Latest news with #Material3Expressive
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Google releases new Android 16 update for Pixel phones: Check what's new
Google has begun rolling out the August software update for Pixel devices running Android 16. The latest update includes the August 2025 security patch and addresses multiple user-reported issues — most notably, a bug that was affecting system navigation for some users. Android 16 update for Pixel smartphones: What's new The update brings general improvements to system performance and stability under specific usage conditions. In addition, it includes fixes for the following known issues: A fix for a bug that caused the scheduled dark theme to malfunction in certain scenarios. Fixes for glitches affecting both three-button navigation and gesture navigation systems. Material 3 Expressive design rollout continues Separately, Google is also gradually expanding the reach of its Material 3 Expressive (M3E) design language across eligible Pixel devices. Though not part of this specific update, the new UI direction — introduced with Android 16 — focuses more on dynamic colours, fluid animations, responsive layouts, and enhanced typography for a more personalised user experience. Google has already updated several of its core apps — including Gmail, Photos, and Messages — with M3E-inspired visuals. Most recently, the Phone app was redesigned, introducing clearer call log cards and a refreshed in-call screen. Android 16 update for Pixel smartphones: Eligible devices Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a Pixel 8, 8 Pro, 8a Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7a Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a Pixel Tablet Pixel Fold
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Android Auto is about to get a lot more adaptable
A lot of Google's apps have been going through changes at the moment, thanks to the release of the Material 3 Expressive design scheme. So it's not surprising that Android Auto is getting a little love too. Google has been slowly testing Material 3 Expressive on Android Auto for some time now, and the latest beta build has added a new design feature that changes Android Auto's color scheme depending on your wallpaper. Continuity is key There's no replacement for style Android Auto is likely not a huge priority for Google where cosmetic updates are concerned, but it's clearly important to the tech giant that its apps match across the whole ecosystem. That's why we're glad to see Google moving on with the Material 3 Expressive update for Android Auto, and this new addition is just the latest new feature. Spotted in beta build 14.9 by 9to5Google, the newest version fixes a previous limitation with colors (via Android Authority). This adds the ability for Android Auto to intelligently adapt its color scheme to match your wallpaper. Mainline Android has had this ability for some time, so it's good to see continuity across the different versions of Android. It's a subtle change, and you likely won't notice it unless you're looking for it. It's these sorts of touches that make a difference when you're looking at interfaces like this though, and while you'll only be glancing at Android Auto most of the time, those glances are important. Elements like this adaptation or night mode make a difference, and it's good Google understands that. There are also reports that some users have noticed this change on their stable versions, so it's entirely possible this is on a partial rollout across Android Auto, so keep an eye out the next time you hook your phone up to your car. This is only the first in a number of planned updates for Android Auto, too. Not only is Google looking to replace the Google Assistant with Gemini, but it also has a new light mode coming, as well as the potential to control your car's air conditioning through Android Auto.
Fast Company
4 days ago
- Fast Company
Google's new Material 3 Expressive operating system is some of the company's best design work in years
For the past couple of months, I've been using a pre-release smartphone operating system that represents a significant design overhaul, with a greater focus on transparency and new visual elements that respond realistically to your touches and swipes. No, I'm not talking about iOS 26, where Apple is seemingly changing its mind about the extent of its 'Liquid Glass' design language with every subsequent beta. There are some great new features in there—and iPadOS 26 is huge for productivity —but I'd recommend most iPhone users wait for it to cook a little longer before checking it out. I'm talking about Google's Material 3 Expressive version of Android 16, which has been available on Pixel phones in beta form since May. I've been running it on my Pixel 9 since it was first released to developer channels. It's flown under the radar somewhat, because although Android 16 has been publicly available for some time, this new accompanying redesign wasn't timed for the launch—which made for an underwhelming update. That's a shame, because Material 3 Expressive is actually really great — which is good news for anyone thinking of picking up a new Pixel 10-series phone when they launch next month. 'Expressive' 'Material 3 Expressive' is kind of a convoluted name, building off the previous 'Material You' language, which in turn was a spin on 'Material Design.' But 'expressive' is as good a word as any to encapsulate what Google is trying to do here. The software feels playful and interactive in a way that Android rarely has. It starts with how Google is handling physics and haptics throughout the operating system. There are countless new animations and effects that make it more fun and responsive to use. The volume slider now has an incredibly subtle haptic effect that makes you feel like you're sliding a scroll wheel back and forth, for example, while notifications or recent apps in the multitasking menu all react to each other in physically consistent ways. You know how it feels to finally loosen a book from a crammed shelf? That's kind of what it's like to dismiss a notification here—it looks and feels like you're squeezing it out of a stacked list. Material 3 Expressive backs up the haptic feedback with animations that give on-screen elements a more physical feel. Buttons shift shapes depending on their activation state, while neighboring items in lists react to what you've selected. This design approach is particularly well-suited to Wear OS, which is now solely deployed on circular smartwatches; crucial buttons dynamically shrink and expand to fill the round spaces at the edge of the screen depending on how far you've scrolled. It's the first time it's really felt like a smartwatch user interface is a natural fit for a round display. Visual Overhaul Google's new take on Android also comes with a welcome visual overhaul. It's not immediately dramatic, but you'll notice increased use of transparencies throughout the operating system, as well as bolder typography and brighter