Android
Google details March 2023 System Update – What’s new?
Article first published on March 2nd, update added at the bottom…
Google published March 2023 System Update details today. The update rollout has not started yet, whereas February’s build appears to be skipped from the rollout.
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According to Google, the March 2023 System Update brings upgrades to Wallet and System Management functions. The new build makes it possible for Wallet users to selectively exclude loyalty cards imported from Gmail.
Adding to this, the March 2023 System update also brings updates to System Management and Usability services that improve Battery Life, Device Storage, and Network Usage.
In addition to smartphones, Google’s March update for System Management applies to Android Auto, Android TV, Wear OS as well as PC (Chromebook). You can check the complete changelog below:
- Wallet
- [Phone] Wallet users can selectively exclude loyalty cards imported from Gmail.[1]
- System Management
[Auto] [TV] [Phone] [Wear OS] [PC] Updates to System Management, and Usability services that improve Battery Life, Device Storage, and Network Usage.
The company also revealed that the upgrades included in Google Play services v08.23, which updated on the first day of this month. Hopefully, Android devices will start getting Play System updates in the coming days.
Google System updates make your Android devices more secure and reliable and give you new and useful features. They include updates from Google to the Android operating system, Google Play Store, and Google Play services.
These updates are available for phones, tablets, Android TV and Google TV devices, Android Auto-enabled vehicles, Wear OS devices, and Chrome OS devices. Learn more about Google System updates.
Update [March 08]
Today, Google has updated the March 2023 Play System update release notes page. Compared to the content shared initially, the page now has detailed information along with a huge list of changes in Google Play Store, Wallet and System Management.
Google Play Store
- New Features to help you discover the Apps & Games you love.[4]
- Optimizations allowing faster and more reliable download and installation.[4]
- Continuous improvements to Play Protect to keep your device safe.[4]
- Various performance optimizations, bug fixes and improvements to security, stability and accessibility.[4]
- [Phone] Users will have the ability to automatically make apps that they are installing on Phones & Tablets, available on other connected Android devices such as Watch, TV and Chromebooks.[4]
Wallet
- [Phone] Wallet users can selectively exclude loyalty cards imported from Gmail.[1]
- [Phone] New animations displayed after successful tap and pay transaction using Google Wallet. [1]
System Management
- [Auto] [TV] [Phone] [Wear OS] [PC] Updates to System Management, and Usability services that improve Battery Life, Device Storage, and Network Usage.[1]
- [Auto] [TV] [Phone] [Wear OS] [PC] Updates to system management services that improve stability.[2]
Additional
- [1] Available through Google Play services v08.23 updated on 03/01/2023
- [2] Available through Google Play services v09.23 updated on 03/08/2023
- [4] Available through Google Play Store v34.8 updated on 03/6/2023
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.