Latest news with #GooglePlayServices
Android Authority
18-05-2025
- Android Authority
Standby for Hub Mode: Google wants to turn your Android phone into a smart display
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR Google appears to be developing an Android equivalent to iOS's Standby Mode, hinted at by a Google Play Services update and code found in Android 16. This new feature will likely leverage an enhanced Hub Mode, which is being optimized for phones and will integrate lock screen widgets in Android 16 QPR1. The rollout of Qi2 magnetic wireless charging for Android devices is a key enabler, allowing phones to be easily docked horizontally like smart displays. One of iOS's standout features is Standby Mode, which transforms an iPhone into a mini smart display. When charging and placed horizontally, iPhones activate Standby Mode, displaying a full-screen clock, photo frame, widgets, or Live Activities. This feature particularly shines when using a MagSafe charger, as it truly gives the iPhone the appearance of a smart display. While Android currently lacks a direct equivalent to iOS' Standby Mode, there are hints that Google may be developing its own version. Here's how I know. You're reading an Authority Insights story. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. Last week, Google updated its Google System Release Notes page with an intriguing line for Google Play Services v25.18. It mentions a 'new feature' that lets you 'use Cast on standby-friendly devices,' specifically tagged with [Phone], indicating it's for the mobile version of Android, not Wear OS, Google TV, Google Play Games on PC, or Android Automotive. While somewhat ambiguous, we interpret this to mean Android mobile devices can now cast content to 'standby-friendly' devices. Existing Google Cast-compatible devices—like Google TV, Google Home smart speakers and displays, and tablets in Hub Mode—likely don't fall into this new 'standby-friendly' category, suggesting Google is referring to a different set of hardware. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority The Google Pixel Tablet in Hub Mode. So, what devices might Google mean by 'standby-friendly?' My interpretation is that this refers to Android phones equipped with Hub Mode and Chromecast built-in, much like the Pixel Tablet. Technically, the only barrier to Android phones acting as Google Cast receivers has been the absence of the Chromecast built-in app and necessary DRM keys, not a fundamental hardware limitation. The likely reason Google hasn't enabled its phones as Cast receivers before is the potential for a suboptimal user experience. Casting typically targets landscape-oriented devices like TVs and smart displays. Most phones, however, remain in portrait mode even when docked, largely because, unlike iPhones, many Android phones lack magnetic wireless charging that would facilitate easy landscape placement on a charger. This hardware difference may explain why Google hasn't prioritized optimizing the screen saver or lock screen widget experience for phone screens. However, the landscape is clearly shifting. Firstly, the Qi2 wireless charging standard introduces magnetic charging to Android phones. While currently, only one Qi2 Android phone is available, Samsung has confirmed it's launching a Qi2-compatible Galaxy device this year. Google has also repeatedly stated its commitment to expanding Qi2 support within the Android ecosystem and even spearheaded the development of the Qi v2.2 standard, which promises charging speeds exceeding the 15W maximum of Qi2. Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority A Pixel 9 Pro mounted on a Qi2 desk stand thanks to a third-party MagSafe case Although there's no official confirmation that the upcoming Google Pixel 10 will support Qi2 or Qi v2.2, it wouldn't be surprising if it did, as Google's recent advancements align well with the Pixel 10's potential release timeline. After all, the Pixel 10 might launch as early as August, assuming Google follows a similar schedule to the Pixel 9. And Google confirmed earlier this year its plans to introduce lock screen widgets to phones in Android 16's first quarterly release (QPR1). The Pixel 10 will likely debut with Android 16 and shortly after receive an update to Android 16 QPR1, enabling lock screen widget support. Notably, the lock screen widget feature is part of Android's Hub Mode, which Google is currently optimizing for phones. Considering this, it's reasonable to conclude that Hub Mode will serve as Android's version of Standby Mode. When Hub Mode arrives on phones with Android 16 QPR1, users will be able to seamlessly switch between their screen saver (displaying clocks, photo frames, etc.) and their widgets. Sound familiar? That's precisely how Standby Mode functions on iOS. While I admit that the evidence for a dedicated Standby Mode on Android has been somewhat circumstantial, there's more to it than just that single line in the Google System Release Notes. In fact, while examining Android 16's code, I discovered a new string indicating Google plans to add a 'Standby' button