Latest news with #MaterialDesign
Phone Arena
01-08-2025
- Phone Arena
More changes introduced to the Phone by Google app
The earlier update used the Material 3 Expressive design to make changes to how information is presented in the app. The use of Material 3 Expressive continues with the latest Phone by Google release, which is rolling out now with version 185 of the app. The keypad, which previously could be opened by tapping on a FAB (Floating Action Button), will, after the update, require the user to tap on a tab titled "Keypad" found on the bottom bar. The Favorites tab has been removed from the bar and has been replaced by a button on top of the Recents list. The Favorites remain profile icons, and these can be swiped like a carousel. They are found on top of the Recents list. The Voicemail tab is staying in the same place, on the bottom bar, and Contacts, Settings, Clear call history, and Help & feedback are now located in a navigation drawer. Users can choose between two different gestures to answer a call. | Image credit-Android Police By default, users will answer incoming calls with a horizontal swipe to the right. Calls can be declined by swiping to the left. Users will be able to switch to a different interface that allows them to answer a call by tapping on a green button on the right titled "Answer." Tapping the red button on the left titled "Decline" will dismiss the call. To change the method of answering a call on your phone, open the Phone app and tap on the three-dot icon on the upper-right of the display. Tap on Settings > Incoming call gesture . The screen will show "Horizontal swipe." If that's okay, leave it. Otherwise, you can tap on it, and a box will pop up. Change the setting from Horizontal swipe to Single tap. Changing the incoming call gesture from a horizontal swipe to a single tap. | Image credit-PhoneArena Another change can be seen with incoming and outgoing calls. The contact photo from the other party appears inside a scalloped circle with the phone number (edited out) underneath the name. More changes to Phone by Google app for Android. The version of the app with the new navigation drawer and the Home tab hasn't been widely disseminated yet. I know it has yet to reach my Pixel 6 Pro running the latest Android 16 QPR1 Beta. Actually, the entire update has been disseminated in stages by Google. The navigation changes started going out to users of the Phone by Google beta last month. Some have received the navigation changes while others have the old layout and the Material 3 Expressive redesign.
Android Authority
21-07-2025
- Android Authority
Google is playing with an energetic new Gemini animation (APK teardown)
AssembleDebug / Android Authority TL;DR As part of its big Material 3 Expressive overhaul, Google's been rethinking its approach to the Gemini overlay. Instead of just gently sliding onto screen, Google's been working to give Gemini a little bouncy momentum. The latest version of this animation we've uncovered is easily the most dynamic yet. Change is coming to Google's Android software, and that change's name is Material 3 Expressive. The company's latest design language is being implemented across Android apps and the system UI itself, and we've been working hard to bring you all the early previews we can manage of these changes as they're being developed. And today we're starting off the week with an update on one we've already checked in with. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Modern UIs aren't static things, and while we'd use words like 'rounded' and 'high-contrast' to describe components of the Material 3 Expressive look, you'd need to see the system in motion to appreciate another one: 'bouncy.' Earlier this month, we shared a preview of a bouncy new way Google's Gemini overlay was getting ready to appear on your screen, sliding up from the bottom with some undeniable momentum. Let's briefly recap: first we have the no-nonsense 'smoothly slide up from the bottom' action we currently get from Gemini. And then from there, we got our first look at this bouncy new vibe: That was a good start, but before Google's ready to hit 'go' on this new behavior for the overlay, the developers have a few more tweaks to make. For this, we're looking at version beta of the Google Android app. This change isn't yet user-visible, but if and when Google flips the switch, rather than following the overlay's main input bar straight up, this new animation will have the chips for additional options now swing into place above the bar with a little more flair. That could really help to make those selections stand out, and encourage users to interact with them — as still a quite new tool, decisions like that are going to be important if Google wants everyone getting comfortable with all the different things Gemini's capable of doing. Right now, Google may still be feeling out exactly how it wants the overlay to look and behave, so we wouldn't take any of these finds as a certainty. But that said, it feels like there's a clear momentum to the changes we've been uncovering, and it seems quite likely we'll continue to see development heading in a similar direction. 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
13-07-2025
- Android Authority
Android's new design is bouncy and I'm all for it
