Google tests Play Store settings redesign
According to AndroidPolice, Google is running an A/B test on the Play Store. There is already some minor work going on that moves the contents of the hamburger menu to the account switcher. But based on screenshots obtained by AndroidPolice, Google is also working on the app’s settings page with the goal of making it easier to use. The new settings page is divided into four sub-menus: General, User Controls, Family, and About.
Google just left a hint that the road to Android 12 will soon be open
You might not have given it a second thought, but Google could soon start Android users on the green brick road toward the release of Android 12. Last year, Google released the first Developer Preview of Android 11 on February 19th and the final version of the new Android build launched on September 8th. So yes, there is a long way to go.
Xiaomi introduces a new concept phone with quad waterfall screens, no buttons, notches, or ports
When Xiaomi first showed off its thinly bezeled Mi Mix concept back in 2016, it became a template of sorts for phone manufacturers looking to produce phones with smaller bezels. But the Mi Mix concept was about more than the amazing (for the time) 91.3% screen to body ratio. It was housed in ceramic, and the piezoelectric speakers generated sound from the handset’s metal frame. Xiaomi designers moved and removed the sensors located on the top of a phone allowing the bezels to be reduced in size.
Instagram’s new ‘recently deleted’ feature lets you restore deleted posts
Another day, another new Instagram feature. Only this time the social media platform isn’t introducing an extra way to share content, but rather a way to recuperate deleted posts.
The new feature (via SlashGear), which is rolling out now to users worldwide, is called ‘Recently Deleted’ and does exactly what you’d expect — it gives you the option to restore previously deleted content.
Motorola is working on a true wireless charging system similar to Xiaomi?
Last week we told you that Xiaomi had unveiled its 5W Mi Air Charge Technology in a blog post. This true wireless system uses a base station with 144 antennas that shoot out mmWave signals to 14 antenna embedded inside the user’s phone. Multiple devices inside a room where Xiaomi’s technology is located will all charge wirelessly. A rectifier circuit helps the 14 antenna inside the handset convert the mmWave signals into the energy used to charge up the battery on the device.
Xiaomi introduces its new technology for true wireless charging
Imagine charging your phone by simply entering a room where a base station uses 144 antennas to shoot out mm waves to 14 antennas embedded inside your phone. These OTA signals are part of Xiaomi’s 5W Mi Air Charge Technology. In a blog post published today, Xiaomi says that the system will charge multiple devices at once while the charging waves travel through obstacles on the way to connect with devices. With the rectifier circuit, the 14 antennas in the phone help to convert the mm waves into the energy used to charge the battery in the device.
How to use tab grouping on Chrome for Android
Earlier this week, Google quietly released an updated interface for Chrome on Android, displaying open tabs in a grid instead of as stacked cards. Beyond this aesthetic change, though, the update also includes tab groups, one of the most flexible and powerful features for desktop Chrome. Here’s what tab groups can do, and how you can enable or disable this new feature.
Telegram update makes it easier to switch from WhatsApp
It looks like the WhatsApp exodus caught its rivals by surprise, as apps like Telegram and Signal had to accommodate a lot more users than their servers could handle. Moreover, switchers weren’t allowed to carry over their conversations to the new messaging service.
Google announces COVID-19-related changes to Maps
Google revealed a couple of important changes that will be coming to Maps and Search apps starting this week. The changes are meant to inform Maps and Search users about COVID-19 vaccination sites, as well as state and regional distribution information.
Netflix will finally sound a lot better on Android thanks to a new update
Netflix has been really meticulous about the audio quality of its streams over the years. The company introduced 5.1 surround sound back in 2015 and subsequently added Dolby Atmos support in 2017. Now it’s time for the next big update, which doesn’t sound all that big, but instead very technical. On its official blog, Netflix has announced that the streaming service now supports Extended HE-AAC with MPEG-D DRC on Android devices (Android 9 or newer).
