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mercredi 30 décembre 2020

LG Wing update brings much-needed improvements to the Second Screen experience

The release of the LG Wing has been nothing short of a spectacle for LG. LG’s smartphone business needed some changes, and we’re seeing that in the complete revamp of their lineup throughout 2020 with phones like the LG Velvet. But it’s not enough to just make decent phones — they need to innovate if they want to stay relevant. The LG Wing shows that the company is not afraid to still innovate even if those innovations end up being treated like gimmicks. The device is part of LG’s Explorer project, an initiative the South Korean tech giant is undertaking to design devices that offer distinctive experiences. The Wing has two screens: A main 6.8″ screen with a pretty standard rectangular aspect ratio and a second 3.9″ screen with a nearly square aspect ratio. And if you have one on Verizon in the U.S., we have good news: an OTA update is coming to your device!

The device’s slide-out display provides for a very weird, yet interesting form factor, as this secondary display can be useful for a number of things like multitasking and providing additional functionality to an app. The Snapdragon 765G behind the scenes should provide plenty of power, even when taking into account the price point compared to other devices in this range (LG is not providing amazing value here, for what it’s worth, but it’s not bad considering the innovative form factor). Since this is not a form factor we usually see on Android phones (as a matter of fact, it’s the only Android phone designed in such a way), we weren’t surprised to see a few quirks that need some post-release tweaking to address. So the newest software update that’s rolling out now adds a few new features to address these quirks.

One of these little quirks with the LG Wing’s software has been the inability to swap apps between screens. LG’s previous dual-screen phones, such as the LG Velvet, offered a swap button to do just that, but the LG Wing didn’t. At least, that is, until now. The latest software update adds a Fetch/Send button and a 3 finger gesture to move an app from one screen to another. Another new useful enhancement is the ability to see app/widget/folder names on the home screen of the Second Screen — this will make it easier to pick what apps you want to launch on the Second Screen. Lastly, the Wing will now show media controls on the second screen when you don’t have an app already opened, so you can control playback without interrupting your viewing experience.

LG Wing Forums

This update, with version number F100VM10d, is now rolling out in waves to LG Wing users on Verizon, and we expect it to hit devices very soon. As of publication, we haven’t received the update on our own LG Wing unit. This update also comes with a couple of other tweaks, including the ability to scan QR codes in the camera app, a new 5G icon, a new wallpaper, a quick preview bubble guide in the camera app, and more, so play around with the new features and let us know what you think!

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The OnePlus 8 Pro is $200 off again, so don’t miss out on this hefty discount a second time

That’s right, November’s great sale on the OnePlus 8 Pro is available again! A part of OnePlus’s year-end sales event, save $200 on the powerful flagship phone at OnePlus, getting the phone for just $800. While the phone’s price dipped slightly lower on Black Friday weekend, the $799 price point is one of the best we’ve seen for the smartphone.

You don’t have long to take advantage of this sale, either! OnePlus’s latest sale ends tomorrow night, so when it’s 2021, this discount is done. It’s hard to tell when OnePlus will put the OnePlus 8 Pro on that kind of sale again next, either. While rumors have been afoot for the OnePlus 9 Pro since last month, there’s no telling when the phone will launch, and it’s unclear whether the 9 series upgrade will be worth it over the 8 series, particularly the 8T and the 8 Pro.

And, frankly, the OnePlus 8 Pro is a powerful phone. I picked the smartphone up for myself in November to place my aging LG V40, and I’m continually impressed by how good the 8 Pro is. It’s blazingly fast with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor and hasn’t had difficulty running even the most intense games. Also, I’m not sure if it’s the connectivity technology or the upgrade to 5G, but I’m finally able to get cell signal in my bedroom, virtually the house’s dreaded ‘dead zone’. I no longer need to leave the house to make a phone call! Oh, and of course, I can take beautiful pictures of my cat. You need to focus on the important things in life, right?

Not to mention that XDA gave the OnePlus 8 Pro a glowing review earlier in the year too. Give it a read if you’re not convinced! If you are, though, don’t sleep on this deal and pick up your 8 Pro now!

    OnePlus 8 Pro
    Available in Onyx Black, Ultramarine Blue, and Glacial Green, the OnePlus 8 Pro is currently on sale for $799! Head over to OnePlus's page for the smartphone and grab yourself the flagship before the sale ends tomorrow night.

