Your next Android smartphone could have 8 years of updates

Google and Qualcomm have announced a strategic alliance aimed at extending software and security support on Android phones for up to eight years, a significant advancement that promises to improve the sustainability of mobile devices. Let’s remember that Google already offers 7 years of support for Android on its Pixel 8 and Pixel 9. This new program includes updates for both the Android operating system and the SoC, allowing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to keep their devices updated without incurring substantial additional costs. The implementation of this extended support is subject to the decision of the manufacturers, with some […]

Google and Qualcomm have announced a strategic alliance aimed at extending software and security support on Android phones for up to eight years, a significant advancement that promises to improve the sustainability of mobile devices. Let’s remember that Google already offers 7 years of support for Android on its Pixel 8 and Pixel 9.

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This new program includes updates for both the Android operating system and the SoC, allowing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to keep their devices updated without incurring substantial additional costs.

The implementation of this extended support is subject to the manufacturers’ decision, with some like OnePlus already expressing their intention to offer only four years of support.

Is it possible to provide 8 years of updates realistically?

The first phase of the program will be applied to phones equipped with Snapdragon Elite 8 chipsets, and it is expected to cover the next five generations of Qualcomm processors. This means that companies using these chips will have access to reliable software for a considerable period.

Despite these promises, there are challenges. Not only is the support period affected by manufacturers’ decisions, but there is also the issue of the durability of lithium-ion batteries, which could deplete within a span of eight years, limiting the actual lifespan of the devices.

In addition, the new software features, especially those that incorporate artificial intelligence, require more advanced chips, which could make the user experience less than optimal throughout the support duration.

At a time when concern about planned obsolescence and electronic waste is greater than ever, this collaboration represents a positive step towards sustainability.

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Many users could benefit from being able to use their phones for a longer time, perhaps mitigating the alarmingly growing volume of electronic waste. However, the feasibility of extending the lifespan of a smartphone to eight years remains to be seen in practice.

It may seem very strange, but Android users can now download Apple TV

It’s a very risky bet, but it’s clear that the Apple company wants to fully engage in the fight to dominate streaming platforms. The Apple TV app has finally landed in the Android ecosystem after more than eight years since its initial launch. On February 12, the Cupertino company released the long-awaited application on the Google Play Store, a significant step in its expansion strategy in the streaming market. Fully in the front line of the streaming platform battle, the launch of the app for Android devices is […]

It is a very risky bet, but it is clear that the apple company wants to fully engage in the fight to dominate streaming platforms. The Apple TV app has finally landed in the Android ecosystem after more than eight years since its initial launch. On February 12, the Cupertino company released the long-awaited application on the Google Play Store, a significant step in its expansion strategy in the streaming market.

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Fully in the front line of the streaming platforms battle

The launch of the app for Android devices is a strategic move for Apple, as it expands its availability to a much broader audience, allowing users of smartphones and tablets running Android 10 or higher to enjoy its exclusive content. This not only represents an opportunity to capture a new customer base but also demonstrates a shift in the company’s strategy, which has historically been more reluctant to open its services to competing operating systems.

The Apple TV app offers access to a vast library of series and movies, including original productions from Apple, which have been well received by critics and audiences. Now, millions of Android users have the opportunity to explore this content, which could bring them closer to Apple’s subscription services, such as Apple TV+.

This launch may also reflect a growing competition in the streaming ecosystem, where platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ have already established a strong presence. Analysts suggest that by opening its app to Android, Apple is better positioned to compete in a continuously evolving and expanding market.

Apple’s strategy seems aligned with recent trends in the industry, where interoperability and accessibility are key to attracting and retaining subscribers. As more Android users join the Apple ecosystem, the impact on sales and the growth of its subscriber base will be an aspect to watch closely in the coming months.

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Android Auto is being updated again and this is how you can download the latest version, 13.7

Google has officially launched version 13.7 of Android Auto, surprisingly and without a prior beta to anticipate its arrival, which is unusual in the Android ecosystem. This new update is already available for all users through Google Play, although its distribution is staggered, meaning it may not appear immediately for everyone. For those who do not have access to the update through the store, there is the option to install a safe APK file, which is signed by Google itself on its website. What does this new version bring […]

Google has officially released version 13.7 of Android Auto, surprisingly and without a prior beta to anticipate its arrival, which is unusual in the Android ecosystem.

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This new update is now available for all users through Google Play, although its distribution is staggered, which means it may not appear immediately for everyone.

For those who do not have access to the update through the store, there is the option to install a safe APK file, which is signed by Google itself on its website.

What’s new in this version of Android Auto 13.7

Regarding the news brought by the update, users will find that the centered view of Google Maps has been corrected, providing an improved navigation experience. However, it is important to highlight that there are no significant visible changes or new features that replace the existing ones.

As is customary in the development of Android Auto, the update has focused on improving stability and compatibility with a greater number of vehicles.

