Google News app gets new Material You widgets.

Announced as part of the June Android Feature Drop, Google is rolling out an updated widget design along with an app update to version 5.82.

• The 2x2 "Quick view" widget shows you one particular news story with a "Full coverage" button.
• The "List view" widget shows you the headlines as a list, with a "More news for you" button at the end to open the "For you" tab.

When you resize, one widget flows into the other, so you don't need to pull out any particular one, just change its occupied space.

Google News | En

'Emoji workshop' live wallpaper APK.

• Demo
• Play Store link

This app was released for Android 14 beta 3.

Preferably use this on Android 14.

This may not fully work on Android 13.


Google News | En

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A big leak of the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro camera specs.

• Main module: Samsung GN2 (50 MP). Support for Staggered HDR and 8K/30FPS video capture.

• Ultra wide-angle module:
○ Pixel 8: Sony IMX386 (12MP) - 0.55x (the Pixel 7 had 0.67x)
○ Pixel 8 Pro: Sony IMX787 (64MP) - 0.49x

• Telephoto: Samsung GM5 (48MP) - 5x

• Selfie: Samsung 3J1 (11MP)

• The updated 8×8 ToF VL53L8 sensor in the Pixel 8 Pro. Pixel 8 will keep the old VL53L1.

• FIR thermometer sensor Melexis MLX90632 in Pixel 8 Pro. (is not a camera).

Software features:

• "Adaptive torch" — dynamically adjusts flash intensity depending on scene and other inputs.

• "AWB Segmentation" — divides the scene into different parts using AI to selectively apply different processing to the individual parts.

• Video bokeh blur level selection for the cinematic video mode.

Source: @nullby via 🔗 Android Authority

Google News | En

Google collects feedback on the Android 14 Beta 3.

This survey is relevant for Pixel users who have installed Android 14 Beta 3 on their devices. You can check it by going to Settings>About phone, the build number should say UPB3.230519.008.

🔗 Link to survey

Google News | En

The June Pixel Feature Drop based on the stable Android 13 QPR3 has been released.

What's new for Pixel phones:

• Starting a safety check via the "Hey, Google, run a safety check" command.
• Macro video capture mode for Pixel 7 Pro.
• Automatically start the photo timer via raising your palm (Pixel 6 and newer)
• Cinematic wallpaper for Pixel 6 and newer.
• Emoji Workshop wallpaper (Pixel 4a and newer)
• Export transcripts from Recorder to Google Docs, generate video clips with speaker tagging and search for speakers in recordings. (Pixel 6 and newer)
• Adaptive charging with AI that predicts a long charging session based on your history and will charge your smartphone up to 100% an hour before you're expected to unplug.
• "Adaptive Alert Vibration" for Pixel 6a and 7a. Reduces the intensity of vibration when the device is on a hard, flat surface.
• Updated Google Home device control panel

🔗 OTAs

🔗 Factory Images

Google News | En

What's new in the June Pixel Feature Drop for Google Pixel Watch?

Although the June update itself was released a week ago, Google has prepared several new features for its branded watch:

• Oxygen saturation level (SpO2) monitoring as a percentage. In the Fitbit app for Wear OS, you'll see a new "Oxygen saturation" card, and this information will also appear in the health dashboard.

• Notifications for unusually high or low heart rates. For example, a high heart rate notification will read, "Your heart rate rose above 120 beats per minute when you appeared to be inactive".

• Automatically pause your workout when you stop. (And automatic resumption.)

Also, the Metal Links Band, announced back in October, will be available on the Google Store from 16 June. Available in matte silver or matte black, the stainless steel links can be easily adjusted with the included sizing tool. Priced at $199.99.

Google News | En

Cinematic Wallpapers cannot yet run on Android 14.

These wallpapers are based on two system apps: 'Cinematic Wallpaper' and 'Android System Intelligence'. The former is already pre-installed in Android 14, and the problem here is with the second app.

