Category: Android

Yesterday, T-Mobile started rolling out the June Android Security update to the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge on their network.  Today, Sprint has followed suit.  The update is build G930PVPU4BQF3 for the Galaxy S7 while the S7 Edge will be getting build G935PVPU4BQF3.  The update for either device comes in at just under 300MB in size and it is recommended that it be downloaded via Wi-Fi and that you have at 50% of battery left prior to trying to install it.

The release notes for the updates are somewhat generic in describing what is addressed.  The security is improved thank to the new Android Security patch level but there are also “device stability & improvements”.  There are also performance improvements but again, not specific is called out.  This is similar to the T-Mobile release yesterday which just indicated “various system improvements”.

OnePlus has begun the process of rolling out OxygenOS 4.5.5 to their new flagship, the OnePlus 5.  The update has been released to a small subset of devices already and assuming that all goes smoothly, a broader distribution will happen later this week.  The update has a handful of fixes and optimizations for the new phone.  Credit where it is due:  OnePlus has been pushing out updates to OxygenOS and the OnePlus 5 at a pretty rapid pace since it’s launch last month.

Fixes in this build of the Android Nougat based OxygenOS 4.5.5 include a fix to the Wi-Fi signal indicator which always showed it as week, a fix for some apps which would not work under IPv6 and a fix that restores connectivity to a Windows 10 PC.  The release notes for this update indicate that you need to turn off USB debugging prior to the upgrade to assure this is fixed.

As expected with it being the first business day of the month, Google has released the July Android Security update for eligible Nexus and Pixel devices.  The update consists of two patches per the usual.  The first is broader Android fixes and patches for all devices.  It is dated July 1, 2017.  The second patch is more driver specific items for Nexus and Pixel devices which is dated July 5, 2017.  Nexus and Pixel devices will eventually see the July 5th update which is already rolling out and available as full images and OTA images on the Android Developer site.

In the July 1 update, there are 48 total items addressed in these updates, 10 of which are considered critical.  These issues mostly have to do remote code execution and permissions elevations in areas like framework, media framework and libraries.

The LineageOS team has released an update over the weekend that brings a massive number of fixes, improvements and, of course, a few new devices.  Changelog 12 has been posted on the company’s site and frankly, it’s a bit easier to list what hasn’t changed or improved than what has in the latest update.

Let’s start with new supported devices.  Nvidia Android TV, Nvidia Shield Tablet have been added as new devices while the LG G5, V20 and G Pad X on T-Mobile have been re-added to the supported list.  The ZUK Z1 has also been added to the 14.1 train which is based on Android Nougat.  Unfortunately the Moto G4 support has been suspended due to booting issues and support for the LG L90 has also been dropped.

Microsoft Arrow Launcher has yet another update rolling out in the Play Store.  The update, version 3.6.0.34513 for those keeping score at home, brings a number of UI tweaks and improvements to the launcher.  Many of these tweaks are just that:  Tweaks.  There are, however, some new features to be found in the update too.

One of those new features is the ability to hide the system status bar at the top of your phone.  The system status bar is where you see things like your mobile signal indicator, Wi-Fi indicator, battery and notification icons.  Now you can hide it from view for a cleaner look to your home screens.  To view the status bar, you can just swipe down from the top of your home screen.  This new feature is found in Settings>General settings>Keep status bar.

For readers who have the Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge on the T-Mobile network, be on the look out for a sizable update coming your way.  The update brings a host of improvements to both devices as well as the June Android security update.  For those with a S7, you are looking for firmware build G930TUVS4BQE1 while those of you with a S7 Edge, you are getting build G935TUVU4BQF6.  Both updates coming in at just over 350MB in size.

With that size, there are clearly other tweaks and improvements that have been made to the firmware beyond the June security updates.  Those updates themselves are only about 25MB so the rest is more-or-less other improvements.