TechDroider

Here Are Google's Best Tips for Creative Flower Photography from Pixel Phones

Here Are Google's Best Tips for Creative Flower Photography from Pixel Phones
Spring is here! The time has finally come to get outside and enjoy some long awaited sunshine. As the flowers start to emerge from the soil, we all get ready to capture the spring flower and starts sharing photos of flowers on social media.

Flower photography is probably the most explored area of amateur photography, but the results for many people are never in touch with what they saw. So, Google has gathered a few tips to help
you to take and share the prettiest photos of different flowers with the help of your Pixel Smartphone.



Lighting is key. Check your exposure to ensure you're giving your plants and flowers the right amount of light to see the details. On Pixel, you can easily brighten or darken your shot to get the perfect amount of exposure. Tap the camera, the slide your finger up or down to adjust the exposure depending on the lighting conditions.

Consider your frame. Take note of the surrounding area (is it worthy of the ‘gram?). If it’s not, zoom in. If it is, capture a wider angle that shows the full view. On Pixel, you can use a compositional tool to help frame your shot. Look for the grid in the top right of the camera—your arrangement should be at the center of the grid. We recommend 3 x 3 as a ratio for flowers.

That Lens Blur, tho. This Pixel feature will make your photos look professional. Start by clicking on the menu bar at the top left; you’ll see the Lens Blur option second from the bottom. Click on it, take your photo and slowly raise your phone to capture the perfect lens blur. After you snap a photo you can also edit the placement and degree of lens blur. This is a great for up-close shots!

Grab a friend. Have him or her pose with your flowers to bring them to life and add depth to the photo.

Take as many as you want! With Pixel, you get unlimited high-quality storage with Google Photos for free, so you can try out as many shots as you need without worrying about filling up your phone with dud buds.


Find ‘em later. Just type “flowers” into the search bar in Google Photos for a bouquet of photos just waiting to be shared.

Source: Google Blog

Google Reportedly Investing Close to $1 Billion to Develop OLED Display Panels With LG

Google Reportedly Investing Close to $1 Billion to Develop OLED Display Panels With LG
According to new reports emerging online, Google is investing an amount that is close to $1 billion to develop OLED panels. And as expected, Google is in talks with the South Korean vendor, LG to produce the OLED display panels. 

Google is making this decision especially after looking at the availability of the Pixel phones. The Pixel and Pixel XL were the best phones of 2016, but getting a hand on one of them was difficult as the phones were already out of stock. 



The report also cites that Google struggled for the OLED panels to integrate them in the Pixels, but couldn't find a reliable source. Also, LG is one of the pioneers in the OLED panel display technology, not for integrating them on their phones, but for selling them to other phones. 

That said, Google is already looking for the next generation Pixel phones and if this rumor is believed to be true and if LG accepts the deal, we don't have to face any availability issues with the upcoming Pixel 2 flagship phone. 

Google Nexus 6 Spotted on Google Git Running Android O Preview


Google's Nexus 6 has been done and dusted. It's been three years since Motorola and Google launched the Nexus 6 and the search giant has already stopped providing software updates to the phone. 

However, it now appears like the phone will receive Android O update. According to the Google Git, Google is testing the phone with the latest Android O Preview, which means that the search giant still has plans to release the update to the phone. 



Google has a knack of testing upcoming Android versions in older phones to test the compatibility. If we're not wrong, the company is continuing the same with Nexus 6 as well. 

That said, Google recently released the Android 7.1.1 update for Nexus 6 owners, concluding it as the last OS update to the phone. Since then, Google did not release the Android 7.1.2 update as well to Nexus 6. 

OnePlus 5 Tipped to Come With 8GB RAM, Snapdragon 835 and Dual Rear Cameras

OnePlus 5 Tipped to Come With 8GB RAM, Snapdragon 835 and 22MP Dual Rear Cameras
According to a new leak, skipping the OnePlus 4 (Because Chinese belief that the number 4 is bad luck), the OnePlus 5 will be the next flagship phone from OnePlus, which will be released in the second half of the year.

