End of an era: Kevin Barry, the original developer of Nova Launcher, is no longer working on the project. The plans to open source the project have also been halted.

Nova Launcher was acquired by analytics company Branch back in 2022.

https://teslacoilapps.com/nova/solong.html

🔒Is Google using Security as an Excuse to Kill Sideloading on Android?

On this week's pod, we break down Android's new sideloading restrictions, Google's win against the DOJ, and share some exclusive info about a new Pixel feature (!)

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/authority-insights-podcast-004-3594914/

🔓Google's plan to restrict sideloading on Android has a potential escape hatch for users

We've got some new info about how Android's sideloading restrictions will work, including a potential workaround.

Here's what you need to know👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/how-android-sideloading-restrictions-may-work-3595355/

Gemini's new personal context capability is really nice.

I was helping my dad research saltless vs salt-based water conditioners, and without even telling it, Gemini pulled in info about the water hardness level in our county.

So basically, personal context can help you fine tune your prompts.

🔊Google could redesign Android’s volume slider to be more like iOS

Android is testing a new horizontal volume slider layout, presumably for phones in landscape mode

More details + what its design might look like in the article linked👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-horizontal-volume-slider-3596184/

🗃The Pixel's latest Android update has a hidden trick for organizing your Quick Settings

Google quietly added a new, faster way to reposition Quick Settings tiles in Android 16 QPR1: A double-tap gesture.

Here's how it works👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/trick-to-organize-quick-settings-3596284/

🔐⌚️Android’s anti-theft protections will soon be less annoying thanks to your watch

Soon, if you have a Pixel Watch 3+ connected to your Android phone, you won’t be forced to use biometrics to unlock apps, even outside of trusted locations.

Details👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/identity-check-smartwatch-android-16-qpr2-3596334/

🗃Android 16 QPR1’s source code is nowhere to be found, but Google swears it’s coming

Google's latest AOSP delay has reignited fears about Android's open source future. Hopefully this delay doesn't become the new norm!

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr1-source-code-delay-3596650/

👣Health Connect will soon track your steps without needing another app

Google may be transforming Android's Health Connect service from a data hub to a fitness tracker

More details👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/health-connect-step-tracking-support-3596725/

🖥 This new Android 16 QPR2 setting will make desktop mode less frustrating

Android 16 QPR2 adds a Universal Cursor setting that lets you control whether your mouse can move between displays

Perfect if you hate your mouse jumping between displays.

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr2-universal-cursor-3596761/

🧑‍⚕️Android's version of Apple Health is in bad shape, but Google's got a plan for change

On this week's Authority Insights Podcast, we talk about Google's plans to fix Health Connect, why AOSP as we know it may be dead, and more.

Listen below👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/authority-insights-podcast-005-3597154/

🔐Exclusive: Google wants to make Android phones safer by switching to ‘risk-based’ security updates

Android is shifting to a new "Risk-Based Update System" and prioritizing most security fixes for quarterly releases.

Details👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-risk-based-security-updates-3597466/

🎨 Android will soon be able to theme every app icon, and Google Play won't let developers opt out

In order to distribute apps on Google Play, developers MUST now agree to allow users to change the color of/theme their app's icon.

More details👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/google-play-icon-theming-agreement-3597899/

📱🖥Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 get some major DeX upgrades in latest One UI 8 update

You can now:

* Add widgets to the DeX home screen
* Use a full screen button to enter immersive full screen
* Add any app to the taskbar

And more, detailed👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-dex-changes-one-ui-8-september-3597916/

🔎📷Google's latest Play System Update makes it easier to find and share photos on Android

Android’s Photo Picker finally has a built-in search tool and has a less cluttered album view

More details👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/photo-picker-search-bar-collections-tab-3598215/

📱Android 16's latest QPR2 beta finally lets you customize icon shapes

Google is rolling out the second beta of Android 16 QPR2 to supported Pixel devices ahead of a stable rollout in December

Here's what Google says is new👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr2-beta-2-release-3598233/

🔁 Here's every new feature for Pixels in Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2

The second beta of Android 16 QPR2 shows us what’s coming in the December 2025 Pixel Drop.

Here's everything we've found so far👇

(Article will be updated continuously - check back!)

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr2-beta-2-features-3598245/

🚶Health Connect can now track your steps using your Android phone

Google says this simplifies step tracking for devs and makes it more power efficient, but it could also be the start of something bigger.

More details👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/health-connect-step-tracking-3598654/

🔀Android 16 QPR2 may let you flip your Pixel's navigation bar like on Samsung phones

New code in Beta 2 confirms Google is working on a "button order" feature that lets you flip the back and recents buttons in three-button nav

More details👇

🔗 https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr2-navigation-order-option-rumor-3598791/

🤖⌚️Google is bringing the fun of custom Androidify bots to your Wear OS watch face

Google is bringing Androidify to Wear OS, giving you several watch face options that are centered around your personalized Android Bot

Here's a first look👇

🔗https://www.androidauthority.com/androidify-on-wear-os-hands-on-3598796/