Android 13 “Tiramisu”: Everything we know so far about Google’s next big update!

Android 12 was one of the biggest updates to Android in a long time. Google finally gave the most popular mobile platform a much-needed visual overhaul with Material You. While Android 12 was announced recently and debuted with the Pixel 6 series, the new OS has already started making its way to several phones including older Pixel devices and Samsung flagships. In fact, Android 12L, the next iteration of Android specifically meant for foldables and tablets isn’t too far away either. Speaking of the next iteration, we already have fair bits of information related to the next big Android update — Android 13 — so we wanted to collect everything in one place. Here’s everything we know about Android 13 so far!

Navigate this article:

• When is Android 13 releasing?
  • Android 13 Developer Preview
  • Android 13 Beta
  • Android 13 Beta with Platform Stability
  • Android 13 Stable
• Will my device get Android 13
• What will Android 13 be called?
• Android 13 New Features and Changes
  • Multi-user NFC Payments
  • Native support for DNS over HTTPS
  • Disable Background App limitations
  • Full Support for Bluetooth LE Audio
  • App Languages
  • Runtime Permission for Notifications
  • TARE: The Android Resource Economy
  • Lock Screen Clock layouts

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When is Android 13 releasing?

It’s too early for Google to give us a release date of Android 13 since Android 12 has just been announced a couple of months back. However, based on the timeline of previous Android releases, we can assume that the stable version of Android 13 could be announced in Q4, 2022. However, before the stable release, we will have a series of Developer Previews preceding it which will be available much sooner.

Android 13 Developer Preview

Every year, Google releases Developer Previews for its upcoming Android version update so that developers and users can test the software before a stable version is rolled out to the public. Developer previews include some upcoming features and keep improving as and when newer versions are released. Again, we don’t have a confirmed timeline for the Android 13 Developer Preview but the first build should ideally be out in early 2022. The Android 11 and Android 12 Developer Preview program started in February which is good reason to assume that the Android 13 Developer Previews should also start rolling out sometime in February 2022.

Apart from being available to install on Pixel devices, you will also be able to flash the Android 13 Developer Preview onto other devices via GSI. However, Developer Previews are not meant to be used as daily drivers since they contain a ton of bugs and glitches. They’re mainly software meant for developers to begin platform migration for their apps and services.

Android 13 Beta

Developer Previews are generally succeeded by Beta builds that are slightly more polished and closer to the real deal. This is also the stage where various OEMs start their beta programs and let you try Android 13 with their custom skins on top. Again, these versions are also unstable and are not recommended for the average consumer. Beta builds, however, are a good way to get a glimpse of what the final update for your phone might look like. Beta releases usually coincide with Google I/O, which in turn is usually held in the middle of May every year. If Google sticks to its trends, we hope to see the first Android 13 Betas roll out in May 2022.

Android 13 Beta with Platform Stability

A few Beta versions in, we should see Android 13 achieving Platform Stability which means that the Android 13 SDK, NDK APIs, app-facing surfaces, platform behaviors, and even restrictions on non-SDK interfaces have been finalized. There will be no further changes in terms of how Android 13 behaves or how APIs function in the betas that follow. This is the closest version to a stable release and should ideally come out 1-2 months prior to the stable build. Android 12’s Platform Stability Beta released in August 2021, so we can presume a similar timeline for 2022 for Android 13.

Android 13 Stable

This is the finalized Android 13 release that will hit supported devices. Usually, Google’s Pixel series get updated first, followed by phones from other OEMs. The timeline for the stable release of the new Android version usually coincides with the release of a new Pixel smartphone. Based on past trends, we expect to see Android 13 and a presumed Pixel 7 series launch in October 2022.

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Will my device get Android 13?

Well, this totally depends on what device you have. Flagship phones from renowned brands have a good chance of getting the Android 13 update, especially if the phone is relatively recent. Based on its update promises, Google will officially update these devices to Android 13:

• Pixel 6
• Pixel 6 Pro
• Pixel 5
• Pixel 5a (5G)
• Pixel 4
• Pixel 4 XL
• Pixel 4a
• Pixel 4a (5G)

Samsung has announced that it would update quite a few of its devices for up to three years, so if you have a recent Samsung flagship or upper-midrange phone, you should ideally get the Android 13 update. LG had also shared a list of devices that would be updated to Android 13 despite the fact that the brand has now shut down its smartphone division. Just like Samsung, OnePlus also announced that it would be updating its flagships for three generations, so a recent OnePlus phone should also ensure you an update to Android 13. Of course, the list of devices that will get the Android 13 update isn’t just limited to this. However, it completely depends on the OEM whether or not they want to provide an update to the phone you have. There’s also the question of when the update arrives since software update and timely software update are two different concepts.

