Android P Beta available for non-Pixel devices including Nokia 7 Plus, OnePlus 6, Essential Phone

 by Vaibhav Jain on May 10, 2018       

Google just released new Android P Build (Developer Preview 2) with exciting new features, and also announced a huge expansion of the Android Beta program. The company is now allowing non-Google devices to be a part of the beta program.

You'll be able to install the latest Android P DP2 on OnePlus, Xiaomi, Nokia, Essential, Sony, Vivo, and Oppo Smartphones. Specifically, the phones are:

• Sony Xperia XZ2
• Vivo X21UD
• Vivo X21
• Essential Phone
• Nokia 7 Plus
• Oppo R15 Pro
• Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S
• OnePlus 6

In case you want to Install it on above mentioned devices, you can do it via downloading files and flashing them manually via adb. You can follow the link below and grab the instructions from OEMs to get Android P.

Note that the OnePlus 6 will get the Android P beta firmware on May 16, the same day the phone is launched.

• OnePlus 6
• Essential Phone
• Nokia 7 Plus
• Sony Xperia XZ2
• Vivo X21UD
• Vivo X21
• OPPO R15 Pro
• Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S

LineageOS 15.1 Updated with Android P’s Lockdown Feature

 by Vaibhav Jain on March 17, 2018       

Recently Google unveiled the next iteration of Android OS i.e. Android P (Developer Preview 1) with exciting new features, brand new Settings, Quick Setting Tiles, Notification Panel, and Launcher Design.

Google has also added few security enhancements including a feature with ability to lock your phone down and prevent it from being unlocked with your fingerprint/smart lock/biometrics. Well, the good news is you can still get that Lockdown feature without having the Pixel or Pixel XL.

Lineage Community has added a similar feature to the latest LinageOS 15.1 build which is based on Android 8.1 Oreo. It is now available for LineageOS users with the most recent weeklies update.

As of now, the Official LineageOS 15.1 is only available for a few Smartphones.

Official LineageOS 15.1 Update List: Which Phones Will Get the ROM?

The Lockdown feature prevent your Smartphone from being unlocked with your fingerprint/smart lock/biometrics and you can only unlock it using the password, PIN or pattern.

Via

Android 9.0 P is Neat: Screenshots + New Features

 by Vaibhav Jain on March 08, 2018       

Just yesterday, Google announced the first developer preview of the Android 9.0 P with exciting new features and a few user interface changes. The Android P Developer Preview 1 is only available for Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL and can be flashed via Firmware Images or OTA files.

We tried Android P DP1 on the Pixel XL and below are some videos and screenshots showing off the new UI and Changes in the Android P.

Android P Overview

Android P Animations in Slow Motion

Android P Screenshots

Android P New Features [Developers]

Android P introduces great new features and capabilities for users and developers. This document highlights what's new for developers.

Indoor Positioning with Wi-Fi RT - Android P adds platform support for the IEEE 802.11mc Wi-Fi protocol—also known as Wi-Fi Round-Trip-Time (RTT)—to let you take advantage of indoor positioning in your apps.

Display cutout support - Android P offers support for the latest edge-to-edge screens with display cutout for camera and speaker. The new DisplayCutout class lets you find out the location and shape of the non-functional areas where content shouldn't be displayed. To determine the existence and placement of these cutout areas, use the getDisplayCutout() method.

Notifications

Android P introduces several enhancements to notifications, all of which are available to developers targeting Android P and above.

• Support for images: Android P now displays images in Messaging Notifications on phones.
• Save replies as drafts: Your app can retrieve the EXTRA_REMOTE_INPUT_DRAFT sent by the system when a user inadvertently closes a messaging notification.
• Identify if a conversation is a group conversation: You can use setGroupConversation() to purposefully identify a conversation as a group or non-group conversation.
• SmartReply: Android P supports the same suggested replies available in your messaging app.

Multi-camera support and camera updates - You can now access streams simultaneously from two or more physical cameras on devices running Android P. On devices with either dual-front or dual-back cameras, you can create innovative features not possible with just a single camera, such as seamless zoom, bokeh, and stereo vision. The API also lets you call a logical or fused camera stream that automatically switches between two or more cameras.

