Google Revives 'Androidify' with AI, Turning Selfies into Bots.

Google has relaunched its popular 'Androidify' tool, this time with powerful artificial intelligence at its core. The new app, available on the web and as a standalone Android app, allows users to transform a selfie or a text prompt into a personalized Android bot.

How It Works: The Magic Behind the Scenes.

The new Androidify app is a showcase for Google's latest AI models. When you upload a photo, it first uses Gemini 2.5 Flash to analyze the image, generating a detailed caption that describes your appearance, clothing, and accessories. This detailed description is then fed to a fine-tuned version of Imagen 3, which creates a unique Android bot that reflects your style.

Alternatively, you can skip the selfie and simply enter a text prompt to design your bot from scratch. This gives you complete creative freedom to create a custom character.

The app also serves as a demonstration for developers, highlighting how to use modern Android development practices and libraries such as Material 3 Expressive components and the ML Kit Pose Detection API.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Android Bot.

Creating your own Android bot is a simple and fun process. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the App or Website: Download the Androidify app from the Google Play Store or visit the official Androidify website.
2. Start Creating: Upload a selfie or enter a text prompt to describe your desired bot.
3. Generate Your Bot: The app will use AI to generate your unique Android bot based on your input.
4. Customize and Share: Once your bot is created, you can personalize it by selecting from various formats (e.g., 1:1, Wallpaper, Banner), and backgrounds.
5. Animate Your Bot (Fridays Only): On Fridays in September, a limited number of users can animate their Android bot into an 8-second video using Veo 3, Google's video generation model.

You can then share your custom Android bot on social media using the hashtag #Androidify.

What Makes Androidify Stand Out?

The new Androidify experience is infinitely personal, letting you transform yourself into an Android bot in countless ways. Whether you upload a selfie or craft a fun, imaginative prompt, the AI ensures your creation feels unique and deeply customizable.

At the same time, the app is creative and fun, designed to be playful and expressive. It’s perfect for sharing with friends, showing off on social media, or simply giving your digital identity a fresh look.

For developers, Androidify is more than just a toy; it’s developer-friendly. The app has been built using the latest Android design frameworks and tools, offering a practical showcase of how modern Android UI and AI integration come together seamlessly.

And to top it off, Androidify adds a daily surprise factor. With weekly animation features powered by AI, users can see their avatars come alive, keeping the experience engaging and exciting every time they return.

Gboard Gets a New Font Size Setting.

Gboard for Android is receiving a new update that gives users more control over their keyboard's appearance. The update introduces a standalone "Font size" setting, which allows you to adjust the size of the keyboard's font independently of the system-wide display and text size settings.

This feature is particularly useful for users who prefer a smaller or larger system font but don't want the keyboard's keys to be disproportionately sized. The new setting ranges from 85% to 200%, with "Match System" being the default. When you change the font size, the letters, numbers, and tool icons on the keyboard are adjusted accordingly, but the size of emojis and their category titles remain unchanged.

How to Change Gboard's Font Size?

1. After receiving the update (currently rolling out to Gboard beta version 15.9), you may see a "Keyboard font size updated" banner on your Gboard.
2. Tap the gear icon on this banner to be taken directly to the new setting.
3. Alternatively, you can manually navigate to the setting by going to Gboard Settings > Preferences > Font size.
4. Use the slider to adjust the font size to your preference, from 85% to 200% of the default size.

This update is part of Google's ongoing effort to bring a more personalized and cohesive experience to its apps through the Material 3 Expressive design language and simplifying Gboard Settings.

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.

Chrome for Android Gets a Material 3 Makeover with Expressive Redesign.

Google is rolling out a significant visual refresh for Chrome on Android, introducing what appears to be a new "Material 3 Expressive" design language. This update brings the browser's interface into closer alignment with the look and feel of other first-party Google apps, while maintaining its core functionality.

The changes, which have begun to appear on devices running Chrome 139 and Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1, are subtle but impactful. The most notable difference is a redesigned Omnibox, which now features a new segmented progress indicator with distinct rounded corners, replacing the older, continuous bar.

