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After ruining Android 12's power menu, Google adds notification to explain where everything went
Meanwhile, a Googler in the issue tracker: 'If this is intentional, our product is doomed'
One of the more contentious changes in Android 12 is the new power menu, which loses all of the smart home and contactless payment functionality it gained just last year in Android 11. In fact, those following the year-over-year upgrade path may suffer a bit of software design whiplash at the fast addition and removal. At some level, even Google understands it doesn't quite make sense (one Googler has called it "doomed), so Android 12 Beta 3 adds a new notification that explains where all the stuff you've come to depend on over the last year has moved to.
Android 12's relocated smart home controls have people (rightfully) upset
Turns out folks liked a capable power menu better than a quick settings tile
Android 12 Beta 2 had lots of big changes, including the rollout of the new dynamic theming system, but a smaller tweak has plenty of fans up in arms. In Android 11, Google rolled out smart home controls in the redesigned power menu, but Android 12 Beta 2 is reverting all that, relocating those controls to a Samsung-style quick settings toggle. For those that got used to or even preferred the older, faster, and simpler power menu shortcut, this is an unpopular move, to say the least.
Android 11 Beta incorporates refined smart home controls into power menu
Beta 2 changes emergency, power, lockdown button layout
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We've known that Android 11 plans to integrate smart home controls into the long-press power menu, building on the wallet functionality it already added, and we've even seen mockups for what it will look like. But today we've received a report of the change live and in the wild on a Pixel running Android 11 DP4, and it turns out, anyone on Android 11 can enable it by sideloading the latest Google Home app release.
Android 11's long-press power menu might become a smart home control center (Update: DP2 video)
The power menu could become much more powerful
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In Android 11, evidence has surfaced that Google might finally add quick wallet access to the long-press power menu, but it looks like the company has much more in store for this system feature. XDA Developers has discovered that the menu might be turned into a control center for home automation, letting you easily manage smart appliances in your house.
Android 11 continues Google's work on the power menu wallet, opening it up to third-party apps
This feature has been in the works for about a year — is it finally coming with Android 11?
Google has been working on showing your credit cards and passes in the long-press power menu since before the stable release of Android 10, and over the last year, we've gotten hint after hint that the company might launch the feature soon. In the first Android 11 developer preview, further evidence pointing to an imminent release has surfaced as Google is working on adding support for third-party applications.
You might think on-boarding applications like Pixel Tips are annoying and don't bring much value to advanced users, but as it turns out, the app hides a few unannounced features in its code. A teardown brings to light Google's work on cards and passes support in the long-press power menu, automatic call screening in the Phone app, background blurring and auto-framing for Duo, and a post hoc Portrait Mode for Photos.