Android
After OnePlus, Oppo’s 4 OS update promise going to benefit Samsung customers?
Android updates game is now becoming more and more adventurous, and this immense competition will benefit Samsung consumers. OnePlus recently promised to bring up to 4 Android + 5 years of regular security updates to select flagship devices launched in 2023, and Oppo now makes a similar announcement.
As reported by AndroidAuthority, Oppo announced a revised updates policy, promising 4 major ColorOS versions along with five years of security patches. Notably, the Chinese phone maker didn’t specifically mention Android updates, while, it promised three Android updates to flagships last year.
Follow Sammy Fans on Google News
Since Oppo’s new updates guarantee is going to only benefit devices launching next year, the current topmost flagships such as Find X5 Pro and Find N is compatible with a total of three Android updates. Oppo noted that this applied to “selected flagship models” starting in 2023.
Join Sammy Fans on Telegram
At present, the only confirmed information is that Oppo promised four major ColorOS updates, rather than Android. Similar to Samsung, the Chinese vendor also introduces x.1 versions of ColorOS, which can be referred to a major ColorOS update, but it can’t be an Android upgrade.
Benefit for Samsung fans
Earlier this year, Samsung announced its new Android updates policy, which promises up to 4 major Android/One UI updates and five years of regular security patches. Ahead of rivals, the Korean tech giant clearly mentioned which devices are eligible for the revised software policy.
As the OS updates competition is getting tough day by day, Google is now helpless to confirm at least 4 OS updates for Pixel devices. On the flip side, this software updates race is going to benefit Samsung customers, which could be up to 5 Android upgrades for flagships.
Not only premium, but select mid-range Galaxy devices are also eligible for four OS updates along with five years of regular patches. Seeing this, flagship Galaxy customers wish there should be at least five major upgrades along with better security patch support than mid-range devices.
Update – December 27// According to Android Authority, Oppo confirmed that select smartphones launched in 2023 will have 4 major Android OS updates. Earlier, the company noted ColorOS instead of Android OS, which left confusion among consumers.
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.