30 votes

Android 9 "Pie" launched today

38 comments

  1. [14]
    NubWizard
    Link
    And here I am on my Moto G5 Plus waiting for the fabled Android 8 that was promised months ago. Stay away from Motorola if you want an updated phone fellow budget phone users.

    And here I am on my Moto G5 Plus waiting for the fabled Android 8 that was promised months ago.

    Stay away from Motorola if you want an updated phone fellow budget phone users.

    12 votes
    1. [7]
      what
      Link Parent
      I’m on my LG V20 sitting on a January 2018 security patch, finally getting Oreo next month 🙃 I’m so glad that custom ROMs like Lineage OS exist, especially for phone that no longer get updates....

      I’m on my LG V20 sitting on a January 2018 security patch, finally getting Oreo next month 🙃

      I’m so glad that custom ROMs like Lineage OS exist, especially for phone that no longer get updates. Lineage OS is finally getting support for my phone’s second screen feature soon, so I’m probably just going to switch to that soon.

      Strange, I thought Motorola was one of the better manufacturers in terms of software, using pretty much stock Android. I assumed they would be able to update pretty easily/frequently.

      5 votes
      1. [6]
        spctrvl
        Link Parent
        They are. Regarding updates, they used to be the best; the first Moto X got KitKat before the Nexus did. Then Lenovo bought them out, which put an end to timely updates real quick.

        Strange, I thought Motorola was one of the better manufacturers in terms of software, using pretty much stock Android. I assumed they would be able to update pretty easily/frequently.

        They are. Regarding updates, they used to be the best; the first Moto X got KitKat before the Nexus did. Then Lenovo bought them out, which put an end to timely updates real quick.

        3 votes
        1. [5]
          what
          Link Parent
          Right, I always forget that Lenovo owns them now. Seems like that’s really affected their smartphone business.

          Right, I always forget that Lenovo owns them now. Seems like that’s really affected their smartphone business.

          2 votes
          1. [4]
            spctrvl
            Link Parent
            Yeah it's really run them into the ground. Not sure what I'm buying when my moto x dies, since everyone seems to be throwing practicality under the bus when it comes to things like speakers, SD...

            Yeah it's really run them into the ground. Not sure what I'm buying when my moto x dies, since everyone seems to be throwing practicality under the bus when it comes to things like speakers, SD cards, headphone jacks, etc.

            1 vote
            1. [3]
              what
              Link Parent
              The lack of updates from LG sucks, but I'm loving my LG V20. Like I said, I'm going to Lineage anyways, and I love having a removable battery, second screen, quad DAC (probably the best smartphone...

              The lack of updates from LG sucks, but I'm loving my LG V20. Like I said, I'm going to Lineage anyways, and I love having a removable battery, second screen, quad DAC (probably the best smartphone audio out there), SD card, and generally one of the most repairable phones I've ever seen. It's also very cheap right now, you can get a good used one for ~300-400 $CAD.

              1. [2]
                spctrvl
                Link Parent
                I'm leery about LG because of the bootloop issue and their terrible handling of it. That said, the v20 is probably the last major smartphone to prioritize function over form (and it doesn't look...

                I'm leery about LG because of the bootloop issue and their terrible handling of it. That said, the v20 is probably the last major smartphone to prioritize function over form (and it doesn't look half bad either), it's just that there don't seem to be any recently released phones like it. The v30 dropped the removable battery and I'm pretty sure it was the last flagship released with one.

                1 vote
                1. what
                  Link Parent
                  Yeah, I definitely won’t be getting another LG phone (unless it was another V20). With it’s repairability and Lineage OS support, I think this phone can last me a pretty long time.

                  Yeah, I definitely won’t be getting another LG phone (unless it was another V20). With it’s repairability and Lineage OS support, I think this phone can last me a pretty long time.

    2. [5]
      Sarcasimo
      Link Parent
      I abandoned my Moto X (2015) for the same reason. It's a shame too because they still make decent phones.

      I abandoned my Moto X (2015) for the same reason. It's a shame too because they still make decent phones.

