[Update: Rolling Out] Facebook merges Messenger and Instagram chats on Android and iOS

Update (09/30/2020 @ 08:51 AM ET): Facebook Messenger and Instagram chat integration is now rolling out in a few countries. Scroll to the bottom for more information. The article as published on August 17, 2020, is preserved below.

Back in January last year, we learned that Facebook’s co-founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, planned to unify the infrastructure of all three of the company’s messaging services — WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger. Even though reports from late last year suggested that the US Federal Trade Commission was planning on an injunction against Facebook’s interoperability rules, the company has now gone ahead and merged Instagram and Messenger chats.

According to a recent report from The Verge, several Instagram users in the US have noticed a new update pop-up on the app with the message “There’s a New Way to Message on Instagram” and a list of features including a “new colorful look for your chats,” additional emoji reactions, swipe-to-reply, and a feature that will allow users to “Chat with friends who use Facebook.”

Tapping on the update button at the bottom replaces Instagram’s DM icon with the Messenger logo and the chats are given a new look. However, for now, the update doesn’t allow Instagram users to message people on Facebook.

As of now, it isn’t clear when Facebook will allow Instagram users to contact people on Facebook. But since the feature has already been announced, the company may enable it via a server-side update any time soon. It’s also worth noting that when we first learned about the company’s plans to integrate its messaging platforms, sources familiar with the matter had revealed that Zuckerberg also planned on incorporating end-to-end encryption on all three apps. However, Facebook hasn’t revealed any information regarding that yet.

Via: The Verge

---

Update: Facebook Messenger and Instagram chat integration is now rolling out in a few countries

Facebook has now officially announced that Messenger and Instagram chat integration is rolling out in a few countries. In a blog post regarding the matter, the company has revealed that the update also brings over 10 new features to Messenger, including Selfie stickers, Watch Together, Vanish Mode, and more.

Furthermore, the update adds a couple of features from Messenger to Instagram DMs, including the ability to reply to a specific message, forward a message, customizable chat colors, themes, emoji reactions, and more.

Here are all the features coming to the new Messenger experience on Instagram:

• Communicate Across Apps: Seamlessly connect with friends and family across Instagram and Messenger by using either app to send messages and join video calls.
• Watch Together: Enjoy watching videos on Facebook Watch, IGTV, Reels (coming soon!), TV shows, movies, and more with friends and family during a video call.
• Vanish Mode: Choose a mode where seen messages disappear after they’re seen or when you close the chat.
• Selfie Stickers: Create a series of boomerang stickers with your selfie to use in conversation.
• Chat Colors: Personalize your chats with fun color gradients.
• Custom Emoji Reactions: Create a shortcut of your favorite emojis to react quickly to messages from friends.
• Forwarding: Easily share great content with up to five friends or groups.
• Replies: Respond directly to a specific message in your chat and keep the conversation flowing.
• Animated Message Effects: Add visual flair to your message with animated send effects.
• Message Controls: Decide who can message you directly, and who can’t message you at all.
• Enhanced Reporting and Blocking Updates: Now you can report full conversations in addition to single messages on Instagram, and receive proactive blocking suggestions across Instagram and Messenger when you add your accounts in the new Accounts Center.

On top of all the features mentioned above, Facebook is adding a couple of new privacy controls for users. These include the ability to choose where users receive message requests, tools to report suspicious activity, and the ability to block other users across apps. You can learn more about these features by following this link.

As mentioned earlier, the updated Messenger experience on Instagram has already started rolling out to users in a few countries. Facebook plans to expand availability worldwide in the near future. It’s also worth noting that the cross-platform messaging will work even if an Instagram user doesn’t have a Facebook account, and vice versa. Instagram users will also get the option to opt-out of the Messenger integration.

