Smartphones News and Discussions

[Yuli Ban]

A thread to discuss the development and evolution of these real-life omnitools, these pocket supercomputers so indispensable to modern life


BlackBerry’s classic smartphone stops working today

The classic BlackBerry is being forced to retire.

A pioneer of on-the-go email and paragon of corporate connectedness, it reigned supreme in the days when physical keyboards had yet to yield to touch screens. But come Tuesday, the cellphone-turned-status symbol will become one more relic of a bygone era as the transition to 5G wireless technology grinds forward.

After its “end of life date,” as BlackBerry calls it, devices running on BlackBerry’s legacy operating systems and software “will no longer reliably function,” the company — which has since pivoted to enterprise software and cybersecurity — reminded users in a news release in late December. Old devices won’t be able to send a text message or dial 911, placing them firmly in the realm of the arcane, in the company of floppy disks and rotary phones. You might still be able to play Brick Breaker though.

[Yuli Ban]

Seventeen-year-old Robin West is an anomaly among her peers - she doesn't have a smartphone.

Instead of scrolling through apps like TikTok and Instagram all day, she uses a so-called "dumbphone".

These are basic handsets, or feature phones, with very limited functionality compared to say an iPhone. You can typically only make and receive calls and SMS text messages. And, if you are lucky - listen to radio and take very basic photos, but definitely not connect to the internet or apps.

These devices are similar to some of the first handsets that people bought back in the late 1990s.
Ms West's decision to ditch her former smartphone two years ago was a spur of the moment thing. While looking for a replacement handset in a second-hand shop she was lured by the low price of a "brick phone".

Her current handset, from French firm MobiWire, cost her just £8. And because it has no smartphone functionality she doesn't have an expensive monthly data bill to worry about.

[weatheriscool]

Your eyes can control your smartphone via new gaze-tracking tool
https://techxplore.com/news/2022-04-eye ... -tool.html
by Chris Quirk, Carnegie Mellon University

As more people watch movies, edit video, read the news and keep up with social media on their smartphones, these devices have grown to accommodate the bigger screens and higher processing power needed for more demanding activities.

The problem with unwieldy phones is they frequently require a second hand or voice commands to operate—which can be cumbersome and inconvenient.

In response, researchers in the Future Interfaces Group at Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) are developing a tool called EyeMU, which allows users to execute operations on a smartphone by combining gaze control and simple hand gestures.

"We asked the question, 'Is there a more natural mechanism to use to interact with the phone?' And the precursor for a lot of what we do is to look at something," said Karan Ahuja, a doctoral student in human-computer interaction.

[Tadasuke]

Smartphones were supposed to have working eye-tracking in 2012. I remember reading that Galaxy S III has eye-tracking to control it (for example scroll through an article): https://www.itproportal.com/2012/04/20/ ... echnology/. But it didn't function as advertised and people didn't use it. Later models skipped advertising such functions.

[weatheriscool]

Google Officially Announces Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel Watch
https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/3400 ... ixel-watch
By Ryan Whitwam on October 6, 2022 at 12:44 pm

Google has finally unveiled its latest hardware products, including the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel Watch. It didn’t even try to keep the basic details secret, and with the help of a few leaks, there were no major surprises. Google’s new family of devices is shaping up to be more cohesive than ever before, and most of them are available for pre-order now. The notable exception was the Pixel Tablet, and here, there were a few fun surprises.

Google’s product announcements often emulate Apple these days, so we didn’t get much in the way of speeds and feeds. The phones have an aluminum camera bar rather than the glass and plastic of last year, and it merges seamlessly into the rest of the frame. All the metal is made from recycled material, too.

[wjfox]

Nokia launches DIY repairable budget Android phone

Sat 25 Feb 2023 14.00 GMT

Nokia has announced one of the first budget Android smartphones designed to be repaired at home allowing users to swap out the battery in under five minutes in partnership with iFixit.

Launched before Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Saturday, the Nokia G22 has a removable back and internal design that allows components to be easily unscrewed and swapped out including the battery, screen and charging port.

Nokia phones manufacturer HMD Global will make “quick fix” repair guides and genuine parts available for five years via specialists iFixit, in addition to affordable professional repair options.

“People value long-lasting, quality devices and they shouldn’t have to compromise on price to get them. The new Nokia G22 is purposefully built with a repairable design so you can keep it even longer,” said Adam Ferguson, head of product marketing for HMD Global.

The G22 is partially made of recycled plastic and has a 6.53in screen, large-capacity battery, 50-megapixel camera and a fingerprint scanner. It runs Android 12 and will be supported for three years of monthly security updates and two major Android version upgrades.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/ ... roid-phone



Credit: Nokia

[erowind]

A thread to discuss the development and evolution of these real-life omnitools, these pocket supercomputers so indispensable to modern life


BlackBerry’s classic smartphone stops working today

The classic BlackBerry is being forced to retire.

