Android 11 Beta 2 introduces platform stability milestone

Google has just launched Android 11 Beta 2, which brings with it a new platform stability milestone. For the first time, this new milestone has been implemented to let developers know that the way their apps work in this beta will be how their apps will behave when Android 11's stable version is released. This second beta is now available for the Google Pixel 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, or Pixel 4.

For this seventh official release of the platform, it was done in response to developers' requests. Before this, Google could make changes to APIs and other app-facing parts of Android up to the stable launch. But now, with Beta 2, everything that would affect developers' apps will be final, giving them the confidence to anticipate how their apps will work when the new OS is released. It gives developers time to work out details of their apps and tweak things without worrying that Android 11 will change again before the stable launch.

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OnePlus Nord will reportedly sport a quad-camera setup

While the teaser video for the OnePlus Nord makes it look like there are only three rear cameras on this handset, reports suggest otherwise. The Nord will reportedly come with four sensors at the back, with a 48-megapixel primary lens, an 8-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 5-megapixel macro sensor, and a 2-megapixel portrait lens. This will supposedly be paired with a 32-megapixel + 8-megapixel dual camera setup in front. It's a decent setup for a midrange phone that's expected to be priced around US$350. But, of course, real-world performance is still something that needs to be proven. Camera performance hasn't been a strong suit for OnePlus, but let's see if they change the tide here.

Source: 9to5Google

Samsung might not ship future phones with chargers, too

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It looks like Apple might not be the only one considering getting rid of smartphone chargers in its retail boxes. A new report from South Korea claims Samsung handsets that will come out next year might not ship with chargers either. With hundreds of millions of smartphone units shipped each year, getting rid of chargers, even half of its lineup, could mean a substantial cost reduction for Samsung. It might also allow the company to price its devices more aggressively. And if you look at it from an environmental standpoint, it helps lessen e-waste, too.

The company is reportedly discussing plans to take out chargers for some of its devices, but not all. As SamMobile points out, we've come a long way from when manufacturers used to have proprietary charging slots. All Android manufacturers use standard USB connectors, with Type-C standard trickling down to mid- and even entry-level devices, allowing you to swap out chargers. Of course, we'd expect Samsung will still sell chargers separately, but now it's just going to be an additional purchase if you need it. If the reports are accurate, and this becomes a bigger industry trend, you might have to hold on to those charging cables and power bricks you have on hand.

Mastercard, Visa introduces 'Click to Pay' online checkout in Canada

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Mastercard, Visa, and American Express are working together to bring its "Click to Pay" online checkout to Canada and other countries for a more straightforward online checkout experience. Aside from simplicity, it secures online transactions across the web and mobile sites by taking out the time-consuming entry of personal account numbers and information. The feature is meant to mirror the checkout process in physical stores where a single terminal accepts different cards.

With the increase of e-commerce activity, Click to Pay hopes to offer a consistent online experience through all types of digital channels. The press release didn't state when it will be available, but the companies said they started technical preparations for its launch.