latest
Nokia feature phone powered by Android leaks on video
An Android-powered feature phone by Nokia has now leaked, showcasing in full detail what could potentially be Android on feature phones.
Since it was initially conceived, Android has always been a smartphone-oriented operating system. No way around that. And nowadays, you'll be able to find devices in virtually every price range running Android. But as more and more people have started connecting to the Internet, particularly in emerging markets, demand has grown for smarter "dumb" phones. Android Go was released in an attempt to bring a full Android experience to even cheaper smartphones, but there is, or was, an even lower-end version of Android in the works for feature phones. Now, a prototype Nokia feature phone running Android has leaked in a hands-on video.
[Update: Still Planned] Google is working on adding an Android Go image to the Android Studio Emulator
Android Go is Google's stripped down version of Android that's available on lower-end phones. Developers at the moment can't test their applications in the Android Studio emulator, but that's set to change.
Android Go is Google's stripped down version of Android based on Android 8.1 Oreo, and is designed to run on lower-end hardware with reduced RAM and storage requirements. It was announced last year and recently we saw it reach its first devices. For developers, it holds an exciting prospect. While some devices will be launching with Android Go onboard, there's nothing stopping a custom ROM developer creating their own build of Android Go and running it on any device. This is great, but Google has deemed it necessary to create Android Go specific applications due to the storage and RAM constraints - at least, in the case of YouTube Go and Google Maps Go to name a few. When creating apps, developers can use the Android Studio Emulator to test their applications but this isn't the case when it comes to Android Go. You can't test your apps on an Android Go based emulator as Google hasn't added the image.
Google may be working on a "touchless" Android OS for feature phones
Google may try its luck in the feature phone segment by introducing a "touchless" version of Android that can be used without a touchscreen.
Even though Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world, running on smartphones, tablets, and many other kinds of devices, there is one market that it has never penetrated: feature phones. These kinds of devices are very popular in developing countries as they offer a minimal set of features capable of communication. These features often are calling, messaging, 3G, and sometimes WiFi, too. Apparently, Google is going to try its luck in that segment by introducing a "touchless" version of Android.
Nokia 2 users can now upgrade to Android Oreo if they choose
The Nokia 2 is one of the more affordable options and now owners are able to update to Android Oreo (but only if they want to).
HMD Global is made up of a number of ex-Nokia employees who decided to form a new company once Microsoft ended up floundering in the smartphone market. They started to license the Nokia name so they could release smartphones under the well-known brand. Since then, they have released a range of devices that cover the majority of the Android market from affordable low-end smartphones to more expensive high-end devices. The Nokia 2 is one of the more affordable options and now owners are able to update to Android 8.1 Oreo, but only if they want to.
LineageOS 16 based on Android Pie is here for the Xiaomi POCO F1, OnePlus 5/5T, Honor View 10, and more
LineageOS 16 based on Android Pie is now available for several smartphones from Google, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Sony, Motorola, Huawei, and more.
The custom ROM ecosystem is rather large and diverse, but if there’s one custom ROM that we could consider to be “the biggest” of them all, then that would be LineageOS. With almost 1.8 million active installs at the end of 2018, the project's install base is definitely noteworthy but said success mainly harkens back to their legacy. LineageOS is the successor of the CyanogenMod project, which ended in late 2016 following the shifting focus of Cyanogen Inc.
Android-x86's stable Android 8.1 Oreo image is now available
Since that first Android 8.1 Oreo release in June, the Android-x86 team has released a second RC build and now they are ready for the stable launch.
Back in June, we wrote about the Android-x86 project releasing the first version of Android 8.1 Oreo for PCs. For those that don't know, Android-x86 is a project that aims to get Android working on Intel and AMD x86 PCs. Since that first Android Oreo release in June, they released a second RC build and now they are ready for the stable launch.
[Update: Official] LG Q9 to launch soon as a rebranded LG G7 Fit
It looks as if we're currently seeing LG rebranding one of their previously released phones, the LG G7 Fit and giving it a new name as the LG Q9.
As sad as it is, it's common for smartphone OEMs to take previously released phones and launch them again under a different name. Sometimes there are specific circumstances for this practice. For instance, some companies have a unique brand in certain regions. Therefore it makes sense for them to take a phone they are already selling in other countries and slap the region-specific brand name on it. It helps to reduce cost, resources, time, and really only adds more work to the marketing department. It looks as if we're currently seeing LG rebranding one of their previously released phones, the LG G7 Fit, and giving it a new name as the LG Q9.
