Mishaal's Android News Feed
Here's why Google walked back Android 14's work profile changes. Back in July, I reported that Android 14 tweaked the behavior of the work profile so that when you press "pause", the OS actually pauses the profile instead of turning it off. Google told me…
This change seems like a win for users and enterprises, but then with the release of Android 14 Beta 5.3, Google quietly reverted it and took down any documentation related to it. I asked Google why last month, but I never got an answer.
Apparently, though, the reason they scrapped these changes is because some third-party apps were incorrectly surfacing notifications to users when the work profile was paused. For example, a user with a Garmin watch told me that they were getting notifications forwarded to their watch even when the work profile was paused.
This is obviously problematic since in previous versions of Android, this didn't happen. In previous versions, since the work profile would fully shut down, no notifications would ever be posted, hence apps had no notifications to even intercept/forward. However, because Android 14's planned changes to the work profile mean the profile is always running, apps have to correctly implement the notification listener API to actually account for this and prevent work profile notifications from being surfaced.
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Apparently, though, the reason they scrapped these changes is because some third-party apps were incorrectly surfacing notifications to users when the work profile was paused. For example, a user with a Garmin watch told me that they were getting notifications forwarded to their watch even when the work profile was paused.
This is obviously problematic since in previous versions of Android, this didn't happen. In previous versions, since the work profile would fully shut down, no notifications would ever be posted, hence apps had no notifications to even intercept/forward. However, because Android 14's planned changes to the work profile mean the profile is always running, apps have to correctly implement the notification listener API to actually account for this and prevent work profile notifications from being surfaced.
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Here's a look at the Pixel 8 Pro's temperature sensor, courtesy of iFixit's teardown of the phone.
In case you're curious, Google locked down the temperature sensor so that only trusted apps can get data from it. Apps have to hold the permission
Developer mikagetsangry decompiled the Thermometer app in an attempt to force enable the body temperature feature (which is pending FDA approval), but upon recompiling, the app becomes unable to read data from the sensor.
Digging through the app, we can see what the preset emissivity values are for each supported object type.
The
In case you're curious, Google locked down the temperature sensor so that only trusted apps can get data from it. Apps have to hold the permission
com.google.sensor.permission.FAR_INFRARED_TEMPERATURE, which is defined in the Pixel Display Service app with the protection level preinstalled|signature, so only preinstalled or Google-signed apps can hold it.Developer mikagetsangry decompiled the Thermometer app in an attempt to force enable the body temperature feature (which is pending FDA approval), but upon recompiling, the app becomes unable to read data from the sensor.
Digging through the app, we can see what the preset emissivity values are for each supported object type.
The
FOOD_ORGANIC and BEVERAGE_WATER options are set to 0.95, which are the closest to the accepted value of human skin emissivity (0.98), so if you pick either option, you might get skin temperature readings that are relatively close to accurate. Of course, it's best to wait until the sensor gets FDA approval so they can roll out the proper body temperature mode.👍44🔥8
If you have an Android phone with the Personal Safety app paired with a Pixel Watch or Pixel Watch 2 running Wear OS 4, you can now turn on "multi-device location sharing".
From Google's support page: "When multi-device location sharing is turned on for your device, we will use that device’s location as a backup in the case you start an Emergency Share on another device, but that device can no longer share its location."
On Pixel, this toggle can be found by opening the Personal Safety app then going to Features > Emergency Sharing. You'll also need to toggle this on your watch as well.
Thanks to Telegram user anticringeclub for the tip!
From Google's support page: "When multi-device location sharing is turned on for your device, we will use that device’s location as a backup in the case you start an Emergency Share on another device, but that device can no longer share its location."
On Pixel, this toggle can be found by opening the Personal Safety app then going to Features > Emergency Sharing. You'll also need to toggle this on your watch as well.
Thanks to Telegram user anticringeclub for the tip!
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Instagram has finally added a themed icon on Android! This is available in version 307.0.0.0.30.
Now the only app that's missing support for this in my "Social" folder is Facebook.
H/T Omar Tosca on Threads
Now the only app that's missing support for this in my "Social" folder is Facebook.
H/T Omar Tosca on Threads
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Mishaal's Android News Feed
Photo
Facebook also now has a themed icon on Android, starting with version 439.0.0.0.30 (alpha)!
Thanks to White_Eagle_ on Telegram for the tip!
Thanks to White_Eagle_ on Telegram for the tip!
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Call Screen on Pixel is rolling out a new dialer chip that let you quickly respond to phone calls to see if they're urgent, without having to actually answer the phone.
eg. here, a tipster got a call from their mom, and the dialer screen showed a "ask if urgent" chip that would initiate Call Screen to ask if the call is urgent (always answer calls from your mother, folks)
This seems to have rolled out with the launch of the Pixel 8 series, based on user reports, but my tipster (Anh on Discord) saw this on their Pixel Fold.
My guess is that you'll get "ask if urgent" when you receive a phone call from a contact, otherwise the standard "screen call" will appear.
eg. here, a tipster got a call from their mom, and the dialer screen showed a "ask if urgent" chip that would initiate Call Screen to ask if the call is urgent (always answer calls from your mother, folks)
This seems to have rolled out with the launch of the Pixel 8 series, based on user reports, but my tipster (Anh on Discord) saw this on their Pixel Fold.
My guess is that you'll get "ask if urgent" when you receive a phone call from a contact, otherwise the standard "screen call" will appear.
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Google has announced that Play Games on PC now has over 3,000 games, which now includes the massively popular Clash of Clans and Clash Royale.
Also new is:
* An "All Games" section with a search bar
* Support for game controllers including Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One, PS5 DualSense, and PS4 DualShock. Requires game support.
* 4K screen resolution support, along with the ability to select from a list of supported screen resolutions in-game by pressing Shift + Tab.
Also new is:
* An "All Games" section with a search bar
* Support for game controllers including Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One, PS5 DualSense, and PS4 DualShock. Requires game support.
* 4K screen resolution support, along with the ability to select from a list of supported screen resolutions in-game by pressing Shift + Tab.
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The Google Play Games on PC developer emulator is now available for anyone to download. This developer-focused build lets you deploy games via ADB sideloading, adjust some graphics and hardware settings, and more. There are two tracks to pick from: Stable and Beta.
The developer emulator build was announced back in March during the Google for Games Developer Summit but was only open to approved developers who filled out a form.
The developer emulator build was announced back in March during the Google for Games Developer Summit but was only open to approved developers who filled out a form.
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