OnePlus 2 isn’t getting the Android Nougat update

After saying before that OnePlus 2 was getting Android Nougat update, unfortunately OnePlus is taking it back now. The news comes after OnePlus previously said there would be 24-month update support and that they would be bringing it to the operating system. There seems to be a lack of communication on part of the company as one OnePlus moderator was still writing about the update coming in their forum as recently as the end of May.

When asked what the reason was for the update not arriving, OnePlus said, “When we built the OnePlus 2 we didn’t have the software infrastructure team in place we do now.” This places the blame at the convergence of the Hydrogen and Oxygen teams for the lack of the update. All of this just reminds us that OEMs have to stop promising things that they can’t deliver in the end.

Source: Android Authority

Rollout of Google Assistant starts today

Google announced at Mobile World Congress that it was bringing Google Assistant to non-Pixel devices. While they didn’t specify a timeline, it seems the wait is shorter than we think. It has started rolling out in the US for both Android Marshmallow and Nougat devices. Google even made a quick announcement on YouTube and Twitter for it. After the US rollout, Google Assistant will be coming to Canada, Australia, the UK, and German speakers in Germany. So it shouldn’t be too far off when you can install the voice-activated Assistant on your device.

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New handy Instant Tethering feature for Android comes to Pixel and Nexus devices

One of the things we expect from our gadgets is that they just work. No need to toggle anything, they just have to work. Google is turning that into a reality with its own devices. Called Instant Tethering, the feature will let a select number of devices instantly use the same cellular data connection of a smartphone when it sees that there is a connection and sufficient battery life. At the moment the feature is available to any Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, or Nexus 6P running Android 7.1.1. All the aforementioned smartphones can serve as the host for another support device as long as it’s signed into the same Google account. You don’t even need to turn on the hotspot anymore or input any passwords, it’ll just work.

And you don’t even have to shut it off, too. When 10 minutes have passed when you last used a device that tethered to your smartphone, it’ll cut off the connection itself. Saving battery is something Google is paying attention, too. While this isn’t the first time tech manufacturers have done this. It’s good we have one more option. And hopefully more tech companies follow suit.

Source: The Verge

Sony is rolling out Android Nougat to select Xperia devices

Sony rolled out Android Nougat last month to the Xperia Z5 but have met some issues. Now, it looks like the Japanese company is ready to give it another try. Android 7.0 is making its way to the Xperia Z3+, Z4 Tablet, and Z5 series. It would seem Sony has been able to fix the issues such as “inconsistencies related to audio playback via third-party apps and SD card encrypted data read performance.” The new firmware heading the way of these Sony devices has a build number of 32.3.A.0.376. Despite the issues with the roll out, it has to be noted that Sony is also one of the first manufacturers to offer Nougat update to its devices beyond the latest phone series.

Source: Android Authority