All articles tagged with #smartphone features
Google is expanding its 'Pause Point' digital wellbeing feature, originally exclusive to the Pixel 11, to older Pixel devices and third-party manufacturers like OnePlus. This update, part of Android 17 QPR1, aims to curb doomscrolling by forcing users to pause before opening distracting apps.
Spam calls remain a persistent issue, but modern smartphones now offer built-in AI screening to mitigate them. Engadget, Fox News, and EURweb detail how iPhone, Pixel, and Galaxy users can enable features that ask unknown callers to identify themselves before the phone rings. These tools, available in iOS 26/27 and recent Android versions, provide a middle ground between ignoring all unknown numbers and answering every call. While effective, experts warn that screening does not verify identity, as scammers can still spoof numbers or lie during the screening process.
Android Authority’s analysis of the Phone by Google app suggests Google is preparing to expand the 'Call for Me' feature from business calls to personal contacts. The update would allow Gemini to deliver short, text-like messages to friends and family, potentially including granular permission settings to control automated calls.
Google is preparing to enhance the Pixel 11 Pro's HiLight notification system by adding four new colors and support for favorite contact messages, according to code found in Android 17 QPR2 Beta 5.
Apple’s iOS 27 update significantly expands the capabilities of the Wallet app, allowing users to digitize physical passes and split bills via receipt scanning. The update introduces manual pass creation, recurring payment tracking, and a new discovery hub for wallet features.
Google is preparing to bring a new visual feature from the Pixel 11 to older models. The update will allow the My Pixel app icon to match the specific color of the user's device. Evidence suggests this change is already rolling out to Pixel 9 phones, with Pixel 10 models likely to follow. Additionally, Google plans to change the default icon color from dark blue to light blue across all non-Pixel 11 devices.
Google is gradually rolling out 'Motion Assist,' a feature designed to reduce motion sickness while using a phone in a moving vehicle. The update, delivered via Play Services, currently appears on some Pixel devices running Android 17. It uses moving dots on the screen edges to sync with vehicle motion, similar to Apple's 'Motion Cues.'
Google's Pixel 11 Pro HiLight LED is limited to Gemini and favorite calls, but the open-source HiLight Studio app enables custom colors, patterns, and app-specific notifications via sideloading.
Google's Pixel 11 Pro HiLight LED is limited to Gemini and favorite calls, but the open-source HiLight Studio app enables custom notifications, patterns, and app-specific triggers.
Google has confirmed that Pause Point, a new digital wellbeing tool in Android 17 designed to interrupt users before they open distracting apps, is currently exclusive to the Pixel 11 series. While the feature was announced in May, it has not rolled out to other Pixel devices running the latest OS, with official support pages indicating limited availability. Users of older Android phones must wait for potential future updates or rely on alternative methods to manage screen time.
Android Authority’s analysis of Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 reveals that Google is actively developing a double-tap-to-lock feature for Pixel phones. The update expands the gesture’s scope to include the home screen and adds dedicated settings for user control, following initial sightings in Android 16.
BGR highlights five lesser-known features in OxygenOS 16, including resizable app icons, AI-powered settings search, screen-off gestures, adjustable dark mode, and a built-in speaker cleaner.
A leak reveals that the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra will feature a Privacy Display that dims or hides the screen when viewed from an angle, enhancing privacy. The feature will be accessible in the Settings app under Display, with options for manual toggle and automatic activation in crowded areas, and will also be available in Quick Settings.
A leak reveals that the upcoming Galaxy S26 will feature a Privacy Display in One UI 8.5, which makes the screen less visible from side angles to enhance privacy, potentially using advanced OLED technology, with automation options for activation.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is set to feature a new Privacy Display that dims the screen when viewed from angles other than head-on, enhancing privacy by making it harder for others to see sensitive content. The feature will be accessible via the Settings app and Quick Settings toggle, and may activate automatically based on the app or notifications. Evidence of this feature has been found in internal code and app listings, confirming its upcoming debut.