Google News | En

Google has updated the Android logo on the Pixel bootanimation in Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.

It now matches the new system logo design that the company unveiled in early fall. Bugdroid has the same color as the font, and the name "Android" is capitalized.

😎 Google News | En

Google has released the second beta version of Android 14 QPR3 (June release).

List of fixes:

• Fixed an issue that sometimes caused a device to crash or restart unexpectedly.
• Fixed an issue that sometimes caused a device to crash or restart unexpectedly while updating apps after the device was flashed.
• Fixed issues that caused a device to display a blank, black screen after booting from flash.
• Fixed an issue that caused a device to crash and display a blank, black screen after switching to a secondary user.
• Fixed issues when always-on display mode was enabled that interfered with the "Double tap to wake" gesture and prevented the device from unlocking if the user tried to use their fingerprint to unlock the device.
• Fixed an issue that sometimes caused battery information to not display correctly in the system settings, status bar, and on the lock screen.
• Fixed issues that prevented device-to-device transfers and backup and restore from working.
• Fixed various issues that were impacting system stability, performance, and camera.

Build number: AP21.240119.009 → AP21.240216.010
Security Patch: March 2024

🔗 OTAs (❗️❗️ is not recommended if your bootloader is locked. There are cases of bootloop)
🔗 Factory Images
🔗 Beta program opt-in (Pixel 5a and later)

😎 Google News | En

What will the "Instant Hotspot" settings be?

In the first beta version of Android 14 QPR1, Mishaal Rahman discovered the presence of a hidden "Instant Hotspot" item in the "Wi-Fi Hotspot" settings. At the time, even if you made the item appear, tapping on it didn't reveal anything.

Digging a bit into Google Play Services, I managed to discover that this item would open the "Cross-device services" page I described earlier. These services' functionality includes Internet Sharing, which allows you to share your Wi-Fi passwords and instantly connect to a hotspot for devices running under your Google Account, including Chromebooks.

When Google does officially introduce Cross-device services is still unknown.

😎 Google News | En

The March Pixel Feature Drop based on the Android 14 QPR2 stable has been released.

What's new:

Phones
• Support for publishing Ultra HDR photos and 10-bit HDR videos to Instagram shot on Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 8, 8 Pro and Fold.
• Call Screen improvements — New “Hello” chip on the Call Screen will help you to get a call started when the caller is silent. (Pixel 6 or newer or a Pixel Fold only for English in the US)
• "Circle to search" will soon come to Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. (Previously exclusive to the Pixel 8, 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24)

Phones and tablets
• Partial screen recording and casting — Will allow you to record or cast one specific app instead of the entire screen. (Pixel 5a and newer).
• Fast Pair improvements — Connecting your accessories to a new phone or tablet is now much easier with the new "Previously used with account" feature. (Pixel 5a and newer)
• New Voice Toolbar for Gboard — the keyboard will be able to be shrunk into a compact floating bar when voice typing. (Pixel Tablet)

Watch
• A number of exclusive Pixel Watch 2 features are now available for the first gen Pixel Watch: Auto Workout mode; Pace Training and Heart Zone Training for workouts; Fitbit Relax app for breathing exercises.

+ New features from Android 14 QPR2

Security patch: March 2024
Build: AP1A.240305.019.A1

🔗 Android 14 QRP2 Fixes

🔗 Google Blog announcement

🔗 Factory Images

🔗 OTAs

😎 Google News | En

Heads up: Users are reporting that the Google Messages app won't let them send or receive RCS messages if the OS is rooted or hasn't passed GMS certification (like most custom ROMs).

It seems that Google Messages has implemented Play Integrity API attestation checks, so be aware if you root your device or install a custom ROM, you may lose access to RCS in Google Messages.

More discussion here.

(Video by Reddit user joefuf).

Google prepares 'Satellite SOS' emergency feature for Pixel devices.

The recent update to the 'Adaptive Connectivity Services' app version p.2024.08 makes preparations for the new 'Satellite SOS' emergency feature. It will allow you to messages emergency services and let them know your location when you are unable to connect to a mobile network or Wi-Fi.

The settings page, located at Settings / Safety & Emergency / Satellite SOS, includes a description of how the feature works, the ability to customize the info that will be shared with the emergency services, and a link to purchase Garmin Search & Rescue insurance. The page also has a link to a support page with a list of supported countries, which is not working yet.

While the description clearly refers to "your Pixel", it's unclear which devices will be supported. Additionally, the latest update to Google Messages adds a new SATELLITE_COMMUNICATION permission. Awhile ago Neïl Rahmouni showed a UI for conversations and SOS messages using satellite connection in Google Messages app.

😎 Google News | En

🎧 Spotify Connect devices are now available in the Android output switcher.

The output switcher in Android already helps you easily switch between devices when playing through YouTube Music — whether it's your phone's speaker, headphones, smart speakers, or TV (with Chromecast protocol).

Spotify Connect devices will now appear in the Android output switcher when playing media through Spotify. The feature will become available within a few weeks. It was first announced a year ago at CES 2023.

😎 Google News | En

Google Pixel Fold 2 renders have leaked online.

Insider Onleaks (via smartprix) has shared renders with views from all angles of the upcoming Pixel Fold 2. The internal display will be 7.9 inches diagonal (8.1″ with corners). The outer display will be 6.4 inches diagonal (6.6″ with corners).

The approximate dimensions of the device are 155.2 x 150.2 x 5.27 mm when unfolded and 155.2 x 77.1 x 10.54 mm when folded.

The top right corner of the internal display will house the under-display camera setup along with the new sensor. The main camera podium will retain a set of 3 modules arranged in a new layout + unnamed sensors.

Earlier leaks showed the prototype real photo and info about the CPU and RAM.

😎 Google News | En