Google Voice will soon lose the ability to forward text messages to other numbers

Google Voice is one of the oldest Google services around. Launched all the way back in 2009, the service allows users in the U.S. and Google Workspace accounts in select markets to text, call, and voicemail using a free phone number provided by Google. One of the beloved features of Google Voice is text and call forwarding. This essentially allows you to link multiple devices to a single Voice number and have the calls and SMS forwarded to your carrier phones. But it looks like the service will soon lose the text forwarding capability.

According to a Google Voice support page (via Android Police), SMS forwarding to linked numbers “will stop soon.” The messages will still show up in your email (if you have turned on email forwarding) and inside the Google Voice app, but they will no longer appear in your default text app. The move comes as many carriers in the U.S. have started blocking spam calls and messages, and it would seem the numbers used by Google Voice for forwarding text messages are also being seen as spam by these carriers.

Important: Message forwarding to linked numbers will stop soon because mobile carriers have started to block these messages.

Google hasn’t given any concrete timeline as to when this change comes into effect. In any case, you should enable the email-based forwarding so you can still receive each SMS sent to your Google Voice number directly in your inbox. To do so, head to voice.google.com. From there, click on the gear icon located in the top right, select Messages, and turn on “Forward messages to email.”

For the time being, call and voicemail forwarding is still fine and doesn’t appear to be affected by this change. However, it can’t be said with confidence that they will not be the next in line to get the axe.

Google Voice (Free, Google Play) →

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The Best VPN For Torrenting Files Online: ExpressVPN, Surfshark, NordVPN & More!

Torrenting is a prevalent online activity, but it carries enormous risks. If you’re sharing and receiving P2P files on the internet, there’s always the threat of being targeted by cybercriminals. But with a virtual private network service (VPN), you can use torrenting services safely. A VPN will keep you anonymous online, encrypt your web traffic, secure untrusted networks, help stop bandwidth throttling, protect against DDoS attacks, and more.

Given that torrenting is widespread all over the world, many different VPN providers support torrents. However, as lots of these services are available, choosing one can be challenging. To help you make the right decision, we’ve rounded up the best VPNs for torrenting in 2021.

Navigate This Article:

• Best Overall VPN for torrenting: ExpressVPN
• Best Cheap VPN for torrenting: Surfshark
• Best Known VPN for torrenting: NordVPN
• Best Torrenting VPN for most people: CyberGhost
• Best Torrenting VPN for international servers: Private Internet Access
• Alternate Option: IPVanish

Best Overall VPN For Torrenting: ExpressVPN

The British Virgin Islands-based company offers everything you’d want in the best overall VPN service for torrents, including an extensive server network, impressive performance, robust security and privacy, and lots more.

With ExpressVPN, you’ll be able to torrent securely and privately thanks to a strict no-logging policy, IP address masking, AES-256 encryption, a network kill switch, private DNS for every server, VPN split tunneling, TrustedServer technology, and more.

ExpressVPN also works with many P2P clients, such as uTorrent, BitTorrent, Transmission, qBittorrent, Deluge, and others. Since ExpressVPN offers over 3,000 servers in 94 countries, you’ll be able to access and share P2P/torrent files safely right around the world.

If you use a range of different devices, you’ll be glad to learn that ExpressVPN has easy-to-use clients for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, and many other operating systems. The apps are straightforward to use, allowing you to automatically connect to the best available server or select from a list of international servers. However, ExpressVPN only provides five device connections.

Along with its torrenting capabilities, ExpressVPN is also a top streaming VPN that provides access to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, DAZN, Hulu, HBO, and other services. Plus, there’s unlimited bandwidth. Overall, ExpressVPN is the best VPN around for torrenting, streaming, and everything else.

ExpressVPN

It offers all the features of a top-rate torrenting VPN, including a large server network, strong encryption, an internet kill switch, a strict no-logging policy, easy-to-use apps, 24/7 support, and more.

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Best Cheap VPN For Torrenting: Surfshark

If you’re looking for a top-class torrenting VPN that won’t make a dent in your finances, look no further than Surfshark. It’s the cheapest premium VPN service around, with its best value subscription costing $2.49 per month.

