Mishaal Rahman

https://androiddev.social/@MishaalRahman

Community engagement for Android @ Google

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/MishaalRahman

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Last Notes

2026-01-14 19:10:12 GMT

Some personal news:
This is my last day at Android Authority, and it also marks the end of my time posting Android news!
I've spent the past 10 years writing about Android, and I've enjoyed every moment of it. What began as a hobby in college — tinkering with custom ROMs and modding my phone — turned into a long career, one totally disconnected from my degree in Biomedical Engineering.
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/115/895/029/356/029/963/original/79a221f989d7afdf.mp4

2026-01-06 19:20:41 GMT

🚨Breaking: Google will now only release Android source code twice a year
Google has announced that it will publish Android source code to AOSP in Q2 and Q4 of each year.
More details👇
🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/aosp-source-code-schedule-3630018/
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2025-08-25 17:03:20 GMT

🔐BREAKING: Google will begin verifying the identity of ALL DEVELOPERS who distribute apps on Android, even if it's outside the Play Store!
This is to prevent malware developers from using anonymity as a shield.
Full details👇
🔗https://androidauthority.com/android-developer-verification-requirements-3590911/
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2025-06-17 16:16:49 GMT

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have you seen this new AppCards feature yet?

2025-06-17 14:39:51 GMT

🚗Android Automotive now lets apps show your food order status and more on your car's home screen
Google is introducing a new App Cards feature that lets Android Automotive apps show custom cards on your car's home screen
Here's what you need to know👇
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-automotive-app-cards-3567983/

2025-06-16 17:12:58 GMT

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Thanks to @npub1jdq…60zy and the folks at @npub1hnk…syy4 for always making these emulator builds available!

2025-06-16 17:07:21 GMT

🚗Android Automotive update will make it easier to talk to Gemini in your car
Android Automotive 16 won't bring a big Material 3 Expressive redesign like Android 16 QPR1 will for phones, but it does have some subtle tweaks.
Here's what's new👇
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-automotive-16-3567889/

2025-05-27 16:51:22 GMT

💔Google Play’s latest security change may break many Android apps for some power users
The Play Integrity API now uses hardware-backed signals that are much trickier for rooted devices and custom ROMs to pass.
Click👇for more info on what's changing
🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/google-play-integrity-hardware-attestation-3561592/

2025-05-13 17:18:55 GMT

📵Google wants to make stolen Android phones basically unsellable
Google is upgrading Factory Reset Protection to make it even harder for thieves to sell stolen phones
Here’s how 👇
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-factory-reset-protection-upgrades-3556859/

2025-03-26 14:33:12 GMT

🔐Exclusive: Google will develop the Android OS fully in private, and here's why
Parts of Android (ART, Bluetooth, Virtualization, etc.) are currently developed in public, but soon ALL Android OS development will happen internally.
Here's why👇
https://www.androidauthority.com/google-android-development-aosp-3538503/

2025-03-18 16:02:38 GMT

⌚️Pebble is BACK!
The new Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 are Pebble watches in all but name, with the same simple, iconic Pebble design, but new sensors and DRAMATICALLY improved battery life (up to 1 month!)
Full details👇
🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/core-2-duo-and-core-time-2-3535895/

2024-12-20 20:59:01 GMT

🚗Android Automotive is getting better multi-user support and a revamped media player app
Android Automotive 24Q4 brings a major new feature called Concurrent Multi-User support as well as other minor changes.
Everything new you need to know👇
https://www.androidauthority.com/android-automotive-24q4-update-3510832/

2024-12-05 18:01:11 GMT

Google officially confirms the Pixel 6 series, Pixel 7 series, & Pixel Fold will get an additional 2 years of OS updates!
The company has updated a support page to mention that these Pixel phones are guaranteed 5 years of updates - including 5 years of OS and security updates - starting from when they went on sale.
This means the Pixel 6 series will get updates to Android 16 and Android 17, while the Pixel 7 series and Pixel Fold will get updates to Android 17 and Android 18.
H/T Nail Sadykov
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2024-12-03 16:13:25 GMT

Interested in working on Android Automotive?
The folks from Snapp Automotive have created an AAOS development kit that's based on the existing VIM3 board from Khadas.
All you need to do is buy the VIM3 board and a display, set up your platform and flashing tools, flash the u-boot and Android bootloaders, then flash one of the prebuilt AAOS images compiled by Snapp Automotive.
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/113/589/773/362/919/764/original/4fdd94e08afc3c68.png
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2024-11-12 18:27:55 GMT

🐧This is HUGE: Android 15 QPR2 confirms Google is adding a Linux Terminal app, finally
The new Terminal app will let developers run Linux apps in a virtual machine on their Android device.
More details on how this works👇
https://www.androidauthority.com/android-15-qpr2-linux-terminal-3498872/

2024-10-29 15:26:12 GMT

🚨New Android Bot figurine just dropped on the Google merch store!
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/113/391/406/816/652/482/original/6fc3ab8fb51d7986.png
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2024-10-23 18:27:43 GMT

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I'm mashing F5 just as much as y'all are. I'm afraid I have no idea exactly when Google will roll out Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 to Pixel devices. I said what I said because Google has already published the GSIs for Beta 3 - those usually drop an hour before the Pixel update. The Pixel update could still be today or it could be tomorrow, I don't know!