---

Source: Facebook Newsroom

The post [Update: Rolling Out] Facebook merges Messenger and Instagram chats on Android and iOS appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2Y5WQQ6
via IFTTT

The Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 and 144Hz displays

Xiaomi’s Mi 10 series has been the company’s best attempt at top-tier smartphones, with the Mi 10 Ultra being one of the most overkill smartphones from the Chinese OEM. The series is wide and varied though, with devices like the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro in the flagship territory and devices like the Mi 10 Lite and the Mi 10 Lite Zoom lower down the line. Today, Xiaomi is announcing the next upgrade to the lineup in the form of a T-series release. Meet the new Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro, Xiaomi’s latest flagship smartphones that have launched alongside the Mi 10T Lite, the Mi Watch, and the Mi 65W GaN Fast Charger.

Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro: Specifications

Specification	Xiaomi Mi 10T (apollo)	Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro (apollopro)
Dimensions & Weight	165.1 x 76.4 x 9.33 mm 216g	165.1 x 76.4 x 9.33 mm 218g
Display	6.67″ FHD+ LCD 20:9 aspect ratio 144Hz refresh rate AdaptiveSync: 30/48/50/60/90/120/144Hz MEMC HDR10 DCI-P3 Punch-hole display Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on front and back	6.67″ FHD+ LCD 20:9 aspect ratio 144Hz refresh rate AdaptiveSync: 30/48/50/60/90/120/144Hz MEMC HDR10 DCI-P3 Punch-hole display Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on front and back
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 865: 1x Kryo 585 (ARM Cortex-A77-based) Prime core @ 2.84GHz 3x Kryo 585 (ARM Cortex-A77-based) Performance core @ 2.4GHz 4x Kryo 385 (ARM Cortex A55-based) Efficiency cores @ 1.8GHz Adreno 650 GPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 865: 1x Kryo 585 (ARM Cortex-A77-based) Prime core @ 2.84GHz 3x Kryo 585 (ARM Cortex-A77-based) Performance core @ 2.4GHz 4x Kryo 385 (ARM Cortex A55-based) Efficiency cores @ 1.8GHz Adreno 650 GPU
RAM & Storage	6GB LPDDR5 + 128GB UFS 3.1 8GB + 128GB	8GB LPDDR5 + 128GB UFS 3.1 8GB + 256GB
Battery & Charging	5000mAh 33W fast charging support 33W fast charger in the box	5000mAh 33W fast charging support 33W fast charger in the box
Security	Side-mounted fingerprint scanner AI Face Unlock	Side-mounted fingerprint scanner AI Face Unlock
Rear Camera(s)	Primary: 64MP, f/1.89, 1/1.7″ sensor Secondary: 13MP, ultra-wide angle, f/2.4, 1.12µm pixel size, 123° FoV Tertiary: 5MP, macro, f/2.4, 1.12µm pixel size Video: 8K @ 30fps Dual Video modes: Vertical, Horizontal, PiP	Primary: 108MP, f/1.69, 1/1.33″ sensor, OIS Secondary: 13MP, ultra-wide angle, f/2.4, 1.12µm pixel size, 123° FoV Tertiary: 5MP, macro, f/2.4, 1.12µm pixel size Video: 8K @ 30fps Dual Video modes: Vertical, Horizontal, PiP
Front Camera(s)	20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4″ sensor, 0.8µm pixel size	20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4″ sensor, 0.8µm pixel size
Port(s)	USB Type-C	USB Type-C
Audio & Vibration	Dual Speakers Hi-Res Audio certification X-axis linear vibration motor	Dual Speakers Hi-Res Audio certification X-axis linear vibration motor
Connectivity	Bands: 5G: n1/n3/n7/n8/n20/n28/n38/n41/n77/n78 LTE FDD: B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/20/28/32 LTE TDD: B38/40/41 WCDMA: B1/2/4/5/8 GSM: B2/3/5/8 4×4 MIMO Wi-Fi 6 NFC	Bands: 5G: n1/n3/n7/n8/n20/n28/n38/n41/n77/n78 LTE FDD: B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/20/28/32 LTE TDD: B38/40/41 WCDMA: B1/2/4/5/8 GSM: B2/3/5/8 4×4 MIMO Wi-Fi 6 NFC
Software	MIUI 12 based on Android 10	MIUI 12 based on Android 10
Other Features	IR Blaster Splash-proof protection	IR Blaster Splash-proof protection

The Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro are very similar devices, sharing pretty much every specification other than the primary rear camera and the slight difference in weight because of this change. This means you get the same glass-metal sandwich build, the same 144Hz LCD display, the same chipset, the same battery and charging, and more.

Xiaomi Mi 10T

The highlight of the Mi 10T series is its 144Hz refresh rate LCD. Xiaomi is priding itself on being able to deliver one of the best flat LCD available in any smartphone in 2020, with the industry-leading 144Hz refresh rate. Xiaomi is also coupling the tech with AdaptiveSync, allowing the phone to match the content with different refresh rates: movies at 48Hz, TV series at 50Hz, video streaming at 30Hz or 60Hz, and scrolling and gaming all the way up to 144Hz. The devices also feature MEMC, giving them the ability to insert more frames to make video playback smoother.

Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro

Another highlight on the Mi 10T series is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC. We’re all familiar with this SoC by now, and while Xiaomi did skip out from going with the newer Snapdragon 865 Plus, we can forgive them for this omission since the regular 865 is sufficient on its own. Complementing the flagship Qualcomm chipset are decent amounts of LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. There’s no expansion available, so best decide what storage suits your future needs, beforehand. Both the phones come with a substantial 5000 mAh battery with 33W fast charging support. While admittedly you do lose out on the insanity of 120W fast charging and wireless charging (50W) from the Mi 10 Ultra, but for the overall package, we can’t complain.

The camera setup is another focus area for the Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro. The camera island is imposing and attention-grabbing, but it just has three sensors and the LED flash — two fewer than what the design would suggest. The primary camera on the Mi 10T Pro is a 108MP, 1/1.33″ large sensor with OIS. Xiaomi has not specified which sensor is exactly being used, so that remains to be seen. The primary camera on the vanilla Mi 10T Pro is a 64MP sensor — again, exact sensor details have not been provided yet.

The rest of the setup is the same — a 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 5MP macro camera. It’s good to see Xiaomi avoiding the marketing and advertising temptation of packing in additional low-res sensors. The front camera is a 20MP shooter sitting within the hole punch in the display.

Pricing and Availability

The Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro will be available globally at the following prices:

• Mi 10T (Cosmic Black, Lunar Silver):
  • 6GB + 128GB: €499
  • 8GB + 128GB: €549
• Mi 10T Pro (Cosmic Black, Lunar Silver, Aurora Blue):
  • 8GB + 128GB: €599
  • 8GB + 256GB: €649

The phones can be purchased from the below-mentioned carriers and operators throughout Europe.

The post The Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 and 144Hz displays appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2Gfxgm7
via IFTTT

WhatsApp tests redesigned Storage Usage section in latest beta release

Facebook-owned popular messaging app WhatsApp has been testing a host of new features over the last couple of months. Previous beta releases of the app have shed light on some of these features, including multi-device access, search by date, better storage usage tools, expiring messages, a “Mute Always” option for chats, and more. Recently, we talked about another upcoming feature, called “Expiring Media”, which would allow users to send self-destructing images, videos, and GIFs on the platform. While most of these features are yet to make their way to the stable channel, WhatsApp has now started testing a redesigned Storage Usage section in the latest beta release.

As per a recent report from WABetaInfo, WhatsApp has started rolling out v2.20.201.9 of the app on the beta channel. The update introduces a redesigned UI for the Storage Usage section of the app, which builds upon the changes that were spotted in a previous release. As you can see in the attached screenshot, the new UI features a bar at the top to show current storage usage.

