Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman discovered the new Priority Mode feature while tinkering with the first quarterly platform release (QPR) of Android 15. This feature does more than just minimize cell phone interference, but I can’t help but think about it. This is the first step towards the currently widespread trend of dumbing down smartphones.
This mode allows users to fully customize DND mode, including name, settings, and icon. You can’t upload your own icon, but you can choose from 40. You can set a schedule for the mode to be enabled automatically and choose to allow or block notifications during that time.
Interestingly, you can change the screen to black and white, disable the always on display option, darken the wallpaper, and enable the dark theme. As smartphones take over our lives, relationships, and sanity, people are turning to apps and services to cut down on screen time. In particular, I’ve noticed a new trend on the tech-related YouTube channels I regularly visit: “Mock Your Smartphone.” This makes your phone much harder to use and reduces the amount of time you spend using it. Some of the above display features are usually part of dumbing down, so we’re very happy to see that they can be easily done via Android 16 without having to download a dedicated app.
Priority Mode takes the regular Do Not Disturb mode to another level by adding a number of new features. It seems to completely replace “Do Not Disturb” rather than complement it. Android Authority predicts the release of Android 16 for Priority mode, but adds that Android 15 could be rolled out in the first, second, or third QPR.
Another feature the site discovered while investigating QPR in Android 15 is “bubble anything.” This adds a “bubble” button to the options that appear when you long-press an app, and selecting the button places the app inside a floating bubble on one side of the screen.
This feature could work in QPR 1 Beta 2 of Android 15, but the official release is planned for Android 16. The Bubble Anything feature is meant to make multitasking easier, allowing you to work on two apps at the same time. Android 11, launched in 2020, introduced the same feature, but compatibility was limited to messaging apps only. As Bubble Anything rolls out, we expect it to appear in every app you use.
I’ve been an iPhone user for the past 7 years, but after using OneUI 6.1 on my Samsung S24 Ultra for a short period of time, I developed severe FOMO. iOS has no replacement for Samsung’s multitasking features like split screen and pop-up views. Maybe Apple will catch up in a few years and announce it as a total innovation. That’s exactly what we did with the ability to move apps around on the home screen.
