[Update: Discover Interests] Google app 10.49 preps Android 10 Assistant gesture tutorial, Driving Mode dark theme

After missing the typical Friday release, the latest Google app beta is rolling out this evening. Google app 10.49 reveals work on a tutorial that explains how to launch Assistant with Android 10’s new gesture navigation, while Assistant Driving Mode might gain a dark mode.

About APK Insight: In this ‘APK Insight’ post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in the case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

Google Discover Interests

As part of an A/B test, the “Customize Discover” page accessible from the Google app’s “More” tab is replaced by “Interests.” This screen is quite basic, and divided into “Your interests” and “Hidden.” It lacks preview icons and other related settings, though many of the removed preferences no longer apply to Discover.

The first list identifies the “Topics you follow,” with “Places you follow” below that. Topic suggestions are listed under “Based on your activity.” “Hidden” is a straightforward collection of items that “won’t appear in Discover or other personalized experiences.”

Android 10 Assistant gesture tutorial

With Android 10’s upcoming launch, gesture navigation will be one of the biggest user-facing changes. The Google app is readying a tutorial on how to launch Assistant, and version 10.49 reveals the accompanying animation. It simply shows a finger swiping diagonally from the bottom-corner until the four-color light strip appears. At this point, you can start your voice command.

<string name=”opa_swipe_demo_screen_message”>To get your Assistant, simply swipe up from the bottom right or left corner. You can start talking as soon as you see the Assistant glow.</string>

It’s unclear when exactly and how this prompt will appear to users.

Assistant Driving Mode dark mode

At I/O 2019, Google announced that Android Auto on phones will be replaced by Assistant Driving Mode. Google app 10.49 suggests that this upcoming experience — codenamed “Morris” — will feature a dark mode. A file name references “Morris_Nightmode” and the asset shows Driving Mode being used in the dark and a matching interface.

Meanwhile, the dark mode for the full Assistant and Google Search is still in development, with this release tweaking the settings to turn it on.

<string name=”dark_mode_preference_title”>Theme</string>

<string name=”dark_mode_battery_saver”>Set by Battery Saver</string>

<string name=”dark_mode_dark”>Dark</string>

<string name=”dark_mode_light”>Light</string>

<string name=”dark_mode_system_default”>System default</string>

Sound Search widget

Last year, Google revamped Sound Search in Assistant with technology from the Pixel 2’s Now Playing feature. Since then, two homescreen widgets have been available. Google app 10.49 simplifies it to the one that’s properly styled.

10:45 Search history carousel

Back in June, the Google app on Android gained a carousel of your recent searches. Version 10.45 changes the blue magnifying glass icon to a clock that better signifies this is your query history.

How to update?

You can sign-up for the Google app’s beta program here or by heading to the Play Store listing on Android and scrolling to the bottom. The latest beta version of the Google app is immediately rolled out when it’s available.

We do not post APKs to download directly given the legal challenges associated with copyright and possibility of removal. Meanwhile, that model is perilous given Android App Bundles and Google Play’s Dynamic Delivery.

Thanks to JEB Decompiler, which some APK Insight teardowns benefit from.