Latest news with #AndroidDevelopers
Phone Arena
13-06-2025
- Phone Arena
A trio of new features is coming to Google Messages although one might already be here
Currently, if you create a new group in RCS (Rich Communication Services), you are given an icon for the group that is created in the Google Messages app by your Android phone; you have no say over what it looks like. But that is going to change in Android 16 as Google will offer Android users custom icon support in RCS group chats. This will allow you to change the icon for RCS groups already created, and select a custom icon for new groups created. The icon will be based on a photo stored by you on-device or illustrations sent by Google. Two tabs above the icon options are listed as Device Photos and Illustrations. Google also has added another new feature to Google Messages called notification snoozing. This feature will allow notifications to be temporarily muted for specific chats. These notifications can be muted for 1 hour, 8 hours, 24 hours, or always. Select custom icons for groups created in RCS. | Image credit-Google Chats with snoozed notifications enabled will have a clock icon on the home screen and inside the chat, a pop-up will appear showing the length of the snoozed notification within the chat. Users will be given the option to allow notifications from snoozed group chats they are tagged (@mentioned) in the chat. You can snooze notifications in an RCS chat in Android 16. | Image credit-PhoneArena Lastly, to make it easier to see if you're starting a new SMS text or an RCS chat, the RCS tags feature will add to a person in your Google Messages contacts list an RCS tag when the enhanced messaging feature is enabled. If a contact has multiple numbers in your contacts list, the number that has RCS enabled will have the tag. In the list, RCS users' names will be tinted in a Material You shade while those not using RCS will have their names shown in white. You can see the difference a lot easier in dark mode. RCS users will be tagged in the Google Messages contact list. | Image credit-Google Google says that all three features will be rolling out over the next few days. Snoozed notifications already appear on my Pixel 6 Pro running Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2. Long press on a chat and on the toolbar at the top of the display you'll see an icon that looks like an alarm clock with a "z" in the middle of it. Tap on that icon and you'll see a screen titled "Snooze notifications?" You will be able to select the duration of the notification snooze. As we've previously mentioned, the options you can choose from are 1 hour, 8 hours, 24 hours, or always. On the bottom right corner you can choose to cancel the Snooze notification setting or choose to Snooze.
Mint
10-06-2025
- Mint
Android 16 begins rollout on 11 June: Eligible devices and what to expect
Google is set to begin the phased rollout of its latest mobile operating system, Android 16, on Wednesday, 11 June. The update will initially be available to select Pixel devices as an over-the-air (OTA) software update, with broader availability expected in the coming weeks. Unlike previous years, the tech giant is introducing the stable version of Android 16 earlier than usual, hinting at a renewed focus on improving its release cycle. Although the update marks the official launch of Android 16, most of its headline features — including a redesigned interface and advanced battery health tools — will not be part of the initial version and are scheduled to arrive later through the Android 16 QPR1 (Quarterly Platform Release 1) update. The announcement was confirmed by the official Android Developers account on social media platform X. While Google has confirmed the 11 June release date, no specific rollout time has been disclosed. As with previous Android releases, the update is expected to reach users in stages depending on region and device eligibility, due to global time zone variations. The update is being rolled out first to compatible Pixel smartphones. Google's own devices are usually the first to receive Android updates, with other brands pushing the update later after integrating their respective user interfaces or skins. Confirmed devices expected to receive the update include: Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a Pixel 7, 7 Pro Pixel 8, 8 Pro, 8a Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold Pixel 9a S Series: Galaxy S22, S23, S24, S25 Z Series: Fold 4/5/6, Flip 4/5/6 A Series: A24–A26, A34–A36, A54–A56, A73 M Series: M34–M36, M54–M56 F Series: F34, F54, F55 Xiaomi 13, 14, 15 Redmi 12, 13 Redmi Note 13, 14 Redmi K70 OnePlus 11, 12, 13 Nord 3, Nord CE 4, Nord CE 4 Lite Edge 40, 50, 60 Razr 50, 60 G45, G85 While the initial update may not bring sweeping changes, significant enhancements are expected in the coming months with the QPR1 update. One of the standout upgrades could be the Material 3 Expressive interface — a refined take on Google's dynamic design language. This new version will likely feature adaptive colours, smoother animations, and enhanced haptic feedback, offering a more intuitive and responsive user experience. Quick Settings will likely see a design refresh. The brightness slider could be reimagined with a rectangular shape, and tiles may be resized and grouped into categories. A new reset option for quick toggles is believed to be in development. Live Activities, a feature designed for real-time updates, such as tracking sports scores or deliveries, is anticipated to be integrated into the lock screen, status bar, and notification panel.
