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  • More details surfaces Google Pixel 10 series – storage, colors, accessories

    More details surfaces Google Pixel 10 series – storage, colors, accessories

    In August 2025, Google is anticipated to introduce the Pixel 10 Series along with more accessories. Arsène Lupin (@MysteryLupin) recently leaked information on X (previously Twitter) about the storage options, colors, and accessories that will be available for the Pixel 10 range and Pixel Watch 4.

    Alle Google Pixel 10 Modelle all 1
    Pixel 10 Series: Storage Capacities and Color Options

    Pixel 10

    • Storage: 128GB, 256GB
    • Comes in four colors: Obsidian, Frost, Lemongrass, and Indigo — representing black, blue, yellow, and purple.

    Pixel 10 Pro

    • Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
    • Comes in four colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Moonstone, and Jade — representing black, white, gray, and green.

    Pixel 10 Pro XL

    • Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
    • Same colors as Pixel 10 Pro.

    Pixel 10 Pro Fold

    • Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
    • Comes in two colors: Moonstone and Jade — representing gray and green.

    The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold may include a 1TB storage option and is expected in Moonstone and Jade finishes.

    Pixel Watch 4: Sizes, Connectivity, and Colors

    The Pixel Watch 4 will be available in Wi-Fi and LTE versions; wearable 5G connectivity is still not accessible. There are two sizes available: 41mm and 45mm. There will be four case colors and matching bands on the watch:

    pixel watch 4

    Case Colors:

    • Black (Obsidian)
    • Gold (Lemon)
    • Silver (Iris and Porcelain)
    • Moonstone (Gray)

    Band Colors and Styles:

    • 2-Tone Leather Band: Jade
    • Active Band: Iris, Lemongrass, Moonstone
    • Active Sport Band: Indigo, Lemongrass, Moonstone, Peony
    • Crafted Leather Band: Moonstone
    • Metal Mesh Band: Matte Black, Polished Silver
    • Performance Loop Band: Moonstone
    • Woven Band: Indigo
    • Gradient Stretch Bands are sized 1 to 5 and come in the following colors: Lemongrass/Frost, Moonstone, Obsidian/Hazel, and Peony/Iris.

    This year’s lineup shows a full color refresh, including multi-color gradient stretch bands.

    Pixel Buds: New Color Variants
    • Pixel Buds 2a: Available in Hazel, Strawberry, Iris, and Fog Light, representing green, red, purple, and light blue, respectively.
    • Pixel Buds Pro 2: Sterling (Gray)

    While the Buds Pro 2 add a new Sterling color that matches the Pixel 10 Pro design, Google appears to be sticking with the Pixel Buds 2a as the more economical A-Series alternative starting in 2021.

    Charging Accessories
    • Google Pixel Charger available in “Rock Candy” (White), likely a charging puck similar to Apple’s MagSafe.
    • Google Pixel Wireless Charger, expected as the successor to Pixel Stand (3).

    According to recent leaks, the once speculated “Pixelsnap Charger with Stand” has been replaced or rebranded.

    Pixel 10 launch date

    Pre-orders for the Pixel are scheduled to begin on August 20, 2025. It is anticipated that shipping will start on August 28, 2025.

    Since these data are based on leaks, they are not official and could change as the launch date draws near.

    Stay connected with the latest from Droid Tools—follow us on X @droid_tools, like our page on Facebook, check out our updates on Instagram, and follow us on Google News for real-time news, device tips, and mobile tech insights.

  • Active Navigation, Ongoing Phone Calls, and more comes on Android 16 lock screen

    Active Navigation, Ongoing Phone Calls, and more comes on Android 16 lock screen

    Last month, Google unveiled the first stable version of Android 16, which included a number of new features. One of these is Live Updates, which shows real-time activity notifications on the lock screen of an Android phone. More details concerning this feature have now been released by the tech giant. In Android 16, live updates can be added to apps that provide services like food delivery, ride sharing, and phone calls, but not for marketing or promotions.

    android live update 1

    Live Updates in Android 16

    Live Updates is modeled after the iPhone’s Live Activities feature. It gives notifications for an activity that has a clear start and end time and is currently underway. Google clarified on its developer page that the feature’s primary goal is to provide time-sensitive notifications rather than historical events.

    Active navigation, continuous phone calls, tracking food deliveries, and tracking ride-sharing via their corresponding Android apps are a few of its use cases. These alerts, which provide information like tracking or ETA (estimated time of arrival), will appear on the lock screen of the Android handset.

