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Android 12 custom GSIs bring the latest Android OS to any Project Treble-supported device
You can now get a taste of Android 12 on any Project Treble compatible device, thanks to these custom GSI releases. Read on to know more!
Android 12 is here, albeit the stable version is available only on Google's Pixel lineup — including the newly introduced Pixel 6 series — for now. A handful of OEMs like Samsung and OnePlus are also offering public beta builds of their customized skins based on the stable Android 12 codebase, but the list of eligible devices is quite small. Nonetheless, the aftermarket development community is helping us experience all the new features of Android 12 through custom ROMs across a growing list of devices. Besides, Google does offer its own set of Android 12 Generic System Image (GSI) packages on its website, so that developers can test their apps against the latest API level.
Android 12L might let you quickly switch wallpapers from the context menu
AOSP Launcher3 from Android 12L includes a new developer flag that enables a quick wallpaper picker UI in the homescreen context menu.
Google recently announced Android 12L -- a feature drop for Android 12 that brings several optimizations and new features for large screen devices. The first Android 12L Developer Preview includes quite a few user-facing changes, including a new two-column UI, a taskbar, better multitasking capabilities, and letterboxing improvements. In addition, the first developer preview has a hidden change that lets you quickly switch wallpapers from the context menu on the homescreen.
Android 12.1 will bring a new AOSP wallpaper after nearly 5 years
The open source version of Android, called AOSP, has had the same "pink sky" wallpaper for years, but it's finally changing in Android 12.1.
"The sky is not pink", reads the title of a code change Google has just submitted internally to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) Gerrit. The code change replaces the default "pink sky" wallpaper that Google first introduced to the open source version of Android nearly 5 years ago. In its place is a new wallpaper that's set to debut with the release of Android 12.1, Android's first point release in years, and we at XDA have, of course, obtained this wallpaper ahead of the OS's release.
Google and Sony team up to add 360 Reality Audio support in Android
Google and Sony are bringing 360 Reality Audio support to Android, possibly opening up support for the immersive audio format to more apps.
Sony has been developing its 360 Reality Audio technology for a while now, based on the MPEG-H 3D audio codec. The tech is mostly limited to some of Sony's own smartphones, and only works with compatible apps, but now it looks like broader 360 Reality Audio support could be coming to Android.
Google is developing parts of Android in Rust to improve security
Google is writing and rewriting parts of Android in Rust to improve security of the OS as a whole, vs C and C++. Read on to know more!
Android as a complete OS solution involves a lot of moving parts. Very broadly speaking, these parts are the app ecosystem and then the OS itself. As a developer, your programming language of choice varies depending on what part of Android you are working on. For app developers, Java and Kotlin are popular options. For developers working on the OS and the lower levels within it, C and C++ have been popular choices so far. Today, Google is adding a third option for OS developers, as the Android Open Source Project now supports the Rust programming language for developing the OS itself.
[Update: Merged] Google prepares to decouple new emojis from Android system updates
Google is preparing to decouple new emojis from Android 12 system updates, making it easier to introduce new emojis on phones.
Emojis have become an integral part of our informal expression. These tiny graphical assets add emotions, intention, and character to mere words. The frequent addition of new emojis to the Unicode standard is testimony to their popularity. Whenever Unicode gets new emojis, we need to wait for an OS upgrade to reach our phones to bring support for the emoji, before we can actually make them a part of our internet lingo. Google seems to prepare to make this easier, as a few commits indicate that it is working on decoupling new emojis from Android system updates.
Google starts uploading the Android 11 source code to AOSP
Google has uploaded the source code of Android 11 to AOSP, enabling developers to create custom ROMs for the OS.
Google has officially released the stable version of Android 11 for its range of Pixel smartphones going back to the Pixel 2. The much-anticipated software update sports a range of exciting new features, such as conversation bubbles, a screen recorder, quick access to smart home controls in the power menu, one-time permission prompts, and much more.
Sony Xperia 10 II added to Sony’s Open Devices Program
The Sony Xperia 10 II is the latest smartphone from Sony to be added to the company's Open Devices program. Read on to know more!
