Gmail for Android Gets a Fresh Look with Material 3 Expressive Redesign.

Google is rolling out a significant visual update to the Gmail for Android app, which aligns with the company's new Material 3 Expressive design language. This redesign, which has been in testing for some time, is now reaching a wider user base, offering a more modern and cohesive experience across the app.

The most noticeable change is the introduction of "expressive containers". Instead of a continuous, flat list, each email in the inbox is now placed within its own distinct card with rounded corners. This creates a cleaner, more visually separated look for each message, which some users have already started to receive. This builds on an earlier design iteration that placed the entire email list within a single, larger container.

Gmail Old Vs New

The update also brings subtle but meaningful changes to interactions and buttons. Swipe actions for archiving, deleting, or marking an email as read now feature a "pill-shaped" animation that is both fluid and modern. When you open a message, the Reply and Forward buttons at the bottom of the screen are more prominent and leverage Dynamic Color to stand out against the background.

This Gmail redesign is part of a larger push by Google to implement the Material 3 Expressive design across its suite of applications, including Google Keep and Google Messages. The new aesthetic emphasizes rounded edges, playful motion, and vibrant color palettes to create a more engaging and user-friendly interface. While the current rollout focuses on the main inbox view and message details, certain parts of the app, such as the Compose screen and the home screen widgets, remain unchanged for now.

Also Read:

• Chrome for Android Gets a Material 3 Makeover with Expressive Redesign.
• Google Clock App Gets a Major Material 3 'Expressive' Redesign.
• Google Calculator Gets a Slick Material 3 'Expressive' Redesign.

Google Rolls Out Revamped Quick Share Interface for Android.

The long-awaited redesign of Google's Quick Share interface is finally beginning to roll out to Android devices. This significant update, which brings a refreshed look and new functionality, aims to streamline the file-sharing process and improve the overall user experience.

The new interface was first spotted on a Xiaomi 15 Ultra by Android expert Mishaal Rahman, signaling the start of a wider rollout beyond Samsung Galaxy devices, which have had a version of this design for some time. This is a welcome change for Google Pixel and other non-Samsung Android phone users who have been anticipating this update for months.

A Closer Look at the New Design

The most notable change is the introduction of a new, dedicated "Receive" tab. This tab simplifies the process of receiving files by providing a clear, separate screen that shows a list of devices that are currently attempting to share files with you. This is a major improvement over the previous, more cluttered design.

The "Receive" tab is complemented by a new "Sharing with you" section, which provides a clear overview of incoming files. This separation of sending and receiving functionality makes the Quick Share experience more intuitive and user-friendly.

On the "Send" screen, the interface has received a number of visual tweaks. The file picker now includes a preview of the selected media files, providing a visual confirmation of what you are sharing before you send it. This minor but effective change helps prevent accidental file shares and gives users more confidence in the process.

While the rollout is still slow and not yet available to all users, the appearance of the new interface on a variety of devices suggests that a broader, more public release is imminent. This update is a key step in Google's ongoing effort to create a more consistent and polished experience across the entire Android ecosystem.

YouTube Music Redesign: Search Moves to Bottom Bar.

YouTube Music is undergoing a redesign on its Android app, moving the Search functionality to a new, more accessible position on the bottom bar. This change is currently being tested and has not yet been rolled out to all users.

Previously located in the top-right corner, the magnifying glass icon is being replaced. The new Search button, which now incorporates the functionalities of the old "Explore" page, is a two-tap action located on the bottom navigation bar. This change is designed to improve one-handed use of the app.

A Shift in YouTube Music UI Design.

The redesign sees the familiar magnifying glass icon for search being removed from the top of the screen, where it was previously nestled between the notification bell and the user's profile avatar. This is a deliberate shift in user interface (UI) design, moving a core function to a more reachable location for single-hand use.

The new "Search" button occupies a spot on the bottom bar, effectively replacing the compass icon that previously led to the "Explore" page. This strategic move enhances usability and consolidates two previously separate features.

The New "Search + Explore" Experience.

The new "Search" page is more than just a search bar; it's a unified hub for discovery and content search. It combines the full functionality of the old "Explore" page, presenting users with a search bar at the top, along with voice and song lookup shortcuts. Below this, users will find the curated genre and mood categories they were accustomed to on the "Explore" page. This integration streamlines the user journey, allowing for a seamless transition from browsing for new music to searching for a specific track.