Image Credit: 9to5Google

Other key visual tweaks include:

• Circular Buttons: In the three-dot overflow menu, buttons for actions like "go forward," "bookmark star," and "refresh" have been placed inside circular containers, creating a more cohesive and visually appealing layout.

• Rounded Tabs: The 'new tab' button on the Tab Grid page is now housed in a rounded square container, and the tab, Incognito, and Groups switcher at the top of the page have also been placed within a similar container.

• Themed Tab Groups: The update introduces dynamic theming for unselected Tab Groups, adding a personalized touch that complements the rest of the interface.

Despite these changes, the overall button sizes remain the same, ensuring that the new design does not affect the usability of the browser. The update's rollout is not yet complete, but it signals Google's ongoing effort to unify its design language across its entire ecosystem, providing a more consistent and polished experience for users.

Also Read:

• Google Calculator Gets a Slick Material 3 'Expressive' Redesign.
• Google Keep Receives Fresh, Colorful Update with Material 3 Expressive Design.
• Google Clock App Gets a Major Material 3 'Expressive' Redesign.

Google Password Manager Gets a Standalone App on the Play Store.

Google has made it significantly easier for Android users to manage their saved passwords by releasing the Google Password Manager as a standalone app on the Play Store. Previously, accessing the tool required users to navigate through several layers of their device's settings, a process many found cumbersome and difficult.

The new app, which is described as a convenient shortcut to the existing, built-in password manager, eliminates the need for this deep menu dive. While it doesn't introduce a new password management service, its accessibility and convenience are a major improvement for users who rely on Google to save their credentials.

A Fresh Look with Material 3 Expressive.

The standalone app fully embraces Google's new Material 3 Expressive design language. This gives the app a vibrant and modern feel, with key visual changes that improve usability. The interface now features a new search app bar and pill-shaped filters for sorting credentials by Passwords, Passkeys, and Network devices, offering a more intuitive way to manage your data. It also fully adopts Dynamic Color, allowing the app's accent to match your device's theme for a more personalized experience.

Beyond Convenience: A Focus on Security and Features

This release is more than just an accessibility fix; it's a strategic move by Google to compete with dedicated password managers like LastPass and Bitwarden, which have long dominated the Play Store. By making the app visible in search results, Google aims to attract new users and highlight its built-in security features.

While Google's Password Manager offers powerful integration with Chrome and Android, it's important to note some key differences from its competitors. The service does not use zero-knowledge encryption, which means Google technically holds the keys to your data. Additionally, it lacks a master password requirement, instead relying on your device’s screen lock for security.

However, it offers powerful built-in protections, including:

• Password Checkup: Proactively scans your saved passwords against known data breaches and alerts you if any are compromised.
• Passkey Support: Allows you to use passwordless, biometric logins on supported websites and apps, a feature Google is heavily promoting as the future of authentication.
• Cross-Device Syncing: Seamlessly syncs your passwords across all devices signed into your Google Account, including laptops and tablets.

The app is currently available for all Android users, but Google has not yet announced plans for a similar standalone app on iOS.

Also Read: Gboard Update Brings Direct Autofill for Passwords & Credit Cards.

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.

Google Calculator Gets a Slick Material 3 'Expressive' Redesign.

New Google Calculator

Google is rolling out a significant visual update for its popular Calculator app, bringing a fresh Material 3 "expressive" redesign. This new version, Google Calculator 9.0, overhauls several key elements to create a more modern and streamlined user experience.

One of the most notable changes is the removal of the traditional display container, giving the app a clean, completely flat background. The font for the numbers has also been updated to be skinnier.

The update introduces several functional and layout changes as well. Users will find a new button in the top-left corner to access calculation history, though the familiar swipe-down gesture for this action remains. The scientific actions have been condensed and are now accessible via a new "expand" button located above the numpad.

In terms of aesthetics, the buttons have been transformed into "pills" that stretch to the edges of the screen, and the number keys now have a lighter background for better visual separation. The three-dot overflow menu has also been refined with a consistent "Clear history" option and new icons for all menu items. The landscape tablet layout has also been adjusted to match the new phone design.

Old Google Calculator

The Material 3 expressive update for Google Calculator is currently being distributed through the Google Play Store.