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What will Android 13 be called?

Android has had a sweet past and has matured considerably to become the OS that it is currently. Initial versions of Android were named after desserts and the tradition continued till Android 9 Pie. With Android 1o though, Google stopped referring to Android releases with dessert names and instead just stuck to the version number.

However, every Android release has an internal codename which still happens to be named after a dessert. Supposedly, Android 13 would go by the name of Tiramisu internally. Tiramisu is a coffee-flavored Italian dessert and is frequently seen as a flavored adaptation onto cakes, icecreams, and other desserts.

These have been the dessert names (internal or public) of all the Android versions so far:

1. Android 1.5: Cupcake
2. Android 1.6: Donut
3. Android 2.0: Eclair
4. Android 2.2: Froyo
5. Android 2.3: Gingerbread
6. Android 3.0: Honeycomb
7. Android 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich
8. Android 4.1: Jelly Bean
9. Android 4.4: KitKat
10. Android 5.0: Lollipop
11. Android 6.0: Marshmallow
12. Android 7.0: Nougat
13. Android 8.0: Oreo
14. Android 9: Pie
15. Android 10: Quince Tart
16. Android 11: Red Velvet Cake
17. Android 12: Snow Cone
18. Android 13: Tiramisu

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Android 13 New Features and Changes

Needless to say, every Android version upgrade brings with it a host of new features and changes. Some may be monumental, others may be minor and under the hood. Android 12 brought about a radical redesign that was long overdue. So, we’re expecting Android 13 to not be all that different in terms of looks compared to Android 12. It’s also very early to comment about any new features that would be coming to Android 13. However, there are slight glimpses of what we can expect from the new Android update next year.

Multi-user NFC Payments

You would be aware of the fact that Android has had multi-user support for quite a while now. You can create multiple profiles for different users on a single Android device so as to not share any personal data with all users. However, there are some constraints on what secondary user profiles can do, one of them being the inability to make NFC payments. Contactless payments via NFC are quite common in various parts of the world. However, even on Android 12, you cannot make NFC payments via secondary user profiles.

That’s expected to change with Android 13 as per some commits on the AOSP Gerrit, as secondary user profiles may be allowed to make NFC payments. This can be really useful if you share a single device with different members of the family or with your friends. Again, this is still in the early stages so it may change as we get closer to the Android 13 launch.

Native support for DNS over HTTPS

Currently, Android only has support for DNS over TLS, more commonly known as DoT. A code change in AOSP suggests that with Android 13, support for DNS over HTTPS of DoH will be added. If you want to know the difference between the two, DoT uses TLS to encrypt DNS traffic while DoH uses HTTP or HTTP/2 protocols giving it a slight advantage in terms of privacy.

Disable Background App limitations

Android 12 introduced a new background app limiter known as PhantomProcessKiller which is essentially an aggressive background process killer. If you’re a power user, you surely don’t want your background processes to be killed, even if it means extra RAM and battery usage. It seems like Google has realized this, and we may see a toggle to disable this background app limitation feature on Android 13. Google has submitted a patch to AOSP that adds a toggle in Developer Options to turn off the Phantom Process monitoring, indicating that we may see this feature on Android 13.

Full Support for Bluetooth LE Audio

Android 12 includes the necessary foundation for Bluetooth Low Energy Audio, a new standard for low power audio transmission over Bluetooth. However, there’s still no complete support for BLE Audio transmission currently. This is supposedly going to change with Android 13. Recent commits submitted to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) suggest that full support for BLE Audio could finally be coming in Android 13.

Google has merged the commit to add an LC3 codec type for Bluetooth A2DP. LC3 stands for Low Complexity Communications Codec and is a high-quality, low-power audio codec that promises to deliver good audio quality audio. This is quite big since until now, Bluetooth LE was only used for data transmission and not audio transmission.

