Some tidbits from Google's AMA on Reddit about Android 14:
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In Google's Ask Me Anything (AMA) about Android 14 on Reddit, someone asked about the status of satellite SOS/SMS.
In response, Google said they're "working on it! In fact you can see the new telephony satellite interface in Android 14 source code. More to come on the Satellite eSOS feature soon."
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The Pixel 8 series will add support for lossless USB audio in a future later release, according to Dave Burke in response to a comment from a Redditor.
Android 14 added support for lossless audio formats over USB wired headsets.
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Dave Burke has shared more details about the new optimizations in ART 14, the major new version of the Android Runtime that's available in Android 14 (and will likely be backported to Android 12+ devices via a Project Mainline update).
For context, Google earlier said ART 14 "includes optimizations that reduce code size by an average of 9.3% without impacting performance." The smaller the files containing the code that ART has to interpret, the better it is for memory and storage.
According to Burke, these ART optimizations include "dead code elimination, collapse return statements, etc. An average phone can have 500MB-1GB of optimized code so this translates to a 50-100MB savings!"
—-
In Google's Ask Me Anything (AMA) about Android 14 on Reddit, someone asked about the status of satellite SOS/SMS.
In response, Google said they're "working on it! In fact you can see the new telephony satellite interface in Android 14 source code. More to come on the Satellite eSOS feature soon."
—-
The Pixel 8 series will add support for lossless USB audio in a future later release, according to Dave Burke in response to a comment from a Redditor.
Android 14 added support for lossless audio formats over USB wired headsets.
—-
Dave Burke has shared more details about the new optimizations in ART 14, the major new version of the Android Runtime that's available in Android 14 (and will likely be backported to Android 12+ devices via a Project Mainline update).
For context, Google earlier said ART 14 "includes optimizations that reduce code size by an average of 9.3% without impacting performance." The smaller the files containing the code that ART has to interpret, the better it is for memory and storage.
According to Burke, these ART optimizations include "dead code elimination, collapse return statements, etc. An average phone can have 500MB-1GB of optimized code so this translates to a 50-100MB savings!"
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Google Photos is switching to the system sharesheet in Android 14!
This already appears to be rolling out for some users. Rita El Khoury mentioned she has it on her Pixel 8 Pro, and another user with an 8 Pro (Mustachedminer) told me they also have it on version 6.56.
Let me know if you see this too!
For more information on how Android 14 is improving the system share sheet, check out this article I wrote for Esper.
This already appears to be rolling out for some users. Rita El Khoury mentioned she has it on her Pixel 8 Pro, and another user with an 8 Pro (Mustachedminer) told me they also have it on version 6.56.
Let me know if you see this too!
For more information on how Android 14 is improving the system share sheet, check out this article I wrote for Esper.
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Android Device Streaming, which is currently in Alpha, has added 13 new devices to stream, including several Samsung Galaxy devices!
This upcoming service will let you test apps on real Android devices located remotely in a Google data center, all through Android Studio.
Some of the devices that were just added include:
FUJITSU F-01L
Google Pixel 8
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Motorola Moto G20
Samsung Galaxy A51
Samsung Galaxy Note9
Samsung Galaxy S8
Samsung Galaxy S20
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3
SHARP AQUOS sense2 SH-01L
(Thanks to anonymous for the tip!)
This upcoming service will let you test apps on real Android devices located remotely in a Google data center, all through Android Studio.
Some of the devices that were just added include:
FUJITSU F-01L
Google Pixel 8
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Motorola Moto G20
Samsung Galaxy A51
Samsung Galaxy Note9
Samsung Galaxy S8
Samsung Galaxy S20
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3
SHARP AQUOS sense2 SH-01L
(Thanks to anonymous for the tip!)
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I WAS RIGHT! THE PIXEL 8 SUPPORTS DISPLAY OUTPUT!
Earlier I shared a method to enable DisplayPort Alt Mode on the Pixel 8. At first I thought it didn't work, but Micha Lechner (@mile_freak07) tried the same method and it worked for him!
Video proof + full details available in this article.
The fact that this works after changing a single system property means Google could enable display output in an OTA update if they want.
