The unlocked Moto Z got its Android Oreo update in May and now its the Verizon “Droid Editions” of both the Moto Z and Moto Z Force’s turn. The update comes with all the expected Oreo goodies and improved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performance. Additionally, you’ll no longer have to restart your phone when swapping SIM cards, which is a neat little change. Here’s a complete changelog posted by Verizon:
Android® Security Patch Level: 2018-05-01
This software update features:
- Latest Android security patches
- Improved Wi-Fi connectivity
- You no longer have to restart your phone when replacing a non-Verizon SIM with a Verizon SIM
Productivity
- Picture in Picture (PIP): A new split-screen window lets you use an app and watch a video at the same time.
- Autofill framework: With your permission, Autofill works together with Moto Key to avoid repeatedly entering the same information on a touchscreen keyboard. Securely stores your data.
- Smart text selection: When you select text, Android Oreo suggests relevant apps or intelligent actions. Select and double tap the correct portion of the text and automatically get names, addresses, phone numbers, web links and emails.
- Adaptive icons: Multi-shape app icons according to your system settings.
Device performance
- Apps run faster and smoother: New optimization provides improved performance of apps and games.
- Bluetooth audio enhancements: High quality Bluetooth audio codecs make your music sound even better.
- Better management of cached data: Every app has cache data limit. As the system needs to free up memory, it automatically deletes cached data from apps exceeding their limit.
- Battery-saving background restrictions: Android Oreo improves battery and memory optimization. Built on Nougat’s battery life improvements, it’s a power saving feature in addition to “Doze,” which limits how often apps in background check location, scans Wi-Fi networks or accesses data.
- Stability improvements: Bugs and improved device stability.
Notifications
- Notification badges / dots: Oreo now provides “Unread” badges on top of home screen icons. Tap and hold an icon to get notification of what’s new, and clear them by swiping left.
- Notification channels: Now you have more control over notifications. Apps have named notification categories. You can choose to receive notifications about specific topics.
- Snooze notifications: You can “snooze” notifications instead of dismissing them. They’ll pop back up at the same level of importance.
- Notification bar: App icons are listed in the bar in hierarchical and more organized ways.
- Themed Notifications based on music cover art: You can customize background and text themes are customized in Notifications list and Lockscreen.
Calling Features
- Incoming Call: New layout, with a smaller contact image.
Security
- Easier to find security update information: The date of your most recent security update is available in Settings Security location.
- Google Play Protect: New Google Play™ Store security feature provides a visual display of app security scans and optimizes security by scanning apps for malware and viruses.
- Find My Device: (formerly Android Device Manager) Remotely locate, lock or erase your device if it’s lost or stolen. Find my Device has a new user interface, performance improvements and bug fixes.
- “Unknown Sources” setting removed: On Android Oreo, you no longer need to choose “OK to install apps from unknown sources”. Make sure you trust individual apps before installing them, then review and authorize each app.
Usability
- Quick settings improvements: Network, Connectivity and Battery indicators are at the top of the screen. Settings, Time, and Profile are now at the bottom.
- Quick settings toggles: Tiles act like a toggle to show more information. Tap the tile to turn on or off. Touch and hold to bring up Settings or tap the text to open the panel.
- Improved settings navigation: Find the right setting faster. Shorter, reorganized and easier to navigate.
- Redesigned Battery and Storage menu: Improved visibility and easier to read.
- App info / widgets: Easy access to app information. Just tap and hold icons on the Home screen, apps menu and Widgets list.
- Deep color: Wider range of colors in apps. Supports full color management, allowing apps to display images in their native format and quality.
- New and updated emoji: Do you speak fluent Emoji? Bring your words to life with all-new emojis, including redesigned human emojis with rounded and gradient shapes.
- New Phone / Call functions user interface: Redesigned user interface is cleaner and more organized.
Accessibility
- Accessibility shortcut: Provides quick access to Accessibility features.
- Accessibility volume: Adjust the Accessibility volume level on TalkBack separately from media volume level.
It also bumps the Android security patch up to May. The update is a hefty one and will weigh in at about 1.5GB at least. You should receive it OTA shortly.
Related Today in Android: Motorola Tests Out Oreo 8.1 for Moto G5S Plus and More
Google rolled out the third developer preview of Android P aka Android P Beta 2 a few days ago. As expected, the Pixels were the first to get it, followed by the Sony Xperia XZ2, and the Essentials Phone. Today, the OnePlus 6 becomes the latest device to receive the beta and it brings some exciting new features with it. You can now hide the annoying notch completely and use the full-screen gestures introduced on the OnePlus 5T. Lastly, Google Lens has now been integrated into the camera app. The update has been rolled out to all users enrolled in the beta program and should be available via OTA shortly.