to Android's Global Action dialog (the power menu). Code Copy Text Standby Digging deeper, I learned that this new 'Standby' button is designed to trigger the screen saver and lock screen widgets, effectively tying all these elements together. So, while the initial clue might have been weak, this new link strengthens the case, and I think my overall conclusion is solid. Qi2 charging support is undoubtedly coming to more Android devices; it's a matter of when, not if. In preparation for a future where Android phones can be easily docked horizontally on wireless chargers, Google is enhancing Hub Mode for phones, allowing them to offer more than just a basic clock or photo display. Whether we see Android phones leveraging this expanded Hub Mode this year or next remains to be seen, but its arrival seems inevitable. 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
Your Android phone will soon warn you about that sketchy app sneakily changing icons
Joe Hindy / Android Authority TL;DR Google Play Protect will soon detect when an app changes its icon, and alert users to this behavior. Malicious apps sometimes change their app icon to evade removal, so this should help in a big way. Play Protect is also gaining improved on-device detection of malware. Google Play Protect is one of the first lines of defense against malicious apps on your Android phone. Google recently beefed up this service with real-time scanning protection, and the company has now announced more additions. Google confirmed that Play Protect's live threat detection feature can now detect when an app changes its icon, subsequently alerting users about this behavior. Malicious app developers sometimes change their app icons to make it more difficult for users to remove them. So this will be another welcome layer of defense against sketchy apps. Google says this new capability will be available in the coming months on the Pixel 6 series and newer and a 'selection of new devices from other manufacturers.' This isn't the only addition, as Play Protect also brings enhanced on-device detection capabilities: Google Play Protect now uses a new set of on-device rules to specifically look for text or binary patterns to quickly identify malware families. If an app shows these malicious patterns, we can alert you before you even install it. The company adds that these on-device rules will be 'frequently' updated to protect you from new and emerging types of malware. This feature may have been in the pipeline for a while, as we discovered a rules-based approach to on-device scanning almost a year ago. In any event, Google says this enhanced approach to malware scanning is now available to all Android users with Google Play Services. 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
Google shares its fix for Remote Lock's biggest flaw
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority TL;DR Google is adding a security question to Remote Lock to prevent unauthorized use. Remote Lock previously only required a phone number from your Google account, making it easy to exploit. The new feature will roll out later in the year, along with other new security measures announced today. Google's Remote Lock feature is getting a much-needed security upgrade, with a new layer of verification being added. At today's I/O event, the company confirmed that users will soon have more control over Remote Lock by adding a security question. The obvious advantage is to prevent unauthorized attempts to lock someone else's Android phone remotely. We'd previously glimpsed this feature, with strings in the beta version of Google Play Services hinting that users would soon be prompted to answer a security question before Remote Lock could be activated. These included standard prompts like 'What was the name of your first pet?' and 'What's your mother's maiden name?' The former question was shown on the screen in today's showcase. Google Remote Lock is part of Android's Find My Device suite and allows users to lock their lost or stolen phone remotely. Until now, the process only required a phone number. That meant anyone with access to a browser logged into your Google account could, theoretically, lock your device. While unlocking the phone still required biometrics or a PIN, the potential for misuse made the feature ripe for abuse, whether by a disgruntled partner or mischievous kids. Google had previously tested a different verification method using a date-based challenge, but that idea now appears to have been shelved in favor of traditional security questions, which are usually harder to guess or discover via social media. The new feature is expected to roll out sometime later in the year. 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
Android 16's new Intrusion Logging feature helps detect if your phone was hacked
