https://www.geeks.fyi/ Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:25:34 +0000 MyBB https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=22063 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 07:46:44 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=22063 Quote:Google is raising the bar for mobile security on devices in 2026 with Android 17. The company is rolling out a massive security and privacy updates designed to tackle common threats like financial fraud, physical theft, and invasive app tracking.

Android 17 security updates for 2026 bring advanced anti-scam shields

One of the most persistent threats involves “spoofing.” This practice involves criminals disguising their caller ID to look like a legitimate bank. This tactic leads to nearly $950 million in global losses every year. To fight back, Google is introducing verified financial calls.

Devices running Android 11 or higher will now work silently in the background with banking apps like Revolut and Nubank. When a call arrives, the system asks the bank for confirmation. If the bank didn’t actually place the call, Android simply ends it. This protection effectively kills the scam before you even have a chance to pick up the phone.



AI-powered app monitoring

Android 17 is also getting smarter at identifying malicious software. The updated Live Threat Detection uses on-device AI to watch how apps behave after they are installed. If an app suddenly starts forwarding your SMS messages or tries to hide its own icon to launch secretly from the background, the system will flag the suspicious pattern and alert you.

Chrome on Android is also joining the fight. A new safety layer will evaluate APK files for known malware at the moment of download, providing a crucial warning before the app even lands on your storage.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Google is raising the bar for mobile security on devices in 2026 with Android 17. The company is rolling out a massive security and privacy updates designed to tackle common threats like financial fraud, physical theft, and invasive app tracking.

Android 17 security updates for 2026 bring advanced anti-scam shields

One of the most persistent threats involves “spoofing.” This practice involves criminals disguising their caller ID to look like a legitimate bank. This tactic leads to nearly $950 million in global losses every year. To fight back, Google is introducing verified financial calls.

Devices running Android 11 or higher will now work silently in the background with banking apps like Revolut and Nubank. When a call arrives, the system asks the bank for confirmation. If the bank didn’t actually place the call, Android simply ends it. This protection effectively kills the scam before you even have a chance to pick up the phone.



AI-powered app monitoring

Android 17 is also getting smarter at identifying malicious software. The updated Live Threat Detection uses on-device AI to watch how apps behave after they are installed. If an app suddenly starts forwarding your SMS messages or tries to hide its own icon to launch secretly from the background, the system will flag the suspicious pattern and alert you.

Chrome on Android is also joining the fight. A new safety layer will evaluate APK files for known malware at the moment of download, providing a crucial warning before the app even lands on your storage.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=22025 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:15:15 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=22025 Quote:Android Security Bulletin—June 2026

Published June 1, 2026

This Android Security Bulletin contains details of security vulnerabilities that affect Android devices. Security patch levels of 2026-06-05 or later address all of these issues. To learn how to check a device's security patch level, see Check and update your Android version.

Within 48 hours after the initial publication of this bulletin, we will release the corresponding source code patches to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) repository. We will then revise this bulletin with the AOSP links.

The most severe of these issues is a critical security vulnerability in the Framework component that could lead to remote escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. The severity assessment is based on the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would possibly have on an affected device, assuming the platform and service mitigations are turned off for development purposes or if successfully bypassed.

For more details on the Android security platform protections and Google Play Protect, which improve the security of the Android platform, refer to the Android and Google Play Protect mitigations section.

We notify our Android partners of all issues at least a month before publishing the bulletin.

Android and Google service mitigations

This is a summary of the mitigations provided by the Android security platform and service protections such as Google Play Protect. These capabilities reduce the likelihood that security vulnerabilities could be successfully exploited on Android.

• Exploitation for many issues on Android is made more difficult by enhancements in newer versions of the Android platform. We encourage all users to update to the latest version of Android where possible.
  
• The Android security team actively monitors for abuse through Google Play Protect and warns users about Potentially Harmful Applications. Google Play Protect is enabled by default on devices with Google Mobile Services, and is especially important for users who install apps from outside of Google Play.
  

Note: There are indications that CVE-2025-48595 may be under limited, targeted exploitation. ]]> Quote:Android Security Bulletin—June 2026

Published June 1, 2026

This Android Security Bulletin contains details of security vulnerabilities that affect Android devices. Security patch levels of 2026-06-05 or later address all of these issues. To learn how to check a device's security patch level, see Check and update your Android version.

