Last year, Google made changes to how Google Maps looks on Android phones, introducing a new way to show information with something called sheets. Now, this new look is spreading across the entire app.

Before, when you looked at places on the map, they took up the whole screen. But now, they appear in sheets, which means you can still see a little bit of the map at the top. This helps you keep track of where you are even when you’re looking at other information.

This sheet design started with the “Explore” tab, but now it’s also coming to the “You” and “Contribute” tabs. When you click on these tabs, a sheet pops up over the map, but you can still see the map behind it. If you want to search for something, the search bar is always at the top.

In the “You” tab, you can see half of the map while you scroll, and there’s a button for notifications in the corner. This makes the app easier to use because everything looks the same no matter which part you’re using.

So far, this new design is only on some phones with Google Maps version 25.04.01.x. It’s not everywhere yet and might still be in the testing phase.

Also, in 2024, Google made the bottom bar simpler, reducing it from five sections to just three, and added a nice teal color to freshen things up.

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Google is now rolling out the Android 15 QPR2 Beta 3 update for Pixel phones before its official release in March.

This update brings more changes than the usual monthly fixes. It’s perfect for adding new features and making big design changes without waiting for the next big Android update. Google labels these updates as “suitable for general use” because they’re stable enough for everyday use.

Here’s what’s been fixed:

• Phone Calls: No more random restarts when you’re on a call.
• Apps: When you go back to an app from the list of recent apps, it won’t take you to the home screen anymore.
• Language Settings: Fixed a problem where changing languages could make the keyboard hide in some apps.
• Video Recording: Got rid of that annoying clicking sound in the background.
• Wireless Charging: Fixed issues that could stop your phone from charging wirelessly.

Other improvements include:

• Better stability, connection, and how your phone responds.
• Fixed crashes that could happen when starting workouts on connected wearables.
• Stopped system crashes from certain errors.
• The feedback app for beta testers now works without crashing when you report issues.

This update, with the latest security fixes for January 2025, is available for Pixel 6 through to the new Pixel 9 series, including all the variations like Pro and Fold models, and also for the Android Emulator.

You can get this update through the Android Beta Program, or if you prefer, you can manually install it using factory images or OTA files.

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Google is now updating Pixel phones with Android 15 QPR2 Beta 3, and the most noticeable change is the removal of the globe icon from the bottom-right corner of the keyboard when you only use one language.

Back in Android 15 QPR1, Google added a globe icon to the keyboard. When you tapped it, you’d see a list of languages you could choose from, along with the old “Google Voice Typing” option. However, if you only used Gboard with one language, you might find yourself accidentally hitting the globe instead of the enter key, which was annoying since December.

Now, with today’s QPR2 Beta 3 update, if you have just one language set up, the globe icon disappears. This makes things simpler because not many people use Google Voice Typing, especially when they have Gboard or Assistant Voice Typing on Pixel phones.

One vs. Two Languages

If you have more than one language set up in Gboard, the globe icon stays and works like before. A quick tap changes the language, and holding it down opens up a menu for more options.

Android 15 QPR2 is expected to become official in March with the next big Pixel update, with one more small patch coming in February. Right now, Beta 3 seems pretty stable.

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