Looks like Google is planning to bring something in the line of iPhone’s Live Activities in the new Android 16 update for android users. According to discoveries made by Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman in the Android 15 beta code, Google is working on “Rich Ongoing Notifications” that could revolutionize the way notifications are displayed on Android devices.
What are Rich Ongoing Notifications?
Rich Ongoing Notifications are persistent notifications that stay in the Android status bar, providing users with at-a-glance information. Such alarms are projected to consist of a pill-shaped icon next to personalized texts and background colors so that they do not resemble normal notifications.
The concept of Rich Ongoing Notifications is not entirely new to Android. A user has been able to see ongoing phone call duration in status bar starting Android 12. However, the new Rich Ongoing Notifications API would allow developers to leverage this feature for a variety of apps and services.
Potential Use Cases
The possibilities for Rich Ongoing Notifications are vast. They could be used to display information such as:
- Uber ride ETA and status
- Food delivery updates
- Parking meter expiration times
- Sports scores
- Timer countdowns
Mock notifications created by Rahman demonstrate how Rich Ongoing Notifications could be employed to show the estimated arrival time of an Uber ride. This real-time information, the user would be able to access them without having to open the app.
Comparison to iOS Live Activities
Rich Ongoing Notifications bear a striking resemblance to the iOS Live Activities feature introduced with iOS 16. Live Activities are visible on the iPhone’s lock screen as well as in the Dynamic Island, the small cutout on iPhone 14 Pro.
The implementation of Rich Ongoing Notifications on Android could bridge the gap between the two platforms, offering Android users a comparable experience to their iOS counterparts. This feature could be most useful for individuals that often use applications that give real-time information and work on an Android operating system.
Enhancing the Android Experience
The introduction of Rich Ongoing Notifications in Android 16 would mark a significant improvement in the Android user experience. To give a typical example, due to the constant, easily available information, users can be aware without refreshing apps.
Moreover, the customizable nature of Rich Ongoing Notifications, with their pill-shaped icons and custom text and background colors, allows developers to create visually appealing and informative notifications that seamlessly integrate with the Android interface.
Looking Forward
As Android 16 is still in development, the final implementation of Rich Ongoing Notifications may differ from what has been discovered in the beta code. Though, the idea of such a feature has elicited much interest among users and developers of Android.
The addition of Rich Ongoing Notifications to Android 16 demonstrates Google‘s commitment to enhancing the Android experience and keeping pace with the latest trends in mobile technology. It is very clear that as more information about this feature come out, the notification system on Android devices will become more friendly and informative.
