Latest news with #PixelDevices
Android Authority
04-08-2025
- Android Authority
Google is making it easier to hide sensitive files in your Pixel's Private Space
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Google is making it simpler to move sensitive files into Private Space, the built-in feature on Pixel devices for hiding apps and data. While the tool has always made it straightforward to add apps to the profile, adding files has been less intuitive. An upcoming update adds a new 'Add files' option that lets you directly copy or move files from your main profile into the Private Space. If you want to hide apps, files, and folders on your Android device, there's no shortage of options available. Many Android devices have built-in tools for hiding apps and files, saving you from having to find trustworthy third-party solutions. Pixel devices, for example, feature Private Space, a tool that lets you hide apps in a separate, private user profile. While moving apps into this space is straightforward, migrating sensitive files is less intuitive. Fortunately, Google is about to make it much simpler to copy or move your files into the Private Space. Google introduced Private Space in the stable release of Android 15 last year. The feature creates a new user profile with its own separate storage for apps and files. Adding apps is simple: a large 'Install' button within the Private Space launches its dedicated Google Play Store, making the process straightforward. Rita El Khoury / Android Authority Adding files, however, is more complicated. One method is to download them from an app already inside the Private Space, which might confuse people who don't understand the compartmentalized nature of Android profiles. The other method involves using the share menu from an app in your main profile, selecting the 'Private' tab, and then choosing 'Files by Google.' Not only is this option less discoverable, but it also only copies files, requiring you to manually delete the originals to actually hide them. To solve this, Google is adding a new file transfer feature to Private Space. In the latest Android Canary release, the 'Install' button has been replaced with an 'Add' button. Tapping it now opens a menu with two options: 'Install apps,' which launches the dedicated Play Store as before, and 'Add files,' which opens the Files by Google app. From there, you can switch to the 'Personal' tab to see files from your main profile and select what you want to transfer. A new dialog gives you the option to either copy or move them. For transfers that take more than a few seconds, a progress notification will appear. Digging deeper, we learned there are some limitations: you can only transfer up to 100 files or 2GB of data at a time. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority Private Space's new file transfer feature isn't in the latest Android 16 QPR1 beta, so it probably won't arrive in next month's stable release. Instead, we may have to wait for the following quarterly update, Android 16 QPR2, for the feature to go live. Follow
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
New Google Battery Tool Severely Limits Older Pixel Phones
Google has introduced a controversial update for Pixel devices that limits battery performance through the Battery Health Assistance (BHA). This could result in smartphones becoming unusable without a battery replacement. In early 2025, Google rendered a number of otherwise functional Pixel 4a devices unusable with a surprising update. Now, the same fate could affect more, if not all, Pixel smartphones. A new battery tool delivered via update is particularly impacting older Google Pixel models. Data miners from the online magazine 'AndroidAuthority' have discovered traces in the system app 'Battery Health Assistance' (BHA) released with the Pixel 9a that bring significant restrictions for users. The battery application could soon appear on more Google Pixel smartphones and, in the worst case, lead to phones functioning poorly without a battery replacement. The purpose of the BHA is fundamentally sensible: The feature assesses the battery's health and adjusts basic system settings when the app detects battery wear. These measures are intended to extend the device's lifespan and protect the battery from damage. However, the settings made by the BHA come at the expense of usage time. They involve reducing battery capacity and charging speed. In other words, the phone takes longer to fully charge and lasts for shorter periods. Affected Pixel users currently have no way to counter this approach of the new battery tool—it's a mandatory update, and the function cannot be disabled without a battery replacement by a professional. This is made very clear in the leaked code lines. The description text states, among other things: 'Battery health monitoring can only be changed when the battery is replaced.' As mentioned earlier, the approach is reminiscent of the update Google delivered for the Pixel 4a in January 2025. Complaints mounted about previously perfectly functioning smartphones that were degraded to electronic waste after the update. The update significantly shortened the usage time of the phones. Google justified the patch at the time by stating that lithium-ion batteries are wear parts whose performance decreases over time. The internet giant offered a free battery replacement. However, the replacement only occurred as long as the battery supply lasted—those who were late had to choose between compensation and a discount in the Google Store. Read also: Battery Calibration Makes the Smartphone Significantly More Enduring Google currently offers the BHA only on the Pixel 9a. So far, no negative effects have been noticed on the relatively new smartphone. But the next older model to 'benefit' from this battery optimization is already determined. According to a recently published announcement from Google, the function will be available for the Google Pixel 6a starting July 8, 2025. This is the Lite version of the popular Pixel 6 family, following the Pixel 4a. The series has been on the market for four years now, and thus Google might target the batteries of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro next. Following the example of the Pixel 4a, Google is again offering Pixel 6a owners a battery replacement or compensation. Starting July 21, 2025, they can have their device's battery replaced once for free. Alternatively, Google offers a discount code for purchasing a new smartphone in its own Google Store. Those who do not wish to use either option can receive compensation. However, the internet giant does not reveal exact amounts. The registration page is now online. Unfortunately, users have little recourse if the BHA is installed. Once on the smartphone, the app is difficult to remove from the system. Under normal circumstances, Android allows for a firmware update to install a previous system version and thus reverse harmful changes. However, Google has already blocked this path, as noted by the online magazine 'DroidLife.' Previous firmware versions have disappeared from official sources. The post New Google Battery Tool Severely Limits Older Pixel Phones appeared first on TECHBOOK.
