A smarter Android app drawer

Plus a serious Android shake-up  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Android Intelligence](#) [Android Intelligence](#) Brought to you by: [Tello logo]()​ My friend, I've had a revelation. Two of 'em, actually — both related to the way we get around our phones and open up apps on Android. No exaggeration: These epiphanies have eliminated endless wasted moments in my days and completely changed how I use my devices. They've made me more efficient and made me think about Android in a whole new way. They've even given me some newfound clarity about what, exactly, has made Android so appealing to me all this time. And I’ve got a sneaking suspicion they might just do the same for you. I'm tellin' ya: I've rarely been this excited to get something out in the world and share it. Check it out for yourself at the start of this week's Things to Try section, and be sure to let me know whatcha think. [JR Raphael, Author] JR Today's read: ⌚ 3 Things to Know: 1 minute 30 seconds ⌚ 3 Things to Try: 1 minute ⌚ Just for Funsies: 25 seconds ​ [] [3 Things to Know This Week] 1. Android's seeing a serious shake-up inside Google ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Google's announced some pretty massive changes around Android and the way it'll think about the platform moving forward. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Instead of existing in its own software-centric bubble, Android will now be part of a new "Platforms and Devices" group within Google that includes it along with Pixel products, Chrome and ChromeOS, AI research, and services like Google Photos. - As part of the shift, Android's longtime leader, Hiroshi Lockheimer, will move onto other roles within the company while Rick Osterloh — the former Motorola exec who’s been in charge of Google-made hardware since the start of the Pixel era — will take over as the head of all Google-associated hardware and software development. - It’s always tough to know what to make of these sorts of internal staffing changes and how much meaningful difference they’ll actually introduce from our outside perspective, but Lockheimer's been with Android since the very start and has overseen its development for years now. So this certainly seems significant. - Most noteworthy, having Pixel products fall under the same umbrella as Android itself as well as so many other Google services seems like a sensible shift that could — could — lead to even more connected-feeling progress across all those areas. Here's hoping! 📌 READ MORE: Take a gander [at the official announcement]( and [this interview-driven overview]( for a better idea of what's happening. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Android tablets are about to get interesting ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Years after Google (temporarily) gave up on the form, a trio of intriguing developments could bring Android tablets into totally new terrain in the months ahead. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Google resurrected its interest in tablets with the Pixel Tablet last year, and now, signs suggest it's cookin' up some nifty-sounding new twists for how we interact with such devices. - First, it's looking increasingly likely that the return of widgets for the Android lock screen will be a limited, tablet-specific feature — something that seemingly ties into the Pixel Tablet's smart-display-like "hub" concept. - Another development makes it look like Google's working on a new "Look and Sign" system that'd let you interact with a tablet simply by looking at the device and making some specific sort of hand gesture — no awkward "Hey Google" launch phrase required. - And finally, some freshly spotted code suggests the company's at least considering a 5G-enabled tablet of some sorts, which raises all sorts of questions about how Google envisions these products being used and what other new twists the form could take. 📌 READ MORE: Dive deeper into the latest developments around [the lock screen widgets](, [the "Look and Sign" system](), and [the 5G tablet possibility](=). --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Android's getting its groove back ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Following a few quarters of Apple increasing its share of the mobile market and people moving away from Android, the tides are turning once again — and Android is absolutely killing it while Apple is starting to struggle. 🔎 KNOW MORE: I hate to spend too much time focusing on the business side of things, but it's always interesting to take note of these types of big-picture trends — because they really can affect how a platform's perceived and how much time, money, and attention developers and device-makers are likely to invest in it moving forward. - Android has been the dominant operating system (mobile or otherwise) around the world for years now, but its growth had absolutely slowed over the past several months. - Now, a new report shows Apple's sales fell by 10% in the past quarter while Android grew and Samsung reclaimed the top spot. - Perhaps most significant, analysts now expect Android to grow at twice the pace of iOS over the rest of 2024. How do you like them apples?! 