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Amazon is discontinuing its healthcare services. Halo is a brand name.

By
Sriram
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0

Amazon just stated that it will discontinue its Halo-branded health services on July 31, 2023. This change will also result in the discontinuation of all Halo devices on August 1, 2023. The machines were primarily sold in conjunction with the Halo subscription service, which allowed users to monitor and manage their health-related data from the devices. The Halo devices and subscription pages have already been removed from the company’s website.


Halo device owners will be able to access and download their data until August 1, 2023. Amazon will then delete all data from its servers. Furthermore, the company has ceased sales of its three Halo products and intends to lay off a portion of the Halo team. However, Amazon has assured customers that it will fully refund purchases of Amazon Halo View, Amazon Halo Band, Amazon Halo Rise, and Amazon Halo accessory bands made in the previous 12 months. Unused prepaid Halo subscription fees will be refunded as well.
Amazon advises Halo users to discard their devices and accessories through its recycling program, and the company will cover the shipping and recycling fees.


The Halo Band, the first product under the Halo brand, was released in 2020. Competitors such as Fitbit, Samsung, and Apple have already begun offering gadgets with more advanced functionality such as EKG and atrial fibrillation. Amazon followed up with a couple more products, including the Halo View, which was released in 2021, and the Halo Rise, a contactless sleep tracker that was released recently.
Summary:


Amazon has announced that it will stop its Halo-branded health services on July 31, 2023, and all Halo devices on August 1, 2023.
Halo device owners will be able to access and download their data until August 1, 2023. Amazon will then delete all data from its servers.
Amazon has discontinued sales of its three Halo devices and intends to lay off a chunk of the Halo crew.
Customers who purchased any Halo products or services within the previous 12 months will receive a full refund, as will any unused prepaid Halo subscription fees.


Amazon recommends that users recycle their gadgets and accessories through its recycling program, and the business will cover the shipping and recycling fees.

List of Samsung Phones in the US That Have Received the April 2023 Update

By
Shanmugam
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0

Samsung has once again beaten Google in rolling out its devices’ latest monthly security patch. Unlike Google, which often follows an unpredictable schedule, Samsung typically follows a set pattern. The update usually goes live at the beginning of the month or even a day or two before that.

The Galaxy S23 series was the first Samsung lineup in Europe to receive the April 2023 patch. Meanwhile, in the US, the Korean tech giant is beginning the rollout of the April security patch with its 2022 foldable: the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4. With this update, Samsung has again provided some of its devices in Europe and the US with the latest monthly security patch ahead of Pixels.

Google was expected to release the April 2023 update for Pixels earlier this week, but only the security bulletin was published that day. This marks the second time Google has delayed the monthly update’s rollout for compatible Pixel phones.
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4’s April 2023 firmware are currently available for devices on T-Mobile’s network. A wider rollout, which includes other carriers, should begin in the coming weeks.

The April 2023 security patch from Samsung addresses over 65 security vulnerabilities, including one for the Exynos modem issue, which was considered a significant threat. Of all the patched exploits, 55 were from Google, while 15 security flaws were specific to Samsung’s Galaxy devices.

For those interested, Samsung has released detailed release notes on the April 2023 security patch, which can be found here.
We have compiled a list of all the Samsung phones in the US that have received the April 2023 update below. We will update this list as new Galaxy devices receive the April patch.

