Google releases final Pixel 3 security update

Moving on to other Android update news. If you want up-to-date security fixes for your smartphone, it might be time to let go of your Pixel 3. The company has confirmed it is delivering the last security update for the Pixel 3 and 3 XL, which is in line with a previous announcement that the first quarter of 2022 will mark the last time the device will get an update. It's unclear what the patch fixes, but the build ID supposedly matches an October patch released on newer Pixel models. So, this release is more of a catch-up update than the latest patch.

If you own a Pixel 3a or newer, those just received a February 2022 update that takes on some pesky problems, including reboots after camera use, Bluetooth audio disconnection and quality issues, carrier-specific connection troubles, and more.

Source

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge will get fewer security updates

The Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge have been taken off the list of phones that will receive quarterly security updates from the company. These two models have been downgraded into the tier that receives “regular” security updates. Samsung currently has three tiers for its security updates. The top level offers “Monthly Security Updates,” which are for the latest Galaxy smartphones until the likes of the Galaxy A8 and S8. The second tier is for “Quarterly Security Updates,” which is mostly for its mid-range devices. And the third tier, which is where the three-year-old S7 and S7 Edge phones have been relegated to, have a lot of the retired products. Strangely enough, the Galaxy S7 Active, which was released around the same time as the S7 and S7 Edge, still get the monthly security updates. As for those who own the other S7 models, you will still get security updates, but expect these to come less frequently.

Google fixes fast-charging issues of the Pixel and Pixel XL in October security update

The release of Android Pie resulted in some issues with the 2016 Pixel and Pixel XL. It basically broke fast-charging between the original Pixel devices as well as some third-party power adapters that didn’t have USB Power Delivery. Thankfully, the October security update, which started rolling out today, is fixing this issue. On top of this, the update fixes Android Auto stability and brings “improved performance for certain protected media formats” on the Pixel 2. You can check if the update has made your way by going to Settings > System > Advanced > System update. 

Source: The Verge 

Lenovo promises to bring Android Security Updates to the Moto Z and G

If we were to think about one good thing about the Motorola brand before, it was the stock version of Android it ran that received software updates and security patches quickly. But now that it’s under Lenovo, people have been questioning if the tech company will be able to release timely updates, including the monthly security updates Google releases. Some were pointing out it took Lenovo three months to release a security update for the Moto X Pure and this might carry over to the new Moto Z and Moto G4 phones.

A representative from Lenovo told Digital Times in an email that the Moto Z, Moto Z Force, and Moto G Family will support the Android Security Bulletin patches and “they will receive an update shortly after launch with additional patches.” However, they didn’t specify how often or up-to-date the patches will be. Tech companies are notorious for taking their time to release updates. Let’s just hope they buck this trend.