Redmi Earbuds S Review: Inarguably the best entry-level TWS earbuds

While truly wireless earbuds have been around for several years now, a lot of the good options out there are pricey while most of the affordable ones are rather unimpressive. Xiaomi aims to change that with its new Redmi Earbuds S which were launched in India late last month. Priced at ₹1,799, the Redmi Earbuds S seem to be a great pair of wireless earbuds, at least on paper. But with so many mediocre options currently available in this price segment, it’s natural for one to be skeptical of Xiaomi’s new wireless earbuds. However, after using the Redmi Earbuds S extensively over the last two weeks, I can assure you that they’re easily one of the best, if not the best, TWS earbuds that you can get at this price point.

The Redmi Earbuds S check almost all the boxes for a good pair of TWS earbuds thanks to their compact and comfortable design, decent audio output, and a good selection of features. While the earbuds aren’t perfect by any means, almost all of the shortcomings can be overlooked when the price is taken into account, and that’s exactly what makes the earbuds a great buy. That being said, here’s our review of the Redmi Earbuds S.

Note: Xiaomi India sent us a pair of Redmi Earbuds S for review. However, the company did not have any input into the content of this review.

Design

The Redmi Earbuds S come in a compact pill-shaped charging case that has a matte black finish and minimal Redmi branding on the lid. The case features a micro-USB port for charging, precise cutouts with magnets to safely house the earbuds, and a magnetic lid to keep everything secure when the earbuds are not in use. The case doesn’t include any buttons or indicator LED, with the latter meaning that there’s no way to tell the current battery level of the case.

The earbuds are also pill-shaped and have the same matte black finish. Each earbud has a single tactile button on the outer surface, which also houses the indicator LEDs. The LEDs glow red when the earbuds are charging, white when they’re completely charged, and blink white when they’re in pairing mode. Over on the other side, the earbuds have the charging contacts and a silicone tip. The earbuds come with the medium-sized silicone tips preinstalled and Xiaomi includes both small and large-sized tips in the box. Thanks to the silicone tips and the compact shape, the earbuds fit securely and don’t fall out even during intense workout sessions or while running. They can easily be worn for hours on end without any discomfort. The earbuds are rated IPX4 for water resistance, so they’re protected against occasional splashes and sweat, but the case itself isn’t water-resistant.

As far as the design is concerned, I don’t have any major complaints with the Redmi Earbuds S. However, there are a couple of things worth noting that might be deal-breakers for you. The case is made of cheap plastic and doesn’t seem durable. It creaks and clicks when you press lightly between the earbud cutouts which made me initially think that there was an unmarked button there. The lid and hinge also feel quite flimsy, which leads me to believe that the case might not survive a fall from waist height. I haven’t tried that, though, and I would advise that you don’t try that either. It’s also worth noting that Xiaomi doesn’t ship a micro-USB charging cable with the Redmi Earbuds S which is definitely disappointing but can be written off as a cost-cutting measure.

Features

Now that we’ve got the design out of the way, let’s take a look at the features. The Redmi Earbuds S offers a substantial list of features for a pair of truly wireless earphones in this price range. Starting off with the pairing process, Xiaomi has done away with the complicated master-slave pairing process from the Mi AirDots S and has opted for a much simpler and faster pairing process for the Redmi Earbuds S. The earbuds automatically start pairing to each other as soon as you pull them out of the case and the process takes about 2-3 seconds.

Once the earbuds are paired with each other, the LED indicator slowly blinks white after which you can pair it with your smartphone. After you pair the earbuds to your smartphone, they will automatically connect to the device as soon as they’re pulled out of the case. Due to the fact that the earbuds don’t make use of a master-slave connection, they can also be used individually. To do so, you can place one of the earbuds back into the charging case and the remaining earbud will switch to the single-earbud mode. Removing the other earbud from the charging case will automatically turn on the dual-earbud mode.

As mentioned earlier, both the earbuds feature a single tactile button on the outer surface that can be used to perform a variety of functions. You can accept/end calls by clicking the button once, reject calls by pressing and holding the button for one second, play/pause music by clicking the button once, and double click to bring up the voice assistant. When you’re in a call and you receive another call, you can answer the other call by clicking the button once and switch between calls by double-clicking. To switch to your smartphone during a call, you can press and hold the button for 1 second. During an ongoing call, you can also mute/unmute the earbuds by double-clicking the button.

