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Nokia feature phone powered by Android leaks on video
An Android-powered feature phone by Nokia has now leaked, showcasing in full detail what could potentially be Android on feature phones.
Since it was initially conceived, Android has always been a smartphone-oriented operating system. No way around that. And nowadays, you'll be able to find devices in virtually every price range running Android. But as more and more people have started connecting to the Internet, particularly in emerging markets, demand has grown for smarter "dumb" phones. Android Go was released in an attempt to bring a full Android experience to even cheaper smartphones, but there is, or was, an even lower-end version of Android in the works for feature phones. Now, a prototype Nokia feature phone running Android has leaked in a hands-on video.
[Update: Still Planned] Google is working on adding an Android Go image to the Android Studio Emulator
Android Go is Google's stripped down version of Android that's available on lower-end phones. Developers at the moment can't test their applications in the Android Studio emulator, but that's set to change.
Android Go is Google's stripped down version of Android based on Android 8.1 Oreo, and is designed to run on lower-end hardware with reduced RAM and storage requirements. It was announced last year and recently we saw it reach its first devices. For developers, it holds an exciting prospect. While some devices will be launching with Android Go onboard, there's nothing stopping a custom ROM developer creating their own build of Android Go and running it on any device. This is great, but Google has deemed it necessary to create Android Go specific applications due to the storage and RAM constraints - at least, in the case of YouTube Go and Google Maps Go to name a few. When creating apps, developers can use the Android Studio Emulator to test their applications but this isn't the case when it comes to Android Go. You can't test your apps on an Android Go based emulator as Google hasn't added the image.
LineageOS Changelog 23: Night Display controls Night Mode, Expandable Volume and Quick Settings, Call Recording, and more
LineageOS has published its latest blog post for Changelog 23, detailing the many new features and changes in the Android 8.1 Oreo/Android 9 Pie custom ROM.
LineageOS was born from the ashes of CyanogenMod back in late 2016/early 2017, and since its beginning, the custom Android distribution has grown to support dozens of devices with millions of users. Back in late February of 2019, the team announced LineageOS 16 based on Android 9 Pie for 24 devices. Over the last few months, LineageOS 16 has added support for more devices like the OnePlus 6 and Essential Phone, but the custom ROM has also added a ton of new features along the way. To keep us updated on all the major changes made since the initial release of LineageOS 16, the team behind LineageOS has published a new blog post outlining their progress since March.
[Update: Finally Back Up] Google hasn't published updated Android distribution statistics for the last 6 months
The Android distribution charts tells us what percentage of Android devices are running each Android OS, but Google hasn't updated it in months.
Software fragmentation is the Achilles' heel of Android. Every year, Google releases a new version of the operating system and in a few months, the new version gets adopted by only a small percentage of devices. That is mainly because of the high cost of development for manufacturers and the lack of care from many users. However, outdated software can be insecure, so Google is trying its best to fix the situation by introducing initiatives like Project Treble and APEX. Yet it doesn't look like the overall update situation has much improved, although sadly our usual way of telling that is no longer possible. Traditionally, seeing the Android distribution of versions was as easy as checking this website, but things changed 6 months ago.
Google may be working on a "touchless" Android OS for feature phones
Google may try its luck in the feature phone segment by introducing a "touchless" version of Android that can be used without a touchscreen.
Even though Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world, running on smartphones, tablets, and many other kinds of devices, there is one market that it has never penetrated: feature phones. These kinds of devices are very popular in developing countries as they offer a minimal set of features capable of communication. These features often are calling, messaging, 3G, and sometimes WiFi, too. Apparently, Google is going to try its luck in that segment by introducing a "touchless" version of Android.
This Android app lets you long press the volume buttons to skip songs while the screen is off - WITHOUT Root!
Most custom ROMs have an option to long press the volume keys when the screen is off to control music. This Android app does it on any Android 8.0+ device!
If you've ever installed a custom ROM before, then there's a good chance you've seen a feature that lets you remap a long press of the volume button to control media playback. With this option enabled, you can long press the volume up button to skip to the next track or long press the volume down button to return to the previous track. The ability to skip songs with volume button presses is so ubiquitous among custom ROMs that we're surprised to see it hasn't made its way into software from major OEMs.
Nokia 2 users can now upgrade to Android Oreo if they choose
The Nokia 2 is one of the more affordable options and now owners are able to update to Android Oreo (but only if they want to).
HMD Global is made up of a number of ex-Nokia employees who decided to form a new company once Microsoft ended up floundering in the smartphone market. They started to license the Nokia name so they could release smartphones under the well-known brand. Since then, they have released a range of devices that cover the majority of the Android market from affordable low-end smartphones to more expensive high-end devices. The Nokia 2 is one of the more affordable options and now owners are able to update to Android 8.1 Oreo, but only if they want to.
