The Android 14 update started rolling out for the OnePlus Open last week, so I was curious to see if OnePlus added support for the rear display and dual display APIs. Sadly, it looks like they haven't.
That doesn't detract from my opinion of the device (the Open is still my favorite phone right now), but it doesn't bode well for developer adoption of these APIs if they aren't supported by all the foldables. Not like foldables sell in large enough numbers yet for developers to take advantage of this, but still.
If you're curious about the rear display and dual display APIs I'm talking about, refer to this article I wrote a few months ago.
That doesn't detract from my opinion of the device (the Open is still my favorite phone right now), but it doesn't bode well for developer adoption of these APIs if they aren't supported by all the foldables. Not like foldables sell in large enough numbers yet for developers to take advantage of this, but still.
If you're curious about the rear display and dual display APIs I'm talking about, refer to this article I wrote a few months ago.
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Google has published the Android Security Bulletin (ASB) for February 2024, detailing the vulnerabilities addressed in the 2024-02-0X security patch level (SPL). Patches are available for Android versions 11-14.
This month, there's 1 RCE vulnerability in Android's Bluetooth stack with a severity rating of "critical". There are no security issues addressed by Google Play System Updates this month.
This month, there's 1 RCE vulnerability in Android's Bluetooth stack with a severity rating of "critical". There are no security issues addressed by Google Play System Updates this month.
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The Pixel Watch is finally getting a grid view app drawer as well as Material You dynamic theming support, and I've got an early look at both upcoming features over on Android Authority!
Android Authority
Here's an early look at multiple Wear OS design changes coming to Pixel Watch 2
Google is preparing several design changes to Wear OS 4 on the Pixel Watch that will make the experience more personal.
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OnePlus started rolling out the Android 14 update to the OnePlus Pad to U.S. users a couple of days ago, and I finally got it on my device!
The update has been rolling out in other regions for over a month, so I know this isn't new for everyone, but here's what the update adds:
Pantanal Service
* Adds Aqua Dynamics, a way of interaction with morphing forms that allows you to view up-to-date information at a glance.
Smart efficiency
* Adds Smart Cutout, a feature that can separate multiple subjects in a photo from the background for copying or sharing.
Cross-device connectivity
* Improves Shelf by adding more widget recommendations.
Security and privacy
* Improves photo and video-related permission management for safer access by apps.
Performance optimization
* Improves system stability, the launch speed of apps, and the smoothness of animations.
* Adds support for app-specific refresh rates to improve user experience.
Aquamorphic design
* Adds Aquamorphic-themed ringtones and revamps the system notification sounds.
---
The update brings the software to OxygenOS 14 (OPD2203_14.0.0.300). The kernel version is still 5.10.168-android12 due to GRF.
The OnePlus Pad, for its price, is a pretty solid media consumption/productivity tablet. However, the Android experience on tablets, even when paired with a keyboard + mouse + stylus, still unfortunately pales in comparison to a Windows/macOS/Linux laptop. Hopefully as the tablet experience improves, I can make a device like this my on-the-go daily driver as well.
The update has been rolling out in other regions for over a month, so I know this isn't new for everyone, but here's what the update adds:
Pantanal Service
* Adds Aqua Dynamics, a way of interaction with morphing forms that allows you to view up-to-date information at a glance.
Smart efficiency
* Adds Smart Cutout, a feature that can separate multiple subjects in a photo from the background for copying or sharing.
Cross-device connectivity
* Improves Shelf by adding more widget recommendations.
Security and privacy
* Improves photo and video-related permission management for safer access by apps.
Performance optimization
* Improves system stability, the launch speed of apps, and the smoothness of animations.
* Adds support for app-specific refresh rates to improve user experience.
Aquamorphic design
* Adds Aquamorphic-themed ringtones and revamps the system notification sounds.
---
The update brings the software to OxygenOS 14 (OPD2203_14.0.0.300). The kernel version is still 5.10.168-android12 due to GRF.
The OnePlus Pad, for its price, is a pretty solid media consumption/productivity tablet. However, the Android experience on tablets, even when paired with a keyboard + mouse + stylus, still unfortunately pales in comparison to a Windows/macOS/Linux laptop. Hopefully as the tablet experience improves, I can make a device like this my on-the-go daily driver as well.
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ChatGPT can now be set as your default assistant app on Android ... unofficially.
