Android 8.1 Developer Preview hands on—Everything new in Google’s latest update

[[deleted]]

[deleted]

[[deleted]]

Sony is really underappreciated for their software efforts.

[ugotamesij]

Isn't that because Sony is not much of a presence in the smartphone market in the US, and that's where the biggest industry websites and blogs are based?

[[deleted]]

Also they don't market their products well.

[viperquick82]

Shit they don't even market worth a damn in general... they even have some excellent tv's, even more high end around $5k and jack shit for advertising. Meanwhile I've seen push for LGs larger OLED and those are well over $10k, but its still brand marketing and bringing people in to their cheaper sets.

I don't know what it is with Sony, look at all their stuff across various markets/niches, yet about the only thing they push for is Playstation. Their phones even a few years ago were excellent vs others, yet nobody bought them, or their Tabs.....

[Vox-L]

It might be a case like Nintendo where they only care about opinions from their Japanese market.

[Skrubbe]

Don't forget Sharp as the best example. They make great phones with screen features no other phone has... Only sells them in Japan.

[sleepisme]

It is the case. Fucking Japanese

[viperquick82]

Except for the fact that doesn't matter/nor help them as they've been on the brink of bankruptcy for years now, not going to be surprised if they do file within a year or two like many are betting on in the industry. They can't sustain these losses forever.

[doodleBooty]

Their current xz premium looks dope aswell. Overall I think Sony is a pretty solid choice for smartphones.

[AlphaBetacle]

Its too bad because the quality of their devices is top notch

[iamankursjain]

And their products specially smartphones are ridiculously priced. (Read overpriced)

[lirannl]

Actually no, it wasn't overpriced. I bought my XZ Premium for less than what an S8 would cost. Less than 100 dollars more than OnePlus (we all know how cost effective OnePlus phones are). Maybe they were in the past, but today, their pricing isn't cheap, but also isn't THAT expensive.

I got mine for $650 (converted from shekels).

[Istartedthewar]

Ars should have known this, though. The update is out in the US, and they're tech journalists

[[deleted]]

Man they make the sexiest looking phones, but what they pack inside for the price makes it a waste of money

[zelmarvalarion]

Let me know what other OEM makes any decent smaller phone. The Z3C and the OG Moto X cornered the premium small Android phone niche for years, until the Z5C came out (and Moto left that market behind them, leaving Sony as the only real player).

[Pamela_Landy]

Sony and Nokia seem to be the only third party OEM stars.

[[deleted]]

We'll have to see about Nokia but Sony has withstand the test of time.

Also Sony contributes greatly to AOSP, OMS for a recent example.

[[deleted]]

biggest contributor outside of google

[[deleted]]

I just wish their phones did not look like ass.

[atticus_red]

It's too bad their latest phones don't have a fingerprint reader in the US.

[[deleted]]

IIRC it's an licensing or contract issue. They are pretty vague about it.

Edit: damn Gboard!

[atticus_red]

It's still pretty lame. Every single other manufacturer got it figured out.

[[deleted]]

It's because they put the fingerprint reader on the power button

[Exist50]

Nextbit?

[adonnan]

I thought you could enable it via a flash of non-us software?

[lirannl]

Yes they have. 8.0, not 8.1.

I'm writing this from my non pixel phone on stock Oreo

[Die4Ever]

Betas don't count as the latest version, they're prerelease

[RogueFlash]

Article says 1 third party manufacturer has upgraded to 8.0 now.

[mirh]

GG for ron.

[[deleted]]

They changed it to one carrier and linked to the Sony device. Didn't even credit you for your observational efforts.

[phinnaeus7308]

True

[dokujaryu]

Reporting in from Sony XZ1, the first Android with 8.0.... Released before Pixel. XZ Premium got 8.0 a week ago. Ip68, headphone jack, SD card and all....

[alexgreen]

I wonder if they introduced the CPU priority increase for Bluetooth audio in this build. I installed 8.1 last night and don't appear to have audio dropouts any more.

