Latest news with #mediaControls
The Verge
06-06-2025
- The Verge
Microsoft Edge's picture-in-picture mode is getting better controls.
'You can now easily pause, play, skip forward or backward, and seek via the progress bar right from the picture-in-picture window,' according to a blog post. I don't use Edge, but these seem like good upgrades.
Phone Arena
30-05-2025
- General
- Phone Arena
This long-overdue change could make your Wear OS smartwatch way more useful
Wear OS 6 is introducing a key upgrade that many users have been waiting for. With the new version, Google is improving how the always-on display (AOD) works by allowing more parts of the interface, like media controls, to stay visible even when the screen dims. In the past, most Wear OS apps would hide their content when the screen entered ambient mode. Unless you were using apps like Google Maps, Keep, or Spotify, you would only see the time and a blurred screen when your wrist was down. This made it harder to quickly glance at useful information without waking the watch. Wear OS 5.1 always on display with media controls. | Image credit — 9to5Google Google is now changing that. With Wear OS 6, the interface will keep showing the last screen you were using in a low-power state. According to the company, the update combines different solutions into a consistent AOD experience across devices. For example, if you are playing music, you will still see the current track and playback buttons, even when the screen is in ambient mode. Wear OS 6 always on display with media controls. | Image credit — 9to5Google Media controls are also getting a visual update. The buttons are now styled using the Material 3 Expressive design. While in active use, the buttons appear bold and filled in. When the AOD is on, the same buttons become thin outlines, but they still show up clearly and remain usable. You can still see the song name and take action without tapping to wake the feature builds on what Google started with the Pixel Watch in Wear OS 5.1. That version had a hidden developer setting called Force Global AOD Experience, which kept the current screen visible in a dimmed state. Wear OS 6 is turning that idea into a standard are other improvements in Wear OS 6 as well. All tiles will now use the same font, making it easier to move through the tile carousel. Health permissions are also being updated, giving users more control over what data each app can access. Wear OS 6 is based on Android 16 and is expected to arrive later this year. While there is no confirmed rollout date yet, the changes could lead to a more consistent and helpful experience for smartwatch users.
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.
