Mishaal Rahman
@mishaalrahman.bsky.social
NO LONGER POSTING HERE
MAY RE-EVALUATE IN THE FUTURE
MAY RE-EVALUATE IN THE FUTURE
Hi there! Sorry to my followers here, but I'll no longer be posting on Bluesky for the time being. It's tough to cross-post between so many different places. If Bluesky's popularity picks up again, I'll reconsider. In the meanwhile, you can find me here:
July 17, 2023 at 6:21 PM
Hi there! Sorry to my followers here, but I'll no longer be posting on Bluesky for the time being. It's tough to cross-post between so many different places. If Bluesky's popularity picks up again, I'll reconsider. In the meanwhile, you can find me here:
Google has announced Android 14 Beta 4! Beta 4 is available for the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold as well.
This is the fourth Android 14 beta release available for users in the Android Beta program! There should be one more beta before the stable release.
This is the fourth Android 14 beta release available for users in the Android Beta program! There should be one more beta before the stable release.
July 11, 2023 at 5:20 PM
Google has announced Android 14 Beta 4! Beta 4 is available for the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold as well.
This is the fourth Android 14 beta release available for users in the Android Beta program! There should be one more beta before the stable release.
This is the fourth Android 14 beta release available for users in the Android Beta program! There should be one more beta before the stable release.
Android 14 Beta 4 just dropped, so here’s my thread covering what’s new, including a first look at the new Easter egg!
https://twitter.com/MishaalRahman/status/1678802671291998208
https://twitter.com/MishaalRahman/status/1678802671291998208
July 11, 2023 at 4:28 PM
Android 14 Beta 4 just dropped, so here’s my thread covering what’s new, including a first look at the new Easter egg!
https://twitter.com/MishaalRahman/status/1678802671291998208
https://twitter.com/MishaalRahman/status/1678802671291998208
Welp, can't say I didn't expect this, but SEO spammers are hijacking the "Google search query + reddit" trick to sell products. 2/3 of the first Reddit posts were made by spammers (there are more if you scroll down). Even in the comments of the first (authentic) post, there's spam.
It's Joever.
It's Joever.
July 10, 2023 at 3:11 PM
Welp, can't say I didn't expect this, but SEO spammers are hijacking the "Google search query + reddit" trick to sell products. 2/3 of the first Reddit posts were made by spammers (there are more if you scroll down). Even in the comments of the first (authentic) post, there's spam.
It's Joever.
It's Joever.
Google has renamed AOSP's "master" branch to "main" today, in accordance with the company's commitment to using inclusive language in their products and services.
The legacy "master" branch will be a read-only replica of "main" but will be deleted in the future.
The legacy "master" branch will be a read-only replica of "main" but will be deleted in the future.
July 7, 2023 at 12:18 AM
Google has renamed AOSP's "master" branch to "main" today, in accordance with the company's commitment to using inclusive language in their products and services.
The legacy "master" branch will be a read-only replica of "main" but will be deleted in the future.
The legacy "master" branch will be a read-only replica of "main" but will be deleted in the future.
So what's actually changed in the July 2023 GPSU? Did Google just flip the server-side DeviceConfig flag again? Nope!
Instead, MediaProvider's PhotoPickerGetContentActivity is now enabled by default. Previously it was disabled until the take_over_get_content flag was set to true.
Instead, MediaProvider's PhotoPickerGetContentActivity is now enabled by default. Previously it was disabled until the take_over_get_content flag was set to true.
July 6, 2023 at 9:32 PM
So what's actually changed in the July 2023 GPSU? Did Google just flip the server-side DeviceConfig flag again? Nope!
Instead, MediaProvider's PhotoPickerGetContentActivity is now enabled by default. Previously it was disabled until the take_over_get_content flag was set to true.
Instead, MediaProvider's PhotoPickerGetContentActivity is now enabled by default. Previously it was disabled until the take_over_get_content flag was set to true.
The min SDK versions of the DNS Resolver, CaptivePortalLogin, Connectivity, and NetworkStack modules have all recently been bumped to '30' (Android 11) from '29' (Android 10), with the reason being that "Mainline push to Q was stopped in February 2023."
July 6, 2023 at 8:27 PM
The min SDK versions of the DNS Resolver, CaptivePortalLogin, Connectivity, and NetworkStack modules have all recently been bumped to '30' (Android 11) from '29' (Android 10), with the reason being that "Mainline push to Q was stopped in February 2023."
