According to a recently-discovered patent filed at the USPTO, Microsoft is exploring the idea of creating a true foldable smartphone. The form factor itself isn’t too exciting. Based on the drawings, it looks like your typical foldable. What’s more interesting is the fact that Microsoft filed it, and also how they plan to address durability issues with the hinge.

The patent describes a new hinge system that comes with a “spine cover plate”. This new mechanism basically covers the hinge of the phone when the screen is folded. This will help protect it from damage and also dust and debris that can cause issues. It will also result in a phone that’s thinner, easier to hold, and could hide the crease of the display.

Before you get too excited, note that this is just a patent. Companies like Microsoft file patents all the time to protect ideas and intellectual property. It is no way indicative of the company’s plans. Also, given how Microsoft ended software support for the Surface Duo back in 2023, we’re not sure what the future is like for the lineup. We did hear rumors that the Surface Duo 3 could be a true foldable, but we’ll have to wait and see.

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Speaking to Harish Jonnalagadda of Android Central, Nothing co-founder Akis Evangelidis basically told the publication that the company doesn’t think it’s the right time yet. According to Evangelidis, it seems that he feels that the company is still quite young and they need to be “strategic about our efforts”.

He acknowledges that some level of presence in the US is necessary, it isn’t the right time to go all-in. The Nothing Phone (1) also largely skipped the US market. It was available to purchase as a “beta” device instead of a mainstream gadget. The Nothing Phone (2) is still the only phone to be commercially available stateside, so it was surprising that Nothing decided that the Nothing Phone (2a) would kind of skip the US market again.

We’re not sure when Nothing will go all-in in the US market. Maybe that will happen with the Nothing Phone (3) which should be launching later this year, but we’ll have to wait and see.

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The report points at code strings in which a TikTok app called “TikTok Photos” was referenced. Based on the name, it’s safe to say that this will be a photo sharing app.

In some ways this is kind of funny. With the rise of TikTok, Instagram introduced a new Reels feature that allowed creators to create TikTok-like content on their platform. In fact, to encourage users to use Reels, Instagram went as far as modifying its algorithm. This is so that videos with the TikTok watermark won’t be promoted on its platform.

Other platforms have also introduced their own version of TikTok, like YouTube with YouTube Shorts. There’s no word on when this new TikTok Photos app will launch, but it could be an uphill battle. Instagram is a very well-established platform especially for photos, so we’re not sure if TikTok Photos will have what it takes to challenge the crown.

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According to the leaked specs, the Mix Fold 4 will use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. This is a given since we expect the majority of flagships to use this chipset for 2024. It is also rumored to come with 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. The post also claims that it will feature support for two-way satellite communication.

It will also feature a “high-density larger battery”, although the exact size is unknown. But in terms of charging, it could be quite a beast with 100W speeds. The cameras on the Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 are rumored to include a 50MP fixed large aperture alongside a new periscope lens.

Digital Chat Station is also claiming that Xiaomi has improved on the structure of the phone. It has been strengthened with a new and improved hinge, so it should in theory last longer. It could also come with better water-resistance. Xiaomi launched their last foldable back in August 2023. So if they’re keeping to the timeline, we should see the Mix Fold 4 later this year.

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According to a report from the Daily Mail, it appears that the Apple Vision Pro has managed to find a place in an operating theater. During a spinal repair of a patient, a surgical team used the headset. Note that the surgeon did not use the headset. Instead, it was the scrub nurse where the device was used to help keep track of the procedure and help choose the right tools.

The idea behind using the Vision Pro during surgery was to cut down on guesswork and reduce the chance of human error. This is according to Syed Aftab, the surgeon in question. By having all the details of the operation superimposed over reality, it allowed the team to work efficiently together. This can be crucial especially when working with medical staff they have never worked with before.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen commercial technology being used in unexpected situations. For example, the Microsoft Kinect which was created as a gaming device had previously also been used for medical procedures. We’re not sure if this is what Apple intends for the Vision Pro. But it could be a potential area that Apple could tap into if it doesn’t pick up on the consumer front.

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This comes in the form of a new “Web Distribution” feature. Basically what this means is that developers will now be able to distribute iOS apps directly from their website. Users will not need to download and install a third-party app store just to get these apps. Instead, they can just download them directly from the developer’s website.

If that sounds familiar, it is because it is more or less similar to how Android users sideload apps. This is useful and efficient because users who might only need one app won’t have to go through the process of downloading a brand new app store just to get it. The downside is that developers who choose to use this method will have to pay Apple’s Core Technology Fee.

