Top features of Android 9 Pie you should know - See why it's being awarded as the best OS

Android 9 pie has become official. It’s here for you with a helping hand from Artificial intelligence to help you customize your Android phone for smartness and simplicity.

The name Android 9 Pie was officially disclosed on 7 August 2018 when Google Pixel devices started getting the OTA update of our very new Android Operating System.

Users of the Google Pixels who got the System update yesterday claimed that the version answers most questions that previous Android OS versions failed.

Reporting the statement of Sameer Samat, VP of Product Management, Android & Google Play, on Google’s main blog, he said: “We’ve built Android 9 to learn from you—and work better for you—the more you use it.”

Android 9 Pie, with the assistance from AI, will master the use of your device to help predict your next task so you can jump right into your intended action, prioritise and save battery power for your most used apps and many more...

Android 9 Pie comes with an Adaptive Battery feature which studies the apps you use often and reserves battery power for them. In addition to that, to save power, the battery triggers an automatic adjustment of your phone’s brightness which is dependent on the external environment; this is what Google refers to as Adaptive Brightness.

App Actions

As predicted before the official release, Android 9 when installed on your phone introduces a feature called App Actions which will make your phone become even smarter.

With this feature, your phone should be able to understand how you use it and can predict your next action based on your daily routine.

Let’s say you are preparing to go to your workplace; you might either be triggered by suggestions like navigating to work on Google Maps or resuming an article with Google Doc.

When a headphone is plugged into your phone, it opens your music playlist, let's say Spotify playlist.

Recommended: Care for your phone battery by implementing these charging habits

Slices

According to Sameer Samat, the slices will be made available after the fall. This feature is quite similar to/being part of the App Actions, it provides relevant information from your favourite apps.

Let’s say you need a ride and you type the keyword ‘Uber’ into Google search, the search result will contain your home and work address. The word “slices” was adapted from the term “pie slices”.

New System Navigation

There’s a new system of navigation featuring just one home button.

Google suggests this would be better and convenient for taller phones to curb the inconveniences of navigating with one hand.

Swiping up the home button from anywhere will draw a fullscreen preview of recently used apps and you can simply relaunch any with a single tap on the app’s icon.

If you’re the type that toggles between apps, with Smart Text Selection in Android 9, it is simplified. This feature helps to recognize the meaning of the text you’re selecting and draws out relevant actions as suggestions.

This new System Navigation can be enabled in Settings.

Android 9 is designed to understand and make life better.

Stop being addicted to your phone!

Sometimes we wish we could disconnect from our devices and face other issues of life. Hopefully, this is possible with the help of Android 9 Pie servicing your device.

This new Android OS introduces a feature called App timer to help you understand how you spend time on your handset. To limit your use of certain apps installed on your phone, you can set an app to a limited time which the app icon will later turn out grey on your home screen once the time is reached.

Improved Security

Android will never exempt this in any of its OS versions.

According to Sameer Samat, the use of biometrics as security pass such as fingerprint has been bumped with improvements to enable industry-leading hardware security capabilities to allow protection of sensitive personal data like credit card information using a protected and dedicated chip.

Source of info: Blog.google

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Android 9 Pie OTA update officially released to Pixel devices today - Other devices are soon to get the update

Guess what the Android P is called…

“Android Pie”

Google has officially revealed the name of Android P to be called Android Pie

While I was running through my news feed on Google+, I came across this announcement by Andrea Gotschin (Moderator @ Android Beta Program) where he stated that the Android 9 Pie will be rolling out to the Pixel Phones today as part of the official release. He also added that devices which participated in the Beta program will automatically receive their upgrade via OTA update.

This is a quote from him (Andrea Gotschin):

“Today, Android 9 Pie will begin rolling out to Pixel phones as part of the official release. Devices that participated in the Beta program through our device partners will receive the update by the end of this fall! All currently enrolled Beta devices will receive an OTA update notification automatically. Once installed, you will no longer be able to downgrade to Oreo via OTA.

Note: Un-enrolling your device from the Beta program prior to receiving the public update will wipe your device. Once you install this public update, any time you un-enrol from the Beta your device will automatically be put back on the public track and your device will not get wiped.

You are likely already familiar with the new features, but please take a look at our consumer blog post (https://blog.google/products/android/introducing-android-9-pie/) for more information. The post also includes instructions for joining the beta to receive the Digital Wellbeing features (Dashboard, Wind Down, App Timer, etc.), which will officially launch on Pixel phones this fall, with Android One and other devices coming later this year."

Also, he added that if your device is still running the Beta program, you will automatically receive an OTA update to any future versions of Android Pie as soon as they are released

Interpreting the news, all other compatible devices that participated in the Beta program shall receive an OTA update by the end of this fall. Remember the previous news I published on this blog that Android P is set to be released on August 20 as seen on Evan Blass’ tweet, so this means that Android 9 Pie is just a few weeks away from other devices (apart from the Pixel Smartphones which is already getting the OTA update).

