Category: Android Oreo

LineageOS has rolled out support for the 2016 Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL in their latest firmware build of Android Oreo 8.1.  In LineageOS terms, that build 15.1.  The addition of the two Google phones adds to an ever increasing number of devices that the independent Android development group, which rose from the ashes of CyanogenMod, supports.

Like other phones, in order to use LineageOS on your Pixel or Pixel XL, you will need to have the bootloader unlocked and be comfortable with manually installing a software build.  It isn’t an overly difficult process but if you aren’t familiar with the process or comfortable with it, its best to stay away.

Good news this morning for those of you who have the LG V20 on Sprint.  The carrier has released the Android Oreo update for the 2016 flagship phone and it is making its way out to customers now.  The new build is OPR1.170623.032 for those keeping score at home.

The update brings all the standard goodness of Android Oreo 8.0 to the phone along with the July Android Security Update.  As you would expect, it is a hefty update at just over 1.5GB so you will certainly want to download this update via WiFi and to install, you will need at least 80% battery life.

The 2016 Asus ZenFone 3 Max is getting a nice surprise for owners starting today.  The company has pushed out the Android Oreo 8.1 update to the phone along with the new ZenUI 5.0 update to the phone.  The updated firmware is version 15.0200.1807.406 for those keeping score at home.

The update can be checked for on our ZenFone 3 Max by going to Settings>About>System Update.  Given that it has just been released, it make take a few days to get to everyone so patience is the key.

File this one under “What took so long?”.  After the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were updated to Android Oreo by all the major carriers here in the United States, the unlocked variant of the 2016 flagship devices remained on Android Nougat.  Normally the unlocked phones get these major updates first but for whatever reason, Samsung never rolled it out.  That, thankfully, is changing.

If you have an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge, the South Korean company has finally released the Android Oreo update to US owners.  It is a hefty update at just under 1.5 GB so make sure you are on WiFi before you download it and that you have at least 50% of battery life left before installing it.

Today over at Amazon, you can pick up an amazing deal on the original Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL phones.  The 2016 flagship phones on the Google store front have been refurbished  and come with a 90 day warrant.  This all adds up to some outstanding prices.  Here are some highlights of the deals:

• Pixel with 32GB of storage in Very Silver for $210.79
• Pixel XL with 32GB of storage in Very Silver for $243.99
• Pixel with 32GB of storage in Really Blue for $214.99
• Pixel XL with 32GB of storage in Really Blue for $247.99
• Pixel with 128GB of storage in Quite Black for $279.15
• Pixel XL with 128GB of storage in Quite Black for $329.99

All of these prices are huge savings from the original retail prices for these phones and are substantially less than previous sales on refurbished models.

Today over at Amazon, the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is down to $359, the lowest price the 4.6″ phone has seen and some $240 off its launch price of $599.  The XZ1 Compact was released last year by Sony and is a solid option for those who are looking for an Android Oreo powered device that has a small form factor.

To this point, the lowest price had been $399 which was back in March.  At $399, it is a great value for what you are getting in a phone.  At another $40 off, it is something to seriously consider.