Hacker News with Generative AI: Android

Google Shows Off Android XR Smart Glasses with In-Lens Display (macrumors.com)
Google today showed off a set of lightweight smart glasses that have deep Gemini integration and an optional in-lens display that can offer up relevant information like turn-by-turn directions.
Google Launches NotebookLM for Android (9to5google.com)
As previewed earlier this month, Google today released the NotebookLM app for Android ahead of I/O 2025.
Google is about to unleash Gemini Nano's power for third-party Android apps (androidauthority.com)
Google is expanding access to Gemini Nano, its on-device AI model, through new ML Kit GenAI APIs.
Google says Linux Terminal VM feature isn't replacement for Android desktop mode (androidauthority.com)
A Google employee has revealed why the company recently added a Linux Terminal app to Android.
Google reverses course after blocking Nextcloud Files app (neowin.net)
Google has reversed course after effectively crippling the Nextcloud Files app on Android for users who installed it via the Google Play Store, a decision that many, including Nextcloud, felt was an abuse of power.
Google backs down after locking out Nextcloud Files app (theregister.com)
In a turn of events to warm our withered hearts, Google has offered to restore the permission that was revoked from Nextcloud's Files app for Android.
Harmonic: Modern Android client for Hacker News (github.com/SimonHalvdansson)
Harmonic for Hacker News is an Android Hacker News client which is meant to be modern, fast and well thought out. You can find it on Google Play for download.
Android 15: Here Are the 3 Features Google Removed in Its Latest Update (medium.com)
Google has officially rolled out a major update to Android 15, introducing enhanced security and performance improvements. However, this latest version also comes with the removal of several features that users have come to rely on.
Google's Advanced Protection for Vulnerable Users Comes to Android (wired.com)
With the rise of mercenary spyware and other targeted threats, tech giants like Apple, Google, and Microsoft have spent the last few years trying to figure out how to protect the digital lives of their most at-risk, vulnerable users around the world.
Google restores Nextcloud users file access on Android (arstechnica.com)
Nextcloud, a host-your-own cloud platform that wants to help you "regain control over your data," has had to tell its Android-using customers for months now that they cannot upload files from their phone to their own servers.
The recently lost file upload feature in the Nextcloud app for Android (nextcloud.com)
Dear users, We are aware that for some months, Nextcloud file uploads for Android users have not been working as expected: you cannot upload all data to your Nextcloud, only photos and videos. We have seen your complaints in various forums such as the Nextcloud help forum, on GitHub, Reddit, or other forums.
"Google wanted that": Nextcloud decries Android permissions as "gatekeeping" (arstechnica.com)
"Without full file access, it's kind of hard to use your own cloud."
Android and Wear OS are getting a redesign (google)
Material 3 Expressive is making using your phone and watch more fluid, personal and glanceable.
Google is building its own DeX: First look at Android's Desktop Mode (androidauthority.com)
Google is developing its own DeX-like desktop mode for Android, and we got an early look at the unfinished feature on a Pixel phone.
Nextcloud cries foul over Google Play Store app rejection (theregister.com)
Exclusive European software vendor Nextcloud has accused Google of deliberately crippling its Android Files application, which it says has more than 800,000 users.
Google accidentally leaks Material 3 Expressive UI ahead of Android 16 (indiatimes.com)
Google accidentally revealed the details about its upcoming Android design language, Material 3 Expressive, ahead of the official announcement.
Google Messages is starting to roll out 'Delete for everyone' (9to5google.com)
Google Messages for Android is getting the ability to delete a chat message for everyone in a group RCS conversation.
VMOS – Virtual Android on Android (vmos.com)
Two Accounts Online. Running two social accounts; Dealing with life and work in one device...
GitDroid: A third party Android app manager for apps uploaded to GitHub releases (github.com/TechnicJelle)
An app store for apps uploaded to GitHub releases
iOS and Android juice jacking defenses have been trivial to bypass for years (arstechnica.com)
New ChoiceJacking attack allows malicious chargers to steal data from phones.
Gnirehtet provides reverse tethering for Android (github.com/Genymobile)
This project provides reverse tethering over adb for Android: it allows devices to use the internet connection of the computer they are plugged on. It does not require any root access (neither on the device nor on the computer). It works on GNU/Linux, Windows and Mac OS.
Native Cross-Platform Swift Apps (skip.tools)
In our series on using native Swift on Android, we have covered the basics of the Swift-Android toolchain in Part 1, bridging between compiled Swift and Kotlin in Part 2, and the creation of a cross-platform app with a shared Swift model layer in Part 3.
Daily driving a Linux phone, but why? (thefoggiest.dev)
As a follow-up to a post describing what would be involved for me to daily drive a Linux phone, you could wonder why this would in any way be better than Android.
Bulletproof hosting provider Proton66 steps-up malware campaigns (scworld.com)
The Russian bulletproof hosting provider Proton66 was observed conducting malware campaigns that compromised WordPress sites and then leveraged them to target Android devices.
Android 16 lets the Linux Terminal use your phone's entire storage (androidauthority.com)
Pixel phones are taking a step towards becoming powerful portable PCs with the introduction of the Linux Terminal app in the March 2025 update.
Android phones will soon reboot themselves after sitting unused for three days (arstechnica.com)
A silent update rolling out to virtually all Android devices will make your phone more secure, and all you have to do is not touch it for a few days.
Japan serves Google a cease and desist order over its Android bundling deals (theregister.com)
Japan’s Fair Trade Commission yesterday ordered Google to stop doing deals that require manufacturers of Android handsets to include its apps.
In first, Japan issues cease-and-desist order against Google (japantimes.co.jp)
In an unprecedented move, the Japan Fair Trade Commission on Tuesday issued a cease-and-desist order against Google for violating the country's anti-monopoly law by forcing manufacturers to preinstall the company’s apps on their Android smartphones.
Android phones will soon reboot themselves after sitting unused for 3 days (arstechnica.com)
A silent update rolling out to virtually all Android devices will make your phone more secure, and all you have to do is not touch it for a few days.
Google layoffs impact hundreds in Pixel, Android division (9to5google.com)
After offering voluntary exits in January, Google is said to have laid off “hundreds of employees” in the division responsible for Android, Chrome, Pixel, and more.