Google has highlighted its vision and recent work in large screen devices such as tablets, as captured by its tablet’s first Android apps plans. The details were presented on the 10th of March during the Android Show which featured Google’s CTO of tablets and co-founder of Android, Rich Miner.
As per Miner, from 2011 onwards, when Android tabs were first released, the trajectory has been a mixed one with a lot of highs and lows. The Android tablet market had witnessed a stark decline in sales before the pandemic.
The Android tablet market has continued to rebound since the pandemic era dawned upon us. Google is projecting an even more accelerated growth with its development of tablet-first apps.
Google claims that the tablets have taken a new identity as tools for creativity and productivity.
Miner went on to add that the trajectory of growth of tabs will continue in the positive direction, and tablet sales are likely to surpass that of laptops within a few years. On the development of tablet Android apps, Miner points out that app developers are going in the direction of taking advantage of additional screen resources and having a look at Google’s latest Jetpack Libraries and other features available in Android 12L.
As per Miner, Google is encouraging developers to focus on building tablet-first apps to take advantage of the opportunities available in that direction.
Google’s tablet-first vision for tablet Android apps needs to feature the buy-in of the developer community for it to work. It relies on the incentives and resources that Google has already set up so that its vision succeeds.
Well, after years now, YouTube is rolling out a new update on the mobile app in terms of its native video player. This fullscreen video player which we have been used to for a long long time is finally getting some much required revamp in 2022.
The new update for both Android and iOS will bring this new interface when you will play a video using the fullscreen video player via the app. Now you will see the like or dislike button at the bottom along with an option to quickly view comments, and share what you are watching easily.
The comment feature is quite handy because now you do not have to tap on the comment section while in portrait mode for YouTube to show the comments, now, you just have to tap on the dedicated comment button from below and those come up easily.
Previously if you had to watch a relatable video you had to do swipe-up gesture but there’s now a “more videos” section at the right hand corner. The UI looks to resemble of multiple cards stacked up using the featured image of the videos and has this 3D effect, now when you tap on it there will be multiple suggested videos coming up as it used to be.
If you remember previously the like, dislike, share and save buttons used to come with you when you did the swipe up gesture, but now you can do so while watching the YouTube video easily. This new update will bring this UI to both iOS and Android, so one by one everyone will be getting to experience this small change in the video player.
The update has been rolling out since Monday, according to Google spokesperson Allison Toh as reported by TheVerge, personally, I saw the feature working on my iPhone 12 Mini but again it’s not showing today after the update. However, on my Android phone, the update has already arrived with this new UI, overall, one should expect the update pretty soon.
Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Monday that the government is working on a strategy that will help the industry create an ecosystem to develop an indigenous operating system as an alternative to Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS.
Mobile phones are currently dominated by two operating systems: Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS, which are also driving the hardware ecosystem, according to the minister in an interview with PTI.
“There is no third one. Therefore, in a lot of ways there is tremendous interest in MeitY and in the Government of India to even create a new handset operating system. We are talking to people. We are looking at a policy for that,” Chandrasekhar said.
He stated that the government is searching for expertise to develop an indigenous operating system inside the startup and academic ecosystems (OS).
The operating system (OS) is the core program of any computer or mobile device, and it integrates the whole hardware and software system to ensure that the OS runs smoothly.
“If there is some real capability then we will be very much interested in developing that area because that will create an alternative to iOS and Android which then an Indian brand can grow,” Chandrasekhar said.
Most policies and policy tools, according to the minister, are being re-evaluated in the context of redefining goals and ambitions. He and Minister of Communications and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the second volume of the ICEA’s Vision Document on Electronics Manufacturing, which includes Apple, Lava, Foxconn, Dixon, and others.
“Important is to have clear goals. Once we have clear goals and what is that we have to achieve than all the policies and actions will be consistent with it,” Chandrasekhar said.
The document lays out a plan to increase electronics production in the country to USD 300 billion by 2026, up from the present level of USD 75 billion.
“This report is very precise which talks about where USD 300 billion will come, what industry has to do and what the government needs to do. This is an example of how industry and government should set targets for the country. The manufacturing will be USD 300 billion and exports worth USD 120 billion will happen. This is the government of India’s objective now,” Chandrasekhar said.
India’s electronics exports are currently valued at roughly USD 15 billion. The Prime Minister’s desire and the Ministry of Electronics and IT’s (MeitY) goal, according to the minister, is to establish homegrown champions in each of the top product categories.
He said that the Prime Minister has cleaned up the financial market and that India has become one of the top recipients of both foreign direct investment and equity.
