Latest news with #AamirSiddiqui
Android Authority
6 days ago
- Android Authority
RCS chats not connecting? Google Messages may soon make it easier to diagnose (APK teardown)
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR Google Messages may be about to add a 'Details' button to help diagnose issues with RCS chats connections. The button was spotted within a recent beta version of the app, and includes a 'Submit feedback' option. Google has previously advised users to provide this kind of technical info if they're having problems with the feature. If you've ever found RCS chats registration stuck on 'Connecting' or 'Verifying' in Google Messages, you know how frustrating it is. Google may be about to introduce a small but helpful tool that could get the issue diagnosed a lot quicker. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. In Google Messages version ' we spotted a flag-restricted feature that adds a new 'Details' button to the RCS chat settings screen while registration is in progress. This debug-style popup reveals technical info like your status code, carrier, and device IDs — exactly the kind of details Google's support team needs to help you out, but often don't receive. A pinned Reddit post by the official GoogleHelpCommunity account urges frustrated users to include data like carrier, device model, and app version when reporting issues. But most people don't — either because they don't know the full details or are unaware of Google's advice. This new Details button looks like Google's direct response to that problem, making it easier for users to collect and share the information when the issue happens. You can see how it looks in the screenshots below. The Details button appears just below the Status It disappears once you are successfully connected. There's also a built-in 'Submit feedback' button that automatically attaches a screenshot of the details dialog and other system logs to help the Messages team diagnose problems faster. It's far from a guarantee that they'll get on to your issue in a timely manner, but the info is handy context for both you and Google. Once RCS successfully connects, the Details option disappears from the settings. Again, this feature is only visible in the beta build with specific flags enabled, and it's not guaranteed to be rolled out. However, its presence strongly suggests that Google is actively working to improve RCS troubleshooting after years of vague error messages. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
14-07-2025
- Android Authority
OnePlus earbuds could soon make Spotify access seamless (APK teardown)
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR Code within the HeyMelody app suggests OnePlus and OPPO earbuds could soon get Spotify Tap functionality. Spotify Tap allows instant music playback with a double or triple tap on compatible earbuds. It's unknown if the feature will be coming to existing earbuds from the companies, or if they will be exclusive to products slated for the near future. OnePlus makes some great earbuds, with recent options like the OnePlus Buds 4 slotting in nicely at $130 for a mid-range option that works out for most people. Earbuds from OnePlus are fairly feature-packed for their price, but the company could be looking to add another touch of convenience to them with the upcoming Spotify Tap feature. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Spotify Tap is a feature that lets you instantly start playing music from Spotify on compatible audio wearables with a tap. This feature enables you to get straight to your music, without needing to unlock your phone to open the Spotify app. You'd still need to have your phone on you since the music will ultimately play from your phone, but it's a convenient way to get to your music if that's what you use your earbuds and headphones primarily for. Spotify Tap is already supported on devices from Jabra, Sony, Bose, and Marshall, and OPPO and OnePlus could also be joining the list. We found code related to the Spotify Tap feature within the HeyMelody app v115.8, which controls various settings on OPPO and OnePlus earbuds. We managed to activate the feature for an early look: AssembleDebug / Android Authority As the feature description states, you can set a double or triple tap on either earbud to resume Spotify music playback on your connected phone. You can redo the gesture to switch to a recommended song. Note that we had to play around with some background settings to get the options to show up, so there's a chance that you may be able to set this feature on only one earbud at a time, not both, and with either a double or a triple tap, not both — the confusing settings option and layout are likely to be refined if and when the feature goes live for users. It's unclear which OnePlus or OPPO earbuds will get this feature. The feature could roll out to existing products as long as they are compatible, but it wouldn't be too surprising to learn that it is compatible only with select upcoming hardware. Neither OnePlus nor OPPO has confirmed this feature yet, so we'll have to wait for either company to officially announce Spotify Tap functionality for their products. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
10-07-2025
- Android Authority
Google Phone app has more Material 3 Expressive changes in the works (APK teardown)
