A new app called Messages by OzarksMade aims to emulate the look and feel of Samsung Messages and include RCS support via integration with Google Messages.
The absence of the S Pen in the Galaxy Z Fold series is becoming more glaring with the introduction of the Motorola Razr Fold, which offers a similar stylus experience. Samsung's decision to remove the S Pen to make its foldables thinner is being challenged by the technology used in the Motorola Razr Fold, which allows for stylus interaction without adding thickness to the device. Samsung's reluctance to evolve its S Pen technology is causing the company to fall behind in the foldable market as competitors embrace foldable styluses.
- Samsung is preparing to launch the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 this year with significant hardware and software improvements.
- The leak reveals that the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 will have a brightness of 5,000 nits, an 800mAh battery, and an IP69K water and dust resistance rating.
- Samsung's upcoming foldable devices, including the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra, are expected to support 45W charging and have improved peak brightness.
Mishaal Rahman, an employee at Google, revealed that Android 17 will feature a new foldable gaming mode designed to enhance gameplay on foldable devices. This mode will split the screen, displaying the game on the top half and a customizable virtual gamepad on the lower half, equipped with buttons similar to those on PlayStation or Nintendo controllers. The gaming mode is set to launch with the Android 17 platform release in the coming months. Additionally, Android 17 includes a multitasking tool called "Bubbles" and is currently undergoing testing with QPR1 Beta 5, which addresses various fixes.
A new feature called Foldable gaming mode is coming to Android 17. It allows for a customizable virtual controller to appear on the bottom half of a foldable device while the game plays on the top half. The virtual gamepad supports various controller inputs and has customization options such as button size and layout. The feature will become part of AOSP, allowing Android manufacturers to adapt it for their foldable devices.
Android 17 is introducing a dedicated gaming mode for foldable devices that features a virtual gamepad with touch controls. The virtual gamepad includes a D-pad, virtual sticks, action buttons, triggers, and more, and can be customized to suit user preferences. The mode is compatible with games that support physical controllers and can be easily activated by unfolding the device. The goal is to enhance the gaming experience on Android devices and cater to users who prefer physical controls for certain games.
Recent updates in Android, particularly with Android 17, focus on refining existing functionalities rather than introducing numerous new features. Key highlights include:
- Revamped multitasking capabilities with expanded chat bubbles, allowing interaction with multiple apps simultaneously.
- A bubble bar for foldable devices that displays all active floating windows for easy access, though launching apps as bubbles from the recents menu is not supported.
- Tailored updates for foldable devices, including a dedicated gaming mode and native controller remapping for customization.
- New customization options, such as hiding app labels on home screens and per-app adjustments for the dark theme.
- Enhanced background blur effects and the ability to disable them through accessibility settings.
- Security updates including Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock enabled by default, and a new Contact Picker feature for sharing specific contacts.
- Improved parental controls allowing for daily limits, downtime schedules, and individual app restrictions.
- A consistent user experience across devices, with applications adapting to different screen sizes and the introduction of features like Continue On for cross-device continuity.
- Anticipated future enhancements related to Gemini Intelligence.
Google has released the stable version of Android 17 for all supported Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6 series, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. Key features include:
- App Bubbles for multitasking, allowing users to launch apps in floating windows.
- Enhanced Picture-in-Picture mode for full interactivity in desktop environments.
- Encouragement for developers to optimize apps for various screen orientations and sizes.
- Implementation of app memory limits to improve performance and battery life.
- A 50:50 split-screen mode for gaming on foldable phones and native controller remapping.
- The Continue On feature for seamless task transitions between devices.
- Improved privacy features, including temporary access to location data and a Mark As Lost feature.
- Support for Eclipsa Video HDR format and enhanced audio quality through the Extended HE-AAC encoder.
- Introduction of the RAW14 image format for better camera capabilities.
- Enhanced support for Bluetooth Low Energy Audio, particularly for hearing aids.
Google has rolled out Android 17, with Pixel smartphones being the first to receive the update, while other eligible devices will gain access throughout 2026. The update emphasizes productivity, entertainment, and enhanced security. Key features include:
- A revamped “Bubbles” feature for multitasking, allowing apps to be transformed into floating windows.
- A dedicated “bubble bar” for larger devices to switch between apps easily.
- An upgraded screen recording functionality with a “Screen Reactions” feature that captures video from the front-facing camera.
- A “foldable gaming mode” optimizing performance for foldable phones, featuring a 50/50 split view for games and a dynamic gamepad.
- Native controller remapping for external controllers and improved system memory cleanup to reduce frame drops during gaming.
- A new “Mark as lost” feature in Find Hub for locking missing phones with biometric authentication.
- Targeted privacy options for temporary app access to location and contacts.
- Enhanced security features including limited PIN guesses and upgraded Live Threat Detection.
- A built-in home screen setting to hide app names, dedicated volume controls for virtual assistants, expanded dark theme customization, and extended Parental Controls.
- Strict app memory limits to enhance speed and battery life.
