Android 15 QPR1 brings Pixel battery optimization and tests color status bar icons
Top 3 Key Points:
- Pixel devices get a new feature to limit battery charging to 80%.
- Google is testing colorful app icons for notifications in the status bar.
- The changes aim to extend battery life and experiment with notification visuals.
The Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 introduces a new option to limit battery charging to 80% for Pixel phones. This feature is designed to improve battery longevity by preventing overcharging, especially useful for users who often leave their phones plugged in for extended periods.
Initially, in Beta 1, some users encountered issues where the new charge limit could not be disabled. However, this problem has been fixed in Beta 2, allowing full control over the feature. After plugging in your device, you’ll find a new “Charging optimization” option under Settings > Battery. This menu now offers two choices: Adaptive Charging and Limit to 80%. The latter restricts charging to 80% and once enabled, a shield icon will appear on your status bar, and your phone will show as “Done charging” at 80%. This feature mimics the experience found on the Pixel Tablet when docked to a Charging Speaker.
Although this feature is now available, Google hasn’t yet updated its support documentation to explain the new charging limits in detail. That information is expected to be released closer to the official Android 15 QPR1 launch in December.
In addition to this battery optimization, Google is experimenting with a potential redesign of status bar notifications. Currently, Android users see simple notification icons at the top of their screen. In this test, Google is swapping these icons for the full-color app icons from your home screen. The change applies to both the status bar and the always-on display.
The experiment introduces both colorful and monochrome icons. However, the colorful icons can look cluttered with small symbols that are hard to identify, and the monochrome versions often blend into the background, making them difficult to see. While this new look for notifications is still in testing, it shows that Google is exploring ways to make Android more visually dynamic. Whether or not this feature will roll out to all users remains uncertain for now.
These updates are part of Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience in Android, focusing on battery optimization and rethinking visual elements like notifications.
Google Calendar is getting a fresh look with a new visual design. Along with the updated look, Google has added some handy new features to simplify managing your schedule.
One of the most noticeable changes is the return of the three buttons for creating new events. You can now quickly choose between making a regular appointment, a task, or a birthday event.
Birthday Reminders
For birthdays, you can set reminders for the day itself, a week before, or even further in advance. This is a great way to ensure you never forget a special occasion.
Google Photos Gets Smarter
Google Photos is also getting a significant upgrade with the introduction of “Ask Photos”. This new feature allows you to ask questions about your photos using natural language. For example, you could ask “When was the last time I went to the beach?” or “Who is that person in the photo?”
AI-Powered Search
Using artificial intelligence, Ask Photos can analyze your photos and provide relevant answers to your questions. While it’s still in its early stages, Google promises that Ask Photos will become even more powerful over time.
Quick Search Tips for Google Photos and Play Store
Google has also made it easier to search for apps and photos. You can now quickly access the search bar in both Google Photos and the Play Store by double-tapping the search icon. This eliminates the extra step of opening the search tab first.
These new features are a welcome addition to Google Calendar and Google Photos. They make it easier to manage your schedule and find the photos you’re looking for.
Google Photos is rolling out a powerful new feature called Ask Photos! This AI-powered tool lets you search your photo library with natural language questions. Gone are the days of clunky keywords. Now, you can ask things like “Show me Halloween costumes over the years” or “When did my child learn to swim?”
The feature is still in its early stages, but it shows great promise. It appears as a new tab in the Photos app, replacing the “Search” function. Initially, it focuses on recognizing people and places in your photos. It might not be perfect for events or objects yet, but it’s constantly learning.
Signing Up for Ask Photos:
While not available to everyone yet, Google opened a waitlist last month. If you signed up, keep an eye out for the update! For others, the waitlist is still open (US only for now).
A New Look for Google Shopping:
In addition to the exciting Photos update, Google Shopping is getting a makeover! It seems a new logo is on the way, replacing the familiar price tag icon. The new logo is a simplified shopping bag in Google’s signature colors, swirling together for a clean, modern look.
The website itself might also be getting a refresh. We spotted glimpses of a redesigned site with a user-friendly layout and helpful features like browsing recommendations and price comparisons.
What’s Next?
While official announcements from Google are likely forthcoming, these updates hint at exciting things to come for Google Photos and Shopping. Ask Photos has the potential to revolutionize how you search your memories, and the Google Shopping revamp promises a more streamlined shopping experience.
Google has released a new version of Android Auto, version 13.0. While you won’t see any big changes on the surface, some important updates are happening under the hood.
What’s New?
- Car Media: Google is working on a new feature called “Car Media.” This feature will allow you to easily control your car’s AM/FM radio and local media.
- Bug Fixes: The update includes bug fixes and improvements to make Android Auto run smoothly.
When Will Car Media Be Available?
Google hasn’t announced an official release date for Car Media yet. But they’re actively working on it, and we might see it in a future update.
How to Get Android Auto 13.0
The Android Auto 13.0 update is available now on the Google Play Store. Just search for “Android Auto” and install the latest version.
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