Joe Maring / Android Authority From blobs to bounce to bright colors, your phone is about to look and feel a lot different, with Google bringing more of an opinionated approach to its design than we've ever seen before. In the world of software design, many are used to looking to Apple for inspiration, but Google's Material Design bucks that trend with its boldest and most daring design strategy yet. Is Google's more playful approach going to be a hit and entice an entirely new type of consumer to give Android a try? Or is it just going to alienate longtime Android users? In my time with the latest Android 16 beta, I've encountered some of these new design elements, while some are not yet implemented. Let's dive into a few of my favorite interactions. Bringing Android to life with a bounce There's a new bounce throughout Android as a whole. That's the best word I can think of to describe how it looks and feels, and it makes the OS feel more functional, playful, and interactive, bringing it to life in a way that previous versions did not. The changes are subtle but important, adding up to an overall design that feels fluid and fun. The most obvious example of this is the new notification panel. Swiping to dismiss an alert now feels like you're peeling the notification away from the stack, in the best possible way. Swipe slowly to really see all the different aspects of this seemingly simple interaction all come together. The corners morph from slightly squared off to more round, the surrounding notifications move ever-so-slightly in the same direction as your swipe, and just at the right moment — about 10% of the way into your swipe — haptic feedback signals the point at which your chosen notification detaches from the stack, all while the remaining notifications bounce gently back into place. All of that comes together to create a really satisfying swipe gesture. Before this change, a notification dismissal felt independent of the surrounding notifications. You'd swipe, the box would fly off the screen, and the stack would collapse together to fill the space. While it worked fine then, the whole experience just feels more cohesive and intentional now. And again, that snap — or haptic feedback, rather — when the notification detaches from the rest of the stack is super satisfying. There's a new bounce throughout Android as a it makes the OS feel more functional, playful, and interactive in a way that previous versions did not. Another example of Google's move toward motion is the increase in shape shifting with Material components. Google's updated design documentation now contains a ton of new tools and guidelines to create a more animated UI, like button groups, where the selected button morphs into a more oval-like shape, while the unselected buttons remain more squared off. You can already see this shape shifting in the new Quick Settings panel. When you turn on the flashlight, for example, the button goes from a rounded oval to a rounded square. This is a nice way to quickly visualize which buttons are activated and which aren't. And of course, there's that bounce again. The surrounding buttons animate with a bounce with each tap of the flashlight button, again leading to a more cohesive experience. Since we're still in beta, there are still a lot of new design elements on the way. You can check out the full list of Material 3 Expressive components in Google's documentation. It only matters if Google cares enough Google is making it clear: it wants Android and apps on the platform to come alive. And it means it, too, so much so that it includes an entirely new motion physics system in M3 Expressive, designed to allow developers to customize the physics of their apps more easily than previously possible. This is something I'm particularly excited about, and I really hope Google and third party developers alike implement this in tasteful ways, leading to apps that feel right at home in this new evolution of Android. That's a really important point, though. All of this sounds great — and so far, from what I've seen, looks great — but will developers buy into this new design language? Will Google itself implement it into their own apps, thus taking the lead and setting the example for what M3 Expressive is all about? There are already traces pointing to some of Google's main apps implementing the new design language, but only time will tell if other developers will follow suit. Based on what you've seen, do you like the added animations in Android 16? 1 votes Yes, but I hope Google doesn't overdo it. 0 % Yes, and I hope they continue to add more throughout the OS. 100 % No, Android is already animated enough. 0 % I don't use Pixel launcher, so I'll probably never see this anyway. 0 % I've used Android for a long time now. Pixel 2 XL was my first Android device, though, so I know many of you have used Android a lot longer than me. This has me wondering what more tenured Android enthusiasts think of this design direction. Historically, Android didn't use nearly as much motion, which may be preferred by some longtime users. With the new direction, it appears Google is going for a more mass market appeal, and I'd argue this is the right move, positioning Google to appeal to a generation of users who are used to, say, the fluidity of iOS, but maybe they're looking at trying Android thanks to Google's promising AI features. Google is making a huge bet here with Material 3 Expressive. The motion adds a fluidity that was lacking in previous versions of Android, a cohesiveness that now feels obvious, and a whole new way for developers to make their apps more beautiful and more functional. The goal is seemingly in the name itself — Material Design — and all these new animations definitely make your device seem more like a material you can feel.
