Google recently launched the Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1, giving Pixel users a sneak peek at what’s coming in the December 2025 update. This beta version brings a bunch of fresh features and improvements for Pixel devices, making them more user-friendly and customizable.

Let’s dive into what’s new, from better app visuals to handy flashlight controls and smarter display settings.One cool addition is the ability to make all app icons match your phone’s theme, even if the app doesn’t have its own themed icon. Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 uses a special color filter to turn regular app icons into a monochrome style that fits your chosen look.

This means your home screen will look more consistent and polished, no matter what apps you use. For example, after installing the beta, all app icons on a Pixel phone automatically picked up the theme, creating a unified appearance. Another exciting feature is the option to customize the shape of app icons on your Pixel’s home screen.

Available in the August 2025 Android Canary release, this lets you pick from five different preset shapes to give your phone a personal touch. While you can’t design your own shapes yet, these options add a fun way to tweak your home screen’s style. Google might bring this feature to the QPR2 beta soon, so keep an eye out for updates.

The flashlight on Pixel phones also gets a big upgrade. In the same August 2025 Canary release, Google added a way to adjust the flashlight’s brightness right from the Quick Settings panel. Tapping the flashlight tile opens a “Flashlight Strength” slider, letting you choose how bright or dim you want it.

This is super useful for situations like searching under furniture or walking in low light, and it’s expected to roll out in the stable Android 16 QPR2 release in December.For better visibility, Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 introduces an “enhanced HDR brightness” setting.

This lets you control how bright HDR content appears on your screen, so you won’t get blinded by sudden brightness spikes when scrolling through apps like Instagram at night. You can even turn off the extra brightness for HDR content entirely.

This feature, first seen in the July 2025 Android Canary release, is now official in the beta. The update also expands the dark theme to make apps more accessible. If you prefer dark mode but some apps stay in light mode, the system can now automatically switch them to dark. This is great for people with low vision or sensitivity to bright screens, ensuring a smoother and more consistent experience.

Apps that follow standard Android themes will flip automatically, but developers of custom apps need to add a specific setting to make this work. For those who love techy stuff, Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 adds a neat trick for running Linux apps on your phone. The Linux Terminal app now lets you display output from a Linux virtual machine on your Android device.

This means you can run full desktop programs like GIMP or LibreOffice, or even set up a desktop environment like XFCE. It’s a powerful feature for developers or anyone who wants to push their Pixel to do more. Finally, Pixel phones now support lock screen widgets, a feature that first appeared on tablets with Android 15 QPR1.

This lets you add handy widgets right to your lock screen, making it easier to check info or control apps without unlocking your phone. It’s a small but practical addition that adds convenience to your daily routine. These updates are available for Pixel 6 and newer models enrolled in the Android Beta Program.

If you’re already in the program, you’ll get the update over the air. If you want to switch to the stable version of Android 16 without losing data, you have a short window to opt out before installing QPR2 Beta 1. The stable release is expected on December 2, 2025, so beta testers can try these features now and help shape the final version with their feedback.

This beta shows Google’s focus on making Pixel phones more customizable, accessible, and versatile. Whether you’re tweaking your home screen, adjusting your flashlight, or running Linux apps, Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 has something exciting for everyone.

Samsung is bringing exciting updates for Galaxy users, making gaming and phone security better than ever. The company has launched a beta version of its Gaming Hub in Europe, starting with the UK and Germany.

This cloud-based platform lets users play top mobile games without needing powerful hardware or lots of memory. It offers a growing collection of popular games, and Samsung plans to make it even better with a redesigned interface later this year.

The updated design will help gamers find new titles across different genres, making the experience more fun, connected, and easy to use. Soon, more European Galaxy users will get access to this platform, bringing high-quality gaming to their devices.

On the security side, Samsung is working on a new feature for its One UI 8.5 update, expected to roll out early next year with new flagship phones. This update includes an AI-powered tool to protect users from scam calls.

Already introduced with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, the feature alerts users to suspected voice phishing calls. It uses advanced AI to spot potential scams in real-time, keeping users safe from fraud.

Right now, this tool only works for outgoing calls in South Korea, but Samsung plans to expand it to incoming calls and more countries. This could make all Samsung phones safer by warning users about risky calls before they answer.

These updates show Samsung’s focus on improving both entertainment and safety for Galaxy users. The Gaming Hub makes it easy to enjoy premium games without needing expensive devices, while the AI scam protection adds a layer of security to keep users safe from phone scams.

As Samsung continues to test and expand these features, Galaxy users can look forward to a smoother, safer, and more enjoyable experience on their devices. Keep an eye on Samsung’s official channels for the latest news on these exciting developments.

The Google Pixel 10 series is still a few months from its official release, but you can already spruce up your device with its stunning wallpapers. Thanks to a recent leak, 40 high-quality wallpapers for the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL are available for download.

Get Wallpaper

These wallpapers bring a fresh look, perfect for giving your phone, tablet, or even computer a modern vibe.The leaked wallpapers, shared by Mystic Leaks on Telegram, showcase a unique design inspired by pebbles and glass. The collection includes vibrant colors like grey, black, blue, and green, with both light and dark versions to match your style.

The Pixel 10’s wallpapers are bold and colorful, while the Pro models feature simpler, elegant shades. A standout addition is the Limoncello series, which adds a lively, fresh touch to the set. Each wallpaper is available in high resolution, starting at 2160 x 2424 pixels, ensuring crisp visuals on any device.

Google is known for creating eye-catching wallpaper themes for its Pixel devices, and the Pixel 10 series is no exception. Unlike the swirling petals theme of the Pixel 9a or the feather-inspired designs of earlier models, these wallpapers take a minimal yet striking approach with flat, gradient styles.

This shift reflects Google’s evolving design sense, offering a clean and modern look for your home or lock screen. To download these wallpapers, you can use Google Drive links or the PhoneWalls app for iPhone and Android.

Once downloaded, setting them up is easy. On your phone, go to the downloads folder, select your favorite wallpaper, and choose to set it as your home or lock screen. For iPhones, long-press the lock screen, tap “Customize,” and pick the downloaded image.

Avoid using compressed versions from messaging apps to keep the quality intact. These wallpapers are a great way to refresh your device’s look while waiting for the Pixel 10 launch in August 2025. Grab them now and enjoy a piece of Google’s latest style.