YouTube Music improves music discovery with three personalized playlists

Ever since its launch back in May 2018, YouTube Music has received several updates that introduced key features that were missing in the initial release. The app has received support for Android Auto, the ability to play locally stored media, an Android widget, and gapless playback support in previous updates. These new features make YouTube Music one of the best media players and music streaming services on Android, but it’s still far from being perfect. For instance, discovering music on the platform still isn’t as good as rival apps like Spotify and that isn’t the only problem with the app. Thankfully though, Google is now addressing this issue with the latest update for YouTube Music.

According to a recent blog post from the company, YouTube Music is now getting an update that brings three new personalized playlists for improved music discovery. The new Discover Mix, New Release Mix, and Your Mix playlists aim to keep you up to date on what’s new and introduce you to artists and songs based on your interests. These playlists are automatically updated at regular intervals based on your listening history and each playlist offers a unique experience.

The Discover Mix playlist helps you discover new artists and songs based on your preferences and listening history. It offers 50 completely new tracks each week and is updated every Wednesday. The New Release Mix, as the name suggests, brings all the latest releases by your favorite artists along with new releases from similar artists. The playlist will receive a major update every Friday with a couple of smaller mid-week updates throughout the week. Finally, the Your Mix playlist features your favorite songs and artists, along with a few similar songs that you’ve never heard before. The playlists will receive small updates regularly based on your most recent activity.

The blog post states that all three new playlists are now available in YouTube Music globally, however, at the time of writing, I was only able to see the Your Mix and New Release Mix playlists on my device.

YouTube Music - Stream Songs & Music Videos (Free, Google Play) →

---

Source: Google Blog

The post YouTube Music improves music discovery with three personalized playlists appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2tq7sgc
via IFTTT

[Update: Launched in India] Nokia 2.3 launches with Android One based on Android 9 Pie and a microUSB port

Update 12/18/19 @ 5:45 AM ET: Following its launch in Egypt, the Nokia 2.3 has now been launched in India. Scroll to the bottom for more information. The article as published on December 6, 2019, is preserved as below.

Following the launch of the Nokia 6.2 and Nokia 7.2 at IFA 2019, HMD Global is back at it again with a new budget-centric device. At a recent event in Egypt, the company announced the new Nokia 2.3 an Android One device running Android 9 Pie out of the box. The device features a 6.2-inch HD+ display, a dual-camera setup on the back and it boasts of some impressive AI features.

Specifications

Specification	Nokia 2.3
Dimensions and Weight	157.69x 75.41 x 8.68 mm; 183g
Display	6.2″ HD+ (720 x 1520); Waterdrop notch
SoC	MediaTek Helio A22: Quad-code (4x A53 @2.0GHz)
RAM and Storage	2GB + 32GB; Expandable through dedicated microSD card slot
Battery	4,000 mAh
USB	microUSB
Rear Camera	13MP, f/2.2 + 2MP depth sensor
Front Camera	5MP, f/2.4
Android Version	Android 9 Pie

The new Nokia 2.3 is powered by a MediaTek Helio A22 chip, coupled with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. It includes a microSD card slot for expansion with support for up to 400GB cards. While the hardware may not sound all that impressive, Nokia is banking on the device’s AI capabilities to entice buyers. For instance, the company talked about a new ‘Recommended Shot’ feature that will help users take great photos with the device’s 13MP + 2MP dual-camera setup. It also includes features like ‘Portrait mode’ and a night mode for better image capture in a variety of settings. Up on the front, the device has a 5MP selfie-shooter house in the notch at the top.

The device is backed up by a 4,000mAh battery which, the company claims, can easily provide two days of use on a single charge. In order to provide the best battery life, Nokia has included an AI-assisted Adaptive Battery technology in the Nokia 2.3. This technology will learn from your usage and optimize apps to offer longer battery life. On the outside, the phone features a design reminiscent of other budget devices from the company with a durable polymer body that has a 3D nano-textured coating to ensure that the device sits securely in your hands.

