Telegram today rolled out a massive update on its platform, which includes both its Android and iOS-based apps. This new update brought a host of new features on its platform. The long list of features coming to the WhatsApp rival includes the ability to add up to 1,000 viewers in a group video call, increasing the resolution of video messages, giving three different video playback speed options to users, including sound from the device in one-on-one screen sharing, new precision drawing features, passcode animations, password recovery and reminders, a new in-app camera on iOS, option to send a message to multiple recipients in a single go on iOS, and new animated emojis.
In addition to the above-mentioned features, Telegram also introduced a small tweak to one of its existing features. For those who are new to Telegram, the messaging app has a feature called auto-delete timer that lets users put a timer to all messages that are shared on its platform. Up until now, users could enable this feature and set the auto-delete timer to either one day or one week. Now, Telegram has added a third option to the list. Now, users of this popular messaging app can also set the auto-delete timer to one month. Once they set the timer to one month, the selected message or messages will disappear once a month has passed.
Also read: Looking for a smartphone? Check Mobile Finder here.
More From This Section
Interestingly, WhatsApp too offers a feature called disappearing messages that enables users to set a timer on the messages that are shared when this feature is turned on. However, unlike Telegram that gives users the option to select a timeline according to their needs and requirements, messages on WhatsApp disappear after a week.
Meanwhile, if you haven’t used the auto-delete timer feature in Telegram, here’s a quick guide for you.
How to enable auto-delete timer on Android
Step 1: Open the concerned chat windows in Telegram.
Step 2: Tap on the three dots.
Step 3: Tap on the Clear History option.
Step 4: Choose a duration.
Step 5: Tap on Done.
How to enable auto-delete timer on iOS
Step 1: Open the concerned chat windows in Telegram.
Step 2: Press and hold the message on which you want to put a timer on.
Step 3: Tap on the Select option at the bottom.
Step 4: Now tap on the Clear Chat option on the top-left corner of the chat window.
Like countless individuals across the globe, I put my hard-earned money down for a Steam Deck as soon as preorders went live for Valve’s portable handheld. Unfortunately, though, securing the new device was a nightmare experience to say the least – something that I should have probably expected with the PS5 and Xbox Series X still being so damn hard to find.
My inability to get my preorder in quickly had dire consequences, sadly. I won’t be able to cradle my very own Steam Deck until Q2 2022, which is still incredibly painful to write knowing that some lucky sods' pre-orders will arrive sometime in December 2021.
The upside, I guess, is that by the time my Steam Deck arrives (I opted for the 512GB model that comes with the anti-glare etched screen because I don’t want to see my sullen face staring back at me during a late night gaming session), any launch day kinks that may occur will have hopefully been ironed out by then.
Valve's lofty goal of ensuring that every game on Steam will work on the Steam Deck should also be realized by that time, or at least I really hope that will be the case. While I have a more than capable desktop PC, one which I proudly built myself from scratch over the course of one terrifying weekend, I spend so much time at my desk these days that the mere idea of booting up a game after work feels completely implausible.
And that’s a shame, because even though the majority of my time is spent gaming on PS5 and Xbox Series X right now, there are a number of games in my Steam library that I’d love to play on a portable device, one that won’t come with massive compromises like we’ve seen with Nintendo Switch’s “impossible” ports.
So while there’s no guarantee every single game I’ll want to play will be available on the Steam Deck, these five games have me giddy with excitement at the thought of being able to play them anywhere, anytime and… well, alone.
PUBG
(Image credit: PUBG)
Even after four years, my love hate relationship with PUBG continues to endure, though we’re definitely going through a rough patch at the moment. I’ve sunk a quite frankly disgusting amount of time into the Xbox One version of the game (40 days, 9 hours and 12 minutes to be exact), and honestly, I’ve grown tired of how little the game has evolved from a visual perspective since its 2017 release on Xbox consoles.
Running the game on Xbox Series X at least lets me hit 60fps now, which I’m certainly thankful for. But it’s at the expense of the game’s 4K resolution that I’ve grown so accustomed to. If you opt for the ‘Framerate priority’ option, PUBG drops to 1080p, and the result ain’t pretty when blown up on a 55-inch TV, guys.
What makes things worse, however, is that I also own PUBG on PC. And let me tell you, the difference between the two when it comes to graphics is akin to those hilarious ‘RTX ON versus RTX OFF’ memes that you might have seen. You’d be forgiven for thinking PUBG was a different game entirely when running on a capable PC, which makes playing the Xbox One version feel horribly outdated. The dance emotes are still fun, though.
