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  • Top 5 Best Websites to Download APK in 2022

    Top 5 Best Websites to Download APK in 2022

    With so many apps today for our mobiles, we can always find something useful. However, we often do not see an application from the Play Store or an official website, and we must resort to an alternative method. Download the APK, then install and proceed to check its operation.

    At first, it may sound like a bit of a risky practice. And in fact, it can become so unless you know in advance which are the safest sites to download APKs reliably. We cannot download this type of file on the first page in Google; the right thing to do is do an extensive review and follow expert advice.

    The alternatives that I present to you are some of the best options that you can take into account if you want to download an APK and install applications and games that, for some reason, you cannot find in official stores. In broad strokes, I will also explain to you all the essential things you need to know about APKs to enjoy your apps safely, legally, and for free.

    What is an APK?

    All applications need several files and data to run appropriately within an operating system. In the case of Android, the app data is compressed in a file with an APK extension. Its name comes from Android Application Package (Android Application Package). It is nothing more than an executable format that the Google system can open, unzip and install on the mobile.

    Although APK files contain data necessary to install an app, there are times when that is not enough to make it work. In these cases, the XAPK files enter, containing the APK, together with an OBB that brings the additional data to download. They are pretty frequent in big games or programs.

    The main official Google store to download applications is the Play Store. Every time you download an application from the Play Store, even when Google does not show us a format, it is in an APK file that must be uncompressed to be installed. Android can read APK files from the virtual store and any source.

    Best websites to download Android APKS

    There are some sites where you can download all your favorite applications safely, accessible, and without excessive advertising. Our main recommendations are if you need games or apps outside the Google store.

    1. APKPure

    apkpure

    APKPure is considered one of the best sites to download apps for Android. From here, we can find almost any application for free, no matter if it is paid or blocked in the Play Store for your country. And both games and apps are constantly updated, which is a great benefit.

    APKPure uses vigorous security checks before publishing APK files to ensure completely safe. There are no modified files, and if doubts arise about the apps or the company that issues them, they are immediately removed.

    2. APKMirror

    The developers run the site at Android Police, and their work so far has been excellent. These ensure that each APK file is appropriately reviewed before being uploaded to the virtual store. They also compare the cryptographic signatures between the new versions with the previous ones to make sure that the correct people have signed them.

    APKMirror is considered one of the best sites to download APKs on Android. The developers sign the apps that we find here. This means they are free of modifications and attest that they will not be fraudulent apps. In addition, the massive catalog of free and paid apps that this website offers positions it as the favorite for many.

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    3. Uptodown

    uptodown

    Uptodown is another of the veteran websites created in 2002 in Spain that offers app downloads for mobile phones and computers. The site has an excellent reputation, and on it, you can find a vast catalog of diverse applications for Android, as well as top-rated games and tools for other systems. You can download APK without restrictions and legally.

    4. Aptoide

    aptiode

    Aptoide’s platform was launched in 2009, and since then, it has been successful as the favorite alternative to the Play Store for many users. It has more than 200 million active users and a much higher number of downloaded free applications.

    Another striking aspect of this store is that its developers were pioneers in using blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies. Aptoide has its Token known as AppCoins, which is of great interest for developers to manage their stores. It is complete but not one of the safest.

    5. Amazon AppStore

    amazon appstore

    Amazon manages its virtual store for mobile applications, being one of the main alternatives to the Play Store. From here, you can find a wide variety of well-known games and programs that you can install quickly and safely.

    Perhaps it is the best, but it is last since it is not free. Most of the games here are paid to download. But their prices are not usually high, and when you download them, you make sure that they are without advertising, which is much appreciated. It would undoubtedly be a great option to download APKs quickly if you can give it a try.

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    How to install and open an Android APK

    In general, Android has a series of security controls that you must disable to install APK files from external sources; that is, all those applications that we install outside the Play Store. Therefore, after downloading the APK, you must do the following:

    • Go into Android settings.
    • Access the Security tab. (The location of this option depends on the model of the mobile and the version of Android that you use)
    • Look for the “Unknown sources” option and enable it to allow APKs from external sources.