  • Galaxy S20 series
  • AT&T
  • Galaxy S20: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Galaxy S20+: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Galaxy S20 Ultra: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Comcast
  • Galaxy S20: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Galaxy S20+: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Galaxy S20 Ultra: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Sprint
  • Galaxy S20: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Galaxy S20+: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Galaxy S20 Ultra: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • T-Mobile
  • Galaxy S20: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Galaxy S20+: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Galaxy S20 Ultra: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Verizon
  • Galaxy S20: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Galaxy S20+: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Galaxy S20 Ultra: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Xfinity
  • Galaxy S20: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Galaxy S20+: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Galaxy S20 Ultra: G98xU1UES4HWCB, released April 20th
  • Galaxy S21 series
  • Unlocked
  • Galaxy S21: G99xU1UEU6EWCA, released April 6th
  • Galaxy S21+: G99xU1UEU6EWCA, released April 6th
  • Galaxy S21 Ultra: G99xU1UEU6EWCA, released April 6th
  • Galaxy S21 FE: G990U1UES5EWC2, released April 12th
  • T-Mobile
  • Galaxy S21 FE: G990USQS6EWC3, released April 11th
  • Galaxy S22 series
  • Unlocked
  • Galaxy S22: S90xU1UES2CWCC, released April 6th
  • Galaxy S22+: S90xU1UES2CWCC, released April 6th
  • Galaxy S22 Ultra: S90xU1UES2CWCC, released April 6th
  • AT&T
  • Galaxy S22: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Galaxy S22+: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Galaxy S22 Ultra: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Sprint
  • Galaxy S22: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Galaxy S22+: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Galaxy S22 Ultra: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • T-Mobile
  • Galaxy S22: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Galaxy S22+: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Galaxy S22 Ultra: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Verizon
  • Galaxy S22: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Galaxy S22+: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Galaxy S22 Ultra: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Xfinity
  • Galaxy S22: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Galaxy S22+: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Galaxy S22 Ultra: S90xUSQU2CWCF, released April 17th
  • Galaxy S23 series
  • Unlocked
  • Galaxy S23: S91xU1UEU1AWC8, released April 11th
  • Galaxy S23+: S91xU1UEU1AWC8, released April 11th
  • Galaxy S23 Ultra: S91xU1UEU1AWC8, released April 11th
  • Galaxy Note 20 series
  • Unlocked
  • Galaxy Note 20: N98xU1UES4HWC9, released April 7th
  • Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: N98xU1UES4HWC9, released April 7th
  • AT&T
  • Galaxy Note 20: N98xU1UES4HWC9, released April 7th
  • Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: N98xU1UES4HWC9, released April 7th
  • Comcast
  • Galaxy Note 20: N98xU1UES4HWC9, released April 7th
  • Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: N98xU1UES4HWC9, released April 7th
  • Sprint
  • Galaxy Note 20: N98xU1UES4HWC9, released April 7th
  • Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: N98xU1UES4HWC9, released April 7th
  • T-Mobile
  • Galaxy Note 20: N98xU1UES4HWC9, released April 7th
  • Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: N98xU1UES4HWC9, released April 7th
  • Verizon
  • Galaxy Note 20: N98xU1UES4HWC9, released April 7th
  • Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: N98xU1UES4HWC9, released April 7th
  • Galaxy Z series
  • T-Mobile
  • Galaxy Z Flip 4: F721U1UES2CWC9, released on April 4
  • Galaxy Z Fold 4: F936U1UES2CWC9, released on April 4
  • Galaxy A series
  • Unlocked
  • Galaxy A52 5G: A526U1UES8EWC2, released April 13th
  • Galaxy A53: A536U1UEU4CWC4, released April 5th
  • Comcast
  • Galaxy A53: A536USQS4CWC8, released April 12th
  • Xfinity
  • Galaxy A53: A536USQS4CWC8, released April 12th

How MediaTek’s Dimensity 9200 Plus will affect the smartphone market

By
Shanmugam
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0

MediaTek, the Taiwanese-based chip maker, has announced the launch of its latest flagship chipset, the Dimensity 9200 Plus, on May 10th in China. This new chipset is expected to be an upgraded version of its predecessor, the Dimensity 9200, which currently powers several flagship devices from Vivo and OPPO.

The first smartphone to feature the Dimensity 9200 Plus will likely be the iQOO Neo 8 Pro, recently spotted on benchmarking platforms with the upcoming chip. The listing has confirmed some of the critical specifications of the Dimensity 9200+, including a 1 x Cortex-X3 core operating at 3.35GHz, 3 x Cortex-A715 cores working at 3.00GHz, four Cortex-A510 cores clocking at 2.00GHz, and Immortalis-G715 MC11 graphics.

The Dimensity 9200+ is reported to have achieved an impressive score of 1,368,597 on AnTuTu benchmarking platform, which is higher than Qualcomm’s most powerful chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This suggests that the Dimensity 9200+ may offer better performance than its competitors.

The iQOO Neo 8 Pro is expected to be the first device to feature this new chipset, followed by the iQOO 11S and Vivo X90 Plus in the year’s second half. Moreover, AnTuTu’s Weibo post indicates that Redmi and ROG will also release smartphones powered by the Dimensity 9200+.

