It’s 2016, our guess is that most of you have a smartphone. Being smartphone owners ourselves, we’re always interested in knowing when a smartphone gets updated. Wouldn’t it be convenient to have this all in one place? That’s why we created our ‘Droid Updates’ Weekly Series.
Once per week, we’ll give you a list of notable Android devices that received updates over the course of seven days. This can be anything from a minor carrier update, a security patch update, or a major system overhaul like Android N. We’ll give you an idea of when to expect the update as well as what’s new in that particular update. Access our ‘Droid Updates’ Weekly Series from the main menu or search “Droid Updates.”
Droid Updates Weekly: 11/7 – 11/11
Monday 11.7
T-Mobile’s Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge receive November’s security patches
Like Google and others, Samsung pushes monthly updates over-the-air to some of its smartphones and tablets. This monthly update includes security patches, keeping you prone from viruses. The update itself is a small package and makes no changes to the look or feel of your device, nor does it reset your device. The update is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend downloading and installing it as soon as you can for your own safety. This typically takes a week to reach all compatible devices. You can try triggering it by going into your device settings under ‘About’ and ‘check for new software updates.’
SOURCE [TmoNews]
Verizon updates both Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL with improvements, patches and fixes
Verizon has pushed a minor update to better performance on Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL. The fresh build is NDE63X and can be updated to over-the-air. Included in it is a fix to incoming message notifications while connected to bluetooth. Also included are the final touches for Daydream VR, which released this week. Lastly, the update brings Wi-Fi Calling support to New Mexico and the security patches for the month of November. The update comes in a small-sized package and will not reset your device. It typically takes around a week to reach all compatible devices. You can try triggering it by going into your device settings under ‘About’ and ‘check for new software updates.’ For further installation instructions and details on what’s new, hit the source link(s) below.
SOURCE Verizon [Pixel] [Pixel XL]
Google pushes November security patches to its devices
Every month, Google pushes updates over-the-air to its Nexus and Pixel lineups of smartphones and tablets. Since their devices run stock/vanilla Android, they’re among the first the get updated. This monthly update includes only security patches, keeping you prone to future viruses. They’re sent directly from Google, with no need to pass through carriers. The update itself is a small package and makes no changes to the look and feel of your device, nor does it reset your phone. The update is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend downloading and installing it as soon as you can for your own safety. This typically takes a week before it hits all devices. Hit one of the links below for instructions on how to get started.
*This is the same update that the Verizon Pixel models got! Check the listing above for greater detail, as the Verizon devices received extra in their respective versions of the update.
Manual install: OTA Download, Factory Image Download, Android Security Bulletin
Android 6.0 makes way to Verizon’s BlackBerry Priv
The Android 6.0 update brings your Android device up to Marshmallow, Google’s Android M software OS that debuted in the fall of 2015. The update is a major overhaul that brings design changes and a bevy of new features. The update may also include changes made by the manufacturer and/or carrier that change the appearance and add or remove features. Some of the major additions from Google include doze mode, which improves upon battery standby time, Now On Tap for contextual awareness, and simplified app permissions to keep you organized and fully in control over what apps can and can’t access. Please note that since this is Android 6.0, and not the later-released Android 6.0.1 software, your phone may have experience some bugs. The update itself is a large package, but will make no changes to your personal settings, nor will it reset your device. The update is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend downloading and installing it as apps may no longer support the older version for your device as time proceeds. You may also not receive future security patch updates, which are very important in maintaining the highest level of security. The update typically takes a week before it hits all compatible devices. You can try triggering it by going into your device settings under ‘About’ and ‘check for new software updates.’ For further installation instructions and details on what’s new, hit the source link(s) below.
SOURCE [Verizon]
Verizon updates the Moto Z Play DROID Edition, security patches inbound!
Like Google and others, Motorola pushes monthly updates over-the-air to some of its smartphones and tablets. This monthly update includes security patches, keeping you prone from viruses. The update itself is a small package and makes no changes to the look or feel of your device, nor does it reset your device. The update is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend downloading and installing it as soon as you can for your own safety. This typically takes a week to reach all compatible devices. You can try triggering it by going into your device settings under ‘About’ and ‘check for new software updates.’ For further installation instructions and details on what’s new, hit the source link(s) below.
