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144

Google will force OEMs to hide their custom gesture navigation systems in Android 10

Ryan Whitwam

Google has struggled to devise a new navigation system for Android over the last few releases. No one much liked the two-button design from Pie, and the new full-gesture setup in Android 10 has its critics, too. However, a leaked copy of the Google Mobile Services (GMS) agreement for OEMs suggests you'll be seeing a lot of Google's gestures on upcoming phones. Google will apparently require OEMs to bury their custom gesture navigation systems in the settings in favor of the stock implementation.

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83

Google makes good on its promise and mandates 2 years of security updates for Android OEMs

Scott Scrivens

At Google I/O back in May, the company pledged to work with manufacturers of Android phones to ensure more regular security patches. It's now come to light that Google is mandating at least two years of security updates on Android phones, and enforcing this by writing it directly into OEM contracts.

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42

Google v7.10 beta reveals Bisto-like headphones to be made by partners, details about hardware buttons and capabilities, and much more [APK Teardown]

Cody Toombs

Yesterday was a busy day with the official announcement of Android Oreo and our sun playing a short game of peekaboo behind the moon. Yesterday also saw the release of a brand new version of the Google app to the beta channel. After a bit of digging, there aren't any notable changes jumping out at us, but a teardown of the APK provides a monstrous amount of information about a mystery device called Bisto. There's plenty here, so let's dig straight into the juicy bits!

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159

Samsung Pay could soon be available on non-Samsung phones

Scott Scrivens

It's been a busy year for Samsung's mobile payments system. While the Korean company has continued to add new regions, it has also introduced PayPal integration and Visa Checkout compatibility in the US. Samsung has also made the service available for more of its budget handsets in the form of a stripped down version called Samsung Pay Mini, where before it could only be used on high-end Galaxy phones. Apparently, Samsung doesn't want to stop there and now wants to bring its payments app to other non-Samsung Android phones.

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104

Leaked Android 4.4 Build For The Galaxy S4 Shows White Icons In The Status Bar, New Camera Lockscreen Shortcut, And More

Bertel King, Jr.

Last month we took a look at Google's Android Compatibility Definition Document, which stated that OEMs must use white icons if they're using translucent status bars. This change could provide a more uniform experience across Android devices, something that would be better for consumers and developers alike. But the question remains - will OEMs play ball? Well, the folks at SamMobile have gotten their hands on a leaked Android 4.4 build for the Galaxy S4, and it looks like the answer, at least from the leading Android manufacturer, may be yes.

Sam1 Sam2 Sam3

That's right, those are white icons in the status bar up there.

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59

Google's Android Compatibility Definition Document Says OEMs Must Use White Icons If They're Using Translucent System Bars - But Will They?

Bertel King, Jr.

With any luck, Android users may soon have more consistent system bar icons regardless of whether they buy their devices from HTC, LG, or Samsung. The latest version of the Android Compatibility Definition Document states that OEMs must use white status icons so that app developers taking advantage of Android 4.4's new translucent system bars can provide a consistent user experience. Here is the clause in full:

From version 4.4, Android now supports a new variant theme with translucent system bars, allowing application developers to fill the area behind the status and navigation bar with their app content. To enable a consistent developer experience in this configuration, it is important the status bar icon style is maintained across different device implementations.

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62

Samsung To Announce Deal With Lookout, Antivirus To Be Bundled With New Samsung Phones [Update: Confirmed]

Ryan Whitwam

Update: Lookout has confirmed the deal. PR is at the bottom of the post, if you're interested.

The assortment of apps you have to wade through when powering on a new phone for the first time is about to grow by one. Samsung is expected to announced on Wednesday that is has licensed Lookout's anti-malware suit for all its upcoming Android devices. No word yet on whether or not current devices will get Lookout as an update.

3293b0d1lookout-security

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72

Editorial: Why On-Screen Virtual Buttons In Android Ice Cream Sandwich Will Be Great

Ron Amadeo

Ice Cream Sandwich will be the first phone version of Android to support virtual buttons. It seems like a lot of people don’t "get" the whole idea behind them. If used correctly, virtual buttons will be way better than the painted on Back/Home/Menu/Search we have now. So I figured I would lay out the benefits for everyone and hopefully start a nice discussion.

For starters, virtual buttons are much better UI

  • They can change orientation with the phone so they are always in the same place.
  • Situational buttons (like Menu and Search) can disappear when they are unusable. You’ll no longer have to guess if Menu will do something.
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