The release of Android 16 introduces Google’s version of Live Activities, a feature aimed at enhancing user experience on Android devices. Announced on Tuesday, Google is initially deploying Live Updates for ride-sharing and food delivery applications, providing users with continuous, real-time notifications for monitoring their rides or deliveries.
Development of Live Updates began last year, and a beta version was launched in January. There is potential for this feature to expand its scope beyond transport and food delivery services, evidenced by test users observing Live Updates in Google Maps during navigation within the Android 16 beta. Samsung users will find these updates integrated into the Now Bar, while Oppo and OnePlus devices will feature them in Live Alerts.
The latest update will also enhance the notification drawer by automatically organizing alerts from the same application, streamlining user experience.
Moreover, call quality improvements are being prioritized for users with hearing aids. Currently, most LE hearing devices rely on front-facing microphones designed primarily for picking up external voices. Users on phone calls while using hearing aids can now opt to switch to their device’s microphone. Android 16 offers integrated controls for hearing devices, allowing users to adjust volume settings, select a default microphone for calls, and more.
Users will also have the option to enable the Advanced Protection feature, which safeguards vulnerable users against malicious applications, unsafe websites, and various online threats. Google is preparing to implement a desktop-like experience for Android reminiscent of DeX, equipped with custom keyboard shortcuts for testing by developers starting today, with broader availability expected later this year.
In addition to these significant changes, Google is rolling out a series of smaller updates to its applications. Users will soon be able to set custom icons for RCS group chats in Google Messages and mute notifications for specific durations. A redesigned editor for Google Photos will be made available to additional devices, along with the ability to extend the duration of Safety Check.
Conversely, an update for Google Home aims to facilitate the management of smart home devices. Users can now create shortcuts to their favorite devices, such as pinning security camera views to Google TV or thermostat settings to a Wear OS smartwatch. Additionally, users of Wear OS watches will have a new capability to tap city transit cards without needing to launch the Google Wallet app.
Initially, Android 16 will be available on Pixel devices, while further Material 3 Expressive design enhancements are set to be introduced to Android 16 and Wear OS 6 on Pixel devices later this year.
