#android-beta
#android-beta

Building a Simple Markdown PWA App

A Markdown viewer app was built using Electron, focusing on simplicity and functionality for viewing Markdown files.

Java

Google ADK for Java 1.0 Introduces New App and Plugin Architecture, External Tools Support, and More

Google's Agent Development Kit for Java 1.0 introduces new tools, APIs, and features for enhanced agent interactions and context management.

UX design

19 hours ago

The chat box isn't a UI paradigm. It's what shipped.

The chat interface became the default AI design due to speed of development, not user effectiveness or clarity.

Graphic design

19 hours ago

The art of subtraction in a world of infinite features

Subtraction in visual arts enhances clarity and focus by intentionally removing elements that distract from the main subject.

Apple's foldable iPhone hinges on one key feature for me - and it's not the hardware

Apple is expected to launch a foldable iPhone in 2026, requiring significant iOS updates for multitasking capabilities.

Samsung shares its thesis on the future of design and AI (exclusive)

Samsung showcases Project Luna and a vision for future design at Milan Design Week, emphasizing communal AI and a new design language.

Mobile UX

Updated Galaxy Enhance-X app can edit videos and documents

Mobile UX

Weekly deals: Galaxy A37 and A57 launch, but Galaxy S25 FE and Pixel 10a present a challenge

fromFast Company

Samsung shares its thesis on the future of design and AI (exclusive)

Samsung showcases Project Luna and a vision for future design at Milan Design Week, emphasizing communal AI and a new design language.

Mobile UX

Updated Galaxy Enhance-X app can edit videos and documents

Mobile UX

Weekly deals: Galaxy A37 and A57 launch, but Galaxy S25 FE and Pixel 10a present a challenge

more#samsung

fromwww.businessinsider.com

My 8-year-old and I vibe-coded an app in 3 hours. AI is moving fast, so I figured it's better to start her early.

Introducing children to AI tools like ChatGPT can enhance their problem-solving skills and creativity from an early age.

How to create your own custom Android air gesture

Android air gestures enhance device usability and productivity without direct contact.

I found a way to roll back buggy Google Services updates on Android - in just a few clicks

Rolling back Google Services updates can quickly resolve issues on Android devices.

The Android dark mode upgrade you deserve

Android's dark mode lacks contextual intelligence, limiting its usefulness despite the potential of modern device sensors.

2 weeks ago

Notification Rules could make Android alerts even more flexible

Android is introducing Notification Rules to enhance notification management, allowing users to customize alerts based on apps or contacts.

Google Unveils AppFunctions to Connect AI Agents and Android Apps

Google is transforming Android into an 'agent-first' OS with new features for task-centric app integration using AI agents.

Digital life

I changed 12 settings on my Android phone to significantly improve its battery life

Roam Research

How to create your own custom Android air gesture

Android air gestures enhance device usability and productivity without direct contact.

I found a way to roll back buggy Google Services updates on Android - in just a few clicks

Rolling back Google Services updates can quickly resolve issues on Android devices.

The Android dark mode upgrade you deserve

Android's dark mode lacks contextual intelligence, limiting its usefulness despite the potential of modern device sensors.

2 weeks ago

Notification Rules could make Android alerts even more flexible

Android is introducing Notification Rules to enhance notification management, allowing users to customize alerts based on apps or contacts.

Google Unveils AppFunctions to Connect AI Agents and Android Apps

Google is transforming Android into an 'agent-first' OS with new features for task-centric app integration using AI agents.

Digital life

I changed 12 settings on my Android phone to significantly improve its battery life

Netflix embraces vertical video with major mobile app update

Netflix will launch a redesigned mobile app with a vertical video feed at the end of April 2026.

Television

fromCNET

Netflix Is Introducing Vertical Video to Mobile App This Month

Netflix will introduce vertical video feeds to its mobile app by the end of April to enhance user engagement.

Television

Netflix embraces vertical video with major mobile app update

Netflix will launch a redesigned mobile app with a vertical video feed at the end of April 2026.

Television

fromCNET

Netflix Is Introducing Vertical Video to Mobile App This Month

Netflix will introduce vertical video feeds to its mobile app by the end of April to enhance user engagement.

OnePlus Watch 4 shows up in the Google Play Console, here's what it looks like

OnePlus Watch 4 features 2GB RAM, Snapdragon Wear W5 SoC, and is expected to launch with Wear OS 5 and a 646 mAh battery.

Wearables

fromGadgets 360

OnePlus Watch 4 Appears on Google Play Console With Snapdragon W5 Chip

OnePlus Watch 4 specifications and design details have surfaced, indicating a potential launch soon, though OnePlus has not officially confirmed it.

