Microsoft has released the latest version of PowerToys on the Microsoft Store for Windows 11. This gives users a new way to install the set of utilities meant to enhance the Windows experience for power users. It’s also another step in making the Microsoft Store feel more complete.
For those unaware, PowerToys was the name of a set of tools that Microsoft made for Windows 95 way back in the day. These tools weren’t necessarily meant for the average user, but they made the experience more convenient for those who already knew their way around Windows. PowerToys went dormant for many years, but the project was reborn for Windows 10 about two years ago.
The modern release of PowerToys includes nine tools. One of the most recent additions is PowerToys Awake, which prevents your PC from going to sleep for as long as you need it to stay on. There are also tools like PowerRename to rename multiple files at once, Image Resizer, Color Picker, and PowerToys Run.
There’s also an experimental tool called Video Conference Mute, which provides system-wide microphone muting and webcam control. The goal is to let users mute themselves more easily in any app they use without having to think about the different ways to do it in each app, and without having the app window active.
Until now, PowerToys was only available to download through GitHub, or using package managers like winget or Chocolatey. It being available on the Microsoft Store should make it more discoverable for users on Windows 11. It seems this should come alongside an official announcement, but the listing went live before it happened.
With Windows 11, Microsoft wants the Store to be your go-to destination for all your apps, and this time, it’s taking that goal seriously. Pretty much any app can be added to the Microsoft Store now, including PWAs (like the new Reddit app) and traditional desktop apps. We’ve already seen Visual Studio added to the Microsoft Store, and Microsoft is showing more support for its own platform with releases like this.
It’s not just about the kinds of apps that can be added to the Microsoft Store, either. Developers can use their own monetization platform on the Microsoft Store now, so hopefully, we’ll see more and more big names show up and the Store will truly become a one-stop shop for Windows users.
One of the new highlighting features that Google showed off in I/O 2021 coming to Android 12 is Material You. It’s Google’s next big UI design update that aims to customize the user experience on every device in a unique way. With the Pixel 6 series and the stable release of Android 12 right around the corner, Google has been updating a lot of its apps with support for Material You. Recently, the Google Calendar received a Material You design refresh. It’s now come to light that the update also brings a new button to help you quickly add new events from widgets.
The Google Calendar app comes with a widget that you can add to the home screen to get a glimpse of all your upcoming events. However, the biggest gripe that people had with this widget was that it didn’t offer an option to quickly add an event. This has now finally changed with version 2021.37.0-396230951-release of Google Calendar. As you can see in the screenshots below, both the Agenda widget and the Month widget now have a “+” icon to help you quickly add an event to your calendar.
The new button will make lives a lot easier for those who add a lot of events to their calendar throughout the day. You no longer have to open the calendar app and then look for the Add Event button. You can just add the widget onto your home screen and tap the “+” icon to add an upcoming event to your schedule.
If you’re running the Android 12 beta and have the Google Calendar app installed, you should be able to see the new widget and the app redesign with this update of the app.
The Google Calendar app isn’t the only app in Google’s portfolio to receive a widget update with the Material You redesign. Google Drive and Google Keep have also received new widgets with their Material You updates.
Soon after showcasing the new Material You design language at I/O 2021, Google started rolling out design changes to its apps based on the new guidelines. With the Android 12 stable release right around the corner, the company has significantly ramped up the Material You rollout. In the last week alone, Google has rolled out Material You design changes to four of its apps, including Google Phone, Google Photos, Google Duo, and Google Drive. Google also showcased the Material You redesign for its note-taking app, Google Keep, and it has now started rolling out to users.
The Material You redesign for Google Keep comes with version 5.21.361 of the app. The update includes all the design changes that Google highlighted earlier this week, including a flat, pill-shaped search bar with the hamburger menu button, list/grid view switcher, and profile avatar.
It also includes a new rounded square floating action button (FAB) with the four-color ‘plus’ sign to add new notes.