Additionally, the Redmi Earbuds S also features a low-latency Game Mode which can be enabled by clicking the button three times. The Game Mode greatly reduces audio delay, and Xiaomi claims that turning on the Game Mode can reduce the latency to just 122ms. In my testing, I noticed that turning on the Game Mode did, in fact, reduce the latency considerably which was quite useful while playing shooting games like PUBG Mobile and Call Of Duty: Mobile. However, the latency with Game Mode still isn’t nearly as good as when using wired earphones. Additionally, using Game Mode can take a toll on battery life, so your gaming sessions might not last all that long.

For connectivity, the Redmi Earbuds S supports Bluetooth 5.0 and includes support for the SBC Bluetooth audio codec. The earbuds also include environmental noise cancellation for voice calls for better call quality in noisy environments. While the feature set on offer is pretty extensive, there are a few features that I sorely missed on the Redmi Earbuds S. The lack of any volume adjustment and track switching options on the earbuds was a bit annoying, but that’s a sacrifice you have to be willing to make if you’re going to purchase a pair of sub-₹2,000 TWS earbuds.

Redmi Earbuds S Audio Quality

Before coming to the most crucial part of this review, the audio quality of the Redmi Earbuds S, I would like to clarify that human interpretation of audio is largely subjective and heavily depends on your preferred genre of music. This is why there’s a chance you might not agree with my observations about the audio quality of the Redmi Earbuds S.

The Redmi Earbuds S are powered by 7.2mm drivers, and Xiaomi claims that it has tuned the sound profile of the earbuds to match the music preferences of Indian buyers. In effect, this means that the earbuds offer punchy bass, muddled mids, and clean highs. Even though they’re limited to the SBC Bluetooth audio codec, the Redmi Earbuds S sound good when compared to other truly wireless earbuds in this price range. For the purpose of this review, I listened to the following playlist which consists of songs across a decent range of genres.

Playlist

• Hometown – French 79
• Teardrop – Massive Attack
• Safety – Gashi (ft. DJ Snake)
• Panda – Meute
• Time Goes By – Kupla
• Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
• Mad World – Gary Jules (ft. Michael Andrews)
• The Blower’s Daughter – Damien Rice
• Tadow – FKJ
• Rockstar – Post Malone (ft. 21 Savage)
• Young Folks – Peter Bjorn and John
• Wasted Years – Iron Maiden
• Purusha – NVDES
• Parallel Jalebi – Four Tet
• Who We Want to Be – Tom Day

Note: The lack of Bollywood tracks on my list is due to my personal bias. I did not want to listen to music that doesn’t suit my taste, which might have resulted in an unfair rating of the audio quality.

With this selection of songs, I was able to draw the following conclusions about the audio quality of the Redmi Earbuds S. The overall sound signature is quite inoffensive and is best suited for pop music. The earbuds can get pretty loud at max volume but there’s a minor drop in clarity when you turn up the volume over 80%. Even though the bass is punchy, it isn’t overpowering and you can clearly differentiate the mids and highs in bass-heavy tracks at a reasonable volume. If you’re an audiophile (unlike me), you might be able to find a few more shortcomings. But for the average user, the Redmi Earbuds S is capable of offering a pleasant music listening experience.

As far as the call quality is concerned, I faced no issues while taking calls with the Redmi Earbuds S. However, I can’t say the same for the person on the other end. The microphones on the earbuds are just about average at best and don’t sound particularly good in comparison to other, more premium, truly wireless earbuds that I’ve tried so far.

Battery Life

The Redmi Earbuds S pack in a 43mAh battery in each earbud while the charging case features a 300mAh battery. Xiaomi claims that the earbuds can be used for approximately 4 hours on a single charge and, in my testing, I found that figure to be largely accurate. During a binge-watching weekend, the earbuds lasted me about 3 hours and 45 minutes on a single charge at 80% volume. Turning up the volume to 100% while listening to music dropped the battery life to about 3 hours and 20 minutes.

