Motorola Moto G71 5G and G51 5G incoming
After just recently unveiling the budget Moto E40, Motorola is apparently also preparing to flesh out its G-series, with a Motorola G Pure already featured in recent leaks and now also joined by a Moto G71, as well as a G51.
The Moto G71 was just recently spotted in an FCC filing, going by the XT2169-1 model number, previously associated with the “Corfu” codename and the G71. The G71 is a 5G handset, with dual-SIM support and n5, n7, n66, n77, and n78 5G bands. Also mentioned in the documents – an MC300 series charger and an NG50 battery pack, which has a 5,000 mAh capacity.
Apparently, the Moto G71 will also have NFC and potentially a 3.5mm jack, as well, since the FCC filing does mention Motorola MH191 earphones, presumably bundled with the phone.
As for the Moto G51 5G – it popped-up on GeekBench recently, without revealing too much about itself. It will probably be powered by a Snapdragon 750G chipset, alongside 4GB of RAM and reportedly run on Android 11.
Read More at Gsmarena
Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+ leak hints at wider displays with almost no bezels
These are not actually display glass modules, though, but rather tempered glass protectors, meant for the upcoming phones. A fairly standard way to get early device leaks, since major case and other accessory makers do tend to get overall dimensions and layout for smartphones early.
It seems that the S22 generation will be a bit wider and less “skinny and tall” than the current S21 one. The edges look slightly rounder, as well. Bezels are minimal all around and appear to be symmetrical on all sides. Though, it should be noted that screen protectors can sometimes be a bit deceiving in terms of bezel proportions.
Read More at Gsmarena
Oppo K9 Pro will get a new color variant on October 20
The Oppo K9 Pro announced last month in China is currently available in Obsidian Black and Glacier Blue colors, which will be joined by a third colorway called Neon Silver (machine translated from Chinese) on October 20 – the same day Oppo will introduce the K9s.
Oppo says the Neon Silver version has an alloy texture, and the image it shared shows the camera rings having rainbow-like color. The rings are either painted that way or look like that from this angle due to the reflection of light because the text on the right side of the cameras also has a similar effect.
Read More at Gsmarena
Dbrand declares its PS5 Darkplates ‘are dead’ after Sony threatens legal action
Earlier this year, Canadian company dbrand started selling matte black faceplates for Sony’s PS5 console, calling them ‘Darkplates’. Now, dbrand has announced it’s pulling Darkplates from sale after receiving a cease and desist letter from Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Dbrand made the announcement in a post on its subreddit, inviting Redditors to visit the product page which no longer offers the Darkplates for sale. Through the rest of the post, dbrand quotes the cease and desist letter highlighting that Sony takes issue with the way the Darkplates “replicate [Sony Interactive Entertainment]’s protected product design” as well as dbrand’s version of the PlayStation button icons engraved inside the plates.
The letter closes with Sony asking that dbrand “promptly and permanently cease and take down all marketing and promotion for and cease all sales worldwide of faceplates featuring the product configuration of SIE’s PS5 faceplates or any similar product configuration, including without limitation all faceplates currently for sale at dbrand.com.” Dbrand also says in the post that “a couple of months from that original Cease & Desist” it has been advised by Sony’s legal team that “a patent had been issued in Canada which purports to cover the shape of the PlayStation 5’s side panels.”
Read More at Techradar
Steam is now banning all games that engage in cryptocurrency or NFT trading
Steam will no longer let games or other software onto its storefront if they engage in any cryptocurrency or NFT trading using blockchain technology.
Cryptocurrencies and NFTs were tagged onto to the list of prohibited application features on Steam’s Steamworks Onboarding document for developers shipping titles on its platform, specifically “[a]pplications built on blockchain technology that issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs.”
Its not immediately clear when the new rule was added to the list, but according to Engadget, it appears to have been sometime after October 6. Some developers appear to have been notified directly by Valve of the rule change.
