design language Archives

AppWizard

August 15, 2025

Experience the new material 3 design in Google Contacts: What’s changed?

Google Contacts has received a Material 3 Expressive redesign, featuring container-style contact cards and larger, pill-shaped icons for calling, messaging, video chatting, and emailing. The "Contact info" label above the phone number has been removed for a cleaner presentation, and the update is available with version 4.6.1.x via the Google Play Store. Additionally, Google is testing customizable full-screen calling cards in the Phone beta app, allowing users to display a full-screen image of the caller and personalize fonts and colors. This feature is currently accessible to a limited number of users on the Phone by Google 188 beta app version.

AppWizard

August 7, 2025

Digital Wellbeing is looking easy on the eyes with its first taste of Material 3 Expressive

Google is overhauling its app interfaces to align with the Material 3 Expressive design language, refreshing various applications across the Android ecosystem. Users in the Android 16 QPR1 Beta or Android Canary track are experiencing Digital Wellbeing version 1.30.785826879.beta, which features a modernized interface with rounded corners and distinct dividers, although the app activity chart uses a subdued color scheme. The redesign is currently evident on the main Digital Wellbeing screen, with further updates anticipated. The rollout strategy allows for user feedback before a broader release to stable Android builds.

Winsage

July 30, 2025

Microsoft claims Windows 11 24H2 is the most reliable Windows version ever

Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 is now recognized as the most reliable version of Windows, with a 24% reduction in unexpected restarts compared to Windows 10 22H2. The update includes improvements in crash dump collection, reducing recovery time from 40 seconds to two seconds. A new feature in Windows 11 automatically detects boot issues and applies fixes without user intervention, enabled by default in Windows 11 Home. The crash page has been redesigned for a more user-friendly interface. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11 for enhanced performance and security.

AppWizard

July 26, 2025

I tried one of the first Material 3 Expressive apps so I could see the future of Android

Google introduced Material 3 Expressive in May, which is set to redefine Android's design language. The recent update of the wallpaper app Backdrops to version 6.0 incorporates Material 3 Expressive elements, enhancing its interface with dynamic features such as an animated carousel on the Explore page and a whimsical pull-down refresh animation. The Search page has bold icons and oversized text for improved usability, with wallpapers displaying delightful animations. Other apps like Google Docs and Google Keep are also expected to adopt this design, suggesting a vibrant future for Android applications.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Google may be removing its iconic ‘G’ logo from Messages (APK teardown)

Google is testing a branding update for its Messages app, potentially replacing the “G” logo with the full “Google” wordmark in the app's header. This change aligns with a trend seen in other Google applications like Photos, Calendar, and Drive, which already feature the “Google” branding. The update, revealed through an APK teardown, aims to enhance brand visibility and recognition. The transition to the full wordmark reflects a cohesive branding strategy across Google’s platforms, promising a consistent user experience on various devices. The timeline for this change remains uncertain as it may be part of a broader user interface refresh.

AppWizard

July 16, 2025

Your favorite wallpaper app is prettier than ever thanks to its Material 3 Expressive update

Backdrops has released version 6.0, incorporating Google’s Material 3 Expressive design language. The update features UI enhancements such as an improved carousel on the landing page, revamped loading animations, progress indicators, and refresh animations. The app's aesthetic has been refreshed with rounded corners, new icons, and various color palette pairings. These updates aim to enhance the user experience for those who frequently change wallpapers, providing a seamless and visually pleasing interface.

AppWizard

July 2, 2025

Google Chat is trying out an Expressive new look

Google is implementing its Material 3 Expressive design language across various Android applications, including Gmail and the stand-alone Chat app. The latest update for the Chat app (version 2025.06.15.771788943.Release) features interface modifications that enhance background colors for better visual contrast. The stand-alone Chat app differs from Gmail's Chat interface by lacking thin dividers between entries. The updates are being rolled out gradually, with not all users receiving the new design at the same time.

AppWizard

July 1, 2025

Here’s a first look at the Google Personal Safety app’s Expressive redesign (APK teardown)

Google's Personal Safety app is undergoing visual enhancements in its latest version (2025.06.12.772866699.3-release), aligning with Material 3 Expressive design. Updates include bold headers, white boxes for information fields, redesigned toggles showing an “X” or tick for status, and a new pill-shaped green button for adding contacts. A three-dot button for each contact allows for easier removal and reordering, although removal may be slightly more complex. These design changes are currently exclusive to Android 16 QPR1, which is also updating its Safety and Emergency section.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

Google’s Phone App Gets a Makeover in Android 16

Google is redesigning its default Phone app for Android 16, adopting the Material 3 Expressive design language. The updated interface will feature a streamlined layout with three primary tabs: Home, Keypad, and Voicemail, replacing the previous five tabs. The Home tab will now include favorite contacts and recent calls, along with filters for missed calls and spam. The floating action button for the dialer has been removed, and the Keypad will have its own dedicated tab. Calls from the same contact will be displayed individually instead of grouped, and a new swipe gesture for answering or rejecting calls is in beta testing. The update is currently live in beta for some users, indicating cautious testing before the official rollout with Android 16.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Google’s default Phone app gets a redesign overhaul with Android 16

Google is redesigning its core applications with Android 16, focusing on the Material 3 Expressive design language. The revamped Phone app features a cleaner interface with a simplified bottom navigation bar containing three options: "Home," "Keypad," and "Voicemail." Filters for missed calls, contacts, and spam are now located in the Home tab, which also displays favorite contacts and recent call logs. The "Contacts" tab has been removed, and the dialer no longer follows users across tabs. Google is testing a new swipe gesture feature to prevent accidental call answers or declines. The updated Phone app is currently available to beta testers, with a wider release expected alongside Android 16.