Make sure to check OnePlus’s main page to see what else they have on offer!

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Chainfire’s LiveBoot app is now open source and works on Android 11

We’ve talked about LiveBoot in the past and how it tweaks the default boot animation of your Android device by adding logcat and dmesg logging (bringing the good old Matrix digital rain vibe). Made by none other than XDA legend Chainfire, the creator of SuperSU, this incredibly innovative app has now received a new update after a brief hiatus. The update bumps the app version to 1.84 and finally makes it compatible with Android 11.

Apart from adding Android 11 support, Chainfire has also made LiveBoot fully open source, including the low-level library named libCFSurface that it makes use of. The library allows direct SurfaceFlinger access as root, which could be useful to get anything on-screen when Android itself isn’t fully loaded.

If you’re interested in trying out the app on your device, you can download the updated version from the Google Play Store or grab the APK from the application thread linked below for manually sideloading. In case you want to take a look at the codebase and play with it, you can visit the project’s GitHub repository.

LiveBoot XDA Thread

[root] LiveBoot (Free+, Google Play) →

Another one of Chainfire’s popular applications is called CF.lumen, and it too just received a new update with version number 3.74 to add support for Android 11. For those not familiar with CF.lumen, it adapts the colors on your Android device based on the position of the sun or based on your custom configuration. However, according to the developer, only the compatibility mode driver of CF.lumen currently works under Android 11, and that too with the root-only mode.

Here’s the official changelog for CF.lumen v3.74:

  • (c) 2020
  • Remove references to G+
  • Android 11 support
  • Android 10+: Show warning about notification options not working
  • Android 10+: Disable rootless mode
  • Android 10+: Disable advanced/injection/anti-flicker/performance driver (needs further investigation to make work)
  • Add foreground service permission
  • Built for API 29
  • Fix notification spam issue
  • Fix maps crashing

CF.lumen XDA Thread

CF.lumen (Free+, Google Play) →

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Here’s how OnePlus aims to improve OxygenOS in 2021

Despite the challenges of 2020, OnePlus had one of its busiest years ever, releasing a huge lineup of new products highlighted by the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus Nord. As the company looks toward the new year, it took a moment to shed some light on how it plans to improve OxygenOS in 2021.

In a forum post on Wednesday, OnePlus reflected on the last 12 months, highlighting the success of its Open Ears Forums, which allows the company to open a direct dialog with users about OxygenOS. The post talks about some of the things OnePlus users inspired the company to develop, like automatic theme switching and a refreshed shelf design.

But there are more improvements on the way, which we’ve summarized here:

Camera

  • Work in progress to optimize inconsistency between lens and AWB
  • Fixed HDR portrait halo – Done (Need to upgrade to HDR4.0)
  • Adding smart capture when shooting kids – Already under closed beta testing

Audio & Accessories

  • Will keep optimizing sound tweaking
  • Active noise reduction is under evaluation

Gaming

  • Add additional IM apps to quick reply gaming tool feature
  • Work to bring high-refresh-rate and haptic feedback to other community-favorite games
  • Bring FPS rate and other stats to Game Space while gaming

Of course, this is just a small sampling of what the company has planned for 2021. There will, of course, always be new features in the works that we probably don’t know about yet. OnePlus regularly solicits feedback from the community for OxygenOS, with initiatives like OEF and IDEAS, which has helped launch features like Always-on Display (AOD), folders within the app drawer, and more.

Outside of OxygenOS, OnePlus reportedly has big plans for the beginning of next year. The company previously confirmed plans to finally release a smartwatch, while the OnePlus 9 has leaked on a few different occasions. Meanwhile, a recent report claimed the company is planning to launch its first fitness wearable that could retail for just $40.

With new features in the works for OxygenOS and several rumored devices, there’s a lot to look forward to if you’re a OnePlus fan.

Thanks to XDA Member Some_Random_Username for the tip!

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OnePlus Band rumored to be a $40 fitness wearable set to release in early 2021

It won’t be much longer before OnePlus finally releases a smartwatch, with the company recently confirming a device is planned for early next year. Turns out the company is also planning to launch an affordable fitness tracker slated for release in Q1 2021.

