Beta Tech X

You don't see phone colors too often with all of the protective cases, but there's still that group of risk takers who stick with the out-of-the-box setup. Whether they like the slimmer feel or to show off their favorite color, it seems that some colors are hard to find. When you think about it, how often do you see a yellow phone? Samsung, Apple, and Xiaomi have been seen releasing yellow devices, but it's not every year. For iPhone fans, there were sightings in 2013 (iPhone 5c), 2018 (iPhone XR), 2019 (iPhone 11), and 2023 (iPhone 14). So, it's not consistent and there doesn't appear to be a pattern, but considering the popularity of the color we probably won't see another 5 year gap...like the 5c to XR. As for official announcements and reveals, Apple has not confirm (or denied) the full color lineup for their next mobile release. Though, considering Apple's trend for new colors and being unique, it's possible we may see another yellow iPhone in our n...

Following the updates from Google I/O in May (2024), the Android 15 Beta 3 was released in June. Google and the Android community have made great progress in vetting out initial bugs and refining the update.  With this latest release, Google is expecting more stability and no more changes to core APIs or user-facing behaviors.  By reaching this milestone, this will allow developers to finalize app compatibility testing, for the upcoming public release of Android 15. Even though this release hasn't been packed with flashy new features, Beta 3 has laid the groundwork for a smoother transition by focusing on improvements that work behind the scene. One of the more notable features is  it will enhance the usability of the passkey and Credential Manager.  This will make logging into apps with fingerprint recognition, facial recognition or saved credentials more simple and seamless. This is another example of Google's commitment to a more secure and streamlined user experi...

Apple’s iOS 18 Beta 2 is exciting the iPhone community with its innovative features and enhancements. The main updates that are being introduced are iPhone Mirroring and RCS Messaging, setting a new benchmark for the iOS user experience. iPhone Mirroring, when paired with macOS Sequoia, allows seamless control of your iPhone from your Mac, a game-changer for multitasking and accessibility. The RCS Messaging protocol promises to revolutionize text conversations with Android users, offering high-quality media sharing and real-time interaction features. Making this change will help reduce the separation of iOS and Android users, by increase the overall experience on between the different platforms. Image: Self Created iOS 18 Beta 2 also brings a fresh look to the App Store icon with a dark mode option and a wallpaper tinting toggle, for a more personalized touch. However, like most Betas, it’s not without its issues. Some users have already reported bugs with the tinting featu...

Last year we saw a big shift in the Apple ecosystem, when the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro ditched the iconic Lightning cable for the more universal USB-C connection. The shift has raised concerns and questions as to why the large tech company would abandon their proprietary cable for the one that is primarily used by Android devices. Some people believe this was Apple's way of conceding to the USB-C technology, but it is more likely that this change was sparked by the European Union’s push for a single charging standard. So, what’s the big deal with USB-C, why not ask everyone to adopt the Lightning cable? For starters, it’s all about speed and simplicity. Imagine transferring large 4K videos or massive photo libraries at a blistering 40 Gbps – that’s the power of USB-C compared to the modest 480 Mbps of the old Lightning cable. Now for the best part the best part! Your USB-C is also a match for your Mac, iPad, Android, and PC devices. Image: Self Created With all that ...

Google I/O 2024 brought a wave of exciting announcements for Android users. Expectedly enough, most people are looking to the next best feature, but we can't lose sight of the important things that protect us, and our data.  Though it's expected from a such a large company, it was nice to see that there was a strong focus on enhanced security features. Here's a breakdown of the main security improvements that were announced. Protected One-Time Passwords One-time passwords (OTPs) are a common target for malware. To defend it's users, Android 15 now hides OTPs by default during screen sharing, even if the app has screen recording permissions. This will help keep your data more secure and prevent unknown malicious apps from capturing your data. Expanded Restricted Settings Building on Android 13, Android 15 restricts access to even more sensitive settings, by default. This includes permissions like location, microphone, and camera. Also, when installing apps from outside t...

Samsung’s One UI has been a game-changer in the world of Android skins. It offers a sleek, user-friendly interface that enhances the overall experience on their Galaxy devices. Though we all get the periodic updates on our phones and tablets, how many of us actually know why or how it's really benefitting us? So let's review the features of One UI and discuss its significance for Android users. One UI is designed with the user in mind, focusing on a connected and efficient experience. The latest iteration, One UI 6, introduced a host of new features that streamline daily tasks and ensure data security. Image: self created Quick Panel and Notifications The Quick Panel has been revamped for easier access to frequently used features. It now has dedicated buttons for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which I think we all can agree are highly used. Also, the Notifications now appear as individual cards, making them more recognizable at a glance. Lock Screen and Home Screen Customizat...