After a big craze of foldable smartphones in 2020, many smartphone manufacturers released foldable smartphones but they could not reach the level of success as expected. However, this didn’t stop smartphone manufacturers from trying their luck.
Recently, LG Rollable aka Slide smartphone was tipped on South Korea’s carrier Intranet Database. Some specifications of the upcoming rollable were also tipped. The smartphone is expected to launch in June 2021.
Tipster @cozyplanes leaked the model numbers of the locked as well as an unlocked variant of the rollable smartphone.
The model number of the Rollable smartphone is LM-RN910N. Whereas the unlocked variant’s model number is OMD-LM-R910N.
It is expected that this is going to be the second smartphone that falls in the LG’s Explorer Project. LG Wing that featured a swivel-screen was the first phone of the Explorer Project.
LG Rollable smartphone will have a flexible and expandable frame. However, the top frame will not expand the device. Moreover, the upcoming smartphone will also feature a locking device. This will prevent the screen from accidental movement and some wrinkles that might appear on the screen from scrolling too fast.
LG Rollable Smartphone Specifications
The upcoming LG Rollable smartphone is expected to feature a 7.4 AMOLED display that is 100% expandable. The screen is expected to have a resolution of 1,080×2428 pixels with an aspect ratio of 20:9, a video mode of 1366×2428 pixels resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio, and a productivity model 1600×2428 pixels resolution and 3:2 aspect ratio.
Talking about the performance, the upcoming is smartphone is expected to have 16GB of RAM and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset.
Moreover, this smartphone is expected to pack a 4,200mAh battery. That’s pretty much all we know about the upcoming smartphone and we hope to get more intel about it in coming time.
Your Google Pixel 5 comes with pre-installed software from Google. Although the Android operating system is pretty much open compared to Apple iOS, it is still restricted in some or other ways. This is to prevent users from modifying it more than it should prevent risking opening a backdoor for intruders, threats, and unwanted elements to feed on your system. There’s a multi-step method that you can employ to unlock the bootloader, root the Pixel, and install a valid Safetynet to get the best user experience without the hassle. Before you can dive into the detailed step-by-step instructions, you must clearly understand what is a bootloader, rooting, and Safetynet that we have discussed here.
What is Bootloader?
A Bootloader can be explained as a manager for partitions made up on your device’s storage. For example, system files are stored in a separate partition of a hard drive or storage while the app data is stored on others and the data that you access is somewhere else. Here, a bootloader is progress keeps a tab on a few things at startup including checking several places for any issues. It checks whether the software (operating system) is running and verifies it before the software loads itself.
The bootloader is locked by default as manufacturers don’t want users to modify or alter it as it may cause more harm if done wrong. Some manufacturers offer an unlocked bootloader so that the users can tinker with it a bit.
Unlocking a bootloader opens up great opportunities including loading a custom software or custom ROM and so on. The bootloader is also tasked with entering the recovery mode or running Android as and when instructed. Unlocking a bootloader allows you to root your device which has a plethora of benefits as we have mentioned in the next section.
What is Rooting?
Rooting or as iPhone lovers will call it jailbreaking, it’s the process of unlocking one’s device’s operating system. Here, the user uses a set of instructions to gain the privilege of an administrator or a superuser. It is something a non-rooted device will never allow.
Rooting Android smartphones like Google Pixel 5 allows you to grab the opportunities for customizations. You can tweak almost every aspect of the device, install tools, and mod that the system would otherwise deter from installing. Moreover, it brings along battery and performance improvements, deep automation, and extreme customization on-board. You can load custom ROMs on your device if outdated, with added features and more that. You can get more free space as all the bloatware that were earlier unavailable for uninstallation can now be uninstalled.
One of the many USPs of getting your phone rooted is the ability to download apps from any platform. Now, you don’t have to rely on Google Play Store but you can choose from hundreds of venues to download apps that Google has not assessed for user security.
But when it comes to advantages, there are disadvantages of performing rooting on your device as well. The most common is the phone transforming into a useless brick. One wrong step during the multi-layered rooting procedure and your hone will turn into an unusable piece of metal or plastic. Rooting your device also voids the warranty at the first go so you no longer have that battery exchange coverage or any other services under warranty on your device now.
