Google is recruiting testers for an upcoming Google Home app redesign

Google rolled out an update for the Google Home app with a redesigned home tab earlier this year. The new home tab layout made it easier for users to control their connected smartphone devices, but it doesn’t seem like Google is done redesigning the app. The company is reportedly working on a “next generation design of the Google Home app,” and it’s currently looking for testers to take it for a spin ahead of the final release.

According to a recent post on Reddit (via 9to5Google), the Google Nest Trusted Tester program is taking Cerntercode’s help to recruit “a group of highly engaged testers that are willing to help Google Nest test an unreleased product.” The recruitment page states that the testing program “will focus on the next generation design of the Google Home App.” Although the page doesn’t reveal any information about this next generation design, it adds that testers who enroll in the program must sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

The recruitment page further highlights a set of requirements for willing participants. Testers applying for the program are required to have a Google Nest product, including thermostats, networking devices, speakers, displays, cameras, doorbells, locks, Nest Protect (smoke alarms), or Chromecasts. In addition, they must also use “either the Google Home app or the Nest app” to control these products.

If you fulfill these requirements and would like to try out the next generation design of the Google Home app, you can head over to the recruitment page by following the source link below, create a Centercode account, and sign-up. As mentioned earlier, shortlisted applicants will have to sign an NDA.

At the moment, we don’t have any details about the upcoming Google Home app redesign, but we expect to learn more in the coming weeks. We’ll make sure to let you know as soon as we have more details.

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Source: Google Nest Dogfood Community
Via: Reddit, 9to5Google

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The Razer Phone Theme Store is finally shutting down later this month

If you own a Razer Phone or Razer Phone 2, this month will be your last chance to get custom themes from the Razer Theme Store. The theme store will shut down towards the end of the month, finally closing the book on Razer’s smartphone experiment.

Razer updated its support page, indicating that the closure would occur on August 24. The support page also states that users should download whatever theme they want before the shutdown because once the store is taken down, the themes will no longer be available. Razer does state that an applied theme will always stay on a device, but previously applied themes will not be stored on the phone. Razer does hold out an olive branch for crushed consumers, as it shared a link to some Razer wallpapers that can be permanently downloaded. You can find the mobile wallpaper by scrolling to the bottom, where there are 39 total. If that isn’t enough, you can also check out the XDA wallpaper galleries.

If unfamiliar with the Razer Theme Store, it offered various themes that could be applied to any Razer Phone. The themes included customizations for the launcher, system UI, lock screen, and more. It was a complete overhaul in terms of the visuals. Some themes were even attached to video game IPs like Namco’s Tekken, the WB’s Dying Light, and many more. While interesting, it is common to find theming apps on the Google Play Store.

If you’ve completely forgotten about Razer’s smartphone experiment, the development of the first phone started after the company acquired smartphone maker Nextbit. A short ten months later and the Razer Phone was born. The phone didn’t have the most modern design, with huge bezels on the top and bottom of the screen. But what it lacked in style, it made up in performance. The Razer Phone’s most notable feature was its 120Hz display, which was extremely rare then. The phone also had dual front-firing speakers and a large 4,000mAh battery.

The follow-up, the Razer Phone 2, brought more of the same and featured a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor with a vapor chamber cooling system. The second iteration also offered customizable RGB lighting, the return of the 120Hz display, and dual front-facing speakers. While these handsets were gaming optimized, they didn’t catch on. Razer had a third phone up its sleeve but canceled the launch following disappointing sales of the first two phones. Once more, the Razer Theme Store will close on August 24, 2022. Be sure to visit the store one last time and bid it farewell before it closes forever.

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Source: Razer
Via: 9to5Google

The post The Razer Phone Theme Store is finally shutting down later this month appeared first on XDA.

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The Razer Phone Theme Store is finally shutting down later this month

If you own a Razer Phone or Razer Phone 2, this month will be your last chance to get custom themes from the Razer Theme Store. The theme store will shut down towards the end of the month, finally closing the book on Razer’s smartphone experiment.

Razer updated its support page, indicating that the closure would occur on August 24. The support page also states that users should download whatever theme they want before the shutdown because once the store is taken down, the themes will no longer be available. Razer does state that an applied theme will always stay on a device, but previously applied themes will not be stored on the phone. Razer does hold out an olive branch for crushed consumers, as it shared a link to some Razer wallpapers that can be permanently downloaded. You can find the mobile wallpaper by scrolling to the bottom, where there are 39 total. If that isn’t enough, you can also check out the XDA wallpaper galleries.

