Android
September 2023 Android Feature Drop: New Features for Google Services on All Android Phones
Google has announced the September 2023 Android Feature Drop, which introduces new features to various Google services on Android devices. The new features aim to improve the user experience and provide more convenience and accessibility.
September 2023 Android Feature Drop update for Google devices arrives with several new features including WhatsApp for Wear OS, Glance Widget, Lookout, Google Assistant, Gmail, and more.
You can check the details of all the new features below.
Assistant At a Glance Widget
The At a Glance widget displays helpful information on the home screen of the device. The widget can show dynamic travel updates, such as flight status, baggage info, and hotel check-in. The widget can also show other relevant information, such as weather, calendar events, and reminders.
Google Wallet
One of the new features is the photo import for passes in Google Wallet, which allows users to scan or upload images of cards that have barcodes or QR codes, such as gym memberships, library cards, or grocery loyalty cards. The cards are then stored digitally in Google Wallet, where they can be accessed easily and securely.
Google Assistant
Google also added new options for Google Fit or Fitbit users to access their fitness data with Google Assistant. Users can now ask Google Assistant to tell them their sleep data and step count by saying “Hey Google, good morning”. The assistant will then provide audio feedback on the hours slept, sleep time start, and steps taken the previous day.
Lookout
Lookout is an app that uses AI to generate more detailed descriptions of visual content. You can open an image and ask follow-up questions to learn more about what is in the image. You can type or use your voice to ask the questions. Lookout supports 34 languages, including 11 new ones such as Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. This makes Lookout more accessible and useful for people who speak different languages.
New Features of Wear OS
WhatsApp for Wear OS allows users to securely send and receive messages, answer calls, and keep up with chats without having to get out of their phones. With Google Maps, you can find new places, place information, and directions on your smartwatch.
Translate email easily on Gmail
You can easily understand emails in different languages with the Gmail mobile app. It will ask you if you want to translate any email that is not in your preferred language. You can choose to see the translation right on the app.
You can check more details and features here…
Google has kicked off the Developer Preview for Android 16, arriving earlier than expected. Usually, these previews begin in February, but Android 16 DP1 is launching three months ahead of schedule this year.
The earlier release of the DP1 is because Google has moved the official Android 16 release from the third quarter to the second quarter of 2025. It aims to ensure that more devices get access to the major Android updates sooner.
Android 16 DP1 is available for several Pixel devices, including the pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel Pro Fold, as well as the Android Emulator. It can be identified through version BP21.241018.009.
The Android 16 Developer Preview brings new features for app developers. It brings a system photo picker that will help apps give users a smoother, more integrated way to select photos without needing extra permissions.
Another new feature is Health Connect, which lets apps access and manage medical records in FHIR format, but only with user permission. The update also includes the latest version of the Privacy Sandbox for privacy protection.
This preview program runs from November 2024 until the final public release next year. Android 16 Beta Program will begin in January, with the final stable release expected in Q2 of 2025. Stay tuned for more updates.
Android 16 to make Quick Settings access easier with one-finger swipe
Google has released the first beta of Android 15 QPR2 for Pixel users. The update can be identified via build version BP11.241025.006. However, users are also waiting for the stable release of Android 15 QPR1 in December this year.
Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 update comes with the November 2024 security patch. It is available for a wide range of Pixel devices, including Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, as well as the Android Emulator.
Quarterly Platform Releases are updates that bring more noticeable changes and new features compared to the usual monthly bug fixes. These updates are perfect for testing out bigger UI changes or new features that don’t need to wait for a full Android version release.
The QPR2 Beta 1 is the second major update for Android 15, with the final version expected to launch in March 2025 (via 9to5Google). This update brings the usual bug fixes, security enhancements, and new features to test.
Users participating in the beta program are advised to report any issues via the Android Beta Feedback app, easily accessible through the app drawer or Quick Settings. Install the update now to get an enhanced experience.
Android 16 to make Quick Settings access easier with one-finger swipe
Google is reportedly going to bring an interesting change with Android 16, which will no longer require two fingers to pull down the Quick Settings panel. Previously, there were concerns that users would need to swipe down with two fingers to bring up the Quick Settings. Fortunately, Google has decided to simplify this process.
With Android 16, accessing the Quick Settings will only require a single-finger swipe down on the right half of the status bar. The one-finger swipe access aligns it more closely similar to other Android manufacturers, like OnePlus and Samsung, have designed their systems.
Several users didn’t like the idea of needing two fingers to swipe down, as it felt more awkward and less convenient. By switching to a single-finger swipe for Android 16, Google will make it easier for users to manage their settings with less effort. A well-known tipster Mishaal Rahman (via Android Authority) spotted the code for this Quick Settings change.
However, the new design still lacks the ability to swipe seamlessly between the notifications and Quick Settings panels. Hopefully, Google will add this feature before the official release.
In addition to the swipe change, Android 16 will introduce resizable Quick Settings tiles and better categorization to help users find specific settings more easily.
However, these features are still being worked on and may not be fully ready in the current beta. They are expected to roll out in the final Android 16 release, which is expected in mid-2025.