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Google Android 13 Beta 1 released with better media file permissions, new audio features and more
Looks like Android 12 has just been launched and several OEMs including Samsung are working on delivering the major Android OS update to their devices. Meanwhile, Google has released the first Android 13 beta for its Pixel phone users.
The shift from Android 11 to Android 12 was huge. Google redesigned the entire appearance of Android by introducing the Material You design language. Not only this but there are many more features that enhance the users’ experience in many ways.
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Android 13 on the other hand seems to have further improvements to Material You and all other Android 12 features and functionalities. Google Android 13 Beta 1 is live and showcases many improvements as well as new changes.
Google Android 13 Beta 1 features:
Since privacy is the biggest concern, Google continues to improve the privacy and security of your devices with Android 13 while providing new APIs to help you build a great experience.
It further comes with improvements to the older features including new notification permission, photo picker, themed app icon, improved localization and language support, and many more.
Let’s have a look at some new features of Android 13’s first beta build.
- More granular access to media files
- Better error reporting in Keystore and KeyMint
- Anticipatory audio routing
More granular access to media files
With Android 12, when you want an app to read shared media files in local storage, you need to request the READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission to have access to all types of media files. Meanwhile, to bring more transparency and control to users, the company is introducing a new set of permissions with more granular scope for accessing shared media files.
- READ_MEDIA_IMAGES (for images and photos)
- READ_MEDIA_VIDEO (for videos)
- READ_MEDIA_AUDIO (for audio files)
Google says that to ease the experience for users, if an app requests READ_MEDIA_IMAGE and READ_MEDIA_VIDEO at the same time, the system displays the same dialog to allow both permissions.
Better error reporting in Keystore and KeyMint
For developers creating keys, Keystore and KeyMint provide better errors. There is now an exception class hierarchy under java.security.ProviderException, with Android-specific exceptions including Keystore/KeyMint error codes.
The methods used for key generation, signing, and encryption are also modified to throw those new exceptions.
Anticipatory audio routing
Google has added new audio route APIs in the AudioManager class to Android 13 in order to help media apps identify how their audio is going to be routed. The first is getAudioDevicesForAttributes() API that allows you to retrieve a list of devices that may be used to play the specified audio.
Whereas, the second is getDirectProfilesForAttributes() API to help you understand whether your audio stream can be played directly. You can use these new APIs to determine the best Audio Format to use for your audio track.
- For more information, visit here.
Google Android 13 release timeline:
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Samsung revealed its Project Infinity, which aims to make your Galaxy devices safer against cyber threats. Android is vulnerable due to its open-source nature, making regular security updates necessary for your Galaxy phone’s security.
Project Infinity of Samsung is a classified operation, working on safeguarding Galaxy devices and users around the clock for safer operations. Samsung Newsroom has recently published a blog post, revealing insights from specialist meetings.
Cyber Threat Intelligence
Samsung’s Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) taskforce is a reconnaissance unit within Project Infinity along with the Red (RED), Blue (BLUE), and Purple (PURPLE) Teams, which go beyond lab conditions to identify real-world dangers.
- RED and BLUE perform proactive attack and defense functions, seeking out vulnerabilities and taking measures against them.
- PURPLE is a special operations unit that acts as both a sword and shield for specific critical areas.
It’s worth noting that Samsung has deployed RED, BLUE, and PURPLE teams in various countries including Vietnam, Poland, Ukraine and Brazil. CTI is dedicated to identifying potential threats and stopping hackers from taking control of your device.
“Once we spot these kinds of threats, we collaborate with developers and operators to lock everything down for preventing attacks,” said Ranger, a CTI member.
Samsung Security Updates
Earlier this year, Samsung announced it to support flagship Galaxy devices for seven years. The new policy applies to all flagship Galaxy devices launched after the Galaxy S24 series. It’s the longest software support offered by any mobile brand.
These updates mean customers can safely use their phones for longer. As cyber threats become more common than you think, security updates are much more crucial to safeguard your Galaxy from any potential threat of vulnerability.
Owners of select Samsung Smart TVs, monitors, The Premiere 7 & 9 projectors, or The Freestyle 2nd Gen can stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Flight Simulator 2024 and hundreds of other games with Gaming Hub Xbox Game Pass.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Flight Simulator 2024 are two of the most popular games of 2024. Thanks to Samsung Gaming Hub, you don’t need to download any of the Xbox Game Pass titles, no meaning no storage required – just jump in and play.
The company has also built an engaging gameplay experience designed by fans, for fans through The Six, challenging players’ knowledge and providing another way to interact with the world of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Notably, Samsung’s Gaming Hub is available on a variety of Samsung screens. It includes the AI-powered 2024 TV lineup, monitors, projectors, The Premiere, and The Freestyle 2nd Gen projector, offering instant access to console-free gaming.
Anyone with a Samsung Smart TV will be able to use their remote to jump in and play. This way, Gaming Hub provides a co-branded experience, giving Call of Duty fans another way to engage with the franchise they love.
For starters: The Six offers daily trivia where players can answer a series of six questions in competition with other players around the world. Correct answers with the fastest response time will achieve higher scores.
Samsung could launch the Galaxy ixi-O AI Phone next year. The company has collaborated with LG Uplus to develop a custom smartphone. The device is said to feature Galaxy AI and LG Uplus’s AI call assistant ixi-O.
Sources citing KEDGlobal revealed that Samsung and LG Uplus working together to develop the Galaxy ixi-O AI Phone. It’s a big development in the smartphone industry, while the handset is highly likely to be Korea-limited.
Samsung fans are well aware of the Galaxy AI feature suite. ixi-O is an AI-powered digital assistant developed by Korean carrier LG Uplus. The company plans to enter the smartphone market, featuring its own-developed AI assistant.
The report indicates that Samsung and LG Uplus’ ixi-O AI Phone will launch as early as next year. The development project focuses on crafting a “real AI phone” that goes beyond simply integrating AI assistant services into a smartphone.
ixi-O comes with useful features such as AI call answering, detecting voice phishing in real-time, recording and summarizing phone calls and converting voice conversation into text – all within an on-device environment.
Image: ixi-O AI | LG Uplus Newsroom
Based on specifications, the Galaxy ixi-O AI Phone will be based on a Galaxy phone available globally. The design will match with a global Galaxy smartphone, but the software may be tweaked as per the carrier’s requirements.
A custom Galaxy phone isn’t shocking or impossible in South Korea. Samsung releases Quantum, Buddy, and Jump-branded phones in the market. The company collaborates with Korean carriers to bring these devices to mainland Korea.
The carrier introduced an on-device AI-powered ixi-O assistant earlier this month. LG Uplus will initially target its consumer base for the new AI Phone. However, the AI Assistant may be expanded to a broader audience across Korea.