Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 with ultra-thin bezels will be unveiled on Sep. 11

Xiaomi’s upcoming flagship will have even thinner bezels.

Nearly a year after the launch of the bezel-less Mi Mix, Xiaomi is getting ready to unveil the second-generation variant. The company teased the upcoming bezel-less phone last week, and has shared additional details regarding the launch on Weibo — the Mi Mix 2 will be making its debut in Beijing on September 11.

As noted by Fone Arena, the Mi Mix 2 will feature Xiaomi’s second-generation bezel-less display, which will reduce the bezels even further. The company is retaining the services of French designer Philippe Starck, and a work-in-progress video shared by the designer showed off just how thin those bezels are going to be:

The Mi Mix 2 is set to feature a 6.4-inch QHD AMOLED display with a 93% screen-to-body ratio, Snapdragon 835, 6GB of RAM, 128GB storage, 19MP rear camera, 13MP front camera, and a 4500mAh battery along with Android 7.1.1 Nougat. The phone will likely run MIUI 9 out of the box, and we should know more details in a few weeks’ time.

What do you think of the Mi Mix 2 from the teaser above?

OxygenOS 4.5.10 update brings camera improvements to the OnePlus 5

OnePlus is steadily improving the camera on the OnePlus 5.

OnePlus is rolling out the OxygenOS 4.5.10 update to the OnePlus 5, introducing several camera improvements along with stability tweaks and bug fixes. The update adds noise reduction when taking photos and 60fps video, and improves the overall stability of the camera. OnePlus also improved call functionality for Jio customers in India, and fixed display issues encountered by a few users when placing a call.

Here’s the full changelog for the update:

• Camera:

  • Photo noise reduction
  • 60 fps video noise and texture improvements
  • Improved Camera stability

• Launcher:

  • Added country information of photographers in Shot on OnePlus

• Phone:

  • Fixed accidental touches after hanging up
  • Improved Jio call functionality
  • Fixed display issue on calling screen

• System:

  • Improved WiFi stability
  • Fixed clarity issue of videos taken by SnapShot app
  • Fixed display issue of new font
  • Fixed scrolling issue of Play Music

The update comes in at 85MB, and is now rolling out to a “small percentage” OnePlus 5 users today. The broader rollout is scheduled for sometime later this week.

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WhatsApp’s verified accounts will let you chat with businesses

Verified business accounts on WhatsApp will get a green check badge.

WhatsApp has been exploring ways to bring additional functionality to its users, and the company has announced that it is rolling out verified accounts for businesses. Businesses verified on the platform will feature a green check badge next to the phone number, and you will be able to send messages like you would to a regular contact. There are a few differences, however — the chat bubbles will be in yellow, and you won’t be able to delete any messages from the conversation window.

In an FAQ post, WhatsApp detailed how verified accounts will work:

Some business accounts have been verified by WhatsApp. If you see a green badge next to a contact’s name, it means that WhatsApp has confirmed that the phone number of this contact belongs to a business account.

WhatsApp will also let you know when you start talking to a business via yellow messages inside a chat. There is no way to delete these messages from the chat.

If you already have a business’s phone number saved in your address book, the name you will see is the name you have saved in your address book.

If you don’t have a business’s phone number saved in your address book, the name you will see is the name the business has chosen for themselves.

WhatsApp has hypothesized real-world scenarios for its business profiles last year —chatting with your bank over a fraudulent transaction, or getting updates from your airline for flight updates. The feature will also be a potential source of monetization for the company, which got rid of the annual subscription fee. Should you wish to not receive updates from a business, you will be able to block them.

WhatsApp says that the feature is currently in a “pilot program,” with a small number of businesses participating.

Amazon teams up with Microsoft to integrate Alexa with Cortana

Alexa will be able to communicate with Cortana, and vice versa.

Amazon and Microsoft are teaming up to integrate their digital assistants. You’ll soon be able to talk to Cortana by saying, “Alexa, open Cortana” from an Alexa-powered device like the Echo, and vice versa.