Mobile UX

OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra key specs and launch date revealed, will get a dedicated gaming controller

Mobile UX

OnePlus Nord CE6 or CE6 Lite runs Geekbench, reveals its chipset

Wearables

OnePlus Watch 4 shows up in the Google Play Console, here's what it looks like

OnePlus Watch 4 features 2GB RAM, Snapdragon Wear W5 SoC, and is expected to launch with Wear OS 5 and a 646 mAh battery.

Wearables

fromGadgets 360

OnePlus Watch 4 Appears on Google Play Console With Snapdragon W5 Chip

OnePlus Watch 4 specifications and design details have surfaced, indicating a potential launch soon, though OnePlus has not officially confirmed it.

Mobile UX

OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra key specs and launch date revealed, will get a dedicated gaming controller

Mobile UX

OnePlus Nord CE6 or CE6 Lite runs Geekbench, reveals its chipset

Google Chrome makes it easier to wrangle different tabs in AI Mode

Google's AI Mode in Chrome now supports better tab interaction, allowing users to browse and ask questions simultaneously.

I tried the new Gemini app for Mac - and it's better than the website in one big way

Google has launched a Gemini app for Mac that includes website features and can analyze content in shared windows.

I tried Google's new desktop app, and I'll never search the old way again

Google's new desktop app enhances productivity by providing quick access to Gmail, Drive, and Search features.

Google unleashes a native Gemini app for the Mac

Google has launched a Gemini app for Windows and Macs, enhancing desktop AI assistant capabilities.

23 hours ago

Google Pixel phones have a useful voicemail feature that's hidden by default - how to enable it

Google's Take A Message feature simplifies voicemail management for Android users, offering real-time transcriptions and spam filtering.

Web design

Google Chrome makes it easier to wrangle different tabs in AI Mode

Google's AI Mode in Chrome now supports better tab interaction, allowing users to browse and ask questions simultaneously.

I tried the new Gemini app for Mac - and it's better than the website in one big way

Google has launched a Gemini app for Mac that includes website features and can analyze content in shared windows.

I tried Google's new desktop app, and I'll never search the old way again

Google's new desktop app enhances productivity by providing quick access to Gmail, Drive, and Search features.

Google unleashes a native Gemini app for the Mac

Google has launched a Gemini app for Windows and Macs, enhancing desktop AI assistant capabilities.

23 hours ago

Google Pixel phones have a useful voicemail feature that's hidden by default - how to enable it

Google's Take A Message feature simplifies voicemail management for Android users, offering real-time transcriptions and spam filtering.

Google Photos Fixes Android Image Editing Tool: Here's What Changed

Google Photos updates improve the crop tool by fixing bugs and enhancing user experience for easier photo editing.

Google Photos adds subtle touch-up tools for faces

Google Photos introduces new touch-up tools for subtle enhancements to faces in photos.

fromTechCrunch

Google Photos adds new touch-up tools for 'quick' fixes | TechCrunch

Google Photos introduces new touch-up tools for subtle image edits, including blemish removal and skin texture refinement.

Photography

fromTechRepublic

Google Photos Fixes Android Image Editing Tool: Here's What Changed

Google Photos updates improve the crop tool by fixing bugs and enhancing user experience for easier photo editing.

Google Photos adds subtle touch-up tools for faces

Google Photos introduces new touch-up tools for subtle enhancements to faces in photos.

fromTechCrunch

Google Photos adds new touch-up tools for 'quick' fixes | TechCrunch

Google Photos introduces new touch-up tools for subtle image edits, including blemish removal and skin texture refinement.

Opera adds Browser Connector for integrating AI chatbots

Opera introduces Browser Connector, allowing integration of ChatGPT or Claude for enhanced browsing with AI assistance.

Privacy technologies

Apple and Google are reportedly pointing users to nudify apps

Apple and Google continue to promote nudify apps despite policies against such content, raising concerns about their enforcement and user safety.

fromTheregister

New Android development tool designed for robots, not humans

Google's new Android CLI for AI agents reduces token usage by 70% and task completion time by three times.

Oppo ColorOS 16 April update brings UEFA Champions League watermarks

Oppo's April ColorOS 16 update introduces UEFA Champions League watermarks and adjustable video playback speeds.

Oppo Find X9s spotted on Geekbench running Dimensity 9500s

Oppo Find X9 Ultra and Find X9s will debut globally on April 21, featuring advanced specifications and a powerful camera setup.

17 hours ago

Oppo ColorOS 16 April update brings UEFA Champions League watermarks

Oppo's April ColorOS 16 update introduces UEFA Champions League watermarks and adjustable video playback speeds.

