T-Mobile publishes list of devices to receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow update
While Nexus owners revel in the Android 6.0 Marshmallow goodness in the form of both OTA‘s and download links, the rest of us wait to find out when, or indeed, if, our devices will ever be updated. The US carrier, T-Mobile, has published a list that consists almost entirely of flagship devices that will be updated to Android 6.0, the details of which are after the break.
T-Mobile has included the Nexus 5/6/7 and 9 models in the list, with the Marshmallow update being available for all of them except the Nexus 6, which T-Mobile has yet to approve. The delay is probably down to the carrier requesting WiFi-calling to be included in the firmware. You may notice that there are no Sony devices in the list, whatsoever. Let’s hope the Xperia Z3’s exclusion is merely an oversight and not an indication it will be marooned on Android 5.1.1 lollipop.
It’s a three-stage process, with the devices starting off in Manufacturer Development; which is where the handset makers develop the update, which then proceeds to the second-stage where T-Mobile evaluates the update. And finally, the only part that most of us care about, the third stage sees the update released to the handset.
Is your handset on the list? Let us know in the comments.
Source: T-Mobile
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HTC’s Jason Mackenzie says that pushing out monthly Android security updates is “unrealistic”
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There are things that people want to hear, and then there are things that people don’t – we have a feeling that this falls in the latter category. When asked whether or not HTC will be committing to monthly Android security updates as Google, LG and Samsung have, president of HTC America, Jason Mackenzie, had this to say about the matter:
@bkerensa @htc 1. Because commitment to this is not realistic. In order to push an update you have to get carrier approval.
— Jason Mackenzie (@JasonMacHTC) October 3, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Now, before you grab your pitchforks, let’s just take a step back here. It’s a well-known fact that when software updates are released by Google, the manufacturer has to take time to incorporate the fixes into their software, then it goes to the carrier who adds their own stuff, before it actually reaches all of you. Now, there are varying degrees of waiting depending on what carrier you’re with and such, but all said and told, the whole ordeal is several weeks, if not months. We definitely understand where Mackenzie is coming from, though we’re yet to see exactly how this all turns out once Samsung and LG start churning out the updates.
On the flip side, we have to question – just because it will take awhile to get through to the user, why then delay the security updates even further just so you don’t have to get as many through at once? And that’s without mentioning unlocked devices which wouldn’t have carrier bureaucracy to worry about. It would seem careless to delay presumably crucial security updates, but of course, we have to give all the manufacturers the benefit of the doubt at this point.
What do you think about Jason Mackenzie’s comments on monthly Android security updates? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post HTC’s Jason Mackenzie says that pushing out monthly Android security updates is “unrealistic” appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Enable multi-window mode in Android 6.0 Marshmallow with a bit of tinkering
Multi-Window is one of the most awesome features that has blessed larger Android devices. You will never use a smartphone the same way once you try running two apps at once, but sadly this is a feature limited to very few handsets (mostly Samsung ones). This is why the whole Android modding community went nuts when it was discovered the Android M developer preview code included this featured, hidden deep within all those ones and zeroes.
People had to tinker with the phone to enable multi-window mode in the Android M developer preview, but it was definitely possible. The real question was whether this would also be the case for Android 6.0 Marshmallow when it became available, in its full glory. It turns out multi-window works, and all you have to do is follow the very same steps you did with the Android M developer preview.
The news comes from Reddit, where Android enthusiasts shared their experiences regarding the matter, and showed images as proof of this feature working. The process is not that simple, but those who know their way around rooting, flashing custom recoveries and running ADB on a PC should be fine.
And just in case those crazy words don’t manage to scare the faint of heart, the following might. Do keep in mind that rooting, flashing recoveries and tinkering with your device may harm it or void your warranty. Go on with this at your own risk and do your research, for you may be left alone if anything happens.
With that in mind, those who choose to continue can just follow the instructions over at XDA Developer forums, where pretty much all hacking and modding goodies come from. Have any of you tried this? How is it working for you?
To brighten your day: Night Mode elements uncovered in Android 6.0
The Dark color theme (seen here, from Android M’s first Developer Preview) was a very cool addition that was sadly removed later.