The integration opens up new functionality for both digital assistants, giving customers the ability to access the unique capabilities of each platform. Cortana is deeply integrated with the Office suite, and Alexa users will soon be able to access that information — which includes booking a meeting, viewing upcoming calendar events, reading work emails, setting reminders, and more.

Microsoft is set to launch Cortana-enabled speakers later this year, and teaming up with Amazon gives Cortana the ability to leverage Alexa’s vast trove of skills, including the ability to control smart home products and ordering items on Amazon.com. From Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella:

Ensuring Cortana is available for our customers everywhere and across any device is a key priority for us. Bringing Cortana’s knowledge, Office 365 integration, commitments, and reminders to Alexa is a great step toward that goal.

Bezos said that the integration allows both digital assistants to complement each other:

The world is big and so multifaceted. There are going to be multiple successful intelligent agents, each with access to different sets of data and with different specialized skill areas. Together, their strengths will complement each other and provide customers with a richer and even more helpful experience. It’s great for Echo owners to get easy access to Cortana.

By pooling their resources, Microsoft and Amazon are better positioned to go after Google Assistant and Siri, but both companies seem amenable to partnering with the competition.

According to The New York Times, the partnership between Microsoft and Amazon kicked off last May, with Jeff Bezos noting that he would welcome a similar integration with Google and Apple. Nadella echoed a similar sentiment, stating that both companies will hopefully be inspired by Microsoft’s partnership with Amazon.

The integration itself is set to go live sometime later this year.

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Acer’s all-in-one 360 camera has an LTE connection

Acer has introduced two new cameras at the IFA trade show in Berlin, and while both are 360-degree LTE-connected devices, they serve different purposes. The Holo360 is an all-in-one device that you can use to shoot, edit and share spherical 6.9K photos and 4K videos. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 mobile processor gives it the power to stitch videos in real time, and its three-inch touchscreen display gives you a way to edit your creations without having to use a phone or a computer. In addition, you can livestream and upload finished products directly from the device, since it runs Android Nougat. No need to bring a laptop anymore if you want to share videos and photos of vacations and events on the go.

While Holo360 was made for social media enthusiasts and professionals, photographers and the like, Acer’s Vision360 was made for anyone who wants an in-car dash cam that can capture everything going on during commute. Vision360 is equipped with two cameras to be able to capture everything happening around your vehicle — in 4K, even — as you travel. If you experience a collision on the road, Acer says it will add GPS coordinates to its recording and automatically upload the file to the cloud to preserve evidence. It also has built-in location tracking, provides remote viewing and doubles as an action cam for when you want to record your road trips and outings but can’t be bothered to bring out the GoPro.

Unfortunately, Acer didn’t say when it will start shipping the Vision360, but it revealed that the Holo360 will be available in North America by November. It’ll set you back $429 bundled with a water-resistant case. The device will also come out in Europe, Middle East and Africa sometime in the fourth quarter with prices starting at €349.

Follow all the latest news from IFA 2017 here!

Polar unveils an affordable heart rate tracking armband

These days fitness trackers tend to multi-task as standard. The likes of the Fitbit Alta HR and the upcoming Gear Fit 2 Pro offer everything from sleep monitoring to calorie-counting — with Samsung’s wearable also reportedly boasting swim tracking. But, all those features can prove a turn-off for buyers looking to hone in on one specific task. If, for example, you just want to focus on your heart rate, why would you fork out $150 for a bunch of tricks you don’t need? That’s where Polar’s new OH1 optical heart rate sensor comes in. The $79.95 wearable trims out the fat to focus on your ticker, and little else. And (seeing as Polar’s been making top-notch activity trackers for years) you can probably bet it does that well.

The OH1 boasts an internal memory capable of storing up to 200 hours of heart rate training. Its 12 hour battery life also means it can accompany you on multiple workouts. Additionally, it’s waterproof up to 30 metres and lets you follow your real-time heart rate data via the Polar Beat app, and third-party fitness software. If you’re after an even more thorough breakdown of your activity, you can hook it up to the Polar Flow web service for extensive training guidance.

