The year is ending and it’s time to take stock of everything that happened in Android in 2021. Changes in the system, falling phone prices, small innovations that make better use of phones and much more : we go through all the good things that happened to Android and also how much it must have suffered.
Our operating system is a mature system, nobody can say that I have disabilities, which does not look attractive on screen, Google has managed to adapt its software to cellphones, watches, televisions, cars and even washing machines. With over thirteen years behind our favorite android’s back, you’d think he had little left to live for. And the opposite is happening: 2021 left a small large collection of memories. Let’s review them.
The best Android brought in 2021
It’s not that this year has been particularly hectic in our operating system, on the contrary: in general we could say that it was continuist. New generations of phones without too many changes, there were no disruptive technologies and no big software surprises. Still, 2021 wasn’t bad either.
Android 12
It is mandatory to make a general mention of the new operating system: Android 12 gets the limelight on its own merits. It is a version which puts more emphasis on privacy, artificial intelligence and personalization. And like in previous releases, Android 12 won’t be available primarily on cellphones until next year, 2022.
Material You y Material Theming
Automatic interface customization is now a reality with Android 12: both icons, shortcuts and applications change tone depend ing on the wallpaper chosen. And without the user having to do anything: once all the apps and mobiles adapt the Android interface will be much more uniform and consistent
Native gameplay
Game panel horizontally with all shortcuts activated in the bubble
Google has included in Android 12 the game mode, a way to improve entertainment applications allowing the user choose the performance of the phone; in addition to giving the possibility to avoid distractions or to broadcast the game. Most brands already offered it in their layers, with Android 12, the game mode is available on all phones.
Call filter
Button to filter calls on the Google Pixel 6
Google has finally activated the call filter in Europe, a way to respond with the assistant to anyone who tries to call us. In this way, we avoid talking to telemarketers and strangers, also with anyone else we don’t feel like starting a conversation with. This is one of the best news from Google Assistant during this 2021.
Tizen and Wear OS, together
Meaning and sections of One UI Watch, Samsung’s layer on Wear OS 3.0
2021 is the year when a milestone is set in the field of watchmaking operating systems: Samsung and Google unified their respective platforms in the so-called Wear OS 3.0. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 were the first watches to acquire their novelties.
Tizen promises to add more fluidity to Wear OS, lower battery consumption and greater stability. At the moment, there are no excessive improvements, but it has not spread to more watches than the last ones from Samsung. Either way, the fact that two companies like Google and Samsung are turning to Wear OS is great news for Android.
Android apps on Windows 11
This Microsoft approach will further broaden the scope of Android applications: it is possible to launch them directly in Windows 11. For this, Windows uses a runtime system as emulator. And there are ways to launch any app on the system, including the Google Play Store itself.
Float the WhatsApp mobile app on your desktop, upload photos to Instagram from your app, smartphone games to your computer … And all with it. runtime system directly integrated into Windows 11.
The best midrange ever
2021 brought us so many mobiles that brands had to struggle to stand out. And what was the main way to stand out from the competition? Include the most features at the lowest price. The result has been extremely positive for our pockets.
Phones like the POCO X3 Pro, POCO F3, Realme GT Master Ed ition, Realme 8 Pro or Xioami 11 Lite 5G DO NOT show that buying a good phone has never been so cheap
More years of updates
System updates are endemic to Android; and everything indicates that it will be a long time yet. Despite this, 2021 has expanded the Three-year warranty on key updates and four years on security updates to many brands.
Google offers this figure, also Samsung, Vivo, OnePlus and OPPO. Of course, not on all phones: high-end models get the most attention.
The “inexpensive” screens
They started out as anecdote, they moved on to high-end devices and this year They have managed to reduce their access gap at a price that is not exorbitant. Credit goes to Samsung with its Galaxy Z Flip 3.
Not that the foldable phone is too cheap, but it is undeniable that Yes, it has been available to part of the public looking for a high-end mobile. And it is that for a little more than 900 dollars it is available in store; with many offers from operators and banks (also second-hand).
SAMSUNG Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G 8GB / 256GB Black (Phantom Black) Dual SIM F711B
Distribution figures come to life
We thought Google had definitely killed them after a long time without updating them, but no: the company has once again publicly communicated how ubiquitous each version of Android is. As per usual, the most used is the one that is one and two years behind the current one, Android 12.
Virtual RAM memory
It’s not that adapting storage space to function as volatile memory is precisely new, but it hit 2021 Android phones as one of the improvements worth highlighting. Virtually increase RAM memory can be counterproductive on mobiles with a certain power, quite the opposite of what happens in inexpensive phones. This is an improvement to expand the use of multitasking.
Seven things we’re still waiting for
Now is the time for self-criticism with what we want in Android and that has yet to hit this operating system. Most of the wishes are old demands that we fear will eventually accumulate by 2022.
Guaranteed updates for all mobiles
It’s true that the update process got better over the course of 2021 with the addition of several years of base builds and security fixes, but Android is still a long way from what Apple is doing with its iPhones. , for example. In addition, manufacturers favor their most expensive mobiles; leave the less expensive in the embarrassment, often without even a big Android update.
More security and quality on Google Play
The review of store apps continues without maintaining the security and quality that the Play Store should have. There is a lot of news related to malware, all despite the fact that Google improves automatic malware protection thanks to Play Protect. Between the restrictions of the App Store, and the wide sleeve of Google Play, there should be a happy medium that gives sufficient guarantees to Android users.
Gift apps from the Play Store
Google still doesn’t offer the ability to distribute apps on its Android app store. And it’s a shame: being able to give another user the app you were hoping for would be a good way to expand your app purchase.
Nearby sharing compatible with Windows / macOS
Share with Nearby has become the “Android AirDrop“. Cuesta un poco discover cómo activarlo y cómo enviar archivos a otro Android, pero lo cierto es que funciona muy bien. Between dispositivos Android, claro, porque no es compatible con los sistemas operativos de escritorio a pesar de que se rumoreaba su inclusion en Google Chrome.
Clipboard shared with computer
Ok, maybe split the file costs to implement, but Why not use a clipboard that syncs between Android and your computer? Chrome has tried something similar, there are also apps that perform this service with great success (like Clipt). At the system level, Google has yet to introduce the shared clipboard on Android.
Full desktop mode
Samsung Wireless DeX on Windows 10
Android 10 already included a native desktop mode, albeit disabled. Google still isn’t making it stable with Android 12, so we’re still waiting for it: transform the mobile into a desktop interface by connecting an external screen allows extended use away from the office. Samsung DeX is a prime example.
Full restore with application data
Restoring a backup when setting up a new phone has improved a lot, but it still doesn’t deliver the experience it should. Android installs apps without restoring most data. For someone who is used to changing mobile phones frequently, it is very annoying: once all the applications have been downloaded, you have to connect one by one; with the risk of having data lost because it was not saved correctly in the copy.
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