Meta Quest Pro 2 with LG OLED displays reportedly in works to rival Vision Pro

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Meta Quest Pro 2 with LG OLED displays reportedly in works to rival Vision Pro
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Meta is currently working on the successor to the Quest Pro premium mixed-reality VR headset. The upcoming device from the brand is expected to be launched as the Meta Quest Pro 2. The rumor mill is yet to shed many details about the next-gen Quest Pro series VR headset.

However, the Korea Economic Daily has revealed what Meta has up its sleeves for the Quest Pro 2 VR headset. First, the source has suggested that Meta will be partnering with LG to develop its next-gen MR-VR headset.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is meeting with LG CEO to collaborate on the next-gen Quest Pro

According to the report, Zuckerberg will be visiting Korea this week to meet with LG CEO William Cho. The meeting will take place on February 28th. They will be discussing strategies to develop a new XR (extended reality) headset, apart from working on new VR technologies. Notably, key executives from LG Group’s IT component subsidiaries will also be joining the meeting.

The two CEOs will discuss ways for LG to develop the next-gen Quest Pro series mixed-reality headset, suggests the report. It is worth noting that this will be Zuckerberg’s first publicly acknowledged trip to Korea in 10 years. The CEO’s last visit was regarding finalizing the Gear VR smartphone-holder headset collaboration with LG rival Samsung.

Meta Quest Pro 2 will utilize LG’s OLED display panels and will rival Apple’s Vision Pro

As per the source, LG will be manufacturing the OLED displays for the next-gen Meta XR headset. The much-awaited OLED screens will be able to provide the visual boost that upcoming Quest Pro VR headsets need. The previous-gen Quest Pro arrived with LCD screen panels, so the Quest Pro 2 will certainly offer a more immersive visual experience. Notably, LG is also exploring ways to incorporate its custom webOS into the Meta Quest Pro 2. However, not many details are available at the moment.

 

With the new OLED displays and other tech enhancements, the Quest Pro 2 will be competing with the Apple Vision Pro. Notably, the latter is already available to order at a staggering starting price tag of $3,499. As for the Meta Quest Pro 2, it is said to launch not before the first half of 2025.

Notably, six months ago, another Korean publication Maeil Business Newspaper reported that Meta is collaborating with LG for a next-gen XR headset. The first fruit of the partnership will allegedly be the Meta Quest Pro 2, which will be priced at around $2,000.

If the report is correct, the Quest Pro 2 will be more expensive than the current offering that’s retailing at $999. We expect Meta and LG to announce something official about their partnership regarding the new XR headset after the meeting this week.


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Apple releases iOS 17.4 Release Candidate; final version expected next week

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Apple releases iOS 17.4 Release Candidate; final version expected next week
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Apple is still expected to release iOS 17.4 early in March to beat the March 8th deadline imposed by the EU for Apple to deliver all of the changes coming to Safari, the App Store, and iOS in the 27 EU member countries. Those in the EU will be able to use a browser with a non-WebKit engine, select a third-party default contactless payment app, choose an alternative third-party app store to install apps from, and much more. Today, Apple released the Release Candidate (RC) version of iOS 17.4 which means that the software released today will probably remain the same when the final version is made available.
Developers will be able to have in-app purchases processed by an alternative payment processing platform and avoid the so-called Apple Tax which will be reduced in the EU from 15%-30% everywhere else to 10%-17%. Those in the EU can thank the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for these changes while those living in other countries with an iPhone can hope for a DMA of their own.
iOS 17.4 will bring an improvement to the Stolen Device Protection feature that makes it harder for passcode stealing creeps to grab your phone and change your Apple ID and Password, reset Face ID and Touch ID, disable the Find My app, and create new passwords for your financial apps allowing them to take control and wipe you out. The feature requires the use of Face ID and Touch ID to verify your identity before changes can be made to your phone. More sensitive tasks will require verification from Face ID and Touch ID and puts certain changes on hold for an hour before they become official. This way, if you realize your iPhone has been stolen, you can call Apple to alert the company.
Apple releases iOS 17.4 Release Candidate - Apple releases iOS 17.4 Release Candidate; final version expected next week

Apple releases iOS 17.4 Release Candidate

When Stolen Device Protection debuted in iOS 17.3, users could either enable it to work at unfamiliar locations, or disable it. In iOS 17.4, a new option has been added allowing the feature to be disabled, enabled for use in unfamiliar locations, or set to be on always. Personally, I chose the latter because it would seem to offer you protection from passcode thieves anywhere.