Right beneath the bar, there’s a ‘Suggested clean up’ section that shows forwarded files and large files that can be removed to save some space. And underneath that, the section shows a list of all the chats that are occupying the most storage space on your device. This section also has a search button that you can use to quickly search for chats that you wish to delete.

The redesigned Storage Usage section in WhatsApp is a significant improvement over the current design, which just shows a list of all your chats along with the storage space occupied by each chat. As mentioned earlier, the new Storage Usage UI is rolling out with WhatsApp v2.20.201.9 on the beta channel. However, it isn’t available for all users at the moment. This leads us to believe that the redesigned UI isn’t quite ready for primetime and it might be a while before WhatsApp rolls it out to the stable channel.

---

Source: WABetaInfo

The post WhatsApp tests redesigned Storage Usage section in latest beta release appeared first on xda-developers.

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

Paranoid Android Quartz 5 adds support for the Xiaomi Mi A3 and Mi 6X, adds DC Dimming and other features

Over the last couple of months, the Paranoid Android team has released a couple of Android 10-based builds of the popular custom ROM. With each new build, the team has added new features to the custom ROM and extended support to more devices. With the Quartz 4 release last month, the team added support for nine new devices and introduced features like a system-wide App Locker, internal audio screen record support, and more. Now, the team has released the fifth and final Android 10-based build with support for more devices and a couple of new features.

As per a recent post on the team’s blog, Paranoid Android Quartz 5 is now rolling out for all supported devices, and it includes the following improvements and features:

• September security patchset
• App Locker version 1.1: more customization options
• DC Dimming
• Lockscreen SmartSpace
• Ringer Mode Gestures: replicates the feature set offered by the alert slider on OnePlus devices
• New FOD icon and animation
• Permissions Hub

Along with the features mentioned above, the Paranoid Android Quartz 5 release also includes a few device-specific changes that can be found in the second post of their respective XDA threads. Furthermore, the latest build brings support for two more devices — Xiaomi Mi 6X and Xiaomi Mi A3. The OTA update for the latest Paranoid Android Quartz build should start rolling out to devices running Quartz 4 in the coming days.

Download Paranoid Android Quartz 5

If you’re interested in trying out Paranoid Android Quartz 5 on your device, you can head over to your device’s XDA forums thread from the links below. Follow the instructions given in the post to install the build on your device.

• ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 (XDA Forums)
• ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 (XDA Forums)
• Essential Phone (XDA Forums)
• OnePlus 7 Pro (XDA Forums)
• OnePlus 6 (XDA Forums) and 6T (XDA Forums)
• OnePlus 3 and 3T (XDA Forums: 3, 3T)
• OnePlus 5 and 5T (XDA Forums: 5, 5T)
• OnePlus 7T Pro (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Redmi 5 (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Mi 8 (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro/Redmi K20 Pro (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 8/8T (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Redmi 3S (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Redmi 4A (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and Note 5 Pro (XDA Forums: Note 5, Note 5 Pro)
• Xiaomi Mi A2 (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro (XDA Forums)
• Pocophone F1 (XDA Forums)
• Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Mi 9 (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Mi 9T / Redmi K20 (XDA Forums)
• Redmi 5 (XDA Forums)
• Redmi 7/Y3 (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Mi A3 (XDA Forums)
• Xiaomi Mi 6X (XDA Forums)

Note: All the aforementioned builds have Google apps included, so you don’t need to flash a separate ZIP file to get the Google Play Store after installing the ROM. However, if you’re a Galaxy Note 3 user, you will have to flash a separate Gapps package to get Google apps on your device.

As mentioned earlier, Paranoid Android Quartz 5 is the final Android 10-based build of the custom ROM. The team is stopping feature and platform development for the Quartz build to shift focus to the Android 11-based release, which will be called Paranoid Android Ruby. We expect to see the first Paranoid Android Ruby Alpha builds for select devices in the next few months.

