Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL factory images and kernel source code are now available

Google launched the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL about ten days ago at an event in New York. Thanks to the plethora of leaks around the phone, there weren’t many surprises to the phones. The Pixel 4 series was also slated to reach consumers from October 24, 2019, onwards. Between the extensive leaks and the time lag between pre-orders at launch and actual availability, we did admittedly get the feeling that the Pixel 4 has been around for much longer, and that too, without a factory image or kernel source code release. That is not the case though, as Google has released the factory images and the kernel source code for the Pixel 4 and the Pixel 4 XL right alongside its public availability.

Google Pixel 4 XDA Forums || Google Pixel 4 XL XDA Forums

Factory Images for Google Pixel 4 and Google Pixel 4 XL

Factory images are important for devices as they make experimenting with the software easier on the mind, as you know that you have an option to get back to a working device in case things go wrong (which they often will). Even for those who do have not purchased the phone, the factory images give access to the Pixel 4’s apps and other system files, which aid in porting over exclusive features to other devices.

Device	Version	Download Link
Google Pixel 4 “flame”	Android 10.0.0, build QD1A.190821.007, Oct 2019 Security Patch	Link
Google Pixel 4 XL “coral”	Android 10.0.0, build QD1A.190821.007, Oct 2019 Security Patch	Link

You can also find two older builds on the main download page.

Framework and Kernel Source Code

The framework sources, the kernel sources and the device tree for the new Pixels have also been uploaded. The framework sources will allow developers to peek into some of the decisions that Google has made with the Pixel 4’s software, such as why the PIxel 4’s 90Hz refresh rate is limited to high brightnesses only when used alongside the dynamic switching option. The kernel source code and device tree will be useful for custom kernel, recovery and ROM developers in order to kickstart third-party development efforts on the phone.

Framework and Device Tree for the Google Pixel 4

Kernel Sources for the Google Pixel 4

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Google Messages 5.2 adds chat reminders and prepares to support bubble notifications and suggested stickers

Google tests a number of features on its apps before they’re released to the stable or beta channel. If these features are implemented but made inaccessible, we are sometimes able to enable them before public release. And more often than not, these features gradually make their way to the stable channel. We’ve previously discovered features like Instagram-style effects, verified SMS and SMS reminders in the Google Messages app. Now, Google is finally rolling out SMS reminders with the latest stable update.

As reported by AndroidPolice, Google Messages version 5.2 has now officially enabled chat reminders for all users. This new feature will let you set a reminder for any chat if you wish to go back to them sometime later. To set a reminder you just need to tap and hold on the chat to reveal the new reminder icon in the top right corner. Tapping on the icon will bring up a new context menu, which will let you set a reminder for one hour, the next morning, noon, or night. The feature also lets you choose a specific date and time for the reminder in case none of the default options work for you.

Once the reminder is set, you’ll notice a clock icon to the right of the chat. You can edit or remove the reminder by opening the conversation. When the time is up, you’ll receive a new notification of the last message in the chat. You can either tap to open it or delay it by an hour from the notification itself.

Additionally, recent tweets from Jane Manchun Wong reveal that Google Messages is also prepping up to add support for Android’s new Bubbles API which is currently in Developer Preview in Android 10. While we’ve previously seen this feature in action, it’s set to go live with Android 11 next year.

Google Messages to implement bubble notifications for Android 10 pic.twitter.com/St8ejZrKAU

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) October 24, 2019

Furthermore, Wong also discovered that Google is testing a new Suggested stickers toggle within the Messages settings. When enabled, this feature will bring up intelligent sticker suggestions within a conversation.

Google Messages is testing “Suggested stickers” toggle setting pic.twitter.com/QtKXoQDBpw

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) October 24, 2019

As of now, Google Messages 5.2 is slowly rolling out to users via the Play Store. If you have the app installed on your phone already, you should receive the update notification soon. In case you don’t, you can download the latest version available on the Play Store from the link below.

