📰 Show placeholder card on loads from empty sections

Preview: https://photos.app.goo.gl/2NJzRQ31Js9ltKeC3
Bug: 762932
Change-Id: I47d47928cf4f1708bfc1ea96689e81362e166ca8
Reviewed-on: https://chromium-review.googlesource.com/664578Reviewed-by: Bernhard Bauer <bauerb@chromium.org>
Reviewed-by: Jan Krcal <jkrcal@chromium.org>
Commit-Queue: Nicolas Dossou-Gbété <dgn@chromium.org>
Cr-Commit-Position: refs/heads/master@{#504407}

chrome/android/java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/ntp/cards/CardViewHolder.java

@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ public abstract class CardViewHolder
      * with data.
      */
     @CallSuper
-    protected void onBindViewHolder() {
+    public void onBindViewHolder() {
         // Reset the transparency and translation in case a dismissed card is being recycled.
         itemView.setAlpha(1f);
         itemView.setTranslationX(0f);

chrome/android/java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/ntp/cards/ItemViewType.java

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import java.lang.annotation.RetentionPolicy;
 @IntDef({ItemViewType.ABOVE_THE_FOLD, ItemViewType.SITE_SECTION, ItemViewType.HEADER,
         ItemViewType.SNIPPET, ItemViewType.SPACING, ItemViewType.STATUS, ItemViewType.PROGRESS,
         ItemViewType.ACTION, ItemViewType.FOOTER, ItemViewType.PROMO, ItemViewType.ALL_DISMISSED,
-        ItemViewType.CAROUSEL})
+        ItemViewType.CAROUSEL, ItemViewType.PLACEHOLDER_CARD})
 @Retention(RetentionPolicy.SOURCE)
 public @interface ItemViewType {
     /**
@@ -96,4 +96,11 @@ public @interface ItemViewType {
      * @see Adapter#getItemViewType(int)
      */
     int CAROUSEL = 12;
+
+    /**
+     * View type for a {@link org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.ContentSuggestionPlaceholder}.
+     *
+     * @see Adapter#getItemViewType(int)
+     */
+    int PLACEHOLDER_CARD = 13;
 }

chrome/android/java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/ntp/cards/NewTabPageAdapter.java

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.snippets.SnippetArticleViewHolder;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.snippets.SnippetsBridge;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.snippets.SuggestionsSource;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.offlinepages.OfflinePageBridge;
+import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.ContentSuggestionPlaceholder;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.DestructionObserver;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.SiteSection;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.SuggestionsCarousel;
@@ -185,6 +186,10 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapter extends Adapter<NewTabPageViewHolder> implements
 
             case ItemViewType.CAROUSEL:
                 return new SuggestionsCarousel.ViewHolder(mRecyclerView);
+
+            case ItemViewType.PLACEHOLDER_CARD:
+                return new ContentSuggestionPlaceholder.ViewHolder(
+                        mRecyclerView, mUiConfig, mContextMenuManager);
         }
 
         assert false : viewType;
@@ -347,7 +352,7 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapter extends Adapter<NewTabPageViewHolder> implements
 
         // In the modern layout, we only consider articles.
         SuggestionsSection suggestions = mSections.getSection(KnownCategories.ARTICLES);
-        return suggestions == null || !suggestions.hasSuggestions();
+        return suggestions == null || !suggestions.hasCards();
     }
 
     private int getChildPositionOffset(TreeNode child) {

chrome/android/java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/ntp/cards/NodeVisitor.java

@@ -74,4 +74,9 @@ public class NodeVisitor {
      * @param adapter The adapter that holds all information displayed in the carousel.
      */
     public void visitCarouselItem(SuggestionsCarouselAdapter adapter) {}
+
+    /**
+     * Visits a card placeholder item.
+     */
+    public void visitPlaceholderItem() {}
 }

chrome/android/java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/ntp/cards/SectionList.java

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.snippets.SnippetArticle;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.snippets.SnippetsBridge;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.snippets.SuggestionsSource;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.offlinepages.OfflinePageBridge;
-import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.DestructionObserver;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.SuggestionsRanker;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.SuggestionsUiDelegate;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.util.FeatureUtilities;
@@ -47,12 +46,7 @@ public class SectionList
         mUiDelegate.getSuggestionsSource().addObserver(this);
         mOfflinePageBridge = offlinePageBridge;
 