Android 8.1 Oreo rolls out for some Moto G4 users in Brazil
The Moto G4 is receiving a bonus update in the form of Android 8.1 Oreo, as Motorola keeps its promise for updating the Moto G4 Plus variant. Read on!
The Oreo update saga for the Motorola Moto G4 Plus makes for an interesting tale about how an OEM tried to wiggle out of a promise, only to get caught doing so, then promise to deliver as originally promised, but end up delaying the update so badly that it barely makes a difference to the end users. The soak tests for Android 8.1 Oreo for the Moto G4 Plus and Moto G4 leaked in November 2018, but the update for the Moto G4 Plus finally came in after another two months. And now, 18 months after the release of Android Oreo, the Moto G4 is also receiving its update.
LineageOS 16 based on Android Pie is here for the Xiaomi POCO F1, OnePlus 5/5T, Honor View 10, and more
LineageOS 16 based on Android Pie is now available for several smartphones from Google, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Sony, Motorola, Huawei, and more.
The custom ROM ecosystem is rather large and diverse, but if there’s one custom ROM that we could consider to be “the biggest” of them all, then that would be LineageOS. With almost 1.8 million active installs at the end of 2018, the project's install base is definitely noteworthy but said success mainly harkens back to their legacy. LineageOS is the successor of the CyanogenMod project, which ended in late 2016 following the shifting focus of Cyanogen Inc.
Motorola Moto G4 Plus is finally getting its Android Oreo update, starting in the US
Motorola is finally rolling out the Android 8.1 Oreo update for the Moto G4 Plus, starting with the US region. Read on to know more!
Motorola's latest Moto G7 lineup is being received as budget offerings for regions which do not see support from Chinese OEMs like Xiaomi. While the Moto G7 may not be the absolute best value purchase, it often is the only available and viable option present in certain markets. Even then, consumers considering the Moto G7 series should be aware of what happened with the Moto G4 Plus, which is finally receiving its Android Oreo update now.
HMD Global will update the Nokia 2 to Android Oreo, but not with Android Go
HMD Global will update the Nokia 2 to Android Oreo, but it won't have Android Go support. The update will also be optional.
HMD Global has, by and large, knocked it out of the park when it comes to updating their devices. Their updates are generally pretty quick, even if they aren't without their issues. The Nokia 2 is next in line from the company to get updated to Android Oreo, but there is a caveat. Despite having only 1GB of RAM, the Nokia 2 will not have Android Go support. Android Go features a number of under-the-hood changes that make it possible for smartphones with a low amount of RAM to run newer Android versions.
Android-x86's stable Android 8.1 Oreo image is now available
Since that first Android 8.1 Oreo release in June, the Android-x86 team has released a second RC build and now they are ready for the stable launch.
Back in June, we wrote about the Android-x86 project releasing the first version of Android 8.1 Oreo for PCs. For those that don't know, Android-x86 is a project that aims to get Android working on Intel and AMD x86 PCs. Since that first Android Oreo release in June, they released a second RC build and now they are ready for the stable launch.
Download MIUI 10 Global Stable (Android Oreo) for the Xiaomi Mi 5s
A new MIUI 10 Global stable update is rolling out to the Xiaomi Mi 5s, this time, based on Android Oreo. Check it out and download it now!
Xiaomi's 2016 flagship devices may seem old when placed next to the more-modern Xiaomi flagships like the Mi Mix 3, but they're still perfectly usable devices thanks to having a decent amount of RAM, storage, and battery capacity. The Xiaomi Mi 5s with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 mobile platform, up to 4 GB of RAM with 128 GB of storage, a 3200 mAh battery, and a 12MP camera launched with Android 6.0 Marshmallow in late 2016, and the only thing outdated about the device at its launch was the software version. Fortunately, the Mi 5s quickly received an update to Android 7.0 Nougat with the MIUI 9 rollout. Over a month ago, the device received an update to MIUI 10 with all the cosmetic and functional changes in tow, but it was still based on the Android 7.0 Nougat release. Now, the device is receiving another MIUI 10 Global Stable update: this time, based on Android Oreo (8.0).
Download MIUI 10 Global Stable (Android 8.1 Oreo) for the Xiaomi Redmi 5A
The popular budget Xiaomi Redmi 5A is now getting the stable Android 8.1 Oreo update with the latest MIUI 10 Global Stable ROM, which you can download now.