Messages (Free, Google Play) →

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Source: Android Police

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Why Google Limits 90Hz on the Pixel 4 to High Brightnesses

Just recently, a keen Reddit user figured out that the 90Hz “Smooth Display” on the Google Pixel 4 only stays at 90Hz during high brightness levels. Many early Pixel 4 adopters were able to notice that the display did not seem to stick to 90Hz very often, and this system behavior seems to have been the reason why. Naturally, some users were outraged about the matter, and some were curious about why Google would implement one of their products’ biggest features in this peculiar way. Many people believed the reason had to do with battery life, but that didn’t really make any sense — why would 90Hz be limited to higher brightness, when battery consumption is more of an issue? While digging through the updated Android 10 source code release coinciding with Pixel 4 launch day, XDA’s Editor-in-Chief Mishaal Rahman found a commit that explains the official reason why Google enabled this behavior:

 

Google says the reason they limit 90Hz to higher brightnesses on the Pixel 4 is that screen flicker may be visible when the display and ambient brightness are low, due to hardware limitation. This hardware limitation is related to the panels’ pulse-width modulation (PWM), which is how display brightness is primarily controlled for OLED displays. Google expands that their displays have different gamma curves for different refresh rates (which is true for most displays) and that it is difficult to match the brightness between the two calibrations. Since the display brightness is controlled by PWM, which flickers the screen on-and-off in very fast succession, the different calibration curves could ever-so-slightly alter the PWM “pattern,” and that could introduce a noticeable “flicker” upon switching between 90Hz and 60Hz.

Google’s Smooth Display system keeps the display at 60Hz whenever the screen is idle or displaying animation/video that is 60fps or less, and immediately switches back to 90Hz as soon as you touch the display or an on-screen animation (like a notification) occurs, so it switches between 90Hz and 60Hz very often — a slight flicker upon every switch may indeed become annoying. This seems to only be an issue at lower brightness because that is when the PWM pulses are shorter and more prone to its flicker being noticeable. No flicker issues are present with the “Force 90Hz” option in the developer options since that does not switch between the two refresh rates.

Furthermore, Google claims that human eyes are more sensitive to the flicker in darker viewing environments, which is suggested through some studies. This is the reason why Google allows the display to switch to 90Hz at lower display brightness levels, even though flicker may be visible, because the flicker may not be as apparent in a brighter environment.

Google released a statement to The Verge that the company “constantly assess whether these parameters lead to the best overall user experience,” and that they have “previously planned updates that [they’ll] roll out in the coming weeks that include enabling 90hz in more brightness conditions.” Hopefully, Google can improve the tuning, and perhaps provide an option to completely disable their brightness-conditioned throttling so we can still enjoy some of the battery savings from their “smart” switching.

Google Pixel 4 Forums ||| Google Pixel 4 XL Forums

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Honor 9X Revisited: A New Phone with a Familiar Name [VIDEO]

The Honor 9X and 9X Pro were launched in China earlier this year with impressive specs. Now, the Honor 9X is being launched in Russia and will soon be coming to the Netherlands. However, despite having the same name, this is a different phone altogether. XDA TV‘s TK Bay took a look at this new device with a familiar name.

The Honor 9X is Europe turns out to actually be a rebranded Huawei Enjoy 10 Plus. We’re not sure why Honor decided to re-use the 9X name. There are several key differences between the Chinese 9X and European 9X. For starters, the European model features the Kirin 710F instead of the Kirin 810. The fingerprint scanner is on the back instead of the side. Camera-wise, it’s similar with 48MP, 8MP, and 2MP cameras on the back.

Honor 9X XDA Forums

TK talks about how the “new” Honor 9X still follows through on the promise of most Honor devices. You get more than what you pay for. Despite the odd name choice, this is a solid phone with good specs. Check out TK’s video below to see the full walkthrough.