Speaking of the launch, HMD Global’s CPO Juho Sarvikas was quoted saying, “Consumers world over have really appreciated the Nokia 2 family of products. The Nokia 2.3 is a step forward in our promise of offering you an experience that stays fresh longer – giving consumers access to two years of OS upgrades and three years of monthly security updates even in the affordable price tier. On top, it offers industry-leading AI for this segment, large screen and our signature promise of two-day battery life – making it the ideal pick for those who rely on their smartphone as their primary screen.”

While the device ships with Android 9 Pie, Nokia has promised regular security updates for three years and OS update for two years. This means that the phone will be upgraded to Android 10 sometime down the line. One really interesting thing about the device, however, is that it features a dedicated Google Assistant button to help users easily activate the voice assistant. In terms of connectivity, the device includes 4G LTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS/A-GPS, a micro-USB port for charging and data syncing, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Nokia 2.3: Pricing and Availability

The Nokia 2.3 will be made available in Cyan Green, Sand, and Charcoal color variants and it’s priced at a reasonable €109(~$121). The device is expected to go on sale mid-December, but we currently don’t have any information regarding its India release.

---

Update: Nokia 2.3 launched in India for ₹8,199 (~$115)

HMD Global has announced that the Nokia 2.3 will also be made available in India, starting from December 27, 2019. The phone will come in Cyan Green, Sand, and Charcoal colors, and will cost ₹8,199 (~$115) for the 2GB/32GB variant. You can buy it from Nokia.com as well as offline retail outlets across India.

The post [Update: Launched in India] Nokia 2.3 launches with Android One based on Android 9 Pie and a microUSB port appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/36c6ORN
via IFTTT

YouTube Music improves music discovery with three personalized playlists

Ever since its launch back in May 2018, YouTube Music has received several updates that introduced key features that were missing in the initial release. The app has received support for Android Auto, the ability to play locally stored media, an Android widget, and gapless playback support in previous updates. These new features make YouTube Music one of the best media players and music streaming services on Android, but it’s still far from being perfect. For instance, discovering music on the platform still isn’t as good as rival apps like Spotify and that isn’t the only problem with the app. Thankfully though, Google is now addressing this issue with the latest update for YouTube Music.

According to a recent blog post from the company, YouTube Music is now getting an update that brings three new personalized playlists for improved music discovery. The new Discover Mix, New Release Mix, and Your Mix playlists aim to keep you up to date on what’s new and introduce you to artists and songs based on your interests. These playlists are automatically updated at regular intervals based on your listening history and each playlist offers a unique experience.

The Discover Mix playlist helps you discover new artists and songs based on your preferences and listening history. It offers 50 completely new tracks each week and is updated every Wednesday. The New Release Mix, as the name suggests, brings all the latest releases by your favorite artists along with new releases from similar artists. The playlist will receive a major update every Friday with a couple of smaller mid-week updates throughout the week. Finally, the Your Mix playlist features your favorite songs and artists, along with a few similar songs that you’ve never heard before. The playlists will receive small updates regularly based on your most recent activity.

The blog post states that all three new playlists are now available in YouTube Music globally, however, at the time of writing, I was only able to see the Your Mix and New Release Mix playlists on my device.

YouTube Music - Stream Songs & Music Videos (Free, Google Play) →

---

Source: Google Blog

The post YouTube Music improves music discovery with three personalized playlists appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2tq7sgc
via IFTTT

[Update: Launched in India] Nokia 2.3 launches with Android One based on Android 9 Pie and a microUSB port

Update 12/18/19 @ 5:45 AM ET: Following its launch in Egypt, the Nokia 2.3 has now been launched in India. Scroll to the bottom for more information. The article as published on December 6, 2019, is preserved as below.

Following the launch of the Nokia 6.2 and Nokia 7.2 at IFA 2019, HMD Global is back at it again with a new budget-centric device. At a recent event in Egypt, the company announced the new Nokia 2.3 an Android One device running Android 9 Pie out of the box. The device features a 6.2-inch HD+ display, a dual-camera setup on the back and it boasts of some impressive AI features.