The apps will also need to abide by Apple’s notorization guidelines, and the website the app is downloaded from has to be registered in App Store Connect. It seems that there are more hoops to jump through, but like we said, it does seem more convenient than downloading an entire store just for a single app.

This new feature isn’t live yet. Apple says that it will be launching this Spring. Another thing to note is that it still only applies to users in the EU. The rest of us can only hope that Apple will implement this sideloading apps feature for iPhone users in the rest of the world.

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This is according to a post by @TheGalox_ on X where they claim that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 could see its cover display increased to 3.9-inches. That’s basically half an inch larger than its predecessor. While it’s easy to get excited about this, it should be taken with a grain of salt.

Galaxy Z Flip6

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
• Bigger cooling system
• 3.9 inch outer & 6.7 inch inner displays
• 50/12 cameras
• 4000mah battery
• Improved hinge & internal layout
• Gorilla Glass Armor
• 7 years of updates
• Galaxy AI
• Possible 12gb ram models pic.twitter.com/OH1kXnYHPd

— Anthony (@TheGalox_) March 13, 2024

This is because earlier leaked renders of the Flip 6 revealed that the 3.4-inch cover display will remain. Secondly, handset makers don’t usually refresh their designs in such a major way every year. It costs money to make molds for phones and to create the tooling needed to make them. This is why generally handset designs tend to stay the same or see very minor changes for a couple of years at the very least.

This isn’t to say that this is entirely improbable. Samsung could surprise us all with a larger cover screen for the Flip 6, but don’t get your hopes up. Other rumors we’ve heard about the Galaxy Z Flip 6 include a potential larger battery, along with the use of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.

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One of those changes will be to Google Play Pass. For those unfamiliar, Play Pass is a subscription service that allows users to access a ton of games without ads or in-app purchases. If you hate pay-to-win kind of games, Play Pass is something you should check out.

To make Play Pass even more tempting, Google has announced that subscribers in select markets will receive in-game items for free for select titles, as well as receive discounts on other mobile games they might want to purchase.

Google is also making it easier for users to discover ongoing promotions. There will be YouTube videos in the Games tab in the Play Store where you’ll see videos for the latest and popular games so you’ll always be up to date on what’s hot. There are also changes being made to how users can sign into their games and save their progress.

The onus will be on developers to implement these alternative sign-in options, but if they do, users will have more choices when it comes to their preferred sign-in method. It will also save your progress and achievements so you can pick up where you left off no matter which device you’re signed in from.

Last but not least, it seems that Google is also turning their attention to PC games. Google Play Games will now support native PC games. This means that if you’re on your PC, you’ll be able to discover games that are created specifically for PCs.

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This comes in the form of the 2024 Moto G Power and the 2024 Moto G 5G. Starting with the Moto G Power, the updated handset comes with a 6.7-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 chipset can be found. It is accompanied by 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a 5,000mAh battery with support for 30W charging. It also boasts a 50MP main camera with OIS and is priced starting at $299.99.

If you’re looking for something even cheaper than that, then the Moto G 5G 2024 could be it. It comes with a slightly smaller 6.6-inch display, but it still has a 120Hz refresh rate. It has a set of Dolby Atmos speakers with a 50MP Quad Pixel camera system that can do macro shots thanks to Macro Vision. It also comes with a 5,000mAh battery with TurboPower fast-charging support.

Under the hood, users can find a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset. It will be accompanied by 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage that can be further expanded via microSD. It is priced at $199.99 and will be available on the 21st of March.

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In case you’re unfamiliar, one of the features of Xiaomi’s smartphones actually allowed users to access background video playback on YouTube without a YouTube Premium subscription. This came in the form of an option called “Play video sound with screen off”, which when enabled allowed background playback.

Xiaomi announced that they would be killing off the feature in the Mi Fans Home Telegram channel. According to the company, they said that they will be disabling the feature “due to compliance requirements”, which presumably had something to do with YouTube. These changes will go into effect via an OTA software update, so if you receive the update and the feature stops working, you know why.

Google has been actively cracking down on apps and tools that allow give this feature away for free. It is understandable. After all, why pay for YouTube Premium when you can get it for free, right?

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Google allows users to connect their Pixel phones to external displays but only if they buy a special peripheral. This is annoying because it means users need to ensure they have that accessory with them at all times. A report from Android Authority has revealed that Google could be addressing that in Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.

