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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Google News | En
by XDA 🇬🇧 Google is extending Fast Pair to Android TVs, Chromebooks, and Matter devices Support for Fast Pair-enabled devices will roll out to Chromebooks in a few weeks. In addition, Google TV and Android TV OS devices will also get support for Fast Pair…
Chromecast with Google TV will get Fast Pair support next month.
Fast Pair is a way to quickly find and connect (pair) nearby Bluetooth accessories to your devices, such as an Android phone or Chromebook. Two years ago at CES 2022, the company also announced this feature for Android TV and Google TV devices as well.
And today, at CES 2024, the company announced that Fast Pair support will be extended to Chromecast with Google TV, and later this year to other Google TV devices. By putting the accessory into pairing mode, you can connect compatible headphones or speakers to your device with a single tap.
🔗 Google Blog
Google News | En
Fast Pair is a way to quickly find and connect (pair) nearby Bluetooth accessories to your devices, such as an Android phone or Chromebook. Two years ago at CES 2022, the company also announced this feature for Android TV and Google TV devices as well.
And today, at CES 2024, the company announced that Fast Pair support will be extended to Chromecast with Google TV, and later this year to other Google TV devices. By putting the accessory into pairing mode, you can connect compatible headphones or speakers to your device with a single tap.
🔗 Google Blog
Google News | En
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Forwarded from Mishaal's Android News Feed
LG TVs and select Google TV/Android TV OS devices will soon be able to act as Thread border routers for Google Home. This will let them act as a hub for your Matter-enabled smart home ecosystem, making it easier to add new Matter devices to your home network and control them from within the Google Home app.
Google didn’t share any details on which Google TV/Android TV OS devices will support this, but I previously discovered code in AOSP that suggests that a Thread network stack will be added in Android 15 but is being specifically backported to Android 14 as well for TV devices. So, it’s possible only some TVs running Android TV 14 will support this.
Google didn’t share any details on which Google TV/Android TV OS devices will support this, but I previously discovered code in AOSP that suggests that a Thread network stack will be added in Android 15 but is being specifically backported to Android 14 as well for TV devices. So, it’s possible only some TVs running Android TV 14 will support this.
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Forwarded from Mishaal's Android News Feed
Google Cast is getting better support for short form content, fixing a common problem, and expanding to new devices.
A new “auto-play” button can appear when you’re casting a short form video, giving you the option to cast just that specific video or automatically continue playing the next video after the current one ends. Speaking of short form video, you can now cast TikTok content from your phone! In the near future, you’ll also be able to cast live videos from TikTok.
A new “Persistent Cast icon” ensures the Cast icon will appear whenever users need it, even when no nearby Cast devices are detected. This is because users have complained that the Cast icon is missing, so now the Cast icon will persist to help explain why a specific device might not be visible. Developers are generally recommended to place the Cast icon prominently on every screen with playable content in the top right corner.
New devices with Google Cast support include LG’s 2024 TV series, and later this year, LG Hospitality and Healthcare products such as those in hotel rooms. Google says there are now over 220 million monthly active Google TV and Android TV OS devices (which all ship with Chromecast built-in).
Lastly, for Web Receiver apps streaming HLS content, Google is asking developers to migrate to Shaka Player for playback, since the current player (MPL) won’t get any feature updates. The Cast Web Receiver SDK has gained increased support for HLS playback using Shaka Player on cast device targets and has added an opt-in flag to enable it.
A new “auto-play” button can appear when you’re casting a short form video, giving you the option to cast just that specific video or automatically continue playing the next video after the current one ends. Speaking of short form video, you can now cast TikTok content from your phone! In the near future, you’ll also be able to cast live videos from TikTok.
A new “Persistent Cast icon” ensures the Cast icon will appear whenever users need it, even when no nearby Cast devices are detected. This is because users have complained that the Cast icon is missing, so now the Cast icon will persist to help explain why a specific device might not be visible. Developers are generally recommended to place the Cast icon prominently on every screen with playable content in the top right corner.
New devices with Google Cast support include LG’s 2024 TV series, and later this year, LG Hospitality and Healthcare products such as those in hotel rooms. Google says there are now over 220 million monthly active Google TV and Android TV OS devices (which all ship with Chromecast built-in).
Lastly, for Web Receiver apps streaming HLS content, Google is asking developers to migrate to Shaka Player for playback, since the current player (MPL) won’t get any feature updates. The Cast Web Receiver SDK has gained increased support for HLS playback using Shaka Player on cast device targets and has added an opt-in flag to enable it.
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Forwarded from Mishaal's Android News Feed
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Android’s media output switcher has gotten an upgrade in Android 14. The new Output Switcher 2.0 adds improved volume controls (such as the ability to tap the volume icon to quickly mute the media), device categories (“suggested devices” followed by “speakers & displays”), and support for picking up devices with custom protocols.
The last tidbit is the most interesting, since last CES, Google said Spotify Connect devices would soon show up in the output switcher; meanwhile Android 13 devices with GMS picked up support for showing Google Cast devices in the output switcher.
Developers interested in enabling Output Switcher support and features like background casting and remote-to-local playback should check out the Google Cast developer guide and Media router docs.
The last tidbit is the most interesting, since last CES, Google said Spotify Connect devices would soon show up in the output switcher; meanwhile Android 13 devices with GMS picked up support for showing Google Cast devices in the output switcher.
Developers interested in enabling Output Switcher support and features like background casting and remote-to-local playback should check out the Google Cast developer guide and Media router docs.
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