One of the dead giveaways of rooting your phone is it becomes vulnerable to hacking and malware. Doing so allows intruders to steal sensitive data that can be used wrongfully.
What is SafetyNet?
There are millions of apps available on the Google Play Store. There are a plethora of reasons why developers choose Google Play Store as it is a solely authorized app store for Android devices unless you have a first-party store like Huawei’s App Gallery or Samsung’s Samsung Apps. When it comes to the developers, Google has many mechanisms in place. SafetyNet is one of them and it has many APIs and services that are focused on keeping the apps and the app store secure. It regularly checks for obsolete apps and removes it from the Google Play Store.
SafetyNet from Google allows app developers to have a secure application. It protects sensitive data from leaking out while protecting the integrity of the device as well. Google performs hardware-based attestation with SafetyNet to assess if the app works as deemed on Android devices.
There are many underlying reasons behind getting a valid SafetyNet on a smartphone including the services to build secure apps that won’t run on tampered devices. SafetyNet has many attestation levels of security that prevent users from malicious URLs, tampered gadgets, fake users, and so on.
Now let’s see how you can actually perform the said process – Unlock Bootloader of your Pixel 5, root it with Magisk, and install a valid SafetyNet.
Note: We wouldn’t stress this enough but whatever you perform after this cautionary message is your responsibility. Unlocking the bootloader and getting it rooted sounds fun but do it wrong or make a goof up and risk bricking your phone.
How to Unlock Bootloader, Get Root and Install Valid SafetyNet?
This is a tutorial on how to unlock the bootloader on your device, get it rooted, and install a valid Safetynet for your phone. We have bifurcated it into four parts with step-by-step instructions on how to do it.
Part One: Getting Ready
Just make sure your phone’s battery is completely charged up to prevent any issues further. Since proceeding further will wipe out all the data, it is advisable to take a backup of the data before stepping ahead.
Enable Developer Mode
You need to enable Developer Mode on your device, and here’s how you can do it.
Open the ‘Settings‘ app on your phone.
Proceed to ‘About the Phone‘ or ‘About Phone‘.
Locate ‘Build Number‘ and tap it 7 times. You will see a notification saying “You are a Developer now”.
Enable OEM-Unlocking
You need to enable the OEM-Unlock or OEM-Unlocking in the Settings, and here’s how to do it.
Firstly, launch the Settings app on your phone.
Navigate to ‘System’.
Tap on ‘Extended’ or ‘More’ (If prompted).
Proceed to the ‘Developer options‘.
Spot ‘OEM-Unlock‘ and enable it by toggling the option.
After completing Part One consisting of two settings options, you are now proceeding towards unlocking the bootloader. Note that this wipes off all the data from your device no matter what so proceed accordingly.
Reboot the Phone In Fastboot Mode
Toggling to the Fastboot Mode can be different depending upon which smartphone and OEM you are using. Generally, here’s how you can reboot the Fastboot Mode on Pixel devices.
First up, turn off your phone by long-pressing the power button and click on ‘Turn Off’.
Press the Power + Lower Volume Button together for a few seconds that should allow the phone to reboot in fastboot mode.
Part Two: Using Fastboot to Unlock Phone
This part revolves around using Fastboot on your phone and the PC after pairing. Here’s how you can do it but be cautious.
Note: Make sure you have the ADB and Fastboot files (Android SDK Platform Tools) on your PC before proceeding further. If you don’t have it, click here to downloadit for Windows, Mac, or Linux. Once you download it, extract the zip file on the path where you want it.
Connect your Google Pixel 5 with your computer/PC using a USB cable that comes out-of-the-box.
Next, Open the path on your computer where you extracted the ADB tools as aforementioned.
Tap on the press Shift & Right-Click on the mouse and open Command Prompt. OR press Control + L and type “cmd” to open the Command Prompt.
Type the code “fastboot devices” and it will display the serial number of the devices connected to the PC.
If the results are empty, either you haven’t connected your Pixel 5 properly or there’s some issue. Remove the USB cable and connect it again.
Also, you might have to wait sometime as the system updates the USB driver or takes time to recognize the device at first.
