News: Mobile News

Android apps are blocking sideloading and forcing Google Play versions instead

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 02:05:14 +0000

"Select Play Partners" can block unofficial installation of their apps.

You might sideload an Android app, or manually install its APK package, if you're using a custom version of Android that doesn't include Google's Play Store. Alternately, the app might be experimental, under development, or perhaps no longer maintained and offered by its developer. Until now, the existence of sideload-ready APKs on the web was something that seemed to be tolerated, if warned against, by Google.

This quiet standstill is being shaken up by a new feature in Google's Play Integrity API. As reported by Android Authority, developer tools to push "remediation" dialogs during sideloading debuted at Google's I/O conference in May, have begun showing up on users' phones. Sideloaders of apps from the British shop Tesco, fandom app BeyBlade X, and ChatGPT have reported "Get this app from Play" prompts, which cannot be worked around. An Android gaming handheld user encountered a similarly worded prompt from Diablo Immortal on their device three months ago.

Google's Play Integrity API is how apps have previously blocked access when loaded onto phones that are in some way modified from a stock OS with all Google Play integrations intact. Recently, a popular two-factor authentication app blocked access on rooted phones, including the security-minded GrapheneOS. Apps can call the Play Integrity API and get back an "integrity verdict," relaying if the phone has a "trustworthy" software environment, has Google Play Protect enabled, and passes other software checks.

Graphene has questioned the veracity of Google's Integrity API and SafetyNet Attestation systems, recommending instead standard Android hardware attestation. Rahman notes that apps do not have to take an all-or-nothing approach to integrity checking. Rather than block installation entirely, apps could call on the API only during sensitive actions, issuing a warning there. But not having a Play Store connection can also deprive developers of metrics, allow for installation on incompatible devices (and resulting bad reviews), and, of course, open the door to paid app piracy.

Google

“Unknown distribution channels” blocked

Google's developer video about "Automatic integrity protection" (at the 12-minute, 24-second mark on YouTube) notes that "select" apps have access to automatic protection. This adds an automatic checking tool to your app and the "strongest version of Google Play's anti-tamper protection." "If users get your protected app from an unknown distribution channel," a slide in the presentation reads, "they'll be prompted to get it from Google Play," available to "select Play Partners."

Last year, Google introduced malware scanning of sideloaded apps at install time. Google and Apple have come out against legislation that would broaden sideloading rights for smartphone owners, citing security and reliability concerns. European regulators forced Apple earlier this year to allow for sideloading apps and app stores, though with fees and geographical restrictions in place.

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A rundown of what’s new and improved in Android 15

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 17:39:14 +0000

The final developers version is out, and Google promises it will be available on supported Pixels ‘in the coming weeks.’

After previews at Google I/O 2024 and months of testing, the finished version of Android 15 is now available for developers.

That doesn’t mean it’s out for users just yet: according to Google, it’ll be a few weeks before it arrives on Pixels and then will get to Samsung and other select devices “in the coming months.” As usual with Android, the software will come with a variety of different tweaks and variations depending on the make of your phone.

In terms of the core Android 15 functionality that Google, Samsung, and others are building on top of, here’s some of what’s new with this release.

Better multitasking

Android 15 will improve the multitasking experience on tablets and large-screen displays by enabling you to pin the taskbar permanently on the screen for a more desktop-like experience. What’s more, split-screen app combinations can be saved to bring back later. These app pairs can be pinned to the taskbar, too.

Private space

Your private space can use the same

lock as your handset.

Screenshot: Google

You can use a different Google account

with your private space.

Screenshot: Google

Android 15 is adding a new secure location on your phone — a private space — so you can lock away your most sensitive apps and the data inside them. If you use a Samsung phone, there’s already something similar called Secure Folder, but now it’s going to be baked into Android for all users.

It works by creating a new section in the app drawer that will need extra verification (like a passcode or fingerprint) to access. You can install any apps you like here, including separate instances of the Camera, Google Photos, and Google Chrome for photos, videos, and websites that you really don’t want anyone else to see.

Predictive back

This oddly named feature means you see a quick preview of what you’re going back to when you use the universal back gesture (a swipe in from the side of the screen). So, for example, you might see a website you just left or the homescreen — the idea being that users know what they’re going back to before they complete the gesture.

Partial screen recording

New in Android 15 is the ability to record just part of the screen rather than all of it; this is handy if you’re putting together a tutorial, troubleshooting a problem, or recording your screen for any other reason. It’s available in Android’s own screen recorder tool, and developers can add it to their own apps as well.

Better PDF management

Better PDF controls are arriving with Android 15: features such as annotations, password protection, and searching inside PDFs are now supported. Although you may currently use an Android app that supports some or all of these tricks (including Google Drive), Google has now added support for them at the operating system level.

Redesigned volume sliders

Screen recordings can now just capture a single app.

Screenshot: Google

The volume sliders panel gets a redesign.

Screenshot: Google

Perhaps not the most important change but one you’ll see a lot: the panel that appears when you tap the three dots on the bottom of the volume slider now takes up more room onscreen, making it easier to adjust volumes for media, alarms, and calls. You’re also able to access connected Bluetooth devices from the same screen.