The OnePlus 5, going by the leaks will come powered by the Snapdragon 835 chipset, coupled with 8GB of RAM, which is twice the amount found in today's flagship models. The OnePlus 5 will get a 1440 x 2560 resolution screen and rumored to feature the bezel-less display.



As per the leak, the OnePlus 5 will boast dual rear camera along with an impressive front-facing snapper for selfies and video calls. In addition, OnePlus is widely expected to make the phone water and dust resistant to compete with the rivals such as Galaxy S8 and LG G6. The device is rumored to be priced under $500.

All said and done, these are just tipped specifications, and none of them are officially confirmed by the company. We will update you in there's any info related to OnePlus 5. 

Source: PCPOP | Image Concept: Muhsin M.

Refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Will be Backed by a Smaller 3200mAh Battery Cell

Refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Will be Backed by a Smaller 3200mAh Battery Cell

There were some rumors online saying that Samsung will release the Galaxy Note 7 again to market with a smaller battery. Also, Samsung confirmed the same news a couple of weeks ago as they have to follow some regulatory rules of the Korean government and planning to release the phone sometime later this year. 

All these days, speculations were rife about the battery capacity of the phone, but now, a new leak coming from Vietnam confirms that the phone will come with a smaller 3200mAh battery. Moreover, the phone bear a different model of SM-935, and that might be the exclusive to Vietnam market. 



As per earlier reports, Samsung will release the phone between June and July in some growing markets such as Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, etc. Also, the phone will costs just five percent less than the original Galaxy Note 7. 

For the uninitiated, Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 7 back in August 2016, but the phone soon started exploding due to some manufacturing and battery defects, which ultimately led Samsung to abandon the phone. 

OnePlus' Silence Over Nougat Update for OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X is Making Users Furious

OnePlus' Silence Over Nougat Update for OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X is Making Users Furious
If there's ever a Chinese vendor who is providing timely updates to their phones right now, it is OnePlus. The company started 2017 by updating their popular OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T to Android Nougat, but the company is looking at only the latest phones and has left their two good phones, the OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X. 

OnePlus, back in January said that the OnePlus 2 will receive Android Nougat, but there's no update till date and users of these phones are going crazy regarding the update.



In OnePlus forums, users have created various thread raising their voice towards the update. The OnePlus 2 surely has the hardware inside it to run the latest OS. However, the OnePlus X's hardware is outdated, and the company earlier said that the OnePlus X can not handle graphics of Android Nougat. 

If you notice, the official Lineage OS builds for both the OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X are available. So, OnePlus should consider this and release the update at the earliest for both the phones. 

March Android security patch now rolling out to the Moto G4 Plus in Brazil

The Moto G4 Plus smartphones in Brazil are now receiving latest March, 2017 Android security patch. This software patch contains Google’s critical security updates for the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system.

Along with the March, 2017 Security patch, the update also contains Bug fixes and Stability improvements. The  update comes with build no. NPJS 25.93-14.4. It reportedly improves battery life of the Smartphone. The official OTA software for the Moto G4 Plus is up, and you can go flash it up.



Motorola has already updated the Moto G4 along with the Moto G4 Plus to Android 7.0 Nougat. While this update would have been more exciting if it had brought Nougat 7.1.1, which is already available for Google's Pixel and Nexus devices.

Got the latest March Security update on your Moto G4 Plus? Let us know in comments section below!



Screenshots:
March Android security patch now rolling out to the Moto G4 Plus in Brazil

Source: XDA | Via: Droidholic

LineageOS gets new update, adds new Gallery App and Quick Settings tiles

LineageOS gets new update, adds new Gallery App and Quick Settings tiles
LineageOS is the latest sensation among custom rom lovers and developers. We already know that the Lineage OS is a continuation of what CyanogenMod was, the LineageOS 14.1 is based on Android 7.1.1 Nougat and has same build number system as CyanogenMod's.

