Folks at Android Authority first spotted the feature back in June, and now it seems that Google has finally rolled it out. The feature brings a new "Turn on Auto-open" toggle under the "Open" button on the app's Play Store listing after you have selected "Install."

Once you have enabled the toggle, its description changes to "Automatically open after install," and the Play Store will open the app after the installation completes. Before the app reaches 100%, the Play Store will display a notification indicating the time remaining before the app automatically opens.

The code related to the feature suggests that there will be a 5-second timer in all cases. This will help users understand how long it will take for the app to open after the notification pops up. The feature has been spotted in the Google Play Store version 42.5.15, which hints that it shouldn't take long to reach more users.

Google has a few things in store for the Play Store in development behind the walls. Recently, it was reported that the Play Store will let download or update three apps simultaneously. Previously, it was spotted that the feature was limited to downloading or updating two apps at the same time. However, Google has reportedly increased the limit by adding one more app.

Also, the Play Store could soon let you update sideloaded apps. The company also recently announced the end of its Play Store app bug bounty program nearly seven years after its inception.

Let us know in the comments below if you have the new Google Play Store auto-open app feature on your Android device.

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If you want to play music through your USB drive, then you need to exit Android Auto and select the appropriate option from your car manufacturer's entertainment system to access these files. It appears this may change soon. Because, in an APK Teardown of the latest version of the Android Auto app, a couple of new services and icons have been spotted.

With the Android Auto app v12.8, services, and icons related to "car local media" were spotted, which added radio controls in the app. Now, folks at Android Authority have spotted a new service and icon for local media playback. Here is the string that indicates the feature:

Car Local Media

There is a possibility that Google could bring both the radio controls and local media playback options together in a single future update. However, it is uncertain when these features will land on the Android Auto app.

Recently, Android Auto was spotted prepping up to introduce support for Gemini Live. This indicates that you will soon be able to start a conversation and shoot up your questions to Android Auto, and get answers powered by Gemini Live.

The Google Assistant on Android Auto also received a redesign back in July. The new Google Assistant UI appears when the assistant is waiting for a reply from you, displays a circular-shaped pill, and vanishes when the reply is processed. The UI is similar to how Apple's Siri looks on CarPlay.

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According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp will automatically generate a custom filter at the top of the chats list. Reportedly, this will happen after the user creates a list of people or group chats. With this custom lists feature, users will be able to quickly locate specific conversations.

The custom lists feature will carry the same name as the list itself, making it easier to identify and apply the appropriate filter to view chats within that particular list. This will help users focus on important discussions without distractions.

Once the feature becomes available, users will save time negating the need to scroll through the long list of chats. For now, the feature is currently under beta testing and is live for a limited set of WhatsApp Android beta testers via the Google Play Beta program, which is currently full at the moment for WhatsApp.

Aside from the custom lists feature, WhatsApp is also developing a Passkey feature that will allow users to use their biometrics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition to protect the WhatsApp backup. This eliminates the need to protect the backup with a custom password or a 64-digit encryption key and remember it if you don't wish to get locked out of your backup.

Moreover, the messaging platform is also working on the "Mark all as read" button, which will allow users to quickly mark all unread messages as read with a tap of a button. Additionally, WhatsApp for Android is also testing AR effects and filters for video calls on iOS.

The Android beta app is also expected to bring support for usernames with an option to set PIN to limit spam messages. So, without the PIN, those who wish to contact you for the first time, will not be able to message you directly, even if they have your username.

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A new leak from tipster Ming-Chi Kuo on social media platform X gives us some interesting details about next year's iPhone 17 Pro Max. Notably, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to feature 12GB of RAM, the most in any iPhone to date. Currently, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max offer 8GB of RAM.

Kuo further notes that the ultra-thin iPhone, likely to be called the iPhone 17 Slim, along with other models in the lineup, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and even the iPhone SE 4 will all pack 8GB of RAM. Reportedly, advanced AI features will be the major selling point and could be the reason for the upgraded RAM specification on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

In addition to more RAM, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is anticipated to come equipped with an upgraded cooling technology, combining Vapor Chamber technology with a graphite sheet. Other models in the iPhone 17 series are tipped to continue using graphite sheets for thermal management.

