Latest news

Pretty much every website in the world uses some form of analytics service to track its pageviews and usage. By far, the most popular solution for this is Google Analytics.

But now, Austrian data protection agency has made a decision against Google Analytics, stating very bluntly, that the service is illegal in European Union.

Why, you might ask?

Behind the decision is the European Union's tight privacy legislation called GDPR that protects European users and their data. Previously, European Union and United States had a mutual agreement in place that allowed tech giants like Google and Facebook to transfer their user data freely from continent to continent.

But back in August, 2020, everything changed, as the so-called "Privacy Shield" agreement was struck down by the European court.

In its decision, court ruled that United States can't provide same level of protection for European users as mandated by the GDPR. This is because the U.S. legislation allows American law enforcement agencies (NSA, FBI, Homeland Security, ..) pretty much a free access to all data stored within the U.S. soil. Now, that obviously is against everything that GDPR stands for and thus, the court decision.

For most parts, year 2021 will be probably remembered as the second year of the global pandemic. But in technology world, quite interesting developments happened during the year 2021, too.

Obviously, the home office work continued for millions of people, everybody is already sick and tired of Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Slack. But lets look at the other stuff that changed in the year 2021.

High-end Android phones had awful battery life - thanks to Qualcomm

One of the weirdest phenomenons for the year 2021 was the fact that top-notch Android phones got significantly worse. Well, not completely, but the battery life of average high-end Android of 2021 was significantly worse than battery life of high-end models introduced back in 2020.

The reason?

Qualcomm, the dominant chip provider for high-end Androids.

More specifically, Qualcomm's year 2021 flagship SoC, Snapdragon 888 was arguably a massive leap into worse-than-expected battery life. Year 2020's flagship SoC - Snapdragon 865 - typically managed to run for entire 24 hours (with active use), but not so with SD888.

With Snapdragon 888, either your phone has to curb its powers somehow - or you need to charge your phone during the day. No other options.

Back in 1989, the world of platformer games was pushed to new level. Genre, dominated by Nintendo's cute-sy platformer characters was overtaken by first-ever cinematic platform adventure, Prince of Persia.

Originally released for Apple II, but later ported to most of the available gaming / computing platforms of that era (including Commodore Amiga and Atari ST), the game became a commercial success - and an icon of its kind.

In Prince of Persia, you control the protagonist in order to save the princess who has been captured by the evil Grand Vizier Jaffar. Set in medieval Persia, the game resembles 1980s adventure movies in many ways.

Now, a Spanish developer ultrabolido has taken the 1990 MS-DOS port of the game and further ported it to... your browser!

Using purely HTML5 and JavaScript, the game is true to its MS-DOS port, using the same graphics and same music as the 31-year-old MS-DOS version.

Here's a reminder of how the game's Amiga port looked like:

HMD Global announced today that the official, stable Android 12 update for Nokia X20 is rolling out to its customers.

Roll out includes Europe, but might also include other territories. After the disaster with Android 11 update schedule, it seems that HMD Global, the manufacturer of Nokia branded phones, tries to win back its audience. Company originally was the first major Android OEM to push speedy Android updates to its users and had a (back then) one of the longest support lifecycles for its phones.

Nokia X20 was released in April, 2021 and HMD Global has promised that the phone will get Android 12, Android 13 and Android 14 before its support runs out.

Source: HMD Global press release via email

There has never been an universal, true way to measure websites' traffic, but one site has managed to make it almost a reality for quarter of a century.

Alexa.com has been around since 1996 and has provided relatively accurate information on how popular each website/domain in the world is. Surely, it has always been relatively flawed metric, as the measurement data is based on various browser extensions and toolbars - thus, typically harming the rankings of sites with more security-conscious users.

Nevertheless, Alexa has provided a decent take on which websites are gaining popularity and which are declining. Alexa has been traditionally one of the key metrics that was included on Wikipedia pages about websites and web services.

Alexa.com was bought by Amazon back in 1999, but Amazon decided to keep the service running as it was for years and years, even tho it didn't exactly fit to its other businesses very well.

But now, Amazon has decided to call it quits. Alexa.com service will be discontinued as of 1st of May, 2022.

Alexa has provided professional SEO services, too and those are coming to an end as well. New subscriptions can't be bought and the old ones will cease when the Alexa itself will be shut down.

OnePlus has started its Android 12 OTA rollout for its most recent high-end models, namely, OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro.

Company hasn't announced the update officially yet, but both, XDA-Developers and Android Update Tracker confirms that the update has begun rolling out.

The changes since the previous Android 12 beta aren't big, but for those jumping directly from Android 11 to Android 12, even the visible changes are quite significant. OnePlus' OxygenOS 12 is merging slowly with its parent company's - Oppo's - ColorOS, so the design and UX changes are gearing towards that goal.

The OTA rollout is phased, as it often is, so you might not see the update available yet on your own handset. But we assume the Android 12 OTA will be available for most customers by end of the week. Those who use locked handset, the OTA might get delayed further.