Geeky Gadgets
29-05-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Stop Everything: The 5 Android 16 Features You NEED to Know Now
Android 16 brings a collection of carefully crafted updates aimed at enhancing customization, interactivity, and visual appeal. Built on the Material 3 Expressive design framework, this release focuses on refining the user experience through thoughtful improvements rather than introducing dramatic overhauls. In the video below, Marques Brownlee explores the top five features that define this update and how they contribute to a more polished Android experience. Watch this video on YouTube. 1. Enhanced Lock Screen Customization Android 16 offers a more personalized lock screen experience, giving you greater control over its appearance and functionality. Key updates include: Adjustable Clock Fonts: Choose from a variety of font styles and thicknesses to match your aesthetic preferences. Choose from a variety of font styles and thicknesses to match your aesthetic preferences. Notification Display Options: Customize how much information is visible on the lock screen, balancing privacy with convenience . Customize how much information is visible on the lock screen, balancing with . Customizable Shortcuts: Add quick-access tools or frequently used apps directly to your lock screen for faster navigation. These updates transform the lock screen into a functional and visually appealing space, reflecting your personal style while improving usability. 2. Smarter Multitasking Multitasking becomes more seamless and intuitive with Android 16, thanks to several key enhancements: Streamlined Split-Screen Mode: A simplified dropdown menu in the recent apps view makes launching apps side by side quicker and easier. A simplified dropdown menu in the recent apps view makes launching apps side by side quicker and easier. Smoother Transitions: Improved animations and physics create a fluid experience when switching between tasks. Improved animations and physics create a fluid experience when switching between tasks. Reactive Haptics: Subtle vibrations provide tactile feedback, making interactions feel more responsive and engaging. These improvements ensure multitasking is not only faster but also more user-friendly, allowing you to manage multiple apps effortlessly. 3. Home Screen and Wallpaper Upgrades Android 16 introduces new customization options for the home screen, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal: Slimmer 'At a Glance' Widget: A more compact design frees up space for additional icons or widgets without compromising on useful information. A more compact design frees up space for additional icons or widgets without compromising on useful information. Dynamic Wallpaper Effects: Live weather animations and cinematic 3D motion effects bring your wallpaper to life, adding a touch of vibrancy. These features allow you to create a home screen that feels uniquely yours, offering a balance between practicality and visual sophistication. 4. Refined UI Physics and Haptics The user interface in Android 16 feels more natural and responsive, thanks to improvements in UI physics and haptics: Dynamic Interactions: Menus and notifications now behave more realistically, mimicking real-world physics for a smoother experience. Menus and notifications now behave more realistically, mimicking real-world physics for a smoother experience. Enhanced Swipe Gestures: Gestures are more precise and fluid, with subtle haptic feedback enhancing the sense of control. These refinements make everyday interactions more intuitive and satisfying, elevating the overall user experience. 5. Redesigned Quick Settings and Notification Panel The quick settings and notification panel have been revamped to improve usability and adopt a more modern design: Transparent Background: A sleek, minimalistic look that integrates seamlessly with the rest of the interface. A sleek, minimalistic look that integrates seamlessly with the rest of the interface. Improved Brightness Slider: A larger slider makes adjusting brightness more precise and accessible. A larger slider makes adjusting brightness more precise and accessible. Enhanced Bluetooth Button: Combines toggling functionality with direct access to device settings, reducing unnecessary steps. These updates make accessing essential settings faster and more intuitive, streamlining your interactions with the device. Additional Updates Worth Noting Beyond the headline features, Android 16 includes several smaller but impactful updates that contribute to a more cohesive experience: Notification History Button: Quickly access past notifications, helping you stay organized