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jeudi 10 février 2022

OnePlus Nord CE 2 is launching next week, and these could be its specifications and pricing

The next OnePlus Nord phone is right around the corner. Dubbed the OnePlus Nord CE 2, it’s set to take the reins from the last year’s Nord CE as the company’s newest mid-range offering. We have been hearing about the phone for some time now, with leaked renders and specs giving us a fair idea as to what to expect from the phone. Previous leaks pointed at a February 11 launch, but that’s not happening as we now have an official confirmation from OnePlus.

In a tweet earlier today, OnePlus confirmed that the OnePlus Nord CE 2 is coming next week. The launch will take place on February 17, and OnePlus says it’s going to be “a little more than you would expect.”

OnePlus has shared a 10-second video teaser that gives us a glimpse of the phone’s overall design. The design matches what we have seen so far in leaks, with the phone featuring a flat, hole-punch display and a rectangular camera module on the back with two big cutouts for cameras. Interestingly, the upcoming OPPO Find X5 Lite will reportedly feature the same design as the Nord CE 2.

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 is expected to offer notable improvements over its predecessor. According to tipster Yogesh Brar, the phone will pack a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and will be powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 900 SoC. For reference, the last year’s model packed Snapdragon 750G chipset. The phone will reportedly pack 6GB/8GB RAM, a triple camera setup (64MP primary + 8MP ultrawide + 2MP macro), a 16MP front camera, and a 4,500mAh battery with 65W fast charging support. On the software side, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 will reportedly ship with OxygenOS 11.3 based on Android 11. Finally, we’re told the phone will be available in Blue and Black colors.

As per a separate leak from tipster Abhishek Yadav, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 could be priced at ₹23,999 for the base model and ₹24,999 for the 8GB/128GB variant.

The post OnePlus Nord CE 2 is launching next week, and these could be its specifications and pricing appeared first on xda-developers.



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Here are all the Galaxy S22 official cases from Samsung

The Galaxy S22 series is finally here, following months of rumors, leaks, speculation, and more leaks. Just like last year, there are three models to choose from: the smallest Galaxy S22, the larger Galaxy S22 Plus, and the stylus-equipped Galaxy S22 Ultra. We have hands-on with the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus, so check that out to know our thoughts on the new flagships.

If you’ve already purchased the base model phone, perhaps from our roundup of the best Galaxy S22 deals, you might also be interested in keeping your new expensive phone from shattering. It’s a good idea to pick up some of the best Galaxy S22 screen protectors, but in this roundup, we’ll cover all of the Galaxy S22 cases that Samsung itself is selling.

Samsung always releases a few cases alongside all of its flagship phones, and the Galaxy S22 isn’t any different. Even though there will likely be hundreds (if not thousands) of alternatives from other companies (which we’re covering in our best Galaxy S22 cases list), it’s a good idea to check out what Samsung itself offers. You can find every available option below.

    Silicone Cover with Strap (Two Colors)

    This case has a matte finish with a navy color, and a bright orange strap that you can slide your fingers under for improved grip. It's available in White and Navy colors.
    Galaxy S22 Clear Standing Cover

    This is pretty much your average clear silicone case, but with the added bonus of an adjustable kickstand for easy hands-free viewing.
    Galaxy S22 Frame Cover (Navy)

    This two-piece case has a navy-colored protective frame on the sides, and two backplates (one clear, one mirrored) you can swap between. Samsung says the clear back is great for stickers, but sadly neglected to include any stickers.
    LED View Cover (Black)

    This is a wrap-around cover for the Galaxy S22, with a small LED clock at the top-right and a slot for holding one card.
    Silicone Cover (Five Colors)

    This soft-touch silicone case is available in five colors: black, Forest Green, Glow Red, Arctic Blue, and Butter Yellow. The red color is probably my favorite.
    Clear Cover

    This is your basic clear plastic phone case, nothing too crazy. It doesn't add much bulk, and shows off your Galaxy S22's actual colors.
    Protective Standing Cover (Three Colors)

    This case has a more durable design, with soft-touch sides and an adjustable kickstand. It's available in Navy, White, and Fresh Lavender.
    Leather Cover (Three Colors)

    This case is constructed from genuine leather. It's available in three colors: black, Light Gray (which is really close to white), and Forest Green.
    S-View Flip Cover (Three Colors)

    This cover case has a small window in the front for an always-on clock, call notifications, or other functions.