In addition, the Google Keep update includes new widgets (via 9to5Google), including an X-shaped “Quick Capture” widget like the one we saw in Google Drive earlier this week. You can use this new widget to create a new checklist, a drawing, voice recording, or picture note. You can also make a plain text note by tapping the center ‘plus’ sign on the widget. The widget has to be at least 3×2 in size.
Along with the new “Quick Capture” widget, there’s a regular bar-shaped that gives you access to all five of the actions mentioned above in a 4×1 layout. If you shrink it down to 3×1, it only lets you create a new text note.
Furthermore, the update comes with a redesigned “Note List” widget that features shortcuts on the right side, including a prominent “add note” FAB. It displays a list of notes on the left. If you shrink its width to 3 units, the “add note” FAB replaces the sidebar with the shortcuts.
It’s worth noting that the new Material You widgets in Google Keep are not enabled by default at the moment.
Apple has unveiled its latest series of iPhone devices, the iPhone 13 series, which includes the standard iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. While these are iterative upgrades from last year’s version, there are several improvements like the new ProMotion display on the Pro series, larger camera sensors, smaller display notch, and more. If that convinces you to pick one up, make sure you check out the best iPhone 13 and 13 Mini deals, or the best iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max deals depending on which one you’re planning to get.
You might also be interested to know all of the various color options the four phones are available in, before making a purchase decision. That’s exactly why we’ve compiled all of the different colors into a single post to help you decide which one suits you the best.
The iPhone 13 and 13 Mini come with glossy backs and a matte frame, whereas the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max have a matte back with a glossy frame. Here are all the colors for you to take a look at.
Apple iPhone 13: Colors
The iPhone 13 is available in five different color options. Three of the colors are the same as last year with some minute differences, while two of them are new.
This is the classic black color we've all seen before -- just with a fancy name this time. Black is one of the most common colors for probably every phone out there, so if you want something not too flashy and doesn't stand out, you might want to go for this color. It's stealthy and the black frame certainly looks good, but the back will show your fingerprints easily.
Apple introduced the blue color last year with the iPhone 12 and the fact they've retained it this year means it was well-received. The shade of blue has slightly changed this time though -- it's a lighter shade than what it was previously. We seem to like this better than last year as it's slightly more subtle and sober. It's also got a slight cyan tint to it.
This is one of the most popular colors in the iPhone lineup mainly because it looks good and Apple also donates a percentage of earnings from all Red purchases to charity. Last year, they diluted the red to look slightly pinkish or even a little like peach. This time, however, the red is darker and looks more like true red which a lot of people will appreciate.
This is the first new color that has been introduced this year with the iPhone 13 series. The pink variant replaces the green color scheme from last year and is a very subtle shade of pink, more commonly referred to as baby pink. The frame on this variant is reminiscent of Apple's Rose Gold color. This is a pretty color that will appeal to a lot of people.
This is the second new color this year and just like how the Black variant was renamed to Midnight, the White variant has now been renamed to Starlight, with some small changes. The back isn't pure white now and is more like an off-white color with a creamish look. The edges of the phone lean more towards the silver color, similar to what it was on the white iPhone.
The iPhone 13 Mini is essentially just a smaller version of the iPhone 13 which means it’s available in the exact same colors as the iPhone 13. The only difference would be the size of the chassis.
This is the classic black color we've all seen before, just with a fancy name this time. Black is one of the most common colors for probably every phone out there, so if you want something not too flashy and doesn't stand out, you might want to go for this color. It's stealthy and the black frame certainly looks good, but the back will show your fingerprints easily.
Apple introduced the blue color last year with the iPhone 12 and the fact they've retained it this year means it was well-received. The shade of blue has slightly changed this time though and it's like a lighter shade than what it was previously. We seem to like this better than last year as it's slightly more subtle and sober. It's also got a slight cyan tint to it.
This is one of the most popular colors in the iPhone lineup mainly because it looks good and Apple also donates a percentage of earnings from all Red purchases to charity. Last year, they diluted the red to look slightly pinkish or even a little like peach. This time, however, the red is darker and looks more like true red which a lot of people will appreciate.