Lineage OS is still in formation phase and the community developers are working actively to add new features to this project.
Now, the community has added some interesting new features to the custom rom including a new gallery app, more reliable LineageOS updater, new floating button in the Recorder app, and new Quick Settings tiles.



The new gallery application adds easier navigation between timeline, albums and videos, it also enables fullscreen video playback. The new floating button in the Recorder app allows you to choose when to begin a screen recording. Pressing record will create a floating view, from which you can begin the recording.



In addition to, the LineageOS now supports 15 new devices: Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1, AT&T LG G3, Verizon LG G3, ZUK Z1, International Samsung Galaxy S4, Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4, International LG G5, T-Mobile LG V20, LeEco Le 2, YU Yuphoria, YU Yureka, Lenovo Vibe K5/K5 Plus, GSM LTE Samsung Galaxy Note II, SK Telecom Samsung Galaxy Note II, and Korea Samsung Galaxy Note II.



via: AndroidPolice | Source: Lineage

Samsung Galaxy S8+ 6GB of RAM Variant to Hit More Markets by the End of this Year

Samsung Galaxy S8+ 6GB of RAM Variant to Hit More Markets by the End of this Year
Samsung recently announced the premium variant of Galaxy S8+ with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage in South Korea. However, the company did not reveal whether this variant will make it to other markets or not, but a new rumor says that it will be sold in other markets as well. 

According to Yonhap News Agency, Samsung will bring the premium variant of the S8+ to other markets as well, but the South Korean giant will first look at the product sales of the base versions. Surely, the phone will sell like hot cakes in most of the countries, even after bearing steep price tags.


If the sales go on correctly, Samsung will bring the premium variant to markets such as the US, India, and other emerging markets. The 6GB of RAM Galaxy S8+ costs almost $1020 in South Korea, but the high price tag is due in large part of the Samsung DeX. 

However, the report further suggests that the premium variant will come only by the end of this year and by that time, most of the flagship phones from the likes of Apple and Google will be launched. So, Samsung should bring it to other countries at the earliest. Both the Galaxy S8 and S8+ will go on sale in the US from April 21. 

Several Google Pixel and Pixel XL Users are Not Experiencing Random Shutdowns After the Android 7.1.2 Update

Several Google Pixel and Pixel XL Users are Not Experiencing Random Shutdowns After the Android 7.1.2 Update

Just a few days ago, Google rolled out the stable build of Android 7.1.2 Nougat update for Google Pixel and Nexus users. The update has been rolling out gradually and fixed mostly bugs, rather than new features. And now, some owners of Google Pixel and Pixel XL claim that the update has fixed the annoying shutdown bug.

Some months ago, users of Pixel and Pixel XL complained that their phones are shutting down even with the 35 percent of juice left. Several users were annoyed with the issue, and Google remained silent over this saga. 



However, it now looks like the latest update has fixed the most annoying problem, but it is worth noticing that Google did not mention anything about this in the update changelog. 

In the same update, Google fixed the issues related to Bluetooth connectivity and included the April security patch fixes as well.

SOURCE

Bad News for YouTube Starters as Creators Will Get Money Only After Reaching 10,000 Views

Bad News for YouTube Starters as Creators Will Get Money Only After Reaching 10,000 Views

In what could be a potential blow to new vloggers who are entering into YouTube just now, the company won't be serving ads to new channels which have less than 10,000 views. The YouTube Content Creator program was launched in 2007, which allows users to monetize a video by placing ads to earn revenue. 

The reason for the company to make this change is the rise of content duplication. Yes, several people are uploading videos of others original video and earning revenue through it. So, with this move, every user needs 10,000 views to be part of the Content Creator program. 



That said, customers who earned the revenue till Thursday will receive their payment even if their views are below 10,000. For new customers, this new rule will be applicable. 

Also, YouTube will specifically verify the account which reaches 10,000 views and then approves their application to be part of YouTube Content Creator program. 

