Latest news with #Android10
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Drivers warned popular map app used by 130 MILLION is being discontinued on some mobiles as updates stop
The popular app is used by drivers for real-time traffic updates WRONG TURN Drivers warned popular map app used by 130 MILLION is being discontinued on some mobiles as updates stop Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DRIVERS have been issued a warning as a popular app used by 130 million motorists is being discontinued on some mobiles. Many drivers now choose to use smartphone navigation apps to help them find the best routes and avoid traffic jams. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Waze is a popular alternative to Google Maps Credit: Getty However, users of Google owned app Waze, may soon be unable to access the latest software. The popular app is ending support for million of Android devices, with the newest versions of the app requiring devices to be running Android 10 or newer. This means that if your device runs Android 9 or older, you will not be able to download any new features or updates. This will also apply to any built in car screens that run on Android. Those with devices running Android 9 or lower will still be able to use the app, but over time it will become less and less reliable. Waze is often used by motorists for for real time traffic updates, that are sourced from Waze users. It also has features such as petrol price comparison, making it a popular alternative to Google Maps. Currently, only the beta version of Waze requires devices to be running Android 10. The beta version of the app is a preview version you can opt in to that allows you to see new features and updates before anyone else. However, when changes appear on the beta app, they are likely to end up on the regular version. Over 10 million Android users told to turn off devices after Google exposes 'infection' – exact list of models affected Android 10 was released back in 2019, but since there are billions of Android devices in use across the world, it is likely that may of them are still using Android 9. If your phone is still running on Android 9 or lower, you may want to think about purchasing a new mobile, as more apps are likely to also stop supporting these devices. More Android news This follows the news that Google has ended support for three Android devices. At the end of March, Google quietly ended support for Android 12 and Android 12L - this is the software that some devices run on. That means the Google Pixel 3a, Samsung Galaxy S10 series, and OnePlus 7 series will no longer receive security updates from Google, according to Android Authority. If there are future updates for affected phones, they will have to come directly from the manufacturers, Samsung and OnePlus. However, Samsung only offers seven years worth of security patches, and OnePlus typically offers three. People with phones still running Android 12 are advised to consider upgrading to a newer device.
CNET
6 days ago
- CNET
Old Android Phone Feeling Sluggish? These Quick Fixes Will Revive It
You don't need the latest flagship to get solid performance from your phone. With longer software support from brands like Google and Samsung, even older Android models can keep up-if you give them a little care. Clearing out unused files, updating your apps, and fine-tuning settings can go a long way toward speeding things up. These quick adjustments can help your aging device run smoother, last longer, and save you the cost of an early upgrade. Before you start shopping for a new device, try a few of these tips. You might be surprised at how much better your phone can run with just a few small changes. It's true: Whether you have a Samsung Galaxy, Motorola or OnePlus phone, you can likely still optimize your battery life and give your phone a new lease on life by making a few easy adjustments. Note that there might be some differences between Android devices, and phone manufacturers often put their own software on top of Android. Certain settings may be missing or in a different place, depending on the version of Android you're running and the maker of your phone. Need more Android tips? Check out these five tips to make your Android feel like new again, and how to use Android's AI circle to search features. An overly bright display will drain your battery incredibly fast. Óscar Gutiérrez/CNET Settings to improve your battery life Living with a phone that has poor battery life can be infuriating, but there are some steps you can take to maximize each charge right from the very beginning: 1. Turn off auto screen brightness or adaptive brightness and set the brightness level slider to under 50% The brighter your screen, the more battery power it uses. To get to the setting, pull down the shortcut menu from the top of the screen and adjust the slider, if it's there. Some phones may have a toggle for auto brightness in the shortcut panel; otherwise, you need to open the settings app and search for "brightness" to find the setting and turn it off. 2. Use Adaptive Battery and Battery Optimization These features focus on learning how you use your phone, including which apps you use and when, and then optimizing the apps and the amount of battery they use. Some Android phones will have a dedicated Battery section in the Settings app, while other phones (looking at you, Samsung) bury these settings. It's a little different for each phone. I recommend opening your settings and searching for "battery" to find the right screen. Your phone may also have