The first update to Android 9 Pie is now available for those Pixel owners who simply can't wait for it to roll out over the coming days. Google has posted the September 2018 9.0.0 OTA files and system images for download.
Read MoreThe first update to Android 9 Pie is now available for those Pixel owners who simply can't wait for it to roll out over the coming days. Google has posted the September 2018 9.0.0 OTA files and system images for download.
Read MoreWhat a way to celebrate Labor Day. The first Open Beta for the OnePlus 6 is now available! Notably, this update brings the phone up to Android 9 Pie and, along with all of the changes in the latest OS version, it adds some new features, too. This being the initial release, there are some bugs to be expected, but let's take a look through the changelog first.
Read MoreLike clockwork, Sony introduces a new flagship twice a year. No sooner is one phone announced than we start hearing rumors of its successor, and the cycle never ends. At its IFA conference today, Sony introduced the XZ3 and, just like expected, it looks quite similar to the XZ2 series.
Read MoreAlmost two weeks have passed since Google served us a slice of its official Android 9 Pie. Some of us had followed for months as the different developer previews landed and weren't too fazed by the final release, but for those users who preferred to wait, there were many surprising changes from 8.1 Oreo to 9 Pie.
We've previously listed our five favorite Android P features and five least liked ones, but that was back in March, after the first developer preview and before the implementation of many other interesting changes. Today, we take another look at the final Pie release and see which features we like and which ones we're not too fond of.
Read MoreWhile Android Pie rolls out to phones from Google and Essential, most OEMs haven't announced which devices will receive the update. HTC revealed a few days ago which of its phones are being updated, and now it's Motorola's turn.
Read MoreCall recording is a bit of a thorny issue when it comes to privacy. There are also different rules in different places, making it hard for Google to implement a standard in Android without falling foul of the law in certain jurisdictions. Android's official call recording API was removed in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, so third-party app developers have had to be creative since then. As of Android 9 Pie, it looks like Google has put a stop to it altogether.
Read MoreOver the past few weeks, some owners of the 2016 Pixel XL have reported problems using quick chargers on Android P. For most of that time, Android P was still in beta, so bugs were to be expected. Unfortunately, issues with quick charging are still present in the final 9.0 release.
Read MoreDigital Wellbeing is one of the bigger features with landed with Android 9 Pie—though it seems like Google is keeping it separate and distinct in the Pixel-only public beta. I've spent the last week using it to analyze my use patterns and place restrictions on how I use my phone, and while the tool brings together a lot of options for precise configuration, I've found the data it actually provides is a bit lackluster. But I think there are ways it can be improved.
Read More