Specifications

Specification	Nokia 2.3
Dimensions and Weight	157.69x 75.41 x 8.68 mm; 183g
Display	6.2″ HD+ (720 x 1520); Waterdrop notch
SoC	MediaTek Helio A22: Quad-code (4x A53 @2.0GHz)
RAM and Storage	2GB + 32GB; Expandable through dedicated microSD card slot
Battery	4,000 mAh
USB	microUSB
Rear Camera	13MP, f/2.2 + 2MP depth sensor
Front Camera	5MP, f/2.4
Android Version	Android 9 Pie

The new Nokia 2.3 is powered by a MediaTek Helio A22 chip, coupled with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. It includes a microSD card slot for expansion with support for up to 400GB cards. While the hardware may not sound all that impressive, Nokia is banking on the device’s AI capabilities to entice buyers. For instance, the company talked about a new ‘Recommended Shot’ feature that will help users take great photos with the device’s 13MP + 2MP dual-camera setup. It also includes features like ‘Portrait mode’ and a night mode for better image capture in a variety of settings. Up on the front, the device has a 5MP selfie-shooter house in the notch at the top.

The device is backed up by a 4,000mAh battery which, the company claims, can easily provide two days of use on a single charge. In order to provide the best battery life, Nokia has included an AI-assisted Adaptive Battery technology in the Nokia 2.3. This technology will learn from your usage and optimize apps to offer longer battery life. On the outside, the phone features a design reminiscent of other budget devices from the company with a durable polymer body that has a 3D nano-textured coating to ensure that the device sits securely in your hands.

Speaking of the launch, HMD Global’s CPO Juho Sarvikas was quoted saying, “Consumers world over have really appreciated the Nokia 2 family of products. The Nokia 2.3 is a step forward in our promise of offering you an experience that stays fresh longer – giving consumers access to two years of OS upgrades and three years of monthly security updates even in the affordable price tier. On top, it offers industry-leading AI for this segment, large screen and our signature promise of two-day battery life – making it the ideal pick for those who rely on their smartphone as their primary screen.”

While the device ships with Android 9 Pie, Nokia has promised regular security updates for three years and OS update for two years. This means that the phone will be upgraded to Android 10 sometime down the line. One really interesting thing about the device, however, is that it features a dedicated Google Assistant button to help users easily activate the voice assistant. In terms of connectivity, the device includes 4G LTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS/A-GPS, a micro-USB port for charging and data syncing, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Nokia 2.3: Pricing and Availability

The Nokia 2.3 will be made available in Cyan Green, Sand, and Charcoal color variants and it’s priced at a reasonable €109(~$121). The device is expected to go on sale mid-December, but we currently don’t have any information regarding its India release.

---

Update: Nokia 2.3 launched in India for ₹8,199 (~$115)

HMD Global has announced that the Nokia 2.3 will also be made available in India, starting from December 27, 2019. The phone will come in Cyan Green, Sand, and Charcoal colors, and will cost ₹8,199 (~$115) for the 2GB/32GB variant. You can buy it from Nokia.com as well as offline retail outlets across India.

The post [Update: Launched in India] Nokia 2.3 launches with Android One based on Android 9 Pie and a microUSB port appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/36c6ORN
via IFTTT

UK could ban the sales of locked phones

Locked phones might soon be a thing of the past in the UK as the country’s communications regulator — Ofcom — is proposing a rule to ban carriers from selling phones that are locked to their network. Currently, carriers like O2, Sky, Three, Virgin Mobile, along with some smaller carriers offer unlocked phones. However, carriers like BT Mobile/EE, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone don’t offer unlocked phones in the country. With the new rule, Ofcom aims to change that and prompt such carriers to offer customers better clarity regarding the locked/unlocked status of their devices.

As reported by Engadget, Ofcom wants to level the playing field to give users a better experience. Research indicates that around 50 percent of people in the country face issues while unlocking their devices. The problems arise due to long wait times for unlock codes or faulty unlock codes that further delay the process. Customers have even claimed that they lost service until they received an unlock code to switch between carriers. Ofcom suggests that problems like these can discourage customers from switching to another network.