Launching the Dimensity 9200 Plus is anticipated to bring substantial improvements in performance and speed to the smartphone market. It will be fascinating to see how this upcoming chipset stacks up against its competitors and how it will affect the market share of its major rivals, such as Qualcomm and Samsung.

Summary:

  • MediaTek is launching its latest flagship chipset, the Dimensity 9200 Plus, in China on May 10th.
  • The Dimensity 9200+ is an upgraded version of its predecessor, the Dimensity 9200.
  • The chipset is expected to perform better than its competitors, including Qualcomm’s most powerful, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
  • The iQOO Neo 8 Pro will likely be the first device to feature this new chipset, followed by the iQOO 11S and Vivo X90 Plus.
  • Redmi and ROG will also release smartphones powered by the Dimensity 9200+.

Nokia XR20 Sequel Leaks: Nokia XR21 Specs and Features Revealed

By
Shanmugam
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0

HMD Global is gearing up for the release of its upcoming Nokia XR21, the sequel to the Nokia XR20 which was a major release for the company as it ventured into the rugged phone market. German tech outlet, WinFuture, has leaked detailed specs and renders of the upcoming device, revealing that it is likely to feature a similar plastic rear cover and thick bezels as its predecessor, with black and green color options.

The core features of the Nokia XR21 are expected to include a budget-tier Snapdragon 695 chipset, a 6.49-inch FHD+ LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass Victus, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a 4,800mAh non-removable battery, and 33W wired charging. The device is also expected to have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, three years of major OS updates, and four years of security patches.

However, one disappointing aspect of the device is that it is said to come with Android 12, despite Android 13 being available for nearly eight months. The Nokia XR21 is expected to have a 64MP primary camera and an 8MP telephoto camera, but neither of them will have optical stabilization hardware. The Snapdragon 695 doesn’t support 4K recording either.

The front camera is a 16MP lens. The device is also said to have a 3.5mm port, eSIM support, an extra hardware key for Google Assistant, and a customizable button on the top. The Nokia XR20 received mixed reviews, with some users feeling there was room for improvement, including better camera quality, fingerprint scanner, and 5G capabilities on AT&T.

There is no word yet on the pricing for the Nokia XR21, but the Nokia XR20 retailed for $550, and it is hoped that the new device will be priced similarly or even cheaper.

Summary:

  • Nokia XR21, the successor to the Nokia XR20, is soon to be released.
  • WinFuture has leaked detailed specs and renders of the device, revealing a similar design to its predecessor, with black and green color options.
  • The Nokia XR21 is expected to feature a budget-tier Snapdragon 695 chipset, a 6.49-inch FHD+ LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass Victus, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a 4,800mAh non-removable battery, and 33W wired charging.
  • The device is also expected to have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, three years of major OS updates, and four years of security patches.
  • However, the device is said to come with Android 12 instead of Android 13, which has been available for almost eight months.
  • The device is also expected to feature a 64MP main camera, an 8MP telephoto camera, and a 16MP front camera.
  • There is no information yet on pricing, but it is hoped that it will be similar to or cheaper than the Nokia XR20.

Xiaomi Smart Band 8: More than Just a Fitness Tracker with its First-Party Accessories

By
Sajin Vargheese
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0

The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 was released earlier this month, with the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. Unlike its predecessors, the company’s latest fitness tracker features a trendy style that sets it apart from the rest of the fitness trackers.
Xiaomi Smart Bands, formerly known as Mi Smart Bands, are well-known for their practical designs. However, the Xiaomi Smart Band 8 has evolved, with the company opting for a more fashionable appearance.


The Xiaomi Smart Band 8 has a novel strap mechanism that allows it to be utilized with a variety of unique-looking straps, including the option to wear it as a pendant. Several first-party accessories are now available in China, according to the company’s announcement.
Regular TPU bands and braided leather straps are available for $39 ($5) and $99 ($15), respectively. There are even more expensive variants, such as the hollow bracelet strap, double circular band, and pendant, all of which cost 149 ($20).


The stainless steel hollow bracelet strap is designed for women and is available in black or white. The black or white double-circle band is made of calfskin, PU leather, and stainless steel. Finally, the pendant has a plastic back cover and a stainless steel head grain. It includes a wax leather rope.


Similar to prior generations, the latest Xiaomi Smart Band 8 is likely to be distributed outside of mainland China in the coming months. It remains to be seen, however, whether the first-party accessories will be offered in other areas.

