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Android 10 Announced: Looking Back At The 10-Year-Old History Of Android Versions

American technology behemoth Google announced earlier this week that the latest version of its Android operating system will be officially called Android 10. By this decision, the company has also broken on the long going tradition of naming the versions after sweet treats or desserts. The latest release also marks the tenth version of the platform, as is evident from the name. The operating system may have had a rocky start back in the year 2008, it has significantly evolved over the years. So to mark the landmark release of Android 10, we look at the extensive history of the software over the years.

Android 1.0 and 1.1

The one that started it all. The first version of the platform was released back in 2008 and it seems like so long ago that it did not even have a dessert name. But just to complete the cycle, enthusiasts have started calling it Android Alpha and Beta for the versions 1.1 and 1.2 respectively. The first generation of the operating system included basic Google apps like Gmail, Maps, Calendar and YouTube. While all of it seems very basic now, it was quite a big deal to have a suite of applications on a mobile phone.

Android 1.5 – Cupcake

The Android 1.5 Cupcake was released in 2009, which also established the naming scheme based on sweet treats. Apart from being a monumental release, Cupcake brought about many changes to the platform. It was the first version to include an on-screen keyboard and third-party widgets. The latter provided the platforms one of the most unique features. Fun fact, this was also the first time the operating system gained the functionality enabling video recording on smartphones.

Android 1.6 – Donut

Android 1.6 Donut was also released in the year 2009 and brought about many features to the platform. The first and most significant was adding the search box. What is now a ubiquitous feature was first added to Donut. The version also added support for multiple display sizes, which is a key element for the platform’s success. It also introduced Google Play, which was called the Android Market at the time. The store enabled users to download and try out different apps and games.

Android 2.0/2.1 – Eclair

The Android Eclair was released after almost six months of Donut, which is not something the company does today. It was sort of like an incremental update, with the platform adding support for Google’s turn by turn navigation and speech to text among other features. Eclair also added live wallpapers, which while it drained a lot of battery, was a really cool feature at the time.

Android 2.2 – Froyo

Google plopped up the Android 2.2 Froyo just four months after Eclair. This release, just like the Frozen Yogurt it is named after, was a sweet treat to the users as it focussed on increasing the performance of the devices. The release added the support for new Voice Actions and added support for mobile hotspots; which is also an important addition by historical importance.

Android 2.3 – Gingerbread

Android 2.3 Gingerbread was released in the year 2010 and marked an incremental update over Froyo. The platform gained support for new and improved gaming API for better and graphically intense gaming. It also added NFC connectivity to compatible devices; enhancing their connectivity. Fun fact, Google added a hidden easter egg in the operating system starting Gingerbread. The first hidden surprise was a zombie artwork when the users tapped on the version number multiple times in settings.

Android 3.0/3.1/3.2 – Honeycomb

Back in the year 2011, when tablets were becoming all the rage in the market, Google released the Android 3.0 Honeycomb. As a tablet exclusive operating system, it didn’t see many takers but was an important step in the redesigning of the platform. The version saw a user interface that utilised the whole display of the device, which was important in a tablet. However, due to limited application support and not many makers adopting it, Honeycomb is one of the more obscure versions on the list.

Android 4.0 – Ice Cream Sandwich

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich was a major design overhaul for the operating system. Released in the same year as Honeycomb, the version brought about changes like a new Holo design, swipe gestures for notifications and recent apps, and support for Android Beam. Looking back at Ice Cream Sandwich now feels like it was an extremely ambitious update, one which has futuristic vibes going on for it.

Android 4.1/4.2/4.3 – Jellybean

Released over multiple periods between 2012 and 2013, the Android 4.1/4.2/4.3 Jellybean was an incremental update over Ice Cream Sandwich. The platform gained support for account switching, which lets multiple users use a smartphone in different ways. It also has Google Now, a barebones digital assistant which has now been christened as Google Assistant. Jellybean also got actionable notifications, which let taking actions without opening certain applications easier.

Android 4.4 – KitKat

The name for Android 4.4 KitKat was a result of Google’s partnership with Nestle in the year 2013. This release made for a delicious name, and software refinements all around the operating system. Things like a smart dialer, full-screen applications and the “Okay Google” keyword; which we now take for granted, were first added in KitKat.

