During its Apple event in September, the company announced that an Apple Watch would no longer be required for its Fitness Plus service. Today, the company has made things more official, announcing the service will become available in 21 countries starting on October 24.
Instagram has evolved from a photo sharing service to something much more. While it has added a lot of features over the years, the social aspect of the app has become much more involved, offering users numerous ways to communicate with an audience. Thankfully, the app has also implemented lots of safeguards for its users, and with its latest update, it attempts to fortify some old features and also introduce new ones.
It's only been a few months since the release of Snapchat Plus, but what might come as a surprise is that the paid subscription service currently has over a million users. While the app usually provides general updates, it has been more aggressive lately, focused on providing value for its paid subscribers by debuting new features on a monthly basis.
Apple launched the entry-level iPad 10 in October 2022, equipped with a completely refreshed chassis and an upgraded A14 Bionic processor. Thanks to the redesign, users now get to take advantage of flat edges and rounded display corners. Don’t let the flat edges fool you into believing it supports the Apple Pencil 2. The iPad 10, despite dropping the Lightning port, still only supports the Apple Pencil 1, and only through a dongle. Speaking of the redesign, the iPad 10 comes in four bold colors to pick from — Silver, Pink, Blue, and Yellow.
This is a lot, so you might be wondering if you should buy an iPad 10. There are other considerations as well, like if it’s waterproof. Do you need to buy a case for that protection? Here’s what you need to know.
Before diving in, let’s clear a common misconception. Most of the electronic devices you come across today are water-resistant, not waterproof. So no, the iPad 10 is not waterproof.
If you want to find out how water-resistant a device is, you have to look at the IP rating, which reflects the endurance against dust and water a certain product has. Apple includes an IP rating on some of its devices, such as recent iPhone models. Water resistance, like many things in life, wears down with time. So while a device might be water-resistant when it’s new, this could change down the road. So always treat your devices as if they’re not resistant to water. Leave the resistance as a Plan B, just in case you accidentally spill a liquid on it.
So now that you know about the iPad 10 not being waterproof, let’s see if it has an IP rating. As of 2022, Apple still hasn’t released a single iPad model with an IP rating. This doesn’t mean it’s completely unprotected from the elements, since most devices have some degree of protection, but it means submerging it in water or liquids will likely damage it. In short, keep it away from water.
To clean the screen, use a damp cloth that doesn’t actually soak the iPad with water. If you accidentally spill water on your iPad 10, shut it down and leave it alone for a few hours to dry.
You should always be careful with your devices though, regardless of the IP rating. You wouldn’t want to ruin your new great iPad just after buying it.
The post Is the Apple iPad 10 waterproof? Does the tablet have an IP rating? appeared first on XDA.
Some people can’t imagine using Android without root access. While the Google Pixel smartphones are among the easiest devices to unlock the bootloader, root, and install aftermarket software, it might come as a surprise that the typical boot image patching technique is no longer applicable to the latest Pixel 7 series.
If you bought the Pixel 7 or the Pixel 7 Pro and want to learn how to root it, we’ll show you how in this tutorial. You’ll need to have your PC handy and know your way around ADB.
Google Pixel 7 XDA Forums || Google Pixel 7 Pro XDA Forums
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Before we get into how to root the Pixel 7, remember to take an off-device backup. That’s because the rooting process requires wiping all the data on your phone, including the files on the internal storage.
For devices launching with Android 13 like the Pixel 7 series, the generic ramdisk is removed from the boot image and placed in a separate place called “init_boot.” The boot.img only holds the Generic Kernel Image (GKI).
As a result, patching the boot.img for root access won’t work for these devices. Rather, we need to get our hands on the image corresponding to the init_boot partition that matches the current software build the phone is running.
Fortunately, we don’t need any specialized tool to rip the init_boot image from the target device. It can be easily extracted from the Google-published factory image for the Pixel 7/7 Pro.
To make sure you download the right factory image, you need to check which software version your phone is currently running. To check this, go to Settings > About phone. At the bottom, look for the Build number section. Find the matching build number on the factory image download page and download that file.
Download Android 13 for Google Pixel phones
Next, unpack the factory image ZIP file. Locate the image-[device codename]-[version].zip file (yes, there’s a ZIP within a ZIP) and extract the init_boot.img file from it. This is the file that you need to transfer to your phone’s internal storage for patching.
