Nothing has reportedly sold 100,000 Phone (1) devices in India
The Nothing Phone (1) might not be a contender for phone of the year, but according to a new report, Indian retailer Flipkart has surpassed 100,000 sales of the device in just 20 days.
We often do not see new players enter the smartphone space and the hype surrounding Nothing’s first device was certainly at odds with the eventual retail product. However, the usage of a clean Nothing OS skin atop Android was a major draw for fans that want a Pixel-like experience without the associated costs.
While global sales figures are still unknown, Nothing India’s vice president and general manager Manu Sharma has told GSMArena that over 100,000 units of the Phone (1) were sold up to the end of August 2022. This is certainly a drop in the ocean compared to bigger players on the market, but it’s certainly something given the highly competitive nature of the Indian mid-range Android segment.
For many, the ₹33,999 was seen as a stumbling block given the veracity of brands pushing “budget flagship” devices in the region where Xiaomi and OnePlus have often dominated sales charts. Sharma did confirm that Nothing Phone (1) has been at the top of Flipkart’s sales boards in the ₹30,000 and higher section.
The executive went on to confirm that discounts and cashback incentives will be in place ahead of the festive season in India, with the 8/128GB model set to drop to ₹31,999. This may help boost sales figures even further over the coming months.
From 9to5Mac
Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU appears in another photo, suggesting launch is imminent
Nvidia’s RTX 4090 graphics card has been spotted for the second time this week, with those multiple sightings strengthening the probability that this flagship GPU is indeed on the verge of being launched.
The new leak comes from Twitter, courtesy of @wxnod (surfaced by VideoCardz), and it shows Gigabyte’s RTX 4090, the Gaming OC model, albeit just the packaging and not the actual graphics card itself.
From Techradar
We finally got our eyes on the PlayStation VR2
Sony’s second PSVR headset promises a huge leap forward over the original PlayStation VR. Not only will the PSVR 2 take advantage of the PS5’s more powerful hardware, it has a significantly higher resolution display for each eye as well. Faster refresh rates, a wider field of view, and improved tracking and input have also been confirmed.
PSVR 2 specs rumors previously indicated that the headset will include an OLED display that boasts a total resolution of 4000 X 2040 pixels – that’s 2000 X 2040 per eye and just slightly more than the Oculus Quest 2. Also rumored were a 110-degree field of view and foveated rendering (a technique that uses gaze tracking to render only certain parts of the image), and sensory features in the headset itself.
Sony has since confirmed that the PSVR 2 does indeed offers 4K HDR, a 110-degree field of view, foveated rendering, and frame rates of 90/120Hz. PSVR 2 also includes inside-out tracking, which means it’ll track you and your controller through integrated cameras embedded in the headset. Your movements and the direction you look will be reflected in-game, without the need for an external camera.
The new sensory features of PSVR 2 combine eye tracking, headset feedback, 3D Audio, and the PSVR 2 Sense controller to create a deeper feeling of immersion. A single built-in motor in the headset will add an additional tactile element, which can replicate the player’s pulse during tense moments, or the rush of objects passing by a player’s head.
Eye tracking will be a particularly pleasing addition for VR enthusiasts, which lets PSVR 2 track the motion of your eyes. Simply look in a specific direction and the headset will create an additional input for your game character. This results in a more intuitive and natural experience.
From Techradar
Samsung might remove all the buttons from future Galaxy phones
Samsung might remove all the physical buttons, i.e., the power key and volume rocker, from future flagship phones. This change will supposedly happen a few years from now, so you need not worry about the upcoming Galaxy S23 series lacking these basic features.
The rumor, which admittedly sounds outlandish, claims that the power and volume keys’ functions will be fulfilled entirely by software. Exactly how this new buttonless system would work is unclear, but the source claims it won’t go live next year for the Galaxy S23 or the Galaxy Z Fold / Flip 5 lineups. (via @OreXDA)
From Sammobile
iPhone 15 Pro models will get A17 chip, while other models get older chip – Nikkei
iPhone 15 Pro models will again be the only ones to get Apple’s latest chip next year, according to a new report today.