As mentioned earlier, the low-latency Game Mode also takes a toll on battery life, and I was able to use the earbuds for just about 3 hours while playing PUBG. The volume was set at 80% during the entire gaming test. Once the battery runs out on the Redmi Earbuds S, you can use the case to charge the earbuds back up about three times over. This gives us a total playback time of around 11 hours and 15 minutes, which is close to Xiaomi’s 12-hour playback rating. Charging the earbuds from 0-100% using the case took about 2 hours. Due to the lack of a battery level indicator, I wasn’t able to test the charging time of the battery case.

Conclusion

If you’re someone who’s looking to get their first pair of TWS earbuds and have just ₹2,000 to spare, then the Redmi Earbuds S is a no brainer. The earbuds feature a sleek design, offer a comfortable fit, and provide decent audio output. The single button operation, in my opinion, is far better than the finicky touch interfaces on other similarly priced earbuds and the battery life is also quite impressive.

However, if you’re not restricted by budget, you can consider purchasing the more premium Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 which are priced at ₹4,499 and offer significantly better audio output. Furthermore, if you aren’t completely sold on the audio quality and don’t mind neckband style wireless earphones, then you can also go for the recently released OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z which offers better audio quality and fast charging support at ₹1,999.

Buy the Redmi Earbuds S: Amazon.in ||| Mi.com

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[Update 2: Re-Rolling Out] Windows 10 May 2020 update brings WSL 2, revamped Cortana assistant, and “Your Phone” calls to ARM devices

Update 2 (06/10/2020 @ 10:42 AM ET): Microsoft is re-rolling out the Windows 10 May 2020 update for devices on previous versions, with included fixes for Surface Pro 7 and Laptop 3 coming soon.

Update 1 (06/01/2020 @ 06:42 AM ET): Microsoft has found bugs on the latest update, thus placing the update on a “compatibility hold”. Scroll to the bottom for more information. The article as published on May 28, 2020, is preserved below.

As per StatCounter, Windows commands a market share of 76.5%, meaning that every three out of four computers in the world run on Windows. While Windows did admittedly lose its dominant status as the OS across platforms to Android, it still presented itself as the go-to desktop option for many, many users. The latest version of Windows, Windows 10, is now receiving the May 2020 stable update, which brings several key features such as Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2, a revamped Cortana experience, Your Phone feature for Windows on ARM, and more.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2

Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 was first announced during Microsoft Build 2019, and is now being rolled out to all users under the stable Windows 10 branch. This update brings a full Linux kernel to the stable branch. As part of this update, WSL 2 is also now updateable through Windows Update, so users no longer need to rely on the command line only to update the kernel.

Microsoft did announce GPU acceleration and Linux GUI app support for WSL 2, at Microsoft Build 2020. But, these features are not yet available even for Windows Insiders, so there is bound to be further waiting for users on the stable branch.

Chat-based UI for Cortana

Another highlight of this Windows 10 version update is the new Cortana experience, which now takes the form of a chat with the digital assistant.

Users can now interact with Microsoft’s digital assistant in a chat-based user interface, via either text or by voice in natural language. You can resize, move, and dock the app window on your desktop to accommodate your preferred workflow. Cortana will be able to help you access information quicker, connect with people faster, and help you stay on track of your schedule. Specific tasks that Cortana can accomplish include calendar and schedule assistance, helping join meetings in Microsoft Teams, find out about people in the organization, make lists and set reminders, open apps and settings pages, get definitions and quick answers and get weather and news updates.

Your Phone on Windows 10 on ARM

The May 2020 update to Windows 10 brings the Your Phone app’s calling feature to ARM supported PCs. The Your Phone app lets you place, receive, or text reply to incoming phone calls from your PC. Previously, this feature only worked if you had a supported Android device and an x86/x86-64 Windows 10 PC. However, with the May 2020 update to Windows 10, Microsoft is now enabling this functionality in the desktop Your Phone app for Windows 10 on ARM devices, like the Microsoft Surface Pro X and Samsung Galaxy Book S.

Your Phone Companion - Link to Windows (Free, Google Play) →

Other features

Other smaller features in this update include:

• Faster Bluetooth pairing – devices can now be paired straight from the quick settings in notifications rather than opening Settings.
• More kaomoji available within the Windows emoji keyboard.
• Virtual desktops can now be named.
• The Xbox Game Bar now supports third-party widgets, letting you customize the overlay experience to fit with the way you game.
• Memory improvements in Microsoft Edge by taking advantage of segment heap capabilities.
• The Calculator app can now float on top of other windows.
• The Notepad app  is getting updated with wrap-around find/replace, quick text zooming, and the ability to show when the file has unsaved changes by displaying an asterisk in the title bar.

