Android
Android 14 Beta 1 announced with UI and graphics upgrades
Google has just announced the Android 14 Beta 1 for Pixel smartphones with System UI upgrades and Graphics capabilities. Starting today, Pixel owners can download and enjoy the new OS version ahead of its Stable release, which is expected in August.
According to the info, Google’s Android 14 Beta 1 comes with three noticeable features including more helpful system UI, data transparency, and graphics capabilities. For Samsung, this release is not directly beneficial but begins the journey towards One UI 6.
Apart from this, Android 14’s user interface changes include a new back arrow, improved share sheet, and system UI renovation. The latest version focuses more on consumers’ data privacy by increasing the transparency of access through Beta 1.
Beta 1 brings new back arrow, which follows the home/lock screen wallpaper (color palette) for more optimized appearance. Secondly, Google sufficiently worked on improving the design of share sheet as apps can now add custom actions to system share sheets.
Talking about personalization, Android 14 improves the per-app language preferences and lets apps detect the UI language of the current app. As part of enhancing privacy, Android 14 appears to be limiting visibility to disability-focused accessibility services.
Stable Release?
Google first introduced the Android 14 OS on Developer Preview 1 on February 8, followed by DP2 on March 8. According to schedule, the first Beta is released in April 2023, hinting at official rollout by August, similar to the last year’s rollout.
As soon as Google seeds Android 14 OS to Stable channel, Samsung will begin the One UI 6 Beta program for Galaxy devices. The Galaxy S23 series will be the initial receiver of the new OS version sometime in mid-August, however Stable release is expected later this year.
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.