All articles tagged with #home screen
Apple's iOS 18 update, expected to be announced at WWDC in June, may introduce a highly customizable home screen for iPhones, allowing users to change app icon colors and arrange them freely. The update will also feature AI-powered enhancements, including new emoji capabilities.
Google is set to introduce new features and improvements to the Pixel Launcher in the upcoming Android 15 update, including a faster swipe-to-home animation, enhanced widget recommendations with categorized options, a convenient "+ Add" button in the widget selector, and a more accessible menu for app shortcuts in the recents screen. These changes aim to enhance the app launching experience on Pixel devices, although it's uncertain if they will be available on other Android devices.
Apple is set to introduce a long-awaited feature in iOS 18 that will allow users to freely rearrange app icons on their home screens, a capability that Android has had for 15 years. This update is expected to be one of the biggest in Apple's history, and it may also include the addition of Google's Gemini AI model and RCS texting support, bringing higher-resolution photo and video messaging, audio messaging, typing indicators, and read receipts between Android phones and iPhones.
Sources familiar with the matter report that iOS 18 will allow iPhone users to have more control over the arrangement of Home Screen app icons, including the ability to create blank spaces, rows, and columns between icons. This update, expected to be announced at WWDC in June, will provide more official and convenient personalization options for the Home Screen, potentially resulting in the biggest revamp in several years. Other rumored features for iOS 18 include new generative AI functionality for Siri and multiple apps, RCS support in the Messages app, design changes, and more.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests that iOS 18 will bring a "more customizable" Home Screen to iPhone, building on the customizable features introduced in iOS 14 and 16. The upcoming update is anticipated to be a significant overhaul, with Apple's AI advancements driving major changes to the operating system. The WWDC 2024 Developer Conference in June is expected to unveil the new features, with a public beta program likely to follow in July or August and the final release anticipated in September alongside the iPhone 16 line.
VisionOS 1.0 does not support pinning web apps to the home screen, posing a challenge for users accessing services like Netflix and YouTube that lack dedicated Vision Pro apps. This limitation, along with the inability to rearrange home screen icons, may impact user experience. The hope is that Apple will address these issues in future updates, such as visionOS 2.0.
Samsung has unveiled a redesigned home screen for its FAST streaming service, Samsung TV Plus, which has seen a 60 percent increase in global viewing time over the past year. The updated UI aims to enhance the user experience and improve navigation on the platform.
Pluto TV is introducing a new and improved home screen, making it easier for users to navigate and discover content. The updated app will offer new navigation options, personalized recommendations based on viewing habits, and prominently feature on-demand content. With over 300 free live channels and tens of thousands of on-demand options, the new home screen aims to enhance content discovery and personalization. The rollout will begin on select Roku devices on September 25th and continue on Android TV and Fire TV devices throughout the year.
Roku has started rolling out a new home screen to its owners, featuring a 4x4 layout, continue watching row, and folders for inputs. The update also includes a shift in terminology, with Roku now referring to apps as "applications" instead of "channels." While the new interface is currently being tested, it remains uncertain if it will be rolled out to all Roku owners in the future.
Google Chrome for iOS now allows users to add web apps to their iPhone or iPad Home Screen, taking advantage of Apple's new capabilities for web apps introduced in iOS 16.4. This update allows users to save their favorite websites for quick access without leaving Chrome and using Safari. Web apps added to the Home Screen can be opened and used like regular apps, with the ability to receive push notifications. Apple's efforts to embrace web apps may be a response to accusations of anti-competitive practices regarding the App Store.
Vizio is introducing a revamped homescreen experience called Home Screen for its smart TVs, which will be available on models dating back to 2016. The new interface resembles a streaming service, with a sleek and modern design, improved navigation, and content recommendations from various services. It includes a universal watchlist, Rotten Tomatoes scores, and Common Sense Media parental guidance. The software also features a customizable app row and improved search experience. Vizio's Home Screen aims to provide a more cohesive and intuitive user experience, ensuring the company remains competitive in the TV market.
Google is releasing two new widgets for the Google News app on Android phones. The Quick View widget is 2x2 in size and provides limited information about one story, while the List View widget is 4x3 and shows two headlines and small images for each story. These widgets will replace the current solitaire Google News widget. The new widgets are available with version 5.82 of the app, but it is not yet widely available on the Play Store.
Nothing Phone 2 software is expected to look similar to the executive’s previous work on a minimalistic phone, but the company wants to “start almost from scratch” in terms of the Nothing OS 2.0 looks. The Nothing Phone 2 skin could see notable improvements to the home screen, with a focus on personalization and accessibility. The software may take cues from Google’s at-a-glance and contextual smarts, but Nothing will offer its own spin on things.
Interactive widgets are now available on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac with the latest software updates, including iOS 17. Third-party apps can now include interactive elements such as scrolling, buttons, and animated transitions. Users can mark reminders as completed, play or pause media, and control accessories in the Home app. All updates are currently available in beta and will be released to the public later this year.
Microsoft is rolling out a new version of the Xbox Home screen to testers in the Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha rings this week. The updated design incorporates feedback from earlier tests and provides easy navigation to library, the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, search, and settings by introducing a new quick access menu. It simplifies the layout and makes more space for users to see their backgrounds by reducing the size of some of the tiles and adds a responsive game art feature to update the default background and show off the art associated with each title when you hover over the tiles.