Latest news with #GooglePlayServices
Phone Arena
a day ago
- Phone Arena
Google wants your smartwatch to prove you're still you
Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch 7. | Image credit – PhoneArena Google's been steadily tightening the connection between Android phones and Wear OS smartwatches – and the latest hint suggests that bond is about to get a whole lot smarter. To keep things convenient, Identity Check only kicks in when your phone is outside trusted locations like your home or office. That way, you are not constantly battling security prompts in places you've already marked as safe. The goal is to add an extra layer of protection when you are out and about, making it harder for thieves to get into your phone if it's stolen. Now, though, it looks like Google is quietly working on a new upgrade that could take things even further – by using your smartwatch as a signal that you're still the one holding the phone. New code strings found in version 25.29.31 of the Google Play Services beta point to this possible upgrade. They suggest that if your watch is nearby and connected, your phone might take that as a green light – a trust signal that you're still in control – and ease up on the constant biometric checks. Now, this wouldn't get rid of the need for a fingerprint or PIN entirely. But if your smartwatch is already strapped to your wrist and unlocked with a PIN of its own, it could help cut down on all the extra steps. Less friction, same security – that's the goal. With Identity Check you can set up your own trusted places. | Image credit – Google Of course, since this is still in development, there's no guarantee it'll roll out exactly like this – or at all. But as Android's theft protection tools keep evolving, letting a smartwatch act as a trust signal makes a lot of sense… as long as a thief doesn't grab both your phone and your watch. In short, if Google nails this, Android users could get a smoother, smarter way to keep their phones secure without feeling like security slows them down. That's a win for anyone who's ever been frustrated typing in a PIN just to do something simple on their phone. When you switch to Total Wireless, keep your number & grab 3 mo. of 5G We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Android Authority
5 days ago
- Android Authority
Android might soon trust your smartwatch to help verify your identity (APK teardown)
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR Google may be working on smartwatch support for Android's Identity Check feature. A connected watch could serve as a second authentication factor outside trusted locations. The feature was spotted in the latest version of Google Play Services beta. Google recently introduced a feature called Identity Check on Android 15 and later devices, designed to add extra protection from phone theft when you're outside of predefined trusted locations. Now it looks like Google is working on an upgrade that could make the experience a little smoother — by allowing your smartwatch to play a role in verifying your identity. 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. According to strings of code we spotted in version 25.29.31 of the Google Play Services beta, Identity Check may soon recognize a connected smartwatch as a kind of trust signal. They suggest that, if your watch is nearby and connected, your phone may treat that as a sign that you're still in control. This could potentially reduce how much you need to authenticate with biometrics while not in one of your safe spots. This wouldn't necessarily remove the need for your fingerprint or PIN entirely, but it could strike a better balance between convenience and security for users who already unlock their watch with a PIN and keep it strapped to their wrist. It's a small touch that could make Android's theft protection feel a bit less intrusive in everyday use. Here are the strings we noticed: Code Copy Text With your watch connected, Identity Check automatically recognizes you while maintaining your security even when you're not in a trusted location Protection on the move with watch As an in-progress feature, we don't yet know if this addition to Identity Check will eventually roll out in a public release or if it will work exactly as we have assumed here. With Android's security tools continuing to evolve, smartwatch security integration seems like a logical next step, as long as the mugger doesn't swipe your wearable at the same time as your phone. 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.
Mint
7 days ago
- Mint
How your Android phone can alert you about an earthquake (and how to enable it)
With recent earthquakes rattling cities like Delhi and tremors felt across North India, knowing a quake is coming, even a few seconds early, can be the difference between panic and action. Most Android smartphones already have a built-in system to alert you before the worst of the shaking hits. You just need to know how to turn it on. Your phone's accelerometer, the same sensor that knows when you rotate the screen, can detect the early tremors of an earthquake, known as P-waves. These are fast but not destructive. Once detected, your phone shares anonymous location and motion data with Google's servers. If enough phones in an area pick up similar signals, the system confirms a quake is happening. Before the slower but more dangerous S-waves hit, the server sends out an alert, giving you precious seconds to react. This system is being rolled out in phases across India, with alerts already active in many large cities and quake-prone regions. If you use an Android phone running version 5.0 (Lollipop) or above and have Google Play Services enabled, you're likely covered. The alerts are automatic in supported areas, but you need to have them turned on in your settings. Follow these quick steps to activate earthquake alerts: Step 1: Open the Settings app Step 2: Scroll down to 'Safety and emergency' (on some phones, it may be under 'Location'). Step 3: Tap on 'Earthquake alerts' Step 4: Toggle the switch to Enable alerts Make sure your location is turned on. The system works best when your phone knows where you are. The data sent to Google is anonymous and used only for quake detection, not for tracking you. To check if alerts are active, search for 'Earthquake' in your Settings app and verify the toggle. If your phone buzzes with a quake warning: Drop, cover, and hold: Get under a table or sturdy surface. Stay away from windows and objects that could fall. Don't panic or run: Use the few seconds to secure yourself. Even a five-second heads-up can be life-saving. You'll need an internet or mobile signal for the alert to reach you. Remote areas with weak coverage may not benefit fully. This system is a supplement, not a replacement, for official government alerts or emergency protocols.
