Forwarded from Mishaal's Android News Feed
It's official, Apple has implemented an unwanted tracker alerts feature - based on the Detected Unwanted Location Trackers industry spec - in iOS 17.5!
This means Apple users will receive an "[Item] Found Moving With You" alert if an unknown Bluetooth tracking device is seen moving with them over time. Before this update, only AirTags/Find My accessories could be detected, but now any Bluetooth tracker compatible with the DULT spec can be detected!
iOS lacking DULT support was the main reason Google delayed the rollout of its Find My Device network. Google has already begun rolling out its Find My Device network to some users globally, but perhaps now the rollout will ramp up.
This means Apple users will receive an "[Item] Found Moving With You" alert if an unknown Bluetooth tracking device is seen moving with them over time. Before this update, only AirTags/Find My accessories could be detected, but now any Bluetooth tracker compatible with the DULT spec can be detected!
iOS lacking DULT support was the main reason Google delayed the rollout of its Find My Device network. Google has already begun rolling out its Find My Device network to some users globally, but perhaps now the rollout will ramp up.
👏20👍3
Forwarded from Mishaal's Android News Feed
Here's a quick demo of the new, more context-aware Gemini app for Android.
The new app supports drag-and-drop of images, can show take a YouTube video as context if you tap "Ask this video", and can take a PDF as context if you tap "Ask this PDF".
The new app supports drag-and-drop of images, can show take a YouTube video as context if you tap "Ask this video", and can take a PDF as context if you tap "Ask this PDF".
YouTube
Demo of the new Gemini app for Android
A demo of the updated Gemini app for Android announced at Google I/O 2024.
❤5🔥2
Forwarded from Mishaal's Android News Feed
Gemini Nano is being baked into Google Chrome on PCs! This will power a new “help me write” feature that helps users write short form content. When users click on “help me write”, Chrome will download and quickly load the optimized Gemini Nano model in the background. This will work on the “vast majority of devices that are out there.”
Furthermore, web devs will get access to Gemini in Chrome. They won’t have to worry about prompt engineering, as Gemini Nano can be called by one of several high-level APIs, including translate, caption, and transcribe.
Google says they’ve “started to engage” with other browsers on enabling Gemini and will be opening up an early preview program soon.
Furthermore, web devs will get access to Gemini in Chrome. They won’t have to worry about prompt engineering, as Gemini Nano can be called by one of several high-level APIs, including translate, caption, and transcribe.
Google says they’ve “started to engage” with other browsers on enabling Gemini and will be opening up an early preview program soon.
❤25👍8🤮8🤣4
Forwarded from Mishaal's Android News Feed
Android 15 Beta 2 is HERE! Beta 2 brings loads of new changes and features. Here’s a summary:
- Private space is here! This feature, as I previously reported, lets users make a separate space where they can keep sensitive apps away from prying eyes. It makes a separate user profile that’s paused when the device is locked. Private space apps show up in a dedicated container in the launcher and are hidden from recents, notifications, settings, etc. when the profile is locked.
- App pairs are here! As I previously reported, Android 15 now lets you save a pair of apps to launch in split-screen mode.
- Predictive back is enabled by default! You no longer need to enable a developer option to see the system animations for back-to-home, cross-task, and cross-activity in apps that have properly migrated.
- Apps can now highlight only the most recently selected photos and videos when partial access to media permissions is granted.
- Apps targeting Android 15 can provide Remote Views to the Widget Picker so they can update the preview to be more personal/relevant.
- Health Connect adds 2 new data types: skin temperature and training plans.
- If your system language is set to French, you can now change how the OS addresses you (grammatical gender) by going to language settings.
- Android 15 Beta 2 lets apps set rich vibrations for incoming notifications by channel. This lets users distinguish between notifications by haptics.
- The animation for entering PiP mode in Android 15 is now smoother. This will benefit apps having UI elements overlaid on top of their main UI that enters PiP. Apps can now receive a callback when the PiP enter animation starts so they can quickly toggle irrelevant UI elements.
- Android 15 blocks apps that don’t match the top UID on the stack from launching activities. This is to prevent malicious apps within the same task from launching another app’s activity then overlaying themselves on top.
- New APIs to perform permission checks on content URIs.
