3 secrets to a smarter Android status bar

And 2 fancy new features to find on your phone  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Android Intelligence](#) [Android Intelligence](#) Brought to you by: [Morning Brew logo](=)​ Have you ever stopped to consider how strange it is that most phones these days have a random shape shaved off and completely missing from their screens? I'm talkin' about that clunky camera cutout at the top of most device displays — the little circle or occasional bar that's one of the weirdest and most awkward design compromises of our modern tech era. Here's a little secret, though: It doesn’t have to be that way. You can’t do much about the existence of your phone's camera cutout, of course, but with a teensy bit of barely-there effort, you can transform that bungling black hole into a genuinely useful advantage — an extra source of efficiency that makes your phone even more useful. In this week's Things to Try, I'll introduce you to a trio of easy ways to inject extra intelligence into that area of Android and turn that space-wasting liability into a brain-aiding asset. --------------------------------------------------------------- 👉 Real quick, a fast final reminder: I'd love to hear your favorite Android tips, tricks, apps, and other discoveries so I can share 'em in our Monday newsletter and let everyone else learn from your knowledge! 📨 [Submit your top tips to me]( anytime through this coming weekend, and every item I end up flagging for future use will score you one entry to win a $50 Amazon gift card (with up to five entries per person). Hip, hip, hoorah! [JR Raphael, Author] JR ​ Today's read: ⌚ 3 Things to Know: 1 minute ⌚ 3 Things to Try: 1 minute ⌚ Just for Funsies: 10 seconds ​ [] [3 Things to Know This Week] 1. Google's Android Phone app is about to get even smarter ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: The Google-made Phone app already excels at simple spam-call blocking and advanced call screening — and now, it looks like it's on the brink of gaining a couple more useful-seeming features. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Some crafty code sleuthing reveals work on (a) a new option that could warn you about likely scams in active calls and (b) a system that'd offer up simple text summaries of calls after they're over. It's not immediately clear if these'll be Pixel-exclusive features or options available to anyone with the Google Phone app installed. 📌 READ MORE: Get an early peek at the still-under-development [scam detection feature]( and [call notes system]() — and if you aren't already using the Google Phone app on your device, [check it out for yourself](). --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Gemini is slowly catching up on table-stakes basics ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Months after its launch, it's lookin' like Google's next-gen Gemini Android assistant could finally be gaining the ability to perform the types of basic tasks you'd expect from that sort of service. 🔎 KNOW MORE: All this time, Gemini's been unable to do super-simple stuff like controlling phone functions and interacting with notes, tasks, calendars, or connected home devices. A series of new Gemini Android extensions could soon change that. Hey, better late than never, right?! 📌 READ MORE: Feast your eyes uponst [the full list of in-progress additions]( — and for some broader context on the state of Gemini and Assistant, revisit [this sigh-inducing column o' mine](=). --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Google Maps and Waze are coming closer together ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Google's bringing the beloved system for user-submitted incident sharing from its Waze app into Maps, while also adding some new advanced methods of info-reporting into Waze itself. 🔎 KNOW MORE: The continued coexistence of Maps and Waze is more than a little surprising. Google bought Waze in 2013 and has maintained it as a separate app all this time — all while shutting down other services left and right. Officially, Google says that plan hasn't changed. But seeing distinctive Waze features make their way into Maps sure does make ya wonder what the actual long-term thinking might be, doesn't it? 📌 READ MORE: Catch up on [all the incoming changes](=). Cast your vote... ​[Which mapping service do you use on your Android phone?](​ SPONSORED MESSAGE Who says news can't also be entertaining? Hey, you there! You clearly like staying informed and appreciate an interesting, original, and maybe just slightly lighthearted approach to the news. Well, listen up: Morning Brew gets you. [Michael Scott from the Office saying Tell me more](=)​ Find out why over 4 million professionals and lifelong learners read [Morning Brew](=), the free daily email that covers the news affecting your life and career — everything from business and finance to technology and groundbreaking stories worldwide. 