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Users Can Now Access Google Stadia Via 4G and 5G Services On Their Mobile Phones

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Gamers have more good news coming their way. Google recently announced that its cloud gaming service Stadia will now be accessible to Android users. As per the report, Google’s Stadia will now work through 4G and 5G services from mobile phones. This will improve the accessibility of the service, which hit the market last November. Let us now take a quick look at how this move will help gamers around the world.

Accessibility Over Mobile Networks

Google’s announcement via their 9to5Google forum says that users can now use Stadia over mobile networks. The platform will be accessible to Android users who have 4G or 5G connectivity. However, this feature will be through an “experiment” mode, hinting that the feature might not pan out so great for the first few users. Ever since the platform dropped in November 2019, users could play games on it only over Wi-Fi. However, a few had figured out how to play over cellular networks by tethering their laptop. Even so, this was not a preferred method for many, with most opting to play over their fixed LANs. 

Experiment Op-In

In order to play over a cellular network, users will have to opt-in for the experiment. To do so, they should head to their Stadia app, select Experiments, and then click on the Use Mobile Data option. As per previous user experience, playing over a 90Mbps LTE connection ranged from playable to filled with stutters. However, that was back in November, and there is reason to suspect Google has since improved the platform. Since we are unsure of whether the tech giant has updated the portal, users might be surprised to find they can now render games smoothly over cellular networks. Also, in the past, cellular networks could be used only via tethering, which does hamper the overall quality. As users can now make use of 4G and 5G services directly, they can expect better user experience. 

Lot of Updates

This announcement is only one of many regarding Stadia since the platform’s launch. Some of the other updates, including making it available to Android phones, allowing wireless connectivity and finally launching a free service. 

Phone Compatibility

One of the major announcements was that the platform no longer supported only a few smartphones. Recently, they opened up the Stadia app to all Android phones capable of downloading it. Most phones that work on an Android 6.0 OS or higher can now use the Stadia app. To enable the platform, users need first to download and install the app. Then, they must open settings, click on Experiments, and later Play on this device. However, most gamers were unsure of whether the app works on tablets. This helped open up a lot more gamers to the platform, which was available only to Pixel phone users when it launched. Later, by February, it added Samsung, Razer and Asus devices to its roster, before finally opening up to other Android users. 

Wireless Connectivity

Six months after launching last November, Google announced that Stadia would work wirelessly with Android devices. During the launch, most users were left surprised that the tech giant did not include wireless controller support to the platform. Due to this, gamers had no option but to connect their controllers via USB to their device. With the announcement of wireless controller support, gamers got an opportunity to test how easily the platform can shift between devices, the web and Chromecast.

Over time, Google has been improving the Stadia platform, enabling 4K Streaming in March over the web, and then making the service free a month later in April. In April, Google also gave away a free trial Stadia Pro version to users for two months. Through this free version, gamers can access Thumper, GRID and Destiny 2, along with six other titles. Furthermore, existing paid users also got Stadia Pro for free for the same period, and a total of 14 countries got access to this free trial.

However, while the service is free and has a sleuth of new games now, Google has not been able to corner the gaming industry successfully. However, the giant promises to add more than 120 games by the end of 2020, ensuring that both game selection and the number of users will grow in the coming months. 

android

All You Need to Know About the Android 11 Update

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It is time for all tech geeks and enthusiasts to rejoice because Google just released the beta version of Android 11 for Pixel phones! The new Android OS comes with a sleuth of new features, revamps, and quite a few surprises. Read on to get an in-depth analysis of all the new features, how they work, and different the new OS will feel. 

Maturity Shows

Since Android is a mature OS, that has gone through various iterations, there aren’t any large missing chunks in it. That is precisely why the new update doesn’t come with massive revelations, but smaller surprises. Android and iOS already have many features in place. Rather than pick those apart, the developers have made them more intuitive and user-friendly. Therefore, the primary function of such a mature OS is not to add a lot of new features but to help manage those that exist more efficiently.

