New on Android: Unbox new features and updates across phones, tablets, smartwatches, and Google TV
Announcement
Hi Android community,
We’re continuously delivering new features and updates so you can get the most out of your Android devices. This season, we’re bringing you new features that help you personalize your devices to be more expressive, helpful, accessible, and secure – to help you create a world that is uniquely yours. Here’s what’s new:
More ways to easily express yourself
- With new Emoji Kitchen stickers you can remix your favorite emoji and share them with friends as stickers via Gboard – whether you’ve got the perfect idea for a snap 📸 + 🤯 or making dinner for friends 🌟 + 🍗.[1]
- Voice Moods in Google Messages (beta) adds a background and moving emoji theme to your voice messages. Whether you’re surprised, laughing, or feeling loved – you can better express how you’re feeling in the moment.
- Reaction Effects in Google Messages (beta) sparks an animated emoji that brings your whole screen to life – so you can light up conversations in all new ways.[2]
- YouTube Create (beta) makes video editing a breeze – so you can spend more time on the things you find creatively rewarding. Produce videos your audience will love with a suite of easy-to-use tools and a library of royalty-free music and sound effects.[3]
- Emoji reactions in Gmail help you communicate in a couple taps – just like you do in messaging apps. Whether it’s a 👍, 😂, or ❤️, now you can convey what you’re thinking (or feeling) in all new ways in Gmail.
- With Highlight video in Google Photos, simply search the people, places, or activities you want to feature, and Google Photos will do the heavy lifting to curate your special moments in one video.
More ways to make calls and content more accessible
- TalkBack makes Android more accessible with AI-generated descriptions of images – whether it’s a photo you just took, an image from apps or social media, or even picture messages from friends.[4]
- New features in Live Caption bring more languages to captions and make phone calls and on-device media more accessible. With the ability to reply during phone calls by texting a response that’s read aloud, it’s possible to take calls without needing to hear them or respond with your voice.[5]
- Shared Lists in Google Maps makes planning your next group outing easier. Invite friends to join a list so your whole group can save locations, add recommendations, personalize the map with emojis, and decide where to go with emoji reactions.
- With free channels from Google TV, it’s easier to access the shows you love, or find new favorites. Explore new movie, sports, and game show channels, as well as over 100 other free channels without juggling additional subscriptions.[6]
More apps and controls on Wear OS
- New Google Home for Wear OS features give you more controls over compatible smart devices like vacuums and mops, help you set the mood in an instant with new light group controls, and let you set the state of your home to Home or Away from your smartwatch.[7]
- Coming soon, with Assistant Routines for Wear OS you can get more done on the go by starting a routine right from your smartwatch with a voice command.[8]
- With Gmail for Wear OS, you can stay updated while on-the-go by reading, organizing, and responding to emails with Gmail – all on your smartwatch.[9]
- Google Calendar for Wear OS makes it easier to stay organized from your wrist. Now you can view and RSVP to events, receive notifications for upcoming appointments, and tap on an event’s location to begin navigation with Google Maps.[10]
- With Assistant At a Glance now available to add on your watch face, you can see important information like weather alerts, travel updates, and event reminders – all on your wrist.[11]
More ways to keep yourself and your info protected
- FIDO2 PIN support for security keys allows you to log in to websites or apps that request user verification, without a cumbersome password. If the physical key is lost or stolen, your credentials remain protected by your custom PIN code.[12]
- Real-time scanning for emerging threats protects your device from new, malicious apps, wherever they come from. If you try to install an app from outside Google Play, Google Play Protect will scan the app to let you know if it’s potentially harmful.[13]
- The Personal Safety app helps you find what you need in an emergency, fast. Easily connect to emergency services or loved ones when you need help by sharing your live location, recording your surroundings, or calling 911.[14]
Android is always adding improvements to your devices. Visit https://bit.ly/3uFrRhb to learn more.
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Disclaimers
[1] Works with compatible emoji. May require download.
[2] Animations need to be turned on in settings.
[3] Available on Android 8+ and in select countries only. Requires at least 4GB of RAM.
[4] Description of images may vary. Available on Android 11+ and in English only.
[5] Accuracy may vary. Available in select languages.
[6] Free TV channels from Google TV are available in the U.S. only.
[7] Requires internet, Wi-Fi, and compatible smart home devices. Available on Wear OS 3+.
[8] Android phone required for set up. Internet connection required. Rolling out soon to Wear OS 3+. Google Assistant is not available in certain languages and countries. Pre-set up is required.
[9] Android phone required for set up. Internet connection required. Available on Wear OS 3+.
[10] Android phone required for set up. Internet connection required. Available on Wear OS 3+.
[11] Android phone required for set up. Internet connection required. Available on Wear OS 3+. Google Assistant is not available in certain languages and countries.
[12] PIN verification needs to be requested by the service. Some security keys may always ask for PIN verification if set.
[13] May not be available in all countries.
[14] The Personal Safety app must be installed and features may need to be manually enabled. For certain features, you may need to turn on location services, permissions, cellular connectivity, and/or Wi-Fi. Available on Android 12+.
Details
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Last edited Nov 30, 2023