Google is testing new double tap gestures on the rear of Pixel phones to launch Camera, Assistant, and more on Android 11

Google released the first Android 11 Developer Preview yesterday, and I’ve spent a few hours going through the update on my Pixel 2 XL to search for any changes I can find. We’ve already found a lot, but as always, there’s more hidden in the code that’s just waiting to be uncovered. While looking through the latest SystemUIGoogle APK, the app responsible for the SystemUI component on Google Pixel phones, we found references to a mysterious new gesture system code-named “Columbus.” When activated, the new gestures will allow you to double-tap the back—yes the rear of the phone—to initiate certain actions such as launching the Google Assistant, launching the default camera app, playing/pausing media, and more.

We know this new gesture feature is intended for Pixel phones rather than all devices running Android 11 since Google has kindly stuck to their tradition of prefacing each class with “com.google” rather than “com.android,” a naming scheme they’ve followed for other gesture systems including Active Edge and Motion Sense. What’s interesting about these “Columbus” gestures, in comparison with Active Edge and Motion Sense, is that they seemingly don’t require any special hardware—just your phone’s gyroscope and accelerometer. In fact, we managed to get several of the new gestures working on not only our own Pixel 2 XL but also XDA Senior Member cstark27‘s Pixel 4 XL, both running Android 11 Developer Preview 1. 9to5Google also independently enabled one of the new “Columbus” gestures, though they only showed it launching the Google Assistant.

We can confirm that the following gestures are available through the new “Columbus” feature:

• Dismiss timer
• Launch camera
• Launch Google Assistant
• Play/pause media
• Collapse status bar
• Silence incoming phone calls
• Snooze alarms
• Unpin notifications
• Perform a “user selected action”

In order to prevent this feature from activating too haphazardly, Google has also added “gates” to prevent double tap actions from taking effect. Some of the currently implemented gates include camera visibility, charging status, keyguard, and more.

The code for “Columbus” references a currently non-existent class in SettingsGoogle called “COLUMBUS_GESTURE_TRAINING,” so we believe that the Settings app will contain gesture training activities that are presented to the user during the SetupWizard. We also believe it’s likely the Pixel’s Settings app in Android 11 will have pages to configure the new double-tap gesture, especially to perform the “user selected action.” If the user does not have an action set, it seems that “Columbus” defaults to launching the Google Assistant. Since there currently isn’t any code for “Columbus” in SettingsGoogle or any other system application for that matter, there’s likely more for us to uncover about the feature.

Android 11 Double Tap Gesture Demos

Here’s a video (courtesy of Kieron Quinn) showing the double-tap gesture playing/pausing media on a Pixel 2 XL running Android 11:

The reason Kieron Quinn is using an ancient BBC app is that KeyEvent 85, which is the keycode for the play/pause media key, isn’t being received by most of the music app’s receivers that we tried. An examination of the logcat reveals several warnings that background execution is not allowed, preventing media apps like Google Play Music, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, VLC, and many other apps from receiving the intent.

Here’s a video of me launching the Google Camera app on my Pixel 2 XL running Android 11 DP1:

Lastly, here is a video of me launching the Google Assistant:

Although this feature works just fine on older Pixel devices, we don’t know if Google will enable it for all Pixel devices running Android 11. Google may launch it as an exclusive feature for the Pixel 4a or Pixel 5 before rolling it out for other Pixel devices in future updates. Alternatively, we could see the future roll out in a future  Pixel Feature Drop.

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Many thanks to Kieron Quinn, also known as Quinny899 on the XDA Forums, for helping us test this feature!

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Google support page hints at YouTube Music song uploading launching soon

It’s been close to two years since Google announced its revamped YouTube Music service. Immediately after that announcement, Google confirmed YouTube Music would get the ability to upload music to your collection. We’ve been waiting a long time for this feature, and according to a new support document, it may finally be coming soon.

