Newsletter
Verizon has started to distribute a software package to the Moto Z2 Force which will upgrade the handset’s operating system to Android 8.0 Oreo. This new update brings several new features and under-the-hood improvements to the smartphone. Among the new features is the Picture-in-Picture mode, a functionality that allows users to view two applications simultaneously by placing one app in a smaller window on top of another application. Another new feature that comes with the software upgrade is the notification dots, a feature that alerts users on which applications still have unread notifications. Long-pressing on these dots will open a set of quick actions. Once the update is installed, users may launch apps or trigger certain actions after simply highlighting specific words. On the other hand, users may see a number of under-the-hood improvements including improved performance of applications and games, and reduced device boot-up times. The changelog provided by the handset maker also states that the update will bring redesigned emojis.
The update is currently rolling out automatically, and it may take several days before all devices receive the software package. It is advisable that the user should only download the software upgrade when the handset is connected to a Wi-Fi network since downloading the update using a mobile data connection may result in additional carrier charges. In addition, the user should also backup the files and images stored in the smartphone to a personal computer or a microSD card in order to prevent loss of important data. People should also verify if the handset has sufficient battery charge to last the entire installation process. After installing the update, the new software build can be identified through the firmware version number ODX27.109-34.
The Moto Z2 Force was unveiled in July 2017 and it is powered by the Snapdragon 835 chipset from Qualcomm. This SoC is comprised of an octa-core Kryo 64-bit CPU and the Adreno 540 GPU. The smartphone sports a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 by 1440 pixels. The variant of the device sold in the United States contains 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal flash storage, which can be expanded using a microSD card. The rear cameras of the handset are equipped with two 12-megapixel sensors while the front-facing selfie shooter has a 5-megapixel sensor. To keep the lights on, the Moto Z2 Force contains a 2,730mAh battery and it supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 for fast top-ups for the device.