One key aspect of this new design is the "two-tap" action. While the old search bar was instantly ready for text input upon a single tap, the new button on the bottom bar requires a second tap on the search bar itself to open the keyboard. The app will include a small introductory prompt to guide users through this change, explaining the new "Search + Explore" functionality and the need for the extra tap to begin typing.

Accessibility and Future Implications.

The update also extends the reach of the search feature, making it accessible from within the "Samples" section of the app. This consistency across different parts of the app's interface contributes to a more cohesive and user-friendly experience.

This redesign aligns with a broader industry trend toward bottom-bar navigation, which is particularly beneficial as smartphone screens continue to grow. By bringing crucial controls within easy reach of the thumb, Google is responding directly to the practical needs of its users. This change, while seemingly small, represents a significant refinement in the app's design, prioritizing user comfort and efficiency. It showcases Google's ongoing commitment to evolving its user interfaces to meet the demands of modern mobile habits.

Google Phone New "Wide Calling Card" Feature Arrives with Android 16 QPR1.

Google is rolling out a new "Calling Card" feature for its Phone app, allowing users to personalize their incoming call screen with a wide, full-screen image for specific contacts. The update, arriving in version 188 of the Google Phone app, is being launched alongside the Pixel 10 and in preparation for the Android 16 QPR1 release.

This new customization option is similar to a feature found on other platforms, but with a key difference: the personalized image and name are visible only to the user and do not affect how they appear to others. This gives users a new level of control over their personal calling experience.

How the Calling Card Feature Works.

Users will be greeted by a promotional banner at the top of the app’s Home tab, which introduces the "calling card" feature. From there, the customization process is straightforward:

• Image Selection: Users can choose an image from their device's gallery, take a new photo, or select one from their Google Photos library.
• Cropping and Framing: Once an image is chosen, it can be cropped and framed to fit the wide, full-screen format.
• Name Customization: The contact's name can also be customized with various font styles and colors.

Once set, the chosen image will appear as a full-screen background whenever that specific contact calls. This update is a move by Google to enhance the visual experience of the core calling function, making it more personal and engaging.

The Bigger Picture.

This update is part of a broader trend in which companies are adding more personalization and customization features to their core apps. For Google, this feature not only improves the user experience but also deepens the integration of Google Photos within the Android ecosystem.

The launch of this feature with the Pixel 10 and Android 16 QPR1 suggests that Google is continuing to refine and enhance the user interface across its devices, focusing on both aesthetic appeal and user-centric functionality.

Google Clock App Gets a Major Material 3 'Expressive' Redesign.

Google is continuing its push to unify its app ecosystem with a modern, cohesive design language, and the latest to receive a significant makeover is the Google Clock app. The app's version 8.1 update introduces the much-anticipated Material 3 'Expressive' redesign, which brings a fresh look and several new features to the popular utility.

The visual overhaul, which was first hinted at in a leak back in May, is now officially rolling out to users. The redesign prioritizes a cleaner, more intuitive interface that improves functionality while aligning with Google's new design philosophy.

Key Features of the Clock Redesign

One of the most user-friendly changes is the introduction of distinct backgrounds for active alarms, making it much easier to see at a glance which alarms are turned on. The alarm setup screen has also been refined, offering a more organized layout for configuring alarm names, sounds, and toggling features like vibration and weather forecasts. Users can also now link their alarms directly to Google Assistant routines.

For waking up, the old alarm slider has been replaced by two separate, clearly labeled "snooze" and "stop" buttons, which should prevent accidental dismissals. In the stopwatch section, the lap, stop, and reset buttons have been made much larger, providing a more precise and satisfying user experience.

The article also notes a previously leaked timer page redesign that includes larger fonts and a layout that allows for more timers to be visible on the screen simultaneously. While not yet available to all users, this change suggests more updates are on the way.

The Material 3 'Expressive' redesign for Google Clock version 8.1 is currently rolling out via the Google Play Store, bringing a cleaner, more functional design to one of Android's most essential apps.

Also Read: Google Calculator Gets a Slick Material 3 'Expressive' Redesign.