Latest news with #Contacts
Phone Arena
5 hours ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Check out how Google plans on improving the native Google Phone app for Android
The first thing you might notice is that the name of the person who is calling you or you're calling appears larger on the top of the display (that person and his/her phone number need to be in your Contacts app) and the caller photos will also be larger. The keypad, mute, speaker, and more buttons are no longer round but are oval. When tapped, these buttons change shapes. The answer call button remains a circle. The new look for the Phone by Google Android app. | Image credit-Android Authority Google has removed the "Call from" text that appears on the top of the screen when there is an incoming phone call. After you answer a call, the phone number of the other party will remain on the display, unlike the current design that shows the number replaced by the length of the call. With the redesign, the time of the call is moved to the top of the screen. Also added is a new animation showing the profile picture for the incoming caller. The current look for the Phone by Google Android app. | Image credit-Android Authority This new look shouldn't be surprising since Google loves making changes to its native Android apps every now and then. The changes made aren't earth-shattering but users might find it easier to read the name of the person calling them with the larger-sized text being used. The larger pill-shaped end button should be easier to press when your fingers are fumbling for the red end button and you're having trouble tapping it cleanly. This is what Google is all about. Redesigns to apps that seem minor might actually improve an Android user's experience with the platform.
Android Authority
3 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Pixel VIPs could be the Contacts app upgrade you didn't know you needed (APK teardown)
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR Google is testing a new 'Pixel VIPs' home screen widget within the Contacts app that centralizes info from key contacts. The widget shows recent calls, messages (including WhatsApp), location data, birthdays, and allows notes for up to eight key people. The widget is still in its testing phase and may be released in a future update to Pixel devices. Google has been working on a new Pixel VIPs widget for the Google Contacts app. This widget could seemingly make it easier to view all your communication history with the people who matter the most to you. We also spotted that the feature could integrate third-party communication apps too, with WhatsApp being one of the first integrations. We now bring to you a comprehensive look at the Pixel VIPs widget and how it could work on your Pixel. 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. Thanks to a source, we got access to the introduction video for the Pixel Besties feature from within the Pixel Tips app. Take a look at the video below: The presence of paw print icons indicates that this is a 'dogfood' build, i.e., a build used for internal testing. So it's likely that the feature will roll out to Pixel devices in an upcoming update, perhaps with Android 16 QPR1. As the introduction video showcases, Google Contacts' Pixel VIPs widget lets you see the last call and messages (including from WhatsApp), real-time location, birthday reminders, and more of up to eight contacts that you set as your VIPs. Once the feature is rolled out, you can set it up by opening the Contacts app, navigating to the Organize tab, and tapping Pixel VIPs. Here, you will be able to choose up to eight VIPs. You'll have to give permissions for the first-time setup. Once done, you can add the Pixel VIPs widget to your home screen. The Pixel VIPs widget is 4×1 in size on your home screen and will display the contacts you have selected as your VIPs. Clicking on a contact here will open a Google Contacts profile listing important details, such as their Birthday, last call and WhatsApp message, and location update. The location update also seems to include local weather and time information, which is a nice touch. There's also a section called 'Notes' that would let you add notes about the person. Further, there's also a 'Things to do together' section, although details on how it is populated are not available at the moment. Finally, there's a 'See all' button at the end. Also, don't miss the quick call, SMS, and WhatsApp shortcuts right at the header, alongside the three-dot menu button presumably for the Contacts app. The Pixel Besties widget is undoubtedly a neat touch, one that would put your most important relationships right on your phone's home screen. This first iteration already looks interesting, though I would love to see Google expand on the idea with a 'Feed' widget too, that could highlight upcoming birthdays and any timed notes, for instance. Right now, it looks like you have to manually pull up the contact card through the widget to learn this information. Surfacing this info right on the home screen would be pretty helpful and would save all of us a few clicks and the embarrassment of missing birthdays. 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
13-05-2025
- Android Authority
These new Android tools could stop scammers from robbing your loved ones blind
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Google is introducing new security features across Android, Messages, and Contacts to combat increasingly sophisticated text and phone scams. Android adds in-call protections, blocking sensitive actions like sideloading and warning about screen sharing with unknown contacts. Messages gets broader on-device scam detection, while Key Verifier in Contacts will help confirm contact identities to prevent impersonation. Text and phone call scams have been a problem for years, but recent advancements in AI have made them increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect. While awareness and vigilance are crucial for identifying these scams before they succeed, Google is stepping in to help protect users. The company is introducing new security features across Android, Messages, and Contacts specifically aimed at exposing scammers and preventing people from falling victim. New in-call security protections in Android Many scammers try to pressure victims into installing malware on their Android phone or leaking financial details during phone calls, often employing psychological tricks aided by voice manipulation tools. To