with friends and share envy-inducing photos on Instagram, you might need a portable charger, and a solid Anker options is currently on sale.

The Anker 334 MagGo Battery with a 10,000mAh capacity is 21 percent off at $31.49. It typically costs $40.

This model is a strong choice for iPhone users as it's MagSafe-compatible. According to Anker, you'll be able to charge an iPhone 15 Pro 1.7 times over and an iPhone 15 Pro Max 1.2 times thanks to its decently sized battery. The company also suggests that the power bank could add up to 22 hours of video playback time to an iPhone 14.

The power bank delivers 7.5W of wireless charging. It's unlikely to easily budge from the back of your iPhone as it has 10N of magnetic force, which is more than Apple's own MagSafe charger.

On the downside, you'll need a compatible device to use this. The Anker 334 MagGo Battery only works with the iPhone 12 and later models. If you have a case that isn't MagSafe-compatible, you'll need to remove that first too. In addition, wireless charging is slower than simply plugging your phone in, but that's perhaps less of a concern when you're off camping for a weekend.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/you-can-snag-an-anker-10k-magsafe-power-bank-now-for-32-143426995.html?src=rss

Apple’s 10th-gen iPad is back on sale for $300

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Prime Day might be in the rearview mirror but July isn't done with sales on Apple products just yet. Amazon is running deals on different iPads, including Apple's 10th-generation iPad with 64GB. The device is back down to its all-time low price of $300, dropping from $349 — a 14 percent discount. The sale is available in every color option.

Apple released the 10th-gen iPad in 2022, but it's still our favorite budget iPad on the market. We gave it an 85 in our review thanks to perks like its 10.9-inch screen and liquid retina display with a 2360p x 1640p resolution. Unlike many of Apple's more recent products, this iPad comes with an A14 chip rather than a M1 or higher. However, if you're only going to use it for things like watching videos or scrolling the web, then it should be more than enough power. 

The 10th-generation iPad isn't the only model discounted, with a range of iPads on sale. You can opt for the 2022 version's predecessor, the ninth-gen iPad, which is down to $249 from $329 — a 24 percent discount. Then there's Apple's 11-inch iPad Air with an M2 chip, $559 from $599. If you want to drop a lot of money on an iPad (and get a high-quality product in return), check out the 16 percent discount on Apple's 11-inch iPad Pro with an M4 chip. The top-of-the-line iPad is available for $1,350, down from $1,599.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-10th-gen-ipad-is-back-on-sale-for-300-151024717.html?src=rss

Apple’s 10th-gen iPad is back on sale for $300

Posted on by

Prime Day might be in the rearview mirror but July isn't done with sales on Apple products just yet. Amazon is running deals on different iPads, including Apple's 10th-generation iPad with 64GB. The device is back down to its all-time low price of $300, dropping from $349 — a 14 percent discount. The sale is available in every color option.

Apple released the 10th-gen iPad in 2022, but it's still our favorite budget iPad on the market. We gave it an 85 in our review thanks to perks like its 10.9-inch screen and liquid retina display with a 2360p x 1640p resolution. Unlike many of Apple's more recent products, this iPad comes with an A14 chip rather than a M1 or higher. However, if you're only going to use it for things like watching videos or scrolling the web, then it should be more than enough power. 

The 10th-generation iPad isn't the only model discounted, with a range of iPads on sale. You can opt for the 2022 version's predecessor, the ninth-gen iPad, which is down to $249 from $329 — a 24 percent discount. Then there's Apple's 11-inch iPad Air with an M2 chip, $559 from $599. If you want to drop a lot of money on an iPad (and get a high-quality product in return), check out the 16 percent discount on Apple's 11-inch iPad Pro with an M4 chip. The top-of-the-line iPad is available for $1,350, down from $1,599.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-10th-gen-ipad-is-back-on-sale-for-300-151024717.html?src=rss

Google’s first cross-device sharing features for Android now rolling out

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Google is rolling out the two handy features first announced at I/O in May: Call casting and internet sharing. They're the first wave of the company's new "Cross-device services" that make it easier to hop between Android devices, 9to5Google reported. 

