Android 16 Could Get A More Compact Notification Shelf
Android 16 is coming much sooner than past releases like Android 15. According to the source, the OTA update will arrive on the 3rd of June. This is considerably earlier than before. So far, Android 16 is in developer preview, but we’re already seeing quite a bit of changes including a new compact notification shelf.
Revamped notifications
Mishaal Rahman from Android Authority has discovered a change Google is making to notifications in the update. This comes in the form of a more compact notification shelf. Users will get an option in their settings whether they want to use a compact layout or see the full list of notifications.
The full list, based on the available information, isn’t too different from the current version of Android. Users who opt for a compact layout will see a tiny circle below the clock on their lock screen. This circle is the app icon that the notification is coming from.
This makes lock screen notifications look tidier, which is perfect for users who get a lot of notifications and don’t want to be overwhelmed by them. Not all notifications are collapsible in this manner. Rahman speculates that Android’s new Rich Ongoing Notifications will be the exception.
Android 16 beta
At the moment, Android 16 is still in developer preview. This preview is mainly meant for developers who want to test their apps for compatibility. It also allows them to check for new features they can implement in their apps. For regular users, last we heard the Android 16 beta’s release is actually close at hand.
This is based on a Googler’s comment in the Android Gerrit, which hints that the beta could be released this week. The difference between the Android 16 beta and the developer preview is that the beta is meant more for non-developers. It gives users a chance to take the update for a spin and get a sneak peek at the upcoming changes Google plans to make.
The new features and changes in the beta might not make the final cut. We’ve seen multiple instances of features in the beta that did not make it to the public release. However, it should still be a good way of seeing what Android 16 will bring to the table, including this newly-discovered compact notification shelf. Google will introduce other improvements as part of the Android 16 update. This includes improved split-screen multitasking, to name a few.
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