Sony Mobile's Open Devices program is popular among Android hobbyists and aftermarket developers, given Sony's current market position. The OEM provides necessary tools and guides to the development community, which makes it possible to bring Android Open Source Project (AOSP) builds to select Xperia devices. This initiative can also be used as a base to port well-liked custom ROMs. The Sony Xperia 10 II (pronounced as Xperia 10 "Mark 2") has now become the latest addition to the Open Devices program.
Android 11 adds 84 new mappings for Xbox, Razer, PDP, Mad Catz, and other gaming controllers
We're still digging through Android 11 Beta 1 and we found 84 new mappings for Xbox, Razer, PDP, Mad Catz, and other gaming controllers.
Something you may not know about your Android phone is that it can likely connect to a gaming controller that wasn't designed for it. There are hundreds of different gaming controllers on the market from dozens of different peripheral makers, and not all of them will work with your Android device out-of-the-box. Google has slowly added support for more controllers in Android over the years, though. The first Android 11 Beta was just released and we found 84 new controller mappings for Xbox, Razer, PDP, Mad Catz, and other gaming controllers.
ASUS rolls out an AOSP-based Android 10 beta for the ZenFone Max M2
ASUS is rolling out an AOSP-based Android 10 beta update for the ZenFone Max M2, which ibrings all the new Android 10 features to the budget device.
Following the rollout of an AOSP-based Android 10 beta for the ASUS ZenFone 5, ZenFone Max M1, ZenFone Lite, and ZenFone Live L1/L2, the company is now rolling out a similar beta build for the ZenFone Max M2. The budget-friendly device from late 2018 initially rolled out with a near-stock build of Android 8.1 Oreo and back in April last year, the device was upgraded to Android 9 Pie. And the new AOSP-based beta release, which goes by the software version 17.2018.2002.29, finally upgrades the device to Android 10.
Android 11's "Share to Print" feature will make it easier to print images and PDFs
Android 11 will include a new "Share to Print" feature which will make it easier to print images and PDF files from your smartphone.
Back in 2017, Google introduced a built-in print service on Android Oreo for printers that support the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP). Before that, users had to search for third-party print services on the Play Store in order to print something from their Android device. This change was brought about by technology contributed to AOSP by the Mopria Alliance, which was founded by Canon, HP, Samsung, and Xerox. Mopria Alliance has since played a major role in improving printing on Android devices, bringing support for WiFi Direct Printing in Android Pie. Now, an engineer from the Mopria Alliance has submitted code to AOSP which suggests that Android 11 might include a new 'Share to Print' feature that will simplify printing images and PDF files.
Google's Android Flash Tool makes flashing AOSP builds much easier
Looking to flash an up-to-date Android build from source? Google's new Android Flash Tool simplifies the process of flashing AOSP GSIs.
When Google released Android 8 Oreo, they introduced a major under-the-hood change to the way the Android OS framework and vendor drivers/the Linux kernel interact with one another. This project was given the name Project Treble, and it has made it possible for Android smartphones to boot a vanilla version of Android, called a Generic System Image (GSI), without requiring many modifications to the boot or vendor images. Google releases a freshly updated GSI every month to coincide with the latest Android security patch level, but they also continuously build new GSIs from the AOSP source tree. Until now, flashing one of these builds required knowledge of fastboot commands, but Google is making it easier than ever to flash these AOSP builds with the Android Flash Tool.
Open GApps releases flashable Google app packages for Android 10 custom ROMs
Months after the Android 10 source code was uploaded to AOSP, the Open GApps team has finally released official GApps packages for Android 10 ROMs.
If you want to use any app that requires Google Play Services on a custom ROM, you'll most likely need to flash a separate Google apps package or GApps after flashing the ROM. This step is something that most custom ROM developers require you to do in order to avoid legal challenges with them building Google apps into their third-party custom ROMs. Following the launch of each major Android update, the Open GApss team rolls out their latest flashable GApps packages for that version of Android. While the team has previously had a flawless track record of promptly releasing GApps packages for the latest Android build, things were a bit different this time around.
Google is making it easier to search AOSP with a new Android Code Search tool
Google has announced the new Android Code Search Tool, making it easier to search code within the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Read on to know more!
Android's source code resides at the Android Open Source Project Git repositories, and by extension, where the source code for every new Android version is uploaded. While having the source code open-sourced and available freely is definitely a major plus, searching through AOSP has not been a pleasant and effortless affair so far. If you want to search for how certain classes and methods are constructed, you can either clone the repository and search manually using a tool like grep, or you have to rely on online tools like AndroidXRef or Opersys. Google is making it even easier to search within AOSP with the new public Android code search tool for the Android Open Source Project.
