Articles by Harish Jonnalagadda

Facebook services are down for users around the world, but they seem to be coming back online.

Update, Oct 5 (16:45 ET): Facebook explains what went wrong

Update, Oct 4 (18:45 ET): Facebook services recovering from outage

If you’re having issues sending or receiving messages on WhatsApp, you’re not the only one. The Facebook-owned messaging platform seems to be down, and it’s not the only one; Instagram and Facebook are seeing outages as well, with users around the world unable to refresh their news feed or see messages.

I’m not able to send or receive messages in WhatsApp, my Instagram feed isn’t loading, and I’m not able to access Messenger. This isn’t the first time Facebook services went down in recent months, and at this moment, it’s unclear what’s causing the issue. From the error message, it looks like a configuration issue with DNS servers.

According to Downdetector, users from all over the world are having issues connecting to Facebook services, so it isn’t an isolated …

Facebook services are down for users around the world, but they seem to be coming back online.

Update, Oct 4 (18:45 ET): Facebook services recovering from outage

If you’re having issues sending or receiving messages on WhatsApp, you’re not the only one. The Facebook-owned messaging platform seems to be down, and it’s not the only one; Instagram and Facebook are seeing outages as well, with users around the world unable to refresh their news feed or see messages.

I’m not able to send or receive messages in WhatsApp, my Instagram feed isn’t loading, and I’m not able to access Messenger. This isn’t the first time Facebook services went down in recent months, and at this moment, it’s unclear what’s causing the issue. From the error message, it looks like a configuration issue with DNS servers.

According to Downdetector, users from all over the world are having issues connecting to Facebook services, so it isn’t an isolated incident. Ironically, Facebook’s status page is also inaccess…

OxygenOS 12 is here with tighter ColorOS integration and Android 12.

Software is a big part of why OnePlus’ devices are considered the best Android phones. OnePlus has turned OxygenOS into one of the best software interfaces around, delivering a clean layout with plenty of customizability and timely updates.

There’s a new dimension to that narrative in 2021. OnePlus is now using ColorOS as the foundation for OxygenOS in a bid to streamline resources between the two entities, and that means there are changes afoot. We got an early look at the integration with OxygenOS 11.3 on the Nord 2, and with the first OxygenOS 12 public beta based on Android 12 now available, we’re getting a clearer picture of what this merger has to offer.

The OxygenOS 12 beta is now available for the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro, and will be included out of the box on the OnePlus 9 RT that’s launching later this month. As I revealed earlier in the year, OxygenOS 12 gets a lot of features from ColorOS, a new UI that m…

The first OxygenOS 12 beta based on Android 12 is now available, and here’s how you can install it.

OnePlus has kicked off the public beta for OxygenOS 12 based on Android 12, and you can install it right now. Like last year, the build is limited to OnePlus’ latest phones, so if you have the OnePlus 9 or 9 Pro, you will be able to download the build and get an early look at all the Android 12 features.

So if you’re rocking the latest OnePlus flagship and want to take a look at what the Android 12-based OxygenOS 12 has in store, here’s how you can install the build right now.

How to install OxygenOS 12 (Android 12) on your OnePlus phone

The best way to get OxygenOS 12 installed on your OnePlus phone is to download the build on your phone and use the local upgrade option. Doing so will allow you to make the switch to OxygenOS 12 without losing any data. Here’s how to do it:

Go to the OnePlus OxygenOS 12 forum post from your OnePlus 9 or 9 Pro.
Download the OxygenOS 12 build. You…

OnePlus kicks off the Android 12-based OxygenOS 12 beta, and you can download it right now.

With the stable Android 12 version now available, manufacturers are integrating the build into their custom skins. OnePlus is introducing the first beta for OxygenOS 12 based on Android 12, starting with the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro.

With OnePlus merging the OxygenOS codebase with ColorOS and working on a new unified OS that’s set to launch with the OnePlus 10 series early next year, OxygenOS 12 is the last version of OnePlus’ custom skin. The OxygenOS 11.3 build on the Nord 2 gave us a first look at what the ColorOS integration would look like, and OxygenOS 12 takes things to the next level.