Android 5.0 – Lollipop

One of the biggest releases of the operating system, Android 5.0 Lollipop saw Google going back to the drawing board in 2014. The company adopted the Material Design theme, which is still in use today and almost redesigned the platform. With the release, lock screen notifications became a thing, and the software gained support for full hands-free “Ok Google” detection. Not to mention the change in the recent apps drawer with the release. Fun fact, Google added a neat little game in the easter egg which resembled Flappy Bird, another smash hit game of the time.

Android 6.0 – Marshmallow

Android 6.0 Marshmallow was released in 2015 and was an incremental update over Lollipop. It was in part because the previous version was such a design overhaul that it made for Marshmallow not to do anything drastic. The version added support for things like fingerprint readers and USB Type C ports and added a feature called Now on Tap. It used the company’s machine learning to provide more information on what is being displayed on the device. For granular privacy settings, Marshmallow also had permission controls for each application.

Android 7.0 – Nougat

Android 7.0 Nougat, was released in the year 2016 and focussed on improving upon Marshmallow. It was launched alongside the first Google-made smartphone, the Pixel and Pixel XL. With Nougat, the company introduced the split-screen feature and debuted Google Assistant, which is arguably the best digital assistant on a smartphone.

Android 8.0 – Oreo

Android 8.0 Oreo was released in the year 2017 and again, was an incremental update over Nougat. The name, much like KitKat was a result of Google’s partnership with a big company, this time it being Nabisco. This release brought about feature like a picture in picture mode, granular control over notifications. One of the landmark features of the sandwich cookie version was the support for Project Treble. It was an attempt by Google to minimise Android Fragmentation; by getting the latest release on most devices faster. Sadly the last bit has not played out very well.

Android 9 – Pie

The last release of the platform yet and one of the most important, Android 9 Pie was baked in the year 2018. It marked a soft reboot in designing the operating system, with the company trying to move away from Material Design. The release introduced new gesture-based navigation, which however half baked they may be; paved the way for all-screen smartphones. Also added to the release were clever software controls for Wi-Fi and mobile data. It also introduced the Digital Wellbeing feature on some devices. This lets users see the amount of time they spend on their smartphones and can limit it.

Android 10 – No Desserts For You!

Also read: Lenovo Teases An Upcoming Budget Smartphone, The Lenovo A6 Note

The latest release by the company, Android 10 as mentioned above does not have an official dessert name. However, according to some reports, Google still has the codename for the release which is named after a dessert that starts with Q. Take your guesses, I’m going with Quiche. However sad the company’s naming decision may be, the latest release will bring about significant changes in the platform. The first one is an all-new navigation gesture system, which resembles the new iPhone gestures. Also arriving in the release are better and faster security updates and support for Live Captions. The final developer’s Beta for the software has just been released; so Google is expected to roll out a stable update in the following weeks.

August 24, 2019
Nokia Announces Android 10 Update Schedule For Existing Smartphones
In the last couple of hours, we have received two major news from Google and Nokia. First, that Google’s Android Q’s official name is Android 10. Second, Nokia has announced its Android 10 schedule for its existing smartphones that are part of the Android One program. The announcements came one after the other and here’s a short breakdown of it.

Nokia Update Timeline

Nokia had re-entered the global market with its Android One smartphones two years ago. Since then, the company has seen a warm welcome owing to a bloatware-free experience its devices offer. Most of the handsets offered by Nokia are targetted towards mid to budget range which is uncommon for an Android One device to be. For those unaware, it is a program started by Google that ensures the device running the stock Android gets at least two major Android updates and security patches for three years.

After being the fastest to upgrade Nokia phones from N to O and O to P, I am super excited to share with you that the Q(ueue) for Nokia phones is moving fast as we get ready to welcome Android 10 on Nokia smartphones – roll out starts in Q4, 2019! #Nokiamobile #android10 pic.twitter.com/qXM4ZXAPBo
— Juho Sarvikas (@sarvikas) August 22, 2019

In other words, Nokia devices are ensured for long term use. The company shared its schedule regarding the roll-out of Android Q on its devices which is as follows:

2019 Q4:
- Nokia 7.1
- Nokia 8.1
- Nokia 9 PureView
2020 Q1:
- Nokia 6.1
- Nokia 6.1 Plus
- Nokia 7 Plus
- Nokia 2.2
- Nokia 3.1 Plus
- Nokia 3.2
- Nokia 4.2
- Nokia 1 Plus
- Nokia 5.1 Plus
- Nokia 8 Sirocco
2020 Q2:
- Nokia 2.1
- Nokia 3.1
- Nokia 5.1
- Nokia 1
Google Android 10

Google has officially announced that it is parting from its beloved naming philosophy. The sweet-toothed names that were associated with each new generation of the OS are finally being sobered down. It has been confirmed that Android Q will officially be called Android 10. The reason the company said for this major change is to help people understand generations better.