With iOS 17.4, the Apple Podcasts app will give you the ability to read transcripts of your favorite podcasts including an entire episode. You can tap on any part of the transcript and listen to the podcast from that point going forward, or search for a specific word or phrase. As a podcast is played on the app, the transcript is highlighted to match what is being heard.

The update to iOS 17.4 will include improved security for iMessage which will defend it “against even highly sophisticated quantum attacks.” The system is called “post-quantum cryptographic protocol or PQ3. And new Emoji comes to the iPhone with iOS 17.4 including a brown mushroom, a phoenix, a broken chain, a lime, and two shaking heads. One of the heads is shaking vertically, the other is shaking horizontally.

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Best of MWC 2024: Xiaomi Watch 2

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Best of MWC 2024: Xiaomi Watch 2
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Long-lasting performance meets affordability

Smartwatches are an interesting segment of tech because there are so many choices out there, but options like the newly announced Xiaomi Watch 2 that was announced at MWC 2024 tend to steal the show, quite simply because they come with Wear OS. And that’s generally for good reason because Wear OS is the most versatile smartwatch operating system for Android users. It has more apps, and thereby tends to have more features available. The only real downside has always been battery life.

Well, that is fast becoming less and less of a problem thanks to devices like the Xiaomi Watch 2. And it’s the kind of improvements that Wear OS needs to shine brighter than it ever has.

Up to 65 hours of battery life on one charge for more peace of mind

I’m just going to say it. The worst part about using a smartwatch is how often you usually have to charge them. I know, I know. We do this every day with smartphones too. But it feels different with smartwatches. It feels like they should last longer than 24 hours and yet, most don’t. Thankfully, companies like Xiaomi are pushing things forward by really zeroing in on the battery life aspect. The Xiaomi Watch 2 can last up to 65 hours on a single charge, the company says. That’s a pretty long time compared to most other options.

We’ve said it many times before and we’ll keep saying it until it no longer needs to be said. Wear OS needs much battery life. While we haven’t tested the Xiaomi Watch 2 yet, if it lives up to Xiaomi’s claims then this is a game changer. Because up to 65 hours is almost three days. Keep in mind this assuming you’d use it a lot throughout the day. If you use your smartwatch more sparingly on a daily basis, there’s a good chance this could last even longer. And honestly, that’s a beautiful thing.

Not having to plunk this down on the charger every night is likely to win a lot of people over. Because if there’s one thing we could all stand to benefit from, it’s having one less device to charge every day. That’s peace of mind, and you can’t put a price on that. What you can put a price on is this watch. And that’s one of the other really nice things about it.

Xiaomi hasn’t announced official US pricing yet (that’s coming in the future). However, it retails for €199 for the base model. So US consumers should expect a price point that is very close to that. From a cost standpoint, that is an incredible value for what you’re getting.

The usual specs with a whole lot of customization

One of the best parts about any smartwatch is its customization capabilities. The Xiaomi Watch 2 is thankfully going to offer what appears to be a wide range of options for bands. And that paired with its alternate color options for the watch means you can set up your Xiaomi Watch 2 with a personalized look that suits you best. The watch case itself comes in two colors. Silver and Black. But it’ll have tons of band options and that’s really where the customization is going to pull in consumers.

In terms of specs, the Xiaomi Watch 2 sports a 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chip, with a feather-light 30g weight and a 495mAh battery. It also supports over 160 sport modes and of course, it has all the Google smarts that Wear OS 4 has to offer.


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Best of MWC 2024: Tecno Dynamic 1

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Best of MWC 2024: Tecno Dynamic 1
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Out of left field, Tecno delivered one of the most spectacular devices at MWC 2024, and it’s a really good boy

During the events, Tecno showed off its Robo dog called the Tecno Dynamic 1. We’ve seen plenty of robotics over the years and they’ve been improving immensely ever since. Well, looking at the Tecno Dynamic 1, it appears that robotics have reached a new stage of evolution.

In case you are unfamiliar with Tecno, the company has primarily been a smartphone maker. It gave us devices like the Camon series phones and the Pova gaming phones. In fact, the company unveiled the Pova 6 Pro 5G during MWC, its latest and greatest gaming-centric smartphone coming soon. Well, the company has been expanding over the past couple of years, and it’s vying to be a top tech brand.

