Android
Android 14 Beta 2 announced with plenty of bug fixes
Google starts rolling out the Android 14 Beta 2 update for testers using Pixel smartphones. As Samsung’s One UI 6 will be based on Android 14, the development progress and stability enhancements are necessary for a seamless and worry-free One UI Beta Program.
According to the information, Google’s Android 14 Beta 2 update adds support for built-in and custom predictive back animations. With the first Beta, the company introduced a new Back Arrow, which now gained support for predictive back animations.
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Adding to this, the latest Beta firmware brings secure full-screen Intent notifications and makes data safety information more visible. Besides, there are a lot of issues been fixed that were reported by the developers’ community and end-users.
Stable Android 14 Release
Google has announced that the stable release of Android 14 is expected in August 2023. The first developer preview of Android 14 was released in February 2023, and subsequent beta releases have been released every few weeks. The final beta release is expected in July 2023, and the stable release will follow shortly after.
Android 14’s a big update for Samsung
Android 14 will bring a number of new features and improvements, including a new design language, privacy features, and performance improvements. Samsung has been working closely with Google to develop Android 14, and it is expected that the update will be well-integrated with its own software features.
What’s new in Android 14 Beta 2
Android 14 Beta 2 includes some new features and changes to try out:
- Add support for built-in and custom predictive back animations
- Secure full-screen Intent notifications
- Data safety information is more visible
Top resolved issues
The following issues have been resolved in Android 14 Beta 2:
Developer-reported issues
- Fixed a platform stability issue that could cause the UI to lag or freeze, apps to crash, or the device to crash.
- Fixed an issue with the fingerprint sensor that prevented new fingerprints from being added for Fingerprint Unlock in some cases.
- Fixed issues with UPI and biometrics that could cause some apps to not work properly.
- Fixed an issue where a device couldn’t be unlocked using a fingerprint after tapping a notification or choosing a notification action on the lock screen.
- Fixed an issue on some devices that caused sound to play through the speakers instead of headphones that were connected.
- Fixed an issue that caused icons on the home screen to appear almost invisible.
- Fixed issues with gesture navigation that occurred when using a custom launcher:
- The Home screen content wouldn’t display and the animation would fail to render when swiping up to go Home.
- The list of recently used apps couldn’t be accessed using the normal gesture.
- Fixed issues that prevented users from interacting with notifications in the notification shade.
- Fixed an issue that could cause a device to crash after finishing audio or video calls.
Other resolved issues
- Fixed an issue where, after entering and exiting picture-in-picture mode, the screen flickered when any apps were launched.
- Fixed an issue where user restrictions set by DPC admins were not being enforced in Settings.
- Fixed an issue where, after taking pictures with the Google Camera app, opening the latest picture from the thumbnail in the app briefly displayed a green-colored shade over the image.
- Fixed an issue that could cause the battery percentage to be displayed as 0% after a device reboot regardless of the actual charge level of the device.
- Fixed an issue that could cause a device to crash, and then when the device rebooted any wallpapers that were selected before the reboot were reset.
- Fixed issues that prevented the Better Bug app from uploading bug reports.
- Fixed issues that caused the back-to-home gesture to stop working.
- Fixed an issue that could cause the system Settings app to crash repeatedly.
- Fixed an issue that prevented users from searching within the system Settings app.
- Fixed issues that sometimes caused null pointer exceptions for input method editors (IMEs).
- Fixed an issue that sometimes increased system-wide memory usage unnecessarily.
- Fixed system issues that could sometimes cause deadlocks.
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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.