Microsoft rolled out a complete revamp of its MSN News app to beta testers on Android and iOS last week. Its design and function look very familiar to anyone who uses MSN News on Windows 10. That's great to see as more and more users have Windows 10 devices as their PCs and Android or iOS devices as their phones.
Get trusted news with the all-new Microsoft News app now on iOS and Android. Get trusted news with the all-new Microsoft News app now on iOS and Android.
Over the last week, I checked out the latest version of the app on Android, trying to keep up to date with news and sports during a very busy weekend. It did a great job, and I like the direction Microsoft went with this app. Since the app is in beta testing, this won't be a proper review, but I'll go through the design and features of the app and the concepts behind them.
To sign up to be a beta tester on Android you just need to follow this link. You can then download the app from Google Play as usual.
Customizable news
The idea behind the MSN News app isn't new. You can select categories or specific topics as part of a customized news feed. In this version of the app, you can add these using the menu bar across the bottom of the app. These interests can sync across your devices, including to the MSN News app on Windows 10, though your interests seem connected to the regional variant of the app you're using. It's great that when I logged into the app on my Android phone it already had all of my interests that I've built on my Windows 10 devices.
The app has dozens of categories, from sports to world news, and you can also add specific searches such as 'Windows 10.' Once you select your categories and topics, you can swipe between them. Navigating all of the news is simple and reading it is very attractive within the app in either light or dark mode, which can be toggled manually for any article.
One of my favorite features of MSN News is that I can customize which sources appear in my newsfeed. While it's important to keep a variety of sources, there are some publications I just don't like, and I'm glad I can remove them from my feed. The Windows 10 version has a 'My Sources' section that is unfortunately absent from the beta version of the Android app. Hopefully, this will be added to the mobile versions before they're publicly released.
A fresh look
One of the biggest changes to the app is its overall look and feel. Microsoft did a good job tailoring the app to Android while also modernizing it. The little touches add up and create a fluid experience. One such touch is the ability to switch between a light and dark theme for the entire app or just individual articles. Another is that you after you reach the bottom of the article, you can keep scrolling and move on to the next one. This saves you time and taps on your phone, and is a trend of many news sites today.
Overall thoughts on MSN News beta for Android
MSN News beta's new look and feel take a lot of the good from Microsoft's version of the app on Windows 10 and brings them to Android, and that's a compliment. The app's customizable news structure is good, but it would be nice to the see the 'My Sources' section added to the mobile versions of the app. Microsoft has also done a nice job modernizing the interface of the app which makes it easier to read more news without feeling like you're jumping in and out of articles.
In the future, it would be great to see similar updates arrive across all of Microsoft's apps on Android.
Pros
- Customizable news feeds
- Dark theme
- Local news feeds
Google has released the first beta of Android Q, the next version of its popular mobile operating system. Early adopters can get started by enrolling any Pixel device, including the original Pixel and Pixel XL. The search giant said a preview software development kit (SDK) is also available Wednesday for developers.
Android Q brings 'a number of additional privacy and security features,' Google said in a blog post, as well as new camera capabilities, faster app startup, enhancements for foldable devices, and more.
If you want help on how-to install the Android Q beta check out this story on CNET.
Foldable screen support
Android Q lets developers manage how their app is displayed on foldable and large screens. This includes everything from how apps are resized to how apps are muted when not active.
JPEG + Dynamic Depth
Many phones have a portrait mode that blurs the background of a subject in a photo. The depth-mapping data used to create the effect is discarded after the photo is rendered. Dynamic Depth will allow apps to use that depth data to offer specialized blurs and bokeh options. Developers can also use Dynamic Depth data to create 3D images and AR photography.
HDR10+
The new Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus were the first phones to feature HDR10+ a high dynamic range format for displays. Android Q has HDR10+ for phones and tablets that support it. Android Q will also be able to handle AV1 a video codec that allows for higher quality streaming video that uses less bandwidth.
Faster app launches
Since Nougat, opening apps has gotten faster as Android learned which parts of an apps code is used frequently. Now with Android Q, Google apps can launch immediately. Developers can use Android Q to process app data earlier and then move it to a security container, so it's ready to launch.
Improved connectivity
Android Q improves connections to IoT devices like smart appliances and printers. This can be especially helpful when managing connected devices.
Setting panels for apps
There's no need for you to leave an to make adjustments. You can manage settings from a floating settings panel that offers up specific functions used by the app you're in. For example, Google Chrome's display panel might have connectivity settings like Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi and data.
Privacy protections
You'll have more control over apps and their access to shared files. This is one of the biggest updates to Android. You can also control an app's access to the Photos and Videos. For Downloads, you can decide which Download files an app can access.
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Limit location sharing
You have more control over location settings and permissions. When prompted to give apps permission to see your location you can choose: never, only when the app is running, or all the time -- even in the background. So if you are using a ride share app you can let it track your location while it's in use, but forbid the app accessing your location data when not.
Faster sharing shortcuts
Developers will be able to publish targets in the Sharing Shortcuts interface in advance, which allows them to load instantly when launched by a user.
Wi-Fi performance mode
Android Q offers high-performance and low-latency modes for wireless connections. This will be a boon for real-time gaming and improved voice calls.
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App security
Android Q provides more support for passive authentication like face ID. It also adds specific flows for implicit and explicit authentication. Android Q updates transport layer security to TLS 1.3, which Google claims can establish a secured connection 40 percent faster than TLS 1.2.
Up-to-date Android apps
To allow apps to have the most current security and performance features, Android Q will warn you when it installs a new app targeting Android Marshmallow or older. This summer the Google Play store will require all apps to have 64-bit support.
The company said it'll have more to share about Android Q at Google I/O in May.
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