The Android operating system requires frequent updates. They include security patches and other bug fixes in addition to new designs and features. However, OS updates aren’t the only thing that matters; apps require attention as well.
With that in mind, there have been a slew of improvements to major Google apps in recent months. Some of them have already been discussed, such as Messages’ solution to the vexing problem of iMessage reactions appearing as duplicated texts. However, a few have slipped between the cracks.
We now have a complete list of some of the most important app upgrades that Google has released recently, thanks to Google. Some of these are completely new features, while others are simply changes to existing ones. In any case, if you’re curious about what’s new with your Google apps, here is a fantastic place to start.
Messages
iMessage reactions: Reactions from iMessage users will now be displayed as emojis on text messages. This prevents the old problem of getting texts back that just said: “Liked [full original text message here].”
Categories: You can now easily view Personal and Business texts with the tap of the various categories at the top of your inbox.
OTP cleanup: You also have the option to automatically delete one-time passwords 24 hours after receipt.
Nudges: Quick reminders to reply to messages that you may have missed.
Birthday reminders: If you have a contact in Google’s Contacts app with a birthday listed, you’ll see a reminder that day when you open Messages or enter a conversation with them.
Photos integration: Google is further integrating one of its other super popular Google apps into Messages. Now, you can share your videos in high quality with your iOS friends, too. Messages will send videos as Google Photos links.
YouTube previews: You can see a preview of the video right in the conversation.
Gboard
Grammar Correction: Gboard’s Grammar Correction will correct your spelling and grammar as you type. It works entirely on-device to preserve privacy. This was originally released to Pixel users but is now available to all of Android.
Emoji Kitchen: Google’s popular sticker creation tool now has over 2,000 new mashups.
Photos
Portrait Blur: If you subscribe to Google One and/or own a Pixel device, you’ll soon have access to Portrait Blur on more subjects. These will include pets, food, and plants. You can even retroactively add blur to photos that didn’t have the effect when you took them
Other Google apps
Google TV: A new feature called Highlights will bring together the latest stories about your favorite TV shows.
Android Auto: You can now pay for parking using only your voice.
Nearby Share: It is now possible to share something with multiple people at the same time.
Widgets: A new screen time widget helps people stay on top of their digital consumption.
Live Transcribe: This feature now works without an internet connection.
Over the last few months, Google Photos has been quietly rolling out new features, and another one will be available shortly, expanding Portrait mode beyond your typical single subject. Unfortunately, like last year’s Pixel-exclusive Photo editing tools, this new Portrait Blur will only be available for Pixels and Google One users via the Google Photos Android app.
Prior to Google Photos Portrait Blur, Portrait Mode was only available for human images. Now, it’s available for a considerably wider range of subjects. Portrait Blur can attract focus and blur away crowded backgrounds in everything from images of animal pets you’re continually sending to your grandkids to that great meal you’re enjoying on vacation to the flowers in your yard coming into bloom this month.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=fXEkPeSBr-Q
This function isn’t limited to fresh pictures, either. You’ll be able to use it on any suitable photo once it’s available on your Android phone. This means you can take Portrait mode photos of your first puppy just as easily as the one you should be scritching behind the ears right now, providing you tagged their photos for easier reminiscing. Because this is performed after the photo is taken rather than during it, you can revert the snapshot to its original condition if the Portrait mode fails.
This is just one of the many announcements Google dropped today, including a new screen time widget, iMessage reaction support for Google Messages, an expansion of Gboard grammar check to all Android devices, and lots more, all rolling out in the coming weeks.
For as big as Sony is, it’s never been a giant in the world of smartphones. That hasn’t stopped it from releasing new devices for its audience of devoted fans. A week after spotting renders showing off the Sony Xperia 1 IV, we’re getting a new look at another phone on its way from the company, in all its bezel-ful glory.
These renders, courtesy of OnLeaks and Zoutons, show the future Xperia 10 IV with a familiar appearance. With a tall and thin 6-inch flat OLED display and those nostalgia-inducing bezels on the chin and forehead, the new phone looks a lot like the Xperia 10 III before it. Although they aren’t as large as they once were, they are still a far cry from the elegant, fullscreen displays found on handsets like the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
The phone’s back is quite plain, featuring a triple camera array, an LED flash, and the Sony Xperia branding. It also has a fingerprint sensor on the side, a 3.5mm headphone connection on the top — rejoice, wired headphones fans — and a USB-C port on the bottom. There are two front-firing speakers.
