AMAZON has urged Android users to install a new Google update.
It’s designed to repair a key problem with Android phones introduced through a recent update.
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The problem meant that some apps would break totally, and be completely unusable.
It was linked to the Amazon Appstore, which Amazon says has now been fixed.
Users who have updated to Android 12 have reported being unable to use the Amazon Appstore properly.
That’s Amazon’s rival to the Google Play Store – a popular place to download apps and games.
Worse still, users say apps downloaded from the Amazon Appstore have stopped working too.
Google’s Android 12 started rolling out for free in October.
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Soon after, users began reporting issues with with the Amazon Appstore, as revealed by Liliputing and The Verge.
Amazon says it has issued a fix.
“We are contacting customers with steps to update their Appstore experience,” an Amazon spokesperson said.
“We are sorry for any disruption this has caused.”
Sadly, some users say they’re still experiencing issues after installing the Amazon update.
For some users, the Amazon Appstore appears empty.
Others report seeing false notifications asking for app updates, or launch failures for Amazon Appstore apps.
Amazon has admitted that some users are experiencing issues.
“We are aware and working to resolve an issue impacting app performance and launches for the small number of Amazon Appstore users that have upgraded to Android 12 on their mobile devices,” an Amazon spokesperson said.
“This issue does not impact Amazon Fire Tablets or Fire TV devices.”
It’s unclear what’s causing the issue, but it appears to be linked to how Android 12 interacts with Amazon DRM – or digital rights management.
This is a system that makes sure you’re not illegally using Amazon Appstore apps.
Amazon says it’s working on resolving the problem.
But if you’re a regular user of Amazon Appstore apps, it might be worth holding off on updating to Android 12.
What is Android 12?
Android 12 is the latest version of Google’s operating system that powers billions of smartphones around the world.
If you don’t use an iPhone, chances are your handset runs on Android – whether it’s a Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus or other device.
Google unveiled its revamped operating system (OS) on May 18 during the opening keynote of its I/O 2021 conference.
The company says it’s focused on privacy and personalisation for this new version.
Google explained some of the features coming with Android 12 in a blog post on May 18.
Google said the beta has been designed around personalisation and privacy.
“Android 12 builds on everything you love about Android, and focuses on building a deeply personal phone that adapts to you,” the firm wrote.
The operating system is “secure by default and private by design, and makes all your devices work better together,” Google added.
Headline additions include new microphone and camera toggles to protect users from snooping apps.
In settings, you can now turn off app access to the sensors for the entire system to stop malicious software from spying on you.
A new indicator to the top right of your status bar lets you know when your apps are accessing your microphone or camera.
Google has also added a new SOS function that will trigger an emergency alarm after five consecutive presses of the power button.
Aside from all that, Android 12 represents “the biggest design change in Android’s history”, according to Google.
The system pulls accent colours from your wallpaper and applies them across the OS for an attractive, themed design.
You’re also able to completely personalise your phone with a custom colour palette and redesigned widgets.
Bigger, rounder bubbles have been added to the notification shade, making it easier to see things at a glance.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