If unfamiliar with the Razer Theme Store, it offered various themes that could be applied to any Razer Phone. The themes included customizations for the launcher, system UI, lock screen, and more. It was a complete overhaul in terms of the visuals. Some themes were even attached to video game IPs like Namco’s Tekken, the WB’s Dying Light, and many more. While interesting, it is common to find theming apps on the Google Play Store.

If you’ve completely forgotten about Razer’s smartphone experiment, the development of the first phone started after the company acquired smartphone maker Nextbit. A short ten months later and the Razer Phone was born. The phone didn’t have the most modern design, with huge bezels on the top and bottom of the screen. But what it lacked in style, it made up in performance. The Razer Phone’s most notable feature was its 120Hz display, which was extremely rare then. The phone also had dual front-firing speakers and a large 4,000mAh battery.

The follow-up, the Razer Phone 2, brought more of the same and featured a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor with a vapor chamber cooling system. The second iteration also offered customizable RGB lighting, the return of the 120Hz display, and dual front-facing speakers. While these handsets were gaming optimized, they didn’t catch on. Razer had a third phone up its sleeve but canceled the launch following disappointing sales of the first two phones. Once more, the Razer Theme Store will close on August 24, 2022. Be sure to visit the store one last time and bid it farewell before it closes forever.

---

Source: Razer
Via: 9to5Google

The post The Razer Phone Theme Store is finally shutting down later this month appeared first on XDA.

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Telegram update stalled due to weeks-long Apple “review process”

Apparently, Apple’s App Store is holding an app hostage. The word “hostage” might be a bit much, but it looks like Apple could be preventing a new update from releasing, according to Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. Durov posted to his Telegram, complaining that an update for the app was failing to get pushed to users because it was stuck in a “review process.”

He further expressed that the hiccup was “discouraging” and that it not only happens to big developers but also affects small developers too. Furthermore, he stated that the review process that apps go through are “obscure” and often times there is no explanation. Durov goes on a small tangent and discusses how app developers are already hit hard with the App Store and the Google Play Store’s 30 percent commission. This story and the frustration expressed are, unfortunately, nothing new. As many developers in the past have complained about the business model of online app stores.

Apple and Google traditionally take up to a 30 percent cut from any profits made in the store. Although Apple and Google both reduced their rates to 15 percent for those under the $1 million profit mark. Despite this, many have complained that the commission fee is still too high. Perhaps the most high-profile case regarding these issues occurred in the summer of 2020 when Epic Games intentionally circumvented the App Store’s payment system in favor of its own. While it would take Apple to court on the issue of its app ecosystem system, it would eventually lose. The trial did cause Apple to make some small adjustments to the rules and regulations of the App Store, but ultimately, not much was changed.

While Epics Games did lose the war, it still continues to fight the battle. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has suggested that a new ecosystem be created, one that encompasses apps for all platforms. While that may never come to fruition, there must be a better solution for app developers and the platforms they work with. For now, we will have to wait to see what Telegram has in store with its next app update. Durov might be hyping it up but said that the next update would “revolutionize how people express themselves in messaging.”

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Source: Pavel Durov (Telegram)

The post Telegram update stalled due to weeks-long Apple “review process” appeared first on XDA.

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Telegram update stalled due to weeks-long “review process”

Apparently, Apple’s App Store is holding an app hostage. The word “hostage” might be a bit much, but it looks like Apple could be preventing a new update from releasing, according to Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. Durov posted to his Telegram, complaining that an update for the app was failing to get pushed to users because it was stuck in a “review process.”

He further expressed that the hiccup was “discouraging” and that it not only happens to big developers but also affects small developers too. Furthermore, he stated that the review process that apps go through are “obscure” and often times there is no explanation. Durov goes on a small tangent and discusses how app developers are already hit hard with the App Store and the Google Play Store’s 30 percent commission. This story and the frustration expressed are, unfortunately, nothing new. As many developers in the past have complained about the business model of online app stores.

Apple and Google traditionally take up to a 30 percent cut from any profits made in the store. Although Apple and Google both reduced their rates to 15 percent for those under the $1 million profit mark. Despite this, many have complained that the commission fee is still too high. Perhaps the most high-profile case regarding these issues occurred in the summer of 2020 when Epic Games intentionally circumvented the App Store’s payment system in favor of its own. While it would take Apple to court on the issue of its app ecosystem system, it would eventually lose. The trial did cause Apple to make some small adjustments to the rules and regulations of the App Store, but ultimately, not much was changed.