Now that we have our hands on the init_boot image, we can easily patch it with Magisk. In fact, you can patch it on a different Android device than the Pixel 7, but you need to install the Magisk app on the secondary device as well.
While the current stable version of Magisk can patch the Pixel 7’s init_boot image, you might want to opt for the bleeding edge Canary build of Magisk for additional fixes.
Download Magisk: Stable || Canary
After installing the Magisk APK, open the app, and locate the Install button on the topmost card. Choose Select and Patch a File under Method, and select the stock init_boot image. This will open the Android file picker. Go ahead and find the init_boot.img you transferred from your PC and select that. The Magisk app will patch the image to the Download folder on the phone. You must transfer this patched file (should be named “magisk_patched_[random_strings].img”) back to your PC because next, we’re going to unlock the bootloader which will wipe all data as we warned previously.
Notably, if you browse the XDA Forums for the Pixel 7 or 7 Pro, you may be lucky enough to find a pre-patched init_boot image. That being so, we always recommend grabbing the official firmware and patching the stock boot image yourself to avoid unforeseen glitches due to image version mismatch.
In order to flash third-party software on the Pixel 7, we have to unlock the bootloader. To do so, go to Settings > About phone > Build number and tap on this entry 7 times to enable Developer options. After enabling it, go back to the main settings page and tap on System, then go to Developer options. From there, toggle the OEM unlocking option. Keep in mind that you need to enter your password/pattern/PIN to validate some of the actions.
It is important to note that some US carriers like Verizon don’t allow bootloader unlocking at all, making it impossible to root your phone. Sometimes, though, people find unofficial workarounds, and we’ll let you know if any are found.
After enabling OEM unlock, turn off your phone. Hold both the Volume down and Power buttons to turn your phone back on and boot into the bootloader menu. Assuming you have the latest ADB and Fastboot binaries installed already, you can also use the following command to reboot to the bootloader mode directly from Android.
adb reboot bootloaderMake sure to keep your phone plugged into your PC/Mac/Chromebook. Next, in a terminal window, type:
fastboot flashing unlockYou will see a screen telling you that you are about to initiate the bootloader unlocking process. Use the volume button to navigate and the power button to accept. Again, this will wipe all the data on your phone, so make sure you have your data backed up before proceeding.
After the bootloader of your Pixel 7 (or 7 Pro) is unlocked and the init_boot image is patched, you are just one step away from root.
As soon as the bootloader unlocking process completes, the phone will boot back up after a few minutes. Skip the setup wizard at this stage and turn off the phone. You now want to boot back into the bootloader by holding the volume down and power buttons again. Once you are there, connect the phone to your PC/Mac/Chromebook and execute the following command:
fastboot flash init_boot path/to/magisk_patched.imgAs soon as you hit Enter, the patched init_boot image will be flashed to your phone. Next, reboot using fastboot reboot and the Magisk app should appear on your home screen and/or app drawer. If it doesn’t (e.g. you can only see a stub icon), just install the Magisk APK manually. You’re now rooted!
Screenshot courtesy: XDA Member edcsxz
Keep in mind that you’ll have to repeat steps 1, 2, and 4 every time you update your phone because the init_boot image changes with each update. To know more, take a look at our tutorial on how to install OTA updates and keep root on your Google Pixel phone.
Once your Pixel 7 is rooted, you open up the device to some interesting modifications such as Magisk modules and Xposed modules. Of course, there are already a ton of things you can do without root on Google devices, but having root access is an added benefit nonetheless, especially if you consider the best root apps.
The post How to unlock the bootloader and root the Google Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro with Magisk appeared first on XDA.
Today, Google announced its new Lock Screen widgets for iOS 16, which are now officially available. The widgets were announced last month and give quick access to some of its most popular apps. The widgets can also provide you with information at a glance. If you’ve never tried to customize your lock screen before, check out our in-depth guide on how to do it so that you can try some of the new widgets from Google.
One of the most significant benefits of having a Lock Screen is that you can set up different layouts for different times of the day. You can have one for work and one for personal use; it’s easy to switch between the two. As for the newly released Google Lock Screen widgets, several apps take advantage, like Search, Chrome, Drive, Google Maps, Gmail, and Google News.
