Tag: Android Q

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Android Q Adds Extra Precautions Against Overlay Permission Malware

Android Q is the next Android version, and it would come, of course, with significant changes. From a developer point of view, it appears that one of the most significant changes is one related to the SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW permission, which is the one that controls overlays.

The permission has been removed on the “Go” version of Android Q. Meanwhile the overlay permission is revoked by the latest Android Q beta for the apps installed via the Play Store if the device is rebooted. That is something that Android 9 Pie and earlier versions did not have. More than that, sideloaded apps on Android Q will have that permission revoked after 30 seconds.

Using overlay in Android Q

The permissions change on non-Go Android does make overlays frustrating, and it might determine users not to use them. For instance, if an app is relaunched, it will need overlay permission once again. If an app that uses that overlay is running, the overlay is still there even if the consent has been revoked.

Security reasons

Google did not announce these changes publicly, and we weren’t given a justification for them. However, it is not difficult to understand why the overlay permission changes were made. Apps can exploit overlays to capture input, and they can force users to perform actions without knowing.

Nonetheless, a better solution would have been deleting overlays entirely, as they are not safe enough. Instead, Google decided to choose half-measures. It is quite unlikely that the new 30-second restriction is the most efficient solution. However, looking at the way things evolve, there is a big chance that Google will remove permission entirely in the future, and this would be a great way of enhancing security.

At the moment, Android Q beta is the only preview we have on the upcoming Android OS. However, many beta versions would come out before Android Q rolls out in its final version.

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Android Q (Android 10) Would Include a Face ID-like Feature

Currently, the Android smartphone manufacturers that wanted to include face recognition functionalities had to build their own solutions from scratch or rely on basic face detection which others can trick with a simple photo. Android Q or Android 10 might change that, however, according to the folks from the XDA-Developers and 9to5Google. Accordingly, some code lines in the early build of Android Q revealed that the upcoming Google’s OS for mobiles boasts an Apple’s Face ID-like feature.

According to XDA-Developers and 9to5Google, Google is planning to implement a Face ID-like feature in its upcoming Android Q. However, the function would not only serve users to unlock their smartphones with ease, but it would also allow us to authorize purchases and sign into applications.

“<string name=”biometric_dialog_confirm”>Confirm</string>

<string name=”biometric_dialog_try_again”>Try again</string>

<string name=”accessibility_biometric_dialog_help_area”>Help message area</string>

<string name=”face_dialog_looking_for_face”>Looking for you…</string>

<string name=”kg_face_not_recognized”>Not recognized</string>

<string name=”kg_fingerprint_not_recognized”>Not recognized</string>,” read the code lines found by XDA-Developers in the early build of Android Q that they’ve already tested.

Android Q (Android 10) Would Include an Apple’s Face ID-like Feature

Android Q or Android 10 would come out in late summer, in case Google sticks to the last years’ patterns, so there’s no certainty that the Android Q final version would boast a fully operational Face ID-like feature. However, it would be an excellent move from Google, and it would help smartphone manufacturers a lot in implementing face recognition systems for their devices.

Also, a face detection tech already implemented by Google in Android Q by default would also benefit mid-range smartphone manufacturers who don’t have enough resources to build their own biometric software and add it over Google’s OS for mobiles. Nonetheless, in the end, it would be beneficial for users to increase the security of their future Android Q-based devices.

Besides this Face ID-like feature in Android Q, XDA-Developers also found recently that the upcoming Android version would come with enhanced privacy options, a system-wide dark mode, improved notification system, 5G support, new accessibility features, and many more. Also, it would be officially dubbed as Android 10, if we are to take the clock in the System UI Demo Mode, which shows 10:10, as a hint.

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Android Q Would Make It Easier For Carriers To Lock Smartphones

While Android Pie is still rolling out on some devices, many rumors and leaks regarding Android Q, the next Google’s OS for mobiles, have already emerged on the Internet. In one of the most recent leaks, the folks from XDA-Developers revealed that Android Q would boast dark mode, new accessibility options, more Developer Options features, and more.

Now, new code on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) Gerrit revealed that Android Q would make it easier for carriers to lock smartphones. The so-called Android Open Source Project (AOSP) Gerrit is an online tool for developers, which from now and then boasts some code changes that devs can access.

