The Snapdragon G series is a labor of love for Qualcomm. A trio of mobile platforms purpose built for handheld gaming devices, fueled by lofty ambitions to transform the handheld gaming space and really turn things up to 11.
With this new set of mobile platforms, Qualcomm says you will have “boundless ways to play virtually any game, anywhere.” We technically already have that. Mobile devices are more powerful than ever and developers of mobile games are creating some of the most impressive offerings to date. The Nintendo Switch is still going strong and putting out excellent titles. Then there’s the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and other similar handheld gaming PCs. You also have cloud-dedicated handhelds like G Cloud and Razer Edge. And Sony’s upcoming Remote Play-only PlayStation Portal. That’s quite a few ways to play virtually any game, anywhere.
But, here’s how Qualcomm plans to use the Snapdragon G Series to take on all those options. Or perhaps not take them on but simply further development in the space.
The Snapdragon G series platform caters to multiple types of experiences
Essentially it’s got a processor for different use cases. There’s one specifically meant for fanless cloud gaming devices, the G1 Gen 1. One dedicated to “full-featured” mobile and cloud gaming, which is the G2 Gen 1. And then there’s the flagship platform. Aimed at tackling handhelds designed for performance and enthusiast-level gaming, the G3x Gen 2.
It’s not quite clear how good performance might be on these new devices running the flagship processor. But handheld makers are already taking notice. This week, AYANEO announced it was partnering with Qualcomm to develop the Pocket S. An upcoming handheld powered by Android, running on the G3x Gen 2 platform. AYANEO will be one of the first companies to use this new chipset. But there will undoubtedly be more. Can it handle PC games when it comes to performance? Probably.
In a recent interview with The Verge, Qualcomm gaming director Mithun Chandrasekhar said that they could easily crank the G3x Gen 2 up to 2GHz and have no problems beating a Steam Deck. But that would also tank the battery life down to about 30 minutes. And that’s not really an optimal experience. Chandrasekhar also hints that Qualcomm is testing potential applications of using the G3x Gen 2 with a compatibility layer for playing Windows PC games on non-Windows handhelds. Not too unlike the Steam Deck does with its Proton layer. Though Chandrasekhar doesn’t explicitly state this is something that will make it into production-ready units. Still, it’s an exciting prospect.
All of that said, the performance for the G3x Gen 2 is certainly there. Qualcomm says it GPU is 2x faster than the one in the G3x Gen 1 that was in the Razer Edge. And its CPU is 30% faster. It’s also equipped to handle Wi-Fi 7 High-Band Simultaneous (HBS) and 5G sub-6 and mmWave.
It very much appears that there’s a bright future for Qualcomm in the handheld gaming space. Especially if leads to more handhelds capable of running PC games.
For those of you who can never decide between using Apple Maps and Google Maps on your iPhone, with iOS 17, Apple is adding an important feature that matches one found on Google Maps. But at the same time, Apple’s version of this feature is going to top Google Maps’ implementation in an important way. We are talking about the ability to download a map and have it used offline. This is important if you’re driving in an area without cellular connectivity.
Offline maps come to Apple Maps in iOS 17, plus one special related feature that Google doesn’t have
No one wants to be driving in an unfamiliar area and not be able to check a mapping and navigation app to see where they are and which way they should be going. Google Maps already allows users to download maps for offline use. On Google Maps, open the app and tap the profile picture in the upper right corner. Tap on Offline maps. You might already have a map downloaded based on your home address.
In iOS 17, Apple Maps will recommend when you should download a map for offline use
You can also tap on Select Your Own Map and use 30MB of your free storage space to download an area that you suggest by moving the map on the screen around a rectangular box. Once you have the general area you want downloaded in the box, pinch in or out to widen or narrow the area you want Google Maps to download for offline use. When you are ready, tap on “Download.”
