Google is testing two new shortcuts in Android that make it easier to control common features: Do Not Disturb mode and video call effects. These shortcuts are being added to the Android Quick Settings panel, which is the area you see when you swipe down from the top of your screen.

The first new toggle is for Do Not Disturb. Instead of opening the full settings menu, you’ll now be able to tap the shortcut to quickly switch between different DND modes. You can also long-press it to open full options. This makes it easier to silence notifications the way you want, especially if you have custom DND rules set up.

The second toggle is called “Video Effects”. This is useful for people who often use video calling apps like Zoom, Meet, or WhatsApp. When you tap it, it takes you to a page where you can turn on or off features like portrait blur, lighting adjustments, or filters that improve how you look during video calls.

These features are still being tested and might show up in future Android updates. Right now, some Pixel users with Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.1 have seen these options. Google hasn’t confirmed when they’ll roll out to everyone, but they seem to be part of a plan to make Android tools more convenient.

In short, Google is trying to make it quicker and easier to manage your notifications and video call settings—all with just a swipe and a tap.

Google has started rolling out Android 16 Beta 4, and it comes with a few noticeable changes and updates. One of the biggest highlights is that the Pixel 9a is now officially part of the Android 16 Beta program. If you own this device, you can now enroll and try out the latest beta version.

In this beta, the media player on the lock screen and notification panel has been updated. It now uses a darker color style, making it easier on the eyes and better suited for dark mode. The background shade becomes even darker when the album art has a black or dark tone, giving the media player a cleaner look.

Another small but nice change is seen in the Always-on Display (AOD) clocks. They now show a new color for the time when your phone is locked. For instance, in Beta 4, the clock on the lock screen now appears in blue, while the AOD clock changes to a yellowish shade. This helps make the time more readable at a glance and adds a bit of style.

Android 16 Beta 4 is available for a wide range of Pixel devices, including Pixel 6 and newer models, as well as the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. Google is expected to release more updates leading up to the final Android 16 release later this year.

If you’re using a Pixel phone and want to test out the new features, this beta might be worth trying.

At a recent event in San Francisco, Google gave a first look at some exciting new AI and hardware projects. One of the main highlights was Gemini 2.5 Flash, a lighter and faster version of its Gemini AI model.

Gemini 2.5 Flash is designed for quick tasks and works better with live data like charts, tables, and videos. It’s not as powerful as Gemini 2.5 Pro, but it’s much faster and uses fewer computing resources, making it ideal for real-time experiences. Google plans to release Flash for public use soon on the Gemini API and in Vertex AI. It’s also available now in preview through Google AI Studio.

Alongside this, Google also gave a live demo of its new Android-based XR (extended reality) smart glasses. These glasses can recognize people and objects in real time and display useful information right in front of your eyes. During the demo, someone wearing the glasses looked at a person, and the glasses showed the person’s name, job title, and location — all using Gemini AI. This shows how well Gemini can understand the world visually and provide helpful info instantly.

These announcements give a peek at how Google is blending AI with new technology — making it not just smarter but also more useful in everyday life. From faster AI models to smart glasses that help you understand your surroundings, Google’s new tools are shaping the future of how we interact with tech.