    Once this is done, the system will no longer require the files to be installed from the Play Store. However, we also recommend you disable the Google Play Protect that we see from the virtual store. This tool checks all the apps that have been downloaded from its official store and contains everything that was installed from outside.

    Conclusion

    Installing a file with an APK extension on Android is the equivalent of running an EXE application on Windows. In both cases, we risk infecting our device with malicious software or a virus that can damage the mobile. In downloading APK, it is best to have one of the best antiviruses for Android. Better safe than sorry.

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    These have been the best sites to download APKs of your favorite applications on Android. Please comment if you have questions or know of any on the list. We will be glad to read you.

  • How to screen record Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, Note 11S, and Note 11 Pro

    How to screen record Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, Note 11S, and Note 11 Pro

    There is no doubt that one of the utilities that most of us use the most is screenshots to capture in an image what appears on our phone screen at a given moment. But in addition to this, another of the options that you have in Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, Note 11S, and Note 11 Pro is to record the screen so that everything that appears is a video.

    That is why if you want to know how to carry out this process, you must follow the steps shown below.

    Record screen Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, Note 11S, and Note 11 Pro

    1. Move to the upper panel of the shortcuts menu

    2. Look for the “Screen Recorder” option. Click on the upper edit icon to show more shortcuts if it does not appear.

    3. Click on the screen recorder icon, and a small floating menu appears.

    4. To configure the recording previously, click on the gear icon.

    5. Here, you can adjust to resolution, recording quality, or frame rate.

    6. Once configured, return to the floating menu and press the record button to start. You will see that the menu then becomes invisible.

    7. If you want to stop the recording, press the same icon twice. You can access the recording from the top notice of the phone or the floating menu icon, or all of it from your gallery

  • The new OnePlus Pad will arrive with Android 12L

    The new OnePlus Pad will arrive with Android 12L

    At the end of last year, Android 12L was announced, the version of Google’s operating system optimized for folding phones and tablets, finally gaining a little more presence among devices. And it seems that the rumored OnePlus Pad will be the next to implement this new system.

    This has been shared from 91mobiles, who, together with the complete information obtained from the informant Yogesh Brar, seem to have concluded that this tablet would be about to be officially announced in the coming weeks, with the first launch in India dated for the first half of 2022. Something that could delay the arrival in our country until the last quarter of this year.

    Unfortunately, at the moment, no specific information about its components has been released, limiting ourselves to the data that was first leaked. In this way, in addition to the presence of Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, everything indicates that the first OnePlus Pad tablet will support Google services, leaving the only unknown to know its new custom skin.

    oneplus

    However, the company could still opt for two very different variants: either with a cheap tablet to compete with other devices such as the Realme Pad, one of its leading global competitors; or a more high-end oriented device, where it would have to compete with devices like Samsung’s recently launched Galaxy Tab S8 or Lenovo Pad P12 Pro.

    And it is that given the suitability of the arrival date of this device, within the framework of the collaboration between OnePlus and Oppo with the pooling of their research and development teams, resources, and the predicted merger of their operating systems, everything points out that the OnePlus Pad will be one of the first devices to debut with the UnifiedOS.

  • Garmin Instinct 2, the first smartwatch with “unlimited battery”

    Garmin Instinct 2, the first smartwatch with “unlimited battery”

    After the recent presentation of the new Epix and Fenix 7, Garmin continues to expand into another of its most popular smartwatch families. The new Instinct 2 smartwatches’ launch has been designed to resist any element, adding cutting-edge technology in its solar recharge variants, predicting a practically unlimited battery and autonomy.

    And it is that the company ensures that these watches will have a base battery life of up to four weeks of continuous use in smartwatch mode, thanks to the advances in solar technology. The Instinct 2 increases to unlimited autonomy in smartwatch mode.

    Although these will not be the only novelties, the new series offers better functionalities for wellness monitoring, with technologies such as Pulse Ox, more accurate stress tracking and sleep monitoring, and various intelligent features such as application notifications or the Garmin Pay contactless payment system. As for health features, users can now get breathing monitoring, sleep monitoring, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and other more basic functions such as heart rate monitoring or pedometer.

