HiTechEdge

Category: Tech

All news related to tech.

  • Surface 2 Duo Will Have 5G

    Surface 2 Duo Will Have 5G

    New details about Microsoft’s Surface 2 Duo have arrived, and the device will feature 5G.

    The Surface Duo is a dual-screen Android smartphone. The device offers the best of both worlds, combining the Android and Microsoft ecosystems. Microsoft is preparing an update, the Surface 2 Duo, and the new model includes some major improvements.

    According to Windows Central, the new model will feature some type of wireless charing and 5G connectivity. It’s unclear what the wireless charging is for. It may be for charging the device, or it could be Apple Pencil-style charging for an attached stylus.

    Users shouldn’t have long to wait, as Microsoft is expected to unveil the Surface 2 Duo September 22.

  • T-Mobile Adding In-Store Repairs to 500 US Locations

    T-Mobile Adding In-Store Repairs to 500 US Locations

    T-Mobile is upgrading some 500 US stores, adding same day, in-store device repairs.

    Device repair has become a hot topic in recent years, with many lawmakers pursuing right-to-repair legislation. While T-Mobile’s news doesn’t fall under right-to-repair, it nonetheless should make it much easier for users to get their devices repaired.

    “New in-store authorized repair locations,” reads the company’s blog post. “T-Mobile is upgrading 500 stores across the country to now include in-store device repairs by industry-certified experts from Assurant, with more locations to come. This is the first time T-Mobile will offer in-store repairs, and service locations are coming to nearly every major city across the country. Starting November 1, customers with Protection can check the T-Mobile Store Locator to find an authorized location and then use the online appointment tool (coming soon!) to get same-day repairs right inside a T-Mobile store. Repairs will be completed with some of the most highly-credentialed mobile repair technicians in the industry — that use only manufacturer-approved parts and are committed to fast and reliable service.”

    T-Mobile’s announcement is good news for its customers.

  • Comcast Set to Unveil Two Of Its Own XClass Smart TVs

    Comcast Set to Unveil Two Of Its Own XClass Smart TVs

    Comcast is preparing to introduce its own XClass smart TVs, with two models debuting soon.

    Comcast is already one of the leading cable TV providers, but the company is looking to expand into the smart TV market according to Protocol. The company has partnered with Chinese manufacturer Hisense to build the devices.

    The new TVs will run a version of Comcast’s X1 operating system (OS), the same OS that powers its streaming TV boxes. The smart TVs, however, will be available to all, not just Comcast’s customers.

    “XClass TV is a smart TV that brings all your favorite apps, live channels, and On Demand movies and shows together in one place,” that site explains in a FAQ. ” XClass TV … gives you thousands of free movies, shows, music, and more. And to find what you love faster, XClass TV comes with a voice remote that lets you control your TV and search across apps with just your voice.”

  • Nintendo Switch (Finally) Gains Bluetooth Audio Support

    Nintendo Switch (Finally) Gains Bluetooth Audio Support

    Nintendo Switch fans can finally use their favorite Bluetooth headsets with their gaming device, thanks to a software update.

    The Nintendo Switch is one of the most popular gaming consoles. Unfortunately, Bluetooth audio support was conspicuously missing, meaning users had to rely on wired headsets.

    The company announced via Twitter that it has released a software update that enables the long-awaited feature.

  • Apple Spending $500 Million on Apple TV+ Marketing in 2022

    Apple Spending $500 Million on Apple TV+ Marketing in 2022

    Apple is ramping up its marketing for Apple TV+ in 2022, to the tune of $500 million.

    According to The Information, via The Mac Observer, Apple TV+ has some 40 million subscribers, roughly half of which are paying a subscription fee. Apple had a very generous trial period initially, giving anyone who bought a new Mac, iPhone or iPad an entire year for free. Even though Apple has since reduced that to three months, T-Mobile is offering its users a free year of Apple TV+.

    It appears the Cupertino company is getting serious about marketing its streaming TV service, something that has been a sore point for some Apple partners who believe the company hasn’t done enough in the past. Apple plans on spending some $500 million this year, and will release a new move or show every week during 2022.

    Given that Apple has a number of critically-acclaimed and award-winning hits on its hands, it’s a safe bet the marketing will likely pay off.

  • Google Pixels May Get Android 12 on October 4

    Google Pixels May Get Android 12 on October 4

    Google’s anticipated Android 12 may debut on Pixel phones as early as October 4.

    While Android may be best known for its tight integration with Google’s ecosystem, the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) is the open source Android foundation that Google uses for its purposes. The company often releases the latest AOSP in conjunction with releasing the mainstream version that makes its way onto the majority of Android devices.