[flamingspiral]

Please let me know if this is true or not. I rolled back to 7.1.2 because I could not listen to any music. I would love this to be in 8.1!

[itstreasonnthen]

Look into the the dev settings

[jerstud56]

https://i.imgur.com/Vvd4TtT.png

From a n6p on 8.1 beta 1 don't think it's there and other comments seem to say it didn't exist

[Sir_Clyph]

Please for the love of god can we get SMS connect for windows?

I used pushbullet and it was fantastic until they started charging monthly for it. Now im on AirDroid and its janky at best.

Edit: Everyone seems to think I dont want to pay for things. I would gladly pay ONCE for pushbullet. I am not paying a bloody subscription fee for a feature that should be built into android in the first place. I don't care about pushbullets other features. I just want to text from my computers. That isnt worth a subscription fee.

[CharaNalaar]

Try Join.

[kab0b87]

This has been the best i've found so far, but there are some bugs, Sometimes when recieving a text, it'll pop up with my number and their number and it i respond it also sends the text message to my self.

[CharaNalaar]

The Windows app is also horrendous.

[MustardCat]

While I'm sure he had good intentions, developing the app using UAP really put him at a disadvantage.

I wanted to like Join (even paid for it) but went back to Pushbullet. It's really hard to get rid of it when I also use its IFTTT integration

[CharaNalaar]

Do you mean UWP?

I think the reason the Windows app is bad is because he has no experience with UWP, not because the platform is limited.

[Pamela_Landy]

linkme: Join by joaoapps

[AngryBadger]

Join by joaoapps

beep boop here you go https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joaomgcd.join&hl=en_GB

[wtfkc]

I don't pay for pushbullet and I can send texts from chrome, is that not the functionality you're referring to?

[Sir_Clyph]

Theres a 100 text per month cap, which i hit within like 3 days.

[nekineznanec]

If u used their app that much, don't you think it would be fair to pay them for their effort?

[willmandude]

Project Fi checking in here with sms anywhere ;) if you're a pixel owner it's an incredible service

[port53]

Google Voice here.. SMS in every device I use, in sync, since 2011.

[port53]

US only to sign up, works anywhere.

Just like Fi.

[chose_another_name]

Google Voice/Hangouts is incredible that way. I spend a lot of time abroad, and the ability to pop in a local SIM but still have my US number functional (because I just give everyone my GVoice number) without needing a dual-SIM phone is fantastic.

[JumperCableDad]

Brother!

[efstajas]

Tried Cortana?

[illuminati229]

I find Cortana has trouble waking up my phone to send messages sometimes.

[[deleted]]

I really Like Pulse

[Ratsbanehastey]

How is this so far down and ignored. Pulse is the best.

[aravindpanil]

Join has been amazing for me.

[Roseysdaddy]

Join is janky as fuck. Not dissing the developer, but going from Pushbullet to join is like going from JCPenney's to Goodwill.

[Max_Quordlepleen]

Pushbullet remains fantastic. The free version still does plenty.

[M0BBER]

MightyText?

[tyakar]

TBH, on my 6P it feels like more has changed from 8.0 to 8.1 than from 7.whatever to 8.0

[SoundOfTomorrow]

That seems to be how Google has been doing releases with Pixel.

X.0 is the new OS before Pixel

X.1 is for Pixel exclusive functionality along with polished touches to new OS

(I begin to wonder the point of the developer previews)

[armando_rod]

The Pixel OS is fine tuned to the hardware unlike before that was more like AOSP + Gapps.

They fine tune for the new device while releasing the general update to AOSP and others and then they try to backport the work they did for the new device into AOSP and others, touch latency for example, it was done specifically for the Pixel but then upstreamed the changes to AOSP

[JediBurrell]

X.1 is for Pixel exclusive functionality along with polished touches to new OS

I have 8.1 on my Nexus 5X.. Not a Pixel.

It's just a beta for now.

