Latest news with #AndroidUsers
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
The new Google Drive video player is here
Google Drive's new video player for Android phones has a modern layout with playback controls for easy viewing. Android users will now enjoy a more user-friendly video player based on Material You. Google has drastically improved Drive's multimedia capabilities, making it a better platform for watching videos. Google Drive is one of the best file storage solutions for on-the-go, cloud-based setups, but it's been stuck in the Stone Age for quite a long time when it comes to watching videos on the service. While you can store multiple terabytes of family videos, old school projects, and whatever your heart desires on Drive, it has been a notoriously difficult-to-enjoy app to watch them on. To Google's credit, it has done a lot over the years to improve its multimedia capabilities, including making videos searchable with a transcript feature, adding DASH transcoders for videos to improve loading times, and letting users watch videos immediately after uploading them. The company knows what Drive's shortcomings are, and it has taken a massive step towards making it a palatable solution for Android users to enjoy all of their clips on. Back in October, Google announced that it was giving Drive's video player a major splash of Material You in the relatively near future on the web version of the storage solution. For mobile users, the future is now, old man; Google is rolling out a smoother, more modern video player for Android phones. The layout has three large buttons for playback controls in the middle of the screen, buttons for captions, full screen mode, playback speed, and loop in the top right, and the scrubber at the bottom. Material You looks good in this form, and leads us to wonder why it took so long to implement it here. As for timing of its rollout, it is already available to Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. Realistically, Google Drive users on iOS devices don't have to worry about any sort of subpar video player or a visual upgrade. That's because when users on iPhones and iPads watch clips on Drive, they get kicked into an iOS or iPadOS-specific layout. For Android users, it wasn't until a deep dive into a March-based beta version of the Google Drive app that we recognized the prospect of this new video player. While many Android power users probably prefer to open videos on their phones through external media players like VLC for Android and RealPlayer, this upgraded look on Drive may keep more people from leaving the app when watching videos. It was a great evolutionary change for Drive on the Web back in late 2024, when Google finally upgraded from the YouTube-esque layout that had plagued Drive's visuals for a while. As a side note, that isn't to say YouTube's player layout is bad — far from it — but on Google Drive, it looks way out of place. Funnily enough, even as Drive's video player is looking less like YouTube than ever before across all platforms, Google announced that it was adding YouTube-style analytics for Drive video files in late May. It began rolling out to everyone on June 9.
Phone Arena
24-06-2025
- Phone Arena
Google might be cooking up something that'll feel oddly familiar to iPhone users
Google seems to be working on a new ecosystem feature that could finally bring true cross-device syncing to Android. Android's answer to Handoff is getting closer to reality The back-and-forth between Android and iOS is nothing new and this time, it is Google's turn to borrow an idea from Apple. According to a new report, Google is working on a feature similar to Apple's Handoff – and it could be available across all Android phones that have Google Play Services. The updated feature is designed for syncing across multiple Android devices, letting you do more than just share files. You will reportedly be able to sync notifications between devices (yes, finally beyond just Pixel and Galaxy phones), share media and even access apps from your primary device remotely on your other Android devices. If this sounds familiar, it is because Apple users already have something similar called Handoff. It allows tasks started in compatible apps to be picked up on another Apple device, as long as everything is signed in to the same iCloud account. Samsung has also done something like this with its own App Continuity setup, allowing file sharing, call answering, hotspot toggling and more between Galaxy devices. That said, the rollout for such a feature on Android is naturally slower. Unlike iOS, which only runs on Apple devices, Android has to work across tons of different brands, so tweaking cross-device features to fit them all takes a bit longer. Cross-device syncing could finally go Android-wide Google Play Services v25.25.31 beta includes the code hinting at the Handoff feature. | Image credit – Android Authority Evidence for the new Handoff feature was found in Google Play Services, which is a big deal – because it means this could be an Android-wide feature, not just something limited to Pixels or Samsung phones. If Google gets this right, the feature could, in theory, let you link a OnePlus phone, a Samsung tablet and a Pixel Watch and have them all work together – regardless of brand. Notifications, apps, media and files might all sync across your devices without needing to stay locked into one company's ecosystem. I say in theory because, of course, it is still early days, and we will have to see exactly how this all works once it officially rolls out. And if it does roll out, because Google has a history of testing features that don't quite hit the mark and ending up scrapping them. However, I am pretty sure this one won't be one of those. This is the kind of upgrade Android really needs I think features like Handoff are the kind of quality-of-life upgrades we should be seeing more often from big tech – not just another wave of flashy AI features, which have been dominating the conversation for well over a year now. And Google is actually in a good position to make that happen – it is behind Android, after all, the OS powering around 70% of smartphones globally. And to be fair, the company is clearly working on making Android better in real, everyday ways. And with Apple recently announcing iOS 26 – filled with subtle but very welcome quality-of-life improvements – it makes total sense that Google would want to highlight its own upgrades. This is a smart moment to remind users that Android is moving forward, too. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Forbes
31-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
WhatsApp Issues Urgent iPhone Countdown: Chats Stop In 24 Hours On These Phones
WhatsApp is ending support for a series of Apple and Android devices, beginning on Sunday, June 1. It had been thought the change would come early in June, but the respite is over. Here's the list of iPhones affected and what it means. Apple iPhones with older software are about to lose access to WhatsApp. If you have an iPhone 5s, iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, then first of all congratulations for holding out against the pressure to upgrade. But, secondly, commiserations, because your phone won't work with WhatsApp any more. That's because you need to have an iPhone that runs iOS 15.1 and later, and those phones can't handle software newer than iOS 14. If you want to continue to use WhatsApp, you'll need a newer iPhone (or iPad, now it's finally arrived on Apple's tablets). Android users are fine, providing your phone can run Android OS 5.0 and newer. The new software requirements have been announced by WhatsApp and the explanation is that 'Devices and software change often, so we regularly review what operating systems we support and make updates. Every year we look at which devices and software are the oldest and have the fewest users. These devices also might not have the latest security updates, or might lack the functionality required to run WhatsApp,' it says. To be fair to WhatsApp, support is only vanishing for iPhones that first went on sale more than 10 years ago, and which weren't sold by Apple for the last six years. And note the phrase 'Every year,' which tells us that if you have any iPhone newer than that, you're safe until next year at least. As noted by 9to5Mac, it had been reported that other iPhones would also be struck off, namely iPhone 16s, iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone SE 1st generation. However, this doesn't seem to be the case, providing, of course, you have updated the phone's software to later than iOS 15.1. This shouldn't be a problem as those phones are compatible with every version of iOS 15, including the recent iOS 15.8.1, a security update released a few weeks ago on March 31, 2025.