PUBG's come a long way đ€Ł pic.twitter.com/IrlQEuCqJVJuly 21, 2021
See more
I’m cautiously excited, then, at the prospect of playing PUBG on the Steam Deck, though as it stands certain anti-cheat software doesn't mesh well with Linux, which is what SteamOS runs on. Now, I’m aware that the resolution will drop to 720p, but that’ll be circumvented somewhat by the handheld’s 7-inch display. What should be possible, however, is running the game at far higher graphical settings than what the Xbox and PS4 versions are capable of. Better draw distances, higher textures and PC-specific settings like a wider FOV will all be available.
Throw in gyro controls to help tweak those long-range sniper shots with a Kar98k, and PUBG on Steam Deck might just rekindle my love affair with PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds all over again. I’ll take my next chicken dinner to go, please.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)
Confession time: I’ve never completed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. In fact, I haven’t even come close. I’ve played a hell of a lot of Gwent, though, if that helps placate any feelings of anger you may have towards me.
It’s not like I haven’t tried to spend time with Geralt and Roach, either. But whenever I’ve hit my stride (see: made it past the Bloody Baron mission) something pulls me away: be it work, other games, or maybe I’m just unable to sit still and play an RPG for hours anymore.
The Steam Deck, though, could finally be the solution I need to banish my Witcher 3 guilt for good. The game already works great with traditional controls, and the Steam Deck’s specs should let me eke out far more performance from CD Projekt Red’s legendary title than what’s possible on the Xbox One version (at least until the free next-gen update arrives…)
Of course, I’m fully aware that the game is on Switch, but I already own it on GOG and can pick it up for next to nothing on Steam should I need to. I’m also not prepared to stomach playing Witcher 3 at a soupy 540p resolution and with a shaky 30fps cap. Call me a snob, if you want.
(Image credit: Konami)
When I first heard that Konami’s eFootball was going free-to-play and coming to PC, I immediately thought of one thing: I can finally play a full-blown footie game on a handheld device.
I thought that would also be the case when FIFA 20 was announced for Nintendo Switch, but EA’s port of the game immediately put me off as it was a massively inferior ‘Legacy’ version of what was available on Xbox One and PS4, and didn’t include any of the key improvements such as running on the Frostbite engine. As a result, I steered clear, and it looks like that decision was the right one in hindsight. Since FIFA 20, the Switch version only gets new kits and squads, meaning it’s the same game as before just masked in different clothes.
eFootball promises to be different, however, as Konami has said all versions of the game will include it’s new Motion Touch technology. Konami has also ensured that the PC version of PES, which is what eFootball was previously known as, have always been up to speed, so I’d expect nothing different here.
Even though eFootball will be free-to-play with a limited number of teams and modes, it does include Arsenal, who is the only team I’d play as anyway. As someone who is tired of Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta telling fans to “trust the process”, I’m looking forward to making the correct signings and tactical decisions in eFootball’s Master League mode, something which doesn’t happen very often at my beloved club.
Red Dead Redemption 2
(Image credit: Rockstar games)
Another game that causes me to hang my head in shame is Red Dead Redemption 2. Despite sinking countless hours to the PC version and completing John Marston’s adventure on Xbox 360, I still haven’t hit the end credits in Rockstar’s renowned sequel, mostly due to the complicated setup that I’ve created.
You see, after genuinely feeling queasy from playing Red Dead Redemption 2 on Xbox One X – partly due to the combination of the 30fps cap and the fact that Rockstar’s games have an excruciatingly high amount of input lag – I took the nuclear option and bought the game on PC. The problem is, I wanted to experience it on my TV to reap the benefits of HDR, which led to the type of hairbrained scheme that my partner has sadly become accustomed to.
I jumped onto Amazon and bought a 25 meter HDMI cable so that I could connect my PC to my TV, and after carefully snaking it through my home in the most tasteful and discreet way possible, I was finally able to play Red Dead Redemption 2 on the big screen. What I failed to consider, though, was that the distance between my PC and my new play space teeters precariously close to the maximum distance that Bluetooth can provide. This means that the audio when I’m wearing headphones and wireless controller have a habit of disconnecting. That is, unless I perch right at the end of my couch, which is as comfortable as it sounds.
At this point I just want to get the game done. So I’m hoping, praying even, that much like The Witcher 3, I might finally be able to tell my peers that “I too completed Red Dead Redemption 2” if I play it on the Steam Deck. Valve’s portable should (fingers crossed) be capable of running Red Dead Redemption 2 close to 60fps, though I may have to make some big sacrifices when it comes to the visuals… Who am I kidding, I’m never going to finish it, am I?
Age of Empires 4
(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
Real-time strategy games aren’t as unplayable as they once were on consoles, but they’re still not really optimized for a pair of analog sticks and some face buttons. The Steam Deck, however, with its two trackpads, grip buttons and touchscreen, could be more than equipped to handle the latest RTS games, which makes the prospect of playing Age of Empires 4 on Valve’s portable device an exciting one.