The interface gets a redesign that’s in line with ColorOS 12, offering a cleaner layout with increased spacing and less information density. OnePlus says the interface offers a “safe and chill place” for its users, and that the new design makes the UI easier to use and more readable:

Visually, the chan…

OPPO joins Google, Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi in delivering three platform updates to its phones.

What you need to know

OPPO will deliver three guaranteed Android verison updates to its flagship Find X series.
It will also provide four years of security patches to Find X, Reno, F, and K series devices.
The brand rolled out the first global beta of the Android 12-based ColorOS 12 for the Find X3 Pro.

OPPO introduced ColorOS 12 for its devices in China last month, and the manufacturer is now kicking off the global beta program. The ColorOS 12 global beta gives users a first look at Android 12, and the beta build is now available for the Find X3 Pro in Indonesia and Malaysia.

For now, OPPO isn’t saying too much about what the global version of ColorOS 12 has to offer, but it should get the cleaner interface the brand showed off for the Chinese variant. The Omoji 3D avatar feature is likely to be a headliner, along with tweaks to customization, floating windows, and more.

But …

With cloud management and excellent throughput, the 2×2 ECW220 nails the fundamentals.

You can just pick up one of the best Wi-Fi 6 routers if you want to unlock the full potential of your home broadband connection; with Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers offering tri-band systems with a dedicated wireless backhaul, modern routers can deliver multi-gigabit speeds to your connected devices.

But I like the extensibility that comes with a wired router, so for the last four months, I used Ubiquiti’s UniFi Dream Machine Pro as my router, and the UniFi 6 LR and UniFi 6 Lite to blanket my home with fast Wi-Fi 6 coverage. Going with the UniFi build gives me the freedom to set up rules around internet access and better insights into the traffic that’s flowing in and out of my home network.

Ubiquiti has built its name around catering to the prosumer segment, offering a variety of switches, access points, and routing solutions. It isn’t the only one to do so; EnGenius is another brand that offers access …

If you want to get your hands on the best Android phone in 2021, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is the one for you. It’s a device that delivers all of the high-end specs and features you could ask for in a flagship smartphone, all while coming in at a lower price than its predecessor. That said, if you’re in the market for the best budget Android phone with different software, or a more unique design, there are plenty of other options to consider.

What are the best Android phones?

There are many contenders for the best Android phones, but we think the Samsung Galaxy S21 is the best option for most people. Admittedly, the S21 isn’t the most premium Android phone you can buy in 2021 (that honor would probably go to the Galaxy S21 Ultra or Galaxy Z Fold 3). Still, when looking at the specs and features it offers for the price, it’s easily the best phone that most people should buy.

The best part is that the Galaxy S21 costs less than its predecessor, making it an even more enticing option….

In the market for a new phone? Here’s what you need to know about Samsung’s best-selling Galaxy A series.

The Galaxy A series forms the bedrock of Samsung’s mid-range ambitions. The A-series started by bringing features previously limited to Samsung flagships at a much more affordable price point. While it was traditionally focused on the mid-range segment, Samsung got rid of the entry-level Galaxy J series in 2019 and folded them into the Galaxy A lineup.

The result is that the Galaxy A series now starts under $150, thanks to devices like the Galaxy A02. While the budget Galaxy A options make it easier to upgrade to one of the best cheap Samsung phones in 2021, the mid-range options like the Galaxy A52 and A52 5G offer exciting new features for those who want the latest screen tech and 5G connectivity.

Choosing the ideal device for your needs can get confusing, with eight models to pick from across various price points. So if you’re looking to pick up a new phone in 2021, here’s …

Android 12 will arrive on Pixels soon, and betas on Samsung and OnePlus phones have already begun.

Android 12 is “the biggest design change in Android’s history,” according to Google, and so far, it’s lived up to the boast. The new Material You UI customizes and enlivens your phone screen without needing an Android launcher or icon pack.

Android 12’s updates aren’t just skin-deep, however. It’ll add quality-of-life improvements like a Privacy Dashboard, scrollable screenshots, approximate location sharing, faster animations, and smarter notifications. Compared to Android 11, Android 12 is much flashier while making equally substantive changes.

Google will likely release Android 12 in the first week of October, at least on Pixel phones. Beyond that, Android devs are working on a new Android 12.1 release focused on foldable phone software. It’s the first point release since Android 8.1, proving just how ambitious Google was with this software release.

As for the rest of the bes…