Mishaal's Android News Feed
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Android news from an Android nerd
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๐Ÿ”’๐ŸฅทGoogle is expanding a key anti-theft feature to make your apps more secure

Identity Check in Android 16 QPR2 will make it harder for phone thieves to gain access to sensitive apps

Here's how๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ”—https://www.androidauthority.com/identity-check-expanded-app-support-3589693/
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โ˜€๏ธAndroid 16 QPR2 brings the "enhanced HDR brightness" setting that lets you stop HDR content from flashbanging you at night!

This was first added in the Android Canary release but is now live in QPR2 Beta 1.

More details ๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ”—https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr2-beta-1-features-3586944/#:~:text=SDR/HDR%20brightness%20slider
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๐Ÿ–ฅ๐ŸงAndroid 16 QPR2 brings support for running FULL desktop graphical Linux apps through the Terminal!

This went live in the 2507 Canary first but is coming in the December stable release!

You can even run full desktop environments!

More details ๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ”—https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr2-beta-1-features-3586944/#:~:text=Graphical%20apps%20support%20in%20the%20Linux%20Terminal
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๐Ÿ” Android 16 QPR2 introduces the "Secure Lock Device" feature that I reported earlier this year.

It'll also add a toggle to disable Failed Authentication Lock, which my colleague AssembleDebug first reported would be added.

Details ๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ”—https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr2-beta-1-features-3586944/#:~:text=Rahman%20/%20Android%20Authority-,Secure%20Lock%20Device,-Android%2016%20QPR2
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โฉ๐Ÿ“ฑAndroid 16 QPR2 brings the long-awaited 90:10 split screen ratio!

This feature makes split-screen multitasking much more efficient!

It's heavily inspired by @OnePlus_USA Open Canvas feature, but isn't borrowed from them.

Details๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ”—https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr2-beta-1-features-3586944/#:~:text=QPR2%20Beta%201.-,90%3A10%20split%20screen%20ratio,-Android%2016%20QPR2
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Hey Google...can you maybe not time these Android releases for the same day as big phone launches ๐Ÿ˜“

In addition to Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1, there's also a new Android Canary release...
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๐Ÿ”ฆAndroid finally lets you control your Pixel phone's flashlight brightness

The latest Android Canary release adds support for adjusting your Pixel phone's flashlight strength from Quick Settings

๐Ÿ”—https://www.androidauthority.com/android-update-flashlight-brightness-3589728/
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๐Ÿ“ฑGoogle finally lets you customize icon shapes on your Pixel's home screen

You only have five total icon shape options to pick from, but it's better than nothing.

This is available in the latest Canary release so far.

Screenshots of each shape๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ”—https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-icon-shape-options-3589736/
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๐Ÿ“ฑThe Pixel 10 Pro's new always-on display finally shows your full wallpaper

Google has finally launched the 'Ambient AOD' feature I spotted a few months ago! It's available on the Pixel 10 Pro. No word on when or if it'll come to other Pixels.

๐Ÿ”— https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-10-pro-aod-wallpaper-3589468/
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Visual Studio Code running on a Google Pixel phone via the Linux Terminal app in the Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 release.

Image credits: Andrey on Telegram

For more details on this Linux Terminal app, check out this article ๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ”—https://www.androidauthority.com/android-linux-terminal-future-plans-3581752/
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Remember the Google Jamboard?

That $5,000 digital whiteboard that Google killed off last year?

Three LineageOS developers have brought it back to life! Instead of throwing it out, you can turn it into a cartoonishly large Android tablet or run Android TV on it.

๐Ÿ”—Jamboard escapes the Google graveyard with a new lease on life from LineageOS
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RIP: Google has confirmed that it isn't currently working on a new tablet until it "figures out a meaningful future for the category."

The company also confirmed it isn't developing a smart ring, either.

More details๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ”—https://www.androidauthority.com/no-new-pixel-tablet-3590083/
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Oooh. Google Play will require developers submitting TV apps (with native code in them) to provide 64-bit versions starting August 1, 2026, in preparation for "upcoming 64-bit Google TV and Android TV devices."

Are we going to start seeing new TV devices with more RAM soon?

๐Ÿ”—https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/64-bit-app-compatibility-for-google-tv-android-tv.html
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๐Ÿ‘ชNew Android parental controls make it easier to manage kidsโ€™ devices your way

Google confirmed that Android 16 QPR2 will bring new "local" parental supervision controls.

I mentioned this in my Authority Insights newsletter last weekend.

Details๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ”—https://www.androidauthority.com/android-built-in-parental-controls-3590162/
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๐Ÿˆ๐Ÿ’น Some Pixel owners are getting a more powerful At A Glance widget

Sports and Finance cards are now appearing in the At a Glance space for some Pixel owners.

Received a few tips of this yesterday. LMK if you have this as well!

๐Ÿ”—https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-at-a-glance-widget-upgrade-3590232/
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โœ‚๏ธGoogle is rolling out a new screenshot editor on some Pixels

For some Pixel 9 users, screenshots now open up in Pixel Studio for editing, unlocking a wider range of options, including AI-powered editing tools.

Here's a first look ๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ”—https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-screenshot-editing-android-16-qpr2-beta-1-3590223/
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๐ŸŽงAndroid will soon let you decide if your Pixel can lower your loud headphone volume

To abide by regulatory requirements, Google in Android 14 QPR1 added a "sound exposure notifications" feature that not only warns you about prolonged exposure to loud audio but can automatically lower your headphone's volume to protect your hearing.

Currently, there's no way to control this feature - even in regions where it's not mandated by regulation. But Google is preparing a new 'Hearing Wellness' menu that will let you control this.

Images: @AssembleDebug for Android Authority

๐Ÿ”—Android will soon let you decide if your Pixel can lower your loud headphone volume
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