The anti-iPad-ification of Android tablets

And a handy new photo editing feature  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Android Intelligence](#) [Android Intelligence](#) Brought to you by: [1440 logo]()​ This week, I had one of those awe-inspiring "aha!" moments. And man, does it ever have me thinkin' hard about the future. The moment happened while I was exploring Google's new under-development feature for floating apps on Android tablets — something we touched on briefly in last week's newsletter but that really clicked for me once I started spending some quality time living with it in the real world. No exaggeration: This unassuming-seeming system could completely change the way we think about Android devices and the role they play in our lives. And, in an interesting twist, a big part of the picture comes down to Apple and how that company does — and, critically, doesn't — want people to use its gadgets. I'll explain more in our first Thing to Know, below. And be sure to read down through the Things to Try, too, for some fun new touches already on your favorite phone and just waiting to be found! [JR Raphael, Author] JR Today's read: ⌚ 3 Things to Know: 1 minute ⌚ 3 Things to Try: 1 minute ⌚ Just for Funsies: 25 seconds ​ [] [3 Things to Know This Week] 1. Android tablets are about to become the anti-iPads ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Google's working to bring a more desktop-computer-like form of windowed-app multitasking to Android tablets, and it could have an even bigger impact than we initially realized. 🔎 KNOW MORE: The incoming ability to transform Android tablets into desktop-caliber productivity tools opens up all sorts of interesting doors for the platform — including the ability to fill a void Apple fans have long bemoaned with the iPad's limiting locked-down setup. This shift may not seem like much on the surface, but believe you me, it could add up to a lot. 📌 READ MORE: Check out [my in-depth analysis of the anti-iPad-ification of Android tablets]( and why it could be so significant on so many different levels. Cast your vote... ​[Do you use a tablet right now?](​ --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. A major messaging upgrade is on its way into our lives ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Speaking of antiquated Apple approaches, our iLovin' counterparts are finally getting an update to make cross-platform conversations less clumsy — and you'd better believe we'll notice. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Apple's latest iOS update at long last introduces the modern RCS messaging standard into the iMessage app — which means we'll be able to text with iPhone owners and still enjoy features like typing indicators, read/unread status, and high-resolution images and videos in both individual and group conversations. Encryption is still in progress. 📌 READ MORE: Catch up on [what's changing and what it means for us](), [why this might not be live for all iPhone-involving Messages chats yet,]() and [why certain standard-seeming features still aren't available](=). --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Managing notifications should soon be simpler ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Google appears to be working on an under-the-hood update that'd allow your notifications to sync across multiple devices — something that astonishingly hasn't been present up 'til now. 🔎 KNOW MORE: If you use an Android phone and a tablet or any other combination of devices, you've no doubt noticed how notifications you've dealt with in one place will still show up as if they were untouched on the other. Suffice it to say, having a smart and sensible syncing system would go an incredibly long way in improving that experience! 📌 READ MORE: See [what's a-cookin' for yourself](, and let's see how this develops. SPONSORED MESSAGE PSA: Staying informed just got easier 👌 Does finding factual, unbiased news feel more like wandering around a maze, in the dark, shoelaces tied together? [Alice from Alice in Wonderland wandering around a giant maz]()​ You should [read 1440](). Written by humans, for humans, 1440 sends you 1 single email every morning containing the top news stories of the day on everything from politics and world affairs to sports, business and finance, tech, and even fun, feel good stories (you know you love those!). The best part? It’s written to be as unbiased as humanly possible. No fluff, no snark, and no spin — just the facts. No wonder more than 3.8 MILLION people rely on it to get the news! Hands down, it’s the easiest way to stay informed in just 5 minutes each day. For FREE. ➜ [Simplify your life and subscribe to 1440 in just a few minutes!]