Mishaal's Android News Feed
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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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Here are some new Google Play policies app developers should be aware of:
* Starting January 31, 2024, apps that allow users to create content (text, images, voice, or video) using generative AI must prohibit the generation of Restricted Content. These apps must contain in-app reporting or flagging features that let the user report or flag offensive content.
* Starting mid-2024, Google will begin cracking down on apps that unnecessarily request the
* Starting May 31, 2024, the Device and Network Abuse policy will prohibit apps from using the full-screen intent permission (
* Starting January 31, 2024, apps that allow users to create content (text, images, voice, or video) using generative AI must prohibit the generation of Restricted Content. These apps must contain in-app reporting or flagging features that let the user report or flag offensive content.
* Starting mid-2024, Google will begin cracking down on apps that unnecessarily request the
READ_MEDIA_IMAGES and/or READ_MEDIA_VIDEO permissions (on Android 13+) to access the user's images and/or videos. Apps that only need to access the user's images and/or videos once or infrequently will be "requested" to remove these permissions and use the system photo picker instead. Starting in early 2025, though, only apps with core functionality relying on accessing the user's image and/or videos can use the READ_MEDIA_IMAGES and READ_MEDIA_VIDEO permissions.* Starting May 31, 2024, the Device and Network Abuse policy will prohibit apps from using the full-screen intent permission (
USE_FULL_SCREEN_INTENT) to force user interaction with disruptive ads or notifications. Android 14 changes the permission's protection level from normal to appop, and only apps that need to do things like set off an alarm or show an incoming phone/video call will be automatically granted the permission by Google Play. Other apps will have to request the user to grant the permission.❤53👍24🔥4😱4❤🔥2
Home Assistant, an open source home automation app, has been updated to show a Home Assistant dashboard instead of Android's limited set of device controls, when accessing the Device Controls interface on Android 14.
This is a bit confusing to explain, but bear with me.
Android 11 introduced a feature called Quick Access Device Controls (Device Controls for short) that provides an interface for smart home apps like Google Home to display controls for devices like smart lights, thermostats, cameras, and more. This Device Controls interface is accessed by tapping a shortcut in Quick Settings or on the lock screen.
These controls are displayed as templated widgets, ie. they all look the same no matter what app you use (Google Home, LG ThinQ, Mi Home, etc.) since Android handles the UI.
Android 14, though, added a new API (ControlsProviderService#META_DATA_PANEL_ACTIVITY) that lets apps embed a custom activity in the Device Controls interface. This means that instead of showing controls whose UI is determined by Android, apps can show basically whatever they want.
The Google Home app was the first to support this new API (which they call the "home panel"), and now Home Assistant supports it as well, as shown in the above video (recorded by tipster Hamzah Malik).
Here's Home Assistant's documentation on the app's support for Android's Device Controls feature. And also attached are some screenshots from a developer showing the settings interface for enabling this on Android 14.
This is a bit confusing to explain, but bear with me.
Android 11 introduced a feature called Quick Access Device Controls (Device Controls for short) that provides an interface for smart home apps like Google Home to display controls for devices like smart lights, thermostats, cameras, and more. This Device Controls interface is accessed by tapping a shortcut in Quick Settings or on the lock screen.
These controls are displayed as templated widgets, ie. they all look the same no matter what app you use (Google Home, LG ThinQ, Mi Home, etc.) since Android handles the UI.
Android 14, though, added a new API (ControlsProviderService#META_DATA_PANEL_ACTIVITY) that lets apps embed a custom activity in the Device Controls interface. This means that instead of showing controls whose UI is determined by Android, apps can show basically whatever they want.
The Google Home app was the first to support this new API (which they call the "home panel"), and now Home Assistant supports it as well, as shown in the above video (recorded by tipster Hamzah Malik).
Here's Home Assistant's documentation on the app's support for Android's Device Controls feature. And also attached are some screenshots from a developer showing the settings interface for enabling this on Android 14.