I suspect they're waiting until Android's desktop mode is in a better state, though.
Earlier I shared a method to enable DisplayPort Alt Mode on the Pixel 8. At first I thought it didn't work, but Micha Lechner (@mile_freak07) tried the same method and it worked for him!
Video proof + full details available in this article.
The fact that this works after changing a single system property means Google could enable display output in an OTA update if they want.
I suspect they're waiting until Android's desktop mode is in a better state, though.
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Qualcomm and Google have announced that they're developing a RISC-V Snapdragon Wear platform for Wear OS smartwatches.
Google has been working to bring RISC-V support to AOSP, and as of now, they're still working on cuttlefish virtual device and ART support. The shell and command-line tools work, though.
As part of this collaboration, Google and Qualcomm are working to ensure that "applications and a robust software ecosystem for RISC-V will be available for commercial launches." Qualcomm "plans to commercialize the RISC-V based wearables solution globally including the U.S."
The commercial product launch timing of this RISC-V wearable platform will be disclosed "at a later date."
Edit: As for why this matters, this article I wrote back in early 2021 is still relevant I believe.
Google has been working to bring RISC-V support to AOSP, and as of now, they're still working on cuttlefish virtual device and ART support. The shell and command-line tools work, though.
As part of this collaboration, Google and Qualcomm are working to ensure that "applications and a robust software ecosystem for RISC-V will be available for commercial launches." Qualcomm "plans to commercialize the RISC-V based wearables solution globally including the U.S."
The commercial product launch timing of this RISC-V wearable platform will be disclosed "at a later date."
Edit: As for why this matters, this article I wrote back in early 2021 is still relevant I believe.
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Google Maps can now show you real-time weather information about a location. This includes the current temperature and weather conditions for the next few hours as well as the air quality.
This is rolling out for some users (I got it on my Pixel 7 Pro) and is accessed by tapping the pill under the left edge of the search bar.
Thanks to colorkin for the tip!
Edit: You can also get real-time weather information in Immersive View.
This is rolling out for some users (I got it on my Pixel 7 Pro) and is accessed by tapping the pill under the left edge of the search bar.
Thanks to colorkin for the tip!
Edit: You can also get real-time weather information in Immersive View.
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Android's built-in QR code scanner can now automatically zoom in to scan barcodes that are far away!
This makes use of the new "auto-zoom" feature added to ML Kit's Barcode Scanning library, which powers the QR code scanner available on Android 13+ devices with Google Play Services.
One Pixel 8 Pro user on Reddit mentions getting this feature, but I haven't seen any other reports of it rolling out. Let me know if it works for you!
(Thanks to Armando Rod for the tip!)
This makes use of the new "auto-zoom" feature added to ML Kit's Barcode Scanning library, which powers the QR code scanner available on Android 13+ devices with Google Play Services.
One Pixel 8 Pro user on Reddit mentions getting this feature, but I haven't seen any other reports of it rolling out. Let me know if it works for you!
(Thanks to Armando Rod for the tip!)
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An update to the Google Clock app is rolling out that adds the following features:
* A new "weather forecast" toggle when setting an alarm. When the alarm is dismissed, the Clock app will show you the weather forecast for the day.
* A new "alarm sync" option in settings. This features syncs alarms between your phone and your Pixel Watch. This works on the Pixel Watch 2 running Wear OS 4 as well as the first-gen Pixel Watch running Wear OS 3 after you update the Google Clock app on the watch.
* A new "change temperature units" item if you've set up the "local weather on clock" feature I previously mentioned. This opens Android 14's new regional preferences page.
* The home clock on the Clock tab is now centered.
(Credits to @nailsad_eleos from the Google News Telegram group for the screenshots and coverage of the update!)
* A new "weather forecast" toggle when setting an alarm. When the alarm is dismissed, the Clock app will show you the weather forecast for the day.
* A new "alarm sync" option in settings. This features syncs alarms between your phone and your Pixel Watch. This works on the Pixel Watch 2 running Wear OS 4 as well as the first-gen Pixel Watch running Wear OS 3 after you update the Google Clock app on the watch.
