Google Contacts can now back up and sync contacts saved to device storage

Google Contacts is Google’s first-party contacts app on Android. The app is the default Contacts app on Pixel and Android One phones, and can be downloaded for other phones via the Play Store. Over the years, it has become a feature-rich app, and its design is in conformity with Google’s Material Theme guidelines. It has a dark theme, too. Google has now addressed a feature gap of the app. It wasn’t able to backup and sync contacts that were saved to a phone’s device storage instead of being saved to a Google Account. Now, thanks to a server-side switch, it can – at least on some phones.

The background: On Android, there are three ways of saving a new contact in most contacts apps. You can either save them on your Google account, or you can save them on your phone’s internal storage. The final option is to save them to the user’s SIM card in the phone. The option of saving contacts to a Google Account has been better until now as it ensures that contacts are backed up and synced online, so the chances of losing them in the event of a hardware failure or factory reset are negligible. Contacts saved to a phone’s internal storage, however, would have been lost until now if a phone stopped working, or if it was factory reset.

Last year, Google added a feature to Google Contacts that let users move individual contacts from their phone’s storage to their Google account without doing a full export or import. Now, the app can read and sync contacts that are saved to the user’s device automatically, so users won’t have to worry about manually moving them to their Google account.

There is a catch, though. This feature will work on only some phones, for now. On the Google Pixel, it’s actually not possible to save contacts to internal storage in the first place, as they can only be saved to a Google account. On phones from other device makers, though, it’s common to find an option to save to internal storage when creating a new contact. This is the information that Google Contacts will now back up.

Android Police was able to get this feature with the latest Google Contacts APK to work on a Samsung Galaxy S10+, where the Contacts app showed a popup asking if the user wanted to sync device contacts to their Google account. This means the feature is optional—users will have to manually enable it. (It also doesn’t work with either G Suite accounts or a child’s account.) In addition, there is a settings section named “Contact sync settings” where the user can change this sync setting. It’s present on the Pixels even though they don’t actually allow users to save contacts to internal storage. The feature hadn’t rolled out for Android Police on a OnePlus 7T Pro despite using the same version of the app, which means it’s likely a server-side change. The option to move a contact from a Google account to a phone’s internal storage was available on the second device, though. This means that it hadn’t got the new functionality yet, which would have superseded the older feature.

Google notes in its support page that this doesn’t affect contacts saved on a user’s SIM card or on other cloud services such as Microsoft Exchange/Yahoo, as Google Contacts still won’t sync them to a user’s Google account automatically.

Users can download the latest version of Google Contacts from the Play Store or from APK Mirror. It’s fair to expect Google to complete the feature roll out in the coming weeks.

Contacts (Free, Google Play) →

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Source: Google | Via: Android Police

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10 High-Tech Chargers to Maximize Your Space and Productivity

Every new device you purchase comes with some form of charger. However, such accessories are not always the most efficient or convenient forms of power delivery. If you would like to charge faster and save space, these options at the XDA Developers Depot are definitely worth your attention — now with up to 71% off MSRP.

Naztech Fast Multi-Port Wall Charger

Drawing power from a single wall socket, the Naztech charger offers two AC outlets and four USB ports. IntelliQ smart chips deliver the correct amount of power to each device, while the OmniProtect feature prevents short circuits and overcharging. Normally priced at $39.99, the charger is now only $25.

Naztech Wireless Power Hub 5

With four USB ports and a built-in charging pad, this compact hub can power all your devices. Compatible with Qi-enabled devices, the pad can fill your iPhone or Android phone at twice the speed of regular Qi chargers. Usually priced at $54.99, the Power Hub 5 is now only $44.99.

Naztech Ultimate Power Station

Drawing up to 50W from a single outlet, the Ultimate Power Station can charge six devices at the same time. Along with a wireless Qi charging pad and five USB ports, it has a built-in 4,000mAh battery for charging on the move. Normally $59.99, the Naztech charger is now $49.99.

