WhatsApp has rolled out new beta updates for the Android and iOS versions of its app with new features. According to a report from WABetaInfo, the WhatsApp beta update for Android comes with two new sticker packs, viz. Cutie Pets and Tonton Friends. On the other hand, the beta update for the iOS version of WhatsApp brings advanced wallpaper configuration tools, reports WABetaInfo. The Facebook-owned messaging app constantly brings new features through its beta program for testing purposes before it rolls out for the public.
As reported by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp Beta for Android has received an update with version 2.20.205.4 that brings two new sticker packs. On the iOS, WhatsApp has submitted the update with version 2.20.120.19, which brings advanced wallpaper features to the messaging app. Check out the full details for each update on Android and iOS below.
WhatsApp Beta 2.20.205.4: New Sticker Packs for Android
Image courtesy: WABetaInfo
WhatsApp has rolled out two new stickers packs through the new beta update through the Google Play Beta Program. These are named Cutie Pets and Tonton Friends — Cutie Pets comprises of static stickers, and Tonton Friends offers animated stickers. Those running the latest beta version (2.20.205.4) of the WhatsApp application can access these sticker packs through the WhatsApp Sticker Store.
The report also says that WhatsApp has also released these sticker packs on iOS and Business versions. Note that these new features are currently in the beta stage and not available for the official build of the application. WhatsApp may roll out these features for everyone in the coming days.
WhatsApp 2.20.120.19 for iOS: Advanced Wallpaper Features
Image courtesy: WABetaInfo
The beta update for iOS comes with version 2.20.120.19 that brings advanced wallpaper features and configuration tools. It allows users to customize the in-app wallpaper in a variety of ways. iOS WhatsApp Beta users can access this feature in the “Contact or Group Info” menu and select “Wallpaper and Sound” to customize the wallpaper. Users can select a new wallpaper and change its opacity to apply to the chat.
There are plenty of wallpaper options that users can choose from, which include 32 new bright wallpapers, 30 new dark wallpapers, and many solid colors. Those users who don’t like the new wallpapers can choose the legacy wallpapers in the archive section.
OnePlus has announced its new Nord N series with OnePlus Nord N10 5G and Nord N100 being the first models in the series. After weeks of leaks and rumors, the company has finally launched Nord N10 5G and Nord N100, both with octa-core processors and stereo speakers. As the name of OnePlus Nord N10 5G suggests it comes with 5G support and features a 90Hz punch-hole display. Whereas the other model OnePlus Nord N100 has 4G LTE connectivity and features a standard LCD panel with a punch-hole cutout for a selfie camera.
Looking at the hole-punch design, both the smartphones look quite similar to the OnePlus 8T device from the company. These two devices are more affordable offerings from OnePlus than the original OnePlus Nord that the company had launched earlier. Here are the specifications of both these new OnePlus models.
OnePlus Nord N10 5G Specs, Price
Image courtesy: OnePlus
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G features a 6.49-inch FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The device is powered by a Snapdragon 690 SoC paired with 6GB of RAM and up to 128GB of expandable storage. In terms of cameras, the Nord N10 comes with a rear quad-camera setup with a 64MP primary sensor and a 119-degree ultra-wide lens. The camera setup also includes a macro lens and a monochrome sensor. At the front, the device gets a 16MP camera for taking selfies and video calling.
The phone features a 4,300mAh battery with 30W fast charging support. As for the pricing, the 6GB + 128GB Nord N10 5G starts at GBP 329 (about ₹32,000) in the UK.
OnePlus Nord N100 Specs, Price
The OnePlus Nord N100 features a 6.52-inch HD+ display with a 60Hz refresh rate and is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 460 SoC. It comes with 4GB of RAM and up to 64GB of expandable storage. The Nord N100 smartphone comes with a triple rear camera setup with a 13MP primary camera along with a lens for portrait and a macro shooter. For selfies and video calling, the phone has an 8MP camera sensor at the front.
In terms of battery capacity, the smartphone packs a big 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging. Its price starts at GBP 179 (about ₹17,000) for the 4GB + 64GB variant. For now, the phones are currently launched in select markets and will be first available in Europe.
Zoom has started rolling out end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for both free and paid users globally. The new E2EE feature is currently available as a technical preview for 30 days in video meetings with up to 200 participants. Available for all users, Zoom has turned off the feature by default, and users need to switch it on for enhanced protection in meetings. Currently, it is available on Zoom desktop client version 5.4.0 for Mac and PC, Zoom Android app, and Zoom Rooms. However, the iOS users may have to wait for some time as the app is still pending Apple AppStore approval.