While most technology websites covering the Android ecosystem focus mainly on mid-range and flagship devices (us included), there are millions of users who don't care about those devices because they stick to cheaper budget phones. The Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one such device that flies under the radar in the tech world, even though it's one of the best-selling Android smartphones in the world. We noted in our review of the Redmi 5A that the device launched with MIUI 9 on top of Android 7.1 Nougat, but we weren't certain if the device would receive an official Android Oreo update. Last month, Xiaomi rolled out MIUI 10 Global Stable for the Redmi 5A, but again the software was based on Android 7.1 Nougat. Now, however, the company is releasing an updated version of MIUI 10 Global based on Android 8.1 Oreo.
OPPO R17 and R17 Pro launch in India for Rs. 34990 and Rs. 45990
The OPPO R17 and R17 Pro were originally available in China, but now OPPO has announced they will be available in India as well.
Back in August, the OPPO R17 and OPPO R17 Pro were officially announced. The devices were originally available in China, but now OPPO will make them available in India as well. The OPPO R17 devices were among the first with "waterdrop" notches and in-display fingerprint scanners. Many have pointed to the R17 as being the base model for the OnePlus 6T, as OnePlus is a subsidiary of OPPO.
Android 8.1 Oreo soak test leaks for the Moto G4/Moto G4+
Android 8.1 Oreo firmware for Moto G4 and Moto G4+ has just appeared on our forums. Motorola required testers about 2 months ago and now the system is out.
The G series of smartphones has been one of the most successful product lineups for Motorola. Unfortunately for users, G series devices are unlikely to receive many major system updates. The Moto G4 and Moto G4+ were released back in May of 2016 with Android Marshmallow on board but later received an update to Android Nougat. Despite promising an update to Android Oreo in their official marketing material, Motorola's initial Android Oreo update timeline notably excluded the Moto G4. The company backtracked on this decision after backlash from outraged users, and now we're finally getting closer to seeing an official Oreo update for both devices.
How an Anime Game's Root Detection led to the discovery of a Security Vulnerability in phones from LG, OnePlus, Huawei, Xiaomi, and others
Smartphones from several manufacturers like LG, OnePlus, Huawei, Xiaomi have been found to leak the process information of apps. Here's what that means.
The mobile Android operating system is used on over 2 billion devices each month by both regular consumers and tech enthusiasts. Although the number of people who unlock the bootloader and root their smartphones is relatively small when compared to the overall population of Android users, there's still a lot of us out there on forums like XDA and Reddit. Magisk is an indispensable tool for the tinkering community. It provides systemless root access and has tools like MagiskHide to enable rooted users to continue using the apps, games, and services they enjoy without restrictions. However, a popular Anime game has been cleverly abusing a system security vulnerability to bypass Magisk's anti-root detection. Here's how that works and which devices are affected by this security vulnerability.
Samsung Galaxy J4 Core has a 6-inch display and Android Go
The Galaxy J series has evolved into a mid-range product line and they just announced an Android Go version of the device called the Samsung Galaxy J4 Core.
Samsung's Galaxy J series was first brought to the market back in 2013 and initially began as a higher-end style device with the original Galaxy J having a 1080p display and 3GB of RAM. This idea quickly changed as the Galaxy J1 dropped all the way to 512MB of RAM but was released the year after its predecessor. The series has evolved into a mid-range product line for the South Korean conglomerate and the company has just announced an Android Go version of the device called the Samsung Galaxy J4 Core.
Nokia 7.1 Review - Android One at its best
The Nokia 7.1 is a new mid-range Android smartphone released by HMD Global. It's part of the Android One program, but is it worth your money?
Since Nokia's reboot after the company licensed its mobile branding out to HMD Global, we've seen a number of great smartphones hit the market. From the likes of the flagship Nokia 8 Sirocco, to a rather unique re-imagination of the Nokia 3310, the company is slowly becoming a household name again. HMD Global has been hard at work capturing the attention of all kinds of consumers, enthusiasts, and "regular" users alike. The Nokia 7.1 is a part of the Android One program and sits right in the middle of the pack.
[Update: Confirmed] Lenovo Tab 4 10 Plus reportedly won't be getting Android Oreo
Lenovo launched the Tab 4 10 Plus back in February of last year at MWC and a new report claims it will not receive an update to Android Oreo.
There are a lot of people buying smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches that don't care about updates at all. In fact, a lot of them are afraid of them due to one bad experience they had when they lost some of their data as it wasn't backed up. However, Android updates are important (especially security updates) and many who spend hundreds of dollars on a device expect it to get at least one major version update. Lenovo launched the Tab 4 10 Plus back in February of last year at MWC and a new report claims it will not receive an update to Android Oreo.