-        mUiDelegate.addDestructionObserver(new DestructionObserver() {
-            @Override
-            public void onDestroy() {
-                removeAllSections();
-            }
-        });
+        mUiDelegate.addDestructionObserver(this::removeAllSections);
     }
 
     /**
@@ -94,7 +88,8 @@ public class SectionList
         SuggestionsSection section = mSections.get(category);
 
         // Do not show an empty section if not allowed.
-        if (suggestions.isEmpty() && !info.showIfEmpty() && !alwaysAllowEmptySections) {
+        if (suggestions.isEmpty() && !info.showIfEmpty() && !alwaysAllowEmptySections
+                && !SnippetsBridge.isCategoryLoading(categoryStatus)) {
             mBlacklistedCategories.add(category);
             if (section != null) removeSection(section);
             return;
@@ -116,7 +111,9 @@ public class SectionList
 
         // Set the new suggestions.
         section.setStatus(categoryStatus);
-        section.appendSuggestions(suggestions, /* keepSectionSize = */ true);
+        if (!section.isLoading()) {
+            section.appendSuggestions(suggestions, /* keepSectionSize = */ true);
+        }
     }
 
     @Override

chrome/android/java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/ntp/cards/SignInPromo.java

@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ public class SignInPromo extends OptionalLeaf implements ImpressionTracker.Liste
         }
 
         @Override
-        protected void onBindViewHolder() {
+        public void onBindViewHolder() {
             super.onBindViewHolder();
             updatePersonalizedSigninPromo();
         }

chrome/android/java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/ntp/cards/SuggestionsSection.java

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ package org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.cards;
 
 import android.support.annotation.CallSuper;
 import android.support.annotation.NonNull;
+import android.support.annotation.Nullable;
 import android.text.TextUtils;
 
 import org.chromium.base.Callback;
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@ import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.snippets.SnippetsBridge;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.snippets.SuggestionsSource;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.offlinepages.OfflinePageBridge;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.offlinepages.OfflinePageItem;
+import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.ContentSuggestionPlaceholder;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.SuggestionsOfflineModelObserver;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.SuggestionsRanker;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.SuggestionsUiDelegate;
@@ -47,8 +49,9 @@ public class SuggestionsSection extends InnerNode {
 
     // Children
     private final SectionHeader mHeader;
+    private final @Nullable ContentSuggestionPlaceholder mPlaceholder;
     private final SuggestionsList mSuggestionsList;
-    private final StatusItem mStatus;
+    private final @Nullable StatusItem mStatus;
     private final ActionItem mMoreButton;
 
     /**
@@ -97,17 +100,16 @@ public class SuggestionsSection extends InnerNode {
 
         mHeader = new SectionHeader(info.getTitle());
         mSuggestionsList = new SuggestionsList(mSuggestionsSource, ranker, info);
+        mMoreButton = new ActionItem(this, ranker);
+
         boolean isChromeHomeEnabled = FeatureUtilities.isChromeHomeEnabled();
         if (isChromeHomeEnabled) {
             mStatus = null;
+            mPlaceholder = new ContentSuggestionPlaceholder();
+            addChildren(mHeader, mPlaceholder, mSuggestionsList, mMoreButton);
         } else {
             mStatus = StatusItem.createNoSuggestionsItem(info);
-        }
-        mMoreButton = new ActionItem(this, ranker);
-
-        if (isChromeHomeEnabled) {
-            addChildren(mHeader, mSuggestionsList, mMoreButton);
-        } else {
+            mPlaceholder = null;
             addChildren(mHeader, mSuggestionsList, mStatus, mMoreButton);
         }
 
@@ -252,9 +254,14 @@ public class SuggestionsSection extends InnerNode {
         if ((newSuggestionsCount == 0) == (oldSuggestionsCount == 0)) return;
 
         if (!FeatureUtilities.isChromeHomeEnabled()) {
-            mStatus.setVisible(newSuggestionsCount == 0);
+            mStatus.setVisible(!hasSuggestions());
         }
 
+        // A manual fetch can complete after the placeholder is shown, thus we can have both a
+        // placeholder and some suggestions present with no status change notification. We need to
+        // update its visibility here to avoid that.
+        updatePlaceholderVisibility();
+
         // When the ActionItem stops being dismissable, it is possible that it was being
         // interacted with. We need to reset the view's related property changes.
         if (mMoreButton.isVisible()) {
@@ -359,7 +366,7 @@ public class SuggestionsSection extends InnerNode {
         }
     }
 
