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Essential rolls out Android P Beta, despite sale rumors
Bloomberg recently reported that Andy Rubin's Essential is in a big enough trouble that the Android founder is considering giving it up for sale. The company didn't confirm if there's truth to that, but it doesn't look like it's letting any issue it's dealing with affect its software updates: Essential has announced on Twitter that it has released Android P Beta 1 for its bezel-less ceramic phone. While the phonemaker referred to the software update as "Beta 1," it confirmed to Android Police that it's identical to the second Android P Beta Google just released.
First Android P beta adds full support for notched displays
It's March, and that means it's time for Google to release its first look at the next version of Android. As of today, developers can download the first version of Android P to last year's Pixel and Pixel XL as well as the newer Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Since it's a developer preview, we're not getting a ton of information about consumer-facing features, there is a lot of detail on what new features and technologies developers will be able to take advantage of in their apps when the next version of Android arrives later this year.
Google may launch Android P's developer preview in mid-March
You might see a glimpse of Google's next mobile platform very, very soon. Evan Blass, a well-known source of tech leaks, has tweeted that Mountain View is targeting a mid-month release for Android P's first developer preview. We don't know what "P" stands for yet, but since March 14th is Pi Day, some people are speculating that Android's upcoming flavor is "Pie." According to previous reports, Android P will have the power to prevent idle apps from being able to access your camera and mic. That added security measure can protect you against against malware that can record background noise or take images without your consent.
Future Android update will show how apps are draining your battery
Android Oreo, announced with great fanfare during the eclipse in August, has gotten some pretty neat features, like more recognizable emojis and notification dots for app icons. Now Android 8.1 will show you which apps are draining your battery in a new, more impactful way.
Android 8.1 preview unlocks your Pixel 2 camera's AI potential
Remember how Google said the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL both have a custom imaging chip that's just laying idle? Well, you can finally use it... in a manner of speaking. Google has released its first Developer Preview for Android 8.1, and the highlight is arguably Pixel Visual Core support for third-party apps. Companies will have to write support into their apps before you notice the difference, but this should bring the Pixel 2 line's HDR+ photography to any app, not just Google's own camera software. You might not have to jump between apps just to get the best possible picture quality when you're sharing photos through your favorite social service.
Google pushes Android Wear 2.0 back to early 2017
If you're champing at the bit waiting for your chance to try Android Wear 2.0 this fall, you're about to be disappointed. As part of the launch of a third Developer Preview, Google has revealed that the overhaul of its wearable platform won't officially reach smartwatches until early 2017. There should be at least one more preview release between then and now. It's more than a little unfortunate for smart wristwear fans, although it might be worth the wait given what Google is adding today.
Try a near-final version of Android Nougat right now
Android Nougat is almost here. A post on the Android Developers blog has the operating system's final developer preview build listed for download, which means that a bulk of the bugs and kinks we saw during our demo period should be mostly worked out. However, because it's still technically a preview, there aren't any guarantees of stability. The build includes system images for devices eligible for the beta program -- even those outside the Nexus purview.
Android Wear's latest preview opens gestures to other apps
Are you the sort to treat your wrist as a test bed for Google software? If so, today's a grand day. Google has released its second developer preview of Android Wear 2.0, and it packs more than just some extra spit and polish. It now supports wrist gestures in third-party apps, to start. While you'll need apps to take advantage of this, it raises hope that your favorite fitness or messaging tool won't require a free hand (or your voice) for navigation.
Apple TV gets better for cord-cutters and cable TV subscribers
Today at its big WWDC keynote, Apple announced a few updates for the Apple TV platform. New apps arriving include Sling TV (finally), Fox Sports, the French streaming service Molotov and the Minecraft: Story Mode game. Apple is also upgrading the remote application on your iPhone. The app is a lot more like the hardware remote, with touch-based navigation, Siri voice search, plus the ability to use the keyboard for input and game control using the accelerometer. As for the hardware itself, a new feature called "Live Tune in" will let you switch instantly between livestreaming channels like Disney, ESPN and more. There's also a dark theme now, while Automatic App downloads mean that when you install a universal app on your iPhone or iPad, it will be there on your Apple TV too.
