OnePlus rolls out new OxygenOS stable updates to the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro with “Canvas” mode, October 2020 patches and other changes

OnePlus runs three different channels for OxygenOS updates: closed beta, open beta, and official stable builds. The OnePlus 8 lineup recently received new treats in the Open Beta channel with the rollout of Open Beta 3, which bumped up the Android security patch level (SPL) to October 2020, and introduced a new Always-on ambient display mode based on the “Canvas” feature. Now, users in the stable branch are also getting some new goodies in the form of OxygenOS 11.0.1.1, bringing over the “Canvas” mode (albeit without AOD integration), optimizations to background process management, October 2020 security patches, and adaptive brightness improvements.

OnePlus Android 11 Tracker: Here are all the official OxygenOS 11 beta and stable builds to download and install

Changelog for OxygenOS 11.0.1.1 for the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro are as follows:

• System
  • Optimized the frame stability algorithm to make the experience smoother
  • Optimized adaptive brightness algorithm, making 8,192 levels of automatic brightness adjustment more comfortable
  • Optimized background process management mechanism to improve standby-by performance
  • The quick setting has been adjusted to three lines
  • Updated Android Security Patch to 2020.10
  • Improved system stability
• Ambient display
  • Newly added Canvas feature that can automatically draw a wireframe picture based on a lock screen photo on your phone (Path: Settings-Customization-Wallpaper-Canvas-Choose photo preview and it can be generated automatically)
• Network
  • Optimized the intelligent 5G function to extend battery endurance capacity
  • Optimized Wi-Fi connection to improve stability of connectivity
• Bluetooth
  • Optimized Wi-Fi connection to reduce transfer delay
  • Fixed the low probability issue that it was muted after connecting to Bluetooth

OnePlus 8 XDA Forums || OnePlus 8 Pro XDA Forums

Buy from Amazon.in: OnePlus 8 || OnePlus 8 Pro

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Download: OxygenOS 11.0.1.1 for the OnePlus 8 Series

In case you haven’t received the update on your device and you don’t wish to wait for the OTA notification, you can download the appropriate update package from the index below and flash it manually. Currently, we don’t have access to the OTA for the global variants. We’ll update the article with the links as soon as we get our hands on it.

• OnePlus 8
  • Europe (11.0.1.1.IN21BA)
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from 11.0.0
  • India (11.0.1.1.IN21DA)
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from 11.0.0
• OnePlus 8 Pro
  • Europe (11.0.1.1.IN11BA)
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from 11.0.0
  • India (11.0.1.1.IN11DA)
    • Full OTA
    • Incremental OTA from 11.0.0

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Thanks to XDA Senior Member Some_Random_Username for the download links!

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What to Expect at the Huawei Developer Webinar

The Huawei Developer Webinar is a place where developers can come together and learn about tools and techniques that can be used to expand their app. Huawei will be hosting this webinar in the form of five different sessions. This annual webinar takes place on November 9 at 13:00 CET, and will explore the theme of “Grow in China. Win with AppGallery.” These are the sessions you can expect to find in the 2020 Huawei Developer Webinar.

Grow in China, Win with AppGallery

Developers around the world are finding new opportunities in China’s growing mobile market. A specific area where we have seen significant growth is China’s app market. To give developers insight into this field, Huawei’s next Developer Webinar will help developers learn how they can benefit from growing their app in China.

Huawei will show how HMS Core can help to ease app localization from the technical side. The online webinar will also invite experts from both Huawei and top players in Chinese market like Tecent and Feiyu. They will discuss app localization, as well as the most concerned compliance and regulatory requirements in publishing apps in China. Developers will have access to a full understanding of how to operate and compete in the Chinese app market.

