Month: October 2019

Like many of you, I’ve been tracking a feature request to sideload Android apps on Chromebooks for more than two years. And finally, this feature is coming soon: Likely with Chrome OS 80 to be exact.

Oddly, I didn’t find this out by the bug from September of 2017. Instead, I noticed earlier this week a non-public bug as well as corresponding code changes that will bring the sideloading of Android apps to the Android container on Chromebooks.

Here’s the change description:

While this feature is under development, it will require a special command when starting the Crostini container; you’ll need to add –enable-features=ArcAdbSideloading when starting Linux from the command line on a Chromebook.

Eventually, I’d expect this to be a typical flag setting. And of course, as noted in the change description, this can be disabled or enabled by policy on managed Chromebooks. This is the internal message listing that further explains how it will look from an end-user standpoint:

Once the feature arrives, you should be able to install Android apps from sources other than the Google Play Store.

Obviously there are risks involved, so most Chromebook users won’t want to do this. However, there are plenty of Android apps not yet compatible with Chromebooks that I’d like to install and try.

And of course, this makes life easier for Android developers who are building their apps on a Chromebook using Android Studio.

Indeed, this specific feature was noted as coming with Chrome OS 80 earlier today at the Android Dev Summit, getting a solid round of applause. As it stands now, devs have to connect an Android device via USB cable to a Chromebook and then push their app to the device for testing or use Chrome OS Developer Mode, neither of which is ideal.

iOS 13.2 beta 4, iPadOS 13.2 beta 4, watchOS 6.1 beta 5, and tvOS 13.2 beta 4 are now available. iOS 13.2 and iPadOS 13.2 public beta 4 also now available.

Apple today is releasing the fourth developer beta of iOS 13.2 and iPadOS 13.2. Today’s release comes exactly one week after the release of the third iOS 13.2 beta with Deep Fusion camera technology, Siri changes, and more.

Deep Fusion is Apple’s new camera processing technology that works in the background to improve image quality for iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro users.

In addition to Deep Fusion, iOS 13.2 also includes new changes such as the addition of Announce Messages with Siri, new iPadOS settings, HomeKit tweaks, and more. There are also new emoji, new Siri privacy settings, and more.

When might iOS 13.2 be released to the public? Given that we’re now on the fourth developer beta, we expect a stable release soon.

Apple is also currently beta testing watchOS 6.1. The update appears to improve battery life performance for the Apple Watch Series 5. watchOS 6.1 beta 5 will also likely be released today.

The move from old-style USB ports to the newer USB-C has had its share of growing pains. But the updated design is leading to a profusion of new products to charge your gadgets.

The biggest reason is that USB-C can charge both your phone and your laptop — and, increasingly, other things like Bluetooth wireless earbuds and MiFi portable hotspots.

That means one charger or one battery pack can be useful in a multitude of circumstances. No more do you need lots of different chargers for lots of different devices, and if you’re on the go, you can move your laptop charging cable over to your phone and back to keep both batteries topped off.

“USB-C is a truly universal connector for data, power and video, and it works across all device platforms from Mac to PC, iOS to Android, smartphone to computers,” said Sanho Chief Executive Daniel Chin, whose company has aggressively pushed to take advantage of USB-C with a range of power and data accessories.

Another big USB-C benefit is that more powerful devices, like a laptop or a tablet, can charge smaller ones like smartphones, giving you a juice boost that may bail you out when you can’t find a power plug. With older USB devices, charging was a convenient afterthought useful only for phones, but the USB Power Delivery technology — you’ll often see “PD” on accessory boxes and port labeling — can reach up to 100W, enough for high-end laptops.

Of course, there are still problems moving from the earlier rectangular USB-A ports, on PCs for two decades, and from the smaller USB Micro B ports. Older or cheaper devices often use older USB connectors, so we’re still a long way from one universal port. Airports, airplanes, hotels, cars and other charging locations rarely offer USB-C charging ports, so there you’ll need your charger and a power plug.

