Android update Archives

Winsage

December 15, 2024

Android 15 is preventing Windows Phone Link from showing certain notifications

Phone Link app users may experience changes in notification visibility due to a new feature in Android 15 that restricts access to sensitive notifications for privacy reasons. Notifications containing sensitive details, such as two-factor authentication codes, will not be displayed unless the application has the RECEIVESENSITIVENOTIFICATIONS permission. This permission is typically granted to system apps and some trusted third-party companion applications. Phone Link, categorized as a third-party app, is expected to request the necessary permissions to access sensitive notifications, but this will only occur for users with Samsung devices running One UI 6.1.1 or later.

AppWizard

December 13, 2024

Microsoft warns that Android 15 will make Windows Phone Link worse

Windows Phone Link in Windows 11 will face challenges due to the Android 15 update, which introduces a protocol that redacts sensitive notifications from "untrusted" notification listeners. Microsoft has informed users that certain notifications, including two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, will no longer be accessible through Phone Link. Devices pre-installed with Link To Windows can still sync sensitive notifications if configured correctly, while users of devices without Phone Link, such as Google Pixel, Sony Xperia, or Nothing Phone, will lose access to these notifications after upgrading to Android 15. Phone Link allows users to access phone notifications, applications, messages, and calls on their computer and has features like using the phone's camera as a webcam and file synchronization. The changes from Android 15 may reduce its utility for many users.

AppWizard

November 6, 2024

Android 16 release: New features, floating app windows likely to arrive in…

Android 16 is expected to debut between April and June 2025, with a specific launch date of June 3, 2025, when it will be available on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Pixel users will receive an over-the-air (OTA) update on the same date. The update will introduce features such as "Rich Ongoing Notifications," allowing third-party developers to customize notifications, and a "bubble anything" function for multitasking, enabling users to operate apps in floating windows. Google's expedited release schedule aims to meet the demand for faster software updates and align better with device launches.

AppWizard

September 18, 2024

Google Experiments on Adopting Vivid App Icons

Android users may soon see the reintroduction of vibrant, full-color icons in the upcoming Android 15 update, moving away from the traditional monochrome notification icons. Major players like Xiaomi and Samsung are also exploring alternative designs for their notification and status icons, indicating a trend towards more diverse visual experiences across devices.

AppWizard

July 25, 2024

Google tests picture-in-picture mode for Android users watching videos in the YouTube app

YouTube for Android has updated to bring PiP mode instead of the minibar when minimizing a video. This update is currently being rolled out to some users with version 19.29.37 of the YouTube for Android app in the U.S. The update allows viewers to move and resize the miniplayer while watching a video.

AppWizard

July 22, 2024

Your older Galaxy phone may get a powered-up camera app thanks to Blackmagic

Blackmagic Camera 1.1 for Android now supports Pixel 6 series, OnePlus, and Xiaomi phones.

AppWizard

July 2, 2024

Android quietly enhances split-screen mode in preparation for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Google has updated Android's split-screen mode to support left-right splits for foldable phones, specifically in preparation for the launch of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

AppWizard

June 26, 2024

Beats app for Android Adds Support for Beats Pill and Solo Buds

Apple has released a new update for the Beats app for Android, allowing users to connect and manage the new Beats Solo Buds and Beats Pill speaker. The update also enables users to pair devices, check battery levels, adjust settings, create widgets on their home screens, locate misplaced Beats, and control features like Noise Cancellation and Equalization. Users can manually update Beats devices' firmware directly from the app, ensuring they stay up to date with the latest updates. The app supports a wide range of Beats products and is compatible with Android devices running Android 9 or newer.

AppWizard

June 15, 2024

Force stopping apps in Android 15 temporarily disables widgets

When using the force stop function in Android 15, all home screen widgets related to the app will be temporarily disabled until the app is launched directly or indirectly. This change is part of Google's efforts to ensure the force stop function remains effective for users in Android 15.

AppWizard

June 4, 2024

Ask Jerry: Making sense of Android’s Location Settings

Emergency Location Service for Android devices ensures that emergency services can locate you when needed. It can be toggled on or off in the settings and will use Google Location Accuracy, Wi-Fi scanning, and Bluetooth scanning to provide a more precise location when calling or texting an emergency number. Trusted third parties receive the location data and forward it to emergency services. It is recommended to leave Emergency Location Service turned on in case of an emergency.