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’s May 2025 Android updates bring exciting changes to improve how your phone works and how you message. These updates focus on making devices faster, safer, and more user-friendly.
One big change is to Android’s memory system. By increasing the memory page size from 4KB to 16KB on newer devices, apps can load quicker and use less power. This helps phones, especially those with modern chips, run smoothly and save battery life. Older devices will stick with the smaller page size to avoid issues.
The Google System Updates for May also add new features. Google Wallet now supports more card types and makes transit passes easier to use in apps like Google Maps. The Play Store now shows video previews of apps, helping you decide what to download. There are also fixes to improve battery life, storage, and network performance, making your phone more reliable.
For Google Messages, a new “delete for everyone” feature lets you remove sent messages from group chats within 15 minutes. This works for both RCS and SMS, so you can fix mistakes easily. Other messaging upgrades include better scam detection and the ability to send high-quality photos and videos. These updates show Google’s effort to make Android devices faster, more secure, and better for communication. Keep your phone updated to enjoy these improvements!
Google Maps is making driving more fun with a new feature for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Now, you can pick different car icons to show your vehicle on the map. Choose from options like a sleek sedan, a rugged SUV, or a cool arrow.
This small change adds a personal touch to your navigation and is rolling out to all users soon. Meanwhile, Ecobee’s Smart Doorbell Camera is getting a big upgrade with Google Home support. You can now see who’s at your door right from the Google Home app, view live video, and even talk to visitors.
If you have a Nest Hub, the doorbell feed pops up automatically when someone rings. This feature, already available for Ecobee’s thermostat, makes your smart home setup smoother and is available now for all users. On the AI front, Google’s Gemini app is getting smarter with the Gemini 2.5 Pro preview.
This update improves coding skills, helping developers create better apps and websites. It also handles video and text tasks more effectively. The preview is out for everyone to try, with Google planning to share more at its I/O 2025 event. These updates from Google and Ecobee bring small but meaningful improvements, making your car rides, home security, and digital tasks easier and more enjoyable.
Google is rolling out exciting updates to make browsing, searching, and downloading apps smoother and safer for Android users. These changes focus on improving Chrome’s security, redesigning the Google Search bar, and enhancing the Google Play Store’s download process.
Chrome’s Improved Security
Google Chrome now offers stronger protection with “Enhanced Safe Browsing” powered by Gemini Nano, an AI model that works directly on your device. This feature checks websites in real-time to spot phishing attempts and other online threats, keeping your data safe without relying on cloud servers. It’s a step up from the standard protection, giving users more peace of mind while browsing.
Redesigned Google Search Bar
The Google Search bar on Android is getting a fresh look. It’s now simpler and easier to use, with a modern design that fits better with your phone’s home screen. The updated widget lets you access Search, Lens, or voice commands quickly. The new layout is clean and user-friendly, making searches faster and more intuitive.
Better Play Store Downloads
The Google Play Store is improving how it shows app download progress. A new notification design displays a progress bar right in your notification panel, so you can track downloads without opening the app. This small but helpful change makes managing app installs more convenient.
These updates show Google’s focus on creating a safer, simpler, and more efficient experience for Android users. They’re rolling out gradually, so keep an eye out for them on your device!
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