Also Read: Samsung Announces Galaxy A30s, Features A Triple Rear Camera

The example given out was that some regions cannot distinguish between L or R in regional languages. So, simply saying Lollipop makes no sense to them. Thus, Google is employing a clean, sober and chronological name scheming. It would also seek to not have certain countries in the world feel left out over dessert names from their region (R for Rasgulla Or L for Laddo ;)). The move by Google is purely unifying and simplifying in nature.
August 23, 2019
Xiaomi Mi A3 Android One Smartphone Launched In India
Xiaomi’s launched the latest iteration of its Android One Mi A series last month in Spain. Dubbed the Mi A3, it is a direct successor to the Mi A2 and by its extension the Mi A1. The series has been popular in India with users particularly enjoying the stock Android experience. Mi A3 seeks to deliver much of the same experience with mid-range hardware at a lucrative price tag.

Xiaomi Mi A3

Xiaomi Mi A3 makes a noticeable change in design aesthetics over its predecessors with its new 3D glass finish on the rear. It offers an attractive look with gradient colour accents changing reflection with the angle they are viewed from. On the front, Mi A3 features a 6.08-inch HD+ Super AMOLED display which is a downgrade from the previous iteration which had an FHD+ display.

For photography, the Mi A3 features a triple camera setup with the primary shooter being a 48MP sensor. The latter two are an 8MP ultra-wide lens alongside a 2MP depth sensor. On the front, a large 32MP sensor for selfies can be found on a waterdrop notch. Notably, the Mi A3 is the first in the series to house the fingerprint scanner under the display. Furthermore, the handset houses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665 SoC with Adreno 610 GPU. The chipset has an Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 610 GPU.

Xiaomi’s Mi A3 is powered by a large 4,030mAh battery which supports 18W fast charging, however, the fast charger needs to be bought separately, as the provided capacity in the retail box is limited to 10W. For connectivity, the smartphone offers Bluetooth 5.0, an IR Blaster, USB Type-C port, Dual 4G VoLTE and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The last feature was omitted in the Mi A2 much to the loyal users disliking. Additionally, Mi A3 is an Android One device which means it runs the latest Android 9 Pie and is guaranteed to receive two major updates and security updates for up to 3 years.

Also Read: Oppo Reno 2 Has Its Key Features And Specifications Leaked

Price & Availability

Xiaomi Mi A3 will be available from 12 pm (IST) on 23rd August 2019. It can be purchased from Amazon and on Xiaomi’s official website. The smartphone is expected to be available on offline stores soon after. It is offered in three colour variants, namely Kind of Grey, Not Just Blue and More Than White. The device is offered in two different memory and RAM configuration that is:
- 4GB RAM + 64GB ROM: INR 12,999
- 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM: INR 15,999
August 21, 2019
Huawei Unveils HarmonyOS, Its Android Replacing Operating System

At the Huawei Developer Conference (HDC) in China on the 9th of August, Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei has unveiled the long-rumoured HongMengOS. Called the HarmonyOS for the global market, the new operating system has been positioned as a replacement to Android. While HarmonyOS has been primarily designed for IoT (Internet of Things) products like smart speakers, displays and wearables; the company claims that if it is no longer allowed to use Android in the future, the new operating system can be used for Huawei smartphones.

HarmonyOS

As mentioned above, the HarmonyOS by Huawei is its operating system for IoT devices. Said to be in development since the last few years, the rumours of it started appearing when the company was barred from doing business with any American company in the month of May. In its presentation, the Consumer Business Group CEO Richard Yu revealed that the new software is microkernel-based, which is apt for IoT devices. Huawei claims that HarmonyOS is not only faster than Android, it is also much safer. The new platform is also open source, which means anyone can access, modify or enhance it.

Also read: Upcoming Realme Smartphones To Feature Quad Cameras, Will Launch Before Diwali

While it is hard to believe otherwise, the HarmonyOS by Huawei is not aimed at being an Android competitor. The company is placing the operating system against Google’s Fuchsia, which is a similar microkernel-based software in development for a while now. One advantage of the newest platform by Huawei is that it can run on multiple devices, ranging from different screen sizes. It is speculated that the company will launch various products this year featuring the OS, ranging from smart TVs to maybe even a smartphone. However, it has assured that at least for the near future, the Huawei smartphones will continue to support Android, saving HarmonyOS for a rainy day.

