Articles by Derrek Lee

Samsung Quick Share could get a lot more useful.

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Samsung is reportedly working to bring Quick Share to Windows 10 computers.
The app supports Galaxy devices with One UI 2 or higher, but PC requirements are unknown.
Samsung Free and Samsung O are also reportedly making their way to Windows 10.

Samsung and Microsoft have a great relationship. Both companies working together to bring the best features from the Your Phone app to the best Samsung phones, and the new One UI 3.1 update further integrates Samsung’s devices with Windows 10 PCs. Apparently, Samsung is working on even more ways to integrate its services with Windows, according to a new report.

According to Aggiornamenti Lumia, Samsung is preparing to introduce its Quick Share feature on Windows 10 PCs via the Microsoft Store. This will bring similar functionality to how it works currently, transferring content between smartphones and Galaxy devices using Bluetooth or WiFi Direct. It seems some user…

LG might still be in the game with a change in design.

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Leaker Evan Blass revealed new renders of LG’s upcoming W41 smartphone.
The LG W41 will be the latest in the company’s W-lineup, exclusive to the Indian market.
It’s unknown if or when the device or its counterparts will launch, given the state of LG’s business.

While LG’s smartphone business continues to teeter on the edge of oblivion, the company still seems interested in launching new smartphones. We got a teaser for the LG Rollable smartphone at CES, and the company has been expected to launch a follow-up to last year’s LG V60 ThinQ. The company’s plans may be up in the air for now, but that’s not stopping leaks from cropping up.

Leaker Evan Blass has just given us our first look at the LG W41 and it looks very familiar. You would not be wrong to compare this to the OnePlus Nord N10 5G, especially looking at the design of the camera stove and the placement of the selfie camera.

Apparently, a W41…

Google TV is finally getting better account management.

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Google has stated that it will introduce a “Kids Profile” as soon as next month.
The new account option will give users the option to select safe apps and will require a PIN to exit the profile.
Kids Profile will use YouTube Kids by default according to a representative.

Chromecast with Google TV is among the best streaming devices available, with a focus on discovery and personalized recommendations based on what the user watches. Unfortunately, that personalization only goes so far, as one of the downsides to the OS is that it has limited support for multiple profiles. Sure, you can make other profiles, but there’s no way to configure them with separate user data. It seems Google has heard the complaints (sort of) and will address this soon.

Android Police spotted a user thread where a Google TV representative declared that the platform will soon enable a “Kids Profile”, where users can restrict the…

Facebook’s watch will focus on integrating the platform’s services.

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Facebook is reportedly developing a smartwatch based on Google’s software that it plans to sell in 2022.
The watch will integrate Facebook’s social features and include fitness tracking features.
Facebook also hopes to launch augmented glasses in 2023 that will pair with the smartwatch.

Facebook is reportedly working on a smartwatch, according to sources familiar with the company’s plans. According to The Information, the smartwatch is currently in development and will reportedly go on sale next year. While not much is known about the wearable, sources state that it could run “an open-source version of Google’s Android software” which would suggest it will be based on Wear OS.

The unnamed smartwatch will reportedly feature cellular connectivity and focus primarily on Facebook’s messaging services. The smartwatch will also feature health and fitness tracking, meaning it could very well comp…

The Surface Duo could get Android 11 just before Android 12 is expected to launch.

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The Microsoft Surface Duo is tipped to receive Android 11 this summer.
Microsoft has committed to monthly updates to the Surface Duo, although has already experienced some gaps.
The Surface Duo has dropped its price in the U.S. to just $999 and is expected to expand to more markets this month.

The Microsoft Surface Duo is no doubt one of the more interesting smartphones to come out of 2020, with its slim design and dual-screen approach to a fairly lightweight version of Android. Yet despite all it had going for it, the software experience hasn’t been perfect, and Microsoft committed to monthly updates to improve the security and experience of the device. Despite some hiccups, the company has largely stuck to its promise, but the real question is around Android 11 and when Microsoft was planning to make the update available.

Dr. Windows has stated (via Windows Central) that t…

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra has a surprise secondary screen in the camera hump!

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The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra has been leaked in full by a YouTuber, although the video has since been set to private.
A small, secondary display sits next to the camera array, which could be used for selfies.
The smartphone features Harmon/Kardon speakers at both the top and bottom of the device.

Little more than a month after the Xiaomi Mi 11 launched in Europe as the first smartphone to rock the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, we kept hearing rumors of a “Pro” variant that could soon make its way, supporting very impressive features. For now, it looks like the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra may very well be on its way, as the device was just leaked in full in a hands-on video that leaves nothing to the imagination, including its tiny secondary display.

The video, which was mirrored by XDA-Developers after going private, shows off the dual Harmon/Kardon-branded speakers on the top and bottom of the device….

Chrome is using biometrics to make your tabs more secure.

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Chrome beta on iOS has been updated, bringing support for biometrics when using incognito tabs.
iPhone users have the option to keep private tabs locked until authenticated with Face ID or Touch ID.
The feature does not seem to be available for all iOS users, or any Android users.

Google has been hard at work trying to make its Chrome browser safer and more secure. Chrome 88 was recently released on all platforms, including the best Android phones, and came with a number of privacy enhancements that make it easier for users to manage their passwords and perform security checks. And while Google has been notably absent from any stable updates of its iOS apps, the platform is still seeing some love on the beta front with a new update bringing some useful biometric features.

The latest update to the Chrome 89 beta on iOS gives users the ability to use their iPhone biometrics to lock their incognito tab…

Alexa will take over on your Ring doorbell if you’re not around.

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Ring can now take a greet visitors for you using Alexa smart responses.
Users can also select from several pre-recorded responses based on the situation.
Ring will start warning users that they are being monitored if it detects motion.

Amazon’s Ring has among the best smart doorbells on the market, which is no surprise as the company practically made video doorbells a thing. Since becoming an Amazon company, Ring has had access to Alexa’s vast AI smarts and the company continues to improve its products with more useful features. The latest update to Ring’s smart doorbells puts Alexa front-and-center in case you’re not home or unable to answer the door.

The first new feature that Ring is rolling out is Alexa greetings. If you’re not able to come to the door, Alexa will greet the visitor and, based on their response, ask if they want to leave a message for you. You can watch the message in real…

Slack is getting heat for changes it’s making to the app.

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Slack’s latest updates are making users complain about the changes being made in the app.
The in-app font has changed and is now larger, while the layout of notifications is also being altered as well.
Changes to the notifications only apply to users of the beta app for now.

Amid the increase in users working from home, Slack has taken the helm as one of the best messaging apps for workplace communication. But recent changes being made to Slack’s Android app have been causing some disarray among its users. The company recently warned users to change passwords and wipe their data due to a bug that was introduced in a December update. After the bug was fixed, Slack decided that was the perfect time to start making some changes. They may be small, but they’re noticeable enough that users have been complaining.

The first has to do with the font, which apparently has increased in size since the recent up…

Facebook is not shy about copying features from other platforms if it can do it well.

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Facebook is in the early stages of developing its own Clubhouse-like product.
Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, recently appeared on the app to discuss augmented and virtual reality.
Twitter has also been publicly testing its own version of Clubhouse called “Spaces.”

Every so often, a new app comes along that other platforms can’t help but shamelessly copy. This time around, it looks like that app is Clubhouse, and the largest social network has its eyes on this “new” form of communication. According to The New York Times, sources familiar with the matter have stated that Facebook is interested in creating a platform similar to Clubhouse.

Apparently, the product is in very early stages and is the latest example of Facebook expanding its core platform. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is apparently a fan of Clubhouse and been interested in developing an audio platform, especially given th…