Mishaal's Android News Feed
Android 16 DP1: The even dimmer feature that I first told you about has taken a step closer towards launching in Android 16 DP1. Of the two flags that control it, one of them has been enabled by default now.
💡Android 16 DP1 integrates Extra Dim into the brightness bar
A few months ago, I told you about a new feature that Google was working on called Even Dimmer.
Well, it's actually now live in Android 16 DP1...but only for the Pixel 9 for some reason.
Details can be found in this article.
A few months ago, I told you about a new feature that Google was working on called Even Dimmer.
Well, it's actually now live in Android 16 DP1...but only for the Pixel 9 for some reason.
Details can be found in this article.
Android Authority
Android 16 DP1 integrates Extra Dim into the brightness bar
Android 16 DP1 adds a new feature called Even Dimmer that lets the screen be dimmed below the lowest level of the brightness slider.
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🧘 Health Connect is adding support for saving your yoga and meditation sessions
The next version of Health Connect, currently available in Android 16 DP1, adds support for a new category of data called Mindfulness.
More details on what this means can be found in this article.
The next version of Health Connect, currently available in Android 16 DP1, adds support for a new category of data called Mindfulness.
More details on what this means can be found in this article.
Android Authority
Health Connect is adding support for saving your yoga and meditation sessions
Health Connect is adding support for mindfulness data, which includes things like yoga and meditation sessions. Here's why that matters.
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Source: Google has canceled the Pixel Tablet 2, not the Tab 3
Google is pulling the plug on its next Pixel Tablet, citing fears the product wouldn’t sell very well.
More details can be found in my latest article for Android Authority.
Google is pulling the plug on its next Pixel Tablet, citing fears the product wouldn’t sell very well.
More details can be found in my latest article for Android Authority.
Android Authority
Source: Google has canceled the Pixel Tablet 2, not the Tab 3
Google has canceled development of the Pixel Tablet 2, a source tells Android Authority. The Pixel Tablet 3 may still be coming, though.
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It seems the uptick of leaked keyboxes has finally caught Google's ire:
I've seen a number of keyboxes leak online, and they're being used to defeat hardware attestation signals used by the Google Play Integrity API. Basically, these leaked keys let devices with unlocked bootloaders act as if they're locked, which is normally nearly impossible to do because of hardware attestation.
To rectify this, Google is revoking these keys, but this may impact some regular end users whose devices will be unable to run certain apps. Google says it's working with impacted OEMs to update these keyboxes so users won't be impacted, but I suspect this isn't the end of these leaks.
I've seen a number of keyboxes leak online, and they're being used to defeat hardware attestation signals used by the Google Play Integrity API. Basically, these leaked keys let devices with unlocked bootloaders act as if they're locked, which is normally nearly impossible to do because of hardware attestation.
To rectify this, Google is revoking these keys, but this may impact some regular end users whose devices will be unable to run certain apps. Google says it's working with impacted OEMs to update these keyboxes so users won't be impacted, but I suspect this isn't the end of these leaks.
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📲Android 16 could add a feature that lets Gemini execute functions within your apps
This could basically let Gemini become an AI agent for your phone, accomplishing what the 'new Google Assistant' from 2019 was envisioned to do.
More details can be found in my latest article on Android Authority.
This could basically let Gemini become an AI agent for your phone, accomplishing what the 'new Google Assistant' from 2019 was envisioned to do.
More details can be found in my latest article on Android Authority.
Android Authority
Android 16 could give Gemini the power over apps Assistant never got
Android 16 could let Gemini act as an AI agent for your controlling apps on your phone.
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Sony might be one of the few OEMs that'll actually implement Google's Private Space feature in Android 15.
Most other OEMs will just stick with their current takes on this feature, like Samsung Secure Folder, Xiaomi Second Space, OnePlus Hide Apps, etc.
It's a shame because these other implementations can't be integrated into third-party launchers and also a lot of apps treat them like a work profile is installed.
