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jeudi 4 février 2021

Speedtest now helps you call out your network operator’s false coverage claims

OOKLA is rolling out an update for its Speedtest app on Android with more detailed coverage maps for network operators. The updated maps offer a significant improvement over the previous solution and help you easily identify any network coverage issues in your area.

The updated maps are rolling out with version 4.5.30 of the Speedtest app, and they offer detailed network coverage information for any given location. Android Police reports that the new coverage map lets you zoom in to the street-level in any city worldwide and check the available network connectivity from all providers in the area. As you can see in the attached screenshots, the color-coded map clearly shows None, 2G/3G, LTE, and 5G connectivity in a given area, as opposed to the older map.

OOKLA Speedtest new network coverage map OOKLA Speedtest new network coverage map OOKLA Speedtest new network coverage map

Speedtest’s new network coverage map is based on geolocated speed test data collected from users, which is calculated and displayed as an average across a 300 sq. ft. area. This means that the map should provide more accurate results than the ones shared by network service providers.

To use the new maps feature on your device, all you need to do is update to the latest version of Speedtest from the Play Store link below and then tap on the Map tab. This will bring up the network coverage map for your service provider. In case you wish to check the network connectivity offered by other providers in your area, you can swipe up on the card at the bottom and select a different provider from the list.

Do note that while the map is available worldwide, it will only show you the network coverage information for the top providers in your region. Also, the maps are currently only available for mobile networks and Speedtest hasn’t implemented a similar solution for home broadband connections.

Speedtest by Ookla (Free+, Google Play) →

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The Vivo X60 Pro Plus with the Zeiss Camera yields impressive night shots

Just as 2020 was coming to a close, Vivo announced its Vivo X60 series, which at the time of its December 29 launch included only the standard X60 and X60 Pro. Ahead of the Chinese New Year, Vivo added another model to the X60 lineup: the premium Vivo X60 Pro Plus (or as Vivo styles it, Pro+).

Since the Vivo X60 Pro Plus is currently only available in China, we do not have an official review unit yet. However, Hong Kong importer Trinity Electronics was kind enough to loan us a China unit for a brief hands-on test. During my brief hands-on, I wanted to check out the new camera system using Zeiss optics on the Vivo X60 Pro Plus. I also wanted to try out Vivo’s new Android skin — OriginOS — which looks a lot like iOS.