The video conferencing platform has, by default, turned this feature off, and turning it on will disable some key features of Zoom. These include live transcription, cloud recording, Breakout Rooms, 1:1 private chat, polling, meeting reactions, and join before host. When you turn on the end-to-end encryption feature, it will show a green shield at the top of a meeting window, and a padlock sign will appear.
Zoom E2EE & YouTube Live Streaming
Zoom end-to-end encryption is currently working on meetings with up to 200 participants only, and all users can access this feature. Users need to turn on E2EE, and when it is enabled, the meeting is end-to-end encrypted and secured. Not even the Zoom servers will can then access the encryption keys used to secure the meeting. According to Zoom, this is just phase 1 of the rollout, and the company will roll out more features in phase 2. The company has tentatively scheduled phase 2 in 2021.
In addition to the new end-to-end encryption feature, the video conferencing platform has also added the ability to stream meetings live on YouTube. However, this feature is currently only available to Android users with Zoom app version 5.4.0.434. To use this feature, users can find it under the overflow menu and click on that. They then need to link their YouTube account to stream the meeting live on YouTube.
WhatsApp is one of world’s most popular instant messaging services and is used by over two billion users worldwide. The Facebook-owned messaging app often rolls out new features through the updates in its beta versions. Recently, WhatsApp had rolled out a new option to mute chats for ‘forever,’ which was in tests on WhatsApp Beta for months. Now, WhatsApp has reportedly added a new ‘join missed call’ feature on WhatsApp Beta with version 2.20.203.3. The feature was first spotted by WABetaInfo and published on its website.
Image courtesy: WABetaInfo
The messaging app has rolled out this feature through a new update that will allow users to join an ongoing group call on WhatsApp. The ‘join missed call’ feature is still under development and may take some time to reach the public through an official update.
New WhatsApp Features in Testing
As per the report of WABetaInfo, WhatsApp has rolled out the ‘join missed call’ feature through the WhatsApp Beta for Android update 2.20.203.3. The feature provides two options after a user missed a group call invitation — Join, and Ignore. When a user clicks on the Join button, it sends a request to join the ongoing group call, if still active.
The WhatsApp Beta version 2.20.203.3 is also testing a feature of biometric lock. This will allow users to open WhatsApp after a biometric authentication using a fingerprint or face ID. As of now, the Android version of WhatsApp has only a fingerprint lock feature available in the biometric lock. The iOS version of WhatsApp already has this feature, though.
These two new WhatsApp features are still under development and testing. We expect WhatsApp to roll out these features through the next update soon. If you want to make use of these new features before they’re available for the public, join the WhatsApp Beta program on Google Playstore.
OnePlus has started releasing the OxygenOS updates for its smartphones in a staged rollout, and the OnePlus Nord is receiving a stable version of OxygenOS 10.5.9 [India & Global]. At the same time, the company has rolled out the latest open beta builds of OxygenOS for the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro devices. An OnePlus staff member took to the official company forum [link1, link2] to announce the system update release and share the changelog.
The Chinese smartphone brand is pushing a stable release of the custom Android skin, the OxygenOS 10.5.9 [India g Global], for the OnePlus Nord in stages. The 10.5.9 [EU] will follow soon. On the other hand, there is an OxygenOS Open Beta 3 update for the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro smartphones.
OxygenOS 10.5.9 for OnePlus Nord
Image courtesy: Reliance Digital
There are three separate build numbers for India, EU, and Global versions of the latest update. OnePlus Nord in India will receive OxygenOS 10.5.9.AC01DA update and the other builds include 10.5.9.AC01BA [EU] and 10.5.9.AC01AA [Global]. The latest update comes with an updated security patch to 2020.10 and improved system stability and bug fixes. OnePlus has added a bunch of new features and gaming tools too.
