Google has announced significant updates to Android 16, launching first on Pixel devices. The shift from annual releases to more frequent updates introduces AI-powered notification summaries, which condense lengthy messages into concise overviews. A new “Notification Organizer” will prioritize notifications, silencing lower-priority alerts from promotions or social media.
Android 16 enhances customization, allowing users to modify icon shapes and darken apps without native dark themes. A new Parental Controls feature enables parents to manage screen time and app usage.
Additional features include the “Call Reason” beta, which marks calls as urgent for saved contacts, and “Expressive Captions,” providing emotional context to speech. Users can easily manage group chats with alerts for unknown numbers, and Chrome’s pinned tabs now behave like desktop versions.
Accessibility improvements include enriched descriptions via the Pixel camera and hands-free Voice Access activation. Finally, Fast Pair support is introduced for hearing aids, starting with Demant’s brands.
Source link
