WhatsApp No Longer Supports BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, and Windows Phone 8

Back in February 2017, the Facebook folks behind WhatsApp gave a glimpse into their plans for future development. They included dropping support for BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, the Nokia S40, the Nokia Symbian S60, Android 2.1 and Android 2.2, Windows Phone 7, and the iPhone 3GS/iOS 6 by the end of 2016, but recently, the list was amended with new EoL (end of life) dates for BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, and Windows Phone 8 operating systems.

The WhatsApp team announced in a support FAQ this week that it'd discontinued development for BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, and Windows Phone 8 on December 31, 2017. It's no longer possible to create new accounts or re-verify accounts on smartphones running those operating systems, though the app's core messaging features will continue to work for the time being.

WhatsApp also clarified that the S40 will be supported until December 31 2017, and that Android devices running 2.3.7 Gingerbread will be get updates until February 1 2020.

The messaging app made headlines last year when it announced it was dropping support for BlackBerry OS, BlackBerry 10, the S40, the S60, Android 2.1 and Android 2.2, Windows Phone 7, and the iPhone 3GS/iOS 6. But in a statement on its support page, the WhatsApp team said that older devices don't support the technologies new versions of the app require.

"These platforms don't offer the kind of capabilities we need to expand our app's features in the future," the team wrote. "If you use one of these affected mobile devices, we recommend upgrading to a newer OS version, or to a newer Android running OS 4.0+, iPhone running iOS 7+, or Windows Phone 8.1+ so that you can continue using WhatsApp."

If your phone's no longer supported, WhatsApp suggests verifying your account on a newer device.

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Source: WhatsApp

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Report: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 to Launch in Q2 2018 with Dual Cameras

The international variant of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 launched in January 2017, and it went on to become India' best-selling smartphone of 2017. It's no surprising, then, that expectations are riding high on its successor, the Redmi Note 5.

Since late last year, rumors of the Redmi Note 5 have been flying around the internet. In October, a Xiaomi device with an 18:9 display was certified by TENAA, and in November, leaked photos of an 18:9 Xiaomi device appeared on social media. Most recently, in December, Xiaomi released the Redmi 5 and the Redmi 5 Plus in China with 18:9 (2:1) displays. The phones haven't launched internationally yet, but this week, a MIUI moderator said that the Redmi 5 Plus would take the place of the rumored Redmi Note 5 in some markets.

However, that seems increasingly unlikely. A new rumor from China suggests that Xiaomi is set to announce the Redmi Note 5 this year. It's reportedly being tested internally for a release in Q2 2018, but faces delays because of supply issues with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 632 system-on-chip.

According to the rumor, the Snapdragon 632 is a step down from the Snapdragon 636 chipset that was announced in October. It's said to have a slightly lower clock speed and a slower GPU, but retain Qualcomm's Spectra 160 ISP (image signal processor), which offers more robust support for dual-camera configurations compared to the Snapdragon 625's image processor.

As far as the Redmi Note 5's other specs are concerned, it'll have a 5.99-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio (matching the display size of the Redmi 5 Plus) and small display bezels. It might feature a higher screen-to-body ratio than even the Redmi 5 Plus, though that's not yet clear. Under the hood, it'll pack 4GB of RAM and two storage configurations, 32GB and 64GB, plus dual rear cameras with two 12MP sensors (the secondary camera's specs remain a mystery).

With regard to pricing, the Redmi Note 5 may retail for a bit more than its predecessor — reportedly at CNY 1599 (about $246). But it's best to take it with a healthy dose of skepticism.

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Source: MyDrivers (in Chinese)Via: MySmartPrice

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Xiaomi Mi A1 Mod Adds Fingerprint Wakeup After Reboot, Night Light, and More

The Xiaomi Mi A1 was the first smartphone from the company to ship with Android One, so it isn't surprising that it's received a lot of attention since its released. Android One devices run a slimmed-down version of Android that's optimized for slower hardware, which speeds up the operating system, but usually at the cost of some functionality. Thankfully, XDA Senior Member Rajeev created a Xiaomi Mi A1 mod that adds features such as fingerprint wakeup after reboot, which lets you wake the display with third-party lock screen apps, and auto brightness, which adjusts the display's brightness level to ambient light sources.

