Android 15 is preparing to revamp some status bar icons, bringing back a design element we haven't seen since Android 4.4!
You can read more details and see all my screenshots of these new icons in the latest article I wrote for Android Authority.
What do you think of these potential new status bar icon designs?
You can read more details and see all my screenshots of these new icons in the latest article I wrote for Android Authority.
What do you think of these potential new status bar icon designs?
Android Authority
Android 15 prepares revamped status bar with new icons and haptics
Android 15 may revamp the status bar icons for Wi-Fi, mobile data, and battery as well as add haptic feedback to Quick Settings.
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Circle to Search is rolling out in-line translation support!
Google announced last week that Circle to Search would add a new button that lets you instantly translate text on screen, and this has now started to roll out to some users.
(Thanks to Rahul on Telegram for the tip!)
You may need to be on the latest beta version of the Google App for this to work. You also, of course, need a device that supports Circle to Search, which currently includes the Pixel 6 or later, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Google announced last week that Circle to Search would add a new button that lets you instantly translate text on screen, and this has now started to roll out to some users.
(Thanks to Rahul on Telegram for the tip!)
You may need to be on the latest beta version of the Google App for this to work. You also, of course, need a device that supports Circle to Search, which currently includes the Pixel 6 or later, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Mishaal's Android News Feed
OnePlus is rolling out an update to the OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 12 in China that adds several AI features, likely in a bid to compete with Samsung. According to the changelog: "* Al Summariser is now available to help generate call summaries by extracting…
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OnePlus is bringing some of these new AI features to global users with a new update.
Today, OnePlus announced "OnePlus AI", the company's suite of generative AI features in OxygenOS. The first feature is called AI Eraser, and it lets you select and remove unwanted objects in images from the Photo Gallery. AI Eraser will then fill in a replacement background as seamlessly as possible.
This feature is rolling out gradually this month to the OnePlus 12, OnePlus 12R, OnePlus 11, OnePlus Open, and the OnePlus Nord CE 4.
Today, OnePlus announced "OnePlus AI", the company's suite of generative AI features in OxygenOS. The first feature is called AI Eraser, and it lets you select and remove unwanted objects in images from the Photo Gallery. AI Eraser will then fill in a replacement background as seamlessly as possible.
This feature is rolling out gradually this month to the OnePlus 12, OnePlus 12R, OnePlus 11, OnePlus Open, and the OnePlus Nord CE 4.
Google's Find My Device network is finally starting to roll out...kinda!
Google seems to have quietly flipped the switch to show the FMDN settings page for some users (H/T AssembleDebug) running the latest Play Services beta release. This page lets you opt in to the FMDN, as shown above.
However, these same users have NOT received the notification introducing/asking them to opt into the FMDN. Thus, this doesn't seem like a true roll out of the network. The feature is kind of useless without a broader roll out anyway, since the network relies on many people opting in to so devices can locate one another.
I asked a contact at Google about whether FMDN is actually rolling out and will update y'all if I hear back.
By the way, if you want to know why the FMDN hasn't launched yet, read this article I wrote. If you want to know how the FMDN works, then read this article I wrote.
Google seems to have quietly flipped the switch to show the FMDN settings page for some users (H/T AssembleDebug) running the latest Play Services beta release. This page lets you opt in to the FMDN, as shown above.
However, these same users have NOT received the notification introducing/asking them to opt into the FMDN. Thus, this doesn't seem like a true roll out of the network. The feature is kind of useless without a broader roll out anyway, since the network relies on many people opting in to so devices can locate one another.
I asked a contact at Google about whether FMDN is actually rolling out and will update y'all if I hear back.
By the way, if you want to know why the FMDN hasn't launched yet, read this article I wrote. If you want to know how the FMDN works, then read this article I wrote.
Here's a first look at the improved desktop windowing capabilities of Android 15.
Since late 2022, Google has quietly been working on improving Android's dormant desktop mode, and they've been focusing on improved windowing support.
