OnePlus fans in India are getting their hands on the shiny new OxygenOS 15 update for the Nord CE 3 this week—except “shiny” might not be the right word. While the rollout promises AI features, smoother animations, and flashy themes, early adopters are hitting more potholes than perks.

Here’s what’s new

Let’s start with the positives: The update does bring some neat tricks. The AI Retouch tool lets you wipe reflections off photos, and the new battery “Charging Limit” stops charging at 80% to save your battery’s lifespan. Multitaskers might cheer for smoother split-screen gestures, and iPhone users can finally share files directly via OnePlus Share.

But here’s the catch—the headline AI features? Missing. The much-hyped AI reply tool for messages? Nowhere to be found. The “Circle to Search” shortcut? Ghosted. Even basic stuff, like the volume slider, has pulled a disappearing act for some. Users are reporting green and yellow lines flickering when switching screens, apps crashing randomly, and the camera struggling to keep up during 60fps video recording.

“It’s like getting a birthday cake without the frosting,” grumbled a Nord CE 3 owner on X. “The AI tools were why I updated, but half of them aren’t even here.”

Did OnePlus Rush the Update?
The Nord CE 3 Lite got its OxygenOS 15 update first, but the CE 3’s rollout feels…unfinished. Promised “flux themes” are MIA, Live Alerts glitch out in landscape mode, and Quick Settings tiles behaving like moody teenagers. OnePlus hasn’t said when fixes are coming, though a patch is likely in the works.

The irony isn’t lost on users. Buried in the update is a cheeky easter egg in the Calculator app (type “1+=” to see it).

OnePlus Nord CE3 5G OxygenOS 15 update Changelog

Animations

• System-wide swipe consistency is extended to third-party apps, including WebView interfaces, for a uniform scrolling experience across the entire system.
• Improves the animations when opening or exiting apps, swiping, flipping pages, and more, as well as adds animation settings for fluency.

AI Retouch

• The Enhance clarity feature is added to restore detail to blurred images, making cropped, zoomed-in or low-quality photos appear clearer and more defined.
• With AI Reflection Eraser, blurred photos regain their sharpness, color accuracy, and lighting, ensuring that special moments with pets, kids, and others are vividly preserved.
• The new Remove reflections feature eliminates unwanted reflections from glass, allowing you to capture more natural photos when shooting through windows.

AI Notes

• The new AI writing suite offers features such as continued writing, text polishing, and style enhancement to help you draft and improve your content to spark creativity effortlessly.
• The new Format feature arranges fragmented content into structured and readable ones that are more attractive and reader-friendly.
• The new Clean up feature refines voice recordings by eliminating filler words for better sentence clarity without altering the original audio.

Themes

• The new flux themes feature a vast array of high-quality themes, allowing customization with system wallpapers and personal photos for a personalized touch.
• Extensive customization is added for Always-On Display, the Lock screen, and the Home screen. Flux and classic modes are supported for Always-On Display. Clock color blending, blurred wallpapers, AI depth effects, AI auto-fills, and more are supported for the Lock screen. Blurred wallpapers, and more are supported for the Home screen.
• Introduces flux themes with one-take transition animations, enabling seamless and smooth transitions between Always-On Display, Lock screen, and Home screen, significantly enhancing visual continuity.

Live Alerts

• The new Live Alerts design is concentrated on efficient information visualization, positioned centrally for a balanced and streamlined display.
• The new Live Alerts interaction allows capsules to expand into detailed cards with a tap, providing efficient access to multiple live activities by swiping in the status bar.
• The new Live Alerts animation system brings a fluid, elastic design and dynamic blurring effects in real time, making card visuals smoother and more refined.
• Now you can see the status of the torch on Live Alerts.
• Now you can see the charging information on Live Alerts.
• Fixes a display issue with existing icons on the status bar when a Live Alerts capsule is displayed.
• Improves the layout of Spotify on Live Alerts and adds smart recommendations.

Photo editing

• The new globally reversible photo editing capability saves previous edit settings for seamless subsequent edits, ensuring uninterrupted creative flow.
• Adds Fresh, Emerald, and Clear film filters to Photo mode and Portrait mode.
• The integration between Camera and filters is enhanced, allowing for the post-editing, changing, or removing of applied filters in Photos.

Floating Window and Split View

• The new Floating Window gestures: you can swipe down a notification banner to open a floating window, swipe down to enlarge it, swipe up to close it, and swipe sideways to hide it.
• Now you can drag a floating window to change it to full screen.
• The resizable Split View windows allow you to drag the divider or tap the window for a more extensive display area.

Notifications & Quick Settings

• The new Split mode allows separate access to the notification drawer (top-left swipe) and Quick Settings (top-right swipe), with swipe left or right to switch.
• Quick Settings is revamped with a more visually appealing and consistent layout, along with refined and enhanced animations.

OnePlus Share

• The new file transfer capability with iOS devices, easily connecting and sharing files through OnePlus Share.