Vivo X60 Pro Plus in tanned leather

Vivo X60 series: Specifications

Specifications Vivo X60 Vivo X60 Pro Vivo X60 Pro+
Build
  • Aluminum mid-frame
  • Gorilla Glass front and back
  • Aluminum mid-frame
  • Gorilla Glass front and back
  • Aluminum mid-frame
  • Vegan leather back or gorilla glass
  • Gorilla Glass front
Dimensions & Weight
  • 159.6mm x 75.01mm x 7.36
  • 176.2g
  • 158.6 x 73.2 x 7.59mm
  • 178 grams
  • 158.6 x 73.35 x 9.1 mm
  • 190.6 grams
Display
  • 6.56-inch FHD+ E3 AMOLED
  • 120Hz screen refresh rate
  • Flat display
  • Centered-hole punch
  • HDR10+
  • 6.56-inch FHD+ E3 AMOLED
  • 120Hz screen refresh rate
  • Curved display
  • Centered-hole punch
  • HDR10+
  • 6.56-inch FHD+ E3 AMOLED
  • 120Hz screen refresh rate
  • Curved display
  • Centered-hole punch
  • HDR10+
SoC
  • Samsung Exynos 1080
    • 1x Cortex-A78 @ 2.8GHz
    • 2x Cortex-A78 @ 2.6GHz
    • 4x Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz
  • Mali-G78 GPU
  • 5nm EUV-based FinFET process
  • Samsung Exynos 1080
    • 1x Cortex-A78 @ 2.8GHz
    • 2x Cortex-A78 @ 2.6GHz
    • 4x Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz
  • Mali-G78 GPU
  • 5nm EUV-based FinFET process
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 888:
    • 1x Kryo 680 Prime Core @ 2.84GHz
    • 3x Kryo 680 Performance Cores @ 2.4GHz
    • 4x Kryo 680 Efficiency Cores @ 1.8GHz
RAM & Storage
  • 8GB/12GB RAM
  • 128GB/256GB flash storage
  • UFS 3.1
  • 12GB RAM
  • 256GB flash storage
  • UFS 3.1
  • 8GB + 128GB
  • 12GB + 256GB
  • UFS 3.1
Battery & Charging
  • 4,200mAh
  • 33W fast charger (inside the box)
  • 4,300mAh
  • 33W fast charger (inside the box)
  • 4,200mAh
  • 33W fast charger (inside the box)
Security Optical In-Display Fingerprint Scanner Optical In-Display Fingerprint Scanner Optical In-Display Fingerprint Scanner
Rear Camera(s)
  • Primary: 48MP Sony IMX598 custom sensor, f/1.79, four-axis OIS
  • Secondary: 13MP telephoto, f/2.46, 2x optical zoom
  • Tertiary: 13MP ultra-wide-angle, 120° FoV, f/2.2
    • Supports Macro photography
  • Zeiss optics
  • Primary: 48MP Sony IMX598 custom sensor, f/1.79, four-axis OIS
  • Secondary: 13MP telephoto, f/2.46, 2x optical zoom
  • Tertiary: 13MP ultra-wide-angle, 120° FoV, f/2.2
    • Supports Macro photography
  • Tertiary: 8MP periscope, 5x optical zoom
  • Zeiss optics
  • Primary: 50MP GN1, f/1.57, 1/1.3″ sensor, four-axis OIS
  • Secondary: 48MP gimbal ultra-wide camera
  • Tertiary: 32MP telephoto 3x optical zoom lens
  • Tertiary: 8MP periscope, 5x optical zoom
  • Zeiss optics
Front Camera(s) 32MP, f/2.45 32MP, f/2.45 32MP, f/2.45
Port(s) USB 3.2 Type-C USB 3.2 Type-C USB 3.2 Type-C
Audio Mono speaker  Mono speaker Mono speaker
Connectivity
  • 5G
  • Bluetooth 5.1
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • Reverse wired charging
  • 5G
  • Bluetooth 5.1
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • Reverse wired charging
  • 5G
  • Bluetooth 5.1
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • Reverse wired charging

Vivo X60 Pro Plus: Design and hardware

For those who’ve held or seen up close a Vivo X50 Pro from last year, the Vivo’s X60 Pro Plus will look and feel familiar. Vivo’s kept mostly the same design language — curved front and back, with flat top and bottom that allows the phone to stand on its own. Just like the Vivo X50 Pro Plus last year, the X60 Pro Plus comes in a “vegan leather” back that feels nice but not quite premium. I say that because although I find the texture grippy, it feels slightly plasticky instead of the warm/soft to the touch texture of genuine leather. Still, I prefer this back to yet another gradient glowy glass slabs that Vivo has used on most devices over the past couple of years.

Vivo X60 Pro Plus

Vivo X60 Pro Plus in tanned leather Vivo X60 Pro Plus in tanned leather Vivo X60 Pro Plus leather back Vivo X60 Pro Plus leather back

The X60 Pro Plus stands almost as tall as the S21 Ultra, but it’s thinner and lighter, making it slightly easier to hold.

Unlike the standard X60 and X60 Pro, which run on Samsung’s Exynos 1080, the X60 Pro Plus is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM), so it’s not going to be lacking in processing power. The phone has only one single bottom-firing speaker, however, so it lags behind virtually every Android flagship released in the last half-year.


Vivo X60 Pro Plus: The cameras

Last year’s Vivo X50 Pro grabbed plenty of headlines for its “gimbal camera system,” which essentially adds a third axis of stabilization to a typical smartphone OIS system, to compensate for the forward and the backward movement. Ironically, the technically higher-tier X50 Pro Plus did not offer the gimbal camera, because it used Samsung’s GN1 sensor which was too heavy for the gimbal.

It’s the same story here: the X60 Pro Plus I’m testing does not have that gimbal system for its main camera. However, Vivo has moved the gimbal system over to the 48MP ultra-wide sensor instead.

