Mishaal Rahman
@MishaalRahman
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The best source for Android OS news. Co-host @AndroidFaithful. Senior contributor @AndroidAuth, @AndroidPolice, and more.
United States
Joined December 2016
Samsung's opened pre-orders for the Galaxy S25!. Pre-order w/ my links to get $50 off the 256GB S25, $100 off the 512GB Plus, & $120 off the 512GB Ultra!. S25: S25+: S25 Ultra: (Affiliate links.)
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Ahhhhhhhh!!! I saw the total solar eclipse! . Here are some photos from my @SamsungMobile Galaxy S24 Ultra!
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Surprise, surprise! The Rabbit R1 runs Android under-the-hood, and its entire interface is powered by an Android app. I managed to get that app up and running on a Pixel 6a. More details👇.
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This app uses AirDrop to send files from your Android phone to your Macbook!. Yes, it actually uses AirDrop. That means you don't have to install ANYTHING on your Mac to send files from your Android phone!. Here's a video of a Galaxy Z Flip 5 AirDropping a file to a Macbook
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No way. It happened AGAIN. Google themselves leaked the Pixel 8 Pro. You can see a full 360 degree view of the phone here, confirming the colors (Licorice, Porcelain, and Sky) as well as the components (like the temperature sensor).
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Breaking: Google just confirmed that the U.S. DOJ is seeking, among other changes, to force Google to split off Chrome and Android.
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That email announcing Gmail's impending shutdown was an obvious hoax, but the fact that there were many people who legitimately believed it (a techie I know IRL even texted me unsure of it!) shows that really needs to fix their reputation for killing products.
Gmail is here to stay.
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The Pixel 8 series launches with Android 14 and will get 7 years of software support, including annual OS updates, monthly security updates, and quarterly Pixel Feature Drops. This means they'll be supported till 2030. I can't emphasize enough how big of a deal this is. Google
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Absolutely blown away by the response to my post about WarpShare!. It goes to show that:. a) Apple-related posts are popular. b) People REALLY want better cross-device file sharing services. With that in mind, here's a round-up of other Android --> PC file-sharing apps (links in
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Here's a 🧵about all the smaller features and changes in the #GalaxyS24 series that Samsung didn't talk about during #GalaxyUnpacked!
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Depth Effect on Android?. iOS lets you add a depth effect to your lock screen so that subjects in your lock screen wallpaper can be layered over the clock. Developer @Siavash7999 managed to get this working on Android, thanks to ML Kit's subject segmentation API!. You can try
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Contrary to popular belief, you can use eSIM phone plans without needing a phone that supports eSIM. Why would you want that? Many prepaid eSIM plans are very cheap and can be bought ahead of travel, but most phones don't have an eSIM chip built-in. So how does this work?. The
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The way Android calculates how much storage space "system" files takes up is still totally faulty, even in Android 14!. Earlier this year, I inadvertently discovered how broken Android's storage calculations are when I posted a thread asking users to share screenshots of their
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Smartspacer is a supercharged version of Google's At a Glance widget. Google's At a Glance widget can already do a lot of things like show you timer and stopwatch info, flashlight reminders, and more, but it has limited support for showing info from other apps. It can show the
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Google has deleted all code related to Fast Pair from AOSP. Fast Pair is Google's proprietary standard for simplifying the first time discovery and pairing of nearby devices over Bluetooth Low Energy. It's available on most Android devices through the Google Play Services app.
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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
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The Rabbit R1 specifically runs Android 13, according to the metadata for the OTA from v0.8.67 to v0.8.77 of RabbitOS. The security patch level (SPL) of v0.8.77 of RabbitOS is May 2023. (In case you're wondering, the build fingerprint post-OTA is.
Surprise, surprise! The Rabbit R1 runs Android under-the-hood, and its entire interface is powered by an Android app. I managed to get that app up and running on a Pixel 6a. More details👇.
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Google started offering free VPN by Google One access starting with the Pixel 7, but they’re taking things a bit further with the Pixel 8 series! . VPN by Google One will now appear as a “built-in” VPN under Settings > Network & Internet > VPN. This will improve discoverability
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Android phones are getting a theft protection feature that automatically locks them when they’re stolen!. Theft Detection Lock uses a ML model to detect when someone snatches your phone from your hand and tries to run, bike, or drive away. It uses data from your phone’s
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USB 1.0.USB 1.1.USB 2.0.USB 3.0.USB 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo.USB 3.1.USB 3.2.USB 3.2 Gen 1.USB 3.2 Gen 2.USB 3.2 Gen 1×2.USB 3.2 Gen 2×2.USB 358/2 Days.USB4 Gen 2×1.USB4 Gen 2×2.USB4 Gen 3×1.USB4 Gen 3×2.USB4 Version 2.0.
