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Welcome to today’s AndroidBeat daily briefing where we bring you up to date with the latest happenings in the world of Android. Today’s briefing contains some Oreo-y news for OnePlus 3 owners, a new phone launch from Vivo in India, and Google acquiring HTC.
HTC In Final Stages of Selling Its Smartphone Business to Google
HTC has been struggling for years and now it is looking for Google to rescue it. A new Taiwanese report claims that Google is in final stages of negotiation for investment in HTC or outright acquiring it. HTC is only looking to sell its smartphone business here though, with its Vive VR business being kept out of the equation.
This is not the first time that there have been rumors about Google acquiring HTC. With both companies now working together on two Pixel handsets and HTC not having much of a success with its own smartphone lineup, this move would greatly benefit Google’s own smartphone plans.
Android 8.1 is Coming, Google Lens Coming to Pixel 2
A teardown of the latest Google app for Android suggests that the next version of Android Oreo will be numbered Android 8.1. The new version of Oreo should debut in October alongside the new Pixel handsets.
The teardown also suggests that Google Lens — unveiled earlier this year — will launch with the Pixel 2. Google is following the same strategy with Oreo which it followed with Nougat last year.
Pixel 2 To Be Waterproof, Feature 64GB Storage, More
The latest leak surrounding the Pixel 2 claims that the device will feature an IP68 certification and lack a headphone jack — something which has been confirmed before. Google will bundle a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter to make up for the demise of the jack though. The handset will also feature front-facing speakers, a 4.97-inch display, and a design similar to the existing Pixel.
As seen on Samsung Galaxy S8 and LG V30, the Pixel will also feature an Always-On Ambient Display. The interface will also be completely redesigned and be a part of the Android 8.1 Oreo update.
Vivo V7+ with FullView Display Launched in India
Jumping on the bezel-less trend, Vivo launched the V7+ in India. The device features a 5.99-inch FullView display with a resolution of 1440 x 720. It is also the first smartphone launched to be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 450 chip. Other specs of the handset include 16MP f/2.0 rear shooter, 24MP f/2.0 front shooter, 3225mAh battery, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a microSD card slot. It runs on Android 7.1 Nougat with Funtouch OS 3.2.
Vivo has priced the handset at Rs 21,990 and will be selling it online via Flipkart and Amazon. The device will also be available through offline stores in the country from this month.
➤ Vivo V7+
Closed Android Oreo Beta for OnePlus 3
OnePlus has started a closed beta of Android Oreo for the OnePlus 3. The company wants to roll out the update as quickly as possible to create an image of an OEM that is quick to update its devices to the latest version of Android.
For now, the closed Oreo beta has a lot of functionality missing but the company hopes to have a stable beta build by mid-September. It then wants to follow it up by opening the beta to the public by the end of September. There is no mention of the OnePlus 5 or 3T here but both devices should also get their open beta Oreo builds around the same time as 3.
What do you think about the Pixel 2? As a OnePlus 3 owner, are you excited about the Oreo update for the device arriving very soon?
