Facebook tests letting Instagram influencers surface their Reels to the Facebook app

Facebook has begun testing a new feature that will allow content creators to have their Instagram Reels videos featured on Facebook. The feature is currently being tested with select content creators and influencers in India.

As reported by Reuters, Facebook is allowing content creators in India to have their Reels appear on the Facebook feed on the main app. If the user decides to opt-in to feature, their Reels will be recommended to Facebook users based on relevance. The company notes Reels will be shown with the user’s Instagram username and not with their Facebook username. By allowing Reels to be posted on its platform, content creators will be able to reach new audiences and expand the reach of their content.

“In India, we’re testing the ability for Instagram creators to choose to have their Reels recommended on Facebook… creators can reach new audiences, and people can create and discover more entertaining content,” said a Facebook spokesperson to Reuters.

According to ETNews, the initial test group includes prominent Indian personalities, including content creators like Ashish Chanchlani, Pooja Dhingra, Awez Darbar, Sanjeev Kapoor, Bong Buy, as well as sports celebrities such as Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh. It’s unclear when American company plans to bring this feature to all users.

Separately, Facebook has also started rolling out the ability to create Reels right from within the main Facebook app. Users will see a new “Reels” option on top of their News Feed. Clicking on which will open the Facebook Camera along with access to full-fledged editing tools including AR filters, timer, the ability to add music from Facebook’s music library or use the original audio, and more. We know the social media giant has been testing the TikTok-style short-form videos for its main app since last year. At the time, the company hadn’t finalized the name of the feature. But it now looks like the company has decided to leverage Instagram Reels instead of creating its own alternative and fragmenting its own ecosystem.

The post Facebook tests letting Instagram influencers surface their Reels to the Facebook app appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2PQqYOp
via IFTTT

ASUS TUF Dash F15 with Intel Core i7-11370H, RTX 30-series GPU launches in India

ASUS is finally bringing its new line of 2021 gaming notebooks to India with the launch of the TUF Dash F15. Showcased at CES 2021, the new model under the company’s affordable TUF series comes with Intel’s new 11th-gen Tiger Lake H35 processor paired with NVIDIA’s new RTX 30-series mobile GPUs.

ASUS TUF Dash F15: Specifications

Specification	ASUS TUF Dash F15
Dimensions & Weight	360 x 252 x 19.9mm 2kgs
Display	15.6-inch Full-HD (1920×1080) IPS 144Hz refresh rate 15.6-inch Full-HD (1920×1080) IPS 240Hz refresh rate, 3ms response 100% sRGB Adaptive sync
Processor	Intel Core i7-11370H (3GHz / 4.8GHz)
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
RAM & Storage	16GB DDR4 3200MHz (8GB soldered, 1x SODIMM) 512GB NVMe M.2 SSD (Up 2x 1TB M.2)
Battery & Charger	76 WHr (16.6 hours claimed) 200W charger Support for 100W USB PD charging
I/O	Thunderbolt 4 (USB4.0, Display port 1.4a, PD3.0) 3 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A HDMI 2.0 3.5mm audio jack Kensington lock RJ45
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6 802.11AX Bluetooth 5.2
OS	Windows 10 Home
Other Features	Blue Backlit keyboard MIL-STD-810H military certified DTS:X Ultra

The new TUF Dash F15 features a new minimalistic design available in Moonlight White or  Eclipse Grey color options. It has a slim chassis at just 19.9mm and at 2kgs in weight. It is comparatively lightweight for a gaming laptop for its size that, at the same time, meets the MIL-STD-810H military standards. ASUS is offering the laptop with a 15.6-inch IPS panel that offers a 144Hz refresh rate and full-HD resolution. You can also opt for a similar full-HD display that offers a 240Hz refresh rate with a 3ms response time and 100% sRGB along with Adaptive sync. ASUS has gone for a simple blue-backlighting on the keyboard, which means RGB enthusiasts are in for some disappointment.

As for the internals, the notebook comes with the Intel Core i7-11370H, which is a brand new quad-core processor made for thin and light gaming laptops. The processor features four Willow Cove processor cores and eight threads, thanks to HyperThreading. Depending on the TDP setting, this processor’s clock speed can vary from 3GHz (28W) to 3.3GHz (35W). The processor has the ability to boost a single and two cores under load to go up to 4.8GHz, while all four cores can crank up to 4.3GHz. We are yet to get a confirmation from ASUS regarding the TDP of the processor on the TUF Dash F15.