Google Phone App Rolling Out Customizable "Calling Cards" for Contacts

The way you see and present your contacts during calls is getting a stylish upgrade. Google is now widely rolling out "Calling Cards" to the Google Phone and Contacts apps, allowing users to personalize the incoming and outgoing call screens with custom images, fonts, and colors for each contact. This highly anticipated feature, similar in concept to Apple's Contact Posters, offers a fresh visual experience and deeper personalization for your Android device

For years, the call screen remained a largely static interface, often displaying just a small profile picture and a name. As smartphones became increasingly personal, a desire grew for more vibrant, customizable interactions. "Calling Cards" directly addresses this need, moving beyond simple caller ID to offer a full-screen, dynamically designed display that reflects your unique relationship with each person in your contact list.

What Are Google Phone Calling Cards?

"Calling Cards" are essentially enhanced profile displays that appear full-screen when you receive or make a call. Unlike some other platforms that focus on customizing your own outgoing display for others, Google's implementation puts the power of personalization in your hands for the contacts in your phone. This means you can decide how each individual contact appears on your device's call screen, making interactions more visually engaging and recognizable.

Key Features and How They Work:

• Customizable Visuals: When adding or editing a contact, or upon opening an existing contact's page, you'll see a prompt to "Try adding a calling card." You can choose an image from your camera, gallery, or seamlessly integrate with Google Photos to select the perfect picture.
• Font and Color Customization: Beyond just a picture, the editor allows you to select a specific font and color for the contact's name, which appears prominently on the Incoming Call screen. Options include a wide array of colors like Autumn Orange, Blush Pink, Royal Blue, and even a "Smart Color" option that adapts to the chosen image.
• Seamless Integration: The Calling Card image can also double as the contact's standard profile picture and will appear as a banner photo in the Google Contacts app, ensuring a consistent visual experience across your communication tools.
• Material 3 Expressive Design: This feature aligns with the recent Material 3 Expressive redesign seen in Google's Phone and Contacts apps, contributing to a more modern and cohesive user interface.
• Wide Rollout: While initially spotted in beta versions (specifically Phone by Google 188 beta and Contacts 4.61), this feature is now rolling out widely to users.

Credit: 9to5Google

Enhancing Your Calling Experience.

The introduction of Calling Cards in the Google Phone app marks a significant step towards more personalized and aesthetically pleasing mobile communication. Instead of generic caller ID screens, you'll be greeted by vibrant, custom visuals that make recognizing callers at a glance even easier and more delightful. This update caters to users who value both functionality and a personalized visual experience on their devices.

Availability.

The "Calling Card" feature is currently rolling out to users, particularly those on the beta channels of the Google Phone and Google Contacts apps. Users can expect to see the option appear in their apps over the coming days as the rollout progresses.

Google Keep for Android Gains Essential "Sort" Feature for Enhanced Organization.

Key Highlights.

• Google Keep for Android now allows users to sort notes by "Custom," "Date created," or "Date modified."
• This update significantly enhances the ability to manage and find notes within the app, especially for large note collections.
• The sorting capability is currently rolling out to Google Keep on Android (v5.25.312.00.90) via a server-side update.

Google Keep, the minimalist note-taking app beloved for its simplicity and cross-platform syncing, is finally rolling out a long-awaited "Sort by" feature for its Android application. This significant quality-of-life improvement addresses a persistent user request, allowing for much more efficient organization and retrieval of notes.

Previously, Google Keep primarily relied on a reverse chronological order or manual dragging for note arrangement, which could become cumbersome for users with extensive note libraries. The introduction of dedicated sorting options marks a substantial step towards providing users with greater control over their digital thoughts.

New Sorting Options to Tame Your Notes.

The new "Sort by" capability can be found conveniently located within the search bar, next to the existing single or multi-column feed switcher icon. Tapping this new icon reveals a bottom sheet with clear sorting choices:

• Custom: This is the default setting and maintains your manually arranged order (notes can still be dragged and dropped).
• Date created: Organizes notes based on when they were originally made, from newest to oldest or vice-versa.
• Date modified: Sorts notes by their last edited date, keeping your most recently updated thoughts easily accessible.

