Apps
Google Wallet to expand its support for digital IDs soon
Google Wallet app lets you store and use various cards and passes on your Android phone. At the moment, Google is expanding Wallet app support for digital IDs. According to the information, the app will soon add more states to its list of supported mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs.
Currently, Google Wallet only supports four states including Maryland, Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia. The director of product management for Google Wallet, Dong Min Kim said that Google is working with different local authorities to bring more states online in the next few months.
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However, he acknowledged that it is a more difficult challenge than mobile payments, which are more standardized. He also said that Google is looking to add similar support for other countries as well.
Furthermore, Kim also revealed that Google has noticed that people are storing content and documents in Gmail and Google Drive as a way to keep their identity information handy. But there is a better way to do that with Google Wallet, and hinted that the app might become a central hub for digital identity management as it aims to provide a convenient and secure way.
VIA
Quick Share could soon get Nearby Share’s “use mobile data” toggle. Earlier this year, Google announced the merger of Android’s Nearby Share with Samsung’s Quick Share. Now, the unified version is preparing to retain a useful feature.
AndroidAuthority discovered that Quick Share could soon add a “use mobile data” toggle for even faster file sharing. The latest Google Play Services Beta brings a toggle to enable file transmission over mobile data.
Android’s Nearby Share had a mobile data file-sharing toggle. When enabled, it allowed a “Data may be used for small files” as part of making sharing faster. The unified Quick Share removed the toggle, but it will finally return to the function.
Quick Share intelligently utilizes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for file sharing. If the file’s size is not much, it would be transmitted over Bluetooth. Larger files usually transfer through Wi-Fi by pairing both devices with each other via Hotspot and Wi-Fi.
Sometimes, the lack of a proper network or functional glitches ruin the sharing experience. In that case, the accessibility to mobile data would work as a bridge, allowing Quick Share to use an internet connection for data and file transmission.
The toggle is currently barred by strings and flags within the app’s code. Tinkering those flags would immediately make the new toggle accessible. However, general availability will remain due with a future release of the app.
WhatsApp for Android is releasing a new beta update, which includes a new feature that helps to manage contacts and group chats. This new update is available with version 2.24.21.35 via the Google Play Beta Program.
The fresh update of WhatsApp adds a new shortcut feature that will allow users to quickly add contacts and group chats to personalized lists. This feature can be accessed directly from the chat info screen. It simplifies the process and eliminates the need to navigate through settings.
Additionally, WhatsApp plans to introduce a similar shortcut in the top app bar during active conversations. This top bar shortcut will provide an easy way to organize contacts and groups while chatting. The company aims to enhance the overall user experience.
In an earlier version 2.24.19.25, WhatsApp was working on improving how users organize their contacts and groups. The new shortcut will allow users to quickly add people and groups to lists directly from the chat info screen.
Currently, WhatsApp is developing this new shortcut feature. It is expected to be included soon in the final version and available for Android users. Stay tuned, we will keep you updated on any new information regarding the release of this feature as it becomes available.
Google App is updating its bottom navigation bar by bringing back a more modern design called Material 3. This change introduces a new pill-shaped indicator that shows which tab you’re using.
The revamped bottom navigation bar arrives with the latest beta version 15.40 of the Google App, thanks to 9to5Google. With the fresh design, Google aims to make it easier for users to navigate.
Instead of just highlighting the tab icon you’re on, the new design surrounds the icon with a pill shape to make it clearer and more appealing. Google app initially introduced this design in 2023 but later decided to revert to its previous look. Now, after some changes, the app has once again been back with the updated look.
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Aside from the testing new design, the company is also looking into a new verification feature for its Search function. This feature would give verified businesses a blue checkmark, similar to what you see in Gmail to help users easily identify trustworthy sources online.
Not everyone has access to Google App’s latest beta update yet, but users can force-stop the app through their device settings if they don’t see the new look right away. With the return of Material 3 design and new features on the way, users can look forward to a more enhanced experience in the Google App.
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