Tag: Android

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Mobile Syrup

I replaced Android on a Pixel 3 with an Android-based privacy OS

Some of the more privacy-conscious people out there may be tired of the lack of actually private mobile phones available on the market. There’s the iPhone, which Apple champions as private but isn’t entirely, while Android relies on Google-made software to work well. Ever tried using a pure Android Open Source Project (AOSP) build without Google’s invasive apps?

Yea, it’s not great.

There are, however, options out there. That said, it comes down to a balance of convenience versus privacy. I’ve started trying GrapheneOS, an open-source, free, Android-based mobile operating system focusing on privacy. This will likely be the first of two stories I write about GrapheneOS, focusing on the initial set-up plus some first impressions.

One of the main things that drew me to using GrapheneOS was its built-in compatibility layer that allows users to run Google Play Services, Services Framework, and the Play Store. GrapheneOS has a more in-depth explanation here, but the short version is that unlike many other privacy-focused Android builds, GrapheneOS enables users to install and run apps through the Play Store while also avoiding some of the more invasive behaviours of Google’s software. The compatibility layer effectively coerces Google’s services to run like normal apps that require permissions, preventing them from accessing data in other apps without express user consent.

Installing GrapheneOS on a Pixel 3

You probably shouldn’t do this.

Not because there’s anything wrong with the GrapheneOS installation process — in fact, as long as you follow the step-by-step guide available on the GrapheneOS website, it’s actually effortless. No, the reason you shouldn’t install GrapheneOS on the Pixel 3 is that it’s on the GrapheneOS extended support list now (you can view a complete list of supported devices here). That means Pixel 3 devices will “no longer receive full security updates” and instead get extended support releases “as a stopgap” while users transition to newer devices.

Unfortunately, I didn’t realize this until after I finished the installation. However, I decided to stick with it since the current version of GrapheneOS is based on Android 12 and I wanted to get a feel for whether I liked it before I attempted installing it on another Pixel.

Plus, although I may have written my final farewell to the Google Pixel 3, I wasn’t entirely ready to let it go.

Anyway, the installation process was relatively simple. GrapheneOS put together an excellent guide, and if you use the web-based installation tool, you can effectively do the whole thing by only clicking a few buttons and tweaking a couple settings on your phone. As someone who spent a lot of time rooting Android phones and installing ROMs back in the day, this was a breeze. If you’re not familiar with that process, then installing GrapheneOS might be more challenging. I’d rank it as more difficult than installing an Android beta on a Pixel phone through Google’s Android Beta Program website but easier than manually installing an Android Developer Preview.

All told, the process took maybe 10 minutes total, and I did it while writing some other stories.

First impressions

Once the installation was finished, setting up GrapheneOS was similar to setting up any Android phone. You turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, etc. One issue I encountered here was that I couldn’t copy data over from another phone (GrapheneOS does let you bring data over from another phone with GrapheneOS, but this was my first time trying it).

Following set-up, GrapheneOS greets users with a basic, Pixel-like Android experience, minus all the Google apps. GrapheneOS includes the staples, like apps for phone, messages, files and the camera. These defaults get the job done, but they feel (and look) like they’re from a past era of Android. Thankfully, with Play Store access, I was able to download whatever apps I wanted to use instead, although not without issue.

So far, I’ve had no issues downloading and using my password manager app, Twitter, Infinity for Reddit, Gmail, and Discord. I’m well aware that most of these apps aren’t privacy-friendly, but I do feel better using them on GrapheneOS, knowing that the omnipresent Google Play Services is sandboxed away. I had a few issues with Google’s Messages app until I enabled some permissions for the restricted Play Services.

I also ran into issues importing my contacts from the Google account (eventually, I worked around this by exporting them from another phone to my Drive storage then downloading that file to import them back into the contacts app on GrapheneOS).

Ultimately, I haven’t encountered any real deal-breakers so far with GrapheneOS. Most of my hiccups in the first few hours came from little conveniences I’ve grown used to. For example, having my contacts sync automatically or using my security key to authenticate myself when signing into accounts (this worked inconsistently and seems like something GrapheneOS is working to improve). I’ve been able to work around these little hiccups so far, but some people may not be able to.

Suffice it to say that GrapheneOS may not need much technical know-how to install, but so far, using it like I would a regular Android phone has required thinking outside the box. Anyone looking for a straightforward experience may want to avoid GrapheneOS or other privacy-oriented Android experiences since the privacy gains often come at the expense of convenience and ease of use. I wish that weren’t the case. However, GrapheneOS has so far been one of the easiest privacy experiences I’ve tried, so maybe it won’t be much longer until people don’t need to make that sacrifice.