Android Authority
29-05-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
No login needed: Microsoft file sharing on Android picks up one of Google Drive's handiest features
Adam Birney / Android Authority TL;DR Microsoft is rolling out anonymous file sharing to Android. Android users can now view Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents without having to sign in to their Microsoft account. You'll still have to sign in to your account if you want to make edits or leave comments. Earlier this year, Microsoft rolled out anonymous file sharing for the iPhone and iPad, leaving Android users out in the cold. It's been almost three months since then, but the wait is finally over. Microsoft is now bringing this feature over to Android. In a blog post, the company announced that Android owners can now take advantage of anonymous file sharing. This means if someone shares a Word, PowerPoint, or Excel file with you and sends a link to your Android device, you'll now be able to view that document without having to sign in to the app first. For this feature to work, the person sending the link needs to be signed into their Microsoft account. Then they'll need to make a shareable link by opening the file, navigating to the share button in the top right corner, and entering the email address of the recipient. From there, they just have to hit send or copy the link and paste it into a message. If you're on the receiving end, you'll be able to tap on the link and open the file. You'll now see the file, along with a prompt asking if you want to sign in to your personal account or dismiss. This feature is available in the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps for Android in version 16.0.18827.20066 or later. Microsoft notes that you'll only be able to view documents, presentations, and worksheets. If you want to edit the file or leave a comment, you'll still have to log in. 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.
Phone Arena
26-05-2025
- Business
- Phone Arena
Surprise Memorial Day deal slashes supreme $175 off Samsung's Galaxy S25 price
While our grand list of the best Memorial Day 2025 deals from across the interwebs has been live (and filled to the brim with awesome bargains and steals) since last week, quite possibly the greatest smartphone offer this year has only been added to earlier today and is unlikely to last long. This allows Android power users on a tight budget to purchase the "vanilla" Galaxy S25 at a huge $175 discount in both 128 and 256GB storage variants, which seems to be a completely unprecedented promotion, as well as an unmissable money-saving opportunity for all hardcore Samsung fans. 5G, Unlocked, 128GB Storage, 12GB RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Processor, 6.2-Inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X Display with 2340 x 1080 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 Protection, 50 + 10 + 12MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 12MP Front-Facing Camera, 4,000mAh Battery with 25W Wired and 15W Wireless Charging Support, Galaxy AI, Mint Color Buy at Amazon 5G, Unlocked, 256GB Storage, 12GB RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Processor, 6.2-Inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X Display with 2340 x 1080 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 Protection, 50 + 10 + 12MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 12MP Front-Facing Camera, 4,000mAh Battery with 25W Wired and 15W Wireless Charging Support, Galaxy AI, Silver Shadow and Mint Color Options Buy at Amazon The most affordable S25 configuration normally costs $799.99, and if you hurry, you can slash a towering 22 percent off that list price in a single "Mint" colorway. The slightly more expensive 256 gig model, meanwhile, is available at 20 percent under its $859.99 regular price in both Mint and Silver Shadow hues, but you probably don't want to waste much time if you prefer one such unit either. Previously, Amazon has only offered discounts of up to $125 on select non-Plus and non-Ultra Galaxy S25 models, mind you, so clearly, this is a deal to remember, take advantage of, and expect to see rehashed (but most likely not improved) during the e-commerce giant's Prime Day 2025 sales event later this summer. Considerably more compact than its costlier brothers, the 6.2-inch S25 proves that strong essences can still be kept in small bottles in this day and age, packing the same state-of-the-art Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (for Galaxy) processor as the S25 Plus and S25 Ultra. That 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X screen is just one of several features highlighted as key strengths rather than notable weaknesses in our in-depth Samsung Galaxy S25 review from a few months back, with the 12GB RAM count, 50 + 10 + 12MP triple rear-facing camera system, razor-thin 7.2mm profile, and super-premium metal-and-glass construction also shining bright against other top contenders for the title of best Android phone out there available at comparable prices right now.
