Android
Android 14 brings new Dynamic Back Arrow and it looks good
Yesterday, Google dropped the first public beta of the Android 14 operating system, which comes with the new Dynamic Back Arrow. The company has also mentioned this tweak in its blog post calling it the “New back arrow,” introducing a more optimized user interface.
Android 14 Beta 1 turns the conventional back arrow into a new Dynamic one. The arrow is now placed inside a cylindrical shape with circular edges on all sides, making it more prominent. It’s also expected that this change will get further advancements like a predictive back gesture.
With the Android 14 Beta, the US tech giant brought a more prominent back arrow to the gesture navigation experience, which appears while interacting with your app to help improve back gesture understanding and usefulness. Compared to the Android 13’s back arrow, the new addition in Android 14 looks good.
The company has also made it Dynamic, fueling the Material You capabilities into the back arrow, providing even more optimized design across the user interface. Similar to Color Palette and Themed App Icons, the new back arrow now follows the dynamic color combination.
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Apart from this new back arrow, the Android 14 comes with a number of minor tweaks across the user interface. Notably, the new OS is heavily inspired by One UI features such as Cloned apps, and auto PIN confirmation among others.
For devs, the Android 14 Beta adds new graphics features that you can use to make their app really stand out. Besides, it also enhances per-app language preferences, allowing for dynamic customization of the set of languages displayed in the Android Settings per-app language list.
Android
Stable Android 15 launched with brand new features!
As promised, Google delivered Stable Android 15 with brand-new features. The company included the latest security improvements for your smartphone. The new OS will pave the way for several custom skins for millions of Androids worldwide.
Google specifically notes Stable Android 15 introduces features and improvements for large-screen devices. These updates will help users of foldables and tablets to get more done, while functions like camera, messaging, and passkeys are also included.
Highlighting additions at a glance:
- Talk to Gemini hands-free on your Pixel Buds
- Use Gemini with Pixel Screenshots
- Isolate sounds with Audio Magic Eraser to elevate your videos
- Get amazing underwater images
- Capture beautiful images with improvements to Astrophotography in Night Sight mode
- Measure temperatures in a more detailed way
- Beat seasonal allergies with Pixel Weather App
- Discover more helpful widgets for Pixel
- Improvements for Call Screen in the UK and Japan
- Enjoy more protection for your phone
- Keep your information private
Here’s a look at what’s new:
Pixel Camera app’s Low Light Boost and in-app controls now work better in low-light conditions. In apps that use Passkeys for authentication, you can log in with a single tap. Satellite communication support is also added to work without mobile and WiFi.
Android’s Theft Detection Lock utilizes AI to help keep your data safe. If your phone senses someone has snatched it and is trying to run, bike, or drive away, the smart feature will automatically lock your device.
- Available for most Android 10+ devices.
For additional security, Android 15 brings authentication requirements for settings targeted by thieves, like removing your SIM or turning off Find My Device, and will lock down your device if we sense multiple failed attempts for apps and settings.
Inspired by Samsung’s Secure Folder, Android 15 added Private Space. The feature acts like a digital safe on Google’s Pixel phones. You can create a separate private space to organize sensitive apps, like your social, dating, or banking apps.
- To access private space, there’s an additional layer of authentication to keep apps secure and away from prying eyes.
Features for foldables and tablets.
Android 15 adds new productivity features for foldables and tablets. Now, users can easily pin and unpin the taskbar on the screen, allowing customization of layout and keeping favorite apps, like Google Photos or Gmail, within reach for quicker access.
You can open Google Drive and Gmail at the same time to easily drag and drop files. Besides, the App pairing provides a quick shortcut to make multitasking easier. With just a tap, you can quickly retrieve app pairs in split-screen for faster access.
Android
Motorola surprises with Android 15 Beta before Samsung
There was a time when Samsung used to release monthly security patches even before Google, those were the good old days. Fast forward to today, Motorola has outpaced Samsung by launching the beta version of Android 15 first.