App Languages

As per some reports, Google is working on a new feature codenamed Panlingual that allows users to set different languages for each app. This will surely be a godsend for multilingual users who want to use certain apps in specific languages. The report says that users will find a new option under Languages & Input named App Languages from where one can assign a language to a specific app.

However, note that the feature is still in its early stages and since Android 13 is still far away, there may be some changes to the way it works. Currently, there are certain apps like Google Maps that allow you to change the language inside the app. But a per-app control even for third-party apps is something a lot of users across the world will appreciate.

Runtime Permission for Notifications

If you hate getting too many notifications on your phone from unwanted apps, this feature is going to be your savior on Android 13. Currently, any app can send you notifications, even for promotions, that can end up being spam.

Android 13 adds a new runtime permission “POST_NOTIFICATIONS” for notifications. This means that notifications could become an opt-in feature on Android 13 while you’re setting up an app. Users may be able to choose whether they want to allow an app to send a notification to their device in a fashion similar to how they choose to allow other permissions like Location and Camera access when a newly installed app is opened for the first time.

TARE: The Android Resource Economy

Android 13 is supposedly going to bring a new energy management feature that will let apps make the best use of the available battery life on your device. TARE primarily focuses on energy-use management on the device, with the feature working through AlarmManager and JobScheduler policies.

To put it in simple words, it could be that TARE introduces a form of currency that is tied to the battery level of the device. Google will be awarding credits to apps based on how depleted the battery is, and apps can then use these credits as payments for the opportunity to perform tasks. Essentially, Google will be setting limits to how many tasks an app can schedule through JobScheduler and AlarmManager depending on the battery level and the needs of the app. We should know more about TARE and how it works in the coming weeks after official documentation from Google is out.

Lock Screen Clock Layouts

Up until now, the clock on Android was situated only in one fixed position on the lockscreen. While some custom skins like Samsung’s One UI provided an option to customize the clock’s position, there was no such option in AOSP. However, that’s set to change with Android 13.

Currently, the clock is displayed in a huge font at the center of the lockscreen on Android 12. When notifications arrive, the clock shifts to the top-left corner of the screen in a single line. Once the notifications are dismissed, it goes back to occupy the majority of the space on the lock screen. With Android 13, Google may give you the option to change the clock style on the lock screen and change the layout by default.

It may also be possible that this feature is coming to Android 12L so you might not have to wait for too long after all if you want to reduce the size of the clock on your lock screen.

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That’s pretty much everything we know so far about Android 13. Note that we will continue to update the article as and when more new features and changes in Android 13 come to light. Given that Android 12 was a substantial update, what are your expectations from Android 13? What new features would like to see on the upcoming version of Android? Let us know in the comments below!

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LG Display is showcasing its new Transparent OLEDs at CES 2022

Although multiple brands have pulled out of the in-person CES 2022 event, the Omicron scare is not stopping companies from showing off their latest innovations to the public. LG Display, for instance, has already announced that it will be showing off its new transparent OLED screens at CES 2022. Over the years, we’ve seen brands show off multiple types of OLED displays. We’ve seen flexible OLED panels, foldable displays, and now LG Display is showing off its transparent OLED panels. We’ve seen transparent displays before, but the use-cases shown by LG Display for these transparent panels are quite unique.

LG Display, one of the largest manufacturers of display panels in the world has announced (via The Verge) that it will showcase its latest innovations — transparent OLED panels — at CES 2022 early next year. LG Display is coming up with unique use cases for these transparent OLED panels. The company has demonstrated various scenarios where the tech could be implemented with specific products designed for them.

LG Display OLED Shelf

The OLED Shelf is essentially two 55-inch transparent OLED panels stacked on top of each other. There’s also a shelf at the top, as the name may suggest, making it an ideal product for a living room. Given that there are two screens, one can stream different content on each screen, such as media on one and art on the other. Just like on some modern-day phones, the TV also has an always-on display that can show portraits and paintings persistently throughout the day. Since the screens are transparent, you can even hang an actual painting behind the TV that would be visible when the screens are turned off. The shelf at the top will make the unit blend-in with the rest of the living room aesthetics.

These transparent displays can also have commercial uses as per LG Display. One of them is its Shopping Managing Showcase. It’s meant to be placed in front of actual products, like in a clothing store. This way, certain elements can be added on the display corresponsding to the products showcased behind it.

