UPDATE: Some users have figured out how to enable Call Notes, Pixel Screenshots, and other Gemini Nano-powered features on the Pixel 9!

It seems the culprit behind the model not downloading on bootloader unlocked devices is the Private Compute Services (PCS) app.

PCS last year implemented Key Attestation support to verify the authenticity of devices before allowing certain operations. AICore uses PCS' Protected Downloads API to securely download the Gemini Nano model.

(Interestingly, PCS last year added support for running the Protected Downloads operation in a virtual machine using AVF, though I'm not sure if this is actually used here.)

So by using TrickyStore to target PCS and modify the certificate chain generated for Android Key Attestation, voila, it works. Well, at least for now.

Scoop: OSOM, the company formed by former Essential employees, is being sued to turn over its financial records. Its former CPO alleges the founder has misused company funds to pay for Lamborghinis and his lavish lifestyle.

This is the Android 15 statue. It's the Bot holding a Vanilla Ice Cream cone. (Vanilla Ice Cream is the internal dessert name for Android 15.)

Source: Dave Burke on X

Told y'all: Google is releasing the Android 15 source code today, but the Pixel's Android 15 update isn't rolling out yet.

Here's all the details on today's Android 15 release.

While there isn't a Pixel Drop today, there is an Android drop!

Today's drop brings new features to Circle to Search, Chrome, TalkBack, and Google Maps for Wear OS, plus an expansion of Android Earthquake Alerts across the U.S.

More details on these new features can be found in this article on Android Faithful.

Since Google isn't rolling out the Android 15 update for Pixel devices today, they're instead pushing a new Android 14 QPR3-based update with the latest September 2024 security patches.

The update also removes a "third party APK to address [a] security vulnerability." Presumably, this refers to the vulnerability within the Showcase app that caused a stir recently (which was blown way out of proportion, to be honest.)

Google's TalkBack screen reader is getting a neat new feature that uses Gemini AI to generate descriptions of images that don't have alt. text.

Unfortunately, this feature won't be available on Samsung devices. Here's why.

If you're working on an Android 15 "custom ROM" or custom operating system project and find something interesting while digging through the AOSP source code, let me know!

My DMs are open.

Everything is not OSOM: The company born from Essential's ashes is shutting down

OSOM is effectively closing up shop later this week and laying off most of its employees. My condolences to the employees who will soon be out of a job 😔

If you update your work phone to Android 15 and find that Circle to Search suddenly doesn't work, it's because the update gives IT admins the ability to block the feature.

Here's how.

Gboard is rolling out a new UI for picking emojis, stickers, GIFs, and emoticons that's more optimized for tablets and foldables.

More details + screenshots can be found in this article.

You don't have to use Google Assistant or Gemini anymore to enjoy Circle to Search!

Circle to Search can finally be used even when the Google app isn’t set as the default assistant.

More details here.

Turns out I wasn't overthinking this :)

(Though I was wrong about this being the "only" change in the Easter egg in Android 15, as a later beta added the Landroid screen saver!)

Google is making your smart home setup even easier by backing up Thread credentials

Thread network credentials stored on your Android device are now synced to the cloud for quicker setup of new smart home devices.

Here's what this means for you.

Google is preparing a major overhaul to notifications and Quick Settings in Android 16

The good news? You might see more info in each panel.

The bad news? You'll need two fingers to pull down Quick Settings.

Full details + a demo can be found in my latest article for Android Authority.

Remember those revamped status bar icons that I posted about a few months back?

Yeah, they're in Android 15's source code, they're just not used/enabled by default yet. But you can build your own Android 15 ROM and enable them.

[Sb] New status bar wifi and mobile icons | [Sb] New unified battery icon

Android 15's top-level settings revamp that I posted about back in June will likely go live in QPR1.

AOSP trunk staging builds have the flag controlling this feature set to enabled by default, so we'll likely see this new design in an upcoming Android 15 QPR1 beta.

For reference, here's where the flag is read and here's the top_level_settings_v2 preference screen XML.

The general reaction to this first look at Android 16's new Quick Settings/notification panel design seems to be positive.

People like the new panels and how they have more space for notifications and QS tiles, but people don't like the idea that you'd have to use two fingers to bring down the QS panel.

As many have pointed out, this is still a very early look, so things can and will change. I hope the two-finger gesture requirement doesn't stick around. If Google changes it, I'll let you all know.

One other thing: @beachfuneral on Telegram pointed out that this new in-development QS/notification panel is actually in Android 15's source code already, so you can build an AOSP ROM and enable it yourself. Here's the documentation on flexiglass to get started.

One of the most exciting new features of Bluetooth 6.0 is Channel Sounding, which offers significantly more precise distance measurements than RSSI.

Even though the spec was just released, Android 15 already supports Channel Sounding.

More details can be found in this article.

Android 15 has made BIG changes to factory reset protection that make it much harder for thieves to sell stolen devices.

Here's everything you need to know about how Google has changed FRP in Android 15, including many previously unreported details.