Material 3 Archives

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

14 essential Android apps I install and update through Obtainium

Obtanium is an app that allows users to install, update, and manage apps from various platforms like F-Droid, GitHub, and the vivo Store. Breezy Weather is a weather app designed for Google Pixel users, providing comprehensive weather details and integrating with the Pixel Launcher. Nobook is a wrapper for Facebook Lite that offers ad-blocking features and customization options for a streamlined experience. Forkyz aggregates crossword puzzles from various sources, providing entertainment for crossword enthusiasts. Suntimes is an older app that tracks daylight hours, useful for planning outdoor activities. Canta helps users remove unwanted system-level applications, allowing for device decluttering. Shizuku grants system-level access to other applications, enhancing their functionality, particularly for power users. Kvaesitso is a launcher with infinite vertical scrolling and extensive widget support, offering customization options. Tubular is a lightweight alternative to the stock YouTube app, blocking sponsor segments and reintegrating the dislike counter. Aurora Store allows users to access Play Store apps without needing a Google account, appealing to privacy-conscious users. ColorBlendr enables users to customize their device's theme colors for a personalized look. Fennec is a privacy-focused browser based on Mozilla Firefox, eliminating trackers and supporting add-ons. SmartSpacer enhances the At A Glance widget by overlaying information from third-party apps. Exodus provides insights into installed apps, revealing trackers and permissions for privacy-conscious users. OSS Document Scanner is an open-source app that combines OCR capabilities with visual editing features for document management.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

Google Keep gets ready to follow Drive and Docs with this new UI look

Google is updating the floating action button (FAB) design in Google Keep to align with its Material 3 Expressive design language. The new design will feature a larger, more visually striking FAB with an × symbol in a circular design, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics. This update is currently in version 5.26.071.01 for Android, but has not yet been activated for users. Developers are preparing for the rollout, although some anticipated features may not be included in the final public release.

AppWizard

February 18, 2026

5 Android Features Google Recently Added To Your Phone

Google has introduced several new features in Android 16 to enhance user experience: - Material 3 Expressive: A new design language featuring vibrant colors, unique icon shapes, and animations, initially exclusive to Pixel devices but now available on other devices. - Advanced Protection Mode: A security feature that activates Google Play Protect, restricts app installations to the Play Store, and includes spam protection and low-security network blocking. - Live Updates: Provides real-time notifications in the status bar and lock screen for updates from selected applications, allowing users to stay informed without opening apps. - Support for 16 KB Page Sizes: Improves performance by allowing more data to be processed on a single page, reducing CPU demand and power consumption, while still supporting legacy 4 KB page sizes. - Quick Share Redesign: Transformed into a full-screen application with an intuitive interface, featuring large toggles and a built-in file picker for easier file sharing and progress indicators during transfers.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

Google Photos could finally fix one of its most frustrating sharing hurdles

Google Photos is introducing a "Copy" button in the share sheet, allowing users to copy images directly into other applications without prior downloads. This feature, available in version v7.63.0.867680147, enables users to paste full-resolution images with slight compression into existing messages. Users can only copy one image at a time, consistent with standard copy-paste behavior on Android. Additionally, Google Photos is receiving a Material 3 Expressive redesign for its Backup settings, with updates to the Album screen and the Updates section to enhance usability and aesthetics.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

Android 17 Leaks Reveal Blur UI, Floating Screen Recorder, App Lock, Privacy Controls & More: Here’s What to Expect?

Google is expected to unveil Android 17, featuring a visually sophisticated update with significant enhancements to the system interface, including widespread blur and transparency effects. The design aims for a translucent, layered aesthetic that allows wallpapers and app icons to subtly show through. A system-wide blur effect will be introduced, affecting elements like the volume bar and power menu, with a semi-transparent appearance that enhances wallpaper visibility. The update will also include a revamped screen recorder with a floating control for easy access to recording options, a built-in app lock feature for enhanced privacy, and a split-panel layout for Quick Settings and notifications. Separate toggles for Wi-Fi and mobile data are anticipated, reversing a previous merge. The release date is speculated to be around mid-2026.