The rest of the features include the option of either the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or the RTX 3070, up to 32GB of DDR4 3200MHz memory, support for two 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD storage, as well as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. The notebook also features a variety of I/O ports, including Thunderbolt 4 (USB 4.0, Display port 1.4a, PD3.0), 3 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, an RJ45 port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a standard Kensington lock.

As for the battery, the TUF Dash F15 comes with a 76Whr unit and a 200W charger. ASUS says that with the new fast charging tech, the notebook can charge from 0-50% in just 30 minutes. It can also be charged via 100W USB Type-C PD, while one can expect the battery to last up to 16.6 hours during video playback. That sounds pretty impressive, but we shall soon test the laptop to see if that is actually true.

Pricing and Availability

The new TUF Dash F15 will be available by the end of this month across all channels, including online via Flipkart and Amazon, as well as offline via ASUS exclusive stores and ROG stores. Pricing starts at ₹1,39,990 for the grey color variant and ₹1,40,990 for the white color option.

The post ASUS TUF Dash F15 with Intel Core i7-11370H, RTX 30-series GPU launches in India appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3ruBKaZ
via IFTTT

If you are having trouble receiving OTP SMS in India, you are not alone

If you have been facing issues getting an OTP (one-time-password) from your bank, eCommerce platform, or other services, then you are not alone. In India, there has been a nationwide disruption in the SMS service as industry sources suggest that the cause of this are the new SMS regulations. These regulations have been enforced by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to control SMS fraud, but it appears to have also caused a number of problems in the process. What this essentially means is that you could face long delays to get an OTP while authenticating payments or even two-factor authentication to log into your accounts online.

While telecom operators have not issued any statements regarding the issue, a report from NDTV Gadgets suggests that a new DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) process is being deployed which has led to a delay in push notifications. DLT is consensually shared and synchronized across multiple sites, institutions, or geographies, accessible by multiple people, and is similar to a blockchain-based registration system. According to Corefactors, an engineered marketing and communications solutions company, TRAI has asked telemarketers to register themselves on the DLT platform. By doing so, TRAI is making an effort to reduce SMS spam that you get every day from various marketing firms.

According to The Economic Times, around 40% of traffic out of the billion average daily commercial SMS deliveries was disrupted till Monday evening. The failure rate among top private and public sector banks was over 25%. TRAI’s new regulations on unsolicited commercial communication were implemented on Monday, March 8, where it mandated that telcos verify every SMS content with a registered text before delivering it. The blockchain-based system checks the sender ID, called the header, and content of every commercial SMS originating from a registered source while SMSes from unregistered sender IDs are blocked.

The implementation of this new system reportedly has not gone smoothly, due to which a lot of people have been facing issues. I personally faced an issue in the morning while transferring money from my bank account as I was unable to get an OTP even after waiting for 30-minutes. Gadgets 360 additionally confirms that the issue is not specific to a certain telecom operator as both Vodafone and Airtel subscribers have been facing issues.

It is surprising to see that neither telecom operators nor financial institutions including banks have sent out a statement regarding the issue. We suggest that you should avoid using any service that involves receiving an OTP via SMS for authentication until further notice from TRAI, as far as feasible. But considering how widely preferred OTP SMS has become in the past few years, we doubt you can stay unaffected.

The post If you are having trouble receiving OTP SMS in India, you are not alone appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3t1QAG7
via IFTTT

Remap the Google Assistant button on the Sony Xperia 5 II with this app

Sony is no longer the kingpin in the smartphone industry it used to be some five years ago. Despite much lower sales than brands like Samsung and Apple, it has been launching promising smartphones with impressive specifications. Last year’s Sony Xperia 5 II is one such phone that comes with Snapdragon 865, a 120Hz OLED display, IP68 water and dust resistance, and more. Surprisingly, the Xperia 5 II still features a headphone jack to complement the dual speakers and comes with a 21:9 display for immersive viewing. However, in contrast to these practical features, it also comes with a dedicated Google Assistant button that has only one utility. While there is no official method to utilize this button but to invoke the Google Assistant, an unofficial mod called “XPERI+” lets you remap this button for other functions.