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Here are some hands-on photos and videos of the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Buds Pro from the recent @MadebyGoogle event!. First, the Pixel 9 series:
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Google officially confirms the Pixel 6 series, Pixel 7 series, and Pixel Fold will get an additional 2 years of OS updates!. The company has updated a support page to mention that these Pixel phones are guaranteed 5 years of updates - including 5 years of OS and security updates
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Check out this new app called "aBattery" on Google Play. It uses Android 14's new battery health APIs to show you information like the cycle count, battery manufacturing date, and more. To use these battery health APIs, the app requires the BATTERY_STATS permission which needs
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Android 14 is rolling out for the Pixel 4a 5G and later starting TODAY! The update brings more customization, control, and accessibility features. If you haven’t been on the beta and want to know what new features are in Android 14, here’s a summary of the highlights:
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Android 15 Beta 2 is HERE! Beta 2 brings loads of new changes and features. Here’s a summary:. - Private space is here! This feature, as I previously reported, lets users make a separate space where they can keep sensitive apps away from prying eyes. It makes a separate user
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Android's eSIM transfer tool is here! This tool was first announced by @Android at MWC 2023, and it lets you scan a QR code to transfer eSIM profiles between your Android phones, like between a Galaxy S24 Ultra and a Pixel 8 Pro. Full details over on @AndroidPolice.
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Here's what's new in Android 15 Developer Preview 1 🧵
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Android 14 Beta 4 just dropped, so here’s my thread covering what’s new 🧵
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Hearing now that the source code release of Android 14 has been delayed to next month. This decision seems to have been made very late, as even OEMs were anticipating that the release would be today. OEMs are now being told that vulnerabilities detailed in the Android 14
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Magic Eraser will no longer be exclusive to Pixel phones! Google One members on iOS and Android will be able to use Magic Eraser in the Google Photos app starting today. It'll also be available on all Pixels now, not just the Pixel 6 and later.
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Android 14’s first QPR1 Beta brings a LOT of new features that’ll come to Pixel phones with the December 2023 Pixel Feature Drop 👀. Here’s what’s new in Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 🧵
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Hello, I have some personal news to share. Today is my last day at @xdadevelopers. This will be surprising to many, and honestly, I'm still trying to process this myself. XDA has been such a big part of my life for the past 6 years that it's hard to imagine I'd be posting this.
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Here's a demo of the new Quick Share experience coming to Android devices soon. On the left is a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and on the right the Google Pixel 8 Pro.
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There's a neat Android app on Google Play called "Nearby Sharing Windows 10/11" that's both compatible with Windows' Nearby Sharing protocol and supports bidirectional sharing/receiving. Meaning you can send/receive files without needing to install anything on your Windows PC!.
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Google has announced a "Mint" color for the Pixel 8 series (only available from the Google Store with 128GB storage), alongside a new Pixel Feature Drop for January 2024! This Feature Drop is a bit unusual since it isn't accompanied by a new QPR update, but it does bring some
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Saw this earlier today and wanted to share. That these QR codes actually still work is so cool. Interested in seeing how creative ads will get with these.
Redditor creates working anime QR codes using Stable Diffusion by @benjedwards.
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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
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Google just announced a lot of new Android features and rollouts at CES 2023. Here's a summary (thread):.
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The Pixel 8’s generative AI wallpaper feature is SO COOL! . You can create brand new wallpapers that nobody else has ever seen just by choosing a few topics and colors from some preset options. While you can’t go wild with custom prompts, you still have a ton of choice!
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I wish I understood Korean, because someone did a review of that unreleased LG rollable phone. This thing is so cool!.
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Google has announced that Android 13 is the first Android release where the majority of new code is written in a memory safe language. About 21% of all new native code added to Android 13 is written in Rust.
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Never thought to try reverse wireless charging an electric toothbrush. but it might actually work lol. Also neat: Just found out you can use the cover screen of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 while you're wirelessly charging another device!
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Google got a LOT of criticism for not supporting Gemini Nano on the Pixel 8 at launch. People were even using it as "evidence" that Google's 7 years of update pledge was already broken. Though Google later backtracked, the reason they skipped the device was due to its lower
Did Apple really just say you’ll only be able to get Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro and later?.
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The Pixel 8 is the first phone to capture photos in Ultra HDR, a new format that I think could be the future of mobile photography!. Ultra HDR is something you really need to see to understand, though, so I worked with @dylan_raga to put together a demo that shows it off. The
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The Google Pixel 8a is here with Google’s on-device AI and 7 years of updates for just $500! This mid-range phone has a lot to offer for its price. Here are its key specs:. * Google Tensor G3 chipset.* 6.1” FHD+ OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, 2000 nits peak brightness.* 64
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As someone who is not invested in the Apple ecosystem, I'm amazed by how many of these features weren't already available in iOS/macOS lol. #WWDC.
