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October 2023 Android Feature Drop: A Big List of Bug Fixes and Improvements
Android 14 is the latest version of Google’s operating system for Pixel devices. The October 2023 Android feature drop has many new features and improvements, as well as security updates. If you have a Pixel 4a 5G, 5, 5a, 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, or Fold, you can get it now.
The October 2023 update for Android 14 fixes 53 issues that could affect your device’s performance or privacy. Also, it lists 28 additional fixes that are specific to Pixel devices. Users can identify the latest update through version starting with UP1A.231005.007.
The latest update enhances app stability, Audio, Battery and charging, Biometrics, Bluetooth, Camera, Connectivity, Display & graphics, Framework, Media, NFC, System, Telephony, Touch, User Interface, and Wi-Fi.
WHAT’S NEW IN OCTOBER 2023 FEATURE DROP:
The October 2023 update includes bug fixes and improvements for Pixel users:
Apps
- General improvements for stability or performance with certain system apps
Audio
- Fix for issue occasionally causing audio crashes
Battery & Charging
- Fix for issue causing device to reboot in certain conditions
- General improvements for charging and battery usage
Biometrics
- Additional improvements for face unlock stability in certain conditions
- Fix for issue frequently preventing access to Face Unlock in Settings
- General improvements for fingerprint recognition and response in certain conditions
Bluetooth
- Fix for issue causing Bluetooth to stop functioning under certain conditions
- Fix for issue occasionally causing device to reboot when paired with keyboard
- Fix for issue causing certain Bluetooth devices to disconnect under certain conditions
- Fix for issue causing music to not sound smooth when played over certain Bluetooth devices or accessories
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing audio from playing over certain headphones
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing connection with certain Bluetooth devices or accessories
- Fix for issue causing the Bluetooth icon to not show as connected on the Pixel Watch
- General improvements for charging and battery usage when Bluetooth is on
Camera
- Fix for issue occasionally causing camera to have delayed launch with Quick Tap
- General improvements for camera stability under certain conditions
Connectivity
- Fix for issue preventing Bluetooth tethering from being enabled
- General improvements for network connectivity
Display & Graphics
- Fix for issue causing touch highlights to look faint in certain apps
- Fix for issue occasionally causing display to freeze in certain apps
- Fix for issue preventing display from waking
- Fix for UI artifact while in camera preview during certain conditions
- General improvements to display stability
Framework
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing device backup from completing
- General improvements to minimize battery impact of backgrounded apps under certain conditions
Media
- Fix for issue causing video playback errors
- Fix for issue preventing volume button from working
- General improvements to media stability
NFC
- Fix for issue preventing the digital car key to not function properly in certain conditions
Sensors
- Fix for issue occasionally causing lock screen to stop responding
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing NFC from triggering
System
- Fix for issue causing certain apps to crash when device is rotated
- Fix for issue causing certain apps to stop responding
- Fix for issue causing device to restart on its own
- General improvements for system stability and performance in certain conditions
- General improvements for system stability during device setup
Telephony
- Fix for issue occasionally causing calls to ring even when Do Not Disturb mode is enabled
- Fix for issue occasionally causing the phone number to show up as Unknown on the About Phone page
- Fix for issue occasionally preventing eSIM from activating in certain conditions *[10]
- Fix for issue occasionally causing handover from WiFi calling to VoLTE to not work properly
- Fix for issue occasionally disabling the ability to disconnect a call
- Fix for issue occasionally occurring after inserting a SIM card
- Fix for issue where calls are not logged properly in call history in certain conditions
- General improvements for network connection stability and performance in certain conditions
Touch
- Fix for issue occasionally causing apps to open when unlocking the phone with a fingerprint
User Interface
- Fix for issue occasionally causing a black bar to appear on the lock screen after interacting with the Google Home app
- Fix for issue occasionally causing color theme to not match with the selected wallpaper
- Fix for issue occasionally causing home screen icons to appear invisible
- Fix for issue occasionally causing media player to be display stretched intermittently
- Fix for issue occasionally causing sharesheet to not function properly
- Fix for issue occasionally causing the incorrect mobile network icon to be displayed
- Fix for issue occasionally causing the keyboard to dismiss during quick replies for notification messages
- Fix for issue occasionally causing the software update screen to not match the dark theme
- Fix for issue occasionally causing the wallpaper to disappear
- Fix for issue occasionally occurring when trying to position app icons on the home screen
- Fix for issue occasionally occurring when using the Capture more for scrolling screenshots
- Fix for issue occasionally causing bubbles to not show conversation content
- Fix for issue occasionally causing status bar to be misaligned
- Fix for issue occasionally causing suggested apps to disappear on the external screen
- Fix for issue occasionally causing the fingerprint icon to show incorrectly
- Fix for issue occasionally causing the messages app icon to not appear on the always-on display
- Fix for issue occasionally occurring when multi-tasking between work and personal profile apps
- Fix for issue occasionally occurring when attempting to open clock via the status bar
- Fix for issue occasionally occurring when using button navigation
- Fix for issue occasionally occurring when placing widgets on the home screen in various grid sizes
- Fix for issue occasionally occurring when using Device Controls
- Fix for issue with layouts and animations during transitions in certain conditions
- Fix for issue with notifications appearing out of order
- Fix for issue with notifications not appearing for work profile in certain conditions
- Fix for issue with the notification shade showing the incorrect color theme
- Fix for jank and touch responsiveness in certain conditions
- Fix to improve swipe to home latency in certain conditions
- Fix for issue with transitions between always-on display and lock screen
- Fix for text issue where the device is being identified as a phone versus a tablet
- Fix for issue during the quick switching between apps in certain conditions
- Fix for issue occasionally causing text select to not properly function in the overview layout
- General improvements for performance and stability in certain UI transitions and animations
Wi-Fi
- Fix for issue occasionally occurring when an incorrect WiFi password is entered
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.