It's worth noting that various Samsung Galaxy devices have been using the Vapor Chamber cooling technology for years. However, despite packing Vapor Chamber thermal management technology, Android devices still lag behind Apple iPhones in terms of performance and efficiency.

Ming-Chi Kuo also added that since the Pro Max models account for nearly 40% of new model shipments, Apple is expected to continue offering better upgrades and clear differentiation from other models, especially the Pro model, next year as well.

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The Clean Up tool can be accessed by tapping the new eraser-like icon in the Photos app toolbar. Through the power of AI, Clean Up can automatically select objects in photos through smart detection. If needed, users can also manually select the objects themselves. Once selected, Clean Up removes the object and fills the space with appropriate content to blend with the overall photo. This feature can also identify and remove an unwanted object's shadow or reflection.

When a photo is edited with Clean Up, it will be clearly marked as "Modified with Clean Up" in the Photos app. This allows users to identify whether the image has been edited using AI. Apple is also updating the photo's EXIF data with the "Apple Photos Clean Up" information. However, this EXIF data will not be included when a user shares the edited photo through popular social media channels like Instagram.

The Clean Up tool is not entirely new to the smartphone industry. Samsung and Google have already been offering similar features in their respective flagship smartphones for months. Recently, Google introduced a new feature called Reimagine that takes AI photo editing to the next level. With Reimagine in Magic Editor, users can simply describe what they want in a text box and see their ideas come to life. For example, they can change the appearance of grass, skies, trees, indoor decor, and more in their photos.

Apple Intelligence features, including the new Clean Up tool, will be available for free and are expected to be released to users in beta this fall in U.S. English..

Source: 9to5Mac

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However, instead of instantly switching to a different keyboard, tapping on the keyboard switcher button on the navigation bar opens a "Choose input method" dialog in the middle of the screen, with options to choose between different keyboards.

While this feature is helpful and not many complain about it, it does involve a couple of steps to change the current input method. It appears that Google has a solution to simplify switching between keyboards with Android 15.

In the latest Android 15 QPR1 (Quarterly Platform Releases) update, folks at Android Authority were able to enable a revamped keyboard switcher. The new keyboard switcher has a modern interface, that better matches with the rest of the Material You elements of the OS and is placed much lower on the screen, making it a fit for one-hand operation.

Notably, the button itself has changed and is no longer an abstract keyboard but has been replaced with a wireframe globe icon. The best part is that tapping once on the button will instantly switch to a different keyboard.

Repeatedly tapping on the button will cycle through all the enabled keyboards on your phone. Long pressing the button brings up the keyboard switcher dialog, giving you access to change the language settings.

There is no confirmation when this new keyboard switcher button will land on Android devices. However, since it seems to be fully functional, it should be available with the stable version of Android 15, as it makes keyboard switching much easier and suitable for one-hand use.

Recently, Google inadvertently revealed that Android 15 will debut in October. This information was included in the release notes of the Android 14 downgrade OTA.

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However, Google Messages still has a limitation, that it continues to send heavily compressed media. Fortunately, it appears that Google has recognized this problem and may soon address it. In the latest APK Teardown post, evidence suggests that in a future update to Google Messages, the app will allow users to send original quality photos in RCS chats.

The evidence was found in Google Messages' latest beta version messages.android_20240823_00_RC00.phone_samsung_openbeta_dynamic. The screenshots shared suggest that when sending media in RCS chats in Google Messages, users will see two options.

• Optimized for chat: Send media faster with compressed quality
• Original quality: Send media in high quality but will use more data

To send high-quality, uncompressed media, you must choose the "Original quality" option, which will, understandably, use more data. Furthermore, whichever option a user chooses will apply to current and future chats. After selecting the desired quality, users will be able to add the caption to the image and hit the Send button to share the media.