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google announced Intrusion Logging, a new Android 16 feature to help high-risk users detect if their device has been compromised by hackers. It securely backs up encrypted activity logs (like network info and app installs) to the cloud, accessible only to the user for forensic analysis. The feature uses the new Intrusion Detection API, isn't enabled by default, and requires activating Advanced Protection mode to use. People working in certain fields, such as government, the business sector, or journalism, face a high risk of being targeted by sophisticated hackers. These attackers often go beyond simple phishing tricks, deploying advanced malware that silently compromises a device and its data. To better protect these at-risk users, Google has announced Intrusion Logging, a new security feature in Android 16 designed to help users detect if their device has been compromised. According to Google, Intrusion Logging is an 'industry-first feature' that 'securely backs up device logs in a privacy-preserving and tamper-resistant way.' These logs are 'stored in the cloud using end-to-end encryption,' making them 'accessible only to the user.' If a device compromise is suspected, investigators can perform forensic analysis on these logs to search for suspicious activity. Google's announcement today doesn't provide many details about Intrusion Logging, but we detailed its functions in an APK teardown earlier this month. Intrusion Logging collects 'activity logs' which include details such as USB connection events, network info like Browse history, app installs, Bluetooth connections, lock screen info, and Wi-Fi connections. Your activity logs are encrypted using your Google account password and device lock screen, ensuring that only you can view them. These logs are stored in a 'private and encrypted Google Drive,' providing further protection against unauthorized access. Under the hood, Intrusion Logging makes use of a new API in Android 16 called Intrusion Detection (hence its current in-development name). The API 'collects various device events for off-device investigation of potential device compromise.' It's similar to the network logging feature offered by Android's device administration API used by enterprise management apps, but it does not require device management software and can be used by existing system apps like Google Play Services. Although the Intrusion Detection API is already available in Android 16, Google has yet to integrate it into Google Play Services. Therefore, the Intrusion Logging feature will roll out later this year instead of with Android 16's launch. Because of its target audience, it won't be enabled by default. Enabling Intrusion Logging requires users to turn on the Advanced Protection security mode in Android 16. 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.
Digital Trends
05-05-2025
- Digital Trends
Intriguing feature shows Google's serious about security in Android 16
Google is taking security seriously in Android 16, and features proving it are beginning to be spotted inside code for apps related to the next version of its mobile operating system. One such feature is being referred to as the Intrusion Detection System, and it has been found inside code for the Google Play Services app, along with references to it in Android 16 according to a report by Android Authority. The Intrusion Detection System's name gives much of its functionality away. It collects data on specific network and device activity, and stores it in a secure, encrypted log, ready for you to examine should you suspect your device or Google account has been hacked or accessed without your approval. It's not clear if the feature will directly alert you to suspicious activity though. Recommended Videos Data collected will include information on lock screen activity, web browsing history, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection information, app installations, and activity through the USB port. While the average phone user probably won't need to worry much about hackers exploiting their phones using these methods, anyone who uses their phone for business, or for businesses deploying multiple Android phones to employees, may find it invaluable. Information collected by the Intrusion Detection System will be stored in an encrypted Google Drive folder, according to the Google Play Services code, and requires both the device's lock screen security and your Google account password to be entered before gaining access to the decrypted log. If the Intrusion Detection System does become a final feature in Android 16, it may be part of Google's Advanced Protection Program. Introduced several years ago, the Advanced Protection System is expected to gain various new features in Android 16, including the ability to prevent 2G network access, and more robust methods to prevent the installation of unknown apps, which again may better protect phones used for business. It's not certain the Intrusion Detection System will make it into Android 16, as Google may only be testing the feature for now, but it does fit in with Android 16's enhanced security features we already know about. Google will reveal more about Android 16 on May 13 during a dedicated Android event, ahead of its annual developer conference, Google I/O on May 20. Please enable Javascript to view this content