-    public boolean hasSuggestions() {
+    private boolean hasSuggestions() {
         return mSuggestionsList.getItemCount() != 0;
     }
 
@@ -379,10 +386,20 @@ public class SuggestionsSection extends InnerNode {
         return mIsDataStale;
     }
 
+    /** Whether the section is waiting for content to be loaded. */
     public boolean isLoading() {
         return mMoreButton.getState() == ActionItem.State.LOADING;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * @return Whether the section is showing content cards. The placeholder is included in this
+     * check, as it's standing for content, but the status card is not.
+     */
+    public boolean hasCards() {
+        return hasSuggestions()
+                || (FeatureUtilities.isChromeHomeEnabled() && mPlaceholder.isVisible());
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns whether content has been inserted in the section since last time this method was
      * called.
@@ -401,6 +418,11 @@ public class SuggestionsSection extends InnerNode {
         return suggestionIds;
     }
 
+    private void updatePlaceholderVisibility() {
+        if (!FeatureUtilities.isChromeHomeEnabled()) return;
+        mPlaceholder.setVisible(isLoading() && !hasSuggestions());
+    }
+
     /**
      * Requests the section to update itself. If possible, it will retrieve suggestions from the
      * backend and use them to replace the current ones. This call may have no or only partial
@@ -540,8 +562,9 @@ public class SuggestionsSection extends InnerNode {
             Log.d(TAG, "setStatus: unavailable status, cleared suggestions.");
         }
 
-        mMoreButton.updateState(SnippetsBridge.isCategoryLoading(status) ? ActionItem.State.LOADING
-                                                                         : ActionItem.State.BUTTON);
+        boolean isLoading = SnippetsBridge.isCategoryLoading(status);
+        mMoreButton.updateState(isLoading ? ActionItem.State.LOADING : ActionItem.State.BUTTON);
+        updatePlaceholderVisibility();
     }
 
     /** Clears the suggestions and related data, resetting the state of the section. */

chrome/android/java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/suggestions/ContentSuggestionPlaceholder.java

+// Copyright 2017 The Chromium Authors. All rights reserved.
+// Use of this source code is governed by a BSD-style license that can be
+// found in the LICENSE file.
+
+package org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions;
+
+import android.support.annotation.ColorRes;
+
+import org.chromium.chrome.R;
+import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.ContextMenuManager;
+import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.cards.CardViewHolder;
+import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.cards.ItemViewType;
+import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.cards.NewTabPageViewHolder;
+import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.cards.NodeVisitor;
+import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ntp.cards.OptionalLeaf;
+import org.chromium.chrome.browser.widget.displaystyle.UiConfig;
+
+/**
+ * Optional node describing an empty content suggestion card.
+ */
+public class ContentSuggestionPlaceholder extends OptionalLeaf {
+    /** Color used to fill highlighted empty UI elements of the placeholder. */
+    private static final @ColorRes int HIGHLIGHT_COLOR = R.color.black_alpha_20;
+
+    public void setVisible(boolean visible) {
+        setVisibilityInternal(visible);
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void onBindViewHolder(NewTabPageViewHolder holder) {
+        ((ViewHolder) holder).onBindViewHolder();
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected int getItemViewType() {
+        return ItemViewType.PLACEHOLDER_CARD;
+    }
+
+    @Override
+    protected void visitOptionalItem(NodeVisitor visitor) {
+        visitor.visitPlaceholderItem();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * ViewHolder for {@link ContentSuggestionPlaceholder}. Holds an empty modern card, where the
+     * main fields (thumbnail, title and publisher) are filled with some plain color instead of
+     * actual data.
+     */
+    public static class ViewHolder extends CardViewHolder {
+        public ViewHolder(SuggestionsRecyclerView recyclerView, UiConfig uiConfig,
+                ContextMenuManager contextMenuManager) {
+            super(R.layout.content_suggestions_card_modern, recyclerView, uiConfig,
+                    contextMenuManager);
+
+            itemView.findViewById(R.id.article_thumbnail).setBackgroundResource(HIGHLIGHT_COLOR);
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public boolean isDismissable() {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        @Override
+        public boolean isItemSupported(int menuItemId) {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
+}

chrome/android/java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/suggestions/SuggestionsBottomSheetContent.java

