I'm seeing this brought up a lot, but I haven't seen evidence yet to suggest that Google Keep will be a preinstalled system app on ALL Android 16 devices.

Just because Google has done it in Android 16 DP2 for Pixels doesn't mean it's required! This is something we'll have to wait and see.

Great news for Android developers with personal accounts!

Google has quietly lowered the number of people who have to test your Android app before you can release it on the Play Store.

Now you only need 12 instead of 20 testers.

More details on this policy change can be found in this article.

📸 Google Photos is getting ready to roll out its new ‘Quick Edit’ sharing feature

The 'Quick Edit' page will appear before you share a photo, and it'll let you quickly 'enhance' or crop it before sharing.

Details + screenshots can be found in this article.

A few months ago, I posted about a document from the Wireless Power Consortium that implied that products could ship with Qi2 branding but NOT support magnetic charging.

Since that post was based on a document that was outdated (the WPC has since taken down the page), I've deleted my post on it so it can no longer be referenced.

Yes, it's true that products can support the Qi2 spec but not support magnetic charging. HOWEVER, the WPC's guidelines state that the Qi2 logo/branding can only be used on packaging/marketing materials if the device supports the Magnetic Power Profile.

That means if you see the Qi2 logo on a product, it supports magnetic charging. If you see the old Qi logo, then it does not.

I apologize for sharing outdated information, and I'm glad that the WPC didn't move forward with allowing non-magnetic charging products to have a different Qi2 logo as that would've been confusing for consumers.

🚗 Android Automotive is getting better multi-user support and a revamped media player app

Android Automotive 24Q4 brings a major new feature called Concurrent Multi-User support as well as other minor changes.

Everything you need to know about this update can be found in my latest article for Android Authority.

🌧 Google is officially opening up Android Auto to weather apps, but you don’t have to wait

A new Weather app category for is now in beta, but you can already download some weather apps for Android Auto/Automotive today.

More details on this new Weather category can be found in this article.

Google is rolling out the "Ask about this PDF" feature it announced at I/O!

When you open a PDF file using the Files by Google app and invoke Gemini on it, you'll soon see an "ask about this PDF" chip above the overlay. If you tap this chip, you can then ask Gemini questions about the doc.

Your device must run Android 15 and you must be subscribed to Gemini Advanced to use this feature. You also need to set Gemini as your assistant, obviously.

Thanks to Rob on my Discord for the screenshot!

Happy holidays!

I wrote three new articles about One UI 7 that were published while I was away. They are:

1) One UI 7 lets you stop HDR photos from making your screen super bright

2) One UI 7 will make it easier to filter notifications that aren't important

3) One UI 7 is adding even more continuity features between your Galaxy phone and Galaxy Book

When you enable Android's new Identity Check feature, biometric authentication will be required for the following actions when your phone is outside a trusted location:

* Access saved passwords and passkeys with Google Password Manager.
* Autofill passwords in apps from Google Password Manager, except in Chrome.
* Change screen lock, like PIN, pattern, and password.
* Change biometrics, like Fingerprint or Face Unlock.
* Run a factory reset.
* Turn off Find My Device.
* Turn off any theft protection features.
* View trusted places.
* Turn off Identity Check.
* Set up a new device with your current device.
* Add or remove a Google Account.
* Access Developer options.
* Change your password from account settings or through "Forgot password."
* Add or change recovery factors on the device.

You can continue to use PIN, pattern or passwords for Private Space, multiusers, autofill payments in apps, and password and payments autofill in Chrome.

Identity Check is currently available on Pixel phones running Android 15 QPR1 or later (December '24 Pixel Drop) as well as the Samsung Galaxy S24 running the One UI 7 beta. The feature only works on devices that support class 3 ("strong") biometrics. To enable it, go to theft protection settings - Identity Check will be listed there if your device supports it.

Google is testing a new "download manager" feature in the Play Store.

This feature adds a new button to the top right that, when tapped, shows a list of apps you've recently installed but haven't launched yet. If you're in the middle of downloading a new app, it'll show up in this list, too, so you can see the progress.

@AssembleDebug spotted evidence for this feature a few weeks ago, but I just noticed that it's live for me. Anyone else see this?

✨HONOR is making Gemini the default assistant on its Magic7 Pro

The smartphone brand HONOR announced today that it's going to make Google Gemini the default assistant on its upcoming Magic7 Pro and PORSCHE DESIGN Magic 7 RSR.

Google currently doesn't require OEMs to make Gemini the default assistant (they can choose to still use the old Assistant) but I suspect we'll see more and more device makers in 2025 enable Gemini as the default.

❌ The Pixel Launcher widget list may soon hide most widgets behind a menu

You’ll soon see a filtered set of widgets by default in the Pixel Launcher’s widget list

This is something Nothing recently implemented in Nothing OS 3.0.

Details on this upcoming change can be found in this article.

💻 Android may soon let you customize your touchpad's three-tap gesture

A new menu will let you set a three-finger tap to do a middle click, launch Gemini, go home, or view recent apps.

More details + a screenshot of this menu can be found in this article on Android Authority.

Big Google TV news at #CES2025 just dropped:

Gemini will augment the voice assistant and future TVs will get far-field mics and proximity sensors for hands-free interactions as well as access to a new widgets hub.

More details + videos can be found in this article on Android Police.

Qi2 charging support is coming to Samsung Galaxy Android devices this year!

Samsung was quoted in the WPC's press release saying the following:

"The exceptional Qi2 growth story will continue in 2025. You can expect to see Android devices supporting Qi2 from Samsung Galaxy devices in 2025."

Google is also committed to bringing Qi2 to more Android devices, stating that:

"Google is helping to achieve this goal by playing a leading role in the development of the upcoming Qi v2.2 standard, which includes Google's contribution of its own high-power wireless charging technology to WPC."

Lastly, the introduction of a new Qi2 extension will enable moving coils to be deployed. This will be helpful for automobiles as it'll allow them to consistently align their wireless chargers with the coil placements of Qi2 devices.