Android Pie: 3 settings for immediate change

Google's Android Pie 9.0 operating system has slowly evolved into more devices than the Pixel line ($ 350 at Amazon) since its release. With an improved Do Not Disturb feature, gesture-based navigation, and smart recommendations, Android Pie has a lot to like.

However, after updating your phone with the latest and greatest Android operating system, you should consider a few things that you should change immediately.

Here's the usual limitation for Android: Some settings may differ from those shown here, depending on who's making your phone. My advice is to search the Settings app for the appropriate setting if you have trouble finding it.

gestures

Starting with Android Pie, users have the option to leave the traditional three-button navigation method and rely on gestures instead.

After installing Android Pie, you may be disappointed that the feature is not enabled on first launch. Instead, you must make and activate the settings yourself.

On Samsung devices that were updated on Android Pie, you need to go to Settings > Display > Navigation bar and select gestures on the full screen . Google's Pixel 3 ($ 903 at Walmart) has an enabled feature by default, but it can not be turned off, however, for Pixel 2 ($ 649 on Google Store) and earlier versions. You can go to System > Gestures > Drag the Start button .

. Action Suggestions

Android Pie is getting smarter and proposing apps and actions for the entire user interface. For example, if you drag the new Home button up on a Pixel device (with gestures turned on, of course), five apps appear at the bottom of the screen. These apps are suggestions based on your last use. You'll also find activatable buttons in the app tray for common tasks, such as: For example, opening an app in a particular section or starting a text message to your partner. (On a Samsung device running Android Pie, the latest app suggestions appear in the multitasking view.)

If you find the new features a bit scary, you can disable one or all of them.

On a Pixel Phone Long press on your wallpaper and then tap Startup Settings . On the Home Settings page, select Suggestions . Drag the appropriate button to the "off" position for apps, actions, and the ability to select text in the app preview in the last view.

Do Not Disturb

Part of Google's feel-good program to minimize distractions This can cause users to stop using the phone to improve the Do Not Disturb feature on Android Pie.

Using Do Not Disturb on Android Pie not only blocks calls and notifications when the phone is idle, but locks it now The ad does not turn on at all when you receive notifications. Google calls the new feature "visual disruption".

For information about adjusting the new DND settings, see Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications > Do not disturb . At the top of the screen is a section titled "Behavior" with two options: Sound & Vibration and Notifications . Select Sound & Vibration and you'll find a short list of device sounds that you can turn on or off when DND is on.