Google News | En
Android 14 QPR2 (March) Beta 2 is out! List of fixes: • Fixed an issue where battery usage information that was reported in system settings was sometimes incorrect. • Fixed an issue where the fingerprint icon on the lock screen would sometimes display before…
Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2: Google is working on optimizing the Quick Settings layout for phones in landscape mode.
The quick settings will now be presented as a two-pane layout split into quick settings tiles on the left and the notification panel on the right. In addition, the brightness slider in this layout is now always available. And to access the player, you'll have to swipe up through the quick settings tiles.
Overall, this layout almost replicates the design on Google's tablets/foldable devices.
This change in Android 14 QPR2 is hidden behind a flag, so either we will see it already in the next beta or only in Android 15.
Source: Mishaal Rahman on Android Police
Google News | En
The quick settings will now be presented as a two-pane layout split into quick settings tiles on the left and the notification panel on the right. In addition, the brightness slider in this layout is now always available. And to access the player, you'll have to swipe up through the quick settings tiles.
Overall, this layout almost replicates the design on Google's tablets/foldable devices.
This change in Android 14 QPR2 is hidden behind a flag, so either we will see it already in the next beta or only in Android 15.
Source: Mishaal Rahman on Android Police
Google News | En
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Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2: Google is going to bring back the Bluetooth tile quick settings dialog.
This change will add an arrow icon (">") to the Bluetooth quick settings tile . Tapping this icon will open a pop-up dialog box that allows you to turn Bluetooth on/off, switch between recently paired Bluetooth devices, open the settings page for a specific paired Bluetooth device, or open the settings page for pairing a new Bluetooth device.
Once upon a time, stock Android already had such a feature until Google cut it out in Android 9.0. So 'everything new is the well forgotten old'.
This change is hidden behind a flag, and we will either see it in the final build of Android 14 QPR2 or in Android 15.
Source: Mishaal Rahman on Android Police
Google News | En
This change will add an arrow icon (">") to the Bluetooth quick settings tile . Tapping this icon will open a pop-up dialog box that allows you to turn Bluetooth on/off, switch between recently paired Bluetooth devices, open the settings page for a specific paired Bluetooth device, or open the settings page for pairing a new Bluetooth device.
Once upon a time, stock Android already had such a feature until Google cut it out in Android 9.0. So 'everything new is the well forgotten old'.
This change is hidden behind a flag, and we will either see it in the final build of Android 14 QPR2 or in Android 15.
Source: Mishaal Rahman on Android Police
Google News | En
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Fixing wallpaper history bug in Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2.
Many of you have encountered a bug where the recent wallpaper history is missing in the context menu when you hold down on the homescreen (empty space) or in the Wallpaper & Style app (colored tiles).
There is a way out: Create the walls history again. Change a few wallpapers and then the history will be restored.
Google News | En
Many of you have encountered a bug where the recent wallpaper history is missing in the context menu when you hold down on the homescreen (empty space) or in the Wallpaper & Style app (colored tiles).
There is a way out: Create the walls history again. Change a few wallpapers and then the history will be restored.
Google News | En
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Forwarded from Mishaal's Android News Feed
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In Android 14 QPR2 Beta 1, I enabled a flag that let you remove the At a Glance widget entirely, but there was another interesting flag called
In Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2, I've enabled this flag, which lets you move the At a Glance widget around on screen and even rearrange it if you want!
Sadly, even with this flag enabled, you still cannot add the At a Glance widget to third-party launchers like Nova Launcher. This is because At a Glance isn't actually a widget under-the-hood, it's a "custom element behaving like a widget." (Thanks to Kieron Quinn for digging into this.)
SMARTSPACE_AS_A_WIDGET that didn't work at the time.In Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2, I've enabled this flag, which lets you move the At a Glance widget around on screen and even rearrange it if you want!
Sadly, even with this flag enabled, you still cannot add the At a Glance widget to third-party launchers like Nova Launcher. This is because At a Glance isn't actually a widget under-the-hood, it's a "custom element behaving like a widget." (Thanks to Kieron Quinn for digging into this.)
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Google News | En
New features for the Pixel Watch in the December Pixel Feature Drop. In addition to new features for phones, Google hasn't forgotten about the watch either: • Call Screen is now on the Pixel Watch (English only in the US). With this feature, Google Assistant…
December update for Pixel Watch of both generations has been released
The December software update includes new convenience features, bug fixes, and performance updates for Pixel Watch Pixel Watch:
• New features for the first-gen Pixel Watch
This update adds synchronization of Do Not Disturb and Bedtime Modes between the first-gen Pixel Watch and your phone, as you can already do with Pixel Watch 2 since release.
• Bug fixes and performance improvements
A number of people experienced image retention on their Pixel Watch 2, which has been fixed in this update.
In addition, the Pixel Watch recently got a Watch Unlock feature allowing you to unlock your phone with the watch. And the first gen model got new watch faces from the second gen.
Build number: TWD9.231205.001 (for all carriers except Japan)
Google News | En
The December software update includes new convenience features, bug fixes, and performance updates for Pixel Watch Pixel Watch:
• New features for the first-gen Pixel Watch
This update adds synchronization of Do Not Disturb and Bedtime Modes between the first-gen Pixel Watch and your phone, as you can already do with Pixel Watch 2 since release.
• Bug fixes and performance improvements
A number of people experienced image retention on their Pixel Watch 2, which has been fixed in this update.
In addition, the Pixel Watch recently got a Watch Unlock feature allowing you to unlock your phone with the watch. And the first gen model got new watch faces from the second gen.
Build number: TWD9.231205.001 (for all carriers except Japan)
Google News | En
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In the new iteration, the Next, Lyrics, and Related buttons have lost their backing, and the player's background now has darker colors in a top-down gradient.
This design has been in testing since late October and is now being rolled out globally to all users.
Google News | En
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Google Keep is gearing up to add support for the Android 14 Note-taking feature.
Android 14 added a new role called ROLE_NOTES. If an app supports this notes feature, it can be accessed via a new System UI's Note-taking shortcut that will open as a floating chat bubble. This shortcut is also available on the lockscreen. You can learn more on Mishaal Rahman's explanation.
And in the latest update Google Keep app is finally adds some preparation for this feature. It's now can be chosen as "Default Notes app" in settings. And after you enable "Force enable Notes role" in developer options, you can setup a shortcut on the home and lock screen.
Currently, opening Keep using this shortcut only results in a screen prompting you to update the app and redirecting to the Play Store. But Google Keep already has a new setting for this feature, allowing you to adjust the duration of "using the last lock screen note".
Google News | En
Android 14 added a new role called ROLE_NOTES. If an app supports this notes feature, it can be accessed via a new System UI's Note-taking shortcut that will open as a floating chat bubble. This shortcut is also available on the lockscreen. You can learn more on Mishaal Rahman's explanation.
And in the latest update Google Keep app is finally adds some preparation for this feature. It's now can be chosen as "Default Notes app" in settings. And after you enable "Force enable Notes role" in developer options, you can setup a shortcut on the home and lock screen.
Currently, opening Keep using this shortcut only results in a screen prompting you to update the app and redirecting to the Play Store. But Google Keep already has a new setting for this feature, allowing you to adjust the duration of "using the last lock screen note".
Google News | En
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Google Calendar will soon add scrollable Month Navigation Chips.
When you click on a month in the top bar, a table of calendar days unfolds, which you can scroll left and right to switch between months.
A new feature adds scrollable Month Navigation Chips below the table, which allows you to find a specific month and quickly switch to it. This feature is currently hidden behind a flag.
Comment: I often share discovered flags in the GMS Flags app, so that users with root access can find this flag in the list of suggested flags in that app.
Google News | En
When you click on a month in the top bar, a table of calendar days unfolds, which you can scroll left and right to switch between months.
A new feature adds scrollable Month Navigation Chips below the table, which allows you to find a specific month and quickly switch to it. This feature is currently hidden behind a flag.
Comment: I often share discovered flags in the GMS Flags app, so that users with root access can find this flag in the list of suggested flags in that app.
Google News | En
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Google Play users have started seeing updates to modified apps.
Many users like to use modifications to popular apps because they bring some additional functionality that improves their experience. And usually, when you install a modified version, the app doesn't appear in the list of available updates.
However, a few days ago, users started seeing mods in the list of available updates. This is because Google activated the server-side flag MyAppsV3__univision_manage_apps_and_device_page, which essentially slightly changes the spacing between items and the size of icons (as seen in the image). But it also has the side effect of displaying available updates for modified apps.
Trying to update a modified app via Google Play will naturally end in an error.
*this only applies to modifications that use the original package name
Google News | En
Many users like to use modifications to popular apps because they bring some additional functionality that improves their experience. And usually, when you install a modified version, the app doesn't appear in the list of available updates.
However, a few days ago, users started seeing mods in the list of available updates. This is because Google activated the server-side flag MyAppsV3__univision_manage_apps_and_device_page, which essentially slightly changes the spacing between items and the size of icons (as seen in the image). But it also has the side effect of displaying available updates for modified apps.