According to Android Central, citing insider sources, the OnePlus Band will be available in either January or February and launch before the rumored OnePlus 9. Apparently, the fitness band is being modeled after the Xiaomi Mi Band 5 — and to compete the OnePlus Band will be priced at just $40.

Xiaomi-Mi-Band-5-on-wrist-with-display-on

A photo of the Mi Band 5 from our review

The OnePlus Band will allegedly feature water resistance, an AMOLED display, and multi-day battery life. We don’t know what the wearable will look like, but since it’s apparently taking inspiration from the Mi Band 5, we can likely expect something similar. To be fair, most fitness wearables look pretty much the same.

The OnePlus Band is said to be part of a broader strategy from OnePlus to cater to a wider spectrum of consumers, according to Android Central. Think OnePlus 8T and OnePlus Nord, with the devices catering to very different segments of the market.

With the OnePlus Band, OnePlus is emulating a similar strategy that we’ve seen with the manufacturer’s phone business. The upcoming OnePlus smartwatch will be aimed at upmarket buyers, and like the Nord, the OnePlus Band will be catered to the budget segment.

Android Central claims the OnePlus Band will debut in India for ₹3,000 ($40), making the price competitive with the Mi Band 5, which retails for ₹2,499 ($33). It’s unclear if the wearable will launch in other markets, but OnePlus has seen a lot of success in India, where it exclusively sells its TV. We could potentially see a similar approach.

If today’s report about the OnePlus Band are true, the company will be very busy to kick off the new year, with a high-end smartphone and two wearables. With January just around the corner, we should know more about what OnePlus has planned very soon.

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Work off your Quarantine 15 this year with 8 amazing deals on fitness apps

We’ve been stuck indoors for the better part of 2020, and chances are you didn’t meet your recommended amount of daily physical activity throughout the year. Trying to stay fit can be tough in the midst of a pandemic, but we’ve rounded up nine deals on fitness apps for Android that will keep your activity levels up as we start the new year, and they’re an additional 20% off using offer code HOLIDAY20.

YogaDownload Unlimited: 1-Yr Subscription

With YogaDownload Unlimited, you get unfettered access to over 1,500 yoga and fitness classes that are designed for all levels of skill, whether you’re a beginner or advanced. Practicing consistently with YogaDownload will strengthen both your body and mind and help you develop a calmer, more centered mindset. 

With 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot and over 1,200 user reviews, it’s easy to see why YogaDownload is highly recommended.

Get a YogaDownload Unlimited: 1-Yr Subscription for $23.20 (Reg. $119) with promo code HOLIDAY20.

Yogaia Interactive Yoga Classes: Lifetime Subscription

This might’ve been the most stressful year in recent memory, but practicing yoga daily can help relieve your stress and keep you limber after spending hours at your desk or on your couch. With a Yogaia subscription, you get access to over 1,000 broadcasted workout sessions including yoga, pilates, stretching, foam rolling, and more, each of which ranges from five minutes up to an hour. Additionally, you can participate in live interactive sessions 

Get a Yogaia Interactive Yoga Classes: Lifetime Subscription for $239.20 (Reg. $399) with promo code HOLIDAY20.

Onyx Home Workout App: Lifetime Subscription

If you spend a lot of time on your phone, you may as well turn it into your personal workout assistant. With the Onyx app, you can use your phone’s camera as a 3D capture system to count your reps and monitor your form as you work out. It offers audio workouts that are personalized to your performance and gives you detailed stats after exercises to illustrate your improvement over time.

Get an Onyx Home Workout App: Lifetime Subscription for $63.99 (Reg. $300) with promo code HOLIDAY20.

BetterMe Home Workout & Diet: Lifetime Subscription

When it comes to staying fit, working out is just 20% of the battle; the rest is all in your diet. BetterMe gives you everything you need to maximize both, including meal plans that consist of delicious, easy-to-make recipes, as well as personalized workout journeys to help you reach your fitness goals, whether it’s burning fat or gaining muscle. 

Get a BetterMe Home Workout & Diet: Lifetime Subscription for $31.99 (Reg. $1,200) with promo code HOLIDAY20.