I’ll have more thoughts on GrapheneOS soon after spending more time with it.

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung Galaxy A73 leaked renders showcase very thin bezels

Samsung’s Galaxy A73 is expected to appear at some point in the next few months, so it’s not a surprise that we’re starting to see renders of the rumoured handset. According to 91Mobiles, which first published these images, they’re official press renders of the device.

The A73 will reportedly sport a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O display with a Full HD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and an in-display fingerprint reader. The handset is also rumoured to feature a quad-camera setup on the rear, with the primary camera hosting a 64-megapixel sensor.

SamMobile previously leaked that the handset will host a 108-megapixel shooter. Alongside the primary shooter, the Galaxy A73 is expected to feature a 12-megapixel ultrawide, a 5-megapixel macro and a 5-megapixel depth shooter. Other leaks point to the handset also hosting a telephoto camera.

The Galaxy A73 reportedly features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor, 6GB/8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage, an IP67 rating, stereo speakers, NFC and a USB Type-C port. The handset is also poised to feature a 5,000mAh battery and 25W fast charging.

It looks like the A73 will feature thin bezels, too. Of course, Samsung’s S series features even slimmer bezels, but the A series is part of the company’s mid-range lineup, and these bezels are thinner than the handset’s predecessor. The rumoured A53 looks very similar to the A73, according to 91Mobiles.

It’s not clear when Samsung will unveil the Galaxy A73 and A53 or if the devices will release in Canada. It’s worth mentioning that South Korean phone maker didn’t launch the A72 in Canada last year, and only the A52 and A32 released here. With this in mind, it’s possible we won’t see the A73 this year and only the A53 will release in Canada.

Image Credit: 91Mobiles

Source: 91Mobiles

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Mobile Syrup

Dirty Pipe exploit could let someone take over your phone, fix is on the way

There’s a new Linux vulnerability out there that could give attackers full of control of your Android smartphone.

However, the exploit goes beyond just Android phones — it potentially impacts anything running Linux, including Android phones, Chromebooks, smart home devices, and more.

Although it sounds dire, it’s worth keeping in mind that most people don’t need to panic. For one, the issue has already been patched (although the fix may not have reached your devices yet). The exploit also only impacts some newer Android phones, such as the Pixel 6 series and the Galaxy S22 series (more on that below, along with a way to check if your device is affected).

The exploit, dubbed ‘Dirty Pipe,’ impacts the Linux kernel. The kernel is the core of an operating system and typically acts as an interface between apps and hardware. Because of that, any app that can read files on your device can potentially use the exploit to mess around with files, run malicious code, or gain administrator privileges. Ultimately, attackers could use the exploit to take over a device.

Max Kellermann discovered Dirty Pipe, but also found a way to fix it and already submitted the fix to the Linux kernel project. Additionally, Dirty Pipe was reported to Google’s Android Security team, who introduced the fix to the Android source code. Similarly, the Chrome OS team seems to have a patch poised to roll out in a mid-cycle update to Chrome OS 99. In other words, the Dirty Pipe fix is ready, it just might not have hit your phone or laptop yet.

How to check if my phone/laptop is at risk

Thankfully, checking whether your device could be exploited using Dirty Pipe is fairly easy. We’ve included instructions below:

  • Android: Open Settings > About phone > Android version > Look for Kernel version. If the number is 5.8 or higher, your device is potentially at risk.
  • Chrome OS: Open a new tab > Type ‘chrome://system’ in the address bar > Scroll to ‘uname’ > Look for the ‘Linux localhost’ text and check if the number is higher than 5.8.

In both cases, the number represents the Linux kernel version. Dirty Pipe was introduced in Linux kernel version 5.8 back in 2020, but the exploit wasn’t found until recently. If your device has kernel version 5.8 or higher, it’s potentially at risk for Dirty Pipe (unless you’ve received a patch for it already).

Most Android phones use an older version of the Linux kernel and likely won’t be impacted. However, as mentioned above, the Pixel 6 series and the Galaxy S22 series are impacted. 9to5Google noted that Android devices that launched with Android 12 have a chance of being impacted.

How to protect yourself from Dirty Pipe

Although there are no known instances of attackers using Dirty Pipe to gain control of phones or computers yet, it’s likely only a matter of time before it starts to happen. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to make sure your devices are up to date.

As mentioned up top, there are already Android and Chrome OS patches, but they haven’t rolled out yet. Hopefully, they roll out soon — keep an eye out for new security patches and make sure to install them right away.

In the meantime, 9to5 suggests only running apps that you trust on your device. Moreover, it may be a good idea to avoid installing new apps until the patch is made available.

