Tag: Android 13

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Android 13 is running on more than 12 percent of Android phones

The latest numbers show impressive growth from the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system, with Android 13 running on over 12 percent of Android phones — more than double the amount last quarter.

We may be used to companies like Apple boasting about the number of users running the latest version of iOS, but it’s not often Google can share similar successes (although on a smaller scale). In fact, the company just made it harder to access its market share graphs. Quarterly reports can still be accessed through Android Studio, however.

Despite having a history of falling short of first place, Google’s latest report shows considerable growth with its latest operating system after a start that saw only 5 percent of smartphones running Android 13 in its first month. Without question, users are switching over from Android 12 to Android 13, with the previous OS being down 2.4 percent since January.

This information comes from Android’s most recent distribution chart.

Samsung deserves a cut of the praise for Android 13’s recent growth, with the tech giant updating its older smartphones to Android 13 and the new Galaxy S23 coming with the operating system installed. Android 13 is expected makes its way to its mid-range models, so the growth could ramp up even more over the coming months.

Android will hopefully celebrate the small wins, but not for too long. Android 14 beta 1 was revealed by Google recently, which marks the company’s desire to capitalize on its recent growth immediately.

Via: Android Police

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Google starts rolling out Privacy Sandbox beta for Android 13

Roughly a year ago, Google first detailed its ‘Privacy Sandbox‘ plan for Android. In short, the goal was to create a way for advertisers to serve relevant ads to users without hurting user privacy. Now, Google’s back with a beta for Privacy Sandbox.

When it comes to serving ads without hurting privacy, the main idea seems to be replacing cross-app and cross-device identifiers like advertising IDs with a service that estimates what your interests are and temporarily saves those on your device.

Dubbed ‘Interests estimated by Android,’ this part of Privacy Sandbox estimates users’ interests based on the apps they have installed. Then developers can leverage Google’s ‘FLEDGE’ API to show ads based on “custom audiences.”

It sounds like it will enable advertisers to target, say, users with an interest in a specific topic like smartphones, and then apps can show smartphone ads to Android users if Android determines those users are interested in that topic. (This also ties in Google’s Topics API that replaced the FLoC system Google had planned to integrate into Chrome).

Can I opt-in (or out?)

Here’s what Privacy Sandbox looks like | Image credit: Google

With that out of the way, the big question about the Privacy Sandbox beta is what it means for users. To start, Google says Privacy Sandbox will roll out “gradually.” It will start with a small percentage of Android 13 devices and expand to more over time. An Android notification will let you know if you’ve been selected (so far, it seems I have not been selected).

Google also says that apps that choose to participate in the Privacy Sandbox beta will be able to use the new APIs mentioned above to show relevant ads to users and measure how effective those ads are.

Users can control their beta participation by heading into Settings > Security & privacy > More privacy settings > Ads (it’s worth noting the exact location of Privacy Sandbox may vary depending on your device manufacturer).

The Privacy Sandbox settings will allow users to turn the feature on or off,  as well as manage the interests and the apps that can use those to show relevant ads. For example, users can block an interest, which will prevent Android from adding that interest to the list again (though Google says users might still see relevant ads).

It’ll be interesting to see how Privacy Sandbox works out. I’m not convinced it will address the privacy concerns, though it may prove a little better than the existing system of relentless tracking.

Source: Google Via: 9to5Google

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Google working on lock screen customization, shortcuts for Android 13

Google appears to be working on improving the lock screen customization options for Pixel phones.

Mishaal Rahman, senior technical editor for Esper, shared several glimpses of the work-in-progress changes in a recent tweet thread (via Android Police). Rahman was able to find most of the details in the third Android 13 QPR2 beta.

First up, Rahman detailed a new preview user interface (UI) for picking a wallpaper and style. This includes a new fullscreen preview and some other tweaks. However, Rahman notes it appears unfinished (he suspects Google is making room for several upcoming customization options like custom clocks and lock screen shortcuts).

Rahman then shared a look at the lock screen shortcuts feature, which lets users assign functions to a left and right button. Some of the functions visible in the screenshots include turning on the flashlight, do not disturb, and smart home device controls. There’s also an option to pick a custom lock screen clock, and Rahman points to a Twitter thread he made in mid-January about the new clock options.

To activate the new lock screen shortcuts, Rahman says you have to long-press them instead of simply tapping them, which should help reduce accidental activations.