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FLAPPY BIRD FLAPS ON!
Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 does not have any CPU cores that support AArch32 (32-bit Arm apps).
Despite this, the Xiaomi 14 series is able to run 32-bit Arm apps like Flappy Bird, as shown above by @MlgmXyysd.
How is this possible?
MlgmXyysd did some digging, and discovered that Xiaomi integrated a 32-bit to 64-bit Arm binary translator called "Tango" from a company called Amanieu Systems.
Tango is a commercial tool that can be integrated into builds as a kernel module compatible with the GKI. For reference purposes, an OS image (based on Android 13 GrapheneOS) is provided for the Pixel 6.
Given Google's latest crackdown on 32-bit app support in Android 14, shipping a 32-bit to 64-bit Arm binary translator will be the only way for devices with new chipsets to support 32-bit apps. More details on this crackdown here (for subscribers).
MlgmXyysd's original post (in Chinese) talks a bit more about how this tool is integrated into the build (it's found under /system_ext/bin) and, more interestingly, how it performs.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 does not have any CPU cores that support AArch32 (32-bit Arm apps).
Despite this, the Xiaomi 14 series is able to run 32-bit Arm apps like Flappy Bird, as shown above by @MlgmXyysd.
How is this possible?
MlgmXyysd did some digging, and discovered that Xiaomi integrated a 32-bit to 64-bit Arm binary translator called "Tango" from a company called Amanieu Systems.
Tango is a commercial tool that can be integrated into builds as a kernel module compatible with the GKI. For reference purposes, an OS image (based on Android 13 GrapheneOS) is provided for the Pixel 6.
Given Google's latest crackdown on 32-bit app support in Android 14, shipping a 32-bit to 64-bit Arm binary translator will be the only way for devices with new chipsets to support 32-bit apps. More details on this crackdown here (for subscribers).
MlgmXyysd's original post (in Chinese) talks a bit more about how this tool is integrated into the build (it's found under /system_ext/bin) and, more interestingly, how it performs.
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Nearby Share seems to automatically redact phone numbers/IMEIs, but only if you share them from Android to Windows.
It's a bit odd, though, since Nearby Share on Windows thinks you're receiving an "audio file". Does this happen for anyone else?
It's a bit odd, though, since Nearby Share on Windows thinks you're receiving an "audio file". Does this happen for anyone else?
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After updating to Android 14, some users with a Pixel 6 and later who have multiple users or profiles set up have been unable to access any of their media storage on the primary user.
Google now says they "have already pushed out a Google Play system update" that will "help prevent this issue from being triggered on additional devices." Google anticipates that "a system update will repair the issue and restore access to media files without requiring a factory reset."
Unfortunately, if your device is "stuck in a 'Pixel is starting' boot loop", which happens when the device repeatedly reboots and the user declines factory resetting their device when prompted on the Android recovery screen, then there currently isn't a fix. However, Google says they are "investigating methods that may be able to recover some data" and that they'll "provide more information as soon as it is available."
If you have a Pixel phone on Android 14 and are not currently having this issue, or you already factory reset your phone after encountering this issue, then it's recommended that you don't create or log into a secondary user on the device until Google pushes the OTA update fixing the issue.
Google now says they "have already pushed out a Google Play system update" that will "help prevent this issue from being triggered on additional devices." Google anticipates that "a system update will repair the issue and restore access to media files without requiring a factory reset."
Unfortunately, if your device is "stuck in a 'Pixel is starting' boot loop", which happens when the device repeatedly reboots and the user declines factory resetting their device when prompted on the Android recovery screen, then there currently isn't a fix. However, Google says they are "investigating methods that may be able to recover some data" and that they'll "provide more information as soon as it is available."
If you have a Pixel phone on Android 14 and are not currently having this issue, or you already factory reset your phone after encountering this issue, then it's recommended that you don't create or log into a secondary user on the device until Google pushes the OTA update fixing the issue.
