Download: Xiaomi rolls out MIUI 12 beta stable update to the Mi 9, Redmi K20/Mi 9T, and Redmi K20 Pro/Mi 9T Pro

Xiaomi unveiled MIUI 12 in their home country more than a month ago. Since then, the company has been conducting a closed beta testing of its latest custom Android skin on a number of Mi and Redmi smartphones in China, but those builds don’t come with Google Play Services or any pre-installed Google apps. The global version of MIUI 12 was announced on May 19, while Xiaomi also published a tentative roadmap regarding the update rollout plan. The Mi 9, Redmi K20/Mi 9T, and the Redmi K20 Pro/Mi 9T Pro are the front liners, as these phones are scheduled to receive the stable OTA sometime in June 2020.

The MIUI global beta program doesn’t exist anymore, so the OEM started recruiting volunteers through the “Mi Pilot” initiative to evaluate the quality of the freshly baked MIUI 12 builds before the broadscale rollout. The first set of “beta stable” updates for the round one devices are now live, and you can download the appropriate package for your model using the following links. It is worth mentioning that the builds assigned for the Mi Pilot group may or may not end up as the final stable release, so stay away from flashing them on your daily driver.

Download: MIUI 12 Beta Stable

Unlike the Chinese closed beta builds, the global beta stable MIUI 12 packages linked below are multilingual. Xiaomi even ships them with a full set of Google services, which makes them somewhat equivalent to the existing MIUI 12-based Xiaomi.EU ROM. An authorized Mi Account might still be required to sideload them, but users can bypass that restriction by flashing via TWRP.

Sr. No.	Device, Device Codename, XDA Forum Link	Build Number and Region	Recovery ROM
1.	Mi 9 (cepheus)	V12.0.0.8.QFAMIXM (Global)	Download Recovery ROM
		V12.0.0.9.QFAEUXM (Europe)	Download Recovery ROM
2.	Redmi K20/Mi 9T (davinci)	V12.0.0.11.QFJMIXM (Global)	Download Recovery ROM
3.	Redmi K20 Pro/Mi 9T Pro (raphael)	V12.0.0.8.QFKMIXM (Global)	Download Recovery ROM

Once Xiaomi deems these builds to be stable enough, it will flip a server-side switch that will remove the need for an “Authorized Mi Account” to flash the build. Alternatively, they could also release new updates with bug fixes.

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Source: Mi Community (1, 2, 3, 4)

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India eases restrictions and plans $6.6 billion to boost smartphone manufacturing

In an attempt to attract more foreign investment from smartphone manufacturers during these trying times, the Indian government has dropped a few clauses from its production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and has planned an incentive of about $6.6 billion. According to a recent report from the Economic Times, officials familiar with the matter have revealed that the government has dropped a clause that “evaluated plant and machinery brought into India at 40% of its value” which was opposed mainly by Apple.

Along with the aforementioned clause, the government has agreed to a few other changes to the PLI scheme which will pave the way for smartphone manufacturers to boost production in the country. These changes include giving investors a say in future changes to the PLI scheme, removal of various caps, and another clause which stated that the government would release the incentive despite the industry meeting its targets only if it had the money to do so. Additionally, a clause of force majeure has been added to the scheme which permits the companies to seek reliefs from the set targets during times of natural calamities such as COVID-19.

Furthermore, a separate report from Bloomberg reveals that the government is also planning financial incentives of about INR 500 billion (~$6.6 billion) to attract investments from more companies in the smartphone and related components sector. As per the ministry of electronics and information and technology, the government will initially target 5 global suppliers and extend an incentive of as much as 6% on incremental sales for goods made in the country over a period of five years. The government will also provide an incentive of 25% on capital expenditure for the production of electronic components, semiconductors, and other parts. The manufacturers will also be offered electronics manufacturing clusters with ready-to-use facilities.

During a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad, said that the move is expected to make India a global hub for mobile phone manufacturing and make smartphones the largest exported item out of India, while also generating half a million jobs. In a statement regarding the planned incentives, Amitabh Kant, CEO at Niti Aayog, was quoted saying, “The schemes will help India become totally self-reliant and penetrate global markets…It will bring global value chain and enable India to become a leader in electronics manufacturing.”

The updated PLI scheme and proposed investments come at a time when a number of US-based companies are exploring avenues to diversify smartphone manufacturing out of China under the ‘China plus one strategy’. It’s also worth noting that increased domestic production might also be beneficial for the Indian consumer, as it could result in smartphones getting cheaper in the country.

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Source: Economic Times, Bloomberg

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India eases restrictions and plans $6.6 billion to boost smartphone manufacturing

In an attempt to attract more foreign investment from smartphone manufacturers during these trying times, the Indian government has dropped a few clauses from its production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and has planned an incentive of about $6.6 billion. According to a recent report from the Economic Times, officials familiar with the matter have revealed that the government has dropped a clause that “evaluated plant and machinery brought into India at 40% of its value” which was opposed mainly by Apple.

