[Updated] Google AI Wallpaper APK from Pixel 8 for Android 14 QPR1 Beta.

• Demo

• Changes: 5 new themes and the ability to leave feedback via thumbs up and down buttons

• Min SDK34

❗️Only for Android 14 QPR1 and newer

❗️Installing on stable Android 14 (older than December patch) will cause crashes of the Wallpapers and Style app

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The redesigned Google Weather UI is rolling out to all users.

The interface, which first appeared in mid-summer exclusively on the Pixel Fold and Tablet, is now becoming available on other Android devices. The rollout started a few weeks ago, and the redesign has been rolling out to more and more users in recent days.

There's no need to update anything, the page is still embedded in the Google Search app. If you still see the old UI, you can try clearing the Google app cache and stopping it. If that doesn't work, then the redesign isn't available to you yet.

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Google Maps on Android will show the weather in the location you're currently viewing.

A new weather tile will appear below the search chips carousel. Tapping on it will open a new window with more detailed info for a few hours ahead and a button to view air quality.

It is noteworthy that this feature appeared in the iOS app 4 years ago, but reached the Android client only now.

Screenshots credits: @bhusankumar2k2

Google News | En

Pixel 8 supports display output to an external display via USB-C Display Port.

Mishaal Rahman (Patreon) and Micha Lechner were able to demonstrate how the Pixel 8 outputs to an external display works. Specifically in this example, the video used a USB-C to USB-C DisplayPort enabled cable. Also, a second tester stated that the feature also works when using USB-C to HDMI adapter.

At the moment, the feature only mirrors the image from the phone, but it is expected that by Android 15 Google will introduce a PC mode to it, something it has been working on for some time now.

To enable support for USB-C Display Port output, you'll need Root-access. You can activate it with the following command:

su

setprop persist.vendor.usb.displayport.enabled 1

You can also use Magisk module from Micha.

Google News | En

Pixel Watch 2 charger supports USB data transfer.

Google's second gen watch has gotten an updated 4-pin charger. As Mishaal Rahman uncovered, you will be able to do ADB debugging when connected to a PC as the cable supports data transfer from the watch to the PC.

This is great news for developers as now you don't need to set up debugging over WI-Fi to test applications.

Google News | En

Alarm sync with watch already works.

Our follower @Killinjoke share with us screenshot of the feature working with his Pixel Watch 2. You will be able to choose which connected watch to synchronize alarms with (if you have several of them), and also choose ringing options: 'Adaptive ringing*' or 'Watch and phone'.

The feature still doesn't work on my Pixel Watch 1st gen, so may be it needs Wear OS 4.

❗️ UPD: Confirmed to work on First gen Pixel Watch by @LK0024

*Adaptive ringing means if wearing the watch then the alarm will buzz the watch otherwise the phone

Google News | En

The first-gen Pixel Watch is getting an update to Wear OS 4.0.

Pixel Watch running Wear OS 3.5 are getting the October 2023 Wear OS 4 update, starting today. The rollout will come, in stages over the coming weeks. Here's what the update will bring:

• Watch transfer
You can now repair your Pixel Watch to a new phone without a factory reset.

• Backup and Restore
You'll be able to securely save your old Pixel Watch data and settings so you can easily upgrade to a new Pixel Watch with all your data, settings, and watch faces in place.

• The new Google Calendar app will now come pre-installed on your watch.

• Safety Features
New Safety Check, Emergency Sharing, and Emergency Info features. With Medical ID Info, you can easily find your most important medical data on your wrist or send it to emergency services in case of an emergency.

• Accessibility & customization
New text-to-speech engine supporting a faster, a more reliable TalkBack experience on your watch, bold text, new and improved magnification, and audio balance to adjust intensity of sound between right and left audio channels.

• Enhanced notifications
Notifications come with smart link recognition of phone numbers and addresses, allowing you to tap to call, message, or get directions. Embedded media previews let you quickly view images and GIFs without leaving the notification shade.

Build number: TWD4.2301005.002

Google News | En

With Wear OS 4, taking screenshots is now a little easier.

While on Wear OS 3.5, to take a screenshot on the Pixel Watch, you had to open the companion app and tap "Take screenshot on watch" in the "three dots" menu. A notification would then pop up on your phone, tapping on which allowed you to choose where to send the screenshot.

Wear OS 4 simplifies the process a bit. Now all you have to do is press the crown and the recent menu button on the watch at the same time. At that moment the corresponding animation will play on the watch. After that, the same notification will appear on your phone as before.

Google News | En

Google Pixel smartphones lineup will be manufactured in India.

Rick Osterloh, Google's senior vice president of devices & services, said at the company's annual event in India that the company is going to start local manufacturing of the Pixel 8 devices in India starting next year.

"Today we see an even greater opportunity to make Pixel smartphones available to more people in India, and are very excited to announce our plan to manufacture Pixel smartphones in India. We intend to start with the Pixel 8, and will partner with international and domestic manufacturers to produce Pixel smartphones locally. We expect these devices to start to roll out in 2024, joining India’s “Make in India” initiative."

🔗 Google India Blog

Google News | En

Google Play Protect will now have a real-time scanning feature for apps you install.

Previously, you've already received a warning when installing an APK of a suspicious app known to be malicious based on existing scans. Play Protect will now recommend real-time scanning when installing apps that have not previously been scanned to help detect new threats.

The scan extracts important signals from the app and sends them to Play Protect backend infrastructure for code-level evaluation. Once the real-time analysis is complete, the user will be informed whether the app is safe to install or not.

This Google Play Protect enhancement has begun rolling out to all Android devices with Google Play services in select countries, starting with India, and will be rolled out to all regions in the coming months.

🔗 Google Security Blog

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