Surfshark provides a great range of security and privacy features, letting you use torrenting services securely. These include a no-logging policy, AES-256 encryption, malware protection, secure protocols, an internet kill switch, private DNS and leak protection, multihop, a Camouflage mode, a NoBorders mode, and much more.

While Surfshark doesn’t offer dedicated servers for P2P and torrenting services, the provider claims that most of its static servers are “P2P-friendly”. In fact, Surfshark operates a large network of over 3,200 VPN servers in 65 countries. It also supports a range of P2P clients, including uTorrent.

Unlike many other premium VPN services, Surfshark has an impressive unlimited device policy. So you’ll be able to use its VPN service on all your devices. Surfshark provides apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, and lots of other operating systems.

Surfshark

If you want a great torrenting VPN that’s also cheap, it’s definitely worth checking out Surfshark. It has so much to offer, including an unlimited device policy, robust security, easy-to-use apps, and P2P-friendly servers.

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Best Known VPN For Torrenting: NordVPN

Nord is another popular VPN provider that is excellent for accessing torrenting and P2P services. It provides a massive network of 5,525 VPN servers in 59 countries globally, and hundreds of them are specifically designed for P2P file sharing.

In the NordVPN app, it’s really easy to connect to a P2P server. All you need to do is click on “specialty servers” in the bottom menu and then press “P2P”. NordVPN’s apps are available on various platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, and other operating systems.

When it comes to security and privacy, NordVPN offers a strong no-logging policy, strong encryption, an internet kill switch, obfuscated servers, split tunneling, Double VPN (which routes web traffic via two highly secure servers), a DNS leak test, Onion over VPN, a malware and advert blocker, and more.

Another great thing about NordVPN is that you can use this service to access Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney Plus, DAZN, and many other streaming services. There’s also a six-device limit, 24/7 customer support, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and various premium subscriptions.

NordVPN

NordVPN provides a large network of over 5,500 servers, with many optimized for torrents. On top of this, there’s a strict no-logging policy, lots of great security features, 24/7 customer support, multi-platform apps, and more.

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Best Torrenting VPN For Most People: CyberGhost

CyberGhost is a top-rated premium VPN service that provides a large network of 6,861 servers across 89 countries. Plus, many of its servers are optimized for using P2P and torrenting services.

It offers a range of excellent features, including AES-256 encryption, DNS and IP leak protection, an internet kill switch, a no-logging policy, various protocols (OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard), unlimited bandwidth, unlimited traffic, a 24/7 live chat for customer support, and a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Should you decide to take out a subscription with CyberGhost, you’ll be able to secure up to seven connected devices. What’s more, CyberGhost has easy-to-use VPN apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, and many other devices. CyberGhost also unblocks streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, YouTube, and more.

CyberGhost

CyberGhost has a lot to offer as one of the best torrenting VPNs, such as an extensive server network, strong encryption, an internet kill switch, unlimited bandwidth, multi-platform apps, and more.

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Best Torrenting VPN For International Servers: Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is probably best known for its massive VPN server network. Globally, it offers more than 26,206 VPN servers in 77 countries across the globe, and supports P2P and torrenting.

Overall, Private Internet Access is an excellent VPN service. Its main features include encrypted Wi-Fi, the WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, malware blocking, advert blocking, web tracker blocking, multiple VPN gateways, unlimited bandwidth, a SOCKS5 web proxy, a no-logging policy, instant setup, and more.

Along with a large suite of features, Private Internet Access also provides apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, and other operating systems. Every plan comes with a 10-device limit, fast speeds, expert support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Private Internet Access

What sets Private Internet Access apart from other VPN providers is its huge network of over 26,200 servers. What’s more, it has a 10-device limit, lots of great features, expert support, multi-platform apps, and so much more.

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Alternate Option: IPVanish

IPVanish is a major name in the VPN scene that provides a decently sized server network, easy-to-use apps for all major platforms, a large suite of features, good support, impressive performance, and more.

