Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3.2 minor update has been released.

Build number: T2B3.230109.004 → T2B3.230109.009, T2B3.230109.006.A1 (Pixel 7 Pro only)
Security Patch: February 2023
Fixed Issues:

• Fixed issues that sometimes caused the screen on some devices to flash green or display other visual artifacts. (Issue #260941279, Issue #256052135)
• Jio 5G network is now enabled for Pixel 6 and 7 series devices.

🔗 Android Beta

• OTA images

• Factory Images

Google News | En

Gboard works on a new tool to change the size of the keyboard without opening settings.

Previously, to resize the keyboard, you had to open settings/preferences and select options under "Keyboard height". Now Google plans to add a new "Resize" shortcut, which will allow you to visually adjust the size of the keyboard, both in height and width, as well as set its position. You will be able to reset the changes made to the value set in the settings, using the corresponding button.

This experiment appeared in the new beta update 12.7.05 and is hidden behind the enable_new_resizing_ui flag.

H/T @rkbdigboard

Google News | En

This video causes a reboot on Tensor powered Pixel devices.

When you open this video in the YouTube app, the device instantly goes into reboot. Although it is worth noting this is a "soft" reboot that takes you straight to the boot animation. This indicates a system crash.

Apparently, the problem only affected Google Tensor-based devices on the stable build of Android 13, and it may have something to do with HDR video processing.

However, this issue does not occur on the beta version of Android 13 QPR2 (release in 2 weeks) and Android 14 Developer preview 1, so in fact the problem has already been fixed.

Redditor u/OGPixel5 seems to be the first to discover this video.

Google News | En

Play Store is finally works on fully integrating the Material You dynamic colors.

Until now, the only elements that followed dynamic colors were the navigation bar and the search bar on the home page. All other places used the standard green accent.

However, in version 34.7.10-21, we found the beginning of work to extend dynamic colors to all components. The new MaterialNextBaselineTheming__enable_baseline_theming_everywhere server flag is responsible for the activation.

As we said, the work has just begun, because for now the accent is fixed only on the blue color.

Google News | En

Google is rolling out the Magic Eraser for older Pixel devices and Google One subscribers.

A week after the announcement, users started receiving a new Google Photos tool to remove unnecessary objects from photos and camouflage them. It will now be available in any Google One subnoscription tier or for free if you own a Pixel device.

It looks like the rollout is server-side, and installing any APK won't speed up the feature's appearance. (confirmed to be available from server-side in v.6.24)

To check if you got the Magic Eraser, open any photo, click 'Edit', and browse to the 'Tools' tab.

Google News | En

Play Store is moving the 'Kids' top tab to a separate navigation button on Tablets.

The section itself has long existed as a tab on the top bar, but now it will be located on the navigation bar. Most likely, this change is relevant only for tablets, because we have already seen it on Google renders in the context of large screens.

Google News | En

If you're an app developer and want to test Android 14's improved predictive back gesture animation (w/ support for cross-task & in-app transition previews) as shown in the below video, here's how 👇

You'll need a device running Android 14 DP1, of course. You'll also need root access, though, so if you don't/can't root your Pixel, then the Android Emulator will suffice as it allows for adb root.

All you have to do is run these commands in an elevated shell:

1) Enable new predictive back animations:

setprop persist.wm.debug.predictive_back_anim 1

2) Restart system_server:

stop && start

And voila! You should see the new animations. That's provided you also have "predictive back animations" enabled in Developer Options, as otherwise even the back-to-home animation is disabled. If your app targets API 33, you'll also need to opt in.

In future Android 14 previews, you probably won't have to enable this new predictive back animation using root, but I don't know if that'll happen in DP2, Beta 1, or later.

For the full details on the predictive back gesture improvements coming to Android 14, check out this article I wrote for XDA-Developers a few weeks back.

Android 15 - 'V' dessert code-name has been revealed.

Judging by the commits of the continuous testing framework (TradeFed) on the Android Open Source Project, the sweet name of Android 15 'V' will be 'Vanilla Ice Cream'.

This year's sweet name was revealed a little earlier than Android 14's 'Upside Down Cake', whose name was revealed in late April last year.

Source: Mishaal's Android News Feed

Google News | En

Nearby Share on Android adds audio and tactile feedback.

Audio effects appears in the following scenarios: device detection, end of transmission (on the transmitting device) and end of reception (on the receiving device).

Haptic vibration feedback occurs only at the end of transmission on the transmitting device (in the form of a soft double vibration).

These changes were announced as part of the February Google Play system update and are already present in the Google Play Services version 23.09.13 beta (I can't say for sure if it is available by default when you upgrade to this version).

Editor's note: Sorry about the video presentation format.

Google News | En

March Pixel Feature Drop is delayed, but list of new features has surfaced.

Usually updates are released on the first Monday of the month, but for some reason Google delayed the release of Android 13 QPR2 with the March Pixel Feature Drop. However, redditor u/Austin31415 shared a list of new features he received from an anonymous source:

• Faster Night Sight, introduced in the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro in the fall, will now also be available for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.
• Health Connect now built into the system
• Magic Eraser is now available for free on all Pixel devices
• The 'Direct my call' feature introduced with the Pixel 6 will now be available on the Pixel 4a and newer.
• Pixel Watch will feature Fall detection (available for Pixel 5 and newer)

Some of these features have already been announced before, and the list itself may not be complete.

Google News | En