2024-10-23 16:54:41 GMT

Prepare your Pixels, because Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 is imminent!
Build ID is AP41.240925.009.
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/113/357/781/403/978/813/original/0e36b89b6149d8b8.png

2024-10-14 15:38:17 GMT

Google usually doesn't share docs from its partner bootcamps, but they recently published a doc from its 2024 Google Automotive Partner Bootcamp that explains how the Android Automotive OS car framework works.
It's interesting to see how AAOS differs from traditional Android.
Source: https://source.android.com/docs/automotive/car-framework-core
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2024-10-11 17:06:48 GMT

Google is preparing to let you run Linux apps on Android, just like Chrome OS
The company is working on a Terminal app that downloads, configures, runs, and interfaces with an instance of Debian in a VM.
🔗Full details in my latest article over on Android Authority: https://www.androidauthority.com/android-linux-terminal-app-3489887/

2024-10-09 02:54:43 GMT

Breaking: Google just confirmed that the U.S. DOJ is seeking, among other changes, to force Google to split off Chrome and Android.
Source: https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/public-policy/doj-search-remedies-framework/
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2024-10-07 19:15:22 GMT

Breaking: the Judge in the Epic v Google case has just issued his final ruling, which states that Google must open up its Play Store catalog to 3P app stores and distribute those 3P app stores within Google Play.
The judge also ruled that Google can't require Google Play app billing, stop developers from telling users about other ways to pay, stop developers from linking to alternative distribution methods, and more.
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/113/267/737/865/693/615/original/bb9897aeb049b2b5.jpg

2024-10-02 16:27:00 GMT

If Google officially sold an Android Bot case like this for the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. It'd look so good.
(This case was 3D printed by AustinMurphy27 on X in case you're wondering. You can get the files for it here: https://makerworld.com/en/models/667529#profileId-595150)
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/113/238/763/661/938/932/original/4a86fb85dab7288e.webp
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2024-09-25 16:50:00 GMT

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yup

2024-09-25 15:03:18 GMT

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same, can't wait to see what it looks like in person!

2024-09-25 14:54:44 GMT

Google now sells a glow-in-the-dark Android 'The Bot' figure
Get yours here: https://shop.merch.google/product/lifestyle/android-glow-in-the-dark-collectible-ggoeafnq234999?itemListName=Category
Via: https://9to5google.com/2024/09/25/android-glow-in-the-dark-figure-google/
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/113/198/764/532/227/059/original/24866925d2142dbd.jpg
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2024-09-12 13:38:07 GMT

Android 15 is cracking down even harder on sideloading in an effort to combat malware.
The update places further restrictions on what permissions sideloaded apps can easily obtain.
Before you freak out, read the article 👇 for the full details.
https://www.androidauthority.com/android-15-restricted-settings-sideloading-3481098/

2024-09-10 17:24:27 GMT

Want to use a cheap eSIM plan but don't have an eSIM compatible phone?
Try an eSIM adapter! These nifty cards are basically removable eUICCs that you can provision eSIM profiles onto.
The one I'm recommending uses an open source app to manage profiles. The app in question is OpenEUICC, a fully open-souce LPAd implementation for Android. Other eSIM adapters use proprietary, closed source apps and require account sign-ups.
More details can be found in this article: https://www.androidauthority.com/esim-adapter-android-phone-3480601/

2024-08-31 17:14:43 GMT

Scoop: OSOM, the company formed by former Essential employees, is being sued to turn over its financial records. Its former CPO alleges the founder has misused company funds to pay for Lamborghinis and his lavish lifestyle.
https://www.androidauthority.com/osom-privacy-lawsuit-3477182/

2024-08-26 16:45:17 GMT

I've got some Android 15 news dropping in a bit that a lot of you won't like😬
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/113/029/330/414/165/879/original/87b77a4fbbefdad3.png

2024-08-21 17:16:19 GMT

The Pixel 9 is Google’s first phone to support display output out of the box, but it still isn't very useful.
Details of what you can do with display output on the Pixel 9 can be found in my latest article for Android Police: https://www.androidpolice.com/google-pixel-9-display-output/

