Skanda Hazarika
857 articles published since October 07, 2018
About Skanda Hazarika
DIY enthusiast (i.e. salvager of old PC parts). An avid user of Android since the Eclair days, Skanda also likes to follow the recent development trends in the world of single-board computing.
Google Pixel Fold and Tablet join the bleeding edge with Android 14 Beta 4
The stable release is just around the corner
Android 14 Beta 4 is rolling out today for eligible Pixel devices. For folks keeping track of the development cycle, this is the last expected major release before it hits the stable milestone and is ready for the masses. This latest version also picks up support for the brand new Pixel Fold as well as the Pixel Tablet, which means it's the last chance for the app developers to get those tuning-and-testing toes wet before Android 14 is released.
How to download Android 13 for Google Pixel and other Android devices
Google has officially kicked off the Android 13 QPR3's stable version rollout. You can download the release right now and give it a try!
Google officially launched the stable version of Android 13 on August 15, 2022. For lucky owners of the Pixel 7a or any devices as old as the Pixel 4a, you’ll be also among the first to see what Android 13 QPR3 has to offer, as the company has already started rolling out the update on these phones. The Pixel Fold and the Pixel Tablet are also eligible to get regular monthly security updates on top of Android 13.
Windows 11 update tracker: Download and install the latest update
Now that Microsoft has released Windows 11 via stable channel, we're tracking all the updates
Keeping Windows up to date will ensure that you’ve got the least buggy version of the OS. When it comes to Windows 11, Microsoft has opted for the "one single annual update per year" formula, albeit the company will continue to make available regular patches and fixes throughout the year to address the known issues. New feature sets, such as the "Moment 3" release, are also being seeded through the Windows Update framework.
Here's how to install Play Store and other Google apps on Windows Subsystem for Android
WSAGAScript is a tool that lets you easily patch the Windows Subsystem for Android to install the Google Play Store.
Windows Subsystem for Android is finally here. What's more interesting is that you can unofficially try it right now — even if you're not enrolled in the Beta channel of Windows 11. In case you're not happy with the mandatory Amazon Appstore integration, you should be happy to hear that the app sideloading process isn't difficult either. It is also possible to install a third-party Google Play Store client, but the lack of Google services in the Windows Subsystem for Android makes it a bit hard to use apps that are dependent on them, as we noted in our hands-on.
Nothing Phone 1 update tracker: Here are all the official Nothing OS builds to download and install
We tracked down all the Nothing Phone 1 updates so you don't have to.
Ever since the Carl Pei-backed startup Nothing unveiled the Nothing Phone 1 to the world, it's been making headlines for various reasons. Its Glyph lighting interface got a lot of attention, as did Nothing's idea of embracing a close-to-stock version of Android. Launched with Android 12-based "Nothing OS" out of the box, the phone picked up a stable Android 13 update in the form of Nothing OS 1.5 back in February this year. When it comes to software support, the company promised three years of Android upgrades and four years of security updates delivered every two months.
Android 14 beta builds are now available for these non-Google devices
A lot of phones have already received a taste of Android 14, with more to follow soon.
Android 14 picked up the "beta" tag a while ago on Google Pixel devices, but that doesn't mean the non-Google phone you’re carrying in your pocket will get the same treatment anytime soon. This is because, unlike Apple, Google allows other OEMs to customize Android and ship their phones with various skins, which naturally takes time to develop and evaluate whenever a new version of the operating system is about to release.
July 2023 Android security update rolls out to Google Pixel and some Samsung Galaxy phones
Come get your security patches
In case you're thinking, "today's a Wednesday, but Pixel updates usually land on Mondays," you're right, Google is indeed a little bit behind its usual schedule. This month's release has been delayed slightly until today, as a result of 4th July's federal holiday to celebrate Independence Day in the US. Nonetheless, Google's freshly baked Pixel software updates for July are finally here.
The new Asus Zenfone 10 wallpapers look great and we have them all for you
Make your day more Zen!
For those of us who like to tweak our home screen and change the wallpaper often, it's always interesting to see what's included on the latest and greatest phones. The Asus Zenfone 10 was released recently, and we already have all the static and live wallpapers from the device available for your perusal and download.
How to download Android 14 for Google Pixel and other Android devices
Android 14 is available via beta channel, and you can install it on your Google Pixel right now.
Android 14 is finally here! For lucky owners of the Pixel 7a or any Pixel phone as old as the Pixel 4a 5G, you'll be among the first users to see what Android 14 has to offer, as these phones can participate in Google's beta initiative.
How to install ADB on Windows, macOS, and Linux
A step-by-step guide to get you started with the Android Debug Bridge tool.
Several features of the Android operating system can be accessed only through paths and methods that are hidden away from the average user. These have generally been done with the help of some command line Android Debug Bridge (ADB) commands, a tool that Google offers for developers to debug various parts of their applications or the system, but which we can use for all kinds of neat and hidden tricks. A prerequisite to these tricks is installing ADB on your computer. So, in this guide, we will show you how to install ADB on Windows, macOS, and Linux in quick and easy-to-follow steps.
