Happy holidays!

I wrote three new articles about One UI 7 that were published while I was away. They are:

1) One UI 7 lets you stop HDR photos from making your screen super bright

2) One UI 7 will make it easier to filter notifications that aren't important

3) One UI 7 is adding even more continuity features between your Galaxy phone and Galaxy Book

When you enable Android's new Identity Check feature, biometric authentication will be required for the following actions when your phone is outside a trusted location:

* Access saved passwords and passkeys with Google Password Manager.
* Autofill passwords in apps from Google Password Manager, except in Chrome.
* Change screen lock, like PIN, pattern, and password.
* Change biometrics, like Fingerprint or Face Unlock.
* Run a factory reset.
* Turn off Find My Device.
* Turn off any theft protection features.
* View trusted places.
* Turn off Identity Check.
* Set up a new device with your current device.
* Add or remove a Google Account.
* Access Developer options.
* Change your password from account settings or through "Forgot password."
* Add or change recovery factors on the device.

You can continue to use PIN, pattern or passwords for Private Space, multiusers, autofill payments in apps, and password and payments autofill in Chrome.

Identity Check is currently available on Pixel phones running Android 15 QPR1 or later (December '24 Pixel Drop) as well as the Samsung Galaxy S24 running the One UI 7 beta. The feature only works on devices that support class 3 ("strong") biometrics. To enable it, go to theft protection settings - Identity Check will be listed there if your device supports it.

Google is testing a new "download manager" feature in the Play Store.

This feature adds a new button to the top right that, when tapped, shows a list of apps you've recently installed but haven't launched yet. If you're in the middle of downloading a new app, it'll show up in this list, too, so you can see the progress.

@AssembleDebug spotted evidence for this feature a few weeks ago, but I just noticed that it's live for me. Anyone else see this?

✨HONOR is making Gemini the default assistant on its Magic7 Pro

The smartphone brand HONOR announced today that it's going to make Google Gemini the default assistant on its upcoming Magic7 Pro and PORSCHE DESIGN Magic 7 RSR.

Google currently doesn't require OEMs to make Gemini the default assistant (they can choose to still use the old Assistant) but I suspect we'll see more and more device makers in 2025 enable Gemini as the default.

❌ The Pixel Launcher widget list may soon hide most widgets behind a menu

You’ll soon see a filtered set of widgets by default in the Pixel Launcher’s widget list

This is something Nothing recently implemented in Nothing OS 3.0.

Details on this upcoming change can be found in this article.

💻 Android may soon let you customize your touchpad's three-tap gesture

A new menu will let you set a three-finger tap to do a middle click, launch Gemini, go home, or view recent apps.

More details + a screenshot of this menu can be found in this article on Android Authority.

Big Google TV news at #CES2025 just dropped:

Gemini will augment the voice assistant and future TVs will get far-field mics and proximity sensors for hands-free interactions as well as access to a new widgets hub.

More details + videos can be found in this article on Android Police.

Qi2 charging support is coming to Samsung Galaxy Android devices this year!

Samsung was quoted in the WPC's press release saying the following:

"The exceptional Qi2 growth story will continue in 2025. You can expect to see Android devices supporting Qi2 from Samsung Galaxy devices in 2025."

Google is also committed to bringing Qi2 to more Android devices, stating that:

"Google is helping to achieve this goal by playing a leading role in the development of the upcoming Qi v2.2 standard, which includes Google's contribution of its own high-power wireless charging technology to WPC."

Lastly, the introduction of a new Qi2 extension will enable moving coils to be deployed. This will be helpful for automobiles as it'll allow them to consistently align their wireless chargers with the coil placements of Qi2 devices.

💳 Android may soon add a new shortcut to launch Google Wallet

A quick double tap of the power button could soon let you launch the default wallet app

The existing camera shortcut will likely remain as an option.

More details can be found in the article on Android Authority.

☀️TCL unveils its next-gen display tech for better eye comfort: NXTPAPER 4.0

NXTPAPER 4.0 promises even better eye comfort, display clarity, and color reproduction.

The NXTPAPER 11 Plus tablet & the 60 XE NXTPAPER phone are the first to ship w/ 4.0.

More details here.

Lenovo unveils new premium Android tablets aimed at gamers and students

Here's what you need to know about the new Yoga Tab Plus, the Idea Tab Pro, the Tab LTE, and the Legion Tab Gen 3.

Android 16 is adding a new Advanced Protection Mode API

Apps can check if you're enrolled in APM and then apply any extra security measures they deem necessary to safeguard your data.

This seems to be the Android native version of Google's Advanced Protection Program.

I first reported on Android 16's support for Advanced Protection Mode back in October, but it wasn't clear if the API would be open to 3P apps. However, these comments from some Googlers seem to confirm that'll be the case.

Google TV devices on Android 14, Google Nest devices, Chromecast, and some LG TVs can now locally control your Matter-enabled smart home devices

Google said at CES 2025 that it had integrated the Home Runtime into these devices, enabling them to control Matter devices without an Internet connection. Viewing or controlling these devices will now be faster, more reliable, and more private.

While I'm on the subject of smart home control, I thought I'd mention that Android 16 is adding a new PackageManager API that lets apps determine whether an Android device has Thread network support.

FCC docs suggest the Pixel 9 series has a Thread radio, but it's currently not utilized. That could change this year, though.