Android 9 Pie current supported devices:

The Android 9 Pie is currently available to 5 devices;

Google Pixel
Google Pixel XL

Google Pixel 2
Google Pixel 2 XL
Essential Phone

See the list of other Android devices compatible with Android 9 Pie

Now Let's discuss some of the top features Android 9 Pie is packed with

Now we have a new Android OS working with Artificial Intelligence (AI) for a smarter, simpler experience.

With Android 9 Pie installed on your Phone:

• You should be able to navigate with ease; introducing the new system navigation featuring a single home button.

This will be very helpful especially when featured on a taller phone where the user may not find it comfortable getting things done on the phone with one hand.

There’s also an option in the settings menu where you can change back to the three button navigation if you do not appreciate the one button navigation.

• Your smartphone will last for long on a single charge. With Android 9 Pie, your smartphone battery will be able to understand your pattern of app usage and will prevent irrelevant discharge.

Also, there will be an automatic adjustment on your phone’s brightness ( Adaptive brightness) depending on how bright or dark is the external environment, which also saves some percent of charge.

Related: Your phone battery lifespan can remain strong up to two years if you practise and avoid some charging habits

• App Actions will become easy and awesome as it will predict the next move as you start an application or you connect a gadget. For example, connecting headphone will automatically prompt your smartphone to open the music playlist.

Plus many more…

Watch out for our next update on Android 9 Pie as we will unleash the full features of the new OS.

Tags: android p, android 9, android pie

Thanks for visiting Oshetech.com, you can as well choose other topics on this blog to read about.

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Be ready to receive Android P on August 20 - Evan Blass •See list of compatible phones

Finally, the release date of the anticipating Android P (Android 9) Operating System is now disclosed to everyone.

Google said it will unleash the Android P OS on August 20, this date is the same as last year’s launch. However, this news was confirmed true when Evan Blass tweeted that the release date is just a week away. The tweet contains a calendar showing the month of August with letter P standing on day 20.

See the tweet below 👇

pic.twitter.com/ovby4pC3ph

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) 2 August 2018

While we've all seen the features Android P will be having, the name is still yet unknown, though, a recent report showed that the Operating System will be called Android Pistachio.

Nevertheless, since the launch date has officially been announced there's no need of predicting anymore. Let us all wait for that day when the Android P shall see the day when the naming ceremony follows. Hahaha…

You should know that Google will always appoint its smartphone (Pixel smartphone) to be the first device to run on any new OS. Moreover, the upcoming Pixel 3 and Pixel 3XL will definitely come unboxed with the Android 9.

However, not only these Pixel devices will be the first to welcome Android 9 into their build, other Pixel devices include;

• Google Pixel XL
• Google Pixel 2 & Pixel 2 XL
• Google Pixel

Aside from the Google Pixel devices, other devices like Samsung, Nokia, Xiaomi, Motorola, OnePlus, Sony Xperia, LG, HTC, Huawei

are expected to receive the Android 9 update once it’s released.

LIST OF SMARTPHONE DEVICES TO RECEIVE ANDROID 9 (P) UPDATE

List of Samsung smartphones to receive Android 9 update

Probably only some Galaxy models may receive the update.👇

Samsung Galaxy A8 2018 & A8+

Samsung Galaxy A7

Samsung Galaxy A6

Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Samsung Galaxy S9 & S9 Plus
Samsung Galaxy S8 & S8 Plus

Samsung Galaxy S7

List of Nokia phones to receive Android P update

Nokia 8 (2018)

Nokia 8 Sirocco

Nokia 8
Nokia 7 Plus

Nokia 6 2018

Nokia 6.1

Nokia 6

Nokia 5
Nokia 3

Nokia 2

List of Xiaomi smartphones compatible with Android P
Xiaomi Mi 8 SE

Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition

Xiaomi Mi 8
Xiaomi Mi 7
Xiaomi Mi 6

Xiaomi Mi 5

Xiaomi Mi Max 2

Xiaomi Mi Max
Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2
Xiaomi Mi Mix
Xiaomi Mi Note and Note Pro

Xiaomi Redmi 5 & 5+

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
Xiaomi Redmi Note 4
Xiaomi Redmi Y1 Lite




List of Motorola phones compatible with Android P

Motorola Moto C Plus

Motorola Moto E4

Motorola Moto G5
Motorola Moto G5S Plus
Motorola Moto G4 Plus

Motorola Moto M2

Motorola Moto M

Motorola Moto X5
Motorola Moto X4
Motorola Moto Z2 Play
Motorola Moto Z2

List of OnePlus phones compatible with Android P
OnePlus 6

One Plus 5T

OnePlus 5
Oneplus 3T
OnePlus 3

List of LG phones compatible with Android P
LG V30 & V30+

LG V10
LG Q6

Android P compatible of Sony mobile

Sony Xperia R1 Ultra

Sony Xperia XA1 Plus
Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra

Sony Xperia XZ Premium
Sony Xperia XZs
Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

