Google fixed a ton of bugs with the December 2021 Android security patch
Google has confirmed a number of bug fixes and performance improvements coming along with this update. The company has issued fixes for the Assistant randomly calling numbers on the Pixel 6, in addition to fixes for lots of audio and video playback issues on the new smartphones. There are far too many little updates to go over in this article, so check out this link for the full list of fixes coming to all recent Pixels.
From the security side, Google has also posted its December 2021 Pixel Update Bulletin, which details all of the security issues the company patched with this update.
From Android Authority
GPU shipments increased by 25% in 2021, raising questions about shortage
The chip shortage definitely plays a part in how difficult it has been to buy a new GPU, but with the increase in units shipped, it seems that there’s more than one side to the problem. If these graphics cards do not reach the consumer market at their intended price, where do they go? The answer seems fairly simple: Into the hands of scalpers and cryptocurrency miners.
It’s no secret that a lot of the GPU restocks are instantly bought out by bots and scalpers, who then resell them at an increased price. This leads to many aspiring PC builders being left with the choice of either spending a fortune on a new GPU or just not getting one at all. Cryptominers continue to invest in cards because mining continues to be profitable, even though the market has been increasingly volatile.
Experts from Intel, Nvidia, and AMD all agree that the GPU shortage may continue for at least another year. With the upcoming releases of new graphics cards from all three manufacturers, we can only hope that at least some of them will land in the hands of actual PC users.
From Digital Trends
Microsoft Office 365 price increases are upsetting companies, says report
As reported by CNBC based on internal documentation it saw, Microsoft will expect subscription payments even if the subscriber wants out midway through a term.
In the same report, it’s noted that many companies are none too happy about the situation and its ramifications for those who want or need the flexibility of monthly subscriptions. Microsoft partners such as Intivix have been put in the uncomfortable position of having to be the bearers of bad news, and it’s attracting pushback. According to CNBC’s sources, partners have had “intense meetings” with Microsoft as a direct result of the price increase backlash.
From Windows Central
Fossil cancels unannounced Diesel-branded Gen 6 Wear OS watch
To streamline the process of bringing these Gen 6 watches to market across the various brand names, Fossil registered all of them under a single FCC listing, “DW13.” This listing has recently received an update, with Fossil filing paperwork to de-list a previously added model number, “DW13D1.” According to the document, “production plans” for this model were “permanently canceled.”
This permissive change was to add a new model (DW13D1), but production plans for this has been permanently cancelled. We hereby declare that the model DW13D1 (bearing FCC ID: UK7-DW13) has not been marketed or sold neither in the United States nor anywhere in the world.
From 9to5Google
2021 MacBook Pro users reporting multiple issues with the SD card reader
As noted by MacRumors, multiple reports shared on the web suggest that there is a widespread issue regarding the SD card reader in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models introduced this year. There seems to be no consistency between the reports, as users say that they have experienced different issues with different SD cards.
A user of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro chip describes their experience as “super flakey” as the machine takes up to one minute to recognize an SD card and sometimes it shows an error. Another user says that the Finder crashes when the Mac is trying to read an SD card.
From 9to5Mac
Motorola teases Moto Edge X30’s under display selfie camera with live image
Chen Jin mentioned that “a special version of the” phone will have this under-display camera, but we’re not sure which one (nor how many versions there may be). Previous implementations of the under-display camera have proven that the technology needs time to mature, but we wonder if Motorola’s approach with a 60MP selfie camera will yield clearer images.
From Gsmarena
New affordable vivo phone surfaces on TENAA
This vivo V2140A comes with a 6.51” AMOLED screen with HD+ resolution, which would be an improvement over the two other phones. The chipset is listed with an octa-core CPU that has four units at 2.3 GHz, and the other four at 1.8 GHz, meaning it is either the Helio G35 or Helio P35 by Mediatek.
The images revealed two cameras on the back, and TENAA listed the setup as 13MP + 2MP, while the selfie shooter is 8 MP. Other specs include 4/6 GB RAM, 64/128 GB storage, a 4,910 mAh minimal battery capacity.
From Gsmarena
OnePlus 9 series starts getting the stable OxygenOS 12 (Android 12) update: Everything you need to know about OnePlus’ Android 12 version
OnePlus has started rolling out the stable Android 12-based OxygenOS 12 update to its best Android phones of 2021. The company announced the rollout in a post on its official Community forums.
OxygenOS 12 introduces a refreshed UI design that is “inspired by brand-new materials.” OnePlus has also added a bunch of new Shelf card styles, new Canvas AOD styles, and three adjustable Dark mode levels.
Additionally, the update enables the Work-Life Balance feature for everyone, which means you can now easily switch between Work and Life modes. The Gallery app has been updated as well and now lets users switch between different layouts using a two-finger pinch gesture.
From Android Central
Samsung merges its mobile business w/ TVs and other consumer electronics
Samsung is one of the biggest tech companies in the world, with its products in everything from smartphones to washing machines. This week, Samsung has announced that it will merge its mobile phone business with that of other consumer electronics in a major corporate shakeup that brings two new CEOs.
Announced on Samsung’s newsroom, this move to merge the company’s mobile sector with those in charge of TVs and other consumer electronics is positioned as a way to “strengthen [Samsung’s] business competitiveness,” and it comes with a new list of CEOs.
Samsung has placed Jong-Hee Han, the former head of its TV business, in the role of co-CEO in charge of smartphones and consumer electronics. Han was an important player in building up Samsung’s place in the TV industry, but Han has never worked on mobile devices.
From 9to5Google
Instagram rolls out tools for teens, parents ahead of Senate hearing
A day before Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri is scheduled to testify before Congress, the photo-sharing app on Tuesday unveiled new parental controls and other features aimed a keeping teens safe.
Among the new features, Instagram will let parents and guardians set limits on how much time teens are spending on the app. There will also be an option to notify parents if a teens reports someone on Instagram, according to a blog post from Mosseri. These parental controls will roll out in March 2022, and Instagram said it plans to add more options over time.
From Cnet
