Latest news with #QPR1
Android Authority
08-07-2025
- Android Authority
Here's what I like and dislike about Android's new Expressive design
Joe Maring / Android Authority If you've installed the stable version of Android 16 on your Pixel, you might be disappointed to find that the big visual refresh Google announced on May 13 is conspicuous by its absence. An unfortunate consequence of the new platform release schedule is that some of the more notable new Android 16 features won't be arriving until the Android 16 QPR1 update in early September. That means that even though there's plenty of goodness in the initial stable release — like Live Updates and adaptive apps — most people will have to wait a little longer before getting their eyes on the Material 3 Expressive redesign and trying out the nifty new desktop mode. If you're happy to run beta software on your daily driver, or you have a spare Pixel lying about, the QPR1 Beta has been available to test since May 20. It includes plenty of redesigned interfaces, fresh animations, updated typography, and new features. I've been testing out the beta, which is on its third version at the time of writing with QPR1 Beta 2, and there's lots to dissect. Some of the changes are most welcome, while some of them have me scratching my head — let's get into it. The good Whenever Google makes substantial changes to Android's UI, you can bet the notification shade and quick settings panel will be updated in some meaningful way. Android 16 is no exception, and the new quick settings toggles are probably my favourite upgrade in this release. After being limited to just four wide tiles at the top of the notification shade since the introduction of Material You with Android 12, we're now treated to editable tiles that can be 1×2 or 1×1. This means it's possible to fit up to 8 toggles in the same space, and up to 16 if you swipe down again for the full quick settings panel. You can also mix and match single and double-width tiles to your liking. Andy Walker / Android Authority As well as more control over the appearance of quick settings toggles, another welcome change is the ability to switch Bluetooth or Do Not Disturb on or off with a single tap. If you use a 1×1 tile for either of these, a quick tap toggles them on/off, while a long press brings up a dialog with more info and settings. If you use the wider 1×2 tile, tapping the icon on the left toggles them on/off, tapping the text opens the dialog, and long pressing anywhere takes you to the full settings page. These now function more like they did before Android 12, which will please lots of users who were sad to see it change. Moving north from the quick settings panel, we arrive at another sizable departure from the last few versions of Android — the status bar icons have been completely redesigned. This is likely to be divisive, as Google is essentially aping iOS icons here, but I quite like the new style. The WiFi icon now has three separate and very rounded sections. The cell signal icon is now made up of four increasingly tall bars, and the dual-SIM version is split into two horizontally, rather than showing two distinct signal icons for each one. The order of these two icons has also been swapped, iOS-style. Most controversially, the battery icon is now lying down on its side with the battery percentage displayed inside it (if you've got this option turned on). It's also color-coded — it's green while charging, red when low, yellow when battery saver is activated, and white when it's between 21 and 100% and off the charger. I'll admit that the battery percentage is a little harder to read now as it's smaller, but other than that, I think the new icons match Android 16's expressive new look. It's a shame Google had to copy Apple, though. One way in which Google is particularly expressing the expressiveness of Material 3 Expressive is with the new motion physics system. The new animations have a spring in their step, with a less-than-subtle overshoot creating a natural, bouncy feeling when you expand a notification group or interact with a quick settings toggle. This new motion system is also complemented by better use of haptic feedback. If you play around with dismissing a notification, you can see and feel it become unstuck from the others when you swipe it far enough to either side. It's a subtle change, but one that adds that extra something to make you feel more connected to what's on the screen. When Google introduced dynamic color theming with Android 12, a common complaint was that the palettes generated from wallpapers were often too desaturated and pastel colored. This redesign represents something of a course-correction, with a more vibrant set of colors on display across the OS. Google The pastels aren't entirely gone, and since a lot of Google's core apps have yet to be updated to Material 3 Expressive (which could take a while), it's not clear how far Google will take it with the new colors. I'm hopeful that the stable version of Android 16 QPR1 will roll out in September with some updated apps and all the bold new color choices Google has teased. Color is also being applied to more places, such as the new Settings app with its color-coded menu items that allow for quicker navigation. Settings submenus are also easier to parse thanks to more clearly defined subsections inside rounded containers. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority On the subject of settings that are easier to navigate, the Wallpaper and Style app has been rejigged. The home and lock screens are now separated by a swipe, and the clock and color options have been organized into submenus. This simplified experience makes much more sense, and it also draws attention to suggested photos for use with brand-new wallpaper effects. The Magic Portrait feature frames the subject of the photo within a fun shape on the lockscreen with a colored background and then expands to show the full photo when you unlock and go to the homescreen. It's perfect for photos of loved ones or pets, and you can customize the shape and color. There are also weather and cinematic effects, but they're not quite as exciting. Joe Maring / Android Authority The bad Something I noticed almost immediately is that notifications in Android 16 QPR1 feel a little cramped. They take up less space vertically when not expanded, and the spacing between elements is a little tighter. While this does mean more content can fit on screen at once, it does give notifications a little less room to breathe, and I can't shake the feeling that they seem squished. There's also less room for text horizontally because app icons are now larger, and they're also in full color now rather than the monochrome versions from Android 15. The little caret that you use to expand or minimize alerts is now within a squashed container rather than a circle, and it always sits closer to the top of the notification, whereas before this was centered vertically. On a couple of occasions, this has caused me to accidentally press the cross at the top of the silent notification list, which clears them all instantly. The touch target is already small, and making them closer together has led to this frustrating experience. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority Clearing silent notifications is one thing, but clearing all of them at once is an even more destructive action. This is especially irksome as I like to leave notifications as a reminder to do something later or just until I'm ready to deal with them, as I'm sure many people do. Curiously, Google has made the 'Clear all' button much more prominent, increasing my anxiety that I'll press it in error. I've only managed this once so far, but it's the fear that gets you. If you use the notification history feature, as I do, it's not the end of the world. But I'd love to be able to remove this button altogether. Failing that, a confirmation step or undo button would do the trick. When you first update to QPR1, you're greeted with a little note on the homescreen explaining that you now have an extra row for app icons. Great, I thought, until I realized that the compulsory At a Glance widget has been made much smaller to create the extra space. I am a fan of the widget, although I still think there should be the option to turn it off if you don't want it. Keeping it there but making it harder to read is not the solution anyone wanted. Joe Maring / Android Authority The most minor of my complaints is the addition of crosses and checks to switches across the OS. This feels like a change for the sake of it, as I think the on/off state of these switches was already plenty clear with the previous versions through color and shape differences. The new Settings app is mostly excellent, but this one element adds visual clutter that I think we could do without. The ugly It might be a bit harsh to call the new system font ugly, but I do think it's a downgrade. It looks to be a new rounded version of Google/Product Sans, and it's used for the clock, status bar, all across the notifications, quick settings tiles, and lots of places throughout the Settings app. I wouldn't mind this bubbly new typeface were only used sparingly, like for headings and larger text like the clock. I don't think it looks great at smaller sizes, and it lends a slightly childish feeling to the OS overall when it's used this heavily, so I'd love to see Google scale down its use a bit. My least favorite aspect of Android's latest redesign, by some margin, is the use of transparency and background blur. You'll see it behind the notification shade and quick settings, it's underneath the app drawer, and it's the backdrop for the overview/recents screen. From a purely aesthetic point of view, I think it looks very dated, but I also think it's very distracting from a usability standpoint. How bad it looks depends on your wallpaper or what screen you're on when a blurred surface is pulled over it. If you're on a very white/dark screen when you pull down the notification shade, it's not that bad, but if you're on a very colorful screen, the blotchy, blurred mess behind the content can be impossible to ignore. The app drawer is the most egregious example, as all the colors of the app icons can clash with your wallpaper, and the app names can be harder to read. I'd also say it looks worse in the daytime, as the effect is more subtle when the dark theme is activated. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority Old vs new app drawer UI in the Pixel Launcher The contrast issues are nowhere near as glaring as with Apple's new Liquid Glass design system on iOS 26 and across its other platforms. But it's still not something I want to see Google copying from its rivals in Cupertino — leave the transparency to Apple and Microsoft. Google has a chance to be the accessibility champion with Android 16, and I'd love to see it differentiate itself by not resorting to blurred backgrounds for core OS features. There's still time to rectify this before the stable release of QPR1, if you're listening. My least favorite aspect of Android's latest redesign, by some margin, is the use of transparency and background blur. So those are my takes on the good, bad, and ugly parts of Android's big redesign coming later this year. If you want to give it a go now, you can install the Android QPR1 Beta on your Pixel, but be warned that you may still run into the occasional bug. Is there anything especially good or bad that I missed? If so, let us know down in the comments. What do you think of Android's upcoming redesign? 0 votes I love it! NaN % I like it, but I was hoping for more. NaN % It's just fine. NaN % I don't care for it. NaN % I prefer the old design. NaN %
Android Authority
04-07-2025
- Android Authority
Google expands Material 3 Expressive redesign to more Android settings