Downloading a certain area for offline use on Apple Maps is similar. Again, you need iOS 17. Open Apple Maps and tap the profile picture in the right upper corner. Choose “Offline Maps,” and then “Download New Map.” When you tap on “Download New Map,” you’ll have the option of choosing your Current Location or a place you recently searched for. Like with Google Maps, you’ll use pinch-to-zoom to place the area you want downloaded inside a rectangle, and then press “Download.”
In iOS 17, you’ll also be able to select how you want a map downloaded (via Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi/Cellular), if you want automatic downloads, or whether you want to use only offline maps. Downloaded maps can be resized, renamed, and deleted.
And Apple is taking this feature one tier above and beyond Google. A Reddit user named “freaktheclown” posted a partial screenshot showing Apple Maps prompting the user to download a map in areas known for poor cellular coverage. Normally, if you’ve never been driving through a certain area, you wouldn’t know whether you can get cellular connectivity until you get there and by then it would be too late.
In the example embedded with this article, when the iPhone user typed in Yosemite National Park as his destination, he was prompted to download the map. It isn’t clear where Apple gets the information about which areas don’t have cellular from although it may come directly from wireless providers.
Apple Maps has come a long way since it was called “life-threatening”
If you can’t wait for this feature to become available, you can install the latest iOS 17 Public Beta even though there still might be some kinks in the beta that might give you a little trouble. The final, stable version of iOS 17 should be released next month so you might want to hold off with the beta and wait for the final version of iOS 17 to be released in September.
And that Apple certainly did. It started from scratch and while many still prefer Google Maps, Apple Maps is now, at the least, biting at Google Maps heels. And if it keeps adding features that Google Maps does not have, Apple Maps might even surpass Google Maps in the minds of iPhone users.
The latest update Google realseed for Android Runtime (ART) can significantly increase the app launch speed on the operating system. ART also received the ability to update itself through the Google Play system independently.
A faster app launch significantly impacts user experience, and it has been a competitive edge for Apple since the first iOS version was released. When it comes to Android, users sometimes complain about apps that launch slowly. To address this, Google has updated Android Runtime.
As a side note, Android Runtime is responsible for running applications on your Android device. Since Android 12, ART has received its updates via the Google Play system. With ART 14, it can get independent updates without any further intervention.
“Google Play system updates enhance the Android Runtime (ART), which is the engine of the Android OS. These updates boost performance, provide the latest security patches, and standardize core OpenJDK APIs across numerous devices, including all Android 12+ and soon Android Go devices.” Serban Constantinescu, Product Manager at Google, said in his blog post.
Google updates Android Runtime, resulting in a 30% faster app launch
A more efficient ART leads to a faster app launch, resulting in a better user experience. Google claims the Android Runtime now brings a 30% faster app launch. This could be a very crucial addition to Android. Improved memory usage, more efficient bytecode compilation, and security fixes are some more benefits that ART 14 update brings to your device.
Constantinescu added that the testing princess of the upcoming Android Runtime version involves “18 million APKs and running app compatibility tests, and startup, performance, and memory benchmarks on a variety of Android devices that replicate the diversity of our ecosystem as closely as possible.”
ART 14 will be released to all compatible devices in the coming months. The package includes OpenJDK 17 support, a new compiler, and runtime optimizations for better performance with reduced code size.
From a recent post to the brand’s X page, it is clear that a new Sony Xperia smartphone is coming. This device will launch in Japan on September 1st, which is just a few days away. The launch event will be live-streamed via Sony’s official YouTube channel for all to watch and engage with.
However, the post giving away these details doesn’t say anything regarding the device. So fans are left in the dark regarding what they should expect from this coming product launch event. But from the images given, it might be safe to expect this product to be a smartphone, as it shows off what seems to be a smartphone rear camera lens.
Due to the lack of details on the said product, many might say that this launch event will bring an already existing product to the global market. However, that isn’t the case, as there’s still one more important device in the brand’s line-up that is still yet to launch. That device is none other than the Xperia 5 series entry for this year.