Along with the aforementioned clause, the government has agreed to a few other changes to the PLI scheme which will pave the way for smartphone manufacturers to boost production in the country. These changes include giving investors a say in future changes to the PLI scheme, removal of various caps, and another clause which stated that the government would release the incentive despite the industry meeting its targets only if it had the money to do so. Additionally, a clause of force majeure has been added to the scheme which permits the companies to seek reliefs from the set targets during times of natural calamities such as COVID-19.

Furthermore, a separate report from Bloomberg reveals that the government is also planning financial incentives of about INR 500 billion (~$6.6 billion) to attract investments from more companies in the smartphone and related components sector. As per the ministry of electronics and information and technology, the government will initially target 5 global suppliers and extend an incentive of as much as 6% on incremental sales for goods made in the country over a period of five years. The government will also provide an incentive of 25% on capital expenditure for the production of electronic components, semiconductors, and other parts. The manufacturers will also be offered electronics manufacturing clusters with ready-to-use facilities.

During a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad, said that the move is expected to make India a global hub for mobile phone manufacturing and make smartphones the largest exported item out of India, while also generating half a million jobs. In a statement regarding the planned incentives, Amitabh Kant, CEO at Niti Aayog, was quoted saying, “The schemes will help India become totally self-reliant and penetrate global markets…It will bring global value chain and enable India to become a leader in electronics manufacturing.”

The updated PLI scheme and proposed investments come at a time when a number of US-based companies are exploring avenues to diversify smartphone manufacturing out of China under the ‘China plus one strategy’. It’s also worth noting that increased domestic production might also be beneficial for the Indian consumer, as it could result in smartphones getting cheaper in the country.

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Source: Economic Times, Bloomberg

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Amazfit Bip S with 40-day battery life launched in India for ₹4,999 (~$67)

At the CES 2020, Huami had unveiled the Amazfit T-Rex smartwatch, Amazfit Bip S fitness tracker, Amazfit PowerBuds, and the Amazfit ZenBuds wireless. For the unaware, the Bip S is a follow up to the Bip, which was launched back in 2018, featuring new internals but without any noticeable changes in terms of design. The lightweight fitness tracker has now finally made its way to the Indian market, as the Huami Amazfit Bip S is now available for purchase across both online and offline channels in the country.

Amazfit Bip S: Specifications

Specifications	Amazfit Bip S
Dimensions	42 x 35.3 x 11.4mm
Weight	31g (with strap) and 19g (without strap)
Strap length	110mm (long), 85mm (short)
Waterproofing	5 ATM
Screen	1.28″ Transflective Color TFT, 176×176 resolution, Always-on Display, 64 RGB color gamut
Touch Screen	2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 3 generation tempered glass + anti-fingerprint coating
Sensors	BioTracker PPG Bio-Tracking Optical Sensor 3-axis acceleration sensor 3-axis geomagnetic sensor
Positioning	GPS + GLONASS
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.0/BLE
Battery	200mAh lithium-ion polymer battery (typical value)
Theoretical charging time	About 2.5 hours
Battery Life	Daily use mode: 30 days Standby mode: 70 days GPS continuous working time: 20 hours
Body & Strap material	Polycarbonate; Silicone and skin-friendly TPU
Supported devices	Android 5.0 and above, iOS 10.0 and above
Accessories	Magnetic charging base, user manual

The Amazfit Bip S is an affordable fitness tracker that packs in a 1.28″ transflective color display with a 176 x176 resolution. It features a BioTracker PPG Bio-tracking Optical Sensor, a 3-axis acceleration sensor, and a 2-axis geomagnetic sensor for all your fitness tracking needs. The fitness band also includes support for Bluetooth 5.0/BLE and packs in a 200mAh lithium-ion polymer battery which is rated to provide 40-days of battery life on a single charge. The device also features the Huami-PAI health assessment feature which makes use of data about your physical activity over the last seven days to show a PAI score.

Pricing and Availability

The Amazfit Bip S will be available for purchase in India for ₹4,999 (~$67) from June 3, 2020. Interested customers can buy it off Amazon.in, Flipkart, Myntra, and even Amazfit India’s official website. You can also find the device available offline via Croma, Reliance Digital, and Poorvika Mobiles.

The post Amazfit Bip S with 40-day battery life launched in India for ₹4,999 (~$67) appeared first on xda-developers.

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Amazfit Bip S with 40-day battery life launched in India for ₹4,999 (~$67)

At the CES 2020, Huami had unveiled the Amazfit T-Rex smartwatch, Amazfit Bip S fitness tracker, Amazfit PowerBuds, and the Amazfit ZenBuds wireless. For the unaware, the Bip S is a follow up to the Bip, which was launched back in 2018, featuring new internals but without any noticeable changes in terms of design. The lightweight fitness tracker has now finally made its way to the Indian market, as the Huami Amazfit Bip S is now available for purchase across both online and offline channels in the country.

