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Geeky Gadgets
3 days ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2: Game-Changing Features Revealed!
The Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 update introduces a variety of new features, visual refinements, and system improvements aimed at enhancing your overall experience. Among the most notable additions is the desktop mode, which transforms your Pixel 8 or newer device into a desktop-like interface when connected to an external display. This update also brings user interface (UI) enhancements, expanded customization options, and critical bug fixes, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive experience for users. The video below gives us detailed look at the update. Watch this video on YouTube. Desktop Mode: A Leap in Productivity Desktop mode is a standout feature in this update, offering a desktop-like experience when your Pixel 8 or newer device is connected to an external display. This functionality is designed to improve productivity and multitasking, supporting features such as: App docking for quick access to frequently used applications Window resizing to optimize multitasking Floating apps and multiple desktops for enhanced flexibility To enable desktop mode, you will need a compatible USB-C cable, a display with USB-C input (or an adapter), and activation of the feature in developer settings. This addition is particularly beneficial for users who require greater versatility for work or entertainment, bridging the gap between mobile and desktop environments. Visual and UI Improvements The update introduces several visual and interface refinements that enhance both usability and aesthetic appeal. These changes aim to make everyday interactions more seamless while maintaining a cohesive design language. Key updates include: A revamped 'At a Glance' widget with clearer pagination dots for better navigation Smoother animations for quick settings, notifications, and media controls Repositioned volume controls featuring updated Material You design elements Enhanced wallpaper customization with quicker access to effects and new categories like 'Wallpaper Studio' Redesigned settings menus for sound, vibration, and display options to improve navigation These improvements not only enhance the visual consistency of the interface but also contribute to a more intuitive user experience. Expanded Customization Options Personalization is a key focus of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, with several new customization options introduced to make your device feel uniquely yours. These include: Enhanced wallpaper customization tools, offering faster access to effects and new categories Additional lock screen clock customization options, allowing you to tailor its appearance to your preferences These features align with Android's commitment to user-centric design, making sure that your device reflects your personal style and needs. Bug Fixes and System Stability The update addresses a range of persistent issues, improving overall system stability and reliability. Key fixes include: Resolved issues with auto dark theme activation Fixes for app shortcut glitches and camera crashes Improvements to the Now Playing feature for better music recognition Unified font colors in the status bar and quick settings for a more consistent appearance These fixes aim to eliminate common pain points, making sure a smoother and more dependable user experience. Known Issues While the update brings significant improvements, a few unresolved issues remain. These include: The 'screen off fingerprint unlock' feature remains non-functional Occasional crashes or delays when setting new wallpapers Although these issues are relatively minor, they highlight areas for further refinement in future updates. Additional Changes Several smaller but impactful changes have also been introduced, further refining the overall user experience. These include: Collapsible categories for app notifications, making it easier to organize alerts The 'Cast' option renamed to 'Google Cast' under connected devices, reflecting its broader functionality A redesigned battery percentage bar with a thicker appearance and larger font for estimated time, improving readability Minor tweaks to location settings, the lock screen clock, and the system rules page These subtle adjustments enhance usability and clarity, addressing practical aspects of the Android experience. Looking Ahead Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 delivers a comprehensive mix of innovative features, polished design updates, and essential bug fixes. The introduction of desktop mode stands out as a significant addition, offering new possibilities for productivity and entertainment. Meanwhile, the visual and customization enhancements ensure a more intuitive and personalized experience. Although a few minor issues persist, this update represents a meaningful step forward for Android, setting the stage for future advancements. Whether you are a power user or a casual one, these updates are designed to make your device more versatile, user-friendly, and enjoyable to use. Below are more guides on Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 from our extensive range of articles. Source & Image Credit: In Depth Tech Reviews Filed Under: Android News, Mobile Phone News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. 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Globe and Mail
12-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Pixel Gets New Features and Android 16: Should You Hold GOOGL Stock?