What’s great about IPVanish is that it has a large network of over 1,600 VPN servers and more than 40,000 shared IP addresses in 75 global locations. Like Surfshark, IPVanish has an unlimited devices policy and easy-t0-use apps on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, and other operating systems.

All plans come with access to a SOCKS5 web proxy, which is very handy for torrenting. Other features include strong encryption, zero data transfer caps, a no-logging policy, the ability to unblock top streaming sites like Netflix, different protocols, 24/7 live chat support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

IPVanish

IPVanish is a very capable VPN service thanks to its large server network, unlimited device policy, easy-to-use apps, SOCKS5 web proxy, 24/7 customer support, and many other features.

Visit website

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In the online world, torrenting is one of the most widespread activities. But unfortunately, sharing and receiving P2P files puts you at risk of malware, cyber attacks, internet snooping, and other online threats. However, a VPN will allow you to use torrenting services securely and privately. Overall, ExpressVPN is the best service for torrenting users, and you shouldn’t be disappointed with it.

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Microsoft Edge browser for Xbox Series X and S opens up new cloud gaming possibilities

Microsoft’s new consoles, the Xbox Series X and Series S, are excellent gaming machines on their own. The Series X is capable of 4K gaming, while the smaller Series S lets you enjoy next-gen titles at 1440p at a relatively cheaper package. But there is now a way to go beyond the list of Xbox games offered by Microsoft, thanks to cloud gaming.

Recently, Microsoft was reported to be publicly testing the new Chromium-based Edge browser on the Xbox consoles. If you are an Xbox tester and part of the Alpha Skip-Ahead group, you can access Microsoft Edge on the Xbox Series X|S consoles as well as the older Xbox One consoles. The only issue is that there isn’t full mouse and keyboard support yet, so you need to rely on the Xbox controller. While this opens up users’ ability to visit websites, run browser-based games, and even certain services like video calling that can run on a browser. It is also a big step for running game streaming services right onto the console. As per The Verge, Edge should offer access to Google’s Stadia streaming service with the support of improved compatibility with Chromium.

According to a Reddit post on the Stadia subforums, Google Stadia does, in fact, run ‘perfectly’ on an Xbox Series S via the Edge browser. According to some of the comments on the post, there are limitations to this. For instance, you cannot pull up the Stadia UI if you are playing a game. So if you want to exit the game, the only way to do that is by restarting the Edge browser.

Additionally, a video posted by Joe Chip shows that the Edge browser on Xbox can also support GeForce Now cloud gaming service. This means that it is possible to play Steam games on the Xbox without a PC. In his video, Chip explains that you need to login to your NVIDIA GeForce Now account and your Steam account to get access to the games. The service does not run flawlessly as some games do not load, while others need a keyboard and mouse for proper gameplay. He does, however, manage to run Wreckfest and use the Xbox controller to play the game. According to him, the game looks good, along with a decent response. It is notable that the ability to stream games does not depend on the hardware of the console itself, as the game essentially runs on a server and then streamed via a supported browser.

While it is an early stage, the possibility of streaming games via cloud services on a gaming console like the Xbox should soon be a reality. Most of the issues should be ironed out once Edge browser offers support for a keyboard and mouse in a future stable update.

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Call of Duty: Mobile announces Season 2 with new maps, weapons and more

Call of Duty: Mobile is heading into its second season, with the developers announcing a massive update for the mobile game. The new season is titled ‘Day of Reckoning’ and brings two new maps, new guns, and a bunch of new modes and improvements that players can look forward to. It is the first major update for the game in 2021, and it is expected to be rolled out without the servers being taken down for maintenance. According to an official Reddit post, the patch is available for Android users and should be making its way to iOS players depending on the region. It is interesting to note that Activision is releasing the new patch right around the same time PUBG Mobile released its new v1.3 update for Season 18.