Full details plus a video are available in the latest article I wrote for Android Authority.
Since late 2022, Google has quietly been working on improving Android's dormant desktop mode, and they've been focusing on improved windowing support.
Full details plus a video are available in the latest article I wrote for Android Authority.
Android Authority
Android 15 preps better desktop mode with enhanced windowing capabilities
Android has long had a desktop mode, but Google is finally updating it in Android 15 to be more useful by adding better windowing support.
It's been a while since I took a look at Android 15's new Private Space feature, which is basically Google's version of Samsung's Secure Folder.
Since I last covered it, Google updated the setup and added two new settings.
Full details and screenshots of the feature can be found in my latest article for Android Authority.
Since I last covered it, Google updated the setup and added two new settings.
Full details and screenshots of the feature can be found in my latest article for Android Authority.
Android Authority
Android 15's Private Space is getting more features to hide your apps and notifications
Android 15 is adding a Private Space feature that's basically a built-in app locker, and we have a full look at its setup flow and settings.
According to an email sent to a small number of users, Google is launching its Find My Device network in 3 days, so possibly this coming Sunday or Monday.
9to5Google
Google has revealed the launch date of Android's Find My Device network
In an email to customers, Google has revealed the launch date of Android's new Find My Device network, and it's soon.
Google really doesn't want you to turn off Bluetooth. In light of the upcoming launch of the Find My Device network, Android 15 is adding a Bluetooth auto-on feature that can automatically turn on Bluetooth the next day if you disable it.
You should still be able to ignore the auto-on toggle and disable Bluetooth as usual. There's no indication that you'll be forced to turn on the auto-on feature.
Full details are available in my latest article for Android Authority.
You should still be able to ignore the auto-on toggle and disable Bluetooth as usual. There's no indication that you'll be forced to turn on the auto-on feature.
Full details are available in my latest article for Android Authority.
Android Authority
Android 15 really doesn't want you to turn off Bluetooth
Android 15 will add a new feature that can automatically turn on Bluetooth the next day in case you temporarily disabled it.
The Android 15 update for Pixel phones could add a new "adaptive timeout" feature that automatically turns your device's screen off when you aren't using it.
You can read more about this feature in my latest article for Android Authority.
You can read more about this feature in my latest article for Android Authority.
Android Authority
Android 15 could help protect your data and extend battery life with adaptive timeout
Android 15 may add an adaptive timeout option that automatically turns your device’s screen off when you aren’t using it.
This is a crazy story. An XDA forum user decided to take ASUS to small claims court in the UK (via Android Authority) over the company's shuttering of its bootloader unlock tool, and they allegedly settled by refunding the user for their purchase of the Zenfone 10.
I still think ASUS makes great smartphones and that ZenUI is a really good fork of Android that power users will enjoy, but I can't deny that the company's silence on the bootloader unlock tool is hurting them. An ASUS rep told me last August that they weren't killing off their bootloader unlocking tool, but it's been almost 8 months since then, so I can see why many people don't believe that.
I personally only bootloader unlock devices to test them, so that doesn't factor into my recommendations, but I know that there are some people (mostly power users) who care.
I still think ASUS makes great smartphones and that ZenUI is a really good fork of Android that power users will enjoy, but I can't deny that the company's silence on the bootloader unlock tool is hurting them. An ASUS rep told me last August that they weren't killing off their bootloader unlocking tool, but it's been almost 8 months since then, so I can see why many people don't believe that.
I personally only bootloader unlock devices to test them, so that doesn't factor into my recommendations, but I know that there are some people (mostly power users) who care.
Android 15's BIGGEST new feature is Private Space, and I managed to get it fully up and running.
You can see how it looks in my latest article for Android Authority.
You can see how it looks in my latest article for Android Authority.
Android Authority
Here is Android 15's new Private Space in action
Android 15 will introduce a new Private Space feature that creates a separate profile you can hide apps in.