When a date-based sorting option is active, the sort icon in the search field will visually indicate that it is active, making it clear how your notes are currently organized. Google Keep also intelligently remembers your "Custom" order, so you can always revert to your preferred manual arrangement after using the date-based sorting.

Credit: Google

A Gradual Rollout and Platform Availability.

This highly anticipated feature is rolling out widely to Android users on Google Keep version 5.25.312.00.90, though it appears to be a server-side update, meaning availability may vary even for users on the correct app version. While Android is receiving this update first, there is no immediate confirmation on its rollout to iOS or the web client at this time. The feature also integrates seamlessly with the Material 3 Expressive design language, which many users are beginning to see in the app.

This update transforms Google Keep from a simple dumping ground for thoughts into a more powerful and manageable organizational tool, especially for those juggling a large number of notes and lists.

Google Messages Gets Full‑Screen “Details” Page.

Key Takeaway.

• Google Messages has replaced the old pop-up with a full-screen message details view for better readability.
• New visual icons now clearly indicate if a message is sent, delivered, or read.

The Google Messages app is receiving a significant UI enhancement to its message details page, switching from cramped pop-ups to a striking full‑screen redesign based on Material 3's Expressive layout elements.

Previously, long‑pressing a message and opening “View details” showed a small dialog overlaying part of the chat. Now, users see a clean full‑screen view that previews the selected message along with delivery metadata like sent, delivered, and read status. These indicators use new visual cues: a checkmark circle means sent, two checkmarks mean delivered, and a filled‑in circle after two checkmarks means read.

The new “Details” page also displays the sender’s name and phone number—but omits fields like message type (e.g. RCS with end‑to‑end encryption) and priority levels. This marks the first time Google Messages uses M3 Expressive containers, setting the stage for more such UI upgrades across the app.

What is Included in the Design Upgrade?

The redesign is rolling out broadly, including on both stable (build 20250713_01_RC04) and beta (20250725_02_RC00) versions of Google Messages. While full redesigns for Android phones are still in beta, Wear OS versions already display M3 Expressive styling, with tinted buttons, sleek bubbles, and refreshed icons.

Earlier this month, Google began blending camera and gallery access into a unified interface and now supports sending media in two quality levels: HD for optimized sharing and HD+ for original quality. The revamped message field limit now spans up to 14 lines, up from just four.

These UI refinements coincide with broader messaging improvements like group chat customization, spam and sensitive content warnings, and better support for RCS and MLS encryption across platforms.

Why Google Messages Update Matters?

This update enhances both usability and presentation: no more cropping screenshots to hide irrelevant chat content, and the full‑screen preview delivers visual clarity. “View details” is now a functional hub, not just a modal box.

By adopting Material 3 Expressive design, Google is unifying the look and feel of Messages across devices, offering users a consistent experience whether on Android or Wear OS. Enhanced status indicators and clearer UX also improve message tracking and reliability.

Looking ahead, expect Google to extend M3 Expressive styling to other areas of the app—potentially conversation view, media viewer, and group settings. Additional message details like encryption status and priority labels may also be included. If you're using the beta or stable version cited above, look for updates via the Play Store.

Google’s NotebookLM Introduces AI‑Powered Video Overviews.

Google is rolling out significant upgrades to NotebookLM, expanding its AI-powered research tool with a new Video Overviews format and a revamped Studio panel for enhanced content creation and multitasking.

The newly launched Video Overviews feature transforms dense information into narrated slideshow-style presentations. These AI-generated visuals integrate diagrams, quotes, data points, and images extracted directly from user-uploaded documents, making complex ideas more intuitive to understand. Users can tailor the output by specifying learning goals, audience, and specific segments to focus on, such as chapter-specific content or expert-level theories.

Video Overviews act as a visual counterpart to NotebookLM’s existing Audio Overviews and are now available to all English-language users, with additional languages and styles expected in upcoming updates.