Here are some of the key updates that you should look out for:

New Weapons: SP-R208 Marksman Rifle, AS Val

According to the patch notes, the new season will introduce two new guns. The SP-R208 Marksman Rifle will be a new sniper addition similar to the one seen in Call of Duty Modern Warfare. One can increase the accuracy and range of this weapon by using the special attachment Bolt. The AS Val will also be a new addition to the game, a single-shot semi-auto assault rifle. It comes with a high fire rate and damage, but it comes with slow bullet speed with a low bullet falling trajectory. It is sort of like the VSS if you have played PUBG Mobile.

New Maps: Shoot House, Shipment

The update will also bring two new maps to the game: Shoot House and Shipment. Both have been featured on Modern Warfare and will be coming to the mobile version of COD.  Shoot House features a military training ground located in the middle of a desert, including a 3-route design. Shipment, which is the classic map in the Modern Warfare series, has been revamped with WWII-style shipment port having a modern style.

New Game Modes: Tank Battle, Gunfight: Sniper

The new update for COD: Mobile is also bringing some new game modes, including Tank Battle and Gunfight: Sniper. The new Tank Battle will be available under Battle Royale as well as for Ranked Mode. The objective here is to collect five components to assemble your tank. The assembly can be done via a blueprint in the airdrop. You can take on tanks with anti-tank weapons, including Delay Bomb, Proximity Mine, Anti-Tank Sticky Grenade, Anti-Tank Sniper, and Anti-Tank War Machine. Gunfight: Sniper mode is pretty straightforward, eliminating or capturing objectives by only using sniper rifles. This mode will be available on Cage, Shipment, Pine, King, and more maps.

Other notable updates include a new Cargo Truck vehicle with only two seats for the driver and the co-driver but can accommodate multiple soldiers. Players will also be able to equip pistols as custom airdrop weapons. With that, there are several improvements and game optimizations that will be coming with the new update.

You can go through the entire patch notes shared by Activision below:

Call of Duty: Mobile Season 2 Patch Notes

Season 2 Battle Pass available on 3/11 UTC!

New Premium Battle Pass Rewards

• New epic Blueprints: AS VAL – Judgement, M4LMG – Checkpoint, KRM-262 – Eagle Claw, and BK57 – Data Miner
• New epic Soldiers: Mace – Back For More, Mara – Awakening, Alex and Special Ops 2 – Brute
• New Legendary Calling Cards

New Free Battle Pass Rewards:

• New base weapon: AS VAL. A special rifle with a high fire rate as well as damage, the subsonic design creates a silencing effect. However, the price is paid with slow bullet speed with obvious bullet falling trajectory. Soldiers will need a lot of practice to master it.
• New Scorestreak: Napalm. Scorch nearby enemies and fill the battlefield with smoke.

New Events Rewards:

New challenges and missions with new rewards:

• New base weapon: SP-R 208, a bolt-action marksman rifle with relatively high damage and mobility. With the special attachment Bolt, the weapon will increase in accuracy and range but also decrease chambering speed.
• New Perk: Recon. After an enemy is killed, nearby enemies will be scanned and displayed on the mini-map.

New Rank Series

• Rank Series resets to Series 1. The new Series 1 starts from 2021.3 – 2021.5
• New ranked mode rewards:
  • New epic Blueprint: QXR – Roaring Steel
  • New epic Soldier: Kreuger – Ruptured Steel

MULTIPLAYER

New Maps

• Shoot House: The popular Modern Warfare map is now available in CODM! The map features a military training ground located in the middle of a desert, including the classic 3-route design. Join the fierce combat with your best maneuvers!
  • Available for Team Death Match, Domination, Hard Point, Kill Confirmed, and more!
• Shipment – Modern: This classic map in Modern Warfare series has been renovated! The WWII-style shipment port has been is now in modern style. While fighting fiercely between containers, don’t let down the guards towards threats from above.
  • Available for Team Death Match, Domination, Hard Point, Kill Confirmed, and more!

New Featured Game Modes!

• Gunfight: Sniper
  • Eliminate or capture objectives by using only acquired sniper rifles. Kilo-Bolt Action, SKS and NA45 are also available in this mode.
  • Available on Cage, Shipment, Pine, King, and more!

