⌚️ Pixel Watch companion app will soon get support for syncing app permissions between your phone and watch.

A new update to the app under version 2.3.0 introduces a hidden server-side flag 'PermissionSync__enabled', when activated, a new 'Device Details' item appears in the System section of the app's settings, the denoscription of which reads:

Rename watch, sync permissions, share contacts.

Tapping on it opens the Device details in system settings, where at the very bottom appears a new switch "Sync permissions from phone", the denoscription of which explains how the feature works:

Give your watch the same app permissions that you've allowed on this phone.

This switch in Android Settings was first discovered in Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2 by Mishaal Rahman, and remains hidden for now.

😎 Google News | En

📺 YouTube is enforcing new restrictions on third-party ad-blocking apps.

There's a new announcement on the support page about the service tightening its crackdown on third-party ad-blocking apps.
When using such apps, users may may experience buffering issues or see the error “The following content is not available on this app” when trying to watch a video.

The service will only allow third-party apps if they comply with the API Services Terms of Service.

😎 Google News | En

Android 15 Beta 1.1 bug fix has been released with a fix for NFC module.

Official changelog:

• Fixed various issues with NFC that interfered with wallet apps and other NFC-dependent system operations.
• Fixed an issue that sometimes caused the Developer Options settings screen to crash.
• Fixed an issue that prevented some devices from updating properly to Beta 1.
• Fixed a text clipping issue when trying to print.

Build: AP31.240322.018 → AP31.240322.023
Security patch level: April 2024

🔗 Factory images
🔗 OTA images (Users with Android 15 DP1 please see Google's warning)
🔗 Sign up for the beta test for the over-the-air upgrade (you won't be able to exit without losing data until September-October)

#Android15

😎 Google News | En

🤖 Google has released Android 15 Beta 1.2 with additional bug fixes.

Three days after Beta 1.1 with NFC fixes, Google released another minor update with fixes for the following issues:

• Fixed an issue that sometimes caused apps to freeze and display an "Application Not Responding" message.
• Fixed a system performance issue that caused excessive battery drain in some cases.
• Fixed an issue that caused the system Settings app to crash when trying to add a fingerprint.
• Fixed an issue that prevented the system back gesture from working in some cases.
• Fixed an issue that could cause the screen to flicker repeatedly.

Build: AP31.240322.023 → AP31.240322.027
Security patch level: April 2024

🔗 Factory images
🔗 OTA images (Users with Android 15 DP1 please see Google's warning)
🔗 Sign up for the beta test for the over-the-air upgrade (you won't be able to exit without losing data until September-October)

#Android15

😎 Google News | En

🎞 Google Photos has finally implemented the Material 3 library's 'Carousel' component.

The essence of this component is that carousel containers move at a different speed than their contents, creating a parallax effect. It first appeared in the Material Components Android 1.9.0 release, which became stable May 2023.

Now, the component has finally made its way to the Google Photos memories carousel at the top of the home page list and is available by default when you upgrade to version 6.81.

🔗 Material IO 'Carousel'

🔗 Link to documentation

😎 Google News | En

Google has officially unveiled the Pixel 8a!

The new mid-budget device in the Pixel lineup is now available for pre-order, and is scheduled to launch on May 14 (Google I/O day). The price tag starts at $499 dollars.

Key specs:

• Google Tensor G3 processor
• Display: Actua Display, 6.1-inch diagonal, 1080x2400 resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz, 1400 nits max brightness (2000 nits at peak), Corning® Gorilla® Glass™ 3
• IP67 rating, Gorilla Glass 3, brushed aluminum frame
• Dimensions: 152.1 x 72.6 x 8.9 mm
• Rear cameras: 80° wide-angle 64 MP Quad PD ƒ/1.89 + 13 MP ultra-wide 120° camera ƒ/2.2. No macro focus
• Front camera: 13 MP, 96.5° field of view, ƒ/2.2 aperture, fixed focus
• Optical fingerprint scanner under the display, face unlock with class 3 security.
• 8GB LPDDR5x RAM
• 128GB / 256GB UFS 3.1 storage
• Wi-Fi 6E, 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C 3.2
• 4492 mAh battery
• Supports wireless Qi charging, but no reverse charging.
• All camera and gallery features like the vanilla Pixel 8, except macro focus and Action Pan.
• Gemini Nano support (coming soon)
• No spatial audio.
• 7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates.
• Available colors: Mint, Blue, Black, Beige.

🔎 Pre-order on Google Store

😎 Google News | En

⬇️ May 2024 security patch has been released.

All supported devices starting with Pixel 5a (5G) and newer get the update.

Fixed issues:

Bluetooth
• General improvements in stability or performance for Bluetooth LE audio *[Pixel 5a (5G), Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet]

Camera
• Fix for camera performance under certain conditions when recording video *[Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8]

Security Patch: May 2024
Build Number: AP1A.240505.00X

Explanation of builds for Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro:
• .005 — Global
• .005.B1 — KDDI.
• .004 — T-Mobile, C Spire, US Cellular & Cellcom
• .005.A1 — Verizon

🔗 Android Security Bulletin — May 2024
🔗 Pixel Update Bulletin — May 2024

🔗 Factory Images

🔗 OTAs

😎 Google News | En