Google Messages will stop working on uncertified Android phones in April

Google Messages is one of the more popular apps from Google, and many users make use of it every day without even realizing that they use it. The name is rather generic, and a lot of devices ship with it pre-installed as their default SMS and RCS client. Most users should be satisfied with the functions that the app provides and have no real reason to explore alternatives. But if one of the possibly-upcoming changes materializes, they may need to look for alternatives, as new strings within the app suggest that Google Messages will stop working on uncertified Android phones in April 2021.

An APK teardown can often predict features that may arrive in a future update of an application, but it is possible that any of the features we mention here may not make it in a future release. This is because these features are currently unimplemented in the live build and may be pulled at any time by the developers in a future build.

New strings were spotted in Google Messages 7.2.203:

<string name="ip_compliance_warning_message">On March 31, Messages will stop working on uncertified devices, including this one.</string>

As the message clearly spells it out, Messages will stop working on uncertified Android devices from March 31, 2021 onwards. Uncertified Android devices are those devices that run on Android, but skipped through or failed Google’s official certification process for Google Mobile Services. These devices do not come with the mandatory Google apps, but the sellers of such devices usually have advisories on how users can sideload Google apps and service frameworks. Google did put an end to such practices from device makers, but Google Messages as an app remained immune from the fallout of those decisions. For one, Google Messages could easily be sideloaded if you did not have it pre-installed, and it didn’t need a Google sign-in to work on its own, so it would still work on all Android devices (including the new ones from Huawei).

But this is now going to change. If you have an uncertified Android device, the app will not work. This is presumed to be an extension of the RCS End-to-End encryption rollout, as Google will not be able to guarantee if an uncertified device is not compromised, and the consequent conversation from users of these devices is not compromised in any way. Considering how small of a user base this would in the grand world of active Android devices with GMS, this would be a small plug to pull for Google.

The post Google Messages will stop working on uncertified Android phones in April appeared first on xda-developers.

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The OnePlus 9 Lite, Redmi K40, and Motorola’s flagship Moto G will likely have Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 870

Motorola, iQOO, OnePlus, OPPO, and Xiaomi will soon launch a new range of sub-flagship 5G devices powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 series chip, the Snapdragon 870. While these OEMs haven’t revealed any information about the devices yet, we have reason to believe that the upcoming OnePlus 9 Lite, Redmi K40, and Moto G flagship will feature the new SoC. Here’s everything we know about the devices so far:

Motorola Edge S (China)/unnamed Moto G flagship

Motorola has started teasing a new phone in China called the Motorola Edge S. The company has confirmed that the device will be powered by the Snapdragon 870, and it will launch in China on January 26th. Additionally, the company has previously confirmed that it will launch a flagship Moto G series device this year, featuring a Snapdragon 800 series processor. This upcoming Moto G device could possibly be the global version of the Motorola Edge S.

Motorola has also been rumored to be working on a new flagship phone code-named “Nio”, which has appeared in several leaks over the last couple of months. While the previous leaks suggested that the device will be powered by the Snapdragon 865 (sm8250-AA) or 865 Plus(sm8250-AB), now that we know that the new Snapdragon 870 (sm8250-AC) is just a variant of the Snapdragon 865, it’s possible that “Nio” will feature the new chipset.

Recent leaks of the upcoming Moto G flagship have given us a good look at its design and some of its features. Leaked hands-on images of the device (via Slashleaks) suggest that it will support “Audio Zoom”, which is something that we confirmed in a previous leak. The images also reveal that it will feature a quad-camera setup on the back, a dual hole-punch cutout over on the display for the selfie cameras, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.

It’s worth noting that the hands-on image of the front panel matches up with another live image from reputed leaker Evan Blass. Furthermore, an FCC filing of the device has confirmed that it will pack a 5,000mAh battery with support for 20W fast charging. Additionally, we’ve also confirmed that the Motorola Nio will feature support for a desktop mode and it’ll run Android 11 out of the box.

