At Android Police, we generally like apps, but we actually prefer the ones that are straightforward, attractive, and cost nothing. Consider the newest software from designer Rushikesh Kamewar, Dynamic Wallpaper.
Users of this free, ad-free software can choose among 17 endearing trios of wallpapers made by designers Pashapuma Design, Nayella, and Sai Naveen. When the battery is charged or when it is getting low, the wallpapers alternate between each other. Make sure you take that into account because the main page of the program features a menu item that will take you directly to your system power settings. The first condition is typically related to when your device enters battery saver mode.
The program doesn’t consume a lot of power because it only initiates a brief background operation when the power requirements are met. The transition between wallpapers isn’t elegant; it’s a rapid cut to black and then to the next wallpaper.
Although it’s very early, Kamewar says he plans to give users the option to select three of their own wallpapers in a future release. There will undoubtedly be more wallpapers from various designers in those upgrades. The creator is aware that include all the wallpapers in the app will make it larger. Its 38MB size is a bit excessive for such a basic program.
The program doesn’t consume a lot of power because it only initiates a brief background operation when the power requirements are met. The transition between wallpapers isn’t elegant; it’s a rapid cut to black and then to the next wallpaper.
Although it’s very early, Kamewar says he plans to give users the option to select three of their own wallpapers in a future release. There will undoubtedly be more wallpapers from various designers in those upgrades. The creator is aware that include all the wallpapers in the app will make it larger. Its 38MB size is a bit excessive for such a basic program.
Age of Empires is a game that every original PC gamer has heard of. Although this game mostly existed on the PC platform, it appears that it will be growing over the coming months. This also includes an upcoming Age of Empires mobile game.
Given that the franchise has recently turned 25, this is a rather significant milestone. Here is a brief recap of the game in case you are new to it. In 1997, the first Age of Empires game was released. In this simulation game, you expand your kingdom. You begin with a group of cavemen and gradually expand your civilisation into a vast empire by gathering resources, going on food hunts, etc.
Now, Age of Empires is coming to mobile
Is a really popular game, but it suffered from one pitfall: it only really lived on one platform. This game didn’t really migrate outside of the PC ecosystem. There were two mobile releases several years ago, but those didn’t share the formula of the core games.
Now, Microsoft is taking another crack at bringing this game to the small screens. World’s Edge, the developer behind this game, posted a short teaser of an Age of Empires game built from the ground up for mobile hardware. This game seems to be more closely related to the original titles. The teaser didn’t show much, however, it let us know that it’s going to be for mobile, and that it’s coming soon.
Also coming to Xbox
Because Microsoft is going all out to celebrate this game’s 25th anniversary, more people will be able to enjoy the series. But those hoping for the original title will be let down.
On January 31st, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition will be released on Xbox platforms, while Age of Empires IV will follow later in 2019. Additionally, Age of Empires IV Anniversary Edition will receive some new content. Two new civilizations are represented by this: Milian and Ottoman. In addition, there are 11 new game languages, 8 new multiplayer maps, new biomes, achievements, and challenges. All users can access this update for free.
Looking for the first Age of Empires Game?
If you’re craving the original title, then there is some good news. At the time of writing this article, Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is now only $4.99 on steam. That’s a 75% discount from the $19.99 price. You’ll want to act fast, as this sale ends on November 1st!
Yesterday, Samsung updated the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 with its One UI 5 beta upgrade, which is based on Android 13. Owners of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 can now enroll in the beta program.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 was promised three significant OS updates and shipped with Android 10 out of the box. Owners of the Fold 2 can anticipate receiving Android 13 as the last significant OS upgrade. Even for Galaxy S22 devices, the stable version of One UI 5 is still not ready for release, but the beta version is currently accessible for download in South Korea. Other locations should soon receive the update.
All you have to do to try out the beta is go to the Samsung Members app. You’ll have the option to sign up for Samsung’s beta program there. Simply launch the app and select the banner for the beta announcement. You can register by entering your information on the registration page that is linked by the banner. After that is finished, you ought to see an update notification.
If you choose to install it, as with any beta, you can encounter issues. Always make a backup of your data before updating to the One UI 5 beta.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 will receive Android 13 as its final major operating system, but it won’t be the last upgrade. the object
Although Android 13 will be the Galaxy Z Fold 2’s last major operating system, it won’t be the last upgrade. More security updates for the gadget are still planned, although they should stop in late 2024.
On Friday, Meta Platforms announced that it had discovered over 400 malicious apps on Android and iOS that it claimed were aimed at online users in order to steal their Facebook login credentials.
