Tag: Computers

Have you ever thought about a smartphone having healing capabilities so that you won’t have to be scared if you mistakenly drop it? As far-fetched as it may sound, this could be on the cards if we go by predictions set by CCS Insights. Sounds pretty futuristic yet interesting? Let’s dive into what this is all about.

Self-Healing Phones Could Arrive in the Future!

CCS Insights recently released its technology predictions for 2024 and amongst the various things the firm expects, there’s something truly amusing; a smartphone screen’s ability to self-heal. So, if a smartphone display gets minor scratches and dents, it will get magically repaired on its own!

It is suggested that future displays of smartphones will be made from a special material, which will form a new layer when in contact with air. This will help mend the scratches and dents on its own without the need for you to go to a repair shop.

Bear in mind, this won’t be for major screen damages and if that happens, you will still need to make a visit to the repair store to get things fixed or replaced. This technology is expected to reach smartphones and other consumer electronics by 2028.

This isn’t the first we have heard about the concept, though. Brands like LG, Motorola, and Apple have thought of creating phones with self-healing powers. In fact, LG’s G Flex (released in 2013) came with a self-healing coating at the back panel but guess we all know this concept wasn’t well-received.

Not much is known about how OEMS will try to adopt this in a way that this takes off well and since this is a mere prediction, one can’t be sure if this will ever see the light of the day. That said, it should be interesting to see something like this coming with our smartphones in a few years!

As for other plausible predictions, CCS Insights expects an Unfiltered section for Instagram, the possibility of a ‘cold shower‘ treatment for Generative AI, more second-hand iPhones by the end of 2023, and so much more. You can take a look at the details right here.

We shall see what really happens to the self-healing display concept and we will let you know. Until then, let’s keep our phones safe from any drops! Also, don’t forget to share your thoughts on this mind-boggling prediction in the comments below!

Identify the Apps Consuming the Most Space

When you’re in need of additional storage space, it’s best to start with what will have the most significant impact. The apps that are consuming the most space on your mobile device. Dealing with a few large apps is more efficient than managing numerous smaller ones.

With Google Files, you can easily pinpoint which apps are hogging your mobile’s storage. To do this, navigate to the Explore > Applications tab, and then tap on “Large Apps” to filter them. Don’t forget to use the ⋮ menu and select “Sort by,” then choose “Size (largest first).” This list will serve as a useful guide to identify apps that occupy a substantial amount of space. And you can decide whether to completely uninstall them or partially free up space by clearing their cache or data, as we’ll explain below.

Taming the Cache

It’s a well-known fact that cache data contributes to the storage congestion on our mobile devices. However, indiscriminately clearing cache data can be counterproductive, as it may lead to your device working harder. The key lies in finding a balance: clearing the cache of apps that you don’t use frequently.

You can refer to the aforementioned list of apps that take up the most space on your mobile to identify potential candidates for cache clearance. If you don’t use these apps often or the cached data they store isn’t particularly relevant, it’s a good idea to clear their cache. An example of this is TikTok, where the cache mainly consists of videos that have been loaded and are unlikely to be revisited.

In the Absence of App Hibernation, Opt for Data Clearance

Until Google Play provides a feature to manually archive or hibernate apps, you can take the initiative to selectively clear data from apps that are rarely used. This action won’t significantly affect apps with data stored in the cloud since, upon logging in, their data will be re-downloaded.

You can locate applications that occupy substantial space and are infrequently used in Google Files by navigating to Browse > Apps. And enabling both the Large Apps and Unused Apps filters simultaneously.

Eliminate Unnecessary Files

In the Google Files app, the Clean tab offers various suggestions for items you might consider deleting. Along with a vast storage area labeled “Junk Files,” which primarily comprises cached data from other apps. Google cautions that deleting these files will free up space but may result in your phone consuming more data and battery as it re-downloads the data instead of reading it from the cache.

Furthermore, the Clean tab advises removing large files (such as videos), screenshots, saved memes, and various other dispensable items. It’s essential to review these suggestions since they remain optional actions.

Clear Out the Trash

Last but not least, remember to inspect the contents of your trash folder, which you can access through the Explore tab by selecting “Trash” from the category list.