Developer WSTxda released a FOSS app called VoiceGPT that simply acts as a shortcut to launch the ChatGPT Android app's new Assistant activity. VoiceGPT can be set as the default assistant, meaning you can invoke it by long pressing the home button, swiping from the corner with gesture navigation, or long pressing the power button.
The app is very simple and doesn't require any permissions, though it's up to you whether you actually want to make ChatGPT your default assistant because it might not give you the right info all the time lol.
As I reported last month, OpenAI is already working on adding support for setting ChatGPT as the default assistant app on Android. But if you don't want to wait for that, VoiceGPT does the trick. Adding native assistant API support in the app would give the ChatGPT app additional functionality, like being able to take a screenshot of the page and analyze what's on screen, though.
Developer WSTxda released a FOSS app called VoiceGPT that simply acts as a shortcut to launch the ChatGPT Android app's new Assistant activity. VoiceGPT can be set as the default assistant, meaning you can invoke it by long pressing the home button, swiping from the corner with gesture navigation, or long pressing the power button.
The app is very simple and doesn't require any permissions, though it's up to you whether you actually want to make ChatGPT your default assistant because it might not give you the right info all the time lol.
As I reported last month, OpenAI is already working on adding support for setting ChatGPT as the default assistant app on Android. But if you don't want to wait for that, VoiceGPT does the trick. Adding native assistant API support in the app would give the ChatGPT app additional functionality, like being able to take a screenshot of the page and analyze what's on screen, though.
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I hope you're ready for Pixel Fold 2 leaks, because the first one is here: Google is testing the Pixel Fold 2 with a Tensor G4 chip and 16GB of RAM, a first on a Pixel phone!
Full details are available over on Android Authority.
Full details are available over on Android Authority.
Android Authority
Source: Pixel Fold 2 might skip the Tensor G3 and add more RAM
A source has shared some key hardware details of the Pixel Fold 2, revealing its chipset, RAM, and storage specifications.
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Google seems to be quietly rolling out a new security feature on Android: scanning for deceptive apps.
I first reported on the existence of this feature in Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2, but it's now appearing for some people on the latest Beta 3.1 release.
You can find it under Settings > Security & privacy > More security & privacy.
It's likely this feature is intended to launch with Android 15, though, so I'm not sure this rollout is intentional.
If you want to learn more about this "scanning for deceptive apps" feature, check out my original report from December.
(Thanks to @nailsad_eleos for the tip and to A_Button117 on my Discord for the screenshot!)
I first reported on the existence of this feature in Android 14 QPR2 Beta 2, but it's now appearing for some people on the latest Beta 3.1 release.
You can find it under Settings > Security & privacy > More security & privacy.
It's likely this feature is intended to launch with Android 15, though, so I'm not sure this rollout is intentional.
If you want to learn more about this "scanning for deceptive apps" feature, check out my original report from December.
(Thanks to @nailsad_eleos for the tip and to A_Button117 on my Discord for the screenshot!)
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Android is adding support for Aliro, the open standard for smart locks and digital keys. As spotted by AssembleDebug, the latest version of Play Services added a new service named AliroNfcApduService. Also in AOSP, work has begun to update the UWB stack with Aliro host support.
Read this article on The Verge if you want to learn more about Aliro.
Read this article on The Verge if you want to learn more about Aliro.
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Samsung said at CES that you'll be able to use your Galaxy phone as a webcam for your Windows PC, but they didn't say which Galaxy phones & which PCs this'll work on.
Here are the devices Phone Link's webcam feature will work on, and when it'll launch. Article over on Android Police.
Here are the devices Phone Link's webcam feature will work on, and when it'll launch. Article over on Android Police.
Android Police
Here's when you'll be able to use your Samsung Galaxy phone as your PC's webcam
At CES 2024, Samsung announced that you'll be able to use your Galaxy phone as a webcam for your Windows PC. Here's when that feature will launch.
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Last night, Google announced that it is piloting a new security feature in Singapore (with consent from its government) to combat financial fraud. This new "enhanced fraud protection", part of Google Play Protect, will "analyze and automatically block the installation of apps that may use sensitive runtime permissions frequently abused for financial fraud [RECEIVE_SMS, READ_SMS, BIND_Notifications, and Accessibility] when the user attempts to install the app from an Internet-sideloading source (web browsers, messaging apps or file managers)."