Windows 10 May 2020 update is rolling out to desktops, though Microsoft is initially limiting availability to those devices running versions 1903 and 1909 who seek the update via Windows Update. If you wish to install the update, navigate to the Windows Update settings pane (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update), and select Check for updates. Once the update appears, you can choose to Download and Install. Note that the update may not be visible immediately as Microsoft will be ramping up roll out gradually.

Source: Windows Blog

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Update: Windows 10 May 2020 update put on compatibility hold

Microsoft released the Windows 10 May 2020 update last week, and the initial rollout began as expected. However, several bugs and issues surfaced ever since the wider rollout. Several of these issues have resulted in a “compatibility hold”, which essentially prevents the Windows 10 May 2020 update from being installed via Windows Update. So if you have been checking for the update but not seeing anything, it is likely that your device is being blocked from updating right now. Microsoft has also added a warning to Windows Update for devices that aren’t ready to be updated.

Hopefully, once the bugs and issues are fixed, we can see a much wider rollout with the fixes included.

Source: The Verge

---

Update 2: Windows 10 version 2004 / May 2020 update re-rolling out

After the first initial rollout, the wider rollout was paused as some issues had surfaced. Microsoft has determined that the issues are experienced on the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 3, wherein users were reporting unexpected restarts. The company has determined the issue to be related to the Always On, Always Connected capable network adapters, and has resolved the issue with patch KB4557957.

Consequently, the wider update rollout for Windows 10 version 2004 has now been resumed for devices running Windows 10, versions 1903 and 1909. Users of Microsoft Surface Pro 7 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 will still have to wait for a bit, as Microsoft has put the devices on a safeguard hold for the update, and it will be removing the hold in the coming weeks.

The post [Update 2: Re-Rolling Out] Windows 10 May 2020 update brings WSL 2, revamped Cortana assistant, and “Your Phone” calls to ARM devices appeared first on xda-developers.

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Huawei P40 Pro+ with 10X optical zoom and 40W wireless charging is now available for pre-order outside of China

Huawei has been blocked from using Google apps for a while now, but the company hasn’t slowed down its smartphone launches. The Huawei P40 series was announced earlier this year, but a few of the models were not available outside of China. The Huawei P40 Pro+ was one of those devices and now it’s available for pre-order in more markets.

The Huawei P40, P40 Pro, and P40 Pro+ were all announced in March, but we only saw the P40 and P40 Pro launch outside of China. The P40 Pro+ is the model with the powerhouse of cameras. The main lens is a 50MP RYYB sensor and it’s joined by a 40MP wide-angle camera, 8MP 10X optical zoom periscope lens, and 8MP 3X optical zoom telephoto lens.

Huawei P40 Pro+ XDA Forums

Besides the cameras, the Huawei P40 Pro+ has all the high-end flagship specifications you’d expect. That includes the Kirin 990 5G SoC, a 4 layer SuperCool system, 3D graphene film, and a super-thin Vapor Chamber cooling system. It has a 6.5-inch 90Hz display, 8GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, a 4,200mAh battery, 40W fast charging, and Android 10. What it doesn’t have, however, is Google Play Services.

The Huawei P40 Pro+ is now available for pre-order in Europe for 1,399 Euro (~$1,588), and in the United Kingdom for 1,299 GBP (~$1,654). It will officially launch on June 25th from the Huawei Store and select retailers. Customers can get it in Black or White ceramic and it will come bundled with a Huawei Watch GT2 (46mm, Pebble Brown) and a Huawei SuperCharge Wireless Charger Stand (40W).

