Older Chrome OS Devices Likely Not to Get Updated to Android P Framework

A new comment in Chrome OS Gerrit suggests that some older Chromebooks will not be getting updated to the Android P framework, including the 2015 Google Chromebook Pixel.  It isn’t entirely surprising, and not entirely confirmed for that matter, that Google would begin to pear back updates for the framework.

For those who aren’t familiar, the Android Framework is more-or-less the underpinnings that allows Chrome OS to install and run Android apps.  Right now that framework is based on Android Oreo but testing has long been in progress with Android P.  But, like some phones, there comes a point where the devices themselves can’t support the new framework or it causes performance issues.  While not confirmed, that’s likely the case for some older Chromebooks that can run Android apps.

Google Gboard Set to Enable Smart Replies on a Wide Range of Messaging Apps

One of the best things about Android Messages for Android is Smart Replies.  If you aren’t familiar, Smart Replies allows for one-tap replies to text messages received, relying on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to give you the appropriate answer options.  Now it seems that Google is building this same AI/ML into Google Gboard to enable it to work across a wide range of messaging apps.

The feature is still very much in development so don’t look for it in the stable release of the keyboard app just yet.  Instead, the team over at XDA has done a tear down of the latest beta of the Gboard app and has discovered the code to support Smart Replies across multiple different messaging apps.

T-Mobile Finally Rolls Out Android Oreo for The LG G6

T-Mobile has become the last US carrier to release the Android Oreo update for the LG G6.  Build H87220a rolled out to a small group of users last week but has now begun rolling out broadly to T-Mobile customers with the 2017 flagship phone.

To check for the update, go to Settings>About Phone>Update Center>System Update and check for the update there.  Keep in mind that it is still rolling out so it could well take another day or two before it lands on your phone.

T-Mobile, who generally is one of the first to release software updates, has taken their time on this one.  AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon have all released the update, in some cases nearly two months ago, so it is unclear why it took T-Mobile so long.

Moto G6 Play Is Now Available on Amazon for $189

The new Moto G6 Play, one of the newest phones in Amazon’s Play lineup, is now available and already discounted.  Normally the 5.7″ phone is $199 but right now Amazon has it down to $189.  Hey, ten bucks is ten bucks, right?

The G6 Play is the entry level of the G6 lineup and is powered by the Snapdragon 430 SoC, has 3GB of RAM and comes with 32GB of storage.  That storage can be expanded up to an additional 256GB thanks to the MicroSD slot built into the phone.  All-in-all, not bad for a sub-$200 phone.

Over 60 Banks And The PayPal Mastercard Comes to Google Pay

Google Pay has once again been working hard with banks and financial institutions, adding another 63 of them to the roster today.  With the additions, Pay now is supported by some 1,427 institutions in the United States alone, well ahead of their nearest competition.

In addition to the these financial institutions being added, which I’ll list out after the break, Google Pay also picked up support for the PayPal Mastercard.  Support for PayPal was added back in May of last year but the Synchrony-backed Mastercard was not supported.  Now it is and you can add it to Pay to use as a purchasing option when you tap-to-pay at a retailer or online.

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