Files residing in the trash are automatically removed after 30 days. But until then, they still occupy space on your device. If you’re certain that you no longer need these files, you have the freedom to delete them at your convenience.

If your iPhone says SOS in the top-right corner and you’ve no idea what it is or how to fix it, you’ve landed at the right place. When you’re traveling or are in a remote area, your iPhone might get stuck in SOS mode, not allowing you to access the internet, send messages, or even make a phone call. We know how annoying and bothersome it is, especially when you have no clue what it means and what to do in such situations. Although SOS isn’t a great sign, you need not worry too much as there are some ways to troubleshoot it at your end. In this article, we’ll tell you what SOS is, why you get it, and how to fix SOS Only on an iPhone. Without any ado, let’s get going!

Note: iPhone showing SOS in the status bar and Emergency SOS are two different things. With Emergency SOS, you can quickly alert your emergency contacts for help. On the other hand, SOS in the status bar indicates network connection issues.

What does SOS on iPhone mean?

‘SOS Only’ or ‘SOS’ on an iPhone means your device is out of your network carrier’s range to make/receive calls, text messages, or access the internet. When you see SOS on the top-right corner of your iPhone, you can only make emergency calls to numbers like 112 (India & Europe), 911 (United States), 999 (UK), etc. Of course, when you don’t have a proper cellular connection, you won’t be able to access even basic functionalities like phone calls or messages. Rather, you can only call fire, ambulance, police, and emergency services available in your country/region. This is to ensure that you’re safe and can reach out to emergency services even if your iPhone cannot connect to the cellular network.

Why is SOS showing on my iPhone?

In most cases, a poor network connection is to be blamed for why your iPhone shows SOS in the top-right corner, where you see network signal strength. That said, you might see SOS in the status bar in the following situations:

• Your SIM card has failed.
• You haven’t enabled Automatic Network Selection on your iPhone.
• You’re traveling abroad and you didn’t enable Data Roaming on your device or activate a roaming pack offered by your network provider.
• Your network carrier might be experiencing outages.

5 Ways to fix SOS on iPhone

1. Move to an area with proper network coverage

The best way to fix ‘SOS Only’ on iPhone is to move to an area with a stronger network coverage. If you’re in the basement of a building, an elevator, or a remote location, it’s pretty normal to see SOS on your phone. Things should get back to normal as soon as you move to an area that’s within the range of your network carrier.

2. Toggle Airplane mode

There can be instances where your iPhone gets stuck at SOS Only and shows the warning even in areas you remember having proper signals in the past. This usually happens when your phone isn’t registering the connection. One of the best ways to fix this glitch is to toggle Airplane mode on your iPhone. Here’s how to do it:

• Open Control Center on your iPhone and tap on the Airplane mode icon. The icon should turn Orange. Then wait 5 to 1o seconds and tap on the same icon again.
• Alternatively, head to Settings and turn on the toggle for Airplane mode. Again, wait for a few seconds and turn it off.
• The new iOS 17 offers a quick way to toggle system settings from Spotlight search. Just search for Airplane mode and turn the toggle on.

3. Restart your iPhone

If the Airplane mode trick doesn’t work, you can restart your iPhone to allow it to re-establish the connection with the network. So, make sure to turn off your iPhone, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Here’s how to restart any iPhone model. Once your iPhone has restarted and you’re in a range of cellular connections, you shouldn’t see SOS in the status bar on your iPhone.

4. Check your iPhone’s cellular settings

Another reason why your iPhone is showing SOS could be because your phone’s cellular settings aren’t configured properly. If you haven’t enabled Automatic Network Selection, your iPhone won’t automatically connect to the right network. Instead, you have to manually select which network your phone should connect to. This can sometimes throw issues like putting your iPhone in SOS only. To avoid such problems and ensure optimal connectivity, you should enable the Automatic Network Selection option on your iPhone. Here are the steps to do it:

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on Mobile Service/Cellular.
• Tap on Network Selection.
• Here, make sure the toggle next to Automatic is turned on.

• If it isn’t enabled, you’ll see a list of available networks and have to choose one manually.

