Latest news with #AndroidPolice
Phone Arena
an hour ago
- General
- Phone Arena
Pixel users running the QPR beta can protects their phone and personal data with a single tap
If you own a Pixel 6 or later model and you're running the Android 16 QPR 1 Beta 1 release (which includes the September Pixel Feature Drop), eventually you will notice a new option in Settings called "Personal & device safety." Note that this has not yet been disseminated to every Pixel user who downloaded the new QPR 1 beta. For example, my Pixel 6 Pro with the beta software installed has yet to receive this new listing. So when you open Settings and tap on Advanced Protection you can toggle on device protection. This will turn on several layers of protection covering Device Safety, Apps, Network and Wi-Fi, Web, Phone by Google, and Google Messages. Device Safety includes features such as Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device lock. If your phone detects that it is being stolen, it will automatically lock itself. If the phone is offline for extended periods, it also will lock itself. With device protection enabled, a feature known as Unknown Apps prevents users from installing apps from app stores that were not pre-loaded on their phones. Tap the device protection toggle and several security tools are turned on automatically. | Image credit-Android Police With the device protection toggle on, while browsing the Web, if you use Chrome, it will make sure that all sites use HTTPS for greater protection whenever possible. Chrome will also disable the Javascript optimizer to reduce the chances of a security issue. Found in the Settings of Pixel units running the latest Android 16 QPR 1 beta, you can protect your Pixel and your personal data with a single tap. | Image credit-Android Police Safety features for the Phone app will include Caller ID & Spam which identifies known spam numbers before you pick up the phone. In markets where it is supported, an AI assistant will screen incoming calls and decline to answer spam calls. Scam Detection gives you real-time warnings if a call you are in the middle of shows the signs of being a scam. On Pixel devices that have 2G protection, 2G calls will be blocked except for emergency calls. Apps on your device will be able to see if device protection is on, and when it is on, some websites might not load correctly. Keep in mind that these are not new features. What is new is the ability of Pixel users to turn them all on with one tap of a toggle switch. This is actually a pretty exciting feature that I'm looking forward to using on my Pixel 6 Pro when it arrives on the phone, which should be shortly. To get the update, tap on this link to get to the Android Beta Program for Pixel web page. Tap on the bar that reads, "View your eligible device." You will be sent to a page with a photo of your Pixel and under the image will be a prompt reading, "Opt in to Android 16 QPR 1 Beta." Tap on it and in a few minutes go to System > Software updates and follow the directions to install the beta. Before you even get this far, make sure that you backup your data. Being a beta release, you can expect to see some features, even some you count on, fail to work correctly.
Forbes
18 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Samsung Confirms Galaxy ‘Kill Switch'—This Changes Android
This is a game changer Republished on May 31 with news on One UI 8's release schedule, which brings the new kill switch and other security upgrades. Samsung is moving quickly to recover ground lost through its One UI 7 delays. The Galaxy-maker has now confirmed that early access to the One UI 8 beta is now available, 'kicking off a new era of software intelligence.' What happens next is critical. How far will Samsung fall behind Pixel's unbeatable June release? But the advantage Samsung has this time is the relatively modest scale of One UI 8 versus the wholesale One UI 7 update that still has not completed its rollout. But literally hidden in amongst the various tweaks we know are coming is a brilliant update that could be a game-changer. 'Think of it as a kill switch for your private digital life.' That's how Android Police describes the new 'Hide Secure Folder' button that instantly disappears the folder's icon and apps. 'When hidden, 'apps and data stored in Secure Folder are encrypted.' All apps within the folder will stop working and you will not receive any notifications from them until you unhide and decrypt the Secure Folder.' This I really like. It is an OS-level deployment of the kind of personal security and privacy that's much needed when kids and others might browse through your phone, playing games or watching media or looking at photos. It also stops awkward notifications appearing when your phone might be on view to others. Android Authority has done its usual deep dive on the new upgrade, and says 'Secure Folder on One UI 8 is easier to use and safer than ever.' This is especially welcome given the security vulnerabilities highlighted with Secure Folder in recent months, and that Samsung has chosen to go a different way to Android's generic Private Space. The other headline upgrade is forcing users to re-enrol their biometric security for Secure Folder, separating it into its own enclave. This means if you've enrolled someone else's fingerprint for generic phone access — one of your kids or your partner, that does not mean they will have access to the personal Secure Folder which is hived off. 'While your lock screen already helps keep the data on your phone safe from casual access,' Android Authority says, this 'offers an extra layer of security, particularly handy if you know that other people are going to be using your device. You can move your most private data to its encrypted protection, and even hide its presence entirely.' Galaxy's new 'kill switch' That kill switch will grab the headlines though, 'a new Quick Settings button not just hides the Secure Folder without forcing you to did through settings menus, but also shuts down the apps you've moved there and silences their notifications. Considering this is where Samsung encourages us to keep our most sensitive stuff, a super-quick way to just sweep it all under the rug feels like a completely on-brand addition.' This should completely change how you use Android and think about carving out data and apps that are for you and you alone. Once live, if this is a seamless and polished as promised, it's something other phones — including iPhone — should copy. Meanwhile, there's encouraging news for Samsung users who have