Samsung has started rolling out Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update for the Galaxy E7 in India today. The device, which was released along with the Galaxy E5, was shipped with Android 4.4.4 KitKat at the time of its launch. Samsung jumped straitght from KitKat to Android 5.1.1 for both these devices skipping Android 5.0 altogether. The Galaxy E5 received the update in several markets about two months ago.
The Android 5.1 update was released for the Galaxy E7 (SM-E700F) in Sri Lanka during the first week of this month, and now in India. You can check for the OTA update (E700HXXU1BOJ7) in the Settings menu on your Galaxy E7 (SM-E700H) or download it from our firmware section and flash it manually using Odin.
Breaking from the recent yearly release cadence, the next version of Android to release might be a mid-cycle bump — an “Android 12.1,” if you will — rather than Android 13.
By all measures, Android 12 is a significant release for Google’s phones, among other things, revamping the design with “Material You,” which matches the system and your apps to your wallpaper’s colors. In the coming months, we should see more of how Android 12 will improve other companies’ phones, with Samsung set to beta test One UI 4.0 in the next few weeks.
Normally, this would be about the time that we should set our sights on 2022’s Android release, presumed to be Android 13. In fact, Android 13’s internal dessert name, Tiramisu, has been discovered.
However, it seems there may be another stop in the journey. As tipped to XDA by luca020400 (Director of the Lineage OS ROM), a new Android code change suggests that Tiramisu/Android 13 will be API level 33, which is two levels higher than the forthcoming Android 12, which will be API 31. 9to5Google has also discovered a newer code change that directly confirms that Android 13 will be API 33.
More than that, it’s directly stated that API level 32 will be “sc-v2.” In this instance, “sc” is shorthand for Android 12’s internal dessert name, “Snow Cone,” while “v2” implies that Snow Cone will get a “version 2.”
In almost every case over the last 13 years of Android’s history, a change to the API level has coincided with a change to Android’s version number. However, this would be the first time since 2017 that Google has felt the need to put out a second, mid-cycle upgrade for a particular Android version.
At that time, Android Oreo got a bump from 8.0 to 8.1 at the end of the year, with the update debuting on Pixel and Nexus phones. A similar mid-cycle “x.1” release schedule also occurred following Android Nougat and Lollipop. Following that pattern, it’s quite possible that this “sc-v2” update might be called “Android 12.1” when it launches.
So what can we expect from such an Android 12.1 upgrade? Whatever is changing must be both important enough to justify a mid-cycle release, and also drastic enough that Google couldn’t add it all to Android 12 while keeping the API stable for developers.
For now, there aren’t many clues to go on, especially as more parts of Android have become updatable without needing a major upgrade, thanks to Mainline modules. In a comment on another code change, we see that “sc-v2” will introduce some tweaks to the WindowManager APIs, which would definitely affect app developers.
It’s too early to say when this supposed Android 12.1 would release, but the earliest available evidence suggests Google has been preparing it since at least May. In past examples of a mid-cycle release, the new Android version bump would see release within a few months of the major version’s launch.
Another tidbit you’ll probably have noticed in the quote above is that a Googler mentions that “some of our Nest devices might not be migrated to T.” For now, we’re not too sure what to make of this, as no known Nest devices run on Android — let alone have potential to upgrade to Android 13 (T) — with the Nest Hub series using either Cast OS or Fuchsia. It’s possible this may simply be referring to the Chromecast with Google TV, which could be seen as falling under the Nest umbrella.
Apple frequently lays down a gauntlet for Android vendors when it introduces new iPhones, and that’s truer than ever for the iPhone 12 series. While there are places where Apple falls short, the new iPhones also embarrass Android phone makers in a few key areas — and not just simple aspects like performance. Here’s how the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max stack up vs. their Android counterparts.
High-quality designs across whole phone lines
If there’s an area where Android OEMs could most stand to learn from the iPhone 12, it’s in the consistently high quality of the design, even in more affordable devices.