💸 Always 100% F-R-E-E ✏️ Presents the news in a quick, funny, and informative way ⏳ Easy to consume in just a few minutes each day ➜ [Upgrade your daily news slate — stay informed with Morning Brew.](=) [TRY IT FOR FREE NOW ➜](=) ​ [] [3 Things to Try This Week] 1. Supercharge your Android status bar You'd never know it, but that thin little bar at the top of your phone is an untapped gold mine. ➜ With a teensy bit of barely-there effort, you can transform that strip of wasted space into a custom command center for all sorts of useful info and shortcuts — even and especially around the otherwise useless camera cutout in that area. ⌚ It'll take you roughly two minutes to set up, and then you'll reap the rewards for many months to come. 📌 Check out [these three crafty paths to a smarter Android status bar]( and get ready to give your phone one of the best upgrades you'll see all year. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Give your photos a pinch of Magic Photo-takers, take note: Google's in the midst of expanding its excellent Google Photos Magic Editor tool so that everyone can use it — no specific phone type or paid subscription required. ➜ Magic Editor is a fantastically easy and effective way to remove unwanted items from any image — a power line in the background, a passerby in the corner of the shot, or even an unassuming plorp of horseradish on your eyebrow. The feature had previously been available only on Pixel devices and for folks with an active Google One plan, but starting this month, anyone can use it up to 10 times a month for free. ⌚ You'll need all of one minute to find it and get going. ✅ Just pull up [the Google Photos app](=) on your phone, then: - Tap any image in the main library area to open it. - Tap the "Edit" option at the bottom of the screen. - And look for the glowing circular button with a photo icon and a little starburst shape in the lower-left corner of the screen. [A screenshot showing the Magic Editor button within Google Photos] ​ Tap that button, then follow the prompts that follow to edit away — no heavy lifting required! ⛔ And if you aren't yet seeing the option on your device, check the Play Store for an update to the Photos app and then check back again in another few days if it still isn't showing up after. This is actively rolling out as we speak and should, by all counts, reach you any day now. --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Set yourself up for simpler cross-device syncing Speaking of shiny new stuff, an under-the-hood update on its way into the world will make it even easier for you to move between multiple devices and share certain sorts of specialized info from one screen to another. ➜ It's called "cross-device services," and it's a system that lets you seamlessly hand off calls and allow your secondary devices to use your phone's internet connection. ⌚ It'll take you 20 seconds to dig up and discover. 📌 Here's [how to make it happen](=). ​ SPONSORED MESSAGE [Penguin walking with suitcase]() Lost in translation? Nah. Don't let language barriers hold you back! With [Babbel]()’s bite-sized lessons you can master a new language in just three weeks. Save 60% today with Babbel’s Birthday Sale! 🎂 [GET 60% OFF]() [] ​ [And Just for Funsies...] My friend, I've just seen the best new Sheets feature ever invented. And it didn't even come from inside Google. A guy on the social media service Mastodon [shared]() this image of an inspiring Sheets creation that's best described as the Sheets — well, sheets: [A photo showing a bed with Google Sheets-themed pillows and comforter] ​ Kinda gives new meaning to the notion of data merging, eh? (And let's not even get into the pivot tables...) For his sake, here's hoping this fella's mastered all the complex functions. Until next time... Hey, a very merry first-weekend-of-August to ye. We've got some fun stuff right around the corner this month, including Google's grand Pixel/future-of-Android event a week from this coming Tuesday. We'll tackle it all together, one chewy and suspiciously tangy bite at a time. I'll see ya soon. --------------------------------------------------------------- 📊 Last week's poll results: In our most recent Android Intelligence poll, I asked how often you're using the seemingly not-long-for-this-world Google Assistant service. - 40% of you said every day - 36% said rarely to never - 14% said a few times a week - And 10% said once in a while [A cartoon image of an Android robot saying: "Assistant? Is that that Jeeves character I'm always seeing at the shuffleboard court?"] ​ 🤚 Wait! Before you go: What'd you think of this issue? [Thumbs Up](=) [Thumbs Down]( Hit the thumbs-up or thumbs-down to cast your vote and let me know. Want less email? [Update your reading preferences](=) to opt out of any individual publications or unsubscribe entirely. New here and not yet subscribed? Take two seconds to [sign up for our newsletters](): Android Intelligence, Windows Intelligence, or Cool Tools (or all three!). Hungry for even more? [Learn about becoming an Intelligence Insider](=) to gain access to our one-of-a-kind community, power-packed advanced resources, on-demand help desk, and tons of free apps and services. Independent journalism relies on you. 🤝 An [Intelligence Insider membership](=) is the best way to support my work and keep this newsletter sustainable. Not ready for a membership? You can also support my work by making a [direct one-time contribution](=) (or contribute via [PayPal]( or [Venmo](=)) to ensure I'm able to keep writing for you long into the future! Published by The Intelligence • 2733 E. Battlefield Rd. #255 • Springfield, MO 65804