* A new "change temperature units" item if you've set up the "local weather on clock" feature I previously mentioned. This opens Android 14's new regional preferences page.
* The home clock on the Clock tab is now centered.
(Credits to @nailsad_eleos from the Google News Telegram group for the screenshots and coverage of the update!)
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Xiaomi's Android-based operating system will have a new name: HyperOS.
HyperOS will debut on the upcoming Xiaomi 14 series, and it'll likely be based on Android 14. MIUI has been around since 2010, so this is a major branding update.
According to Xiaomi tipster Kacper Skrzypek, HyperOS seems to be referred to as MIUI 15 internally. We'll apparently be getting an iOS-like lockscreen editor and many other changes, resulting in this update being "the biggest since MIUI 12" in his words.
What do y'all think of the new name?
HyperOS will debut on the upcoming Xiaomi 14 series, and it'll likely be based on Android 14. MIUI has been around since 2010, so this is a major branding update.
According to Xiaomi tipster Kacper Skrzypek, HyperOS seems to be referred to as MIUI 15 internally. We'll apparently be getting an iOS-like lockscreen editor and many other changes, resulting in this update being "the biggest since MIUI 12" in his words.
What do y'all think of the new name?
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Android is adding native support for repair mode, a feature that "creates a secure environment to protect the user's privacy when the device is being repaired."
Basically, repair mode lets you send your device in for repair without having to wipe it beforehand. When the device is in repair mode, technicians won't have access to any of your personal apps or data.
Android's repair mode uses the Dynamic System Updates (DSU) mechanism, but instead of booting a Generic System Image (GSI), Android uses the original system image combined with a new userdata image, effectively simulating a factory reset.
When entering repair mode, the user's lockscreen credential is requested. This credential is stored in /metadata/repair-mode and persists across reboots. In order to exit repair mode and return to normal mode, the lockscreen credential that the user enrolled in normal mode must be entered.
Support for repair mode was just merged to AOSP the other day, though the config that enables support for it is disabled by default "since OEMs may have had a similar feature on their devices." Samsung, for example, offers a similar feature called "Maintenance Mode" in One UI.
Two things that are missing from AOSP currently are settings integration and an app to trigger the repair mode flow. The former is already present in the Pixel's Android 14 QPR1 beta builds, while the latter is not available yet.
Basically, repair mode lets you send your device in for repair without having to wipe it beforehand. When the device is in repair mode, technicians won't have access to any of your personal apps or data.
Android's repair mode uses the Dynamic System Updates (DSU) mechanism, but instead of booting a Generic System Image (GSI), Android uses the original system image combined with a new userdata image, effectively simulating a factory reset.
When entering repair mode, the user's lockscreen credential is requested. This credential is stored in /metadata/repair-mode and persists across reboots. In order to exit repair mode and return to normal mode, the lockscreen credential that the user enrolled in normal mode must be entered.
Support for repair mode was just merged to AOSP the other day, though the config that enables support for it is disabled by default "since OEMs may have had a similar feature on their devices." Samsung, for example, offers a similar feature called "Maintenance Mode" in One UI.
Two things that are missing from AOSP currently are settings integration and an app to trigger the repair mode flow. The former is already present in the Pixel's Android 14 QPR1 beta builds, while the latter is not available yet.
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Wear OS 4 is rolling out for the first-generation Pixel Watch!
The Wear OS 4 upgrade based on Android 13 is rolling out starting today for the Pixel Watch. The build ID is TWD4.2301005.002 and it brings the October 2023 security patches.
The Wear OS 4 upgrade based on Android 13 is rolling out starting today for the Pixel Watch. The build ID is TWD4.2301005.002 and it brings the October 2023 security patches.
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Mishaal's Android News Feed
Wear OS 4 is rolling out for the first-generation Pixel Watch! The Wear OS 4 upgrade based on Android 13 is rolling out starting today for the Pixel Watch. The build ID is TWD4.2301005.002 and it brings the October 2023 security patches.
What’s new in Wear OS 4 for the Pixel Watch:
The October 2023 software update includes a Wear OS 4 upgrade along with its features, personal safety experiences, numerous bug fixes, battery improvements and performance updates for Pixel Watch users.