It is speculated that the Google Messages' Settings page will gain an option in the future to change this setting at any time. This feature is currently under development, and there is no confirmation when it will be available for all users.

Besides, there is no clarity when Apple will switch to RCS support for iPhones, but it is likely to happen after the launch of the iPhone 16 series, slated to debut next month on September 9. Google's new setting should be ready to roll out when RCS support arrives for iPhones.

Source and image: Android Authority

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Instead, the update was anticipated to roll out in October, possibly in the middle of the month. However, Google seems to have quietly confirmed the launch timeline for Android 15. The release notes of the Android 14 downgrade OTA, which is rolled out to devices opting out of the Android beta program, read, "If you are waiting for the Android 15 stable update, please ignore this OTA until Android 15 is available in October."

Since Google released this OTA, it essentially confirms that Android 15 will indeed arrive in October. This kind of information is typically provided to beta users to avoid confusion about when the stable update will reach their devices and how long they can continue to ignore the Android 14 downgrade OTA.

It is interesting because the source claims that Google declined to confirm the initial report when asked but indirectly confirmed it via release notes. Android 15 is expected to land on quite a few phones, the first in line being the Pixel devices, for obvious reasons.

Here is the alleged list of devices that will get the Android 15 update:

• Google Pixel 6
• Google Pixel 6 Pro
• Google Pixel 6a
• Google Pixel 7
• Google Pixel 7 Pro
• Google Pixel 7a
• Google Pixel Tablet
• Google Pixel Fold
• Google Pixel 8
• Google Pixel 8 Pro
• Google Pixel 8a
• Google Pixel 9
• Google Pixel 9 Pro
• Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
• Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Android 15 is expected to have many new features and tweaks. Recently, it was reported that the company is working on a feature that would allow users to change the resolution and rotation of the external display. It is also rumored that Android 15 could bring a tablet-like taskbar to smartphones.

Source and image: Android Authority

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This feature will be particularly useful for users who are a part of multiple active groups. There are times when the topic of discussion in a group may not be of interest, leading to unread messages that continue to show up whenever a new message notification arrives.

Fortunately, once the WhatsApp "Mark all as read" feature rolls out, users will be able to mark all chats as read at once. This will eliminate the need to mark individual chats or mute them. WABetaInfo discovered this feature in the Android beta version 2.24.18.11.

Notably, the feature will be available above the Settings button within the hamburger menu. The feature is currently under testing and in its beta stage.

If you wish to try out the feature, you need to be a part of the WhatsApp beta program through the Google Play Store, which is currently full at the moment.

That's not the only feature WhatsApp is working on. After rolling out the feature for Android beta users, WhatsApp also began testing AR effects and filters for video calls on the iOS beta.

There will also be a low-light mode that will help enhance visibility in poorly light conditions.

Additionally, WhatsApp is also working on adding support for usernames with an option to set a PIN to limit spam messages.

Once the feature rolls out, users will have the option to share their usernames instead of phone numbers and also anyone wanting to message you for the first time would require your PIN to send a message.

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Thirteen years after launching on the iPhone, Snapchat has finally brought its app to the iPad. In an update note on Monday, Snapchat announced that it now offers native support for the iPad, allowing the app to fill your entire screen for the first time.

 

Until now, iPad users were stuck using the iOS version of the app, leaving them with unsightly black borders surrounding an iPhone-sized Snapchat interface. This made it less than ideal to view or take snaps on the app, as well as try on filters.

 

Image: Snapchat

 

Image: Snapchat

 

Of course, this shouldn’t be an excuse to start slinging your iPad around in public to send pictures to your friends. Snapchat is available with iPadOS 13.0 or later. It also currently only supports portrait mode, which means it won’t rotate when you tilt your device.

 

Even if the app came a decade late, at least Snapchat actually launched an app for the iPad. Now, all we need is Instagram to do the same.

 

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However, it seems like Xiaomi is all set to launch a button-less smartphone and that too as early as next year. According to a new leak by tipster chuvn8888 (via Smartprix), Chinese OEM Xiaomi, is working on a flagship device codenamed "Zhuque" that will not feature any physical power or volume buttons.

