Android

Google Brings New Features Across Apps: Notifications tab, Authenticator updates, shielded email, and double-tap heart in messages

Published

4 months ago

November 14, 2024

Google App on Android Adds Notifications Tab

The Google app on Android now includes a Notifications tab in its bottom navigation bar, making it easier for users to access updates without interrupting their search flow. Google initially tested a bell icon for alerts next to the profile image, but this design, after various beta tests, has now evolved into a dedicated “Notifications” tab. It sits alongside the “Home,” “Search,” and “Saved” tabs, displaying a badge for unread alerts. This change aligns the Android app’s design with iOS, which already includes a similar setup.

In the Notifications feed, Google curates updates on various topics, including the latest weather forecasts, sports scores, trending shows, and more. Updates are organized chronologically with “Today” or “New for you” at the top, followed by older alerts. Users can delete notifications or turn off specific types through an overflow menu, with a single tap on an update leading directly to relevant search results.

This enhancement comes as part of a server-side update for Google app version 15.44 and above.

Google Authenticator 7.0 Introduces Material You and New Features

Google Authenticator’s latest version (7.0) introduces a Material You-inspired redesign and new features aimed at making account management and security easier. Initially available in August to some Android users, this updated version is now widely accessible on the Play Store. Key improvements include:

Enhanced Search Functionality: Users can now search through their accounts instead of scrolling, simplifying account access.
Updated QR Scanner: The QR code scanning interface now includes a flash option and leverages Google Play services, with a new shortcut to quickly open the camera scanner from the home screen.
Privacy Screen Option: Users can enable a “Privacy screen” requiring a PIN, biometric verification, or screen lock to access 2FA codes. This can be customized to lock immediately, after 10 seconds, a minute, or 10 minutes of inactivity.
Material Design Updates: Google has applied Material 3 elements, including dynamic color themes on the main screen, rounded corners for the navigation drawer, and a redesigned floating action button. Notably, manual light/dark mode and “Time correction for codes” options have been removed in this version.

The last significant update to Google Authenticator was in early 2023, which added cloud sync and a refreshed icon. This update continues Google’s effort to modernize the app while enhancing its functionality for secure authentication.

Google’s New Privacy Feature: Shielded Email

Google is developing a new privacy feature for Android users called “Shielded Email”, designed to protect your real email address when signing up for apps. This concept is similar to Apple’s Hide My Email, a feature available through iCloud+ that allows users to generate random, unique email addresses to keep their personal information secure. Hide My Email forwards messages to your actual inbox without revealing your real email address to third parties.

Apple’s iCloud+, launched in 2021, charges a subscription fee starting at $0.99 per month. While Google has yet to confirm if Shielded Email will be free or part of a paid service like Google One, it is expected to offer similar protection against tracking and spam.

How Shielded Email Works

According to recent findings in the beta version (24.45.33) of Google Play Services, the Shielded Email feature will let Android users create temporary, disposable email addresses when signing up for apps. These addresses forward emails to your main inbox, providing an extra layer of security to prevent data breaches and online tracking.

The system will likely integrate with Android’s Autofill feature and the Google Password Manager, making it easier to generate and manage these Shielded Emails seamlessly during app sign-ups. Users will have the option to disable forwarding anytime through their Google Account settings, either via myaccount.google.com or directly from Android’s settings.

Key Highlights of Shielded Email:

Generate Temporary Email Addresses: Create unique, disposable email addresses for app sign-ups.
Privacy Protection: Prevents your real email address from being exposed to apps and reduces the risk of data breaches.
Spam Control: Users can turn off email forwarding if they start receiving spam from these temporary addresses.
Easy Management: Integrated with Android Autofill and Google Password Manager for smooth operation.

While it’s not yet clear if Shielded Email will be a premium feature, making it part of a Google One subscription could help prevent misuse and add value to the subscription service.

Google Messages Adds ‘Double Tap to Heart’ Feature

In another update, Google Messages has introduced a new gesture-based feature that allows users to quickly react to messages with a red heart emoji by simply double-tapping on the message. Previously, users had to long-press a message and choose the reaction from a row of emoji options. This new feature streamlines the process and enhances the user experience by offering a quick way to show appreciation or affection.

Key Features of ‘Double Tap to Heart’:

Quick Reactions: Double-tap to instantly react with a heart emoji, saving time compared to the traditional method.
User Feedback: After activating the feature, a small prompt appears briefly, informing the user of the new capability.
Rollout Timeline: The feature was first tested with select users in February and has now expanded to a wider audience after a server-side update.

The double-tap gesture comes alongside a redesign of the RCS status indicators and read receipts in Google Messages. Previously, tapping on a message would show the timestamp and encryption lock icon. Now, with this redesign, swiping left will bring up those details, clearing the way for the double-tap reaction.

What to Expect Next

Google’s move towards enhancing privacy with Shielded Email is a step in the right direction, especially as digital privacy becomes a growing concern for users. By offering a feature that allows Android users to keep their email addresses private, Google is responding to a demand for more secure and anonymous online interactions.

Similarly, the “Double Tap to Heart” feature in Google Messages aims to make messaging more interactive and user-friendly. These updates indicate Google’s focus on improving both security and usability across its platform, catering to a tech-savvy audience that values privacy and efficiency.

With these enhancements, Google is clearly working to offer more control and convenience to its users, making the Android ecosystem a safer and more enjoyable space for everyday activities.

Conclusion:

Shielded Email could soon become a standard tool for Android users to protect their privacy when interacting with apps, mirroring what Apple has successfully implemented with iCloud+.
Double Tap to Heart simplifies message reactions in Google Messages, enhancing user interaction and streamlining communication.

