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

Not to be outdone by Apple on this week’s cell OS information cycle, Google has introduced that Android 16 is formally obtainable in steady kind. The corporate has been exhausting 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.

“At this time, we’re bringing you Android 16, rolling out first to Pixel with extra cellphone manufacturers to return later this 12 months. That is the earliest Android has launched a serious launch in the previous few years, which ensures you get the newest updates as quickly as attainable in your gadgets. Android 16 lays the muse for our new Materials 3 Expressive design, with options that make Android extra accessible and simple 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 provides new reside replace notifications within the vein of Apple’s Dwell Actions, enhancements in assist for Bluetooth Low Vitality (LE) audio listening to assist gadgets, Excessive Dynamic Vary (HDR) screenshot assist, and a brand new Superior Safety setting that “allows an array of strong gadget security measures” 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 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 suitable gadgets.”

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 power to create stickers in Gboard by way of the Pixel Studio software, a brand new VIP Contacts app widget, a brand new Pixel Digital camera training hub that surfaces pictures suggestions, and reside search within the Magnifier app.

It would not be a Google software program launch with out a sprinkling of AI, and this time across the firm is launching new AI-powered enhancing choices in Google Photos. AI options for enhancing images with a single faucet are being integrated into the combination, in addition to simpler fast entry to generally used enhancing controls. A brand new Expressive Captions characteristic, which is out there in US, Canada, UK, and Australia (English), is designed to enhance upon the depth, nuance, and emotion of speech when in comparison with the at the moment obtainable reside captions expertise.

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

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