Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones unveiled with multi-device connection, DSEE Extreme, and more

When Sony released its WH-1000XM3 noise cancelling headphones in 2018, critics lauded them for their comfort, design, and audio quality. Now, Sony is releasing its sequel, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, and they feature a number of improvements that fans of the previous generation headphones will love.

According to Sony, the WH-1000XM4 features the “best ever noise cancelling performance” in its lineup. Each earcup features two microphones for improved noise cancellation with Sony’s HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1. There’s also a new Bluetooth Audio processor (the MediaTeK MT2811S) that senses and adjusts to music and noise at over 700 times per second.

Sony boasts the new WH-1000XM4 noise cancelling headphones meet the same 30 hours of battery life mark as the previous-generation XM3 headphones. The headphones support fast charging and offer 5 hours of playback from 10 minutes of charge. They also feature the same gesture control system on the sides from the previous generation. You can double tap to play or pause music, swipe left or right to go to the previous track or skip to the next track respectively, or hold your hand over the earcup to toggle ambient sound control.

The new Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones also feature Sony’s new Precise Voice Pickup technology, which controls five of the microphones in the headphones for crisp, hands-free calls and a new “Speak-to-Chat” feature. The latter feature will recognize your voice and automatically stop your music. At the same time, it will let in ambient sound, so you can conduct a conversation without removing the headphones.

And when you do remove your headphones, wearing detection will pause music playback. Music playback is automatically resumed when you put the headphones back on, so you won’t need to double tap on the sides to resume music all the time. Wearing detection makes use of the proximity sensor and two accelerometers on the new headphones.

With the Sony | Headphones Connect app, you can also set up Adaptive Sound Control to adjust ambient sound settings based on your current location.

Sony | Headphones Connect (Free, Google Play) →

Meanwhile, the WH-1000XM4 offers Sony’s DSEE Extreme technology to accurately rebuild audio that’s been lost during digital compression. DSEE Extreme analyzes music in real-time using machine learning models. In theory, music should sound better thanks to Sony’s technology by restoring high range sounds. And, if you’re listening to music from a compatible streaming service, you can take advantage of Sony’s 360 Reality Audio feature for a more immersive music listening experience.

Finally, Sony’s new WH-1000XM4 headphones can be paired with two Bluetooth devices at the same time, making them more useful than ever. You can connect to your computer and smartphone at the same time, for example, so you can listen to music from your PC and then take a call on your phone when one comes in. The headphones also support Google’s latest Fast Pair features as well as NFC pairing.

If you liked the WH-1000XM3, then the new Sony WH-1000XM4 noise cancelling headphones sound like a worthy upgrade. With a refined design, multipoint pairing, and improved noise cancelation performance, the WH-1000XM4 just might be the best headphones for working from home. The Sony WH-1000XM4 go on sale later this month in black and silver for $350/€380/£350

Buy the Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones: Best Buy (USA) ||| Amazon (UK)

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Google has discontinued the Pixel 4 and 4 XL less than 1 year after launch

The shelf life of the Pixel 4 and 4 XL has already expired, Google confirmed on Thursday. The search giant said the Google Store has sold through its inventory, with no plans to replenish stock.

In a statement to The Verge, Google said consumers can still find last year’s flagship at third-party retailers, but if you want to buy them directly from Google, you’re out of luck.

Today’s news is a little disappointing because the Pixel 4 and 4 XL haven’t even been on the market for an entire year. The phones were announced back on October 15th of last year, making it almost 10 months since they launched. But that’s just the nature of the business. As The Verge notes, Google’s previous flagship releases, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 3, were on the market for about 18 months, so it’s a little unusual to see the 4 being discontinued so quickly.

Google Pixel 4 Forums ||| Google Pixel 4 XL Forums

Without the Pixel 4, Google technically doesn’t have a flagship device available for sale. Although Google discontinued its mid-range Pixel 3a last month, the company now offers the new mid-range Pixel 4a, which was just announced this week. The search giant also confirmed plans to release a Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G later this fall, so we won’t have to wait too long to see the successor to the 2019 flagship Pixel phones.

Although Google no longer sells the Pixel 4 on its own storefront, Google said the device will continue to receive software and security updates for at least three years from when the device first became available on the Google Store in the U.S.

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These are the best Galaxy Note 20 fast chargers you can buy right now

Samsung has officially pulled the wraps off the Galaxy Note 20 series. The Galaxy Note 20 and the Note 20 Ultra feature a specs list that warrants their hefty price tags. The onboard Snapdragon 865 Plus SoC brings a good upgrade in terms of performance while the improved S Pen, wireless DeX mode, and an upgraded camera setup add to the premium experience. The Galaxy Note 20 and the Note 20 Ultra also get bigger batteries rated at 4,300mAh and 4,500mAh, respectively, with support for fast chargers.

