Latest news with #AndroidPolice
Android Authority
4 days ago
- Android Authority
A fix is on the way for Android 16's broken navigation buttons and gestures
Paul Jones / Android Authority TL;DR Some Android 16 users have been dealing with an issue that causes navigation buttons and gestures to become temporarily unresponsive. Google has reportedly fixed this bug internally. The fix is expected to roll out in the next update. The stable build of Android 16 has been available for Pixel devices for a week now. While it has been smooth sailing for the most part, some users have run into bugs. One such bug negatively impacts navigation buttons and gestures, but we won't have to wait too much longer for a fix to arrive. Recently, there have been reports about an issue with Android 16 that temporarily renders navigation buttons and gestures unresponsive. However, for some users, the bug only causes a bit of lag between input and execution. It's unclear just how widespread the bug is, but it appears to affect all Pixel models and is said to happen randomly. Thankfully, it seems Google was quick to act on this problem. According to Android Police founder Artem Russakovskii, Google says the navigation bug has now been fixed internally. Although the fix isn't available publicly yet, it will reportedly roll out in the next update. If you're still dealing with this problem, there are some workarounds you can use until the fix arrives. One option is to switch to a different launcher app or clear the Pixel launcher's data and cache. Rebooting the device also apparently works for some users. 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.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Google Treats the Pixel Fold Like a Phone, Not a Tablet, Even When It Shouldn't
Google is bringing a new desktop mode to Android 16 later this year. However, the way desktop mode works will not be the same across all types of Android devices. On Pixel phones, desktop mode will only become active when the device is connected to an external screen. Users will be able to use a desktop-like experience on a monitor, but the phone's own screen will not support windowed multitasking or the full desktop interface, even though the phone itself would be fully functional on its own, as a separate entity. Tablets, on the other hand, will be able to use desktop mode directly on their built-in screens, whether or not an external display is connected, which makes sense. But then it gets weird. Foldable devices, despite having expansive inner screens, will not be treated the same way as tablets. Google has confirmed that foldables like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will only be able to use windowed multitasking when connected to an external display, as reported by Android Police. This means the desktop mode will not be available on the folding screen itself, as it has a large enough screen on the inside. The desktop mode will be released with the all-new Material 3 Expressive in the next quarterly update, which is likely to be in September. Android 16 was released yesterday.
India Today
09-06-2025
- India Today
Google Pixel getting VIP contact option, will let you ignore everyone except those who are VIP for you
Do you keep your phone on Do Not Disturb mode to focus on work but often miss important calls? Well, a new feature on Pixel phones will soon allow you to exempt very important contacts from the Do Not Disturb filter. Google is reportedly rolling out a new exclusive feature for Pixel users. Dubbed Pixel VIPs, this feature will let users select key contacts and give them priority access to connect even when the phone is on Do Not Disturb Pixel VIPs widget, spotted by many Reddit users (via Android Police), was initially surfaced a few weeks ago in a leaked Google dogfood (internal testing) app. Initial leaks suggested this feature might debut alongside the Pixel 10 later this year. However, Google appears to be making the feature available earlier, with several Pixel users now spotting the widget live on their devices through a quiet Play Store what exactly does this VIP widget do? For starters — according to Reddit users who have gained access to the feature — the VIP widget on Pixel phones allows users to pin up to eight contacts as VIPs. These contacts will then appear prominently on the home screen via a widget. Additionally these contacts will have a special 'VIP' label next to their name in the Contacts app. From the widget, users can view their last call or message with a VIP, whether it was via Google Messages or even WhatsApp. If location sharing is enabled, their real-time location appears on a mini map within the there's more. The Pixel VIPs widget can also bypass Do Not Disturb mode, ensuring that calls or messages from these people always notify the user, even when the rest of the contacts are muted. It's ideal for those who want to stay connected to family, close friends, or work-related emergency contacts without the distraction of general this feature will also offer additional options, like allowing users to ask VIP contacts to share their location, viewing the weather and local time at their saved address, writing notes about them, and even receiving activity suggestions based on your shared preferences or Pixel VIPs isn't a standalone app, so users won't find it in the app drawer. Instead, it can be added via the widget picker or directly through the Contacts for availability, it appears Google is making Pixel VIPs part of the June 2025 Feature Drop for Pixel phones. The feature is expected to roll out to more Pixel users soon.