Despite its numerous similarities to the Xperia 10 III, the Xperia 10 IV has a few exterior differences. There’s no distinct Google Assistant button, for example – barely a miss, given that there are so many methods to access Assistant these days that a physical control feels extraneous. However, a shutter button, similar to the one found on the Xperia 1 series, would have been a great substitute. When it comes to differences, the frame is likely the most evident. Sony appears to be following the lead of Samsung and Apple, since the Xperia 10 IV has flat edges rather than rounded ones.
Sony’s upcoming Xperia 10 IV will likely have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 chipset under the hood, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage on the base model. It’ll be powered by a 4000mAh cell and come in Black, White, Mint Green, and Berry Blue colors. Pricing and launch info are still up in the air, but the new smartphone is expected to hit the markets in mid-2022.
If Android were a car engine, and you popped the hood and poked around a bit, you’d find the label “Linux” etched on the engine block. The open-source operating system provides the starting point that Android’s built on top of, but sharing code also means sharing vulnerabilities. Now a newly discovered Linux kernel bug is raising concerns for the security of Android devices, as it leaves a door open for malware intrusion.
The glitch in question has been dubbed “Dirty Pipe” by software engineer Max Kellerman, who provides a detailed writeup about the bug’s discovery. He first spotted some mysteriously corrupted log files last year, and his analysis of the problem revealed a kernel-level flaw that’s existed since 2020. The vulnerability lets software overwrite the system page cache, even for files where apps shouldn’t otherwise have permission. He determined that in the wrong hands the issue had potential for exploitation and alerted the team behind Linux kernel security. Properly coded malware could use this method to obtain full control of a vulnerable system by overwriting files as vital as the system’s root password.
Kellerman was also able to reproduce the bug on a Pixel 6, and reached out to let Google know. The company similarly prepared a fix, and merged it into the Android kernel. Right now, it’s just a matter of OEMs needing to incorporate that fixed kernel in future device updates.
For what it’s worth, Google confirmed to Android Police that Dirty Pipe did not play a role in delaying the release of Android 12L for the Pixel 6. Linux users, meanwhile, need to install their distro’s most recent security updates ASAP.
Today’s first standout is Battle Chasers: Nightwar, an excellent turn-based RPG, and if you dig RPGs, Dragon Quest VIII is also on sale today. If RPGs aren’t your bag, then perhaps the fantastic auto-runner FOTONICA will float your boat. As always, I’ve highlighted all of the interesting titles in bold in order to make discovery easier. So without further ado, here are the best temporarily free and on-sale apps and games for the weekend.
Without a question, Magisk is one of the best tools a rooted user can utilize to customize any Android device. You can install modules to accomplish almost anything you want that aren’t system-dependent, which means they won’t replace your system files permanently. You’ll be back to stock after uninstalling them and rebooting. Certain module-related properties have changed in recent versions of Magisk; to learn more about how to install and use it, see the tutorial below.
Download official Magisk repo
This official repo was built directly into the Magisk app to make installing and updating your modules quick and easy. However, starting with Magisk v24.0, developer John Wu has decided to remove it entirely from the app. If you previously relied only on the app for your module needs, you might be unsure of what to do now that the feature is missing.
Smartphone makers may consider rooting your phone and installing Magisk modules to be technological methods that void your warranty. If something goes wrong, you may experience issues ranging from simple data loss to a bricked device, and your device may become less secure as a result. Before you start, make sure you’re aware of the dangers.
Now, you have to manually access the official repo, which you can find by doing the following:
Scroll through the list and tap on a module that interests you.
Look over the description and features to get an idea of what it does, see picture below.
Scroll down to the Releases section towards the bottom, then tap the latest version.
Under Assets, tap the .zip file to download the Magisk module to your device.
The official Magisk repo may eventually shut down because it is no longer accepting new module contributions. The alternative Magisk repo, on the other hand, is available and will act as an unofficial substitute if that happens. This repository is continuously updated with new modules, thus it’s already a popular resource. It, too, uses GitHub, thus the download instructions are the same as for the official repo above.
Install Magisk modules
Open theMagisk app to the main screen.
Tap the Modules tab in the lower right corner.
Hit the Install from Storage button at the top.
Navigate to your Download folder or the location where you saved the module if needed.
Tap the module .zip file to begin the installation process, then follow any on-screen instructions as necessary.
Once finished, press the Reboot button at the bottom to restart and activate the module.
Although module compatibility is generally strong, not all combinations will operate well together. If you’re using a lot of different modules, be cautious about how many you install at once to avoid problems like a bootloop. Under typical situations, though, you should be able to stack many modules together without difficulty.
The BootloopSaver module is something that we recommend you check out when installing lots of modules. Knowing you won’t lose the data on your device because of a compatibility issue should help put your mind at ease. It’s also handy if you don’t have a custom recovery environment to fall back on.
