Latest news with #PixelLauncher
Phone Arena
10 hours ago
- Phone Arena
A subtle UI tweak in Android 16 hints at Google's next big AI push
Google is quietly rolling out two notable design changes as part of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2: a redesigned Pixel Launcher search bar and a new Gemini launch animation. Both features appear to be part of Google's ongoing effort to better integrate AI and streamline the visual experience across Android. The new Pixel Launcher search bar now looks more like the Search widget found in the Google app and Circle to Search. The previous layout, which featured a gradient "G" logo, a voice search mic, and a Google Lens shortcut, has been rearranged. These elements have been shifted to the left side of the bar, making space for a new circular AI Mode button on the right. This updated layout is housed within a pill-shaped container, giving the bar a more modern look. The new Pixel Launcher search bar. | Image credit — PhoneArena Users with Themed icons enabled will see the search bar adapt to Material You's Dynamic Color system, replacing the traditional four Google colors. However, the search bar itself remains static in functionality. In this beta, there is currently no way to remove or customize the color or transparency of the new design. It's important to note that this updated design is currently limited to users in the United States who have access to Google's Search AI Mode. Users outside the U.S. will still see the older, fuller version of the search bar, at least for now. Google is expected to bring the redesign to more regions as AI Mode becomes more widely available. In addition to the search bar changes, Google is also rolling out a new animation when launching Gemini via the power button. When users long-press the power button, the screen shrinks slightly with black borders appearing around the edges, before the Gemini overlay slides up and returns the screen to full size. This animation also brings back vibration feedback, which had been missing in some recent builds. Both the Pixel Launcher redesign and the Gemini animation are being released as server-side updates, meaning availability may vary depending on region, device, and user settings. Google has not yet shared when these changes will reach stable versions of Android. These small but noticeable updates continue to shape how Pixel users interact with AI features on their devices, suggesting more user-facing tweaks could be on the way as Android 16 continues to evolve. It's unclear if these will also show up on non-Pixel Android devices with the Google Search widget and Gemini installed, but it will interesting to see how these play with other Android skins such as OneUI. We will have to wait and see as Android 16 and Material 3 Expressive gets refined further. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase This offer is not available in your area.
Android Authority
12-06-2025
- Android Authority
Google tests new segmented Pixel Launcher search bar design in the latest Android 16 QPR1 beta
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Google is prepping another redesign for the Pixel Launcher's search bar. The new design is already live for some users in the latest Android 16 QPR1 beta release. It features a smaller search bar with a round AI mode button to the right, like the recently released search bar home screen widget. Google has given the Pixel Launcher's search bar a new look in Android 16 QPR1 beta 2. It now resembles the updated search bar home screen widget that rolled out to some users last month, featuring a separate AI Mode shortcut on the right. User reports on Telegram and Reddit suggest that the Pixel Launcher's new search bar design is rolling out to users with the latest Android 16 QPR1 beta update, but it's not widely available yet. Instead of placing the AI Mode button within the search bar, as we showcased in a recent teardown, this new design shrinks the old search bar and places a round AI Mode button to the right. The smaller search bar and AI Mode button are encapsulated in a larger pill with a contrasting background. This Pixel Launcher search bar redesign brings it in line with the updated search bar home screen widget for a more cohesive look. However, Google has yet to implement this segmented design to the search bar at the top of the app drawer. The company could make further changes before the Android 16 QPR1 update hits the stable channel later this year, and we'll update this post as soon as we have additional details. 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
12-06-2025
- Phone Arena
Change to Pixel Launcher spotted after latest Android 16 QPR1 Beta release
The other day Google released Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 and while it included various fixes and new features, the latest beta release for the September Pixel Feature Drop also included a small design change to the Pixel Launcher which we will get to in a second, Before we do, we should tell you that this new look for the Pixel Launcher fits in with Google's comments about the September Pixel Feature Drop (aka Quarterly Platform Release 1 for Android 16 ). Google previously said that the future Feature Drop will add "much of the new visual polish associated with Material Expressive." Now this might not be what Pixel users want to see from a QPR update. Speaking for myself, I always prefer cool features even if they are taken from newer Pixel models. Google has a habit of announcing a new feature for the latest Pixel model hoping that those with an older Pixel will upgrade and buy the latest phone. But I've learned over time that if you keep your wallet closed, the coveted Pixel feature will eventually end up backported on your older phone. I can think of a few features I really wanted, such as Pixel 8's Magic Editor (my Pixel 6 Pro launched with the Magic Eraser only)Pixel 7's Photo Unblur, which cleaned up older photos making them look new and sharp, and Pixel 7 's Clear Calling, which cleans up background noise on phone calls. All of these, and more, are now on my Pixel 6 Pro . Other features backported to the Pixel 6 series include the accessibility feature called Guided Frame which uses voice to help a Pixel user with limited vision frame a selfie. Arrow points to smaller Google G icon in the Pixel launcher search bar in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2. | Image credit-PhoneArena Also rolled out to the Pixel 6 line is the Battery Health indicator which delivers information about how much estimated capacity your battery has remaining. One major feature that many Pixel 6 series were hoping for but will never receive is Face Unlock. However, back in 2022 there was some hope that the Sony IMX663 image sensor used on the Pixel 6 Pro could be used to create a depth map which could be employed on a Face Unlock feature. Ultimately, Pixel 6 users never received a facial recognition feature and are limited to using their in-display fingerprint scanner (which works wonderfully in Android 16 QPR1 Beta2). The new feature that arrived for the the Pixel Launcher appears on the launcher's search bar at the top of the screen. The iconic "G" logo on the left of the bar is noticeably smaller especially when compared tot he two remaining icons in the field which includes the microphone icon you tap to access the assistant, and the Google Lens icon you press to open that feature. As changes go, no this is not a big one but it does prove that Google is always looking to make what it thinks are improvements to its software no matter how limited the results are.
