Tag: Google

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Google drops first Android 14 beta for Pixels

As scheduled, Google dropped the first Android 14 beta on April 12th.

The first beta arrives after two Developer Previews. Google previously detailed a plan to release Developer Previews through February and March, beta releases in April and May, followed by a period of ‘platform stability’ culminating in the final release sometime after July.

The release of Android 14 Beta 1 also marks the first time that Android 14 will be easily accessible to people through Google’s Android Beta Program website, assuming you have an eligible device (currently, Pixel phones ranging from the 4a 5G to the Pixel 7 Pro).

However, being easily accessible doesn’t mean you should download it — as a beta, Android 14 will definitely have rough edges, bugs and other problems. If you want to try it out, don’t install it on your daily driver or make sure you’re prepared to deal with any potential problems.

What’s new in Android 14 Beta 1?

While I’m still waiting on the beta to download to my Pixel 7, there are already several reports out about new features and additions. Some of what’s new will be familiar to anyone who’s played with (or followed coverage of) the developer previews.

For example, Google has forged ahead with restrictions that will limit the visibility of sensitive data to disability-focused accessibility services. This should help improve user privacy.

Google also did some work to improve the user interface (UI) with a new back arrow that should help improve gesture navigation. Android’s share sheet is also getting a little better with custom actions and shortcuts, though Google still has a long way to go to fix sharing on Android.

There are plenty of small changes too, like an option to force a ‘transparent’ navigation bar on all apps, revamped icons in the Markup tool that show drawing colours, and more.

It remains to be seen what all is new and different, but over the new few weeks, we’ll likely learn more as the Android experts start digging in and unearthing new stuff.

Cia: Android Central, 9to5Google

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Google Bard gets update page detailing new changes and additions

Google’s experimental Bard conversational AI chat service got a new updates page to let people know what’s new.

Available at ‘bard.google.com/updates,’ the page details “experiment update[s]” to Bard. Currently, the page only shows the inaugural update from April 10th, 2023, which includes three additions, descriptions of the changes and ‘why’ sections.

The April 10th update adds the experiment updates page (duh). Google says it added the page so “people will have an easy place to see the latest Bard updates for them to test and provide feedback.”

Along with that, the update added additional suggested Search topics when people click the ‘Google it’ button – Google says this will help people explore a wider range of interests and related topics.

Finally, Google says it boosted Bard’s capabilities in math and logic because “Bard doesn’t always get it right.” The company says it’s working toward higher-quality responses in those areas.

Though the information is somewhat vague, it’s good to see Google doing more to communicate updates and changes to Bard. Having transparency on what’s new (and why Google chose to do something) is a big win for Bard users and AI in general.

The new update page comes after Google promised to improve Bard following a lacklustre launch.

Source: Google Via: Engadget

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Pixel Watch April 2023 update arrives with ‘security patches’

Following up on the late April patch for Pixel phones, Google is now rolling out a Pixel Watch update for April 2023.

Those excited about a big update will be disappointed, however. Google’s patch notes for the Pixel Watch April 2023 update is just one sentence: “The April 2023 software update includes the latest security patches for Pixel Watch users.”

That’s really not much to go on, but it’s also not a total surprise. After all, the March 2023 update for the Pixel Watch brought several improvements, including the long-awaited fall detection, support for mono audio, colour correction features, improved touchscreen sensitivity and more.

The update sports build number ‘RWDA.230114.010.G2’ and is available now, though, as usual, it will roll out in stages. In other words, if you don’t see the update on your Pixel Watch right away, don’t fret (not that you’re missing out on much).

To download the update, head to Settings > System > System updates on your Pixel Watch. Supposedly if you repeatedly tap the ‘Your watch is up to date’ screen, it will force the update, but I’ve never been able to get this work, so your mileage may vary.

Source: Google Via: Android Police

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Android will soon auto-archive unused apps to make rooms for new apps

Google will bring a new ‘auto-archive’ feature to Android that will let users “automatically free up to nearly 60 percent of an app’s storage space” to make room for new apps.

In a post on the Android Developers Blog (via Android Authority), Google explained that one of the main reasons people uninstall apps is to free up space. The company hopes that auto-archive can help reduce unnecessary app uninstalls by removing parts of infrequently used apps instead.

The feature works by partly removing an app to free up space. Auto-archive doesn’t get rid of the icon or users’ data, however. That way, when someone wants to resume using an archived app, all they need is to redownload some of the files from the Play Store (assuming the app is still available) and they can pick up right where they left off.