Download MIUI 10 Global Stable (Android 8.1 Oreo) for the Xiaomi Redmi 5A
The popular budget Xiaomi Redmi 5A is now getting the stable Android 8.1 Oreo update with the latest MIUI 10 Global Stable ROM, which you can download now.
While most technology websites covering the Android ecosystem focus mainly on mid-range and flagship devices (us included), there are millions of users who don't care about those devices because they stick to cheaper budget phones. The Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one such device that flies under the radar in the tech world, even though it's one of the best-selling Android smartphones in the world. We noted in our review of the Redmi 5A that the device launched with MIUI 9 on top of Android 7.1 Nougat, but we weren't certain if the device would receive an official Android Oreo update. Last month, Xiaomi rolled out MIUI 10 Global Stable for the Redmi 5A, but again the software was based on Android 7.1 Nougat. Now, however, the company is releasing an updated version of MIUI 10 Global based on Android 8.1 Oreo.
OPPO R17 and R17 Pro launch in India for Rs. 34990 and Rs. 45990
The OPPO R17 and R17 Pro were originally available in China, but now OPPO has announced they will be available in India as well.
Back in August, the OPPO R17 and OPPO R17 Pro were officially announced. The devices were originally available in China, but now OPPO will make them available in India as well. The OPPO R17 devices were among the first with "waterdrop" notches and in-display fingerprint scanners. Many have pointed to the R17 as being the base model for the OnePlus 6T, as OnePlus is a subsidiary of OPPO.
Android 8.1 Oreo soak test leaks for the Moto G4/Moto G4+
Android 8.1 Oreo firmware for Moto G4 and Moto G4+ has just appeared on our forums. Motorola required testers about 2 months ago and now the system is out.
The G series of smartphones has been one of the most successful product lineups for Motorola. Unfortunately for users, G series devices are unlikely to receive many major system updates. The Moto G4 and Moto G4+ were released back in May of 2016 with Android Marshmallow on board but later received an update to Android Nougat. Despite promising an update to Android Oreo in their official marketing material, Motorola's initial Android Oreo update timeline notably excluded the Moto G4. The company backtracked on this decision after backlash from outraged users, and now we're finally getting closer to seeing an official Oreo update for both devices.
LineageOS moves to nightly 15.1 builds, monthly 14.1 builds
The LineageOS team will begin releasing 15.1 builds on a nightly basis, while LineageOS 14.1 will be deprioritized to monthly builds.
Unless you've been living under a rock, you're probably familiar with the LineageOS custom ROM. After all, it is, quite possibly, the most widely used Android-based aftermarket software/custom ROM out there. LineageOS is the spiritual successor to the extinct CyanogenMod project, but despite similarities in their philosophy and the fact that LineageOS simply took off where CyanogenMod left off, there are still some stark differences. Particularly, CyanogenMod worked with nightly builds which were automatically compiled, whereas LineageOS builds were released in a weekly basis. This is changing today, though.
Samsung Galaxy J4 Core has a 6-inch display and Android Go
The Galaxy J series has evolved into a mid-range product line and they just announced an Android Go version of the device called the Samsung Galaxy J4 Core.
Samsung's Galaxy J series was first brought to the market back in 2013 and initially began as a higher-end style device with the original Galaxy J having a 1080p display and 3GB of RAM. This idea quickly changed as the Galaxy J1 dropped all the way to 512MB of RAM but was released the year after its predecessor. The series has evolved into a mid-range product line for the South Korean conglomerate and the company has just announced an Android Go version of the device called the Samsung Galaxy J4 Core.
Nokia 7.1 Review - Android One at its best
The Nokia 7.1 is a new mid-range Android smartphone released by HMD Global. It's part of the Android One program, but is it worth your money?
Since Nokia's reboot after the company licensed its mobile branding out to HMD Global, we've seen a number of great smartphones hit the market. From the likes of the flagship Nokia 8 Sirocco, to a rather unique re-imagination of the Nokia 3310, the company is slowly becoming a household name again. HMD Global has been hard at work capturing the attention of all kinds of consumers, enthusiasts, and "regular" users alike. The Nokia 7.1 is a part of the Android One program and sits right in the middle of the pack.
Download MIUI 10 China Stable for the Xiaomi Mi Pad 4
An update to MIUI 10 China Stable is now available for the Xiaomi Mi Pad 4/Mi Pad 4 Plus, bringing all of MIUI 10's improvements. Download it now!
