Android Q teardown hints at native screen recording, an emergency shortcut, more

By the time Google gets around to releasing the Android Q Developer Preview, there likely won’t be many surprises. Thanks to a teardown of Android Q’s System UI by 9to5Google, we have a better idea of what new features the search giant might add to its mobile operating system later this year.

For some years now, Android has had a built-in screen recording feature, but it had to be initiated using an ADB command from a computer. Looking at several code strings, Android Q might introduce a system-level screen recording option similar to what’s available on iOS and offered by using third-party apps.

As it is implemented right now, the first time that the feature is used, Android will request access to the necessary permissions for recording the screen and saving video files. While in use, there will be an ongoing notification, controls to start, end, and share the recording, and an option to record an accompanying voiceover.

9to5Google also confirmed XDA-Developer’s report that Android Q will likely bring support for secure facial recognition. Users will probably use with the same “biometric_dialog” that Android Pie introduced for interacting with the fingerprint sensor to authenticate and authorize payments.

In Android Pie, Google added a screenshot button to the power menu. It appears that Android Q might add an emergency shortcut to the menu that will take users to the emergency dialer.

9to5Google

Some additions seem to be focused on privacy. The first of which includes a “Sensor Privacy” quick setting that will disable some of the phone’s sensors. It’s not known yet what this will be used for, but the option isn’t shown by default.

Android Q is likely also going to highlight when one or more apps are using the device’s location and microphone. This is another feature that has been implemented in iOS for a number of years now. Instead of being in the dark on what’s happening in the background, you’ll be fully aware of what apps are doing with options available for you to stop them.

Editor’s Pick

Android Q: The top features we know about so far

Many of us are still waiting for Android Pie to hit our phones, but Google doesn’t wait for anybody. The Mountain View company is already hard at work on Android Q, the next iteration of …

Lastly, Android Q looks to be preparing for 5G and WPA3. While we’ve already seen AT&T update some of its phones to display “5GE” icons, the new firmware officially includes 5G and 5G+ icons within the operating system. And over a year after WPA3 was announced, Android Q should bring support for the new Wi-Fi standard.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, the System UI demo mode hints that Android Q will be version 10.

What other features do you want Google to bring to Android Q? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Source: Android Zone

The post Android Q teardown hints at native screen recording, an emergency shortcut, more appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

Plex wants to become a hub for video and audio subscription services

Plex

• Plex could soon become a hub for other media streaming services.
• The Plex platform already integrates with music-streaming service Tidal.
• However, the larger streaming companies like Netflix would likely not come aboard until Plex grows significantly.

---

If you’re a Plex user, you likely use it mainly to stream your personal library of audio and video files (all of which you purchased legally because you would never, ever pirate anything). This, after all, is the main reason for the existence of Plex.

However, with Plex now supporting podcasts, web shows, and even integrating with the music streaming service Tidal, the Plex platform is becoming much bigger. Now, according to German-language site Golem, the new goal for Plex is to become a hub for all your streaming services.

Theoretically, this would mean you could open Plex and have access to your personal media library as well as access content from other streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, Audible, etc., all within the same app.

Editor’s Pick

Kodi vs Plex — which one is right for you?

Kodi and Plex are competing media centers — they give you access to all your videos, images, and songs from one place. They also let you stream content to multiple devices and watch live TV …

If this were to happen, Plex could be the one-stop-shop for all media which would truly send the platform into the stratosphere.

Plex CEO Keith Valory said at CES 2019 that the company has 20 million loyal subscribers, some of which pay a monthly or annual fee to use the premium Plex Pass service. In 2018, the company integrated with Tidal, which is seen as a test run for how other subscription services could integrate with the platform. It appears that partnership has been a success.

The problem Plex will face now will be getting the huge platforms — like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video — to sign on. Considering that even a company as huge as Apple had to jump through many hoops to get Amazon Prime Video onto its Apple TV platform, Plex certainly has its work cut out for it in that regard.

What will most likely happen is that Plex will work with smaller and/or up-and-coming streaming services at first. If it can leverage those partnerships to grow its user base, it could potentially become large enough to entice a company like Netflix to come aboard.

NEXT: Listen to podcasts through Plex!

Source: Android Zone

The post Plex wants to become a hub for video and audio subscription services appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.