They still work outside of North America generally! Any of the 4g ones do and even in some countries the 3g ones too. Blackberry services don't work anymore but their core functions and any installed apps still work. I still use mine as an alarm clock, if I were in the EU I'd use it in general. The passport was the best phone of the 2010s. Nothing compares to that full HD square screen and physical keyboard. It's still really powerful too, quad core 2.4ghz processor and 3gb of ram. There are still laptops being sold with less powerful processors than that.

[ººº]

There are still laptops being sold with less powerful processors than that.

Can confirm.

[weatheriscool]

Samsung's Next Flip Phone Could Have a Huge External Screen
A new render shows a Cover Screen that occupies almost all the available surface area.
By Ryan Whitwam April 3, 2023
https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/sams ... nal-screen

Samsung's next foldable flip phone is expected to get more screen real estate. Rumors have pointed to a larger external screen on the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 5, and now we have an alleged mockup to consider. The supposed design of the Z Flip 5 includes a giant Cover Screen that covers almost the entire front of the device, which would open up a world of user experience possibilities.

The new render comes from SamMobile, which claims to have used the "actual design" of the phone as a guide. It shows the Cover Screen dominating half of the phone's body, save for a small cutout in one corner. This design, which resembles the internal screen on the first Galaxy Z Fold, most likely leaves room for the primary camera array.

The first Z Flip foldable has a 1.1-inch ticker-style Cover that could only show the time and a bit of notification text. Since the second-generation Z Flip, Samsung has employed a larger 1.9-inch screen that can show more data. You can use it as a camera viewfinder, select NFC payment cards, and even use it as a camera viewfinder. The Cover Screen on the Z Flip 5 will reportedly measure between 3 and 4 inches diagonal.

[weatheriscool]

Google will announce the Pixel Fold at I/O and beat Samsung on battery / CNBC says it’s seen Google’s launch plans for its long-awaited foldable, including a May reveal and June availability.
https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/2368 ... lease-date
By Sean Hollister
Apr 18, 2023, 3:26 PM PDT|

When will we finally see Google’s first foldable phone? The smart money is now on May 10th, with availability in June. CNBC says it got hold of internal marketing materials showing Google will launch the repeatedly reportedly delayed smartphone at Google I/O.

Most of CNBC’s report corroborates what leakers like Roland Quandt and OnLeaks have already told us. You should expect a closed-book 5.8-inch phone that folds out into a 7.6-inch tablet, powered by Google’s Tensor G2 processor, starting at north of $1,700 — making it a direct competitor to Samsung’s $1,800 Galaxy Z Fold 4.

[weatheriscool]

iPhone 15 Pro: All the rumors, and what it will look like
Wesley Hilliard's AvatarWesley Hilliard | Apr 21, 2023

Apple's iPhone 15 Pro is the smaller of the two premium models, but it'll have the same titanium sides, USB-C port, and more when it launches in September. Here are all the rumors so far.

Apple has kept the features between the 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch pro models identical for a few generations now. However, with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, it seems there will be some exclusive features reserved for the larger device.

The rumor cycle has been in relative chaos for the first quarter of 2023, but things will begin to solidify as we approach the September launch. This update appears to be quite extensive, thanks to new materials, a port change, and a mute button.

https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/04 ... -look-like

[weatheriscool]

Motorola's 2023 Moto Edge+ and G come to the US
The Edge+ touts a 165Hz screen and a lower price.
https://www.engadget.com/motorolas-2023 ... siPFao78zO

Motorola is bringing some of its headlining smartphones to the US, and they may be welcome upgrades if you were disappointed with previous models. To start, the 2023 Moto Edge+ is a significant upgrade that addresses some of last year's shortcomings. The new phone packs a smoother 165Hz 6.7-inch OLED screen, a speedier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and a larger 5,100mAh battery. And gone is the 2-megapixel depth sensor — instead, you'll get an actually-useful 12MP 2X telephoto camera to go alongside the 50MP standard and ultra-wide cams. A 60MP front sensor promises extra-detailed selfies.

The 8GB of RAM is unspectacular, but you'll get 256GB of 512GB of (non-expandable) storage as well as 68W fast wired charging, 15W wireless charging and 5W wireless power sharing. More importantly, Motorola is promising better update support than in the past — you'll get three years of OS upgrades and four years of bi-monthly security fixes. That's not quite up to Samsung's level (four years for both), but it might last the practical life of your device.

[weatheriscool]

Google officially reveals the Pixel Fold
We'll learn much more about Google's first foldable phone at I/O next week.
https://www.engadget.com/google-officia ... 26500.html
Kris Holt

After months of rumors and leaks, Google has confirmed the Pixel Fold's existence. It showed off the foldable in an official capacity for the first time in a video posted on Twitter and YouTube. The company was expected to reveal the Pixel Fold at Google I/O next week. However, as has often been the case over the last few years, Google has offered an early peek at an upcoming device before a splashier launch event.