It’s also worth noting that the Paranoid Android team had been working to release the Quartz build to a few more devices, including the OnePlus One, Sony Xperia XZ2, XZ2 Dual, Xperia XZ2 Compact, XZ2 Compact Dual, Xperia XZ3, XZ3 Dual, Google Nexus 6P, OnePlus 7, and the OnePlus 7T. But since the team has now halted platform development for the Quartz build, these devices may not receive support anytime soon.

If you’re interested in helping the Paranoid Android team with development, you can reach out to herna@paranoidandroid.co. To stay up-to-date about the custom ROM and new releases, you should consider following the team on Twitter.

The post Paranoid Android Quartz 5 adds support for the Xiaomi Mi A3 and Mi 6X, adds DC Dimming and other features appeared first on xda-developers.

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

Xiaomi Mi Box 3 finally receives its stable Android Pie update

Xiaomi rolled out the long-overdue Android 9 Pie beta update for the Mi Box 3 earlier this year in August. The update, which measured in at just 620MB, brought Android Pie to the Android TV box and introduced support for the Mi Remote app. Now, Xiaomi is finally releasing a stable version of the update to the Mi Box 3, which brings Android TV 9.0 and support for the Mi Remote app to the stable channel.

The Mi Box 3 (codename once) stable Android Pie update measures in at 650MB and it includes the Android security patches for July 2020. With the update, Xiaomi has added a couple of new features to the Android TV box, including a new settings layout, a new power menu that can be accessed by pressing and holding the power button, a less intrusive volume interface, preinstalled Amazon Prime Video app, a Mi Box recommends section in the app drawer, a shortcut for the Google Play Store, and more.

As per a Reddit thread on the matter, the update has started rolling out to Mi Box 3 users worldwide and it should be available on your device. In case you haven’t received the update notification yet, you can manually download the update package from the link below. Do note that the Android Pie build (build number 2604) for the Mi Box 3 is the same as the build for the Mi Box S (codename oneday) that was released earlier this year in April. Therefore, it also includes all of the bug fixes that were previously released for the Mi Box S.

The Mi Box 3 packs in a quad-core Amlogic SoC, Mali 450 GPU, and 2GB of RAM. It supports 4K video playback at 60fps and Dolby Digital Plus audio.

Download Android 9 Pie for the Mi Box 3

---

Thanks to XDA Recognized Developer yshalsager for the tip and download link!

The post Xiaomi Mi Box 3 finally receives its stable Android Pie update appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2GeyU7n
via IFTTT

Samsung teases a new Good Lock module called Keys Cafe to customize the Samsung Keyboard app

Samsung’s Good Lock suite of customization tools recently received two exciting new modules — Pentastic and Wonderland. In case you missed our coverage of these modules, the new Pentastic module lets you theme the S Pen experience on your Samsung device and the Wonderland module lets you create live wallpapers from any still image of your choice. Now, Samsung is teasing yet another Good Lock module, called Keys Cafe, that will let you personalize the Samsung Keyboard app.

As per a recent press release from the company, the upcoming Keys Cafe module will let you customize the Samsung Keyboard app as per your preference. It will include support for keyboard height and width adjustment, key layout repositioning options, a wide range of themes to customize the look of the keyboard app, and dynamic effects that will bring your keyboard to life.

Additionally, the Keys Cafe module will come with a gamification feature that aims to help you minimize typos by turning typing into a game. The feature will give you a score and ranking based on your performance, which is expected to help you improve your typing accuracy over time. The Keys Cafe module will be available on Samsung devices running One UI 2.1 and above starting next month. In order to use the module, you’ll also need to update the Samsung Keyboard app to version 5.1.05.

Along with the upcoming Key Cafe module, Samsung has announced an update for the Home Up module. The update will introduce a new Share Manager feature that will let you hide specific share commands from the sharing window, manage your Direct Share contacts, and select the apps you want to see in the sharing window. The new Share Manager feature will soon be available on devices running One UI 2.5 and above.