Animation - Android P introduces a new AnimatedImageDrawable class for drawing and displaying GIF and WebP animated images.

Security enhancements - Android P introduces a number of new security features, including a unified fingerprint authentication dialog and high-assurance user confirmation of sensitive transactions.

You can check for more changes on Android Developer Website

[Download] Android P First Developer Preview

 by Vaibhav Jain on March 07, 2018       

Android 9.0 P first Developer Preview is now available to the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL.

Note that there won't be any OTA beta to join, so you'll need to flash the Developer Preview Images or OTA files manually. Download Android P Factory Images and OTA files from below.

Images | OTA

March 2018 Factory Images and OTA Files are now Available for Nexus and Pixel Devices

 by Vaibhav Jain on March 05, 2018       

Every month, Google posts a new security update for the Nexus and Pixel line of devices. The Android security update for March 2018 are already live for a number of devices.

Google has posted both the OTA’s and the factory images for the selected Nexus or Pixel devices. The supported devices includes Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P,  Pixel C, Pixel, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL and Pixel XL.

For now, we have March 2018 Security Firmware files based on Android 8.1.0 Oreo for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (OPM1.171019.021), Pixel and Pixel XL (OPM1.171019.021), Nexus 6P (OPM3.171019.016, OPM5.171019.017), and Nexus 5X (OPM3.171019.016, OPM5.171019.017).

March 2018 Security update for the Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL also brings Performance, Audio improvements, and other fixes.

You can grab Factory Image or OTA file at the links below.

Links: Factory Image | OTA File

Forget Android P: First Android Q Feature Leak

 by Vaibhav Jain on March 03, 2018       

The Android 9.0 P hasn't even been unveiled yet, and we already have our first feature details for Android Q.

According to the latest AOSP commits, Google is planning to include Assited Dialing feature to Android Q.

Assisted Dialing automatically corrects any phone number you dial out by adding the appropriate country code, helpful for people traveling internationally. Mishaal Rahman, Editor-in-chief at XDA says that this feature is already available for a few smartphones, but it's not a native feature of Android.

Assisted Dialing feature was originally planned for Android P, but due to some reasons, Google is  targeting Android Q for the release of this feature.

That being said, Google is expected to reveal the the first Developer Preview of Android P for Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL this month. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter page to get the first News.
XDA

Android 9.0 P Release Date Could Be As Early As Mid March

 by Vaibhav Jain on March 03, 2018       

Waiting for an launch date for the Google Android P DP1? It could come as early as mid of this month, says reputed tipster Evan Blass.

According to earlier rumors, Android P would feature Material Design 2.0 with revamped icons, animations, and colors.

Android P is also going to make it easier for device makers to create and apply their own version of Android skin on their devices with iPhone X-like notch. Apparently, Android P will add support for more unique display types including multiple screens, foldable displays, and displays with notch.

Google is also planning to integrate the Google Assistant even tighter in Android P. With Android 9.0 Pie, third-party developers will be able to integrate the Assistant into their own apps.

Finally, Internally Google is calling Android P as Pistachio Ice Cream which is also called Pistachio Nut Ice Cream. However, Google has a knack of using different official names.

Google is expected to reveal the the first Developer Preview of Android P for Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL this month. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter page to get the first News.

Evleaks

Official LineageOS 15.1 Update List: Which Phones Will Get the ROM?

 by Vaibhav Jain on February 25, 2018       

LineageOS 15.1 is now Official with tons of new features and improvements. LineageOS 15.1 nightlies will start this Monday (February 26). Below are the list of devices that will be updated to LineageOS 15.1 as of now.

• Google Nexus 6P - angler
• Google Nexus 5X - bullhead
• LeEco Le Pro3 / Le Pro3 Elite
• OnePlus 3 / 3T - oneplus3
• OnePlus 5 - cheeseburger
• OnePlus 5T - dumpling
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 Wi-Fi (2016)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 Wi-Fi (2016)
• Xiaomi Mi 5 - gemini
• Xiaomi Mi 5S - capricorn
• Xiaomi Mi 5S Plus - natrium

Also Read: LineageOS 15.1 Android Oreo (8.1) Announced! Here's What's New!

