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Google Play Protect isn't waiting to scan your apps anymore
Real-time scanning for sideloaded apps at the time of installation
Google Play Protect is well known for scanning many apps — in fact, Android's de facto antivirus tool scans more apps than there are people on Earth every day through its routine checks. Since Google Play Protect became its own app in 2021, many have speculated about what new features might be in store, and it looks like a big one is rolling out soon.
How to download Android apps without the Google Play Store
Who needs Google Play when you have APK Mirror?
Getting Android apps without using the official Google Play Store can be a mixed bag, depending on where you get your apps. While Android lets you install any app you want, you must be cautious about where these files come from. Also, some popular devices, like the best Amazon Fire tablets, aren't preinstalled with the Google Play Store.
Whether you're rocking an Nvidia Shield TV running Android 11 or you've opted for the latest Chromecast with Google TV, your television is likely running some version of Android TV. Google is paying more attention than ever to the streaming field, even planning to launch additional low-cost gadgets to compete against the likes of Amazon and Roku. Just like on your phone, Android TV is an open platform, which means any missing applications can be substituted quickly by sideloading apps. As you might expect, downloading APKs on your TV isn't quite as simple a process as they are on a Pixel 6 or Galaxy S22. These are the two best methods for sideloading APK files onto any Android TV or Google TV device.
Redesigned Truecaller 12 adds video caller ID and makes call recording free for all
New premium features include call announcements and ghost calls
Truecaller started off as a simple caller ID app back in 2009. Over the past few years, it's gained several new features, such as smart call history, built-in dialer, SMS inbox, payments, and inbox cleaner. It recently reached 300 million monthly active users globally with 70% of the userbase residing in India. Now, with version 12 for Android, Truecaller is gaining some more handy new features including video caller ID and call recording option for all users.
Google Photos gets 'More like this' button so you can easily find similar images
Yet another new feature for an already packed app
Google Photos is an amazing resource for keeping tabs on your old pictures and Google continues to expand on this particular angle of the app. Free unlimited storage is gone, but there are still many reasons why you would still want to use it, even with new images counting against your storage space. Google Photos is now adding a feature that's actually kind of neat: a new "More like this" button that shows when pulling up the details for a photo and it does exactly what you'd expect.
Google was pretty proud of its Tensor-powered Magic Eraser photo-editing tool when it introduced us to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro and we think it does a pretty good job in complex situations though you can tell how obvious the healing patches are. Most people, in any case, have not been able to play with it because those shiny new devices are stuck out on a ship in the sea somewhere. That said, we've written a guide on how to use the Magic Eraser on any Android phone, just by using a tricked-up Google Photos APK.
WhatsApp is testing a redesigned picture-in-picture mode (APK Download)
But it still only works with links from Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
WhatsApp is the most used instant messaging app on the planet, which makes the recent outage all the more frustrating. The fact that it's owned by Facebook at least means that it integrates really well with the company's other services, like Instagram and the Facebook app. WhatsApp has a picture-in-picture mode that allows you to play videos shared from Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube without leaving the chat. It's a feature that I have found pretty useful to skip fully opening links to quickly view some content. Now, WhatsApp is taking the time to redesign its PiP UI, but it kind of feels like change for the sake of change.
What's new in Chrome 95, coming to Android 12 in a new Material You look (APK Download)
Secure Payment Confirmation, Eyedropper support, web app improvements, and more
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The Pixel Fall Launch event and the Pixel 6 may have overshadowed anything else going on in the Google cosmos, but the company also launched Chrome 95 to the stable channel on the same date. If that seems fast to you, it's because Google has accelerated its releases from a six-week cycle to a four-week schedule. And as such, there are fewer new features to be seen this time around. Let's dive into what's up.
Android 12 has been making all sorts of things sleeker, as well as bringing new looks and functionality to apps and widgets. We’ve already seen Material You come to YouTube Music playback controls, Google Maps' shortcuts, and the Calculator app, among many others. But it turns out there are a couple of extras also arriving for the revamped calculator app.