Studio Panel Upgrades: Smarter Creation & Multi‑Output Workflows

NotebookLM’s Studio panel is also receiving a major upgrade. Users can now create and store multiple versions of the same output type (e.g., several Audio Overviews or Video Overviews) within a single notebook. This flexibility supports various use cases:

• Publish content in multiple languages or perspectives.
• Tailor outputs for different roles or audiences (e.g., student vs. manager).
• Segment study material by chapters or modules using separate overview videos or guides.

The updated Studio interface introduces a clean layout featuring four tiles—Audio Overview, Video Overview, Mind Map, and Report—for quick access. All generated content is indexed below the tiles, and users can multitask—for instance, listening to an Audio Overview while exploring a Mind Map or reviewing a Study Guide.

NotebookLM, first launched in July 2023 and powered by Google’s Gemini AI, is also known for its Audio Overviews, which present document insights in conversational, podcast-style formats.

These new Video Overviews bring a visual dimension, essential for explaining data, workflows, diagrams, and abstract ideas more effectively.

According to internal disclosures, Google introduced Audio Overviews across more than 80 languages earlier this year, which doubled daily audio usage and significantly expanded user engagement. User feedback has driven numerous updates, including enhanced customization, in-app feedback tools, community-driven enhancements, and broader accessibility.

These additions cap a series of recent improvements, like “Featured Notebooks” (curated content from partners such as The Atlantic and The Economist) and automatic source discovery.

Google Tests AI-Powered Icon Theming for Pixel Phones.

Key Takeaway.

• Pixel phones are gaining AI-powered icon theming that can unify app icons even when developers haven’t added monochrome support.
• A new “Create” option suggests users will be able to manually design custom styles, potentially including icon shapes and color variations.

Google is planning to enhance Pixel phone customization with a new feature that lets users create custom AI-powered app icon themes. The code discovered in the latest Android Canary build suggests that Pixel users may soon have more flexible styling options beyond the current themed icons.

In the Wallpaper & Style app for Pixel phones, hidden strings now reference four distinct icon style choices: Default, Minimal, AI icon, and Create. Currently, the "Minimal" style applies monochromatic-themed icons to supported apps. The upcoming “AI icon” option appears to automatically generate styled versions for apps that lack support, while “Create” likely offers a manual customization tool.

These changes aim to fix the inconsistent look of Android’s current themed icons feature, which only works with apps providing monochrome icons. The AI-powered theme could apply cohesive styling across all apps, even those without native support. 

Pixel launchers have long lacked built-in icon customization. Users currently rely on third-party launchers or manual shortcuts to style their home screens. With AI-generated themes and design tools integrated into the stock launcher, Pixel users can achieve unified aesthetics without leaving Google’s ecosystem.

The potential for user-created icon sets also expands customization possibilities. Users might choose shapes, color accents, or editing features, similar to Android’s wallpaper customization and soon-to-return icon shape options introduced in Android 16 Beta.

At this stage, the feature is only visible in specialized Canary builds. There is no official timeline from Google, and activation isn’t available via app settings. Given the early stage, this could arrive with Android 16’s Material 3 Expressive redesign, which is expected mid‑2025.

Google Keep Receives Fresh, Colorful Update with Material 3 Expressive Design.

Key Takeaway.

• Google Keep now features a thicker search bar, animated logo text, and visual layout toggles for improved navigation.
• Action buttons within notes are repositioned into distinct rounded containers for a cleaner, more accessible editing experience.

Google Keep on Android has begun getting a visual refresh thanks to Google’s Material 3 Expressive design update. Users on version 5.25.282.00.90 have spotted colorful, user-friendly changes activated via a server-side update rather than a full app download.

On the home screen, Google Keep now has a thicker search bar that includes a hamburger menu button on the left and a profile switcher on the right. These updates offer clearer separation between elements. When the app launches for the first time, an animated “Google Keep” text appears, then it transitions to “Search Keep” with a layout selector for list or grid view.

Inside notes, action buttons have moved into rounded containers. The pin, reminder, and archive icons appear in square-shaped bubbles, while formatting options like color, text, and attachments are grouped into circles. The app’s overflow menu now appears as a pill-shaped button, where the “Edited” timestamp has been relocated.