Moto E3 Power gets new update with February 2017 Security patch

Moto E3 Power gets new update with February 2017 Security patch
Motorola has already ditched the Moto E3 Power from the list of devices getting Official Android 7.0 Nougat. However, The Moto E3 Power is now getting new software update though the OTA (Over-The-Air) with latest Security Patch, bug fixes and Stability improvement.

If you install the latest update, your new software version should be changed to XT1706_S141_170329_ROW, and it should be noted that the update weighs over 58MB. Additionally, the update also ships with a wide variety of performance tweaks with February 2017 security patches. 



If you haven't got the notification of this new software update yet, Just go to Software updates menu in Settings, and It will automatically start downloading the latest update. The update will take around 20-30 minutes to get Installed on your device.


The Moto E3 and E3 Power launched in late 2016, the E3 comes with 1GB of RAM and a 2,800mAH battery, the E3 Power doubles the RAM and increases the battery capacity to 3,500mAH. The Moto E3 Power is the first Motorola phone since 2013 to come with a MediaTek processor. It's a quad core MT6735P chip paired with 2GB of RAM and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
If you have received the update, let us know how it's running for you in the comments below.

WhatsApp to Integrate UPI Based Payment System into the App Itself


Facebook-owned WhatsApp is looking to enter into the digital payments segment by integrating a UPI-based P2P money transfer system for easy transfer of money claims some reports

WhatsApp, earlier this year suggested that the company is looking into the digital payments system in India to help people bail out the cash crunch situations. WhatsApp will partner with certain banks to roll out the service initially.



It was also reported that the instant messaging platform was ready to roll out the services, but the change in RBI guidelines last month forced the company to change its plans and to work on a new business model. 

If WhatsApp ever enters the digital payments segment, it will surely change how the sector currently in India. 

Twitter Announces Twitter Lite, Designed for Slow & Spotty Internet connections

Slow Internet? Twitter announced today data-friendly Twitter Lite to the mobile web for Slow and Spotty Internet connections. The Lite version reduce your data usage by up to 70%, loads quickly, and take up less space.

The Twitter Lite is a new mobile web experience which can be accessed via mobile.twitter.com. It minimizes data usage, loads quickly on slower connections, is resilient on unreliable mobile networks, and takes up less than 1MB on your device. 



Twitter Lite allows users access timeline, Tweets, Direct Messages, trends, profiles, media uploads, notifications, and more. You could also save Twitter Lite to your home screen as a shortcut, and receive push notifications and alerts via Chrome.

In addition, you can also enable data saver mode, which further reduces the amount of mobile data used. This mode will show you previews of images and videos before letting you decide which to fully load. Twitter says this can save data usage up to 70%.



Via: Twitter

Android O to Come With Support for Self Destructing Notifications Feature

Android O to Come With Support for Self Destructing Notifications Feature
A little two weeks ago, Google released the first Developer Preview of Android O to developers. The next iteration of Android is expected to come with some new features such as notification channels, advanced doze mode, etc. We have already listed the completely new features of the Android O here

Speaking about the notifications channel feature, Google will allow users to customize what they want to see in the notification shade. For example, you can limit the OS to display a notification when a screenshot is captured.



And now, Google announces a new feature to the developers called 'notification timeout,' which essentially allows developers to push a self-destructive notification. For instance, in India, we love shopping, and there are numerous portals to shop from, and the major one is Myntra. These days, Myntra run several discount offers, and they push notifications for the same now and then. 

Myntra pushes a notification, and you open the app after few hours due to your busy schedule, and by the time you open the app, the offer is long gone. With this self-destructive notification feature, developers can choose a certain time for killing the notifications, and after that time, notifications will be destroyed automatically. 



Nevertheless, this feature will be very much useful for the developers out there. 

Breaking: Reliance Withdraws JIO's 3 months Summer Surprise Offer

This is something breaking news coming in for Reliance JIO customers, Reliance has announced to withdraw the 3 month complimentary offer AKA "Summer Surprise offer".

What was Reliance JIO Summer Surprise offer? 