Last month, strings found in the YouTube Music app indicated that support for an uploaded library was coming. The new support document outlines how users can upload music to YouTube Music on the web. The description reads:

Add your personal music collection to your YouTube Music library by uploading your songs and albums. Once your music is uploaded, you can use YouTube Music to play your uploaded music as part of your listening experience.

Supported file formats for uploads include FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, and WMA. Users will have two methods for uploading music to their collection:

• Drag your file(s) to any surface on music.youtube.com
• Visit music.youtube.com and click on your profile picture > Upload music

Google notes that it may take some extra time for the music to show up in your library after uploaded. YouTube Music will automatically remove duplicates from your library if you upload something you already have. Uploaded music will be found at Library > Songs > Uploads.

A couple of other things to note: there will be a method for transferring your Google Play Music library to YouTube Music. Music uploads will not impact your recommendations. Uploaded music is only accessible by you, it won’t appear in shared playlists. Uploads can be played offline and ad-free without YouTube Music Premium. Uploaded content can be cast and played on smart speakers.

The ability to upload your own music is one of the features that has kept a lot of people on Google Play Music. It’s really handy to be able to use your music streaming app as a cloud locker for all the music you already own. We hope to see this roll out soon.

YouTube Music - Stream Songs & Music Videos (Free, Google Play) →

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Source: Google | Via: 9to5Google

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TicWatch Pro 2020 is Mobvoi’s latest Wear OS smartwatch with 1GB RAM and a dual display

There are a few companies still dedicated to pumping out Wear OS smartwatches. One of those companies is Mobvoi, who has released some of the best devices the platform has to offer. Mobvoi released the TicWatch Pro in 2018 with premium specifications and some clever tricks. Last year, the company released an LTE version of the TicWatch Pro. Today, Mobvoi is announcing its latest device, the TicWatch Pro 2020.

You may remember that the TicWatch Pro LTE looked essentially the same as the original TicWatch Pro. However, besides LTE support, it did have a few important upgrades. The TicWatch Pro 2020 has the same upgrades as the LTE model, but this is considered an update to the original WiFi-only TicWatch Pro from 2018. It does not have LTE support.

The biggest upgrade from the original TicWatch Pro is RAM. The 2020 model has double the RAM as the original, putting it at 1GB. This is actually a pretty big deal for Wear OS devices. Wear OS is known for being sluggish, and as I stated in my review of the LTE model, the extra RAM makes a big difference. The 2020 model also has 4GB of internal storage and it’s powered by the Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset (still no 3100).

Another upgrade over the original TicWatch Pro is the MIL-STD-810G durability rating. The original was only IP68 certified, which the 2020 model is as well. The military standard rating means it can withstand temperature shock of between -22°F and 158°F, remain operational between -4°F and 131°F, 57kpa pressure, 111°F solar radiation, 95% humidity, salt fog, sand, dust, and shock.

You can’t talk about the TicWatch Pro without mentioning the dual-layer display. Mobvoi introduced this on the original TicWatch Pro and the 2020 model has the same great feature. The dual-layer display gives you an extra LCD display on top of the AMOLED display. That extra display essentially acts as your “always-on” display, but it requires very little power. You can squeeze up to 30-days of battery life out of the watch if you heavily rely on the extra display.

Design-wise not much has changed from the original TicWatch Pro. In fact, I can’t really find any differences in the design. The LTE model had knurling around the bezel and buttons, but the 2020 model goes back to the smooth finish of the original. There are two color options to choose from: Black and Silver. There are also several leather and silicone bands to choose from.

The TicWatch Pro 2020 will first roll out in the UK with a price of £222.99. It is available now to purchase in the UK from Mobvoi’s official website and Amazon UK. In the US, the watch will be available in early March for $259.99 on Mobvoi’s website and Amazon.

