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

Xiaomi is announcing the Redmi Note 5 on 14th Feb - but there's a catch

 By Vaibhav Jain on February 05, 2018       

Xiaomi's Redmi Note line has been one of its most successful lines of mid-ranged phones ever, so it makes sense that the company would want to follow-up last year's Redmi Note 4 with a Redmi Note 5.

Xiaomi today announced that it will be launching a new Smartphone on 14th Feb. And the new Smartphone is none other than the Redmi Note 5.

As spotted by Smartprix, Xiaomi's official teaser page clearly shows the mentions of Redmi Note 5. But the catch is Xiaomi will most likely rebrand the Redmi 5 Plus (earlier launched in China) as Redmi Note 5 for India and other markets.

The Redmi 5 Plus, soon to be called Redmi Note 5 features a 5.99" 18:9 Screen, Qualcomm MSM8953 Snapdragon 625, 3/4GB RAM, 32/64GB Internal Storage, 12 MP (f/2.2, 1.25 μm) Rear Camera, 5MP front shooter, 4000 mAh battery, and MIUI 9 based on Android 7.1.2 Nougat. Thoughts?

List of Xiaomi Phones that are likely to get MIUI 10

 By Vaibhav Jain on February 04, 2018       

Just a few weeks back during the MIUI 2017 summer meeting in China, Xiaomi's Vice President, Hong Feng announced the MIUI 10. He said that the software is in the development and will be available for testing this summer.

MIUI 10 is expected to be based on Android 8.0 Oreo. Android 8.0 Oreo comes with numerous enhancements over Android Nougat, such as faster booting, new Settings and Quick-Settings UI, Picture in Picture (PIP), Adaptive icons, Autofill, Notification timeout, Xiaomi is also expected to add several new features to the latest software update.

Xiaomi may also include face unlock and swipe gestures with the MIUI 10. Feng says that the OS will be available for most of the devices later this year.

Xiaomi Redmi, Redmi Note, and Mi Phones will obviously get MIUI 10, but the question is which Xiaomi Smartphones will get it? So, below is an unofficial list of the Xiaomi devices which are likely to get Android Oreo based on MIUI 10. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter page to get the first News.

• Mi 6
• Mi 5
• Mi 5S
• Mi 5S Plus
• Mi 4
• Mi 3
• Mi 4S
• Mi 4C
• Mi Mix
• Mi Mix 2
• Redmi Y1 / Lite
• Mi Note 2
• Mi Note 3
• Redmi Note 3 / Pro
• Redmi Note 4 / 4X
• Redmi 5 Plus
• Redmi 5
• Redmi 5A
• Mi 5X
• Mi Max
• Mi Max 2
• Redmi 4 / 4X / 4A
• Redmi 3 / 3S / Prime
• Redmi Pro
• Redmi 3X

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi 6X Leaks: Is this the Xiaomi Mi A2 with Android One?

Via: 4GNews

[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