Android
How Android 16’s new security mode can safeguard your data

If you’re worried about hackers or want extra security, you might want to join Google’s Advanced Protection Program. This program makes your Google account safer by asking for a special key or passcode to log in and stops you from downloading bad files. It also boosts security on Android devices, and with Android 16, there are even more security boosts.
Google started this program back in 2017 to help keep IT managers, journalists, activists, and others safe from cyber attacks. When you join, Android stops you from installing apps from anywhere but the Google Play Store. This helps because it blocks one way hackers might try to attack your phone. However, the Advanced Protection Program could do more, and that’s where Android 16’s new security mode comes in.
We talked about this new feature last October, but we didn’t know much then. We knew it was a special security setup you could turn on through your phone’s settings, and apps could check if it was active. But we didn’t know what it did exactly until we looked at the first Android 16 beta.
In this beta, I found out you can turn on this new security mode. Once active, it grays out the option to install apps from unknown sources (found under Settings > Apps > Special app access > Install unknown apps). It shows a message saying “disabled by Advanced Protection,” and if you try to change it, you get a notice that you can’t because the mode is on.
This means you can’t install apps from outside Google Play, which is similar to what Google Play Protect already does but now you can’t even try.
Another big change is that Android 16 stops 2G connections. 2G is old and not very secure, so blocking it stops users from accidentally connecting to fake 2G networks that could spy on you.
Also, this mode turns on Memory Tagging Extension (MTE) for apps, which helps protect against common security issues related to how apps use memory. MTE isn’t on by default because it might slow down your phone a bit, but those needing extra security might be fine with that.
While Google hasn’t officially said this feature will be in the final Android 16, the signs suggest it will. The ability to block 2G and use MTE are great, but what’s really exciting is how apps can now adjust their security based on whether you’re in this mode. This makes the whole security setup much simpler and effective for your Google account and apps.
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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