YouTube Music is now officially supported on Apple HomePod

Before you head on to the comment section to inform us that playing music from YouTube Music on Apple HomePod has already been possible for a while now – we know. That is kind of the case since the ability to cast audio from the app to a HomePod device is indeed already a thing you can do. The YouTube Music product team recently announced deeper integration with HomePod and its voice commands in particular. Now Premium and Music Premium subscribers can just integrate YouTube Music as a playback service inside HomePod. This enables voice commands such as "Hey Siri, play music on...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/youtube_music_is_now_officially_supported_on_apple_homepod-news-60313.php

Here's the Oukitel OT5 with 12" 2K display and 11,000 mAh battery

Last week, we shared images and specs of the Oukitel WP30 Pro rugged smartphone that will be announced in the first half of November 2023. But that's not the only product Oukitel will introduce next month since the brand will also unveil a new tablet, dubbed Oukitel OT5. The Oukitel OT5 will have the Helio G99 SoC at the helm with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage onboard. The tablet will run Android 13 out of the box, but it's unclear how many OS version upgrades and software updates it will receive. The Oukitel OT5 will feature a 12" 2K LCD and pack an 11,000 mAh battery with 18W...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oukitel_ot5_features_specs_price_design_sale_date_surface-news-60314.php

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 rumored to use the same main camera

Innovating in the smartphone realm yearly has never been an easy task. Arguably, it's still harder to redesign a modern foldable's internals and complex hinge mechanisms. Rumors have now started to creep up about Samsung's next Z Fold6 phone. Don't expect much change in Galaxy Z Fold6. At least we can be sure of the camera. It is the same as Fold4 and Fold5, that's for sure.— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) October 19, 2023 According to industry insider ICE UNIVERSE, we need to taper our expectations regarding the main camera of the Z Fold6. Apparently, Samsung will be reusing the 50MP...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_z_fold6_rumored_to_use_the_same_main_camera-news-60312.php

iQOO 12 hands-on image leaks along with a list of color versions

The iQOO 12 and iQOO 12 Pro are supposedly going to be unveiled for the Chinese market on November 7, if we go by the latest rumors on the matter. Today on Weibo, China's equivalent of X (formerly Twitter), a live hands-on image that is purported to be of the iQOO 12 has been leaked and you can see it below in all its glory. At the same time, famous leakster Digital Chat Station has come out with the details about the iQOO 12's colorways. It will allegedly be offered in white and black glass versions, as well as a red vegan leather option. As you can see from the image, the camera...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/iqoo_12_handson_image_leaks_along_with_a_list_of_color_versions-news-60311.php

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 get Android 14 with One UI 6 beta access

Over the past few weeks, Samsung has quickly been adding more and more of its smartphones into the One UI 6 beta program, and today we have two new entrants into the field: the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3, both of them from 2021. The beta is now live for these two in Samsung's home of South Korea, and if you are there and want to join the beta program all you need to do is go to the Samsung Members app and tap on the huge One UI 6 banner you'll see at the top. Then you enter some details and once you're done you can go to Settings > Software update, tap Download and install and...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_z_fold3_and_z_flip3_get_android_14_with_one_ui_6_beta_access-news-60299.php

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus to jump straight to A18 chip, rumor says

One of the pretty transparent ways in which Apple has, in recent years, tried to increase its average revenue per iPhone unit sold, is needlessly differentiating features between the 'vanilla' (read: cheaper) iPhones and the more expensive Pros. It got to the point where the vanilla models are now powered by different, older chipsets in order to save Apple some money and protect its profit margin. That, however, may sort of change next year. According to a research note by Jeff Pu, an analyst who covers Apple and its supply chain and has a decent track record, sent to Haitong International...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_16_and_iphone_16_plus_to_jump_straight_to_a18_chip_rumor_says-news-60298.php

