News and notes on the latest from Google.
Google’s “Pixel Launcher,” exclusive to their Pixel phones, brings a lot of unique features in a simple and beautiful interface. While you can easily download the APK to your device or customize Nova Launcher, the result was just not the same. Today, thanks to the work of developer AmirZ, a fully-functional version of the Pixel Launcher is now available for all of Android.
Back in early April, codenames for the upcoming Pixel phones leaked. Now, according to Android Police, “muskie”—the supposed 2017 Pixel XL—has been scratched.
Recently, OnePlus released renders of their upcoming flagship, the OnePlus 5, and many Android and OnePlus fans were outraged at the design’s similarity to Apple’s iPhone 7/7+.
Google’s SafetyNet is an API available for developers, to protect device security and provide a health check of the device to an app. An app can then refuse to run if the device health check fails, or disable features. An app known for doing this is Pokemon Go. This was one of the first apps which actively refused to run on a device that has been unlocked or tampered with. A simple API for developers to implement, huge ramifications for the end-user. The intention of SafetyNet is to provide a protection for the end-user and the IP of a company or to prevent cheating in games, but invariably hurts the end-user and, it can be argued, causes more problems than it solves.
Continue reading “SafetyNet: What is it, and why doesn’t Android Pay work without it?”
The OnePlus 5 is coming, and it’s coming soon. This time, there are a lot of expectations from OnePlus, but will they be able to live up to them? Continue reading “The OnePlus 5 is confirmed”
OnePlus announced a few days ago that both the OnePlus 3 and the OnePlus 3T will be receiving the Android O update, as confirmed by CEO Pete Lau on Twitter. And with the OnePlus 5 hype train currently marching forward, the Chinese-based company has confirmed that their 2015 flagship, the OnePlus 2, will not be getting the (previously promised) Android 7.0 Nougat update.
Continue reading “OnePlus 2 not getting Nougat: what’s next for their current lineup?”
Pixel Spot’s got a new look! I’m happy to say we’ve revamped our site with a new theme and logo.
We’re already five days into June and Google’s rolling out new Android builds to its devices. If you don’t want to wait for the OTA to hit you, we’ve rounded up the links for you. Google also says that this update should address the problem for any Pixels experiencing freezing.
Continue reading “June Nexus/Pixel factory images and OTA files now available”
Imagine a world where you can use your phone to do phone things: texting, using apps, and yes, even the occasional phone call—but without paying $30+ a month to your corporation of choice.
To those willing to accept a few minor drawbacks, this world can be a reality.
Android Wear 2.0, after being released way back in February of this year, has seen anything but a quick roll out. Die hard Moto 360 users have been waiting for eternity without any kind of response from Motorola, until today.
Continue reading “Moto 360 2nd Gen Android Wear 2.0 update rolling out now”