Battery & charging

• The new “Charging limit” feature halts charging at 80%, helping to extend battery life and minimize degradation.
• The new battery protection reminder activates the Charging limit feature if the device remains charging for too long, enhancing battery protection.

More

• Exclusive OxygenOS Always-On Displays and Lock screen clock styles are added for a unique visual experience.
• The new Home screen clock widget gives you the flexibility to resize as desired. 
• An easter egg is added in Calculator and will pop up when you input “1+=”, embodying OnePlus’s enduring “Never Settle” mentality.
• New wallpapers are added to infuse your device with OnePlus’s signature style. 
• Exclusive app icon designs for OxygenOS are added, offering a fresh visual experience.
• Now you can swipe up to the left to quickly enable Split View when an app is displayed in full screen.
• Adds the Voice Translate app that supports live translation, text translation and multilingual translation.
• Now you can migrate live photos from iOS devices with Clone Phone.
• Retouch appearance in video calls now supports more apps.
• Boarding passes can now be recognised in Photos and added to Google Wallet.
• The style and visuals of the Notes widgets are enhanced, making them more appealing and practical.
• Apps in large folders can now be displayed in 3 × 3 grids.
• Optimizes the widgets of Clock on the Home screen.
• Optimizes the widgets of Notes on the Home screen.
• The multitasking experience is enhanced by automatically guiding you to the last used app in the recent tasks view for easier app switching.
• The Drawer mode is optimized to keep the existing Home screen app layout upon initial entry.

Privacy

• The Private Safe is optimized by implementing categorized views for images, videos, and documents, simplifying data management.
• A new Home screen entry is added for hidden apps, allowing quick access by tapping the folder and verifying your privacy password.

(Source, via)

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The first week of July 2023 was pretty interesting with new product releases to pivotal legislative decisions, the period was a whirlwind of activity that shaped the trajectory of various tech sectors. Twitter also saw a brand new rival in the form of Threads from Meta. 

In the realm of consumer electronics, major brands like Asus, OnePlus, Fairphone, and Samsung marked their presence by unveiling innovative devices. Asus’ ROG Ally handheld gaming console found its way into the Indian market, offering gaming enthusiasts a blend of performance and convenience. OnePlus added to its Nord lineup, with the Nord 3 and Nord CE 3 capturing attention due to their impressive specs. Fairphone, known for its sustainable and ethical approach, made its much-awaited Fairphone 4 5G available in the US. Samsung quietly launched the Snapdragon variant of the Galaxy S21 FE in India, while Apple revealed more details about its 15-inch MacBook Air, illustrating how the transition to Apple Silicon made its larger format possible.

Amidst these product announcements, a significant legal development took place in France, as lawmakers passed a bill allowing police to remotely access and activate suspects’ digital devices. This move sparked intense debates about privacy rights and the potential for state surveillance.

In essence, last week exemplified the ongoing interplay between rapid technological advancements, shifting market dynamics, and evolving societal norms.

Here were the top tech news stories from last week.

Reliance Jio and HMD Global Release Feature Phones with UPI Support

Reliance Jio and HMD Global unveiled new affordable feature phones, including the Nokia 110 4G and Nokia 110 2G, all supporting UPI payments. The 4G model, offering Bluetooth 5.0 and Micro USB 2.0, is priced at Rs. 2,499, while the 2G model, with 2G network support, is set at Rs. 1,699. Both models feature wireless FM radio functionality and long-lasting batteries.

Nokia and Apple Sign New Long-Term Patent Agreement 

Nokia and Apple have entered a new long-term patent cross-license agreement, focusing on Nokia’s 5G technology and other critical patents. With the previous agreement set to expire by year-end, the new deal will ensure Apple’s payment to Nokia for multiple years from 2024. The partnership highlights Nokia’s contributions to cellular standards and affirms Apple’s plan to incorporate Nokia’s technology into its future 5G-enabled devices.

Xiaomi Gears Up for New Flagship Release with Advanced Manufacturing System 

Xiaomi has launched its new manufacturing line, the Xiaomi Smart Manufacturing Digital Intelligence System 2.0, at its Beijing Yizhuang Smart Factory. The new system promises enhanced precision and intelligence, leading to stronger and thinner products. Xiaomi’s upcoming MIX Fold 3, scheduled for an August release, will be the first product manufactured under this new system. Featuring a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a quad-camera setup with a 5X periscope telephoto lens, the new foldable phone will also support 67W wired and 50W wireless fast charging. The phone’s international availability remains uncertain.

Xiaomi Bolsters Customer Service with 3-Layer Escalation Matrix in India 

Celebrating its 9th anniversary in India, Xiaomi has rolled out a new customer service initiative, the 3-Layer Escalation Matrix. Intended to streamline the resolution process for customer complaints, the system promises swift, efficient responses to issues within a specified time frame. Customers can lodge complaints via multiple platforms, including the Mi Store app, Xiaomi Service+ app, or Xiaomi’s official website. Complaints that remain unresolved within 48 hours automatically escalate to higher levels, ultimately reaching the company’s President’s office if necessary, promising a response within 12 hours. Customer complaint statuses can be tracked via the Xiaomi Service+ app.