Major Changes and Additions

  1. Conversations Tab: On your notification bar, you can now see the messages from texting apps in a separate section, broken out from the rest.
  2. Priority: Users will now have the option of marking conversations as “priority.” This essentially allows such messages to bypass your Do Not Disturb mode. 
  3. Bubbles: This feature enables texting threads to pop out as little bubbles over other apps the way FB Messenger’s Chat Heads do.
  4. Notification Customisation: Users can now choose notifications to be either Alerting or Silent, giving them more power concerning how to view their information.
  5. DND: The revamped Do Not Disturb setting allows users to decide which apps and contacts can bypass their DND setting. 
  6. Quick Controls: All the media controls have become Quick settings, making it easier than ever to determine where your audio output should go.
  7. Screenshot: With the new OS, when you click a screenshot, it appears on the lower-left side of the screen, much like an iPhone.
  8. Recording: In all probability, native screen recording will become a fully-fledged feature with this new Android update.
  9. Power: The revamped power menu works like a digital wallet, powering your phone, passes, and cards on Google Pay and your smart home control.

Other changes include a Recent screen that allows you to click and share screenshots, the ability to customize your app dock, and one-time permission for location registering. Also, in case you don’t use any app for a while, all the permissions granted to it resets automatically. The new Voice Access has been upgraded to recognise screen content and generates labels for commands to improve accessibility and inclusivity.

Notifications Update

Every Android update finds some way to revamp the notifications section and make it more user-friendly. While that makes it challenging to keep up with all the settings moving around, the new layout is a lot smoother and efficient than before. For Android 11, Google has decided to abstract notification options and split them into three presets. Doing so makes notification management easier than ever before.

The new Conversations tab will allow users to clearly distinguish between messages and other notifications. Much like the interface sprouted by the FB Messenger, the Conversations preset sits atop the notification panel. They also stay separate from the rest of your notifications, which can get buried, meaning you will never lose texts again. The Bubble feature also makes it easy to draw them out and answer them immediately, by overlaying the chat thread on your app.

Furthermore, by long-pressing a notification, users can choose to set it to Alerting, Silent, or Priority. Priority messages remain in your status bar, and on your lock screen with a yellow highlight, making them prominent. The Alerting preset handles the messages just like the older version, whereas the Silent setting ensures that messages only remain at the bottom of the Conversation section.

More Granular Control

In case you are someone who quickly brushes through notifications, only to lose important messages, Google has something to help you. The new update introduces a fix that enables you to have an updated notification history. When turned on, this feature allows users to have access to a new “History” button, which brings up all notifications from the last 24 hours.

Also, users can manage their Do Not Disturb settings more precisely now. The new Settings panel allows them to set options for what apps and contacts can breach their DND settings to alert them. Therefore, through this update, Google has successfully made a ton of options more accessible to everyday users via a single long-press.

Other Changes

The new update doesn’t really change much about the Home screen. The only changes here being a dock upgrade, wherein you can replace the dock with apps the phone thinks you need. Another difference here is the Recents screen, which has a new screenshot grab button and a share sheet to send it to someone. Also, there is a Select button in the middle, which allows people to copy text with ease. 

The Android 11 update also sees Google doubling down on its permission settings. The automatic resetting of permissions of rarely used apps is a welcome move. Here again, we see Google replicating an Apple trend by incorporating the one-time permission option. Also, users have found the new Voice Access to be celebrated as it allows people to speak much more naturally than before to control their phone via voice.

Plenty Of Tweaks 

The Gboard will be updated, too, allowing users to mix and match emojis and improve its auto-fill capabilities. Other smaller tweaks include 12 new modules for Google’s Project Mainline, an improved Dark mode, new icon shapes, and resizable videos. They will also introduce tethering via USB-Ethernet, which has been missing for years.

While some of these changes might look small, for a mature OS, rearranging icons in itself can be a good change. It is these small and subtle things that make a phone more intuitive and user-friendly. Google is essentially trying to simplify Android by adding layers to its complex framework, and as of now, it looks like it’s working.

