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Android 16 to introduce customizable “Modes” and enhanced “Rich Ongoing Notifications”

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With Android 15 now accessible on eligible Pixel devices and many other brands announcing rollout timelines, Google is already setting its sights on Android 16, the next major update to its mobile OS. Although the full scope of new features remains under wraps, early insights suggest that Android 16 may introduce customizable “Modes,” echoing the classic “Profiles” that were popular on older mobile phones. Additionally, a new notification feature similar to Apple’s Dynamic Island, called “Rich Ongoing Notifications,” may also be in the works. Let’s break down what these updates mean for Android users.

New “Modes” Revive the Old “Profiles” Feature

On older mobile phones, “Profiles” allowed users to quickly set various combinations of ringtones, vibration levels, and volume to match different scenarios—like “Meeting” or “Outdoor”—which could then be saved and accessed quickly. With the arrival of smartphones, these flexible profiles were replaced by simpler settings like “Do Not Disturb” or “Silent Mode.” Android 16, however, could bring back the essence of Profiles with “Modes,” adding an array of customizability not seen since those early days.

According to insights from recent Android 15 beta releases, “Modes” appears set to launch in Android 16 as a fully customizable feature, allowing users to create their own settings for various scenarios. In each Mode, users will be able to adjust and save settings such as the Mode name, notification preferences, display options, and even the icon to easily distinguish each Mode. The real magic comes with a new “trigger” setting, which seems designed to activate specific Modes automatically when certain conditions are met—though Google has yet to confirm precisely what these conditions will include. This flexibility could be a game-changer, allowing Android to adapt intuitively to different user environments.

How “Modes” Work and What They Offer

When a Mode is activated, its icon will appear in the status bar, letting users know it’s active. Users can easily access all Modes either through the main Settings menu or via the Quick Settings panel, making it quick and simple to switch between setups. Google has also included over 40 unique icons for Mode personalization, allowing each user to customize their experience. The customization options hint that Google aims to make Modes versatile enough to handle both simple tasks—like setting up a Mode for work versus personal time—and more complex setups based on location or time.

If implemented as anticipated, “Modes” could bring a level of automation and customization to Android devices that will appeal to users looking for a tailored smartphone experience.

“Rich Ongoing Notifications” to Enhance the Status Bar Experience

Android notifications have evolved significantly over the years, with a focus on ensuring they’re informative yet minimally distracting. Unlike iOS, where apps often remain running in the background, Android allows most apps to close, which means Google continuously optimizes notifications to improve user engagement and limit interruptions.

The latest development in this area is “Rich Ongoing Notifications,” a feature identified in the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 update. This new API would allow apps to display more interactive notifications directly in the Status Bar, beyond the simple icons users see now. The concept is similar to Apple’s Dynamic Island on iOS, allowing notifications to appear as dynamic “chips” that can show text and have customizable backgrounds. Though not yet functional in the latest Android 15 beta, “Rich Ongoing Notifications” may bring more interactive elements to Android’s notification system.

Potential Applications of Rich Ongoing Notifications

Currently, notifications are mostly limited to alerting users of new messages or ongoing app activity with small icons. Rich Ongoing Notifications could allow these icons to expand into small chips with more details, like active calls or running music players. This interactive approach could make notifications more engaging and provide quick access to information without needing to open the app. The chips may also allow users to expand the notification for more details with a simple tap.

While the full functionality of Rich Ongoing Notifications is still under development, it’s clear that Google is exploring ways to make notifications more intuitive and informative for users. Given that the stable version of Android 15 has just rolled out, it’s likely that Android 16 will be the first to integrate this feature fully, providing a fresh take on notifications that feels more cohesive and accessible.

Looking Ahead to Android 16

Though it’s early to know all the changes Google is planning, “Modes” and “Rich Ongoing Notifications” hint at an Android 16 experience focused on deeper customization, automation, and user-friendly interfaces. With Modes, users can look forward to more personalization in how they interact with their phones in various situations. Meanwhile, Rich Ongoing Notifications could give Android’s notification system a fresh, dynamic look, allowing apps to communicate more information at a glance.

