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]
Android 14
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Flip 5 to receive One UI 6.0 beta in October, Community Moderator confirms
One UI 6.0 Beta update for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 has been delayed, which was scheduled to be released in late September 2023. This announcement is made by Samsung’s Community Moderator through a comment on the Samsung Members app.
For this delay, the moderator stated that more work is required to ensure the stability of the One UI 6.0 beta software for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 smartphones.
In addition, the official assured that the company will do its best to deliver stable software so that the beta version can be launched as early as possible in October after the Chuseok holiday, which is a significant Korean festival that falls in late September this year.
Previously, Samsung’s community moderator had disclosed that the One UI team was working diligently in development and review to complete the beta version with the aim of distributing it within September. However, it seems that the team encountered some issues that required more time to fix.
Samsung guarantees 4 years of Android OS and 5 years of security updates to Galaxy devices. Meanwhile, Google is about to match Apple’s iOS support of 7 years of OS updates, starting with the Pixel 8 series, which Samsung must replicate for Galaxy devices.
In a recent development, a leaked Pixel 8 series specifications sheet revealed that Google will pledge 7 years of Android OS and security updates. It’s about to be the same as Apple does with all of its iPhone models, beating the Samsung software policy by a big margin.
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Samsung has a big lead in the smartphone market, thanks to its longer software support. Meanwhile, Google’s tentative announcement will make a big impact on the Galaxy maker’s policy. And to maintain consumer satisfaction, the Korean tech giant must replicate Google.
Google Pixel phones currently offer three generations of OS upgrades and five years of security patches. Samsung, on the other hand, has a wide range of Galaxy devices eligible for 4 OS plus 5 years of security updates. However, Apple’s iPhones get up to 7 years of major iOS upgrades.
The US tech giant will launch the Pixel 8 series on October 4. If it has plans to extend software support, the announcement will be done during the launch. It will be interesting to see if the company includes older Tensor-powered smartphones in new support plan.
Since the Pixel 6 series, Google is bringing a self-designed Tensor chipset, equipped with AI capabilities and machine learning. The Tensor G3 is based on Exynos and is being manufactured by Samsung, with Google plans to switch to TSMC in the next few years.
As the technology is growing such faster, it’s hard to keep a phone for 7 years, as the manufacturer believes. However, Pixel users will continue to rock with their smartphone, as Google could pledge 7 OS upgrades, that will arrive with new features and enhancements.
Android 14
Samsung’s One UI 6.0 Update: Galaxy S20, Note 20, and More Left Behind, New Options for Android Enthusiasts
Android 14 will soon start to roll out for Google Pixel phones. Samsung, on the other hand, started the One UI 6.0 Beta Program for Galaxy S23 series in August 2023. Samsung consumers have high expectations with the One UI 6.0 update, but many Galaxy devices are no longer supported.
Samsung should have pledged the Android 14 update for Galaxy S20 and Note 20 series, but it didn’t. It leads the Galaxy S20 FE to ineligibility for the next major update. Launched pre-installed with Android 10, the S20, Note 20 and S20 FE devices are no longer eligible for any major upgrade.
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The popular Galaxy A series phones – Galaxy A51 and A71 have also finished their OS upgrade eligibility with the Android 13-based One UI 5.0. Now, the Korean tech giant focuses more on affordable phones, with the Galaxy A24 as a recent example, which will get 4 OS upgrades.
The 2nd generation Galaxy Z Fold smartphone was also eligible for three major updates. The company had released it with Android 10-based One UI 2.5, which means, it has also completed its big OTA lifespan with Android 13. You can check One UI 6.0 unsupported devices in the list below.
- Galaxy S20 Series
- Galaxy Note 20 Series
- Galaxy S20 FE (LTE/5G)
- Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G
- Galaxy A71 & Galaxy A51
How to get One UI 6
To experience the next Samsung mobile OS, you need to purchase a new Galaxy phone. There are a lot of sticking options, offering you a longer software lifespan across categories from budget to premium. Check the quick guide below, which embeds phones with great software support.
- Premium – Galaxy S23 series
- Bonus Tip – Galaxy S21 FE (flagship phone with affordability)
- Mid-range – Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34
- Budget – Galaxy A24