The most recent changes come with the title of “Carrier restriction enhancements for Android Q,” and they refer to new possibilities for GSM carriers to lock smartphones.

Android Q Would Make It Easier For Carriers To Lock Smartphones

“More specifically, it will be possible to designate a list of ‘allowed’and ‘excluded’ carriers, essentially a whitelist and a blacklist of what will and won’t work on a particular phone. This can be done with a fine-grained detail even to allow blocking virtual carrier networks that run on the same towers as your main carrier,” explains Kyle Bradshaw from 9to5Mac.

Besides, Android Q would reportedly have restrictions for dual-SIM devices. Accordingly, carriers can now lock the second SIM slot if there is no accepted SIM card installed in the first slot. The limits would persist even after restarting the smartphone or bringing it back to the factory settings.

Nonetheless, the new Android Q features that offer carriers additional solutions to lock smartphones is worrying some of the Android users. Luckily, across Canada, sellers can’t sell locked smartphones thanks to the revised Wireless Code in 2017. Some carriers still lock their phones in Canada, but they quickly remove the restriction once someone buys the device.

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Android Q To Feature An OS-wide Dark Mode

Android fans have always asked for the introduction of a dark mode across the entire operating system. Now, it seems that the wait is over as the next Google’s OS for mobile devices, Android Q, might feature an OS-wide dark mode, pleasing the users who have asked that for some time now.

According to a Google engineer, “dark mode is an approved Q feature. The Q team wants to ensure that all preloaded apps support dark mode natively. In order to ship dark mode successfully, we need all UI elements to be ideally themed dark by May 2019.” The information was revealed via the Chromium bug tracker.

From the description of the bug tracker post, we can also learn that the dark mode will be available under Settings -> Display -> Dark Mode section. Also, the post, which is now unavailable for unknown reasons, contained several links to internal documents, revealing additional details about this OS-wide dark mode feature.

Android Q To Feature An OS-wide Dark Mode

In addition to all that, another information revealed via the AOSP also indicated that a dark mode is about to come out with the upcoming Android Q operating system. According to it, the dark theme would require a specific wallpaper file.

“Dark Mode expects a specific wallpaper file to be present in the filesystem. This file is generated for most ways that the wallpaper can be set except for when the default_wallpaper resource is used,” the text reads.

All that information suggests that, indeed, Android Q will feature an OS-wide dark mode. And, in reality, the possibility that Android Q to receive a dark theme is high since Google has focused on bringing this feature in a multitude of its applications, both Android- and web-based, such as YouTube, Google Phone app, Messages, Contacts, and Google News, among others. Also, Google Chrome would get a dark theme with the Chrome 73 version.

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Android Q Would Center On Artificial Intelligence And 5G and Foldable Phone Support

This year is coming to an end, so we’re already looking forward to what the new year is going to bring. As for what Google has in the bag for us in 2019, we can say that Android Q, chatbots, and 5G and foldable phone support are going to become available next year.

Google To Add 5G and Foldable Phone Support In Android

The renowned Internet and tech company, Google, is going to focus more on AI (artificial intelligence) systems for its next year’s devices and software releases. We should expect AI to come to Android more and more in 2019 to ease up users’ tasks. In this regard, Android Q, which is rumored to roll out in 2019, would get chatbots based on artificial intelligence for businesses’ customer services.

Also, in 2019, Google plans to update its future Android OS version with 5G support, as the new technology is going to deploy during next year in the majority of the countries around the world. Also, as foldable phones are already announced for 2019, Google plans to support the new concept in Android Q.

Android Q To Come Out In Q2 or Q3 2019

Android Q has been rumored as the next Android version that Google is planning to release in 2019. Google did not reveal much about its next project regarding its mobile operating system, so what we know about Android Q is very limited.

According to some reports, Android Q won’t come out with so many new features as it has been the case with Android 9 Pie, but we should expect some improvements to be implemented, primarily to support foldable phones and 5G since, as we’ve already mentioned, Google also plans to come up with new Android features in that regard. While Android Q won’t boast significant design changes, we’re pretty sure that the next year’s Google mobile OS version would center on artificial intelligence and security features.

Be it as it may, 2019 would be an excellent year for Google and its Android operating system.

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