    According to the tech giant, it does away with the necessity of unlocking the phone in order to check the status. For instance, Google Maps will display directions in the home screen’s status chip when navigation is active, while Live Update on the lock screen will provide the trip’s current status and additional directions.

    Progress centric notifications i

    However, developers need to make sure that Live Updates only show actions that the user has deliberately triggered and should only show up if the activity requires the user’s attention for the duration of the update.

    The company also described the Live Updates feature’s improper usage cases. Ads, promotions, chat messages, future calendar events, and alerts are all incompatible with it. Developers can leverage other OS components, like conventional notifications, for these. If they want to give users faster access to their app’s features, they can use the Quick Settings tile and app widgets.

    However, there are several exceptions. Live updates may be triggered if a user signs up for an activity that has a time limit or buys concert or airplane tickets in advance, but only when the scheduled event is about to happen.

    Stay connected with the latest from Droid Tools—follow us on X @droid_tools, like our page on Facebook, check out our updates on Instagram, and follow us on Google News for real-time news, device tips, and mobile tech insights.

  • The largest battery in a Pixel device will be found in the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

    The largest battery in a Pixel device will be found in the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

    The design of Google’s next Pro series phones, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, will remain similar to that of the Pixel 9 Pro from the previous year—almost identical, in my opinion. According to Android Headlines, the Pixel 10 Pro XL will have a 6.8-inch screen with a higher PMW, while the Pixel 10 Pro will have a 6.3-inch screen.

    Both have a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits and employ LTPO technology with refresh rates ranging from 1 to 120 Hz. Each device’s front and rear are covered by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

    The latest Tensor G5 processor and 16GB of RAM are used inside both Pro variants. The primary distinction is in storage: the Pixel 10 Pro will come with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB variants, albeit not all colors will support 1TB. The Pixel 10 Pro XL will only come with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB of storage instead of the 128GB option.

    google pixel 10 pro xl battery vs pixel 10

    With a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 48-megapixel ultrawide, and a 48-megapixel 5x telephoto lens, the camera configuration is essentially the same as it was the previous year. There will be macro capabilities for both telephoto and ultrawide cameras.

    Surprisingly, the Pixel 10 Pro’s 4,870mAh battery is marginally smaller than the Pixel 10’s, most likely due to the larger cooling vapor chamber. According to the source, the Pixel 10 Pro XL would have the biggest Pixel battery ever—5,200mAh. Given that the Pro XL is supposedly just a larger version of the Pro, I think the 29W and 39W charging speeds for the Pro and Pro XL are a significant difference.

    Stay connected with the latest from Droid Tools—follow us on X @droid_tools, like our page on Facebook, check out our updates on Instagram, and follow us on Google News for real-time news, device tips, and mobile tech insights.

  • Get up to $524 for your Google Pixel 6a

    Get up to $524 for your Google Pixel 6a

    With Google’s surprise and abrupt hike in trade-in prices, now is an excellent time to exchange your damaged Pixel 6a for $524. You won’t find a better deal elsewhere.

    The Pixel 6a’s battery will be throttled by a necessary update that Google is releasing on July 8th, for those who are unaware. This is a reaction to earlier this year’s allegations of phones overheating. The Pixel 4a experienced a similar issue, and the upgrade eventually reduced the phone’s battery life to a few hours.

    According to Google, the Pixel 6a’s battery capacity will be lowered after 400 charge cycles or if the device is found to be impacted by the issue. Depending on where you live, the search company will replace your battery for free. But, utilizing the greatest trade-in offer I’ve seen this year is a better choice.

    Google U.K. introduced a new campaign last week that increases trade-in pricing, meaning that phones that are effectively dead will get a sizable payoff. The regular Pixel 9 costs up to £675 ($920.50), the Pixel 9 Pro and XL versions cost £820 ($1118.24), and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold costs £1,045 ($1425.07). In addition to its standard trade-in assessments, Google claims that this adds a bonus of between £200 ($272.58) and £400 ($545.16).

    google pixel 6a battery flaw jpg

    Google will give you more money for your old phone

    google pixel 9 pro amazon deal

    Google Pixel 9 Pro

    Pixel 9 Pro with Gemini is the most powerful Pixel yet, and now comes in two sizes; it has a pro-level camera and it’s engineered by Google, so it gets the best of Google AI first

    $999.00$749.00Amazon

    The company will pay £384 ($523.78) for your Pixel 6a. You won’t get anything like that for a Pixel 6a unless you con someone on eBay by sending them a broken Pixel 6a instead of an iPhone 14 (don’t do that). This is a good offer that I haven’t seen from Google or any other manufacturer before, if you’re not put off by their battery-related antics.

