Setting a new Wear OS watch face might soon be possible with a single click

Let’s be fair here. It’s not like fetching and setting a new Wear OS watch face is currently particularly daunting. You can easily do it through a companion app on your phone or the Play Store on your Wear OS watch. The latter even has an optional toggle to automatically apply the latest watch face you have downloaded. Still, thanks to some APK snooping, courtesy of the folks over at Android Authority, we now know that Google is still looking to make the whole watch face application process easier. Apparently, the latest version of the Google Play Store for phones (version 43.9.17-31) has...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/setting_a_new_wear_os_watch_face_might_soon_be_possible_with_a_single_click-news-65654.php

OnePlus is working on a smaller phone powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite

Smaller flagship smartphones may be few and far between, but it seems like they're here to stay. We don't mean small devices, just smaller ones than the mainstream sizes - think iPhone 16 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, Xiaomi 15, vivo X200 Pro mini, that sort of thing. They've all congregated around the 6.3" screen size, and now a new rumor out of China claims OnePlus wants in on the action too. The company is reportedly working on a device that is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, has a 6.3" screen with "1.5K" resolution, and a 50 MP main camera using Sony's IMX906 sensor. OnePlus...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_is_working_on_a_smaller_phone_powered_by_the_snapdragon_8_elite-news-65653.php

Three generations of Apple modems detailed in new report, iPhone SE marks debut

Apple's first in-house developed modem will make its debut in the iPhone SE that will launch next year, and will then be seen in some low-end iPads also in 2025. The modem, codenamed Sinope, has been more than five years in the making, according to "people familiar with the matter", a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman tells us today. The next iPhone SE will have support for Apple Intelligence and an "edge-to-edge screen design". Its Apple-developed modem "isn't as advanced" as the latest modems from Qualcomm, which Apple is currently using. The Apple modem doesn't support...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/three_generations_of_apple_modems_detailed_in_new_report_iphone_se_marks_debut-news-65652.php

Oppo X8 Pad gaming tablet is on the way with a flagship chipset

Oppo is reportedly working on a gaming tablet which will be called X8 Pad (or maybe Find X8 Pad, the "Find" bit could have been lost in machine translation from Chinese). This has an 8.8-inch top-spec LCD touchscreen with rounded corners, a slim all-metal body, and it's powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 9400 SoC just like the Find X8 and Find X8 Pro smartphones, which are already official. Oppo Pad 3 Pro So it's looking to be a very interesting offering, this. A small-screened tablet with a flagship SoC could be intriguing to some people. Keep in mind that this is just an unconfirmed...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_x8_pad_gaming_tablet_is_on_the_way_with_a_flagship_chipset-news-65651.php

X alternative Bluesky reaches 24 million users

Growing frustrations with Twitter – since then renamed to X – have led users to seek alternative short-form social networks. Meta’s Threads grew at a breakneck speed, but the new network that everyone is talking about is Bluesky. Bluesky just reached 24 million users. You can see the number tick up on Jaz’s Bluesky tracker. There have been over 700 million posts and 3.1 billion likes on the fledgling social network. A few days ago, US representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the first user to reach more than 1 million followers (the one exception is Bluesky’s own...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/x_alternative_bluesky_reaches_24_million_users-news-65632.php

Google introduces GenCast, an AI model for weather forecasting

AI is Google’s new favorite hammer and the next nail on its path is weather forecasting. The company is introducing GenCast, a “high resolution AI ensemble model”, which was detailed in a paper published in Nature. Accurate weather forecasting is important for anything from your day-to-day life to disaster preparedness and even renewable energy. And GenCast beats the current top system, ECMWF’s ENS, in forecasts up to 25 days in advance. GenCast is a diffusion model, similar to those you may have seen in AI image generators. However, this one is tuned specifically for Earth’s...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_introduces_gencast_an_ai_model_for_weather_forecasting-news-65630.php

Samsung is ready to give you a new way to access Google's Gemini

Samsung phones will soon let you access Google's Gemini in a new way, according to a teardown of the latest Google app for Android. This has revealed some code strings that clearly hint at the possibility to invoke Gemini with a long-press of the power button. So far, you could only use this gesture to invoke Bixby or the power off menu, but it looks like Gemini will get in on the action as well, becoming another option. This is interesting given how much Samsung has pushed Bixby over the years, despite its assistant never living up to the Google Assistant in terms of 'smarts'...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_is_ready_to_give_you_a_new_way_to_access_googles_gemini-news-65624.php

