This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
Android Q Beta 5: A Step Towards Streamlined Gesture Navigation ¶
Published on July 11, 2019
Google's Android Q beta 5 has been released, marking another attempt to streamline the gesture navigation system on Android devices. The new version aims to provide a more standardized and user-friendly experience, addressing issues that have plagued previous versions.
One of the key features of Android Q beta 5 is the introduction of a standardized gesture navigation system. This means that users will have a consistent experience across different devices, regardless of the manufacturer. The system relies on a single back navigation gesture, which can be accessed by swiping from the left or right edge of the screen.
However, this new system has also raised concerns about screen pinning. Screen pinning is a feature that allows users to lock their device to a single app, preventing them from accessing other apps. In previous versions of Android Q, screen pinning was broken due to the new gesture navigation system. However, in beta 5, Google has reintroduced the feature, which works similarly to the previous version but with a slight twist. To unpin an app, users can simply swipe up and hold.
Another feature introduced in beta 5 is the 'peek' feature. This feature allows users to get a sneak peek of what will happen when they perform a certain action. For example, when a user swipes from the left edge of the screen, they will get a peek at the navigation drawer before it opens. This feature is designed to avoid confusion and provide a more intuitive experience.
However, it's worth noting that these gesture navigation updates only work consistently on Google's own Pixel launcher. Users with custom launchers may experience issues with the new features. Google has acknowledged this issue and plans to switch users to 3-button navigation when they are using a custom launcher by default, starting in Beta 6.
Other features introduced in beta 5 include the splitting of notifications, making it easier for users to identify which apps are actively sending alerts and which ones have been 'silenced'. Additionally, device-specific features such as a dark boot animation and a search bar that matches the color of the wallpaper have also been included.
