Latest news with #alwaysOnDisplay
Android Authority
03-06-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
Android 16 QPR1's 'Ambient AOD' brings your wallpaper to the Pixel's always-on display
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Google Pixel phones may soon feature an always-on display that shows a blurred version of your lock screen wallpaper, a new option called 'ambient AOD'. This 'ambient AOD' feature is hidden in the Android 16 QPR1 beta update and includes a user toggle to turn the wallpaper display on or off. However, we observed screen flickering on current Pixels, suggesting this new AOD feature might be reserved for future devices like the Pixel 10. Many Android smartphones feature an always-on display (AOD) that allows you to see the date, time, and notifications at a glance. Since the display is a primary source of battery drain on mobile devices, many smartphones restrict AOD content to black and white. Some devices, however, can show your wallpaper on the AOD, personalizing its appearance at the cost of some battery life. Currently, Google Pixel phones do not offer this wallpaper feature on their AOD, but this could change with the next quarterly Android 16 release. Although Pixel phones have featured an always-on display (AOD) since the Pixel 2's release in 2017, the ability to show the wallpaper on the AOD has been notably absent for most of that time. Google briefly experimented with this feature for the Pixel 3 in 2018 but didn't carry the feature forward to later devices. In contrast, OEMs like Samsung and Xiaomi have long offered this functionality, and Apple more recently implemented a similar feature on its iOS platform. Now, it appears Google is set to reintroduce AOD wallpaper support with Android 16 QPR1. You're reading an Authority Insights story. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. We've found evidence suggesting Google is developing a feature dubbed 'ambient AOD.' This version would display a blurred iteration of the lock screen wallpaper on the always-on display, differing from the Pixel 3's implementation that showed only a small wallpaper segment. This new approach aligns well with Android's Material 3 Expressive design philosophy, which incorporates background blur across various system elements like the app drawer, keyguard, recents screen, and notification panel. Last month, we showed off an early version of Android's new 'ambient AOD' feature. At the time, we weren't sure if it would be optional, but we've since discovered that Google is preparing to add a toggle for the feature. In Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, Google subtly changed the 'always-on display' setting. Previously a toggle under Settings > Display & touch > Lock screen, this setting in QPR1 Beta 1 now resides on its own subpage within Settings > Display & touch. While this new 'always-on display' page currently features only one toggle for the overall AOD function, we found strings in the Settings app that suggest a 'show lock screen wallpaper' toggle will soon be added. The description for this upcoming 'show lock screen wallpaper' toggle reads: 'Lock screen wallpaper is visible with always-on display.' This toggle will be placed under a new 'wallpaper options' section on the 'always-on display' page. While this placement hints at the potential for additional AOD wallpaper options in the future, there's currently no indication that more are actively in development. Code Copy Text Wallpaper options Show lock screen wallpaper Lock screen wallpaper is visible with always-on display Show lock screen wallpaper when screen is off Hide lock screen wallpaper when screen is off Here's what the 'always-on display' settings page looks like when the 'ambient AOD' feature is enabled in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority When we first reported on the 'ambient AOD' feature last month, some users expressed concern that it wouldn't be optional, so we're pleased to see Google incorporate a settings toggle. Unfortunately, it appears unlikely that Google will extend AOD wallpaper support to existing Pixel devices. We've observed periodic screen flickering on current models when the feature is enabled. This issue might stem from our previous observation that 'ambient AOD' is intended for devices with 'particular displays,' suggesting a need for specific hardware-level changes for proper support. Without knowing the exact display characteristics required, we can't definitively say existing Pixel models won't receive the 'ambient AOD' feature, but it seems probable Google is reserving it for the upcoming Pixel 10 series. 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
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.
