Key points:

• Circle to Search Expansion: Soon, you’ll be able to use Google’s Circle to Search feature on messaging bubbles.
• Improved Touchpad Support: Android 15 introduces a new gesture for easier touchpad navigation.
• No More Alarm Annoyances: Shared tablets will get a feature to handle background alarms more smoothly.

Google’s Circle to Search feature, which lets you quickly search for information about anything on your screen, is getting even better. In the upcoming Android 15 update, you’ll be able to use it on messaging bubbles, making it easier to find information related to conversations.

Android 15 is also making it easier to use your tablet with a touchpad. A new gesture will let you drag and drop items more smoothly. Plus, you’ll have more control over touchpad settings, like pointer speed and tap-to-click behavior.

If you share your tablet with others, you’ll appreciate a new feature that helps manage background alarms. When an alarm goes off for a different user, you’ll get a notification to mute it or switch to that user’s profile. This eliminates the frustration of trying to silence an alarm that’s playing in the background.

Top 3 Key Points:

1. Google Photos introduces AI-powered video editing presets for easier video creation.
2. Android Auto improves lane guidance visibility in Google Maps for smoother navigation.
3. Google Home app updates settings pages for TVs, cameras, and other media-focused devices.

Google Photos Video Editor Redesign

Google Photos is rolling out a new video editor design to make it simpler for users to turn their videos into shareable clips. The main editing tools are now prominently placed within the “Video” tab, including options like “Mute,” “Enhance,” “Speed,” “Stabilize,” and “Export Frame.”

One of the key features is the “Enhance” tool, which improves colors and stabilizes videos with a single tap. The Speed tool allows users to either speed up their videos for action-packed moments or slow them down for dramatic effects. Additionally, the Trim tool has been upgraded with better controls for precise cuts, while the Export Frame has been moved to the end of the carousel for easier access.

A new “Presets” tab includes AI-powered video presets, offering options such as:

• Basic Cut: Trim, adjust lighting, and control speed.
• Slow-mo: Apply a slow-motion effect.
• Zoom: Highlight key action by zooming in.
• Track: Automatically track the main subject in the video.

This updated video editor is gradually being made available to users.

Android Auto Enhances Lane Guidance in Google Maps

Google Maps on Android Auto has improved its lane guidance feature, making it easier to read and follow while driving. The latest update rolled out over the past few weeks, increases the spacing between arrows in lane guidance. This small change makes it easier to see how many lanes are available and highlights the correct lane more clearly.

Previously, lane guidance was more condensed, making it harder to distinguish between lanes. Now, the arrows appear in a larger, more spaced-out block that is easier to understand at a glance. Although a minor tweak, this change improves the navigation experience, especially when driving in busy areas with multiple lanes.

This update likely aligns with other recent Google Maps improvements, though the widely anticipated incident reporting feature is still pending release for Android Auto.

Google Home Updates Device Settings for TVs, Cameras, and More

Google Home app has received a subtle but useful update that revamps the settings pages for various devices, particularly those related to media. Users accessing settings for TVs, cameras, speakers, soundbars, and other similar devices will now see a clearer layout, making it easier to manage these devices.

When navigating to device settings, users will find a larger, more visible icon representing the device, along with its name and type. Previously, this information was accessible but required more clicks. The update simplifies the interface, giving users a more streamlined view.

The changes currently apply to devices such as Nest cameras, thermostats, doorbells, and smart displays, while other devices like lighting gear, hubs, switches, and sensors have not yet received the new UI. This redesign focuses on devices that handle media, like streaming video or live feeds.

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.

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