Android 16 updates embody AI-powered notification summaries and built-in parental controls

Android 16 first got here out in June however, in a change from its traditional yearly replace schedule, a second iteration is now on the way in which. Android has introduced new options starting from AI-powered notification summaries to built-in parental controls. As traditional, the replace will roll out to eligible Pixel units first.

Anybody who has used Apple Intelligence, will discover a few of these Android 16 features acquainted. Such is the case for brand new notification instruments, like AI-powered message summaries and a notification organizer. Different updates additionally align with current Apple instruments like built-in parental controls, for issues like display time and app utilization.

Android 16’s second launch has extra new options, together with customized icon shapes, themed icons and an expanded darkish theme. The corporate claims the latter ought to enhance battery life.

Outdoors of Android 16’s second go round, the corporate can be rolling out a collection of basic updates. There’s Circle To Search, which makes use of an AI Overview to search out out if a message is more likely to be spam — and offers recommendation on subsequent steps. Equally, Google Messages will now ship an alert any time an unknown quantity sends a bunch invite. It should supply a one-tap possibility to go away, block and report.

In what might be useful or get annoying actually quick, Android is beta testing one thing titled Name Cause. It permits Android customers to mark their name as “pressing” when calling a saved contact. It is not going to solely present as pressing on the decision display, however retains the observe in the event that they miss the decision. Pinned Tabs are additionally now out there on Chrome for Android, staying saved and upfront, similar to in Chrome on desktop. Plus, a characteristic known as Expressive Captions is coming that ought to shine a light-weight on an individual’s emotion in a video, regardless of the sound being turned off.

These Expressive Captions are additionally coming to YouTube as a part of Android’s new accessibility updates. Further options embody Quick Pair for listening to aids and Guided Body with Gemini, which supplies an outline of what is in view on the Pixel digicam app. Be taught extra about all of Android’s accessibility updates right here.