As revealed in various leaks, Google's first foldable phone has a vertical hinge that opens up to reveal a tablet-like display, in a similar fashion to Samsung's Galaxy Fold devices. When the Pixel Fold is closed, you can use a smaller touchscreen that's on one side of the exterior. There's a camera array on the rear.

[weatheriscool]

Leaked Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 case images show off its updated design
By David Nield
https://www.techradar.com/news/leaked-s ... ted-design

We've seen quite a flurry of leaks around the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 in recent weeks, and that's continued with some new images of a transparent case for the foldable phone, which show off the design tweaks that we're expecting for the foldable.

These images come from well-known tipster @UniverseIce (opens in new tab) (via SamMobile (opens in new tab)), and give us a good look at the cut out for the cover screen. As previously predicted, it's going to be larger this time around, and appears to be in a folder-like shape.

We can also see the cut outs for two cameras on the rear of the phone, and an LED flash. Meanwhile, the configuration of the case also indicates a USB-C charging port and a fingerprint sensor mounted in the power key at the side.

[weatheriscool]

Samsung to bring 2x mode to Galaxy S23 series in next update

https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_to_bri ... -58479.php

Samsung's Galaxy S23 smartphones have marvelous camera capabilities, but one feature is still missing. The company will soon enable 2x portrait zoom, the Samsung camera development team revealed in Korean community forums.
Samsung to bring 2x portrait zoom to Galaxy S23 series in next update

Currently, the Galaxy S23 smartphones have 1x and 3x in Portrait mode - toggling between the primary camera and the 3x telephoto unit with 10MP sensor and 70mm equivalent focal length.

The new feature will bring 2x zoom, which will keep using the main cam with digital zoom and some computational photography to boost the results.

[weatheriscool]

Apple to Continue Making its Phones Bigger With the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
The company will reportedly upsize its Pro phones to 6.3 and 6.9 inches.
By Josh Norem May 10, 2023

Since the iPhone X launched in 2017, Apple has embarked on a mission to make its phones slightly bigger every few years. Though many consider its current 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch Pro phones big enough, the company is reportedly preparing to make its next-generation devices even bigger. A new report from a reliable insider from the display industry states Apple will make 2024's iPhone 16 Pro around 6.3 inches, while the Pro Max will be close to 6.9 inches. It's unclear if the non-Pro phones will also get supersized, but it seems likely, given the precedent.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/appl ... ro-and-pro

[wjfox]

[Nanotechandmorefuture]

Thank you for this wjfox! I see the peak was around 2005 so even 10 years earlier would have made quite the difference. Way less BS for sure and so much more benefits.

[weatheriscool]

Motorola hopes you'll flip over the large cover screen on the Razr+
By Paul Ridden
June 02, 2023
https://newatlas.com/mobile-technology/ ... plus-2023/

Back in the mid-2000s, Motorola scored a massive global hit with a high-style flip-phone called the Razr. The fashion icon was revived for the smartphone age in 2019, and now the company has out-flipped the competition with the Razr Plus.

On the original Razr V3, there was a little notification window in the middle of the upper clamshell that could display the time, show alerts and so on. Smartphone flip-phones have updated this cover screen idea, with Samsung offering a 1.9-inch block on the Galaxy Flip4, Huawei going for circles with the P50 Pocket and Oppo utilizing much more available space than others. Until now.

After many online leaks, Motorola has now confirmed that the latest Razr has gone all in on the external display with a 3.6-inch OLED touchscreen at 1,066 x 1,056 pixels and 413 ppi. It boasts a refresh rate up to 144 Hz, 10-bit color and support for 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, HDR10+ is cooked in, and peak brightness comes in at 1,100 nits.

[wjfox]

EU: Smartphones Must Have User-Replaceable Batteries by 2027

Jun 16, 2023

The European Union (EU) is set to usher in a new era of smartphones with batteries that consumers can easily replace themselves.

Earlier this week, the European Parliament approved new rules covering the design, production, and recycling of all rechargeable batteries sold within the EU.

The new rules stipulate that all electric vehicle, light means of transport (e.g. electric scooters), and rechargeable industrial batteries (above 2kWh) will need to have a compulsory carbon footprint declaration, label, and digital passport.

For "portable batteries" used in devices such as smartphones, tablets, and cameras, consumers must be able to "easily remove and replace them." This will require a drastic design rethink by manufacturers, as most phone and tablet makers currently seal the battery away and require specialist tools and knowledge to access and replace them safely.

[...]

The European Parliament also has non-rechargeable portable batteries on its agenda and will assess by Dec. 31, 2030, if they should be phased out completely.

https://uk.pcmag.com/batteries-power/14 ... es-by-2027