Use Zoom’s new Studio Effects to liven up your boring meetings

With an increasing number of people working or attending classes from home, video conferencing apps like Zoom and Google Meet have seen a strong surge in popularity over the last year. Due to the sheer number of alternatives available to end-users, developers are constantly innovating and adding new features to their respective apps to offer more value. For instance, Google Meet recently added a new ‘Green Room’ feature to help users check their audio and video settings before joining a call. Similarly, Zoom also added a new call end chime to the app to alert users when someone disconnected abruptly.

While most of these new features aim to provide more utility, some are just added to make boring video calls more entertaining. Zoom’s new Studio Effects feature is a case in point. The feature gives you the ability to add several eyebrows, facial hair, and lip color filters to your video feed. According to a recent report from The Verge, it can be found within the “Background & Filters” option in Zoom’s Video Settings.

(Image: The Verge)

As you can see in the attached screenshot, it includes three tabs, labeled Eyebrows, Moustache & Beard, and Lip Color, that let you add quirky filters to your video feed. Zoom offers quite a few options to choose from, including 7 eyebrows types, 7 facial hair options, and 10 lip color variants, along with a custom color option that lets you pick a lip color that matches your outfit. You can also use the feature to change the color of your eyebrows and facial hair and even control the filter’s opacity.

Additionally, the Studio Effects feature includes a toggle at the top to help you apply your preferred settings to all future meetings. But we’d recommend steering clear from it, for obvious reasons. It’s worth noting that while the Studio Effects feature was first announced back in September last year, many Zoom users have just discovered it in the app. The feature seems to be live for most Zoom users, but we’re not sure if it’s available globally.

The post Use Zoom’s new Studio Effects to liven up your boring meetings appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3cUn1S4
via IFTTT

Here’s when your Mi and Redmi smartphone will receive its MIUI 12.5 update

At its Mi 11 China launch event back in December 2020, Xiaomi teased the MIUI 12.5 update roadmap for a few of its devices. Soon after that, the company started pushing closed beta builds of MIUI 12.5 to select Mi and Redmi smartphones in its home country. Every year, the Chinese OEM splits efforts between the domestic and global update policies, and this year is no different. If you’re looking forward to running the latest iteration of MIUI on your phone, then you’re in luck as Xiaomi has now officially outlined the MIUI 12.5 update roadmap for its global device portfolio.

The good news is that the first wave of the update will be rolling out across several device ranges, from the latest flagship Mi 11 to the previous year’s Mi 10 and Mi 10T lineup. However, if you don’t have a premium category smartphone, then you’ve to wait a little before the platform update hits your device. A bunch of Mi Note and Redmi Note branded devices are next in line, and they are expected to get MIUI 12.5 as part of the second wave.

The rollout is set to begin as soon as Q2 2021, with the following devices receiving updates to MIUI 12.5:

First Wave of MIUI 12.5 Update (Starts Q2 2021):

• Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro (apollo)
• Mi 10 (umi)
• Mi 10 Pro (cmi)
• Mi 11 (venus)

Second Wave of MIUI 12.5 Update (Starts Late Q2 2021):

• Mi 10 Lite 5G (monet)
• Mi 10T Lite (gauguin)
• Mi Note 10 and Mi Note 10 Pro (tucana)
• Mi Note 10 Lite (toco)
• Redmi Note 9T (cannon)
• Redmi Note 9 Pro (joyeuse)
• Redmi Note 9S (curtana)
• Redmi Note 9 (merlin)
• Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia)
• Redmi 9 (lancelot)

Here comes what you care about the most, the release schedule. Stay tuned to the MIUI website for more update info. pic.twitter.com/P6CidjyfTw

— MIUI (@miuirom) February 8, 2021

There’s no word on Q2 2021 updates for any other Mi/Redmi device, but Xiaomi’s tweet mentions that the company will be adding more devices to the list. However, looking at the pace at which legacy and entry level devices are still receiving the MIUI 12 update across various regions, we wouldn’t expect the stable version of MIUI 12.5 to hit those devices anytime in the next couple of months.