Android System Intelligence (ASI) shipped with Android 14 is version U.0.beta and doesn't contain the necessary com.google.android.apps.miphone.aiai.app.wallpapereffects.AiAiWallpaperEffectsGenerationService. It is the one responsible for the AI component of creating the wallpaper with parallax effect. At the same time, the ASI in Android 13 has version T.26, which contains the necessary service*.

You won't be able to install ASI version T.26 on Android 14, because logically it's an earlier version than U.0.beta. You will have to wait for Google to release an ASI update for Android 14 with the required service.

*In addition to the service, some server flags are also needed here

Google News | En

Where can I find a cinematic wallpaper?

Many people mistakenly try to find a certain set of wallpapers. But you have to look in a completely different place:

In order to make a cinematic wallpaper, you need to select the static wallpaper you want from your library (not the Google collection) via the Wallpaper and Style app.

On the preview screen, there will be a special button with a stars icon on the top right. When you click on it, a dialog box with a switch will open at the bottom. Once it is switched on, a wallpaper with a 3D effect will be generated for you after a while.

Once this has been done, click on the "Set as wallpaper" button at the top right.

• 'Why can't I find this on Android 14?'

• If you don't see it, it's probably not activated on the server side for you yet

• Only for Pixel 6 and newer

Google News | En

How to use the new Google Camera auto-start timer feature with the palm of your hand?

The June Pixel Feature Drop has added a new feature to automatically start the timer using the palm of your hand. To activate it, you need to update the Google Camera app to version 8.9.097.538010547.31. Here is how to use it:

1. Open the camera
2. In Quick settings menu select timer mode (for 3 or 10 seconds)
3. Raise your palm to activate and wait until the square fills up, then the timer is activated.

This function also works on the rear camera.

Happy admin de-anon day.

Google News | En

Android 14 Beta 3.1 bugfix has been released.

Fixed issues:

• Fixed issues where Fingerprint Unlock was either unavailable or unusable on some devices. (Issue #284360298, Issue #284529436, Issue #284436572)
• Fixed platform compatibility issues that were affecting mapping SDKs, which caused dependent apps to crash in some cases.

Build: UPB3.230519.008 → UPB3.230519.014
Patch: June 2023

• OTAs
• Factory Images

🔗 Register for Android beta testing

Google News | En

The At a glance widget is now available on the Pixel Watch.

The familiar widget from the home screens of Pixel phones arrives on Google's branded watch. By default, it displays the date, current temperature and weather icon. Tapping on it will open the Google Weather app.

In addition, the widget will show upcoming events with a countdown (in minutes) along with the name and time for which they are scheduled.

At the moment it can only be installed in the "Utility" watchface in the "Module II" and "Module III" layout variants, but it is also available in third-party watchfaces that offer a rectangular complications .

🔗 Via 9to5Google

Google News | En

The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro's display specifications have been leaked.

Once again, Kamila Wojciechowska, via Android Authority, publishes info on displays in upcoming flagships, thanks to a source inside Google:

• Flat display in both models

• Display size :
○ Pixel 8: 6.17-inch; 64x143mm; Corner radius: 102px;
○ Pixel 8 Pro: 6.7-inch; 70x155mm; Corner radius: 115px;

• Resolution:
○ Pixel 8: 2400 x 1080; 427 PPI;
○ Pixel 8 Pro: 2992 x 1344; 490 PPI;

• Brightness in HDR content mode:
○ Pixel 8: 1400 nits
○ Pixel 8 Pro: 1600 nits

• Refresh rate:
○ Pixel 8: 120Hz; Refresh rate steps: 10Hz, 30Hz, 60Hz, 120Hz;
○ Pixel 8 Pro: 120Hz; Refresh rate steps: 5Hz, 10Hz, 30Hz, and a smooth change in refresh rate from 60Hz to 120Hz. For example, content at 24fps can now be shown at 72Hz.

• The Pixel 8 Pro features a panel from Samsung, while the regular Pixel 8 can have two panel options: BOE and Samsung.

Google News | En