It’s finally LIVE! Google’s Find My Device network, the Android equivalent of Apple’s Find My network, is rolling out to Android devices today, starting in the U.S. and Canada (with more regions to follow). The Find My Device network is a crowdsourced network of over a billion Android devices that’ll help you find your misplaced or lost Android devices. You can locate compatible Android devices by ringing them or viewing their location on a map in Find My Device.
Starting in May, you’ll also be able to locate everyday items by placing a Bluetooth tracker tag compatible with the Find My Device network on them. Chipolo and Pebblebee are the first to offer accessories built for FMDN but later this year eufy, Jio, Motorola, and others will offer Bluetooth tags. Tracker tags built for FMDN are also compatible with the unknown tracker alerts feature, available now on Android and coming soon to iOS, which means you don’t have to worry about unwanted tracking.
Find My Device has some nice features to make tracking down a lost item easy. If you’re near a lost device, a “find nearby” button will appear in the app that helps you pinpoint its location. If you have Google Nest devices at home, FMD can also show your lost device’s proximity to them, making them easy reference points. Lastly, you can share accessories with friends and family so they can help you keep track of them.
The new Find My Device works on devices running Android 9 or higher. By default, aggregated location reporting is enabled (this corresponds to the “with network in high-traffic areas only” setting) but you can opt into contributing non-aggregated locations (“with network in all areas”) or turn the network off entirely (“without network” or “off”). Select headphones from JBL, Sony, and other audio brands will be receiving software updates soon that enable them to join the FMDN.
Starting in May, you’ll also be able to locate everyday items by placing a Bluetooth tracker tag compatible with the Find My Device network on them. Chipolo and Pebblebee are the first to offer accessories built for FMDN but later this year eufy, Jio, Motorola, and others will offer Bluetooth tags. Tracker tags built for FMDN are also compatible with the unknown tracker alerts feature, available now on Android and coming soon to iOS, which means you don’t have to worry about unwanted tracking.
Find My Device has some nice features to make tracking down a lost item easy. If you’re near a lost device, a “find nearby” button will appear in the app that helps you pinpoint its location. If you have Google Nest devices at home, FMD can also show your lost device’s proximity to them, making them easy reference points. Lastly, you can share accessories with friends and family so they can help you keep track of them.
The new Find My Device works on devices running Android 9 or higher. By default, aggregated location reporting is enabled (this corresponds to the “with network in high-traffic areas only” setting) but you can opt into contributing non-aggregated locations (“with network in all areas”) or turn the network off entirely (“without network” or “off”). Select headphones from JBL, Sony, and other audio brands will be receiving software updates soon that enable them to join the FMDN.
Google says the Find My Device network is built with “multi-layered protections” and offers numerous privacy controls. Location data is end-to-end encrypted with a key that’s only accessible to the Bluetooth tag’s owner and whoever the owner shared the tag with. Locations are contributed to the FMDN in a manner that doesn’t let Google ID the owners of the nearby Android devices that contributed that data. Tag owners aren’t given any info on those devices, either.
Another safety feature of the Find My Device network is aggregated device location reporting. The FMDN, by default, requires multiple nearby Android devices to detect a tag before reporting its location to the tag’s owner. This provides extra protection against someone tracking a device back to a home or private location. Also, if you’ve saved your home address in your Google Account, your Android device won’t contribute crowdsourced location reports to the FMDN when it’s near your home.
Find My Device also limits the number of times that a nearby Android device can contribute a location report for a particular tag; it also throttles how frequently the owner of a tag can request an updated location. And as mentioned before, tags built for FMDN are compatible with the unwanted tracker alerts feature. With all these features and protections, it’ll be difficult for anyone to abuse the FMDN to track someone without their knowledge.
Another safety feature of the Find My Device network is aggregated device location reporting. The FMDN, by default, requires multiple nearby Android devices to detect a tag before reporting its location to the tag’s owner. This provides extra protection against someone tracking a device back to a home or private location. Also, if you’ve saved your home address in your Google Account, your Android device won’t contribute crowdsourced location reports to the FMDN when it’s near your home.