The post Here’s when your Mi and Redmi smartphone will receive its MIUI 12.5 update appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3q5XM2P
via IFTTT

Here’s when your Mi and Redmi smartphone will receive its MIUI 12.5 update

At its Mi 11 China launch event back in December 2020, Xiaomi teased the MIUI 12.5 update roadmap for a few of its devices. Soon after that, the company started pushing closed beta builds of MIUI 12.5 to select Mi and Redmi smartphones in its home country. Every year, the Chinese OEM splits efforts between the domestic and global update policies, and this year is no different. If you’re looking forward to running the latest iteration of MIUI on your phone, then you’re in luck as Xiaomi has now officially outlined the MIUI 12.5 update roadmap for its global device portfolio.

The good news is that the first wave of the update will be rolling out across several device ranges, from the latest flagship Mi 11 to the previous year’s Mi 10 and Mi 10T lineup. However, if you don’t have a premium category smartphone, then you’ve to wait a little before the platform update hits your device. A bunch of Mi Note and Redmi Note branded devices are next in line, and they are expected to get MIUI 12.5 as part of the second wave.

The rollout is set to begin as soon as Q2 2021, with the following devices receiving updates to MIUI 12.5:

First Wave of MIUI 12.5 Update (Starts Q2 2021):

• Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro (apollo)
• Mi 10 (umi)
• Mi 10 Pro (cmi)
• Mi 11 (venus)

Second Wave of MIUI 12.5 Update (Starts Late Q2 2021):

• Mi 10 Lite 5G (monet)
• Mi 10T Lite (gauguin)
• Mi Note 10 and Mi Note 10 Pro (tucana)
• Mi Note 10 Lite (toco)
• Redmi Note 9T (cannon)
• Redmi Note 9 Pro (joyeuse)
• Redmi Note 9S (curtana)
• Redmi Note 9 (merlin)
• Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia)
• Redmi 9 (lancelot)

Here comes what you care about the most, the release schedule. Stay tuned to the MIUI website for more update info. pic.twitter.com/P6CidjyfTw

— MIUI (@miuirom) February 8, 2021

There’s no word on Q2 2021 updates for any other Mi/Redmi device, but Xiaomi’s tweet mentions that the company will be adding more devices to the list. However, looking at the pace at which legacy and entry level devices are still receiving the MIUI 12 update across various regions, we wouldn’t expect the stable version of MIUI 12.5 to hit those devices anytime in the next couple of months.

The post Here’s when your Mi and Redmi smartphone will receive its MIUI 12.5 update appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3q5XM2P
via IFTTT

Sony may hurt Xperia PRO sales by releasing this feature on the Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II

Sony recently launched the Xperia PRO 5G, a $2,500 smartphone for creators that packs a couple of unique features. The device features a micro HDMI input that will let you connect it to your camera and use it as an on-camera monitor. Additionally, thanks to the device’s 5G capabilities, you’ll be able to stream video right from your camera without needing any separate streaming accessories. But since its price tag puts the Xperia PRO 5G outside the reach of many buyers, Sony is now rolling out similar capabilities to the Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II with their Android 11 update.

Sony started rolling out stable Android 11 to the Xperia 1 II late last year. While the update changelog didn’t include any mention of the aforementioned features, a recent post from u/shenfan0613 on Reddit reveals that the company has, in fact, added external monitor capabilities to the Xperia 1 II with the Android 11 update. The post includes an image highlighting the new feature, which reveals that it will let users connect their Xperia 1 II to a supported Sony Alpha camera and use it as an on-camera monitor. To use the new External Monitor feature, you will have to connect your Xperia 1 II to a supported camera using a USB Type-C to HDMI cable.

It’s worth mentioning that a video about the Xperia 1 II’s Android 11 update shared by the official Sony Xperia Taiwan YouTube channel also highlights this feature. You can watch the timestamped video below.