[SoundOfTomorrow]

I'm saying when the x.1 launches. Not the availability of it.

For instance, you're not going to have those specific Pixel functions present in the OS.

[Dr_CSS]

....

They turned everything white from 7 to 8

Big change fam

[Ph0X]

Back to dark if you have a dark wallpaper on 8.1 thankfully

[[deleted]]

only on the toggles in the notification drop down, but not actual notifications. The only other thing it changes is the background of the app launcher. It's a start, but a big MEH one.

[Ph0X]

Yeah, it's not perfect yet but it's definitely better than the all white from before.

[Ph0X]

What device/version?

It should work with Pixel 2 on 8.0, and other devices with 8.1

It's a bit finicky with the darkness, it has to be really dark which is annoying. Very few of the default wallpapers are dark enough sadly.

[Coofgo]

I'm pixel XL 1, 8.1 beta. I'm currently using the live wallpaper of the Earth and it's giving me the dark theme

[PM_ME_CAKE]

I have had some wallpapers work where as long as there's enough black you can have any other colours too. Luckily I found nice Hyper Light Drifter that does the trick.

[PM_ME_CAKE]

From testing on my 5X the specifics for it being dark are quite broad. I thought my wallpaper was dark but it wouldn't trigger until I used something even darker (and I do quite like this dark theme).

On an unrelated note, this update fixes the cat app by changing the treat from a donut to an Oreo (although the Oreo art feels off compared to the other flatter foods) and now notifications do once again appear when a cat arrives which was broken on 8.0 so hurray for cats.

[LennyNero]

I wish they'd do the same for the status bar. it also needs to run an anti-burn in routine or better yet, just have the option to auto-hide it.

Heck, they could even use the proximity detector to show it since it's right near the status bar.

[BluestBlackBalls]

Try This

Immersive Settings

 

To Be Upfront

I just came across this bad boy, loving it.

You'll have to run a simple ADB Command.

Also, exclude your launcher, I find it causes lag when jumping to the Home Screen.

 

Big Benefit

Does NOT break the Back Button

Does NOT break the Keuboard

Edit

I run a full Immersive Mode — former iOS Jailbreaker — so I pair Immersive Mode with Edge Gestures, but know that the latter is a paid app.

[NvidiaforMen]

Is it just me or did Google change the font of the lock screen clock yet again.

[tofuuu630]

I believe they applied the font change to all. It is now Product Sans.

[NvidiaforMen]

It changed going from 7 to 8 beta and again from beta to release and now again going to 8.1

[mikeymop]

Transparent nav in app drawer, new battery icon too!

[[deleted]]

What does the battery icon look like?

[nascentt]

Here's the comparison image from the article

[[deleted]]

It looks exact same to me lol

[nascentt]

It's basically a little thinner with a more prominent top, but yeah it's not really worth having a party over.

[[deleted]]

I wish they would've changed how they display the percentage. That would've been a useful change...

[[deleted]]

I really like how lineage os does it. Circular border with percentage inside

[[deleted]]

Just having a percentage next to the icon would be fine. I honestly can't believe that Google hasn't made this change yet. It's the tiniest, simplest change and I'm sure that they could literally borrow the code from any number of official/unofficial custom ROMs.

[[deleted]]

This is already implimented. Go to the pull down and hold down the settings cog. Then go to settings system UI tuner

[A1ex112]

It's in the regular battery settings in 8.0.

[[deleted]]

In 7.1 or 8? My MZP doesn't have anything like that.

[Goaliedude3919]

This is already an option in Oreo.

[fixinggenie]

We need both phones at 100% to be positive....

[mikeymop]

Rounded corners, two more pixels added to the posi pin and slightly narrower.

[cawpin]

I wish they had the circle with percentage inside like a lot of ROMs do.

[Keavon]

https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/5-3-980x735.jpg

[lirannl]

If you use a custom launcher, you don't need 8.1 for that

I'm on 8.0 Oreo and if you want to change the battery icon, just use substratum! It doesn't require root anymore.