Shopping Magazine Showcase

Show Window is another such product for shops and businesses that tries to replace conventional windows. When mounted on a wall, products can be kept behind it to replicate a traditional scenario where products are displayed outside a shop behind windows. Some elements like texts and ads can be added on the display to improve the product showcase. The product is apparently already being used in several shops across the globe.

Just like the Show Window, LG Display will be showcasing a Smart Window for office environments. It’s essentially a screen that can be used for conferencing, displaying various attributes, presentations, and also for entertainment, while maintaining a see-through profile. It’s meant to replace the large transparent windows seen in conference rooms, thus eliminating the need for separate devices like TVs and projectors.

Show Window

While the technology is innovative and the use cases demonstrated by LG seem intelligent, these displays are still prototypes at the end of the day. What this means is that we may never see these displays being made commercially available for the average consumer to buy. However, it’s still nice to see companies try to come up with new ways to innovate and make attractive products.

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Xiaomi 12 design, features and specifications leaked ahead of the official launch

Xiaomi is all set to unveil its next flagship lineup, Xiaomi 12, tomorrow. We already know the new series will be powered by Qualcomm’s latest flagship SoC, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, and come running MIUI 13, the latest version of Xiaomi’s custom skin. Now ahead of the official reveal, a series of leaks have spilled the beans on the specifications and design of the Xiaomi 12 lineup.

Prolific tipster Evan Blass AKA @evleaks has leaked official renders of the Xiaomi 12. While Xiaomi did share a teaser of the Xiaomi 12 last week, it only showed the front of the phone. The renders shared by evleaks give us our best look at the Xiaomi 12’s design yet. As can be seen in the images attached below, the Xiaomi 12 features a rectangular camera module on the back housing three cameras, and an LED flash. We can also see the Xiaomi logo at the bottom perpendicular to the camera bump.

Blass has also posted a short promotional video of the Xiaomi 12 showcasing the phon’s overall design and four colors in action.

Happy Holidays! (https://t.co/iIZvE8LzxH, if you’re feeling gift-y.) pic.twitter.com/GGM8JYoE99

— Ev (@evleaks) December 24, 2021

Meanwhile, a separate leak from a Weibo user (via @_snoopytech_) detailed the design and key specifications of the Xiaomi 12 Pro. As we can see in renders, the Xiaomi 12 Pro sports an identical design to the regular model, featuring the same rectangular camera module and a hole-punch display on the front.

The Weibo leak also reveals some of the key specifications of the phone. As per the leak, the Xiaomi 12 Pro will feature a bigger 6.73-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz display refresh rate and Dolby Vision support. The phone’s triple camera setup will reportedly consist of a 50MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. Over on the front, the phone will feature a 32MP selfie camera. The camera bit matches previous leaks which also said the Pro model would feature three 50MP cameras on the back.

Elsewhere, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is said to pack a 4,600mAh battery with 120W fast wired charging support, 50W fast wireless charging support, and up to 10W reverse wireless charging. Finally, we’re told the phone will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, LPDDR5 RAM, UFS 3.1 flash storage, VC liquid cooling system, and stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon. The phone will be available in at least four colors: Green, Pink, Blue, and Black.

Over the last few days, Xiaomi has slowly been teasing key highlights of the Xiaomi 12 series (via XiaomiUI). So far the company has confirmed that the lineup will come with a new Surge P1 charging chip with up to 120 fast charging support, a 32MP front camera, and Sony IMX766 and IMX707 main sensors for the Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro, respectively. The Xiaomi 12 series will also come with an AI-powered video recording feature called CyberFocus which the company says will continously track subjects no matter how they move and “will not lose focus.”

We expect to learn more about the Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro, including their pricing and availability at tomorrow’s launch event. Besides the new phones, Xiaomi will also be detailng the latest  version of its custom skin: MIUI 13 as well MIUI 13 for Pad.

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BLUETTI Unveils World’s First Sodium-ion Solar Generator

As climate change continues to push industries into a carbon-neutral world, the need for renewable energy systems is growing rapidly. Technology like chemical batteries and battery-powered machines are in high demand. Due to the increase in the need for lithium, there is a supply crunch for these types of batteries. This is why BLUETTI started looking into using sodium instead of lithium, for their next generation of power stations. Sodium and lithium are the closest metals in the same group with very similar chemical properties, and there is over one thousand times the sodium than lithium in the Earth’s crust. Now BLUETTI is unveiling the world’s first sodium-ion solar generator.

