Latest news with #GoogleTL
Android Authority
15-05-2025
- Android Authority
Pixel Watch quietly gets its first taste of Material 3 Expressive
Supplied by Google TL;DR Google is silently rolling out new Material 3 Expressive design elements to the Pixel Watch. A Reddit user has noticed a new, display-hugging tile layout for the Google Calendar app. The changes seem to be a part of a server-side update. Although the Wear OS 6 release is still a few months away, Google seems to be quietly rolling out Material 3 Expressive elements to the Pixel Watch. The first signs of the new design are appearing in the Pixel Watch's Calendar tiles, which now seem to embrace the display-hugging aesthetic Google has promised. A Reddit user shared images of the updated Material 3 Expressive design showing up in two Google Calendar tiles on their Pixel Watch. In the images below, you'll notice that the Upcoming Tasks and Events tiles are now more tailored to the round display. The 'More' and 'Calendar' buttons, for example, have switched to a rounded style that better matches the curvature of the screen, replacing the older, pill-shaped design. The tile graphics have also been stretched out to fill more of the display, making better use of the available space compared to the previous, more compact layout. Google Calendar for Wear OS was recently updated, but the redesign doesn't appear to be tied to the latest version. Instead, it looks like the changes are being pushed via a server-side update. It's also quite possible that Google is A/B testing the new look with a limited group of users. If that's the case, we may start seeing similar visual updates roll out across other Wear OS apps ahead of the Wear OS 6 launch, which will bring a wider rollout for the Material 3 Expressive design.
Android Authority
13-05-2025
- Android Authority
Google finally showcases the Quick Settings revamp coming in Android 16
Google TL;DR Google has officially revealed the interface changes coming to Android later this year. The company has given us an early look at the revamped Quick Settings panel during The Android Show today. The updated panel features resizable Quick Settings tiles, new one-click Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles, an improved tile editor, and one-click shortcuts for adding or removing tiles. Although Android 16 beta builds don't feature any significant visual changes compared to last year's release, Google has already confirmed that it's working on a new expressive Material Design theme that could roll out with a subsequent update. In addition, we've spotted some in-development UI changes that could soon change the look of your phone's status bar, lock screen, notification shade, Quick Settings panel, etc. During The Android Show today, Google finally showcased the new expressive Material Design theme and the upcoming interface changes, including the revamped Quick Settings panel. Android Authority first spotted evidence of the upcoming Quick Settings design changes, including the resizable tiles, one-click toggles for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the updated tile editor late last year. While these changes are not live in the fourth Android 16 beta release that rolled out last month, we enabled them manually to give you an early look. Now, Google has officially confirmed the redesign during today's The Android Show event, giving us yet another look at Android's updated Quick Settings panel. Google shared a short clip during the event showcasing the redesigned Quick Settings panel. The clip highlights the new toggle animations, resizable Quick Settings tiles, and the updated brightness slider. Although it doesn't show the one-click Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles in action, it does confirm the updated toggle design we saw last month. Additionally, we get a look at the new blurred background for the Quick Settings and notifications panel. The new Material 3 Expressive theme and UI overhaul will arrive with Android 16 later this year. Google says the changes will first land on Pixel devices, before making it to smartphones from other manufacturers. What do you think of Android's revamped Quick Settings panel? Do you like the upcoming changes, or do you prefer the current design? Let us know in the comments. 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
13-05-2025
- Android Authority
Gemini is coming to Google TV later this year, but the Google TV Streamer has to wait
Google TL;DR Google has confirmed that Gemini will be available for Google TV devices later this year. Surprisingly, the Google TV Streamer won't be the initial launch device for Gemini on Google TV. Gemini-powered features will first arrive on upcoming TCL TVs. Gemini took center stage at The Android Show today, with Google announcing that its AI assistant is coming to a broader range of devices, including Wear OS smartwatches, Android Auto, Android XR, and Google TV. Yes, Gemini is heading to your Google TV-powered televisions and streaming boxes, like the Google TV Streamer. On televisions, Gemini will essentially replace the Google Assistant to offer content recommendations based on the questions you ask using natural language. For example, you could say, 'Show me some action movies,' or 'Find age-appropriate shows for my kids.' You can even ask things like, 'Can you explain the solar system to my first grader?' and Gemini will surface suitable YouTube videos for the same. Technically, Gemini on Google TV was first announced back at CES 2025. At the time, Google said users would be able to talk to their TVs naturally without saying 'Hey Google' before every query. Google also shared that Gemini would offer more than just content suggestions on Google TV devices. Other Gemini-powered features on Google TV will include generating custom screensavers in ambient mode, using natural language to search for media or photos, and controlling smart home devices when the TV is idle. Now, Google has confirmed that Gemini for Google TV will roll out first to TCL TVs later this year. Surprisingly, the Google TV Streamer won't be the initial launch device for Gemini, and there's currently no timeline for when the AI will be supported on the device. Google also says it's working with additional partners to bring Gemini to more televisions. Google previously announced that 2025 Google TV devices will include new hardware features like far-field microphones and proximity sensors. These upgrades will allow TVs to detect when users are nearby and enable hands-free, remote-less conversations with Gemini. 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
13-05-2025
- Android Authority
Wear OS 6 is coming, and we've got an official launch window
Supplied by Google TL;DR Google has confirmed that Wear OS 6, based on Android 16, will launch later this year. The company says Wear OS 6 will be available on the Pixel Watch series and on new watches from partners in the 'coming months.' The new smartwatch software brings a revised UI and up to 10% better battery life. Google is gearing up to release Android 16 in the coming months, and it brings a tweaked look as well as plenty of other improvements. The company is also working on Wear OS 6, and it's now revealed a vague launch window. Google confirmed at its Android Show event that Wear OS 6 will roll out in the 'coming months' to Pixel Watch models and new watches from partners. For what it's worth, Wear OS 5 debuted in July 2024 with the Galaxy Watch 7 series. So don't be surprised if Wear OS 6 debuts alongside the Galaxy Watch 8 series or shortly after the Samsung watch launch. Wear OS 6 is based on Android 16 and offers several improvements. Perhaps the most notable change is the revised UI, which is broadly in line with Android 16's Material 3 Expressive style. The new UI offers larger buttons, smoother scrolling, color theming based on your watch face, and more. Aside from the tweaked visuals, Google says it's 'continuing to improve performance and optimize power.' It specifically claimed that you can expect up to 10% better battery life. This could be a notable gain for people who are struggling with smartwatch endurance. The smartwatch-related news doesn't stop here, either. Google also confirmed that Gemini was coming to Wear OS watches, but you won't need Wear OS 6 to take advantage of the modern chatbot. 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.