OnePlus plans to release Android 12 also to several other models: OnePlus 7 series, OnePlus 8 series and many Nord models should get the update. For full list of phones promised to get the update, a href="https://www.androidupdatetracker.com/m/oneplus/12">refer this page.

We just received an updated timeline from Samsung about their Android 12 rollout schedule. The new timeline contains more handsets than those lists previously released by Samsung. List also adjusts the release schedule slightly for some phone models.

The list is based on Samsung's Nordic schedule, so it might or might not apply as it is for the rest of the world. But comparing the list to the one released about a month ago by Samsung's global division, the new list seems to be credible for global rollout, too.

So, here's the full list:

Android 12 already released

• Samsung Galaxy S21
• Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

Promised before end of the year 2021

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

January 2022

• Samsung Galaxy S10+ (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy S10 5G (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy S10e (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy Fold
• Samsung Galaxy Note10 (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10 5G (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy Note10 Lite
• Samsung Galaxy Note10 Plus (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S20
• Samsung Galaxy S20+
• Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
• Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Note20
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G

February 2022

• Samsung Galaxy A52
• Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A72
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

March 2022

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE 5G

April 2022

• Samsung Galaxy A51
• Samsung Galaxy A71
• Samsung Galaxy A51 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

May 2022

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 (2020)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
• Samsung Galaxy A32
• Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Xcover Pro (last Android update)

June 2022:

• Samsung Galaxy A41 (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy A12 (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy A22
• Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite

July 2022

• Samsung Galaxy A21s (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy A02s (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy A03s
• Samsung Galaxy XCover 5

Other Samsung models

None of the models listed below appear in Samsung's official schedule - not in this new one or in the previous list. But based on what we know about Samsung's update policy and when each phone was released, we assume that these phones should get the Android 12 update, too. But if you have one of these phones, don't get your hopes too high - the updates below have not been officially confirmed by Samsung.

• Samsung Galaxy A01 (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy A02 (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy A11 (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy A21 (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy A31 (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy A42 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A71 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A90 5G (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy A Quantum
• Samsung Galaxy F02s (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy F12
• Samsung Galaxy F41 (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy F42 5G
• Samsung Galaxy F62
• Samsung Galaxy M02 (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy M02s (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy M12
• Samsung Galaxy M21 (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy M21s (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy M22
• Samsung Galaxy M31
• Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime Edition (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy M31s (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy M32 5G
• Samsung Galaxy M42 5G
• Samsung Galaxy M51 (last Android update)
• Samsung Galaxy M52 5G
• Samsung Galaxy M62
• Samsung Galaxy Quantum 2

HMD Global, a company who has licensed the Nokia brand for its Android phones, has failed to keep its promises. Company originally got into Android smartphone business by making Android update schedule promises that were pretty much unheard of back then.

And they actually managed to keep those promises quite nicely. Up until the Android 11 update. Ever since Android 11 rolled out back in September, 2020, HMD Global has been left behind in terms of speedy Android updates. To be fair, also several other companies have struggled with Android 11, too: OnePlus slipped badly from its glorious past and some companies, like Motorola and Asus, have simply abandoned some of their relatively recent models.

But despite delayed updates, HMD Global did state that it will keep its promises of three major Android updates for its existing lineup. And they have delivered - slowly, but still.

But with their most recent phone that could be realistically called as a flagship phone, Nokia 9 PureView, they decided to throw in the towel.

Company announced today that it wont release Android 11 to the Nokia 9 PureView, at all. Instead, company offers 50 percent discount on Nokia XR20 handset - or other level of discount for other X series Nokia models.

Currently, there's a major web outage in the world, as several major web services have been experiencing outages durign the past 45 minutes or so. Affected sites include Google and Spotify.

Spotify's music services are down and even their homepage throws a 404 error when visiting their site. Furthermore, Google's services are currently unavailable, which means that all the mobile games and websites that rely on Google's services, such as login, are experiencing problems too.

DownDetector, a website that monitors the status of major web services shows that problems started about an hour ago.

And obviously, social media is full of reports about the outage with hastags such as #googledown and #spotifydown.

#SpotifyDown#Spotify #SpotifyisDown pic.twitter.com/FllAyCgDFa

-- Might (@RGsentinels) November 16, 2021

iRobot is the world's largest manufacturer of robotic vacuums. Its robovacs are sold under Roomba brand name globally. The problem is that there are tons of different Roomba models out there and Roomba's naming convention is no straightforward.

In this article, we try to clarify how various Roomba models differ from each other - and also to shine some light on Roomba's odd naming conventions. We have reviewed almost all Roomba models that exist, and thus the opinions mentioned on each model / series are based on our extensive reviews.

1. Naming convention
2. Roomba 600 series
3. Roomba 670 series
4. Roomba e5 series
5. Roomba e6 series
6. Roomba 980 series
7. Roomba 970 series
8. Roomba i3 series
9. Roomba i4 series
10. Roomba i7 series
11. Roomba i6 series
12. Roomba i8+
13. Roomba s9 series
14. Roomba j7 series
15. Roomba 500, 700 and 800 series
16. Roomba Combo (113, 1138)
17. iAdapt 1.0? 3.0? Navigation tech explained
18. Comparison chart

Model names

First of all, Roomba's naming convention can be confusing. The company has improved its game lately in this particular area, but it still causes confusion to consumers all over the world.

