Android
Google enhances Android multitasking with floating bubbles for all apps

Google is refining its approach to multitasking by expanding the use of its “bubbles” feature, which could soon allow any app to float on your screen, making Android even more flexible for users. Initially designed for messaging apps, the bubbles feature may evolve into a broader tool, offering more accessibility across different types of applications.
What Are Android Bubbles?
Originally, Google introduced “bubbles” to keep messaging apps readily accessible by allowing them to float over other apps. This means you can view and respond to messages without leaving the app you’re currently using. However, this functionality, while helpful, often gets overlooked. It’s linked to notifications, meaning you’d only see a bubble if a message or notification appeared.
The Next Big Step for Bubbles
A significant upgrade may be on the way. According to reports from Android Authority, Google is working on a feature—likely for Android 16—that will let users run any app in a bubble. This enhancement would allow apps to float on top of other windows, making multitasking easier and more dynamic. You could keep an app like a calculator, music player, or social media feed open while navigating other apps, improving productivity and ease of use.
This advancement was discovered in Android 15 QPR1 (Quarterly Platform Release 1), and the feature appears to be fully functional, suggesting that it could be rolled out sooner than expected. It may arrive in a future update before Android 16 officially launches.
How Would This Work?
For users of Pixel devices, the new feature might involve a “bubble button” on the app’s homescreen icon. By tapping this button, the app would switch to floating mode, placing it within a bubble that can hover over other applications. This transforms the bubbles from a messaging-only feature into a more comprehensive multitasking tool.
Google is also exploring a “bubble bar” for Android tablets, which would further streamline and organize these floating apps. This could make tablets an even more powerful platform for those who rely on multitasking, providing an efficient way to manage various applications simultaneously.
When Will This Feature Be Available?
While the timeline for this feature is not entirely clear, the fact that it’s fully functional behind the scenes hints at a possible earlier release. It could be part of an upcoming QPR update on Android 15, which typically introduces new features and refinements between major Android releases.
This visual upgrade represents Google’s continued push to improve user experience by making Android a more versatile and powerful tool. With the introduction of bubbles for all apps, multitasking on Android could be significantly enhanced, especially for those who rely on multiple apps at once.
Android
Android Auto 14.3 brings more bug fixes and starts wider rollout

Google has started rolling out Android Auto version 14.3 more widely after a limited release earlier this month. This update doesn’t bring new features, but it focuses on making things work better by fixing bugs and improving performance.
Android Auto 14.3 began showing up for more users through the Google Play Store, especially those using the beta version. If you’re already part of the beta program, you should see the update soon. For others, the rollout is happening gradually, so it might take a few days to appear.
While Google hasn’t provided detailed patch notes for this version, early users say that the update improves the overall experience by making the system more stable. Users haven’t noticed major visual changes, but smoother performance is always welcome, especially during driving.
As usual, Android Auto updates mostly happen in the background. If you want to check which version you have, open Android Auto settings on your phone. You can also join the beta program or install the APK manually if the update hasn’t reached your device yet.
In short, Android Auto 14.3 is all about improving stability and fixing problems that users might have faced in previous versions. It’s part of Google’s regular efforts to make the in-car experience better and safer for everyone.
Android
Android 16 brings smart notification shortcuts with ‘Magic’ actions

Android 16 could include an update to make notifications simpler to process. Google is working on a feature called “notification cooldown with action buttons,” which addresses repeated alerts and provides helpful buttons whenever needed.
If you keep getting lots of notifications from the same app, Android usually does not alert you right away. Android 14 and 15 are currently testing the feature known as notification cooldown.
Now with Android 16, Google could go one step more by allowing app developers to add smart actions to each notification. They are helpful because they can respond to your recent usage of the apps or programs.
In some cases, if you get notified while using music, the message will also have an option to immediately handle your music settings. Similarly, a “reply” button may appear quickly or you could get other options useful for whatever is going on in your phone. It allows you to perform tasks you see in the notification without going into the app.
There is no official release yet, yet the code included in Android 16 hints that it is under development. If this solution is used, it may make receiving notifications more useful and less troublesome.
Generally, Android 16 attempts to make receiving notifications easier and more useful with its “magic” actions.
Android
Gboard gets a fresh emoji menu with a cleaner look

Google is rolling out a new look for the emoji section in Gboard, giving it a cleaner and simpler design. This updated layout is starting to show up for users on the latest Gboard beta version (13.9), and it might soon come to the stable version too.
In the new design, the emoji panel now floats above the keyboard instead of being attached to it. The search bar, category tabs, and the emoji grid all appear inside a neat floating window with rounded corners. This gives the whole emoji section a modern and less cluttered appearance.
The categories at the top are still there, but they now sit in a card-style bar that blends nicely with the rest of the UI. The search bar has also been updated with a clearer background, making it easier to use. Even though the layout looks different, the actual emoji and features like stickers and GIFs are still available and work the same way.
Some users have also noticed that this new style matches the look of other Google apps that follow the updated Material You design. It’s part of Google’s effort to make its apps feel more consistent and user-friendly across Android.
Right now, the redesign seems to be rolling out in stages, so not everyone will see it immediately. If you’re using Gboard beta, you might already have it, or it could show up soon.
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