Specifications	Huawei P40	Huawei P40 Pro	Huawei P40 Pro+
Size & Weight	148.9 x 71.06 x 8.5mm 175g	158.2 x 72.6 x 8.95mm 203g	158.2 x 72.6 x 9.0mm 226g
Display	6.1 inches OLED 2340 x 1080	6.58 inches OLED 2640 x 1200 90 Hz	6.58 inches OLED 2640 x 1200 90 Hz
CPU	Kirin 990 5G OctaCore CPU: 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.86 GHz 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.36 GHz 4x Cortex A55 @ 1.95 GHz	Kirin 990 5G OctaCore CPU: 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.86 GHz 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.36 GHz 4x Cortex A55 @ 1.95 GHz	Kirin 990 5G OctaCore CPU: 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.86 GHz 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.36 GHz 4x Cortex A55 @ 1.95 GHz
RAM	8GB	8GB	8GB
Storage	128GB, nano memory card expansion	256GB, nano memory card expansion	512GB, nano memory card expansion
Rear Cameras	50MP UltraVision with RYYB, 4-in-1 pixel binning, f/1.9 16MP ultra wide-angle camera, f/2.2 8 megapixel telephoto with OIS, f/2.4	50MP UltraVision with RYYB, 4-in-1 pixel binning, f/1.9, OIS 40MP video and ultra-wide-angle camera, f/1.8 12MP SuperSensing Telephoto, f/3.4 TOF sensor	50MP UltraVision with RYYB, 4-in-1 pixel binning, f/1.9, OIS 40MP video and ultra-wide-angle camera, f/1.8 8MP 10X optical super periscope telephoto 8MP 3X optical telephoto TOF sensor
Front Cameras	32MP, f/2.2	32MP, f/2.2 IR depth sensor	32MP, f/2.2 IR depth sensor
OS	EMUI 10.1 based on Android 10 (no Google services)	EMUI 10.1 based on Android 10 (no Google services)	EMUI 10.1 based on Android 10 (no Google services)
Battery	3,800mAh	4,200mAh	4,200mAh
Charging	40W wired charging	40W wired charging 27W wireless charging	40W wired charging 40W wireless charging
Connectivity	GSM, HSPA, LTE, 5G Bluetooth 5.1 WiFi AX NFC e-SIM GPS, AGPS, Glonass, Galileo, QZSS	GSM, HSPA, LTE, 5G Bluetooth 5.1 WiFi AX NFC e-SIM GPS, AGPS, Glonass, Galileo, QZSS	GSM, HSPA, LTE, 5G Bluetooth 5.1 WiFi AX NFC e-SIM GPS, AGPS, Glonass, Galileo, QZSS
Sensors	Fingerprint sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light, compass, accelerometer	Fingerprint sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light, compass, accelerometer	Fingerprint sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light, compass, accelerometer
Misc	IP53 water/dust resistance USB Type-C Dual SIM, eSIM	IP68 water/dust resistance USB Type-C Dual SIM, eSIM IR blaster	IP68 water/dust resistance USB Type-C Dual SIM, eSIM IR blaster

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Bose Connect app reveals a new Bose QC35 II Gaming Headset

Bose makes some of the best headphones on the market. They can be a bit pricey, but if you’re looking for high-quality audio, Bose headsets are usually worth it. If you use Bose headphones with a smartphone, you need the Bose Connect app, which was recently updated and found to include references to an unannounced “QC35 II Gaming Headset.”

The original Bose QuietComfort 35 II headset is special because it’s one of the few headsets that has deep integration with Google Assistant. So we’re very interested in another device in this series, which is what was found in an APK teardown of the recent Bose Connect app (via 9to5Google). The teardown revealed references to a “Gaming Headset” and even a video showing it off.

<string name=”tour_tibbers_title_1″>About Bluetooth connectivity</string>
<string name=”tour_tibbers_text_1″>”When the gaming microphone is connected to the headphones, Bluetooth is disabled and the Bose Connect app can’t find your headphones.”</string>
<string name=”tour_tibbers_title_2″>Connect gaming microphone</string>
<string name=”tour_tibbers_text_2″>Plug the microphone into the AUX port on the bottom of the left earcup, then plug the cable into your gaming system.</string>

The new device is codenamed “Tibbers,” which is a reference to League of Legends. The strings associated with “Tibbers” mention Bluetooth connectivity and connecting a “gaming microphone” to the headset. A product video found in the APK demonstrates connecting a wired microphone attachment to the AUX port of the Bose headphones.

This is certainly a Bluetooth device, but the strings say the microphone will require the headset to be plugged in. The device is clearly called “Bose QC35 II Gaming Headset” in the app, but it’s not clear if this will be an entire headset or a microphone attachment sold separately. It could simply be the QuietComfort 35 II headset sold in a bundle with the microphone accessory.