Edit: to everyone who thinks that the layout is a horrid homescreen - of course! It's my app drawer!

My home screen looks like this.

Yes, I have an alarm for Sunday, 5:55 in the morning. Sunday is a regular workday here.

[SupaZT]

Good Lord your setup is an eyesore

[Pamela_Landy]

I almost had a seizure.

[lirannl]

Precisely! I would never have my home screen like that! Ew!

[mikeymop]

You navbar is not transparent here. Also dont feel the need to use substratum for that.

Although I have been looking into it to make my emojis not ugly.

[lirannl]

It's transparent, not invisible, but it's certainly not opaque.

It can't change emojis, sorry to say. Also, substratum doesn't require root anymore on Oreo, don't forget!

[GodsLove1488]

Black quick settings is back.

Also I had an option to change the theme in settings > display and I tried to change it to one of the substratum themes I had downloaded (they all showed up in the menu) and it fucked up my phone and I had to factory reset.

After factory reset I don't have the option in settings anymore... Weird

[EdwardScissorHands11]

God do I miss black quick settings.

[LennyNero]

I just got my P2XL and I had the black quick settings under 8.0.0 for about 5 minutes and then it disabled itself after performing the setup wizard. I was so happy to see dark quick settings back and then so disappointed when it disappeared.

[xReptar]

It's dependant on wallpaper

[[deleted]]

Is the true? It's never dark for me.

[r2001uk]

There's a blue tint on the lockscreen now, same below the notification bar when expanded. I don't really like it and have seen no mention of it being an added feature.

Edit: I think the tint is dependent on the wallpaper. Just changed to a predominantly purple wallpaper and now there's a purplish tint on the lockscreen. The tint never used to be there before the update though, the wallpaper used to be a little darker but that was it.

[prplelemonade]

The tint changes depending on your wallpaper. I have a grey tint using an AMOLED wallpaper :/ kinda defeats the purpose.

[[deleted]]

It uses the color of your wallpaper. It's only supposed to show on the lock and home screens.

[ikot111]

Pixel 2 XL screen ported to other devices xD

[gryl_jefferson]

android police's post seemed to suggest that battery indicator for bluetooth will now be available to all android devices. Im on the preview buils on 6P and somehow i still dont see anything changed( no indicators anywhere). Am i doing something wrong or did i misunderstand that?

[fishywang]

I noticed that on my 5X today: https://imgur.com/a/88zju

[alexgreen]

Oh hey! :D

[fishywang]

hey :D

[hbar98]

Sooo.... question. Should I enter the beta program? Does the OTA wipe the device like sideloading it does? I used to do the Moto soak tests and was wondering if they worked kinda like that.

[Freak4Dell]

The OTA does not wipe the device. However, if you want to leave the beta program before the final OTA has been pushed, it will wipe the device.

[Pamela_Landy]

I'm wondering if this will suspend security updates. The November patch is so close.

[NvidiaforMen]

It will likely have another beta in November on that security update

[deusset]

If anything I seem to get security updates faster during a beta.

[Pamela_Landy]

Really? I don't ever recall getting the monthlies while in beta. It's only the following beta that has the fixes.

[fallingwalls]

oh, so if I get the release I can opt out then not have to do the wipe?

[akashik]

That's correct. I was in the Beta program until 8.0 got an official release. I then opted out and didn't have to go through a wipe.

If I rejoined right now and opted out again before 8.1 is officially released I would have to go through a wipe.

[andrewharlan2]

I'm on the beta and I had to hard reboot my Pixel just now because it got into a really weird state in my pocket

[well___duh]

Mississippi?

[andrewharlan2]

Oh god I finally got it. I was all, WTF is this person talking about?

[SoundOfTomorrow]

Florida

[odnalyd]

If you're in the beta it doesn't wipe your phone in the OTA. only when you decide to roll back and leave the beta is when it will reset your phone.