Here's the full list of changes:

Features

• Added Fingerprint Wakeup
• Added voLTE Symbol Instead of HD
• Added Invisible Power Button in Statusbar
• Added Night Light
• Added Auto Brightness
• Added 4 Row Quick Tiles (v2)

If you're raring to get started, head to the XDA Forums for a full list of installation instructions. Note that while the mod works with any Nougat 7.1.2 build on the Mi A1, it requires root and a custom recovery menu like TWRP.

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Check out this mod in our Xiaomi Mi A1 forum

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Magisk Module Adds aptX HD and iOS 11 Emoji to the Razer Phone

The Razer Phone is Razer's first attempt at making a smartphone, and it's highly customizeable. Root was achieved on it late last year, and XDA Senior Member raimondomartire wasted no time putting together a Magisk module that adds Qualcomm's aptX HD Bluetooth audio codec, iOS 11 emoji, and more.

The module, Rayglobe, is available from the XDA Razer Phone forum. Here's the full list of features:

• Build.prop mods for volume and more audio steps

• Themed YouTube

• Service.jar hacked to delete sign

• Framework-res adjustment to ambient light and dim

• New Miracast flash in settings/video

• Qualcomm aptX HD Bluetooth audio codec

• iOS 11 emoji

In order to install it, you'll need Magisk version 15.1, which requires that you unlock the Razer phone's bootloader. (Follow this guide to get started, and then flash the appropriate TWRP build.) From that point forward, you can  install the module by opening Magisk, tapping Add Module, and then finding magisk_rayglobe_os.zip using your phone's file browser.

The Razer Phone, for the uninitiated, packs a 120 Hz variable refresh-rate display — the first of its kind in Western markets — and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC, 8GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD card slot), and a 4,000 mAh battery. When it comes to software, it runs a near-stock build of Android 7.1 Nougat with a few custom additions like a pre-built Nova Launcher and a Razer Game Booster app that tweaks settings on a per-game basis.

If you're jumping at the bit to try out the Rayglobe Module Pack for the Razer Phone, head to the XDA Forums.

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Download the Rayglobe Module Pack for the Razer Phone

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T-Mobile Moto Z2 Force Android Oreo OTA Captured, Here’s How To Install It

The Android Oreo update for the T-Mobile Motorola Moto Z2 Force started to roll out a few days ago, according to users on our forums. Over-the-air (OTA) updates can take some time to roll out, however, so if you would rather not wait then XDA Senior Member joemossjr has a guide just for you. He captured the OTA link and has published a guide over on our T-Mobile Moto Z2 Force forums to show you how to install the update right now. Plus, the guide also shows you how you can get root access on the latest build.

Android 8.0 Oreo for the T-Mobile Z2 Force came a week after the Verizon variant started to receive the update and a month after the initial soak test in Brazil. The update brings your standard Oreo feature additions such as picture-in-picture mode support, Autofill API, notification channels, background app limitations, and more. In addition, the update also brings the December security patch which includes patches for the set of WiFi WPA2 vulnerabilities known as KRACK.

If you would like to install this update right now, then check out the guide at the link below.

Guide to Install Android Oreo on the T-Mobile Motorola Moto Z2 Force

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Samsung Responds to Alleged Battery Issues on the Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S8+

If you have been following various Samsung Galaxy Note 8 communities like /r/GalaxyNote8 on Reddit, you probably know by now of a battery issue which is affecting some users of the latest flagship by Samsung. Unlike battery issues on its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 7, this issue doesn't pose a threat to your personal safety, but it may potentially burn a hole through your wallet as it is being reported that some Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S8+ units are refusing to boot up or even charge after the battery has been completely discharged.

