Google expands Pixel Weather, Google Wallet for kids, Digital Wellbeing nudges, and enhanced Magic Editor for Photos
Google Pixel Weather Rolls Out to More Devices
In the October 2024 Feature Drop, Google expanded Pixel Weather to Pixel 6 and newer models, including the Pixel Tablet. This app enhances weather updates, offering real-time forecasts and city-specific backgrounds on your Pixel devices.
Pixel Weather is a background service that you can activate with an update from the Google Play Store. Once you install version 1.0.20240910.x, a “Weather” app icon will appear in your app grid. During setup, allow notifications and enable precise location for the most accurate updates. In the Pixel Weather settings (accessed via your profile avatar), select it as your main source for weather notifications, turning off “Weather forecasts” from the Google app for a streamlined experience.
For a seamless setup, consider restarting your device so existing widgets and “At a Glance” default to Pixel Weather. Additionally, sign in with your Google Account to sync saved locations across devices. The interface shows detailed weather elements, including hourly forecasts, precipitation, wind, UV index, and air quality. On foldable devices and tablets, the app features a two-column layout for easier access to each city’s customized display.
Pixel Weather includes a 6-hour precipitation forecast powered by Google nowcasting, available in the U.S., U.K., and many European countries (with a few exceptions like Italy and Luxembourg). You can also customize units, themes, and receive tomorrow’s forecast at night or city-specific rain alerts. For users in the U.K., Germany, France, and Italy, pollen count information is also available.
Google Wallet for Kids with Family Link Support in 2025
Starting in 2025, Google Wallet will support tap-to-pay for children’s Family Link-managed devices, marking a step towards safer, parent-monitored digital transactions. Using the Google Wallet app on Android, children will be able to make in-store payments, with each transaction requiring device PIN, password, or biometric authentication for security.
Parents must approve every credit or debit card linked to a child’s account. Through the Family Link app, parents can monitor transaction history, remove cards, and block access if needed. This feature builds on Google’s success with tap-to-pay for kids on Wear OS-powered smartwatches, emphasizing family security.
Initially, the feature will be available in the U.S. and select other countries, with a broader rollout planned in the future.
Digital Wellbeing’s New “Mindful Nudge” Feature for Healthier Screen Time
Google’s Digital Wellbeing app will soon introduce “Mindful Nudge” reminders to encourage more mindful app usage. Part of version 1.19.688167517.beta, this feature gently prompts users when they’ve spent extended time on an app, helping break excessive browsing patterns and promoting healthier screen time habits.
While similar to Apple’s Screen Time, this approach aims to be more flexible. When active, users can tap on the nudge for more details or disable it for specific apps. Though not yet widely available, “Mindful Nudge” is expected to roll out on Pixel devices and possibly other Android phones soon.
Google Photos’ Magic Editor Enhancements for Easier Edits
Google Photos is enhancing its AI-powered Magic Editor with an improved user interface. The “Reimagine” feature now allows users to adjust images in various ways, from altering backgrounds to resizing and moving objects. A new UI update for the Magic Editor, coming soon in Google Photos v7.6, simplifies using these features by providing intuitive tools like “Insert” and “Replace.” These options offer quick prompts for customization, such as changing a background with just a few clicks.
Magic Editor aims to make photo editing accessible to all users with easy-to-use AI-driven options, perfect for creating the ideal image without needing advanced photo editing skills.
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.
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