See the complete changelog below:
System
Updated Android security patch to 2020.10
Improved system stability and general bug fixes
Game Space
Newly added gaming tools box for convenient switches of Fnatic mode. You can now choose three ways of notifications: text-only heads up and block just for your immersive gaming experience
Newly added quick reply feature in a small window for Whatsapp and INS (Enable it by swiping down from upper right/left corners of the screen in gaming mode)
Newly added mis-touch prevention feature. Enable it, swipe down from the top of the screen, click and the notification bar will pop out
Bluetooth
Improved Bluetooth connection stability
Network
Improved network stability
OxygenOS Open Beta 3 for OnePlus 8, 8 Pro
Image courtesy: Amazon
OnePlus has released Open Beta 3 for the company’s OnePlus 8 series, which includes two smartphones — the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. This open beta build also comes with an updated Android security patch to 2020.10 and other optimizations. The company has fixed issues with blocked text in some games and has optimized the UI smoothness of Call. There are various changes to the ambient display features also.
See the full changelog below:
System
Optimized the UI smoothness of Call
Optimized background process management mechanism to improve sandy-by performance
Fixed the issue that text was blocked in some games
Optimized the issue that input text was blocked in some games
Improved system stability and fixed general issues
Updated Android Security Patch to 2020.10
Ambient Display
Optimized the animation effect with Canvas, making the unlock experience smoother
Redmi K30S Extreme Edition is all set to launch in China on Tuesday, October 27. Rumored to be a rebranded version of Mi 10T, its launch event will begin at 2 PM local time (11:30 AM IST) tomorrow. Lu Weibing, Redmi General Manager, teased a poster showing a rear portion of Redmi K30S Extreme Edition. Additionally, Xiaomi’s chairman Lei Jun has confirmed that the smartphone indeed is a rebranded Mi 10T that was launched in September globally.
The teaser shows that the phone will come with triple rear cameras with black and silver gradient finishes at the back. The phone will release in November during the Double 11 sale in China, said Lei Jun.
Redmi K30S Extreme Edition Specs, Launch Date
Since Redmi K30S Extreme Edition is a rebranded version of the Mi 10T smartphone, it should also feature a 144Hz display. The phone will be powered by Snapdragon 865 SoC, paired with up to 12GB RAM and 512GB of internal storage. Redmi K30S may feature a 6.67-inch FHD+ display with an aspect ratio of 20:9 and 144Hz refresh rate. This Redmi device will pack a 5,000mAh battery and support 33W fast charging.
From the teaser, one can see that the phone will sport a rectangular rear camera module that houses three cameras, one additional light sensor, and a flash. The Redmi K30S will have a 64-megapixel primary sensor, 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP macro unit. At the front, the device will feature a 20-megapixel selfie camera in a punch-hole cutout. As said above, the phone will launch tomorrow at 2 PM local time in China.
Price and Availability
In a teaser by Wang Teng Thomas, Redmi Product Director, the Redmi K30S will cost around CNY 2,500 (about ₹27,500). The device will be available in November during the Double 11 sale in China.
The music streaming app, Spotify, has added a new Continue with Google button to its login page on Android and the web. It means that users can now login to Spotify using their Google account without entering the password. The music streaming service recently published a support page for logging in with Google related help. However, you cannot link your Google account with your existing Spotify account through this new feature.
Spotify seems to be making it a bit easier for users to sign up for its music service as Google is shutting down its Play Music app this year. Google account users can now easily login to Spotify without having to enter any password.
Spotify Google Login Details
The single-click login with a Google account is currently available on Android and the web only. iOS and Windows users may have to wait for this feature on their devices. So they may have to use the web version of Spotify to use this feature. With this new feature, users can only create a new account through their Google email address and not link it with an existing Spotify account. This means that you cannot go from a traditional Spotify account to this new login option with a Google account.
You should note that if you already use your Google email address as your Spotify email address, then you’ll not be able to use this feature. Like earlier, the page will prompt you to log in with your email address and password instead. Also, if you are using a different email address for your Spotify account then the signup with Google feature will create a new Spotify account for you.
“You can’t currently connect an existing account to Google. If your Spotify email address is the same as your Google email address, you’re prompted to log in with your email address and password instead,” reads the Spotify support page. “If your Spotify email address is different from your Google email address, you will create a new account if you choose to sign up with Google,” it adds further.
Xiaomi rolled out its custom Android skin, the MIUI 12, with major improvements to the user interface this year. The update comes with a revamped Control Center, heavily inspired by the iOS this time. However, the MIUI 12 update has brought new issues and bugs that are causing trouble to the users. In the new Control Center, many users are having trouble displaying it correctly while in landscape mode on various devices. So Xiaomi has now released a new update that fixes the issue with Control Center in landscape mode.
The Chinese technology giant has rolled out new updates for the Redmi K20 in India and Mi 9T in Europe. This update fixes the issue with Control Center and also brings the latest security patch to October 2020.
