Android
LineageOS 22 arrives with Android 15 and a host of enhancements
The modding community has just received a shot in the arm. LineageOS, the titan of custom Android ROMs, has officially unveiled its latest iteration: LineageOS 22. This release, based on Android 15 QPR1, brings a wealth of new features, performance enhancements, and, perhaps most excitingly, official support for the entire Pixel 9 series.
For those unfamiliar, LineageOS offers a refined, bloat-free Android experience, often extending the lifespan of devices beyond their manufacturer’s official support. With over 1.5 million installations worldwide, its impact on the Android ecosystem is undeniable. Now, Pixel 9 owners can experience this freedom and flexibility firsthand.
Pixel 9 Family Joins the LineageOS Fold
After a wait of a few months following the Pixel 9’s release, LineageOS 22 now officially supports all variants: the Pixel 9 (tokay), Pixel 9 Pro (caiman), Pixel 9 Pro XL (komodo), and even the Pixel 9 Pro Fold (comet). This means users of these devices can now unlock their full potential with a clean, customizable Android experience.
While the Pixel 9 series is still under Google’s robust support umbrella for the next six years, LineageOS offers a different kind of longevity. For enthusiasts who enjoy fine-tuning their devices and pushing them to their limits, this release is a game-changer. It also raises an interesting question: could LineageOS extend the usable life of these Tensor-powered Pixels beyond Google’s own timeline? Only time will tell how the hardware withstands the test of time and continuous use, but the dedicated LineageOS team’s commitment offers a promising outlook.
LineageOS 22: What’s New Under the Hood?
This isn’t just a simple Android 15 port. LineageOS 22 brings a suite of improvements and additions, building upon the foundation of Android 15 QPR1. Among the highlights:
- A Brand New Music Player: “Twelve”: Say goodbye to the old “Eleven” player. “Twelve” is a complete overhaul, boasting a modern Material You design, dedicated landscape mode for tablets and foldables, and support for various music library server protocols like Subsonic and Jellyfin. This offers users greater flexibility in managing and enjoying their music collections.
Integrated PDF Reader: Addressing limitations with the Jelly browser, LineageOS 22 now includes a native PDF reader. This eliminates the need for users to download separate apps for simple document viewing.
Redesigned Download Page: The LineageOS download portal has received a visual refresh, featuring a dark theme for the first time. It also offers improved navigation for downloading device images and a new feature for verifying downloaded files, even those not directly from the official repository.
Under-the-Hood Optimizations: Beyond the visible changes, LineageOS 22 includes numerous under-the-hood tweaks and enhancements inherited from the QPR1 update. These include improvements to charging limits, pseudo desktop mode functionality (especially relevant for devices like the Pixel Tablet), and a host of other refinements that enhance the overall user experience.
A Step Ahead of the Curve
LineageOS 22’s arrival before the end of 2024 marks a significant shift compared to previous releases. This early launch allows users running LineageOS 21 to upgrade to Android 15 well ahead of the new year. The release is based on Android 15 QPR1, designated as LineageOS 22.1 rather than 22.0, aligning with Google’s “minor SDK releases” update naming scheme. The team even hinted at LineageOS 23.2 as part of the proposed Android 16 25Q4 release cycle, showing a clear commitment to staying current with Google’s updates.
A Community-Driven Effort
With over 100 devices now supported by LineageOS 22, and an additional 50 supporting the previous LineageOS 21 build, the project’s reach is impressive. This is a testament to the dedication and passion of the LineageOS development team and the vibrant community that supports it.
While downloads weren’t immediately available at the time of the announcement, they are expected to roll out in the coming days. Enthusiasts eager to get their hands on LineageOS 22 for their Pixel 9 devices can monitor the official LineageOS download pages for updates.
LineageOS 22 represents more than just a software update; it’s a testament to the power of open-source development and the desire for greater control over our devices. It breathes new life into existing hardware, offering a fresh, customizable, and often more enduring Android experience. For Pixel 9 owners looking to push the boundaries of their devices, LineageOS 22 is an exciting prospect indeed.
Google has started rolling out Android Auto version 14.3 more widely after a limited release earlier this month. This update doesn’t bring new features, but it focuses on making things work better by fixing bugs and improving performance.
Android Auto 14.3 began showing up for more users through the Google Play Store, especially those using the beta version. If you’re already part of the beta program, you should see the update soon. For others, the rollout is happening gradually, so it might take a few days to appear.
While Google hasn’t provided detailed patch notes for this version, early users say that the update improves the overall experience by making the system more stable. Users haven’t noticed major visual changes, but smoother performance is always welcome, especially during driving.
As usual, Android Auto updates mostly happen in the background. If you want to check which version you have, open Android Auto settings on your phone. You can also join the beta program or install the APK manually if the update hasn’t reached your device yet.
In short, Android Auto 14.3 is all about improving stability and fixing problems that users might have faced in previous versions. It’s part of Google’s regular efforts to make the in-car experience better and safer for everyone.
Android 16 could include an update to make notifications simpler to process. Google is working on a feature called “notification cooldown with action buttons,” which addresses repeated alerts and provides helpful buttons whenever needed.
If you keep getting lots of notifications from the same app, Android usually does not alert you right away. Android 14 and 15 are currently testing the feature known as notification cooldown.
Now with Android 16, Google could go one step more by allowing app developers to add smart actions to each notification. They are helpful because they can respond to your recent usage of the apps or programs.
In some cases, if you get notified while using music, the message will also have an option to immediately handle your music settings. Similarly, a “reply” button may appear quickly or you could get other options useful for whatever is going on in your phone. It allows you to perform tasks you see in the notification without going into the app.
There is no official release yet, yet the code included in Android 16 hints that it is under development. If this solution is used, it may make receiving notifications more useful and less troublesome.
Generally, Android 16 attempts to make receiving notifications easier and more useful with its “magic” actions.
Google is rolling out a new look for the emoji section in Gboard, giving it a cleaner and simpler design. This updated layout is starting to show up for users on the latest Gboard beta version (13.9), and it might soon come to the stable version too.
In the new design, the emoji panel now floats above the keyboard instead of being attached to it. The search bar, category tabs, and the emoji grid all appear inside a neat floating window with rounded corners. This gives the whole emoji section a modern and less cluttered appearance.
The categories at the top are still there, but they now sit in a card-style bar that blends nicely with the rest of the UI. The search bar has also been updated with a clearer background, making it easier to use. Even though the layout looks different, the actual emoji and features like stickers and GIFs are still available and work the same way.
Some users have also noticed that this new style matches the look of other Google apps that follow the updated Material You design. It’s part of Google’s effort to make its apps feel more consistent and user-friendly across Android.
Right now, the redesign seems to be rolling out in stages, so not everyone will see it immediately. If you’re using Gboard beta, you might already have it, or it could show up soon.
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