Google is quietly building a smart display mode for Android without calling it that
Referential image of Pixel Tablet as a Google Home hub. | Image credit — PhoneArena
Android phones might soon get a feature that’s been a favorite on iPhones for a while now. If you’ve seen Standby Mode on iOS, you know what it looks like: when the phone is charging and placed sideways, it turns into a mini smart display. You get a big clock, photo slideshows, widgets, or even live updates, all on your screen. Now, Google seems to be working on something similar for Android.
The first clue came from a recent Google Play Services update. In version 25.18, Google added a line to the code about a new feature that lets users „use Cast on standby-friendly devices.“ What was notable about that is that it was specifically marked for phones.