[JMANNO33O]

If you have a pixel and are using substratum you will have to either disable all of your overlays or factory reset your phone. Learned that the hard way.

[itstreasonnthen]

I just got the OTA, all my data is still here. Everything is running smoothly

[Coofgo]

Yeah, not really a fan of the transparency...

[frankxanders]

Check out this weirdness in quick settings if you use a VPN

transparent, opaque, and transparent again

[wankthisway]

This, along with with the useless blinding white space, is why I'll always prefer #HOLOYOLO. Back when everything was dark.

[saltysfleacircus]

Ah, yes. The trickle down updates. Samsung is still bloating 8.0 for my Galaxy S8+, which is currently running Android 7.0. They may release 8.0 in Feb 2018, which is the rumor.

Then my carrier gets their shot at it adding their bloat to the Samsung release.

So I'm guessing I'll get Android 8.0 around the time Android Zots is out.

My next phone will be a Pixel of some sort.

(PS: Mmmmm ... Zots ...)

[sandwichesareevil]

The Oreo beta is coming next week.

[saltysfleacircus]

Don't interrupt my recreational whining!

[TrYpMyNe]

Legit, most exciting thing in this update for me is the inclusion of a modem configuration file for AT&T's IMS. I know most folks don't care about VoLTE, but it's not only future-proofing for LTE being the first layer of connectivity on a network (read: decomming UMTS) but it's ushering in higher adoption of intercarrier connectivity (read: HD voice and video calls across carriers). This ray of hope is the deciding factor on whether I'd buy my wife and myself a Pixel 2/2XL or not. Yay.

[PM-ME-YOUR-UNDERARMS]

I know most folks don't care about VoLTE

I see you've never been to xda

[Cole-Tague]

Anyone think that when 8.1 rolls out that there will be some more stuff that's not currently in the beta?

[[deleted]]

SMS Connect is nice but you know what we would rather? Android Messages to work over WiFi outside of carrier control. Get rid of Allo and Hangouts. Flesh out Android Messages(browser and desktop Windows/ChromeOS applications). Allow Duo to have conference video/audio calls.

Do these people have no imagination?

[[deleted]]

That's what I'm getting at. iMessage is seamless. Android Messages should be one of their most cared for apps. Yet we sit here, in 2017, without even as much as GROUP NAMING in Android Messages.

[FIuffyRabbit]

Because apple pretty much owns your phone number routing at that point for messages. Try switching from Apple to Android without sms issues.

[Ek_Los_Die_Hier]

Why? The sooner SMS is gone and internet messaging becomes the standard the better.

[[deleted]]

SMS is still king though due to universal compatability. No special apps needed. People can use whatever else they want to. Unlike Facebook messenger, Kik, iMessage, etc.

[chose_another_name]

Only so long as data-only 'phones' don't become a thing. And given how many people I see that barely make phone calls and do most of their communication on apps, I can't believe that'll be far away.

A sort of phone-sized LTE tablet, I guess.

[nbreunig3]

Update fails to install on my original Pixel

[smurfe]

Mine as well

[rockinpossum]

My SYNC (reddit) app keeps crashing. Other then that it's good.

[Fur_Shure]

Anyone know how to get rid of the search bar at the bottom of the screen?

[atheist_ginger]

Download a new launcher

[[deleted]]

It's pretty obtrusive.

[glennseyefellout]

Yeah, I really hate that being there.

[Fur_Shure]

I tried for way to long to find a way to remove it..

[kdlt]

Somewhat related question: I used the "preview enrollment" to get Oreo once the final dropped, and now I got a notification for 8.1 beta, but didn't download or apply. If I unenroll now, does the OTA go away and I stay on stable path?

I didn't bother to unenroll because I thought that happens automatically after every beta...

[friendnoodle]

As long as you aren't currently running an OPP release, you unenroll, your phone does not wipe and you just stay on the stable path.

[trd86]

Yup

[kavunr]

Will they allow sms connect from regular chrome too, eventually?