    According to XDA’s Editor-in-Chief Mishaal Rahman, Google plans to release the AOSP on October 4. If the company’s plan holds true, Pixel users may get access the same day, with other companies rolling the update out sometime later.

  • Kuo: iPhone 13 Set For Major Storage Upgrade

    Kuo: iPhone 13 Set For Major Storage Upgrade

    The iPhone 13 is set for a major storage upgrade, starting at 128GB and going up to 1TB.

    Apple is set to unveil the new iPhone Tuesday, September 14. While there have been a number of rumors surrounding the next iteration of Apple’s smartphone, Ming-Chi Kuo says the iPhone 13 could be getting a major storage upgrade, according to MacRumors.

    According to Kuo, the new models will start at 128GB of storage, and the Pro models will have the option of going up to 1TB. The fact that Kuo is the source of the rumor is significant, as Kuo has a reputation for being one of the most accurate Apple analysts.

  • Manjaro Linux Cinnamon Choose Vivaldi Over Firefox As Default Browser

    Manjaro Linux Cinnamon Choose Vivaldi Over Firefox As Default Browser

    Manjaro Linux Cinnamon has chosen Vivaldi as its default browser, ousting Firefox.

    Vivaldi is a popular web browser based on the Chromium rendering engine, the same engine that powers Google’s Chrome. The company was co-founded by the co-founder and former CEO of Opera software, Jon von Tetzchner, and its browser is designed to appeal to power users, as well as Opera users.

    Manjaro is one of the more popular Linux distros, and is based on the Arch distro. One of Manjaro’s strengths is its focus on ease-of-use, making it a good choice for those just breaking into the Linux world. Manjaro Cinnamon is a version of the distro that ships with the Cinnamon desktop environment as the default, instead of Gnome, KDE or Xfce.

    According to Vivaldi CEO Jon von Tetzchner, Manjaro’s co-CEO made the decision to include Vivaldi as the default.

    To give Vivaldi more of the attention it deserves, I decided to include it as the default browser in our popular Cinnamon Community Edition. With its remarkable browsing speed, exceptional customizability and especially the way it values user privacy, Vivaldi for me is a perfect match for Manjaro Linux.

    The announcement is good news for Vivaldi, and another setback for Firefox.

  • Lead Google Stadia Exec Moves to Google Cloud

    Lead Google Stadia Exec Moves to Google Cloud

    Stadia’s status continues to perplex as a top exec moves from Google’s gaming platform to Google Cloud.

    Stadia is Google’s cloud gaming service. The service has gone through a number of changes, not the least of which was Google shutting down its own in-house game studio.

    According to The Verge, Jack Buser, Stadia’s Director for Games, has been moved to Google Cloud. The company provided the following statement to Google:

    Gaming is an incredibly important vertical at Google and we’re seeing huge momentum across all products and services. Jack’s new role will allow us to better bring customers the best of Google across our Cloud services, Stadia, YouTube, and more. Stadia continues to be led by its GM Phil Harrison, and Stadia’s business development and partner management teams will continue to be led by Michael Abbattista, who took over the role in 2020.

    As The Verge points out, though disconcerting, the move doesn’t necessarily spell trouble for Stadia. Google made it clear when it shut down its own in-house game studio that it wanted to provide a platform for partner companies to develop games for.

    In that content, Buser’s move to Google Cloud may make sense and demonstrate Google’s commitment to leveraging the power of its cloud platform to bolster Stadia.

  • Xbox Controller Firmware Update Improves Connectivity

    Xbox Controller Firmware Update Improves Connectivity

    Microsoft is rolling out a firmware update for Xbox controllers that improves connectivity.

    Xbox controllers are used for a variety of devices, not just the Xbox. The controllers are popular with gamers on Windows 10, iOS and Android. Microsoft’s latest update is designed to improve controller connectivity.

    “These controllers now support Bluetooth Low Energy, which delivers better compatibility across devices and allows for better pairing experiences,” the company announced on its blog. “You will be able to play wirelessly on Windows 10 PCs, iOS 15+, and Android devices with Bluetooth Low Energy for remote play from your console or cloud gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on the go. After installing the firmware update, these controllers will remember one Bluetooth host (e.g., smartphone) and one Xbox Wireless host (e.g., Xbox console), so you can quickly and seamlessly switch between previously connected devices with a simple double tap of the pair button.”

    The new firmware is available for Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One controllers, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 and Xbox Adaptive Controllers.