Mint
22-07-2025
- Mint
Google working on Fast Pair UI fix to improve TWS Bluetooth pairing on Android
It is evident that Fast Pair has come a long way since it first arrived on Android in 2017. It's one of those background features that usually just works until something goes wrong. Pairing Bluetooth earbuds has become faster over the years, but the user interface still falls short at times, especially when it comes to showing battery levels clearly. If you use Fast Pair-enabled earbuds, you've likely noticed that each time you open the case, a notification appears showing the battery levels of the left bud, right bud, and the case. You also get notified when any of these components are running low, reminding you to charge them before heading out. These alerts are helpful, but the overall experience has stayed mostly the same. That might be changing soon. According to findings from a recent Play Services beta v25.28.31, Google appears to be working on a new Fast Pair UI that brings better visibility, smarter labels, and more intuitive battery indicators when connecting true wireless earbuds. Right now, Fast Pair in its current form does a decent job of connecting your earbuds quickly and showing their battery levels. But for many earbud users, especially during a quick glance, it's really hard to understand which indicator belongs to which earbud or the charging case. The new UI aims to fix that. Google is working on adding small but useful changes, including clearer labels and colour cues, to make these pop ups more informative and easier to understand. A recent APK teardown of Google Play Services v25.28.31 confirms that Google is testing a new Fast Pair UI designed to improve how battery levels are displayed. Circular indicators, repositioned icons, and clear L R C labels reduce confusion and make the interface easier to understand at a glance. A circular progress bar now represents the battery percentage, with the numerical value still listed at the bottom of each component. Battery icons have been repositioned to the top. Each section is labeled clearly with L, R, and C, removing the guesswork. Green indicates the battery is fine, yellow shows it's below 50 percent, and red signals it has dropped under 20 percent. These visuals make it easier to quickly assess how much charge remains in each earbud and the case. Bluetooth pairing doesn't usually stand out until it fails right when you need it. Let's put it this way: you're heading out, earbuds in hand, and the battery levels shown are unclear. One bud dies halfway through your call. That's the problem Google's latest Fast Pair UI update is trying to fix. Clearer labels and visual battery indicators make it much simpler to check charge levels instantly. It's a small change, but one that directly addresses a common issue most of us are dealing with. In daily use, it's a small but meaningful update that improves how users interact with TWS earbuds. The new Fast Pair UI has started appearing in beta versions of Google Play Services, though Google hasn't announced an official rollout date yet. Google usually tests these changes quietly before releasing them more widely. With clearer labels and better battery visuals, the update aims to make everyday earbud use more convenient for Android users.
Android Authority
14-07-2025
- Android Authority
Android's redesigned QR code scanner is finally here with one-handed improvements
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority TL;DR Google has finally started rolling out the design refresh for Android's built-in QR code scanner, which we first spotted a year ago. The new interface brings all the buttons close to the bottom of the screen for easier one-handed use. The updated QR code scanner is not available widely, but should reach all users in the coming days. Android's built-in QR code scanner is finally getting its long-overdue design refresh, a year after we first spotted it in a teardown of a Google Play Services beta release. The updated scanner is optimized for one-handed use and has a slick new launch animation. Previously, Android's QR code scanner featured three buttons at the top, allowing users to close the scanner, enable the flashlight, and send feedback to Google. It also featured a pill-shaped button close to the bottom of the screen to help users scan QR codes from a photo. In the updated design, Google has relocated the flashlight and feedback buttons close to the bottom of the screen. AssembleDebug / Android Authority The flashlight, feedback, and 'Scan from photo' buttons are now close to where your thumb rests naturally, making them easier to access while using the phone one-handed. The revamped QR code scanner also has a cool new launch animation for the square viewfinder. Although Google included the QR code scanner redesign in the Google Play Services update changelog for May 2025, we can confirm it's only just starting to reach users. Even with the latest Google Play Services update installed, it's still not available on all of our devices, suggesting a gradual rollout. Have you received the redesigned QR code scanner on your device? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to include your device model and Google Play Services build number. 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.
