Unreleased Android treasures

Plus an awesome new reading enhancement  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Android Intelligence](#) [Android Intelligence](#) Brought to you by: [Ben Collins Logo]()​ Well, how was that for awkward timing?! This lovely little newsletter of ours went out last Friday morning, filled with info about the likely-imminent arrival of Android 15's first preview — and a matter of hours later, what showed up at our virtual doorsteps? Why, Android 15, of course. We might not have had the chance to digest its debut together last Friday, but we're gonna make up for it today, gersh dern it. First, we'll dig in to some of the software's most intriguing new elements in our Things to Know, below — then we'll put on our practical pants and explore some creative ways you can bring those very same concepts onto any phone this minute. This is the fun part, my friend. Here we go — whee! [JR Raphael, Author] JR Today's read: ⌚ 3 Things to Know: 1 minute 30 seconds ⌚ 3 Things to Try: 1 minute ⌚ Just for Funsies: 20 seconds ​ [] [3 Things to Know This Week] 1. Android 15 could sport some intriguing additions ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: With Google's first Android 15 developer preview now out in the wild, we're getting a closer look at some of the standout elements being worked on for the release. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Things can absolutely change between now and the software's final launch later this year, and we almost certainly aren't seeing the full picture yet. But still, there's some pretty nifty stuff on the way. - Notifications will seemingly get some nice upgrades with this latest Android version, including a new system to better protect us from messaging-related scams and a smart new option for stopping annoying back-to-back interruptions from the same source. - Android's split-screen feature seems poised for a substantial upgrade, too — one that could finally bring it to the forefront and make it far more useful. - And in a slightly comedic twist, it looks like lock screen widgets could be set for a comeback — nearly 15 years after their initial debut and subsequent demise. 📌 READ MORE: Dive in deeper to [the five most exciting Android 15 features so far](=) — and be sure to read down to this week's Things to Try section to see how to bring a few of these same treasures onto any phone today. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Some wacky new device concepts are on the way ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: One of Android's advantages over that other mobile platform has always been the level of choice and diversity it gives us — and this year could see the return of some truly interesting options. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Samsung seems to be cookin' up a wild new kind of hybrid that's a cross between a foldable phone and a tablet — with a screen that both unfolds and unrolls to expand. - A freshly spotted patent shows images of the device starting out almost phone-sized but then unfolding to reveal a larger display that then unrolls from the hinge to become even bigger. - The concept is a pretty close match to the "Flex Note Extendable" idea Samsung showed off at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. It was described then as a device for use primarily in cars, with a screen that ranges from 11" to a full 17.3" when expanded. - We've seen device-makers play around with rollable screens before but never in conjunction with folding, like this. I'm still skeptical about the durability questions raised by that setup, but there's no denying it's an incredibly cool use of cutting-edge technology. 📌 READ MORE: See [the patent-provided concepts]( for yourself and then compare 'em to what's described in [this January announcement](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Chrome could soon double as security software ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Well, here's something we didn't see coming: Google's working on a pair of updates for its Chrome browser that could bring an extra security advantage onto any device you're using. 🔎 KNOW MORE: One feature empowers the browser to help prevent hacking attempts on your home network, while the other allows it to shield your IP address from web-based tracking technology. - Both features are currently under development and looking like they could be ready to roll out broadly for both Chrome's Android and desktop versions this spring. - The home network protection system would look at incoming web requests and make sure they're secure — with the goal of stopping shady sites from attempting to connect to other devices on your same network. - The IP blocking mechanism is more about privacy than security, meanwhile, but it could absolutely have implications for both areas. 📌 READ MORE: Explore [the development notes around the network protection feature](=) and peruse [this summary of the IP blocking progress](=). SPONSORED MESSAGE Don’t miss these Google Sheets shortcuts 🛠️ [Bus driver saying "Better take a shortcut."]