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March 2024 Android Feature Drop Arrived: Here’s everything you need to know
Google has released the March 2024 Android Feature Drop for Pixel devices. The update is rolling out today in all countries except the US, where it will be available on March 11.
The latest update comes with a bunch of new features for Pixel devices such as an enhanced call screen, Fast pair, Ultra HDR photos, Circle to search expansion, and more.
What’s New in March 2024 Android Feature Drop
Call Screen
The latest update improves the Call Screen, which lets you tap a “Hello?” button to prompt the caller if the line is silent. You can also use a new “I’ll be right there” response to buy some time before answering. This feature is only available on the Pixel 6 and newer phones in English in the US.
Fast Pair
Another new feature is the ability to see your Fast Pair headphones in the Settings >> Connected devices section, under a new “Previously used with account” category. This makes it easier to manage and switch between your Bluetooth devices.
Ultra HDR
If you have a Pixel 7, 7 Pro, Fold, 8, or 8 Pro, you can now upload Ultra HDR photos and 10-bit HDR videos to Instagram and Instagram Reels, respectively. This will enhance the quality and color of your media, as long as you enable the settings in the Pixel Camera app.
Circle to Search for Pixel 7 series
Google also reveals that Circle to Search is coming soon to the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. The company also highlighted some features that are part of Android 14 QPR2, such as single-app screen sharing.
For Pixel Tablet
Gboard Voice Toolbar is now available on Pixel Tablet, which makes it more convenient and efficient to use Assistant Voice Typing. It is rolling out with Gboard 13.9 on Android Tablets.
Pixel Watch
For the Pixel Watch, some features of the Pixel Watch 2 are rolling out, such as the Fitbit Relax app, and Auto Workout Mode. Moreover, it gets Pace Training and Heart Zone Training, which help you monitor and optimize your performance based on your goals and fitness levels. Google also mentioned the public transit directions in Maps for Wear OS, which were introduced earlier this week.
With the stable release of Android 15, along with several new features, satellite messaging has now become available for a few Android devices. The feature allows you to send and receive messages via satellite when you are outside of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage areas. It is particularly useful in emergencies or in remote areas where normal network coverage is unavailable.
To be specific, who can use this? Satellite messaging in Android 15 has started to come for users with compatible devices, like the Google Pixel series, and specific carriers like T-Mobile (thanks to Elon Musk’s Starlink).
For T-Mobile users running eligible devices with the latest Android 15 OS, you can access this feature by going through Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > T-Mobile and tapping on Satellite Messaging. Don’t forget, you still need an eligible T-Mobile plan to use satellite messaging.
As of now, this is limited to a few devices which are expected to be available for more devices with necessary hardware requirements in the future.
Keep in mind, even though Android 15 includes this emergency feature, you might not see it right away. This can depend on your phone model, where you live, or which mobile service you use.
Just for your information, Apple has already enabled satellite communication for its iPhones.
Samsung, the company that brings new features every year, might soon show us something very cool and advanced in the future One UI version, according to a new report.
Samsung is reportedly (ETNews working on using AI to potentially replace or significantly reduce the need for the traditional Settings menu on Galaxy devices. This is all going to be real, thanks to advanced AI.
The goal is to make device interaction easier by having the AI predict user requirements and adjust settings like brightness, layout, and possibly more complex decisions on its own. This means you won’t have to change the settings manually.
The AI will learn it from the user’s usage patterns; it involves adjustments to the display, sound, connectivity options, and other device settings.
Image: Samsung Care / YouTube
Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed that the settings menu will be completely removed in the future versions of One UI. Instead, the focus appears to be on improving the user experience with AI, potentially reducing the need for manual settings adjustments rather than removing the menu altogether.
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Samsung and Apple had neck-and-neck in the Q3 2024 smartphone market reports Canalys. The market research firm recently published its analysis for the quarter ended on September 30. The data shows an alarming situation for both Samsung and Apple.
Canalys reports that both Samsung and Apple secured 18% market share in Q3 2024. Xiaomi ranked third with a 14% market share in the same period. The Chinese firm grew 1% year-over-year, similar to Apple, while Samsung declined 3%.
Researchers note that it’s the highest market share Apple achieved against the leading firm in the third quarter. The company’s flagships were released in late September, with merely 3 days of sales have been counted in during the period.
The impact of the iPhone 16 series will be seen in the current quarter. iPhone 15 and other iPhone models managed to rank Apple second in a neck-to-neck fight with Samsung. The Korean tech giant declined from 21% in 2023 to 18% in 2024.
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 in July this year. The company’s flagship foldable phones just kept it away from getting beaten by Apple. The iPhone maker grew significantly in its unusual timeframe viz. Q3.
Xiaomi was a comfortable third place with 14% of the market. OPPO (9%) and vivo (9%) rounded out the top five. The top two positions are highly likely to be shuffled in the next report on the smartphone market in the fourth quarter of the year.
“Apple achieved its highest third-quarter volume to date and has never been closer to leading the global smartphone market in a Q3 than now,” Canalys analyst Runar Bjørhovde was quoted as saying.
Canalys Q3 2024 Global Smartphone Market Report 🚨
Neck-to-neck fight between Samsung and Apple
Samsung 18% 👑
Apple 18% 🏃♂️
Xiaomi 14% 🥉All the best Samsung for the fourth quarter 🚀#Samsung #Apple #Xiaomi #OPPO #vivo pic.twitter.com/6jltXYvbmB
— Samsung One UI Software Updates #OneUI7 #OneUI (@SamSWUpdate) October 15, 2024