Most of these cases are simple updates to the designs Samsung offered for the Galaxy S21 series last year, such as the Silicone Cover, LED View Cover, and so on. The S-View Flip Cover now has a small square-shaped cutout at the top right of the front display, while last year’s Galaxy S21 S-View Flip Cover had a much longer cutout that stretched to the bottom of the display. The Silicone Cover is also available in different colors compared to the same case for the Galaxy S21.

The only entirely-new addition is the Silicone Cover with Strap, available in either Navy (with an orange strap) or White (with a green strap). That design was previously only available in cases for the Galaxy Z Flip 3, which helped grip the smaller phone, but now it’s available for the Galaxy S22 series too.

    Samsung Galaxy S22
    The Samsung Galaxy S22 is the entry flagship for 2022, bringing over top of the line performance and camera capabilities in a form that fits many pockets and budgets.

The post Here are all the Galaxy S22 official cases from Samsung appeared first on xda-developers.



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Samsung says Galaxy Watch 4 and future watches will get four years of updates

Yesterday, Samsung officially lifted the curtains off its first 2022 flagship lineup. The newly announced Galaxy S22 series represents the best that Samsung has to offer in the traditional smartphone form factor. All three phones pack amazing hardware, and that, together with Samsung’s new commitment to provide up to four years of Android OS updates, make them the most enticing offerings on the market right now. However, this extended software support isn’t just exclusive to smartphones. Samsung says it will provide the same level of support for its smartwatches as well.

In a blog post announcing its new software support commitment, Samsung confirmed that the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic would get up to four years of One UI Watch and Wear OS updates. In addition, the company also promised that future Galaxy Watches would be subject to the same level of software support. Meaning the Galaxy Watch 5, or whatever the next Samsung watch ends up being called, would also be eligible for four years of OS updates.

Eligible Galaxy devices with up to four years of One UI Watch and Wear OS Powered by Samsung2 include:

  • Galaxy Watch: Galaxy Watch4, Galaxy Watch4 Classic and upcoming Galaxy Watch series devices

The Galaxy Watch 4 is already the best Wear OS-powered smartwatch on the market and this level of software support further cements its status as such.

    Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
    The Galaxy Watch 4 runs the latest version of Wear OS and is promised to get four years of software support

The news comes shortly after Samsung issued a big software update for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. The latest update, which will start rolling out today, brings a new interval target feature, a sleep coaching program, new body composition insights, and additional watch face customizations. The Galaxy Watch 4 is also set to receive the ability to stream music on the YouTube Music app and Google Assistant support in a future update.

What do you think about Samsung’s new software support commitment for the Galaxy Watch 4 series? Let us know in the comments below. 

The post Samsung says Galaxy Watch 4 and future watches will get four years of updates appeared first on xda-developers.



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mercredi 9 février 2022

These are the best Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Cases in 2022

Samsung has launched its latest flagship smartphone lineup for 2022 — the Galaxy S22 series. While the standard Galaxy S22 is more affordable while still retaining flagship hardware, the Galaxy S22 Ultra goes all-in and provides probably the best smartphone experience you can get on a flagship Android device. If you’re planning to buy any of the three phones in the series for yourself, make sure to check out the best Galaxy S22 deals to get the best offers and discounts and save some extra money. It’s also wise to protect your expensive investment from external damage which is why we’ve shortlisted some of the best Galaxy S22 Ultra cases in this article.

A case not only protects your phone from external damage like scratches and dents but also changes the look and feel of your smartphone. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is quite slippery so a case can help you grip the phone better. When paired with a screen protector, a case can also go a long way in protecting your display from getting shattered if and when you drop your phone, thus saving you a lot of money that you would otherwise have to spend on repairs. Here are some of the best case options that you can take a look at across various categories and price points. You can pick the best case for yourself depending on your style or materials of choice.

Navigate this article:

Official Cases

With every new phone launch, Samsung makes some great official cases and this time is no different. These cases are officially made by Samsung for the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Being a first-party case, you will get the best fitting with precise cutouts and button placements. Samsung’s official cases are of great quality and come in a wide variety of options to choose from, depending on whether you want a case that looks good or offers the best protection.

