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Android 15 Beta 1.2 released, Wear OS 5 and 2024 AI updates confirmed

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Google Pixel 8 Pro Mint

Google is running the Android 15 Beta Program and preparing for the I/O 2024 event; taking place next month. Recently, Google pushed the Android 15 Beta 1.2 update to Pixel devices with bug fixes, as well as announced Wear OS 5 and 2024 AI updates are coming.

Android 15 Beta 1.2 update

Days after Beta 1.1, Google pushed the Beta 1.2 update to all eligible devices including Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Pro. The update brings a handful of bug fixes for usability improvements, which are as follows:

  • Fixed an issue that sometimes caused apps to freeze and display an “Application Not Responding” message.
    Fixed a system performance issue that caused excessive battery drain in some cases.
  • Fixed an issue that caused the system Settings app to crash when trying to add a fingerprint.
    Fixed an issue that prevented the system back gesture from working in some cases.

Wear OS 5

Google revealed the I/O 2024 schedule, confirming the Wear OS 5 arrival. It’s expected that the next Wear OS upgrade will be based on Android 14. The Watch Face Format will also be upgraded with support for more “device sizes.”

  • In this talk, we’ll discover the new features of Wear OS 5. This includes advances in the Watch Face Format, and how to design and build for the increasing range of device sizes.

2024 AI updates

What’s new in Google AI: Experience Google’s latest AI tools and discover what’s new in the Gemini API, Google AI Studio, Gemma, Kaggle Models, and Google’s open-source libraries, including Keras and JAX.

What’s new in Android development tools: Discover what’s new in Android Studio for Android app developers. We’ll share some demos and present relevant features that can accelerate developers’ workflows across Android APIs, Firebase, and Google AI.

What’s new in Firebase for building gen AI features: Learn about Firebase’s new and updated services, which enable you to build, deploy, and optimize production-ready gen AI apps. These apps are integrated with modern cloud databases, saving you the trouble of managing infrastructure.

Stay up-to-date on Google Pixel, Android & Tech Stuffs by following I M Judge on X/Twitter where you can also discover the latest news, polls, reviews, and new features for Google Apps, Pixel Phones, and the Android operating system.

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Google

Google Messages adds new photo quality options and custom contact photos

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Google Messages

Google Messages, the default messaging app for Android, is set to receive some exciting updates, including the ability to set custom profile pictures for contacts. Users will be able to switch between Google account display photos and images saved directly on their device. This update, discovered in recent code, hints at more personalized and user-friendly options for managing contact visuals.

Additionally, Google Messages is expanding support for dual-SIM RCS (Rich Communication Services), allowing users with multiple SIM cards to enjoy enhanced messaging features more easily. While customizing contact photos is a visual update, dual-SIM RCS support is a valuable feature for people who use more than one SIM on their devices.

Perhaps the most notable improvement is Google Messages’ new option for selecting image resolution before sending photos, inspired by WhatsApp’s similar feature. WhatsApp introduced this function earlier this year, enabling users to choose between Standard and HD photo quality. Google Messages aims to enhance this by offering both HD and HD+ options, giving users flexibility in balancing image quality with data usage.

  • Standard (Optimized for Chat): A lower-quality version that conserves data and sends faster.
  • HD+ (Original Quality): Sends the full-resolution image but may take longer to transmit and uses more data.

A small HD or HD+ icon will appear on the image’s bottom right, indicating the quality selected, visible to both sender and receiver. Though this feature hasn’t reached the Google Messages web client yet, a rollout across mobile and web versions is anticipated, similar to WhatsApp Web’s media quality feature.

These improvements reflect Google Messages’ efforts to enhance both customization and user control over data use and image quality, making it a more versatile option for Android users.

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Google Gemini’s new chat features, uUpgraded AI model, and the potential of Quick Share on iOS and macOS

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Google

Google is rolling out several enhancements to its workspace tools, with notable updates to the Gemini AI Assistant and the potential expansion of Quick Share, an AirDrop-like feature, to Apple devices. Here’s a look at these developments and what they could mean for users.

Gemini Side Panel for Google Chat: Key Features

Google Chat’s new Gemini side panel introduces a range of productivity tools to streamline conversations. Accessible via an icon in the upper-right corner of Google Chat (web version), the side panel brings AI-powered assistance to your workspace chat, enabling more efficient communication and project management. Key features include:

  • Summarizing Conversations: Users can generate summaries of ongoing chats to quickly catch up on a discussion. Commands like “Summarize this conversation” or “Give me a detailed summary of [topic]” help users stay informed without needing to read through extensive chat histories.
  • Listing Action Items: For task management, the AI can create a list of action items from a conversation, letting users ask specific questions, such as “What are the action items in this conversation?” or “Summarize [person’s] action items.”
  • Answering Specific Questions: Users can get direct answers to specific queries, such as “What did [person] say about the project deadline?” or “What’s the decision on the project discussed?”