MIUI 12 Version and Changelog
The latest MIUI 12 update for the Xiaomi Mi 9T in Europe arrives with software version 12.0.3.0.QFJEUXM. On the other hand, the Redmi K20 in India will receive the update as version 12.0.5.0.QFJINXM. Both of these versions for different variants come with the same fixes and changelog: the optimized Control center and the updated October security patch.
Changelog:
Control center
– Optimization: Control center layout in landscape mode
System
– Updated Android Security Patch to October 2020. Increased system security.
As you can observe from the changelog, this latest update focuses only on the control center issue and the security patch. There are no other fixes or improvements to other bugs in the system. Though, after installing this update, users should not run into any problems while viewing the Control Center in landscape mode.
Also, many Xiaomi users report that their devices with MIUI 12 have an excessive battery drainage problem. We don’t see any fix for this issue in this update, but it may arrive with future MIUI 12 builds.
Podcasts are generally audio files recorded by creators and distributed either via websites or podcasts aggregator apps. It turns out there are zillion podcasts apps for Android where you’ll find a trillion podcasts (metaphorically). Choosing the right podcast app is crucial as it is not just about playing episodes at a stretch nowadays. Some apps have robust discovery features, some have options to subscribe while some have exclusive podcasts that you won’t find anywhere. Selecting the right app also defines your listening experience and that is why we tried tens of podcasts apps so you don’t have to. We have curated a list of 8 best podcast apps for Android that you would love to use, do have a look.
8 Best Podcast Apps for Android
1. Spotify
Image Courtesy: Spotify (Google Play Store)
Price: Free | Contains Ads | Offers In-App Purchases | Pro at $9.99/mo (individual), $14.99/mo (Family)
OS: Android
Popularity: 500M+ Downloads
Spotify is an undisputed contender in the music streaming sphere. Luckily, it has aggressively targeted podcasts as well which is why it is listed here. Spotify acquired Gimlet Media, Anchor, and signed up exclusive podcasts deal with Joe Rogan to get their hands on the ever-increasing popularity in the field of podcasts. Comedy to Sports to Storytelling to Recreation, may it be a solo or a group podcast, Spotify has it all. It does have a few shortcomings in the podcasts sphere but overall, it is a great podcast apps for Android that you can try. Get access to 850,000+ podcasts across 100 languages with 30 million episodes all on just a click.
Image Courtesy: Google Podcasts (Google Play Store)
Price: Free
OS: Android
Popularity: 10M+ Downloads
Search for podcasts on Google and bingo, you’ll find tens of thousands of results. Google Podcasts lets you discover interesting podcasts from hundreds of creators with just a click. The app lets you stream or listen to podcasts on multiple devices. You can turn on auto-download for episodes so that you can stream it later. Discover new & interesting podcasts, follow creators, and all that free of charge. The app doesn’t have many ads to irritate you either. Browse through vast categories including TV and film, politics, comedy, fitness, arts, sports & more. Skip to its trending page to get your hands on trending podcasts.
Price: Free | Offers In-App Purchases | Pro at $9.99/month
OS: Android
Popularity: 1M+ Downloads
Pocket Casts is another best podcast apps for Android that you must try. With more than 1 million downloads, Pocket Casts lets you listen to podcasts from across the globe. It has robust discovery tools that you can use to get results that suit your query and also has a decent set of powerful playback controls. It includes variable speed, volume boost, trim silence, sleep timer among other functionalities. Stream through the podcasts, listen to chapters in various formats. Its array of smart tools include auto-download, filters, refresh to find new content, and more. It recently switched to a freemium model meaning it is free to use with premium features available upon subscription.
Image Courtesy: Podcast Addict (Google Play Store)
Price: Free | Pro at $2.99
OS: Android
Popularity: 10M+ Downloads
Another high-caliber app listed in our 8 best podcast apps for Android is Podcast Addict. It is a popular app offering podcasts free although subscribing to its premium plan opens up a floodgate of opportunities & content. As per the stats, Podcast Addict has more than 2M+ podcasts, 20,000+ audiobooks, and 120,000+ radios on-board. It is deeply integrated with SoundCloud, YouTube, and other portals as well. Search for podcasts and you get more than 2M+ podcasts and 50M+ episodes. Its robust playback functionalities include variable speed, Chromecast, playlists support & so on. It has automation features allowing updates, downloads, deletion as well. It has a huge array of features such as widgets, premium podcasts, reviews, visual customization & so on.