    Plus, the whole family comes with Connect IQ app compatibility, perfect for customizing your smartwatch with free apps, widgets, custom watch faces, data fields, and more.

    garming instinct 2

    Going back a bit, we cannot ignore the new design of the Instinct 2 series, which introduces a slimmer design and two size options with a bezel, with a more traditional 45mm basic model, and the new Instinct 2S, with a bezel—smaller 40mm, which provides a more comfortable fit for those with smaller wrists.

    Also notable is the presence of a new easy-to-read high-contrast monochrome display, and with a durable fiber-reinforced polymer case and chemically-strengthened glass, this device is built to last. Finally, paying homage to the rugged and adventurous spirit of the Instinct series, the new Instinct 2 is built to military standards for thermal resistance and is waterproof to 100 meters.

    Availability and price

    We can currently find the new Instinct 2 available through the official Garmin website, with prices starting from $349 for the base model and up to $449 for the Instinct 2 Solar.

  • The first version of Android 13 reaches developers

    The first version of Android 13 reaches developers

    According to Engadget, android 13 has begun to reach application developers for the platform, who will be able to test their proper functionality in an Android emulator or by installing the new operating system on a Google Pixel 4 or later device.

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    We may expect more granular privacy controls than in Android 12 and aesthetic upgrades in the form of more Material You throughout the operating system, according to what is known about this version of Android.

    Platform stability should be achieved by June of this year. A final release is scheduled for August at the earliest, although it could be later.

  • OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G to debut with 65W charging February 17

    OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G to debut with 65W charging February 17

    The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G will be a trimmed-down version of the OnePlus Nord 2 (hopefully without the blowouts some users have suffered ) for a more affordable price. It will arrive on February 17 at an online presentation event offered by the Chinese company.

    Since OnePlus is still an Oppo brand, the company would continue taking announced phones and slightly modifying them to launch them with other specifications. In this case, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G would be none other than the Oppo Reno 7 SE 5G, but with a more advanced camera system that would add one more sensor for a total of three.

    Rumors and leaks suggest it will be based on a MediaTek Dimensity 900 (MT6877) with 5G connectivity, thus replacing the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 of the conventional OnePlus Nord 2.

    oneplus

    In the following official video from OnePlus India, we can see a small “Teaser” as a trailer. It showed some details that the Nord CE 2 would have.

    For example, it will have a fast charge of 65W and will support microSD cards of up to 1TB to expand the device’s capacity. There’s also a 3.5mm minijack headphone jack and a front-facing camera in a hole in the top left corner of the screen.

  • Samsung S22 Ultra makes an appearance with an AMD GPU and the S-Pen

    Samsung S22 Ultra makes an appearance with an AMD GPU and the S-Pen

    Users who missed the Samsung Galaxy Note range are partially in luck with the launches that we see in this edition of UNPACKED. After the Samsung S22 and S22 Plus launch, the Korean company has shown us the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, a terminal with a distinctive design that puts this version on a different plane from the rest.

    Among its specifications, we find the more than rumored Samsung Exynos 2200 and an SoC developed with AMD that should provide exceptional GPU performance, especially compared to the rest of the company’s chips. This SoC will be accompanied by 8 or 12GB of RAM and storage capacities of up to 1TB of internal storage, as well as an impressive 5000mAh battery and the S-Pen that we used to find in the Samsung Galaxy Note.

    On the front of the terminal, the first thing we will see, and practically the only thing, will be a substantial 6.8-inch QHD + screen with a variable refresh rate between 1 and 120Hz, which also has a touch sampling rate of 240Hz and a brightness 1750nit max. Also, on the front, we will have a 40MP F/2.2 camera.

    As for the rear cameras, the primary sensor will be a stabilized 108MP sensor with an aperture of F/1.8, accompanied by a wide-angle camera of 12MP F/2.2 and two telephoto lenses, both facing 10MP sensors, with an aperture of F/2.4 for the 3x lens and F/4.9 for the 10x lens, both optically stabilized.

    The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra will hit the market at a starting price of 1,439 dollars.

