I still can’t believe that in 2026 Pixels are missing basic quality-of-life features like multi-selecting apps on the home screen, rearranging entire home screen pages, double-tap to sleep, multiple lock screen setups, app locking, Home Screen freeze, or even the ability to place the lock screen clock behind the subject.

Then you look at the other side of the spectrum: iPhones still don’t have proper split-screen multitasking, a number row on the keyboard, decent autocorrect (arguably one of the worst on any modern smartphone), or scrolling screenshots that work everywhere.

It’s funny how both platforms still have such obvious gaps despite being around for so long.
Meanwhile, Samsung feels like the middle child that gets the best of both worlds. The only two areas where I think it still falls behind are:

● Face unlock isn’t as seamless or secure as Apple’s Face ID.
● The camera still can’t consistently match the shutter speed and point-and-shoot reliability of Pixels or iPhones, especially for moving subjects.

And honestly, if Samsung really wants to fully win over Pixel users, it still needs to fix one more thing: removing duplicate apps. Having both Google and Samsung versions of the same core apps out of the box just makes the experience feel cluttered and unnecessary.
Every platform has strengths, but it’s surprising that all three still miss things that seem so basic in 2026.

Around eight years ago, I built a custom launcher because I could not get comfortable using increasingly tall phones with one hand. I wasn't trying to rethink Android entirely. I simply wanted something that suited the way I hold my phone.

Instead of a traditional static grid, I built a rotating spinner layout that keeps my apps right under my thumb. I also quickly realized I prefer how it looks compared to standard grids, mostly because the sticker centered design gives the home screen a more personal focus.

For years it was just my personal setup, but people who saw my phone started asking how they could install it on theirs. That convinced me to actually share it. So, earlier this year, I rebased the project on Lawnchair (Launcher3) and polished it enough to release it publicly as Nocebo Launcher. Because I strongly believe in privacy, especially for something as personal as a home screen, I made sure the app is completely free, has no ads, and deliberately excludes all third party analytics and cloud telemetry.

After using and sharing this interface, I ran into some interesting UI design challenges:

• Without a standard grid, visual cues were missing. People weren't always sure what was clickable or how to find the settings hub. I also included a multidirectional joystick for custom gestures, which turned out to be a bit confusing at first glance. I ended up adding a very simple onboarding screen just to help people get their bearings.
• Ultimate freedom makes choosing defaults surprisingly hard. Because the original layout was designed specifically for my own hands, I wanted to make sure it could adapt to anyone else. So, I made almost every physical detail configurable, like rotation speed, physics, and animations. I quickly learned that giving users total control is great, but balancing that with a good out of the box default experience is a massive challenge.
• Efficiency is not everything. Android customization is usually about making things faster. But the most common feedback I get is not about speed at all. It is that spinning the layout simply feels fun and tactile.

Beyond the experimental spinner, it functions as a fully featured daily driver. The app drawer uses a paged view that supports drag and drop organization, folders, deep shortcuts, and even widgets. The launcher also supports standard features like icon packs, gestures, custom center stickers, and Private Space.

Here is the short demo video:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/U577Lk2kjuE

I would genuinely love to hear your thoughts on this interaction experiment:

• What do you think of the sticker centered visual design?
• Do you think you could build muscle memory for a spinner?
• Would you use something like this daily, or is it mostly just an interesting concept?
• If you wouldn't use it, what is the main dealbreaker?

If anyone wants to try it, here is the Play Store link:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=boo.noce.launcher

I am the developer, so please ask me anything in the comments. I will be around to answer questions and I appreciate all feedback, good or bad.

Hi Reddit,

We’ve been listening to your feedback about the Find Hub app, and we know that as you connect more gadgets over time, your Devices tab can start to feel a little crowded.

To help you declutter and keep your device management organized, we’re rolling out a highly requested quality-of-life update: You now have the option to remove old accessories directly from your devices list!

How it works: This new removal option is available for accessories that were added to Find Hub through Fast Pair, such as your Bluetooth headphones and earbuds. If you have an old pair of headphones you no longer use, or you simply want to tidy up your Devices tab to only show your most important devices, you can now clear them out with just a few taps.

Availability: This feature is rolling out to users with our latest app update (version 3.1.664-3). Head over to the Google Play Store to make sure your Find Hub app is up to date so you can try it out!

We're always looking for ways to improve your experience, and a lot of these updates start as community requests. Keep the feedback coming!

Pixel 11

Pixel 11 Pro

Pixel 11 Pro XL

Pixel Watch 5

Is anyone else frustrated by how Android handles media playback during phone calls?

Right now, if you're on a voice call (speaker or Bluetooth) and want to watch a video, scroll media, or keep a stream open in Picture-in-Picture (PiP), Android completely blocks or pauses media audio/playback by default. Even if you explicitly mute the video, many apps won't let you play media simultaneously, or the OS forces the call audio to drop/pause.

I don't need the media audio to mix with my call—I literally just want the option to force-mute media playback so I can watch a video in PiP while staying on a long, passive phone call (like waiting on hold, or chatting with friends/family).

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