Category: Android

[Update:  Version 3.1 has officially been released!]

The Microsoft Garage team behind Arrow Launcher for Android have had a busy few weeks.  Last week they released a major update, version 3.0, to the public channel which brought a significant number of changes to it.  While performance and stability improvements were the hallmark of the release, the new Utility page which shows your frequent contacts, apps and recent documents on one page was the big new feature.  Right on the heels of that 3.0 release, the 3.1 build has hit those in the beta program with further refinements.  The big news though is support for tablets.

Arrow Launcher on tablets works the same way as it does on phones with the ability to customize the launcher as far as icon size, rows and columns and some included widgets.  It also supports app notifications (for apps that support it) and works in both landscape and portrait viewing.  It is also incredibly stable.  Those who visit often know that I generally shy readers away from betas because of bugs and stability issues.  This beta of Arrow Launcher however is pretty rock solid in the couple of days I’ve been running it on my Nexus 9.  Obviously proceed at your own risk but I’m happy with it so far.

The growth of Android Pay continues at an impressive clip with the tap-to-pay service adding an additional 31 banks and financial institutions.  Those additions brings the total number of banks supported to over 600.  For Google, it is pretty straightforward:  More banks mean more potential users of the service.  The good news is that a lot of the new additions are regional banks or Credit Unions.  That opens it up to more people who don’t necessarily live in large metro areas where the larger national banks have branches.

I’ve made the point in previous posts about new banks being supported that if you see an sticker at a retailer that they support Apple Pay, they support Android Pay too.  The technology between Apple Pay and Android Pay are identical so you can use either one (even if the clerk argues with you that they don’t accept it – which happened to me, which I proved them wrong with a tap of my Nexus 6P…. but I digress).  The exception to this is Samsung Pay which is a different technology and can be used at non-touch terminals.

This week’s update of LineageOS has a lot of fixes and improvements that will be coming to users in the latest builds.  There is a pretty solid list of improvements that you can ready about on the developer’s site but for those who just want the highlights, here you go.  First, there is support for more than two cameras in Snap (think devices with dual rear cameras), a fix for when accounts where not showing up in settings, Dual SIM UI improvements and the AOSP file manager has replaced the CyanogenMod file manager.  The blog post has links to the repositories for those who want to read the gory details on all the changes.

LineageOS already has a massive number of devices that are supported but the list has also grown this week.

Added 14.1 devices

• LG G3 (AT&T) – d850
• LG G3 (Korea) – f400
• Samsung Galaxy S III (GSM LTE) – i9305

Added 13.0 devices

• LeEco LeMax2 – x2

• Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 (GSM) – n5100

• Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 (Wi-Fi) – n5110

• Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 (LTE) – n5120

That brings the total count of supported devices to over 100.

Part of the announcement also put out the Help Wanted sign.  If you can help the team with language translations, they could use you.  Hit the link to the post to get the details and to volunteer to help.

Let’s all take a moment and give Microsoft applause.  One of the most requested features from users of OneDrive has finally, finally made it into the app for Android.  You can now select multiple files with a single swipe on your phone or tablet.  The new feature is in the latest build of the app for Android, version 4.10 for those keeping score at home.  Once you have the update installed, if you are viewing your files or photos in tile view, you can use the new multiple file selection.  Just tap and hold the first file or photo you want to select. When you see the blue checkmark on that file, swipe across your phone’s screen to select multiple files.  Don’t lift your finger!  You have to tap-hold-swipe all in one motion.

Microsoft has been working hard on a lot of their Android apps lately, working to implement features that users have requested in them.  This is the latest example of it and users of OneDrive will be happy campers today.

The rise of the phoenix that is Nokia continues as the company made some key announcements at Mobile World Congress.  First, they announced that the new Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 are soon to be available for the low and mid-range market.  The bigger news however is that their flagship device, the Nokia 6, is going to be released globally.  To this point, the 6 has only been available in China.  It will come to Europe first followed by other markets throughout the first half of the year.

This global version of the Nokia 6 is the exact same phone as the one in China but with an updated software package.  It will be running Android Nougat with Google Assistant, has a 5.5″ Full HD display, Snapdragon 430 SoC, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.  It has a dual-SIM configuration, a MicroSD slot and a 16MP rear camera with phase-detection auto focus.  Add to that a 3000mAh battery and a fingerprint scanner and you have a solid performing phone that will likely be met with open hands throughout the world.

After being exclusive to the Google Pixel phone lineup, Google Assistant is making its way to Android Marshmallow and Nougat devices starting this week.  The news is certainly welcome.  Google Assistant has expanded to being in Google Home, Android Wear 2.0 and Google Allo but for adoption to really take off, it needs to be on phones and not just the latest Google flagship.  Google made it pretty clear which devices are going to see Assistant.  First, it has to be running Android Marshmallow or Android Nougat.  If you are running Lollipop or earlier, you are not going to get the update.  Second, your phone has to be running Google Play Services.  The vast majority of devices out there do run Play Services but you can check on your phone by going to Settings>Apps then tap the Show Systems option in the menu then scroll down and it (they are in alphabetical order).

Assuming your phone meets these two criteria, Google Assistant will automatically be pushed to your phone via Play Services.