FYI: This is what Live Updates will actually look like in Android 16 Beta 1, as per Google's documentation.
The GIF you may have seen elsewhere doesn't represent the feature in its current form but instead a potential future version.
That's why I didn't include it in my article.
The GIF you may have seen elsewhere doesn't represent the feature in its current form but instead a potential future version.
That's why I didn't include it in my article.
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🔒Here's how Advanced Protection Mode in Android 16 will protect your data
Turning on Advanced Protection will block sideloading, 2G connectivity, and enable MTE in Android 16.
Read this article on Android Authority for more details on this upcoming security feature.
Turning on Advanced Protection will block sideloading, 2G connectivity, and enable MTE in Android 16.
Read this article on Android Authority for more details on this upcoming security feature.
Android Authority
Here's how Advanced Protection Mode in Android 16 will protect your data
Advanced Protection Mode is a new security feature in Android 16 that builds upon Google's Advanced Protection Program. Here's how it works.
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🔒Here's how Android's new Secure Lock feature will help secure your sensitive data
This'll solve a big security loophole:
If a thief who sees you enter your PIN steals your phone, they can unlock it and see notifications and widgets.
More details can be found in this article on Android Authority.
This'll solve a big security loophole:
If a thief who sees you enter your PIN steals your phone, they can unlock it and see notifications and widgets.
More details can be found in this article on Android Authority.
Android Authority
Here's how Android's new Secure Lock feature will help secure your sensitive data
Android 16 may add a new Secure Lock feature that will let you remotely put your Android device into an enhanced security state.
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Evidently, the Galaxy S25 supports Satellite SOS messaging with Skylo as the service provider, but ONLY if you're on
Verizon.
Buried in Verizon's press release:
Why did Samsung not market this feature at all? What may have happened is that Samsung would rather not deal with deploying satellite SOS messages region-by-region and is leaving it up to carriers to make the respective partnerships, as Verizon has done with Skylo. Samsung went ahead and added support for a standards-based satellite solution in the form of the revived Snapdragon Satellite, so it's up to carriers to take advantage of it. I guess a lot of people would complain if Samsung had talked about the feature and how it's only available in a limited fashion, but I'm not sure why they didn't go the Google route and ink at least a nationwide deal.
Verizon.
Buried in Verizon's press release:
"Verizon now offers seamless connection to Satellite SOS messaging powered by Skylo on the Galaxy S25 series, in the unlikely event that you need emergency services and are in an area without cellular connectivity."
Why did Samsung not market this feature at all? What may have happened is that Samsung would rather not deal with deploying satellite SOS messages region-by-region and is leaving it up to carriers to make the respective partnerships, as Verizon has done with Skylo. Samsung went ahead and added support for a standards-based satellite solution in the form of the revived Snapdragon Satellite, so it's up to carriers to take advantage of it. I guess a lot of people would complain if Samsung had talked about the feature and how it's only available in a limited fashion, but I'm not sure why they didn't go the Google route and ink at least a nationwide deal.
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🎵 You'll soon be able to customize the haptics for your Pixel's ringtone and notification alert
An upcoming version of the Google Sounds app will let you change the vibration pattern for your selected ringtone or notification alert.
More details + a demo of this upcoming feature can be found in this article.
An upcoming version of the Google Sounds app will let you change the vibration pattern for your selected ringtone or notification alert.
More details + a demo of this upcoming feature can be found in this article.
Android Authority
You'll soon be able to customize the haptics for your Pixel's ringtone and notification alert
The Google Sounds app will let you change the vibration pattern for your selected ringtone or notification alert. Here's what it's like.
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The Galaxy S25 sadly doesn't support the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF).
If this doesn't change in Android 16, it means the device won't support the new Terminal app that lets you run a Linux distro in a virtual machine.
The reason I'm surprised by this is that Android 15's vendor software requirements state that chipsets that launch with vendor API level 202404 must declare support for AVF. That means every device with the Snapdragon 8 Elite is capable of supporting it, but I guess Samsung still chose to disable it. Maybe it still interferes with the Knox hypervisor?
Hopefully Samsung adds support in a future release, because Android 16's Terminal app is shaping up to be an incredibly useful feature!