While this is already an exciting list of devices that already got Lineage OS nightlies, the developers are planning to bring it to more smartphones. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter page to get the first News.

LineageOS 15.1 Android Oreo (8.1) Announced! Here's What's New!

 by Vaibhav Jain on February 25, 2018       

Lineage finally today announced the official LineageOS 15.1 based on Android 8.1 Oreo with tons of new features and improvements.

Android 8.1 Oreo LineageOS 15.1 comes with numerous enhancements over LineageOS 14 Android Nougat, such as faster booting, new Settings and Quick-Settings UI, Picture in Picture (PIP), Adaptive icons, Autofill, Notification timeout. Lineage has also added several new features to the latest LineageOS 15.1.

You can now set custom colors, and change between dark and light User Interface. "Automagic" feature change themes automatically based on your current wallpaper, just like the Android 8.1 on Pixel Smartphones.

Finally, there's new 'Trebuchet' launcher. It now supports icon packs and adaptive icons. You can also change the shapes of icons. Lineage has also added a QR code scanner to its Camera, which helps you to download or open any application. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter page to get the first News.

Read: List of devices getting Official LineageOS 15.1

Dark Mode confirmed for Android 9.0 P

 by Vaibhav Jain on February 23, 2018       

The last time we updated you on the status of the Google's upcoming Android P, we told you that it will get a refreshed design, support for iPhone X-Like notches and unique display type. Additionally, the first developer preview is near finalized and might hit on March 14 (Pie Day).

Now, According to the latest information, Google is finally adding Dark Mode/ Night Mode to Android 9.0 P.  

Watch: Android 9.0 P Security and Privacy Features & New Google Dialer!

When a user asked to embed Dark Mode on OLED Screens with Android 9.0, Google's Android Open Source Project (AOSP) moderators said today "our engineering team has added this feature. It will be available in a future Android release." Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter page to get the first News.

Android User:

Reported Issue
Dear Sir/Madam,

Dark Mode / Black displays on OLED Screens vastly improves Battery Life on Android Phones. Please kindly add a Dark Mode or Night Theme in Android 9.0 that we can set under "Settings" in Android 9.0. Currently, only by installing 3rd party apps can we enable this Dark Mode.

Thank You!!!

Google Team: Our engineering team has added this feature. It will be available in a future Android release. //Google

MWC 2018: New Android One Smartphones Incoming!

 by Vaibhav Jain on February 22, 2018       

In a blog post, Google celebrated the 10 years of the first Android device and talked about Android Oreo (Go Edition) and Android One Smartphones. Google said that Android now powers more than 2 billion active devices from 1,300 brands across 24,000 unique products.

Google also revealed that we're going to see new Android One and Android Oreo (Go) powered Smartphones from popular brands at MWC which is happening 26 Feb 2018 – 1 Mar 2018.

Monday kicks off Mobile World Congress in Barcelona—the mobile industry’s largest trade show. Our partners will be announcing amazing new Android devices, you'll be able to see the growing industry momentum around RCS, and we'll be showcasing the latest from Google including Google Assistant and Lens.

We’re excited about the progress we’ve made with Android One in recent months, and at MWC you’ll see news from our partners about some great new Android One devices.

As per earlier leaks, Nokia is expected to announce the Nokia 7 Plus with Android One and Nokia 1 with Android Go. Indian Telecom giant Reliance Jio is also expected to reveal a new Android Go powered Smartphone in partnership with Mediatek.

Official LineageOS 15.1 Release Imminent! Latest Update

 by Vaibhav Jain on February 18, 2018       

The last time we updated you on the status of LineageOS, we told you that Lineage is skipping LineageOS 15 (Android 8.0 Oreo) in favor of the latest Android 8.1 Oreo LineageOS 15.1.

