TechDroider: android

MWC 2018: New Android One Smartphones Incoming!

MWC 2018: New Android One Smartphones Incoming!
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

Official LineageOS 15.1 Builds Public Release Imminent! Latest Update
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

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

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]

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

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

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

Android 9.0 to feature Native Call Recording
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!

Android P 9.0 is Coming Soon!
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

Google Posts New Android 8.1 Images for Pixel and Nexus Devices
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

Download: BlueStacks with Android 7.0 Nougat Beta for PC

Download: BlueStacks with Android 7.0 Nougat Beta for PC
BlueStacks, one of the best Android emulator for Windows and Mac is now getting Android 7.0 Nougat Beta. This means you'll be able to use all the Android Nougat features and applications on BlueStacks emulator.

The biggest advantage of using an Android emulator is to access and use all the applications that aren't compaitable with desktop platforms. For example, you can use Instagram, Clash of Clans, Critical Ops, and other Android-Exclusive games on PC or Mac with ease.

You can now download the latest beta version of BlueStacks which runs on Android 7.0 Nougat from the below link. Here are the minimum system requirements:

OS: Windows
Processor: Intel/AMD Processor with virtualization extensions (VT/SVM) enabled in the BIOS.
RAM: 4GB RAM
HDD: 4GB Disk Space
You must be an Administrator on your PC
Up to date graphics drivers from Microsoft or the chipset vendorBlueStacks N Beta will work on systems that fulfill the minimum systems requirements. However, for a superior gameplay experience, Recommended System Requirements are mentioned below
Recommeded system requirements:

OS: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i5-680 (passmark 3500) or higher processor with virtualization extensions enabled in the BIOS
Graphics: Intel HD 5200 (passmark 750) or higher
Memory: 6GB or higher
HDD: SSD (or fusion)
Internet: Broadband connection to access games, accounts and related content


AOSP Commit reveals next version of Android as "Android Pi"

AOSP Commit reveals next version of Android as "Android Pi"
The latest commits in AOSP (Android Open Source Project) reveals that the next Android version will be called as "Android Pi", which Mishaal Rahman‏ (Editor at XDA) assumes is shorthand used for Android Pie.

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."


Google I/O, which is Google’s yearly developer conference, we get to find out just what Google has been working on and what their plans are for the near and distant future.

Source: Mishaal Rahman‏

iPhone X EMUI Theme now available for Huawei Honor Phones [Download Here]

You can now transform your Huawei Honor or Mate Smartphone running EMUI 5 and above to iPhone X with the help of the iOS X theme. Huawei smartphones like the Honor 7X, Mate 10, or P10 already runs or can be upgraded to EMUI 5 for this theme to work.

Screenshots:



Download: Play Link

Official LineageOS 15.1 based on Android 8.1 Oreo is in the works!!!

LineageOS 15.1 based on Android 8.1 Oreo is in the works!!!
Just a few days ago, Google released the official Android 8.1 Oreo update to the Pixel and Nexus Devices. Android 8.1 features a lot of changes over the Android 8.0.

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. Linage is skipping Android 8.0 Oreo LineageOS 15.0 in favor of the Android 8.1 Oreo LineageOS 15.1.


Up to now, news on Oreo-based LineageOS 15.0 has been almost non-existent, but we’re in a position now where we can document some of our progress here.

As many of you have seen (and we’re sure some of you are running them right now), a number of unofficial LineageOS 15.0 builds exist, some of which are built by our very own maintainers. These are in no way representative of a final product, but definitely let you all experience some of the features Android 8.0 has to offer.

Once that the basic framework has been put in place and devices are successfully booting LineageOS 15.0, some features are being brought forward, most of which are dependent on what was previously known as the CMSDK. A large focus while doing this has been to evaluate the need to carry-forward or otherwise clean up the leftovers from our inception last year.

However now that Android 8.1 has been released, we’re anticipating moving straight to the 15.1 branch where we’ll merge all our work done for 15.0 and finish the porting effort.

Like always, we won’t be giving any indication as to when we might be close to a releasable product, but keep waiting patiently, and as we reach big milestones, we’ll be giving you some more status updates.
Source: Lineage

Android 8.1 Oreo Officially rolling out starting today!!!

Android 8.1 Oreo Officially rolling out starting today!!!
Android 8.1 Oreo is rolling out today (Tuesday) with December Security Patch. The update will be available through OTA for eligible Pixel and Nexus Smartphones.

Android 8.1 eligible devices includes Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel C, Nexus 5X, and Nexus 6P.


If you are enrolled to Android 8.1 Oreo Beta you'll automatically get a stable release within a few weeks.

Android 8.1 Change-log: 

Neural networks API

The Neural Networks API (NNAPI) provides apps with hardware acceleration for on-device machine learning operations. The API supports on- device model creation, compilation, and execution. Apps typically do not use NNAPI directly; instead, NNAPI is meant to be called by machine learning libraries, frameworks, and tools that let developers train their models and deploy them on Android devices.

Notifications

Apps can now only make a notification alert sound once per second. Alert sounds that exceed this rate aren't queued and are lost. This change doesn't affect other aspects of notification behavior and notification messages still post as expected.