The Whitepaper for Global App Development in China will cover the following subjects:

• Exclusive insights on the Chinese app industry (including Q&A)
• Introduction of the new HMS Core localization service for gaming and tool apps
• All-new online consultation platform for convenient self-service
• Overview of the unique legal compliance aspects of the Chinese mainland market
• Hear from PicsArt as they share their successful growth journey in China with AppGallery
• Hear from big publishers to exchange ideas of releasing overseas games in China

Huawei AppGallery Featured Apps

China’s Flourishing Mobile Internet Sector

China is currently experiencing a large growth in its mobile internet age. This is driven by a large population of people, and the worlds leading mobile networks. During the Huawei Developer Webinar, a whitepaper will be released that is filled with exclusive insights to answer common questions about the Chinese app industry. This will help developers who are looking to enter the Chinese market.

The “China’s Flourishing Mobile Internet Sector” Whitepaper will contain the following information:

• Market insights
• Policy consulting
• Expertise in product location
• Tips for user acquisition and monetization

What you Need to Know Before Entering the Chinese Market

To help developers understand how to prepare for entering the Chinese market, Huawei will bring together three of the brightest minds of the company. They will be able to share critical information on business insights for different brands. They will also be able to talk extensively about HMS Core and the self-service qualification consultation platform to understanding Chinese legal compliance. This session will cover everything developers will need to know about operating in China.

How PicsArt Has Achieved Unlikely Success in China

Jennifer Liu, PicsArt’s General Manager of China Market, will delve into the journey of PicsArt’s success in the Chinese market. This is a notable topic since PicsArt found success through partnership with Huawei and AppGallery. Their story can give people an insight into how they could also find success in this area.

Huawei AppGallery Games

Panel Discussion: How to Release Games in China

The webinar will end in a panel discussion that will feature some of the biggest Chinese game publishers like Tecent Games, iDreamSky Technology, Jinke Culture Technology, and Feiyu Technology. They will be able to share their experiences when it comes to releasing games in the overseas Chinese market.

This session will include the following topics:

• Core differences in Chinese user habits, cultural differences, languages, and business models
• Acquisition of game version number
• Opportunities for overseas games to discover advantages in Chinese markets
• How publishers experience game success through AppGallery via case studies, AppGallery downloads, and impacts on revenue

Grow in China. Win with AppGallery. #HDW

November 9 at 13:00 CET

Register here

We thank Huawei for sponsoring this post. Our sponsors help us pay for the many costs associated with running XDA, including server costs, full time developers, news writers, and much more. While you might see sponsored content (which will always be labeled as such) alongside Portal content, the Portal team is in no way responsible for these posts. Sponsored content, advertising and XDA Depot are managed by a separate team entirely. XDA will never compromise its journalistic integrity by accepting money to write favorably about a company, or alter our opinions or views in any way. Our opinion cannot be bought.

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Customize the Pixel Launcher on the Google Pixel 5 with Pixel Launcher Editor [Root]

The Pixel Launcher Editor is a combination of a Magisk module and Substratum theme that lets Pixel users build their own custom theme for the stock launcher on their devices. The mod was created by XDA Senior Member eg1122, and it’s already available for the Pixel 3/3 XL, Pixel 3a/3a XL, Pixel 4/4 XL, and the Pixel 4a. And even though it’s just been slightly over a month since Google officially unveiled the Pixel 5, the developer has now released the mod for the company’s latest flagship.

For those of you who haven’t used the Pixel Launcher Editor on an older Pixel device, the mod essentially lets you build your own unique theme for the Pixel Launcher and apply it to your device with Substratum. It offers a bunch of customization options, including:

• Change the app grid layout in the home screen and app drawer (4×5 to 7×8)
• Remove 3 button navigation bar
• Customize or remove the Google search bar from the home screen & app drawer
• Change the app drawer text color (20+ colors)
• Change the app drawer background (20+ colors)
• Add up to 11 app icons in the dock
• Change the folder text color (20+ colors)
• Change the folder background color (20+ colors)
• Change app icon size (from 36 to 72 in increments of 2)
• Change home text color (20+ colors)
• Change folder trim color (20+ colors)
• Change text size (from 11 to 18) or remove it entirely
• Hide the at a glance widget

Using the aforementioned features in the Pixel Launcher Editor, you can create various custom themes for the Google Pixel 5. As you can see in the screenshots, the mod offers a variety of settings and color options to help you customize the launcher exactly to your preference.