Castbox is a popular and powerful podcast apps on Google Play Store. With a catalog of more than 95 million podcasts, Castbox lets you find the best podcasts depending upon your taste, genre, or mood. With more than 1 million podcast channels, 70+ languages support, and a one-click subscription, Castbox is a must-try. The app offers offline downloads if you don’t anticipate internet reception at someplace. You can also grab episodes on auto-download that saves you from the hassle of downloading it manually. Get personalized recommendations, robust search & discover features, trending podcasts & more on Castbox. Its premium tier unlocks features like priority customer service, limitless subscriptions, & a bunch of other features.
Price: Free | Contains Ads | Offers In-App Purchases | Pro at $4.99/mo
OS: Android
Popularity: 5M+ Downloads
Stitcher comes in handy if you love listening to podcasts all day long. It stitches together episodes of any podcasts in a customized playlist for you to stream. It also enables search for particular episodes rather than an entire podcast. You can download the podcasts for offline use if required. Stitcher has podcasts on demand, lets you enjoy premium podcasts exclusively with a premium subscription. Get smart speaker integration with Amazon Alexa and Sonos. You can also use Android Auto to stream it in your car supporting 50+ models from various manufacturers. Stitcher is easy to use & navigate through the trove of podcasts and that is what makes it powerful.
Price: Contains Ads | Offers In-App Purchases | Up To $9.99
OS: Android
Popularity: 5M+ Downloads
Rated as one of the best podcast apps for Android with a 5-star rating on Google Play Store, Podbean is worth a try. It has a clean layout with everything placed just at the right place allowing users to use it with ease. Search for podcasts and episodes via its robust and efficient discovery feature. You can browse by trending, top, new, topics, or categories as well. Stream podcasts on the go or let it download for offline use. The app has intelligent speed, Chromecast and Bluetooth support, a sleep timer, and a string of other features at its disposal. Listen to live audio streaming or record and host your podcasts with Podbean as well. The app supports batch downloads, notification on arrival, and more such features.
Laughable is a paradise for those who love comedy-related content. Tickle your funny bone with comedy-focused podcasts. Discover new and amazing podcasts on the app with one of the largest databases of comedians. Search artist profiles, find recommendations curated by experts, and more. Hail its playback speed from 1x to 2.5x to stream podcasts at your pace. The app has offline downloads features in case you want to stream content offline or anticipate lousy internet reception ahead. You are mistaken if you think it’s just comedians. There are thousands of public figures and personalities such as Barack Obama, Joe Rogan, among others.
Google Play Store has a great collection of podcast apps available either free or paid. Depending upon your mood or taste, you can tune in to any podcasts if you don’t feel like watching a video or something. These are the 8 best podcast apps for Android that you can try. There are of course a tonne of other podcast apps to look out for. Let us know which one of the ones listed above is your daily driver or which one you would’ve loved to be included here. Alternatives include Overcast, BeyondPod, Doggcatcher, Podkicker among others.
The head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, has hinted in a recent interview with Stratechery that Microsoft is planning to release TV streaming sticks for its xCloud cloud gaming service. Streaming sticks will be a part of Xbox Game Pass, and with this, people can stream games through xCloud after they plug them into the TV. Spencer, in the interview, discussed the potential for a free bundled TV stick to play xCloud games.
“I think you’re going to see lower-priced hardware as part of our ecosystem when you think about streaming sticks and other things that somebody might want to just go plug into their TV and go play via xCloud,” said Spencer. “You could imagine us even having something that we just included in the Game Pass subscription that gave you an ability to stream xCloud games to your television and buying the controller,” he added further.
You’ll Not Require Xbox Console
Image courtesy: Yahoo
This isn’t the first time Microsoft has had the idea for an Xbox game streaming TV stick. The company was reportedly preparing lightweight Xbox streaming devices in 2016 too. However, for some reason, the software giant canceled the hardware during that time. Even now, Spencer has only hinted about the possibility at this point but, you shouldn’t be surprised to see Microsoft moving beyond the high-priced gaming consoles.
Streaming sticks will not need any console hardware but will play a selection of Xbox games on the TVs. You should know that the Xbox chief is not against the idea of console hardware at all. He also put forward the idea of an Xbox Game Pass Platinum tier, which will guarantee access to new hardware as part of the subscription. Microsoft has currently bundled xCloud game streaming only with its highest Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier that charges users $14.99 per month.
