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Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 Update: Thicker status bar on Pixel 9 and key fixes for Pixel devices

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Android 15

The Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 brings significant updates to Pixel devices, particularly the Pixel 9 series. A key change is the thicker status bar introduced to better accommodate the large front-facing camera cutout on the Pixel 9 Pro. This adjustment resolves an issue where the selfie camera was too close to the bottom of the status bar, which became noticeable in certain apps like YouTube, especially in Ambient Mode. Now, the status bar has been raised to provide more clearance, improving the overall visual experience.

This change is evident across the Pixel Launcher and apps, where items on the screen now sit slightly lower. The update provides a more balanced look, especially when watching videos. Users with Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL devices will notice the improved status bar height across the entire interface.

Key Improvements and Bug Fixes

Google has rolled out Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 to Pixel devices, marking what is likely the final major beta before the official December launch. It comes about six weeks after the previous release, addressing a range of issues. While no new images are available yet, over-the-air (OTA) updates are now live for installation.

The Quarterly Platform Releases (QPR) tend to offer more substantial changes compared to regular monthly updates, which focus mainly on bug fixes. These releases often introduce new features and user interface (UI) tweaks, ideal for refining the Android experience ahead of the next major version.

Here are some of the major fixes included in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3:

Notifications and System Issues

  • Notification display bug: A bug causing notifications to appear cut off has been fixed.
  • System memory paging: Some devices previously experienced crashes or restarts due to memory issues, which have now been resolved.
  • Volume button functionality: Problems with volume controls when connected to certain Bluetooth devices have been fixed.

Home Screen and UI Problems

  • App icons issue: A bug that caused some app icons to display as default system icons rather than their actual icons has been fixed.
  • Multi-user switch issue: Users reported slow performance and occasional crashes when switching between primary and secondary users. This issue has now been addressed.
  • System UI crash: A problem that caused the system interface to crash has been fixed.
  • Foldable device issue: Foldable devices were experiencing blank screens when unfolded, which is now resolved.

Additional Resolved Issues

  • Heads-up notifications: The update fixes an issue that sometimes prevented users from interacting with heads-up notifications.
  • System crash during bug reports: The system would sometimes crash when a bug report was taken; this has now been fixed.
  • Bluetooth improvements: A crash related to Bluetooth device resources has been fixed, and LE Audio volume control has been enhanced, allowing individual volume adjustments for each connected Bluetooth device.

Pixel Devices Supported

Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 is available for a wide range of Pixel devices, including:

  • Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a
  • Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a
  • Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a
  • Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold
  • Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold

Users can install the update via the Android Beta Program or through manual flashing or sideloading. While factory images and OTA downloads are not yet available for some devices, updates can be accessed over the air for those enrolled in the Beta Program.

Conclusion

Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 continues Google’s trend of refining the user experience on Pixel devices, particularly with the larger camera cutout on the Pixel 9 Pro. With significant bug fixes, Bluetooth improvements, and better UI adjustments, the beta brings Pixel devices closer to a smoother, more stable Android experience ahead of the full release in December.

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Android

Google’s May 2025 Android updates: better performance and messaging

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Google

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!

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Android

New updates for YouTube, Gemini, and Google Home apps

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Google

Google is rolling out exciting changes to its YouTube, Gemini, and Google Home apps, making them more user-friendly and packed with cool features. These updates, announced in May 2025, aim to improve how you watch videos, edit images, and control your smart home.

The YouTube app for TVs is getting a fresh look. You’ll see better video previews, easier ways to subscribe to channels, and a smoother interface for browsing playlists and comments. Autoplay will also work smarter, keeping you hooked on your favorite content without extra clicks. These changes will hit your screens by summer 2025, perfect for binge-watching on Google TV or Android TV.

Meanwhile, the Gemini app now lets you edit images like a pro. Want to change a photo’s background or add fun elements? Just type what you want, and Gemini’s AI makes it happen while keeping the original picture intact. It even adds a small “ai” watermark to show it’s edited. This feature is available in the U.S. and works on both uploaded and AI-made images, with more countries getting access soon.

The Google Home app (version 3.32) is also stepping up. It now supports more smart devices, like cameras and doorbells, and offers quicker controls for lights and thermostats. A new “Activity” tab lets you see what’s happening with your devices in one place, making your smart home easier to manage.

These updates show Google’s focus on making its apps simpler and more powerful, whether you’re streaming, creating, or managing your home. Keep an eye out for these changes to enhance your daily tech experience

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Android

Google Pixel phone and watch update for May 2025 brings fixes and a fresh app look

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Android Feature Drop

Google is rolling out its May 2025 software update for Pixel devices, making things smoother for phones, tablets, and the Pixel Watch app. This update is all about fixing bugs and adding a small but nice change for Pixel Watch users. It’s available for devices running Android 15, like the Pixel 6, 7, 8, 9 series, and Pixel Tablet. The rollout started on May 7, 2025, and will reach devices over the next week, depending on your carrier.

For Pixel phones and tablets, the update tackles three key issues: better microphone recording, improved Bluetooth pairing, and general performance tweaks. It also includes 28 security fixes, with one possibly being targeted by hackers, so updating soon is a good idea. If you have a Pixel 6 or 8, note that this update locks the bootloader, meaning you can’t go back to older software versions.

On the Pixel Watch side, there’s no major device update this month, but the Pixel Watch app on Android now has a light theme option. This gives the app a brighter, cleaner look, making it easier to use in different lighting.

Google might share more about Wear OS at I/O 2025, but for now, the app’s new style is a welcome touch. To get the update, check your device settings. Pixel users can expect a notification soon, but you can also manually check for it. Stay updated for a better, safer experience.

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