Stay tuned for official announcements on Shielded Email’s availability and pricing details, as well as the full rollout of the new message reaction feature across all devices.

Android

Android Auto 14.0 Beta brings defrost buttons and Maps alert options

Published

14 hours ago

March 17, 2025

Tom Carter

Google recently launched the Android Auto 14.0 beta update, giving testers a sneak peek at what’s coming. While it doesn’t bring big changes you can see right away, the update hints at some handy features being built behind the scenes, like temperature controls and better alert settings.

Back in early March, we spotted clues in Android Auto 13.9—now available to everyone—that pointed to built-in temperature controls. The latest 14.0 beta keeps this going by adding options for front and rear defrost buttons. These aren’t active yet, but the code shows Google is working on it:

<string name=”control_defrost_front”>FRONT</string>

<string name=”control_defrost_rear”>REAR</string>

It’s still unclear how these will fit into the app, but they could make adjusting your car’s climate easier while driving. The update also hints at a new way to manage alerts from Google Maps in Android Auto. Specifically, it looks like you’ll soon be able to turn incident report notifications on or off. New code mentions an “Alerts” section in the settings, with a line saying:

<string name=”NAVIGATION_ALERT_SETTING”>Get alerts for reported incidents and other conditions that may impact your drive</string>

This could be Google’s fix for complaints about annoying pop-up alerts. People didn’t love how these notifications got in the way when they rolled out on Android Auto and CarPlay. A simple on/off switch might give drivers more control.

Android Auto 14.0 should hit the stable version soon—probably in a few weeks—reaching all users. Since there’s nothing major to notice right now, it seems Google is using this update to quietly fix bugs or set up bigger features for later. For now, beta testers get the first look at what’s cooking!

Android

Android 16 Beta shows off new looks and features

Published

14 hours ago

March 17, 2025

Tom Carter

Google dropped a fresh Android 16 beta this week, and while it might not seem like much at first glance, there are some cool things brewing under the hood. Think custom app icon shapes, a redesigned notification area, and more!

So far, the early versions of Android 16 haven’t brought many obvious changes for users. There are small updates here and there, but nothing to get super excited about yet. However, digging deeper into Android 16 Beta 3, some big stuff is in progress.

One neat addition is notification summaries—little hints of this popped up in Beta 3’s code. Plus, Google seems to be giving the whole notification panel a makeover, as Android Authority noticed. The new design puts the time front and center at the top, styled like your lock screen clock.

There’s also a handy bar with buttons to clear all notifications, tweak settings, or check your notification history. It’s a big shift from what we have now, with a solid background behind everything. They’ve added new swipe moves too—swipe down from the top left for notifications, or from the top right for Quick Settings. No swipe to flip between them, though—just shortcut buttons at the top.

None of this is active yet, but it’s clear Google’s cooking up something big for Android. On top of that, there’s talk of bringing back custom app icon shapes for your home screen. Google had this feature years ago but dropped it in Android 12. Now, it looks like it’s making a comeback, pretty much the same as before.

Mystic Leaks on Telegram also hinted that Google might add shapes to the lock screen, like what Samsung’s One UI 7 or OxygenOS do. You might even get weather animations as an option. For now, these features aren’t live in Android 16 Beta 3, and we don’t know when they’ll show up. Google plans to roll out the final Android 16 around May or June, but that’s not the end. Android 16 QPR1 will bring lock screen widgets to more people, and another decent-sized update is set for later in 2025.

Android

What’s up with the Google Pixel 10 getting three cameras?

Published

14 hours ago

March 17, 2025

Tom Carter

This week, we got a sneak peek at the upcoming Pixel 10 series, and it looks a lot like what we’ve seen before. But here’s the twist: Google seems to be adding a third camera to the regular Pixel 10, not just the fancy Pro version. That’s got people scratching their heads.

Since the Pixel 6 came out in 2021, Google’s phone lineup has followed a simple pattern. The Pro model comes with three cameras, more memory, and a bigger, nicer screen. The regular Pixel keeps most of the same goodies but skips one camera to keep the price lower by a couple hundred bucks. Then there’s the A-series, an even cheaper option under $500. Over time, things have shifted a bit—there’s a Fold now, release dates have changed, and the Pro even got a smaller size while the big one became an “XL.”

The differences between the regular Pixel and the A-series can sometimes feel blurry, but the lineup has mostly made sense—until now. Leaked pictures of the Pixel 10 series popped up online this week, showing that next year’s phones will look almost the same as the Pixel 9. That’s fine, but the regular Pixel 10 is said to be getting a third camera, possibly a telephoto lens for zooming in. This is weird because that extra zoom camera has always been a big reason to pick the Pro over the regular model.

So, what’s the Pro’s edge if the regular Pixel gets this too? I’ve been thinking about it, and maybe this new camera isn’t as fancy as it sounds. People say it’s a “periscope” lens like the Pro’s, but I doubt Google would put something that good in the cheaper phone. Instead, it might be a simpler version—say, a 3x zoom instead of the Pro’s 5x, or even a basic telephoto lens that’s not a periscope at all. That way, regular Pixel 10 buyers get a nice perk without stepping on the Pro’s toes.

Google could also keep the Pro special by boosting its storage (256GB would be a smart start for all Pixels), upgrading its main camera, or adding extras like faster charging or better face unlock. Without some differences, slapping a third camera on the regular model could mess up the whole lineup. The smaller Pro’s price would look silly next to the regular Pixel, and Google can’t just drop prices to fix it. The Pixel pricing has already been a puzzle lately. Last year, we pointed out how older models cost the same as new ones, with features that don’t always match the price tags. Adding more overlap now would only make it harder for buyers to choose.