Within 48 hours after the initial publication of this bulletin, we will release the corresponding source code patches to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) repository. We will then revise this bulletin with the AOSP links.

The most severe of these issues is a critical security vulnerability in the Framework component that could lead to remote escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. The severity assessment is based on the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would possibly have on an affected device, assuming the platform and service mitigations are turned off for development purposes or if successfully bypassed.

For more details on the Android security platform protections and Google Play Protect, which improve the security of the Android platform, refer to the Android and Google Play Protect mitigations section.

We notify our Android partners of all issues at least a month before publishing the bulletin.

Android and Google service mitigations

This is a summary of the mitigations provided by the Android security platform and service protections such as Google Play Protect. These capabilities reduce the likelihood that security vulnerabilities could be successfully exploited on Android.

• Exploitation for many issues on Android is made more difficult by enhancements in newer versions of the Android platform. We encourage all users to update to the latest version of Android where possible.
  
• The Android security team actively monitors for abuse through Google Play Protect and warns users about Potentially Harmful Applications. Google Play Protect is enabled by default on devices with Google Mobile Services, and is especially important for users who install apps from outside of Google Play.
  

Note: There are indications that CVE-2025-48595 may be under limited, targeted exploitation. ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=22000 Tue, 26 May 2026 07:28:42 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=22000 Quote:ChromeOS 148 is now rolling out to the stable channel as a security and maintenance update. Google's enterprise release notes confirm that this milestone is focused on improving backend stability, applying security patches, and carrying out a critical certificate provisioning migration ahead of the next Long-Term Support baseline.

What’s Actually Changing in ChromeOS 148

The main update involves migrating the Certificate Provisioning system. Google is transitioning administrators from the old certificate enrollment methods to the new Certificate Provisioning API, which was first introduced in ChromeOS 142. This legacy system will be completely phased out by the end of 2026.

This change is most relevant for enterprise and school IT administrators who manage large numbers of Chromebooks. Administrators affected by this update should ensure their network authentication is migrated to the new API before the deprecation deadline. Failing to do so could result in devices losing access to certificate-based network authentication.

In addition to this, the update includes routine bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:ChromeOS 148 is now rolling out to the stable channel as a security and maintenance update. Google's enterprise release notes confirm that this milestone is focused on improving backend stability, applying security patches, and carrying out a critical certificate provisioning migration ahead of the next Long-Term Support baseline.

What’s Actually Changing in ChromeOS 148

The main update involves migrating the Certificate Provisioning system. Google is transitioning administrators from the old certificate enrollment methods to the new Certificate Provisioning API, which was first introduced in ChromeOS 142. This legacy system will be completely phased out by the end of 2026.

This change is most relevant for enterprise and school IT administrators who manage large numbers of Chromebooks. Administrators affected by this update should ensure their network authentication is migrated to the new API before the deprecation deadline. Failing to do so could result in devices losing access to certificate-based network authentication.

In addition to this, the update includes routine bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21985 Thu, 21 May 2026 10:34:49 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21985 Quote:Android 17 will introduce a new feature called Continue On, allowing users to pick up app activities seamlessly across Android devices. Similar to Apple's Handoff, this feature enables transferring in-progress tasks from one device to another without manually navigating to the same point.

Google announced Continue On in the developer documentation rather than during the I/O 2026 keynote. The feature is set to launch alongside Android 17. Initially, it will support mobile-to-tablet handoff, with broader device support expected to follow.

How Android 17’s New Continue On Feature Works

When a user is working in a supported app on one Android device, picking up another nearby device that also supports the feature will show a suggestion in the taskbar to open the same app. Choosing this suggestion opens the app and picks up right where the user left off on the first device.

Handoff works both ways. Google says there is no primary device hierarchy. Any Android device with Continue On enabled can send and receive activity from any other Continue On-capable device.

Google’s developer documentation includes examples such as:

• A Google Doc open on a phone resumes in the same tab when the user picks up a tablet.
  
• A Gmail thread open on a phone opens on Gmail’s web interface on a tablet.
  

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Android 17 will introduce a new feature called Continue On, allowing users to pick up app activities seamlessly across Android devices. Similar to Apple's Handoff, this feature enables transferring in-progress tasks from one device to another without manually navigating to the same point.