Model	TicWatch Pro 2020
Dimensions (mm)	45.0 x 12.6
Colors	Shadow Black, Liquid Metal Silver
Screen cover glass	Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
Watch case	Polyamide & glass fiber, stainless steel bezel
Watch strap	Genuine leather, silicone (interchangeable), 22mm
Operating system	Wear OS by Google
Phone compatibility	Android, iPhone
Platform	Qualcomm® Snapdragon Wear 2100
Memory	1GB RAM; 4GB ROM
Display	1.39″ AMOLED (400 x 400 px) + FSTN LCD
Connectivity	Bluetooth v4.2 + BLE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
GPS	GPS + GLONASS + Beidou + Galileo
Sensors	PPG heart rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, e-compass, ambient light sensor, low latency off-body sensor
NFC payments	Google Pay via NFC
Battery capacity	415mAh
Military Standard 810G	Withstands temperature shock of between -30 °C and 70 °C; operational between -20 °C and 55 °C; 57kpa pressure; 44 °C solar radiation; 95% humidity; salt fog; sand and dust; shock
Waterproof rating	IP68 water and dust resistance

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Get the Most out of your HONOR MagicWatch 2

The HONOR MagicWatch 2 is a smartwatch focused on fitness and health. The watch, in combination with the Huawei Health app, is one of the best smartwatches for fitness in 2020. With over 15 different goal-based fitness modes, you’ll be able to accurately track your workout routine and log your results as you improve. If you just bought an HONOR MAgicWatch 2, and you’re looking to get the most out of your new watch, check out some of these tips.

Honor MagicWatch 2 with Huawei Health App

Honor MagicWatch 2 with Workout Tracker

Use the Huawei Health App

The best way to use your HONOR MagicWatch 2 is with the Huawei Health app. This app works seamlessly with the HONOR MagicWatch 2 and is designed specifically to work with many of the features of your watch. You can download the app for free on the Google Play store.

Huawei Health (Free, Google Play) →

Swim with your Watch

Going for a swim? Don’t leave your watch behind. The HONOR MagicWatch 2 is waterproof up to 50m. The all-new HUAWEI TruSeen 3.5, the MagicWatch 2 helps you understand your swim performance better, measuring your heart rate accurately including SWOLF, distance, calories, and speed. Take the HONOR MagicWatch 2 with you on your swimming workouts and track your heart rate accurately.

Wireless Music Playback

Most of the time your smartwatch will be able to control media playback via the Bluetooth connection on your phone. HONOR MagicWatch 2 has 4GB of onboard storage for you to store local music files. Then you can connect directly to your Bluetooth headset and listen to your music without the need for your phone. The reason why this is such a great feature is that lots of people prefer to leave their phone behind while jogging and working out. It is much easier to just have your watch and still have access to all of your music.

Sleep with your Watch

If you sleep with your HONOR MagicWatch 2, you can take advantage of the sleep monitor feature. This will track your sleep routines and give you feedback on the quality of sleep. To get a night of better sleep, try using the breathing exercises before you lay down. They are surprisingly effective at relaxing you and getting your ready for bed.

Use the 13 Running Courses

To make your runs more interesting, HONOR has included 13 different running courses in the MagicWatch 2. These different courses will help train you to improve your endurance, distance, speed ect. This is done by monitoring and adjusting your running based on the course you’ve chosen. Not only does it help you improve your fitness, but it just makes your workout a lot more fun.

HONOR MaigcWatch 2

We thank HONOR for sponsoring this post. Our sponsors help us pay for the many costs associated with running XDA, including server costs, full-time developers, news writers, and much more. While you might see sponsored content (which will always be labeled as such) alongside Portal content, the Portal team is in no way responsible for these posts. Sponsored content, advertising, and XDA Depot are managed by a separate team entirely. XDA will never compromise its journalistic integrity by accepting money to write favorably about a company, or alter our opinions or views in any way. Our opinion cannot be bought.

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5 Pre-Owned Microsoft Surface Deals You Shouldn’t Sleep on This President’s Day

In an ideal world, most people would only buy new. But if you want more bang for your buck, re-certified laptops offer incredible value. These machines are like new, having been restored by the manufacturer. They also come with a reset original warranty. So if you’re keen on upgrading your current setup but want to stick to a budget, check out these offerings at the XDA Developers Depot, now with up to 68% off what you’d pay new.

