Category: Android

This afternoon Google began pushing out a big update to Google Hangouts, their SMS & IM app for Android.  The update brings the app to version 7 and this is one that all users will want to get and try out.  Perhaps the biggest new feature is one that many Hangouts users had requested:  The ability to do Quick Replies.

Everyone pause for a moment and soak in the glory.

Now on the Notification Shade, you can do a quick reply to a message and send it.  It saves you from having to open up the Hangouts app and makes replies, especially while you are on-the-go (but not driving… because driving and Hangouts don’t mix).  There is nothing you need to do to enable the feature.  It will be automatically started for you after you upgrade to this new version.

For the second time in three weeks, Google has dropped the price of the Nexus 5X.  Back on January 12th the company dropped their entry level Nexus phone by $30 and now have lopped off another $50 which brings the 16GB model to just $299.  The 32GB model has also dropped by $50 and is now $349.  For the specifications of the device, that is an excellent price and you will have Android Marshmallow already on the device.  Plus, as we all know, Nexus devices get Marshmallow updates first and faster than anyone else.

Nexus 5X – 16GB – $299 / 32GB – $349

Spotify has upped the ante and has added video content to their app, still named Spotify Music.  The update comes after months of speculation and an announcement last summer that the company would be moving beyond just music.  The update is hitting Android this week while iOS users of the service will have to wait an additional week.  Now when you open the app, you have a video section that allows you to view content from a range of providers.  Right now the content is limited but it is expected to grow as other providers get signed up.  Right now you can get content from ABC News, Adult Swim, Comedy Central, NBC Entertainment and ESPN.

Spotify – Free (In-App Purchases) – Download Now

One of the things that I love about Android Marshmallow is Doze, the battery saving feature of the OS that I believe is one of the killer features of the release.  But for some users, Doze and App Sleep have proven to be a little bit to sleepy, especially when it comes to Gmail.  Multiple users have reported in various forums, websites and communities that they are having notifications for Gmail not happen if their device is in Doze.  The reason behind this is pretty straight forward.  Google has enabled battery optimization for Gmail so when your phone is in Doze it does not listen for email and thus, you don’t get notified.

There is a way however for you to prevent this from happening which is to turn off the optimization for the app on your Android Marshmallow powered device.  In fact, the How To I’m going to outline can be applied to any app that you have installed on your phone or tablet, not just Gmail.  But, and you probably figured this out already, by disabling battery optimization, you lose some of the battery saving benefits of Doze on your device.  Essentially this How To is going to show you how to bypass Doze so proceed with caution.  If you override to many apps, you will still see a lot of battery drain while your device is sitting idle, unplugged on your desk.

Owner of the unlocked variety of the HTC One A9 should start seeing the January Android Marshmallow update hitting their devices starting today.  The news comes from the companies Vice President of Product Management, Mo Versi, via Twitter earlier this morning.

HTC One (A9) unlocked owners! The Jan security updates and bug fixes is being updated via OTA this morning! Thanks.

— Mo Versi (@moversi) January 22, 2016

The update comes about 3 weeks after the update was released from Google as HTC continues to push to be one of the fastest manufactures out with Android Marshmallow updates.

When the OnePlus One was released last year, it came with the option of having a Cyanogen build of Android or an OxygenOS build of it.  The later is the OnePlus home grown version of Android and it is what is standard on the OnePlus 2.  The updates to the OxygenOS build have been woefully behind those of the Cyanogen build but today the Chinese manufacture has gone a long way in helping solve that problem.  Via a post in their forums they announced that version 2.1.4 of OxygenOS is now available and can be flashed to your OnePlus One.

Make no mistake: we have in no way forgotten about the device that sent OnePlus into orbit, which is why we’d like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to some of our brand’s most loyal supporters, many of whom have been with us from the word go: OnePlus One fans. The OxygenOS team has put the final touches to this custom release, and we’re delighted to be able to announce that development on OxygenOS 2.1.4. for OnePlus One has been completed and is now available to all.

The news is certainly welcome to OnePlus One owners, of which I am one, as it brings the latest offering from an OS perspective to the device.  While the platform still has room to grow, it is clear that this is the direction that OnePlus plans on taking with their devices going forward.  The even better news, they have setup detailed instructions on how to flash your device to this new OS.