This is evident in the engineering prowess present within the Dynamic 1. As stated before, this is a robotic dog, and it has been engineered to mimic a dog’s natural movements. When you see it in action, it will look very similar to what you would see from your pet at home. It does subtle movements like stomping its feet, moving its head, moving up and down, and more. All of the motors powering the Dynamic 1 move perfectly in sync, so it remains balanced. It achieves this balance by using an  AI Hypersense Fusion System.

The Dynamic 1 has several sensors including a RealSense D430 depth camera, dual optical sensors, and infrared sensors. Also, it has four microphones that allow it to listen to voice commands.

Tecno is really pushing the envelope with the Dynamic 1, and it shows the company’s commitment to innovation. The Dynamic 1 is one of the most interesting devices we’ve seen in years, and that’s why it earned our award for Best of MWC 2024.


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Best of MWC 2024: Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra

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Best of MWC 2024: Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra
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A rugged phone, a walkie talkie, a power bank & more

Ulefone is well-known for its rugged devices, and the company made an appearance at this year’s MWC too. A wide range of smartphones was shown off at the booth, including some upcoming ones. One such device is the Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra, and we decided to hand one of our MWC 2024 awards to that phone. This phone did get announced, even though we still don’t have all the spec details nor an exact release date. Still, Ulefone did share some details, and we did get a chance to check out the phone at the company’s booth.

A true tank of a phone

The Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra is a true tank of a smartphone. You’ll immediately notice that the device is of the rugged variety and that it can handle rough usage. Ulefone has a lot of practice in that field, so it’s not surprising the phone feels as sturdy as it does. Now, what struck us most was the back side. Ulefone opted for a rather large camera octagon at the top, with a speaker in the middle of it all. There are four cameras surrounding that speaker, one in each of the four corners of the camera island. More on that later.

On the front, you’ll find a flat display, with a centered display camera hole. The bezels around that display are not the thinnest, as this is a true tank of a phone. Still, if you’re thinking of getting a true rugged smartphone, you’re probably not thinking about bezel thinness. Its regular physical buttons (power/lock, volume up, and volume down) sit on the right-hand side, while there’s an extra button on the left side.

Gigantic battery, walkie-talkie & a 200MP camera

The Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra is a rugged phone, but its internals may surprise you. This smartphone packs a huge 15,600mAh battery, and it can double as a power bank. If you need to recharge it, however, don’t fret. Ulefone included 120W charging here, and a 120W charger is included in the box. This basically makes it one of the fastest-charging battery banks too, kind of. That battery pack is one of the reasons the phone is thicker than your regular smartphones, but you’re getting a lot of juice in return.

This device does double as a walkie-talkie, there’s even a removable antenna at the top. Ulefone also mentioned the phone’s satellite messaging function too, in case you were wondering. What you’ll also find on the back is a 200MP main camera, from Samsung. A night vision camera is likely also included on the back, as IR emitters are a part of the package. That’s all we know about the rear cameras, though. A 50-megapixel unit does sit on the front side, in case you were wondering. The Ulefone Armor 26 Ultra will become available in the near future.


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Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 5G Modem

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Qualcomm Snapdragon X80 5G Modem
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A highly advanced AI-powered 5G modem for speedier smartphones

At MWC 2024 this week Qualcomm lifted the curtain on its latest 5G modem, the Snapdragon X80 5G, a highly advanced 5G modem that will use AI to speed up the new 5G era of smartphones and other mobile devices. Just to put things into perspective, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75 modems are what’s being used in Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series phones. So the X80 series is what we’ll be seeing in the top-end flagships coming later this year and beyond.

Qualcomm says the Snapdragon X80 5G modem is the “most advanced modem-to-antenna platform in the world. And just based on what we’ve learned of it so far, we have to agree.

Even more possibilities for satellite connections, thanks to NB-NTN support

There are more than a few major improvements with the X80 5G modem that Qualcomm has implemented over the X80’s predecessor. But one of the more important improvements has to be the addition of NB-NTN support for even wider possibilities for satellite connections. NTN or Non-terrestrial networks, are networks that operate off of satellites that hover around in low-earth orbit. Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X80 5G modem now has standard support for these types of networks.

