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Tag: BGR

  • Twitter May Roll Out End-to-End Encryption for Direct Messages

    Twitter May Roll Out End-to-End Encryption for Direct Messages

    Twitter is the latest platform interested in end-to-end encryption (E2EE), reportedly looking to roll it out for Direct Messages.

    E2EE is a common feature in most major communication apps, such as Signal, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Google’s RCS messages. E2EE protects communications, ensuring only the sender and recipient can read them.

    According to BGR, Twitter is working to implement E2EE in Direct Messages. While the company originally began working on the feature in 2018, it never actually implemented it.

    The renewed interest in E2EE was uncovered by Jane Manchun Wong, a well-known app researcher. Wong discovered references to the feature in code for the Android Twitter client. Interestingly, Elon Musk replied to Wong’s tweet with a winking emoji.

    There’s not official word on the feature, and certainly no release date, but E2EE will be a welcome upgrade whenever it debuts.

  • Facebook Is Testing Multiple Profiles per Account

    Facebook Is Testing Multiple Profiles per Account

    In its quest to remain relevant in the face of newer, hipper rivals, Facebook is testing the ability to have multiple profiles per account.

    Facebook may be the 800-pound gorilla in the social media space, but it is increasingly pressured by newer rivals that are capturing the younger market. According to BGR, Facebook is testing the ability to have up to five separate profiles per account.

    The idea behind the feature is to give users an easy way to fine-tune who they share information with. For example, a user could have a work profile for colleagues but share more intimate information with their friends or family profile.

    The new feature will not impact Facebook’s user statistics, as the company will only count accounts, not profiles. Nonetheless, fine-tuning the data people share on Facebook and with whom they share it seems like a wonderful way for Facebook to learn more about its users and a terrible idea for end-user privacy.

  • Galaxy S22 Issues Mount With Reports of Faulty GPS

    Galaxy S22 Issues Mount With Reports of Faulty GPS

    Reports are emerging that Samsung’s Galaxy S22 phones may have faulty GPS, compromising any apps that rely on precise location data.

    The Galaxy S22 is one of Samsung’s most popular phones, but it has been mired with controversy since its launch. Users quickly discovered the phone’s performance was being throttled when playing games and using some apps. In addition, there were issues with screen refresh rates and the 45W fast-charging didn’t seem so fast.

    According to BGR, however, the biggest issue appears to be with the GPS, rendering some of the most popular apps completely useless.

    The company does appear to be aware of the problem, at least according to a moderator on the Samsung community forums.

    Hi all,

    I’ve merged a couple of threads on this one.

    Latest I’ve heard from the Samsung side of things is that a software fix is being prepared to resolve the GPS issue. We’ve not been give a timescale for that (other than “soon”), but please keep a look out for upcoming software updates.

    The fact the issue appears to be fixable with a software update is good news for users.

  • Pixel 6 Pro Offers Flagship Performance, Still Can’t Beat the iPhone

    Pixel 6 Pro Offers Flagship Performance, Still Can’t Beat the iPhone

    Google’s upcoming Pixel 6 Pro has good news for Google phone fans, offering flagship performance much better than the Pixel 5.

    When the Pixel 5 debuted, one of the biggest disappointments was the chip Google chose to power it. Instead of being the latest and greatest, Google choose a middle-of-the-road chip that impressed virtually no one, in terms of performance.

    The company appears to be rectifying that with the Pixel 6 Pro, using its custom Tensor System-on-Chip (SoC). According to BGR, it features an unusual configuration:

    Pixel 6 series will feature an unusual 8-core SoC arrangement. The Tensor will have a 2-2-4 core design, featuring two Cortex-X1 chips, two Cortex-A76, and four Cortex-A55 chips.

    In contrast, the Snapdragon 888 features a 1-3-4 core design, only sporting a single Cortex-X1 core.

    According to BGR, however, the good news is that Google’s Tensor should rival the two leading flagship processors used in Android devices, the Snapdragon 888 and the Samsung Exynos 2100.

    The bad news is that the benchmarks show the Pixel 6 still solidly behind the new iPhone 13, a common theme in the mobile market. Despite advances in processor design, no company has managed to catch up with Apple’s custom silicon, leaving iOS devices the undisputed speed demons.

  • Netflix May Be Working On New Feature…For Apple Users

    Netflix May Be Working On New Feature…For Apple Users

    Netflix is reportedly working on a new feature that will primarily benefit Apple users with certain AirPods.

    According to BGR, French-language site iPhoneSoft “claims it has learned from a US-based Netflix employee that the streaming company is currently testing spatial audio support. The feature will reportedly launch this spring with a small catalog of titles after tests are completed.”

    Special audio is a type of surround sound that is specifically designed for headphones and earbuds. Unlike similar technologies, however, Apple’s implementation takes into account the movement of the user’s head — thanks to accelerometers and gyroscopes in the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max — as well as the movement of their iPhone or iPad. As a result, the sound is always in relation to the screen, giving a truer surround sound experience.

