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Google wants to make Android 15 more resilient to WebView crashes
A new WebViewBootstrap Mainline module could have significant security benefits
Stability is one of the cornerstones of user experience. When a single app crashes or malfunctions, it might frustrate some users who lose their progress or even some data. If a key system component were to crash, however, countless numbers of apps could become unusable for millions of users. This is exactly what’s happened in the past with the Android System WebView, the component that many apps rely on to render web content. Fortunately, Google plans to make WebView more resilient to crashes in Android 15 — here’s how.
Android 15 could help apps load webpages faster
A change to WebView should help speed up the browsing experience
Many flagship phones ship with more RAM than the average laptop, which helps them handle heavy image processing algorithms, AI tasks, and intensive games on-demand. But most of the time, your phone’s RAM isn’t full or even close to it since the OS tries to avoid that scenario by killing or swapping processes when necessary. While it’s usually best to leave memory management in the hands of the OS, there are some processes that should not be killed because there might be issues when they’re restarted.
Android 15 ushers in a sophomore phase for the OS and the Android Police podcast
What haven't you heard about this update that you didn't hear in 2022?
This week on the Android Police podcast, we talk all about the first Android 15 developer preview despite the fact that, at the time of recording, we had barely an idea about what its best features were going to be. Of all things to be part of a Friday news dump, it had to be new software. Plus, further ruminations on generative AI, gaming, and why you need to chill out about the Galaxy S24's display.
This week's can't-miss Android news headlines
Android 15 goes live, Samsung claps back with an update, and an old Frankenphone finally surfaces
If you haven't been following all the comings and goings in Android as closely as you'd like lately, don't worry — that's why we sit around refreshing forums and mashing that check for updates button all week. The biggest names in the ecosystem have been quite busy this week, with Google dropping huge updates left and right, and Samsung and OnePlus doing a little damage control. We even saw a long-rumored prototype in the flesh after a couple years of silence, so buckle in while we get you caught up!
Android 15 sticks with Android 14's space theme for some reason
What’s up with Google’s newfound love for the final frontier?
The Android 15 developer preview is finally here, and long with it, Google unveiled a new logo for the new version. In contrast to the big jump from Android 13 to Android 14, which switched from a generic Material You-style shape with a 13 in it to a full on NASA badge, Google didn’t make a big tweak for Android 15.
How to enable Gboard's handwriting input on any S Pen Galaxy device
This developer toggle gives stylus users a reason to ditch Samsung Keyboard
We love to hate Samsung Keyboard. It's understandable, Samsung has included some cool features in its keyboard over the years, but the core aspect of text input leaves a lot to be desired, so users have to choose between useful functionality and a good typing experience from an alternative like Gboard. One of the features I've often missed when switching away from the Samsung Keyboard is automatic handwriting input when the S Pen is detected. Thankfully, a feature Gboard added last year can now be enabled more widely.
I want this Galaxy S24 feature on every Android phone
Samsung copied Apple's AOD homework, and now I want everybody else to do the same
I've been using the Samsung Galaxy S24+ for a few weeks now. Generally, it's a really good phone, but it's not a very exciting one. Despite Samsung's focus on AI, the biggest improvements this year are around the margins: compared to the Galaxy S23+, the S24+ has a higher-res display, more RAM, and better battery life. Like I said, good, but not especially groundbreaking.
5 things we'd love to change about Android
Dive into our whimsical wishlist for a smarter, sleeker, and more user-friendly Android
Welcome to our wishful thinking for Android, where we dream big and gripe fairly, where we imagine what Android could be if only a few things were improved. A world where updates arrive on all Android phones across the board at the same time and where you can get friendly and helpful support for your software issues. A world where kids think Android is cool. A fantasy world, indeed, but as long as we are dreaming, here are the five things we'd love to change about Android.
Android 14's flash notifications are great for accessibility — but that's not all
One of Android 14's unsung heroes
In a world where staying connected is as crucial as your morning coffee, Android 14 is the shining armor for all things notification-related. In addition to features like improved battery life and predictive back gestures, Android sprinkled some notification magic and added flash notifications to this update. Flash notifications are brief pop-ups that appear on a device's screen, either as a quick flash or a pop-up message to notify users of incoming notifications.
Google dropped the first Android 14 QPR3 beta on February 7, 2024. It’s available for testing now and will likely go live as the June Feature Drop in the middle of the year. While there aren’t all that many changes compared to Android 14 QPR2 on the surface, there is a lot going on under the hood. There are even some features that may only come out in Android 15, so let’s dive into everything that’s new.