5. Check With your Carrier

If your iPhone frequently goes into SOS, even in areas where you shouldn’t have any connectivity issues, it could be due to a faulty SIM card. To know if this is the reason, contact your network provider. Also, don’t forget to ask if the carrier is experiencing some sort of outage in your area.

While we’re talking about this, it’s worth mentioning that a faulty SIM card slot might trigger SOS only on an iPhone. To rule out the culprit, visit the nearest Apple store and get your phone diagnosed. If you’ve got an iPhone XR or a later model, consider switching to an eSIM. For several users, this trick helped to get their iPhones off SOS mode. So, if you can, there’s no harm in giving it a try.

That’s all for now. We hope this guide helped you understand why your iPhone says SOS only and helped you get back your things to normal. We’d love to hear how you got your iPhone off SOS mode. And in case you’ve any doubts, drop them in the comments below and we’ll get back to you.

Last month, Google had to limit the connectivity features of the Google Home devices. When this limitation rolled out, you could only group one device at a time. It was because of a lawsuit from Sonos. This lawsuit claimed that Google stole the idea of managing groups of speakers from Sonos.

Well, now Google is making a U-turn. If you have a Google Home device, you can now add them to multiple speaker groups in the Google Home app. These devices include the smart displays, Chromecast, and Google Nest speakers.

Google has managed to convince the federal court that some of the patents from the 2022 ruling are invalid. And right after the court case was settled, Google immediately shipped out the software update. This update re-enables the grouping features.

Google vs Sonos: More About Google Home Device Grouping Patent Case

For those wondering, the grouping feature found in the Google Home and Sonos speakers lets you play audio from multiple speakers in different rooms. They utilize built-in microphones to automatically mitigate the surprisingly intricate audio delay that usually takes place in such setups. As a result, you get a seamless whole-home audio experience.

But after Sonos found out about this Google Home speakers feature, it smacked down Google with five patents in 2022. Among them, the two headline patents are about allowing for control of volumes of multiple speakers at once. Before the latest case wrap-up, Google was asked to pay $32.5 million as a settlement amount. However, recently, the court declared the two patents invalid.

That said, Sonos says that it plans to appeal the decision. That means the Google Home Device owners could see the feature getting stripped out again. But till then, you have the option to group the devices once again. We will get you updated regarding the case when more information is available.

Snapchat, the most popular social media app among Gen Z users, has ushered in a new era of communication, complete with its own set of acronyms and unique features like the Snapchat planets. And if you are a Snapchat user like me, I’m sure that you may have stumbled upon the enigmatic abbreviation “GTS” in your chats. GTS is among those cool Snapchat slangs, like SFS on Snapchat, that have made their way into the world of texting. But what does this slang GTS mean on Snapchat, and why is it being used? So, let’s learn what GTS means on the Snapchat messaging app.

The Meaning of GTS on Snapchat

On Snapchat, the term GTS usually stands for “Go To Sleep,” a common phrase used to encourage friends and followers to prioritize their health and rest. So, in a time where late-night chatting, scrolling, or binge-watching is a trend, GTS on Snapchat serves as a reminder of the importance of a good night’s sleep.

Along with Go to Sleep, Good Times is another common interpretation of GTS on Snapchat. It’s important to be aware that nuances can exist based on personal communication styles and subcultures. When you come across “GTS” in a Snapchat conversation, take a moment to consider the context and the relationship you have with the person using it. This way, you can decode its intended meaning and continue your digital dialogue with clarity and confidence.

How to Use GTS Slang on Snapchat

When you use GTS to represent “Go to Sleep” in Snapchat chats, you are sending friendly reminders or suggestions to other Snapchat users that it is time for them to rest and get a good night’s sleep. A GTS text serves as your concern for their well-being, especially if they are staying up late and seem tired.

Let’s say, for instance, you find a friend sharing late-night stories on Snapchat, and you are worried about their well-being; you can send them a text like, “You have been up so late lately. GTS!” But remember to do this with people who are most comfortable with you, or else you can have an embarrassing experience.

When you use “GTS” to represent “Good Times” on Snapchat, you’re basically conveying that you had a great, enjoyable experience or that something thrilling and fun is transpiring in your life. In simple words, it’s a way to share positivity and enthusiasm with your friends and followers on Snapchat.