Most other OEMs will just stick with their current takes on this feature, like Samsung Secure Folder, Xiaomi Second Space, OnePlus Hide Apps, etc.
It's a shame because these other implementations can't be integrated into third-party launchers and also a lot of apps treat them like a work profile is installed.
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Google Messages is rolling out a new UI for sending pictures!
The new UI unifies the camera/gallery and also adds a button to change the media quality. The default quality is compressed but you can send in original quality, finally!
9to5Google reported on the rollout of this new UI last night, after which I checked and saw that I had it on my device.
The new UI unifies the camera/gallery and also adds a button to change the media quality. The default quality is compressed but you can send in original quality, finally!
9to5Google reported on the rollout of this new UI last night, after which I checked and saw that I had it on my device.
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Google is also rolling out an updated UI for Circle to Search that adds a button to show additional functions!
I quite like this change, as previously, Circle to Search was getting quite cramped with all the new features Google was cramming into it.
This new UI has been rolling out to several users in the past few days, but after receiving another tip about it last night, I noticed I had it myself.
I quite like this change, as previously, Circle to Search was getting quite cramped with all the new features Google was cramming into it.
This new UI has been rolling out to several users in the past few days, but after receiving another tip about it last night, I noticed I had it myself.
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The Android Settings app now displays your Google account name and profile picture instead of just "Google."
This change is slowly rolling out to more and more users. I don't personally see it, but several others have it. The "Google" entry is injected by the Google Play Services app, so this is a server-side change.
Let me know if you see it!
This change is slowly rolling out to more and more users. I don't personally see it, but several others have it. The "Google" entry is injected by the Google Play Services app, so this is a server-side change.
Let me know if you see it!
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Mishaal's Android News Feed
So...this is interesting. Google is testing new Wear OS 5.1 builds out on the Pixel Watch 2, and they're surprisingly based on Android 15 rather than Android 14. More details on what this could mean can be found in this article on Android Authority.
Confirmed: Wear OS 5.1 is the next version of Wear OS, and it's based on Android 15 just as I previously reported.
Thanks to Jelly for the tip!
Thanks to Jelly for the tip!
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A major update to scrcpy is out, bringing a very nifty feature: Virtual display support!
scrcpy can now create virtual displays that you can mirror instead of your device's main display. This means you can stream apps to your PC and still use your phone at the same time.
Android by default uses the secondary launcher activity on secondary displays, including virtual ones, so you can even effectively mirror a desktop experience to your PC.
Note that this was already somewhat possible before, but you had to manually create a virtual display through developer options, find its display ID, then specify that display ID when launching scrcpy.
scrcpy can now create virtual displays that you can mirror instead of your device's main display. This means you can stream apps to your PC and still use your phone at the same time.
Android by default uses the secondary launcher activity on secondary displays, including virtual ones, so you can even effectively mirror a desktop experience to your PC.
Note that this was already somewhat possible before, but you had to manually create a virtual display through developer options, find its display ID, then specify that display ID when launching scrcpy.
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🔒Android 15 QPR2 is preparing a new way to declutter your lock screen notifications
The new lock screen notification minimalism option will minimize notifications, letting you see your beautiful lock screen wallpaper.
Details + screenshots can be found in this article.
The new lock screen notification minimalism option will minimize notifications, letting you see your beautiful lock screen wallpaper.
Details + screenshots can be found in this article.
Android Authority
Android 15 QPR2 is preparing a new way to declutter your lock screen notifications
Android 15 QPR2 may introduce a new lock screen notification minimalism feature that declutters your lock screen.
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🖥️ Google preps new features for Android desktop windowing, including a minimize button
More improvements are coming to Android's desktop windowing mode.
More improvements are coming to Android's desktop windowing mode.
Android Authority
Google preps new features for Android desktop windowing, including a minimize button
Google is preparing some new features for Android’s desktop windowing mode, including a button to minimize apps.