This button-less device is purportedly currently in development and is expected to launch sometime in 2025. There is no information yet about the technology Xiaomi may be planning to use in its button-less phone. There is speculation that it could involve a combination of capacitive buttons, pressure-sensitive sensors, and vibration motors to register input.

It is also rumored that Xiaomi's flagship button-less phone could support gesture controls or even voice commands. Additionally, Xiaomi might also use an under-display selfie camera and the phone is expected to be powered by the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 4 processor.

Xiaomi is rumored to use the same chipset in its upcoming Xiaomi 15S Pro smartphone, scheduled to launch in the second quarter of 2025. Since Xiaomi's button-less phone is still in the early stages of its development, details about the device's camera, display, or battery are currently unavailable.

Aside from this button-less phone, Xiaomi is also rumored to be working on a tri-folding phone. Meanwhile, Xiaomi's Chinese counterpart, Huawei, is expected to launch the world's first tri-folding phone next month, confirmed directly by the company's CEO. Huawei's tri-folding phone has already been spotted in the wild a couple of times and it appears to be pretty thin when folded.

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The new feature was spotted under testing in the Google Messages beta v20240820_00_RC00, according to 9To5Google. As per the screenshots, the Group chats section will appear below the individual contacts when you enter a search keyword in the "To" field on the New Conversations page.

Users will also be able to search for group chats using a search term related to the group's name or its participants. Do note that this is just another way of searching chats based on the group's name or its participants. Notably, Google Messages's search functionality already lets you do the same.

The page will show all the corresponding conversations in the new chat section, along with a preview of the last message related to the search term. Tapping on the result will take you to the group chat where the search keyword was used.

The New Conversations page saw a change in October 2023, when Google Messages got rid of the "Top Contacts."

The feature is currently limited to the Google Messages beta testers. It is expected to be available in a future update along with some other features that Google Messages is currently working on.

Recently, it was reported that Google Messages is working on removing the YouTube PiP player, which allowed users to view the shared YouTube video in a PiP (Picture-In-Picture) mode.

Google is also working on redesigned read receipts and new animations for the Google Messages app, as well as dual-SIM support for RCS chats. This feature is currently being tested in the Google Messages beta.

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Tipster ShrimpApplePro on social media platform X has shared a couple of real-world images that supposedly show the Google Pixel 9a. The leaker claims to have gotten his hands on the leaked images from a private Facebook group, and the image is now leaked because the poster of these images is a Google employee.

What's more interesting is that the tipster claims that the alleged Pixel 9a will be released before the end of this year and will be available in four color options. The leaked images show the device's front and back views.

The alleged Pixel 9a sports a flat design similar to the recently launched Pixel 9 series. On the back, is where most of the changes can be spotted. You can see that the camera module is now immersed inside the back panel, unlike the protruding camera module Google has with the Pixel 9 series.

The image also shows a tweaked rear logo suggesting that this is a prototype device. On the bottom, there is a USB-C port for charging and a speaker grill along with the SIM tray. The images were also spotted in a 20-day-old post on the Vietnamese tech forum Tinhte, with the poster suggesting that these were the images of a phone that Google will launch on August 13. Google launched the Pixel 9 series on the day, and not the Pixel 9a.

For now, we would advise you to take every bit of skepticism that this is the Google Pixel 9a.

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The news comes on the heels of a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, where users hint at a rumor about Xiaomi's plan to launch a tri-fold smartphone. Xiaomi already has regular foldables in its lineup, but flaunting a triple-folding smartphone can make a significant splash in the market.

Yet, there is no confirmation from company insiders or tipsters about the alleged phone. So, we can take the news with a pinch of salt and wait for more confirmations. However, given that Chinese companies are often at the forefront of ushering in a new era of technology, Xiaomi's plan for a triple-folding smartphone should not be surprising.

Also, the phone is said to be a new member of Xiaomi's Mix lineup, which now consists of Mix Fold 3 MIX Flip devices. More details about the alleged phone could pop up in the coming months, especially with some of the biggest tech shows like IFA 2024 and Mobile World Congress ahead.

