Google

AppWizard
July 29, 2025
Cash App has introduced a new feature called Pools, designed to facilitate group payments for shared expenses. Users can invite others, including those using Google Pay or Apple Pay, to contribute to a pool for expenses like vacations or gifts. Organizers can name the pool, set a target amount, and once the goal is reached, they can close the pool and transfer the funds. The feature is currently being rolled out to a select group of users, with plans for wider availability soon.
AppWizard
July 29, 2025
Google has introduced a feature called "Contact History" in its Android Contacts app, which includes a "Recent activity" section that displays the latest interactions with each contact. Users can view their recent communications, such as phone calls and texts, and tap on entries to open the corresponding app. To access this feature, users need to go to a contact's profile and scroll to the "Recent activity" section. The feature is currently being rolled out and may require an update from the Google Play Store for some users. It focuses on phone calls and text messages, excluding other platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
AppWizard
July 29, 2025
Google is enhancing the customization capabilities of its Pixel phones, particularly regarding app icons. The current "Themed icons" feature only works well with monochromatic icons, leading to mismatched visuals for many popular apps. To improve this, Google is reportedly developing new AI-powered options for icon customization, which may allow users to create custom icon themes independently of app developers. The new options discovered in the Android Canary build include: - Default: Keeps app icons unchanged. - Minimal: Displays monochromatic versions of app icons. - AI icon: Utilizes AI to generate a custom icon style automatically. - Create: Empowers users to design their own custom icon styles. Additionally, Google is working on allowing users to customize icon shapes. The timeline for these features is uncertain, but they may be part of a broader theme support initiative. Third-party Android launchers that support custom icon packs are available for users seeking immediate personalization options.
AppWizard
July 29, 2025
WhatsApp is adding a night mode feature to its Android app, aimed at improving photography in low-light conditions. This feature has been identified in WhatsApp Beta for Android version 2.25.22.2 and includes a moon icon in the camera interface for manual activation. The night mode enhances image clarity and brightness by adjusting exposure and minimizing noise, allowing users to capture more details in dim environments. It is currently available to select beta testers and is expected to roll out to a wider audience in future updates.
BetaBeacon
July 29, 2025
Samsung was able to release its custom Android skin, One UI 8, just weeks after Android 16 became available by adopting a similar "Trunk Stable" approach to Google's development model. Samsung's faster turnaround was made possible by developing One UI from a single, stable internal branch, allowing them to match Google's release schedule going forward.
AppWizard
July 29, 2025
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.
Tech Optimizer
July 28, 2025
The cybercriminal landscape is experiencing a transformation with the emergence of malware-as-a-service (MaaS) platforms targeting Android devices, allowing individuals with minimal technical skills to deploy advanced mobile threats through accessible subscription-based malware kits. Notable platforms include PhantomOS, priced at 9 monthly, offering features like remote application installation and two-factor authentication bypass, and Nebula, starting at 0 monthly, which provides automated data extraction of SMS, call logs, and GPS data. Both platforms utilize Telegram for command and control, enabling easy management of infected devices. These MaaS platforms employ advanced evasion techniques, utilizing fully undetectable malware that can bypass major security measures, ensuring persistence and compatibility with various Android versions, including the latest Android 15. This shift signifies a move toward industrialized cybercrime, where specialized providers handle technical complexities, allowing criminals to focus on targeting victims.
AppWizard
July 28, 2025
Google is enhancing its QR code scanning experience on Android devices with a gradual rollout of a user-friendly interface. The updated link menu includes options like Copy text and Share, in addition to the traditional Open button. The viewfinder interface has been modified, featuring a minimized "Scan QR code" label, a flash icon at the bottom, and a new option to Scan from photo. This update improves the clarity of scanned links, indicating where they will direct users, such as to the Chrome browser. Google previously introduced the Circle to Search feature, which uses AI for visual lookup of barcodes and QR codes, providing a direct link to websites after scanning. Additionally, the Quick Share feature allows users to share files via a QR code that others can scan.
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