This refreshed look matches what Google has done in other Material 3 Expressive updates. Earlier this year, the design was introduced in apps like Gmail, Messages, Wallet, Phone, Meet, and even parts of Wear OS. Google Keep’s update seems to be rolling out slowly—some users have it now, while others will get it soon.

Google Photos Introduces Sleek New Video Player with Enhanced Controls.

Google is rolling out a major UI overhaul to its video player in the Google Photos app, introducing a fresh design that enhances both aesthetics and functionality. This update is part of Google’s broader Material You (Material 3) design strategy and aims to modernize the viewing experience for millions of Android and iOS users who rely on Google Photos to store, share, and manage their video memories.

Key Takeaway.

• Google Photos has introduced a redesigned video player with larger controls, haptic scrubbing, and double-tap gestures.
• The update enhances video playback usability with a cleaner Material You interface and new looping functionality.

The update, which is being gradually rolled out across platforms, introduces more prominent, user-friendly playback controls and refined gesture support all designed to bring the video player in line with the smoother, more expressive interfaces found in other Google apps like YouTube and the revamped Google TV player.

What’s New in the Google Photos Video Player

The redesigned video player features several improvements that elevate the user experience:

1. Larger Playback Controls: The play/pause button, mute/unmute toggle, share button, and new looping option are now easier to access, placed prominently beneath the video rather than floating atop it. This layout reduces visual clutter and makes the interface more intuitive, especially for quick actions during playback.

2. Upgraded Seek Bar: The timeline scrubber now features a dotted progress bar that’s more visually distinct. It also includes haptic feedback when scrubbing, helping users accurately skip to specific video moments, an upgrade over the older, more basic slider.

3. Double-Tap Navigation: Like YouTube, the new video player supports double-tap gestures on the left and right sides of the video to rewind or fast-forward by 5 seconds. Users can tap multiple times in quick succession to skip even further, making it easier to navigate longer clips.

4. Material You Styling: The interface uses Material 3 Expressive themes, including softer corner curves, minimal shading, and improved responsiveness. It better reflects Google’s current design language and improves visual consistency across the Android ecosystem.

5. New Loop Button: A long-awaited addition, users can now enable looping playback directly from the interface, useful for reviewing clips, short animations, or seamless background footage.

Credit: Android Authority

The updated video player has started rolling out in the latest version of the Google Photos app for Android and iOS. However, since this is a server-side update, not all users will see the new design immediately, even if they’ve updated the app. It’s expected to reach most global users over the coming weeks.

Multiple reports from Android Authority, AssembleDebug, and user forums confirm its appearance in recent beta and stable app builds, especially in version 6.86.0.626167117 for Android.

Why is this update important?

This redesign addresses a long-standing gap in Google Photos, where video playback controls lag behind modern media apps. For users who regularly capture, back up, and share videos especially parents, students, vloggers, and creators smooth, responsive playback is crucial.

Google Photos has increasingly positioned itself not just as a storage tool, but as a content management platform. These interface changes reflect that shift, allowing users to interact with their videos more efficiently and enjoyably without needing to export them to another app just to play them back properly.

Moreover, with smartphone video quality rising thanks to features like 4K recording, cinematic modes, and HDR support, the need for a refined and responsive player within Photos has become more important than ever.

Google Maps Testing UI Revamp for Place Listing Pages on Android.

Key Takeaway.

• Google Maps is testing a refreshed UI for place listings, featuring a cleaner Material 3 card layout and improved readability.
• Key changes include moving “Popular Times” above reviews and turning core actions like “Suggest an edit” into prominent buttons.

Google Maps is receiving a subtle but impactful redesign of its place listing pages on Android, using an updated look to improve clarity and usability. These changes are currently spotted in version 25.29.00.782600971 via an APK teardown from Android Authority.

First and foremost, the overall visual design moves to a cleaner, Material 3-style card interface, replacing the earlier line-separated layout. This refresh enhances readability and aligns Maps with Google's evolving design language.

Another notable update involves the reordering of the “Popular times” section, which previously appeared below user reviews but now sits above them. This means users can more quickly assess peak visitation data before diving into reviews.

Credit: Android Authority

Google has also improved the layout for interactive tools: Suggest an edit, measure distance, add a missing place, and add your business. These are now fully furnished buttons rather than tucked-away options. These buttons are more prominent, particularly when viewing information about broader areas like cities or countries.

