Android
Google launches new Android features – Reading mode, emoji mashups, security alerts and more
On December 1, Google launched plenty of new features for Android devices, including phones and tablets. Starting Pixel phones, these newly debuted Android features will soon be available on your Samsung Galaxy smartphone or tablet, as well as Galaxy Watch (with Wear OS).
According to the information, Google introduced new features for Android including Reading mode app for web pages, improved Google Cast, Digital Car Keys via Wallet, new collage styles in the Google Photos app, replies to specific messages in Google Messages, new emoji mash-up by Gboard, and better security alerts.
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Security alerts
When it comes to security, Google apps will now start showing safety alerts along with recommended actions so your account stays secure against every kind of threat. In case any of your phone’s apps, webpage, or service is possibly a threat to your account, you will get prompted by Google.
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Reading Mode
Starting Reading mode, this new Android feature can be grabbed by installing the app from Google Play Store. It works under the accessibility function of the operating system, which extracts text from web pages and select compatible apps and presents without ads and pop-ups. [Download Reading mode]
For even better readability, the Reading mode allows you to adjust the font, font size, line spacing, and background color, and switch between dark and light modes. In case you don’t want to read a big article, the Android’s Text to Speech feature can be used and you can hear the text.
Gboard
If you love using Google’s keyboard app – Gboard on your Samsung device, the Emoji Kitchen also has new emojis you can mash up into creative sticker combos. With the holiday season update, you can now add some extra holiday flair to your messages with compatible emojis.
Google Photos
Google Photos adding new collage styles from two new artists — Australian husband-and-wife visual duo DABSMYLA and renowned watercolor artist Yao Cheng. You just need to select your photos, finalize the design and rearrange the layout with simple drag-and-drop controls.
Google Wallet
Samsung Wallet already gained the availability to store the digital car and home keys, however, Google Wallet is now getting support as well. Following the holiday season update, the Google Wallet app lets you easily share Digital Car Keys without compromising security.
Google TV
Aside from this, Google updated the Google TV app, which allows you to cast any video with a single tap and continue browsing other content. Moreover, you can also use the mobile application to operate compatible Android TV or Google TV-based smart TV. [Download Google TV]
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.