Most heart rate sensors are discrete in terms of appearance — even if they’re designed to be worn on your head. The same goes for the all-black OH1, which offers an adjustable strap, allowing you to position it on your forearm or upper arm. The heart rate sensor is available for pre-order right now, and will begin shipping in mid-September.

The Morning After: Wednesday, August 30th 2017

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

We’re only at the halfway mark of this week, and Google is taking on Apple for AR dominance and Uber officially named its new CEO.

The next battleground.Google unveils its answer to Apple’s ARKit: ARCore

Old and tired: AI. New and wired: augmented reality. After a few months of Apple developers wowing us with augmented reality demos using iOS 11’s new ARKit features, Google is striking back. It revealed a new augmented reality SDK for Android phones called ARCore, which helps developers blend real and virtual worlds using just a device’s sensors and camera. There are three key features available now: motion tracking (it uses the phone’s camera to detect your position in the room), environmental understanding (so it can find horizontal surfaces) and light estimation (so the lighting and shadow of virtual objects match your surroundings).

That’s where it differs from Project Tango, Google’s other AR project, which relied on extra hardware for increased precision. Plus, while we’re still waiting for iOS 11’s public release, these features are available to developers now and will work on any device running Android N or above.

Good riddance.Google pulls 300 Android apps used for DDoS attacks

A cross-company alliance of security researchers teamed up to take down the WireX botnet, which turned out to be powered by malware-laden Android apps. Google has removed those apps from the Play Store and is in the process of pulling them from infected devices. The programs (pretending to function as basic apps like ringtone makers or storage managers) would run normally, then later download a program that ran in the background to attack its creator’s targeted websites.

And Google Assistant voice controlDeezer HiFi adds Chromecast streaming

For those who require the absolute best audio quality, Deezer is expanding the reach of its high-fidelity streams. Previously a Sonos-only feature, Deezer Elite has been renamed Deezer HiFi, and will work with any device that has Google’s Cast support built-in. Plus, if the device uses Google Assistant, then users can access their music library by voice control.

Acoustic Informatics.Reprogramming the piano

Every time jazz pianist Dan Tepfer hits a note, the Yamaha Disklavier — his digital player piano — sends the information via MIDI to his laptop, which instantly shoots back an algorithmic response that causes other keys to play themselves. The effect makes it seem as if he has four hands playing simultaneously, all of them in sync.

IRL.What we’re using: Qapital, Mighty and the Switch Pro controller

This month’s In Real Life focuses on self-improvement: taking your Spotify playlists to the gym minus your phone, getting some app-powered help on your savings and, er, being a better gamer on the Nintendo Switch.

A not-so-dystopian robot future.Robot caregivers are saving the elderly from lives of loneliness

Growing older alone can be bad for your health, but support robots springing up around Japan are proving surprisingly adept at keeping retirees engaged.

But wait, there’s more…

• Cummins unveils an electric big rig weeks before Tesla
• Uber officially names its new CEO: Dara Khosrowshahi
• Apple TV 4K movies could cost $20, but studios want more
• IFA 2017: Intel’s 18-core Xeon CPU may be destined for the iMac Pro
• Tinder’s Gold subscription launches worldwide to reveal who likes you
• Amazon adds multi-room audio control to Echo devices

The Morning After is a new daily newsletter from Engadget designed to help you fight off FOMO. Who knows what you’ll miss if you don’t subscribe.

Alexa and Cortana will soon work with each other

Amazon and Microsoft are integrating their digital assistants. Alexa and Cortana will soon be able to communicate with each other, allowing users of one AI to benefit from the other’s skills. In the near future, summoning the AI helpers will be as easy as saying “Alexa, open Cortana,” or “Cortana, open Alexa.” That may sound like an odd fit now, but both Amazon and Microsoft are convinced of its perks.

The cross-platform benefits for owners of Amazon’s smart speakers is access to Cortana’s deep integration with Office Suite. You’ll be able to book a meeting, access calendars, set reminders, or just read work emails. Microsoft’s AI, on the other hand, will be able to open the floodgates to Alexa’s 20,000 skills. And, you’ll also be able to do your shopping through Amazon.com. The two will start chatting to each other later this year. Alexa on Cortana will initially be available through Windows 10 PCs, followed by its Android and iOS apps in the future.

