Android 17 beta 3 brings back 'hey google' voice command, app bubbles, and more

Google has released Android 17 Beta 3, packing in several notable features. One of the most welcome returns is the 'Hey Google' voice command, which allows users to activate the Gemini overlay for quick queries or tasks. This functionality had apparently been broken by a previous update but is now back in action.

App bubbles and other enhancements

Android 17 Beta 3 also delivers the App Bubbles feature, which enables users to multitask more efficiently. With App Bubbles, a long-press on an app icon on the home screen opens a menu, from which you can select 'Bubble.' This turns the app into an icon that can be moved around the screen and reopens the app in a small, resizable window when tapped.

Another change is the return of the Search bar in the Pixel Launcher, albeit with a slightly different design. The bar now features the Google 'G' icon and a color taken from the user's wallpaper, with AI mode integrated into the search field. This marks a departure from the previous design, which had a ring around the search bar that deployed the color theme from the wallpaper and placed the AI mode icon in a separate circular container.

In Quick Settings, users will now find separate toggles for Wi-Fi and Internet, a change aimed at preventing accidental disconnections. Additionally, the Screen Recorder feature has received a visual refresh.

As for bug fixes, the update addresses a number of issues, including system instability, camera failures, and visual artifacts during transitions and with Google Message notifications.