As someone who never quite got to grips with the Steam Controller’s trackpads, I’m still hesitant as to whether the Steam Deck’s pair of mice-like inputs will feel more intuitive, but I’m staying optimistic nonetheless. Being able to play games that are usually only reserved for mouse and keyboard could be one of the biggest boons of the Steam Deck, and Age of Empires 4 is the perfect candidate to put it through its paces.
It remains to be seen whether the 7-inch display will be able to accurately convey all the onscreen information you need in these types of games, but as someone whose last memory of thoroughly enjoying an RTS game goes as far back as Command and Conquer: Red Alert, I’m looking forward to dipping my toes back into a genre that’s passed me by.
Now, I better get to work on that time machine so I skip to Q2 2022 and get my hands on the Steam Deck before I die from anticipation.
Google has done a Zoom. Just days after Zoom launched its web app, Google has rolled out a standalone web app for Google Meet. This Google Meet web app, also known as the Progressive Web Application (PWA), has all the features of Google Meet and is strictly for the web. With this, you will no longer need to type out the URL for Google Meet or use Gmail to start a meeting. You can just download the app on your laptop or computer and jump straight in.
Between Google Meet and the Google Meet web app, there is no difference in functionality, these PWAs (both the one for Zoom and Google Meet) are essentially websites that can function as apps. So if you have the Google Meet web app downloaded you will not need to search for it through your browser to start a meeting. You will be able to do it directly through the app like it is on smartphones.
“We’ve launched a new Google Meet standalone web app. This Progressive Web Application (PWA) has all the same features as Google Meet on the web, but as a standalone app it’s easier to find and use, and it streamlines your workflow by eliminating the need to switch between tabs,” Google said.
More From This Section
This new Google Meet web app can run on any device with Google Chrome browser version 73 and up no matter what operating system (OS) you are on. So that means you can use the Google Meet web app on Windows, maOS, Chrome OS, and Linux devices. An app like this is particularly handy for Chromebook users.
You can download the Google Meet web app from the Chrome browser and can be installed normally like any other web app. Google is also going to pop-ups to try this new Google Meet web app in the upper right-hand corner of the main Google Meet opening page. You can hit the installation button available on the pop-up to be able to get to it directly instead of looking for it on Chrome. If you don’t see this immediately, don’t worry, Google has said that the app is rolling out gradually and users will be able to download it within 15 days. The Google Meet web app would be available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers, and users with personal Google Accounts.
Google has launched a new standalone web application for Google Meet. The web app also known as the Progressive web app has all the features of the Google Meet app, but this is strictly for the web. You no longer have to type the URL or go to Gmail to start a meeting on Google Meet, you can simply download the application on your laptop, computer or MacBook and use it. Google's announcement comes weeks after Zoom announced its own PWA.
PWAs are websites that have the functions of an application. So if you download the Google Meet app on your laptop or computer, you no longer have to search for it through the browser to start a meeting. It will be available in the downloaded applications section. You can simply open the application and start a meeting as we do on smartphones when we have the applications installed on our device.
About its new progressive web app, Google said, "We've launched a new Google Meet standalone web app. This Progressive Web Application (PWA) has all the same features as Google Meet on the web, but as a standalone app it's easier to find and use, and it streamlines your workflow by eliminating the need to switch between tabs."
The Google Meet web application will run on any device with Google Chrome browser version 73 onwards, regardless of the operating system. This means that Google Meet can run on Windows, MacOS, Chrome OS, and Linux devices. It would be particularly useful for Chromebook users.
The web application can be downloaded installed from the Chrome browser. It is important to note that the application will not be available until it is installed on the user's device. Google will also display pop-ups for testing the Google Meet web application in the upper right corner of the main Google Meet opening page. You can press the install button provided in the popup or close it if you already have the web app.
Google said the app would be rolled out gradually. Users will be available to download within 15 days. The web app would be available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as G Suite Basic and Business customers and users with personal Google accounts.
WhatsApp animated sticker pack: WhatsApp is no stranger to introducing animated sticker packs on its platform that have more than just entertainment value. Time and again, WhatsApp has introduced animated and other sticker packs that convey a deep message. For instance, the popular messaging app has already rolled out Earth Day 2021, and Ramadan sticker packs. In the recent past, it has also partnered with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to launch a special sticker pack that conveys support amid the pandemic. In addition to that, last month, WhatsApp rolled out an animated sticker pack to celebrate the Pride month. And now, the company has collaborated with US singing sensation Billie Eilish for a new animated sticker pack.