People will need to opt-in to use auto-archive. Google describes the process in the blog post, which goes something like this: when users attempt to install a new app, but there isn’t enough space, Android will show a pop-up prompting them to turn on auto-archive. Once turned on, Android will start auto-archiving unused apps to free up space for the new app.

Android’s app auto-archive feature | Image credit: Google

Based on images shared by Google in the blog post, it seems like there will be an option to turn off auto-archive in the Settings menu, but it’s not clear if there will be a way to manually enable the feature without the pop-up. My Pixel 7 doesn’t appear to have any auto-archive settings or options, and with only about half my storage used, I don’t think I’ll be seeing auto-archive any time soon. That said, it’s also not clear if auto-archive is available now or coming with a future update.

It’s also worth noting that apps need to use App Bundles to be eligible for auto-archive. App Bundles is a feature that lets the Play Store generate optimized APKs for each device, which means only the code and resources needed for a specific device get downloaded. However, that shouldn’t be a huge problem for most developers, given Google has required that new apps use App Bundles since August 2021.

Source: Android Developers Blog Via: Android Authority

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Some Pixel Watch owners report backplate falling off

Like any Google product, the Pixel Watch has had its share of issues. But a new problem seems a bit more serious — some Pixel Watch owners had the watch’s backplate pop off.

So far, the problem doesn’t seem very widespread, with only a small number of reports showing up on Reddit. In the past two days, there were two posts about the problem on Reddit, with another replying in the comments to say they also had the issue.

Pixel Watch backplate falling off, | Images credits: u/milkkomson (left) and u/MelonHeadSeb (right)

There’s also no clear cause for the back plate popping off. Both Redditors claim they haven’t worn the watch swimming and generally avoided getting it wet. Some commenters suggested it could be due to sweat, humidity or heat fluctuations.

Whatever the cause, it seems those impacted so far have been able to resolve the issue, either through Google Support with a warranty-covered repair or by finding a repair shop. Again, the problem doesn’t seem super widespread, but if it does happen to your Pixel Watch, it seems like you’ll be covered.

Source: Reddit ‘milkkomson,’ (2) ‘MelonHeadSeb’

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Pixel 7a images show off stylish blue colour option

Google I/O is just around the corner, which means so is the Pixel 7a. Google typically reveals its A-series Pixel phone at the annual developer conference, and this year likely will be no different. Also like in past years, we’ve learned a lot about the Pixel 7a through various leaks. The latest, however, is a series of images showing off the three colour options for the 7a.

The images (which appear to be Google marketing renders, but it’s not entirely clear) come from MySmartPrice and leaker OnLeaks and show the Pixel 7a in white, grey and blue. MySmartPrice notes it isn’t yet aware of the official marketing names for each colour.

If you’ve been following Pixel 7a leaks so far, there’s very little in the renders that should be new or surprising, aside from the blue colour. The 7a looks very similar to its predecessor and the Pixel 7, borrowing the metal camera visor design that differentiated the Pixel 7 series from the Pixel 6 series.

MySmartPrice also details the rumoured specs, claiming the 7a will sport a 64-megapixel Sony IMX787 main sensor and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera sensor, 256GB of internal storage (up from 128GB on the 6a) and a bump to 8GB of RAM. The 7a will reportedly have a 10.8-megapixel front camera.

Beyond that, the phone will have a 6.1-inch OLED display, apparently with a 90Hz refresh rate. It will run on Google’s Tensor G2 chip, just like the Pixel 7 and 7 pro, and sport 5W wireless charging. The wireless charging and refresh rate bumps will address two of the biggest issues I had with the Pixel 6a and significantly close the gap between the 7a and Pixel 7, with the only major difference between them being the camera.

Of course, with all the deals available on the Pixel 7 recently, it’s tough to say if it makes sense to wait for the 7a given how similar the devices are. Currently, the Pixel 6a goes for $599 in Canada, and the 7a will presumably be around the same price. The Pixel 7 costs $799 but has been repeatedly discounted down to $599 in recent months. If it goes on sale again, it might make sense to grab the Pixel 7 and forget the 7a — but we’ll see what happens when the 7a launches.

Source: MySmartPrice

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YouTube is actively looking into issue affecting ad warning countdown

YouTube ads are intrusive and annoying though tolerable in many cases. However, a rising issue is affecting YouTube’s five-second countdown that typically plays prior to throwing to an ad. Thankfully, the company is actively looking into the problem.

