Google Arts & Culture will soon get a new logo.

Two new Google trademarks appeared on the Internet, each featuring a "stylized ampersand." One is in Google's signature four-color design, while the other is simply black. The text of the trademark application for the logo confirms the proposed rebranding of Google Arts & Culture, with mentions of existing features such as virtual galleries, VR tours and more.

In addition, Google itself seems to have posted the new logo on the Arts & Culture Wikipedia page, listing it as the logo for 2022.

🔗 9to5Google

Google Maps is starting to have a transparent system navigation bar.

Yes, it may seem like a small thing, but for every Android user it is a painful topic. The transparent system navigation bar applies to all the screens of the app: from the pop-up place cards to the settings.

Unfortunately, it doesn't fix the color mismatch in the bottom navigation bar container (this was broken in late July). If you're not happy with that either, you can follow this link to Issue Tracker and click +1.

Google News | En

Google Contacts is starting to feature a filter carousel.

Now there will be a carousel of three possible filters at the top under the search bar: Phone contacts, Email contacts and Companies. It looks just like the filter carousel in the Google Messages app, which is only available in certain regions.

We don't see a similar feature in the 3.75.24 version of the app, so Google is again distributing everything in waves through the server.

Thanks @panduu221

Google News | En

Google has released Developer Support images for rolling back the Pixel 6, 6 Pro and 6a to Android 12 and 12.1.

As you may recall, the update to Android 13 for the Pixel 6, 6 Pro and 6a carries a bootloader update that closes a security hole and increments anti-rollback counter.

There are various reasons to go back to Android 12, first and foremost it's good for developers. To that end, Google has released "Android 12 Developer Support Images for Pixel." These are images of Android 12 and 12.1, with a new version of the bootloader. They do not pass CTS, "are for developers only and are not suitable for general use."

🔗Android Developers

The Google Wallet app got a themed icon.

In rebranding Google Pay to Google Wallet, the company somewhat forgot about the themed icon.

Fortunately, the Google Wallet update version 2.153.469766798 corrects this flaw.

Google News | En

YouTube Music updates its themed icon.

It is now larger, which is more consistent with the original icon. The updated icon appears with YouTube Music v.5.22.54 and will only be visible on Android 13 because it uses the new API.

Google News | En

Google created a video, showing a physical interpretation of Material You and the Android interface.

Someform studio and Zelig Sound created a video clip, commissioned by Google Design team, where we can see the familiar Material You elements recreated in the form of 3D objects.

We can see the references to the widgets, themed icons, interface adaptivity to different screen sizes and recently presented Roboto Flex. Also, at the end of the video, we see the Pixel 6.

Google News | En

Android 14 beta test will begin in April 2023. Android 13 QPR will end in March.

Google has updated its FAQ section to indicate that Android 13 QPR beta updates continue through March 2023, after which the Android 14 beta test will begin. This coincides with this year's Android 13 timeline.

Most likely, the company shortened the Android 13 QPR program to avoid confusion when two beta tests were conducted simultaneously, like this year. No, QPR3 is not canceled, just that there will be no public test.

🔗 Android Beta FAQ

Pixel 4 and 4 XL will not be included in the Android Beta 13 QPR1 program.

The FAQ section of the Android Beta site has a new list of eligible devices, which presumably refers to Android 13 QPR1 (Quarterly Platform Release). The Pixel 4 and 4 XL are not included. And there shouldn't be any surprises here. Android 13 QPR1 is due out in December, and support for the devices ends in October.

The Pixel 4 and 4 XL were released in 2019, and 3 years of support was announced back at launch. After October, the devices may receive 1-2 more updates with a few fixes, but still based on Android 13 with the October patch.

Hurry... the end of support is coming.

🔗 Android Beta FAQ

Android 13 permission prompts will soon get "Protected by Android" badge.

As Mishaal Rahman has learned, "Protected by Android" badge will soon appear in the Android 13 permissions dialog. Presumably this change will be part of the new unified Security & Privacy settings page, which is still missing from the final release of Android 13. Notably, the "Protected by Android" badge is also present on this updated page, which further reinforces this assumption.

🔗 Mishaal Rahman

Android 14 will support satellite connectivity.

Hiroshi Lockheimer, Google’s Senior Vice President of Platforms & Ecosystems, said that the next version of Android (14) will include built-in support for satellite connectivity.

This statement follows the announcement from T-Mobile and Starlink of the 'Coverage Above & Beyond' – a direct Starlink connection to existing phones that will bring cellular connectivity anywhere in the world, regardless of how close you are to any cell tower. T-Mobile aims to totally eliminate mobile dead-zones by integrating their existing mid-band PCS spectrum into Starlink V2 satellites. This will allow phones to connect directly to the satellites, without any changes needed to those phones.

The initial beta version of this service is targeted for late 2023.

🔗 Hiroshi Lockheimer

🔗 Space Explored

The world's first Pixel 7 Pro unpacking video has already appeared online.

Facebook group Gadgetfull BD (Bangladesh) has posted the world's first unboxing video of Google Pixel 7 Pro. This time we can already see the "G" logo on the back of the device, unlike previous engineering samples.

As you can see, the box packaging has not changed much since last year: white film on the display, Type-C to Type-C cable, OTG adapter, and a book with instructions.

🔗 Gadgetfull BD (Facebook)

Google News | En

Google has announced the fall Made by Google event, where it will present the Pixel 7, 7 Pro and Pixel Watch.

The event will take place on October 6 (Thursday) at 10 a.m. ET. It is officially confirmed that the company will show the new line of Pixel 7 flagships, its first smart watch Pixel Watch, as well as some new products from the Google Nest family. Most likely these will be the new Nest Wifi with 6E support and "Chromecast HD."

The event will be held in person in the Williamsburg neighborhood of New York, but in-person event is limited to invited members of the press. Everyone else is invited to watch the presentation via Event site or YouTube.

🔗 Event on Google Store

🔗 YouTube Livestream

🔗 Set a calendar reminder

Google News | En

September security patch has been released for Pixel devices running Android 13. The update for Pixel 6a is delayed.

Build: TP1A.220905.004

The September update for Pixel devices was supposed to coincide with the release of the Pixel Feature Drop, since they are released every 3 months. But apparently Google decided to postpone the fall Feature Drop, timing it to coincide with the October Made by Google event, as it did last year.

Among the fixed issues, the most critical for users was the non-functioning wireless charging, which was broken by some Pixel device owners (mostly Pixel 4) after the release of Android 13.

🔗 Pixel Phone Help

🔗 Android Security Bulletin

🔗 Pixel Update Bulletin

🔗 OTA images

🔗 Factory Images

Pixel 3a and 3a XL get the final Android 12.1 update.

The mid-range device unveiled at Google I/O 2019 received its final update today. Officially, its support ended in May of this year, after which the device received a small release for VoLTE roaming in June. It was also promised a final update "by July," but as you can see, Google delayed a bit.

The update has build number SP2A.220505.008 and is still based on Android 12.1 with the May security patch.

Pixel 3a XL: Factory Image — OTA
Pixel 3a: Factory Image — OTA

It's time to press F to pay respect.