Regardless of how it’s sold, this would be Bose’s first venture into headsets with connected gaming-style microphones. Their headsets, of course, include built-in microphones, but microphones that protrude out in front of your mouth are more popular (and sound better) in the gaming community.

Bose Connect (Free, Google Play) →

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[Update 2: Re-Rolling Out] Windows 10 May 2020 update brings WSL 2, revamped Cortana assistant, and “Your Phone” calls to ARM devices

Update 2 (06/10/2020 @ 10:42 AM ET): Microsoft is re-rolling out the Windows 10 May 2020 update for devices on previous versions, with included fixes for Surface Pro 7 and Laptop 3 coming soon.

Update 1 (06/01/2020 @ 06:42 AM ET): Microsoft has found bugs on the latest update, thus placing the update on a “compatibility hold”. Scroll to the bottom for more information. The article as published on May 28, 2020, is preserved below.

As per StatCounter, Windows commands a market share of 76.5%, meaning that every three out of four computers in the world run on Windows. While Windows did admittedly lose its dominant status as the OS across platforms to Android, it still presented itself as the go-to desktop option for many, many users. The latest version of Windows, Windows 10, is now receiving the May 2020 stable update, which brings several key features such as Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2, a revamped Cortana experience, Your Phone feature for Windows on ARM, and more.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2

Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 was first announced during Microsoft Build 2019, and is now being rolled out to all users under the stable Windows 10 branch. This update brings a full Linux kernel to the stable branch. As part of this update, WSL 2 is also now updateable through Windows Update, so users no longer need to rely on the command line only to update the kernel.

Microsoft did announce GPU acceleration and Linux GUI app support for WSL 2, at Microsoft Build 2020. But, these features are not yet available even for Windows Insiders, so there is bound to be further waiting for users on the stable branch.

Chat-based UI for Cortana

Another highlight of this Windows 10 version update is the new Cortana experience, which now takes the form of a chat with the digital assistant.

Users can now interact with Microsoft’s digital assistant in a chat-based user interface, via either text or by voice in natural language. You can resize, move, and dock the app window on your desktop to accommodate your preferred workflow. Cortana will be able to help you access information quicker, connect with people faster, and help you stay on track of your schedule. Specific tasks that Cortana can accomplish include calendar and schedule assistance, helping join meetings in Microsoft Teams, find out about people in the organization, make lists and set reminders, open apps and settings pages, get definitions and quick answers and get weather and news updates.

Your Phone on Windows 10 on ARM

The May 2020 update to Windows 10 brings the Your Phone app’s calling feature to ARM supported PCs. The Your Phone app lets you place, receive, or text reply to incoming phone calls from your PC. Previously, this feature only worked if you had a supported Android device and an x86/x86-64 Windows 10 PC. However, with the May 2020 update to Windows 10, Microsoft is now enabling this functionality in the desktop Your Phone app for Windows 10 on ARM devices, like the Microsoft Surface Pro X and Samsung Galaxy Book S.

Your Phone Companion - Link to Windows (Free, Google Play) →

Other features

Other smaller features in this update include:

• Faster Bluetooth pairing – devices can now be paired straight from the quick settings in notifications rather than opening Settings.
• More kaomoji available within the Windows emoji keyboard.
• Virtual desktops can now be named.
• The Xbox Game Bar now supports third-party widgets, letting you customize the overlay experience to fit with the way you game.
• Memory improvements in Microsoft Edge by taking advantage of segment heap capabilities.
• The Calculator app can now float on top of other windows.
• The Notepad app  is getting updated with wrap-around find/replace, quick text zooming, and the ability to show when the file has unsaved changes by displaying an asterisk in the title bar.

Windows 10 May 2020 update is rolling out to desktops, though Microsoft is initially limiting availability to those devices running versions 1903 and 1909 who seek the update via Windows Update. If you wish to install the update, navigate to the Windows Update settings pane (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update), and select Check for updates. Once the update appears, you can choose to Download and Install. Note that the update may not be visible immediately as Microsoft will be ramping up roll out gradually.