Although the new devices come with beefier batteries, Samsung is taking a step backward when it comes to charging. Both — the Galaxy Note 20 and the Note 20 Ultra — support 25W fast wired charging along with 15W wireless charging. Notably, the wired charging rate gets a downgrade from 45W on the Galaxy Note 10 series. Samsung does not clarify if this is to ensure the longevity of the battery or something else but, it does claim that the 25W fast wired charging is sufficient to charge 50% of the battery in just 30 minutes.

We have made a list of the best Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra wired fast chargers. The options are classified as wall chargers, car chargers, and power banks.

Best Galaxy Note 20 fast chargers

If you are planning to buy either of the Note 20 devices, Samsung includes the 25W fast wired charger in the box. But if you want fewer charging bricks and wires cluttering your desk, have multiple devices but limited access to power outlets, or just leaning into essentialism, it makes sense to buy a charger that can charge various devices. It would be even better if the charger can charge multiple devices at the same time. Samsung may follow Apple and start shipping smartphones without chargers, so buying a common charger may be a sensible call.

Samsung relies on USB-C Power Delivery (USB-PD) version 3.0 along with Programmable Power Supply (PPS). PPS is a technology that allows the charging brick to dynamically control the output voltage and current, and this dynamic control allows the fastest feasible charging rate without excessive heating. Here are the PPS-enabled options that are compatible with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra:

Anker 65W PIQ 3.0 PPS USB-C Charger

The Anker 65W charger is a versatile power solution with high power output. Besides charging the Galaxy Note 20, it can charge a variety of devices ranging from notebooks such as the Apple MacBook or XPS 13 or 15 to flagship smartphones from Apple, Google, and many other brands. The charger has a compact footprint and supports USB-PD 3.0 with PPS, extending support for the 45W Super Fast Charging standard adopted by Samsung. The charger does not come with a cable meaning you will either have to use the ones including in the box or buy a new one.

View at Amazon

ELECJET 45W USB-C Charger

This 45W fast charger from ELECJECT is the most affordable solution with support for PPS. It supports the Super Fast Charging protocol by Samsung with up to 45W output, which means you can also use it for the Galaxy Note 10 and the Galaxy S20 devices. Meanwhile, you can also use the charger to charge a variety of notebooks as well as other smartphones that support USB-PD. Lastly, the adapter comes along with a 3.3ft long cable.

View at Amazon

Samsung 45W USB-C Charger

The official 45W charger from Samsung can be the ideal fast charging solution for their diehard fans. Besides charging the Galaxy Note 20 at its fastest supported rate — 25W, the official 45W charger can also be used to charge leading Samsung devices such as the Galaxy S20 Ultra, the Galaxy S10 Lite, or the Galaxy Note 10+ 5G at 45W. You can also use this with a range of Samsung Chromebooks and notebooks with a USB-C port.

View at Amazon

AUKEY 74.5W 3-Port USB-C Charger

AUKEY offers a diverse range of charging solutions, and their 74.5W charger with three ports fits right in. The three-port design allows you to charge two smartphones (or other handheld devices) and a notebook at full speed simultaneously. While the USB-C port supports up to 74.5W power output over USB-PD, including 45W charging via PPS, the two USB-A ports offer 18W and 10W outputs. This will allow you to rely on a single charging brick for a variety of devices.

View at Amazon

Car Chargers

If you spend a lot of time driving, you’ll also want a PPS-compatible car charger. We recommend the picks below:

LinkOn 63W Car Charger

The 63W car charger from LinkOn is an essential product if you spend a lot of time commuting. Alongside PPS for superfast charging on Samsung Galaxy flagships, USB-PD allows you to charge notebooks like MacBook Pro and a multitude of Chromebooks. Meanwhile, the second port ie, a USB-A port, can be used to supply power to any smartphone or tablet at up to 18W. The LinkOn charger supports 12V charging sockets in cars in 24V sockets on trucks.

View at Amazon

MANINAM Metal 73W USB-C Car Charger

In case 63W isn't enough power for your devices, the 73W charger from MANINAM definitely commands your attention. The USB-C port on the charger supports up to 55W PPS and 45W USB-PD 3.0 outputs for supported devices. While supporting the existing range of Samsung devices that support Super Fast Charging technologies, this charger is also future-proof and should support faster charging on future devices. You get a USB-A to USB-C cable in the package and can use it to charge devices at up to 18W.

View at Amazon

WOTOBEUS 83W USB-C Car Charger

The WOTOBEUS 83W car charger is one of the fastest car charging solutions without an obtrusive design. It supports up to 65W power output via USB-PD and 55W over PPS, meaning you can charge most notebooks without feeling any slump in the charging rate as compared to the wall adapters. The charger readily supports all Samsung devices with Super Fast Charging v1.0 and v2.0. The USB-A port, just like the other car chargers, can charge Android smartphones, iPhones, tablets, and other devices at 18W.

