Android 16 has arrived with a bonus characteristic drop for Pixel telephones

Not to be outdone by Apple on this week’s cellular OS information cycle, Google has introduced that Android 16 is formally accessible in secure type. The corporate has been onerous at work on this next-generation model of the Android platform for a while now, with the first Developer Preview landing in November of final 12 months, and the first beta build launching back in January of this 12 months.

“Immediately, we’re bringing you Android 16, rolling out first to Pixel with extra telephone manufacturers to come back later this 12 months. That is the earliest Android has launched a significant launch in the previous few years, which ensures you get the most recent updates as quickly as attainable in your units. Android 16 lays the muse for our new Materials 3 Expressive design, with options that make Android extra accessible and straightforward to make use of,” says Seang Chau, VP and GM of Android Platform at Google.

So far as software program updates go, Android 16 itself is a fairly small release from a user-facing perspective: it gives new stay replace notifications within the vein of Apple’s Stay Actions, enhancements in assist for Bluetooth Low Vitality (LE) audio listening to help units, Excessive Dynamic Vary (HDR) screenshot assist, and a brand new Superior Safety setting that “allows an array of sturdy system safety features” when toggled on.

The larger story is what Android 16 lays the groundwork for. Again at its I/O developer conference final month, Google formally unveiled its next-generation Material 3 Expressive design language, which is about to reach on the platform in an upcoming Android 16 Quarterly Platform Launch (QPR) someday later this 12 months. Google can also be promising main enhancements to Android’s desktop mode, customized keyboard shortcuts, and extra exterior show enhancements, all of which can roll out “later this 12 months on appropriate units.”

Pixel homeowners are in for an enhanced Android 16 expertise

Google is rolling out a June Pixel Drop with new Pixel-exclusive options

Google

Along with being first in line for Android 16, Google Pixel homeowners are in for a further deal with within the type of an upcoming June Pixel Drop. This characteristic drop brings with it a number of Pixel-exclusive additions, together with the flexibility to create stickers in Gboard through the Pixel Studio utility, a brand new VIP Contacts app widget, a brand new Pixel Digicam schooling hub that surfaces pictures ideas, and stay search within the Magnifier app.

It would not be a Google software program launch with no sprinkling of AI, and this time across the firm is launching new AI-powered modifying choices in Google Photos. AI solutions for enhancing photographs with a single faucet are being integrated into the combo, in addition to simpler fast entry to generally used modifying controls. A brand new Expressive Captions characteristic, which is on the market in US, Canada, UK, and Australia (English), is designed to enhance upon the depth, nuance, and emotion of speech when in comparison with the presently accessible stay captions expertise.

It is unclear whether or not this June Pixel Drop will make its approach to Pixel phones throughout the Android 16 over-the-air (OTA) replace itself, or whether or not it will be a separate replace pushed out after the very fact. Google documentation states that “your Pixel will typically obtain Pixel Drops in the course of the relevant Android replace and assist durations for the telephone,” which suggests that every one Android-16-compatible Pixel units will obtain the June Pixel Drop when it does arrive.

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3 Android 16 changes that just don’t impress me at all

They don’t seem to be essentially unhealthy, however they’re positively not earthshaking.