Oppo Find X9s spotted on Geekbench running Dimensity 9500s

Oppo Find X9 Ultra and Find X9s will debut globally on April 21, featuring advanced specifications and a powerful camera setup.

Becoming an AI-native designer

Developing design sense in code requires externalizing tacit knowledge and effectively communicating context, components, and criteria to AI.

fromgizmodo.com

I've Tested a Lot of Bad Smart Glasses and These Are the Worst Yet

Dymesty AI Glasses are poorly designed and functionally useless, failing to deliver on their promised features.

#smartphones

Apple

The best budget smartphone you can buy

Great smartphones under $600 offer essential features without the high price tag.

fromWIRED

It Might Not Be the Best $499 Phone, but I'm Glad Nothing's Phone (4a) Pro Exists

The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro offers good performance and unique design, making it a strong midrange option despite some limitations.

The best budget smartphone you can buy

Great smartphones under $600 offer essential features without the high price tag.

fromWIRED

It Might Not Be the Best $499 Phone, but I'm Glad Nothing's Phone (4a) Pro Exists

The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro offers good performance and unique design, making it a strong midrange option despite some limitations.

I turned off YouTube's brain rot and it only took 4 taps

Short-form video content is prevalent, but it negatively impacts attention spans and encourages doom scrolling.

Graphic design

Nano Banana in Figma

Figma introduced an AI image generator and editor to streamline image creation and modification within the design platform.

GameBench releases its free FPS Monitor app to let you monitor professional-grade performance metrics on your device

GameBench FPS Monitor is a free app for real-time gaming performance monitoring on Android devices running Android 11 or later.

fromProtoPie

We Didn't Code This: A Fully Functional FinTech App Built in ProtoPie

Pie Bank is a high-fidelity mobile banking prototype that accurately simulates real app functionality and interaction logic.

UX design

Haptics: how to build a consistent cross-platform solution and align code with Figma

Implementing consistent haptics across iOS, Android, and mobile web enhances user experience through tactile feedback.

fromSearch Engine Roundtable

Google's AI Mode Now Opens Links In Split View On Desktop

Google's AI Mode now allows users to browse websites in a split view while keeping AI assistance open, enhancing the search experience.

fromWIRED

Google's AI Mode Update Tries to Kill Tab Hopping in Chrome

Google Chrome's AI Mode update allows users to browse links without leaving the chatbot interface, enhancing the search experience.

#android-17

Mobile UX

Motorola will allow even more users to try out the new Android 17 beta this year

Mobile UX

Future Pixel phones could feature LED lighting on the rear panel

Mobile UX

Android 17 Beta 3 is now available for developers

Gadgets

Google releases Android 17 Beta 1 for these Pixel devices

fromArs Technica

Software development

The first Android 17 beta is now available on Pixel devices

Mobile UX

OnePlus 15 gets Android 17 beta 2

Mobile UX

Motorola will allow even more users to try out the new Android 17 beta this year

Future Pixel phones could feature LED lighting on the rear panel

Google's Android 17 Beta 4 includes a feature called Pixel Glow, which uses LED lights for notifications on future Pixel devices.

Mobile UX

Android 17 Beta 3 is now available for developers

Gadgets

Google releases Android 17 Beta 1 for these Pixel devices

fromArs Technica

Software development

The first Android 17 beta is now available on Pixel devices

OnePlus 15 gets Android 17 beta 2

OnePlus 15 users can now install Android 17 beta 2, intended for developers and advanced users only.

Adobe's new Firefly AI Assistant could forever change the way you use its apps

Adobe's Firefly AI Assistant simplifies creative workflows through a chat interface, making design software more accessible and efficient for all users.

Is your Pixel battery draining faster lately? These 4 temporary fixes helped me

Pixel users experience significant battery drain after the March update, with no official acknowledgment or fix from Google.

Media industry

fromAndroid Police

A fast-growing trend is having a big impact on Android entertainment apps

Short Drama apps are transforming the entertainment app market, with increased ad revenue and a shift towards ad-supported models.

Claude Design: Figma Killer or Just Another Design Tool?

Claude Design offers a range of design options, including Prototype and Side deck, allowing users to create polished visual work without leaving the Anthropic ecosystem.

UX design

Cursor 3 Introduces Agent-First Interface, Moving Beyond the IDE Model

Cursor 3 transforms AI coding by prioritizing agent management over direct code editing, reflecting a shift in software development practices.

How to de-Gemini your Google apps

To turn Gemini off, you will need to disable two separate sets of options. The first set covers a set of features, including smart compose, that are shared across Gmail, Chat and Meet.

Digital life

fromwww.gsmarena.com

Weekly poll: would you buy a Poco X8 Pro or a Poco X8 Pro Max?