Overall, it looks like a future Android update will enable a ton of customization options on Pixel phones, bringing them more in line with Samsung and Apple — both companies offer ways to customize your lock screen.

Android Police suggests the features will arrive with the next Pixel Feature Drop, which should release in March 2023.

Source: @MishaalRahman Via: Android Police

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Five months post launch, Android 13 is on 5.2 percent of all devices

Android 13 has achieved a 5.2 percent adoption rate on all devices in less than six months since launch, as revealed in the official Android distribution numbers from Google (via 9to5Google).

It’s worth noting that Google used to share the distribution numbers almost every month but has become irregular with updates more recently. For example, the last Android distribution numbers from Google came in August 2022, just before Android 13 launched.

The latest figures show that devices running Android 13 now account for 5.2 percent of all devices, while Android 12 and 12L account for 18.9 percent of the total, a significant increase from the 13.3 percent reported in August. Notably, the chart does not distinguish between Android 12 and 12L.

Looking at older versions of Android, usage of Android Oreo has dropped below 10 percent, with similar declines in usage for other versions. Android Jelly Bean, which previously accounted for 0.3 percent of devices, is no longer listed, while KitKat has dropped from 0.9 percent to 0.7 percent.

The rapid adoption of Android 13 is likely due to the swift rollout of updates by phone manufacturers such as Google, Samsung, OnePlus, Sony, and others, prompting users to upgrade.

Google calculates the numbers by compiling the number of Android devices that accessed the Play Store during a seven-day period. The Android distribution numbers aren’t available through any of Google’s official web pages; however, they are available to developers via Google’s Android Studio.

Source: 9to5Google

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Android 13 QPR2 beta 2 lets you force themed icons for your home screen

Monday, Google dropped the Android 13 QPR2 beta 2, giving users a look at what to expect for the March Feature Drop. Now, we’re learning more about what’s available in the beta.

While some of the new features and tweaks, like Unicode 15.0 emojis, and the Google Home app icon in the device controls, were spotted yesterday, more and more features are still being found.

Today, we’re learning about a new feature that made its way to QPR2 beta 2.

Spotted by the well-known Mishaal Rahman of Esper and the Google News Telegram channel, you can force icons on your home screen. The feature is hidden behind the flag named “ENABLE_FORCED_MONO_ICON” and has a description that reads, “Enable the ability to generate monochromatic icons, if it is not provided by the app.”

This will force icons that don’t provide a themed icon into a monochromatic variant that can match your wallpaper.

Personally, I’m not a fan of themed icons, but if you’re someone who likes the feature, this will be great for you. Hopefully, this makes it past the beta stage for those who like the feature.

Source: Android Police, Mishaal Rahman

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Google’s Android 13 to soon offer the ability to swap audio devices based on proximity

Google is envisioning an Apple AirPods-like future where transitioning between audio devices becomes seamless, and Android 13 may be the answer. Announced at CES 2023, Android 13 will notify users when a new audio device is nearby and ask if they want to swap over without interruption.

The feature works off the back of Google’s previously released cross-device software development kit (SDK). The software incorporates Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ultra-wideband technology. It can detect which audio devices are in close proximity to the user and suggest them based on availability.

Theoretically, a user could be walking through their home and playing music on their Pixel device. Once close enough to their Bluetooth speaker in their kitchen, for instance, the user will receive a notification and can seamlessly swap to the other device. Additionally, this feature can identify which device a user may want to use based on activity. That same transition could happen from speaker to phone if the user is answering a call and doesn’t want background disruptions.

Google is currently working with both Spotify and YouTube Music to integrate the notification feature. Google’s SDK also incorporates Fast Pair, Nearby Share and Chromecast, streamlining the use of multiple devices.

In addition, Google is working with Spotify to bring its Spotify Connect support to Android 13’s media switcher. Ideally, Google wants to give more users the ability to quickly select which Bluetooth or Chromecast built-in devices they can play their content on. As of now, this feature is available with YouTube and YouTube Music.

How Google describes its transitional audio experience is largely similar to Apple’s automatic switching feature for AirPods. Across AirPods, Powerbeats, Powerbeats Pro, and Beats Solo Pro, users can swap between listening devices like an iPhone, laptop, etc.

As of the time of writing, Google has not outlined a timeframe for when either feature will be available. However, the company claims they expect them to release “this year.”

You can find all of our coverage from CES 2023 here.

Source: Google

Categories
Mobile Syrup

January Pixel update, security patch hits 4a devices and newer

The January security patch is now rolling out to the Pixel 4a and newer, alongside an update adds fixes to the Pixel 7 series.