YouTube users have been experiencing an odd occurrence where a video will suddenly cut to an ad without warning. Traditionally, YouTube will display a small five-second countdown in the bottom right corner of the screen before throwing to a midroll advertisement. This issue has been continuously affecting users across various platforms for weeks.

It appears as though the issue is most commonly found on TVs using the YouTube app. However, there have also been reported issues on web, mobile, and even consoles. Users have taken to Reddit as well as Twitter to discuss the issue at hand.

Although some firmly believe YouTube actively removed this feature, the company has been responding to complaints on Twitter. In one instance, the TeamYouTube account says, “We’re looking into the issue of the 5-second countdown for midroll ads not showing on videos. thx for your report!” 

In another instance, the account asks that users send feedback to report an issue to YouTube. To do so, users must sign into their account, select their profile picture and hit ‘Send feedback’. This then prompts users to describe the issue and include any screenshots that may be useful.

Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be an solution that can solve the issue from the user’s end. This is a bug that YouTube has to address itself. Thankfully, the company is aware of the situation and is looking into it. However, there’s no current word on when a fix may be released. 

Source: 9to5Google

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Google CEO says conversational AI will ‘absolutely’ come to search

Google CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that the company would add conversational artificial intelligence (AI) to search.

“Will people be able to ask questions to Google and engage with LLMs [large language models] in the context of search? Absolutely,” Pichai told WSJ.

Moreover, Pichai explained that Google views conversational AI as an opportunity to expand rather than as a threat to its business model. It’s worth noting that Google previously said it would add LLMs to search, but it hasn’t specified if there would be conversational features.

Of course, the announcement hardly comes as a surprise, given Microsoft beat Google to the punch on conversational AI in search. Microsoft launched Bing Chat, powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4, back in February. The move reportedly led Google to declare a “code red” and rush its own chatbot, Bard, to market. (The rush apparently frustrated some employees).

Since the Bing Chat launch, Microsoft hasn’t slowed down on rolling out AI-powered features to its apps and software. The Edge browser got a sidebar with access to Bing Chat and other AI features, and the company recently detailed plans to add AI to Office products like Word and PowerPoint via Copilot.

Google’s Bard also had some embarrassing gaffes during the product reveal and subsequent preview, eventually prompting Pichai to promise updates to improve Bard’s capabilities.

You can read the full WSJ interview here.

Source: WSJ Via: Engadget

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Google permanently moves away from its old Now Launcher

If you remember Google’s line of Nexus phones that helped the company break into the smartphone scene back in the early 2010s, then you probably be aware of the Google Now Launcher.

Debuting in 2013 with the Google Nexus 5, the software was capable of suggesting applicable information to users much like Google Assistant does now. Now, a decade after its introduction, Google has decided to shut it down for good.

After digging through the latest beta of the Google app, a message to users was uncovered with a warning that the Google Now Launcher will be shutting down by the end of April, 9to5Google.

According to the message, if no changes are made by the user, the phone will be reverted to its default launcher by itself.

The last phones to run the Google Now Launcher were the Nexus 5x and 6P. Five years ago was the last time that Google issued a security update to those devices, signalling the end of Google Now in favour of other software.

Now, it looks like Google is finishing what it started in 2018, with the Google Now Launcher set to be shut down for good by the end of April.

Image credit: 9to5Google

Source: 9to5Google Via: Android Police

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Android apps will need to let users delete their accounts and data

Soon, Android apps that let you make an account will also have to let you delete the account and its data from both the app and website.

According to a blog post on the Android Developers Blog (via Engadget), Google hopes to create “a more intuitive experience” and ” better educate our shared users on the data controls available to them.”

Along with providing the option to delete your account and data, developers will need to wipe data for an account when users request the account be deleted. And the web requirements are intended to help ensure users don’t need to reinstall an app just to delete their account.

The policy won’t come into effect right away, though. According to the blog, developers will have until December 7th to answer questions about data deletion in apps’ safety forms, and Play Store listing will start showing the changes in early 2024. Developers can also file for an extension until May 31st, 2023.

It’s worth noting Apple made a similar change with the App Store a couple of months ago.

The move to require account and data deletion is part of a wider concern about privacy violations and, as Engadget notes, perhaps a response to growing regulatory efforts in the U.S. to give consumers control over accounts and services (though that might focus more on subscriptions).

Source: Android Developers Blog Via: Engadget