Latest news with #Pixel
Phone Arena
5 hours ago
- Phone Arena
This Android 16 feature may finally expose a spying tactic used for years
Android 16 brings a new security feature designed to help users spot potential surveillance attempts. According to a new report, the latest version of the OS can now notify users when their phone connects to an insecure or suspicious mobile network, such as one created by a fake cell tower. These fake towers, often called stingrays or cell-site simulators, mimic real cell towers and trick nearby phones into connecting. Once connected, the attacker can collect data like your IMEI number or force the phone to switch to older, less secure networks like 2G. This makes it easier to intercept unencrypted calls and texts. Although stingrays are often used by law enforcement, they can also be misused by hackers or other bad actors. The report outlines that Google has been working on ways to block these threats for a while. In Android 12, users gained the option to turn off 2G support. Android 14 added protections against unencrypted network connections. Then in Android 15, Google added a way for the system to detect when a network tries to access a phone's unique identifiers or change encryption settings. However, these features depend on support from a phone's modem. Specifically, they require version 3.0 of Android's IRadio HAL (hardware abstraction layer). Because many current phones don't have this, some features are still unavailable — even on Pixel devices running the latest Android versions. However, with Android 16 , Google is bringing back a dedicated "Mobile network security" settings page inside the Safety Center. It includes two main features: Network notifications: Alerts you when the phone connects to an unencrypted network or when a network requests your device's identifiers. 2G network protection: Lets you turn off 2G network support completely. Both options are off by default and only appear if the device's hardware supports them. This is why current Pixel phones won't show the new settings page, but newer models launching with Android 16, like the expected Pixel 10, likely will. If enabled, Android will post alerts in the notification panel and Safety Center. These alerts tell you when your phone switches from encrypted to unencrypted networks and log when a network asks for your phone's identifiers. This is pretty unique considering that Apple does not currently offer a direct equivalent to this where users are warned about fake cell towers or insecure network conditions in real time. However, Apple can enforce certain network-related protections in collaboration with carriers, but these are often buried in carrier settings and not adjustable by the user. Therefore, for Android users, his update will be a small but meaningful step in improving user privacy. While it unfortunately won't help with existing phones, it shows Google is continuing to strengthen Android's defense against silent tracking methods. In my opinion, the real impact will depend on how widely phone makers adopt the necessary hardware going forward. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Gizmodo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
With Built-In Cables, This 10,000mAh Travel Charger Goes for Peanuts Thanks to Early Prime Day.
With dozens of power banks to select from on Amazon, it's easy to feel snowed under with options but not all portable chargers are created equal. There are good reasons to look beyond the ratings and take a look at features that really matter: If you require a power bank that's skinny, robust, affordable, and packed with innovative features like many outputs and cables integrated so you don't need to carry spares – this is a model worth buying. Presently, there's a 10,000mAh portable charger with built-in cables which is selling for an all-time low of $19, reduced from its usual $29. The 33% discount makes it a fantastic bargain given that more than 10,000 people have bought it in the past month and it carries a reputable 4.6 out of 5 rating based on more than 10,000 reviews. See at Amazon This charger comes with four integrated cables—three output and one input—so you can charge almost any device without digging around for the right cord. If you have an iPhone, Samsung, Pixel or any other USB-C or micro USB device, you're good to go. The three output cables enable you to charge more than one device at a time, and as there are six outputs in total, you can charge a maximum of six devices at a time. The charger features three input methods to recharge the power bank itself, i.e., a built-in cable, USB-C port, and micro USB input. This flexibility also makes it easy to charge regardless of the cable you have handy. Measuring just 5.68 by 2.63 by 0.69 inches and weighing a mere 0.55 pounds, it's about the same size and weight as a skinny phone, so it just blends into your pocket or purse. The touch LED screen is a bright idea and shows you the exact percentage of battery life left so you never have to guess when it's time to recharge. The 10,000mAh capacity power bank will provide your devices with the juice they need to keep them powered all day long. It's universally compatible with nearly all smartphones and tablets including the latest iPhone and Samsung models, as well as Google Pixel and other Android devices. The six outputs make it easy to share power with friends or keep all your devices charged at once, and the built-in cables mean you'll never be caught without the right connector. If you're looking for a powerful power bank that doesn't require carrying extra cables, now is the perfect time to act. See at Amazon
Android Authority
12 hours ago
- Android Authority
Android 16 can warn you if a fake cell tower is trying to spy on you
