latest
What happened to Android One?
What happened to Android One? It's hard to actually say, as Google doesn't want to talk about it. We can infer what's likely wrong, though.
Do you remember Android One? It's a pretty barebones Android variant that came with some smartphones, most notably pretty much all of HMD Global's Nokia-licensed portfolio. However, it's also responsible for the birth of popular devices such as the Xiaomi Mi A1 and was lauded by some thanks to its commitment to quick updates -- both major platform updates and security updates. And if you don't remember Android One, we won't blame you either, since the initiative has been missing from the public eye for a while now.
HMD Global's new Nokia phones offer Android 11 on a budget
Nokia has launched six new Android 11-running smartphones including X10 and X20 with Snapdragon 480, G10 and G20, and C10 and C20.
Nokia made a comeback to the smartphone market four years ago. The brand inarguably lags far behind its former legacy as the world's biggest phone brand, but its commitment to a bloat-free user experience has helped it maintain a distinct identity, especially in the entry-level and budget segments of the smartphone market. HMD Global, the company that revived the Nokia brand, is now launching six new smartphones across different price segments and a pair of wireless TWS earphones. With this launch, HMD is moving away from its conventional decimalized naming and embracing an alphanumeric naming with the new Nokia X series with X10 and X20, the G series with G10 and G20, and the C series with C10 and C20 that are launching today.
HMD Global is hiring a UX designer for its Nokia Android phones
According to a job posting on Linkedin, HMD Global could be looking to develop its own UI on top of stock Android, for Nokia phones.
HMD Global’s Nokia phones have earned a name for themselves for offering timely updates and solid software support. A large number of Nokia phones are part of Google’s Android One program and run a near-stock version of Android out-of-the-box. But it appears the company could be looking to lend its software some distinct touch and identity.
Motorola One Hyper and LG G7 One receive stable Android 11 update
Motorola One Hyper and LG G7 One are the latest in line to receive a stable Android 11 update with new features and Android security patches.
Ever since Google rolled out the first stable Android 11 build for its Pixel devices back in September last year, several OEMs have followed suit and released the update to some of their flagship and mid-range devices. However, there are still many devices for which the update hasn’t rolled out yet — particularly some legacy models where updates are not as much of a priority as they are on newer devices. This, however, doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily going to be left behind. Now, two smartphones from Motorola and LG — the Motorola One Hyper and the LG G7 One respectively — are getting updates to Android 11.
Android 11 internal beta update leaks for the Nokia 8.1
An internal beta build of Android 11 for the Nokia 8.1 has been leaked. Head on over to get an early look at the upcoming update.
We've seen a number of OEMs such as Nokia, Sony, and others come up with Android 11 update roadmaps, so it's somewhat of a race to see which one among them is able to push out a stable OTA first. In case you have a Nokia 8.1 and want to get an early taste of Android 11, then you’ll be happy to know that can do so right now through a leaked internal build that has been shared on our forums.
Nokia 2.4 with Helio P22 launched in India for ₹10,399
HMD Global has launched the Nokia 2.4 in India with a new 3GB+64GB configuration and two promised Android updates under Android One.
In September 2020, HMD Global launched three new Nokia smartphones along with some accessories for the global market. Out of these devices, while the Nokia 8.3 had already been announced back in March, HMD Global also unveiled two new entries in its X.4 (X being a numeral here) generation, starting with the Nokia 2.4 and Nokia 3.4. Of these two, the Nokia 2.4 is now making its way to India for a price of ₹10,399 (~$140) with higher RAM and storage than the global variant.
The pure Android One experience sets the Nokia 5.3 apart in India's budget smartphone market
Here's why the clean Android One software on the Nokia 5.3 matters despite stiff competition in India's budget smartphone market!
The Nokia 5.3, one of the first smartphone announcements delayed because of COVID-19, follows in the same footsteps of other Nokia-branded devices launched after 2016. It offers a relatively pure Android software experience as a result of HMD Global's commitment to Google's Android One program. More recently, the Nokia 5.3 was launched in India, where smartphone companies often employ a nasty method to make smartphones more affordable — serving obnoxious ads in system apps. HMD Global's smartphones, though, offer a unique proposition to users; the Nokia 5.3, for instance, brings a bloatware-free, ad-free Android experience at a price of ₹13,999, alongside a software update promise that extends much longer than smartphones in the same price bracket.
HMD Global rolls out the Android 10 update to the Nokia 3.1 and Nokia 5.1
HMD Global has officially started rolling out the stable Android 10 update for the Nokia 3.1 and the Nokia 5.1 across the world. Read on!
