News on Mobile OS Releases, October 2021

Android 12

Hands-on with 100+ new changes and features in Android 12

While there are much more than just cosmetic changes in Android 12, we’ll just be focusing on all of the end-user facing tweaks and alterations. There are mountains of under-the-hood improvements that will undoubtedly enhance the overall experience, but they can be much harder to pinpoint or define how they benefit your day-to-day experience. 

Full content and details (external sources): 9to5Google

Google Calendar, News, and Fi getting new Material You widgets for Android 12

Following last week’s initial tweet parade during the Pixel 6 launch event, Google today gave another look at new Material You widgets for Android 12. Google says these Material You widgets are “officially live” on Android 12, but that is not the case for Photos, Drive, or YT Music. They must still be in the process of rolling out.

Full content and details (external sources): 9to5Google

Android 12 Beta is coming back in December to test feature drops early

Amidst today's Google Pixel 6 announcement, Google's Android 12 Beta has been updated to the stable release on Pixel devices. Normally this would mark the end of the Beta program until Android 13's Beta program launched next year but starting with Android 12, the Beta program will continue with Android 12 in December. The announcement was made on Reddit /r/android_beta by Official Google Account.

Full content and details (external sources):  GSMArena

Apple iOS 

Here’s what’s new in iOS 15.2 beta

Apple is now rolling out iOS 15.2, watchOS 8.3, and tvOS 15.2 to public beta testers. Coming just two days after the public release of iOS 15.1, today’s beta of iOS 15.2 continues to add new features that were originally slated to be included in iOS 15.0. 

First and foremost, iOS 15.2 adds the full “App Privacy Report” feature to the Settings application. While the interface was available in previous releases, there was no data or information shown. With iOS 15.2, users can now see the data accessed by applications, including third-party apps and Apple apps.

Full content and details (external sources): 9to5Mac, GSMArena

iOS 15 brings new Announce Notifications feature for Siri, here’s how it works

iOS 15 expands on the previously available “Announce Messages” and “Announce Calls” features with the ability to have Siri “Announce Notifications” from first- and third-party apps. The functionality works with certain AirPods and Beats headphones as well as CarPlay, and there’s also the ability to customize which apps can use the feature. Just Like Announce Messages and Calls, Announce Notifications on iPhone and iPad in iOS 15 means a more seamless experience to hear and respond to alerts without having to unlock your device or say “Hey Siri.”

Full content and details (external sources): 9to5Mac

HarmonyOS 

HarmonyOS 3.0 Roadmap: Preview, Beta, Release date

At Huawei Developer Conference 2021 (HDC 2021), the Chinese tech maker announced new software and technologies. These include HarmonyOS 3.0 Developer Preview and we’re here to talk about the latest HarmonyOS 3.0 development roadmap. 

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral

Huawei HarmonyOS 3 developer preview launched, improved performance

During the Huawei Developer Conference 2021, Huawei announced the first HarmonyOS 3 developer preview. The Chinese tech giant announced this new HarmonyOS version as an upgrade over HarmonyOS 2. So, developers in China are eligible to test the HarmonyOS 3 via the HarmonyOS 3 developer beta version and start developing apps for the latest HarmonyOS version. To be mentioned, the HarmonyOS 3.0 developer beta will be opened in the first quarter of 2022. So, it can be tested on different devices. Still, the launch of general consumers of smartphones and other devices is far away, since it’s still in the development mode.

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral

More on HarmonyOS 

Huawei HarmonyOS completes 150 million upgrades

Huawei has announced that the HarmonyOS upgrade has now crossed over 150 million users in China. The 150 million HarmonyOS device mark comes after the announcement of 120 million achievements made till September 23, 2021, during the launch of Huawei Nova 9 in China. 

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral

EMUI

EMUI 12 Features: New UI design, Motion effect, Control Panel, Device Plus and more

Huawei has released the EMUI 12 operating system, which comes with a suite of new features, user interface (UI) design, animation effects, seamless device controller, and other important enhancements over EMUI 11. EMUI 12 design reflects the design scheme of the HarmonyOS operating system. From UI to features, all carry the same rhythm. However, Huawei has remained silent on the based software of EMUI 12.

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral

November 2021 EMUI security details comes in, major software update awaited

There are a number of new software updates that are being received by the Huawei smartphones including security patches and new software optimizations that install new apps as well as system improvements. Huawei has revealed EMUI November 2021 security patch details that come with new fixes for security flaws (CVEs) found in past software builds. Although we’re still in October, Huawei seemingly paced up the approval of security patches in the past few months.

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral