Xiaomi redesigned the power menu and volume panel in the latest MIUI 12 beta

Xiaomi recently rolled out an MIUI 12 beta update that included new strings of code for three unreleased display features — MEMC, SDR-to-HDR upmapping, and AI upscaling. The build also included short clips showcasing these features, which led us to believe that the company was preparing to introduce these display features on its upcoming flagship — the Mi 11 Pro. While we’re yet to receive any confirmation from Xiaomi about these display features, the company has now released another MIUI 12 beta update that brings a redesigned power menu and volume panel.

XDA Senior Member kacskrz spotted (via MIUIPolska) the new power menu and volume panel in the latest MIUI 12 beta update based on Android 11. As you can see in the attached screenshots, the new power menu looks like the power menu on Realme UI and appears as a wide slider in the center of the display. The slider has a white button in the center, which you can move up to switch off your device or move down to reboot it.

The redesigned power menu also has new animations, as seen in the video attached below. When you move the button to the Power off position, it changes color from white to red, and the blue arrows on it are replaced by the power icon. Moving it to the Reboot position changes the color to green, and the arrows are replaced by a circle. In both cases, the blurred background gradually fades to black when the button is moved.

The volume panel now appears as a wide slider with a three-dot menu button at the top and the Ringer and DND toggles underneath. The volume slider controls the ringer volume by default, but tapping on the three-dot menu button opens up additional volume controls.

As the attached video demonstrates, the expanded volume panel includes three sliders that let you control the ringer, media, and alarm volume. The Ringer and DND toggles also expand in size.

It’s worth noting that the new power menu is restricted to Xiaomi devices running Android 11 based builds of MIUI 12. But the new volume panel has no such restrictions. The Xiaomi.eu team is working to remove these restrictions and plans to release an updated beta version of the ROM with the new power menu and volume panel by the end of this week.

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WhatsApp tests new wallpaper features, video muting, and a read later feature

WhatsApp is by far one of the most popular IM apps out there, if not the most popular. The app is used by millions of people around the world every day. But as opposed to its massive scale of operations, newer features are slower to roll out to the IM app. After rolling out features like Disappearing Messages and Storage Management tools, WhatsApp is now testing new features like more wallpaper options, muting videos, and Read Later.

Wallpaper Features for WhatsApp

WABetaInfo spotted new wallpaper related features in a recent beta. In the future, users will be able to set different wallpapers for each chat individually, edit the opacity of their wallpaper, choose between 32 new Bright wallpapers, 29 new Dark wallpapers, a custom wallpaper, and Solid Colors, and apply the WhatsApp Doodle on the Solid Color options.

Muting Videos

Further, WABetaInfo reports that WhatsApp will also allow you to mute a video before sending it forward to a contact.

Read Later

The Read Later feature is an extension of the Vacation Mode feature that was spotted in the past, as WABetaInfo reports. The idea is to keep archived chats separate from the main conversation screen, and keep it there even when new messages arrive. You also will not get a notification for these new messages, and you don’t need to mute the chat for this. You will also be able to set the behavior on whether chats with new messages should be moved back to the main chats list.

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It is important to remember that all of these features are still under testing, either on the Android Beta or on the iOS Beta branches. Knowing how past rollout trends for these in-development features, it’s going to be a while before they roll out in the Stable branch. We’ll keep you updated when they do.

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Alexa routines can now include Amazon Fire TV commands

Amazon announced that Alexa routines now work with Fire TV commands, allowing users to execute multiple actions across your smart home devices.

For example, while watching The Boys, you can say, “Alexa, I’m getting a snack,” and Alexa will pause your Fire TV and turn on your smart lights. You could then say, “Alexa, I’m back,” and Alexa will resume your show and turn off your lights. That’s just one example. The routines you create are limited to your imagination.

Amazon revealed that in a survey that 75 percent of U.S. respondents said they pause their show or movie at least once per night, so being able to easily pause your TV through Alexa routines could come in handy for a lot of people.

With the Alexa app, you can set up your own custom routines with a wide range of actions to choose from. You can open a specific app, play specific content, turn on/off your TV, and much more. You can also control your smart home devices, including changing the temperature on your thermostat. It’s getting cold across the U.S., so you might consider creating a routine that will turn up the temperature.

Alexa routines have been a key part of the assistant’s core functionality for a while, and it’s nice to see support continue to land on other devices. If you’re unfamiliar with Alexa routines, they’re essentially shortcuts for Alexa. You can group together a bunch of actions and execute them by saying one key phrase. They can be activated by voice or at a certain time of day.

Amazon said Alexa routines supports all Fire TV devices. However, if you’re using a Fire TV Stick, you’ll need a TV that supports Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) to turn your TV on and off as part of a routine.

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The OnePlus Nord N100 actually does have a 90Hz display

When the OnePlus Nord N100 was announced, one of the key specs that stood out was its 60Hz display . That isn’t necessarily bad for such an affordable device, but many pointed out that just months before, OnePlus promised every new phone it released would include a “Fluid Display,” or a display with a 90Hz refresh rate.

Turns out, the OnePlus Nord N100 actually does have a 90Hz display — it just needs to be turned on in settings. OnePlus confirmed the news to Android Authority, saying the Nord N100 is equipped with a 90Hz display, but actual refresh rate depends on settings, applications used, and processing limitations.

OnePlus didn’t say why it initially revealed the Nord N100 came with a 60Hz display. Android Authority speculates that due to the device’s weaker specs, it’s unable to provide users with a consistent experience across all apps. So, rather than promote the device as having a Fluid Display and risk tarnishing the brand, OnePlus instead played it safe and simply said the device features a 60Hz display.

Images via Android Authority.

With a starting price of £179, the Nord N100 still offers a lot, including a Snapdragon 460 processor, triple camera setup and 5000mAh battery. Most buyers would’ve likely been fine with a 60Hz display. But now it’s confirmed you have the option to switch to 90Hz, although the experience might not be up to the same standards you’d find on a device like the OnePlus Nord.

OnePlus Nord N100 Forums

Beyond the screen, the Nord N100 has been the center of attention thanks to concerns about its longevity. While the device launches with Oxygen 10.5 out of the box, OnePlus said it’ll only receive one major Android update, along with a total of two years of security updates.

The Nord N100 is available in Europe and is set to launch at a later date in the U.S., although no pricing details have been revealed.

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Google Assistant and Google Fi get new family management tools in time for the holidays

Your holidays will probably look a lot different this year thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. But just because your plans are different doesn’t mean they have to be hard. To help keep parents sane over the holidays, Google has introduced new management tools for Google Assistant and Google Fi.

Many of the new Google Assistant functions relate to Smart Displays, including the Nest Hub Max. There’s now a “Family” tab, which will include a number of features that will help families stay on task and aware of where everyone is.

Family Notes is a feature that’s rolling out today, and it allows users to create digital sticky notes. They can be to-dos, reminders, or whatever thoughts you might want visible on your Smart Display. Google’s example features a family note that reminds the household to defrost a pie.

Google Assistant is also adding more sound effects and suggested bells to its Family Bell feature. Family Bell makes it easy for households to broadcast a recurring reminder, like it’s time to do chores or eat dinner. In the coming weeks, Google will also make it possible to pause your bells for a single day, so you can enjoy a day off without any interruptions.

Speaking of enjoying your day, Google is adding new education features to its Smart Displays. Ask Google, “What can I learn with my family,” and you’ll see learning activities from providers like ABCmouse. You can also ask Google Assistant to tell you about the animal of the day, and you’ll get some interesting facts, as well as what they sound like. Google has also added a new interactive story category on Smart Displays and phones, so you can flip through pages and follow along word-for-word.

The last family feature is focused on keeping track of your family’s whereabouts. With the help of Life360 and Google Maps, you can see where everyone in your household is at any given moment. You need to be over the age of 13 to use this feature and also have a family account with Google.

Meanwhile, Google announced it’s rolling out new family features for Google Fi. Parents can block calls and texts from strangers by only allowing saved and recent contacts to reach them. You can also set a data budget to restrict data usage, and Google is also making it easier to set up Family Link on a family member’s phone. The feature allows account holders to set content filters, limit screen time, and manage group downloads.

All of these new Google Fi features are available at no additional cost.

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Today only, grab the OnePlus 8T with the OnePlus Buds for just $629 at B&H Photo!

Did you have trouble grabbing the $1 OnePlus Buds for OnePlus Day? I understand, I don’t think OnePlus was expecting so many people to want to take advantage of that deal and the site was having problems! But, OnePlus isn’t the only retailer giving heavy discounts on their products. OnePlus Black Friday prices have started cropping up all around the internet, but today, the other stand-out deal is from B&H Photo and Video. One of their Deal Zone deals is the OnePlus 8T for $629, and they also come with a pair of OnePlus Buds for free.

Of course, Deal Zone deals are typically only available for one day, and this one is no exception. Available in both Aquamarine Green and Lunar Silver, the sale knocks $120 off the MSRP. But the discount is made even better with the additional goodies it comes with.

The big item is, of course, the free pair of OnePlus Buds. I would highly recommend them. Not because I have OnePlus Buds myself, but because my third-party earbuds occasionally have problems with my OnePlus 8 Pro in terms of linking up properly. So, you might as well stay in the OnePlus ecosystem! They’re also pretty good earbuds to boot, so you’re not compromising by going with them.

