About Ryne Hager
Ryne was ostensibly a senior editor at Android Police, working at the site from 2017-2022. But really, he is just some verbose dude who digs on tech, loves Android, and hates anticompetitive practices. His only regret is that he didn't buy a Nokia N9 in 2012.
Latest Articles
Google's tightening key security on Android with a longer (but better) chain of trust
Remote Key Provisioning offers better security that might fix a few issues
Google is "upgrading" how key attestation works on Android, implementing what it calls Remote Key Provisioning. I know this sounds like just another overly technical security thing (and it is), but it could have a real impact on customers by establishing a longer but more secure chain of trust, enhancing their security. But, perhaps best of all, this change could potentially fix a lot of little issues Android phones run into as a result of hardware-backed security problems, like more gracefully recovering from security vulnerabilities. It might even be how Google fixed that Widevine issue for Pixels that broke HD playback for some people in apps like Netflix for over a year.
Google's rumored detachable Nest Hub tablet might run Android
Evidence mounts in Android 13's changes that the detachable smart display/tablet could run our favorite OS
Early leaks have only recently indicated that a future Nest smart display might feature a detachable tablet, and already supporting details are starting to fall into place. Based on some changes recently dug up in Android 13, evidence is mounting that the detachable may actually run Android and be tied to a "Titan" hardware name.
Learn all about Google's Emoji Kitchen from its head chef
Jennifer Daniel talks Gboard, mashup "types," and spiders
The Emoji Kitchen mashups might already feel like they've been around since the dawn of time, or the dawn of emoji, anyway, but they are still a recent development, with new and fanciful combinations landing in Gboard regularly. We've all used them, but some of the "how" and "why" behind the fun and fanciful combinations remain (perhaps appropriately) mysterious. For example, did you know that there were five distinct "types" of emoji mashups, with another potentially planned?
Google's next Nest Hub might be the detachable tablet you always wanted it to be
"You," not "me." I'll need to see it first.
Google is reportedly working on a new Assistant-powered smart display. Given the typical release cadence, that's no shock, but this one may have a twist: It could have a removable display for tablet-style use. Plop it on the base for use as a smart display, pop it off for a bit of sofa browsing. It sounds cool, but it also raises a question about software.
Pixel 6 and 6 Pro pick up bug-fixing Quarterly Platform Release beta 1.1
Addressing battery drain issues
Odds are most of you aren't running the new Quarterly Platform Release betas, but if you switched to that release cycle to get the patches on your Google Pixel 6 or Google 6 Pro a little early, you might want to tap that "check for update" button. Google has just released a bug-fixing QPR3 Beta 1.1 update, exclusively for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.
OnePlus is finally launching the 10 Pro in the US next week
Tune in Thursday, March 31st at 10AM ET
Today OnePlus has announced that next week it will announce the 10 Pro for global markets. That means India, Europe, and North America — including the US. Making good on its prior end-of-March promise, the long-awaited Snapdragon 8 Gen 1-powered phone and its chunky camera hump will finally escape China to arrive in US-based pockets. Fans can tune in to the launch itself on Thursday, March 31st at 10AM ET, 1PM PT.
The saga of the so-called "C-band" frequencies is nearly over, but there's at least one new hiccup. Now that the FAA snafu has resolved, compatible devices are starting to get updates that add support for the new spectrum. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro just picked up support for Verizon's new C-band deployments. But, although Google previously updated the Pixel 5's FCC certification to include C-Band support, Google has announced that it isn't bringing C-band support to the Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, or Pixel 4a 5G — all of which share similar hardware.
Pixels on Android 13 might be able to turn your photos into 3D 'cinematic' wallpapers
Which might resemble Google Photos' 3D Cinematic Moments
Google is working on 3D wallpapers with a "cinematic" effect for Android 13, according to a bit of digging by Esper.io's Mishaal Rahman. This would make use of a new API just for wallpaper effects, and while it could offer multiple styles, at least one of the effects would "make your photo a 3D wallpaper that moves when your phone moves." However, it also sounds like it might be limited to Pixels.
Per-app language settings are now live in Android 13 DP2
But it won't work for all your apps
We've been looking forward to seeing Android 13's "Panlingual" per-app languages feature since we exclusively reported on it last year. Although Google announced it as part of Android 13 DP1, it wasn't actually present in a user-facing way. As of Android 13 DP2, though, it's now live and confirmed to be working — for apps that support multiple languages, anyway.
Android's built-in screen recorder gets its 'show touches' option back in Android 13 DP2
See where you're pokin' while you're recordin' on your Pixel again
Android's built-in screen recorder might not have much general appeal, but it's one of the best tools we've got in our belt when documenting changes, and not having to rely on an external app to do it has been fantastic. It's a small annoyance, but the Android 12L update removed the (hopefully self-explanatory) "show touches on screen" toggle when recording something on your display. Thankfully, it's back in Android 13 DP2.
Android 13 continues the proud tradition of Do Not Disturb changes with a full rebrand
It's "Priority mode" now as of DP2
Almost every Android update changes something about how do not disturb modes work, and it seems Android 13 will be no exception. This time, Google's just straight-up renaming it entirely. On Android 13 DP2, the "Do Not Disturb" mode has been renamed to "Priority mode."