The left screenshot shows the default gesture navbar at the bottom on a Pixel device running Android 12, while the right shows it was removed after installing the example module.
How to uninstall Magisk modules
When you decide a module just isn’t working for you, removing it is a straightforward and easy process. To uninstall a Magisk module from your device, do the following:
Open the Magisk app to the main screen.
Tap the Modules tab at the bottom right.
Locate the module you wish to uninstall, then hit the Remove button.
The module’s section and text are grayed out to indicate it’ll be uninstalled the next time you reboot your device.
To undo this action for any reason before that, hit the Restore button, and it’ll reverse the changes instantly.
Tapping the button on the right will turn it off, but not actually uninstall it. This can help with testing module compatibility, since you can always turn it back on later. You’re still required to reboot your device if you plan on disabling and enabling modules in this manner.
Install Fox’s Magisk module manager and how to use it
If you’d prefer to avoid scrolling through online repos looking for new modules, this is the method for you. Developer Fox2Code has created an app to manage your Magisk modules with relative ease. The app pulls from three different online repo sources, including the official one (for now), the unofficial alternative, and Androidacy’s. You can get started using Fox’s module manager by doing the following:
Scroll down to the Releases section towards the bottom, then tap the latest version.
Under the Assets section, hit the .apk file to begin the download.
Once it’s finished downloading, tap the notification in the status bar to install it.
If needed, enable the Install unknown apps permission to continue.
Press Install to begin.
You are greeted with a superuser permission request, so press Grant to confirm your choice.
Tapping the information icon on the right takes you to the README page for each module, and hitting the download button on the left will bring up the installation option. If you want to use a particular module, just tap Install Module, then follow the on-screen instructions as needed. Once you reboot your device, the module will be activated and ready to go.
Like the Magisk app, you can disable a specific module by switching its button to the off position. If you want to uninstall it entirely from your system, tap the trash bin icon to do that. Either way, you’ll have to do a reboot to finalize the changes you made here.
Tapping the Settings cogwheel in the upper right corner and going to Manage repos will let you pick where the modules come from. All sources are enabled by default, but you can disable any of them by pressing each switch to the off position.
Despite the fact that the official module repo has been deleted from the Magisk app, modules continue to exist. In fact, as more developers are joining on board with different methods to fund their work, your life with Magisk could get even better. Whether you use an internet source to manually download modules or Fox’s module management, the community has you covered.
Motorola unveiled the Moto Edge X30 flagship smartphone a few months ago in December 2021, which also happens to be the world’s first smartphone to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC.
Now, the business is preparing to release a new Moto Edge X30 Under Screen Edition smartphone, which, as the name suggests, includes an under-display camera sensor. The phone is expected to be released in the spring, according to the manufacturer.
The Moto Edge X30 Under Screen Edition will be released in the Chinese market in March, according to Chen Jin, General Manager of Lenovo China’s Mobile Phone Business department. However, no exact date has been announced.
Apart from the arrangement and sensor of the front-facing camera, we expect practically all of the characteristics of this new forthcoming smartphone to be identical to the conventional variant now on the market.
A 6.7-inch OLED Full-HD+ display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a 576Hz touch sampling rate is expected on the phone. It will have a DCI P3 color gamut of 100 percent, HDR10+, and an in-display fingerprint sensor.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC will power the smartphone, which will be paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
It will most likely include a triple-camera configuration with a 50-megapixel primary sensor in the photography area. The phone will run the Android 12 operating system and be backed by a 5,000mAh battery with quick charging capabilities.
TCL has just released the TCL 30 XE 5G, a low-cost phone with some impressive specs.
TCL has produced a number of fascinating phones since establishing its own brand. This company is focusing on manufacturing affordable phones as well as challenging the luxury market and working on a foldable phone.
The TCL 30 XE 5G has a 1080p display at 90Hz
We’re not dealing with any high-end or ground-breaking specifications right away. This is a simple phone with some interesting features. It features a 6.52-inch 1080p+ LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. While that may seem insignificant, it is enhanced by TCL’s NXTVISION technology. The display also features a touch sample rate of 180Hz.
The octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC clocked at 2.2GHz powers the TCL 30 XE 5G. There are 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which should suffice for most casual users. If it isn’t, this phone can be expanded with a microSD card up to 512GB.
A triple camera package is available in the camera package. The main camera on this phone is 13 megapixels, with a 2 megapixel macro camera and a 2 megapixel depth sensor. The main camera can record 1080p video at 30 frames per second. There’s an 8MP selfie camera on the front. It appears to be a camera combo that will simply do the job.
