Nokia and HMD are at it again, releasing an update to Android 8.1 Oreo for another one of their devices. This time, it's the low-end Nokia 2 that was announced last October. The device launched with Nougat 7.1.1 and skipped the Android Oreo 8.0 release to wait for a direct jump to 8.1 with some under-the-hood optimizations from Android Go. That update is now available for beta testers.
Read More[Update: Replacement launcher coming] Sony ends development of Xperia Home, will close beta community in the coming weeks
Sony's phones have long used the company's custom Xperia Launcher, which has offered some innovative features over the years. For instance, it was the first OEM to offer Google Feed integration. Sony fans could even join the Google+ beta community to get access to the latest builds. That's coming to an end soon. Sony has announced the end of feature development on the Xperia Launcher, and the beta community will vanish in a few weeks.
Read MoreSony offers Android P Beta 2 for Xperia XZ2 devices
Just a few weeks after launching its Android P testing program for Xperia XZ2 devices, Sony has made the second beta available to download. It's available over-the-air for those already running Android P Beta 1, and it comes with a whole bunch of big fixes.
Read More[Update: Full downloads posted] Android P Beta 1 rolling out to Essential Phone
Essential may have run into a few recent issues, but the company remains committed to updating its devices. Case in point: Essential's latest Android P update is rolling out now, bringing the titanium and ceramic-framed notch the company's latest Android P Beta 1.
Read MoreChrome 68 will make annoying 'Add to Home screen' banners less conspicuous
Since the version 42 beta, Chrome for Android has included a pop-up banner allowing you to add a website shortcut (or Progressive Web App) to the home screen of your phone for easier access. While useful, the banner is unfortunately rather obtrusive, taking up too much space on the screen and getting in the way of the content you're trying to view. Thankfully, Chrome's developers have a solution to this problem.
Read MoreInBrief
[Update: New app version fixes it] Text is disappearing from the Google Feed for some, but there's an easy fix
A bug in a recent beta version of the Google app is causing text to disappear from the Google Feed for some users, both on the Android P Developer Preview and Android O. We noticed a similar issue in our teardown of version 8.3. Luckily, the issue is easily remedied in most cases.
Read MoreNew OnePlus Open Beta adds new shelf widget, May security patches, and more
OnePlus is good enough to provide a beta channel for its phones, so you can stay on the bleeding edge. You'll also probably encounter more bugs, but such is life. There are new Oreo-based Open Betas live today for OnePlus' recent phones. They include some functional updates as well as security patches.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Pulse SMS v3.0 beta includes folders, code copying, custom swipe actions, and more [APK Download]
SMS on Android has always been a little bit problematic, with Google's stock offering never able to really compete with iMessage — although it's set to improve somewhat with the introduction of a web client and more advanced RCS capabilities. For users who want a more advanced SMS experience right now, Pulse is one of the best options.
Developer Luke Klinker has just announced the version 3.0 beta, including a number of useful additions such as folders for better organization, easy copying of one-time/2FA codes from the notification (coincidently added in Android Messages the other day), and support for customizing conversation list swipe actions.
Read MoreAndroid P's new Recents UI includes smart text selection, image sharing, and pulling text from images
Probably the most divisive new feature in the second developer preview of Android P is gesture navigation. The optional 'Swipe up on Home button' setting removes the Recents button and replaces the Home button with a pill. Swiping up from the pill triggers the new Recents (also known as Overview) interface, and the apps are now arranged horizontally — much like the current behavior of iOS.
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