The Future of Notifications Arrives: Android 16 to Introduce Major Upgrades

Android’s next big update, Android 16, is set to revolutionize notifications and quick settings when it likely launches later this year. At Cubix, we aim to launch apps in the near future that fully utilize the cutting-edge features of this new update.

As previewed in the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 release, two major features are in development – Rich Ongoing Notifications and resizable Quick Settings tiles. These capabilities will greatly enhance the user experience and customize it further to each person’s needs and preferences.

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In this blog, we’ll explore these features and how Cubix’s custom app development teams are ever so hyped to build innovative mobile apps that leverage the exciting features of Android 16.

Rich Ongoing Notifications – The Dynamic Island Comes to Android

One of the most anticipated aspects of Android 16 is the new Rich Ongoing Notifications feature. It allows apps to display interactive chips in the status bar with custom text, iconography, and coloring. Tapping on these chips can open expanded interfaces that showcase more details and actions related to the notification.

In essence, Android is bringing the interactivity and expanded functionality of Apple’s Dynamic Island to the status bar. However, as Android Authority highlights, Android has supported basic versions of interactive status bar chips since Android 12. The upcoming iteration of Android 16 simply expands this capability to all applications.

The implementation in the latest Android 15 QPR1 beta provides a glimpse into the potential of Rich Ongoing Notifications. Using a command-line tool, Google engineers have mocked up examples from various apps:

• Google Clock could display “Alarm will go off in 10 minutes” with a chip that allows snoozing or canceling the alarm.
• Uber may show “Your ride will arrive in 5 minutes,” along with details about the driver and vehicle.
• United Airlines could indicate, “Your flight will board in 9 minutes,” and give updates on the flight and gate.

The key difference from current ongoing notifications is that users will be able to take immediate action without leaving their current screen. Whether replying to a message, snoozing an alarm, or contacting an Uber driver, everything can be done through the status bar chip.

This simplifies different tasks on Android devices considerably. No longer will users have to navigate across multiple screens to address notifications. Instead, the most timely and relevant information and capabilities are surfaced right on the status bar.

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The Move Towards Glanceable Personalization

Rich Ongoing Notifications play into several rising trends in mobile technology: glanceability, simplification, and personalization.

• Glanceability refers to the ability to absorb key information at a glance. This is invaluable in today’s world of non-stop notifications, emails, messages, and updates. With interactive status bar chips, Android allows users to assess notifications and take action quickly without switching tabs.
• Rich Ongoing Notifications simplify tasks instead of complicating them across various interfaces. Consolidating notification management into a single interactive space reduces complexity.
• The extensive customization of the chips and expanded views provide personalization options. Users can tailor notifications to display the data points most useful to them. Between iconography, text, color coding, and interactive elements, Android 16 facilitates information consumption patterns unique to each user.

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Current State of Development

As highlighted by Android Authority, Rich Ongoing Notifications remains in active development. The functionality showcased in the Android 15 QPR1 beta offers a prototype view through the command-line tool. The features are not yet fully accessible to applications.

As such, changes can still occur before Android 16’s official release later this year. It remains to be seen whether Google will roll out the feature to all apps instantly or focus on select system apps at launch. Additionally, the design and interactivity may evolve based on user testing and feedback.

Nonetheless, Rich Ongoing Notifications lays the groundwork for the future of surfaces like the status bar. Other smartphone platforms will likely follow suit with similar features that surface key information and actions at a glance.

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Resizable Quick Settings Tiles – Adaptive Customization

Alongside notifications, Android 16 also looks to enhance Quick Settings, the toggles and controls accessible by swiping down from the top. A new experimental version of Quick Settings discovered in the Android 15 QPR1 beta allows for resizable tiles.

In the current public build, Quick Settings tiles remain a static size. However, the beta introduces an option to switch to 1×1 or 2×1 sizing for tiles. This means the grid can fit either 8 or 16 tiles per page, adapting to user preferences.

If a user keeps toggles for functionality they frequently access larger at 2×1, they can locate and activate those settings more easily. For shortcuts used less often, the 1×1 size helps keep the interface clean and scanable.

Strangely, as Android Authority highlights, the experimental Quick Settings UI does not actually take up the full width of the screen. This leaves empty space that could hold additional controls or information.

That said, with Android 16 likely still in the early stages, the implementation may change before launch. Perhaps the extra room will eventually populate with data points like weather, calendar events, or smart home controls. This would build on the glanceability and simplification ethos seen in Rich Notifications.

Another area still in development is exactly how customizable the resizing capability will be. Will users have complete freedom to assign any tile any size? Will there be restrictions based on the type of toggle or frequency of use? Additional testing and iteration in the coming months will solidify the nature and scope of the feature.

Resizable Quick Setting tiles align closely with the overall personalization efforts made in the latest Android update, allowing more adaptability based on how users interact with their devices. Tech-savvy users can build an optimized launchpad catered to their unique needs and workflows.

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The Future of Android 16

Android 16 will be a massive update, rethinking how we interact with notifications and device controls. The features we just mentioned provide you with a small glimpse of what the next Android version will be capable of. Expect more new, exciting features. The emphasis on glanceability, simplification, and personalization permeates the headline features previewed so far.

As a reminder, leaks and speculation point to an official release near the middle of 2025; however, Google may drop surprises along the way as the beta testing program continues in the coming months.

Both casual and power users alike stand to benefit from quicker access to notifications and frequently used settings. The richness and interactivity added take customization to the next level.

With smartphones now integral companions, notifications sit at the intersection of productivity, wellness, and work-life balance. Missing an important alert or losing time to unnecessary interruptions carries real consequences. Rich Ongoing Notifications and resizable Quick Settings tiles offer solutions tailored to user needs.

Through glanceable, concise segments of information, time and attention can be channeled toward the most critical and immediate notifications. Juggling device controls also becomes more efficient by resizing and reorganizing based on personal preferences.

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Wrapping Up

As the line between desktop and mobile computing blurs, adaptations that simplify workflows pave the way for the future. Android 16 brings mobile operating systems up to speed with dynamic user expectations, enabling our devices to anticipate our needs and meet us in the moment.

Rich Ongoing Notifications and resizable Quick Settings tiles demonstrate Android’s continued push towards glanceable interfaces and adaptive personalization. With further refinement before launch, Android 16 promises to set a high benchmark for its arch-rival, i.e., Apple’s iOS to achieve. Mobile technology marches forward, and the announcement of Android’s next major version kicks off the next phase with a bang.

At Cubix, we are waiting anxiously for more exciting features related to the upcoming Android 16 update and will keep informing you.

If you want to create and launch an Android app that leverages the features of the latest Android versions and provides stand-out digital experiences, reach out to Cubix’s representatives.

No one does Android app development better than us!

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