Why This Update Matters

This more refined interface ensures that essential details like visitation peaks and useful actions are immediately visible, making the app faster and more intuitive. Whether you're planning a trip, exploring a new city, or checking business hours, the updated placement and clarity of these elements make key information quicker to access while keeping the map context front and center.

What’s Next?

As this redesign is currently in the early testing phase, users may see the changes roll out gradually through upcoming updates. If the new design gains positive feedback, it could become the standard interface for Google Maps place listings on Android devices worldwide.

Google Phone App on Wear OS Gains M3 Expressive.

Key Takeaway

• Google's Phone app for Wear OS gets a sleek Material 3 Expressive redesign, enhancing usability and visual clarity.
• The update introduces a revamped in-call screen, easier navigation, and consistent UI with Android 16 and Wear OS 6.

In a notable move toward unifying design across its platforms, Google has begun rolling out a striking redesign of its Phone app for Wear OS smartwatches. This update introduces the Material 3 (M3) Expressive design language, giving the app a cleaner, more intuitive, and visually consistent interface that aligns with Android 16 and Wear OS 6.

The redesign, first spotted by users and detailed by 9to5Google, marks a significant upgrade to the in-call experience and general usability of the app. It’s part of Google’s broader mission to bring Material 3 Expressive aesthetics and functionality to all its core apps across devices, including smartphones, tablets, foldables, and now wearables.

A More Intuitive In-Call Experience.

The most noticeable improvements come to the in-call screen, where UI elements have been repositioned for clarity and ease of use. The iconic red “End Call” button, previously placed among other controls, has now been moved to a prominent location at the bottom of the screen, making it easier to tap quickly and confidently, especially on smaller smartwatch displays.

Expressive UI showing up on pixel watch phone app after Beta 3
byu/sesteele13 inPixelWatch

Other controls, such as mute and the “more options” button, have also been moved upward, improving overall layout symmetry. In addition, the call duration timer is now centered horizontally on the display, offering a more balanced and visually appealing interface.

These changes may appear subtle at first glance, but they significantly enhance usability. They address one of the biggest pain points of wearable tech: the challenge of precise interactions on small screens.

Dialer Improvements and Navigation Enhancements.

Beyond the in-call interface, the update modernizes other key parts of the app. The dialer screen now features updated button styling and improved spacing, allowing for easier tapping and reducing the likelihood of accidental inputs. The new design is not only more functional but also fits naturally within the broader aesthetic of Android 16.

Google has also updated the “More” menu, transitioning from a grid-based layout to a cleaner, scrollable list format, which mirrors the approach used in other Material 3-based apps. This provides a more consistent and familiar experience across platforms.

Interestingly, incoming call screens now support both swipe gestures and button-based controls for accepting or rejecting calls. This dual-method approach gives users more control over how they interact with their devices, whether they're on the move or wearing gloves.

Material 3 Expressive: Unifying Design Across Devices

The updated Phone app is among several apps on Wear OS now embracing Material 3 Expressive, Google's latest evolution of its design system. Unlike the earlier Material You theme, which emphasized dynamic colors and personalization, M3 Expressive brings bolder visual elements, improved legibility, and smarter use of space, especially tailored for smaller, wearable screens.

Google has already started deploying this new design language across apps like Google Maps, Keep, and the revamped Tile system in Wear OS 6. These efforts are not just cosmetic. They aim to make Wear OS devices more consistent, accessible, and user-friendly—whether you're making a call, checking directions, or setting reminders.

What This Means for Users.

This refresh is rolling out gradually to users on the latest Wear OS builds, particularly those testing Wear OS 6 or using Pixel Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch series. Users can expect a smoother, more modern interface that matches the visual tone of their smartphones and other Android devices.

As Google continues to invest in its wearable ecosystem—with Wear OS 6 on the horizon and Gemini AI integrations gaining momentum—the overhaul of core apps like Google Phone signals a deeper commitment to making smartwatches truly independent and intuitive companions.

For users, this means one thing: more power, more polish, and less friction in everyday smartwatch use.