Rootd Anxiety & Meditation App: 1-Yr Subscription

If you struggle if panic attacks or anxiety, Rootd is here to help. It offers features such as a guided breathing tool, a body scan meditation, and an emergency contact button to support you in the event of a panic attack. You’ll also find guided visualizations, a journal, and lessons to track your progress as you tackle anxiety in the long term. 

Rootd is one of the most popular apps on this roundup, currently holding 4.7 out of 5 stars on the Google Play Store. 

Get a Rootd Anxiety & Meditation App: 1-Yr Subscription for $20.79 (Reg. $59) with promo code HOLIDAY20.

Omvana Meditation App: Lifetime Subscription

A healthy mind is just as important as a fit body, so you should exercise mindfulness with the same amount of vigor. Omvana is a meditation app that will teach you how to implement meditation into your life, offering guided meditation classes, tracks, lessons, and more. These meditations come in a variety of key topics, such as better sleep, focus and productivity, and clarity of vision. 

Get an Omvana Meditation App: Lifetime Subscription for $79.99 (Reg. $299) with promo code HOLIDAY20.

Fitness Ally Premium AI Powered Workouts: 1-Yr Subscription

Who knew AI would find its way into the fitness industry? The Ally app introduces you to Allie, an AI assistant that will give you real-time coaching, feedback, and motivation as you work out. Best of all, you don’t need any weights or special equipment to workout with Allie; all you need to do is aim your smartphone camera at yourself during workouts. 

Get a Fitness Ally Premium AI Powered Workouts: 1-Yr Subscription for $15.99 (Reg. $59) with promo code HOLIDAY20.

Jillian Michaels: The Fitness App (Lifetime Subscription)

Jillian Michaels is one of the most widely known fitness personalities in the world, and now you can train with her every day using The Fitness App. With a lifetime subscription, you get access to over 800 HD video exercises ranging from beginner to advanced. The Fitness App lets you adjust everything to suit your needs, from exercise intensity to interval times between exercises.

Get the Jillian Michaels: The Fitness App (Lifetime Subscription) for $149.99 (Reg. $449).

Looking for even more ways to stay active in 2021? You can also enter for a chance to win over $5,000 worth of workout gear in the Complete Home Gym Giveaway. The winner will receive a Peloton Bike+, a Theragun Prime, a $100 gift card to buy fitness apparel, and much more. 

All you have to do is donate to Playing For Change to be entered into the Complete Home Gym Giveaway. The more you donate, the better your chances at winning, and for this week only, you’ll get double the entries when you donate!

Prices subject to change. 

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Reserve your Samsung Galaxy S21 pre-order at the Samsung Store and get $50 in accessory credit

The Samsung Galaxy S21 line of smartphones will be releasing next month, and there is a lot of information flying around for Samsung’s latest flagship release. If you’re set on picking up one of the Galaxy S21 phones, then you’ll want to head over to the Samsung Store and reserve your pre-order!

Many manufacturers will set up waitlists for their smartphones so you know just when to pre-order it, but Samsung is going one step farther. If you ‘reserve’ your pre-order, you’ll get $50 in credit that you can use towards new accessories for your new phone. Whether you need a case for your new purchase (which I always recommend), a wireless charger, or anything else, $50 off is a hefty chunk of change, especially for a simple e-mail sign-up.

The ‘reserve’ wording may be a little confusing, but you don’t need to put any money down to make the reservation, nor are you even required to pre-order a Galaxy S21 when pre-orders do go live. So if you change your mind, there’s no harm done… but if you don’t reserve now, you’ll lose out on that $50 credit!

Reserving your Galaxy S21 pre-order is quick and painless. I was able to do it in about a minute while writing the article. Just head over to the page below to get started.

    Samsung Galaxy S21 Reservation
    Reserve your pre-order for the upcoming Galaxy S21 line of smartphones and save! A free and straightforward e-mail sign-up lets you save $50 on accessories on your new device.

After you reserve your pre-order, you’ll get a prompt. When pre-orders are live, if you complete your Galaxy S21 pre-order through the Samsung Shop app, you’ll get another $10 credit! Who can argue with even more savings?

The Galaxy S21 line is set to launch on January 14, so you can expect pre-orders to go live before that. Perhaps next week, after the holiday daze is over? Make sure to reserve that pre-order, and you’ll be one of the first to know.

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