Google Pixel’s Launcher Gets Slick New Animations & UI Tweaks
▼ Summary
– Android 16 QPR3 has launched for Google Pixel devices, introducing a new smooth folder animation and home screen customization changes.
– The new folder animation features a “Hitchcock zoom” effect where the folder expands while the background shrinks, creating a clean and distinct feel.
– Google has repositioned the themed icons option in the settings, placing it alongside the icon shape selection for easier access during wallpaper customization.
– The update does not add new icon shapes, maintaining five choices, and these shapes still do not apply within the app drawer.
– Android 16 QPR3 is currently available via the beta program for eligible devices.
The latest Android 16 QPR3 beta is now rolling out to Google Pixel devices, introducing a series of polished visual refinements and subtle interface tweaks that enhance the overall user experience. This update focuses on delivering smoother animations and more intuitive customization settings, building upon the foundation laid by previous quarterly platform releases.
A standout addition is a completely redesigned animation for opening app folders on the home screen. Previously, folders would simply expand outward. The new effect is far more dynamic, employing a technique reminiscent of a dolly zoom where the folder enlarges while the background subtly recedes. This creates a layered, almost cinematic feel that is both visually distinctive and quintessentially Android. The difference in fluidity and polish between the old and new folder animations is immediately noticeable and represents a significant upgrade.
Accompanying this animation overhaul are adjustments to the theming and customization menus. Google has reorganized the settings for a more logical flow. Specifically, the option to enable themed icons has been relocated. It now resides directly alongside the icon shape selector, a change implemented to mirror the layout established in QPR2. Users can still choose between “default” and “minimal” icon styles, but toggling between this setting and the five available icon shapes is now more straightforward within the wallpaper and style customization page.
It’s important to note that the selection of icon shapes themselves remains unchanged, with the same five choices available as before. A known limitation persists, however, as these selected shapes still do not apply within the app drawer, only affecting icons on the home screen. This beta release is currently available for Pixel devices enrolled in the testing program, offering a glimpse at the final polish Google is applying before a broader stable release.
(Source: 9to5 Google)
