foldable devices Archives

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

The Apple TV App Comes to Android

Apple has launched the Android version of its streaming service, Apple TV+, nearly four years after its initial release in November 2019. The Apple TV app is now available globally on Google Play, allowing Android users to access Apple TV+ and the MLS Season Pass on various devices. Key features include Continue Watching, Watchlist, and Offline Viewing. The app supports smooth streaming over Wi-Fi and cellular connections. Android users can subscribe to Apple TV+ and access original programming, including series like "Severance," "Slow Horses," and "Ted Lasso," as well as films such as "Killers of the Flower Moon" and "CODA." The service also includes Friday Night Baseball and will introduce Sunday Night Soccer in 2025.

AppWizard

February 13, 2025

Apple TV Plus is reportedly about to debut on Android

Apple has begun rolling out its Apple TV Plus app for Android phones and tablets, allowing users to access shows like Severance. The app is available on the Google Play Store, with features such as offline downloads and saved watchlists. Users can subscribe to Apple TV Plus and MLS Season Pass through Google Play billing, but the app does not support movie rentals or purchases. It has been optimized for foldable devices. Previously, an Apple TV Plus app was available for Android TV. Other Apple apps available on Android include Apple Music and a Beats management app. An Apple TV Plus subscription costs .99 per month. The rollout of the app started on February 12th.

AppWizard

February 7, 2025

Android 16 may let users rebind physical app and system keyboard shortcuts

Google is enhancing the keyboard experience for larger devices with the latest beta version of Android 16, which introduces a feature for customizing keyboard shortcuts. The code for this feature was found under the tag "Customize Keyboard Shortcut." Last year, Google introduced a physical keyboard toolbar for shortcuts, benefiting users with USB-C or Bluetooth keyboards, and allowing customization of app shortcuts and system action keys. The toolbar also provided access to translation tools and clipboard functions. Additionally, updates were made for larger devices using physical keyboards, particularly for Workspace applications like Gmail and Chat. Android 16 Beta 1 was released to Pixel testers in mid-January, with a projected launch for Android 16 in Q2 2025.

AppWizard

December 26, 2024

Recap: Pixel updates, Feature Drops, and new apps in 2024

In 2024, Made by Google released multiple updates for the Pixel phone, introducing new features and enhancing existing functionalities across six updates. - January Feature Drop: Launched with the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, it included the Pixel Thermometer app for forehead temperature readings, Circle to Search, and the rebranding of Quick Share from Nearby Share. - March Feature Drop: Introduced with Android 14 QPR2, it featured an expandable Bluetooth Quick Settings Tile, a Material You volume slider, new casting options, and a "Hello?" button for the Call Screen feature. The Pixel Tablet received the Gboard Voice Toolbar. - June Feature Drop: Marked by the early launch of the Pixel 8a, it introduced Audio Emoji, Display Port Support for external screens, Gemini Nano technology, and camera improvements for various Pixel models. The Android 14 QPR3 update focused on minor tweaks. - Pixel 9 Series Launch: Debuted alongside Android 14, backporting features from the Android 15 Beta. Introduced three new applications: Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Studio, and Pixel Weather, along with Gemini Live and on-device Call Notes. - Android 15/October Drop: Introduced Android 15 with a Private Space option, Predictive Back functionality, a redesigned screenshot interface, underwater photography capabilities for the Pixel 9 series, and an enhanced Adaptive Vibration feature. - December Drop: Included Android 15 QPR1 with a Material You redesign for Settings, charging optimization, enhancements to the Pixel Screenshots app, a clear voice feature for the Pixel Recorder, broader rollout of contextual replies for Gemini, and Dual Screen Portrait Mode for foldable devices. Google extended Android OS updates for the Pixel 6 and 7 series.

AppWizard

December 21, 2024

An Android OS preview: Five key trends we expect in 2025

Google is set to unveil Android 16 several months earlier than usual, with a stable build anticipated in Q2 2025. The developer preview is already accessible, and public betas are expected to roll out in Q1 2025. Android 16 will include major features, while a subsequent release in Q4 may focus on stability improvements and optimizations, possibly labeled Android 16.1. Google is reverting to smaller tiles in the interface for Android 16, and enhanced multitasking capabilities are anticipated for foldable devices. Google is integrating AI features into its ecosystem and collaborating with manufacturers like Honor and Samsung for new device launches. The gradual merging of Android and ChromeOS aims to enhance user experience. Google is also collaborating with Samsung and Qualcomm to introduce Android XR for extended reality headsets and glasses, with the first hardware expected in 2025.