According to a study provided with Droid Tools by the social media giant, “These programs were placed on the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store and disguised as photo editors, games, VPN services, business apps, and other utilities to deceive consumers into downloading them.”
42.6% of the rogue apps were photo editors, followed by business utilities (15.4%), phone utilities (14.1%), games (11.7%), VPNs (11.7%), and lifestyle apps (4.4%). Interestingly, a majority of the iOS apps posed as ads manager tools for Meta and its Facebook subsidiary.
The owners of the plan not only disguised its nefarious nature as a collection of seemingly innocent apps, but they also posted fictitious reviews in an effort to counteract any unfavorable comments made by users who may have previously downloaded the apps.
By presenting a “Login With Facebook” prompt, the apps ultimately served as a way to steal the user login information.
“If the login information is stolen, attackers could potentially gain full access to a person’s account and do things like message their friends or access private information,” the company said.
Both app stores have removed all of the disputed apps. You may view the list of 402 apps, which includes 355 Android apps and 47 iOS apps.
It is crucial to use caution while downloading apps and providing access to Facebook in order to get the claimed functionality, as it is with all programs of this nature. This entails carefully examining app permissions and user evaluations as well as confirming the legitimacy of the app creators.
The disclosure was made at the same time that three Chinese and Taiwanese businesses were sued by Meta-owned WhatsApp for allegedly deceiving over a million users into compromising their own accounts by disseminating fake versions of the messaging software.
Although it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, this strategy has been employed by Google for a while and makes a lot of sense.
This is due to the phased rollout strategy giving Google more time to monitor the rollout and identify any potential difficulties in advance, effectively lowering the possibility that new app versions may seriously affect the devices on which they are installed.
The most recent version of the app, Android Auto 8.2, is currently available to users. Fortunately, there is a quick method to download the program without having to wait for it to appear on the Google Play Store.
You should be aware that this alternate option essentially involves manually downloading Android Auto 8.2 onto your smartphone. To accomplish this, you must download the standalone APK installer and then run it on your device.
The Android Auto 8.2 APK installer should first be downloaded from this page. Once the download has finished, navigate to the file’s destination and tap it.
You should be prepared to move on at this point if your Android device is set up to permit the installation of apps from sources other than the Google Play Store. If not, the operating system should automatically prevent the installation and ask you to approve its completion.
When the installation is complete, which shouldn’t take more than a few seconds, Android Auto should function normally. When manually installing the most recent update, you do not need to remove the version that is already installed on your device.
What’s new in Android Auto 8.2
There isn’t much information available on this front because Google hasn’t published a thorough changelog. However, based on the most current user comments on social media, it appears like Android Auto 8.2 doesn’t bring about any noteworthy changes other from a bug that most users would find annoying.
The weather and temperature icons in the status bar appear to be gone in Android Auto 8.2, although as was previously said, this is probably simply a quirk since hardly everyone notices it.
Since no workaround has been found, it appears to be a server-side bug that Google should be able to resolve without releasing another update.
What’s not included in Android Auto 8.2
Since everyone seems to be anticipating the revamp of Coolwalk in Android Auto, you’ll likely be disappointed to learn that version 8.2 doesn’t bring any changes in this area.
In other words, if you hurriedly downloaded and installed Android Auto 8.2 in the hopes of obtaining Coolwalk, this UI change isn’t yet accessible. You should also be aware that Google will enable the new function with a server-side switch, so the distribution of Coolwalk isn’t dependent on a specific Android Auto update.
The majority of the code for Coolwalk is already present, therefore Google is currently only focusing on final polishing. This indicates that the release of Coolwalk shouldn’t be too far away, even though there is currently no other information on the ETA.
If you don’t want to manually install version 8.2 on your smartphone, the wait shouldn’t be too long as the automated deployment of Android Auto upgrades normally ends after a few weeks. In other words, as part of the gradual deployment described above, this most recent version of the app should be made available to all Android smartphones running Android Auto by the end of the month.
The greatest Android game and software bargains for Monday afternoon are now available below the fold. Along with the software discounts, there are also price reductions for the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G, Samsung’s most recent Galaxy Z Fold 4 foldable, and the Chromecast with Google TV 4K. However, the focus of today’s bargains is on apps, with titles like Pavilion: Touch Edition, ProCam X, Evoland 2, YoWindow Weather, Hack, Slash, Loot, Crystalline, and others among the highlights. For a detailed look at today’s top Android app bargains, courtesy of Google Play, continue reading below.
Do you want to use your Samsung smartphone to record calls? All Galaxy devices come with the call recording feature out of the box, which streamlines the process. This implies that you can record calls on your Galaxy smartphone without using a third-party program.