Firefox 93 for Android wants to become your new password manager (APK Download)
The latest browser version can act as an autofill service across all of Android
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The last few Firefox releases haven't exactly been exciting on Android, but that's changing with version 93 — if you use Firefox as your password manager, that is. The new release can serve as your password autofill service across all of your apps on Android, much like Mozilla's own Lockwise app (or any other competing password manager, for that matter).
Google Duo is the latest app to get a fresh Material You look (APK Download)
The update is now rolling out on the Play Store
Android 12 is around the corner and Google is rushing to update all of its apps with the new Material You guidelines. In recent days, we got a taste of it in Calendar, Keep, and Drive. Now, Google Duo has also found its calling.
Firefox 92 launches with support for your 2FA USB security key (APK Download)
The update is now rolling out on the Play Store
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Ever since the redesigned Firefox for Android landed back in 2020, development has stalled a little. Mozilla has only added a few new features to the browser since, like improved tracking protection, a small interface lift, and improvements to HTTPS connections. Unfortunately, Firefox 92 doesn't change much about that. The latest version of Firefox is now rolling out to the Play Store, and it only brings a handful of features to the table.
This Google Discover hack has us yearning for the Google Now of old
Remember when the feed was actually useful?
Once upon a time, the screen to the left of the homescreen on Google's Nexus phones and tablets was called Google Now, and it was a genuinely useful feed full of contextual information about things like your commute, upcoming calendar appointments, package deliveries, and so on. This eventually went away as the screen, now Google Discover, was turned into a news feed. There's now a way to get it back, but it's unfortunately limited to those using Xposed on a rooted device.
You can now download Chrome 93 Beta
The last release before Google switches to an even faster four-week cycle
Google is constantly releasing new versions of Chrome, and the beta channel has been promoted to v93 this week. The latest browser variant continues testing some controversial interface changes that first popped up in Chrome 91, but there are also things to look forward to. Chrome 93 is now rolling out on the Play Store, and the download is available for you over at APK Mirror, too.
What's new in Chrome 92 (APK Download)
Better performance meets more security and tons of new features
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Google releases new Chrome builds every six weeks, and the latest version to launch is Chrome 92. The new browser is available for download since yesterday, and it comes filled to the brim with interface experiments, security improvements, web app enhancements, and performance upgrades. Here's what you need to know.
Android Auto is finally getting the one thing nobody was asking for — games
Based on Google's HTML5 gaming collection GameSnacks
Android Auto is gearing up to become your latest gaming rig — at least, if you're into casual HTML5 minigames. The latest Android Auto beta, version 6.7, comes with a new GameSnacks shortcut in the launcher, and when you tap it, you're greeted by Google's collection of small and simple HTML5 games.
Google Chrome's release cycle is incredibly fast moving, with new major versions launching every six weeks, and that's no different for Chrome 92. Google has just released the first beta of the new version, and you can download it right here, over at APK Mirror.
Apple Music's latest beta brings artwork to life and hints at lossless audio
Apple's HiFi streaming tier could launch next Tuesday
It's only been a few weeks since the latest version of Apple Music hit the Play Store, bringing along sharable music lyrics and the ability to search by record label. Apple isn't finished adding new features to the Android version of its streaming app, though. The latest beta release adds some flare to album and playlist artwork, all while hinting at an upcoming boost in sound quality.
Samsung Reminder gets a UI refresh with better sorting options
Organizing your tasks has never been easier
Samsung Reminder is one of the best pre-installed apps that comes with One UI. It looks good, has plenty of options for organizing your tasks, and even syncs with Microsoft To Do. The app is picking up a design refresh today that makes it easier to sort through different types of reminders and see where they come from.
Twitter is notorious for compressing images and videos, and it isn't surprising to see photos shot from professional cameras retain little detail when shared on the platform. However, last year, the iOS app was given the ability to load images in "4K." Almost a full year later, the "Load 4K" option has finally made its way to Android.