Category: Android Firmware

Android Firmware

Nothing Phone (1) soon to receive Android 14 Beta 1

Google I/O is scheduled for May 10 and the tech giant is expected to talk more about the upcoming Android 14 OS and also launch the beta program. Ahead of the launch, Google seems to be sending out early access invites to smartphone makers to speed up the adoption process and seamlessly integrate the new features.

Nothing Phone (1) soon to receive Android 14 Beta 1

And in a press release, Nothing announced that its Nothing Phone (1) will soon receive an Android 14 Beta 1 update and kickstart the process. This is a big moment for the new company as it tries to make a name for itself. Despite being a mid-range smartphone with Snapdragon 778G+ SoC, the Phone (1) will get early access to Google’s latest and greatest. Also, it’s going to be the phone’s second major update as it launched with Android 12 last year.

We are curious to see how fast Nothing will be able to release a stable version of Android 14 this fall, but given how close to stock Android Nothing OS is, it might not be that long.

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Android Firmware

Microsoft bringing option to pause automatic firmware updates on Teams Android

Microsoft feedback portal for Teams darkened in the background with Teams logo and speech bubble in

A new update on the Microsoft 365 roadmap has confirmed that Microsoft will soon allow IT administrators to track and pause automatic firmware updates on Teams for Android, more specifically on Teams Rooms on Android and Android-based Teams Phones, Panels, and displays. This was added to the roadmap earlier today and will allow admins to have more control of firmware updates.

Device firmware, among other things, can be remotely updated via the Teams Admin Center, and the new feature will also work in a similar manner. The ID for the new change is 119389 and it says:

Microsoft Teams: Track and pause automatic firmware updates for Android-based Teams devices in the Teams Admin Center

With this feature, IT admins can track which firmware is being rolled out through automatic updates via the Teams Admin Center and when. Additionally, automatic updates can be paused temporarily, allowing time to validate scenarios. This feature is applicable for Teams Rooms on Android and Android-based Teams Phones, Panels, and displays.

Although the Teams Admin Center only pushes updates which are labeled “Verified by Microsoft”, be it automatic or manual, this new option will give administrators additional flexibility as automatic updates can now be paused temporarily. The feature is set to be generally available next month.

Microsoft says that automatic updates will be sped up in the upcoming days so perhaps this feature may come in handy to system admins then.


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Android Firmware

Android 14 (One UI 6.0) update: List of eligible Samsung Galaxy devices

Samsung released Android 13 to Galaxy device owners late last year. The company has done an impressive job of quickly rolling it out for eligible devices. Tens of millions of Galaxy smartphones and tablets are now running Android 13 with One UI 5.0.

The focus now shifts to Android 14. Google has released the first Android 14 Developer Preview in February 2023. Keep in mind that Google’s previews aren’t available for Samsung devices. The company launches its own One UI beta program every year. We can expect this year’s beta program to go live in the third quarter. As is always the case, a new Android OS upgrade is accompanied by a new One UI version, and Android 14 will be coupled with One UI 6.0.

Samsung has streamlined its software update policies so it’s easy to figure out which devices will get the Android 14 One UI 6.0 update. There are many devices that are now eligible for four Android OS upgrades. This means that even modes that are up to three years old will receive the update. Check out the list below to see if your device is on the list.

Samsung Galaxy devices eligible for Android 14 One UI 6.0 update

Galaxy S series

Galaxy Z series

Galaxy A series

Galaxy M series

Galaxy Xcover series

Galaxy Tab series

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Android Firmware

Galaxy Z Fold 4 is getting a new firmware update in the US

The month of April has only just begun and it’s great to see that Samsung has already started rolling out the latest security patch to compatible devices. We’ve seen the Galaxy S23 series get the new update already. Now, it’s the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s turn.

Samsung’s flagship foldable smartphone is receiving the April 2023 security patch in the United States. The update doesn’t bring much else other than the bug fixes and security improvements that we’ve come to expect from these monthly releases.

April 2023 security patch rolling out for the Galaxy Z Fold 4

It’s unlikely that the Galaxy Z Fold 4 April 2023 security update will include the camera improvements that the Galaxy S23 Ultra got with this update. It was actually the camera update for that device that brought the new security patch with it.

The official changelog for firmware version F936U1UES2CWC9 only mentions device stability improvements, bug fixes in addition to performance improvements. It weighs in at just over 414MB is now rolling out over-the-air.

If you’re based in the United States, you should expect to receive the update in the coming hours. There may be a slightly longer wait for those who have carrier-locked units. The pace has been pretty good in recent months so don’t anticipate having to wait for too long.

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is Samsung’s current top-of-the-line foldable phone but that’s set to change later this year. Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 5 by September 2023.

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Android Firmware

Microsoft’s Surface Duo smartphones get late March firmware update

A Surface Duo running Minecraft Dungeons using Xbox Cloud Gaming with controls on the bottom screen

Microsoft has released a late monthly firmware update for the original Surface Duo and its successor. Like the previous update, the March 2023 release brings no new features, changes, or visible improvements, and all users get this month are Android security patches.

What is new in March 2023 firmware update for Surface Duo?

Here are the official details and changelogs from Microsoft:

Surface Duo Surface Duo 2
Software Version 2022.825.15 2022.825.33
Update Info Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin – March 2023.
Extra Steps The update does not require additional steps before or after installation.
Known Bugs No known bugs in these updates.

The first-gen Surface Duo was undoubtedly a rough device ruined by multiple software issues, but the company eventually fixed the situation using monthly firmware updates. Now you can snag the original Surface Duo for as low as $399 (128GB) or $499 (256GB), and these prices make the smartphone a compelling alternative to mainstream devices. Besides, you can experiment with replacing Android with Windows 11 or 10, thus giving the Surface Duo a new life.

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