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Fairphone 2 is still getting Android updates 5 years after launch (Android 9 Beta now available)

Fairphone’s smartphones aren’t like most other phones. The Dutch company emphasizes the use of ethically-sourced materials in its phones, designs its devices to be easily repairable, and to last a long time. So while Fairphone has only released three smartphones in the past 7 years, it’s nice to see that the company’s second phone is […]

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NVIDIA brings Android P to the Shield TV (a 4-year-old Android TV box)

The NVIDIA Shield TV was released in early 2015, but it’s still one of the best Android TV boxes around… both because of hardware that’s stood the test of time and NVIDIA’s track record of offering regular software updates that bring new features to the platform. When the Shield TV first shipped, it ran a […]

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LineageOS 16 released, brings Android 9 Pie to over two dozen phones and tablets

Custom ROMs for Android phones and tablets can bring features that might not be available in the software that ships with your device. But they can also be a way to keep older devices up to date long after the manufacturer stops offering software updates. Case in point: the team behind LineageOS (which grew out […]

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Chrome OS updates to bring Linux apps to MediaTek Chromebooks, Android 9 to most Chromebooks

I’m in the camp that believes Google’s browser-based Chrome OS was always a “real” operating system and not just a glorified web browser. But the addition of support for Android apps and Linux apps in recent years has certainly gone a long way toward making the operating system more versatile. Now it looks like there […]

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Lilbits 342: Facebook’s next device might be for your TV

Facebook’s probably on your phone. You might use it on your computer from time to time. And the company recently introduced a smart speaker/display/video calling gadget called Facebook Portal that puts Facebook in your living room, kitchen, or anywhere else in your house. So what’s next? According to a report from Cheddar, Facebook wants to […]

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Lilbits 335: Next-gen Surface Pro coming October 2nd?

Google isn’t the only company set to launch new hardware in October. A few months after introducing the new entry-level Surface Go tablet, Microsoft has scheduled an event in New York City for October 2nd. The company will most likely update its premium Surface Pro lineup with new models sporting 8th-gen Intel Core processors and […]

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Custom ROMs bring Android Pie to older phones (Google Nexus 6, OnePlus One, and more)

Android 9.0 Pie started rolling out to a handful of phones the day Google released the latest version of its mobile operating system. And by a handful, I mean the Google Pixel and Pixel 2 line of devices and the Essential PH-1. It should also roll out soon to recent phones from Xiaomi, HMD, OnePlus, […]

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Google unveils Android 9 Pie (Go Edition) with faster boot times and better security

Google’s Android Go Edition software is designed to run on entry-level smartphones, and since introducing Android 8 Oreo (Go Edition) last year, Google says device makers have shipped more than 200 different phones powered by the software, with some models selling for as little as $30. But while these phones can run Android Go Edition software, […]