Satellite messaging

You can already send emergency SOS messages on a Pixel 9 phone using Android 14 in the US, but Android 15 adds support for SMS, MMS, and RCS messaging via satellite networks as well.

Widget previews

Richer widget previews are on the way.

Screenshot: Google

Widgets are nothing new, of course, but usually, when you’re adding them to the homescreen, you just see generic examples of what the widgets look like. In Android 15, developers can add rich previews to widgets — so, for example, when you add a contact widget, you’ll be able to preview how it looks using one of your actual contacts.

See better in the dark

A couple of useful Android 15 additions will improve the photo and video-capturing experience. First, the camera preview will work better in low light, so it’s easier to, for example, frame a photo or video, or snap a QR code, when the lighting is not ideal. Second, there’s more granular control over the flash light level, which means you can ramp the intensity up or down as needed.

Set custom vibrations

Android apps have been able to set their own custom vibrations, but in Android 15, you’re going to be able to set these yourself for specific notification channels. So, you can have one buzz for an email and two buzzes for a text, for example.

TalkBack with added AI

The TalkBack accessibility feature is getting an upgrade that will provide more detailed image descriptions. With TalkBack enabled, you can use the designated shortcut (set via Accessibility > TalkBack in Settings) to have any picture onscreen described using a spoken voice, even if no description was included with it.

This is already a feature in Android, but Android 15 and the Gemini Nano AI model means these descriptions will be more comprehensive and useful and won’t need internet access. You will need Gemini Nano and a phone that supports it: as of now, that means any Pixel 8, Pixel 9, or Galaxy S24 handset, as well as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Galaxy Z Flip 6.

One-time password protection

You may have accounts you log in to that are sent to one-time passwords (OTPs) to prove you are who you say you are. In Android 15, notifications with these OTPs won’t show up onscreen, minimizing the risk of anyone stealing your passwords by looking over your shoulder or somehow recording your screen.

Anti-theft protection

New security features hide one-time passwords and deter thieves.

Screenshots: Google

Google is adding a bunch of features to deter thieves. Theft Detection Lock, for example, will use AI to detect if your phone is snatched at speed and then automatically turn on the lockscreen. This auto-lock will also kick in if your phone is off the grid for an extended period of time or if too many failed authentication attempts are made.

You’ll also be able to more easily lock your device remotely. All of these features are heading to devices running Android 10 or later at some point this year, but one is exclusive to Android 15: your device can’t be reset (a common tactic used by thieves) without access to your Google account credentials, which means only you will be able to do it.

More convenient passkeys

Android 15 is also bringing with it some useful tweaks to passkey support on your phone — that’s where you use a phone unlock method (like a fingerprint scan) rather than a password to get into your Google account. In the new OS, the account selection screen and confirmation screen are combined into one, so that’s one less screen to get through. Google is also adding a new restore feature to make it easier to transfer your credentials over to a new phone.

And more...

Android updates always include tweaks and minor improvements that don’t necessarily grab a lot of attention but are still welcome. With Android 15, they include more efficient video processing, better handling of apps running in the foreground (a boost for battery life), security protections to stop malicious apps hijacking tasks run by trustworthy apps, and the ability for Health Connect to pull in more data from more apps over a longer time period.

Update, September 11th: This article was originally published on May 20th and has been updated to include new Android 15 features.

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Samsung could finally introduce satellite connectivity with the Galaxy S25 Ultra

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 17:35:01 +0000

There is still plenty of time left before Samsung unveils the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is expected to debut in January next year. However, multiple new leaks about the phone have already surfaced, with the recent one showing off the design of the alleged Galaxy S25 Ultra. Now, the phone has been spotted on a certification platform, revealing key information.

A Samsung phone with model number SM-S9380 has been certified by China's Quality Certification Center platform. Interestingly, the model number SM-S9280 corresponds to this year's Galaxy S24 Ultra. Thus, the SM-S9380 is most likely the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

According to the certification (via IceUniverse), the alleged Galaxy S25 Ultra is described as a "Satellite Mobile Terminal," which could likely mean that the phone offers satellite connectivity. If this is true, Samsung will join Apple, Google, and Huawei as the newest OEMs to include satellite connectivity in their devices.

Apple first introduced the satellite connectivity feature with the iPhone 14 series. Google, on the other hand, introduced the feature with its recently launched Pixel 9 series. Huawei has also integrated satellite connectivity features into a variety of its products, including smartwatches.

If the Galaxy S25 Ultra does indeed offer satellite connectivity, Samsung users will be able to get help and contact emergency numbers in times of need and places with poor network coverage. This would also make the Galaxy S25 Ultra the first Samsung device to feature satellite connectivity.

It's worth mentioning that Samsung's Exynos Modem 5400 enabled the satellite connectivity feature on the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. It's possible that Samsung could use the same Exynos Modem 5400 or an upgraded version of it on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. But that's just a wild guess, and you should take this information with a pinch of salt.

Furthermore, the certification reveals that the Galaxy S25 Ultra will support 45W fast charging. The device is expected to feature the highest level of display and camera upgrades ever on a Galaxy phone. It was also recently rumored that Samsung may go all in with the Snapdragon chipset for the Galaxy S25 series. The phone is also expected to be much thinner than initially tipped.

