compatibility

Two 'compatibility' stories August 2014 - October 2015

Google outlines Android OEM requirements for full-disk encryption, fingerprint sensors, doze mode, more

Google has updated the Android Compatibility Definition document, and as is the case with every other major release of Android, this means that there are new requirements that manufacturers must follow if they want their phones to pass Google’s Compatibility Test Suite. Among the most obvious changes spotted today are a new mandate that full-disk encryption be enabled by default, as well as requirements for Marshmallow’s new doze mode and fingerprint sensors…
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Google Now Launcher now available for all Android 4.1+ devices

Update: Google says Now Launcher is available for all Android 4.1+ devices:

[tweet https://twitter.com/Android/status/495293118036447233]

It looks like the Google Now Launcher might soon be available on a long list of new devices as a small update to the app brings reports of expanded compatibility for a number of notable Android phones.

AndroidCentral points us to users seeing compatibility with devices including the LG G3, Verizon’s Galaxy S5, the HTC One M8, One E8, One Mini 2, Desire 816, and the Huawei Ascend P7.

The expanded compatibility isn’t officially included in the release notes nor has Google officially made an announcement, but we expect to hear more shortly. The Google Now launcher, which was previously only available for Nexus and Google Play Edition devices, adds Google Now to the home screen for a more integrated experience with the OS.

The Google Now Launcher is available on Google Play here.