Both features showcase Google’s ongoing effort to enhance the Android experience in meaningful, user-centric ways. As Android 16 development progresses, we’ll likely see more of these innovative features refined, ultimately giving users a more flexible and engaging mobile experience.

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Android

Android might soon alert you when your time zone changes

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Android 16

Traveling with an Android phone can be confusing when it comes to keeping track of time, especially on long trips. Your device automatically adjusts to different time zones, which is handy but can sometimes leave you unsure about the actual time. Imagine being on an airplane, where the time might switch several times due to the flight’s Wi-Fi, making it difficult to know how long you’ve been in the air.

To solve this, Google seems to be working on a new feature for Android. According to Android Authority, who took a peek at the Android 16 Beta 1, there’s a new setting in the works. This setting would allow you to get a notification every time your device changes its time zone automatically.

You’ll find this new option under the “Settings” menu, specifically in “System” and then “Date & time.” By turning this on, you’d get a little alert on your phone saying, “Hey, you’ve just entered a new time zone!” This would help you keep better track of time without any surprises.

There isn’t a confirmed release date yet for this feature, but it looks like it might make its way into Android 16. This update could make traveling a bit less confusing when it comes to managing your schedule across different parts of the world.

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Android

Android 16 might alert you when your time zone shifts

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Android 16

One of the key roles of your smartphone is to keep track of time, and they do this job pretty well. By using information from your phone’s network, Wi-Fi, or GPS, your device can automatically adjust its time when you move to a different time zone. However, sometimes you might want to know right away when this happens, which is why Google is working on a new alert feature for Android 16.

While exploring the first beta version of Android 16, I stumbled upon some lines of code for a new “time zone change” option in the settings under System > Date & time. This feature is designed to notify you when your phone’s time zone gets updated automatically.

I managed to activate this setting in the beta. Here’s what it looks like:
I couldn’t show you the actual notification since I haven’t traveled out of my current time zone, but I know what it will look like. The notification will simply state that “your time zone changed” followed by details of your new time zone.

This is a simple yet useful addition because knowing when and how your time zone has changed can help you schedule meetings or make plans. It also saves you from having to check the settings manually when you need to adjust the time for apps like Outlook.

Handling time zones is not easy, but thanks to Google Play System Updates, Android phones can quickly adapt to new time zone data from the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). With the various ways Android devices locate themselves, they are among the best for keeping the right time.

Though I found this feature in the Android 16 Beta 1, it’s not certain if it will make it into the final version. Features can appear in early builds but not in the official release. Given that Android 16 is expected to roll out in the second quarter of this year, we’ll know soon if this time zone notification feature will be part of it.

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Android

New Feature: See through Live Captions on Android

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Google

Since the introduction of Expressive Captions last December, Android’s Live Caption feature now includes an option to adjust the background transparency on Pixel devices.

Before this update, captions appeared on a solid light or dark gray background, which could sometimes block parts of the screen. Now, with the new transparency setting, you can see what’s happening behind the captions. This makes the captions less intrusive and more user-friendly, allowing you to keep them on all the time if you wish. Some users even prefer having no background at all, just the text floating over the video.

How to Use Background Transparency

To turn on this feature, simply tap on the Live Caption panel to bring up the options menu. Look for the three dots on the right side, tap on them, and go to “Customization.” There, you’ll see the “Background transparency” switch alongside other settings like “Translate captions” and “Live Caption.”

This update was noticed today with the release of version V.16 of Android System Intelligence for Pixel devices. Check the Google Play Store to see if an update is available for your device. However, this feature isn’t available yet for Android 14 on non-Google devices.

This follows the earlier update in December that brought Expressive Captions to life, adding more emotion through uppercase letters for emphasis, sounds like sighs or gasps, and background noises like applause. This is currently available for US English on Android 14 and newer versions.

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