Gboard is prepping to include a split layout for foldables and big-screen devices
According to a recently spotted toggle
Google's recently stressing its renewed interest in tablets, between Android 12L and new developer tools that should make targeting big-screen devices easier. Some of these benefits apply to foldables, too, but Google hasn't set the best example in its own software, like the fact that Gboard is a mediocre experience on both tablets and foldables, with layouts that don't work very well on a bigger display. But according to a change spotted in a recent Gboard beta, a split layout is coming.
Android 13 DP2 is out now, giving Pixels another glimpse at upcoming changes
The latest version of Android 13 is here for early adopters
The second and presumably last Android 13 Developer Preview release is now rolling out, following the promised monthly cadence for these early releases. Google has highlighted a handful of changes in this release, like the new notification permission, better text wrapping and line heights for some languages, and Bluetooth LE Audio support. We've spotted plenty of changes on our own, including a new media player, fresh branding for Do Not Disturb, and a ton of color choices for Material You. Phones already on Android 13 DP1 should be getting an OTA update to the new release soon, and images are now available for manual installation for the Pixel 4 and later.
Google I/O 2022 will happen on May 11th
Free to attend virtually, with a limited in-person audience
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Google has just released its puzzle for Google I/O 2022, offering us to "untangle a string." After much collective frustration trying to solve the four-part puzzle, which is one of Google's hardest so far, the date has been revealed: Google I/O 2022 will happen from May 11th-12th in the Shoreline Amphitheater (its usual spot). Although there will be a limited in-person audience, the event will be virtual for most of us.
Dirty Pipe: What is it, is my phone affected, what's being done to fix it, and do I need to be worried about it?
Everything you need to know about the vulnerability
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Little more than a month after Samsung announced its Galaxy S22-series flagship, a security researcher found a major vulnerability that puts them, and a handful of other Android phones at risk. Over the past few days, there's been a lot of questions and concerns about the exploit known as Dirty Pipe. Here's the rundown on the Dirty Pipe exploit, the phones affected by it, and what you can do to stay safe.
Pixel 6 Pro and Galaxy S22 fully owned in Dirty Pipe exploit demo
Exciting and terrifying
Earlier today, a video was posted on Twitter by @Fire30_, showing off the new Dirty Pipe Linux kernel vulnerability to get root in Android on a Galaxy S22 and Pixel 6 Pro, both seemingly running the latest security patches. In each case, root access was achieved in less than a minute with a minimum of fuss, opening the door for both an easy root method enthusiasts might enjoy, and a whole lot of scary security concerns.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 also caught throttling games, leading to Geekbench delisting
It's not just Samsung phones that were affected
Two weeks ago, Samsung was caught throttling performance for some apps and games on its phones, including the brand-new Galaxy S22 series, and going back as far as the Galaxy S10. As a result of that action, the phones were delisted from the library of devices on Geekbench, seemingly permanently according to the company's current policies. Amid the threat of a class-action suit, Samsung has started rolling out an update that changes this behavior, but Android Police has confirmed that the company's latest Galaxy Tab S8 generation of tablets is also affected.
Google's changes to the Android Beta Program have created a huge mess
But it would be simple to fix
This week, Google released a new beta update for Pixel Phones, publicly testing Android 12 QPR3, or the third Quarterly Platform Update for Android 12. The first two Android 12 QPRs were released in December and March as Feature Drops, with the latter getting a public test as well. But Google has switched up how things work in a way that's confusing — particularly, as Android 13's public testing starts to build. Complicating that is the fact that the official, stable Pixel 6 March update has been held back while its changes and much-needed fixes are simultaneously available in the new beta. That's caused plenty of customers to jump onto the beta release, and some who didn't want it were pushed onto it by failing to opt-out of the program before flashing Android 13 DP1, causing yet other issues. And when it comes to the right labels to describe all these changes, even Google itself couldn't keep track of the correct terms to use.
Moving to the new Feature Drop Beta fixed my Pixel 6 problems, but things can get complicated
You can't just drop in and out as you like without a wipe
Many Pixel 6 and 6 Pro owners are angrily twiddling their thumbs, waiting for the stable rollout of the recent March Feature Drop/Android 12L update to fix their issues, some of which were introduced with the February update they're currently stuck on. I actually ran into the Wi-Fi problem myself, where the phone would repeatedly disable it multiple times throughout the day, making my Pixel 6 Pro pretty difficult to use. Fortunately, I can confirm that installing the June Feature Drop via the "new" Android Beta Program fixes that problem with what is essentially just a few taps. But if you do jump on the beta train, that could introduce new problems later.
Gboard's grammar check is now available to everyone along with 2000 new Emoji Kitchen mashups
More wacky and beautiful emoji combinations, plus better text corrections for everyone
Debuting as a Pixel 6-exclusive feature, Gboard's grammar checking started expanding to other Pixels back in February without much fanfare. Now it seems Google says it's officially expanding it widely to all Android phones. On top of that, Gboard is also getting over 2000 new Emoji Kitchen mashup combinations, with the fun formulaic stickers covering an even wider variety of expressions.