Google debuted Project Mainline alongside Android 10, modularizing various system components so they can be updated through the Play Store instead of through regular OTA updates. However, it seems Mainline support for Android 10 devices is winding down.
July 6, 2023 at 8:26 PM
Google debuted Project Mainline alongside Android 10, modularizing various system components so they can be updated through the Play Store instead of through regular OTA updates. However, it seems Mainline support for Android 10 devices is winding down.
Google maintains a table that shows the kernel versions supported and tested with each Android platform release. The table hasn't been updated to note Android 15's kernel requirements, let alone Android 14's, of course.
July 6, 2023 at 7:48 PM
Google maintains a table that shows the kernel versions supported and tested with each Android platform release. The table hasn't been updated to note Android 15's kernel requirements, let alone Android 14's, of course.
Android 15 "Vanilla Ice Cream" will require Linux kernel 4.19, dropping support for Linux 4.14.
This is expected as with each release, the oldest supported Linux kernel version is bumped. eg. Android 14 required Linux 4.14+ while Android 13 required Linux 4.9+.
This is expected as with each release, the oldest supported Linux kernel version is bumped. eg. Android 14 required Linux 4.14+ while Android 13 required Linux 4.9+.
July 6, 2023 at 7:47 PM
Android 15 "Vanilla Ice Cream" will require Linux kernel 4.19, dropping support for Linux 4.14.
This is expected as with each release, the oldest supported Linux kernel version is bumped. eg. Android 14 required Linux 4.14+ while Android 13 required Linux 4.9+.
This is expected as with each release, the oldest supported Linux kernel version is bumped. eg. Android 14 required Linux 4.14+ while Android 13 required Linux 4.9+.
Since I don't play mobile games, this is the first time I've personally found the Windows Subsystem for Android useful. Until Threads & Bluesky let you post from the web, using their Android apps on PC is a decent option. Thanks to @mweinbach.bsky.social for reminding me I could do this.
July 6, 2023 at 6:22 PM
Since I don't play mobile games, this is the first time I've personally found the Windows Subsystem for Android useful. Until Threads & Bluesky let you post from the web, using their Android apps on PC is a decent option. Thanks to @mweinbach.bsky.social for reminding me I could do this.
Many OEMs include a feature that lets you use your phone as a touchpad, and I recently learned of a third-party app on Google Play called "Real Mouse" that enables this on devices where that's not built-in.
July 6, 2023 at 12:02 AM
Many OEMs include a feature that lets you use your phone as a touchpad, and I recently learned of a third-party app on Google Play called "Real Mouse" that enables this on devices where that's not built-in.
One of the most annoying parts about using most Android tablets or foldables is being forced to flip the device over because an app doesn't support landscape mode.
This is an issue on the OPPO Find N2 and OnePlus Pad, for example. Fortunately, there's a fix.
This is an issue on the OPPO Find N2 and OnePlus Pad, for example. Fortunately, there's a fix.
May 8, 2023 at 9:51 PM
One of the most annoying parts about using most Android tablets or foldables is being forced to flip the device over because an app doesn't support landscape mode.
This is an issue on the OPPO Find N2 and OnePlus Pad, for example. Fortunately, there's a fix.
This is an issue on the OPPO Find N2 and OnePlus Pad, for example. Fortunately, there's a fix.
After the Bluetooth, WiFi, & UWB stacks, Google will next turn Android's NFC stack into a modular system component, ie. a Project Mainline module!
It's too early for this to happen in Android 14, but the NFC stack could become a Mainline module as early as Android 15.
(H/T luca020400 on Twitter)
It's too early for this to happen in Android 14, but the NFC stack could become a Mainline module as early as Android 15.
(H/T luca020400 on Twitter)
May 8, 2023 at 6:14 PM
After the Bluetooth, WiFi, & UWB stacks, Google will next turn Android's NFC stack into a modular system component, ie. a Project Mainline module!
It's too early for this to happen in Android 14, but the NFC stack could become a Mainline module as early as Android 15.
(H/T luca020400 on Twitter)
It's too early for this to happen in Android 14, but the NFC stack could become a Mainline module as early as Android 15.
