Category: Android

After weeks of rumors that the feature would be coming, Google Duo has finally added the ability to use the video chat app across multiple devices.  The new feature is a combination of an app update as well as a cloud-side update from Google to enable it.

First, you need to make sure you have the latest version of the app.  That was released yesterday and is build 36.1.202022753.DR36_RC15 for those keeping score at home and who like playing Google Version BINGO!  Once you have this version, you will shortly thereafter get a cloud-side push from Google.  You will know that you have received that Google update when you are prompted in Duo if you want to use your Gmail address instead of your phone number to sign into Google Duo.  That is key because that’s how multi-device support works in the app.

Today over at Amazon, the Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact is down to $359, the lowest price the 4.6″ phone has seen and some $240 off its launch price of $599.  The XZ1 Compact was released last year by Sony and is a solid option for those who are looking for an Android Oreo powered device that has a small form factor.

To this point, the lowest price had been $399 which was back in March.  At $399, it is a great value for what you are getting in a phone.  At another $40 off, it is something to seriously consider.

Google Keep, Google’s note taking and checklist app, has a new update rolling out in the Play Store today.  Version 5.0.251.04.40 is the updated build for those keeping score at home and it brings support for grid and ruled lines for drawings.

Keep has always supported drawing but grid lines to help you keep lines straight and the like wasn’t there.  It was added a few weeks back to the online version of the note taking app and now has made it to the mobile version too.

The Google Drive for Android app has a new update rolling out this morning, bringing support for opening Microsoft Office password protected files with it.  The new build is version 2.18.252.01 for those keeping score at home and has been released to the Play Store.

While Google Drive online has been able to open and view password protected Microsoft Office files, the mobile versions of the app haven’t supported the feature.  If you tried to open a password protected file, you would get an error indicating the file couldn’t be opened.  Now Google Drive has feature parity across the desktop and mobile platforms.

As expected, the July 2018 Android Security Update patches were released this morning by Google.  As a general rule, the Mountain View company releases the monthly updates on the first Monday of the first full week of each month.

This month’s update consists of two patches, one dated July 1, 2018 while the second is dated July 5, 2018.  The first patch consists of 11 patches, 3 of which are considered critical updates.  This July 1st patch is generally aimed at Android as a platform itself while the second patch is more device specific drivers and fixes.

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.