- New Android features have been added to Messages app, Android Auto, Wear OS and more apps.
- Most of the new Android features are AI-powered.
- These features have started rolling out globally, and in regions where certain services are available.
Google has announced nine new Android features for smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and cars. Most of the new features are AI-based, and designed for different products including Android Auto, the Messages app and more. Here’s a detailed look at all the new Android features.
New Android features
AI-generated captions for images: Google will now let you listen to auto-generated AI descriptions of photos, online images and pictures included in messages. This feature has been designed keeping in mind the blind and low-vision communities. Google has started rolling out this feature for users globally in English.
New casting controls for Spotify: Google has added new screen casting controls for Spotify. This is the output switcher that appears on the Android home screen. So now whenever you’re playing media on Spotify, the output switcher will show Spotify Connect devices.
Gemini AI in Messages app: Google’s new and redesigned AI, Gemini, is now available in the Google Messages app. So you can now use Gemini to draft messages, plan events, come up with ideas, all within the Messages app. This feature started rolling out in beta in English, and it’s available in the Google Messages app for Android phones.
Wear OS: Google has added two new features to Wear OS. You can now access public transit directions on Google Maps directly on your smartwatch. This lets you check bus, train or ferry routes, departure times, and compass-guided navigation directions all on your smartwatch. Google Wallet passes are also now available on Wear OS smartwatches. So you can access boarding passes, event tickets, gym memberships, loyalty cards and more through this feature.
Android Auto: Android Auto can now automatically summarise long texts or group chats even when you’re driving with the help of AI. It will also suggest relevant replies and actions such as sending a message, sharing your ETA or starting a call.
Google also added an enhanced screen reader support for Lens in Google Maps. Now, you can point your phone’s camera at your surroundings, and TalkBack will read the place’s information out loud. It will read out details like the business hours, rating or directions.
You can also now add handwritten annotations to Google Docs from your Android phone or tablet with markups. You can choose among a selection of markup tools like different pen colors and highlighters.
