Latest news with #GooglePlayServices
Mint
21 hours ago
- Mint
How your Android phone can alert you about an earthquake (and how to enable it)
With recent earthquakes rattling cities like Delhi and tremors felt across North India, knowing a quake is coming, even a few seconds early, can be the difference between panic and action. Most Android smartphones already have a built-in system to alert you before the worst of the shaking hits. You just need to know how to turn it on. Your phone's accelerometer, the same sensor that knows when you rotate the screen, can detect the early tremors of an earthquake, known as P-waves. These are fast but not destructive. Once detected, your phone shares anonymous location and motion data with Google's servers. If enough phones in an area pick up similar signals, the system confirms a quake is happening. Before the slower but more dangerous S-waves hit, the server sends out an alert, giving you precious seconds to react. This system is being rolled out in phases across India, with alerts already active in many large cities and quake-prone regions. If you use an Android phone running version 5.0 (Lollipop) or above and have Google Play Services enabled, you're likely covered. The alerts are automatic in supported areas, but you need to have them turned on in your settings. Follow these quick steps to activate earthquake alerts: Step 1: Open the Settings app Step 2: Scroll down to 'Safety and emergency' (on some phones, it may be under 'Location'). Step 3: Tap on 'Earthquake alerts' Step 4: Toggle the switch to Enable alerts Make sure your location is turned on. The system works best when your phone knows where you are. The data sent to Google is anonymous and used only for quake detection, not for tracking you. To check if alerts are active, search for 'Earthquake' in your Settings app and verify the toggle. If your phone buzzes with a quake warning: Drop, cover, and hold: Get under a table or sturdy surface. Stay away from windows and objects that could fall. Don't panic or run: Use the few seconds to secure yourself. Even a five-second heads-up can be life-saving. You'll need an internet or mobile signal for the alert to reach you. Remote areas with weak coverage may not benefit fully. This system is a supplement, not a replacement, for official government alerts or emergency protocols.
Mint
2 days ago
- Mint
Google working on Fast Pair UI fix to improve TWS Bluetooth pairing on Android
It is evident that Fast Pair has come a long way since it first arrived on Android in 2017. It's one of those background features that usually just works until something goes wrong. Pairing Bluetooth earbuds has become faster over the years, but the user interface still falls short at times, especially when it comes to showing battery levels clearly. If you use Fast Pair-enabled earbuds, you've likely noticed that each time you open the case, a notification appears showing the battery levels of the left bud, right bud, and the case. You also get notified when any of these components are running low, reminding you to charge them before heading out. These alerts are helpful, but the overall experience has stayed mostly the same. That might be changing soon. According to findings from a recent Play Services beta v25.28.31, Google appears to be working on a new Fast Pair UI that brings better visibility, smarter labels, and more intuitive battery indicators when connecting true wireless earbuds. Right now, Fast Pair in its current form does a decent job of connecting your earbuds quickly and showing their battery levels. But for many earbud users, especially during a quick glance, it's really hard to understand which indicator belongs to which earbud or the charging case. The new UI aims to fix that. Google is working on adding small but useful changes, including clearer labels and colour cues, to make these pop ups more informative and easier to understand. A recent APK teardown of Google Play Services v25.28.31 confirms that Google is testing a new Fast Pair UI designed to improve how battery levels are displayed. Circular indicators, repositioned icons, and clear L R C labels reduce confusion and make the interface easier to understand at a glance. A circular progress bar now represents the battery percentage, with the numerical value still listed at the bottom of each component. Battery icons have been repositioned to the top. Each section is labeled clearly with L, R, and C, removing the guesswork. Green indicates the battery is fine, yellow shows it's below 50 percent, and red signals it has dropped under 20 percent. These visuals make it easier to quickly assess how much charge remains in each earbud and the case. Bluetooth pairing doesn't usually stand out until it fails right when you need it. Let's put it this way: you're heading out, earbuds in hand, and the battery levels shown are unclear. One bud dies halfway through your call. That's the problem Google's latest Fast Pair UI update is trying to fix. Clearer labels and visual battery indicators make it much simpler to check charge levels instantly. It's a small change, but one that directly addresses a common issue most of us are dealing with. In daily use, it's a small but meaningful update that improves how users interact with TWS earbuds. The new Fast Pair UI has started appearing in beta versions of Google Play Services, though Google hasn't announced an official rollout date yet. Google usually tests these changes quietly before releasing them more widely. With clearer labels and better battery visuals, the update aims to make everyday earbud use more convenient for Android users.
