Introducing Quick Settings in Android 16 – OrcaCore

The much-anticipated third beta of Android 16 is finally here! Orcacore brings you an in-depth look at the latest developments, specifically focusing on Quick Settings in Android 16. As we approach the stable release slated for June, this beta offers a glimpse into the final touches Google is applying. While some users might be hoping for a dramatic overhaul, the focus appears to be on refinement and optimization rather than a complete redesign. Google’s commitment to improving the Android user interface is evident, and this beta showcases several key enhancements to the notification panel and quick settings experience. Let’s delve into the details of Quick Settings in Android 16.

Introduction to Android 16 Beta 3

Since September 2024, Google has been diligently working on a comprehensive redesign of the Notifications panel and Quick Settings within Android 16. The primary goal is to separate these two crucial elements into distinct pages. This separation provides more dedicated space for both notifications and the quick settings icons themselves. Furthermore, users will gain greater control through the ability to resize the quick settings icons, allowing them to display a greater number of options simultaneously. This is a significant step towards improved user customization and efficiency.

Quick Settings in Android 16

A few weeks prior to this beta, it became apparent that the ambitious redesign of the Notification Panel and Quick Settings in Android 16 might not be fully ready for the initial Android 16 release. Certain aspects remained incomplete, with Google still actively addressing compatibility issues, particularly in Light Mode where text contrast presented challenges.

The expansion behavior of some quick settings icons was also not fully functional. Another significant omission was the absence of a dedicated media player within the panels, leaving users without a convenient method for controlling media playback. Switching between the notification and quick settings panels also lacked a streamlined approach.

The third beta of Android 16 addresses many of these concerns. The media player now enjoys a prominent position above both the notification panel and quick settings, ensuring easy access. In addition, Google has introduced two intuitive methods for navigating between the panels:

1) Tapping the chips at the top left and right corners provides a simple and direct way to switch between the notification panel and quick settings.

2) A swipe-down gesture from the left edge of the screen opens the notification panel, while a swipe from the right edge reveals the quick settings section.

The general expectation is that Google will refrain from making substantial design changes to the panels in the final Android 16 release. However, given the ongoing development of these panels, we can anticipate further refinements and the potential introduction of new features in subsequent updates.

For instance, the third beta introduces a vertical scrolling mechanism to the quick settings panel, allowing users to view more icons by simply swiping down. Furthermore, "+" and "–" buttons have been added to the icon editing menu, streamlining the process of adding or removing icons from the panel.

While the complete redesign of the quick settings panel might not be present in the initial Android 16 release, there’s a possibility that these changes will be rolled out as part of the operating system’s seasonal updates later in the year.

Google is still working on these panels, and future Android updates could bring more changes to the notification panel and quick settings.

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Alternative Solutions for Panel Switching

While the swipe gestures and chip-based navigation are welcome additions, here are two alternative approaches to consider for panel switching in Android 16’s quick settings:

1. Customizable Gesture Areas with Intelligent Prediction:

Instead of fixed left/right swipes, allow users to define custom gesture areas on the status bar or even within the notification/quick settings area itself. The system could learn user behavior to predict which panel they’re most likely trying to access. For example, if the user frequently accesses the quick settings after unlocking their phone, a larger gesture area on the right side of the status bar could be optimized for that action.

• Explanation: This approach provides greater flexibility and caters to individual user preferences. The intelligent prediction component would further enhance usability by anticipating the user’s intent.

• Code Example (Illustrative – Requires System-Level Access):