combat this, Android is introducing enhanced protections during calls, including disabling certain sensitive actions and warning users if they might be speaking with a scammer. One key protection, which Google piloted in Singapore last year and has now rolled out globally, prevents users from disabling Google Play Protect while on a phone call. Google Play Protect is Android's built-in security feature that safeguards users from potentially harmful apps and malware. Enabled by default on devices with Google Play Store access, it scans apps before installation, monitors app behavior for suspicious activity, and can warn about or automatically remove dangerous apps. Blocking its deactivation during calls removes a loophole scammers might try to exploit. Next, Android 16 will block users from enabling two sensitive capabilities often exploited by scammers during phone calls: app sideloading and accessibility services. Scammers frequently guide victims to sideload malicious apps from unknown sources, so Android 16 will temporarily prevent users from enabling the 'Install unknown apps' permission while on a call. Similarly, scammers trick victims into granting powerful accessibility permissions to malicious apps, allowing them to read screen content and control the device. To counter this, Android 16 will block users from enabling accessibility services for any app during a phone call, although services that were already enabled before the call will continue to function. Google Dialog warning the user that they can't enable an app's accessibility service during a phone call in Android 16. Lastly, Android is getting new protections against screen-sharing bank scams. If you're screen sharing a banking app while on a phone call with an unknown contact, Android will 'warn you about the potential dangers and give you the option to end the call and to stop screen sharing with one tap.' Google is working with several banks in the UK to pilot this feature in the coming weeks and will assess the results ahead of a wider rollout. The feature works on Android 11 and later and will be automatically enabled for participating banking apps. Google Dialog warning the user not to screen share during a phone call with an unknown contact Google says these new in-call protections happen 'completely on device' and are only applied during conversations with non-contacts, so you should still be able to help your grandparents over the phone. Better Scam Detection in Google Messages Last year, Google rolled out an update to its Google Messages app that introduced a Scam Detection feature. The feature uses an on-device AI algorithm to detect package delivery and job scams. Google is now expanding Scam Detection to detect a 'wider variety of sophisticated scams', including: Toll road and other billing fee scams Crypto scams Financial impersonation scams Gift card and prize scams Technical support scams And more Google Scam Detection in Google Messages warning about a toll scam Scam Detection in Google Messages processes your messages on-device and displays a warning whenever it detects a likely scam. Scam Detection is part of Google Messages' broader spam protection features, so to disable it, you must turn off spam detection. Verifying your contacts with Key Verifier Google is finally sharing more details on another safety feature it announced last year: Key Verifier. Key Verifier makes it harder for scammers to impersonate one of your contacts. Scammers often try to message victims using a phone number belonging to one of the victim's contacts, which can happen as the result of a SIM swap attack. Normally, there's no way to tell that the message is coming from a device that doesn't belong to your contact. With the Key Verifier feature, though, you'll know when your contact's number may have been compromised — their contact verification status will be marked as 'no longer verified' in the Google Contacts app. Scanning a QR code to verify a contact in Google Contacts Google Contacts app displaying a verified badge for verified contacts This feature works by letting you and your contact verify each other's identity through public encryption keys. You can verify your contact's keys in the Google Contacts app, either by scanning a QR code or by comparing numbers, to ensure that the person on the other end of the conversation is your genuine contact. Under the hood, this feature is powered by the Android System Key Verifier app, so if you've been wondering why that app suddenly appeared on your Android phone a few months ago, this is why. However, the Key Verifier feature isn't quite ready to launch; Google says it'll launch later this summer in the Google Messages app on Android 10+ devices. These new anti-scam protections are only some of the announcements that Google made today during The Android Show: I/O Edition. They're not even the only new security features that Google announced. For more coverage from The Android Show, check out the Android Authority home page! 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.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google to Slash Workspace Prices for U.S. Government in Major Procurement Shift
Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) has reached an agreement with the U.S. General Services Administration to lower the cost of its Workspace suite for federal agencies, placing the tech firm at the center of efforts to reduce government spending. Under the agreement, Workspace which includes tools like Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, Chat, and Meet will be discounted by 71% across all federal departments, regardless of deal size. The pricing cut is in effect through the end of the current federal fiscal year on September 30. The initiative aligns with the Trump administration's broader push to curb government expenditures. Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) continues to hold a leading position in supplying productivity software to U.S. agencies through its Office suite. The General Services Administration said the deal is part of a shift toward treating the federal government as a single customer, aiming to streamline IT procurement and generate large-scale savings. Google Public Sector's leadership echoed the strategy's benefits, emphasizing the potential for both cost efficiency and better technological performance. It's important to note that the stock rose by 1.80% this week, beating the S&P 500's 2.38% decline, but is still down 18.42% year to date. Despite the modest weekly outperformance, its 7.41% monthly dip and continued underperformance versus the sector median highlight ongoing challenges. Investors will likely monitor upcoming catalysts to determine whether this recent momentum can develop into a broader recovery. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Experts Reveal The 7 Hidden iPhone Hacks That Help Them Be More Productive