Improved targeting for low-RAM devices


Android 8.1 (API level 27) adds two new hardware-feature constants, FEATURE_RAM_LOW and FEATURE_RAM_NORMAL, to Package Manager. These constants allow you target the distribution of your apps and APK splits to normal- or low-RAM devices. 

These constants enable the Play store to promote a better user experience by highlighting apps especially well-suited to the capabilities of a given device.

Autofill framework updates

Android 8.1 Developer Preview (API level 27) provides several improvements to the Autofill Framework that you can incorporate into your apps.

Programmatic Safe Browsing actions
  • You can control whether your app reports known threats to Safe Browsing. 
  • You can have your app automatically perform a particular action—such as going back to safety—each time it encounters a URL that Safe Browsing classifies as a known threat.
WallpaperColors API

Android 8.1 Developer Preview (API level 27) adds support for managing wallpaper colors. This feature lets you create a WallpaperColors object from a bitmap, a drawable, or by using the first three most visually representative colors. You can also retrieve details of the first three noticeable colors of a wallpaper.

Shared memory API

Android 8.1 (API level 27) introduces a new SharedMemory class. This class allows you to create, map, and manage anonymous shared memory that can be used by multiple processes or apps.


Android 8.1 Developer Preview 2 is Live for Nexus and Pixel Devices

Android 8.1 Developer Preview 2 is Live for Nexus and Pixel Devices
Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview 2 is now available for the eligible Nexus and Pixel devices. It it is the Last Android 8.1 Beta and arrives in as build OPP6.171019.012. The new version is readily available for the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel C, Nexus 5X, and Nexus 6P.

The system images are available to download for the above mentioned devices, but that requires an unlocked bootloader. There's also an other option, you can enroll your device in automatic OTA system updates through the Android Beta Program. Once enrolled, your device will receive regular over-the-air (OTA) updates of all milestone builds in the Android 8.1 Developer Preview. When the next version of Android is released, your device will automatically update to the final version. 


You can also un-enroll your device at any time. The device will receive an OTA update to the most recent production version of Android available for that device (for example, Android 8.0 Oreo). The update requires a full device reset, so user data on the device will be removed.

If you are already running Android 8.1 Developer preview 1, you can easily update to DP2 via an OTA Update which weighs in at around 169MB.

Google is calling this near-final system images and says that it should be used for final testing. We may get stable Android 8.1 Oreo by the end of December.



Complete list of Motorola devices getting Android Security Patches [US Only]

Complete list of Motorola devices getting Android Security Patches [US Only]
Motorola has updated its Software Support page with the list of devices getting upcoming Security patches. However, you'll need to select a particular product and it's carrier in order to see whether your device is eligible or not.

We've compiled the list of eligible Motorola devices [US Only] getting Android Security Updates:-
  • Moto E Series
    • Moto E4
    • Moto E4 Plus
  • Moto G Series
    • Moto G4
    • Moto G4 Plus
    • Moto G4 Play
    • Moto G5
    • Moto G5 Plus
    • Moto G5s Plus
  •  Moto X Series
    • Moto X Pure
    • Moto X4
  • Moto Z Series
    • Moto Z Play
    • Moto Z
    • Moto Z2 Play
    • Moto Z2 Force

November Security Update for Pixel and Nexus brings along Bluetooth Fix

November Security Update for Pixel brings along Bluetooth Fix
November Android Security update is now live for the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel and Pixel XL.

Along with the November Security Patches, Google has also fixed the Bluetooth issue on Pixel and Nexus devices. Here's the Changelog:
  • A-37943083 Bluetooth Improvements for Bluetooth devices only supporting AVRCP version 1.3.
  • A-63790458 Bluetooth Improved headset connection pairing.
  • A-64142363 Bluetooth Improved song info display on some Bluetooth carkits.
  • A-64991621 Bluetooth Improved metadata in some carkits.
  • A-65223508 Bluetooth Improved Bluetooth connections to some carkits.
Via: Reddit

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

August's Factory Images and OTA files are now Available for Nexus and Pixel Devices
Every month, Google posts a new security update for the Nexus and Pixel line of devices. The Android security update for November 2017 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 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel and Pixel XL.


For now, we have November Security Firmware files based on Android 8.0.0 Oreo for Pixel 2 (OPD1.170816.018, OPD2.170816.015, OPD3.170816.016), Pixel and Pixel XL (OPR1.170623.032, OPR3.170623.013), Pixel C (OPR1.170623.032), Nexus 6P (OPR5.170623.011), Nexus 5X (OPR6.170623.023), and Nexus Player (OPR2.170623.027).
Note that for the Google Pixel, OPR1.170623.032 is for Project Fi and Canad, while OPR3.170623.013 is for everyone else. For Google Pixel 2 OPD2.170816.015 is for DTAG, OPD3.170816.016 for Verizon, and OPD1.170816.018 is for everyone else.

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

Links: Factory Image | OTA File

Speed Test: Android 8.1 Oroe VS Android 8.0 Oreo

The recently announced Android 8.1 comes with lots of new features and UI enhancement. The Android 8.1 still is a developer preview but let's see how it fares against the Android 8.0 in a Speed Test.


Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview is now Official and is readily available for the Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. The latest Android version comes with tons of new features, fixes and improvements. Google also shared the Android 8.1 Oreo change-log, which some of you will find rather interesting. 


Speed Test: Android 8.1 Oroe VS Android 8.0 Oreo