TCL included a 3.5mm headphone jack, a 4,500mAh battery, mobile hotspot, a rear-mounted fingerprint reader, face unlock, Android 11 out of the box, and an 18W charger in the box to round out the features. So, this is a really basic start into the TCL 30 phone series.
We don’t know much about the TCL 30 XE 5G at the moment. We don’t know when or where this phone will be released, or how much it will cost when it does. We can expect a similar price to the TCL 30 V 5G, which is roughly midrange and costs $299. It could be a little lower due to some of the specifications being less reliable.
While this phone does not compete in the premium smartphone market, it is still a good option for individuals who do not require much from their phones. For those who aren’t used to more expensive screens, the 90Hz refresh rate should be a nice touch. While we don’t know when this phone will be released, it shouldn’t be long.
Staying on top of the ever-changing environment of mobile security is one of the most difficult tasks for Android users. While Google has made significant progress in combating malware on its platform, fraudsters are quick to change their tactics. Under the guise of “Fast Cleaner,” security experts have discovered a new banking virus.
ThreatFabric, a security group, conducted a thorough investigation of the Fast Cleaner app. Before Google took it down, it had roughly 50,000 installs.
“Based on the intelligence gathered, users of 56 different European banks are among the targets of this new Android malware trojan, distributed on the official Google Play Store, with more than 50.000 installations,” the research team said in a blog post (via Phone Arena).
The Fast Cleaner program infects the Android device with a trojan meant to steal important information from the user, according to ThreatFabric. This could entail reading texts or receiving notifications without the user’s knowledge. This new malware is dubbed “Xenomorph” by the researchers, and it shares some characteristics with the recent Alien banking trojan.
Researchers said that Xenomorph is a relatively new malware and not as advanced as the Alien trojan
Of course, no one wants to install a harmful software on their phone. Users that downloaded the program did so based on the app’s description, which describes it as a “battery saver” and a “phone booster.” If you still have this app installed on your Android phone, uninstall it immediately.
Unfortunately, simply removing the rogue program may not be enough. Users should also review their bank statements for any odd activity and call the bank for additional information.
It’s practically impossible to tell which applications are excellent and which are terrible because there are so many with similar-sounding titles. The Fast Cleaner software was created by a developer identified as “ilzeeva4” and published on the Google Play Store.
According to ThreatFabric, Xenomorph was still in its early stages when it was discovered. This means it isn’t as sophisticated as the Alien trojan. This app was mostly targeted at European consumers, as shown in the graph below.
In terms of future measures, users should always double-check the apps they download. It’s also wise to go through the ratings and reviews on the Play Store or through other sources.
When you download offline maps, you can access Google Maps’ most useful features even when you’re not connected to the internet. If you’re traveling in a distant place with spotty service or to a foreign nation where you may not have access to a data plan, it’s a terrific option.
When using Maps offline, not all functions are available. You won’t be able to get instructions for public transportation, bicycling, or walking, and you won’t be able to get real-time traffic statistics. You will, however, be able to acquire directions and routes, as well as navigate and search for sites.
Not only can you manually download maps of specified places, but Google Maps will also attempt to automatically update these maps. Because there are many regions in my hometown where the internet connection is sketchy at best, I keep an offline map downloaded at all times to ensure I don’t get lost.
How to download an offline map
Tap your profile icon in the top right of Google Maps.
Google Maps may also suggest maps based on saved addresses and upcoming trips. To download, simply tap the blue arrow to the left of the location.
Pinch in and out to set the area to download.
There is a limit to how far you can zoom out. If you wish to download a more extensive area, you’ll need to repeat this process for each section.
Tap Download.
Your map will now start downloading. The app will return you to the Offline maps screen, where you can monitor its progress.
To rename the map, tap the three-dot overflow menu to the right of its name.
Enter a name and tap Save.
Update an offline map
It’s critical to update your maps on a regular basis, and configuring your offline maps to update automatically saves you time. Most maps will expire a year after being downloaded, and you’ll be notified two weeks ahead of time if they haven’t been updated.
Automatically update and download maps
Tap your profile icon in the top right of Google Maps.
Tap Offline maps.
Tap the Settings button in the top right of your screen.
Toggle the Auto-update offline maps switch to turn on automatic updating.
Toggle the Auto-download recommended maps switch to automatically download recommended maps (e.g., home, work, upcoming trips).
How to manually update maps
Tap your profile icon in the top right of Google Maps.
Tap Offline maps.
Tap the three-button menu to the right of the map you wish to update.
Tap Update.
You don’t need to do anything extra after downloading an offline map. When you’re not connected to the internet, simply open Google Maps to see your saved maps.