Specification	Honor 9X
Dimensions and Weight	163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm; 196.8g
Display	6.59″ FHD+ (2340x1080p) IPS-LCD; 91% screen-to-body-ratio; TUV Rheinland-certified
SoC	12nm HiSilicon Kirin 710F
RAM and Storage	4GB + 64GB; 6GB+128GB; Expandable up to 512GB through dedicated microSD card slot
Battery	4,000 mAh
USB	Type-C
Rear Camera	48MP, f/1.8 + 8MP, f/2.4 120-degree ultra-wide + 2MP, f/2.4 depth sensor
Front Camera	16MP, f/2.2
Android Version	EMUI 9.1 based on Android 9 Pie

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[Update: Launching Soon] Epic Games is launching an Android game store in 2019 with 88% revenue share

Update (10/24/19 @ 2:50 PM ET): It’s been a while in the making, but the Epic Games Store seems to finally be coming to Android.

When Fortnite arrived on Android, there was a lot of speculation as to where it would end up. Early reports indicated that it would forego the Google Play Store entirely, which did turn out to be true. Instead, Epic Games melded a partnership with Samsung, offering the application exclusively on the Galaxy Apps store. Following the end of that exclusivity deal, Epic Games allowed users to download Fortnite from their own website. That opened the door to the possibility of finding tons of unofficial APKs online.

Now Epic Games has announced their own application store, with one big attraction: developers will get 88% of revenue generated by their app. This means that the company will only take 12% of all profits. To contrast, the Google Play Store will earn developers 70% of all revenue generated, with 30% going to Google. What’s more, if you’re using Unreal Engine, then the 5% engine royalty will be taken out of Epic’s 12% profit, not your 88%.

Of course, the Epic Games store is being aimed entirely at gamers. It will open up in early 2019 with a set of curated games that run on PC and Mac, with it opening up to Android and other open platforms later on in the year. There are a number of principles that the store will operate on, and all of them are set on establishing a shared space for both developers, content creators, and gamers alike. Creators like YouTubers and Twitch streamers will be able to refer players to buy games on the store, where creators can earn money. To jumpstart the economy, Epic Games will cover the first 5% of creator revenue-sharing for the first 24 months of the service.

If you’re wondering whether you’ll only be allowed to release games running the Unreal Engine, don’t worry. The first set of curated games will run on other engines like Unity. Developers need not worry about advertisements being shown on their game pages either. There will be no store-placed ads or cross-marketing of competing games on your page, and no paid ads in search results.

The company has said that they will reveal more details on December 6th, at The Game Awards in Los Angeles.

Source: Epic Games

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Update: Launching Soon

The Fortnite Installer on Android is now the Epic Games app!

Use it to download Fortnite on Android and check out all that’s new in #FortniteChapter2 pic.twitter.com/LvqejecaNq

— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) October 24, 2019

Today, Epic announced that the Fortnite Installer for Android is now the Epic Games app. Right now, it’s still just an installer for Fortnite. Only the name and icon have been changed. However, this is a clear sign that the full Epic Games Store will be launching soon on Android. We will update this post when that happens.

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Motorola launches Moto G8 Plus with 48MP primary camera, GoPro-esque Action Cam along with Moto G8 Play and Moto E6 Play

Motorola has been a roll when it comes to launching new devices one after another. In the last couple of months, the company has launched the Motorola One Action, Motorola One Zoom, Moto E6 series, and very recently the Motorola One Macro. The company appears to be focussing on aspects of the entertainment as well as photography and has now formally announced the all-new Moto G8 series. It has unveiled the Motorola G8 Plus along with the recently leaked Moto G8 Play internationally and the devices will be available in markets including the UK, LATAM, and India, initially. Along with these, the company also launched the rumored Moto E6 Play as well as announced Motorola One Macro for markets outside of India.

Motorola Moto G8 Plus

Motorola is billing the Moto G8 Plus is an all-rounder since it packs the 48MP camera from the Motorola One Vision and the GoPro-esque camera from the One Action. This bumps the number of rear cameras from two on the Moto G7 Plus to three on the Moto G8 Plus. The third sensor is a 5MP depth sensor. On the front, the Moto G8 Plus gets a 25MP camera that supports 4-in-1 pixel binning for crisp and bright selfies, even in low light.

