Top 3 Key Points:

1. Android 15 now blocks notifications older than two weeks.
2. Old notifications won’t trigger sounds or vibrations.
3. Google is working on further improvements for smoother notifications.

Android 15 Silences Old Notifications for a More Peaceful Experience

Android is known for its robust notification system, with features like grouped notifications, smart replies, and in-line responses. However, a persistent issue many users face is dealing with old, irrelevant notifications. If you have an Android device that you don’t use regularly, such as a secondary tablet, you’ve probably experienced a flood of outdated notifications when it reconnects to the internet. Fortunately, Android 15’s latest beta update finally brings relief by addressing this long-standing problem.

The Old Notification Hassle

Imagine you have an Android tablet that you only turn on occasionally, maybe for travel. After being turned off for days or weeks, when you power it back on and connect to the internet, the device starts receiving every notification you missed during that time. If the sound is on, each of these notifications triggers its alert tone, leading to an overwhelming amount of noise. Even if your tablet is muted, vibrations can still be disruptive if you’re holding the device.

For those with multiple Android devices, like tech reviewers or Android enthusiasts, this issue is even more common. Thankfully, Android 15 Beta has introduced a much-needed change to solve this annoyance.

A Smart Fix: Blocking Old Notifications

With Android 15’s QPR1 Beta update, the system now automatically ignores notifications that are more than two weeks old. These outdated notifications won’t play a sound, vibrate, or even fully display their content. Instead, only basic information about the app or contact that sent the notification will be shown, allowing users to check in if they wish without interruption.

The logic behind this fix is straightforward. Even though you’re just booting up the device and receiving notifications for the first time, the system compares the original timestamp when the message was sent to the current time. For notifications sent through Google’s Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), which powers most Android notifications, the system uses the time the message was sent—like when someone replied to a chat message—not when the device retrieves the notification.

This new feature stops the backlog of notifications from becoming overwhelming. Instead of a flood of pings, Android 15 blocks the noise from older alerts, making the experience much more manageable.

More Notification Improvements Coming Soon

Google is also exploring additional improvements to notifications. They’re working on syncing dismissed notifications across devices, ensuring that once you clear an alert on one device, it won’t pop up again on another. Additionally, a “cooldown” feature could prevent multiple notifications from causing back-to-back pings in a short time frame. While some experiments, such as changes to the way notifications appear in the status bar, may not see the light of day, Google is focused on reducing notification annoyances in the future.

Conclusion

The Android 15 update’s ability to block old notifications is a significant step forward for users who’ve been frustrated by irrelevant alerts. With this improvement, and more on the way, Android is making sure that notifications remain helpful rather than overwhelming.

Source

Top 3 Key Points:

1. Google TV Streamer was spotted in the UK, Germany, and Canada ahead of the official launch.
2. Pre-orders open in the U.S., but the device is already on shelves elsewhere.
3. Unboxing reveals compact packaging and efficient design with a day-one software update.

Google TV Streamer Hits Global Shelves Ahead of Official U.S. Launch

Despite its U.S. release being slated for September 24, the Google TV Streamer has already appeared in stores worldwide. Early reports indicate that UK, Germany, and Canada users have managed to purchase and unbox the device before the official launch date.

Available for Purchase in Global Markets

While the U.S. still only offers pre-orders, customers in other regions have successfully picked up the new streaming device. Over the weekend, various sources confirmed sightings in physical stores and online platforms outside the U.S. For example, UK buyers can already place orders through third-party retailers, and some customers have managed to buy, set up, and begin using the device.

Unboxing and Initial Setup

Those lucky enough to get their hands on the Google TV Streamer early have shared their unboxing experiences. The device comes with a new Voice Remote, and both the streamer and remote are similar in length, showcasing a sleek, compact design. The box contains four main components: the Google TV Streamer, the Voice Remote, a USB adapter, and a 1.8-meter USB-C to USB-A cable. All these pieces are neatly organized in individual trays, and the packaging design is notable for its eco-friendly approach.

The packaging, which doesn’t use an outer sleeve like other Google products such as the Pixel 9 or Nest Learning Thermostat, is crafted using a plastic-free design. Each component fits securely into its tray, with a flexible plastic cover keeping everything in place.

Eco-Friendly Packaging

Google’s focus on sustainability is evident in its packaging design. According to the company’s Plastic-Free Packaging Design Guide, the box includes a hinged insert and a thin, tear-resistant cover, which reduces material usage compared to traditional two-tray packaging. This design ensures that the entire tray can be removed without risking any components falling out prematurely.

Software and Storage

Upon setting up the device, some users have reported a day-one software update. Storage-wise, there is about 24 GB of available space out of the 32 GB advertised, leaving plenty of room for apps and media.

The Google TV Streamer’s early availability outside the U.S. has created excitement ahead of its official launch. With its sleek design, eco-friendly packaging, and ample storage, it’s shaping up to be a strong contender in the streaming device market.

Picked this up today.
byu/Grolschmore inChromecast

Top 3 Key Points:

1. Google is adding a new QR code feature for fast data sharing on Android.
2. Redesigned app buttons for image search, translation, music, and homework.
3. New colorful icons improve app navigation and ease of use.

Google is working on enhancing its Quick Share feature for Android by introducing a new QR code-based system. This will allow users to share files simply by scanning a QR code from another device, making data transfers faster and easier. This new feature is expected to be integrated into the Android app soon.

Quick Share utilising QR code to send and receive stuff. This will be available in future updates making it easy to receive files just by scanning the QR code. #Android #Google pic.twitter.com/zdjFBe6bV1

— AssembleDebug (Shiv) (@AssembleDebug) September 21, 2024

Alongside this, Google has refreshed the design of its Android app, focusing on improving usability. The buttons below the search bar have been redesigned, though they are not entirely new—they’ve just received a modern update. These shortcuts now appear more compact and visually appealing.

The new app buttons include features like image search, translation, music search, and homework tools. They now have colorful icons, making them easy to spot and distinguish from one another, ensuring a smoother and more efficient user experience. This update streamlines the interface, with all options visible at once, reducing unnecessary steps.