Alphabet GOOGL is adding new features to Pixel, including the new VIPs widget, stickers on Gboard with Pixel Studio (using Generative AI), improved photography skills, AI-powered editing in Google Photos, and enhanced accessibility features. Android 16, which brings the new Material 3 Expressive design, is now available for Pixel users. The VIPs widget helps users to always stay connected to their friends and family, as VIP contacts can bypass the Do Not Disturb feature. Pixel users can now create stickers of anything on Gboard by just typing a prompt, choosing the right emotion and sending, without having to switch apps. Existing features like Satellite SOS are now available in Australia, which users can use for emergency services. The reorder app can now provide AI-generated summaries of a user's recordings in French and German. Users of Pixel 8 phones now have access to the Clear Voice feature. The latest features are expected to boost the shipment of the Pixel. In the United States, the launch of the Pixel 9a and the continuing popularity of the Pixel 9 series are noteworthy. Google Pixel is gaining traction in Europe, per 9TO5 Google, which cited data from Canalys. The device saw a 43% year-over-year jump, shipping close to 1 million devices in Europe in the first quarter of 2025. However, Pixel lags Apple 's AAPL iPhone 16 shipment, which, as per Counterpoint, was the top-selling smartphone brand in the first quarter of 2025. Alphabet Shares Rides on AI Innovation, Cloud Prospect Alphabet shares have jumped 11.2% in the past month, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector's appreciation of 5.2%. GOOGL shares have outperformed Apple as well as Microsoft MSFT and Amazon AMZN, two of its closest competitors in the cloud computing domain. Per Synergy Research Group data, Amazon's share in the worldwide cloud infrastructure market amounted to 29% in the first quarter of 2025, ahead of Microsoft's Azure platform at 22% and Google Cloud at 12%. While Microsoft and Amazon shares increased 5.2% and 0.9% in the past month, respectively, Apple shares dropped 6.7%. GOOGL Stock's Performance Alphabet's focus on leveraging AI to drive growth is a key catalyst. AI is infused heavily across its offerings, including Search, Google Cloud and Pixel. Alphabet has been taking up initiatives to improve its market share in Search through AI innovations. The addition of AI mode expands AI Overview's advanced reasoning, thinking and multimodal capabilities. AI Overviews is driving a more than 10% increase in usage of Google for queries that support AI Overviews in Google's biggest markets, like India and the United States. AI Overview is currently used by more than 1.5 billion people monthly. AI mode is now available in the United States. Circle to Search has been another key catalyst driving user engagement. At the end of the first quarter of 2025, Circle to Search was available on 250 million devices, with usage increasing roughly 40% during the quarter. In Cloud, Alphabet is benefiting from its partnership with NVIDIA. Google Cloud was the first cloud provider to offer NVIDIA's B200 and GB200 Blackwell GPUs and will be offering its next-generation Vera Rubin GPUs. Introduction of 2.5 flash, Imagen 3 and Veo 2 are noteworthy developments. Google Cloud is becoming a preferred choice for enterprises planning to deploy AI agents thanks to the Agent Development Kit and a low-code tool offering Agent Designer. The addition of Wiz to Google Cloud will boost competitive prowess against the likes of Amazon and Microsoft in the cloud computing space. Earnings Estimate Revisions Show Upward Trend for GOOGL The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2025 earnings is pegged at $2.12 per share, up a couple of cents over the past 60 days, indicating 12.17% year-over-year growth. The consensus mark for 2025 earnings is pegged at $9.51 per share, up 8% over the past 60 days, suggesting 18.28% year-over-year growth. GOOGL is a Risky Stock on Regulatory Headwinds Regulatory headwinds like the lawsuit between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and GOOGL over Google Search are a concern. The DOJ argues that Google has inked anticompetitive deals with Apple and other companies for prime placement of its search engine and plans to break up Google to separate products like Chrome, Search, and Android. DOJ's proposal doesn't bode well for Alphabet, given growing competition from AI-powered products like ChatGPT, Grok, DeepSeek, Perplexity and Meta AI. GOOGL is suffering from a lack of capacity, and until new capacity comes online this year, cloud revenues are expected to witness increased variability. The company expects to invest roughly $75 billion in capital expenditures in 2025, which is aimed at building up technical infrastructure, primarily for servers, followed by data centers and networking. Alphabet expects advertising revenue growth to be lower due to a challenging year-over-year comparison. The company enjoyed solid growth in the financial services vertical in 2024. GOOGL Stock is Overvalued The Value Score of C suggests a stretched valuation for Alphabet at this moment. Alphabet stock is trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month Price/Sales of 6.34X compared with the Zacks Internet Services industry's 5.29X. Conclusion Alphabet's growing AI capabilities and significant investments in cloud computing bode well for long-term investors. So, investors who have already invested in GOOGL stock should stay put. However, stiff competition in the cloud space, as well as the search engine market and increasing regulatory headwinds make the GOOGL stock risky in the near term. Alphabet currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggesting that it may be wise to wait for a more favorable entry point to start accumulating the stock. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. 5 Stocks Set to Double Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the #1 favorite stock to gain +100% or more in 2024. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +143.0%, +175.9%, +498.3% and +673.0%. Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. Today, See These 5 Potential Home Runs >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Apple Inc. (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (
India Today
11-06-2025
- India Today
How to download and install Android 16 on your phone today: Full method explained
Google is officially rolling out Android 16, starting with supported Pixel devices. Other Android phones are expected to receive the latest iteration of the mobile operating system gradually in the coming weeks. The new update brings a range of upgrades and features across design, accessibility, privacy, and productivity. If you're eager to try the latest version, here's how to download and install Android 16 right now on Pixel before jumping into the installation process, ensure your device is eligible for the Android 16 update. Right now, only select Pixel phones are receiving the Android 16 update. These devices include:Pixel 8, 8 ProPixel 8aPixel FoldPixel TabletPixel 7, 7 Pro, 7aPixel 6, 6 Pro, 6aMore Android smartphones — including models from brands such as Samsung, OnePlus, OPPO, and others — will receive Android 16 in the coming weeks or months. For now, Pixel users get first to install Android 16 Downloading Android 16 is a straightforward process. For Google Pixel users, check for an over-the-air (OTA) update:Navigate to Settings > System > Software on Check for the Android 16 update is available for your device, it will appear as a download of approximately the update doesn't appear immediately, be patient — it is rolling out new in Android 16?advertisementAndroid 16 is one of the most significant updates for Android phones, with a bunch of new UI and AI-related improvements. Here are a few highlights you'll notice after upgrading your Pixel or other Android phone to the new OS:Smarter, less cluttered notificationsNotifications are now grouped more effectively to avoid overwhelming your screen. Android 16 also introduces live updates for certain apps like food delivery and ride-sharing, so you get real-time information without refreshing the hearing aid supportUsers with hearing aids can now control settings directly within the phone's settings. Additionally, Google has added an option to switch from your hearing aid's mic to your phone's mic during calls — for clearer voice transmission in noisy Protection modeFor digital safety, Android 16 enables Google's Advanced Protection mode. This one-tap feature protects users from scams, harmful apps, and other online upgrade for tablets and foldablesIn collaboration with Samsung, Android 16 introduces desktop-style windowing, allowing users to resize and move app windows freely — just like on a PC. Additionally, other productivity-focused features like custom keyboard shortcuts and taskbar overflow will roll out later this year.
Android Authority
10-06-2025
- Android Authority
Android 16 QPR1 beta 2 is here, with Pixel's DeX competitor and more
TL;DR Google has announced the release of Android 16 QPR1 beta 2. The new beta software brings a desktop mode when connected to an external display. The update also brings desktop windowing functionality to tablets. Google launched Android 16 QPR1 beta 1 last month, giving us our first official look at the company's new Material 3 Expressive design language. Now, the company has announced the release of Android 16 QPR1 beta 2. Perhaps the most notable addition is a desktop mode, dubbed connected displays. This follows in the footsteps of Samsung DeX by offering a PC-like environment when connected to an external display. Google says the feature is available on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 families and can be enabled by visiting developer settings and tapping desktop experience features. What else is available in Android 16 QPR1 beta 2? This new beta also brings desktop windowing functionality to tablets (seen above), allowing users to run multiple apps at once in resizable windows. Best of all, this feature ties into the desktop mode as well, allowing one desktop to span the external display and tablet screen. 'The two displays then function as one continuous system, allowing app windows, content, and the cursor to move freely between the displays,' the search giant explained. Supplied by Google Two other notable features in this update include custom keyboard shortcuts and taskbar overflow (seen above). The latter delivers a pop-up carousel of your apps if the taskbar is full. These features follow other confirmed Android 16 QPR1 additions, such as the Material 3 Expressive visual style, improved HDR brightness controls, and wallpaper suggestions from Google Photos. This isn't the only notable Android release today, as Google has also just released the stable version of Android 16. 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
10-06-2025
- Android Authority
Android 16's Desktop Mode transforms your Pixel phone into a PC, and here's how you can try it now