Xiaomi Preps MIUI 15 Update, Improved Animations and More Expected

Ahead of the Android 14 release, Xiaomi has been found testing alpha builds of its latest MIUI 15 software, hinting that development began several months ago. The new update, potentially based on both Android 13 and 14, is expected to offer improved animations and numerous other upgrades. Specific features remain under wraps, but the release timeline should mirror MIUI 14, suggesting a rollout to compatible Xiaomi phones by Q1 2024. Initial testing appears to be taking place on a device codenamed  garnet,  rumored to be part of the forthcoming Redmi Note 13 lineup.

Xiaomi Pad 6 Launching in Europe: Enhanced Display and Audio Features

Set to hit European shelves on July 10, the Xiaomi Pad 6 offers an improved tablet experience with upgraded display and audio features. The device boasts an 11-inch 2.8K LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate and HDR10/Dolby Vision support. The Pad 6 is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC, up to 8 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage, along with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for reliable connectivity. The tablet caters to multimedia use with a 13MP rear camera, an 8MP front camera, and Dolby Atmos-supported quad speakers. It’s also compatible with the Xiaomi Smart Pen 2nd Gen and comes with a battery life bolstered by an 8,840mAh battery and 33W fast charging.

Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme Console Now Available on Flipkart in India

Asus’s new ROG Ally Z1 Extreme handheld gaming console is now on sale in India via Flipkart. The device, featuring a 7-inch IPS display, AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage, offers an immersive gaming experience on Windows 11. The console is priced at Rs 69,990, with various bank offers and EMI options available.

OnePlus Expands Nord Lineup with New Nord 3 and Nord CE 3 Models

OnePlus unveiled two additions to its Nord lineup, the feature-rich mid-ranger Nord 3, and the more affordable Nord CE 3. The latter sports a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, Snapdragon 782G chipset, up to 12GB RAM, and a 5000mAh battery with 80W fast charging. Available in two variants, 8GB+128GB and 12GB+256GB, Nord CE 3 will be released in August, with prices starting at Rs 26,999.

Eco-Friendly Fairphone 4 5G Debuts in the US with Emphasis on Repairability and Privacy

The environmentally conscious and repairable Fairphone 4 5G has launched in the US, underlining the brand’s commitment to sustainability and privacy. The device, which uses 100% recycled plastics and offers easily replaceable parts, runs Murena’s privacy-centric /e/OS, devoid of Google services. The phone comes in two variants, starting at $599, and features a 6.3-inch display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.

Samsung Quietly Launches Snapdragon 888 Variant of Galaxy S21 FE in India

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, powered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset, has quietly gone on sale in India for INR 49,999, with an introductory price of INR 44,999. Replacing the Exynos processor, this model retains the same features, including a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 4,500mAh battery, and a camera setup featuring a 12MP primary sensor, 12MP ultra-wide angle lens, and an 8MP telephoto camera. The device also offers water and dust resistance with an IP68 rating.

Apple’s 15-Inch MacBook Air: A Triumph of Apple Silicon Over Intel’s Constraints

Apple’s marketing executives disclosed that they had wanted to create a 15-inch MacBook Air for years but were restricted by the high power consumption of Intel’s chips. The shift to Apple Silicon enabled the company to maintain a slim, light design without compromising on battery life or performance. This new, larger MacBook Air is not only beneficial for consumers but also serves enterprise customers who have long requested such a device. This demonstrates Apple’s commitment to its transition to Apple Silicon and its responsiveness to customer demands.

Threads by Instagram Gaining Traction Despite Missing Features

Despite lacking key features like search, hashtags, and a following feed, Threads by Instagram, Meta’s bid to challenge Twitter’s dominance, is gaining user momentum. Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, assured that these features are underway, although no timeline was given. Threads’ successful integration with Instagram has been instrumental in its initial success, having already attracted over 30 million signups and being the top free app in Apple’s App Store.

France Grants Police Remote Access to Suspects’ Devices, Stirring Privacy Concerns

French lawmakers have passed a justice reform bill granting police the power to remotely access and activate suspects’ device cameras, microphones, and GPS systems, stirring controversy. Critics argue the measure infringes on fundamental liberties and leans towards authoritarian surveillance. Although the law restricts usage to serious crimes and requires judicial approval, privacy advocates are concerned about the potential for abuse. Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti argues the law is a necessary tool for saving lives.

Top Specials We Wrote From Last Week

• Do we really need 24GB RAM on smartphones?
• Quick Take: Is Nothing’s Transparent Cable Innovative?
• Nothing Phone (2) Roundup: Everything We Know So Far
• Does it make sense to buy Xbox Series S 512GB in 2023?

The post Top Tech News From Last Week: MIUI 15, ROG Ally Sale, Nokia UPI Phone, Nothing, Nord CE 3 & More appeared first on Gizmochina.