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Specs Appeal: What is the difference between iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16, and 16 Plus?

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 17:33:50 +0000

Apple's 2024 iPhone lineup continues the tradition of four models of different sizes and price tags. This year, buyers have to choose between the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Pro, the iPhone 16 Plus, and the iPhone 16. Here is how each model compares to its siblings.

You may also want to check out our other Specs Appeal articles:

Although this year's lineup shares more new features, the regular iPhone 16 differs from its Pro variant in the same four categories: materials, displays, cameras, and processors.

The entry-level iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are still made of aluminum, while the more premium titanium is only available in Pro models. However, to make up for that, you get to choose from much more eye-catching colors, while the iPhone 16 Pro still comes in quite muted colors.

What is not different are buttons and controls. The iPhone 16 now has the same Action Button (so long, Mute Switch) and the Camera Control. The latter is a special button with a touch-sensitive surface that lets you control various camera settings.

Despite similar looks, the displays in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro have night and day differences. Apple still thinks it is okay to sell a $799+ smartphone with a 60Hz display, so the iPhone 16 Pro is your only option if you cannot stand low-refresh rate screens. Also, the baseline iPhone does not support the always-on display feature. On the bright side, all four iPhones have a maximum brightness of 2000 nits and a minimum brightness of just 1 nit. Finally, the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max have slightly larger displays (0.2-inch increase).

This year's iPhone Pro models have fewer differences in their cameras than before. All four models have a primary 48MP Fusion camera with new focus and depth controls. However, the Pro iPhone has a higher-resolution ultra-wide camera—48MP versus 12MP. It can also record Dolby Vision, Log, and ProRes video at up to 4K 120 fps. Finally, both iPhone 16 Pro models feature four "studio-quality" microphones for better audio recording.

Finally, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are powered by the A18 Pro chip, while the iPhone 16 and Plus have the slightly cut-down A18 chip with five GPU cores instead of six. Both processors, however, are paired with 8GB of RAM, so there are no differences in terms of memory.

Here are the key differences between the iPhone 16 Pro, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the iPhone 16, and the iPhone 16 Plus:

Chassis material difference: titanium in Pro and aluminum in entry-level models.
A slightly better processor with more powerful graphics.
Faster and bigger screens with adaptive refresh rate and always-on display support.
Better cameras with a dedicated telephoto camera, a higher-res ultra-wide camera, and a LiDAR sensor.
1TB storage option.
USB-C 3.0 instead of the slower USB-C 2.0.
Longer battery life.

	iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max		iPhone 16 / 16 Plus
Display	6,3" 2622x1206 2000 nits peak brightness 1 nit min brightness Dynamic Island Always-on-Display 1-120Hz	6.9" 2868x1320 2000 nits peak brightness 1 nit min brightness Dynamic Island Always-on-Display 1-120Hz	6.1" 2556x1179 2000 nits peak brightness 1 nit min brightness Dynamic Island 60Hz	6.7" 2796x1290 2000 nits peak brightness 1 nit min brightness Dynamic Island 60Hz
Case	Titanium 199g (7.03oz) Action Button Camera Control	Titanium 227g (7.99oz) Action Button Camera Control	Aluminum 170g (6oz) Action Button Camera Control	Aluminum 199g (7.03oz) Action Button Camera Control
CPU	6-core A18 Pro 6-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine		6-core A18 5-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine
RAM	8GB
Storage	128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB	256GB 512GB 1TB	128GB 256GB 512GB
Cameras	48MP Fusion + 48MP ultra-wide + 12MP telephoto f/1.78 + f/2.2 + f/2.8 apertrue 0.5x / 1x / 5x optical zoom Second-gen sensor-shift OIS Adaptive True Tone Flash Photonic Engine Deep Fusion Smart HDR 5 Photographic Styles Macro Photography		48MP Fusion + 12MP ultra-wide f/1.6 + f/2.2 aperture 4x optical zoom range (2x in and out) Sensor-shift OIS Adaptive True Tone Flash Photonic Engine Deep Fusion Photographic Styles Smart HDR 5 Macro Photography
Video	4K Dolby Vision at up to 60 fps Cinematic mode for videos with shallow depth of field 4K HDR 30 fps ProRes video up to 4K at 120 fps with external recording Slow-mo video at up to 4K 120 fps Slow-mo video at up to 1080p 240 fps Log video recording Academy Color Encoding System Spatial Video recording Wind noise reduction Macro video recording Action Mode		4K Dolby Vision at up to 60 fps Cinematic mode with shallow depth of field at 4K HDR 30 fps Slow-mo video at up to 1080p 240 fps Action Mode Sensor-shift OIS Spatial Video recording Wind noise reduction Macro video recording
Front Camera	12MP f/1.9 aperture Photonic Engine Smart HDR 5 Photographic Styles Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR 30 fps HDR video with Dolby Vision 4K 60 fps
Data	GSM/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA+ 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) Wi-Fi 7 UWB chip Bluetooth 5.3 Emergency SOS via Satellite Crash Detection Thread networking technology
SIM	No physical SIM Dual eSIM support
Battery	TBD mAh 27h video playback	TBD mAh 33h video playback	TBD mAh 22h video playback	TBD mAh 27h video playback
Ports	USB-C (10Gb/s), MagSafe and Qi2 Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter 25W wireless charging with a 30W adapter		USB-C (480Mb/s), MagSafe, and Qi2 Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with a 20W adapter 25W wireless charging with a 30W adapter
Colors	Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Ttanium, Desert Titanium		Black, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine
Price	$999+	$1199+	$799+	$899+

All four iPhone 16 models will be available for pre-order on Friday, September13. Shipments begin September 20, 2024.