View at Amazon

Power Bank

ELECJET PowerPie 20000mAh Power Bank

Travel is off the charts for most people in these times but, that doesn't eliminate unpredictability with power supply. PowerPie is a fast charging solution for people who want to achieve the most on the go without worrying about running out the battery on their Galaxy Note 20. It offers charging over USB-PD and PPS at 45W and can fast-charge supported Samsung Galaxy devices as well as notebooks. The 20,000 battery pack charges fully within 2.5 hours and provides several hours of backup to various devices. The USB-A port can also be used to supply power at 18W.

View at Amazon

In this list, we have tried to serve you with multiple solutions, and you can choose the best one based on your requirements. We recommend the Anker 65W Charger or the AUKEY 74.5W Charger for the wide range of applications. The ELECJET charger is relatively underpowered, but it is also the most affordable in the bunch, so you can consider that if a budget constrains you. Do note that chargers without USB-PD 3.0 and PPS can only charge the Galaxy Note 20 at 15W. So, we have steered clear of any such option, and so should you.

We also have a list of fast wireless chargers for the Galaxy Note 20 series if you’re in search of a more indoor-friendly and hassle-free solution. So, check out the listing below.

Best Galaxy Note 20 wireless chargers you can get right now

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Android 11 Beta 3 is here, removing the location requirement for COVID-19 contact tracing apps

Google released Android 11 Beta 2 last month, pushing the new update for the Android OS to “platform stability” status. This was followed by the Beta 2.5 release, which is more of a bug-fix release instead of a proper increment. Between each release, there are a lot of announced and unannounced changes to spot, just as we found for Beta 1 and Beta 2. While we rub our hands in anticipation of the stable release that is expected around September 8, Google has now released Android 11 Beta 3, the final scheduled beta before the official stable release.

Android 11 News on XDA

Android 11 Beta 2 represented the Platform Stability milestone, which meant that all app-facing behaviors are final as they exist in the release. Android 11 Beta 3 hence focuses on helping developers put their finishing touches in their apps as they prepare for Android 11. This includes targeting the official API 30 SDK and building with the new tools and updates available through Android Studio. This Beta 3 build thus represents what you can expect with the first official Android 11 stable update, minus any major bugs that may be spotted and fixed in the time gap.

 

If you are an Android app developer, now is a good time to finish your compatibility testing and publish your updates soon. For SDKs, libraries, tools, and game engine developers, it’s even more important to release a compatible version as the changes you hold onto will delay other developers that rely on your work.

This release is not expected to have any major unannounced changes, but we will still be on the lookout for them.

As for announced changes, Android 11 Beta 3 includes an update for Exposure Notifications System (ENS), Google and Apple’s COVID-19 contact tracing API. Now, users can run apps using ENS without needing to turn on device location settings on Android 11. Google says that this exception is being made for apps utilizing the Exposure Notification System only, given that it has been designed in such a way that the COVID-19 tracing apps using it can’t infer device location through Bluetooth scanning. This should address some of the privacy concerns that users and developers had within the context of these apps. While we do appreciate the change, we do need to look at how many users will be getting access to Android 11 within the next few months as opposed to the total number of Android users. Note that to protect user privacy, all other apps will still be prohibited from performing Bluetooth scanning unless the device location setting is on and the user has granted them the location permission.

Download Android 11 Beta 3 for Google Pixel devices

The Android 11 Beta 3 update should be arriving through an OTA update to your supported Google Pixel device if you had enrolled in the Beta program. But in case it hasn’t, you can download Android 11 Beta 1 for supported Google Pixel devices from the following links:

Google Pixels

Device, Codename, XDA Forums	OTA	System Image
Pixel 2 (walleye)	Download Link	Download Link
Pixel 2 XL (taimen)	Download Link	Download Link
Pixel 3 (blueline)	Download Link	Download Link
Pixel 3 XL (crosshatch)	Download Link	Download Link
Pixel 3a (sargo)	Download Link	Download Link
Pixel 3a XL (bonito)	Download Link	Download Link
Pixel 4 (flame)	Download Link	Download Link
Pixel 4 XL (coral)	Download Link	Download Link
Pixel 4a (sunfish)	Download Link	Download Link

GSI Downloads

x86+GMS	Download Link
ARM64+GMS	Download Link
x86_64	Download Link
ARM64	Download Link

To make things easier, you can also install the Beta using the Android Flash Tool rather than manually flashing via recovery or fastboot.

Note: We will be updating this chart as the download links go live.