Android N Preview adds launcher shortcuts and new emoji
A month has passed since Google released its Android N developer preview, and today the company rolled out an update to the in-progress OS. In addition to split-screen support, quick message replies and a battery-saving tool, the preview version gained a handful of new features with this new release. Among the tools are launcher shortcuts that allow you to navigate to a specific area of an app. For example, a shortcut that would allow you to quickly skip to the next episode of a TV show in a streaming app or navigate home in Maps with a tap.
Android N for phones is promising, but not for the faint of heart
Last Wednesday, Google threw us all for a loop by pushing out an Android N Developer Preview well ahead of its I/O developer conference. We already dug into what this preview build means for tablets like the Pixel C, but that's only part of the story. The only thing left to do was to throw N onto a sacrificial Nexus 5X and spent a few days getting a feel things on the small screen. Long story short, while most of you should steer clear, the preview offers a tantalizing -- and feature-packed-- peek at Google's refined vision of mobile computing.
Amazon lets anyone put Alexa voice control in their devices
Amazon released the Alexa Appkit last month in hopes that developers will create cool new features for the voice technology that powers the Echo. This time, the e-commerce giant is offering the Alexa Voice Service (AVS) itself as a developer preview, which both hobbyists and legit hardware manufacturers can integrate into their own connected devices. The best part is the company's allowing the use of its technology for free. "By adding Alexa to your device, your users can request and receive information in the same way they would from an Amazon Echo," the company's Getting Started Guide reads. That means devices loaded with Alexa will also be able to answer questions about the weather and look up stuff or the traffic conditions online.
Early Android L tests show serious battery life improvement
One of the big reveals for Android 4.4 KitKat's successor, Android L, was Project Volta -- new tweaks to improve battery life. Those include a new API that schedules minor tasks better, a "battery historian" to track battery-sapping activities and ART, a more efficient runtime. There's also a "battery saver" mode that kicks in aggressively when only 15 percent of the battery remains. Now that the developer preview has been in the wild, Ars Technica has put it through its paces, along with a number of users on the XDA developer forums. The results? So far so good, with some caveats. Under tightly controlled conditions, Ars Technica managed a whopping 36 percent better battery than KitKat, without even using the battery saver mode. Many XDA users saw comparable results, though battery life was actually worse than on Android 4.4 for some. However, that was likely influenced by apps and other factors -- one user noticed WhatsApp sucking 15 percent of his battery life, likely a beta bug. We'll be running our own battery of tests, as it were, but the takeaway for now? Hey, it's still a developer preview -- but we're optimistic.
We just played with Android's L Developer Preview
By releasing a Developer Preview of the next version of Android (only known as "L" for now), Google is walking new ground -- and it's blazing a glorious path that will greatly benefit the platform going forward. Developers and manufacturers will no longer be in the dark for upcoming firmware updates; by making a preview available, Google is giving its valued partners and third-party devs the opportunity to prepare their apps and services for the forthcoming refresh, which is due out sometime this fall. This may not eliminate fragmentation (in which a vast majority of users are on old -- and different -- versions of Android) entirely, but it should reduce it significantly. Imagine, if you will, the day when Google officially releases the L update; how nice would it be if your six-month-old phone got it that very same day, rather than months later (if at all)? It seems like such a simple concept, yet this is exactly what Android users have put up with for years.
Windows Phone 8.1 leak reveals new messaging and storage settings, and more
Up until now, the most we'd heard about the next rumored update to Microsoft's Windows Phone OS centered on two features: Cortana, the company's Siri-like digital assistant, and Action Center, its native notification center. Today, however, we have a clearer idea of where Windows Phone 8.1 could be headed thanks to a Reddit user who's allegedly gained access to the new SDK as part of Microsoft's developer preview program.