Redmi K40

Earlier this month, Xiaomi confirmed that its upcoming Redmi K40 will feature the Snapdragon 888 SoC. However, a recent leak from Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station suggests that there will be two devices in the Redmi K40 series: a regular K40 with an “unreleased sub-flagship processor” and a K40 Pro with the Snapdragon 888. Since the leak came just a day before the official Snapdragon 870 announcement, we believe that the regular Redmi K40 will feature the new chipset. Additionally, since Xiaomi has released non-Pro/Pro Redmi K series devices in the past, this leak seems credible.

Furthermore, the folks over at XiaomiUI have corroborated the information shared by Digital Chat Station and have revealed some additional details about the regular Redmi K40. According to their post, the Redmi K40 will go by the code-name “ALIOTH” (“ALIOTHIN” for the non-NFC Indian variant), and it will feature an AMOLED display, a 4,520mAh battery, and the Snapdragon 870 chipset. It further adds that the device will feature a triple camera setup with a 48MP primary camera, an ultra-wide-angle camera, and a macro camera. The device will likely have the same design as the Redmi K40 Pro.

OnePlus 9 Lite

Late last year, renowned OnePlus tipster Max Jambor revealed that the upcoming OnePlus 9 series would include three devices — the regular OnePlus 9, the top-of-the-line OnePlus 9 Pro, and a device called the OnePlus 9E. Soon thereafter, we saw another leak claiming that the third device would be called the OnePlus 9 Lite, and it would feature similar hardware to the OnePlus 8T.

Since the OnePlus 8T packed the Snapdragon 865 chip, we initially believed that the OnePlus 9 would either feature the same SoC or the Snapdragon 865+. However, now that Qualcomm has confirmed that OnePlus is working on a Snapdragon 870-powered device, the OnePlus 9 Lite/9E will likely feature the new chipset.

The post The OnePlus 9 Lite, Redmi K40, and Motorola’s flagship Moto G will likely have Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 870 appeared first on xda-developers.

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Samsung can do better than an optional S Pen for the Galaxy S21 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S21 series has just launched, and in tow came the S21 Ultra — one of the most feature-packed Android smartphones ever released. Filled to the brim with flagship specifications, it has pretty much anything you could ever want in a phone. With rumors that the Note series might be axed this year, Samsung even brought S Pen support to the S21 Ultra as well, meaning that you can use your old (or new) stylus with your smartphone. While it’s a valiant effort, Samsung can do a lot better than merely providing an optional stylus for the Galaxy S21 Ultra if they want to keep the spirit of the Note series alive.

If this is what the Note series is to become, it certainly deserves more than becoming an optional extra for the highest-tier smartphone that Samsung will produce in a given year. For those in need of context: the Note series had a distinct identity, primarily centered around providing the largest screens and a docked stylus. People can use the stylus for note-taking and drawing, making it an artist-friendly investment and an interesting choice for students. With the Note 10, Samsung introduced Air Actions to the S-Pen, making it even more useful. You could remotely control your smartphone, meaning that not only could the stylus be used as a pen, but it could control your smartphone too. When you’re done, the pen can be placed back inside the device to charge. It’s somewhat of a niche market, but those who chose to pick up a Note device obviously wanted it for one feature or another that didn’t exist in the regular Samsung S series.

The potential successor to the Note series deserves more than this

However, with the Galaxy S21 Ultra, the S-Pen has been relegated to being an optional extra. Samsung didn’t even pack so much as a charger in the box, let alone a basic stylus, and you’ll have to go out and buy one yourself if you want to use it with your smartphone. What’s more, you won’t even be able to use any air actions with your S21 Ultra if you buy its S Pen right now! You’ll need to wait for the S Pen Pro that the company announced at its Unpacked event, where it was confirmed that the S Pen Pro will pack Bluetooth support. Samsung didn’t announce a price for the S Pen Pro, but the regular S21-specific stylus (without Bluetooth support) costs a whopping $40, so don’t expect the Pro to be cheap. A $40 stylus is basically highway robbery, especially when one can simply purchase an older stylus for much cheaper. In fact, we even put together a guide in order to help you find the best styluses for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, as there are lots of options to choose from.