Surface Book 13.5″ Core i5 256GB – Silver

Powered by an Intel 6th gen dual-core processor, this sleek two-in-one is perfect for working on the go. The Surface Book runs Windows 10 Pro on a 13.5″ IPS touchscreen display with a resolution of 3000×2000 pixels. It also provides 256GB of storage, plus wireless connectivity. Originally priced at $1,499, the factory re-certified version is now only $529.99.

Surface Book 13.5″ Core i7 512GB – Silver

This high-end Surface Book has an Intel i7 processor and 16GB memory for smooth multitasking. You get exactly the same IPS display, along with double the storage and NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics. These machines retailed for $2,799, but you can get a factory re-certified device for $879.

Microsoft Surface 2 Intel Core i7 512GB

Boasting 15 hours of battery life and a 2.9GHz quad-core Intel i7 processor, the Microsoft Surface 2 is an incredible workhorse. This version has 16GB of memory and a 512GB solid-state drive, along with a crisp LED display. It’s worth $2,499.99, but you can grab the factory re-certified version now for $1,509.

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 12.3″ 8GB RAM 256GB 

The Surface Pro 4 is pretty powerful for a tablet, with a 6th gen Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM. The 12.3″ PixelSense display is great for watching movies and editing photos, and you get 256GB of solid-state storage for media. Originally priced at $1,499.99, this factory re-certified version is currently $499.

Surface Book 13.5″ Core i7 256GB – Platinum

Featuring an 8th gen Intel Core i7 processor, the Platinum Surface Book offers cutting-edge performance. You get up to 12 hours of battery life on a full charge, with a tactile keyboard and touchpad for better productivity. This model also has a sharp IPS touchscreen display. The retail price is $2,499.99, but you can get a factory re-certified refurb for $1,109.

Prices subject to change 

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Android 11 adds individual left/right sensitivity options for gesture navigation

Android 11 Developer Preview 1 was released a few weeks ahead of schedule compared to Google’s schedules for previous years. Google did this to enable developers to have more time to adapt to the changes. We have detailed the first developer preview’s user-facing changes, its privacy-focused features, as well as new developer features. The download links are available here for the Google Pixel phones as well as GSIs for other Android devices, while the installation procedure can be viewed here. In terms of small, user-facing changes, we noticed that Google is working on an individual left/right sensitivity options for gesture navigation.

Google added its own version of navigation gestures back in Android 9 Pie, but the 2-button-plus-gesture navigation system was quickly deprecated in Android 10. 2-button navigation gave way for fully gestural navigation in Android 10, while the traditional 3-button navigation was brought back as an option. Android 10’s new navigation gestures led to initial controversy as the back gesture interferes with the navigation drawer in many apps. Google has now begun removing navigation drawers in its own apps, but third-party apps that haven’t been updated to remove the navigation drawer are still prone to conflict. The peek gesture has also been noted to be an unreliable one as it’s difficult to pull it off.

Knowing that these issues would take place, Google added an option to change the sensitivity of the back gesture in Android 10. Users could do this by going to Settings > System > Gestures > System navigation, and then tapping on the settings cog and moving the slider left and right to change the sensitivity of the back gesture. This is retained in Android 10, but its limitation is that it controls the gesture sensitivity for both the left and right edges, disallowing changing the sensitivity on an individual basis.

In Android 11, Google is now working on a new page to change the sensitivity for the left and right back gesture individually. This page is not visible if you look through Settings, but you can find it if you search for “Left edge” in settings. Upon changing the slider on this page, users will see a blue overlay in the left or right edge that tells them how far in they can initiate the back gesture. This issue won’t fundamentally resolve the conflict with navigation drawers as it’s still up to developers to update their apps. However, it does increase convenience for users, which is a good thing.