August 9, 2019
Google Testing An Android App Subscription Service Called Play Pass

American technology giant Google launched the Play Store for its Android operating system back in the year 2008. Earlier known as the Android Market, it offers a plethora of different applications and games. While most are free to download and use, the others charge a fee to be downloaded. Now, the latest reports claim that Google is planning on launching an app subscription service; that will unify most premium software on the Play Store and offer a seamless experience. Along with the service’s existence, screenshots revealing how it will work have also been showcased.

About Play Pass

As mentioned above, the Google Play Pass is a new application subscription service on Android. According to reports, the service will offer a curated library of various paid apps and games. It will also let users bypass the in-app purchases of the particular software. The leaked screenshots reveal that the service will cost users US$ 4.99 (Rs. 345) a month; which will be charged after a 10 day trial period. It is assumed that users will be able to cancel the subscription before their trial period is over if they are unsatisfied by the product.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Launched, Snapdragon 855 and Super AMOLED Display In Tow

The report also claims that Google has been working on Play Pass since last year, and the service has just started rolling out for public testing. The company has admitted to working on Play Pass and has revealed that it is still in a testing phase. Unfortunately, it is not known when the final stable release of the service will be announced; but the screenshots suggest that it is almost ready for primetime and may be launched soon. When official, the Google Play Pass will compete against the Apple Arcade, which is a similar offering on iOS due later this year.

August 1, 2019
HTC Wildfire X Listed On Android Enterprise Website, Expected To Launch Soon
Taiwanese smartphone maker, HTC which was once a leader in the mobile phone industry lost its lustre after the arrival of Chinese OEMs that sell feature-packed handsets at competitive pricing. Nevertheless, it seems the company has devised new strategies and will soon be launching numerous smartphones.

HTC Wildfire E Plus

Earlier this month, four unreleased HTC smartphones were leaked online. In addition, another handset with the Wildfire X moniker has been listed on Android Enterprise website. The listing has revealed both the key features and design of the upcoming smartphone. As it has been listed on the Enterprise website, it is assumed that the handset will be targeted towards the commercial sector. In simpler words, the HTC Wildfire X will be oriented towards B2B customers and organisations that buy equipment in bulk to be used by there task force rather than the consumer sector.

HTC Wildfire X

According to the Android Enterprise listing, the HTC Wildfire X has an orthodox design with considerable bezels on both the top and bottom of the display. However, such devices are economical to manufacture and more robust, which is the primary concern of enterprise devices.

The top bezel of the Wildfire X houses a front-facing selfie camera, earpiece for listening to phone calls and necessary sensors like proximity and ambient light sensor. Unfortunately, the listing does not reveal the rear side of the smartphone or the crucial feature like the chipset. Nevertheless, it does provide key specs which are listed below.

HTC Wildfire X Quick Specs
- Display: 6.2 inch
- RAM: 3 GB
- ROM: 32 GB
- OS Version: Android 9
- Security: Fingerprint Sensor
Also Read: Oppo Showcases A Smartphone With Waterfall Display

To conclude, we won’t have to wait for long to get the official price and specs of HTC Wildfire X, as the Android Enterprise listing suggests that its launch is about to happen.

Interested readers can check the listing here.
July 29, 2019
The Original Doom Trilogy Is Now Available On PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Android And iOS

One of the gaming worlds most popular video game genre is first-person shooters. Games such as Call of Duty, Halo, CS: GO and much more follow this genre and are one of the most recognizable names in the industry. In a first-person game, the player is thrust into the shoes of the protagonist and sees the world through their eyes. Now, Doom, one of the progenitors of the popular genre sees a revival of its original trilogy with a platform-wide port to Android, iOS, PS4, Xbox One and Switch.

Quakecon 2019 saw the arrival of multiple big announcements from the event. One of which is that the first three Doom games will be made compatible on every major console platform alongside PC. Notably, the first two titles will also be available on iOS and Android devices as well. It is big news considering one of the forerunners of the most popular game formula will be resold again. It is in part a great homage to the games that helped forge the backbone of the gaming industry as we know and love today.