Although Android 4.0 made use of a dark color scheme to handle menus and settings, 5.0 saw a complete visual overhaul that extended to the color pallet as well: everything became bright white. Personal preferences aside, the new coat of paint irked more than a few users, but especially those with an AMOLED-packing device. Earlier this year when Google launched the Developer Preview of Android M, some eagle-eyed users were quick to spot a new option: Hidden away in the Developer Options settings tab was the ability to select either a Light or Dark theme for the OS skin.
Unfortunately, as the Developer Preview builds are ultimately a work-in-progress, the feature was eventually cut, and remains absent from the “RTM” build. Enter Hernán Castañón, who was taking a peek at the source code for Marshmallow and has discovered references to a “night mode”:
At the moment it’s impossible to know just what will become of this finding, if anything at all. Google could be planning to formally introduce the feature in a future update (say, Android 6.1 perhaps) or it could be just extra code. Still, much like the “hidden” multi-tasking it’s possible that at the very least some talented people might be able to work their magic and bring on the darkness.
The idea of a night mode that would allow the OS to intelligently change the color theme depending on the time of day would definitely be a major plus for anyone who has ever tried using their phone in the middle of the night and be bathed in glowing white light. And it looks cool to boot.
Should Google have included a Dark Theme option with Android, much like it offers on the stock Android keyboard? Leave us your thoughts below.
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Sony to hand over more control to its profitable image sensor business
Sony’s Exmor RS image sensors have proven widely popular in the smartphone market, but some of the company’s other divisions, I’m looking at you mobile, have not proven so successful over the past couple of years. In order to promote continued growth in its semiconductor business, Sony has stated that it will split the division off into a separate entity, while still retaining full ownership.
The idea is to allow for more autonomous decision making at Sony’s most profitable division, cutting out the back and forth between management. Sony will still own the company, but the group will be more accountable for their profitability. This move is designed to keep the camera division competitive.
TV and mobile sales have underperformed, according to Sony’s most recent quarterly financial results, and Sony expects that its full-year loss for its mobile division will reach 60 billion yen ($480 million), notable higher than the 39 billion yen ($310 million) loss that it anticipated back in April. However, the company’s image sensor business saw a 164 percent increase in year over year income, keeping the company’s overall profits mostly flat over the past twelve months.
See also: Sony Xperia Z5 camera tops DxOMark mobile rankings
Exmor RS based cameras have featured in a number of high-end smartphones this year, including the Galaxy S6 series, the LG G4 and Sony’s latest benchmark topping Xperia Z5. Sony’s sensors are also proving popular in the mid-tier and in emerging markets, as companies push towards better camera technology in order to help differentiate themselves from the competition.
Back in April, Sony announced that it would invest a further 45 billion yen ($374 billion) into additional image sensor production capacity. The company is also looking to expand its sensor business into the automotive market. We should expect further announcements about Sony’s plans for its image sensor business in the coming months.
PSA: Google brings back one month free trial for Play Music All Access
If you’ve been yearning to try out Play Music All Access for a while now, but missed the 1-month trial promotion Google held at the beginning of the year, you’re in luck. The company has just kicked off a brand new trial period for the service, which is even available to those who’ve participated in the past.
As usual, if you don’t cancel your trial a day before it ends, it will automatically bill you the standard registration rate of $9.99 + taxes. However, cancelling is super-easy and can be done from within the mobile application. All you have to do is head into your Account settings and click the button entitled ‘Cancel Membership’.
Are you going to be taking advantage of a trial? Be sure to let us know in the comments section.
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A second coming: Is OnePlus about to launch a Mini?
Why settle for just One Two when you can also have a Mini One?
Earlier this year, rumors and not-so-subtle hints were suggesting China’s OnePlus will launch a pair of products in 2015. As of today, it has already released one Two, but not the second one. GforGames has – via a tipster who claims to have access to a prototype- published some interesting information about this mystery product, which many feel is meant to correct the “errors” of the this year’s first second One. The device will allegedly cost around $250 and hit virtual stores in either November or December.
Spec-wise, the Mini is said to come with a 5-inch FHD IPS display, a MediaTek Helio X10 (MT6795T) SoC, 2GB of dual-channel LPDDR3 RAM, 32GB of eMMC 5.0 on-board storage, a 13-megapixel Sony IMX258 (f/2.0) rear camera and 5-megapixel front facing wide-angle camera. The device will purportedly have a 3,000-3,100 mAh non-removable battery, USB Type C, Quick Charge 2.0 support, and a 1.2W front-facing speaker.
