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Google Maps for Android gets new features to show weather and air quality

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Google App Activity tab

Google Maps is one of the most popular and useful apps on Android devices. Now, the company is making the app more fruitful by adding weather and air quality features to provide a better experience.

These new features have been available on the iOS version of Google Maps for a while, but they have recently started rolling out to Android users as well. The features are compatible with the latest version 11.113.x of Google Maps, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

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WHAT’S NEW

Users can now see the current temperature, weather conditions, and air quality index (AQI) of any location on the map, as well as get more detailed information by tapping on the weather box.

The weather box is a small rectangular widget that appears on the top-left corner of the map, under the search bar and the place filters. It shows the temperature and an icon that indicates the weather conditions.

Users can also tap on the AQI section to load the Air Quality map layer, which shows the AQI of different regions on the map with color-coded circles.

These features help users plan their trips, activities, and routes according to the weather and air quality. The weather box updates as users move around the map, and disappears when users select anything else on the map.

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Hey, Camila is here! From the very beginning, I love using Samsung phones like a die-hard fan. Apart from detailing One UI features for readers, I love exploring different apps of the Samsung ecosystem with a cup of tea!

WhatsApp

WhatsApp Beta lets you delete preset chat lists on Android

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WhatsApp delete chats filter

WhatsApp has released a new beta update with version 2.24.23.23, which introduces the ability to delete preset chat lists. This new feature lets WhatsApp users have more customization and control over how they organize their chats.

With the fresh update, WhatsApp users can now delete some of the default chat filters, like Unread and Groups, directly from the chat screen. Previously, these filters could not be removed.

To delete a filter, users just need to simply tap and hold on it, and they’ll see an option to delete it. This helps users clean up their interface by removing filters they don’t find useful.

WhatsApp Chat Filter option

Moreover, users can manage these filters through the app’s settings. So, if you accidentally delete a filter or want it back later, you can easily restore it from the settings menu. This gives you the flexibility to customize the app to suit your needs.

This feature is especially helpful for users who prefer a clean, minimalistic interface. Also, it’s great for business users, who may want to prioritize chats based on customer or order-related conversations.

The Delete Preset Chat Lists option is available to some beta testers who have installed the latest WhatsApp beta update from the Google Play Store. It’s expected to roll out to more users in the coming weeks.

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Apps

Matter 1.4 to make SmartThings even smarter with Wi-Fi router support

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Samsung SmartThings Matter 1.4

Last month, Samsung SmartThings introduced several new features, including Home Insights, Daily Routines, Quick Remote, and Automatic Hub Backup. Now, a new report suggests that SmartThings might soon support Wi-Fi routers with the upcoming release of Matter 1.4.

Matter has been part of SmartThings for a few years, and the upcoming 1.4 version is expected to arrive next year with some exciting new features.

Matter 1.4 

Matter 1.4 details have been arrived today. It highlights the “Enhanced Multi-Admin” feature, which makes it easier to control Matter-enabled devices across different smart home ecosystems at the same time.

It shows that you could use a Matter device with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and SmartThings all together without any hassle.

Samsung SmartThings Matter 1.4

Moreover, the update also improves device compatibility. For example, Wi-Fi routers can now work with Matter and SmartThings. They can also act as Thread Border Routers to help connect devices and simplify the setup process.

With this, Wi-Fi routers, modems, and other devices like set-top boxes will be controllable through the SmartThings app.

Matter 1.4 supports energy devices like solar panels, electric water heaters, heat pumps, solar system inverters, and batteries for battery energy management. It can even take local electricity prices into account and help you optimize your home’s energy use to save on costs.

However, the support for security cameras is expected to be added in a future update, Matter 1.5. As Samsung was quick to adopt Matter 1.3, we can expect SmartThings to add 1.4 support sometime in 2025.

Samsung SmartThings 1.8.21.28 Update Arrived: Home Insights, Routines, Quick Remote, and more

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Apps

Many third-party Android apps could get RAW photo support

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Unlocked Galaxy S23 November 2024 update

Google wants more third-party Android apps to support RAW photo capture. The company is preparing to upgrade the CameraX API. Following the update, Samsung users will also be able to capture RAW photo through third-party Android apps.

AndroidAuthority spotted that CameraX 1.5.0 will bring two new ImageCapture class output formats: OUTPUT_FORMAT_RAW and OUTPUT_FORMAT_RAW_JPEG. That said, RAW capture support will expand to more Android apps.

  • OUTPUT_FORMAT_RAW: It captures a single RAW image.
  • OUTPUT_FORMAT_RAW_JPEG: It captures both a RAW and a JPEG image.

CameraX API is mainly used by camera apps that users use for social media sharing purposes. Despite this fact, Google intends to allow developers to support their apps with RAW capture functionality for an elevated photography experience.

At present, it’s unknown which Android apps will add RAW capture support. CameraX API will upgrade first, allowing developers to make changes. You can expect some of the most popular camera apps will join the party with RAW support.

Expert RAW

Developed by Samsung, the Expert RAW app allows Galaxy smartphone users to capture RAW images. These pictures are heavily editable given storage without any software-level processing and compression.

The company has made Expert RAW a stunning application. It has recently added an Astro Portrait feature that allows you to be framed with an astrophoto in the background. The application continues to evolve with the addition of new functions.

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