BLUETTI is the world’s leading manufacturer of solar energy products like generators, photovoltaic panels, and related accessories. In the most recent two years, BLUETTI has launched residential power stations like the AC200P, EP500, and AC300. These products have been a favorite among consumers and continue to be some of the best power stations on the market. Now, BLUETTI ventures to integrate the innovative sodium-ion battery technology into its upcoming solar products.

This new sodium-based technology will make its first appearance in the world’s first sodium-ion solar generator-NA300. Along with this generator, they will be launching a compatible battery pack – B480.

The NA300 Solar Generator and B480 Battery Pack

These new products will have the same style and appearance as the previous options like the EP500 Pro. You’ll find four 20A plugs and one 30A L14-30 output port driven by the built-in 3,000W pure sine wave inverter to juice up most household electrical appliances. The NA300 will see an upgrade over the EP500 Pro’s incredible 2,400W solar input to 3,000W. This could end up being the fastest charging solar generator since it can be recharged from 0% to 80% in a short half-hour using 6,000W swift AC + PV dual charging.

While there are many benefits to the new sodium-based technology, it comes with its limitations as well. The NA300 provides a capacity of 3,000Wh, less than the 5,100Wh of EP500 Pro. Despite them being the same size, the current sodium-ion battery technology limitations result in a smaller capacity. You can get a significant increase in capacity by pairing up to two B480 battery modules (4,800Wh each) for a whopping total capacity of 12,600Wh. This can provide the average family with up to a week of emergency electricity if the power goes out.

The first-generation sodium-ion battery rivals the LiFePO4 battery cells widely used in other BLUETTI products in security and long cycle life except for the low energy density; yet the former excels in terms of cost, low-temperature performance, quick-charging, and other electrochemical aspects because of its chemical characteristics. BLUETTI’s sodium-ion battery can charge in less than 30 minutes to 80% SOC at room temperature. Besides, in a low-temperature environment of -20°C (-4℉), this sodium-ion battery pack in NA300 and B480 has a capacity retention rate of more than 85% and provides a system integration efficiency of over 80%, which is perfect for powering in winter or in regions with extremely low temperatures.

Find out more information about all of BLUETTI’s products at www.bluettipower.com.

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“Android TV Remote” is an unofficial remote app for your Android TV

Losing your remote control is never fun, especially when all you want to do is sit back on your couch and enjoy your favorite show. Thankfully for Android TV users, Google offers a fallback option in the form of a virtual remote that you can find in the Google Home app. While it’s a handy option when your remote is lost, it’s quite basic in terms of what it can do. This is where “Android TV Remote” comes into play.

Android TV Remote is an unofficial remote app for your Android TV devices. It comes from the same developer that made Freebox Remote, which recently came to the spotlight, as it can also be used on Google TV devices. But using the Freebox Remote app to control an Android TV device requires a workaround, so the developer decided to release a standalone app that does exactly that.

Android TV Remote is a pretty straightforward app and works with pretty much all Android TV versions. All essential buttons, including a D-pad, are present on the main screen. In addition, the app also has a dedicated Apps list that lets you launch your favorite streaming service with a single click.

The current version lacks widget support. Hopefully, this is something that can be added in a future update, allowing users to control their Android TV/Google TV device without having to open the app.

Google used to offer a dedicated app for controlling Android TV devices on your local network. However, the company pulled the app from Google Play Store this year and has slowly been porting its features to other apps. The Google TV app gained a remote control back in September, with the Google Home app picking up the same feature a month later.

If you want to give the Android TV Remote app a shot, you can download it from the Google Play Store by following the link below.

Android TV Remote (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Thanks to Mishaal Rahman for the tip!

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First 10 things to do with a new Apple Watch

The Apple Watch is one of the company’s greatest products and a device that dominates the wearables domain. Whether you’re looking for a fitness companion or more than just that, there’s an Apple Watch for you. This smartwatch is packed with features and sensors, and plenty of people aren’t sure where to start or how to make the most out of it. Whether you’ve bought or received one as a gift, our aim is to help you get started. Here are the first 10 things to do with a new Apple Watch.

