Upcoming Snapdragon-powered Android phones can get up to four years of security updates

Google's Project Treble is a modular redesign of Android's low-level system architecture to make it easier for phone manufacturers to update their devices with the mobile operating system's newest version. This program, which launched back in 2017, gets an update with a new partnership between Google and Qualcomm. The two companies will collaborate to improve Project Treble while simplifying the update process for Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered devices.

Google and Qualcomm say that by working together, they can reduce the time and resources manufacturers need to invest when updating their smartphones to the latest Google software, which will extend the lifespan of their products. So, future Snapdragon-equipped smartphones will get up to four major Android platform upgrades and four years of security patches. This upgrade will include the version of Android your phone comes with, so the high-end phones get an extra year of security updates while receiving the same amount of OS upgrades as Pixel phones.

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Samsung denies Galaxy Note's discontinuation

There have been rumours going around that Samsung planned to shelve its Galaxy Note series, mostly because there is talk that the upcoming Galaxy S21 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold3 will supposedly support the S Pen. But a new report from South Korea refutes this rumour, with a company official saying there will be a Galaxy Note launch in 2021.

TM Roh, president of Samsung's mobile business, said, "the Galaxy Note experience might be applied to more products," but this doesn't mean that the Galaxy Note line itself will go away. What we have yet to determine is the positioning of the Note series in Samsung's lineup. Will it still be a flagship series, or will it move lower down the ranks? Will Samsung launch three flagships a year?

Source: GSMArena

Google acquires Neverware, will now support Chrome OS running on old PCs

Over the last five years, Neverware has turned old PCs and Macs into a Chromebook with its CloudReady software, allowing you to extend the life of machines that would be rendered obsolete. Now, Google has acquired Neverware and plans to make its software into an official Chrome OS release. Existing users will be able to transition to the updated software. And once the transition is complete, Google will support CloudReady in the same way it does Chrome OS.

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Mac OS Big Sur 11.1 update is now available

The first major update to macOS Big Sur is version 11.1 and it's now available for download. Ostensibly bringing some new feature updates and bug fixes, Big Sur 11.1 rolls out compatibility with the new AirPods Max as well as a fix for older MacBook Pros that were unable to upgrade to Big Sur. 11.1 also re-enables Big Sur to be downloaded on 13-inch MacBook Pro models from late 2013 to mid-2014. The Support page will also be updated. 

Onter notable features are an updated Apple TV+ app, Apple ProRAW format editing capability in the Photos app,  and some refinements in UI and window sizing particular to the new M1 Apple Silicon Macs. You can update your desktop or laptop Mac through Software Update in About This Mac on the Finder.