Tim Cook: Apple Intelligence has been in the works since 2017

Apple CEO Tim Cook shared the company’s ambitious vision for the future, highlighting Apple’s growing focus on artificial intelligence (AI) alongside its life-saving health innovations in a recent interview. The executive revealed work on AI started back in 2017, when the team working on neural engines, the one that was allegedly developing a smart car, moved the people towards implementation of machine-learning in Apple products. Tim Cook, Apple CEO Cook emphasized Apple’s commitment to using technology to empower and protect users. It all started with the Apple Watch and its...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/tim_cook_apple_intelligence_has_been_in_the_works_since_2017-news-65626.php

Nothing's new widget is the Snake game of old Nokia phones fame

The mobile world has undoubtedly come a very, very long way since Nokia launched the Snake game on its phones many, many years ago. And perhaps to prove that point, today Nothing has released a new widget. This widget features the Snake game. It's not the original game of course, but an accurate recreation - and it's all inside the widget. You can control the snake with swipe gestures, and it both gets longer and speeds up as you make progress. You can pause the game with a double tap and the widget will display your high score when idle. Snake just got a reboot. Head to Google...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nothings_new_widget_is_the_snake_game_of_nokia_phones_fame-news-65617.php

Oppo Reno13's international launch fast approaching, certifications reveal

Oppo's Reno13 and Reno13 Pro went official in China last month, and now it seems like their international launch is imminent. That's because they are in the process of receiving various certifications left and right. The Reno13 has been certified by Taiwan's NCC, India's BIS, Thailand's NBTC, as well as the FCC. So it's pretty clear that it will be available across the world. The certifications for the international model reveal a 5,600 mAh battery with support for 80W wired charging, unsurprising since that's the same as what the Chinese model has. It's also got two cameras on the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_reno13s_international_launch_fast_approaching_certifications_reveal-news-65616.php

Huawei nova 13 and nova 13 Pro are getting their global launch next week

Huawei made the nova 13 and nova 13 Pro official for the Chinese market back in October, and now it looks like the duo is ready to make its international debut. In fact, that could happen at the Dubai event on December 12, where the Mate X6 is also going global. This comes straight from Huawei itself. Today the brand has been talking about both the nova 13 and the nova 13 Pro through its official X account for international markets, and the posts have the same hashtag as those teasing the Mate X6's international debut, so it looks like a done deal at this point. Introducing the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_nova_13_and_nova_13_pro_are_getting_their_global_launch_next_week-news-65615.php

Here's when the Oppo Find X8 Ultra should arrive

The Oppo Find X8 Ultra may not be coming to global markets, but it will still be launching in China, and today thanks to Digital Chat Station we have a rough idea of when to expect it. According to the leakster, the phone will arrive right after the Chinese New Year, which in 2025 falls on January 29. So the Find X8 Ultra should be made official in February. It will have satellite communication support, as well as a multispectral sensor to improve colors for the cameras, Hasselblad branding of course, an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, and a 6,000 mAh Si/C battery with support...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/heres_when_the_oppo_find_x8_ultra_should_arrive-news-65610.php

Nothing Phone (3a) to switch to Snapdragon, Nothing Phone (3) still nowhere to be seen

Last week Nothing was rumored to be working on three new smartphones, and one of them was spotted on Geekbench and said to be the Nothing Phone (3). That's not the case. The device in question, with the model number A059, is most likely the Nothing Phone (3a), since it's been spotted in an IMEI database alongside an A059P - the "P" stands for "plus" in Nothing's nomenclature, so that one will be the Nothing Phone (3a) Plus. The third device has the model number A001, also revealed by the same IMEI database, and there is a small chance this could be the Nothing Phone (3), even though it's...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nothing_phone_3a_to_switch_to_snapdragon_nothing_phone_3_still_nowhere_to_be_seen-news-65591.php

Apple has allegedly committed $1B in Indonesia investment

We have a new development in the ongoing Apple – Indonesia saga. Indonesia’s Investment Minister, Rosan Roeslani, confirmed to local lawmakers that Apple has now allegedly committed a $1 billion investment in the country. The news comes after Apple proposed investments of $100 million and $10 million last month after initially committing IDR 1.71 trillion ($109 million) in local R&D facilities. Whoever benefits from the sales must invest here, create jobs here. What's important is how the global value chain moves here, because once it does, suppliers follow. - Rosan Roeslani, Indonesia...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_has_allegedly_committed_1b_in_indonesia_investment_-news-65588.php

Intel launches Battlemage GPUs with $250 Arc B580 and $220 B570

Battlemage is here – Intel just announced the first two cards that use its new GPU architecture. Since Intel uses letters instead of numbers to denote generation, say “hello” to the Intel Arc B580 and B570. The B580 is priced at $250, the B570 is a bit cheaper at $220. Both are based on the same BMG-G21 chip, but use different bins. The B580 has 20 Xe2 cores and 12GB of VRAM (192-bit bus, 456GB/s), while the B570 has 18 Xe2 cores and 10GB of VRAM (160-bit bus, 380GB/s). The B570 also runs at lower clocks and a lower TDP (150W vs. 180W), but both are powered by a single 8-pin connector....