The WhatsApp-Billie Eilish collaboration comes as the American singer’s newest studio album ‘Happier Than Ever’ and its music video of the title track is gathering rave reviews on the internet. “Feeling “Happier Than Ever”? Share how you feel with album-inspired @billieeilish stickers, now on WhatsApp,” WhatsApp wrote in a post on Twitter announcing the availability of the new animated sticker pack. The post also contains a small video that shows a bunch of snippets from Billie Eilish’s titular track ‘Happier than Ever’, which is also what the animated sticker pack is called. The company has used snippets from this 15-seconds-long video in the sticker pack.
More From This Section
An interesting thing about WhatsApp’s newly introduced Happier Than Ever animated sticker pack is that it is not available to download the way you have been downloading all your other sticker packs in the past. Instead, you will have to go through the special link provided by WhatsApp in order to download it. Once you have downloaded it to your sticker pack, you can use them as you like. In case you are wondering, this newly introduced sticker pack will take just 1.2MB space on your smartphone.
So, here’s how you can download the WhatsApp-Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever animated sticker pack on your smartphone:
Step 1: Go to this link: https://ift.tt/2Vl7zI6.
Step 2: Tap on Go to the Open App option.
Step 3: Tap on the download button.
Once you have downloaded this sticker pack, it will appear alongside all your other sticker packs and animated sticker packs within WhatsApp.
Google Play Store has decided to ban those apps from their platform which basically promotes ‘sugar dating’ or ‘compensated sexual relationships.’ This ban will take place from September 1 and the Google app store will ‘prohibit facilitating’ sugar-daddy apps which is part of its new restrictions on sexual content.
Announced through a post on the Google Play Console support website, the company said that there are several policy changes that are taking place along with this being the ban on apps dealing with “compensated sexual relationships” or simply sugar dating.
Sugar dating basically means such friendships or relationships where an older rich man gives money to young girls in exchange for ‘typically sexual’ favours.
According to a BBC report, it was found that journalists have revealed several apps that explicitly facilitate sugar dating with few of them having thousands of installs. This announcement comes after US legislation that puts a blanket ban on sexual content.
“As a platform, we are always excited to support our developer partners, but we also work hard to provide a safe experience for users. We have updated our inappropriate content policy to prohibit apps that facilitate sexual acts in exchange for compensation following feedback we received from NGOs, governments, and other user advocacy groups concerned with user safety. This aligns our policies with other Google policies and industry norms,” Google told Android Police.
Apart from that, Google has also come up with new policies that will close accounts of those inactive and abandoned developers who are not using for over a year. Other changes include developer preview of app set ID for analytics or fraud prevention, revised User Data policy to bar ‘linking persistent device identifiers to personal and sensitive user data.’
Samsung is largely anticipated to launch new foldable phones and new wearables at its upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event on August 11. The rumour mill suggests that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 range will be unveiled at the event and the lineup is likely to comprise two models — Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. The latter has now leaked in live photos, revealing possible colour options and design of the upcoming smartwatch. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 foldable phones are also expected to launch alongside the wearable lineup.
91Mobiles, citing an anonymous source, shared live photos of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. The wearable has a round dial and is seen to have Black and Silver finish. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is likely to feature a physical bezel and two buttons on the right edge for navigation and power on/off. Unfortunately, the live photos do not give us an idea of the UI changes coming with Google Wear OS integration. The photos only show the setup process on the screen.
The rumoured Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 range is likely to run on One UI Watch that was unveiled at MWC 2021. This new experience has been built on top of Google's Wear OS platform, enabling Samsung to integrate a host of features including syncing of settings and clock time with a smartphone, and offering access to a host of watch-compatible apps that weren't available to the Galaxy Watch portfolio before.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic smartwatch is tipped to come in a Grey finish as well, in addition to the Black and Silver options. The smartwatch is reported to launch in 42mm, 44mm, and 46mm dial sizes. The 42mm size is expected to be priced between EUR 470 and EUR 500 (roughly Rs. 41,600 to Rs. 44,200), the 46mm model could be available with a price tag between EUR 500 and EUR 530 (roughly Rs. 44,200 to Rs. 46,900). The smartwatch is also speculated to have a 44mm model, but there is no information about the price of this option.
Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
Tasneem Akolawala is a Senior Reporter for Gadgets 360. Her reporting expertise encompasses smartphones, wearables, apps, social media, and the overall tech industry. She reports out of Mumbai, and also writes about the ups and downs in the Indian telecom sector. Tasneem can be reached on Twitter at @MuteRiot, and leads, tips, and releases can be sent to tasneema@ndtv.com. More
A recent tweet revealed some spicy details around the upcoming S Pen Pro - Samsung's stylus that can be used with the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold3. Interestingly, the post went unnoticed for days but it comes from a fairly reliable source.
The active stylus is said to feature a thin 0.7mm tip that shouldn't damage the handset's foldable screen, supports 4096 pressure levels and charges over USB-C, which is kind of unexpected. Of course, the S Pen Pro will be sold separately and will attach magnetically onto compatible cases. The post ends with an estimated price of £70 in the UK.
