Android
Samsung might announce 5 Android OS Upgrades for new Galaxy devices
Samsung’s partner in France has already listed the upcoming Galaxy smartphones. koesio landing page for Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 mentions that Samsung brings 5 years of Android OS versions (upgrades). If it’s really happening, it will be a mind-blowing decision for Galaxy consumers.
Last year, Samsung announced 4 years of Android upgrades for Galaxy devices, starting with the Galaxy S21 series. This year’s Galaxy S flagships are also listed on the same software lifespan, which could get an upgrade at this month’s Unpacked.
Apart from 4 years of OS upgrades, the South Korean tech giant is also committed to 5 years of regular software updates. It leaves us in confusion, whether koesio page is showing 5 years of Android OS upgrades by technical mistake or Samsung is upscaling the support.
Samsung will launch Galaxy Z Flip5 and Fold5 with Android 13-based One UI 5.1.1 pre-installed. Android 14 could go official just a few days after the Galaxy Unpacked. With this updated software support, the company might end up with a significant OS gap on foldables.
Apart from this, the promo page pledges 7 years of parts availability so you can get proper repair support for an extended period. Keeping environmental strategy in mind, both upcoming foldables are made with the use of various recycled materials including glass, fishing nets, plastic, and aluminum.
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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
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.