@@ -134,6 +134,13 @@ public class SuggestionsBottomSheetContent implements BottomSheet.BottomSheetCon
         mBottomSheetObserver = new SuggestionsSheetVisibilityChangeObserver(this, activity) {
             @Override
             public void onContentShown(boolean isFirstShown) {
+                // TODO(dgn): Temporary workaround to trigger an event in the backend when the
+                // sheet is opened following inactivity. See https://crbug.com/760974. Should be
+                // moved back to the "new opening of the sheet" path once we are able to trigger it
+                // in that case.
+                mSuggestionsUiDelegate.getEventReporter().onSurfaceOpened();
+                SuggestionsMetrics.recordSurfaceVisible();
+
                 if (isFirstShown) {
                     adapter.refreshSuggestions();
 
@@ -147,13 +154,7 @@ public class SuggestionsBottomSheetContent implements BottomSheet.BottomSheetCon
                     mRecyclerView.getScrollEventReporter().reset();
                 }
 
-                // TODO(dgn): Temporary workaround to trigger an event in the backend when the
-                // sheet is opened following inactivity. See https://crbug.com/760974. Should be
-                // moved back to the "new opening of the sheet" path once we are able to trigger it
-                // in that case.
-                mSuggestionsUiDelegate.getEventReporter().onSurfaceOpened();
 
-                SuggestionsMetrics.recordSurfaceVisible();
             }
 
             @Override

chrome/android/java_sources.gni

@@ -1077,6 +1077,7 @@ chrome_java_sources = [
   "java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/suggestions/SuggestionsEventReporterBridge.java",
   "java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/suggestions/SuggestionsMetrics.java",
   "java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/suggestions/SuggestionsRanker.java",
+  "java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/suggestions/ContentSuggestionPlaceholder.java",
   "java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/suggestions/SuggestionsSheetVisibilityChangeObserver.java",
   "java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/superviseduser/SupervisedUserContentProvider.java",
   "java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/sync/GmsCoreSyncListener.java",

chrome/android/junit/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/ntp/cards/NewTabPageAdapterTest.java

@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapterTest {
         public boolean mViewAllButton;
         public boolean mFetchButton;
         public boolean mProgressItem;
+        public boolean mPlaceholder;
 
         public SectionDescriptor() {}
 
@@ -172,6 +173,11 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapterTest {
             mStatusCard = true;
             return this;
         }
+
+        public SectionDescriptor withPlaceholder() {
+            mPlaceholder = true;
+            return this;
+        }
     }
 
     /**
@@ -214,6 +220,10 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapterTest {
                 mInOrder.verify(mVisitor, mVerification).visitHeader();
             }
 
+            if (descriptor.mPlaceholder) {
+                mInOrder.verify(mVisitor, mVerification).visitPlaceholderItem();
+            }
+
             for (SnippetArticle suggestion : descriptor.mSuggestions) {
                 mInOrder.verify(mVisitor, mVerification).visitSuggestion(eq(suggestion));
             }
@@ -273,7 +283,7 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapterTest {
         FeatureUtilities.resetChromeHomeEnabledForTests();
 
         // Set empty variation params for the test.
-        CardsVariationParameters.setTestVariationParams(new HashMap<String, String>());
+        CardsVariationParameters.setTestVariationParams(new HashMap<>());
 
         // Initialise the sign in state. We will be signed in by default in the tests.
         assertFalse(
@@ -546,7 +556,7 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapterTest {
 
         // Part 2: VisibleIfEmpty = false
         suggestionsSource = new FakeSuggestionsSource();
-        suggestionsSource.setStatusForCategory(TEST_CATEGORY, CategoryStatus.INITIALIZING);
+        suggestionsSource.setStatusForCategory(TEST_CATEGORY, CategoryStatus.AVAILABLE);
         suggestionsSource.setInfoForCategory(
                 TEST_CATEGORY, new CategoryInfoBuilder(TEST_CATEGORY).build());
 
@@ -966,7 +976,7 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapterTest {
 
     @Test
     @Feature({"Ntp"})
-    @Features({ @Features.Register(ChromeFeatureList.CHROME_HOME) })
+    @Features(@Features.Register(ChromeFeatureList.CHROME_HOME))
     public void testSigninPromoModern() {
         when(mMockSigninManager.isSignInAllowed()).thenReturn(true);
         when(mMockSigninManager.isSignedInOnNative()).thenReturn(false);
@@ -974,7 +984,7 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapterTest {
         reloadNtp();
 
