In recent updates, Google has brought back custom color options to its Search bar widget on Android, providing users more control over the widget’s appearance. In addition, Android Studio is advancing its AI-driven features to support app development more effectively. These changes reflect Google’s ongoing efforts to provide enhanced customization options for users while offering more robust tools for developers.

Google Search Widget Customization

In August, Google updated the Search widget to support Dynamic Color. Now, Google has reintroduced “Custom” color options in its latest beta update (Google app version 15.43). The customizable theme offers advanced options for hue and saturation, alongside transparency adjustments, in line with Google’s Material 3 design. This new design includes pill-shaped sliders with separated handles, allowing precise control over the widget’s appearance.

Users can find these new settings under the “Customize Search widget” option in the Google app, accessed by tapping the profile icon in the top-right corner and navigating to Settings > Customize Search widget. The new Custom color options are expected to be available in the stable release within a few weeks.

Additionally, Google may soon allow users to add shortcuts for Translate, Song Search, Weather, and Finance directly next to Google Lens and voice search icons, expanding the widget’s utility. This update also includes visual tweaks, such as changing the Song Search widget icon to a blue musical note on a white background for better visibility.

Enhanced Android Studio Features with Gemini

Android Studio, Google’s primary development platform, has introduced more capabilities powered by Gemini, an AI tool designed to support developers throughout the app development lifecycle. With Gemini, developers can now access features like:

• Code Transforms: Refactor and modify code easily within the editor.
• Automatic Commit Messages: Gemini can automatically generate descriptive commit messages.
• Rename Assistance: Efficiently rename classes, methods, or variables.
• Prompt Library: Quickly access and save frequently used prompts.
• Compose Preview Generation: Instantly generate previews for composable elements.
• Documentation Generation: Easily produce documentation for complex code.
• Unit Test Scenarios: Create comprehensive test cases to ensure code quality.
• Build and Sync Error Insights: Access insights to troubleshoot build and sync errors more effectively.
• App Quality Insights: Identify and resolve issues from Android Vitals and Firebase Crashlytics.

These Gemini features are currently available in the Android Studio canary channel, with a full release expected in December alongside the Ladybug Feature Drop.

New Google Play Store Features

To enhance app discovery and improve the user experience, Google Play is introducing a new fullscreen portrait video player for app listings. This new design includes a prominent “Install” button and app details at the bottom of the video, increasing user engagement with a reported 7% increase in total watch time, 9% increase in video completion rate, and a 5% boost in conversions.

In addition, Google has been actively encouraging users to set up payment methods through various prompts during account creation, device setup, and Play Store navigation. This has led to a doubling in the number of purchase-ready accounts, now exceeding half a billion users. Biometric authentication is also being promoted to enhance security, with a notable increase in adoption this year.

Users in the U.S. can now also add Cash App as an eWallet payment method. Google Play will display inline “Still interested?” reminders, nudging users who’ve shown interest in a product but haven’t yet completed the purchase.

Security Advancements with Play Integrity API

On the security front, Google will soon let developers opt into improved Play Integrity API verdicts for Android 13 and newer devices. These verdicts will use hardware-backed security and other enhanced signals to improve app and device verification, making it more challenging for attackers to bypass protections. This update aligns with Google’s commitment to faster, more reliable, and privacy-focused security measures.

These updates underscore Google’s dual focus on offering user-friendly customization and security improvements while providing developers with the tools they need to create high-quality apps.