If you're an iPhone user, you know that they can be both a necessary tool for our jobs and also the very tool that keeps us from getting any work done. There are features that can help you get the most out of using an iPhone, so you remain focused. Productivity experts and professionals told HuffPost about their favorite hacks and features to help them stay on task. Try for yourself: Anna Dearmon Kornick, a time management coach, said that turning on the iPhone's Do Not Disturb feature is her go-to when she wants to avoid being distracted by notifications. 'I love it because when I set my iPhone to Do Not Disturb, it extends to my laptop notifications, too,' she said. What makes it different from Airplane Mode ― which disables your phone's ability to connect to cellular or Wi-Fi networks ― is that you can still allow certain notifications to come through, she said. 'I've noticed that a lot of productivity experts recommend putting your phone in Airplane Mode while you work, putting your phone in another room, or locking it in a drawer,' she said. 'As a mom to two little girls in daycare, Airplane Mode or going completely off the grid is not an option for me, because I need to be available in case of an emergency. Within the Do Not Disturb settings, you can allow notifications from certain people within your contacts or specific apps, so the girls' daycare is able to reach me even while I'm in Do Not Disturb mode.' To turn on Do Not Disturb: 1. Go to Settings, select Focus.2. Tap Do Not Disturb. From there, you can choose to allow notifications from selected people or apps. If you tend to forget details about the people you meet and network with, try typing in those details alongside their contact info. 'You may automatically save phone numbers and email addresses in your Contacts app, but take things a step further and utilize more information fields in Contacts,' said productivity consultant and time management coach Rashelle Isip. 'You can add in helpful information for contacts like birthdays, anniversaries, important dates, family members, and work contacts,' she said. 'You can create custom labels, add pronunciation fields, and take notes. You add in information once, and it's there for easy reference in future.' To add more details in Contacts: 1. Select your phone icon, go to Contacts and select a person's contact entry.2. From there, select Edit. You can fill in fields like birthday, URL and email, and you can write notes in the select field. 'If you have to send in a lot of signed/filled out documents like camp registration or school permission forms, and these organizations don't generally use electronic signatures, then the Notes function on an iPhone can save a ton of time,' said Laura Vanderkam, author of 'Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters.' 'It creates a PDF from your scan and you can then email it straight to whoever is asking for it,' she said. 'Other than that, I think the best productivity app is staying off your phone as much as possible.' To scan documents from your phone: 1. Open Notes and select a note or create a new one.2. Tap the paper clip icon inside Notes, select Scan Documents and place your document in the camera's view to scan.3. Your document will automatically scan if it's in Auto Mode, but you may need to manually capture a scan by tapping the Shutter button. Harleny Vasquez, a New Jersey-based career coach for social workers, said she uses the built-in Reminders app on iOS devices. 'In taking the time to create and set up reminders, it can give you the peace of mind in ensuring important tasks, meetings and deadlines are not missed or overlooked,' she said. 'These types of reminders can also help you stay organized and focused, including allowing you to set the foundation to take necessary breaks and prevent burnout.' To set up Reminders: 1. Go to the Reminders app and tap New Reminder. 2. Use the Title and Notes fields to type out what you want to remember. 3. Tap the Date and Time button to set due dates for your reminder. Tap the Photos button if you want to attach a photo with your reminder. 4. If Location Services is turned on, you can also receive location-based reminders and choose whether you want to be notified when arriving or leaving a perimeter area. 'To protect my energy and time, I use the Focus mode, which allows me to mute notifications and minimize distractions,' Vasquez said. To turn on Focus: 1. Go to Settings and select Focus. 2. Select a Focus option, such as Personal, Sleep or Work. From there, you can customize how you want to allow or silence notifications from certain people and apps during set hours. If you find yourself automatically scrolling social media or checking emails when you should be working, try setting app limits, productivity consultant Samphy Y recommends. 'I've found that endless email and social media scrolling tricks my brain into feeling busy and satisfied, when I'm really just procrastinating,' he said. 'Restricting app access flips that switch and forces me to sit with boredom and discomfort. That's when the real work happens.' For example, Y said that he restricts his access to email to only a few hours. 'I get more done in those two hours of email than I would in an unlimited email day,' he said. To set app limits: 1. Go to Settings, select Screen Time, then App Limits and select Add Limit. 2. From there, you can set daily time limits for app categories like 'social' or specific websites. Have you ever noticed how the iPhone's lock screen automatically turns on when you pick up your device? That's known as the Raise to Wake feature. Y, the productivity consultant, said that turning off the Raise to Wake feature has helped him reduce distractions, because it makes it a little harder to get sucked into automatically using his phone. To turn off Raise to Wake: 1. Go to Settings, then select Display & Brightness.2. Tap Raise to Wake to turn the setting off or on. 5 Things Productivity Experts Do If They've Been Putting Off A Task 7 Extremely Cool Things You Probably Didn't Know Your iPhone Can Do 12 Ways To Make Your iPhone Run Faster