(H/T luca020400 on Twitter)
There's nothing really interesting to point out in the April 2023 Google Play System Update, but in case you're wondering, the image below shows what modules were updated:
And here's the changelog I made: https://blog.esper.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/March_2023_to_April_2023_GPSU_changelog.html
And here's the changelog I made: https://blog.esper.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/March_2023_to_April_2023_GPSU_changelog.html
May 4, 2023 at 6:03 PM
There's nothing really interesting to point out in the April 2023 Google Play System Update, but in case you're wondering, the image below shows what modules were updated:
And here's the changelog I made: https://blog.esper.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/March_2023_to_April_2023_GPSU_changelog.html
And here's the changelog I made: https://blog.esper.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/March_2023_to_April_2023_GPSU_changelog.html
These graphics show how Material Design on Android Automotive will work. Apps compile a static library that loads customized token values from a shared library. OEMs can optionally create Runtime Resource Overlays (RROs) targeting this shared library.
May 4, 2023 at 5:03 PM
These graphics show how Material Design on Android Automotive will work. Apps compile a static library that loads customized token values from a shared library. OEMs can optionally create Runtime Resource Overlays (RROs) targeting this shared library.
Google's working to bring Material Design to Android Automotive OS, but unlike on phones, colors will be chosen by the OEM instead of derived by an algorithm 🧵
May 4, 2023 at 5:02 PM
Google's working to bring Material Design to Android Automotive OS, but unlike on phones, colors will be chosen by the OEM instead of derived by an algorithm 🧵
Linux's DisplayPort Alternate Mode driver (which on compatible devices allows for display output over USB-C) has been enabled by default in android14-5.15 & android14-6.1 GKI branches.
It may be copium, but I'm hoping Google finally releases a Pixel with display output!
It may be copium, but I'm hoping Google finally releases a Pixel with display output!
May 2, 2023 at 8:28 PM
Linux's DisplayPort Alternate Mode driver (which on compatible devices allows for display output over USB-C) has been enabled by default in android14-5.15 & android14-6.1 GKI branches.
It may be copium, but I'm hoping Google finally releases a Pixel with display output!
It may be copium, but I'm hoping Google finally releases a Pixel with display output!
The Bluetooth stack in Chrome OS is the standard Linux BlueZ, but since 2021, Google has been experimenting with building Android's Fluoride stack for Linux (Floss). This is disabled by default but can be enabled on compatible Chromebooks through a flag. (Images: Nick Cipriani).
May 2, 2023 at 7:26 PM
The Bluetooth stack in Chrome OS is the standard Linux BlueZ, but since 2021, Google has been experimenting with building Android's Fluoride stack for Linux (Floss). This is disabled by default but can be enabled on compatible Chromebooks through a flag. (Images: Nick Cipriani).
Today I learned that a lot of Chromebooks only support the SBC codec for Bluetooth audio. Fortunately, Google may be bringing AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC support to select Chromebooks in a future update. 🧵
May 2, 2023 at 7:25 PM
Today I learned that a lot of Chromebooks only support the SBC codec for Bluetooth audio. Fortunately, Google may be bringing AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC support to select Chromebooks in a future update. 🧵
With Chrome 117 for desktop & Android, the browser will replace the "lock" icon in the address bar with a "tune" icon.
This is to make it clearer what the icon actually represents: A button to show important security info and controls, not an indicator of site trustworthiness.
This is to make it clearer what the icon actually represents: A button to show important security info and controls, not an indicator of site trustworthiness.
May 2, 2023 at 4:22 PM
With Chrome 117 for desktop & Android, the browser will replace the "lock" icon in the address bar with a "tune" icon.
This is to make it clearer what the icon actually represents: A button to show important security info and controls, not an indicator of site trustworthiness.
This is to make it clearer what the icon actually represents: A button to show important security info and controls, not an indicator of site trustworthiness.
The May 2023 Android Security Bulletin is now live, detailing the vulnerabilities addressed by the 2023-05-01 and 2023-05-05 security patch levels! The public ASB doesn't go into much detail, but once the AOSP tags go live, we can see what's been patched.
May 1, 2023 at 5:19 PM
The May 2023 Android Security Bulletin is now live, detailing the vulnerabilities addressed by the 2023-05-01 and 2023-05-05 security patch levels! The public ASB doesn't go into much detail, but once the AOSP tags go live, we can see what's been patched.