With Huawei and Xiaomi leading the charge in exploring the idea of triple-folding smartphones, the foldable smartphone market is set to witness a significant shift. The once fuzzy perception of foldable phones is now a thing of the past, with more customers showing interest in dual-screen phones. In light of this, more companies are expected to join the foldable smartphone segment with some innovative products.

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Apple says that its latest changes to default apps in iOS 18 are part of its effort to "continue the dialog" with the European Commission about DMA compliance, which also forced the company to implement major App Store shifts.

By the end of the year, Apple will introduce a new "Default Apps" section where customers will be able to see and change each default app category. For reference, in the current form, app defaults are scattered across different settings parts, which makes them less apparent. In addition, users will be able to set custom defaults for additional app categories, such as calling, messaging, passwords, keyboards, and spam filters. In 2025, two more categories will arrive: translation and navigation.

Here is what the new Default Apps section will look like:

More changes are also coming to the default browser choice screen. If the user has only Safari installed, iOS will present a screen with alternative browsers upon the first launch (once per device) and ask the user to scroll through the list and make a selection. If the user selects and downloads another browser, say, Microsoft Edge, the preferred browser will replace the Safari icon on the first page of the Home screen or in the dock. Also, developers will get access to more information about default browser selection and how the choice screen performs.

Finally, Apple will let its customers in the EU delete more stock apps, such as App Store, Messages, Photos, and Safari. That will make the Settings app the only non-removable application in iOS and iPadOS. Again, all these changes will only apply to customers in the European Union.

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Now, Max Weinbach, on social media platform X, has shared another interesting feature included with the Pixel 9 series phones

One of the most annoying aspects about setting up a new phone is the time that it takes for the data from your old phone to copy over to your new phone. It seems like the Pixel 9 range has a solution to it.

According to Weinbach, you can use Wi-Fi and a cable simultaneously when transferring data from your old phone to the Pixel 9 series. Notably, you can plug in the cable at any time during the transfer process and the phone will take advantage of the wired connection and help speed up things.

This is good news for those who just can't wait to start using their new Pixel 9 phones. Although you can use it without transferring the data, having all of your data on your new phone from day one ensures you won't have to switch back to your old phone for it.

Particularly, the option to use Wi-Fi and a cable to speed up data transfer isn't entirely new. Back in May, Google was already spotted working on such a feature, suggesting that it was being developed for inclusion with the Pixel 9 phones.

But that's not the only important change coming with the Pixel 9 series phones related to data transfers. You can now choose to restore your data from an older phone to a new Pixel 9 phone at any time. Previously, you could restore your data from an older device only during the initial setup process.

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The price hike will affect more than 40 countries, including the United States. This price increase is applicable only to Tier 1 subscriptions purchased through its mobile apps; all other subscriptions remain unaffected by the change. Tier 2 and Tier 3 subscriptions will still be priced at their current levels, as will the subscriptions made through the desktop website.

It's not the first time subscription prices have gone up at Twitch. Back in July, it increased the price of Tier 1 subscriptions on the desktop site from $4.99 to $5.99 per month. This new mobile increase, though, means that subscribing from an app will again be pricier than doing so on desktop.

Still a platform yet to turn a profit since being bought by Amazon in 2014, Twitch explained that the mobile increase will let them offset the fees taken by Apple and Google for in-app purchases via their respective app stores. Their reasons, however, did not augur well with some users on social media.

It remains to be seen whether these higher subscription prices—matching those on desktop—will be the final pieces of the puzzle that bring Twitch to the status of profitability. The service still heavily relies on games and dedication from both streamers and viewers.

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currently known. It’s a strange release in more than one way.

Re-release runs on all iPhones and iPads, but only available as OTA download for some

Apple first launched iOS 17.6.1 nearly two weeks ago with ‘important bug fixes.’

It’s rare for the company to issue a re-release of the same numbered software update. It’s even more unusual for that re-release to happen so long after the first version.

