Android
Android gets Nearby Self Share, Gboard Emojify, Wear OS Bitmoji/Keep tile and more new features
Google announced the addition of new features to the smart mobile devices running the Android (13) operating system in September 2022. These new features enable easier sharing, revamped apps, productive apps for Wear OS smartwatches, entertainment and more.
Nearby Self Share
Google is now making it easier to share files across devices including phones, tablets, and Chromebooks logged in with the same Google Account. The new Nearby Share Self Sharing feature will be rolled out in the next few weeks letting you effortlessly transfer files across your own devices without giving permission every time.
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Google Drive, Keep
Google Drive will be adding a new widget that will allow you to get one-touch access to your Google Docs, Google Slides and Google Sheets files. through three home screen buttons. Moreover, Google Keep’s new widget and bigger fonts will make note-taking, to-do lists, and reminders easy to access.
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Gboard Emojify
Google’s native keyboard app – Gboard is also getting a new feature called “Emojify” that will turn the written text content into the relevant emoji. You just need to type your sentence, tap the new Emojify button to select your preferred layout and press send to add the right emoji.
- As of now, Emojify is available in Gbaord Beta in English language.
Emojis combined
Seeing the demand of users, Google is now adding tons of new Emoji Kitchen mashups that are available as stickers through the Gboard app on Android phones. The update combines your favorite emoji with the best parts of fall to share with your Northern Hemisphere friends.
Google Meet live sharing
The Google Meet app is also getting new shared experiences such as live sharing features so you can instantly co-watch YouTube videos and play classic games with up to 100 friends and family members at a time. Moreover, the app got new multi-pinning feature helping you stay focused on the folks you choose.
Wear OS – New features/improvements
Google Keep app adding new Tile feature for Wear OS in order to let users quickly dictate a note or checklist right from the wrist. Furthermore, you will also be able to manage the ones made across devices, without ever having to pull out your phone or tablet.
Apart from this, Google revealed that Bitmoji is coming soon to your Wear OS watch face to give your mood a boost throughout the day. Through the Bitmoji watch face, you will be able to use the Bitmoji you’ve designed on Snapchat, Bitmoji.com, or the Bitmoji mobile app.
New Accessibility tools
Google teamed with the Deaf and hard of hearing community to design the new Sound Notifications within the Live Transcribe & Notifications feature, which can detect critical household sounds like fire alarms, running water and door knocks and alert you on your phone or watch when they occur. Read more here
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.