List of HTC smartphones compatible with Android P

HTC 10 EVO

HTC Desire 10 Pro

HTC ONE M10

HTC ONE U11 & U11 Plus
HTC ONE X10

HTC U Play

HTC U Ultra

List of Huawei smartphones compatible with Android P

Huawei Google Nexus 6P
Huawei Honor 9i

Huawei Honor 9 Lite

Huawei Honor 8

Huawei Honor 7

Huawei Honor 7X

Huawei Honor 6X

Huawei Honor View 10

Huawei Honor V9
Huawei Mate 10

Huawei P10 & P10 Lite

Huawei P9 & P9 Plus
Huawei P8

Android P compatible list of Asus phones

Asus Zenfone 6

Asus Zenfone 5 2018
Asus Zenfone 5Q
Asus Zenfone 5Z
Asus Zenfone 4 Selfie

Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe
Asus Zenfone AR
Asus Zenfone Max
Asus Zenfone Zoom

List of Vivo smartphones compatible with Android P
Vivo Nex A
Vivo Nex S
Vivo V9 Youth
Vivo V9
Vivo V7 & V7 Plus

Vivo V5s
Vivo X21
Vivo X21i

Vivo X21UD
Vivo Y83
Vivo Y71
Vivo Z1



List of Oppo Mobile phones to receive Android P update

Oppo F7
Oppo F5 Plus

Oppo R13

Oppo R11 & R11 Plus
Oppo R9 & R9 Plus

List of Lenovo Smartphones to receive Android P update

Lenovo A7000 Turbo

Lenovo K8 Note & K8 Note Plus

Lenovo K6 Power
Lenovo K5 Note
Lenovo Vibe X2

Lenovo Z5

Android P compatible list of Micromax Phones

Micromax Canvas Gold

Micromax Canvas Infinity & Canvas Infinity Pro

Micromax Canvas Nitro

Micromax Canvas Sliver 5

Micromax Canvas Unite 4 Plus

Micromax Evok Note

Micromax One
Micromax Turbo
Micromax Unite 2 2018

List of Meizu phones to receive Android P update

Meizu 15
Meizu MX5

Meizu M3
Meizu M2 Note

Meizu Pro 15
Meizu Pro 7 & Pro 7 Plus
Meizu Pro 6

Meizu Pro 6 Note

Meizu Pro 6S
Meizu Pro 6X


Final Words:
Above is the list of compatible Smartphone devices that have been approved to receive the Android P update once it is released.
However, the name of this Android P will remain a mystery until the deal day when it will be revealed.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 8 to start receiving Oreo update

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is the next smartphone to receive the Android 8.0 Oreo OS update. This was confirmed by T-Mobile product manager, Des who published a tweet on twitter.

THIS JUST IN! @TMobile #GalaxyNote8 #Android #Oreo update approved! Will start hitting customers phones as early as Sunday night!!! (No April Fool's here) 🤘 - Des pic.twitter.com/r1yEl2myMW

— Des 📷 📱 (@askdes) March 30, 2018

Des says the Oreo update will start rolling out to all Samsung Galaxy Note 8 device starting from April 1.

Reports from AT&T says that users of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 on Sprint are receiving Android 8.0 Oreo update.

The new OS update is now available for the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 launched in the US with N950USQU3CRC2 as the build number. The update size is about 1330MB (that is 1.3GB) and it comes with the March 2018 Security patch. Also with this Oreo update being available to Samsung Galaxy Note 8 includes the Samsung Experience version 9.0, Oreo’s Picture-in-Picture, Autofill feature and more…

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Microsoft finally released Edge browser for Android and iOS devices- Download now!

Microsoft just completed its mission-- The Edge browser has come to stay on Smartphones of today!!!

• 
  

Having the Microsoft Edge browser on smartphone devices running on Android and iOS platforms is worth a stress release- with easy access and continuation to all your stuff previously paused the last time they were accessed via Mac/PC version of Edge browser.



Last month, Microsoft announced there will be an Edge browser mobile app version available for Android and iOS devices and further introduced the beta version which many of us have been using.
And today, we now have the Edge browser available on mobile markets- Google Play and iTunes.

The continue on PC we've been hearing to be one of the mobile browser’s features is real. Microsoft has integrated the “continue on PC” feature to work on the Edge mobile browser for Android and Apple iOS. This will enable you to ping a site over to your PC if the site's appearance on mobile view doesn't suit your taste. Good to know that with the new Edge mobile browser, you can resume a lot of your tasks from your phone to a PC, precisely Windows 10.