Sometimes Apple discovers a significant bug or vulnerability in a software release and issues a patched version a day or two later. But the original 17.6.1 debuted August 7, so this new version arriving on August 19 treads a new path.

For most iPhones and iPads, the new iOS 17.6.1 update appears to have been released as an OTA download via the Software Update screen inside the Settings app.

However, it’s unclear whether devices will see the update if they already have the original 17.6.1 installed. It’s possible only devices running 17.6 or older will automatically see the new 17.6.1.

All iPhones and iPads can manually download and install the new 17.6.1 from Apple’s developer center, though.

This unusual release pattern for the updated iOS 17.6.1, and the fact that the version number wasn’t bumped up to 17.6.2, points to a very minor change being implemented.

Likely this re-release only brings a small bug fix that doesn’t necessarily impact all users. However, there is no official word from Apple on what this new version of 17.6.1 is meant to address.

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The "Sound Matters" collection includes six ringtones and alarm sounds, as well as four notification sounds. This new set of sounds is available for the Pixel 4 and newer devices. According to 9To5Google, the collection is rolling out with version 3.1 of the Google Sounds app and is expected to land on all supported devices in the coming days.

The audio in this collection includes the "dawn chorus of birds found in remote and wild areas of Botswana and Zimbabwe." Google collaborated with award-winning wildlife sound recordist George Vlad to capture all of the sounds in this collection. Google sound designer Henry Daw describes the vision behind the collection:

We didn’t want this to be just another nature sound collection. We sought out sounds that are deeply meaningful and reflective of our natural world, in both a positive and thought-provoking way. Sounds that are different to what most people hear every day, whether living in urban areas or less nature-rich ecosystems. Ultimately we want these unique sounds to refresh and inspire all who experience them.

Here is the complete list of ringtones, alarms, and notification sounds in this collection:

• Ringtone sounds:
  • Cape Turtle Dove at Dawn
  • Botswana Bushveld at Dawn
  • Limpopo Riverbed at Dawn
  • Zimbabwe Savannah at Dawn
  • Arrow-Marked Babbler at Dawn
  • Water Thick-Knee at Dawn

• Alarm sounds:
  • Limpopo Savannah at Dawn
  • Botswana Bushveld at Dawn
  • Zimbabwe Savannah at Dawn
  • Limpopo River at Dawn
  • Limpopo Riverbed at Dawn
  • Zimbabwe Hills at Dawn

• Notification sounds:
  • Meyer’s Parrot at Dawn
  • Limpopo Riverbed at Dawn
  • Crested Francolin at Dawn
  • African Fish Eagle at Dawn

You will find this new set of sounds by heading over to the Sounds & vibration section in your Pixel device's Settings menu and selecting the "Sound Matters" collection in the Phone ringtone, notification sound, and alarm sound.

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Now, with AirDrop, Phone Link, Link to Windows, Nearby Share and other wireless transfer solutions available in abundance, this is no longer necessary in many cases. Some users still prefer to transfer files via cables, as it does not require using an application for that.

Windows 10 and 11 users may use the Link to Windows app on their Android device to transfer files between Windows PCs and Android.

The details:

• Link to Windows is a free app by Microsoft for Android.
• The feature is supported on all recent Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems.
• File sharing is handled via the operating system's share feature.

You need to download and install the Link to Windows app on your Android device. Installation is straightforward. Once done, you are ready to link the Android device to a Windows PC in the following way.

Configure Link to Windows

The easiest way to get started is the following one:

1. Right-click on a file and select the "Share" option from the context menu.
2. Select "Phone Link" in the Share window.
3. Pick Android on the Phone Link setup screen.
4. Open the Link to Windows app on Android.
5. Select "sign in to add computer".
6. Activate "Sign in using the QR code on your PC".
7. Scan the QR Code displayed on the Windows PC with the Android device.
8. Select Continue.
9. Type the code shown on the PC on your Android device.
10. You may be asked to type the Microsoft account password.
11. Allow or disallow access to certain features, such as SMS, phone calls, or contacts.
12. Tap on Done to complete the process.