Google announced Continue On in the developer documentation rather than during the I/O 2026 keynote. The feature is set to launch alongside Android 17. Initially, it will support mobile-to-tablet handoff, with broader device support expected to follow.

How Android 17’s New Continue On Feature Works

When a user is working in a supported app on one Android device, picking up another nearby device that also supports the feature will show a suggestion in the taskbar to open the same app. Choosing this suggestion opens the app and picks up right where the user left off on the first device.

Handoff works both ways. Google says there is no primary device hierarchy. Any Android device with Continue On enabled can send and receive activity from any other Continue On-capable device.

Google’s developer documentation includes examples such as:

• A Google Doc open on a phone resumes in the same tab when the user picks up a tablet.
  
• A Gmail thread open on a phone opens on Gmail’s web interface on a tablet.
  

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21972 Thu, 14 May 2026 08:10:28 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21972 Quote:Google has announced the largest Android Auto update since the 2023 Coolwalk redesign. The update introduces a Material 3 expressive design overhaul, native Gemini integration, an adaptive Google Maps interface, home screen widgets, Full HD video streaming, and Dolby Atmos audio support. Most of these features will be rolled out later this year.

Home Screen Widgets and Gemini Integration in Android Auto

The new home screen now supports widgets that display important information without needing to leave the main screen. Currently available widgets include shortcuts to favorite contacts, a one-tap garage door opener, and weather summaries.

Native Gemini integration will be available in Android Auto later this year. Users with Gemini set up on their phones will be able to access it through Android Auto for sports scores, weather updates, and live traffic information. A partnership with DoorDash also enables food ordering directly within Android Auto.

Vehicles with Google built in will see more extensive Gemini features that go beyond standard Android Auto capabilities. In these vehicles, Gemini can try to diagnose dashboard warning lights, measure physical objects to check if they will fit in the trunk, and use the front-facing camera to advise drivers on when to change lanes.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Google has announced the largest Android Auto update since the 2023 Coolwalk redesign. The update introduces a Material 3 expressive design overhaul, native Gemini integration, an adaptive Google Maps interface, home screen widgets, Full HD video streaming, and Dolby Atmos audio support. Most of these features will be rolled out later this year.

Home Screen Widgets and Gemini Integration in Android Auto

The new home screen now supports widgets that display important information without needing to leave the main screen. Currently available widgets include shortcuts to favorite contacts, a one-tap garage door opener, and weather summaries.

Native Gemini integration will be available in Android Auto later this year. Users with Gemini set up on their phones will be able to access it through Android Auto for sports scores, weather updates, and live traffic information. A partnership with DoorDash also enables food ordering directly within Android Auto.

Vehicles with Google built in will see more extensive Gemini features that go beyond standard Android Auto capabilities. In these vehicles, Gemini can try to diagnose dashboard warning lights, measure physical objects to check if they will fit in the trunk, and use the front-facing camera to advise drivers on when to change lanes.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21951 Mon, 11 May 2026 07:18:24 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21951 Quote:Google is introducing a new approximate location sharing option in Chrome for Android, replacing the previous all-or-nothing location permission model. Users can now share a neighborhood-level location with websites instead of their exact coordinates. The update was announced on the Google blog and is currently being rolled out on mobile devices first.

According to Google, the feature will be available on Chrome for desktop in the coming months. No specific release date has been provided for the desktop version.

How Chrome’s New Approximate Location Permission Works on Android

When a website asks for your location, Chrome now shows two options along with the usual allow and block buttons. You can choose between precise, which shares your exact coordinates, or approximate, which only provides your general neighborhood.

This gives users more control over which sites get detailed location data and which only receive a broader regional estimate. For example, a recipe site or weather page might only need approximate location, while a food delivery service or map app can access precise coordinates if necessary.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Google is introducing a new approximate location sharing option in Chrome for Android, replacing the previous all-or-nothing location permission model. Users can now share a neighborhood-level location with websites instead of their exact coordinates. The update was announced on the Google blog and is currently being rolled out on mobile devices first.

According to Google, the feature will be available on Chrome for desktop in the coming months. No specific release date has been provided for the desktop version.

