Android
Enhanced screen sharing controls in Android 15 QPR1

Google continues to improve privacy and security features with its latest updates. In the upcoming Android 15 QPR1 release, the focus is on refining screen recording, building on the improvements introduced in Android 15. One of the key features rolled out in this version is enhanced control over screen sharing. Now, screen recording or casting can be limited to a single app rather than the entire screen. This provides better privacy, especially during screen-sharing sessions where sensitive content might otherwise be exposed.
New Features in Android 15 QPR1
Google is not stopping there. Android 15 QPR1 brings another layer of protection by automatically ending screen-sharing sessions when your phone is locked. This new update ensures that screencasting or recording stops once the device is locked, preventing unintended sharing of your screen in case of accidental locks. Previously, users had to manually stop screen sharing or recording, which sometimes led to privacy issues.
With Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, the user experience becomes more streamlined. When you start screencasting or recording, the system will show you status bar notifications. These display not only the ongoing session but also how long it’s been active. Tapping on these notifications allows users to stop the recording or casting directly from the status bar, adding another layer of ease and security.
Differentiating System and Third-Party Screen Sharing
Another useful feature in Android 15 QPR1 is the clear distinction between system-initiated and third-party app-initiated screen sharing. When an app starts a screen-sharing session, the system reflects this with distinct icons and descriptions. This is especially handy for users who need to track which apps are accessing screen sharing.
For third-party apps, Android 15 QPR1 introduces automatic termination of screen sharing when the device is locked. This change means that any screen projection initiated by apps will immediately stop once you lock your phone, unlike in previous Android versions where sharing would continue unless stopped manually.
Developer Adjustments for App Compatibility
With these changes, Google advises developers to update their apps to work seamlessly with the new screen-sharing behavior. Developers need to implement a callback function within their apps to handle screen sharing interruptions, ensuring that apps release resources or update their user interfaces when the screen projection stops.
Future Impact of These Changes
Although these updates are significant, they are only available for Pixel devices running Android 15 QPR1 for now. The broader Android user base will have to wait until Android 16 rolls out next year to benefit from these features. Additionally, other upcoming features in Android 15 QPR1, such as a desktop windowing mode and lock screen widgets for tablets, further enhance Android’s functionality, making it clear that Google is continuously improving its operating system with user privacy and usability in mind.
In summary, Android 15 QPR1 takes another step towards a more secure and user-friendly screen recording experience. With the automatic termination of screen shares when locking the device, Android users can now enjoy a more seamless and private experience. This update is a prime example of how Google is focusing on giving users more control over their device’s privacy, making screen sharing safer and smarter.
Android
Android might soon alert you when your time zone changes

Traveling with an Android phone can be confusing when it comes to keeping track of time, especially on long trips. Your device automatically adjusts to different time zones, which is handy but can sometimes leave you unsure about the actual time. Imagine being on an airplane, where the time might switch several times due to the flight’s Wi-Fi, making it difficult to know how long you’ve been in the air.
To solve this, Google seems to be working on a new feature for Android. According to Android Authority, who took a peek at the Android 16 Beta 1, there’s a new setting in the works. This setting would allow you to get a notification every time your device changes its time zone automatically.
You’ll find this new option under the “Settings” menu, specifically in “System” and then “Date & time.” By turning this on, you’d get a little alert on your phone saying, “Hey, you’ve just entered a new time zone!” This would help you keep better track of time without any surprises.
There isn’t a confirmed release date yet for this feature, but it looks like it might make its way into Android 16. This update could make traveling a bit less confusing when it comes to managing your schedule across different parts of the world.
Android
Android 16 might alert you when your time zone shifts

One of the key roles of your smartphone is to keep track of time, and they do this job pretty well. By using information from your phone’s network, Wi-Fi, or GPS, your device can automatically adjust its time when you move to a different time zone. However, sometimes you might want to know right away when this happens, which is why Google is working on a new alert feature for Android 16.
While exploring the first beta version of Android 16, I stumbled upon some lines of code for a new “time zone change” option in the settings under System > Date & time. This feature is designed to notify you when your phone’s time zone gets updated automatically.
I managed to activate this setting in the beta. Here’s what it looks like:
I couldn’t show you the actual notification since I haven’t traveled out of my current time zone, but I know what it will look like. The notification will simply state that “your time zone changed” followed by details of your new time zone.
This is a simple yet useful addition because knowing when and how your time zone has changed can help you schedule meetings or make plans. It also saves you from having to check the settings manually when you need to adjust the time for apps like Outlook.
Handling time zones is not easy, but thanks to Google Play System Updates, Android phones can quickly adapt to new time zone data from the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). With the various ways Android devices locate themselves, they are among the best for keeping the right time.
Though I found this feature in the Android 16 Beta 1, it’s not certain if it will make it into the final version. Features can appear in early builds but not in the official release. Given that Android 16 is expected to roll out in the second quarter of this year, we’ll know soon if this time zone notification feature will be part of it.
Android
New Feature: See through Live Captions on Android

Since the introduction of Expressive Captions last December, Android’s Live Caption feature now includes an option to adjust the background transparency on Pixel devices.
Before this update, captions appeared on a solid light or dark gray background, which could sometimes block parts of the screen. Now, with the new transparency setting, you can see what’s happening behind the captions. This makes the captions less intrusive and more user-friendly, allowing you to keep them on all the time if you wish. Some users even prefer having no background at all, just the text floating over the video.
How to Use Background Transparency
To turn on this feature, simply tap on the Live Caption panel to bring up the options menu. Look for the three dots on the right side, tap on them, and go to “Customization.” There, you’ll see the “Background transparency” switch alongside other settings like “Translate captions” and “Live Caption.”
This update was noticed today with the release of version V.16 of Android System Intelligence for Pixel devices. Check the Google Play Store to see if an update is available for your device. However, this feature isn’t available yet for Android 14 on non-Google devices.
This follows the earlier update in December that brought Expressive Captions to life, adding more emotion through uppercase letters for emphasis, sounds like sighs or gasps, and background noises like applause. This is currently available for US English on Android 14 and newer versions.
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