color schemes that adapt to your content and wallpapers. Essential UI elements like the battery indicator are now chunkier and more visible. The lock screen has received particular attention, with a larger clock design and a compact notification view that minimizes your alerts until you choose to unfurl them. The overall effect is much cleaner and feels more intentional. The quick settings menu, which appears above notifications when you swipe down from the top of the screen, is a particular highlight. It's always been a helpful Android feature, but this new version is more customizable than ever, even letting you edit the size of buttons in the layout. If you opt for a wider Bluetooth button, for example, the left side of the button can be used as an on/off toggle while the right side expands to show you a list of your connected devices. Google's Best Work Material 3 Expressive won't spur as much discussion or debate as Apple's Liquid Glass, for better or worse. Google doesn't have the same clout to get third-party app developers on board, and this particular flavor of Android will really only be seen on the company's own Pixel phones, which are not huge sellers in most major markets. But I really think this is some of the best design work I've seen out of Google in recent years. While I've always liked the Pixel version of Android, that's tended to be because of the unique functionality and the lack of bloat. Material 3 Expressive, however, feels genuinely fresh and appealing in its own right. Right now, I would say this is the most stylish and attractive software available on any phone, which might just be the first time I'm able to say that about Google's own take on Android. The new Pixel 10 lineup is set to be unveiled on August 20th. They may not shoot up the smartphone sales charts, but assuming they ship with the Material 3 Expressive version of Android 16, it'll be a good reason for the uninitiated to give them a closer look on launch. Subscribe to Multicore. Multicore is about technology hardware and design. It's written from Tokyo by Sam Byford. To learn more visit SIGN UP The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Yahoo
Google Keep is pushing out its fresh new look to more users
Google has been giving more of its apps the Material 3 Expressive treatment, and Keep is the latest to get the visual refresh. What started as leaked glimpses of the updated search bar and UI tweaks is now officially rolling out to more users. The standout change in Keep's update is the revamped M3 Expressive search bar. It's now chunkier and sits between the profile switcher and hamburger menu, which have been pulled out of the bar itself. That shift makes the bar a bit taller but not as wide. 9to5Google first caught the change. It's not just the layout getting a refresh. Google has swapped out the old 'Search your notes' placeholder with a simpler 'Search Keep.' The search filter chips also have a new look. The classic 'Google Keep' animation still shows up at launch before switching over to the updated 'Search Keep' bar and column picker. Even the floating action button (FAB) got a slight revamp, now showing icons first before their text labels. Rounded corners everywhere, from buttons to image previews The toolbar has been touched up too, now rocking bigger icons with rounded backdrops. Down at the bottom, the plus, color/background, and formatting buttons are now circular, and the overflow menu shifts into a pill-shaped look. Meanwhile, the pin, reminder, and archive buttons up top sit in rounded square backgrounds. Inside notes, image previews get a polish too, with side margins and rounded corners. Even the overflow menu has been shuffled a bit, moving the "Edited" timestamp from the bottom to the top. The new Material 3 Expressive look is arriving with Google Keep for Android version 5.25.282.00.90, activated via a server-side update. It's a low-key refresh, but it gives Keep a cleaner, more modern vibe that fits right in with Android's latest design direction. Similar visual changes have recently popped up in other Google apps like Gmail and Google Wallet, among others. Google Keep - Notes and lists Google LLC PRODUCTIVITY Price: Free 4.7 Download
Phone Arena
25-07-2025
- Phone Arena
Google's popular Keep app shows off more Matrial 3 Expressive changes
I would love to tell the Keep users who commented on my last story about the app, as this month began, that Google added password protection to the Keep app as you wanted. But alas, I can't. What I can tell you is that in a follow-up to that previous story, Google has started rolling out more changes to the app based on the Material 3 Expressive design. The first story discussed the new look for the Android variant of Keep found in version 5.25.252.00.90. The latest changes were spotted in version 5.25.282.00.90 of the Android version of Keep. The new look for the Keep app for Android has yet to appear on my Pixel 6 Pro running Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3. The Keep app on this phone is the correct version but it is obvious that Google has yet to flip the switch on the server-side update which is why the new look for the Google Keep app has not been widely disseminated by Google. Material 3 Expressive redesign of the Google Keep app for Android. | Image credit-PhoneArena The updated Material 3 Expressive update for Keep features a thicker search bar with a hamburger icon to the left. The search field reads Google Keep when the app is loaded before it switches to "Search Keep." The icon to switch from a single to a multi-column is on the right of the field. Another change is coming to the Notes section of the app. The buttons are inside containers, including those at the bottom left of the screen. The pin, reminder, and archive buttons at the top-right corner of the display are placed inside squircles. The Google Keep app is available for iOS and Android and helps you create lists and notes. You can record meetings or classes and get written transcripts. With the app, you'll be able to create written notes or save files containing images fresh from your camera or your gallery in the Google Photos app. You can set up a reminder to help you get things done. If you're the creative type, you can record a tune that you've just come up with in your head. Or save some lyrics that you have just thought of. You can even draw that new cartoon character you had a dream about one night. Another look at the Google Keep app for Android with the Material 3 Expressive redesign. | Image credit-PhoneArena The one-size-fits-all app is also great for you power users for those times when a great idea for a merger, or a new design for the company logo, pops into your head. Google Keep also allows you to make a great shopping list. To install Keep on your Android phone, tap on this link to the Google Play Store, from where you can install the app on your Android phone . If you have an iPhone, you can install Keep on your handset too. Just click on this link to install Keep from the App Store.