Loadout New Features

• Blueprint Overview: Players can select and change blueprints in the Loadout conveniently by clicking the OVERVIEW icon.
• Recently Acquired Items: The Notification clearing icon (the exclamation mark with a slash) now shows all new items players recently acquired, including weapons, attachments, soldiers, camos, and others.
• Blueprints Available: Players now can see new blueprints available in Loadout.

BATTLE ROYALE

New Featured Game Modes!

• Tank Battle: Also Available for Ranked Mode.
  • Collect five components to assemble your tank. You can also assemble the Tank via blueprint in the airdrop. Multiple soldiers can fight in tanks.
  • Components making up the tank include Chassis, Engine, Armor, Primary Weapon, Secondary Weapon.
  • Anti-Tank weapons include Delay Bomb, Proximity Mine, Anti-Tank Sticky Grenade,
  • Anti-Tank Sniper, Anti-Tank War Machine.
  • Tank repair tools: Welding Gun.
  • There are three types of tank blueprints.

New Vehicle

• New Vehicle: Cargo Truck. The truck has only two seats for the driver and the co-driver, but the body can accommodate multiple soldiers who can move freely. The acceleration is slower, but has high durability and provides good protection for the riders.

New Custom Airdrop Weapons

Soldiers now can equip pistols as custom airdrop weapons.

Weapon Lists Updated

• Common: AK117 / SKS / M4LMG / GKS
• Uncommon: AK47 / Man-O-War / M21 EBR / Chopper / RUS-74U / BY15 / KRM-262
• Rare: AK117 / BK57 / FR .556 / HVK-30 / Peacekeeper MK2 / AS VAL / LOCUS / SP-R 208 / M4LMG / Razorback / QQ9 / QXR / KRM-262
• Epic: Type 25 / ICR / DRH / BK57 / KN-44 / AS VAL / Man-O-War / Peacekeeper MK2 / HVK-30 / DL Q33 / SKS / Chopper / RUS-74U / GKS / QQ9
• Legendary: M4 / Man-O-War / AS VAL / HVK-30 / SP-R 208 / M4LMG / QXR / GKS

IMPROVEMENTS & OPTIMIZATIONS

Multiplayer

• Increased MSMC’s OWC Marksman barrel attachment horizontal recoil control.
• Increased S36, UL736, RPD, and M4LMG’s YKM combat stock attachment ADS time reduction.
• Decreased HBRA3’s OWC Marksman barrel attachment’s negative effects.
• Increased DL Q33 damage to 90 and grants it higher wall-penetrating damage.
• Increased DRH’s the No Stock attachment ADS time reduction to 12%.
• Decreased DRH’s No Stock attachment hit flinch to 15%.
• Slightly decreased ICR’s No Stock attachment and YKM Combat Stock attachment accuracy.
• Slightly increased ASM10’s No Stock attachment hit flinch.
• Decreased Arctic .50’s wall-penetrating damage and MIP Stopping Power Reload attachment’s damage ratio to legs. Now a wall-penetrating leg shot will not be lethal.
• The capacity of blocking fire bullet for Arctic.50 is decreased from 20 to 15 and its maximum capacity is decreased from 40 to 30, ADS time increased from 12% to 25%, and shot interval from 40% to 50%.
• Decreased the explosion range of War Machine.
• Decreased the damage reduction of War Machine operator.
• Decreased Gravity Spike damage range.
• Slightly decreased the damage of Annihilator dealt to: Stealth Chopper, XS1 Goliath, VTOL, Shield Turret and Transform shield.
• Solders equipped with Dead Silence Perk no longer hear the footstep of themselves, and the audible range of running has been decreased.
• Players now can jump while moving alongside a wall.
• Optimized the speed adjustment when moving alongside a wall/obstacle,
• Optimized the server tick rate.
• Optimized player’s hit box when switching among standing, crouching and prostrating.
• Increased characters’ FPS. Enemy’s movements and actions are more precise and smooth.
• Optimized sound effects based on different scenes so that players can locate their enemies more accurately.
• Fixed an issue that players might get stuck in window frames when climbing through.
• Fixed an issue that Soldiers will be stuck for a while after crossing the shortcut of LAUNDRY SIDEWALK in Raid.
• Fixed an issue that some wrong collisions in the scene in Takeoff.
• Fixed an issue that some wrong collisions in the scene in Tunisia.

