expanded view Archives

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Android 17’s Live Updates will be a boon for workout and travel apps

Android 17 will introduce a new "Metric Style" notification template for Live Updates, enhancing user experience by allowing health, fitness, timers, and travel applications to present vital information more accessibly. The Metric Style template can showcase up to three distinct data points simultaneously on the Always-On Display, lock screen, and status bar, focusing on real-time raw data rather than milestones. It features three display modes: a glanceable view prioritizing the most relevant metric, an expanded view showing all metrics side-by-side, and a collapsed view condensing information into a single line. This standardization provides app developers with a reliable framework for delivering critical information directly on the lock screen and status bar. Google has not confirmed whether this feature will be included in the first stable Android 17 update or a subsequent QPR release.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Google Play will finally start spotlighting apps worthy of your big screen

Google Play Store will introduce a new badge system in version 51.2 to highlight apps optimized for larger screens, such as tablets and foldable devices. This update aims to improve user experience by making it easier to find applications that utilize larger displays effectively. The badge will indicate well-suited apps, helping users avoid poorly adapted ones. Additional enhancements include an expanded view of app content ratings, streamlined installation processes, easier access to Collections for tablet users, and the ability to review subscription plans within app ratings and reviews. These features are part of Google's commitment to enhancing big-screen experiences in the Android ecosystem.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Google Tests Unified Gemini Interface On Android

Google is experimenting with a streamlined interface for its Gemini assistant on Android devices, aiming to reduce clutter and enhance consistency. The redesigned sidebar includes a dedicated Settings & Help section, organizes key items like Scheduled Actions and Notebooks, and features collapsible sections for tidiness. The header has been compacted to create a more spacious typing area. The app now prominently displays the last-used extension, enhancing transparency about the tools utilized for user queries. The model switcher has been relocated to the app header, decluttering the input area and defaulting to the “Fast” model for most queries. These changes are part of a broader effort to unify the Gemini experience across app and web platforms, with the Google app version 17.11.54 beta indicating a phased rollout of these features.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Windows 11’s “almost full-screen” Android apps mirroring now available for everyone via Phone Link app with supported phones

Users can utilize the "Expanded screen" feature in the Microsoft Phone Link app, allowing up to 90% of desktop screen space to be used when streaming Android applications to Windows 11. This feature is available to all users and may require updates from the Microsoft Store for those who do not see it yet. The Phone Link app previously had a compact view for Android app streaming, but now allows apps to stretch across the desktop. The feature prompts the phone to relaunch the app in a wider layout, which is then streamed to the PC, though not all apps are compatible with this expanded view. The feature is described as "almost-full-screen," leaving about 10% of the screen unused. The "Apps" section in Phone Link may be absent if the device is not supported; compatible devices include select models from Samsung, HONOR, OPPO, ASUS, vivo, and Xiaomi. Microsoft has also introduced the ability to lock PCs directly from Android phones.

AppWizard

December 13, 2025

Running Android apps on your Windows 11 PC is about to feel slightly better

Microsoft has released an update for Phone Link, version 1.25112.33.0, which introduces an expanded view option for streaming Android apps on Windows 11. This feature allows users to stretch Android applications beyond the phone-sized window, improving usability on larger monitors. The expanded view includes a small icon next to the window controls that enables users to widen the app. While some apps like VLC and Amazon adapt well to this feature, others like Uber remain limited in functionality. The expanded view does not improve font resolution, which may result in blurry text, and the window cannot be maximized, defaulting to snap to the left edge. Additionally, Microsoft is implementing other upgrades for Windows 11, including streamlined app updates, new privacy safeguards, and a new Themes section for personalization.