Of course, this update doesn’t come with anything significant, as Google released a Feature Drop in December.

The security patch also came with 20 security issues resolved, with vulnerabilities that range from moderate to critical.

The update is rolling out over the air and should hit your phone sooner than later.

Via: 9to5Google

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Motorola Edge (2022), Moto G 5G and more to get Android 13 update

A slew of Motorola’s Android devices are getting the Android 13 update, according to the company’s support pages.

The support page doesn’t specify when these handsets will receive the update, but it does indicate which devices will get it.

Going off the carriers’ list of Motorola devices and the company’s Canadian website, only a few Motorola devices will get the update. The Motorola Edge (2022), the Motorola Edge (2021), the Moto G 5G and the Moto G Stylus 5G will be the only Canadian Moto devices to receive Android 13.

The full list includes the following smartphones:

Motorola razr (2022)
Motorola edge 30 ultra
motorola edge 30 pro
Motorola edge+ (2022)
Motorola edge 30 fusion
Motorola edge 30 neo
Motorola edge 30
Motorola edge (2022)
Motorola edge 20 pro
Motorola edge 20
Motorola edge (2021)
Motorola edge 20 lite
Moto g stylus 5G (2022)
Moto g 5G
Moto g82 5G
Moto g72
Moto g62 5G
Moto g52
Moto g42
Moto g32

Source: Lenovo Forums Via: Android Police 

Categories
Mobile Syrup

OnePlus finally brings OxygenOS 13 to the OnePlus 10T

OnePlus 10T users can now download the controversial Android 13 update.

Branded as OxygenOS 13, this update brings the OnePlus software in-line with Oppo’s well-regarded ColorOS. This update changes the visual design of the software and adds some new features, like a handy quick-access shelf.

You can learn more about the update and how it compares to OxygenOS 12 you can read our previous review of the software.

The update has been rolling out for at least the last two days, but OnePlus updates typically take around a week or more to fully roll out to all users.

It’s nice that OnePlus is finally pushing out the update to the 10T, but I wish the company would stop feeding us lies regarding its updates. OnePlus even made a big show about being more consistent with its updates in November, claiming that select phones in 2023 will get four years of OxygenOS updates and five years of security updates.

Judging how inconsistent OnePlus has been in the past with software, it’s hard to believe this claim. There’s reason to believe that the more substantial hand of Oppo might help, but considering OnePlus launched OxygenOS 13 in August, released it on the 10 Pro in September and then the 10T in December doesn’t give me a lot of hope for the company to improve its speed in 2023.

Beyond that, the software still feels half-baked with critical features like the extra-large folders not working correctly and poor Material You colour accenting. There’s no denying enough new design here to modernize OnePlus’ operating system, but it’s still a subpar implementation compared to others.

Via: GSMArena

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Developer resurrects OG Pixel with Android 13

If you want to spend a few hours playing around with your old first-generation Pixel this week, you can now load Android 13 on it.

Savvy Android tinkerer Husson Pierre-Hugues has been able to use Google’s Project Treble framework to good use to load a vendor version of Android 13 on his ancient smartphone.

The Android 13-powered OG Pixel isn’t perfect since it can’t access a data connection, but Wi-Fi, GPS, texting, the fingerprint sensor and calling still work. This is excellent news since Google’s Pixel phone stopped receiving system updates after Android 10. That said, it’s important to note that this isn’t something most people will be able to do.

To run Android 13 on a Pixel or Pixel XL requires coding and knowledge of how Google pushes updates to non-Pixel devices through its Project Treble framework. Treble is a developer tool that allows manufacturers like Samsung and OnePlus to quickly swap out the Android version underneath their Android OS skin when new updates release.

This allows for faster updates in theory, but in the case of the original Pixel getting Android 13, it lets Pierre-Hugues apply the update to specific sections of the phone. This is why most of the Pixel works, but he can’t use his data plan.

It’s interesting to see Android 13 running on such an old device, but the real silver lining is how a random Android enthusiast has been able to take advantage of treble. Ideally, years later, this will finally help big brands update their smartphones with consistency and efficiency. However, as we saw back in August, it doesn’t seem like manufacturers are picking up Android updates faster than before.

For comparison, Apple released the iPhone 7 series in 2016, the same year as the first Pixel, and the iPhone no longer gets official updates either.

Source: Husson Pierre-Hugues Via: Android Police