Android 10 gets ported to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, Redmi 4X, Mi Max, 2016 Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1, and Nokia 6.1
Android 10 ROMs are now available for Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, Redmi 4X, Mi Max, 2016 Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1, and Nokia 6.1.
Android 10 was officially rolled out on September 3rd and was instantly available for the Pixel devices, the Essential Phone PH-1, and the Redmi K20 Pro. OnePlus followed the suit and rolled out the Android 10 update for OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro. Making up for the smartphones that have not or are not likely to receive the Android 10 update anytime, the Android development community has thrived hard to create Android 10-based AOSP or Custom ROMs for a long list of devices. Now, five more devices have been added to this list and these include the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro (India), Redmi 4X, first-gen Mi Max, Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016), and the Nokia 6.1.
Android 10 source code is being uploaded to AOSP
Following the stable release, Google has now released the Android 10 source code to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).
Earlier today, Google released stable Android 10 to the Google Pixel family. Before it was called "Android 10," we've been testing Android Q in developer builds for several months. This update brings big features like a system-wide dark mode, full gesture navigation, revamped permissions, and more. Google is now in the process of uploading the Android 10 source code to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).
[Update 2: More Progress] Developers are porting Android to the Nintendo Switch
Developers are working on turning a Nintendo Switch into an Android tablet, and it may actually be possible to do just that.
The Nintendo Switch is Nintendo's latest console/handheld, and it's doing really well for itself in terms of sales and appeal. It also marks a change in attitude from Nintendo as well, as the device is not only powered by an Nvidia Tegra system-on-chip, but the company even reportedly wanted to employ the now-defunct Cyanogen Inc. to develop their operating system. Since the discovery of the Fusée Gelée vulnerability, Switch modding has really taken off in the community. Users have theorized for a long time now whether it would be possible to port Android to the Switch. After all, Linux has been ported to it and the device uses the Tegra X1 SoC for which there is documentation to refer to. All that's left is the blood, sweat, and tears of developers interested enough in porting Android. One developer by the name of ByLaws is taking the challenge of turning a Nintendo Switch into an Android tablet.
Analysis: How even Huawei's use of AOSP may be in jeopardy with the US-China trade war
The common understanding is that since AOSP is open source, Huawei cannot be blocked from using it. I am here to tell you that, unfortunately, is not true.
With the recent trade restrictions that were placed on Huawei, its partners such as Google, Qualcomm, Intel, and others were forced to end all future agreements with Huawei, including revoking Huawei’s Android license. The common understanding is that since AOSP is open source, Huawei cannot be blocked from using it and this will just result in fragmentation with two different versions of Android across Europe and Asia. One with Google’s Android licensing and Play Store and one with alternate branding and a separate app store, much like what happened with Bada/Tizen and the Samsung Wave and Z devices. I am here to tell you that, unfortunately, is not true. Huawei can potentially be blocked from using AOSP, Tizen, KaiOS, PureOS, and Sailfish OS as well.
Google warns that ADB backup and restore may be removed in a future Android release
Unfortunately, it looks like ADB backup and restore may be going away. A commit in AOSP is titled "Add deprecation warning to adb backup/restore."
Setting up a new Android phone has gotten a lot easier over the years. Android Oreo's Autofill feature has made it much easier to sign in to all your apps, and some apps even carry over all your preferences too. Switching between phones from the same OEM is especially easy as most have their own backup and restore tools. However, the experience is not perfect and switching between phones from different OEMs can be a pain. That's where ADB backup and restore can come in handy.
The Pixel Experience custom ROM will be getting more features in the latest updates
Pixel Experience recently announced a slew of customization features that will be available in the CAF and AOSP builds of the ROM.
The original goal of Pixel Experience was to offer a custom ROM that was stable while also including the features that are available on Pixel devices. The scope of the ROM has grown in a number of ways over the years with a recent change being the addition of CAF versions of the ROM as opposed to only AOSP versions. The team recently announced a slew of customization features in their official Telegram channel (@PixelExperience) which will be available in the CAF and AOSP builds of the ROM (starting with the May 2019 Android security patch build).