According to Google's help page, Call casting lets you switch video calls "from your device to another device with the same Google Account... for example, a video calling app may let you cast your call to another device and the app will show a list of your nearby devices that you can cast to." At the moment, this only works for Google Meet; to use it, you select the Cast button that looks exactly like the existing Cast/Chromecast icon). 

Android feature that lets you switch calls to another device now rolling out
Google

Internet sharing, meanwhile, lets you "automatically share hotspot access with your own devices," Google wrote. It works with Chromebooks and Android devices signed into your Google Account, provided you have Bluetooth and device location enabled. It doesn't work with Samsung devices, though, so Google suggests using the auto-hotspot feature instead. 

The new feature is currently on Android 11+ running Google Play services version 24.28.34. That's currently in beta, so we should see a wider rollout soon. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-first-cross-device-sharing-features-for-android-now-rolling-out-123019094.html?src=rss

Google’s first cross-device sharing features for Android now rolling out

Posted on by

Google is rolling out the two handy features first announced at I/O in May: Call casting and internet sharing. They're the first wave of the company's new "Cross-device services" that make it easier to hop between Android devices, 9to5Google reported. 

According to Google's help page, Call casting lets you switch video calls "from your device to another device with the same Google Account... for example, a video calling app may let you cast your call to another device and the app will show a list of your nearby devices that you can cast to." At the moment, this only works for Google Meet; to use it, you select the Cast button that looks exactly like the existing Cast/Chromecast icon). 

Android feature that lets you switch calls to another device now rolling out
Google

Internet sharing, meanwhile, lets you "automatically share hotspot access with your own devices," Google wrote. It works with Chromebooks and Android devices signed into your Google Account, provided you have Bluetooth and device location enabled. It doesn't work with Samsung devices, though, so Google suggests using the auto-hotspot feature instead. 

The new feature is currently on Android 11+ running Google Play services version 24.28.34. That's currently in beta, so we should see a wider rollout soon. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-first-cross-device-sharing-features-for-android-now-rolling-out-123019094.html?src=rss

Apple Intelligence reportedly may not arrive until October with iOS 18.1

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Apple Intelligence isn’t likely to be ready in time for the public releases of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 in September, but you might not have to wait too long for it after that. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to introduce Apple Intelligence with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, which the company expects to be out by October. The betas for these — with some of the AI features — will reportedly be ready for developers to start playing with as soon as this week.

Apple Intelligence won’t offer its full suite of features at the start. Some, like the AI-powered Siri, are expected to come later in the year. Gurman has reported that these updates could even slip into next year. And when Apple Intelligence does arrive, it won’t be compatible with every phone that can support iOS 18. Apple said during its announcement that it requires a device with an A17 Pro processor or M-series chip. That rules out all recent iPhone models except the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-intelligence-reportedly-may-not-arrive-until-october-with-ios-181-213406695.html?src=rss

Apple Intelligence reportedly may not arrive until October with iOS 18.1

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Apple Intelligence isn’t likely to be ready in time for the public releases of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 in September, but you might not have to wait too long for it after that. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to introduce Apple Intelligence with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, which the company expects to be out by October. The betas for these — with some of the AI features — will reportedly be ready for developers to start playing with as soon as this week.

Apple Intelligence won’t offer its full suite of features at the start. Some, like the AI-powered Siri, are expected to come later in the year. Gurman has reported that these updates could even slip into next year. And when Apple Intelligence does arrive, it won’t be compatible with every phone that can support iOS 18. Apple said during its announcement that it requires a device with an A17 Pro processor or M-series chip. That rules out all recent iPhone models except the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-intelligence-reportedly-may-not-arrive-until-october-with-ios-181-213406695.html?src=rss