Furthermore, Bethesda, the game studio behind the legendary title, has also announced the inclusion of more games into Sony’s PlayStation (PS) Now service. PS Now is an online game streaming service and will now feature the remade Doom 2016 edition along with Wolfenstein: The New Order and Fallout 4. The latter two in comparison are relatively new and feature updated graphics modern graphics over the original iterations.

Also Read: Apple Hires Contractors That Listen To Private Conversation Through Siri

The first two entries in the series, Doom and Doom II will carry a price tag of $5 each (approx. Rs. 350). Doom III will be sold for $10 (approx. Rs 700). The announcement will revive the ancient games and their fan following. The Doom trilogy will be optimized for current-gen PCs, consoles and excitingly enough, smartphones. For more information regarding gaming stay tuned to iGyaan.

July 27, 2019
Samsung One UI 2.0 With Fresh Features To Debut With Android Q

Samsung had unveiled the One UI in its developer’s conference back in the year 2018. The first iteration of the new interface was first seen in devices that ran the latest Android version, namely Android 9 Pie. It succeeds the Samsung Experience and TouchWiz UI which have found on devices since the early days. Now, fresh news has reported that Samsung’s One UI 2.0 will be launched alongside the release of Android Q.

According to the report, Samsung’s Android Q release for its Galaxy lineup of smartphones will include One UI 2.0 from the get-go. Furthermore, it is also claimed that Samsung’s Galaxy S11 will debut with One UI 2.1 which seems to be an exclusive variant of the user interface. One UI was made to enhance the user experience for Samsung’s consumers by streamlining design and functionality. The newest version will also include all the Digital Wellbeing improvements that Google announced at its developer’s conference earlier in May.

Galaxy A20

Currently, the latest One UI version is 1.1 which is running on most Android 9 Pie running Galaxy smartphones. It can be expected that Samsung will roll out new and interesting features with One UI 2.0 which will be exclusive to its range of handsets and tablets. The first iteration brought various minor and major new functionality, like Bixby Routines and a refreshed design. However, many of the previous generations of devices such as Galaxy S9 are yet to benefit from them. Hopefully, the incorporation of Android Q brings a lot of the new changes uniformly across every compatible Samsung devices.

OneUI On The Galaxy S10

Also Read: Moto One Action Specs Leaked, Features An Unconventionally Tall Display

It is still unclear as to what exactly the new feature will entail. Details are sketchy and only speculations have surfaced can be made as of right now. We can only hope for an official company statement to reveal more information which should be expected in the arriving weeks. Updates regarding the upcoming Android Q based One UI 2.0 from Samsung will be provided soon, so stay tuned.

July 20, 2019
Nokia Feature Phone Running Android OS Leaked In Images

Despite the rise in popularity of smartphones in the last few years, many people in developing countries still use feature phones. Numerous countries in Asia, South America and Africa are still the predominant market for the feature phones. Now, images have leaked online which reveal Google, who is known for making Android OS (Operating System) for smartphones is developing a new version of its software for feature phones. The images showcase a Nokia feature phone running a specialised version of Android.

Android For Feature Phones

It has been claimed multiple times in the past that Google is developing a version of Android OS for feature phones. This is to capture the market that has been missed by the company until now. The latest leaks reveal that HMD Global’s Nokia, which is one of the few companies making feature phones, will be the first to launch a device with the new version of Android. In the images, a feature phone in development from Nokia is showcased. The home screen of the upcoming mobile phone features an all-new design for Android. Since the OS was originally designed to work for touchscreen devices, the interface seems to be adapted for use with just buttons.

Also read: Huawei’s Mid Range Nova 5i Pro With Kirin 810 And Five Cameras Leaked

On the home screen of the new version of Android, a microphone icon, similar to one seen in Google Assistant is visible. This insinuates that the Nokia feature phone will have the digital voice assistant built-in. Also present on the handset are multiple Google apps like Chrome and YouTube; which seem to be designed to run on a small-sized display without touch input. The rest of the User Interface (UI) is similar to what feature phones from Nokia had in the past. While the images provide authenticity to the claim that Google is working on bringing Android to feature phones; the source claims to take the aforementioned information with a grain of salt, as the images could very well be of a Nokia handset running a new version of KaiOS, another popular OS for feature phones.

