Back at Google I/O, Google promised a version of Android for low-end devices. Today, Google announced the "Android Oreo Go" with Light weights applications and interface. The Software is readily available for developers and device manufacturers.
Android Oreo Go features a handful of Google apps including the GoogleGo, Google Assistant Go, Maps, Gmail, YouTube Go, and other light-weight stuffs.
The Android 8.1 Oreo Go is designed to run better on phones with either 512MB or 1GB of RAM. However, that doesn't mean it will be available for every low end device.
"With the launch of Android Oreo (Go edition) in Android 8.1, partners will soon be able to ship this new release on their entry-level devices around the world. We can’t wait for our partners’ devices to hit shelves in the coming months. - Google"
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.
Nokia's next generation device is expected to feature a total overhaul with new design and major improvements under the hood.
We have already seen the Nokia 9 via Design Leaks. The device is expected to feature bent display just like the Galaxy Note Edge, faster processor, upgraded camera, and tiny chin and top.
HMD hasn’t confirmed a release date for the Nokia 9 and is unlikely to reveal anything until a few weeks before the launch.
However, although 2017 launch looks almost certain, Chinese media Mydrivers is confident that the Nokia 9 won’t arrive this year.
They say that HMD is planning to announce the Nokia 9 with a new Smartphone "Nokia 8 (2018)" on January 19. The Nokia 8 2018 would feature similar specs just like the Nokia 8 but with Full Screen 18:9 Display.
Nokia 8 comes with Outdated 5.3-inch QHD IPS display with huge chin and top bezels. It is powered by the Snapdragon 835 SoC, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. The phone comes dual rear cameras with Zeiss Optics, Splashproof (IP54), OZO 360-degree Audio, and includes USB Type-C port, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC. The phone runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat.
Xiaomi is now all set to announce the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus with 18:9 screens on December 7th.
Donovan Sung, director of product management at Xiaomi has just revealed the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus in a set of tweeted photos.
As of now, there's no information regarding the official specs and pricing. However as per leaks, the Redmi 5 would feature a 5.7" Display with Snapdragon 450 processor while the Redmi 5 Plus would feature a 6" Screen with Snapdragon 625 SoC.
Both the devices will be available in 3/4GB RAM and 32/64GB ROM.
A Few months back Motorola and Lenovo announced the variety of special edition Moto-Mods to commemorate the the release of the Transformers: The Last Knight. And this time they are planning to offer limited addition of Star Wars Style Mod, which are likely to be available in limited numbers.
The Star Wars Limited Edition Moto Style Mod looks Insanely cool and I really can't wait to attach one of those to my Moto Z Play. The Overall package will be available in ¥129 (19.50USD).
Let me be perfectly clear, Just like Transformers Moto-Mods, Motorola plans to sell the Star Wars Style Mod in the China only and there's no indication if or when it will come to other regions. There's also likely to be a limited number available, so if you want one, better start looking on how to import products from China or those who can make it to the China, it would be great if you can bring me one too when available.
Motorola is expected to launch the Star Wars Limited Edition Moto Style Mod in a few weeks. That said, we will let you know if Motorola plans to release these special edition Moto-Mods in any other regions. How bad you want one of these for your Moto Z? Let us know in the below comment section!
Moto-Mods