WhatsApp Beta Rolls Out Default Disappearing Messages Update

A new feature is launching on WhatsApp beta that allows users to set all messages to disappear by default. The feature’s current iteration only allows users to turn on disappearing messages for individual chats and only gives the option of seven days.

This new rollout gives you more control over the privacy feature. For starters, there’s now a global timer for all chats, and that’s in addition to the ability to personalise the duration for individual threads. Instead of just seven days, WhatsApp is also adding options for 24 hours and 90 days.

The expanded message timer joins the View Once feature as part of the platform’s growing suite of privacy-focused tools. Be aware of course, that none of these measures prevent recipients from recording or taking a screenshot of the contents that you send and, unlike Snapchat, you have no way of knowing if they did.

The default disappearing messages is rolling out to iOS users on WhatsApp beta and WhatsApp Business beta. Unfortunately, Android beta users will have to be patient as the feature will only be released next week. With the latest beta, WhatsApp also unveiled larger and rounder chat bubbles.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Users Will Be First To Get Samsung’s Android 12 Beta

After teasing about its upcoming beta program a few weeks ago, Samsung has officially opened up registration for Galaxy S21 series users to get early access and try out the One UI 4.0 beta based on Android 12. This year’s release is earlier than usual, as the stable release of Android 12 isn’t even out yet. In comparison, Samsung’s 3.0 beta last year got rolled out a month after the debut of Android 11.

The One UI 4 Beta Program is open to Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra users in China, India, Germany, Poland, South Korea, the U.K., and the U.S. with varying release dates. Eligible users can sign up to preview the OS using the Samsung Members app and use some of the latest features being developed for the final version, including more customisable and transparent data settings.

Samsung says they’ll use the data from the beta program to fine-tune the final release coming later this year. Interestingly, the beta registration is being pushed out on the same day as Apple’s event, which is expected to launch this year’s iPhone.

One UI is the company’s custom Android skin, which looks markedly different from vanilla Android. Google’s upcoming version uses a new design theme called Material You, which is a major design revamp from previous versions of the OS. Seeing as Material You is a fundamental part of Android 12, it’ll be interesting to see how Samsung will integrate the AI theming into One UI’s aesthetics.

Samsung does say that 4.0 will have theming options that span from home screens, icons, notifications, wallpapers, and more, in addition to customisable widgets. From the pictures shown of the beta, it seems Samsung phones will be getting the microphone and camera indicators from Android 12 that show when these components are turned on. And of course, users will have even more customisation options in the AR Emoji Studio.

Coincidentally, a recent rumour based on internal Google documents suggests that the tech giant might be planning to officially release Android 12 for Pixel phones on 4 October, less than three weeks from now. Last year, One UI 3.0 was pushed out to Galaxy S20 phones a month after its public beta, so Samsung users who won’t be joining the beta programme might not have to wait that long for this year’s rollout.

WhatsApp Beta Rolls Out Encryption For Cloud Backups

While WhatsApp already implements end-to-end encryption for chats since 2014, it appears that the privacy feature will soon be extended to cloud backups as well. WABetaInfo reports that the Facebook-owned private messaging platform is finally testing encrypted backups in the latest beta version on its app, months after it was first discovered in March this year.

Beta users who choose to opt-in will have all their chat backups encrypted, whether it’s to Google Drive or Apple iCloud. By doing so, its worth noting that WhatsApp will prompt you to create a separate password to restore the backups. Alternatively, you can also rely on a generated 64-digit encryption key, which you’ll have to safely keep somewhere. According to WABetaInfo, neither of these security measurements will be shared with WhatsApp, Facebook, Google or Apple.

Much like anything else that are password protected, losing your password or the aforementioned encryption key will result in the backups to be locked away permanently. Nevertheless, those willing to take the risk will be assured that their chat history will be safe from prying eyes, even if law enforcement compels cloud service providers to provide access to your cloud backups.

The introduction of encrypted chat backup arrives just in time with WhatsApp’s upcoming rollout for its multi-device support, which allows users to use the app independently from their main phone. So far, there’s been no news yet on when exactly either of these features will be released to the general public. But when they do, using the versatile platform will be easier and more secure than ever.

