Android 14 Archives

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

Spotify Android App Draws Ire For Rigid Gestures

Spotify's Android app relies on mandatory swipe gestures that cannot be disabled, causing usability issues that conflict with Android's navigation system. This design choice has led to accidental actions, such as skipping tracks or altering playlists, particularly affecting users with motor or dexterity challenges. Research indicates that invisible gestures can lead to unintended activations, and guidelines recommend providing multiple input methods. A proposed solution is to introduce a Gestures menu for user customization, allowing users to disable or modify swipe actions. With Android's market share at around 70% and Spotify having approximately 626 million monthly active users, minimizing accidental actions could enhance user experience and provide a competitive advantage.

AppWizard

January 20, 2026

This Android-based tablet blends a paper-like display with app support

The HANNspree Lumo features a 7.8-inch reflective LCD display that mimics paper, prioritizing user comfort and versatility. It is categorized as a "Dynamic Paper Tablet," utilizing ambient light for a matte, low-glare screen. The tablet weighs approximately 250 grams and is 6.6mm thick. It supports full color with a 60Hz refresh rate and has a resolution of 1024 x 768, optimized for reading. The device runs on Android 14, powered by a MediaTek MTK8781 chip, with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, stylus support (sold separately), front and rear cameras, a built-in microphone, and a 3,000mAh battery that lasts about 6.5 hours for video playback. The Lumo is currently available in Europe for around €369, with no confirmation of a U.S. release.

BetaBeacon

December 3, 2025

Red Dead Redemption now on mobile phones: How to play on Android, iPhone and iPad

Rockstar Games has brought Red Dead Redemption to mobile phones, including the Undead Nightmare expansion. The game is available for purchase on Android and iOS for .99, but Netflix subscribers can download and play it for free. The game features touch-based controls and menus tailored for smaller screens. The storyline follows John Marston as he tries to secure the release of his family by tracking down members of his former gang. The game was first launched in 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and has since been released on various platforms. The mobile system requirements for Android and iOS devices are specified. This release is part of Rockstar's efforts to offer a full console-scale experience on portable devices.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

Older Pixel Devices Can Now Record Calls Directly in the Phone App

Google has expanded the call recording feature in its Phone app to include Pixel 6 and newer models. This feature allows users to record phone conversations, although it does not include transcription or automatic note-taking capabilities. Call recording is available in regions where it is legal, and users in the United States and Canada currently have access. To use the feature, users must have a Pixel 6 or newer device with Android 14 or higher, or a non-Pixel device with Android 9 or higher, and must update their Phone app. Users can activate call recording in the Phone app's settings and have options for automatic recording and deletion of recordings after a specified period. The call recorder will announce the recording to all parties involved in the call.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

Pixel phones finally get native call recording after a long wait

Google has started rolling out a call-recording feature for Pixel phones, available for Pixel 6 and newer models running Android 14. The Phone by Google app now includes a Call Recording section under Settings → Call Assist. Users can activate the feature during calls with a visible recording button and a “Stop” button to end recordings. Recordings are stored locally within the app, emphasizing privacy. The feature is linked to the November Pixel Feature Drop and requires an updated Phone app. Availability may vary by device, and legal considerations regarding call recording differ by region, prompting Google to include safeguards like audible alerts when recording starts.

BetaBeacon

October 31, 2025

Android 14 Easter Egg Launches Space Game

- Any phone or tablet that has been updated to Android 14 can access the new Easter egg, which is a space game that works offline and does not require special permissions.

AppWizard

October 1, 2025

Accelerating our Android apps with Baseline Profiles

Meta has integrated Android’s Baseline Profiles into its applications, resulting in performance enhancements of up to 40% across critical metrics. The Baseline Profiles, created from user data, allow developers to optimize app performance by controlling which classes and methods are included for install-time optimizations. Meta has established a robust infrastructure for profile-guided compiler and runtime optimizations, focusing on improving cold start performance and user interactions. The implementation of Baseline Profiles has led to significant improvements in app startup times, scrolling performance, and navigation latency.

AppWizard

September 22, 2025

How to Stop Android Battery Optimization from Killing Apps

Users and developers managing Android devices must navigate the balance between battery life and app functionality. Android's aggressive power-saving features can mute notifications or suspend background processes, leading to a state known as “sleeping.” To maintain app functionality, users can exempt specific applications from battery optimization through the Settings app under “Battery” or “Apps & notifications.” This feature, introduced in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, allows apps to operate seamlessly in the background. For example, disabling sleep mode for essential apps like WhatsApp can prevent missed notifications. Samsung's Adaptive Battery is particularly aggressive, often pushing unused apps into a “deep sleep” state after a few days, which can disrupt vital functions. Users may need to manually exempt applications in Samsung’s “Device care” settings. Other manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi impose similar restrictions, while Google’s stock Android offers more straightforward adjustments. Developers can incorporate foreground services or request permissions like “android.permission.WAKE_LOCK” to keep apps awake, balancing user privacy and battery health. Android’s Doze mode activates during inactivity and organizes background tasks into maintenance windows, but apps can request exemptions. Monitoring battery usage statistics can help identify problematic apps. In enterprise environments, tools like Ivanti’s mobile device management can automate these settings. Combining exemptions with notification settings ensures that apps remain active, although blanket exemptions may lead to faster battery depletion. The dynamic between operating system efficiency and app demands continues to evolve, particularly with Android 14’s enhanced foreground service requirements.

AppWizard

September 11, 2025

Health Connect will soon track your steps without needing another app

Google is enhancing its Health Connect platform by introducing native step tracking capabilities, transitioning from a data aggregator to a direct data collector from phone sensors. Launched in 2022, Health Connect serves as a centralized hub for health and fitness data, allowing applications to share data like steps, heart rate, and sleep patterns. Users can manage permissions for which applications can access their health data. The integration with Android 14 facilitates easy downloading of health applications and data sharing. Recent findings indicate that Google is working on implementing native step tracking, with a new “Devices” page showing connected devices that can write step data to Health Connect. Although step counting is not yet functional, the technology is capable, suggesting ongoing refinement. This evolution positions Health Connect as a competitor to Apple Health and raises questions about the future of Fitbit, which may continue to serve users seeking advanced metrics.

AppWizard

July 29, 2025

Here’s how Samsung is speeding up software updates for Galaxy devices

Samsung has launched its new Z Fold and Z Flip devices with One UI 8, just a month after the public release of Android 16, thanks to the adoption of Google's "Trunk Stable" development model. This model allows all development to occur within a single, stable internal branch, facilitating faster feature integration and reducing merge conflicts. Android 16 debuted in June, marking a quicker release schedule compared to previous versions. Samsung has confirmed its adoption of this model for One UI development, operating from a single development branch and collaborating with Google to refine the approach. This shift has enabled Samsung to expedite the rollout of One UI 8, aligning its release schedule with Google's updates.