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Android's version of iOS 18's Vehicle Motion Cues is almost here!
Tipster Bálint Béres noticed that they had a new Quick Settings toggle available named "Motion Cues." Long pressing it opens a page that explains the Motion Cues feature "show[s] visual cues to mitigate the motion sickness."
While this toggle doesn't work yet, it's highly likely it'll show dots on screen that move to trick your brain into thinking your phone is moving while you're in a vehicle.
@AssembleDebug spotted evidence for this feature recently, but it looks like it's going to roll out soon. This feature/toggle will be provided through Google Play Services so it should be available on most Android devices.
By the way, even though iOS 18 recently added this feature before Android, there's a third-party app available for Android called KineStop that's been doing this for years, so before you say Google is copying Apple, consider that.
Tipster Bálint Béres noticed that they had a new Quick Settings toggle available named "Motion Cues." Long pressing it opens a page that explains the Motion Cues feature "show[s] visual cues to mitigate the motion sickness."
While this toggle doesn't work yet, it's highly likely it'll show dots on screen that move to trick your brain into thinking your phone is moving while you're in a vehicle.
@AssembleDebug spotted evidence for this feature recently, but it looks like it's going to roll out soon. This feature/toggle will be provided through Google Play Services so it should be available on most Android devices.
By the way, even though iOS 18 recently added this feature before Android, there's a third-party app available for Android called KineStop that's been doing this for years, so before you say Google is copying Apple, consider that.
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The VP of Xiaomi Global says the company will be able to do monthly updates next year. Curious to see which devices they'll do this for.
Xiaomi's official update policy - at least for devices that are Android Enterprise Recommended - guarantees an update every 90 days. Xiaomi also currently promises 4 generations of Android OS updates for its latest flagships in the 14 and 14T series.
Xiaomi's official update policy - at least for devices that are Android Enterprise Recommended - guarantees an update every 90 days. Xiaomi also currently promises 4 generations of Android OS updates for its latest flagships in the 14 and 14T series.
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The OnePlus 13 will be launching in the U.S., Canada, and other parts of the world in January 2025!
It'll be coming in three different colorways: Midnight Ocean, Black Eclipse, and Arctic Dawn. The Midnight Ocean model will have "micro-fiber vegan leather" which OnePlus says is designed to "strike a perfect balance between a luxurious handfeel and scratch and scuff resistance."
I haven't had a chance to try a phone with the Snapdragon 8 Elite yet, so I'm looking forward to this launch!
It'll be coming in three different colorways: Midnight Ocean, Black Eclipse, and Arctic Dawn. The Midnight Ocean model will have "micro-fiber vegan leather" which OnePlus says is designed to "strike a perfect balance between a luxurious handfeel and scratch and scuff resistance."
I haven't had a chance to try a phone with the Snapdragon 8 Elite yet, so I'm looking forward to this launch!
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Google has apparently started doing LTS releases of Android, though only for Android Automotive at the moment.
This makes sense since the OS in car dashboards is going to be updated less frequently than other form factors, plus cars are going to be kept around longer than handhelds.
No idea how long Google will maintain these LTS releases, though. H/T to Al Sutton for spotting this.
Google does do security patch backports already, for about ~3.5 years after the AOSP release of a new OS version. However, it's always been recommended to update the OS anyways as not every patch will be marked or recognized as a security fix. LTS releases are better supported when it comes to security fixes.
This makes sense since the OS in car dashboards is going to be updated less frequently than other form factors, plus cars are going to be kept around longer than handhelds.
No idea how long Google will maintain these LTS releases, though. H/T to Al Sutton for spotting this.
Google does do security patch backports already, for about ~3.5 years after the AOSP release of a new OS version. However, it's always been recommended to update the OS anyways as not every patch will be marked or recognized as a security fix. LTS releases are better supported when it comes to security fixes.
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