Android
Android phones share large amount of data to developers and third parties, study shows
These days, digital privacy is one of the most important discussion points, and it seems we can’t just keep our data safe. Researchers at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland have made discoveries that should cause many Android users to worry a bit. The published article reveals that, even if you choose to opt-out of all data tracking, some Android phones still share your information.
When users do not want our data to be tracked, users simply go to our settings (both application and application settings) and tap ‘Do Not Share’. While this gives us a sense of security, it does not cover all the basics. The problem is caused by system applications and bloatware.
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Studies have shown that these methods of tracking are inevitable
When you get a new phone, there are usually pre-installed apps, and you can’t delete some of them. Certainly, some of those applications actually send a consistent stream of data back to OEM. This can go to that free game launcher that came with your phone or your calculator.
Even your basic apps can send data to OEM. The study found that a messenger to other phones will send OEM data back to the OEM time stamps, when sending messages, and how many you send. However, there is no data suggesting that the company can read the messages.
What makes this even more troubling is the fact that you can’t uninstall these apps. They come baked on Android software and share your information from the get-go.
Android Mobile OS Snooping By Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, and Realme Smartphones
We do not know much about this yet, but so far, Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, Realme are some of the companies that do this. This is really shocking because Samsung and Xiaomi are the biggest manufacturers of Android.
The above-mentioned data transfer takes place on Xiaomi and Huawei phones. Looking at what happened between Huawei and the US government, it is surprising to see this still going on.
Android smartphones also share your information with software developers
The OEMs are not the only ones who are fed up with data. The investigation has also found that Android phones also share your information with software developers through pre-installed apps. These include Facebook, Microsoft, Linkedin, Heytap, and Google itself.
There is no word on how many other apps send data, but this is a significant problem that Google will face in the future. Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, and Realme are not the only companies that do this, they can only be serious offenders.
//Via
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.