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR Google has already rolled out many Material 3 Expressive changes to the Google Phone app, but more changes are in the pipeline. Within the app, the Keypad will likely get its own permanent tab replacing Contacts, while Recents will be renamed Home. There will be a new sidebar that replaces the three-dot menu. Material 3 Expressive brings some of the most noticeable changes to the Android platform in recent times. While it's not a ground-up reimagination of the UX, there are plenty of subtle changes that add to a pleasant and visually different experience. Google has shown off some Material 3 Expressive changes coming to the Phone app, and the revamped call gestures have even rolled out to users. That's not all, though, as the company has more changes in the pipeline for the Phone app. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Phone by Google v182.0 beta includes code for the upcoming changes for the keypad tab and the sidebar. We managed to activate them to give you a better look ahead of their impending release: Google Phone app - Current UI Google Phone app - Upcoming UI The current UI for the Phone app has tabs for Recents and Contacts and a floating action button for the Keypad. Soon, Recents will be renamed Home, while the Contacts tab will be replaced with the Keypad tab as Google eliminates the floating action button, as it has already shown off these changes. To get to the Contacts page, a new View contacts chip will likely be at the top. Google Phone app - Current UI Google Phone app - Upcoming UI When you go to the Keypad tab, the new UI will likely continue to show the Home tab at the bottom. This will be a bit more convenient, as the current UI requires tapping the back button on the top left to minimize the UI triggered by the floating action button. The Call button will likely shift up a bit to accommodate the new tabs, which might hinder some muscle memory. Google Phone app - Current UI Google Phone app - Upcoming UI The Recents tab in the current UI also houses a three-dot menu button in the search bar at the top. This button will likely go away in favor of a sidebar with the same options. Here's a video demo of these three changes for a better look: We're still waiting on Google to release these changes to everyone. We'll keep you updated when we learn more. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
Google is turning Circle to Search into the game guru you never knew you needed
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR Google is introducing gaming help for Circle to Search. Players can now use the feature to get tips or learn more about a title when gaming on mobile. The feature is designed to help you find tips related to your exact spot in the game. Whether you're an expert gamer or not, it's easy for any player to find themselves stuck in a game. Thankfully, there's no shortage of walkthroughs and strategy guides to turn to on the internet. While you previously had to search for this help manually, you'll now be able to let Circle to Search do the work for you. During Galaxy Unpacked, it was announced that Circle to Search is gaining a new ability. Google is introducing gaming help to Android's AI-powered search feature. As the company explains, you'll now be able to get tips, identify a new character, and find winning strategies by using Circle to Search. This new function is designed to help you find tips related to wherever you are in the game. If you follow our APK teardowns, you may remember that Android Authority first spotted this function back in January. At the time, it appeared as a chip above the search box, with the text 'Get Game Help.' Tapping on the chip takes a screenshot of where you are in the game and adds the text 'Get help with this game' to perform a quick Google Search. It goes without saying that the results you get from this feature will likely vary. If Google Search doesn't recognize the context of the screenshot, you'll likely need to refine the search as you would normally do when performing a search manually. Regardless, it's a nice addition to Circle to Search's growing list of capabilities. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
08-07-2025
- Android Authority
Google could soon protect your Android device from dangerous PWAs and WebAPKs (APK teardown)
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR Google could soon extend Play Protect to scan PWAs and WebAPKs during installation. This new feature could protect users from malicious PWAs used for phishing and data theft. Google has been silently protecting most Android devices through Google Play Protect, scanning the apps that users have installed, and warning them of nefarious ones. While platform-native apps remain the most popular method to access a service, Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) remain a good web-centric alternative. Unfortunately, bad actors will exploit any medium they can lay their hands on, and it becomes imperative for Google to protect its user base. We've now spotted code that suggests that Google Play Protect will start scanning Progressive Web Apps during installation to check for security issues, adding one more layer of security for users. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Google Play Store v46.9.20-31 includes the following code: Code Copy Text PlayProtect__enable_gpp_install_verification_for_pwa Here, PWA refers to Progressive Web Apps. The flag would enable Play Protect to verify the PWAs during their installation. Yes, PWAs can be installed on a device, usually through an 'Add to Home screen' button from the browser app. If you do this through Chrome on Android, you get a WebAPK, which gives the PWA a space in your app drawer (in addition to the space on the home screen) and integrates it more deeply into the Android system than a regular PWA. We also spotted code bits hinting at WebAPK scanning: AssembleDebug / Android Authority While the code mentions scanning PWAs and WebAPKs, it doesn't explain why Google would want to do so. There have been reports of malicious actors using PWAs and WebAPKs to phish and steal user information, so it's possible that Google could be aiming to protect its users from such phishing attempts by proactively warning them whenever a bad PWA or WebAPK is installed. There are plenty of other questions to answer, like how PWA and WebAPK scanning would work if this does roll out. For usual apps distributed through the Play Store, Google already has an extensive database of apps against which it can check for tampering and other threats through Play Protect. Such a database is difficult to envisage for the entirety of the PWA universe, so we're curious to know how Google plans to approach this if it goes ahead. PWA and WebAPK scanning are not currently available in Play Protect, and Google has not announced the feature either. We'll update you when we learn more. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