Trying to update a modified app via Google Play will naturally end in an error.
*this only applies to modifications that use the original package name
Google News | En
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Google News | En
Google Files rolling out new "Important" tab. It looks like the rollout is only for users from India. This tab was announced in December at the "Google for India 2022" event in collaboration with the National e-Government Division (NeGD). It also talked…
Google Files will remove the "Important" tab in February 2024.
This tab was announced in December 2022 at the Google for India 2022 event and then rolled out in May this year to users in India. The 'Important' tab was designed to store important documents like passport, Aadhaar card or PAN card and was protected by android biometrics API.
However, Google has decided to remove this tab, as evidenced by a new warning window in the app. It says that the "Important" tab will be completely removed on February 15, 2024, as well as all files stored in it. So, before that date, you must copy all the files from that tab to another location on your device or you will lose them.
Thanks for the tip, @theyashhreddi8 !
Google News | En
This tab was announced in December 2022 at the Google for India 2022 event and then rolled out in May this year to users in India. The 'Important' tab was designed to store important documents like passport, Aadhaar card or PAN card and was protected by android biometrics API.
However, Google has decided to remove this tab, as evidenced by a new warning window in the app. It says that the "Important" tab will be completely removed on February 15, 2024, as well as all files stored in it. So, before that date, you must copy all the files from that tab to another location on your device or you will lose them.
Thanks for the tip, @theyashhreddi8 !
Google News | En
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Google is preparing a new Battery Health page with 'recalibration' feature.
Android 14 QPR1 introduced a new "Battery Information" page that displays the battery manufacture date and the number of charge cycles. However, this page is missing in the latest beta version of Android 14 QPR2.
Instead, Google plans to move the feature back to the Settings Services app as it originally planned. Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2 includes a new version of the app, numbered 1.1.0.577782882.df, which includes the *hidden* Battery Health page. So far, it shows "Unsupported" when I try to enable it.
However, strings within the app hint that Google will offer users the option to recalibrate the battery:
Also, the Battery Health feature has 5 possible states: Unsupported, Normal, Capacity Reduced, Unknown and Recalibrating.
Google News | En
Android 14 QPR1 introduced a new "Battery Information" page that displays the battery manufacture date and the number of charge cycles. However, this page is missing in the latest beta version of Android 14 QPR2.
Instead, Google plans to move the feature back to the Settings Services app as it originally planned. Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2 includes a new version of the app, numbered 1.1.0.577782882.df, which includes the *hidden* Battery Health page. So far, it shows "Unsupported" when I try to enable it.
However, strings within the app hint that Google will offer users the option to recalibrate the battery:
Improve battery measurements
Your battery is recalibrating. This process may take a few weeks. When it’s finished, the battery capacity will be updated.
The battery capacity shown above is before recalibration. It may change after recalibration is complete.\n\nThis is an estimate of the maximum charge the battery can currently hold compared to when it was new.\n\nBattery capacity decreases over time.
Also, the Battery Health feature has 5 possible states: Unsupported, Normal, Capacity Reduced, Unknown and Recalibrating.
Google News | En
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Google News | En
Google is preparing a new Battery Health page with 'recalibration' feature. Android 14 QPR1 introduced a new "Battery Information" page that displays the battery manufacture date and the number of charge cycles. However, this page is missing in the latest…
Android will identify the serial number of your battery and whether it has been replaced.
As discovered by Mishaal Rahman (via Android Authority), Google is working on revealing more battery-related information such as part status and serial number in the OS. Part status can have this states:
UNSUPPORTED - the device cannot distinguish between the original battery and a replacement battery
ORIGINAL - the device has the original battery with which it was manufactured
REPLACED - the device has a replacement battery
The serial number will be a string of 6 or more alphanumeric characters that uniquely identifies the battery.
What this information will be used for and how it will be used is still unknown, but we might see these changes in Android 15 next year.
🔗 Mishaal Rahman via Android Authority
Google News | En
As discovered by Mishaal Rahman (via Android Authority), Google is working on revealing more battery-related information such as part status and serial number in the OS. Part status can have this states:
UNSUPPORTED - the device cannot distinguish between the original battery and a replacement battery
ORIGINAL - the device has the original battery with which it was manufactured
REPLACED - the device has a replacement battery
The serial number will be a string of 6 or more alphanumeric characters that uniquely identifies the battery.
What this information will be used for and how it will be used is still unknown, but we might see these changes in Android 15 next year.
