OxygenOS 9.0.11 for the OnePlus 5/5T brings February 2020 security patches

The OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T were launched in June 2017 and November 2017 respectively. OnePlus followed up with plenty of more devices since then, and their device portfolio has been growing ever since. Back in June 2018, OnePlus had announced its software maintenance schedule, promising two years of Android version upgrades and another year of security updates. This means that Android updates for the OnePlus 5/5T should have ceased in November 2019, and security updates should cease after November 2020. On the plus side, OnePlus did mention that the OnePlus 5/5T will receive its OxygenOS Android 10 update in Q2 2020.

OnePlus 5 XDA Forums || OnePlus 5T XDA Forums

Meanwhile, the company is going along with security updates for the device. The OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T have received OxygenOS 9.0.11 builds which include February 2020 security patches.

The update changelog is not too verbose on the changes incorporated within this update, opting for a generic “system stability and bug fixes” instead. This OxygenOS 9.0.11 follows along similar releases in the form of OxygenOS 9.0.10 and 9.0.09.

As always, this will be a staged rollout. A few users will be receiving the update at random, and if no critical issues are found, the update will be rolled out to more users over the days. However, if you cannot wait, you can also sideload the update as we have provided download links for the same.

OxygenOS 9.0.11 Download Links

OnePlus 5

• Download Incremental OTA: OxygenOS 9.0.10 -> 9.0.11
• Download OxygenOS 9.0.11 Full OTA zip

OnePlus 5T

• Download Incremental OTA: OxygenOS 9.0.10 -> 9.0.11
• Download OxygenOS 9.0.11 Full OTA zip

Please refer to device subforums for installation instructions.

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Thanks to XDA Senior Member Some_Random_Username for the download links!

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Huawei will launch the P40 series on March 26th amidst projections of declining smartphone sales

Back in December last year, we first learned that Huawei will be launching its flagship P40 series in March 2020. At the time, the company’s CEO, Richard Yu, also confirmed that the Huawei P40 series will be the first to ship with its new HMS ecosystem. For the unaware, Huawei’s HMS Ecosystem is an alternative to Google Mobile Services which consists of both user-facing apps and background apps. The company first showcased the HMS Ecosystem back in November last year, but since then it hasn’t made an appearance on any device from the company. But that may change soon, as the company has now revealed that it will be launching the Huawei P40 series later this month.

In a recent tweet from its official Twitter handle, the company has confirmed that the Huawei P40 series will be launched during an upcoming online-only event on March 26th. Previously, the company had planned to launch its next-gen flagships at an event in Paris, but the event has been canceled over concerns of the spread of COVID-19. To prepare for the launch event, Huawei recently gave a few media outlets some exclusive hands-on with the upcoming device. Digital Trends got their hands on a prototype version of the Huawei P40, showcasing its design, camera setup, and a few key specifications. While Android Authority, on the other hand, spent some time with the final launch unit, albeit the device was enclosed in a box.

While we know a few key details about the upcoming devices in the Huawei P40 series, thanks to several leaks and rumors, the company hasn’t revealed any concrete details about the upcoming devices. Nonetheless, we expect to see big improvements in camera technology in the P40 series. However, Huawei’s continued placement on the U.S. Commerce Department’s Entity List means that the company is still unable to sign a new license agreement with Google to distribute Google Mobile Services on any new products. As mentioned earlier, this means that the Huawei P40 series won’t support Google apps and, instead, will feature Huawei’s own HMS and HMSCore.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that according to a report from The Information, the company is projecting a 20% decline in smartphone sales this year due to the trade ban. The effects of the trade ban weren’t as apparent last year and that can be attributed to two main reasons — a surge in sales in Huawei’s home market of China post-U.S ban that helped ease declining sales globally and the fact that last year the company managed to launch some new devices with GMS onboard by rebranding a few devices that they’d already launched before the ban. Despite the lack of GMS, however, we expect Huawei to pack in some innovative features in its upcoming flagships and we can’t wait to try out its HMS ecosystem in action.

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Source: The Information

Via: ArsTechnica

Featured image: Leaked Huawei P40 Pro “Premium Edition” render

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Google may revamp the Chromecast Ultra with Android TV and a dedicated remote

The Google Chromecast is undoubtedly one of Google’s most successful hardware ventures. These little dongles have become incredibly popular thanks to their affordable price tags and ease of use. Google has revamped the little dongle a few times over the years, and the company currently offers two different models: A cheaper dongle and an Ultra model that supports 4K streaming. If a new report is to be believed, Google may revamp the Chromecast Ultra this year with a dedicated remote (finally) as well as full Android TV.

This new report comes from a reliable source speaking to 9to5Google. They claim Google is planning to launch a second-generation Chromecast Ultra based on Android TV rather than the Google Cast platform. It will support 4K HDR content and the usual Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. As an Android TV device, it will need a remote for operation, and that remote likely passed through the FCC just today, as spotted by Janko Roettgers from Protocol.