And iPhones and most iPads still use Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector. The 2018 iPad Pro models use USB-C, so perhaps future Apple products will be able to benefit from USB-C ubiquity, but Apple didn’t make the jump with its iPhone 11 and 11 Pro.

For those who want to be part of the future, there are a range of USB-C accessories that can help you make the jump. Here’s a look at some of the best USB C accessories I’ve been testing.

Looking for USB-C PD adapters that are powerful enough to charge laptops? Check out out list of the best USB-C PD chargers of 2019.

Note: CNET may receive affiliate commissions from the products featured on this page.

Satechi Qi wireless charging pad

Satechi’s $40 Qi wireless charging pad will pump power to phones at 7.5W or 10W rates. It’s got a USB-C connection and a big plus shape in case you had any trouble centering your phone on it.

Fuse Reels Side Kick

Fuse Reels’ $15 Side Kick is an adhesive pop-out spool that lets you wind your power cable out of the way when not in use. Even collapsed, it makes your power supply a bit thicker, which could be a problem on crowded power strips, but it’s handy for keeping things tidy in your backpack or bag.

Satechi 3.5mm audio and USB-C power adapter

This $25 Satechi adapter accepts both a USB type-C cable and 3.5mm audio cable. This headphone jack adapter is basic, but I find it handy in the office, where mostly what I’m plugging in is just my earbuds and power cord.

Lifepowr Car Charge-a-lot 60W charger

The Lifepowr Car Charge-a-lot will charge your laptop in your car with a 60W USB-C port, or just top off your phone or tablet battery faster than old-style USB ports. It’s also got an older USB type-A port and a second USB-C port that reaches 18W — enough to give an iPad Pro a quick charge. It costs $55 alone, and about $20 more with a charging cable or $30 more with the company’s stainless steel-wrapped USB-C charging and data cable.

Sanho HyperJuice 100W USB-C battery pack

The $299 Sanho HyperJuice 100W USB-C battery pack has a big 27,000mAh battery, enough to charge a 15-inch MacBook Pro at a fast 100W rate. It’s also got a second USB-C port for 60W charging and an 18W USB type-A port, all of which can be used at the same time. Or you can charge one device with the 60W port while charging the HyperJuice battery with its 100W port. Status LEDs on the front tell you how much charge is remaining or how far through charging it is.

Innergie 60C, a 60W USB-C charger

The $109 Innergie 60C, a 60W USB-C charger built by the same company that makes some of Apple’s own power adapters, packs a lot of power into a tall, thin package that squeezes nicely between other plugs on your power strip. It’s not cheap, but it’s smaller than Apple’s own charger. Its power prongs fold out of the way for easier transportation. It comes with a USB-C cable, too. At 60 watts, it’s got enough power for a 13-inch MacBook Pro, but I used it with no trouble for my 15-inch MacBook Pro that comes with Apple’s 87W charger. A $119 version comes with an adapter to work in US, UK and European outlets.

Aukey PA-Y18 Ultra-Compact 18W USB-C charger

The Aukey PA-Y18 Ultra-Compact 18W USB-C charger is a notably compact charger (you can thank new gallium nitride chipmaking technology for the size). It delivers 18W of power, and its power prongs snap back for easier travel. At $20, it’s a notch cheaper than Apple’s $29 competing model.

Fuse Reels’ $30 Side Winder

Fuse Reels’ $25 Side Winder snaps around your MacBook power adapter so you can wind up a 12-foot reach of cables into a tidy travel package. It’s got different shims to accommodate different sizes of power adapter — 45W, 60W, 61W, 85W and 87W, but not the 29W charger for the smaller MacBooks — and it’s not hard to put together. You can spool up the full length of your power cord by twisting the inner grip and unspool it just by pulling the cable ends apart.

I had occasional jamming issues but found it handy running from room to room at a tech conference: twist and spool, toss in backpack, scurry to next room, unspool and plug in. It includes a necessary, specially angled USB-C cable that reaches from the Side Winder to your Mac. I found it suffered from a bad connection at times, even after one replacement, but Fuse Reels is working on a sturdier connector.