Android Authority
11-06-2025
- Android Authority
I built a focused, productive One UI 7 home screen using its most chaotic feature
Andy Walker / Android Authority I've had a blast using One UI 7 on my Galaxy phone. Now Bar has changed the way I juggle through playlists and monitor dishes in the oven, while its expanded Routines actions offers even more inventive ways of using its built-in automation feature. But one thing I've largely avoided until now was One UI Home. I've never been partial to stock launchers, but since I gave Pixel Launcher a fair chance and built a fairly productivity-minded home screen with it, it's only right that I give One UI Home its spotlight. I decided to use One UI Home as my primary launcher for a week, leaving behind the comfort of Kvaesitso for the wild west of Home Up and widget stacks. I soon learned that these features helped me build a sensible, efficient home screen environment. Which do you prefer: One UI Home or a third-party launcher? 0 votes One UI Home. NaN % A third-party launcher (mention your favorite in the comments). NaN % Turning my insane Samsung home screen into something sensible Andy Walker / Android Authority With the rollout of One UI 7, One UI Home has seen welcome changes. Finally, I have access to a vertically scrolling app list, which makes all the difference for someone like me. I've also embraced Home Up, a Good Lock module that removes more boundaries for those who love an everything-everywhere-all-at-once home screen experience. Unlike my colleague Ryan Haines, who experimented with this feature's choice elements, I wanted to use it to bring more order to my home screen. So, how did I accomplish this? Or at least, how did I plan to achieve this? Unlike my Pixel Launcher experiment, which sought to simplify the first screen I see on my phone to reduce distractions, my One UI Home main screen crams as much information as possible. I wanted to minimize procrastination by hiding social apps from the home screen and reducing my desire to constantly tinker. As a result, I limited myself to important widgets only, while frequently accessed apps are set in folders on the home screen. This setup is widget-heavy, but the use of stacks brings thoughtful order to the madness. I also ensured I maximized the gaps between various elements, giving each widget as much room as possible. This was somewhat possible through Home Up's DIY Home feature. Beware, it's in beta, so be prepared to encounter bugs. I sure did. I'll mention my issues later. Nevertheless, I continued to embrace One UI Home's features, particularly widget stacking. I used this feature to make the most of the available space without cluttering my view. Finally, as I only included important apps on the home screen, every other app can be found using a swipe down and a search via Samsung Finder. It's how I use almost every other launcher, so it's a familiar and efficient workflow. What my DIY home screen looks like, and why it works for me Now, let's get into the actual setup. First, I keep Google Discover enabled. As I also use a Pixel 8, swiping right to access cherry-picked articles has become muscle memory for me. Beyond this, I use two screens for my home setup. The first, which I'll call the main screen, consists almost entirely of widgets. The topmost widget is Samsung's default clock, which displays my local and New York time. This is essential since most of our team uses East Coast time to sync, and I constantly forget the time difference between South Africa and New York. Below this widget, you'll find my first widget stack focusing on weather conditions. The top widget is Samsung's default, offering the current temperature and conditions, and the forecast for the next three hours. This is particularly important during winter in Cape Town. Fronts come and go, and so does the rain, so being aware of how long it'll pour or drizzle ensures I don't get caught in it. Swipe again, and you'll find my favorite radar widget, Weather & Radar. I love this app and use it through Android Auto while driving, too. Naturally, it deserves a place here. Finally, I included a Windy widget to detail the wind gusts in my area, something the other two widgets don't display adequately. Of course, Breezy Weather's Material widget is still king if you don't like these widgets and want a more Google-ified widget. Andy Walker / Android Authority Below this stack, I use two banks of widget stacks side by side. On the right, the Google Home widget gives me quick access to our kitchen Nest Mini and our generic ambient smart light behind the TV. The other widget in the stack is Samsung's battery widget, providing a detailed look at my phone and watch battery. My Galaxy Buds also appear when I'm using them, making it a nifty on-the-go way to check if anything needs a charge. On the left, I have a narrow stack that includes Google Keep, Google Calendar's agenda, and widget. The latter is far superior to Google's own iteration, and I believe it's worth switching