    Currently, the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max are the only ones that support spacial audio. If iPhoneSoft’s claims are true, Netflix’s new feature could be one of the best showcases of the technology.

  • Galaxy Z Flip May Be Another Flop For Samsung

    Galaxy Z Flip May Be Another Flop For Samsung

    Samsung has not had the greatest success with its foldable phone efforts. Its original Galaxy Fold was plagued with problems and now its Galaxy Z Flip is failing durability tests.

    JerryRigEverything’s Zack Nelson was the first to find problems. Zack torture tests new devices. In fact, it’s almost criminal what Zack does to phones and tablets and watching his channel is not for the faint-of-heart gadget lover. Unfortunately for Samsung, however, it didn’t take much for the Galaxy Z Flip to fail.

    In the video, Zack uses a razor blade, lighter and a picks to test the screen. Not only does the screen show virtually no scratch resistance, it actually scratches when Zack uses his fingernail. Zack calls Samsung to task for calling the screen glass, when it clearly behaves as plastic.

    In an emailed statement to The Verge, Samsung said the screen is in fact made of glass, but includes a non-removable plastic layer on top of it:

    ”Galaxy Z Flip features an Infinity Flex Display with Samsung’s Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) to deliver a sleek, premium look and offer an immersive viewing experience,” a spokesperson said by email. “Samsung’s first-of-its-kind UTG technology is different from other Galaxy flagship devices. While the display does bend, it should be handled with care. Also, Galaxy Z Flip has a protective layer on top of the UTG similar to Galaxy Fold.”

    Unfortunately, the problems don’t stop with the plastic layer. As BGR points out, users are already experience cracked screens when unfolding the new phone. One Twitter user had barely taken the phone out of the box, removed the removable shipping film from the screen, unfolded it and the phone cracked.

    As phone launches go, it’s not as bad as the Galaxy Fold—but it’s not much better either.

  • U.S. Space Force Completes First Nuclear-Capable Missile Test

    U.S. Space Force Completes First Nuclear-Capable Missile Test

    BGR is reporting that the newly formed U.S. Space Force has just conducted a successful nuclear-capable missile test.

    As BGR points out, there’s nothing specifically interesting about a routine missile test. What makes this one stand out is that it was conducted by the 30th Space Wing, part of the newly formed Space Force.

    The sixth branch of the U.S. military was formed when President Trump signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act that, among other things, authorized its creation. Space Force falls under the Department of the Air Force, similar to how the Marines fall under the Department of the Navy, and will be responsible for protecting U.S. interests in space.

    Tuesday night’s test is an indication the new branch is not wasting any time spooling up.

  • Apple May Ditch The Notch On The Next iPhone

    Apple May Ditch The Notch On The Next iPhone

    Love it or hate it, the iPhone’s notch has been one of its most recognizable features. BGR, reporting on a discovery by the Dutch-language site LetsGoDigital, says Apple may eliminate the notch in 2020.

    According to the report, LetsGoDigital discovered a number of patents Apple filed with the Japanese Patent Office on December 23, 2019. The drawings that accompany the photos show an iPhone with no notch, and near edge-to-edge glass.

    Image Source: Apple via LetsGoDigital
    Image Source: Apple via LetsGoDigital

    As BGR points out, the notched area currently houses the Face ID components, as well as the selfie camera. The photos would seem to indicate the technology has progressed enough that these components can reside under the screen and still function properly. It’s also possible Apple could use in-screen Touch ID, either on specific models, or in conjunction with Face ID.

    Much of the other design elements remain the same, or have only small changes. The one exception is the screen corners, which the drawing shows as rectangular, rather than the rounded corners iPhones currently have.

  • Apple Rumored to Be Releasing a Gaming Mac Next Year

    Apple Rumored to Be Releasing a Gaming Mac Next Year

    According to a report by the Economic Daily News, Apple may be releasing a gaming Mac at next year’s WWDC event.

    As BGR comments, the Economic Daily News has a pretty spotty track record when it comes to predicting Apple’s next moves. Even so, this rumor is not outside the realm of possibility. Apple has been making moves into a number of industries, including TV programming, that are well outside its traditional business. As BGR points out, even Apple Arcade represents a significant step into this arena.

    For years, Mac users who are serious gamers have had to purchase Windows-based PCs to have the best gaming experience. Most gaming companies primarily develop for Windows and the best graphics and sounds cards often have drivers that are optimized for Microsoft’s operating system.

    A Mac gaming platform would help Apple fill a relatively large hole in their ecosystem, not to mention help the company take advantage of a lucrative and growing industry that shows no sign of slowing down. Such a move won’t be without its challenges, however, as Apple would still need to convince developers to target the Mac as a platform, both with games and with the best drivers.

    If the report is to be believed, the gaming Mac could cost up to $5,000. Sources reportedly told the Economic Daily News the model may be an all-in-one computer or some type of large-screen rig.