#ChromeOS
Chrome OS to support sharing and receiving Wi-Fi credentials via Nearby Share
Chrome Story

You can already use Nearby Share to share Wi-Fi credentials on Android 12, and Google is planning to bring it over to Chrome OS.

A merged commit in Chromium repository shows that Google is planning to bring the ability to receive Wi-FI credentials via Nearby Share (via Chrome Story). Besides that, there is another commit which shows that Chrome OS will let you share it out to other device too.

All these features are all still under development and might take quite a while for them to start working.

#Chrome
A new logo for Chrome after nearly 8 years, and will be customised for every platform
Elvin

Google Chrome has been using the same logo since 2014 on all platforms, and guess what, an update to the logo is on its way, and will be uniquely designed for each platform.

The new logo has removed all the subtle shadows which is previously on the outer ring, but there are still subtle gradient in order to avoid "unpleasant color vibration" between green and red. The proportions of the logo also got some minor changes, with the inner blue circle got enlarged.

Besides that, every platform will have its unique design, Windows will get an "obviously gradated look," while Chrome OS use brighter colors, and 3D look is used for macOS. Non-stable channel except Canary will have the banner placed on the top-left corner, meanwhile iOS will use “blueprint-like” design for the logo.

The new logo is currently being tested out on the Canary channel, and it might get introduced on version 100 if everything goes well.

#Duo
Google Duo hit 5 billion installs milestone on Play Store
Android Police

No matter you use it or not, Google Duo application has reached 5 billion downloads count on the Play Store.

This app come preinstalled with most of the recent Android phones, so even if you personally don't use the service, and the app is installed on your phone by default, this still help increase the downloads count by one.

These day the service didn't really gain any new features, other than the Material You redesign which is rolled out a few months ago, that's pretty much it. Google also plan to merge it with Meet, but has later cancelled to do so. Anyway, let's see how Google will continue improving the service in the near future.

#Duo
Google Duo could gain Breakout Rooms, streaming and recording meeting features
XDA Developers

Google Duo just managed to reach 5 billion installs milestone, and seems like Google is preparing to bring new features to the service.

By this point, you most likely have experienced with video conferencing services, and one of the feature which divide participants into smaller groups is breakout rooms. Apparently, Google is going to bring it over to Duo, strings in the app suggested:

<string name="breakout_ended_dialog_noscript">Breakout room has ended</string>
<string name="breakouts_active">Breakout rooms are in session</string>
<string name="breakouts_in_session_banner_text">Breakout rooms are in session</string>

Besides, streaming and recording feature will also be added into the service too:

<string name="broadcast_active">This meeting is being streamed</string>
<string name="broadcast_active_prejoin_text">This meeting is being streamed</string>
<string name="broadcast_and_recording_active">This meeting is being streamed and recorded</string>
<string name="broadcast_and_recording_active_prejoin_text">This meeting is being streamed and recorded</string>
<string name="broadcast_initializing_content_denoscription">Live stream will start soon</string>
<string name="broadcast_initiated">This meeting is being streamed</string>
<string name="broadcast_initiated_by_participant">{PARTICIPANT_NAME} has started streaming</string>
<string name="broadcast_live_content_denoscription">This meeting is being streamed</string>
<string name="broadcast_live_indicator_text">LIVE</string>
<string name="broadcast_stopped">Streaming has stopped</string>

All these hidden features are discovered in version 159.0.425779378 and not rolled out to any users. When it make its appearance to the public, we will let you know about it.

#Updates #Pixel
February 2022 Security Patch Changelog

Camera
• Fix for issue causing device reboot when using camera in certain conditions *[1].

Bluetooth
• Fix for issue causing audio playback to disconnect while using certain Bluetooth devices *[1].
• General improvements for Bluetooth audio quality with certain media codecs *[1].

Framework
• Fix for issue causing keyboard to display over input text in certain conditions *[2].

Telephony
• Connectivity fixes for specific carrier networks *[3].

---------------------------------------------------------------

Device Applicability
*[1] Included on Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro
*[2] Included on Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 5a (5G), Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro
*[3] Included on Pixel 4, Pixel 4XL, Pixel 4a (5G) & Pixel 5 (C Spire, Cellcom)

Source:
Pixel Phone Support Forum

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#Updates #Pixel
February 2022 Security Patch is rolling out!
Changes

The second update of this year is out! This time Pixel 6 & 6 Pro users are not waiting longer for the update like for the last 2 months. Check your OTA for the update! This month also brings minor fixes, as Android 12L and Android 13 Developer beta's are around the corner

Download for Google Pixel devices:
Pixel 3: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 3 XL: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 3a: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 3a XL: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 4: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 4 XL: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 4a: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 4a 5G: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 5: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 5a: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 6: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 6 Pro: Factory Images | OTA

*Build ID
Pixel 3/XL: SP1A.210812.016
Pixel 3a/XL, Pixel 4/XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 5a: SQ1A.220205.002
Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro: SQ1D.220205.003

Source:
Pixel Phone Support Forum

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

#Pixel #Pixel3
Pixel 3 & 3 XL get it's last update?