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR The latest Android System Intelligence app update brings Material 3 Expressive design changes to more Android settings. The build introduced revamped settings pages for Now Playing, At a Glance, Live Translate, Apps in Search, and Live Captions. These changes are live on devices running the latest Android 16 QPR1 beta update. After rolling out Material 3 Expressive design changes to several apps in recent weeks, Google is now shipping an update for the Android System Intelligence app that introduces several refreshed settings pages for various features powered by the app. The update revamps the Now Playing, At a Glance, Live Translate, Apps in Search, and Live Captions settings in line with the redesigned Settings app introduced with the first Android 16 QPR1 beta update. The new settings pages for these features include updated graphics, more rounded UI elements, bigger buttons, a few updated icons, and new toggles. The settings options are also placed within more visually distinct cards. The following screenshots showcase all the interface changes rolling out with the latest Android System Intelligence release. New Old New Old New Old New Old The Now Playing, Expressive captions, and Android System Intelligence pages now feature updated graphics, and the At a Glance page has a new feature description. Interestingly, the toggle design on these new settings pages is inconsistent. On a few pages, the toggles show a check mark when the feature is enabled and a cross when it's turned off, while on others, it's the same as before. New Old New Old New Old New Old Google has also renamed the 'Show word duration effect' option on the Expressive captions page to 'Lengthen words' and included an updated description that more clearly explains its function. Unlike the Material 3 Expressive updates for the Google Keep, Gmail, Wallet, and Google Phone apps, these refreshed settings pages are currently only available on Pixel devices running the latest Android 16 QPR1 beta release. Users not on the beta release will have to wait until Android 16 QPR1 hits the stable channel to receive these changes. Google is expected to ship the update for its Pixel lineup in September, so it might be a while before these new settings pages appear on your device. 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.
CNET
26-06-2025
- CNET
The Latest Android 16 QPR1 Beta is Out Now. Here's How To Get It on Your Pixel
The latest Android 16 QPR1 Beta is available for Pixel owners who've signed up to receive the latest releases from Google. Since it's just a .1 update, it doesn't bring any new phone features to the table, but a handful of bug fixes, as well as the June Security patch -- something the QPR1 2.0 update from earlier this month was missing. Although Android 16 is now officially available, it lacks the visual overhaul, Material 3 Expressive, that Google showed off during the Android Show this past May. Luckily, Google transitioned its Android Beta Program to Quarterly Platform Releases, and a large chunk of Material 3 Expressive found its way to Pixel devices that installed the first QPR1 update. Below, we'll show you what's new in the latest QPR1 release and how to enroll your supported Pixel device in the Beta program to get these updates moving forward. For more, don't miss when we expect the Pixel 10 to launch. What's new in the latest QPR1 Beta? The sparse release notes for QPR 2.1 reiterate that there isn't much to gawk at in this release. The QPR 2 beta added in support for enhanced windowing on connected devices, bringing a desktop-like experience. It's nowhere near as slick as what Apple is doing on the iPad with iPadOS 26, but it is nonetheless a welcomed addition when you need more space to work with and have a display you can connect your phone to. Here's what's new in the Android 16 QPR1 2.1: Fix for the "Approve" button in the Device Admin settings being transparent and invisible. Fix for the lockscreen sound toggle showing as off, but sounds still playing. Fix for the Android back button intermittently failing to function. Fix for a launcher crash when swiping up from the bottom. In addition, and as mentioned before, this release also comes with the latest June security patch. Android 16 QPR1 has some Material 3 Expressive baked in Here's a look at the overhauled Settings menu, quick settings menu and multitasking menu tweaks. Blake Stimac/CNET The latest QPR1 builds include several pieces of the Material 3 Expressive design overhaul. It's a fresh take on the OS while still looking like a natural progression of what was there before. It's easier to find important actions within the OS, and the new design will eventually make its way to apps when developers adopt the new design language. Google has already shown off a few of the apps it plans to update with Material 3 Expressive, including Gmail, Fitbit and Google Photos. While the public release will include more of Material 3 Expressive, the biggest visual changes are present here. The launcher, notifications, quick settings and lock screen all "pop" like never before. What Pixel devices can install the Android 16 QPR1 2.1? In order to install the Android 16 QPR1, you'll need a compatible Pixel. Here's the full list of supported devices. Pixel 6, 6a, and 6 Pro Pixel 7, 7a, and 7 Pro Pixel Fold Pixel Tablet Pixel 8, 8a, and 8 Pro Pixel 9, 9a, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold How to install the Android 16 QPR1 2.1 You can enroll any of your compatible Pixel devices to receive beta updates with a few clicks. Google/CNET Installing the Android 16 QPR1 2.1 build is easy. If you're running the last Android 16 QPR1 release, you don't need to do anything. You should be able to check for a system update and the QPR1 2.1 beta should begin to download. If you're new to installing Android 16 on your device, here's how to get things moving: Go to the Android Beta site and log in to your Google account. Click or tap on "View your eligible devices" or just scroll down to the section. You should see the devices associated with the Google account you've logged in with. Under the device on which you'd like to install the Android 16 update, click or tap the "+ Opt in" button. Agree to the terms of the beta program and click or tap "Confirm and enroll." Once your device is enrolled, you can check to see if the update is waiting for you. It typically doesn't take long. On your Pixel, go to your Settings menu. Tap System. Tap Software updates. Tap System update. From there, the Android 16 QPR1 2.1 build should start downloading to your device. If it continues to say "Your Pixel is up to date," give it a few more minutes or try restarting your phone, then try again. Alternatively, you can flash the update to your Pixel. Want more on Pixel? Don't miss what we know about Google's new AI Assistant, Pixel Sense.
