Google Messages to offer new privacy settings for profile discovery feature
Google Messages is adding new privacy settings to help users control who can see their profile details. This comes after concerns that the Profile Discovery feature could make your name and photo visible to anyone.
Announced in November 2023, the Profile Discovery feature lets others find your profile by searching your phone number. But now, Google is adding more privacy choices to address these users’ concerns.
The search giant just released a new beta version (v20241010) of Google Messages, which includes three new privacy settings for your profile. These features have been spotted by AssembleDebug (via Android Authority).
The three new privacy settings for Google Messages profile are as follows:
1.) People you message
- This feature lets anyone you message see your name and profile picture. It’s like making your profile “Public,” meaning people who have your number can find and see your details.
2.) Only your contacts
- This setting limits your profile to only people saved in your phone’s contact list. If you want more privacy, this choice makes sure only people you know can see your name and photo.
3.) No one
- This option hides your profile from everyone. If you pick this, no one will be able to see your name or photo, even if they search for your number.
Google hasn’t confirmed if choosing “No one” will completely turn off Profile Discovery, but these options help make your profile more private. Notably, you can’t set a different name or picture for Google Messages yet. Your profile will still use the name and photo from your Google account, like your Gmail.
The Profile Discovery feature isn’t available to everyone yet. These new privacy settings give users more control over their information before the feature becomes available to everyone.
Google Play Store to add fixed header for easy app installations
There was a time when Samsung used to release monthly security patches even before Google, those were the good old days. Fast forward to today, Motorola has outpaced Samsung by launching the beta version of Android 15 first.
As per the latest information, Motorola started rolling out the Android 15 beta for its Motorola Edge 50 Fusion model before Samsung officially released its version of the Android 15 beta for its devices.
The Android 15 update for Motorola Edge 50 is not yet a stable release for all users. Instead, it’s being rolled out as a beta update. Any user who has opted for Motorola’s beta testing programs is receiving this update. This beta program allows Motorola to test new features, stability, and performance on a smaller scale before a wider rollout.
After the beta testing phase, Motorola will likely start rolling out the stable version of Android 15 to more devices, including the Moto Edge series, the Moto Razr foldable, and other eligible devices. The Android 15 beta program can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the issues discovered and the complexity of the update.
Meanwhile, Samsung, typically known for its timely updates, has not yet made the Android 15 beta available for its range of devices as of now, although expectations are that Samsung will soon follow with its One UI 7.0 beta program, given its history of participating in Android beta releases.
In the recent update, we could also see a stable Android 15 rollout for the Google Pixel smartphones. Stay tuned for the Android 15 rollout.
I know that we all are waiting for the One UI 7.0 update, be it beta or stable, anything. It looks like we might receive some updates, not directly related to One UI 7.0, but related to Android 15, on which Samsung’s next custom skin will be based.
Google has confirmed and is going to start the rollout of the stable Android 15 update, reported across different tech news blogs and social media posts, including accidental confirmations from Google itself on the official blog, which is now retracted. Starting today, the update will gradually become available to all eligible devices across different networks worldwide over the next week.
Well, moving from Android 15, what about the One UI 7.0 – Can we get the early beta program? Let me answer this question below.
According to official announcements, Samsung plans to launch the One UI 7.0 beta program towards the end of 2024. The company hasn’t confirmed an exact date or month, just indicating it’ll be sometime at the year’s end.
Despite what was initially planned for the release schedule, it’s still possible that the One UI 7.0 beta program might launch sooner than expected. Typically, Samsung takes some time after the release of a stable Android version to customize its latest One UI version for the new update. If Samsung sticks to its usual schedule, we could expect a One UI 7.0 beta program announcement soon.
Keep in mind that Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed that the One UI 7.0 beta program will launch simultaneously with the Android 15 rollout.
Samsung still doesn’t want to cancel the Exynos 2500 in the Galaxy S25 series. A new report from a Korean media outlet suggests that the company still believes that the 3nm yield will improve and reach the mass production milestone.
Hankyung reports that Samsung could make a final decision on the Exynos 2500 in Galaxy S25 later this month or early next month. The current stage doesn’t imply Exynos in Samsung’s upcoming flagship smartphones.
Samsung had high hopes for Exynos 2500 due to its cutting-edge 3nm foundry process. The chipset is still under development, but a lower-than-expected yield rate is ruining Samsung’s dreams of debuting in-house 3nm Exynos for Galaxy.
A Samsung official stated, “We will consider the possibility of using Exynos until the very end.”
The Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus come with an Exynos 2400 processor. The Galaxy S24 Ultra exclusively uses Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. However, the same chip distribution is currently unlikely in next year’s flagship smartphone family.
Following overheating and throttling reports in the Exynos 2200, Samsung canceled the Exynos 2300. The Galaxy S23 series exclusively used Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor supplied by Qualcomm.
Reason why Exynos is imp:
If Samsung opts to solely rely on Qualcomm, it will likely face higher costs, even if it tries to negotiate a premium price. This cost burden is becoming more prominent, especially as MX’s operating profit is declining despite rising sales.
Addressing yield issues and using Exynos in Galaxy S25 would be ideal for Samsung’s System LSI and MX Division. Meanwhile, any performance issue won’t allow Samsung Elec to pursue Exynos 2500 in the flagship smartphone lineup.