Even if you were to purchase an S-Pen, where would you store it? Samsung has a case and S Pen combo for $70 on the Samsung store, which means that Samsung has effectively created a problem where it can sell you the solution. I understand that the Galaxy S21 Ultra is not a Note series device, but to effectively half introduce a feature that the company has been building upon for years is poor form. Giving any kind of Wacom-compatible stylus in the box would go a long way to alleviate any bitterness from potential consumers.

Samsung removed the charger from the box, citing environmental concerns (sounds familiar, right?), yet they won’t even allow consumers to use their perfectly-functional S Pens from past devices to their full ability on the S21 Ultra. The regular S21 Ultra stylus costs $40 — imagine how much Samsung is going to charge for the S Pen Pro? Not introducing full support for the S Pen that others will already have without shelling out an undisclosed figure (that will almost certainly be more than $40) is not consumer-friendly.

The S Pen has always been a niche product, but if Samsung is going to introduce it to a new product line, then they should introduce it properly — especially if they plan on discontinuing the main Note line. Removing a charger from the box and selling consumers a charger separately in the name of the environment is a cause that many can genuinely get behind, especially as old chargers generate more than 51,000 tonnes of electronic waste per year. However, introducing a half-baked feature that forces consumers to upgrade their S Pens for seemingly no reason will have many questioning whether or not this is an attempt at a cash grab. If it is a cash grab, then who’s to say that Samsung’s removal of the charger in the box wasn’t either? Sustainability is important, of course, but it’s hard not to question Samsung’s motives when there is a clear double-standard to be seen here. If Samsung wanted to be an industry trendsetter when it comes to sustainability, it failed at the first hurdle.

Samsung Official S-Pen + Case

The S-Pen for the Galaxy S21 Ultra is great but doesn't attach to the phone so unless you want an S-Pen that roams in your bag, you'll want a case that can store it. The official case from Samsung does just this, and is the best way to keep your S-Pen with your phone.

See at Samsung!

S-Pen for Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

If you'd rather not buy the new S-Pen and prefer the slimmer design of last year's Galaxy Note 20 Ultra S-Pen, look no further. You can pick up the S-Pen from the last Note flagship starting at just $26 and it's available in four different colors!

From $26 at Best Buy

S-Pen for Galaxy S21 Ultra

It's very similar in terms of specs and features to the S-Pen found in the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, but this is a new slightly thicker S-Pen designed for the S21 Ultra and designed to be stored separately, vs slim enough to fit into the phone like with the Note 20 Ultra.

See at Samsung!

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MediaTek launches the Dimensity 1100 and 1200 chips for flagship 5G phones

When talking about flagship SoCs a few years ago, one would usually focus on offerings from Qualcomm Snapdragon, Samsung Exynos, and Huawei HiSilicon Kirin, for the most part. MediaTek was part of the flagship conversation years ago with its Helio X series, but there was a lot to be desired on that end. The company tried to make amends with the new MediaTek Dimensity 1000 launched in November 2019, and followed up with the Dimensity 1000 Plus in May 2020. It’s a new year now, and the Taiwanese company is back with two top-tier SoCs. Meet the new MediaTek Dimensity 1200 and MediaTek Dimensity 1100.

MediaTek Dimensity 1200 and Dimensity 1100: Specifications

Specifications	Dimensity 1200	Dimensity 1100
Process	TSMC 6nm	TSMC 6nm
CPU	1x Cortex-A78 @ 3.0GHz + 3x Cortex-A78 @ 2.6GHz + 4x Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz	4x Cortex-A78 @ 2.6GHz + 4x Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz
GPU	ARM Mali G77 MC9	ARM Mali G77 MC9
Memory	4x LP4x @ 2133MHz PoP 2-lane uFS 3.1	4x LP4x @ 2133MHz PoP 2-lane uFS 3.1
Camera	Supports: 200MP single camera, or 32MP + 16MP dual camera	Supports: 108MP single camera, or 32MP + 16MP dual camera
AI	APU 3.0 (+10% performance improvement)	APU 3.0
Video Decoding	4K 60fps, 10-bit, AV1	4K 60fps, 10-bit, AV1
Video Encoding	4K 60fps, 10-bit	4K 60fps, 10-bit
Display	Supports: QHD+ @ 90Hz, or FHD+ @ 168Hz	Supports: QHD+ @ 90Hz, or FHD+ @ 144Hz
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 GNSS L1 + L5 Bluetooth 5.2	Wi-Fi 6 GNSS L1 + L5 Bluetooth 5.2
Modem	Sub-6GHz 2CC 5G + 5G DSDS	Sub-6GHz 2CC 5G + 5G DSDS