Are You Allowed to Record Phone Calls?
Before you begin recording calls on your Samsung Galaxy phone, you should be aware that certain local laws and regulations may prevent you from using the feature in your nation or neighborhood.
In some countries, it is illegal to record calls without the other party’s consent. So don’t be surprised if the call recording feature is missing from your Samsung Galaxy device. In such cases, you are out of luck as there’s nothing that can be done to enable this functionality.
In a few locations, even when recording is legal, Samsung may still not have implemented it. This could help explain why the call recording option is not showing up on your Samsung phone.
It is not possible to record VoWiFi calls, i.e., voice calls that happen over Wi-Fi.
Also, note that you cannot record calls on Android using a third-party app. Due to privacy reasons, these apps don’t work on Android 9 or a newer version of the OS. Any app that claims to work will require you to root your Android device, which could void its warranty.
Therefore, you cannot just download an app from the Play Store to add call recording capabilities to your device if it lacks it. You can follow our instructions for recording calls using the Google Phone app if it is the default dialer on your Android smartphone.
The pre-recorded message warning the parties that the call is being recorded is not played by Samsung’s call recorder. It has a significant advantage over devices that use the Google Phone app as the default dialer as a result of this. It is impossible to record a call on such devices without the other side being aware of it. All callers will hear a “This call is being recorded” announcement whenever you begin or end a call recording.
Automatically record calls on a Samsung Device
You may set your Samsung Galaxy device to automatically record all calls.
You can choose to record calls from all contacts in your phone book, solely from selected contacts, or only from unknown numbers, depending on your preferences.
Tap the 3-dot overflow menu button in the top-right corner, followed by Settings > Record calls.
Jump into the Auto record calls menu and enable the feature.
Proceed to select whether you want to record All calls, Calls from unsaved numbers, or Calls from specific numbers.
How to Manually Record Calls on a Galaxy Phone
You can also manually record single calls on phones like the Samsung Galaxy S22, Note, or Galaxy Fold series. Here’s how:
Open the Phone app on your Samsung device and call the contact whose call you’d like to record. Alternatively, accept the incoming call that you want to record.
On the call screen, tap the Record call button to start recording. If the option does not show up on the call screen, tap the 3-dot menu button on the top-right and then select the Record call option.
The first time you use the call recording feature, you’ll be prompted to accept the terms and conditions.
Manually record calls on Samsung Android Devices
Contrary to several other phones, you can record calls without alerting the other party. Only Android phones that have the Google Phone app set as their default dialer app experience this.
On One UI 4 and One UI 5, the method to record a phone call is the same.
How to View Recorded Calls
You can view recorded calls on your Samsung Galaxy device from the Phone app.
Open the Phone app on your Samsung Galaxy device.
Tap the 3-dot overflow menu button in the top-right corner.
Navigate to Settings > Record calls > Recorded calls. All the recorded calls will show up here. The file name will show the contact name or the phone number to easily identify the recorded calls.
You can select any recorded audio file and then tap the Share option to share the recorded call on WhatsApp, Gmail, Drive, etc.
Call Recording on Samsung Galaxy Devices
As we’ve seen, it’s rather simple to record calls on a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, assuming local regulations don’t restrict the firm from providing the feature there.
And always keep in mind that when you have power, you also have duty, thus you should never record a call without first telling the other person on the line.
One of the many features you’ll only find on Samsung smartphones and not on other Android phones is call recording. It’s highly recommended to check out some of the additional features offered by the Galaxy One UI software.
On October 6, Google will hold its upcoming hardware launch event, during which the Pixel 7 series and a number of other new items will be made public. The Pixel 7 series duo was originally shown off by Google at its 2022 I/O event, but additional crucial information has been kept under wraps.
The pair has been the subject of numerous rumors, and Google has been gradually disclosing features from the Pixel 7 series. We’ll outline how to watch the Pixel 7 series event live as well as what to look forward to.
When will Google launch the Pixel?
On October 6, 2022, Google’s Pixel 7 series will debut. At a live event in Brooklyn, New York, beginning at 10 AM ET, Google will reveal the Pixel 7. (3:00 PM London time, 9:30 PM Indian time).
How to watch Google’s launch event
Although Google’s hardware event will take place in person, you can watch it live online from the comfort of your home. The Made by Google YouTube channel will broadcast the event live.
What to expect at Google’s event
What hardware is hence most likely to be presented at the event? While rumors and leaks have disclosed some of the other details, Google has already confirmed a large portion of it.
