Every app open on Android 12 is accompanied by a launch animation to make “startup a more consistent and delightful experience.” One aspect of this is an animated icon on the splash screen, with Drive being the first Google app to support this on Android 12.
Update 8/25: Google Contacts gained an animated splash screen with its broader Material You revamp. Version 3.52 of the app changes it…
Android 12 Beta 4.1 rolling out with Pixel bug fixes, including for VPN & notifications
August 26, 2021
Exactly two weeks after the last release in the preview program, Android 12 Beta 4.1 is rolling out with much-needed bug fixes on Pixel phones.
Beta 4.1 addresses several complaints that impact day-to-day usage of Android 12 as more people sign-up for the preview program.
How to get the Android 12 Beta on Google Pixel
August 26, 2021
After a few developer previews and the big Google I/O reveal, Android 12 is now available in beta to anyone who wants to give it a shot. Here’s how to get the Android 12 Beta on your Google Pixel smartphone.
Table of contents
Is your Pixel compatible?
Pixel devices…
The first Android 12 Beta worked out relatively well. There were no major bugs to speak of outside of one that prevented users from accessing the power menu easily. With Google Pay functional, it seems as though there were no major reasons to skip. After a second beta released caused many issues, though, you’d be justified in being wary of the third. Luckily, Android 12 Beta 4 bugs appear to be…
Google’s Chromebooks play best with Google Drive and its associated apps, but others are available, including Microsoft Office. However, Microsoft is about to pull the plug on supporting its Android app on Chrome OS.
Microsoft is killing support for Office apps that can…
Pixel Buds update adds Android home screen widget
August 26, 2021
The latest version of the Pixel Buds app for Android adds a home screen widget that Pixel owners may find particularly useful.
On any Android phone that isn’t a Pixel, the Pixel Buds app is a proper app in the drawer, just like the companion apps available for many other…
At the end of last year, Google thoroughly redesigned and simplified the process of creating Assistant Routines. That update introduced sunrise/sunset triggers, and Google will soon let you program a delay between when the command is given and the Assistant Routine starts.
This option is not widely rolled out yet and has so far only been spotted by one user. From the Google Home app, tap the…
Google commits $10 billion to cybersecurity initiatives, including open source funding & training
August 26, 2021
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and other tech executives today attended the White House Cyber Security Meeting. Google announced that it’s committing $10 billion over the next five years to strengthen and “advance cybersecurity.”
The event was attended by Amazon…
The latest update to the Stadia app, version 3.31, includes continued work towards a touch gamepad for Android TV, a new “magic linking” method for controllers, and more.
About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an…
These custom-built hard cases protect camera rigs for Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Sony and others
August 26, 2021
Keeping your gear safe can be a tricky – and expensive – proposition. A longtime favorite for traveling and professional photographers and videographers are hard cases. With custom-fitted padded inserts, a hard case is a great way to store and protect your gear. Over at CineD, they’ve written about ready-made hard cases for a wide variety of camera brands and models. The cases are made…