Android Authority
02-07-2025
- Android Authority
Google quietly revamps Android's permission dialogs for a sleeker design for some
Tushar Mehta / Android Authority TL;DR Google has redesigned the permissions dialogs that appear in Android. This change appears following the June Google Play system update when applied to the latest Android 16 QPR Beta 2.1. Google has dropped the older design in favor of slimmer buttons and better readability. Even though Google first released a beta for Android 16 last year, its biggest design change didn't start rolling out until the final beta, just weeks before the final release. With this, Android received an entirely revamped quick settings menu and updated volume sliders, both of which are now widely available on supported Pixel devices running the stable Android 16 update. However, with subsequent updates, Google is testing minor tweaks to the interface, and we came across one more. Following the June Google Play system update that rolled out earlier this week, we spotted another minor change: the new permissions dialog box. However, the change only appears on devices running the Android 16 QPR beta 2.1 update that was released last week. The permissions dialog box now has more widely spaced buttons for various options. Instead of a light background earlier, these buttons now use darker colors with white text, allowing richer contrast and, therefore, better readability. The buttons in the refreshed permissions dialog also feature more rounded corners to align with the other buttons and widgets in Android that have been redesigned in recent months. Below is a side-by-side comparison between the older and the new designs of the permission dialog: Old permissions dialog in Android 16 New permissions dialog in Android 16 QPR beta 2.1 with June Google Play System update The change is expected to be triggered by the latest Google Play system update, which may need to be triggered manually. If you are running the latest beta and want it, you can head over to Settings > System > Software updates and tap Google Play system update. Once the latest Play system update is installed, you will be prompted to restart your Pixel device, and doing so should enable the new permissions dialog across the system. 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
02-07-2025
- Android Authority
Google Now returns? Gemini Space could bring a Daily Hub feature to Pixels (APK teardown)
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR Google is developing a new feature called Gemini Space for Pixel devices, potentially as an evolution or rebrand of the current At a Glance feature. We've now found strings for a 'Daily Hub,' feature within At a Glance/Gemini Space, described as a 'space for content and suggestions to simplify your day.' This suggests Daily Hub could offer helpful content and suggestions similar to Samsung's Now Brief and the erstwhile Google Now. We've previously spotted Google working on a feature called Gemini Space for Pixel devices. There aren't a lot of clues telling us precisely what this feature is or what it would do, but we speculated that it could be Google's version of Samsung's Now Bar and Now Brief features. We've now spotted more clues pointing in the same direction. 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. On recent Galaxy flagships, the Now Bar is a small chip on the lock screen with live app updates. It is complemented by Now Brief, a full-screen summary of your day with contextual information, which can be accessed from its Now Bar lock screen shortcut, the Now Brief home screen widget, or the Edge panel. Now Bar showing Now Brief shortcut Home screen with Now Brief widget Edge panel with Now Brief shortcut Now Brief Previously spotted evidence suggested that Google could be planning to rebrand the Pixel's At a Glance into Gemini Space, and relaunch it with more capabilities. At a Glance can be argued to be very similar to Now Bar already, while Gemini Space could be comparable to Now Brief. We've now spotted new strings that corroborate our direction, albeit with a new feature called 'Daily Hub' that could exist within Gemini Space: Code Copy Text gemini_space_subzero Show a space for content and suggestions to simplify your day Daily Hub In the strings above, 'SmartSpace' is the codename for the Pixel-specific At a Glance implementation (not to be confused with the At a Glance widget that is part of the Google app and is available to all Android smartphones with the app installed). The Pixel-specific At a Glance implementation looks like a widget but cannot be removed from the Pixel Launcher, so it is a permanent addition to the home screen and lock screen. Further, 'subzero' appears to be the codename for the Daily Hub feature, which is described as a 'space for content and suggestions to simplify your day.' It sounds a lot like Samsung's Now Brief, and even surprisingly close to what the long-dead Google Now feature used to offer. Google Now It remains to be seen what direction Google ultimately takes for Gemini Space and its Daily Hub feature, but it's looking more likely to be similar in concept to Now Bar and Now Brief. We'll keep you updated 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.
Phone Arena
26-06-2025
- Phone Arena
It's about time! Google Clock's latest version rolls out along with Pixel Weather changes
One of the most used native apps on Android just might be the Clock app. Every Android phone has the app and it is often used to set timers and alarms. While it isn't used for long sessions, it is accessed several times a day. Google is in the process of rolling out Google Clock version 7.14. The update continues to make the Timer Starter widget exclusive to Pixel devices (it debuted on the Pixel Tablet before getting added to Pixel phones). The widget is preset with the last three timers you set for your alarm and a "+" button to create a new timer. To place the widget on your Pixel phone long-press on an empty area of screen real estate and on the pop-up that appears, tap on Widgets. Scroll down to Clock and tap on it. Scroll down to Timer Starter. Press on it and a "+Add" button will appear. Tap on the button and the widget will be placed on your Pixel's home screen. You can now start a timer faster with the widget than by using your voice to set one. The Timer Starter widget is available on Pixels only, and the weather condition icons lose color on the Clock app. | Image credit-PhoneArena The Google Clock 7.14 app also uses Material 3 switches in the Alarm tab and the Settings menu list. There is also a minor but noticeable change in the Clock tab. Whether it's your home time zone at the top of the screen or the individual countries you are following, there is a change to the icons showing the current weather conditions. Previously, the weather condition icons were shown in color (for example, the sun would be yellow). Now, all of the current weather condition icons are in gray. They might not stand out as they previously did but on the other hand, they are not as distracting. The Settings menu uses Material 3 in the toggle switches. | Image credit-PhoneArena While the update is rolling out now to those running version 7.14 of the Google Clock app, you can see where you stand by going to Settings > Apps > See all xxx apps > Clock . Scroll down to the very bottom of the page and check the version of the app listed. To reiterate, you want it to be over 7.14. If it is under version 7.14, you can delete the app from your phone and reinstall it from the Play Store with the latest version number by tapping on this link. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