Sony Xperia smartphone entry, the 5 V, will take on the competition in a few days
Already, netizens have got to see the Xperia 1 V and 10 V smartphones. The first is Sony’s most expensive and feature-packed smartphone, while the latter is the more affordable entry. In terms of pricing and features, the coming Xperia 5 V will sit between the 1 V and the 10 V.
Sometime last month, a promotional video of this device found its way to the internet. A Reddit user was able to get their hands on this video and share it via their page. This video showed off the design of this device with its dual camera setup and Sony finish.
The design concept and color choice of the video also match that of the image Sony shared via their X page. For specifications, there is little known about the coming device, but it will be a flagship device. From its Geekbench listing, it is clear that this device will launch with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.
It’d also launch, packing 16GB worth of RAM capacity that might be paired up with up to 1TB storage. Another leak concerning this device also claims that it’d support 33W fast charging. This charging speed might charge up a 5000mAh battery capacity which it might carry over from its predecessor.
Following typical Sony fashion, this might be a very compact device with a sub-6.5-inch screen size. In comparison with its predecessor, this device will improve upon its performance and storage. Other details on its specifications will be made available as the coming Sony Xperia smartphone launch date approaches.
YouTube is expanding its podcasting offerings by adding support for RSS uploads and private feeds in YouTube Music. RSS uploads will allow podcasters to easily submit their podcasts to YouTube without having to use a third-party service, thus making it easier for podcasters to get their shows on YouTube and reach a wider audience.
The news was confirmed by YouTube product lead Steve McLendon to TechCrunch during the Podcast Movement conference this week. The upcoming podcasting features are in addition to the already consistent stream of updates and features being added to the YouTube and YouTube Music platforms.
The addition of RSS feeds is a significant step for YouTube in its efforts to become a major player in the podcasting space. These features give podcasters more control over how their shows are distributed and listened to, and they make it easier for listeners to find and discover new podcasts.
Embracing RSS feeds will allow users of the platform to better curate their favorite podcasts lists and follow lesser known or private podcasts that are not placed front and center. Spotify does not currently offer this feature, as the company prefers for its users to opt for Spotify’s own podcast subscriptions.
YouTube’s move to support RSS uploads and private feeds is a sign of the company’s growing commitment to podcasting. YouTube is already one of the most popular platforms for listening to podcasts, and these new features are likely to make it even more attractive to podcasters and listeners.
YouTube Music, for example, is becoming a more competitive product when it comes to music streaming. Supporting podcast features as well will position the app in a more level playing field with standalone podcast apps, such as the popular Apple Podcasts and Overcast, and ahead of Spotify when it comes to supporting private RSS feeds.
One of the biggest debates in the Android tech community this year had to do with Samsung Galaxy storage. Well, this might no longer be a debatable topic with the launch and rollout of Android 14 to devices around the world. Some users of Samsung Galaxy devices that have access to the Android 14 beta upgrade have noticed some changes that clear the air regarding storage.
Currently, a misrepresentation of system storage usage on Galaxy devices is getting users all worked up. With the Galaxy S23 series, their storage shows that system software uses up to 60GB of space, which is excessive. But this is a misrepresentation of how much storage the devices’ system software takes up, and it is in no way close to figures users are debating over.
The reason some users of this year’s flagship devices from Samsung are seeing these outrageous numbers in system storage usage is quite technical. It has to do with how smartphone storage works and has nothing to do with bloatware and storage mismanagement. Let’s now delve into this topic for a clearer understanding and also see how Samsung will fix the issue.
A technical fix to the Samsung Galaxy storage issue currently working fans up
A clearer understanding of how device storage and its software interpretation works will disperse user concerns. It all boils down to Gigabytes and gibibytes, which are two measurements for storage. You know the first is Gigabyte, but you might not be familiar with the latter.