Amidst all of the talk about Android 11 updates, some people forget that OEMs are still working on updating their smartphones to Android 10. For example, HMD Global was expected to conclude its Android 10 rollout by Q2 2020, but they unfortunately missed the timeline. The company worked hard over the last few months clearing the backlog and they are now back on track. Just a day ago, we learned that owners of the Nokia 3.1 should look forward to the Android 10 update notification, while a similar update for the Nokia 5.1 should be ready within 24 hours. In keeping with its promise, HMD Global has now started rolling out the Android 10 update to the Nokia 5.1.
[Update 2: Bugfix OTA] PSA: Xiaomi Mi A3's latest update accidentally breaks dual-SIM functionality
Xiaomi has accidentally pushed out the wrong firmware for the Mi A3, with the July 2020 security update breaking the dual-SIM functionality and much more!
Unlike the majority of smartphones on Xiaomi's portfolio, the Xiaomi Mi A3 runs a close-to-stock version of Android, thanks to its Android One branding. The Google-flavored Android UX also ensures that the device is eligible to get 3 years of monthly security updates. Matter of fact, Xiaomi has pushed a new security update for the global variant of the Mi A3 earlier today that does bring in the July 2020 Android security patches. But there’s a major problem: The latest update (V11.0.3.0.QFQMXTC) reportedly breaks the dual-SIM functionality of the phone, introduces a carrier-specific logo in the boot animation out of the blue, and commits a bunch of unexpected changes.
HMD Global rolls out Android 10 update for the Nokia 2.3
HMD Global has now started rolling out the stable Android 10 update for the Nokia 2.3, which also brings in March 2020 security patches. Read on!
Nokia's affordable smartphone portfolio continues the legacy of receiving steady software updates as the entry-level Nokia 2.3 has now started to receive stable Android 10 OTA in various regions. The phone was launched back in December 2019 with Android Pie onboard and it was originally scheduled to get the Android 10 update during Q1 of 2020 as per HMD Global's update schedule. The COVID-19 outbreak might be the reason behind the delay, as a bunch of other Nokia phones missed the timeline as well.
Nokia 8 Sirocco and Samsung Galaxy A30s receive stable Android 10 update
Samsung Galaxy A30s and HMD Global's Nokia 8 Sirocco are now getting the latest Android 10 stable update in select countries. Read on to know more!
HMD Global relies on a number ODMs like Foxconn (and its subsidiary, FIH Mobile) and Longcheer to manufacture its Nokia-branded Android smartphones. While the practice is certainly useful to keep costs down, it has unintentionally exposed the company's internal firmware hosting servers multiple times. For example, the pre-release Android 10 update packages for the Nokia 5.1 Plus and the Nokia 8 Sirocco have been leaked quite recently. The latter has now started receiving a stable Android 10 update across the globe.
Android 10 internal beta leaks for the Nokia 8 Sirocco and Nokia 5.1 Plus
Android 10 internal beta builds for the Nokia 8 Sirocco and Nokia 5.1 Plus have leaked. Head on over to get an early look at the upcoming update.
HMD Global’s bootloader unlock policy might be a mess, but the company still has a pretty good reputation among Android enthusiasts due to their speedy update schedule and minimal software changes. Be it the entry-level Nokia 2.2 or the mid-range Nokia 7.2, HMD Global has kept its promise to roll out the Android 10 update according to the roadmap published by the OEM. The COVID-19 outbreak has delayed the rollout a bit, but leaked beta builds suggest that updates for the Nokia 8 Sirocco as well as the Nokia 5.1 Plus are on their way.
[Update: Kernel source] Motorola starts rolling out Android 10 to the original Motorola One
Motorola has begun rolling out the stable Android 10 OTA to the Motorola One owners in Brazil. The update also packs February 2020 security patches.
Long before the Android One initiative, Google offered a few Android devices running a pure Android experience under the Google Play Edition (GPE) scheme, including the first generation Moto G. Even after the Motorola brand was acquired by Lenovo, their phones continue the tradition of having a close-to-stock version of Android. The software support has begun to deteriorate though, which could be one of the main reasons for the company to tie up with the Android One program and launch the Motorola One and One Power globally. While the latter received stable Android 10 update back in December 2019, the original Moto One is now getting the same treatment in Brazil.
Motorola One Vision/Action Android 10 kernel source code now available
Motorola has released the Android 10 kernel source codes for the Exynos 9609-powered Motorola One Vision and the Motorola One Action.
