Latest news with #BetaRelease
Android Authority
11-06-2025
- Android Authority
Here's an early look at the Material 3 Expressive changes headed to the Google app (APK teardown)
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR The Google app on Android could soon receive some subtle design tweaks. We've spotted upcoming tweaks for the status bar, search progress bar, and the tab bar at the bottom in the latest beta release. The app could also receive a new Material 3 Expressive loading animation and a button to refresh the feed. The Google app on Android is set to receive some visual changes in line with Android's new Material 3 Expressive design language. We've spotted these changes in the latest beta release (version 16.22.44), and here's an early look at the upcoming design improvements. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Starting at the top, the status bar in the Google app has received a translucent gradient background. It gives the status bar a more modern look and is already live in the latest beta release. It's a very subtle change, and you may not even notice it if you're using the dark theme on your phone, but it's more apparent when using the light theme. Google is also working on a minor tweak for the progress bar that appears under the Search bar when you perform a search. The updated design is slightly thicker and more rounded, as shown in the following screenshot. AssembleDebug / Android Authority Lastly, Google is updating the scroll behavior of the tabs at the bottom of the screen. Currently, the tabs remain persistently visible as you scroll through the app. However, in a future release, Google plans to change this behavior and hide the tabs when you scroll through the feed. The attached clip shows this new behavior and gives us a glimpse of the new Material 3 Expressive loading animation that will appear when you reach the bottom of the feed. The clip also shows a new 'Refresh' button that appears under the search bar as you scroll through the feed, but it's not functional in the current beta release. We expect these changes to roll out to users in the coming days, and we'll update this post as soon as they're widely available. 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
11-06-2025
- Android Authority
Google may declutter Gemini's compose box with a new Tools button (APK teardown)
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR The Gemini interface on Android may soon get a new tools button for Gemini's Canvas, Deep Research, and Video tools. Currently, shortcuts for these tools appear within the text box next to the microphone and Gemini Live buttons. With an upcoming update, Google may replace these shortcuts with a single 'Tools' button. Google is prepping a minor tweak for the Gemini interface on Android to give it a cleaner look. We've spotted the change in the latest Google app beta release and enabled it manually to give you an early look. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. The compose box on the Gemini interface currently features shortcuts for Gemini's Canvas, Video, and Deep Research tools. As shown in the following screenshots, shortcuts to two tools remain permanently visible to the left of the microphone and Gemini Live buttons, while you can access the third by tapping the three-dot button. Current UI New UI with Tools button In an upcoming release, Google could replace these shortcuts and the three-dot button with a single 'Tools' button. Tapping on it will open the same pop-up window, giving you access to all three tools. Once you select a tool, a corresponding chip will appear within the compose box, indicating that you're currently using that tool. You can stop using the tool by tapping the 'x' icon on this chip. Although minor, this UI change makes Gemini's compose box look less cluttered than the current iteration. However, it's not live for users at the moment. Google could roll it out with a future update, and we'll update this post when it's widely available. 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.
Phone Arena
05-06-2025
- Phone Arena
Google releases Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1.1 to exterminate some bugs
When Google released Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 at the end of last month, the first beta release for the September Pixel Feature Drop transformed my Pixel 6 Pro into a new phone with better performance and improved battery life. Along with some improvements, the update also included some bugs that have been addressed in today's release by Google of Android 16 QR1 Beta 1.1 (BP31.250502.008.A1). If you have a compatible Pixel device, which includes the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro , Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a, and Pixel Tablet series devices, go to Settings > System > Software updates . If you see the prompt for the update, tap on it and follow the directions to install it. The Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1.1 update is a minor release that exists to clean up some of the issues that were caused by the first Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 release: The navigation buttons would become unresponsive in the app drawer or task switcher (Issue #418395419) The progress bar in the media player on the lock screen doesn't reflect the place in media (Issue #419142109) Fixed a crash when trying to open effects in wallpaper (Issue #419063857) The settings app would crash after trying to open the battery menu (Issue #419125330) The lock screen date could get cut off when using a wide clock style (Issue #419145518) The search button has a different color when scrolling (Issue #419130323) The approve button in Device Admin settings is missing (Issue #419144521) Dark album labels appeared in the photo picker when in dark mode, impacting readability (Issue #419159231) The date wasn't appearing on the homescreen Fixed a fingerprint authentication failure on a multi-user Android device in certain low-power conditions The update continues to include the May 2025 Security patch level which was the same patch level included with the first Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 release. Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1.1 also includes version 25.13.33 of Google Play services, also unchanged from the first beta release. I am happy with the Android 16 QPR1 beta release, especially how much improved it makes my Pixel 6 Pro feel. If you've installed the update on your Pixel, let me know what you think about it and whether you've noticed any improvement in your phone's performance and battery life.
