android – Page 2 – Tech News

Google announces Material 3 Expressive, a colorful evolution of Android design

Google says the new interface will begin with Android OS, but it will eventually expand across the full Google app ecosystem, bringing a more lively vibe to Gmail, Google Photos, and more. Material 3 Expressive won't be entirely unfamiliar—it shares some basic design elements with the Material You system Google launched four years ago. Material 3 Expressive is a bolder take on the same aesthetic, featuring "springy" animations, brighter colors, and new shapes.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/05/google-reveals-vibrant-material-3-expressive-coming-soon-to-a-pixel-near-you/

Android phones will soon reboot if they’re locked for a few days

Android is launching a new security feature that will force devices to reboot themselves if you haven’t unlocked them for a while, making it harder for other people to access the data inside. The feature included in the latest Google Play services update says that Android phones will automatically restart “if locked for 3 consecutive days,” requiring users to enter their passcode the next time they want to open the device.
https://www.theverge.com/news/648757/google-android-update-automatic-reboot-phone-locked

Samsung’s One UI 7 looks rather iOS-y.

The upcoming redesign teased in a (seemingly premature) video found on Samsung’s Spanish website shows off smoother animations and a revamped Quick Panel, with quick settings now packed in bubbles — just like on iOS. The pill-shaped live activities feature also shares some similarities with Apple’s Dynamic Island.
https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/29/24308683/samsungs-one-ui-7-looks-rather-ios-y

US judge orders Google to open up Google Play to rivals

According to the filing, Google is not allowed to pay developers to launch their apps exclusively on Google Play starting November 1 for the next three years. The company also can’t force developers to use Google Play’s billing system and must allow them to notify users of other ways to pay.
https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/07/us-judge-orders-google-to-open-up-google-play-to-rivals/

Samsung Tries To Sneak In Unwanted Apps With Android Updates

Samsung is using Android updates to attempt to foist unwanted apps on to customers’ smartphones. When customers perform an Android update on their Samsung smartphone – which customers must do to benefit from the latest security updates – they find a notification waiting after the operating system has been installed.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrycollins/2023/05/09/samsung-tries-to-sneak-in-unwanted-apps-with-android-updates/

Google Chrome’s new zoom on mobile blows things up by up to 300 percent

Chrome on Android now lets you zoom in on text, images, videos, and on-screen buttons up to 300 percent without affecting the layout of the webpage.
https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/27/23615602/google-chrome-page-zoom-android-accessibility

Google launches first Android beta for ad-tracking overhaul

Around this time last year, Google revealed it was working on a multiyear initiative to improve privacy and remodel ad tracking on Android phones, bringing the mobile platform in line with Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature for iOS. Google says the first beta for Privacy Sandbox on Android will start rolling out tomorrow to a limited number of Android 13 devices.
https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/14/23599027/google-android-privacy-sandbox-beta-advertising-tracking