    • Google Pixel 7 Pro – £454 ($618.75)
    • Google Pixel 6 Pro – £415 ($565.60)
    • Google Pixel 5 – £377 ($513.81)
    • Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max – £657 ($895.42)
    • Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max – £447 ($609.21)
    • Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra – £517 ($704.62)
    • Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus – £373 ($508.36)

    Google releases the battery restricting update on July 8th, which also happens to be the day the offer finishes. But don’t worry, there will be more in the future given the scope and regularity of Google, Samsung, and Amazon’s promotional offers.

  • How you can find out if the battery in your Pixel 6a is broken.

    How you can find out if the battery in your Pixel 6a is broken.

    Some of the greatest Android phones available today were developed by the Pixel 9 series. However, this kind of achievement takes time, as Google has had a number of unsuccessful phone releases in the past. Although they weren’t all awful, they lacked the sophistication of more recent models.

    We are now beginning to witness how durable these phones from the previous generation are, even if the majority will have switched from those older models to something new. The brand replaced the Pixel 7a’s battery due to problems, and the Pixel 4a received a surprise upgrade that decreased battery life. Additionally, we learned last month that the Pixel 6a would also receive a battery update.

    You can check to see whether you’re affected

    pixel 6a 1

    Having said that, Google has officially announced its Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program, which is scheduled to debut on July 8 (via Droid Life). Droid Life had previously reported that Google has withdrawn firmware for the Pixel 6a. Regarding the specifics, Google has concluded that an upgrade is necessary for some Pixel 6a smartphones to “lower the risk of potential battery overheating.”

    This update will now lower battery capacity and charging performance, much like Google’s earlier moves, although it will only impact devices that have completed more than 400 charging cycles. Once more, you will only receive this update if you have a device that is impacted. This update won’t be required for all Pixel 6a phones.

    Naturally, this is a rather awkward situation, and it seems like Google is making amends by providing “a repair at no cost to you, a cash payment, or a Google Store hardware discount credit.” To find out if you qualifies, you must input your IMEI on the support website.

    You can visit a support center in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Japan, and India if you would like to have your battery changed and your device is eligible. In order to receive assistance, people in the US and India will also be able to mail in their device.

    It will be disheartening for Pixel owners to go through this, but at least Google is making some efforts to make sure that its previous devices aren’t putting users at risk of any major problems. Additionally, it offers a range of options that will enable impacted consumers to receive the assistance they need.

    Pixel 9 pro

    Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

    Pixel 9 Pro XL with Gemini is the most powerful Pixel yet; it has a pro-level camera and it’s engineered by Google, so it gets the best of Google AI first

    $1,099.00$949.95Amazon

    Of course, we have some advice to assist you protect the battery inside your device if you have a different phone or tablet and want to be proactive about keeping it healthy.

  • Android 16: complete list of Samsung, Xiaomi, and other eligible devices

    Android 16: complete list of Samsung, Xiaomi, and other eligible devices

    The formal rollout of Android 16’s stable version has started, with Google’s Pixel smartphones leading the way. Other significant Android manufacturers are getting ready to release their own unique skins and upgrade schedules in tandem with the latest OS version. The most important question for users anxiously anticipating the update is: will my device get the update? This is the list of devices that are compatible with Android 16.

    We have put up a thorough list of smartphones and tablets from well-known manufacturers, like Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, and Oppo, that should be compatible with the Android 16 update in order to assist in answering this question.

    Google Pixel Android 16 Eligible devices

    As always, Pixel devices are first in line and the rollout is already underway for these models.

    Device SeriesEligible Models
    Pixel 9 Series9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a
    Pixel 8 Series8, 8 Pro, 8a
    Pixel 7 Series7, 7 Pro, 7a
    Pixel 6 Series6, 6 Pro, 6a
    Pixel FoldablesPixel Fold
    Pixel TabletPixel Tablet

    Samsung Galaxy Android 16 Eligible devices

    Samsung offers one of the most extensive portfolios, and a large number of its devices are expected to receive the update.