Although the post doesn’t state whether a similar feature will roll out to the Xperia 5 II with its Android 11 update or not, we have reason to believe that the feature will be available on the compact flagship. Sony recently shared a press release highlighting a firmware update for the Sony ZV-1 camera. The firmware update brings a couple of new features to the vlog camera, including the ability to connect it to a PC via USB and use it as a high-res webcam.

Additionally, the firmware update brings a new feature that will let you connect the camera to a supported Xperia smartphone and use the smartphone as a secondary display to monitor your live stream and read the chat. The fine print at the bottom of the press release clearly states that this feature will be available on the Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II running Android 11. Therefore, we suspect that the External Monitor feature will also be extended to the Xperia 5 II with its Android 11 update. Sony has already started rolling out stable Android 11 to the Xperia 5 II in select regions. We’ll update this post as soon as we confirm External Monitor availability on the device.

The Xperia PRO 5G’s camera monitor feature is one of its main selling points over the Xperia 1 II (the other being 5G mmWave support), so it’s interesting to see Sony bringing the feature to the Xperia 1 II with its Android 11 update. But it’s worth noting that the Xperia 1 II hasn’t received the Android 11 update in the US yet, and the Xperia PRO is currently only sold in the US. So, we’re not sure if Sony will release the display input feature on US models as that may adversely impact Xperia PRO 5G sales in the country. On the upside, Sony’s decision to bring the feature to the Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II will make the devices more compelling options for creators who were put off by the Xperia PRO 5G’s price.

In case you have received the Android 11 update on your Xperia 5 II, make sure to leave a comment if you’re able to spot the new External Monitor feature on the device.

The post Sony may hurt Xperia PRO sales by releasing this feature on the Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2Z0rsTm
via IFTTT

Sony may hurt Xperia PRO sales by releasing this feature on the Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II

Sony recently launched the Xperia PRO 5G, a $2,500 smartphone for creators that packs a couple of unique features. The device features a micro HDMI input that will let you connect it to your camera and use it as an on-camera monitor. Additionally, thanks to the device’s 5G capabilities, you’ll be able to stream video right from your camera without needing any separate streaming accessories. But since its price tag puts the Xperia PRO 5G outside the reach of many buyers, Sony is now rolling out similar capabilities to the Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II with their Android 11 update.

Sony started rolling out stable Android 11 to the Xperia 1 II late last year. While the update changelog didn’t include any mention of the aforementioned features, a recent post from u/shenfan0613 on Reddit reveals that the company has, in fact, added external monitor capabilities to the Xperia 1 II with the Android 11 update. The post includes an image highlighting the new feature, which reveals that it will let users connect their Xperia 1 II to a supported Sony Alpha camera and use it as an on-camera monitor. To use the new External Monitor feature, you will have to connect your Xperia 1 II to a supported camera using a USB Type-C to HDMI cable.

It’s worth mentioning that a video about the Xperia 1 II’s Android 11 update shared by the official Sony Xperia Taiwan YouTube channel also highlights this feature. You can watch the timestamped video below.

Although the post doesn’t state whether a similar feature will roll out to the Xperia 5 II with its Android 11 update or not, we have reason to believe that the feature will be available on the compact flagship. Sony recently shared a press release highlighting a firmware update for the Sony ZV-1 camera. The firmware update brings a couple of new features to the vlog camera, including the ability to connect it to a PC via USB and use it as a high-res webcam.

Additionally, the firmware update brings a new feature that will let you connect the camera to a supported Xperia smartphone and use the smartphone as a secondary display to monitor your live stream and read the chat. The fine print at the bottom of the press release clearly states that this feature will be available on the Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II running Android 11. Therefore, we suspect that the External Monitor feature will also be extended to the Xperia 5 II with its Android 11 update. Sony has already started rolling out stable Android 11 to the Xperia 5 II in select regions. We’ll update this post as soon as we confirm External Monitor availability on the device.

The Xperia PRO 5G’s camera monitor feature is one of its main selling points over the Xperia 1 II (the other being 5G mmWave support), so it’s interesting to see Sony bringing the feature to the Xperia 1 II with its Android 11 update. But it’s worth noting that the Xperia 1 II hasn’t received the Android 11 update in the US yet, and the Xperia PRO is currently only sold in the US. So, we’re not sure if Sony will release the display input feature on US models as that may adversely impact Xperia PRO 5G sales in the country. On the upside, Sony’s decision to bring the feature to the Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II will make the devices more compelling options for creators who were put off by the Xperia PRO 5G’s price.