How Chrome’s New Approximate Location Permission Works on Android

When a website asks for your location, Chrome now shows two options along with the usual allow and block buttons. You can choose between precise, which shares your exact coordinates, or approximate, which only provides your general neighborhood.

This gives users more control over which sites get detailed location data and which only receive a broader regional estimate. For example, a recipe site or weather page might only need approximate location, while a food delivery service or map app can access precise coordinates if necessary.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21941 Wed, 06 May 2026 08:10:39 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21941 Quote:Android Security Bulletin—May 2026

Published May 4, 2026

This Android Security Bulletin contains details of security vulnerabilities that affect Android devices. Security patch levels of 2026-05-01 or later address all of these issues. To learn how to check a device's security patch level, see Check and update your Android version.

Within 48 hours after the initial publication of this bulletin, we will release the corresponding source code patches to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) repository. We will then revise this bulletin with the AOSP links.

The issue in this bulletin is a critical security vulnerability in the System component that could lead to remote (proximal/adjacent) code execution as the shell user with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. The severity assessment is based on the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would possibly have on an affected device, assuming the platform and service mitigations are turned off for development purposes or if successfully bypassed.

For more details on the Android security platform protections and Google Play Protect, which improve the security of the Android platform, refer to the Android and Google Play Protect mitigations section.

We notify our Android partners of all issues at least a month before publishing the bulletin.

Android and Google service mitigations

This is a summary of the mitigations provided by the Android security platform and service protections such as Google Play Protect. These capabilities reduce the likelihood that security vulnerabilities could be successfully exploited on Android.

• Exploitation for many issues on Android is made more difficult by enhancements in newer versions of the Android platform. We encourage all users to update to the latest version of Android where possible.
  
• The Android security team actively monitors for abuse through Google Play Protect and warns users about Potentially Harmful Applications. Google Play Protect is enabled by default on devices with Google Mobile Services, and is especially important for users who install apps from outside of Google Play.
  

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Android Security Bulletin—May 2026

Published May 4, 2026

This Android Security Bulletin contains details of security vulnerabilities that affect Android devices. Security patch levels of 2026-05-01 or later address all of these issues. To learn how to check a device's security patch level, see Check and update your Android version.

Within 48 hours after the initial publication of this bulletin, we will release the corresponding source code patches to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) repository. We will then revise this bulletin with the AOSP links.

The issue in this bulletin is a critical security vulnerability in the System component that could lead to remote (proximal/adjacent) code execution as the shell user with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. The severity assessment is based on the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would possibly have on an affected device, assuming the platform and service mitigations are turned off for development purposes or if successfully bypassed.

For more details on the Android security platform protections and Google Play Protect, which improve the security of the Android platform, refer to the Android and Google Play Protect mitigations section.

We notify our Android partners of all issues at least a month before publishing the bulletin.

Android and Google service mitigations

This is a summary of the mitigations provided by the Android security platform and service protections such as Google Play Protect. These capabilities reduce the likelihood that security vulnerabilities could be successfully exploited on Android.

• Exploitation for many issues on Android is made more difficult by enhancements in newer versions of the Android platform. We encourage all users to update to the latest version of Android where possible.
  
• The Android security team actively monitors for abuse through Google Play Protect and warns users about Potentially Harmful Applications. Google Play Protect is enabled by default on devices with Google Mobile Services, and is especially important for users who install apps from outside of Google Play.
  

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21783 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:46:29 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21783 Quote:Android Security Bulletin—April 2026

Published April 6, 2026

This Android Security Bulletin contains details of security vulnerabilities that affect Android devices. Security patch levels of 2026-04-05 or later address all of these issues. To learn how to check a device's security patch level, see Check and update your Android version.

Within 48 hours after the initial publication of this bulletin, we will release the corresponding source code patches to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) repository. We will then revise this bulletin with the AOSP links.

The most severe of these issues is a critical security vulnerability in the Framework component that could lead to local denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. The severity assessment is based on the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would possibly have on an affected device, assuming the platform and service mitigations are turned off for development purposes or if successfully bypassed.

For more details on the Android security platform protections and Google Play Protect, which improve the security of the Android platform, refer to the Android and Google Play Protect mitigations section.

We notify our Android partners of all issues at least a month before publishing the bulletin.

Android and Google service mitigations

This is a summary of the mitigations provided by the Android security platform and service protections such as Google Play Protect. These capabilities reduce the likelihood that security vulnerabilities could be successfully exploited on Android.