Customers who could not enroll for JIO PRIME by 31st March for whatever reason can still do so by paying Rs 99 along with their first purchase of Jio’s Rs 303 and other plans till 15th April. The service has been extended due to the overwhelming response from the customers.



The users opted for JIO Prime prior to 15 April using Jio's Rs 303 plan or of any higher value will get services for the initial three months on a complimentary basis. The regular tariff plan (monthly basis) will be applicable from July, once the complimentary service ends. 

The above offer is no longer valid as of now and will be soon discontinued over next few days. So if you haven't registered for Reliance JIO Prime membership, do it right away! 



According to reports, TRAI has advised JIO to withdraw the 3 months complimentary benefits of JIO Summer Surprise. JIO is in the process of fully complying with TRAI's advice, and will be withdrawing the 3 months complimentary offer as soon as operationally feasible, over the next few days.  

However, the customers who have already subscribed to JIO SUMMER SURPRISE offer prior to its discontinuation will remain eligible for the offer.

The Successor of Motorola Moto Z Will be Called as Moto Z2: Rumor

The Successor of Motorola Moto Z Will be Called as Moto Z2: Rumor
Motorola's take on the modular smartphones paid off with the Moto Z series of phones. However, rumors were rife about the next generation Moto Z smartphones. Now, the famous tipster, Evan Blass revealed that the upcoming Moto Z (2017) will be called as Moto Z2. 

Blass posted an image with the logo of the device and that shows the phone as Moto Z2, which is kind of interesting as everyone expected it to be Moto Z (2017). There are no details regarding the specifications of the phone, though. 



For now, it is said that the Moto Z2 will come with Snapdragon 835 SoC, coupled with 4GB of RAM. The phone was reportedly showcased at the Sprint booth in Barcelona last month at the MWC 2017 event. 


Sprint used the phone to tease the gigabit speeds offered by the Snapdragon 835 chip. Also, the phone retains the same rear design language, but expected to come with an entire new design from the front, which will be in-line with the recently announced Moto G5 series. 

Google Home 2 to Come With Integrated Mesh Wi-Fi Router: Report



The Google Home was released just over a little six months ago and if the recent reports are believed to be true, Google is already working on the successor to Google Home, which for now is said to include mesh Wi-Fi router. 

Google is considering this move because of the fact that it will respond to the queries asked by the users more faster with enhanced connectivity. This move will also make a complete home connected product. 



For the uninitiated, Google already has a Wi-Fi router, which is already selling the US. So, essentially, Google is planning to integrate both the products into one. Also, the product will be tad expensive that the current Google Home and Router. 

The report also cites that Google initially planned a speaker with Wi-Fi support to respond the Google Assistant queries, but later on, changed its plan and manufactured the Google Home with only speaker support that responds to your voice commands via Wi-Fi.

Source (Requires Paid Subscription)

OnePlus 3 and 3T Users: Gear Up for Experiencing More Oxygen OS Features in Coming Days

OnePlus 3 and 3T Users: Gear Up for Experiencing More Oxygen OS Features in Coming Days
If you ask me: Which new brand's smartphone gets regular software updates? The immediate answer from me will be 'OnePlus'. Ever since the OnePlus 3T release, the Chinese vendor is betting big on the software updates department. The OnePlus 3 and 3T users received Oxygen OS 4.0 update based on Android Nougat on January 1, 2017. 

After that, OnePlus has updated both the OnePlus 3 and 3T for nearly five times fixing most of the bugs and adding new features. Recently, OnePlus announced the OxygenOS Open Beta 4 for both the OnePlus 3 and 3T users, and the surprise was the addition of new features. 



If you look at the changelog closely, OnePlus has added a new feature: Secure Box, which locks your files, photos, and other media files by setting a PIN code or pattern, same as what Samsung  is offering with the Samsung KNOX. The company has also introduced Quick Pay to help the people from demonetization. A special DND mode while gaming will help most of the users out there. 

All said, the Oxygen OS will soon become a feature rich OS, which was once known for its stockish Android UI.