“The number of foreign banks has increased in India. For the first time, the stock market and public markets are financing and investing in technology start-ups and companies. That kind of transformation has happened. Today Lava, Dixon or Boat, or any of these companies can raise capital, equity which they did not have six years ago,” the minister said.
He stated that the production-linked incentive tool will continue to stimulate diverse manufacturing segments, but that the definition of a technology product and which ministry should be in charge of it will be determined.
Whether you’re fed up with Netflix’s rising rates or a lack of good material, you may be considering switching to something a little more your speed. This tutorial will show you how to cancel your Netflix account on Android, regardless of whatever provider you’re switching to.
Netflix has decided to raise its fees for its US and Canadian subscribers at the time of writing this article. The price rise is the second in the last two years.
While the price hikes aren’t significant – perhaps a dollar or two per plan – they do add up over time. There are many alternative streaming video competitors to Netflix, so there are better options for watching your favorite episodes and movies.
On Android devices, canceling your Nextflix membership is as simple as signing up. There aren’t many hoops to walk through to cancel your subscription, except for being asked if you want to stay.
We’ll walk you through the process of canceling your subscription on Android step by step because it’s really simple. This is how you do it:
On your Android device, go to Netflix and start watching.
In the top right corner of the screen, look for and tap your account profile photo.
Find Account near the bottom and tap it.
You’ll be transferred to Netflix’s website to complete the procedure at this point.
Find Cancel Membership at the bottom of the page. The button is greyed out, making it difficult to overlook. Tap it if you want.
Netflix has given you information regarding your cancellation. This is also where you’ll find information on your cancellation date. Tap Finish Cancellation.
The method is similar but slightly different if you want to cancel your Netflix subscription over the internet. Here’s how to do it:
Using Google Chrome or another browser, go to Netflix.com.
When prompted, select your profile.
In the top right corner of the browser, click your profile photo. Click Account from the dropdown menu.
You’ll see a Cancel your subscription button in the top left corner. Simply press the button.
It will request that you remain on board. Complete the cancellation process by clicking Finish Cancellation.
That is all there is to it. You should receive a confirmation email stating that your subscription has come to an end. You’ll be able to maintain your profiles, likes, and account details if you join up again within 10 months of canceling, according to Netflix.
Android tablets and phones are technical marvels that entertain, while also allowing you to work from anywhere and stay in touch with friends, family, and coworkers. You can turn your phone or tablet into a mobile movie theater, workstation, art canvas, recipe manager, or turn your handset into the phone casino you always wanted. But, unfortunately, locating the most excellent Android apps is tricky.
Ladies and gentlemen, here it is. The best of the best. The Android apps that are unrivalled in the pantheon. These apps have become widespread with Android, and it’s safe to assume that if you’re looking for excellent stuff, you already have some of them. There are a plethora of fantastic Android apps available. There are, however, a select handful that stand out from the crowd. These programs are beneficial to almost everyone, regardless of their use case. So, without further ado, here are the finest Android apps currently available.
Brave Privacy Browser
Brave Privacy Browser comes with several features targeted at ensuring your online security and privacy. It has a built-in ad, pop-up, script, and third-party cookie blockers, for example. It also includes the HTTPS Everywhere extension, which ensures that your site connections are secure. The lightweight, minimalist style is also appealing.
1Weather
1Weather is, without a doubt, the best weather app available. It has a simple, paginated interface that displays the current weather, a 12-week prediction, a radar, and other interesting statistics. Along with that, you’ll receive a great range of modestly customizable widgets, as well as the expected features like severe weather notifications and radar to see incoming storms. But, perhaps its most appealing aspect is its minimalist appearance, which focuses solely on the weather. The user interface is simple to navigate, and the interesting weather facts are the icing on the cake. All of the functions are available in the free edition. However, there is advertising. The $1.99 fee covers the cost of advertising removal. Aside from that, the two versions are identical.
Soosee
You’re certainly used to scouring ingredient lists for critical terms if you have allergies or items you’re trying to avoid, but Soosee can do that for you. First, tell the app what you’re trying to avoid from a long list of alternatives, then aim your phone’s camera at an ingredient list to see if there are any problematic ingredients highlighted. It may search for over 30 different types of components, including those with a significant environmental impact, and those that you might have an allergy to or don’t want to include in your diet if you’re a vegan, for example.
However, if something is missing, you may build your own custom categories by typing in the phrases you want the program to look for. Soosee can also scan in 18 different languages, which comes in handy if traveling and you can’t read an ingredient list.
