Information Weekly
Information Weekly is our column the place we spotlight and summarize a few of the week’s high tales so you may make amends for the newest tech information.
That is Android Central’s Information Weekly, your go-to supply for a concise roundup of the week’s most vital tech tales. That is the place we delve into the highest headlines that present the newest developments and improvements contributing to the digital panorama.
This week took us by means of OnePlus’ resolution to stall the launch of its subsequent foldable, Android Beta 2 arrived, Samsung gadgets bought a brand new One UI 7 characteristic, TikTok resurrects in app shops, and Spotify premium customers confronted a singular glitch. Let’s dive in.
OnePlus Open 2 will not launch this yr
OnePlus is leaving the foldables scene, no less than for this yr. In a neighborhood weblog submit on their foldable technique, Vale G, a OnePlus product supervisor, stated the corporate is ‘recalibrating their foldable technique’ and confirmed that it will likely be holding off on launching a OnePlus Open 2.
“At OnePlus, our core energy and fervour lie in setting new benchmarks and difficult the established order throughout all product classes. With that in thoughts, we’ve rigorously thought-about the timing and our subsequent steps in foldable gadgets, and we’ve made the choice to not launch a foldable this yr,” the neighborhood submit defined.
Since OnePlus and OPPO are sister corporations, the 2 share mixed {hardware} and analysis groups, in addition to a typical software program codebase. It seems like the main focus is now absolutely on launching the world’s thinnest foldable, the OPPO Discover N5, within the subsequent couple of weeks. That stated, OpenPlus does not absolutely rule out the potential of launching Open 2 sooner or later.
“Whereas this will come as a shock, we consider that is the appropriate strategy for us presently. That stated, our resolution to pause on foldable for this technology doesn’t signify a departure from the class,” the neighborhood submit added.
Whereas the OnePlus Open 2 will not make an look this yr, the corporate’s subsequent wearable will nonetheless launch as scheduled. The corporate revealed the primary full look of its OnePlus Watch 3, which is able to launch on February 18 within the US, Canada, and European markets.
In an in depth press launch, the OnePlus claims that this new watch is about to mix in with the consumer’s every day wants with a “traditional, premium, and sturdy design.” That stated, the corporate goes full throttle on its “By no means Settle” mantra by providing the Watch 3 with a whopping 16-day battery life on energy saver mode and a protracted 120 hours of battery on Sensible mode. It is a bump from the 100-hour restrict on its predecessor.
Android 16 Beta 2 arrives with some enjoyable updates
Earlier this week, Google launched the second beta of Android 16 to Pixel telephones enrolled for it. The replace got here with some much-needed media, digital camera, and graphics options. The Beta 2 comes with one thing known as the ‘hybrid auto-exposure mode,’ which permits customers guide and auto-exposure choices whereas capturing pictures.
Proper now, customers can select both one of many above and never a mixture of the 2 settings. With Android 16 Beta 2, they will management ISO or publicity time and use auto-exposure algorithms concurrently. Beta 2 additionally brings actions for movement pictures, a mixture of nonetheless pictures and quick movies with audio in order that builders can determine the place the movement photograph can be saved.
Google stays on monitor to meet its new Android launch schedule, that means Android 16 can be launched to the general public within the second quarter of 2025.
One UI 7 brings enjoyable Residence Up Refresh characteristic
Samsung’s One UI 7 Residence Up Module was noticed on a Reddit thread not too long ago, clearly a beta model of the characteristic. The unique poster displayed the “limitless” potentialities of the refreshed module in One UI 7, which showcased apps and folder placement. Pinching inward on their show introduced up the same old house display screen modifying choices however with a newly added “DIY Residence” button.
What’s extra, is that tapping on the icon provides customers full freedom over the dimensions and orientation of an app widget or folder. With this, you may mainly place any app icon anyplace you want on the house display screen with out following the foundations of the same old grid. The consumer can also be capable of overlap widgets and apps for a very chaotic house display screen. The demo solely reveals these modifications making use of to the apps above the underside toolbar like messaging, telephone calls, contacts, or anything. Moreover, tapping a folder that is been rotated or the wrong way up will open apps in it as regular.
Individuals enrolled within the beta program may give these customizations a go. Nonetheless, the corporate is reportedly pushing again the secure rollout of this OS on the Galaxy S24 resulting from a show coloring challenge. Samsung acknowledged that One UI 7 was making ready to hit older Galaxy S gadgets “imminently” in Q1 2025.
TikTok is again in US app shops
After an excellent 20-day break, Tiktok made a comeback on app shops. within the U.S. following the federal government’s reported “reassurances.” In keeping with Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, TikTok was first noticed on the Apple App Retailer. A number of different customers took to X, stating that the app had on Feb. 12. It seems just like the app was being made obtainable in phases and rolled out to most customers right this moment Feb.14.
Moreover, the publication experiences that the app has reappeared on the Google Play Retailer. Android Central has additionally noticed TikTok’s availability through the Play Retailer, so customers who might have deleted the app or by no means had it could possibly now obtain it.
Whereas this can be excellent news for a number of avid TikTok-ers, Bloomberg states it has 75 days (from Jan 20) to search out widespread floor with the U.S. authorities over privateness/safety considerations. This seems like an interim resolution whereas the corporate buys time to settle issues with the current authorities.
Spotify bug messed with Premium subscribers
Spotify premium subscribers had a irritating expertise this week. Regardless of paying $12 monthly for an ad-free service, they ended up listening to industrial advertisements that disrupted their podcast or music. There have been a number of experiences of this challenge on Spotify’s neighborhood boards, courting again to final Friday, Feb. 7. Individuals have been reporting points and reaching out to assist in a number of methods, with one consumer saying that it has been “not possible to speak to anybody at Spotify.”
Solely every week later, Spotify appeared to look into the difficulty. Spotify stated, “Our tech groups are at present investigating experiences of Premium customers listening to advertisements. We’ll hold you posted right here if we’ve any information to share, so be certain to Subscribe to the thread to remain tuned.”
Initially, the corporate requested customers affected so as to add to the thread their system data, app model or net participant, the kind of ad they heard, and any troubleshooting steps they’ve already taken.
Nonetheless, a couple of hours later, Spotify posted an replace on its neighborhood discussion board confirming that the difficulty was the results of a bug and has since been mounted. “We now have excellent news from our groups a repair for the cases the place Premium customers seen advertisements when listening to music has been deployed and you need to discover a distinction instantly,” the corporate stated. “It is price maintaining in thoughts, nevertheless, that it’s anticipated that each free & Premium customers should see advertisements when listening to podcasts.”