Latest SteamVR Beta Allows For Floating Desktop Windows While In-Game

Valve has introduced a neat feature to the latest version of SteamVR, which lets you float windows from your desktop into your virtual space. These windows can be positioned wherever you wish, and would remain there as part of the interface while in-game.

This update is a more flexible approach over the version prior, where users could only bring in a desktop window by attaching them onto your in-game VR controller. The only drawback to this is that you’ll need to lift up your controller in order to glance at the window, which might obstruct your view when playing certain games.

With this new feature, users can simply let a desktop window float anywhere in their virtual space, enabling you to multitask while in a VR game or application. These windows are view-only when you’re in a game or application, and can only be interacted with by pointing at it with your VR controller. On that note, the controller can also be used as a mouse pointer for interaction, such as web browsing or managing content playback via the floating window. Pretty handy, especially if you plan to catch up on a Netflix show while flying a Cessna in Microsoft Flight Simulator – just make sure to keep your plane in the air while doing so.

Although the floating window feature seems like the better alternative, Valve decided to keep the attach-to-controller option just in case. In addition, users can also choose to undock the attached window and position them to float in-game.

To enjoy this new feature, make sure to have your SteamVR beta client updated to version 1.19.6. It’s also worth noting that you can easily opt in to the beta programme by navigating to the app’s Properties window, then to the Betas tab, and choosing SteamVR Beta Update. Upon selecting the option, SteamVR will then download and update to the latest beta version.

WhatsApp Rolls Out ‘View Once’ Feature To Beta Users on Android

WhatsApp has begun to roll out a new feature known as View Once to beta users on Android. This particular feature is one of three new functionalities for the messaging app that has been confirmed by its CEO, Will Cathcart as well as CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg to WABetaInfo earlier this month.

Meant to deliver more privacy to users, this feature allows them to send photos and videos that would disappear immediately after it is viewed and closed by the recipient. This is opposed to the existing Disappearing Messages feature, whereby users can set their messages to be automatically removed from WhatsApp after seven days.

At the same time, users would also be notified once the media file has been viewed by the recipient. This option can also be enabled for groups and even recipients that have not activated or yet to receive the feature on their device.

However, do note that recipients can still screenshot View Once’s photos or videos before they are deleted which is something you have to be mindful about, since WhatsApp does not have a built-in screenshot detector. WABetaInfo has also said that iOS beta testers will have access to View Once soon, but didn’t mention any exact rollout date for them.

Android 12 Looks A Lot Like iOS; Beta Now Available

During the Google I/O event, the internet search giant has officially launched Android 12. There’s a heavy emphasis on security with this new mobile OS, as is the case for the whole event. But more than that, this new version of Android actually looks a lot like iOS. And it looks like the biggest change in Android 12 is in its UI.

Overall the new design system is known as Material You. And one aspect of this UI change is the range of personalisation elements.

Among them is what the company calls colour extraction. This lets you pick a wallpaper of your choice. The OS itself then determines the best colours that suit it, and applies them to the whole OS like a custom theme. AI is naturally at play here to make this possible.

There’s also the improvements to the motions and animations of the OS with Android 12. For example, a phone’s screen will light up from sleep in different ways depending on the way it was woken up. Beyond that, elements of the UI are overall larger and brighter.

A fair number of security shortcuts

Google has also decided to put the Privacy Dashboard shortcut in the notification shroud. This makes it so that you can check your device’s permissions more easily. You can also grant and revoke permissions from here.

Continuing with the privacy and security features, there will also be an indication when the phone’s camera or microphone are in use. There’s even a shortcut to cut off all apps’ permissions to use them.

Other features of Android 12 include allowing your phone to double as a remote for an Android TV. The OS will also have what’s called the Digital Car Key, which is similar to the Apple CarKey.

If you’re interested in trying these features out, Google says that the beta for Android 12 is available starting today. Though this is limited to the company’s own Pixel phones, as well as selected devices from 11 brands.

iOS 14.6 Beta Code Hints At Apple Music HiFi

Back in February, Spotify announced that it will have a HiFi subscription tier later in the year. Apple may have its own HiFi tier for its own music subscription service as a response, according to code found in iOS 14.6 beta.

