Android 14 adds support for Ultra HDR, a new type of JPEG file (JPEG_R) that can include a gainmap in its metadata so that the HDR version of an image can be rendered on HDR displays and the SDR version on SDR displays.
Separately, Android 14 also adds new APIs that lets third-party apps like Google Chrome support HDR images. Thanks to this, Google Chrome on Android 14 now not only supports these kind of relative HDR containers (like Google's Ultra HDR or Apple's EDR) but also absolute HDR containers (like 10-bit AVIF).
The result is stunning! Here are some photos of my Pixel 7 Pro running Chrome on Android 14 displaying 10-bit AVIF files.
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Thanks to Dylan Raga for his help in editing these images so you can see what it looks like on SDR displays.
Here are the websites that had those photos: [1] [2]
Here's the commit adding HDR image support in Chrome on Android 14. The issue tracker report.
The APIs that were added in Android 14 that make this possible include
Lastly, I should note that you'll need a device that supports SDR dimming on Android 14 for this to work. That currently includes the Pixel 7 and newer. This article explains what SDR dimming is.
Separately, Android 14 also adds new APIs that lets third-party apps like Google Chrome support HDR images. Thanks to this, Google Chrome on Android 14 now not only supports these kind of relative HDR containers (like Google's Ultra HDR or Apple's EDR) but also absolute HDR containers (like 10-bit AVIF).
The result is stunning! Here are some photos of my Pixel 7 Pro running Chrome on Android 14 displaying 10-bit AVIF files.
—-
Thanks to Dylan Raga for his help in editing these images so you can see what it looks like on SDR displays.
Here are the websites that had those photos: [1] [2]
Here's the commit adding HDR image support in Chrome on Android 14. The issue tracker report.
The APIs that were added in Android 14 that make this possible include
android.view.Display#getHdrSdrRatio, android.view.Display#registerHdrSdrRatioChangedListener, and android.view.SurfaceControlTransaction#setExtendedRangeBrightness(...)Lastly, I should note that you'll need a device that supports SDR dimming on Android 14 for this to work. That currently includes the Pixel 7 and newer. This article explains what SDR dimming is.
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In Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2, Google has revamped the "system update" page with a new UI specific to Pixels. The Pixel's new "software updates" page shows you whether your OS, Mainline version, and Pixel system apps are updated.
(Thanks to Nail Sadykov for the screenshots!)
(Thanks to Nail Sadykov for the screenshots!)
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Mishaal's Android News Feed
The Google Clock app on the Pixel 8 can show weather info for different cities on the home screen! You have to go to settings to enable “local weather on clock” after which you’ll see weather info in the Clock tab as well as when using the “World” clock widget.…
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2 brings the "Weather" app from the Pixel 8 (package name
This is available on the Pixel 5a and later.
com.google.android.apps.weather), enabling weather info to be shown in the Google Clock app and "World" clock widget!This is available on the Pixel 5a and later.
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Mishaal's Android News Feed
The Personal Safety app included in Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2 now lets you add your height, weight, and pregnancy status. Thanks to Luca Stefani for the screenshot!
Re: Personal Safety. In addition to adding new "Height", "Weight" and "Pregnancy status" fields, your medical information is now "synced across paired devices using the same Google Account." This info is "end-to-end encrypted" so Google can't access it.
Also, some users are telling me they have this updated version already on their Pixels running the stable Android 14 release. These changes coincide with the announcement of the Pixel Watch 2, which adds new Personal Safety features.
Also, some users are telling me they have this updated version already on their Pixels running the stable Android 14 release. These changes coincide with the announcement of the Pixel Watch 2, which adds new Personal Safety features.
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Mishaal's Android News Feed
Google is preparing to add a "Pixel Troubleshooting" app (package name com.google.android.apps.diagnosticstool, stored at /product/priv-app/DiagnosticsToolPrebuilt) that'll help users troubleshoot battery/network issues. Screenshot credits: Kaan Akgün on…
Here's a better look at the new "battery diagnostics" page under Settings > Battery on Pixel. This page is provided by the new "Pixel Troubleshooting" app.
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Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2 prepares to let you sync app permissions between your phone and connected Bluetooth device, provided the Bluetooth device was connected using the Companion Device Manager (CDM) API and runs Android.
You'll find this under Bluetooth detail settings. I believe CDM permission sync requires the companion device be running Android 13, hence it'll likely work with Wear OS 4 devices like the Pixel Watch 2, Galaxy Watch 4 series and later, and later this year the Pixel Watch.
<string name="bluetooth_details_permissions_sync_summary">Give %1$s the same app permissions that you’ve allowed on %2$s</string> <string name="bluetooth_details_permissions_sync_title">Sync permissions</string>You'll find this under Bluetooth detail settings. I believe CDM permission sync requires the companion device be running Android 13, hence it'll likely work with Wear OS 4 devices like the Pixel Watch 2, Galaxy Watch 4 series and later, and later this year the Pixel Watch.
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Mishaal's Android News Feed
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2 prepares to let you sync app permissions between your phone and connected Bluetooth device, provided the Bluetooth device was connected using the Companion Device Manager (CDM) API and runs Android. <string name="bluetooth_details_…
Here's a first look at Android's upcoming "sync permissions" feature, which will let you sync app permissions between your phone and your connected Wear OS smartwatch!
This doesn't currently work. I had to manually surface the toggle (thanks to Nail Sadykov for testing it!)
This doesn't currently work. I had to manually surface the toggle (thanks to Nail Sadykov for testing it!)
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Google Camera on the Pixel 8 not only saves photos in the new Ultra HDR format (JPEG_R) introduced with Android 14, but it also adds support for Display P3 capture!
Display P3 wide gamut capture is a new capability of Android 14. Devices can capture wide gamut color images in JPEG format without using 10-bit HDR.
There's apparently a setting in Google Camera on the Pixel 8 to opt out of wide gamut capture, whereas Ultra HDR captures are always enabled.
Thanks to anon for the tip!
Display P3 wide gamut capture is a new capability of Android 14. Devices can capture wide gamut color images in JPEG format without using 10-bit HDR.
There's apparently a setting in Google Camera on the Pixel 8 to opt out of wide gamut capture, whereas Ultra HDR captures are always enabled.
Thanks to anon for the tip!
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Google's new Magnifier app is available for download on the Pixel 5 and later!
The Magnifier app uses your camera "to magnify small text, see object details, or zoom in on faraway text like street signs or restaurant menus behind a service counter."
You can change the image contrast and brightness, zoom in even further, use filters, control the flashlight intensity, and search, listen, or copy text with Google Lens.
Thanks to _better_be_me on Threads for the tip!
Download Magnifier from Google Play
The Magnifier app uses your camera "to magnify small text, see object details, or zoom in on faraway text like street signs or restaurant menus behind a service counter."
You can change the image contrast and brightness, zoom in even further, use filters, control the flashlight intensity, and search, listen, or copy text with Google Lens.
Thanks to _better_be_me on Threads for the tip!
Download Magnifier from Google Play
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