Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2: Game-Changing Features Revealed!
Watch this video on YouTube. Desktop Mode: A Leap in Productivity
Desktop mode is a standout feature in this update, offering a desktop-like experience when your Pixel 8 or newer device is connected to an external display. This functionality is designed to improve productivity and multitasking, supporting features such as: App docking for quick access to frequently used applications
Window resizing to optimize multitasking
Floating apps and multiple desktops for enhanced flexibility
To enable desktop mode, you will need a compatible USB-C cable, a display with USB-C input (or an adapter), and activation of the feature in developer settings. This addition is particularly beneficial for users who require greater versatility for work or entertainment, bridging the gap between mobile and desktop environments. Visual and UI Improvements
The update introduces several visual and interface refinements that enhance both usability and aesthetic appeal. These changes aim to make everyday interactions more seamless while maintaining a cohesive design language. Key updates include: A revamped 'At a Glance' widget with clearer pagination dots for better navigation
Smoother animations for quick settings, notifications, and media controls
Repositioned volume controls featuring updated Material You design elements
Enhanced wallpaper customization with quicker access to effects and new categories like 'Wallpaper Studio'
Redesigned settings menus for sound, vibration, and display options to improve navigation
These improvements not only enhance the visual consistency of the interface but also contribute to a more intuitive user experience. Expanded Customization Options
Personalization is a key focus of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, with several new customization options introduced to make your device feel uniquely yours. These include: Enhanced wallpaper customization tools, offering faster access to effects and new categories
Additional lock screen clock customization options, allowing you to tailor its appearance to your preferences
These features align with Android's commitment to user-centric design, making sure that your device reflects your personal style and needs. Bug Fixes and System Stability
The update addresses a range of persistent issues, improving overall system stability and reliability. Key fixes include: Resolved issues with auto dark theme activation
Fixes for app shortcut glitches and camera crashes
Improvements to the Now Playing feature for better music recognition
Unified font colors in the status bar and quick settings for a more consistent appearance
These fixes aim to eliminate common pain points, making sure a smoother and more dependable user experience. Known Issues
While the update brings significant improvements, a few unresolved issues remain. These include: The 'screen off fingerprint unlock' feature remains non-functional
Occasional crashes or delays when setting new wallpapers
Although these issues are relatively minor, they highlight areas for further refinement in future updates. Additional Changes
Several smaller but impactful changes have also been introduced, further refining the overall user experience. These include: Collapsible categories for app notifications, making it easier to organize alerts
The 'Cast' option renamed to 'Google Cast' under connected devices, reflecting its broader functionality
A redesigned battery percentage bar with a thicker appearance and larger font for estimated time, improving readability
Minor tweaks to location settings, the lock screen clock, and the system rules page
These subtle adjustments enhance usability and clarity, addressing practical aspects of the Android experience. Looking Ahead
Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 delivers a comprehensive mix of innovative features, polished design updates, and essential bug fixes. The introduction of desktop mode stands out as a significant addition, offering new possibilities for productivity and entertainment. Meanwhile, the visual and customization enhancements ensure a more intuitive and personalized experience. Although a few minor issues persist, this update represents a meaningful step forward for Android, setting the stage for future advancements. Whether you are a power user or a casual one, these updates are designed to make your device more versatile, user-friendly, and enjoyable to use.
Below are more guides on Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 from our extensive range of articles.
Source & Image Credit: In Depth Tech Reviews Filed Under: Android News, Mobile Phone News, Top News
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2 hours ago
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Amid mounting evidence on the crucial role of diversity in innovation and science, Biden priorities included increased effort to tackle inequalities across the Stem workforce – and a commitment to target underserved communities most affected by the climate crisis and environmental harms. Trump's priorities are AI, quantum information science, nuclear, biotech and translational research. 'It's normal that a new administration will emphasize some areas, de-emphasize others, and we would gradually transition to new priorities. During the George W Bush administration there were shenanigans around climate change, but it was nothing like this kind of meddling in the scientific review process. You never just throw proposals in the garbage can,' said one current NSF staffer. 'Our mandate is to advance science and innovation. And we just can't do that if we're not thinking about diversifying the Stem workforce. 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The shock announcement – which did not include any plans on relocating more than 1,800 NSF employees – has triggered speculation that the administration eventually plans to defund the agency entirely. For now, program officers are also being instructed to return research proposals to scientists and institutions 'without review' – regardless of merit and despite having been submitted in response to specific NSF solicitations to address gaps in scientific and engineering knowledge around some of the most pressing concerns in the US. This includes projects that have in fact undergone review, and others which can no longer be processed due to staff and program cuts, according to multiple NSF sources. In one case, a 256-page proposal by scientists at four public universities to use ancient DNA records to better forecast biodiversity loss as the planet warms was apparently archived without consideration. In an email seen by the Guardian, the NSF told Jacquelyn Gill, a paleoecologist and principal investigator (lead scientist) based at the University of Maine, that all proposals submitted to the Biology Integration Institute program were returned without review. A second email said their specific proposal had been 'administratively screened' and the area of proposed study was 'inappropriate for NSF funding'. An estimated 40% of animals and 34% of plants across the US are currently at risk. The proposed study would have used an emerging technology to extract ancient DNA from lake sediments, ice cores and cave deposits to better understand which species fared better or worse when the planet naturally warmed thousands of years ago – in order to help model and protect biodiversity in the face of human-made climate change. Gill told the Guardian the team took great care to avoid any reference to DEI or climate change. The grant would have created much-needed research capacity in the US, which is lagging behind Europe in this field. 