  • Review: Honor Earbuds 2 Lite Bluetooth Headphones

    Review: Honor Earbuds 2 Lite Bluetooth Headphones

    Our eternal search for peace and tranquility inevitably requires good headphones. Whether at home, in the concrete jungle, or on the complicated return to the office, a good pair of headphones help us better enjoy all our content, movies, video games, even a little music to concentrate on. Seeking to make this task more practical, Honor launched the Honor Earbuds 2 Lite in 2021, a pair of Bluetooth headphones that compete to be one of the best value for money devices on the market.

    Features Honor Earbuds 2 Lite

    • Size: Earbud – 37.5mm x 23.9mm x 21mm / Case – 45.5mm*61.2mm*25.35mm
    • Weight: Earbud – 5.5g / Case – 41g
    • Colour: Glacier White / Midnight Black
    • Battery: Headphones – 55 mAh / Case: 410 mAh
    • Modes: Active Noise Cancellation, Alert Mode (Ambient), and noise reduction on voice calls
    • Compatibility: iOS / Android / Emui (Huawei)
    • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2 / USB-C Cable
    • Extras: Includes 3 sizes of pads

    Following the line that Apple has marked from the Earpods, these Honor Earbuds 2 Lite come to our hands in a practical case that serves to keep the two headphones with battery and allows us to transport them everywhere without -hopefully- losing them. These Earbuds maintain a fairly traditional design, opting for a small pad at the tip to make Active Noise Cancellation more effective. Inside each hearing aid, we can find two microphones that rely on Artificial Intelligence to recognize better the user’s voice and the environment’s sound to have more explicit calls. When playing music, we can activate the Attention Mode to not lose attention to what is happening around us.

    These Bluetooth headphones have a size that could go above average, which helps us manipulate the touch area better to move between Attention Mode and Active Noise Cancellation; unfortunately, the commands are pretty limited. On the other hand, these Earbuds 2 promise more than 30 hours of music playback (taking into account that we can use a case to recharge) and the possibility of charging them for only 10 minutes to get up to 4 hours of music in Attention Mode. This is all that these wireless headphones offer, but there is still much more to tell.

    Active Noise Cancellation and good music

    Once with the headphones on, we find a perfect playback of music, podcasts, and other multimedia content. The audio quality is not the best on the market, but you will not have significant losses if you consume all your music through Spotify or Amazon Music. If you want premium sound quality, you may have to look elsewhere because these Earbuds 2 are more practical, increasing everyday and necessary technologies, such as Active Noise Cancellation, at a considerably low price. The music, in general, offers a good experience, without the level of depth that Apple Music and its spatial audio or a Tidal account allows, but with enough force to isolate you from the intensity of Mexico City.

    In terms of performance, I can say that Honor fulfills what it promises since there have been a few times that I have had to resort to the charger to reconnect, and those 10 minutes of charging do work for an emergency. The case’s connection is via USB-C, so you should not worry too much because you will indeed find a link available in the office or anywhere else.

    Conclusion

    The Honor Earbuds 2 Lite plays very well with the value for money, ensuring a good experience when listening to music and when we want to enjoy series, movies, and video games. Following the trends of this type of device, Honor offers excellent portability, good performance, and a classic design, possibly achieving Active Noise Cancellation and good call quality. They’re not the best headphones on the market, but they can be an excellent option for those who want the first approach with noise cancellation or looking for a good pair of headphones without spending a lot on them. Honor Earbuds 2 Lite are priced at $82.

  • The third generation of the iPhone SE is real and will be available in spring

    The third generation of the iPhone SE is real and will be available in spring

    The next Apple iPhone SE will be available in the second quarter of 2022, Mark Gurman, the editor of Bloomberg and specialist at the Cupertino firm, says in a new report. The terminal will be presented at a special spring event and accompanied by other launches such as the iPad Air 5 tablet and a new 27-inch iMac with ARM SoC under the silicon program.

    This mobile will follow the line of the previous Apple SE and will be the most economical of the Cupertino factory. Its objective will be the same as the previous ones, to strengthen iPhone sales among users who want to access the iOS platform for the first time but do not have a budget for regular models, with much higher prices.

    And it will be not only the cheapest but also the smallest, something that a part of users likes because of the excellent handling with one hand compared to the increase in screen size that has left mobile phones at the doors of the dimensions of a tablet.