• Exploitation for many issues on Android is made more difficult by enhancements in newer versions of the Android platform. We encourage all users to update to the latest version of Android where possible.
  
• The Android security team actively monitors for abuse through Google Play Protect and warns users about Potentially Harmful Applications. Google Play Protect is enabled by default on devices with Google Mobile Services, and is especially important for users who install apps from outside of Google Play.
  

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Android Security Bulletin—April 2026

Published April 6, 2026

This Android Security Bulletin contains details of security vulnerabilities that affect Android devices. Security patch levels of 2026-04-05 or later address all of these issues. To learn how to check a device's security patch level, see Check and update your Android version.

Within 48 hours after the initial publication of this bulletin, we will release the corresponding source code patches to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) repository. We will then revise this bulletin with the AOSP links.

The most severe of these issues is a critical security vulnerability in the Framework component that could lead to local denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. The severity assessment is based on the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would possibly have on an affected device, assuming the platform and service mitigations are turned off for development purposes or if successfully bypassed.

For more details on the Android security platform protections and Google Play Protect, which improve the security of the Android platform, refer to the Android and Google Play Protect mitigations section.

We notify our Android partners of all issues at least a month before publishing the bulletin.

Android and Google service mitigations

This is a summary of the mitigations provided by the Android security platform and service protections such as Google Play Protect. These capabilities reduce the likelihood that security vulnerabilities could be successfully exploited on Android.

• Exploitation for many issues on Android is made more difficult by enhancements in newer versions of the Android platform. We encourage all users to update to the latest version of Android where possible.
  
• The Android security team actively monitors for abuse through Google Play Protect and warns users about Potentially Harmful Applications. Google Play Protect is enabled by default on devices with Google Mobile Services, and is especially important for users who install apps from outside of Google Play.
  

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21683 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 07:34:58 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21683 Quote:Google has begun rolling out an Android Auto update to address a recent connectivity issue that affected multiple devices, according to a report and confirmation shared with Android Authority.

The company has not issued an official advisory but confirmed the fix through direct communication. The problem caused Android Auto to fail to connect properly for some users, affecting in-car functionality.

Update Targets Widespread Android Auto Connectivity Bug

The update fixes an issue that prevented some Android Auto users from connecting reliably on certain devices. Reports indicate that the problem affected a range of smartphones, including Pixel 10, Pixel 9, Pixel 8, Pixel 7, and Galaxy S26 series devices.

Google has not officially identified the root cause. Some users have suggested that it may be related to Android’s Advanced Protection feature, but the company has not confirmed this.

What Google Has Said About The Android Auto Fix

Google has not provided detailed technical information about the bug or the fix. There is no changelog explaining what caused the problem or how the update addresses it. The company also has not shared any updates on its official support pages. The only confirmation so far has come from a message sent directly to a media outlet.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Google has begun rolling out an Android Auto update to address a recent connectivity issue that affected multiple devices, according to a report and confirmation shared with Android Authority.

The company has not issued an official advisory but confirmed the fix through direct communication. The problem caused Android Auto to fail to connect properly for some users, affecting in-car functionality.

Update Targets Widespread Android Auto Connectivity Bug

The update fixes an issue that prevented some Android Auto users from connecting reliably on certain devices. Reports indicate that the problem affected a range of smartphones, including Pixel 10, Pixel 9, Pixel 8, Pixel 7, and Galaxy S26 series devices.

Google has not officially identified the root cause. Some users have suggested that it may be related to Android’s Advanced Protection feature, but the company has not confirmed this.

What Google Has Said About The Android Auto Fix

Google has not provided detailed technical information about the bug or the fix. There is no changelog explaining what caused the problem or how the update addresses it. The company also has not shared any updates on its official support pages. The only confirmation so far has come from a message sent directly to a media outlet.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21674 Sat, 21 Mar 2026 07:27:08 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21674 Quote:Google has shared details about its new Android sideloading process, which now includes a 24-hour waiting period, a mandatory phone restart, and extra confirmation steps before you can install unverified apps. These changes will start rolling out in August through Google Play Services and won’t require a system update.

The 24-hour delay only applies to apps from developers who aren’t verified on Google Play. If you’re sideloading apps from developers already registered on Google Play, there’s no delay.