Navigate this article:

1. Learn how to control it
2. Choose a watch face
3. Select the complications that matter to you
4. Change the app layout
5. Add your vaccination certificate to it
6. Silence its audible alerts
7. Set your activity goals
8. Learn how to shower or swim with it
9. Add your friends to the Fitness app to compete
10. Change the default band and protect it with a case

Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS)

This is the GPS variant of the Apple Watch Series 7, the company's latest WiFi-only smartwatch.

View at Amazon

View at Adorama

Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular)

This is the GPS + Cellular variant of the Apple Watch Series 7, the company's latest 4G-enabled smartwatch.

View on Amazon

View at Adorama

1. Learn how to control it

When you first pair an Apple Watch with an iPhone, you must learn how to navigate around watchOS. Just like on iOS, a swipe down from the top of the screen will show the notifications. Swiping up from the bottom of the screen will show the Control Center. There you will be able to add, remove, and reorder the toggles based on your preferences. A swipe to the right or left on the main screen will switch between the added watch faces.

When it comes to hardware, the Apple Watch has a side button and a digital crown. A single click on the side button will show the recent or favorite app — depending on your settings. A double click will reveal the cards saved in Apple Wallet. Holding the side button will bring up a menu that includes the power button, Medical ID, and Emergency SOS.

The digital crown is used to scroll through lists and zoom in/out on certain elements. If you click it, though, It will show you the installed apps if you’re on the main screen. If you’re inside an app, it’ll take you to the main screen instead. Finally, double-clicking it will take you to the most recently used app. It might sound like a complicated mechanism, but your muscle memory will adapt faster than you’d expect.

2. Choose a watch face

Apple Watch watch faces

Choosing a watch face that matches your taste and style is one of the first things you should do after getting an Apple Watch. The company provides you with diverse options to choose from. However, it still doesn’t support custom watch faces. So you’re limited to the ones available on watchOS by default. To change it, just go to the Watch app on your iPhone, click on the Face Gallery tab in the middle of the bottom navigation bar, and click on the face you like. Once you’re in a face, you’ll get to customize some aspects about it, such as the colors and complications. When you’re done with that, tap on the Add button, and it’ll instantly change on your watch. You can have as many watch faces as you want, and you can easily swipe between them (horizontally) on your watch’s main screen.

3. Select the complications that matter to you

Apple and third-party developers offer plenty of complications to take advantage of. What are complications? See them as watch face accessories that provide timely information or shortcuts to certain apps. Care about the weather? There’s a complication for that. Interested in certain stocks? There’s also one for that. Curious about the sunrise/sunset times? You’ve got it!

The number of complications you can add depends on the watch face you’re using. Some support up to nine at the same. time, while other ones aren’t as generous. To choose yours, just click on an existent watch face you’re using in the Watch app on your iPhone. If you’re adding a new face, you can select the complications you want before clicking the Add button.

4. Change the app layout

Just like on iOS, you can change the app layout on watchOS through Jiggle Mode. Just click and hold on the apps screen, then select Edit Apps. You will then be able to drag them around to reorder them and even delete some of them. Alternatively, you can use the Watch app on your iPhone to take advantage of the bigger screen. Apple Watches support both Grid and List Views — the latter is strictly alphabetical, though.

5. Add your vaccination certificate to it

We’ve reached a point where plenty of entertainment venues and airports ask for COVID vaccination proof. Digging through your files or photos to find the QR code of the certificate can be an annoyance, especially when your hands are full. That’s why we’ve prepared a guide for you on how to manually add your vaccination certificate to your Apple Wallet. This allows you to easily access it with a double click on the side button of your watch.

6. Silence its audible alerts

Apple Watches have speakers, but plenty of us find that somewhat useless. The watch includes a Taptic Engine that provides a good level of haptic feedback when you receive a notification. So assuming you’re wearing it, you will most likely feel that. If you’re not wearing it, you can just unmute your iPhone to hear the notification alerts as they come in. The point is — the notification sounds on the Apple Watch are redundant to many of us. To silence audible alerts, just swipe up to open the Control Center and hit on the bell icon. You can also set a silent but vibrating alarm on your Apple Watch to avoid waking up startled.

