Android
Samsung starts Android 11/One UI 3.0 development for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and S20 FE
Samsung has already started the Android 11 based One UI 3.0 public beta program in several eligible countries including the U.S., South Korea, India, Germany, Poland, and UK. The Galaxy S20 and Note 20 series smartphone owners are testing this One UI 3.0 and moving towards the release of the stable release.
It looks like the South Korean tech giant is also working on One UI 3.0 to launch for the second-gen foldable smartphone, Galaxy Z Fold 2, and also for the recently launched Galaxy S20 FE.
READ MORE: Is your Samsung Galaxy device getting Android 11-based One UI 3.0? Check here
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
A reliable source claimed that Samsung has already started the Android 11 development for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 with the testing software version F916USQU1CTJ5. And the affordable smartphone, Galaxy S20 FE is also testing with firmware version G781USQU1CTJ9.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
Previous reports reveal that Samsung One UI 3.0 stable version will start rolling out from November 2020 for the eligible Galaxy smartphone users who are currently running on Android 10 based One UI 2.5.
Samsung One UI 3.0 Features:
With One UI 3.0, Samsung has made some remarkable changes in the user interface and accessibility that can easily reflects on the quick settings panel, settings menu, the app drawer, and other parts of the UI.
Home Screen appears the same but when you open the App Drawer and Recent Apps, the new transparent background will also be found here and more visible. The background of the Quick Settings panel has a semi-transparent blurred background, which increases the overall viewing experience and better highlights the quick setting buttons.
In the notification panel, notifications are grouped to make them easier for you to read at glance. UI of the unlock method such as PIN UI also comes with a dialer with round backgrounds that look very good. The Always-on Display is also improved with One UI 3.0 and now offers better AOD features. One UI 3.0 allows you to set how notifications will show as they arrive.
Check also: Samsung One UI 3.0 Features: Latest, Changed, Improved, and Optimized
Fold2 Android 11 is in development! I’m super hyped for this one.
samsung/f2qsqw/f2q:11/RP1A.200720.012/F916USQU1CTJ5:user/release-keys
— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) November 8, 2020
S20 FE samsung/r8qsqx/r8q:11/RP1A.200720.012/G781USQU1CTJ9:user/release-keys
— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) November 8, 2020
Google is preparing to bring contextual video search support to the Circle to Search feature. AndroidAuthority spotted strings in the latest Google app for Android suggesting the potential arrival of contextual video search support.
In the recent past, Google significantly improved the Circle to Search feature. It added quickly sharing clipped on-screen items, song search, and QR code scanning support. Now, Circle to Search is preparing to upgrade with video search support.
Google’s AI-powered Circle to Search tool will allow you to search within any video. You will be able to trigger Circle to Search on locally stored videos apart from those available on the internet and social media.
Earlier this year, Samsung debuted the Circle to Search feature with the Galaxy S24 series. The company announced that the function will remain exclusive to select Galaxy and Pixel phones till October 2024.
In the meantime, Samsung and Google updated their Galaxy and Pixel phones with Circle to Search feature. Galaxy phones received it with the One UI 6.1 update, while Pixel phones added it with the June 2024 Feature Drop.
Recently, Samsung released Circle to Search for Galaxy A55 and A35. The AI-powered search tool is now available on a wide array of Pixel and Galaxy phones. Google is also preparing to optimize it for Android so a vast audience can make use of it.
Google is working to make Circle to Search functional with messaging bubbles in Android 15. Currently, the unique way to search doesn’t function when a messaging bubble is active, but that will change in a future Android 15 release.
MishaalRahman spotted code in the Android 15 source code that enables Circle to Search to be run when messaging bubbles have been expanded. This development indicates that Google is aware of the limitations and working to address them soon.
Circle to Search won’t activate if you have a messaging bubble active on the screen. It renders the user opt for an alternate way to search like opening Chrome. It becomes frustrating if you have to search for something right from the chat bubble.
It’s worth noting that the required code debuted in Android 15 Beta 4. The company has not used it in Android 15 nor the latest Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 release. Mishaal activated the feature manually by making some changes in the code.
Android currently doesn’t allow the home button or navigation handle to be long-pressed if a messaging bubble is active. Google would simply make improvements in this aspect so the handle/home button to be long-pressed.
Messaging bubbles
Google introduced the messaging bubbles feature in Android 11. This feature allows Android smartphone users to have active conversations floating as bubbles on top of other apps, making it easier to multitask while chatting.
Circle to Search is reportedly coming to more Android devices next month. In an exciting development, Tecno announced that the Circle to Search will be available on its new foldable, the Phantom V Fold 2, starting October 2024.
Samsung debuted Circle to Search with the Galaxy S24 series. It’s developed by Google in close partnership with the Galaxy maker. Google also expanded the feature to all of its Tensor-powered Pixel smartphones with Feature Drop.
We knew Circle to Search wouldn’t be available on non-Galaxy and Pixel phones till this October. Samsung already announced the availability of this feature will remain limited to certain phones made by either Samsung or Google.
It seems Samsung may have reached an agreement with Google. In order to showcase Galaxies supreme in the Android ecosystem, both firms may have restricted the expansion of the Circle to Search for at least 10 months.
Google has been regularly working to optimize Circle to Search for all Android phones. As it’s coming to Tecno phone next month, we expect other leading vendors including Xiaomi, Vivo, OnePlus, and OPPO will also be joined.
Well, Google hasn’t officially announced the expansion of Circle to Search. As Tecno is also a Google partner, this spirited claim couldn’t be untrue. Pay attention, Google has an ambitious plan to fuel 200 million Androids with Circle to Search.