Android 14
Android 14 Beta 2 released: What’s New
Android 14 beta 2 is now available for all eligible pixel devices, including Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro. This is the second beta update which was almost available two weeks ago after Android 14 Beta 1.1. This is the progress cycle of Android 14 which will be get tested by beta users and get feedback from them.
Then after collecting all the feedback, Google will add some improvements and fixes to make a stable update of Android 14 for all users; however, the beta version will only be available for the users who have enrolled in the Android beta program. Every new beta update comes with some bug fixes and features; lets know about it.
Android 14 beta 2 brings some new features
In this beta update, Google has added some new features in different stock apps, such as:
Camera and Gallery: Android devices come with high-end cameras that are currently able to take photos up to 200 MP, which are also able to capture billions of colors. Now with the latest Android 14 beta update, Android devices will be able to capture images on 12-bit HDR. This feature will improve the quality of photos by enabling vibrant colors and greater contrast. Additionally, apps will use camera extensions to handle processing times and use the algorithm to get more enhanced photos.
When the Android 14-based One UI 6 will reach your Samsung Galaxy devices
Handle graphics more efficiently: Android 14 has added support for meshes which can be defined as triangles and triangle strips. The vertex shader defines the varying vertex/fragment. It depends on the position and color, while the fragment shader can optionally define the color for the pixel.
Health Connect: As previously rumored, Health Connect will be coming with Android 14. Now with the second beta, it is confirmed. Health Connect is an internal function that will help users to track all the records of health. In other words, it will give a platform that allows users to share data between their favorite apps with a single place to control what data want to share with these apps.
Data Sharing Updates: With Android 14, Google is focusing on the privacy of Android device users, and this update brings a Data sharing update feature. This feature will allow users to track app location activity. In other words, if any app shares your current location update with any other source, then you will be able to track the page.
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Apart from these, Google has introduced a new type of notification that will appear on the full screen; generally, this is designed for high-priority notifications such as incoming calls and user-configured alarm clock settings. This permission will be enabled by default; however, if users do not want to use this feature so they have the choice to turn it off. Additionally, Google has enhanced in-app animations.
The latest Android 14 beta 2 update is now available on Pixel smartphones with firmware version UPB2.230407.14. It also includes May 2023 security patch update. However, the update is only available for users who have participated in the Android beta program. While for the general public, Google will release a stable Android 14 update in the coming months.
Last month, Samsung officially confirmed the One UI 6.1 update for the 2022 models. Now, keeping its promise, the company has started rolling out the major update for the Galaxy S22 series.
The Android 14-based One UI 6.1 update for the Galaxy S22 series is live in South Korea. Users who own the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and Galaxy S22 Ultra can identify the latest update by the firmware version numbers S901NKSU3EXDC, S906NKSU3EXDC, and S908NKSU3EXDC, respectively.
Samsung has released several Galaxy AI features with the One UI 6.1 update that will help you provide a better communication experience and take advantage of the ability to quickly understand information.
For your information, the Galaxy S22 series device will get the benefit of all the important Galaxy AI features, including Circle to Search, Live Translate, Generative Edit, Note Assist, Transcript Script, Chat Assist, and many more.
Apart from the Galaxy AI feature, the device will also get some important additions on the customization side, where users will get several new changes related to wallpaper, lock screen, alarm, calendar, and many more.
To check the latest update on your device, navigate to the settings, then select the software update option here. Tap on the download and install option. Wait until it finishes searching to see if the update is available, then tap on the install button.
Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 is one of the rugged smartphones that is dedicatedly made for using it in any weather condition. It is worth noticing that the company hasn’t limited it to giving tough hardware but also keeps it up to date with its fresh software. In the last major update, Android 14, it has grabbed some new features, and unfortunately, it has also got an issue with the camera, which is causing inconvenience to the users.
Galaxy XCover5 getting a camera issue after Android 14
The Galaxy XCover 5 has received Android 14 and One UI 6.0, and after installing them, users have started reporting about the camera issue. In the reports, the consumers have pointed out that they are not able to use the camera focus like before. Since the camera is the most frequently used feature of the smartphone, its malfunction is significantly affecting the overall performance of the devices.
Due to the malfunctioning of the autofocus, users are also having difficulty making payments due to the autofocus malfunction. When they open the QR code scanner, they are unable to do so because the camera is not focusing on the code.
However, the Korean giant hasn’t yet released a statement regarding the issue’s resolution, despite the fact that the issue surfaced after the last update, suggesting a software update-related problem. Hopefully, Samsung could release a proper update that will update it to the latest version.
Android 14
Google Get Inspired By Samsung; As It Copies Secure Folder Feature Housed In Galaxy Phones
Is Google following Samsung? With the Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1, it offers a new option for private space, which Samsung already offers with the title Secure Folder.
Google released Android 14 QPR2 Beta 1 in November 2023, which introduced a feature called ‘Private Space’ already housed in Samsung devices as Secure Folder. Since reports have been around for several days that the latest iteration of Android 15 will be dedicated to more security and will bring tons of new features to enhance users’ secure experiences, one of the awaiting features is Private Space.
The upcoming Private Space feature will allow the user to install the application in a separate, locked profile, which they can hide at any time. Although this feature has been in the development phase for a long time, it has not yet gone live. Let’s take a closer look.
The new feature named ‘Lock private space automatically’ will allow users to configure the feature to automatically lock the protected space depending on one of the two sub-options they select in it, which are ‘Every time device lock’ and ‘After 5 minutes of inactivity.’ While choosing the first, the feature will lock Privact Space instantly after they lock the device.
But here’s the catchable fact: Secure Folder, available on Galaxy devices, already offers this feature, so somewhere it seems like Google got inspired by Samsung.
The reports are also saying that when users set up Private Space, the feature now recommends them to create a dedicated Google account for using it to’stop data appearing outside private space; for instance, ‘Synced photos, files, emails, contacts, calendar events, and other data,’ and many more. This suggestion and the option to automatically lock the protected space further enhance the privacy and security of private space.
Upcoming Private Space will offer a redesign setup flow to deliver a better idea of the feature. Since this feature initially appeared in Android 14 QPR2 Beta 1 and then Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1, it is expected that Android 15 will bring this feature to enhance the secure experience.