“The world is big and so multifaceted. There are going to be multiple successful intelligent agents, each with access to different sets of data and with different specialized skill areas,” said Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. “Together, their strengths will complement each other and provide customers with a richer and even more helpful experience.”

The partnership between the tech titans began in earnest around a year ago, reports The New York Times. Bezos first raised the idea with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who was receptive to it. Of course, the move could be viewed as a way for the two firms to gain an advantage over their closest competitors: Google and Apple. But, both Bezos and Nadella claim they are open to working with the competition. They even envision a future where a Siri or Google Assistant skill could pop up on their respective digital butlers. That may be a bit of a leap, however, as their rivals seem quite protective of their software and the popular mobile operating systems (iOS and Android) that house them.

Source: Business Wire (press release), Microsoft

We’re live from IFA 2017 in Berlin!

Part of the Engadget crew may have just wrapped up Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, but another set of staffers has arrived in a different part of the country to start IFA 2017. This year, at Europe’s biggest tradeshow in Berlin, we’re expecting to see products from a handful of major tech companies. That includes Acer, LG, Samsung and Sony, which are all expected to unveil products ranging from brand new smartphones to wearables and smart appliances. Sony, for one, is said to be preparing to launch the XZ1 and XZ1 Compact, while Samsung could show us the next iteration of its Gear wearable lineup. Whatever it may be, we’ll be bringing you the action live from the event, so be sure to stay tuned and don’t miss a beat.

Even though the IFA show floor doesn’t officially open until September 1st, and runs through September 6th, you can expect to see stories from us starting today. Hopefully you’ll like what you see.

Follow all the latest news from IFA 2017 here!

ASUS’ latest 2-in-1 has NVIDIA graphics and weighs 3 pounds

If you need a very light convertible or laptop and still want to do some light gaming or video editing, the latest ASUS ZenBook Flip and VivoBook models may do the trick. Just a few months ago, ASUS unveiled the thinnest 2-in1 ever, the ZenBook Flip S. Now, the new ZenBook Flip 14 is the “world’s thinnest 2-in-1 laptop with discreet graphics,” it says, at just 13.9 mm thick and a svelt 1.4 kg (3.08 pounds). Yes, those graphics are entry-level NVIDIA GeForce MX150 (the mobile GeForce GT 1030), but they will let you do content creation chores and some light gaming.

For other work, it should perform like a champ, thanks to 8th-generation Intel Core i7 quad-core CPUs, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB PCIe x4 SSD, and a 14-inch “NanoEdge” 1080p display. The bezel on that model is so thin, “[it has] the same compact size as traditional 13-inch laptops,” ASUS says. You also get up to 13 hours of battery life, a fingerprint sensor and Windows 10. Remember, it’s a convertible laptop, so it’ll make a pretty powerful tablet, too.

The 15.6-inch Zenbook Flip 15 follows most of the same themes, but ups the ante, performance-wise. ASUS calls it “the most powerful Zenbook Flip ever,” thanks to 8th-gen quadcore Intel Core-i7 chips, NVIDIA GTX1050 graphics, an optional 4K display and up to a 2TB HDD and 512GB SSD. It’s also got precision stylus support and Harmon Kardon speakers, along with Thunderbolt 3 and USB Type-C ports, making it ideal “for design and creative work,” ASUS says.

Zenbook also has a very thin, light and powerful laptop for your consideration, the VivoBook S14. It has the same specs as the ZenBook Flip 14, ie, an 8th-generation quad-core Intel Core i7-8550U chip, up 16GB DDR4 RAM and NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics. This one tips the scale at 1.3 kg or 2.87 pounds, with an 18.8mm profile and 7.8mm bezels.

The company has yet to reveal the price or availability for any of the devices, but we’ve reached out for some more information. All told, ASUS is squeezing some incredible performance into very small devices, which is a good sign for the many folks who need edit videos, game and do other chores on the go.