One of the few manufacturers trying to keep the tablet market alive, aside from Samsung and their Galaxy Tab line, is Xiaomi. Xiaomi's recently launched Mi Pad 4 isn't flagship quality, but if all you want is simply a decent multimedia tablet then the Mi Pad 4 does the job does fine. The Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 features a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC with 4 GB of RAM, an 8.0-inch 1200x1920 display, and a big 6,000 mAh battery. There's also a Mi Pad 4 Plus model with a 10.1-inch display and 8,620 mAh battery. The Mi Pad 4, like nearly every other Xiaomi device out there with the exceptions of the Mi A1/A2 Android One devices, runs Xiaomi's MIUI. If you were looking forward to the MIUI 10 update for your tablet, it's finally rolling out to the stable branch according to one Redditor.
LG V40 ThinQ [Mini] Review: More Cameras, Same Problems
Can the best phone LG has ever made move the needle in the Android market? Or is the LG V40 doomed to be yet another forgotten device from LG?
October was a jamboree of new phone announcements from major Android OEMs. The month was kicked off with the LG V40 ThinQ, a device that grabbed headlines for having five cameras in total. The V Series started with the unique Second Screen, but it has slowly become more like the 'safer' G Series. That change started with the LG V30 last year and the transition looks to be complete with the LG V40.
[Update: Confirmed] Lenovo Tab 4 10 Plus reportedly won't be getting Android Oreo
Lenovo launched the Tab 4 10 Plus back in February of last year at MWC and a new report claims it will not receive an update to Android Oreo.
There are a lot of people buying smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches that don't care about updates at all. In fact, a lot of them are afraid of them due to one bad experience they had when they lost some of their data as it wasn't backed up. However, Android updates are important (especially security updates) and many who spend hundreds of dollars on a device expect it to get at least one major version update. Lenovo launched the Tab 4 10 Plus back in February of last year at MWC and a new report claims it will not receive an update to Android Oreo.
Palm's first Android phone has a tiny 3.3-inch display and requires another phone
Seemingly called simply the Palm Phone, the device has a 3.3-inch display, is exclusive to Verizon Wireless, and requires you to have another phone.
In a rather interesting turn of events, the once highly coveted Palm technology company has just launched a new (yet tiny) Android smartphone. Seemingly called simply the Palm Phone, the device has a 3.3-inch display, is exclusive to Verizon Wireless, and requires you to have another phone. The device is not inspired by PalmOS, or even WebOS, but comes from a company who says they are “reinventing” a Palm ethos rather than bringing it back. That said, its limitations and $350 price tag will be available sometime next month.
LineageOS 15.1 now available for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (Exynos)
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is already great, and now there is a pre-official version of LineageOS 15.1 available for the Exynos model.
A lot of people within the Android community are currently on the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL hype train, but there have been a lot of great smartphones released this year. Heck, there are still more great smartphones scheduled to be released later this year as well. Whether or not you're a fan of Samsung, it's difficult to argue how good the Galaxy Note 9 is. It avoided the notch debacle, has a 3.5mm headphone port, comes with a stylus for those who like to jot things down, and now there is a pre-official version of LineageOS 15.1 available for the Exynos model.
ASUS Zenfone 4 Max gets ZenUI 5.0 update with Android 8.1 Oreo
The ASUS Zenfone 4 Max is getting the ZenUI 5.0 update now, which includes Android 8.1 Oreo in tow. You can find out how to get it here.
ASUS has been rolling out ZenUI 5.0 to a number of smartphones in the past few weeks, and it's time for the ASUS Zenfone 4 Max to get it as well. When the Zenfone 4 Max launched at the end of last year, it came out with Android 7.0 Nougat, getting updated to ZenUI 4.0 shortly after. At the time, Android Oreo had just launched with many other devices coming out with it already installed. The ASUS Zenfone 4 Max is admittedly a lower-end device, but it still perplexed users. The ZenUI 5.0 update with Android 8.1 Oreo is beginning to roll out to it now.
New Xiaomi Mi Box S is here with Android Oreo-based Android TV, Google Assistant, and 4K HDR support
While Google was busy announcing a bunch of products we already knew about, Xiaomi had an announcement of their own to make: the Mi Box S.
While Google was busy announcing a bunch of products we already knew about, Xiaomi had an announcement of their own to make. Along with the Pixel 3, Pixel 3XL, Google Home Hub, and Pixel Slate, Xiaomi unveiled the Mi Box S Android TV. This is the set-top box we heard about last month.