Amazfit Bip S: Specifications

Specifications	Amazfit Bip S
Dimensions	42 x 35.3 x 11.4mm
Weight	31g (with strap) and 19g (without strap)
Strap length	110mm (long), 85mm (short)
Waterproofing	5 ATM
Screen	1.28″ Transflective Color TFT, 176×176 resolution, Always-on Display, 64 RGB color gamut
Touch Screen	2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 3 generation tempered glass + anti-fingerprint coating
Sensors	BioTracker PPG Bio-Tracking Optical Sensor 3-axis acceleration sensor 3-axis geomagnetic sensor
Positioning	GPS + GLONASS
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.0/BLE
Battery	200mAh lithium-ion polymer battery (typical value)
Theoretical charging time	About 2.5 hours
Battery Life	Daily use mode: 30 days Standby mode: 70 days GPS continuous working time: 20 hours
Body & Strap material	Polycarbonate; Silicone and skin-friendly TPU
Supported devices	Android 5.0 and above, iOS 10.0 and above
Accessories	Magnetic charging base, user manual

The Amazfit Bip S is an affordable fitness tracker that packs in a 1.28″ transflective color display with a 176 x176 resolution. It features a BioTracker PPG Bio-tracking Optical Sensor, a 3-axis acceleration sensor, and a 2-axis geomagnetic sensor for all your fitness tracking needs. The fitness band also includes support for Bluetooth 5.0/BLE and packs in a 200mAh lithium-ion polymer battery which is rated to provide 40-days of battery life on a single charge. The device also features the Huami-PAI health assessment feature which makes use of data about your physical activity over the last seven days to show a PAI score.

Pricing and Availability

The Amazfit Bip S will be available for purchase in India for ₹4,999 (~$67) from June 3, 2020. Interested customers can buy it off Amazon.in, Flipkart, Myntra, and even Amazfit India’s official website. You can also find the device available offline via Croma, Reliance Digital, and Poorvika Mobiles.

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T-Mobile is offering 3 free months of Stadia Pro

Google Stadia is the hot new game streaming platform and it’s slowly getting better and better. Last month, the service received a number of new games and features, plus more are on the way. Google offered 2 months of Stadia Pro for free back in April, now T-Mobile is offering 3 months for free.

The offer is available today in the T-Mobile Tuesdays app. Users must save and redeem the Stadia deal in the app by June 9th, 2020 at 4:59 AM ET. As per usual, after the 3-month free period ends, users will be charged the standard Stadia Pro price of $9.99 per month, but it’s possible to cancel at any time to avoid that. The offer is valid for new accounts only and only in the US (excluding Guam, Hawaii, and the Virgin Island). Check the screenshot below for the full fine print.

This is a great deal if you’ve been itching to try out Stadia. The list of games available for free to Stadia Pro users is up to 17 titles. Some of the most recent additions include Get Packed, Little Nightmares, and SUPERHOT. Other popular titles include Destiny 2: The Collection, PUBG, GRID, and more. If you’re a T-Mobile user, be sure to check the Tuesdays app before it’s too late.

Thanks to Twitter user @zachmauch for the tip!

T-Mobile Tuesdays (Free, Google Play) →

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Google is testing sticker suggestions in Messages and Gboard

Stickers have become a critical part of the messaging game. Communication apps need to have stickers if they’re going to be seriously considered. People see emoji, GIFs, and stickers as a more deft way to convey feelings. Google has embraced stickers in may ways, including the bizarre and oddly fun “Emoji Kitchen” feature in Gboard. Now, the company is testing a couple of new features for Messages and Gboard to make them easier to find and use.

We’ll start with Google Messages, where the company is testing sticker suggestions. The suggestions appear above the compose box so you can easily add them to the conversation. The feature can be toggled with a new switch in the “Suggestion in chat” section of the settings. The feature was first discovered last October by Jane Manchun Wong, but it appears to be closer to release as some people are seeing it appear without tinkering.

Next up is Gboard with sticker suggestions in a different way. Instead of suggesting individual stickers (which it already could do), Gboard is testing suggestions for entire sticker packs. When you go to the sticker section of Gboard you’ll see a pack in front of the list with a yellow star icon. Tapping the suggestion will bring up the sticker pack and you can “Pass” on it to hide the suggestion or “Add” it to your collection. This appears to be a server-side test.

You can download the latest versions of Messages and Gboard from APKMirror, but that doesn’t seem to guarantee you’ll get these features.

Messages (Free, Google Play) →

Gboard - the Google Keyboard (Free, Google Play) →

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Source: Android Police

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