TL;DR Android 16 is adding a new security feature to warn you when your phone connects to a fake or insecure mobile network known as a 'stingray.' This feature alerts you to unencrypted connections or when the network requests your phone's identifiers, which helps protect against surveillance. Due to new hardware requirements, this protection will likely only be on new devices launching with Android 16, such as the upcoming Pixel 10. There are many simple things you can do to keep your private information safe, like using strong passwords, scrutinizing app permissions, and only installing apps from trusted sources. However, some attacks are much harder to protect yourself against, as they're so sophisticated and stealthy that they can happen without you ever noticing. One such attack tricks your phone into connecting to a fake, insecure mobile network, which is difficult for the average person to detect. Fortunately, the new Android 16 update has a feature that can warn you when someone is using this tactic to snoop on you. This type of attack uses a device called a 'stingray.' An attacker sets up this device near a target they want to surveil, and it mimics a legitimate cell tower. The stingray tricks nearby mobile devices into connecting to it, allowing the attacker to collect unique identifiers (like the IMEI) and even force them onto an older, more insecure communication protocol. These identifiers allow attackers to target specific devices for analysis, while switching protocols can let them intercept unencrypted text messages and phone calls. These 'stingray' devices are notoriously used by law enforcement agencies, but their technology can also be acquired by malicious actors. While some argue they are a necessary tool for surveilling criminals, their potential for abuse is significant, as they can be used to covertly collect data on ordinary people. Because of this, Google has been working on ways to warn Android users or prevent them from sending communications over insecure cellular networks. With the release of Android 12, for example, Google added support for disabling 2G connectivity at the modem level. In Android 14, the company followed up by supporting the disabling of connections that use null ciphers — a form of unencrypted communication. More recently, Android 15 added support for notifying the OS when the network requests a device's unique identifiers or tries to force a new ciphering algorithm. These features directly counter the tactics used by commercial 'stingrays,' which trick devices into downgrading to 2G or using null ciphers to make their traffic easier to intercept. Blocking these connections and notifying the user about these requests helps protect them from surveillance. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority The toggle to disable 2G networks in Android 16 on a Pixel 9a. Unfortunately, only one of these three features is widely available: the ability to disable 2G connectivity. The problem is that implementing these protections requires corresponding changes to a phone's modem driver. The feature that notifies the OS about identifier requests, for example, requires a modem that supports version 3.0 of Android's IRadio hardware abstraction layer (HAL). This dependency is why these security features are missing on current Pixel phones and other devices, and it's also likely why Google delayed launching the dedicated 'mobile network security' settings page it planned for Android 15. Since upcoming devices launching with Android 16 will support version 3.0 of Android's IRadio HAL, Google is reintroducing the 'mobile network security' settings page in the Safety Center (Settings > Security & privacy). This page contains two subsections: Notifications This subsection contains a ' Network notifications ' toggle. When enabled, it allows the system to warn you if your device connects to an unencrypted network or when the network requests your phone's unique identifiers. This toggle is disabled by default in Android 16. Network generation This subsection features a ' 2G network protection ' toggle that enables or disables the device's 2G connectivity. This is the same toggle found in the main SIM settings menu, and it is also disabled by default in Android 16. Google The 'Mobile network security' page will only appear on devices that support both the '2G network protection' toggle and the 'network notifications' feature. This is why it doesn't appear on any current Pixel devices running Android 16, as they lack the necessary modem support for notifications. When the 'Network notifications' feature is enabled, Android will post a message in the notification panel and the Safety Center whenever your device switches from an encrypted to an unencrypted network, or vice versa. It will also post an alert in both places when the network accesses your phone's unique identifiers, detailing the time and number of times they were requested. Message in the notification panel and Safety Center when you connect to an unencrypted cellular network. Message in the notification panel and Safety Center when you reconnect to an encrypted cellular network. Message in the notification panel and Safety Center when a cellular network accesses your device's unique identifiers. Now that Google has relaunched this security page in Android 16, it won't be long before we start seeing it on new devices. However, due to the Google Requirements Freeze (GRF) program — a policy that allows OEMs to lock in hardware-related requirements for devices at launch — it's unlikely that any current devices will be updated to support the notifications feature. We will most likely have to wait for upcoming devices that launch with Android 16, such as the Pixel 10 series, to see this protection fully implemented. 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.
