Standbaye for Hub mode: Google wants to convert your Android phone to a smart display

A standout feature of iOS is standby, which converts the iPhone into a mini -smart display. When charging and placed horizontally, iPhones activate standby mode, which shows a full screen watch, photo frame, widget or direct activities. This feature shines especially when using the Magsaf charger, as it really gives the iPhone the appearance of a smart display. Although Android currently does not have a direct equivalent to the iOS standby mode, there are indications that Google is developing its own version. This is how I know.

Last week, Google updated its Google System release note Page With an interesting line for Google Play Services V25.18. It mentions a “new feature” that allows you to use the cast on the “standby -friendly devices,” especially tagged with (phone), indicating that it is for the mobile version of Android, OS, Google TV, Google Play Games, or Android Automotive.

Although to some extent, we interpret it by the fact that Android mobile devices can now put content on “standby friendly” devices. Google TV, Google Home Smart Speakers and Display, compatible devices according to Google Cast, and tablets in hub mode, especially in this new “standby friendly” category, suggesting that Google is referring to a different set of hardware.

Google Pixel Tablet in Hub mode.

So, “Standbai friendly?” Which Google’s devices can mean by means of? My interpretation is that it refers to hub mode and chrome cast in Android phones equipped with built -in, such as a pixel tablet. Technically, the only barrier to Android phones working as Google Cast recipients has been the absence of chrome cast built -in app and essential DRM keys, not basic hardware range.

Earlier, Google has not enabled its phone as a cast recipient to have the capacity of the user’s experience before. Casting usually targets landscape devices such as TV and smart display. However, most phone portraits live in the form of a large extent, unlike iPhones, many Android phones have a lack of magnetic wireless charging that facilitates a simple landscape on the charger. This hardware difference can be explained why Google has not preferred to improve the screen saver or lock screen widget experience for phone screens.

However, the landscape is clearly changing. First, Magnetic charging has been introduced on Android phones in Q2 wireless charging standard. While currently, only one Q2 Android phone is available, Samsung has confirmed that it is launching the Galaxy device according to Q2 this year. Google has repeatedly stated his commitment to increase the QI -2 support within the Android Environmental System and even offered the Qi V2.2 quality growth, which promises to charging the speed of Qi -2 at a maximum speed.

Thanks to the third party’s meg Safe case is a pixel 9 Pro Qi -2 riding on 2 desk stand

Although there is no official confirmation that the incoming Google Pixel will support 10 Q2 or QI V2.2, it would not be surprising if this happens, as Google’s recent development aligns well with the potential release timeline of Pixel 10. However, Pixel can be launched in early August 10, assuming that Google follows a similar schedule of Pixel 9. And Google confirmed earlier this year that it introduced the lock screen widget over the phone in Android 16’s first quarter Release (QPR1) on the phone. Pixel 10 will likely debut with Android 16 and soon afterwards the Android 16 QPR1 will receive an update, which will enable the lock screen vegetable support.

In particular, the Lockscreen widget feature is a part of Android’s hub, which Google is currently improving for phones. Considering this, it is appropriate to conclude that the Hub mode will serve as a version of the Stand Byback version of Android. When the Hub mode arrives on the phone with Android 16 QPR1, users will be able to switch between their screen saver (display of watches, photo frames, etc.) without interruption. Familiar sound? This is exactly what the standby format on iOS is.

Although I recognize that evidence of a dedicated standby format on Android is somewhat conditional, it contains more than just one line in the Google System release notes. In fact, while examining the code of Android 16, I discovered a new wire stating that Google plans to add the “Standbai” button to the Android Global Action dialog (Power menu).

Digging deep, I learned that this new “Standbai” button is designed to mobilize the screen saver and lock the screen widget, which has effectively tied all these elements. So, although the initial gesture may be weak, it reinforces the new link case, and I think my overall result is solid.

Q2 charging support is undoubtedly in more Android devices. When is it, if not. In a future preparation where Android phones can be easily deducted horizontally on wireless chargers, increasing the hub mode for Google phones, which can help them offer more than just a basic watch or photo display. Even if we see that this year, Android phones have yet to be seen, taking advantage of this expanded hub, but its arrival may seem inevitable.