3-in-1 Qi Wireless Charging Stand

Perfect for any nightstand or desk, this elegant charging stand helps to clear the cable clutter. It provides an upright charging pad for any Qi-enabled phone, plus docks for your Apple Watch and wireless earbuds. The stand is currently 40% off MSRP at $29.95.

POWERSLIM6 6,000mAh Power Bank: 2-Pack

At just 0.33 inches thick and 5.3 ounces in weight, the POWERSLIM6 lives up to its name. This portable power bank has dual USB charging ports and a capacity of 6,000mAh — enough to charge most smartphones twice over. Order now for $39.99 to grab a two-pack, worth $140. 

SURGE DUO Dual USB & Dual Surge Charging Station

If your desk is always covered in cables, you might want to invest in this desktop hub. The SURGE DUO offers quick access to two USB ports and two AC outlets, with individual switches to control the power. Normally priced at $49.99, the charging station is now only $18.99.

PowerStick: 2,200mAh Rechargeable Battery

The PowerStick is easily small enough to fit in your pocket. However, this power bank holds the equivalent of 150% charge for a phone or tablet. Available in three colors, the battery offers good durability thanks to a rubberized shell. Worth $25, the PowerStick is now just $14.99. 

HyperCharger PRO V.2 All-in-One Charger

With built-in Apple Lightning, micro-USB, and USB-C cables, the HyperCharger PRO V.2 can power almost any portable device. It weighs only 5.5 ounces, but the charger has a capacity of 8,000mAh and 25W of output power. You can grab one now for $24.99, saving 50% on the standard price. 

HyperCharger X Wireless Charger: 2-Pack

This sleek power bank doubles as a 7.5W wireless charging pad, with a 15W USB port for older devices. The HyperCharger X is about the same size as an iPhone X, but it contains a 6,000mAh battery for charging on the move. Order now for $34.99 to get a two-pack, worth $60.

iPM Smart Home Power Strip

It might look like an ordinary power strip, but this smart home accessory from iPM works seamlessly with Alexa and Google Assistant. This means you can control the power supply to any plugged-in device using voice commands or smart schedules. Normally priced at $49.99, the iPM Power Strip is now only $19.99.

Prices subject to change

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[Update 3: 512GB S10 Lite for India] Samsung officially announces the Galaxy S10 Lite and Galaxy Note 10 Lite

Update 3 (02/28/2020 @ 9:35 AM ET): Samsung is launching a 512GB storage variant of the Galaxy S10 Lite in India.

Update 2 (01/23/2020 @ 2:40 AM ET): After the Note 10 Lite, Samsung has also launched the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite in India.

Update 1 (01/21/2020 @ 3:45 AM ET): Samsung has launched the Galaxy Note 10 Lite in India. Scroll to the bottom for more information. The article as published on January 3, 2020, is preserved as below.

We’ve been tracking the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite and Galaxy Note 10 Lite for a while now. The first rumors of Samsung working on “Lite” versions of the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 popped up back in October. Since then, information and leaked renders have slowly trickled in, but today Samsung made both devices official ahead of CES.

		Galaxy S10 Lite	Galaxy Note 10 Lite
Display		6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED Plus Infinity-O Display 2400×1080 (394ppi)	6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-O Display 2400×1080 (394ppi)
		* Super AMOLED Plus display creates ergonomic design with thin and light display panel by adopting flexible OLED technology. * Screen measured diagonally as a full rectangle without accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.
Camera	Rear	Triple Camera – Macro: 5MP, F2.4 – Wide-angle: 48MP, Super Steady OIS AF F2.0 – Ultra Wide: 12MP, F2.2	Triple Camera – Ultra Wide: 12MP, F2.2 – Wide-angle: 12MP, Dual Pixel AF F1.7 OIS – Telephoto: 12MP, AF F2.4 OIS
	Front	32MP, F2.2	32MP, F2.2
Body		75.6 x 162.5 x 8.1mm, 186g	76.1 x 163.7 x 8.7mm, 199g
AP		7nm 64-bit Octa-core processor (Max. 2.8GHz + 2.4GHz + 1.7GHz) – Snapdragon 855	10nm 64-bit Octa-core processor (Quad 2.7GHz + Quad 1.7GHz) – Exynos 9810
Memory		6/8GB RAM with 128GB internal storage	6/8GB RAM with 128GB internal storage
		* May differ by model, color, market and mobile operator. * User memory is less than the total memory due to storage of the operating system and software used to operate the device features. Actual user memory will vary depending on the operator and may change after software upgrades are performed.
Battery*		4,500mAh (typical)	4,500mAh (typical)
		* Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4,370mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
OS		Android 10.0

The Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite are actually very similar, which is a little weird. The regular Galaxy S10 and Note 10 are quite different, but the Lite versions have a lot in common. Both devices feature triple rear cameras, 32MP front cameras (in hole punch), 6/8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, 6.7-inch AMOLED Full HD+ displays, in-display fingerprint scanners, and 4,500mAh batteries.

Galaxy Note 10 Lite

That’s a lot of the key specifications, but there are a few things that differentiate these two phones. The most obvious difference is the Galaxy Note 10 Lite has the S Pen. Samsung barely mentions it in its announcement, but the fact that you can get the S Pen in a more affordable device is pretty cool. Another big difference is the processor. The Note 10 Lite features Samsung’s Exynos 9810 chipset, while the Galaxy S10 Lite has the newer Snapdragon 855 SoC.

Galaxy Note 10 Lite XDA Forum || Galaxy S10 Lite XDA Forum

As mentioned, both devices feature triple rear cameras, but the specifications are different. The Galaxy Note 10 Lite has a 12MP main, 12MP Ultra-Wide, and 12MP telephoto. The Galaxy S10 Lite features a 48MP main, 5MP macro, and 12MP Ultra-Wide. The cameras are also positioned slightly different with the Note 10 Lite having a square bump and the S10 Lite is more of a rectangle.

Galaxy S10 Lite

One small difference is the display panel. The Galaxy Note 10 Lite’s display is Super AMOLED, while the Galaxy S10 Lite’s display is Super AMOLED Plus. The color options are different as well, with the Note 10 Lite being available in Aura Glow, Aura Black, and Aura Red, and the S10 Lite being available in Prism White, Prism Black, and Prism Blue.

Samsung did not share the exact release date of either phone just yet, but the Galaxy Note 10 Lite will cost €599 and the Galaxy S10 Lite will be €649. The S10 Lite has slightly better specifications, but it doesn’t have the S Pen. That’s really what the choice comes down to. What do you think of Samsung’s Lite phones?

Source: Samsung

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Update 1: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite launched in India

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite has been launched in India and will be available in Aura Glow, Aura Black, and Aura Red colors. The phone will cost ₹38,999 (~$548) for the 6GB variant and ₹40,999 (~$576) for the 8GB variant. Pre-bookings for the device begin from January 21 at 2 PM IST, while sales begin from February 3 across major retail stores, online stores, and Samsung.com. You also get a 3.5mm wired earphone from Samsung included in the box.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite: Hands-On

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Update 2: Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite launched in India

Following the launch of the Note 10 Lite, Samsung has also launched the Galaxy S10 Lite in India. The S10 Lite will only be available in a singular 8GB + 128GB configuration, at a price of ₹39,999 (~$561) for any of the colors: Prism White, Prism Black, and Prism Blue colors.

Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite: Hands-On

Pre-bookings for the S10 Lite begin from January 23 across Flipkart, Samsung.com, and leading retail stores. The phone goes on sale on February 4. Pre-bookings also get a one-time screen replacement at ₹1,999 covering accidental screen damage within 1 year of purchase, as well as an additional ₹3,000 cashback with ICICI Bank Credit Cards.

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Update 3: 512GB S10 Lite for India

Samsung launched the Galaxy S10 Lite in India last month, but it was only available with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. A new variant with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is now being launched in India as well. This model will be available on March 1 for ₹44,999 (~$620) in the same color options as the 128GB model. Samsung is offering an upgrade bonus of ₹5,000 if you trade in your old phone.

