Samsung Galaxy Buds Live teardown showcases easy repairability and Bean references

Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds Live have scored an 8 out of 10 for repairability in iFixit’s recent teardown of the TWS earphones, higher than both the Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds+. Although the new earbuds are smaller and feature an atypical design, the Galaxy Buds Live aren’t difficult to pry open, and their wireless charging case is also easy to repair with the right set of tools.

The teardown reveals that the Galaxy Buds Live are powered by a rechargeable Varta CP1254 A3 battery, which is the same battery found within the original Galaxy Buds. iFixit notes that the button cell battery can be found online if you ever feel the need to replace the ones on your Galaxy Buds Live, however, they’re not as easy to find as they were previously.

The wireless charging case, on the other hand, features a 1.81Wh battery, which is substantially larger than the batteries found in the wireless charging cases for the older Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds+. Furthermore, the teardown reveals that most of the internal components are relatively modular and can be replaced independently.

iFixit also found that the ribbon cable connecting the two halves of each earbud states “bean left” and “bean right,” which suggests that Samsung internally referred to the earbuds as Beans before settling with the Galaxy Buds Live moniker. Check out the video linked above for a detailed look at the insides of the Galaxy Buds Live and its wireless charging case. As of now, iFixit hasn’t posted a repair guide for the Galaxy Buds Live, but it should go live on this page in the coming days.

The post Samsung Galaxy Buds Live teardown showcases easy repairability and Bean references appeared first on xda-developers.

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Samsung Galaxy Buds Live teardown showcases easy repairability and Bean references

Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds Live have scored an 8 out of 10 for repairability in iFixit’s recent teardown of the TWS earphones, higher than both the Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds+. Although the new earbuds are smaller and feature an atypical design, the Galaxy Buds Live aren’t difficult to pry open, and their wireless charging case is also easy to repair with the right set of tools.

The teardown reveals that the Galaxy Buds Live are powered by a rechargeable Varta CP1254 A3 battery, which is the same battery found within the original Galaxy Buds. iFixit notes that the button cell battery can be found online if you ever feel the need to replace the ones on your Galaxy Buds Live, however, they’re not as easy to find as they were previously.

The wireless charging case, on the other hand, features a 1.81Wh battery, which is substantially larger than the batteries found in the wireless charging cases for the older Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds+. Furthermore, the teardown reveals that most of the internal components are relatively modular and can be replaced independently.

iFixit also found that the ribbon cable connecting the two halves of each earbud states “bean left” and “bean right,” which suggests that Samsung internally referred to the earbuds as Beans before settling with the Galaxy Buds Live moniker. Check out the video linked above for a detailed look at the insides of the Galaxy Buds Live and its wireless charging case. As of now, iFixit hasn’t posted a repair guide for the Galaxy Buds Live, but it should go live on this page in the coming days.

The post Samsung Galaxy Buds Live teardown showcases easy repairability and Bean references appeared first on xda-developers.

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Google announces a new version of Wear OS based on Android 11 with Snapdragon Wear 4100 support

Wear OS by Google, or Android Wear as some of us still keep calling it despite the rebranding years ago, does not see as much attention in the daily news, but the wearable OS is still alive and kicking. New watches from Suunto, OPPO, and Xiaomi, as well as the launch of the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 SoC for wearables, have rekindled interest in Wear OS to a degree. Now, as part of its #11WeeksOfAndroid announcements, Google has announced a new version of Wear OS that is based on Android 11 and supports Snapdragon Wear 4100.

Wear OS based on Android 11

Google is not explicitly announcing “Wear OS on Android 11” on their blog post, but they do mention that several Android 11 features will be arriving on Wear OS. We asked Google for a confirmation on this, and a  Google spokesperson has informed us that the new Wear OS version is based on Android 11. For reference, the current version of the wearable OS by Google is still based on Android 9 Pie, so this jump was needed.

The new Wear OS OTA update that will arrive in the fall brings along a fair few changes, which are summarized below:

• Faster access to info
• Simplified pairing process to make onboarding easier
• Improvements to the SysUI for more intuitive controls for managing different watch modes and workouts
• CPU Core improvements promising up to 20% speed improvements in startup times for apps
• Improved support for LTE
• Support for Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 and 4100+ platforms

In addition to these changes, a few more changes are coming, which we have already previewed in the past. For instance, Google has built a handwashing timer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraging users to practice good hygiene.

The new update will also come along with the new Weather Tile design that was spotted earlier this month. This new design makes it easier to read information while on the move, and still retains access to an hourly breakdown of the day’s weather to help users plan ahead and provide information about the important weather alerts in the area.

