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Tag: Android 10

  • Samsung Galaxy S10 Starts Receiving Android 10 Update

    Samsung Galaxy S10 Starts Receiving Android 10 Update

    Samsung has been extensively testing Android 10 for its Galaxy S10 range over the last few weeks. Now, a new report claims that the company has silently pushed the rollout of Android 10 for the Galaxy S10, which appears to be the final build of the update. According to a report by SamMobile, users in Germany are included in the first phase of the rollout.

    The rollout of the stable release with version 2.0 of One UI includes most of the new features available in Android 10. These include system-wide dark theme, new gesture-based navigation, as well as more granular location permissions. Besides, Samsung has also made subtle changes to its One UI skin by improving its Samsung apps, detailed battery usage graph, along with more ways to access one-handed mode.

    The update labeled as G97**XXU3BSKO interestingly includes the December Security patch level, which is yet to arrive on Pixel devices. Besides, the update is merely 140MB in size for users already running Android 10 beta builds.

    You can manually check for the update on any Galaxy S10e, S10, and S10+ if you live in Germany (and maybe elsewhere) by heading over to Settings > Software Update.

    Not to mention, sources also indicate that the update is also rolling out for users currently using the stable version of Android 9 Pie. However, for non-beta users, the update is considerably bigger in size at about 2GB, though the update version number is the same. While Samsung is yet to officially announce Android 10 for its devices, but the rollout should continue with more waves and more markets getting the update.

  • Android Auto App Now Available for Android 10 Users

    Android Auto App Now Available for Android 10 Users

    Back in September, Google promised that it would release a separate Android Auto app specifically for Android 10 users with a non-compatible head unit. Now, the app has finally arrived on the PlayStore so that Android 10 users can use the app on their smartphones.

    Dubbed as ‘Android Auto for Phone screens, the new app is designed to bring the full Android Auto experience on your phone’s screen, until Google Assistant Driving mode arrives.

    “This app lets you use Android Auto on your phone screen with a phone running Android 10. If you have Android 10 and an Android Auto compatible car, you can project to your car display without downloading this app. Simply plug in your phone to get started,” explained Google.

    With Android Auto, Android 10 users can deploy Google Assistant to route their next destination with real-time GPS navigation and traffic alerts using Waze and Google Maps. Users get real-time updates about their route such as hazards, roadblocks, jams, and ETA.

    Besides, users can also manage their infotainment system to listen to music, podcasts, and audiobooks on a wide range of apps such as Pandora, Spotify, Google Play Music, TIDAL, Deezer, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more. Not to mention, Android Auto also features a Do Not Disturb Mode so drivers can concentrate on the road and to avoid any distractions.

    To recall, Google recently integrated Android Auto with Android 10 OS so as to remove the need to download a separate app. However, this implied that Android 10 users who own a car without a compatible head unit would not be able to use the app on their smartphones, which was possible earlier. To rectify the situation, Google has finally released a standalone Android app for Android 10 users.

    Initially, Google seemed completely fine with chucking the idea of a standalone Android Auto app, as it was supposed to be replaced by Google Assistant ‘driving mode’. However, Google Assistant ‘driving mode’ is still not available, so until it becomes available, Google seems to have come up with a temporary solution for Android 10 users without an Android Auto compatible head unit with the new standalone Android Auto app.

  • Google Releases Android Security Patch for November 2019

    Google Releases Android Security Patch for November 2019

    Today, Google rolled out the newest Android security patch for November 2019 to address several security vulnerabilities and bug fixes in the latest Android 10 OS. The new Android security patch fixes as many as 38 security vulnerabilities in various of Android’s core components such as Android Framework, Android Library, Media framework, Android System, Kernel components, and Android components. Therefore, users are advised to install the Android Security Patch for November 2019 on their devices as soon as possible.

    One of the critical issues addressed by the latest security patch is a flaw that could allow a locally installed malicious app to bypass user permissions to gain access to additional app permissions. This vulnerability could allow a remote hacker to execute arbitrary code using a specifically crafted file, allowing the hacker to gain access to additional permissions.

    “The most severe of these issues is a critical security vulnerability in the System component that could enable a remote attacker using a specially crafted file to execute arbitrary code within the context of a privileged process. The severity assessment is based on the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would possibly have on an affected device,” explains the security bulletin.

    Google also released the Pixel Update for November 2019, which addresses as many as 21 vulnerabilities in the Linux Kernel components, Qualcomm components, LG components, and Android framework specific to Pixel devices. Besides, the latest update brings functional patches to offer various improvements to supported Pixel handsets. These include Smooth Display and Camera quality improvements for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL.

    Besides, there’s additional support for Xbox Bluetooth controller mapping on Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, and Pixel 4 XL. Elsewhere, the latest patch brings improvements for bottom speaker audio quality on Pixel 3, along with improvements for Google Assistant keyword on Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3 XL.

  • Android 10 beta now officially available for the Galaxy S10

    Android 10 beta now officially available for the Galaxy S10

    Samsung has officially commenced the Android 10 beta program for the Galaxy S10 range. Users in several countries are now allowed to test and install the early version of the OS on their smartphones. The handsets supported in the Android 10 beta program include the Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, as well the Galaxy S10 5G.

    The beta of Android 10 is based on One UI 2.0, which brings features such as the new Focus Mode in Android 10, along with One UI 2.0 perks such as enhanced ‘Dark Mode’ and smaller notifications. The new update will also focus on other improvements such as digital wellness, new media controls, as well as other features that will be added to the beta program.

    “Designed to simplify and streamline interactions, One UI has brought a unified mobile experience to Galaxy devices. Since its launch, Samsung has been refining the UX, while also expanding its capabilities to help users focus on the tasks that matter. Features are further enhanced to make the experience more natural, seamless and efficient,” explained Samsung.