         // Special case of the modern layout: the signin promo comes before the content suggestions.
-        assertItemsFor(signinPromo(), emptySection().withProgress());
+        assertItemsFor(signinPromo(), emptySection().withPlaceholder().withProgress());
     }
 
     @Test
@@ -1133,18 +1143,19 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapterTest {
 
     @Test
     @Feature({"Ntp"})
-    @Features({ @Features.Register(value = ChromeFeatureList.CHROME_HOME) })
+    @Features(@Features.Register(ChromeFeatureList.CHROME_HOME))
     public void testAllDismissedModern() {
         when(mUiDelegate.isVisible()).thenReturn(true);
 
+        @CategoryInt
+        int category = KnownCategories.ARTICLES;
         mSource.setStatusForCategory(TEST_CATEGORY, CategoryStatus.NOT_PROVIDED);
-        mSource.setInfoForCategory(KnownCategories.ARTICLES,
-                new CategoryInfoBuilder(TEST_CATEGORY).showIfEmpty().build());
-        mSource.setStatusForCategory(KnownCategories.ARTICLES, CategoryStatus.AVAILABLE);
+        mSource.setInfoForCategory(
+                category, new CategoryInfoBuilder(category).showIfEmpty().build());
+        mSource.setStatusForCategory(category, CategoryStatus.AVAILABLE);
         final int numSuggestions = 3;
-        List<SnippetArticle> suggestions =
-                createDummySuggestions(numSuggestions, KnownCategories.ARTICLES);
-        mSource.setSuggestionsForCategory(KnownCategories.ARTICLES, suggestions);
+        List<SnippetArticle> suggestions = createDummySuggestions(numSuggestions, category);
+        mSource.setSuggestionsForCategory(category, suggestions);
         reloadNtp();
         assertItemsForChromeHome(section(suggestions).withoutHeader());
 
@@ -1155,7 +1166,42 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapterTest {
             verify(itemRemovedCallback).onResult(anyString());
         }
 
-        assertItemsForChromeHome(emptySection().withoutHeader());
+        assertItemsForEmptyChromeHome(emptySection().withoutHeader());
+    }
+
+    /** Tests whether a section stays visible if empty, if required. */
+    @Test
+    @Feature({"Ntp"})
+    @Features(@Features.Register(ChromeFeatureList.CHROME_HOME))
+    public void testPlaceholderModern() {
+        // Need to use ARTICLES for Home features to work properly, e.g. All Dismissed visibility.
+        int category = KnownCategories.ARTICLES;
+        mSource.setStatusForCategory(TEST_CATEGORY, CategoryStatus.NOT_PROVIDED);
+        mSource.setInfoForCategory(
+                category, new CategoryInfoBuilder(category).showIfEmpty().build());
+        mSource.setStatusForCategory(category, CategoryStatus.INITIALIZING);
+        reloadNtp();
+
+        // By default we have an initializing section. It should show a placeholder in modern.
+        assertItemsForChromeHome(emptySection().withoutHeader().withPlaceholder().withProgress());
+
+        // We stop loading (timeout?), we should remove the placeholder.
+        mSource.setStatusForCategory(category, CategoryStatus.AVAILABLE);
+        assertItemsForEmptyChromeHome(emptySection().withoutHeader());
+
+        // Loading suggestions show a placeholder when they are empty
+        mSource.setStatusForCategory(category, CategoryStatus.AVAILABLE_LOADING);
+        assertItemsForChromeHome(emptySection().withoutHeader().withPlaceholder().withProgress());
+
+        // Simulating an update from the component (timeout or success), we are notified about a
+        // status changes and that we should fetch the new suggestions.
+        mSource.setStatusForCategory(category, CategoryStatus.AVAILABLE);
+        List<SnippetArticle> suggestions = mSource.createAndSetSuggestions(2, category);
+        assertItemsForChromeHome(section(suggestions).withoutHeader());
+
+        // Loading suggestions should not show a placeholder when they are not empty
+        mSource.setStatusForCategory(category, CategoryStatus.AVAILABLE_LOADING);
+        assertItemsForChromeHome(section(suggestions).withoutHeader().withProgress());
     }
 
     /**
@@ -1208,9 +1254,19 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapterTest {
 