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Download high-quality Apple iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Max wallpapers

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 07:14:19 +0000

The "It's Glowtime" event has concluded, and Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 16 series to the world. Apple's A18 Bionic chipset powers the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus and both devices now come with the Action button, which means the good old mute switch is gone forever.

There is new hardware, which Apple calls "Camera Control", which sits on the right side of the phone. It lets you easily click photos and start video recording, replacing the need to use the volume buttons to get the job done.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus now feature a horizontal camera module, suited for Spatial Recording. You also get various Apple Intelligence features bundled in the software, along with the upgraded 48MP ultra-wide lens. Apple launched the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus in ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black color options.

Coming to the Pro models, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, pack the A18 Pro processor, the slimmest bezel of any iPhone, a Camera Control button, 4K at 120FPS shooting, and a 5x telephoto lens on both Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available in Black Titanium, Neutral Titanium, White Titanium, and the all-new Desert Titanium.

Now, we have our hands on the wallpapers of the entire iPhone 16 lineup, courtesy of Beebom. The high-resolution wallpapers contain five wallpapers of the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, which match the color variants. We have four wallpapers of the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max models, each matching their respective colors.

The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus wallpapers are available in 945x2048 resolution. Whereas, the wallpapers for iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models are available in 1320x2868 resolution.

Please note that to grab the high-quality version of the wallpapers, you need to use the link below:

Did you like the new iPhone 16 series wallpapers? Do share your thoughts about the devices and wallpapers in the comments section below.

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iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are now official with new colors, bigger displays, and more

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 18:58:30 +0000

The iPhone 16 Pro and its bigger 16 Pro Max are now official. Apple's latest flagship smartphone features larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, better battery life, a new color, the Apple A18 Pro processor, and more.

Developing...

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Apple reveals new AirPods 4 earbuds with optional active noise cancellation

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 18:56:53 +0000

Apple has officially revealed the AirPods 4, the next major version of its earbuds as part of its Apple "Glowtime" event. They will be released in two versions including one with active noise cancelation features.

During the event, Apple said the new AirPods 4 has a new design that was created to be more comfortable to wear, based on examining and analyzing "thousands of ears" Inside, the AirPods 4 include a new H2 chip which will offer improvements in audio quality as well. They will also have voice isolation features as well, along with

The AirPods 4 will come in a new charging case as well which will include a USB-C port for the first time which should allow for more options for charging the case. The AirPods 4 will have up to 30 hours of use when they are charged with the new cases. The more expensive version will not only have active voice cancelation but will support wireless charging as well.

The standard Apple AirPods 4 will be sold for $129, and the version with active noise-cancellation features will be sold for $179. Both are available to preorder today and will go on sale on September 20.

Apple also announced that the AirPods Max headphones will be getting a small refresh. The biggest new feature is adding USB-C charging which also should be a big help for owners. They will also get some new color options as well.

Also, the current AirPods Pro 2 earbuds will be getting a software update in the near future. Among other things, it will launch a new passive noise cancellation feature if you are wearing them in especially loud settings, It will also add a new hearing aid mode, although that feature is currently being tested by the US Food and Drug Adminstration before it is generally released.

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Apple unveils Apple Watch Series 10 with larger displays, Titanium cases, and more

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 18:54:24 +0000

Apple kicked off its September event with the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 10. The new smartwatch comes with larger, brighter displays that are more visible at various angles. Its aluminum case is now polished, plus buyers can get the smartwatch in an optional Titanium casing in three colors.

Besides brighter and bigger displays (now 45 mm and 49 mm), the Series 10 features faster charging, which can top up the battery to 80% in just 30 minutes. It also has a new S10 SoC, which makes it even faster. Another change is the ability to play media on a built-in speaker, something that is not possible on previous-gen Apple Watch models.

Also, the Apple Watch Series 10 inherited the new Depth app from its more expensive sibling, the Apple Watch Ultra, paired with the ability to measure water temperature.

The Series 10 comes with new health features, such as sleep apnea detection (it is also coming to Series 9) and more. It is now available for preorder starting at $399 for the GPS version and $499 for the GPS + Cellular.

Developing...

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Apple may finally discontinue wired EarPods after 12 years

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 18:53:16 +0000

Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 16 series, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods, and possibly the new AirPods Max. While we are anticipating a bunch of new products, fresh information suggests that Apple may finally pull the plug on its EarPods.

