Android 16 QPR2 is LIVE With Several Big Changes!

The stable release of Android 16 QPR2 is now live alongside bring along a crazy number of new features. This comprehensive summary details the new features plus system enhancements being introduced to Pixel devices.

Design and Customization

• Forced Themed Icons: The system's themed icons feature receives an enhancement with a "Minimal" setting. It forces all app icons to adopt the theme by using a color filtering algorithm to convert unsupported icons to grayscale before applying the chosen system color.

• Icon Shape Customization: Users can change the shape of app icons through options found within the Wallpaper & Style menu. Available shapes include a circle, square, arch, four-sided cookie and seven-sided cookie.

• Expanded Dark Theme: A new "Expanded" dark mode attempts to darken apps that lack a native dark theme. It targets standard Android views to provide a more consistent visual experience in low-light environments.

• Reduce Blur Effects Option: A setting under Accessibility > Color and motion allows users to reduce or disable the blur effects seen in areas like the app drawer and notification shade.

Display and Screen Saver

• Enhanced HDR Brightness Control: A setting under Display & Touch allows users to disable or moderate the brightness of specific HDR content to prevent blinding glares in dark rooms.

• Low Light Clock for Screen Saver: A new option automatically switches to a dimmed clock screen saver when the ambient light drops.

• Wireless Charging Restriction: Users can now configure the screen saver to activate only when the device is wirelessly charging.

Multitasking and Productivity

• 90/10 Split Screen Multitasking: A new split-screen option allows one application to occupy 90% of the screen while the secondary app is minimized to a 10% side panel to facilitate quick switching.

• Notification Organizer: This AI-powered feature sorts alerts to declutter the notification panel. It bundles notifications into categories such as Promotions, News, Social and Suggested.

• Linux Terminal Graphical Support: The Linux Terminal app now supports graphical desktop apps like Chromium and GIMP. It also gains expanded file access beyond just the Downloads folder.

Lock Screen

• Dedicated Lock Screen Widgets: A customizable widget panel is accessible by swiping on the lock screen for quick information access.

• Clock Interaction: Tapping the lock screen clock now causes it to briefly fidget as a playful visual element.

Input and Peripherals

• Action Corners: When using a mouse or trackpad, users can trigger specific commands by moving the cursor to one of the screen's four corners.

• Desktop Mode: The notification and quick settings shade is now accessible in desktop mode by clicking the icons in the top right or top left.

• Autoclick Improvements: A visual indicator now warns before a click registers after the cursor is left still for a moment. New settings allow for fine-tuning click delay and movement thresholds.

• Universal Cursor: A default option allows the cursor to flow between a phone or tablet and an external display.

System Performance and Health

• More Efficient Garbage Collection: An internal update to the Android Runtime implements a Generational Concurrent Mark-Compact Garbage Collector. This contributes to reduced CPU usage, smoother user experience and improved battery efficiency.

• Native Phone Step Tracking: The device can track steps directly using internal sensors to report data to the Health Connect application.

Minor Adjustments

• Photo Picker Updates: A new date scrubber allows for quick scrolling through months. A voice search button has also been added.

• Live Captions Toggle: The toggle for Live Captions has returned to the expanded volume panel.

• Visual Haptics Indicators: The vibration and haptics menu now features visual indicators for each intensity level.

• Audio Sharing Shortcut: A new shortcut in the media output switcher facilitates easier Auracast sessions.

• Home Screen Management: Adding shortcuts is simplified with a plus symbol while removing apps is faster via a direct "Remove" button.

• Files App Refresh: The internal file manager receives a Material 3 Expressive design refresh.

• PiP Mode: Google says they’ve improved the performance of PiP mode for smoother operation.