Canalys: Indian smartphone market declines by 3% in Q3 but recovery looms ahead

A total of 43 million smartphones were shipped in India during the July-September months according to the latest Canalys Smartphone Market Pulse report. The figure represents a 3% drop compared to the values from a year ago but Canalys notes that the improved consumer confidence and the launch of several high-profile smartphones will likely lead to positive growth ahead of the festive season. Samsung retained its market leadership with an estimated 7.9 million shipments and 18% market share. Xiaomi came in at a close second place matching Samsung’s market share figure while shipping...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/canalys_indian_smartphone_market_declines_by_3_in_q3_but_recovery_looms_ahead-news-60296.php

Report: Musk considers blocking X in Europe due to inability to comply with regulations

Recently, EU officials wrote to Elon Musk to remind him of his company's legal obligations regarding the European Commission's Digital Service Act. However, a person close to Elon Musk said that he would rather block X to the whole region and make the X app unavailable for Europeans than comply with the rules. The latest debacle stems from the recent events in Israel where people would often see a series of posts with disinformation, which goes unchallenged on the social network. Video game footage passed off as breaking news, old videos from Syria are being recycled and attributed to this...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/report_musk_suggest_he_will_block_x_in_europe_due_to_inability_to_comply_with_regulations-news-60294.php

Watch the Oppo Find N3 series global launch event here

Oppo is finally unveiling its foldable flagship device for 2023 - the Find N3. The new handset will be announced globally at 6:30 AM UTC on October 19. The Find N3 Flip, which was already announced in China and India will also tag along as it heads to more international markets. The Find N3 is rumored to arrive with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, a 7.8-inch internal screen, 6.31-inch cover screen and a set of three cameras with different focal lengths. Rumors so far suggest that the handset will be identical to OnePlus Open, which is also going official later today. Stay tuned...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/watch_the_oppo_find_n3_series_global_launch_event_here-news-60280.php

Xiaomi 14 series is arriving this month, partnership with Leica confirmed

Xiaomi 14 flagships are scheduled to arrive this month, the company confirmed on Weibo. The announcement also revealed Leica will once again brand the series, and the photo company will provide the “best in the field” Summilux lens for mobile phones. The Xiaomi 14 lineup will also bring a brand new image sensor, but we are yet to learn which phone will have it and what will be its purpose. Lei Jun, Xiaomi CEO, reposted the image, once again stating we’ll see the new flagships this month, and that’s what the teaser says at the bottom. The Xiaomi 14 devices are expected to have a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_14_series_is_arriving_this_month_partnership_with_leica_confirmed-news-60283.php

Google Chrome is getting five big address bar updates

The most used web browser on Earth is getting some important updates for its address bar. Today Google has announced five of them, and they are all meant to make your use of the address bar more efficient. First, autocompletion has become smarter. Previously, Chrome would only autocomplete URLs in the address bar if you typed the beginning of one correctly. But now, starting on desktop, the address bar will autocomplete URLs based on any word you've previously used to search for a website. So, in Google's example, if in the past you searched for "flights" and ended up on Google Flights,...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_chrome_is_getting_five_big_address_bar_updates-news-60282.php

Meta is Telegramming its broadcast channels to Facebook and Messenger

Throughout the years, Meta has been "inspired" by various competitors to launch identical features - some later dying unceremonious deaths, others going on to become much more popular than the original (just think Stories). Today is another day like that. Meta's Telegram-inspired broadcast channels, previously seen in Instagram and WhatsApp, are spreading to Facebook and Facebook Messenger "in the coming weeks". People who manage Facebook Pages can start broadcast channels "as a way to engage more deeply with their followers", the company says. A broadcast channel is basically a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/meta_is_telegramming_its_broadcast_channels_to_facebook_and_messenger-news-60281.php

