Google Pixel 4 XL's OLED screen aces DisplayMate's test

DisplayMate came out with a full review of the Google Pixel 4 XL's notch-less 90Hz OLED screen and the results are great. Surely, it's not the first phone with a great OLED panel but it sets a few benchmarks for its rivals to reach. For starters, DisplayMate says it has the highest absolute color accuracy on a smartphone with 0.5 JNCD, which is virtually indistinguishable from perfect. It also has the highest image contrast accuracy and intensity scale accuracy. Moreover, the phone's display brightness is independent of the image content and it adjusts to the proper color gamut to...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/displaymate_google_pixel_4_xls_display_is_perfectly_calibrated-news-39662.php

vivo NEX 3 5G review

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_nex_3_5g-review-2005.php

Samsung OneUI 2.0 to improve face recognition

With the Android 10 beta for Galaxy S10 devices already out we are getting some sneak peek into the changes Samsung is bringing to its OneUI interface. There are two new features present in the beta which will aim to enhance the face recognition functionality. The first one is called "alternative look" which will help your phone recognize your face even when you change your appearance. As expected this feature will require you to register your face when you change your appearance. Additionally the face recognition will require you to keep your eyes open while unlocking your device which...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_oneui_20_will_ramp_up_face_recognition_security-news-39661.php

Microsoft will pull the plug on Windows Phone 8.1's app store on in mid-December

Microsoft stopped work on Windows Phone 8.1 back in July 2017, meaning that phones running the outdated OS no longer got software updates. Now the company is preparing to pull the plug completely and shut down the app store. Starting on December 16 2019, Windows Phone 8.1 users will no longer be able to download apps. Note that this means any app, even ones you already have - if you uninstall an app or reset your phone, there will be no way to get the app back. Also, apps will not receive updates. It's possible that some will suffer degraded functionality as Microsoft's services are...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_will_pull_the_plug_on_windows_phone_81s_app_store_on_in_middecember-news-39660.php

Samsung reportedly considers Ultra Thin Glass for its next foldable phone, a clamshell

The plastic screen cover of the Galaxy Fold is soft and easy to scratch. ET News reports that Samsung is considering swapping this plastic polyimide layer with Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) for its next foldable phone, which is expected early next year. UTG is only 0.1mm thick, not much thicker than a human hair. It's hard to manufacture, keeping the price high and the yield low. However, UTG looks much better than polyimide and should be more scratch resistant (the trade off is that it's more prone to shattering than the plastic). The upcoming phone reportedly folds down like a clamshell...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_reportedly_considers_ultra_thin_glass_for_its_next_foldable_phone_a_clamshell-news-39659.php

Google discontinues Daydream VR, Pixel 4 does not support it

The new 90Hz screen of the Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL would have been awesome for use with the Daydream VR headset - unfortunately, Google has confirmed that the new Pixels do not support the VR headset. Perhaps that's not a huge surprise, the Pixel 3a phones didn't support it either and there hasn't been a new version of the headset in two years. 90Hz refresh rate would have brought the VR experience closer to desktop headsets - both the Oculus Quest and the HTC Vive Focus run at 60Hz, unlike the Vive Pro and Oculus Rift, for example. We only bring it up since it feels like a missed...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_discontinues_daydream_vr_pixel_4_does_not_support_it-news-39657.php