According to Aaron Perris on social media platform X (via MacRumors), major US retailer Target has listed all three variants of the EarPods, including the Lightning, 3.5mm, and USB-C models, as "Non-Carry Forward." This purportedly suggests that Apple may discontinue its wired earbuds soon.

Notably, there is no clarity on when this may happen, but the timing of the news, right ahead of Apple's "It's Glowtime" event, hints that it could happen very soon. If that happens, it would mark the end of the EarPods after 12 long years of being in the business.

Apple introduced the EarPods in 2012 as an in-box iPhone and iPod accessory, replacing the circular earbuds. Initially, the EarPods had a 3.5mm jack. With the launch of the iPhone 7 and AirPods in 2016, Apple removed the headphone jack from its devices. Therefore, a new version of EarPods with a lightning port was released to allow users to use the wired earbuds with their iPhones

With the shift to USB-C last year with the iPhone 15 series, Apple launched the EarPods with a USB-C connector. Now, reports of EarPods getting discontinued may disappoint fans, as they were affordable and came with a high-quality microphone.

Recently, it has been tipped that Apple may not launch the Apple Watch Ultra 3 but instead re-launch the Watch Ultra 2 in black. Also, it is speculated that the launch of the Apple Watch SE, rumored to be made of plastic instead of aluminum, has been delayed.

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These are the One UI 6.1.1 Camera and Gallery features that your Galaxy S22 series will get

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 19:52:55 +0000

Samsung recently started rolling out the One UI 6.1.1 update after months of testing. The Galaxy S24 series is currently receiving the update in South Korea. The One UI 6.1.1 update is expected to go live for the Galaxy S24 series users in the US and Europe starting September 9.

The Galaxy S23 series will join the party on September 12. However, for now, there isn't any information on when the Galaxy S22 series, released in 2022, will pick up the One UI 6.1.1 update. But if you own any of the Galaxy S22 series phones and wondering which features will land on your device, then you will be glad to know that if not all, then most of the One UI 6.1.1 features will eventually be available on these devices.

Seemingly, the Galaxy S22 series should get enhanced Live Effects, Motion Clipper, Portrait Studio, Sketch to Image, and Overlay Translation. These features will also be available on 2023 and 2024 flagship models.

Here is in detail what you will be able to do with these Galaxy AI features, once they arrive on your Galaxy phone:

1. Live Effects: You can enjoy photos with people and animals in them in three dimensions.

2. Motion Clipper: You can create moving stickers and GIFs by long-pressing on a Motion Photo to select it.

3. Portrait studio: You can save your photos by selecting from a variety of styles through AI generation.

4. Convert sketch: You can add a sketch drawn on top of your photo by creating an image.

5. Overlay Translation: The company provides natural translation results by maintaining the text and background color of the original image and improving readability by overlaying it on the image.

Samsung hasn't officially announced when the One UI 6.1.1 features will start rolling out for the Galaxy S22 series, but it's expected that new features will be bundled with the September 2024 update. Recently, four Samsung Galaxy devices reached the end of their software update cycle, suggesting it's time to get a new phone.

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Microsoft's Outlook Lite app doubles its downloads to over 10 million in less than a year

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 02:44:50 +0000

In August 2022, Microsoft first launched its Outlook Lite app for Android devices. The small file size of the email app (5MB at launch and 8MB today) was made to target markets with entry-level Android phones that didn't have a lot of storage space. The app also used less memory and power compared to other email apps.

Outlook Lite was later made available worldwide for any Android device. In December 2023, Microsoft revealed that the app had been downloaded over 5 million times since its launch. Today, Microsoft announced in a blog post that Outlook Lite has now reached and surpassed the 10 million download mark, less than a year after hitting the 5 million download milestone.

Microsoft added that in the past year, it has introduced a number of improvements and new features to Outlook Lite. We have already reported that the app added support for SMS features in May.

In addition, the Outlook Lite team has revealed it has added the following features to the app in the last 12 months:

Multi-account support, allowing you to manage multiple email accounts in one place.

Seamless Gmail account integration, making it easier to access and manage your Gmail accounts.

The development team also said they have worked to put in improvements for the 'overall performance and user experience" in Outlook Lite. It added:

Every download and piece of feedback you've shared has been incredibly important to us, driving us to ensure each update is better than the last. Please continue to share your thoughts; your input is invaluable as we grow and improve. It's incredible to see how many of you have embraced Outlook Lite as part of your daily routine. With over 10 million downloads, we feel an even greater responsibility to help you stay connected, stay organized, and accomplish your tasks. We are deeply grateful for the trust you've placed in us.

If you have yet to check Outlook Lite out, it's available for Android in the Google Play Store.

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Samsung rolls out One UI 6.1.1 for Galaxy S24, US and Europe schedules revealed

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 17:06:52 +0000

Samsung has finally started rolling out the One UI 6.1.1 update for the Galaxy S24 series. The update is currently live for Galaxy S24 users in South Korea. Don't get disheartened if you don't reside in South Korea, because Samsung has also officially released a statement regarding the One UI 6.1.1 update schedule for Galaxy S24 series users in the US and European.