Canalys: Global smartphone market takes first steps to recovery in Q3

The smartphone market had a rough time in the past few quarters, but the worst might finally be behind it, reveals Canalys in its latest report. The yearly decline is just 1% in Q3 2023, although vendors should remain cautious about the rebound, as the geopolitical uncertainties are not over, and companies are still readjusting their sales channels and component inventories. The leader in the market remained Samsung, followed by Apple. Xiaomi remained the third-largest smartphone company in the world for Q3, while Transsion, owner of brands itel, Infinix, and Tecno, is now on a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/canalys_global_smartphone_market_is_recovering_in_q3-news-60264.php

Original Google Pixel Watch is now receiving Wear OS 4 update

Google's recently unveiled Pixel Watch 2 has been running the new Wear OS 4 from the get-go, and now it's finally time for its predecessor to join the Wear OS 4 party. Starting today, Google is sending out the update to Wear OS 4 to the original Pixel Watch from last year, which has so far been running Wear OS 3.5. As usual with Google software updates, the rollout is phased and it could take weeks for it to reach all units out there. The new build number, for all Pixel Watches globally, is TWD4.2301005.002. Wear OS 4 comes with support for transferring your watch to a new phone...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/original_google_pixel_watch_is_now_receiving_wear_os_4_update-news-60263.php

vivo V29 Pro review

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_v29_pro-review-2625.php

vivo Y200 is coming on October 23, design and color options revealed

The vivo Y100 launched in February will get a successor on October 23. It's called vivo Y200, and the image we received from vivo's Indian branch reveals the smartphone's design and color options. However, their marketing names are unknown. The vivo Y200 sports two cameras on the rear, joined by the Smart Aura Light we've previously seen on the iQOO Z7 Pro and vivo V29 Pro. The primary camera will have OIS, but vivo hasn't divulged anything else about the Y200. The vivo Y200 will be unveiled through a virtual event next Monday at noon IST (6:30AM UTC), and we might see the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_y200_launch_date_design_colors-news-60252.php

T-Mobile annihilates Verizon and AT&T in new speed report

If you're looking at the three US carriers and wondering which of them will provide you with the fastest internet on your smartphone, the answer is very clear: T-Mobile. The magenta carrier's dominance over Verizon and AT&T in speed tests is actually quite ridiculous, according to Ookla's new trimestrial report that covers the July to September period (the third quarter of the year). Ookla, if you don't know, is the maker of the SpeedTest.net website and eponymous mobile app, and its findings come from the tests that were run through its service - which is the most popular speed testing...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/tmobile_annihilates_verizon_and_at_t_in_new_speed_report-news-60251.php

Intel announces new 14th Gen Core series desktop processors

Intel has announced its new 14th generation of Core-series desktop processors based on the refreshed Raptor Lake architecture. These include the Core i9-14900K/KF, the Core i7-14700K/KF, and the Core i5-14600K/KF. The new chips can essentially be considered overclocked versions of their previous generation models, with some new software and connectivity features. Only the i7 model has some changes to its core layout. But first, let's start from the top. The 14900K (and the non-iGPU 14900KF variant) feature modest improvements to the clock speed, but just enough for Intel to...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/intel_announces_new_14th_gen_core_series_desktop_processors-news-60249.php

vivo to introduce OriginOS 4 on November 1, in-house OS for IoT also incoming

vivo announced it will host its annual VDC (Vivo Developer Conference) on November 1 at the Exhibition Center in Shenzhen, China. During the event, there will be three key innovative software products – self-developed AI for mobile platforms, the new in-house operating system for IoT devices and the latest OriginOS 4 for vivo smartphones. OriginOS 4 will remain an AOSP product, and the first phones to ship with it should be the iQOO 12 series and the X100 flagships. An update roadmaps for existing phones will hopefully be shared at the announcement event. The in-house OS will be...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_to_introduce_originos_4_on_november_1_inhouse_os_for_iot_also_incoming-news-60238.php

OnePlus Open: what we know so far

OnePlus is one of the few remaining big-name smartphone brands without a foldable device in its portfolio, but that’s about to change with the OnePlus Open. The device is coming on Thursday, October 19, and we’ve compiled the most up-to-date leaks and rumors into one place. Design OnePlus Open will have an outward folding design similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 and vivo X Fold2. A recent batch of official-looking press renders, shared by WinFuture, show what the phone will look like. More OnePlus Open leaked renders The renders of the OnePlus Fold actually look just...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_fold_open_specifications_price_availability-news-59103.php

