Smartphones

Huawei will launch the first HarmonyOS beta in December

Quickly progressing to a massive release

Published

on

With a new administration incoming for the United States, Huawei is likely getting some of its hopes up for the future. A Trump-less administration might put an end to ongoing regulations against the company. Unfortunately, a Biden reprieve is not an absolute guarantee. To remain absolutely safe, Huawei is still preparing for an officially HarmonyOS launch. Confirmed directly by the company, Huawei will launch the first HarmonyOS beta in December.

On Weibo, Huawei’s president of software Wang Chenglu confirms the first batch of software rolling out for developers on December 18. The rollout will ensure a thriving software ecosystem when the system launches for the wider public soon.

After the developer release, Huawei hopes to release the first demo units between January and February next year. Then, the first public betas will launch around April 2021.

Since the system’s announcement, Huawei has always planned a robust schedule for the in-house Android alternative. This year, the company confirmed the system for smartphones and other devices.

Currently, Huawei cannot ship its smartphones with Google Mobile Services. The loss dampens the impact of new Huawei flagships. The company is already shifting systems to Huawei Mobile Services. Finally, starting next year, the company’s devices will finally transition fully to HarmonyOS.

Right now, we can only speculate on whether the new system will adequately replace Google on Huawei phones.

SEE ALSO: Huawei is launching flagships with MediaTek chips

Entertainment

Samsung brings the Galaxy Z series into Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Tracking Spidey this summer

Published

on

Spidey Tracker powered by Samsung Galaxy as seen in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day film. © & ™ 2026 MARVEL. ©2026 CPII & TSG

Samsung is swinging into theaters this summer.

Ahead of the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Samsung announced a new collaboration with Sony Pictures. It puts its Galaxy devices directly into the world of Marvel’s friendly neighborhood hero.

At the center of the campaign is the Spidey Tracker, an interactive experience inspired by the upcoming film. In the movie, Ned Leeds develops the tracker on a Samsung Galaxy device to help locate Spider-Man. Now, fans can use a real-world version through a dedicated website.

The tracker will serve as a hub for Spider-Man-themed content throughout the summer. Fans can follow sightings, discover hidden easter eggs, view cast appearances and interviews, and participate in community-driven activities.

Samsung says the Spidey Tracker will be available in 35 countries worldwide through SpideyTracker.com and on X via @SpideyTracker.

Galaxy devices join Spider-Man’s world

The partnership extends beyond marketing.

In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Samsung’s Galaxy devices will be featured throughout the story. Spider-Man will be seen using a Galaxy Z Flip, while Ned Leeds relies on Galaxy Z Fold devices and Galaxy Watch wearables as he searches for the web-slinger.

According to Samsung, the collaboration highlights how its devices help users stay connected, whether they’re sharing moments with friends, keeping in touch with family, or, in Spider-Man’s case, saving New York City.

The company also said the campaign reflects the importance of human connection and self-expression, themes that have long been part of Spider-Man’s story.

More Spider-Man sightings this summer

Sony Pictures says the partnership helps expand Spider-Man’s connection to his community beyond the movie screen.

Throughout the summer, fans can expect Spider-Man-themed appearances across live events, creator content, special activations, and even select Samsung Experience Stores.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day opens exclusively in theaters on July 31.

Meanwhile, fans can start tracking their favorite wall-crawler through the Spidey Tracker beginning June 17 at 3PM ET.

Continue Reading

Smartphones

HONOR unveils 1st cinematic video captured by its Robot Phone

Footage highlights phone’s built-in physical gimbal system

Published

on

At the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, HONOR has unveiled the first professional video captured by its upcoming Robot Phone.

The output was part of a cinematic portrait project created with ELLEMEN for SIFF jury members. The footage highlights the device’s built-in physical gimbal system, delivering exceptionally smooth handheld tracking shots while preserving full image quality.

Unlike conventional smartphone stabilization that often relies on digital cropping, the Robot Phone achieves cinema-like camera movement through physical stabilization. This enables creators to follow subjects naturally without compromising visual fidelity.

Beyond stabilization, the film also showcases a significant leap in smartphone video texture and cinematic quality.

Leveraging ARRI’s LogC knowhow at the RAW level, the footage offers exceptional flexibility in post-production and seamless integration into professional workflows.

This allows creators to make full use of ARRI’s LUT ecosystem in DaVinci Resolve to achieve an authentic cinematic look.

The HONOR Robot Phone is set to launch in Q3 of this year.

For now, you can watch the behind-the-scenes here:

Continue Reading

News

TECNO’s SPARK 50 Pro is the latest budget smartphone battery beast

Just two months after the SPARK 50 5G

Published

on

By

TECNO SPARK 50 Pro

One after another, TECNO launches the SPARK 50 Pro with a beastly battery within. That’s just days after the grand launch of the POVA 8 5G in India.

Built to last

The icing of the cake has got to be the battery of the SPARK 50 Pro. However, the battery capacity will differ depending on where you live.

There’s a 5600mAh dual-cell version and a slightly larger single-cell model hitting the 6000mAh mark.

TECNO SPARK 50 Pro

Still, despite that battery capacity, it measures just 7.8mm thin.

If you’re worried about battery longevity, the SPARK 50 Pro can still last more than 80% of their original battery capacity — even after 1900+ charging cycles in six years.

Charging support is faster at 60W, better than what TECNO’s 45W speeds in their most recent smartphones.

TECNO SPARK 50 Pro 6000mAh battery

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Beneath that battery lies MediaTek’s Helio G100 Ultimate SoC. When it comes to memory, it allows up to 24GB extended thanks to Memory Fusion 4.0.

Up front, there’s a 6.78-inch 120Hz display paired with DTS-supported dual stereo speakers.

Finally, the SPARK 50 Pro also boasts SGS Five-Star durability certification alongside IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance — making it one of the budget-friendly devices to have such durability rating.

More than meets the eye

Unlike the base SPARK 50 5G, the SPARK 50 Pro is powered by a 50MP Sony LYTIA 600 (or LYT-600) main camera. The said sensor promises improved low-light performance compared to typical cameras in its category.

The company is also bringing its TECNO’s very-own FlashSnap capabilities found in higher CAMON series. This feature offers shutter speeds of up to 1/10,000 of a second to better capture fast-moving subjects like pets, sports, or action shots.

TECNO Ella AI Assistant

Speaking of, TECNO’s Universal Tone technology also returns, aiming to produce more natural-looking skin tones across different environments.

Several AI-powered editing tools are included as well. That includes AI Eraser 2.0 and AI Extender for photos, AI Noise Cancellation for clearer calls, as well as AI Health Assistant. Even Ella as your AI Assistant was not left behind.

For off the grid communication, FreeLink 2.0 exists when needed.

Pricing and Availability

The TECNO SPARK 50 Pro comes in five color choices: Ink Black, Titanium Grey, Midnight Blue, Dynamic Orange, and Cloud White.

TECNO SPARK 50 Pro

TECNO has yet to announce official pricing and regional availability.

Continue Reading

Trending