July 19, 2019
This Tiny Android Go Phone, Made By Xiaomi Makes Perfect Sense For Indians
Xiaomi with it ever-expanding portfolio of products never ceases to amaze us. Earlier this week, it announced the Redmi K20 and K20 Pro smartphones for the Indian market which were originally launched in China. Likewise, the company is crowdfunding a tiny Android Go smartphone in its home country, which we would love to see in India as well. The handset is a part of Xiaomi’s sub-brand Qin and it is dubbed the “Multi Parent AI Assitant/ 4G phone” [literal translation ;)]. Nevertheless, the device has a distinguishing design and is offered in a multitude of attractive colours.

Xiaomi Qin Android Go Smartphone

The front of the Xiaomi smartphone features a 5.05-inch display that has negligible bezels on all sides except for the chin which is comparatively thicker. Surprisingly, the display of the handset has an aspect ratio of 22.5:9 which is slowly gaining popularity in mid-range and high-end devices like the Sony Xperia 1 and Motorola One Vision. Besides, the display has resoultion of 1440 x 576 px.

In terms of dimensions and weight, the Xiaomi Qin smartphone measures 132.6 x 55.4 x 8.6 mm and tips the scale at a meagre 105 g. The rear panel of the smartphone is made out of hard plastic and the users have the choice to opt for their favourite colour out of four different vibrant options. The rear panel has a neat layout as it only houses the company branding and a single camera along with an LED flash.

The left side of the Xiaomi Qin Android Go smartphone houses the power button and volume rocker as seen on various modern handsets. Additionally, it also has a small button on the left which can be used to toggle the built-in AI voice assistant. It is powered by a 2100 mAh battery which can be charged via the bottom-mounted USB Type C port.

Another notable feature of the smartphone is the presence of an IR blaster that can be used to control different appliances wirelessly in an office or personal living space. Connectivity options on the device include 4 G VoLTE, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2. Details about the chipset or processor on the smartphone are currently available.

In terms of operating system, it runs on Go variant of Android 9.0. For readers who do not know, Android Go is a scaled-down variant of standard Android and it is purpose-built for devices with less powerful hardware. According to substandard Chinese translation, it can run a total of 6 applications including WeChat and has a customised UI which helps for easy navigation.

Xiaomi Qin Quick Specs
- Display: 5.05 inch, 1440 x 576, 22.5:9 aspect ratio
- Dimensions: 132.6 x 55.4 x 8.6 mm
- Weight: 105g
- Battery Capacity: 2100 mAh, 5V2A
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB C
- OS: Android 9 GO
- Other Features: IR Blaster, AI Assistant
- Rear Camera: Single Sensor, LED Flash
- Front Camera: N/A
- Storage: 32 GB
- Price: 499 CNY (around Rs 5000)
Why This Device Makes Perfect Sense For Indians?

Taking the fact into consideration, more than half of the mobile owners in India still own a feature phone that is usually limited to 2G connectivity. With the rapid adoption of 4G, the said user base undoubtedly would want to move on to smartphones that have better connectivity options and a lot more features at an economical price point. This is where the Xiaomi Qin smartphone can settle and bridge the gap.

Noteworthy, another smartphone from Xiaomi, the Redmi Go that features a front camera, bigger battery and a lower price tag than Qin is already available in India. Therefore, in order to see worthwhile sales performance, the latter needs to be priced aggressively. We feel Rs 2500 to Rs 3500 would be the sweet spot for it, given Xiaomi decides to bring it to India.

Readers interested in checking the official website can do so by clicking here.

What according to you should be the right price for this smartphone? Let us know in the comments below!
July 18, 2019
Xiaomi Mi A3 Android One Smartphone Official Images Leaked

Xiaomi first launched the Mi A1 smartphone back in the year 2017. The device was Android One certified, which meant it is guaranteed to receive major software updates for two years and security updates for at least three years. The company then followed up by launching its successors, the Mi A2 and the Mi A2 Lite next year, which refined on its predecessor’s features. Now, images of another handset in the series, allegedly called the Mi A3 have surfaced online, which reveal a different design from what is generally attributed to the lineup.

Xiaomi Mi A3

The Xiaomi Mi A3 will be the more premium version out of the two Android One smartphone reported to be released by the company this year. Freshly leaked images of the smartphone reveal it will have a similar design to the company’s Mi CC9 and Mi CC9e smartphones; that was released earlier this month. The front of the device is dominated by a large display with minimal bezels on the side but a considerable chin on the bottom. To maximise the screen real estate, it has a waterdrop style notch on top of the display which houses the front-facing camera. As it is an Android One certified device, a stock like an interface is visible in at least one of the images of the display.