The MediaTek Dimensity 1100 and Dimensity 1200 pick off where the Dimensity 1000 Plus left, giving us updated options at the top end. While a lot of users and reviewers alike still do not consider these at the top of the helm in the world of smartphone SoCs, these premium SoCs are quite a good fit for devices in the upper mid-range, if not flagships.

For starters, both of these new chips are fabricated on TSMC’s 6nm process, an upgrade from the 7nm process from the Dimensity 1000 Plus. Both feature an integrated 5G modem which supports 5G NSA and SA modes, 5G carrier aggregation (2cc) across FDD and TDD, Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), Dual SIM Dual Standby 5G, and VoNR support. There is also 5G HSR mode and 5G Elevator mode for more reliable 5G connection across networks.

Both, the Dimensity 1200 and Dimensity 1100 feature an octa-core SoC, but there is a slight difference between them. The higher-end 1200 features a “prime” Cortex-A78 core clocked up to 3GHz, while the other three performance cores are Cortex-A78 cores clocked up to 2.6GHz. The Dimensity 1100 features four of these performance cores, instead of a 1x prime + 3x performance setup. The other four cores on both of these SoCs are Cortex-A55 clocked at up to 2.0GHz. On the GPU end, both come with a nine core ARM Mali-G77 GPU, supporting MediaTek’s HyperEngine 3.0 gaming technologies. This includes 5G call and data concurrency support, as well as a multi-touch boost for increased touchscreen responsiveness. The complete combination also allows support for ray tracing in games and AR apps, and it also supports super hotspot power savings.

For support on displays, the Dimensity 1200 supports an astounding 168Hz refresh rate at FHD+ resolution, while the Dimensity 1100 reels it in with “just” 144Hz at FHD+ resolution. At QHD+, both cap out at a still respectable 90Hz. Both the chips also support HDR10+ video playback and hardware-accelerated AV1 video decoding.

Both the new chips also support Bluetooth 5.2, as well as ultra-low latency true wireless stereo audio and LC3 encoding for higher-quality and lower latency streaming for music on TWS earbuds.

The Dimensity 1200 has another trick up its sleeve. The penta-core ISP on the SoC supports up to 200MP image sensors (single), or up to 32MP + 16MP image sensors (dual). It also boasts of staggered 4K HDR video capture for greater dynamic range. The Dimensity 1100’s penta-core ISP supports up to 108MP image sensor (single), or up to 32MP + 16MP image sensors (dual). Both of them do support AI camera features such as AI Panorama Night Shot, AI Multi-Person Bokeh, AI Noise Reduction, HDR capabilities, and AI-enhanced video playback features such as AI SDR-to-HDR.

Wrapping up the package is the new hexa-core AI Processor called the MediaTek APU 3.0 for AI computing, with an enhanced task scheduler to reduce latency and improve power efficiency. The one on the Dimensity 1200 has a 10% performance advantage over the one on the Dimensity 1100.

Availability

The first devices with the new MediaTek Dimensity 1100 and Dimensity 1200 chips are coming to market at the end of Q1 2021. Xiaomi, Vivo, OPPO, and Realme have expressed interest in these new chips, so we can look forward to some exciting smartphones in the mid and upper-mid ranges.

The post MediaTek launches the Dimensity 1100 and 1200 chips for flagship 5G phones appeared first on xda-developers.

