HiTechEdge

Tag: Google

  • Google Rolls Out Locked Folder to All Android Phones

    Google Rolls Out Locked Folder to All Android Phones

    Google has expanded its Locked Folder feature to all Android phones, not just its own line of Pixel phones.

    Locked Folder is a feature designed to help users “lock away” sensitive photos, preventing them from being seen by others. The photos are not backed up to Google Cloud and don’t show up in Google Photos.

    According to Gizmodo, Google is rolling the feature out to all Android phones, after it was initially available only on the Pixel. There’s no word yet on an iPhone version, but it should be coming soon.

  • Google Adding Support for iMessage Reactions

    Google Adding Support for iMessage Reactions

    Android users tried of seeing a text explanation when iPhone users send Tapback reactions are in for a surprise with Google’s recent improvement.

    Apple introduced Tapback, a way for iPhone users to react to text messages inline, rather than sending a new text. Unfortunately for Android users, Messages didn’t support any Tapback reactions. As a result, users would see:

    • Liked an image
    • Emphasized “See you then!”

    According to 9to5Google, Google is rolling out an update that replaces those text descriptions, displaying an emoji reaction, essentially duplicating how the Tapback looks in iMessage.

    The update fixes a major pain point in Apple > Google texting.

  • DuckDuckGo Debuts App Tracking Protection for Android

    DuckDuckGo Debuts App Tracking Protection for Android

    DuckDuckGo (DDG) is taking a page from Apple’s book, introducing App Tracking Protection for Android.

    Apple introduced App Tracking Transparency (ATT) in iOS/iPadOS 14.5, giving users the ability to ask that apps not track their activity across platforms and services. While Google has been working to introduce its own version of ATT, its version is not as comprehensive as Apple’s.

    DDG is looking to provide a more comprehensive solution with its App Tracking Protection for Android, an app designed to monitor other apps’ activity and prevent them from tracking users. 

    DuckDuck App Tracking Protection – Credit DuckDuckGo

    “App Tracking Protection for Android is free and blocks trackers it identifies in other apps from third-party companies (those different from the company that owns each app),” the company writes in a blog post. “It is now built right into the DuckDuckGo Android app.

    “After enabling App Tracking Protection, the DuckDuckGo app will detect when your Android apps are about to send data to third-party tracking companies found in our app tracker dataset, and block those requests. You can enjoy your apps as you normally would and App Tracking Protection will run in the background and continue to block the detected trackers throughout your apps, even while you sleep. We are continually working to identify and protect against new trackers, so you can rest easy knowing you’re getting the most up-to-date protection.”

    Given that 96% of popular, free Android apps tested track users — with 87% sending data to Google and 68% sending to Facebook — DDG’s solution looks to fill a major need.

    The feature is currently in beta. To join the private wait list open DuckDuckGo for Android, open Settings > App Tracking Protection under Privacy, click “Join the Private Waitlist.”

  • Enhanced Security Behind Pixel 6’s Slow Fingerprint Sensor

    Enhanced Security Behind Pixel 6’s Slow Fingerprint Sensor

    Google says the slow fingerprint scanning on its flagship Pixel 6 is the result of ‘enhanced security algorithms.’

    The Pixel 6 is Google’s latest version of its flagship line of phones and features the company’s Tensor system on a chip (SoC). The new phone offers performance on par with the fastest Android phones, but the speed of the in-screen fingerprint sensor is not one of the phone’s highlights. Users have reported slower than normal speed, compared to other high-end devices.

    According to Google, the slower speed is the result of enhanced security.

  • Pixel 6 Delivers Impressive Android Performance

    Pixel 6 Delivers Impressive Android Performance

    Early benchmarks are in and Google’s Pixel 6 is chalking up some impressive performance results.

    Unlike previous iterations of the Pixel line of smartphones, the Pixel 6 is using Google’s Tensor, its custom-built system on a chip (SoC). While many chips powering Android devices use a single high-performance Cortex-X1 core, the Tensor has two Cortex-X1 cores.