TL;DR Google is developing a DeX-like desktop mode for Android phones, and you can try it out now on supported Pixel devices with Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2. This feature projects a desktop-like environment with a taskbar and freeform windows to an external display, while the phone screen remains usable. The desktop mode experience requires a Pixel 8 or newer, the latest Android 16 QPR1 beta, and an external display. One of the most exciting pieces of Android news from last month's Google I/O developer conference was Google confirming it's working on a desktop mode feature for Android phones. At the event, the company revealed that the desktop windowing experience it built for tablets will extend to external displays, meaning you'll get a desktop-like environment when you connect your phone to an external monitor. Better yet, Google also announced you'll be able to try this new desktop feature on your Pixel device in a future Android 16 quarterly release beta. The wait is now over: Android 16's new Desktop Mode is available to try out in the latest Android beta! How to enable Android 16's Desktop Mode on your Pixel phone To get started, you'll need a Pixel phone that supports display output over USB-C — this means the Pixel 8 and later models, including A-series devices. The Pixel 7 and earlier, unfortunately, lack hardware support for DisplayPort Alternate Mode, the feature that allows some of the USB-C pins to carry a DisplayPort signal. Google enabled this feature starting with its Tensor G3 generation of Pixel devices, which means the Pixel Tablet and the first-generation Pixel Fold also lack display output support. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority The next thing you'll need to do is install the latest Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 update. Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 adds the new Desktop Mode experience feature that enables a desktop session to be started on an external display. The feature isn't enabled by default, however. To enable the new Desktop Mode experience feature, simply navigate to Settings > System > Developer options and toggle 'Enable desktop experience features'. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority You'll be asked to reboot your phone, and after doing so, you should see the same desktop mode experience we demoed last month when you connect your Pixel phone to an external display. Google confirmed at I/O that this desktop experience is built on the foundation of Samsung DeX, which explains why there are many similarities. What is Android 16's Desktop Mode currently like? Much like DeX, Android's new desktop mode features a taskbar at the bottom of the external display. This taskbar displays the app drawer, your pinned apps, recently opened apps, and navigation buttons. The status bar appears at the top; pulling it down reveals the notification and Quick Settings panels side-by-side. More importantly, apps launch in freeform windows that you can freely move or resize. Similar to Microsoft Windows, apps can also be snapped to the side, making it easier to drag and drop content between them. Google confirmed at I/O that while desktop mode is in use, your phone or tablet's display remains fully usable. This is because Android projects a virtual display to the external monitor, allowing your phone or tablet's main screen to operate independently. This means you can use your phone or tablet for other tasks while different apps are running on the external display. Better yet, you can use the same mouse to control both your phone or tablet and the external display, as Android 16 also improves external display management to enable seamless mouse cursor movement between them. Since tablets support desktop windowing on their main displays, Android also allows app windows and content to seamlessly move between the tablet's display and the external display. Since phones and tablets have wildly different screens than most external displays, Android allows you to independently manage the display and text size for your phone or tablet versus the external display. Simply navigate to Settings > Connected devices > External display to control these settings. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority What else is new for desktop windowing in Android 16? Beyond extending desktop windowing to external displays, Android 16 also introduces several new features for desktop windowing. This includes support for multiple desktops, allowing you to create different workspaces for productivity, entertainment, and more. New keyboard shortcuts and trackpad gestures allow you to easily switch between these desktops. Android can even maintain window sizes, positions, and states across different desktops, so you can set up your preferred workspaces once and Android will restore them the next time you enter desktop mode. Android 16 also improves how legacy apps behave on external displays. The operating system allows you to freely resize apps with locked orientation. This means that, even if an app is locked to portrait mode, it can be elongated when run in a desktop windowing environment. However, if the app tells the system that it's nonresizable, then Android will maintain the app's aspect ratio as it scales the UI. Lastly, if an app opens a camera preview when in desktop windowing, the viewfinder's aspect ratio is maintained while the rest of the app is freely resized. The introduction of a proper desktop mode for Android phones is an exciting development. It's admittedly a bit underwhelming in its current state, especially when compared to Samsung DeX, let alone full-fledged desktop operating systems. Keep in mind, though, that Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 only features an early iteration of Google's new desktop mode. In this beta, Google requires manually flipping a developer toggle to enable it — a clear indicator that it isn't ready for prime time. I'm confident it will improve, though, as Google has a long-term vision of transforming Android into a desktop-class operating system. Rolling out this desktop mode for Android phones is key to that vision, providing developers with another strong incentive to optimize apps for large-screen compatibility. 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.