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Best Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Thin Cases – January 2021

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra may be one of the best Samsung Galaxy phones around! Have you picked yours up yet? Samsung’s high-end flagship offers a lot of perks to those that are able to pay the price of admission. Thankfully, with the Samsung Galaxy S21 looking to take the hearts and minds of Samsung fans, you’ll be seeing a lot of deals on the Note 20 Ultra. But, this is still an investment, and you’ll want to protect it from the normal dings and falls of normal use. Maybe you don’t necessarily need the best protection, but just something to give it a bit of an extra grip in your hands. I don’t really like big, heavy cases, but I also wouldn’t use a phone without one. Some of the Galaxy Note 20 ultra-thin cases shown below will a bit of protection without adding any extra bulk!

Ringke Air-S Case

Light as air!

Why put a thick case on a thin phone like the Galaxy Note 20? Keep those sleek curves and guard against scratches with this minimalist case from Ringke, which protects without being too bulky.

Buy at Amazon

Otterbox Symmetry Case

Sleek and fresh

Otterbox is synonymous with tough. If you are looking for a case that protects with a hint of style, this is for you. This case is also available in black, clear, and light grey.

Buy at Amazon

Spigen Liquid Armor Case

Slim-line and mighty fine!

When it comes to cases, you've probably heard of Spigen. The company has a lot of popular products, but the Liquid Air brings added grip and a beautiful symmetry and uniformity that really appeals to us.

Buy at Amazon

ESR Metal Kickstand Case

Prop your phone up anywhere!

Being able to prop up your phone while you're out and about is one of the big selling points for this case. Others include raised screen and camera bezels to protect against scratches, and additional grip.

Buy at Amazon

Caseology Skyfall case

Slim yet protective

Instead of a thick case, show off your phone's natural beauty while keeping it protected with this beautiful Caseology Skyfall case, which is available in 3 colors. I've used one before and it's a fantastic case!

Buy at Amazon

Ancerr Ultra Thin Slim cover

Also slim, also protective

If all you want is a super-slim case, look no further. This won't provide you a lot of protection against drops, but your phone will still remain sleek. It's also available in gorgeous Red and Blue colors.

Buy at Amazon

Spigen Ultra Hybrid Case

See-through goodness

Another Spigen entry, the Spigen Ultra Hybrid offers good protection without compromising on the aesthetics of your device. Show off in style with this see-through protective case - without any of the bulk!

Buy at Amazon

Samsung Silicone Cover

Minimalistic and Grippy!

Want a case with some grip that matches the color of your phone perfectly? Look no further than Samsung's official silicone cover, which comes in Black, White and 'Brown', which is actually Pink in color.

$30 at Samsung

DBrand Ultra Grip Case

Slim and Customizable

DBrand is a trusted brand of cases and skins, and they have something most of the competitors don't--the ability to customize your case. DBrand offers a bunch of different colors for your case back, while still keeping your device slim.

Starting from $30 at DBrand

TORRAS Freedom Designed

Have Torras Prop You Up

This Torras case can prop up your phone while providing a simple plastic shell to keep your Note 20 Ultra safe. It also has a three year warranty, so if anything goes wrong you can replace the case for free.

Buy from Amazon

Crave Dual Guard Protection Series

Crave Some Color

These cases have a unique advantage of being very colorful, and sometimes you just want something different looking. The Dual Guard Protection series has six colors available, is nice and slim, and even PowerShare compatible.

Buy from Amazon

Spigen Slim Armor CS

Stash a Couple Cards

Wallet cases are so bulky, but you can still grab a thin case that can fit a couple cards in it from Spigen. If you like travelling light, this case will help you do it well enough.

Buy from Amazon

---

Out of the cases above, there should be a Galaxy Note 20 ultra thin case for everyone. Want to still see your Note 20 Ultra’s back design? Definitely grab the Spigen Ultra Hybrid, so you’ll get some protection for your smartphone while making sure it won’t get scratched up. Want something a little bit unique that you can use to prop your phone up? Grab that ESR Metal Kickstand case and use that S Pen without having to hold the phone yourself! If you just want to go with what Samsung has on offer, there’s nothing wrong with going with the Samsung Silicone Cover either. It’s not expensive at all and if you are picking up your Note 20 Ultra from the Samsung Store, you’ll get them together.

