Android 15’s smart home controls and Wear OS 5 update: Google’s Latest Enhancements
Google is working on new updates for both Wear OS 5 and Android 15, enhancing its Pixel devices and Android ecosystem. Here’s a detailed look at the ongoing developments, including the paused rollout of Wear OS 5 and the smart home functionality coming with Android 15.
Wear OS 5 Update for Pixel Watch Delayed
Google initially released Wear OS 5 for its original Pixel Watch and the new Pixel Watch 2. However, the rollout was paused after some users reported that their devices became unresponsive, showing a black screen after updating. To fix this, a factory reset is required, which erases user data but can be mitigated if a backup is available.
On September 26, Google paused the Over-The-Air (OTA) update just two days after its release due to the issues users were facing. Since then, the company has removed both the OTA images and manual factory images to prevent further complications.
Google recently confirmed that it will resume the Wear OS 5 update later this year once the problems are resolved. The exact date is still unclear, but Google is actively working on the fix. Whether this pause will affect future updates, like October’s security patch, remains uncertain. In the meantime, app updates from the Google Play Store, such as battery notifications and charging screen changes, will continue to bring new features to the Pixel Watch.
Android 15: Transforming Your Device into a Smart Home Dashboard
Alongside Wear OS 5 updates, Google is enhancing Android 15 with several new features. One standout feature is the Home Controls screensaver, which turns your Android device into a smart home dashboard when docked.
First introduced in Android 15 Beta 3, the Home Controls screensaver allows users to access their smart home devices quickly from the Favorites view of the Google Home app. This feature makes it easy to control lights, cameras, and other connected devices from one screen, turning your phone or tablet into a central hub for managing your smart home.
To enable this feature, users can navigate to Settings > Display & touch > Screen saver on their Pixel devices or similar paths on other Android devices. Once activated, the screensaver will automatically display your favorite smart home controls whenever the device is docked.
The Home Controls screensaver isn’t limited to just Google Home users—it also works with other smart home platforms like Home Assistant. This opens up the feature to a wider range of users who use different smart home ecosystems, giving them a unified control experience across their devices.
Broader Availability for Smart Home Features
Although the Home Controls screensaver is an Android 15 feature, it’s not restricted to Google Pixel devices. Any Android device running Android 15 with support for screen savers can use this feature. Even the Nothing Phone 2a, which runs Nothing OS 3.0 Open Beta, supports the Home Controls screensaver, demonstrating its flexibility across non-Pixel devices.
This feature builds on last year’s Android 14 update, where Google introduced an API allowing third-party apps to embed custom activities within the Device Controls interface. Device Controls let users manage smart home devices directly from a Quick Settings tile or a lock screen widget. In Android 15, this functionality has been expanded, enabling these same custom activities to appear as part of the Home Controls screensaver.
For developers, there is minimal additional work required to support this new feature. As long as the app provides the custom activity for Device Controls and ensures that it’s accessible when the device is locked, the screensaver will work seamlessly.
Conclusion
Google’s Wear OS 5 and Android 15 updates bring significant improvements to the Pixel Watch and smart home functionalities on Android devices. While the Wear OS 5 update is temporarily paused, users can expect it to resume soon, bringing stability and new features to Pixel Watch owners. At the same time, Android 15 is set to enhance smart home management through the Home Controls screensaver, transforming devices into central smart home hubs with ease. These updates signal Google’s continued focus on integrating technology into everyday life, simplifying device management, and improving user experience.
Google Wallet can now store digital versions of your US passport! This can be used for domestic travel security checks at TSA checkpoints if your state doesn’t offer a digital ID yet.
Here’s how to add your passport to Google Wallet:
- Open the Google Wallet app on your Android phone (version 9 or later).
- Tap “Add to Wallet” and then “ID” followed by “ID Pass.”
- Follow the steps to scan your passport information page and the security chip inside the back cover.
- Record a short video of yourself for verification.
Important things to remember:
- This digital passport isn’t a replacement for your physical passport, so always carry both when traveling.
- It currently only works for domestic travel within the US.
- If you lose your phone, you can remove the digital passport from your Google account.
Pixel phones get new features to improve battery health!
The latest update lets you set a charging limit of 80% to slow down battery degradation. There’s also a hidden feature called “bypass charging” that might be even more helpful.
What is bypass charging?
With bypass charging, when your battery reaches 80%, your phone will continue to use power directly from the charger instead of the battery. This reduces wear and tear on the battery, especially while gaming or using demanding apps.
Is bypass charging available on all Pixel phones?
It’s not entirely clear yet. The 80% charging limit works on many Pixel models, but bypass charging has only been confirmed on the Pixel 8 Pro so far. It likely works on Pixel 8, 8a, and the Pixel 9 series too, but Google hasn’t officially confirmed this.
Pixel Screenshots get smarter!
The latest update for Pixel Screenshots on Pixel 9 phones integrates with Gboard. Now, when you take a screenshot that includes a movie, song, or product, Pixel Screenshots remembers that information.
How does this help?
For example, if you screenshot a song title and then open a music app, Gboard might autofill the song name for you. This feature is called “proactive recall.”
Other Pixel Screenshots updates:
- The image viewer now suggests more search terms based on your screenshots.
- The app automatically categorizes your screenshots (this might take some time).
- You can easily save a specific part of a screenshot with “Circle to Search.”
This update also brings new features to Gboard, including a sticker pack and the ability to browse Emoji Kitchen combinations.
Gemini Gets a Mini Makeover:
- The website’s text field now looks like the mobile app.
- The Android app now shows your Gemini model type (like “1.5 Pro”).
40 New Templates for Google Docs:
- Google Docs has added new, modern templates for various uses like business proposals or meeting notes.
- These templates are designed to save you time by providing a starting point for your document.
- You can find them by going to File > New > From template gallery.
Customize Your Google Messages Profile:
- Google Messages now lets you easily edit your profile information, including name and picture.
- This helps people you message recognize you better.
More to Come:
- Google says to expect even more new Docs templates in the future.
- Google Messages’ profile feature is rolling out to everyone soon.
Some Pixel users who have updated to Android 15 QPR1 have noticed a strange visual bug. The update seems to be mixing up the light and dark themes for app icons.
For example, if your phone is set to light mode, you might see app icons appear in their dark mode versions. Conversely, if your phone is in dark mode, you might see light mode app icons. This can make the phone’s interface look inconsistent and a bit jarring.
This issue is particularly noticeable with themed icons, which are designed to match the system’s color scheme. However, due to this bug, they appear in the opposite color scheme, creating a visual mismatch.
While this is a minor bug, it can be quite annoying for users who prefer a consistent look and feel on their devices. Fortunately, Google is aware of the issue and is working on a fix. It’s likely that this bug will be addressed in a future update.
In the meantime, users will have to wait patiently for a resolution. While there’s no official workaround at the moment, some users have reported that switching between different accent colors and then reverting back to the original color scheme might temporarily fix the issue. However, this is not a guaranteed solution and may vary depending on the device and Android version.
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