    SeriesEligible Devices
    Galaxy SS25, S24, S23, S22 series & S21 FE
    Galaxy ZZ Fold/Flip 6, Z Fold/Flip 5, Z Fold/Flip 4, Z Fold SE
    Galaxy TabTab S10, S9, S8 series, Tab S6 Lite (2024)
    Galaxy AA73, A5x, A3x, A2x, A1x, A0x series (from A_3 to A_6 generations)
    Galaxy MM5x, M3x, M1x, M0x series (from M_3 to M_6 generations)
    Galaxy FF5x, F34, F1x, F0x series (from F_4 to F_6 generations)
    OtherGalaxy C55, XCover 7, Tab Active 5

    Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco Android 16 Eligible devices

    Xiaomi’s multi-brand strategy means a wide array of devices are in line for the HyperOS skin based on Android 16.

    Brand / SeriesEligible Devices
    Xiaomi15, 14, 13 series (including T, Pro, Ultra models)
    Xiaomi CiviCivi 5 Pro, Civi 4 Pro, Civi 3
    Xiaomi PadPad 7 series, Pad 6 series (Pro, Max, S Pro)
    Redmi NoteNote 14 series, Note 13 series
    Redmi KK80 series, K70 series, K60 series
    Redmi14 series, 13 series, A4 series
    Redmi PadPad 2, Pad Pro, Pad SE
    PocoF7, F6, X7, X6, M7, M6, C7x series

    Motorola

    Motorola is expected to update its recent flagship and mid-range devices.

    SeriesEligible Devices
    RazrRazr 2025 series, Razr+ 2024, Razr 60/50 series
    EdgeEdge 2025, Edge 60/50 series, Edge 40 Pro
    Moto GG Power/Stylus 2025, G86/85, G75, G56/55
    ThinkPhoneThinkPhone 25

    Oppo

    Oppo will likely bring Android 16 to its premium Find series and popular Reno line.

    SeriesEligible Devices
    Find NFind N5, N3, N2 series
    Find XFind X8, X7, X6 series
    RenoReno 14, 13, 12, 11 series
    F SeriesF29, F27, F25 Pro
    K SeriesK13, K12 series
    Pad SeriesPad 4 Pro, Pad 3 series, Pad SE

    Other Major Brands (Expected)

    BrandEligible Devices (Summary)
    OnePlus13, 12, 11 series, Nord 4/3, Nord CE 4, Open, Pad series
    VivoX200, X100, X90 series, V50/40/30 series, T4/3 series, recent Y series, Pad 5/3
    iQOO13, 12, 11 series, Z10/9 series, Neo 10/9 series, Pad series
    NothingPhone (2), (2a), (2a)+, Phone (3a) series, CMF Phone 1/2 Pro

    Other manufacturers may need a few weeks to incorporate Android 16 with their own user interfaces, such as One UI, HyperOS, and ColorOS, while Google Pixel phones are currently getting the upgrade. The majority of brands are anticipated to start releasing stable versions in July 2025, with widespread beta testing set to commence shortly.

    Stay connected with the latest from Droid Tools—follow us on X @droid_tools, like our page on Facebook, check out our updates on Instagram, and follow us on Google News for real-time news, device tips, and mobile tech insights.

  • You can move the address bar to the bottom in Chrome on Android.

    You can move the address bar to the bottom in Chrome on Android.

    One feature that users of iOS have enjoyed for a while—a moveable address bar—has been absent from an Android user’s customized Chrome experience. With Google’s statement that you would be able to move the Chrome address bar from top to bottom and back up again, that will alter as of right now.

    Android’s Chrome address bar can be moved to the bottom. This may seem like a dumb little feature, but I can’t wait for it to arrive on my device. It can be challenging to reach the top of our phones without a second hand or having to do a risky shimmy because they are huge. An address bar at the bottom is always accessible.

    Move Chrome address bar to botto

    Google is allowing you to manually relocate the Chrome address bar by long-pressing on it (such as the actual URL space) and then selecting “relocate address bar to bottom” for those who enjoy the concept (which you can see above). You can see how it appears on iOS below.

    According to Google, the update may take “weeks” to reach everyone, but it will “begin to emerge” on devices as early as today.

    Stay connected with the latest from Droid Tools—follow us on X @droid_tools, like our page on Facebook, check out our updates on Instagram, and follow us on Google News for real-time news, device tips, and mobile tech insights.

  • Pixel 10 comes with better finger print tech and upgraded wireless charging

    Pixel 10 comes with better finger print tech and upgraded wireless charging

    According to a recent leak, the Pixel 10 is expected to come with two major upgrades this year: a better ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and support for Qi2 wireless charging.

