These 3 features have just made Android 16 much more exciting

So hard it is to believe, we are only a few months away Android 16s Public release. We have had previews of the developer since November and Beta releases since January, and we expect the final release to be ready in May or June.

So far, the update has not given us much to look forward to. There are many developer -focused and adjustments under the hood, but when it comes to exciting changes in user -facing, Android 16 has lacked. In addition to improvements to the photo clipper, Live Updates warnings and improves app support for tablets and foldingness, it forms a pretty boring update.

Fortunately, it looks like things are taking a trip for the better. Google gave out Android 16 beta 3 March 13, and hides inside this release are a handful of small but promising new features. I have to admit that they have made me significantly more excited about Android 16 than I was before.

The first – and undoubtedly greatest – change I am excited about they are overhauled the quick settings. Fast settings in “Stock” Android have largely remained the same since Android 13, but Android 16 will introduce a new shared design. Instead of seeing your notifications and quick settings on the same page, Android 16 will divide them over two sides. You get your alerts when you swipe down from the upper left corner and your quick settings after sweeping down from the upper right.

I could take or leave the shared design itself. What I am most geek about is the new look of quick settings page. Firstly, the quick settings now roll vertically and take up the whole page – meaning you will be able to fit a Party More switches on the screen. As it says today, Android 15 shows on a pixel only eight quick settings that tilt at a time. However, with this new design in Android 16, you will be able to see a suitable 16 (or more) buttons at the same time. It’s a big upgrade.

Furthermore, it seems that Google is experimenting with further exchange sizes and designs, including a new small square that takes up half the space for the standard rectangle buttons. As visually comfortable as the big, rectangular bubbles can be, I’m really glad that more practical designs come with Android 16. The smaller icons still look good while allowing you to squeeze much more functionality on the screen. It’s a win-win if you ask me.

Finally, in addition to being more practical, I also love that Google opens up fast settings for more user adaptation. Especially compared to leather such as One Ui and Oxygenos, stock Android has faded in comparison to giving you full control over what your quick settings look like and feel like. That it finally changes in Android 16 is a big deal for me.

The main disadvantage is that this new quick settings/alert panel will probably not be ready in time for the first stable Android 16 release. However, we should see it with a future Android 16 update down the road, and I can’t wait for it.

In Android 15, adaptation of the Home screen for pixel phones is quite basic. You have some selection of app network, choice of accent colors and the ability to theme your app icons with the accent color you choose. And … it’s about it. But Android 16 will add another alternative to the mixture: app icon forms.

Although we do not live in Android 16 Beta 3, we managed to activate the functionality and it works as you expect. IN A new “app Shape & Layout” pageyou can choose one of six forms to use on all your app icons. Some are simple, like a circle or a squirrcle, while others have more unusual design-inclined “four-sided cookie” and “complex clover.”

Although I do not like what all these look like, I love to see Google bring more adaptation options to Pixel Launcher. Appicon adaptation has been a pillar with third-party Android-Skins and launches for years, Yet Google’s Pixel Launcher has always hung in this department. I am also encouraged that this is a sign of even more coming – for example, adapted to Icon Pack support or customize app icons on an individual basis. This is one of the reasons I have preferred to use Oxygenos 15 so much recentlyAnd I’m excited to see Android 16 take steps to improve things here.

This may not be ready in time for the first release of Android 16, but I cross my fingers as it is.

This latest Android 16 feature is not technically part of Android 16 Beta 3. However, Google confirmed the existence recently as something that will be part of Android 16 QPR1, which is set for a rollout of September. The feature I am talking about is widgets for lock screen. Google added to lock screen widgets especially for Android -Tablet last year but Android 16 will bring them to phonesalso.

Like someone who carries an iPhone and an Android phone, Widgets with Lock Screen with iOS 16 has been one of my favorite new iOS features in recent years. To customize my lock screen to view my shopping list, upcoming calendar events, a Google Maps Search –Widget, or even a shortcut to Chatgpt is just as cool and practical.

I am a big widget fan, but it does not take long to run out of home screen space to set the said widgets. The lock screen is a great canvas for them, especially to quickly look at your calendar or task list, or to view some Google Photos memories. Admittedly, it is a bit silly to fight Google to add a feature that previously existed with Android 4.2 (and was then removed with Android 5.0), but I am still very happy to see the Lock Screenswidgets coming back.

Although it is certainly not the most exciting Android update we have ever had, Android 16 shapes itself nicely and comes into focus better than it was a few weeks ago. Much of the update is still centered on behind the scenes changes you, and I will not immediately notice, but it is reassuring that some user -facing treats will give us new toys to play with. With a renewed quick settings and notification panel, new appicon customization options, and the reintroduction of widgets for lock screen, I don’t think we can call Android 16 “dull” anymore.

We should get a better look at these changes during the course of Google I/O. In May, and it is also possible that Google will show more Android 16 features that have not been revealed yet. Although it is not the huge renewal that Android 13 was, there are exciting changes here, and I look forward to getting them.