just received One UI 7 and Android 15 after those long delays and will now be asking when One UI 8, Android 16 and the latest Secure Folder update will make it onto their phones. Per SammyFans, 'the company is targeting an ambitious summer 2025 stable release timeline, potentially arriving as early as July, months ahead of Samsung's traditional fall update schedule. This accelerated development cycle aligns with Google's earlier-than-usual Android 16 launch, expected in June 2025, placing Samsung among the first manufacturers to deliver the latest Android experience to users.' Android 16 brings a new level of security to phones, with Google's new Advanced Data Mode shutting down many of its vulnerabilities, such as sideloaded apps and higher-risk network connections. This is now in beta on Pixels and is expected to come to Samsungs as well, albeit Galaxy phones are already better locked down than Pixels. Samsung and Google have been at pains to stress the collaboration between the two companies as they accelerate the process of pushing One UI 8 out to users. This is unsurprising. One UI 7's delays leading to a six-month-plus gap between Pixel owners and Galaxy owners was a disaster no one wants to see again. 'By prioritizing speed, stability, and innovation,' SammyFans says, 'Samsung signals it's done playing catch-up. For Samsung, One UI 8 represents not just a software update but a strategic repositioning that could redefine Galaxy users' expectations for future releases.' It's now down to what actually happens over the coming weeks.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Google might redesign Phone app with new call answering options: Details
Google might be planning to redesign the Phone app. According to a report by 9To5Google, the US technology company might replace the 'Swipe up to answer' (vertical) gesture with two options, the first being 'Swipe right to answer' and the second being 'Tap to accept/deny.' As per 9To5Google, earlier last year, Google experimented with simplified 'Decline' and 'Answer' buttons for certain users, featuring red and green circular icons similar to those on Wear OS. More recently, Google's Phone app began developing a pill-shaped interface that lets users swipe left to decline and right to answer calls. As per the report, it was introduced in March with version 166, but has not yet been officially launched. Users who came across these under-testing features assumed that the tap to decline or answer buttons would get replaced with the horizontal pill-shaped interface. However, as per a report by Android Police, Google might just keep both options in the Phone app. In related news, Google is introducing an AI-powered feature to Drive that can analyse video files to provide summaries and answer questions about their content. Previously, this capability helped users by summarising documents and PDFs within Google Drive, removing the need to manually review these files. Now, it extends to video content, allowing users to avoid watching long meeting recordings or classes by receiving concise summaries instead.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Samsung's Galaxy ‘Kill Switch' Completely Changes Your Phone
This is a game changer Samsung is moving quickly to recover ground lost through its One UI 7 delays. The Galaxy-maker has now confirmed that early access to the One UI 8 beta is now available, 'kicking off a new era of software intelligence.' What happens next is critical. How far will Samsung fall behind Pixel's unbeatable June release? But the advantage Samsung has this time is the relatively modest scale of One UI 8 versus the wholesale One UI 7 update that still has not completed its rollout. But literally hidden in amongst the various tweaks we know are coming is a brilliant update that could be a game-changer. 'Think of it as a kill switch for your private digital life.' That's how Android Police describes the new 'Hide Secure Folder' button that instantly disappears the folder's icon and apps. 'When hidden, 'apps and data stored in Secure Folder are encrypted.' All apps within the folder will stop working and you will not receive any notifications from them until you unhide and decrypt the Secure Folder.' This I really like. It is an OS-level deployment of the kind of personal security and privacy that's much needed when kids and others might browse through your phone, playing games or watching media or looking at photos. It also stops awkward notifications appearing when your phone might be on view to others. Android Authority has done its usual deep dive on the new upgrade, and says 'Secure Folder on One UI 8 is easier to use and safer than ever.' This is especially welcome given the security vulnerabilities highlighted with Secure Folder in recent months, and that Samsung has chosen to go a different way to Android's generic Private Space. Galaxy's new 'kill switch' The other headline upgrade is forcing users to re-enrol their biometric security for Secure Folder, separating it into its own enclave. This means if you've enrolled someone else's fingerprint for generic phone access — one of your kids or your partner, that does not mean they will have access to the personal Secure Folder which is hived off. 'While your lock screen already helps keep the data on your phone safe from casual access,' Android Authority says, this 'offers an extra layer of security, particularly handy if you know that other people are going to be using your device. You can move your most private data to its encrypted protection, and even hide its presence entirely.' That kill switch will grab the headlines though, 'a new Quick Settings button not just hides the Secure Folder without forcing you to did through settings menus, but also shuts down the apps you've moved there and silences their notifications. Considering this is where Samsung encourages us to keep our most sensitive stuff, a super-quick way to just sweep it all under the rug feels like a completely on-brand addition.' This should completely change how you use your phone and think about carving out data and apps that are for you and you alone. Once live, if this is a seamless and polished as promised, it's something other phones — including iPhone — should copy.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Watching Material 3 Expressive spread, slowly
Material 3 Expressive is one small step in design language for Android, but it may be a leap too far for partner brands to truly get along with. The Android Police podcast looks into the sketchboards at Google and Samsung.