In terms of the design, Motorola is choosing safety over style and is now moving back to polycarbonate-coated back panels with a satiny finish. It comes in two colors – Cosmic Blue and Crystal Pink – and there’s a gradient from almost black to the respective hues and the back shimmers under strong light. Additionally, the phone is rated for IP52 protection and comes with gaskets around moving and ejectable parts including the hybrid SIM tray.

On the front of the Moto G8 Plus, there’s a 6.3-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a U-shaped notch and a 19:9 aspect ratio. The earpiece above the display also houses a secondary speaker for stereo sound effects in unison with the bottom-firing primary speaker. Additionally, there’s Dolby Audio support on the smartphone.

Internally, the Moto G8 Plus is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 mobile platform along with 4GB of RAM. The 64GB of storage is standard and the hybrid SIM slot supports microSD cards for up to 512GB. It uses a 4,000mAh battery and supports fast charging at 15W with the bundled USB-C Turbo charger.

Moto G8 Play

The Motorola Moto G8 Play is the budget device in the series and comes pretty much the same design as the Moto G8 Plus but specifications in line with the One Macro. The Moto G8 Play gets a 13MP primary camera on the back instead of the 48MP sensor, a wide-angle camera for 117º wide field of view, and a 2MP depth sensor. The wide-angle sensor is also rotated by 90º and unlike the Action Cam on the G8 Plus, it can capture both images and videos.

Internally, it is powered by a MediaTek Helio P70 chipset, 2GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. The Moto G8 Play has a 6.2-inch HD+ display, 4,000mAh battery, but charging support limited to 10W.

Moto E6 Play

The Moto E6 Play comes after the Moto E6 and the Moto E6 Plus unveiled last month at IFA 2019 trade show. It comes with a smaller 5.5-inch HD+ rectangular display with no notch and large forehead and chin. It features a 13MP camera on the back and a 5MP camera for selfies. It features a 3,000mAh battery.

The Moto E6 Play is powered by MediaTek MT6739 chipset and has 2GB of RAM. It gets 32GB of inbuilt storage which can be expanded up to 256GB using the dedicated memory card slot.

Motorola Moto G8 Plus, Moto G8 Play, Moto E6 Play: Pricing & Availability

The Motorola Moto G8 Plus will be arriving first in India starting the end of October at a price of ₹13,999 (~$200). Meanwhile, Motorola has also announced the prices in the UK where Moto G8 Plus will cost you £179 (~$230). The phone will also be available in Brazil and Mexico by the end of October.

The Moto G8 Play will be priced at €269 ($300) in Europe, Brazil, and Mexico but there is no information about availability in India yet.

The Moto E6 Play will also be available in Brazil, Mexico, the UK, and Europe. It will be priced at €109 in Europe and £99 in the UK and is expected to arrive in mid-November.

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OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition is coming to the US in a 5G model for T-Mobile

OnePlus and T-Mobile have teamed up to release both company’s second 5G phone. The OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition will be available in the US exclusively through T-Mobile. Some people were surprised that OnePlus didn’t share any 5G news when they announced the OnePlus 7T series. Now we know they were just waiting to share the news with T-Mobile.

The OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition has the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 5G modem, which means it can connect to T-Mobile’s sub-6GHz 5G network. This is different from most other 5G phones that have the Snapdragon X50 modem (such as the Galaxy S10 5G, which launched on T-Mobile in June) because it’s designed to connect to T-Mobile’s 600 FDD spectrum. T-Mobile plans to cover 200 million people with 5G on 600 MHz before the end of 2019.

OnePlus 7T Pro XDA Forums

There are a few differences between the OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition and regular OnePlus 7T Pro. The most obvious is the McLaren-inspired orange and black design. Inside, it bumps the RAM up from 8GB to 12GB. Other specs include a 6.67-inch QHD+ display with 90 Hz refresh rate, 256GB of storage, a 48MP main camera, zoom and wide-angle lenses, a 4,085 mAh battery, and Android 10 out of the box.

T-Mobile did not share pricing or launch date details for the OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition, but it will be available later this year. If you’re looking to upgrade from the last OnePlus device that was made available through T-Mobile, the 5G OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition seems like the only option for this cycle.

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Source: T-Mobile

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