Mishaal's Android News Feed

Google is testing a new "download manager" feature in the Play Store.

This feature adds a new button to the top right that, when tapped, shows a list of apps you've recently installed but haven't launched yet. If you're in the middle of downloading a new app, it'll show up in this list, too, so you can see the progress.

@AssembleDebug spotted evidence for this feature a few weeks ago, but I just noticed that it's live for me. Anyone else see this?

When you enable Android's new Identity Check feature, biometric authentication will be required for the following actions when your phone is outside a trusted location:

* Access saved passwords and passkeys with Google Password Manager.
* Autofill passwords in apps from Google Password Manager, except in Chrome.
* Change screen lock, like PIN, pattern, and password.
* Change biometrics, like Fingerprint or Face Unlock.
* Run a factory reset.
* Turn off Find My Device.
* Turn off any theft protection features.
* View trusted places.
* Turn off Identity Check.
* Set up a new device with your current device.
* Add or remove a Google Account.
* Access Developer options.
* Change your password from account settings or through "Forgot password."
* Add or change recovery factors on the device.

You can continue to use PIN, pattern or passwords for Private Space, multiusers, autofill payments in apps, and password and payments autofill in Chrome.

Identity Check is currently available on Pixel phones running Android 15 QPR1 or later (December '24 Pixel Drop) as well as the Samsung Galaxy S24 running the One UI 7 beta. The feature only works on devices that support class 3 ("strong") biometrics. To enable it, go to theft protection settings - Identity Check will be listed there if your device supports it.

Happy holidays!

I wrote three new articles about One UI 7 that were published while I was away. They are:

1) One UI 7 lets you stop HDR photos from making your screen super bright

2) One UI 7 will make it easier to filter notifications that aren't important

3) One UI 7 is adding even more continuity features between your Galaxy phone and Galaxy Book

Google is rolling out the "Ask about this PDF" feature it announced at I/O!

When you open a PDF file using the Files by Google app and invoke Gemini on it, you'll soon see an "ask about this PDF" chip above the overlay. If you tap this chip, you can then ask Gemini questions about the doc.

Your device must run Android 15 and you must be subscribed to Gemini Advanced to use this feature. You also need to set Gemini as your assistant, obviously.

Thanks to Rob on my Discord for the screenshot!

🌧 Google is officially opening up Android Auto to weather apps, but you don’t have to wait

A new Weather app category for is now in beta, but you can already download some weather apps for Android Auto/Automotive today.

More details on this new Weather category can be found in this article.

🚗 Android Automotive is getting better multi-user support and a revamped media player app

Android Automotive 24Q4 brings a major new feature called Concurrent Multi-User support as well as other minor changes.

Everything you need to know about this update can be found in my latest article for Android Authority.

The Google Play Store app is starting to show your achievements for some game listings.

These achievements come from your Google Play Games profile.

At least two users on my Telegram group are seeing this now. Thanks to nothingToSeeInMe for the screenshots!

A few months ago, I posted about a document from the Wireless Power Consortium that implied that products could ship with Qi2 branding but NOT support magnetic charging.

Since that post was based on a document that was outdated (the WPC has since taken down the page), I've deleted my post on it so it can no longer be referenced.

Yes, it's true that products can support the Qi2 spec but not support magnetic charging. HOWEVER, the WPC's guidelines state that the Qi2 logo/branding can only be used on packaging/marketing materials if the device supports the Magnetic Power Profile.

That means if you see the Qi2 logo on a product, it supports magnetic charging. If you see the old Qi logo, then it does not.

I apologize for sharing outdated information, and I'm glad that the WPC didn't move forward with allowing non-magnetic charging products to have a different Qi2 logo as that would've been confusing for consumers.

You can now transfer Burst Photos from your iPhone to your new Pixel phone when using the Android Switch app!

Paul Dunlop, the Product Manager for Onboarding & Switching on Android, just posted on Threads that Burst Photo transfer support has rolled out.

"With this update, you'll always keep your full set of burst photos when transferring via cable or WiFi, meaning you can always choose a different best shot, even after making the switch from iOS to Pixel.

The feature is live now for up to date Pixel devices through initial setup and the Android Switch app."

📸 Google Photos is getting ready to roll out its new ‘Quick Edit’ sharing feature

The 'Quick Edit' page will appear before you share a photo, and it'll let you quickly 'enhance' or crop it before sharing.

Details + screenshots can be found in this article.

Great news for Android developers with personal accounts!

Google has quietly lowered the number of people who have to test your Android app before you can release it on the Play Store.

Now you only need 12 instead of 20 testers.

More details on this policy change can be found in this article.

I'm seeing this brought up a lot, but I haven't seen evidence yet to suggest that Google Keep will be a preinstalled system app on ALL Android 16 devices.

Just because Google has done it in Android 16 DP2 for Pixels doesn't mean it's required! This is something we'll have to wait and see.

✍️ Android 16 will let apps block AI writing tools

Android 16’s new WritingTools API lets apps decide if they want text generated by AI to be allowed in text fields

More details on this new API can be found in this article on Android Authority.

Android 16 DP2 tweaks the keyboard settings menu to add a new subpage for the four physical keyboard accessibility options (sticky keys, bounce keys, slow keys, and mouse keys).

Along with the new subpage, some keyboard accessibility options now have their own menu. For bounce keys and slow keys, you can adjust the threshold (0.2s, 0.4s, 0.6s, or custom). For mouse keys, there are now instructional images on how to use it.

Android 16 DP2 introduces the repeat keys feature that I first spotted in development in Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1.

When it's enabled, repeat keys lets you "hold down a key to repeat its character until the key is released." Disabling this could help users who have trouble picking their finger back up quickly enough after they press a key, as it would stop them from accidentally repeating characters they didn't intend to.

Android 16 DP2 introduces the "2-finger double tap" magnification shortcut that I previously found back in May.

This new shortcut lets you magnify the screen by quickly tapping it twice with 2 fingers. It joins the existing accessibility button, accessibility gesture, volume key, and triple tap shortcuts for screen magnification.