This is the first new color that has been introduced this year with the iPhone 13 series. The pink variant replaces the green color scheme from last year and is a very subtle shade of pink, more commonly referred to as baby pink. The frame on this variant is reminiscent of Apple's Rose Gold color. This is a pretty color that will appeal to a lot of people.
This is the second new color this year and just like how the Black variant was renamed to Midnight, the White variant has now been renamed to Starlight, with some small changes. The back isn't pure white now and is more like an off-white color with a creamish look. The edges of the phone lean more towards the silver color, similar to what it was on the white iPhone.
Unlike the standard iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini, the iPhone 13 Pro has a matte finish back with glossy edges made of stainless steel. What this means is you don’t get the fun colors that you do with the standard variant. Instead, what you get are shades that are slightly more subtle and classy, giving the phone a more premium look.
The Graphite color has been around for several years now but has been referred to by different names, the most common one being Space Gray. It's essentially a shade of black that looks slightly grayish thanks to the matte texture on the back. The stainless steel sides are also dark gray on this variant. If you want something that looks low-key, this is the color for you.
If you're all about the bling, you absolutely cannot go wrong with the Gold color! The stainless steel sides are glossy and reflective, just like gold, but the back is quite subtle. It isn't gaudy just like we've seen on previous iPhone devices. It has a rich and premium look. If you like to flaunt your phone, there's no better way to do it than with a Gold iPhone!
Personally, we feel like this is the most underrated color on the Pro version of the iPhone that nobody really speaks about. You generally see people talking about the Gold variant, but the Silver with a white back looks extremely classy and premium. The back almost seems like marble and the stainless steel sides are as shiny as ever. Surely one of the most elegant looking colors.
Every year, Apple launches a new color for the Pro variants of the iPhone. This tradition was started off by the iPhone 11 Pro which had a Midnight Green variant followed by the 12 Pro last year which had Pacific Blue. This time, Apple has gone with Sierra Blue for the iPhone 13 Pro series. This shade of blue is slightly lighter, similar to sky blue and gives the phone a premium look. If you want to stand out from the usual set of colors, this is the one to pick!
Just like how the iPhone 13 Mini is a smaller version of the standard iPhone 13, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is a larger version of the iPhone 13 Pro. What this means is the Pro Max model also gets the same colors as the Pro.
The Graphite color has been around for several years now but has been referred to by different names, the most common one being Space Gray. It's essentially a shade of black that looks slightly grayish thanks to the matte texture on the back. The stainless steel sides are also dark gray on this variant. If you want something that looks low-key, this is the color for you.
If you're all about the bling, you absolutely cannot go wrong with the Gold color! The stainless steel sides are glossy and reflective, just like gold, but the back is quite subtle. It isn't gaudy just like we've seen on previous iPhone devices. It has a rich and premium look. If you like to flaunt your phone, there's no better way to do it than with a Gold iPhone!
Personally, we feel like this is the most underrated color on the Pro version of the iPhone that nobody really speaks about. You generally see people talking about the Gold variant, but the Silver with a white back looks extremely classy and premium. The back almost seems like marble and the stainless steel sides are shiny as ever. Surely one of the most elegant looking colors.
Every year, Apple launches a new color for the Pro variants of the iPhone. This tradition was started off by the iPhone 11 Pro which had a Midnight Green variant followed by the 12 Pro last year which had Pacific Blue. This time, Apple has gone with Sierra Blue for the iPhone 13 Pro series. This shade of blue is slightly lighter, similar to sky blue and gives the phone a premium look. If you want to stand out from the usual set of colors, this is the one to pick!
If you’re planning to get the standard iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Mini, the new Starlight color looks quite classy and is an option you should consider. If you like a more playful color and want something that looks funkier, the Red iPhone is the way to go. If you like typical black phones that look stealthy, you should opt for the Midnight variant of the iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Mini.