Android Authority
25-06-2025
- Android Authority
Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2.1 is ready for testers with a few choice bugfixes
Paul Jones / Android Authority TL;DR Android 16's first QPR build entered beta testing last month. Two weeks ago we got QPR1 Beta 2 with a handful of new features. Today QPR1 Beta 2.1 arrives, delivering a few fixes for problematic bugs. If you've never really been into testing Google's in-development Android updates, now is probably the best time ever to get started. Pixel owners can opt in to Google's beta programs for early access to the platform's latest features, and changes this year to Android's development schedule have given those testers a steady stream of releases to try out. Last month, Google got the cycle started for Android 16's first quarterly platform release (QPR) beta, and today we're seeing its latest update arrive. Google just announced Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2.1, available now for Pixel 6 and later devices. This one follows QPR1 Beta 2 by a couple weeks, and that one introduced some new functionality in the form of custom keyboard shortcuts and a desktop windowing experience. But as you might be able to guess from today's point-release designation, we're much more in minor bug-fix territory this time around. All told, Google identifies four fixes that testers can look forward to: The 'Approve' button in the Device Admin settings is transparent and invisible (Issue #419144521) The lockscreen sound toggle shows as off, but sounds still play (Issue #423985494) The Android back button intermittently fails to function (Issue #412691179, Issue #417434626, Issue #420283260) Fix for a launcher crash when swiping up from the bottom The back button issue sounds incredibly frustrating, and no one likes a launcher crash, but overall it doesn't sound like anything really phone-breaking is being addressed here. Then again, that's exactly what we'd expect to see at a beta in this stage of development, with Google just ironing things out ahead of release. Most of us can look forward to that as the next Pixel Drop, likely in September, but if you don't want to wait that long, make sure you're registered for Google's Android Beta for Pixel program to start receiving these releases. 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
11-06-2025
- Android Authority
Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 Wallpaper Studio offers a home for its best customization tools
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Google's been refreshing its Wallpapers & style app for Android 16 QPR1 with new features like Magic Portrait and theme support. With QPR1 Beta 2 the company has started grouping together its wallpaper creation and editing tools under a new Wallpaper Studio banner. This replaces the previous 'suggested photos' view. When you're interested in customizing the look and feel of your Pixel phone, there's probably nowhere better to start than Google's own Wallpaper & style app. It already offered a ton of control over setting up both your lock screen and home screen, and it's only been getting better as of late, thanks to some smart UI updates in QPR1 Beta 1. With this week's release of QPR1 Beta 2 we've been digging around in search of everything new Google's managed to cook up, and have identified some further improvements hitting Wallpaper & style. In Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, when you go to select a wallpaper in the Wallpaper & style app (or simply accessed through system settings) you'll discover a new Wallpaper Studio section up top. Now we should be clear that functionally we're not seeing anything new here; the actual wallpaper creation and editing tools found with this release are all ones we were already aware of, but are now being grouped together in this convenient fashion. That offers a one-stop shop for not just generating emoji wallpaper, but also taking advantage of Google's powerful effects and AI tools. Those include options like making pseudo-3D effects with Cinematic wallpapers or tapping into the generative power of the AI wallpaper tools Google introduced with the Pixel 8 series. Maybe the coolest present here is the Magic Portrait feature we only just got to know with QPR1 Beta 1, which beyond offering some clever framing modes allows you to do stuff like applying dynamic weather effects, helping your phone's wallpaper reflect the world around you. While we'd definitely love to see Wallpaper & style pick up even more functionality along that line, a little UI cleanup and the introduction of this appropriate Wallpaper Studio branding is just fine by us, too. Keep checking in with Android Authority for even more coverage of the changes Google's packed into QPR1 Beta 2. We've already spotted things like a status bar reorganization and smarter volume controls, and you had better believe that the list will only keep growing. 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.