The other free goodies include a SIM kit for Ultra Mobile, as well as the chance to get a rebate for a free month of unlimited talk, text, and data with the carrier. You don’t need to worry, though, as this is still an unlocked phone that is advertised to work with any carrier. So if you already have a phone plan, you don’t need to go with Ultra Mobile!

Not sure if the OnePlus 8T is the one that’s right for you? Check out our review! It’s one of XDA’s Recommended phones of 2020!

OnePlus 8T at B&H

B&H Photo and Video's Deal Zone deal has the OnePlus 8T for just $629! You'll also get a free pair of OnePlus Buds.

$629 at B&H Photo and Video

Did you miss out on the B&H Photo deal? while it’s $749, you can still get the OnePlus 8T with the free buds at the OnePlus store.

OnePlus 8T at OnePlus

If you missed the B&H Photo deal, you can also get the free OnePlus Buds with the OnePlus 8T at OnePlus themselves. However, you'll be paying $749.

$749 at OnePlus

Thanks to Wai Yip Chu for the tip!

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The new Google Pay app is an all-in-one mobile bank, finance tracker, and contactless payment service

Google Pay has launched a new version of its Android app, ahead of the launch of its ‘Plex’ banking service in 2021. The replacement app, which is now live in the Google Play Store, has been completely rewritten in Flutter, Google’s DART-based development kit. We got our first look at the new design when India replaced the Google Tez app with a retooled Google Pay. It was announced today after a series of teasers on Twitter, with a live stream.

We’ll start with the bad news because there’s not much of it. The new version of Google Pay can only be used on one device at a time. If you attempt to log in on a second device, you’ll get a warning telling you that the account is in use on another device. This is not necessarily a bad thing because the increased scope of the app warrants extra security. The second niggling change is that changing your NFC payment source has been put behind a button in the top right of the screen, so it’s not as fluid as it was before.

The good news is that the changes are the result of a massive upscaling of Google Pay and its capabilities. The new version goes way beyond contactless payments. There’s now an option to pay friends and family members, based on your contact list, search for local retailers who accept Google Pay, and in some cases, order a meal directly from the app. You can view all your receipts and orders, with the app now integrated with Google Photos, allowing it to pull in any paper receipts you’ve photographed. This is on top of the existing order-pull-through from Gmail.

Google Pay will also be able to store discount codes and automatically apply them. Target, Burger King, and Etsy are amongst the first to join the scheme. Some car parks will let you park and pay from the app, whilst participating gas stations will let you pay for your fuel without visiting the cashier. It looks like this function also ties into Google Assistant, based on an APK teardown we analyzed earlier in the year. Meanwhile, if you’re at a restaurant, you can create a group, split a bill or keep track of who owes for their share. The group feature is also ideal for roommates to keep their financial affairs in one place.

Another integration is with Plaid, a fintech service that acts as a middle-man, allowing you to interact with your bank accounts, view balances, make payments, and so on, directly from within Google Pay. When international rollout begins, functionality will vary from country to country, such as in the UK where the Open Banking Standard means that a partner app won’t be necessary.

All these new functions are a mere curtain-raiser to the star attraction, the company’s Plex bank account service, launching in 2021. At launch, Plex accounts  (as in Googolplex -ho ho) will be offered by 9 partner banks. Rather than banking with Google, which, as you may have noticed, isn’t a bank, you’ll have an account with the partner bank, offering deep integration with Google Pay. The debit card will say Google, of course, and Google Pay will become your banking app, putting it in direct competition with other digital-first banks such as Revolut, Curve, and N26.

Google Plex accounts will be free to open, without monthly fees, offer fee-free overdrafts, and free ATM withdrawals in-network. Two partner banks — Citi and Stanford Credit Union — have opened their waitlist for the service. Sign up today and you’ll be sent a debit card when the service goes live. The app experience includes regular spending reports, the ability to categorize spending types, and search by retailer, category, or date.

Any one of these features would have been a significant update for Google Pay. As it is, this is a complete reinvention of the service and a huge leap forward for digital banking. To celebrate, the new app has a new logo, in keeping with Google’s recent form of four-color monstrosities. This one looks like chamois leather, though apparently, it’s a wallet.

The new Google Pay app is now available in the Play Store for U.S. users only (link below). International rollout will come later. In the meantime, the version of Google Pay in your app store is the right one for you. In the US, the old version is still available as Google Pay (old) but will nag you to switch to the new one. Alternatively, download the new app from APK Mirror. (Oh, and in case you were wondering, it’s also available on iOS).

Google Pay - a simple and secure payment app (To be announced, Google Play) →

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