Source: Max Kellermann Via: 9to5Google

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Samsung’s S22 series might be throttling apps and customers are upset

Samsung might be throttling app performance with its Galaxy S22 series, according to sources that spoke to The Korea Herald.

Industry sources reportedly say that South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission received a complaint that Samsung violated advertisement law when promoting its Galaxy S22 brand and now the Commission will likely launch a preliminary investigation into Samsung.

The complaint looks into Samsung’s S22 advertising, including the phrase how the phrase “best performance ever” is used by the company. The complaint also takes a closer look at the S22 series’ claims that it offers a 120Hz refresh rate for gamers. When an S22 device launches a game, optimization software is opened alongside that app. This app causes the S22 to lock at 60Hz when gaming, and is a limitation I noted when playing League of Legends: Wild Rift while reviewing the S22 Ultra.

This optimization software, ‘Gaming Optimizing Service (GOS),’ automatically launches when users play games with the Galaxy S22. The software adjusts performance to make the S22 series’ batteries last longer and prevents overheating, according to Samsung.

Another complaint says that GOS turns on when other heavy-resource apps that aren’t games are in use. According to The Korea Herald, GOS causes the S22 series to drop down to about 54 percent of its promised performance.

The South Korean smartphone maker is reportedly planning to offer a “performance mode” to S22 users, but denies that GOS is activated for anything other than gaming.

Source: The Korea Herald

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Mobile Syrup

Google launches Android 12L, coming to Samsung, Microsoft smartphones later this year

Alongside the March Pixel drop and security patch, Google has launched Android 12L on Pixel handsets (Pixel 3a-Pixel 5a).

Additionally, the company released a blog post outlining the update’s features. If you don’t own a Pixel device, don’t worry, as starting this year, Android 12L will also launch on tablets and foldables from Samsung, Lenovo and Microsoft.

Android 12L is designed with larger screens in mind, like foldables and tablets. 12L optimizes the display for the home screen, lock screen, notification shade, device set-up screens, settings and more.

One of the changes, on Android 12L notifications and quick tiles, have been moved and now have their own dedicated columns and more space to view and swipe away notifications.

There’s also a taskbar to help multitaskers launch and switch between apps. You can drag-and-drop from the taskbar to enter split-screen mode, so you can look at two things at once. Additionally, when you’re in Settings you don’t have to go in and out of each menu option and you’ll be able to see the options in the settings on the right side. Both of these features pull from Samsung’s Galaxy Z series’ One UI 4.0, which also offers this functionality.

If you have one of the above-mentioned Pixel devices, head over to Settings to download the latest update. Android 12L will hit the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro later this month.

Source: Google

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Mobile Syrup

iFixit tears down Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra in latest video

Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S22 series recently released, and right on cue, iFixit has torn-down the Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra.

For the S22 Ultra, the deconstruction gives us a look at how Samsung implemented the smartphone’s S Pen stylus and shows off the device’s new cooling vapour chamber.

There’s also a vibration motor inside the S22 series’ bottom speaker rather than the top like in past devices. According to The Verge, the vibration motor is an attempt to catch up to the iPhone’s excellent ‘Taptic Engine.’

Unsurprisingly, iFixit’s video also indicates that the Samsung smartphones are difficult to repair. The phone is held together with Philips-head screws, but additional adhesive makes the device hard to pull apart. Further, the batteries in the handsets are challenging to remove and replace.

Both S22 and S22 Ultra received a three out of 10 for reparability, which is the same number the S21 Ultra hit last year.

While these devices are difficult to fix, they’re also incredibly durable. For example, a YouTuber drove over the S22 Ultra and it only suffered from a few scratches.

If you want to know more about the Galaxy S22/S22+ and S22 Ultra check out our reviews of the devices.

Image Credit: iFixit 

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Mobile Syrup

Native Instagram app for iPad not coming anytime soon, company head tweets

Instagram won’t optimize its app for the iPad anytime soon, said the social media platform’s head Adam Mosseri in a tweet over the weekend.

The message was in response to a tweet made by tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) who pointed out the absence of the app even in 2022.

Mosseri said it’s something Instagram hears a lot but the number of iPad users wanting the app isn’t large enough to justify developing it.

Brownlee further states this group could increase if “an excellent app” existed. Mosseri agrees but says the company is “leaner than you think” and is already supporting the app on four platforms: iOS, the web, Instagram Lite, and its’s largest, Android.

Mosseri said Instagram views a dedicated app for iPad as a part of the “finally features” list. It’s a want but isn’t prioritized to be completed at this time.

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung officially kills off its popular Galaxy Note line

I feel like we’ve been reporting this story for years at this point, but it’s finally official — Samsung has officially ended the use of ‘Galaxy Note’ branding.