How Google’s New Android Sideloading Process Works

To sideload apps from unverified developers, users will need to follow a few steps. First, they must enable Developer Mode to unlock sideloading, which introduces a slight hurdle to prevent accidental activation. Next, they'll be prompted to confirm that no one has instructed them to disable security restrictions, a step designed to reduce social engineering scams. Then, they'll need to restart their device, which Google says helps terminate any malicious processes running in the background.

After the restart, it's important to wait 24 hours before moving on. When ready, users can choose to allow sideloading either temporarily (lasting 7 days) or indefinitely. A warning will still show during installation, indicating the app is from an unverified developer.

Users can proceed after completing the necessary steps. Google emphasizes that these changes are designed to reduce scams and malicious apps, prevent trickery, and improve overall security on Android.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Google has shared details about its new Android sideloading process, which now includes a 24-hour waiting period, a mandatory phone restart, and extra confirmation steps before you can install unverified apps. These changes will start rolling out in August through Google Play Services and won’t require a system update.

The 24-hour delay only applies to apps from developers who aren’t verified on Google Play. If you’re sideloading apps from developers already registered on Google Play, there’s no delay.

How Google’s New Android Sideloading Process Works

To sideload apps from unverified developers, users will need to follow a few steps. First, they must enable Developer Mode to unlock sideloading, which introduces a slight hurdle to prevent accidental activation. Next, they'll be prompted to confirm that no one has instructed them to disable security restrictions, a step designed to reduce social engineering scams. Then, they'll need to restart their device, which Google says helps terminate any malicious processes running in the background.

After the restart, it's important to wait 24 hours before moving on. When ready, users can choose to allow sideloading either temporarily (lasting 7 days) or indefinitely. A warning will still show during installation, indicating the app is from an unverified developer.

Users can proceed after completing the necessary steps. Google emphasizes that these changes are designed to reduce scams and malicious apps, prevent trickery, and improve overall security on Android.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21651 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:12:41 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21651 Quote:Google has announced a new optimization technique designed to improve the performance of Android devices. The change focuses on the Android kernel, the core part of the operating system that manages hardware and system processes.

The new technology, called Automatic Feedback-Directed Optimization (AutoFDO), will help Android devices run faster and more efficiently by analyzing how apps behave in real-world scenarios.

Android Will Use Real-World Data to Optimize Performance

Traditionally, Android’s system components have been optimized using static code analysis, which applies general performance improvements regardless of how people actually use their devices. AutoFDO changes this approach by allowing the system to optimize itself using real usage data.

Google’s Android LLVM toolchain team gathers this data by testing the top 100 Android apps and analyzing how they interact with the system. The information is then used to guide the compiler so it can make smarter decisions about how Android should run. This allows the system to better optimize tasks such as app launches, background processes, and system responsiveness.

Expected Android Performance Improvements

Google states users should see a snappier interface, faster app switching, improved battery life, and a more responsive device overall. The profiles powering AutoFDO require ongoing updates to remain effective, and Google says it will continue monitoring and retraining the data to maintain performance.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Google has announced a new optimization technique designed to improve the performance of Android devices. The change focuses on the Android kernel, the core part of the operating system that manages hardware and system processes.

The new technology, called Automatic Feedback-Directed Optimization (AutoFDO), will help Android devices run faster and more efficiently by analyzing how apps behave in real-world scenarios.

Android Will Use Real-World Data to Optimize Performance

Traditionally, Android’s system components have been optimized using static code analysis, which applies general performance improvements regardless of how people actually use their devices. AutoFDO changes this approach by allowing the system to optimize itself using real usage data.

Google’s Android LLVM toolchain team gathers this data by testing the top 100 Android apps and analyzing how they interact with the system. The information is then used to guide the compiler so it can make smarter decisions about how Android should run. This allows the system to better optimize tasks such as app launches, background processes, and system responsiveness.

Expected Android Performance Improvements

Google states users should see a snappier interface, faster app switching, improved battery life, and a more responsive device overall. The profiles powering AutoFDO require ongoing updates to remain effective, and Google says it will continue monitoring and retraining the data to maintain performance.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21632 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:52:44 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21632 Quote:Google has released a new Android feature bundle alongside the latest Google Pixel Feature Drop, bringing several updates across the Android ecosystem. The changes include new games for Android Auto, live location sharing in Messages, and improved app discovery in the Google Play Store.

