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Samsung has begun rolling out Android 17-based One UI 9 to newer devices like the Galaxy Fold 8 and Flip 8, while older models approach the end of their update lifespans. Support duration varies widely across Samsung's lineup, with budget A-series phones generally receiving fewer years of meaningful software updates than flagship models.
Amazon is discontinuing its 15-year-old Fire tablet brand in favor of new Alexa Tablets that run standard Android with Google Play access instead of Fire OS. The lineup includes the Tablet 8 ($229), Tablet 11 ($329), Tablet 12 Pro ($499) and a Nanomatte Pro model ($549), shipping this month in the US, Canada and Mexico with Alexa+ integrated throughout the interface.
LineageOS has launched version 24.0, rebased on Android 17's codebase, which the team says it completed faster than expected due to prior adaptation work. The release also folds in security patches spanning August 2025 through October 2026 across branches from LineageOS 18.1 to 24.0, with legacy branches 15.1, 16.0 and 17.1 updated through November 2025.
Owners of foldable phones say they cannot place outgoing calls through Android Auto when their devices are closed, with one user receiving a prompt to 'flip open to continue.' Reports on Reddit and in Google and Motorola support forums indicate incoming calls still work fine, and several affected users say the problem began after they started using Gemini. Google and Motorola representatives have been gathering details from affected users but have not confirmed a cause.
Amazon introduced three new Alexa Tablets this week—8.7-inch, 11-inch, and 12-inch Pro models priced at $229, $329, and $499 respectively. The devices drop Amazon's proprietary Fire OS and custom App Store in favor of a near-stock Android experience with access to the Google Play Store. The 11-inch model includes 8GB of RAM and a 90Hz display at a lower starting price than Apple's budget iPad.
Samsung's One UI 9 update, introduced alongside its August foldable launches, is now widely rolling out to recent Galaxy flagship devices. The update is the first version of Samsung's interface built on Android 17 and includes several new features, including AI tools and a contextual-information feature called Now Nudge.
A developer has released Breadstick Linux as an app on the Google Play Store, aimed at users frustrated with limited Linux app support on Chromebooks and Android devices. The app is positioned as an alternative to the standard Linux terminal environment built into ChromeOS.
The Verge's staff has spent a week testing all five newly launched Googlebook laptops from Google's OEM partners and reports that the hardware is strong but the new operating system is riddled with problems. Testers cite missing features like swiping between desktops, inconsistent handling of Android apps, and basic text interactions that don't work properly in apps like Signal.
Amazon's new Alexa Tablet 12 Pro uses a 2024 MediaTek Dimensity 8400 chip originally built for smartphones, offering 8GB RAM on the 128GB model and 16GB on the 256GB model, compared to the iPad Pro's M5 chip and minimum 12GB RAM. The tablet runs Android, giving it access to more apps than Amazon's previous Fire OS devices, though still fewer tablet-optimized apps than Apple's App Store. It includes Prime-focused features like content recommendations, a Kindle reading mode, and quick access to the Alexa+ assistant.
Amazon has retired the Fire tablet brand after 15 years, launching three new Alexa Tablets that run full Google-certified Android with Play Store access, departing from the closed Fire OS approach. The lineup includes the $230 Alexa Tablet 8, $330 Tablet 11, and a $500 Tablet 12 Pro with a sharper 120Hz display, more powerful chip, and optional keyboard and stylus accessories.
Amazon has unveiled a new series of Alexa Tablets featuring an aluminum chassis and running on Android 16, with an upgrade to Android 17 planned for early 2027. These devices replace Fire OS with a standard Android experience, allowing users to access the Google Play Store and a wide range of apps, while integrating Amazon’s media and AI functionalities. The tablets also offer features like seamless content syncing across devices and a specialized Kindle mode for reading and battery optimization.
Amazon has unveiled a new line of Android tablets equipped with advanced Alexa capabilities, including live conversations and visual recognition. These features, previously unavailable, aim to enhance user interaction with the assistant for tasks like shopping, information retrieval, and object identification. Amazon's VP of devices indicated these innovations address previous product limitations, but declined to comment on potential smartphone development.