Xiaomi's New Year gift to Mi A3 users: A software update that bricks their phone

Users of Xiaomi's Mi A3 (its last Android One smartphone) recieved an update for Android 11 today — on New Year's eve — that has ended up hard bricking their phones! Those who were fortunate enough (like myself) were able to pause the update after seeing what happened to others who took the bullet and reported their frustration on the MiA3 subreddit!

This isn't the first time Xiaomi has messed up its android software updates. On this very same phone — they once screwed up the fingerprint scanne...

https://redd.it/knpwoi
@reddit_android

Best Android Auto head unit car stereos for 2021 - Roadshow
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/best-android-auto-head-unit/

https://redd.it/knqovx
@reddit_android

XDA Labs has been shut off
https://www.xda-developers.com/update-xda-labs/

https://redd.it/kntaf4
@reddit_android

You can convert between units with just a few taps using Android's Smart Text Selection
https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/12/29/you-can-convert-between-units-with-just-a-few-taps-using-androids-smart-text-selection?jdjdjd

https://redd.it/knrov3
@reddit_android

Android 11 for US Zenfone 6 is here!
https://www.asus.com/ca-en/Phone/ZenFone-6-ZS630KL/HelpDesk_BIOS/

https://redd.it/knsl1g
@reddit_android

Several Realme phones get a taste of Android 11 via early access program
https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/12/30/several-realme-phones-get-a-taste-of-android-11-via-early-access-program?ffg

https://redd.it/knsgmc
@reddit_android

You're invited: The First Look 2021 | Samsung
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF1Ot5myr9U

https://redd.it/kntfwc
@reddit_android

Absurd amount of ads in YouTube app

Just now I did a search in the YouTube app, only to be treated by an entire page full of ads before you see a single search result. This is new to me, what the hell? Are they actively trying to drive people to third party apps?

Screenshot...

https://redd.it/knp977
@reddit_android

Why don't more brands use stock Android?

Why does almost every single company feel the need to develop their own skin on top of Google's AOSP releases?

It's been clear for a few years now that phones with stock Android consistently get atleast 1 if not 2 years of updates while most phones with proprietary skins (Samsung's touch wiz, or one ui, MiUI, and others) are almost never updated.

So if it is indeed cheaper to just use stock Android in terms of updates etc, why are companies going out of their way to development their own skin...

https://redd.it/knr469
@reddit_android

Exclusive first glimpse at the Huawei P50 Pro!
https://www.voice.com/post/@onleaks/exclusive-first-glimpse-at-the-huawei-p50-pro--1609407152-2035327372

https://redd.it/kntsrw
@reddit_android

Nova Launcher rebased on the latest Launcher3

Nova 7 Beta (Available to download from official nova discord)

Nova has been rebased on the latest Launcher3 offering from the Android Open Source Project.

This means updated visuals and animations and just about every part of Nova's code has changed.

Nearly all of Nova's extensive customization has been brought along for the ride and updated to match, enjoy the new folder opening animation with any of Nova's folder customziation options such as immersive windows or different icon layouts.

...

https://redd.it/knqggj
@reddit_android

Protip: press and hold in Google camera to activate lens.

Discovered on Pixel 5. If you press and hold like you would tap to focus in Google camera., you will activate Google lens. Works well to save a few clicks....

https://redd.it/kntx7s
@reddit_android

Why I finally switched from Android to iPhone after 10 years

Sorry for the long post. Can't add TL;DR because I cant summarize it.

First of all, I’m a big Google fan and still am. I have been using Android since the Nexus One days in 2010 and have only been using Nexus/Google play edition/Pixel phones. IMO, Pixel is the only true Android phone, everything else is just junk. So, you can see although Android is diverse, I have only one option. It’s either Pixel or iPhone. Though I’d switch to iOS I’d still use some of Google's services because they are th...

https://redd.it/kmcu29
@reddit_android

TWRP 3.5.0 Released
https://twrp.me/site/update/2020/12/31/twrp-3.5.0-released.html

https://redd.it/ko7jve
@reddit_android

Back in the Box

After many years in the fruit microsystem, I switched to Android about a year ago. My first phone was a Note 10+ and I was amazed at Android's functionality. The quality of the phone only added to it.

Last month, a friend gave me his Pixel 4a 5G. I tried it for a week and decided to put my carrier-financed Note back in its box. Pure android is streamlined, uncluttered, and the size of the 4a 5G is just right. I wish it was water resistant and have wireless charging like the 5, but I love this ...

https://redd.it/kn2wd5
@reddit_android

Android 2021 Predictions

What do you think will happen in the world of Android this year ? What direction will Google take it, will OEMs start looking at a more stock experience.

Mine is :- We see a design overhaul of Android 12. It feels it has been quite some time and certain aspects are starting to look stale....

https://redd.it/kobs3d
@reddit_android

Wear OS in 2020: The most stagnant smartwatch platform
https://www.androidauthority.com/wear-os-1183456/

https://redd.it/kodaqv
@reddit_android

With Samsung recently trying to solve under-display camera performance using deep learning, at what point of computational photography is it acceptable between a natural shot and an artificially restored version of the scene?

Link to some Samsung work slated to be presented particularly "Under display camera Quad Bayer raw image restoration using deep learning"
(Tweet linking the work to Samsung)

This tech may or may not make it out to consumer phones but I'm interested in seeing what people think about the level of computational photography their phones use t...

https://redd.it/koft1j
@reddit_android

Neil Gaiman Uses Pixel 5 Astrophotography Mode in Isle of Skye, Scotland
https://journal.neilgaiman.com/2020/12/a-new-years-thoughts-and-old-ones.html

https://redd.it/koh8xx
@reddit_android

Is rooting still worth the effort, in 2021?

I started rooting my phones 7 years ago, installed CyanogenMod, doing all kinds of crazy stuff on Galaxy Note 2, and others. With many features being integrated into stock Android itself, is it still worth it in 2021?...

https://redd.it/kogzrt
@reddit_android

Nova launcher is getting an update
https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/01/01/nova-launcher-gets-new-features-and-animations-in-latest-beta-apk-download/

https://redd.it/kol2ra
@reddit_android