For comparison, the standard S Pen costs around £35 right now and has the same 0.7mm tip and recognizes 4096 pressure levels. We are also pretty sure that the new S Pen Pro offers Bluetooth connectivity for remote control features and gestures but it's still unclear exactly what makes the new stylus "Pro" aside from the fact that it won't hurt the Z Fold3's screen.
Google has gone on the offensive against apps that offer "compensated sexual relationships"
"Sugar Daddy" apps allow older men to foster relationships with younger women in exchange for money
Google has updated its Play Store policies, specifically referring to inappropriate content, widening it to include "Sugar Daddy" apps.
"Sugar Daddy" is a term commonly associated with older men who pay younger women for sexual favours. Unlike prostitution, these payments aren't a one time transaction. Both parties are mutually bound to an unspoken relationship which fosters over time using money.
In a statement to Android Police, A Google spokesperson said, "As a platform we are always excited to support our developer partners, but we also work hard to provide a safe experience for users. We have updated our inappropriate content policy to prohibit apps that facilitate sexual acts in exchange for compensation following feedback we received from NGOs, governments, and other user advocacy groups concerned with user safety. This aligns our policies with other Google policies and industry norms.”
Starting September 1, the Play Store will start a blanket ban on all the apps that fall within the new policy criteria.
Google has updated its Developer Programme Policy page and made it clear what apps will not find a home anymore on the Play Store.
The updated text reads, "Apps that promote sex-related entertainment, escort services or other services that may be interpreted as providing sexual acts in exchange for compensation, including, but not limited to compensated dating or sexual arrangements where one participant is expected or implied to provide money, gifts or financial support to another participant ('sugar dating')."
Chrome 93 is rolling out to the beta channel as we speak, and it packs some exciting things. We're in for better cross-platform compatibility when it comes to OTP codes, prettier (or at least more useful) windows for web apps, plus much more. Here's what we know about the beta right now.
Cross-device support for OTP codes
Google is giving developers all tools needed to make two-factor authentication via one-time codes (OTPs) much less of a hassle. When you're signed into the same Google account on your phone and your desktop installation of Chrome 93, you'll be able to seamlessly paste SMS OTP codes from your phone to your desktop for supported sites. Of course, SMS isn't the most secure method when it comes to OTP, but it's still better than nothing, and making it less of a hassle to use is worth a lot.
You can test this for yourself on web-otp-demo.glitch.me by sending yourself an SMS with the exact words listed on the site (yes, I was also surprised to learn that it's possible to send SMS messages to oneself). Just make sure you've got all pre-requisites in place. Now, you'll just have to wait for your bank or credit union to support this sometime in 2031.
PWAs as URL handlers
Progressive web apps (PWAs) are about to feel even more like native apps on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Chrome 93 is starting a test that lets developers declare web apps as URL handlers. For example, if you're using Twitter as a PWA created in Chrome, all twitter.com links could automatically open in the dedicated PWA interface, further bridging the gap between native applications and web apps. This could be especially handy for Gmail, I reckon. On Android, this feature has been available for a while as part of the WebAPK install method.
To experiment with this, you'll need to activate the chrome://flags/#enable-desktop-pwas-url-handling flag, though there will likely only a few or no apps that support this at the moment.
Prettier PWAs incoming
You know how some desktop apps like the Microsoft Office suite and many Apple apps take advantage of extra space available in their system title bars? Chrome PWAs could soon also take advantage of that thanks to a new Window Controls Overlay API. It allows developers to utilize the space in the title bar and populate it with a search bar, podcast playback controls, and anything else they can think of.
This feature is expected to go stable in Chrome 94, and if it's widely adopted, it could make PWAs feel so much more native.
Better multi-screen support for web apps
Slideshows, presentations, and other multi-screen or multi-window experiences are about to get better thanks to an experiment started in Chrome 93. A new Multi-Screen Window Placement API will allow developers to place windows in precise locations on multiple screens, allowing you to view your speaker notes on your laptop's screen while showing your presentation on the projector (for example). Google also gives multi-window graphics editors like GIMP or virtual trading desks as examples for multi-window experiences that could benefit from this. It will likely take a while until web apps take advantage of this capability, but it's something to look forward to.
Glimpses of Material You
When you activate the right flags, you'll get the first few Material You elements in Chrome 93 on Android 12. In settings, you'll see a subtle shade of your wallpaper's main color as the background of the top bar and tabs in the tab overview are more rounded and use colors from your wallpaper. A few more places are also based on the extracted colors, like text highlights and toggles.
Here are a few more changes incoming that we already covered in depth before and that are mostly still hidden behind flags:
New search interface in testing: Google is testing a horizontal strip with search results below the address bar. Read more about it in our dedicated article.