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Android TV’s new Cast Connect library will enable remote control support for casted videos

Casting video content to your Android TV device will hopefully feel more native in the near future thanks to the introduction of Cast Connect. As pointed out by Twitter user Android TV Guide, this new feature will have the benefit of making it possible to use your remote control for casted videos.

A Google developer page explains how the new Cast Connect library works. It builds on top of the Google Cast infrastructure with the Android TV device acting as the Cast Receiver. After integrating the library, Android TV apps can receive Cast messages and broadcast media status as if they were actual Google Cast devices. Google says that in addition to loading media and playback control, the Cast Connect library also features media metadata, custom messages, repeat/shuffle, and sender join/leave events. Here’s a video from Google aimed at helping developers understand how to integrate this library:

In essence, content that’s casted from, say, your phone to your Android TV will be handled by a supported app instead of being opened up in an HTML5 player. As a consequence, you’ll be able to control content using an existing remote control rather than, say, your phone. That makes the casting experience feel more integrated, and it’s also better for users since the dedicated Android TV app may support more features and codecs than the generic HTML5 player. And if a supported app isn’t detected or if there’s a mismatch in user profiles when casting, then the Cast Connect library will initiate the session using the HTML5 player as a fallback.

As of now, developers must add Cast Connect support to their Android TV apps for the new features to work. Google also notes that Assistant functionality isn’t fully supported by Cast Connect at the moment, which means you won’t be able to control casted content by voice.

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PUBG Mobile now supports 90fps gameplay on the OnePlus 8 Pro, 8, 7T Pro, 7T, and 7 Pro as a timed exclusive

Most recent OnePlus smartphones have been praised for their high performance, often also judged as the best in class. This performance is not only great for daily usage of the phone, but it also translates very well for gaming on these smartphones. OnePlus attempted to leverage the gaming prowess of its flagship with a collaboration with Fortnite that allowed the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro to run Fortnite at 90fps. Now, OnePlus is taking another step, as it has announced that it is collaborating with PUBG Mobile to bring 90fps gameplay to the OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro, OnePlus 7T, OnePlus 7T Pro, and the OnePlus 7 Pro as a timed exclusive.

OnePlus 8 XDA Forums || OnePlus 8 Pro XDA Forums

The Chinese version of PUBG Mobile, called “Game for Peace” already supports high fps gameplay on several Android devices. But the PUBG Mobile, aka the global version, limits gameplay to 60fps across all devices. With this partnership, gamers can now play PUBG Mobile at 90fps on the OnePlus 8 series, the OnePlus 7T series, and the OnePlus 7 Pro. The high fps gameplay remains exclusive to these OnePlus devices from August 6, 2020, to September 6, 2020. Another point to note, this experience is available to OnePlus users worldwide with the exception of those in Mainland China, Japan, and Korea.

It isn’t immediately clear whether this 90fps gameplay comes with its own limitation, as was present with the Fortnite 90fps gameplay. On Fortnite, choosing 90fps would set the display quality back to low. So while users did get a smoother experience, the details in the game’s landscape would only render as they moved closer to them. We wouldn’t be surprised if PUBG Mobile also included some limitations, even though the device hardware (especially on the latest flagships) is more than capable enough to handle high graphics.

OnePlus 8 Pro Review – Never Settle on Hardware

Buy the OnePlus 8 Pro on Amazon.in

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PUBG MOBILE Nordic Map: Livik (Free⁺, Google Play) →

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Google’s new In-App Review API lets developers ask for Play Store reviews without leaving the app

In an APK teardown of the Play Store app (v15.9.21) late last month, we learned that Google was working on a way to let users review Play Store apps through an in-app dialog. At the time, we spotted a new Activity called “com.google.android.finsky.inappreviewdialog.InAppReviewActivity” that would bring up an app review dialog to help users rate an app without the need to head over to the app’s Play Store listing. Google has now launched the In-App Review API, which will allow developers to add the in-app review dialog to their apps.

According to a recent blog post from the company, the new API will let developers add an in-app review dialog to their app and choose when they wish to prompt users to write reviews. The API, which is part of the Play Core Library, supports both public and private reviews. As you can see in the attached image, the API will add a new dialog to apps that will let users easily leave a star rating for any app, without leaving the app.

Once a user selects a rating, the dialog will give them the option to leave a written review before the rating is submitted. To ensure that the in-app review process is seamless for users, Google has highlighted four steps for the API integration for developers:

1. Define the conditions and best place to ask for a review
2. Request the review flow to the API
3. Launch the review at an appropriate moment
4. Continue the flow after the review is completed

Google adds that the API has been designed to be self-contained and it doesn’t require additional prompting, to ensure user feedback is unbiased. Furthermore, the company has placed cap limits on the in-app reviews, so that users aren’t prompted excessively if they choose not to leave a review.

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Source: Android Developers Blog

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