Every iPhone 12 model, from the Mini to the Pro Max, has a string of features you don’t always see in Android equivalents. They all have high-resolution OLED screens; each one has extra-durable front glass thanks to a new Ceramic Shield; they’re all IP68-rated for water resistance; all of them have a new MagSafe wireless charging system (more on that later). That’s not including the consistency in performance-related features, like the A14 Bionic chip, 5G, and strong camera quality. While the lower-end iPhone 12 models have aluminum sides instead of stainless steel, that’s about the only obvious external compromise.
Many mid-range Android phones have stellar features, but there are usually gotchas. Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE is fast and boasts a great display, but makes obvious compromises in design — unless you like “glasstic,” that is. Google’s Pixel 5 is better-built, but it’s not powered by top-tier silicon. Even the OnePlus 8T may struggle with camera quality. While Xiaomi’s Mi 10 series offers both a quality design and features at good price, it’s not readily available in North America and other parts of the world.
And those sacrifices are a problem. As a rule, iPhone 12 buyers can assume they’re getting first-class treatment no matter what model they buy. You can’t often guarantee that with Android. If someone is comparison shopping, they might pick the iPhone 12 simply because it looks and feels more like a premium device vs. its Android rivals.
Small phones with big features
iPhone 12 Mini is smaller than an iPhone SE, it packs features that put many Android phones to shame, let alone compact models. It has the same A14 chip, cameras, and MagSafe charging as its larger sibling. The OLED screen is only slightly lower-resolution than in the standard iPhone 12. And like we mentioned earlier, there are no major design sacrifices compared to larger versions.
Take a look at your Android options and… it’s not pretty. Many small Android phones are old, slower, or both. Even a Pixel 4a is relatively pokey, and it’s slightly larger than the iPhone 12 Mini (if also considerably more affordable). The Sony Xperia 5 II is an impressive phone all-around, but it’s much more expensive and some could argue that it’s not really a “small” phone.
Simply put, Apple’s offering is one of the better choices in a sea of lackluster small smartphones.
Easier wireless charging
Apple was undoubtedly slow to adopt wireless charging, having introduced it only with 2017’s iPhone X and iPhone 8. It’s catching up, though, and the iPhone 12 family includes a few features that Android vendors could stand to adopt in some form.
MagSafe, which uses magnets to align your iPhone for wireless charging, is the textbook example of a “why didn’t someone think of this earlier?” invention. You don’t have to worry that your phone might be off-center — you just drop it on the pad and walk away. Then there’s the accessories this enables, like snap-on cases and even a wallet.
There are certainly areas where Android phones fare better. MagSafe on the iPhone 12 line charging tops out at 15W where it’s not uncommon to see 30W or more from some Android phones. There’s no mention of reverse wireless charging to top up your other devices, either. But those features don’t address ease of use, and Apple might have an edge simply by eliminating one of the most common hassles of wire-free power.
More camera features aimed at enthusiasts and pros
Android phones are often chock-full of camera features, but they tend to be aimed at everyday users outside of the occasional manual mode. Samsung’s Single Take feature in the Galaxy S20 family is helpful in case you’re unsure of which shot you need, but it doesn’t offer much help if you’re an exacting mobile photographer. The notable exceptions are newer Sony phones like the Xperia 1 II, and they’re a handful of models in a much larger sea.
The iPhone 12 line bucks that trend. Although Apple’s official camera app won’t provide extensive control over shots, all the new phones can not only shoot Dolby Vision HDR videos (they’re the first phones to do this), while the Pro and Pro Max deliver RAW photo support through a new ProRAW format. In other words, you can create images that could be suitable for a TV show or photo spread, let alone your Instagram feed. A Night Mode that works across all cameras is helpful, too.
Yes, you’ve had RAW shooting on Android since Lollipop, but it’s inconsistently available. HDR video recording is also hit-or-miss. And that’s not counting more explicitly hardware-dependent features like sensor-shift image stabilization (again, new to phones) or LiDAR. Simply put, Apple is giving iPhone buyers a series of powerful camera features that are genuinely aimed at enthusiasts and working pros, and that could tip the balance for some buyers.