    Faster fingerprint recognition

    When Google eventually abandoned the sluggish and unreliable optical fingerprint sensors of earlier generations in favor of ultrasonic ones with the Pixel, it made a significant shift. However, it appears that the fingerprint experience will be much better with the incoming Pixel.

    Pixel 10 fingerprint tech

    According to the research, when working with damp or dirty fingers, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor will provide superior speed and responsiveness.

    It’s good to note that Google isn’t discontinuing the fingerprint sensor even though their face unlock system has supported Class 3 biometric verification since the Pixel 8, which makes it safe enough for delicate operations like digital payments and banking.

    Pixel devices provide consumers with more flexibility and convenience based on their requirements and surroundings by providing both fingerprint and face unlock. Google frequently teases Apple with humorous advertisements, and I anticipate one involving these biometric technologies after the release of the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro.

    Qi2 wireless charging

    The Pixel 10’s support for Qi2 is another noteworthy improvement. Sadly, even though the Pixel 10 will be Qi2-ready, customers will still require a magnetic case that works with it in order to fully benefit from it.

    qi article 2 image 1

    Companies like Samsung and OnePlus, who have also introduced Qi2 support this year, have used a similar strategy. Fun fact: Although the Apple iPhone 16e does not fully support Qi2 fast charging, it is technically compatible with MagSafe.

    A new look is also being applied to the Pixel 10 series. The Pro models will, as usual, keep to more subdued colors like Sterling Gray and Smoky Green, while the base Pixel 10 will be offered in Ultra Blue, Limoncello, Iris, and Midnight. The colors of the foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold will match those of the standard Pro variants.

    google pixel 9 pro amazon deal

    Google Pixel 9 Pro

    Pixel 9 Pro with Gemini is the most powerful Pixel yet, and now comes in two sizes; it has a pro-level camera and it’s engineered by Google, so it gets the best of Google AI first

    $998.23Amazon

    The Pixel 10 series will reportedly be unveiled by Google on August 20. Pre-orders will begin that same day. Beginning on August 28, the phones will be on sale.

    In addition to Qi2 and an improved fingerprint sensor, the Pixel 10 series is anticipated to use Google’s first entirely proprietary processor (Tensor G5), which offers significant improvements in terms of performance, faster biometric systems, and next-generation charging technology.

  • Which Motorola phones will get Android 16 update until the end of the year?

    Which Motorola phones will get Android 16 update until the end of the year?

    Owners of Motorola phones, take note! For you, this monsoon has a unique timeline of occurrences. In addition to the recent Motorola phone releases and the strong market demand for these phones, current patterns indicate that you should expect an Android update soon. Indeed, it is correct. Numerous Moto phones will soon be running Android 16, so you should update to the newest OS version as soon as you can. To learn which devices will get the Android 16 upgrade, let’s read this article.

    Android 16 Update: Key Insights That You Should Know

    With the latest updates and improvements that your Android devices undoubtedly require Android 16.

    For example, Android 16 mimics iOS Live updates by introducing dynamic features like real-time status bar apps updates.

    Additionally, by removing forced screen points on large devices, it improves tablet usage. Additionally, it offers adjustable refresh rate, which helps to improve battery smoothness and efficiency.

    The most recent version of Android 16 has it all: bundled notifications, cooldown choices, streamlined alerts, a new volume slider, divided quick settings, and small heads-up displays. The floating bubbles, which previously only supported notifications, now support entire apps, giving you some unique UI elements.

    Speaking of widgets, Android 16 brings back the lock screen widgets along with Gemini access and clearer notification icons. iOS Dynamic Island is mirrored in Rich Ongoing Notifications.

    Last but not least, this OS update offers amazing camera support. HDR10+ and 8K are supported by its Advanced Professional Video (APV) Codec. Gemini extensions, vertical text support, Privacy Sandbox, cloud compilation, and improved tablet desktop mode are some of the other standout improvements of the most recent Android 16 version.

    Motorola devices that will get Android 16 in 2025

    In June 2025, the Android 16 version will be released, and all of the most recent updates will be available on popular Motorola devices. The Android 16 Update may be available for phones that were just released, those that are now available, and those that will be released between July 2025 and September 2025. Let’s view the entire list right here.