Canonical gives developers a preview of a dual-booting Ubuntu and Android future
Choice, friends, is good. Nobody likes being limited to one thing, when instead you could be picking from a plethora, or at least a pair of options. And it looks like Ubuntu is on track to deliver on its promise to offer a duo of operating systems to mobile devices in 2014, as it has released a developer preview of a dual-booting Android and Ubuntu mobile solution. While it's a developer-only release for now -- those familiar with unlocking phones and installing custom versions of Android should be fine, too -- using the feature is pretty simple once installed. No command line wizardry is needed: Simply open up the Ubuntu Dual Boot app and pick which OS you want to show up after restarting your phone. Looking for yet another toy with which to play on Christmas morn? The downloadables await at the source below.
OS X Mavericks Developer Preview 3 now being served up
Cupertino's clearly in the mood to churn out beta releases today. Just a few hours after unleashing the third iOS 7 beta, Apple's dished out OS X Mavericks Developer Preview 3. The House that Jobs Built is remaining tight-lipped about what the update contains, but it's safe to say it packs a usual suspect: bug fixes. Devs raring to snap up the latest release can click the bordering source link for the download. However, if you're not of the (Apple-approved) programmer persuasion, you can experience the operating system vicariously through our preview.
Firefox OS dev units coming to Geeksphone next week: Keon and Peak priced from €91
Two days ago, Mozilla CEO Gary Kovacs reinforced what we already knew: Firefox OS will launch in four to five countries in Europe and South America by summer. Today, a newsletter from Spanish e-retailer Geeksphone fills in a few more details. According to the email, the Keon and Peak smartphones we saw at MWC will hit its site next week -- albeit as developer preview units. Still, Geeksphone says the two handsets "will be available for dispatch anywhere on earth." The lower-end Keon will cost €91 plus taxes, while the mid-range Peak will set you back €149. Early adopters can subscribe to the mailing list to stay updated; click through to the source link. [Thanks, William]
Project Sputnik: Dell's Ubuntu-based XPS13 laptop for developers
An internal innovation fund at Dell is helping create project Sputnik, an Ubuntu-based laptop aimed at developers. The hardware is Dell's XPS13 Ultrabook, and the OS is the latest version of Canonical's linux distro, Precise Pangolin 12.04 LTS. So far the image contains drivers and patches for hardware, key tools and utilities (emacs, Vim, Chromium etc.,) and a native tool for github repository integration is incoming soon. Dell has also worked closely with Canonical on the project to ensure maximum hardware compatibility. As for developer tools, instead of bloating the system with a complex suite of applications, Sputnik has been designed to let users go to a github repository and pull down individual developer profiles; Android, Ruby and JavaScript being available right now, with more to follow. The install image is available right now via the more coverage link, and more details on the project will follow as it develops.
Mountain Lion developer preview changes file renaming options
One of my pet peeves with Mac OS X always appears when I'm in the process of opening a file from an app and want to either make a duplicate of an original or just want to rename the file. With Lion and previous versions of OS X, that meant that I'd have to close the "Open" dialog, open a Finder window, make the name change, and then go back to the dialog. AppleInsider noted today that the Mountain Lion developer preview adds some changes that will eliminate this pesky issue. Mountain Lion now includes "new and improved" Save and Open dialogs (see above) that finally let users rename files from the dialog -- no trip to the Finder required. With a double-click on the name, it becomes editable in the dialogs, exactly what you see in the Finder now. Files can also be renamed from the title bar of apps. The Versions pulldown currently displays options to lock, duplicate, revert to last saved version, or browse all versions. In Mountain Lion (below), the pulldown is changed so that it now adds Rename, Move to iCloud, and Move To items. While this is just a small change to the operating system, it's something that a lot of us have wanted for a long time.
