It seems Google has plans for Android 14 devices to be easily usable as a webcam for your laptop or desktop.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 may allow some phones to be used as webcams
Author
Kyle Bradshaw joined 9to5Google in 2018 with a special interest in Google’s Fuchsia OS, rooted in his experience of being the first to offer a visual preview of the revolutionary design of the in-development operating system. Since then, his attention has broadened to include the secrets hidden within other areas of Google’s public codebases.
By reading the public Fuchsia code, Kyle was able to prove the existence of the Nest Mini and the Nest Hub Max months ahead of their respective announcements. With evidence from Chromium, he reported on Google’s since-canceled efforts to create an offshoot of Android designed for “touchless” feature phones.
In 2018, Kyle reported on three distinct Made by Google Chromebooks in development, the Pixel Slate, the Pixelbook Go — a full year before its release — and “Meowth,” the original version of the Pixel Slate that was canceled due to Intel’s delays that year. For ChromeOS itself, Kyle was the first to demonstrate the upcoming light theme redesign in action.
Looking at the early evidence of the Pixel 5’s specs, Kyle accurately predicted in February 2020 that the Pixel 5 might not be a traditional “flagship” phone. In 2021, he reported that Google’s next headset would be the “Pixel Buds A.”
Kyle was the first to report that the Pixel 6 would mark the debut of Google’s in-house processors, later revealed to be the Tensor chips.
Kyle contributes to the APK Insight column at 9to5Google, discovering the hidden changes in Google’s apps. These efforts have revealed hotly anticipated features, details about upcoming devices, and unexpected connections between companies.
He can be reached for tips or just friendly chat by Threads, Mastodon, Bluesky, or email. If you’re looking for his other works or side projects, head over to Kyle’s personal portfolio.
Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3: Taskbar and multi-window improvements, ‘Hub mode’ for Pixel Tablet
Ahead of the upcoming Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold launches, the latest Android 13 quarterly update preview includes new animations for the taskbar and improvements to the multi-window experience for apps, as well as new settings for the tablet’s “Hub mode”.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 QPR2 Beta 3 shows progress on lock screen shortcuts and custom clock
The latest Android 13 QPR2 beta shows that Google has made quite a bit of progress on customizing the shortcuts and clock design shown on the lock screen.
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Galaxy S23 packaging is fully recyclable as Samsung pushes for more sustainable products
Samsung is continuing it commitment to sustainability with the Galaxy S23 by introducing more recycled materials and reducing plastic packaging.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Maps on Android readies planned charging stops for EVs
Google Maps for Android will soon make it easier to plan longer road trips in your electric vehicle, offering planned charging stops along your route.
Expand Expanding CloseNew version of Meta smartwatch breaks cover, still uses Android and not Wear OS
Leaked images reveal Meta is once again working on a smartwatch to flesh out its metaverse hardware ecosystem, with the watch being built on Android — not Wear OS.
Expand Expanding CloseAcer’s newest Chromebooks are built to be classroom-ready
New year, new Chromebooks. Today, Acer is showing off four ChromeOS devices — including the Chromebook Vero 712 — all of which are built to endure the strain of being used daily in a classroom.
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Google Doodle game celebrates the joys of bubble tea
The latest homepage minigame from Google celebrates the simple joys of making bubble tea and enjoying it with friends.
Expand Expanding CloseNew leaked specs suggest ‘Pixel Tablet Pro’ might not be a thing after all
According to newly leaked specs, Google is only making one Pixel Tablet, with no “Pro” model in the works.
Expand Expanding CloseFlutter and Google News Initiative are helping publications create mobile apps
The Flutter team has partnered with the Google News Initiative on a “toolkit” to help news outlets quickly and easily build their own dedicated mobile apps.
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Dart programming language version 3.0 will release this year, alpha available now
Google is preparing to launch version 3.0 of the Dart programming language later this year, requiring sound null safety and introducing new features.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases Flutter 3.7, teases future of app development framework
At the Flutter Forward event, Google released Flutter 3.7 with more Material You widgets and menus support, while also teasing the future of the app development framework.
Expand Expanding CloseFast Pair will make it easier to set up new Android phones, starting with Galaxy S23
Google has prepared a new way to get started with setting up your next Android phone via Fast Pair, potentially arriving with the Galaxy S23 series.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 set to block certain outdated apps from being installed
To help reduce the potential for malware, Android 14 will begin fully blocking the installation of apps that target outdated versions of Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle says ‘nothing was random’ about layoffs in town hall
In a town hall meeting with employees, Google executives shared that “nothing was random” about the way the company’s 12,000 layoffs were selected.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s Fuchsia and Area 120 see significant cuts in layoffs
Among the many divisions impacted by Google’s widespread layoffs, the Fuchsia operating system and Area 120 incubator teams have been cut back significantly.
Expand Expanding CloseMobvoi ‘TicWatch Pro 5’ design leaks – should bring Wear OS 3 and Snapdragon W5+
We’ve now gotten our first look at the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 — the first Wear OS watch with the Snapdragon W5+ chip — in a newly leaked render.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Classroom invitations being abused to send spam emails, can’t be disabled
Google’s tools are once again being abused to send unwanted emails, with attackers now using Google Classroom to deliver spam.
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Destiny 2 players get free month of GeForce Now to replace Stadia
With Google Stadia now officially shut down, Bungie is offering previous Destiny 2 players a free month of GeForce Now.
Expand Expanding CloseNest Wifi series loses ‘Gaming preferred’ toggle as Stadia shuts down
Google’s line of Nest Wifi routers have lost a feature, with the “Gaming preferred” toggle disappearing in the hours before Stadia’s shutdown.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 13 is running on 5.2% of all devices five months after launch
According to the latest official Android distribution numbers from Google, Android 13 is running on 5.2% of all devices less than six months after launch.
Expand Expanding CloseSearching for Stadia: Remembering what was lost
Before we set our sights on alternative cloud gaming services, it’s important that we take the time to fully appreciate what it is that Google Stadia offered and what made it truly unique.
Expand Expanding CloseJanuary Google System Updates: Matter QR scanner, Play Games profile revamp, more
The Google System Updates for January 2023 include an updated QR code scanner with support for Matter devices, a revamp of Play Games profiles and what they’re used for, and some other tweaks.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung teases Galaxy S23 is ‘all about camera, performance and sustainability’
Ahead of the Galaxy Unpacked event on February 1, Samsung is teasing that the Galaxy S23 will “set the new premium standard” with improvements to the camera and performance.
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