In case if the USB driver or other drivers are outdated, you’ll have to update it to ensure an uninterrupted connection between the phone and the PC.
If you can see the Serial Number after entering the first command, type “fastboot flashing unlock” on CMD. If there’s an error, use the code “./fastboot flashing unlock” (excluding the inverted colons)
Check your phone for a message that says “not unlock your phone”. You need to use the Volume Up button to switch it to “unlock your phone”.
Use the Power Button to accept the option. It is similar to that of Recovery Mode on Pixel devices.
Your phone will reboot itself which takes a few minutes. Here, the system wipes out all the data on your phone transforming it into its factory version.
Part Three: Installing Boot Image with Magisk 21
Step 01: Patch The Stock Boot Image
The next step requires you to download the stock boot image depending upon what firmware your phone is using. This part revolves around patching it up using Magisk Manager and here’s how you can do it.
Method 01:
You need to download the stock boot image for your Google Pixel 5. This image should carry the same software build number that your phone comes installed with.
Next up, connect the phone to the PC using the USB cable.
Transfer the downloaded boot image to the internal storage of your device.
Disconnect the phone from the computer.
Next up, you need to download the latest version of Magisk Manager via APK and install the same on your PC.
The next step is to launch the Magisk Manager on your phone.
Tap on ‘Install’ when prompted that ‘Magisk is not installed’, and confirmed by tapping on ‘Install’ on a pop-up menu.
A pop-up menu asking users to ‘Select Method’ will appear on the screen. Tap on the ‘Select and Patch a file’ option.
You need to find the boot image that you downloaded earlier and transferred to the internal storage. Select it.
Magisk will take over the boot image and will patch it up.
The process could take a few minutes but the result will be a Magisk Patched Boot Image for Google Pixel 5. It will be stored in [internal storage]/Download.
OR
Method 02:
There are two types of boot images. The first is a KDDI version and another is a regular one. Based on what firmware your Pixel 5 (or any Pixel) is using, you either need to download the KDDI version or a regular one. Here’s a pre-patched boot image for Pixel 5 with Magisk 21 (build 21005).
Note: The second method listed here saves you from the trouble of getting the boot image patched. This will save your efforts as well. But if you are using Pixel 4 XL or below, you can use the first method to get the boot image patched as these links are for Pixel 5.
Step 02: Flash The Patched Boot Image To Root Pixel 5
You are almost done rooting your Google Pixel 5. This is the last step you need to perform to submit the process. Here, you need to flash the system with the Magisk Patched Boot Image using fastboot to root your Pixel 5.
Note that using Magisk to flash patched image installed it in a partition thereby not modifying the actual system files. This is also called a systemless root. Here’s how you can do it.
You’ll need to copy the pre-patched “img-file” that you just downloaded or copy the Magisk patched version you obtained via Method 01 in the folder where you extracted the ADB files earlier.
Press the Shift Key and Right-Click on your mouse on a space inside this folder.
Select ‘Open PowerShell window here’ from the dropdown menu that will launch PowerShell.
Turn off your Google Pixel 5.
You’ll need to boot up your phone in Bootloader Mode.
Use the Volume Down button, press & hold it along with the Power Button for a few seconds to launch Bootloader Mode.
Now, connect the phone to the PC/computer via the USB cable.
Copy and paste the following code in the PowerShell window that will allow you to gauge if the fastboot detects your phone.
Code: fastboot devices
When you type the above code and hit enter, you must receive the Serial ID/Device ID. If not, check if the required USB drivers are properly installed and updated or not.
The next step is to enter the command fastboot flash boot “magisk_patched Build 21005.img” ( if you used Method 01) or “fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img” (if you used Method 02). Let it run and process.
Finally, type ‘fastboot reboot’ on PowerShell to reboot the device, and there you have it.
You need to verify if your Pixel 5 has been rooted or not. Launch the Magisk Manager app on your device by rebooting the device. If you can see a red button titled “Uninstall Magisk”, it means you have rooted the device.
You have successfully rooted your Pixel 5 by unlocking the bootloader and getting it to root via Magisk. You’d also need a valid SafetyNet that you can read more about it here.