Custom processing power
As blisteringly fast as the current crop of Android phones can be, they tend to lag iPhones in performance to some degree. AnandTechnoted that even last year’s iPhone 11 models were sometimes outperforming Snapdragon 865 phones released several months later, let alone the iPhone 12. The Android phone market’s progress is largely dictated by one company, Qualcomm, and it hasn’t been moving at a breakneck pace.
Apple, meanwhile, doesn’t have that restriction. It designs the chips it uses in its devices, and the iPhone 12’s A14 Bionic illustrates the advantages of that approach. There’s no outside designer holding it back, and it’s targeting improvements for specific phones rather than trying to make a one-size-fits-all design. Whether or not Apple’s claims of up to a 50% speed advantage over rivals are true, its expected lead is evidence that custom processing power matters.
A few Android phone builders appreciate this as well, even if their execution isn’t flawless. Samsung has its (sometimes underpowered) Exynos chips, and Huawei had its high-end Kirin chips until the US blocked that option. Most others just follow the pack, though, and that lack of customization helps the iPhone 12 stand out that much more.
Where the iPhone 12 falls short
This doesn’t mean the iPhone 12 vs. Android battle is strictly one-sided. Apple falls short in a number of categories, at least if you’re used to what Android has offered. There’s no 120Hz screen. You still won’t find microSD expansion, a USB-C port, or very high-zoom cameras. You won’t even find a 1440p display on the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
There’s also the matter of software. As much progress as iOS 14 has made, additions like home screen widgets, changeable app defaults and iPhone picture-in-picture are catch-up features. You won’t be feeling a twinge of regret if Android’s flexibility is important to you, even if you may wish you had Apple’s timelier and longer-running OS updates.
Even so, the very fact that Android vendors could take multiple major cues from the new iPhones is important. It suggests that Apple is plugging some of the more glaring holes in its iPhone strategy. Android phone creators may have to step up if they plan to go head-to-head with Apple, particularly in that upper mid-range sweet spot occupied by the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini.
Tired of annoying and intrusive ads on your mobile device? Let us help!
Ads are generally a good thing. They help the hard working people behind a website, an app or a game to earn a few extra bucks and they also help users in knowing about things that are relevant to them. This is however until they become intrusive and ruin the user experience.
While ads that are present at the sidebar of a website or it is placed to flow with the content are not an issue and does not impact much of the user experience, intrusive ads like popup ads, autoplay, or those that vibrate your phone are always annoying and completely ruin the experience of the users and some of them might not even use the app or visit the website ever again.
While there are numerous options to block ads in your web browser and some developers offer a premium ad free version of their apps, Android does not come with an option to block apps across the system.
So, here is a simple trick, using which you can block ads across your entire device, in your browser, in the apps and the games. The best part about this trick is that it does not need root access to function and also it is completely free. However, you need an Android phone running Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher for this to work.
Editor Note: This is a sensitive subject and one that will surely have support on both sides. As a site that relies on banner and traditional advertisement for revenue, AndroidGuys does not explicitly condone or endorse the removing of ads. Moreover, mobile developers who wish to keep their apps and games free to download will often turn to advertising. Be responsible, support the brands and companies you like, and share their respective works.
Step 1:
In order to block ads on your Android phone without root, you first need to install an open source app called DNS66. It is not available for download from the Google Play Store, so you have to download the APK file of the app and install it manually on your device.
If this is your first time in installing an APK file, then you have to first enable the unknown sources permission under security settings. To do that, go to Settings->Security->Unknown sources and then enable it.
Step 2:
Now click hereto download the APK file for DNS66. Once the download is complete, open the file and then select install to install it on your phone.
Step 3:
Once the installation is complete, open the app and you will be greeted with the start screen. You can either enable or disable the ‘Resume on system start-up’ option to ensure that the app blocks ads right after you boot your phone.