    Samsung Silicone Cover

    Soft and Protective

    This is a silicone case which means it's going to be soft to the touch and also adequately protective. If you want a nice, soft case in various colors, you can consider this one.
    Samsung Protective Standing Cover

    Excellent protection

    This is a rugged case that offers a textured hardback. If you drop your phone often, consider getting this one. It also has a kickstand attached to the back of the case which is a bonus.
    Samsung Silicone Cover with Strap

    Excellent protection

    This is similar to the case Samsung launched with the Galaxy Z Flip 3. It has a belt attached on the rear that you can rest your palm inside to grip the phone in a better way.
    Samsung Clear Standing Cover

    Minimal, yet functional

    This is a clear Silicone case that will let you show off the actual color of your Galaxy S22 Ultra. It even features an integrated kick-stand.
    Samsung LED View Cover

    Screen protection

    The Samsung LED View Cover for the Galaxy S22 Ultra protects the device's screen, includes a small pocket for loose cash, and even lets you view notifications without opening the flap.
    Samsung Leather Cover

    Premium finish

    This cover features a premium leather finish on the back that gives your phone a luxurious feel.

Clear Cases

Clear cases are for those of you who want to show off the back of your smartphone while also adding some protection. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is available in a beautiful set of colors and if you want people to know which color you picked, get a clear case! This way, you can also retain the original look of the device.

    i-Blason Ares Series

    Clear and protrective

    Want to show off that new phone while also adding a great load of protection? This is exactly the case you're looking for!

    Promoted

    Supcase UB Edge Pro

    Slim but protective

    This is a clear case that comes with a bumper along the edges for extra protection. It doesn't make the phone any bulkier which is good.

    Promoted

    Generic Clear Case

    Cheap and simple

    This generic clear case for the Galaxy S22 Ultra features reinforced corners for improved drop protection, a raised lip around the display, and precise cutouts.

Rugged Cases

If you drop your phone often and are constantly worried about shattering the display or denting the metallic edges, you need to get a rugged case. Rugged cases are thick and offer a great deal of protection for your smartphone. They can get slightly bulky, but that’s the trade-off you make for better peace of mind. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is a large phone so just be aware that a rugged case will further extend the dimensions slightly.

    Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro

    Complete protection

    The Unicorn Beetle Pro from Supcase offers ultimate protection with its rugged back and built-in screen protector. You also get a kickstand on the back of the case.

    Promoted

    Clayco Xenon Series

    All-round protection

    If you want a case that offers complete protection with a built-in screen protector but want a less aggressive design than the Supcase option, you should get this one.

    Promoted

    Ringke Onyx

    Textured finish for a better grip

    The Ringke Onyx series case for the Galaxy S22 Ultra offers an ample amount of protection and a textured back for a better grip

Stylish Cases

This category is for those who want to add a dash of style or color to their smartphone. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is available in some really attractive colors but if those don’t appeal to you, you can always get a fun case that changes the way your phone looks while also adding protection.

    i-Blason Cosmo Series

    Colorful and stylish

    Here's a nice case with a lot of colorful elements that make it stand out from the crowd. It also offers a great deal of protection for the back and the screen.

    Promoted

    Ringke Fusion-X

    Durable yet stylish

    The Ringke Fusion-X is a rugged case that features a stylish camouflage pattern on the back, giving it a durable yet stylish look.
    VePret Watercolor Marble

    Unique look

    This soft-shell TPU case from VePret features a unique watercolor marble pattern on the back that will give your device a unique look.

These are some of the best cases for the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra across various categories. Pick the one that’s best suited for you based on whether you like a thin case, a rugged case, or a clear one to show off the back.

    Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
    The Galaxy S22 Ultra is the top-of-the-line flagship for 2022 with support for S Pen.

Which Galaxy S22 Ultra case did you like the best and which one are you getting? Let us know in the comments below!

The post These are the best Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Cases in 2022 appeared first on xda-developers.



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Google Assistant’s Guest Mode adds support for 9 more languages including Mandarin, Hindi, and Swedish

Last year Google introduced “Guest Mode” to Google Assistant running on smart speakers or displays, which allows, as the name implies, guests to use your home smart devices without access to your personal information. For example, guests can control music playback, but they can’t check your next calendar appointment. It was essentially a web browser’s incognito/private mode but on Google Assistant.

Google announced yesterday in a blog post it has added nine more languages to Guest Mode: Danish, Indonesian, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, Thai, Mandarin, and Hindi. These join the existing seven — English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, and Korean — to make for a total of 16 supported languages. Google says support for the new languages will come “in the following months,” and you can check for status by asking “Hey Google, tell me about Guest Mode” on your smart display or speaker.