      2 votes
      1. [2]
        NubWizard
        Link Parent
        I know, it makes me really sad because I generally like this phone. The gestures to turn on the flash light with a chopping motion is amazing in the tight spots where I need a quick flash light....

        I know, it makes me really sad because I generally like this phone. The gestures to turn on the flash light with a chopping motion is amazing in the tight spots where I need a quick flash light.

        But after just a year, my phone is starting to slow down significantly. I think I will try to tough it out til the next batch of mid-range phones. Do you know of any manufacturers who are good on keeping up with updates?

        4 votes
        1. Sarcasimo
          Link Parent
          The Pixel line is probably the best for updates. You could get a Gen 1 Pixel for a good price, or wait for the Pixel 3 to drop this fall and see if the Pixel 2 goes down.

          The Pixel line is probably the best for updates. You could get a Gen 1 Pixel for a good price, or wait for the Pixel 3 to drop this fall and see if the Pixel 2 goes down.

          3 votes
      2. [3]
        Comment deleted by author
        Link Parent
        1. [2]
          Akir
          Link Parent
          I have the same phone and it is running 7.0. it was an OTA update about half a year ago. The camera is still one of the best cameras I have seen on a phone other than the most expensive ones.

          I have the same phone and it is running 7.0. it was an OTA update about half a year ago. The camera is still one of the best cameras I have seen on a phone other than the most expensive ones.

          2 votes
          1. [2]
            Comment deleted by author
            Link Parent
            1. Akir
              Link Parent
              Mine is indeed from 2015. The issue we are having is because you called your phone the Pure Edition. That signifies the 2015 model. The model from 2014 was just called the Moto X (though it was...

              Mine is indeed from 2015.

              The issue we are having is because you called your phone the Pure Edition. That signifies the 2015 model. The model from 2014 was just called the Moto X (though it was actually a different phone from the original Moto X....)

              1 vote
    3. 2c13b71452
      Link Parent
      I have this phone too. 8.1 has been released to people on the test channel, so it shouldn't be too long now. What I'm not sure about is what is there to get excited about in 8.1 over 7.0? Project...

      I have this phone too. 8.1 has been released to people on the test channel, so it shouldn't be too long now. What I'm not sure about is what is there to get excited about in 8.1 over 7.0? Project Treble looks like the most interesting part of it but that won't affect how I use the phone.

      1 vote
  2. [3]
    Lynx
    Link
    I guess Android moved to a clean "one major version per year" now? That's a shame, makes the 5.1 I'm stuck on sound really old, even though it's only 4 codenames behind. And just coming up on a...

    I guess Android moved to a clean "one major version per year" now? That's a shame, makes the 5.1 I'm stuck on sound really old, even though it's only 4 codenames behind. And just coming up on a half a decade old kernel, awesome.

    Here's a tip: don't buy Acer phones, you won't get updates (as expected), but there's also no chance in hell you'll get it rooted/flashed unless you're used to porting those to new phones. Next phone is probably gonna be a Librem 5 because I'm fed up with the lack of any support.

    8 votes
    1. [2]
      rkcr
      Link Parent
      If you hate a lack of support, you should really get one of the official Google phones. They get new OSes instantly plus monthly security patches. Also, the state of Android updates are getting a...

      If you hate a lack of support, you should really get one of the official Google phones. They get new OSes instantly plus monthly security patches.

      Also, the state of Android updates are getting a lot better (as of the last release) due to Project Treble. Modern phones are much easier to update than they were before for OEMs.

      2 votes
      1. Lynx
        Link Parent
        Sure the Pixels get updates from Google for some time, and maybe they are pretty easy to flash as well, but it still doesn't beat having an intentionally completely open system that accepts...

        Sure the Pixels get updates from Google for some time, and maybe they are pretty easy to flash as well, but it still doesn't beat having an intentionally completely open system that accepts mainline GNU/Linux.

        Project Treble sounds nice and all, but I have my doubts whether cheap hardware vendors will actually use the opportunity. It's still not free for them.

