The best source for Android OS news.
Editor-at-large @ Android Authority, Co-host @ Android Faithful.
⏲️ Has custom dark mode scheduling been broken for you on Android?
Users are reporting that this issue has finally been fixed in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1.1!
Let me know if you've experienced this issue and if it's now fixed for you in Beta 1.1.
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-beta-custom-dark-mode-issue-3565252/
I saw that people were using hacky setups to use their smartphone as a webcam for their Nintendo Switch 2, which supports USB webcams, so I thought a Google Pixel phone would be perfect for this!
After all, with the Android 14 QPR1 update, Google added a USB UVC mode to Pixel phones.
Unfortunately, it doesn't work - one of my followers tried it, and the Switch 2 only briefly recognizes the Pixel as a webcam but then it disappears.
⌚️🔋Your Pixel Watch's battery could last longer with this Wear OS 6 feature
More evidence has emerged in Wear OS 6 suggesting the Pixel Watch will get an Adaptive Charging feature
Details👇
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/wear-os-6-adaptive-charging-leak-3565102/
⌚️🚿Wear OS 6 could finally add a Water Lock mode on the Pixel Watch
Hopefully Google pairs this with a water ejection feature like on the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch.
More details👇
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/wear-os-6-water-lock-shortcut-leak-3565051/
🔍 The Pixel Launcher's search bar is starting to show a dedicated AI Mode shortcut for some users
One user on Discord told me they got the new AI Mode shortcut on their Pixel, but I don't see it yet - anyone else?
This shortcut opens the new AI Mode in Google Search, and it's already been available through the dedicated Google Search widget - just not on the unremovable search bar that's built into the Pixel Launcher.
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-launcher-ai-mode-shortcut-apk-3564577/
📱Android 16's best multitasking upgrade — its 90:10 split ratio — is very similar to OPPO's Boundless View/OnePlus' Open Canvas system
However, OPPO told us Google developed this feature independently.
More details👇
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/oppo-android-16-best-feature-3564899/
You can grab the download link from here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/1l0z1qh/discord_arm64_native_canary_build_now_available/
Discord is FINALLY getting a native client for Windows on ARM!
The x86 client ran really poorly on my Snapdragon X Elite PC, so I resorted to using the unofficial Legcord client.
Glad to see Discord finally add support for ARM PCs, even if it's only in Canary right now.
Read our review of the OnePlus Pad 3 over on Android Authority
https://www.androidauthority.com/oneplus-pad-3-review-3563284/
Compared to the OnePlus Pad 2, the OnePlus Pad 3 is larger (12.1" vs. 13.2") and has a much bigger battery (9510mAh vs. 12140mAh) while still being thinner (6.5mm vs. 5.97mm). It also has a newer SoC, but otherwise, they're pretty similar devices.
Personally, I would like to see OnePlus make a smaller tablet, as I don't need/want a laptop replacement!
💰
Pad: $699.99 USD / $999.99 CAD
Case: $49.99 USD / $64.99 CAD
Keyboard: $199.99 USD / $249.99 CAD
Stylus: $99.99 USD / $149.99 CAD
Pre-ordering on OnePlus' website from June 5 - July 7 and you'll get 2/3 of the accessories for free.
✨ Ships with OxygenOS 15 on top of Android 15. Supports Circle to Search and brings improvements to Open Canvas like a new way to start split screen.
🔄 OnePlus is promising 3 years of OS and 6 years of bi-monthly security updates
⌨️ Can be bundled with new OnePlus Pad 3 Smart Keyboard and Folio Case. New keyboard has a dedicated AI/Gemini key, and Folio case has a tri-fold design. (Supports same Stylo 2 as last year.)
The OnePlus Pad 3 was just announced today! It's their latest Android tablet with premium specs and seems to offer pretty good value if you pre-order.
📺 Massive 13.2" IPS LCD with a 3.4K resolution (7:5 aspect ratio); 8 speakers
➖< 6mm thickness
🔋 Huge 12,140mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC charging
🔥 Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite, 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage
Man, the Pixel's new Magic Portrait feature in Android 16 QPR1 is SO good!
I just love how it frames the subject of your wallpaper and transitions between the lock screen and home screen.
Once the new 'Ambient AOD' feature rolls out, it'll look even better, too!
Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1.1 is rolling out!
It has the build ID BP31.250502.008.A1 and the following bug fixes:
Here's another look at Android 16 QPR1's upcoming 'Ambient AOD' feature that brings your wallpaper to the always-on display!
You can activate this feature in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, but I don't recommend it because it's buggy (causes screen flickering on the AOD) and is likely intended for the Pixel 10 series!
📹FIRST LOOK: Always-On Display wallpapers for Pixel coming to Android 16!
📹I made 25 videos using Google’s Veo 3. Here’s how it went.
Veo 3 certainly isn't perfect, but it's crazy how easy it is to produce insanely realistic looking videos of people and animals in unreal scenarios!
Check out the videos I made👇
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/ai-videos-made-by-veo-3-3563271/
📴Here's how Android 16 QPR1 may let you double tap your Pixel's screen to turn it off
I previously reported that Google is working on a double tap screen off gesture. Google is still working on this, and they've now added settings.
More details👇
https://www.androidauthority.com/double-tap-to-turn-off-pixel-screen-android-16-qpr1-3563905/
🌞Android 16 QPR1 may stop HDR 'flashbangs' with enhanced brightness controls
Google is working on a new feature in Android 16 QPR1 that lets you stop HDR content from making the screen super bright.
More details👇
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr1-enhanced-hdr-brightness-setting-3563653/
📱Android 16 QPR1's 'Ambient AOD' brings your wallpaper to the Pixel's always-on display
I previously said Google's working on a feature that shows your wallpaper on the AOD, but some were concerned it couldn't be turned off. Well, it can!
Details👇
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/wallpaper-on-aod-android-16-qpr1-3563717/