Part Four: Install valid Safetynet on your phone
You need to install a valid Safetynet on your Pixel 5 to prevent any issues. Here’s how you can do it.
Firstly, open the Magisk Manager on your device and tap on ‘Settings’ gear icon.
Enable ‘MagiskHide’ under ‘Magisk’.
Next, click on “Hide Magisk Manager” listed just above MagiskHide. Name it and click on “OK”. This will take a few seconds until it reopens.
Tap on the Main Menu of the Magisk Manager app and tap on “Shield Icon” to open it.
Proceed to the option “MagiskHide”.
The next step is to select the item “Google Play Services”. When you unfold it, there are several sub-items that you need to toggle or enable. Enable all the hooks available under the Google Services menu.
Proceed by tapping on “Go Back” direct to the Main Menu on the app.
Next up, scroll to the bottom for the search icon where type the keyword “MagiskH”.
Install the Module called “MagiskHide Props Config”. It may take some time.
The next step is to reboot the Pixel 5 after the installation and it is over.
The next process has two methods to do it.
First: Install Terminal on your Pixel 5 via Google Play Store.
Second: Enable USB Debugging mode in the “Settings >> System >> Developer Options”.
Enter the code “su props” where ‘su’ is to allow root access and ‘props’ is for the MagiskHide Props software.
The following commands set your Google Pixel 5 as a Google Pixel 3a (which is a giveaway) with BASIC key attestation.
2 + Enter
F + Enter
7 + Enter
20 + Enter
y + Enter
y + Enter
Finally, reboot and verify that you have successfully passed Google SafetyNet on your Google Pixel 5.
That concludes our detailed step-by-step guide on how to unlock the bootloader, get root, and valid Safetynet on Google Pixel 5.
Back in October, Samsung launched its Galaxy F series smartphone, the Galaxy F41, in India. But now, the South Korean company is expected to launch its second phone from this series — the Galaxy F62. Recently, the upcoming Galaxy smartphone has appeared in the Geekbench ahead of its launch in India.
The listing with model number SM-E625F reveals key specifications, including the processor and RAM. In the Geekbench test, the smartphone has scored 763 points in the single-core and 1952 in the multi-core test. Here’s what the Galaxy F62 will offer.
Samsung Galaxy F62 Specs
The Geekbench listing of the Samsung Galaxy F62 reveals key specs of the upcoming smartphone from the Galaxy F series. Under the hood, the device will feature Samsung’s own Exynos 9825 chipset paired with 6GB RAM and 128GB built-in storage. The handset will sport a 6.4-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display and will run Android 11 OS with OneUI 2.5 on top. At the rear, there will be a fingerprint scanner for security.
Speaking of optics, the Galaxy F62 will come with a triple rear-camera setup with a 64-megapixel primary sensor. The other two lenses include an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 5-megapixel live-focus sensor. At the front, there is a 32-megapixel snapper for taking selfies and video calling. Apart from this, the smartphone will pack a big 6,000mAh battery with support for 15W fast charging. Additionally, the connectivity features include 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band Wi-Fi, GPS, and USB Type-C port for data transfer and charging.
The specifications of Galaxy F62 are expected to be more powerful than the other smartphone from the Galaxy F series. This means that the device will also carry a higher price tag as compared to the Galaxy F41. We expect the device to launch in India soon.
Google recently introduced its two new smartphones with 5G support — the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 5G. But now, a leak has revealed that the company is gearing up to launch a new smartphone, which is reportedly named as Google Pixel XE. Recently, live images of an unannounced Pixel device appeared on Twitter that clearly show the smartphone’s name as Google Pixel XE. The images were shared by Slashleaks that give a glimpse of the potential design of the upcoming Google smartphone. These include the presence of a punch-hole selfie camera and NFC support.
Google Pixel XE Features (Expected)
Image courtesy: Slashleaks
As per the reports, the Pixel XE will reportedly get power from an eight-core chipset and will support dual SIM cards. The leak confirms that the phone will use an octa-core SoC along with the support for NFC connection. Note that these images don’t show the full design of this mysterious smartphone. However, one image shows the “About Phone” section that confirms that the phone’s name is indeed Pixel XE. The live images show the front panel of the device and some key features of the upcoming handset.