Further, Google is also promising to make it easier for developers to build wearable apps. You can expect to see wearable-focused improvements and changes on Android Studio, Kotlin, and Jetpack libraries. Androidx.wear 1.1.0 Release Candidate build has also been released, making it easier to build and test wearable apps.

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What are your thoughts on Wear OS based on Android 11? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Google announces a new version of Wear OS based on Android 11 with Snapdragon Wear 4100 support appeared first on xda-developers.

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NVIDIA GeForce NOW adds 12 new games and a Founders bundle with Hyper Scape

NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW game-streaming service enjoys its share in the now-crowded game streaming market on the fact that it was one of the first to appear for end consumers. The service started beta testing for Android last year and opened up for everyone in February. NVIDIA had pledged to announce new games for GeForce NOW every week, and over the past months, it has kept to that promise. This week, NVIDIA is giving GeForce NOW 11 new additions, including titles like Hyper Scape, Anno 2205, Neon Abyss, alongside Two Point Hospital as a returning title. Further, GeForce NOW is also adding in a Founders Bundle with Hyper Scape Season 1 battle pass.

These are the titles that have made their way to NVIDIA GeForce NOW this week:

• Steam:
  • Company of Crime
  • Ageless
  • Granado Espada
  • Neon Abyss
  • STORY OF SEASONS: Friends of Mineral Town
  • The Escapists
  • Warface
• Uplay:
  • Hyper Scape
  • Anno 2205
• Epic Games Store:
  • Remnant: From The Ashes
  • South Park: The Fracture But Whole
• Returning:
  • Two Point Hospital

Of these, Hyper Scape and Company of Crime are new game launches, having launched on August 11 and August 8 respectively on their platforms. Further, Remnant: From The Ashes is also available for free on the Epic Games Store from today till August 19.

In addition to the new titles available on GeForce Now, NVIDIA also said that it’s adding Highlights support to Hyper Scape. NVIDIA Highlights allows users to record exciting gameplay moments that can be shared later.

Further, NVIDIA is also offering new as well as existing members to sign up for a limited time, 6-month GeForce NOW Membership for $24.95, packing in additional content for Hyper Scape such as:

• Season One Battle Pass Token
• Exclusive Adi Volta Champion Skin (Rare)
• Exclusive Volta Drop Pod (Rare)
• Citric Dragonfly Weapon Skin (Rare)
• Boxer Shuffle Emote (Epic)

Existing Founders members will be able to stack this offer with their existing membership, meaning they will continue to receive their locked-in rate of $4.99 per month for 12 months, plus the 6-month membership from this Hyper Scape Bundle.

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NVIDIA GeForce NOW (Free, Google Play) →

The post NVIDIA GeForce NOW adds 12 new games and a Founders bundle with Hyper Scape appeared first on xda-developers.

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Google announces a new version of Wear OS based on Android 11 with Snapdragon Wear 4100 support

Wear OS by Google, or Android Wear as some of us still keep calling it despite the rebranding years ago, does not see as much attention in the daily news, but the wearable OS is still alive and kicking. New watches from Suunto, OPPO, and Xiaomi, as well as the launch of the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 SoC for wearables, have rekindled interest in Wear OS to a degree. Now, as part of its #11WeeksOfAndroid announcements, Google has announced a new version of Wear OS that is based on Android 11 and supports Snapdragon Wear 4100.

Wear OS based on Android 11

Google is not explicitly announcing “Wear OS on Android 11” on their blog post, but they do mention that several Android 11 features will be arriving on Wear OS. We asked Google for a confirmation on this, and a  Google spokesperson has informed us that the new Wear OS version is based on Android 11. For reference, the current version of the wearable OS by Google is still based on Android 9 Pie, so this jump was needed.

The new Wear OS OTA update that will arrive in the fall brings along a fair few changes, which are summarized below:

• Faster access to info
• Simplified pairing process to make onboarding easier
• Improvements to the SysUI for more intuitive controls for managing different watch modes and workouts
• CPU Core improvements promising up to 20% speed improvements in startup times for apps
• Improved support for LTE
• Support for Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 and 4100+ platforms

In addition to these changes, a few more changes are coming, which we have already previewed in the past. For instance, Google has built a handwashing timer in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraging users to practice good hygiene.

The new update will also come along with the new Weather Tile design that was spotted earlier this month. This new design makes it easier to read information while on the move, and still retains access to an hourly breakdown of the day’s weather to help users plan ahead and provide information about the important weather alerts in the area.