an adaptive charging setting that can monitor how quickly your phone battery charges overnight to preserve its health. Why you should use dark mode more often Another way to improve battery life while also helping save your eyes is to use Android's dedicated dark mode. Any Android phone running Android 10 or newer will have a dedicated dark mode option. According to Google, dark mode not only reduces the strain that smartphone displays cause on our eyes but also improves battery life because it takes less power to display dark backgrounds on OLED displays (used in most flagship phones) than a white background. Depending on which version of Android your phone is running, and what company made your phone, you may have to dig around the settings app to find a dark mode. If your phone runs Android 10 or newer, you'll be able to turn on system-wide dark mode. If it runs Android 9, don't despair. Plenty of apps have their own dark mode option in the settings that you can use, whether or not you have Android 10. To turn it on dark mode, open the Settings app and search for Dark Mode, Dark Theme or even Night Mode (as Samsung likes to call it). I suggest using dark mode all the time, but if you're not sure, you can always set dark mode to automatically turn on based on a schedule, say from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. every day, or allow it to automatically switch based on your location at sunset and sunrise. Using dark mode on any phone is an easy and good-looking way to save battery life. CNET Keep your home screen free of clutter Planning to hit up the Google Play Store for a bunch of new Android apps? Be prepared for a lot of icon clutter on your home screen, which is where shortcuts land every time you install something. If you don't want that, there's a simple way out of this: Long-press on an empty area of your home screen and tap Settings. Find the option labeled something along the lines of Add icon to Home Screen or Add new apps to Home Screen and turn it off. Presto -- No more icons on the home screen when you install new apps. You can still add shortcuts by dragging an app's icon out of the app drawer, but they won't appear on your home screen unless you want them to. Read more: Best Android Phones You Can Buy in 2024 Set up Do Not Disturb so that you can better focus If your phone routinely spends the night on your nightstand, you probably don't want it beeping or buzzing every time there's a call, message or Facebook alert -- especially when you're trying to sleep. Android offers a Do Not Disturb mode that will keep the phone more or less silent during designated hours. On some phones, this is referred to as the Downtime setting or even Quiet Time. Head to Settings > Sounds (or Notifications), then look for Do Not Disturb or a similar name. If you can't find it, search for it using the built-in search feature in your settings. Using the feature, you can set up a range of hours when you want to turn off the digital noise. Don't worry, any notifications you get while Do Not Disturb is turned on will still be waiting for you when you wake up. Also, you can typically make an exception that allows repeat callers and favorite contacts' calls to go through. Turn that on. If someone is calling you in an emergency, odds are they are going to keep trying. What someone who finds a lost or stolen Android phone will see after you use Find My Device to lock it. Jason Cipriani/CNET Always be prepared in case you lose your phone or it's stolen Is there anything worse than a lost or stolen phone? Only the knowledge that you could have tracked it down if you had turned on Google's Find My Device feature. To prepare for a successful recovery, here's what you need to do: Open the Settings app and then search for Find My Device. It's usually in the Security section of the Settings app. If you have a Samsung device, you can use Samsung's Find My Mobile service, which is found in Settings > Biometrics and security > Find My Mobile. Once that's enabled, you can head to from any PC or mobile device and sign in to your account. Samsung users can visit to find a lost phone. Losing a phone is never a fun experience. Angela Lang/CNET If you run into any trouble setting any of this up, be sure to read through our complete guide to finding a lost Android phone. Assuming your phone is on and online, you should be able to see its location on a map. From there, you can make it ring, lock it, set a lock screen note to tell whoever has it how to get it back to you, or, worst-case scenario, remotely wipe the whole thing. And always keep your phone up to date As obvious as it may seem, a simple software update could fix bugs and other issues slowing down your Android device. Before you download and install the latest software update, make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi, or else this won't work. Now, open the Settings application and type in Update. You'll then either see Software update or System update -- choose either one. Then just download the software, wait for a few minutes and install it when it's ready. Your Android device will reboot and install the latest software update available. Always keep your phone updated to the latest software to avoid bugs and other issues. CNET There's a lot more to learn about a new phone, of course. Here are the best ways to boost your cell signal, and here's a flagship phone head-to-head comparison. Plus, check out CNET's list of the best cases for your Samsung phone. More of an Apple fan? We have tips for boosting your iPhone's performance, too.
