Google’s new ‘Rich Ongoing Notifications’ bring Apple’s Dynamic island experience to Android

Apple’s Dynamic Island introduced a smart way to handle notifications around the iPhone’s camera cutout, especially with Live Activities—a feature that keeps users up-to-date on real-time events like ride-share updates or food deliveries. Now, Google is working on bringing a similar experience to Android through “Rich Ongoing Notifications,” a feature recently discovered in the Android 15 QPR1 beta.
Dynamic Island isn’t just about masking the camera cutout; it adds functionality by displaying live updates from various apps, allowing iPhone users to track processes seamlessly. This makes it easier to monitor active events, such as navigation or delivery statuses, without opening the app. While Android has offered a similar notification system, the iPhone’s approach provides more streamlined, visually accessible information.
Google’s “Rich Ongoing Notifications” appears to be the answer for Android. Spotted by Android Authority in Android 15’s latest beta, this feature provides developers with a new API to create live activity notifications that are more visually prominent and interactive. Instead of a plain icon or text, this feature uses Android’s status chips to show live notifications in a more organized and engaging way.
Android’s status chips are not entirely new; they’re currently used to indicate ongoing activities like active phone calls. With the upcoming Android 15 QPR1 release, these chips will also apply to features like casting and screen recording. With Rich Ongoing Notifications, Android users will have similar access to Live Activities, offering a more dynamic, interactive experience.
Though this addition may come sooner, it’s more likely to be fully implemented with Android 16, allowing developers the time needed to update their apps. Google’s innovation here is promising for Android’s future notification experience, making it as accessible and dynamic as Apple’s feature on iOS.
Even Samsung, known for its own unique take on Android, may integrate similar functionality in One UI 7, the company’s anticipated update for Android 15. This enhancement will likely improve notification management across Android devices, allowing more efficient tracking of activities and updates.
Android
Android 16 adds small but useful changes to status bar and terminal features

Google is working on Android 16, and while big changes are still under wraps, some small updates have already been noticed. These tweaks may not seem major, but they can improve how users interact with their devices.
One of the changes spotted in the Android 16 Developer Preview is the return of the status bar clock to the left side of the screen. This layout used to be common before Android 9, but later Android versions placed the clock on the right. Now, with the new preview, the clock moves back to the left, which could make room for more icons and make the status bar easier to read—especially on phones with notches or punch-hole cameras. However, this change might not be final, as Android is still being tested.
Another interesting update is in the Android terminal tool. A new feature allows users to resize disk partitions without needing a full system reboot. This could be very helpful for developers and advanced users who need to change storage settings quickly. Instead of restarting the device, the system now supports live resizing in many cases, which saves time and effort.
Overall, Android 16 is shaping up with some practical improvements that focus on convenience and better user experience, even in the smaller details.
YouTube Music adds new feature to keep song volume steady

YouTube Music is rolling out a new feature called “Stable volume” to make your listening experience better. This option helps keep the sound level the same across all songs, so you won’t have to turn the volume up or down when switching tracks.
Sometimes, songs are louder or softer depending on how they were made. This new feature fixes that by adjusting each track so that all music plays at a similar volume. It’s especially useful when you’re using headphones or listening in the car.
You can find this option in the YouTube Music app by going to Settings > Playback & restrictions, where you’ll see a switch for “Stable volume.” It works for both free and Premium users, and it’s now appearing on Android devices (version 7.07 or later). iOS support may come soon, but it’s not available yet.
This is a welcome update, as many streaming apps like Spotify and Apple Music already have similar volume balancing tools. It helps make playlists and albums sound smoother and more enjoyable without constant volume changes.
So far, the feature is being released in stages, so you might not see it right away, but it should show up soon for everyone.
Android
Android 16 beta adds battery health info, Pixel Fold gets better at detecting opens and closes

Google has released the Android 16 Beta 1 update for Pixel phones, and it brings some helpful new features. One of the key additions is battery health information, which is now available in the settings. Pixel users can now see the battery’s manufacturing date, charge cycles, and overall health score. This can help people understand how well their battery is holding up over time. While this feature is currently hidden under developer options, it might be fully added in a future update.
At the same time, Google is also working to improve the Pixel Fold. With Android 16 Beta 1, there’s a new system that better detects when the phone is opened or closed. This new method uses the hinge angle to more accurately understand the device’s position. Unlike older systems that could be affected by software bugs or slow response times, this new one seems to be more reliable and faster.
These changes are important for people who use foldable phones like the Pixel Fold, as better hinge detection can lead to smoother app transitions and fewer bugs. And for all Pixel users, having detailed battery info can help with managing phone performance and deciding when it’s time for a battery replacement.
Overall, Android 16 Beta 1 focuses on giving users more control and smoother experiences, especially for those with foldables.
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