Apps
Gboard getting new Dynamic Color for Light and Dark themes
Google plans to make some changes to Gboard for Android as new color themes are under testing. While Gboard hasn’t seen major theme updates lately, this new design aims to give users a fresh experience by enhancing dynamic color light and dark themes.
Gboard is currently using three different colors for non-letter keys, which often look mismatched with the letters on the keyboard. That’s why Gboard is working on redesigned dynamic themes for Android devices, which promises a more cohesive and streamlined user experience.
The updated dynamic color themes come in light and dark modes. In this redesign, keys like shift, ?123, comma/emoji, period, enter, and backspace along with the menu button now share the same color. The dark theme is also darker than before, which creates a more appealing look.
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- Light
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- Dark
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- Non-Letter-One-color
Currently, a few devices running the latest Gboard beta version 14.7.10.x are showing this new Gboard theme. However, the “Default” themes that only highlight the enter key remain unchanged.
This testing indicates that Google is looking to improve the appearance of Gboard. It will be interesting to see how users react to this simpler design. For now, Gboard users should keep an eye on the updates as Google continues to work on this theme, and expected to be released in the coming days.
October 2024 Pixel Drop has introduced a new Google Contacts Tile for the Pixel Watch, which could soon be available for the Samsung Galaxy Watch. This new contacts Tile makes it easier to connect with your contacts right from your wrist.
The new tile of the Google Contacts app for Wear OS is the Individual Contact. It displays a contact’s name and profile picture in the center. Next to it, you’ll find buttons for calling and messaging.
With these two buttons, you can instantly connect calls or send messages to your contacts. The messaging option opens a familiar screen for sending texts, voice messages, and quick replies like “Yes,” “Thanks,” and “On my way.” If a contact has multiple phone numbers, you can easily choose which one to use.
In addition to this, you can add several Individual Contacts Tiles next to your watch face for quick access to your favorites. It is available with the Google Contacts app version 1.64 for Wear OS on the Play Store.
This new tile works alongside the existing Favorite Contacts Tile to make it even simpler to reach the people you care about most.
Notably, the new Google Contacts Tile may soon be available for the Samsung Galaxy Watch, expanding its accessibility to more users. Till then, stay up to date with the latest version of the Google Contacts for your Watch.
Samsung enhances Internet Browser functions for Wear OS devices
WhatsApp for Android is developing a badge count feature for chat filters. The fresh beta version 2.24.23.4 is available on the Google Play Beta Program, which shows that a new helpful feature is under preparation and will be available in a future release.
The upcoming badge count feature will show how many unread messages are in each chat filter. This means that when you organize your chats into custom lists, you’ll see a small number next to each list indicating how many messages you haven’t read yet.
This new feature makes it easy to quickly find out which chats need your attention. For example, if you have a filter for family or work, you’ll know right away if there are unread messages in those groups. This feature is mainly useful for anyone who has several chats as it helps them stay organized.
Previously, WhatsApp introduced the ability to filter chats into custom lists that allowed users to group specific contacts and conversations. The new badge count feature will enhance this organization by adding unread message notifications to each list.
The unread message count feature is still in development but will be available in a future update. Stay tuned for upcoming WhatsApp updates.
WhatsApp bringing Reminders so you never miss status updates
Samsung has released a new update for its Internet Browser for Wear OS devices with version 4.0.00.13. This update brings some helpful features that improve how users browse the web on their smartwatches.
The update brings the ability to stop unintentional loading of web pages. Sometimes, users might accidentally tap a link and end up waiting for a page to load that they didn’t really want to see. This new feature helps prevent that from happening, saving both time and data.
In addition, the update fixes some minor issues encountered in the previous version to enhance the overall performance. Through this, Samsung aims to provide more control over the browsing experience and make the app easier to use.
To download the update, simply open the Galaxy Store on your Wear OS device, search for the Samsung Internet Browser, and follow the instructions to install the latest version. Keeping your apps updated is important to enjoy the newest features and maintain security.
Samsung Internet Browser 4.0.00.13 update for Wear OS devices provides users with useful tools to navigate the web more easily and effectively. Whether you’re looking to revisit sites or avoid accidental page loads, this update makes browsing on your smartwatch much better.
Samsung brings new Health tracking features to Wear OS devices