status bar Archives

AppWizard

November 2, 2025

You NEED These 15 Apps! The Best of Android in November 2025

In November 2025, Android users can enhance their mobile experience with a variety of applications focused on customization, productivity, privacy, and entertainment. Notable apps include: - Customization: - No Volume: A customizable scroll wheel for sound adjustments. - Yumo: Animated pets for the status bar. - Edge Seek: Swipe gestures for brightness and volume control. - Flattery: An Apple Watch-style app launcher for smartwatches. - Toolkit Tiles: Quick access to tools like a compass and flashlight. - Privacy and Security: - Privacy Guard: Manages Google account privacy settings and app permissions. - CS Security: An offline antivirus app with a storage cleaner. - Productivity and Organization: - Paper AI: Scans documents and creates searchable PDFs. - Save it Later: Organizes saved links and articles. - Mark: Automatically deletes screenshots after a set period. - Health and Lifestyle: - Caffeine Clock: Monitors caffeine intake. - Reef: A screen time management app to reduce distractions. - Accessibility and Simplicity: - Senior Home Launcher: A minimalist launcher for easy navigation. - Entertainment and Utility: - Flicky: A TV-optimized app for browsing and sideloading apps from the F-Droid store. - Live Media: Integrates media controls into the status bar.

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

Android 17 Min Mode turns AOD into a live app canvas

Most Android devices now have an always-on display (AOD) feature, which allows users to view the time and notifications without unlocking their phones. Google is developing a new feature called "Min Mode" for Android 17, which will enable apps to integrate with AOD by rendering minimal user interfaces on the low-power display. Min Mode will not replace the traditional AOD but will function as an additional mode, allowing for a full-screen application surface while maintaining low brightness and refresh rates. Apps can activate Min Mode by defining a MinModeActivity in their AndroidManifest and communicating with a MinModeProvider in SystemUI. This feature aims to provide glanceable, battery-efficient experiences for applications that typically drain battery life. Early indications suggest that Google Maps may be the first app to implement Min Mode, with relevant code already identified. The feature is expected to be available in Android 17, as it is currently disabled at the system level and is not anticipated to be included in Android 16 QPR3.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Android 17 could bring full-screen apps to your phone’s always-on display

Google is developing a new feature called Min Mode for Android 17, designed to enhance the Always-On Display (AOD) functionality. Min Mode allows applications to showcase minimal, persistent interfaces while conserving battery life by operating within an ultra-low-power display state. It enables apps to present a full-screen interface when the device is idle and is integrated within the SystemUI package. Developers can register a “MinModeActivity” in their app's Manifest file to activate this feature. To prevent screen burn-in, the system shifts pixels every 60 seconds. Google Maps is expected to be one of the first applications to implement this feature, adopting a minimalist power-saving mode. Min Mode is anticipated to be introduced as a new developer API with the release of Android 17.

Winsage

October 11, 2025

Starship is the customizable shell prompt every Windows user needs

Starship is a customizable command prompt tool designed to enhance the terminal experience across various shells, including PowerShell, Bash, Zsh, Fish, and Command Prompt. Built on Rust, it operates as a layer over existing terminal applications, dynamically constructing prompts that display relevant information such as the current directory, Git branch status, programming language versions, and system metrics. Configuration is managed through a starship.toml file, allowing users to customize modules, colors, and formatting. Installation on Windows can be done with the command "winget install starship." Starship provides real-time updates and feedback tailored to the user's context, enhancing both aesthetics and productivity in terminal use.

AppWizard

September 6, 2025

Android 16 on the Pixel 10 is a step in the right direction, but there are still changes I wanna see

Android Central's Editor's Desk discusses the Pixel 10, highlighting its camera capabilities and magnetic Qi2 charging feature. The review appreciates Google's Android 16 interface for its vibrancy and responsiveness but notes that the Pixel UI has not been the editor's favorite. Key points include: - The multitasking experience on traditional Pixel models is lacking compared to other manufacturers, with a cumbersome Clear All button placement and a desire for a native side panel for quick app access. - Customization options in the Pixel UI, while improved, still have room for enhancement, such as allowing users to choose presentation styles in the Open Apps view and greater flexibility in the Quick Settings menu. - Suggestions for deeper customization include modifying app icon shapes and status bar content, similar to features offered by OnePlus. - A potential application named "Pixelate" is proposed to allow users to personalize their devices without changing the core Pixel experience.

AppWizard

August 19, 2025

Google Tasks gets one M3 Expressive tweak, now in web app launcher

Google Tasks has been updated on Android to align with the design of other Google applications, introducing a more organized interface known as the M3 Expressive tweak. The details page for tasks has been restructured to group key elements such as title, details, date/time, and subtasks together. The status bar has been redesigned, featuring a "Mark completed" button in a pill shape for better visibility. While the homepage remains unchanged, users are requesting a redesign of the Google Tasks homescreen widget. Additionally, a new shortcut has been introduced for the web app launcher, linking directly to tasks.google.com.

Winsage

July 13, 2025

I tried this Linux distro that looks like Windows, is made by a Microsoft engineer, and is based on Ubuntu

AnduinOS is a Linux distribution created by a former Microsoft engineer, designed to ease the transition from Windows to Linux. It is based on Ubuntu and offers two versions: a Long-Term Support (LTS) release and a short-term release that showcases the latest features. AnduinOS shifts from Snap packages to the Flatpak system for better application access and package management. The interface closely resembles Windows 11, featuring a desktop environment with a taskbar that combines a dock and status bar, a Start menu designed for smoother performance, and customization options for the taskbar and Arc menu. It utilizes GNOME extensions to enhance functionality, including an Extension Manager for easy installation of new features. AnduinOS is positioned as a suitable option for users transitioning from Windows due to its familiar interface and extensive customization capabilities.

AppWizard

July 3, 2025

One UI 8 will let any app show a Live Notification in Samsung’s Now Bar

Samsung is enhancing its One UI 8 experience by integrating the Live Notifications feature with Android 16's "Live Updates" API, allowing broader third-party app support for live notifications. This upgrade will enable real-time updates from various compatible applications, moving beyond the previous limitation of primarily supporting Samsung's own apps. The feature was initially introduced with One UI 7 and is set to expand significantly in One UI 8. The One UI 8 beta has shown a developer option for "Live notifications for all apps," which allows Live Updates to appear in the status bar and Now Bar. Currently, no public apps support Live Updates, and testing requires Google's sample app. It is expected that users will not need to toggle a developer option for the feature in the final release of One UI 8.

AppWizard

June 30, 2025

Android 16 review: Post-hype

The Android 16 update will feature a status bar chip displaying essential information, with the option to tap for full notifications, although this will not be available at launch. The update is part of a two-phase rollout, with a more substantial update expected later in the year. Historically, new Android versions are released in the fall, but Android 16 is being divided into two updates, with a smaller one featuring API adjustments to follow at year’s end. Anticipated features like the Material 3 Expressive UI and desktop windowing capability are currently in testing and expected to debut later. Updates to Google applications will support Material 3, but changes may be subtle for non-Pixel devices, as brands like Samsung and OnePlus have diverged from Google's interface.