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Samsung is starting to roll out the stable release of One UI 6.0 (based on Android 14) to the Galaxy S23 series, as reported by Sam Mobile.
With Android 14 now reaching Samsung's flagships, we should start seeing a noticeable uptick in the number of users on the latest Android OS release.
With Android 14 now reaching Samsung's flagships, we should start seeing a noticeable uptick in the number of users on the latest Android OS release.
SamMobile
BREAKING: Stable Galaxy S23 Android 14 (One UI 6.0) update is here!
Samsung is rolling out the stable Android 14-based One UI 6.0 update for the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, and Galaxy S23 Ultra for beta testers.
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Porsche has announced that it's integrating Android Automotive with Google Automotive Services into its future infotainment systems. Production of this updated infotainment system will start "in the middle of the decade".
"This integration of the Google ecosystem will include Google Maps, Google Assistant, and a wide variety of apps available through the Google Play Store."
Porsche says that the UI of its Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system will remain familiar to existing customers, and that in the future, "ecosystems from different providers that are relevant for customers will be integrated directly into the vehicle via standardized interfaces and platforms."
"This integration of the Google ecosystem will include Google Maps, Google Assistant, and a wide variety of apps available through the Google Play Store."
Porsche says that the UI of its Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system will remain familiar to existing customers, and that in the future, "ecosystems from different providers that are relevant for customers will be integrated directly into the vehicle via standardized interfaces and platforms."
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Google has provided an update on the status of RISC-V support in Android.
- Work on a fully optimized backend for the Android Runtime (ART) is still a work in progress
- AOSP, external projects, and compilers haven't generated fully optimized, reduced code that also takes advantage of the latest ratified extensions, such as the one for vectors.
- Later this year, Google expects to have the NDK ABI finalized and canary builds made available on Android's public CI soon, as well as RISC-V on x86-64 & ARM64 available for easier testing of riscv64 Android apps on a host machine.
- By 2024, the plan is to have emulators available publicly with a full feature set to test apps for various device form factors. Wearables are expected to be the first form factor available (see: Google and Qualcomm's recent announcement).
- Google is working with the community and the RISC-V Software Ecosystem (RISE) Project to provide a way to accelerate the availability of software for high-performance and power-efficient RISC-V processor cores running high-level operating systems. Google is also continuing to invest in RISC-V International.
If you're interested in contributing, you can go to the android-riscv64 GitHub project to discuss, submit issues, and stay up-to-date on the current progress. You can also subscribe to the RISC-V Android SIG mailing list. Finally, you can also build, test, and run an Android RISC-V image as a CVD. Just select the
- Work on a fully optimized backend for the Android Runtime (ART) is still a work in progress
- AOSP, external projects, and compilers haven't generated fully optimized, reduced code that also takes advantage of the latest ratified extensions, such as the one for vectors.
- Later this year, Google expects to have the NDK ABI finalized and canary builds made available on Android's public CI soon, as well as RISC-V on x86-64 & ARM64 available for easier testing of riscv64 Android apps on a host machine.
- By 2024, the plan is to have emulators available publicly with a full feature set to test apps for various device form factors. Wearables are expected to be the first form factor available (see: Google and Qualcomm's recent announcement).
- Google is working with the community and the RISC-V Software Ecosystem (RISE) Project to provide a way to accelerate the availability of software for high-performance and power-efficient RISC-V processor cores running high-level operating systems. Google is also continuing to invest in RISC-V International.
If you're interested in contributing, you can go to the android-riscv64 GitHub project to discuss, submit issues, and stay up-to-date on the current progress. You can also subscribe to the RISC-V Android SIG mailing list. Finally, you can also build, test, and run an Android RISC-V image as a CVD. Just select the
aosp_cf_riscv64_phone-userdebug target in the lunch menu.👍45🤔9❤4🔥3