With Android 8.1 you get a brand new Pixel 2 launcher, Power-Reboot menu, Dim Navbar keys, and my favorite one is Black and White theme depending on the Wallpaper used.

Those of you waiting for the Oreo based Official LineageOS ROM, here's an update for you guys. Lineage is all set to announce the Official builds of LineageOS 15.1 for tons of Smartphones. According to the latest commit, Lineage is done building the LineageOS 15.1. However, the commit is yet to be merged, so it could arrive anytime soon.

We'll notify you guys when there's any new information on LineageOS 15.1. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter page to get the first News.
Lineage

Android 9.0 P will get a Refreshed Design, Support for iPhone X-Like notches, and more

 by Vaibhav Jain on February 12, 2018       

Android P is going to make it easier for device makers to create and apply their own version of Android skin on their devices with iPhone X-like notch. Apparently, Android P will add support for more unique display types including multiple screens, foldable displays, and displays with notch.

The report also says that Google is going to integrate the Google Assistant even tighter in Android P. With Android 9.0 Pie, third-party developers will be able to integrate the Assistant into their own apps.

"Developers will be able to integrate Google’s voice-based technology inside of their apps. The company has also weighed integrating the search bar on the Android home screen with its assistant, although neither of these changes are finalized for introduction this year, according to one of the people familiar with the situation."

Bloomberg says that Android P will deliver a “dramatic redesign” to the Android OS. Rumors are that Google may implement "Material Design 2" with Android P.

Finally, Internally Google is calling Android P as Pistachio Ice Cream which is also called Pistachio Nut Ice Cream. However, Google has a knack of using different official names, the report says.

Just like every year, Google is expected to reveal the next version of Android OS, "Android P" followed by Multiple Developer Previews and a Full launch. This latest Android OS will reportedly come with new "smart features." Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter page to get the first News.

Winter Sports and Blocks AR Stickers Now Available for Download

 by Vaibhav Jain on February 09, 2018       

New Augmented Reality (AR) Stickers themed around winter sports and blocks are here for your Google Pixel and Pixel 2.

AR Stickers are exclusive to Pixel Smartphones. It lets you add virtual characters and playful emojis directly into your photos and videos to bring your favorite stories to life. With the winter sports themed Stickers, you can dress up videos and photos with freestyle skiers, twirling ice skaters, hockey players, and more.

The new Blocks AR Stickers lets you add microphone, balloon, flashy, energetic characters and other objects created with Blocks.

You'll need to Install both the Winter Sports and Blocks in order to get the new AR Stickers. Also there's a new update available for the AR Stickers App. Get them here:

Winter Sports
Blocks
AR Stickers

Latest Google Play Services fixes Android's 'Check for update' [Download Here]

 by Vaibhav Jain on February 07, 2018       

The latest Google Play Services with version 12.2.09 appears to activate the Check for update button on Pixel and Nexus Smartphones.

According to a reddit thread, after installing the latest Google Play Services 12.2.09, the Pixel and Nexus users were able to pull the latest February security patch from Settings>System>System update>Check for update.

You can download and install the latest Play Services from Google Play Store after joining the Beta (Scroll to the bottom of the App listing page, and join the beta).

Download Google Play Services v12.2.09 [Beta]

February 2018 Factory Images and OTA files are now Available for Nexus and Pixel Devices

 by Vaibhav Jain on February 05, 2018       

Every month, Google posts a new security update for the Nexus and Pixel line of devices. The Android security update for February 2018 are already live for a number of devices.

Google has posted both the OTA’s and the factory images for the selected Nexus or Pixel devices. The supported devices includes Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P,  Pixel C, Pixel, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL and Pixel XL.

For now, we have February 2018 Security Firmware files based on Android 8.1.0 Oreo for the Pixel 2(OPM1.171019.019) and Pixel 2 XL (OPM1.171019.018), Pixel (OPM1.171019.016) and Pixel XL (OPM1.171019.016), Pixel C (OPM1.171019.016), Nexus 6P (OPM3.171019.014, OPM5.171019.015), and Nexus 5X (OPM3.171019.014, OPM5.171019.015).

