New Pixel Tablet update adds clock styles inspired by Pixel Watch
With the latest October 2023 Feature Drop, Google has brought two new clock screen saver styles to the Pixel Tablet, drawing inspiration from the Pixel Watch. These new clocks, which match existing Pixel Watch designs, join four other options (Eclipse, Prime, Handcraft, and Retro Flip), expanding users’ customization choices. Here’s a closer look at the new clock faces and other fresh features.
The first new style, called Everyday, presents a large two-line digital clock with a flexible layout for day, date, and weather information. Users can choose between two formats: one where the weather and date details flank the main time in a single line, and another with a two-column design. Additionally, every day offers a third format, with extra information displayed above and below the main clock, all of which are available in both light and dark themes.
The second option, Pilot Bold, is a classic analog clock with variations to suit different preferences. One layout shows only the numbers 3, 6, 9, and 12, providing a minimalist look. Two other configurations allow the date and temperature to be placed at distinct points on the clock face.
These new clock designs arrived as a server-side update for the Dreams app, version 2024.09.23.684094365.2, giving users more options to personalize their Pixel Tablet’s screen saver experience.
In addition to the clock options, other recent enhancements make the Pixel Tablet more functional. Notably, “Hold close to cast” enables seamless casting, while notification sync and the Home Panel screen saver add convenience. Moreover, the Google Photos screen saver now includes an overflow menu in the bottom-right corner, allowing users to share their favorite images more easily.
These updates combine to make the Pixel Tablet an even more versatile and customizable device, blending new visual appeal with practical tools for everyday use.
Android 15 introduces true variable refresh rate support, but there are limitations
Android 15 Brings True Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) Support
Most modern Android smartphones, including mid-range and flagship devices, come equipped with high-refresh-rate displays. These screens often operate at fixed rates like 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz. Even some budget phones now feature refresh rates above the standard 60Hz. However, while many phones boast this feature, they lack true variable refresh rate (VRR) technology. Despite manufacturers marketing VRR support through LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) displays, Android itself didn’t fully support VRR until the release of Android 15.
What Is Adaptive Refresh Rate in Android 15?
With Android 15, Google has introduced Adaptive Refresh Rate (ARR), a form of VRR, directly into the operating system. Previously, Android could switch between different fixed refresh rates like 60Hz and 90Hz based on the display mode. However, this was not a true adaptive system. The operating system would switch modes based on content but couldn’t seamlessly adjust refresh rates within a single mode.
In Android 15, ARR dynamically adjusts the refresh rate according to the content’s frame rate without needing to change display modes. This ensures a smoother user experience by adapting the screen refresh rate on the fly, whether you’re watching a video or playing a game.
Benefits of True Variable Refresh Rate in Android 15
Google highlights two main benefits of the ARR feature in Android 15:
- Power Efficiency: By allowing the display to operate at lower refresh rates when high refresh rates aren’t necessary, the device consumes less power. It ramps up the refresh rate only when the content requires it, reducing unnecessary battery drain.
- Improved Performance: Since ARR eliminates the need to switch between different display modes, it reduces potential “jank” or stuttering issues that occur during mode transitions, offering a smoother visual experience.
Why Wasn’t True VRR Supported Before?
Although smartphone manufacturers have promoted variable refresh rate features with LTPO displays, these implementations were limited. LTPO displays allowed for a broader range of refresh rates, from as low as 1Hz or 10Hz up to 120Hz. However, this was achieved by toggling between fixed display modes rather than dynamically adjusting within a single mode.
For example, on many Android devices with LTPO OLED panels, the refresh rate could drop to 10Hz during static content like reading, then jump to 120Hz during gaming. However, these changes were still tied to pre-defined modes and didn’t dynamically adapt based on real-time content needs, unlike true VRR seen in PC gaming monitors.
Technical Advancements in Android 15
In previous Android versions, some OEMs tried to implement VRR-like features at the kernel level. However, this approach required custom logic for each device, making it difficult to standardize due to Android’s Generic Kernel Image (GKI) requirements. The kernel, responsible for managing hardware, lacked deep insights into the content being displayed, limiting its ability to adjust the refresh rate effectively.
Android 15 addresses this by implementing VRR at the Hardware Composer (HWC) HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) level, specifically with the introduction of version 3 of HWC HAL APIs. This allows the operating system to make more informed decisions about when to adjust the refresh rate based on the content displayed. It offers a unified method for OEMs to implement adaptive refresh rates without needing complex customizations at the kernel level.
Device Compatibility and Challenges
While Android 15 introduces true VRR support, not all devices will be able to use it right away. For a phone to take advantage of this feature, it must have support for the updated HWC HAL version 3. Currently, devices like the Google Pixel 7 and newer models, as well as those powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, have this version. However, older devices, including the Google Pixel 6 series and phones using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, do not support the necessary HAL version.
Additionally, even if a device receives an update to Android 15, it may not support ARR due to hardware limitations or the effects of Google’s Requirements Freeze (GRF) program. This program prevents mandatory hardware changes in updated devices, so phones designed before the release of HWC HAL version 3 may not fully support Android 15’s adaptive refresh rate features.
Future Impact and Expectations
If Android 15’s adaptive refresh rate feature is widely adopted, it could lead to better performance and battery efficiency in everyday use. For instance, it may help devices reduce the refresh rate to 30Hz or 24Hz when playing films, rather than defaulting to 60Hz, which could conserve battery life.
However, it’s important to note that Android 15’s implementation is not the same as the true VRR seen in gaming PCs, where the refresh rate matches the frame rate of the game. Instead, Google’s documentation indicates that the adaptive refresh rate in Android 15 only supports rates that are divisors of the display’s native refresh rate to prevent tearing effects.