Android Authority
09-08-2025
- Android Authority
This is the Android 17 codename, and it's not what you guessed
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority For most of Android's history, Google publicly referred to each release by a version number and a codename. Traditionally, the codename was a dessert like Marshmallow, Jelly Bean, or Froyo. With the release of Android 10 in 2019, however, Google ended this public practice to make its branding more globally accessible. Internally, though, the company's developers kept the sweet tradition alive. Following that tradition, Google's developers have recently decided on the dessert codename for Android 17 — and it's not what any of you guessed. You're reading the Authority Insights Newsletter, a weekly newsletter that reveals some new facet of Android that hasn't been reported on anywhere else. If you're looking for the latest scoops, the hottest leaks, and breaking news on Google's Android operating system and other mobile tech topics, then we've got you covered. Subscribe here to get this post delivered to your email inbox every Saturday. Google surprised many last year by choosing 'Baklava' as the dessert codename for Android 16. Since the codename for Android 15 was 'Vanilla Ice Cream,' most people expected the next version to follow the alphabetical tradition with a dessert starting with the letter 'W.' Android Version Number Dessert Codename Year of Release Android Version Number 1.0 Dessert Codename No codename Year of Release 2008 Android Version Number 1.1 Dessert Codename Petit Four (internal) Year of Release 2009 Android Version Number 1.5 Dessert Codename Cupcake Year of Release 2009 Android Version Number 1.6 Dessert Codename Donut Year of Release 2009 Android Version Number 2.0, 2.1 Dessert Codename Éclair Year of Release 2009 Android Version Number 2.2 Dessert Codename Froyo Year of Release 2010 Android Version Number 2.3 Dessert Codename Gingerbread Year of Release 2010 Android Version Number 3 Dessert Codename Honeycomb Year of Release 2011 Android Version Number 4 Dessert Codename Ice Cream Sandwich Year of Release 2011 Android Version Number 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Dessert Codename Jelly Bean Year of Release 2012 Android Version Number 4.4 Dessert Codename KitKat Year of Release 2013 Android Version Number 5.0, 5.1 Dessert Codename Lollipop Year of Release 2014 Android Version Number 6 Dessert Codename Marshmallow Year of Release 2015 Android Version Number 7.0, 7.1 Dessert Codename Nougat Year of Release 2016 Android Version Number 8.0, 8.1 Dessert Codename Oreo Year of Release 2017 Android Version Number 9 Dessert Codename Pie Year of Release 2018 Android Version Number 10 Dessert Codename Quince Tart (internal) Year of Release 2019 Android Version Number 11 Dessert Codename Red Velvet Cake (internal) Year of Release 2020 Android Version Number 12, 12L Dessert Codename Snow Cone (internal) Year of Release 2021 Android Version Number 13 Dessert Codename Tiramisu (internal) Year of Release 2022 Android Version Number 14 Dessert Codename Upside Down Cake (internal) Year of Release 2023 Android Version Number 15 Dessert Codename Vanilla Ice Cream (internal) Year of Release 2024 Android Version Number 16 Dessert Codename Baklava (internal) Year of Release 2025 Google broke this years-long pattern to reflect major changes to its development practices under the new 'Trunk Stable' project. This project shifts Android development to a trunk-based model, where all work occurs in a single, main internal code branch that must always remain stable. New features, APIs, and bug fixes are developed behind 'feature flags' that keep them disabled until they're ready for launch. In contrast, Google previously used a branch-based model, which often created significant problems when merging new release branches back into the main one. Android's old branch-based development model Android's new, trunk-based development model. The first Android version released after Google completed its migration to trunk-based development was Android 14 QPR2. To mark this change, Google reset its build ID scheme. The IDs for Android 14 QPR2 and QPR3 builds were prefaced with 'AP1A' and 'AP2A,' respectively. The company used the letter 'A' because 2024 was the first year Google released Trunk Stable builds, while the 'P1A' and 'P2A' reflected that Android 14 QPR2 and QPR3 were respectively the first and second platform releases of the year. When the calendar turned to 2025, Google advanced the letter to 'B,' which is why Android 16's codename was a dessert that started with B. Following this pattern, you'd be right to guess that Android 17's dessert codename will start with the letter 'C.' The problem is the sheer number of desserts that start with C. We can immediately rule out 'Cupcake,' since Google already used it for Android 1.5, but that still leaves dozens of choices. When we polled our readers on the topic, we presented eight popular options, and they floated seven more in the comments. However, none of these were correct, as Google has decided on 'Cinnamon Bun' as the dessert codename for Android 17! A cinnamon bun — also called a cinnamon roll or swirl — is a sweet, baked pastry made of rolled dough filled with a cinnamon-sugar mixture and often topped with glaze or icing. It's a popular dessert in northern Europe and North America, with several well-known chains specializing in its creation. Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Although we don't have any public sources that mention 'Cinnamon Bun' as Android 17's codename, we are confident this is the name. A trusted source within Google shared evidence with us that clearly shows the company using 'CinnamonBun' as the internal codename for API level 37.0. The API level is a number that uniquely identifies a specific Android version and its set of core APIs. Each Android version has a distinct API level; for example, Android 15 is API level 35.0, and Android 16 is 36.0. Hence, we can assume that API level 37.0 will refer to Android 17, unless Google suddenly decides to drop numbers from its versioning entirely — which seems unlikely. Ultimately, the dessert codename doesn't matter. It won't appear in most of Google's marketing next year, though the company may still erect a new Android statue on its campus that references it. You'll likely see 'Android CinnamonBun' appear under the 'Android version' field in early beta releases, but this will be replaced with 'Android 17' once the OS reaches platform stability. Still, we know that many of you have been wondering what dessert codename Google has cooked up for Android 17, so we thought it would be fun to reveal it in the inaugural edition of the Authority Insights Newsletter. If you're wondering when Android 17 will launch, we expect it to land around June 2026. As we've noted before, Google pushed up Android 16's release date to enable summer device launches to ship with the latest OS. There's no reason to think Google won't stick with this accelerated schedule next year. Still, plans can change, and if they do, I'll report on them in a future edition of this newsletter. P.S. That awesome photo of a cinnamon bun surrounded by Android pins was taken by my colleague Rita El Khoury, who went on a bit of an adventure to get it. After picking it up at a Starbucks, it traveled with her on a train, crossed a highway, and rested on a fence before she acquired proper protection for it. When I asked her how it tasted, she told me that she 'had a sugar rush crash' after eating it. Cinnamon buns will do that to you. Want more? Authority Insights is more than a newsletter — it's the hub for all our best content. If you care about Android, you won't want to miss any of our other exclusive reports. Follow
New York Post
18-07-2025
- New York Post
Shrink your doom-scrolling, literally
Discover startups, services, products and more from our partner StackCommerce. New York Post edits this content, and may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you buy through our links. TL;DR: Good things come in small packages! Get your very own NanoPhone for $89.97 with free shipping (reg. $199.99) for a limited time. I've owned more iPhones than umbrellas — both of which mysteriously vanish when I need them most—but lately I've been leaning into minimalism. Less stuff, less stress, less screen time. That's where the NanoPhone comes in: a palm-sized Android smartphone that's about as subtle and low-maintenance as it gets. And for a limited time, the NanoPhone is down to $89.97 — which is 55% off the original $199.99 sticker shock. Let's start with size: the NanoPhone is so small it fits in the same pocket as your MetroCard. (Yes, I still carry one — don't judge.) But don't let its tiny stature fool you. It runs Android 10 on a 3-inch touchscreen and can handle WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube without gasping for air. The cameras? You're not shooting a feature film, but for video calls and snapping questionable lighting at that late-night pizza spot, it does just fine. It also has dual SIM support, 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity, and a battery that lasts all day. Please note that the SIM card and data plan are not included, so bring your own carrier drama. You also get a screen protector and case in the box — because if you're anything like me, your phones end up in the same pocket as your keys, receipts, and two mystery mints. But here's the real truth: having a smaller screen has legitimately helped me scroll less. Fewer distractions, fewer 'accidental' deep dives into conspiracy TikTok, more attention paid to real life. So if you're ready to stop hauling around a phone the size of a paperback novel, grab the NanoPhone miniature smartphone packed with mega features for $89.97 for a limited time. StackSocial prices subject to change
Phone Arena
26-06-2025
- Phone Arena
If your Android phone is still running on this version, you can forget about Chrome updates
According to a support page update, Chrome 138 will be the last version that works on Android 8 and 9. Moving forward, the browser will require Android 10 or newer. This means users with older phones won't be able to get the latest features, security patches, or performance updates unless they update their operating system. In a support article, Google said: — Google support article The company also added: — Google support article While this might be inconvenient for users on older phones, the overall impact should be limited. Based on Android version stats from April 2025, Android 9 is installed on just under 6% of devices, while Android 8 and 8.1 together account for about 4%. That adds up to around 10% of Android phones and tablets, meaning most users are already on newer software. The good news is that Chrome won't suddenly stop working on these devices. Older versions will continue to function for a while, though they will no longer be updated. Over time, users may run into compatibility issues as websites evolve and the browser becomes outdated. This move isn't too surprising when you look at the timeline. Android 8.0 (Oreo) came out in 2017, and Android 9.0 (Pie) followed in 2018. That means these versions are now 8 and 7 years old, respectively. Even Android 10.0, which is now the minimum requirement, was released in 2019, making it 6 years old. For users still on devices running Oreo or Pie, that's a long time to go without major updates, especially when it comes to something as essential as the browser. This also reflects a broader trend in tech, where software companies gradually drop support for older platforms to focus on more modern and secure versions. These companies need to be able to allocate resources properly, so support teams for older operating systems do eventually get reassigned to newer projects. For those still using devices on Android 8 or 9, now might be a good time to consider updating the OS if possible — or looking at a newer device that can keep up with future app changes. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase This offer is not available in your area.