While Epics Games did lose the war, it still continues to fight the battle. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has suggested that a new ecosystem be created, one that encompasses apps for all platforms. While that may never come to fruition, there must be a better solution for app developers and the platforms they work with. For now, we will have to wait to see what Telegram has in store with its next app update. Durov might be hyping it up but said that the next update would “revolutionize how people express themselves in messaging.”

---

Source: Pavel Durov (Telegram)

The post Telegram update stalled due to weeks-long “review process” appeared first on XDA.

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How much warranty does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 come with?

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is Samsung’s best foldable yet. Building upon the already great Galax Z Fold 3, this model comes with a more compact hinge, a wider cover display, and a more durable inner display, among other improvements. But being a foldable phone also means this isn’t a cheap device, starting at a whopping $1,799.99. With an investment like that, you’re going to want to make sure it lasts. As such, you may be wondering how good the warranty is on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, and it’s about what you’d expect.

By default, you’re going to get a standard warranty service, which means it’s pretty much the minimum mandated by law. In the United States, that means you get a one-year limited warranty, so you can get your phone repaired if it breaks, as long as it doesn’t break due to external factors and misuse. Dropping the phone, spilling liquids on it, or otherwise purposefully damaging it are obviously not covered by the warranty. In some countries, including a few in Europe, the minimum mandated warranty is two years, so that’s how much you can expect by default.

But like we said, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is a very big investment, and foldable phones are still known for being significantly more fragile than traditional slab phones. If you want additional peace of mind, Samsung offers Samsung Care Plus. This service costs $11 per month, and it extends the warranty up to three years if you choose to pay monthly. You can also pay upfront for two years of coverage.

In addition to extending the standard warranty coverage for the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Samsung Care Plus includes access to repairs for accidental damage such as drops and spills. You’ll still have to pay some money, but it will be much cheaper to get a replacement or repair if you happen to crack your screen or otherwise break your phone. There’s also Samsung Care+ with Theft and Loss, which costs $17.99 per month, and lets you get a replacement device if yours gets stolen or lost.

If you’re interested in buying the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, you can use the link below to buy it along with Samsung Care Plus if you want it. Alternatively, check out the best deals you can get on it to try and save some money, as some deals might include Samsung Care Plus. In case you buy it and you don’t want to rely on Samsung Care+, you might want to check out the best cases for the Galaxy Z Fold 4, too. And because there’s no power adapter in he box, it may also be a good idea to check out the best chargers you can buy for the phone.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is Samsung's best foldable yet, with a morecmopact hinge and a more durable main display.

See at Samsung

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How much warranty does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 come with?

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is Samsung’s best foldable yet. Building upon the already great Galax Z Fold 3, this model comes with a more compact hinge, a wider cover display, and a more durable inner display, among other improvements. But being a foldable phone also means this isn’t a cheap device, starting at a whopping $1,799.99. With an investment like that, you’re going to want to make sure it lasts. As such, you may be wondering how good the warranty is on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, and it’s about what you’d expect.

By default, you’re going to get a standard warranty service, which means it’s pretty much the minimum mandated by law. In the United States, that means you get a one-year limited warranty, so you can get your phone repaired if it breaks, as long as it doesn’t break due to external factors and misuse. Dropping the phone, spilling liquids on it, or otherwise purposefully damaging it are obviously not covered by the warranty. In some countries, including a few in Europe, the minimum mandated warranty is two years, so that’s how much you can expect by default.

But like we said, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is a very big investment, and foldable phones are still known for being significantly more fragile than traditional slab phones. If you want additional peace of mind, Samsung offers Samsung Care Plus. This service costs $11 per month, and it extends the warranty up to three years if you choose to pay monthly. You can also pay upfront for two years of coverage.

In addition to extending the standard warranty coverage for the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Samsung Care Plus includes access to repairs for accidental damage such as drops and spills. You’ll still have to pay some money, but it will be much cheaper to get a replacement or repair if you happen to crack your screen or otherwise break your phone. There’s also Samsung Care+ with Theft and Loss, which costs $17.99 per month, and lets you get a replacement device if yours gets stolen or lost.

If you’re interested in buying the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, you can use the link below to buy it along with Samsung Care Plus if you want it. Alternatively, check out the best deals you can get on it to try and save some money, as some deals might include Samsung Care Plus. In case you buy it and you don’t want to rely on Samsung Care+, you might want to check out the best cases for the Galaxy Z Fold 4, too. And because there’s no power adapter in he box, it may also be a good idea to check out the best chargers you can buy for the phone.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is Samsung's best foldable yet, with a morecmopact hinge and a more durable main display.

See at Samsung

The post How much warranty does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 come with? appeared first on XDA.

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