News on Mobile OS Releases, February 2022

Android 

Android 13 Developer Preview 1 With Privacy-Focussed Changes Released: 

Android 13 Developer Preview 1 is now out to let developers experience the first look since it is meant to let them start making their apps ready for the next major Android update. Google is designing Android 13 with keeping “privacy and security as well as developer productivity” at the center stage. It is called "Tiramisu" — named after an Italian dessert. 

Full content and details (external sources): Gadgets, 9to5Google

Here’s everything new in Android 12L Beta 3

• New fingerprint unlock animation on lockscreen; 
• ‘Split top’ button in PiP removed; 
• ‘No notifications’ text further down shade/screen; 
• Weather now appears in At a Glance and much more.

Full content and details (external sources): 9to5Google

Google confirms dynamic color themes coming to more Android 12 phones

One of Android 12’s marquee new features is the Material You dynamic theming. It is still a Pixel exclusive but now Google reveals are coming to a growing list of Android devices, but no concrete timeline was provided. 

Full content and details (external sources): GSMArena

Apple iOS 

Apple stops signing iOS 15.3, iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1 are out to fix crucial vulnerability

iOS 15.3 was released on January 26 to all users with an important security patch that fixed a vulnerability found in the Safari web browser. The vulnerability let websites access URLs visited by a user and even obtain the user’s Google ID and related personal data. On February 10, Apple released iOS 15.3.1 with another security patch for WebKit that should fix a critical vulnerability related to WebKit itself. The vulnerability is related to WebKit allowing malicious websites to execute code on devices. As per Apple's statement the vulnerability has been exploited, but it shares no details on the number of affected users nor on the damage caused. The update also fixed an issue that could cause Braille displays to stop responding.

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

iOS 15.4 beta 3 changes and features

The initial iOS 15.4 beta brought about several significant new changes and updates, and the next release featured smaller tweaks to the update. Developer beta 3, the third release of the iOS 15.4 beta, follows this trend. One of the easiest new changes to spot is the new Emergency SOS reminder that appears when visiting the Settings app. Users may find a Review Emergency SOS reminder right below the iCloud preference panel in the root of the Settings app. This reminder prompt, which takes users directly to Settings → Emergency SOS, serves as a means to review emergency contact settings and update or add to those contacts if needed.

Full content and details (external sources): 9to5Mac

Hands-on with iOS 15.4 beta 4 changes and features – anti-stalking and new Siri Voice

Ahead of the soon-to-be-released iOS 15.4 RC update, Apple released the fourth developer beta of iOS 15.4. Beta 4 features a primary focus on implementing anti-stalking measures for AirTags. As noted previously, Apple is taking steps to help keep users alerted about potential AirTags stalking, and to warn would-be bad actors about possible criminal misuse of the Find My Network. 

Full content and details (external sources): 9to5Mac

HarmonyOS 

HarmonyOS 3.0 beta testing to start in March

We have a new input regarding the launch of HarmonyOS 3.0 closed beta, which is quite amazing. According to the information coming from a Weibo tipster, Huawei could launch the HarmonyOS 3.0 closed beta in March this year. On the other hand, the closed beta program will allow consumers to test the latest HarmonyOS features ahead of the public release.

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral

Huawei HarmonyOS February 2022 Updates List

As always, Huawei continues the rollout of the latest HarmonyOS software updates for its devices. The software update includes the security patch, features, improvements, and optimizations to enhance the overall performance of the system. The details on the HarmonyOS security bulletins show that it brings fixes for 42 CVEs found in the kernel, system, and third-party libraries.

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral

HarmonyOS January 2022 security update rolling out for Huawei devices

The January 2022 HarmonyOS security update fixes several vulnerabilities and issues that could impact your smartphone in various ways. These patches are implied on the HarmonyOS framework, system, application section as well as third-party libraries.

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral

EMUI

EMUI 12

Huawei has revealed that EMUI 12 is based on the HarmonyOS operating system, which is a surprising element of this crucial information. Recently, Huawei Mobile Germany posted a tweet and mentioned that Huawei P50 Pro, the latest flagship, doesn’t come with Google Mobile Services (GMS). However, the EMUI 12 software is based on Huawei HarmonyOS. Many Huawei consumers have been disappointed in Huawei since HarmonyOS remained enclosed in the Chinese market.

EMUI 12 comes with improved performance that enhances user experience for long-term multitasking in different scenarios.

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral, HuaweiCentral, HuaweiCentral

Huawei EMUI February 2022 Software Updates

Throughout February 2022, Huawei will dispatch a bunch of EMUI firmware updates to devices belonging to both Huawei and Honor brands.

Full content and details (external sources): HuaweiCentral