UPDATE: It is confirmed that this will be the last update for the Pixel 3 series.

As promised, Google releases it's last update for the Pixel 3 series in Q1 after the guaranteed software period.

The build ID is SP1A.210812.016 which matches the October 2021 patch of the Verizon Pixel 5/4a 5g/4a/4 XL/4/3a/3a XL.

The changelog does not mention anything for the Pixel 3 series, this is very weird.

Pixel 3: Factory Images | OTA
Pixel 3 XL: Factory Images | OTA

Follow @PixelHubUpdates

Update: This is the last update for the Pixel 3 series, confirmed by Google.
Previous post

Source:
9To5Google

#News #Pixel6
Pixel 6 owners reporting Wi-Fi is broken on February update
Android Authority

Yesterday, Google has just released February 2022 update to all supported devices including the Pixel 6 at the same time. Welp, things aren't going well for the Pixel 6 series once again.

Earlier in last December, Google has borked Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro carrier network service and lastly reverted the December builds for the devices altogether. Now this time, they broke the devices' Wi-Fi connectivity. There are various reports from Reddit, Twitter and Pixel community, mentioning about the issue.

Users that faced the issue have tried all of the possible troubleshoot ways to fix the issue like toggling airplane mode, mobile hotspot, resetting network settings, restarting into safe mode, and even doing a factory reset doesn't help at all. Good news is that the issue isn't affecting every user out there, as mentioned by a few Redditors in the comment section.

Anyway, if you own a Pixel 6 and want to be on the safe side, it's better that you stayed on the January update for now.

#Translate #MY
Google Translate set to gain two new Material You widgets
Mishaal Rahman

Earlier Google has rolled out Material You redesign of the app to all Android device a few weeks ago. Recently, it is discovered that Google is preparing two Material You widgets for the app.

The widgets are named " Saved Translations" and "Quick Actions" respectively. As the name tell, Saved Translations will give you access to translations that you have saved earlier in a list, there will also be speak, copy and favourite buttons besides it. Meanwhile, Quick Actions will offers shortcut to open the app, voice translation, conversation mode and camera translation.

From what I can tell, the widget will be available on older Android version too, just you will get the normal blue accent color as expected. The new widgets are hidden under the app version 2022.01.27.0.04.425517230, which is currently not rolled out yet.

#Workspace #Calendar
Google Calendar will let you manage overdue tasks easier
Google Workspace Updates

No one is perfect in this world, sometimes we are being told to finish the task before a specific time but we might overdue it for some reasons. If you use Google Calendar to manage your task schedule, it will soon be easier to manage overdue tasks.

Google Calendar will show you tasks that are uncompleted and due in the past 30 days, On today's date, you will see "x pending tasks," clicking on it will shows all of them in a comprehensive list. In the list, you will be able to see when the task is scheduled to be done, and you will be given options to edit it or mark as complete.

The feature will be available for all Workspace customers, and is making its appearance first on web as early starting today, then later come to Android a few weeks later and lastly iOS in March.

#ChromeOS
Chrome OS 98 comes with Emoji 14.0 support, Network Based Recovery and more
Android Police

Chrome OS 98 is arriving to the stable channel, and there is a ton of new changes & improvements.

The most obvious changes will be the new emoji picker supporting Emoji 14.0, language settings also got improved, ability to choose where to save screen captures, Files app gain full dark theme support, there is also new virtual desk shortcuts too.

Scrolling performance in Android Runtime for Chrome (ARC) apps using a mouse is also improved. Some Chromebooks will get Network Based Recovery, allowing users to recover Chrome OS installation over a network connection.

Chrome OS 98 addressed the issue of drag and drop in Linux and disabling Play Store search in launcher. Some optional flags are also added like noise suppression for calls and virtual keyboard dark mode.

#News #A12
Android 12 Material You dynamic colors will be a compulsory requirement
Android Police

Soon you will see all OEMs implementing dynamic color theming in their Android 12 skin, if they want to ship Google apps out of the box.

According to a trusted source to Android Police, they said Google is setting a policy requiring Android 12 software builds that are submitted for Google Mobile Services (GMS) approval will need to implement dynamic color theming system just like how the Pixel do for example. OEMs cane either use Google's Monet or their home-made engines, but there's a catch. The engine will need to be able to use a single source color, generate three accent palettes and two neutral.

The new policy will be effective starting March 14, which means devices that are launched or updated after that date will include dynamic theming system. It's nice to see that every phone will be getting such features.