The user interface element responsible for controlling audio output levels on devices running Android P (Android 9) underwent a significant redesign. This control, typically displayed as a vertical bar, allowed users to adjust the loudness of media, ringtones, or system alerts. For instance, when watching a video, adjusting this control would alter the sound level of the video itself.
This interface improvement aimed to provide a more intuitive and streamlined experience for users. Previous iterations often led to confusion as the volume control’s default behavior primarily affected the ringer volume, irrespective of the active application or audio source. The change addressed this by intelligently defaulting to the media volume when media was playing, thereby minimizing accidental interruptions from excessively loud notifications during audio playback. This represented a substantial usability enhancement.