Google is testing a new UI for incoming calls in the Google Phone app that is present on Pixel devices and preloaded on several Android phones.
This new UI abandons the swipe gestures for accepting and rejecting calls and opts for dedicated buttons for those actions.
The new UI is similar to the incoming call UI on iPhones.
One of the prominent feelings with the launch of the Pixel 9 series has been how close the Pixel lineup has gotten to emulating the iPhone in its look and feel. The new Pixel 9 series phones are somewhere between the Pixel 8 and the iPhone 16 (which, in turn, is quite the same as the iPhone 15). It seems Google isn’t stopping there, as the latest UI change spotted on the Google Phone app changes the incoming call screen to make button behavior even closer to the iPhone.
With the latest Phone app update, v145.0.672690850, Google is testing a new UI for the incoming call screen.
Currently, when you receive an incoming call on your phone (which has the Google Phone app installed and not any OEM Phone app with the same name), the Google Phone app displays a button with the phone icon. You can either swipe up to answer the call or swipe down to reject the call. You can see the current UI in the screenshots below:
The new test opts for a two-button layout for call management. There is a dedicated red button on the left to decline the call and a dedicated green button on the right to answer the call. You can see the screenshots, provided by Telegram user iDeepak_Sharma, to see the test in action:
If the new test UI looks familiar, you are right. Many other Android OEMs use a dedicated button UI for incoming calls. However, OEMs like Samsung place the accept button on the left and the decline button on the right. On the other hand, Apple places the decline button on the left and the accept button on the right.
We couldn’t activate the feature on our end, so the upcoming changes are likely being tested through server-side switches. Google hasn’t announced the change yet, so this is still very much a test and not a confirmed change, so user feedback could decide its future.
It’s not surprising that the Google Phone app is changing its button placement to match that on some of the most popular phones around. The Google Phone app is not only present on Pixel smartphones but also preloaded on some phones by OEMs like Xiaomi and OnePlus. One could argue that the button placement on the Phone app thus becomes more popular than the iPhone (considering the popularity of Android phones), but the writing is now on the wall that we could be moving towards a more consistent look across mobile operating systems.
How do you like this new incoming call UI? Vote in the poll below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Google is testing changes to button placement that match that of the iPhone, abandoning its swipe actions for incoming calls.
Amazon’s Leadership and Corporate Culture: Lessons from Jeff Bezos
Amazon, one of the most influential and innovative companies in the world, has a corporate culture and leadership philosophy shaped largely by its founder, Jeff Bezos. Bezos’s approach to leadership and his vision for Amazon have set the company apart in the highly competitive tech and retail sectors. This article explores the key elements of Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture, and the lessons that can be drawn from Bezos’s unconventional methods.
The Bezos Leadership Philosophy
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994, and his leadership philosophy has been instrumental in driving the company’s success. Central to Bezos’s approach is a relentless focus on the customer. He famously emphasized, “We’re not competitor obsessed, we’re customer obsessed. We start with the customer and we work backwards.” This mantra has guided Amazon’s product development, customer service, and innovation strategies.
Bezos’s customer-centric philosophy manifests in various ways. For instance, Amazon’s customer service policies are designed to maximize customer satisfaction, often going above and beyond industry standards. This includes offering easy returns, fast shipping, and a broad range of products. The commitment to customer experience is not merely a slogan but a guiding principle that influences every aspect of Amazon’s operations.
Innovation and Risk-Taking
Another hallmark of Bezos’s leadership is a strong emphasis on innovation and risk-taking. Bezos has been known for his willingness to experiment and embrace failure as part of the innovation process. His approach is encapsulated in the principle that “failure and invention are inseparable twins.” This mindset has led to the creation of groundbreaking products and services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kindle, and Alexa.
Bezos encourages employees to think big and explore unconventional ideas. Amazon’s “Day 1” mentality, as described by Bezos, means treating every day as if it were the first day of the company’s existence. This approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and creativity, where employees are motivated to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.
The Two-Pizza Rule
Bezos’s leadership style also emphasizes the importance of small, agile teams. The “Two-Pizza Rule” is a notable example of this principle. According to this rule, teams should be small enough to be fed with two pizzas. The rationale behind this is that smaller teams are more effective at communicating and collaborating, which leads to faster decision-making and more innovative solutions.
The Two-Pizza Rule has influenced Amazon’s organizational structure, promoting a decentralized and flexible approach to management. It encourages teams to be autonomous and take ownership of their projects, leading to a more dynamic and responsive organization.
Long-Term Thinking
One of the defining features of Bezos’s leadership is his long-term thinking. Bezos has consistently prioritized long-term goals over short-term gains, a strategy that has often led to criticism from investors focused on quarterly results. However, Bezos believes that focusing on the long term is essential for building a sustainable and successful business.
This long-term perspective is reflected in Amazon’s investments in infrastructure, technology, and talent. For example, Amazon’s substantial investments in its fulfillment network and cloud computing services were made with the expectation of significant long-term returns. Bezos’s willingness to forgo immediate profits in favor of future growth has been a key driver of Amazon’s success.
Leadership Principles
Amazon’s leadership principles are a cornerstone of its corporate culture and reflect Bezos’s values and vision. These principles guide decision-making, employee behavior, and company policies. Some of the most notable principles include:
Customer Obsession: Always start with the customer and work backwards. Work to earn and keep customer trust.
Invent and Simplify: Seek out new solutions and simplify processes to make things easier for customers.
Hire and Develop the Best: Raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. Recognize exceptional talent and help them grow.
Deliver Results: Focus on the key inputs for your business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion.
These principles help create a unified company culture where employees are aligned with Amazon’s mission and values. They also serve as a framework for evaluating performance and making strategic decisions.
A Culture of High Standards
Bezos is known for his insistence on high standards, which is reflected in Amazon’s corporate culture. He believes that maintaining high standards is crucial for driving excellence and innovation. This approach has led to a demanding work environment where employees are expected to deliver exceptional results and continuously improve.
While this culture of high standards has contributed to Amazon’s success, it has also been a point of contention. Critics have pointed to the intense pressure and high expectations placed on employees, leading to concerns about work-life balance and employee well-being. Bezos and Amazon have addressed these concerns in various ways, including investing in employee benefits and programs aimed at improving workplace conditions.
Lessons for Other Organizations
Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture offer several valuable lessons for other organizations:
Customer Focus: Prioritizing the customer can drive innovation and create a competitive edge. Companies should continually seek to understand and meet customer needs.
Embrace Failure: Viewing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback can foster innovation and resilience. Encouraging experimentation and risk-taking can lead to breakthroughs.
Small Teams, Big Impact: Smaller, autonomous teams can be more agile and effective. Empowering teams to make decisions and take ownership can drive productivity and creativity.
Long-Term Vision: Balancing short-term pressures with a focus on long-term goals can lead to sustainable growth and success. Investing in future-oriented projects can pay off over time.
High Standards: Setting high standards and striving for excellence can drive performance and improvement. However, it is important to balance this with consideration for employee well-being.
Conclusion
Jeff Bezos’s leadership and Amazon’s corporate culture have been instrumental in shaping the company’s success and influence. Bezos’s focus on the customer, innovation, long-term thinking, and high standards has created a unique and powerful organizational environment. While there are challenges associated with this approach, the lessons from Amazon’s leadership can provide valuable insights for other organizations striving for excellence and growth.