    The Edge series phones are an amazing flagship line in the phone industry, with curved edges, a bright display, a sleek design, and never-before-seen capabilities with every new version. The Edge series phones’ price range and “value for money” label have been their main selling points.

    gsmarena 001

    Motorola Edge Series

    Here is the list of all the Motorola Edge series phones which will receive the Android 16 update:

    • Edge 50 
    • Edge 50 Fusion
    • Edge 50 Neo
    • Edge 50 Ultra
    • Edge 50 Pro 
    • Edge 60
    • Edge 60 Stylus
    • Edge 60 Fusion
    • Edge 60 Pro
    • Edge 40 Pro 
    motorola razr 40 ultra 230526340

    Motorola Razr Series

    Motorola produced the most inventive foldable phones. In the market, Motorola’s Razr series phones have enjoyed an incredible run of popularity. For instance, the Motorola Moto Razr 40 boasts a sizable 6.9-inch full-HD+ pOLED display with an inventive foldable design. It also boasts a high refresh rate of 144 Hz, which makes for a fluid and engaging viewing experience. The robust Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC and 12GB of RAM enhance the performance features for smooth and quick operation.

    Motorola produced the most inventive foldable phones. In the market, Motorola’s Razr series phones have enjoyed an incredible run of popularity. For instance, the Motorola Moto Razr 40 boasts a sizable 6.9-inch full-HD+ pOLED display with an inventive foldable design. It also boasts a high refresh rate of 144 Hz, which makes for a fluid and engaging viewing experience. The robust Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC and 12GB of RAM enhance the performance features for smooth and quick operation.

    Here is the list of all the Motorola Razr series phones which will receive the Android 16 Update.

    • Moto Razr 50
    • Moto Razr 50 Ultra
    • Moto Razr 60
    • Moto Razr 60 Ultra
    • Moto Razr 40
    • Moto Razr 40 Ultra
    motorola g series 1

    Moto G Series

    The Motorola G series phones are the market’s favorite among consumers on a tight budget. The Motorola G series phones are very impressive, catering to lower budget categories while offering some of the newest features.

    Here are the Motorola G series phones which will get the Android 16 Update:

    • G85
    • G56
    • G75
    • G64
    • G54

    In conclusion, the Android 16 update will be available for all of the most recent Motorola phones from the Edge, Razr, and G series. These Moto phones will get cutting-edge features with the QPR beta version, the most recent release of Android 16.

    As a result, all Moto users can anticipate improved performance, more intelligent features, and a more streamlined user interface. The capabilities of your phone will be enhanced by this upgrade, regardless of whether you’re using a stylish Edge, a folding Razr, or an affordable G series!

    Stay connected with the latest from Droid Tools—follow us on X @droid_tools, like our page on Facebook, check out our updates on Instagram, and follow us on Google News for real-time news, device tips, and mobile tech insights.

  • Google says AOSP not being ‘discontinued’ even if Pixel change impacting custom ROMs

    Google says AOSP not being ‘discontinued’ even if Pixel change impacting custom ROMs

    Google withheld the release of the Pixel device trees and hardware repositories, which are crucial for makers of custom ROMs, when Android 16 was released earlier this week. Some began to speculate that “AOSP is being discontinued” as a result of this. Despite Google’s denials, the Pixel modification appears to be deliberate.

    Google made the source code for Android 16 available to the Android Open Source Project on Tuesday. In a significant departure from previous releases, the Pixel device trees and other code that were utilized to modify the AOSP release to fit particular (made by) Google hardware were not made available.

    Custom Android ROMs will struggle to produce their OS updates without the Pixel hardware repos, which contain the device trees, driver binaries, and other components. Security (vulnerability) researchers may also be affected by this.

    aosp arhitecture

    As a result, some community members conjectured that AOSP was being phased out. Seang Chau, the vice president and general manager of Android, said on Wednesday night that “AOSP is NOT going away” in general. Google has stated that it will continue to be “dedicated to AOSP updates,” speaking directly to developers.

    The Android team’s statement does appear to indicate that Pixel device trees will no longer be available. A “reference target” that is “independent of any particular hardware, even those from Google” is what AOSP hopes to provide in the future.

    AOSP needs a reference target that is flexible, configurable, and affordable – independent of any particular hardware, including those from Google. For years, developers have been building Cuttlefish (available on GitHub as the reference device for the project) and GSI targets from source. We continue to make those available for testing and development purposes.

    Once more, Google is “dedicated to AOSP,” but the future will be more difficult for people who run custom ROMs.

    Stay connected with the latest from Droid Tools—follow us on X @droid_tools, like our page on Facebook, check out our updates on Instagram, and follow us on Google News for real-time news, device tips, and mobile tech insights.