So it’s not impossible to think that devices with this modem inside could potentially connect to sat networks in the event of emergencies. And with this support for NB-NTN networks fully integrated, there will be more options for device manufacturers and carriers to support certain networks. And in the end that results in more options for consumers.

Powerful AI features to speed up just about everything

AI is being developed into just about everything these days. That includes Qualcomm’s latest 5G mobile modem. Here are just some of the ways this is going to help smartphones become even more efficient at everything they do. Firstly, the Snapdragon X80 5G modem has a dedicated AI processor and that’s going to be at the heart of all its AI features.  With this in place, the modem can help phones receive faster data speeds. If you think your phone is capable of fast data speeds now, your next device with this modem inside is likely going to surprise you.

The AI processor also helps to lower the latency between tasks, and it can manage multiple antennas as well as more efficiently manage power drain on your device. Basically, the phone should work faster with data-related functions and last longer with regard to battery life.


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Best of MWC 2024: Samsung Galaxy Ring

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Best of MWC 2024: Samsung Galaxy Ring
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Samsung’s excellent health-tracking in a tiny, stylish package

After first teasing the Galaxy Ring during Unpacked earlier this year, Samsung has given us a closer look at the health-tracking device during MWC 2024. There’s a lot more information that Samsung shared about it that wasn’t given to the public during its “unveiling” that happened back in January. There are still quite a few details unknown about this device, however. Nevertheless, with the information Samsung has chosen to share, for now, the Galaxy Ring already seems to be shaping up to be a must-have health tracker.

When you think about health trackers, more commonly known as fitness trackers, you think of a watch-like device you wear around your wrist. Perhaps all those features are even wrapped up in a smartwatch like the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. The problem with watches or fitness trackers that are wrist-worn, is that they’re big and bulky, at least by comparison to a ring that slides onto your finger. This is where we believe the Galaxy Ring is likely to become a new favorite for people when it comes to tracking health. Especially for those who are more focused on sleep tracking. Think about it. A ring is going to be much more comfortable to wear to bed than a watch.

A complement to the smartwatch, not a replacement

This is going to be one of the big takeaways from something like the Galaxy Ring. While I absolutely love my Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, I don’t particularly enjoy wearing it to bed. There’s just something about having the watch on while I sleep that has always felt strange and out of place. With the Galaxy Ring, no more. And that seems to be the same sentiment shared by Samsung. The Galaxy Ring was designed to complement the smartwatch but not replace it. This means you could take off your Galaxy Watch 6 Classic while you go to sleep without having to give up the sleep-tracking features.

That sounds wonderful. On top of this, the Galaxy Ring keeps things in the same ecosystem. If you’re using a Galaxy Watch, then you’re already tapped into Samsung Health. And the Galaxy Ring will build on that by tapping into it as well. It’ll connect to the app so the sensors on the ring can upload whatever data was tracked during use. And all of that will blend nicely with whatever data the watch grabs. The main draw here is keeping things simple. You won’t have to use separate apps to interact with say, a different smart ring, and then Samsung Health for the Galaxy Watch. Simplicity and convenience are key. Plus, the ring is said to last up to 9 days on a charge. So you’ll have one less thing to charge daily.

Multiple colors and sizes to fit everyone

To even further build on the excitement, Samsung is going to release the Galaxy Ring in a multitude of sizes. Not only that, but it comes in three colors. You can choose between Silver, Dark Gray, and Gold. It also comes in nine different sizes. That might not seem like a huge deal but it certainly is. This will undoubtedly make it so more people can opt to get one of these rings because it will fit on more finger sizes.

The larger sizes will also include a larger battery. Which probably means even longer battery life for those. All-in-all, the Galaxy Ring is a showstopping device that we can’t wait to get our hands on.


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Oppo Air Glass 3 AI-powered glasses

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Oppo Air Glass 3 AI-powered glasses
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The Oppo Air Glass 3 gives us a glimpse at the company’s vision for the future at MWC 

Wearable smart technology is getting more advanced as time goes on, and we’re all eagerly awaiting the days when it’ll be indistinguishable from what we see in Sci-Fi movies. Well, Oppo wants to turn science fiction into science fact with the Air Glass 3. At this point, this device is only a prototype, so, we shouldn’t expect to see it launching anytime soon. However, it does give us an idea of what Oppo has planned for this device, and it looks pretty spectacular.