Source: Windows Blog

---

Update: Windows 10 May 2020 update put on compatibility hold

Microsoft released the Windows 10 May 2020 update last week, and the initial rollout began as expected. However, several bugs and issues surfaced ever since the wider rollout. Several of these issues have resulted in a “compatibility hold”, which essentially prevents the Windows 10 May 2020 update from being installed via Windows Update. So if you have been checking for the update but not seeing anything, it is likely that your device is being blocked from updating right now. Microsoft has also added a warning to Windows Update for devices that aren’t ready to be updated.

Hopefully, once the bugs and issues are fixed, we can see a much wider rollout with the fixes included.

Source: The Verge

---

Update 2: Windows 10 version 2004 / May 2020 update re-rolling out

After the first initial rollout, the wider rollout was paused as some issues had surfaced. Microsoft has determined that the issues are experienced on the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 3, wherein users were reporting unexpected restarts. The company has determined the issue to be related to the Always On, Always Connected capable network adapters, and has resolved the issue with patch KB4557957.

Consequently, the wider update rollout for Windows 10 version 2004 has now been resumed for devices running Windows 10, versions 1903 and 1909. Users of Microsoft Surface Pro 7 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 will still have to wait for a bit, as Microsoft has put the devices on a safeguard hold for the update, and it will be removing the hold in the coming weeks.

The post [Update 2: Re-Rolling Out] Windows 10 May 2020 update brings WSL 2, revamped Cortana assistant, and “Your Phone” calls to ARM devices appeared first on xda-developers.

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Huawei P40 Pro+ is now available for pre-order in more countries

Huawei has been blocked from using Google apps for a while now, but the company hasn’t slowed down its smartphone launches. The Huawei P40 series was announced earlier this year, but a few of the models were not available outside of China. The Huawei P40 Pro+ was one of those devices and now it’s available for pre-order in more markets.

The Huawei P40, P40 Pro, and P40 Pro+ were all announced in March, but we only saw the P40 and P40 Pro launch outside of China. The P40 Pro+ is the model with the powerhouse of cameras. The main lens is 50MP and it’s joined by a 40MP wide-angle camera, 8MP periscope lens, and 8MP telephoto.

Huawei P40 Pro+ XDA Forums

Besides the cameras, the Huawei P40 Pro+ has all the high-end flagship specifications you’d expect. That includes the Kirin 990 5G SoC, a 4 layer SuperCool system, 3D graphene film, and a super-thin Vapor Chamber cooling system. It has a 6.5-inch 90Hz display, 8GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, a 4,200mAh battery, 40W fast charging, and Android 10. What it doesn’t have, however, is Google Play Services.

The Huawei P40 Pro+ is now available for pre-order in Europe for 1,399 Euro (~$1,588), and in the United Kingdom for 1,299 GBP (~$1,654). It will officially launch on June 25th from the Huawei Store and select retailers. Customers can get it in Black or White ceramic and it will come bundled with a Huawei Watch GT2 (46mm, Pebble Brown) and a Huawei SuperCharge Wireless Charger Stand (40W).