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/intel_launches_battlemage_gpus_with_250_arc_b580_and_220_b570-news-65592.php

OnePlus 13R full specs leak

The OnePlus 13 is going global next month, after having been announced for China at the end of October. The flagship is likely to be joined at the same event by the OnePlus 13R, the successor to the 12R as a more affordable, yet still high-end option. This is probably a rebranded OnePlus Ace 5 which is due to arrive in China this month, and today the 13R's specs have been leaked. It is said to come with a 6.78-inch 1264x2780 AMOLED screen with 120 Hz refresh rate and better peak brightness than the 12R (though exactly how bright it will be isn't mentioned). At the helm will sit the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_13r_full_specs_leak-news-65587.php

Here's when the first Snapdragon 8s Elite powered phones are coming

Remember the following shorthand when looking through Qualcomm's lineup of SoCs: "s" is lower, "+" is higher than the zero-suffix chips. So the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 was lower-performing than the 8 Gen 3, but we did see it in a lot of phones thanks to its branding implying it's part of the same family as the flagship SoC. Since that's worked so well, Qualcomm will be at it again in 2025 with the Snapdragon 8s Elite. This is currently in testing, and according to prolific Chinese leakster Digital Chat Station is managing performance that slots it in between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/heres_when_the_first_snapdragon_8s_elite_powered_phones_are_coming-news-65571.php

iPhone 17 Pro now rumored to stick with titanium frame

Last week a report detailed a shocking change coming to the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in 2025, namely a return to an aluminum frame, giving up on both titanium after only a couple of generations, as well as stainless steel, for whatever reason. Today a leakster from Weibo contradicts that entire rumor, claiming that going back not even to stainless steel but to aluminum for the Pro models would represent too big of a blow to Apple's reputation, considering how much it's tried to convince us that both stainless steel and titanium are way better than aluminum. And that's all true of...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_17_pro_now_rumored_to_stick_with_titanium_frame-news-65570.php

OnePlus 13 is going global in January 2025

OnePlus 13 will arrive on the international scene in January 2025, confirmed the company. According to the official press release, the flagship will be available internationally in all three colors, including the leather blue variant. The announcement does not have an exact date, and we are waiting to see whether the company will make its event clash with the expected Galaxy Unpacked by Samsung, which is also likely to take place in January 2025. The OnePlus 13 is a premium flagship smartphone featuring cutting-edge technology in its 6.82-inch design. It boasts a vibrant LTPO AMOLED...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_13_is_going_global_in_january_2025-news-65569.php

Geekbench confirms Realme Neo7's Dimensity 9300+ chipset

The Realme Neo7 achieved an AnTuTu score of 2.4 million in a test shared by leakster Digital Chat Station. According to the leakster, the phone is powered by the Dimensity 9300+ and now we have a confirmation from a second source – the Geekbench database. The Realme Neo7 (model number RMX5060) ran Geekbench 6.2.2 and based on the details provided by the benchmark, this is indeed the 9300+. It has one Cortex-X4 core at 3.4GHz, three more X4 cores at 2.85GHz and four Cortex-A720 at 2.0GHz. The GPU is an ARM Immortalis-G720 MC12. Realme Neo7 (RMX5060) details from Geekbench...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/geekbench_confirms_realme_neo7s_dimensity_9300_chipset-news-65568.php

OnePlus Ace 5 appears on Geekbench with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

OnePlus Ace 5 and Ace 5 Pro will arrive together, and we know the latter will run on Snapdragon 8 Elite. However, the former will get the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, as confirmed by a Geekbench listing. The phone was benchmarked with the model number PKG110, and its results are in line with those of other phones with the same chipset, including the CPH2645, which is the OnePlus 13R - the same phone but with a different name and Google Play Services. OnePlus Ace 5 on Geekbench and certified in China The scorecard reveals a 16 GB RAM option and Android 15. The OnePlus Ace 5 will have...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_ace_5_appears_on_geekbench_with_snapdragon_8_gen_3-news-65558.php

