Posts From Mishaal Rahman

Mishaal Rahman
Mishaal Rahman 1294 posts

Editor-in-chief at XDA-Developers. I follow AOSP and the Chromium Gerrit to uncover new features, and I also routinely analyze Android applications and device firmware to do the same. Tips/media inquiries: [email protected]

Discord tests a new bottom tab design and swipe gesture controls

Discord tests a new bottom tab design and swipe gesture controls

April 1, 2020
While we're all trapped at home having a nice cold pint and waiting for this all to blow over, we've increased our use of messaging apps to keep up with our friends and families. There are hundreds of messaging apps out there, and many of them are more popular in certain regions or with certain...
Google Lens tests a new “Education” mode for homework help and prepares to add offline translation support

Google Lens tests a new “Education” mode for homework help and prepares to add offline translation support

March 30, 2020
Google Lens is Google's image recognition service that delivers information from Google search based on whatever you're pointing your camera at. Last May, Google redesigned the Android version of the service by splitting the UI into 5 different scanning modes: Translate, Text, Search, Shopping, and Dining. In version 11.3.7.29 of the Google App, the app...
[Update: Beta Testing] OnePlus’ Instant Translation feature shows up in the latest OxygenOS betas for the OnePlus 7/7T

[Update: Beta Testing] OnePlus’ Instant Translation feature shows up in the latest OxygenOS betas for the OnePlus 7/7T

March 25, 2020
During the launch of the OnePlus 7T Pro, OnePlus teased an "Instant Translation" feature that will allow users on live video calls to translate speech between one another. Since the initial teaser, we haven't seen any indication of when the feature would launch to the public, but now there's strong evidence it could be soon....
New Google Play, Firebase, and Android Studio tools announced for game developers at Google for Games

New Google Play, Firebase, and Android Studio tools announced for game developers at Google for Games

March 23, 2020
Although the Game Developers Conference (GDC) was canceled to limit the spread of COVID-19, Google is hosting its "Google for Games" Developer Summit entirely online. Today, the company announced many new tools in Google Play, Firebase, Android Studio, and more for mobile game developers. Here's what's new.What's new in Google PlayGoogle Play Asset Delivery: With...
ZTE’s Axon 11 is a mid-range 5G smartphone with the Snapdragon 765G

ZTE’s Axon 11 is a mid-range 5G smartphone with the Snapdragon 765G

March 23, 2020
ZTE's Axon lineup is the flagship lineup from the company. Over the years, we have seen some compelling product options from the company in this segment. One of the reasons that customer reception has been lukewarm is because of the general availability and marketing for the product. Nonetheless, past devices like the Axon 10s Pro...
[Update: Video + Documentation] Android 11 DP2 reveals work on “Quick Control” shortcuts in the Power Menu

[Update: Video + Documentation] Android 11 DP2 reveals work on “Quick Control” shortcuts in the Power Menu

March 20, 2020
When Google released Android 11 Developer Preview 1 last month, we spotted a new feature that we believed would transform the long-press power menu into a control center for home automation shortcuts. Now with the release of Android 11 Developer Preview 2, we managed to get this feature partially working. Friend of the Portal and Recognized...
Google tests new double tap gestures in Android 11 for taking screenshots and opening recent apps, possibly for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 4

Google tests new double tap gestures in Android 11 for taking screenshots and opening recent apps, possibly for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 4

March 20, 2020
When Google released Android 11 Developer Preview 1 last month, we detailed a new set of gestures code-named "Columbus" that allows you to double tap the rear of your device to start the Assistant, open the camera app, and more. At the time, we strongly suspected the feature was intended for Pixel phones rather than...
Huawei tests “AppSearch” to help users download popular apps without using the Google Play Store

Huawei tests “AppSearch” to help users download popular apps without using the Google Play Store

March 19, 2020
Because the U.S. Commerce Department placed Huawei on the Entity List last year, Huawei cannot sign new Mobile Application Distribution Agreements (MADAs) with Google, which prevents Huawei from distributing new mobile devices with Google Mobile Services (GMS). This means that all new Huawei smartphones and tablets, at least ones that aren't rebranded models of existing,...
Google Camera Go brings Portrait Mode photography to budget Android Go smartphones

Google Camera Go brings Portrait Mode photography to budget Android Go smartphones

March 19, 2020
Earlier today, HMD Global announced a trio of new smartphones: the Nokia 8.3, the Nokia 5.3, and Nokia 1.3. While the Nokia 8.3 and Nokia 5.3 run regular Android 10 with a handful of HMD Global's customizations on top, the Nokia 1.3 runs Android 10 (Go Edition), a special version of Android that's optimized for...
Google is working on letting you resize picture-in-picture windows in Android 11

Google is working on letting you resize picture-in-picture windows in Android 11

March 18, 2020
Android 8.0 Oreo introduced picture-in-picture mode to Android smartphones. This feature allows you to watch videos in a small, floating window while you're using other applications. It's also useful for navigation so you can respond to messages or look something up on the Internet without missing what's next on your route. As smartphones have become...
Android 11’s revamped screen recorder may soon support recording internal audio

Android 11’s revamped screen recorder may soon support recording internal audio

March 18, 2020
The first few Android 10 Developer Previews had a barebones screen recorder in SystemUI, but the feature was inaccessible to users at release. With the first Android 11 Developer Preview, however, the screen recorder became accessible from a Quick Settings tile. Now in Android 11 Developer Preview 2, the screen recorder has a revamped UI...
Android 11 DP2 hints at supporting multi-device media output and switching audio to/from wired headsets

Android 11 DP2 hints at supporting multi-device media output and switching audio to/from wired headsets

March 18, 2020
With the release of the Galaxy S8, Samsung introduced the Dual Audio feature to allow users to stream Bluetooth audio to two connected Bluetooth devices. Every flagship Galaxy S, Galaxy Note, and Galaxy Tab device has supported Dual Audio since the Galaxy S8, but the ability to stream audio to multiple Bluetooth devices is missing...