Source: NDTV Gadgets

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Xiaomi’s Mi Browser can now save WhatsApp statuses and show your Facebook feed

In case you own a Xiaomi device, you’d know that the company offers several alternatives to Google apps on its MIUI operating system. Among these apps is the Mi Browser which is notorious for serving copious amounts of ads. In a bid to offer users a better browsing experience, Xiaomi rolled out a completely new browser called Mint Browser all the way back in 2018. However, despite its popularity, Xiaomi doesn’t seem to be satisfied with the Mint Browser either and is now launching a third browser app that will, most likely, replace the other two browsers.

As per a recent report from Android Police, the all-new Mi Browser takes design cues from the Mint Browser and features a more modern aesthetic when compared to the traditional Mi Browser. It also comes with a few tweaks and additional features, including a bottom navigation bar, two tabs for suggested YouTube videos and games, and a new app icon. Xiaomi has also included a dedicated Facebook page that will allow users to access their Facebook feed right on the browser’s home page.

The browser also features a download button for saving videos and a new WhatsApp icon that will help users save their contacts’ WhatsApp statuses. In order to achieve this, the Mi Browser accesses the data saved by the WhatsApp app and extracts the temporary files. While this may be a convenient feature for some users, it comes with its own set of privacy issues.

It’s also worth noting that Xiaomi hasn’t updated its Mint Browser or the old Mi Browser in over a month, which leads us to believe that the new Mi Browser will replace both these apps on the Play Store and within MIUI. If you’re interested in checking out Xiaomi’s new browser, you can go ahead and download it from the Play Store by following the link below. In case you don’t see the Play Store listing yet, you can also download it from APK Mirror by following this link.

Mi Browser - Fast and secure browsing (Free, Google Play) →

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Via: Android Police

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Samsung is preparing a Galaxy Tab S6 Lite with S Pen support and a 5G Galaxy A71

Back in October last year, Samsung launched the Galaxy Tab S6 — a flagship tablet with top-of-the-line specs, AKG tuned speakers, a fantastic display, and S Pen support. In my review of the Galaxy Tab S6, I found it to be an excellent choice for artists or people looking for a portable media device, but still not good enough to be a laptop replacement. Now, it seems like Samsung is prepping up to launch a lite version of the tablet which is expected to be called the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite.

As per a recent report from Android Headlines, the upcoming Galaxy Tab S6 Lite will look a whole lot like the flagship Tab S6 and it will also include support for the same redesigned S Pen. The report claims that the tablet will be powered by Samsung’s Exynos 9611 chipset, which can be found on many of the company’s mid-range smartphones, coupled with 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage. In keeping with the specifications, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite will be a whole lot cheaper than the flagship model and it’s expected to be priced around $399.

The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite has also appeared on the Google Play Console Device Catalog, which confirms the aforementioned specifications and also reveals that it will feature a 1200×2000 resolution display and run Android 10 out of the box. Furthermore, as one of the system features is listed as “com.google.android.feature.EEA_DEVICE,” we expect that the Tab S6 Lite will be sold in Europe. Another revealing feature that’s listed as “com.sec.feature.spen_usp,” confirms that it will support the S Pen. We can also confirm that the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite moniker is legit, since it was recently certified by the Bluetooth SIG with the model number SM-P615.

Along with the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, Samsung is also prepping up to launch a 5G version of its mid-range Galaxy A71. The device has also been certified by the Bluetooth SIG and it will sold under the Galaxy A71 5G moniker, with the model number SM-A7160. While Samsung hasn’t revealed any more information about the Galaxy A71 5G, we believe that it could feature Samsung’s Exynos 980 chip which includes 5G support.

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Source: Bluetooth SIG (1,2)

Via: Android Headlines

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OnePlus rolls out OxygenOS 10.3.2 to the OnePlus 6/6T with February 2020 patches

Last month OnePlus rolled out an important update to the OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T that fixed tons of bugs and issues users were facing after the rollout of Android 10 update. An OxygenOS Open Beta was released just two days ago which brought even more optimizations to the software and also bumped the security patch level to February 2020. Now the company has released yet another update that brings the latest security patches to both devices on the stable channel.