'Ancient DNA records allow you to reconstruct entire ecosystems at a very high level. This is a very new and emerging science, and grants like this help catalyze the research and reinvest in US infrastructure and workforce in ways that have huge returns on investments for their local economies. It's an absolute slap in the face that the proposal was returned without review,' Gill said. In another example, two academic institutions chosen to receive prestigious $15m grants for translational research – a Trump priority – after a 30-month cross-agency review process led by the engineering directorate and involving hundreds of people will not be honored. The proposals selected for the award through merit review will be returned without review for being 'inappropriate for NSF funding', the Guardian understands. 'This is complex, very high-impact translation science to achieve sustainability across cities and regions and industries … we're being instructed to put the principal investigators off, but nothing's going to get funded because there's DEI in this program,' said an NSF employee with knowledge of the situation. Meanwhile scores of other proposals approved on merit by program officers are disappearing into a 'black box' – languishing for weeks or months without a decision or explanation, which was leading some to 'self-censor', according to NSF staff. 'It's either NSF staff self-censoring to make sure they don't get into trouble, or it is censorship by somebody inserted in the scientific review process from Doge. Either way it's a political step, and therefore problematic,' said Anne Marie Schmoltner, a program officer in the chemistry division who retired in February after 30 years in the agency. In addition to distributing funds to seasoned researchers, the NSF supports students and up-and-coming scientists and engineers through fellowships, research opportunities and grants. This next generation of talent is being hit particularly hard under Trump, who is attempting to impose sweeping restrictions on visas and travel bans on scores of countries. The proposed 2026 budget includes funding for only 21,400 under- and postgraduate students nationwide – a 75% fall on this year. Like many scientists across the country, Gill, the paleoecologist, is not accepting new graduate students this fall due to funding uncertainty. 'That's a whole generation of young scientists who see no pathway into the field for them. I cannot stress enough how deeply upsetting and demoralizing these cuts are to a community of people who only ever wanted to solve problems and be of use.' Yet the NSF student pipeline provides experts for the oil and gas, mining, chemical, big tech and other industries which support Trump, in addition to academic and government-funded agencies. 'Industry is working on optimizing what they're doing right now, whereas NSF is looking 10, 20 years down the road. The US wants a global, robust economy and for that you need innovation, and for innovation you need the fundamental research funded by the NSF,' said Schmoltner. The NSF declined to comment, referring instead to the agency website last updated in April which states: 'The principles of merit, competition, equal opportunity and excellence are the bedrock of the NSF mission. NSF continues to review all projects using Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts criteria.' The sweeping cuts to the NSF come on top of Trump's dismantling of other key scientific research departments within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Agriculture (USDA) and US Geological Service (USGS). The USGS is the research arm of the Department of Interior. Its scientists help solve real-life problems about hazards, natural resources, water, energy, ecosystems, and the impacts of climate and land-use change for tribal governments, the Bureau of Land Management, fish and wildlife services, and the National Parks Service among other interior agencies. Trump's big, beautiful bill cuts the USGS budget by 39%. This includes slashing the entire budget for the agency's ecosystems mission area (EMA), which leads federal research on species & ecosystems and houses the climate adaptation science centers. EMA scientists figure out how to better protect at-risk species such as bees and wolverines, minimize harmful overgrazing on BLM lands, and prevent invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes – all vitally important to protect food security in the US as the climate changes. The EMA has already lost 25 to 30% of employees through Doge-approved layoffs and buyouts, and is now facing termination. 'We've already lost a lot of institutional memory and new, up-and-coming leaders. [If Trump's budget is approved], all science in support of managing our public lands and natural resources would be cut,' said one USGS program officer. 'Our economy is driven by natural resources including timber, minerals and food systems, and if we don't manage these in a sustainable way, we will be shooting ourselves in the foot.' Like at the NSF, the USGC's gold standard peer-review system for research approval and oversight is now at the mercy of Doge – in this case Tyler Hasson, the former oil executive given sweeping authority by the interior secretary. According to USGS staff, Hasson's office accepts or rejects proposals based on two paragraphs of information program officers are permitted to submit – without any dialogue or feedback. 'The gold standard scientific review is being interfered with. This is now a political process,' said one USGS scientist. A spokesperson for the interior department said: 'The claim that science is being 'politicized' is categorically false. We reject the narrative that responsible budget reform constitutes an 'assault on science'. On the contrary, we are empowering American innovation by cutting red tape, reducing bureaucracy and ensuring that the next generation of scientists and engineers can focus on real-world solutions – not endless paperwork or politically motivated research agendas.' The USGS, office of management and budget and White House did not respond to requests for comment. The Guardian is interested in hearing from US scientists and students impacted by the changes at National Science Foundation and other agencies, including on the impact on innovation in the US. Contact