Image courtesy: Slashleaks
Apart from the NFC support, the leaked images show the Pixel XE will come with the Nearby Share feature. Additionally, the images also reveal that the handset runs on the latest version of Android OS — the Android 11. As of now, we don’t know whether this phone will be a flagship, mid-range, or entry level device. However, looking at the recent trends of Galaxy S20 FE, iPhone SE, and others, the Pixel XE could be a mid-range smartphone. Currently, there’s only this much information about the upcoming device, however, we might get more details about this device in near future.
As holidays are approaching, Google has shared six new features for Android that would help users this holiday season. The tech giant announced the release of these features through a blog post on Thursday. The company said that these features offer a few more ways that will make your phone more helpful over time, even outside of major OS updates. Here’s how these six new features will help you.
1. Mix More of Your Favorite Emojis Into Stickers
Image courtesy: Google Blog
Earlier this year, Google launched Emoji Kitchen on Gboard that lets users mix their favorite emoji into customized stickers. Now, the company has brought hundreds of unique design combinations that now reach up to 14,000 and more. The mix makes it easier for users to express themselves as the feature now lets you simply tap two emoji and quickly see suggested combinations. You can also double-tap on one emoji to reveal some intense emotions during this holiday season.
2. Listen to More Stories on Audiobooks
Image courtesy: Google Blog
You can make use of this holiday season as the perfect time to read some books, and audiobooks help you to immerse yourself in a story. Now, Google has announced that it is working with publishers in the US and the UK to produce autogenerated narrators. This will narrate books without audio versions and hence more stories you can listen to. This feature is currently in beta, and the company plans to roll it out in early 2021.
3. Navigate Your Device With Voice Access
Image Courtesy: Google Blog
Using machine learning technology, Google has now updated the Voice Access app to let users control their phones with their voice. For example, users can say “open Photos”, “tap Search”, “tap You Map” to see a map of all their photos. This makes it easier for users to navigate their phone hands-free, using just their voice.
4. Use Go Tab to Get Around on Maps
Image courtesy: Google Blog
The new Go Tab in Google Maps lets users easily navigate to frequently-visited places with just a single tap. Users can pin their favorite driving destinations, like a school or a grocery store to quickly see live traffic trends, directions, and ETA — without typing the address of the place. The Go Tab will start rolling out on both Android and iOS in the coming weeks.
5. Android Auto Comes to More Countries
Google has said that it will expand Android Auto to new countries over the next few months. It lets you talk to Google to do things like playing music, sending messages, getting directions, and more. This is helpful to keep focus on the road while driving and still do things without touching your phone.
6. Use Nearby Share to Share Your Favorite Apps
Image courtesy: Google Blog
The tech giant is working on an update for Nearby Share that will let users share apps directly from Playstore with people around them. Users can do this even without connecting to the internet. To share apps with a nearby Android phone, open the Google Play app, then go to the “Share Apps” menu in “My Apps & Games”. The update that brings this feature will roll out in the coming weeks.
It looks like HMD Global is planning to launch the successor of its Nokia 5.3 smartphone soon as the new Nokia 5.4 with model numbers TA-1340 reportedly appears in the FCC database. The upcoming smartphone is said to come with better internals and an improved camera setup. As per the report, the Nokia 5.4 could make its debut along with the upcoming 5G capable Nokia 7.3 that may launch next month.
According to a report from Gizchina, the FCC database lists three Nokia models — Nokia TA-1333, TA-1337, and TA-1340. The Nokia TA-1333 model number describes an affordable LTE smartphone with a 4,000mAh battery, while the TA-1337 packs the same battery along with Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi 2.4GHz. On the other hand, the Nokia TA-1340, believed to be the Nokia 5.4, will also have the same design with support for two SIM cards. Here’s what you should expect the Nokia 5.4 to come with.
Nokia 5.4 Design, Features, and Price
Image courtesy: Nokia
The Nokia 5.4 will reportedly feature a 6.4-inch display with a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. In terms of storage, the phone is said to come with 4GB RAM and 64GB / 128GB of storage. The Nokia 5.4 will get power from a better processor than its predecessor. On the other hand, the FCC listing reveals the Nokia TA-1340 will come with a rear quad-camera setup along with an LED flash on the left side of the camera. There will be a fingerprint sensor under the camera block.