Despite expectations, voice interactivity is still managed by Google Assistant, without progress towards the promising assistant known as Gemini in this update.

The Android Auto interface, for its part, effectively adapts to different screen sizes and aspect ratios, which will benefit users who have a different screen layout. Currently, each brand opts for a different type of screen and position on the dashboard.

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User reports from those who have already tried the new version indicate that no significant issues have been found so far, suggesting a successful rollout. As more devices receive the update, it will be possible to observe how the community responds to these improvements under Google’s staggered release policy.

This is the ultimate security guide for Android users in 2025

For those who don’t know, Google gives you quite a bit of authority over how and when it accesses your information associated with Android. And we say this because Apple has been boasting for years that they are the user-friendly company when it comes to privacy, but Google has improved a lot in this regard over the last 4 years. Ultimately, it all comes down to being informed about the possibilities and then determining what balance between privacy and functionality makes the most sense for you. And the responsibility falls directly on you, which means you have to make an effort […]

For those who don’t know, Google gives you quite a bit of authority over how and when it accesses your information associated with Android. And we say this because Apple has been boasting for years that they are the user privacy-friendly company, but Google has improved a lot in this regard over the last 4 years.

Ultimately, it all comes down to being informed about the possibilities and then determining what balance between privacy and functionality makes the most sense for you.

And the responsibility falls directly on you, which means you have to make an effort to understand your operating system and how you can get the most out of it without giving up all your privacy along the way.

By default, most of Google’s privacy options are turned off, as Google thrives on ads and the better it knows you, the better experience it can offer you as an individual user.

This is not necessarily bad, but it may not be what you want or are looking for. And navigating through the layers of settings, not only with Google itself but also with the various third-party services that interact with the phone, is often easier said than done. So let’s go with the best options when it comes to securing your phone and your Google account:

1. Uninstall all the apps you don’t use

This first step of privacy on Android is a no-brainer and something everyone should do periodically: review all the apps installed on your phone and delete the ones you haven’t used in the last two months.

Applications that you do not use not only consume resources on your device, but they can also leave doors open to confidential information that would be better closed.

So open the app drawer and examine all the icons you see. If you haven’t used an app in a while, press and hold its icon and select “Uninstall” or, if you don’t see that option, select “App info” and look for the “Uninstall” button.

2. Check the applications with access to your Google account

In addition to specific phone permissions, applications and services may request access to certain types of data from your Google account, such as your contacts, your Gmail messages, or even your Google Drive storage.

Once again, this access may be completely justified and not a cause for concern (and would only be present if you explicitly authorize it at some point), but once you are no longer actively using the associated application, you won’t want to leave that avenue open.

Luckily, it is especially easy to close, and another painless privacy measure that is worth doing periodically. You just have to open the Google account connections page and review everything that appears on the list. For items you no longer use or do not recognize, click on their title and then on the “Remove all connections” option on the screen that appears next.

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3. Ensure your lock screen does not display sensitive information

By default, Android is usually set to display all the content of your notifications on the lock screen, which means that if someone else picks up your phone, they could see sensitive information without even having to enter a PIN, pattern, or passcode.

To change this situation, open the Display section of your phone’s settings, select “Lock screen” and then “Privacy” and change the setting to “Show sensitive content only when unlocked” or “Do not show notifications at all,” whichever is more convenient for you.

4. Reset or delete the Android advertising ID

Many people don’t know it, but you can reset or delete something known as your “advertising ID” on Android.

That ID is a unique string of specific numbers from your phone that apps can use to identify you. They may not know your name or anything personal about you – unless you choose to share that information – but that advertising ID allows them to understand your interests and behaviors, and then use that data to show you ads that are supposedly more likely to appeal to you.

When you reset or delete that ID, all that data is lost, and the apps have no way to relate your behavior to any consistent identifier associated with you. Once again, that doesn’t mean you won’t see ads within apps or on the web. It just means that those ads won’t be programmatically selected based on your ongoing activities and what they suggest about your interests.

5. Review the permissions of your applications on Android

Let’s think about those apps that you actively use, because even those may have permissions that you once granted, but no longer need.

So open the Security and Privacy section of the system settings and tap “Permission Manager”. Depending on the software and device you are using, you may need to first tap a line that says “Privacy” or “Privacy Controls” before you see it.

Next, go through each type of permission on the list one by one, review the applications that have access to it, and consider whether the access of each application still seems necessary to you.

If you see something that seems questionable, tap the app’s name and change its setting to “Deny”. There is a possibility that the app may no longer be able to perform some of its functions as a result, but in the worst case, it will ask you to re-enable the permission at some future point and then you can reconsider it.

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Starting from Android 12 in 2021 onwards, you can specify whether you want an app to have access to your exact location or just the approximate one, in case you’re very concerned about them knowing where you are at all times.