    Apple iPhone SE 3

    Confirming previous information from the production channel in Asia, Bloomberg is betting on a design change based on the iPhone XR. And it is necessary to reduce the thickness and weight of the terminal and especially the screen bezels, today huge and incomprehensible to maintain for anyone who was not Apple. That means it will ditch the front power button and Touch ID for good in favor of a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a well-known design from many Android phone series.

    However, Apple would maintain the container size of the series (closer to 5 than 6 inches) so that the terminal could be used comfortably with one hand. The screen size has not been defined, and although its panel will use LCD technology, the only Apple mobile will not use OLED to keep prices low. We do not believe that Apple includes the facial recognition system, Face ID, for the same reasons.

    As for its hardware base, it is rumored that it will be the responsibility of the A15 Bionic SoC that powers the iPhone 13. If confirmed, Apple’s small mobile would significantly increase its processing and visual performance and support 5G mobile networks for the first time in this series.

    Although the contained price of previous models (about $399) will be maintained, it will offer versions with greater storage capacity for a higher price. In any case, this Apple iPhone SE will continue to be the cheapest device for users who want to access the iOS ecosystem. All previous and current indications speak of a spring launch at a special event where we will also see the new iPad Air 5 and a 27-inch iMac powered by Apple.

  • Apple to launch iPhone SE 5G in spring

    Apple to launch iPhone SE 5G in spring

    Apple will launch the iPhone SE 5G between March and April, according to Bloomberg editor Mark Gurman (with a direct thread from Big Tech headquarters) in his “Power On” newsletter.

    iPhone SE 5G, or whatever it ends up being called because there are doubts between “iPhone SE 3” or “iPhone SE Plus,” will be the next generation of the most economical smartphone in Apple’s catalog. According to the Gurman report, it will be available in early spring after your presentation at a virtual event.

    The dates add up if we consider that the latest version, the second-generation Phone SE was released in April 2020. And last year, in the same month, the air tag, the new iPad Pro and 24-inch iMac models arrived. The M1 chip, the second-generation Apple TV 4K, and unique color options for the iPhone 12.

    What will the iPhone SE 5G be like

    The launch of “cheap” smartphones has been a strategy that Apple has been using according to its commercial needs, but always with a significant market study to cannibalize the sales of its regular line. The latest version was vital in 2020 to smooth out the sales slump that Apple noticed like no other manufacturer when the price hit a tipping point. The reception of mobile with $399 was highly positive.

    The next version would have the same objective, to strengthen sales, but without affecting the iPhone 13. The terminal will arrive renewed inside and out, with a design inspired by the iPhone XR to reduce the thickness, weight of the airport, and especially the screen’s bezels. This will mean that it will permanently eliminate the front power button and Touch ID in favor of a fingerprint sensor mounted on the side, a design widely used in many Android phones.

    This series has always been characterized by its small size to facilitate comfortable one-handed use. And it is that not all users are looking for the gigantic sizes that the trend is driving. In any case, the screen would increase over the previous versions, and there is talk of an LCD screen between 5.7 and 6.1 inches.

    The renewal of its internal hardware is taken for granted, and the Apple A15 SoC points as the chosen option not only to improve performance but to offer support for 5G for the first time in this series. The software would also catch up on what’s new in iOS 15.

    We do not know if Apple would keep the $399 for the series considering the increase in prices on all electronic products and components since the pandemic began and the improvements that are rumored for this iPhone SE 5G, the following “budget” smartphone from Manzana.

  • What is Apple waiting for with a foldable iPhone?

    What is Apple waiting for with a foldable iPhone?

    Although there are several projects that Apple is rumored to be working on, without a doubt, the most anticipated and, potentially, the one with the most potential customers in the market is a folding iPhone.

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    However, other projects, such as the expected Apple Car or, closer in time, the augmented reality and virtual reality viewers, sound exciting. Still, it all works out when we pause to think about it when it comes down to it. People are more willing to pay for a foldable iPhone than a high-priced automobile (a priori).

    While we can see how other manufacturers respond in this regard, with Samsung leading the way, Apple stays primarily unnoticed. Although there have been numerous leaks concerning the alleged advancements in the folding iPhone, there is currently no certainty.