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

Google is quietly making Search a little more colorful

Google is piloting a feature called 'Color your Search,' which introduces soft pastel hues to the Search interface, allowing users to personalize their search environment. Users can choose from ten muted color options that change the top bar and overall theme of the Search interface. Currently, this feature is exclusive to larger-screen devices, such as tablets and foldable smartphones, and is not available on standard smartphones or desktop devices. Users can access the feature by tapping the color palette icon in the top-left corner of the Search interface on a large-screen mobile device. The rollout appears to be selective, and there is speculation about future integration with Android's Material 3 Expressive design.

AppWizard

December 27, 2025

Recap: Expressive Android, but Material ‘3.5’ apps

Both Apple and Google plan significant redesigns of their operating systems for 2025. Google's Material 3 Expressive has received positive feedback for its implementation across devices, aiming for a more unified interface across Android versions, though updates to first-party applications are seen as incremental rather than transformative. The redesign includes a taller search app bar in Google Workspace apps, but inconsistencies arise as some applications cannot utilize the new design. A transition back to a shorter bottom navigation bar in some apps does not improve content space. A floating toolbar in Google Chat raises usability concerns, and the overall interface appears more cluttered due to increased use of containers. Buttons have become larger, with mixed reactions regarding their proportions. The new motion-physics system introduces appealing animations, but the functionality of Google apps remains largely unchanged, leading to a sense of familiarity rather than a transformative experience.

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

Your Android Auto car is about to get a musical update

Google is introducing a wavy progress bar for media applications in Android Auto, enhancing visual appeal and user experience. This design aligns with Material 3 Expressive aesthetics and will be visible in various contexts within the app. The feature is currently under development and not yet enabled for users. The timeline for its rollout is uncertain. Recent updates to Android Auto also include the rollout of Gemini, which incorporates advanced AI capabilities, although availability may vary by region.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

Android Auto may finally let you cast media from your phone

Google is developing Google Cast support for Android Auto, as indicated by code strings in version 15.9 that reference Cast integration. This feature will allow audio and video casting from smartphones to cars. Android Auto is also adopting Material 3 Expressive design, with updated media controls in the latest build. While the casting feature is not yet publicly available, it is expected to enhance in-car entertainment experiences. Additionally, Google is testing video support for Android Auto, and the media player in version 15.9 is transitioning to a new design with a refreshed progress bar and button styles, although these features are not enabled by default.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

My 18 favorite Android apps of 2025

Mishaal Rahman shared her favorite Android apps from 2025, which include: - Octopi Launcher: A launcher designed for foldable smartphones that allows users to create custom layouts for different screen orientations. - Nobook: A lightweight alternative to the official Facebook app, offering a simplified social media experience without ads. - Banana Browser: A browser that excels in video handling, featuring a built-in player and ad-blocking capabilities. - NotebookLM: A digital manual and note-taking app that helps users organize information effectively. - OSS Document Scanner: An open-source PDF scanner with automatic capture and OCR support. - whoBIRD: An app for identifying birds by their calls using real-time audio sampling. - Tomato: A minimalist Pomodoro timer that integrates focus and rest periods into productivity routines. - Stellarium: An app for exploring celestial bodies with detailed information about stars and planets. - Google Journal: A straightforward journaling app that stores entries locally and supports multimedia integration. - Next Player: A simple video player that supports various formats and offers organizational features. - Weather Master: A user-friendly weather app with customizable data sources and concise summaries. - Perplexity Comet: An AI browser that enhances news and information access. - LocalSend: A file-sharing app for quick and secure transfers across devices on the same network. - Super Display: An app that turns any Android device into a secondary monitor. - URLCheck: A link manager that scans for security threats and allows users to choose apps for opening links. - Samsung Food: A recipe management app that helps users curate digital cookbooks. - DeepSeek: An AI chatbot offering versatile capabilities and offline access. - Androidify: An app for creating personalized avatars and customizing devices with unique designs.