The right side of the Xiaomi Mi A3 has the volume rockers and the power button; while the left side remains empty save for the SIM card tray. The top of the smartphone has an Infrared (IR) blaster to make it work as a remote for certain electronic devices. It also surprisingly houses a 3.5mm headphone jack, which was omitted from its predecessor last year. Over at the back of the Mi A3, a vertical triple camera set up along with the LED flash is visible. The company logo, along with a different than usual Android One branding is placed on the bottom of the device.

Also read: Amazon Is Developing A Louder Echo Speaker, Also Working On Robots

In terms of specifications, the Xiaomi Mi A3 has been reported to feature a 6.0-inch display with a FullHD+ resolution. It is also believed that the handset will feature the seventh generation optical in display fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication. The smartphone is expected to run on the 8nm Snapdragon 730 SoC. The chipset is comprised of an Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 618 GPU. Unfortunately, more details, like the pricing and launch date of the device are not known yet. However, the latest influx of leaks suggests that it, along with its sibling the Mi A3 Lite may see the light of the day soon.

July 13, 2019
Huawei Confirms HongMeng OS, But Will Stick To Android For The Near Future

On the 12th of July, Chinese tech titan, Huawei hosted a press conference in which it talked about the its operations over the last 6 months. The company, despite being put on the Entity List by the US Department of Commerce, has reportedly increased its revenue for the first half of 2019. The Entity List designation barred all American company’s from having any sort of trade relations with the Chinese corporation. Therefore, it could not sell the number of smartphones running Android OS which were originally anticipated. Following the ban, it was revealed that Huawei had been working on a secret OS for year’s. It was speculated that if the US ban is not lifted, the company would sell smartphones in the future with its in house developed HongMeng OS aka ArkOS. Fortunately, the ban has been raised and it seems that Huawei will continue selling Android smartphones rather than switching to HongMeng OS, at least in the near future.

A top official of Huawei was seen claiming an increase in the revenue for first half of the year; It can be noted that the ban took effect in May and that the company had a successful run in the first four months of 2019. Only the figures for the second half of the year will show the true implications of the ban on Huawei. Especially now after the ban has been lifted but its affects are still lingering; the America stance on the situation allows US companies to sell their services and technology to the Huawei as long as it does not threaten national security.

In the press conference, Huawei also confirmed the name of its upcoming operating system dubbed HongMeng OS. However, the company, unlike part reports, isn’t planning on making it into an Android replacement for its current or near future handsets. For now the company has chosen to stick with the OS being developed for its other varying product lineups. It is speculated that HongMeng OS can still be used if another US ban is levied on the company as a worse case scenario.

Also Read: Google Allows Its Employees To Listen To Voice Assistant Interaction With Users

The second half of 2019 will tell how well Huawei has managed to pull through since the ban. The company has yet to take a step back with its myriad of smartphone releases over just the past month. Huawei had reportedly shipped over 100 million smartphones in the year, before the ban. The true repercussions might be seen soon. Stay tuned for more updates on the tech giant and the trade tensions.

July 12, 2019
Agent Smith Malware Affects 25 Million Android Devices

The world’s most popular mobile OS, Android has once again been subjected to a wide scale malicious attack. A security firm “Check Point” discovered a new malware which replace portions of known apps with its own code. Noteworthy, the malware has affected more than 25 milion devices around the globe, out of which 15 million are in India alone.

According to Check Point, the malware is named “Agent Smith” and is designed to target known vulnerabilities of the Android operating system. The application was revealed to partially replace code on legitimate apps with malicious code. Notably, the whole process was exectuted without the knowledge or permission of the device owner.

Surprisingly, the malware is not intended to steal user data, instead, it injected the infected apps with lines of code so that they display advertisements. The developer would earn ad credits whenever a user with infected applications would watch or click on the display advertisements. Therfore, the developer could gain monetary value with the whole scheme.

The reserach agency revealed that the Agent Smith malware mainly targeted well-known apps like WhatsApp and Flipkart, therefore, accounting for the astounding reach it had. The source of the malicious app was traced back to a third party application store which is called 9Apps. The malware was concealed in programs like games, video players and adult entertainment apps which have high demand.

Check Point also shared a donut graph that shows the distribution of malware on smartphones manufactured by OEMs. At over 26 percent, Samsung device owners carry the maximum share in the information representaion tool.

