Google's Android 15 Beta Reveals Notification and Settings Enhancements

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06 Sep 2024

Android 15 QPR1 Beta: A Glimpse into the Future of Notifications and Quick Settings

Google's recent Android 15 QPR1 Beta reveals potential enhancements to the notifications and quick settings panel. The new notification view may feature a more compact panel, occupying less screen space, while the complete settings menu could introduce smaller, circular icons. The latest Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1.1 patch addresses a rebooting issue affecting Pixel devices, with anticipation building for a stable release expected in October.

Recent explorations into Google’s Android code have unveiled intriguing possibilities for a significant redesign of the quick settings menu, which may transform the user experience in upcoming Android versions. Mishaal Rahman from Android Authority discovered this potential overhaul while examining the latest Android 15 QPR1 Beta. Notably, the new functionality requires a two-finger gesture to fully access the menu, which now occupies only a quarter of the screen upon initial swipe down.

This streamlined approach to notifications is particularly noteworthy; the initial swipe will likely reveal a rounded corner area displaying new notifications along with essential information such as time, date, and battery status. This design aims to enhance user engagement by allowing individuals to maintain visibility of the app they are using, rather than being obscured by a full menu.

Rahman suggests that this redesign may not be available until the rollout of Android 16, as many elements of the revamp appear to be in an unfinished state. The presence of “Flexi,” or Flexiglass, in the code hints at a restructured System UI, which could enable Google to treat each component of its interface as an independent “scene.” This modular approach may pave the way for further enhancements and redesigns in the future.

While the anticipation for Android 16 looms on the horizon, users currently have access to the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1.1 update. This minor patch has brought the latest Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL into the testing phase, primarily addressing a peculiar rebooting issue reported on IssueTracker.

In addition to these changes, Android 15 is also expected to introduce modifications to its Do Not Disturb (DND) feature, now referred to as “Priority Mode.” Early indications from the code suggest that Google will allow users to customize their DND experience, alongside options to enhance focus while using their devices. The QPR beta is anticipated to coincide with the December feature drop, while the stable release of Android 15 is eagerly awaited in October.

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Update: 06 Sep 2024