Google posts Pixel Watch factory images for your flashing pleasure
You probably don’t need them now, but you might require in the future
The day tinkering minded Pixel Watch owners have been anxiously awaiting is finally here. Those of you who dropped some cash on Google's smartwatch might want to saddle up for some real firmware flashing adventure. A little over seven months after launching the device, the company has now posted the factory image and OTA files for the watch. While not exactly a software update, these files could come in handy should you be the modding type, do something to break your watch’s software, and need to get it back to normal.
Android 14 Beta 2.1 is here with plenty of bug fixes for Pixel phones
Life on the bleeding edge
Google is prepping the sweet treat of Android 14 for its Pixel smartphones, and users on the beta program are starting to see a fresh new update today. The upcoming major release of Android has just hit another milestone with a Beta 2.1 hotfix making its debut alongside a bunch of stability improvements.
How to access Developer Options on Amazon Fire TV
Amazon nowadays hides the Developer Options menu on the Fire TV, crucial for sideloading apps. Here's how to get it back.
The majority of Amazon Fire TV owners will probably never need to touch the Developer Options settings. But would-be developers and anybody else who wants to sideload applications not found in Amazon's store will need to. Until recently, these options were easy to locate in the Fire TV menus. However, an update from June 2022 hid the Developer Options menu. You could say this was a good move since keeping settings that many won't know how to use out of sight will keep them from messing around. But it does make them harder to find when you want to.
Here are all the new wallpapers from the Motorola Edge 40
Be sure to add these wallpapers to your sprawling collection
Motorola unveiled its 2023 flagship Edge 40 Pro back in April, and earlier this month the company followed up with the regular base model. The vanilla Edge 40 packs MediaTek’s Dimensity 8020 SoC, paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It’s pretty common for manufacturers to release new wallpaper collections when launching a handset, and the Edge 40 isn't an exception to the trend. Motorola included a few different wallpapers with this phone, and we have all of them available for download.
Get your hands on the Google Pixel 7a wallpapers right now
Pretend your current phone is a Pixel 7a
Google recently pulled the wraps off the Pixel 7a. Whether you're debating buying it over the Pixel 6a, you've already pre-ordered, or you're not interested, there's one thing you can still get excited about: new wallpapers. A new Pixel means a new set of artworks, and just like the Pixel 7 series, Google's made a whole bunch of feather-themed wallpapers for its latest mid-ranger.
Google Pixel 7a kernel source code and factory images are already up for grabs
Recover to stock whenever you need to
After months of previews and leaks, the Google Pixel 7a is finally available to the general public. Matter of fact, the company has also uploaded the first set of OTA and factory images for its hot new affordable mid-ranger without much fanfare. For power users and the modding community, this means they've got a steadfast method of easily flashing back to the stock configuration if they need it, plus official firmware images to dig through. Apart from the factory image set, Google has published all the tools, files, and documentation needed by third-party developers interested in running custom software on this device as well.
Android 14 Beta 2 is here with support for predictive back animations and more
Anything else you'd like to drop today, Google?
Back in February this year, Google published the first developer preview build of Android 14. The beta branch picked up its introductory release about a month ago. Now, shortly after today's main I/O 2023 keynote, Google rolled out Android 14 Beta 2 for the Pixel devices.
Google did not forget about privacy at I/O 2023
The company also announced a host of new security features at its annual developer conference.
Google on Wednesday announced a plethora of improvements to its existing products and services at Google I/O 2023. To continue its commitment to protect people from cyber threats, the tech behemoth has announced an array of security features at its annual developer conference. For a company that's known for organizing the whole world’s information, it essentially boils down to digital reliability and user privacy.
What is EdXposed, and what can you do with it on your Android device?
Wondering how to use EdXposed? Here's how to install this Riru module through Magisk and what you can do with the framework.
Android enthusiasts will be familiar with Magisk modules. They provide a simple way to apply system-level mods to your device without having to make changes to your system files manually. All you have to do is download the module, activate it through the Magisk app, and then reboot your device for the changes to go into effect. Most modules focus on adding one feature or changing one thing on your device, but there are some that install another framework to extend the modding potential. Riru, for instance, is a Magisk module that can hook into the Android Zygote process and allow developers to run codes in its context.
Google Camera Port Hub: Get the best GCam APK for Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus, and other phones
Looking for the best version of the Google Camera app for your phone? We've rounded up a ton of versions for different models and brands.
Google Camera and its post-processing algorithms undoubtedly changed the game in terms of what we expect from smartphone cameras, elevating the Google Pixel lineup to some of the best Android phones for photography on the market for several years. That's the exact reason why Google Camera ports are so highly requested for non-Google devices.