Two upcoming beta features of WhatsApp for Android have been discovered, one to switch between voice and video calls in the app and the other to make recording voice messages easier. However, both are hidden features currently accessible to WhatsApp beta users. If one of the interlocutors tries to change the conversation type, say from voice to video, the other person must agree to the switch before the app does. As for the WhatsApp voice message recording feature, users will soon be able to see a button while recording a voice message; this switch allows them to switch to a locked recording of voice messages while keeping their hands free.
OnePlus 5 will get the Android Oreo beta this month, OnePlus 5T in December OnePlus 5 users will get a preview of the Android 8.0 Oreo open beta later this month, while OnePlus 5T will get it at the end of December. Unlike the final build, the available beta versions of Android 8.0 Oreo must be manually flashed on the respective devices. Unfortunately, OnePlus hasn’t revealed an exact time frame for the final OTA build of Android 8.0 Oreo, but you can expect it to arrive in early 2018. In addition to Oreo, the company will release the latest version of its OxygenOS.
Samsung Pay gets UPI integration Samsung Pay mobile payment service has started integrating UPI, now allowing users to scan Bharat QR codes to make UPI-based payments. This rollout will enable merchants to get barcodes through the government’s Bharat QR Code initiative. Apart from Bharat QR code support, the Samsung Pay app also gets Android O compatibility with the latest update.
In other Samsung news, the 2018 variants of Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A7 smartphones appeared online. The Wi-Fi Alliance certification for Galaxy A5 (2018) and Galaxy A7 (2018) confirmed the presence of Android 7.1 Nougat. The devices also appear to have dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) Wi-Fi support with 802.11 a/b/g/ac. Also, the Galaxy A7 (2017), probably the most superior model in the series, is documented with Wi-Fi Direct support and an additional 802.11n specification to use most available hotspots worldwide.
Uber mobile web version launched in IndiaUber has launched a brand new mobile website (m.uber.com) aimed at the Indian market. The ride-hailing company debuted features for the trial run, including offline search, guest request, and call to ride. With standard smartphone users on the radar, Uber claims the experience of booking a taxi from the app or the new web version is “nearly identical.” The mobile website is currently being tested in Pune. The offline search will automatically take effect when the network is patchy, and the main points of interest in the city are cached.
The HomePod launch has been delayed to early 2018; Apple says Apple has postponed the launch of its HomePod smart speaker to early next year from December, the company said Friday. “We can’t wait for people to experience HomePod… but we need a little more time before it’s ready for our customers. We will start shipping in the US, UK, and Australia in early 2018,” said a spokeswoman for Apple by email. Apple announced the Siri-compatible speakers at WWDC in June.
Ericsson demonstrates 5G technology in India and announces Airtel partnership. The Swedish brand aims to create a robust 5G ecosystem in India, even though the rollout of the 5G network is expected to be completed in 2020. It also announced a partnership with telecom operator Airtel on a strategic roadmap for the network’s evolution to 5G; the operator also collaborates with Ericsson’s rival Nokia Networks.
iOS 11.1.2 update fixes iPhone X screen unresponsive issue Fixed the iPhone X issue that caused the handset screen to become temporarily unresponsive when exposed to cold temperatures. The payoff comes courtesy of the iOS 11.1.2 update, something Apple promised while acknowledging the problem. Apart from this, the iOS 11.1.2 build fixes an issue where Live Photos and videos captured with iPhone X were distorted. The update is available for iPhone 5s and newer models, iPad Air and mo,re recent models, iPad miand ni two and ne,wer models. And the sixth-generation iPod touch.
Google Assistant can be used to troubleshoot Pixel 2 handsets remotely. Google Assistant voice commands can now troubleshoot Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. The Assistant app can set up a phone call or chat with the Google Support team to solve your problems through a human. The latest Assistant upgrade initiates a troubleshooting process directly through the commands you pass with your voice or the virtual keyboard. Apart from this, you can ask the virtual Assistant to check the battery status of your Pixel 2 handset or test the camera or even the connection to your Bluetooth headphones.
Tesla unveils semi-prototype big-rig truck, Roadster sports car Tesla has unveiled the semi-electric big-rig truck prototype and the Roadster, which the company says will be the fastest production car ever. The $35,000 prototype truck features Tesla’s latest semi-autonomous driving system, designed to keep a vehicle in its lane without drifting, change lanes on command, and move from one highway to another without human intervention. CEO Elon Musk said electric trucks are next on the company’s radar in its bid to move the economy away from fossil fuels.
As for the Roadster, the sports car will cost $250,000 for the first 1,000 units and $200,000 for the next. The Tesla Roadster seats four people and travels 620 miles (1,000 km) on a single charge, a new record for an electric vehicle, and goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour (100 km per hour) in 1.9 seconds.