Aukey’s PB-Y13 battery pack

Aukey’s $25 PB-Y13 battery pack is a 10,000mAh USB-C power pack about the size of a large phone that’s good for keeping your phone going longer on a busy day, getting more time on your Nintendo Switch game console or even giving you boosting your USB-C laptop. Small LED status lights on the edge tell you how depleted the battery is.

Lifepowr Sun20C solar panel

The $119 Lifepowr Sun20C is a portable solar panel that can charge devices directly or charge a battery that you can later use to charge your devices. It’s got USB-C and USB-A ports but also comes with a cable including a variety of plugs for old-school laptop charging. The sun provides free power, but don’t expect this to run a power-hungry device.

It took 40 minutes in direct sunlight to get my iPhone XS Max from 91 percent to fully charged, and my Google Pixel 3 seemed reluctant to charge beyond 95 percent. My power-sucking MacBook Pro, which comes with an 87W charger, wouldn’t charge off the panel directly, but a battery intermediary worked fine.

The Sun20C works best if you micromanage it to face directly toward the sun. You can also hook multiple panels together for more juice. It snaps closed for protection during travel and has grommets so you can lash it to trees, backpacks or buildings.

Apple 18W USB-C power adapter

Apple’s 18W USB-C power adapter isn’t cheap at $29, but it’s a clean, solid adapter design that’s good for charging tablets, phones and other smaller devices. With Apple’s $19 USB-C to Lightning cable — expensive, given that no third-party cable makers sell that type, by the way — you can charge your iPhone fast, too.

Zendure Passport Pro travel adapter with 18W USB-C charging port

The $35 Zendure Passport Pro travel adapter looks like many similar converters that ease international travel, but this adapter has an 18W USB-C charging port alongside three old-style USB-A charging ports, too. That means you can plug in your laptop while you’ve got the family’s phones charging. The power converter side of things can plug into US, UK, European, Australian and many other countries’ wall sockets, and you can likewise stick an equally broad range of plugs into it. If the adapter draws too much power, it’s got a circuit breaker that’ll trip and a one-touch button to reset it immediately. The 18W USB-C port is nice, but if you’re using it to charge your iPhone fast, you’ll need Apple’s $19 USB-C to USB Lightning cable, because no third parties sell that type of USB cable.

Aukey PA-Y13 46W USB-C Charger

The Aukey PA-Y13 46W USB-C Charger will charge even a top-end MacBook pro, though its 46W USB-C port won’t do it as fast as Apple’s 87W charger. But unlike Apple’s chargers, you can also plug in devices using regular and quick-charge USB-A ports. It includes a cable to plug it into the wall.

Lifepowr’s USB-C cable, “the Beast”

Lifepowr’s USB-C cable, called “the Beast,” is wrapped in a stainless steel housing for durability. It handles both high-speed data transfer — USB 3.1 at up to 10Gbps — and high-power charging but costs $32. I was terrified its flexing coils would catch an arm hair and give it a painful pluck, but I didn’t have any problems.

Aukey’s CC-Y7 27W USB-C car charger

Aukey’s CC-Y7 27W USB-C car charger, at $20, is useful for charging phones, tablets, power packs and small laptops with 27-watt output from USB-C alongside an old-style USB-A charging port. It’s even up to charging a big MacBook Pro, albeit slowly, the company said. The USB-A port is equipped with the company’s AiPower adaptive charging technology, designed to figure out the best charging rate possible.

Sanho’s HyperJuice Dual 87W USB-C charger

Sanho’s HyperJuice Dual 87W USB-C charger is beefy enough to charge a big MacBook Pro with 87 watts of output. It’s got two USB-C ports and a USB-A alongside it. It can charge three devices at once, but with a total power limit of 87 watts. It costs $60, a notch cheaper than Apple’s 87W charger. It comes with a cord to plug it into the wall but not a USB-C cord to reach your laptop.

