In this week’s top stories: Google releases its first preview of Android 12, Samsung is purportedly killing the most background apps, Pixel phones poised to gain face-based Auto-Rotate, and more.
The biggest Google-related news this week is that, on Thursday, we all got our first taste of the next version of Android thanks to Android 12 Developer Preview 1. Our Abner Li has collected all of…
As we reported ahead of the first developer preview’s release, one of the big new features coming to Android 12 is advanced theming features. While these new options aren’t live in the first developer preview, one clever developer was able to give us a first look at the…
iPhone 12 vs. iPhone 12 Pro: Which should you buy in 2021?
February 20, 2021
On the surface, the iPhone 12 vs iPhone 12 Pro are very similar phones. They both feature 6.1-inch OLED displays with flat-edge designs and Apple’s A14 Bionic processor inside, but look a little closer, and there are several notable differences worth exploring.
If you’re…
Twitter’s work on a subscription service gains traction with new iOS engineer job listings [U]
February 20, 2021
Twitter has posted about half a dozen new open positions for its in the works subscription service, and this time the new roles include two that are specifically for iOS engineers. Last summer we saw Twitter accidentally publicly revealed its new Gryphon team that’s working on a subscription product in a job listing before quickly redacting the mention of a subscription.
Update: We’ve also…
Apple updating the subscription sheet in iOS 14.5 with clearer pricing and trial information
February 20, 2021
Last week we shared a concept that explored ways Apple could improve the subscription sheet in iOS to help customers better understand what they’re signing up for. The issues with the subscription sheet have been a hot topic lately amongst the community. But tonight the…
Android 12 makes a couple of tweaks to accessibility features, such as adding a new quick toggle for reducing screen brightness. Another adjustment made with Android 12 is to the long-available magnification feature that now has the ability to zero in on a specific portion…
Android 12 DP1: You can now edit any image with the Markup tool meant for screenshots
February 20, 2021
Google added a useful photo editor to Android 11 designed for editing screenshots, but in Android 12, it’s getting an expansion. Now, in Android 12, you can use the Markup tool to edit any photo.
In Android 12 DP1, you can “share” any image to the Markup editor, regardless of where it comes from. This includes photos taken on your smartphone’s camera as well as those downloaded from apps…
Navigation gestures in Android 10 and beyond have been controversial from day one, and years after it started, Google is still tweaking the formula. In Android 12, navigation gestures now work instantly if you’re using a fullscreen app.
This tweak, noticed by the folks…
Android 12 DP1: Lockscreen readies redesign w/ larger clock
February 20, 2021
Our latest discovery in Android 12 shows that Google is working on a significant redesign of the lockscreen, including a much larger clock.
Ahead of the launch of Android 12 Developer Preview, leaked design mockups suggested we may see a significant redesign of the OS. On…
Android 12 DP1: Here’s a look at One-handed mode in action [Video]
February 20, 2021
One feature we reported would be coming with Android 12 is One-handed mode, which shrinks your phone to be more accessible with your thumb. Here’s our first look at One-handed mode in action on Android 12 Developer Preview 1.
As we reported earlier in the week, One-handed mode is an upcoming feature for Android 12 that aims to help those with taller phones be more able to use their phone with…