Having access to Search straight from the Lock Screen allows you to search for something instantly using voice or typing it in. If you need to take things further, you can utilize the power of Google Lens and even do quick translations on the fly. With the Chrome Lock Screen widget, you can also initialize a search or use Incognito mode. Furthermore, if you want to play a quick game, pop into Chrome’s exclusive Dino Run game.
Sometimes it’s essential to have easy access to your files. With the Drive widget, you can access suggested files and folders and even continue working on a project from your computer. As for Maps, this widget is robust, offering real-time traffic updates, and can provide estimated travel times from home and work. As expected, the widget can also help navigate shops, restaurants, hotels, and more. With Gmail, the widget will show messages in your inbox and how many emails have arrived for each inbox category.
In addition, it has also implemented some entertainment widgets with YouTube and YouTube Music. You can tap to watch Shorts and new videos or search for a video right from the widget. You can also gain easy access to your favorite music, song, or artist with just one tap. Finally, Google News will offer real-time headlines, allowing users quick access to daily news worldwide. If this sounds interesting, it might be worth trying it out, so be sure to take a look.
Source: Google Blog
The post Google Lock Screen widgets are now finally available for iOS 16 appeared first on XDA.
Big screen TVs provide a lot of fun and great image quality, but imagine a TV the size of your entire wall. That’s precisely what VANKYO is offering with its latest Performance V700W projector. Movies can be enjoyed with a free 120-inch screen, providing excellent colors, a surround sound system, excellent connectivity features, a low price, and a compact form factor that’s easy to carry around, or mount anywhere you like. The projection size of the V700W is up to 224-inches, providing one of the largest areas that projectors can provide at this price range.
The VANKYO Performance V700W has an immersive, and beautiful screen. The projector features the latest LCD technology, providing an extensive range of colors and a 1000:1 contrast ratio. The image always looks clear, sharp, and pixel-perfect, thanks to the 1080p high-resolution screen.
The image will also always have the proper brightness, thanks to the 420 ANSI lumens that the projector can achieve. Your favorite movies, TV shows, and games will always stay crystal clear. The best thing is that the projector lets you set up just about everything you need using the remote, and it has several features to let you focus, change the keystone, and zoom features.
VANKYO also uses a low blue light emission to optimize the color performance in accordance with EIC 62471-S, further reducing the eye strain that bright displays can cause. The projector is certified by TÜV Rheinland, a leading independent testing company, to ensure that it meets industry-wide standards and protects the eyes from harmful lights.
The VANKYO Performance V700W is not only an excellent projector, but also a fantastic speaker. It comes equipped with a dual 5W speaker setup, supporting the Dolby Digital Plus standard, and providing an immersive 360-degree surround sound system. The built-in speakers are excellent for watching movies, your favorite TV shows, playing games, concerts, and listening to music. Action movies have never been more enjoyable than with the Performance V700W.
Of course, if you have a higher-end speaker setup, you’ll be able to hook them up and take advantage of the additional ports at your own convenience. Whether you prefer the AUX audio output or Bluetooth, VANKYO will have you covered. The device also supports Bidirectional Bluetooth 5.1, which enables you to connect your smartphones, iPad, extensive speakers setup, and just about any device you can think about.
The VANKYO Performance V700W is also built from environment-friendly materials. The company uses recycled cardboard, and the ink is made from plant-based ink derived from soybeans. The company says that its eco-friendly plans save about 564.5 grams on carbon emissions, compared to standard packages.
The VANKYO Performance V700W can be yours for only $299.99, which is a massive bang for your buck, especially when you consider all the additional features and high-quality screen you’re getting for your money. The Performance V700W provides features that can often only be found in competing devices, costing multiple times the value of this product.
If you’re looking for an excellent all-around projector that provides a 120-inch high-quality screen to enjoy your favorite movies, tv shows, and games, then you’re in luck. The VANKYO Performance V700W is one of the best devices in its price range.
The VANKYO Performance V700W also makes for an excellent present this coming holiday season, and the low price means it’s an ideal gift to give to your family members and friends. If you’re looking to gift something unique and truly immersive, the Performance V700W is one of the best home cinema experiences you can give at a low price.
We thank VANKYO for sponsoring this post.
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