Android
Google is updating Nearby Share with Material You design
Created by Google, Nearby Share is a Quick Share alternative available on all Android devices including Samsung Galaxy. As part of bringing user interface enhancements, Google is rolling out Material You design for the Nearby Share service with the latest Play System update.
As Google quoted in the December Play System update, the Material You design tweaks will be applied to the Nearby Share feature of Android. The change is spotted in version 22.49 of Google Play services, which will be available for Android smartphones shortly.
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Specifically, the new update for the Nearby Share feature brings revamped visual and motion design for the main UI you interact with. Since the new version is not available widely, our folks over at 9to5Google managed to get their hands on it a month back.
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The current design of Nearby Share shows a left-to-right wave to display that the process of “Looking for nearby devices” is occurring. With the new update, the Material You shapes come to Nearby Share device discover screen that fades out behind your profile avatar.
In addition, the text now has slightly larger fonts and is placed in the center with the Nearby Share heading moved to the top along with using the icon. The share preview is also slightly larger compared to the current one, displays in a circular shape.
We recommend you keep your Galaxy devices updated with the latest version of software and apps. These new changes will be applied in the background as soon as the operating system receives the latest Google Play System update and the required version of Play Services.
Android
Android 15 enhances location accuracy with Wi-Fi Ranging
Android 15 brings a big improvement to indoor navigation by adding support for Wi-Fi Ranging. This new feature is based on the IEEE 802.11az protocol, which allows Android devices to track location with incredible accuracy within 1 meter inside buildings like malls, airports, and offices.
Wi-Fi Ranging works much better than older Wi-Fi location methods. Previously, Wi-Fi-based location tracking was only accurate to about 10-15 meters, relying on the strength of Wi-Fi signals.
In 2018, Android brought Wi-Fi RTT (Round Trip Time), which improved accuracy to 1-2 meters. With Android 15, Wi-Fi Ranging now further boosts accuracy to as precise as 0.4 meters. With the adoption of the 802.11az standard, Wi-Fi Ranging uses FTM to measure the time-of-flight (ToF) of signals between the device and nearby access points.
In addition, Wi-Fi Ranging offers several other advantages. It can work on the new 6GHz Wi-Fi band, supports more devices at once, and is more secure. It’s a good choice for indoor navigation because it has a better range than other technologies like UWB (Ultra-Wideband) and Bluetooth Channel Sounding.
While not all Android phones have the hardware to support Wi-Fi Ranging yet, devices using Qualcomm’s new FastConnect 7900 chip will be ready for the feature. However, Wi-Fi routers and access points also need to be updated to support the new 802.11az standard.
With Android 15, Wi-Fi Ranging offers a better, more accurate way to find your way around indoors. As more devices and networks adopt the technology, we can expect even more accurate indoor navigation in the future.
Android 15 upgrades with battery-saver adaptive refresh rate feature
Android
Android 15 upgrades with battery-saver adaptive refresh rate feature
Android 15 introduces an adaptive refresh rate (ARR) feature, which allows your phone’s screen to automatically adjust its refresh rate based on the content you’re viewing. This means the screen can lower its refresh rate when you don’t need high refresh rates, saving battery and reducing lag.
Previously, Android could only switch between fixed refresh rates like 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz. This switch worked for most situations but it wasn’t as efficient as ARR, which can make the display work at the most appropriate rate without needing to switch between different modes.
Android 15 now lets the display change the refresh rate within a single adaptive mode to make it smoother and more efficient. The ARR feature reduces power consumption and eliminates jank caused by mode switching.
This feature is especially useful for phones with high refresh-rate screens, like those with LTPO displays. These displays could save battery by lowering the refresh rate but Android still relied on switching between fixed modes.
However, not every phone will get this feature. To support ARR, devices must have the latest version of Android’s display software (HWC HAL version 3), which some older phones don’t have. Smartphones like the Google Pixel 7 and those with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip already support this feature, but older models likely won’t.
When it works, ARR could help fix issues like phones sticking to 60Hz even when watching films at 30Hz or 24Hz. Despite smoother video and less power consumption, it won’t give Android the same level of variable refresh rate support that PC-like VRR experience.
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Android
Android steals handy battery saving feature from One UI
Android adopting Samsung’s One UI-like battery-saving feature. Pixel smartphone users receiving a new battery feature with the November 2024 update. It aims to extend the total lifespan of their smartphone batteries.
AndroidAuthority spotted that Google’s November 2024 update brings a handy battery-saving feature to Android 15. Similar to Maximum Battery protection in One UI, the new feature only charges your Android phone to 80% each cycle.
Smartphones usually use a lithium-ion battery that prefers to stop charging at 80%. Users commonly charge their device up to a full 100%, but going to 100% every time will eventually erode the battery’s capacity.
It’s interesting to see Pixel users waiting for a feature that stops their phone from charging beyond 80%. However, it’s worth enabling as the overall lifespan of your phone’s battery will increase as the charging will stop at 80% itself.
Notably, Google hasn’t yet opened a broader rollout of the new battery-saving tool. Some Pixel users confirmed the deployment, while some haven’t yet received it. It seems the rollout would take a bit longer than usual to expand globally.
Battery protection features in One UI 6:
Samsung’s latest One UI 6.1 brings three battery protection features. These functions help Galaxy users extend their phone’s battery life. You may have less juice on the battery, but it’s a beneficial deal for the long term.
- Basic:
- Whenever your battery is charged to 100%, charging will automatically stop until the battery level drops down to 95% before it starts charging again.
- Adaptive:
- Your device will switch to ‘Maximum’ mode while you’re asleep and back to ‘Basic’ mode before you wake up. Your Sleep time is estimated based on your phone usage patterns.
- Maximum:
- Your battery will stop charging when it reaches 80%.