Suppose you had a memorable day with your friends at an amusement park; you can send a snap to your Snapchat friends with a caption like “Amusement park adventures. GTS!” signifying that you had a great time.

How to Respond to GTS on Snapchat

Responding to a GTS text on Snapchat totally depends on the context in which it was sent to you. Here’s how you can respond to GTS on Snapchat:

• If the received GTS text means Go to Sleep. So, you can respond to it with appreciation. For example: “Thanks for looking out for me!”
• If the received GTS means Good Times, it means your friend had a great time and enjoyed the experience, and you can respond to it with enthusiasm and positivity.

HMD Global, the Finnish smartphone maker, made waves in the Indian market last month by introducing the Nokia G42 5G, a promising addition to the popular Nokia G series. The initial variant featured 6GB of RAM, bolstered by an impressive 5GB of virtual RAM, accompanied by a generous 128GB of storage. However, the company is now stepping up its game with the launch of a new, more robust version, boasting 8GB of RAM and a substantial 8GB of virtual RAM, combined with a capacious 256GB storage.

Nokia G42 5G Introduces 8GB RAM and 256GB Storage Option

In terms of aesthetics, the Nokia G42 5G flaunts its vibrant personality with options in three dazzling colors: So Grey, So Purple, and So Pink. This device is now readily available both in retail stores and online through Nokia.com. Enticing potential buyers with an attractive price point of Rs. 16,999 (about $205).

To sweeten the deal further, HMD Global is offering a special launch offer. If you snag the Nokia G42 5G from select retail outlets, you’ll be treated to a limited-time complimentary gift: a Bluetooth headphone worth Rs. 999 (about $12).

Let’s not forget the core specifications that make the Nokia G42 5G an appealing choice for tech enthusiasts. The device boasts a 6.56-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 560 nits. Under the hood, it’s powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 480+ 8nm Mobile Platform, ensuring a smooth and efficient performance. The device offers flexible storage options, with support for microSD cards up to 1TB.

The smartphone operates on Android 13, ensuring you have access to the latest features and security updates. It also features an impressive 50 MP AF main camera. Along with a 2 MP Depth camera and a 2 MP Macro camera. For selfie enthusiasts, there’s an 8MP front camera.

Additional perks include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, dust and splash resistance (IP52 rated), and robust connectivity options, including 5G support and a 5000mAh battery with 20W fast charging.

In summary, the Nokia G42 5G continues to deliver on the Nokia legacy of quality and innovation. And with the enhanced 8GB RAM variant, it offers even more power and storage for your mobile needs. Plus, the launch offer sweetens the deal, making it an enticing choice for Indian consumers.

After months of deliberation and waiting with bated breath, Counter-Strike 2 finally launched and had a good reception. However, the much-awaited game did not appear on the macOS platform. Many expected that CS2 would come to Apple systems as well. Unfortunately, Valve has confirmed that Counter-Strike 2 is not launching for Apple’s Mac lineup of personal computers that use the macOS operating system. There are a variety of reasons for this. Let’s discover why and discuss how you can still play CS:GO on macOS through another version.

Counter-Strike 2 Not Coming To macOS; Valve Confirms

In a Steam support FAQ page, Valve explains that Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) is the ‘largest technical leap‘ in the franchise’s history. However, the new game simply demands additional power from your system specifications and, hence, is harder to run than CS:GO. Another major reason is that the gamers who play CS:GO on macOS only make up about 1% of the active base. Therefore, Valve has officially discontinued support for the macOS platform, so Counter-Strike 2 is not coming to the macOS operating system.

In addition to this, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) will exclusively be supported on a 64-bit Windows operating system and also the Linux OS. Graphics cards supporting the DirectX 9 API and even 32-bit Windows will also not be supported on CS2. A GPU supporting the newer DirectX APIs will work fine, even if they aren’t too powerful (we got 60-100FPS with the best CS2 settings on an Intel-integrated graphics laptop).