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My mom was given a Pixel 8 (upgraded from a Pixel 6) for her birthday, and while setting it up for her, I taught her about Android 14's new lock screen shortcuts feature. Since she takes a bunch of photos and videos, I set the left shortcut to "Camera" and right shortcut to
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In this thread, I’ll cover EVERYTHING that’s new in Android 14 Beta 2 👇:
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Welp, it was nice knowing y'all. (Apparently, everyone in the Houston area just got this ominous alert, and we have no idea wtf is going on.)
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Samsung has heard your pleas: You can now hide the gesture bar in One UI 6.1 on the Galaxy S24!. Samsung is rolling out an update to NavStar, the Good Lock module that lets you customize navigation, that brings back the setting to hide the gesture hint. Here's a before and after
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If Google officially sold an @Android Bot case like this for the @madebygoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. It'd look so good. (This case was 3D printed by @AustinMurphy27 in case you're wondering. Link in comments.)
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Wow - Google may be planning to ship a major kernel upgrade to all its (Tensor-powered) Pixel phones!. Current Tensor Pixels may be upgraded to Linux kernel 6.1, according to comments left on an AOSP patch by Google engineers. Tensor G1 and G2 Pixels currently run on Linux 5.10,
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Power users: Phone makers should put bigger batteries in their devices. This guy: I'll do it myself. Meet the Samsung BrickPhone, a Galaxy A32 5G modded to have a 30,000mAh battery (6 Samsung 50E cells in parallel)
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I've been using Beeper Mini for the past few days. It's the first true iMessage client for Android that doesn't relay messages from a Mac Mini server farm or require you to sign into your Apple account. I have finally become a blue bubble! (Article link in the replies.)
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Here is my big thread on what’s new in Android 14 Developer Preview 1. Android 14 DP1 is a MAJOR release so there are a LOT of new features and changes 👀 (thread):.
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Google’s latest Android Feature Drop for February 2024 is here, bringing you 9 new features to help you stay productive. Here's what you need to know 🧵.
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Navigating with Google Maps on the cover screen of the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is awesome! It's great not having to unfold the device to see directions. The phone is really compact when folded, so it's easy to hold in your palm while walking with Maps open. A shame it's
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Here's what the new Google Weather UI looks like on phones, foldables, and tablets. The new Google Weather UI is currently only officially available on the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold, but it will come to other devices in the future. Yes, the new Weather UI isn't available on
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Here's what's new in Android 13 Developer Preview 1. (thread).
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Google is overhauling Android's logo and iconic robot mascot! The new visuals "draw inspiration from Material design to complement the Google brand palette, as well as be adaptable." The updated visuals will "appear on Android devices and in more places starting this year."
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The new Google Weather UI is starting to roll out to a small number of Pixel phone users!. The new UI launched on the Pixel Tablet & Pixel Fold first, but in the past 48 hours two Pixel phone users reported seeing the new UI: Reddit user nickfury9 & X user @KovacDenis10. Let me
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Here's the Play Store link for Gemini: And APK: Note that Gemini is only available in English for now. The Gemini app isn't standalone; it's just a shortcut to the activity in the Google App, much like Assistant and Lens.
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Android 15 vs Android 16 brightness slider - a quick comparison!. As part of their work to overhaul the notifications & Quick Settings panels in Android 16, Google is also updating the brightness slider to bring it in line with the volume sliders. What do y'all think?
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Here we have yet another case study of a totally independently developed OS that's actually just AOSP. Meet "BharOS", the much-hyped "indigenous operating system" developed by a firm incubated by one of India's top technical universities and funded by the government.
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The latest version of Google Play Services (v23.35.14) suggests you'll be able to locate some devices on the Find My Device network even when they're powered off or out of battery. "Find My Device can also use the network to help locate this device when it’s powered off or out
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Fun fact: Android 14's webcam feature works with ANY platform that supports USB webcams, including Android itself! . Yes, that means you can use one Android phone as a webcam for another, though I have no idea why you'd want to do that.
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Android 15 is FINALLY rolling out for Pixel devices today!. Here's EVERYTHING you need to know about the Android 15 update for Pixel, including what bugs have been fixed and what new features have been added (there's a lot!). Click👇for the details!.
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Google is preparing to let you run Linux apps on Android, just like Chrome OS. The company is working on a Terminal app that downloads, configures, runs, and interfaces with an instance of Debian in a VM. 🔗Full details in my latest article👇.
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Here are four ways that Android 14 improves on performance and memory efficiency:. 1) Freezing cached applications. Android 14 freezes cached apps after a "short period of time", giving them 0 CPU time. During the Android 14 Beta, Google saw cached processes consume "up to 50%
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If you're wondering why Google never rolled out the "forced monochrome" icon theming feature, this is why: It looks certain icons look terrible. I suspect that Apple will either use this as a chance to pressure developers to support icon tinting or will force them to do so.