Read More at Techradar
Microsoft might be building its own version of the Apple M1 chip for Surface
Microsoft could be taking a cue from Apple. A recent job listing (via HotHardware) for Microsoft’s Surface division calls for a system-on-a-chip (SoC) architect, suggesting that Microsoft might be interested in developing its own M1 competitor for future Surface devices.
A job listing doesn’t confirm anything — it only vaguely hints at what Microsoft could be doing, so it shouldn’t be assumed that Microsoft is building an M1 competitor. It makes sense, though, especially considering Apple is expected to launch its M1X chip next week, bolstering its advantage against the Intel competition.
Read More at Digital Trends
The new PinePhone Pro is a Linux phone for people who love Android
This upgrade is definitely one for the fans out there as it seems the company has pulled out the stops to make performance a priority. It was able to work with chipmaker Rockchip to come up with a special SKU of its six-core RK3399 SoC, the RK3399S — co-operation was especially key to making sure SMS and call reception didn’t suck down the battery. It can even use the USB-C port for video out. The 4GB of RAM also definitely helps here.https://www.youtube.com/embed/wP2-6Z74W44
But the Pro also keeps plenty of traits from the O.G., including privacy dip switches for the cameras, microphone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular radios, and headphone jack, the retainment of Pogo pins for legacy peripherals, and straightforward Phillips head access for repairs.
Why go Pro now? Pine64 says it’s time — more than 20 OSs are in late betas and enthusiasts have been asking for more, marking a departure from the previous primary focus of developers. And with Anbox and Waydroid providing a bridge for Android apps, this new phone may enable some people to go on new adventures.
Developers will still get first crack at the PinePhone Pro, though. Customers will need to fill out an eligibility questionnaire to get a first-wave unit. Deliveries should be fulfilled by December. The main production run of Explorer Edition units is set to begin next month with shipments happening early next year.
Read More at Android Police
Microsoft is toying with a new way to roll out Windows 11 updates
By opting to receive Update Stack Packages, Windows users can ensure their PC has the highest likelihood of successfully installing new updates with as little disruption as possible.
At the moment, the Update Stack Package is limited to just a very small set of update-related system files that are developed independently of the OS by Microsoft. However, by testing this process first with Windows Insiders, the company hopes to eventually expand the scope and frequency of releases in the future.
Update Stack Packages will be delivered to Insiders through Windows Update in the same way that new builds and cumulative updates are.
Insiders in the Dev Channel interesting in testing out this new method of receiving updates can go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates to receive the Update Stack Package.
Read More at Techradar
Xbox Series X mini fridge preorders begin on October 19th for $99.99
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Microsoft’s Xbox Series X-shaped mini fridge will be available to preorder next week. The Xbox Mini Fridge will be priced at $99.99 (£89.99 / €99) and available to preorder on October 19th in the US, UK, and Europe.
The mini fridge is expected to ship at some point in December, and Microsoft has partnered with Target in the US, Game in the UK, and GameStop EU, Micromania, or Toynk in Europe. The Xbox Gear Shop will sell the fridge in Canada, and Microsoft says it will have preorder details available “very soon.”
Read More at The Verge
Tesla Is Rolling Out a New Insurance Program With Rates Calculated by Surveilling Drivers
After two years of offering car insurance to drivers across California, Tesla’s officially bringing a similar offering to clientele in its new home state of Texas. As Electrek first reported, the big difference between the two is how drivers’ premiums are calculated: in California, the prices were largely determined by statistical evaluations. In Texas, your insurance costs will be calculated in real-time, based on your driving behavior.
Tesla says it grades this behavior using the “Safety Score” feature—the in-house metric designed by the company in order to estimate a driver’s chance of future collision. These scores were recently rolled out in order to screen drivers that were interested in testing out Tesla’s “Full Self Driving” software, which, like the Safety Score itself, is currently in beta. And while the self-driving software release date is, um, kind of up in the air for now, Tesla drivers in the lone-star state can use their safety score to apply for quotes on Tesla’s website as of today.
Read More at Gizmodo