Tom's Guide
13 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Google's Pixel Camera now teaches you how to use all the best features — here's how
Google has started to roll out a new feature that wants to help you get the most out of your Pixel phone's camera app. With the launch of Android 16 and the recent June 2025 Feature Drop, we've seen Google unveil a bunch of new additions, including a Pixel VIP widget and Google Photos' new editing tools. However, one of the announced features, the 'camera education hub,' didn't go live when the 2025 update was released. But things have started moving as Google Pixel users are gaining access to the feature. The education hub serves as a means to inform users of what their Pixel device's camera can do, through the use of tips and sample shots. To take a look, users only need to tap the new '?' icon that appears in the top right corner of their app. When opened, Google will first present the users with a variety of sample shots to help inform them what each camera mode and option is capable of. There's also a floating button at the bottom of the screen labelled 'Open Camera,' which will instantly take you back to the main camera viewfinder interface. However, while it is always visible while in the education hub, it won't take you to the camera mode you were looking at when you first opened the hub. This is an odd omission, but one I imagine will be patched eventually. Also, while you can find tips relating to the 10-bit HDR video recording, manual lens recording, Pro controls and Locked Folders at the bottom of the screen, there is no mention of Social Share. This would appear to indicate that Google has no intention of returning the feature after it was removed in the recent Feature Drop. This education hub is the kind of feature that I wish we saw more of, as it does a lot for new users of a device. Both the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9a sit as some of the best camera phones on the market, but figuring out how to use some of the camera features can be overwhelming. This is especially true for older users, and the education hub could be a major advantage for them. However, there are some minor annoyances, like the Open Camera button, that need to be solved in future patches. We found that the education hub was available on our Pixel devices, as have other publications, indicating that this is a global rollout. If users are interested in trying this out, you should make sure your Pixel's camera app is updated to the latest version, as the hub will reportedly not show up on releases older than version 9.9. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Mint
13 hours ago
- Mint
Is Google preparing to bring Pixel Call Screening to India after 7 years? Know what report suggests
Published 27 Jun 2025, 04:21 PM IST Google appears to be preparing to launch its Call Screening feature for Pixel smartphones in India, nearly seven years after the AI-powered tool debuted in the United States. According to a new report, the company is working behind the scenes to introduce the much-anticipated functionality, though Indian users may initially receive only a limited version. Call Screening, which allows users to screen incoming calls with the help of artificial intelligence, has been a popular feature on Pixel devices in select countries. It can identify callers and display on-screen suggestions to respond, helping users manage spam or unknown numbers more effectively. However, a recent APK teardown of the Google Phone app by Android Authority suggests that Indian users might not get the full automated experience just yet. The app's internal code reportedly contains references such as 'hi_in', which likely points to support for Hindi language and Indian localisation. Another string uncovered, 'enableIndiaManualScreeningOnlyMode', hints at a manual-only version of the tool for India. This would mean that users would need to tap a 'Screen call' button when receiving a call, and then select from suggested replies, rather than relying on Google's Assistant to automatically screen and respond on their behalf, as it does in the US. Notably, the limited functionality could be due to regulatory constraints, and Google is believed to be awaiting approval before officially rolling out the feature. There is no confirmation yet on whether the service will launch in multiple Indian languages or remain restricted to English and Hindi initially. Interestingly, this is not the first indication of Google's interest in expanding Call Screening in India. Earlier in January 2024, a tech enthusiast reportedly enabled the feature on a rooted OnePlus 7 running AOSPA (a custom Android build), by installing a Hindi language pack, suggesting that backend support for Indian users has been under development for some time. While an official timeline from Google remains unannounced, the latest findings strongly indicate that Indian Pixel users may not have to wait much longer to access at least a version of the Call Screening feature, albeit in a more hands-on format.