Further, Google is also promising to make it easier for developers to build wearable apps. You can expect to see wearable-focused improvements and changes on Android Studio, Kotlin, and Jetpack libraries. Androidx.wear 1.1.0 Release Candidate build has also been released, making it easier to build and test wearable apps.

---

What are your thoughts on Wear OS based on Android 11? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Google announces a new version of Wear OS based on Android 11 with Snapdragon Wear 4100 support appeared first on xda-developers.

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via IFTTT

NVIDIA GeForce NOW adds 12 new games and a Founders bundle with Hyper Scape

NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW game-streaming service enjoys its share in the now-crowded game streaming market on the fact that it was one of the first to appear for end consumers. The service started beta testing for Android last year and opened up for everyone in February. NVIDIA had pledged to announce new games for GeForce NOW every week, and over the past months, it has kept to that promise. This week, NVIDIA is giving GeForce NOW 11 new additions, including titles like Hyper Scape, Anno 2205, Neon Abyss, alongside Two Point Hospital as a returning title. Further, GeForce NOW is also adding in a Founders Bundle with Hyper Scape Season 1 battle pass.

These are the titles that have made their way to NVIDIA GeForce NOW this week:

• Steam:
  • Company of Crime
  • Ageless
  • Granado Espada
  • Neon Abyss
  • STORY OF SEASONS: Friends of Mineral Town
  • The Escapists
  • Warface
• Uplay:
  • Hyper Scape
  • Anno 2205
• Epic Games Store:
  • Remnant: From The Ashes
  • South Park: The Fracture But Whole
• Returning:
  • Two Point Hospital

Of these, Hyper Scape and Company of Crime are new game launches, having launched on August 11 and August 8 respectively on their platforms. Further, Remnant: From The Ashes is also available for free on the Epic Games Store from today till August 19.

In addition to the new titles available on GeForce Now, NVIDIA also said that it’s adding Highlights support to Hyper Scape. NVIDIA Highlights allows users to record exciting gameplay moments that can be shared later.

Further, NVIDIA is also offering new as well as existing members to sign up for a limited time, 6-month GeForce NOW Membership for $24.95, packing in additional content for Hyper Scape such as:

• Season One Battle Pass Token
• Exclusive Adi Volta Champion Skin (Rare)
• Exclusive Volta Drop Pod (Rare)
• Citric Dragonfly Weapon Skin (Rare)
• Boxer Shuffle Emote (Epic)

Existing Founders members will be able to stack this offer with their existing membership, meaning they will continue to receive their locked-in rate of $4.99 per month for 12 months, plus the 6-month membership from this Hyper Scape Bundle.

---

NVIDIA GeForce NOW (Free, Google Play) →

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Microsoft Surface Duo will get 3 years of OS and security updates, will have an unlockable bootloader

Yesterday, Microsoft officially announced the Surface Duo, their latest attempt at a mobile smartphone. It is a super cool looking dual-screen device running Android, which will also be known as the first Android device from Microsoft. With Android devices, one of the most important questions has been how many years of Android updates the device will receive, as this is crucial to the overall experience. Until recently, most Android OEMs only provided 2 years of updates. Now, Google and Samsung have promised 3 years of Android updates for their flagship devices. Microsoft is now also joining that three-years-of-update group with the Surface Duo.

Microsoft Surface Duo XDA Forums

Earlier today, a Microsoft representative confirmed to us that the Surface Duo would be receiving 3 years of both OS and security updates. The device is launching with Android 10, which means it should receive up to Android 13 in OS updates. Microsoft did not specify the frequency of security updates, but for the first year, they are required to provide quarterly security updates. In comparison, the most competitive dual screen to the Surface Duo is the LG Velvet, and LG has only committed to 2 years of updates which will historically take years to get released.

Further, Microsoft also confirmed to us that the Surface Duo will have an unlockable bootloader. This means you will be able to easily root it, mod it, or throw a custom ROM on there. Personally, I am waiting for a stereo speaker mod since the device only has a mono speaker. The interest from the community will dictate what custom works are available, which is where the $1,399 price tag might hurt a little. There is no information on whether unlocking the bootloader would void the warranty — but if we had to take a guess, we would say that it would void the warranty. We’ll update the article when we get more information in this regard.

All around, Microsoft is showing it is serious about the Surface Duo and the product line. Committing to three years of updates is a big deal, and is starting to become the standard for flagship Android devices. Hopefully, Microsoft won’t become the next LG in delayed updates Committing to providing the updates is a good first step, and bootloader unlockability will help it gain favor among the enthusiasts and meta-influencers.

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