In case you have received the Android 11 update on your Xperia 5 II, make sure to leave a comment if you’re able to spot the new External Monitor feature on the device.

The post Sony may hurt Xperia PRO sales by releasing this feature on the Xperia 1 II and Xperia 5 II appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2Z0rsTm
via IFTTT

Popular Barcode Scanner app caught infecting Android smartphones

A popular barcode scanner app with over 10 million downloads on the Google Play Store has been caught infecting Android devices with malware. The app, simply dubbed Barcode Scanner, has since been removed from the Play Store, but it likely still remains there on many of the infected devices.

As the name implies, the Barcode Scanner app was a simple app that allowed users to scan barcodes and QR codes. But as discovered by security researchers at Malwarebytes, the app received an update in December that added malicious code that was not present in the previous versions of the app. Researchers note the app used heavy obfuscation to avoid detection. And it did work as this malicious update flew under the radar of Google’s Play Protect service, which is in place precisely to detect and takedown such malicious apps. Researchers at Malwarebytes were able to confirm that the app was signed by the same digital certificate as previous versions, hence confirming it was coming from the same developer, LavaBird LTD.

“In the case of Barcode Scanner, malicious code had been added that was not in previous versions of the app. Furthermore, the added code used heavy obfuscation to avoid detection.”

Nathan Collier, mobile malware researcher, Malwarebytes

The app sprung to life within minutes of installation and started bombarding users with adware and automated web redirects to shady websites without user interaction. You can see the malicious activity in the below video:

Malwarebytes says Google was notified privately and has taken the app down from the Play Store. So far, Google hasn’t yet used its Play Protect tool to notify users who still have this malware installed on their phones. That means users must act on their own and remove the app from their phones.

If you have a barcode scanner app installed on your device and have been noticing some odd behavior lately, head to the app settings and look for the app’s package name. If the app has the package name com.qrcodescanner.barcodescanner, uninstall it immediately.

The post Popular Barcode Scanner app caught infecting Android smartphones appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/36UbX3w
via IFTTT

Popular Barcode Scanner app caught infecting Android smartphones

A popular barcode scanner app with over 10 million downloads on the Google Play Store has been caught infecting Android devices with malware. The app, simply dubbed Barcode Scanner, has since been removed from the Play Store, but it likely still remains there on many of the infected devices.

As the name implies, the Barcode Scanner app was a simple app that allowed users to scan barcodes and QR codes. But as discovered by security researchers at Malwarebytes, the app received an update in December that added malicious code that was not present in the previous versions of the app. Researchers note the app used heavy obfuscation to avoid detection. And it did work as this malicious update flew under the radar of Google’s Play Protect service, which is in place precisely to detect and takedown such malicious apps. Researchers at Malwarebytes were able to confirm that the app was signed by the same digital certificate as previous versions, hence confirming it was coming from the same developer, LavaBird LTD.

“In the case of Barcode Scanner, malicious code had been added that was not in previous versions of the app. Furthermore, the added code used heavy obfuscation to avoid detection.”

Nathan Collier, mobile malware researcher, Malwarebytes

The app sprung to life within minutes of installation and started bombarding users with adware and automated web redirects to shady websites without user interaction. You can see the malicious activity in the below video:

Malwarebytes says Google was notified privately and has taken the app down from the Play Store. So far, Google hasn’t yet used its Play Protect tool to notify users who still have this malware installed on their phones. That means users must act on their own and remove the app from their phones.

If you have a barcode scanner app installed on your device and have been noticing some odd behavior lately, head to the app settings and look for the app’s package name. If the app has the package name com.qrcodescanner.barcodescanner, uninstall it immediately.

The post Popular Barcode Scanner app caught infecting Android smartphones appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/36UbX3w
via IFTTT