The OnePlus Mini will allegedly have its fingerprint sensor on the back.
Other details mentioned suggest the screen will be a 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3 or 4 affair and include both oleophobic and hydrophobic coating. There will be no dual-camera setup however the rear camera will be able to record 4K video at 30fps and have a Dual-Tone LED flash. Unlike its big brother, the OnePlus Mini will include NFC to make use of Android Pay along with a fingerprint sensor to be placed on the back of the device.
Apparently, the SoC’s kernel source code will be made available to the public to support the development of custom ROMs.
While the device is to be made of plastic, users will apparently be able to purchase additional colors or styles separately to change the look and design of their phone. This would match with comments Carl Pei made earlier this year that indicated the second offering would be less about specs and more about style.
Three’s company: will the OnePlus Mini (not pictured, obviously) be a crowd-pleaser?
No mention was made as to the OS version running on the device, or details about its physical appearance or even naming convention. A special point was made that the prototype this information is supposedly based on is now a few months old and thus – assuming it is legitimate – OnePlus may have modified or dropped some specs since then.
Until something official comes along, readers should be sure to treat these specs as nothing more than rumors. With that said, does this device have some major potential? Can it fix all the “wrongs” with the OnePlus 2? Leave us your comments below!
The Moto X Style will launch in India through Flipkart on October 8
Independent retailer Flipkart has announced that it will start selling Motorola’s latest high-end smartphone, the Moto X Style, in India on Thursday, October 8. The handset will be up for grabs in both Black and White colorways, and will carry a price tag of around Rs. 30,000 ($460).
The Moto X Style is a pretty impressive device, packing a 5.7-inch qHD display, a 1.8GHz Snapdragon 808 exa-core processor, an Adreno 418 GPU, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable internal memory, a 21MP rear-facing camera and a 3,000mAh battery.
If you’re based in India, like the sound of the Moto X Style and would like to be notified the second it’s available to purchase — hit the source link below to register your interest.
Source: Flipkart
Come comment on this article: The Moto X Style will launch in India through Flipkart on October 8
Google updates Play Movies & TV with support for Marshmallow
Google has updated its official Play Movies & TV application for Android via the Play Store. In terms of added functionality, the upgrade carries compatibility for Marshmallow, an easier setup process for Roku boxes and makes it significantly easier to binge watch TV shows as the service now automatically plays the next episode of a series.
The full changelog can be seen below:
- Android Marshmallow support
- Bug fixes and stability improvements
- Easier setup for Roku devices
- Binge watch for TV episodes
To install the update, simply open up the Play Store, toggle the hamburger menu by swiping in from the left-hand side of the screen, select ‘My Apps’ and click on ‘Play Movies & TV’, then hit the update button. Alternatively, you can hit the link below to initiate the download on your smartphone from the Web.
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Which T-Mobile phones will get Android 6.0 Marshmallow?
Wondering if your phone will get Android 6.0 Marshmallow? Be sure you are not alone, we’re all desperately waiting for that notification. Android fans are quick to jump on Google whenever they learn a new major update has become available from Google, and the lack of information can be rather frustrating. T-Mobile subscribers won’t have to look through multiple news sites and forums, though. Magenta is being awesome and revealing its entire upgrade plans for Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
T-Mobile’s dedicated Android 6.0 upgrade page is pretty straight forward. It shows a list of devices that will eventually get the new software. Devices are then labeled into 3 categories: Manufacturer Development, T-Mobile Testing and Completed. These pretty much describe the stage at which each phone can be found.
The list of devices to get Android 6.0 Marshmallow includes the following:
- HTC One M8
- HTC One M9
- LG G3
- LG G4
- LG G Stylo
- Nexus 5
- Nexus 6
- Nexus 7
- Nexus 9
- Samsung Galaxy Note 4
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5
- Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
- Samsung Galaxy S5
- Samsung Galaxy S6
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S2
As you can expect, very few of these devices are on the Completed stage at the time of this post’s publishing. Most of these are still under Manufacturer Development, essentially leaving Nexus devices alone in other categories. Most Nexi are under Completed, by the way; only the Nexus 6 is still undergoing network testing.
What a handy tool this is! T-Mobile users can just click on the button below to head over to the carrier’s Android 6.0 Marshmallow update page. Details will continue to be updated as the roll-out advances. Don’t we wish all manufacturers did this?!
See T-Mobile’s software updates page!
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