Do note that since the Pixel Launcher Editor makes use of Magisk and Substratum, you will need to root your device for it to work successfully. Once you have rooted your Pixel 5, check the forum thread below for the installation instructions. In case you find the written instructions hard to follow, you can check out this video to see how to set it all up.

Pixel Launcher Editor for the Google Pixel 5

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Spotify contemplating subscription podcast service

Spotify is apparently entertaining the idea of launching a subscription podcast service as it looks to build out an empire beyond streaming music. The alleged service was hinted at in a survey from Spotify seemingly designed for market research.

The survey, spotted by Andrew Wallenstein of Variety’s Intelligence Platform, indicates Spotify is considering four subscription podcast plans, ranging in price from $3 to $8 per month. The most expensive plan would feature exclusive content, early access to some episodes, and no ads. The cheapest option, meanwhile, would offer access to exclusive interviews and episodes, but there would still be ads.

The price of Spotify’s subscription podcast plan would come in addition to a premium music subscription, which starts at $9.99 per month. It’s unclear if Spotify is considering any music and podcast bundles. Currently, Spotify offers access to thousands of podcasts for free.

In a statement to The Verge, Spotify said that the survey doesn’t necessarily mean a product will be released.

“At Spotify, we routinely conduct a number of surveys in an effort to improve our user experience,” the statement said. “Some of those end up paving the path for our broader user experience and other serve only as important learnings.”

Spotify has made podcasts a major part of its platform over the past few years, notably signing exclusive deals with Michelle Obama and Joe Rogan. The company is seemingly so confident in its podcasts that it believes people would consider paying for the content.

Spotify is already the largest music streaming service on the market and is steadily building up a massive podcast audience. With a user base already in place, there’s certainly be a big opportunity for Spotify, because as The Verge points out, it could make money without having to pay any licensing fees or royalties to stream the podcasts. It may not be a matter of if, but when.

Spotify: Listen to new music and play podcasts (Free, Google Play) →

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Google made an app for banks to lock you out of your phone if you don’t make payments

Flagship smartphones have gotten substantially more expensive in the last few years, so many OEMs and carriers offer payment programs to give consumers the option of paying a fraction of the price each month over a period of 24 or more months. But what do you do if something unexpected happens and you can’t make a payment for a month or two?

Well, what happens when you default on your device payment plan depends on the company that issued you the loan. Verizon in the U.S., for instance, gives you a chance to set up a payment arrangement before going to collections and shutting off your network access, while Samsung India restricts device functionality based on how long the debt has been outstanding. It seems like Google wants to make it easier for banks or other credit providers to implement the latter method of debt collection.

Earlier today, we spotted an app on the Google Play Store called “Device Lock Controller” (h/t @JasonBayton). Here’s the app’s description on Google Play:

Device Lock Controller enables device management for credit providers. Your provider can remotely restrict access to your device if you don’t make payments. If your device is restricted, basic functionality, such as emergency calling and access to settings, will still be available.

The app makes use of Android’s DeviceAdminService API to remotely control device functionality. This is the same API that enterprises use to control what employees can do with their work phones. Companies that distribute phones to their employees typically preload apps that use this API, so there’s no way to disable them. Presumably, a credit provider, such as a bank or other financial institution, can preload Google’s Device Lock Controller app before loaning a device to their customers, and if that customer is unable to make a payment, they can remotely lock them out of their phone.

The Device Lock Controller app does not appear when you search Google Play or when you look through the Play Store landing page for all apps made by Google. However, the developer of this app is clearly Google, so we reached out to the company for comment but have not heard back prior to the publication of this article.

