Material 3 Archives

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Android 16 brings desktop windowing to Pixel and Samsung phones

Google has announced that connected display support for Android has reached general availability with the release of Android 16 QPR3. This feature allows compatible Android phones and foldable devices to initiate a new desktop session on an external display while maintaining the phone's independent state. Supported devices include the Pixel 8, 9, and 10 series, as well as various Samsung devices like the Galaxy S26, Fold7, Flip7, and Tab S11. The collaboration between Google and Samsung has been crucial in developing this feature. The Android 16 QPR3 release has refined windowing behaviors, taskbar interactions, and input compatibility for mouse and keyboard usage. It introduced two new width window size classes: Large (1200dp to 1600dp) and Extra-large (1600dp and above) to assist developers in creating adaptive layouts. Navigation 3 has also been released, providing a system for managing UI flow based on Scenes. Design principles for desktop contexts have been updated, emphasizing the importance of multitasking, efficient use of screen space, and accommodating various input types. The Android Design Gallery has been launched to showcase design examples across different categories and input types. The announcement has implications for mobile advertising and app measurement, as the distinction between mobile and desktop ad inventory becomes more complex. Developers are advised to ensure their apps can adapt to changes in display configurations to maintain ad performance and measurement accuracy. Key dates include the announcement of connected display general availability on March 3, 2026, and the launch of the Android Design Gallery on March 16, 2026.

AppWizard

March 15, 2026

Google Activates Desktop Windowing On Android Tablets

Google has introduced a desktop windowing mode as the default on tablets running the latest Android builds, starting with the Pixel Tablet. This feature includes freeform windows, a persistent taskbar, and the ability to create and switch between multiple desktops. Users can manipulate apps by floating, resizing, snapping to edges, and minimizing or maximizing them, similar to traditional PC or Mac interfaces. The taskbar displays all running apps across desktops, allowing for quick app switching. Users can snap two apps side by side and resize them simultaneously. Desktop windowing allows for rapid app transitions, enhancing efficiency when managing multiple applications. However, it consumes vertical space on the display, making full-screen and split-screen views more efficient for tasks requiring fewer apps. The feature builds on Android 12L's enhancements for large screens and aims to improve productivity on tablets. Despite its advantages, there are some limitations, such as unclear app movement between desktops and limited keyboard shortcuts. Users can mix modes, using desktops for multi-app workflows while reverting to full-screen or split-screen views when needed. This update signifies a shift in how users interact with tablets, making them more functional for productivity tasks.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

Now Playing is my favorite Pixel feature — and the new app just made it perfect

Google celebrates nearly a decade since the introduction of its Now Playing feature, which identifies songs automatically. The recent launch of the new Now Playing app is its most significant update yet. In a poll, 53% of users view it as a significant improvement, while 35% find it satisfactory, and 12% are indifferent. The app retains its core functionality but features aesthetic enhancements, such as larger text on the lock screen and always-on display, and allows easier access to song history and preferred music apps. The transition to a standalone application improves accessibility and user experience. Users can manually identify songs by tapping a prominent button in the app. The updated Now Playing app is available for download in the Google Play Store.

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.