Watch transfer
When you upgrade your Pixel phone, you can now easily transfer your Pixel Watch to your new phone without having to factory reset it. Your devices will be synced and ready to go.
Backup and restore
Backup and restore helps you securely backup your data and settings from your old Pixel Watch so you can easily switch to a new Pixel Watch while keeping all of your data, settings and watch faces in place.
Google Calendar app
The new Google Calendar app will be preinstalled on your Pixel Watch with this update. You can get event and task notifications, view 30 days of your schedule, easily navigate to event locations right from your wrist, and even mark tasks as complete. Plus, you’ll have more ways to access your calendar, from a tile or complication, to keep important info in plain sight.
Safety Features
With your upgrade to Wear OS 4, you’ll get access to the latest and greatest in Safety – Safety Check, Emergency Sharing, and Emergency Info on your Pixel Watch 1! Keep your most important medical info easily accessible on your wrist or sent to participating emergency services(2) in the event of an emergency with Medical ID Info. Have peace of mind when you’re walking home alone at night, on an early morning run, or in any other situation where you need a little safety net, with Safety Check and Emergency Sharing.
Accessibility & customization
New and improved customization capabilities, like a new text-to-speech engine supporting a faster, a more reliable TalkBack experience on your watch, bold text, new and improved magnification, and audio balance to adjust intensity of sound between right and left audio channels.
Enhanced notifications
Notifications come with smart link recognition of phone numbers and addresses, allowing you to tap to call, message, or get directions. Embedded media previews let you quickly view images and GIFs without leaving the notification shade. These enriched alerts provide more information upfront so you can take action faster.
The October 2023 software update includes a Wear OS 4 upgrade along with its features, personal safety experiences, numerous bug fixes, battery improvements and performance updates for Pixel Watch users.
Watch transfer
When you upgrade your Pixel phone, you can now easily transfer your Pixel Watch to your new phone without having to factory reset it. Your devices will be synced and ready to go.
Backup and restore
Backup and restore helps you securely backup your data and settings from your old Pixel Watch so you can easily switch to a new Pixel Watch while keeping all of your data, settings and watch faces in place.
Google Calendar app
The new Google Calendar app will be preinstalled on your Pixel Watch with this update. You can get event and task notifications, view 30 days of your schedule, easily navigate to event locations right from your wrist, and even mark tasks as complete. Plus, you’ll have more ways to access your calendar, from a tile or complication, to keep important info in plain sight.
Safety Features
With your upgrade to Wear OS 4, you’ll get access to the latest and greatest in Safety – Safety Check, Emergency Sharing, and Emergency Info on your Pixel Watch 1! Keep your most important medical info easily accessible on your wrist or sent to participating emergency services(2) in the event of an emergency with Medical ID Info. Have peace of mind when you’re walking home alone at night, on an early morning run, or in any other situation where you need a little safety net, with Safety Check and Emergency Sharing.
Accessibility & customization
New and improved customization capabilities, like a new text-to-speech engine supporting a faster, a more reliable TalkBack experience on your watch, bold text, new and improved magnification, and audio balance to adjust intensity of sound between right and left audio channels.
Enhanced notifications
Notifications come with smart link recognition of phone numbers and addresses, allowing you to tap to call, message, or get directions. Embedded media previews let you quickly view images and GIFs without leaving the notification shade. These enriched alerts provide more information upfront so you can take action faster.
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Mishaal's Android News Feed
The September 2023 Android Feature Drop is here! The Android Feature Drop is a roundup of new features in Google apps. The latest drop brings an updated At a Glance widget, new Android Auto apps, and improvements to Lookout, Wallet, and Routines. Here's a…
Google Wallet is finally rolling out generic Pass photo import, letting you create a pass using a photo or screenshot of a barcode or QR code!
This was announced as part of the September 2023 Android Feature Drop, but I'm only now seeing the "Photo" option in Google Wallet.
This was announced as part of the September 2023 Android Feature Drop, but I'm only now seeing the "Photo" option in Google Wallet.
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