2024-08-19 18:58:24 GMT

The most important thing you thought you knew about Qi2 is wrong: Qi2 charging doesn't mean magnetic charging!
Today I learned that there are products that support Qi2 wireless charging but which DON'T have magnets. You likely thought magnetic charging was a requirement of Qi2, but that's definitely not the case!
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/112/990/217/346/818/160/original/6f0d95455c88c450.png

2024-08-16 16:41:41 GMT

Android's theft detection lock feature is finally starting to roll out!
The feature automatically locks your phone when it detects your phone has been snatched from your hand. It uses data from your phone's accelerometer and gyroscope and checks if common motions associated with theft are detected.
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/112/972/693/274/865/841/original/21276201de0697ef.png
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2024-08-09 18:16:35 GMT

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Google is recommending developers migrate from NNAPI to either TensorFlow Lite in Google Play Services, which provides an updatable TF runtime for custom on-device ML models, or to the new AICore service in Android 14+, which provides updatable GenAI foundation models like Gemini Nano.
Source: https://developer.android.com/ndk/guides/neuralnetworks/migration-guide

2024-08-09 18:16:18 GMT

Google says the Neural Networks API (NNAPI) will be deprecated in Android 15.
NNAPI was introduced in Android 8.1 to "provide a unified interface for hardware accelerated inference for on-device machine learning." Google cites the rapid pace of on-device machine learning breakthroughs as the reason for deprecating NNAPI, which was updated along with new Android version releases.
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/112/933/429/098/129/618/original/0a37368754d8c63c.png

2024-08-09 16:20:44 GMT

Microsoft did it: They fixed Link to Windows on Android!
You no longer have to tap the "start now" button every time you want to stream an app from your phone to your PC.
In One UI 6.1.1, Link to Windows now uses Android's native app streaming APIs.
https://www.androidauthority.com/one-ui-6-1-1-streaming-apps-windows-3469490/

2024-08-01 15:46:48 GMT

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GIVE AWAY! Here are 10 promo codes for my followers on Mastodon. Leave a reply once you're claimed a code :)
Use Google Lens or something similar to copy the code, open the Google Play Store app, hit your profile picture, tap Payments & subscriptions, tap Redeem code, and then enter the code.
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/112/887/540/068/920/046/original/e41ba5606e7ff0b1.png

2024-08-01 15:45:41 GMT

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This feature is available now in the most recent beta version of Wavelet and will roll out in the stable channel once Google Play approves the update.
You need the Pro version of the app, which costs $4.99, but I have 10 promo codes to share with you folks on Mastodon. See the following posts to grab a code!
If you want more information on Wavelet's new equal loudness feature and the issue it solves, check out this article I wrote on the update: https://www.androidauthority.com/wavelet-equal-loudness-3466696/

2024-08-01 15:44:01 GMT

Wavelet has done it again: The best equalizer app for Android just added a feature I didn't know I needed until now: equal loudness.
Equal loudness fixes the issue where, if you lower the volume of your music, frequencies in the midrange sound much louder than low or high frequencies.
Why is that a big deal? Well, at lower volumes, it means a lot of the "thumpiness" in the bass gets drowned out.
After enabling equal loudness in Wavelet, though, music sounds WAY better to me at low volumes.
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/112/887/531/681/848/347/original/72e7724c4fa23dbc.png
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2024-06-24 14:17:11 GMT

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Plus, Android's app security model makes it less likely for the database to be exfiltrated even if unencrypted (you can't access other apps' private data directories in the internal storage without superuser [which isn't available to apps by default] or an exploit), at least compared to Windows, though it should still be encrypted due to the possibility of exploits like CVE-2024-31317 existing.

2024-06-24 14:16:53 GMT

Food for thought: Since the upcoming update to Google's Gemini Nano model will support image processing, Google could very well build something like Windows' Recall into Android.
Android already takes snapshots of your screen whenever you switch apps (they're stored in /data/system_ce/{user}/snapshots and are used for the recents screen previews), so extending this to have snapshots be taken periodically and then having Nano process these screenshots to build a searchable database is feasible.

2024-02-14 18:00:21 GMT

Android 15 should be adding a "Security State" API (android.os.SecurityStateManager) that will provide an easy way to query the security patch level of the Android OS, the vendor components, the Linux kernel version, the WebView version, and potentially more.
I'd imagine this will be useful for enterprise/device management use cases.
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/111/931/137/399/626/394/original/39a91f7ee85cc1e6.jpg

2023-09-12 16:45:51 GMT

Got a tip to share?
Want to tell me about an interesting app or feature you worked on?
Have a product you want me to review?
Or maybe you want to support my work?
Here's all the info you need:
https://cdn.masto.host/androiddevsocial/media_attachments/files/111/053/186/607/662/905/original/646d9795f1c59185.png