Android

Best TV Remote Apps for Android and iOS

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Though the trend of watching movies and TV series in online video streaming platforms is reaching the peak, the practice of watching television is not yet dead. And, it is common in every family especially Indian households to lose the remote every other minute and create big chaos out of it. But, did you know that you can easily control your television with remote apps available on your smartphones?

Now, you might think that it is only possible to control modern-day television with a Wi-Fi connection. But, thanks to the features of IR blaster which helps to control any smart appliances with an IR receiver. But, with the advancement in technology, many companies have stopped incorporating the feature of IR blaster such as Apple. Does that mean iOS users can’t control a television or other smart appliances with remote?

No, that is just a misunderstanding. Many apps have been launched over time for both Android and iOS with different criteria. Without further ado, let’s dive into the details.

Best TV Remote Apps for Android

Google Home

The main function of the Google Home app is to control Google Home and Google Chromecast devices. While the app is free, the hardware isn’t pocket-friendly. If you don’t have either of the hardware, then just pick a movie or series to cast on your television. The first two TV brands to design inbuilt Google Home Compatibility are Sony & LG.

Peel

Peel is one of the most popular apps for both Android and iOS. The best feature of Peel is the app works both for your local network or IR-receiver. Many Android devices still have IR blaster and hence the app works best for them. So, if you are an Android user and installing Peel, you don’t need to worry about the configuration of your television.

Roku

Roku is a very versatile app controlling almost every activity that is performed using the television remote. The only feature that Roku cannot perform is changing the volume. The app of Roku is free and also there are no monthly fees for using any Roku devices or watching free channels.

Sure

The full name of Sure is Sure Universal Smart TV Remote. Apart from controlling the televisions, it can also be used for controlling other devices with an IR blaster. Sure also has the feature of DLNA and supports Wi-Fi connection which helps in sharing media like video and images. Sure is one of the best TV remote apps as it also supports Alexa.

Mi Remote

Since MI phones are one of the bestselling mobile phones in the current market, everyone should be aware of this feature. The app is best known for its simple user interface. Once you install the app, it automatically scans for devices it can connect and control. This is a bonus for all the Android users as Mi remote is available for all of them.

Best TV Remote Apps for iOS

Peel

The full name of Peel is Peel Universal Smart TV Remote Control. It can support a wide range of devices including TV, satellite box, DVD player, etc. The app supports Apple TV thus making it one of the best TV remote apps for iOS. Peel can also control many home appliances like air conditioning.

Apple TV Remote

Though there are many apps for controlling TV remote, this is the official app for iOS users. The app supports Siri as well. Apple TV Remote also a gaming mode thus making it more versatile and better than other apps.

Amazon Fire TV Remote

Since Apple devices don’t come with an IR blaster, the choices for iOS are limited but not too less. Amazon Fire TV Remote is available for both Android and iOS. The device can be controlled using the touchpad and voice instructions. If you have more than one Fire TV devices in your home, the app helps to switch instantly between them.

AnyMote

This is one of the most popular apps after Apple TV Remote. AnyMote can connect to all of your smart devices at the same time. The unique feature of AnyMote is that it can send a series of commands to multiple devices at the same time. This is available for Android as well.

Conclusion Most of the apps that are available for TV remote can be installed on both iOS and Android. Although the choices for Android are more as some of them still have an IR blaster. But, versatile apps like Amazon Fire TV Remote app are the best for serving both the OS.

Quibi

Short-Form Content Specialist Quibi: An Honest Review

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The way we consume content has changed over the years. Thanks to increasing internet penetration and a rise in the number of mobile users, we now have several options to view content. Entertainment portals such as Hulu and Netflix have become popular around the world. Even old patrons of entertainment, such as Disney are moving towards a newer, digital content platform. Even in India, streaming services such as Amazon Prime, Hotstar and Netflix have become extremely popular. It is into this highly competitive field that another entertainment platform has entered. After many months of massive publicity, Quibi, which will focus on short-form content launched today for both Android and iPhone users. Here’s an honest review of the application and what it means for the entertainment industry.