and avoid missing important updates. Quickly access past notifications, helping you stay organized and avoid missing important updates. Reorganized Settings App: A simplified layout makes it easier to navigate and find specific settings. A simplified layout makes it easier to navigate and find specific settings. Transparent UI Elements: Features like the app drawer and volume slider adopt a cohesive, modern design language for a unified look. Features like the app drawer and volume slider adopt a cohesive, modern design language for a unified look. Upcoming Features: The 'Find Hub' aims to centralize device tracking, while persistent notifications mimic iOS-style updates for ongoing tasks. These smaller changes, while subtle, collectively enhance the overall usability and visual consistency of Android 16. Final Thoughts Android 16 exemplifies the value of thoughtful refinement. By building on the Material 3 Expressive framework, this update prioritizes customization, interactivity, and aesthetics. From the lock screen to multitasking and quick settings, every feature is designed to make your device feel more personal and responsive. While not innovative, these updates collectively elevate the Android experience, making sure it remains intuitive, engaging, and tailored to your needs. Enhance your knowledge on Material 3 Expressive Design by exploring a selection of articles and guides on the subject. Source & Image Credit: Marques Brownlee Filed Under: Android News, Guides, Mobile Phone News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. 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Phone Arena
27-05-2025
- Business
- Phone Arena
Android 16 vs Android 15: Is the Material 3 Expressive glow-up worth the hype?
The latest evolution of Android's Material Design is here. More than four years after the most recent Material You redesign, Google's latest Material 3 Expressive is here to shake up the design language of the wildly popular operating system once again. As Google beautifully puts it, Material 3 Expressive is all about "vibrant colors, intuitive motion, adaptive components, flexible typography, and contrasting shapes", and that's pretty much the gist of the upcoming restyling. The latest Android 16 QPR1 beta introduces Material 3 Expressive to any eligible Pixel phones, allowing any adventurous user with a Pixel phone lying around to try it out for a spin. In case you would rather not do that, it's fine: this is where we come in! Led by the mantra that a phone that's NOT running a beta version of something is a boring one ( and who even wants to use a boring phone? ), we quickly installed Android 16 on a trusty old Pixel and went on to detail the changes against Android 15. Spoiler alert, there are many changes that will definitely make your Pixel phones that much more customizable, but the included personalization options aren't that expansive just yet. One thing that's immediately noticeable once you spin Android 16 for a round is the much more expressive and colorful appearance of most interface elements. Just opening the main settings page or swiping down on the quick settings pane immediately reveals the nature of the new update from a visual standpoint, which isn't something that can be said about most previous Android updates. The most major new change with Android 16 is arguably the major redesign of the quick settings/notification shade. It's not totally revolutionary, but it introduces many important changes. For one, you can now change the general shape and size of the existing tiles, which was previously unavailable on "stock" Android 15 . By default, the older quick settings tiles all used the same elongated squircle shape, which displays a lot of useful info but also takes up a lot of precious space. With Android 16 , any tile can be changed from the default long squircle to a way more compact one. That's now more in line with the vast amount of custom Android skins out there, which have always focused on smaller and more compact toggles and buttons, though many are now also experimenting with customizable interfaces, sliders, and others. And this space-saving change definitely works, and it's not subjective at all. On Android 15 , you get four quick tiles when you swipe down, or up to eight if you fully expand the shade. That's not very efficient. With Android 16 's mix-and-match approach, you can have up to 16 small squircle buttons per page, which will display no text but an easily recognizable icon with the feature you're about to turn off or on. Long-pressing works in this mode, so the only thing you're losing is the superfluous text. What's more, interacting with