Android 11 News on XDA

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Verizon reportedly won’t sell the Google Pixel 4a or Pixel 5

The struggles that Google has been facing with its hardware division have been well documented. Last year, it exited the tablet space, canceling the successor of the poorly received Pixel Slate. The Google Pixel lineup isn’t doing much better. Despite multiple attempts, the phones haven’t managed to sell well. Limited distribution aside, the sales numbers of the Pixel 4 are a minor fraction of the sales of Samsung’s Galaxy S series or the Apple iPhone, for example. In 2016, Google made an ambitious agreement with Verizon to exclusively sell the first-generation Pixel series in carrier stores, while simultaneously selling unlocked variants online through the Google Store. The exclusive nature of that agreement expired in 2019, but Verizon still remained the major carrier partner for Google. Now, according to Android Police’s source, the Verizon-Google carrier sales agreement for the Pixel is dead.

Android Police reports that after speaking to a source familiar with Verizon’s plans, the carrier has apparently put on indefinite hold plans to sell new Google Pixel phones. The reason for putting such plans on hold wasn’t provided, but Android Police guesses that it’s because the phones “just don’t sell.”

This is a big blow to Google’s ambitions of entering the hardware smartphone market and positioning the Pixel phones as an alternative of Apple and Samsung, especially in the U.S. Back in 2014, Google launched the Motorola Nexus 6 on all four major carriers in the U.S, but then reversed course the following year by selling the Huawei Nexus 6P exclusively online. The 2016 Verizon-Google exclusivity agreement for the Pixels had been made for three years at that time, and was highly hyped up by Google as a proper attempt to enter the U.S. smartphone market, which is largely dominated by a carrier sales mechanism. However, it hasn’t panned out in terms of sales. The Pixel 3 series sold poorly. While the Pixel 3a was a relative success for Google, the Pixel 4 arrested the momentum by largely failing to distinguish itself against its competitors. This was despite the fact that it was being sold by all four major carriers in the U.S, making it the the first time for a Google branded phone since the Nexus 6.

Android Police‘s source believes the chances of the upcoming Google Pixel 4a coming to Verizon are now zero, as it’s far too late for Verizon to change its mind. With respect to the next-generation Google Pixel 5, there is a chance that it could end up there, only because there is still enough time left before its launch for plans to change. As of now, though, Verizon allegedly has no intention of selling Google’s next-generation phone.

The report notes that even the better sales of the Pixel 3a remain meager in the larger U.S. smartphone market. (That market remains a duopoly as Apple and Samsung are the only big players that matter, while Huawei has been locked out, and other Chinese vendors such as OPPO and Xiaomi haven’t entered the market.) Verizon was Google’s most important carrier partner as it was responsible for the biggest share of carrier advertising and promotion for every Pixel phone generation up until now.

As noted by Android Police, carriers are how phone manufacturers sell their phones in the country, so Verizon’s importance can’t be overstated. The company was apparently so unhappy with the Pixel’s sales performance that it ended the deal. The upcoming OnePlus 8 will launch on its mmWave 5G UWB network, so it’s clear that it thinks OnePlus will do a better job than Google in terms of sales.

Where does this leave Google’s hardware division? It’s a low point, to be sure. The cancellation of Verizon’s partnership would represent a failure for Google’s four-year effort to challenge Apple and Samsung in the premium smartphone market. Google may have to change its strategy here. Android Police notes that it currently has no reason to think that the idea of Google eventually exiting the smartphone market is on the table, but it may be that Google executives will have to consider it. The Pixel 5 could still end up on Verizon, but the chances are now remote. The publication has reached out to Google for comment on the news.

While this news is surprising on one level, it’s hard to say that we didn’t see it coming. The Pixel phones, despite their well-regarded strengths in aspects such as camera performance, have made far too many compromises to be regarded as genuine top-tier flagships. They are also available only in 12 countries around the world, which is a basic distribution mistake. Google may end up shifting gears like it has done previously, or alternatively, it could choose to double down its efforts even in the face of defeat.

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Source: Android Police

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