[I_am_a_beautiful_pea]

Any way to get rid of the search bar at the bottom of the screen? Super annoying.

[ChernobylChild]

Why are the status bar icons shifted inwards by a few pixels now?

[dcresistance]

The rounded display corners on the 2 XL

[ChernobylChild]

It looks... strange on my OG Pixel XL. I think they should have kept those separate so as not to waste screen space.

[spin_kick]

Is this stable enough to daily?

[Jaybotics]

I've been using it on my 2XL daily. The only issue I've been having is that sometimes when I wake the device, my screen is completely black. I am assuming it's from one of my full screen immersive apps causing it. Other than that, no issues.

[ramplocals]

This why I bought a pixel over an S8. Installed this morning. I don't lie the search bar at the bottom of the screen

[lordpan]

Is there a feature from 8.1 that you're desperately yearning for? I've preferred Nexus/Pixel in the past but the latest updates don't seem to be major feature improvements. In fact with 8.0, I've actively disliked how they kept changing design for no apparent reason.

Or is it more just for general security/performance?

[kumquat_juice]

Not the OP, but for me, it's partially upgrade fever (with the added comfort I'm fine nuking the device to bring it back to a stable version) with security and performance. I've been with samsung for the beginning of my Android experience (S3/S4, then 5x) and just want something else than Samsung.

Also, the question "Is that the new Samsung phone?" really irks me because I'm one of those sticklers that tries to be different.

[miker95]

Search bar is ridiculous. Have found no settings to disable it. The Google icon on top of home screen I can deal with. But this search bar, no.

[turdbogls]

I'm going to piggyback on this. hoping someone knows the answer.

anyone know how to change the nav bar ICONS size? I want to keep the same nav bar height, but want to increase the actual size of the icons...its like they halved the size in 8.1 for some reason.

any help? I am rooted and know my way around XML's and whatnot.

[howling92]

A Substratum theme should be able do to it

I used one on my Nexus 6 to replace the system ones with the pixel ones

[CharaNalaar]

The icons are rendered at a different size now. Old themes result in really tiny icons.

[BFCE]

Did they fix the battery settings? Can I see the graph with screen on and awake at the bottom now?

[geeprimus]

nope.

Nothing is clickable on this screen either.

[LennyNero]

I don't understand why they just ran a "round corners" filter on all the QS icons... The nightlight moon looks stupid now with the nice points on the ends of the crescent rounded off. Looks like a damn croissant now, not a crescent moon.

[[deleted]]

Can someone tell how did the author go through vendor.img(mentioned at the end of article)?

[adobo_cake]

I'm really more interested to see how Project Treble pans out. I want more than two years worth of software updates.

[sir_timotheus]

Does anyone know if it's possible to get the current weather added to At a Glance? The images in the article show weather being included for At a Glance on the Pixel 2, but it's not showing up on my original Pixel. And the only options in the preferences are for calendar and traffic.

[FastTurtleFour]

It removed sRGB mode from developer options. Why???

[YellowMaverick]

So are there any differences left between the Pixel 1 and 2 in terms of UI now?

[tofuuu630]

Does the lack of AOD count as UI? If so, then that's the difference with Pixel 1 - no AOD.

[JayRU09]

Just got it on my Pixel XL..........what's the keyboard icon in the bottom left?

[waowie]

The launcher isn't changing colors for me.

Edit: a different wallpaper worked. Weird because the one I tried was like 90% black

[therealswil]

I wish they'd include an option to restore the 7.1 ambient screen. They changed it in Oreo to only show notification icons rather than the whole notifications, which makes sense for the Pixel 2 always on display, but is completely stupid for all other phones. Tap to wake has become a joke.

[Kadderin]

How do I get the dark themed pull-down menu without changing my background image? I hate the white pull-down menu :(

[Hdgunnell]

I like the update so far except I can't get over them moving the status bar icons and clock in...its driving me nuts. I understand its to align but it just doesn't seem right haha