Specifications	Huawei P40	Huawei P40 Pro	Huawei P40 Pro+
Size & Weight	148.9 x 71.06 x 8.5mm 175g	158.2 x 72.6 x 8.95mm 203g	158.2 x 72.6 x 9.0mm 226g
Display	6.1 inches OLED 2340 x 1080	6.58 inches OLED 2640 x 1200 90 Hz	6.58 inches OLED 2640 x 1200 90 Hz
CPU	Kirin 990 5G OctaCore CPU: 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.86 GHz 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.36 GHz 4x Cortex A55 @ 1.95 GHz	Kirin 990 5G OctaCore CPU: 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.86 GHz 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.36 GHz 4x Cortex A55 @ 1.95 GHz	Kirin 990 5G OctaCore CPU: 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.86 GHz 2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.36 GHz 4x Cortex A55 @ 1.95 GHz
RAM	8GB	8GB	8GB
Storage	128GB, nano memory card expansion	256GB, nano memory card expansion	512GB, nano memory card expansion
Rear Cameras	50MP UltraVision with RYYB, 4-in-1 pixel binning, f/1.9 16MP ultra wide-angle camera, f/2.2 8 megapixel telephoto with OIS, f/2.4	50MP UltraVision with RYYB, 4-in-1 pixel binning, f/1.9, OIS 40MP video and ultra-wide-angle camera, f/1.8 12MP SuperSensing Telephoto, f/3.4 TOF sensor	50MP UltraVision with RYYB, 4-in-1 pixel binning, f/1.9, OIS 40MP video and ultra-wide-angle camera, f/1.8 8MP 10X optical super periscope telephoto 8MP 3X optical telephoto TOF sensor
Front Cameras	32MP, f/2.2	32MP, f/2.2 IR depth sensor	32MP, f/2.2 IR depth sensor
OS	EMUI 10.1 based on Android 10 (no Google services)	EMUI 10.1 based on Android 10 (no Google services)	EMUI 10.1 based on Android 10 (no Google services)
Battery	3,800mAh	4,200mAh	4,200mAh
Charging	40W wired charging	40W wired charging 27W wireless charging	40W wired charging 40W wireless charging
Connectivity	GSM, HSPA, LTE, 5G Bluetooth 5.1 WiFi AX NFC e-SIM GPS, AGPS, Glonass, Galileo, QZSS	GSM, HSPA, LTE, 5G Bluetooth 5.1 WiFi AX NFC e-SIM GPS, AGPS, Glonass, Galileo, QZSS	GSM, HSPA, LTE, 5G Bluetooth 5.1 WiFi AX NFC e-SIM GPS, AGPS, Glonass, Galileo, QZSS
Sensors	Fingerprint sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light, compass, accelerometer	Fingerprint sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light, compass, accelerometer	Fingerprint sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light, compass, accelerometer
Misc	IP53 water/dust resistance USB Type-C Dual SIM, eSIM	IP68 water/dust resistance USB Type-C Dual SIM, eSIM IR blaster	IP68 water/dust resistance USB Type-C Dual SIM, eSIM IR blaster

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5 Microsoft Surface Deals You Can Save Big with Right Now

Many of the best computers in the world right now are made by Microsoft. In particular, the Surface range is packed with remarkable specs at reasonable prices. If you are seeking an upgrade, take a look at these five deals on Surface devices — now with up to 27% off the MSRP via the XDA Developers Depot.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 13.5″ Touch Core i5 8GB (Cobalt Blue)

Offering up to 15 hours of battery life, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 was made for working on the move. Running Windows 10 on a crisp 13.5″ LED display, it offers excellent performance thanks to an Intel i5 chip and 8GB of RAM. PCMag called it a “sleek ultraportable with a top-notch build.” Originally priced at $1,299, it’s now only $979.99.

Microsoft Surface Pro 12.3″ Tablet 4GB RAM – Silver (Wi-Fi + 4G LTE)

This lightweight device boasts 50% more power than most tablets and a stunning 2736 x 1824 touch display. Under the hood, a 7th Gen Intel Core i5 processor offers smooth multitasking. You get 13.5 hours of battery life, and the 128GB SSD offers plenty of room for media. Worth $1,299.99, this 4G-enabled model is now 15% off at $1,099.99.

Microsoft Surface Pro 6 Tablet 1.9GHz Intel Core i7 with 512GB SSD

The updated Surface Pro is “arguably the best-made Windows 10 tablet going” according to The Guardian. This version has a remarkable 16GB of RAM and a speedy i7 processor packaged inside a sleek frame. You also get plenty of solid-state storage, 13.5 hours of battery, and a 12.3-inch PixelSense display. It’s usually $1,499.99, but you can get yours now for $1,279.99.

Microsoft Surface Pro 6 256GB 12.3″ WiFi Intel Core i7

If you don’t need crazy specs, this version of the Surface Pro 6 is a great option. You still get that i7 chip and crisp display bolted into a body that measures only 0.33 inches thick. This version also has 256GB of solid-state storage, great battery life, and Intel graphics. Worth $1,499.99, it’s now down to $1,089.99. 

Microsoft Surface Pro 6 Tablet 1.9GHz Intel Core i7 with 1TB SSD

Need more storage space for photos, movies, and games? This Surface Pro 6 has you covered, thanks to a huge 1TB SSD. It runs Windows 10 Pro on an i7 processor and 16GB of RAM — a combination that delivers “big performance gains” in the words of CNET. Originally $1,499.99, this lightweight monster is now only $1,429.99.

Prices subject to change

The post 5 Microsoft Surface Deals You Can Save Big with Right Now appeared first on xda-developers.

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