In a statement to reporters at Mobile World Congress 2022 (MWC) (via Dailian), Samsung smartphone head Roh Taeo-moon said that the “Galaxy Note will come out as Ultra” going forward, referencing the recently released Galaxy S22 Ultra.

In several ways, the S22 Ultra is just a Note device with another name. It features a squared-off design than the S22 and S22+, and unlike last year’s S21 Ultra, it also includes a storage enclosure for its S Pen stylus. The last official Note device was 2020’s Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

With Samsung’s attention shifting away from slab-styled smartphones to the foldable space with its innovative ‘Z’ line, it makes sense for the South Korean tech giant to consolidate its branding efforts.

Over the years, the Note line built a substantial fan base of smartphone users who prefer larger devices and appreciated the precision a stylus offers. Though I’ve always liked the Note series — I once called the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 my favourite smartphone ever — I’ve never found its S Pen very useful.

Still, those who were worried Samsung might kill off the stylus following the release of the S22 Ultra no longer have a cause for concern as it looks like the S Pen is sticking around in its high-end ‘S’ series flagship device for the foreseeable future.

Source: The Verge Via: Dailian

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OnePlus 10 Pro coming to Canada in March, possible foldable in late 2022

OnePlus has finally shared that the OnePlus 10 Pro is officially coming to North America near the end of March.

The company still hasn’t given out the exact release date, but sometime in the next 30 days, we can expect the OnePlus 10 Pro flagship. We already know a lot about the phone since it’s been out in China for months; you can read our previous coverage here. I’d also like to point out that OnePlus is milking its phone launch way too much. The phone is already out. Why are we playing these games where the company is hiding the release date less than 30 days out?

OnePlus confirmed that the OnePlus 10 Pro will ship with OxygenOS 12.1 out of the box when it arrives this spring. This is kind of a good thing since OxygenOS 12 has been a fairly buggy disaster for the company so far. OnePlus actually promised in 2021 that its 2022 flagship phones would be running a unified Android 13 profile at launch, so take all these new promises with a heavy grain of salt.

Plus, the company has struggled to even get OxygenOS 12 out on all of its phones. Even the Nord CE 2 5G, which was announced a few weeks ago, doesn’t run Android 12 yet. Beyond that, users aren’t super happy with the direction the operating system’s design has taken either.

During a briefing, OnePlus pledged to remedy that with a stock-like Android experience in Android 13. Still, I’d be hesitant to get excited about this unless you plan to buy a OnePlus 10 Pro. If the updates release at the same cadence as Android 12, it’s going to take a long time to come to older devices. For instance, the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro flagships from 2020 only just got their first beta build of Android 12 a few days ago, months after the OnePlus 9 series.

During a call, the company also shared that it sold 11 million phones in 2021, which is a new record for the brand. What’s more exciting, though, is that OnePlus plans to release a device with 150-watt fast charging in Q2 2022 and a foldable possibly at the end of the year or early 2023. OnePlus’ parent company Oppo released a folding phone called the Find N in late 2021, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the OnePlus foldable followed similar design fundamentals.

Overall, OnePlus has made many promises regarding its software and hardware, but I wouldn’t trust these claims until we get our hands on the devices and run the software. OnePlus has been growing over the last few years, but its software support and hardware have been severely lacking since its more public merger with Oppo. It appears the company has noticed this reputation hit, and is working to remedy the situation, but it will need to make sure the next software update is clean and applies to more than one phone at a time to really keep users happy.

The company also announced it will push into new markets this year with intentions to move into Mexico and Latin America.

Stay tuned to MobileSyrup over the next few weeks for our review of the OnePlus 10 Pro.

Image credit: OnePlus 

Via: Android Authority

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What do you want to see from Google’s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro?

This past week, we caught a glimpse of what are likely the first renders of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. According to the renders based on leaked information, not much has changed regarding the smartphones’ overall design.

If you’re like me, you might be a bit disappointed by the leaked images. I would have liked to see a cleaner design that ditches the protruding camera lenses, completely removing the controversial visor. However, the dual-tone colour is a nice touch, but if this section of the phone was completely flesh to the rear, that’d be a lot more appealing.

Additionally, an under-display front-facing camera would be welcome as well. Specs-wise, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro reportedly feature a Tensor 2 chip, 12GB of RAM, 10x optical zoom and more. Some sort of cinematic video mode would be useful new functionality, and I personally would like ‘Active Edge’ back, the feature that allows users to squeeze the sides of the smartphone’s frame to activate Google Assistant and more.

There’s a lot more I want from the Pixel 7 series, but above are just a few features that instantly come to mind. We want to know in the comments below: what do you want to see from Google’s upcoming Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro?

Image credit: @XLeaks7