7. Set your activity goals

Many of us buy this watch for its health and fitness tracking features. To set or change your activity goals, head to the Activity app on your watch, scroll to the bottom, and click Change Goals. This will allow you to change how much it takes to close the Move, Exercise, and Stand rings. As a piece of advice — set realistic goals that are achievable but also slightly push you to do more. This way you will likely remain motivated to close them. As a result, you will slowly advance as you set higher goals every few weeks or months.

8. Learn how to shower or swim with it

The Apple Watch is water-resistant. This means you get to shower or swim while wearing it. Before you hop into the shower, pool, or ocean, swipe up to reveal the Control Center, and click on the water drop button. This will kill the touch display so the watch doesn’t register the water drops as random clicks. This way you won’t end up accidentally iMessaging your live heartbeat to that ex you’ve forgotten to delete the number of.

Once you’re done with the shower or swim, rinse the watch with clean, non-salty water. Make sure the water enters its speaker and microphone holes. This will clear out any soap or salt stuck inside. After you’re done with rinsing it, rotate the Digital Crown until it starts beeping and ejecting the water through its speaker holes. This will unlock the touch controls again, and you will be able to use your watch normally afterward.

9. Add your friends to the Fitness app to compete

Competing with or comparing our progress to others can be very motivational. Apple allows its watch users to share their activities with their friends and family members. To do this, launch the Fitness app on your iPhone and head to the Sharing tab in the bottom right corner. Click on the icon in the top right corner and search for the contact you want to add. Click their name and send them an invitation.

Once they accept it, you will be able to view their three activity rings and the workouts they’ve done for the day. You can also challenge them by hitting the compete button inside their profiles. Competitions last for a week and are based on a points system. The person who earns more points will earn an award by the end of the 7 days.

10. Change the default band and protect it with a case

Sometimes default watch bands can get boring. Fortunately, Apple and third-parties sell alternative ones. You can change the bands by taking the watch off, and sliding the bands out as you click and hold on to the tiny buttons on the back that secure them in. Afterward, slide the new bands in and you’re good to go!

A case can make an Apple Watch look hefty, but it’s worth it if you tend to bump your wrist into hard objections. Cracking the screen will take away its premium look, and you wouldn’t wanna do that to your brand new watch. To spare you the endless dilemmas of having to choose the color, style, and material, we have compiled for you a list that narrows you down to the best watch bands and cases available out there.

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The Apple Watch is a feature-rich device that will slowly turn into a companion you can’t leave behind. It provides accurate health and fitness-related measurements and pushes you to do more. Not only that, but it also tightly integrates into Apple’s ecosystem, allowing you to do things like unlocking your Face ID iPhone when masked and your Mac. It truly is a small but handy bundle of might.

What is your favorite Apple Watch feature? Let us know in the comments section below.

The post First 10 things to do with a new Apple Watch appeared first on xda-developers.

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This app lets you take back control over how Android 12 opens links

Among all the fantastic features and changes that Android 12 brings along, it also introduces some rather controversial changes. We have already talked about how Android 12’s new background app limitations can run havoc on apps like Termux. Another annoying change in Android 12 is the way it handles external links. If you’ve recently upgraded to Android 12, you probably would have noticed that when opening links, you no longer get that familiar “Open with” dialogue. Links will either automatically open in their corresponding apps or take you straight to Google Chrome or your default browser. If you’re not a fan of this change and want to restore the way things were in older Android versions, read on.

Starting with Android 12, Google now only allows “verified links” to be opened in external apps. Verified links allow app developers to ensure that only their app can handle links from their domain. If a link is non-verified, Android 12 will open it in the default browser, instead of showing you the app selection dialogue. But thankfully there’s an app called Better Open With that lets you get around Android 12’s new link handling behavior.

How to fix the handling of links on Android 12 with “Better Open With”

• Download the “Beter Open With” app from the Play Store.
• Now on your Android 12 phone navigate to Settings > Default apps > Browser app.

• Set Better Open With as your default browser.
• Now go to Settings > Default apps > Opening links and turn off the “Open supported link” toggle for every app that supports verified links.

• That’s it. Now whenever you open a link, you’ll see the familiar Complete Action With dialogue listing out all the apps that can handle that link — just like in previous Android versions.

Even if you’re not running Android 12, “Better Open With” is still a great replacement for the system app chooser as it gives you more customizations and control.

Better Open With (Free, Google Play) →

The post This app lets you take back control over how Android 12 opens links appeared first on xda-developers.

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