Tom's Guide
03-06-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
YouTube on Android has been hit by a major bug — here's what you need to know
A bug has appeared on the Android version of the YouTube app that makes navigating a lot more difficult — by making the bottom bar disappear. It was recently discovered (via Android Police) that a new bug has completely removed the navigation bar from the YouTube app for both regular and YouTube Premium users. As such, affected devices can't access the Subscriptions, Shorts, Library or Profile buttons to quickly navigate. Not only that, it appears that the Notifications button at the top of the screen is also missing. While losing access to the Shorts and Library is certainly annoying, you can still find most of the content on the home page. But losing the ability to navigate to your Profile is a bigger issue, as it means no access to Playlists, History or Incognito mode. It's also the only means to quickly swap accounts, meaning some of the proposed fixes that recommend changing accounts are much harder to achieve. YouTube is aware of the issue, with its support page detailing that the company is working on a solution and will update as soon as possible. For the time being, it appears that the majority of users affected are in the U.S., but several comments on the support page indicate that users in other countries are seeing scattered cases. We checked devices across Tom's Guide and the UK devices all appeared to still have the navigation bar at the bottom. Sadly, this issue reminds us that one of the biggest issues with YouTube as a service - there's no real alternative to it. While you could use some of the best streaming services like Netflix or Disney+, they don't offer the same type or volume of content. On the plus side, the desktop, smart TV and iOS versions of the YouTube app both still function as they should. We will keep you updated with any news as we hear it, including when a fix is announced by YouTube. In the meantime, please let us know if you have been affected by the bug and what solutions you have found. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Phone Arena
31-05-2025
- General
- Phone Arena
Pixel users running the QPR beta can protects their phone and personal data with a single tap
If you own a Pixel 6 or later model and you're running the Android 16 QPR 1 Beta 1 release (which includes the September Pixel Feature Drop), eventually you will notice a new option in Settings called "Personal & device safety." Note that this has not yet been disseminated to every Pixel user who downloaded the new QPR 1 beta. For example, my Pixel 6 Pro with the beta software installed has yet to receive this new listing. So when you open Settings and tap on Advanced Protection you can toggle on device protection. This will turn on several layers of protection covering Device Safety, Apps, Network and Wi-Fi, Web, Phone by Google, and Google Messages. Device Safety includes features such as Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device lock. If your phone detects that it is being stolen, it will automatically lock itself. If the phone is offline for extended periods, it also will lock itself. With device protection enabled, a feature known as Unknown Apps prevents users from installing apps from app stores that were not pre-loaded on their phones. Tap the device protection toggle and several security tools are turned on automatically. | Image credit-Android Police With the device protection toggle on, while browsing the Web, if you use Chrome, it will make sure that all sites use HTTPS for greater protection whenever possible. Chrome will also disable the Javascript optimizer to reduce the chances of a security issue. Found in the Settings of Pixel units running the latest Android 16 QPR 1 beta, you can protect your Pixel and your personal data with a single tap. | Image credit-Android Police Safety features for the Phone app will include Caller ID & Spam which identifies known spam numbers before you pick up the phone. In markets where it is supported, an AI assistant will screen incoming calls and decline to answer spam calls. Scam Detection gives you real-time warnings if a call you are in the middle of shows the signs of being a scam. On Pixel devices that have 2G protection, 2G calls will be blocked except for emergency calls. Apps on your device will be able to see if device protection is on, and when it is on, some websites might not load correctly. Keep in mind that these are not new features. What is new is the ability of Pixel users to turn them all on with one tap of a toggle switch. This is actually a pretty exciting feature that I'm looking forward to using on my Pixel 6 Pro when it arrives on the phone, which should be shortly. To get the update, tap on this link to get to the Android Beta Program for Pixel web page. Tap on the bar that reads, "View your eligible device." You will be sent to a page with a photo of your Pixel and under the image will be a prompt reading, "Opt in to Android 16 QPR 1 Beta." Tap on it and in a few minutes go to System > Software updates and follow the directions to install the beta. Before you even get this far, make sure that you backup your data. Being a beta release, you can expect to see some features, even some you count on, fail to work correctly.