These glasses will remind you of the smart glasses that we have today. However, these will stand out by implementing generative AI. They will have the ability to access generative AI models. The model it’ll use won’t be the most popular on the market. Rather than using any AI models from OpenAI, these glasses will use AndesGPT. This is Oppo’s proprietary AI model.

These glasses will be very inconspicuous. If you remember the Google Glass, you remember a pair of glasses with a very noticeable component over one of the lenses. However, these glasses will look very similar to a regular pair of eyeglasses. This is thanks in part to the fact that they will not come with a camera. This will undoubtedly make the glasses much lighter.

The Oppo Air Glass 3 will probably be just fine on their own, but they’re mostly made to integrate with Oppo’s other devices. So, you’ll use an Oppo phone along with the dedicated Air Glass 3 app to get the most out of the experience.

For their sleek design and innovative technology, the Oppo Air Glass 3 have won the hearts of those visiting MWC and us here at Android Headlines.


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Tecno Pova 6 Pro 5G

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Tecno Pova 6 Pro 5G
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Tecno is here to show us that it truly knows how to make a gaming phone

MWC 2024 is going on, and all the top tech brands are showing off the latest and greatest innovations. Rising star in the tech world, Tecno showed off some interesting new tech at the event. One device was its latest gaming phone. The Tecno Pova 6 Pro 5G comes with gaming features like an array of RGB lights, software-based game optimizations, and an overall gorgeous aesthetic that we mostly see with other gaming phones.

This phone comes with an absolutely gorgeous 6.7-inch AMOLED display that will make all of the games you’re playing look amazing. This is actually a big upgrade from the LCD panel that was present in the Pova 5 Pro (Review). That display looks nice, but the Pova 6 Pro 5G’s is a step up. Also, it’s a much brighter display.

The Pova 6 Pro 5G comes with Dynamic-Light miniLED effects. The back glass of the phone is perfectly transparent, and it lets you see a set of nice-looking RGB lights. They will turn on, pulsate, and react based on the activity you’re doing on your phone.

You’re going to want to play games for a while using this incredible phone, so Tecno hooked the Pova 6 Pro 5G up with a whopping 6000mAh battery. This will give you some amazing battery life. Also, to charge a battery this big in a reasonable amount of time, Tecno gave this phone 70W charging.

When it comes to the performance, the Pova 6 Pro 5G has an impressive 12GB of RAM. This is flagship-level, and it can be extended to 24GB of RAM via storage. With such an incredible design, beautiful display, and powerful internals it’s no wonder why the Tecno Pova 6 Pro 5G has our reward for Best of CES 2024.


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You can now set Microsoft Copilot as your default Android assistant

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You can now set Microsoft Copilot as your default Android assistant
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A recent update to the Microsoft Copilot app for Android has positioned it as a contender to replace Google Assistant or Bixby as the default digital assistant on Android devices. This beta update, marked as version 27.9.420225014, allows users to set Copilot as their default assistant app. With this change, users can launch Copilot from any screen by swiping diagonally from the corner or long-pressing the power button, the same as the way they launch Google Assistant.

Microsoft Copilot now joins virtual assistants like Google Assistant and Bixby on Android

This development marks a significant expansion in the options available to Android users for their digital assistants. For example, previously users had the choice between Google Assistant and Bixby on Samsung devices, with additional options like Amazon or DuckDuckGo.

Notably, Google has also introduced Gemini, its AI-driven assistant, as a replacement for Google Assistant. However, until now, Microsoft Copilot was notably absent from the list of available digital assistants on Android devices.

Microsoft Copilot, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 LLM and featuring an image generation tool fueled by DALL-E, offers users a comprehensive AI experience. The inclusion of Copilot in the list of available digital assistants on Android phones signals Microsoft’s commitment to reaching more users with its AI.

However, Microsoft Copilot is not taking the full advantage of this addition as of now

While the ability to set Copilot as the default assistant app is a significant step forward, there are some limitations to its current implementation. For example, invoking Copilot currently launches the main activity of the app instead of presenting users with a small overlayed box with a chat function, as seen with other assistant apps. Additionally, Copilot does not automatically listen for input or utilize APIs to grab screenshots of on-screen content as of now.

However, these shortcomings could be addressed in future updates, as Microsoft continues to refine and improve the Copilot experience. Overall, the introduction of Copilot as a default assistant app for Android devices offers users more flexibility and choice in how they interact with their devices.


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