(1/2)
- Private space is here! This feature, as I previously reported, lets users make a separate space where they can keep sensitive apps away from prying eyes. It makes a separate user profile that’s paused when the device is locked. Private space apps show up in a dedicated container in the launcher and are hidden from recents, notifications, settings, etc. when the profile is locked.
- App pairs are here! As I previously reported, Android 15 now lets you save a pair of apps to launch in split-screen mode.
- Predictive back is enabled by default! You no longer need to enable a developer option to see the system animations for back-to-home, cross-task, and cross-activity in apps that have properly migrated.
- Apps can now highlight only the most recently selected photos and videos when partial access to media permissions is granted.
- Apps targeting Android 15 can provide Remote Views to the Widget Picker so they can update the preview to be more personal/relevant.
- Health Connect adds 2 new data types: skin temperature and training plans.
- If your system language is set to French, you can now change how the OS addresses you (grammatical gender) by going to language settings.
- Android 15 Beta 2 lets apps set rich vibrations for incoming notifications by channel. This lets users distinguish between notifications by haptics.
- The animation for entering PiP mode in Android 15 is now smoother. This will benefit apps having UI elements overlaid on top of their main UI that enters PiP. Apps can now receive a callback when the PiP enter animation starts so they can quickly toggle irrelevant UI elements.
- Android 15 blocks apps that don’t match the top UID on the stack from launching activities. This is to prevent malicious apps within the same task from launching another app’s activity then overlaying themselves on top.
- New APIs to perform permission checks on content URIs.
(1/2)
👍11❤2🎉2
Forwarded from Mishaal's Android News Feed
Mishaal's Android News Feed
Android 15 Beta 2 is HERE! Beta 2 brings loads of new changes and features. Here’s a summary: - Private space is here! This feature, as I previously reported, lets users make a separate space where they can keep sensitive apps away from prying eyes. It makes…
- Android 15 will block users from installing apps with a target SDK version ≤ 23. Previously, Android 14 blocked apps with target SDK version ≤ 22.
- As I previously reported, Android 15 is adding support for 16 KB page sizes. Google says devices with larger page sizes can see improved performance in memory-intensive workloads. Apps with NDK libraries will likely need to be rebuilt to work on these devices.
- Android 15 includes ANGLE as an optional layer for running OpenGL ES on top of Vulkan. The move to ANGLE will standardize the Android OpenGL implementation. Going forward, ANGLE will be shipped as the default GL system driver on more new devices with the goal for GL/ES to be only available through ANGLE.
- On devices that don’t have a HW AV1 decoder, VideoLAN’s SW AV1 decoder (dav1d) can be utilized. As I previously reported, dav1d is a highly efficient and performant AV1 decoder. It’s included by default in Android 15 but is available on Android 11+ devices through a Play System Update. However, apps have to opt in by invoking dav1d by name for now.
- Improvements to the security of intents. Intents that target specific components must match the target’s intent-filter specifications. Intents without an action will no longer match any intent-filters.
- Foreground services that rely on the SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW permission exemption for background starts are now required to have a visible overlay when targeting Android 15.
- The dataSync and mediaProcessing foreground service types now have a ~6 hour timeout after which the service is no longer considered a foreground service. If the service doesn’t stop itself, it’ll get stopped with a failure.
- Lastly, some text changes. Beta 2 includes API-related updates from ICU 74. The font file for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean is now a variable font. There’s now a font file for the Japanese Hentaigana font. TextView now allocates additional width for cursive fonts or language characters with complex shaping that may otherwise get clipped.
(2/2)
- As I previously reported, Android 15 is adding support for 16 KB page sizes. Google says devices with larger page sizes can see improved performance in memory-intensive workloads. Apps with NDK libraries will likely need to be rebuilt to work on these devices.
- Android 15 includes ANGLE as an optional layer for running OpenGL ES on top of Vulkan. The move to ANGLE will standardize the Android OpenGL implementation. Going forward, ANGLE will be shipped as the default GL system driver on more new devices with the goal for GL/ES to be only available through ANGLE.
- On devices that don’t have a HW AV1 decoder, VideoLAN’s SW AV1 decoder (dav1d) can be utilized. As I previously reported, dav1d is a highly efficient and performant AV1 decoder. It’s included by default in Android 15 but is available on Android 11+ devices through a Play System Update. However, apps have to opt in by invoking dav1d by name for now.
- Improvements to the security of intents. Intents that target specific components must match the target’s intent-filter specifications. Intents without an action will no longer match any intent-filters.