Separating bookmarks and the reading list: Google has added a flag that lets you separate bookmark creation from adding sites to your reading list.
Sidebar for bookmarks and the reading list: Speaking of which, Chrome 93 for desktops has another flag that lets you activate a handy sidebar with your bookmarks and reading list. Here's all you need to know.
Send tab to self improvements: Chrome 93 changes how tab sharing works across your Chrome installations, forgoing system notifications on many platforms. Read all about that here.
New widgets for Android: Chrome 93 for Android has some new widgets hidden behind a flag that sure look like they're inspired by their iOS counterparts. Read more about this here.
Prettier text snippet sharing on Android: Chrome 93 enhances a previously available flag for sharing Instagram-like text snippets as images.
WebXR Plane Detection API: Augmented and virtual reality applications are now able to retrieve data about planes present in your surroundings, which allows developers to create more immersive and realistic experiences.
Chrome 93 is the last version to be released on Google's six-week cycle. Starting with Chrome 94, new versions will come to us every four weeks, so expect the version number to change even faster going forward.
You can download the new Chrome Beta on the Play Store or over at APK Mirror.
Pokemon, the iconic game series from Nintendo, debuted in Japan nearly two-and-a-half decades ago. It took the game only a few years to taste immense popularity in not just the US but in several other countries as well. And while Pebblemon — designed and developed to play on the Pebble smartwatch — may not be exactly the same, its developer describes it as a "mini Pokemon adventure on your wrist."
Now, if you are wondering if people still have Pebble smartwatches — Fitbit bought the brand in 2017 — the answer is yes, many users still have them and are in use as well. For Pebblemon, game developer Harrison Allen says that he created a replica of the graphics library used in Pokemon Yellow, the first title in the popular game series. And just like Pokemon, you can explore "various areas within the Johto region" while playing Pebbelmon with the help of buttons on the Pebble smartwatch.
The game lets you encounter all 251 Pokemon from the Game Boy Color (GBC) title, said Allen. Once you level up, you unlock more different sprites. "Discover hidden items to aid you on your journey," he added.
Interestingly, Eric Migicovsky, the founder of Pebble, posted a video on Twitter that shows Pebblemon running on a Pebble smartwatch with tremendous ease and no technical glitches. "5 years on and developers like linksky are still building new game engines and beautiful games like Pebblemon for Pebble. Incredible," reads the caption to the video. The 31-second clip shows a man completing a stage with the help of two buttons on the right side of the smartwatch.
Epic Games has finally confirmed the speculation regarding a live concert in Fortnite Season 7. The rumors have been growing strong ever since data miners revealed the news on their social sites. However, Epic has not disclosed the identity of the performer.
The upcoming Fortnite Live Concert Event has been named the "Rift Tour," and the developers have rolled out a handful of quests for loopers to complete. It was also revealed that gamers would be getting the opportunity to grab a free Rift Tour umbrella.
Fortnite Season 7: Gamers expected to get free Umbrella from the concert
Fortnite has a long list of successful collaboration events. Out of them, all live concerts stand out in terms of popularity. Gamers enjoy taking a break from the usual Battle Royale mode to attend these concert events.
Epic has confirmed the possibility of another live concert event in Fortnite Season 7. The developers have maintained mystery around the performer, although several leaks indicate it is Ariana Grande.
"From August 6-8, take a musical journey into magical new realities where Fortnite and a record-breaking superstar collide. Dive into the Rift Tour."
Collaborative events are popular as they bring several exclusive in-game items, cosmetics, and free goodies. Gamers can view these events to claim these items.
It has been revealed that gamers will be getting a free Rift Tour Umbrella in Fortnite Season 7. Usually, free rewards are available for claim once gamers complete certain quests during the promotional events.
Epic has released a few quests that reward gamers with free in-game items. However, the Rift Tour umbrella is not present. The coveted umbrella might be available from the quests that will go live in the coming days.
Other loopers speculate that the Rift Tour umbrella will only be available once players attend the live concert event.
The social tab for the upcoming Fortnite concert has gone live. Players can view different time slots for different zones and when their friends are attending the event.
The first set of challenges rewards with the Cosmic Cuddles loading screen, Rift star-piece spray, and the Cloudy Kitty emoticon. Epic will unravel some significant details on August 2nd.
