Yesterday was one of those days that are marked forever in the technological calendar. We may not be aware of the impact that everything presented yesterday will have, but Google marked a before and after not only in the future of Gemini and Android, but in how we relate to consumer electronics.
While showing us how they will work Android XR glassesthe Project Beam holographic callsand the Ai mode in the searchThe company launched one of Android’s greatest resideños to date. The Google Pixel selectable can already enjoy Android 16 With this change in design, and we have tried it.
The launcher. He launcher It is one of Android’s most iconic parts and, and Google never dares to change it too much. It remains almost equal to what we had seen so far, with some small aesthetic change in the search, voice and icons Google Lens of the application drawer.
The notification bar. Android (at least in Google’s native interpretation) does not give up to the iPhone control center, unlike the rest of customization layers. We continue to have a quick access bar above and, just below, notifications.
This panel has completely redesigned: we have new icons, new easier design and access to the notification history and the notification configuration menu. And yes, the mythical battery icon is now horizontal, Android has lost one of its greatest hallmarks and now looks more like iOS.
Android 16 does a better job with complementary colors.
The color palette. Something that can be seen instantly with Material 3 It is a better integration of automatic issues. From the arrival of Youthe Android color palette adapts to the colors of the wallpaper. With Android 16 this remains so, but integration is even deeper and (to taste a server) more aesthetically.
The icons, the transparency of the notification bar … absolutely all the elements of the system mix the colors of the Wallpaper so that everything looks good.
The multitasking. At least in this beta, it is much easier to interact with the apps that we have in Multitasa. We continue without having the button to remove all the apps in an accessible way, but there are interesting options.
We can quickly select the contents of an app in multitasking without even having it open in the foreground. We go to multitasking, click the image button, and we will have quick access to Google Lens, copy, share and save.
We can also capture screen or select some concrete area of the app. In the drop -down, we have the divided screen options, pause the app, the app, capture, select or close.
The adjustments. This is, by far, the point that I liked of Android 16 and Material 3. I cross my fingers to be just a matter of beta and that there are changes in the final version. The adjustments are worse about what we had previously, going fast and at the foot.
Even having tried this beta in a Pixel 9 Pro, everything is too compacted and small. It is difficult to distinguish between the sub -rush, and it becomes quite tedious to find adjustments that we saw before with the naked eye.
Nor does I fall in love with the design too much. Now it is simpler and more minimalist, but there is neither a especially clear order, nor has it taken too careful at aesthetic level.
The best is missing, apps. I have stayed with the desire to try one of the reasons for being of the new version of material 3: apps. This redesign makes sense when apps adapt to it, both aesthetic and functionalities.
Live activities are not available in this beta, and there is still work to do. Be that as it may, this new version is good news. Android is more consistent than ever at the aesthetic level (waiting to see how they solve the design of the adjustments), and prepares For a revolution by Gemini. It will not be the one who stays outside this ship.
Image | Xataka
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