Latest news with #NowBar
Tom's Guide
12 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Google could be planning its own take on Samsung's Now Bar — what we know
AI is becoming a part of every part of our phones, whether we realize it or not, and each new feature is just the beginning. One good example is Samsung's Now Bar, and it sounds like Google may have its own version in the pipeline — dubbed Gemini Space. This comes from Mishall Rahman over at Android Authority, who finds hints about the feature in the Android 16 QPR 1 beta 1 release. Apparently new files reference something called "Ambient Data", which is believed to be the internal code name for Gemini Space. Other strings refer to "Ambience Hub", "Ambient Display" and "Ambient AOD." That suggests Google is working on a feature that relies on contextual data, and is prepping it for a bunch of different devices and use-cases — including smart home hubs and devices with an Always on Display. Rahman believes that this could be the start of Google rebranding its existing "At a Glance" feature, in an attempt to offer something similar to the Now Bare and Now Brief features on the best Samsung phones. For those that don't know. Now Bar is a section of the lock screen that features real time information, which changes throughout the day depending on whatever contextual information the phone can pick up. At a Glance does do some of this, but it's not quite as easy to access. Shifting it to the lock screen, and adding extra features, could be one way for Google to offer comparable features for other Android phones to utilize. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Though Rahman does admit that he could be wrong, Gemini Space may end up being something entirely different. With limited information, we can't really make strong affirmations either way. But considering Google and Samsung do have a close relationship, especially with AI, it would be surprising if we didn't get something similar to the Now Bar at some point in the near future. We're just going to have to wait and see, though.
Business Insider
11-06-2025
- Business Insider
Google unveils Android 16, rolling out first to Pixel devices
Google announced Android 16, rolling out first to supported Pixel devices with more phone brands to come later this year. This is the earliest Android has launched a major release in the last few years, which ensures you get the latest updates as soon as possible on your devices, the company said. 'Android 16 lays the foundation for our new Material 3 Expressive design, with features that make Android more accessible and easy to use,' said Google. 'Waiting for your food delivery to get to your house? Instead of opening your delivery app every 5 minutes, live updates keep you informed in real-time. These live updates are starting with compatible ride-share and food delivery apps. We're working together with these app partners to bring this capability to the Android ecosystem, including in Samsung's Now Bar and OPPO and OnePlus' Live Alerts. We're also force-grouping notifications that come from a single app to help reduce information overload. Your notifications will automatically be grouped together to keep things looking tight and organized. Android 16 provides significant enhancements for people who use hearing aids . Current LE audio hearing devices use their built-in front-facing mics for audio input. Those mics are designed to pick up the sound of the person you're speaking to – not the sound of your voice. Now you can switch to using your phone's microphone for clearer calls in noisy environments. We're also releasing native control for hearing devices in Android 16 for easier access and a more consistent experience. This means you can now control things like volume on your hearing devices right from your Android phone.'
Tom's Guide
29-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
One UI 8 beta just made the Now Bar a lot more useful — here's how
Samsung's One UI 8 beta is here, and it is bringing a host of improvements to some of the best Samsung phones, including some changes to the Now Bar. There's little doubt that Samsung's Now Bar is a bit lacking in terms of how useful it is, but Samsung has steadily been adding new features, for instance, adding Google Maps support. However, the most recent One UI 8 beta, as revealed by Android Authority, has drastically improved this functionality by having the Now Bar feature live call handling, alongside do-not-disturb schedules. We'd heard rumors that Samsung was planning to add this feature earlier this month, but we didn't have a clear view of what it would look like. However, Android Authority has shared screenshots of the Now Bar taken on a Galaxy S25 running the latest beta. The first image shows an outgoing call with the contact's name appearing in the Now Bar, although the call information strangely also appears in the notifications panel. This is likely a quirk of this being from a beta, and the notification pop-up won't appear in the public release. The second image shows the Now Bar displaying that the phone is in Do Not Disturb mode, as well as what time it will revert back. This isn't the only change that's set to come with One UI 8. For instance, one of the biggest claims Samsung's making for One UI 8 is the introduction of multimodal AI. This AI should, in theory, be more aware of what you're doing on your phone and will be able to offer more personalized and proactive suggestions as a result. Samsung has stated that this will specifically mean that the Now Bar and Now Brief will be able to offer more customized insights into your daily activities. The One UI 8 beta also features some major improvements to the Secure folder, including a much-needed Kill Switch. The folder will also behave more like Android's Private Space features, meaning you can store apps in the folder without a copy being kept on the rest of your phone. Samsung pushing to add more functionality to the Now Bar is sure to be appreciated. However, the real hope here is that the release of One UI 8 is more stable than the One UI 7 launch was, since it was fraught with issues. Thankfully, it seems that Samsung has taken the lessons of the last launch to heart. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. One UI 8 beta is available now, but only if you have a Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Plus or the S25 Ultra in the U.S., U.K., Korea and Germany. So far, Samsung has not announced whether it will come to other devices or regions yet.