There are so many options, and the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a pretty big and heavy phone. Nobody wants a case adding even more bulk to what is already a really bulky phone!

The post Best Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Thin Cases – January 2021 appeared first on xda-developers.

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Here’s a video of Windows 10X running on Microsoft’s Surface Pro 7

The New Year has given us a great early look at Microsoft’s Windows 10X, which we’ve seen up and running ahead of its expected release in the spring. While the software is expected to launch on new hardware — and not as a download or upgrade — intrepid enthusiasts have booted Windows 10X on existing hardware, giving us a sneak peek at the new UI and UX.

User XDeltaXForce (via MSPowerUser) posted a video that shows Windows 10X running on a Surface Pro 7. Whereas the other hands-on videos we’ve seen have shown off the OS using a traditional keyboard and mouse setup, this latest demonstration displays how suited the upcoming OS is for touch.

The video quickly takes users through Windows 10X’s Start Menu, Settings, and stock apps. We also get a look at the OS’s multitasking features, including how easy it is to switch between apps. All of this is done with swipes and touches — and at one point the video shows the software responding to stylus.

Microsoft’s Windows struggled to adapt to a touch environment when the first Surface Pro was released, but it doesn’t appear that Windows 10X will have such problems as the UI is built to accommodate a more tactile approach. In other words, Windows 10X will fit right in on 2-in-1 devices.

We got another good look at Windows 10X in action last week thanks to Windows Central and The Verge. Those hands-ons showed everything from the reworked taskbar to apps running side-by-side to the installation of progressive web apps (PWA). As a reminder, the new OS drops a lot of cruft and legacy software support, and it’s designed to only run UWP apps and PWAs at launch.

Apparently, the pre-release builds of Windows 10X that are floating around are near-final, though they may still be missing a few things. These early looks give users a great idea of how Microsoft plans to take on Chrome OS and really cements Windows’ place among enterprise and education customers. As we mentioned before, the upcoming OS won’t be released as a standalone software update. Instead, expect it to be exclusive to new hardware that’s released later this year.

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Google Duo’s auto-framing feature is available on Samsung’s Galaxy S21

Toward the end of last year, we reported that Google Duo’s auto-framing feature was on its way to Samsung Galaxy devices. Following the launch of the Galaxy S21 series, the official Twitter account for Android has confirmed the feature will indeed be available when the new devices become available later this month.

“Take your video chats up a notch with Auto-framing on Google Duo, so you can look your best when catching up with the people that matter most,” the Android account said.

Take your video chats up a notch with Auto-framing on Google Duo, so you can look your best when catching up with the people that matter most. Available on the new #GalaxyS21. pic.twitter.com/uGJK9rqCyv

— Android (@Android) January 19, 2021

If you’re unfamiliar, Google Duo’s auto-framing feature automatically keeps users front and center during video calls, so you chat hands-free and do other things while talking to friends and family. It’s almost like having your own personal cameraman. The feature was previously exclusive to Pixel devices before it rolled out to Galaxy phones last year.

Interestingly, Google Duo’s support page still says that auto-framing is exclusive to the Pixel 4, even though that hasn’t been true for months. Google features often make their way to Samsung devices, so it’s no surprise to see the feature coming to the Galaxy S21 series. At this point, it would be nice to see Google make the feature available on all new Android devices.

The Galaxy S21 series was introduced last week and is set to become available on January 29. There’s already a lot to like about the new devices, including features like WiFi 6E in the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but having added perks like Google Duo’s auto-framing feature makes the deal even better. It makes for a more enjoyable, polished experience.

With lockdown restrictions still in place due to COVID-19, services like Google Duo are more important than ever for staying in touch. If the service’s auto-framing feature is important to you, then the Galaxy S21 is definitely worth considering.

Google Duo - High Quality Video Calls (Free, Google Play) →

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