In the future, there could be a way to play Counter-Strike 2 on Macs by using Windows on them. We will update you if that happens, but for now, it is not possible. Players who have purchased a Prime Status Upgrade in CS:GO or CS2 are eligible for a refund until December 1, 2023. So, if you have purchased Prime between the date when the CS2 beta was launched (March 22, 2023) and the official CS2 release (September 27, 2023), you can apply for a refund of Prime Status Upgrade, which costs $14.99. Gifts, CD keys, and banned accounts are not eligible for a refund.

CS:GO Legacy Version Will Be Available For All

As you know, CS:GO is the older Counter-Strike game that has been taken off the Steam Store. But you can still install the CS:GO legacy version. To do this, simply go to the Properties for Counter-Strike 2 in your Steam Library. Then, under ‘Betas,’ select csgo_legacy, which is present under the drop-down menu. The CS:GO legacy version will start downloading, and when you launch the game, you will be greeted with the older version based on Source 1.

You can play CS:GO legacy version on macOS, Windows, and Linux. After January 1, 2024, the CS:GO legacy version will stop receiving support from Valve. Because of this, the CS:GO legacy version will be playable, but it won’t have dedicated matchmaking. To play with guns in your CS:GO inventory, you must play CS2, which transitions all the previous items to the Source 2 engine.

Still, many will thank Valve for not deleting CS:GO completely from Steam. Players can play Counter-Strike with bots on the older map, and there is a chance that community servers could still be hosted in it. Honestly, even though the player base was small, I wish that Valve had put in the effort to support the macOS platform. The ARM-based M-series chips by Apple are powerful enough but require the effort of game devs to make new games on them. What are your thoughts on Counter-Strike 2 not launching on macOS? Let us know in the comments below.

There’s no denying that Qualcomm makes some of the best mobile chipsets. But no matter what, you can’t deny that its naming convention sometimes doesn’t make sense. For example, at the end of 2018, it introduced the Snapdragon 8cx for Windows on ARM devices. But since then, there have been other “c” SoCs. Now, Qualcomm has made the decision to rebrand to the Snapdragon X Series.

According to Qualcomm, this rebranding comes after “extensive analysis” and customer feedback. Qualcomm says that the “c” names were too easy to confuse with the Snapdragon for Android devices.

Qualcomm says the Snapdragon X Series has an X identifier to distinguish its PC platforms from the other Snapdragon product categories. But again, Qualcomm already has X series modems. For example, consider the Snapdragon X75 and X72. Qualcomm released these modems this February.

But the good news is that Qualcomm has promised a clear and simplified tiering structure for its future products. That means the naming strategy will likely change with the release of the Snapdragon X Series. But the rebranding isn’t just about making the SoC lineups hard to confuse.

More About the Snapdragon X Series

With this rebranding of Windows ARM chips, Qualcomm is preparing to launch its new Oryon-based SoCs. And the X Series will mark a clean break between Snapdragons using Qualcomm’s in-house core and ARM-designed CPU cores.

One thing to note here is that the Oryon-based cores on the Snapdragon X Series chipsets are for the Windows on ARM branch. There’s no clear indication about whether these will be the same cores for the upcoming phone SoCs.

Regarding the launch timeline, you can expect to see new devices powered by the X Series SoCs in 2024. There will be different tiers available, ranging from devices 4-core to fully-fledged 12-core models. And Qualcomm will likely offer more information regarding its Oryon cores soon. Stay tuned, as we will be offering in-depth coverage in this regard when more info becomes available.

2024 will mark 10 years of the Apple Watch and it won’t be wrong to expect major changes for the next-gen Apple Watch. This has been long-rumored but it seems like we will have to settle for another year as next year’s Apple Watch might not be as exciting as we thought. Here’s a look at the details.

2024 Apple Watch Expectations

Popular Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has given some predictions for next year’s Apple Watch, possibly called the Apple Watch Series 10, which might prove unpleasant. Kuo, via a blog post, reveals that the smartwatch won’t bring a lot of innovations.

It is also suggested that the 2024 Apple Watch won’t have a microLED display, which was rumored earlier. This was then pushed to 2025 but Kuo is not sure if this would be the case. In fact, he feels that Apple might introduce a microLED Apple Watch in 2026.