Poco X8 Pro and X8 Pro Max offer flagship features at mid-range prices, appealing to budget-conscious consumers.

Photography

Your new on-demand Android memo machine

Shots Studio is a free, open-source Android app that captures and organizes screenshots with optional AI processing and memo-making capabilities.

Our new favorite budget phones

The best budget phones currently are the iPhone 17E and Google's Pixel 10A, with the Nothing Phone 4A Pro as a strong alternative.

#spotify

Mobile UX

Spotify has redesigned its tablet app, here's what's new

Spotify debuts a new UI just for tablets

Spotify's tablet app now features an adaptive UI with collapsible sidebar and parallel browsing for enhanced user experience.

Mobile UX

Spotify has redesigned its tablet app, here's what's new

Spotify debuts a new UI just for tablets

Spotify's tablet app now features an adaptive UI with collapsible sidebar and parallel browsing for enhanced user experience.

How I turned my Pixel phone into a genuinely productive desktop computer - for free

Pixel 8 and newer phones now support Desktop Mode, enabling users to connect their phones to external monitors, mice, and keyboards for a full desktop computing experience.

Oppo adds new AI features to ColorOS 16 on the Find X9 Ultra

Oppo's ColorOS 16 introduces AI features like Bill Manager, Mind Pilot, Menu Translation, and Email Brief for enhanced user experience.

You can now turn off YouTube Shorts on mobile

YouTube mobile users can now disable Shorts entirely by setting a 0-minutes limit in the app's time management settings.

Google's Pixel 10 is now 30% off on Amazon for a limited time

The Google Pixel 10 is on sale with significant discounts, offering advanced features and a strong camera system.

Even more details about the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 leak

Qualcomm will launch Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Gen 6 Pro chipsets in September, featuring advanced CPU and GPU architectures.

#one-ui-85

Mobile UX

Samsung expands One UI 8.5 beta program to the Galaxy S23, Fold5, Flip5, and A36

Samsung expands its One UI 8.5 beta program, includes older Galaxy devices

One UI 8.5 beta program expands to Galaxy S24, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, S25 FE, S24 FE, and Tab S11 users in select markets.

Mobile UX

Samsung expands One UI 8.5 beta program to the Galaxy S23, Fold5, Flip5, and A36

Samsung expands its One UI 8.5 beta program, includes older Galaxy devices

One UI 8.5 beta program expands to Galaxy S24, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, S25 FE, S24 FE, and Tab S11 users in select markets.

more#one-ui-85

fromTechCrunch

Gemini can now automate some multi-step tasks on Android | TechCrunch

Google launched Gemini AI automations on Android to handle multi-step tasks like food delivery and rideshare orders, initially limited to select apps, devices, and U.S./Korea regions.

3 future Android features you can give yourself today

Thanks to the way Google's for years now been deconstructing Android and pulling OS-level pieces out of the operating system itself - so they exist as regular ol' apps and can consequently be updated quickly, frequently, and in a way that reaches everyone instantly, regardless of what phone or carrier they're using - even Android phones from eight years ago get updates numerous times a year that are all virtually equivalent to an entire iOS operating system rollout.

Gadgets

The best Android feature you (probably) aren't using

Android Reading Mode is a system-wide, installable feature that improves phone reading by offering enhanced, integrated reading tools beyond Chrome's reader.

First One UI 9 test build for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks, here's what it looks like

Samsung is testing One UI 9 based on Android 17 on Galaxy S26 Ultra despite One UI 8.5 still rolling out to older devices.

I tried Android's notification summaries on my Pixel, and they're surprisingly useful

Newer Pixel phones use on-device AI to summarize long messages from messaging apps and display summaries on the lock screen for quick overview.

One UI 8.5 Beta 4 changelog leaks, here's what's coming

One UI 8.5 Beta 4 for Galaxy S25 brings updated Bixby, AI Select and Phone app bug fixes, delivered as firmware version ZZAB.

Samsung Browser will get multitasking, AI and more with One UI 9

Samsung Browser will introduce multi-window split-screen browsing with One UI 9, allowing simultaneous viewing of multiple websites, with up to three windows on larger devices like the Z Fold 7.

I changed 10 settings on my Samsung phone to significantly improve the performance

Personalize Samsung Galaxy settings—disable notification pop-ups, enable gesture navigation, and maximize screen resolution—to improve responsiveness, focus, privacy, and overall user experience.

How to get an early taste of Android's next-gen multitasking magic

Android 17 will introduce Bubbles, a desktop-style floating-window multitasking feature that users can partially access now through existing methods.

Google begins calling out battery-killing Android apps

Google is implementing warning labels on the Play Store for apps that drain battery through excessive background activity, with gradual rollout beginning March 1.