GSM Arena
10-06-2025
- GSM Arena
Google Android 16 coming today
While all eyes were on the new iOS 26, Google announced that the Android 16 final release will come out later today. Mind you, this doesn't mean 'final' as in 'last', it's just the end of the beta period. This is only for supported Pixel phones (Pixel 6-series and newer). They need to be running either Android 15 or an Android 16 beta. Other manufacturers should have final updates ready soon, given that they have followed Google with their own beta releases. It's almost time for the Android 16 final release! See you back here tomorrow. 😉 — Android Developers (@AndroidDev) June 10, 2025 Note that if you are running Android 16 QPR 1 Beta 1, you will not receive Android 16 final as an over-the-air update. QPR is a quarterly release and is expected in the fall – that update will deliver a major UI overhaul called Material 3 Expressive. QPR is a separate update track and is currently on Beta 1.1. Source
Android Authority
30-05-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
Google will put the always-on display to good use in Wear OS 6
Google TL;DR Google has confirmed that Wear OS 6 will offer media controls on a smartwatch's always-on display. This will allow you to control your music playback without turning on your watch's screen. It seems like the always-on display could support more than just media controls, though. Google announced Wear OS 6 earlier this month, bringing some visual changes in line with its Material 3 Expressive design language. However, it looks like a welcome addition to the always-on display went unnoticed until now. Google quietly revealed on its Android Developers website (h/t: 9to5Google) that media controls will stay active on the always-on display when you're not using your Wear OS 6 smartwatch. Check out the image below for a better idea of what we mean. 'The current song and media controls remain visible even when the user isn't interacting with the Wear OS device,' read an accompanying caption. This would be a major improvement over previous Wear OS versions, which forced you to turn on the display. Google adds that this is part of an initiative to deliver a 'consistent' always-on display experience across devices. 'As part of this change, the previous top activity remains visible and in the 'resumed' state when the device enters system ambient mode,' Google explains, suggesting that this will apply to more than just media-related activities. Our fingers are crossed that the Wear OS 6 always-on display also supports activities like workouts, timers, and navigation. The new smartwatch OS is currently available as a developer preview and is expected to launch in the 'coming months.' The software also brings up to 10% better battery life, Live Updates, and a variety of aesthetic tweaks. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
22-05-2025
- Android Authority
Developers can finally pull that buggy app update from the Play Store
TL;DR Google will allow app developers to easily halt the release of their apps on the Play Store. Developers currently have no easy way to stop the release of their apps in the event of a major bug or other significant problem. This would also make life easier for users, as they wouldn't have to unwittingly download a problematic app update. The Google Play Store allows users to seamlessly update their apps, but developers sometimes issue updates with significant bugs. Unfortunately, there's no official way for them to stop this rollout, which means unaware users will continue to download the questionable update. Thankfully, Google has confirmed on the Android Developers Blog that app developers will soon be able to stop app and update releases via the Play Console and publishing API. Google says this will allow developers to 'stop the distribution of problematic versions to new users.' This would be a welcome change as developers who opted for a '100%' release of their app would have no way to halt the rollout if they discovered a major bug or other significant issue. One apparent workaround was to set the release percentage to a lower figure (e.g. 99.9%), which would still allow you to stop the update. This functionality would be very convenient for users as they might not be aware that the update for their favorite app has bugs or other problems. The feature could also be particularly useful for people who set their phones to automatically download the latest app updates from the Play Store. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