Aside from 15 million Indian smartphones, the malware was even able to spread onto 3,00,000 devices in the US. Surprisingly, the exploits used by the malware to execute the infection process were patched several years ago. However, a large number of developers did not update their respective applications.

Also Read: Apple Will Soon Launch Multiple New iPad Models

This is just one security breach that has made out to the public. It wont be wrong to assume that several other cases like this still remain covered. Conclusively, in this day and era of widespread technology, nothing seems to be truly safe regardless of security measures that are implented.

July 11, 2019
HongMeng OS Is Upto 60 Percent Faster Than Android OS And MacOS

It was revealed a while back that Huawei’s proprietary HongMeng OS has been planned in secrecy years ago. The top officials of the Chinese company had decided on the development of a native OS after fearing US based software dominance. Skip a few years forward and that is all but true. Android and Apple are the most popular OS out there that belong from the US with which China has always had unstable trade relations.

Now, a report claims that the recently announced HongMeng OS is reportedly 60% faster than its main competitor Android.

HongMeng OS turned out to be Huawei’s trump card against US monopoly. It was finally unveiled from secrecy and had sought to ensure Huawei’s long term market security regardless of international trade relations. In a new report from, Chairman of Huawei had claimed that its HongMeng OS outperforms Android by a massive 60% lead. The aforementioned OS will complete development; regardless of Huawei being able to continue business with US companies. This arrives after the US ban that prohibited the company to have unrestricted operations in the western nation.

In terms of speed, Huawei has claimed that the OS is much faster than Google’s as well as Apple’s MacOS. HongMeng OS will also be introduced to the company’s laptop computer offerings too and are reportedly faster than MacOS. Huawei’s OS is designed to be versatile with a broad range of compatibility across different electronic devices which will interact with one another. A move that is similar to Apple’s iCloud based electronic economy and family connectivity. The company’s top officials have acknowledged its two giant competitors which have a sizeable application ecosystem; true with Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store apps which contain millions of apps.

Also Read: Redmi K20 Pro Indian Price Leaks, Starts At Rs 24,999

The implications of the new report are massive. An OS that is both flexible and more powerful than what is currently offered in the market; it can possibly even disrupt the westward focused technology power structure. The claims can currently not be disproved since the HongMeng OS hasn’t been released yet. However, even exaggerated it may still hold some truth regarding performance and speed.

July 6, 2019
Puffin OS Is The Mobile Operating System That Can Crush Android Go
CloudMosa is an American company which is recognised for its web browser “Puffin”. In comparison to conventional browsers, Puffin browser’s strengths lie in speed and security. Acquiring these two elements from its web browser, CloudMosa has developed a mobile operating system which is called Puffin OS.

The new mobile OS is chiefly targeted towards handsets that cost US $ 100 or less. According to CloudMosa, Puffin OS bridges the gap that exists between feature phones that run on KaiOS and economical Android smartphones. The company collected data from a couple of independent research organisations and uncovered key limitations in existing sub-US $ 100 mobile phones which either run KaiOS or Android.
- 33 percent of all mobile owners use a feature phone which has access to less than 500 applications. This drastically reduces the potential that a conventional smartphone can offer
- 57 percent of device owners have access to a limited internet connection. Therefore, Android which is currently the most widespread mobile OS also presents a shortcoming. Due to limited internet, the user may not be able to download an application in the first place or existing applications require frequent updates to offer the latest and greatest of features.
CloudMosa designed Puffin OS in such a manner that it can overcome both the limitations mentioned above. The company claims that its mobile operating system can convert any existing website into a web app. Therefore, users instantly get access to over 1.5 billion applications including Facebook, Youtube and Google Maps.

The key benefit of this technology is that web apps can run directly on smartphones running on Puffin OS without having to download an application. Furthermore, the new mobile OS is free from any centralised regulatory body. Hence, developers can use open web standards like HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript to build mobile apps.

Noteworthy, Puffin OS is derived from Android but it uses a Technology called “Avatar” which shifts the workload from the local device to a remote computer in the cloud. To demonstrate its capabilities, CloudMosa has shared a benchmark comparing the performance of three mobile operating systems.

Also Read: Scientists Develop Brighter, More Energy Efficient OLED Display For Smartphones

To sum it up, the claims made by the company look groundbreaking in comparison to existing options. However, in order to verify them, we will have to until a real-life device is actually demonstrated. Cheerfully, the company will soon be crowdfunding a smarpthone running Puffin OS on Kickstarter whose details are to be revealed soon.
July 5, 2019

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