This would mirror the approach the company used for the iPhone 14, with the Pro models getting a new A16 chip while the standard and Plus models have last year’s A15 chip …
From 9to5Mac
Apple reportedly expanding App Store ad slots by the end of this year
Earlier this year Apple announced that it would expand its ad business by adding new ad slots to the App Store. Although details of when the new ad slots would become available to developers were uncertain at the time, a new CNBC report claims that Apple will put this expansion into action by the end of this year.
According to the report, some developers received an invitation from Apple on Tuesday to an online session focused on App Store ads. The invitation says that new “ad placements” in the iOS App Store will be available in time for “this holiday season.”
From 9to5Mac
WhatsApp could soon make importing your chat backups easier
If you live outside the US, chances are you are using WhatsApp to catch up with your friends, family, and even conduct business over it. The messaging service is used by over two billion users daily, with over 100 billion messages sent between them. On Android, WhatsApp lets you back up your chat history to Google Drive, but that’s about it. The data cannot be exported, significantly limiting its usefulness. The Meta-owned service was spotted working on an option to export chat backups earlier this year. Now, screenshots from the latest WhatsApp beta for Android show the corresponding import tool, signaling that the company is actively working on the feature.
WABetaInfo spotted the new import option in the latest beta release of WhatsApp for Android v2.22.13.11. It appears when you try to set up the messaging app on a new Android device. Since the feature is still being worked on, the import tool does not actually work.
From Android Police
Small Google Pixel may be in the works, according to this leak
The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are coming early next month, and while we’re excited to see these two new phones, we know that neither of these will be compact devices designed for those who like smaller phones. If that’s you, you may be happy to hear a new rumor that suggests Google is working on a smaller Pixel flagship alternative.
According to prolific leaker Digital Chat Station (via Android Authority), Google is working on a new “small-screen flagship” device that the company has codenamed Neila. This is the first time we’ve heard mention of this device, but the source claims Google is focusing on a smaller screen experience with flagship specs in tow.
Digital Chat Station also claims the phone will have a similar design to the recent Pixel handsets. That likely means it’ll follow a similar design language to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series. The Pixel 6a features a similar design to the Pixel 6 series with a slightly smaller screen, but the specs aren’t as impressive as the flagship series.
From Android Police
iOS 16 makes it easier to customize your AirPods, but there’s more to do
AirPods owners get a nice, if subtle, change in iOS 16, which was released on September 12, 2022.
The main settings screen for your AirPods is now easily accessible from the very front of the Settings app when they’re connected, instead of being buried down in the Bluetooth section of the app.
There are really useful options for your AirPods in here, such as customizing what their controls do; tweaking how their charging works; making sure that Find My is on so they’re harder to lose; changing the ear detection in case that doesn’t work well for you; taking the Ear Fit Test for AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2; and setting up Personalized Spatial Audio for the Pro models, AirPods 3rd Gen or AirPods Max.
A lot of people will have owned one of the best AirPods models for years and never stumbled onto this screen. Before now, to find this screen you would have to to the Settings app, then Bluetooth, then tap the little ‘i’ symbol on the right – just tapping the name of your AirPods wouldn’t take you there.
From Techradar
Google loses appeal over illegal Android app bundling, EU reduces fine to €4.1 billion
%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F11708101%2Facastro_1800716_1777_android_EU_0001.jpg&w=640&q=75)
The EU has upheld a 2018 antitrust charge against Google, confirming that the company imposed “unlawful restrictions” on Android phone manufacturers in order to promote its search engine on mobile devices.
Google has been attempting to appeal the charge, which was announced in 2018. It included a record-breaking €4.3 billion fine, which the EU’s General Court this morning reduced to €4.1 billion after announcing that it “largely confirms” the ruling. This confirmation is a serious blow for Google and strengthens the position of the EU’s antitrust advocates, who, led by Margrethe Vestager, have targeted the abuses of Big Tech.
From The Verge
