Category Archives: Android

We asked, you told us: Major Android updates are a major requirement

Posted on August 25, 2020 by Andy Walker

Android updates are as important as you’d expect for some, but not for everyone. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, News, Survey | Comments Off on We asked, you told us: Major Android updates are a major requirement

Android 11 will bring wireless Android Auto to every phone

Posted on August 20, 2020 by Jon Fingas

It previously required certain Google and Samsung phones. Continue reading →

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Android 11 will sometimes force you to use the built-in camera app (Updated)

Posted on August 19, 2020 by Jon Fingas

Update: Google is imposing curbs on third-party camera apps in Android 11 to protect your location data. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Android 11, Camera, Google, News, Photography | Comments Off on Android 11 will sometimes force you to use the built-in camera app (Updated)

It might be the end of Android updates for Huawei phones with Google services

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Adamya Sharma

No Android 11 for the Huawei P30 Pro? Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Google, Huawei, News | Comments Off on It might be the end of Android updates for Huawei phones with Google services

Twitter’s new tools could lead to better third-party apps

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Jon Fingas

They still won’t have as much freedom as Twitter’s official apps, though. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Apps, News, Twitter | Comments Off on Twitter’s new tools could lead to better third-party apps

TikTok tracked Android user data despite Google privacy protections

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Jon Fingas

The practice ended in November, but the news still comes at the worst possible time. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Apps, News, Privacy, TikTok | Comments Off on TikTok tracked Android user data despite Google privacy protections

Android 11 beta 3 lands, requires users to opt-in to Exposure Notifications API

Posted on August 6, 2020 by C. Scott Brown

This will likely be the final beta update for Android 11. The next update should be a stable launch! Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Android 11, News | Comments Off on Android 11 beta 3 lands, requires users to opt-in to Exposure Notifications API

Twitter warns security hole might have exposed Android users’ direct messages

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Jon Fingas

There’s no evidence attackers have used the flaw. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Android Security, Apps, News, Twitter | Comments Off on Twitter warns security hole might have exposed Android users’ direct messages

Samsung appears to confirm three Android updates for the Note 20 series

Posted on August 5, 2020 by C. Scott Brown

We are awaiting confirmation, but it appears the Note 20 will get three versions of Android instead of just two. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, News, Samsung, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 | Comments Off on Samsung appears to confirm three Android updates for the Note 20 series

August 2020 Android security patch rolling out now to Google Pixel phones

Posted on August 3, 2020 by C. Scott Brown

The Google Pixel 4a isn’t included here. We expect that device’s first update to come next month. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Google, Google Pixel, News | Comments Off on August 2020 Android security patch rolling out now to Google Pixel phones

OnePlus yet again teases always-on display in OxygenOS 11

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Jon Fingas

One more highly requested feature could be close at hand. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, News, OnePlus, OnePlus OxygenOS | Comments Off on OnePlus yet again teases always-on display in OxygenOS 11

Android 11’s new emoji include a real heart, a piñata, and a polar bear

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Jon Fingas

Gboard also includes a new quick access emoji bar. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Android 11, Emoji, Google, News | Comments Off on Android 11’s new emoji include a real heart, a piñata, and a polar bear

Are there any truly bad Android skins still out there today?

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Hadlee Simons

The bad old days of slow, bloated Android skins are long gone… or are they? Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Features | Comments Off on Are there any truly bad Android skins still out there today?

Google made its best acquisition 15 years ago: Can you guess what it was?

Posted on July 11, 2020 by John Callaham

The story of how Google bought an unknown mobile platform 15 years ago, and why it’s still its greatest acquisition. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Features, Google | Comments Off on Google made its best acquisition 15 years ago: Can you guess what it was?

Here’s how Google plans to fight OEMs killing apps in the background

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Andy Walker

Android 11 could give users and developers more control over background app management. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Android 11, News | Comments Off on Here’s how Google plans to fight OEMs killing apps in the background

Go read this Android engineer’s explanation of why OEMs are bad at updates

Posted on July 9, 2020 by C. Scott Brown

A simple Reddit AMA question received a 1,500+ word response from an Android engineer. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, News | Comments Off on Go read this Android engineer’s explanation of why OEMs are bad at updates

Apple Car Keys: What is it and is there an Android alternative?

Posted on July 5, 2020 by Joe Hindy

Apple Car Key lets iPhone users unlock cars with NFC. Can Android do that? Yes and no. Let’s take a look at the options. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Features, iOS, Opinions | Comments Off on Apple Car Keys: What is it and is there an Android alternative?

Here’s a look at how quickly many Android phones depreciate in trade-in value

Posted on July 2, 2020 by Dave LeClair

Anyone who’s ever wondered whether their Android smartphones retain trade-in value now has an answer. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Apple iPhone, News | Comments Off on Here’s a look at how quickly many Android phones depreciate in trade-in value

Here’s how to try Nearby Share, Android’s AirDrop competitor

Posted on June 30, 2020 by Dave LeClair

Google’s AirDrop competitor called Nearby Share looks like it’s coming soon, as it’s coming to the Play Services beta. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, News | Comments Off on Here’s how to try Nearby Share, Android’s AirDrop competitor

iPhone 6S getting iOS 14 is like the Galaxy S6 getting Android 11. Imagine that.

Posted on June 24, 2020 by C. Scott Brown

iOS 14 is going to land on a very old iPhone. Meanwhile, Android 11 will land on a handful of phones in 2020. Maybe. Continue reading →

Posted in Android, Apple iOS, Apple iPhone, Opinions, Samsung | Comments Off on iPhone 6S getting iOS 14 is like the Galaxy S6 getting Android 11. Imagine that.