Lifepowr A3 USB-C battery pack

The $250 Lifepowr A3 USB-C battery pack has a 27,000mAh battery and can power a MacBook Pro at a beefy 87 watts over its USB-C port. It’s also got two USB-A ports. Surprisingly, it’s got a standard US power plug on the back, too, so you can use it as an uninterruptible power supply as long as you have a USB-C charger plugged into the other side. It comes in a cloth bag to cut down on the banging and scratching during travel, but the bag covers up the LED status lights on the outside.

We’re all familiar with Android’s dirty “F” word: fragmentation. Turns out, we can’t really depend on phone manufacturers to keep devices updated out of the goodness of their own hearts, so Google has been rolling out changes like Project Treble meant to make that job as easy for them as possible. Based on some recently published metrics, Treble is making a big difference.

Treble debuted as part of Android 8.0 Oreo, all the way back in 2017. Google understood that it would take a long time for the new feature to make an impact — only new devices would support it, and a change in yearly updates would take, well, years to measure. Google considered the uptick in OEM and device support for its Android beta program an early indicator of success, but more recent metrics show even more substantial and measurable differences.

Based on the graph above, the rate of adoption for Android Pie has been over twice that of Android Oreo. Since OEMs updating to Oreo didn’t have the benefit of Treble support (remember, it was only released together with Oreo, so it was mostly limited to new devices), and since smartphone sales are generally in decline, we can probably assume that the difference between the two versions across time comes down to updates, and therefore Treble. Still, it’d be nice if Google could go back to publishing these platform numbers separately again so we can double-check the math.

Backporting Treble to the original 2016 Pixel may even be part of why it got updated to Android 10, though it was only promised two years of major version Android updates; Treble just makes the process a whole lot easier.

By the numbers, Treble is clearly making a difference, but it isn’t the only reason the speed of updates is increasing. Google has also been collaborating with chipset manufacturers like Qualcomm and MediaTek to speed up how quickly OEMs can get their hands on the system-level software required to deliver the updates.

Google doesn’t have graphs or numbers to back up all of its claims, but the company thinks that updates to the latest Android 10 are going even more smoothly, despite the fact that we’re only a few months from the formal, stable launch. Early indicators, like Samsung’s faster release of the One UI beta this year and new third-party hardware like the OnePlus 7T already shipping with Android 10, would tend to support that argument. Mix in the system-level updates that can now be delivered via Project Mainline separately from operating system updates, and Android’s fragmentation problem — which probably can’t ever be fully solved — will matter even less in practical terms once more devices support it.

Earlier this year, Google told us there were over 2.5 billion Android devices out there. That huge number is the result of such varied hardware, supported by so many different OEMs, it’s no surprise they aren’t all running the latest version of Android. But thanks to Project Treble, more of them are every day.

There are no shortage of options if you are in the hunt for the best gaming monitor, and in case you have not heard, a couple of newcomers have joined the fun—Razer and Xiaomi.

We already wrote about Razer’s Raptor 27, which is now available after being introduced at CES the beginning of this year. Now we’ve learned that Xiaomi is expanding its product catalog as well.

Xiaomi is best known for its smartphones, though it does dabble in other hardware categories: smart TVs, fitness bands, battery packs, and even electric scooters. Its new Mi Surface 34, however, is the company’s first monitor.

It’s a 34-inch display sporting a curved (1500R) panel with a 3440×1440 resolution (21:9 aspect ratio). Built for gaming, it has a 144Hz refresh rate, 4ms response time, and AMD FreeSync support.

Certain details are not yet known, such as the brightness level, contrast ratio, and connectivity options. It’s also unclear what company is sourcing the VA panel. A post on Weibo suggests it’s Samsung.

The physical design is not too shabby. From the renders we’ve seen, it has thin bezels on the top and sides, and the base isn’t some crazy design.

Preorder pricing on the 34-inch Surface Mi is 1,999 Yuan, which is around $283 in US currency. After it ships, the price will go up to 2,499 Yuan (~$354). It’s not clear if Xiaomi intends to offer this display outside of China.

Xiaomi also unveiled a 23.8-inch IPS monitor with a 1920×1080 resolution. Other details are tougher to come by, though it’s priced at 699 Yuan (~$98).