Google decided to introduce a new version of gesture navigation in Android Q, which is an excellent idea. The 2-button gesture nav design from Pie was, let's face it, terrible. The new full gesture navigation system in Q has some good ideas, but the back gesture is a mess. Google's latest attempt to fix that in Beta 6 isn't going to be enough.
Read MoreThe back gesture sensitivity option in Android Q Beta 6 does nothing to solve Google's gesture woes
[Update x2: Essential OTA] Google releases Android Q Beta 6 with last-minute gesture navigation tweaks
We're in the endgame now... for Android Q. The fifth beta release came out last month, but Google wanted to squeeze in one last update before the finished product. Android Q Beta 6 is now rolling out to Pixels in the beta OTA program, and flashable images should be available shortly.
Read MoreGoogle might fix gesture navigation in Android Q by killing the back button
As you're probably aware, there are some pre-release builds of Android Q floating around out there. We've gotten some tidbits detailing potential features from those builds like a system-wide dark mode and a possible desktop UI. Now, XDA claims to have spotted the best change yet: Google could make a long overdue improvement to gesture navigation by killing the back button.
Read MoreGoogle confirms gesture navigation is mandatory on the Pixel 3
One of the new features in Android 9 Pie is gesture navigation - the three software nav buttons introduced in Android 4.0 have been replaced by a 'pill' that you swipe back and forth. The new navigation method is optional on the Pixel and Pixel 2, but Google has now confirmed that Pixel 3 owners are stuck with it.
Read More[Update: Maybe not] The Pixel 3 will only have gesture navigation, with no option for standard nav buttons
As we all know by now, Google's implementation of gesture navigation is pretty lackluster. Given that it still takes up the same amount of space as the regular nav bar, it doesn't have any real benefits and just makes things confusing. You'll probably be disappointed to hear that the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will ship with gesture navigation, and there won't be an option to use the standard three-button layout that's been part of Android for years.
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