Google is giving its Phone app a makeover with a new design called Material 3 Expressive, making it more modern and easier to use. A recent analysis of the app’s beta version (180.0.771769344) shows exciting updates that improve how users interact with calls and contacts.

The app now features a new “Home” tab instead of “Recents” for quick access to recent calls. The “Keypad” gets its own tab, replacing “Contacts,” which makes dialing faster. A new sidebar takes the place of the old three-dot menu, offering a cleaner way to navigate settings. These changes aim to make the app feel smoother and more intuitive.

Buttons in the app are now larger and oval-shaped, with fun animations when tapped, adding a playful touch. The incoming call screen skips the “call from” text and shows the phone number after answering, keeping things simple. A bigger, pill-shaped “end call” button is easier to spot, and contact names and photos appear larger for a bolder look.

These updates are part of Google’s push to refresh its apps with Material 3 Expressive, a style that’s bold and engaging. While not yet available to everyone, the changes are rolling out to beta users and may hit all devices with Android 16 or on Pixel phones soon. Stay tuned for a more vibrant calling experience!

Google is giving its Gemini app a simple yet stylish update on Android devices, making it look sharper and more user-friendly. The home screen’s input box is getting a makeover, becoming larger with a subtle shadow effect for a modern touch. The box now has rounded corners only at the top, giving it a sleek, clean design. This change aims to make typing or interacting with Gemini feel smoother and more inviting.

Earlier reports hinted at Gemini adopting features similar to ChatGPT, like suggestion chips to spark ideas or guide users. This new design tweak builds on that, focusing on a cleaner layout that’s less cluttered. The updated look doesn’t take up too much screen space, leaving room for other content while still being easy to access.

This update comes from an APK teardown, which digs into app code to spot upcoming features. While these changes are in testing, they might not reach every user right away, as Google often rolls out updates gradually.

The goal seems to be making Gemini’s home screen more engaging and easier to use, especially for quick tasks like asking questions or exploring AI tools.As Google keeps refining Gemini, these small but thoughtful changes show they’re working to blend style with function. Keep an eye out for this update on your Android device soon, as it promises a more polished way to interact with Google’s AI assistant.

Recent benchmark tests for Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold have raised doubts about the new Tensor G5 chip. The Geekbench results show scores that worry some tech fans, suggesting the chip might not perform as well as hoped. Compared to the older Tensor G4, the G5 seems less efficient at handling tasks, which is a red flag for Google’s first fully in-house designed processor.

The Tensor G5 has a similar setup to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, with one high-performance core, five mid-level cores, and two energy-saving cores. However, its scores lag behind, hinting at possible struggles in keeping up with top competitors. Some Reddit users pointed out that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 outperforms the G5 in efficiency, raising concerns about its ability to compete.

There’s still hope, though. The tested chip might be an early version, and Google has about six weeks until the Pixel 10 series launch on August 20, 2025, to improve performance. Past chips have shown better scores closer to release, so the G5 could still improve. The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold will all use this chip, making its performance key to Google’s 2025 lineup.

While the Tensor G5 aims to boost AI and machine learning, these early results suggest Google needs to address efficiency issues to meet user expectations. Fans are eager to see if Google can refine the chip in time for the big reveal.