If this doesn't change in Android 16, it means the device won't support the new Terminal app that lets you run a Linux distro in a virtual machine.
The reason I'm surprised by this is that Android 15's vendor software requirements state that chipsets that launch with vendor API level 202404 must declare support for AVF. That means every device with the Snapdragon 8 Elite is capable of supporting it, but I guess Samsung still chose to disable it. Maybe it still interferes with the Knox hypervisor?
Hopefully Samsung adds support in a future release, because Android 16's Terminal app is shaping up to be an incredibly useful feature!
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Mishaal's Android News Feed
📱The OnePlus 13 gets Gemini Nano support in its first software update The OnePlus 13 is not only the first OnePlus phone to support Gemini Nano, but it may also be the first non-Pixel to support the multimodal version of the model! More details can be found…
TalkBack image descriptions on the OnePlus 13 are powered by an on-device generative AI model from Google.
So I guess this confirms the OnePlus 13 indeed supports the multimodal Gemini Nano model.
The model occupies about ~4GB of space so I hope more use cases emerge for it. Once the AI Edge SDK opens up more, I'm hoping some 3P apps start to use it.
So I guess this confirms the OnePlus 13 indeed supports the multimodal Gemini Nano model.
The model occupies about ~4GB of space so I hope more use cases emerge for it. Once the AI Edge SDK opens up more, I'm hoping some 3P apps start to use it.
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🚨 Breaking: Google is releasing most of the source code for Pebble, with its former CEO Eric Migicovsky telling me he plans to build a new watch based on the newly open sourced Pebble OS.
Android Authority
Pebble cements its smartwatch legacy as Google shares source code with the community
Google has just released the source code for the Pebble watch, paving the way for more aftermarket development and potentially new hardware.
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The Google Play Store is going to show a "Verified" badge for some VPN apps.
These badges will appear on store listings for VPN apps that "prioritize user privacy and safety, help users make more informed choices about the VPN apps they use, and build confidence in the apps they ultimately download."
VPN apps have to earn the badge by "adhering to the Play safety and security guidelines" and successfully completing a "Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) Level 2 validation." They also have to have at least 10k installs and 250 reviews, be published for at least 90 days, and submit a Data Safety section declaration while opting into independent security review and encryption in transit.
Nord, hide dot me, and Aloha Browser are among the few to secure the badge. You can easily find more by searching "VPN" in the Play Store.
Out of curiosity: What VPN are you currently using, and why did you choose it?
These badges will appear on store listings for VPN apps that "prioritize user privacy and safety, help users make more informed choices about the VPN apps they use, and build confidence in the apps they ultimately download."
VPN apps have to earn the badge by "adhering to the Play safety and security guidelines" and successfully completing a "Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) Level 2 validation." They also have to have at least 10k installs and 250 reviews, be published for at least 90 days, and submit a Data Safety section declaration while opting into independent security review and encryption in transit.
Nord, hide dot me, and Aloha Browser are among the few to secure the badge. You can easily find more by searching "VPN" in the Play Store.
Out of curiosity: What VPN are you currently using, and why did you choose it?
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🔊 Android 16 improves how hearing aids deal with noisy environments
Android 16 brings new features for LE Audio hearing aids like:
- Bluetooth ambient volume controls
- Ability to switch which mic is used for voice calls
🔗Details: https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-hearing-aids-3520978/
Android 16 brings new features for LE Audio hearing aids like:
- Bluetooth ambient volume controls
- Ability to switch which mic is used for voice calls
🔗Details: https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-hearing-aids-3520978/
Android Authority
Android 16 improves how hearing aids deal with noisy environments
Android 16 will bring better support for LE Audio hearing aids with features like ambient volume controls.
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🔔 Here's how Google's changing notifications in Android 16 with Live Updates
A lot of people were confused by Google's announcement of Live Updates in Android 16.
My latest article 👇 explores the feature in more detail
🔗 https://androidauthority.com/android-16-live-notifications-3518375/
Oh, and I found confirmation within the Android developer docs that Live Updates will appear as chips in the status bar, which lines up with my previous reporting on Rich Ongoing Notifications!
A lot of people were confused by Google's announcement of Live Updates in Android 16.