AppWizard

November 19, 2024

Fitbit app gets foldable, tablet redesign on Android

Fitbit for Android has been updated to better accommodate larger screens, particularly tablets and foldable devices. The new design features four customizable stat rings arranged side-by-side, replacing the previous layout of one large circle and three smaller ones. The app now utilizes a dual-column layout instead of a single stat card, improving space efficiency and navigation, especially in landscape mode. Enhanced navigation controls for viewing previous and next days have also been added. This update is part of version 4.30, which may have been released prior to the official announcement. The app currently does not include a dark theme, but there are expectations for its introduction as Google migrates legacy stat pages to the new design.

AppWizard

October 31, 2024

How to Supercharge Gemini App Usage on Foldables and Tablets

The Gemini app has been enhanced since its launch on Android, with updates improving its functionality for foldable phones and tablets. The app supports both cover and main screens, allowing users to switch view modes and minimize it. On the main screen, users can initiate Gemini with voice commands or gestures, reposition it, and use split-screen mode. The cover screen offers similar functionality, though split-screen support is limited. Gemini is compatible with various Android foldable devices, and there is potential for future support on standard smartphones.

AppWizard

October 24, 2024

Android 15’s QPR1 Beta 3 is finally here with system crash and foldable fixes

Google has released Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 for enrolled testers with eligible Pixel devices, addressing a blank screen issue on foldable devices and improving Bluetooth functionality. The update is available for Pixel 6 to Pixel 9 series, Pixel Fold, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel Tablet, with version AP41.240925.009. Notable fixes include resolving Bluetooth volume control issues, complications with profile switching, and a blank screen problem when unfolding certain devices. Additional fixes address truncated notifications, system memory paging problems, app icon reversion, system UI crashes, heads-up notification interaction issues, and various stability and connectivity problems. The OTA update began rolling out on October 24, and users can manually check for updates in their settings. The update follows a previous Beta 2 release aimed at Bluetooth and NFC payment issues and hints at future enhancements for Android 16. Some users have reported issues with the stable OS, including inoperability on Pixel 6 devices.

AppWizard

October 23, 2024

Google Keep likely to get advanced handwriting mode and other new features

Google Keep is enhancing its functionality, particularly for handwritten notes, in the latest version 5.24.422.02.90. The app will introduce a new handwritten notes capability for Android devices with stylus support, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy S24 Ultra, as well as for users who draw with their fingers. The new handwritten notes will be visually distinct from existing drawing notes, with titles positioned differently. Users will be able to share handwritten notes in PDF format instead of just image files. A "Text to sketch" feature may also be included in future updates. These enhancements will be available on both mobile and web clients, although web notes will currently be uneditable and viewable only as PDFs. Additionally, users will soon be able to customize handwriting backgrounds with color, and notes with images will allow for resizing, cropping, and repositioning. Other upcoming features include a window resize option and the ability to manage multiple accounts in split mode on foldable devices.

AppWizard

October 19, 2024

I just updated to Android 15: Here are 9 features you should check out

Android 15 was launched alongside Google's latest flagship smartphones, introducing several new features. Key enhancements include: - One-tap Passkey: Simplifies login to Passkey-enabled accounts with a single tap. - Manually Enable Astrophotography: Users can now manually activate Astrophotography mode for better night sky photography. - Home Controls on the Lock Screen: Provides easy access to Google Home toggles and customizable smart home management. - Pin the Taskbar: Allows users of tablets and foldable phones to pin the Taskbar for improved multitasking. - Go from the Big Screen to the Small Screen: Enables seamless transitions between the inner and cover screens of foldable devices. - Keeping Apps Together: Introduces App Pairs for running two apps side-by-side and saving app combinations. - More Gemini Improvements: Enhances integration between apps, allowing questions about items in the Pixel Screenshots app. - Quickly Switch Between Bluetooth Devices: Updates Quick Settings for easier selection of Bluetooth devices.