    While some reports claim it will arrive sooner rather than later, others promote it as a long-term strategy. Some talk about a design similar to the Fold3, while others talk about a design identical to the Flip3; however, nothing is inevitable now. Not even if it will ever come to pass.

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    As a result, any rumor or leak in this area should be treated with a little more mistrust than we generally do with this kind of communication. However, there are several intriguing things worth considering to learn more about what Apple is working on and when we may expect it to arrive.

    In this regard, an Apple analyst was consulted. On Twitter, Dylandkt has posted various statements. He explains what Apple’s present status is regarding the foldable iPhone. We can assume from his remarks that the wait may be related and that the project, which is currently underway, may be terminated if the company is unclear about it, which, on the other hand, would be the cause for our continued wait.

    Apple would have conducted different technological checks based on this knowledge. Cupertino’s reservations have little to do with technology, which they most likely believe in. Apple’s lack of faith in the foldable smartphone market is the foldable iPhone’s underlying reason for the “delay” (I use quotation marks because there has never been a stated date for its launch).

    If this is proven, and if it is accurate, I must admit that it surprised me. It appears that Apple is taking a very cautious stance. Of course, we’re not implying that I don’t comprehend. As a firm that owes its shareholders money, taking a risky step like this, especially after the iPhone 12 Mini’s sales disaster, is not a sage move. Taking chances with a device like the foldable iPhone could be insanity in this climate.

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    However, we must not lose sight of the reality of discussing Apple. This corporation has always sought to differentiate itself by being inventive, as evidenced by the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, not to mention its classics such as the Apple 1 and the original Macintosh from 1984. The foldable iPhone would be a step forward in this direction, and the reason for the delay, in this case, should be the quest for an inventive solution, not the adoption of a conservative profile in this respect.

  • Smartwatchs Haylou RS4 (LS12) and Haylou RT2 (LS10) – Review

    Smartwatchs Haylou RS4 (LS12) and Haylou RT2 (LS10) – Review

    From Youpinlab, we get a couple of smartwatches that want to gain a foothold in the entry-level market, the new Haylou RS4 (LS12) and Haylou RT2 (LS10). While the first choose a screen square AMOLED of 1.78 inches, the second opts for a TFT panel of 1.32 inches, but they share most benefits as discussed in the following table of technical specifications.

    Haylou RS4 (LS12) and Haylou RT2 (LS10)
    Screen Haylou RS4: 1.78-inch square AMOLED (368 x 448 pixels)
    Haylou RT2: 1.32-inch circular TFT (360 x 360 pixels)
    Dimensions Haylou RS4: 45.2 37.2 x 11.1 mm
    Haylou RT2: 45.7 x 45×7 x 12.1 mm
    Weight Haylou RS4: 48.6 grams
    Haylou RT2: 55 grams
    strap Haylou RS4: 20mm
    Haylou RT2: 22mm
    Connectivity Haylou RS4: Bluetooth 5.1
    Haylou RT2: Bluetooth 5.0
    Sensors Heart rate, Movement, SpO2
    Battery Haylou RS4: 230 mAh (10 days)
    Haylou RT2: 330 mAh (20 days)
    Others 12 training modes
    Customizable
    dials IP68 certified
    Compatibility Android and iOS

    Haylou RS4

    We focus first on the Haylou RS4, a sporty-styled model featuring a 1.78-inch square AMOLED display with 368 x 448 pixels resolution. It offers dimensions of 45.2 x 37.2 x 11.1 mm and a weight of 48.6 grams, with the 20 mm wide rubber strap included.

    This model has a single side button that turns on the screen, opens the application menu, and acts as a backspace, although the navigation is tactile.

    On the back, we find the charging connector with two pins and the sensors for measuring heart rate and blood oxygen (SpO2), adding one for movement for sports tracking. Therefore, it does not have GPS for this purpose, but with Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity for connection to the smartphone.

    Inside, it hides a 230 mAh battery that promises up to 10 days of autonomy, quite good compared to many models on the market that do not last longer than a couple of them.