I don’t buy the idea of affordable 5G phones in mid-2021 but some of you do, and so does Samsung. Hence, a phone like the Galaxy A22 5G exists: a phone that wants to bring 5G to more people without asking for exorbitant prices (by Samsung standards). At its starting price of Rs 19,999, it isn’t exactly the most affordable of the lot, given that Realme and Xiaomi are raining much cheaper 5G phones with similar specs. Also Read - Samsung reveals Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3 features officially, S Pen support confirmed
Samsung, however, maintains a premium for its Samsung experience and on the Galaxy A22 5G, you get a lot of the features you find in more expensive Samsung phones. It looks pretty too, especially in the Mint colour variant, and is built like a tank. This phone is clearly aimed at existing Samsung users as well as young buyers wanting a taste of the 5G experience, which is still a concept in India as you read. Also Read - Amazon Prime Day sale deals revealed: Discount on OnePlus Nord CE, Mi 11X, Samsung Galaxy M42
The Galaxy A22 5G is a pretty smartphone; there are no two thoughts about it. Similar to the Galaxy A52 and A72, the A22 5G gets that chic design: matte finish, flat surfaces, and an overall design that’s trying to set its own trend in a sea of similar-looking phones. The Mint colour variant (light green) complements the design and incorporates a light-reflective gradient. The done-and-dusted square camera design somehow adds to the elegance.
Similar to most affordable Samsung phones, the Galaxy A22 5G has a plastic unibody construction. The designers have, however, used good quality plastics that emulate a matte glass finish. The build quality is, in fact, comparable to those Nokia Lumia devices of the yesteryears. The thick profile allows Samsung to integrate a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as a power key-mounted fingerprint sensor. The rear is also capable of keeping smudges and scratches at bay.
Sadly, all that appeal wears off once you look at its front: a front that resembles the cheap Android smartphones from 2019. A bulbous chin and a large droplet-style notch seem out of place for a phone that starts at Rs 20,000. It also makes the phone a giant, given that the actual display measures 6.6-inches. Factor in the 203 grams weight and this isn’t a comfortable phone by any means.
5G-induced cost-cutting is evident on the Galaxy A22 5G but Samsung has managed to balance it all well. I might even go on to say that the Galaxy A22 5G is among the prettiest looking and well-built phones in the world of affordable 5G smartphones.
Display
Samsung has made a name for itself with its AMOLED displays in the past but the 5G-induced cost-cutting sees it skipping the OLED panel in favour of an IPS LCD panel. Despite trying my best to not spice up the AMOLED vs LCD debate on social media, an AMOLED display appeals more. And, this LCD display that Samsung uses is dull. It looks fine while browsing social media or watching YouTube videos but next to a Galaxy M42 5G’s AMOLED display, it looks bland. Compared to Xiaomi’s Mi 10i LCD display too, this A22 5G’s display looks washed out.
I understand the cost-cutting efforts and as long as you know that, you are likely to not complain. Samsung tries to pull in geeks with a refresh rate of 90Hz and that helps to a large extent with smoother scrolling. Viewing angles are wide without notable loss in colours but sunlight legibility is bad. Samsung hasn’t specified any kind of glass protection on the A22 5G, hence you should apply a screen protector to keep it safe; my unit didn’t get any scratches.
Performance
MediaTek’s Dimensity 700 is making it possible for brands to bring affordable sub-Rs 20,000 5G phones to the market. I have witnessed this chip on the Poco M3 Pro 5G first hand and on the Galaxy A22 5G, it delivers the same user experience. With 6GB RAM and 128GB storage on my base version, the Galaxy A22 5G is among the fastest Samsung phones money can get you in this segment.
Despite running Samsung’s resource-intensive One UI 3.1 interface, the Galaxy A22 5G keeps it going all smooth and fast. I haven’t witnessed unnaturally long app load times or random app crashes on this phone yet. If you primarily do social media browsing, deal with emails, make video calls, watch videos, and take photos, this Galaxy A22 5G has adequate performance potential to keep you happy.
Switch over to mobile gaming and the Dimensity 700 starts showing its limitations. Demanding games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Battlegrounds Mobile India and Asphalt 9: Legends stick to medium/low graphics settings, and occasional frame drops are more frequent. Lighter-on-resources games like Shadow Fight 4: Arena and F1 Clash also stick to lower graphics, often miss frames. Given that my phone ran on an early software build, I give the Galaxy A22 5G the benefit of doubt. An update could iron out these bugs.
Where it struggles with gaming, it makes up with the One UI user experience. Samsung’s One UI 3.1 on Android 11 is elegant when compared to the Xiaomi’s complicated MIUI 12 and Realme’s bland Realme UI 2. The basic software experience is on par with what you get on an expensive Galaxy S21, i.e., beautifully formulated icons, well-designed interface elements, and all the bunch of Samsung extras neatly integrated with the system. The Edge Panel is useful if you multitask frequently.
That said, Samsung is relying on partnerships to keep the pricing low, and hence, you get a lot of pre-loaded apps and integrated ads. There are a bunch of TikTok clones pre-installed, all of which can be removed. Samsung is also pre-loading a dozen of Google and Microsoft apps alongside its own system apps. You will find ads in the weather app while occasional Samsung ads are displayed in the notifications.