Speaking of the One UI 6.1.1 update for the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra, a South Korean community member by the name "Sombra," shared a screenshot of the update along with its changelog, which lists down all the new features the update brings for the Galaxy S24 series.

The One UI 6.1.1 update for the Galaxy S24 arrives with build S921NKSU3AXH7, for Galaxy S24+ with build S926NKSU3AXH7, and for the Galaxy S24 Ultra with build S928NKSU3AXH7. The update, which is rolling out in Korea weighs roughly 2.9GB in size and carries a September 2024 security patch.

Here is the official changelog of the One UI 6.1.1 update for the Galaxy S24 series:

One UI Update

Galaxy AI

• Turn simple sketches into stunning works of art

- After drawing whatever comes to mind, choose a style and the Galaxy A| will turn it into a stunning work of art.
- The Sketch Conversion feature is available in Samsung Notes, Photo Editor, Air Command, Smart Select, and Edge Panel.

• Portraits with personality

- Transform your photos into unique AI-generated styles.
- You can change not only your own photo but also other people's photos in various ways.

• Complete writing with simple input

- You can write easily with the Samsung Keyboard writing function.
- When you enter a short sentence or keyword, it automatically completes the text in a style appropriate for each situation, such as email or SNS.

• Translate calls across multiple apps

- Real-time interpretation is available not only in the Samsung Phone app, but also in other voice calling apps such as Google Meet, WhatsApp, and KakaoTalk.
- To start interpretation, tap Live Interpretation in the Quick Settings window during a call.

• Translate text in images

- When you translate a webpage on Samsung Internet, you can see all the content at a glance in your language.
- You can understand the entire content at once by translating the text in the image together without having to translate it separately.

• Listening Mode for Interpreting Don’t worry if the other person is speaking in a foreign language.

- Listening mode allows you to interpret the other person's language in real time, such as during a lecture or presentation.

• Record voice and convert text simultaneously in notes

- You can record your voice while taking notes and have it converted directly to text.
- Converted text can be pasted into notes or viewed as a summary.

• Use the summarize and translate feature directly from your PDF files

- You can use the Note Assist feature without converting your PDF file to a note file.
- The translation feature allows you to use your PDF files in a variety of ways.

• Automatically recognizes language when listening to voice recordings

- The recorded language is automatically detected, so it is converted to text right away without having to select the language directly.
- You can edit recorded voice recordings and converted text files by converting them to text.
- You can also select and delete unwanted portions from the recording file.

• Special wallpapers that change depending on the weather and time

- Watch your photos change with the weather and time of day in the Weather & Time wallpaper.
- If it snows or rains in the selected area, the same weather will be reflected in the photo, and the sun rising and setting will also be expressed in the photo.

Create creative images

Live effects that make your photos come alive Do you want to see people or animals in your photos move with life? Try applying live effects to still photos.

• Quickly save and share your videos in instant slow motion

- When watching a video, you can watch certain parts in slow motion,
- You can also save it as a separate clip. When sharing the original video, you can preview the part you saw in slow motion and share it as a separate clip.

• Create stickers and GIFs in various styles

- Create fun stickers or GIFs using photos taken with Motion Photo.
- Long press on a person or object to automatically separate the background and make it into a sticker or GIF.
- Express your emotions with stickers and GIFs of various styles and share them with others.

• Quickly cut out only the necessary parts

- If there's a person or object you want to cut out from a photo, just long-press on it without any complicated editing process.
- You can select just one subject or multiple subjects at once.
- The cut out parts can be made into stickers or pasted directly onto the desired location.

The beginning of a healthy daily life

• Get personalized insights for your health

- Get help managing your health with new wellness tips from Samsung Health. Analyze important health indicators and trends, such as exercise, sleep, and diet, to better understand the condition of your body.
- Achieve your health goals more easily with a variety of health information and encouraging messages.

• Find a balance between activity and rest

- Check your daily condition with your energy score and plan a healthy day.
- It analyzes your sleep activity, heart rate, etc. to provide a score that makes it easy to understand your current condition.
- If your energy score is low, get plenty of rest, and if your score is high, try to set a new record for your favorite exercise.
- Get one step closer to a healthy life with personalized insights and motivation from Galaxy AI.

• Sophisticated and smart sleep monitoring

- To more accurately analyze your sleep quality, we measure more diverse data during sleep, including heart rate, breathing rate, and the actual time it takes to fall asleep.
- Wearing a watch or ring while you sleep can help you manage your sleep more closely.

• Share health data between family members

- Share health data with your family and take good care of each other's health. You can help them practice healthy lifestyle habits by referring to various data such as steps, exercise, and sleep.
- Start with confidence knowing that you can share only the data you want with the people you want, and that you can change or stop sharing at any time.

• Support for personalized exercise routines

- Do you usually do several different exercises at once? Create your own workout routine by combining different exercises.
- When you reach the goal of the previous exercise, you will automatically move on to the next exercise, and you can also add a rest period in between. Once the routine is completed, you can check the results of all the exercises in one place and manage them efficiently.

• Connect a cycling power meter

- Collect more accurate and rich information about cycling exercise.
- Samsung Health now supports connecting power meters attached to your bike.
- A power meter can help you estimate your lactate threshold power (FTP), which is the maximum exercise intensity you can sustain for an hour, and help you improve your performance.