Who’s Behind It?

There’s been a lot of talk of this mobile app that delivers bite-sized original content, and finally, it is out. Headed by Jeffrey Katzenberg, who is a pioneer in the field of entertainment and Meg Whitman, an experienced tech player, Quibi looks stated for success. The application centers around mobile phones and was built for use on mobile devices, rather than desktops or laptops. The application brought in over $1 billion in investment, which includes attracting significant stars for their new original content. Finally, the app is out, and the creators will get to see whether the app is worth the $4.99-with ads and $7.990 without ad package they are giving it out for.

Boon or Bane?

The main USP of the app is that it specializes in content that lasts 10 minutes or less. Since there is no TV app for the same, Quibi will have to be enjoyed solely from your mobile phone. Since most people are at home now, due to the COVID-19, this might be something that will work against the application. Whenever people are at home, they tend to prefer to watch content through larger screens, such as laptops and TVs. However, since this app is made specifically for mobile devices, users will not be able to enjoy the comforts of a larger screen. The application is also not available via a website and does not work fully optimized on tablets either. Therefore, this rules out the possibility of teaming it with Chromecast or AirPlay. So it is safe to say that it is built for your phone and nothing else!

How is the Quibi Interface?

Quibi is an app that works fine. It is reliable, though the user experience needs to be a little more intuitive and fluid. Other streaming giants such as Netflix have been able to do so well for themselves as their interface is extremely user-friendly. So, this is one area that the makers really need to focus on when it comes to updates and improvements. However, the app supports auto-rotate, so the images flip into landscape and portrait as you rotate your device. Both these orientations have been completely optimized, which makes the viewing experience a lot better.

The features which allow the camera shots and text to realign itself as per the mode is Turnstyle, and it serves as Quibi’s main feature. As per Katzenberg, Turnstyle will help bring in the third generation of film narrative. While the function might not be as revelatory as it is made to sound, it does help in making it easier to watch shows on the app. The main homepage resembles Instagram, more than it does Netflix, as it makes use of vertical cards. Lingering on any card for a few seconds automatically starts the autoplay of the video, while every time you pass through, you receive vibratory feedback. The video begins playing on full screen if you press it, and delayed holds will present more options such as download, share and information regarding the show. You also have the option of enabling notifications which will allow you to stay updated with regards to new releases and so on.

Playback and Quality

During playback, users get access to controls such as play, pause, fast-forward, share and rewind. It also includes a Left-handed mode which makes the app very easy to use for lefties around the world. The app also has shortcuts in place for muting the audio and switching on the subtitles. The Turnstyle feature works by involving two different video streams and one audio track simultaneously. The mode in which you are watching the show runs on higher resolution, while the other keeps running in the background. Whenever you rotate, the stream also changes instantaneously and therefore, there is no loading issue, quality degradation or buffering issues. However, using dual-stream video makes the app use 20% more data than YouTube or Netflix.

The major misses when it comes to the app are as follows. It does not have a family option wherein various members can stream content from one account. Not accounting for multiple people in the same house might not end up working for the app in the long run. Furthermore, since it works on a single concurrent stream, password sharing is also not an option people have. However, the short content that it features makes it the perfect app for content on-the-go. It provides excellent, no-commitment entertainment that people can enjoy while traveling or waiting for an appointment. However, the fact that they chose to launch it at a time when everyone is at home could harm the app’s impact. We will be able to gauge its real success and effect after this challenging time passes, and people start traveling once again. For now, it looks like Netflix and Amazon do not have too much to worry about.