        4 votes
  3. ssgjrie
    Link
    I guess I'll have to wait a year or so for LineageOS to release a stable version. :-/ Not all OEMs are bad, though. Essential PH-1 users received the update a few minutes after the announcement.

    I guess I'll have to wait a year or so for LineageOS to release a stable version. :-/

    Not all OEMs are bad, though. Essential PH-1 users received the update a few minutes after the announcement.

    7 votes
  4. [6]
    biox
    (edited )
    Link
    Hopefully LineageOS can pick get this out relatively soon after release!

    Hopefully LineageOS can pick get this out relatively soon after release!

    5 votes
    1. [5]
      ssgjrie
      Link Parent
      LegionOS? You mean LineageOS?

      LegionOS? You mean LineageOS?

      4 votes
      1. Emerald_Knight
        Link Parent
        Not exactly a high-quality response, but the thought of a 4chan-developed OS is frightening.

        LegionOS

        Not exactly a high-quality response, but the thought of a 4chan-developed OS is frightening.

        6 votes
      2. biox
        Link Parent
        Woops, yes. Edited!

        Woops, yes. Edited!

        2 votes
      3. [2]
        sam4ritan
        Link Parent
        User ssgjrie, does this phone have a soul?

        LegionOS

        User ssgjrie, does this phone have a soul?

        1 vote
        1. starchturrets
          Link Parent
          I knew someone was going to mak a ass effect reference.

          I knew someone was going to mak a ass effect reference.

          1 vote
  5. [5]
    matpower64
    Link
    Seems like most of its new features are reliant on GApps, again. Ech, I think I will stay on Oreo for as long as I can.

    Seems like most of its new features are reliant on GApps, again. Ech, I think I will stay on Oreo for as long as I can.

    4 votes
    1. [4]
      rkcr
      Link Parent
      I don't understand this mentality - they're not taking away any features and replacing it with GApps, are they? If nothing else, it's worth updating for the security patches.

      I don't understand this mentality - they're not taking away any features and replacing it with GApps, are they? If nothing else, it's worth updating for the security patches.

      4 votes
      1. [3]
        matpower64
        Link Parent
        Security patches can be backported, that's how LineageOS does for their 14.1 devices, furthermore, I dislike how Google keeps releasing things as a new feature for Android when in reality it is...

        Security patches can be backported, that's how LineageOS does for their 14.1 devices, furthermore, I dislike how Google keeps releasing things as a new feature for Android when in reality it is just GApps, it feels like a "scam", for lack of a better word, and shows how little they care for AOSP, specially when they actively dropped AOSP apps or left them to bit rot, we used to have:

        • AOSP E-mail (Replaced by Gmail/Inbox),
        • AOSP Music (Replaced by Google Play Music, which is being replaced by YouTube Music now AFAIK)
        • AOSP Browser (WebView frontend, replaced by Google Chrome)
        • AOSP Gallery (Replaced by Google Photos)

        Just to name a few, plus stuff like the keyboard used to be updated (Not sure if they updated it to match Pie's new visual design). Sure, you can argue that they aren't taking away those new features, but one can also argue they should have been part of AOSP, even if crippled in some way.

        Also most Pie features here are change for the sake of change, the only things I wanted from Pie are the better privacy settings (logs are restricted and behind permissions now, for example), DNS over TLS and Vulkan 1.1 support, I don't need any "AI" trying to outsmart me or an oversized new UI using the latest fad available.

        I never thought I would feel this way with an Android update, but to be honest, Nougat was the latest update I truly liked and Oreo had some significant improvements for me to move to it, and I doubt my Redmi Note 3 will get a stable Pie port anytime soon, Marshmallow blobs can only take one so far.

        6 votes
        1. [2]
          FoxxMD
          Link Parent
          I'm failing to see what your actual issues are with GApps. It seems like your problems boil down to Not liking specific apps? Not liking an optional assistant Not liking ui changes To which there...