The front side of the TA-1340 shows a camera embedded in the screen. The microphone, USB-C port, and speaker will lie at the bottom of the Nokia TA-1340. As usual, the right side of the device will feature a power/lock button, and the SIM and memory card slot lie on the left side. Other than these features, the leaks also reveal the price of the upcoming Nokia smartphone. All of these design features indicate the Nokia 5.4 will look similar to the Nokia 3.4 handset.
Image courtesy: Gizchina
According to a report from a Nokia watchdog, Nokiamob.net, some Australian retailers have listed the Nokia 5.4 in a 4GB RAM and a 128GB storage configuration. The Aus Shop IT lists the upcoming Nokia smartphone at AUD 349 (roughly $257), much lesser than the one listed by Acquire at AUD 371 (roughly $273). The Nokia 5.4 will reportedly come first in Blue and Purple colors.
Samsung has finally announced the official launch of One UI 3 with an exciting new design, enhanced everyday features, and deep customization. The company said the latest upgrade is currently coming to select Galaxy devices that include the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra in Korea, the US, and most European countries. Based on the latest version of the Android OS — the Android 11 — One UI 3 aims to enhance the experience for Samsung users. With a visual overhaul, freshly-designed widgets, and smoother motion and animations, the upgrade focuses on making the daily use better.
Image courtesy: Samsung Newsroom
The South Korean electronics company had been testing and teasing Samsung One UI 3 for quite some time. Samsung owners were eagerly waiting for this update as it aimed to bring Android 11 on many devices. But now, the upgrade is finally released and started rolling out for some Galaxy devices, starting December 3. Here’s what the latest Samsung One UI 3 brings forth to Galaxy S20 smartphones.
Samsung One UI 3 Features
Image courtesy: Samsung Newsroom
One of the most significant changes in this release of the Samsung One UI, is the new and refreshed design. The new design in One UI 3 brings more simplicity and elegance to the user experience on Galaxy devices. With several changes to the interface, Samsung has visually enhanced to highlight important information in features that users use and visit the most. These include the home screen, lock screen, notifications, and Quick Panel. Apart from this, the update comes with new visual effects such as the Dim/Blur effect for notifications and redesigned widgets to organize the Home screen.
“One UI 3 doesn’t just look different – it feels different, too,” says Samsung, as it adds smoother motion effects and animation. The updated motion effects and animation, combined with natural haptic feedback, provide users a more joyful user experience while navigating and using their phone. Further, Samsung has also refined every screen, and every touch to make the button presses feel more realistic. These include better animations like the fade-out in the Lock screen.
Image courtesy: Samsung Newsroom
Apart from this, the One UI 3 comes with enhanced everyday features to help Samsung users do more things. For example, the redesigned Lock screen widgets now help users control their music and see important information such as calendar events and routines — without having to unlock their device.
Additionally, the One UI 3 brings changes to messaging app notifications and a new edge-to-edge full-screen video call layout. Another significant change that the update brings is the freedom to customize your phone. Now users can customize their Quick Panel to easily access and toggle frequently-used features, like Dark Mode, Mobile Hotspot, etc.
Image courtesy: Samsung Newsroom
Availability
The One UI 3 update has already started rolling out to Galaxy S20 series devices from December 3 in Korea, the US, and many countries in Europe. The devices that will receive the latest One UI upgrade include Galaxy S20, S20+, and the Galaxy S20 Ultra. However, there is no mention of Galaxy S20 FE. Samsung says the One UI 3 will become available in more regions and on more devices gradually. The Galaxy A devices will receive the update in the first half of 2021.
After the announcement of Snapdragon888 an upcoming flagship chipset, OnePlus might also name its upcoming flagship as OnePlus 888.
OnePlus CEO and founder, Liu Zuohu asked people on his Weibo account how they would feel if the upcoming flagship is named OnePlus 888. The reason for such a name is that the company is completing 8 years in the smartphone industry. And to make it even more special, the Chinese tech giant might name its upcoming flagship smartphone OnePlus 888.