    Users in supported countries can now download and install the beta by registering via the Samsung Members app. Once they’ve completed the registration process, they should check for notifications and the beta should show up on their device. The program is now rolling out for users in South Korea, Germany, and the US, though Samsung is expected to expand the One UI 2.0 beta program to other countries as well in the coming weeks.

    Besides, Samsung is also expected to add the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ to the beta testing program by late October or early November.

  • Google Pixel users facing issues after Android 10 update

    Google Pixel users facing issues after Android 10 update

    Google recently began rolling out the latest Android 10 update to all Pixel devices. However, several Pixel users have reported issues related to sensors after updating their phones to the newest version of Android. Key sources suggest that some Pixel users are reporting dead sensors after updating to Android 10.

    Several users have come out and reported the issue on XDA Forums, Pixel Phone Help forum, and Google Issue Tracker. With this bug, users are experiencing problems with features such as Active Edge functionality, auto-rotate, auto-brightness, double-tap to wake, and lift-to-wake. Besides, it appears that Pixel 3 XL users are mostly facing the bug, as only one user has reported about the issue on his first-gen Pixel.

    “When I make a phone call, the screen goes dark and no swiping or pressing of the power button brings the screen back on. If the call goes to voicemail, you can’t see the dial pad to respond to prompts,” reads a user complaint on Google Issue Tracker.

    For now, it appears there’s no way to bypass the bug as Google is yet to release a fix for the same. Users affected by the bug have reported that downgrading to Android 9 Pie is one way to get your sensors up and running.

    That said, it doesn’t seem to be a widespread issue. In the meantime, if you haven’t updated to Android 10 on your Pixel yet, we’d suggest that you wait for a few days before going ahead with the update.

    Google started rolling out the latest version of its Android OS to Pixel phone users on Tuesday. As expected, Android 10 brings several tweaks and performance improvements. Some of the highlights in Android 10 include the new gesture system, improved Privacy Settings, new Focus Mode, along with the ability to save photos in HEIF format.

    Android 10 also happens to be the first version of Android that doesn’t have a dessert name. Google decided to ditch dessert-themed names, global users because global found it easier to relate to numbers instead of cookies or desserts.

  • Android 10 arrives on Pixel phones

    Android 10 arrives on Pixel phones

    Android 10 has officially arrived. Google started rolling out the latest version of its Android OS to Pixel phone users on Tuesday. As expected, Android 10 brings several tweaks and performance improvements. Though for the most part, Android 10 appears to be an incremental update as users may not notice some of the new features immediately.

    Some of the highlights in Android 10 include the new gesture system. For instance, you’ll need to swipe right from the screen’s left edge to back, instead of just pressing the back button found in earlier versions of Android. Users can also swipe left or right on the bottom of the screen to scroll through their recently used apps.

    Another significant change is the new Privacy settings. In Android 10, all privacy settings like app permissions, account activity, and personal data are found in one place. Now, this is much unlike Android 9, where users need to find app privacy settings within each app. With the latest version of Android, users can customize how apps on their smartphone access their location data. They can choose between three options; all the time, only when they use the app, or never. Moreover, it even reminds users if they allowed apps to access their location all the time.

    Elsewhere, Android 10 devices will get security updates like an app update in the Google Play Store. The whole idea is to make it faster and easier for users to get the latest security updates.

    Besides, there’s a new Focus mode, which allows users’ to temporarily pause apps which they might find distracting while performing som other tasks.

    Android 10 also allows users to save photos in HEIF format, which essentially uses less space without comprising on quality. Therefore, photos look just as good as the earlier JPEG format, without consuming too much space on the phone.

    There’s also a new app called Sound Amplifier. As the name suggests, it allows users to boost the sound they want to hear by filtering out the background noise. However, the feature only works with wired headphones.

    Android 10 also happens to be the first version of Android that doesn’t have a dessert name. Google decided to ditch dessert-themed names as global users found it easier to relate to numbers.

    As is usually the case with major updates, Android 10 will arrive in phases. Hence, not all Pixel users might have received the update right away. Users, however, can manually check if the update is available by heading over to Settings> System> Advanced> System Update.

  • Android Q renamed Android 10, Google ditches dessert names

    Android Q renamed Android 10, Google ditches dessert names

    Until now, Google has named its Android operating system after treats or desserts in alphabetical order. After their alpha and beta versions, the company released Android Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jellybean, KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, Nougat, Oreo, and Pie.

    That said, that’ll change with the forthcoming release of Android. As after nearly ten years, Google has decided to ditched dessert-themed names for its Android operating system. The company’s next version, earlier known as Android Q, has been renamed Android 10. The move comes as Google believes that switching from dessert names to numbers won’t be confusing for global users, as numbers as easier to understand and remember.

    “We are changing the way we name our releases. Our engineering team has always used internal code names for each version, based on tasty treats, or desserts, in alphabetical order. This naming tradition has become a fun part of the release each year externally, too. But we’ve heard feedback over the years that the names weren’t always understood by everyone in the global community.” said Google in a blog post.

    The company also added that the change comes after feedback over several years. According to Google, some alphabets such as L and R aren’t easily distinguishable when spoken aloud in certain languages.

    “As a global operating system, it’s important that these names are clear and relatable for everyone in the world,” further added Google.

    Apart from the name, the Android logo also got a slight refresh. The green Android mascot now only shows the head instead of the full body. Besides, the Android name, which was earlier in green, is now in black. It’s only a slight tweak, and still, very much easily recognizable, something users might not even notice.

    Currently, in beta, Google is expected to release Android 10 in Q3 2019, most probably by the end of August.