If the Pro or Pro Max is what you’re getting, you should surely consider the new Sierra Blue color mainly because it stands out and looks unique. It’s almost like a way of saying “hey look, I have a new iPhone!” If you want something to flaunt, the Gold color is the way to go, thanks to its shiny sides. The Silver variant looks classy and is the most elegant of the lot.
All the colors Apple is offering with the iPhone 13 series look good, and it all comes down to personal preference as to which one you like the best. Regardless of which color you pick though, it’s always wise to use a case with your phone to protect it and even improve the way it looks. We have compiled a list of the best iPhone 13 cases, best iPhone 13 Mini cases, best iPhone 13 Pro cases, and the best iPhone 13 Pro Max cases. Make sure to check them out to protect your brand new iPhone.
OPPO has reportedly cut roughly 20% of its staff in key software and device teams. The company recently merged its hardware R&D teams and software with its sister smartphone brand OnePlus, a move that comes amidst ongoing global chip shortages and COVID-19-induced economic setbacks.
Apart from economic reasons, Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources, reports that there are other reasons behind the recent consolidation between the two companies. Apparently, OPPO expanded too rapidly when it kept hiring employees in an attempt to take some market share from Apple.
In an attempt to scale back, some of the positions that were cut include were from the ColorOS team as well as an IoT division that focuses on wearables such as smartwatches and earbuds. Apparently, the merger with OnePlus created some redundant positions, which led to OPPO making significant cutbacks in those teams. Currently, the company’s R&D team for smartphones and overseas sales positions haven’t been impacted by job cuts, according to sources speaking to Bloomberg. OPPO declined to comment officially to Bloomberg.
OPPO has heavily invested in markets like India, Southeast Asia, and Europe, but they failed to challenge both Apple and Xiaomi. Not only that, but slowing sales in China thanks to COVID-19’s resurgence means that the company was forced to make some changes.
“The company is spread thin across several fronts, attacking the premium market, making big regional bets and moving into wearables,” Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint Research, told Bloomberg. “The cuts are probably as much about cost savings as it is a change in tack around strategy.”
Update 2 (09/16/2021 @ 1:44 PM ET): You can now delete your advertising ID in Google Play Services. Click here for more information. The article, as published on June 3, 2021, is preserved below.
Previous updates
Update 1 (07/28/2021 @ 4:49 PM ET): Google has shared an image that shows what deleting your advertising ID looks like in Google Play Services settings on Android 12, and they’ve also revealed a new app set ID SDK for developers. Click here for more information.
Google Play Services generates an advertising ID for all users who opt-in for ad personalization. This ID not only helps Google push relevant ads to users, but it also comes in handy for analytics and fraud prevention. When you turn off ad personalization on your account, Google stops using your advertising ID to push personalized ads, but it still maintains it for other purposes. However, that’s set to change soon.
Currently, you can opt out of personalized ads by heading to Settings > Google > Ads or Settings > Privacy > Advanced > Ads on your Android device. Once you do so, Google Play Services will stop pushing personalized ad recommendations to your device, but apps on your phone will still be able to see the advertising ID. But a recent update on the Play Console Help page reveals that Google Play Services will soon delete the advertising ID when you opt out of interest-based advertising. The update states: “Starting in late 2021, when a user opts out of interest-based advertising or ads personalization, the advertising identifier will not be available. You will receive a string of zeros in place of the identifier.”
After this change goes live, apps on your phone will see a string of zeroes instead of your advertising ID if you disable personalized ads. Google Play Services will also alert all apps that have access to your advertising ID and related data, so that any existing data can be deleted. In a notice shared by developer kdrag0n, Google further reveals that “This Google Play services phased rollout will affect apps running on Android 12 devices starting late 2021 and will expand to affect apps running on devices that support Google Play in early 2022. In July, we will provide more details and an alternate solution to support essential use cases such as analytics and fraud prevention.”
At the moment, we don’t have any information about the alternate solution that Google will introduce for analytics and fraud prevention. We’ll update this post as soon as we learn more.
