In recent weeks, intriguing updates regarding the next significant version of Android have surfaced. Currently under development with the internal codename “Baklava,” Android 16 is set to introduce an exciting new feature called Priority modes for notifications.
If that sounds somewhat familiar, it’s because Apple has already rolled out various focus modes to achieve a similar effect, enhancing them with AI-driven priority notifications in iOS 18. It appears that Google aims to follow suit, potentially borrowing a successful trick from the iPhone experience.
According to an article from Android Authority, Android 16 may also feature capabilities akin to Dynamic Island notifications. On iPhones, the pill-shaped Face ID cutout at the top serves as a versatile canvas for showing dynamic alerts from various applications.
This user-friendly, unobtrusive method of displaying application alerts allows users to keep tabs on activities without the need to switch between different apps. Some Android manufacturers, like Honor, have already implemented similar features inspired by Apple’s design, although support has varied across different applications.
Android 16 could standardize this experience with a feature known as Rich Ongoing Notifications, which first appeared in the latest QPR build of Android 15. This feature aims to allow apps to utilize more vertical space in the status bar rather than simply displaying icons. According to reports, “The API will enable apps to create customizable chips with their own text and background colors in the status bar.”
It’s unclear if these app chips will be responsive, but given how Dynamic Island notifications function, it would be logical to expect Rich Ongoing Notifications to provide similar capabilities. Tapping on these notifications should ideally bring up a dialog for more information or even transition users to a full-screen view.
Google has already implemented a comparable status bar alert system for screen recording in Android 15, which serves various purposes such as music playback notifications, ride-sharing alerts, and navigation tips.
The actual implementation of Rich Ongoing Notifications will depend significantly on developer interest, distinguishing it from Dynamic Island notifications, which utilize the area surrounding the front camera cutout.
Instead, Google’s feature in Android 16 focuses on optimizing the status bar area at the top of the screen. However, it’s essential to remember that this is still early in the development process, and significant design and functional changes may occur before Android 16 officially launches.