    Haylou RT2

    Now it is the turn of the Haylou RT2, a more classic and elegant model that features this time with a screen TFT circle of 1.32 inches with a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels. It offers dimensions of 45.7 x 45×7 x 12.1 mm and a weight of 55 grams, with the 22 mm wide rubber strap included.

    This time we find two side buttons, one with the same function as its brother and another to access sports activities.

    On the reverse, we also find the charging connector and the same sensors, although the connectivity is Bluetooth 5.0, which is not that it influences too much.

    What does influence it is the 330 mAh battery that it hides inside, which promises up to 20 days of autonomy, a sensational figure that eliminates the need to take it off for a long time.

    Haylou Application

    The application to control both models is HAYLOU Fan, which we can download from the Play Store or App Store of Android and iOS, respectively, as it is compatible with both systems.

    We have the history of the typical functions of any modern smartwatch, with control of daily physical activity, continuous record, and history of sports activities. Here we must emphasize that both models track 12 different activities, including running, riding a bike, and missing swimming, since both have an IP68 certificate that protects them against water.

    But perhaps the strong point compared to other models in the entry range is that we can customize the spheres, both with predefined models and others that we create with the background image that we like the most.

    In the sphere that the Haylou RS4 brings by default, it shows a lot of well-organized information, although, as we have said, we can customize it to taste. By clicking on the single button, we can access the application menu, which offers activity control, heart rate sensor, blood oxygen sensor, sports activities, weather, music control from our smartphone or notifications. The latter work relatively well, reaching us everything from the application that we mark for this purpose, although we will not be able to answer them in any way.

    For its part, the Haylou RT2 offers the same functionality, with a rotating application scheme and sports activities on the additional button.

    The square screen of the Haylou RS4 is defined and with excellent brightness because being AMOLED is a real advantage. However, the TFT of the Haylou RT2 offers less intelligence, and outdoor something looks less, although it is evident. In both models, the gesture of raising the arm turns on the screen, turning off by default after 5 seconds.

    The fluidity of the menus is surprisingly good, especially if we consider that we do not know its hardware or operating system. Still, there is no problem when everything is going as it should. The data captured by the sensors looks relatively accurate since we already know that they are not 100% reliable sensors, but they do not give abnormal values. Unfortunately, they do not have GPS, and saving sports workouts is not ideal without it.

    The best thing about both models is their autonomy, as the Haylou RS4 exceeds ten days without registering activities. At the same time, the Haylou RT2 battery seems never to run out, exceeding two weeks of use without problems.

    The Haylou RS4 and Haylou RT2 are two exciting smartwatches for the entry range because while the first offers a more modern and sporty design, the second is more classic and elegant. Two options keep most of the identical characteristics, highlighting the AMOLED screen of the RS4 and the infinite autonomy of the RT2.

    Both offer the basic functionality of any modern smartwatch with cardiac sensor, SpO2 sensor, monitoring of sports activities (without GPS), sleep monitor or check the weather and check notifications from our smartwatch, but no answer. In addition, the fact that we can customize the spheres is an extra point in its favor since many inexpensive models do not allow it.

    If we consider that we can find the Haylou RS4 and Haylou RT2 for sale on Aliexpress for about 45 euros, I will choose the RS4 for its better screen, although if yours are round spheres, the RT2 is not a bad one either.

  • Xiaomi has registered a patent for full screen fingerprint sensors

    Xiaomi has registered a patent for full screen fingerprint sensors

    As we can read in Phone Arena, it seems that Xiaomi has managed to register a patent in its name for a biometric fingerprint identification system that would work on the entire surface of the screen. This is in contrast to current implementations of fingerprint sensors, where users have to place their fingers in a defined area generally displayed by the software.

    In the case of Xiaomi’s new patent, there should not be a specific area where to put the finger, but the entire screen would read the user’s fingerprint to try to validate it concerning the records in the terminal. For this, we would not stop having what would essentially be an optical sensor, but the differences lie in its construction.

    In this case, between the capacitive layer and the AMOLED panel of the screen, we would also find light receivers and LED ultraviolet light emitters, which would be used to illuminate the fingerprint and thus be able to read the light reflected on it.

    There would be more problems to manage, such as avoiding accidental unlocking in the pocket simply by reaching into it, but it is a rather exciting step forward.