Update 1: More details shared during July 2021 policy update
In the company’s latest PolicyBytes video outlining the upcoming policy changes on Google Play, Google shared more details about what’s happening to the advertising ID and its replacement for analytics and fraud prevention.
For starters, Google showed off what the option to delete your advertising ID will look like, a feature that will roll out to Android 12 devices via a Google Play Services update later this year.
The company also updated its support page on the Advertising ID with some new information. For any developers that need to be notified when a user deletes their advertising ID, Google is letting you sign up for the notification system here. Google also says that apps updating their target API level to 31 will need to declare the following permission in their manifest to query the advertising ID:
Some SDKs may already declare this permission, but it should be noted that the Families Policy prohibits the use of the advertising ID. In that case, you must prevent the permission from being merged into your app by including this element in your manifest:
Next, Google has shared some details on the alternate solution for essential use cases such as analytics and fraud prevention. Called app set ID, this ID is a unique identifier for all apps by the same developer on the device. Google calls this a “privacy-friendly option” to correlate usage or actions across a set of apps owned by your organization, and it must not be used for ads personalization or ads measurement, be connected to any Android identifiers or any personal and sensitive data for advertising purposes, and its collection must be disclosed to the user in a “legally adequate privacy notification, including your privacy policy.”
The app set ID SDK will return an ID unique to the calling app itself if the app was installed from a source other than Google Play, if Google Play Services was unable to determine an app’s developer account, or if the app was installed on a device without Play Services installed. The app set ID is cleared automatically if the API hasn’t been accessed by the group of apps sharing the same ID for over 13 month, if the last app from a given set of apps is uninstalled, or if the user factory resets the device. The developer preview of this feature is now live, though Google warns that due to the potential for changes, the app set ID API shouldn’t be used in production apps.
For more information, read the full developer program policy update announced today or watch the “PolicyBytes” video embedded below which summarizes the most significant changes.
Update 2: Now rolling out
Google Play Services is now rolling out the ability to delete your device’s advertising ID, provided your device is running Android 12. One of our tipsters, @panduu221 on Twitter, told us they now have this feature. We checked our own Android 12 device and confirmed that the new “delete advertising ID” page is now visible. The roll out of this feature is likely controlled by a server-side flag, but for what it’s worth, our device has version 21.36.14 of the Google Play Services app.
You can now use the Google Home app to test the connection speed between your devices at home and your Nest Wi-Fi router, making it easier to pinpoint and troubleshoot connectivity-related issues. The feature was initially part of the Google Wifi app, but now Google has added the feature to the Google Home app — which has already absorbed many of the core features of the now-defunct app.
Introducing the Device Speed Test on the Google Home app, rolling out this week:
Measures how fast devices connect to your Google or Nest Wifi network Pinpoints where to focus and address connectivity slowdowns Helps optimize mesh point placement
To run a speed test, open up the Google Home app on your smartphone and tap on the Wi-Fi tab, select “Devices,” and from the list, choose the device you want to run the speed test for. On the device page, you’ll see a new “Device speed” section under “Info.” Clicking on the “Check device speed” button initiates the speed test, while the “Check all speeds” buttonwill test both the Internet speed and the connection speed between your device and the Wi-Fi network.
If your Google Nest speaker or other devices are acting up, running a speed test can quickly tell you whether your router or ISP is to blame.
Besides the device speed test feature, the Google Home app is also preparing to add a feature called “ISP access preference,” according to 9to5Google. The feature will allow your ISP to detect if your Wi-Fi network is offline, run speed tests, and change your Wi-Fi settings. When enabled, your ISP will also be able to gather details like your router’s online/offline status, software version and installation history of your router, and so on to help you troubleshoot issues.
The device speed test feature is rolling out with the Google Home app version 2.43.
Measures how fast devices connect to your Google or Nest Wifi network
Pinpoints where to focus and address connectivity slowdowns
Helps optimize mesh point placement