Compared to the monumental popularity of Qualcomm's Snapdragon series of SoCs, the adoption rate of Samsung-designed Exynos chipsets by third-party smartphone makers is remarkably low. Apart from the Korean OEM itself, companies like Meizu and Vivo have occasionally picked up Exynos chips. Motorola also joined this small club by incorporating the Exynos 9609 SoC in their first phone with a hole-punch display, the Motorola One Vision. The same silicon can also be found inside the Motorola One Action, which was launched a few months later. And now, Motorola has released the kernel source code corresponding to the Android 10 updates for the two phones.
HMD Global rolls out the Android 10 update for the Nokia 2.2
As per the revised update schedule published last week, HMD Global has now started rolling out Android 10 to the entry-level Nokia 2.2.
Google's Android One ecosystem is still alive thanks to HMD Global, as the Nokia brand has earned a very good reputation among Android purists. Nokia phones receive regular security updates regardless of the price tag, and Android 10 is already available for a bunch of mid-range Nokia phones, such as the Nokia 6.1, Nokia 6.1 Plus, and Nokia 7 Plus. As per the revised update schedule shared by the company earlier this month, HMD Global has now started rolling out the Android 10 update to the entry-level Nokia 2.2.
[Update: Delayed due to COVID-19] Xiaomi Mi A3 will receive Android 10 in mid-February
Xiaomi has cleared the air on the Android 10 update for the Mi A3, clarifying that it will begin rollout in mid-February 2020. Read on to know more!
The Xiaomi Mi A3 was launched in July 2019 with Android 9 Pie, and the good-looking smartphone made its way to India a month later. Being an Android One device, users expected that the Google-flavored Android UX would receive fairly quick updates to the latest version of Android. But that hasn't really been the case, as the phone continues to be on Android Pie straight into 2020. Now, Xiaomi has finally broken silence on when the phone will receive its official update to Android 10.
[Update 2: Launched in US] Nokia 2.3 launches with Android One based on Android 9 Pie and a microUSB port
At a recent event in Egypt, HMD Global's Nokia has announced the launch of a Nokia 2.3 — a budget device boasting on AI capabilities.
Following the launch of the Nokia 6.2 and Nokia 7.2 at IFA 2019, HMD Global is back at it again with a new budget-centric device. At a recent event in Egypt, the company announced the new Nokia 2.3 an Android One device running Android 9 Pie out of the box. The device features a 6.2-inch HD+ display, a dual-camera setup on the back and it boasts of some impressive AI features.
Xiaomi Mi A3 and Mi A2 Android 10 kernel sources released before update
Xiaomi has yet to release official Android 10 update for the Mi A3 and Mi A2, but they might be coming soon as kernel sources have already been released.
Xiaomi launched the Mi A3 in July 2019 with Android 9 Pie, and the good-looking smartphone made its way to India a month later. Similarly, the Mi A2 was launched in July 2018 with Android 8.1 Oreo and made its way to India in the next month. The Mi A2 received its stable Android 9 Pie update in November 2018, bringing the phone up to speed on the then-latest version of Android. We're in 2020, and both the Android One smartphones from Xiaomi are awaiting their Android 10 update. While we have no information on when exactly the updates are arriving, Xiaomi has already uploaded kernel sources for the Android 10 update for the Mi A2 and Mi A3.
The Motorola One Action with a GoPro-esque "Action Cam", 21:9 display, and Android One launches in India
Motorola One Action with a GoPro-style Action Cam mode, a 21:9 hole punch display, Exynos 9609, and Android One is now available in India.
Lenovo-owned Motorola set the precedent for a highly competitive smartphone market in India with the OG Moto G. Over the last five years or so, it has lost its market to Chinese brands which dominate most of the market share in India. Lately, Motorola has been sweating it out to revive its lost dominance and India, being the only growing smartphone market in the world, is among one of its top priorities. The company goes on to focus on its Android One lineup, which was introduced in the country last year with the Motorola One Power. Today, we have the latest phone in the series – the Motorola One Action, which comes with a GoPro-style action camera along with a 21:9 hole-punch display similar to Motorola One Vision.
Xiaomi Mi A3 with Android One launched in India starting at ₹12,999
At an event in New Delhi, Xiaomi has launched the Mi A3 Android One smartphone in India. Read on for specifications, pricing and availability details!
India is one of Xiaomi's key markets, and the company relishes every opportunity to boast about its top position in this market for the eighth consecutive quarter. Much of this success comes from devices in the Redmi and Redmi Note lineups, but Xiaomi also continues to tinker with other product lineups in an attempt to diversify and offer greater choice to the consumer. The Redmi K series is Xiaomi's attempt at offering an affordable flagship experience in 2019, and the Mi A-series represents an escape from the MIUI experience into the warm embrace of stock Android within the Android One program. After launching the Xiaomi Mi A3 internationally, Xiaomi is now launching the Mi A3 in India.