Now, for the US and European Galaxy S24 users, Samsung in an official newsroom post has said that the update will start rolling out currently in South Korea on September 5, followed by North America and Europe on September 9.

One important thing that the newsroom posts' footnotes read is that the One UI 6.1.1 will be displayed as One UI 6.1 for the Galaxy S24 series, S23 series, and S23 FE. However, it will be known as One UI 6.1.1 for the Galaxy Z Fold5, Z Flip5, and Tab S9 series.

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Vivaldi 6.9 lands on iOS and Android with unique features for each

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 17:03:45 +0000

The browser maker Vivaldi has announced the availability of Vivaldi 6.9 on iOS and Android, with a few unique features for each platform. These updates come just a week after Vivaldi 6.9 launched on the desktop.

On iOS, the update brings the ability to close background tabs from the Tab Bar, finer control of the Address Field, and Supporter Badges. The Android version also gets Supporter Badges and introduces completely revamped Settings.

On iOS, you can now select an option in Settings to show the close button on background tabs. People already like the desktop tabs on mobile, and with the option to add close buttons to all tabs, it feels even more like the desktop experience.

With respect to the finer control in the Address Field, Vivaldi has made it possible to display the whole URL in the Address Field, giving you a clearer view of what pages you're on. There is also an option to disable the quick search engine switching.

On Android, the Settings Menu has been redesigned so that you can find what you're looking for quickly. It has received a visual upgrade, and categories have been reorganized so you can find things where you expect to find them.

Finally, both platforms now feature Supporter Badges in the Sync Settings if you have donated to Vivaldi. This badge is a way for Vivaldi to acknowledge and thank you for your contribution to the project.

In addition to these mobile app updates, the Vivaldi team has also announced a new minor update to the desktop version. It includes security fixes from Chromium upstream and resolves various issues, including several crashes.

What do you think of these updates? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Vivaldi 6.9 for iOS and Vivaldi 6.9 for Android

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Work on Android 15 is complete and Google has released the source code

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 16:37:56 +0000

Google has finished work on Android 15 and published the source code to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). While this is a big step, for most end users, this news is meaningless because updates won't be delivered to phones just yet. With the source code out now, custom ROM developers can also work on new updates.

According to the Android Developers Blog, Android 15 will be coming to supported Pixel devices in the coming weeks. In the coming months, it will also arrive on select devices from Samsung, Honor, IQQQ, Lenovo, Motorola, Nothing, OnePlus, Oppo, realme, Sharp, Sony, Tecno, vivo, and Xiaomi. New high-end models are probably going to receive the update first.

Here is a list of new features in Android 15, based on the notes provided in the announcement:

Better text display for different languages, including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean
Support for old Japanese writing styles, useful for displaying ancient documents
Improved screen brightness control when mixing regular and high-quality (HDR) content
Smarter audio volume adjustment based on your device and surroundings
Better camera performance in low light conditions
More precise control over camera flash strength
Enhanced music creation apps with improved connectivity between virtual instruments
Ability to save favorite app combinations for split-screen view
Option to pin the taskbar on screen for easier app switching on large screens
Improved support for Braille displays, making Android more accessible
Easier tap-to-pay transactions with NFC-capable apps
Support for small cover screens on foldable devices
More customization options for Do Not Disturb mode
App archiving feature to save space while keeping user data
Changes to how apps run in the background to improve battery life and performance
Option for a "Private Space" on your device to keep sensitive apps hidden
Simpler sign-in process using passkeys (an alternative to passwords)
Ability for apps to detect if they're being recorded
Enhanced security measures to prevent unauthorized app launches

The supported Pixel phones that will start receiving the update in the coming weeks include the Pixel 6 Series onwards, including the Pixel 6a and above.

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Report: Google Pixel 9a could be powered by Tensor G4 too, but with older modem

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 17:26:08 +0000

The upcomingPixel 9a model could make waves in the budget smartphone market. According to Android Authority, the Pixel 9a seems much more than just a shrunk version of its flagships, with the chance of carrying an identity of its own in the A-series line of Pixel phones.

One of the main differences would be the processor powering the Pixel 9a. It will pack the Google Tensor G4 chip, just as the flagship Pixel 9 series, but it will use a slightly different variation of the silicon.

Pixel 9a will reportedly use IPoP (Integrated Package on Package) packaging, instead of the FOPLP (Fan-Out Panel Level Packaging) found in regular G4 chips. This might enable Google to provide the device at a cheaper rate without really cutting down on its performance too much.

The Pixel 9a will allegedly retain the Exynos Modem 5300 from the preceding Pixel 8 series, while the Pixel 9 lineup gets the newer, more capable Exynos Modem 5400. This could be a strategic move whereby Google has intentionally wanted to draw some line of distinction between flagship and budget models.

It also is rumored that its design differs a bit from the familiar design of the A-series devices and the Pixel 9 itself. A recent photo leak suggests it might be entirely different, though how much this can be relied upon for accuracy isn't yet certain.