Facebook
Is it possible for 2 billion individuals to be wrong? The world’s largest social network has an official functional app. Keep in touch with friends and family, participate in instant chats, and receive push notifications. Best of all, Facebook isn’t just a place to distribute content plagiarised from Reddit and Twitter; the world’s largest social media site has been divided into dating, shopping, and video areas. For the ultimate double-act, pair it with Messenger.
Solid Explorer
Solid Explorer is the only file explorer you’ll ever need. It’s one of the greatest — if not the best — browser apps available, and it’s because it lets you do so much. It has built-in encryption for your important files, Google Drive and Dropbox integration, as well as support for connecting to your own external server. It also has easy file management and root access for exploring other partitions of your device. There’s so much to like about it. You’ll have to pay a one-time license fee to use it, but aside from that, it’s one of the few paid Android apps I think is indeed worth it.
Tasker
Tasker had been stagnating for a while, but since new owner Joo Dias — creator of the AutoApps plugin suite and Tasker’s biggest admirer — took over, the automation software has had a UI makeover and a slew of new features. It’s never been easier to share, change, and build unique profiles and tasks for Android and beyond, thanks to TaskerNet and enhanced export/import.
Lynket Browser
It’s nice to use social media to uncover intriguing things on the web, but it’s not always practical to read them immediately. Instead, it’s sometimes easier to save a few items and come back to them later. That’s what Lynket Browser allows you to do. It runs in the background and opens online pages. You can get to it at any time by tapping the floating onscreen bubbles. It’s basic, yet it’s pretty handy. The program works with your current browser and can help you save time by automatically loading the AMP versions of the URLs you click. Another helpful feature is viewing pages in Article mode, which displays a clean-looking reader mode free of fluff and fillers.
Google has announced that WhatsApp’s chat history migration feature to transfer messages from iPhones to Android is now coming to Pixel and all other Android 12 smartphones. This feature is already available on Samsung Galaxy devices but unlike with Samsung phones, where the feature is available on devices running Android 10 and above, here it is limited to phones with Android 12.
Google through a blog post announced that more Android devices are getting the new WhatsApp chat transfer functionality. As mentioned earlier, users would need a USB Type-C to Lightning cable to transfer the chats. Detailing how to transfer the chats, the search giant mentions that after both iOS and Android devices are connected, users would need to scan a QR code on the iPhone to transfer the conversations, media, and more to the Android device.
The blog post also mentions that if the iPhone has trouble scanning the QR code, users would need to open WhatsApp and head to Settings > Chats > Move Chats to Android. Google also said that the user would not receive any new messages while the chats are being transferred.
Google through blog post announced that it worked with Facebook to bring WhatsApp history transfer from iPhone to more Android devices. That means the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro support the feature when they ship to your door. Google also said that new devices which launch with Android 12 will also get the same WhatsApp iPhone to Android chat history transfer support.
In other words, the feature still doesn’t work on just any Android phone. You can’t switch from iPhone to most Androids and move your entire WhatsApp experience to the new device.
Google explains in the announcement that switching from iPhone to Android is easier in Android 12. “Android automatically matches and installs the same apps from Google Play and lets you easily bring your SMS and iMessage history with you, along with photos, videos, contacts, calendars, and more,” Google says.
It’s unclear when Facebook will release a similar feature for people switching from Android phones to an iPhone.
Google has officially started to roll out its Stadia 3.38 to its Android devices via the Play Store, and this time in the new update Google has provided something called the “playability tips” to help improve users connection, along with a hint at deeper support for the Stadia Controller in the Android TV app.
Playability tips
As we know, the only and the biggest downside with Stadia and any other cloud gaming service, in general, is the requirement for a stable, high-speed internet connection. Those who are tech-savvy likely already know some of the best ways to keep a solid connection while playing games on Stadia.
But for those who don’t know how to fair against this problem, Stadia 3.38 includes the beginnings of something called “Playability Tips.” It’s not clear where these will be shown, whether as a new help menu, but the tips are shown when users’ connection is noticeably unstable, or as advice given to first-time Stadia players.
For now, the tips are relatively simple things that every Stadia player should know to maximize their connection quality.
Ethernet is more stable than Wi-Fi
Switch to Ethernet if you can
Switch to 5 GHz Wi-Fi
This router setting can improve gameplay
another interesting feature that has popped up along with Stadia 3.38 is a new internal feature flag, which appears to be for the Android TV app. While there’s no other information attached with it, the name of the flag alone speaks volumes.
enableGothamInputOnAtvPlatformUi
“Gotham” is the codename for WiFi-based input for Stadia, it is actually from the Stadia Controller but also the recently launched Phone Link. Stadia’s Android TV app currently has the limitation that the Stadia Controller can only control certain parts of the app like navigating your library and playing games.
