Android
Google launches new Android features – Reading mode, emoji mashups, security alerts and more
On December 1, Google launched plenty of new features for Android devices, including phones and tablets. Starting Pixel phones, these newly debuted Android features will soon be available on your Samsung Galaxy smartphone or tablet, as well as Galaxy Watch (with Wear OS).
According to the information, Google introduced new features for Android including Reading mode app for web pages, improved Google Cast, Digital Car Keys via Wallet, new collage styles in the Google Photos app, replies to specific messages in Google Messages, new emoji mash-up by Gboard, and better security alerts.
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Security alerts
When it comes to security, Google apps will now start showing safety alerts along with recommended actions so your account stays secure against every kind of threat. In case any of your phone’s apps, webpage, or service is possibly a threat to your account, you will get prompted by Google.
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Reading Mode
Starting Reading mode, this new Android feature can be grabbed by installing the app from Google Play Store. It works under the accessibility function of the operating system, which extracts text from web pages and select compatible apps and presents without ads and pop-ups. [Download Reading mode]
For even better readability, the Reading mode allows you to adjust the font, font size, line spacing, and background color, and switch between dark and light modes. In case you don’t want to read a big article, the Android’s Text to Speech feature can be used and you can hear the text.
Gboard
If you love using Google’s keyboard app – Gboard on your Samsung device, the Emoji Kitchen also has new emojis you can mash up into creative sticker combos. With the holiday season update, you can now add some extra holiday flair to your messages with compatible emojis.
Google Photos
Google Photos adding new collage styles from two new artists — Australian husband-and-wife visual duo DABSMYLA and renowned watercolor artist Yao Cheng. You just need to select your photos, finalize the design and rearrange the layout with simple drag-and-drop controls.
Google Wallet
Samsung Wallet already gained the availability to store the digital car and home keys, however, Google Wallet is now getting support as well. Following the holiday season update, the Google Wallet app lets you easily share Digital Car Keys without compromising security.
Google TV
Aside from this, Google updated the Google TV app, which allows you to cast any video with a single tap and continue browsing other content. Moreover, you can also use the mobile application to operate compatible Android TV or Google TV-based smart TV. [Download Google TV]
Google pushed Android 15 to AOSP ahead of rollout to Pixel phones. Android vendors will now be able to use Android 15 as the base and tailor the experience. It’s a significant development for Samsung users waiting for the One UI 7 Beta update.
Samsung is continuously improving the One UI 7 experience through internal testing. The new OS’s AOSP availability will accelerate the testing for Galaxy devices. One UI 7 will have Android 15 as the base featuring modifications as per needs.
One UI is known as the most feature-rich Android skin in the market. One UI 7 is expected to debut unique features and customizations. AOSP release also ensures new Android 15 features would be incorporated into One UI.
Samsung developers would have been exploring new possibilities and experimenting with features. The latest additions would benefit the entire Galaxy community as well as other Android vendors as inspiration for a better user experience.
Pay attention, AOSP releases often include security patches to address vulnerabilities. Samsung has its own mechanism of security updates but it too relies on Android’s. Therefore, faster security updates likely follow the AOSP debut.
AOSP:
Simply put, AOSP is a general availability of Android 15 for modifications. Google has completed the Beta testing of the new OS and the QPR program has also started for Pixels. It’s now Android vendors’ turn to deploy the new update on their devices.
Google notes Android 15 will be available on Pixel devices in the coming weeks, as well as on select devices from Samsung, Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, Motorola, Nothing, OnePlus, Oppo, realme, Sharp, Sony, Tecno, vivo, and Xiaomi in the coming months.
Google just detailed Android’s September 2024 System update. It will arrive on countless Android devices, bringing new features and improvements. Samsung Galaxy devices should start getting it immediately after the rollout begins.
The September 2024 System update is applicable on Play Services and Play Store. Developer Services reported having a bug, which is getting fixed. Wallet users in Japan will be able to use JCB Contactless payment methods.
The release adds a new feature that guides you on using Quick Share. The sharing platform is also enhancing with the addition of a new flow for file receiving page. The Quick Share will also add UI tweaks that you will observe when you receive files.
Google Play services v24.34
Developer Services
- [Phone] Bug fixes for Developer Services related services.
Device Connectivity
- [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll get instructions on how to use Quick Share.
- [Phone] With updates to Quick Share, you’ll get a new flow when you receive files.
- [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll get UI updates when you receive files through Quick Share.
Wallet
- [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll be able to use JCB Contactless payment methods in Japan.
Apart from Play Services, Google also detailed changes coming to the Play Store. Unlike the Play Services, these improvements and new features are applicable across devices including PC (ChromeOS), Android phones, and TVs (Android).
Google Play Store v42.6
- [PC, Phone, TV] With improvements to Google Play Protect, you’ll get protection from more harmful apps.
- [Phone] With this new feature, you’ll be able to see your Play Points status at the top of the App Details page.
- [Auto] When you open the Play Store sign-in page for Android Auto, you’ll see a banner image with app icons that explains the benefits of Play Store.
Not all Samsung devices will be eligible for the upcoming Android 15-based One UI 7 update. It’s expected to come with many new features and improvements. Some older and lower-end models of the Galaxy A, M, and F series have reached the end of life.
Samsung is famous for its excellent after-sales service and software support. The company announced that it will provide up to 7 years of major OS upgrades and security updates for its flagship devices, starting with the Galaxy S24 series.
This will allow Samsung users to enjoy the latest features and security enhancements for a long time. However, these devices will still receive security patches for another year, but they will miss out on the new features and benefits of One UI 7.
Samsung Android 15 One UI 7 Ineligible Device List
The following is the list of Samsung devices that will not get the Android 15 One UI 7 update:
Galaxy A series
- Galaxy A04s
- Galaxy A13
- Galaxy A23
- Galaxy A72
- Galaxy A52
- Galaxy A52 5G
- Galaxy A52s
Galaxy M series
- Galaxy M53 5G
- Galaxy M33 5G
- Galaxy M23
Galaxy F series
- Galaxy F23
If you own any of these devices, you may want to consider upgrading to a newer model that will support One UI 7 and beyond.
Note: The list is compiled on software update policy and previous rollouts.
Samsung is internally working on the Android 15 One UI 7.0 update. Dozens of Galaxy devices are eligible for this major upgrade, forming a pretty big rollout later this year. However, SDC24 is set to be held on October 3, when One UI 7 could go official.