() [READ TODAY’S HEADLINES ➜]() ​ [] [3 Things to Try This Week] 1. Find a handy new Android photo editing feature Here's an interesting little addition that's quietly showing up on your current phone or tablet this week: ➜ The Android Google Photos app is in the midst of gaining a potentially useful new editing feature for mirroring any image you've captured. ⌚ It'll take you 20 seconds to find and try out. ✅ To start, open up Photos (and, standard disclaimer, this is the [Google Photos app](=) we're talkin' about here) — then: - Tap any individual image within your library to select it. - Tap the Edit button at the bottom of the screen. - Tap "Crop" in the sliding bar of tool choices. - And tap the little square-shaped icon with a line through its middle, beneath the image and above the toolbar area. [An animated screenshot showing the new Google Photos Android flip command] ​ If you don't see that icon yet, check for any updates to the Photos app in the Play Store — then give it a few days and check again. It should show you for you any moment now, if it hasn't already. Whee! --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Tap into Android's simple settings shortcut secret I love me some simple time-savers. And I happened to stumble onto an especially useful one I'd somehow never noticed (or maybe just forgotten about over the years!). So here 'tis: ➜ Android makes it exceptionally easy to give yourself one-tap shortcuts to specific sections of your system settings you find yourself opening often — your internet settings, display settings, Do Not Disturb settings, you name it. ⌚ You'll need only 10 seconds to set up — or possibly four minutes, depending on your device. But either way, you'll only have to think about it once, and then your phone will be significantly easier to use from that point forward. 📌 [Here's everything you need to get going](). --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Explore Chrome's convenient site tool menu Speaking of handy hidden shortcuts, did you know the Chrome Android browser has a whole menu of options specific to any site you're visiting? ➜ The menu lets you see and clear data related to that site as well as review all the individual pages you've viewed within it — for an easy way to get back to something you were reading recently. This is another one of those things I had completely forgotten about and then randomly rediscovered when I tapped it by accident the other day! ⌚ It'll take you a whopping two seconds to find. ✅ Just open up the Chrome app on your phone, then: - Make your way to any website you want. - Tap the little toolbar icon directly to the left of the site's address, in the browser's address bar. [A screenshot showing the Chrome site menu button directly to the left of the site URL, in the address bar] ​ - Tap on any of the available options to see what you find. [A screenshot showing the Chrome site history for one specific site] ​ Good to know, no? ​ SPONSORED MESSAGE *spits out coffee* Totally free?! Esper's ​[State of Device Management 2024]()​ report is the trusted source for all things fleet optimization, security, and YoY trends. [WATCH THE WEBINAR (NO EMAIL ADDRESS REQUIRED)]() [] ​ [And Just for Funsies...] You've heard about the notion of seeing your name in lights, right? Meh. That's old news. How about being able to see your name inside images of the Earth — quite literally? This may sound crazy, but it's insanely cool: ➜ An official NASA website called [Your Name In Landsat]() lets you generate on-demand lettering of any name or word you want based on actual natural instances of each letter appearing in satellite imagery around the globe. Seriously — this thing is wild. Here's the word "Android," for instance: [The word "Android" spelled out in satellite imagery of the Earth] ​ And here's "Lenny," the name of our lovable The Intelligence mascot (y'know, the smiley light bulb guy you see all throughout this newsletter!): [The name "Lenny" spelled out in satellite imagery of the Earth] ​ All you've gotta do is [pull up the site]() in any browser, on any device, enter in the word you want, then hit the Enter button. The site will spit out a result a second later. You can tap or hover over any individual image within the word to see exactly where it came from in the world. And you can keep hitting that Enter button over and over to generate new, different versions of your word, too. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some major mischief to get up to. Let's do this again, shall we? Hey, thanks as always for having me over. 'Tis a true treat to stop by your inbox each week. Hope you have a splendid start to the fall season — or autumn, if you'd rather — and I'll see ya right back here before you know it. --------------------------------------------------------------- 📊 Last week's poll results: In our previous Android Intelligence reader poll, I asked what you thought about [the new split-apart setup]( Google's testing for Android's notifications and Quick Settings panel in Android 16. - 48% of you said you hated it, as it made Quick Settings awkwardly out of the way - 25% of you loved it, as it made more room for notifications at a glance - 17% of you weren't entirely sure what was even different - And 11% of you were completely indifferent, with no strong opinion [A cartoon of an Android robot struggling to do the splits and saying: "The splits, you say? C'mon. You've gotta give a guy a little more notice for that..."] ​ 🤚 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. 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