The stable OxygenOS‌ 10.3.2 is rolling out to the OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T and alongside the main highlight, February 2020 patches, it also fixes general bugs, improves the overall stability, and addresses the screen flickering issue many users were experiencing while unlocking the device.

OnePlus 6 XDA Forums || OnePlus 6T XDA Forums

The full changelog for the OxygenOS‌ 10.3.2 is as below:

System

• Fixed the screen flickering issue while swiping up to unlock
• Improved system stability and fixed general bugs
• Updated Android security patch to 2020.02

The staged rollout has already begun and you can check for the update by heading to the device Settings > System > System Updates to see if it’s available for download. OnePlus notes that using the VPN‌ to quickly obtain this update will likely not work as they’re pushing the update randomly and not based on regions.

If you don’t want to wait for the automatic rollout, however, we have provided the direct OTA‌ links below for you to download and manually install the update on your OnePlus 6/6T. But do keep in mind that you must be on OxygenOS‌ 10.3.1 to install this update. We’ll update the article with the full zip file when we chance upon the same.

Download OxygenOS 10.3.2 for the OnePlus 6T: Incremental update from 10.3.1

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Thanks to XDA Senior Member Some_Random_Username from the Oxygen Updater team for the download links!

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Vivo’s APEX 2020 5G is a futuristic smartphone that you can’t buy

Vivo has finally lifted the covers off its APEX 2020 concept smartphone, which packs in a ton of interesting innovations. Over the last few days, we saw a couple of leaks and teasers of the device that revealed that it features gimbal-like stabilization in the primary camera, 5-7.5x continuous zoom, a waterfall-style display, and 60W fast wireless charging. But, as promised, the Vivo APEX 2020 packs in several more surprises that we hadn’t anticipated.

Starting off with the screen, the APEX 2020 concept features a unibody design with a 6.45-inch 120° FullView Edgeless Display that gracefully curves over the side edges and gives the phone a futuristic look. Much like its predecessor, the APEX 2020 does away with all physical buttons on the side and opts for virtual-pressure sensing buttons that add on to the seamless look.

In keeping with the seamless aesthetic, the APEX 2020 also features a 16MP in-display selfie camera that isn’t visible when the screen is on. In order to ensure great camera performance, Vivo increased the light transmittance of the screen right in front of the selfie camera by six times, as compared to other parts of the display, reducing optical interference, diffraction, and stray flashes while using the camera. The camera makes use of a 4-in-1 super-pixel photosensitive chip that aids in capturing clear images and the phone also uses some software optimizations to improve the final image even further.

On the back, the APEX 2020 features a telephoto camera that is capable of 5-7.5x continuous optical zoom which makes use of a 4-group lens combination with two fixed and two movable groups. Much like the Galaxy S20 Ultra and the Huawei P30 Pro, the telephoto camera on the APEX 2020 has a periscope like structure that facilitates continuous zoom and real-time focus at the same time. To further enhance image quality, Vivo has also incorporated a leading multi-frame algorithm that will help users capture clear photos from afar.

Along with the telephoto lens, the APEX 2020 also features a 48MP primary camera on the back that makes use of a gimbal-like structure for advanced stabilization. This new technology improves the stabilization angle by 200% when compared to traditional OIS systems found on most modern smartphones. Vivo claims that the gimbal-like structure eliminates the need for any specialized equipment while capturing video on the APEX 2020 and it is also capable of improving night-time photography.

The 60W Wireless Super FlashCharge technology that we’d seen earlier is capable of charging a 2,000mAh battery in just 20 minutes, which is just as good as most wired fast charging solutions these days. Additionally, the Vivo APEX 2020 is also equipped with innovations like 3rd generation Screen SoundCasting, Instant Photobomb Removal, and Voice Tracking Auto-Focus.

As far as the core specifications are concerned, the APEX 2020 packs in Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 865 chip with the Snapdragon X55 modem for 5G support. It features 12GB of RAM, coupled with 256GB of internal storage, and runs Android 10 with Vivo’s own Android skin on top. While it’s safe to assume that the APEX 2020 won’t be going into production anytime soon (if ever), it would definitely be great to get our hands on the device and check out all these new innovations in action.

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