XPERI+ is created by developer Ivan Iskandar, who has shared a tutorial to use the app on GitHub as well as Reddit. Besides letting you remap the controls on the Google Assistant button, it also adds a bunch of extra features such as Flip to Shush, accidental touch protection, and add-ons to keep the screen and/or CPU awake while you are not using the phone.

Download XPERI+ for Sony Xperia 5 II/1 II

To reconfigure the function Google Assistant button using XPERI+, you need to grab the APK installer from the link above and install it. Once you install the app, you will need to grant READ_LOGS permission using either ADB or via root. After granting this permission, you can assign the Xperia 5 II’s Google Assistant button to either launch an app or activate a shortcut.

In addition to remapping the Google Assistant button, the XPERI+ app can also be used to activate Flip to Shush (exactly like the Flip to Shhh feature on Pixel smartphones). This feature lets you activate Do Not Disturb on your Xperia 5 II by placing it facing downwards.

The XPERI+ app also brings Accidental Touch Prevention, which — as the name suggests — prevents accidental screen touches when the proximity sensor is covered. It also works when the phone gets unlocked, preventing any touches even if you accidentally touch the side-mounted fingerprint scanner while the phone is in your bag or pocket.

The app also brings features called “Coffee,” which keeps the display on the Xperia 5 II awake until you manually lock it, and “Tea,” which keeps the CPU awake while the screen can be turned off by blocking the proximity sensor. Both of these features can also be activated via Quick Settings tiles.

Sony Xperia 5 II XDA Forums || Sony Xperia 1 II XDA Forums

While XPERI+ is crafted while keeping the Sony Xperia 5 II and the Xperia 1 II in mind, you should be able to run it on other recently launched Xperia phones as well. Notably, Flip to Shush might only work if you activate them while the screen is turned on while using the app on other devices.

The post Remap the Google Assistant button on the Sony Xperia 5 II with this app appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3btUxh2
via IFTTT

Moto G30 and Moto G10 Power launched in India as budget-friendly offerings

Motorola today announced the Moto G30 and Moto G10 Power in India. Both phones had already launched in Europe last month, but the company has decided to rebrand the Moto G10 to Moto G10 Power for the Indian market.

Moto G30: Specifications

Specification	Moto G30
Dimensions and Weight	165.22 x 75.73 x 9.14mm 200g Plastic build
Display	6.5-inch LCD 90Hz screen refresh rate 1600 x 720 (HD+)
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 662: 4 x performance and 4 x efficiency Kryo 260 CPU cores (Up to 2.0GHz) 11nm Adreno 610 GPU
RAM and Storage	4GB/6GB RAM 128GB flash storage MicroSD card support
Battery & Charging	5,000 mAh battery 20W fast charger (inside the box)
Rear Camera	Primary: 64MP Quad Pixel f/1.7 Secondary: 8MP f/2.2 wide-angel 118-degree Tertiary: 2MP f/2.4 bokeh Quarternary: 2MP f/2.4 macro
Front Camera	13MP f/2.2
Ports	USB Type-C port 3.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity	4G LTE Bluetooth 5.0 NFC Type-C port WiFi 802.11.b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz)
Other features	Rear-mounted fingerprint reader Bottom-mounted speaker Dedicated Google Assistant key IP52 rating
Software	Android 11

In terms of specifications, the Moto G30 uses a 6.5-inch HD+ LCD with a 90Hz screen refresh rate. Under the hood, it’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 SoC, paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB flash storage. It also has a quad-camera array on the back comprised of a 64MP f/1.7 primary shooter, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and 2MP macro and depth sensors. All of this is powered by a 5,000mAh battery that charges via a 20W fast charger. Other notable features include NFC, Android 11, Bluetooth 5.0, a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