My latest article 👇 explores the feature in more detail
🔗 https://androidauthority.com/android-16-live-notifications-3518375/
Oh, and I found confirmation within the Android developer docs that Live Updates will appear as chips in the status bar, which lines up with my previous reporting on Rich Ongoing Notifications!
Android Authority
Here's how Google's changing notifications in Android 16 with Live Updates
Android 16 will introduce Live Updates, a new class of notification that's always on top. Here's how it compare to iOS Live Activities.
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🕶Android 16 prepares to make dark mode work with more apps
Android may add a new feature that automatically converts light theme apps to dark theme, even if they don't have a native dark theme.
Details + screenshots can be found at the link👇
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-forced-dark-mode-3521090/
Android may add a new feature that automatically converts light theme apps to dark theme, even if they don't have a native dark theme.
Details + screenshots can be found at the link👇
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-forced-dark-mode-3521090/
Android Authority
Android 16 prepares to make dark mode work with more apps
Google is working on a new feature for Android 16 that automatically puts apps into dark mode, even if they don't support it.
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New Play Protect features on Android protect against dangerous apps
- Play Protect can't be disabled during calls
- Chrome will ask you to turn on Play Protect before sideloading
- Play Protect will autorevoke permissions for dangerous apps
Details👇
🔗 https://www.androidfaithful.com/google-play-protect-jan-2025/
- Play Protect can't be disabled during calls
- Chrome will ask you to turn on Play Protect before sideloading
- Play Protect will autorevoke permissions for dangerous apps
Details👇
🔗 https://www.androidfaithful.com/google-play-protect-jan-2025/
Android Faithful
New Play Protect features roll out on Android to protect against dangerous apps
Google has just revealed how effective its Play Protect service was at protecting users in 2024, and it also unveiled some new security features that are available now.
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Mishaal's Android News Feed
A major update to scrcpy is out, bringing a very nifty feature: Virtual display support! scrcpy can now create virtual displays that you can mirror instead of your device's main display. This means you can stream apps to your PC and still use your phone at…
Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 broke the ability for scrcpy to create virtual displays, as the requisite permissions were removed from shell.
However, Google now says it has added back these permissions to shell for Android 16.
While this will re-enable scrcpy's virtual display feature, Google warns that these permissions are only held by shell for testing purposes and may be removed again in the future without notice.
However, Google now says it has added back these permissions to shell for Android 16.
While this will re-enable scrcpy's virtual display feature, Google warns that these permissions are only held by shell for testing purposes and may be removed again in the future without notice.
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🔫 Android 16's Linux Terminal will soon let you run graphical apps, so of course I ran Doom
ICYMI: Google's been working on a Terminal app that runs Debian in a VM, and they've made steady progress on it.
Click 👇for more details on this progress
🔗 https://androidauthority.com/android-16-linux-terminal-doom-3521804/
(Once again, "The Only Thing They Fear Is You" is stuck in my head.)
ICYMI: Google's been working on a Terminal app that runs Debian in a VM, and they've made steady progress on it.
Click 👇for more details on this progress
🔗 https://androidauthority.com/android-16-linux-terminal-doom-3521804/
(Once again, "The Only Thing They Fear Is You" is stuck in my head.)
Android Authority
Android 16's Linux Terminal will soon let you run graphical apps, so of course we ran Doom
Android 16’s Linux Terminal will soon be able to run graphical Linux apps, so we fired up Doom to show this feature off.
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Looks like T-Mobile and Starlink are starting to let some Pixel 9 users into the satellite messaging beta.
Just heard from two Pixel 9 Pro XL users that they were invited to the beta.
When the beta first launched two weeks ago, it was reported that only 5 Samsung models were supported (Z Flip 6, Z Fold 6, S24 series). My OnePlus 13 wasn't accepted into the beta, but hopefully that'll change soon.
FWIW: Google has been testing Starlink support on the Pixel 9 for a few months now.
Just heard from two Pixel 9 Pro XL users that they were invited to the beta.
When the beta first launched two weeks ago, it was reported that only 5 Samsung models were supported (Z Flip 6, Z Fold 6, S24 series). My OnePlus 13 wasn't accepted into the beta, but hopefully that'll change soon.
FWIW: Google has been testing Starlink support on the Pixel 9 for a few months now.
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