1. Google Pixel 7 Series
Google will unveil two models, the standard Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro. The duo maintains Google’s modern design introduced with the Pixel 6 series in 2021.
The edge-to-edge rear camera bar is still there on both phones, but Google is prepared to differentiate between the two by adding a third camera to the Pro model, making a total of three. The third rear camera on the Pixel 7 Pro is also located in a distinct dot cutout. Both variants’ back camera bars are made of metal instead of the glass found on the Pixel 6.
Google recently posted a photo showing the Pixel 7 Pro’s display, which is somewhat curved. Google continues to employ a rounded notch, which is said to include an 11MP Samsung 3J1 front camera.
According to 9To5Google, rumors indicate that Google will keep using the primary 50MP Samsung GN1 sensor and Sony’s IMX381 for ultrawide pictures. The usage of Google’s second-generation Tensor G2 processor, which is expected to employ a 4nm chip with Samsung’s upcoming Exynos 5300 modem, is one of the greatest upgrades.
The Tensor G2 is supposedly combined with 12GB of memory and 128GB of storage on the Pixel 7 Pro, according to a report from Android Authority. According to rumors, the stock Pixel 7 will have Bluetooth Low Energy-enabled dual speakers, 8GB of RAM, 128/256GB of storage, a 4700mAh battery, 30W charging capability, and a 6.3-inch display.
Both versions will be available in the colors Obsidian and Snow out of the box, but there is also a third special choice for each model: Hazel for the Pro and Lemongrass for the Pixel 7.
Early price rumors have suggested the Pixel 7 series starts at $599 for the standard model and $899 for the Pro model, identical to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro launch prices, respectively.
While there’s still uncertainty on other important features of the Pixel 7 series like battery, fast charging speeds, camera, price, and more, it looks like you shouldn’t expect a massive update from the Pixel 6 series.
2. Pixel Watch
Google is almost ready to introduce its first wristwatch. In leaked images, the Pixel Watch has a svelte circular shape and muted hues similar to the Pixel 7 series. It has a pill-shaped button on the right and a silver crown on the left.
According to an early hands-on in the wild that was posted on Reddit in April 2022, the Pixel Watch is expected to be 40mm in diameter, 14mm thick, and 30mm in diameter (without the bezels).
https://youtube.com/watch?v=_p7v1PTABSU
It has been suggested that the Pixel Watch would include fitness and health tracking capabilities for heart rate, blood oxygen, skin temperature, and other parameters. Most significantly, the Fitbit Charge 5 has been compared to the Pixel Watch’s rear sensors, which debuted in 2021.
The Fitbit’s Charge 5 has several tracking features, including an ECG and EDA sensor. Besides, Google notes in a teaser that Fitbit powers the smartwatch’s health and fitness features, and, as a result, you may need a Fitbit account as well as the app to enjoy some functionalities.
Reports suggest Google could use the Exynos 9110 chip, an old chip first seen in Samsung’s 2018 Galaxy Watch, according to a 9To5Google report. On the bright side, Google will reportedly include over 1.5GB of memory to compensate for that.
Under the hood, the Pixel Watch will run Wear OS 3, the latest version of Google’s smartwatch operating system.
3. Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro and Nest Doorbell (Wired)
The newest Nest Wi-Fi mesh network is anticipated to be unveiled by Google’s Nest division. The Nest Wi-Fi Pro will be the name of the next-generation Wi-Fi mesh network, according to a B&H retail page leak. According to reports, it will start at $199 for a single router and enable Wi-Fi 6E.
The Nest Doorbell (wired), a variation of the current Nest Doorbell, could also be announced (battery). Despite the fact that no significant modifications have been noticed in terms of design, leaks indicate it may be shorter but thicker than the Nest Doorbell (battery).
Get Ready for Google’s Hardware Event
The Pixel 7 and Pixel Watch are expected to be unveiled in person at Google’s fall hardware event. The Nest Wi-Fi Pro and Nest Doorbell could also be made public by the business (wired). Prepare for the event because Google may have further surprises in addition to these.
Apple excels at retaining consumers inside of its ecosystem. Once you experience the iPhone world and fall in love with its distinct features or apps, switching to Android is challenging. iMessage is one of the key iOS apps we wish existed on Android and Windows. Although there isn’t an official way to use iMessage on Android, Beeper’s unified chat software makes it possible.
What is Beeper?
An integrated chat and inbox app is called Beeper. Former Pebble CEO and Founder Eric Migicovsky is one of the project’s key figures. It is renowned for smoothly integrating all of your communications and social networks. Additionally, you can set notes, search all services, and make voice and video conversations.