📌 READ MORE: See [the latest data]() — and try not to rub it in your Apple-adoring amigos' faces too much, all right?! SPONSORED MESSAGE Unlimited phone plan for just $25/mo 👏 [Bird with shocked look on its face]()​ Wish you didn’t have to flush $40, $50, even $60 or more down the toilet on your phone bill each month? Thankfully, there’s a ~savvy~ alternative that the Big Cell Carriers don’t want you to know about: Introducing the [Tello UNLIMITED plan](). For a jaw-dropping $25/month, you can score the same great cell features you love: unlimited calls and texts, and unlimited data with 35GB of high-speed data on the same great 4G LTE/5G network. ​[Save up to 50% (or more) on your phone bill]() with Tello: 🎁 Freebies: Hotspot, international calls to 60+ countries, eSIM, Wi-Fi calling, and more 🤝 Month-to-month flexibility: Upgrade or downgrade whenever you want, for free! 🤩 Prepaid: No long-term commitment, no contracts, no strings attached. Ever. ➜ [Save yourself (or your family) a fistful of cash and switch to Tello today!]() [​SAVE MONEY WITH TELLO​ ➜]() * Available for U.S. phone owners only. ​ [] [3 Things to Try This Week] 1. Give yourself a smarter Android app drawer I’m always thinking about ways I can optimize and improve my smartphone setup. And luckily, here in the land o' Android, that's easy to do — 'cause unlike that other mobile operating system, Android empowers us to make our devices work the way we want and the way that makes sense for our own personal styles of getting stuff done. And there’s no place where that advantage is more apparent than in our phones' home screens and the associated elements that control how we get around our devices every day. ➜ That ability to take complete control of every facet of our phones' interfaces led me to an epiphany of sorts — one that's completely changed how I open apps and move around my phone. ⌚ It'll take you about two minutes to set up the same thing for yourself. And it'll save you countless wasted seconds from that moment onward. 📌 [Check out the steps for yourself](, and let me know if it's as eye-opening of a change for you as it has been for me. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Hear any web page read aloud on demand Ever open up a lengthy article — maybe, say, one penned by some ravishing Android-focused writer who rambles on endlessly about everything imaginable — and think to yourself: "Man, I wish someone would read this out loud to me whilst I walk around and do other things"? ➜ Whether you've had the thought or not, it's an intriguing notion. And the Android Chrome app has a handy new way to make it happen, if you know where to look. ⌚ Clear out 60 seconds in your schedule... 📌 And [follow ​these quick 'n' simple steps]() to unearth the option. --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Make the mobile web easier on your eyes While we're thinking about Android browser adjustments, I've been reminded of one of my go-to tweaks in the Chrome Android app — something I typically do on every new device I use but inevitably forget about until I realize it isn't active by default. ➜ It's a single setting that overrides some websites' infuriating block of the standard system-wide pinch-to-zoom gesture and makes it possible for you to zoom in on any page you're viewing, whether a site wants you to or not. ⌚ You'll only need about seven seconds to switch the setting. ✅ Just open up Chrome on your phone or tablet, then: - Tap the three-dot menu icon in the browser's upper-right corner. - Select "Settings," then scroll down and select "Accessibility." - See the line labeled "Force enable zoom"? Flip the toggle next to it into the on and active position. And with that, you should be able to place two fingers on your screen and spread 'em apart to zoom in anywhere on any webpage — then pinch 'em back together to zoom back out — even if the page for some reason doesn't want to allow that action. I don't know about you, but all I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom zoom zoom (and, of course, a boom-boom). So this is a very welcome fix. ​ ​ SPONSORED MESSAGE [Family using HP printer and drawing]() Print in amazing quality With wireless setup, a customizable touchscreen, and self-healing Wi-Fi, the [HP ENVY Inspire 7955e]() has it all. Snag one for $60 off, plus 3 months of HP Instant Ink, today! [​EXPLORE HP ENVY​]() ​ ​ [] [And Just for Funsies...] Betcha didn't know it, but we're in the midst of a momentous month in mobile-tech history — thanks to an Android-associated anniversary that's equal parts amusing and embarrassing. At this time 11 years ago, Facebook was taking the wraps off its long-rumored Android-based "Facebook phone," officially known as the [HTC First](. And suffice it to say, it was also the HTC Last. The First was awful. (As [I wrote]( in anticipation of the device's launch back in 2013: "Someone kill me now.") It was a pretty ordinary and unremarkable Android midranger with a bunch of Facebook bloat baked into its core. [An image of the HTC First "Facebook phone" from 2013] ​ And if you're thinking "Why the Zuck would anyone want that?" — well, you aren't alone. Next to no one bought the thing, and within about a month, its price dropped down to a mere 99 cents (which still didn't inspire many buyers). The days of the Facebook phone may (thankfully) be behind us, but I'm still holding out hope for the game-changing official MySpace Phone. Man, those glitter GIF wallpapers are totally gonna rock. Until next time... Hey, thanks for havin' me over into your inbox. And remember: Whatever you think about your current Android device, at least it doesn't have a Facebook feed built into its home screen and the aura of Mark Zuckerberg watching over your every move. [An animated GIF showing Mark Zuckerberg's face peaking out above a wall] ​ If that isn't cause for celebration, I'm not sure what is. 🤚 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. 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