Battle Royale

• Increased ADS accuracy for all weapons.
• Increased horizontal recoil control for all weapons.
• Popular weapons such as AK47 and AK117 have much lower control increasing than other weapons.
• The locking time for FHJ18 is changed to 1 second.
• The launching speed of projectiles from FHJ18 is decreased to 110m/s and accelerates to its maximum speed.
• Significantly increased SMG and SHOTGUN hip-fire accuracy.
• Significantly increased SNIPER rifle recoil control.
• Increased Tempest’s damage and damaging radius.
• Increased Annihilator range. It now can eliminates enemy in all range with 2 shots
• Increased projectile distance of all lethal and tactical weapons.
• Cluster Grenade now has an alarm when it sticks to an object, and directions of small grenades will be shown on the screen.
• Discarded guns no longer show amount of remaining ammo.
• Optimized wing suit landing action.
• Optimized the server tick rate.
• Optimized player’s hit box when switching among standing, crouching and prostrating..
• Increased characters’ FPS. Enemy’s movements and actions are more precise and smooth.
• Optimized sound effects based on different scenes so that players can locate their enemies more accurately.

Game Mode Optimization

Going Dark

• Battery limitation feature has been added to night vision devices, with an exception for the undeads in Attack of the Night.
• EMP can temporarily paralyze night vision devices.
• Scorestreak items and trip mines show team color even when night vision device is on.
• Fixed the issue that visual effects of weapon blueprints and firing effects were overexposed when night vision device is on.
• Fixed the issue that the touch screen of controlling Scorestreaks is blurred when night vision device is on.
• Optimized the lighting of related maps.

Hardpoint HQ

• New scoring rule added to Hard Point: continuous capturing. Soldiers continuously capturing the Hard Point will earn extra scores.
• Fixed the issue that soldier revives too far from the objective.

Prop Hunt

• New maps available: Tunisia.

Ranked Mode

Multiplayer

• Optimized the algorithm of evaluating players’ strengths and abilities in every rank, especially legendary players. Legendary players around 6500 scores won’t match up with high score legendary players frequently.
• Optimized the UI of ranking lobby.

Rattle Royale

• Optimized rank point calculating algorithm. Players get more rank points in the new season in total.

Call of Duty®: Mobile (Free⁺, Google Play) →

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Google Pixel 6 may feature a centered hole-punch camera with 4K video support

Although Google won’t be lifting the covers off the Pixel 6 for several more months, leaks about the upcoming device have already started popping up. We first learned about the device back in August last year when a leaked internal document revealed the codenames of four upcoming Pixel devices — “barbette” (Pixel 5a), “raven,” “oriole,” and “passport.” Although the document didn’t reveal any noteworthy information about “barbette,” “raven,” or “oriole,” it did reveal that “passport” would feature a foldable display. A teardown of the latest Google Camera release has now revealed some more information about the upcoming Pixel smartphones.

Google recently rolled out a new update for the Google Camera app (v.8.2), which introduced a new gesture to capture video quickly. While the update didn’t include any other changes on the surface, 9to5Google has managed to find a few tidbits about the Pixel 5a and the Pixel 6 buried deep within the app’s code. As per a recent report from the publication, the teardown has revealed that the Pixel 5a will feature a smaller hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera when compared with the one on the Pixel 4a. Code suggests that it will have a radius of 55 pixels instead of 65 pixels. Other than that, the Pixel 5a will likely feature the same design as the Pixel 4a 5G, as spotted in recent leaks.

The teardown also confirmed the codenames of two of the upcoming Pixel devices — oriole and raven — and revealed some additional details about the hole-punch camera on oriole. As per the report, the device codenamed oriole (likely to be the Pixel 6) will feature a centered hole-punch cutout, unlike the Pixel 5. The hole-punch cutout will also have a smaller radius, just like the one on the upcoming Pixel 5a. The new centered hole-punch cutout will result in some minor UI changes on the device, as seen in the mockup below.