Read also: Datally by Google could help you control which app consumes your data

There are other amazing features added to the Edge for mobile. These include- ebooks, history, reading list, access to favourites. Unfortunately, Microsoft is yet to include the tab syncing to its mobile version of Edge browser, which means history or tabs can't be shared between PC and Phone.
Though the company is planning to introduce the tab syncing feature later in the future, probably we might have that next year.

However, like I mentioned earlier, the Edge mobile app is now available for everyone around the globe. For Android users, simply download and install Edge browser from Google Play. Apple users should get the app from Apple's store.

Thanks for reading to this very end, why not look for other interesting tech topics on this same blog?

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Your Android phone has been sending location data to Google without your permission

This is intrusive!
Did you know? Your Android device has been sending your location to Google even without you granting permission.

Tech companies like Facebook, Google, and other software seeking GPS permission often seek our location for proper rendering of their services to us. By default, we decide whether or not should our location be shared with these online platforms, even with the tech-giant Google. Sometimes we agree on this base on the terms of service of a company like Google. Currently, with Android and Google, it's as if we are no right to dictate if our location data should be shared.



An investigation by Quartz has made us know that our Android devices do not really need our permission before it sends our location to Google. This is security issue we are dealing with.

According to the investigation by Quartz, it was revealed that devices like Smartphones and Tablets running on the Android Operating System forcefully impose location tracking on the user whether or not the location services were enabled. Even when there was no SIM card on the phone, no app was installed, yet the Android device could still track user’s location, as long as the smartphone was connected to the internet. This is achieved by transmitting the address of close cellphone towers back to Google’s system that's used for messages and push notifications.



But there's a section of the Google's terms of service, which is a bit confusing, it reads:

“When you use Google services, we may collect and process information about your actual location. We use various technologies to determine location, including IP address, GPS, and other sensors that may, for example, provide Google with information on nearby devices, Wi-Fi access points and cell towers.”

Also Read: How to take long scrolling screenshot on any Android device

This process could be safe, the data transferred to Google is encrypted. It could also be a threat to user's privacy if, for example, the user's device has been compromised by a third party containing malicious contents like spyware or other hacking means which could potentially receive these data.
This is really not a good thing because it seems like Google is betraying the public’s trust.
According to Gizmodo, they contacted Google regards these reports and a spokesperson told them;

“To ensure messages and notifications are received quickly, modern Android phones use a network sync system that requires the use of Mobile Country Codes (MCC) and Mobile Network Codes (MNC). In January of this year, we began looking into using Cell ID codes as an additional signal to further improve the speed and performance of message delivery. However, we never incorporated Cell ID into our network sync system, so that data was immediately discarded, and we updated it to no longer request Cell ID. MCC and MNC provide necessary network information for message and notification delivery and are distinctly separate from Location Services, which provide a device’s location to apps.”

According to a claim from Google, the feature never got to be implemented, and the team have all concluded to discard it completely.
However, according to Gizmodo, a Google spokesperson responded to us that by the end of November, Android devices will stop the habit of sending cellular tower location data to Google.

Conclusion
We all know Google is trying its best to make out reliable security and favourable services to everyone who uses any of its products and services, and this is achieved by collecting our data in exchange. But all I'm saying is, whatever Google is trying to implement on us, we should be aware of it and also have the decision to either opt in or out.

Source: Gizmodo, Quartz

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Android Oreo 8.1 developer preview is now available

Is Android Oreo getting an update so soon?

Not so long the Android 8.0 Oreo was released on the Android platform, and so soon we're expecting an update to the Oreo operating system.

Introducing the Android version 8.1 Oreo OS. Google has recently released its developer review. for now, only Android Beta Program users can test it. Meanwhile, the 8.1 Oreo is expected to roll out in December. 

The Android version 8.1 Oreo is very easy to install, though Google has made some slight changes making it different from the way we install previous versions of Android Operating Systems.

On the Android website, Google has made its Developer Preview OTA downloads page to redirect to the normal factory image page not making users to access the OTA download links.

With this change Google has made, flashing of OTAs may not be the only method of installing the Android Oreo v8.1 instead, you can choose to download and flash the full factory image if you happen to have an unlocked bootloader, or you can simply register for the Android Beta Program while you wait to get a notification about the over-the-air (OTA) update, though it won't take long to be released.

Note that the developer preview is only compatible with the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel, Pixel XL, and Pixel C.

Read also: Specs, price and released date of Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

If you don't have any of these smartphones just like me, let's have our hands crossed while we wait for the OTA updates to be unleashed, then we shall enjoy same benefits like others. Meanwhile, if I should come across the benefits of this Android 8.1 Oreo and have confirmed them to be genuine, I won't hesitate to share them with you on this blog.

That should be all for now, I'm still finding more resourceful info from reliable sources. Thanks a lot for visiting Oshetech, please do come back.

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