Android

Google is more widely rolling out its Android Auto 14.1 update just as a newer version enters the beta program....

After rolling out the redesigned compose field, Google Messages is now removing the 4-line limit when drafting by expanding the text box...

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/28431012

• Google is set to cut hundreds of new jobs in its device and platforms divisions soon.
• The company has continued to cut its Google Pixel teams, doing so earlier this year as well.
• Rival Microsoft is considering a new round of layoffs next month, per reports.

Not exactly "news" but the recent Samsung Galaxy Ax6 phones (A26, A36, A56) all does not have the MicroSD card slot, only the Galaxy A16 still has it.

I fucking hate this. I love having a mini-TV with me. I can load up a Terabyte of TV shows I love rewatching. You know, maybe you travel or something. Also, good for recording like a lot of videos. Now, new Samsung phones cannot do that anymore.

Sorry for the rant, but honestly, I have to vent: Fuck Samsung. Fuck this capitalist bullshit.

I'm thinking of stop buying Samsung for the future, but honestly, other manufacturers might follow suit, so it ultimately might not matter. I hate this bullshit. I will carry a portable SSD if I have to, I ain't buying your stupid cloud. I'm broke AF and I don't got no money for subscriptions. (Also, they could hold your data hostage and refuse access for random "ToS" violations)

What are your thoughts? What's the future of MicroSD card slots in phones?

(future looks so bleak)

The first sizable update to Apple TV for Android phones and tablets is here with version 1.1 today. On the homepage...

Since launch, NotebookLM has just been a website, but Google now says an “app” is coming soon. The NotebookLM interface...

I am still holding onto my S22 for a while yet, but I am looking for something non-Samsung as my next device (probably Fairphone).

Whilst I think I can do without most of Samsung's features, I do really like the gallery app and what it offers. Background OCR so I can search for text in an image, and manual as well as automatic tags. The built-in editor is also nice, but there are alternatives for that.
The main reason I like using manual tags and OCR is for quickly sharing memes I've saved over the years.

I have resigned myself to losing the tags I've already created, as it doesn't seem those can be exported. But I have yet to find a gallery app in which I can slowly start rebuilding my set.

Here's some of what I've come across:

• Google's gallery is not an option for me. I want to move away from big tech.
• Aves supports tags, but is very laggy to use and has no automatic OCR/tags.
• PhotoPrism doesn't support OCR.
• Ente doesn't do OCR or manual tags.
• "Gallery" looks promising, but does not yet have the feature set I'm looking for.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Hello guys.

So I hope this is the right place to ask. But I need to fill in a puk code. Which I have. But the issue is after filling in the puk code I have to fill in a new pin twice all well. But then I have to fill in a puk code again right after. Leaving me with 6 try left?

Any idea how to fix this?

In January, Gemini Live gained a “Talk Live about this” feature, and it should now be more widely available on Android.

As of Thursday afternoon (PT), more Gemini app users on Android are seeing Astra's Live camera and screen sharing capabilities.

In recent weeks, some Google Photos users haven’t been able to save their Magic Editor creations, but a fix is now available.

Google is rolling out questionable changes to the Discover feed with a full-width, zero-margin layout now appearing across more devices.

The top of Google Discover has shown widget-esque cards with glanceable information, and “your space” is now available on more devices.

Google is now widely rolling out the ability to “Create text notes by default,” as well as an Audio shortcut, in Keep for Android.

My old Oneplus 3T is still working fine, but the /e/os it's running is no longer being maintained for this phone. Are there similar alternatives that I can use?

I'd prefer not to have the whole Google ecosystem again, within reason, because Android of course, but I also want to safely and privately use the phone for as long as I can.

Google Keep is now redesigning and modernizing one of its Android widgets. At the start of March, Google discussed...

Besides the confirmation that camera and screen sharing in Gemini Live is still rolling out, Google has confirmed that “any Android device...

Google Messages looks to be planning a sizable update to group chats, with the highlight being an ability to join via links and QR codes...

It doesn't do that by itself. Go on. Do it.

Edit:

What’s the Google Play System?

The Google Play System (also called Google System Updates) is a way for Android devices to receive updates to core components without requiring a full OS update. This includes security patches, bug fixes, and new features for things like the Play Store and Google Play Services. It was introduced with Android 10 and works on most modern Android devices, including phones, tablets, and wearables.

For those getting their panties in a knot:

• Not everyone has a de-Googled phone
• Some people need Google Play services for essential apps.
• MicroG and other alternatives don’t always work perfectly.
• Privacy ROMs aren’t easily accessible for everyone.
• Only a limited number of devices support them.

For the majority of Android users, Google Play System updates matter, and no, they don’t always install automatically.

Just stop.

I have a pixel 6a with graphene installed. I want to transfer everything to a second pixel 6a but the digitizer is toast. I tried mouse via usb a to c dongle to get in and back stuff up, but it doesn't work on lock screen presumably until it is unlocked once with the mouse plugged in, as with the new one.

really any backup method that can work will do if there are any.

The latest Android Auto beta has randomly led to the Google app showing up, but its purpose is unclear. Last...

I currently use a normal tablet for watching lectures + taking notes in splitscreen mode, but I've been thinking that this would be the ideal device for my workflow. Essentially a hinged, dual-pane tablet with stylus support – prefarably with Android. Does anyone know if something like this exists, or if there are any tablets that I can buy a second hinged screen for?