The camera module of the Vivo X60 Pro Plus

If I look at the back of the phone while moving slightly, I can actually see the ultra-wide lens shift side-to-side, it’s a nice visual touch. But just like last year’s X50 Pro Plus, the gimbal system brings only marginal improvements in stabilization to the already excellent EIS found in most phones.

What’s more interesting is the main GN-1 sensor, which now features a huge 1/1.3″ image sensor size and f/1.57 aperture. I only had very limited time with the phone so I couldn’t test too much, but I can confirm the sensor does indeed pull in more light in dark scenes than even the Galaxy S21 Ultra, a phone that was no slouch in terms of low light photography. The below samples were taken in a dark room with the only light coming from the window without the use of night mode.

Vivo X60 Pro Plus, night shot Galaxy S21 Ultra, night shot

However, being able to pull in more light doesn’t automatically make a photo better. In the below set, the X60 Pro Plus brightened the sky so much it no longer looked like a night shot. Samsung’s image brightened the scene and dialed up contrast too, but it’s a much closer depiction of how the sky looked like at the time.

The X60 Pro Plus, like the Galaxy S21 Ultra, also has a dual-lens zooming system. It consists of an 8MP Periscope zoom lens that captures 5x optical zoom shots and a 32MP 3x optical telephoto sensor.

The numbers say this is a respectable zooming system, but no match for the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s 10x/3x optical zoom system, and the photos show the same story. Below are two sets of 10x zoom, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s shot is just sharper and cleaner.

Because I had such limited time with the phone, I wasn’t able to test the other lenses or video performance. I’ll test the cameras more if/when I get a review unit.


Vivo X60 Pro Plus: OriginOS

For years, Vivo’s Android skin was called FunTouch, and it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea — an opinion shared by many reviewers. Although Vivo improved FunTouch significantly by late last year’s V20 series, Vivo knew its software needed an overhaul from the ground up.

That overhaul is here, and it’s named OriginOS. Even in my brief time with it, OriginOS is quite a departure from most Android software I’ve seen. For one, the homescreen eschews standard icon shapes and sizes of Android in favor of, well, iOS. The latest version of iOS, to be exact, with widget support.

OriginOS on the X60 Pro Plus

App icons and widgets can change size and take up entire rows, but still fit into a symmetrical grid. Gone is the flat design of Android, in favor of skeuomorphism.

Although I find the UI visually striking, and I enjoy some of the shortcut gestures (for example, you can have a swipe-in gesture on one horizontal side of the screen to behave differently from the other), there’s just no getting around the fact that OriginOS takes a lot of design cues from iOS 14.

OriginOS and iOS 14 side by side

OriginOS and iOS 14 side by side


Vivo X60 Pro Plus: My early impressions

The Vivo X60 Pro Plus is selling in China for about the equivalent of $750, and for that price you get a 120Hz OLED screen, Snapdragon 888, capable main and ultra-wide cameras, and a fine-if-unspectacular zooming system.

I don’t think the X60 Pro Plus is better than the Xiaomi Mi 11 0r Galaxy S21 Ultra, but it’s different enough to have appeal. We don’t know if Vivo will release this internationally, but I’d say chances are good. If there is indeed an international release, XDA will surely have more in-depth coverage of this device.

The post The Vivo X60 Pro Plus with the Zeiss Camera yields impressive night shots appeared first on xda-developers.



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OxygenOS Open Beta 3 for the OnePlus Nord now available with camera and ambient display improvements

OnePlus started February with a treat for its users by releasing a new OxygenOS Open Beta for the OnePlus 8 series. It seems that the update train is going at full steam, cause the Chinese OEM has now started rolling out the third OxygenOS 11 beta build for the OnePlus Nord. As with the last two Android 11-based beta releases, there are a number of changes in this update.

OnePlus Nord XDA Forums

According to the changelog, the OxygenOS Open Beta 3 update addresses a video recording bug with the front camera and fixes an intermittent Canvas AOD activation issue. It also revises the display effects in the Work-Life Balance Mode. Several UI element rendering glitches have been corrected as well.