Additionally, 9to5Google speculates that Google may upgrade the Pixel 6’s selfie camera and offer 4K video recording capabilities. The publication reveals that front-facing video is limited to 1080p/30fps on the Pixel 5 due to certain restrictions within the Google Camera app. Google has lifted these restrictions in the latest release, which suggests that the company may add 4K video support on the Pixel 6’s selfie camera. At the moment, the app doesn’t include any concrete evidence to support this claim.

Featured image: Google Pixel 5 with a centered hole-punch camera

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AAWireless dongle that enables wireless Android Auto on wired units starts shipping out to customers

Android Auto is one of the most widely used systems to connect an Android smartphone to your car’s infotainment system. Despite its popularity, Android Auto has many compatibility issues, especially if either the car head unit or the smartphone is old. One of the limitations with older car head units, which do no support wireless transmission, is that Android Auto requires users to be tethered to it using a USB cable. The AAWireless dongle is a plug-n-play device that solves this problem by acting as a wireless interface between the smartphone and the car unit. The product was set up for crowdfunding on Indiegogo last year and has now started shipping out to the early adopters.

AAWireless is jointly developed by XDA Recognized Developer Emil Borconi and XDA Developer Chiel Prins. This simple plug-n-play dongle connects to the car’s entertainment system with a USB port and the smartphone over Wi-Fi. The journey to develop this dongle began over two years ago when Borconi first created an app called AAGateWay to perform a similar function. The developer even showed a proof of concept using a TV stick to establish a wireless connection between the smartphone and a car head unit.

Compared to the prototype, which required 30-40 seconds to start projecting a phone’s screen onto a car’s head unit, the final product takes about 25-30 seconds. Furthermore, the boot time has also been reduced to roughly 6 seconds. Borconi exclaims these are timed using a OnePlus 8 Pro running Android 11, and the duration for older phones might be slightly longer. The final unit also appears more compact than the prototype shown last year.

While the initial crowdfunding target for AAWireless was $200,000, the duo has been able to accrue nearly $1.3 million with more than 16,000 backers as of now. As per the latest update, nearly 3400 units are ready for shipping, out of which the first 100 should be on their way very soon. The others should start shipping as early as March 15th.

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Samsung starts rolling out the One UI 3.1 update to the Galaxy M31s

In the middle of 2020, Samsung launched the Galaxy M31s (our review). With the Exynos 9611 SoC, a 6.5″ FHD+ Super AMOLED display, and a massive 6,000mAh battery, the Galaxy M31s was one of the most interesting mid-range offerings from the Korean company. The Galaxy M31s launched with a slightly stripped-down version of Samsung’s One UI software called “One UI Core” on top of Android 10, and now, the update to One UI (Core) 3.1 is rolling out. As expected, the new build is based on Android 11.

Users on Samsung’s India community have reported that the update is rolling out for the Galaxy M31s (model number SM-M317F) in the form of software version M317FXXU2CUB1. The size of the OTA package is nearly 2GB and it comes with the February 2021 Android Security Patch Level. The full changelog for the update is embedded below.

One UI 3.1 Changelog for the Samsung Galaxy M31s

One UI 3.1 is designed to help you focus on what matters. Our visual redesign has improved the places you visit the most, like the Home screen and quick panel, to reduce distractions, highlight important information, and make your experience more consistent. Performance improvements will help apps run quicker while using less battery power. And One UI 3.1 puts control in your hands with new privacy controls, one-time permissions, and enhanced Digital Wellbeing.

Scroll down for a full list of changes.

Visual design

We’ve refreshed the look and feel of One UI 3.1 in lots of ways , from new, more consistent icons to smarter quick panel organization and notifications. Motion is smoother and more natural, with improved animation. And better interface response means the user experience is second to none, on any device.

Improved performance

We optimized One UI 3.1 with enhanced dynamic memory allocation, so apps run faster and perform better. We’ve also restricted background activities to provide better performance and power usage.

