Android
FYI: Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite will get Android 13 as well
Android 12 OS and its features are everywhere, courtesy of Samsung’s rapid software update deployment. With the major Android OS, the company introduced One UI 4.0 and One UI 4.1, which introduces minor user interface tweaks, and significant system improvements alongside additional features.
In addition, the new One UI 4.1 comes with various Galaxy S22 inspired Camera features for the Galaxy S10 Lite (unreleased) and Note 10 Lite including Night portrait functions, Pet recognition, and Light position editing to further enhance your photography experience.
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As promised, Samsung delivered three major OS upgrades to 2019’s Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 series of devices. While these flagship smartphones have received three big updates, they will have to spend their remaining time on the Android 12.
On the other hand, the affordable variants of Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 are luckier as they are still compatible with the upcoming Android 13 update. Nah… it’s not speculation as the Samsung software upgrade policy itself confirms the Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite will get Android 13 update as well.
Android 13 for Lite, nothing for main models!
Back in August 2020, Samsung announced that all the flagship Galaxy devices launched in or after 2019 will be getting three generations of major Android OS upgrades. Accordingly, the Galaxy S10 Lite and Galaxy Note 10 Lite are eligible for Android 13 as they were shipped with Android 10 pre-installed.
At the same time, the Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy Note 10+, and Galaxy Note 10+ 5G are no longer compatible with any big Android OS upgrade. The reason is undoubtedly clear as all of these handsets were introduced with Android 9 (Pie).
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.