Find My Device also limits the number of times that a nearby Android device can contribute a location report for a particular tag; it also throttles how frequently the owner of a tag can request an updated location. And as mentioned before, tags built for FMDN are compatible with the unwanted tracker alerts feature. With all these features and protections, it’ll be difficult for anyone to abuse the FMDN to track someone without their knowledge.
If you have a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro, you’ll be able to locate your phone on the Find My Device network even if it’s powered off or the battery is dead! This is possible because the phones have the specialized hardware to support the Powered Off Finding feature I previously reported on. The company tells me that the Pixel 8 has reserve power on the device that is channeled to the Bluetooth chip for several hours even after the battery is dead.
Google tells me the Powered Off Finding feature is available now and that you shouldn’t need to take any further action to enable it on your Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro, such as updating your phone to Android 15. (I thought the system APIs for Powered Off Finding would be limited to Android 15, but it looks like that won’t be the case!)
Google tells me the Powered Off Finding feature is available now and that you shouldn’t need to take any further action to enable it on your Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro, such as updating your phone to Android 15. (I thought the system APIs for Powered Off Finding would be limited to Android 15, but it looks like that won’t be the case!)
Pebblebee and Chipolo announced today that they’re set to deliver their Find My Device network-compatible item locator accessories that they announced last year! These accessories are also compatible with the unwanted tracker alerts feature.
Pebblebee’s Card, Clip, and Tag devices for Android are rechargeable and are equipped with LED indicator lights and melody alerts. They’re available for pre-order now on their website and will ship in late May. They’ll also be available in stores in late May and on the Google Store in June 2024. Each item costs $29.99 individually but you can also order a 2- or 4-pack.
Chipolo’s ONE Point and CARD Point trackers feature long-lasting batteries (1 year and 2 year respectively), loud audio alerts (120dB and 105dB respectively), and an IPX5 rating. They’ll be available from May 27 on Chipolo’s website. They’ll also be available on Amazon and select retailers from July onwards. The ONE Point costs $28 while the CARD Point costs $35 for a 1-pack, but both can be bought in a 2- or 4-pack bundle.
Pebblebee’s Card, Clip, and Tag devices for Android are rechargeable and are equipped with LED indicator lights and melody alerts. They’re available for pre-order now on their website and will ship in late May. They’ll also be available in stores in late May and on the Google Store in June 2024. Each item costs $29.99 individually but you can also order a 2- or 4-pack.
Chipolo’s ONE Point and CARD Point trackers feature long-lasting batteries (1 year and 2 year respectively), loud audio alerts (120dB and 105dB respectively), and an IPX5 rating. They’ll be available from May 27 on Chipolo’s website. They’ll also be available on Amazon and select retailers from July onwards. The ONE Point costs $28 while the CARD Point costs $35 for a 1-pack, but both can be bought in a 2- or 4-pack bundle.
Studio Bot, Google's AI-powered coding companion for Android developers, is being rebranded as Gemini in Android Studio!
With the rebranding, Google is updating the AI companion's underlying large language model to Gemini 1.0 Pro. The functionality is the same, but you'll now get higher quality code generations, code completions, and responses to questions.
Gemini in Android Studio is currently available for free in over 180+ countries and territories in Android Studio Jellyfish. It's only available if you log in and opt in, only uses your conversation history (not your code) by default, and supports excluding certain files and folders (when you want to share code context) through an .aiexclude file.
With the rebranding, Google is updating the AI companion's underlying large language model to Gemini 1.0 Pro. The functionality is the same, but you'll now get higher quality code generations, code completions, and responses to questions.
Gemini in Android Studio is currently available for free in over 180+ countries and territories in Android Studio Jellyfish. It's only available if you log in and opt in, only uses your conversation history (not your code) by default, and supports excluding certain files and folders (when you want to share code context) through an .aiexclude file.