Latest news with #AamirSiddiqui
Android Authority
14 hours ago
- Android Authority
Google's Phone app could make resuming on-hold calls easier (APK teardown)
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR Google is testing a new 'Unhold' shortcut in call notifications through its Phone app. The new button replaces the 'Mute' button whenever a user puts a call on hold. Although not yet live, this change would improve usability by allowing users to resume held calls more efficiently. Google doesn't mess around that much with the Google Phone app. It makes sense too, as you don't want to disturb muscle memory for people for crucial tasks like calls. But every now and then, the company reassesses what users expect from the Phone app. Recently, Google began rolling out the Phone app's Material 3 Expressive redesign and new interfaces for the incoming call screen to beta users. We've now spotted Google working on a helpful button swap in the ongoing call notification, which will be useful for people who often put calls on hold. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. On Android phones that use the Google Phone app, you get a notification whenever you receive a call. This notification lets you accept or decline the call, and it turns into an ongoing call notification if you accept the call. The ongoing call notification gives users the buttons to hang up, put the call on speaker, or mute their phone's microphone right from the notification itself, which is very handy if you switch out of the main call screen. The ongoing call notification doesn't give you an option, but users can also put the call on hold on the main call screen. If you do so and then switch out of the main call screen, you don't get an option to unhold and resume the call until you switch back to the main call screen. Google Phone v184.0 beta includes code for a new Unhold button in the ongoing call notification that appears during ongoing calls. Using this button, users can unhold and resume calls straight from the ongoing call notification without switching back to the main call screen. We managed to activate the feature to give you an early look: Current options during ongoing call Current options when call is put on hold Upcoming options when call is put on hold The current screenshots show the usual options we see during a call, which remain the same even when a call is put on hold. In the future, when you put a call on hold, you will see a new Unhold button that replaces the Mute button. Tapping on it will unhold and resume the call. The button swap makes sense since muting a call that is already on hold effectively does nothing, and a user is much more likely to want to unhold and resume in that situation. Curiously, as you may have noticed, there is no way to put the call on hold through the notification. You will still have to initiate the action from the main call screen. It would be nice if Google allowed users to choose between a mute button and a hold button in the ongoing call notification. Note that this unhold button is not currently live for users. We'll keep you updated when we learn more. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
a day ago
- Android Authority
New iPhone Fold leak makes the Galaxy Z Fold 7 cover display seem massive
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR A new report reinforces previous iPhone Fold leaks about a 5.5-inch cover screen and 7.8-inch inner display. The outer screen would be smaller than the first-gen Pixel Fold's and a full inch smaller than that of the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The iPhone Fold isn't expected to launch before the second half of 2026. We've been hearing about a foldable iPhone for a long time now, and it increasingly looks like 2026 might finally be the year. But if the latest iPhone Fold display leak is accurate, Apple's take on the external screen may be surprisingly cramped for some users. In a report on the foldable phone market, TrendForce expects Apple to launch its first foldable in the second half of next year, featuring a 7.8-inch internal display and a much smaller 5.5-inch cover screen. That lines up closely with a leak in February, which pointed to a 7.74-inch foldable panel and a 5.49-inch outer display. That small external screen puts the rumored iPhone Fold more in line with devices like the original Pixel Fold or OPPO Find N2, which were both known for their compact cover displays. While that might make the phone easier to use one-handed, it also means sacrificing some quick-access functionality. It's even smaller than the first-gen Pixel Fold's 5.8-inch outer screen, and notably behind the 6.5-inch display on Samsung's latest Galaxy Z Fold 7. Other rumored details suggest Apple may prioritize practicality, with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner instead of Face ID and dual 48MP cameras. A custom titanium-and-liquid-metal hinge is also expected, helping keep the device durable without adding much weight. We've heard conflicting reports about the possible price, but with more than a year to go and a febrile international trade environment, it's probably anyone's guess at this stage. One thing that is clear is that expectations are already sky-high, and will be higher still by the eventual launch date. By the second half of 2026, Apple will need to produce something special to meet them. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
15-07-2025
- Android Authority
RCS chats not connecting? Google Messages may soon make it easier to diagnose (APK teardown)
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR Google Messages may be about to add a 'Details' button to help diagnose issues with RCS chats connections. The button was spotted within a recent beta version of the app, and includes a 'Submit feedback' option. Google has previously advised users to provide this kind of technical info if they're having problems with the feature. If you've ever found RCS chats registration stuck on 'Connecting' or 'Verifying' in Google Messages, you know how frustrating it is. Google may be about to introduce a small but helpful tool that could get the issue diagnosed a lot quicker. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. In Google Messages version ' we spotted a flag-restricted feature that adds a new 'Details' button to the RCS chat settings screen while registration is in progress. This debug-style popup reveals technical info like your status code, carrier, and device IDs — exactly the kind of details Google's support team needs to help you out, but often don't receive. A pinned Reddit post by the official GoogleHelpCommunity account urges frustrated users to include data like carrier, device model, and app version when reporting issues. But most people don't — either because they don't know the full details or are unaware of Google's advice. This new Details button looks like Google's direct response to that problem, making it easier for users to collect and share the information when the issue happens. You can see how it looks in the screenshots below. The Details button appears just below the Status It disappears once you are successfully connected. There's also a built-in 'Submit feedback' button that automatically attaches a screenshot of the details dialog and other system logs to help the Messages team diagnose problems faster. It's far from a guarantee that they'll get on to your issue in a timely manner, but the info is handy context for both you and Google. Once RCS successfully connects, the Details option disappears from the settings. Again, this feature is only visible in the beta build with specific flags enabled, and it's not guaranteed to be rolled out. However, its presence strongly suggests that Google is actively working to improve RCS troubleshooting after years of vague error messages. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
14-07-2025
- Android Authority
OnePlus earbuds could soon make Spotify access seamless (APK teardown)
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR Code within the HeyMelody app suggests OnePlus and OPPO earbuds could soon get Spotify Tap functionality. Spotify Tap allows instant music playback with a double or triple tap on compatible earbuds. It's unknown if the feature will be coming to existing earbuds from the companies, or if they will be exclusive to products slated for the near future. OnePlus makes some great earbuds, with recent options like the OnePlus Buds 4 slotting in nicely at $130 for a mid-range option that works out for most people. Earbuds from OnePlus are fairly feature-packed for their price, but the company could be looking to add another touch of convenience to them with the upcoming Spotify Tap feature. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Spotify Tap is a feature that lets you instantly start playing music from Spotify on compatible audio wearables with a tap. This feature enables you to get straight to your music, without needing to unlock your phone to open the Spotify app. You'd still need to have your phone on you since the music will ultimately play from your phone, but it's a convenient way to get to your music if that's what you use your earbuds and headphones primarily for. Spotify Tap is already supported on devices from Jabra, Sony, Bose, and Marshall, and OPPO and OnePlus could also be joining the list. We found code related to the Spotify Tap feature within the HeyMelody app v115.8, which controls various settings on OPPO and OnePlus earbuds. We managed to activate the feature for an early look: AssembleDebug / Android Authority As the feature description states, you can set a double or triple tap on either earbud to resume Spotify music playback on your connected phone. You can redo the gesture to switch to a recommended song. Note that we had to play around with some background settings to get the options to show up, so there's a chance that you may be able to set this feature on only one earbud at a time, not both, and with either a double or a triple tap, not both — the confusing settings option and layout are likely to be refined if and when the feature goes live for users. It's unclear which OnePlus or OPPO earbuds will get this feature. The feature could roll out to existing products as long as they are compatible, but it wouldn't be too surprising to learn that it is compatible only with select upcoming hardware. Neither OnePlus nor OPPO has confirmed this feature yet, so we'll have to wait for either company to officially announce Spotify Tap functionality for their products. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
10-07-2025
- Android Authority
Google Phone app has more Material 3 Expressive changes in the works (APK teardown)
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority TL;DR Google has already rolled out many Material 3 Expressive changes to the Google Phone app, but more changes are in the pipeline. Within the app, the Keypad will likely get its own permanent tab replacing Contacts, while Recents will be renamed Home. There will be a new sidebar that replaces the three-dot menu. Material 3 Expressive brings some of the most noticeable changes to the Android platform in recent times. While it's not a ground-up reimagination of the UX, there are plenty of subtle changes that add to a pleasant and visually different experience. Google has shown off some Material 3 Expressive changes coming to the Phone app, and the revamped call gestures have even rolled out to users. That's not all, though, as the company has more changes in the pipeline for the Phone app. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Phone by Google v182.0 beta includes code for the upcoming changes for the keypad tab and the sidebar. We managed to activate them to give you a better look ahead of their impending release: Google Phone app - Current UI Google Phone app - Upcoming UI The current UI for the Phone app has tabs for Recents and Contacts and a floating action button for the Keypad. Soon, Recents will be renamed Home, while the Contacts tab will be replaced with the Keypad tab as Google eliminates the floating action button, as it has already shown off these changes. To get to the Contacts page, a new View contacts chip will likely be at the top. Google Phone app - Current UI Google Phone app - Upcoming UI When you go to the Keypad tab, the new UI will likely continue to show the Home tab at the bottom. This will be a bit more convenient, as the current UI requires tapping the back button on the top left to minimize the UI triggered by the floating action button. The Call button will likely shift up a bit to accommodate the new tabs, which might hinder some muscle memory. Google Phone app - Current UI Google Phone app - Upcoming UI The Recents tab in the current UI also houses a three-dot menu button in the search bar at the top. This button will likely go away in favor of a sidebar with the same options. Here's a video demo of these three changes for a better look: We're still waiting on Google to release these changes to everyone. We'll keep you updated when we learn more. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
