Android 12 units cannot use Chromecast quantity controls because of a ‘authorized concern’

For years, Android units have been capable of management the amount of close by Chromecast classes by merely utilizing the amount keys. For instance, when you forged YouTube out of your telephone to your Nest Hub or tv, you may management the Nest Hub or TV’s quantity through the use of your telephone’s quantity keys. It’s a helpful function that many Android customers have grown to like.

Nevertheless, the function was faraway from Android after the third Android 12 beta. It was at one level believed to be a bug that Google would repair in an upcoming beta replace. A Googler then jumped into the IssueTracker thread and never solely confirmed the function was now not there, however that it was the supposed conduct and could be readded to the software program in Android 12 beta 5. In different phrases, Google eliminated it on goal. However why?

Sadly, Android 12 beta 5 got here and went with no Chromecast quantity controls. We’ve even obtained a serious bug-fixing replace to the steady launch of Android 12, and we’re nonetheless lacking the function. The choice to manage Forged quantity continues to be current in Android 12’s audio settings, nevertheless it’s greyed out and can’t be modified (see the screenshot on the backside of this text).

Apparently, in keeping with a Googler on the IssueTracker thread (h/t 9to5Google and Mishaal Rahman), a “authorized concern” is stopping Google from including the function again into Android.

We don’t but have phrase as to what the authorized concern might be. Nevertheless, we do know Google has been in an ongoing authorized battle with Sonos since early 2020. Sonos claims Google stole a lot of its wi-fi speaker patents. We’ve reached out to Google for remark and can replace this story if we hear again.

Android 12L is predicted to reach for Pixel units in Spring 2022, so some customers don’t have lengthy to attend. Nevertheless, Google lately dropped help for the Pixel 3 with November 2021’s safety patch, so it’s unclear whether or not or not Pixel 3 units will ever obtain an replace to repair the issue.

It’s not all dangerous for Android customers, although. You may nonetheless management your Chromecast gadget’s quantity, simply in a barely much less handy means. As a substitute of merely utilizing your quantity buttons, you may faucet the Chromecast notification, then proceed to vary the amount, both through the use of the amount keys or the on-screen quantity slider.