Android Pay is getting a small makeover with its latest update, rolling out to users now. The new version switches to the always-familiar navigation drawer found in most other Google apps. If you're running Android 8.0 Oreo, you'll also see a change on your launcher as Android Pay also makes the upgrade to an adaptive icon.
What's New
Unofficial Changelog: (the stuff we found)
- Adaptive icon
- Switched to navigation drawer
Adaptive icon
If you're looking for uniformity in the shape of your app icons, you'll be pleased to know that Android Pay will no longer lock you into having a round icon. The latest update will show adaptive icons on Android 8.0 Oreo. Naturally, lower versions of the OS will continue to show the round icon.
Navigation Drawer
Left: v1.35. Center+Right: v1.36.
Android Pay was one of the few remaining Google apps to still use a single overflow menu for its navigation. As of v1.36, it has joined the pack by adopting a navigation drawer. The same options are there, but in slightly different order and with icons next to the names.
Not only does this make the app more consistent with the rest of Google's lineup, but it also means you won't have to reach as far on taller phones like the Pixel 2 XL.
Note: It has been pointed out that the navigation drawer isn't appearing for everybody after updating, and it appears to be linked to your account. If you update to the latest version and don't see the drawer, it will probably be activated remotely at some point soon. – Thanks, PJ Anderson and others.
Teardown
Disclaimer: Teardowns are based on evidence found inside of apks (Android's application package) and are necessarily speculative and usually based on incomplete information. It's possible that the guesses made here are totally and completely wrong. Even when predictions are correct, there is always a chance that plans could change or may be canceled entirely. Much like rumors, nothing is certain until it's officially announced and released.
The features discussed below are probably not live yet, or may only be live for a small percentage of users. Unless stated otherwise, don't expect to see these features if you install the apk.
Doodle promotion, continued...
You may remember a teardown of Android Pay v1.35 hinted at a new promotion in which your task is to collect doodles. There's still no text or clues about what will be happening this time around, but there is a new activity named DoodleShareActivity and a similarly named layout that do add a bit to the picture.
code
The most likely explanation is that this is a simple share action for posting messages to social networks to brag about reaching some achievement in the promotion. However, it's too early to rule out the possibility that sharing is part of the promotion and might involve trading or getting help from other people to acquire more doodles.
Download
The APK is signed by Google and upgrades your existing app. The cryptographic signature guarantees that the file is safe to install and was not tampered with in any way. Rather than wait for Google to push this download to your devices, which can take days, download and install it just like any other APK.
Version: 1.36.174950045