- Foreground services that rely on the SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW permission exemption for background starts are now required to have a visible overlay when targeting Android 15.
- The dataSync and mediaProcessing foreground service types now have a ~6 hour timeout after which the service is no longer considered a foreground service. If the service doesn’t stop itself, it’ll get stopped with a failure.
- Lastly, some text changes. Beta 2 includes API-related updates from ICU 74. The font file for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean is now a variable font. There’s now a font file for the Japanese Hentaigana font. TextView now allocates additional width for cursive fonts or language characters with complex shaping that may otherwise get clipped.
(2/2)
🆒7❤1
Forwarded from Mishaal's Android News Feed
Google has announced a LOT of new fraud and scam protection features for Android 15 and Google Play. These include:
- OTP redaction in notifications. OTPs are now hidden from untrusted notification listeners. Wearable companion apps will still be able to read OTPs, though.
- Notification, OTP, and login redaction during screen sharing. During screen sharing, private notification content, apps that post OTPs, and pages where you enter credentials will be automatically protected from remote viewers.
- Partial screen sharing. This was technically introduced on Pixel with Android 14 QPR2, but Google’s mentioning it here because it’s coming to other devices in Android 15. Coming later: A more prominent screen indicator while screen sharing.
- Expanded Restricted Settings. Google is expanding restricted settings, a feature that requires additional user approval to enable permissions when installing an app from an Internet-sideloading source (like a web browser or file manager). (I previously reported on Enhanced Confirmation Mode in Android 15; I believe Google is referring to this.)
- Cellular cipher transparency. As I previously reported, Android 15 will notify you if your cellular network connection is unencrypted which could expose SMS and voice traffic to interception. Requires OEM integration and compatible hardware.
- Identifier disclosure transparency. Android 15 will alert you if a potential false cellular base station (stingray) is recording their location using a device identifier. Requires OEM integration and compatible hardware.
- Live threat detection through Google Play Protect. This uses on-device AI to analyze behavioral signals related to the use of sensitive permissions and interactions with other apps and services. Suspicious apps are sent to Google for additional review; Play Protect will then warn the user or disable the app if malicious behavior is confirmed. This feature is coming to Pixel, OPPO, Honor, Lenovo, OnePlus, Nothing, Transsion, Sharp, and other manufacturers.
- OTP redaction in notifications. OTPs are now hidden from untrusted notification listeners. Wearable companion apps will still be able to read OTPs, though.
- Notification, OTP, and login redaction during screen sharing. During screen sharing, private notification content, apps that post OTPs, and pages where you enter credentials will be automatically protected from remote viewers.
- Partial screen sharing. This was technically introduced on Pixel with Android 14 QPR2, but Google’s mentioning it here because it’s coming to other devices in Android 15. Coming later: A more prominent screen indicator while screen sharing.
- Expanded Restricted Settings. Google is expanding restricted settings, a feature that requires additional user approval to enable permissions when installing an app from an Internet-sideloading source (like a web browser or file manager). (I previously reported on Enhanced Confirmation Mode in Android 15; I believe Google is referring to this.)
- Cellular cipher transparency. As I previously reported, Android 15 will notify you if your cellular network connection is unencrypted which could expose SMS and voice traffic to interception. Requires OEM integration and compatible hardware.
- Identifier disclosure transparency. Android 15 will alert you if a potential false cellular base station (stingray) is recording their location using a device identifier. Requires OEM integration and compatible hardware.
- Live threat detection through Google Play Protect. This uses on-device AI to analyze behavioral signals related to the use of sensitive permissions and interactions with other apps and services. Suspicious apps are sent to Google for additional review; Play Protect will then warn the user or disable the app if malicious behavior is confirmed. This feature is coming to Pixel, OPPO, Honor, Lenovo, OnePlus, Nothing, Transsion, Sharp, and other manufacturers.
👍7
Forwarded from Mishaal's Android News Feed
Android 15 Beta 2 brings the following features:
- Private Space.
- New volume panel design.
- Bluetooth auto-on toggle.
- Predictive back gesture by default.
- Saving app pairs.
- Color contrast settings. (One thing to note: It's no longer under Settings > Accessibility > Color and motion. Instead it's under Settings > Wallpaper & style.)
- Updated storage page. Under Settings > Storage, there's no longer a "System" option. Instead, there's a "System" header that splits into the "OS" and "temporary system files". This may somewhat reduce confusion with how much space system files takes up. Unrecognized files will still be seen as "temporary system files", though.
