• After revealing the Surface Duo price and release date, Microsoft made a surprising announcement regarding its new Android endeavor.
• The Surface Duo will receive three years of Android updates, which matches Google’s guarantee for the Pixel but also Samsung’s recent decision to support some of its Androids for three years.
• Not many Android handset makers are willing to provide steady Android updates to their devices, which remains one of Google’s main Android weaknesses.

Microsoft earlier this week revealed the price and release date of its first Android handset ever, the Surface Duo that was unveiled almost a year ago. The device is a different take on the foldable phone concept, as Microsoft is using two standalone displays connected by a 360-degree hinge to deliver a smartphone with a larger overall display than traditional smartphones. The handset is hardly perfect, featuring last year’s best mobile chip but lacking the allure of other Androids. It’s got no 5G support and no NFC, and the single camera might not measure up to your mobile photography needs. It’s also expensive, starting at $1,399, compared to other 2020 flagships. But the Surface Duo does target a specific set of consumers. Buyers who need both Android and Windows in their lives might benefit from this particular contraption, especially if Microsoft will be able to make Windows shine on an Android device.

What makes the Surface Duo interesting is a detail that’s just come to light, a feature that many of the traditional Android handset makers aren’t willing to guarantee: Updates.

Microsoft told The Verge that “Surface Duo will be supported with OS and security updates for three years.” That’s an incredible thing to advertise for a company that’s making its first-ever Android phone. And for a company that doesn’t control the Android release cycle.

It’s usually Google that would reveal details about guaranteed Android updates for its Pixel phones, not the other handset makers that use the operating system on their phones. And Google was never able to match Apple when it comes to software support for mobile devices. One of the best things about the iPhone is that it’s made to last longer than any of its counterparts, both when it comes to performance and updates.

In a surprising move a few weeks ago, Samsung promised to support three generations of Android updates on certain Galaxy phones, a first for the company. The guarantee applies to the S, Note, and Z series, but it was still great news to buyers.

Samsung hasn’t been at the forefront of Android updates, not even after Google made it easier for Android handset vendors to access new versions quicker and release their own updates in a more timely manner. As before, Android updates aren’t solely in the hands of Google or its partners. Carriers also have a say in the whole thing, which can further delay releases.

The fact that Microsoft is willing to go down the same route as Google and Samsung is certainly refreshing, and could motivate others to follow suit. Of course, when you only sell a single phone that targets a particular niche of buyers, it’s easy to guarantee updates. But Microsoft’s commitment shouldn’t go unnoticed. With three years of updates, that $1,399 price tag might be easier to swallow. The question is, how well will a Snapdragon 855-powered Android device behave on Android 14 three years from now.

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Renowned barrister Michael Mansfield QC is to take on the British government over its roll-out of 5G technology.

Action group Action Against 5G has so far crowdfunded an astonishing £105,000 to pay the legal brain to represent them.

They say UK scientists have failed to take enough notice of the potential health risks and public concern related to the fifth generation technology standard for phone networks.

Mr Mansfield, head of Nexus Chambers, has now sent a letter before action to the government and the next step is to apply to the High Court to have the case heard in full.

The group hopes the action will force a judicial review.

Having Mr Mansfield take on the case is a coup for the group as he has been involved in a number of high profile cases including the fire at Grenfell Tower, the Hillsborough football disaster, the murder of black teen Stephen Lawrence and the Lockerbie bombing.

Action Against 5G says on its Crowd Justice site that the government has failed to take into account evidence that radiofrequency radiation from masts and wireless devices does in fact impact health.

It wants a full and independent examination of the risks and believes the public should have a say in the roll-out.

It says that instead, ‘the government continues to adopt guidelines which the independent scientific research shows is unsafe for humans, animals, and the environment.’

And the group believes that ‘the consequence of inaction could be serious and irreversible damage.’

It went on: ‘We are individuals supported by many from all walks of life including doctors, scientists and engineers.

‘We have joined forces with a strong team of lawyers headed by Michael Mansfield QC.

‘Michael Mansfield has represented the families in the Grenfell Tower, Lockerbie, Hillsborough, Ballymurphy Massacre and Stephen Lawrence cases.

‘Before 5G can be imposed on us all with potentially devastating effects on our health and the environment, we need proper independent reviews of all research into the health risks, and reviews of the science concerning the potential environmental impact.’

The group wants environmental risk assessments carried out to prove the technology is safe for humans and wildlife and ‘an informed debate on the consequences of imposing 5G technology on humans and the environment.’

It added: ‘People have a right to be informed about the risks and what they will be exposed to.

‘There should also be a choice to opt out, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups.

‘We are not against the progression of technology but we do not consent to the imposition of technology at the risk of harming our health and potentially all biological life.

‘Nothing other than a legal challenge will force a government to take notice; this is the only way to ensure the government engages with the issue.’

5G delivers faster and better mobile broadband. In 2017, the amount of mobile data used increased by 40%, with the public’s thirst for information on the go showing no sign of abating.

Ofcom regulates the use of radio frequencies by mobile networks and tests electro magnetic fields (EMF) levels near to mobile phone base stations.

It was recently forced to put out a statement debunking conspiracy theories that 5G was responsible for the Coronavirus pandemic.

Guideline levels of exposure are set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and underpin health protection levels in the UK and Europe.

Public Health England’s website states: ‘It is possible that there may be a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves when 5G is added to an existing network or in a new area.

‘However, the overall exposure is expected to remain low relative to guidelines and, as such, there should be no consequences for public health.

‘PHE is committed to monitoring the evidence applicable to this and other radio technologies, and to revising its advice, should that be necessary.’

EE has said there are no proven health effects of the technology.

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home is a part of life for many in 2020. And Google wants its suite of services to be the one you rely on most while working remotely. As such, the company is rolling out its G Suite Gmail integration across both the web and Android.

Basically, from now on, when you find yourself using Gmail, you’ll also get a heavy dose of Meet, Chat, and Rooms. This only applies to G Suite customers, so regular Gmail users won’t see any changes for now.

Meet, Chat, and Rooms Get Integrated Into Gmail

Google posted about the heavy G Suite Gmail integration on its G Suite Updates blog.

The company revealed that Gmail will now feature four distinct components, the first of which is Mail. This is the Gmail experience users already know and love. Google says nothing will change about the email experience for G Suite users with this update.

Where things change is the addition of Chat, which is G Suite’s service for sending messages to friends and colleagues. There will also be a tab for Rooms. This section is for shared chat, files, and tasks for groups. The final new section is Meet, which is Google’s Zoom competitor for face-to-face meetings.

Obviously, these aren’t new services to G Suite, but having them integrated into Gmail is a big change. Some users might be a little annoyed if they don’t use Chat, Rooms, or Meet. However, it makes sense for Google to push its other services into its popular email app in order to leverage that popularity.

As part of this update, you’ll be able to open and co-edit a document with your team without leaving Gmail. This will make it so that you and your co-workers can get more done without needing to switch between different apps.

G Suite Gmail Integration Availability

If your team is looking forward to having G Suite integrated into their email, Google says that the new features will launch to all domains with Chat preferred enabled.

The company also said that there will be a gradual rollout, with Rapid Release domains getting it starting August 12 and rolling out over 15 days. For Scheduled Release domains, the company will roll out the updates over 15 days starting on September 1.

If you’re not sure about using Google Meet, but you don’t like Zoom, check out our list of Zoom alternatives you can use right now.

Read the full article: Google Is Rolling Out G Suite Gmail Integration Soon

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