Android Pixel Users: Discover 16 Useful Tricks Immediately
In a surprising move, Google has accelerated the release of Android 16, unveiling it 16 months ahead of the usual schedule. This latest operating system update brings a host of new features that significantly enhance security, battery health, and provide a desktop-like experience.
**Security Enhancements**
Android 16 introduces several security features designed to safeguard users against online threats, harmful apps, and scam calls. One of the key additions is the Advanced Protection Mode, which activates Google's strongest mobile device protection for those prioritising security.
Another notable feature is Identity Check, which ensures the device is secure and trusted. It automatically locks sensitive settings and information behind a biometric lock when the device is in an unfamiliar location.
Privacy Sandbox on Android is another feature aimed at improving privacy by limiting apps' ability to track user behaviour across different apps. Furthermore, Android 16 includes anti-scammer safeguards to protect users from scam calls.
**Battery Health**
In terms of battery health, Android 16 offers a dedicated dashboard for checking battery health, similar to iPhones. Users can view the battery's charge retention efficiency and access tips to extend battery life. Features like adaptive charging and limiting peak charging to 80% help reduce battery stress.
**Desktop Mode**
The update also introduces a desktop mode, allowing users to open, group, and resize multiple app windows on larger screens, similar to a desktop environment. This feature is part of Google's collaboration with Samsung and will be available later this year.
Android 16 also includes a hidden desktop mode that can be activated using a USB-C cable or HDMI-USB splitter. This mode offers a large screen environment with app windowing and cursor drag resizing, resembling ChromeOS at first glance.
Custom keyboard shortcuts and a taskbar overflow are also expected to be added later, providing faster navigation and app launching on larger screens.
The stable build for Google's Pixel smartphones was released in the second week of June, with the desktop mode hidden in the Developers Section of the Settings app. However, it's important to note that the current desktop mode has issues with screen resolution output, keyboard shortcuts, and random stutters.
Other features include Notification Cooldown, which reduces the volume of consecutive notifications from the same app, and Identity Check, a new safety tool available in Android 16 for all devices that can run it.
When the battery health capacity falls below 80%, a replacement is the only reliable path ahead. In the battery health dashboard, users can enable charging optimization, activate adaptive charging, or limit the peak charging capacity to 80%.
When Advanced Protection is enabled, the phone locks itself automatically after 72 hours of inactivity. Google Play's malware detection is activated in Advanced Protection to scan apps and block risky apps from other sources. USB access is blocked in Advanced Protection to only allow charging and not data transfer.
In conclusion, Android 16 represents a significant leap forward in mobile technology, offering enhanced security, improved battery health, and a desktop-like experience. While there are still some issues to be addressed, the potential benefits of this update are undeniable.
Smartphones running Android 16 can now benefit from the Advanced Protection Mode, a security feature that offers Google's strongest mobile device protection for prioritized security. Additionally, this update includes Privacy Sandbox on Android, a feature aimed at improving privacy by limiting apps' ability to track user behavior across different apps.