These two are both measurements for RAM storage capacity, but they both have different powers. For the more popular Gigabytes, it measures storage in powers of 1024, which you might have heard of as well. But gibibyte is a bit different as it reads storage to the power of 1000 and this variation means storage figures might see a slight shift.
So the amount of Gigabyte storage on your device will reduce when converted to gibibyte. To cover this up, most manufacturers add numbers up to increase the storage back to the advertised state. So in your storage settings page, the addition to step things back up will reflect in various available categories.
Unfortunately, with the Samsung flagship devices for this year, this addition found its way to the system storage section. This doesn’t mean that the device’s system takes up that much space, but was just a software flaw and a misrepresentation. With the coming Android 14 upgrade, this issue will see a fix, reflecting the actual storage the Galaxy device’s system takes up.
Along with the launch of Android 14 will also come One UI 6.0 which will reflect this change on the storage settings. Some users like Max Weinbach have already begun noticing this change thanks to their One UI 6 beta upgrade. More users around the world will get this upgrade once Android 14 rolls out in the coming months.
The Xiaomi 13T Pro design surfaced in real-life images yesterday, thanks to NCC. That comes following the leak of the phone’s renders. Having said that, its sibling, the Xiaomi 13T, has just surfaced in an 18-minute video ahead of its launch.
The Xiaomi 13T appears in an 18-minute video prior to its launch
These two devices will, of course, launch together. In any case, this video has been shared by a Guatemalan YouTuber, Eufracio Lopez 502, and it has been embedded below the article.
You can get a really good look at the phone here, and also its software. The YouTuber goes through the menus on the phone, and also talks about various other aspects of the device.
The Xiaomi 13T will feature a 6.67-inch 2712 x 1220 1.5K AMOLED display. That panel will offer a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 480Hz touch sampling rate. The display is also said to offer a 2,880Hz high frequency PWM dimming, and up to 2,600 nits of peak brightness.
The MediaTek Dimensity 8200 will fuel the phone, while you’ll get 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM here. Xiaomi will also include 256GB of UFS 3.1 flash storage. That will likely be the only model in global markets, but we’ll see.
A 5,000mAh battery will be included, and 67W charging supported
Two SIM cards will be included, of course, and Android 13 too. Xiaomi’s MIUI 14 skin will be pre-installed on Google’s OS. A 5,000mAh battery will sit inside the phone, and support 67W wired charging. A charger will also be a part of the package.
A 50-megapixel main camera (Sony’s IMX707 sensor) will be backed by a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera (OmniVision OV13B10 sensor), and a 50-megapixel telephoto camera (OmniVision OV50D).
Bluetooth 5.3 will be supported here, while the Xiaomi 13T will ship with IP68 certification for water and dust resistance. The device will also include stereo speakers, and Dolby Atmos support.
The Xiaomi 13T is coming in Black and Blue color variants, and it’s expected to launch globally in September. The September 1 is rumored to be the launch date.
With devices coming out with more and more RAM, that’s a statement that you’ve probably come across multiple times. To the uninitiated, it could just be another number in the torrent of specs being flung at you when a new phone, tablet, or computer comes out. But, what is RAM? Why is it important? How does having more of it make a device more powerful?
This is what we’re going to explain here. In this piece, we’re going to go over these questions and more that you might have about RAM. Knowing this could be make-or-break when choosing your next device. This could help you understand what’s running your computer, gaming console, phone, or other device. So, let’s dive in.
What is RAM?
So, let’s start off with what this term means. RAM is an acronym meaning Random Access Memory. Just like your computer’s storage device (hard drive, SSD, SD card, flash drive, etc.), RAM stores data in the form of binary code. However, it serves a different purpose than storage.
Storage is perfect for storing data to be held for extended periods of time. When you install a program on your computer, (let’s say a paint program) you’re going to be using it multiple times over an extended period of time. That program and its files are saved to the storage.