These supposed changes suggest that Google may have finally figured out what it wants to do with the Pixel A series— make it a product in its own right, rather than just a watered-down version of its flagships. The Pixel 9a is expected to be released in the spring of 2025. Nevertheless, take these claims with a grain of salt for now.

Source: Android Authority

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iPhone SE 4 tipped to complete Apple's adoption of OLED technology across all iPhones

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 17:25:27 +0000

The rumor mill is buzzing about Apple's next SE phone, the iPhone SE 4. Multiple leaks have surfaced regarding the device, with some claiming that the iPhone SE 4 will be the first SE model to feature an OLED display, potentially supplied by LG Display.

According to a fresh report by Nikkei Asia, Apple will soon be moving away from LCDs on iPhones and is set to stop working with two Japanese display panel suppliers, Japan Display (JDI) and Sharp, for iPhone screens.

Since the introduction of OLED displays with the iPhone X in 2017, Apple has gradually replaced LCDs with OLED panels in its high-end iPhones. Nearly a decade ago, Japan Display (JDI) and Sharp had a combined share of 70% of iPhone displays.

However, this number significantly dipped to around 20 million, since Apple started adopting OLED panels. With rumors suggesting that next year's iPhone SE 4 model will also be equipped with an OLED display, the two Japanese display suppliers are speculated to be let go by Apple.

Reportedly, since Japan Display (JDI) and Sharp don't mass produce OLED displays for smartphones, they will continue to provide LCDs for the iPhone SE 3, and exit the iPhone supply chain when Apple switches to the iPhone SE 4.

Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly begun placing OLED display orders for the iPhone SE 4, expected to launch in 2025, from China's BOE Technology Group and LG Display. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to use the displays used in the iPhone 13 and 14 since the device is expected to feature an iPhone 14-like design.

Recently, it was reported that the iPhone SE 4 will be more powerful than the iPhone 15, as it is expected to launch with Apple Intelligence features. For context, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus lack the necessary power to support Apple Intelligence.

The iPhone SE 4 is expected to feature a single camera setup, a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID (replacing Touch ID and the Home button), a USB-C port, and a chassis made of 7000 series aluminum with glass on the front/back.

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Google Play Store will soon auto-open apps after installation

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 21:10:38 +0000

It appears that Google is adding a new feature to the Play Store that lets you automatically open the app after the installation is completed. Notably, this feature will be available as a manual toggle on the Play Store.

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.

image via Android Authority

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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You could soon be able to play songs through your USB drive on Android Auto

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 07:11:05 +0000

Android Auto lets you use your Android phone's apps on your car's display unit. You can use navigation, and play music or podcasts using Android Auto directly from your phone. While you will find multiple music streaming apps supported by Android Auto, for years, it doesn't let you play locally stored media from your car's head unit or a USB thumb drive.

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.

image by Android Authority

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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WhatsApp spotted testing custom lists feature in latest Android beta

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 20:41:49 +0000

In the latest Android beta update, WhatsApp has been spotted developing a new feature that will allow users to filter chats through custom lists. The custom lists feature is expected to be available in a future WhatsApp Android update.

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.

image via WABetaInfo

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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Next year's iPhone 17 Pro Max may feature 12GB of RAM and upgraded cooling technology

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 07:31:24 +0000

Apple is preparing to announce the iPhone 16 series, which is slated to debut on September 9 at Apple's Glowtime event. Multiple leaks about the entire lineup have already given the details about what to expect with this year's iPhone 16 series.

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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Latest iOS 18.1 beta brings new Clean Up AI editing feature in Photos app

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 07:25:24 +0000

Yesterday, Apple released iOS 18.1 beta 3 for developers. This latest iOS 18.1 beta update brings a new Apple Intelligence feature for iOS users. The new AI feature, called Clean Up, is part of Apple's Photos app. When editing photos, users can now remove unwanted objects using this new Clean Up tool.

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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Android 15 to make keyboard switching much easier and a one-hand affair

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:15:06 +0000

In the current stable version of Android, you can switch to a different keyboard easily, but it requires multiple steps. The keyboard switcher button appears in the navigation bar and only shows up if you have multiple keyboards installed on your phone.

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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Google Messages will soon let you send original-quality media in RCS chats

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:14:19 +0000

After years of pushing Apple to adopt RCS messaging, Google finally got Apple on board. Recently, with the release of iOS 18 Beta 2, Apple officially added RCS support to iPhones. This update allows Android users to communicate with Apple users using RCS-supported apps on Android, primarily through Google Messages.

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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Here's when you can expect the Android 15 update to roll out

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 18:08:25 +0000

In the latest Android 14 downgrade OTA's release notes, Google might have inadvertently revealed when it will release the Android 15 update. A report surfaced quite recently suggesting that Google may not release the update next month as the company is still ironing out some issues and improving its stability.

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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WhatsApp may soon add 'Mark all as read' feature on Android

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 18:07:24 +0000

In the latest Android beta update, WhatsApp is spotted internally testing a new feature that could be quite handy for its users. Notably, WhatsApp is working on a "Mark all as read" feature that will allow users to mark all unread chats as read just by a single tap.

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.

image via WABetaInfo

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.

Source

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