Ryan Haines / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google seems to be creating an Android equal to iOS’s Standby Mode, hinted at by a Google Play Companies replace and code present in Android 16.
- This new characteristic will doubtless leverage an enhanced Hub Mode, which is being optimized for telephones and can combine lock display screen widgets in Android 16 QPR1.
- The rollout of Qi2 magnetic wi-fi charging for Android units is a key enabler, permitting telephones to be simply docked horizontally like good shows.
One in every of iOS’s standout options is Standby Mode, which transforms an iPhone right into a mini good show. When charging and positioned horizontally, iPhones activate Standby Mode, displaying a full-screen clock, photograph body, widgets, or Stay Actions. This characteristic significantly shines when utilizing a MagSafe charger, because it really offers the iPhone the looks of a sensible show. Whereas Android presently lacks a direct equal to iOS’ Standby Mode, there are hints that Google could also be creating its personal model. Right here’s how I do know.
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Final week, Google up to date its Google System Launch Notes web page with an intriguing line for Google Play Companies v25.18. It mentions a “new characteristic” that permits you to “use Forged on standby-friendly units,” particularly tagged with [Phone], indicating it’s for the cellular model of Android, not Put on OS, Google TV, Google Play Video games on PC, or Android Automotive.
Whereas considerably ambiguous, we interpret this to imply Android cellular units can now solid content material to “standby-friendly” units. Current Google Forged-compatible units—like Google TV, Google Dwelling good audio system and shows, and tablets in Hub Mode—doubtless don’t fall into this new “standby-friendly” class, suggesting Google is referring to a distinct set of {hardware}.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
The Google Pixel Pill in Hub Mode.
So, what units may Google imply by “standby-friendly?” My interpretation is that this refers to Android telephones geared up with Hub Mode and Chromecast built-in, very similar to the Pixel Pill. Technically, the one barrier to Android telephones performing as Google Forged receivers has been the absence of the Chromecast built-in app and crucial DRM keys, not a basic {hardware} limitation.
The doubtless purpose Google hasn’t enabled its telephones as Forged receivers earlier than is the potential for a suboptimal consumer expertise. Casting usually targets landscape-oriented units like TVs and good shows. Most telephones, nonetheless, stay in portrait mode even when docked, largely as a result of, in contrast to iPhones, many Android telephones lack magnetic wi-fi charging that will facilitate simple panorama placement on a charger. This {hardware} distinction might clarify why Google hasn’t prioritized optimizing the display screen saver or lock display screen widget expertise for cellphone screens.
Nevertheless, the panorama is clearly shifting. Firstly, the Qi2 wi-fi charging commonplace introduces magnetic charging to Android telephones. Whereas presently, solely one Qi2 Android cellphone is out there, Samsung has confirmed it’s launching a Qi2-compatible Galaxy gadget this yr. Google has additionally repeatedly said its dedication to increasing Qi2 assist inside the Android ecosystem and even spearheaded the event of the Qi v2.2 commonplace, which guarantees charging speeds exceeding the 15W most of Qi2.
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
A Pixel 9 Professional mounted on a Qi2 desk stand because of a third-party MagSafe case
Though there’s no official affirmation that the upcoming Google Pixel 10 will assist Qi2 or Qi v2.2, it wouldn’t be stunning if it did, as Google’s latest developments align nicely with the Pixel 10’s potential launch timeline. In spite of everything, the Pixel 10 may launch as early as August, assuming Google follows an analogous schedule to the Pixel 9. And Google confirmed earlier this yr its plans to introduce lock display screen widgets to telephones in Android 16’s first quarterly launch (QPR1). The Pixel 10 will doubtless debut with Android 16 and shortly after obtain an replace to Android 16 QPR1, enabling lock display screen widget assist.
Notably, the lock display screen widget characteristic is a part of Android’s Hub Mode, which Google is presently optimizing for telephones. Contemplating this, it’s cheap to conclude that Hub Mode will function Android’s model of Standby Mode. When Hub Mode arrives on telephones with Android 16 QPR1, customers will be capable to seamlessly swap between their display screen saver (displaying clocks, photograph frames, and so on.) and their widgets. Sound acquainted? That’s exactly how Standby Mode features on iOS.
Whereas I admit that the proof for a devoted Standby Mode on Android has been considerably circumstantial, there’s extra to it than simply that single line within the Google System Launch Notes. In reality, whereas analyzing Android 16’s code, I found a brand new string indicating Google plans so as to add a “Standby” button to Android’s World Motion dialog (the ability menu).
Digging deeper, I realized that this new “Standby” button is designed to set off the display screen saver and lock display screen widgets, successfully tying all these parts collectively. So, whereas the preliminary clue may need been weak, this new hyperlink strengthens the case, and I feel my general conclusion is stable.
Qi2 charging assist is undoubtedly coming to extra Android units; it’s a matter of when, not if. In preparation for a future the place Android telephones may be simply docked horizontally on wi-fi chargers, Google is enhancing Hub Mode for telephones, permitting them to supply greater than only a primary clock or photograph show. Whether or not we see Android telephones leveraging this expanded Hub Mode this yr or subsequent stays to be seen, however its arrival appears inevitable.