Google Chat, Instagram, Messenger, Signal, WhatsApp, Twitter, Discord, Slack, and more services are also supported.
We’ll talk more about this later. The app is presently in beta, and the only way to access it is with an invite.
How does it work?
If iMessage isn’t available outside of Apple devices, how does it manage this?
It functions as an intermediary between your iMessage content and your other devices. It redirects conversations through its messaging software and links your Apple ID account to its own servers. In essence, you send a message to their servers, which then forward it to iMessage so that the receiver may get it. The opposite also holds true.
The waitlist
As previously mentioned, the app is still in a closed beta stage. This means you’ll need an invite in order to get access to the app. Click on the button below to get on the waitlist, and hopefully you can get in soon.
The app seems really awesome, no? It completes a task for which we have been waiting years, even in beta. The unified chat service is functional, attractively designed, and compatible with all significant platforms. You are correct to believe that such kindness cannot be offered for free. It charges $10 per month, even though it’s still in beta. For a service that isn’t even ready for prime time yet, it’s a little on the costly side, but some of you might find it worthwhile.
The bad
Beeper has to go through some hurdles in order to use iMessage on Android or Windows because there isn’t an official way to do so. They’ll need access to your Apple ID account, and that’s the trick here. Even though it claims it will only utilize this information to obtain your messages through iMessage, some security-conscious people may have some worries about this. These accounts are kept by Beeper on a Mac Mini server. To make chat easier, they will also access your contacts. If you do this, you must have faith in it. You must also have faith in their ability to avoid hacking.
One more significant drawback is that it doesn’t support RCS (Rich Communications Services). The SMS and MMS replacement, which can use data for messages, video, and other communication tools, is a crucial feature for Android users and is essentially an iMessage rival. The Google Messages app contains it. If you continue to use Google Messages as your main messaging app, RCS will continue to work. Then, you can use Beeper’s iMessage feature as a backup service. RCS support will be lost if Beeper becomes the standard messaging program.
Finally, a PC must be used to set up Beeper. It cannot just be installed and run using the Android app. More specifically, the Android app does not allow you to add services to your account. The purpose of the app is to sync with your account, which is managed by the PC program. That essentially eliminates this for anyone without access to a computer.
How to set up iMessage on Beeper
Are you ready to move forward? If you got your invite, it’s time to set up iMessage on Beeper. You’ll get notified when it’s your turn. In which case you have to follow instructions to set up Beeper.
Follow the instructions to install the Beeper app on your Windows PC, and create your account.
The September 2022 Google System updates have started to reach Android devices. These updates differ from OTA (over the air) updates that you get for your phone. Instead, these are updates to various underpinning technologies, such as Google Play Services and the Play Store, which serve as the foundation for the Android OS. For a more dependable and secure user experience, the organization releases updates and adjustments to these systems on a regular basis. Each month, it describes their developments. A few major modifications, including some for Kids Space, are brought about by the most recent round of Google System updates.
This month’s Google System updates bring notable changes to Kids Space
First off, you can now set up Android tablets to install Google Kids Space on a different account. You can now use your tablet to share with your little siblings or children. To prevent your children from downloading or using undesirable apps, you can also hide suggested apps while configuring Kids Space. On Android smartphones, TVs, tablets, Android Auto, and Wear OS devices, the most recent updates significantly improve Google account syncing and recovery.
Additionally, the Google Play Store is improving. Play-as-you-download, Google Play billing, Play Protect, Play Pass, and Play Points programs are just a few of the features that are getting some optimization. However, if you looked at the organization’s official update tracker for these monthly releases, you would see the identical entries in the changelog for almost every release.
Improvements are also being made in the Google Play Store. Some enhancements are being made to features including Play-as-you-download, Google Play billing, Play Protect, Play Pass, and Play Points programs. However, if you looked at the changelog for these monthly releases on the company’s official update tracker, you would see the identical entries almost every month. That’s because Google makes these ongoing adjustments for better user experience in the background.
As part of these monthly Google System updates, Google frequently pushes new updates to Android OS systems throughout the month. So, in the upcoming weeks, it’s possible that the corporation will add new items to the changelog for the most recent edition. We will undoubtedly let you know about anything significant or significant if it happens.
The aforementioned improvements are now being released alongside Google Play Store version 31.1 and Google Play services version 35.22. It may take a few days for everyone to notice the improvements brought about by this month’s Google System upgrades because the company just issued the most recent version. Although the updates ought to be installed without your intervention, you can always look for them yourself. To check if you have a Google Play services update available, click this page. The About section of Settings, accessed from your avatar in the top right corner of the Play Store home page, allows you to check for updates for the Play Store.