Could this be our first look at the Chromium OnePlus 3T?

Could this be our first look at the Chromium OnePlus 3T?
After the huge success of OnePlus's latest limited "Colette Edition"  and "Midnight Black" version of the OnePlus 3T which went on sale in March, the Chinese Smartphone maker is planning to launch another OnePlus 3T with Chromium body.

The images clearly show the new color option of the OnePlus 3T, which looks great and shiny in the chrome shade. The OnePlus logo, antenna bands, the 3.5mm audio jack, the USB-C and the speaker are clearly visible in the Images above and below.



The OnePlus 3T Midnight Black and Colette Edition comes only in 128GB Storage option, so OnePlus might launch the Chromium OnePlus 3T in same storage option, with a higher price as compared to the previous variants. 

The OnePlus 3T is already available in default Gunmetal Grey and Soft Gold color options and limited edition Midnight Black and Colette Edition, the gorgeous Chromium OnePlus 3T would be a great add-on. Thoughts?
Could this be our first look at the Chromium OnePlus 3T?

Via | Source

The Next Generation Pixel Smartphone Codenamed 'Muskie' Appears in AOSP

Google is already working on the second iteration of Pixel phones, which are slated to release in October this year. The bigger Pixel 2 codename has now confirmed by AOSP as 'Muskie.'

It was earlier rumored that Google is working on three new Pixel phones for 2017. Alongside Muskie, the other phones appeared in the code was 'Walleye' and the 'Taimen.'



The Walleye will be the smaller Pixel, whereas the Taimen is being touted as the third phone, which will be massive to hold. All said, we now have the upcoming Pixel phone codenames confirmed. 

Google will power the Pixel 2 series with Snapdragon 835 SoC, better and updated camera, Android O, and much more. 



Via: AndroidPolice | Image: Benjamin Geskin

Google launches YouTube Go in India, designed for slower network connections

The YouTube Go, which was launched back in September, 2016 at Google for India event is now officially available in India. The beta version of YouTube Go is now available for download on the Google Play Store.

Google says that the YouTube Go is designed for spotty Internet connections, and gives you more control over data usage, by providing choice and transparency into the amount of data spent on streaming or saving videos. It also allows you to quickly share the videos with friends nearby.

YouTube Go features includes:

  • A home built for you: YouTube Go home screen features trending and popular videos in your area, so that you can find and discover videos that you and your community care about.
  • Preview videos before you save or watch: On YouTube Go we’ll show you a preview of the video when you tap on a thumbnail, giving you a better sense of what the video is about before you decide if you want to watch it.
  • Choose your resolution when saving or streaming videos: You can choose to save a video for offline viewing later or stream it now. And we also allow you to choose the amount of data you’d like to spend on that video.
  • Share videos with friends nearby: Share videos with friends and family nearby without using any data. You can send and receive videos instantly and offline with others using the YouTube Go app.

Users in India can download the YouTube Go beta from the Google Play Store starting today. Google also plans to hold several events in Udaipur over the upcoming weeks to talk more about this new YouTube Application.

Source: YouTube

Android 7.0 Nougat is now rolling out for some Moto X Style users

Android 7.0 Nougat is now rolling out for some Moto X Style users
Following weeks of testing Android 7.0 Nougat (Soak test) for the Moto X Style, the company has reportedly started rolling out the latest Android update to some selected Moto X Style users in India. 

The 7.0 Nougat update for the Moto X Style reportedly includes the February 2017 security patches and all the usual Nougat goodies like quick settings customization, split-screen apps, and improved Doze Mode.



For now, only a few users have started receiving the latest Android update on their Moto X Style. This means that the Android Nougat won't be coming to all devices at once, but selected users will get the update.

If you have received the update, let us know how it's running for you in the comments below.


Motorola Might Have Just Accidentally Revealed the Moto X (2017) and a Bizarre Looking White Colored Phone

Celebrating their 44th anniversary, Motorola posted a video on their official YouTube channel showing their innovations from the inception. However, if you slowly observe the video, there's a new smartphone with dual rear camera. 