         // TODO(bauerb): Remove above-the-fold from test setup in Chrome Home.
         matcher.expectAboveTheFoldItem();
-        if (section.mSuggestions.isEmpty()) matcher.expectAllDismissedItem();
         matcher.expectSection(section);
-        if (!section.mSuggestions.isEmpty()) matcher.expectFooter();
+        matcher.expectFooter(); // TODO(dgn): Handle scroll to reload with removes the footer
+        matcher.expectSpacingItem();
+        matcher.expectEnd();
+    }
+
+    private void assertItemsForEmptyChromeHome(SectionDescriptor section) {
+        ItemsMatcher matcher = new ItemsMatcher(mAdapter.getRootForTesting());
+
+        // TODO(bauerb): Remove above-the-fold from test setup in Chrome Home.
+        matcher.expectAboveTheFoldItem();
+        matcher.expectAllDismissedItem();
+        matcher.expectSection(section);
         matcher.expectSpacingItem();
         matcher.expectEnd();
     }
@@ -1240,7 +1296,7 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapterTest {
      */
     private SectionDescriptor sectionWithStatusCard() {
         assertFalse(FeatureUtilities.isChromeHomeEnabled());
-        return new SectionDescriptor(Collections.<SnippetArticle>emptyList()).withStatusCard();
+        return new SectionDescriptor(Collections.emptyList()).withStatusCard();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -1251,7 +1307,7 @@ public class NewTabPageAdapterTest {
      */
     private SectionDescriptor emptySection() {
         assertTrue(FeatureUtilities.isChromeHomeEnabled());
-        return new SectionDescriptor(Collections.<SnippetArticle>emptyList());
+        return new SectionDescriptor(Collections.emptyList());
     }
 
     private void resetUiDelegate() {

chrome/android/junit/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/ntp/cards/SectionListTest.java

@@ -32,9 +32,11 @@ import org.mockito.ArgumentCaptor;
 import org.mockito.InOrder;
 import org.mockito.Mock;
 import org.mockito.MockitoAnnotations;
+import org.robolectric.RuntimeEnvironment;
 import org.robolectric.annotation.Config;
 
 import org.chromium.base.Callback;
+import org.chromium.base.ContextUtils;
 import org.chromium.base.test.util.Feature;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.ChromeFeatureList;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.DisableHistogramsRule;
@@ -48,6 +50,7 @@ import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.DestructionObserver;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.SuggestionsEventReporter;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.SuggestionsRanker;
 import org.chromium.chrome.browser.suggestions.SuggestionsUiDelegate;
+import org.chromium.chrome.browser.util.FeatureUtilities;
 import org.chromium.chrome.test.util.browser.Features;
 import org.chromium.chrome.test.util.browser.suggestions.ContentSuggestionsTestUtils.CategoryInfoBuilder;
 import org.chromium.chrome.test.util.browser.suggestions.FakeSuggestionsSource;
@@ -83,7 +86,10 @@ public class SectionListTest {
 
     @Before
     public void setUp() {
-        CardsVariationParameters.setTestVariationParams(new HashMap<String, String>());
+        ContextUtils.initApplicationContextForTests(RuntimeEnvironment.application);
+        FeatureUtilities.resetChromeHomeEnabledForTests();
+
+        CardsVariationParameters.setTestVariationParams(new HashMap<>());
         MockitoAnnotations.initMocks(this);
         mSuggestionSource = spy(new FakeSuggestionsSource());
 
@@ -440,7 +446,7 @@ public class SectionListTest {
         assertFalse(sectionList.categoriesChanged(mSuggestionSource.getCategories()));
         assertFalse(sectionList.categoriesChanged(new int[] {CATEGORY1}));
 
-        mSuggestionSource.setStatusForCategory(CATEGORY2, CategoryStatus.AVAILABLE_LOADING);
+        mSuggestionSource.setStatusForCategory(CATEGORY2, CategoryStatus.AVAILABLE);
 
         // After notifying of a change for the category, it stops being ignored.
         assertTrue(sectionList.categoriesChanged(mSuggestionSource.getCategories()));

chrome/test/android/javatests/src/org/chromium/chrome/test/util/browser/suggestions/ContentSuggestionsTestUtils.java

@@ -197,6 +197,11 @@ public final class ContentSuggestionsTestUtils {
                 describeItem("SITE_SECTION");
             }
 
+            @Override
+            public void visitPlaceholderItem() {
+                describeItem("PLACEHOLDER_CARD");
+            }
+
             private void describeItem(String description) {
                 stringBuilder.append(
                         String.format(Locale.US, "%s - %s%n", mPosition++, description));