Pixel8 Pro - Tricks with a New Android phone.
I Got a new phone recently.
It promises years of updates.
Will it be better value for money than the Xiami PocoPhone F1 I got in 2019 for ~325$?
With the poco, I had available:
What about LineageOS 📌
LineageOS is a free and open-source operating system for smartphones and tablets, based on the Android mobile platform. It is the successor to CyanogenMod, from which it was forked in December 2016.
What is LineageOS?
- Custom Android: LineageOS is essentially a modified version of Android. It takes the open-source code of Android and adds its own customizations and features.
- Community-driven: It’s developed and maintained by a community of developers, rather than a single company like Google or a phone manufacturer.
- Focus on customization: LineageOS is known for its focus on user customization and privacy. It often includes features that aren’t found in the stock version of Android.
- Extending device lifespan: It can breathe new life into older devices that may no longer receive updates from their manufacturers.
Is it Google compatible?
- Mostly yes: LineageOS itself doesn’t come with Google apps (like the Play Store, Gmail, etc.) pre-installed. This is because these apps are proprietary to Google.
- You can add Google services: However, you can usually install Google services and apps separately if you want to use them. This involves a process called “flashing” a Google package (often called “GApps”) onto your device.
- Some limitations: While most Google apps work fine, there might be occasional compatibility issues with some Google services.
What’s the difference with Android?
- Stock Android vs. LineageOS: Think of stock Android as the “vanilla” version of Android, while LineageOS is a customized version with added features and tweaks.
- Key differences:
- Customization: LineageOS typically offers more customization options than stock Android, allowing you to tweak things like themes, icons, and system behavior.
- Features: It may include features not found in stock Android, such as enhanced privacy settings, advanced theming options, and performance improvements.
- Updates: LineageOS often provides updates for devices that are no longer supported by their manufacturers, extending the lifespan of your device.
- Bloatware: LineageOS generally doesn’t include the bloatware (pre-installed, unnecessary apps) that often comes with stock Android from manufacturers.
- Google apps: As mentioned earlier, Google apps are not pre-installed on LineageOS, giving you more control over what apps you have on your device.
In summary: LineageOS is a popular choice for Android enthusiasts who want more control over their devices, more customization options, and a potentially longer lifespan for their older devices.
https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/device/beryllium/release/xenial/
It was also interesting https://grapheneos.org/usage
Leeeet’s see.
But there would always be time for the Pixel 8 Pro and https://calyxos.org/docs/guide/device-support/
Pixel 8 Pro - How to
Connecting Pixel 8 Pro to HDMI
- Activate developer mode by:
Go to Settings->About phone
, scroll all the way down and tap the Build number 7 times. After entering your screen lock, developer options will be enabled.
You can access them from Settings->System->Developer options
.
- Then, activate the settings as per: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0ausMrkrik
you will need to restart and HDMI cable to enjoy :)
Connecting a external drive
Pixel 8 Pro Conclusions
- For photos it is a beast.
And I had a Huawei P30 Pro before.
It can make 8160x4590 photos, which you can apply zoom with easy and not loosing much quality.
I also enjoy the night mode (but make sure to have a tripod).
- For videos, its up to 3840x2160 (4k UHD) at 60 fps and 63.6 Mbit/s bitrate.
Get ready for some serious backup setup!
FAQ
See information about your Android Phone with CPU-Info or with DevCheck
CPU: Tensor G3 (4x Cortex A510 + 4xCortex A715 + 1x Cortex X3) - ARMv8a 64bits
GPU: Mali-G715
Making Android better
Android Apps I love!
- CAPod - It works for Airpods Pro and for Sony WF-1000XM3
- Weather
- OrganicMaps
- Sound Recorder
- Ultrasonic
- Aegis 2fa
- Mullvad
- TailScale
- Syncthing
- Element
- RSS - Wallabag
- RSS ReadDrops
- NFC Tools
Running Windows on Android
Other Android Stuff
You can also emulate Linux inside Android, like I did with Termux, here.