Kids Games Arrive on Android Auto

One of the more unusual additions is a set of games designed specifically for children using Android Auto.

The games appear on the car’s infotainment display while the vehicle is parked, allowing kids to play directly on the dashboard screen. Google says the titles are “Teacher Approved” and aimed at children between the ages of 3 and 12.

Available games include:

• Disney Coloring World
  
• LetraKid: Writing ABC for Kids
  
• Marvel HQ: Kids Super Hero Fun
  
• Draw a Stickman: EPIC 3
  
• Kids Games: For Toddlers 3–5
  

The feature effectively turns parked vehicles into temporary entertainment hubs for younger passengers.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Google has released a new Android feature bundle alongside the latest Google Pixel Feature Drop, bringing several updates across the Android ecosystem. The changes include new games for Android Auto, live location sharing in Messages, and improved app discovery in the Google Play Store.

Kids Games Arrive on Android Auto

One of the more unusual additions is a set of games designed specifically for children using Android Auto.

The games appear on the car’s infotainment display while the vehicle is parked, allowing kids to play directly on the dashboard screen. Google says the titles are “Teacher Approved” and aimed at children between the ages of 3 and 12.

Available games include:

• Disney Coloring World
  
• LetraKid: Writing ABC for Kids
  
• Marvel HQ: Kids Super Hero Fun
  
• Draw a Stickman: EPIC 3
  
• Kids Games: For Toddlers 3–5
  

The feature effectively turns parked vehicles into temporary entertainment hubs for younger passengers.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21626 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 11:13:24 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21626 Quote:Android Security Bulletin—March 2026 

Published March 2, 2026

This Android Security Bulletin contains details of security vulnerabilities that affect Android devices. Security patch levels of 2026-03-05 or later address all of these issues. To learn how to check a device's security patch level, see Check and update your Android version.

Within 48 hours after the initial publication of this bulletin, we will release the corresponding source code patches to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) repository. We will then revise this bulletin with the AOSP links.

The most severe of these issues is a critical security vulnerability in the System component that could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. The severity assessment is based on the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would possibly have on an affected device, assuming the platform and service mitigations are turned off for development purposes or if successfully bypassed.

For more details on the Android security platform protections and Google Play Protect, which improve the security of the Android platform, refer to the Android and Google Play Protect mitigations section.

We notify our Android partners of all issues at least a month before publishing the bulletin.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Android Security Bulletin—March 2026 

Published March 2, 2026

This Android Security Bulletin contains details of security vulnerabilities that affect Android devices. Security patch levels of 2026-03-05 or later address all of these issues. To learn how to check a device's security patch level, see Check and update your Android version.

Within 48 hours after the initial publication of this bulletin, we will release the corresponding source code patches to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) repository. We will then revise this bulletin with the AOSP links.

The most severe of these issues is a critical security vulnerability in the System component that could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. The severity assessment is based on the effect that exploiting the vulnerability would possibly have on an affected device, assuming the platform and service mitigations are turned off for development purposes or if successfully bypassed.

For more details on the Android security platform protections and Google Play Protect, which improve the security of the Android platform, refer to the Android and Google Play Protect mitigations section.

We notify our Android partners of all issues at least a month before publishing the bulletin.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21612 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:28:46 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21612 Quote:Google is updating Wear OS so earthquake alerts can work even when a smartwatch isn’t paired with or connected to a phone, according to details in the Google Play Services v26.07 update.

Previously, earthquake alerts would only appear on a Wear OS watch if it was actively paired and connected to a smartphone. With the new Play Services release, Google says Wear OS devices can now receive earthquake alerts independently of a connected phone.

The update note directly from the report states: “With this feature, you can now get earthquake alerts on your Wear devices even if it’s unpaired from the phone.”

Earthquake Alerts Become More Independent on Android's Wear OS

Google brought its Earthquake Alerts system to Wear OS in July 2025. The feature mirrors Android’s phone-based alerts by notifying users seconds before shaking is expected.

With the latest change, a Wear OS watch no longer has to rely on a connected smartphone to show alerts. That should improve safety for people who leave their phones during activities such as running or working out.