You may now use the Share menu at any time to send files from the connected Windows and Android devices. This works both ways.

Note that you need to repeat the process for any Windows PC or Android device that you want to connect as well.

Sharing requirements

The following requirements apply when sharing files between Windows devices and Android using Link to Windows:

• Both devices need to be online.
• This works only over Wi-Fi by default. On Android, you may enable "Use mobile data" to allow transfers to use mobile data.
• You need Phone Link version 1.24032.156.0 or later.
• You need the Link to Windows app on Android version 1.24032.518.0 or later.

Using Phone Link on PC

On PC, you may use the Phone Link app to control certain features on the Android device. What you can do depends on the permissions that you gave the Android app.

One thing that you can do, even if you disallowed all permissions, is to browse all photos of the Android device. You can use the feature to browse photos, save, share, or delete them.

The feature lacks a major option though: the ability to select and work with multiple photos at once. It is impracticable for downloading or deleting large numbers of photos.  There is also no option to browse photos quickly or use jump to a specific time period using it.

This leaves the browsing and managing of newly captured photos as the feature's main purpose.

Tip: to transfer multiple files, use a file browser and the share feature of the device instead.

Closing Words

There you have it; another way to transfer files between Android and Windows. The advantage here is that this option is baked into Windows 10 and 11 already. While you still need to install the Link to Windows app for Android, the integration in Windows means that you have one less step to worry about.

Obviously, some Windows users may not like the Microsoft account requirement, but this is why it is optional. Other solutions, including Google's Nearby Share or open source solutions such as Snapdrop are also available.

Do you transfer files between your mobile devices and PCs frequently or even regularly? Which solution do you use for this? Feel free to write a comment down below.

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The new feature adds a layer of privacy and control for WhatsApp users. When the option is enabled, WhatsApp will detect unknown accounts and block messages from them, helping you keep your inbox de-cluttered.

Messages from unknown contacts will be blocked after they have breached a certain volume, protecting users from potentially harmful communication. According to WABetaInfo, this feature would also help improve app performance, as an influx of spam messages often causes errors and slows down the app. Additionally, it will reduce the amount of data WhatsApp needs to process.

Once the feature is released, users should see a dedicated "Block unknown account messages" toggle and enable it from inside WhatsApp's Settings menu. As per the report, the feature appears to be available only to a limited set of users and is expected to roll out in a future update.

This isn't the only feature Meta is preparing for WhatsApp on Android. Previously, we reported that the messaging platform was working on a new feature that would allow users to apply a custom chat theme to all conversations.

Additionally, WhatsApp has also been spotted working on a sticker-related feature that integrates the GIPHY sticker library into the app and also adds a built-in sticker creator.

Recently, it was also reported that WhatsApp could bring an Instagram-like status reaction feature, which would allow users to express their appreciation for someone's status update with a heart emoji.

All these features are still under development and may or may not make it to the stable release stage.

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According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple plans to release AirPods 4 in two variants to replace both AirPods 2 and AirPods 3. The second generation of AirPods was released in 2019, while the third generation was made in 2021.

As the new report suggests, AirPods 4 will have a basic tier to replace the AirPods 2 and a higher-priced tier to put AirPods 3 out to pasture. Additionally, the more expensive variant of AirPods 4 could feature active noise cancellation and wireless charging, while the entry-level tier will be deprived of them. Some design differences between the two versions are also expected.

Yet, there is no confirmation about naming the new AirPods 4 variants. However, to make products distinguishable, the lower tier could get a "Lite" or "Slim" name to be on par with alleged iPhone 17 Slim model. Another expected change is replacing the Lightning connector with a USB-C.

While the exact pricing of the new AirPods remains a mystery, we can make some educated guesses based on the current lineup. The AirPods 2, with its basic features, is available for around $90, while the more advanced AirPods 3 is priced at $179. The AirPods 4 will likely fall within a similar price range.