For now, it seems that it will take quite some time before the Stadia Controller will be able to work outside of the Stadia app, simply because that would likely require a significant amount of work to Android TV itself.
Android 12, the latest in the line of Google’s mobile OS version update, isn’t available to the general public just yet, but the launch is coming closer. Google recently wrote on its Android Developers site that it has pushed the source to Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and is “officially” releasing the update. Though technically we can say that Android 12 is available we still won’t find it appearing as an update on your Pixel phone for the “next few weeks.”
When it launches though, it’ll come to the Pixel 3, Pixel 3A, Pixel 4, Pixel 4A, Pixel 4A 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5A phones. It’s the software that you’ll see on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro as well when they launch later this year.
According to Google, the OEMs which will receive the Android 12 update will be Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Tecno, Vivo, and Xiaomi devices later in 2021. Google’s Android 12 OS is mostly focused on tweaking the way how the OS looks with Google’s new Material You design language.
There are also many other features which are worth noting in the upcoming Android OS, including a new privacy dashboard offering more transparency on how apps access your location, microphone, and camera, overall, it’s not an update that aims to drastically alter how you use your phone.
With the new update, Google is trying to up its game by how users use the OS and perform their day-to-day operations, the OS will feel not much different on the outside for users, however, it will bring with it some much-needed changes and updates.
Remember the time when there only existed PlayStation Portable as the only means for us to play games using a handheld console? Well, times have changed and in 2021, the handheld console gaming market is receiving some much-needed love.
The soon-to-be-launched Nintendo Switch OLED which is only a few days away from being launched and the surprisingly impressive Steam Deck which is being called the mini-PC. And now it seems that we have yet another entry into the handheld gaming market and believe me, no one saw this coming.
According to reports, Lenovo is now preparing its very own handheld gaming device that will rival other already available devices. The handheld from Lenovo will be called the Lenovo Legion Play, and it will reportedly come out sooner than one would expect.
The leaker, Liliputing reportedly found the images of the Lenovo Legion Play along with some more information related to the device. And the interesting part is that the images were all linked to Lenovo’s website as well which makes the existence of the device pretty solid.
There were also rumors that Lenovo was supposed to release its Legion Play at MWC 2021 earlier this year, however, the company decided against it for some reason. The handheld will run on a custom version of Android, and the icons of Geforce Now are already present in the leaked images.
We can also see a Google Play Store and other Google Apps. In terms of connectivity we can see that the device offers USB Type-C, a 3.5mm audio jack, dual analog sticks, four face buttons, as well a D-Pad and shoulder keeps.
Another interesting factor is that Lenovo has designed its handheld device for AAA gaming, and according to sources this will be the first Android cloud gaming console that will let users stream hundreds of cloud games and stream their game library. Users will also be able to play mobile games as well.
The Lenovo Legion Play will feature a 7-inch FHD display, HDR10+, built-in controllers, dual speakers, dual vibration motors, and a 7,000 mAh battery.
For years Google has been trying to keep malicious apps out of the Play Store albeit with very limited success. Every time the company finds new apps to new remove full of malware and takes action some new suckers pop up to soil the victory.
Last time Google removed around 200 apps across multiple categories that have been used to spread GriftHorse malware to over 10 million victims. However coming to Androids biggest rival Apple, the iOS has been termed to be safer than its rival Android as Google’s OS has a problem which is that it allows for Apps sideloading.
According to researchers at Zimperium zLabs, a new Android trojan called GriftHorse has been embedded into no less than 200 malicious apps which were approved into the Google Play store as well as some third-party app stores. It also revealed that this particular malware has managed to infect more than 10 million Android devices from over 70 countries and is responsible for stealing tens of millions of dollars from its victims.
The researchers explained in their report that the GriftHorse campaign has been active since at least November 2020 and through April 2021. what happens is when a user installs any of the malicious apps, GriftHorse will generate a large number of notifications and popups that lure people with special discounts or various prizes. However, once people get attracted and tap on these they get redirected to a web page where they’re asked to confirm their phone number to access the promotion.
What’s happening here is that the victims of GriftHorse are subscribing to premium SMS services that charge over $35 per month. Researchers estimate that the GriftHorse operators have been making anywhere from $1.5 million to $4 million per month in this way and their first victims have likely lost more than $230 if they didn’t stop the scam.
Google needs to take some serious measures regarding the security of their smartphone’s OS.
