News
Google reveals official name for Android N
After weeks of releasing beta versions to the wild for testing and collecting submissions for Android N names since the Google I/O 2016 developer conference in mid-May, Google has finally named its next major mobile operating system update. Android N will now forever be known as Android Nougat, following today’s announcement on Snapchat and Twitter.
The news comes as a bit of a surprise — several popular tech blogs had expected Google to choose Nutella or Nerds. But that would have required a licensing deal, and the last time Google went after a brand name was with KitKat, released three software iterations ago in 2013.
Android versions have indeed come a long way since the release of Android Cupcake (and subsequently, Donut) in 2009. In the past, the most popular operating system in the world, with over 80 percent global market share, has been named after a sweet treat or dessert, taking the name of Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop, and currently Marshmallow.
Android Nougat brings some significant user interface changes, including a redesigned notification panel and camera app, as well as a host of fresh features like a VR mode, split-screen multitasking, and support for a new application program interface (Vulkan) that should lead to better gaming performance. Its latest beta build is available to eligible Nexus devices, the General Mobile 4G (Android One), and the Sony Xperia Z3. The market-ready version of Nougat is expected to roll out in August or September.
Now, for some bad news: Android Marshmallow still has a dismal number of installs, despite launching in September 2015. Only 10 percent of Android devices are running the current version of Android, according to Google’s data; KitKat remains the most widely installed at 31 percent. That’s not to say Nougat users are guaranteed to be in the minority for a long time, but that may be the case.
[irp posts=”10272″ name=”Six months in, Android Nougat distribution still sucks”]
It seems like the race towards an all-screen smartphone isn’t over just yet.
While most in the tech industry are currently obsessed over Samsung’s latest wide foldable, TECNO announces a more refreshing sight — at least for the regular “slab-type” phone form factor.
Black borders begone
Modern flagship smartphones already have incredibly slim bezels, but there’s still a thin black border separating the active display from the frame. That’s due to the internal circuitry and safety clearances required by current display technology
TECNO proves it’s possible to dissolve that with their Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone. And this is actually the industry’s first smartphone with a true 0mm display bezel.
With this fresh concept, the uprising brand says it has solved that “final millimeter” by redesigning the phone’s internal structure and display packaging. The result is a display with a visible border measuring 0 microns (0mm). This makes the screen appear to stretch all the way to the edges.
Removing the bezel completely isn’t just about aesthetics. The company says such uninterrupted display makes a more immersive experience — whether you’re watching videos, playing games, browsing photos, or simply reading.
Without these visible borders, content appears to flow naturally from edge-to-edge, making the display look as if it’s floating in your hand.
A glimpse at TECNO’s future
As with most concept devices, there’s no word yet on whether this exact design will make it into a commercial smartphone. Still, TECNO says the engineering behind the concept goes beyond the display itself.
The technologies developed for the project (such as improvements related to cameras, touch responsiveness, audio, and AI-driven user interactions) could eventually find their way into the brand’s future flagship devices.
Whether or not a true bezel-free phone becomes reality anytime soon, the concept offers a glimpse at where smartphone design could be heading next. After all, TECNO’s super slim concept last 2025 actually became an actual retail product with the existence of TECNO Slim.
The concept is set to make its public debut on the upcoming ShowStoppers at IFA 2026 this September 3.
Apple has introduced Apple Upgrade, a new leasing program that makes it easier to get an iPhone, Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch through monthly payments. The program also gives customers more flexibility to upgrade to newer devices over time.
Apple Upgrade replaces new enrollments for the iPhone Upgrade Program with a single offering that covers four product categories. Apple partnered with Klarna to power the service.
Customers can lease an iPhone or Apple Watch for one or two years. Mac and iPad leases are available for two or three years.
At the end of the lease, customers have three options. They can upgrade to a newer device, purchase the leased device by paying the remaining balance, or return it with no further obligation.
Monthly payments start at US$17.99 for iPhone and US$24.99 for Mac, depending on the selected model and configuration. Customers must also qualify through Klarna before enrolling.
More than iPhones
Apple Upgrade expands beyond the company’s previous iPhone-only financing program. It brings iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch under one leasing service, making upgrades more consistent across Apple’s hardware lineup.
Customers can manage their lease through Apple, while Klarna handles financing and lease administration. They can also pay off their device early, although additional terms and fees may apply depending on the agreement.
Apple Upgrade is currently available only in the United States. Apple has not announced plans to expand the program to other regions.
News
Is the Pixel 11 copying a feature from Nothing?
A new ad is hinting at something like the Glyph interface.
August 12 cannot come soon enough. On that date, Google is set to launch the upcoming Pixel 11 series. There isn’t much to indicate that the brand is changing the formula this year. Now, a rampant rumor, now seemingly confirmed by Google’s own ad, is hinting that a popular feature from Nothing is making its way to the Pixel.
Besides the transparent rear, Nothing prides itself with numerous iterations of the Glyph interface, a lighting system that serves as customized notifications for your phone. It’s mostly a novelty, but the feature is a unique take in a smartphone market plagued with too much sameness. It looks like Google wants to take a page from that same notebook.
For a while now, it’s been rumored that Google is adopting a version of the feature for the Pixel 11 series. The so-called Pixel Glow will reportedly add a light-based notification feature. Now, Google itself has seemingly confirmed the rumors.
In a new ad, titled “The Obvious Next Move,” Google is teasing a new feature coming to the flagship series. Though the ad leaves the feature untitled and without a description, it’s clear that it’s a circular glowing thing similar to Nothing’s take. The glowing thing is right on the Pixel’s iconic camera bar, just like Nothing.
But again, Google didn’t name the feature. However, if it helps, the ad says that we already use the Pixel for Gmail, Maps, Search, Calendar, and Docs, so the next evolution is whatever is depicted in this ad. August 12 really cannot come soon enough.
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