🔗 Mishaal Rahman via Android Authority
Google News | En
Android Authority
Android may soon tell you when it's time to replace your phone's battery
Android is preparing to give you an estimate of the remaining capacity of your phone's battery, making it easier to know when to replace it.
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January 2024 security patch has been released.
All supported devices starting with Pixel 5a (5G) and newer get the update. Fixed issues:
Camera
• Fix for users facing Camera crashes in certain conditions *[Pixel 5a (5G), Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro]
User Interface
• Fix for users facing flashing black screen when playing video in certain conditions *[Pixel 8 and 8 Pro]
• Fix for users unable to exit Setup Wizard in certain conditions *[Pixel Tablet]
• Fix for Wallpaper on home screen showing black in certain conditions *[Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8, Pixel Fold]
Build Number: UQ1A.240105.002 (.004)
Security Patch: January 2024
🔗 Android Security Bulletin
🔗 Pixel Update Bulletin
Google News | En
All supported devices starting with Pixel 5a (5G) and newer get the update. Fixed issues:
Camera
• Fix for users facing Camera crashes in certain conditions *[Pixel 5a (5G), Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro]
User Interface
• Fix for users facing flashing black screen when playing video in certain conditions *[Pixel 8 and 8 Pro]
• Fix for users unable to exit Setup Wizard in certain conditions *[Pixel Tablet]
• Fix for Wallpaper on home screen showing black in certain conditions *[Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8, Pixel Fold]
Build Number: UQ1A.240105.002 (.004)
Security Patch: January 2024
🔗 Android Security Bulletin
🔗 Pixel Update Bulletin
Google News | En
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Forwarded from Mishaal's Android News Feed
Wow - Google may be planning to ship a major kernel upgrade to all its (Tensor-powered) Pixel phones!
Current Tensor Pixels may be upgraded to Linux kernel 6.1, according to comments left on an AOSP patch by Google engineers. Tensor G1 and G2 Pixels currently run on Linux 5.10, while Tensor G3 Pixels run on Linux 5.15.
Tensor G4 Pixels (ie. the Pixel 9 series) may release with Linux kernel 5.15 but will also be upgraded to Linux 6.1.
Major kernel upgrades are rarely ever done for Android smartphones, even for Google. Google has had test branches for newer kernel releases for its Tensor Pixels, but you had to compile a kernel based on those branches yourself if you wanted to upgrade the major kernel version.
One big benefit of performing a major kernel version upgrade is it will make long-term support better in the future, plus it'll introduce new features.
(Thanks to akes29 on Twitter for the tip!)
Current Tensor Pixels may be upgraded to Linux kernel 6.1, according to comments left on an AOSP patch by Google engineers. Tensor G1 and G2 Pixels currently run on Linux 5.10, while Tensor G3 Pixels run on Linux 5.15.
Tensor G4 Pixels (ie. the Pixel 9 series) may release with Linux kernel 5.15 but will also be upgraded to Linux 6.1.
Major kernel upgrades are rarely ever done for Android smartphones, even for Google. Google has had test branches for newer kernel releases for its Tensor Pixels, but you had to compile a kernel based on those branches yourself if you wanted to upgrade the major kernel version.
One big benefit of performing a major kernel version upgrade is it will make long-term support better in the future, plus it'll introduce new features.
(Thanks to akes29 on Twitter for the tip!)
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"Nearby share" will be renamed to "Quick share" and merged with Samsung Quick Share.
At the annual CES 2024, Google has partnered with Samsung to announce that they are combining their top file sharing solutions into a single cross-Android solution called Quick share.
And to make device-to-device sharing even more convenient, Google is partnering with leading PC manufacturers like LG to make "Quick share" on Windows PCs as a pre-installed app.
In addition to this, the feature has an updated icon, it is now a ring with two arrows inside on a blue background. The UI on smartphones will also be updated, you can see the it on the attached screenshots.
The "Quick share" feature will start rolling out to current devices with "Nearby share" support next month.
🔗 Google Blog
Google News | En
At the annual CES 2024, Google has partnered with Samsung to announce that they are combining their top file sharing solutions into a single cross-Android solution called Quick share.
And to make device-to-device sharing even more convenient, Google is partnering with leading PC manufacturers like LG to make "Quick share" on Windows PCs as a pre-installed app.
In addition to this, the feature has an updated icon, it is now a ring with two arrows inside on a blue background. The UI on smartphones will also be updated, you can see the it on the attached screenshots.
The "Quick share" feature will start rolling out to current devices with "Nearby share" support next month.
🔗 Google Blog
Google News | En
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