While this issue is commonly known as "deep discharge" and is known to affect devices with lithium-ion batteries, a great majority of these devices eventually recover after charging them for a while, but this doesn't seem to be the case for some units of the latest Samsung flagships. As such, this has recently become a source of worry for many Note 8 and Galaxy S8+ owners, especially with more and more reports surfacing. Thankfully, Samsung appears to be investigating the issue right now. The translated statement, originally shared with PC World, reads:

Of course, Samsung is taking all reports of this kind seriously, we've only received a very small number of customer inquiries that could be linked to charge management, and unfortunately we can only comment on the matter further if we have more detailed information about the affected devices. If you have any questions about your device, please contact Samsung Customer Service at 06196 77 555 66 (costs according to the contractual partner's terms for landline or mobile phone connections.) Service times: Monday to Friday: 8: 00-21: 00 clock, Saturday: 9: 00-17: 00 clock) or visit: http://ift.tt/1aG3MQF).

As it turns out, the Korean technology giant doesn't have a clear understanding of what is happening right now, or how widespread the issue actually is. If your device is affected, then we would suggest you get in touch with Samsung support and ask for a repair/RMA as long as your device is still under warranty. If your device is not affected, make sure it doesn't discharge completely, and keep an eye on the battery until Samsung finishes its investigation regarding the issue.

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Source: Winfuture Via: Mspoweruser

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Pixel 2’s Portrait Mode Ported to some Non-Google Devices running Android Oreo

There are a few contenders for best smartphone camera of 2017, and many would argue that the Google Pixel 2 & 2 XL were the best mobile shooters. That's thanks in large part to the phone's exceptional combination of camera hardware with Google's prowess in image processing software as seen by their famous HDR+ technology. Ports of Google Camera with the HDR+ technology have been shown to dramatically improve the picture quality of budget phones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 and flagship phones like the Essential Phone. The Pixel 2 camera experience is largely an iterative improvement over the first generation Pixel, though it adds some polish with features such as Motion Photos, Face Retouching, and lastly Portrait Mode.

The Pixel 2's Portrait Mode is perhaps its best new feature due to how the algorithm can produce beautiful photos that focus on one or more persons. While Pixel 2 camera features such as Motion Photos, Face Retouching, and even the new AR Stickers have been ported, it was thought that Portrait Mode would remain a Pixel 2 exclusive for quite some time. Fortunately, XDA Senior Member Charles_l proved that Portrait Mode could be forced to work on other devices, starting with the first generation Google Pixel & Pixel XL, Nexus 6P, and Nexus 5X. Thanks to this preliminary work, other developers have joined in to port the Portrait Mode feature over to some non-Google devices running Android Oreo.

Pixel 2 Portrait Mode on Non-Google Devices

XDA Senior Member Arnova8G2, best known for his work on porting a Snapdragon-optimized version of Google Camera app, has modified Charles_l's Camera NX 7.3 app to work on non-Google devices. We're seeing reports that his app brings a functioning Portrait Mode feature to devices such as the Xiaomi Mi 5/5s on LineageOS 15, OnePlus 3 & 3T on OxygenOS 5, Moto G5s Plus, and reportedly even the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 running the leaked Oreo beta ROM.

Pixel 2 Portrait Mode on the OnePlus 3. Credits: XDA Senior Member djtnh

It seems like many 64-bit devices running Android Oreo are compatible with Arnova8G2's port of the Pixel 2 Portrait Mode feature. The best part of this mod is that it doesn't require root to function! The only caveat for now is that it only works with the device's rear camera, though we're sure that the developer will be able to get Portrait Mode working via the front-facing camera soon.

Download Google Camera with Portrait Mode for Non-Google Devices

Arnova8G2 is sharing his work over on our forum. He has posted about the latest update to his Google Camera modifications here and I've mirrored the download link below in case the Drive link goes down.

Download Google Camera Port with Portrait Mode for Non-Google Devices

We recommend you follow Arnova8G2's thread for future updates on his Google Camera mods. We will be following his work ourselves in order to share any note-worthy feature updates (such as when he gets the feature working with the front camera) so you can also follow the XDA Portal if you would like.

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