Snapchat officially introduces its paid subscription at $3.99 per month
Snapchat officially launched its paid subscription plan called Snapchat+ today that will offer exclusive features like the ability to change the app icon and being able to see which people have rewatched your Stories.
Earlier this month, the firm confirmed that it’s testing this feature without giving out many details. Now, it has made Snapchat+ official. The new subscription plan will launch in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, with more countries to be added soon.
“Today we’re launching Snapchat+, a collection of exclusive, experimental, and pre-release features available in Snapchat for $3.99/month. This subscription will allow us to deliver new Snapchat features to some of the most passionate members of our community and allow us to provide prioritized support,” the company said.
From Techcrunch
Arm Unveils Next-Gen Flagship Core: Cortex-X3
Today arm is introducing its new next-generation flagship core, the Cortex-X3. The Cortex-X3 CPU is a third-generation core as part of the Cortex-X custom core program designed to bring higher performance through slightly different PPA tradeoffs versus the mainstream performance big core.
In terms of performance, the Cortex-X3 is said to deliver an 11% IPC uplift which Arm says marks the third consecutive year of double-digit IPC gain on the Cortex-X series. On the system level, coupled with all other changes, in real applications Arm says the new core can deliver as much as 22% higher performance.
From fuse.wikichip
Sony’s huge 1-inch phone camera sensor is coming, ready to take on Samsung
Sony is working on a new smartphone camera sensor called the IMX989 that has a massive 1-inch sensor profile. The official Weibo handle of Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has confirmed that the upcoming 12S Ultra slated to debut on July 4 will come armed with Sony’s massive phone camera sensor.
Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group, the division which makes camera sensors, is yet to officially detail the camera sensor in question. However, this isn’t the first time that Sony has made such a powerful imaging sensor. The Xperia Pro-1 comes equipped with a larger 1.0-type Exmor RS CMOS sensor that is based on the RX100 VII’s sensor and developed especially for the Sony flagship.
Additionally, Xiaomi won’t be the first smartphone maker to chase a 1-inch camera for its high-end camera sensor. The Sharp Aquos R6 that came out in 2021 had a 1-inch camera sensor at the back, and its successor, the Aquos R7 also followed in its footsteps with a 47.2-megapixel 1-inch sensor. Leica also packed a 1-inch sensor on the Leitz Phone 1 that made its debut last year.
From Digital Trends
Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro official with 5G connectivity and replaceable battery
The first rugged Samsung smartphone with 5G support is here with the new Galaxy XCover6 Pro and it brings most of the features you’d expect in a 2022 smartphone. Starting with the display, XCover6 Pro brings a 6.6-inch PLS LCD with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. With its increased touch sensitivity, the display on the XCover6 Pro can be easily operated even with gloves or wet hands. The display is also protected by the latest Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+.
From Gsmarena
Galaxy F13 with triple-camera, 6,000mAh battery is now available in India
Last week, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy F13 in India. Today, the affordable smartphone went on sale in the country. The device is priced at INR 11,999 for the 4GB + 64GB variant and INR 12,999 for the 4GB + 128GB variant. However, the company is running an introductory offer that offers an instant discount of INR 1,000 via ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank cards.
It means that you can buy the 64GB version of the phone for just INR 10,999 and the 128GB variant for INR 11,999. The Galaxy F13 is available in three colors—Blue, Copper, and Green—through Flipkart and Samsung India’s online store. The phone won’t be available for purchase through offline stores.
From Sammobile
Samsung could be working on a sub-$800 foldable, but don’t expect it soon
Samsung is hard at work on its fourth generation of foldable phones, but the closest we’ve come to an affordable foldable is the $999 Galaxy Z Flip 3. Now, a Korean outlet has claimed that a more affordable device is in the works.
ETNews reports (h/t: r/Android) that Samsung is working on more affordable Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold devices. The outlet says Samsung is aiming to deliver a foldable with a price tag under one million won (~$770), although it’s unclear if this is the target price for both models or the Flip device. For what it’s worth, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 launched at 1.25 million won (~$963) in Korea.
The outlet further claims that these cheaper foldables would be part of the Galaxy A range and that Samsung will remove premium features in a bid to reduce the price.
From Android Authority
Google Pixel 7 could have a big selfie camera upgrade
While Google has already revealed some details about the Pixel 7, there’s plenty that hasn’t yet been confirmed – and the camera specs are among those things. However, thanks to code found in a new version of the Google camera app we now have a clearer idea of what the Pixel 7’s front-facing camera might be capable of.
9to5Google went digging in the recently released Google Camera 8.5 and found code for both the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro. This code reveals that both models should be able to record 4K video using the front-facing camera.
That would only actually be an upgrade for the Google Pixel 7 though, as the Google Pixel 6 Pro is already capable of this, while the Pixel 6 isn’t.
While that would be a handy upgrade, it could point to an even bigger change, as it might mean that the Pixel 7 has the same sensor as the Pixel 7 Pro. We’re not sure what sensor that would be yet, but it could be the 11.1MP one found on the Pixel 6 Pro – which is distinctly better than the 8MP one from the Pixel 6.
From Techradar
Xiaomi Black Shark 5S series specs tipped
After the Black Shark 5 series made it to global markets earlier this month we turn our attention to the next members in the gaming phone series. The Black Shark 5S and 5S Pro are next in line and reliable tipsterDigital Chat Station shared some preliminary specs for the two devices.
Black Shark 5S and 5S Pro will feature pressure-sensitive 6.67-inch OLED displays with FHD+ resolution and a centered punch hole. The refresh rate is not explicitly mentioned but rumors suggest it will match the 144Hz of the Black Shark 5 series. Both phones will pack the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and faster SSD+UFS storage.
The camera department will feature a 64MP main cam on the 5S and a 108MP module on the 5S Pro. Both phones will get 4,790 mAh batteries with 120W wired charging. Other specs include an X-axis motor, stereo speakers and magnetic gaming triggers. The Black Shark 5S series is expected to launch in September.
From Gsmarena
Nokia G11 Plus goes official with 50MP camera and 3-day battery life
Nokia launched the G11 in February, and today, it followed up with the Plus model. The Nokia G11 Plus is built around a 6.51″ HD+ 90Hz screen with a notch for the 8MP selfie camera. The 50MP primary camera on the rear is housed inside a rectangular island, joined by a 2MP auxiliary unit and LED flash.
The rear panel, having a textured finish, also sports a fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication.
Nokia’s official website doesn’t reveal the processor that powers the G11 Plus, but the company says the smartphone has 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage onboard, expandable up to 512GB via a microSD card.
The G11 Plus comes with the promise of two years of Android OS upgrades and three years of monthly security updates. Nokia doesn’t tell us what version of Android the G11 Plus runs out of the box, but it should be Android 12.
From Gsmarena
Delete TikTok from app stores, says FCC commissioner to Apple and Google
An FCC commissioner has called on both Apple and Google to delete TikTok from their respective app stores, giving the companies until July 8 to respond. It is not clear what measures the Federal Communications Commission might take if the companies do not comply.
The lengthy four-page letter says that TikTok is not a video-sharing app, but a “sophisticated surveillance tool” for the Chinese government …
From 9to5Mac