    Despite its design, BGR reports the Pixel 6 doesn’t quite knock off the Snapdragon 888 as the reigning speed champion in the Android market — at least not in straight CPU performance. Where the Tensor chip crushes it, however, is in its GPU performance, easily delivering the best performance of any Android phone on the market.

    As BGR points out, the fact that Google was able to deliver this kind of performance in their very first SoC is an impressive feat, and one that bodes well for the future.

  • Google May Be Getting Serious About Tablets With Android 12L

    Google May Be Getting Serious About Tablets With Android 12L

    Google may be preparing to take another run at the tablet market with Android 12L.

    Google has long played second fiddle to Apple in the tablet market. Despite concerted efforts on the part of multiple manufacturers, Android tablets have never been able to pose a real threat to Apple’s dominance with the iPad.

    That may be changing with the latest Android, however. Google has released a beta it is calling Android 12L. Unlike Apple’s iPadOS, Android 12L isn’t a separate version of the Android OS. Instead, according to Android Authority, it’s a feature set that is specifically designed help Android better scale to larger displays, traditionally one of the weak points for Android.

    Google plans on an official release “early next year.”

  • Android 12 Brings iOS to Android WhatsApp Migration

    Android 12 Brings iOS to Android WhatsApp Migration

    Google has brought a major new feature to the latest Android update, enabling iOS to Android WhatsApp migration.

    WhatsApp is one of the most popular secure messaging platforms. The app is available on both iOS and Android, but users looking to switch platforms haven’t always had an easy go of it.

    Google is trying to solve that pain point with its recent Android 12 update.

    “Switching to a new phone can be a daunting experience, especially if you are moving to a completely different operating system,” writes Paul Dunlop, Product Manager. “We want to make this process easier, so with the recent Android 12 release, we added the ability to transfer all your essentials by connecting your iPhone with your new Android phone using a cable. With your permission, 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.”

    The process is relatively simple, and works by connecting the two phones to each other.

    “All you need is a USB-C to Lightning cable to get started,” continues Dunlop. “Simply connect your phones, and when prompted while setting up your new Android device, scan a QR code on your iPhone to launch WhatsApp and move all your conversations, media and more over to your new device.”

    The new feature is good news for Android users, and iOS users looking to switch.

  • Google CEO Makes Connected TVs a “Top Priority”

    Google CEO Makes Connected TVs a “Top Priority”

    The battle over the streaming TV market is heating up, with connected TVs a “top priority” at Google.

    Streaming TV is quickly gaining ground and threatening traditional cable and satellite TV. Connected TVs are seen as the gateway to the market. Once a company gets their TV operating system installed as the default, they have a tremendous amount of power over what other apps can be installed, and often get a cut of revenue from the various streaming platforms the customer ends up using.

    According to The Information, via Forbes, Google has recently increased the amount of money it’s willing to spend to gain that coveted foothold. Whereas industry leader Roku pays manufacturers $7 to $8 per TV to be installed by default, Google has upped its payout to $10 to $15.

    The change in focus comes directly from Pichai and, according to The Information, is an attempt to change the perception of Google being “half-hearted” in its efforts in the TV industry, thanks largely to Chromecast and Android TV.

  • Google TV Expanding Multiple Accounts and Personalization

    Google TV Expanding Multiple Accounts and Personalization

    Google TV is making some major improvements, adding more personalized profiles, suggestions and watchlists.

    Google TV already supported multiple accounts, but the watchlists, suggestions and Google Assistant-based features are linked to the primary profile. According to The Verge, Google is preparing to remedy that, offering a true personalized experience.

    The new features will ensure each profile sees its own watchlist and suggestions, and has its own Google Assistant features.

    Google told The Verge that the new features will begin rolling out next month.

  • Android October Patch Fixes 41 Vulnerabilities

    Android October Patch Fixes 41 Vulnerabilities

    Google has released its Android October patch, and it fixes some 41 vulnerabilities.

    Google releases security patches for Android on the 5th of every month. According to Bleeping Computer, October’s patch fixes a whopping 41 vulnerabilities, including three critical ones.

    The worst vulnerabilities includes remote code execution, privilege elevation, denial of service and information disclosure.

    Fortunately, it doesn’t appear that any of the vulnerabilities were being actively exploited.