Samsung’s LSI Division Working on Re-Entry of Exynos Chips in Galaxy Series

By
Ramana Rishi
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0

According to reports, Samsung is working on reintroducing Exynos CPUs into its Galaxy flagship handsets. This comes after the LSI section of the tech corporation reported severe losses in its semiconductor business in the first quarter of 2023. During an earnings call, a top executive at Samsung LSI responded to a question about the possibility of an Exynos variant for the Galaxy S24 series, saying, “The MX (Mobile Experience) division is a major customer and aims to develop business with a product lineup that can be applied to all segments of the Galaxy series.” We are also preparing for re-entry.”

While this statement does not confirm the return of Exynos chips to Galaxy S series phones, it strongly indicates that it will. This year, Samsung discarded Exynos CPUs for the Galaxy S23 family, instead opting for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon SoCs in its S series flagships. However, Samsung LSI intends to change that with its recent revelation.

According to a recent rumour, Samsung intends to equip the base Galaxy S24 model with the Exynos 2400, which will purportedly include a 10-core CPU, one prime Cortex-X4 core, five Cortex-A720 units, two of which will have a higher frequency, and four power-saving Cortex-A520 cores. If Samsung does reintroduce Exynos chips, it may limit the Snapdragon version of the Galaxy S24 phones to specific territories, such as the United States. In contrast, other regions, such as Europe, will be left with the Exynos form. It all comes down to Samsung’s mobile division in the end.

Download Android 14 Beta 1.1 patch to resolve major bugs on your device

By
Alex Infant
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0

The release of the first open beta for Android 14 arrived as scheduled earlier this month, allowing anyone with a supported Pixel phone to test the next version of Google’s mobile OS. However, testers were met with a plethora of bugs that made the experience frustrating. Thankfully, Google has now released the Beta 1.1 patch, which addresses many of the issues faced by users.

As a mid-cycle launch, there aren’t many new features or secrets hidden throughout this OS. Instead, the focus is on resolving some of the worst bugs such as unresponsive fingerprint sensors, system crashes, failed SIM detection, and missing network information in the status bar. During my time testing Android 14 a few weeks ago, I faced most of the issues that this patch targets. Therefore, it’s great to see Google swiftly addressing these concerns.

If you’re already part of the Android 14 beta program, the patch will arrive as an OTA update soon. Additionally, you can download the OTA files from Google’s website and flash them manually. If you’re not part of the beta program and would like to try it out, installing it is as simple as a few clicks on your PC. By manually flashing it onto your device, you can also skip the waiting process.

Summary of the article:

  • Android 14 Beta 1.1 patch is now available for download.
  • This mid-cycle launch is focused on resolving major bugs, rather than introducing new features.
  • Issues addressed by the patch include unresponsive fingerprint sensors, system crashes, failed SIM detection, and missing network information in the status bar.
  • Users who are already enrolled in the beta program will receive the patch as an OTA update soon.
  • Users who aren’t part of the beta program can manually download the OTA files or flash them onto their device to avoid waiting.

WhatsApp’s Redesigned Architecture Enables Multi-Phone Support

By
Sriram
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0
Image Credit: thenextweb.com

WhatsApp has been working to improve its instant messaging platform by making it usable across multiple devices at once. The company, owned by Meta, has been trying to achieve this goal for a few years and has made significant progress. Initially, it created a web interface that was followed by the ability to use accounts with secondary devices. Recently, WhatsApp multi-device support was expanded to allow users to link as many additional smartphones as they want to their account, in addition to the primary device and up to four other linked devices.

WhatsApp had to completely redesign its underlying architecture to allow a smartphone to be one of the four linked devices per account. Beta users were initially limited to using just one smartphone as a linked device, in addition to their primary handset. While workarounds using Companion mode designed for tablets were used with some success, the removal of this limitation has been a long time coming.

WhatsApp recently removed this limitation for all beta users, and now stable channel users can also benefit from the convenience of using one WhatsApp account on any combination of smartphones, computers, and Android tablets. However, there are still two quirks: users can only have four linked devices, and none of them can be an iPad. While there’s no native iPad app support, users can use a web login on the tablet’s browser as a workaround.

With the redesigned architecture, every linked device communicates with WhatsApp servers independently to keep chats synced. This also means that the primary smartphone needs to come online at least once every 30 days to keep the linked devices operational, but can remain switched off otherwise. Meta promises that end-to-end encryption remains available, regardless of which device is used to access an account.