It appears that Google has enabled DisplayPort Alternate Mode on the Pixel 8 phones. Prior to this, the software feature was disabled. This means that unless Google changes their mind, once this update rolls out, Pixel 8 users can hook their phones up to external displays using a USB-C cable.

Prior to this, users who wanted to enable the feature had to root their phones. This isn’t something that most users would do or know how to do. Note that this update will mostly only benefit the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. This is because on older Pixel phones, DisplayPort Alternate Mode is disabled at a hardware level. We’re not sure when this update will be released, but it could be something to look forward to.

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This update will bump your phone up to OxygenOS 14 (Android 14). It will come with all the changes that are part of Google’s official update. It will also come with refinements and improvements to the OxygenOS platform. This includes better efficiency, improved security and privacy, performance optimization, an update to the UI, and more.

The OnePlus Open is finally getting its Android 14 update in the US! Apart from all the features mentioned in the official changelog, the update also brings tighter integration with Microsoft's Link to Windows service!
With OxygenOS 14, the Link to Windows app is now preloaded… pic.twitter.com/avxm9MogGn

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) March 11, 2024

That being said, if you have received the update notification, you might want to hold off. This is because according to a post on Reddit (via Android Police), the update is causing issues for some users. One user claims that opening an app from the app drawer or notification window causes the phone to become “inoperable for minutes”. Some are also claiming that battery life is taking a massive hit.

Another user is claiming that there is a delay in waking the screen when the phone is unfolded. Apparently it is so bad it takes 2 minutes to load up, which is honestly kind of insane. Hopefully OnePlus is aware of these issues and are working on a fix. Not everyone is affected though, so your mileage may vary. But if you’d rather not chance it, then maybe hold off on the update for now.

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According to a report from Android Police, it seems that Google is working on an update to Google Messages. The update to Google Messages will allow users to change the colors of their chat bubbles and use custom backgrounds. This means that if you’re sick of the whole blue-green bubbles debate, you can change all your chat bubbles to blue or green or something else entirely.

Obviously this doesn’t change the underlying technology. Instead, it could be a fun way of making your conversations more personalized to your aesthetic preferences. This feature appears to be server-side enabled, so not everyone will see it yet.

That being said, Apple did confirm that they will eventually enable RCS messages. This is expected to be part of the iOS 18 update. This means that iOS users chatting with Android users using the native messaging app on their phones can send rich text messages instead of regular SMS.

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This is according to a report from SamMobile who claims to have heard that Samsung is exploring the possibility of returning to the square form factor. All of Samsung’s current smartwatches feature a circular design. The only exception is the Galaxy Fit 3, which one could argue is more like a fitness tracker.

The report claims that Samsung is apparently very “enthusiastic” about the design. It is unclear when we might see this new form factor, but we doubt that it will debut with the Galaxy Watch 7. It is possible that it could be a separate model from the current Galaxy Watch lineup, just in case there are customers who still prefer the circular look.

There is no right and wrong form factor here, just personal preference. Apple has continued to maintain the square form factor to great success. At the end of the day, it boils down to preference, software, and functionality. But what do you think? Would you like to see a square Samsung smartwatch in the future?

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Take for example the design – at first glance, the Galaxy A55 and A35 look very identical, although the A55 uses a metal frame and Gorilla Glass Victus panels on both the front and rear, while the A35 is built with a plastic frame and back. Both phones do feature a 6.6-inch AMOLED display with a 1080 x 2340 resolution and 120Hz though.

The similarities also extend to the newly-designed frame around the power and volume buttons, which now features a raised section and does make for a unique design. Additionally, both phones ship with Android 14 alongside the latest One UI 6.1 platform version from Samsung, with a promised four generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades and five years of security updates.

This year, Samsung has decided to equip the Galaxy A55 and A35 with different chipsets – the A55 comes with the newer Exynos 1480 chipset, while the A35 comes with last year’s 1380 chip, which was also used on other A-series handsets. The Galaxy A55 starts with a base storage configuration of 8GB + 128GB, while the A35 comes with a slightly lower 6GB + 12GB setup.

For camera hardware, the Galaxy A55 comes with a 50MP primary lens, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, and 32MP front camera; meanwhile, the A35 features a 50MP primary, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, and 13MP front camera. Powering both phones are 5,000 mAh capacity batteries.

In terms of pricing, the Samsung Galaxy A55 starts at around $530 for the base storage model, while the A35 starts at around $415.

Source: Samsung

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