As per the latest information, Motorola started rolling out the Android 15 beta for its Motorola Edge 50 Fusion model before Samsung officially released its version of the Android 15 beta for its devices.
The Android 15 update for Motorola Edge 50 is not yet a stable release for all users. Instead, it’s being rolled out as a beta update. Any user who has opted for Motorola’s beta testing programs is receiving this update. This beta program allows Motorola to test new features, stability, and performance on a smaller scale before a wider rollout.
After the beta testing phase, Motorola will likely start rolling out the stable version of Android 15 to more devices, including the Moto Edge series, the Moto Razr foldable, and other eligible devices. The Android 15 beta program can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the issues discovered and the complexity of the update.
Meanwhile, Samsung, typically known for its timely updates, has not yet made the Android 15 beta available for its range of devices as of now, although expectations are that Samsung will soon follow with its One UI 7.0 beta program, given its history of participating in Android beta releases.
In the recent update, we could also see a stable Android 15 rollout for the Google Pixel smartphones. Stay tuned for the Android 15 rollout.
Android
Stable Android 15 update starts rolling out today!
Google has reportedly kicked off the Stable Android 15 update rollout for Pixel devices. The company briefly informed the rollout and then pulled the announcement. The document suggests Android 15 is available starting today.
AndroidPolice reports Google accidentally confirmed that Android 15 will roll out to Pixel phones today. The new OS will be available as the October Pixel Feature Drop with new features for eligible Pixel smartphones and tablet.
Seasoned Pixel owners can expect the official announcement and the OTA around 10 AM PT. Despite the confirmation pulled back, we still believe the rollout to begin today – aligning with Google’s mid-October pledge.
Google Pixel owners have been waiting for the Stable update for a long time. The company has started the Beta Program earlier this year. The Beta testing switched to Android 15 as QPR but Stable was being delayed due to unforeseen reasons.
This rollout will pave the way for several Android smartphone vendors. Samsung, in particular, is also preparing to open the Beta Program of One UI 7. Galaxy users could expect an imminent Beta Program for Developers followed by the Public.
Android 15 Update Changelog
The October 2024 Update includes bug fixes and improvements for Pixel.
- Battery and charging
- Fixed an issue where the device occasionally restarted unexpectedly[2]
- General improvements in charging and battery usage[3]
- Biometric method
- Fixed an issue where face unlocking did not work reliably under certain conditions[8]
- Bluetooth
- Fixed an issue where connecting to certain Bluetooth devices or Bluetooth accessories was occasionally not possible[7]
- Camera
- General improvements to camera reliability under certain conditions[7]
- Display and graphics
- Fixed an issue where a gray shadow appeared on the inner display under certain conditions [10]
- General improvements to the reliability and performance of certain system apps[7]
- General improvements in display reliability[9]
- Framework
- Fixed an issue where apps could occasionally not access media files[7]
- System
- Fixed an issue that affected system reliability and performance under certain conditions[1]
- Telephony
- Fixed an issue that affected the reliability and performance of adaptive connectivity services* [6]
- General improvements in network connection reliability and performance under certain conditions[5,9]
- User interface
- Fixed an issue where Android icons were not displayed correctly under certain conditions[1]
- Fixed an issue where the animation was not displayed correctly when launching Google Assistant on the lock screen*[7]
- Fixed an issue where the center button would stop responding under certain conditions[3]
- Fixed issue with incoming call notifications under certain conditions[3]
- Fixed an issue that occurred with layouts and animations under certain conditions during transitions[7]
- Fixed an issue that affected the view and reliability of transitions between certain UI elements and animations[3]
- General improvements to the view and reliability of transitions between certain UI elements and animations*[1]
Version Numbers
Global
- Pixel 6: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel 6 Pro: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel 6a: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel 7: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel 7 Pro: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel 7a: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel Tablet: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel Fold: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel 8: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel 8 Pro: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel 8a: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel 9: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel 9 Pro: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel 9 Pro XL: AP3A.241005.015
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold: AP3A.241005.015