The Pixel Fold might borrow a screen lock trick from the OnePlus Open
Code discovered in Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 hints at a new cover screen gesture
The Pixel Fold is Google’s first attempt at making a foldable phone, so it makes sense that the device lacks some of the bells and whistles that some other foldable phones ship with. Fortunately, missing software features can always be introduced through updates, and the Pixel Fold has already received several of those. One feature missing on the Pixel Fold is a setting to control when to continue apps on the cover screen, but it looks like this functionality is in the works, according to code we discovered in today’s Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 release.
It's been five years since Google broke gestures in custom launchers, and they're still a mess
Recent improvements feel like too little too late
Custom launchers used to be a big part of the Android experience. They offered flexibility that the default home screens on many phones couldn't compete with, from custom grid sizes to icon pack support. I have fond memories of them myself. Nova Launcher Prime was the first app I ever paid for. But the popularity of third-party launchers has declined in recent years. Some of that is due to companies like Samsung adding the custom features people wanted to its own One UI launcher, but much of the fault lies with Google.
Android now lets you transfer eSIMs between your phones
Carrier support is still spotty, but the feature already works with multiple OEMs
Now that they're seeing widespread adoption, eSIMs have started to change the way we shop for cell phone coverage. Since they're built into your device, they eliminate the need to physically remove your SIM card when you want to switch plans. The convenience of using software to download and provision SIM plans is undeniable, but there's a catch – transferring plans between devices isn't as straightforward as it used to be. To move your plan, you often need to go through the whole setup process again, which can range from simply using your carrier's app to visiting a store for a QR code scan. While eSIMs simplify carrier changes or plan trials, they bring new challenges in device transitions.
Android Auto vs. Android Automotive vs. Google Automotive Services (GAS)
Google's car-friendly services can be confusing. Let's break them down
When we use our phones while driving, there's a chance something horrible will happen to us or the family in the minivan on the other side of the road. We need directions and want to listen to a different song. The world might end if we don't respond to that text message that just came in. Still, we must stay focused on the road in front of us.
What's new in Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 and earlier
Google’s latest QPR2 release packs many surprises and some long-awaited features
Google doesn't only release new Android versions each year. In between, the company makes smaller jumps in the form of quarterly Feature Drops, improving its Pixel phones like the new Google Pixel 8 Pro ever further. These releases also have to get tested, and that's what the Quarterly Platform Release betas are for, QPR for short. Testing for the March Feature Drop is currently underway as the QPR2, and here is everything new spotted in all the beta releases so far.
If you own a Verizon Samsung phone, it's time to smash the update button
The update has also reached a handful of unlocked phones
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Samsung's software reputation is in a much better place now than it used to be, whether we're talking about Android upgrades or monthly security patches. December has been busy for the company as it rolls its Android 14-based One UI 6 update to more devices.
Samsung One UI explained: Everything to know about Samsung's custom Android skin
One UI is one of the most interesting Android skins around
Android launchers offer limitless customization. They provide the interface hosting your home and apps screens while letting you organize their appearance and behavior. If you use a Google Pixel device, you have a near-stock version of Android. Since Android's source code is open source, many manufacturers tweak the OS with their launchers and throw in apps you don't find in the basic system.
Sideloading is coming to iOS in 2024 — what does it mean for Android?
It's time to talk about the coming shift in the mobile market
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It took laws to force Apple to catch up to Android. Apple made a big deal about USB-C on the iPhone 15, yet didn't mention it was practically forced to implement the feature by the European Union. Now Apple is being driven to allow app sideloading on iOS, at least in the EU. Will the US follow suit? And what does this mean for Android? How will this affect the best Android phones? It's time to talk about this coming shift in the smartphone market.
Google's new Gemini-powered tools on Pixel 8 Pro failed to impress me
Summarize in Recorder and Smart Replies in Gboard are barely worth the effort of activating AiCore
Although the December Pixel Feature Drop arrived right around when most users expected it — despite Google's decision to do away with a set schedule for updates — it did come with one big surprise. Gemini, Google's latest large language model, arrived in a few distinct flavors, including one designed specifically to run locally on Android hardware. Dubbed Gemini Nano, it's a tool now available for Pixel 8 Pro users with updated smartphones — though you'll need to jump through a few hoops to use it.
Google needs to bring Pixel safety features to all Android phones
Our safety is important no matter what Android phone we use
Back when the Pixel 2 and 2XL launched with Now Playing, it was clear that Google would start saving its best features for Google-made phones. That doesn't have to be a bad thing. Pixels should have features that make them stand out. Those features shouldn't be safety-related, though, and I think it's high time Google made some of its personal safety software into mandatory Android features, not just for Pixel phones.