()​ Whether you’re a Google Sheets pro, or don’t even know what a ‘shortcut’ is, the [Google Sheets Tips]() newsletter will skyrocket your skills with handy tips ‘n’ tricks! Each week, the experts at Google Sheets Tips drop highly-useful and *gasp* user-friendly tips directly into your inbox — for free! “These Google Sheet Tips are fantastic!!! Every week, I try to use the new tip / idea / code in one of my projects. Great stuff!” says reader Chip D. Why else you'll dig Google Sheets Tips: 🧠Useful for both novices and experts 📈 Grab ‘n’ go templates 💰 Costs you nothin’ and only takes a few minutes to digest Plus, they’ll even toss in the invaluable Spice Up Your Sheet Life ebook! ➜ [Join 50,000k others and subscribe with 1-click today!](​ [​UPGRADE YOUR TOOLKIT HERE​ ➜]( ​ [] [3 Things to Try This Week] 1. Treat yourself to a trio of unreleased Android treasures Android 15 is officially in the oven — but you don't have to wait until its final release this summer to enjoy some of the software's sauciest new additions. ➜ Three features being developed for Android 15 are things you can easily achieve on any Android device this minute, no matter who made it or what Android version it's running. They're genuinely useful, delightfully practical improvements that'll bring an instant upgrade to whatever phone you're carrying. ⌚ And each will take you five minutes or less to get up and running. 📌 Get all the context and info in [numbers 1, 3, and 5 in my list of intriguing Android 15 features](=) — or, if you want to skip straight to the steps, use these direct links instead: - ​[Android 15's notification cooldown feature](=)​ - ​[Android 15's split-screen enhancement]()​ - ​[Android 15's lock-screen widgets](=)​ --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Enhance your Android reading experience Android's out-of-the-way Reading Mode is one of the platform's best-kept secrets. And this month, that delightful little ditty is getting an awesome upgrade. ➜ Reading Mode, if you aren't familiar, is a way you can transform any text on your screen into a clutter-free, pleasantly formatted pleasure for your peepers and optionally also your ears. I mean, just look at this before and after view: [An article online, before Reading Mode is applied] [The same article nicely formatted and without any clutter, courtesy of Reading Mode] Not bad, right?! Well, as of a recent under-the-hood update, Reading Mode can now work in email apps and certain social media apps as well as with random articles you encounter on the web. And that means you can easily enhance the appearance of any text in all of those areas as well as have it read aloud to you, if you're ever so inspired. ⌚ You'll need about two minutes to get this going. 📌 [Check out my quick 'n' simple guide](, and enjoy your new view on the digital world. --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Access any computer from your phone File this under "Incredibly Useful Possibilities Most People Never Notice": Did you know you can remotely access your computer from your phone without the need for any fancy software or costly service subscriptions? ➜ Google's got a brilliantly simple system for remote desktop access from Android, and all you've gotta do is take the time to set it up once. ⌚ It'll take you all of four minutes to do. 📌 [This freshly updated guide o' mine]( will walk you through all the steps and have any computer in the palm of your hand in no time. [] ​ [And Just for Funsies...] Do you remember [Androidify](=)? It was an official Google-made app that let you build a custom Android robot that looked vaguely like you. I’ve still got some images from the ones I made almost a decade ago now: [JR's old Androidify creation] ​ Well, that system is long gone, unfortunately. But Google’s got [a new version of the same basic idea]( up and running as of this week, and it uses the newer Android robot mascot as its foundation. You can pick your bot’s material, clothing, accessories, and props and then save it as an image to use anywhere you like. [The new Google Android Bot creation tool] ​ All right, so maybe it’s not quite as realistic as Androidify was. But it’s still pretty fun! 📌 Try it out for free yourself by [visiting the Android build-a-bot page]( in any browser, on any device. 👀 Care to share your new bot doppelganger? Reply to this email with the image, and let's see what you've got! That's all for now Hey, here's something: By the time our next Friday confab commences, we'll be at the start of March! Yamma hamma, the time is flyin' fast. For now, let me leave you with this lovely new Androidified image of myself — albeit, a version of me in wood and with an extra-curvaceous form. ​ Pretty sweet hat I'm sportin', don't ya think?! Have yourself a merry pre-March weekend. I'll see ya right back here before you know it. 🤚 Wait! Before you go: What'd you think of this issue? [Thumbs Up]() [Thumbs Down](=) Hit the thumbs-up or thumbs-down to cast your vote and let me know. Want less email? [Update your reading preferences](=) to opt out of any individual publications or unsubscribe entirely. New here and not yet subscribed? Take two seconds to [sign up for our newsletters](): Android Intelligence, Windows Intelligence, or Cool Tools (or all three!). Hungry for even more? 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