Note:
Unlike other popular ad blocking apps for Android, DNS66 uses DNS level filtering to filter ad traffic. This means that it only filters the ad traffic for a specific amount of time after your device is connected to the internet. Therefore there will not be any significant battery drain when you are using DNS66 to block ads across the system of your Android device.
Step 4:
Now switch to the hosts tab and then enable the filter hosts option.
Step 5:
Click on the refresh button at the top to update your hosts file.
Now you have to select the hosts file which contains the list of popular ad servers that are hosting the ads you see across the websites and apps.
Select the Adaway hosts and then click on the Action option and select deny. This will now block all the ads that are hosted by the servers in the Adaway host file’s list. It is sufficient to select only the Adaway, as it covers most popular ad servers.
Step 6:
Now head back to the start tab and then select the start button at the bottom. You will now be asked to provide permission to setup a VPN connection on your device.
Click OK to initiate the connection. A key shaped icon will now appear on your status bar. This means that the VPN connection is active and all the traffic will be filtered by the service before it reaches your device.
Step 7:
This step is optional but if you want you can head over to the apps tab and enable or disable specific apps to block or allow ads being displayed in those apps.
Step 8:
That’s it. You have now successfully blocked ads across the system in your Android phone. You can access the DNS66 app notification from your notification bar anytime to pass or resume the service.
The Galaxy Note 5 has been out in the market for more than four months now, and you would think the Note 5 would be matching its successor on software version till now. Certainly, Galaxy Note 4 users have been reaping the benefits ofAndroid 5.1.1 for some time, and so have users of the device on three major US carriers – AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. Well, Verizon is finally jumping on the bandwagon and is starting to update the Note 4 to Android 5.1.1 as well.
Featuring build number N910VVRU2BOK3, the update brings support for Android for Work, upgrades to Samsung KNOX (KNOX is what Android for Work is based on), and removes the preloaded Amazon app and widgets. Verizon doesn’t mention any other changes, but the update should include inherent 5.1.1 goodies, including improved stability, battery fixes and security upgrades. Even if it doesn’t, well, users of the last Galaxy Note flagship to offer removable battery and expandable storage should be happy they can at least flaunt the latest version of Android Lollipop in front of their friends.
The update should be hitting your Galaxy Note 4 in the form of a notification in the status bar. In case it hasn’t shown up yet, take a trip to the Settings » About device » Software update menu and check for it manually. In either case, it shouldn’t be long before Android 5.1.1 comes calling on your phone, and you can let us know once it does by leaving a comment below.
Oh, and don’t ask anything about Android 6.0 for the Note 4. If we’re lucky, Samsung will bring Marshmallow to the device before the second half of this year,even though the company seems to be testing it in full force already.
A couple of weeks ago we saw screenshots of what was purportedly Android 6.0 Marshmallow running on a T-Mobile Galaxy Note 5. Given the major interface changes seen in those screenshots, we were not exactly fully believing of the fact that that was an actual test build and not a fake. Well, it seems Samsung surely is hoping to make a few changes to how TouchWiz looks on Marshmallow, as similar screenshots of an Android 6.0 build running on a Galaxy S6 have appeared online.
The most notable change in the interface on Marshmallow seems to come in the quick toggles panel in the notification shade, with the toggles now blue in color and looking sleeker. Samsung has also changed the background of the quick toggles panel to white, which was also the case with the regular status bar on the Note 5 screenshots. The latter didn’t exactly look so nice in the previously leaked images, but we’re guessing that won’t be the case when we see it on an actual device. Sadly, Samsung doesn’t seem to be changing the icons for its apps, but we can always hope the company will get around to doing that with the Galaxy S7.
If these images are to be believed, the Galaxy S6 might also obtain shutter speed control in the camera’s Pro mode, a feature we had expected to see with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. They also suggest that Samsung is hard at work on putting Android 6.0 on all its 2015 flagships as quickly as it can, and also on its top-of-the-line handsets from last year.
Check out Marshmallow on the S6 in the images below, and let us know what you think of the visual touches Samsung has added to the software.