Google has not clarified whether the feature requires a cellular-enabled smartwatch. Bluetooth-only models may still need a connected phone for data, but the update notes don’t spell this out.

There's also no clear information provided on whether users will have to enable the feature manually on their watch or if it will switch on automatically after updating to Google Play Services v26.07.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Google is updating Wear OS so earthquake alerts can work even when a smartwatch isn’t paired with or connected to a phone, according to details in the Google Play Services v26.07 update.

Previously, earthquake alerts would only appear on a Wear OS watch if it was actively paired and connected to a smartphone. With the new Play Services release, Google says Wear OS devices can now receive earthquake alerts independently of a connected phone.

The update note directly from the report states: “With this feature, you can now get earthquake alerts on your Wear devices even if it’s unpaired from the phone.”

Earthquake Alerts Become More Independent on Android's Wear OS

Google brought its Earthquake Alerts system to Wear OS in July 2025. The feature mirrors Android’s phone-based alerts by notifying users seconds before shaking is expected.

With the latest change, a Wear OS watch no longer has to rely on a connected smartphone to show alerts. That should improve safety for people who leave their phones during activities such as running or working out.

Google has not clarified whether the feature requires a cellular-enabled smartwatch. Bluetooth-only models may still need a connected phone for data, but the update notes don’t spell this out.

There's also no clear information provided on whether users will have to enable the feature manually on their watch or if it will switch on automatically after updating to Google Play Services v26.07.

Continue Reading... ]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21581 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:05:44 +0000 harlan4096]]> https://www.geeks.fyi/showthread.php?tid=21581 Quote:Google is widening the availability of AirDrop file sharing on Android, moving the Quick Share feature beyond its initial Pixel-only rollout. What began as an experiment on select Pixel devices is now surfacing on a broader range of Android hardware, signaling that cross-platform sharing is no longer being treated as a niche capability. In addition to the February 2026 Android update, early quick share restrictions tied to specific devices are starting to fall away. Behind-the-scenes platform updates suggest Google is positioning this as a standard Android feature rather than a temporary or experimental add-on.

From Google Pixel Experiment To Android Quick Share Feature

Google first introduced AirDrop compatibility for Android in late 2025 through Quick Share. At launch, the functionality was limited to the Pixel 10 lineup, marking the first time Android devices could send files directly to Apple hardware without relying on third-party apps or cloud services.

Even then, the feature came with conditions. Transfers only worked when Apple devices were set to accept files from “Everyone for 10 minutes,” and both devices needed to be discoverable at the same time. The capability existed, but it was clearly constrained.

Despite those limits, the shift was significant. For the first time, Android gained native, operating system–level interoperability with AirDrop, closing a long-standing gap between the two ecosystems.

That initial exclusivity is now ending. Support has appeared in recent Android Canary builds, and Google has confirmed that Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro devices are next in line. More importantly, Google says the feature will not remain confined to Pixel hardware.

Continue Reading... ]]> Quote:Google is widening the availability of AirDrop file sharing on Android, moving the Quick Share feature beyond its initial Pixel-only rollout. What began as an experiment on select Pixel devices is now surfacing on a broader range of Android hardware, signaling that cross-platform sharing is no longer being treated as a niche capability. In addition to the February 2026 Android update, early quick share restrictions tied to specific devices are starting to fall away. Behind-the-scenes platform updates suggest Google is positioning this as a standard Android feature rather than a temporary or experimental add-on.

From Google Pixel Experiment To Android Quick Share Feature

Google first introduced AirDrop compatibility for Android in late 2025 through Quick Share. At launch, the functionality was limited to the Pixel 10 lineup, marking the first time Android devices could send files directly to Apple hardware without relying on third-party apps or cloud services.

Even then, the feature came with conditions. Transfers only worked when Apple devices were set to accept files from “Everyone for 10 minutes,” and both devices needed to be discoverable at the same time. The capability existed, but it was clearly constrained.

Despite those limits, the shift was significant. For the first time, Android gained native, operating system–level interoperability with AirDrop, closing a long-standing gap between the two ecosystems.

That initial exclusivity is now ending. Support has appeared in recent Android Canary builds, and Google has confirmed that Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro devices are next in line. More importantly, Google says the feature will not remain confined to Pixel hardware.

Continue Reading... ]]>