To fix the issue, Ofcom has proposed two approaches. The regulatory authority wants carriers to either seel devices that are already unlocked or make it easier for customers to unlock their devices themselves. As part of the second option, the authority wants carriers to unlock devices automatically and inform customers over text. In case that’s not possible, Ofcom wants network providers to proactively send unlock codes along with directions to help customers.

Due to the complexities posed by the second option, the regulator prefers the first option which would save customers both time and effort. Ofcom is currently holding a consultation on its proposal that runs until early March. If the authority decides to ban locked devices, the ban will be imposed 12 months after its announcement.

---

Source: Ofcom consultation

Via: Engadget

The post UK could ban the sales of locked phones appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2sDx2xU
via IFTTT

UK could ban the sales of locked phones

Locked phones might soon be a thing of the past in the UK as the country’s communications regulator — Ofcom — is proposing a rule to ban carriers from selling phones that are locked to their network. Currently, carriers like O2, Sky, Three, Virgin Mobile, along with some smaller carriers offer unlocked phones. However, carriers like BT Mobile/EE, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone don’t offer unlocked phones in the country. With the new rule, Ofcom aims to change that and prompt such carriers to offer customers better clarity regarding the locked/unlocked status of their devices.

As reported by Engadget, Ofcom wants to level the playing field to give users a better experience. Research indicates that around 50 percent of people in the country face issues while unlocking their devices. The problems arise due to long wait times for unlock codes or faulty unlock codes that further delay the process. Customers have even claimed that they lost service until they received an unlock code to switch between carriers. Ofcom suggests that problems like these can discourage customers from switching to another network.

To fix the issue, Ofcom has proposed two approaches. The regulatory authority wants carriers to either seel devices that are already unlocked or make it easier for customers to unlock their devices themselves. As part of the second option, the authority wants carriers to unlock devices automatically and inform customers over text. In case that’s not possible, Ofcom wants network providers to proactively send unlock codes along with directions to help customers.

Due to the complexities posed by the second option, the regulator prefers the first option which would save customers both time and effort. Ofcom is currently holding a consultation on its proposal that runs until early March. If the authority decides to ban locked devices, the ban will be imposed 12 months after its announcement.

---

Source: Ofcom consultation

Via: Engadget

The post UK could ban the sales of locked phones appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2sDx2xU
via IFTTT

Now-fixed Google Chrome bug broke data storage for many apps using WebView

Earlier this month, Google started rolling out Chrome 79 on all platforms. The update brought a ton of new features, including better password protection, real-time phishing protection, expanded predictive phishing protection, and more. But along with the new features, Chrome 79 also introduced a bug that has been causing data loss for Android apps that use the WebView API.

As per a recent report from Ars Technica, the data loss was a result of Google changing where Chrome 79 stores profile data without migrating the old data. This resulted in the affected apps resetting to a freshly installed state. In a statement regarding the bug, a spokesperson from Google wrote, “The M79 update to Chrome and WebView on Android devices was suspended after detecting an issue in WebView where some users’ app data was not visible within those apps. This app data was not lost and will be made visible in apps when we deliver an update this week. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

Google has since started rolling out Chrome 79 (79.0.3945.93) for Android which brings the following features, along with stability and performance improvements:

• WebView bug fix: Resolves an issue in WebView where some users’ app data was not visible within those apps. The app data was not lost and will be made visible in apps with this update. See crbug.com/1033655
• Password safety: When you sign in to a website, Chrome can now warn you if your password was previously exposed in a data breach
• Support for virtual reality: The WebXR Device API enables immersive and inline VR experiences for the web
• Reorder bookmarks: Drag bookmarks into place, or tap a bookmark’s options menu and select Move up or Move down

The full list of changes introduced in Chrome 79 can be seen in the Git log. You can download the Chrome 79 hotfix update from the Play Store by following the link below. In case you were one of the several people affected by the aforementioned bug, you should get back all your old data following the update. However, do note that you may lose any new data collected by an affected app after the previous update.

Google Chrome: Fast & Secure (Free, Google Play) →

---

Source: Google Blog

Via: Ars Technica

The post Now-fixed Google Chrome bug broke data storage for many apps using WebView appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/35z5tEG
via IFTTT