This means that while Android 15’s ARR feature offers significant improvements, it may not provide full synchronization between game frame rates and display refresh rates, as seen in PC monitors with NVIDIA G-Sync or AMD FreeSync.
Looking Forward
As more details emerge and updates roll out, it will be interesting to see which existing devices fully adopt Android 15’s adaptive refresh rate capabilities. Google’s future Pixel devices are likely candidates for early adoption, but broader support will depend on how quickly OEMs implement the necessary hardware and software changes.
In conclusion, Android 15 marks a significant step forward in providing true VRR support at the operating system level. While the feature is promising, its real-world impact will depend on device compatibility and OEM adoption. Users can look forward to a smoother experience and potentially better battery life, making it a long-overdue but welcome addition to the Android ecosystem.
Expanded support for RAW Photos in third-party Android camera apps
Google is making strides to enhance the quality of smartphone photography by bringing RAW photo support to more third-party camera apps through an update to the CameraX library. While the default JPEG photos from smartphones are sufficient for casual use, photography enthusiasts often prefer RAW images due to their superior editing capabilities.
Understanding RAW Photography
RAW photography captures unprocessed image data directly from the camera sensor. Unlike JPEG, which compresses and processes the image, RAW files retain more details, allowing photographers to adjust settings like white balance, exposure, and sharpness in post-processing. However, RAW files are significantly larger, consuming more storage space, which can be a concern for users with budget devices.
Current Limitations in Android Apps
Many camera apps on Android either do not support RAW photography or require manual activation due to its limited utility for most users. This gap exists because many developers opt to use the simpler CameraX library instead of the more complex Camera2 API. While Camera2 has supported RAW capture for a long time, CameraX, designed for ease of use and broader device compatibility, initially only supported JPEG output.
CameraX simplifies the integration of camera features into apps like social media platforms that do not need advanced camera functionalities. The trade-off has been the lack of advanced options like RAW photo capture. However, Google is addressing this by adding RAW capture capabilities in the upcoming release of CameraX version 1.5.0.
Upcoming Features in CameraX 1.5.0
With the 1.5.0 update, CameraX will introduce two new output formats: OUTPUT_FORMAT_RAW
for capturing a single RAW image and OUTPUT_FORMAT_RAW_JPEG
for capturing both RAW and JPEG images simultaneously. These RAW images will be saved in Adobe’s DNG format, a widely adopted standard in digital photography. This addition aims to bridge the feature gap between CameraX and Camera2, making RAW photo support more accessible to a broader range of apps.
Implications for Developers and Users
This update will empower app developers who use CameraX to provide users with more advanced photography options without resorting to the more complex Camera2 API. It also reflects Google’s commitment to enhancing CameraX, making it a viable choice even for apps with more demanding camera requirements. As a result, more third-party camera apps may soon start offering RAW capture, appealing to users who prefer extensive photo editing and better image quality.
Conclusion
Google’s efforts to add RAW photo support to CameraX demonstrate an ongoing push to offer professional-grade features in a simpler package. This move is expected to make high-quality, detailed photography accessible even in apps that were previously limited to basic JPEG captures, enriching the overall Android photography experience for both developers and users.
Google Search’s Paddington Easter Egg and new Google Slides templates boost productivity
In anticipation of the upcoming movie Paddington in Peru, Google has added a playful Easter egg to its search engine. When users type “Paddington,” “Paddington 2,” or “Paddington in Peru” into Google Search, they notice a special marmalade sandwich button at the bottom right of the screen. Clicking this button results in the screen being “coated” with marmalade, mimicking Paddington’s love for his favorite snack. Each click adds more sticky sandwiches, creating a fun and interactive experience, especially for fans of the beloved bear.
This Easter egg aligns well with the promotional activities for Paddington in Peru, which releases in November 2024 in the UK and January 2025 in the US. The film follows Paddington on a journey back to Peru, accompanied by the Brown family, as they explore his native land in a new adventure filled with mystery and charm.
Enhancements in Google Slides: New Themed Templates
Google has also made updates to its Slides platform by introducing a variety of themed templates. This new feature is aimed at enhancing user productivity by simplifying the presentation creation process. Traditionally, users relied on basic themes and layouts, but now Google Slides offers pre-designed templates tailored for specific purposes like business pitches, educational projects, and collaborative team activities.
These templates include layouts, color schemes, and placeholder content, making it easier for users to jump straight into creating visually appealing and professional presentations. Some of the available templates are tailored for investor pitches, class overviews, and even team-building games. This update is rolling out to all Google Workspace customers, including individual subscribers and those with personal Google accounts, promising more templates in future updates.
In summary, Google is boosting user engagement and productivity through these delightful additions. The Easter egg celebrates a cultural icon, while the new Slides templates help streamline the presentation process for both professional and personal use.
-
Apps9 months ago
Gboard Proofread feature will support selected text
-
News9 months ago
Samsung USA crafting One UI 6.1.1
-
News8 months ago
Breaking: Samsung Galaxy S22 may get Galaxy AI features
-
News8 months ago
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with One UI 6.1 and all S24 AI features revealed
-
News9 months ago
One UI 6.1 Auracast (Bluetooth LE Audio) feature coming to many Samsung phones
-
News8 months ago
Satellite SOS feature coming to Google Pixel phones, evidence leaked
-
Apps6 months ago
Google’s fancy new Weather app is finally available for more Android phones
-
News9 months ago
Google Pixel evolves as Europe’s third best selling flagship