So, it might probably be the Moto X (2017), whose renders were leaked a couple of days ago. Going by the video, the phone boasts of a dual lens camera at the rear, which is the first Moto phone to feature dual camera. 
Up front, there will be front-facing flash as well to accompany the selfie camera. Also, the design looks exactly similar to the recently announced Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus. It's pretty evident that Motorola is sticking to a certain design language every year. 



According to the earlier rumors, the Moto X (2017) will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, 13MP dual lens camera, 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage, and runs on Android Nougat. 

Alongside this, there's another phone in the video, with the same Saturn ring camera at the rear and we're assuming it as the Moto C or Moto M 2nd Gen, but these are just our assumptions. 



Watch the video here:


Here's what's new in Android 7.1.2 for Pixel and Nexus Devices

Here's what's new in Android 7.1.2 for Pixel and Nexus Devices
Android 7.1.2 Nougat is now Official and is readily available for the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, Nexus Player, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. The latest Android version comes with tons of new features, fixes and improvements. Google also shared the Android 7.1.2 Nougat changelog, which some of you will find rather interesting.



Here's the official changelog for the Pixel and Pixel XL:

Today, and over the next few weeks, we will begin the rollout of Android 7.1.2 to Pixel and Pixel XL devices. This update contains a number of bug fixes, added features, and general performance/stability improvements. A few changes and updates that we want to highlight are listed below:
  • Improved fingerprint swipe performance
  • Bluetooth connectivity improvements
  • Battery usage alerts
Some of the other fixes are with the early shutdown issue, a fix for the small number of users experiencing pink banding on the camera, and a fix to the audio popping issue some users were experiencing at high volumes.

With Android 7.1.2 Google improved the fingerprint swipe gesture performance and Bluetooth connectivity, while a new feature has been added as well, Battery Usage Alerts.



Here's the official changelog for the Nexus phones:

Today, and over the next few weeks, we will begin the rollout of Android 7.1.2 to Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, and Pixel C. This update contains a number of bug fixes, added features, and general performance/stability improvements. A few changes and updates that we want to highlight are listed below:

  • Enhanced notification stability
  • Fingerprint swipe on 5X/6P
  • General connectivity improvements
  • Battery usage alerts

Android 7.1.2 adds Pixel-exclusive Fingerprint swipe feature to the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, that allows you to "swipe" the scanner to access the notification shade. Google says that they improved notification stability, Connectivity and adds Battery Usage Alerts. You can grab the Android 7.1.2 Factory Images and OTA's for the Google Pixel and Nexus phones here.

Source: Google | 2

Pre-orders for Silver Nokia 6 now live in China

Nokia 6, the first Nokia Android phone by HMD Global is now available to buy in a new Silver color option. The Stunning Silver color, which radiates quality and luxury, is exclusively available for registration on e-commerce platform JD.com in China.

The Silver color with Black front looks quite decent and was spotted on Chinese certification website TENAA, before the official launch. So we were expecting this color variant to go official soon. The new Silver Nokia 6 follows the Matte Black edition released earlier this year.



HMD Global has already announced the new colors of the Nokia 6 at MWC 2017. The new colors includes Arte Black, Matte Black, Tempered Blue, Silver and Copper. The Matte Black and Silver color are now available on Chinese e-commerce platform Jingdong.

According to the new reports, HMD Global plans to release the Nokia Android phones globally by late April. The Nokia 6 Silver variant can be pre-ordered from JD.com, the sale will go live on April 11.

Motorola Moto G5 With Snapdragon 430 SoC, 3GB of RAM, and 13MP Rear Camera Launched at Rs. 11,999 in India


Lenovo-owned Motorola, today announced the Moto G5 in India at a price of Rs. 11,999. The phone will be an exclusive to Amazon India and only the 3GB of RAM variant is launched in India, clubbed with 16GB of internal storage. 