Android Authority
28-05-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
With One UI 8, Samsung just gave the Now Bar the functionality it was missing
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR The Now Bar in One UI 8 beta shows calls and Do Not Disturb status. This expansion of the Now Bar's functionality was anticipated after a leak earlier this month. One UI 8 beta is rolling out now for Galaxy S25 series users in select regions. Samsung's One UI 8 beta has just started rolling out, and while the changes appear to be subtle so far, there are some clear improvements on board. We've already confirmed at least one rumored upgrade as the lock screen's Now Bar has new call and Do Not Disturb functionality. As our One UI 8 beta screenshots below confirm, the Now Bar — the rounded widget centered at the bottom of the lock screen — now shows live call status and Do Not Disturb scheduling. These screenshots were taken from a Galaxy S25 running the new beta. The first image displays an outgoing call in the Now Bar, while another shows DND mode activated until a set time. These additions were expected after a leak of this specific functionality earlier this month. The Now Bar already supported select apps and live info, including sports scores from Google, a media player, Samsung Health data, Voice Recorder, Samsung Notes, and emergency features. Adding calls and DND mode makes the feature feel much more comprehensive. This beta build is now available in the US, UK, South Korea, and Germany for users with the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, or S25 Ultra. 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
27-05-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
Now Bar is my favorite One UI 7 feature, but this tiny change would make it even better
Andy Walker / Android Authority I've really enjoyed using One UI 7, even if it does have a few niggles. It's always exciting to have a shiny new toy, even if that toy is software. But my fondness for it goes beyond its new car smell. The new Samsung Android skin packs plenty of practical features I've grown to like, and the Now Bar tops that list. For the uninitiated, the Now Bar is a UI addition that displays context-relevant information on the lock screen and always-on display. The pill-shaped info box doesn't support many apps at launch, with clocks and timers, sport scores, modes, and Google Maps directions some of its more useful list items. However, I've found it great for monitoring currently playing music. Do you want Samsung to add Now Bar customization options? 0 votes Yes, I want more control over Now Bar's design and controls. NaN % No, Now Bar is fine as it is. NaN % My morning work routine goes a lot like this: I'll make a strong cup of coffee, sit down, slap on a Spotify playlist, and get keyboard mashing. My Galaxy S24 FE sits on a stand below my monitor, and the Now Bar makes it so easy to glance at the screen to see which track is playing (even if it's locked). The feature has been a lovely quality of life improvement for me as I no longer have to tap to wake the screen or have Spotify baking my display, which would no doubt distract me from my current task and ruin my phone. Despite everything I like about Now Bar, it's far from perfection and there is plenty of room for improvement. Where are my Now Bar customization options, One UI 7? Andy Walker / Android Authority Let's start with my biggest annoyance: its rigidity. One UI 7 lets users customize more features than ever before, and with Good Lock, almost no element is out of reach. Now Bar is not one of those items. Now Bar makes monitoring currently playing music so simple, but it should allow me more control of its look and functionality. On the lock screen, the Now Bar pill displays minimal info, including the track's name, a play/pause button, and previous and next options. That's it. There's no option to switch these buttons for others or display other details, like the artist's name or current track position. I'd really like to know who composed or performed the track I'm listening, too. I wouldn't say no to size and position adjustments for the pill, as you can do with almost all other UI elements on the lock screen. However, no such options exist, forcing me to use Now Bar as Samsung dictates. Andy Walker / Android Authority My second big issue isn't so much a missing feature but how an existing feature is implemented. Tapping the bar while a track is playing expands it into multiple elements that display much richer information — essentially what I'm calling for above. I get a large album art view, the track's name and artist below, and a control box, with the current output device, an animated seek bar, and additional shuffle and add to library controls. The color of these elements also changes based on the album art's primary hues, which isn't true on the always-on display. You can see the expanded Now Bar design below. Gorgeous, right? Visually alluring and practical, this view would solve many of the problems I have with its current barebones design. So what's the fuss? Well, there's no option to make this a permanent fixture. As it's restricted to the lock screen, I'm back to the threadbare Now Bar display when my phone relocks. The solution here is simple: allow this view on my always-on display when playing music. Easy. Small changes will have a massive impact Joe Maring / Android Authority Now Bar in One UI 7. To give Samsung credit, I do really like the concept of the Now Bar, and overall, my grievances are minor. They don't ultimately detract from its purpose of delivering quick bites of info, and, if I need to, I can draw more details from it. Additionally, it works well, I haven't encountered any bugs yet, and the apps that support it are all made better by it. However, I'm not going to say it's the finished article. That's to be expected. It's a new feature, and it'll take time to mature. However, I don't want Samsung to just sit on its hands with the Now Bar. It's here, but now it needs further refinement. I have hope that it will, though. The company has handed over the reins of One UI to users with glee, and I can't see why it wouldn't include Now Bar with it. In short, I'm optimistic. With Android 16 just around the corner and One UI 8 hopefully following in short order, I trust the changes I seek will come sooner rather than later.