Android 10

Canadian Telco Rogers Says Android 10 is Coming to Pixels on 3rd September

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People are currently waiting for the launch of new iPhones and iOS 13, and there comes the launch date of Google’s Android Q (Android 10). Yes, two Canadian mobile operators, i.e. Rogers and Telus, has revealed the rumoured release date for the OS, and that too, for everyone’s surprise is today. Yes, news that both the operators had posted on their websites say that Google is releasing its latest OS, i.e. Android 10 on 3rd September.

Though there has been no confirmation from Google, and even Rogers has removed the news from its website, Telus has still got the date printed on its website. It was the leading news hosting website, 9to5Google, that spotted the posts over the webpages of both the carriers. The company also took the screenshot of the same on the website. So the mobile operators are not in the state to deny it.

The post on Telus’s website has got the mention of the release date of the OS as well as the new security updates that the OS will be bringing with it. Believing the news, the new OS will arrive on the eight of the Pixel series Google smartphones. These smartphones include the original Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL.

Android 10
Image Source: cybermagonline.com

People were already expecting the release of the Android OS to be in August. As, for the past few years, the company has been releasing its OSs, including the Android 7 “Nougat”, Android 8 “Oreo”, and Android 9 “Pie”, in the month of August.

Google released the final beta of Android 10 for the testers at the beginning of August. And with the release, Google had also said that the “public release is a few weeks away.” But till now there has been no news from Google in this regard. The beta was available for all companies’ smartphones, including Samsung, Nokia, LG, OnePlus, Huawei, etc., but the original release will still be on the Pixel phones first. So the other companies’ smartphones yet need to wait a few more weeks or months to get the OS. But we cannot say that even the Pixels will get the OS today until Google confirms it.

The latest OS from Android will cover a few security patches as well as new features. The expected features for the Android Q includes the improved gesture controls, dark mode, as well as some accessibility features.

OnePlus TV

The 55-inch QLED OnePlus TV Coming to India in September

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OnePlus has proven its worth with its outstanding range of smartphones, specifically known for its cameras. Now the company is up to releasing the series of its LED TVs, that according to the company will be having a QLED panel. For the past couple of days, the company has been giving information about its new TV in bits, and now it has finally revealed the name of the TV, i.e. OnePlus TV.

The OnePlus CEO Pete Lau, revealed the name of the TV last week. The company had hosted a contest for the name of its new smart TV last year. But it seems that the company went simply with its trade name. There were also a few revelations about the features as well as the release date of the OnePlus TV.

Along with a blog post, the company took it to Twitter to announce the release month for the TV, i.e. September. The company also tweeted about the size of the TV and a few other features as well. Previously, the leaks suggested that the TV will be available in four different sizes, i.e. 43-inches, 55-inches, 65-inches, and 75-inches. And according to one of the tweets from OnePlus, the TV that the company will be releasing in India will be a 55 inches, that too with a QLED screen. The U.S. and China will be receiving the biggest edition of the TV, i.e. the 75 inches panel TV.

OnePlus TV
Image Source: gadgetsnow.com

QLED display seems to be like the OLED display but is quite different from the latter. Q-LED stands for quantum-dot light-emitting diode. Basically, in OLED, every pixel emits their own light, whereas, QLED still works on the backlighting. QLED TVs have been the most significant part of the Samsung TV series, and now, we will see how the OnePlus TVs perform in the market for the company. The rumours also suggest that the TV may have 4K as well as 8K resolution with HDR.

For the sale of the TV, the company has partnered with Amazon and has included a ‘Notify Me’ button on Amazon’s OnePlus TV page. So the users need to login and click on the button, to stay updated with the new updates about the TV.

The TV will also render support for Bluetooth 5.0, and the company claims that the users will get the “unique Android TV experience” with the new OnePlus TV. Since there is a mention about Android, the smart TV from OnePlus may run on the Android Pie and include some of the Android apps in it. It is also expected that the TV may support a 3GB RAM.

“I am confident that there are many things that you can expect from OnePlus TV. Image and sound quality are fundamental that we must get right. Alongside these key essentials, I believe the TV’s remarkable design and smart interconnectivity make this product even more exciting,” Lau said.