The Moto G5 flaunts a 5-inch FHD display with a pixel density of 441 PPI. Under-the-hood, there is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 SoC, which is an octa-core chip clubbed with 3GB of RAM. The internal storage in the phone is 16GB, which can be further expandable up to 128GB via a dedicated microSD card. 




Motorola has added a 13MP camera sensor at the rear side of the phone with support for PDAF and dual LED flash. The Moto G5 comes with a 5MP wide angle front-facing camera. Connectivity options include 4G LTE, VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

The Moto G5 also boots Android 7.0 Nougat OS and is armed with a 2800mAh battery. The phone will be available to purchase starting tomorrow at 12:00 AM in Amazon India. Amazon Prime customers will get Rs. 1000 cash back as Amazon Pay balance and HDFC credit card holders will also get additional Rs. 1000 off. Amazon is also bundling a 16GB microSD card with the phone for early buyers. 

Here is What Motorola Innovated in the Last 44 Years [Infographic]



Motorola, who introduced the world's first portable cellular telephone and system 44 years ago has been around with us for 88 long years. On April 3, 1973, Motorola demonstrated the portable cellular telephone and since then, the company invented so many things. 

Motorola back in 1970's introduced the DYNATAC based cellular telephone that has an antenna line for receiving the cellular signals. Later in 1990s, the company came out with 'STARTAC', which was the world' smallest and lightest mobile device at that time. 



In 2000s, Motorola introduced the iconic Razr V3, which was the first mobile phone to be made up of aluminum. And recently, the company has unveiled the Moto Z series of phones with swappable back panels called as Moto Mods, which is a huge hit. 

Going into the future, Motorola is promising extremely high updates in the battery, design, materials, and modularity in the phones. 

[Updated] Android 7.1.2 Nougat Now Available for Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P

Android 7.1.2 Nougat Now Available for Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P
Surprise! Android 7.1.2 Nougat with April 2017 Security patch is now available for the Pixel and Nexus Devices. 

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



For now, we have Android 7.1.2 OTA files for the Pixel (N2G47E, N2G47J), Pixel XL (N2G47E, N2G47J), Pixel C (N2G47D), Nexus 6P (N2G47H), Nexus 5X (N2G47F), and Nexus Player (N2G47H).

You can download the OTA's from the Link below:
Download: Firmware Images


Update: The Firmware Images are now live as well.

Update: 7.1.2 OTA's and Firmware Images are now available for the Pixel C and Nexus Player.



[Updated] April 2017 Factory Images 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 April 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, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C, Pixel and Pixel XL. 



For now, we have April Security Firmware files based on Android 7.1.1 Nougat for the Pixel and Pixel XL (NOF27D), Nexus 6P (N4F26U), Nexus 5X (N4F26U), Nexus 6 (NBD92G,N6F26Y),  and Nexus 9 (N4F26X). 

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

Sony Xperia XZs, the Successor to Xperia XZ With 'Motion Eye' Camera Launched in India at Rs. 49,990




Sony India has launched its latest flagship phone in India, the Sony Xperia XZs, which is an incremental upgrade to last year's Xperia XZ. The Xperia XZs is the industry's first smartphone to shoot slow motion videos at 960fps. The new Xperia XZs is priced at Rs. 49,990 in India and can be purchased from April 11 in all the offline retail stores and online site, Flipkart. 

The Sony Xperia XZs comes with a 5.2-inch Full HD panel, and is powered by the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 SoC. The smartphone comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The storage can be expandable via microSD card. 



The XZs comes with 19MP Exmor RS memory stacked sensor that has the capability of recording slow motion videos at 960fps. The phone also has hybrid autofocus and can record video of 4K resolution. The Xperia XZs has a front-facing camera of 13MP for videos and selfies. 

The phone has unimetal body design and comes with 4G LTE, VoLTE support. It boots Android 7.0 Nougat out-of-the-box and is armed with. 2900mAh battery that has support for QuickCharge 3.0 technology. The Xperia XZs also has IP68 certification.