February 2024 Android Feature Drop Announced: 9 new features for all Android devices
Google has announced the February 2024 Android Feature Drop, which brings a range of new features and improvements to help you get more done on your Android devices. Whether you use your phone, tablet, smartwatch, or car, the new Android features are developed to make your life easier.
February 2024 Android Feature Drop comes with 9 new Android features to help you stay productive. You can check them below.
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9 New Android and Wear OS Features
1.) Stay in touch while focusing on the road
Android Auto now uses AI to summarize long texts and group chats while you drive and suggests smart replies and actions. You can easily send a message, share your ETA, or start a call with a single tap.
2.) Hear AI-generated captions for images
Lookout on Android now offers image captions, which let you listen to AI-generated descriptions of photos, online images, and pictures in messages. This feature is especially useful for blind and low-vision users and is available globally in English.
3.) Explore around you with more accessible
Lens in Maps now has enhanced screen reader support, which helps you explore nearby places and identify them with your phone’s camera. TalkBack will read out the place’s information, such as business hours, rating or directions.
4.) Give Feedback with handwritten markups in Docs
Google Docs now supports handwritten markups, which allow you to add annotations to documents using your finger or stylus. You can choose from different markup tools, such as pen colors and highlighters, to review documents and provide feedback quickly and easily.
5.) Listen uninterrupted on Spotify with new casting controls
Spotify now integrates with the output switcher on Android’s home screen, which lets you switch between your devices when playing music. You can now use Spotify Connect to change the audio output from your phone to your smart speaker, TV or other devices.
6.) View your health, wellness and fitness date in one place
Fitbit app has been redesigned to show you a complete picture of your health, wellness and fitness data. You can now see data from your connected wearables and apps, such as AllTrails, Oura Ring and MyFitnessPal, in the You tab of the Fitbit app.
7.) Access tickets, membership passes, and more
Google Wallet passes are now available on Wear OS watches, which enable you to access your tickets, passes, memberships and cards from your wrist. You can choose which passes to display or hide, and use them when you need them.
8.) Get transit directions with a quick game at your wrist
Google Maps for Wear OS now offers public transit directions, which help you catch your bus, train or ferry with a glance at your wrist. You can look up departure times, get compass-guided navigation and mirror directions to your phone if you prefer.
9.) Chat with Gemini right in Messages
Gemini is a new chatbot that you can access right in Google Messages on your Android phone. You can chat with Gemini to draft messages, brainstorm ideas, plan events or simply have a fun conversation.
Google has started rolling out new Theft Protection features for Android devices including Samsung Galaxy devices running version 10 and above. Announced at the I/O 2024 event in May, these new features help to keep your personal information safe if your phone gets stolen.
The trio of Theft Protection features are now becoming available to Android users including those with devices from brands like Pixel and Samsung. You can start seeing these new features if you’re part of the Google Play services beta (version 24.40.33) program.
Google Theft Protection
The Theft Protection is a new privacy and device safety feature added under Google Services. It helps to keep your personal data safe if your device is stolen.
To access the new theft protection features, check the Theft protection in your device’s Settings app. You can also go to the Google Services page and find it under the All Services tab. This feature includes three main options, they are:
1.) Theft Detection Lock
This feature uses your device’s sensors, Wi-Fi, and smart device connections to detect if someone suddenly grabs your phone while you’re using it. If this happens, your phone will automatically lock its screen to unauthorized access to your personal data.
2.) Offline Device Lock
This feature starts its work if someone steals your phone and turns off the internet to stop tracking. For that, Google mentions two conditions – you need to be using your phone while it’s unlocked, and you can only lock the screen up to twice a day.
3.) Remote Lock
If your phone is stolen, you can go to android.com/lock to lock it remotely. You’ll need to confirm your identity with a phone number and answer a security question. This is faster than the Find My Device method.
With these features, Google aims to enhance your security and protect your personal information. The company will soon make these features available to all Android users through a stable update.
Google Maps will soon display real-time police activity in one US state, thanks to a partnership with the Illinois State Police (ISP). This collaboration aims to enhance driver safety and awareness while promoting compliance with the state’s “Move Over” law.
Currently, Google Maps provides user-generated reports for alerts about traffic incidents. Now, with this new collaboration, police officers will report their activities directly to provide more accurate and timely information to drivers. This will include updates on traffic stops, accidents, and other roadside incidents.
When an officer reports an incident or activity, the information will be sent to Google Cloud, which will then share it with Google Maps users. As drivers go towards a location where police are present, they will see specific icons on their map indicating these situations.
The ISP explained that this new feature will improve awareness of police activity, making it easier for drivers to navigate safely around emergency situations.
However, it’s important to note that while Google Maps will display police locations, it will not include reports of speed traps which users can still report on their own.
The Police Activity Alerts feature is expected to roll out soon, enhancing the Google Maps experience for Illinois drivers in the US. It could be available in more states.
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Samsung devices include several important features powered by Google Play services. A recent update of the Google Play services lets you check how much data these services are using, which helps to manage your data more effectively.
Google Play services support various features on your Samsung device, such as connecting to other devices, ensuring security, and managing your Google account. They help to keep your apps and system running smoothly. Now, you can easily track their data usage.
You just need to follow a few simple steps to check out how much data Google Play services are using.
- Open the Settings app on your Samsung device.
- Search for “Google Play services” in the App section.
- Tap on Mobile data usage.
- Select the View App settings option
Here, you’ll see a detailed breakdown of data usage, split between Mobile and Wi-Fi. This can help you understand where your data is going.
The update shows data usage for different functions within Google Play services. These fucntions are Device Connections, System Management, System diagnostics, Security, Wallet, Developer features, Contacts, Ads Safety, Fitness, General, Account management, Support, Autofill with Google, and Location sharing.
Tracking Google Play services data on your Samsung device is easy and can help you manage your mobile experience better. This feature is available on All Android phones.
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