Definitely looks like icons get auto-tinted if you don’t optimize for the new icon customization
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Someone on Reddit claims they bought the prototype Pixel 7 Pro that was used to take the photos of the proto Pixel 7 that made the rounds recently. Predictably, it was remotely wiped by Google after they identified the device by its markings.
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Google Camera's new "Pro" controls also work on a Pixel 6 Pro!. (Requires modifying the Google Camera 9.1 APK from the Pixel 8, though!)
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I think my IP or device ID got blocked, lol. My Pixel 6a is now "unable to connect to rabbit OS", so I can't send any more queries. My rabbithole account is still active, though, which is amusing because the website shows that I have an R1 (I don't).
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The Pixel Watch 2 will have an IP68 rating!
You’re in for a good time. Meet #PixelWatch 2 at #MadeByGoogle on October 4th at 10am ET. Sign up for updates and learn more at the Google Store:
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Android's theft detection lock feature is finally starting to roll out!. The feature automatically locks your phone when it detects your phone has been snatched from your hand. It uses data from your phone's accelerometer and gyroscope and checks if common motions associated with
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Google just sent out invites for a #MadeByGoogle press event in August. The event will "showcase the best of Google AI, Android software, and the Pixel portfolio of devices.". The keynote kicks off on Tuesday, August 13 at 10:00 AM PT!
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Here's a demo of the new Circle to Search gesture on a @madebygoogle Pixel 8 Pro! This gesture lets you tap, scribble, or draw a circle around text or images on screen to search it on Google. This feature will roll out to the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro starting January 31.
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Just picked up the #GalaxyS24 Ultra in Titanium Gray! I'm going to be spending a lot of time trying out all the new #GalaxyAI features. First thing I noticed is that the Galaxy S24 ships with Android's updated 3D bugdroid (ie. the Bot) on the boot screen.
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Android 15's new volume panel UI on a @SamsungMobile Galaxy S24 Ultra!. (If you want to know how I did this, check the replies.)
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First look at RCS in the Apple Messages app!. Sadly, you'll still be seen as a green bubble.
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Google Keep is FINALLY rolling out text formatting support!. I just updated the Google Keep Android app to version 5.23.322.05 and got the feature. It seems the feature is slowly rolling out to some users. Let me know if text formatting is enabled for you!
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The Files by Google app is getting a new "scan" button that lets you digitize documents. Scanned documents are saved as PDF files under a new "Scanned" collection under "Documents" (the actual location is /Files by Google/Scanned). Like the document scanner in the Drive app,
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Chrome OS will soon support Material You dynamic theming, and wow, it looks really slick on a desktop OS!. Screenshot credits: Kent Duke on Reddit.
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I've got some Android 15 news dropping in a bit that a lot of you won't like😬
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Microsoft is rolling out an update to its Link to Windows app that enables using your Android phone or tablet as your PC's webcam!. This is "gradually rolling out" to Windows Insiders users across all Insider Channels. Your PC needs to be running Windows 11 and your Android phone
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📱REVIEW: The OnePlus 13 is a Super Reliable Phone that’s Never Gonna Let You Down. If every flagship this year is as good as the @OnePlus_USA 13, then 2025 will be a great year for phones! 🥰. Click here to see my thoughts on what makes the OnePlus 13 such a good phone 🧵
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Google Maps can now show you real-time weather information about a location. This includes the current temperature and weather conditions for the next few hours as well as the air quality. This is rolling out for some users (I got it on my Pixel 7 Pro) and is accessed by tapping
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As usual, if you want the undisputed BEST coverage of what's new Android 16, give me a follow!. I'm digging through Developer Preview 1 right now and will let you know everything I find soon!
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Face Unlock on the Pixel 8 series is now classified as a Class 3 (formerly Strong) biometric, which allows it to be used for BiometricPrompt (ie. authenticate within apps) and the Android Keystore. This means you'll be able to use the Pixel 8's Face Unlock in banking apps and
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Here's everything that's new in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 🧵
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Using an Android phone as a webcam became really popular during the pandemic, but you've typically had to install a third-party app to do so. You may not have to do this in the future, though, as Google is adding support for turning Android devices into USB webcams!.
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FINALLY! Google has heard my complaints: They're adding a "High Quality Mode" to Android's USB webcam feature. Now my $1,000 Pixel 8 Pro won't look like a cheap webcam anymore!.
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I was cleaning out some boxes in my closet last weekend when I discovered I still had these phones. Man, what a blast from the past. Left to right: Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, Pixel XL, Pixel 2 XL
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