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I gave up on Android tablets after I discovered the iPad as a writing tool
Oh, the wasted years (and wasted money!) trying to do this on Android
There’s a dream I’ve had for years: a platonic ideal of consumer electronics. I dream of the perfect mobile writing machine.I imagine a device that’s compact and light enough to carry anywhere, without the need for supporting hardware, and which differs enough from a conventional laptop or desktop interface to let me focus entirely on writing. With all that included, it needs to be powerful enough to run multiple applications at a time: a word processor, a small browser window for supplementary research, and a media player for music.Since I’m also a fan of mechanical keyboards, as are many self-described writers these days, a tablet + wireless keyboard combo is part of my ideal. (Yes, the keyboard counts as "supporting hardware." No one ever said dreams had to be consistent.) If I could get a tablet, or perhaps a convertible laptop with its fold-back screen, and an “endgame” keyboard, and I’d finally achieve portable writing perfection. Then maybe I’d finally run out of excuses for finishing off that second novel.
The snazzy Google light bar from the Chromebook Pixel and Pixel C may be coming back
Code in the Chromium repository indicates that Lenovo might put it on a new machine
The distinctive blue, red, yellow, and green light bar on the Google-branded Chromebook Pixel laptop and Pixel C tablet was a delightful bit of subtle branding, and it's a shame we haven't seen it on subsequent models like the Pixelbook. But according to a snippet of code spotted in the Chrome repository, it might be coming back on a future Chromebook machine from Lenovo.
LineageOS drops support for Nexus 6P, Pixel C, and 14 other Oreo devices
Saying goodbye to LineageOS 15.1
LineageOS is the most popular custom ROM around, boasting support for dozens of popular phones. While most new development in the past year has focused on bringing Android 9 Pie to new devices, Lineage has continued to offer an Oreo ROM for older phones, but that option is sadly going away.
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- Google has just updated its OTA and factory image pages with links to this new release.
Google's last Android tablet, the Pixel C, reached end-of-life back this June. Device owners can't rely on receiving regular security updates anymore, making the device more and more dangerous in daily use. Google doesn't appear to be completely done with the Pixel C, though. Some people have received an OTA, but it's not exactly clear what has changed.
Google's Pixel C, the last first-party Android tablet released all the way back in December of 2015, may have just stopped getting monthly security patches. There has been no official announcement, and device-specific delays have happened before, but the Pixel C wasn't among those that received today's July set of updates, and the precise timing is awfully suspicious.
It's the first Monday of the month, and that means the latest Pixel security patches are here. In addition to the general security fixes we usually anticipate — and which make Pixel ownership so great for the security-conscious — this month comes with a small pile of Pixel-specific functional patches, too, including further improvements to "OK Google" hotword detection (following last month's), fixes for issues ranging from "stuck" boot to black screens, and other tweaks.
It's the first Monday of a new month, and that means Google's Pixels are getting their regular security patches. Downloads for both full factory images and sideloadable OTAs are up and available while we wait for the update to roll out via the more traditional means — which usually takes at least an hour or two. Pixel functional patches for this month's update include a few fixes, as well as improved hotword detection for the "Ok Google" command. The Pixel 3a also joins its forebears in picking up its first ever monthly security updates.
It's that time again—Google has dropped the latest Android Pie builds for your Pixel devices. You can get the OTA the old-fashioned way on your phone, but the files are available for direct, immediate download right now.
Right on schedule, Google has just pushed out OTA and factory image downloads for the latest March updates to its Pixel line. Unlike last month, we've also got a pile of functional patches for the Pixel 3 and 3 XL which include improved storage performance and better "startup and responsiveness of [the] Camera app." Reports also indicate the update is rolling out already via the traditional means.
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- Both bulletins are up. Curiously, the Pixel bulletin this month is entirely empty: There are no Pixel-exclusive functional patches mentioned for February.
It's that time of the month: Google's Pixel updates are landing. Although OTAs don't appear to be rolling out via the traditional means just yet, Google has posted both OTA files and factory images to the usual locations for your side-loading pleasure.
It's the first Monday in a new month, so there's one thing you can typically expect from today: Google will release its monthly security patches for Pixels. There are a couple of surprises this month, though. The Nexus 5X and 6P are still getting updates, and December images for Google's 2016 Pixels are again curiously absent. The list of functional patches included this month is large, and it also includes "improved memory performance in certain circumstances," for the Pixel 3, 3XL, 2, and 2 XL.
Each month Google releases security updates and fixes for both Android in general, and its most recent first-party hardware. This month is no exception. OTAs and factory images for Nexus and Pixel devices are now live, as is this month's security bulletin, functional patches for which seem to include a fix for the Pixel 2 XL's proximity sensor issues.
Every month Google's ritual of regular security updates keeps our Pixel and Nexus devices safe from both real and imaginary electronic boogeymen. These updates usually land sometime in the first week of the month, and like clockwork, here they are. Google has just posted both the May 2018 OTA files and system images for its Pixels and remaining supported Nexus devices, as well as the latest general Android and first-party security bulletins.
The Tegra X1 is one of Nvidia's latest mobile processors, powering devices like the Nintendo Switch, Google Pixel C, and Nvidia Shield. It's not uncommon that vulnerabilities are discovered in SoCs, and that has just happened for the Tegra X1. Katherine Temkin and the ReSwitched hacking team have just released details about a security flaw, nicknamed 'Fusée Gelée,' that allows unauthenticated arbitrary code execution on devices using the Tegra chip.
Almost ever since its release, the Pixel C has been the neglected child of the Google lineup. With every update to Android or new feature, Pixel C users often had to wait weeks if not months to see it come to their devices, not to mention the delay in fixing some outstanding bugs. But despite it all, some held onto their Pixel C because it's the last Android tablet Google has made and now they may be receiving a little reward for their patience: the Google Assistant is finally available for them.
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- LineageOS 15.1 builds for the Pixel C (dragon), Nexus 6 (shamu), and OnePlus 2 (oneplus2) are now available to download.
After much anticipation, LineageOS 15.1 (based on Android 8.1) was announced last month. Only a handful of devices had official 15.1 builds at the start, but over time, more have been moved up to Oreo. The Nexus Player, OnePlus One, and Oppo Find 7 were recently added to the roster - and now three more devices are coming.
Google's monthly tradition continues—owners of Pixel and (some) Nexus devices can grab the latest software builds. The updates will roll out automatically in the coming days, but you don't have to wait. The OTA files and system images have both shown up, and there are bulletins documenting the surprisingly extensive list of changes.
Another month is just starting, and that means it's time for the latest round of Pixel and Nexus patches to roll out. Google has posted both the system images and the OTA files, so you can get the latest version on your device without waiting for the update. You might actually want to go out of your way this time as there are some functional updates for Pixel devices.
It's time again for another update to Android, and it's rolling out to Google devices starting now. If you just can't wait for the OTA to reach you, there are some files you can download to skip the wait. It looks like most devices just have a single build this month, which will make things much easier.
Google is getting an early start in 2018 by rolling out the monthly patches for Nexus and Pixel devices. The OTA files and full system images are available a few days earlier than usual, and devices should begin seeing updates in the not too distant future. It looks like several devices have two different builds available this month, so you'll have to grab the right one if you just can't wait.