Infinix INBook X3 Slim review

The INBook X3 Slim is the updated version of the INBook X2 Slim, Infinix's entry-level ultra portable notebook. The updated model features 12th Gen Intel chips, which might not sound that impressive but isn't uncommon for entry-level models. The INBook X3 Slim we have for review here is a 14-inch model with an all-metal construction, slim and light design with 14.8mm thickness and 1.24kg weight, backlit keyboard, and 65W fast charging. These may be table stakes for more expensive machines but are very uncommon in this price range, which is around $360 to $578. Design By far...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/infinix_inbook_x3_slim_review-news-60237.php

Huawei Watch GT 4 review

Huawei launched the Watch GT 4 last month. Appearance was the main talking point, with new features remaining a secondary topic, and we took our sweet time to figure out if Huawei decided to pivot into the fashion industry or if there's more to the wearable than the launch event mentioned. We went through our usual tests and here are our impressions after one month with the Huawei Watch GT 4. Design and build The first thing we noticed is the design – the 46 mm variant comes with a unique octagonal body. It really is standing out in a world of circles and rectangles. The full...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_watch_gt_4_review-news-60224.php

Flashback: the LG G8 lost the plot

Samsung and LG are two tech giants from South Korea that have a healthy rivalry in so many markets – this used to include phones, until LG pulled the plug in 2021. Today we want to rewind to a couple of years before that for the story of the last of the G-series. The LG G8 ThinQ marked an end of an influential and fairly popular series of smartphones that began in 2012 with the Optimus G. The G-family also included innovative phones like the LG G3 and the LG G5. But things were already falling apart by the time that the G8 came around. The LG G8 ThinQ First, you may have noticed...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/flashback_the_lg_g8_lost_the_plot-news-60222.php

Google Camera is now Pixel Camera on the Play Store, Google Photos gets native Android 14 share sheet

The Google Camera app exclusive to Pixel devices has been renamed to Pixel Camera on the Play Store by Google. The internet search giant also replaced "Google Camera" with "Pixel Camera" in the app description, and it now reads, "Never miss a moment with the fully redesigned Pixel Camera, and take fantastic photos and videos using features like Portrait, Night Sight, Time Lapse, and Cinematic Blur." The latest version of the Pixel Camera app available for the Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel 7 Pro is v9.0, while the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro get v9.1. It's also worth mentioning that the latest...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_pixel_camera_google_photos_android_14_share_sheet-news-60233.php

Caviar announces the UFO design collection of iPhone 15 Pro series in time for Halloween

For this year's Halloween, Caviar is introducing the UFO collection of luxurious, custom-made iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max designs, which incorporate materials from outer space. More precisely, fragments from the Murchison meteorite containing amino acids (the building blocks of life in the universe). Caviar used fragments of the Murchison meteorite, in which scientists discovered 15 amino acids from outer space. The meteorite itself is likely 7 billion years old, which is 4.54 billion more than Earth and the Solar System, making it the oldest material currently on...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/caviar_announces_the_ufo_design_collection_of_iphone_15_pro_series_in_time_for_halloween-news-60234.php

Xiaomi Smart Band 8 review

Xiaomi’s Mi Band lineup, which goes by the Smart Band outside of China has amassed quite the following thanks to its super aggresive pricing and solid feature set. We’re at generation 8 now and that brings a focus on style with a much larger pool of first-party straps in all kinds of styles and not that many upgrades under the hood. I’ve been using an older Mi Band 5 for a few years now and I love its ease of use and lightweight design, making it effortless to wear 24/7. It’s a killer low-profile alarm clock when you need to wake up before the rest of the household and it has...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_smart_band_8_review-news-60227.php