Google Guest Mode running on a smart display

This Guest Mode language expansion news was the most noteworthy in a series of other announcements Google made on “Safer Internet Day,” an initiative started by the European Union. Other announcements include the Google Fi app gaining the ability to share real-time location with friends and family free of charge, the addition of Account Level Enhanced Safe Browsing, which provides the “broadest security protection against [online] threats against your Google Account,” to smart devices, and Google One VPN coming to iOS devices. The latter is actually significant news, except Google had already announced it a week prior.

The post Google Assistant’s Guest Mode adds support for 9 more languages including Mandarin, Hindi, and Swedish appeared first on xda-developers.



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Google is working on an Ultra-wideband (UWB) API for third-party Android apps

Last year, Google added a new API in AOSP to enable better support for ultra-wideband (UWB) devices. At the time, we learned that the API was restricted to system apps only. In other words, it was not accessible to third-party apps. But that should change soon as Google is now developing a separate public API for UWB, which third-party Android developers will be able to incorporate in their app.

According to newly discovered commits on AOSP, it appears Google is readying a public API for ultra-wideband (UWB). The public UWB API will allow third-party app developers to take advantage of ultra-wideband technology on supported devices, enabling new features and use cases.

The API should also help propagate the popularity of UWB-based tracking devices, which offer far superior location tracking than Bluetooth-based trackers. Tile has already confirmed its upcoming Tile Ultra tracker will be the first to offer UWB support on both Android and iOS.

For starters, ultra-wideband is a short-range wireless standard that offers precise tracking and positioning of IoT devices and high-speed data transmission over a high-frequency radio spectrum. UWB offers numerous advantages over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC and is widely considered to be the next big thing in the world of wireless technology.

Apple’s iPhone 11 was the first modern smartphone to come equipped with UWB support. On the Android side, Samsung was the first to bring this tech to the market with its Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra smartphones. Xiaomi has also announced plans to get onboard with UWB technology, showcasing how it aims to use the technology to control its smart home ecosystem.

The post Google is working on an Ultra-wideband (UWB) API for third-party Android apps appeared first on xda-developers.



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Galaxy Unpacked 2022: How to watch the Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series launch event

Samsung will host its first major Galaxy Unpacked event of 2022 on February 9th, i.e. today. At the event, the company will unveil its next-gen flagship Galaxy S22 series and the Galaxy Tab S8 series. Over the last few months, we’ve seen quite a few leaks and rumors about the upcoming devices, which have confirmed that Samsung will launch a total of six devices at the upcoming event, including three Galaxy S22 series smartphones and three Galaxy Tab S8 series tablets. Thanks to these leaks, we already know quite a bit about all the upcoming devices. However, there’s probably still a lot left to uncover. This is why we’re really looking forward to watching the launch event live. If you’re also excited about the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event, here’s how you can watch it live.

When does the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event kick off?

Samsung will live stream the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. The event will kick off at:

  • West Coast: 7:00 am Pacific Time
  • East Coast: 10:00 am Eastern Time
  • UK: 3:00 pm British Standard Time
  • India: 8:30 pm India Standard Time
  • China: 11:00 pm China Standard Time

To make sure you don’t miss the event, click on the video embedded below and then click on the Set Reminder button. You should then receive a notification right before the event is about to start. Alternatively, you can head over to Samsung’s website and click the Reserve Now button in the banner to be among the first to get your hands on one of the new Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series devices.

What to expect at Galaxy Unpacked February 2022?

As mentioned earlier, we expect Samsung to unveil the Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series at the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event. Recent leaks suggest that the company will launch three new devices as part of the Galaxy S22 lineup — the regular Galaxy S22, the Galaxy S22 Plus, and the all-new Galaxy S22 Ultra. The company will also launch three flagship tablets, namely the Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Tab S8 Plus, and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, at the event. Samsung will likely have some additional surprises for us, so make sure you tune into the live stream.

    Reserve the upcoming Galaxy S22 and Galaxy Tab S8 series devices
    Reserve the upcoming Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series devices while watching the launch event live and unlock some exclusive offers.

Where to watch the Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series launch event?

Samsung will stream the Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series launch event on its website. You can click on this link to watch the event live. In addition, the company will also stream the event on its official YouTube channel. You can click on the video embedded below to set a reminder and receive a notification right before the live stream begins.

The post Galaxy Unpacked 2022: How to watch the Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 series launch event appeared first on xda-developers.



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