Android App Shortcuts

Hi all,

Let me share with you a glimpse of something cool we’re bringing to the Android app :soon:

If your phone has a modern launcher (Google Pixel, for example) you’ll be able to add shortcuts to different sections and actions of the Monzo app… so you can open the app straight on Spending, sending money to someone, etc.

Kudos to @emmag @ivan and @tristan for pushing this idea forward :slight_smile:

Out of curiosity, how many of you already have a Google Pixel? Do you use shortcuts?

Thanks!
Hugo

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Another example of the benefits of going down the native app route :wink:

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I’m currently on a Nexus 5X running the Pixel launcher. The addition of this feature would be cool.

Just to clarify, are there plans to implement both kinds of shortcuts? The Pixel launcher ones you hold the icon to access and the separate icons that work just about everywhere. Your image shows both but only one set being Monzo.

As far as I understand they are both the same, they just happen to be draggable so you can leave them as a permanent icon on your screen.

Am I missing something? :thinking:

Hmm, probably. I may also be missing something by not having access to a device running Android 7.1 with API level 25 to use these new style shortcuts. My Moto X is stuck on 5.1 with the Google Now Launcher (still the Google launcher for non-Pixel phones).

The app shortcuts I believe you’re looking at are these, introduced with the Pixel and Pixel Launcher. https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/ui/shortcuts.html

Taking a look back at the APIs, the shortcuts I’m using on my device and that are used in Google apps on non-Pixel devices appear to be just a hack on the widgets system. See Inbox, Maps, Translate, Drive and the Contacts app for examples of these.

Update: Google Now Launcher does support these newer shortcuts but only on Android 7.1+ :disappointed:

They are both same. You can press and hold the app’s icon to view the “secret menu” or drag them to your home screen to create a short cut.

They’re only the same if you compare the iPhone 6s, or newer, and some Android devices.

I think we’re all already getting confused here. On Android, there are two main ways of creating shortcuts as an application developer (let’s ignore 3rd party launchers with intent shortcuts).

The old way was to create widget shortcuts. These are actually 1x1 widgets with just a giant button customised by the app. An example of these would be all the Google Maps shortcuts.

The new way as of API level 25 and Android 7.1 is to define App Shortcuts and let the system/launcher handle presentation and such. These are the shortcuts used in the 3D Touch-like menus of the Pixel Launcher as well as shortcuts that contain a small version of the app icon.

To answer my own question based on this, Monzo will seemingly only be supporting the new App Shortcuts for Android 7.1+. A little disappointing as a user of an older device but I support that decision from a technical side as widget shortcuts are a real pain to maintain, even if they are more compatible.

Which phones can get these context menus? My phone (LG G5) updated to the latest Google OS earlier this week, but I wouldn’t have a clue if this widget shortcut thing is part of it or if it is tied to Google phones only?

+1 for having a Pixel and using App Shortcuts

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Using a pixel xl but not seeing the context options with Monzo… Assume this is just a dev build ??

Nexus 6P here with Android 7.1.1 - looking forward to this :slight_smile:

It’s a design sneak peek - not something which is implemented yet.

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Pixel is WAY overpriced IMO. But this feature will be nice when the new version of android rolls out to other android phones.

Agreed.

I have the 64GB Nexus 6P which cost £499.

As there isn’t a 64GB Pixel XL, what I would need would be the 128GB XL. Which comes in at over £800! And has a smaller screen. And doesn’t have front-facing speakers like the 6P does.

If it was the same or similarly priced I’d consider getting one, but dropping an extra £300 for a phone that’s better in some ways (performance, newer CPU, quality of display panel) and worse in others (screen size, speakers) makes no sense.

For not much more than £300 I could get a OnePlus 3T with the same processor!

Black Friday had some cracking Pixel deals on contract with CPW and places like that, but I’m still in contract at the moment. So maybe next year I’ll be able to grab a deal on a Pixel XL 2 :slight_smile:

Looks fantastic!! Currently using the Pixel XL - I wondered when this feature might be on its way :wink:

At first I didn’t think the long press shortcuts would be any good, they certainly are though!! :smiley:

I’ve got the Oneplus 3. I’ll admit it’s not quite as good as the flagship models of the"better" manufacturers, but it’s a damn good phone for the money.

I’m using a Pixel 2 and joined Mondo via a Golden Ticket invite just today. My card is due in a few days time but I’ll definitely be using this feature! Thank you.

Any plans to consider basic widgets for Android? Such as a small bar that increases/decreases to indicate a budget or balance. I’d really like to be able to see that at a glance on my home screen without having to directly open the app. A budget widget would be particularly useful as this is what I like to review every other day with my daily spending.

Thanks, Mondo team.

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