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Android Archive

Archives for February 2024

Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Brave brings its AI browser assistant to Android.

The privacy-focused Brave browser launched its AI assistant, Leo, last year on the desktop, and now it’s available for Android, following other mobile AI-connected browsers like Edge and Arc (only on iOS).

Leo promises summaries, transcriptions, translations, coding, and more (while acknowledging that LLMs may “hallucinate” erroneous info). As for privacy, Brave claims, “Inputs are always submitted anonymously through a reverse-proxy and are not retained or used for training.”

Amrita Khalid
Amrita Khalid
That 10-year-old family group chat on WhatsApp just got easier to navigate on Android.

The messaging app’s “search by date” function is now rolling out to Android users. Already available on iOS, WhatsApp Web, and Mac desktops, the feature lets users jump to messages sent during a specific day.

To use it, click into any chat (or group chat), select “Search,” and then tap on the calendar icon on the bottom right.

A screenshot of the new “search by date” function on WhatsApp.
The new “search by date” function on WhatsApp.
WhatsApp
Google’s 256GB Pixel Tablet is on sale for its best price yetGoogle’s 256GB Pixel Tablet is on sale for its best price yet
Quentyn Kennemer and Sheena Vasani
Jess Weatherbed
Jess Weatherbed
Google Maps is finally rolling out glanceable directions.

The feature enables Maps users to track their journey via the lock screen, or in the app via the route overview provided before hitting “start.” It’s now rolling out widely to both iOS and Android devices over a year since Google first announced it, according to Android Police.

The toggle to enable glanceable directions is located under Navigation settings, within the main Google Maps Settings menu.

A GIF demonstrating the new glanceable directions feature in Google Maps.
Track your journey right from your route overview screen without clicking start.
GIF: Google
Jon Porter
Jon Porter
The Phone 2A makes a guest appearance at Nothing’s MWC event.

It’s not due to launch until March 5th, but Nothing couldn’t help teasing its first budget handset, yet again, in Barcelona.

As you can see, the light-up glyphs are back, but we’ll need a few more days before we get a better look at this device.

<em>Nothing Phone (2a) at MWC 2024</em>
<em>Nothing Phone (2a) at MWC 2024</em>
<em>Nothing Phone (2a) at MWC 2024</em>
<em>Nothing Phone (2a) at MWC 2024</em>
1/4
Nothing Phone (2a) at MWC 2024
Photo by Jon Porter / The Verge
Jess Weatherbed
Jess Weatherbed
Fast Pair is now available on Chromecast with Google TV.

Following its announcement last month, 9to5Google notes that the latest Chromecast with Google TV update allows users to quickly pair headphones to their TV when in close proximity, and shows a new audio output switcher in the menu.

You can check to see if the STTE.231215.005 update is available by heading into Settings > System > About > System update on your Chromecast with Google TV.

A photograph of a TV running Chromecast with Google TV, with a new audio switcher widget.
As per the demonstration given to 9to5Google last month, this is what the new audio switcher and Fast Pair options should look like.
Image: 9to5Google
Jess Weatherbed
Jess Weatherbed
Here’s nine new Android productivity features from Google.

Some useful updates are rolling out to Android devices that aim to make life a little easier — including new casting controls for Spotify, and support for Google Wallet passes on Wear OS smartwatches. Google is also launching a beta that allows you to access Gemini via Google Messages on Android phones.

Gemini is about to slide into your DMsGemini is about to slide into your DMs
Allison Johnson
Wes Davis
Wes Davis
ChatGPT gets a homescreen widget for Android.

Android expert Mishaal Rahman writes that the change gives quicker access to OpenAI’s chatbot’s conversation and query modes. To try it out, tap and hold a blank spot on your Android phone’s home screen to bring up the widget menu.

It may be a beta feature, as the version of the app I just downloaded from the Google Play store has a lower version number.

Wes Davis
Wes Davis
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro is Xiaomi’s new iPad.

Just with beefed-up specs like a 144Hz display and six speakers with Dolby Atmos support, the company said at Mobile World Congress today. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and the company says it can get to a 100 percent charge, thanks to 120-watt charging.

And of course, it will have lots of AI features like generating images from your sketches. It costs €699.

A picture of the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro at Mobile World Congress 2024.
The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro.
Image: Xiaomi