The complete changelog for the Open Beta 3 update for the OnePlus Nord is as below:

  • System
    • Optimized UI display effects of work-life balance
    • Fixed the issue that the dial icons overlap on the lock screen
    • Fixed the issue of white space in the notification bar in Dark mode
  • Camera
    • Fixed the issue that the camera fails to start through quick gestures
    • Fixed the issue with video recorded by the front camera that can not be played
  • Ambient Display
    • Fixed the small probability issue that Canvas AOD can not be activated
  • Clock
    • Fixed the small probability issue that alar clocks can not be set
OnePlus Nord OxygenOS Open Beta 3 Changelog OnePlus Nord OxygenOS Open Beta 3 About

Thanks to OnePlus Community member Audioffensive for the screenshots!

As you can see, there are a number of nice changes for the device, with many stock OnePlus applications being updated and some performance and stability optimizations too. Hopefully, we’ll see all these changes reach the stable branch of OxygenOS 11 in the coming months.


Download: OxygenOS Open Beta 3 for the OnePlus Nord

If you’re interested in updating to the latest version, but haven’t received the update notification yet, you can download the full OTA from the index below. You can sideload it in TWRP or by choosing the “Local upgrade” option in the system updater app.

Open Beta 3


Thanks to XDA Senior Member Some_Random_Username for providing the download links!

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Vivaldi’s latest update on Android lets you change the look of web pages

Vivaldi, a popular Chromium-based browser, is getting a fresh update on Android. The last update added the ability to clear history and site data on exit, WebRTC leak protection, and more sorting options for notes and bookmarks. Now, the Vivaldi 3.6 introduces several new features, including customizable web pages, a built-in QR scanner, support for external download managers, and more.

One of the biggest changes in Vivaldi 3.6 is the new Page Action feature that lets you easily customize the appearance of any web page. The Vivaldi browser already offers a host of customizations in the form of a movable Address bar, desktop-style tabs, and a Tab bar. With Page Action, users can now choose from a range of pre-defined filters and actions to invert text, change fonts, tweak background colors, apply Instagram-like filters, and much more to customize their reading experience.

The Vivaldi 3.6 also adds a built-in QR code scanner to let you easily scan, well, QR codes, and it can handle non-URL QR and barcodes, too. You can launch the feature from the URL bar or by long pressing on the app icon.

Vivaldi Browser QR Code scanner

The new update also adds more customization to Speed Dials. A previous update had added few new layouts to the Start Page with Large Speed Dials, Small Dials, and Speed Dial Lists. Those who prefer a happy medium between large and small sizes can now add Medium Speed Dials to the Start Page. Moreover, you can now also sort Speed Dials by title, address, nickname, or description.

Vivaldi Browser Speed Dials

Finally, the Vivaldi Browser 3.6 also brings support for external download managers, and users can now swap the default download manager for something like Chrome or Samsung Internet and benefit from multi-threaded downloading and queuing.

Vivaldi Browser External Download managers

The Vivaldi Browser v3.6 is out now on the Google Play Store. You can download it by clicking on the link below. Vivaldi is also available for Windows desktops and Chromebooks.

Vivaldi Browser with ad blocker: fast & private (Free, Google Play) →

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Realme launches its MediaTek Dimensity-powered Realme X7 series in India

At the India Mobile Congress 2020 event late last year, MediaTek announced that it was working with OEMs to bring Dimensity 800U and Dimensity 1000 Plus-powered devices to India in early 2021. But so far, OPPO is the only manufacturer to have launched a MediaTek Dimensity-powered device in the country. However, that changes today, as Realme has now officially announced the Realme X7 series in India. Realme’s new lineup consists of two devices — the Realme X7, featuring MediaTek’s Dimensity 800U chip, and the Realme X7 Pro, which packs the flagship Dimensity 1000 Plus chip. Here’s everything you need to know about the two devices:

Realme X7 & Realme X7 Pro: Specifications

Specification Realme X7 Realme X7 Pro
Dimensions & Weight
  • 160.9 x 74.4 x 8.1mm, 176g (Space Silver)
  • 160.9 x 74.4 x 8.3mm, 179g (Nebula)
  • 160.8 x 75.2 x 8.5mm, 184g
Display
  • 6.4-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED (2400 x 1080)
  • 180Hz touch sampling rate
  • 90.8% screen-to-body ratio
  • 600nits peak brightness
  • 6.55-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED (2400 x 1080)
  • 120Hz refresh rate
  • 240Hz touch sampling rate
  • 91.6% screen-to-body ratio
  • 1,200nits peak brightness
  • 100% DCI-P3 coverage, 103% NTSC coverage
  • Gorilla Glass 5
SoC MediaTek Dimensity 800U MediaTek Dimensity 1000+
RAM & Storage
  • 6GB LPDDR4x + 128GB UFS 2.1
  • 8GB LPDDR4x + 128GB UFS 2.1
  • 8GB LPDDR4x + 128GB UFS 2.1
Battery & Charging
  • 4,310mAh
  • 50W fast wired charging (65W charger included)
  • 4,500mAh
  • 65W fast wired charging (65W charger included)
Security In-display fingerprint scanner In-display fingerprint scanner
Rear Camera(s)
  • 64MP primary camera, f/1.8, PDAF
  • 8MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.3, 119° FoV
  • 2MP macro camera, f/2.4
  • 64MP primary camera, f/1.8
  • 8MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.25, 119° FoV
  • 2MP B&W portrait camera, f/2.4
  • 2MP macro camera, f/2.4
Front Camera(s)
  • 16MP selfie camera, f/2.5
  • 32MP selfie camera, f/2.45
Port(s) USB Type-C USB Type-C
Connectivity
  • 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 5.1
  • GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo/QZSS
  • Dual SIM dual standby 5G
  • 802.11 a/b/g dual-band Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6 support)
  • Bluetooth 5.0
  • GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo/QZSS
  • Dual SIM dual standby 5G
Software Realme UI based on Android 10 Realme UI based on Android 10

The new Realme X7 is a 5G capable mid-range device powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 800U chip. It features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, 60Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 600 nits. The device packs a triple camera setup on the back, consisting of a 64MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro camera, enclosed in a rectangular camera module in the top left corner of the back panel. Over on the front, it has a single 16MP selfie shooter.

Realme X7 Nebula Realme X7 Nebula

The Realme X7 comes in two RAM/storage variants, with the base model packing 6GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage. The higher-end variant features 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage. Realme has packed a substantial 4,310mAh battery in the device, which features support for 50W fast wired charging. Interestingly, the device will ship with a 65W charger in the box.

Realme X7 Space Silver

In terms of connectivity, the Realme X7 features support for 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, a USB Type-C port for charging and data syncing, and GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo/QZSS support. On the software front, the device runs Realme UI based on Android 10. However, it will soon be updated to Realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11.

Realme X7 launch pricing

The more premium Realme X7 Pro is powered by MediaTek’s flagship Dimensity 1000 Plus chip, coupled with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage. It features a slightly larger 6.55-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate, and an impressive peak brightness of 1,200nits. Realme also claims that the display offers 100% DCI-P3 and 103% NTSC coverage, so it should offer a pleasant viewing experience. We’ll make sure to address that in our upcoming review of the device.

Realme X7 Pro Fantasy

In the camera department, the Realme X7 Pro features a quad-camera setup on the back enclosed within a rectangular camera module. It consists of a 64MP Sony IMX686 primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, a 2MP B&W portrait sensor, and a 2MP macro camera. For selfies, the device features a single 32MP shooter on the front.

Realme X7 Pro Mystic Black

The Realme X7 Pro also packs a larger 4,500mAh battery that supports 65W fast wired charging. As with the X7, the device will ship with a 65W charger in the box. As far as the connectivity is concerned, the Realme X7 Pro offers Wi-Fi- 6 support, Bluetooth 5.0, a USB Type-C port for charging and data syncing, and GPS/GLONASS/Beidou/Galileo/QZSS support.

Realme X7 Pro launch pricing

Additionally, the X7 Pro features a vapor chamber cooling system for better thermal performance, a better tactile engine for improved haptic feedback, and Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res certification for superior audio output. Much like the X7, the X7 Pro will run Realme UI based on Android 10 out of the box. It will also be updated to Realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11 soon after the launch.