---

Moto G10 Power: Specifications

Specification	Moto G10 Power
Dimensions and Weight	165.22 x 75.73 x 9.19mm 220g
Display	6.5-inch IPS LCD 1600 x 720 (HD+)
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 460: 4 x ARM Cortex-A73 performance and 4 x ARM Cortex-A53 efficiency cores (Up to 2.0GHz) 11nm Adreno 610 GPU
RAM and Storage	4GB RAM 128GB flash storage MicroSD card support
Battery & Charging	6,000 mAh battery 20W fast charger
Rear Camera	Primary: 48MP Quad Pixel f/1.79 Secondary: 8MP f/2.2 wide-angel 118-degree Tertiary: 2MP f/2.4 bokeh Quarternary: 2MP f/2.4 macro
Front Camera	8MP f/2.2
Ports	USB Type-C port 3.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity	4G LTE Bluetooth 5.0 Type-C port WiFi 802.11.b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz)
Other features	Rear-mounted fingerprint reader Bottom-mounted speaker Dedicated Google Assistant key IP52 rating
Software	Android 11

Although the Moto G10 Power is logically and theoretically a successor to the Moto G9 Power, it seems to be a downgrade over its predecessor on paper at least. It has the same 6.5-inch HD+ LCD but uses the less powerful Snapdragon 460 SoC, a step down from the Snapdragon 662 chipset. Similarly, the primary camera has also been downgraded from the 64MP to 48MP but now you get an additional 8MP ultra-wide shooter along with the 2MP macro and depth sensors. The 6,000mAh battery is unchanged — the European Moto G10 packs a 5,000mAh battery. Elsewhere, the Moto G10 Power comes with Android 11, a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, Bluetooth 5.0, IP52 rating, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a single bottom-firing speaker.

---

Pricing & Availability

The Moto G30 comes in only one variant, 4GB/64GB, which is priced at ₹10,999 (~$150) and will go on sale from Flipkart on March 17 at 12 PM IST. Pricing for the Moto G10 is set at ₹9,999 (~$136) for the 4GB/64GB model. It will be available from Flipkart from March 16 at 12 PM IST.

The post Moto G30 and Moto G10 Power launched in India as budget-friendly offerings appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3sZFx0c
via IFTTT

Google Photos on the web gets a new “Explore” tab and “Favorites” shortcut

Google Photos has received several improvements and new features across a variety of platforms over the last few weeks. The service received two new gestures to help you zoom in on video, an advanced video editor, a new tool to help you easily transfer your iCloud photos, and more. However, Google Photos for the web hasn’t received any significant updates for quite some time. That changes today, as Google is now rolling out a couple of changes for the web version of the service.

According to a report from 9to5Google, Google Photos on the web is getting a new “Explore” tab and a “Favorites” shortcut. The update falls in line with the Android and iOS revamp from last year, but it isn’t exactly the same. For instance, instead of the “Search” tab on Android and iOS, Google Photos on the web now features an “Explore” tab. However, it offers the same features as the “Search” tab on the mobile versions of the app.

Credits: 9to5Google

As you can see in the attached screenshots, the new “Explore” tab includes several carousels, including People, Places, and Things, that span across the entire screen. At the top-right edge of each carousel is a View all button that lets you see everything within the carousel in a grid view. Along with the carousels, the tab also features links to Your Activity, Creations, and Categories. Additionally, Google Photos on the web now also features a “Favorites” shortcut in the Library section. This shortcut will let you view all your starred media with a single click.

Credits: 9to5Google

At the moment, these changes aren’t live for all Google Photos users. But we expect to see a wider rollout in the coming weeks. We’ll update this post as soon as the changes start rolling out to more users.

The post Google Photos on the web gets a new “Explore” tab and “Favorites” shortcut appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3v4KLcN
via IFTTT

These are the best Galaxy S21 Plus cases currently available in March 2021!

With the announcement of the Galaxy S21 series, Samsung is taking its premium flagship series further towards the path they’ve been taking. These phones are, to put it plainly, amazing: the Snapdragon 888 (or the Exynos 2100 that international users will get) will provide peak 2021 performance, the cameras are amazing, and the battery should be able to put up a good fight. The Galaxy S21 Plus is the one most people might go for: it’s a bigger version of the Galaxy S21 while also serving as a middle step down from the Galaxy S21 Ultra. However, if you’re getting one, we know that you don’t want to dent or damage your smartphone, which is why we’ve compiled a list of some of the best Galaxy S21 Plus cases you can find right now.

Going from thin and light cases to clear ones all the way up to thicker, full coverage ones and even rugged cases that sacrifice thinness for durability, we have both official options as well as third-party options that are also worth a look. There are options for every Galaxy S21 Plus user looking to grab a case for their smartphone. Read on to know more!