This new development should be incredibly useful for anyone who juggles multiple smartphones, especially those who want all their devices to access the same WhatsApp account. Multi-device support combined with self-messaging is also handy for transferring files between linked devices. Small businesses could also benefit from this feature as team members can use the same WhatsApp Business account to tackle multiple customer queries simultaneously.

Meta has also announced a new QR-free way to link new devices to your account, which will be rolled out in the coming weeks. While multi-phone support is already being rolled out, users will have to get used to the fact that linked smartphones don’t work exactly like the primary one.

Summary:

  • WhatsApp now allows users to link as many additional smartphones as they want to their account, in addition to the primary device and up to four other linked devices.
  • The primary smartphone needs to come online at least once every 30 days to keep the linked devices operational but can remain switched off otherwise.
  • End-to-end encryption remains available, regardless of which device is used to access an account.
  • Small businesses could benefit from this feature as team members can use the same WhatsApp Business account to tackle multiple customer queries simultaneously.
  • A new QR-free way to link new devices to your account will be rolled out in the coming weeks.

Galaxy Z Flip 5: Rumors of a Larger Cover Display and Improved Hinge

By
Shanmugam
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0

Samsung is gearing up to launch its new lineup of foldable devices, which are still under wraps. While there is no official word on the upcoming devices, there are rumors that the Galaxy Z Flip 5 could be Samsung’s most idealized folding phone yet. Leaks from earlier this month suggested that the Z Flip 5 could have a larger cover display with an always-on feature. Now, a new leak has shown off an unusual design, with the display rumored to resemble the shape of a tabbed folder.

The latest leak supports the idea that the display won’t just grow in size, but will also take a unique shape. Prominent leaker Ice Universe shared a render that shows the display resembling a tabbed folder, but the dimensions are not specified. Previous leaks suggested that it could be between 3-4 inches, which is a significant improvement compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 4’s exterior screen of only 1.34 inches. This limited the multitasking capabilities of the device, allowing users to only check notifications and accept calls.

However, with a bigger display, battery life could become a concern for the Galaxy Z Flip 5. In our review of the Galaxy Z Flip 4, we found that the battery endurance was mediocre, even with a smaller exterior display.

In addition to a larger exterior screen, Samsung could also improve the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s hinge. Reports suggest that its larger sibling, the Galaxy Z Fold 5, will replace its hinge with one similar to Oppo’s foldable phones, which allows it to be folded shut without leaving a gap between the top and bottom halves of the display.

The official launch of Samsung’s new foldable devices is expected to take place at Unpacked this summer, and we can expect more leaks to surface, providing additional information about the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Mivi DuoPods K1: The Perfect Companion for Outdoor Activities and Workouts

By
Sajin Vargheese
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0

Mivi, a business specializing in audio equipment, has introduced the DuoPods K1 earphones in India. The new earphones are part of the “Made in India” audio accessory range and have a battery life of up to 42 hours of continuous playback. The Mivi DuoPods K1 joins the DuoPods K7, released earlier in the month.
The substantial 10.5mm drivers in the DuoPods K1 produce deep bass sounds, making it a fantastic choice for audiophiles. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 technology, with a connectivity range of up to 10 meters. The DuoPods K1’s tiny form offers high-quality audio output that is sleek and stylish, complementing any style.

The earphones ensure clear conversation with two microphones and seamless voice assistant integration. The Mivi DuoPods K1 are also sweat, dust, and water resistant, making them ideal for outdoor activities and workouts. The earbuds reduce environmental noise and support AAC and SBC audio codecs, resulting in an outstanding listening experience.
The Mivi DuoPods K1 includes an AI ENC processor for clear call quality, two 35mAh batteries in the earphones, and a 380mAh battery in the charging capsule. The device can be fully charged in an hour and has a Micro USB charging cable.


Mivi provides a one-year warranty for the DuoPods K1, and the introductory price in India is Rs. 999 ($12). The earphones are available in black, beige, pink, and blue to accommodate a variety of tastes. The Mivi DuoPods K1 is available directly from Mivi or through e-commerce platforms such as Flipkart. The Mivi DuoPods K1 is a fantastic alternative for individuals looking for high-quality audio accessories due to its low pricing, excellent functionality, and elegant design.

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