Better customization

• New image categories have been added to Dynamic Lock screen, and you can select up to 5 categories at once.
• On the Lock screen, you can add a widget to check your usage time.
• Get an interactive preview when setting a wallpaper.
• Adjusting the Always On Display and Lock screen is easier.
• Add a call background to see a picture or video when you make or receive a call.
• In Samsung Internet, you can reorder and lock tabs.
• New icons and Lock screen widgets make it easier to find and control your routines.
• Use Digital Wellbeing with separate personal and work profiles.

Enhanced features

Home screen and Lock screen

• Add widgets by touching and holding an app on the Home screen.
• Turn off the screen by double tapping on an empty space on the Home or Lock screen. (Set it up in Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures.)
• On the Lock screen, tap the clock area to see widgets like calendar, weather, and music.

Calls and chats

• See conversations separately in the notification panel. Works with Messages and your favorite chat apps.
• Easily remove duplicate contacts stored in the same account in Contacts. The storage period for deleted contacts has been extended from 15 days to 30 days.
• Added the ability to edit multiple linked contacts from a single screen.
• Added Trash in Messages so that recently deleted messages are stored for 30 days.

Pictures and videos

• Take pictures quicker with improved auto focus and auto exposure.
• View, edit, and share pictures and videos more easily from Gallery.
• Find pictures and videos quicker with new search features and categories in Gallery.
• Revert edited pictures to their original versions at any time, even after they’re saved, so you never lose a shot.

Settings

• Settings has a new simpler look and feel. Your Samsung account is shown at the top, and Home screen settings are now easier to access.
• Find the settings you need more easily with new Search features. You’ll get better results for synonyms and common misspellings, and you can tap on tags to see groups of related settings.
• Quick settings buttons have been reduced to provide only the most commonly used features. You can also add buttons to create your own customized quick panel.

Samsung Keyboard

• Increased the number of input languages to 370.
• Added emoji and sticker suggestions when you enter a text-based emoticon.
• Improved the keyboard layout to provide a larger space bar when entering web and email addresses.
• Reorganized Keyboard settings so it’s easier to access frequently used settings.

Productivity

• In Internet, you can hide the status and navigation bars for a more immersive experience and quickly translate webpages.
• You’ll be prompted to block websites that send too many pop-ups or notifications.
• You can browse and select cloud drive files from the file selection screen in My Files.
• You can now delete cache files in My Files to easily free up storage space.
• Events with the same start time are displayed together in the month and list views in Calendar.

Easy media and device control

Media and device control is easier with the improved media panel in notifications. You can see recently used media apps and quickly change the playback device. You can also check Android Auto settings in the Advanced features menu in Settings.

Identify and improve your digital habits

Improved Digital Wellbeing features make it easy to check how you’re using your phone or tablet and help you form good digital habits. Check your usage while driving or see weekly changes in your screen time by function at a glance through upgraded weekly reports.

Accessibility for everyone

One UI 3.1 recommends useful accessibility features for you based on your usage. The improved Accessibility shortcut makes accessibility features easier to start and use. You can use the Speak keyboard input aloud feature to get voice feedback of your typing even when TalkBack is turned off.

Stronger privacy protection

You can now let an app access to your microphone, camera, or location just one time. Any permissions that an app hasn’t used in a while will be automatically revoked. You can no longer give apps permission to always see your location in the regular permission popup. To let apps access your location when they’re not in use, you need to go to the location permission page for the app in Settings.

Some apps will need to be updated separately after the One UI 3.1 update.

App copies made using Dual messenger can no longer access SD card files directly. To share SD card files in an app copy, select the files in Gallery or My Files, tap Share, then select the app copy.

You can no longer connect to Chromecast using Smart View. You can use Google Home instead.

It is worth mentioning that the first Android 11-based software release for the Galaxy M31s was One UI 3.0, which has been skipped over for the Indian variant in favor of One UI 3.1. We’ll follow-up once the One UI 3.1 update rolls out for Galaxy M31s owners in more regions.

The post Samsung starts rolling out the One UI 3.1 update to the Galaxy M31s appeared first on xda-developers.

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