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Official Silicone Cover

The official silicone case

The official silicone case from Samsung, which was also a good option for the S21, is also available for the Galaxy S21 Plus, providing drop protection and keeping your phone stylish while at it.

$30 at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Official Clear Standing Cover

Clear with kickstand

The official clear standing cover with Samsung includes a kickstand that allows you to set your phone on a table to watch content easily, and also features a clear design that doesn't hide your device's flair and color.

$35 at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Official Rugged Case

Bulky, but functional

Don't mind adding a little bit of bulk to your device? Then you should definitely consider the official rugged case from Samsung, with a textured back and sides as well as an included kickstand. Definitely one of the options most worth considering.

$40 at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Kvadrat Cover

Sturdy and stylish

The Kvadrat case for the Samsung Galaxy S21 brings a textile back courtesy of Kvadrat, in a case that is pretty reminiscent of the ones we used to see with the Google Pixel phones back in the day. It also provides the same degree of protection as other cases in this list.

$35 at Samsung

Caseology Vault Bumper Case for Galaxy S21 Plus

All-round, stylish coverage

The Caseology Vault Bumper Case, which we've also featured for the Galaxy S21, provides a stylish design and plenty of protection, including an extra lip for protecting against drops, on a budget.

View on Amazon

Sucnakp Bumper Case for Galaxy S21 Plus

Flexible TPU w/ shock absorption

This Sucnakp case provides a very similar design to the previous Caseology case we showcased earlier, but comes in 2 colors, is somewhat cheaper, and comes in two colors---black and blue.

View on Amazon

Restoo Clear Case for Galaxy S21 Plus

A clear, hard option

Restoo's clear case provides a hard plastic shell that is also transparent and allows you to show off your phone's design while keeping it protected. It's also one of the cheapest options in this list.

View on Amazon

Restoo Rugged Case for Galaxy S21 Plus

Rugged protection on a budget

Restoo's rugged case, on the other hand, provides plenty of protection and an unique, clear design that also manages to be as tough as it looks, so your Galaxy S21 Plus stays good as new.

View on Amazon

PhuLok Galaxy S21 Plus Case

Another tough budget option

The PhuLok third-party Galaxy S21 Plus case includes a stylish and rugged design that should protect your phone from almost anything that comes across it. Like other options in this list, it also features a kickstand for viewing content completely handless.

View at Amazon

Caseology Parallax Case

Cube Grips Look Great

Caseology's Parallax cases make it in our round-ups a lot for a reason--they provide good protection while looking cool! The cube patterning on the back is for more than show, though--it actually functions as a grip!

View at Amazon

Hocase Clear Glitter Case

Make It Sparkle

Want to show that back of your S21 Plus, but want to still have a bit of flair? Pick up this glitter case! Your special smartphone color will come through, but also with some nice glitter speckling the case to give it extra oomph.

View at Amazon

WWW Wallet Case

Store it in Style

Why just get a wallet case when you can get a GREAT looking wallet case? WWW's wallet case mimics the look of a clutch bag, and it just looks great. You can store your cards and money in it too, of course. The only downside is that you can't use the flaps as a stand.

View at Amazon

These are our top picks for the best Galaxy S21 Plus cases based on price point and what they offer, going from everything from Samsung’s own, in-house offerings to other third-party options from known accessory makers. Whether you just want something that provides a thin layer of protection so your phone doesn’t get completely ruined with a light drop all the way up to rugged cases that provide additional grip as well as substantial protection against drops and scratches, you can rest assured that you can get the ground going on day one of receiving your Galaxy S21 Plus in your doorstep, slap it on, and carry on forward.

Since the phone has just been released, we had to skip using our usual metric of ratings and reviews since there’s not a lot of them right now. but most of these case makers have raving reviews on their products for other smartphones. The official Clear Standing cover is a great choice if you have a phone with some color, while the Official Rugged Case will provide much-needed protection. We also recommend the Phulok Galaxy S21 Plus case which has a kickstand and also protects your phone!

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus is the middle child in the new 2021 flagship series, packing in a flagship SoC and a premium build, along with a decent display and camera setup.

Purchase at Samsung

The post These are the best Galaxy S21 Plus cases currently available in March 2021! appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/35FIA4t
via IFTTT