It’s relatively easy to buy Oppo’s smartphones in many places around the world. However, it’s still obvious that they were originally designed for Chinese buyers, who tend to favor heavy customization — how is Oppo supposed to make a name for itself abroad? By stripping things down, apparently. The company has released a beta version of Project Spectrum, a firmware release that gets much closer to stock Android. You’ll still find signature Oppo features like a custom camera app and screen-off gestures, but you’ll see much more of Google’s original interface (specifically, Lollipop). It’s only available to download for the Find 7 and Find 7a at the moment, but there are plans for both broader hardware support and a Marshmallow upgrade in the months ahead.
Oppo makes no bones about why it’s developing this purer software: it’s to appeal to “Western markets,” where more buyers tend to prefer stock Android. While it’s not explicitly stated, the hope is clearly that Oppo can sell more phones in Europe, North America and other regions where its devices tend to be overshadowed, even among fans of unlocked hardware. You won’t necessarily see something like the R7 sitting in your local carrier store in the future, but you may have more of a reason to consider Oppo if you’re an enthusiast.
The Galaxy S5 Active received Android 5.0 Lollipop a few months back and while it has been quite some time since the latest version of Lollipop came out, the handset is getting this particular update just now. AT&T has released Android 5.1.1 for the Galaxy S5 Active, a handset that no other carrier in the country sells. Active variants are exclusive to AT&T in the United States.
Build number LMY47X.G870AUCU2COJ3 has been released by AT&T for the Galaxy S5 Active, weighing in at 640MB, it’s imperative that you download it over Wi-Fi so that it doesn’t eviscerate your cellular data allotment. Android 5.1.1 is an incremental update so there’s not much in the way of new features, the handset gets several security updates, fix for Ultra Power Saving mode for devices using On Device Encryption as well as Android for Work with the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop update.
Google’s latest version of Android, Marshmallow, only started rolling out last month. As such, it shouldn’t come as surprise to see that the current adoption numbers for it are extremely low. According to Android’s Platform Distribution rates for the month of November, Marshmallow is running on a mere 0.3 percent of “active” devices. The data is collected from signals sent to the Play Store, which helps identify what Android version is on handsets or tablets. Lollipop (5.0 and 5.1), on the other hand, accounts for nearly 26 percent, while Kit Kat (4.4) is the most popular version with about 38 percent of the total. The slow adoption rates for Marshmallow are by no means Google’s fault, however, since it is often carriers and manufacturers which fail to keep their phones up to date.
Marshmallow further bolsters Android’s existing notification muting features thanks to an enhanced Do Not Disturb feature.
n Android 5.0 Lollipop, Google added some new features that made it easier to silence unwanted notifications while you’re asleep or at work, for example. Android 6.0 Marshmallow builds on Lollipop’s Priority Notifications and Downtime features, and gives these notification management tools a new umbrella name: Do Not Disturb. Let’s take a look at what these expanded notification-silencing features can do.
Turn on Do Not Disturb at any time
Android Marshmallow lets you mute notifications at any time with just a tap. Pull down the Notifications drawer, then swipe down again to get to the Quick Settings tray (or swipe down with two fingers at once). Tap Do not disturb, then choose the sorts of alerts you want to receive while do not disturb is active. You can choose to continue receiving notifications for alarms or priority notifications, or you can opt for total silence. (We’ll discuss priority notifications in-depth here in a moment.)
Do Not Disturb is a swipe and a tap away in Android Marshmallow.
Finally, choose whether you want to have Do Not Disturb stay on until you say otherwise (“Until you turn this off”) or for a set period of time (“For one hour,” by default). If you choose the latter option, use the “+” and “-“ buttons to set how long you want Do Not Disturb to be active.
Priority interruptions
Android Lollipop introduced the concept of “priority notifications”: These notifications rise to the top of the notifications screen, and you can choose to continue receiving auditory or vibration alerts for these notifications even when you have all other notifications muted.
