Android

Google finalizes Android 15 Beta 4.2 and Chrome prepares for easier image translation with new lens UI

Published

1 month ago

August 17, 2024

Tom Carter

Key Points:

Final Android 15 Beta Survey: Google releases the last feedback survey before Android 15’s stable launch.
Chrome’s New Lens UI: Chrome is enhancing image translation with a more accessible Lens interface.
User Experience Focus: Google seeks detailed user feedback on Android 15’s stability, performance, and overall experience.

Google has released the final update for Android 15 Beta 4.2, marking the last patch before the official stable release. As part of this final stage, Google has also opened the last feedback survey to gather user insights.

To participate in the survey, users are first asked to confirm their device details, including the build number (AP31.240617.015) and the specific phone or tablet they’re using. Google also requests information about the user’s country and carrier to better understand regional differences.

The survey then asks users to rate their satisfaction across 14 different factors, including stability, performance, battery life, device temperature, camera functionality, Bluetooth connectivity, call quality, messaging experience, Wi-Fi and data connectivity, app performance, authentication methods (such as face and fingerprint recognition), charging methods (both wired and wireless), and the overall system software update experience, a new addition to the survey.

Users are also asked whether they would recommend the Android 15 Beta 4.2 to others in its current state. Additionally, Google seeks feedback on the overall software experience, asking users to rate their satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 5 and compare it to previous builds.

A key part of the survey involves identifying the “Top Issue Area,” with 16 options to choose from, including audio experience and the system user interface. Users can also provide more detailed feedback on specific issues they’ve encountered.

The survey concludes with a section on the Android Beta Program itself, where users can rate their satisfaction and provide feedback on the program’s logistics.

In other news, Google Chrome is working on a new feature that makes translating text within images much easier. While Chrome already supports automatic webpage translation, translating text inside images has been more challenging. Google is addressing this by enhancing the Google Lens feature within Chrome.

Google Lens, known for its ability to scan QR codes and translate text in real-time using a smartphone camera, is being integrated more seamlessly into Chrome. Previously, users needed to perform a few extra steps to translate text within images, but the new UI simplifies this process.

A recent update in Chrome Canary, a testing version of the browser, reveals a new interface for Lens. This UI includes a prominent Translate button in the upper left corner, with a frosted, transparent appearance. Clicking this button opens options for selecting the source and target languages, making it easier to translate images directly within the browser.

This new feature aims to bring the same ease of use found on mobile devices to the desktop version of Chrome. Although the exact timeline for its official release is still unclear, it’s clear that Google is making steady progress in improving user experience across its platforms.

Source/Via

Related Topics:Android 15 Beta 4.2 Chrome Google News

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Android

Google Password Manager adds Passkey support on desktop and Android Auto introduces Tesla NACS charger compatibility

Published

19 mins ago

September 19, 2024

Tom Carter

Top 3 Key Points:

Google Password Manager now supports saving passkeys on desktop Chrome for easier sign-in.
Android Auto now includes support for electric vehicles (EVs) using Tesla’s NACS charging system.
The latest Android Auto update makes it easier to find NACS chargers for non-Tesla EVs.

Google has made it simpler for users to save and access passkeys on their desktop Chrome browser through its Password Manager. Previously, passkeys could only be saved through the Google Password Manager on Android devices. To log in from a desktop, users needed to scan a QR code with their Android phone, which added a layer of inconvenience.

Now, with this new update, Google Password Manager on Chrome can store passkeys for macOS, Windows, Linux, and ChromeOS (currently in beta testing). Support for iOS is expected soon. This means you can sign in using a passkey by just scanning your fingerprint or entering your device’s passcode directly on your desktop, removing the need for QR code scanning.

When creating a new passkey on your desktop, you’ll be prompted to enter a six-digit recovery PIN. This PIN is essential for unlocking your passkey on other devices. Additionally, your Android’s screen lock can act as a backup security method. Google highlights that this PIN enhances security by ensuring your passkeys are encrypted and cannot be accessed by others.

On a different front, Google is also rolling out a significant update to Android Auto. This update is important for electric vehicle (EV) users, especially those who need access to Tesla’s NACS (North American Charging Standard) charging stations. Until now, Android Auto supported various charging systems like J1772, CCS, and CHAdeMO, but it didn’t support NACS, which is now expanding as a major charging standard.

With this update, users with non-Tesla EVs can now enable NACS charging options through Android Auto. By doing this, they can easily locate Tesla’s NACS charging stations using Google Maps. It’s worth noting that Tesla vehicles do not natively support Android Auto, but this update will benefit non-Tesla EV users who use the NACS charging network.

A recent example of how this is useful is the approval of NACS adapters for GM’s electric vehicles. These adapters allow GM’s EV drivers to use both the NACS and CCS charging options. Google is gradually rolling out this update through the Play Store beta, and it should be available to a broader user base in the coming weeks.

Source/Via

Android

Android 15 delayed, Gemini Live now free for Android

Published

14 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

Key points:

Android 15 for Pixel devices was pushed back to October 15.
Gemini Live, Google’s AI assistant, is now available for free Android users.
Pixel 6 and later devices will get Android 15, but Pixel 6/6 Pro won’t get future updates.

Android 15 Delayed

Google’s latest Android update, Android 15, is taking a bit longer to reach Pixel phones. While it was released for developers in September, it won’t be available for Pixel users until October 15th. This delay is likely due to Google wanting to make sure the update is as bug-free as possible.

Gemini Live Goes Free

In other Google news, Gemini Live, the company’s AI assistant, is now free for Android users. This means you can use Gemini to help you with tasks like writing emails, summarizing articles, or even translating languages.

Pixel 6 and Later

The Pixel 6 and later devices will be the first to get Android 15. However, this will also be the last guaranteed update for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. While they will continue to receive security updates, they won’t get any new features after Android 15.

Android

Faster keyboard switching on Android

Published

1 day ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Carter

Key points:

Android 15 QPR1 Beta introduces a new navigation bar key for quick keyboard switching.
This allows for faster switching between multiple keyboard apps and languages.
The feature is currently being tested and is expected to become standard on Google Pixel devices in December.

Android users will soon experience a significant improvement in keyboard switching. A new feature being tested in Android 15 QPR1 Beta introduces a dedicated key on the navigation bar that allows for rapid switching between different keyboard apps and languages.

Imagine having the ability to seamlessly switch between multiple keyboards without navigating through settings or menus. This new key, visually represented as a globe, provides a direct and intuitive way to change keyboards on the fly. Whether you need to switch between different languages or prefer different keyboard apps for specific tasks, this feature offers a convenient solution.

For example, if you have multiple languages enabled and use both Gboard and SwiftKey, you can quickly toggle between them by pressing the new key. This eliminates the need for extra steps and ensures a smooth typing experience.

While this feature is currently in beta testing, it’s expected to become a standard part of Android 15 QPR1, which is scheduled to be released on Google Pixel devices in December. This means that many Android users will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of faster and more efficient keyboard switching.