What we know so far about upcoming features | usagoldmines.com

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Google switched issues up with Android 15 when it determined to decouple the platform replace from the Pixel 9 series. That call gave each the software program and {hardware} their very own respiration room and unbiased timelines. With the official steady Android 15 replace on the horizon, it’s time to look ahead to what Google is cooking up for Android 16. Right here’s what we learn about Android 16 and the options we anticipate to see within the upcoming replace in 2025.

Android 16: Identify

Google used to call Android variations with dessert codenames, nevertheless it strayed away from that custom with the discharge of Android 10, selecting to stay with solely the model quantity for all future releases. Consequently, Android 16 can be recognized merely as “Android 16,” with no dessert codename formally used.

Nevertheless, Google nonetheless makes use of the dessert codename internally. Android 16’s inside codename leaked not too long ago as Baklava. That is attention-grabbing as a result of Android 15’s codename was Vanilla Ice Cream, so that you’d suppose Android 16 can be generally known as one thing that begins with a “W” (“Waffle” would have been a very good one).

So why did Google leap from “V” all the best way again to “B?” It’s a bit sophisticated, nevertheless it primarily entails massive adjustments to Android’s backend. If you wish to be taught extra, we clarify Android 16’s surprising Baklava codename intimately.

Android 16 anticipated launch timeline

Google has not but introduced Android 16’s launch timeline. Nevertheless, primarily based on the platform’s launch historical past, one would anticipate it to be launched in This autumn 2025.

For reference, the primary Developer Preview for Android 15 was launched in February 2024. The Android 15 Beta 1 was launched in April 2024, whereas the steady Android 15 replace is anticipated to be launched in October 2024. Android 15’s supply code was launched in September 2024.

Nevertheless, there may be proof to recommend that Google might launch Android 16 much earlier than usual. Code inside AOSP suggests we might see one thing as early as Q2 2025 — specifically April, Could, or June of that yr. Clearly, this may very well be Google’s intention, however time will inform if it might probably really pull that off.

If it does, it will possible imply an early launch once more for the Pixel 10 series. The Pixel 9 stunned us all by launching in August 2024, months sooner than its anticipated October reveal. This provides additional assist to the concept that Google might launch Android 16 a lot earlier in 2025.

Android 16: Leaked and upcoming options

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Whereas Google has not but shared any particulars about Android 16, we will begin portray an image of what we are going to get with the following replace, due to Google’s QPR updates.

Google’s QPR updates and what they inform us about future Android releases

The Android platform follows an annual launch schedule, which OEMs and the world at giant have entry to. Google additionally follows a second public launch schedule for its Pixel units within the type of QPR updates. QPR refers to Quarterly Platform Launch, which is an replace monitor the place updates are launched as soon as each three months (quarter). So, we usually get an annual Android platform replace on Pixels, adopted by three QPR releases, after which the following annual Android platform replace.

Whereas the options included within the Android platform replace are closing and obtainable to the world, options launched within the QPR updates can be found to Pixel units till the following Android platform replace incorporates them. Additional, Google additionally runs a separate beta program for the QPRs months prematurely.

This offers us conditions the place we will check out new options which might be coming to Android 16 (by checking them out in Android 15 QPR 1 betas) earlier than the steady Android 15 replace is even launched!

Consequently, we’ve got a listing of options which might be coming to approaching Android 15 QPR releases for Pixel units, that are additionally more likely to be added to the following Android platform replace, Android 16. Let’s test them out!

Desktop windowing

We’ve talked about desktop windowing earlier than as a leak, however Google officially introduced the characteristic in Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2 for the Pixel Pill. Google’s announcement doesn’t point out the discharge timeline, however we anticipate to see the characteristic within the wider Android 16 launch.

Desktop windowing permits customers to run a number of apps concurrently and resize app home windows, identical to we’re used to doing on typical desktops.

Google has mounted the taskbar’s place to the underside of the display screen. It could now present operating apps and apps pinned by the person. There’s additionally a brand new header bar, which homes window controls.

Along with the introduced characteristic, there’s a new hidden toggle known as Allow desktop mode on secondary show, which replaces the outdated Pressure desktop mode toggle.

Redesigned Settings homepage

Android 15 Beta 3 included clues for a redesigned Settings homepage, however the adjustments didn’t go reside in later betas. The brand new settings structure did go reside in Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2, indicating that it’s probably on monitor for an Android 16 launch.

On the left is an instance of how the top-level web page appears to be like on Android 14 and the precise picture exhibits the brand new structure in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2.

Blocking outdated notifications

Individuals who personal and use a number of Android units can relate to the notification flood that arrives each time they boot up the much less incessantly used system. Proper at boot, after the system establishes its web connection, you’ll obtain all notifications that weren’t delivered to this system, even if in case you have checked out the notifications out of your different system.

Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2 modified the best way Android handles these older notifications. The system now rejects notifications which might be greater than two weeks outdated. These older notifications will solely present some particulars to let which apps or contacts to investigate cross-check, however they’ll now not warn you with a sound or vibration, and even present the complete notification contents.

Compact heads-up notifications

In case you are bothered by simply how giant the heads-up notifications will be when watching full-screen content material, then Google is engaged on an answer. We noticed clues for compact heads-up notifications in Android 15 Beta 4, and the characteristic turned extra extensively obtainable with Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2.

You may see the compact structure within the second set of notifications beneath.

A lot of the textual content within the notification is truncated, and any embedded photographs are hidden by default till you faucet the dropdown arrow to increase them. Nevertheless, the notification icon, notification title, and reply button are nonetheless proven for messaging apps like Telegram.

Notification cooldown

Android 15 Developer Preview 1 included a characteristic known as Notification cooldown, situated at Settings > Notifications. When enabled, this characteristic would step by step decrease the quantity of successive notifications coming from the identical app. The characteristic prevents your telephone from going off wildly once you obtain lots of notifications in a short time.

Nevertheless, Google eliminated the characteristic from Android 15 Beta 1. The characteristic has not returned but, however there’s evidence inside Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2 that it has not been deserted.

Beginning with the adjustments, the brand new chips for display screen recording and screencasting provides you with a timer proper within the standing bar.