HMD Global, the company that sells Nokia branded Android phones, has finally released the long overdue Android 11 update to two of its mid-range models.

Nokia's Android phones originally hit the market with extremely long update promise and rapid Android updates. Since the launch of Android 11 back in September, 2020, Nokia phones have consistantly failed to deliver that promise.

Android 12 has already been released, but we're still waiting Nokia some phones to get the promised Android 11 update.

However, this week HMD Global did finally deliver Android 11 to two of its mid-range phones: both Nokia 6.2 and Nokia 7.2 got their OTA Android 11 update in many countries.

Only the Nokia's old flagship model, Nokia 9 PureView is still without the Android 11 update (out of the phones that are supposed to get the Android 11).

Meanwhile, some manufacturers, like Asus have already released their Android 12 update schedule. For Nokia phones, we currently only know the list of Nokia models that are supposed to get Android 12 update, but not the timeline.

Taiwanese Asus has published a list of its phone models that will get official Android 12 update, accompanied with a schedule for each update.

Most recent models will get the update first. Asus Zenfone 8 Flip and Asus Zenfone 8 both will receive official Android 12 update in December, 2021. Zenfone 8 has already an open Android 12 beta program, but as the official release is very close, it is highly recommended to sit this one out and wait for the proper release instead.

Next in line are the latest Asus gaming phones: Asus ROG Phone 5 series (ROG Phone 5, ROG Phone 5s and ROG Phone 5s Pro) will all get Android 12 in first quarter of 2022 - meaning that the phones will get the update by end of March, 2022.

Then the rest: Asus Zenfone 7 and Asus Zenfone 7 Pro will get Android in first half of the year 2022 - so, by end of June, 2022. Same applies for Asus ROG Phone 3 and Asus ROG Phone 3 Strix Edition.

So, pretty quick rollout, for most parts. Obviously, people who have older Asus handsets, such as Asus Zenfone 6, will be left in the dust. This has always been Asus style: company doesn't provide very long Android update path. And to be honest, it was quite surprising that Asus even decided to push Android 12 for its ROG Phone 3 series, as ROG Phones typically get only one major Android update.

For more Android 12 updates, check out AndroidUpdateTracker's comprehensive Android 12 listing.

Vienna museums got tired of social media giants, such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok censoring classical art. None of the major social media platforms allow nudity on their services - and that includes art, even classical and ancient art.

Vienna museums have struggled with social media platforms very publicly: Back in 2018 30'000 years old Venus sculpture was censored by Facebook. And similar fate has hit many other paintings, sculptures and modern forms of art.

Museums finally got tired of the struggle, while at the same time, they wanted people to be able to enjoy the art they have in the collections. Thus, an ingenious idea was born.

There surely must be a platform that isn't too strict about nudity, but also has massive number of existing users..?

Thus.. Four Vienna museums created a joint OnlyFans account to share their more artwork to the public.

OnlyFans is best known for its adult content, but the platform is actually open for all kinds of content. And in the past, OnlyFans hasn't been keen to censor the content its users share on the platform, as long as it doesn't break any laws.

According to the latest browser market share statistics published by StatCounter, there is currently exactly one country in the world where Google's Chrome is not the most popular browser.

And that country is Nigeria. Even in Nigeria, the change happened only in September, 2021 - before that, Chrome was the #1 browser in Nigeria, too.

In Nigeria, the most popular browser is currently Opera. We had to dig bit deeper to find out the reason for this phenomenom. It seems that the surge of Opera's popularity is down to two factors: most of the net browsing in Nigeria is done by mobile phones. In desktop, Chrome dominates the market also in Nigeria, but as mobile usage is so much bigger in Nigeria than desktop, the desktop market share means much less in big picture.

Secondly, the most popular phone brand in Nigeria is Tecno, a relatively unknown brand outside Africa. Tecno ships most of its phones with Opera pre-installed. And it seems that people are quite happy using the Opera, too. Thus, the pre-installed browsers found in most popular brand's phones managed to do the seemingly impossible task: it overtook Chrome.

Popular image sharing site, Imgur, has been sold to MediaLab.

Imgur, established back in 2009, announced on 27th of September, 2021 that it has been sold to American holding company MediaLab. MediaLab is a Los Angeles-based company that has recently acquired several online brands, most of which have been slightly in decline in terms of their popularity.

Imgur has been known to host viral images and memes and has been particularly popular among Reddit users for years, until Reddit introduced its own image hosting service back in 2016.

Site has been among the most popular online destinations in the world: according to Alexa, it was 112th most popular site in the world as of end of September, 2021.

MediaLab's other acquisitions in recent years include messaging service Kik, anonymous messaging service Whisper and song lyrics database Genius.

According to the official statement by Imgur, MediaLab is committed to fund Imgur's upcoming new services and features.