The overall user experience isn’t as clean as Motorola’s near-stock Android experience but you know what you are getting into when buying a Samsung phone these days. While I had the time and curiosity to dig deeper into settings to turn the ads off, Samsung needs to make it easier for casual users to do the same.
Samsung is also promising two years of Android OS upgrades and three years of security patches. This sounds fine for a Rs 20,000 phone but given that the A22 5G is about future-proofing at this stage, three years of OS upgrades could have been ideal, especially looking at 5G’s induction pace in India.
How’s the audio? There’s only so much you can expect out of a single tinny loudspeaker. Volume levels aren’t as high as the ones on similarly prices Realme and Redmi smartphones. While taking calls on the loudspeaker, the volume is dismal and it’s better to stick to a pair of earphones. On Reliance Jio’s network, I haven’t witness connection issues so far, and mobile data speeds have been on par with other phones even in the basement.
However, the main reason you buy the Galaxy A22 5G is for (cue the drum roll) 5G, which is just something Juhi Chawla cares to discuss with the courts. There are 11 5G bands on offer, which is a relief when compared to the cheaper 5G phones with only the A78 band, and a few more. It sounds good but at this point, this is all uncertain.
Cameras
Another area where Samsung has compromised in favour of 5G. The Galaxy A22 5G has got three cameras on the rear and a single 8-megapixel camera on the front. On the whole, the rear cameras are nowhere near as good as Xiaomi’s Mi 10i 5G and Samsung’s own set of 4G smartphones.
The main 48-megapixel camera is the only one worth using. It misses out on OIS from the 4G variant but the core camera performance remains unchanged. Compared to the Poco M3 Pro 5G and Realme Narzo 30 5G, the Galaxy A22 5G’s main camera can leave shutterbugs happier. In daylight, the camera maintains a closer-to-natural white balance along with decent amount of details. However, it struggles with exposure and as light levels fall, it relies on artificial enhancement to brighten up the photos as the cost of sharpness and details. The Night Mode is great for a phone of this price.
The ultra-wide camera lacks the dynamic range but in most brightly lit situations, it does a good enough job. The 5-megapixel sensor doesn’t care about details and sharpness, and in low light, it struggles. You get good portrait mode photos courtesy of the dedicated depth sensor, and Samsung’s algorithms do a good job at subject separation.
The front camera is good as long as there’s ample light falling on your face. Details aren’t great but the dynamic range is fine and the algorithms love enhancing the skin tones. Any photo against the light or bright background, and the Galaxy A22 5G ends up making you look like an anime cartoon. Samsung could fix this with a future software update.
Battery
With 4G networks running the show, the Galaxy A22 5G delivers supremely good battery life. The 5000mAh capacity battery can last up to a day and a half with moderate usage (with 6.5 hours of screen-on-time on an average). For those spending almost 2-3 hours on social media, gossiping with friends for an hour over a call, taking lots of photos, and texting, this is a phone that will last an entire day and leave some for the next.
Sadly, Samsung continues to bundle its patience-testing slow 15W charger with the Galaxy A22 5G. It takes close to two hours from under 10 percent to top-up the battery. There’s support for the 25W fast charging as well but you need to buy that adapter separately. For a phone built for the 5G generation, bundling a slow 15W charger in 2021 makes zero sense, especially when a similarly priced Realme X7 comes with a 50W charger capable of doing a 0-100 percent in less than an hour.
Conclusion
5G is definitely the future but at this point in time, it makes no sense to invest in an affordable 5G smartphone, especially with all the compromises brands are making to keep the price low. The Galaxy A22 5G is no different than its brethren, as it rides the 5G hype wave with a lot of compromises for a 2021 phone. By the time 5G drops in India, the Galaxy A22 5G might be nearing its end of life, i.e., no more updates, obsolete performance, etc.
That said, if you are fixated on buying a Samsung phone for almost Rs 20,000 now, the Galaxy A22 5G is an overall appealing package. Next to the Galaxy A32 4G, this one’s got more raw power. Compared to the Galaxy M42 5G, you have got a modern design and better build quality, a promise of two years of OS upgrades, and superior battery life.
On the other hand, the competition from OnePlus, Realme, Xiaomi and iQOO is strong this year. The likes of the Realme X7 and iQOO Z3 make the Galaxy A22 5G look pale in comparison. When compared to other Dimensity 700-powered phones from Realme, Redmi and Poco, the Galaxy A22 5G is expensive by a huge margin, which may drive away value-for-money seekers.
However, the overall smartphone experience is great for a 5G phone costing Rs 20,000; we dig the chic looks, the solid build quality, the fast performance, a pleasant One UI experience, and the battery life. It is expensive for what it offers and Samsung needs to drop the price to make it more competitive, but those wanting to wear the 5G tag without spending a lot will like this one.