SOURCE [Verizon]
Tuesday 11.8
LG G5 units get the Android 7.0 Nougat update in Korea 
This Android update brings your Android device up to Nougat, Google’s Android N software OS. The update is a major overhaul that brings design changes and a bevy of new features. The update may also include changes made by the manufacturer and/or carrier that change the appearance and add or remove features. Some of the major additions from Google include doze on the go, bundled notifications, split screen multitasking, enhanced security, new emojis, and a new Vulkan API for better overall graphics performance (select devices). The update itself is a large package, but will make no changes to your personal settings, nor will it reset your device. The update is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend downloading and installing it as apps may no longer support the older version for your device as time proceeds. You may also not receive future security patch updates, which are very important in maintaining the highest level of security. You can try triggering the update in your device settings under ‘About’ and ‘check for new software updates.’
SOURCE [Droid Life]
U.S. Cellular updates its version of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S 10.5 to Android 6.0.1
The Android 6.0 update brings your Android device up to Marshmallow, Google’s Android M software OS that debuted in the fall of 2015. The update is a major overhaul that brings design changes and a bevy of new features. The update may also include changes made by the manufacturer and/or carrier that change the appearance and add or remove features. Some of the major additions from Google include doze mode, which improves upon battery standby time, Now On Tap for contextual awareness, and simplified app permissions to keep you organized and fully in control over what apps can and can’t access. The update itself is a large package, but will make no changes to your personal settings, nor will it reset your device. The update is not mandatory, but we strongly recommend downloading and installing it as apps may no longer support the older version for your device as time proceeds. You may also not receive future security patch updates, which are very important in maintaining the highest level of security. The update typically takes a week before it hits all compatible devices. You can try triggering it by going into your device settings under ‘About’ and ‘check for new software updates.’ For further installation instructions and details on what’s new, hit the source link(s) below.
SOURCE [U.S. Cellular]
AT&T updates its BlackBerry Priv to include the long-awaited fix to the ‘No Service’ issue
AT&T has sent out an update to all of its BlackBerry Priv units. The update includes one major fix, which solves the ‘No Service’ issue. This bug prevented users from sending and receiving emails and messages at some points, and could only be fixed temporarily with a restart of the phone. The solution is BlackBerry’s new Prevention Tool, which can be enabled in a few steps. These are described in full detail at the source link. The update comes in a small-sized package and will not reset your device. It typically takes around a week to reach all compatible devices. You can try triggering it by going into your device settings under ‘About’ and ‘check for new software updates.’ For further installation instructions and details on what’s new, hit the source link(s) below.
SOURCE [BlackBerry]
Thursday 11.10
OxygenOS 3.1.4 comes to the OnePlus X, includes November’s security patches
OnePlus X units are being sent OxygenOS 3.1.4 over-the-air. Included in the software are fixed launcher crashes, bug fixes and stability improvements. Auto-brightness optimization is now possible as well. Other than that and the fixes, the only other tech being included are updated security patches for November. The update comes in a medium-sized package and will not reset your device. It typically takes around a week to reach all compatible devices. You can try triggering it by going into your device settings under ‘About’ and ‘check for new software updates.’ For further installation instructions and details on what’s new, hit the source link(s) below.
SOURCE [OnePlus]
Friday 11.11
Sony updates its Xperia X Performance to include fixes to accelerometer problems
Sony’s Xperia X Performance had what seemed to be a common issue where the accelerometer would just stop working. Previously, the only solution was to boot down your device and turn it back on. However, this was only a temporary fix. To solve the problems for good, Sony issued an update in the form of build number 35.0.A.1.297. No such issues have since been reported. The update comes in a small-sized package and will not reset your device. It typically takes around a week to reach all compatible devices. You can try triggering it by going into your device settings under ‘About’ and ‘check for new software updates.’
SOURCE [Xperia Blog]
**Friendly reminder: Our recommendation is that you charge your battery first and connect to a nearby Wi-Fi network prior to getting started with any updates!
