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Google rolled out the Android 15 beta 1 version for Pixel devices a few days ago. The company will unveil the Android 15 update and its complete features at the Google I/O 2024 event in May. Ahead of the launch, Android Authority has learned that Pixel Launcher will get a handful of new features in Android 15. The launcher will offer enhanced app animations, refined launcher recommendations, and improvements to the “recents screen” user interface.
Pixel Launcher will offer accelerated and enhanced app animation
As per the source, Pixel Launcher will offer a revamped animation for swiping up to get back to the home screen. As you can see in the video below, the new animation appears to be faster and more responsive than Android 14. The new animation in Pixel Launcher in the Android 15 version will better highlight the wallpaper zoom effect. It also appears to be more springier than in the Android 14 version.
Categorized widget recommendations are coming in Pixel Launcher in Android 15
Next, the new version of Pixel Launcher in Android 15 will provide improved widget recommendations. Currently, when you proceed to add a new widget, the launcher presents a random widget recommendation at the top. However, it will be changing in Android 15 as the launcher will show a more comprehensive recommendation system. It will suggest widget recommendations categorized by type like Essentials, Social, Entertainment, and more.
Some other categories in the widget recommendations will include News & magazines, Health & Fitness, Your Chill Zone, Suggested for you, and Weather. Another improvement in the widget section will be the addition of a “+ Add” button in Pixel Launcher in Android 15. It will make it easier to add new widgets on the launcher’s screen. Currently in the Android 14 version, you have to press and hold and then drag the widget to the screen.
Enhancements to the “recents screen” user interface are also in tow
Furthermore, Google will be offering improvements to the “recents screen” user interface in Android 15. There will be changes to the methods to access the menu where the options to open the app info page, split-screen mode, and pause the app are placed. Currently, you have to tap the app icon in the “recent screen” UI to access these options.
However, it will have a pill on the screen containing the app info page, split-screen mode, and pause app buttons in Android 15. Users can easily miss these shortcuts entirely in Android 14. Notably, these options will be easily discoverable in Pixel Launcher in Android 15.
The source suggests that the aforementioned new features are not available in the Android 15 beta 1 release at the moment. However, they are expected to be available in the stable version that’s rolling out later this year.
