Author Archives: Derek Walter

It was a relatively busy time on the Android update beat this week. Pixel and Nexus phones got some bug fixes, while a couple of more watches finally get the long-promised Android Wear 2.0 update. Let’s dive in to everything that has rolled through the update pipeline.

Each week, we round up all the major software updates to hit the Android ecosystem, including phones and tablets on U.S. carriers, unlocked phones, smartwatches, and Android TV devices. Make sure your device is running the latest available software so you can enjoy new features—and fewer bugs and security holes.

Google

Pixel, XL, C, Nexus 6P, 5X, and Player: Android 7.1.2 started flowing out this week to several of Google’s latest devices. According to an announcement on the official Pixel User Community forum, you’ll see improved fingerprint swipe performance, Bluetooth connectivity, and battery usage alerts. 

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Most of the Android world was focused on new hardware, instead of software, this week. The Galaxy S8 and S8+ that got all the attention, with that gorgeous screen, tiny bezels, and somewhat useful software.

But it’s updates you’ve come for, and we have some to deliver. And there’s more information about why Android Wear 2.0 hasn’t exactly pouring out of the gates, a major frustration for many.

Each week, we round up all the major software updates to hit the Android ecosystem, including phones and tablets on U.S. carriers, unlocked phones, smartwatches, and Android TV devices. Make sure your device is running the latest available software so you can enjoy new features—and fewer bugs and security holes.

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The big reveal this week in the world of updates was Android O, which gives us a glimpse of the next generation of Google’s operating system. But for so many owners, all they want is their taste of Nougat.

A lucky few are getting that this week, with the upstart Nextbit Robin and HTC One M9 finally getting their serving.

Each week, we round up all the major software updates to hit the Android ecosystem, including phones and tablets on U.S. carriers, unlocked phones, smartwatches, and Android TV devices. Make sure your device is running the latest available software so you can enjoy new features—and fewer bugs and security holes.

Nextbit

Robin: Razer snatched up Nextbit earlier this year, but fortunately that hasn’t meant the proverbial operational shutdown. The company’s work continues, and the good news for Robin owners is that Nougat is now rolling out. Look for Nextbit build 88, which includes the January security patch and all those cool Nougat features.

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The Moto Z Play is the latest in the Lenovo family of smartphones to get Android Nougat. But that’s not the only big update this week—Google’s Pixel and Nexus devices are getting several critical security patches. 

Each week, we round up all the major software updates to hit the Android ecosystem, including phones and tablets on U.S. carriers, unlocked phones, smartwatches, and Android TV devices. Make sure your device is running the latest available software so you can enjoy new features—and fewer bugs and security holes.

Motorola

Moto Z Play: Motorola tends to be one of the better Android manufacturers when it comes to delivering Android updates. That’s fallen off a bit since the Lenovo acquisition, but you’re still part of a rather exclusive club now that your phone is getting Nougat. Motorola recommends you have at least 50 percent battery life and be connected to Wi-Fi when installing the update.

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A fresh delivery of Android Nougat is coming to another batch of phones. Motorola’s G4, G4 Plus and the ZenFone 3 Deluxe are on tap to get Google’s latest mobile treats.

Meanwhile, the Huawei Honor 6X just launched a beta for those eager to make the leap to Nougat.

Each week, we round up all the major software updates to hit the Android ecosystem, including phones and tablets on U.S. carriers, unlocked phones, smartwatches, and Android TV devices. Make sure your device is running the latest available software so you can enjoy new features—and fewer bugs and security holes.

Motorola

Moto G4, G4 Plus: We found this to be a solid pair of budget phones in our review. With Nougat, which Motorola says is on the way now, they should be an even more compelling options. Along with all the standard Nougat improvements, there’s a new Moto action that allows you to swipe to shrink the contents of your screen.

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You’ve probably been hearing a lot about Google Home lately. Yes, it’s the all-knowing oracle that tells you what’s coming up  your day is and fill the room with the sounds of whales if you so desire.

But there’s another Google Home you need to know about. It’s an app that bears the same name, although it does way more than just work with your living room answer box. The Google Home app is essential because it does so many things, such as connecting to your physical Google Home device, finding apps for Chromecast, and giving you customization for what you get from the Google Assistant.

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At long last, Nougat is coming to Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge phones—at least, those from Sprint and AT&T. Nougat is also rolling out to T-Mobile’s LG Stylo 2.

Meanwhile, Google may have identified an annoying bug that was vexing some Pixel owners.

Each week, we round up all the major software updates to hit the Android ecosystem, including phones and tablets on U.S. carriers, unlocked phones, smartwatches, and Android TV devices. Make sure your device is running the latest available software so you can enjoy new features—and fewer bugs and security holes.

T-Mobile

Galaxy S7: T-Mobile’s update page notes that you’ll need your phone’s battery to be at 50 percent or higher to get the fresh Nougat update. It includes all the great features you’ve been waiting for, so check for an update if you haven’t received a push notification yet.

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The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are real standouts with their hardware design. The software, however, is another story. Nougat is finally coming to some T-Mobile users after a lengthy beta test.

Sprint’s HTC One A9 is also getting Android 7.0, and we have the latest report of just how many (or in this case, how few) phones are actually up-to-speed with Nougat.

Each week, we round up all the major software updates to hit the Android ecosystem, including phones and tablets on U.S. carriers, unlocked phones, smartwatches, and Android TV devices. Making sure your device is running the latest available software is a good housekeeping practice, ensuring you have the latest features with fewer bugs and security holes.

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