Currently, these capabilities are limited to individual conversations and cannot access data across all chat histories, emails, or Drive files. This feature is gradually being rolled out to users subscribed to the Gemini Business and Enterprise or Education Premium add-ons.

New Modes and UI Updates in Google Chat

In addition to Gemini’s side panel, Google Chat for the web now offers users a choice between Comfortable and Compact modes. Compact mode, designed to fit more content on the screen, aligns message bubbles in a single direction, widens the message area, and reduces padding. Users can switch modes by navigating to Settings > Density > Compact.

The Enhanced Gemini 1.5 Pro Model

Google’s Gemini Advanced AI model received an upgrade to version 1.5 Pro on October 31, 2024. The new version boasts improved data quality and enhanced performance, delivering better responses for tasks involving math, coding, and complex topic discussions. This model, initially introduced at Google I/O 2024, also allows users to upload documents for analysis, with the latest updates further refining its capabilities.

Gemini’s updates reflect Google’s focus on enhancing the AI’s adaptability, particularly in terms of handling intricate requests with high accuracy. The platform has also made subtle branding changes, renaming the Gemini Advanced prompt to “Ask Gemini” for consistency across its offerings.

Potential Expansion of Google’s Quick Share to iOS and macOS

Google’s Quick Share, similar to Apple’s AirDrop, currently enables Android users to share files, photos, and links between Android devices, ChromeOS, and Windows. However, there are indications that Google might expand Quick Share to Apple’s iOS and macOS devices.

Hints of this came from a Google engineer’s comments on GitHub, where it was noted that device names on iOS and macOS already integrate well with Quick Share’s naming conventions. Although this is not a direct confirmation, it suggests Google is considering Quick Share support on Apple’s platforms.

Would Quick Share on iOS and macOS Gain Traction?

For Android users who use Apple devices like MacBooks or iPads, a Quick Share app would simplify file transfers, bridging the gap between their devices. However, convincing a significant portion of iPhone users to adopt Quick Share may be challenging, given that many are already satisfied with AirDrop and other integrated iOS features.

While Quick Share might appeal to cross-platform Android users, its adoption among Apple users might be limited. Google would likely develop this functionality more for Android users with mixed-device environments than for the general Apple user base.

Conclusion

With the addition of Gemini’s new Chat side panel features, updates to the Gemini 1.5 Pro model, and the potential expansion of Quick Share, Google is enhancing both productivity and cross-device compatibility. These advancements reflect Google’s ongoing commitment to making its tools more versatile and user-friendly, especially for users navigating multiple operating systems. Would these updates enhance your workspace productivity or your ability to share files across devices? Google’s latest developments could soon make that decision easier.

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Android 15 QPR2 Beta release for Pixel devices: what to expect and how to prepare

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Android 15

Google is gearing up to launch the Android 15 QPR2 (Quarterly Platform Release 2) Beta, following the completion of the Android 15 QPR1 testing phase. With QPR1 Beta 3 recently released, users are now looking forward to several new features and improvements. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect and how to prepare for the update.

Key Updates and Enhancements in Android 15 QPR1

The Android 15 QPR1 (AP4A) Beta introduced noticeable updates, including a revamped Settings app and a new “Limit to 80%” charging option, helping extend battery health. Google plans to release the stable version of Android 15 QPR1 in December 2024.

Preparing for the Stable Release of Android 15 QPR1

To receive the final public release, Pixel devices enrolled in the Beta Program need to opt out. Here’s how:

  1. Opt Out of the Beta Program: This prevents devices from installing subsequent beta updates automatically.
  2. Ignore the Downgrade OTA Update: After opting out, Google will send an OTA (over-the-air) downgrade message; users should skip this to avoid resetting their device data.

If the Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 update appears, don’t install it before opting out. Opting out without applying the downgrade will ensure your data remains intact.

What’s New in Android 15 QPR2?

The Android 15 QPR2 update is set to build upon QPR1, bringing additional bug fixes, improved stability, and performance tweaks. With this beta cycle, users can expect a more polished Android experience that refines QPR1’s offerings. Google is expected to release the QPR2 Beta 1 version soon, keeping users in the Beta Program updated automatically.

Timeline and Future Android Releases

According to Google’s development timeline, Android 15 QPR2 will likely be the final major update before Android 16’s expected release in Q2 2025. This time, Google plans to run the Android 15 QPR2 Beta cycle alongside Android 16 Developer Previews, allowing for early testing of next-gen features while still refining Android 15.

Staying Updated in the Beta Program

For those in the Android Beta Program, QPR2 Beta updates will roll out automatically, with the option to leave the Beta cycle toward the end of Q1 2025. This timeframe gives Pixel users a chance to test out new features before the full Android 16 launch later in the year.

With Android 15 QPR2 just around the corner, users can expect continued improvements and a smoother experience as they look ahead to Android 16’s arrival.

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