Android 14 Archives

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

Fairphone 4 skips Android 14, gets Android 15 instead

Fairphone has announced that the Android 14 update for the Fairphone 4 will not be released as planned, and the company will instead focus on upgrading directly to Android 15 due to delays and challenges in delivering a stable Android 14 version. Fairphone 4 users were expecting the Android 14 update early this year, but the company cited limited resources as a reason for bypassing it. Fairphone has committed to improving communication with users during the upgrade process, though no specific timeline for Android 15 has been provided. The Fairphone 4, launched in 2023, was initially set to receive the Android 14 update. Fairphone has acknowledged user frustration over the delays and is actively working on the Android 15 upgrade while encouraging users to engage with community forums for updates. Additionally, the Fairphone 5, which launched with Android 13, is promised at least five OS updates and eight years of software and security updates.

AppWizard

May 26, 2025

Google building audio-only mode for driving ahead of video apps on Android Auto

Google is introducing a feature for Android Automotive that allows users to switch seamlessly between video and audio modes while driving. Currently, video apps on Android Automotive can only be used when the vehicle is parked, but this new functionality will enable audio playback from video apps while the vehicle is in motion. This feature is available through an early access program for vehicles running Android 14 and above, and app developers must integrate it into their applications. Additionally, Google plans to extend video app support to Android Auto, which may include similar audio functionality.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Android Automotive is expanding its app catalog for cars with the largest displays

Google announced its collaboration with OEMs to enhance mobile app compatibility for large screens in Android Automotive, targeting thousands of car-ready applications. The rollout will begin in vehicles with Google built-in and running on Android 14, with the Volvo EX90 being the first model to benefit from this expanded app ecosystem. Additionally, Google introduced a new aspect ratio menu for toggling between default app size and full-screen view, aligning with updates in Android 14 QPR1 for smartphones.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

Android 16’s desktop mode was right in front of me the whole time

Samsung's DeX feature allows users to transform their smartphones into a desktop experience by connecting to an external display. Since its introduction with the Galaxy S8, DeX has evolved, and Google is collaborating with Samsung to enhance it for Android 16's Native desktop mode. This mode aims to improve Android's desktop functionalities, which have previously been limited. Samsung's recent "New DeX" mode, introduced with One UI 6.0 and Android 14, allows for resizable app windows, but Google may choose to adopt a design inspired by the classic DeX experience instead. The future of desktop mode in Android remains uncertain, particularly regarding external display options.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

How to stop Android apps running in the background

Experiencing unexpected battery drain on Android devices can be caused by background apps. To manage these apps and alleviate battery issues, users can activate the Adaptive Battery feature by navigating to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver > Adaptive Battery and toggling it on. Regular updates for both the Android system and applications can improve battery performance. Users can check for Android updates in Settings > System > Software updates and for app updates in the Google Play Store under Manage apps & device. To monitor battery usage, users can go to Settings > Battery > Battery usage to identify which apps consume the most power. For RAM usage, enabling Developer options allows users to see which apps are using memory by going to Settings > About phone > Build number (tap seven times) > System > Developer options > Running services. Users can stop or uninstall background apps by navigating to Settings > Apps > See all apps, selecting the app, and choosing to force stop or uninstall it. To limit background activity for specific apps, users can enable "Pause app activity if unused" or toggle off "Allow background usage" in the app's battery usage settings. Some manufacturers offer built-in options for managing background apps, and third-party apps like Greenify can also help. Common battery-draining apps include social media and streaming services.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Pixelify Your Android Smartphone with This Wallpaper App

Doodle is a Java-based open-source wallpaper application developed by Patrick Zedler, featuring the original Doodle wallpaper collection from the Pixel 4 and unreleased Material You static wallpapers from the Pixel 6. The app allows users to explore wallpapers organized into three categories, select variants, add accent colors, set daily random wallpapers, and toggle night mode. Doodle includes three live wallpapers with interactive features like "Swipe" and "Tilt" effects. Users can customize live wallpaper animations and app color themes through various settings. During testing on a Samsung smartphone with Android 14, some features like the "Swipe" effect and Accent Colors were non-functional due to compatibility issues with the default launcher. The app's live wallpaper occasionally malfunctioned during the lock/unlock process, and transitioning between light and dark modes required relaunching the app. The source code is available on GitHub under GPLv3 licensing, and the app can be downloaded from F-Droid and the Play Store.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

This one app has made my life easier and my wife happier

The author has at least 35 different smart home devices, leading to a fragmented experience with multiple apps and services. They are considering using Home Assistant as a central hub for device control, which supports various protocols like Matter, Thread, Zigbee, HomeKit, and Nest. Home Assistant can be installed easily on devices like Raspberry Pi or Virtual Machines, requiring a constant network connection. Once set up, it consolidates controls into one interface, allowing for custom dashboards and automations. Recent developments, such as Google discontinuing support for older Nest Thermostats, have prompted users to seek alternatives like Home Assistant for a unified control experience. The introduction of customizable lock screen shortcuts in Android 14 allows users to replace the Google Home app with Home Assistant. Users are encouraged to start simple and gradually expand their system.

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

Google Photos now lets you spice up your pictures with Ultra HDR glow

Google Photos has introduced the Ultra HDR feature, replacing the previous HDR effect, allowing users to enhance the brightness and vibrancy of their photos. The rollout has begun, with select users already experiencing it, and it is part of version 7.24.0.747539053 found in the “Adjust” tab. When applied, images will have an “Ultra HDR” tag in the metadata, and the Ultra HDR version may take up less storage space than the original image due to a compact gain map. Each Ultra HDR file also includes a standard dynamic range (SDR) version for compatibility with non-HDR displays.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

Google raises Android 15’s onboard storage requirements to 32GB

Android 15 mandates a minimum of 32GB of onboard storage for devices, enforced through GMS licensing, while devices with less than 32GB can still operate AOSP builds. Phones with 3GB of memory or less must use Android Go Edition. The shift from 16GB to 32GB is the first significant increase in system requirements since Android 13. Android 15 also requires Vulkan 1.3 graphics support in chipsets, unless using Android Go Edition. Devices with 3GB of RAM or less must run Android Go Edition, increasing the previous threshold from 2GB, while the baseline requirement of 2GB memory for GMS licensing remains unchanged.

BetaBeacon

April 11, 2025

Razer ‘Remote Play’ brings PC games to your Android device, but without the black bars

Razer's "PC Remote Play" service allows for streaming PC games to Android devices at the native screen resolution, eliminating black bars that often surround gameplay.