Android Authority
14-07-2025
- Android Authority
Android's redesigned QR code scanner is finally here with one-handed improvements
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority TL;DR Google has finally started rolling out the design refresh for Android's built-in QR code scanner, which we first spotted a year ago. The new interface brings all the buttons close to the bottom of the screen for easier one-handed use. The updated QR code scanner is not available widely, but should reach all users in the coming days. Android's built-in QR code scanner is finally getting its long-overdue design refresh, a year after we first spotted it in a teardown of a Google Play Services beta release. The updated scanner is optimized for one-handed use and has a slick new launch animation. Previously, Android's QR code scanner featured three buttons at the top, allowing users to close the scanner, enable the flashlight, and send feedback to Google. It also featured a pill-shaped button close to the bottom of the screen to help users scan QR codes from a photo. In the updated design, Google has relocated the flashlight and feedback buttons close to the bottom of the screen. AssembleDebug / Android Authority The flashlight, feedback, and 'Scan from photo' buttons are now close to where your thumb rests naturally, making them easier to access while using the phone one-handed. The revamped QR code scanner also has a cool new launch animation for the square viewfinder. Although Google included the QR code scanner redesign in the Google Play Services update changelog for May 2025, we can confirm it's only just starting to reach users. Even with the latest Google Play Services update installed, it's still not available on all of our devices, suggesting a gradual rollout. Have you received the redesigned QR code scanner on your device? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to include your device model and Google Play Services build number. 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.
GSM Arena
29-06-2025
- GSM Arena
Weekly poll results: Huawei Pura 80 Ultra is a hit, no Google services is still a concern
Lack of Google Play Services is still a concern for many, but last week's poll shows that Huawei has not lost its mojo – the new Pura 80 Ultra in particular is a highly desirable phone. That said, it may be out of reach for many, literally or figuratively. The Huawei Pura 80 Ultra received a very warm welcome. If Huawei was still using Google-connected Android, this could have been one of the best selling premium phones of the year. It's not just Google Play access, though. When Huawei was embargoed by the US, it had to shrink its global distribution network and it still hasn't recovered. There was a debate over the overcomplicated telephoto camera – many felt that Huawei could have been clearer about that in its marketing. The camera offers a choice of 3.7x and 9.4x zoom, but it can't do full resolution shots at the longer focal length. The large 1/1.28' 50MP sensor is usable in full at 3.7x, but does a 2x crop when in 9.4x mode, which limits the resolution to 12.5MP. The Huawei Pura 80 Pro and Pro+ differ mainly in the more advanced satellite messaging support for the latter. And yet the Pura 80 Pro+ was the clear favorite between the two – it goes to show that satellite messaging will be an increasingly more important feature going forward. Anyway, neither Pro model was as popular as the Ultra, but they did alright. Finally, the vanilla Huawei Pura 80 got a surprising number of votes – we're used to seeing the vanilla model get the cold shoulder (it does have the advantage of not splitting the votes, unlike the Pro and Pro+). The usual considerations apply for the whole Pura 80 family. Some mentioned that apps like GBox can act as a replacement for Google Play Services and will allow you to run Google apps (and other apps that rely on Google APIs). Still, if any issues occur, you'd be on your own. That applies to warranty too – if you import a Pura 80, repairs and servicing will be difficult. And last but not least, 5G band support is an issue in some regions. Even with all that said, there is a good reason why Huawei was the biggest smartphone maker in the world for a bit. And phones like the Pura 80 family are a good reminder of that. If you are not deterred by the lack of Google services, mark July 10 on your calendar - that is the date of the global launch of the Huawei Mate 80 series. We are not sure whether all four models will be available (the Pro+ is a long shot). Also, we haven't seen any ads in the EU - but fans in South America, Africa and Asia can look forward to the new camera flagships.
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Google Handoff could finally fix the Android experience across multiple devices
Android users have long enjoyed the freedom of choice when it comes to phones, tablets, and brands. But when it comes to how these devices work together, Android still feels disconnected. That could change soon, thanks to a new feature being tested by Google. Google Handoff could finally fix the Android experience(Freepik) A recent beta version of Google Play Services includes code hinting at a feature called Handoff. This new feature may allow users to continue apps, media, and notifications from one Android device to another. For example, watching a video on your tablet and picking it up from the same spot on your phone. Or swiping away a notification on your watch and seeing it disappear from your phone, too. This is not a new idea. Apple's Handoff and Continuity features already offer a smooth experience across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Samsung also has a version for Galaxy devices that lets users switch calls, share files, and connect earbuds easily. Google now seems ready to bring a similar benefit to the wider Android community. What makes Google's approach interesting? What makes this move important is that it may not be limited to one brand or device line. Since Handoff is being tested within Google Play Services, it could be available to all Android devices that run these core services. This would be a major step toward creating a more connected and user-friendly Android ecosystem. There is no official word from Google yet. No release timeline has been confirmed either. But the presence of the feature in a beta version is a strong signal that work is in progress. If and when this feature launches, it will make the daily use of multiple Android devices a lot more convenient. Right now, Android users often need to repeat actions or manage the same notifications on every device. Handoff could simplify all that. This is especially helpful for people who use Android at home, at work, and on the go. It could improve everything from media playback to messaging, without needing third party apps or brand specific workarounds. A better connected Android experience is long overdue. With Handoff, Google has the chance to build something truly useful for millions of users who rely on more than one device each day.