9to5Mac reports that the Apple Music app in the first beta of iOS 14.6 contains code that mentions Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio and Lossless. Though this seems to be found only on the first beta of the mobile operating system. The outlet says that the codes were not found in the internal files of iOS 14.5 or iOS 014.6 beta 2.

The Apple Music app doesn’t currently have support for Dolby Atmos or Dolby Audio. And as far as lossless support goes, it only applies to the company’s own ALAC lossless format. Music streaming from the app only comes in 256kbps AAC. This may change with Apple Music HiFi, which is reportedly slated for an announcement in the coming weeks.

The announcement being one thing, but it remains to be seen if Apple can roll out Music HiFi before Spotify. Prior reports say that the iPhone maker may also not be charging extra for the higher music fidelity. If that is true, then the company will have really beaten Spotify to the punch.

Clubhouse Starts Rough Android Beta Tests

Clubhouse became one of the biggest apps to hit iOS, and many on Android have been clamouring for it. We previously saw a possible release window in May. Now, it looks like a small scale beta testing has begun for the app on Android.

The app’s latest release notes say that the Android beta is being rolled out to a “handful of friendly testers”. This would suggest access to the beta as exclusive as the full Clubhouse app itself.

The release notes also say that the company will be welcoming more Android users “over the coming weeks”. Though this could mean extending beta testing access to more people, or a full on release for Android.

Clubhouse co-founder Paul Davison did say back in March that its Android version will take a couple of months. That and the company plans on dropping the invite-only model. This could coincide with the Android release, or come at a later date.

All in all, it’s good to know that Clubhouse is sort of sharing its progress on the Android app. It should keep desperate people off the many fakes that can be found on the Google Play Store, which could be malware in disguise.

Far Cry 6 Beta Invites Are Phishing Scams, Says Ubisoft

Far Cry 6 is set to launch this year on 26 May, if a previous Microsoft Store listing is to be believed. And it sounds right about the time many game publishers release a beta for their games, which serve more as a demo than an actual beta. But if you do get one, it’s more than likely a phishing scam in disguise.

YouTuber theRadBrad tweeted about an email going around with claims to give beta access to Far Cry 6. It supposedly comes from an official Ubisoft address, and comes with an embargo to make it look more legitimate. Clicking on the provided link instals malware that “watches your screen and records everything you do”.

Ubisoft has since confirmed that Far Cry 6 beta emails are phishing attempts. Naturally, the company also tells you to not interact with such emails.

As mentioned earlier, it’s been pretty common for game publishers to release betas shortly before a game’s release. These scammers are obviously seeing the pattern, and are trying to capitalise on it. And with the Far Cry series being one of Ubisoft’s three biggest IPs, it’s the perfect vector too.

Of course, it’s not only Far Cry 6 that’s been used as scammer bait. Late last year, hackers sent out a fake beta for Cyberpunk 2077 Mobile. Downloading it would have resulted in an Android device getting infected by ransomware.

Pokemon Unite Mobile MOBA Enters Beta; Only In Canada

Last year, we saw the announcement of Pokemon Unite, a mobile MOBA title. We’ve heard nothing about the game since, until now. The Pokemon Company has announced that the title is entering its beta stage, with a few catches.

One is that the Pokemon Unite beta is only open to Canadians starting March. Second is that it is only available on Android. It’s strange, since the game is also made for iOS and the Nintendo Switch.

If this flavour of weird is a familiar one to you, then you probably remember the initial announcement for Diablo Immortal’s alpha. It was also an Android only affair, but it was only open to Australians at the time.

There’s also a lot less detail available here with the Pokemon Unite beta compared to the Diablo Immortal alpha. For one, there’s not much in terms of minimum specs. All that is mentioned is that the game is compatible with Android devices with 3GB or more RAM, and running Android 5 or later. For what it’s worth, there’s also a mention of the game being optimised for phones and not tablets.

But as before, there is no mention as to when this beta will be open to iOS users, or even Nintendo Switch owners. No mention either of when the Pokemon Unite beta will be open to regions other than Canada.