The SMS and notifications permissions can be abused to intercept OTPs sent via SMS or notifications, while the Accessibility permissions can be abused to read and interact with screen content. While this makes sense, one concern I have is how Play Protect will differentiate between apps that are sideloaded by app stores versus apps sideloaded via "standalone app distribution sources" like web browsers or messaging apps. If they're using the same method that Android 13's restricted settings feature uses to differentiate (ie. whether the app was sideloaded via session-based or non-session-based APIs), then it's possible fraudsters can work around this. This should still prove effective, though.
In addition, Google says that Play Protect's real-time scanning behavior is now deployed in Thailand, Singapore, and Brazil. This feature rolled out to Google Play Services in India in October of last year, and Google says that it has identified 515,000 new malicious apps and issued over 3.1 million warnings or blocks.
The SMS and notifications permissions can be abused to intercept OTPs sent via SMS or notifications, while the Accessibility permissions can be abused to read and interact with screen content. While this makes sense, one concern I have is how Play Protect will differentiate between apps that are sideloaded by app stores versus apps sideloaded via "standalone app distribution sources" like web browsers or messaging apps. If they're using the same method that Android 13's restricted settings feature uses to differentiate (ie. whether the app was sideloaded via session-based or non-session-based APIs), then it's possible fraudsters can work around this. This should still prove effective, though.
In addition, Google says that Play Protect's real-time scanning behavior is now deployed in Thailand, Singapore, and Brazil. This feature rolled out to Google Play Services in India in October of last year, and Google says that it has identified 515,000 new malicious apps and issued over 3.1 million warnings or blocks.
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Exclusive: Here's a first look at what could be the Pixel Fold 2!
A source shared a photo of what could be Google's second-generation foldable, and there are some surprising design changes!
See the photo + all the details over on Android Authority.
Edit: If you're wondering why the corners (especially the bottom right corner) look funny, it's because the original background was cropped out (obviously). The bottom right corner especially suffered because the original photo didn't have it fully in frame.
A source shared a photo of what could be Google's second-generation foldable, and there are some surprising design changes!
See the photo + all the details over on Android Authority.
Edit: If you're wondering why the corners (especially the bottom right corner) look funny, it's because the original background was cropped out (obviously). The bottom right corner especially suffered because the original photo didn't have it fully in frame.
Android Authority
Exclusive: This could be the Google Pixel Fold 2
Google's second-gen foldable phone is coming, and Android Authority has obtained a photo of what could be the Google Pixel Fold 2.
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Google has released Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1! The beta is available for the Pixel 5a and later, and includes support for the new Circle to Search gesture (still only available on the Pixel 8 series)!
The update brings the build ID to AP21.240119.009.
FYI: I will be prioritizing writing articles on new features I find in Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1, so my deep dive thread on the changes may come a bit later.
The update brings the build ID to AP21.240119.009.
FYI: I will be prioritizing writing articles on new features I find in Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1, so my deep dive thread on the changes may come a bit later.
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Google is preparing a new "easy pre-set" mode in Android that'll make it easier for your grandma to use her phone.
I spotted the feature in the Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 release, but it might be intended for Android 15 instead.
Full details over on Android Authority.
I spotted the feature in the Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 release, but it might be intended for Android 15 instead.
Full details over on Android Authority.
Android Authority
Android 15 prepares to make it easier for your grandma to use her phone
Android 15 might add a new "easy pre-set" mode that makes it easier for less tech-savvy people like your grandma to use their phone.
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The Pixel Fold might be borrowing one of the better software features from the OnePlus Open: the ability to continue apps on the cover screen by swiping up on the lock screen!
This might land in Android 14 QPR3.
Full details over on Android Police.
This might land in Android 14 QPR3.
Full details over on Android Police.
Android Police
The Pixel Fold might borrow a screen lock trick from the OnePlus Open
The Pixel Fold might be borrowing a screen lock trick from the OnePlus Open: the ability to continue apps on the cover screen by swiping up
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Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 hints at a new "adaptive touch" feature for Pixel that'll automatically adjust the touch sensitivity based on the current environment or activities.
More details are available on Android Police.
More details are available on Android Police.
Android Police
Your Pixel phone may soon automatically adapt its touch sensitivity to its environment
The Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 release has a hidden adaptive touch feature that promises to automatically adapt touch sensitivity to the environment
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