You can grab Factory Image or OTA file at the links below.

Links: Factory Image | OTA File

New AR Stickers Coming This Week

 by Vaibhav Jain on February 05, 2018       

In a blog post, Google announced that they're enabling the Pixel Visual Core, hidden image-processing chip inside the Pixel 2 family of phones for 3rd Party Apps including Instagram, WhatsApp and Snapchat for better image processing speed and efficiency.

Google also announced that they're adding new Augmented Reality (AR) Stickers themed around winter sports later this week.

AR Stickers are exclusive to Pixel Smartphones. It lets you add virtual characters and playful emojis directly into your photos and videos to bring your favorite stories to life. With upcoming winter sports themed Stickers, you can dress up videos and photos with freestyle skiers, twirling ice skaters, hockey players, and more.

Related: Get Star Wars AR Stickers On Any Android Smartphone!!!

Later this week, we’re adding new Augmented Reality (AR) Stickers themed around winter sports, so you can dress up videos and photos with freestyle skiers, twirling ice skaters, hockey players, and more. Like all AR stickers, these characters interact with both the camera and each other, creating a fun-filled way to enhance the moments you capture and share. - Google Blog

[Updated] Android 9.0 to feature Native Call Recording

 by Vaibhav Jain on February 04, 2018       

The last time we updated you on the status of the Google's upcoming Android P, we told you that it was in the works and the first developer preview is near finalized and might hit on March 14 (Pie Day).

According to the latest commits in AOSP (Android Open Source Project), Google is adding In-Built/Native Call Recording support to Android 9.0. While recording the call, the device will produce a tone after every 15 seconds and the sound will be heard by both the parties on the call, allowing the other party to confirm the call is being recorded.

However, operators will be able to choose whether to enable or disable the call recording functionality as it is illegal to record calls in few countries.

Just like every year, Google is expected to reveal the next version of Android OS, "Android P" followed by Multiple Developer Previews and a Full launch. This latest Android OS will reportedly come with new "smart features." Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter page to get the first News.

[Update]

As clearified by Mishaal Rahman‏ (XDA) on Reddit:

The commits do not show evidence of Android P implementing native call recording or an API for third-party call recording.

I have been following these commits since before they were merged, and the gist of why this is inaccurate is because the mention of recording apps is just so Telecom can warn that a call may be recorded. It does this by playing an outgoing 1400Hz tone every 15 seconds while a call is being recorded.

The specific carrier that asked for this is Vodafone in Germany, which you can verify by looking up the MCC/MNC combination mentioned in the file name of one of the comments.

Via

Android P 9.0 is Coming Soon!

 by Vaibhav Jain on January 31, 2018       

The last time we updated you on the status of the Google's upcoming Android P, we told you that it was in the works and will be called Android Pi which is shorthand used for Android Pie. We also told you that Google is expected to release it at Google I/O which is happening on May 8th.

According to the latest commits in AOSP (Android Open Source Project) Google is finalizing Android P DP1 for eligible devices.

Just like every year, Google is expected to reveal the next version of Android OS, "Android P" followed by Multiple Developer Previews and a Full launch. This latest Android OS will reportedly come with new "smart features."

Mishaal Rahman‏ (Editor-in-chief at XDA) says that the first Developer Preview of Android P might hit on 3/14/18.

Via: Mishaal Rahman‏ | Source: AOSP

Google Posts New Android 8.1 Images for Pixel and Nexus Devices

 by Vaibhav Jain on January 23, 2018       

Google has updated its software page with new files of January Android 8.1 for the Pixel and Nexus devices on Verizon, Softbank, and Telstra.

Pixel 2 owners on Verizon are getting a new Android 8.1 Software (r8) with build number OPM2.171019.016. For Softbank Nexus 6P owners, the Android 8.1 update arrives with build of OPM5.171019.014 (r9). And Nexus 5X users with Telstra/Softbank, you are getting a new Android 8.1 with build of OPM5.171019.014.

You can grab Factory Image or OTA file at the links below.

Links: Factory Image | OTA File

Via: Droid-Life