However, RAM is all about the here and now. Let’s say you want to paint using the program. Well, what’s happening? You’re picking colors, drawing lines, adjusting the UI, changing settings, fixing mistakes, picking tools; you’re making quick changes in real-time. The issue is that you can’t access and make changes to your storage that quickly. You need a form of memory that can be changed and affected at a moment’s notice.
This is where RAM comes in. As per its name, it can be accessed randomly. When you open the program, that program is loaded into the RAM so that everything you do will be reflected in real-time. Everything you do in the program affects what’s loaded into the RAM. This doesn’t only apply to programs; many of the basic functions that keep your device’s operating system running are loaded into RAM. If you didn’t have RAM, your device wouldn’t be able to run.
Why more RAM is better
Let’s use an analogy; think of your device as a house. You store a lot of furniture, appliances, devices, and other items in the living room. This is where you live, so you can readily access these items at a moment’s notice, and you NEED to. Now, think of the basement as the storage.; you’re keeping items down there for long periods of time, and you don’t need to access them at a moment’s notice.
When you use programs on your computer, you’re loading data onto your RAM. Imagine this as placing more items inside your living room. The more programs you load up, the more RAM you use. So, imagine loading more items into your living room.
Eventually, you’re going to run out of space. When you run out of RAM, your device will start closing programs you had running before to make room for the programs you’re loading in now. This is similar to taking the older items and placing them outside to make room for new furniture.
So, as you can imagine, having more RAM is just like having a larger living room. The more you have, the more programs you can have running without needing to close.
Where does the basement come into play? Well, some devices will actually use some of the storage as backup RAM. A device could have 8GB of RAM and actually borrow several gigabytes from the storage.
Circling back to our house analogy, when the living room gets full, instead of chucking the items on the lawn, you’ll place some of the furniture in the basement to access later. Not every device does this, but it can really help.
What does the “DDR” stand for?
When you see that a new device comes out, you’ll sometimes see the term “DDR”. For example, you’ll see “16GB of DDR5 RAM”. But, what does that mean? Why do companies want you to get hyped about higher DDR numbers?
First, a quick lesson in clock speed
When you’re looking at a CPU’s specs, you’ll typically see its clock speed, a number measured in hertz (Hz), kilohertz (kHz), megahertz (MHz), or gigahertz (GHz). That’s its clock speed. It’s the number of pulses a CPU gives off every second. We won’t dig too deeply into that, as that’s not relevant to the article (here’s an informative video). When each pulse happens, also called a clock cycle, the CPU sends out one or several instructions.
Clock cycles are divided into upbeats and downbeats. Each cycle starts on an upbeat, and the halfway point between each pulse is a downbeat. It’s analogous to clapping hands. When your hands make contact, it’s an upbeat and when your hands are furthest apart, it’s a downbeat.
With that out of the way, let’s talk about DDR
DDR, or Double Data Rate, RAM was invented in 2000, and it took off after just a couple of years. Before, computers used SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory). Both of these terms deal with how and when the RAM sends data to the CPU.
This is where the above lesson comes into relevance. SDRAM was perfectly synced with the CPU; the RAM chip would only send data to the CPU once every clock cycle.
Enter DDR
However, DDR RAM (Dual Data Rate) broke that mold. Not only would it send data on the upbeat, but it’d also send data on the downbeat. This doubled the speed of the RAM, making the rate you can access it much faster.
As time went on, there were new generations of DDR RAM to come out. Each generation increased the speed of the RAM. DDR2 doubled the speed of DDR, DDR3 doubled the speed of DDR2, and so on.
Not only did future generations of DDR RAM increase the speed, but they also decreased the power consumption. While they’re small, the chips in your device consume a lot of energy. Every time the RAM sends data to the CPU, it uses a little bit of energy. One cycle doesn’t consume a lot of energy, but remember, cycles happen millions and billions of times every second. That doesn’t matter as much if your device is plugged in, but it can be a factor if your device is on battery.
DDR 1 RAM has an operating voltage of about 2.6V and DDR5 RAM has an operating voltage of 1.1V. That’s about a 56% reduction in power consumption.