any of the buttons in Android 16 introduces a slight jiggly motion that affects the other buttons around, which is neat. That's shaping up to be a very beneficial change for Pixel users. With the stockish Android that's available on Pixel phones, the lock and home screen customization is bundled together in the same "Wallpaper and style" menu, accessible either by pressing the home screen or from the respective option in the main settings page. The changes here are mostly in the presentation. The interface is slightly flashier, but the overall theme here is that the magical ergonomic essence achieved by Android 15 's customization menu is missing here––while the options are there, they're tucked away in dedicated menus and not immediately available, making personalization a few extra swipes or taps away. While the new menu feels a bit cleaner and more polished, it removes some of that user friendliness that we had with the previous Android. Android 16 With Android 16 , the interface has been juggled up a bit, with some essential features like the lock screen clock style and theme colors getting nested inside other menus. While their changed places are logical and intuitive to get to, you now have to take one extra swipe or tap, which isn't beneficial to the overall usability and somewhat hurts the user-friendliness as well as the ergonomics. The older Android 15 isn't drastically different, as the feature set is largely the same. What's more, the use of space here is a bit more efficient, though, as pretty much all essential options are available as soon as you open the customization menu. You can change the clock style, main theme colors, and the wallpaper straightaway. Definitely a more efficient use of space here. New with Android 16 are Google's cool new Magic Wallpaper options available when you use any of your photos as a backdrop. When you select a photo as your wallpaper, it will be searched for any depth information, allowing you to highlight the subject in one of the few wacky cutout shapes. You get to pick the shape, as well as the color and intensity of the background color. This effect works best with portraits. Another new feature here are the live weather effects, which can apply an effect to your photos in accordance to the local weather conditions, like rain, snow, fog, or sun rays. It's a fun feature that works best with landscape photos, though seeing snow pile up on your portrait wallpaper is also fun! On the other hand, Android 15 is lighter in terms of features: it only has the Cinematic wallpapers option available, which applies a subtle 3D effect to your photos. Pretty humble. The main settings page hasn't gone through major changes. Sure, some secondary menus have been shuffled around and others have moved, but just about anything is right where you'd expect it to be. New are the backdrops on the menu icons, which add a much-needed splash of color to an otherwise drab-looking menu. One of the few changes is inside the different settings pages. Previously, each one of these got a uniform color wallpaper at the rear, which didn't help much in the way of differentiating between the separate sections. Android 16 revises that and adds a secondary, slightly lighter coat of paint as a backdrop of the different sections, which definitely aids the legibility of the different menus. A subtle change can be found in the recent apps. Aside from an updated physics model that bounces an app when you swipe-to-dismiss it, Google has also introduced a small dropdown menu that collates all available options, like app info, split screen, pause app, screenshot, select, and more. In Android 15 , many of these were available by tapping the icon of the app itself at the top, but that wasn't a very intuitive option at all. Thankfully, Android 16 revises that. Android 16 Android 16 Android 15 Android 15 From what the current beta hints at, it appears that Android 16 will be all about the presentation aspect of it all. As Google's operating system has peaked long ago and doesn't lack any particular major feature, it's all about the aesthetics of it right now, and the new Material 3 Expressive is definitely where it's at in terms of overall appeal and added functionality. However, this might turn out to be the case for Pixel phones only. As we don't know just how much of Android 16 's aesthetics and novel features will get adopted by the custom skins of all other Android manufacturers, there's a chance that many Android users will never experience a semblance of the Material 3 Expressive aesthetics. Still, Pixel users can rest easy as Android 16 is shaping up to be one of the better Android updates in years.