Device Lock Controller (Free, Google Play) →

My feelings on this app are mixed, but mostly negative. I understand that creditors are taking a risk when providing loans, but I think it’s rather counterproductive to disable access to most functionality. A smartphone is the primary computing device for millions of people, especially for those who can’t afford a PC and in-home Internet. Sure, the Device Lock Controller app still lets you place and receive phone calls, but so much business is conducted over the Internet these days that it’s really important to stay connected.

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Get yourself a Fire HD 8 for just $55 and take your entertainment on the go

What kind of tablet you want to buy will depend a lot on what you want to use it for. Some tablets are practically mini-laptops in their right, being able to effortlessly launch productivity apps and even do some light gaming. But these sorts of tablets are expensive, and they don’t feel quite right without an expensive keyboard cover as well. If you’re just looking for something to watch or read with during a commute, you don’t need to pay several hundred dollars for a tablet. For that, something like the Fire HD 8 tablet will work better for you.

Normally, the Fire HD 8 is $90, which is a bit steep, but the tablet regularly goes on sale, especially during this time of the year. Right now, you can grab yourself this Amazon tablet for just $55, as part of Alexa’s Birthday Deals. Available in Black, Plum, Twilight Blue, and White, the Fire HD 8 is a simple tablet designed to get all of your portable entertainment all in one place. Whether it’s reading books with the Kindle app, watching shows or streaming music, this tablet is able to do that all, without all the bells and whistles of more expensive tablets.

Some people have issues with the Fire tablet’s UI, but don’t worry, as there is an easy solution for that. With a price like this and a simple workaround available, what are you waiting for?

Fire HD 8 Tablet

Need a simple tablet that lets you easily take your entertainment on the go? The Fire 8HD is the tablet for you. Now only $55, with a quick workaround this is a great tablet for reading books, streaming movies and shows, and plenty more!

Buy at Amazon

The Fire 8 HD isn’t the only tablet on sale for Alexa’s birthday, either. The Fire 10 HD is also on sale, down to $80. It’s up to you whether the new model is worth an extra $25, though. If you’re looking for something for the kiddo in your life, the Fire 7 Kids Edition is only $60, and would make a fantastic holiday gift. These are plenty more Amazon devices are part of this limited-time sale, so if you’re looking to get some holiday shopping done early, don’t delay!

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Google Photos tests locking Color Pop behind a Google One paywall

Throughout the year, we’ve seen evidence Google might introduce premium editing features to Google Photos that would be locked behind a paywall. At first, we thought that Google would introduce new editing features that required a Google One membership, but now it looks like the company is already testing locking existing features behind a paywall.

Shortly after we published our teardown of Google Photos 5.18 confirming that a Google One paywall for photo editing features is in the works, a reader in the comments section informed us that the Color Pop feature is locked behind a Google One membership for him. We’ve attached the two screenshots shared by the user, and we’ve also added two screenshots showing off the Color Pop feature in action (this was from a Google account that doesn’t have a Google One subscription).

Credits: Andy J

Color Pop in Google Photos

Google first introduced the Color Pop feature to the Google Photos app in May of 2018, shortly after the company’s I/O developer conference. The feature essentially keeps the subject in color while turning the background black and white (or vice versa), allowing the subject to “pop.” It’s a fun feature, and seemingly one Google thinks is advanced enough to convince people to pay for.

It’s unclear what other premium editing features will be put behind a paywall. However, we recently uncovered strings of code in version 5.18 that suggest Google will introduce preprocessing suggestions and a Skypalette feature, which will include new filters to help users edit the sky.

The changes come on the heels of a major redesign to the Google Photos editor. The company also recently added a print service that will send subscribers 10 high-quality photo prints each month for $6.99. Google Photos has been one of Google’s best services since its introduction in 2015, offering free, unlimited storage for photos up to 16 MP. These new features might be Google’s way of trying to better monetize the service.

We reached out to Google PR for confirmation about the changes, but we haven’t heard back before the publication of this article.

Google Photos (Free, Google Play) →

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