To choose which notifications you’d like to treat as priority notifications, head on over to your phone’s Settings app, then tap Sound & notification—a one-stop shop of sorts for all things related to notifications and alert sounds. Next, tap Do not disturb, then tap Priority only allows. From this screen, you can choose to limit the sorts of notifications you’ll be alerted to.
First, choose whether you want to give priority to notifications for reminders and calendar events. (The option to silence alarms is grayed out for whatever reason.)
Next, review the priority notifications options for Messages and Phone calls. set your priority preferences by tapping either “Messages” or “Calls.” when you do, a menu pops open with four options:
From anyone: This option allows all notifications through, regardless of who is trying to reach you.
From contacts only: Notifications alerting you to calls or messages from people listed in your Contacts app will get priority status.
From starred contacts only: This setting gives priority to notifications that pertain only to those marked as favorites in the Contacts app. To mark someone as a favorite, go to the Contacts app, tap that person’s name, then tap the star icon in the upper right corner.
None : No call or message notifications will receive priority status.
Once you choose your desired settings for calls and messages, choose whether you want notifications from repeat callers to gain priority by toggling the “Repeat callers” slider to the On position. When this setting is switched on, you’ll receive a notification if someone calls you a second time within a 15-minute period, regardless of whether notifications from that person receive priority status.
Downtime
If you want to allow all notification alerts through most of the time, but want to limit alerts during certain hours (like when you’re sleeping or at the office), Downtime is for you. During Downtime hours, you’ll only be alerted to priority interruptions; your phone will receive all other notifications silently. They’ll be there, waiting for you when you wake up, but your phone will not light up the screen, make a noise, or vibrate.
If you want to use Downtime, you first need to choose the days of the week and times you want to set as notification quiet hours. Go to Settings > Sound & notification > Do not disturb > Automatic rules. Android Marshmallow provides presets you can use for weekends and weeknights, and a preset option for managing notifications during calendar events.
Start by tapping any of these three options—for the sake of this tutorial, I’ll tap Weekend. Next, toggle the on/off switch to the “on” position. Select theDays you want the preset to apply to, then set a Start time and End time.
Finally, select the kinds of alerts you’d like to allow through. You can choose between Alarms only (allows alarms to sound but silences all other notifications), Priority only (allows only priority notifications), or Total silence(which mutes all notifications).
Take a peek at the Event preset as well, and choose whether you want to silence notifications from going off during events listed on your calendar—useful for preventing your phone from going off in the middle of a staff meetings. Switch the rule on, select the calendar and reply status you want it to use, then choose what kind of notifications—if any—you want to receive during calendar events.
You can create additional rules for notifications as well: For example, you can set one to allow only priority notifications while you’re at the office. TapAdd rule, enter a name, choose whether you want a Time rule (you enter specific times and dates) or an Event rule (one based on calendar events), then tap OK. At this point, you can set up your new rule: Doing so is pretty straightforward—it works just like the presets mentioned above.
You can delete a rule at any time by tapping its name, then tapping the trash can icon in the upper right corner. You can also choose to temporarily stop observing a rule by toggling the on/off switch to the “off” position.
App notifications
Android Marshmallow, like Lollipop before it, also lets you choose to block apps from sending notifications entirely, or to mark notifications from certain apps as priority notifications.
First, head back to Settings > Sound & notification. Next, scroll to the bottom and tap App notifications, then tap on the app for which you want to adjust notification settings. Toggle the Block all slider to the “on” position to stop receiving notifications from that app. Toggle the Treat as Priority slider to “on” if you want notifications from that app to be considered Priority notifications.
While you’re here, you can toggle whether you want to view the larger “heads-up” notifications for the app in question using the Allow peeking setting.
You can also get to this screen any time an app’s notification appears by pressing and holding on the notification until you see the little info button (it looks like a lowercase “i” in a circle) appear. Tap on that, and you’ll go straight to the notification settings for that app.
Once you’re done, exit the Settings app and enjoy your newfound mastery of Android Marshmallow’s notification system.