into your rotation. I think Keep and the agenda widgets speak for themselves — I like having quick access to my grocery list, dinner ideas board, and my random, daily to-dos. Finally, I have four folders of frequently used apps in the bottom right corner, closest to my right thumb, split by use case. Travel includes apps like Google Maps and Fuelio, Work includes Notion, Shopping is self-explanatory, and Essentials hosts everything else, including Firefox, Gmail, Material Files, the Play Store, and Google Wallet. Andy Walker / Android Authority The second screen consists solely of one launcher stack, with Google News, Sofascore, and Investing widgets residing here. Discover doesn't do a great job of highlighting local news, but News does. Sofascore is essential for a soccer fan, while Investing is key for keeping up with commodity prices and exchange rates. I've been happy with this setup for over a week, but I feel there's room for improvement. At some point, a third screen housing a more detailed weather widget like Meteogram may be in the offing. A review of the apps on the main screen is also in order. One UI's customization tools give me plenty, but it's still not enough Andy Walker / Android Authority While this One UI 7 Home setup could be mirrored in almost every other launcher, two things made it easier to achieve here: DIY Home Screen and widget stacking. The latter is essential for keeping my home screen tidy, functional, and clutter-free without forcing me to drop useful widgets from my rotation. A dedicated weather stack is so useful, while having quick access to Keep and Calendar in one sliver of the home screen is brilliant. Home Up is also vital for maximizing space between widgets, even though it's the most frustrating feature I've ever used in a launcher. Yes, I know it's in beta, so I can't really complain, its tendency to randomly snap objects onto invisible grids and rotating elements had me pull my hair out. Ironically, it forced me to be more conservative with placing items on my screen than its purpose would suggest. It's brilliant for randomly scattered items, but its fine resizing controls still need work. Home Up is also vital for maximizing space between widgets, even though it's the most frustrating feature I've ever used in a launcher. After my experiment, I'm debating returning to my original comfy setup. I've used Kvaesitso on my Galaxy S24 FE since I got the phone, and it wasn't easy to let go of it. I can access all my important widgets without them directly encroaching on my home screen or curated wallpaper. I've grown used to its gesture controls and search peculiarities. After a few days with One UI Home, I was already missing it. Nevertheless, I've discovered plenty about One UI 7 and Samsung's customization drive. While features like Home Up's DIY Home appear to be for those creative folks who plaster their screens with various icons and drawings, it can be used by those seeking order, too. I hope that Samsung considers honing this feature, particularly for those who want to use every inch of our screens.
Android Authority
20-05-2025
- Android Authority
Google tweaks the Pixel Launcher in Android 16 QPR1 to leave more space for your apps
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google has released the first Android 16 QPR 1 beta build for Pixel devices. The update introduces the Material 3 Expressive design changes that the company showcased earlier this month. It also tweaks the Pixel Launcher to free up more space for apps and widgets on the home screen. Google just released the first Android 16 QPR1 beta, bringing the Material 3 Expressive design changes showcased earlier this month to its Pixel devices. In addition, the beta update introduces a much-needed improvement for the Pixel Launcher that frees up more space for apps on the home screen. Google has reduced the size of Pixel's At a Glance widget in the Android 16 QPR1 beta update, freeing up an extra row on the home screen for other widgets and app icons. The update highlights this change when you boot up after installing the beta build with a pop-up stating, 'Good news! Your home screen has a new layout, which means there's space for more apps and widgets.' Telegram/Sominemo Pixel users have been clamoring for a way to turn off the At a Glance widget for several years, as it takes up a good chunk of the top half of the home screen. Although Google still hasn't introduced this option in the latest Android 16 beta update, the smaller At a Glance widget offers a middle ground, letting users add more apps to their home screen without removing the widget altogether. Interestingly, Google has also shrunk the At a Glance widget on the lock screen, likely to free up more room for lock screen widgets. Google has already confirmed that Android 16 QPR1 will bring lock screen widget support to Android phones, and the smaller At a Glance widget will allow users to add more widgets to the lock screen. 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.
