Latest news with #Handoff
Stuff.tv
01-08-2025
- Stuff.tv
Android phones are set to get this Apple-inspired feature, finally
Android users could soon enjoy the kind of seamless device-to-device continuity Apple fans have long bragged about. A new feature called Handoff, spotted in the latest beta version of Google Play Services, looks set to bring Apple-style productivity syncing to Android smartphones and ChromeOS devices. Think of it like this: you're editing a document or browsing photos on your Galaxy or Pixel phone, then switch over to your Chromebook, and everything's just there. Files, notifications, even apps. It's the kind of ecosystem that's been missing from the Android world, and it could finally be on the way. This isn't totally out of the blue. Samsung already offers some neat cross-device tricks, like sharing your keyboard, trackpad and earbuds between a phone and tablet. Google, too, has dabbled, letting you move video calls between Android and ChromeOS and share mobile data with a Chromebook. But this new Handoff feature goes further. Buried inside Android's Cross-Device Services, recently spotted by Android Authority, it hints at file syncing, app continuity and notification sharing – the trifecta of multitasking magic. It's not live yet, but the clues are there. A newly added toggle in the beta build describes how users will be able to 'access files across your devices,' as long as they're signed in with the same Google account. Pair that with the recently spotted notification mirroring tool, and it's not hard to imagine a future where Galaxy devices talk to each other as smoothly as an iPhone and Mac. Of course, Apple's approach benefits from total ecosystem control. Google has a tougher job juggling dozens of manufacturers and devices. When it launches, Handoff will likely work best across Google's Pixel phones, Pixel tablets and Chromebooks. But Samsung's Galaxy ecosystem is also well-placed to take advantage, especially with the upcoming Galaxy S25 and Tab S10 likely to be first in line. It could finally give Android users the kind of joined-up experience they've been missing. It's early days, but if Google and Samsung get this right, Apple's continuity bragging rights might not last much longer. Liked this? Roku is rolling out a free upgrade to make movie nights easier
Android Authority
24-07-2025
- Android Authority
Android's Apple-inspired Handoff feature is moving closer to completion (APK teardown)
Google TL;DR Android's Handoff functionality is taking shape, with new options for cross-device file sharing now visible. We also saw glimpses of app sharing, which could allow you to access apps installed on other devices. The toggles and buttons are not active, which suggests that Google may still modify how these features function. Apple's ecosystem is one of its most compelling selling points, and Google is eyeing the same success by working on its adaptation in Android. Some of the features, such as automatic hotspot connection and call transfers between devices logged into the same Google account, are already present as part of Android's Cross-device services. This could soon improve with the addition of file and app sharing functionality across devices through Android's under-development Handoff 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. We recently discovered new updates to Android's Handoff (yes, it's likely named after Apple's namesake functionality) that enable a new toggle for cross-device file sharing. We were able to configure the interface for file sharing in Google Play Services version 25.29.31 beta. File & media sharing sits alongside the notification sharing functionality we spotted earlier. The feature isn't functional, but we can see the description under the heading, which clearly states that turning it on will allow you to access files across devices. Additionally, we have also encountered the possibility of running apps across multiple devices. This is suggested by the placement of a dropdown menu at the top of the app drawer on the connected devices. Tapping on the dropdown menu currently reveals only one 'Local device' at the moment, but we suspect it could display the complete list of devices and potentially allow you to run apps from other connected devices. Notably, we discovered the following string (among others) in our previous finding: Code Copy Text Continue tasks and access apps, media, and notifications across your devices Out of the suggested features, we have already seen half-baked UIs for cross-device app launching, media sharing, and notification syncing, even though we are unsure how each of these would actually looks in action. We also have yet to witness the mechanism behind continuing tasks from one device to another, which would be the most vital aspect of the Handoff functionality. Despite these optimistic visuals, we can't guarantee a timeline for the release of Android's Handoff. However, we will ensure to keep you posted on any developments related to it. 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
27-06-2025
- Android Authority
Is Google readying a rival to iOS' Contact Poster? (APK teardown)
Apple TL;DR We've spotted clues that indicate Google is working on a 'calling card' feature for Android. The feature may allow for full-screen images and custom fonts for incoming calls. Speculatively, it could be similar to iOS' Contact Posters, enabling users to personalize their call display. Google and Apple frequently look at each other's operating systems for inspiration on what next to bring to their own. We've seen iOS copy features like widgets, free app icon placement on the home screen, and more from Android. On the other hand, we've spotted Google working on features like Handoff, which are a page out of Apple's book. We've now spotted clues for an in-development 'calling card' feature, which could potentially become Android's answer to iOS' Contact Posters. 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. What we know about 'Calling Cards' The Google Contacts app has slowly built up code for a 'calling card' feature over the past few releases. For instance, v4.55 of the app adds the following strings: Code Copy Text Picture and calling card Set this image as both a contact picture and calling card This string alone doesn't give many clues about what is happening, other than letting us know that users will be set an image as a contact picture and a calling card. The string name suggests the image comes from the calling card itself, so you'd be setting the calling card as the contact picture. The real 'aha!' moment came from a new Calling Card activity, where we spotted 'CallingCardFontData' and 'CallingCardFullScreenImageData.' This is where things get exciting: custom fonts and full-screen images. Sound familiar? AssembleDebug / Android Authority We have to dig into Google Play Services for the next set of clues. We've seen code related to saving calling cards to the cloud and syncing them to the device: AssembleDebug / Android Authority These strings also do not tell us what a Calling Card is, but they tell us that calling cards can be created, deleted, updated, synced, and more. Unfortunately, we don't have a definitive answer on what the upcoming Calling Cards feature within Google Contacts could be, and what it could do. So, what exactly are these 'calling cards,' then? While Google's apps remain tight-lipped about their exact functionality, the clues point to them potentially being Android's answer to iOS 17's delightful Contact Posters. iOS 17's Contact Posters With iOS 17, Apple introduced a new feature called Contact Posters, which are full-screen photos that appear whenever you call a known contact. Users can set their photo, personalize it with filters, and set the font and font color for their name. The next time the user calls a known contact, the receiver will see the user's set Contact Poster. Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority The Contact Poster also works with the NameDrop feature, which allows users to quickly share their contact information through AirDrop by bringing their devices close together. Apple Overall, the Contact Poster feature changed the dynamic of setting contact photos, a task that most of us never really bother with. Instead of you setting contact photos for all the contacts on your phone, each person can set it for themselves as they see fit and share it with you. This way, you have updated photos for your iPhone-using contacts, and you can still set a custom profile photo for them if you want to. Could 'Calling cards' be Google's answer to iOS' Contact Poster? Contact Poster beats having boring and blank incoming call screens, adding to the experience of owning and using an iPhone. Speculatively, clues like font information and full-screen images for Google's Calling Cards feature add weight to the possibility that this is the experience Google could also be building for Android users. Most of us have already set a photo for our Google account, and syncing this information with our contacts would be an easy way to bring Contact Poster-like functionality to Android. It is worth reiterating that we still don't know what Google Contact's Calling Cards are. It is a fair possibility that they turn out to be something else entirely. Google has also not announced anything yet about them. We'll watch for more clues about the feature and 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.
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Google Handoff could finally fix the Android experience across multiple devices
Android users have long enjoyed the freedom of choice when it comes to phones, tablets, and brands. But when it comes to how these devices work together, Android still feels disconnected. That could change soon, thanks to a new feature being tested by Google. Google Handoff could finally fix the Android experience(Freepik) A recent beta version of Google Play Services includes code hinting at a feature called Handoff. This new feature may allow users to continue apps, media, and notifications from one Android device to another. For example, watching a video on your tablet and picking it up from the same spot on your phone. Or swiping away a notification on your watch and seeing it disappear from your phone, too. This is not a new idea. Apple's Handoff and Continuity features already offer a smooth experience across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Samsung also has a version for Galaxy devices that lets users switch calls, share files, and connect earbuds easily. Google now seems ready to bring a similar benefit to the wider Android community. What makes Google's approach interesting? What makes this move important is that it may not be limited to one brand or device line. Since Handoff is being tested within Google Play Services, it could be available to all Android devices that run these core services. This would be a major step toward creating a more connected and user-friendly Android ecosystem. There is no official word from Google yet. No release timeline has been confirmed either. But the presence of the feature in a beta version is a strong signal that work is in progress. If and when this feature launches, it will make the daily use of multiple Android devices a lot more convenient. Right now, Android users often need to repeat actions or manage the same notifications on every device. Handoff could simplify all that. This is especially helpful for people who use Android at home, at work, and on the go. It could improve everything from media playback to messaging, without needing third party apps or brand specific workarounds. A better connected Android experience is long overdue. With Handoff, Google has the chance to build something truly useful for millions of users who rely on more than one device each day.
Phone Arena
24-06-2025
- Phone Arena
You might soon be able to do this across all your Android devices—just like Apple users can
A recent teardown of Google Play Services has revealed that Android users might soon get a feature that has been missing for a long time: a cross-device sync system similar to Apple's Handoff. The feature, unsurprisingly labeled "Handoff" in new code strings, might be part of Google's broader push to make its ecosystem work better across multiple devices. According to a new report, Google Play Services version 25.25.31 beta includes several new feature strings. These strings mention the ability to "continue tasks and access apps, media, and notifications across your devices," "sync notifications across your devices," and "access your files across your devices." This hints at a system that would let users move between Android devices more easily while keeping apps and content in sync. Earlier reports had already pointed to a feature called "App Cast," which would allow users to stream apps from one device to another. It now looks like App Cast will be part of this new Handoff system. If fully released, this could allow Android users to start a task on their phone and pick it up later on a tablet, Chromebook, or another device linked to their Google account. Apple already offers this kind of experience through its Continuity system. Samsung has a similar setup across its Galaxy products. Android users, on the other hand, often have to rely on third-party apps or brand-specific solutions, which don't always work well together. A built-in Handoff feature could make Android devices feel more connected and easier to use as a group. The Apple ecosystem has enjoyed continuity features for many years now. | Image credit — Apple One of the more useful additions is notification syncing. Right now, notifications dismissed on one Android device usually still show up on others. This can get frustrating, especially for users who switch between devices during the day. With Handoff, notifications could sync properly across devices, so users only have to deal with them once. The update also includes features for sharing files and media between devices. Google has not officially announced Handoff, so it's unclear when it might roll out or if it will be available on all Android devices. Since it is part of Google Play Services, there is a good chance that many devices could eventually support it. Apple and Samsung users have had this kind of feature for years, so it's good to see Google working on something similar. I believe this is a step in the right direction for Android's ecosystem. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