- New USB debugging/Android System icon. The upside down logo has been replaced with a V shape to reflect the internal dessert name of Vanilla Ice Cream.
- Changing the screen timeout to a higher value in Android 15 Beta 2 requires you to unlock the device.
(Screenshots: Skiman10)
- Private Space.
- New volume panel design.
- Bluetooth auto-on toggle.
- Predictive back gesture by default.
- Saving app pairs.
- Color contrast settings. (One thing to note: It's no longer under Settings > Accessibility > Color and motion. Instead it's under Settings > Wallpaper & style.)
- Updated storage page. Under Settings > Storage, there's no longer a "System" option. Instead, there's a "System" header that splits into the "OS" and "temporary system files". This may somewhat reduce confusion with how much space system files takes up. Unrecognized files will still be seen as "temporary system files", though.
- New USB debugging/Android System icon. The upside down logo has been replaced with a V shape to reflect the internal dessert name of Vanilla Ice Cream.
- Changing the screen timeout to a higher value in Android 15 Beta 2 requires you to unlock the device.
(Screenshots: Skiman10)
👍10❤2🆒1
Forwarded from Mishaal's Android News Feed
Wear OS 5 is coming later this year, so today, Google’s launching a Developer Preview so you can prepare.
Wear OS 5 is based on Android 14 and brings some notable battery life improvements. Workout tracking is more power efficient, with Google saying marathon runs consume up to 20% less power than on Wear OS 4.
The Watch Face Format (WFF), introduced in Wear OS 4, is seeing some improvements in Wear OS 5. Flavors are now supported; these are preset configurations for watch faces available in the companion app. “Goal progress” and “weighted elements” complication types are now supported. Lastly, weather and forecast data can now be used as data sources.
To encourage adoption of the WFF, Wear OS 5 will apply restrictions to some data sources used by complications on watch faces built with the legacy AndroidX or Wearable Support Library APIs. Also, in early 2025, all new watch faces published on Google Play must use the WFF.
Health Services in Wear OS 5 is introducing new data types for running (ground contact time, stride length, vertical oscillation, vertical ratio) and support debounced goals for instantaneous metrics (like heart rate, distance, and speed). Debounced goals mean that events are only emitted if the threshold has been continuously exceeded for a number of seconds.
Version 1.3 of Jetpack Compose for Wear OS graduates a number of visual improvements and fixes from beta to stable.
Version 1.4 of the Jetpack Tiles library (in alpha) will introduce preview support for Android Studio so you can quickly iterate on your Tile development.
Apps can now determine whether their tiles are in use through the getActiveTilesAsync() method.
Android Studio Koala Feature Drop (Canary) adds a new sensor panel that makes it easier to test Health Services. You can mock the capabilities of the device or sensor values.
Wear OS 5 is based on Android 14 and brings some notable battery life improvements. Workout tracking is more power efficient, with Google saying marathon runs consume up to 20% less power than on Wear OS 4.
The Watch Face Format (WFF), introduced in Wear OS 4, is seeing some improvements in Wear OS 5. Flavors are now supported; these are preset configurations for watch faces available in the companion app. “Goal progress” and “weighted elements” complication types are now supported. Lastly, weather and forecast data can now be used as data sources.
To encourage adoption of the WFF, Wear OS 5 will apply restrictions to some data sources used by complications on watch faces built with the legacy AndroidX or Wearable Support Library APIs. Also, in early 2025, all new watch faces published on Google Play must use the WFF.
Health Services in Wear OS 5 is introducing new data types for running (ground contact time, stride length, vertical oscillation, vertical ratio) and support debounced goals for instantaneous metrics (like heart rate, distance, and speed). Debounced goals mean that events are only emitted if the threshold has been continuously exceeded for a number of seconds.
Version 1.3 of Jetpack Compose for Wear OS graduates a number of visual improvements and fixes from beta to stable.
Version 1.4 of the Jetpack Tiles library (in alpha) will introduce preview support for Android Studio so you can quickly iterate on your Tile development.
Apps can now determine whether their tiles are in use through the getActiveTilesAsync() method.
Android Studio Koala Feature Drop (Canary) adds a new sensor panel that makes it easier to test Health Services. You can mock the capabilities of the device or sensor values.
👍8