Given that the mid-tier AirPods 4 is closing the gap with AirPods Pro, Apple might need to refresh the $249 AirPods Pro as soon as next year. Also, the AirPods 2 is more likely to be discontinued immediately after the AirPods 4 launch. At the same time, the AirPods 3 could continue selling at a reduced price for a limited time before going extinct.

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While everyone is busy talking about Gemini Live, the AI assistant also received a revamped floating overlay panel on Android. The new Gemini overlay has a subtle glow animation all around it whenever the Gemini assistant is activated.

The subtle glow animation looks great and doesn't take up the entire screen, as it understands what you are doing in the background. It ensures that Gemini works alongside the app you are currently using, rather than occupying the entire screen space.

For those who prefer to use Gemini in full screen, there is a dedicated button in the top-right corner. Tapping this button will switch Gemini to full-screen mode. Besides the glow animation, you will also see a new "Ask about this video" chip on top of the Gemini overlay when the assistant is triggered on YouTube videos.

This new "Ask about this video" chip replaces the previous "Ask about this screen" prompt. When using the new button, users can request summaries or ask follow-up questions about the YouTube video that they are watching. This feature could come in handy when you are watching a lecture and don't want to spend long hours understanding and noting down important points.

The glowing Gemini floating overlay is still rolling out. So, if you haven't seen it yet, you probably need to wait a bit longer. Google says that the new changes will appear on more Android devices in the coming weeks for both regular Gemini users and Gemini Advanced subscribers.

Source and image: 9To5Google

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Now, according to a recent report, Google is rolling out a new Google Assistant UI for Android Auto that appears during voice interactions. Notably, this doesn't replace the UI that appears at the bottom of the screen, as it is still available for supported commands.

The new Android Auto Google Assistant UI appears when the assistant is waiting for a reply from you. As per 9To5Google, the new Google Assistant UI shows up in a circular-shaped pill and goes away when the reply is processed.

While this isn't something prominent, it gives the Google Assistant UI a fresh touch. However, the new Android Auto Google Assistant UI looks similar to how Apple's Siri looks on CarPlay. The new UI was spotted in Android Auto v12.5 running on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6.

Recently, Google pushed offline Maps support for Wear OS smartwatches. The feature was announced during the Made by Google event where the company introduced the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Watch 3, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2.

The latest update of the Google Maps for Wear OS automatically syncs offline maps saved on your phone to your watch over Wi-Fi and when charging. The new offline Google Maps support is visible on the Google Maps Wear OS app version 11.140.0701.W.

Last month, Google Maps also added India-specific features to its Android and iOS app. The app finally brought a flyover navigation feature, which highlights when to take a flyover. Previously flyovers weren't separately displayed during navigation. The update also simplifies the process of reporting road incidents.

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The Pixel 9 offers multiple new AI-driven camera features such as Super Res Zoom Video, Add Me, Reimagine in Magic Editor, Night Sight in Panaroma, Zoom Enhance, and more. If you were considering using these features by sideloading the Pixel 9 camera app onto an older Pixel phone, then there's both good and bad news.

The good news is that someone has already extracted the Pixel 9 Camera 9.5 app and uploaded it to a third-party app store. However, the bad news is that while the camera app does unlock a few new features on older Pixel phones, it doesn't provide access to more advanced features.

According to 9To5Google, the upgraded app introduces a new 5-second timer preset to the camera app, which joins the existing 3-second and 10-second timer options. Additionally, the Guided Frame feature is now accessible from within the camera app.

This means you now no longer need to go into the device's accessibility settings to enable the feature. The new Pixel 9 Camera app also enables Magnifier 2.0 with text search capabilities and Picture-In-Picture (PiP) support.

Unfortunately, advanced AI features such as updated Panorama mode and Add Me features are missing from the app. Video Boost features such as Night Sight and AI 8K upscaling are also absent. This indicates that Google needs to enable it for supported devices, and simply installing the APK won't unlock them.

It is unclear if the updated Pixel camera app is rolling out via Google Play, but you can download the Pixel Camera 9.5 APK from APK Mirror.

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