However, there is a reason why both the companies named their products ‘888’. In Chinese culture, 888 is considered one of the lucky numbers. 8 symbolizes infinity, success, and inner wisdom. That is the main reason Qualcomm named its chipset Snapdragon 888 instead of SoC 875.
Moreover, it is not confirmed if the Chinese tech giant is going to name its upcoming flagship “888” instead of the OnePlus 9.
We have a little intel about the upcoming flagship. The upcoming smartphone is rumored to sport an amazing 144Hz 6.7-inch AMOLED display. The smartphone will also pack the latest Snapdragon chipset, SoC 888. Along with that, a pair of Dolby Atmos speakers could also be present.
Google has added some very useful accessibility features into the Android OS over the years and Voice Access is one of them. The company launched Voice Access back in 2018 as an Android app that people can use to control their phone using their voice. This feature gives the ability to use your phone hands-free and is much helpful to people with motor disabilities. Google supercharged Voice Access with the launch of Android 11 but it is now bringing those additional features to older Android versions. The company has started rolling out an updated version of Voice Access that is now available globally to all devices running Android 6.0 and above.
Starting December 3, the new and updated version of Voice Access has started coming to older version Android phones in beta. This version brings a refreshed interface and the power of machine learning to make it easier to use voice to control your phone. Here’s what the new update brings to Voice Access.
New Android Voice Access Features
Image courtesy: Google Blog | YouTube
With the power of Google AI and a new refreshed interface, the Voice Access app makes it easier for people to control their phones with their voice. Previously, the app had a confusing view as it would draw numbers against items on the page. But now, the tech giant has updated the app, and users can ask for labels instead of numbers. For example, you previously could say commands like “tap 1,” “scroll down on 6,” and so on. Now, you can use optional label overlays, which you can summon by saying “Show Labels” and “Hide Labels” as you need them.
Apart from this, the update also adds new commands to help users do things faster in their favorite apps. So you can now simply say “search for pop music” on YouTube or “get me home” in Maps instead of saying “tap search,” saying the search term, and then say “enter”. This used to be a bit clunky, but the new update fixes the issue. Google designed Voice Access for people with motordisabilities like ALS and spinal cord injuries. But it is also helpful for people who want to use their phone hands-free, like if they’re cooking or people with a temporary disability, like a broken arm.
Google has updated its Street View app on Android and has added a new ability that lets anyone collect Street View imagery and publish it on Google Maps. Until now, the street view imagery on Google Maps used to be captured by ‘special’ Street View cars. But now, with this major update to the Street View app on Android, you can capture and record a series of images with your phones as you move down a street or path, all thanks to the new connected photos tool in the app. All that you need to do then is publish these images via the Street View app.
Google uses ARCore, the augmented reality technology, to capture these series of images. After a user publishes them via the Street View app, Google automatically rotates, positions, and creates a series of connected photos. The Google AI then places those connected images in the exact location where the user took these images. This feature will be a big enhancement to Google Maps as now anyone can contribute and share their world. Earlier, users needed to have special 360-degree cameras to capture and publish Street View imagery.
New Street View App Feature Benefits and Availability
Image courtesy: Google Blog
With the addition of this new ability to create own Street View Photos, Google aims to bring better maps to more people around the world. The tech giant wants to cover and capture places that aren’t currently on Maps or that have seen rapid change, all with a regular smartphone.
“While our own Street View trekkers and cars have collected more than 170 billion images from 10 million miles around the planet, there are still many unmapped parts of the world,” said Google through a blog post. “That’s why for years we’ve been building new ways for people to contribute their imagery to Google Maps,” it said further.
Image courtesy: Google Blog
When people publish connected photos, they will appear in the Street View layer on Maps as dotted blue lines. However, Google says that if there is an existing Google Street View imagery, it will show up as the primary Street View experience with a solid blue line. Also, note that this is still a beta feature, and the company is constantly working to improve it.
This feature is currently available for people using the Street View app with an ARCore-compatible Android device in select cities and countries. These include Toronto, Canada, New York, NY, and Austin, TX, along with Indonesia, Nigeria, and Costa Rica. The company says that it’ll launch the feature in more regions soon.