// Simplified example - requires Android system-level permissions and framework modification

public class GestureManager {

    private Context context;
    private SharedPreferences preferences;

    public GestureManager(Context context) {
        this.context = context;
        this.preferences = context.getSharedPreferences("gesture_prefs", Context.MODE_PRIVATE);
    }

    public void registerGestureArea(Rect area, PanelType panel) {
        // Store the area and associated panel type in preferences
        SharedPreferences.Editor editor = preferences.edit();
        editor.putString("area_" + area.toString(), panel.toString());
        editor.apply();
    }

    public PanelType detectGesture(MotionEvent event) {
        // Check if the touch event falls within a registered gesture area
        // and return the associated panel type
        for (String key : preferences.getAll().keySet()) {
            if (key.startsWith("area_")) {
                try {
                    Rect area = stringToRect(key.substring(5)); // Extract Rect from key
                    if (area.contains((int) event.getX(), (int) event.getY())) {
                        return PanelType.valueOf(preferences.getString(key, "NOTIFICATION"));
                    }
                } catch (Exception e) {
                    // Handle parsing errors
                }
            }
        }
        return null; // No gesture detected
    }

    // Utility method to convert string representation to Rect object
    private Rect stringToRect(String rectString) {
        //Implement parsing of the rectString
        return new Rect();
    }

    public enum PanelType {
        NOTIFICATION,
        QUICK_SETTINGS
    }
}

// Usage (Hypothetical - Requires integration with the system UI)
GestureManager gestureManager = new GestureManager(context);
//Example Rect for Quick Settings panel
Rect qsArea = new Rect(1000, 0, 1920, 100);

gestureManager.registerGestureArea(qsArea, GestureManager.PanelType.QUICK_SETTINGS);

//In onTouchEvent method
PanelType panelType = gestureManager.detectGesture(event);
if(panelType == GestureManager.PanelType.QUICK_SETTINGS){
    // Open Quick Settings
}

2. Floating Action Button (FAB) with Panel Options:

Introduce a customizable Floating Action Button (FAB) that remains visible above other applications (optional setting). Tapping the FAB would reveal a small menu with icons representing the notification panel and quick settings. Users could customize the FAB’s position and even assign different actions (e.g., long-press for quick settings, single-tap for notifications).

• Explanation: This approach provides a consistent and readily accessible method for panel switching, regardless of the current application. The customization options allow users to tailor the FAB to their specific needs.

• Code Example:

// Create a Floating Action Button (FAB)
FloatingActionButton fab = new FloatingActionButton(this);
fab.setImageResource(R.drawable.ic_menu); // Replace with a suitable menu icon

// Add the FAB to the layout (e.g., using ConstraintLayout)
ConstraintLayout.LayoutParams params = new ConstraintLayout.LayoutParams(
        ConstraintLayout.LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT,
        ConstraintLayout.LayoutParams.WRAP_CONTENT
);
params.bottomToBottom = ConstraintLayout.LayoutParams.PARENT_ID;
params.endToEnd = ConstraintLayout.LayoutParams.PARENT_ID;
params.setMargins(16, 16, 16, 16);
fab.setLayoutParams(params);

// Set onClickListener for the FAB
fab.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
    @Override
    public void onClick(View view) {
        // Show a menu with options for Notification and Quick Settings
        PopupMenu popupMenu = new PopupMenu(MainActivity.this, view);
        popupMenu.getMenuInflater().inflate(R.menu.panel_menu, popupMenu.getMenu());

        popupMenu.setOnMenuItemClickListener(new PopupMenu.OnMenuItemClickListener() {
            @Override
            public boolean onMenuItemClick(MenuItem menuItem) {
                switch (menuItem.getItemId()) {
                    case R.id.menu_notification:
                        // Open Notification Panel (requires system access)
                        //Implement the notification code
                        return true;
                    case R.id.menu_quick_settings:
                        // Open Quick Settings Panel (requires system access)
                        //Implement the quick settings code
                        return true;
                    default:
                        return false;
                }
            }
        });

        popupMenu.show();
    }
});

//Add FAB to the main layout.
ConstraintLayout mainLayout = findViewById(R.id.main_layout);
mainLayout.addView(fab);

(Remember to create a panel_menu.xml resource file with menu items for Notification and Quick Settings).

These alternative solutions aim to provide more user-centric and customizable approaches to panel switching, potentially enhancing the overall Android experience. While the provided code snippets offer a basic illustration, implementing these features requires system-level access and integration with the Android framework. Quick Settings in Android 16 is a promising step, and these suggestions could further refine the user experience.