The remote is said to be a cross between the Daydream View remote and an Apple TV remote. It will have a microphone and a button for Google Assistant, unsurprisingly. The remote will be programmable to your TV as well, indicating it may have an IR blaster. The design of the new Chromecast Ultra will be very familiar with some refinements. Expect a softer round design with an HDMI connector cable.

This new device is a big departure for the Chromecast series. Chromecasts get their name from being able to “cast” content from your phone to the TV. There isn’t a UI on your TV to navigate and everything is done with your phone. This new Chromecast Ultra would essentially be Google’s version of the SHIELD TV streaming stick, or a consumer version of the existing ADT-3 for developers.

NVIDIA’s streaming stick costs $149, which is a pretty big step up from the usual Chromecast prices. We expect to see the new Chromecast Ultra be more expensive as well, though Google could undercut the SHIELD TV. This device was most likely scheduled to be shown off at Google I/O, but with that event changing, we’re not sure when we’ll see it.

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Source: 9to5Google

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OnePlus confirms the OnePlus 8 will support 5G connectivity

This may not come as much of a surprise to you, but the upcoming OnePlus 8 will be 5G-enabled. This information comes straight from OnePlus CEO Pete Lau, via CNET. Mr. Lau says the company is “all in on 5G” and they are committed to long-term investment in supporting the network technology. As one of the first companies to release a phone with support for 5G, today’s announcement isn’t the least bit shocking, but there’s more to talk about.

The OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro are heavily expected to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC, which means it’s almost a certainty that both devices support 5G since the only compatible modem for the Snapdragon 865 is the 5G-enabled Snapdragon X55. However, not every device with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 will actually support 5G out-of-the-box. For example, the iQOO 3 that was launched in India has the Snapdragon 865, but Vivo opted to offer both 4G and 5G models, likely to cut down on certification costs. Similarly, it’s possible there could be 4G-only models of the OnePlus 8, especially in countries without a 5G network such as in India. Alternatively, OnePlus could do what most other smartphone makers are doing and offer a 5G-capable model in every country regardless of carrier support, which is what Realme has done with the X50 Pro 5G in India.

Mr. Lau was firm on his stance that OnePlus was fully moving ahead with 5G on the OnePlus 8, but we’re not sure if that includes the rumored OnePlus 8 Lite. That phone is rumored to feature the MediaTek Dimensity 1000 processor. The Dimensity 1000 has an integrated 5G modem, so it’s certainly capable of supporting 5G connectivity like its higher-end siblings. If the Lite model does end up supporting 5G, that might make it the first MediaTek-powered 5G smartphone sold outside of China. (The Chinese OPPO Reno3 Pro features the Dimensity 1000 and 5G support, but its international counterpart is a 4G-only phone with the MediaTek Helio P95.)

There’s also the matter of the type of 5G that will be supported. It’s been long-rumored that Verizon will sell OnePlus devices and that seems to finally be happening with the OnePlus 8. We found explicit mentions of a Verizon OnePlus 8 SKU in our APK teardown of the OnePlus Launcher, essentially confirming the device will be offered by Big Red. Verizon’s “Ultra-Wideband” 5G network is based on mmWave frequencies, which requires the phone to have multiple mmWave antennas around the body because of the short range and easy interference of signals carried over mmWave frequencies. Thus, the OnePlus 8 on Verizon could have mmWave antennas while other carriers would get models without the mmWave antennas. Alternatively, OnePlus could also go the Samsung route and launch the OnePlus 8 globally with support for both mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G, reducing the number of SKUs on the market. Regardless, today’s announcement means that the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro should at least support the sub-6GHz 5G networks of most carriers around the world.

As for price, Mr. Lau didn’t confirm or deny if the OnePlus 8 Pro will approach the $1,000 mark. However, he did confirm that the standard OnePlus 8 model won’t be that expensive, as the company is aiming for that device to have “more modest specs and an accessible price tag.”

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Source: CNET

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Sentons wants smartphone makers to get rid of buttons with SDS ButtonBar

Gaming phones are a new category in the Android space and we’ve seen these devices offer some clever tricks. One such device, the ASUS ROG Phone II, featured “AirTriggers” to mimic physical shoulder buttons. Setons is the company behind this technology and they want to get rid of buttons on more devices with SDS ButtonBar.

The company announced today that they are teaming up with Foxconn to create virtual buttons for smartphones. This is possible through technology that Setons calls “software-defined surfaces” (SDS). Like virtual on-screen buttons, virtual physical buttons offer much more flexibility. This is demonstrated with SDS ButtonBar, the company’s latest virtual button software.

SDS ButtonBar can create virtual buttons for things like power and volume control, but it can also be used with gestures. All of this is made possible by 20 submicron-sized ultrasonically modulated discrete sensors distributed within a short 1.9-inch bar. Essentially, the manufacturer can place that 1.9-inch area anywhere on the device, including the traditional location of the edge of the phone.

One concern with virtual buttons is false touches. No one wants to accidentally turn off their screen while holding the phone a certain way. SDS ButtonBar is engineered to identify these false touches and reject them. We’ve seen similar solutions in phones with waterfall displays and they seem to work well. Partnering with Foxconn will allow Setons to deliver this technology at a larger scale.