It’s worth mentioning that the Realme X7 launched in India is a rebranded version of the Realme V15 5G that was launched in China earlier this month. The Realme X7 Pro, on the other hand, is the same as the Realme X7 Pro that was launched in China back in September last year.

Pricing & Availability

The new Realme X7 series is priced as follows:

  • Realme X7 (6GB+128GB): ₹19,999 (~$274)
  • Realme X7 (8GB+128GB): ₹21,999 (~$301)
  • Realme X7 Pro (8GB+128GB): ₹29,999 (~$411)

The Realme X7 will come in two color variants — Space Silver and Nebula — and it will go on sale starting from February 12th via Flipkart and Realme’s website. The Realme X7 Pro will also be offered in two colorways — Fantasy and Mystic Black — and it will be available for purchase starting from February 10th via Flipkart and Realme’s website.

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mercredi 3 février 2021

Samsung’s next Galaxy F series phone could have a massive 7000mAh battery

Samsung’s Galaxy F series is a relatively new entry in the Galaxy lineup, targeting the lower-mid-range spectrum and slotting below the Galaxy A and overlapping with the M series. So far, there has only been one device in the lineup, with the Galaxy F41 that launched in October last year leading the charge. But that’s soon going to change as Samsung is preparing to introduce a new smartphone in the lineup.

According to Ishan Agarwal, Samsung is gearing up to launch the next Galaxy F-series device in India. The device will be called Galaxy F62 and has a model number SM-E625f. A 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel will be on the front of the phone, and a square module on the back will house a quad-camera array, the report says. The primary camera is said to be a 64MP sensor, but details about the remaining three sensors aren’t known yet. We don’t know which chipset the Galaxy F62 will come equipped with, but the leak does state there will be at least 6GB of RAM and 128GB flash storage.

The Galaxy F41 already had a massive 6,000mAh battery, but Samsung is going a step further this time around as the report says the Galaxy F62 will pack a gigantic 7,000 mAh battery. Finally, the leak reveals the Galaxy F62 will feature a 32MP selfie camera on the front, come in Green and Blue colors and run Android 11 with One UI 3.1 out-of-the-box.

For reference, the Galaxy F41 featured a 6.4-inch AMOLED display, Exynos 9611 SoC, a triple camera with a 64MP primary sensor, a 6,000mAh battery, and up to 6GB RAM and 128 storage.

Details about pricing, charging support, chipset, and other specs of the Galaxy F62 remain under wraps for now. So is the design. But there will likely be more info coming out, including more specs and possibly renders, leading up to the official launch.


Featured image: Galaxy F41

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Chrome OS Phone Hub will keep your phone and Chromebook in sync

Back in September of last year, we revealed details for a new Phone Hub feature coming to Chrome OS. The feature, we found out, is meant to build on the integration Chrome OS already offers with Android devices by introducing new capabilities.

While the feature was initially spotted in a Chromium Gerritt, a user in the Chrome OS subreddit is now reporting that the in-development Phone Hub feature is fully functional for them.

Chrome OS already offers easy integration with your Android phone for things like messages, Smart Lock, and automatic WiFi hotspot. Phone Hub expands the existing phone-to-Chromebook sync features by adding a new UI in the taskbar and adding notification mirroring.

However, according to comments from other users in the thread, Phone Hub is only working for them on the Chrome OS Beta and Dev channels. It seems like Google is now testing the feature via server side flags and is almost ready to roll it out to everyone.

For what it’s worth, our Chromebook is running Chrome OS 90 in the Canary channel and even with the Phone Hub flag enabled and Google Play Services beta installed, we haven’t had any luck seeing the feature. Which quite honestly isn’t a surprise—that’s how these things go with server side changes.

The user on Reddit said that while Phone Hub is functional for them, they have run into a few early issues. The notifications are apparently a little buggy, but outside of that “everything seems to work pretty well.”

“Enable hotspot works, silence phone puts the phone on DND, and Locate Phone makes the phone ring,” the Reddit user said. “And then ofc, the most recent Chrome tabs, well, are the most recent I’ve seen on my phone. Oh and another thing, replying through the notifications on my Chromebook works perfectly so far for me.”

We’ll keep an eye out for a more official rollout of Chrome OS Phone Hub down the road.

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