Category: LineageOS

LineageOS has rolled out support for the 2016 Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL in their latest firmware build of Android Oreo 8.1.  In LineageOS terms, that build 15.1.  The addition of the two Google phones adds to an ever increasing number of devices that the independent Android development group, which rose from the ashes of CyanogenMod, supports.

Like other phones, in order to use LineageOS on your Pixel or Pixel XL, you will need to have the bootloader unlocked and be comfortable with manually installing a software build.  It isn’t an overly difficult process but if you aren’t familiar with the process or comfortable with it, its best to stay away.

When the OnePlus One, the first phone from OnePlus, was released back in 2014, it was an almost instant hit.  The price for what you got in the phone was hard to beat and it had almost a cult-like following from fans.  But, like all manufactures, OnePlus eventually dropped support for the phone as new models were released.  In other words, there was no chance it would ever see Android Oreo 8.1.

Fast forward to 2018 and the OnePlus One lives on.  LineageOS, the company that rose from the ashes of CyanogenMod (which is what was originally running on the OnePlus One ironically), has just added support of Android Oreo 8.1 for the OPO along with a handful of other devices.  The support comes to LineageOS 15.1, the build which is based on Oreo 8.1.

Based on a new commit found in the LineageOS Gerrit, support for the Android Marshmallow based version of the platform has been deprecated.  The news isn’t too shocking given that there are virtually no devices left running on what was known as LineageOS 13 and maintenance of most builds of that version have ceased.  It means that version 14.1 is the minimum supported version of the open source Android variant.  That build is based on Android Nougat 7.1.

Version 13 has been completely removed from the Lineage servers at this point, meaning there will be no further updates or support for it.

For the first time in several months, the team over at LineageOS have released an update on their recent work and updates as well as a progress report on their Build 15 train for Android Oreo.

The bulk of the work that has been going on since their last update, which was way back in September, has been on maintenance and security updates for the Build 14.1 train (Android Nougat) and 13.0 (Android Marshmallow).  These have included fixes for the KRACK vulnerability, updating to the October & November security updates, new touchscreen gestures, and support for extended NFC.  There have also been updates to the Recorder and Gallery as well as an update to the battery icon in that time too.

The LineageOS team has released an update over the weekend that brings a massive number of fixes, improvements and, of course, a few new devices.  Changelog 12 has been posted on the company’s site and frankly, it’s a bit easier to list what hasn’t changed or improved than what has in the latest update.

Let’s start with new supported devices.  Nvidia Android TV, Nvidia Shield Tablet have been added as new devices while the LG G5, V20 and G Pad X on T-Mobile have been re-added to the supported list.  The ZUK Z1 has also been added to the 14.1 train which is based on Android Nougat.  Unfortunately the Moto G4 support has been suspended due to booting issues and support for the LG L90 has also been dropped.

Ah, to be young and nimble.  LineageOS is already steps ahead of many phone manufactures by updating their software packages with the June Android Security update.  The company announced on their blog that all builds starting June 6th will include the patch.  It means that once you have updated to these new builds, you will have the latest security patches for the platform.

This isn’t the only change in this update to the platform.  In the latest build, you have the ability to prevent tasks from being removed when clearing all apps in the recent app view.  The System WebView has been updated to Chromium 59, the latest version of that service.  Also, you can now disable the lock screen album background when you are playing music.