Having passed the first week of June, the firmware industry is restless as ever. Improvements here and there and even new operating system for hundreds of devices. Let us walk through the top happenings from over the week.
Which Devices are in today's news round-up?
OnePlus
OnePlus9, OnePlus 9 Pro, OnePlus Watch
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.0 A
Huawei
Multiple Devices
RealMe
RealMe V15
Apple
AirTags
OnePlus
New Update for OnePlus 9, and OnePlus 9 Pro Focusing Camera and Battery Life Improvements
The newly launched OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro has been receiving applause all around. To make sure the devices are better than their predecessor, developers are busy bringing regular changes. That reflects one of the reasons we see this latest update that features improvements in camera and battery life.
Firmware Versions for OnePlus 9
- IN: 11.2.6.6.LE25DA
- EU: 11.2.6.6.LE25BA
- NA: 11.2.6.6.LE25AA
Firmware Version for OnePlus 9 Pro
- IN: 11.2.6.6.LE15DA
- EU: 11.2.6.6.LE15BA
- NA: 11.2.6.6.LE15AA
This is how the Changelog looks:
System
- Improvement in the overall charging experience
- Optimization in the power consumption feature
- Improved stability with fixes for various known issues
Camera
- Improvement in the hidden operation logic that focuses majorly on the top bar of the camera.
- Optimization in the noise reduction and overall sharpening effect of the rear camera
- Improvement in the focusing experience. Also, the brightness constancy in indoor scenes has been improved.
- Improvement in the accuracy of auto white balance of the device’s rear camera
Network
- Improvement in the network performance
The new update with Oxygen OS 11.2.6.6 is currently live in India. The European and North American markets are on the line of receiving the update next.
The OnePlus Watch sees New Update with Additional Workout Modes.
The OnePlus watch launched quite a while back was promised to come with around 110 workout modes. Sadly though, the numbers were more minor. However, the latest update, that holds the firmware version B.52. we have the remaining modes added. Besides the workout modes, the update also brings in the AI Outfit watch face feature and a marathon running function. Let us look at the complete changelog to run through the changes that this the update brings.
- Added several workout modes. Now the watch bags more than 110 workout modes.
- Added the new Marathon running function.
- Added the new AI Outfit watch face function.
Samsung
Android 11 Finally Rolls Out for Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0
A piece of good news for the Tab A 8.0 users. Samsung has finally decided to update the 2019 variant tab that will feature the Android 11 based One UI core 3.1. The new firmware corresponding to version number P205DXU5CUE2 weighs around 1.6 GB. Although the update is currently exclusive for the LTE version of the devices in the Philippines, you can expect it to hit the global stages real soon.
A quick look at the changes:
Visual design
The update has refreshed the look and feel of One Ul Core 3.1 in many ways. New consistent icons have been added. These also accompany a more innovative organization of the quick panel and notifications. The overall motion is now smoother and more natural than what existed before, with improved animations all around for everyday interactions. Also, the interface is responding well to different screen sizes to provide the best experience on any device, phone or tablet.
Improved Performance
The update will see an optimized One UI Core 3.1 with enhanced dynamic memory allocation. Now the apps will run smoother and faster. Background activities have also been restricted to ensure a checked power usage and better battery performance.
One Time Permissions
Besides, you are allowed to let any app access your microphone, camera, or location for just one time. Also, any permissions that any of the apps hasn't used in a while will then be automatically revoked (after a period). After that, you can no longer give apps the permission to always check the location in the regular permission popup. To let any app, access your location whenever they are actually not in use, you will need to hover to the location permission page for that particular app in Settings.
Additional improvements
- In Clock, you can now hear the time, and also the preset name of the alarm read aloud whenever an alarm ring.
- The copies of apps made using Dual messenger can no longer access the files on SD card directly. To share the SD card files in any app copy, you will need to select the files in Gallery and then tap Share, followed by choosing the app copy.
- You will be no longer able to use Wi-Fi Direct for sending files to other devices. Instead, you can rather use Nearby Share. However, Wi-Fi Direct can still be used for receiving files.
- You will be no longer able to connect to Chromecast using the Smart View. Instead, using Google Home is preferred.
Huawei
Huawei Uncovers the List of 100 Devices that are Going to Taste the New Harmony OS
After months of speculations, Huawei finally puts light into its Android devices that will shift to Huawei’s own Harmony operating system. The company announced 100 devices, with the first batch getting the update on June 2nd, while the rest will get the taste of the new operating system in different phases over the year.
Here is the list of few devices with the probable schedule for the update
June 2
Mate40 Pro
- Mate40 Pro+
- Mate40 RS
- Mate40
- Mate40E
- Mate X2
- P40
- P40 4G
- P40 Pro
- P40 Prot
- Mate 30 Pro
- Mate 30 Pro 5G
- Mate 30E Pro 5G
- Mate 30 RS
- Mate 30
- Mate 305G
- MatePad Pro
- MatePad Pro 5G
- Mate Xs
2021 Q3
- Mate 20
- Mate 20 Pro
- Mate 20 RS
- nova 7 SE
- nova 7 SE 5G Youth
- nova 8 5G
- nova 8 Pro 5G
- nova 8 Pro 4G
- I nova 8 SE
- nova 7 5G
- nova 7 Pro 5G
- nova 6
- nova 6 5G
- nova 6 SE
- MatePad 10.8
- MatePad 10.4
- MatePad 5G
The update is currently exclusive for devices in China. Having said that, it will be interesting to see how the global devices and their various apps react to the sudden shift with no Google services; as the ones in China never actually had anything to do with the respective app services from Google. This might be one of the prime reasons Huawei chose China to seed the new operating system.
RealMe
RealMe V15 is Set to Get the New RealMe UI 2.0 Early Access
January 2021 launched RealMe V15 is finally on its way to taste the RealMe UI 2.0. Although the firmware is not a stable version, users can head over to the software update section and participate in the early access program.
The basic requirements for updating your device are that you need to have at least 5GB internal storage and over 60% battery level while getting your device the new firmware. However, it is also important to mark that there are just 1000 slots to fill for the first batch, so make sure you get your speed game going.
Apple
New Alert Update for the AirTags
Apple announced an update for the AirTags that will mainly focus on discouraging unwanted tracking. The new update generally changes the whole way the AirTags initiate a lost tracker. Earlier, the tags were designed to emit a noise only after three days of getting lost. But with the new update, the AirTags will now play a sound within a period of 8 and 24 hours of being lost.
Additional News
- Although the scenes are yet to get clear, rumors circulate around an Android app for AirTags.
- Google Pixel is expected to come up with a time-lapse feature in Astrophotography soon.
A Quick Round Up
- New Update for OnePlus 9, and OnePlus 9 Pro Focusing Camera and Battery Life Improvements
- The OnePlus Watch sees New Update with Additional Workout Modes.
- Android 11 Finally Rolls Out for Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0
- Huawei Uncovers the List of 100 Devices that are Going to Taste the New Harmony OS
- RealMe V15 is Set to Get the New RealMe UI 2.0 Early Access
- New Alert Update for the AirTags
- Although the scenes are yet to get clear, rumors circulate around an Android app for AirTags.
- Google Pixel is expected to come up with a time-lapse feature in Astrophotography soon.
Final Words
This wraps up this week's firmware news. Make sure to let us know which has been your favorite so far. Is it the new operating system from Huawei, the changes that AirTags has incorporated, or anything else? Also, don't forget to join us next week for more exciting news from the firmware industry.