It’s no secret that manufacturers have been trying to remove components to simplify phone designs. Despite the brief emergence of pop-up cameras and sliders, moving parts in slab smartphones have mostly gone by the wayside. Ports and buttons are common failure points, so it makes sense that manufacturers want to remove them (not to mention production costs). SDS ButtonBar is a solution we may see in the future.

What are your thoughts on virtual buttons? Do you want to see a phone in the future without ports and physical buttons?

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Google Pixel 4a hands-on video leak shows 6GB RAM, Snapdragon 730, and hole-punch display

The onslaught of Pixel 4a leaks is about to begin. Just like we saw with the Pixel 4 and the Pixel 3a before it, the Pixel 4a has fallen into the hands of a tech blog. A few scarce images of the device have been popping up lately, but now we have our first full-blown hands-on video of the device.

The video comes to us thanks to Cuban technology blog TechnoLike Plus. There’s a lot of new information to be gleaned from the 6-minute+ hands-on. First, the build of the Pixel 4a is similar to the 3a as the back is made of plastic and features a centered fingerprint scanner. The square camera bump is meant to mimic the Pixel 4, but it’s smaller and only features one 12MP camera and a flash.

The front of the device is where things get more interesting. The Pixel 4a is the first Google Pixel phone to feature a hole-punch display. The hole is in the top left corner and it houses the 8MP front-facing camera. The display comes in at 5.81-inches and 1080×2340 resolution with 60Hz refresh rate. The video does not mention any display details for the XL model.

Diving into the device, as we previously reported, it’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 SoC, 6GB of RAM, and 64GB of non-expandable storage. The Pixel 4a has a 3,080mAh battery. Some of the other specifications include a USB-C port, dual-SIM support, and a headphone jack. The device does not have the Google logo on the back, which indicates a pre-production model. The wallpaper on the device is purple, so we could see a purple color option again.

Pixel 4a Specifications

• Processor: Snapdragon 730
• GPU: Adreno 618
• RAM: 6GB
• Internal storage : 64GB
• Screen Size: 5.81-inches
• Resolution: 2,340 x 1,080 pixels
• 443 dpi, 60 Hz refresh rate
• Rear camera : 12 Mpx sensor + LED flash + 4K video recording
• Front camera: 8 Mpx with video stabilization
• Connectivity: 4G, Dual SIM, GPS, WiFi 5, Bluetooth, GLONASS
• Other: USB-C
• Rear fingerprint sensor
• Battery : 3,080 mAh
• OS: Android 10

We still don’t know all the details about the Pixel 4a XL, but it should be the same specifications just with a bigger display and battery. What do you think of the Pixel 4a so far?

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Source: TechnoLike Plus | Via: SlashLeaks

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Vivo NEX 3S 5G is a spec upgrade for Vivo’s waterfall display flagship

Displays took a drastic turn last year with some flagships and concepts adopting what the industry has casually termed as a “waterfall” display. Waterfall displays are displays that spill over to the sides of the phone, and we saw a few good flagships take on this challenge. Vivo launched the Vivo NEX 3 in September last year, with a waterfall display, 64MP triple rear camera setup, a pop-up front camera, and of course, 5G. Now, the company has followed up with the Vivo NEX 3S 5G.

Vivo NEX 3S 5G: Specifications

Specification	Vivo NEX 3S 5G
Dimensions and Weight	167.44 × 76.14 × 9.4 mm 220g
Display	6.89″ FHD+ AMOLED HDR 10+ Waterfall Display In-Display fingerprint
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
RAM and Storage	8GB LPDDR5 + 256GB UFS 3.1 12GB + 256GB
Battery & Charging	4,500 mAh battery 44W fast charging
Rear Camera	Primary: 64MP, f/1.8 Secondary: 13MP, f/2.2, Wide Angle, 120-degree FoV, 2.5cm macro Tertiary: 13MP, f/2.46
Front Camera	16MP, f/2.0
Other Features	3.5mm headphone jack Multi-function NFC Dual-frequency GPS WiFi 6
Android Version	Funtouch OS 10 based on Android 10

The Vivo NEX 3S 5G is a specification upgrade from last year, with the phone largely retaining the same external characteristics. This means you still get a 6.89″ waterfall AMOLED FHD+ display. Thanks to the pop-up front camera, the phone claims to achieve a 99.6% screen-to-body ratio.

Most of the changes are on the inside of the phone. For starters, you get a full upgrade on the SoC, jumping from the Snapdragon 855 Plus with the X50 5G modem last year to the Snapdragon 865 with the X55 5G modem this year. Next up, you get a jump to LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. The battery size remains the same, but you get faster 44W charging. You also get WiFi 6 support, making your phone a bit more future proof. Also surprisingly, the phone retains the 3.5mm headphone jack. Camera specifications remain the same, both on the front and back.

The Vivo NEX 3S 5G will cost CNY 4998 ($720) for the base 8GB + 256GB variant and CNY 5298 ($765) for the 12GB + 256GB variant. The phone will be available in China from March 14. It is currently unknown if the phone will be made available in regions outside of China.

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