Google Android 7.1.2 is coming soon to recent Nexus and Pixel devices, and this week Google released a beta version of the software for some of those products. But two older Nexus devices were notably absent. It looks like the company has no current plans to offer Android 7.1.2 for the Google Nexus 6 smartphone or […]
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Android N’s experimental freeform window mode turns Android into a desktop-style OS (almost)
The next version of Google’s Android operating system will be the first to have built-in, official support for multi-window mode, letting you view more than one application at the same time. Some companies, including Samsung, have been offering their own multi-window solutions for Android for years, but they’ve always had to alter Google’s software to […]
Install Android 5.1 on Android One phones (unofficially)
Smartphones with Android 5.1 software are starting to ship in Indonesia, even though Google has yet to officially announce the latest version of its mobile operating system. Earlier this month Google expanded its Android One program to include Indonesia and the Philippines, and the official website made multiple mentions of Android 5.1. Now that some folks have […]
Google releases Android 5.0.2 for the Nexus 7 (2012)
So you thought Google Android 5.0.1 was all new and stuff? Meet Android 5.0.2. Google just released a new factory image for the 2012 WiFi-only Nexus 7 tablet, and it’s based on Android 5.0.2. The LRX22G firmware is available for download from Google’s Nexus factory images website. There are also new binaries available, with updated […]
Google Nexus 5 is getting its Android 5.0.1 update
It’s been a couple weeks since Google released Android 5.0.1 for a handful of devices including Nexus phones and tablets. Now it looks like the Nexus 5 smartphone is next in line for the update. Google will probably release a factory image soon, but both Sprint and T-Mobile have issued notices suggesting that an over-the-air update […]
Asus Nexus Player could be one of the first Android TV devices
This fall Google will release Android TV, a version of its mobile operating system optimized to run on smart TVs and set-top-boxes. The platform will launch alongside Google Android L for smartphones and tablets, and it’ll be optimized to let you stream internet video from sites including YouTube and Netflix as well as music from […]
Google announces Android L developer preview
Google plans to launch the next major version of Android later this year… and for the first time the company will be releasing a developer preview ahead of time. The company unveiled Android L Developer Preview during the Google IO conference, placing a major emphasis on new design elements including sleek color effects, shadows, and […]
Google unveils Android One platform for low-cost smartphones
Google plans to bring Android to first-time smartphone users by partnering with companies to produce high quality, low-cost smartphones. The program is called Android One, and initially the company will partner with 3 Indian smartphone makers, Micromax, Karbonn, and Spice. The first sub-$100 smartphones based on the Android One platform are expected to launch in […]
What’s new in Android 4.4.3 KitKat
Now that Android 4.4.3 is available for some devices, it’s time to take a look at new features an improvements. For the most part the update is about bug fixes and security enhancements, which isn’t surprising when Google only bothered to change the version number from 4.4.2 to 4.4.3. But there are a couple of more visible […]
App Ops saga: The Android privacy feature you weren’t meant to have
When Google Android 4.3 hit the streets in July it brought some changes to location services, some user interface changes, support for OpenGL ES 3.0 graphics and more. But it also had a nifty feature hidden away in the code: the ability to revoke an app’s access to certain permissions. Don’t want that puzzle game […]