          I'm failing to see what your actual issues are with GApps. It seems like your problems boil down to

          • Not liking specific apps?
          • Not liking an optional assistant
          • Not liking ui changes

          To which there are easy solutions

          • Use any number of alternatives from the play store or f-droid
          • Don't use/turn off google assistant
          • Use any number of customization apps to style android the way you like it (my phone for ex)

          If you're issues actually revolved around privacy I can understand that. But if it's just "they don't care about AOSP anymore" I would argue that by making these apps "third-party" they are actually helping AOSP development since all of those apps no longer also have to be supported and updated with each new android iteration.

          1. matpower64
            Link Parent
            My problems boil down to: Killing open source apps for closed Googleware, locking down APIs. Baking in an Assistant instead of keeping the OS minimal Using AI instead of letting me choose how the...

            My problems boil down to:

            • Killing open source apps for closed Googleware, locking down APIs.
            • Baking in an Assistant instead of keeping the OS minimal
            • Using AI instead of letting me choose how the app should behave (I do believe I still can manually configure power savings per app)
            • Killing UI customization and forcing the new UI

            They broke rootless Substratum intentionally, some dropped/frozen AOSP apps just don't have a decent alternative (AOSP Keyboard is the best FOSS keyboard currently, and it lacks swype if you don't install a closed Google lib), microG is wonky on Oreo+ due to deprecation of old APIs, more and more APIs are behind GApps, etc. I just dislike the direction they are heading in, and this old article sums up my opinion well.

            I likely will end up updating to Pie some day, I can't use an old version forever after all, but I am in no rush to update until I can confirm I can set it up my own way. It is mostly privacy concerns and complains over the UI for sure, so I might as well be wrong.

            1 vote
  6. [2]
    Sarcasimo
    Link
    It should be rolling out to Pixel devices to start.

    It should be rolling out to Pixel devices to start.

    3 votes
    1. Jedi
      Link Parent
      It is. All Pixel devices should have the OTA now, unless held for review by their service provider. If it is currently under review, you can download it directly and flash it to your device:...

      It is. All Pixel devices should have the OTA now, unless held for review by their service provider.

      If it is currently under review, you can download it directly and flash it to your device: https://developers.google.com/android/images

      4 votes
  7. dblohm7
    Link
    It is already rolling out on the Essential Phone.

    It is already rolling out on the Essential Phone.

    2 votes
  8. diabolical
    Link
    They mentioned a Digital Wellness Beta in the article. Here's the link to sign up (must have a Pixel device, and Android 9.0). https://www.android.com/versions/pie-9-0/digital-wellbeing-beta/

    They mentioned a Digital Wellness Beta in the article. Here's the link to sign up (must have a Pixel device, and Android 9.0).

    https://www.android.com/versions/pie-9-0/digital-wellbeing-beta/

    1 vote
  9. [3]
    Soptik
    (edited )
    Link
    Do someone here root old phones and install newer OSs? I have very old samsung with android 2.3.6 and I've thought I'll try it, altough it probably doesn't have good enough hardware to run lineage...

    Do someone here root old phones and install newer OSs? I have very old samsung with android 2.3.6 and I've thought I'll try it, altough it probably doesn't have good enough hardware to run lineage os.

    Edit: English is hard

    1. [2]
      hook
      Link Parent
      Have you checked PostmarketOS?

      Have you checked PostmarketOS?

      1 vote
      1. Soptik
        Link Parent
        That looks really interesting, thank you. Well, I guess I'll at least try it.

        That looks really interesting, thank you.

        The project is at very early stages of development and is not usable for most people yet.

        Well, I guess I'll at least try it.

  10. Unkn0wn
    Link
    Just installed it last night on my Pixel 2 XL. Looks great! Haven't seen any battery performance increases, but its only been a day so hopefully I will see some improvement later on in the week.

    Just installed it last night on my Pixel 2 XL. Looks great! Haven't seen any battery performance increases, but its only been a day so hopefully I will see some improvement later on in the week.

  11. Ghashul
    Link
    Excellent! Oneplus has been releasing the developer previews for the Oneplus 6, so hopefully the wait won't be too long!

    Excellent! Oneplus has been releasing the developer previews for the Oneplus 6, so hopefully the wait won't be too long!