A nifty new notification secret

And a handy Android note-taking shortcut  ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ [Android Intelligence](#) [Android Intelligence](#) Brought to you by: [Esper logo]()​ Whew — what a week. At times like this, when real-world twists and turns take over our lives, it can be tough to talk about tech. Frankly, it can sometimes seem almost silly to stop and focus on such trivial subjects as what phones we're using or which interesting new ideas might make 'em even more pleasant. Truth be told, when the flood of news is flowing as fast as it is right now, my initial instinct is often to simply step back and shut up. This isn't a time for tech — or so it sometimes seems. What I've come to realize, though, is that while our passions and interests may not be particularly consequential in the grand scheme of things, they absolutely are important. Thinking about and tinkering with tech has added color, fun, and genuine utility into my life since the time I was a wee tyke. That's 100% still the case today — and still true for you, too, I hope. So let's consider this our mutual getaway. Here, we can think about stuff that's interesting, exciting, and also advantageous — in ways we can put to immediate, satisfying use. Here, we can tune out the news of the world for a while and kick back to appreciate some fun geeky stuff. It may be silly, relatively speaking, but sometimes, it's the silly parts that make all the rest worthwhile. [JR Raphael, Author] JR Today's read: ⌚ 3 Things to Know: 1 minute ⌚ 3 Things to Try: 1 minute 20 seconds ⌚ Just for Funsies: 10 seconds ​ [] [3 Things to Know This Week] 1. Android's wireless sharing system is expanding ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: It may have been woefully late to the party, but Google's Quick Share system is seemingly about to be everywhere. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Quick Share — formerly known as Nearby Share — lets you send photos, files, and other info between devices without any wires or third-party services. And unlike Apple's AirDrop equivalent, it works across a wide range of platforms. Now, signs suggest it may soon expand to support easy info-sending with Apple devices, too, while simultaneously gaining a much more prominent presence within Android. 📌 READ MORE: Take a peek at [the possible pending expansion](=) and how Quick Share could also [become much harder to miss within Android](). Cast your vote... ​[How often do you use Quick Share?](​ --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. The end of apps as know 'em may be nigh ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Tech companies are talking about a future in which we rarely open apps on our phones and instead rely on AI-powered "agents" to interact with everything for us. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Qualcomm and IBM are both now predicting the advent of a new kind of mobile assistant that becomes our sole focus and then seeks out info from other sources on our behalf. We've heard predictions like this before, and they've thus far failed to play out in any meaningful way. I'm skeptical this time will be any different — but...maybe? 📌 READ MORE: [Explore the argument for yourself]() and let me know what you think. --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Notification summaries could be coming to Android ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: One of Apple's highest-profile AI additions may soon make its way here to the land o' Android. 🔎 KNOW MORE: A new rumor suggests Samsung is testing out a notification summarizing system for its next big Galaxy software update. It's not yet clear exactly when it'd arrive or even what shape it'd take, but we should know more once that software's beta testing begins. 📌 READ MORE: See [all there is to know]() about the intriguing possibility — and keep reading for a way to bring a similar superpower onto any Android device this instant. SPONSORED MESSAGE POP QUIZ: Which MDM solution is right for you? 🤔 POS systems, digital kiosks, single-use tablets… By now you probably realize that mobile device management solutions are as unique as your business — not “one-size-fits-all.” [Penguin filling out checklist]()​ ​[Esper’s free 10-question checklist on how to find the right MDM tools]() will help you assess what kind of solutions your company’s fleet needs to ~flourish~ (and avoid major headaches down the road). Just some questions it asks: - Are devices employee-owned, or do they have a single assigned user? - Do you have a fleet of mixed OS devices? - Do you need full remote control and access to devices at any time? Ready to find the perfect solution for your fleet? ➜ [Complete Esper’s checklist in just *minutes* and set yourself up for success!]()​ [DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST ➜]() ​ [] [3 Things to Try This Week] 1. See simple summaries of incoming notifications If there's one place where the current wave of generative-AI goulash can actually be useful, it's in distilling down large amounts of info into succinct, skimmable summaries. And if there's one place where lots of us could benefit from such sorcery, it's in our ever-overflowing ocean of Android notifications. ➜ Well, get this: Android device-makers may not be officially offering any notification summary systems just yet, but with a teensy touch of tinkering, you can bring that same sort of wizardry onto any phone this instant — on your own. ⌚ Hardly anyone realizes this is possible. But once you know, it'll take you all of 60 seconds to get going. 📌 [Check out the awesome new option I uncovered](=), and let me know how it works for you! --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Sync your notifications from one device to another While we're thinking about notifications, have you ever noticed how Android is almost shockingly inept when it comes to knowing which alerts you've looked at from one device to the next? ➜ For some reason, even after all this time, Google hasn't figured out how to intelligently sync notification activity across multiple Android devices. And that means when you move from a phone to a tablet or back, you end up seeing the same notifications you've already addressed. At least, until now — if you're using Google's own Pixel devices. (I really, really hope this ends up expanding to a platform-wide, non-brand-specific Android option soon. Stay tuned, my fellow non-Pixel-palming pals!) ⌚ With Pixel devices, you'll need just 20 seconds to shift into a saner setup. ✅ Simply head into your system settings — then: - Tap "Notifications." - Scroll down and look for the recently added "Dismiss notifications across Pixel devices" option. - Tap that, then flip the toggle on the screen that comes up and follow the steps to finish the activation. Repeat the same process on every other Pixel product in your possession, and you'll never see an already-addressed notification again. --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Start new notes the simpler way I don't know if you've noticed — or if the update behind this has even hit your device quite yet — but Google Keep is in the midst of getting an update that makes it a bit more burdensome to create a new note. The update removes the simple bottom-of-screen bar that traditionally let you fire up new notes with a single tap and instead requires you to hit the big plus button in the lower-right corner and then select a specific note type from there. ➜ But Keep actually has an even easier way to start new notes with a fraction of the steps — and without ever even messing around with any of the in-app options. ⌚ It'll take you literally two seconds to do, and it'll work on any device in front of you. 📌 [I've got all the info you need right here](. ​ SPONSORED MESSAGE Gift-giving season? Already?? 🎁 Newsflash: It is never too early to think about gifts for the people you love. And with bold streetwear styles to winter-proof running shoes and everyday activewear, [Nike](has something for everyone on your list. [LET THE GIFTING BEGIN! ➜]( [] ​ [And Just for Funsies...] Few things are more satisfying than finely tuned geek humor. And the folks at Google's Ontario office have a hearty helping of it hiding out in one of their shared kitchen areas. See for yourself: [An image of a sign in a Google office kitchen: "Time for a
"] ​ If you know, [you know](. And that is truly the beauty of a well-crafted, highly nerdy pun. See ya next week Hey, hope you manage to have a happy and relaxing weekend ahead. Take care of yourself, all right? --------------------------------------------------------------- 📊 Last week's poll results: In our previous Android Intelligence reader poll, I asked if you had Dynamic Island envy (thinking about the iPhone's same-named feature, which [could be coming to Android](=) in some form soon). - 50% of you said "What's Dynamic Island, again?" - 32% said it wasn't at all interesting - And only 18% said you wished Android offered that [A cartoon showing an Android robot relaxing on the beach with a drink and saying: "If Dynamic Island is the name of a tropical cocktail, count me in."] ​ 🤚 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]( from all of our newsletters. 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