Huawei Mate X6 is going global, launch date confirmed

Huawei scheduled a flagship product launch for December 12. The event will take place in Dubai, and the message reads "unfold the classic as a new era of flagship foldable excellence begins", clearly revealing we will see the recently introduced Huawei Mate X6 go global. The launch being about foldables could also mean Mate XT Ultimate will appear on the international scene, but the hashtag #UnfoldTheClassic doesn't seem fitting for the tri-fold device we handled back in September. The event will likely also include the new MatePad Pro 13.2 and the Freebuds Pro 4, and Huawei...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_x6_is_going_global_launch_date_announced-news-65559.php

Top 10 trending phones of week 48

It's week 48 and yet the Samsung Galaxy A55 remains on top of our trending chart, trailed by the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Redmi Note 13 Pro. It seems the popularity of those three won't be fading anytime soon. [#InlinePriceWidget, 12824, 1#] Newly announced Redmi K80 Pro grabbed fourth as the iPhone 16 Pro Max stepped down to fifth. In sixth we find the Redmi Note 13, followed by the Samsung Galaxy A15. Realme GT 7 Pro retained eight, and the Galaxy A35 behind is also exactly where we left it last week. The iQOO 13 wraps up this edition of the chart as the vivo X200 Pro just...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/top_10_trending_phones_of_week_48-news-65557.php

Apple Mac mini 2024 (M4) review

The Mac mini has been an unassuming yet stable member of Apple's desktop lineup of Macs for nearly two decades. It has always been the most accessible computer the company has offered and the bare bones nature was designed primarily to make people using Windows PCs switch over seamlessly by bringing over their existing peripherals. Despite its age and countless revisions, the Mac mini has only had three designs over its lifetime. The most famous one, the one that preceded the current model, was around for over 14 years. You could argue that being the cheapest computer in the lineup,...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_mac_mini_2024_m4_review-news-65556.php

Weekly poll: what do you think of the Oppo Reno13 and Reno13 Pro?

Like clockwork, Oppo unveiled the second Reno generation for 2024. The Reno13 series comes half a year after the 12-series and a year (almost exactly to the day) after the 11-series. These are the models for China, the global Reno13 series should be out in January, judging by the Reno11 timeline. Oppo Reno13 • Oppo Reno13 Pro So, what’s new? This time both models are powered by the same chipset – a Dimensity 8350 that is essentially identical to the 8300. That’s a downgrade for the Pro as the 12-series model used a flagship Dimensity 9200+. Also, the vanilla model doesn’t have a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/weekly_poll_what_do_you_think_of_the_oppo_reno13_and_reno13_pro-news-65534.php

Weekly poll results: the Asus ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro are too expensive

Last week’s poll brings bad news for the new Asus ROG phones – they are too expensive. Of the two, the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro has the best shot at attaining some popularity. Yes, it costs more, but it is also more capable. The Asus ROG Phone 9, meanwhile, had very few votes in its favor, so let’s start by looking at its poll results first. As you can see from the green segment, there are more people interested in the 9 Pro than the vanilla 9. That is if they are going with Asus at all, other gaming phones seem more popular, judging by the polls and the comments. The Asus ROG Phone 9...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/weekly_poll_results_the_asus_rog_phone_9_and_9_pro_are_too_expensive-news-65536.php

Ulefone Armor Mini 20T Pro unboxing

Rugged minis aren't like your regular smartphone minis. For one, they're not truly mini. This is the Ulefone Armor Mini 20T Pro and it's just 133.5mm tall and 63.3mm wide, but at 24.9mm thick it's nearly three times thicker than your typical smartphone these days. But if you're reading this, chances are you're not interested in regular phones. And the Ulefone Armor Mini 20T Pro has a niche all to its own. It has a niche all to its own. It's a fully rugged phone - drop-tested on concrete from up to 2 meters, IP68 and IP69K certified, and compliant with the MIL-STD-810H rating, and...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/ulefone_armor_mini_20t_pro_unboxing-news-65529.php

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Active in for review

Xiaomi has diversified its Smart Band lineup (formerly Mi Band) over the years, and it now comes in three distinct variations, with the Active being the most affordable one at €30/20 – cheaper than the vanilla Smart Band 9. Band 9 Active comes with a smaller 1.47-inch TFT display (60Hz) that boasts some thick bezels, and it's noticeably dimmer than the OLED panels on its siblings. This little nugget is entirely made from plastic, and it’s just 16.5 grams and 9.99mm thick, making it comfortable to wear 24/7. There’s no shortage of watch faces here, with 100+ options from the Mi...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_smart_band_9_active_in_for_review-news-65531.php