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: 8/29 – 9/4
Monday 8.29
Moto Z DROID gets July security patches along with call audio improvements in its first update on Verizon
Like Google and others, Motorola (owned by Lenovo) 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]
Wednesday 8.31
ASUS pushes Android 6.0 Marshmallow to its ZenFone 2
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 [ASUS Forums]
Thursday 9.1
Verizon’s latest update for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge includes FM Radio and voice improvements
Both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are receiving updates over-the-air on mobile carrier Verizon. New with the update are several enhancements and new features. First off, the biggest new feature is the addition of FM Radio support with NextRadio. As you may guess, this allows users to listen to FM Radio stations on their phone from just about anywhere during anytime. Also new is barcode beaming functionality. This works for scanning UPC codes. The update also includes several HD voice improvements. The update itself comes is a medium-sized package and will not reset your device. The update is not mandatory, but we recommend getting it. This 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 [Galaxy S7] [Galaxy S7 Edge]
Friday 9.2
Verizon’s Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ also see updates this week
Both the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ started to see an update over-the-air this week on U.S. carrier Verizon. The updated software version is VRU2BPG5, and comes with subtle additions. Like the Galaxy S7 update that went out on Verizon this Thursday, this update brings Barcode Beaming Service support to Samsung Pay. Enhanced is contact sharing, which allows users to share a larger bulk of contacts with others (up to 1GB file size). The last addition applies to only the Galaxy S6 Edge+, which adds the ‘People Edge’ feature with this update. The update itself comes is a medium-sized package and will not reset your device. The update is not mandatory, but we recommend getting it. This 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 [Galaxy Note 5] [Galaxy S6 Edge+]
**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!
