There are several new features, such as Gemini expanding to more devices and the largest Android overhaul in years. A week before to the major keynote on May 20, Google gave us an early glimpse at Android 16 with its first-ever Android Show, which started off this year’s I/O developer conference.

Google’s new style for Android and Wear OS, Material 3 Expressive, takes center stage. It offers your smartphone and watch fresh vibrant colors, bouncy animations, and a more fluid experience.

Google also gave users a sneak peek at new settings and features, such as more customizable options, enhanced privacy and security, and smarter alerts. Oh, and Gemini AI will soon be available on additional gadgets, including watches, automobiles, televisions, and even Samsung’s next XR headset. Here are all the new features, from the largest Android overhaul in years to Gemini expanding to more devices. These include Wear OS 6, Android 16, additional tools to combat fraudsters, and features aimed at protecting your privacy.

Android 16 is getting a major redesign

The distinctive personalization of Android is further enhanced by Google’s Material 3 expressive design. This year’s trend appears to be “springy,” which means more flowing, and incorporating organic animations into every area of your user interface.

The entire stack ripples with a spring-loaded motion when you swipe away a notice, and there’s a nice haptic rumble when you snap the notification off, making interactions seem more tactile. The same lighthearted bounce has been added to commonplace movements like changing the volume slider, navigating through recent applications, and sliding down the shade.

Additionally, you’ll see similar improvements across your phone, including in Google applications like Gmail and Google Photos, along with improved dynamic color palettes and bolder font.

Android 16 gives your phone additional features in addition to improved looks. More of your favorite toggles, such as Flashlight and Do Not Disturb, can be added to Quick Settings, and the new Live Updates feature makes it simple to track real-time progress notifications (such as your Uber Eats delivery, a rideshare ETA, navigation instructions, etc.) so you never have to look for them.

Later this year, Android 16 is anticipated to make its debut on Pixel handsets first, followed by partner phones.

Wear OS 6 is rounder, smoother and longer-lasting

Material 3: Expressive, which is fashioned like the circular displays of Wear OS, is also arriving on your wrist. Buttons extend to embrace the watch’s bezel so they’re more readily tappable, lists animate as you go through it to make more information available, and the animations are smoother and simpler to follow—just like on your phone.

Your interface will seem unified rather than patched together thanks to dynamic color theming, which synchronizes the whole system with your watch face palette. Like a one-tap shortcut to your favorite contacts or exercise, tiles have been redesigned to reveal additional information.

According to the manufacturer, you may anticipate up to 10% longer battery life with ongoing performance and power optimization advancements.Later this year, Wear OS 6 will be available.

Android 16 will include three privacy and security enhancements.

Three significant updates are being made to Android’s security playbook to help you stay ahead of hackers, thieves, and fraudsters.

First off, Google texts’ AI-powered Scam Detection function, which filters questionable texts, is becoming more adept at identifying emerging SMS frauds. With Android 16, Scam Detection can now prevent billions of suspicious messages every month by flagging anything from fake toll-road tolls to cryptocurrency “investment” scams.

Then there’s FindHub, a new dashboard that lets you check whether your kid arrived home safely or follow your phone and baggage tag. More third-party Bluetooth tags will be added by the service, and later this year, where carriers allow it, it will use satellite connection to allow you to broadcast your whereabouts even in the event that cell coverage is lost. In order to facilitate quicker baggage recovery, Google is also collaborating with airlines such as Singapore Airlines and British Airways to allow you to communicate the position of your tag with the airline.

To complete the picture, Android 16 incorporates Google’s strongest security settings into an Advanced Protection mode that is simpler to switch. Turning it on gives you access to the same privacy and security features that Google saves for high-risk users, such as politicians and journalists. These features include more stringent app inspections, tighter sign-in restrictions, and additional malware protection.

Gemini will be available on more of your gadgets.

Google is working to make Gemini available on all of your screens, including your watch, dashboard, TV, and the mixed reality headset that Samsung will be delivering later this year.

Soon, Wear OS will allow you to get restaurant information without fumbling with your keyboard or send out reminders while working out (“Remember that I’m using locker 43”).

Gemini replaces Google Assistant as the voice assistant in the vehicle, allowing you to talk to navigate to an EV charger close to a park, summarize tumultuous group discussions, or check up on the news of the day while you’re behind the wheel.

At home, Gemini on Google TV will play kid-friendly films and play instructional videos from YouTube when you ask questions like “How big is Jupiter, exactly?” Additionally, you can plan a whole trip in 3D on Android XR, Google’s new platform for smart glasses and headsets, complete with maps, films, and local advice.

Gemini will also be available for Samsung and Sony earphones.

Gemini will arrive to your vehicle.

In the next months, Google will integrate its Gemini AI assistant into 250 million cars that already use Android Auto. Later this year, it will be available on Google-built dashboards in cars including the Lincoln Nautilus, Renault R5, and Honda Passport.

Gemini will allow you to communicate with your vehicle in the same manner that you would with a passenger. Without having to recall any complex words or tinker with your screen, you may instruct Gemini to “always text Joe in Spanish,” locate taco places along your route, or locate an address in a hidden Gmail thread.

You may also study something new (“Tell me everything about Frank Lloyd Wright”) and brainstorm (“How do I ask for that promotion?”) hands-free in your vehicle using GeminiLive.

AI is only one aspect of Google’s automotive innovations. In an effort to make charging stations and school pickups a little more enjoyable, the business is also expanding its inventory by introducing new applications and new categories like games and films. Additionally, it is introducing digital vehicle keys for other manufacturers, such as Polestar, Volvo, and Audi.

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