What about LPDDR RAM?
LPDDR (Low-Power Dual Data Rate) RAM is designed for mobile devices like phones and tablets. While it has “DDR” in its name, the technology has actually evolved independently from DDR technology. In fact, it’s actually closer to SDRAM in that it syncs with the CPU. It’s meant to consume less energy than DDR RAM, as it’s in devices that are battery-powered.
To wrap things up
That was a rundown of the memory that’s probably powering the device you’re reading this article on. Hopefully, you now have a deeper understanding. RAM technology will improve as time goes on, and you’re now equipped to know what’s coming next.
The very first HONOR Magic Vs2 info has just surfaced, as we’re waiting for the Magic V2’s global launch. As a reminder, the Magic V2 will launch globally on September 1, during an event in Berlin, as part of IFA.
The very first HONOR Magic Vs2 info surfaced, and it’s odd
Having said that, the Magic Vs2 has surfaced on the 3C authority in China. That website basically confirmed the device’s charging speed. The phone appeared with the model number ‘VCA-AN00’. This name allegedly belongs to the Magic Vs2, but we cannot confirm it just yet.
That being said, the website claims the phone will support a max charging speed of 35W. That is considerably slower than what its predecessor offers (66W). Needless to say, that’s very odd.
So, what’s happening here? Is it an error on the 3C’s end, or perhaps is this model number wrong? Well, it doesn’t have to be either one, to be quite honest. The Magic Vs2 is rumored to be an outwards-folding foldable, so that could be the reason for this change.
HONOR could make a huge design change with the Magic Vs2
The Magic Vs was just a better variant of the Magic V, but with the Magic Vs2, HONOR could make a huge change. Unlike book-style foldables HONOR has been releasing thus far, this phone could feature an outwards-folding design.
That design change could have forced HONOR to push the charging speed down, due to heating. We’ll have to wait and see, though, as we’re only guessing at this point. Who knows, perhaps the source is wrong, and this is not the Magic Vs2 at all.
In any case, the Magic V2 managed to get a lot of attention when it launched. Why? Well, because it became the thinnest book-style foldable in the market, and it still is. It’s also one of the lightest. Despite all that, HONOR managed to cram a 5,000mAh battery on the inside, thanks to new battery tech, and a new hinge.
Google and its services are the heart of your Android experience. You can view and change settings pertaining to your Google account right from your Google settings page. According to Android analyst Mishaal Rahman, the Google settings page will get a massive revamp.
The changes to the page really revolve around making the interface less cluttered. Also, it will bring the app more in line with Material You. Right now, the settings consist of a straightforward list of services and settings. At the top of the page, you’ll see your profile picture with the option to view relevant information about your account.
The Google settings page revamp will bring a big change
While this revamp will bring a new look to the page, there’s good news for people who want a familiar experience. When you open the page, you’ll see a new two-tabbed look. The first tab will show you a collection of recommended settings. We’re not sure if these recommended settings will be the same for everyone or if they’ll be catered to the user.
In this tab, we see a grid view with large rounded rectangular buttons. Up top, there’s the Google One section showing you how much storage you used up with the option to manage the settings. Under that, we see other options like Find My Device, Google Wallet, and the Password Manager.
Google Play Services is starting to roll out a big redesign of its settings page. I’m referring to the page you access by going to Settings > Google.
Now, instead of showing the full list of settings by default, you’ll get quick access to a couple of key settings in the… pic.twitter.com/zQs2bhAHb0
This is to offer you a quick way to access certain settings. It eliminates the need to search through the settings.
However, if you don’t find the settings in the first tab, then don’t worry. The second tab will show you the classic list view for the settings page. There, you’ll have the same experience that you had before.
This revamp isn’t really to change the aesthetic of the app. It’s mostly to help you find certain settings quickly. The update is rolling out, but there’s a chance that you won’t see it right away. It’s an update that will come through the Google Play Services.