Furthermore, Samsung is pushing an update for the MultiStar module with a new I ♡ Galaxy Tablet feature. The feature includes a Wireless Keyboard Share option that lets you connect your tablet’s physical keyboard with your Galaxy smartphone for a better typing experience. It also lets you quickly switch between the two devices at the tap of a button. This update has already started rolling out to Galaxy tablet users and it’s supported on tablets running One UI 2.5.

---

Source: Samsung Newsroom

The post Samsung teases a new Good Lock module called Keys Cafe to customize the Samsung Keyboard app appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3l0f0vS
via IFTTT

Vivo beats Google to launching the first phone with Android 11

In a little over 12 hours from now, Google will announce the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 at its Launch Night In event. Thanks to numerous leaks, we pretty much know everything there is to know about the two phones, including the fact that they’ll both launch with the latest version of Android, Android 11, out of the box. An update to Android 11 was released for existing Pixel devices on September 8th, and we’ve seen numerous OEMs release beta updates for their own devices. But so far, no one has launched a new smartphone with the latest version out of the box. We all thought that Google would be the first one to do so, but Chinese smartphone brand Vivo has beaten them to the punch with the launch of the new Vivo V20.

In a press release, Vivo says its new V20 series “will run on the recently-launched Android 11 operating system,” which sure sounds like the 3 devices will run on the latest OS version. However, the press release also mentions that the company “has a plan to equip V20 series with Android 11 in succession” depending “on market conditions.” That’s rather vague, and left us to wonder if the Vivo V20 SE, V20, and V20 Pro really will run Android 11. It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen companies mention the latest OS version as a marketing tactic—HMD Global says its new Nokia 2.4 and Nokia 3.4 are “Android 11-ready,” which just means they’ll receive the actual Android 11 update whenever the company is ready to roll it out. Interestingly, the product pages for the Vivo V20 SE and V20 Pro state the two devices are running Funtouch OS 11 based on Android 10, while the product page for the Vivo V20 says it’s running Funtouch OS 11 based on Android 11.

Thankfully, it’s easy for us to confirm that the regular Vivo V20 is, in fact, running the latest Android version. The phone has already reached the hands of Indonesian YouTubers like GadgetIn, who published an unboxing of the new phone. In the video, he goes through the settings menu and shows that the device is running Android Version 11 and has the new Easter egg.

Vivo V20 running Funtouch OS 11 based on Android 11. Source: GadgetIn.

His video also confirms that the device’s model name is “V2025.” I cross-referenced that with the Google Play Console’s Device Catalog and confirmed that the device’s SDK level is indeed listed as “30” for Android 11. In fact, the Vivo V20 is the only device on the catalog to have its SDK version listed as “30” and nothing else, confirming it’s the first phone to launch with the latest Android version. All the other phones on the catalog that support SDK level 30 either upgraded to Android 11 (like the current crop of Pixel phones and the ADT-3) or are currently in beta (like the OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, and Xiaomi phones that are listed).

As for why this matters, well, there are two reasons. First, the fact that an OEM managed to beat Google to launching a phone with Android 11 is impressive considering how slow most OEMs usually are at releasing major OS updates. Second, the “shipping API level” of a phone is actually quite important to note, because it factors into how many OS updates the manufacturer is expected to deliver. When most OEMs promise “2 years” of OS upgrades, they really mean “2 letter upgrades” or “2 generations of updates.”Thus, a phone launching with Android 10 can expect to get an update to Android 11 and Android 12, while a phone launching with Android 11 can expect to get an update to Android 12 and Android 13. We’re not sure how long Vivo plans on supporting the new Vivo V20, but it’s definitely promising that the phone has launched with the latest OS version.

The post Vivo beats Google to launching the first phone with Android 11 appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2GaPk0G
via IFTTT